Widespread WOSB and EDWOSB Contracting Problems
Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 06.26.18
A recent SBA OIG report found that the overwhelming majority – 50 out of 56 contracts reviewed – of Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) sole source awards were awarded improperly. The SBA OIG found that the SBA generally failed to comply with a 2015 NDAA requirement moving WOSBs and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs) from a self-certification system to a third party-run certification system. The SBA OIG faulted the agency for failing to implement a government-run certification program and for permitting the improper award of contracts to firms that self-certify. The SBA OIG called on the agency to implement a government-run certification program for WOSBs and EDWOSBs, among other recommendations.
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Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.22.26
On July 17, 2026, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it had entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with The Scoular Company (Scoular), an agricultural supply chain company based in Omaha, Nebraska, to resolve allegations that Scoular relied on customs brokers to bribe Mexican government officials to allow Scoular goods to pass customs inspections and be delivered to Mexico from the United States. As part of its resolution, Scoular agreed to pay a $9,769,521 criminal penalty and forfeit an additional $414,351. Scoular also committed to continue cooperating with DOJ on any ongoing or future criminal investigations, implement a compliance and ethics program designed to prevent and detect violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and periodically report to DOJ on remediation and implementation of compliance measures throughout the term of the DPA.
Client Alert | 4 min read | 07.22.26
Ghost Advertising: Compliance Takeaways From the Gymshark Influencer Class Action
Client Alert | 5 min read | 07.21.26
Client Alert | 5 min read | 07.20.26
