As part of the broader Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 27, which addresses patents, data, and copyrights was revised. While most changes were driven by the need for plain language, greater clarity, improved readability, and streamlined procedures, a few notable changes were introduced that will impact the treatment of intellectual property in federal government contracting. Special and Existing Works FAR Sections 27.405-1 and 27.405-2, which address special works and existing works, were revised. Notably, the prescriptions . . . Read More
The Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on November 7, 2025, that the U.S. Department of War (DOW) is dropping a game-changing memo: “ Transforming the Warfighting Acquisition System to Accelerate Fielding of Capabilities .” This bold blueprint reimagines how defense capabilities are delivered—with speed, agility, and results at the forefront. But with rapid transformation comes turbulence. While the newly branded Warfighting Acquisition System promises thrilling opportunities, it also introduces uncertainty. Defense contractors should stay sharp and informed. Understanding how DOW plans to fast-track contract delivery will be key to . . . Read More
Click here to view the recorded session. GovCon Giants’ Eric Coffie and PilieroMazza’s Meghan Leemon show you the critical changes happening with 8(a) and other small business certifications in 2025 that you must know to protect and grow your business. In this video, they break down the latest updates, including the overhaul of FAR Part 19, the reinstatement of the “bonafide place of business” rule for construction, and why certification approvals are taking longer. Eric and Meghan explain the ongoing compliance . . . Read More
On September 26, 2025, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council released the FAR Part 19 model deviation text, significantly reorganizing the Part’s overall structure. The updated FAR Part 19 not only streamlines the layout to align with the acquisition lifecycle but also revises key rules governing set-aside contracts awarded under various small business programs. One of the most notable areas affected is the 8(a) Business Development Program. This blog provides a more detailed analysis of recent changes to the FAR . . . Read More
On September 26, 2025, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council released the much-anticipated rewrite of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19, formerly titled Small Business Programs, as part of the broader Revolutionary FAR Overhaul initiative. To the pleasant surprise of many in the government contracting community, much of Part 19’s original content remains intact considering other more significant changes to other parts of the FAR. Still, several notable revisions—most prominently, retention of the Rule of Two—carry significant implications for small business . . . Read More
When the FAR Council issued its long-awaited rewrite of FAR Part 19 as part of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, many in the government contracting community focused on headline issues like the preservation of the “Rule of Two” and the streamlining of small business policies. But tucked within the reorganization is one of the most impactful—and potentially disruptive—changes for contractors: the treatment of size recertification. While the new FAR attempts to simplify the rules by anchoring size status at the master contract level, it creates significant . . . Read More
The federal government is set to run out of funding on September 30. While Congress is working on a continuing resolution to extend current funding levels and avert a government shutdown, it is currently being reported that the stopgap funding may be blocked unless the continuing resolution includes certain terms, such as extending expiring Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies. As we approach the possibility of another government shutdown, it’s crucial for government contractors to be prepared for the potential . . . Read More
Concerns are mounting that the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul will eliminate the regulatory “Rule of Two” found in FAR Part 19. Now, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is going further—seeking to narrow the reach of the statutory Rule of Two by revising the Small Business Act. Specifically, OMB wants to change the requirement from applying to purchases “below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT)” to applying only to purchases below “$250,000.” At the same time, OMB proposes raising the SAT . . . Read More
Government contractors are navigating a range of legal and compliance challenges in the wake of recent executive orders issued by the Trump administration. In this timely training session hosted by the National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC), Marie Myszkier is joined by PilieroMazza attorneys Cy Alba and Lauren Brier , who address how veteran-owned small businesses can overcome legal challenges related to the EOs. Click here to listen. About Cy Alba Cy is a partner in PilieroMazza’s Government Contracts Group . He counsels clients in a broad range of government contracting matters before government . . . Read More
The recent rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6—governing “Competition Requirements”—is prompting questions about whether the changes may signal a shift in federal small business contracting policy. In particular, the removal of explicit references to certain socioeconomic program provisions raises concerns in the small business community. In this blog, PilieroMazza dissects the FAR Part 6 rewrite, concluding that most revisions appear to be structural rather than substantive. However, the unresolved status of the “Rule of Two” continues to . . . Read More
