Federal Government Contract and Agency Regulation

Calfee’s Federal Government Contract and Agency Regulation attorneys represent clients on matters related to government contract litigation before the United States Court of Federal Claims, United States District Courts, Federal Appellate Courts, various Boards of Contract Appeals, and the General Accounting Office.

We regularly represent clients regarding their legal matters involving the Departments of Defense, Labor, Treasury, State, Agriculture, and Commerce.

Attorneys in this practice also have represented clients before the Food and Drug Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Customs Service, NASA, GSA, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Based on their knowledge of U.S. government contracting and regulatory procedures, our attorneys bring a unique perspective to the interests of our business clients.

Noteworthy

Chambers USA Leading Law Firm Rankings 

Calfee has been recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Law Firm in Government Relations: State & Local in Band 1 in USA - Nationwide (2023).

Clients interviewed by Chambers USA researchers stated, "We are very happy with the level of professionalism, knowledge, responsiveness, and value of the work product we receive from Calfee's attorneys. They are the utmost professionals, always helping clients achieve the stated goal; they are extremely well-connected within Ohio state and local politics. Calfee's government relations team is amazing and includes high-powered lobbyists as well as extremely detailed attorneys who analyze legislation; the group is multitalented and will use all of those resources to help the client. The team is tremendously experienced and brings a wealth of knowledge to its work. It is filled with an incredible number of people who bring federal, state, and local government experience, which lends itself to them providing workable, realistic solutions to problems." 

U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” Rankings

Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2023 "Best Law Firms" rankings by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in the following areas:

• Energy Law (Regional Tier 2 Cleveland)
• Environmental Law (Regional Tier 3 Columbus)
• Government Relations Practice (Regional Tier 1 Columbus, Regional Tier 2 Cincinnati)

Benchmark Litigation Rankings

Calfee was selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation as a "Highly Recommended" litigation firm in Ohio in the area of Dispute Resolution. Additionally, several of Calfee's Litigation attorneys have been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as "Local Litigation Stars – Ohio" and as “40 & Under Hot List Honorees – Midwest.”

Professionals

John F. Fisher

Associate Attorney

• Columbus

614.621.7751

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Leah Pappas Porner

Partner-in-Charge, Columbus & D.C.; Chair, Government Relations and Legislation

• Columbus
• Washington, D.C.

614.621.7007

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Joshua R. Sanders

Vice Chair, Government Relations and Legislation

• Columbus
• Washington, D.C.

614.621.7763

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Experience

• Served as an arbitrator on a federal contract dispute valued in excess of $3 million between a primary contractor and a subcontractor.
• Defended a subcontractor in a False Claims Act matter valued in excess of $1 billion.
• Protested contract awards of the General Services Administration before the United States Claims Court.
• Defended a qui tam lawsuit for a large publicly held corporation.
• Appeared before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and converted two Terminations for Default into terminations for convenience resulting in a favorable settlement in excess of $500,000.
• Negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding to rescind a Termination for Default on a subcontract supporting the Chemical Warhead Destruction Facility program.
• Negotiated a multi-million-dollar Cost Accounting Standard matter involving pension funding that resulted in the client paying nothing to the Government.
• Processed a foreign language label through the FDA for the export of a major pharmaceutical product.
• Represented clients in criminal and civil matters involving U.S. Customs Service transactions.
• Represented mine operations and supervisors in administrative hearings before the MSHA.
• Responded to audit queries by the United States EPA in the administration of an EPA grant.
• Represented clients in administering Buy American Act compliance in federal procurements.
• Assisted contractors and subcontractors with bid or proposal preparation for major government procurements.
• Advised contractors and subcontractors on performance and quality issues during performance.
• Advised clients on obtaining applications for Department of Treasury approval of specialized trade with foreign countries.
• Negotiated with U.S. Customs regarding the duty-free treatment of products shipped into the United States by a wholly owned subsidiary of an American corporation.
• Created export compliance programs.
• Assisted clients in preparing cost submittals that address and retain proprietary rights.

Services

Government Contract Litigation

• Bid protests
• Qui tam/whistleblower defense suits
• Challenges to contract terminations
• Contract claims and equitable adjustments
• Federal leases
• Defense of False Claims Act allegations

Agency Regulatory Matters

• FDA matters
• Foreign trade licensing requirements
• MSHA procedures
• Department of Defense matters
• EPA matters
• Executive order compliance

Government Contract Administration

• Cost accounting standards issues
• Truth-In-Negotiations Act issues
• Buy American
• Bid preparation issues
• Specification requirements
• Quality requirements
• Performance issues