Jocelyn Walcott

Jocelyn A.K. Walcott is an associate in the firm’s Washington, DC office. She is a member of the Government Contracts and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups. She represents clients on a range of government contracts and enforcement matters. She has experience advising clients facing government investigations, including actions brought under the False Claims Act and those concerning alleged cybersecurity violations.

Before joining the firm, Jocelyn clerked for the Honorable Loretta Copeland Biggs and the Honorable Joi Elizabeth Peake of the Middle District of North Carolina.

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Recent Cybersecurity FCA Settlement Demonstrates Heightened FCA Risk to Government Contractors

By Susan B. Cassidy, Robert Huffman, Terra White Fulham & Jocelyn Walcott on July 28, 2025

Posted in Cybersecurity, False Claims Act

On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and General Services Administration (GSA) announced a $14.75 million settlement of Civil False Claims Act allegations against IT company Hill ASC Inc. (Hill). This settlement is consistent with the current Administration’s focus on “fraud, waste, and abuse” in government procurement…

Justice Department Establishes Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, Using False Claims Act to Target DEI

By Peter B. Hutt II, Lindsay Burke, Aaron Lewis, Krysten Rosen Moller, Matthew Dunn, Terra White Fulham, Jason P. Criss & Jocelyn Walcott on May 27, 2025

Posted in False Claims Act

On May 19, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memorandum establishing a DOJ Civil Rights Fraud Initiative. The Initiative will use the False Claims Act (“FCA”) to “investigate and . . . pursue claims against any recipient of federal funds that knowingly violates federal civil rights laws.” Educational institutions, federal contractors, grantees, and other entities that receive federal funding should take note of the latest FCA Initiative. Similar FCA initiatives, such as those focused on collusion and cybersecurity fraud, have resulted in significant related FCA enforcement.Continue Reading Justice Department Establishes Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, Using False Claims Act to Target DEI

It Takes Two: SBA Proposes Applying “Rule of Two” to Multiple-Award Contracts

By Scott A. Freling, Peter Terenzio, Brooke Stanley & Jocelyn Walcott on October 30, 2024

Posted in Size Protest, Small Business

SBA’s “Rule of Two” often requires federal agencies to set aside an acquisition for small businesses whenever there is reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two small businesses that are competitive in terms of fair market prices, quality, and delivery.

On Friday, SBA issued a Proposed Rule that would extend the reach of the Rule of Two by applying it to orders issued under many multiple-award contracts. As such, under SBA’s proposal, agencies would be required to set aside an order under a multiple-award contract when there is a reasonable expectation of obtaining competitive offers from two or more small business contract holders, unless an exception – including an exception for Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts – applies.

SBA believes that this rule, if adopted, would: (1) align multiple-award contract purchases with the Small Business Act’s requirement that a fair proportion of the total purchases and contracts for goods and services be awarded to small businesses; (2) resolve confusion created by contradictory interpretations of the Rule of Two; and (3) increase contracting opportunities for small businesses, particularly small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs).

More details are below. Continue Reading It Takes Two: SBA Proposes Applying “Rule of Two” to Multiple-Award Contracts