“They’re asking for what?” This is a not-so-uncommon response from small businesses applying to SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program (“8(a) Program”), which is notorious for the amount of information – and paper – that applicants are required to provide SBA to demonstrate eligibility. However, a recent SBA final rulemaking implemented changes to the 8(a) Program application process to eliminate certain requirements which, according to SBA, impose an unnecessary burden on program applicants. For example, SBA has done away with the . . . Read More
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS GSAR Construction Contract Administration GSAR Federal Supply Schedule, Order-Level Materials Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Audit of Settlement Proposals This week’s report follows, click here if you would like to download a copy . GSAR Construction Contract Administration The GSA has issued a proposed rule to revise GSAR part 536, Construction and Architect-Engineer Contracts, and related parts, to maintain consistency with the FAR and to clarify, update, and incorporate existing construction contract administration guidance previously implemented through internal Public Building Service policies. The five categories of the . . . Read More
By Michael de Gennaro and Dana Livne If approached properly, selling your business will rank among the most significant and rewarding moves of your career, representing the culmination of years of patience, hard work and vision. Whether you are planning a sale or just considering it a possibility down the road, there are good reasons as a seller to be proactive about due diligence. Due diligence involves a thorough analysis of your business that will identify not only its assets . . . Read More
By Megan Connor When the SBA issued its final rule concerning its new Small Business Mentor Protégé Programs, it adopted a major change for 8(a) and small business joint ventures: no more populated joint ventures. Instead, the rule provides that where a joint venture is formed as a separate legal entity, like a limited liability company, it may not have its own separate employees to perform contracts awarded to the joint venture. For contractors well-versed in the National Industrial Security Program Operating . . . Read More
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Pilot Program for Streamlining Awards for Innovative Technology Projects Costs Related to Counterfeit Electronic Parts LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees This week’s report follows, click here if you would like to download a copy . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Pilot Program for Streamlining Awards for Innovative Technology Projects DOD is proposing to amend the DFARS to implement Section 873 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 which (1) provides an exception from the certified cost and pricing data requirements, and from the records examination requirement for . . . Read More
Late last month, SBA published its final rule establishing a government-wide mentor-protégé program for all small business concerns called the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program. The rule is set to become effective on August 24, 2016. Click here to read our analysis of the final rule and the new program. SBA recently announced that it will begin accepting applications for the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program on October 1, 2016. The application, approval, and monitoring process will be centralized in SBA’s headquarters in Washington, . . . Read More
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Guidance for Executive Order 13673, “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” This week’s report follows, click here if you would like to download a copy . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces DOD, GSA, and NASA issued a final rule amending the FAR to implement Executive Order 13673, Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces, which is designed to increase efficiency and cost savings in Federal contracting by improving contractor compliance with labor laws. The Department of Labor is simultaneously issuing final guidance to assist federal agencies . . . Read More