It’s National APEX Day!

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Nicole Pottroff

APEX Accelerators play a crucial yet often underappreciated role in the world of federal government contracting. These programs, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), serve as vital connectors between small businesses and the complex landscape of government procurement. By offering free or low-cost training, one-on-one counseling, and expert guidance, APEX Accelerators empower businesses—especially small and disadvantaged firms—to navigate registrations, find contract opportunities, understand compliance requirements, and ultimately compete successfully for federal contracts. Their behind-the-scenes work directly contributes to a more diverse, competitive, and resilient federal supply chain. You can learn more about NAPEX (National Apex Accelerator Alliance) by clicking on the link.

Here at SmallGovCon, we would like to recognize the APEX Accelerators for the countless hours they invest in building the capacity of small businesses to thrive in government contracting markets. We appreciate our partnership and all that you do!

Please check out all the APEX events near you at this link.

GAO: SDVOSB Eligibility Required at Time of the Award (Not just Offer) for VA Procurements

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Annie Birney

Many Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) operate under the assumption that SDVOSB certification is only required at the time of initial offer for SDVOSB set aside contracts. But as one company recently learned the hard way, SDVOSB eligibility for VA procurements must be maintained at both the time of offer and award.

SmallGovCon Week in Review: September 29-October 3, 2025

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Shane McCall

It’s Friday and time for another week in review. Well, as we all know, this week’s news is all about the government shut down and the impact on federal government contracting. The days ahead remain uncertain, but the impacts of the shutdown are already rippling across the federal landscape. Until this is resolved, hang in there, Contractors, and please continue to visit SmallGovCon for more information and updates.

You can read more about this topic in the articles we have provided below. Have a safe weekend.

FAR 2.0 Update: Small Business Rule of Two Lives on in Part 19 – Small Business

Posted on October 1, 2025 by Shane McCall

Many federal contractors have heard about the revamping of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Variously called FAR 2.0, the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, or simply RFO, this project has been undertaken by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council). An executive order got the ball rolling, setting forth the mandate to create FAR 2.0 by October 12, 2025. We wrote about it in our earlier post, and described it as two parallel tracks. Track 1 involves a rewrite into “plain language” and removing non-statutory and unnecessary content. Track 2 involves the development of the non-mandatory guidelines to guide procurement officials.

Our earlier posts regarding the RFO can be found here: Executive Order, Overview of FAR 2.0, FAR Part 6, FAR Part 8.

The revision of the FAR sections has continued over the past few months, with additional proposed revisions being released throughout 2025. In this post, we’ll review one proposed revision that seems to make some significant changes to the language: Part 19 – Small Business. A key takeaway is the FAR will retain the small business rule of two.

SmallGovCon Week in Review: September 22-26, 2025

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Shane McCall

Hello, SmallGovCon Readers! It’s Friday and time for another week in review.

A potential government shutdown is prominent in this week’s headlines and poses some challenges for federal contractors. As negotiations in Congress drag on, contractors are faced with a lot of uncertainty. You can read more about this and strategies to deal with the government shutdown in articles below.

Please check out the blog from our SmallGovCon contributor Nicole Pottroff for some best practices for federal contractors:

Strategies for Dealing with a Government Shutdown

Have a great weekend!

SBA’s SDVOSB Warning: Spell Out Veteran Control in Business Documents and Minutes

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Gregory Weber

It is quite common for businesses in the private sector to share control and duties among many executives or individuals. However, as many who have looked into SBA socioeconomic certifications have found out, to gain certification in a set-aside program, basically all control needs to reside with one individual. Recently, the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) reviewed a SDVOSB recertification denial, and provided a reminder to contractors interested in the SDVOSB and VOSB program that the veteran must be the sole individual in control.

OHA: Size Protest Review Must be More Than a Rubber Stamp

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Stephanie Ellis

As Federated Maritime, LLC, SBA SIZ-6360, 2025 demonstrates, an agency’s review of a size protest must be more than just a surface-level review and a rubber stamp. This size appeal started with a disappointed bidder (here, the Appellant) that questioned the relationship between Schuyler Line Navigation Company, LLC (or Awardee), a company that won two cargo charter contracts, and its alleged affiliates. The contracts were 100% set-aside for small businesses under NAICS Code 483111 – Deep Sea Freight Transportation.