Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – April 3, 2020

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 .” Please contact covid19@pilieromazza.com for immediate assistance. CLIENT ALERT: DOL Issues Temporary Regulations the Day the FFCRA Became Law, April 2, 2020, Nichole Atallah , Sarah Nash , and  Sara Nasseri . [ Read More ] CLIENT ALERT: FFCRA Leave Effective April 1: DOL Issues Additional Guidance, March 31, 2020, Nichole Atallah ,  Sarah Nash , and  Sara Nasseri . [ Read More ] SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS . . . Read More

BLOG: HUBZone Program Flexibility During the COVID-19 Outbreak

In a webinar on March 25, 2020, officials with SBA’s HUBZone Program showed that SBA understands the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak has created some unique challenges for HUBZone firms. Fortunately, SBA acted proactively to provide flexibilities to HUBZone firms that are struggling to maintain their principal office location and employees during this challenging time.  Highlights from SBA’s webinar included: The new annual recertification process will be voluntary for the remainder of 2020, except for firms that are up for a three-year . . . Read More

The CARES Act and Leave Guide for Employers: Deciding Which Option is Best for You and Your Employees

Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “Act” or the “CARES Act”) on March 27, 2020 in an effort to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 on businesses and employees. President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law any moment. Once signed, the CARES Act allows businesses to apply for loans to continue paying employees and maintaining operations, which may be forgiven, expands on provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Act ( FFCRA ), and . . . Read More

Contracting Officers Can Pay You Even If the Contract Is Shut Down!

Yesterday, we discussed the emergency loan programs and loan forgiveness opportunities for small businesses in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). However, it is critical to understand that there are other avenues for relief that do not have to wait for SBA or private lenders to start processing such loans. Specifically, OMB Memorandum M-20-18 gave Contracting Officers (“CO”) broad authority and specifically states that all contracting personnel should “feel fully empowered to use acquisition flexibilities.” Further, Section 3610 of the Act, entitled “Federal Contractor Authority,” . . . Read More

Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – March 27, 2020

If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . CLIENT ALERT: The CARES Act and Leave Guide for Employers: Deciding Which Option is Best for You and Your Employees, March 27, 2020, Nichole Atallah , Sarah Nash , and Sara Nasseri . [ Read More ] COVID-19 CLIENT RESOURCE CENTER: To access more resources for businesses navigating the COVID-19 crisis, we invite you to visit PilieroMazza’s “ COVID-19 Client Resource Center .” WEBINAR: Teleworking in a COVID-19 Environment: Your Questions Answered, March 31, 2020, Nichole Atallah . [ Read More ] WEBINAR: COVID-19 Survival: . . . Read More

Senate Passes Historic COVID-19 Stimulus Package: Billions Set Aside for Small Businesses

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), and the House of Representatives is expected to similarly pass the CARES Act on March 27, 2020. The legislation represents an unprecedented stimulus package as the government attempts to mitigate the economic damage associated with the novel COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a summary of some of the central components of the stimulus package that focus on economic relief for small businesses. . . . Read More

Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – March 20, 2020

If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . ANNOUNCEMENT: PilieroMazza Forms “COVID-19 Client Response Team,” March 18, 2020 To address the concerns of our clients and resource partners during and long after the coronavirus pandemic, PilieroMazza  created the “COVID-19 Client Response Team.” The Team’s purpose is to offer government contractors and commercial businesses practical guidance with information and resources necessary to protect you, your business, and your personnel against the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19. Please also visit . . . Read More

BLOG: Reselling Laptops and Tablets to the Federal Government Just Got Easier

The Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a class waiver of the non-manufacturer rule (NMR) on March 9, 2020. Effective April 8, 2020, it waives the NMR for commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) laptop and tablet computers. The waiver is great news for small business resellers in the IT industry because the waiver will make it easier for these small businesses to comply with the NMR when reselling COTS laptops and tablets to federal agencies. For some background, the NMR is an exception to . . . Read More

Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – March 12, 2020

If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . PODCAST: FCA: The Year-End Review, March 10, 2020,  Matt Feinberg . [ Read More ] WEBINAR: CMMC Is Coming: Are You Ready?, March 17, 2020, Jon Williams and Anna Wright. [ Read More ] WEBINAR: The False Claims Act: 2019 Takeaways and 2020 Trends, March 31, 2020, Matt Feinberg  and  Jackie Unger . [ Read More ] GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS LAW GSA to Clarify Agency Physical Security Standard Responsibility The General Services Administration (GSA) issued a proposed rule to revise the Federal Management Regulation to clarify the . . . Read More