The Defense Production Act: a Little Known Statute that May Soon Be Running Your Company
- Last week, the President invoked a Cold War-era law called the Defense Production Act (DPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 4501 et seq ., to acquire much-needed medical supplies and equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although a handful of provisions of the DPA – such as... ›
Update: COVID-19/Coronavirus Webinar Series: Concerns for Government Contractors (MATERIALS)
By: J. Alex Ward
Updated to add final materials, which can be accessed here. Replays of the webinar can be accessed here. Please join Morrison & Foerster Government Contracts + Public Procurement practice co-chair Alex Ward , and partner Dan Chudd for a webinar concerning what government contractors... ›OFCCP Issues National Interest Exemption for New Coronavirus Relief Contracts
By: Andrew R. Turnbull and Victoria Dalcourt Angle
On March 17, 2020, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP” or the “Agency”) issued a National Interest Exemption memorandum providing a limited, three-month exemption to new supply and service and construction contracts entered into specifically to provide Coronavirus relief. The exemption waives... ›COVID-19 Update: New California Order and DHS Critical Infrastructure Guidance
As we noted in an earlier post , various states and localities are issuing rapidly evolving directives on the extent to which businesses may continue ordinary operations in their jurisdictions and which businesses are exempt from those directives (or subject to less restrictive obligations).... ›Coronavirus Update: The Defense Production Act Is Not a Contractor’s Shield Against Local Shutdown Orders
By: W. Jay DeVecchio
The President is invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 4501 et seq. , to acquire much needed medical supplies and equipment. Meanwhile, contractors that already are performing DX or DO rated orders under the DPA are asking if the Act can... ›Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update: Evolving Local Orders that Affect Government Contractors
By: J. Alex Ward
As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop day by day, and even hour by hour, many jurisdictions are issuing guidance regarding quarantines and work restrictions that may affect the operations of government contractors. In this blog, we cover updates on the situation in California,... ›Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Employers: Leaves, Furloughs, and the Warn Act
By: Andrew R. Turnbull
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the worldwide outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, a pandemic. As the ripple effects from COVID-19 continue to grow, employers are increasingly facing difficult questions about how to address temporary workplace closures as well... ›U.S. Government Announces New Federal Funding Opportunities Related to COVID-19
By: Tina D. Reynolds
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ( BARDA ), part of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, has modified an existing broad agency announcement (BAA) through which it will award government funding... ›Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Keep Calm, Wash Your Hands, and Know Your Rights
By: Locke Bell
As the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, invades more and more of everyday life, the chance it will affect government contracts and government contractors becomes more and more likely. These effects might include workforce reductions from those out sick, travel restrictions, base closures, or telework. Indeed,... ›