What can prompt federal Investigation of Government Contractors?
What comes into your mind when you hear “contractor”? Probably tender, bids, or government. Whichever it is. There are Government contractors who, for a long time, have been known for steering most government projects forward. They work hand in hand with the government to see the main agendas coming to reality.
Do you know that the federal agencies can investigate them to establish specific facts? That is possible because the government contractors are easily associated with some forms of misconduct—possibly corruption, bribery, or failure to execute contracts. The investigative agencies are often on the lookout to find out information to investigate the contractors.
Government Contractors: Who are they?
They are individuals or a group of professionals running an entity that offers various or specific services to the government. They are referred to as Government Contractors because the government employs them through bids.
Whenever the government needs services or wants to be supplied with certain products, it does advertise opportunities to attract bids from various contractors. After that, the procurement department’s tendering processes are followed to establish the bidder who is worth it. The chosen bidder then becomes a government contractor. Mostly it’s the lowest bidder that is always selected.
Bidding varies depending on the size of the firms. More significant firms are picky about what projects to bid on at tome, i.e. they tend to bid on those that will give them a high turnover after completion.
On the other hand, smaller and medium firms bid on smaller projects to enable them to grow and create a good portfolio. Although the fact remains, once trusted with the contracts, they all become Government Contractors.
What can prompt federal Investigation of Government Contractors?
You may think that all government lawyers are legitimate in their dealings until you hear in the news or read on the papers that a federal investigation has been launched on them. The next question you may ask yourself is, why are they under investigation? Read on to know some of the practices they do engage themselves in that call for such investigations. Below are some of them;
Delivery Fraud
Delivery fraud exists in various forms.
First, the contractor can opt to collude with the chief procurement in charge and deliver bids that bear the minimum expected quotes. They can do that to win the tender for their gain.
Another form of delivery fraud is where the contractor delivers sub-standard goods or services, knowing that they do not meet the specified standards.
Also, in some cases, the contractor may submit exaggerated invoices for false deliveries to get paid. That is doable in collaboration with the accounts department.
Kickbacks
They include good offers extended to the key members of the procurement team to influence their decision. Mostly, the bidder may promise the chief procurement officer at least 10% of the overall cost of the project’s value. It can be in monitory forms and valuable gifts that are of high value. Such practices may also prompt investigation.
False Statements and Information
During the bidding process, the key things the government may want to know are the employees’ credentials of the contractor and other information relating to the operations. In such a scenario, the contractor may decide to forward information that is not true to win the contract. That can also prompt federal investigations on the contractor.
Unethical transactions
Together with other members of the procurement department, the procurement chief may decide to pay higher rates or buy things that were not specified. That’s possible when the contractor colludes with the procurement team. After completing the transaction, the contractor can decide to divide the profits with the procurement team.
If you have always thought that Government contractors are angels, then the above is adequate proof that they are not.
Who defends them in the court?
As aforementioned, contracts cases are sensitive and may land a Government contractor into jail if there is no adequate representation. Government contracts are so dire that every government contractor may not wish to face them. The attorneys who do the legal representation in such scenarios are the Government contract attorneys.
How else can the Lawyers do the representation?
At times, signing contracts may need better comprehension. Understanding what the federal law dictates about matters relating to government contracts is essential—getting hold of a federal lawyer for your representation in such scenarios.
The lawyer will also help you understand the essential aspects of federal law relating to federal contracts.
Conclusion
You may be asking yourself where you can get a team of qualified attorneys to represent you whenever the need arises or to consult. Worry no more because we, Spodek law group, are always here to help you.