what is a government contracts attorney

by Maudie Zemlak 10 min read

What Does a Government Contract Attorney Do?

  • Helping you prepare a thorough proposal to present to the government
  • Assisting if there’s a bid protest or dispute regarding who was awarded the contract
  • Advising you on the procedures and regulations that characterize government contracts, such as mandatory disclosure
  • Handling claims and disputes, representing you in court if need be

Working with an experienced Public Contract lawyer can ensure your interests are protected - whether securing a bid, negotiating a contract or resolving disputes or claims through mediation, arbitration or litigation.

Full Answer

How to get a government contract?

A government contract attorney can help you throughout the duration of your contract. This may include: Helping you prepare a thorough proposal to present to the government. Assisting if there’s a bid protest or dispute regarding who was awarded the contract.

How to work with government contract consultants?

Jun 20, 2016 · Government contracts law is comprised of all the statutes, cases, rules, regulations, and procedures with which any company must comply to do business with the government (whether municipal, state, or federal). Both small and large businesses contract with government entities -- in fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers resources to …

How to interpret a government contract?

Attorneys who specialize in government contracts represent clients in all aspects of negotiating and securing contracts with the government, as well as in disputes that arise out of these contracts. These attorneys advise their clients through each step of the process, beginning with submission of a proposal (or “bid”) and the contract negotiation process with the government.

Do I need a contract attorney?

As a Government Procurement/Contracts Law Attorney you will be responsible for: Providing legal advice and policy counsel to CIA leadership on complex areas of law affecting the CIA’s duties and responsibilities under authorities including the National Security Act, the CIA Act, and Executive Orders.

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What does a government contract do?

This means that the principal purpose of a federal contract is to purchase property or services for the direct benefit or use of the US Government. Federal contracts are governed by a strict set of terms and conditions, including clauses from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

How much does a government contract make?

The Federal Acquisition Regulation defines limits for profit levels on some types of contracts. For research, developmental and experimental type work performed under a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, the fee cannot exceed 15 percent of the cost.Sep 26, 2017

What are examples of government contracts?

To help ease the confusion a bit, we've compiled some helpful information about the types of government contracts you might see.
  • The Fixed-Price Contract. ...
  • Cost-Reimbursement Contracts. ...
  • Time & Materials Contracts. ...
  • Incentive Contracts. ...
  • Indefinite Delivery & Quantity Contracts.
Sep 13, 2019

Can you make a lot of money on government contracts?

Dependable Income

Government contracts can provide steady, continual revenue for up to twenty years. Ongoing guaranteed revenue enables an organization to hire more employees, implement marketing concepts, and ultimately grow their business. This is especially good for smaller companies that may face slow months.
Mar 4, 2021

Can a government agency make a profit?

It's rare for federal agencies to make a profit in the conventional sense. The Federal Reserve regularly sends profits to the Treasury, while the government-owned Fannie and Freddie have helped dampen the deficit—although taxpayers paid a heavy price for their takeover.Oct 24, 2013

Can a contracting officer allow contractors to charge profit on G&A expenses?

This amount (COM) is added to the total cost of the contract after profit has been computed and added. G&A is computed and added to the sub-total of the contract without FCCOM. The contractor is not allowed profit on FCCOM. G&A, is added to the total cost input of the contract.

What are the 3 types of contracts?

The three most common contract types include:
  • Fixed-price contracts.
  • Cost-plus contracts.
  • Time and materials contracts.
Jan 29, 2021

What are the 4 types of contracts?

Learn below about the four most common types of construction contracts.
  • Lump Sum Contract. A lump sum contract sets one determined price for all work done for the project. ...
  • Unit Price Contract. ...
  • Cost Plus Contract. ...
  • Time and Materials Contract.
Mar 16, 2020

What are the most common government contracts?

The 10 Categories Where Federal Agencies Spend the Most on Contracting
  • Facilities and Construction: $72.1B. ...
  • Professional Services: $64.4B. ...
  • Information Technology: $47.4B. ...
  • Transportation and Logistics Services: $34.1B. ...
  • Medical: $33.2B. ...
  • Industrial Products and Services: $11.8B. ...
  • Security and Protection: $4.8B.
Jan 8, 2015

What is the easiest government contract to get?

A GSA Schedule contract is probably the easiest government contract to win. The Schedule, also known as the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term government-wide contract that connects different federal agencies to government contractors who sell goods and services.Dec 23, 2021

How can I get a government contract?

There are a few different ways you can go about this:
  1. Register with Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) to search and bid on open opportunities.
  2. Search the Government Services Administration (GSA) Schedules program. ...
  3. Check out SUB-Net, where you can find subcontracting opportunities.

How do you bid on a local government contract?

Bid on Government Contracts: Step-by-Step
  1. Find the contract opportunity that you are interested in. ...
  2. Make sure that you can provide the products or services needed. ...
  3. Read the proposal submission guidelines closely and follow them to the letter. ...
  4. Research closed bid information.

What is government contract law?

What is Government Contracts Law? Government contracts law is comprised of all the statutes, cases, rules, regulations, and procedures with which any company must comply to do business with the government (whether municipal, state, or federal).

What is the role of the Comptroller General?

Comptroller General: The accounting officer of the U.S. who investigates financial claims against or on behalf of the government. Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FARs): Regulations established to codify uniform policies for acquisition of supplies and services by executive agencies.

Can an attorney help with government contracts?

How an Attorney Can Help with Government Contracts. When a business sells goods or services to a government agency, the government always has the "home-court" advantage, since its own peculiar laws and rules apply to the contract. Despite this advantage, many small and large businesses have done extremely well selling to ...

Does the SBA contract with the government?

Both small and large businesses contract with government entities -- in fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers resources to help small businesses obtain contract work -- but some contracts require large businesses in order to produce on a large scale. In any event, businesses contracting with the government face rules ...

Where do government contracts attorneys work?

Some government contracts attorneys work in-house in companies that specialize in defense or aerospace products or at auto companies that enter into large contracts with the government. Finally, other attorneys in this field work for federal, state or municipal governments.

What is government contract law?

Government contracts law involves knowing and understanding the relevant regulations and advising clients through each stage of the contract bidding process. Attorneys who specialize in government contracts represent clients in all aspects of negotiating and securing contracts with the government, as well as in disputes that arise out ...

What is Watson's law firm?

Watson’s government contract law firm offers legal representation to government contractors of all sizes, including large businesses involved in mentor protégé arrangements, large manufacturers, largest aerospace and defense contractors. As federal contractor lawyers, we also represent medium and small businesses and Native American corporations doing business with the federal government. At least seventy-five percent of legal practice involves government contracting

How much money does the federal government spend on commercial services?

Overview. The federal government spends billions of dollars for commercial services and products. This makes the United States government the largest purchaser of your type of service or products. Companies now have access to millions of dollars from government contracts.

What is procurement group?

Our procurement group provides clients with decades of litigating bid protests, limitations on subcontracting and prime and subcontractor litigation, contract claims and disputes, and defense of adverse enforcement matters, including suspension and debarment, fraud against the government , criminal issues regarding SBA programs, HUBZone and SDVOSB relationships, help in False Claims Act litigation, FCPA compliance, and government investigations.

What does a government lawyer do?

What Does a Government Lawyer Really Do? A government attorney is an attorney that works in the different branches of the government. Depending on where they work, government attorneys handle a range of legal issues that affect the city, the state, or the federal government.

How much does a federal attorney make?

Your salary as a government employee will vary depending on your experience and the institution you work in. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS") shows the median salary for an attorney, as of 2019, is $120,090. This is closer to what a lawyer working for the federal government might make. Prosecutors tend to make far less, averaging around $65,000.

What test do you take to get into law school?

Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Law schools in most cases will take into account your LSAT scores before they admit you into law school.

What is legal services?

Providing legal services that are in the interest of the public. Enforcing local and city ordinances. Providing assistance to other governmental agencies. Preparing legal opinions for matters pending before the court.

What is the difference between a federal and a local attorney?

A local attorney, for instance, may work on advising local authorities and prosecuting criminal activities. A federal attorney, on the other hand, may focus more on policy issues, drafting regulations, and writing legal reviews.

Do both government and private lawyers have the same education?

Although both government and private lawyers must pass through the same education, there are some major differences between them.

What is Holland and Knight's government contract?

Holland & Knight's Government Contracts Group attorneys guide clients through all phases of the procurement process, from identifying marketplace opportunities through responding to solicitations to drafting and negotiating contracts and compliance with contractual requirements and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).#N#Our group provides clients deep experience in handling bid protests, prime/subcontractor litigation, claims and disputes, and defense of enforcement matters, including suspension and debarment matters, False Claims Act litigation, FCPA compliance, and government audits and investigations.#N#We offer representation to government contractors of all sizes, including some of the largest aerospace and defense contractors, as well as medium- and small-sized businesses. Lawyers in our Government Contracts Group draw on the regional and substantive reach of practitioners across the firm in complementary areas such as state and local procurement law, international law, cybersecurity, labor and employment, white collar defense, and construction.

How much money did the federal government spend on contracts in 2020?

The federal government spent more than $652 billion on contracts and $970 billion on grants in fiscal year 2020. The size and complexity of this market requires a practical understanding of the relevant statutes and regulations, roles and operations of the contracting agencies, and compliance pitfalls and best practices.

What is state procurement?

Our group represents clients selling products or furnishing services to state or local governments, as well as lawyers assisting certain governmental entities in procurement policy and implementation, contract negotiation , responses to RFPs and bids, and protests and claims.

What is overseas contingency contracting?

Overseas and Contingency Contracting. We work with contractors who perform in support of overseas/contingency operations and who market defense articles and services to foreign governments or who work with non-U.S. team members. This includes representing clients with DOD, State Department and USAID contracts.

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