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"Look Out Below!" -- Regulating the Domestic Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 09.28.12

On September 14, 2012, GAO released a report on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) underscoring increased government scrutiny of the pros and cons of domestic use of UAS by federal, state, and local agencies in the wake of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which took the first steps towards integrating UAS into U.S. airspace. On October 10, Crowell & Moring will co-host a free webinar focusing on several of the central concerns that loom large for operators, manufacturers, regulators, and other interested parties seeking to introduce unmanned systems into the civilian market as this new regulatory environment emerges.


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.”...