For the most part, the rules on joint ventures under SBA are very similar. the various regulations for small business, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, and HUBzone joint ventures are so similar in fact that they are almost identical. But they are not perfectly identical. There are a few quirks that distinguish the regulations from the others, and one such quirk can cost contractors dearly if they are not careful. In today’s post, we will review an SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) case in which one SDVOSB nearly fell victim to this quirk to show what this quirk is, and how you can avoid the same.
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SmallGovCon Week in Review: February 23-27, 2026
Happy Friday! It seems like only last week that the winter Olympics ended (probably because it was last week). That means it is time to look forward to spring. With the buds and grass starting to shoot up, warmer weather is right around the corner. We just have to hold out for a few more weeks.
As we wrap up the week in the world of federal government contracting, we hope you can find the time to take a breath and reset this weekend. Key stories this week include awards on large IT contracts and a bill to change how contractor employees can be evaluated. Have a great weekend.
Continue readingSmallGovCon Week in Review: February 16-20, 2026
Happy Friday! After a stretch of surprisingly mild winter days, that brisk north wind rolled in yesterday and reminded us that it’s still February. Brrr! We were crossing our fingers that the groundhog’s prediction wouldn’t hold up this year and that spring would make an early appearance. Judging by today’s chill, though, it seems he may have been correct after all.
We hope your week has been a productive one and that you’re keeping cozy in your corner of the community. Take a moment to relax and enjoy the articles we’ve gathered for you below, including updates on the partial shutdown, a defense of the 8(a) Program, and DoD procurement overhauls. Have a great weekend.
Continue readingSmallGovCon Week in Review: February 9-13, 2026
Happy Friday the 13th! We hope your day is off to a lucky start and that everything is running smoothly. As a quick reminder, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow—so if it slipped your mind, there’s still time to grab some chocolate and flowers (and maybe avoid any Friday the 13th surprises!).
Valentine’s Day Fun Facts:
- The Oldest Valentine: The oldest known valentine was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
- Teachers Get the Most Love: Teachers receive the highest number of Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, and wives.
- Flower Power: Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day are the busiest holidays for florists, with 189–250 million roses grown for the holiday.
- Not Just for Humans: About 3% of pet owners give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets.
We hope you get to spend time celebrating with your loved ones this weekend. Enjoy!
Now, on to this week in federal government contracting news. Key stories including the cancellation of CIO-SP4 and SBA moving forward with additional 8(a) terminations.
Continue readingSmallGovCon Week in Review: February 2-6, 2026
Happy Friday! It’s time for another week in review. There was a lot happening across the federal government this week, as you can see from the long list of articles included below. We hope you have a chance to sit back, relax, and catch up on everything that unfolded. Have a wonderful weekend in your neck of the woods.
This week saw stories on ending the government shutdown, new spending bills, and cybersecurity.
Continue readingOHA Reminder: Compliance with SBA Joint Venture Requirements is Determined at Final Proposal Revisions
In most size and status protests, SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) will determine an offeror’s eligibility for a procurement as of the date of initial offer including price for that procurement. Indeed, with regards to SDVOSBs and VOSBs specifically, 13 C.F.R § 134.1003(e)(1) states that “[i]f the VOSB or SDVOSB status protest pertains to a procurement, the Judge will determine a protested concern’s eligibility as a VOSB or SDVOSB as of the date of its initial offer or response which includes price for a competitively awarded VOSB/SDVOSB contract, order, or agreement, and as of the date of award for any sole source VOSB or SDVOSB award.” But there is an important exception to this rule (something another company found out regarding its mentor-protégé joint venture recently) in that very clause, and, recently, OHA pointed this out in a GSA-led protest of an SDVOSB joint venture (VSBC-459-P, January 15, 2026). Today, we’ll look at that decision.
Continue readingWebinar Announcement! Understanding the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program, February 17, 2026 hosted by Kansas 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, we 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.
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