Proposed FAR Overhaul Threatens Contractor Intellectual Property Control
As part of the ongoing Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, newly proposed regulations in FAR Part 27 could fundamentally shift how the federal government handles contractor intellectual property and technical data rights. Industry experts warn that the proposed changes would expand government-purpose rights, lower barriers for agencies to claim unlimited data rights, and potentially compromise commercial proprietary software embedded in custom federal solutions.
GovCon Takeaway: Technology and software contractors must carefully evaluate these proposed IP provisions. Reviewing your technical data rights assertions and commercial licensing agreements now is critical to ensuring your proprietary technology remains protected under future federal awards.
Acquisition Experts Warn GSA’s AI Clause Could Restrict Commercial Tech Participation
Legal and acquisition experts are sounding the alarm over the GSA’s latest proposed AI acquisitions clause. Industry feedback highlights that vague definitions surrounding training data ownership, strict liability standards for algorithm output errors, and aggressive audit requirements are deeply out of alignment with standard commercial practices, threatening to deter top-tier AI vendors from bidding on federal vehicles.
GovCon Takeaway: Vendors offering SaaS, cloud, or generative AI products under GSA schedules should prepare for elevated regulatory risk. It is vital to audit your data pipelines and software licensing terms to assess how your solutions align with evolving federal AI security standards.
GSA Overcomes Bid Protests to Award Next-Gen HSPD-12 Credentialing Contract
Following a series of bid protests, the General Services Administration (GSA) has cleared legal hurdles to move forward with awarding its multi-million-dollar Next-Generation Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) Managed Service Office contract. The vehicle modernizes identity, credential, and access management (ICAM) services across civilian agencies nationwide.
GovCon Takeaway: Identity management and cyber contractors should prepare for downstream task order activity. As the prime begins executing the modern ICAM infrastructure, opportunities for specialized hardware, biometrics, and software integration subcontractors will open across civilian agency task orders.
DoD IG Warns of Contractors Improperly Performing Inherently Governmental Functions
A critical oversight report from the Department of Defense Inspector General warns that multiple defense components are allowing support contractors to perform inherently governmental functions. The audit highlighted instances where contractors were directly involved in policy formulation, budget decisions, and source selection evaluations without proper government oversight or statutory authorization.
GovCon Takeaway: Professional and advisory services contractors should anticipate stricter organizational guardrails and tighter task order monitoring. Ensuring clear boundaries between advisory roles and government decision-making is essential to avoid contract disputes and performance reviews.
Lawmakers Push for Federal Action on Mandatory AI Security and Disclosure Standards
Congressional leaders are signaling new bipartisan legislation that would require federal contractors to disclose AI training sources, algorithm security baselines, and potential vulnerability metrics before deploying AI solutions within agency environments. The push aims to establish mandatory security frameworks as AI integrations rapidly expand across federal IT infrastructure.
GovCon Takeaway: AI integrators must incorporate transparent model documentation, automated audit trails, and zero-trust security controls directly into their software development lifecycle. Preparing transparent compliance packages today will give offerors a competitive advantage on upcoming AI solicitations.
SBA Awards $3.75 Million to Train Veteran-Owned Small Businesses for Federal Contracting
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced $3.75 million in grant awards under the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program. The funding supports specialized organizations delivering intensive training, capture guidance, and bid strategy coaching to Veteran-Owned (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).
GovCon Takeaway: SDVOSBs and VOSBs should leverage these SBA-funded training resources to sharpen their federal business development, proposal compliance, and teaming strategies, positioning their firms to compete effectively for growing veteran set-aside targets.
