Author Archives: Shane McCall

SmallGovCon Week in Review: January 26-30, 2026

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It’s Friday and time for another SmallGovCon Week in Review. As we finish out January we hope everyone is staying warm with all the snow and cold weather across the country. I was in Washington DC this week for a court hearing, and it’s clear the cold and snow has really done a number on half the country. There was snow on the ground when I left Kansas City and snow on the ground in DC, and every place in between.

Grab a hot cup of cocoa (as sung by the The Von Trapp children) and warm up with the latest in federal government contracting news, including the suspension of many 8(a) companies and a close review of 8(a) contracts by DoD, along with news on a potential shutdown.

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Year in Review: Top SmallGovCon Posts of 2025

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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 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.

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SmallGovCon Week in Review: January 19-23, 2026

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Happy Friday! We are preparing for the snow that’s impacting much of the nation. But amidst the frenzy of dealing with the transitory, we also wanted to remember Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy this week and all that he has taught us about the “the arc of the moral universe.” We would do well to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring legacy of service and justice.

And now for the updates in federal contracting. This week in federal government contracting there has been a lot of buzz about the SBA’s 8(a) Program audit, spending bills, and restructuring government.

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SmallGovCon Week in Review: January 12-16, 2026

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Happy Friday! We are already halfway through January and 2026 is off to a quick start. This week’s federal contracting headlines point to a busy year ahead, but we hope you have time for some rest and relaxation this weekend after a productive week.

In this week’s federal government contracting news, look for updates on how agencies are using AI in all aspects of acquisition and their missions and an emphasis on using different tools to fight fraud.

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Webinar Announcement: Understanding the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program, January 22, 2026 hosted by Idaho APEX Accelerators

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Please join federal government contracts attorney, Nicole Pottroff, as she breaks down the key elements of the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program. You’ll learn how this program can help small businesses enhance their capabilities and compete for larger contracts—with the support of an experienced mentor. The session will also cover how mentor-protégé joint ventures can create new contracting opportunities and expand your footprint in the federal marketplace.

Topics will include:

  • Who is eligible and how to qualify
  • The benefits of participating as a mentor or protégé
  • How to form compliant mentor-protégé joint ventures
  • Key steps in the application process
  • Common myths, misconceptions, and pitfalls to avoid

Register here.

SmallGovCon Week in Review: December 22, 2025 – January 9, 2026

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We hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with time well spent with friends and family, moments of rest, and opportunities to recharge. As we step into a brand new year, we’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful to be back into the swing of sharing insights and updates with you. We took a short pause from our Friday Week in Review over the past few weeks to enjoy the holidays and as a result, today’s edition features more articles than usual. There’s plenty to catch up on, so grab a cup of coffee and take your time exploring the stories and insights we’ve gathered for you. Have a great weekend!

Stories from this week include cybersecurity and AI updates, and what to expect in 2026.

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FAR 2.0 Update: Part 33 Protests, Disputes, and Appeals

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Many federal contractors have heard about the revamping of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Variously called FAR 2.0, the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, and most commonly simply RFO, this project has been undertaken by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council). Initiated by Executive Order in April 2025, the new RFO process has been going quickly, with lots of proposed revisions.

Our earlier posts regarding various aspects of the RFO can be found here: Executive Order, Overview of FAR 2.0, FAR Part 6, FAR Part 19, FAR Part 12, FAR Part 15.

In this post, we’ll review one proposed revision that seems to make some slight changes to the language: Part 33 Protests, Disputes, and Appeals. In particular, this part incentivizes the use of agency level protests over other types of protests.

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