It’s Not Just About Being Disadvantaged: An Overview of the SBA’s Potential for Success Requirement for 8(a) Program Entry

Gaining entry to the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) 8(a) Business Development Program (the “8(a) Program”) is not just about proving a social and economic disadvantage. If you are a small business owner thinking about applying to the 8(a) Program, there is another eligibility requirement you need to understand: potential for success. A business applying for 8(a) status must possess reasonable prospects for success competing in the private sector before it can be admitted to the 8(a) Program. What does that . . . Read More

It’s Not Just Michael Jordan’s Number Anymore: Previewing the SBA 2013 Small Business Procurement Scorecards

By Megan Connor Although the  SBA is not ready  to make its formal announcement yet, government-wide spending for fiscal year 2013 exceeded the 23% spending goal for small businesses for the first time in seven years. Based on data released via the Small Business Dashboard, of the $356 billion eligible dollars spent by the government in fiscal year 2013, small businesses received $83.4 billion or 23.43%. Meeting the 23% government-wide goal for 2013 is even more notable considering  Bloomberg’s recent study , which showed that overall federal contract spending fell . . . Read More

SBA Issues Final Rules on the Use of Set-Asides for Multiple Award Contracts

On October 2, 2013, SBA issued its long-anticipated final rule addressing the use of set-asides on multiple award contracts and clarifying the regulations on bundling and contract consolidation. The final rule implements sections of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. SBA had issued a proposed rule on these issues in May 2012, and solicited comments. Likewise, DOD, GSA, and NASA published an interim rule in November 2011 providing agencies with initial guidance regarding the use of set-asides on multiple . . . Read More