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
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
The Weekly Update June 16, 2017
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING “GSA Adds Hundreds of Small Businesses to the 8(a) STARS II GWAC Contract.” GSA Press Release, June 15, 2017. Retrieved from gsa.gov. The GSA 8(a) STARS II Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (“GWAC”) recently added approximately 500 qualified industry partners during an Open Season. The Open Season enables GSA to continue its support of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) 8(a) Business Development Program and assist agencies in meeting their small business goals. With over 3,200 task order awards and . . . Read More
The Weekly Update June 9, 2017
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Rules of Procedure Governing Cases Before the Office of Hearings and Appeals The U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) has amended the rules of practice of its Office of Hearings and Appeals (“OHA”) to implement section 869 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 and section 1833 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. This legislation authorizes OHA to decide Petitions for Reconsideration of Size Standards (“Size Standard Petitions”). This . . . Read More