Andy Howard is a partner in the firm’s Construction & Government Contracts litigation group. He specializes in federal, state and local government contracting issues and disputes, and represents clients across a wide range of industries, including construction, healthcare, aerospace, energy and technology. Andy regularly advises companies on the unique procurement and contracting policies and procedures contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulation and equivalent state procurement rules, on compliance with and in negotiation of government contracts, subcontracts, joint venture, teaming and SBA-approved mentor-protégé agreements, and on the standards for the protection of classified information under the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). He also assists government contractors in understanding the unique trade secret protection rules contained in the FAR and in preparing or objecting to requests for public records under the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and similar state laws. As an advocate, Andy represents companies in pre- and post-award bid protests and in various other types of litigation proceedings involving government agencies at the local, state and federal levels, including claims prosecution proceedings. Andy also has particular experience representing large general contractors in complex commercial and public works construction disputes involving claims for extra work, delay and other time-impact claims.