The Quill & Sword | CAAF Chats Ep 67: United States v. Arroyo (C.A.A.F. 2025)

In this episode, we examine for cause challenges to panel members, specifically an implied bias challenge based on comments regarding an accused that retains civilian defense counsel. We discuss the liberal grant mandate and provide takeaways for practitioners during voir dire to assess issues of bias and potentially rehabilitate ambiguous responses. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this conclusion to our deep dive into Other Transactions (OTs), we sit down with Mr. Adam Caudle and Ms. Kristine Kassekert to debunk the myth that OT awards are immune to protests. We examine the current jurisdictional landscape at the GAO and Court of Federal Claims, highlighting why thorough documentation is essential not just for formal litigation, but also for answering potential inquiries from Congress or senior leadership. We also discuss the "fail fast" mentality and the unique flexibility of OTs, which allow us to manage projects through iterative payment milestones and open-ended collaboration rather than the rigid deadlines found in traditional acquisitions. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this first part, we sit down with experts Mr. Adam Caudle and Ms. Kristine Kassekert to discuss the history of Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and the broad statutory definitions for prototype projects under 10 USC 4022. We explore the "team sport" nature of these agreements, highlighting how the iterative process and the ability for vendors to collaborate can lead to better mission outcomes than traditional FAR-based acquisitions. We also address the common myth that OTs have "no rules," clarifying that while they offer flexibility, practitioners must still navigate legal boundaries such as the Procurement Integrity Act and the Anti-Deficiency Act while maintaining a robust written record. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode, we review the interpretation of possession, custody, or control under R.C.M. 701, where defense counsel requests access to the data within the seized phone of the accused that the government is unable to unlock. We clarify the intersection between discovery rules and the Fourth Amendment, discuss the distinction between seizure of an electronic device and the data contained within, and provide takeaways for the field. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode we analyze the Supreme Court's ruling in Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment, which explores the limits of secondary liability for internet service providers when users engage in copyright infringement. We discuss how the court determined that mere knowledge is insufficient for contributory liability, requiring plaintiffs to instead prove intent through "inducement" or "tailoring" frameworks derived from Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc. and MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd. We also highlight that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) safe harbor acts as a shield rather than a sword, underscoring the necessity for organizations to maintain active policies against service misuse. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode we explore recent developments at the Small Business Administration's Office of Hearings and Appeals regarding size protests and the consequences of administrative breakdowns. We first examine how the Stripes Global Appeal regarding RCG of North Carolina clarifies that licensing disputes are matters of contractor responsibility rather than size issues. Finally, we analyze the Pelican Residences protest, where a nine-month administrative delay and ignored show cause orders forced OHA to declare a contractor ineligible under the ostensible subcontractor rule. Case Citation: Size Appeal of Stripes Global, Inc., SBA No. SIZ-6375 (2026); Size Appeal of Veteran Elevated Solutions, LLC, SBA No.: SIZ-6350 (2025) Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode, we discuss the scope of sentence appropriateness and whether Courts of Criminal Appeals may consider the terms of a plea agreement in their review. We offer practical considerations for trial practitioners in drafting plea agreements in light of the CAAF’s opinion. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of NAICS codes in federal procurement, highlighting why the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is the exclusive venue for these time-sensitive challenges. We break down the "principal purpose" test through a detailed analysis of a successful appeal where a contractor argued that a project's complexity required a much higher size standard than the one initially assigned. Case Citation: Venergy Group LLC, SBA No. NAICS-6377 (2026) Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode we discuss the legal and factual sufficiency of evidence considered in Article 120(b)(2)(A) – sexual assault without consent cases in light of CAAF’s recent Mendoza and Casillas opinions. We discuss at length the three legal principles established in Moore to resolve the certified question in all three cases – whether the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals erred in applying United States v. Mendoza to find appellee’s sexual assault conviction [legally] and factually insufficient. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode, we break down the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) and its impact on FAR Part 6. We dive deep into the new competition requirements and discuss critical Class Deviations affecting DFARS Part 206. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.