Although President Trump has issued numerous Executive Orders since coming into office, none have yet to undo new requirements the Obama Administration placed on government contractors.  The most significant of these EO’s deals with fair pay and safe workplaces.  Now ensconced in regulation, the requirement mandates that contractors notify agencies of any violations in federal labor law that have taken place in the last three years when bidding on a contract with an estimated value of above $500,000.  Contractors had expected President Trump to overturn this EO, as well as one on paid leave.  While the Administration has not acted, Congress may.  Several House members recently introduced a resolution giving Congress 60 days to examine the fair pay rule under the Congressional Review Act.  This Act gives Congress the ability to repeal rules it finds objectionable if it acts within the 60 day time frame.  Meanwhile, although the rule is on the books, enforcement has been stayed while a lawsuit filed by the Associated Builders and Contractors is adjudicated.  As such, while the rule may be onerous, it is unclear if it will ever actually be implemented.

Federal contractors who were anticipating a spike in business from a federal hiring “freeze” should take note – a freeze isn’t really a freeze in this era of global warming.  So many exceptions have been implemented since the original Executive Order that the freeze looks more like Swiss cheese.  The Pentagon, alone, has issued sixteen exemptions to the freeze, including “positions necessary to carry out or enforce treaties or other international obligations” Read more

Do you remember GTSI?  How about Adams Marketing or FOSE?  Each of these companies were once well-established, broadly known brands in the government market.  GTSI, for example, was once the largest GSA Schedule contractor – by far and for many years.  Today, though, none of those brands remain.  Buying methods and practices change, even in federal.  If your company sells through one or two contract methods or still approaches the market in the same Read more

Despite outward appearances to the contrary, not much stays the same in government contracting.  The alphabet soup of laws, regulations, and contract clauses can cause you to fumble if you’re not paying attention.  If you sell through a Multiple Award Schedule contract and have no idea what the letters above mean, it’s time for training camp.  Your business can be at risk I you don’t keep up to date.  Contact Allen Federal today and we will coach you and your team on what it takes to be current, compliant, and successful.  Drop us a line at info@allenfederal.com.   Oh, sorry for the football reference the day after the Big Game.