Government contracting presents significant opportunities—but also complex regulatory, compliance, and procedural challenges. At Bean, Kinney & Korman, our attorneys help businesses navigate every stage of the government contracting lifecycle, from identifying opportunities and securing contracts to ensuring compliance and resolving disputes.
We represent contractors, subcontractors, and businesses entering the federal, state, and local procurement space. Our team combines deep knowledge of procurement law with practical experience to help clients compete effectively, manage risk, and protect their interests.
What We Do
We provide comprehensive legal support across all aspects of government contracting, including:
- Setting up your government contracting business entity, drafting corporate governance documents, negotiating corporate, LLC and partnership agreements among founders
- Bid preparation, review, and compliance
- Proposal strategy and risk mitigation
- Contract and subcontract negotiation and administration
- Teaming Agreement drafting, review and negotiation
- Subcontracting agreements and disputes
- Regulatory compliance (FAR, DFARS, agency-specific rules)
- Small business and socio-economic program guidance (SDVOSB, WOSB, 8(a), HUBZone)
- CPARS issues (Contractor Performance Assessment Reviews)
- Employment-related guidance, compliance and document drafting
- Internal investigations and compliance reviews
- Suspension and debarment defense
Our goal is to position clients not only to win contracts, but to successfully perform and grow within the federal, state and local government marketplaces
Bid Protests & Contract Disputes
When contract awards are challenged or performance issues arise, timing and strategy are critical.
We represent clients in:
- Bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- Agency-level protests
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims litigation
- Contract disputes under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA)
- Claims involving terminations, delays, and requests for equitable adjustment
We help clients assess whether to protest, defend, or negotiate—and execute quickly to protect their competitive position.
Compliance & Risk Management
Government contractors operate in a highly regulated environment where compliance failures can result in severe penalties.
We assist clients with:
- FAR and DFARS compliance
- Mandatory disclosure obligations
- False Claims Act (FCA) risk mitigation
- Ethics and compliance program development
- Internal investigations and audits
- Responding to government inquiries and subpoenas
Our proactive approach helps clients avoid issues before they arise and respond effectively when they do.
Small Business & Set-Aside Programs
Navigating federal small business programs can be a powerful growth strategy—but requires careful structuring and compliance.
We advise on:
- SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) programs
- HUBZone eligibility and compliance
- Joint ventures and mentor-protégé agreements
We help ensure eligibility, maintain compliance, and structure partnerships that maximize opportunity while minimizing risk.
Subcontracting, Joint Venture & Teaming Agreements
Strategic partnerships are often essential to winning and performing government contracts.
We support clients in:
- Drafting and negotiating non-disclosure agreements
- Drafting and negotiating teaming agreements
- Drafting and negotiating joint venture and mentor protégé agreements
- Drafting and negotiating subcontracts
- Flow-down clause compliance
- Protecting intellectual property and proprietary information
- Resolving disputes between prime contractors and subcontractors
Our focus is on creating clear, enforceable agreements that align incentives and protect your business interests.
Why Bean, Kinney & Korman
Our government contracts team brings a practical, business-focused approach grounded in real-world experience. We understand the pressures contractors face—from tight proposal timelines to evolving regulatory requirements—and provide clear, actionable guidance.
Whether you are entering the government market for the first time or managing a mature portfolio of contracts, we help you navigate complexity, reduce risk, and position your organization for long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bid protest, and when should I file one?
A bid protest is a formal challenge to a contract award or solicitation. You should consider filing when there is a clear error in the procurement process that affected the outcome.
What regulations govern federal contracts?
Most federal contracts are governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), along with agency-specific supplements like DFARS.
What happens if my company is investigated for compliance issues?
Early legal guidance is critical. We help manage investigations, respond to inquiries, and mitigate potential penalties.
How can small businesses qualify for set-aside contracts?
Businesses must meet eligibility requirements set by the SBA for programs like 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB or HUBZone. Proper certification and ongoing compliance are essential.
Representative Matters
In re Applicant for Security Clearance, ISCR Case No. 02-15474 (Dep’t of Defense App. Bd. July 3, 2006)
View document (PDF)In re Applicant for Security Clearance, ISCR Case No. 99-0016 (Dep’t of Defense App. Bd. May 21, 1999)
View document (PDF)In re Green Valley Transp., Inc., B-285283, 2000 Comp. Gen. Proc. Dec. P133 (Comp. Gen. Aug. 9, 2000)
View document (PDF)In re Green Valley Transp., Inc. II, B-285283.2, 2001 Comp. Gen. Proc. Dec. P80 (Comp. Gen. April 16, 2001)
View document (PDF)In re Ready Transportation, Inc., B-285283.3; B-285283.4, 2001 Comp. Gen. Proc. Dec. P90 (Comp. Gen. May 8, 2001)
View document (PDF)Scharpenberg v. Carrington, 686 F. Supp. 2d 655 (E.D. Va. 2010)
View document (PDF)Technology & Mgmt. Servs. v. EPA, No. 96-1386, 1997 U.S. App. LEXIS 2781 at *1 (4th Cir. Feb. 18, 1997)
View document (PDF)Union Pac. R.R. Co. v. Surface Transp. Bd., 202 F.3d 337 (D.C. Cir. 2000)
Principal drafter of the brief of intervener. The court adopted the arguments in the intervener’s brief and upheld the board’s determination that a railroad’s rates in conjunction with a bottleneck movement were unreasonable.
Blogs
Business Planning
Should Your Business Align with the Federal Fiscal Year?
Government contractors tend to think in federal time. Pipeline reviews, proposal calendars, staffing plans, and cash flow projections often follow the rhythm of the federal fiscal year — October 1 through September 30 — because that is when agencies receive their funding and spend it.
September 22, 2026
Business and Financial Services
AI Guardrails Meet Federal Contracting: What GSA’s Proposed AI Procurement Rules Mean for Government Contractors
Artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental feature in federal procurement. It is rapidly becoming essential digital infrastructure used to analyze data, support decision‑making, automate workflows, and power mission‑critical systems across civilian agencies (non-military federal agencies such as the DHS, HHS, and Treasury) to analyze data, support decision-making, and automate workflows. Against that backdrop, the…
May 26, 2026
Business and Financial Services
Section 875 of the FY2026 NDAA: What DoD Contractors Need to Know About Bid Protest Payment Withholding
Section 875 of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act creates a new payment-withholding risk for certain incumbent Department of Defense contractors that file GAO bid protests. The provision directs DoD to revise the DFARS to establish procedures allowing contracting officers to withhold up to five percent of payments owed to an incumbent contractor during a protest-related bridge…
May 21, 2026
Business and Financial Services
A Bombshell for Preemption Precedent- The Supreme Court’s Decision in Hencely v. Fluor and What It Means for Government Contractors
Facts of the Case On Wednesday, the Supreme Court released its opinion in Hencely v. Fluor– reversing the Fourth Circuit, which relied on the “battlefield” preemption rule to dismiss the individual’s tort claims against Fluor. An independent contractor of Fluor’s subcontractor carried out a suicide attack at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. The plaintiff, Hencely, intervened…
April 24, 2026
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News & Publications
Business and Financial Services
Margaret M. Marks and Nicole A. Salisbury Join Bean, Kinney & Korman
Bean, Kinney & Korman welcomes shareholder Margaret Marks, focusing on complex litigation, and associate Nicole Salisbury, practicing family law, both licensed in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.
December 11, 2025
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