As we discussed in a previous post, there are big changes on the horizon for the HUBZone program. On October 31, the SBA published a proposed rule that, if adopted, would overhaul the program.
Recently, the SBA extended the period for public comment to February 14, 2019.
Continue readingLet’s suppose that, under your contract, an agency hasn’t properly paid for your work. Or the agency took actions that caused you damages. Can you run off to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals to register your complaint and recovery your money?
Yes . . . if you’ve taken an important preliminary step: filing a claim with the contracting officer.
Continue readingAs we enter day 21 of the government shutdown (as of this writing, the second-longest in U.S. history), federal employees and contractors are feeling the sting.
In this week’s edition of the Week In Review, we’ll take a look at the shutdown in more detail. It has, after all, been the predominant news story of late in the government contracting world. But we’ll also discuss other news, including a new law aimed at helping veteran-owned companies, recent OTA guidance, and more.
Have a great weekend!
Continue readingWhen a small business sells products to the government under a contract designated with a manufacturing NAICS code, the small business either must be the “manufacturer” of the products, or separately qualify under the nonmanufacturer rule. The nonmanufacturer rule, in turn, requires the prime contractor to have no more than 500 employees, whereas manufacturers may fall under larger size standards–some as big as 1,500 employees.
But what about an unpopulated joint venture that doesn’t itself manufacture any products, relying on the individual venturers to manufacture the solicited goods? Does it also have to comply with the 500-employee size standard under the nonmanufacturer rule? Or can the joint venture be deemed the “manufacturer” of the products in question?
Continue readingIn a recent decision, GAO determined an agency could reasonably amend a solicitation for a task order issued under a set-side base contract to require offerors to recertify their size and SDVOSB status at the task order level.
Continue readingAs we have previously noted on the blog, a substantial number of protests filed before GAO end in voluntary corrective action taken by the protested agency. In recent decision, GAO addressed just how much discretion agencies have in designing corrective actions.
Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.
Continue readingHappy New Year! It looks as if the government needed a longer holiday break than planned. As we enter the third week of the shutdown, it’s our hope that the powers-that-be might reach a quick resolution and let government personnel and contractors alike get back to work.
In this two-week New Year’s edition of the Week In Review, we’ll look (of course) at the effects of the shutdown. But we’ll also look at the need for transparency in the upcoming year’s procurement process, how a contract dispute led up to the closing of living history in Washington D.C., and much more.
Happy New Year—2019 is going to be an exciting year!
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