As federal agencies continue to navigate budget constraints, geopolitical uncertainty, workforce shortages, and rapid technological change, government contractors entering 2026 face an increasingly complex legal and enforcement environment. Recent case law, agency guidance, and enforcement activity reflect a clear trend: Contractors are being held to higher standards of documentation, transparency, and internal controls across the
The federal procurement landscape is shifting rapidly. Agencies, Congress, and the courts have pushed major changes recently that affect how contracts are written, awarded, challenged, and performed. Below is a concise survey of the most important emerging trends — and practical steps contractors should take now.
FAR Overhaul — Plain Language, Statutory Focus, Faster Acquisition
Under Executive Order 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement, and accompanying OMB Memorandum M-25-26, the FAR Council is undertaking a comprehensive redesign of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The stated goal of this “Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO)” is to streamline the FAR, eliminate non-statutory or duplicative provisions, adopt clearer or “plain language” drafting,
By now, you’ve likely seen news discussing how artificial intelligence (AI) is set to change the construction industry (and every other industry, for that matter). Typically, this discussion centers on improving business efficiency and cost savings. Many construction companies are predictably using AI to assist with project estimating, processing submittals and Requests for Information (RFIs),
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is often described as the “bible” of federal procurement. For decades, it has governed how agencies acquire goods and services, and how contractors compete for, win, and perform government contracts. While incremental updates are common, the federal procurement community is now bracing for the implementation of an effort describing itself
As the federal government continues to modernize procurement processes and embrace emerging technologies, contractors are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) tools to streamline their responses to solicitations. From drafting technical proposals to analyzing past performance data, AI offers considerable potential to improve efficiency, accuracy, and competitiveness. However, as with any transformative tool, the use
I have practiced law for 40 years with the vast majority as a “construction” lawyer. I have seen great… and bad… construction lawyering, both when representing a party and when serving over 300 times as a mediator or arbitrator in construction disputes. I have made my share of mistakes and learned from my mistakes. I