Tag Archives: HUBZone Program

Event: Understanding & Obtaining HUBZone Certification – Update 2021

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Live Govology Webinar: April 8, 2021, 1:00-2:30pm EDT Instructors: Steven Koprince & Shane McCall

In late 2019, the SBA issued a final rule, making several changes to the HUBZone program. Join us as we discuss these changes as well as SBA’s related guidance and provide an overview of the HUBZone program’s requirements, including:

  • Ownership, control, and other HUBZone eligibility criteria.
  • Benefits: HUBZone set-asides, sole-source contracts, and price preference.
  • The principal office rule and why it may not be your headquarters.
  • The 35% employee rule and the “attempt to maintain” standard.
  • Who qualifies as an employee and what happens if they move.
  • The clear line of fracture standard.
  • Annual certification.
  • Program examinations.
  • Maintaining compliance in a changing landscape.

If you’re a HUBZone concern trying to navigate these uncharted waters or have thought about obtaining HUBZone certification in the future, this webinar is for you. Register here.

SBA Inspector General Questions Legality of Relaxed HUBZone Residency Rule

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Last December, SBA overhauled its HUBZone Program rules in an effort to make it easier for companies to obtain and maintain HUBZone certification–and to help the Government stop falling so woefully short of the three percent HUBZone prime contracting goal.

But now, in a new report, SBA’s internal watchdog is questioning whether one of those HUBZone Program changes went too far.

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Event: Small Business Contracting Update & 2021 Preview

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Fiscal Year 2020 is officially in the books. For small businesses in government contracting, it was a year of major changes–and many more changes are on their way in FY 2021.

On November 18, please join me (virtually) for “Small Business Contracting Update & 2021 Predictions,” sponsored by the National Contract Management Association, Boston Chapter. I’ll cover the biggest changes in FY 2020, from the HUBZone Program overhaul to WOSB certification to increases in the 8(a) Program economic thresholds. Then I’ll dust off my crystal ball and predict what’s on the way in FY 2021, including the long-awaited changes to the limitations on subcontracting and a revamping of the rules governing debriefings.

It’s easy to register: just click here. I hope to see you for this great pre-Thanksgiving event!

Inspector General: SBA’s Certify.SBA.gov Platform “Has Not Accomplished Its Objectives”

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The SBA’s “Certify” website, certify.SBA.gov, has fallen far short of meeting its objectives, according to an eye-opening report from the SBA’s Office of Inspector General.

The OIG concludes that, despite an investment of $30 million, Certify “does not have many of the essential search, analytical, and reporting tools it was supposed to have.” Additionally, Certify’s lack of functionality has forced SBA employees to use time-consuming workarounds, causing delays in screening and approving applications, among other things.

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SBA Issues 2019 Small Business Scorecard, Small Business Contracting Over $130 Billion!

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The SBA’s FY2019 Small Business Procurement Scorecard came out recently and revealed some interesting trends in the dollars and cents of small business contracting. While there are a lot of positives for small businesses, not all the numbers are great. Read on for the details!

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