Sylvia Yi
Sylvia Yi represents businesses across a broad range of sectors as they move through the contracting process with federal, state and local governments, and when they engage in international transactions. Sylvia counsels public and private companies on day to day compliance challenges, and supports clients in responding to criminal and government investigations. She is a regular contributor to the firm’s Government Contracts & International Trade Blog, where she provides insight on the demanding and ever-changing regulatory environment.
More specifically, Sylvia’s practice encompasses:
- Government Contracts – Litigating bid protests and size protests, and guides clients through managing the government claims process and overseeing compliance in dealings with the federal government. She is well-versed in identifying red flag issues, reviewing contracts for compliance, analyzing merger and acquisitions risks and assisting with required filings with regulatory agencies.
- International Trade – Helping clients navigate the complex regulations associated with a global marketplace. Sylvia works closely with clients facing import and export, economic sanctions, and anti-bribery compliance issues, whether involving routine compliance questions or projects such as policy development and implementation, or more significant matters such as internal or government reviews or investigations. Sylvia also assists companies with national security matters involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) mitigation by the Defense Security Service.
- Compliance & Government Investigations/White-Collar Crime – Counseling clients globally through criminal and civil government enforcement matters and responding to federal, state or local government investigations.
Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, Sylvia assisted in drafting comprehensive course material specializing in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) for CLE approved training sessions for government contracting professionals. In law school, she was a procurement and acquisition law intern at the Department of Homeland Security and a judicial intern at the D.C. Contract Appeals Board.
Memberships
American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law — Executive Mentee to the Section Chair (2020–2021); Small Business and Other Socioeconomic Programs Committee, Vice Chair (2020–current); Diversity Committee, Vice Chair (2018-2020, 2021-current); Young Lawyers Committee, Vice Chair (2017-2019)
Representative Experience
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Representation of Gen Cap America, Inc., a private equity firm focused on lower middle market buyouts, on its acquisition of Lab Products, LLC and Hartford Systems, LLC (together, “Lab Products”) from Avidity Science, LLC. Lab Products is a leading manufacturer providing an extensive line of laboratory research animal housing and care equipment. This transaction marks Gen Cap America’s fourteenth acquisition from its seventh fund.
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Advise a public university system on compliance with the rules associated with grants and contracts from NIH, NSF, and the Department of Defense
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Representation of LFM Capital’s portfolio company, J&E Precision Tool, in its acquisition of Beranek, LLC, a precision manufacturer of technical components for the aerospace & defense, and space exploration markets
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Representation of Serco Inc., a provider of professional, technology, and management services, in its definitive agreement to acquire Whitney, Bradley & Brown, Inc., a leading provider of advisory, engineering and technical services to the US Military and H.I.G. Capital portfolio company, for $295 million.
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After a successful challenge last year to the award of a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) set aside task order for technology service desk operations by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP or the Agency), our government contracts team successfully defended the award of that task order after the re-evaluation to our client, Patriot, LLC. The challenge and subsequent successful defense of the award highlight the usefulness of the protest process, a process some contractors are hesitant to use.
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Representation of LFM Capital’s portfolio company, J&E Precision Tool, in its acquisition of Alloy Specialties Inc., a manufacturer of engine components for defense and commercial air and ground applications
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Representation of Gen Cap America, Inc. in the acquisition of Eastern Business Forms, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of diagnostic sample collection devices for governments and private companies around the globe
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Representation of Gen Cap America, Inc. in the sale of its portfolio company, Aero Systems Engineering, a provider of design and build test and wind tunnel facility solutions as well as lab testing services for jet engines and airframes
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Protests Filed on Behalf of Planned Systems International Resulted in Favorable Corrective Action for Client
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Two Pre-Award Bid Protests Filed on Behalf of HID Global Resulted in Favorable Corrective Action for Client
Publications
Past Events
Media Mentions & Firm News
Additional News & Insights
Publication:
- Note, State and Local Governments: Ditch the GSA Schedule and Do It Yourself, 44 Pub. Cont. L.J. 573 (Summer 2015)
Accolades
Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch — Government Relations Practice (2021-2022)
Public Contract Law Journal — Notes Editor & Technology Editor
2015 Government Contracts Moot Court Competition — Co-Chair
2014 Government Contracts Moot Court Competition — First Place
