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

86 That Grant: SBA Targets Restaurant Revitalization Fund Recipients for Recoupment

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) was a Congressionally-created program, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), under which financial grants were issued to restaurants, food stands, caterers, bars, food trucks, food carts, breweries, wineries, and other food and beverage businesses to help those companies navigate the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2024, the SBA Office of Inspector General issued a report, SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program Award Practices, which suggested that approximately $6.7 Billion of the . . . Read More

Navigating the Recent Ban on Foreign Ownership for SBA Loans

Earlier this month, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) banned foreign nationals, non‑citizens, and lawful permanent residents whose principal residence was outside of the U.S. from owning any interest in a small business applicant of a SBA‑guaranteed small business loan under the 7(a) and 504 programs. Effective April 1, 2026, that ban will expand to the Surety Bond (Procedural Notice 5000-877134) and Microloan (Procedural Notice 5000-877232) programs. Below, PilieroMazza highlights what this means for businesses that regularly apply for SBA-backed . . . Read More

SVOG Alert: SBA Demands Supplemental Documents from Grant Recipients Who Appealed SBA’s Decision to Rescind Their SVOG Grants

In July 2025, we wrote that the Small Business Administration (SBA) had begun issuing letters to recipients of grant funds under the $16.25 Billion COVID-era Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, rescinding grant recipients’ eligibility for the program and demanding full or partial repayment of the grants years after award. SBA gave grantees 30 days to file an appeal. SBA continued issuing rescission letters to grantees through at least October 2025, including to grantees whose SVOG awards had been fully . . . Read More