SBA Seeks Comments on Reducing Unnecessary Regulatory Burden

On August 15, 2017, the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) released a request for information (“RFI”) seeking input from the public as to which SBA regulations should be repealed, replaced, or modified because they are obsolete, unnecessary, ineffective, or burdensome. The RFI is prompted by various Executive Orders seeking to reduce the number and costs of federal regulations, including Executive Order 13771, signed by President Trump on January 30, 2017, requiring agencies to identify two existing regulations that the agency may cancel for every new . . . Read More

The Weekly Update August 11, 2017

FEDERAL AGENCIES “Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: DFARS Subgroup to the DoD Regulatory Reform Task Force, Review of DFARS Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses.” Federal Register, August 10, 2017. Retrieved from federalregister.gov The Department of Defense published a proposed rule in the Federal Register seeking input on Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplements solicitation provisions and contract clauses that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification. The public comment period is extended to September 11, 2017.  “Report to Congress Restructuring the . . . Read More

The Weekly Update August 4, 2017

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION “SBA Launches New HUBZONE Maps and Partners with U.S. Digital Service to Streamline and Enhance Online Services for Small Businesses” U.S. Small Business Administration Press Release, July 31, 2017. Retrieved from sba.gov The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that it has launched a new Historically Underutilized Business Zones map . The HUBZone map is the first step in the modernization effort of SBA’s federal contracting programs. SBA has partnered with the U.S. Digital Service to streamline and enhance online services for small . . . Read More

The Weekly Update July 28, 2017

FEDERAL AGENCIES “Class Deviation 2017-O0006, Increased Micro-Purchased Threshold.” Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy, July 17, 2017. Retrieved from acq.osd.mil . The Department of Defense issued a memorandum regarding the issued class deviation 2017-O0006, implementing provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. The class deviation addresses increases the micro-purchase threshold to $5,000 for DoD procurements and to $10,000 for DoD basic research programs. “Presidential Executive Order on Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply . . . Read More

PilieroMazza Legal Advisor – Third Quarter 2017

In this Issue: The All Small Mentor/Protégé Program, One Year Later: Lessons Learned and a Key Milestone Protecting Your Employees and Confidential Information when Working with Teaming Partners Employee Refusal of Medical Treatment – Tips to Avoid Costly Claims Sustainability Through Cost Control

The Weekly Update July 21, 2017

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING “Proposed Information Collection Request; Federal Contractor Veterans’ Employment Report VETS-4212.”  Federal Register, July 18, 2017. Retrieved from federalregister.gov .  The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) issued a notice soliciting public comments concerning a request to extend the currently approved VETS-4214 information collection form. Federal contractors and subcontractors track and report the number of employees in their workforces, by job category and hiring location, who belong to the specified categories of protected veterans. This information is sent annually to the . . . Read More

The Weekly Update July 14, 2017

FEDERAL AGENCIES “VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Guidelines.” Federal Register, July 12, 2017. Retrieved from federalregister.gov . Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register revising the required re-verification of ownership and control of veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) as well as service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). The VA will now re-verify SDVOSB/VOSB every three years, rather than every two years. “GSA releases statement on FBI Headquarters.” GSA News Release, July 11, 2017. Retrieved from gsa.gov. The . . . Read More

The Weekly Update July 7, 2017

CAPITOL HILL “Assessment and Enforcement of Domestic Preferences In Accordance with Buy American Laws.” June 30, 2017. Retrieved from whitehouse.gov. The Office of Management and Budget and Department of Commerce issued a memo to provide agency guidance in accordance to Executive Order 13788, Buy American and Hire American. The memo prompts agencies to assess their compliance with all statutes, regulations, rules, and Executive Orders relating “Buy America” or “Buy American” and Federal procurement. In order to maximize the Federal Government . . . Read More

The Weekly Update June 30, 2017

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor On May 12, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) published a rule entitled “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses” with an effective date of January 1, 2017 for the final rule’s electronic reporting requirements. The final rule sets an initial deadline of July 1, 2017, as the date by which certain employers are required to electronically submit the information from their completed 2016 Form 300A to . . . Read More

The Weekly Update June 23, 2017

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION “SBA Ignite Tour Blazes Across the Country.” Small Business Administration Press Release, June 21, 2017. Retrieved from sba.gov. Administrator Linda McMahon announced that she will visit more than 60 cities as part of the SBA Ignite Tour, a national outreach campaign aimed to listen, educate, and advocate for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Administrator McMahon visited Las Vegas, Nevada on June 20 and visited Salt Lake City, Utah on June 21, 2017. Additional cities this summer include: Pittsburgh, Puerto . . . Read More