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.
Lead counsel advising defense contractors on response cyber incidents, including interface with DoD, law enforcement and forensic consultants.
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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Represent multiple U.S. veterans in various benefits applications.
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.

Intelligence and National Security Alliance - Legal Working Group
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

Covington Artificial Intelligence Update: Department of Defense Establishes Joint Artificial Intelligence Center

In a memorandum issued June 27, 2018, Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan ordered the establishment of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (“JAIC”) within DoD. The JAIC will report to DoD Chief Information Officer (“CIO”) Dana Deasey and has the “overarching goal of accelerating the delivery of AI-enabled capabilities, scaling the Department-wide ...

Covington Artificial Intelligence Update: GAO Testimony Before Congress Regarding Emerging Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications for Policy and Research with Artificial Intelligence

Timothy M. Persons, GAO Chief Scientist Applied Research and Methods, recently provided testimony on artificial intelligence (“AI”) before the House of Representatives’ Subcommittees on Research and Technology and Energy, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Specifically, his testimony summarized a prior GAO technological assessment on AI from March ...

DoD Seeks Streamlined Procurements of Innovative Technologies – Other Transaction Agreements and the Commercial Solutions Opening Pilot Program

The Department of Defense (DoD) has once again emphasized its willingness to engage with commercial companies and other non-traditional contractors to try to expedite and simplify its procurement of innovative technologies. In particular, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) indicated that it plans to enter directly into Other Transaction Authority ...

Senate Armed Services Committee Proposes Expansive but Unclear Software Review Provisions

As the Senate approaches the end of its debate on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, provisions of the bill regarding access to and review of information technology code deserve close attention. These sections, if enacted, would significantly impact Department of Defense contractors and also would affect matters associated with ...

Congress Aims to Redefine the “Subcontract”

[Updated June 19, 2018] If an agreement qualifies as a “subcontract” under a government contract, then it may be subject to certain flow-down, compliance, and reporting requirements. These requirements are intended to protect the government’s interests, and have significant ramifications for contractors, e.g., increasing transaction costs, expanding potential ...

ISO and U.S. NIST Focus on Privacy by Design

Susan Cassidy is quoted in a Global Data Review article regarding the focus on privacy by design by the International Organization for Standardization and the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Cassidy says that the anecdotal evidence she has from speaking to her private sector clients is that they are increasingly considering NIST guidelines, ...

DoD Final Rule to Promote Post-Award Disclosure of Defective Pricing Arms Contractors with Potentially Impactful Information

On May 4, 2018, the Department of Defense (“DoD”) issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (“DFARS”) to state that, in the interest of promoting voluntary disclosures of defective pricing identified by contractors after contract award, DoD contracting officers have more discretion to determine the scope of the ...

Covington Advises Elbit Systems in $120 Million Acquisition

WASHINGTON—Covington advised Elbit Systems Ltd. in its $120 million acquisition of the assets and operations of the privately owned U.S. company, Universal Avionics Systems. Elbit Systems is an international high technology company engaged in a wide range of defense, homeland security, and commercial programs throughout the world. Universal Avionics is a ...

Draft DoD Guidance on SSPs and NIST SP 800-171 – Impact on Bid Protests and Ongoing Contract Performance

On April 24, 2018, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued a Notice and Request for Comment on draft guidance that DoD proposes for assessing contractors’ System Security Plans (SSPs) and their implementation of the security controls in NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-171. This includes assessments as part of source selection decisions and during contract ...

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen Proposes “More Forward-Leaning Posture” for Federal Government in Cybersecurity

On April 17, 2018, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen delivered a keynote address at the RSA Conference. A copy of her prepared remarks is available here. Secretary Nielsen’s remarks highlighted efforts by DHS to address the evolving cybersecurity threats to our country’s critical infrastructure. Secretary Nielsen set the stage by ...

If Shulkin Didn’t Resign, Who Runs the VA Until a New Secretary Is Confirmed? A Vacancies Act Puzzle

Recent news reports have raised a substantial question about who has authority to run the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) in the wake of Dr. David Shulkin’s departure from the agency. According to the White House, Dr. Shulkin resigned. Meanwhile, Dr. Shulkin himself has publicly insisted that he did not resign and was instead fired....… Continue ...

GSA Unveils Plan for Commercial Online Shopping Portal

Following instructions from Congress to create a new online shopping system leveraging existing commercial practices, the General Services Administration (“GSA”), in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”), has released an implementation plan (“Plan”) to begin e-commerce purchases by 2019. As discussed in a previous blog post, GSA’s Plan ...

What Every Defense Contractor Should Know About Insurance for Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks targeting defense contractors illustrate the need for cybersecurity, for thoughtful planning—and for insurance when security and planning prove insufficient. Understanding your insurance policies before things go wrong can help ensure financial protection when they do.

Feds to Ramp Up Online Purchasing Presence

Susan Cassidy is quoted in an E-Commerce Times article regarding efforts to create an online marketplace for government purchasers. "One model that was discussed would require a portal provider to contract with GSA to provide an online interface. Under this approach, suppliers would then sign up to use the portal, potentially via a contract with the portal ...

Russian hacker claims there's proof of his DNC breach

Susan Cassidy is quoted in Politico Pro's "Morning Cybersecurity" newsletter regarding the December 31st deadline for defense contractors to meet minimum cybersecurity requirements for the systems they operate for the Pentagon. According to Cassidy, the cybersecurity rule presents “a problem for DoD because there’s a lot of subjectivity in what is ‘adequate ...

Aerospace Up Against Deadline on Cybersecurity

Susan Cassidy is quoted in a Los Angeles Business Journal article regarding the difficulties that some defense contractors in Southern California were facing trying to meet the Department of Defense deadline of December 31, 2017 for implementing the cybersecurity controls in NIST Special Publication 800-171. Cassidy notes that the definition of the information ...

Defense contractors busy preparing to meet cybersecurity deadline

Susan Cassidy is quoted in a Bloomberg Government article regarding contractors' efforts to comply with new cybersecurity standards. According to Cassidy, the mandate that contractors develop cybersecurity plans—the most recent requirement added to the NIST list—is crucial for contractors. Contractors must “develop, document, and periodically update system ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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

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