The Weekly Update recaps recent legislative and regulatory updates affecting
government contractors and commercial businesses.
If you have questions concerning this content, please email marketing@pilieromazza.com.
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Major Changes to Federal Contractors’ Compliance Requirements Coming this Monday, September 21
PilieroMazza Blog; Author: Sara N. Strosser
Effective September 21, 2026, a final rule adopted by the United States Department of Labor (DOL)’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) will eliminate several compliance requirements under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503). This follows a pattern of recent final rules issued by the OFCCP signaling the dismantling of protections afforded to minorities, women, and now, individuals with disabilities. Read more here.
Presidential Memorandum: Restoring Reciprocity in Government Procurement
Source: Whitehouse.gov
On September 16, the White House issued a memorandum directing the Office of Management and Budget, US Trade Representative, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council to remove and make non-available for purchase Canadian-origin items from the Federal procurement system. Read more here.
House Democrats call to cancel upcoming recess for time to legislate on AI
Source: NextGov/FCW
Four lawmakers stressed the need for more working days and bipartisan teamwork to respond to the national calls for strong artificial intelligence protections. House Democrats urged Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to either shorten or outright cancel their upcoming recess, citing the need to quickly move on artificial intelligence regulation. Read more here.
CIO-SP4 post-mortem: GWAC was no longer relevant, needed
Source: Federal News Network
In his first interview since CIO-SP4 was cancelled, Ricky Clark, the director of NITAAC, said a review found a high duplication of services, contractors. The NIH IT Acquisition and Assessment Center (NITAAC) found through a multi-agency review that there was better than 90% duplication of what it offered and what was already available through IT contract vehicles managed by the General Services Administration and NASA. Read more here.
DoD moves to replace government-unique accounting standards with GAAP
Source: Federal News Network
The Pentagon is moving away from government-unique Cost Accounting Standards to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, more commonly known as GAAP, that are used in the commercial sector to make it much easier for commercial firms to do business with the department. Read more here.
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council (FARC) Proposed Rules
Source: Federal Register
On September 18, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration published a proposed rule and request for comments for the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul. Comments close October 19, 2026. Proposed Rule for Parts 14, 28, 36, and 52 is available here. Proposed Rule for Parts 9, 27, 47, and 52 is available here. Proposed Rule for Parts 16, 17, 35, and 52 is available here. Proposed Rule for Parts 8, 12, 13, 15, 38, 44, 51, and 52 is available here.
Feedback on SBA’s size standard proposal running mostly negative
Source: Federal News Network
The Small Business Administration got an earful last Thursday over proposed changes to the small business size standards. The comments ranged from supportive of some or all of the draft changes to downright concerned about the future of small businesses and their ability to serve as federal contractors. More than 200 people signed up to offer one minute of specific feedback over a two-hour virtual town hall to SBA leaders about how the Aug. 20 draft changes would impact them. Read more here.
CONFERENCES:
Built to Succeed: The Legal Essentials for Small Business Growth, BizConn Alliance
October 6, 2026
Speaker: Tracey L. Pruiett*
Protecting Your Competitive Position While Maintaining A Disciplined Legal Strategy, SAME 2026 Federal Small Business Conference
November 5, 2026
Speaker: Tracey L. Pruiett*
PM WEBINARS:
TRAINING: ABCs of the SCA: Critical Path Service Contract Act Training for Government Contractors
October 27-29, 2026
Speakers: Nichole D. Atallah, Sarah L. Nash, Georgianne “Georgi” Kokenis
General Services Administration (GSA) Proposed Rule: General Services Administration Regulation (GSAR) Implementation of Executive Order 14275, FSS Ordering Procedures
Source: Federal Register
On September 22, GSA published a proposed rule and request for comments amending the GSAR to move Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) ordering procedures from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to GSAR part 538. This rule would direct ordering activities to use the FSS ordering procedures established by GSA. The rule is available here. Comments close October 22, 2026.
Upcoming Presentations
CONFERENCES:
Federal Government Contracting 101: A Roadmap for Commercial Businesses, ACRA’s 32nd Annual Conference
October 17, 2026
Speaker: Timothy “Tim” F. Valley, Jr.
Upcoming Presentations
PM WEBINARS:
Starting a Nonprofit: What Every Business Leader Should Know
October 1, 2026
Speaker: Kristen Centre
Buying and Selling a Business: M&A Processes and Procedures
October 21, 2026
Speaker: Kristen Centre