The VA is proposing a major overhaul to its SDVOSB program regulations–including the rules governing ownership and control.
In a proposed rule released today, the VA is seeking to “find an appropriate balance between preventing fraud in the Veterans First Contracting Program and providing a process that would make it easier for more VOSBs to become verified.” And while the proposal isn’t perfect, it looks like a step in the right direction.
The Kingdomware SDVOSB/VOSB Supreme Court case, which had been scheduled for an oral argument on Monday November 9, is suddenly in a state of limbo. In an order issued today, the Supreme Court yanked the case from its docket. The Court directed the parties to submit briefs on whether the contracts in question have been fully performed, and if so, whether full performance renders the case moot.
For Kingdomware and veteran-owned companies everywhere, this is extremely troubling news. If the Court believes that the case is moot, it will be dismissed–meaning that Kingdomware would lose the war without even getting its day in court.
Briefs from both sides are due November 20, and each side may reply by December 1. I will keep you posted.
Access to corporate information on another contract will not result in an information organizational conflict of interest when the information accessed is not competitively useful to the present solicitation.
As a bid protester recently discovered in DV United, LLC, B-411620, B-411620.2 (Sept. 16, 2015), the mere fact that the successful offeror had access to one of its team member’s information on another government contract did not result in an information organizational conflict of interest because the information was not competitively useful.
The SBA is moving toward implementing its proposed “universal” mentor-protege program for all small businesses.
According to testimony presented by the SBA’s Associate Administrator for Government Contracting Business Development at a recent Congressional hearing, the SBA has put together a Mentor-Protege Program Expansion Project Team to oversee the implementation of the new program.
The SBA should implement a women-owned small business certification program, according to the SBA’s own Inspector General.
In a recent report on management challenges facing the SBA, the SBA Office of Inspector General urged the SBA to adopt a WOSB certification program–and stated that failing to do so may allow ineligible firms to receive WOSB set-aside contracts.
Happy Halloween Eve! Hopefully your Halloween weekend is full of treats and not tricks.
Speaking of treats, here is this week’s SmallGovCon Week In Review. In this week’s Review, contractors weigh in on whether lowest-price technically acceptable contracts lead to lower employee wages, a federal employee heads to jail for his role in a bribery scheme, GSA mulls consolidation of expiring contracts, and more.
I am pleased to announce a new way to get the latest legal news and notes on government contracting issues. Today, Koprince Law LLC has launched a YouTube channel, where we will regularly post new videos on important and interesting government contracting issues.
You don’t need to have a lot of extra time on your hands: our typical video update is around five minutes long and covers a single topic. We will occasionally post lengthier “seminar-style” overviews of key topics, as well.
So what are you waiting for? If you’re ready for more government contracts news (or you just want to check out my spiffy Kansas Jayhawks tie), head on over to the Koprince Law LLC YouTube channel, and be sure to check back every week for new videos.