Photo of Catherine Wettach

Catherine Wettach

Catherine Wettach is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office. She is a member of the Government Contracts and White Collar Defense and Investigation Practice Groups.

The Office of Strategic Capital (“OSC”) within the Department of Defense (“DOD”) has launched a Credit Program, under which it will provide debt financing in critical technology areas that drive national and economic security.  As an initial step, OSC is soliciting applications for equipment loans, which may be submitted between

Continue Reading DOD Office of Strategic Capital Begins Its Direct Lending Efforts to Secure U.S. Industrial Base

This is part of an ongoing series of Covington blogs on the implementation of Executive Order No. 14110 on the “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence” (the “AI EO”), issued by President Biden on October 30, 2023.  The first blog summarized the AI EO’s key provisions and related Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) guidance, and subsequent blogs described the actions taken by various government agencies to implement the AI EO from November 2023 through August 2024.  This blog describes key actions taken to implement the AI EO during September 2024.  It also describes related developments in California related to the goals and concepts set out by the AI EO.  We will discuss developments during September 2024 to implement President Biden’s 2021 Executive Order on Cybersecurity in a separate post. Continue Reading September 2024 Developments Under President Biden’s AI Executive Order

This is part of an ongoing series of Covington blogs on implementation of Executive Order 14028, “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity,” issued by President Biden on May 12, 2021 (the “Cyber EO”).  The first blog summarized the Cyber EO’s key provisions and timelines, and subsequent blogs described the actions taken by various government agencies to implement the Cyber EO from June 2021 through June 2024.  This blog describes key actions taken to implement the Cyber EO during July 2024.  It also describes key actions taken during July 2024 to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence (the “AI EO”), particularly its provisions that impact cybersecurity, national security, and software supply chain security.Continue Reading July 2024 Developments Under President Biden’s Cybersecurity Executive Order and AI Executive Order

On February 15, 2024, the Department of Defense (“DOD”) issued a final rule that increases the domestic content requirements for defense procurements. 

The new rule amends the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (“DFARS”) to implement Executive Order 14005 (“EO”).  The EO was intended to strengthen the requirements of the Buy

Continue Reading DOD Issues Final DFARS Rule Implementing Increased Buy American Restrictions for Defense Procurements

Since its creation in 2006, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority has funded the development of medical countermeasures for pandemic influenza, anthrax, smallpox, Ebola virus disease, Zika virus, and, of course, COVID-19.  In just the last year, BARDA has made more than 35 new awards to partners, assisted its

Continue Reading BARDA Announces New Solicitation Opportunities for 2024