FPS proudly presents the 2026 Year in Review (YIR), December 8–10, 2026, at the UVA Darden in Crystal City.
Join us for the 3rd Annual FPS Year in Review, two and a half days of focused, high-impact discussion on the developments shaping Federal contracting.
YIR 2026 will examine the most significant statutory, regulatory, and enforcement changes affecting industry and government, including NDAA 2026, FAR overhaul initiatives, CAS changes, cybersecurity mandates, supply chain challenges, and other key developments. Each 45–60 minute session features leading practitioners and executives delivering practical analysis of FY26 updates and what they mean for 2027 and beyond.
From compliance and cost issues to bid protests, AI, data rights, M&A activity, and DCAA/DCMA trends, the program is designed to give you practical insight in an executive-level format.
Year in Review 2026 is the must-attend Federal contracting event of the year.
Call for Speakers & Sponsors FPS is seeking speakers and sponsors for 2026. If you’re interested in participating, contact FPS today.
DAY ONE 7:30-8:25 am Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:30-9:30 am Review and Update: On Statutes, Regulations, and Executive Orders Matthew Haws, Partner, Jenner & Block
9:35-10:35 am Supply Chain Challenges and Changes Alex Major, Partner, McCarter & English, LLP Franklin Turner, Partner, McCarter & English, LLP
10:35 - 10:50 am Break
10:50-12:05 pm Developments in the False Claims Act, Suspension & Debarment, and Compliance This session examines three areas that continue to drive significant risk for government contractors: False Claims Act enforcement, suspension and debarment, and compliance. The session will highlight recent FCA settlements and enforcement trends, including detailed data on recoveries across key agencies such as HHS and DoD, as well as important developments in suspension and debarment practice and contractor compliance expectations. Drawing on recent decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and district courts across the country, the presentation will translate the latest cases and enforcement data into practical takeaways for government contracts practitioners. Attendees will leave with both a snapshot of where enforcement stands today and a substantial collection of case summaries, statistical analyses, and reference materials for use in their practices. Matt Carter, Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
12:05-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-1:45 pm KEYNOTE: GSA’s Larry Allen, Associate Administrator - invited Updates on GSA’s initiatives related to Federal Contracting and Acquisition
1:45-2:45 pm Panel Discussion: A Corporate Compliance Executive’s View of FY25
2:45-3:00 pm Break 3:00-4:00 pm Developments in Data Rights & Intellectual Property 4:00-4:45 pm Commercial Products and Services Phillip Seckman, Partner, Dentons
4:45-5:15 PM GAUGE Report Presentation
5:15 pm Networking Reception DAY TWO 7:30 - 8:25 AM Continental breakfast 8:30-9:30 am Artificial Intelligence (AI) 9:35-10:35 am DCAA/DCMA Acquisition Disruption & Chaos - Understanding the Changing Landscape of Acquisition & Compliance
Anthony Kim, Partner, Highspring
10:50-12:00 pm Charting the Gray Areas of the CDA: Nonmonetary Relief, Sum Certain, and Finality This session navigates the Contract Disputes Act’s statutory framework and the evolving rules governing nonmonetary claims, the sum-certain requirement, and final contracting officer decisions. It will examine leading cases and recent developments affecting claim preparation, jurisdiction, and review.
Michael Rizzo, Managing Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-1:45 pm Small Business Initiatives/Changes 1:45-2:45 pm Big Changes for International Contractors – ITAR, FCPA, FOCI, and More International contractors are navigating one of the most turbulent regulatory environments in years. From foreign-owned contractors facing new FOCI obligations, along with longstanding CFIUS and ITAR requirements, to contractors operating abroad and wondering how to manage new FCPA/cartel risks in Latin America, and new ITAR Part 130 requirements, the compliance landscape is shifting fast, and the stakes for getting it wrong have never been higher. This session will break down this year's major developments, offer practical strategies for risk management, and explain how these changes fit into the broader trend of supply chain, export control, and foreign ownership regulation impacting the government contracting market.
Pete Jeydel, Partner, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP Bryan Williamson, Associate, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP
2:45-3:00 pm Break
3:00-3:45 pm Labor & Employment Challenges & Updates Federal government contractors continue to face a rapidly changing employment law and regulatory landscape. This session will examine recent EEOC and DOJ enforcement activities, developments involving the federal contractor minimum wage, proposed changes to the federal standard for classifying independent contractors, new executive orders addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and changes to disability affirmative action requirements. The panel will discuss the practical implications of these developments for contractor policies, workforce practices, and compliance programs. Attendees will learn how to evaluate emerging risks and prepare their organizations for further regulatory change..
Scott Pechaitis, Esq., Co-Leader Government Contracts & Compliance Practice Group, Jackson Lewis P.C. Jeremy Schnieder, Esq., Co-Leader Government Contracts & Compliance Practice Group, Jackson Lewis P.C.
3:45-4:45 pm Panel Discussion: A Corporate Counsel’s View of FY2
4:45-5:30 pm Day 2 Keynote: A Year in Review of Evaluations, Protests, and How to Make Your Bids Stronger Nia Mahallati, J.D. Sr VP, Shipley Associates 5:30 pm Adjournment DAY THREE (half day) 7:30 - 8:25 AM Continental breakfast 8:30-9:30 am Subcontracting - Compliance, Challenges and Key Takeaways from 2026 Jeff White, President & CEO, J.A. White & Associates 9:30-10:30 am Cost / Cost Accounting Standards / TINA Updates John Polcari, Partner, HKA Stephen Knight, Sr. Counsel, Haynes Boone 10:30 - 10:45 am Break 10:45-11:45 pm Cybersecurity - The Case for Protecting Data
Perry Keating, President, Protiviti
12:00 pm Adjournment
