Richard W. Arnholt

Member

Washington, D.C.

(202) 827-2971

VCARD
Richard W. Arnholt

Richard W. Arnholt

Member

Washington, D.C.

(202) 827-2971

rarnholt@bassberry.com

https://www.bassberry.com/professionals/arnholt-richard/

For over twenty years, Richard Arnholt has represented government contract clients in a wide range of matters, including litigation, investigations, counseling, and transactions. In particular, he has extensive experience counseling clients on the complex ethics and compliance obligations required of government contractors and grant recipients; assisting companies and individuals faced with suspension or debarment by a number of government agencies; filing and defending against bid protests at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit; and government contracts-related litigation such as prime/sub disputes and defending against False Claims Act (FCA) allegations.

Leveraging his extensive experience, Richard provides practical business and legal guidance to help clients efficiently navigate the minefield of government regulations applicable to procurement contracts, grants, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements. In addition, he regularly advises clients on issues such as domestic source restrictions, cyber-security, and mandatory disclosure requirements, among other compliance obligations tied to federally-funded agreements.

His practice focuses on:

  • Government Contracts Counseling & Litigation – Counseling contractors and subcontractors on implementing and upgrading ethics and compliance programs; conducting international investigations; and defending against allegations of non-compliance relating to FCA violations, procurement fraud and misconduct, counterfeit parts, organizational and personal conflicts of interest, post-government employment hiring restrictions, and the Buy America Act/Trade Agreements Act, among other issues.
  • Suspension/Debarment – Representing companies from Fortune 25 multinationals to 8(a) small businesses and individuals in investigating and responding to suspension, proposed debarment and show cause notices issued by the Army, Air Force, Navy, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the General Services Administration, and the Department of Homeland Security, among other agencies. Richard has experience negotiating administrative agreements to resolve suspension and debarment actions, as well as upgrading compliance programs, engaging external monitors, and developing training programs that are often necessary elements of such agreements.
  • Bid and Size Protests – Advising government contractors in numerous bid protests before the GAO, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit. In addition, he has represented contractors in agency-level bid protests and in size protests before Small Business Administration Area (SBA) Offices and appeals before the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals. He has extensive experience representing clients both as interveners and protesters. Click here to review a list of Richard’s published bid protest decisions.

Prior to entering private practice, Richard served as a law clerk for the Honorable Mary Ellen Coster Williams of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

Memberships

American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law

  • Privatization, Outsourcing & Financing Transactions Committee — Co-Chair (2009-2012)
  • Acquisition Reform & Emerging Issues Committee — Co-Chair (2009-2011)
  • Young Lawyers Committee — Co-Chair (2007-2009)
  • Young Lawyers Division Liaison (2004-2006)

U.S. Court of Federal Claims — Advisory Council (2008-2011)

University of St Andrews American Foundation — Board of Trustees (2024-present)

Evermay Community Association — Board of Directors (2023-present)

Memberships

American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law

  • Privatization, Outsourcing & Financing Transactions Committee — Co-Chair (2009-2012)
  • Acquisition Reform & Emerging Issues Committee — Co-Chair (2009-2011)
  • Young Lawyers Committee — Co-Chair (2007-2009)
  • Young Lawyers Division Liaison (2004-2006)

U.S. Court of Federal Claims — Advisory Council (2008-2011)

University of St Andrews American Foundation — Board of Trustees (2024-present)

Evermay Community Association — Board of Directors (2023-present)

Representative Experience
Representative Experience
Publications
  • Procurement Fraud Enforcement Trends Continue Into 2026
    May 22, 2026 | Firm Publication
  • Clarified Standard for Challenging CICA Stay Overrides
    May 6, 2026 | GovCon & Trade Blog
  • President Trump Issues Executive Order Directing Agencies to Default to Fixed-Price Contracting
    May 1, 2026 | GovCon & Trade Blog
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Media Mentions & Firm News
Additional News & Insights

Presentations

  • “Challenges of the New DoD Rule on Counterfeit Electronic Parts,” Crowell & Moring Webinar (June 5, 2014)
  • “Understanding Suspension and Debarment,” Federal Publications Seminars (February 18, 2014)
  • “Cost Reimbursement Contracting,” Federal Publications (October 8, 2013)
  • “New DoD Protections Against Counterfeit Parts: Is Your Company Ready?” L2 Federal Resources Webinar (August 8, 2013)
  • “Federal Contract Terminations: Preparing for the New Era of Budget Cuts,” L2 Federal Resources Webinar (December 2012)
  • “Suspension and Debarment,” Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Legal Seminar (December 2012)
  • “Suspension and Debarment: Increased Enforcement Calls for Increased Attention to Compliance,” L2 Federal Resources Webinar (August 9, 2012)
  • “Panning for Gold in an Era of Tightened Budgets,” ABA Section of Public Contract Law’s 6th Annual State and Local Procurement Symposium (May 13, 2011)
  • “The Universal Problem with Small Business Compliance: Spotting Risks and Finding Solutions,” Webinar (April 7, 2011)
  • “Strategies for Smart Growth and Driving Revenue” (October 2010)

Publications

  • “News Alert: Suspension & Debarment – Preparing for the Coming Storm,” (March 16, 2012)
  • “Mandatory Disclosure Rules for Government Contractors,” Executive Counsel Magazine (April/May 2011)

Client Alerts & Newsletters

  • “Proposed FAR Rule to Expand Requirements for Reporting Nonconforming Items,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (June 11, 2014)
  • “Eleventh Circuit OK’s Suspension of Affiliates Beyond 18 Months,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (January 8, 2014)
  • “SUSPEND Act Gets Moving,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (November 13, 2013)
  • “In Texas, Exclusive Means Exclusive,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (June 20, 2013)
  • “DoD’s Proposed Counterfeit Electronic Parts Rules Are Short on Details,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (May 22, 2013)
  • “Teaming Agreements: Date or Marriage?” Government Contracts Bullet Points (May 16, 2013)
  • “DoD Tightens Counterfeit Prevention Policy,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (May 2, 2013)
  • “Proposed Consolidation of Civilian Suspension and Debarment Offices,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (February 12, 2013)
  • “Davis-Bacon Violation Leads to FCA Liability,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (October 16, 2012)
  • “31-Month Suspension of Affiliates Violates FAR,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (July 6, 2012)
  • “New Pro-Competitive Restrictions on DoD Prototype Line Items and Options,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (June 18, 2010)
  • “‘Rebalancing’ the Federal Workforce,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (May 6, 2010)
  • “Mandatory Suspension/Debarment Review for ‘Poorly Performing’ Contractors,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (March 23, 2010)
  • “DoD Implements Franken Amendment for Non-Commercial Contracts,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (March 4, 2010)
  • “No Warranty Without Express Language,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (February 24, 2010)
  • “Check For Weed,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (February 19, 2010)
  • “Agencies May Not Rely on Flawed DCAA Audits,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (February 4, 2010)
  • “3 Days for Contractor ARRA Comments,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (October 13, 2009)
  • “Contingency Contractor Beware,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (October 29, 2008)
  • “Beware the Cooperative Agreement,” Government Contracts Bullet Points (April 21, 2008)

Media Mentions

Publications
Media Mentions & Firm News
Accolades

Chambers USA — Government Contracts (2023-2026)

JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award — Top Author, Government Contracts (2026, 2018)

Accolades

Chambers USA — Government Contracts (2023-2026)

JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award — Top Author, Government Contracts (2026, 2018)

Representative Bid Protest Matters That Have Resulted In Published Decisions

  • Safeguard Base Operations, LLC v. United States, B&O Joint Venture, LLC, 989 F.3.d 1326 (Fed. Cir. 2021), reh’g and reh’g en banc denied per curium, No. 2019-2261 (Fed. Cir. May 20, 2021) – Successfully defended against appeal of Court of Federal Claims decision denying protest of $77 million 8(a) small business set-aside award by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for dormitory services.
  • Candor Solutions, LLC, B-418670.2, et al.: Jan. 19, 2021, 2021 CPD ¶ 27  – Successfully defended against protest of a Customs and Border Protection service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-aside task order award to Patriot, LLC for information technology services for 65,000 federal employees worldwide. The award had previously been made to Candor Solutions, LLC, but that award decision was reversed after corrective action in response to a protest by Patriot, LLC.
  • CWU, Inc., B-417015.17, Mar. 9, 2020, 2020 CPD ¶ 94 – Successfully recovered costs after the Army took corrective action in response to a 2019 protest of an $800 million Department of the Army task order award to Valiant Government Services, LLC for linguist support services.
  • The Green Tech. Grp., LLC v. United States, 147 Fed. Cl. 231 (2020) – Successfully protested Defense Health Agency award of a $64 million contract for information technology services.
  • Safeguard Base Operations, LLC v. United States, B&O Joint Venture, LLC, 792 Fed. Appx. 945 (Fed. Cir. 2019) – Successfully defended against appeal of Court of Federal Claims decision denying challenge to an override of a stay of performance the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of a $77 million 8(a) small business set-aside award for dormitory services.
  • Safeguard Base Operations, LLC v. United States, B&O Joint Venture, LLC, 144 Fed. Cl. 304 (2019) – Successfully defended against protest of $77 million 8(a) small business set-aside award by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for dormitory services.
  • Safeguard Base Operations, LLC, B415588.6, et al., Dec. 14, 2018, 2018 CPD ¶ 426 – Successfully defended against protest of $77 million 8(a) small business set-aside award by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for dormitory services.
  • Safeguard Base Operations, LLC v. United States, B&O Joint Venture, LLC, ­­­140 Fed. Cl. 670 (2018) – Successfully defended against a challenge to an override of a stay of performance by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of a $77 million 8(a) small business set-aside award for dormitory services.
  • Ascella Technologies Inc., B-412679, et al., Apr. 27, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 123 – Successfully defended against protest of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) award of a $28 million contract for information technology business support services.
  • B&B Medical Services, Inc.; Ed Medical, Inc., B-409705.4, et al., June 29, 2015, 2015 CPD ¶ 198  – Successfully protested Department of Veterans Affairs award of a multi-million dollar home oxygen supply contract.
  • Strategic Intelligence Group, LLC, B-410881.3, June 23, 2015, 2015 CPD ¶ 203 – Successfully defended against protest of a U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command award of a $143 million contract for linguist support services.
  • Computech, Inc., B-409195.2, et al., July 29, 2014, 2014 CPD ¶ 256 – Successfully defended against protest of a Federal Communications Commission award of a contract for auction bidding software.
  • Career Innovations, LLC, B-404377.4, May 24, 2011, 2011 CPD ¶ 111 – Successfully defended against protest of a Department of Labor small business set-aside award of a Job Corps outreach and admissions services contract.
  • CMI Management, Inc., B-402172, Jan. 26, 2010, 2010 CPD ¶ 65 – Successfully defended against protest of a Department of Homeland Security award of a $120 million administrative support services contract.
  • McKissack+Delcan JV II, B-401973.2, et al., Jan. 13, 2010, 2010 CPD ¶ 28 – Successfully protested Department of Transportation rejection of a proposal in a procurement for program management oversight services.
  • Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc., B-298694.7, June 22, 2007, 2007 CPD ¶ 124 – Successfully defended against protest of a $1 billion Department of the Navy award of a global contingency construction contract.
  • L-3 Communications Titan Corporation, B-299317, et al., Mar. 29, 2007, 2007 CPD ¶ 66 – Successfully protested Department of the Army award of a $4.65 billion contract for linguistic services in Iraq.
  • Cooley/Engineered Membranes; GTA Containers, Inc., B-294896.2, et al., Jan. 21, 2005, 2005 CPD ¶ 22 – Successfully protested Department of the Air Force award of a small business set-aside contract for collapsible fuel containment bladders.

Related Services

Related Industries

  • Georgetown University Law Center - LL.M., 2003

    With Distinction

  • Georgetown University Law Center - J.D., 2002

    cum laude

  • University of St. Andrews (Scotland) - M.A., 1997

    With Honors

Education
  • Georgetown University Law Center - LL.M., 2003

    With Distinction

  • Georgetown University Law Center - J.D., 2002

    cum laude

  • University of St. Andrews (Scotland) - M.A., 1997

    With Honors

  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Admissions
  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Richard Arnholt Chambers 2026

"Richard Arnholt is frequently retained by government contractors in bid protests and claims litigation. He demonstrates further capability in handling FCA matters." Client feedback: "Richard has truly been a godsend during a time of intense instability. He has been an invaluable resource." and "Richard is top-notch in all respects. He's knowledgeable of government contracts and commercially focused."

From Chambers USA 2026