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Follow Up: White House Issues Order under Defense Production Act as Part of COVID Response

Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.23.20

In our March 19 alert, C&M summarized President Trump’s recent executive order invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA). In this follow-up, we provide three separate analyses. First, we provide a discussion of the Defense Production Act, and the implications of the executive order for U.S. businesses and the government in its efforts to reduce the impact of COVID-19. Second, we discuss the current Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations implementing its priorities and allocations authority prior to the executive order. And third, we discuss the manner in which the government most frequently has exercised similar authorities under the DPA pursuant to the Defense Prioritization and Allocation System (DPAS).

Insights

Client Alert | 2 min read | 07.15.26

CMMC Phase II Suspension Requires Reconsideration of Such Requirements in Solicitations

As discussed in more detail here, the U.S. Department of War (DoW) recently issued a memorandum (Memo 26-P-1023, dated July 13, 2026) directing the immediate suspension of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Phase II requirements (Level I and II self assessments are still permitted). Significantly, the memo directs that “all pending and future CMMC implementation milestones across DoW solicitations and contracts are held in abeyance until further notice.” Moreover, the DoW issued a memorandum on implementing these requirements (available here), directing agencies to issue amendments removing CMMC Level 2 and 3 requirements from active solicitations “as soon as practicable.” Contractors should monitor the government’s compliance with this requirement and should be prepared, if needed, to file a bid protest to protect their rights....