Lisa Colon, Partner at Saul Ewing LLP, will be one of three panelists at the 2025 FBA GovCon Section Leadership Showcase on October 29, 2025, speaking on the topic "The Impact of the FAR Overhaul and Executive Orders on Bid Protest Procedure, Traditional Small Business and Other Socioeconomic Programs, Construction and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Recent Interim DBE Rule."
In fiscal year 2024, the federal government spent about $755 billion dollars on goods and services through the contracting process. This panel will discuss the pro’s and con’s on whether the Congress should adopt a “loser pays” approach, or how this is this a just a solution looking for a problem? Regarding construction, there have questions with regard to the legal status of Project Labor Agreements (PLA) in Federal Construction Contracts? Are they in or are they out? What is the impact of anticipated tariffs on the construction industry? The panelists will discuss the impact of the Administration’s recent interim DBE Rule on DOT contractors and subcontractors and how contractors should be reacting. As far as the impact of new Administration policies on Small Business and Other Socioeconomic Programs, there has been talk of the elimination of the small business “Rule of Two”, and a decrease in the emphasis of government utilization of businesses from underserved communities. Is this true? Or are there any bright lights for small businesses in the near future.
