At least two rival law firms have beefed up their government contracts and procurement practices in Washington in the past week, both adding lawyers who specialize in contracting disputes with several decades of experience.

After more than a decade at the U.S. Government Accountability Office and a year with the U.S. Senate, Eric Ransom entered private practice for the first time at Crowell & Moring, the firm said Tuesday. He joins Crowell’s government contracts group as senior counsel.