Issac D. Schabes
Overview
Issac D. Schabes assists government contractors, big and small businesses alike, in a wide range of government contracts litigation and counseling matters. Issac is particularly adept at helping contractors protect their interests in bid protest proceedings at the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, federal procuring agencies, and state and local contracting agencies. Drawing on his prior law clerk experience at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Issac understands the complex and strategic decision-making that fuels a successful protest or defense of a government contract.
Career & Education
- Maryland
Law Clerk, Honorable Robert N. McDonald, Supreme Court of Maryland, 2019–2020 - U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Law Clerk, Honorable Matthew H. Solomson, 2020–2021
- Maryland
- Ner Israel College, B.A., 2009
- University of Maryland Carey School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2019
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- Member, U.S. Court of Federal Claims Advisory Council
Issac's Insights
Client Alert | 1 min read | 06.24.24
On June 6, 2024, the General Services Administration (GSA) issued a final rule seeking to minimize the use of single-use plastic (SUP) packaging materials in goods procured through the Federal Supply Schedules (FSS). Rather than instituting an outright ban on SUP packaging, GSA opted to incentivize FSS contractors to offer SUP-free products through providing a special icon in GSA Advantage for FSS contractors self-certifying that their products are SUP-free. The final rule explains that the SUP-free icon is intended to act “as an important discriminator when buyers are making purchasing decisions” so that FSS contractors that adopt this voluntary measure will become more marketable in the federal procurement space. While application of the final rule is limited to purchases from the FSS, GSA believes that the final rule will “also create positive spillovers as non-FSS contracting firms adopt similar policies to compete with FSS contractors in non-FSS markets.” GSA also explained that the final rule is an “initial step” in providing more sustainable packaging and that the goal is to encourage other federal agencies to eventually adopt these practices into other government contracts. Importantly, GSA will rely on self-certification that identified products are SUP-free and will not require any third-party verification, as the increased regulatory burden could discourage participation of small businesses. The final rule is effective starting July 8, 2024.
Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.12.24
Federal Circuit Narrows FASA Task Order Bar, Expands “Interested Party” Standing
Client Alert | 2 min read | 05.20.24
Representative Matters
- Successfully protested Air Force’s award of $300 million contract for adversarial training services by obtaining agency corrective action and won recommendation for reimbursement of protest costs.
- Successfully protested U.S. Secret Service award of $18 million contract for cellular communications services and equipment.
- Successfully defended against protest challenging Administrative Office of the U.S. Court’s multiple award contract with total estimated value of $1.5 billion.
- Successfully defended against protest challenging Department of Defense award of $240 million contract for the TRI-GSM program.
- Successfully protested GSA’s award of a $678 million contract for systems engineering and integration services by obtaining agency corrective action.
Issac's Insights
Client Alert | 1 min read | 06.24.24
On June 6, 2024, the General Services Administration (GSA) issued a final rule seeking to minimize the use of single-use plastic (SUP) packaging materials in goods procured through the Federal Supply Schedules (FSS). Rather than instituting an outright ban on SUP packaging, GSA opted to incentivize FSS contractors to offer SUP-free products through providing a special icon in GSA Advantage for FSS contractors self-certifying that their products are SUP-free. The final rule explains that the SUP-free icon is intended to act “as an important discriminator when buyers are making purchasing decisions” so that FSS contractors that adopt this voluntary measure will become more marketable in the federal procurement space. While application of the final rule is limited to purchases from the FSS, GSA believes that the final rule will “also create positive spillovers as non-FSS contracting firms adopt similar policies to compete with FSS contractors in non-FSS markets.” GSA also explained that the final rule is an “initial step” in providing more sustainable packaging and that the goal is to encourage other federal agencies to eventually adopt these practices into other government contracts. Importantly, GSA will rely on self-certification that identified products are SUP-free and will not require any third-party verification, as the increased regulatory burden could discourage participation of small businesses. The final rule is effective starting July 8, 2024.
Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.12.24
Federal Circuit Narrows FASA Task Order Bar, Expands “Interested Party” Standing
Client Alert | 2 min read | 05.20.24
Issac's Insights
Client Alert | 1 min read | 06.24.24
On June 6, 2024, the General Services Administration (GSA) issued a final rule seeking to minimize the use of single-use plastic (SUP) packaging materials in goods procured through the Federal Supply Schedules (FSS). Rather than instituting an outright ban on SUP packaging, GSA opted to incentivize FSS contractors to offer SUP-free products through providing a special icon in GSA Advantage for FSS contractors self-certifying that their products are SUP-free. The final rule explains that the SUP-free icon is intended to act “as an important discriminator when buyers are making purchasing decisions” so that FSS contractors that adopt this voluntary measure will become more marketable in the federal procurement space. While application of the final rule is limited to purchases from the FSS, GSA believes that the final rule will “also create positive spillovers as non-FSS contracting firms adopt similar policies to compete with FSS contractors in non-FSS markets.” GSA also explained that the final rule is an “initial step” in providing more sustainable packaging and that the goal is to encourage other federal agencies to eventually adopt these practices into other government contracts. Importantly, GSA will rely on self-certification that identified products are SUP-free and will not require any third-party verification, as the increased regulatory burden could discourage participation of small businesses. The final rule is effective starting July 8, 2024.
Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.12.24
Federal Circuit Narrows FASA Task Order Bar, Expands “Interested Party” Standing
Client Alert | 2 min read | 05.20.24