On November 17, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives gave federal contractors and subcontractors an early Thanksgiving present. By a unanimous vote of 422-0, legislators passed H.R. 674, repealing a requirement that federal, state and local governments begin withholding three percent of payments to contractors in 2013. The bill has been sent to President Obama...
Author: blawgger
Labor Dept. Ends Conflict Between New Rule, HUBZone Program
We reported in September that an unexpected conflict had developed between a new Labor Department rule and an existing congressionally mandated requirement that grants preferential treatment to HUBZone contractors —firms servicing Historically Underutilized Business Zones. Based on a current article in the Washington Business Journal, it now appears that the conflict has dissipated. HUBZone contractors are...
Bethel Set to Speak on Diversity in Financial Services Industry
Firm Partner Pamela J. Bethel is scheduled to participate in a program in late January 2012 in New York City sponsored by the Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project. The project, headed by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, is an outgrowth of a social justice movement intended to secure equal opportunity and protection under the law for...
Obama QuickPay Plan for Small Business: Less Than Meets the Eye?
As part of the jobs package that he presented to Congress earlier this month, President Obama announced a new “QuickPay” initiative that would reduce the deadline for federal government payments to small business prime contractors from 30 days to 14 days. Many such contractors are often plagued by cash flow problems, even though they have...
New Rule Makes Matters Thorny for HUBZone Contractors
As a result of a new Labor Department rule, HUBZone contractors will need to brace themselves for possible new changes to their hiring practices that may prove difficult and cumbersome. Since 1998, Congress has provided for preferential treatment to HUBZone contractors — those firms servicing Historically Underutilized Business Zones — in competitions for federal government...
Executive Order Aims at Opening Doors to All in Federal Work
While we wait for Congress and the private sector to sort out a solution to our struggling economy and spark much needed job growth, President Obama took a promising step last month in signing Executive Order #13583. The purpose of the order is to promote the equal opportunity and inclusion of qualified minorities by America’s...
Finding One’s Way Globally — Some Current Examples
In previous blog posts, we discussed some of the challenges and opportunities that often face U.S. companies that are considering doing business abroad. Here are some examples that we are familiar with and that can illuminate the complex decision-making process that these companies can encounter. First, a West Coast contractor was experienced in working with...
What Small Businesses Need to Succeed Beyond Our Shores
Because of the lower value of the dollar and increased demand abroad, American companies have sought new markets overseas. This includes small companies as well as large. U.S. exports rose to more than $170 billion in June 2011 from $151 billion a year earlier and $128 billion in June 2009, the Commerce Department reported this...
Is SEC Rewriting Insider Trading Law?
As we and others have noted lately, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department have taken a new and aggressive attitude towards insider trading. Both in high-profile prosecutions like that of the leaders and employees of the Galleon Group LLC hedge fund, and in more routine civil enforcement actions, it looks to a lot...
After Delay, SEC Gets Closer to Picking Director of Minority and Women Inclusion
The Securities and Exchange Commission is finally catching up on its minority and women contracting responsibilities. On April 30, 2011, SEC Commissioner Luis A. Aguilar said in a speech, correctly, that “Section 342 of the Dodd-Frank Act requires that the SEC undertake significant efforts to recruit and promote employees from all backgrounds. In particular, Section...