The government is serious about maintaining a fair playing field for contractors, including Defense Contractor Attorney near James Island SC. In fact, it's so serious that it established the Procurement Integrity Act as a criminal law. The purpose of the Procurement Integrity Act is to maintain and establish a fair playing field for government contractors. Any contractor or subcontractor found to have committed a violation can face severe penalties, such as prosecution, the imposition of fines, penalties, imprisonment, loss of business, and exclusion from government contracting. Violations of the Procurement Integrity Act can also provide a viable basis for filing a complaint with the Government Accountability Office or the Federal Claims Court.
We don't need to dwell on them much. Suffice it to say that they are not pleasant. They include criminal and civil penalties, the cancellation of acquisitions, the termination of contracts and suspension and disqualification. Understanding the penalties for non-compliance with the PIA and related regulations is essential for government contractors.
Penalties can range from criminal charges, including fines and prison sentences for knowingly infractions, to civil and administrative penalties. For example, knowingly obtaining or disclosing information about a contractor's source selection or bid before a contract is awarded can result in criminal fines and prison sentences of up to five years, depending on the nature of the offense. Civil penalties include large fines, while administrative consequences can lead to the cancellation of the contract or the suspension of future government contracts. The Procurement Integrity Act is a federal law enacted to promote fairness, integrity and transparency in the public procurement process.
The PIA imposes restrictions on the exchange of information about non-public acquisitions and prohibits certain communications between government officials and contractors during the hiring process. It also prohibits former federal employees who held certain positions from working as private sector employees or consultants for a period of one year. PIA violations can carry criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and fines, as well as severe civil penalties for companies and individuals. Once the contractor filed the appeal, the Army requested summary judgment on the theory that the contractor had improperly received information about acquisitions during the competition, in violation of the PIA. Contractors should refrain from engaging in employment discussions with current federal officials who are involved in relevant procurement activities, as violations may carry penalties, including disqualification of the contractor from participating in acquisitions.
