A revised methodology for the Small Business Administration’s size standards went into effect on April 11.

Many contractors are familiar with the well-established processes of federal bid protests.  Less known is the dizzying variety of procedures applicable to state and local bid protests.  Each jurisdiction has its own rules — in terms of timing, protestable issues, …

If you are thinking of forming a mentor-protégé joint venture to pursue a particular set-aside contract, it is critical that your timing has enough built-in cushion to ensure that all of the necessary approvals and entity-formation steps are accomplished before you submit …

It is popular and generally wise advice that if you seek to be a government prime contractor, start as a government subcontractor. It can be an excellent training ground and acclimation environment to the many differences and nuances between government …

The General Services Administration awarded a $41.8 million contract to Ernst and Young LLP to provide entity validation services of federal contractors for up to five years.  The move is part of the government’s transition away from the “DUNS” identifier, …

President Trump on Thursday added details to his earlier “Buy American” push with a new executive order instructing all agencies to “maximize the use of iron and aluminum as well as steel, cement, and other manufactured products produced in the …

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Alaska businesses and residents as a result of President Trump’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Linda McMahon announced. The declaration covers the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Matanuska‑Susitna Borough …

The current government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history, and many federal contractors are incurring costs as a result of shutdown-related work stoppages and delays. Luckily, many federal contracts contain clauses that provide a potential avenue for recovery …

Deadlines are deadlines, even if no one is there to check. Federal contractors large and small should be prepared for a long government shutdown. But what about the contracting opportunities currently in play? Unless an agency contracting office has given specific …

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently issued final guidance for requiring activities to assess contractors’ System Security Plans (SSPs) and their implementation of the security controls in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171.  A draft …

If your business has been adversely affected by the earthquake that struck Alaska on November 30, 2018, there are a few things you should know and consider immediately:  Look at your business insurance policy to see if you have “business …

The US Air Force is starting a new initiative to engage tech start up companies in its SBIR program. The Air Force intends to invest $40 million in contracts over in two days.The first step is to submit a five …

For small government contractors, the disconnect between the SBA’s updated limitations on subcontracting rule and the FAR’s outdated rules has been very confusing.  For more than two years, the FAR and SBA regulation have used different formulas to determine compliance, and the …

The General Services Administration delivered on its long-awaited promise to reform the Multiple Awards Schedule program Tuesday, announcing plans to condense 24 contract vehicles into a single offering for products and services. Administrator Emily Murphy said in a statement that …

Last month, the SBA issued major proposed rule changes to the HUBZone program. This is the first comprehensive revision to the HUBZone rules since the program’s implementation nearly 20 years ago, and the changes are intended to improve the predictability and stability …

Thank you everyone for attending the Wainwright/Eielson Industry day event at both the Fairbanks and Anchorage locations!  It was a wonderful exchange of information between contracting staff and business owners.  The event even made the news station in Fairbanks.  To …

The Veterans Affairs Dept. and Small Business Administration put into effect final rules that modify how veteran-owned small businesses are defined and verified.  Under the VA and SBA final rules, which went into effect on Oct. 1, the VA agreed to …

The House of Representatives recently passed a number of bills last week that will impact women-owned firms doing business with the federal government: Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act (H.R. 6369) Small Business Runway Extension Act (H.R. 6330) Clarity on Small …

The Department of Defense (DoD) is hosting a public meeting on October 10, 2018, to obtain views of experts and interested parties in Government and the private sector regarding revising policies and procedures relating to customary progress payment rates and …

Another year, another minimum wage increase. On Jan. 1, the minimum wage for employees on covered federal contracts rises to $10.60 per hour, up from $10.35 per hour this year, the Labor Dept. announced.  Covered tipped employees performing work on covered …