The proposed rule to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”) program in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (“DFARS”) was published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2024 and will have a 60-day comment period (through October 15, 2024).
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FAR Council Releases Rulemaking on Prohibitions for Semiconductors
On May 3, 2024, the FAR Council published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (the “Advanced Notice”) seeking to implement Section 5949 of the James M. Inohfe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 prohibition on procuring certain covered semiconductor products and services. The Congressional prohibition does not go into effect until…
Not an April Fools Joke – FAR Part 40 Final Rule Has Been Published
On April 1, 2024, the FAR Council published a new Final Rule that establishes FAR Part 40 – but without any new provisions of substance. This Final Rule becomes effective on May 1, 2024. Subsequently, the FAR Council published a Request for Information (“RFI”) on April 10, 2024. The RFI seeks feedback on the scope…
Bid Protest Hub – February 2024
In February 2024, the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) published 26 decisions, five of which were sustained. There was also one denial of costs and one denied request for reconsideration. Below is a summary of February’s notable decisions and what potential protesters can learn from them.…
Updates on GHG Emissions Disclosure Requirements
Class Deviation Prohibits DoD from Requiring Contractors to Disclose Emissions
Over the past two years, the FAR Council has been working to develop a rule that would amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) to require contractors to inventory and report their greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and climate-related financial risk in order to be eligible for…
CISA Opens Repository for Submission of Software Security Attestation Forms
On March 11, 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”) and the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) released the highly-anticipated Secure Software Development Attestation Form (also known as the “Common Form”) and on March 18, 2024 CISA’s repository for the forms went live.…
Paid in Full: GSA Approves Advance Payment for SaaS Licenses
GSA long has stated that the “MAS program is designed to mirror commercial buying practices.” (Don’t laugh – I’m serious! Slide 12 if you don’t believe me.) In the commercial marketplace, SaaS licenses are sold for set periods of time (typically annual terms) and paid for in advance. Historically, GSA refused to accept this commercial…
Finally Invited to the Party? Federal Circuit Opens the Door for Software Companies Selling Through Resellers to Bring a Contract Claim Against the Federal Government
In January 2022, we warned software companies selling indirectly against attempting to enforce the terms of their End User License Agreement (“EULA”) directly against the Federal Government based on the decision of the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (“CBCA”) in Avue Technologies Corp. Earlier this month, the Federal Circuit gave software companies some hope…
What Makes a Successful Protest at the Court of Federal Claims
In a previous article, we analyzed what made protests successful at the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) in Fiscal Year 2023 (“FY23”). Now, we want to share some insights we gained while conducting the same analysis of bid protest decisions at the Court of Federal Claims (“COFC” or the “Court”).…
The Cost Corner: Government Contracts Cost and Pricing – Compensation for Personal Services (Part I)
Welcome back to the Cost Corner, where we provide practical insight into the complex cost and pricing requirements that apply to Government contractors. The current topic is Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Cost Principles applicable to contracts with commercial organizations. The previous four Cost Corner articles addressed the Cost Principles pertaining to the general criteria for…