Hello, SmallGovCon readers! As we do each year, this post revisits the most popular SmallGovCon articles that were posted in 2025, as well as the most popular all-time posts in 2025. As we move deeper into 2026, I look to to reflect on these important and well-liked posts from 2025.

Below, we summarize the blogs written in 2025 that were the most visited as well as the perennial favorites from years past that were the most read in 2025. It’s a good chance to look back on the important articles from 2025, and those topics of continuing interest to federal contractors. While there are exceptions, chances are that those topics that were of high interest in 2025 will carry on into 2026.

Here are the top 10 blog posts that were posted in 2025. These posts represent keen interest in the revisions to FAR rules through the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul. Also popular were our posts discussing revisions to to SBA’s small business rules, including changes to the 8(a) Program. And rounding out the top 10 were articles on the HUBZone Program, WOSB Program, and related small business changes, as well as our Common Misconceptions and Back to Basics series focusing on issues such as the SBA mentor-protege program and similarly situated entities.

Top Posts Published in 2025

1. FAR Council Removes Rule on Small Business Orders. This post discussed the government withdrawing a proposed rule dealing with Protests of Orders Under Certain Multiple-Award Contracts.  Basically, the proposed rule would have applied the small business rule of two at the order level. This withdrawal seems to have the affect of decreasing the overall application of the small business Rule of Two, as discussed here.
2. Breaking: EO Mandates “FAR 2.0” & Deep Dive Into Federal Procurement Efficiency. The updated FAR was a huge topic for 2025 and into 2026. Originally called FAR 2.0, it is now called the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul or RFO and seeks to update the entire FAR. It has now been updated to cover all aspects of the FAR, with some parts receiving big changes and some merely cosmetic changes.
3. SBA Introduces its New Small Business Search System. This post concerned an update to SBA’s systems for searching for small businesses and replacing the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) system. Any business that you’re allowed to edit should be listed on your account once you create your SBS account. 
4. FAR Council Establishes New Size and Status Rerepresentation Rules. Interestingly, this regulation updated the FAR rules on FAR 52.219-28(c) Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation. However, this FAR rule updates the regulation to match the SBA rule that had been issued in 2020, back when SBA consolidated its Mentor-Protégé Program, and doesn’t include the more recent SBA recertification rules as discussed in this post.
5. No More HUBZone Price Preference for Most Mentor-Protege Joint Ventures. The HUBZone price preference regulation (13 C.F.R. § 126.613) was updated to state: “The HUBZone price evaluation preference applies only to a joint venture consisting of a certified HUBZone small business concern and a small business concern that complies with the requirements of § 125.9. The HUBZone price evaluation preference does not apply to a joint venture consisting of a certified HUBZone small business concern and its other than small mentor.”
6. Executive Order: Consolidation of Procurement. This EO contained guidelines for how procurement will be reorganized under the Trump administration. One item in particular is a keen focus on category management by using GSA for various types of procurement. 
7. Switcheroo – FAR Change Allows Agency to Amend Solicitation to Broaden Eligibility for Procurement . A change in FAR 52.204-7 now only requires that an offeror be registered at the time of offer submission and not at the time of contract award. In this case, the court upheld an agency’s ability to update its solicitation related to this FAR change and have it apply to the solicitation going forward. 
8. Overview of Recent Updates to Cybersecurity Requirements Under the CMMC Program (Part 1). On September 10, 2025, the Department of Defense implemented the acquisition rules for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program at DFARS subpart 204.75. This post goes through the basics of CMMC.
9. Finalized Increases to Micro-Purchase, Simplified Acquisition, and Other Thresholds. Effective October 1, 2025, various updated thresholds have gone into effect, including the Micro-Purchase Threshold has been increased from $10,000 to $15,000 and the Simplified Acquisition Threshold has been increased from $250,000 to $350,000.
10. FAR 2.0 Update: Small Business Rule of Two Lives on in Part 19 – Small Business. This “revision preserves most substantive requirements while reorganizing them to align with the actual workflow of a contracting professional.” As explained in further detail in the post, it maintains the small business rule of two above the simplified acquisition threshold as being “essential to sound procurement.” There were big changes in 8(a) procurement, though, related to when contracts must stay in the 8(a) Program.

Top Posts Viewed in 2025 from All Time

These posts show that our readers are very interested in what powers the government has when it comes to structuring and modifying contracts and competitions, and what are the limits on those powers.

1. “In Scope” vs. “Out of Scope” Modifications: GAO Explains The Difference. This is the famous inflatable water craft decision from 2017. In it, GAO explained with some detail on how far an agency can modify a contract before it becomes, essentially, a new contract that can be protested at GAO. It has been a perennial favorite at SmallGovCon, likely because it is one of those areas of the law where there is much confusion on the part of contractors.
2. Proposed Increases to Micro-Purchase, Simplified Acquisition, and Other Thresholds. This post discussed proposed changes to various statutory acquisition thresholds for inflation, such as the Micro-Purchase Threshold, Simplified Acquisition Threshold, and others. It became a final rule in 2025, as discussed in number 9 from the list above.
3. FAR Council Removes Rule on Small Business Orders. This was the number 1 post we wrote in 2025 and it shows contractors are very interested in how the FAR is being updated related to small business rules.
4. Breaking: EO Mandates “FAR 2.0” & Deep Dive Into Federal Procurement Efficiency. This post, also from 2025, shows keen interest in how the FAR will be reorganized.
5. SAM Registration: What The Heck Is An “Immediate Owner?”. This post was from way back in 2014, but is still relevant today because some aspects of SAM registration are just not very clear.
6. Back to Basics: Teaming Agreements. Teaming agreements are not well-defined in the FAR. This post from 2023 walks you through the key basics for putting a teaming agreement together, and when you need one.
7. SBA Introduces its New Small Business Search System. This post from 2025 is about the new small business search site.
8. Back to Basics: Limitations on Subcontracting. A post from 2022 that has stayed popular. With the renewed focus on limitations on subcontracting, it’s always good to know how to stay compliant.
9. FAR Council Establishes New Size and Status Rerepresentation Rules. This post was number 4 on the list of those published in 2025.
10. No More HUBZone Price Preference for Most Mentor-Protege Joint Ventures. This post was number 5 on our 2025 list.

All of our attorney-authors at SmallGovCon are excited about bringing you the best commentary and news in federal contracting for 2026. I’m sure there will be much to talk about and analyze. Make sure to visit SmallGovCon or follow us on social media for all the latest news and updates, brought to you in a clear format, hold the legalese.

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