Aron Beezley Interviewed by FNN on the Shifting Compliance Burdens Facing Colleges and Universities

Bradley attorney Aron Beezley was interviewed by Federal News Network about the shifting compliance burdens faced by universities and colleges.

Universities are increasingly treated like traditional contractors. “Federal funding for research and development, at colleges and universities has been steadily increasing over the past decade or so,” Beezley said. As a result, the lines are blurring, and “universities are now performing work that falls squarely under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, or FAR, which is the regulatory framework that governs traditional government contracts.”

Beezley noted that scrutiny from federal agencies, inspectors general and the Department of Justice is increasing. Consequences can range from False Claims Act liability and debarment to audits and remedial actions. He cautioned that universities need to pay attention because the risks are higher now. He also said the government’s increased use of “other transaction authority” is bringing more nontraditional entities into spaces where FAR-type rules might apply.

“A common thing we generally recommend is to have a centralized compliance framework,” Beezley said. Currently, many universities rely on existing compliance personnel along with outside consultants or counsel.

The regulatory environment is evolving, so building compliance capability now can better position institutions to manage future risk.

The full interview, “Big Contract Compliance Burdens Aren’t Just a Problem for Contractors,” aired on Federal News Network on Oct. 31, 2025.