Cutting Contractor Use and Taxpayer Savings Act of 2014

Issues related to the audit on engineering firm overhead performed by the Office of the Inspector General at USDOT; issues related to oversight of engineering services and contracting in the federal highway program, including FHWA rulemaking on consultant services and FHWA "safe harbor" pilot program for indirect cost rate; federal procurement issues, including definitions of inherently governmental and critical functions; Defense Authorization Act, contracting changes; small business set asides/contracting;HR 746, small business compliance issues; small business size standards related to engineering services; issues related to agency performance of infrastructure work without engineering oversight/involvement; limiting "in-sourcing" by federal agencies and competition for third party work; HR 2232, provisions related to small business subcontracting; HR 1942, procurement reforms; HR 436/S 109, related to removing prject labor agreements from federal projects; S 1192/HR 2444, provisions related to compensation limits; S 6, requirements on veterans workforce within contracting firms; HR 4093/S 196, provisions related to small firm contracting; HR 2232/HR 2441/S 1190, provisions related to small firm contracting; HR 2751, provisions related to reverse auctions and other procurement actions; HR 1622, related to the qualifications for publicly traded small firms in government contracting; HR 505, related to compensation caps; HR 1109, related to selection factors for government contracting; HR 2750, design-build reforms; HR 3370, related to flood insurance changes; HR 4228, related to changes in DHS acquisition procedures; HR 4435/S 2410, National Defense Authorization Act, provisions related to small business contracting goals; HR 3345 and S 2247, related to federal debarment procedures; S 2286.

Client expense: $692,094 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Highway Administration (FHA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), General Services Administration (GSA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Overseas Private Investment Corp (OPIC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

URGED SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE TO CONDUCT ITS MARKUP OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BILLS IN CONGRESS, IN PUBLIC LIKE ITS COUNTERPART IN THE HOUSE.H.R. 4435/S. 2410, NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT (NDAA) FOR FY 2015, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO HOLD CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE, PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS IN THE MILITARY, KEEP THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION (DOT&E) AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STRONG, AND REDUCE WASTE AND INEFFECTIVE PROGRAMS IN PENTAGON BUDGET. [H.R. 4435 PASSED HOUSE ON MAY 22, 2014; S. 2410 PLACED ON SENATE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR ON JUNE 2, 2014] URGED THE PRESIDENT TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF CAMP LEJEUNE AS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SEEKS TO UNDERMINE THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF VICTIMS IN SUPREME COURT CASE WALDBURGER V. CTS CORPORATION. SUPPORTED FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ENHANCEMENT ACT, A LAW THAT PROTECTS FEDERAL WHISTLEBLOWERS FROM RETALIATION [PUBLIC LAW NO: 112-199]. RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WHISTLEBLOWER OMBUDSMEN PROGRAM AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL. URGED FDA TO DO MORE TO ENSURE ALL AGENCY PERSONNEL AND FEDERAL FUND RECIPIENTS ARE BETTER TRAINED IN WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS. URGED CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT TO MANDATE A GOVERNMENT-WIDE POLICY TO PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWER AND OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND PREVENT FUTURE EMPLOYEE SURVEILLANCE ABUSES. ASKED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE FEDERAL FUNDS RECIPIENTS USING CONFIDENTIALITY OR NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS THAT INFRINGE ON CURRENT AND FORMER EMPLOYEES FEDERAL WHISTLEBLOWER RIGHTS IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAWS. URGED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO OVERTURN ITS DECISION TO VASTLY NARROW THE PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO CONTRACTOR WHISTLEBLOWERS PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. 2409 IN THE INTEREST OF UPHOLDING THE INTENT OF CONGRESS IN ENACTING CONTRACTOR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS. URGED CONGRESS TO RESPOND TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSPECTOR GENERAL DECISION ON CONTRACTOR WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. 2409 BY TAKING STEPS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THOSE WHISTLEBLOWERS WITH ADEQUATE CHANNELS TO MAKE DISCLOSURES AND PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE DISCLOSURES. URGED SENATE TO IMPROVE CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE AND INTEGRITY SYSTEM. SUPPORTED REVISION OF THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 829 OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 (PUB. L. 112-239), WHICH EXTENDS CONFLICT OF INTEREST REQUIREMENTS TO CONTRACTORSA NECESSARY EXPANSION OF SAFEGUARDS. URGED CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO ADOPT MEASURES TO REVEAL THE TRUE COSTS OF SERVICE CONTRACTING. H.R. 882, CONTRACTING AND TAX ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013, PROVIDED RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS ON WHAT THE BILL SHOULD INCLUDE [H.R.882 PASSED HOUSE ON APRIL 15, 2013].U.S. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE OPEN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP: MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMITMENTS TO INCREASE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY THOUGH IMPROVING FOIA, REDUCING OVERCLASSIFICATION, PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH, ENDING SECRET LAW, ENCOURAGING PROACTIVE DISCLOSURE OF ETHICS AND OTHER GOV INFO, PROVIDING EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY TRANSPARENCY, INCREASING TRANSPARENCY IN FEDERAL SPENDING. S. 2127, INSPECTOR GENERAL EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 2014, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO AMEND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ACT OF 1978 TO ELIMINATE A PROBLEM IN THE LAW THAT REQUIRES ALLEGATIONS OF ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT AT DOJ TO BE INVESTIGATED BY AN AGENCY THAT REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RATHER THAN THE AUTONOMOUS OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL [REFERRED TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ON MARCH 13, 2014]. URGED DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO REFORM OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF MISCONDUCT TO RELEVANT STATE BAR AUTHORITIES, INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, AND EMPOWER THE DOJ OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE MISCONDUCT THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY LIKE OTHER INSPECTORS GENERAL. URGED THE PRESIDENT TO FILL INSPECTORS GENERAL VACANCIES AND CONGRESS TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT OF VACANCIES TO ROOT OUT WASTE AND INCREASE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY. MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO INSPECTORS GENERAL AUTHORITY AND OPERATIONS TO MAKE THESE WATCHDOGS MORE EFFECTIVE. MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO REGULATIONS GOVERNING IMPELMENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT ACROSS ALL AGENCIES H.R. 4372, TARGETED LETHAL FORCE TRANSPARENCY ACT, SUPPORTED TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE TARGETED KILLING PROGRAM AND RELATED CIVILIAN CASUALTIES [REFERRED TO HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE ON APRIL 2, 2014; AMENDMENT TO BE OFFERED ON HOUSE VERSION OF THE INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT]. URGED DOJ TO DECLINE TO APPEAL COURT RULING TO ORDER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO RELEASE A REDACTED VERSION OF THE OFFICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL (OLC) MEMO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EXPLAINING THE JUSTIFICATION FOR DRONE STRIKES TARGETING U.S. CITIZENS, A RULING THAT PROMOTES OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. (NEW YORK TIMES CO. V. UNITED STATES) H.R. 4661, INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FY2015, SUPPORTED AMENDMENT TO THE BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED IN DRONE STRIKES[H.R. 4461 REFERRED TO THE HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE ON MAY 15, 2014]. H.R. 3361/S. 1599, USA FREEDOM ACT, SUPPORTED THE STRONGER HOUSE VERSION OF THE BILL, WHICH STIPULATES MORE TRANSPARENCY, OVERSIGHT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN DOMESTIC SURVEILLANCE AND OTHER INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES AND THE END OF SECRET LAW AND SPYING ON ORDINARY AMERICANS [H.R. 3361 REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ON JUNE 2, 2014; S. 1599 REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICARY ON OCTOBER 29, 2013]. S. 1551, INTELLIGENCE OVERSIGHT AND SURVEILLANCE REFORM ACT, SUPPORTED REQUIRE PUBLIC RELEASE OF DECLASSIFIED VERSIONS OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT SUBSTANTIVELY INTERPRET THE PATRIOT ACT AND THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT (FISA), INCLUDING FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE COURT (FISC OR FISA COURT) DECISIONS [REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2013].S. 1631, THE FISA IMPROVEMENTS ACT: OPPOSED THIS CODIFICATION AND EXPANSION OF NSA SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS [S. 1631 REPORTED BY SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE ON OCTOBER 31, 2013]. H.R. 4291, FISA TRANSPARENCY AND MODERNIZATION ACT, OPPOSED PROPOSED FISA REFORMS BECAUSE CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD DO MUCH MORE THAN MERELY END ONE TYPE OF BULK COLLECTION [REFERRED TO THE HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE ON MARCH 25, 2014] CALLED FOR DISCLOSURE OF ANY SURVEILLANCE OF U.S. ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS ADVOCATING ON U.S. TRADE POLICY. H.R.3278/S.1809: SUPPORTED THIS NATIONAL SECURITY WORFORCE ACCOUNTABILITY LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT CLARIFYING CIVIL SERVICE AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS IN NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS [REFERRED TO COMMITTEE]. SUPPORTED IMPLEMENTATION OF AND PROPER FUNDING FOR NEWLY EXPANDED WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS, INCLUDING INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY WORKERS, AND PROTRECTIONS FOR CONTRACTORS AND GRANTEES. H.R.4197, ALL CIRCUIT REVIEW EXTENSION ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO EXTEND THE PERIOD OF CERTAIN AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD DECISIONS RELATING TO WHISTLEBLOWERS [REFERRED TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON REGULATORY REFORM, COMMERCIAL AND ANTITRUST LAW ON APRIL 16, 2014] H.R. 2061/S. 994, DIGITAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY (DATA) ACT: SUPPORTED LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATION EFFORTS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO MORE RELIABLY FOLLOW HOW TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE SPENT; URGED PRESIDENT TO SUPPORT DATA ACT AS PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, REJECTING THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET'S PROPOSED REVISIONS THAT WEAKEN PROVISIONS IN THE BILL [S. 944 BECAME PUBLIC LAW NO: 113-101 ON MAY 9, 2014]. H.R. 1211, FOIA OVERSIGHT AND IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 2013, SUPPORTED REFORMS IN THIS BILL TO INCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION THROUGH PROACTIVE DISCLOSURE AND FOIA REFORMS SUCH AS AN ONLINE PORTAL, INCREASED INDEPENDENCE AND AUTHORITY OF OGIS, AND REDUCING THE OVERUSE AND ABUSE OF EXEMPTIONS [PASSED HOUSE ON FEBRUARY 25, 2014]. MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO SENATE ON KEY REFORMS TO INCLUDE IN FOIA LEGISLATION. H.R. 4157, FARMER IDENTITY PROTECTION ACT, OPPOSED UNNECESSARY PRIVACY MEASURES THAT UNDERMINE FOIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH [REFERRE D TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIVESTOCK, RURAL DEVLEOPMENT, AND CREDIT ON APRIL 1, 2014]. URGED RESPONSE SYSTEMS TO ADULT SEXUAL ASSAULT CRIMES PANEL (RSP) TO OPEN ITS HEARINGS TO THE PUBLIC TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY WITH HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS DEALING WITH THE EPIDEMIC OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY. H.R. 3345, STOP UNWORTHY SPENDING ACT (SUSPEND ACT): SUPPORTED IMPROVING CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY, STRENGTHENING SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT LAWS [H.R. 3345 ORDERED TO BE REPORTED BY VOICE VOTE ON OCTOBER 28, 2013].H.R. 3316, GRANT ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS FOR INCREASED TRANSPARENCY IN GRANTMAKING AND URGED CONGRESS TO SCHEDULE A VOTE [REPORTED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON OCTOBER 29, 2013] H.R. 3317, HOLDING INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE AND DETERRING MONEY LAUNDERING ACT: SUPPORTED STRENGTHENING OF FEDERAL STATUTES TO DETER MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORISM FINANCING [H.R. 3317 REFERRED TO SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME, TERRORISM, HOMELAND SECURITY, AND INVESTIGATIONS ON JANUARY 9, 2014]. H.R. 2638/S. 1271, FOREIGN AID TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013: SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FUNDS IN THE INTEREST OF GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY [H.R. 2638 REFERRED TO HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON JULY 10, 2013; S. 1271 REPORTED BY SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE ON NOVEMBER 14, 2013]. URGED THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) TO RECLASSIFY BROADBAND ACCESS SERVICES AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION AND BLOCKING ONLINE FOLLOWING A RELATED COURT DECISION. URGED PRESIDENT TO EXPEDITE THE DECLASSIFICATION OF THE REPORT BY THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE (SSCI) ON THE INTERROGATION AND DETENTION PRACTICES OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (CIA) [SSCI WILL VOTE ON RELEASING THE REPORT]. URGED CONGRESS TO RESTORE FUNDING TO THE OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (OTA), AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE FOR CONGRESS. URGED CONGRESS TO MAKE CONGRESSIONAL DATA MORE ACCESSIBLE BY ENSURING THAT TIMELY BILL STATUS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC IN XML FORMAT AND THAT CONGRESS CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BULK DATA TASK FORCE. OPPOSED THE POTENTIAL APPOINTMENT OF COLONEL STEVE ASHER AS ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR DEFENSE NUCLEAR SECURITY/CHIEF OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR SECURITY AT THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA) OVER CONCERNS ABOUT HIS LACKING LEADERSHIP SKILLS [ASHER IS CURRENTLY ACTING CHIEF OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR SECURITY AT THE NNSA]. URGED OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL REGISTER TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY BY ISSUING A FINAL RULE THAT REQUIRES THAT STANDARDS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PROPOSED RULES AND IN FINAL RULES BE AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON THE INTERNET. H.R. 1133, THE PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DONATION REFORM ACT, SUPPORTED INCREASED TRANSPARENCY FOR FUNDRAISING FOR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES AND URGED CONGRESS TO SCHEDULE A VOTE [H.R. 1133 WAS REPORTED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON JUNE 20, 2013]. H.R. 4245, TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS TO FOIA, POSTING OF CRS REPORTS ONLINE, REQUIRING GREATER ETHICS DISCLOSURES, REQUIRING REPORTS ON FOREIGN LOBBYISTS, IMPROVING USASPENDING.GOV, REQUIRING MORE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE TRANSPARENCY, AND OTHER GOOD GOVERNMENT REFORMS [REFERRED TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON MARCH 13, 2014].H.R. 1380, ACCESS TO CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED REPORTS ACT, SUPPORTED PROVISIONS THAT STATE THAT ANY REPORT REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS THAT IS RELEASABLE UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT MUST BE POSTED ON A WEBSITE MANAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [H.R. 1380 REPORTED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM ON MARCH 22, 2013]. URGED CONGRESS TO INCREASE OVERSIGHT OF NNSA PROGRAMS. H.R. 4164, SMALL COMPANY DISCLOSURE SIMPLIFICATION ACT, OPPOSED PROVISIONS THAT WOULD NEEDLESSLY EXEMPT 60% OF PUBLIC COMPANIES FROM THE OBLIGATION TO FILE OPEN DATA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [ORDERED TO BE REPORTED ON MARCH 14, 2014]. S. 2286, CUTTING CONTRACTOR USE AND TAXPAYER SAVINGS ACT OF 2014, SUPORTED PROVISIONS THAT WOULD INCREASE DATA ABOUT SERVICE CONTRACTS. SUPPORTED PROVISIONS TO MAKE DOD REVOLVING DOOR AND IG REPORTS PUBLIC. H.R. 1942, CONTRUCTION QUALITY ASSURANCE ACT OF 2013, OFFERED ADVICE FOR HOLDING PRIME CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE FOR DISCLOSURE OF SUBCONTRACTORS DURING THE BIDDING PROCESS.

Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), Energy, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Archives & Records Administration (NARA), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), White House Office