Covington & Burling LLP | Susan B. Cassidy

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Susan B. Cassidy

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5348 scassidy@cov.com Download V-card

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Susan Cassidy advises clients on the complex rules and regulations imposed on government contractors, with a special emphasis on the defense and intelligence sectors. She combines a sophisticated knowledge of the FAR and DFARS with the practical insight gained from senior in-house positions at both dedicated defense and commercial item contractors.

Ms. Cassidy conducts internal investigations for clients on wide array of government contracts and national security compliance issues. She regularly advises on FAR mandatory disclosure obligations and represents clients with regard to these investigations before the agency, DOJ, and the relevant Suspension and Debarring Official. Ms. Cassidy spends considerable time advising on contractor cybersecurity requirements, including assessing contractual requirements and investigating and assisting clients with cyber breach incidents involving government information.

Ms. Cassidy has considerable litigation experience and has represented clients in bid protests, prime-subcontractor disputes, APA cases, and product liability litigation before federal courts, state courts, and administrative agencies.

Prior to joining Covington, Ms. Cassidy served in a number of senior in-house counsel roles for commercial item and defense contractors. Before moving in-house, Ms. Cassidy was a litigation and government contracts partner at a large international law firm in DC.

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Lead counsel on multiple internal investigations and disclosures with regard to DoD Cyber Incident Reporting, FAR mandatory disclosure obligations, the False Claims Act, national security requirements, the False Statements Act, the Anti-Kickback Act, the Byrd Amendment, and the Procurement Integrity Act. Representation and favorable resolution of investigations with Agency, OIG, DOJ, and SDO.
Lead counsel conducting internal investigation and successful negotiations with government to clear client with regard to product substitution and MIL-SPEC compliance.
Numerous matters advising clients on the full spectrum of procurement and compliance obligations including, FAR and DFARS requirements, cybersecurity and supply chain risks, MIL-SPEC qualification and retention of qualification requirements, counterfeit part obligations, sourcing requirements (BAA and TAA), socio-economic requirements, CDA claims, TINA requirements, commercial item determinations, organizational conflicts of interest, cost allowability issues, technical data rights, M&A due diligence and novations, revolving door restrictions, ethics and business conduct issues, and the creation and implementation of government contracts compliance programs.
Lead government contracts counsel advising top-ten defense contractor on a multi-million-dollar prime-subcontractor dispute in connection with a NATO contract.
Lead government contracts counsel representing top 25 defense contractor in a state court appeal of a quarter billion dollar adverse judgment in a prime-subcontractor dispute.

Lead counsel in post award bid protest successfully convincing agency to reopen procurement, allow opportunity for new proposal submissions, and ultimately change its decision and award to our client.
Lead government contracts lawyer advising Fortune 100 financial services corporation on all aspects of federal novation and various state procurement restrictions on the transfer of assets in connection with the company's global reorganization of various business units.

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Successfully represented non-profit agency in grant award negotiations with the Department of State.
Successfully resolved payment dispute for non-profit victim assistance agency against government entity allowing non-profit to continue operating.
Advised non-profit organization on DC procurement rules and requirements for competitive bid.
Successfully convinced Department of Justice to release documents in FOIA litigation that were essential to underlying action against the Department of Housing Urban and Development.

American Bar Association – Public Contract Law Section; Co-Chair - Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection Committee
American Bar Association – Public Contract Law Section; Member - Counterfeit Parts Task Force (Acquisition Reform & Emerging Issues Committee)
American University, Washington College of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law (2009-2013, Spring 2015)
National Defense Industrial Association, Member

Northrop Grumman Corporation, Information Systems Sector, Senior Counsel
Motorola, Inc., U.S. Federal Government Markets Division, Senior Counsel

Pentagon demands contractors up cybersecurity

Susan Cassidy is quoted in a San Antonio Express-News article regarding new cybersecurity requirements for contractors. According to Cassidy, "Essentially, the DOD wants its contractors to protect its information, because the DOD is a huge target, and its contractors are also a target." Commenting on the fact that over the years, contractors have been working ...

Highlights from DoD Industry Day on DFARS Cyber Rule

The Department of Defense (“DoD”) held an “Industry Information Day” on June 23, 2017 to address questions regarding DFARS Case 2013-D018 “Network Penetration and Reporting for Cloud Services,” including DFARS clauses 252.204-7012 “Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting” and 252.239-7010 “Cloud Computing Services.” DoD’s ...

USSC Issues RFP For Report On Supply Chain IT Vulnerabilities From China

On May 11, 2017, the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission (“Commission”) issued a Request for Proposal to “to provide a one-time unclassified report on supply chain vulnerabilities from China in U.S. federal information technology (IT) procurement.” Congress established the Commission in 2000 to monitor and report to Congress on the national ...

Challenges and Priorities for the New Secretary of Labor

Alex Acosta was confirmed by the Senate to be the next Secretary of Labor. He now takes responsibility for several high-profile issues with critical implications for government contractors. As we have previously written, the Labor Department was an exceptionally active regulator from 2013 through the end of the Obama Administration. Although few of us ...

New FAR Rule: Government May Disqualify Contractors Who Use Standard Confidentiality Language with Employees and Subcontractors

Under a new FAR rule, standard language in confidentiality agreements could lead to disqualification from contracting or False Claims Act liability. In January, the FAR Council issued a final rule regulating confidentiality agreements between prime contractors and their employees and subcontractors. The rule implements Section 743 of the Consolidated and Further ...

Covington Advises Intersil on $3.2 Billion Sale to Japan's Renesas

WASHINGTON—Covington represented semiconductor manufacturer Intersil Corporation in its $3.2 billion sale to Japan’s Renesas Electronics Corporation. The firm advised Intersil on aspects of the transaction involving Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI), trade controls, and government ...

DoD Further Clarifies Its DFARS Cybersecurity Requirements

On January 27, 2017, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the application and requirements of DFARS 252.204.7012 Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting. Though questions remain regarding various nuances of the rule, the FAQ is a helpful document for those contractors still ...

Fate of DOD Cybersecurity Improvements Unclear, Lawyers Say

Susan Cassidy is quoted in a Federal Contracts Report article regarding the fate of cybersecurity improvements made by the DoD under President Trump. According to Cassidy, “I would expect those to continue forward because I don't see a political will to say, ‘No you shouldn't protect this.’” The nomination of former Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) to serve as director ...

More Cybersecurity Changes Expected for Contractors in 2017

In 2016, the dangers presented by an increasingly digital world clearly were on display. A cyber-attack using an army of Internet of Things devices interfered with the operations of major commercial websites. And the Presidential Election was plagued with allegations of state-sponsored cybersecurity hacking (for which the Obama Administration just issued ...

Cybersecurity Update: DoD Releases Long-Awaited Final Rule

On October 21, 2016, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued its long-awaited Final Rule—effective immediately—imposing safeguarding and cyber incident reporting obligations on defense contractors whose information systems process, store, or transmit covered defense information (CDI). The Final Rule has been years in the making and is the culmination of an ...

DoD Finalizes Rule on Policies for Cyber Incident Reporting

On October 4th, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued a Final Rule implementing mandatory cyber incident reporting requirements for DoD contractors and subcontractors who have “agreements” with DoD. The Final Rule also highlights DoD’s desire to encourage greater participation in the voluntary Defense Industrial Base (DIB) cybersecurity information sharing ...

DOD Updates Cyber Reporting Rule for Contractors

Susan Cassidy is quoted in a Federal Contracts Report article regarding the Defense Department’s updated cyber incident reporting rule. According to Cassidy, the rule succeeded in clarifying some industry concerns, but did not address them all. “They didn't take an opportunity to clarify everything you might have hoped they would.” For example, when asked ...

DoD Finalizes Rule Expanding Contractor Rights in Technical Data

DoD has issued a Final Rule that gives added protections to the technical data of privately developed commercial items incorporated into major systems, including major weapon systems. This rule implements Section 813(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016 and modifies 10 U.S.C.§ 2321(f). In general, a defense contractor’s ...

NARA Sets the Stage for a Final FAR Cyber Clause

On September 14, 2016, the National Archives and Record Administration (“NARA”) issued a Final Rule, effective November 13, 2016, establishing cross-agency practices and procedures for safeguarding, disseminating, controlling, destroying, and marking Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Although the Final Rule only applies directly to executive branch ...

NARA Sets the Stage for a Final FAR Cyber Clause

On September 14, 2016, the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA) issued the “Controlled Unclassified Information Final Rule” (Final Rule), effective November 13, 2016, establishing consistent practices and procedures for safeguarding, disseminating, controlling, destroying, and marking Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across Executive Branch departments and agencies.

After pushback last year, Pentagon tries again with commercial items rule

Susan Cassidy is quoted in an Inside Defense article regarding the DOD’s proposed rule change to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2016 relating to commercial item acquisitions. According to Cassidy, "They were going to take out the 'of a type' commercial item, and that's been a big deal with DOD for a long ...

Supreme Court Accepts Implied False Certification Theory But Erects Substantial Hurdles To Proving Materiality

In Universal Health Services Inc. v. U.S. ex rel. Escobar, No. 15-7 (Slip. Op. June 16, 2016), a unanimous Supreme Court affirmed the viability of the “implied false certification” theory of False Claims Act liability, at least in certain circumstances. This portion of the ruling was not unexpected given the overwhelming acceptance of implied certification among the Circuit courts. But, more importantly, out of concern that the statute be applied too broadly, the Court also explained at length that the “materiality” standard in the statute is a “demanding” one, and set a high bar for the Government and relators to demonstrate materiality of the alleged non-compliance.

Lawyers highlight limited scope of liability protections under cyber info-sharing law

Susan Cassidy participated in a panel discussion at the annual cybersecurity conference at Georgetown University Law Center and is quoted in this Inside Cybersecurity article regarding the limited scope of liability protections under the new cyber info-sharing law. According to Cassidy, "Anything you create could be used in litigation against you," in referring ...

Inside The Proposed DFARS Business Systems Rule

Susan Cassidy, Scott Freling and Kayleigh Scalzo have co-authored this article about the U.S. Department of Defense issuing a proposed rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (“DFARS”) in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of auditing contractors’ accounting systems, estimating systems, and material management and ...

How a Civil War-era law could cost government contractors millions

Covington partner Susan Cassidy is quoted regarding a recent court decision by the Fourth Circuit that is set to change how much contractors who mislead the government face in potential penalties. "That potential windfall acts as a strong incentive for people to file suits on behalf of the government, said Susan Cassidy, a partner at law firm Covington & ...

Contractors Vulnerable to Growing Number of ‘False Claims’ Suits

Susan Cassidy and Mike Wagner authored this article on the increase of "false claims" suits. Under a recent court decision by the Fourth Circuit, a federal government contractor may suddenly find itself facing potentially massive liability based solely on the number of invoices submitted in previous years, even if every one of those invoices was entirely ...

4th Circ. Per-Invoice Rule: Warnings For Gov't Contractors

Susan Cassidy and Mike Wagner write on the False Claims Act in this article for Law360: "For the past four years, FCA enforcement has focused most heavily on the health care industry, recovering more than $2 billion a year in cases involving health care fraud. This article discusses a recent FCA ruling by the Fourth Circuit that, if allowed to stand, could ...

Lead Report: Cybersecurity Plan Confusing, Should be Revamped, Attorneys Say

Covington partner Susan Cassidy was interviewed for Bloomberg BNA regarding the General Services Administration's draft plan to manage cybersecurity risks in the federal acquisition process. The article states: “When you read the actual proposal from GSA, it's hard to figure out what they are going to do,” Covington & Burling LLP Partner Susan Cassidy said. ...

Susan Cassidy Joins Covington’s Expanding Government Contracts Practice

WASHINGTON, DC, July 2, 2012 — Covington & Burling is bolstering its government contracts practice by adding Susan Cassidy as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. This marks Covington’s second high-profile addition to its government contracts practice in recent months and underscores the firm’s strong commitment to expand in this area of law. Robert Nichols ...

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American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 1988

University of Massachusetts Lowell, B.S., 1985

Bar Admissions