In any legal action, it’s critical to understand the standard that the tribunal applies to a claim. Until now, the Federal Circuit–an intermediate federal appeals court immediately below the U.S. Supreme Court–had not articulated the standard for disparate evaluation claims in bid protests. Though not groundbreaking, a recent case provides clarity for attorneys and litigants alike.
Continue reading…Senate Approves Bill to Replenish Paycheck Protection Program Funds
We’ve written a lot about the Paycheck Protection Program as part of the blog’s COVID-19 coverage. The program has really been helping a lot of businesses, so much so that the money ran out a few days ago.
Well, the Senate has approved a bill that would replenish funds for the Paycheck Protection Program, so more companies can get help.
Continue reading…Unreasonable Cost Adjustment Leads to Sustained Protest
Of late the pages of this blog have been entirely coronavirus and COVID-19 obsessed—and for good reason. But that does not stop the Government Accountability Office from deciding bid protests.
With all that’s been going on, writing about a GAO decision regarding run-of-the-mill unreasonable cost realism evaluation is downright refreshing.
Continue reading…SmallGovCon Week In Review: April 13 – April 17, 2020
I hope all of our readers are doing well and staying healthy. Here at SmallGovCon, we’ve been monitoring the ongoing updates from the federal government for news relevant to federal contractors.
This week, our attorney-authors provided a few more updates about relief for contractors and other businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program as well as other governmental policies. Updates included the formal Paycheck Protection Program rules and guidance on applying for loans for independent contractors and partnerships, as well as SBA’s policies for HUBZone flexibility.
Unfortunately, SBA’s website now states that it is “currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding.” In other words, the funds have run out.
But there were many other stories as well, such as a prediction that CMMC will apply to all government procurements, use of the Defense Production Act, and DOD accommodating contractors affected by COVID-19.
Continue reading…SBA Updates Interim Paycheck Protection Program Rule for Self-Employed Individuals
As the social isolation saying goes: “Another day; another clarification from the SBA regarding the Paycheck Protection Program.” Alright, maybe that saying hasn’t caught on, yet. Nevertheless, the SBA did publish additional guidance specific to sole proprietors and general partners applying to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Continue reading…SBA Provides Flexibility for HUBZone Compliance
We’ve written quite a few posts about how contractors can adapt and deal with the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some small businesses federal contractors, however, face unique challenges. This is particularly true of participants in the HUBZone Program. Specifically, while the OMB has encouraged agencies to allow contractor employees to telework, how will this affect HUBZone entities, where the location of their employees is key to maintaining their HUBZone status?
Well, the SBA has the answer in some recent guidance, and it’s something we could all probably do with a little more of–flexibility. Flexibility, in this case, means that SBA realizes complying with the principal office and employee residency requirements may be tough during a time when all people are encouraged to telework. The flexibility applies to a few of the HUBZone rules.
Continue reading…YouTube Tuesday: CMMC–Cybersecurity, Trust but Verify Edition
CMMC continues to be in the news as the government ramps up the process to start requiring contractors to be compliant with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. In this video, I remind contractors why CMMC is so important.