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DoD Proposes Rule on Evaluation of Joint Venture Past Performance for Construction and A&E Services Contracts

Client Alert | 1 min read | 06.01.21

On May 20, 2021, the Department of Defense published a proposed rule to implement section 823 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, regarding inclusion of best available information regarding the past performance of first-tier subcontractors and of individual partners on construction and architect-engineer (A&E) contracts.  The proposed rule would add one new solicitation provision and two new contract clauses.

The two new proposed contract clauses provide for a contracting officer’s performance evaluations of:

  • Individual partners of joint ventures for construction and A&E services contracts with an estimated value in accordance with the threshold set forth in FAR 42.1502(e), currently $750,000; and
  • First-tier subcontractors performing a portion of a construction or A&E services contract exceeding the threshold set forth in FAR 42.1502(e) or 20% of the value of the prime contract, whichever is higher.

An exception may be granted when submission of annual past performance evaluations would not provide the best representation of the contractor’s performance, including subcontractors and joint venture partners.

The provision to be used in solicitations for construction and architect-engineer services requires the contracting officer to consider as part of the past performance evaluation an offeror’s past performance as a first-tier subcontractor or individual partner of a joint venture under construction and/or architect-engineer services contracts.

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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....