Trend Apparent from Recent Government Contractors: GFA Suppliers and Service Providers Must be on the Lookout for the E-Verify Clause

GT clients are reporting an increased incidence of FAR-imposed E-Verify-related language in recent solicitations for goods or services to the federal government. The GT Immigration and Compliance Group has contacted the Government about this increased activity, and Government officials have indicated that the apparent delay by agencies to include the E-Verify clause in solicitations and contract awards during the past nine months was really an attempt to acclimate federal vendors to the new mandates. We anticipate that most, if not all, new contract solicitations and bids released by the Government to services providers will now include the E-Verify clause. As such, contracting counsel and project managers should remain particularly vigilant during the near future for the language. In addition, we are seeing mass modifications being issued by the GSA amending all Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts to include the most recent standard contract clauses, capture exceptions, and the E-Verify clause as of June 24, 2010. This notification will surely have a huge impact on a large number of companies doing business with the government. It is critical that you contact your GT Immigration & Compliance Expert to assist you with the onerous logistical challenges that accompany the FAR E-Verify timeline and immigration compliance responsibilities.