When it comes to federal contracting, there are parts that are very detail-oriented. Countless signatures for countless certifications. We certainly empathize with contractors on this aspect of federal contracting. But just because we are empathetic does not mean that a contractor can ignore such requirements. In a recent decision, Revelations Counseling & Consulting, LLC v. United States, 180 Fed. Cl. 721 (2026), the Court of Federal Claims (COFC) made it very clear: Where the solicitation says sign the certification and include it in the proposal, sign it and include it in the proposal. Anything less and not only should you expect a rejection, the agency is often required to reject the proposal. In this case, the certification was a VA limitations on subcontracting clause that has cropped up multiple times lately in our practice and is an important part of small business contracting. We look at that decision today.
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SmallGovCon Week in Review: June 22-26, 2026
Happy Friday! With June wrapping up, we’ve officially reached the halfway point of the year. Mid-year is the perfect time for federal government contractors to focus on the goals ahead and prepare for new opportunities in the months to come. Here’s to finishing June strong and carrying that momentum into a productive and successful second half of 2026! We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
This week in federal government contracting news, a good chunk of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (aka “FAR 2.0” or the “RFO”) makes its way into formal rulemaking procedures, NASA expands total awards and introduces thousands of new awardees for SEWP (Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement)–NASA’s premier Government-Wide Acquisition Contract, the White House accelerates the governmentwide shift to post-quantum cryptography and stirs up some controversy with a no-bid contract award for its Reflecting Pool renovations, and GAO identifies some anticipated procurement challenges of cloud computing and also, reflects on 2025’s FraudNet Activity Report. But that’s certainly not all. Take a look at this week’s articles for more on these and other happenings in the federal procurement landscape this week.
Continue readingSmallGovCon Week in Review: June 15-19, 2026
Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom, reflect on history, and recognize how far we’ve come as a country. Observed each year on June 19, it marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
Whether you’re attending a local event, spending time with family, or simply taking a moment to learn more about the holiday, we hope you have a wonderful weekend. Happy Juneteenth!
This week in federal contracting news includes stories on the recent DEI order, use of AI in government procurement, and the first look at the upcoming NDAA defense spending bill.
Continue readingSmallGovCon Week in Review: June 8-12, 2026
Happy Friday! We’ve seen a busy storm season lately across the region and the US. It’s that time of year as we transition from spring to summer. Hope all of our readers are staying safe amidst all this weather.
It’s also been a busy week in the federal contracting world, with major developments including NIH shutting down its multiple award contracts, and increased focus on AI at GSA and other agencies. As the week comes to a close, read on to stay up to date on some of these stories. This weekend, it’s a good opportunity to recharge and enjoy the weekend before another busy week ahead.
Continue readingWebinar: Mentor-Protégé Agreements, June 25, 2026, hosted by Empire APEX Accelerators
First launched in 2016 as the “All Small Mentor-Protégé Program,” this powerful initiative by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has evolved—but it remains a game-changing tool for both small and large federal contractors. In this informative webinar, SmallGovCon contributor and government contracts attorney, Gregory Weber, will break 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. Additionally, we will provide an introduction to the even older DoD Mentor-Protege Program, which set the stage for the SBA’s program, and compare the two programs.
Continue readingSmallGovCon Week in Review: June 1-5, 2026
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.
Continue readingFederal Circuit Refuses to Apply Stricter Injunctive Relief Test to GAO Stays
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.
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