Government Contracts Law
Federal litigation and advisory services for government contractors navigating the federal procurement system
Why Government Contractors Need Federal Court Counsel
Government contracting is unlike any other business sector. When you work with the federal government, ordinary business disputes become federal legal matters subject to specialized rules, unique forums, and complex procedures.
The challenges government contractors face:
Losing contracts you deserved: Award decisions can be challenged, but only in specific forums with strict deadlines
Contract disputes: Disagreements with the government over contract performance, payment, or termination require following prescribed administrative and legal procedures
Certification challenges: Competitors may challenge your small business status, threatening your set-aside eligibility
Debarment threats: Government contractors face exclusion from federal work for alleged misconduct
Compliance burdens: FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific regulations create complex compliance requirements
At DC Federal Litigation PLLC, we represent government contractors in the forums that matter: the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, agency boards of contract appeals, and the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals.
Our federal court admission means when administrative remedies fail, we can take your case to federal court.
Our Government Contracts Practice
Bid Protests
When you believe a contract award decision was flawed, you have limited time to act. We file bid protests at:
Government Accountability Office (GAO): Administrative protests with 100-day decision timeline and automatic CICA stay
Court of Federal Claims (COFC): Federal court litigation with discovery, injunctive relief, and appeals to the Federal Circuit
Agency-Level: Pre-award and post-award protests directly to the contracting agency
We analyze each situation to recommend the forum that maximizes your chances of success.
SBA Certifications & Approvals
Small business set-aside contracts represent significant federal spending. Eligibility depends on maintaining proper certifications:
8(a) Business Development Program: Socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses
HUBZone: Businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones
SDVOSB/VOSB: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
WOSB/EDWOSB: Women-Owned and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses
We assist with initial certification applications, annual reviews, denial appeals, and defense against status protests.
Size Protests & Status Challenges
Competitors may challenge your small business eligibility through:
Size Protests: Alleging you exceed the size standard for your NAICS code
Status Protests: Challenging your certification status (8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, WOSB)
Affiliation Challenges: Claiming you are affiliated with other entities that would push you over size limits
We defend against protests and pursue appeals when SBA rulings go against you.
Contract Disputes
Disputes with the government over contract performance require following Contract Disputes Act procedures:
Submit claim to Contracting Officer
Receive Contracting Officer's Final Decision (COFD)
Appeal to Court of Federal Claims or Board of Contract Appeals
We handle claims for:
Payment disputes
Change order disagreements
Termination challenges (convenience and default)
Government breach of contract
Equitable adjustments
Suspension & Debarment Defense
Government contractors accused of misconduct face exclusion from federal contracting. We defend against:
Suspension (temporary exclusion pending investigation)
Debarment (exclusion for specified period, typically 3 years)
Proposed debarment (pre-decision stage)
Early intervention is critical. We work to prevent listing on SAM.gov and preserve your contracting eligibility.
Types of Contracts We Handle
Contract Types
Fixed-Price Contracts: Firm-fixed-price, fixed-price with economic adjustment, fixed-price incentive
Cost-Reimbursement Contracts: Cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee
Time-and-Materials: Labor hours plus materials at cost
Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ): Task order contracts with minimum and maximum quantities
GSA Schedule Contracts: Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts
Procurement Types
Full and Open Competition: Unrestricted competitive procurements
Small Business Set-Asides: Competitions limited to eligible small businesses
8(a) Sole Source: Direct awards to 8(a) participants without competition
Simplified Acquisition: Procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold
Commercial Items: Acquisitions using commercial item procedures
Industries We Serve
Government contractors across industries face common legal challenges. We serve contractors in:
Information Technology
Systems integrators, software developers, cybersecurity providers
Professional Services
Management consultants, staffing firms, training providers
Construction
General contractors, specialty trades, A/E firms
Defense
Weapons systems, logistics, maintenance contractors
Healthcare
Medical services, supplies, research
Manufacturing
Products, components, equipment
Research & Development:
Scientific, engineering, technology research
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Compliance
Government contractors must comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and agency supplements:
FAR: Primary regulation governing federal procurement
DFARS: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
Agency FAR Supplements: Department-specific rules (GSAM, AIDAR, etc.)
Compliance requirements include:
Cost Accounting Standards (CAS): Cost allocation and accounting requirements
Truthful Cost or Pricing Data: TINA requirements for negotiated contracts
Ethics and Conduct: Organizational conflicts of interest, procurement integrity
Cybersecurity: DFARS 252.204-7012 and CMMC requirements
Labor Laws: Service Contract Act, Davis-Bacon Act, wage determinations
Small Business Subcontracting: Subcontracting plan requirements
Why Federal Court Admission Matters
Many government contracts attorneys handle administrative matters only. When you need federal court representation, they must refer you elsewhere.
Our federal court admissions include:
U.S. Court of Federal Claims (bid protests and contract disputes)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (appeals)
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
This means we can take your case from GAO to COFC, from COFC to the Federal Circuit, and handle APA challenges in federal district court.
When administrative forums fail, we can go to federal court.
Our Approach
Strategic Analysis
Every government contracts matter requires strategic thinking. We analyze:
Which forum offers the best chance of success?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of your position?
What relief are you seeking?
What is the cost-benefit calculation?
Aggressive Advocacy
Government contractors cannot afford timid representation. We advocate forcefully while maintaining credibility with decision-makers.
Practical Solutions
Not every dispute requires litigation. We pursue practical solutions through:
Direct negotiation with contracting officers
Alternative dispute resolution
Corrective action requests
Strategic litigation when necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
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GAO protests are administrative proceedings with a 100-day decision timeline and limited discovery. COFC protests are federal court litigation with full discovery, motions practice, and judicial decision-making. GAO is faster and cheaper; COFC offers more thorough review.
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You should consider protesting if: (1) you lost a contract you believe you should have won, (2) there were errors in the evaluation, (3) the winning proposal should have been rejected, or (4) the agency failed to follow the solicitation or regulations. Protest deadlines are strict—contact us immediately if you believe you have a protest.
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The SBA Area Office investigates and issues a size determination. You can appeal adverse determinations to the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals. We defend against challenges and pursue appeals.
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Yes. You have due process rights during the debarment process, including the right to present evidence and argument. After debarment, you may seek reconsideration or, in some cases, judicial review.
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Under the Contract Disputes Act, you must submit claims to the Contracting Officer and receive a final decision before appealing. The COFD is the decision you appeal to COFC or a board of contract appeals.
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Deadlines vary by forum and issue. Generally: 10 days after contract award for most GAO protests; varies for COFC. Pre-award protests must be filed before proposal due date. Contact us immediately—missing a deadline waives your rights.
Contact Our Government Contracts Team
If you are a government contractor facing a bid protest, certification challenge, contract dispute, or debarment proceeding, contact us for a consultation.
We handle:
Bid protests (GAO and COFC)
SBA certification applications and appeals
Size protests and status challenges
Contract disputes and claims
Debarment defense
FAR/DFARS compliance
Contact:
Phone: 956-224-9372