1. Home
  2. |Insights
  3. |CO'S Opinion Due No Deference On Statutory Application

CO'S Opinion Due No Deference On Statutory Application

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 07.30.04

Continuing a recent string of successful bid protests, the Court of Federal Claims in Miss. Dept. of Rehab. Servs. v. U.S. (June 4, 2004), finds that the Navy has improperly refused to give the blind a statutory preference in a procurement for operation of a galley. Of particular interest, Judge Baskir rejects the more deferential standard some judges have used in similar cases and rules that no deference is owed to the Contracting Officer's application of the statutory language, considering the matter de novo.

Insights

Client Alert | 7 min read | 10.27.26

New Developments in DOJ Whistleblower Policies and HHS Disclosures: Key Takeaways for General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officers, and Boards

On October 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Fraud Enforcement Division announced a new whistleblower rewards initiative, the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP). Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald issued a directive earlier this month directing Division leadership to design and implement policies and programs that incentivize whistleblowers to bring forward credible information pertaining to fraud. The new WHIP incentive pays awards of $10,000 to $30,000 for qualifying tips at or around the time criminal charges are filed or unsealed, rather than years later at case resolution....