Update on the DBE Interim Final Rule: DOT Issues Key Guidance for DBE Program Stakeholders -
As PilieroMazza previously reported, via an interim final rule (IFR) effective October 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of...more
Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) Orders prohibit agencies from procuring or obtaining—or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain—any covered article, or any good or service produced or...more
CMMC Is Here—What It Means for Defense Contractors -
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program is finally here. A final rule establishing the CMMC Program at Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations...more
9/19/2025
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Compliance ,
Cybersecurity ,
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) ,
Department of Defense (DOD) ,
DFARS ,
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) ,
Federal Contractors ,
Popular ,
Rule of Two ,
Small Business
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program is finally here. A final rule establishing the CMMC Program at Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 170 went live on December 16, 2024. Now, the...more
SBA Orders Full-Scale Audit of 8(a) Program: What You Should Do to Prepare -
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced an “immediate and full-scale audit” of its 8(a) business development program. The...more
One of the primary benefits of filing a protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is that it automatically puts the awarded contracts on hold, stopping the agency from proceeding with performance. To reap the...more
DOD Releases Intellectual Property Guidebook: Key Insights for Defense Contractors, Part 1 -
On May 1, 2025, the Department of Defense (DOD) released its much-anticipated Intellectual Property (IP)...more
On May 1, 2025, the Department of Defense (DOD) released its much-anticipated Intellectual Property (IP) Guidebook (Guidebook). The Guidebook is a must-read for defense contractors who are looking to protect their IP when...more
Can Contractors Recover Damages for Arbitrary CPAR Ratings? The ASBCA Weighs In -
Every seasoned government contractor knows the weight a negative Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) can carry. A blemish in the...more
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program underwent a major rule change in January 2025, as we wrote about here. In this blog, PilieroMazza examines new...more
Every seasoned government contractor knows the weight a negative Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR) can carry. A blemish in the CPAR System (CPARS) can mean the difference between winning a new contract or losing...more
March 2025: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors -
On top of the uncertainty introduced through the Trump administration’s shifting priorities and rapid-fire executive orders,...more
In a recent Final Rule (Rule) made effective January 17, 2025, the Federal Acquisition Regulation’s (FAR) suspension and debarment procedures were revised to be more consistent with the procedures in 2 CFR part 180 applicable...more
December 2024: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors -
Once again, the specter of a government shutdown looms over the federal contracting community. The federal government is set...more
The Department of Defense (DOD) has finally promulgated its Final Rule (Rule) implementing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, which goes ‘live’ on December 16th. There is plenty of content...more
Trump 2.0: Implications for Federal Spending and the Workforce -
The election of former President Trump has the potential to significantly change the federal procurement landscape. As with his first term, President-elect...more
While the COVID-19 pandemic may feel like a distant memory for many, its effects continue to reverberate for others—particularly for businesses that obtained loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Whether...more
11/21/2024
/ Borrowers ,
Criminal Investigations ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Enforcement Actions ,
False Claims Act (FCA) ,
False Statements ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Fraud ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Popular ,
SBA
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued a proposed rule (Rule) that would significantly change a government contractor’s obligations to recertify its size and socioeconomic status under set-aside contracts and...more
General Services Administration (GSA) Final Rule: GSA Acquisition Regulation (GSAR), Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Economic Price Adjustment -
On August 5, GSA published a final rule to standardize and simplify Multiple...more
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program has been a headache for many defense contractors since the idea was first introduced in 2019. The program seeks to protect unclassified information, including...more
8/16/2024
/ Certification Requirements ,
Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) ,
Cybersecurity ,
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) ,
Defense Contracts ,
Defense Sector ,
Department of Defense (DOD) ,
DFARS ,
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) ,
Federal Contractors ,
NIST
Prepare to (Semi)Conduct Your Due Diligence! Proposed Rule to Prohibit Certain Semiconductor Products and Services -
Whether you’re aware or not, semiconductors are part of a vast variety of electronics. Semiconductors...more
8/1/2024
/ Department of Defense (DOD) ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
FCC ,
Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) ,
Federal Contractors ,
FinCEN ,
NLRB ,
SBA ,
Semiconductors ,
USDA ,
USPTO
Whether you’re aware or not, semiconductors are part of a vast variety of electronics. Semiconductors appear in items ranging from smartphones to pacemakers. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) issued an...more
7(a) Loan Approval for Borrowers with Unresolved COVID-19 Pandemic Loan Compliance Issues: On May 21, SBA’s OIG issued an inspection report assessing SBA’s 7(a) loan approval process for borrowers with unresolved pandemic...more
The Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) was enacted in 2022 with the primary purpose of preserving national security, economic security, and public health and safety. CIRCIA provides the Director...more
5/29/2024
/ Compliance ,
Cyber Attacks ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Breach ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Data Security ,
Federal Contractors ,
Hackers ,
Popular ,
Reporting Requirements
FTC Non-Compete Ban Attacked by Businesses: What You Need to Know about the Ban -
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a final rule banning employers from enforcing non-compete agreements against...more