Defense Bill Amendment Pushes Fraud Punishment for Contractors

Fred Levy is quoted in a Federal Contracts Report article regarding a provision in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Pentagon to file a report to Congress on contracting fraud. According to Levy, the amendment appears to be a way for Congress to try to keep tabs on DoD, which was subjected to appropriations bills starting in 2012 that bar the use of federal funds for contracts with corporations convicted of felony criminal violations in the prior two years. Because the Senate amendment demands that the Pentagon provide suspension and debarment data, “I see this as a way to hold DoD's feet to the fire” regarding its adherence to requirements and intent of the FAR rule, Levy says.