ANNOUNCEMENT: Michael Thurmond Joins PilieroMazza’s Business & Transactions Group
PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that Michael Thurmond has joined the Firm as an Associate in its Business & Transactions Group. He supports clients in mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions. “Michael’s understanding of business priorities in M&A and 360-degree approach to private equity deals are a perfect fit for our team—and our clients,” said Kathryn Hickey, Practice Group Chair for the Business & Transactions Group. Michael conducts all phases of due diligence investigations,
Government Purpose Rights in Technical Data and Software Developed with DOD Funding
When you develop technical data or software, in whole or in part, with government funding, it is important to know the scope of data rights that the government will obtain at the outset, both with respect to components that were developed solely at private expense and those that were developed with government funding. However, because technical data and software are often developed with multiple funding sources and are continually updated and improved, it can be difficult to determine these data
PrideStaff Expands with New Staffing and Employment Agency in Columbia, MD
PrideStaff, a national, franchised staffing organization, is pleased to announce the opening of a new staffing and employment agency in Columbia, MD. The new office will offer a full range of staffing and employment services in a variety of professional and light industrial disciplines for employers and job seekers in central Maryland. “I’m excited to be part of PrideStaff’s expansion, building business relationships in my community and helping job seekers find meaningful employment in this economy,”
SBA Takes Steps to Address PPP Validation Error Problems
On February 10, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced new policy changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) meant to address an ongoing issue loan applicants face regarding validation error codes. These error codes serve as validation checks to combat fraud and prevent improper loans from being issued to ineligible businesses. However, many eligible businesses have received such error codes during the application and forgiveness process, delaying necessary economic relief. SBA’s
The First 100 Days: President Biden’s Buy American Executive Order, What Government Contractors Need to Know
President Biden signed an executive order (EO) on January 25, 2021, titled “Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers.” Referring broadly to all statutes, regulations, rules, and executive orders that relate to Buy America, Buy American, or domestic sourcing requirements as “Made in America Laws,” the EO expresses the new administration’s policy that the U.S. government should maximize the use of domestic products and services and “should, whenever possible, procure goods,
The First 100 Days: President Biden’s Plan to Secure a Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain, 3 Tips for Government Contractors
In November, we published a post on potential Biden administration use of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his first week in office, President Biden invoked the DPA and signed an executive order to secure a sustainable public health supply chain. The executive order gives insight into how the Biden administration may use the DPA going forward. The following explains the Biden administration’s goals for pandemic preparedness and potential DPA use and
Protecting Your Company Against Revenue Clawbacks: Preference Actions (Part 2 of 3)
This is part two of our three-part series on revenue clawbacks. Once again, the scenario: a customer goes bankrupt, and then they (or a trustee) demand you return money you were already paid for services or goods duly rendered. In this three-part series, we discuss strategies for protecting your company against these revenue “clawbacks” and how to implement these strategies before and after a customer’s or teaming partner’s bankruptcy filing. In part one, we discussed the definition of preferences and the
Maryland Essential Workers’ Protection Act: How It May Impact Maryland Employers
Although many employers have taken discretionary measures to protect essential employees, there are currently few mandated health and safety requirements at the federal or state level. On January 20, 2021, the Maryland General Assembly’s Senate and House of Delegates introduced the Maryland Essential Workers’ Protection Act. With the bill, Maryland is now considering joining the growing group of states that are imposing requirements on employers who employ essential workers or require employees to work
How Government Contractors Should Prepare for Biden’s Mask-Wearing Mandate
On his first day in office, President Biden signed Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing (EO), which requires federal agencies to issue guidance that complies with the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended public health measures for combatting COVID-19, such as physical distancing and mask-wearing. On January 24, 2021, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in accordance with the EO, issued a memorandum to assist agencies in preparing their COVID-19
Healthcare Blog Series: CMS and HHS-OIG Issue Final Rules Updating the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law
***This is an update to the second installment of the blog series, which detailedproposed revisions to the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law.*** On November 20, 2020, over one year after releasing proposed changes to the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark Law), the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued two final rules, revising the AKS and Stark Law safe
Top Bases for REAs and Claims Arising Under COVID-19
COVID-19 has increased costs for government contractors in almost every sector. Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs) and claims are available to contractors seeking compensation. But when should you submit an REA or claim? Below are top bases for filing REAs or claims that government contractors should look for when facing cost increases due to COVID-19.Delays Delays in contract performance are a common driver of increased costs and/or the need to extend a contract’s period of performance for
The End of An Area: Planning Now for Potential Loss of HUBZone Status
2021 is an important year for the many HUBZone firms located in redesignated areas that will lose HUBZone status after 12/31/21. For these firms, the time is now to plan for maintaining HUBZone status in 2022 and beyond. Here’s what you need to know. If you are located in a redesignated area that loses HUBZone eligibility after this year, you could make plans this year to move your office to a new location that will still be HUBZone eligible after the end of the year. Before going that route, however, you
ANNOUNCEMENT: PilieroMazza Builds on Strategic Plan for the Future
WASHINGTON, DC, JANUARY 5, 2021: PilieroMazza announces that, effective January 1, 2021, Tony Franco became Managing Partner, assuming the role held for over three decades by Founding Partner Pam Mazza. Commenting on the change, Pam remarked, “Tony is a proven leader with a solid understanding of not only the practice of law, but also the business of law. He is more than capable of leading us into the future.” “Rotating the responsibilities of managing partner is an essential part of PilieroMazza’s
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