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Overview

Balancing opportunities and risks

The federal government is the largest contractor in the United States, offering billions of dollars in contracts for goods and services each year. However, landing a government contract is a complicated process that hinges on adhering to a number of rules and procedures. Adding to the difficulty is heavy regulation in the government contracts sector, involving extensive background checks and security clearance investigations. Clearing these hurdles and mounting a successful bid requires the guidance of experienced legal counsel.

Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig assists clients who are seeking to enter the government contracts market. Our law firm is well-versed in agency rules and processes and the bidding process. Our lawyers skillfully negotiate government contracts and navigate the regulatory process on behalf of clients large and small.

Our experience in government contracting

Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig advises clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies seeking government contracts across multiple industries. Our services encompass all phases of the procurement process, from solicitation and contract negotiation to performance, claims, and disputes. We litigate disputes in federal and state courts, before state agencies and public utility commissions, before the U.S. Department of Defense, and before federal and state civilian agencies, including those listed below:

  • Agency for International Development
  • Corps of Engineers – Civil Works
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Labor
  • Department of State
  • Department of the Interior
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Department of Transportation
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Federal Communications Commission
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
  • General Services Administration
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Office of Personnel Management
  • Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
  • Small Business Administration
  • Social Security Administration

Our multidisciplinary contracting team includes former government lawyers and employees, including top-secret cleared attorneys (TS/SCI) available to work on sensitive U.S. government matters. We’ve worked for and with the Department of Defense, National Security Administration, Small Business Administration, Central Intelligence Agency, and state and county government agencies. We know the rules and procedures of the GSA and other federal, state, and local agencies.

What we do

  • Represent federal contractors in high-stakes contract performance litigation
  • Defend contractors against claims from competitors
  • Prosecute and defend claims involving subcontractors
  • Address suspension and debarment issues at the federal and state levels
  • Conduct due diligence for corporate transactions involving contractors
  • Advise on regulatory obligations and compliance
  • Draft and negotiate contractor teaming agreements
  • Prepare, submit, and negotiate requests for equitable adjustment (REAs)
  • Draft and negotiate subcontract, master service level agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and joint venture agreements
  • File and defend size protests
  • Review contracts for FAR flowdown compliance
  • Assist with SBA reviews and audits
  • Assist in small business recertification
  • Counsel on size affiliation issues
  • Initiate NAICS protests
  • Review, counsel, and assist in training for ethics compliance
  • Assist in CPARs disputes
  • Prepare and submit claims at the agency level and with the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • File claim appeals at the appropriate board (Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals or Civilian Board of Contract Appeals) or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • File bid protests on behalf of the unsuccessful offeror/vendor and defend awards for intervenors in various pre-and post-award federal and state bid protests, including before the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the FAA Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition, the Small Business Office of Hearings and Appeals, and U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • Negotiate mentor-protégé arrangements
  • Assist clients with Small Business Administration, Veterans Affairs, and HUBZone applications
  • Manage compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and other federal regulations
  • Mitigate organizational conflicts of interest issues and assist in drafting organizational conflicts of interest plans
  • Handle whistleblower claims and internal investigations
  • Advise on nuclear part and component export licensing issues under both the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of Commerce regulations

Our Team

Partner

Ellis Bennett

Partner

Mary Pat Buckenmeyer

Partner

Alex Butterman

Partner

Tamara Dunlap

Partner

Thomas Dunlap

Partner

Stephen Graeff

Partner

Dubs Herschlip

Partner

Aaron Jackson

Partner

H. Scott Johnson, Jr.

Partner

Wright Lewis

Partner

David Ludwig

Partner

Jennifer Morris

Partner

Roy Morris

Partner

Team

Alexander Jonathan Brittin

Of Counsel

Lawrence (Chip) Muir

Of Counsel

Chadwick D. Rogers

Of Counsel

Triston Chase O’Savio

Senior Associate

Alex Rowan

Associate

Dylan Cooper

Law Clerk

James Reed

Partner Emeritus

CONTACT US TODAY

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Intern Program

As part of our effort to recruit, develop and retail the best and brightest attorneys, Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig offers a summer intern program for promising law school students who are looking to work as part of an innovative and incredibly successful team. With a global team of lawyers, selected candidates are able to work on high level projects in a collaborative space.

Paralegals and Legal Support Staff

At Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, our team of paralegals and staff work together collaboratively along side our attorneys toward a common goal. We have created a positive work environment where our paralegals and legal assistants work to successfully reach firm-wide goals and support each other to combine individual strengths to enhance team performance. They regularly assist our attorneys with organizing and maintaining files, conducting legal research, and preparing documents.