Like my alarm clock ringing on Monday mornings, GAO recently reminded protestors that protests based on pre-solicitation notices are just too early.
In F-Star Zaragosa Port, LLC; F-Star Socorro Holding, LLC, B-417414, et al. (Comp. Gen. Apr. 15, 2019), GAO dismissed protests based on pre-solicitation notices as premature.
Continue reading…The FAR generally favors the Government clients’ entitlement to data and software rights in federal procurements. This has commonly—and understandably—led to disgruntled contractors who didn’t realize what they were truly giving up when they opted to use their own software in performance of contracts without including regulation-compliant markings and protections.
But recently—thanks to a first-of-its-kind decision by the ASBCA—it seems the tide may have turned in favor of protecting these contractor-inventors from the standard Government windfall in its data rights acquisitions. Let’s take a closer look.
Continue reading…Happy Friday, everyone! I’m back in the office after presenting at a HUBZone workshop sponsored by the Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network (Oklahoma’s PTAC). It was a great day, discussing HUBZone eligibility, compliance, and updates. For great events in your area, be sure to connect with your local PTAC!
Before we all head out for the weekend, let’s review the week in government contracting. In this edition of the Week In Review, we’ll look at efforts to speed up small business payments, the role of automation in government contracting, and more contractors behaving badly . . . .
Have a great weekend!
Continue reading…GAO recently issued a report on several ongoing issues with SBA’s management of the Woman-Owned Small Business program. Because of the number of issues in the report, we’ll summarize it in a few posts.
In this post, we’ll provide some background on GAO’s review of the WOSB program and address how (and whether) SBA has implemented the changes required in the WOSB program by the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. Long story short, SBA has still not done all Congress has asked of it in the 2015 NDAA, particularly with regard to eliminating WOSB self-certification.
Continue reading…The DoD recently issued proposed revisions to the DFARS 8(a) nonmanufacturer rule, found in 48 C.F.R. § 252.219-7010. The proposed revisions would update the admittedly “outdated text regarding the nonmanufacturer rule with updated text” that reflects SBA’s May 2016 final rule implementing the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.
While the changes are only for 8(a) concerns, the differences between the existing DFARS and proposed change are significant nonetheless.
Continue reading…In a recent GAO bid protest, IBM Corp. accused a subcontractor of giving its proposal to a competitor.
GAO dismissed the accusation, explaining that at its core, alleged corporate espionage is a disagreement between two parties, not a contractor and the federal government and therefore not an appropriate matter for resolution in a bid protest.
Continue reading…It’s Friday, which means it’s time for the SmallGovCon Week In Review. In this edition, we’ll look at a potential impact to the change to DUNS numbers, cybersecurity requirements, and increased opportunities with the Corps of Engineers.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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