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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 | 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....