Federal Small Business Programs—A Primer for Government Contractors
Exit Strategies for GOVCONs with Set Aside Contracts: 2021 Insights and Lessons Learned from Business Owners and Advisors
Understanding and Avoiding Affiliation Under Small Business Contracting Programs
PODCAST: Williams Mullen GovCon Perspectives - Why Was My SWaM Certification Denied, and What Can I Do?
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued a proposed rule that covers a variety of topics that will be of interest to small- and large-business government contractors, touching on requirements for the...more
While most contractors think of the Government Accountability Office and Court of Federal Claims (or even the agency) when considering whether to challenge a government contract award, there are additional options for small...more
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on Aug. 23, 2024, issued a Proposed Rule that significantly changes the effect of recertifications of size and socioeconomic status under set-aside contracts following a merger or...more
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released a proposed rule that would significantly alter a number of SBA small business program regulations, including those governing size recertifications. ...more
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued a proposed rule (Rule) that would significantly change a government contractor’s obligations to recertify its size and socioeconomic status under set-aside contracts and...more
On July 22, 2024, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a Notice of Tribal Consultations seeking public comments on potential changes to its mentor-protégé joint venture program, citing a “perception that...more
Federal government contracts are routinely awarded to companies supplying goods and services to U.S. government agencies. According to the Government Accountability Office, in 2023, the federal government committed about $759...more
Obtaining SWaM certification in Virginia enables businesses to bid on local and state contracts that are set aside for small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. The Commonwealth of Virginia has committed to sourcing...more
When a federal agency issues a small business set-aside contract, it uses North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes to determine the size standard that will apply to that contract. The agency must select the...more
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on Aug. 1, 2024, is beginning a system upgrade to its certification portal that will impact the following socioeconomic set-aside program certification programs ...more
The Federal Government is committed to developing its relationship with small and disadvantaged businesses through set-aside contracts that incentivize and protect these companies from competing with large, established...more
On December 22, 2023, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, Pub. L. No. 118-31, 137 Stat. 136 (2023) (NDAA 2024) went into effect. Among other things, NDAA 2024 includes a provision phasing out...more
Securing federal contracts can be a game-changer for small businesses, offering opportunities for growth and stability. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is crucial in facilitating these opportunities by setting size...more
Any acquisition involving a small business government contractor comes with a host of questions concerning what effect, if any, the transaction may have on the small business’s size and status post-closing. ...more
Some significant (perhaps short-term) changes have rapidly come to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program (8(a) or the Program) following a U.S. Federal District Court for the...more
On April 27th, the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) published a final rule making changes to the regulations governing the 8(a) program. This final rule is SBA’s implementation of the proposed rules issued by the...more
PilieroMazza recently shared the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) new rules: (1) Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) Moratorium Rescission and Removal of the Requirement for a Loan Authorization (Moratorium Rule) and...more
It is not any exaggeration to say that mentor-protégé joint ventures (MPJVs) have taken over the world of set-aside Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs). For example, late last year it was reported that the initial...more
On May 18, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (DDC) issued a decision with significant potential consequences for federal contractors and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). ...more
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued its final rule on April 27, 2023, implementing several changes to the ownership and control requirements for the 8(a) Business Development program. The final rule also...more
Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—in AttainX, Inc., B-421216, B-421216.2 (Feb. 9, 2023)—clarified that in evaluating the experience of a mentor-protégé joint venture (JV) for a small business...more
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) joint venture (JV) regulations allow large businesses to perform set-aside contracts with their small business protégés and allow small businesses to pool their resources and...more
On December 19, 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a proposed rule that, if enacted, will permit prime contractors to receive small-business subcontracting credit for subcontracts at any tier. The...more
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a final rule on Nov. 29, 2022, establishing its Veteran Small Business Certification Program for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned...more