Author Archives: Steven Koprince

Nonmanufacturer Rule: Large Manufacturers OK’d For Certain Simplified Acquisitions

Posted on by

In a small business set-aside simplified acquisition of $25,000 or less, small business offerors may propose using large business manufacturers while still complying with the requirements of the nonmanufacturer rule.

In a recent decision, the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals held that an apparent ambiguity contained in the nonmanufacturer regulation for certain simplified acquisitions should be resolved in favor of exempting offerors from the requirement that the manufacturer be a small business concern.

Continue reading →

SmallGovCon Week In Review: September 14-18, 2015

Posted on by

As summer turns to fall (and football season), government contractors are dealing with the flurry of awards, orders and modifications that always accompanies the end of the federal fiscal year.  In this week’s SmallGovCon Week In Review, a HUBZone fraudster gets jail time, a Navy report reveals systemic Berry Amendment violations (by the Navy!) and much more.

Continue reading →

WOSB Sole Source Contracts Authorized As Of October 14, 2015

Posted on by

WOSB and EDWOSB sole source contracts will be authorized under the SBA’s regulations effective October 14, 2015.

In a final rule published today, the SBA implemented regulatory authority pursuant to which Contracting Officers may issue sole source contracts.  The question now is whether Contracting Officers will be willing to issue sole source contracts based on the SBA’s rule–or will wait until the FAR Council adopts similar authority.

Continue reading →

SmallGovCon Week In Review: September 7-11, 2015

Posted on by

As we reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001 we are reminded to cherish every day and live every day to the fullest. Our thoughts are with all those who were affected by the events that took place that day.

While September 11 will never again be “just another day,” we post our weekly review of government contracting news and notes every Friday–even Fridays like this one.  Today’s roundup includes articles about increasing opportunities in the government sector, a look at a potential “game changer” in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, an overview of a looming potential government shutdown, and more.

Continue reading →

GAO: If Price Realism Will Be Evaluated, Offerors Must Be Notified

Posted on by

Agencies must notify offerors when price realism will be evaluated under a fixed price solicitation.

Recently, the GAO sustained a protest where a procuring agency rejected an offeror’s proposal because the offeror’s quoted prices were significantly lower than the government’s estimate–even though the solicitation did not notify offerors that price realism would be evaluated.

Continue reading →

SBA Size Protests: FAR Part 33 Doesn’t Affect Timeliness

Posted on by

A SBA size protest related to a sealed bid must be filed within five business days of bid opening–and the bid protest rules under FAR Part 33 do not provide for a longer protest window.

In a recent decision, the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals confirmed that, when it comes to size protests, the timeliness rules for bid protests (which allow many protests to be filed within 10 days after the basis of protest was known or should have been known) simply do not apply.

Continue reading →

SmallGovCon Week In Review: August 31-September 4, 2015

Posted on by

The unofficial end of summer is coming to a close.  Here at SmallGovCon, we are looking forward to the Labor Day weekend and the start of fall. As we head into the long weekend, here is your weekly dose of what’s new in government contracting.

In this week’s SmallGovCon Week In Review, Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. garners more support in its Supreme Court battle with the VA, the DoD and GSA are working together on a possible new contract vehicle for cloud computing services, the GSA unveils a RFI for Schedule 70, and more.

Continue reading →