On Demand
Audio
Federal Labor Standards in Government Contracting (Update)
Produced on February 20, 2018
Course Information
Course Description
Labor is the biggest cost driver in most government contracts, and federal labor laws and executive orders have a significant impact on what those costs will be. Therefore, understanding or not understanding those legal requirements could mean the difference between making a profit or experiencing a loss. More importantly, perhaps, failure to comply with federal labor standards requirements can lead to a three-year debarment or exclusion from government contracting--a death sentence for some businesses.
President Obama's administration saw more new labor requirements imposed on contractors than any presidency since Lyndon B. Johnson--which was before much of today's workforce had even learned to read or taken their first steps. Most of those new requirements remain in effect under the Trump administration. And, enforcement of both new and existing labor standards has been unrelenting, with the U.S. Department of Labor collecting hundreds of millions of dollars in back pay from government contractors and commercial employers alike. This means that compliance remains as important as ever, starting with learning what an employer's obligations are.
This course, presented by Shlomo D. Katz, co-leader of Brown Rudnick's Wage & Hour practice and a member of the firm's Government Contracts practice, reviews government contractors' prevailing wage, fringe benefit and other labor requirements, addresses some of the current legislative and regulatory activity relating to those issues, and offers practical guidance to consider when bidding on or performing government contracts.
Learning Objectives:
- Assess the basic requirements of the Service Contract Act, Davis-Bacon Act and significant executive orders impacting government contractors
- Review how legal requirements can impact your proposals for contracts and how you may be able to use them to improve your competitive position
- Discuss how ongoing debates in Congress, as well as the upcoming elections, will affect your obligations
- Prepare for a DOL audit
Credit Information
Faculty
Shlomo Katz
Brown Rudnick LLP
Shlomo Katz is a member of the Litigation Department, where he focuses on the areas of government contracts / procurement and commercial law and litigation, wage and hour law and construction law. Shlomo has significant experience in preparing, negotiating and litigating contract claims and bid protests, as well as advising clients on contract compliance, small business, subcontracting, data rights and labor law issues under government contracts. He has participated in mergers and acquisitions of government contractors, advising on issues of assignment and novation, intellectual property / data rights, and security clearances. Shlomo has successfully litigated before federal, state and local courts and the Government Accountability Office and Boards of Contract Appeals.
In addition, Shlomo represents clients in connection with minimum wage, working time and overtime issues under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Service Contract Act (SCA), Davis-Bacon Act, federal Executive Orders and state wage payment and prevailing wage laws. This includes conducting proactive wage-hour audits for employers as well as litigation of minimum wage, overtime and wage payment claims. Shlomo also has represented parties in wrongful termination and discrimination cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and in federal court.
Shlomo also contributes a regular “Legal Corner” column to the Executive Summary, the e-zine of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals - National Capital Area Chapter (“APMP-NCA), addressing legal issues relating to the preparation of proposals for Government contracts. Shlomo is fluent in Hebrew and is registered to practice architecture in Israel.
Reviews
Relevant and insightful, especially for small businesses.
Excellent
Well done and practical
Great CLE
Complex material; much to learn. Good introduction. Would like to receive the overview mentioned at the end.
The presenter was informed, knowledgeable, concise and excellent.
Excellent attorney-presenter and moderator with good information
A Well presented summary.
He was excellent!