Despite various impacts to SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program–both quite recently and over the last couple years (which you can read about here and here, and even listen to me talk about here)–this “golden child” of SBA’s socioeconomic programs remains alive and well. And it is still one of the most lucrative and sought after SBA certifications out there. So, eligible contractors may be quite happy to hear, even during this most recent government shutdown, the 8(a) application portal remains up and running. In fact, given the current “pause” to other government contracting functions and filing portals, there may never be a better time than right now to work on those 8(a) applications. That said, anecdotally, we at SmallGovCon have been hearing from some 8(a) applicants about recent updates to the 8(a) application process and submission portal that we want to share with our readers via this two part blog.
Continue reading…Conference Announcement: ICBS Show, Oklahoma City, October 14-16, 2025
The Indian Country Business Summit (ICBS) is hosting its annual ICBSSHOW in Oklahoma City next month. And our very own Gregory Weber will be attending and presenting on federal contracting legal updates. This presentation will be a great way for contractors to stay on top of all the recent updates in federal contracting. So, please stop by our table to say hello or if any questions come up after the presentation.
The ICBSSHOW offers informational sessions featuring experts in government procurement, connection and networking opportunities, and a day of matchmaking to introduce you and your business to government decision makers. It also provides invaluable access to government agency buyers and policy leaders, prime contractors, and tribal procurement representatives looking to expand their vendor pools.
For additional event details and registration use this link. Hope to see you there!
It’s National APEX Day!
APEX Accelerators play a crucial yet often underappreciated role in the world of federal government contracting. These programs, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), serve as vital connectors between small businesses and the complex landscape of government procurement. By offering free or low-cost training, one-on-one counseling, and expert guidance, APEX Accelerators empower businesses—especially small and disadvantaged firms—to navigate registrations, find contract opportunities, understand compliance requirements, and ultimately compete successfully for federal contracts. Their behind-the-scenes work directly contributes to a more diverse, competitive, and resilient federal supply chain. You can learn more about NAPEX (National Apex Accelerator Alliance) by clicking on the link.
Here at SmallGovCon, we would like to recognize the APEX Accelerators for the countless hours they invest in building the capacity of small businesses to thrive in government contracting markets. We appreciate our partnership and all that you do!
Please check out all the APEX events near you at this link.
GAO: SDVOSB Eligibility Required at Time of the Award (Not just Offer) for VA Procurements
Many Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) operate under the assumption that SDVOSB certification is only required at the time of initial offer for SDVOSB set aside contracts. But as one company recently learned the hard way, SDVOSB eligibility for VA procurements must be maintained at both the time of offer and award.
Continue reading…SmallGovCon Week in Review: September 29-October 3, 2025
It’s Friday and time for another week in review. Well, as we all know, this week’s news is all about the government shut down and the impact on federal government contracting. The days ahead remain uncertain, but the impacts of the shutdown are already rippling across the federal landscape. Until this is resolved, hang in there, Contractors, and please continue to visit SmallGovCon for more information and updates.
You can read more about this topic in the articles we have provided below. Have a safe weekend.
Continue reading…FAR 2.0 Update: Small Business Rule of Two Lives on in Part 19 – Small Business
Many federal contractors have heard about the revamping of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Variously called FAR 2.0, the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, or simply RFO, this project has been undertaken by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council). An executive order got the ball rolling, setting forth the mandate to create FAR 2.0 by October 12, 2025. We wrote about it in our earlier post, and described it as two parallel tracks. Track 1 involves a rewrite into “plain language” and removing non-statutory and unnecessary content. Track 2 involves the development of the non-mandatory guidelines to guide procurement officials.
Our earlier posts regarding the RFO can be found here: Executive Order, Overview of FAR 2.0, FAR Part 6, FAR Part 8.
The revision of the FAR sections has continued over the past few months, with additional proposed revisions being released throughout 2025. In this post, we’ll review one proposed revision that seems to make some significant changes to the language: Part 19 – Small Business. A key takeaway is the FAR will retain the small business rule of two.
Continue reading…SmallGovCon Week in Review: September 22-26, 2025
Hello, SmallGovCon Readers! It’s Friday and time for another week in review.
A potential government shutdown is prominent in this week’s headlines and poses some challenges for federal contractors. As negotiations in Congress drag on, contractors are faced with a lot of uncertainty. You can read more about this and strategies to deal with the government shutdown in articles below.
Please check out the blog from our SmallGovCon contributor Nicole Pottroff for some best practices for federal contractors:
Strategies for Dealing with a Government Shutdown
Have a great weekend!
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