Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 20, 2021

If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link. COVID-19 Client Resource Center: To access resources for businesses navigating the COVID-19 crisis, we invite you to visit PilieroMazza’s “COVID-19 Client Resource Center.” Contact covid19@pilieromazza.com for immediate assistance. WEBINAR: COVID-19 Relief in 2021: What Small Businesses Need to Know, February 2, 2021, Cy Alba, Nichole Atallah, and Kathryn Hickey. Read more here. LABOR & EMPLOYMENT 2021 Labor and Employment Spotlight: A List of Key Legal Updates for Employers, January 13, 2021, Nichole . . . Read More

The End of An Area: Planning Now for Potential Loss of HUBZone Status

2021 is an important year for the many HUBZone firms located in redesignated areas that will lose HUBZone status after 12/31/21. For these firms, the time is now to plan for maintaining HUBZone status in 2022 and beyond. Here’s what you need to know. If you are located in a redesignated area that loses HUBZone eligibility after this year, you could make plans this year to move your office to a new location that will still be HUBZone eligible after . . . Read More

DOJ Announces Nation’s First Settlement of Civil Case for PPP Loan Fraud

On January 12, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into a settlement with California-based SlideBelts, Inc. (SlideBelts) and its president and chief executive officer in what is advertised as the country’s first settlement in a civil case arising out of fraud in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan program initiated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This first-of-its-kind settlement is a reminder to small businesses that received PPP loans to take their representations and . . . Read More

The VA Issues Class Deviation: Important Changes Governing Limitations on Subcontracting Effective Immediately

On December 23, 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a class deviation to implement the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) formulation of the limitations on subcontracting (LOS) and nonmanufacturer rule (NMR) for all VA contracts awarded to small businesses or under SBA socioeconomic programs. SBA’s formulation is outlined in its May 31, 2016, final rule. The VA’s class deviation follows the release of a Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAAC) letter, which authorized civilian agencies to issue such class deviations . . . Read More

Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 13, 2021

If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link. PilieroMazza Builds on Strategic Plan for the Future, January 5, 2021 PilieroMazza announced that, effective January 1, 2021, Tony Franco became Managing Partner, assuming the role held for over three decades by Founding Partner Pam Mazza. Commenting on the change, Pam remarked, “Tony is a proven leader with a solid understanding of not only the practice of law, but also the business of law. He is more than capable of leading . . . Read More

Jon Williams

Jon is an experienced legal advisor to government contractors on a wide range of federal, state, and local procurement matters. His practice focuses on helping firms with a diverse array of Federal Acquisition Regulation compliance issues, including extensive counseling on federal procurement programs for small businesses. As some examples, Jon assists contractors in applying for and maintaining compliance in SBA’s 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB programs; understanding and navigating SBA’s nonmanufacturer rule; small business subcontracting plans; Buy American Act and . . . Read More

GAO Holds that SAM Registration Pertains to a Bidder’s Responsibility, Not Responsiveness of a Bid

On December 16, 2020, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained a protest by a contractor that was eliminated from a competition because its System for Award Management (SAM) registration had expired. Holding that registration in SAM pertains to a bidder’s responsibility, not the responsiveness of the bid, the GAO directed the agency to afford the bidder an opportunity to cure the matter after bid opening and before the award rather than finding the bidder to be ineligible for award. This . . . Read More

PPP Round Deux: Who Qualifies, For How Much, and Forgiveness Changes

While the President vetoed the 2021 NDAA—and has put COVID relief into question—he has not yet acted on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which contained the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (the Act) dealing with the second round of PPP Loans.  So, while the Act may be in jeopardy of a veto also, it has not yet occurred and, regardless, it is likely many of the PPP Loan provisions contained in the Act will be . . . Read More

Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – December 17, 2020

This is the last issue of PilieroMazza’s Weekly Update for 2020.  We will resume the publication in the second week of January 2021.  Please visit this link to view a holiday message from us to you. To access resources for businesses navigating the COVID-19 crisis, we invite you to visit PilieroMazza’s “COVID-19 Client Resource Center.” Contact covid19@pilieromazza.com for immediate assistance. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Key Provisions in the 2021 NDAA for Government Contractors, December 11, 2020, Jon Williams ‘Tis the season for . . . Read More