Government Contracts

Clients Across Industries

We are one of the few firms with sector-wide capabilities coupled with a cutting-edge practice across multiple industries. Our government contracts clients include start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, technology companies, universities, energy and renewable energy firms, healthcare businesses, asset managers, financial institutions, manufacturers, service providers, pharmaceuticals, developers and operators of infrastructure projects, as well as other recipients of federal funding.

We are currently advising on the impact of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and assisting clients on meeting the regulatory and compliance requirements under the IIJA. Our lawyers are also helping clients address the range of government contracts issues around smart cities, including infrastructure planning and development, monetizing investments and rules around safety and liability.

Notably, our lawyers have served as longtime counsel representing many of the nation’s preeminent universities across the country on myriad government grants and contracts issues, including those related to the U.S. government’s evolving cybersecurity, privacy and data protection requirements.

Akin is renowned for having well-established relationships with Congress and state and federal regulatory agencies that help our lawyers effectively represent contractors in every industry involved in public business.

Full Suite of Services

Our government contracts team offers the full spectrum of services. Akin has successfully handled many of the most significant False Claims Act (FCA) and qui tam cases involving federal research, foreign influence and Uniform Guidance compliance. Our FCA experience extends into all aspects of government contracting, higher education and research funding, including cost allowability, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) compliance, General Services Administration (GSA) contracts, defective products and bid rigging.

Our government contracts lawyers have significant experience advising on a wide range of government contract disputes litigation, government investigations and compliance training.

We regularly assist clients with the full array of government contract-related disputes, including civil, criminal and congressional investigations, as well as prime-subcontractor disputes. We have conducted numerous internal investigations regarding mischarging, cost allowability, the Anti-Kickback Act, violations of laws governing bribery and gratuities and conflict of interest issues and have advised clients on mandatory and voluntary disclosures to multiple civilian and defense agencies.

We routinely handle bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, suspension and debarment proceedings before multiple U.S. government agencies, and contract claims and disputes before civilian and defense Boards of Contract Appeal. We have worked with government contractors on complex cost accounting matters, including Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) audits, disputes and claims.

Government contracts advice is a crucial aspect of transactions, especially in today’s aerospace and defense, technology and energy sectors. Our government contracts team is highly regarded for its transactional capabilities. From performing due diligence on technology deals to advising on mergers and acquisitions, and asset purchases involving government contracts, our lawyers have deep experience advising on complex corporate transactions.

The team also counsels clients on facility security clearances, grants, cooperative agreements, cooperative research and development agreements, and technology investment agreements. Further, Akin has represented government contractors involved in transactions with foreign entities, advising on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) process and compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements under grants to transit agencies.

Integrated Approach

Drawing on the resources of a full-service global law firm and taking an integrated approach, our multidisciplinary government contracts team works in conjunction with lawyers and lobbyists from other practices within the firm to provide innovative business solutions. We frequently collaborate with colleagues in the bankruptcy, communications, corporate, energy, environmental, investment management, healthcare, financial restructuring, intellectual property, international trade, labor and employment, litigation, private equity, real estate, tax, regulatory, and public law and policy groups, among others.