Overview
Understanding Integrated Aerospace Industry Needs
Butzel has extensive experience with international aerospace companies across a variety of practice areas addressing a myriad of legal, business, and regulatory issues. Our firm has assisted both privately held and market-leading publicly held companies. In addition, our practice and resources are organized to provide cost-effective representation for multi-national and non-U.S. based companies, including special regulatory requirements related to the defense industry. We offer deep international and cross-border expertise on operational, strategic, and legal issues that support the success of our clients.
Our multi-disciplinary team approach allows us to tap capabilities from any of our offices in Michigan, New York, and Washington D.C. We have specific expertise in addressing challenges faced by non-U.S. based companies seeking to acquire businesses or provide goods and services to the U.S. Government. Our work in the defense industry spans the critical areas necessary to navigate the specialized and often complex regulatory environment associated with this industry.
Our range of services include acquisitions, divestitures, litigation and contract work, labor and employment, employee benefits, administrative and criminal investigations, bid protests, and regulatory matters.
Specialized Defense Industry Capabilities
Government Contracts and Compliance Programs Practice
The firm counsels companies selling to federal, state, and local government agencies. Government contract laws and regulations are complex and voluminous. Our attorneys understand the process and are familiar with the federal acquisition regulations and applicable laws. Our government contract clients range from small businesses to billion-dollar multi-national companies with numerous and complex government contracts.
Bid Protests
Bid protests are commonly used by disappointed offerors to challenge the award of contracts or the terms of procurement solicitations. Bid protests are filed at the procuring agency, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims or, most frequently, the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The protester won 23% of the cases that were decided on the merits. Many others were disposed of by settlement, or the agency taking corrective action.
Contract Administration, Changes, Disputes & Terminations
Government contractors experience a considerable variety of day-to-day issues involving contract administration, such as scope changes, other/directed changes (express and constructive) or various forms of termination. We are experienced in all these things, and can assist contractors on a cost-effective basis in achieving a resolution.
Suspension and Debarment
If the government is contemplating suspension or debarment as a result of the audit or investigation, we can represent the client in suspension and/or debarment proceedings and negotiate with the debarring or suspending entity on the client's behalf. We work to minimize the impact of any debarment or suspension on other corporate affiliates or divisions, if necessary. If needed, we will seek judicial review on behalf of a federal government contractor in a federal district court or at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Compliance Programs
We counsel government contractors with regard to a wide variety of regulatory compliance matters. In particular, with the governments upcoming counterfeit electronic parts regulations, its increases in prosecutions under the False Claims Act, as well as its tenacious emphasis on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance, the importance of a robust, effective compliance program is difficult to overestimate. We therefore engage all phases of effective compliance programs, including all COSO best practices, as well as (1) Early identification of issues, and (2) Rapid, timely and effective response whenever issues are identified.
In addition to labor standards and socio-economic requirements, we also provide counsel with regard to the unique ethical obligations of federal government contractors and best practices under current law, including ethics training and programs.
We regularly assist clients in drafting codes of conduct and compliance policies and programs. In that regard, we assist in structuring related training incorporating up-to-the-minute best practices for all company employees concerning the added level of scrutiny frequently applied to doing business with the government.
