Hurricanes Helene and Milton Put a Spotlight on Disaster Response Contracting Efforts
Client Alert | 1 min read | 10.09.24
The federal government’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton will increase its reliance upon government contractor support to perform critical tasks in the coming months. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal, state, and local agencies charged with disaster response and recovery will look to contractors to provide everything from logistics to housing, construction, and security services. National disaster contracting provides contractors with immediate opportunities to assist in the recovery effort, but given the time sensitivity, evolving customer needs, and critical nature of the work, contractors must be prepared to: (i) perform under tight deadlines and high scrutiny; (ii) seek clarity with respect to the scope of work they are asked to perform; (iii) properly manage contract and change order documentation; and (iv) maintain contract files for subsequent audits and other inquiries which can take place years after the recovery effort has ended. One of the most common contract risks associated with disaster response efforts is the inevitable “scope creep” as contractors encounter ever-changing events on the ground, which puts an emphasis on record keeping and timely communications with government customers, to ensure payment for work performed.
In addition, when responding to disasters, agencies typically turn first to regional or local businesses to rapidly support relief efforts. Contractors, especially small businesses getting involved for the first time, can prepare for these recovery opportunities by making sure they are registered in SAM.gov and added to the Disaster Response Registry. Additional information on participating in the Disaster Response Registry is available here: Disaster Response Registry | Acquisition.GOV
Insights
Client Alert | 2 min read | 04.23.25
California Considering Broad Bans on Pricing Software
Two bills currently making their way through the California Legislature could, if passed, have far-reaching implications for how companies doing business in California price their goods and services. California Assembly Bill 325 (Aguiar-Curry) and Senate Bill 384 (Wahab), as drafted, seek broad prohibitions against the use, distribution of, and inputs into algorithmic pricing and supply software, even where there is no coordination among competitors on the use of such software or the setting of prices. Their enactment would reach every business that uses software applications to develop pricing, supply levels and other commercial terms in California. Crowell & Moring represents the California Chamber of Commerce (“CalChamber”) in monitoring, analyzing and responding to the proposed bills.
Client Alert | 11 min read | 04.23.25
Client Alert | 4 min read | 04.23.25