CHICAGO, Feb. 28, 2024 — Legal experts, federal judges and government officials will discuss significant federal procurement developments, with a specific focus on national security, at the American Bar Association Section of Public Contract Law’s 30th Annual Federal Procurement Institute, to be held March 7-8 in Annapolis, Maryland.
What:
30th Annual Federal Procurement Institute
Sponsored by the ABA Section of Public Contract Law
When:
Thursday-Friday, March 7-8
Where:
Graduate Annapolis Hotel
(formerly Loews Annapolis Hotel)
126 West Street
Annapolis, Maryland
Highlights include:
“How National Security Impacts the Federal Supply Chain” — Our national security depends on our ability to obtain the right products and services, at the right time, with the quality and in the quantities needed. However, the supply chain continues to be challenged by the impacts of COVID, emerging global conflicts and asymmetric warfare, and new rules that impact what can be bought, from which entities, and when. The panel will discuss:
- What is being required of contractors today and what are contractors doing to address capacity challenges to perform their government contracts?
- What is required of contractors to address provenance, as well as effectively monitor and oversee their global supply chains?
- How do FASC determinations fit into this supply chain process?
- What is the impact of prohibiting certain products and entities from use or participation in the supply chain?
- How do traditional notions of merger and acquisition review, CFIUS and Defense Production Act play into contractor efforts to address customer and supply chain surge and sustainment needs?
- Can contractors obtain relief when they encounter impacts to their supply chain?
Thursday, 8:30-10 a.m.
“Preparing Critical Infrastructure for a Post-Quantum Computing World” — Nation-states are actively pursuing quantum computing that threaten to break cryptographic standards. However, due to the unique nature of federal contracting, the federal government is typically three to five years behind the private sector in IT infrastructure. While quantum computing technology capable of breaking current encryption algorithm does not yet exist, government and critical infrastructure entities must prepare for a new post-quantum cryptographic standard to defend against future threats against critical infrastructure. The White House released a memorandum in May 2022 directing specific actions for agencies to take as the United States begins the multiyear process of migrating vulnerable computer systems to quantum-resistant cryptography. This panel will discuss what actions DoD can take to future-proof its IT infrastructure and technology and stay ahead of its adversaries, including an emphasis on cryptographic agility, to reduce the time to contract and implement the technology and to allow for seamless updates for future cryptographic standards.
Friday, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
“Recent Developments in Cybersecurity: On the Front Lines” — Cybersecurity remains a key national security priority for the federal government, particularly for government contractors. Over the past year we have seen a new final rule from DHS, two proposed FAR rules that will impact the federal supply chain and enhanced enforcement initiatives. Speakers on this panel will examine:
- Two new proposed FAR rules on cyber incident reporting and standardizing cybersecurity for federal information systems
- Final DHS rule relating to contractor handling of controlled unclassified information
- The SEC’s recent cybersecurity risk management and disclosure rules
- Recent developments in DOJ’s Civil Cyber Fraud Initiative
Friday, 1:15-2:45 p.m.
A complete agenda can be found here. For media credentialing and registration, contact [email protected].
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