The Northern Virginia (NOVA) Chapter of The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), in conjunction with Venable LLP's Government Contracts Group will present a panel discussion concerning the practical and legal challenges faced by service contractors who enter into contracts with the federal government. The panel will discuss the issues and challenges faced by both the government and the private sector in managing service contracts as well as some of the unique legal issues associated therewith. In particular, the panel will focus on common problems associated with statements of work service contracts and strategies to protect businesses from them. Specific topics will include avoiding "scope creep", the Service Contract Act, and recent rules affecting time and material contracts.