Government Contracts & Procurement

Ruden McClosky's Government Contracts & Procurement Practice works with clients in a variety of industries to successfully pursue business with governmental organizations. Our experienced team of attorneys offers clients strategic counsel and representation in all aspects of government contracting. Offering keen insight into the complexities of local, regional and state government contracting, our attorneys work with clients throughout the public bid processes -- from initial review of procurement documents, through contract negotiations -- or through protest and litigation if necessary.

Possessing in-depth legal knowledge and skill in this specialized area of practice, our Government Contracts and Procurement attorneys help clients navigate the summative regulatory and legislative process, from the review and analysis of statutes and rules regarding the public bid process and procurement documents to the preparation of special contracts. They effectively facilitate negotiations with public agencies and subcontractors until the contract has been acquired, and defend/contest potential contract disputes before state, local government and quasi-government entities.

Our Litigators have successfully handled disputes before the United States Government Accountability Office, the United States Court of Federal Claims as well as many agencies, state boards and U.S. state and federal courts in various jurisdictions.

Practitioners in the group work in the most effective and innovative manner to deal with issues including bid protests; claims and disputes; terminations; false claims litigation; mergers and acquisitions; suspension and disbarment matters; compliance programs, audits and reviews; internal investigations; intellectual property and “data rights;” cost accounting; and employment.

Services offered by our Government Procurement Practice Group include:

Proposal and Contract Counseling
Protests
Contract and Subcontract Claims and Disputes
GSA Contracts
Intellectual Property
Audits and Investigations
Fraud Litigation
Voluntary Disclosures
Debarment and Suspension
Compliance and Education
Lobbying
State and Local Contracting
Mergers & Acquisitions
International Procurement Issues
CRADAs, OTs and TIAs
Small and Small Disadvantaged Businesses
Federal, state and local disadvantaged- minority programs certification
Preparation of Special Contracts
Negotiations with public agencies
Regulatory and Legislative Processes Assistance

Ruden McClosky provides business owners of all backgrounds with the resources and technical assistance to help them secure government and corporate procurement opportunities.

Most governments must demonstrate supplier diversity; they are required to contract a certain amount of their operations with minority, women, and veteran-owned companies, and other disadvantaged groups. Similarly, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) distributes substantial funding for construction projects initiated by state and local governments, public transit and airport agencies , of which certain amounts must be expended with small businesses that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Many large corporations have similar goals of diversification. All of these agencies and companies rely on certification documents to generate business with minority or disadvantaged-owned companies. As such, minority and disadvantaged business certification is a powerful and highly valued benefit to these business owners seeking business opportunities with governmental and larger corporate organizations.

Our attorneys work with other Ruden McClosky attorneys to assist clients with Minority and Disadvantaged Business Certification.

Minority and Disadvantaged Business Certification is the process of verifying that a business is owned and managed by minority, women, veterans, or disadvantaged individuals. The documentation required depends on the structure of the company applying for certification. For instance, the documentation required by an incorporated company differs from that required by a partnership or a sole proprietorship. Likewise, the documentation required of a distributor may differ from that required of a manufacturer. Additionally, the certifying agency may request supplemental documentation which may include but is not limited to: proof of ethnicity, professional and business licenses, resumes, financial statements, tax documents, stock certificates/proof of capital investment. An on-site visit to the company may also be required.

Numerous agencies provide certifications that cater to different businesses and trades including the Florida Minority Supplier Development Council (FMSDC), the State of Florida, Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, Orange County, the City of Orlando, and the City of Jacksonville among many others. The attorneys at Ruden McClosky can assist Florida business owners through all phases of the Minority and Disadvantaged Business Certification process, including:

Determining the appropriate agency with which to register based upon the particular business needs and goals of the company;
Preparing and filing all documentation required by the certifying agency;
Ensuring compliance with applicable national, state, and local requirements for minority or disadvantaged business certification; and,
Timely submittal of documentation to ensure the re-certification of the business.