Michael G. GrudenCIPP/G

Michael’s legal practice covers a wide range of counseling and litigation engagements at the intersection of government contracts and cybersecurity. His government contracts endeavors include supply chain security counseling, contract disputes with federal entities, suspension and debarment proceedings, mandatory disclosures to the government, prime-subcontractor disputes, and False Claims Act investigations. His privacy and cybersecurity practice includes cybersecurity compliance reviews, risk assessments, data breaches, incident response, and regulatory investigations. 

Government Contracts

Michael assists government contractors with federal contract compliance and administration matters throughout the contract lifecycle – from solicitation and award to audit, investigation, and termination. He advises clients on Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) provisions and clauses, as well as agency supplements such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Homeland Security Acquisition Regulations (HSAR), and others.

Cybersecurity

Michael has leveraged his procurement experience to advise numerous clients on DoD cybersecurity contract clauses. He has assisted clients in navigating the cybersecurity regulatory landscape by conducting compliance assessments, reviewing system security plans (SSPs) and plans of action and milestones (POAMs), and advising on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) marking guidance. Michael counsels clients on all aspects of cyber incident and data breach response, including working with forensic security consultants, conducting internal investigations, interacting with law enforcement, and complying with data breach notification laws. He also helps clients develop incident preparedness strategies and table-top exercises to assist companies in mitigating risks presented by data breach incidents.

Government Experience

Michael’s extensive federal procurement experience allows him to uniquely counsel his clients with a real-world perspective concerning contract evaluation and administration, as well as cybersecurity compliance.

U.S. Department of Defense

Branch Chief for Information Technology and Physical Security Acquisitions at Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), a 4th Estate DoD field activity responsible for the contracting needs of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the Pentagon Reservation. As an unlimited warrant Contracting Officer, Michael awarded, oversaw the award of or acted as the Source Selection Authority (SSA) of:

• $500 million solicitation for information technology services spanning the entire Pentagon Reservation, where Michael worked with the Chief Information Officer and other Senior Executive Service members to develop the acquisition strategy and request for proposal (RFP).
• Courtroom technology contracts at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for 9/11 detainee military tribunals.
• 24/7 global information technology support for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and their advance staff.
• Travel agreements for the Secretary of Defense’s OCONUS and all CONUS travel.
• Modernization of IT infrastructure for DoD’s primary alternate site, continuity of operations (COOP) facility.
• Satellite tower construction and information technology development in the Asian Pacific to landmark drug, human, and weapon trafficking in concert with U.S. partnering nations.
• Wargaming, modeling, and simulation contracts in support of war planning directorate of OSD.
• Cooperative agreement for glass manufacturing facility in Afghanistan.
• Security installation and repair services for electronic security systems and infrastructure throughout Pentagon Reservation. 
• Meteorological and laboratory services for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRNE) defense.

Michael was detailed for six months to the Office of the General Counsel, where he assisted attorneys in the defense of protests filed before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC).

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Acquisition Professional at DHS Headquarters supporting Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate and Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA), among others; Contracting Officer at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Collectively, Michael worked to:

• Lead renovations for multiple DHS alternate site, continuity of operations facilities managing a suite of renovation construction contracts encompassing data centers, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, power grids, and water treatment facilities.
• Administer Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicitation encompassing all program missions within S&T. Engaged with industry regarding the BAA, liaised between industry, members of Congress, the Executive Director of S&T, and program offices.
• Award cybersecurity and CBRNE contracts for S&T and HSARPA.
• Partner with the Office of Security to award essential IT software and hardware contracts.

During law school, Michael was an editor of the Journal of National Security Law & Policy.