Small Business Set-Asides Not Required For Simplified Acquisitions Outside U.S., Says GAO

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Steven Koprince

Small business set-asides are not required for simplified acquisitions conducted outside the United States and its outlying areas, according to a recent GAO bid protest decision.

In Latvian Connection General Trading and Construction LLC, B-408633 (Sept. 18, 2013), the GAO rejected the protester’s contention–which was backed by the SBA–that simplified acquisitions must be set-aside whenever the “rule of two” is satisfied, notwithstanding the fact that the procurement is outside the United States.

SBA 8(a) Program: Participant Terminated For Missing Annual Report

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Steven Koprince

When it comes to the regulations governing small government contractors, lateness can lead to tough consequences. For instance, responding late to a small business size protest might cause the SBA to conclude that the contractor is a large business, and a late proposal submission can get a bid tossed out.

Lateness can also lead to severe consequences within the SBA 8(a) program. In a recent decision, the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals held that the SBA properly terminated an 8(a) program participant because the participant had failed to submit a complete 8(a) annual report–months after the deadline had passed.

Affiliation, Fourth Quarter Spending and Teaming: Position To Win Radio Show

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Steven Koprince

In today’s segment of our BlogTalk radio show, Position to Win, Guy Timberlake, Larry Allen and I discuss:

A recent SBA OHA decision on economic dependence affiliation
Fourth quarter spending projections in the year of sequestration
Teaming and mentor-protege relationships

Tune in to Position to Win every two weeks for more insights, commentary, and wisecracks.

SmallGovCon Week In Review: September 9-13, 2013

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Steven Koprince

As the end of the fiscal year nears, keeping up with the news may be the last thing on the minds of small government contractors.

So, in case you missed it, this week’s SmallGovCon Week in Review features a dispute over the VA’s SDVOSB contracting practices, the Federal Times‘ take on procurement reforms proposed by the Professional Services Council, a thoughtful blog by Guy Timberlake on small business goals, and much more.

8(a) Program: OHA Judge Slams SBA For Claim It Cannot Play DVDs

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Steven Koprince

The SBA’s claim that it could not access information provided by an 8(a) program applicant in DVD format was “not credible,” according to a recent 8(a) program appeal ruling issued by the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals.

In Sunrise Staffing, SBA No. BDPE-499 (2013), the SBA OHA–in an unusually sharply-worded opinion–rejected the SBA’s excuses for not reviewing relevant information provided by the 8(a) program applicant, and granted the applicant’s 8(a) appeal.

Free GovCon Books And Webinars: Celebrating One Year Of SmallGovCon

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Steven Koprince

If it’s fall, it must be birthday season: my daughter recently turned two, my son is approaching one year old, and Father Time will come for me again on November 21. SmallGovCon has passed its one-year mark, too, and we are celebrating with a free book and webinar giveaway (I figured my readers would prefer that to the pink bubble wands that were such a hit at my daughter’s party).

Here’s how it works: just click this link and tell us a little bit about yourself (after all, we can’t give you free stuff if we don’t know who you are).

In mid-October, we will randomly select six readers to receive free copies of The Small Business Guide to Government Contracts. Two other readers will receive free one-hour webinars on government contracts legal topics near and dear to their hearts.

You don’t have to be a client of my law firm to enter–just a SmallGovCon reader. So click the link and enter, and thank you for reading SmallGovCon!

SmallGovCon Week In Review: Sept. 2-6, 2013

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Steven Koprince

SmallGovCon is now more than a year old (time flies!) and it’s time to make a few changes to enhance the site for our regular readers (and those who have yet to become regular readers).

As part of that effort, I am pleased to announce the debut of SmallGovCon Week In Review. Every Friday, SmallGovCon Week In Review will spotlight a number of current news articles, editorials, and other writings.

In this week’s SmallGovCon Week In Review, the Washington Post focuses on the VA’s SDVOSB program, Federal News Radio spotlights new Department of Labor hiring benchmarks for federal contractors, Washington Technology offers advice from three of the country’s fastest-growing government contractors, and much more.