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 readingAuthor Archives: Nicole Pottroff
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 readingIt’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.
GovCon FAQs: Can I Ask the Government to Participate in ADR?
Why yes, yes you can! In fact, there is a little known provision of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) that speaks directly to a contractor’s right to request government participation in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for any contracting “issue in controversy.” And as long as the four essential elements of ADR stated therein are met, a contracting officer must either agree to such ADR or provide a written explanation with cited statutory or legal authority for rejecting the request.
Continue readingSmallGovCon Week in Review: July 28-August 1, 2025
Happy Friday! And happy August! The cool Fall weather is slowly, but steadily making its way to the Midwest. Let us tell ya’, we at SmallGovCon are quite excited for more double-digit temperatures (as 100+ degrees is nothing rare for a summer in Kansas). And as you can see from all the happenings in the federal government contracting world this week, the winds of change sure do affect more than just the weather. Between a bold executive order and the first ever government chief AI officer, Artificial Intelligence sure is continuing its journey deeper into our federal procurement system–with even more haste (and apparently, more certainty) than the promise of sweater-weather in the Midwest. Also, this week: SBA released an important reminder to federal contracting agencies about maintaining fairness and integrity in federal contracting and reporting concerns regarding the same; GSA introduced its new GO.gov federal travel management solution; GovCon experts discuss the recent OMB initiatives encouraging agencies to consolidate and streamline how they buy their goods and services; and oh, so much more. Read all about it in some of our favorite articles of the week.
Continue readingBack to Basics: Terminations
The word “termination” in nearly every context elicits concern. And in federal contracting, such concern may often be warranted. Some terminations are no big deal, resulting in a federal contract–or even just part of one–being ended a bit early for convenience of the government. But other terminations, based on alleged default or deemed “for cause,” can have significant negative impacts (especially on small and disadvantaged businesses). So, one thing remains consistent across the board for federal contract terminations: it is crucial to understand the type of termination you are issued, its legal implications, and your rights and options for resolution. This article provides a general overview of terminations. Future posts will dive in deeper to contractor termination rights and options and settlement proposals.
Continue reading[1st Ever Bilingual] Webinar Announcement: The SBA 8(a) Program, June 26, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM CDT
Are you a disadvantaged small business owner looking for a leg-up in the federal marketplace? Well, this is your chance!
Puerto Rico APEX Accelerators are hosting a FREE webinar to help you understand how the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program can open the door to exclusive contracting opportunities. And in very exciting news, this will actually be our firm’s first ever bilingual webinar! Indeed, our very own Nicole Pottroff will put her years of Spanish education to the test in an effort to maximize accessibility to this valuable information about federal government contracting. Webinar will be presented in English with Q&A to follow in Spanish.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
- How the SBA 8(a) program works and why it matters
- Key benefits like sole-source contracts and federal mentorship
- Eligibility requirements and how to apply
- Common mistakes that can delay or deny certification
- Live Q&A (*in Spanish) with a top expert in federal contracts law attorney, Nicole Pottroff
- Tips for starting your application
💼 Who Should Attend?
- Small business owners aiming to grow through federal contracting
- Government contracting consultants
- Entrepreneurs seeking new growth avenues
📅 Spots are limited – register now to reserve your place!
👉 Register here.