By Dietrich Knauth

Law360, New York (February 03, 2012, 8:16 PM ET) -- The omnibus federal spending act passed in December will likely shake up the existing framework for excluding companies from government contracts by preventing agencies from contracting with companies convicted of a crime unless they first formally consider using suspension or debarment tools, attorneys say.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 contains nine different appropriations bills, and five of the bills contain new language intended to prevent federal funds from flowing to criminal or irresponsible companies. The restrictions apply to contractors convicted of federal felonies within the...