SBA Requests Comments on Potential Change in Size Standard for Resellers

On April 26, 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a proposed rule regarding its small business size standards for federal contractors in manufacturing and other industries with employee-based size standards. Small business federal contractors should take note of the proposed changes and consider whether to address this proposal by submitting a public comment by the June 27 deadline. SBA’s proposals include potential increases in the size standards for 150 industries. These include the size standard for surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing . . . Read More

SBA Increases Its Size Standards, Opening More Opportunities for Winning Government Contracts

The long-awaited increase to size standards by the Small Business Administration (SBA) has arrived. On March 31, 2022, SBA issued four final rules that increase the small business size standards for a number of industries. As a result, many businesses will gain eligibility for federal small business assistance programs or retain eligibility for a longer period. These programs include SBA’s business loan programs, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and federal procurement programs that provide targeted, set-aside opportunities for small . . . Read More

SBA HUBZone “Legacy Employee” Grace Period Ends: 3 Changes Affecting Recertification in 2022

As part of sweeping changes to the HUBZone rules in the 2019 Final Rule , SBA implemented the so-called HUBZone “legacy employee” rule.  This new rule was welcomed by HUBZone firms because it permits them to continue counting an employee as a HUBZone employee even after the employee moves out of a HUBZone, as long as certain requirements are satisfied.  Specifically, to qualify as a HUBZone legacy employee, the rule requires that an employee (i) reside in a HUBZone for at least 180 . . . Read More

SBA Awards $1.1 Million to Support Native American-Owned Small Businesses

Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on December 15, 2021, that SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs awarded $1.1 million in grants and contracts to seven entities which will provide business development services, management, and technical assistance to Native American-owned small businesses across the country.  This monetary investment is a step in the right direction to help native-owned, small-business government contractors gain access to contracting opportunities.   Ms. Guzman stated that “[n]ative-owned small businesses are vital to our shared economic . . . Read More

SBA Proposes to Change Two Key Size Standard Calculations

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued a proposed rule that would change two size standard calculations. First, SBA is proposing to use a 24-month period, as opposed to the current 12-month period, for calculating employees under employee-based size standards. Second, the proposed rule would allow companies in SBA loan programs to utilize a 5-year average or a 3-year average when calculating average annual receipts (AAR). Comments on these proposals are due by December 2, 2021. Below are key details regarding SBA’s . . . Read More

Govcon Giants Podcast: Meghan Leemon Offers Insights on SBA’s Suspension of Bona Fide Place of Business Requirements for 8(a) Construction Contracts

Govcon Giants’ podcast host Eric Coffie recently spoke with PilieroMazza ’s Meghan Leemon where she offered insights on the all-new, effective immediately, SBA policy to suspend bona fide place of business requirements for 8(a) construction contracts.  Meghan covers what is a bona fide office, why was it created, and how it impacts small businesses.  The discussion also goes into other rules and changes recently implemented that may affect small business government contractors.   Meghan is a member of PilieroMazza’s Government Contracts Group where she counsels businesses on . . . Read More