Ariel (Debin) Collinsworth advises traditional and non-traditional government contractors of all sizes across a broad range of industries, including aerospace and defense, telecommunications, energy and retail. She helps clients navigate the complex regulatory landscape governing federal procurement contracts and grants, with a particular focus on supply chain compliance, sourcing and country of origin requirements.
Ariel regularly advises clients on a broad range of domestic preference and source restriction requirements, including the Buy American Act (BAA), Trade Agreements Act (TAA), Build America, Buy America (BABA), domestic content tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and many others. She also counsels clients on prohibited sources, supply chain risk management, subcontractor and reseller relationships, and sourcing challenges facing federal contractors, grant recipients and subrecipients.
Her practice spans the full lifecycle of government contracting matters. Ariel represents clients in False Claims Act (FCA) investigations and litigation before U.S. district courts and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, conducts internal investigations, manages mandatory disclosures, and responds to civil and criminal subpoenas from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and agency Offices of Inspector General. She also advises on Contract Disputes Act (CDA) claims, Small Business Administration (SBA) size status and affiliation issues, bid protests before the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, suspension and debarment proceedings, and matters involving bribery, gratuities and kickbacks.
Clients value Ariel’s guidance throughout the federal grants process—from proposal development and compliance program design to post-award administration, agency engagement and closeout. She is a trusted resource for first-time grant recipients and subrecipients navigating compliance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance, 2 C.F.R. part 200) and agency-specific grant regulations.
Ariel serves on Sheppard’s Pro Bono Committee and the D.C. office Recruiting Committee. Outside the office, she looks for any excuse to get outside and explore with her family.
