Watson & Associates, LLC, with law offices in Washington, D.C. and in Denver Colorado, offers some of the top suspension and debarment lawyers in the county. Our law firm has represented government contractors that were proposed for debarment, large federal contractors overseas, and federal employees that were involved in either a suspension or debarment action. Nationwide help with federal debarment and suspension of government contractors and employees.
Federal contractors and employees facing suspension and debarment actions are well aware of one or the other can impact the business future or a career with the government as an employee. The key to success in any case is to persuade the deciding official that an adverse action is unnecessary. Given our success is some very complex cases, we understand the path to success and will put forth our efforts to get clients the best results that we can.
We are government procurement and federal debarment lawyers with experience preparing and helping companies debarred from government contracts. Watson & Associates’ suspension and debarment lawyers have successfully helped many government contractors through the suspension and debarment process. We look at the allegations and any credible evidence to refute those allegations. We help clients to aggressively handle opportunities at the discovery stage and at hearings.
When companies or individuals receive a notice of suspension or debarment actions, allegations of wire fraud leading to debarment or some other covered transaction, there is immediate frustration, anger and a need to retaliate. However, to successfully handle your response to a debarring official, you want to specifically address the disputes and issues that he or she looks for.
Government Contract Suspension & Debarment Attorney Services
Our government contract law and federal debarment attorneys work diligently to minimize your chances of getting debarred by:
- Investigating facts surrounding fraud, non-compliance or alleged actions
- Statutory debarment legal counsel for companies debarred from federal contracts
- Help with being debarred from government employment
- Help with administrative agreements.
- Preparing a thorough response to suspension or debarment actions;
- Representing companies with government contract awards at hearings;
- Complying with violations of FAR Mandatory Disclosure Rule
- Presenting relevant information in the process IAW with 2 CFR 1200.860 that can help the SDO to reach the conclusion that your company is responsible.
- Negotiating more favorable results;
- OIG exclusion and responding to a notice of proposed debarment;
- Limitations on subcontracting
- Cases regarding fraud and not meeting small business subcontracting plan requirements
- Providing help with small business set-asides
- Conducting training and developing internal policies and controls;
- Drafting and negotiating administrative compliance agreements; and
- Providing litigation and support in federal debarment proceedings
To speak in confidence with a federal government debarment lawyer, call Toll Free 1-866-601-5518.
Our federal contract attorneys understand the critical issues that can arise during the suspension and debarment process. Not every case will be easy to overcome. However, we do understand what the Suspension Debarment Official (SDO) looks for to make a final decision. Our attorneys help to protect your business or career interests while still addressing the government’s concerns during your response. Our federal procurement lawyers have represented clients at hearings and have successfully demonstrated present responsibility on our clients’ behalf.
What is Suspension and Debarment in Government Contracting?
The Suspension or Debarment process is in place to protect the government and taxpayer funds from fraud and abuse. Not every federal agency recommendation is valid. Therefore, the agency is put in apposition to justify its actions. However, the contractor or individual must respond to the recommendation. Evidence must be presented, the Agency record (AR) must be reviewed to either validate or invalidate the stated reasoning for the debarment or suspension action.
Although the government has a right to protect its interests, so too does the prospective debarred or suspended contractor or individual to protect their rights.
Tip: There is an unwritten rule that the Agency is presumed to be right. Therefore, you should seek out a suspension and debarment attorney that understands the process and that has experience dealing with these types of cases.
Who can be Debarred or Suspended?
The Federal Acquisition Regulations FAR allows for government contractors to be suspended or debarred. According to the General Services Administration (GSA), Companies debarred from government contracts or individuals that can be debarred include those that:
- Directly or indirectly submits offers for or is awarded, or reasonably may be expected to submit offers for or be awarded, a Government contract or subcontract; or
- Conduct business, or reasonably may be expected to conduct business, with the Government as an agent or representative of another contractor
- Those directly and indirectly involved in the wrongdoing or alleged wrongdoing
Many federal contractors are not fully aware of the issues that statutes and require the SDO officials to look at. Companies must understand that when it comes to federal debarment and suspension of government contractors, agencies look for certain responses to make sure that you are a responsible contractor.
- We provide help for individuals and entities nationwide to avoid the federal debarment process.
- We have achieved favorable results for many of our clients.
- You can now avoid costly legal mistakes made by contractors or individuals without a gov contracts debarment lawyer or procurement fraud attorney.
Your formal response to a proposed suspension or debarment action is critical to the outcome
Responding to a proposed debarment from government contracts requires thought and a deep understanding of how to address the debarring official while still focusing on a win-win result for our clients. There must be a balance between responding to all allegations and showing the deciding official that you or your company is presently responsible by a preponderance of the evidence standard and that you should continue to work for or do business with the government.
- While responding to suspension and debarment actions, you may also have other federal criminal cases going on.
- You should be aware of contractor defenses to procurement fraud and False Claims Act.
- If you are recommended for debarment from government contracts for providing false statements, remember that what you say in one case can impact the outcome of another.
- Avoid making false statements to the government
Tip: Sometimes government contractors face other situations alongside a federal debarment or suspension action. Our DC law firm will compile the right team of professionals to handle the various issues simultaneously.
At Watson & Associates, LLC our Washington DC-based lawyers frequently help businesses and individuals to minimize the impact of being placed on the debarment list or suspending from doing business with the federal government including loan programs.
Lead federal debarment attorneys: Wojciech Z. Kornacki
Watson’s federal suspension and debarment lawyers also provide guidance and consulting when there is a government investigation that can lead to debarment and suspension actions. With over 30 years of overall experience in federal government procurement, our CO and Washington DC firm understands the contractor responsibility issues that can arise and are in a better position to help our clients. Having worked for federal contracting agencies, we are in a better position to help companies suspended or proposed for debarment.
Debarred Definition – FAR 9.4?
Debarred definition: Under federal procurement regulations, when it comes to being suspended or debarred, it means that the government can prohibit your company from doing business for a specified period of time, usually up to three years. FAR 9.4 is the common reference to debar government contractors.
Reasons for Debarment from Government Contracts
There are a number of reasons for suspension or debarment from government contracts. Reasons include violations of the Buy American Act in constructing, altering, improper conduct or repairing any public building or work in the United States using appropriated funds; fraud embezzlement theft forgery bribery. You want to have the right attorney involved because he or she must be able to address the legal issues and must also show that you or your company is responsible under the governing statutes.
Debarred from Government Employment?
The government may erroneously debar you from further employment with the federal government. Sometimes, these decisions can be reversed if there are facts and adequate evidence that the SDO official can consider. Contact an employee debarment attorney at Watson & Associates, LLC to further discuss how we can help.
Find out How Does a Decision to Debar Government Contractors Impact Your company?
Help for Contractors Overseas and Nationwide
Our Federal suspension and debarment lawyers provide legal counsel to defense contractors facing adverse actions from government contracts throughout the United States and overseas including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Virgin Islands. Call our federal contract law lawyers today for immediate help. 1-866-601-5518. We help with cases in Dubai, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq contractors and Saudi Arabia.
Additional Federal Debarment and Suspension Information
Difference Between Suspension and Debarment FAR 9.4
Defending and Responding to Contractor cases
See FAR 9.4 can impact negotiations.
Call Our Federal Lawyers Today
If your company is suspended or proposed for debarment, call our Washington DC government contracts attorneys and suspension and debarment lawyers at 1-866-601-5518 for immediate help.