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.
Continue readingRaising 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.
Continue readingWinding 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.
Continue readingCOVID-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.
Continue readingDid the FAR Plan For COVID-19? Yes, Sort of
There are not many people or organizations that can say they anticipated the spread of this pandemic disease that is confining million to their homes as part of stay in place orders and self quarantines.
Though the FAR Council did not foresee that the coronavirus and COVID-19 would trap contractors in their homes, it did anticipate that from time to time events completely out of the control of contractors may conspire to affect the performance of contracts—though perhaps not to this magnitude.
Continue readingThe Coronavirus Stimulus Package Could do More for Small Business Contractors
Congress is expected to pass a huge coronavirus stimulus package in the coming days. While lobbyists and congressional staffers wrestle over the last bits and pieces to find their way in to the bill, there seems to be a pretty important group left out—small business federal contractors.
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