Lobbying

Corruption and ethics reform have become prominent campaign issues, with proposals spanning congressional stock trading, lobbying, campaign finance, and political spending. No specific bill, enacted change, funding opportunity, or acquisition action is identified, so contractors face a potential legislative and oversight issue—not an immediate change to procurement requirements.

More than 40 technology companies registered federal lobbying activity after Canada launched Digital Transformation Canada, a new agency modernizing government tech procurement. No solicitation or contract value has been announced, signaling advocacy-stage industry engagement rather than an active bid opportunity.

Turkey's Defense Ministry has contracted Ballard Partners for $2.4 million to influence U.S. defense policy through strategic consulting. The contract aims to address Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program and related sanctions that affect defense procurement activities between the two nations.

The Department of Defense's new deviation enhances contracting prohibitions related to Chinese military entities and their lobbyists. Contractors must now comply with expanded due diligence requirements that could involve significant risk exposure under the False Claims Act.