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…GovCon KC 2025 Conference Announcement: October 22, hosted by Missouri APEX Accelerators
The GovCon Kansas City 2025 event is to foster connections and advancing knowledge in the government contracting community and business basics. This event brings together a wide array of industry leaders, government officials, and business professionals for a unique opportunity to network, share insights, and explore the latest developments in the field. This event is intended for government agencies, prime contractors and major firms to meet with small businesses to explore potential partnerships for future contract opportunities.
Please say hello and plan to attend the presentation on the Top 21 Legal Mistakes in Federal Government Contracting by our very own Nicole Pottroff. Nicole will be speaking at 1:00pm CDT.
For more information and registration use the link here.
FAR Overhaul Webinar: What to Expect from FAR 2.0 on October 21, hosted by GT (Georgia Tech) APEX Accelerators
Please join me, Shane McCall, on October 21 at 12:00pm EDT as I discuss the important new developments for the revolutionary FAR overhaul. GSA has described the FAR overhaul as taking things down to the studs and that it will function like a wobbly bicycle at the start. This presentation will discuss the executive order outlining the FAR overhaul and the goal to “remove most non-statutory rules.” It will work through the various updates, the line out, and the change summary.
Discussion Topics include:
- FAR Part 19 small business changes.
- What is staying the same?
- What is changing?
- What is the base FAR versus the contractor supplements?
Please register here. (Registration deadline October 20, 2025, 8:00am EDT.)
Finalized Increases to Micro-Purchase, Simplified Acquisition, and Other Thresholds
Last year, we noted that the FAR Council (DoD, GSA, and NASA) issued a proposed rule to adjust the statutory acquisition thresholds for inflation. Under 41 U.S.C. § 1908, the federal government must adjust these thresholds every five years to account for inflation. Effective October 1, 2025, the updated thresholds have gone into effect. In this post, we’ll look at the new thresholds.
The finalized rule, issued on August 27, 2025, mostly matches the proposed rule from 2024, although there are some differences.
Continue reading…SmallGovCon Week in Review: October 6-10, 2025
Hello, SmallGovCon Readers! It’s been a busy — and bumpy — time in the world of government contracting with the ongoing government shutdown. Still, there are some bright spots: the Senate finally confirmed a new OFPP administrator for the first time since 2019, and the GSA rolled out the first OASIS+ awardees — a big deal for future contracting opportunities. At the same time, the DOJ is cracking down on cyber compliance, recently handing out a $4.6 million fine. And the federal CIO is asking vendors to lead with their best pricing to help keep things moving. Bottom line: things are shifting fast, and contractors should stay flexible. We shall see what next week brings.
You can read more about these topics in the articles below. Have a great weekend.
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 this 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.