Suspension, debarment or exclusion from government contracts or other transactions with the federal government can have devastating consequences for you, if you rely on the federal government for business as a prime contractor, subcontractor or grantee. Being listed on the government's Excluded Parties List not only renders you ineligible for federal government work, but can have collateral consequences such as ineligibility to obtain federal export licenses or debarment from state and local contracts. Companies can be suspended or debarred based on a criminal conviction or a finding of civil fraud not directly related to the performance of a government contract, grant or transaction. In addition, a criminal violation of certain laws, such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, require that a company be debarred.

The federal government has greatly increased its use of suspension and debarment. It is actively pursuing suspension or debarment of federal grantees, of companies that violate federal socio-economic laws and regulations and even of companies that settle civil false claims allegations without an acknowledgement of wrongdoing. A contractor's or grantee's failure to disclose potential wrongdoing related to the award, performance or close-out of a federal transaction now has been added to the long and growing list of grounds for suspension or debarment.

Rely on our Dentons’ Government Contracts lawyers for extensive experience in suspension and debarment—we have represented numerous corporations, individuals and even local governments threatened with ineligibility from federal programs by most federal agencies. You will be supported through every aspect of suspension and debarment with a team who has successfully opposed proposed listings, including in agency fact finding proceedings; development and implementation of compliance and ethics programs and the negotiation of administrative agreements to resolve potential listings; and court challenges opposing a suspension or debarment.

The depth and breadth of Dentons' Suspension and Debarment practice has led to numerous successes in helping both corporations and individuals avoid or resolve suspension, debarment or exclusion.