Joint ventures created between a small business protégé and a large mentor are without a doubt a very alluring and popular aspect of the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program. It provides an incentive to potential mentors to share their connections, resources, experience, and industry knowledge with small businesses, many of whom are not only small, but participants in one of the various SBA programs such as the 8(a) Program and Woman-Owned Small Business Program, to name a couple. But, as appealing as mentor protégé joint ventures are, a recent decision demonstrates (yet again) there are a number of joint venture requirements that must be met if you want to experience their benefits. And failure to do so can result in some undesirable consequences.
Continue reading…Back to Basics: Terminations
The word “termination” in nearly every context elicits concern. And in federal contracting, such concern may often be warranted. Some terminations are no big deal, resulting in a federal contract–or even just part of one–being ended a bit early for convenience of the government. But other terminations, based on alleged default or deemed “for cause,” can have significant negative impacts (especially on small and disadvantaged businesses). So, one thing remains consistent across the board for federal contract terminations: it is crucial to understand the type of termination you are issued, its legal implications, and your rights and options for resolution. This article provides a general overview of terminations. Future posts will dive in deeper to contractor termination rights and options and settlement proposals.
Continue reading…[1st Ever Bilingual] Webinar Announcement: The SBA 8(a) Program, June 26, 2025, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM CDT
Are you a disadvantaged small business owner looking for a leg-up in the federal marketplace? Well, this is your chance!
Puerto Rico APEX Accelerators are hosting a FREE webinar to help you understand how the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program can open the door to exclusive contracting opportunities. And in very exciting news, this will actually be our firm’s first ever bilingual webinar! Indeed, our very own Nicole Pottroff will put her years of Spanish education to the test in an effort to maximize accessibility to this valuable information about federal government contracting. Webinar will be presented in English with Q&A to follow in Spanish.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
- How the SBA 8(a) program works and why it matters
- Key benefits like sole-source contracts and federal mentorship
- Eligibility requirements and how to apply
- Common mistakes that can delay or deny certification
- Live Q&A (*in Spanish) with a top expert in federal contracts law attorney, Nicole Pottroff
- Tips for starting your application
💼 Who Should Attend?
- Small business owners aiming to grow through federal contracting
- Government contracting consultants
- Entrepreneurs seeking new growth avenues
📅 Spots are limited – register now to reserve your place!
👉 Register here.
SmallGovCon Week in Review: June 9-13, 2025
Another work week in the books. Hope you had a great one. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and hope they have a relaxing weekend!
This week in federal government contracting included stories about DoD fraud, DOGE cost-savings, and GSA centralizing additional work.
Continue reading…Webinar! SBA & DoD Mentor-Protégé Program, June 24, 2025, 10:00-11:30am MDT, hosted by Texas El Paso APEX Accelerators
Touted as a “game-changer” when it was first introduced in 2016, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s All Small Mentor-Protégé Program isn’t new anymore. Known now as simply the “SBA Mentor-Protégé Program,” it is still extremely useful for large and small contractors alike.
Government contracts attorneys John Holtz and Stephanie Ellis of Koprince McCall Pottroff LLC will explain the ins and outs of the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program, covering the program’s eligibility requirements, its potential benefits (including the ability to form special mentor-protégé joint ventures), the application process, and common misconceptions and pitfalls. Additionally,they will provide an introduction to the even older DoD Mentor-Protégé Program, which set the stage for the SBA’s program, and compare the two programs.
Register here.
FAR Council Removes Rule on Small Business Orders
A couple FAR notices have removed proposed SBA rules relating to orders on multiple award contracts. This withdrawal seems to have the affect of decreasing the overall application of the small business Rule of Two, as discussed here. However, it only impacts the application of the rule of two to orders under multiple award contracts that were not restricted to small businesses. So, it’s impact is relatively narrow.
Continue reading…Back to Basics: Interested Parties
Imagine you’ve submitted a bid for a procurement that you believe your company is a shoo-in for. Nobody comes close to the experience and skills your company brings to the table. A while later, you learn that the new company down the street was awarded the contract. There clearly must be a mistake. The awardee doesn’t have half the experience your company has in this industry. Feeling wronged, you decide to file a bid protest questioning the award at the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Your lawyer informs you that a bid protest may be dismissed if the protester doesn’t qualify as an interested party. But you were an actual bidder who should have been awarded the contract. Of course you’re an interested party—right?
Continue reading…