Select GCR

JANUARY 30, 2024

Recently, governments at various levels recognized the pivotal role played by small enterprises, allocating substantial funds to support their development. In this blog, we delve into the agencies and departments of the government that invested in small businesses throughout the year, exploring the impact it had on government contracting.

Government 105

Government Government Government Contracts Networking 105

SmallGovCon

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Additionally, Annie participated in the Elder Law Field Placement Program where she assisted with document preparation for estate planning. first appeared on SmallGovCon - Government Contracts Law Blog. Annie was very accomplished during her law school days, including plenty of practical experience. in Journalism.

Participation 82

Participation Government Contracts Contract Government 82

SmallGovCon

DECEMBER 4, 2024

This would impact most all 8(a) Participants. Looking for the latest government contracting legal news? The post Proposed Increases to Micro-Purchase, Simplified Acquisition, and Other Thresholds first appeared on SmallGovCon - Government Contracts Law Blog. million for manufacturing acquisitions.

Thresholds 86

Thresholds Purchasing Price Government Contracts 86

Select GCR

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Engaging with government contracting officers is a crucial step for small businesses looking to explore upcoming opportunities in government contracting for 2024. To effectively communicate with a contracting officer and position your small business, consider the following 10 steps: 1. Don’t give up.

Contract 105

Contract Government Contracts Utilities Networking 105

Select GCR

NOVEMBER 21, 2023

Please note: due to an influx in applications and the additional review of a narrative for every 8(a) participant and applicant, there will be longer processing times for approval from the SBA. This move comes as a breath of fresh air for entrepreneurs looking to gain a competitive edge in the federal contracting arena.

Strategic Planning 105

Strategic Planning Participation Government Contracts Sustainability 105

SmallGovCon

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Many federal contractors know of and participate in the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program. While a separate blog post about all the differences is likely justified as some point, for this blog, we will just cover the unique items that DoD is planning on updating right now. Need legal assistance? call at 785-200-8919.

IT 85

IT Participation Manufacturing Government Contracts 85

Inside Government Contracts

AUGUST 23, 2023

Subscribe to our blog here so that you do not miss these updates. Further, although this working group will be required to submit an initial report and annual reports to Congress, it is not clear how the reports’ findings will be addressed in practice, particularly without involvement of industry participants in the working group.

Supply Chain 130

Supply Chain Budget Bidding Participation 130

Select GCR

DECEMBER 27, 2023

For small businesses looking to tap into the vast opportunities presented by government contracting, understanding the intricate process and effectively marketing your products and services to government contracting officers is crucial.

Government 94

Government Government Government Contracts Strategic Planning 94

SmallGovCon

OCTOBER 3, 2023

This resulted in all 8(a) participants being required to submit a social disadvantage narrative. Now, SBA has opened Certify to new applicants that wish to apply for participation in the 8(a) Program who now must demonstrate their social disadvantage. We blogged on what makes a good social disadvantage narrative back in August.

IT 74

IT Participation Government Contracts Contract 74

SmallGovCon

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

This should give contractors more leeway to take on new ownership from other 8(a) Program participants, or a contractor in their same industry. This new fourth proposed exception would be: “SBA approval is not required where the 8(a) Participant has never received an 8(a) contract.” Questions about this post?

Participation 91

Participation Government Contracts Contract Integration 91

Inter-American Development Bank

MARCH 9, 2023

1] There are different restrictions that explain this low participation of women-led companies in the awarding of public procurement contracts. As a result, encouraging the participation of women-led SMEs in public procurement processes can help promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Public Procurement 52

Public Procurement Participation Procurement Import 52

SmallGovCon

JUNE 21, 2024

For the latter, we suggest reviewing these basics of economic disadvantage along with our other Back to Basics blogs on the 8(a) Program ( this one discussing the program, generally, and this one discussing all the rules for eligibility). What does it mean to be “economically disadvantaged” in the context of 8(a) generally?

Thresholds 75

Thresholds Finance Participation Accountability 75

SmallGovCon

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

We here at SmallGovCon discuss size and affiliation quite often (keep in mind that “affiliation” for federal contracting is different than “affiliation” in private industry). As of the time of this blog post, the subject DFARS provision has not been updated. Questions about this post? Need legal assistance?

Evaluation 78

Evaluation Government Contracts Contract Accountability 78

SmallGovCon

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Further, a 2022 report published by the OIG found that more than one-third of firms assessed did not have an approved business plan, a requirement to be awarded an 8(a) set-aside contract. To track progress, SBA has made it mandatory that the aforementioned workbook is used for all annual reviews of 8(a) Program participants.

Participation 84

Participation Government Contracts Contract Government 84

SmallGovCon

JULY 18, 2024

This second article covers the incredible story of 8(a) Program graduate, Curtis Joachim, and my work with him in drafting a successful social disadvantage narrative to remain in the program for his final year—a requirement (now) for all applicants and participants imposed by Federal District Court and implemented by SBA.

Government 59

Government Government Government Contracts Participation 59

Capital Edge Consulting

MAY 10, 2024

Labor is among the largest contract cost recorded to Government contracts. In many cases, they are the most significant; therefore, the Government invests significant efforts to monitoring these costs and auditing them. Have you participated in timekeeping training? What is a Floor Check Audit?

Price 52

Price Government Contracts Government Government 52

SmallGovCon

OCTOBER 17, 2024

As many in federal contracting know, the SBA had its certification portal (certify.sba.gov) closed for upgrades for a few months. The SBA is replacing it with a new portal called MySBA Certifications which as of the writing of this blog post is now live. Looking for the latest government contracting legal news?

Utilities 89

Utilities Government Contracts Efficiency Contract 89

SmallGovCon

AUGUST 15, 2024

In turn, it also gives large businesses the ability to work on small business contracting opportunities, and the Government the ability to contract with more robust teams. While it is commendable to try to streamline government contracting processes, it should not be at the expense of the regulation.

Utilities 98

Utilities Government Contracts Contract Education 98

SmallGovCon

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024

This SBA proposed rule has created quite a buzz among federal contracting. As explained in our first blog on this proposed rule, the SBA is proposing a new regulation that will contain both size recertification and small business program status recertification standards. Looking for the latest government contracting legal news?

Bidding 90

Bidding Contract Government Contracts Government 90

SmallGovCon

MARCH 28, 2024

” Even if you are not sure where this term comes from, don’t fret, a great place to start is this other Back to Basics blog on limitations on subcontracting. In a nutshell, whatever this “similarly situated entity” is can actually help the prime contractor reach its 50% subcontracting limitation on a services contract.

Thresholds 85

Thresholds Contract Utilities Government Contracts 85

SmallGovCon

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

As I’m sure you all are aware, this week’s federal government contracting news is all about the possible government shut down and its impact on federal services and federal government contractors. Happy Friday. It’s time to say goodbye to September and welcome in October already. Where does the time go?

Government Contracts 65

Government Contracts Buyers Participation Contract 65

SmallGovCon

OCTOBER 8, 2024

We most frequently see them used for contracts made to participants in the 8(a) Small Business Development Program, but the other programs (WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone) have the ability to make sole source awards as well. As you will see below, it is easier for contracting officers to give sole source awards to 8(a) Program participants.

Price 85

Price Participation Manufacturing Thresholds 85

SmallGovCon

JUNE 6, 2024

However, when you dive deeper, you’ll likely notice that even though the requirements are similar, there are enough small differences in the language you can’t just assume that, say, a requirement for service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) is going to be the same for a woman-owned small business (WOSB) or an 8(a) Program participant.

Participation 83

Participation Government Contracts Management Contract 83

SmallGovCon

DECEMBER 5, 2023

The post Webinar Event: Small Business Certifications hosted by the Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship, December 14, 2023, 4:00pm EST first appeared on SmallGovCon - Government Contracts Law Blog. Please join Greg Weber and I for this informative webinar on small business certifications.

Government Contracts 52

Government Contracts Participation Contract Government 52

GovSpend

JUNE 20, 2024

The last extension in FY 22 extended the program through September 30th, 2025, and showcased the federal government’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial advancement. Participating Agencies It’s worth noting that participating agencies are mandated to allocate 3.2% in FY 20 to $6.3B in FY 23.

Contract 105

Contract Innovation Participation Utilities 105

SmallGovCon

APRIL 26, 2024

The prime and any/all subcontractor(s) on this contract shall, for the contract’s entire period of performance, plus three years after completion of the contract be restricted from participating in any procurements and/or requirements which stem and/or arise from any recommendations developed under this contract.

Contract 86

Contract Evaluation Procurement Purchasing 86

SmallGovCon

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

In August, the Small Business Administration issued a proposed rule that was packed to the brim with changes to many of the SBA’s small business contracting programs. We’ve mentioned a few of the changes in prior blog posts. Or need help with a government contracting legal issue? Can a non-profit entity be a mentor?

E-procurement 86

E-procurement Purchasing Government Contracts Contract 86

Mike Purdy's Public Contracting

AUGUST 7, 2023

Upon graduation, he embarked on what would become a 30-year career managing government contracts, first for the City of Seattle for more than 21 years, then the Seattle Housing Authority, and finally the University of Washington (UW). He obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1979.

Media 100

Media Consulting Participation Contract Management 100

SmallGovCon

MAY 22, 2024

Small Business Administration (SBA) runs four socioeconomic programs aimed at providing equal opportunity to participate in federal contracting. Section 127.304(i) explicitly states “the decision of the [SBA’s Director for Government Contracting] to decline certification is the final agency decision.” One would be wrong.

Government Contracts 77

Government Contracts Consulting Import Contract 77

SmallGovCon

MAY 16, 2024

The Protest Interestingly, the protest in Colt-Sunbelt began as a size protest which, thanks to a reporting error by the SBA, protested Colt-Sunbelt’s size on the belief that Colt-Sunbelt was not an active participant in the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program. Looking for the latest government contracting legal news?

Project Management 90

Project Management Management Negotiation Government Contracts 90

SmallGovCon

FEBRUARY 19, 2024

It would sole source the first part to 8(a) participant Peregrine Advisors Benefit, Inc. Peregrine) and compete the second part, worth $43 million, for 8(a) participants to bid on. Looking for the latest government contracting legal news? In Anika Systems, Inc., B-422187 (Feb.

Contract 95

Contract Thresholds Procurement Bidding 95

SmallGovCon

MAY 8, 2024

” Accepted an offer from Raytheon, then continued to work for the Navy and “actively participated in secure email chains discussing DBD EMD requirements and how to address those requirements at an upcoming [NARG] event.” Looking for the latest government contracting legal news? Give us a call at 785-200-8919.

Contract 100

Contract Procurement Bidder Government Contracts 100

SmallGovCon

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

8(a) Participants have an annual review process, so they are reviewed even more frequently. This final attempt at communication included a warning that participants are required to respond to any program examination initiated by the SBA to remain a certified VOSB or SDVOSB. Looking for the latest government contracting legal news?

Participation 76

Participation Professional Services Government Contracts IT 76

SmallGovCon

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

The underlying MAC stated that it would be competed on the following bases: unrestricted or set-aside for small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), women-owned small businesses (WOSB), 8(a) participants, or HUBZone participants. Looking for the latest government contracting legal news?

Contract 81

Contract Procurement Government Contracts Participation 81

Inside Government Contracts

DECEMBER 14, 2023

This blog will cover the key findings of this Report and the most important takeaways for current and prospective DOE implementing partners. Key Findings of the Report Cybersecurity: The Report emphasized that improving DOE’s cybersecurity plans and coordination remains a top priority.

Management 130

Management Data Quantity Evaluation 130

Public Contracting Institute

JULY 3, 2024

In the complex world of government contracting, conducting thorough market research is not just a best practice—it’s a requirement. At Public Contracting Institute (PCI), we understand the intricacies of FAR compliance and offer expert guidance to help you navigate these waters successfully.

E-procurement 52

E-procurement Government Contracts Participation Utilities 52

SmallGovCon

MARCH 8, 2024

It is no doubt that the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is a first-class program: there is a reason that some of us around here tend to say that it is one of the most important of federal government contracting programs. Benefits like business development assistance and priority on many federal contracting opportunities.

Participation 57

Participation Government Contracts Sustainability Contract 57