Supply chain integrity, ethical issues among topics at ABA Federal Procurement Institute

Legal experts from government, industry, private law practice and academia will discuss significant federal procurement developments at the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law 24th Annual Federal Procurement Institute, March 14-17 at Loews Hotel in Annapolis, Md.

Topics covered include supply chain integrity, debunking myths of the service contract labor standards, bid protests and a review of ethical issues in the field of government contracts.
Highlights of the program agenda include:

• “Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession: Why It’s Important and What You Can Do” – Despite many years of emphasis, obtaining diversity in the legal profession has never been harder. This panel will explore the importance of diversity, specifically within the federal procurement bar, including insight from the bench on how judges view diversity and the impact on advocacy before them.

• “Supply Chain Integrity: The New Normal” – This panel will discuss supply chain issues in today’s global and technological world, with a view toward addressing some recent issues impacting the supply chain. Topics will include new supply chain assessment and management programs and tools for use by government and contractors.

• “Section 809 Panel Updates” – Join members of the congressionally created Section 809 Panel, which is tasked with developing recommendations to Congress for streamlining and improving DoD’s acquisition process. The panel will discuss issues such as removing barriers of entry to the defense marketplace, ensuring that the U.S. maintains its competitive advantage, attracting more innovative companies into the defense market­place and making IT procurement more efficient.