Category Archives: Uncategorized

SmallGovCon’s 1000th Post Is Coming Soon – Help Us Celebrate

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When I started writing SmallGovCon back in 2012, I worried that there might not be enough happening in government contracts law to support a robust blog.  Needless to say, I’m not worried anymore.

We’re rapidly approaching SmallGovCon‘s 1000th post (this one is No. 990).  To celebrate, we’re offering one lucky reader the chance to win a free webinar on the government contracting legal topic of your choice.  For details (and to enter) just click here.

What do you like about SmallGovCon?  We want to hear from you!  Contact us and let us know, and check back here regularly in the coming weeks for much more on the SmallGovCon 1000th post celebration.

Accelerated Small Business Subcontractor Payments Extended To December 31, 2017

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The government’s policy encouraging prompt payment to small business subcontractors has been extended to December 31, 2017.

In a Memorandum issued on January 11, 2017 by the Office of Management and Budget, OMB Director Shaun Donovan ordered that the popular policy be extended to the end of the year, and provided additional direction to agencies regarding their quarterly reports on implementing the accelerated payment policies.

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GAO’s Civilian Task Order Jurisdiction Restored

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GAO’s jurisdiction to hear protests of certain civilian task and delivery orders has been restored.

On December 15, 2016, the President signed the 2016 GAO Civilian Task and Delivery Order Protest Authority Act (the “ 2016 Act”) into law.  The 2016 Act restores GAO’s recently-expired jurisdiction to hear protests of civilian task and delivery orders valued in excess of $10 million.

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DOL Offers “Fair Pay” Preassessment–But Will Contractors Use It Willingly?

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The Department of Labor has announced a new “preassessment” initiative, under which a government contract can voluntarily ask the DOL for an assessment of the contractor’s record of labor law compliance.

The preassessment program is designed to help contractors discover if they may have any trouble with their mandatory disclosures under the new Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order, which will take effect beginning on October 25. Voluntary use of the preassessment program may be a good idea for any contractor with a history of labor issues, but I wonder what will be more likely–contractors choosing to use it on their own, or being pushed to use it by prospective teammates?

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SBA Size Protests: Investigation Not Required Outside Of Protest Allegations

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When the SBA evaluates a size protest, it is not required to investigate issues outside of those raised in the size protest itself.

A recent decision of the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals demonstrates the importance of submitting a thorough initial size protest–and confirms that the SBA need not investigate issues outside of the allegations raised in the protest.

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8(a) Program Survives Court Challenge–But Battle Could Continue

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The 8(a) Program has survived a major challenge to its constitutionality–but the legal battle over the 8(a) Program’s future may well continue.

On Friday, a two-judge majority of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that the statute that creates the 8(a) Program is not unconstitutional. While the D.C. Circuit’s decision is a big win for proponents of the 8(a) Program, the limited scope of the ruling–and a sharp dissent from that ruling–signal that the fight over the future of the 8(a) Program may not be over.

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SBA Expands Small Business Joint Venture Eligibility

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Small businesses will be able to joint venture with one another more often under a new SBA rule.

As part of a recent major rulemaking, the SBA will allow two or more small businesses to joint venture for any procurement without being affiliated with regard to the performance of that requirement.

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