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MoFo Advises BlueHalo on Government Contracts Matters Related to Its Sale to AeroVironment

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Morrison Foerster advised BlueHalo, a purpose-built platform that Arlington Capital Partners developed to address the growing national security threats, on government contracts aspects of its acquisition by AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV), a technology solutions provider at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence.

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Morrison Foerster advised BlueHalo, a purpose-built platform that Arlington Capital Partners developed to address the growing national security threats, on government contracts aspects of its acquisition by AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV), a technology solutions provider at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence. The all-stock transaction with a transaction enterprise value of approximately $4.1 billion is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory and AV shareholder approvals as well as other customary closing conditions.The combined company will have a broad portfolio of high-growth franchises, powered by cutting-edge technology and focused on addressing the most important priorities and needs of our nation and allies around the globe. Formed in 2019, BlueHalo provides industry-leading capabilities in several key mission areas: Space Technologies, Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (cUAS), Directed Energy, Electronic Warfare, Cyber, Artificial Intelligence, and other Emerging Technologies including Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).The MoFo team advising BlueHalo was led by Washington D.C. government contracts partner Damien Specht, with support from Washington D.C. government contracts associates Nicole Giles, Caitlin Crujido and Liam Bowers; and San Francisco technology transactions associate Eddy Zheng.Read the <a href="https://arlingtoncap.com/news/arlington-capital-partners-to-sell-bluehalo-to-aerovironment/" target="_blank">press release</a>.

MoFo Advises BlueHalo on Government Contracts Matters Related to Its Sale to AeroVironment

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Damien is a partner in the firm’s Government Contracts & Public Procurement practice. Damien represents clients in all facets of government contracts transactions, as well as regulatory counseling, subcontract and teaming agreement negotiations, contract disputes, size protests, and protests. Damien has been recognized as a leading Government Contracts lawyer by various publications. Chambers USA explains that he “is a strong choice for advising government contractors on M&A transactions,” with sources saying that he has “excellent knowledge of government contracts M&A” and that “his biggest strength is that he is very commercial, thinking about both the legal and business side of things.” National Law Journal named him a Trailblazer and found that federal lawmakers turn to him when they “need expert advice about small-business policy.”Damien has played a significant role in more than 200 government contracts transactions, representing industry leaders, private-equity firms and entrepreneurs. He also regularly serves as lead counsel in high-stakes litigation, including pre- and post-award protests at the GAO, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and state tribunals, as well as in size protests and appeals.The co-editor of books on small business litigation and government contracts transactions, Damien was a founding member of the ABA Public Contract Law Section Mergers and Acquisitions Committee and serves in the leadership of the American Bar Association Small Business & Other Socioeconomic Programs Committee. Damien has testified about procurement issues before the United States House of Representatives.<h4>GAO PUBLISHED DECISIONS</h4><ul><li>Dawson Solutions, LLC, B-418587, B-418587.2, Jun. 19, 2020, 2020 CPD ¶ 216</li><li>LATA-Atkins Technical Services, LLC, B-418602,B-418602.4, Jun. 10, 2020, 2020 WL 3265159</li><li>Inquiries, Inc., B-418486, B-418486.2, B-418486.3, May 27, 2020, 2020 WL 3034820</li><li>BEAT, LLC, B-418235, B-418235.2, Jan.30, 2020, 2020 CPD ¶ 64</li><li>Battelle Memorial Institute, B-416263.5, Jan. 23, 2020, 2020 WL 508726</li><li>ASRC Federal Data Network Technologies, LLC, B-418028; B-418028.2, Dec. 26, 2019, 2019 WL 7370424</li><li>IPKeys Technologies, LLC, B-416873.2, B-416873.3, Apr. 5, 2019, 2019 CPD ¶138</li><li>ActioNet, Inc., B-416557.4, February 27, 2019, 2019 CPD ¶ 97</li><li>Advanced Software Systems, Inc., B-414892.2, B-414892.3, B-414892.4, B-414892.5, B-414892.6, Jan. 7, 2019, 2019 CPD ¶ 51</li><li>Chenega Healthcare Services, LLC, B-416158, Jun. 4, 2018, 2018 CPD ¶ 200</li><li>Federal Acquisition Services Alliant JV, LLC, B-415406.2, B-415406.3, April 11, 2018, 2018 CPD ¶ 139</li><li>VT Halter Marine, Inc., B-415510.2, B-415510.3, B-415510.4, Jan. 24, 2018, 2018 CPD ¶ 62</li><li>OBXtek, Inc., B-415258, Dec. 12, 2017, 2017 CPD ¶ 381</li><li>Katmai Health Services, LLC, B-413816.3, Jul. 12, 2017, 2017 CPD¶ 220</li><li>Verdi Consulting, Inc., B-414103.2, B-414103.3, B-414103.4, Apr. 26, 2017, 2017 CPD ¶ 136</li><li>Threat Management Group, LLC, B-413729, Dec. 21, 2016, 2017 CPD ¶ 9</li><li>Analytic Strategies LLC; Gemini Industries, Inc.; B-413758.2, B-413758.3, Nov. 28, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 340</li><li>Kollsman, Inc., B-413485, B-413485.2, B-413485.3, Nov. 8, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 326</li><li>The Boeing Company, B-412441, Feb. 16, 2016, 2016 CPD ¶ 269</li><li>Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., B-411359; B-411359.2, Jun. 16, 2015, 2015 CPD¶ 219</li><li>IAP World Services, Inc.; EMCOR Government Services, B-407917.2, B-407917.3, B-407917.4, B-407917.5, B-407917.6, B-407917.7, 2013 CPD ¶ 171</li><li>AT&T Government Solutions, Inc. , B-406926, B-406926.2, B-406926.3, B-406926.4, B-406926.5, B-406926.6, 2013 CPD ¶ 88</li><li>Weibel Equipment, Inc., B-406888, B-406888.2, 2012 CPD ¶ 279</li><li>O'Gara Training and Services, LLC, B-404901.2, 2011 CPD ¶ 171</li><li>Harrington, Moran, Barksdale, Inc., B-401934.2, B-401934.3, 2010 CPD ¶ 231</li><li>CIGNA Government Services, LLC, B-401068.4, B-401068.5, 2010 CPD ¶ 230</li><li>ITT Corporation, Systems Division, B-310102.6, B-310102.7, B-310102.8, B-310102.9, 2010 CPD ¶ 12</li><li>FedSys, Inc., B-401453, 2009 CPD ¶ 181</li><li>Academy Facilities Management, B-401094.3, 2009 CPD ¶ 139</li><li>Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., B-400771; B-400771.2, 2009 CPD ¶ 49</li><li>TrailBlazer Health Enterprises, LLC, B-310801.6, B-310801.7, B-310801.10, 2013 CPD ¶ 204</li><li>Evans Security Solutions, Inc. , B-311035, 2008 CPD ¶ 58</li><li>DRS C3 Systems, LLC, B-310825; B-310825.2, 2008 CPD ¶ 103 </li></ul><h4>COFC PUBLISHED DECISIONS</h4><ul><li>HomeSource Real Estate Asset Servs. v. United States, No. 10-416 C, 94 Fed. Cl. 466 (Fed. Cl. 2010)</li><li>ACTA, LLC v. United States, No. 20-356C</li><li>Chenega Healthcare Servs., LLC v. United States, No. 18-861C, 141 Fed. Cl. 254 (Fed. Cl. 2019)</li><li>Trans Digital Techs., LLC v. United States, No. 18-121C, 138 Fed. Cl. 34 (Fed. Cl. 2018)</li><li>Precise Sys. v. United States, No. 14-1174C, 122 Fed. Cl. 263 (Fed. Cl. 2015)</li><li>Palladian Partners, Inc. v. United States, No. 14-317C, 119 Fed. Cl. 417 (Fed. Cl. 2014)</li><li>Pyramid Real Estate Servs., LLC v. United States, No. 10-599 C, 95 Fed. Cl. 613 (Fed. Cl. 2010)</li><li>Acad. Facilities Mgmt. v. United States, No. 09-302C, 87 Fed. Cl. 441 (Fed. Cl. 2009)</li><li>L-3 Communs. EOTech, Inc. v. United States, No. 08-515 C, 83 Fed. Cl. 643 (Fed. Cl. 2008)</li></ul>

Damien C. Specht

Partner

Nicole Giles is an associate in the Government Contracts practice in Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office.Nicole represents government contractors on various contract matters, including mergers and acquisitions, bid protests, contract claims and disputes, and compliance issues. Before joining the firm, she worked as a government contracts associate for a leading law firm and clerked for the U.S. Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.Nicole’s experience includes advising on mergers and acquisitions involving both the purchase and sale of government contracting concerns or related assets, including performing due diligence and negotiating purchase agreements; prosecuting and defending bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC); representing government contractors in disputes with the federal government, including appeals of contracting officer final decisions to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) and Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA); and counseling clients on various compliance issues, including those involving the Service Contract Act (SCA).Nicole graduated magna cum laude from Gettysburg College with a B.A. in History and Philosophy. She earned her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. While in law school, Nicole served as Editor-in-Chief of the Public Contract Law Journal and served as Co-Chair of the Judges Committee for the GW Law Moot Court Board. She also interned for the Honorable Thomas C. Wheeler at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and at the Bureau of Arms Control of the U.S. Department of State.

Nicole E. Giles

Associate

Caitlin Crujido is an associate in the Government Contracts practice in Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office.Caitlin represents government contractors in a full range of contract matters, including bid protests, contract claims and disputes, mergers and acquisitions, and internal and external investigations.In her litigation practice, Caitlin is often involved with the full life cycle of claims, from preparing requests for equitable adjustment to litigating claims disputes at the Boards of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC). She also regularly represents clients in pre- and post-award bid protests before procuring agencies, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and COFC. In addition, Caitlin has worked on a number of False Claims Act (FCA) investigations and qui tam actions. In her transactional practice, Caitlin’s experience includes advising on mergers and acquisitions involving both the purchase and sale of government contracting concerns or related assets. Beyond performing due diligence, negotiating purchase agreements, and assisting with post-transaction related filings, Caitlin takes a holistic view to these transactions, working with clients to navigate various strategic and legal considerations. Her practice also includes counseling clients on various compliance and regulatory issues, particularly in the areas of contract and subcontract management.Prior to joining the firm, Caitlin served as a law clerk for the U.S. Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.Caitlin graduated from the University of Arizona in 2012, receiving her B.A. in Political Science. In 2017, she earned her J.D. cum laude, from the American University Washington College of Law, where she was an articles editor for the American University Law Review. While in law school, Caitlin clerked at a large Washington, D.C. law firm in its government contracts practice group and interned with the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Tort Claims Act Section and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

Caitlin Crujido

Liam Bowers is an associate in the Government Contracts practice in Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office.Liam received his J.D. from the George Washington University Law School with high honors and a concentration in Government Procurement Law. He served as a member of the Public Contract Law Journal and was the recipient of the 2022 Murray J. Schooner Scholarship for Government Procurement Law. While in law school, he served as judicial intern to Judge Thompson Michael Dietz in the United States Court of Federal Claims and as a summer law clerk in the Department of the Navy, Office of General Counsel. Before joining the firm, he worked as a transactional associate at a leading law firm in New York.Liam received a B.A. in political science with a minor in environmental systems from the University of California, San Diego.

Liam Bowers

Eddy Zheng is an associate in the San Francisco office of Morrison Foerster and a member of the firm’s Technology Transactions Group.Before joining Morrison & Foerster’s Technology Transactions Group, Eddy was a summer associate in the San Francisco office during his 2L summer. During his 1L summer, Eddy worked as a Legal Intern for The Justice Collaborative, where he researched optimal federal, state, and local policy responses to eviction, unemployment, and no-knock warrants.Eddy earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served as the Article Line Editor and Digest Content Editor for the Journal of Law and Technology (JOLT). He was the Co-President and Delegation & Social Co-Chair of the Harvard Asia Law Society. He also served as the Director of Membership Engagement for first generation college students at Harvard.He received his B.S., cum laude, in Biology from Brandeis University, where he received the Commitment to Service Gold Medal for his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Boston’s Children’s Hospital, and the Education for Students by Students club. Prior to law school, Eddy worked as an Associate Medical Research Scientist at WorldCare Clinical in Boston where he worked on clinical trials with radiologists at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Eddy Zheng

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Technology

Government Contracts + Public Procurement