Law and Ethics Advisors
William A. Roberts III

William A. Roberts III

Partner, Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP




Mr. Roberts has over 25 years of government contracts experience. He represents clients on federal, state and local procurement matters, including general government contracts consulting; compliance programs; protests and contractor and government claims, such as qui tams; disputes; responding to audits and investigations and proposed debarment and suspension.

Practice Areas

Government Contracts, Co-Chair

Education

  • LL.M, with honors, The George Washington University Law School
  • J.D., with honors, University of Iowa School of Law
  • B.A., Black Hills State College

Bar and Court Admissions

  • District of Columbia Bar
  • Iowa Bar
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. Federal Circuit
  • District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Association Memberships

  • Co-Chair, American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law, Privatization and Outsourcing Committee (2001-2004)

Affiliations

  • Member, Defense Science Board, Task Force on the Impact of E-Commerce on Department of Defence Aquisition Processes (2001-2002).

Representative Experience

  • Assists clients in achieving favorable Government Accountability Office decisions or agency corrective actions in protests challenging A-76 and contracting out competitions.
  • Represents commercial companies in addressing the unique risks and obligations involved when selling to the Government.
  • Represents clients in the establishment of Government Contracts Compliance programs and provides support to keep programs current.
  • Represents clients in responding to criminal, civil and administrative investigations and audits.

Professional Experience

  • Chief Counsel, Wang Laboratories, Inc., Federal Services Division (1982-1985).
  • Assistant to the General Counsel, U.S. Navy (1979-1982).
  • Attorney-Advisor, Navy Regional Procurement Center (1976-1979).

Publications/Speeches

  • Co-Author, "Contracting Out - And the Winner Is... OMB Issues Major Revision To Circular A-76: A New, Improved Process For Federal Agencies To Use In Determining Who Will Perform Commercial Activities," BNA's Federal Contracts Report, Volume 79, Issue 24 (June 2003).
  • Co-Author, "OMB Proposes Major Revisions To Circular A-76 - A New Process For 'Contracting Out,'" Government Contract Audit Report (Winter 2003).
  • Co-Author, "Contractors On The Battlefield: Special Legal Challenges" (April 2003).
  • Co-Author, "Unlevel Playing Field: Contracting Competitions Against The Government Might Not Be Fully Fair," Legal Times, Vol. 24, No. 10 (March 2001).
  • Moderator, "A-76: The New Rules," American Bar Association Annual Meeting (August 10, 2003).
  • Speaker, "Competition Experts Review," A-76 Implementation Workshop How to Utilize the New Changes (June 2003)
  • Co-Chair, "Critical Regulatory Revisions' Significant Impact on The Conduct of Public/Private Competitions Throughout the Federal Government," Executive Briefing: The New OMB Circular A-76 (June 2003).
  • Moderator, "Legal Considerations," Perspectives on the New A-76 Circular (December 2002). Chair, "Privatization and Outsourcing," JAG School (December 1999).

Mr. Roberts is a frequent author and lecturer on issues relating to government contracts, including electronic products and delivery for the government, privatization and outsourcing and recent developments in E-Commerce.