SBA Formalizes Guidelines on Paycheck Protection Program, Will Accept Public Comment

The SBA is set to release two interim final rules on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). While much of the SBA’s guidance and procedure for these loans has already been discussed and released on SBA’s website, this is SBA’s formal rulemaking that aggregates all of the rules on eligibility and how to apply.

The rulemaking also provides a chance for businesses to provide feedback to SBA on what is and isn’t working the program.

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SBA, Can a Foreign-Owned Entity Receive a PPP Loan or What?

Well, we thought we had this figured out. Yet here we are a week later and we keep hearing conflicting reports.

The question remains, can a foreign-owned company receive a Paycheck Protection Program loan or not? Let’s try to figure it out.

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Government Retail Therapy: Congress Removes Cap on OTA for Public Health Emergencies

In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, Congress is seeking to eliminate some red tape surrounding biomedical research and development. Specifically, Congress has removed approval requirements on specific transitions to support advanced research and development initiatives.

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Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES Act: Keeping Small Business Workers Employed

In the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Congress appropriated $349 billion for loans to small businesses. These loans, issued under the Paycheck Protection Program, are aimed at helping small businesses keep their workers on payroll by providing loans, up to $10 million, that are partially forgivable.

Let’s explore some of the details of this important program instituted as part the U.S. Government’s response to COVID-19.

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Raising the Roofs . . . and Floors: Acquisition Thresholds in the Time of Emergency

As many contractors have heard, the President declared a state of emergency under the Stafford Act. What will this mean for acquisitions conducted while the COVID-19 emergency continues?

In this post, I’ll dig into some contractor-specific effects of that declaration: modifying the micro-purchase, simplified acquisition, and commercial purchase acquisition thresholds.

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Winding Down: COVID-19 Work Stoppages & Suspensions

Many contractors are facing work stoppages or suspensions because of COVID-19—especially where working from home is not feasible. This post aims to provide a little bit of clarity about work stoppages, suspensions, and the FAR’s excusable delays provision.

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COVID-19 & SBA 8(a) Program Suspensions: FAQs

If you are a government contractor participating in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program, there is a good chance you received an email this week about COVID-19 and the SBA’s 8(a) suspension authority. What is this authority and, more importantly, how would suspension impact your 8(a) status?

In this post, we aim to provide some answers to frequently asked questions about these suspensions.

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