Amba M. Datta

Partner

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Areas of Work

Government Contracts, Independent & Internal Investigations, Commercial Litigation, Fraud & False Claims Act

Overview

Amba Datta focuses on all aspects of government contracts law, from formation through performance. She regularly represents government contractors in bid protests before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, federal agencies, and state administrative entities.

Clients come to Amba for assistance in complying with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and federal agency acquisition supplements, and with navigating the U.S. Small Business Administration's socioeconomic programs. She also assists clients with all aspects of federal procurement law, including teaming agreements and subcontracts, organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), and mergers and acquisitions involving government contracts.

In addition, Amba has significant experience structuring and managing internal investigations in matters involving internal controls violations and procurement fraud, including False Claims Act (FCA) allegations. She counsels clients responding to government inquiries, subpoenas, and audits; engages with federal agency counsel and investigators; makes presentations to the U.S. Department of Justice and suspension and debarment authorities; and negotiates settlement agreements.

Amba also works closely with Steptoe's Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) team to help clients achieve their business goals by navigating relationships with federal agencies and obtaining congressional appropriations.

District of Columbia
New York
US District Court, Southern District of New York
US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
US Court of Federal Claims

Hon. Mary Ellen Coster Williams, US Court of Federal Claims, 2012-2013

J.D., University of Minnesota, magna cum laude
B.A., Columbia University, Modern European History

Representative Matters

Represent clients in bid protests before federal agencies, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, (COFC), and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO):
- (COFC) Prevailed in bid protest to overturn a decision by the Department of Education to cancel a solicitation for debt collection services.
- (GAO) Successfully challenged U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' technical evaluation, conduct of discussions, and best value determination for $30 million procurement for repair and maintenance at Fort Hood, Texas.
- (GAO) Obtained corrective action from the U.S. General Services Administration in pre-award bid protest challenging National Architecture/Engineering/Interiors Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Solicitation.
Persuaded the U.S. Army Contracting Command to lift a moratorium on new business on behalf of government contractor providing engineering, information technology, and technical consulting services, following extensive internal review and establishment of enhanced ethics and compliance policies.
Represented client in internal investigation and defense of False Claims Act violations alleged by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Managed due diligence in connection with government contractor mergers and acquisitions and prepared novation agreements.
Counseled client regarding voluntary disclosure in connection with U.S. Navy contracts.

Speaking Engagements

"There is No "I" in Team: Practical Strategies for Drafting and Negotiating Teaming Agreements and Subcontracts," ABA's 2024 PCL Fall Forum, November 8, 2024