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Customary Commercial Practice Deserves Respect

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 10.03.12

In Verizon Wireless (Sept. 17, 2012), GAO sustained a solicitation protest in a FAR Subpart 8.4 procurement for a blanket purchase agreement for wireless telecommunications devices and services off the Federal Supply Schedule when the agency had selected contract terms and conditions that were inconsistent with customary commercial practice in the industry. GAO concluded that the agency had failed to conduct the necessary market research to realize that the disputed terms were irregular and, thus, had failed to prepare the mandatory, documented determination of why it was necessary to deviate from normal commercial practice.


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Client Alert | 5 min read | 07.20.26

DOJ and DHS Issue Interim Final Rule on State and Local Counter-Drone Authority Under the SAFER SKIES Act

On July 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) setting up a new federal framework that allows state, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement and correctional agencies to detect, track, and, in some cases, disable or seize drones. The rule directly affects SLTT agencies looking to stand up counter-drone programs, as well as drone and counter-drone technology companies whose products will be subject to federal review and approval. Although the IFR bypassed the Administrative Procedure Act’s standard notice-and-comment process on good cause grounds — citing the statutory 180-day deadline and urgent public safety needs — the rule is already legally binding and effective as of July 1, 2026. The Departments are nonetheless accepting post-promulgation comments through September 4, 2026....