Scott S. Sheffler advises clients on matters of federal grant law and government contract law. He leverages his experience in each area to provide comprehensive business-oriented solutions in complex federal compliance environments.

In the area of federal grant law, Mr. Sheffler assists clients with the myriad requirements that apply upon acceptance of federal grant funding, including those established in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), the Office of Management and Budget Circulars that preceded the Uniform Guidance, and program-specific statutory and regulatory funding conditions.

Mr. Sheffler regularly assists clients with compliance, strategic planning, transactional matters, audit resolution, internal investigations, and disputes with federal and state funding agencies.

As the firm’s Government Contracts practice leader, Mr. Sheffler advises clients on matters of both federal and District of Columbia procurement law, including contract claims, subcontract negotiations, small business regulations and domestic sourcing requirements.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Sheffler practiced with the U.S. Navy Office of General Counsel, advising on government contract matters and government investigations. He began his legal career as an officer in the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps where he advised Commanders on administrative, criminal and operational law matters and represented individual clients in administrative and criminal defense proceedings. Mr. Sheffler leverages his experience to assist mission-driven clients in successfully navigating the highly regulated federal system and in weathering unexpected adverse situations.

Representative Matters

  • Cost disallowance and grant termination appeals before the HHS Departmental Appeals Board;
  • Audit resolution and administrative appeals within other federal agencies and before state passthrough agencies;
  • Guiding clients through federal agency audits and investigations from routine audit responses, to replying to agency subpoenas, to negotiating resolution of alleged compliance failures;
  • Assisting clients in structuring federally funded projects in social service delivery programs, conservation programs, and scientific research programs, ensuring relationships fit their commercial and non-commercial needs; and
  • Advising clients generally on matters of federal grant and contract related compliance, including the drafting and implementation of organizational policies and procedures.

Published Works

  • Scott S. Sheffler, Michael B. Glomb, Joseph P. Loman, Preparing for SBA Questions in the Loan Forgiveness Process, Feldesman Leifer LLP (March 2021)
  • Scott S. Sheffler, A Reasoned Case for a “Grant Disputes Act”, Public Contract Law Journal, Volume 47, No. 2 (Winter 2018)
  • Scott S. Sheffler, A Balancing Act: State Participation In Free Trade Agreements With “Sub-Central” Procurement Obligations, Public Contract Law Journal, Volume 44, No. 4 (Summer 2015)
  • Scott S. Sheffler, Ordinarily Improper: National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius Shows the Fallacy of De Facto Federal Regulation through Grant Conditions, Journal of the National Grants Management Association, Volume 21, No. 2 (Summer 2014)

Previous Experience

  • Department of Navy, Office of General Counsel, Military Sealift Command Office of Counsel (2011-2014)
  • U.S. Navy, Judge Advocate General’s Corps (2005-2011)

 

A headshot of Scott S. Sheffler, Partner

Education

  • LL.M., The George Washington University Law School (2017)
  • J.D., University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law (2005)
  • B.A., The George Washington University (2002)

Bar/Court Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • Federal District Court for the District of Columbia

Professional Memberships / Affiliations

  • American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Journal, Associate Editor
  • American Bar Association, Public Contract Law Section, Grant Law Committee, Vice Chair
  • National Grants Management Association, President, Board of Directors