Beyond the FAR

This week on Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman welcomes Polly Hall, GSA’s Chief Advisor for Acquisition Innovation and Policy and Executive Lead of the practitioner workstream for the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). Marking one year since the executive order that launched the RFO, the conversation explores the policy changes, workforce strategy, and cultural transformation driving one of the most consequential procurement reform efforts in decades. Hall discusses acquisition innovation, practitioner engagement, leadership accountability, and the shift from a "check the box" acquisition culture toward one centered on mission outcomes, strategic judgment, and thoughtful risk-taking in federal procurement.

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman speaks with Scott Simpson, an acquisition professional known for advancing procurement innovation across the federal government. Simpson discusses his work with the Department of Homeland Security’s Procurement Innovation Lab, his role supporting acquisition reform initiatives, and his current work exploring artificial intelligence applications within government procurement. The conversation highlights the importance of experimentation, learning from failure, and empowering contracting professionals to innovate within the framework of procurement law. For law students and practitioners alike, the episode offers practical insights into how policy, technology, and creative problem-solving can transform the acquisition process.

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman examines the role of oversight in combating fraud, waste, and abuse in federal procurement at a time of heightened scrutiny and institutional change. Joined by Robert Storch, former Senate-confirmed Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense, the discussion explores how inspectors general function as independent watchdogs, the legal distinctions between fraud, waste, and abuse, and the importance of whistleblower protections. The conversation also addresses recent challenges to the oversight infrastructure and the consequences of weakening independent accountability mechanisms for procurement integrity and public trust.

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman speaks with Bonnie Evangelista, Karen Thornton, and John Willison about the “talent valley of death” facing U.S. federal acquisition. As sweeping policy reform—including the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul—promises speed, innovation, and empowered contracting officers, the panel asks whether the acquisition workforce is prepared to carry it forward. They examine persistent challenges in cultivating critical thinking, experiential learning, cross-agency mobility, and mission-driven culture. A central question emerges: Can meaningful reform succeed without first investing in people? Their conversation underscores the need to redefine education, leadership, and talent development to ensure reform endures.

In this inaugural episode of Beyond the FAR, Associate Dean Jessica Tillipman speaks with Professor Albert Sanchez-Graells of the University of Bristol Law School, a leading scholar in public procurement and digital transformation. Their conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping procurement systems, the challenges of regulating AI use in government, and the risks of overreliance on generative models. Comparing U.S. and EU approaches, Sanchez-Graells highlights the tension between innovation, accountability, and public trust. This thoughtful exchange provides lawyers, law students, and practitioners with critical insight into the future of procurement law in the age of AI.

On January 15, 2025, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) published its long-awaited Proposed Organizational Conflict of Interest Rule, as required by a 2022 statute - the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act (P.L. 117-324). This webinar featured a panel of experts who discussed current OCI challenges, the proposed changes, and the impact it may have on future procurements.More information about the rule, as well as a video recording of the event, can be found here: https://blogs.gwu.edu/law-govpro/organizational-conflicts-of-interest-assessing-the-new-proposed-rule/

Representatives from the government, whistleblower bar, and defense bar discussed recent developments in procurement fraud enforcement and compliance. For additional Program information, visit: https://blogs.gwu.edu/law-govpro/combating-fraud-in-government-procurement/PANELISTSCleveland Lawrence III, Partner & Co-Chair of the Whistleblower Rights practice, Mehri & Skalet, PLLCSara McLean, Assistant Director, Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section), Civil Division, Department of JusticeDavid B. Robbins, Partner and Co-Chair of the Government Contracts practice, Jenner & BlockMODERATORJessica Tillipman, Assistant Dean for Government Procurement Law, The George Washington University Law School

On November 19, 2020, Jessica Tillipman was the featured speaker at the ABA International Anti-Corruption Committee's monthly meeting where she discussed her research into the causes and consequences of small business compliance challenges. Her presentation focused on the heightened risks of corruption and fraud for small companies, and the related impact on U.S. government and World Bank procurements. She also discussed her proposed solution to these issues, which is detailed in her recent, co-authored publication: "The Compliance Mentorship Program: Improving Ethics & Compliance in Small Government Contractors." Available on SSRN at https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3559458.This video is an excerpt of her presentation.

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Join a roundtable discussion with King’s College, London and George Washington University Law School’s Government Procurement Program, to review important lessons learned from procurement during the pandemic.

On Dec 10, 2020, GW Law's Government Procurement Law Program hosted a webinar which discussed what may be the greatest challenge to public procurement in our lifetimes: delivering COVID-19 vaccines, worldwide. A panel of experts addressed distribution strategies in the United States and internationally, focusing on potential problems and their solutions.

On September 16, 2021, the GW Law Government Procurement Law Program co-hosted a webinar with the World Bank Office of Suspension & Debarment and the ABA International Anti-Corruption Committee where a panel of experts discussed the recently published Global Suspension & Debarment Directory, the first ever consultative resource on exclusion systems. Published by the World Bank Office of Suspension and Debarment, in partnership with the International Bar Association Anti-Corruption Committee, the Directory captures data and information on the exclusion systems of 23 different countries and institutions and is for anyone interested in learning about how these jurisdictions employ exclusion to prevent wayward suppliers from accessing public funds.CO-MODERATORSCollin Swan, Senior Counsel, World Bank Office of Suspension & DebarmentNikolaos Doukellis, Legal Consultant, World Bank Office of Suspension & DebarmentPANELISTSJuan Ronderos, Sanctions Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank Group and Co-Chair of the Debarment & Exclusions Subcommittee of the IBA’s Anti-Corruption CommitteeJessica Tillipman, Assistant Dean for Government Procurement Law at the George Washington University Law School and Co-Chair of the ABA Section of International Law Anti-Corruption CommitteeMirella Lechna-Marchewka, Attorney-at-Law, Wardynski and Partners, PolandCarlos Ayres, Founding Partner, Maeda, Ayres e Sarubbi Advogados, Brazil

Panelists discussed Brazil’s new procurement law and its move to open its procurement markets by joining the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.Professors Christopher Yukins & Victoria Christoff (GW Law) – IntroductionsJonas Lima (Jonas Lima Advocacia) — U.S./Brazil comparative overview and international biddingCristiana Fortini (Carvalho Pereira Fortini) – Brazil’s new law – an introductionCesar Pereira (Justen, Pereira, Oliveira & Talamini) – New law on criminal penalties and bid riggingMarina Maciel (BMA) — New law on environmental impactRicardo Campello (Licks) – Brazil joining WTO Government Procurement Agreement