There are stories of both sadness and joy when it comes to teaming agreements, particularly in the federal contracting marketplace. As one who has reviewed, drafted, negotiated, and litigated over more than 100 teaming agreements , this author has seen his share of both emotional experiences, not just as an attorney, but also as a government small business advocate.

When I headed the small business program at NASA, a small minority business came to my office for help alleging that a large prime contractor with whom he had a teaming agreement refused to comply with its terms. The two had agreed to work together to win a major federal government contract worth millions. If they ....