Tara L. Ward

Partner

Washington, DC

Tara L. Ward represents a wide variety of companies that do business with the federal government, ranging from small and emerging tech companies looking to break into or expand their stake in the federal marketplace, to well-established defense, professional services and information technology contractors and subcontractors. Tara’s diverse practice covers the full range of government contracting issues, including litigation and counseling related to bid protests, contract claims and disputes and teaming agreement and other strategic alliance issues. Tara regularly helps clients navigate some of the most nuanced areas of government contract law, including other transaction agreements, small business regulations and supply chain issues.

Results

Bid Protests and Intervention

Regularly represents clients in bid protests before the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), the US Court of Federal Claims (COFC), federal government agencies, and state and local administrative entities
Litigates bid protests on behalf of protesters as well as intervenors, including in post-award protests related to alleged organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), the adequacy of discussions, agency evaluations of proposals, and best value decisions
Represents clients in pre-award protests, including challenges to the terms of a solicitation and elimination from a competitive range

Counsels clients through the life cycle of contract award and any related protests, including assistance navigating debriefing requirements, analysis of potential protest grounds, and available forums and related matters

Contract Claims and Disputes

Assists clients in analyzing, preparing, submitting, and negotiating requests for equitable adjustment and certified claims related to issues arising in contract performance
Represents government contractors in a wide variety of disputes with the government, including claims, terminations, cost disallowances, and contracting officer final decisions before the Boards of Contract Appeals and the COFC

Regulatory and Compliance Counseling

Advises clients on OCI identification, avoidance, and mitigation, with particular attention to the types of activities and contract work that can give rise to a biased ground rules OCI, impaired objectivity, and unequal access to information
Counsels clients on domestic preference requirements and country of origin issues under the Buy American Act (BAA), the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), the Berry Amendment, and others
Advises clients on supply chain issues, data rights, and cybersecurity, including compliance with Section 889
Counsels clients on issues related to the government’s acquisition of commercial products and services as well as issues related to GSA Schedule contracts, including commercial sales practices (CSP) disclosures, compliance with the Price Reductions Clause (PRC), audits, Transactional Data Reporting (TDR), and other Schedule contracting issues
Advises clients regarding cost allowability issues and compliance issues, including submission of certified cost or pricing data under the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act (previously Truth in Negotiation Act, or TINA), allowability of costs incurred under FAR Part 31, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audits, and business system audits

Teaming Arrangements and Other Strategic Alliances, Including for Small and Emerging Businesses

Assists clients in crafting, negotiating, and, if necessary, litigating a wide variety of business agreements, including teaming agreements, subcontracts, and nondisclosure agreements
Conducted a multi-week trial and won all 13 counts for a government contractor in litigation over teaming agreement, employee noncompetes, and theft of trade secrets. Futrend Technology, Inc. v. MicroHealth LLC, 2020 WL 4982524 (Va. Cir. Ct.) *
Assists companies entering or considering entering the federal marketplace with a wide variety of government contract issues, including training and counseling on standard contract clause requirements, development and implementation of compliance programs, and regulation and oversight of the supply chain
Counsels clients on small business subcontracting and socioeconomic obligations, including as part of strategic planning for corporate reorganizations, mergers, and acquisitions

*Matter handled prior to joining the firm.

See Less

Recognitions

George Washington Law Alumni Association, Recent Alumni Award, 2024
Law360, Rising Star, Government Contracts Law, 2021

Capabilities and industries

Government Contracts

Regional markets

United States

Community

American Bar Association (ABA), Section of Public Contract Law
- Section Council
- Public Contract Law Journal, Editor-in-Chief, 2017 to present; Managing Editor, 2015 to 2017; Associate Editor, 2011 to 2015
- Bid Protest Committee
- Contract Claims and Disputes Resolution Committee
- Commercial Products and Services Committee
International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- Business Litigation Committee
- Construction Law and Litigation Committee
National Contract Management Association (NCMA), 2010 to present

Credentials

Education

George Washington University Law School, JD, with honors
Princeton University, AB, magna cum laude

Admissions

District of Columbia
Virginia

Courts / Agencies

Supreme Court of the United States
US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
US District Court for the District of Maryland
US Court of Federal Claims

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