Overview
(December 22, 2016, Washington, DC) — With a new administration on the horizon, Steptoe & Johnson LLP has launched the second edition of its Government Contractor Supply Chain Toolkit, a free resource to help government contractors understand the legal and regulatory framework applicable to supply chain management and navigate supply chain risks. The updated toolkit, created by Steptoe’s Government Contracts Group, discusses various federal rules and developments imposing supply chain requirements on federal contractors and subcontractors.
The updated toolkit includes:
- Updates on newly issued employment requirements, such as rules addressing the “Fair Pay and Safe Workspaces” and Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors;”
- A snapshot of the major – and fast-evolving – cybersecurity requirements;
- Other regulatory updates on human trafficking, counterfeit parts, and the expanded scope of the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program for all “small” businesses; and
- Recent civil and criminal enforcement activities by the federal government arising from supply chain risks, including in the areas of illegal kickbacks, counterfeit parts, and the Trade Agreements Act.
Supply chain risk management has become a key element of compliance programs for government contractors who are facing increased demands to police their supply chains to address many risks such as counterfeit parts, cyber threats, human trafficking, and business ethics. Their supply chains also must comply with domestic preferences and socio-economic goals, while at the same time, offer goods and services at competitive prices.
The consequences of a failed risk management program could be severe. Supply chain risks could result in business disruptions, the incurrence of unanticipated costs for corrective actions, and even exclusions from government contracting.
Steptoe’s Government Contracts Group, which includes Paul Hurst, Tom Barletta, Kendall Enyard, Andy Irwin, Mike Mutek and Mike Navarre, works with clients to navigate regulatory requirements on supply chain and to develop risk management programs. Steptoe also assists companies in responding to allegations that they failed to effectively police their supply chain.
The toolkit is a resource in evaluating certain key supply chain risks. As a toolkit, it does not address every supply chain requirement or risk, but Steptoe can assist in developing effective programs to address these and other supply chain risks, depending on the client’s goals, suppliers, and business line.
Click here for more information on Steptoe’s Government Contractor Supply Chain Toolkit, and click here to download the full toolkit.
About Steptoe
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Phoenix and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
