Deep, Dedicated Expertise in the Insurance Needs of Government Contractors

Government contractors face unique and evolving risks that are different from any other industry. With the expertise to manage complex challenges, and the profile to negotiate competitive quotes, Willis provides the right leadership, range of capabilities, and essential services to meet your risk management needs.

Willis’s Dedicated Practice

The Willis Government Contracting Practice was built from the ground up by former government contractors who fully understand your business and insurance needs. It is a true center of excellence, committed to the issues that are important to our clients.

Real Knowledge of Your Industry

We stay fully abreast of changes in the marketplace and in the legal and regulatory environment. This in-depth knowledge allows us to better understand the current and potential impact of emerging risks, market events, and trends—and their impact on your insurance coverage.

Real Experience with Your Risks

Our real-life experience sets our Government Contracting Practice apart in servicing and administering claims, crisis management, repatriation and managing other associated risks. As our client, you benefit from this experience by receiving relevant advice and customized risk management solutions tailored to your risks.

The Willis Government Contracting Practice will:

  • Achieve the best terms and conditions for you by highlighting to underwriters the unique legislative protections, government contractor case law and contractual indemnifications.
  • Structure an insurance program that maximizes the premium reimbursable as pass-through expense under the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
  • Support your growth by helping your proposal team review and competitively price insurance requirements for new opportunities.
  • Obtain policy wording specific to your risks (human, liability, regulatory and property).
  • Work with you to achieve additional indemnification from the U.S. government.
  • Provide practical risk management expertise and advocacy during the entire life cycle of the transaction, from marketing to claim management.

TYPES OF COVERAGE

  • Aviation
  • AD&D
  • Defense Base Act (DBA)
  • Directors and Officers Liability
  • Employee Benefits
  • Employment Practices Liability
  • General Liability
  • Kidnap & Ransom
  • Marine & Cargo
  • Political Risk
  • Professional Liability and Errors & Omissions
  • Stand-alone Terrorism
  • Workers’ Compensation

WHO WE SERVE

  • Aerospace and Defense
  • Aviation
  • Support Services & Consulting
  • Construction
  • Humanitarian Relief
  • IT services
  • Linguists
  • Logistical specialists
  • Manufacturing
  • Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Nonprofits
  • Private Security Companies
  • Research and Development
  • Stability Operations
  • Systems Integrators
  • Telecommunications
  • Training and Mentorship

Willis In History

Did you know Willis was the construction broker for the Hong Kong Airport at Chek Lap Kok, one of the world's largest reclamation operations of its time where the surrounding waters were filled in to form a new man-made island?

Recent Developments

On September 27, 2011, a 200-page class action lawsuit [click here] was filed against numerous government contractors and DBA insurance carriers claiming that certain U.S. nationals, local nationals and third country nationals were unjustly denied medical treatment and DBA benefits after they were injured while performing services overseas in connection with U.S. Government contracts. The complaint also seeks to recover for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) claims that have yet to be diagnosed or that have been misdiagnosed.

This lawsuit will likely be expanded to include additional plaintiffs and additional government contractors as defendants. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the contractors “willfully intended” to deprive DBA benefits to individuals and their families. Proper processes and procedures relating to DBA administration could help avoid your client being named in this and similar lawsuits. This lawsuit makes evident that the failure to properly place and administer DBA insurance can subject a company to costly suits and liability. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Bryan Salek (bryan.salek@willis.com) or Steve Capace (steve.capace@willis.com).


12 Sept 2011--OMB announces final guidance on “inherently governmental” functions. A copy of the long-awaited final policy letter (click here) goes into effect on 12 October 2011. This policy is an attempt to clarify what functions are inherently governmental and must always be performed by a federal employee. The document includes a list of functions that are clearly inherently governmental and separate lists of "functions closely associated with the performance of inherently governmental functions" -- where agencies have more discretion in utilizing contractor services. If you have any questions or concerns about how this final policy letter may affect your existing or prospective business, please do not hesitate to contact Bryan Salek (bryan.salek@willis.com) or Steve Capace (steve.capace@willis.com).


Aug. 31, 2011–The eight-member, bipartisan Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan issued their congressionally mandated Commission final report, “Transforming Wartime Contracting: Controlling Costs, Reducing Risks.” Click here for a copy of the entire 240 page report that concludes at east $31 billion has been lost to contract waste and fraud and outlines proposed major reform.

http://www.wartimecontracting.gov


On July 28, 2011, the Office of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) released a report entitled “Weakness in the USACE Defense Base Act Insurance Program Led to as Much as $58.5 Million in Refunds Not Returned to the U.S. Government and Other Problems” Click here for a copy of the entire report. Willis’ Government Contractor Practice has established a best practices approach to assist our clients avoid some of the pitfalls mentioned in this report. To learn more, please contact a member of our team.