M. Yuan Zhou is a counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where she is a member of the firm's Government Contracts Group.
Yuan’s practice includes a wide range of investigatory, counseling, and transactional capabilities, including: internal investigations related to the False Claims Act, the Procurement Integrity Act, and other civil and criminal matters; compliance reviews and enhancing contractor compliance programs; representing clients in suspension and debarment proceedings; counseling on data rights issues, challenges, and disputes; mandatory disclosures; and providing government contracts due diligence in transactional matters. As part of the firm’s State and Local Practice, Yuan also counsels clients on state and local procurement issues, ranging from bid protests to contract negotiations with state agencies, and advises prime contractors and subcontractors on a variety of issues including prime/sub contract formation, disputes, and other government contracts issues.
Prior to law school, Yuan was a special assistant at the White House and a White House intern for the Obama Administration. She received her J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School, where she was a Dean's Fellow, notes editor of the Public Contract Law Journal, and a member of the Moot Court Board.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: District of Columbia, Maryland
Speeches & Presentations
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"Government Contracts IP: Protecting Your Secret Sauce in an Era of Hungry Customers," United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia," OOPS 20/20 - Setting Your Sights
(October 21, 2020).
Presenters: Jonathan M. Baker, John E. McCarthy Jr., Christopher D. Garcia, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Data and Patent Rights When Contracting with the U.S. Government," Government Contracts "101" - Back to Basics Webinar
(September 23, 2020).
Presenters: Jonathan M. Baker, John E. McCarthy, Jr., Christopher D. Garcia, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"You’re Going to Be Busy: Section 889 Chinese Telecom Prohibition Update on Interim Rule," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(July 17, 2020).
Presenters: Adelicia R. Cliffe, Lorraine M. Campos, Alan W. H. Gourley, Stephanie L. Crawford, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Webinar Series: Non-Competes, Restrictive Covenants, and Trade Secrets Issues for Government Contractors," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(April 14, 2020).
Presenters: Andrew W. Bagley, Christine B. Hawes, Jillian Ambrose, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"What Will the New Year Bring for Government Contractors?" Crowell & Moring Webinar
(January 29, 2020).
Presenters: Crowell & Moring Government Contracts Group.
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"Data and Patent Rights When Contracting with the U.S. Government," Government Contracts "101" - Back to Basics, McLean, VA
(October 23, 2019).
Moderator: Christopher D. Garcia; Panelists: Jonathan M. Baker, John E. McCarthy, Jr., and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"A Practicum in Government Contracts Data Rights," Government Contracts Breakfast Series, Arlington, VA
(October 8, 2019).
Panelists: Jonathan M. Baker, John E. McCarthy, Jr., Nicole Owren-Wiest, Christopher D. Garcia, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Intellectual Property in Government Contracts: Trends & Development," Crowell & Moring's Ounce of Prevention Seminar (OOPS) 2019, Washington, DC
(May 7, 2019).
Moderator: M. Yuan Zhou; Speakers: John E. McCarthy, Jr. and Christopher D. Garcia.
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"Open for Business: State and Local Government Contracting Risks & Opportunities," Government Contracts Breakfast Series, Tysons, VA
(March 20, 2019).
Presenters: David Ginsberg, Yuan Zhou, and Christopher Garcia.
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"Intellectual Property in U.S. Government Contracting," Government Contracts Breakfast Series, Tysons, VA
(February 13, 2019).
Presenters: John McCarthy, Jonathan Baker, Christopher Garcia, and Yuan Zhou.
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"Concepts, Statues & Regulatory Framework," Government Contracts "101" - Back to Basics, Washington, D.C.
(October 10, 2018).
Presenters: Peter J. Eyre, Jacinta L. Alves, Christian Curran, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Off-Limits Information and Employee Mobility," OOPS 2018, Crowell & Moring's 34th Annual Ounce of Prevention Seminar, Washington, D.C.
(May 17, 2018).
Presenter: Peter Eyre, Trina Fairley Barlow, Valerie M. Goo, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Concepts, Statues & Regulatory Framework," Government Contracts "101" - Back to Basics, Washington, D.C.
(October 26, 2017).
Presenters: Alan W. H. Gourley, Mark A. Ries and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Turbulent Seas – Competing Policies Roil International Procurement," OOPS 2017, Crowell & Moring's 33rd Annual Ounce of Prevention Seminar, Washington, D.C.
(May 5, 2017).
Presenters: Adelicia R. Cliffe, Alan W.H. Gourley, Maria Alejandra (Jana) del-Cerro, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"International Issues in Government Contracting," OOPS 2016, Crowell & Moring's 32nd Annual Ounce of Prevention Seminar, Washington, D.C.
(May 25-26, 2016).
Moderator: Adelicia R. Cliffe; Panelists: Carlton Greene and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Cybersecurity & Data Privacy: Tackling Tough Questions for Federal Agencies & Contractors," Thompson Interactive Webinar
(May 7, 2015).
Presenters: Kate M. Growley, Gordon Griffin, Yuan Zhou, and Sharmistha Das.
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"Cybersecurity and Government Contracting: Regulations, Implications and Compliance," Federal Publications Seminars, Washington, D.C.
(April 14, 2015).
Presenters: David Z. Bodenheimer, Kate M. Growley, Yuan Zhou, and Sharmistha Das.
Publications
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"Are Government And Health Care Contracts The Exception That Swallows The Brand Memo's Rule On FCA Enforcement?" Westlaw Journal Government Contract
(October 29, 2018).
Authors: Laura M. Kidd Cordova, William S.W. Chang, Mana E. Lombardo, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Department Of Justice Leadership Previews Reforms To False Claims Act Enforcement: Significant Incentives For Cooperative And Strong Compliance," Government Contracting Law Report
(October 2018).
Authors: William S.W. Chang, Laura M. Kidd Cordova, Jason M. Crawford, Mana Elihu Lombardo, and M.Yuan Zhou.
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"Tough (Tax) Break: Federal Tax Delinquency and Felony Convictions Could Bar Corporations from Contract Award," Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Legal Forum
(October 5, 2016).
Authors: Lorraine M. Campos, David B. Robbins and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Responsible Sourcing: New Tools for Contractors to Combat Human Trafficking," Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Legal Forum
(May 17, 2016).
Authors: Olivia Lynch and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"The Impact of Criminal Conviction on Public Sector Contractors and Grantees," The 30th Annual National Institute on White Collar Crime
(March 3, 2016).
Authors: Janet Levine, Peter Eyre, and M. Yuan Zhou.
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"Electronic Waste Export Regulations: How the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act Can Protect the Defense Supply Chain from Counterfeit Electronic Parts," American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law, Vol. 43, No. 3
(Spring 2014).
Author: Yuan Zhou
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Contractors May Include Third-Party Restrictive Markings on Unlimited Rights Data,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(December 23, 2020).
Contacts: Jonathan M. Baker, John E. McCarthy Jr., Nicole Owren-Wiest, M. Yuan Zhou, Christopher D. Garcia
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"Fastest 5 Minutes: EO 13950, Commercial Item Contracting, and Service Contract Act Enforcement News (December 4),"
Podcast: Fastest 5 Minutes in Government Contracts
(December 4, 2020).
Contacts: Peter Eyre, M. Yuan Zhou
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"EO 13950 Continues to Make Headlines: Agencies Issue Class Deviations and Lawsuits Challenging the EO are Pending,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(December 1, 2020).
Contacts: Trina Fairley Barlow, Peter Eyre, Kris D. Meade, Preston L. Pugh, Rebecca L. Springer, M. Yuan Zhou, Jillian Ambrose, Gabrielle Trujillo
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"Section 889 Roll-Out Continues with OMB Revised Guidance for Federal Grants and Agreements,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(August 13, 2020).
Contacts: Lorraine M. Campos, Adelicia R. Cliffe, M. Yuan Zhou, Stephanie L. Crawford
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"GSA Requiring Mass Modification to MAS Solicitation and Will Issue Mass Bilateral Modifications to All Multiple Award Schedule Contracts to Prohibit Use of Huawei/ZTE Equipment,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(August 4, 2020).
Contacts: Lorraine M. Campos, Adelicia R. Cliffe, Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou, Stephanie L. Crawford
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"GSA Panel to Discuss New Section 889 Interim Rule Implementation,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(July 29, 2020).
Contacts: Lorraine M. Campos, Adelicia R. Cliffe, Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou, Stephanie L. Crawford
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"FAR Council Pre-Publishes 2019 NDAA Section 889(a)(1)(B) Interim Rule Further Prohibiting Use of Huawei, ZTE, and Others’ Telecommunications Technology by Contractors,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(July 14, 2020).
Contacts: Lorraine M. Campos, Adelicia R. Cliffe, Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou, Stephanie L. Crawford
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"Fastest 5 Minutes: SBA, DoD, and COVID-19 Enforcement Trend News (July 1),"
Podcast: Fastest 5 Minutes in Government Contracts
(July 1, 2020).
Contacts: Peter Eyre, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Industry & DoD Push for Delay in Implementing the Section 889(a)(1)(B) Prohibition,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(June 18, 2020).
Contacts: Adelicia R. Cliffe, Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou, Stephanie L. Crawford
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"Fastest 5 Minutes: COVID-19 Guidance and Enforcement, DoD OIG, and FAR News (June 17),"
Podcast: Fastest 5 Minutes in Government Contracts
(June 17, 2020).
Contacts: Peter Eyre, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Administration Seeks Delay in Extending Government Procurement Ban on Certain Chinese Telecommunications Equipment to Federal Contractors and Grant Recipients,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(June 12, 2019).
Contacts: Alan W. H. Gourley, Adelicia R. Cliffe, M. Yuan Zhou
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"DOJ Answers Key Questions About False Claims Act Reform Efforts,"
False Claims Bullet Points
(January 30, 2019).
Contacts: Mana Elihu Lombardo, M. Yuan Zhou
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"FAR Council Finalizes Definition of Prohibited "Recruitment Fees" Under Anti-Trafficking Regulations,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(December 26, 2018).
Contacts: Peter Eyre, Adelicia R. Cliffe, Olivia Lynch, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Government Contracts Intellectual Property: Contractors Beware, Stick to Prescribed Technical Data Marking Legends,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(December 21, 2018).
Contacts: Nicole Owren-Wiest, John E. McCarthy Jr., Jonathan M. Baker, M. Yuan Zhou, Christopher D. Garcia
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"Let’s Talk FCA: The Brand Memo and FCA Enforcement (November 2018),"
Podcast: Let's Talk FCA
(November 21, 2018).
Contacts: Mana Elihu Lombardo, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Software Development Under Government-Funded Technology Investment Agreements Is Development "Exclusively at Private Expense" Under Data Rights Clauses,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(August 27, 2018).
Contacts: Nicole Owren-Wiest, John E. McCarthy Jr., Jonathan M. Baker, M. Yuan Zhou, Christopher D. Garcia
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"Commercial License Terms May Govern Even Without Contracting Officer Knowledge,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(July 30, 2018).
Contacts: Nicole Owren-Wiest, John E. McCarthy Jr., Jonathan M. Baker, Skye Mathieson, M. Yuan Zhou, Christopher D. Garcia
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"Department of Justice Leadership Previews Reforms to False Claims Act Enforcement: Significant Incentives for Cooperation and Strong Compliance,"
False Claims Bullet Points
(June 22, 2018).
Contacts: Mana Elihu Lombardo, M. Yuan Zhou
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"TAA Thresholds: Downward Trend Continues for 2018-2019,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(December 13, 2017).
Contacts: Adelicia R. Cliffe, Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou
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"The Month in International Trade — August 2017,"
International Trade Bulletin
(September 11, 2017).
Contacts: John B. Brew, Daniel Cannistra, Adelicia R. Cliffe, Alan W. H. Gourley, Jeffrey L. Snyder, David (Dj) Wolff, Frances P. Hadfield, M. Yuan Zhou, Eduardo Mathison, Edward Goetz, Cherie Walterman, Evan Yu, Robert Holleyman
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"ITA/USTR Request for Comments on Trade Agreements and Government Procurement,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(August 21, 2017).
Contacts: Alan W. H. Gourley, Adelicia R. Cliffe, M. Yuan Zhou
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"The Month in International Trade — May 2017,"
International Trade Bulletin
(June 8, 2017).
Contacts: Jeffrey L. Snyder, Frances P. Hadfield, Edward Goetz, Daniel Cannistra, Alexander H. Schaefer, John B. Brew, Robert L. LaFrankie, Aaron Marx, Eduardo Mathison, Carlton Greene, David (Dj) Wolff, Thomas A. Hanusik, Sarah Bartle, Kelly T. Currie, Ian A. Laird, John Laird, Alan W. H. Gourley, Adelicia R. Cliffe, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Software Application Insufficient to Substantially Transform Existing Hardware Components Into a Visitor Management System,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(May 19, 2017).
Contacts: Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Court Compels Government to Produce Attorney Documents and CO’s Justification for Rescinding Final Decision that Formed Basis of FCA Case,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(May 9, 2017).
Contacts: Brian Tully McLaughlin, Skye Mathieson, M. Yuan Zhou, Jared Engelking
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"This Month in International Trade — March 2017,"
International Trade Bulletin
(April 6, 2017).
Contacts: John B. Brew, Edward Goetz, Frances P. Hadfield, Daniel Cannistra, Alexander H. Schaefer, Robert L. LaFrankie, Jeffrey L. Snyder, Carlton Greene, David (Dj) Wolff, Maria Alejandra (Jana) del-Cerro, Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou, Adelicia R. Cliffe
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"It’s a Plane: Significant Modifications do not Result in Substantial Transformation,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(March 13, 2017).
Contacts: Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Tough (Tax) Break: Federal Tax Delinquency and Felony Convictions Could Bar Corporations from Awards,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(October 5, 2016).
Contacts: Lorraine M. Campos, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Japan (and Slovenia) Become "Qualifying Countries","
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(August 5, 2016).
Contacts: Alan W. H. Gourley, Adelicia R. Cliffe, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Preload of Generic Software Precludes Finding of Substantial Transformation in U.S. When Replaced with Proprietary Software That Enhanced Functionality,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(May 31, 2016).
Contacts: Alan W. H. Gourley, M. Yuan Zhou
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"Wake-up Call: GSA Launches Requirement for Schedule Contractors to Reaffirm TAA Compliance,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(May 6, 2016).
Contacts: Alan W. H. Gourley, Adelicia R. Cliffe, M. Yuan Zhou
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"The Ever Expanding Impact of Criminal Convictions,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(March 14, 2016).
Contacts: Peter Eyre, M. Yuan Zhou
Media Mentions
Firm News & Announcements