Government
Suit to Decide Whether Cities Can Consider Race in Awarding Contracts
NEWS
A minority-owned company is suing the city of Dallas in federal court for violating its own policy about awarding points for involving minority-owned businesses, reports The Dallas Morning News.
Gardere Lobbying Team Earns Top Ranking on Texas Lawyer Lobbying Scorecard
NEWS
Gardere Wynne Sewell represented more lobby clients and reported more compensation than any other firm in the state during the 84th Texas Legislature.
Are You a Government Subcontractor?
White Paper
Sometimes subcontractors and materials suppliers are incorporated by reference and then are obligated to comply with those government-unique requirements.
Executive Order Proposed to Cover ‘Blacklisting’ for Government Contractors
White Paper
The new regulations will add an employer’s workplace law compliance record as a criterion to determine whether an employer should be awarded, or be allowed to retain, federal contracts.
To Manage 3rd and 4th Party Risk, Think – and Act – Like a Regulator
White Paper
Being proactive will help any bank prove it’s doing an effective job at regulating all of its service providers, both third and fourth party, all the while reducing its risk of exposure.
Limitations on the Government’s Right to Terminate a Contract for Default
White Paper
When appealing the contracting officer’s decision, contractors should make sure that they have sound documentation of communications that could work in their favor on appeal.
Kentucky Hospital to Pay $41 Million in Unnecessary Surgeries
NEWS
The government’s lawsuit claimed the hospital billed for numerous unnecessary coronary stents and diagnostic catheterizations performed by its doctors.
Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Wins $40 Million Appeal Against FTC
NEWS
Hi-Tech says the lower-court ruling has caused concern in the industry that the FTC was trying to force double-blind, placebo clinical trial standards on the entire supplement industry.
Coats Rose Advises City of El Paso on Housing Redevelopment
NEWS
Coats Rose attorneys Barry Palmer and Bill Walter worked on the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, having closed the first three RAD transactions in the State of Texas in 2014 and now following up with these 13 properties.
What GCs Need to Know to Comply With New Bureau of Economic Analysis Reporting Rules
White Paper
Companies can take steps to reduce or eliminate their compliance burden, including by engaging directly with BEA officials and advisory groups.
Lawsuit Says Wall Street Exec Used Army Ties to Overcharge on Contracts
NEWS
Whistleblowers allege Lynn Tilton offered an Army colonel a lucrative job long before he retired from military service as a way of inducing him to make contract decisions favorable to her company.
Federal Circuit Decision Highlights Important Takeways for Contractors
White Paper
Is the amount of LDs “reasonable for the particular agreement at the time it is made”? If so, the LDs clause is most likely enforceable.
EEOC Targets Benefit Plans on LGBT Issues
NEWS
An EEOC internal memo states that the EEOC is interested in litigating charges regarding issues of “first impression” such as benefit coverage for same-sex couples and insurance benefits afforded to transgender individuals, according to an article published by Seyfarth Shaw.
CFPB Takes Action Against ‘Bad Check’ Debt Collector
NEWS
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has taken action against a nationwide debt collection operation and its chief executive officer for allegedly using deceptive threats of criminal prosecution and jail time to intimidate consumers into paying debts for bounced checks.
Understanding the Processes of Government Contracting
White Paper
The government not only actively seeks out small business participation when it buys products and services, but it also goes to great lengths and spends lots of money in outreach programs to find good, qualified small businesses to be its suppliers.
Licensing for the Government Contractor
On-Demand
A free on-demand webinar from Thompson Coburn explains the background, the issues, and the rules that apply to licensing in the government arena.
White Paper: Analysis of the Decision to Engage the Bid Protest Process
White Paper
Watson & Associates LLC has posted a complimentary white paper analyzing considerations involved in the bid protest process.
Chemical Reform Bill is ‘Deeply Problematic,’ Law Professors Say
NEWS
Law professors from across the country – from Georgetown to the University of California – say they have “serious reservations” about the new chemical reform bill introduced by Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and David Vitter (R-La.) , reports The Hill.
Clean Air Act Aggregation in the Upstream Oil and Gas Sector
White Paper
Hogan Lovells has published a white paper discussing the aggregating sources for the purposes of Clean Air Act permitting in the oil and gas sector.
DOJ Settles With JPMorgan Chase Over Bankruptcy Practices
NEWS
The Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program has entered into a national settlement agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. requiring Chase to pay more than $50 million to more than 25,000 homeowners who are or were in bankruptcy.
