Jon Williams Discusses SBA’s Proposed Size Standards Rule on OrangeSlices AI GovCon M&A Podcast

PilieroMazza’s Jon Williams, a Partner in the firm’s Government Contracts Group, recently joined the OrangeSlices AI GovCon M&A Talk podcast to discuss the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) proposed changes to its size standards regulations and the potential implications for government contractors. In this episode, Jon Williams and OrangeSlices AI founder Sharon Heaton examine the SBA’s proposed rule and why it could represent one of the most significant changes to the small business contracting landscape in recent years. The discussion . . . Read More

PilieroMazza Town Hall: Breaking Down SBA’s Massive Proposed Changes to Small Business Size Standards

Click here to view the recorded session. On August 19th, PilieroMazza issued a client alert analyzing the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) significant new proposals to revise its size standards methodology and the size standards applicable across numerous industries. If adopted, these proposals would fundamentally change how small business status is determined for federal contracting and reshape the set-aside contracting landscape. The authors of the client alert, partners Jon Williams and Meghan Leemon, will host a virtual PilieroMazza Town Hall on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 11am – 12pm ET to discuss . . . Read More

Five SBA 7(a) Changes that Could Reshape Business Acquisitions

On August 14, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (the SBA) announced the issuance of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 50 10 8.1, Lender and Development Company Loan Programs, which will become effective on October 1, 2026, according to SBA Policy Notice 5000-880695. SOP 50 10 8.1 will apply to all lending applications that are issued an SBA loan number on or after October 1, 2026, and is intended to build upon the 7(a) lending criteria that were reintroduced pursuant to . . . Read More

SBA to Propose Massive Changes to Its Small Business Size Standards

On August 20th, SBA will publish stunning proposed changes to its size standards, replacing the August 2025 proposed rule, which we discussed here, as well as revised size standards methodology. From time to time, SBA reviews and proposes changes to its size standards and those changes are typically incremental and to adjust for inflation. Tomorrow’s proposed changes are massive and will dramatically reshape how small businesses are determined for federal contracting if finalized.  One of the major proposed changes is . . . Read More

SBA Finalizes Rule Regarding Social Disadvantage Requirements for Individually-Owned 8(a) Applicants

Today, just shy of 30 days after comments on the proposed rule closed, SBA issued a final rule entitled “Reforms to 13 CFR 124.103 to remove SBA’s 8(a) Program’s rebuttable presumption of social disadvantage for individually owned firms only. Reforms do not impact entity-owned firms.” This client alert covers key aspects of the final rule and how it will impact your pending or future 8(a) application. Notably, this final rule does not impact current individually-owned participants in the U.S. Small . . . Read More

SBA Commends DoW CMMC Suspension

On July 13, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy announced that working with industry partners, including PilieroMazza, the SBA had worked to convince the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to suspend the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program’s Phase II requirements and conduct a comprehensive review of the costs and regulatory requirements associated therewith. The suspension and investigation of CMMC Phase II marks a pivotal moment for small business contractors with concerns about the costly red . . . Read More

SBA Issues Proposed Rule Regarding Social Disadvantage Requirements for Individually-Owned 8(a) Applicants

On June 11, 2026, SBA issued a proposed rule entitled “Reforms to Remove SBA’s 8(a) Program’s Rebuttable Presumption of Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned Firms Only; Reforms Do Not Impact Entity-Owned Firms.” This client alert covers key aspects of the proposed rule and how it may impact a contractor’s pending or future 8(a) application. Notably, this proposed rule does not impact current individually-owned participants in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) business development program (8(a) program) or entity-owned firms.  . . . Read More