SAME DC Post

LXCL:Current SAME Members of any Post.

SAME Members

LXCL:Full time students.

Full Time Students

LXCL:Non-Member or Lapsed Member ticket.

Non-Member Ticket

LXCL:Sponsor attendee ticket. Please send your logo to programs@samedc.org to start advertising your sponsorship.

Sponsor this Webinar

Registration is now. closed. The webinar is at capacity. Please look for the recording on our Youtube channel later this month. WEBINAR SESSION INFORMATION <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1780424690/wysiwyg/bfyz27jfchuo6sxadnnt.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;padding:0px 1px;max-width:100%" /> FAR From the World We Know: Bid Protests in 2026 (1 PDH) Featuring Maria Panichelli, Partner, McCarter &amp; English LLPFriday, August 712:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT In today's competitive federal market, bid protests are an inevitable feature of many procurements.  Successful contractors make sure they understand the rules and regulations governing bid protests, and learn how to successfully navigate the protest process to get the awards they want. They also understand how to effectively use debriefings, when possible, to gather information that can support a protest.  The only problem?  The rules governing debriefs and protests are going through some major changes!  Between the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) and proposed bid protest reform efforts, the protest landscape is likely to look a lot different moving forward.  Changes are coming in many different protest-related areas.   In this webinar, experienced government contracts attorney Maria Panichelli will walk attendees through the current protest process, as well as provide an explanation on the most important changes coming down the road, and how that might change the protest practice and procedure.  Attendees will learn what new aspects of procurement and protests they should be paying attention to, and how to successfully navigate the protest process in this new world. Learning Objectives<ul><li>Refamiliarize attendees with the current protest process</li><li>Discuss the changes to FAR 15 impacting debriefings and, likely, bid protests</li><li>Learn how to navigate protests in a post-RFO world</li><li>Understand the NDAA proposed (and actual) protest reforms and GAO enhanced pleading standards</li></ul>Learning UnitsThis virtual session offers one (1) Professional Development Hour (PDH) certified by the SAME DC Post for live participants. CAPACITYThis event is limited to 100 attendees. Once capacity is reached, the event will be "sold out" and will no longer accept registrations to attend. Only registered participants will receive the PDH certificate and opt-in attendee list after the live session. A copy of the presentation slides and recording will be available on the SAME DC Post's website after the webinar. TICKETSRegistration is free for SAME Members and full time students. Non-Members are welcome for a $25 non-refundable fee. Webinar login details will be shared on the Friday morning of the session at 10 am and again 10 minutes before the session (ET). ---ABOUT THE PRESENTERMaria Panichelli, Partner McCarter &amp; English LLP <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariapanichelli" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariapanichelli</a>  Maria L. Panichelli, Esq. is a partner in McCarter &amp; English LLP’s Government Contracts group. Her clients include primes and subs, working with a variety of agencies, across a wide breath of industries, all over the nation and abroad.  She helps these clients navigate every stage of the procurement process. Maria understands the unique challenges involved in government contracting and small business procurement, and is proficient in interpreting and applying the FAR (DFARS, VAAR, GSAR, etc.), as well as the Small Business Regulations, in furtherance of her clients’ goals.  Maria’s practice includes: Bid protests (asserting and intervening); contract interpretation and performance counseling; the preparation and negotiation of REAs and CDA claims, as well as related litigation before the Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit; statutory and regulatory compliance counseling; federal subcontracting (including FAR-compliant subcontracts, liquidating agreements, and the litigation of pass-through claims, Miller Act claims, and sub/prime disputes); contract terminations; and suspension and debarment. Having acquired substantial experience with the government’s small business programs, Maria provides effective assistance to 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB/SDVOSB and WOSB/EDWOSB clients seeking to obtain or maintain small business eligibility. She routinely assists clients with size/status protests, and has considerable experience drafting teaming and joint venture agreements, and with the SBA Mentor-protégé program. Maria also has substantial experience with issues particular to infrastructure and construction contracts, such as defective designs and specifications, express and constructive changes, differing site conditions, delays and disruption; suspensions; and liquidated damages.  Maria’s clients enjoy practical and shrewd advice, as well as zealous advocacy in bid protest litigation, claims prosecution, and False Claims Act (FCA) defense.  Maria is active in a number of industry-related professional associations is a frequent lecturer, thought leader, and author on government contracting and small business procurement topics. McCarter &amp; English LLP <a href="//www.mccarter.com" target="_blank">www.mccarter.com</a>  ---ABOUT YOUR VIRTUAL HOSTWhitney Stowell, SAME DC Post Webinar Host | Cribworks<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-stowell" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-stowell</a>    Whitney Stowell is the CEO and Founder of Cribworks, a sales and business development consulting firm based in Washington, DC. With more than 15 years of industry experience across commercial, startups and government contracting, Whitney has worked in marketing, business development, corporate strategy and government affairs across a diverse range of small and large businesses, including Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise Old Glory DC, Royal Philips, Elbit Systems of America, Chenega Corporation, and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs within the United States Senate. Whitney sits on the Board of Directors for the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) DC Post in Washington DC, a non-profit organization that collaborates with both government and private sector on national security infrastructure challenges. Whitney is an active member throughout the local rugby community, recently serving as President of the Washington Irish Rugby Football Club and works with local youth rugby clubs throughout the area. Whitney is also active in various organizations throughout the Washington DC, such as Bunker Labs, Smart Cities Group, Association for United States Army (AUSA), USA Rugby, and others. He served as the SAME DC Post President in 2024. ---WEBINAR REFUND POLICYThis event is non-refundable (ALL SALES FINAL) for paid ticket holders. Please note that not all jurisdictions or organizations accept PDH certificates for continuing education.---Designed for architects, engineers, and construction professionals supporting federal and defense work, the webinar supports SAME’s mission to sustain our nation’s infrastructure and national security. Register NOW to secure your place and receive access details. ---CALL FOR FIRST FRIDAY WEBINAR PRESENTATIONSDo you have an educational topic you would like to present during our monthly First Friday Webinar Series?Presentations will be selected based on how the program will provide high-quality and valuable professional development for the A/E/C community, presentation topics that provide thought leadership and insight into current industry challenges, and solutions that are available beyond your organization’s specific product or service. Presentations that promote specific companies, products, or services will not be selected. Please complete the online form to share your topic and learning objectives with the SAME DC Post Programs Committee.<a href="https://form.jotform.com/samedcprograms/first-friday" target="_blank">https://form.jotform.com/samedcprograms/first-friday</a> --- QUESTIONSPlease contact the SAME DC First Friday Director, Bree Beal at <a href="mailto:bbeal@kcct.com" target="_blank">bbeal@kcct.com</a>  or <a href="mailto:programs@samedc.org" target="_blank">programs@samedc.org</a>. Watch all previous SAME DC Post First Friday Sessions on our YouTube Channel:<a href="//www.youtube.com/@samedcprograms" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/@samedcprograms</a>  SAME DC Post<a href="//www.same.org/dcpost" target="_blank">www.same.org/dcpost</a>

SAME DC Post

SAME DC Post First Friday Webinar - August 7, 2026 - Bid Protests in 2026

Adobe Connect Webinar Platform

SAME Members

Free

Full Time Students

Free

Non-Member Ticket

$25

Sponsor this Webinar

$300