Michael E. Samuels

Overview

Michael Samuels is a counsel in Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts group. His practice involves counseling and representing government contractors on a wide range of issues.

Michael advises buyers and sellers in complex M&A transactions involving government contractors. He assists with the due diligence process, the government contracts terms of the purchase or merger agreement, and other diligence and post-closing issues in areas such as small-business compliance and recertification, cybersecurity, facility clearances, and data rights issues. Michael also assists with other corporate government contracts matters such as reorganizations, novations, change-of-name agreements, and organizational conflicts of interest.

In addition, Michael counsels clients on various regulatory compliance issues, subcontractor and teaming agreements, small-business issues and size protests, intellectual property data rights issues, and cybersecurity.

Michael also has extensive experience litigating bid protests before the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims, the Small Business Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals, and the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition.

Michael graduated from The George Washington University Law School, where he served as articles editor for the American Intellectual Property Law Association’s Quarterly Journal.

Career & Education

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Boston College, B.A., 2009
The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2014
- Boston College, B.A., 2009
- The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2014
District of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Professional Activities and Memberships

American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law (Co-Chair of Mergers & Acquisitions Committee) (2023-2024)

American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law (Vice Chair of Mergers & Acquisitions Committee) (2021-2023)

American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law (Vice Chair of Young Lawyers Committee (2019-2021))
Professional Activities and Memberships
- American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law (Co-Chair of Mergers & Acquisitions Committee) (2023-2024)
- American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law (Vice Chair of Mergers & Acquisitions Committee) (2021-2023)
- American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law (Vice Chair of Young Lawyers Committee (2019-2021))

Michael's Insights

Speaking Engagement | 10.29.24

"Corporate Transactions and Deals ," 2nd Annual Midwest Government Contracts Seminar, Chicago, IL.

Client Alert | 3 min read | 10.23.24
SAM Scams: Protect Your Company
Client Alert | 3 min read | 10.22.24
CMMC Final Rule Includes M&A Trigger for New Assessment
Speaking Engagement | 10.02.24
"Developments re: Size and Status Recertification," Crowell & Moring Webinar

View All Insights

Representative Matters

Government Contracts Due Diligence and Transactions

Provided government contracts counsel to Accenture Federal Services in connection with its acquisitions of Anser and Novetta
Guided government contracts diligence for Arcline Investment Management in connection with the acquisition of government contractor entities within its portfolio.
Represented Audax Private Equity in connection with the government contracts aspects of the acquisition, reorganization, and sale of entities within its portfolio.
Provided government contracts counsel to Halfaker and Associates, a technology solutions provider within the government’s health, intelligence, defense, and security sectors, in connection with its sale to SAIC.
Led government contracts diligence for multiple private equity and lender clients.
Represented large contractor clients in the divestiture of significant business lines, including navigating complex novation and facility security clearance issues.
Advised on complex small business structuring, diligence, and compliance issues related to investments made by Small Business Investment Company clients in government contractors.

Published Bid Protest Wins as Protester

Successfully protested at GAO challenging an FBI award for administrative and analysis support services for the agency's National Name Check Program.
Won protest at GAO challenging an award for Bureau of Prisons residential re-entry center.
Successfully protested flawed award for operation of Navy facility on multiple grounds.
Successful protest of Defense Security Service award for security, suitability, and credentialing background investigations, and clearance adjudications.
Protest at Court of Federal Claims of Department of Veterans Affairs consulting services contract sustained on multiple grounds.

Published Bid Protest Wins as Intervenor

Represented IT services contractor in the successful defense of the award of a billion-dollar Department of Homeland Security contract against multiple protests.
Successfully defended billion-dollar Department of Veterans Affairs ID/IQ award for information technology operations and services and remediation support services against three protests.
Successfully defended sole-source award for airborne electronic attack system against multiple protests.