Sarah E.Barney

Sarah provides strategic, detail-oriented counsel throughout the bid protest lifecycle—from debriefings to pre- and post-award protests and corrective action. She is known for her ability to quickly assess protest viability, develop persuasive arguments, and navigate the procedural complexities of federal procurement disputes.

In addition to her bid protest work, Sarah advises clients on FAR compliance, contract formation and administration, GSA Schedule contracting, and small business program eligibility. Sarah has extensive experience reviewing prime contracts and subcontracts to help clients navigate their contract obligations and negotiate terms that protect their interests while maximizing their opportunities.

Sarah also has an active ethics and compliance practice, with a focus on internal investigations targeting a wide range of issues unique to public procurement. Sarah regularly partners with in-house counsel and business development teams to support internal training and compliance risk-spotting efforts, with a focus on translating complicated procurement concepts into understandable and actionable knowledge.

Recognized for her litigation skills and knowledge of federal procurement law, Sarah frequently writes and speaks on bid protest trends, procurement integrity, and contractor best practices.

Sarah regularly represents contractors in bid protests at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Court of Federal Claims, with a focus on compliance with domestic sourcing requirements under the Buy American Act, Trade Agreement Act, and various Buy America regulatory schemes. Sarah advises both traditional federal contractors and commercial companies who are new to federal procurement requirements.