Susan Ebner Quoted on Available Federal Relief for Contractors During COVID-19 in Law360

04.28.2020

Partner Susan Warshaw Ebner was quoted in a recent Law360 article on policies government contractors can take advantage of amid the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The article reported Susan’s comments on Section 3610 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the Department of Defense’s (DOD) issuance of an interim rule to increase and accelerate progress payments to government contractors.

Under Section 3610 of the CARES Act, federal agencies are able to reimburse contractors for their costs to keep employees and subcontractors at the ready even if they are unable to perform the work due to the impacts of COVID-19. While implementation of this relief can vary, Susan notes that given the lack of consistent guidance from different agencies, it is important for contractors to keep in close contact with their contracting officers, take steps to “notify them of the impact and work something out.”

As for accelerated progress payments, the DOD recently implemented the policy to increase the amount of payments to contractors and ensure that small business are receiving such payments quickly.

“I think that’s been very successful,” Susan said. “Getting cash to contractors for things that they’re doing in a fast way is the best way to keep them mobilized and able to work.”

Susan represents small and large businesses and nonprofits on a broad spectrum of government contracting and compliance matters, including bid protests, cyber security and supply chain risk, compliance program development and training, audits, investigations, contract changes, claims, and informal dispute resolution and litigation. She also counsels clients on federal research and development-related matters, including small business innovation research, other transactions, technology investment agreements, cooperative agreements, and grants. Susan co-chairs Stinson’s Government Contracts and Investigations practice group and is a member of the firm’s Coronavirus Task Force. She is a frequent contributor to Stinson’s Government Contracting Matters blog.