SBA Releases Preview of New HUBZone Maps Effective July 1, 2023

HUBZone contractors have been anxiously awaiting updates to the HUBZone maps. In 2021, SBA extended the “freeze” on the HUBZone maps until June 30, 2023, to provide enough time to update the maps based on the 2020 Census results. SBA targeted the release of a beta version of the new HUBZone maps in January 2023, and SBA recently hit that mark. A preview of the new HUBZone maps that will take effect on July 1, 2023, is now up on . . . Read More

Final Rule Establishes Requirements for New SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program

The Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a final rule last week, officially transferring the responsibility for certification of veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) to SBA, effective January 1, 2023. We previously blogged about this change here , indicating that Section 862 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 provided for the elimination of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) certification program altogether and implementation of a certification requirement for all VOSB / SDVOSB . . . Read More

SBA Adjusts Economic Disadvantage Thresholds for 8(a) and EDWOSB Programs and Monetary-Based Size Standards

Per an interim final rule published on November 17, 2022, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is adjusting the three economic disadvantage thresholds applicable to the 8(a) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) programs for inflation. SBA’s interim final rule will also increase its receipts-based small business size standards. These changes will be effective on December 19, 2022. SBA’s changes should be welcomed by small businesses and participants in the 8(a) and EDWOSB programs and those looking to apply. Economic Disadvantage Thresholds for . . . Read More

PilieroMazza’s Matt Feinberg Comments on Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application Lawsuit Against the SBA

A nearly 100-year old family-run animal attraction in South Florida, Monkey Jungle, recently filed for federal aid due to issues related to COVID. Since primates in the attraction can contract the highly contagious virus from humans, the company had to close its doors. With no revenue, and still maintaining a staff to care for hundreds of animals, Monkey Jungle is struggling to stay in business. So the company filed for a federal COVID relief grant designed to keep entertainment venues . . . Read More

SBA Proposes Revisions to Ownership and Control Requirements for the 8(a) Business Development Program

As PilieroMazza noted recently here , the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a major proposed rulemaking that will impact government contractors, primarily those that are participants in the 8(a) Business Development Program. PilieroMazza has posted a series of blogs regarding SBA’s proposed rulemaking, and this client alert highlights some of the proposed changes that pertain specifically to the 8(a) Program. Ownership and Control As you may be aware, there are certain ownership restrictions on an 8(a) firm. One of the restrictions . . . Read More

SBA Proposes Revisions to Bona Fide Place of Business Requirements for 8(a) Construction Contracts

The bona fide place of business requirement provides that for 8(a) construction contracts, the contractor must have an SBA-approved bona fide place of business in the applicable geographical area. Since August 25, 2021, and as PilieroMazza reported , SBA placed a moratorium on the bona fide place of business requirements for 8(a) construction contracts. The moratorium was extended through September 30, 2023. This client alert reviews certain proposed changes that government contractors operating in the construction sector and participating in the 8(a) . . . Read More

Impact of SBA Proposals on Federal Subcontracting

As PilieroMazza recently  noted , SBA released a major proposed rulemaking that will impact government contractors. The proposed rule is focused on SBA’s 8(a) Program (see our client alert highlighting those proposed changes here ), but it also impacts the rules for subcontracting on federal projects. This client alert provides contractors with an overview of SBA’s proposals related to the limitations on subcontracting, subcontractor affiliation, and subcontracting plans. Limitations on Subcontracting (LOS) SBA’s rules currently provide that the period of time used to determine . . . Read More

SBA’s Proposed Rule Alters the Landscape for Size and Status Protests

On September 9, 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a proposed rule (the Rule) making substantial changes to the 8(a) Business Development program (covered here in a previous PilieroMazza alert). Scattered throughout the Rule are various protest-related changes for the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Programs. The Rule expands and limits the ground rules for filing a size or status protest against an apparent successful offeror. To avoid losing contracting opportunities . . . Read More

Impact of SBA Proposals on WOSB and HUBZone Programs, Joint Ventures/Mentor-Protégés, and Nonmanufacturer Rule Waivers

As PilieroMazza noted recently here , SBA released a major proposed rulemaking that will impact government contractors. While the proposed rule is heavily geared toward SBA’s 8(a) Program, SBA included proposals for many of its other small business programs as well. This client alert provides contractors with an overview of SBA’s proposals related to Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and HUBZone Programs, as well as joint ventures and nonmanufacturer rule (NMR) waivers.  WOSB Program As you may be aware, SBA’s regulations provide . . . Read More