Communicating with Government Contracting Officials: What Can (and Should) Contractors Really Say and Do? (2026 Update)
Format: Live webinar (on-demand recording available on October 8, 2026)
Date: September 29, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Duration: Approx. 90 minutes
Presented by: Nicole Pottroff and John Holtz (Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC)
Learning Credits: 1.5 CPEs, 1.5 ATCs
*Your registration includes access to the on-demand recording.
Clear, rule-based communication with contracting officers and agency officials helps contractors clarify solicitation questions, resolve performance issues, negotiate contract changes, and preserve business relationships. But when communications are mishandled, they can create unauthorized commitments, violate gratuities and conflict-of-interest rules, and lead to contract disputes or protests.
In this webinar, government contracts attorneys Nicole Pottroff and John Holtz debunk some of the most common myths and misunderstandings held by contractors, including when and how contractors can communicate one-on-one with a contracting officer, who has authority to modify a contract, what to do when an unauthorized official gives instructions, how the government gratuities rules differ from standard commercial practice, and much more.
Target Audience: Proposal and capture managers, contract managers, business development staff, small-business owners, legal and compliance advisors
Speakers
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John HoltzPartner, Koprince McCall Pottroff LLCJohn is a Partner at Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC, where he advises small businesses navigating the complexities of federal government contracting. His practice focuses on FAR and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) compliance, SBA certifications, and transactional matters including joint ventures, subcontracts, mentor-protégé agreements, and teaming agreements. John maintains an active litigation practice, regularly representing clients in bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the United States Court of Federal Claims (COFC), as well as in size and status protests and preparing claims. In addition to his client work, John is a frequent author on government contracting issues for SmallGovCon.com. He can be reached at jholtz@koprince.com.
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Nicole PottroffEquity Partner, Koprince McCall Pottroff LLCNicole D. Pottroff is an equity partner with Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC. Nicole’s practice focuses exclusively on federal government contract law. She helps clients understand and comply with the complex regulatory provisions unique to federal contracting, including the FAR, DFARS, and SBA small business, 8(a) Program, WOSB/EDWOSB, SDVOSB/VOSB, and HUBZone regulations, among others. Nicole also assists clients by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating joint venture agreements, mentor-protégé agreements, teaming agreements, subcontracts, social disadvantage narratives, and other critical documents. On the litigation side, Nicole has also played a key role in numerous GAO bid protests, Court of Federal Claims protests, SBA size and status protests, appeals before the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals, matters before the Boards of Contract Appeals, and even a protest appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Nicole covers government contracting legal topics regularly on SmallGovCon.com. You can contact Nicole by email at npottroff@koprince.com.
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