2nd Court Blocks Government Funding Freeze: 5 Takeaways for Contractors
A second federal judge indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s blanket freeze on appropriated and obligated federal funds for government contractors, reinforcing Congress’s authority over government spending. This decision directly impacts government contractors who rely on federal funding for projects and operations. Key Takeaways for Government Contractors Funding Pause Declared Unlawful The court ruled that the executive branch cannot impose a blanket freeze on congressionally appropriated funds. Judge McConnell wrote, “[t]he Executive put itself above Congress. It imposed a categorical mandate on . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – March 6, 2025
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live! here , Clocking in with PilieroMazza here , and Ex Rel. Radio here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS SCOTUS Greenlights Release of Foreign Aid Funds to Government Contractors, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Samuel S. Finnerty , Lauren Brier , Kelly A. Kirchgasser On March 5, 2025, the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) upheld a federal judge’s order directing . . . Read More
SCOTUS Greenlights Release of Foreign Aid Funds to Government Contractors
On March 5, 2025, the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) upheld a federal judge’s order directing the government to pay nearly $2 Billion to federal contractors for completed foreign aid work. [1] This client alert identifies key takeaways from the SCOTUS denial and provides important considerations for government contractors whose payments were subject to executive freezes on foreign aid spending. Background As previously reported by PilieroMazza , President Trump issued Executive Order 14169, “ Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid ,” which ordered agencies with foreign development assistance programs . . . Read More
Tariffs on Products from Canada, Mexico, and China: Rising Costs and Supply Shortages for Government Contractors
PilieroMazza recently published a client alert regarding executive orders issued on February 1, 2025, imposing additional tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico, and China, and the decision to delay the tariffs on Canada and Mexico until March 6, 2025. This client alert provides government contractors with an update on these tariffs—which may increase the cost of performance or lead to supply shortages, resulting in delays—and how to insulate your business. To summarize, products from Canada and Mexico were subject to a 25% tariff, . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – February 28, 2025
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live! here , Clocking in with PilieroMazza here , and Ex Rel. Radio here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Trump’s Executive Order on DOGE Cost Efficiency: Key Takeaways for Government Contractors, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Samuel S. Finnerty , Lauren Brier , Kelly A. Kirchgasser On February 26, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order implementing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) . . . Read More
How to Comply with Trump’s Executive Order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity
Click here to view the recorded session. President Trump’s executive order, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, revoked EO 11246: Equal Employment Opportunity and prohibits contractors from continuing any illegal discrimination or affirmative action program. However, the EO left many questions unanswered and contractors confused about what they need to do to comply before the April 21, 2025, compliance deadline. Secure your spot for this important PilieroMazza webinar where Labor & Employment attorneys Nichole Atallah and Sarah Nash analyze the EO’s legal and financial . . . Read More
Trump’s Executive Order on DOGE Cost Efficiency: Key Takeaways for Government Contractors
On February 26, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order implementing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Cost Efficiency Initiative (Order). The Order seeks to transform federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans to ensure transparency and accountability. This includes requiring federal agencies to implement new mechanisms to record, justify, and approve agency payments; perform comprehensive reviews of contracts, grants, contracting policies, procedures, and personnel; and issue new guidance on signing or modifying new and existing contracts. The Order also freezes non-essential . . . Read More
Navigating Executive Orders: Strategies for Managing Stop-Work Orders and Terminations
Click here to view the recorded session. Recent executive orders have led to an increase in stop-work orders and terminations for convenience, creating significant challenges for government contractors. Understanding how to navigate these changes and optimize recovery is crucial for maintaining stability and compliance. In these uncertain times, not having a clear action plan can lead to greater financial risk and missed recovery opportunities. Join federal contracting experts from Aprio and PilieroMazza in a fireside chat as they provide valuable insights and strategies for . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Annual Review: What DOJ’s 2024 FCA Report Means for Government Contractors
Click here to view the recorded session. DOJ’s recently released Annual Report highlights a significant increase in FCA enforcement, with nearly $3 Billion recovered—a 4.8% increase from FY 2023. The report also sheds light on major 2024 settlements and judgments that will have lasting implications on the government contracting community. Join Matt Feinberg and Jackie Unger as they break down key takeaways from DOJ’s Annual Report and what they mean for contractors facing FCA claims in 2025 and beyond. Learning objectives: emerging FCA enforcement trends . . . Read More
Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Blocking Trump Administration’s Blanket Freeze on Federal Funding
As PilieroMazza has been tracking in our recent alerts here and here , the Trump administration is attempting to block federal funding through a freeze outlined in the now-rescinded OMB Directive M-25-13 (Directive). The Directive and the broad policies contained therein were temporarily blocked by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (D.D.C.) when it issued a temporary restraining order on January 28, 2025. However, since the issuance of that TRO, the administration continues to implement the freeze and deny contractors . . . Read More