John is a Senior Associate at Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC. Prior to joining the firm, John practiced law in an extensive variety of areas, ranging from supplying insurers expert legal representation in civil litigation, to winning benefits for the disabled in Social Security administrative hearings, to being the general counsel of a startup company in Omaha, NE. This wide berth of experience gives John the adaptability and resourcefulness needed to help clients navigate the world of government contracts, be it on a transactional basis or in litigation.

At Washington University School of Law, John excelled in all areas of study, graduating with cum laude honors. He further served as an editor on the school’s prestigious Jurisprudence Review, was a member of the school’s appellate clinic that won a case at the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and worked during school as a law clerk for Judge Richard Webber in the Eastern District of Missouri. John received his B.A. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he majored in economics and minored in political science.

Outside the workplace, John is an active member of the community, involved with various charitable groups and volunteer activities. He enjoys weightlifting, running, reading, and tinkering with the computer he built. He is a devout fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and, most of all, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. We try not to give him too hard of a time for being a Husker.

Bar Associations

• Nebraska
• Iowa
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Education

• J.D., Washington University School of Law
• B.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Professional Associations & Memberships

• Nebraska State Bar Association

Speaking

• “JV’s & Teaming”, Co-Presenter, Texas APEX -El Paso Community College Contract Opportunities Center, 2024.
• Mentor Protégé and Legal Aspects to be Mindful Of”, Co-Presenter, Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship, 2024.
• “Felons & the 8(a) Program”, Interviewee, K. Parks Consulting, Inc, 2024.
• “Regulatory Updates in Government Contracting”, Co-Presenter, Texas APEX -El Paso Community College Contract Opportunities Center, 2024.
• “MyGovWatch Podcast with Nick Bernardo”, Panelist, MyGovWatch.com, 2024.
• “Meet the Buyers Conference in Scottsbluff, Nebraska”, Nebraska APEX Accelerators, Presenter 2023.
• “Podcast: Understanding the 8(a) Lawsuit and Its Impact: Attorney John Holtz Reveals All”, K. Parks Consulting 2023.
• “NAICS Codes: Six Impactful Digits for Federal Contractors (2023 Update)”, Co-Presenter, Govology 2023.
• “Compliant and Effective Teaming Agreements, Joint Ventures & Subcontracts – 3-Part Series (2023 Update)”, Co-Presenter, Govology 2023.
• “SBA Contracting Changes”, Co-Presenter, Corporate Partner Advisory Group (CPAG) 2023.
• “Understanding and Obtaining HUBZone Certification (2023 Update), Co-Presenter, Govology 2023.
• “New Legislative Changes That May Affect Your Small GOVCON Business”, Co-Presenter, Catalyst Center for Business 7 Entrepreneurship Webinar 2023.
• “Regulatory Updates in Government Contracting”, Co-Presenter, Texas PTAC – El Paso Webinar 2023.
• “Buy American Act & Trade Agreements”, Co-Presenter, Texas PTAC- El Paso Webinar 2023.
• “Government Contracting Updates”, Co-Presenter, Webinar from University of Nebraska Omaha PTAC 2022.
• “Non-manufacturing Rule”, Co-Presenter, 2022 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Webinar.
• “Government Contracting Updates”, Co-Presenter, 2022 Nebraska PTAC -University of Nebraska at Omaha Webinar.
• “Top 10 Legal Misconceptions in Federal Contracting & Pending Legal Changes”, Co-Presenter, 2022 Ohio PTAC Webinar.
• “Teaming and Partnering Strategies”, Co-Presenter, 2022 Nebraska PTAC -University of Nebraska at Omaha Webinar.
• “FAR Supplement – AFARS – Army.” Webinar from Jennifer Schaus & Associates, 2022.
• “Limitations on Subcontracting: A Step-by-Step Compliance Guide (2022 & 2023 Update).” Webinar from Govology, 2022 & 2023.
• “Buy American Act”, Co-Presenter, 2022 Nebraska PTAC -University of Nebraska at Omaha Webinar.

Recent Publications

• “Agency Discretion Recertified: GAO Affirms Agency Discretion to Request Size Recertification for the Task Orders”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Rezoning (Part I): A Look at SBA’s Proposed Changes to HUBZone Program”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Rezoning (Part 2): Updates to the HUBZone Program”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Some Assembly Required: GAO Addresses How Agencies Should Approach Trade Agreements Act Compliance”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Supreme Court Weighs in on Deference to Agencies: what the End of Chevron Deference Means for Federal Contractors”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “VOSB Program Possibly Expanding? Congress Takes Next Step Towards VOSB Expansion”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Back to Basics: The Buy American Act”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “A Better Leg to Stand On: Federal Circuit Court Eases Way for Protesters to Show Prejudice at COFC”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Clearing Things Up? A Quick Look at the Proposed Plain Language Contracting Act”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Why File: A Request For Equitable Adjustment”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “A Bridge (Not) Too Far: Prohibition on Dividing up Contracts to get Under 8(a) Sole Source Dollar Limit Doesn’t Apply to Bridge Contracts”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Playing Dr. Frankenstein: DoD Memo Tries to Revive Joint Venture Facility Clearance Requirements”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “CMMC 2.0 and You: A Look at the Department of Defense’s Proposed New Cybersecurity Rules”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “Extraordinary Actions v. Day-to-Day Decisions for Joint Ventures: A Cautionary Tale”, SmallGovCon 2024.
• “A HUBZone Appeal Appears! Continuing our Look at the HUBZone Appeal Process”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “Room for Improvement: Statistics Suggest it is Unclear if Large Businesses are Meeting Small Business Subcontracting Goals”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “Watching the Watchman – New FAR Rule Opens Door to Further Feedback on Acquisition Process”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “SBA Releases New Small Business Award Data Hub”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “The Thaw: Dealing with the End of the HUBZone Map Freeze”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “Initial Challenge to 8(a) Presumptions of Social Disadvantage for Certain Minority Group Succeeds: What This Means for Now”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “8(a) Rule Update: Agencies Can’t Limit 8(a) Competition to Participants with Additional Certifications, SBA Clarifies Bona Fide Place of Business for Construction Contracts”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “Clarity is Key: An Example of Why Clear Language is Important for Showing SDVOSB Control”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “OASIS+ Small Business: A Preview”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “SBA New Rule: Guidelines for Compliance with Limitations on Subcontracting in 13 C.F.R. 125.6”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “The HUBZone 35% Residency Requirement in Between Certifications”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “Failure to Send: Protester Loses Size Determination Due to Lack of Response on Tax Returns”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “Showing Your Work: Protest of Evaluation Sustained for Lack of Explanation by Agency”, SmallGovCon 2023.
• “Help on the Way? Proposed National defense Authorization Act for 2023 Grants DoD Discretion to Allow Inflation Relief for DoD Contractors”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “Friendly Inflation: SBA Adjusts Size Standards, Economic Disadvantage Limits, and 8(a) Sole Source Dollar Limits for Inflation”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “A Slight Deviation: DoD Implements Temporary Verification Requirement while SAM Updates”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “A Helpful Guide: The VA’s Memorandum on the New Certification System”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “DFARS Data Rights Provisions in Action”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “Don’t Ignore NAICS Code Changes: New Rule A Reminder to Contractors”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “Setting the Standard: How the SBA Determines Size Standards for Small Businesses”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “Industrial Expansion: Proposed New Size Standards for Manufacturing and Other Industries with Employee-Based Size Standards”, SmallGovCon 2022.
• “The DFARS Approach to Data Rights”, SmallGovCon 2022
• “Back to Basics: Joint Ventures”, SmallGovCon 2022
• “Other Transaction Authority? What Other Transaction Authority? – A Look at OTA”, SmallGovCon 2022
• “Transformers: Offerors in Disguise – GAO Sustains Protest Regarding Evaluation Based on Separate Offers from the same Offeror”, SmallGovCon 2022
• “Data Rights and the Government Contractor: Restricted Computer Software.” SmallGovCon, 2022.
• “Loose Lips Sink Ships: Award Revoked for Relying on Inside Information from Former Navy Officials.” SmallGovCon, 2022.
• “NAICS, The Final Frontier: OHA Rejects NAICS Size Standard Exception as Inapplicable to NASA Solicitation.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “GAO Finds CIO-SP4 Unduly Restrictive; Recommends Amendment.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “Small Business Being Acquired by a Large Business? For Multiple Award Contracts, the 180-Day Rule Doesn’t Apply to Task Orders, says GAO.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “FAR Issues Final Rule on Limitations on Subcontracting.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “CBCA Cannot Waive Its Own Filing Deadlines,” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “GAO: A Higher Past Performance Rating For One Offeror Does Not Mean a Competitor Was Penalized.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “Certificates of Competency: A Little-Known Friend of the Small Business Contractor.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “GAO: Protestors Must Show Intervening Offerors Would Not Be In Line for Award to be Interested Party.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “Debriefing Exception to Protest Timeliness Rule Doesn’t Apply to SBIR Procurements Period,” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “NAICS Code Challenges Must Show Why the Code Chosen is Incorrect, OHA Says.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “Late Quotation? No Protest: Protester who Submitted Quotation Late is Not Interested Party, per GAO.” SmallGovCon, 2021.
• “SBA OHA: Ownership and Control are Not the Same in the WOSB Program.” SmallGovCon, 2021.