SmallGovCon Week in Review: June 1-5, 2026

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Shane McCall

Happy Friday and happy June! We’ve received a lot of rain in our neck of the woods recently, so everything is looking green and lush before the heat of summer sets in. There’s the steady hum of lawn mowers as everyone tries to get the grass mowed in between rain showers and the gardens are growing nicely so far. While the cloudy days and frequent storms can be a little inconvenient at times, it’s hard to complain when everything is looking this beautiful. We’re looking forward to all that June has in store. We hope you have a great weekend.

In federal government contracting news this week, catch up on stories related to more contractor transparency, a potential statutory addition for the small business rule of two, and cybersecurity updates.

GovCon FAQs: Should I Apply Simultaneously for All SBA Statuses I’m Eligible For?

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Nicole Pottroff

In September 2024, following a temporary application and system pause, SBA switched over to a new, streamlined and unified application portal. Now, applications for the SBA’s 8(a) Program, HUBZone Program, Veteran-Owned Programs, and Woman-Owned Programs all go through MySBACertifications.Gov. Unlike prior portals and procedures, through this one, those eligible have the option to apply for multiple SBA small business contracting programs simultaneously. But the question is, what are the potential risks and benefits of doing so?

Back to the Drawing Board: SBA OHA Overturns Suspension of 8(a) Contractor

Posted on June 2, 2026 by Shane McCall

In October 2025, the SBA suspended an 8(a) Program contractor called ATI Government Solutions, LLC (ATI) after suspension under the FAR. ATI appealed the 8(a) suspension, and the decision shows that SBA must still support its actions with adequate evidence, and reasonable argument linked to that evidence. OHA remanded the suspension matter for more documentation from SBA.

Federal Circuit Refuses to Apply Stricter Injunctive Relief Test to GAO Stays

Posted on May 29, 2026 by John Holtz

We have noted in past posts that, in some cases, it may make sense to protest a solicitation evaluation or award decision at GAO simply to get a stay on the award. This is because, if you meet certain deadlines, a stay of award and performance is automatically placed on the procurement for the duration of the protest. Now, there are circumstances in which an agency can override this stay, but the burden is on the agency to show such an override is necessary. The Federal Circuit confirmed this is the case in Life Science Logistics, LLC v. United States, 172 F.4th 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2026), in which an agency tried to get the higher burden for a preliminary injunction placed on GAO protesters. This decision suggests that agencies may think more carefully about attempting overrides of stays going forward.

SmallGovCon Week in Review: May 25-29, 2026

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Shane McCall

Happy Friday! We hope you had a great week and are finishing the month of May strong. I was recently in Chicago for a family trip. Based on how much people were enjoying the weekend in Chicago, it’s clear that Memorial Day is the kickoff to summer. Summer plans are in full swing, but the news for federal contractors is also busy.

This week in federal government contracting news, there were updates on AI reporting, cybersecurity compliance, and an update to the classified information review process.

GAO Recommends Practicing Mindfulness When Solicitation Terms Cover Multiple Evaluation Factors

Posted on May 28, 2026 by Gregory Weber

Even if we don’t want to admit it, we all simply click “accept” on all those different terms and conditions for software, despite not actually reading the actual terms. GAO in a recent decision reminded agencies and contractors to not let that habit happen when you read the terms of a procurement. In that recent GAO decision, there was a long history of protests, which resulted in an amendment to the solicitation. At first glance, the amendment and proposal revision restrictions tied to it may have made sense, but upon protest, GAO found the limitations on proposal revisions were improper, due to the amendment impacting more than the one factor which was open for revisions.

SmallGovCon Week in Review: May 18-22, 2026

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Nicole Pottroff

This Memorial Day, we take time to reflect on the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives serving our country. Their selfless dedication to protecting our freedoms and defending our nation will always be remembered with the utmost gratitude and respect. We further wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all veterans and military families who have carried the burdens of service with strength and honor. It is because of those sacrifices we are able to enjoy the liberties and opportunities we too often take for granted. Today, we honor their legacy, remember the fallen, and express our deepest appreciation to those who have served and continue to serve our nation with pride.