Scott S. Sheffler

Partner

With a strategic approach shaped by years of private and federal practice, including service as an attorney within the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command, Scott Sheffler brings deep insight to clients facing high-stakes regulatory and funding issues. Scott has more than 15 years of experience advising on federal grant compliance, government procurement law, and internal investigations. He counsels nonprofits, commercial entities, and state and local governments navigating complex federal funding requirements.

Scott advises on every stage of the federal funding life cycle—from strategic project development to post-award compliance, including cost allowability and allocability matters, federal audits and audit resolution, and disputes. His deep knowledge of the Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and program-specific mandates enables him to support clients with issues ranging from indirect cost rate negotiations to procurement system reviews and Buy America compliance.

Clients rely on Scott to deliver business and mission-oriented solutions under federal and state oversight. He regularly represents grantees and contractors in federal and state audits and investigations, administrative appeals, and litigation involving grant terminations, disallowances, and contract claims. His recent work includes structuring federally funded energy and infrastructure projects involving hundreds of millions of dollars and preparing comprehensive compliance manuals for manufacturers supplying parts to public works contractors.

Scott also has significant experience advising on pandemic-related relief programs and navigating disputes involving multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Defense (DOD).

Experience

Government Experience

  • Assistant Counsel, U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command
  • Officer and Judge Advocate, U.S. Navy JAG Corps

Representative Matters

  • Represented federal grant recipients in cost disallowance and termination appeals before the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Departmental Appeals Board (DAB)
  • Represented federal grant recipients in termination appeals to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Endowment for Humanities (NEH), National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDSA), and Department of Defense (DOD)
  • Guided clients through audits and investigations by Offices of Inspector General and other federal bodies
  • Structured multi-party Department of Energy (DOE)-funded renewable energy deployment projects valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars
  • Supported clients in navigating Buy America/Buy American requirements from both the perspective of entities carrying out infrastructure projects and manufacturers providing domestic products for use in such projects
  • Defended Military Sealift Command in federal procurement bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • Provided compliance counsel for pandemic-era federal relief disputes
  • Represented Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan recipients with respect to compliance and litigation

Representative Clients

  • Nonprofit corporations
  • Institutions of higher education
  • Government-funded research institutions and service providers
  • Commercial entities
  • State and local governments
  • Private-sector manufacturers and public infrastructure suppliers

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • LL.M. Government Procurement Law George Washington University Law School 2017
  • J.D. University of California, Los Angeles School of Law 2005
  • B.A. Economics magna cum laude George Washington University 2002

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

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

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Vice chair and founding member, Grant Law Committee, Public Contract Law Section, American Bar Association (ABA)
  • Past-President, National Grants Management Association
  • Adjunct professor, Federal Grants Law course, George Washington University Law School
  • Associate editor, Public Contract Law Journal