Infotech and the law: A confluence of influence

GAO, however, has identified lapses of unmitigated influence and has said that the Defense Security Service does not have sufficient knowledge or controls in place to address the risks it presents.

Infotech and the law: Latest FAR rule remains a juggling act

On June 8 the interim Federal Acquisition Regulation rule implementing Section 818 of the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act was published. Section 818 was Congress' response to the Boeing KC-767A Tanker Aircraft acquisition and the related Defense Department inspector general's report that criticized it.

Infotech and the law: The art of writing reverse FOIA letters

Under the Freedom of Information Act, companies may request copies of contracts from the government, including a contractor's proposal.

Infotech and the Law: Proposed unbundling rules give small business some hope

Reforms enacted in the mid-1990s promised faster, more efficient procurements. One documented side effect of those reforms, however, was a sharp decline in opportunities for small businesses to bid on government contracts.

Infotech and the Law: Homeland security -- Who pays for protecting infrastructure?

<FONT SIZE=2>In February, the White House issued the National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets, which describes the work needed in each industry sector to secure the nation's physical resources against the threat of terrorism.</FONT>

Infotech and the Law: Anti-terrorism law protects tech companies from lawsuits

<FONT SIZE=2>The Homeland Security Act of 2002 signed into law by President Bush in November also included provisions that make it easier for the federal government to procure anti-terrorism technology. These provisions were included in the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002, also known as the Safety Act, which was enacted as part of the Homeland Security Act.</FONT>

Infotech and the Law: Procurement relaxes more under Homeland Security act

<FONT SIZE=2>Further easing of competitive</FONT><FONT SIZE=2> procurement requirements were contained in the Homeland Security Act passed in November 2002. Those provisions were implemented by changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation issued as an immediately effective interim rule Jan. 27. </FONT>

Infotech and the Law: Planning can ensure success in revised A-76 process

<FONT SIZE=2>The sheer bulk of the multibillion-dollar federal market for commercial services represents a significant opportunity for businesses interested in working with the government. Until now, however, the government's competitive-sourcing process for commercial activities under Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-76 has been routinely criticized as counterproductive, discouraging many would-be participants from entering the market.</FONT>

Infotech and the Law: Some conflicts do better without arbitration

<FONT SIZE=2>Over the past few years, there has been a big push toward arbitration and away from resolving disputes through traditional litigation processes. The common claim of alternative dispute resolution enthusiasts is that arbitration is faster and cheaper than litigation. But is arbitration indeed a more streamlined, economic method of resolving disputes than litigation?</FONT>

Infotech and the Law: OMB proposes major changes to A-76 competitive sourcing

<FONT SIZE=2>Last April, the congressionally mandated panel to review and recommend changes to the process for public-private competitions for government activities issued its report. The report included several recommendations to reduce the advantages that government employees hold when competing with industry under the Office of Management and Budget's Circular A-76. In November, OMB released for public comment major proposed revisions to Circular A-76. </FONT>

Infotech and the Law: Homeland Security bills provide special procurement authority

<FONT SIZE=2>When the Bush administration in June resolved to create a Department of Homeland Security, it proposed giving the department special authority to use "flexible" procurement practices. The administration proposed that the agency generally would follow existing, governmentwide procurement laws, but would have broad authority to deviate from them if they would impair the agency's mission or operations.</FONT>

Infotech and the Law: You may be a government subcontractor if ...

There's something many companies selling products or services in the commercial marketplace don't know: If they sell a product or service to a government contractor, they'll likely be considered a government subcontractor and, therefore, may be subject to certain statutes and regulations -- even if they have not entered into a specific contract with the government contractor to perform work related to the prime contract.

Infotech and the Law: New review of conflict-of-interest rules long overdue

Questions frequently arise, particularly among subcontractors asked to provide proprietary technology to government prime contractors, about conflicts of interest between the prime contractor's role as contractor and its role in helping define the agency's requirements.

Infotech and the Law: Homeland security policy expands corporate liability

In the post-Sept. 11 world, corporations must confront numerous liability issuesrelated to terrorism. One is the liability of the corporation, its directors and officersfor business decisions related to a company's preparedness for terrorist attacks.

Infotech and the Law: Privacy act a hidden trap of those outsourcing deals

With more and more federal agencies relying on outsourcing, contractors are providing a wide variety of support services on behalf of the government, including travel arrangements, fingerprinting and various security checks on people and banking services to agency employees. Many contractors, however, are unaware that in taking on these contracts, they now are subject to the terms of the Privacy Act of 1974.</FONT>

Infotech and the Law

What has changed since Sept. 11, 2001? There are the obvious answers: federal employees in airport screening lines, memorable declines in market capitalization of public companies, demise of the worst of the dot-com hucksters and the most widespread attack by government lawyers on federal civil rights in more than half a century.

Infotech and the Law: Homeland Security--Ten things you should know

The Homeland Security Act (H.R. 5005) passed by the House in July is a massive piece of legislation that not only will restructure the government, it will reshape dealings between government and the private sector on a variety of security-related issues.

Infotech and the Law: Corporate Scandals and a contractor's responsibility

News of a corporate scandal,like the accounting troubles recently disclosed by companies such as Enron Corp. and WorldCom Inc., can significantly affect a company's business in the federal as well as commercial marketplace.

Infotech and the Law: Documents--Know when to hold 'em, when to destroy 'em

In the wake of the Enron scandal and the obstruction of justice verdict against Arthur Andersen, corporate conduct and compliance are coming under increasing scrutiny. Government contractors, such as WorldCom Inc. and Global Crossing Ltd., are having their contracts reviewed or have lost contracts because they have been found not to be responsible in light of financial and ethical problems.