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MoFo Advises Ignium on Acquisition of Action

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Morrison Foerster advised Ignium LLC on government contracting matters related to its acquisition of Action Manufacturing Company (Action). Ignium is a purpose-built merchant provider of components and solutions for current and next-generation weapons systems to the U.S. and allied defense industrial base. Action is a leading supplier of fuzing and target-sensing ordnance, supporting U.S. and allied priorities in precision strike, counter-UAS, and long-range fires.The MoFo team advising Ignium was led by government contracts partner Damien Specht and associate Nicole Giles, with support from national security partner Chris Chamberlain and associates Mason Gauch and Riddhi Suva and government contracts associate Ali Young McCann.Read the <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260930824877/en/Ignium-Acquires-Action-Manufacturing-Company" target="_blank">Ignium press release</a>.

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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>AccelGov, LLC v. United States, 170 Fed. Cl. 508 (2024)</li></ul><ul><li>Acuity Edge, Inc. v. United States, 174 Fed. Cl. 46 (2024)</li></ul><ul><li>Alpine Cos., Inc. v. United States, 156 Fed. Cl. 681 (2021)</li></ul><ul><li>Navarro Rsch. & Eng’g, Inc. v. United States, 151 Fed. Cl. 184 (2020)</li></ul><ul><li>Next Phase Sols. & Servs., Inc. v. United States, 164 Fed. Cl. 15 (2023)</li></ul><ul><li>Noble Supply & Logistics LLC v. United States, 168 Fed. Cl. 439 (2023)</li></ul><ul><li>Quanterion Sols, Inc. v. United States, 157 Fed. Cl. 22 (2021)</li></ul><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 Giles

Associate

Chris Chamberlain is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s National Security Group. He previously served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), where he focused on complex high-technology issues in export controls at the forefront of U.S. national security and foreign policy, including semiconductors. He brings over 15 years of government and private practice experience, including in-depth knowledge in export controls and related fields. Chris has extensive experience advising and engaging with senior government and industry leadership, and in navigating interagency and international coordination on export controls. During his time at BIS, Chris was a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration and was the senior policy lead for semiconductor manufacturing controls. He played a pivotal role in strategizing, drafting, and implementing key regulations and policy actions on semiconductor issues. Chris advised on key issues pertaining to the Department of Treasury’s outbound investment regulations. In his work in and out of government, Chris has led teams and personally handled the execution of virtually every aspect of regulatory implementation in export controls. This includes extensive coordination with enforcement personnel, engineers, and other regulatory and legal experts on issues arising from license applications and determinations, Advisory Opinions, Letter Authorizations and the Is-Informed process, and other regulatory mechanisms and issues. Chris also has extensive experience in the extraterritorial application of export controls, including under the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR) and De Minimis Rule, and restrictions on U.S. Person activities. Chris has a particular industry focus on semiconductor production, microelectronics, telecommunications (including encryption), and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. His experience also includes advising companies’ export controls issues in semiconductor design and test, cloud based services, and various technologies involved in autonomous vehicles, making him a valuable asset in navigating the regulatory landscape of these high-tech sectors. He also has extensive experience consulting with industry to provide feedback on regulations, and he has strategized and executed numerous internal investigations to assess compliance with U.S. trade and national security controls. In private practice, Chris has advised on the development and application of a wide array of national security and trade laws, with a specific focus on export controls (EAR/ITAR) and specializations in federal procurement and other regulations on cyber and supply chain security. Chris has extensive experience in export compliance, policy, and enforcement, having developed and implemented global compliance programs focused on trade and national security controls, especially on controls related to China and Russia. His work has involved advising on export jurisdiction and classification determinations (CCATS and Commodity Jurisdiction requests), strategizing and preparing export license applications and similar requests, and conducting internal risk assessments and investigations to assess compliance with U.S. trade controls. In the context of CFIUS, Chris has conducted export control jurisdiction and classification analysis in company-wide critical technology reviews for CFIUS filings and evaluated potential outcomes and timing for CFIUS reviews. He has also drafted guidance and advised on national security authorities in the context of commercial and corporate transactions, especially related to China and telecommunications, including undersea cable projects. Earlier in his career, Chris served as a Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Margaret Ryan on the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, where he drafted memoranda and briefed cases involving complex constitutional law and regulation. Prior to that, he worked as a Program Analyst in the Office of Audits at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, where he designed and executed audit plans focused on immigration, procurement, transportation, and grants. Chris earned his J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was recognized as an Exceptional Pro Bono Pledge Honoree.

Chris Chamberlain

Mason Gauch is an associate in Morrison Foerster’s National Security Practice Group.Mason advises clients on economic sanctions, export controls, foreign investment, and tariffs. He has guided multinational companies through sensitive regulatory matters, including obtaining authorizations from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), preparing filings before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and conducting due diligence reviews of corporate transactions from an international trade perspective. He has also counseled technology companies on risk-based compliance programs tailored to their products, users, and jurisdictions.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Mason practiced at another international law firm, where he focused on cross-border trade compliance, foreign investment reviews, and regulatory frameworks affecting emerging technologies. He also gained additional relevant experience as an intern to Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In addition, he maintains an active pro bono practice, representing clients in asylum, divorce, expunction, and criminal exoneration matters.Mason earned his B.A. and M.Ed from the Ohio State University and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was a Dean’s Scholarship recipient.

Mason Gauch

Riddhi Suva is an associate in Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the firm’s National Security Group.Riddhi advises clients on sanctions, export controls, and evolving national security risks, including cross-border transactions, foreign investment reviews, risk assessments, and complex investigations.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Riddhi served as an intern in the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division, where she supported CFIUS reviews of multinational transactions, assessed telecommunications-related risks, and prepared legal and policy analyses. Prior to attending law school, she supported government agencies in matters relating to cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience, and broader policy changes.Riddhi earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, where she served on the editorial board of the Virginia Journal of International Law, as president of the National Security Law Forum, and as a research assistant to Professor Kristen Eichensehr. She received her B.A. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.Riddhi is fluent in Hindi and Gujarati.

Riddhi Suva

Ali Young is an associate in the Government Contracts practice in Morrison Foerster’s Washington, D.C. office.Ali’s practice focuses on a full range of government contract litigation and compliance matters including bid protests, contract claims and disputes, small business compliance and disputes, and mergers and acquisitions. She has represented clients in both pre- and post-award bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Court of Federal Claims (COFC). She has also assisted clients draft requests for equitable adjustments and certified claims and has litigated claims disputes at the COFC and the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA).Ali’s practice additionally includes counseling clients on a variety of regulatory and contractual compliance issues, particularly in small business matters such as and size determination and appeals at the SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals, mentor protégé joint venture agreements, and socioeconomic status eligibility.She has worked on a number of mergers and acquisitions involving the purchase of government contracting concerns or related assets, including performing due diligence, negotiating purchase agreements, and counseling on post-transaction structures.Ali has taught several seminars on various small business matters and organizational conflicts of interest.Ali graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2013, receiving her B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science and History. In 2017, she earned her J.D. with honors from the George Washington University Law School, where she received the Patricia A. Tobin Government Procurement Law Award for excellence in the area of government contracts law and served as the editor-in-chief for the International Law in Domestic Courts Journal. Ali was also a Thurgood Marshall Scholar.Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, Ali practiced government contracts law at a mid-sized law firm. While attending law school, Ali clerked at a large Washington, D.C. law firm in the government contracts group, and interned at various international human rights non-profit organizations.Ali is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.

Alissandra McCann

Government Contracts + Public Procurement

National Security: Economic Sanctions + Export Controls, CFIUS, FARA