RLLS’ State Procurement and Government Contracting Practice Group offers legal leadership and a thorough knowledge of procurement law to represent contractors and vendors at the State and local levels. Scott Livingston chairs the procurement and government contracting practice area. He helped draft various procurement regulations while serving as an Assistant Attorney General (1976-83) to then Secretary of Transportation (later Governor) Harry R. Hughes.
Success in this highly competitive marketplace requires pursuit of contract opportunities from pre-solicitation through award and performance. RLLS’ government contracts group is dedicated to achieving success for its clients, and we represent our clients’ interests aggressively.
RLLS assists clients with the legal aspects of their government contracts:
- Bid protests and claims at the procurement officer, Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals, and judicial levels
- Compliance with Maryland ethics laws
- Litigation avoidance strategies
- Arbitration of disputes before the American Arbitration Association
- Settlement of claims of all types, especially heavy and highway construction contracts
- Subcontract drafting and negotiation
- Compliance with MBE rules and regulations
In some contract fields, RLLS is able to offer its clients particularized legal services:
- Management of claims preparation, pricing, and litigation for prime contractors, owners, subcontractors, and sureties in public works construction
- Preparation and presentation of unsolicited offers for telecommunications, high technology, etc., contracts with the State
- Development of proposals for electronic commerce and telecommunication contracts with the State
- Resolution of claims for highway construction projects
Contract Counseling
A major area of our practice involves counseling clients on issues arising out of specific contract awards and performance. Our counseling activities encompass every type of performance issue, including interpretation of contract clauses, and identification and pricing of change orders, especially for heavy and highway construction projects.
RLLS assists its clients with the creation and negotiation of joint ventures and teaming agreements, such as “detail/build” projects for the State Highway Administration.
Pre-Award Litigation
A major area of our litigation activities concerns protests over the award of State and local government contracts. We have successfully handled scores of protests on behalf of clients challenging a contract award, and those seeking to retain the awarded contract. We have appeared before all of the tribunals that hear protests, including:
- Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals
- Maryland Circuit and Appellate Courts
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Debarment and Suspension
We represent clients suspended or debarred from government contracting. This may involve representation of the client before the Board of Public Works. We work with the client to protect the company’s business operations.
Contract Claims and Litigation
The firm has substantial experience in claims preparation and litigation on behalf of government contract clients. We handle a wide variety of claims involving change orders, constructive changes, and equitable adjustments under various standard government clauses. Our practice includes disputes over interpretation of contracts and the rights and obligations of the parties.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT AND THE PAST RECORD IS NO ASSURANCE OF FAVORABLE RESULTS IN ANY FUTURE CASE. For more information, please review our Legal Disclaimer
If you would like to ask a question about Maryland procurement law, please send an email to Mr. Livingston at scottlivingston@rlls.com.