Since January 2025, President Trump has signed over 125 Executive Orders - many of which directly or indirectly affect the government contracting industry. These orders range from "Establishing the Department of Government Efficiency" and "Reforming Foreign Defense to Improve Speed and Accountability," to "Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement." Among this barrage of Executive Orders, is other information released by agencies such as employee terminations, CMMC 2.0 rollout, and the elimination of whole departments within agencies and the consolidation of purchasing/acquisition offices. With so many rapid changes, disruptions and noise, FPS is offering you the opportunity to talk directly with stakeholders and subject matter experts. This panel is designed to help sort out the current situation and get a glimpse of the future for the industry. This 90+ minute panel features FPS industry specialists who stay current on all the latest trends and can help make sense of and navigate these critical issues contractors are facing. Our panel will discuss:  Executive Orders directly impacting the industry including: - Executive Order 14275 - "Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement" AKA - "FAR 2.0"  Impact of various Tariffs  Updates to Audits and Reviews  Cybersecurity Updates This event is not eligible for CLE/CPE credits.

The "data rights" clauses in the FAR and DFARS are some of the longest and least understood contract provisions. But if one steps back from the length of the data rights clauses and instead views them with some very simple, common-sense concepts in mind, the clauses become surprisingly easy to understand and to apply. Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, you should be able to:  understand the basic principles of rights in technical data and the common misunderstandings about who owns the rights in the data;  determine whether the data rights clauses require delivery;  when development occurs- better understand-what is private expense; who gets rights in government-funded modifications, how to alert the government to your rights and to correctly mark your data;  understand how to keep your engineers from inadvertently giving up your data rights.

This 3-part webinar series is designed to simplify the intellectual property frameworks in the FAR and DFARS and to provide helpful tips on IP protection from experienced practitioners.

If you thought there were misconceptions about rights in technical data, be assured there is even greater confusion about rights in noncommercial and commercial computer software. In this Webinar, W Jay DeVecchio and Locke Bell will address the fundamental aspects of the software clauses and point out the commonalities and the differences between those clauses and the technical data provisions. Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, you should understand:  the definitions of when development occurs, how one has to mark software (including software within a silicon chip), the notable absence at DOD of any clause for commercial computer software and the corresponding use under the FAR of a peculiar commercial clause.  the proper contents of software license agreements  how one prices commercial software, and how uniquely-governmental software can be or become commercial.

This webinar, led by Locke Bell of Morrison & Foerster LLP, will explore the consequences of developing inventions using federal government funding and developing IP under non-procurement vehicles such as grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions, answering the questions who owns the IP and what rights does the government obtain. Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, you should be able to:  understand the process for reporting inventions to the government and patenting those inventions, and the consequences of not following the rules for doing so.  appreciate the unique IP considerations related to special types of government agreements - grants, cooperative agreements, and other transaction agreements.

Many Federal contractors initially find Cost Accounting Standards to be difficult to understand and navigate. Our experts break down the requirements so each participant can understand:  What is CAS?  When does it apply?  What is a Disclosure Statement? This session will discuss modified vs. full CAS coverage and will also provide a high-level overview of the standards by grouping and the connection between CAS requirements and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Learning Objectives  What are the differences and requirements for Standard, Quick, and Early contract closeouts.  What are the eight steps for a Standard Closeout Contract Complete, Verification Forms, Reports, Resolution of Outstanding Issues Final Payment De-obligation of funds Completion Statements Past Performance File Disposal  What are the basic problems that are being experienced at every step.  How can those problems be addressed.  Why quick closeouts are popular in 2024 and the impact that that process is having on the backlogs

This 3-part webinar series will cover the overview and applicability, impact on your business segments and what is required if you want to make cost accounting practice changes. Additionally, we have included case studies to provide participants with hands on experience.

This session builds on CAS Overview and Applicability with understanding the impacts to an organization's business segments. The session begins with defining the difference between a business unit and a segment and explains the pros and cons of transferring materials, supplies or services based on both cost and price. Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about the applicability of Disclosure Statements to segments, including when a Disclosure Statement is required to be completed. The session also includes a case study which will provide hands-on experience with a sample Disclosure Statement.

Once a contractor has a contract subject to full CAS coverage, it is important to understand how to make a change to a disclosed cost accounting practice. This session will include a discussion of (Learning Objectives):  What is considered an accounting practice change?  What does not meet the definition of an accounting practice change?  What are common triggers for a cost accounting practice change? Additionally, the course will dive into cost impact proposals covering when a proposal is required, the timing for submission, and how impacts are calculated. The course also includes a case study for hands-on experience with a cost impact calculation.