Steven J. Koprince is the founder of Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC, now retired.  Steven’s legal practice focused exclusively on providing comprehensive legal services to federal government contractors.  Steven worked with hundreds of companies to help them achieve their government contracting goals.

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Steven was highly experienced in helping clients resolve government contracting disputes.  He successfully represented government contractors in GAO bid protests, SBA OHA size protests and appeals, 8(a) and service-disabled veteran-owned small business eligibility challenges, FAA ODRA protests, requests for equitable adjustment, claims, and contract appeals at the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, and U.S. Court of Federal Claims.  A believer that many contract disputes can most efficiently be resolved without litigation, Steven used the FAR’s Alternative Dispute Resolution processes, as well as informal dispute resolution methods, to amicably resolve disputes between contractors and the government.

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In addition to helping government contractors resolve legal disputes, Steven helped contractors address compliance issues arising under the FAR, SBA size and affiliation regulations, and other government contracting laws.  Steven worked closely with contractors to help them gain, maintain and successfully use powerful  federal contracting preference programs like the 8(a) Business Development Program, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Program, HUBZone Program and Women-Owned Small Business Program.  A believer that good documents help reduce future disputes, Steven helped contractors negotiate powerful and compliant subcontracts, teaming agreements, and mentor-protege agreements.

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Steven is the author of The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts (AMACOM Books, 2012) and founded the blog SmallGovCon, where he wrote more than 1,100 posts on government contracting legal issues. Steven has also written comprehensive handbooks entitled Joint Ventures, SBA Size and Affiliation Rules, and The 8(a) Program.  Steven’s articles have appeared in leading legal and industry publications such as Contract Management Magazine, The Federal Lawyer and The Procurement Lawyer.

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Steven has been quoted in several national news outlets, has appeared on numerous radio programs and podcasts, and has spoken to dozens of audiences across the country on government contracting matters.  Steven also regularly presented web-based training in partnership with Govology.  A nine-time speaker at the national conference of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, Steven was honored as a “friend of APTAC” in 2016.

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Before founding Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC, Steven was partner at Petefish, Immel, Heeb & Hird, LLP in Lawrence, KS, focusing on federal government contracts and small business law.  He began his legal career working at firms in the Washington, DC area.  Steven is a graduate of Duke University and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary.

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Steven’s hobbies include playing with his kids, relaxing at the beach, reading, biking, pickleball (don’t knock it until you try it!), and attempting–with rather limited success–to dominate his fantasy football leagues.  Even if his Chicago Cubs never win another World Series, he’ll always have 2016.

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Speaking Engagements

• "8(a) Eligibility, Certification & Growth Strategies (2-Part Series)." Webinar, Online.

• "Compliant and Effective Teaming Agreements, Joint Ventures & Subcontracts (Three-Part Series)." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update 2021." UTSA PTAC Training, Online.

• "Understanding and Obtaining HUBZone Certification." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "Socio-Economic Summit – 8(a) Certification." Webinar, Online.

• "Misconceptions in Government Contracts." APTAC Spring 2021 Training Conference, Online.

• "Federal Government Contracts Legal Update." APTAC Spring 2021 Training Conference, Online.

• "Service Contract Act/Davis-Bacon Act 101." Webinar, Online.

• "Communicating with Government Contracting Officials: What Can (and Should) Contractors Really Say and Do?" Govology Webinar, Online.

• "Understanding the Eligibility Requirements for Federal Small Business Certifications – Update 2021." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "NDAA, EO’s and Contracting Opps in The Biden Administration." Hot Topics in Gov Con – Winter 2021 Session, Online.

• "Navigating the New Rules and Regs: Cliffs Notes Version." National 8(a) Association March Webinar, Online.

• "Panel-Accounting and Legal Aspects to Consider with SBIRs." Catalyst SBIR Summit, Online.

• "The Federal Acquisition Regulation 101." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "The Ins and Outs of the HUBZone Program: A Legal Overview." Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network/OK PTAC HUBZone Awareness Workshop, Owasso, OK.

• "2020 Government Contracts Year-End Review." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "How to Set Up Your SAM Profile–Properly!" Govology Webinar, Online.

• "Small Business Contracting Update & 2021 Preview." NCMA Boston Webinar, Online.

• "COVID-19: A Proactive Response for Federal Contractors." UTSA SBC Center for Government Contracting Webinar, Online.

• "Limitations on Subcontracting: A Step-by-Step Compliance Guide." APTAC 2020 Virtual Fall National Conference, Online.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update 2020." University of Texas at San Antonio PTAC Webinar, Online.

• "SBA Small Business Affiliation Rules." Iowa CIRAS PTAC Webinar, Online.

• "2019 Government Contracts Year-End Review." Govology Webinar,  Online.

• "Big Changes for Small Contractors: 2019 Legal Update." APTAC's 2019 Spring Training Conference, Reno, NV.

• "Joint Venture and Teaming Agreements." Meet the Buyers Conference, Omaha, NE. 

• "Government Contracting Ethics." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "2018 Federal Contracting Year End Review." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "Understanding the Value of Your Set Aside Contracts and How Do You Navigate after You Have Graduated to the Free and Open Market." Buy, Build, and Sell: A Conference for Small Federal Government Contractors with Set-Asides (panelist), Washington, D.C.

• "Dealing with Government Contracting Officials: What Can You Really Say and Do?" Kansas PTAC Event, Overland Park, KS.

• "The SBA All Small Mentor-Protégé Program: Myths, Realities, and Opportunities." Jennifer Schaus Fed Gov Con Webinar, Online.

• "Big Changes for Small Business: 2018 Government Contracts Legal Update." ICBS SHOW 2018, Norman, OK.

• "Dealing with Government Contracting Officials: What Can You Really Say and Do?" Kansas PTAC Event, Wichita, KS.

• "Small Business Legal Issues." Department of the Navy Gold Coast 2018 (panelist), San Diego, CA.

• "Top 10 Legal Issues for Small Businesses." Kansas PTAC Event, Overland Park, KS.

• "Understanding and Leveraging Teaming & JV Structures." Govology Mentor-Protégé Masterclass, Online.

• "Top 10 Legal Issues for Small Businesses." Kansas PTAC Event, Wichita, KS.

• "Top 10 Legal Issues for Small Businesses." 17th Annual DOE Small Business Forum & Expo, Houston, TX.

• "Big Changes for Small Contractors: 2018 Government Contracts Legal Update." Flint & Genesee Meet the Buyer, Flint, MI.

• "Mentor-Protégé Agreements & JVs: Myths, Realities and Opportunities." 2018 Alliance Northwest, Puyallup, WA.

• "2018 NDAA and Beyond: Government Contracts Legal Update." APTAC 2018 Spring Training Conference, Jacksonville, FL.

• "Navigating the Mentor-Protege Process Including JVs & the New SBA All Small Program." National 8(a) Association 2018 Small Business Conference, Nashville, TN. 

• "2017 Federal Contracting Year End Review." Govology Webinar, Online. 

• "The Non-Manufacturer Rule." 2017 National Veterans Small Business Engagement, St. Louis, MO. 

• "Future of Government Contracting." NACA 2017 Federal Contracting Policy and Advocacy Conference, (panelist), Washington, D.C.

• "The SBA's All-Small Mentor-Protege Program." Kansas PTAC Event, Wichita, KS. 

• "Joint Ventures and Teaming Agreements." PTAC Procurement Symposium, Sandy, UT. 

• "Game Changers: Mentor-Protégé, Joint Venture, and Teaming Strategies." Omaha PTAC Training, Omaha, NE.

• "The SBA’s New “All Small” Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program." Department of the Navy Gold Coast 2017, San Diego, CA.

• "The Future of Federal Contracting." 21st Annual Government Procurement Conference, Arlington, TX.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update." ICBS SHOW 2017, Norman, OK.

• "The 2017 NDAA and Beyond: Government Contracts Legal Update." APTAC Spring 2017 Training Conference, San Diego, CA.

• "Big Changes for Small Business: JVs, Teaming, MPAs & More." SAME 2017 Small Business Symposium, Bremerton, WA.

• “SBA Socioeconomic Set-Aside Programs: What Contractors Need to Know." Kansas PTAC, Wichita, KS & Overland Park, KS.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update 2017." 16th Annual DOE Small Business Forum & Expo, Kansas City, MO.

• "Recent Changes In The Small Business Programs." 2017 Industry Day, Omaha, NE.

• "Recent Developments In Government Contracting." North Dakota PTAC Event, Fargo, ND.

• "The SBA’s New All Small Mentor-Protégé Program." Alliance Northwest 2017, Puyallup, WA.

• "Federal Socioeconomic Preference Programs: A Native Perspective." National RES Conference, Las Vegas, NV. 

• "Two Is Better Than One: JVs, MPs, and Teaming Agreements." National 8(a) Conference, Orlando, FL.

• "The Ins and Outs of the Nonmanufacturer Rule." NVSBE 2016, Minneapolis, MN.

• "SDVOSB Joint Ventures: A Legal Primer." NVSBE 2016, Minneapolis, MN.

• "SBA Size and Socioeconomic Programs: Myths vs. Realities." NVSBE 2016, Minneapolis, MN.

• "Effective and Compliant Teaming Agreements." NVSBE 2016, Minneapolis, MN.

• "SBA Size and Socioeconomic Programs: Myths vs. Realities." Meet the Buyers Government Contracting Conference, Omaha, NE.

• "Federal Government Contracts: Myths vs. Realities." Iowa Vendor Conference, Des Moines, IA.

• "2016 Federal Government Contracting Issues Update." ICBS SHOW 2016, Norman, OK. 

• "Big Changes for Small Business: Government Contracts Legal Update 2016." 20th Annual Government Procurement Conference, Arlington, TX.

• "Recent (and Pending) Government Contracting Rule Changes." Kansas PTAC, Wichita, KS. 

• "The SBA's New "Universal" Small Business Mentor-Protege Program." Govology Webinar, Online.

• "SDVOSB Updated: Kingdomware, SBA Rules & More." Koprince Law Webinar, Online.

• "Big Changes for Small Businesses: 2016 Government Contracts Legal Update." Midwest Small Business Procurement Symposium, Moline, IL.

• "Federal Government Contracts: Big Changes for Small Business." Idaho Small Business Symposium, Fort Hall, ID.

• "Legal Aspects of Federal Contract JVs & Teams: The Big Picture." Grapevine, TX. 

• "Myth vs. Reality: SBA Size & Socioeconomic Programs."  APTAC Spring Conference, St. Louis, MO.

• "Government Contracts: Key Labor & Employment Rules." Kansas PTAC, Overland Park, KS.

• "The Buy Indian Act: 106 Years (And Counting) of Frustration." Govology Webinar Series, Online.

• "SDBOSB JVs, Teaming & Subcontracting." National Veterans Small Business Engagement, Pittsburgh, PA.

• "The Ins and Outs of the Nonmanufacturer Rule." National Veterans Small Business Engagement, Pittsburgh, PA.

• "The SBA's Proposed New "Universal" Mentor-Protege Program." National Veterans Small Business Engagement, Pittsburgh, PA.

• "The NDAA, SBA's Proposed Regulations, and Beyond." Utah PTAC Procurement Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT.

• "Recent Developments in Government Contracting." ICBS SHOW, Norman, OK.

• "Commercial Acquisitions vs. Negotiated Procurements." Kansas PTAC Event, Wichita, KS & Overland Park, KS.

• "The SBA's Proposed New 'Universal' Mentor-Protege Program." Federal Contracting: The Next Level Conference, Glen Ellyn, IL.

• "The NDAAs, the SBA’s Proposed Rules, and Beyond." APTAC Spring Conference, Denver, CO.

• "SBA Government Contracting Rules: Big Changes are Coming." Alliance Northwest Procurement Conference, Puyallup, WA.

• "GAO Bid Protests." National Veterans Small Business Engagement, Atlanta, GA.

• "Teaming & Joint Venturing on Federal Set-Aside Contracts." Holloman AFB Industry Day, Alamogordo, NM.

• "Communicating With Government Contracting Officials." Holloman AFB Industry Day, Alamogordo, NM.

• "GAO Bid Protests." Department of the Navy Gold Coast, San Diego, CA.

• "Joint Venturing & Teaming on HUBZone Contracts." National HUBZone Conference, Dulles, VA.

• "Prime/Subcontractor Teaming Agreements." ICBS SHOW, Norman, OK.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update 2014." 18th Annual Government Procurement Conference, Arlington, TX.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update 2014." Mid-America Government Industry Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update 2014." Midwest Small Business Government Contracting Symposium, Moline, IL.

• "Communicating With Government Contracting Officials." Kansas PTAC/SBDC, Wichita, KS & Overland Park, KS.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update 2014" (and Breakfast Keynote). Alliance Northwest Procurement Conference, Puyallup, WA.

• "Ethics in Government Contracting." APTAC National Conference, San Francisco, CA.

• "The Legal Benefits and Pitfalls of Teaming." Fort Bliss Regional Contracting Industry Day, Fort Bliss, TX.

• "Joint Ventures vs. Prime/Sub Teaming." 10th Annual Veterans Economic & Business Development Summit, Riverside, CA.

• "Legal Aspects of Teaming and Joint Venturing." Powering Up! Small Business Teams, Portland, OR & Seattle, WA.

• "The NDAA and Beyond: 2013 GovCon Legal Update." Midwest Small Business Government Contracting Symposium, Moline, IL.

• "Prime/Subcontractor Teaming for Small Businesses." Midwest Small Business Government Contracting Symposium, Moline, IL.

• "The NDAA and Beyond: Recent Legal Developments in Government Contracting." APTAC National Conference, Atlanta, GA.

• "Federal Mentor-Protege Programs: A Bird’s Eye View." Region 6 Town Hall, Oklahoma City, OK.

• "Best Practices for Remaining HUBZone Compliant." National HUBZone Conference, Washington, DC.

• "SDVOSB Joint Venturing, Teaming, and Subcontracting." 7th Annual Veterans Business Conference, El Paso, TX.

• "Complying with Key Federal Rules & Regulations." American Legion National Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

• "Joint Venturing, Teaming and Subcontracting on Federal Government Contracts." NC SBTDC Seminar, Charlotte, NC & Greensboro, NC.

• "The Concept of Responsibility in Federal Government Contracting." Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, Spring Conference, Seattle, WA.

• "Go, Team! Creating Compliant Prime/Subcontracting Teams on Small Business Set-Aside Procurements." Industry Day, Oklahoma City, OK.

• "The Ins and Outs of Joint Venture Agreements." DoD Mid-Atlantic Regional Council, Annapolis, MD.

• "The HUBZone Program: Six Myths Debunked." DoD Mid-Atlantic Regional Council, Annapolis, MD.

• "Government Contracts Legal Update: What’s New, What’s on the Horizon, and What It Means for Your Small Business." Idaho Business Opportunity Conference, Boise, ID.

• "Joint Venturing, Teaming and Subcontracting." Midwest Small Business Procurement Symposium, Moline, IL.

• "Are You a Small, Women-Owned, 8(a)/SDB, SDVO or HUBZone Firm? Prepare for Change in 2011." Alliance Northwest Procurement Conference, Puyallup, WA.

• "Ethics in Government Contracting." NCMA, Central Virginia Chapter.

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Publications

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• "The 8(a) Program: Koprince Law LLC GovCon Handbook Volume 4."  Amazon, 2019.

• “SDVOSB Contracts: The Verification Misconception–And Two Practical Tips.” Govology, 2019.

• “Limitations on Subcontracting for Nonmanufacturers: A Step-by-Step Compliance Guide.” Govology, 2019.

• “Limitations on Subcontracting for Manufacturers: Compliance in Four Steps.” Govology, 2019.

• “Limitations on Subcontracting for Construction Contractors: Compliance in Three Steps.” Govology, 2019.

• “Limitations on Subcontracting for Service Contractors: Compliance in Four Steps.” Govology, 2019.

• "SBA Small Business Size and Affiliation Rules: Koprince Law LLC GovCon Handbook Volume 2." Amazon, 2018.

• "SBA Mentor-Protégé Program and Joint Ventures: Myths vs. Realities." APTAC Connection eMagazine, 2018.

• "Agencies may use 'on-ramps' under BPAs, GAO confirms." Westlaw Journal, 2018.

• "Government Contracts Joint Ventures: Koprince Law LLC GovCon Handbook Volume 1." Co-Author. Amazon, 2018.

• "Familial relationship affiliation: SBA treats spouses as 'one party'." Westlaw Journal, 2017.

• "VA Issues Post-Kingdomware Acquistion Guidance." Westlaw Journal, 2016.

• "A Look At Rare GAO Decision On Bid Protest Abuse." Law360.com, 2016.

• "Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. v. United States." ABA Preview Magazine, 2016.

• "Kingdomware Gets Its Day in Court: Inside the Oral Arguments." Law360.com, 2016.

• "VA Floats Vet-Owned Contractor Program Changes." Law360.com, 2015.

• "Women-Owned Small Business Program Growing Pains." Contract Management Magazine, 2015.

• "The Buy Indian Act: 105 Years (And Counting) of Frustration." Law360.com, 2015.

• "Will the Supreme Court Put 'Veterans First' in the Kingdomware Case?" Law360.com, 2015.

• "New Mentor-Protege Programs a ‘Priority’ for SBA." Set-Aside Alert, 2014.

• "Small Government Contractors: 2012 Legal Year in Review." The Procurement Lawyer, 2013.

• The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts. AMACOM Books, 2012.

• "Go, Team! Creating Compliant Prime/Subcontractor Teams on Small Business Set-Aside Contracts." Contract Management Magazine, 2011.

• "The HUBZone Program: Six Myths Debunked." Set-Aside Alert, 2011.

• "Restrictions on Gifts to Federal Employees from Government Contractors." Nolo.com, 2011.

• "Staying Small and SBA’s New Size Standards." Set-Aside Alert, 2011.

• "SBA Small Business Size Protests: How to Prepare and File." Nolo.com, 2011.

• "Federal Small Business Contract Eligibility: Is Your Business ‘Small’?" Nolo.com, 2011.

• "Past Performance: Three Ways for New Businesses to Improve Their Scores." Set-Aside Alert, 2009. Reprinted by the Naval Sea Systems Command’s small business office.

• "As Agencies’ Use of IDIQ Contracts Expands, Will Increased Contractor Protest Rights Follow?" The Procurement Lawyer, 2009.

• "Beating Rich: Three Ways to Recover Attorneys’ Fees Under the Miller Act." The Federal Lawyer, 2009. Republished in The Clause, the quarterly publication of the Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association.

• "Bonding Assistance for Construction Contracts: The Affiliation Problem." Set-Aside Alert, 2009.

• "The Slow Erosion of Suretyship Principles: An Uncertain Future for Pay-When-Paid and Pay-if-Paid Clauses in Public Construction Subcontracts." Public Contract Law Journal, 2008. Cited by the Court of Appeals of Ohio in JJO Construction, Inc. v. Penrod, No. 93230 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).

• "Fighting Back: Contractors Can Use Tort Law to Challenge Claims of Fraud, Deceit, and Dishonesty." Construction Risk Report, 2008.

• "Is Your Pay When Paid Clause Worthless?" Constructor Magazine, 2008.

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