Fed Talks: Sink or swim: a legal perspective on the coming wave of SCRM initiatives (featuring Alex Canizares)

Fed Talks is a series of audio episodes featuring current issues in government contracting, offering thoughtful, bite-sized insights with rotating guests from inside and outside Baker Tilly.

On this episode of Fed Talks, we explore how new policy directives related to supply chain risk management (SCRM) are challenging federal contractors to adapt their legal strategies, with special guest Alex Canizares from Perkins Coie, and Baker Tilly subject matter specialists, Jeff Clayton and Leo Alvarez. Questions addressed include:

• What is the nexus between SCRM and DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification framework?
• What are effective approaches to managing disputes and/or False Claims Act risks as it relates to SCRM or cyber related attestations?
• How will the Biden Cybersecurity Executive Order impact federal contractors?

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About the guests

Alexander O. Canizares, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie 
Alexander Canizares represents government contractors and other companies in litigation, investigations and regulatory matters involving federal departments and agencies. Alex’s practice includes representing clients ranging from early-stage technology companies to publicly traded Fortune 100 corporations in bid protest and claims litigation, internal and government investigations, FAR/DFARS compliance, contract interpretation, disclosures, cybersecurity, prime-subcontractor disputes, data right and suspension or debarment. As a former trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Division, Alex draws on his experience serving as lead counsel in complex cases involving the federal government to advise companies in the aerospace and defense, technology, healthcare, professional services and other industries, in legal matters related to all phases of federal government procurement.

Jeffrey Clayton, Principal  
Jeff has over 20 years of industry and consulting experience in both government contracting and commercial environments, providing a broad range of pricing, contract compliance and dispute/litigation related services to government contractors and their legal counsel.

Leo Alvarez, CFCM,  Director 
Leo has over 15 years of experience working with federal contractors and their legal counsel to identify, quantify and manage government contract risk. In addition to consulting regularly on operational and compliance matters related to GSA/VA Federal Supply Schedule contracts, including audit and litigation support, Leo frequently supports clients with supply chain risk management (SCRM) plan development and compliance.

About the producer

Andrew Graziano, Senior Consultant
Andrew has been with Baker Tilly for over four years and has spent that time working with government contractors on a wide variety of compliance matters. In particular, Andrew has experience with incurred cost proposals, indirect rate modeling, business systems implementation, cost impact analysis and commercial sales practice disclosures. In his spare time, he produces and edits this Fed Talks podcast.

Music Credit
Artist: Chael
Song: Sparks
https://www.free-stock-music.com/artist.chael.html