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Government Contracts Blog

HUBZone Fraud Defense: Protecting Your Business When the SBA Challenges Your Eligibility

A HUBZone problem rarely begins with the words “fraud investigation.” It usually starts with something smaller: an SBA program examination, a certification review, a competitor protest, an employee residency question, a principal office challenge, or a request for records that seems simple enough to answer. Then the issue expands. What... Read more » The post HUBZone Fraud Defense: Protecting Your Business When the SBA Challenges Your Eligibility appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

How to Respond to a Government Investigation Without Making It Worse

A government investigation can become much more dangerous when a company reacts too quickly, destroys or alters records, allows unmanaged employee communications, or tries to “cooperate” without a legal strategy.The right response is disciplined, documented, and directed by counsel so the business can protect its legal position while dealing credibly... Read more » The post How to Respond to a Government Investigation Without Making It Worse appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Fraud: Criminal Exposure and Defense Strategies

Federal SDVOSB fraud investigations can escalate quickly from an SBA or VA eligibility issue into a parallel criminal and civil enforcement matter involving the Department of Justice, the False Claims Act, and false-statement charges. Companies and veteran owners accused of SDVOSB misconduct need a defense strategy that addresses procurement rules,... Read more » The post Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Fraud: Criminal Exposure and Defense Strategies appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

False Claims Act Penalties for Government Contractors in 2026

A False Claims Act investigation is not only a liability event. For a government contractor, it is a financial stress test. Once DOJ starts measuring exposure, the conversation often moves quickly from “what happened” to “how many claims were submitted, what was paid, what can be trebled, and how many... Read more » The post False Claims Act Penalties for Government Contractors in 2026 appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

What Happens When a Government Contractor Gets a CID or Subpoena? First 24 Hours

A Civil Investigative Demand (CID) or subpoena served on a government contractor is not a routine records request. It is often the first visible sign that DOJ, DCIS, SBA OIG, or Army CID believes there may be fraud, false claims, false certifications, small business program abuse, defective pricing, billing misconduct,... Read more » The post What Happens When a Government Contractor Gets a CID or Subpoena? First 24 Hours appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

Federal Healthcare Fraud Defense: What Physicians and Healthcare Companies Need to Know About DOJ’s 2026 Enforcement Priorities

The government is not scaling back its healthcare fraud enforcement in 2026. It is accelerating — with better technology, more funding, and a new organizational structure built specifically to pursue you. In June 2025, DOJ announced the largest National Health Care Fraud Takedown in its history: 324 defendants charged, including... Read more » The post Federal Healthcare Fraud Defense: What Physicians and Healthcare Companies Need to Know About DOJ’s 2026 Enforcement Priorities appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

SBA 8(a) Program and HUBZone Program Fraud: What Happens When the Government Accuses You of Misrepresenting Your Status?
SBA 8(a) Program and HUBZone Program Fraud: What Happens When the Government Accuses You of Misrepresenting Your Status?

Theodore Watson, Esq. You believe that you built your business the right way. You got certified. You competed for contracts following the rules. You performed and even received excellent past performance. Then, one day, an alarming letter arrives from the Department of Justice. Or the SBA Office of Inspector General... Read more » The post SBA 8(a) Program and HUBZone Program Fraud: What Happens When the Government Accuses You of Misrepresenting Your Status? appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

Civil Investigative Demand (CID) – What CEOs Must Know Right Away
Civil Investigative Demand (CID) – What CEOs Must Know Right Away

A federal Civil Investigative Demand (CID) is not “just paperwork.” It is the government telling you, as CEO, that your company is now a source of evidence in a potential fraud or CID False Claims Act case—often before you even know what problem they think you have. The real work... Read more » The post Civil Investigative Demand (CID) – What CEOs Must Know Right Away appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

HealthCare Fraud Defense After California Hospice Takedown: What the DOJ Arrests Really Mean

More Than $50 Million in Intended HealthCare Fraud Losses at Risk Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have framed “Operation Never Say Die” as a sweeping healthcare fraud takedown. The underlying DOJ release, however, remains an accusatory document—not proof of guilt—and it leaves substantial room for the defense in each case.... Read more » The post HealthCare Fraud Defense After California Hospice Takedown: What the DOJ Arrests Really Mean appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]

SBA SIZE Protest: Size Appeal of Stripes Global, Inc., Non Manufacturer Rule

This appeal involved a protestor’s challenge to the awardee’s small business status under a procurement for manufactured items, where the issues centered on the nonmanufacturer rule, the ostensible subcontractor rule, and the Limitations on Subcontracting. The protestor argued that the awardee did not qualify as a small business nonmanufacturer and was improperly reliant on... Read more » The post SBA SIZE Protest: Size Appeal of Stripes Global, Inc., Non Manufacturer Rule appeared first on Watson & Associates LLC Government Contracts Blog. [...]