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A Galaxy (Not) FAR Away? NASA Awards New Contracts in Space Privatization Program

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 08.17.12

On August 3, NASA announced the award of three new Space Act Agreements to provide funding for the public-private development of spacecraft to launch crew and cargo into low-earth orbit, pursuant to NASA's Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative. The agreements, which are not subject to FAR, are intended to develop "reliable and cost-effective access to and from the International Space Station and low Earth orbit" and ultimately allow NASA, and other government and commercial customers, to purchase spaceflight services from a private space industry.

Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 09.15.26

GAO Indicates Reasonable Conflict of Interest Investigation Must Include Inquiry of Involved Firm

The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recent decision in Viderity Inc.—Costs, B-424422.5, Sept. 1, 2026, offers useful insight into what constitutes a legally sufficient conflict of interest investigation. The decision arose in an unusual procedural posture: Viderity initially protested, alleging that an agency evaluator had a personal conflict of interest. After the agency took corrective action, Viderity filed a cost entitlement claim requesting that GAO direct the agency to reimburse Viderity’s protest costs. In evaluating that claim, GAO assessed whether Viderity’s underlying protest ground was “clearly meritorious.”...