The Weekly Update recaps recent legislative and regulatory updates affecting
government contractors and commercial businesses.
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Department of Defense (DoD) Class Deviation (CD) 2026-O0051: Implementation of Vendor Threat Mitigation Support Authorities
On June 11, DoD issued a CD requiring all DoD contracting officers to include two updated contract clauses in solicitations and contracts performed outside of the U.S. The CD implements section 823 of the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which amends Sections 841, 842, and 843 of the FY 2015 NDAA. The contract clauses are DFARS 252.225-7975 and 252.225-7962. The CD is available here and is effective immediately.
Department of State (DoS) Proposed Rule: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR): Part 130 Changes to Reduce Reporting Burden
On June 15, DoS published a proposed rule and request for comments in support of the policy directed in Executive Order 14268 to reduce rules and regulations involved in the development, execution, and monitoring of foreign defense sales and arms transfer cases, in which it proposes to amend the ITAR to modernize and streamline reporting on certain political contributions and fees or commissions. The proposed rule is available here. Comments close August 14, 2026.
Small Business Administration (SBA) News Releases:
- Following White House Small Business Summit, SBA and GSA Take Action to Prioritize American-Made Products in Federal Purchasing. On June 12, SBA, in collaboration with GSA, announced new action to remove nearly two dozen foreign product offerings from GSA Advantage! The action comes as a result of meetings held at the White House Small Business Summit and in response to President Trump’s recent directive and executive order requiring federal agencies to prioritize purchasing American-made goods, in support of American workers and businesses. Read more here.
- SBA Reforms 8(a) Business Development Program to End Racial Discrimination in Federal Contracting. On June 11, SBA announced its proposed rule to end racial discrimination in the 8(a) Business Development Program and dismantle the race-based admissions framework that previously barred Americans of certain races from accessing 8(a) set-aside and sole-source contracting opportunities. Under the new rule, individuals will no longer be considered “socially disadvantaged,” and therefore eligible for the 8(a) program, simply because they are a member of a racial minority group. Likewise, no individual may be barred from the 8(a) program simply because they are white. Instead, all applicants will be required to prove their social disadvantage status by submitting verifiable, fact-based evidence. Read more here.
5 NDAA Proposals That Could Impact DoD Employees, Federal News Network
House lawmakers want to block future layoffs of some Defense Department employees, test out drones to fight fires, and create new chief acquisition talent officers. These are a few of the provisions that could matter most to DoD employees if they become law under the House’s version of the fiscal 2027 defense policy bill. The full House is now considering the bill after the House Armed Services Committee passed the legislation on June 5. Read more here.
Pentagon’s Use of JAGs in Civilian Roles Would Be Probed under NDAA Provision, Defense One
The Trump administration’s use of military lawyers for civilian roles would be probed by Congress’s watchdog agency under language added to the 2027 defense policy bill. Read more here.
White House Policies Hitting Small Business Contractors Hard, Senator Says, Federal News Network
New data from Democrats on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee shines new light on just how rough it’s been for many small business contractors over the last 15 months. A new report from Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), ranking member of the committee, found that since January 2025, when President Trump took office, agencies have reduced spending with small business contractors by $47 billion, and more than 6,500 firms have left the federal market. Read more here.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Launching TSA Gold+ Program at US Airports. What Is It? The Hill
A recently announced initiative spearheaded by TSA is hoping to privatize security at an increasing number of airports in the coming years. TSA Gold+ (or TSA Gold-plus) is a newly launched program that would allow airports to opt into a “public-private partnership” to handle the security and screening duties that TSA officers often conduct at the nation’s airport facilities. TSA says the program will allow private security firms to “tailor” security operations to each airport, while still complying with the TSA’s “robust federal security standards.” Read more here.
Upcoming Presentations
PM WEBINAR: Joint Venture Eligibility: Refresher and Updates on Requirements for Government Contractors, July 9, 2026, Meghan Leemon
WEBINAR: GovCon 101: Small Business Programs, July 13, 2026, Meghan Leemon
PM WEBINAR: DCAA Presents: Accounting System Compliance Requirements Every Government Contractor Must Know, July 14, 2026, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV; Peggy Galindo, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA); Paul Calabrese, GRF CPAs & Advisors
WEBINAR: Legal Strategies & Capture Planning, July 17, 2026, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV
Upcoming Presentations
PM WEBINAR: Contract Claims 101: Common and Uncommon Claims and Appeals, July 15, 2026, Lauren Brier, Caitlin Trevillyan, Jonathan “Jon” R. Neri, Ryan Boonstra
NDA Proposal Draws Concerns of ‘Chilling Effect’ on Federal Employees, Federal News Network
The Trump administration’s proposed non-disclosure agreement for federal employees is drawing criticism, as some warn of a potential “chilling effect” across the federal workforce. Whistleblower protection advocates and a member of Congress said a NDA proposal may cause federal employees to stay silent instead of reporting disclosures. Read more here.
Upcoming Presentations
TRAINING: FUN with the FAR 2026: FAR 22 & 23, July 8, 2026, Nichole D. Atallah
PM WEBINAR: Employee Organizing 101: What Employers Need to Know Before, During, and After Employees Organize, July 29, 2026, Sarah L. Nash, Georgianne “Georgi” Kokenis
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS / PRIVATE EQUITY & VENTURE CAPITAL
Trump Crackdown on Defense Share Buybacks Gets Senate Panel Nod, Bloomberg Government
A top Senate committee is seeking to enforce President Trump’s clampdown on US defense contractors’ shareholder distributions as the US military races to innovate and build cheaper weapons faster. Pentagon contractors would be required to submit a “qualified defense investment plan” to increase production capacity or face restrictions on shareholder distributions, according to provisions included in the Senate Armed Services annual defense authorization bill approved this week behind closed doors. Read more here (subscription required).
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report: Priority Open Recommendations: Small Business Administration (SBA)
On June 15, GAO released GAO-26-108956, in which it updated SBA’s progress on 17 priority recommendations GAO provided in May 2025. SBA has implemented three of those recommendations, bringing the total to 14. GAO highlights (i) improving oversight of COVID-19 pandemic programs and (ii) addressing cybersecurity and IT management challenges as areas that warrant timely and focused attention. Read more here.
General Services Administration (GSA) Proposed Rule: GSA Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) Acquisition of Information and Communication Technology
On June 17, GSA published a proposed rule and request for comments on the draft of a new GSAR clause regarding basic safeguarding of data within Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence Systems (LLMs). Due to the complexity of the issue, GSA is publishing this notification and draft clause to gather feedback from stakeholders before taking future action (e.g., deviation and/or formal rulemaking). The rule is available here. Comments close August 3, 2026.
General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Activity Feed: Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) Compliance Grace Period and Trial Period Guidance
On June 10, GSA announced additional guidance for four groups of MAS contractors on the TDR Program: (1) Contracts Transitioning to TDR Effective 10/1/2025 Through 7/1/2026; (2) Contractors who do not accept A909 by 6/2/2026; (3) Trial Period, Existing TDR Contracts Effective Prior to 10/1/2025; and (4) Trial Period, All Contractors: New Fields Not Yet Incorporated in FAS SRP. More information is available here.
A New Paradigm as GSA Looks to Loosen the Reins on Contracting Officers — within Reason, Federal News Network
The General Services Administration is reshaping its acquisition workforce, better equipping and empowering contracting officers with modernized tools and a renewed emphasis on training in a bid to free key personnel from excessive time on paperwork so they can spend more time on strategy. Read more here.
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