Profile
Cara advises government contractors on legal issues spanning the entire lifecycle of government contracts, from bid protests and contract compliance to claims and disputes and terminations.
Cara regularly assists commercial item contractors and GSA Schedule contractors with navigating the unique challenges facing them.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Regularly prosecutes and defends bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC), and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Also has experience with state and local protests.
- Represents government contractors in disputes with the federal government, including claims under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA) and appeals of contracting officer final decisions to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA).
- Assists GSA Schedule contractors with investigations into potential defective pricing issues or noncompliance with the Price Reductions Clause (PRC). Advises on other GSA Schedule issues, including Contractor Team Arrangements (CTA) and reseller relationships.
- Counsels clients on domestic preference requirements and country of origin compliance issues under the Buy American Act (BAA) and Trade Agreements Act (TAA).
- Advises clients in negotiation of teaming and subcontracting agreements and prime-subcontractor disputes.
Professional Experience
- Law Clerk, Dallas County Public Defender’s Office (2013)
- Congressional Intern, Office of Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), U.S. House of Representatives (2011)
Affiliations
- American Bar Association (ABA), Section of Public Contract Law
- Vice-Chair, Bid Protest Committee
Recognitions
- Named one of DC’s “Rising Stars” for Government Contracts by Super Lawyers magazine (2018-2020, 2022)
- Included in The Best Lawyers in America directory of “Ones to Watch” for Government Relations Practice (2023)
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
J.D., cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center
B.S., University of Oklahoma; Phi Beta Kappa
Law Journals
Executive Notes Development Editor, The Tax Lawyer
Bar and Court Memberships
- District of Columbia Bar
- Maryland Bar
Related News & Insights
- AlertOMB Issues Proposed Guidance on Requirement for U.S.-Produced Construction Materials in Infrastructure ProjectsKevin J. Maynard, Cara L. SizemoreFebruary 9, 2023
- EventUpdating Your Policies and Procedures – Have You Made the Necessary Changes?Public Contracting Institute Federal Grants FundamentalsNovember 2, 2022
- NewsletterNew ‘Advisory Down Select’ Evaluation Approach Alters Contractors’ Protest CalculusGovernment Contracts Issue UpdateOctober 2022
- AlertDepartment of Defense Issues Interim Rule Requiring Disclosure of Chinese Workforce and FacilitiesKevin J. Maynard, Hon. Nazak Nikakhtar, Cara L. Sizemore, Lisa RechdenAugust 31, 2022