SmallGovCon Week in Review: August 19-23, 2024

Hello and happy Friday! Here, in Lawrence, Kansas, the kids have started school and the college students are busy moving in and preparing to start classes. It always feels like such a big shift in the energy with all the excitement and the many back to school events taking place.

This week in federal government contracting, the recent headlines highlight a wide array of developments within federal operations, emphasizing both accountability and innovation. You can read more about this week’s news in the articles below. Enjoy your weekend!

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SmallGovCon Week in Review: August 12-16, 2024

Happy Friday, blog readers, and welcome to the week in review. Recent legislative and agency initiatives are shaping the landscape for federal contracting, cybersecurity, and support for veterans and small businesses, this week. A bipartisan Senate bill seeks to mandate cybersecurity vulnerability disclosures by contractors, enhancing national security. In parallel, the Pentagon’s release of key Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) contracting rules aims to fortify the defense supply chain against cyber threats.

On the small business front, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are collaborating to promote veteran entrepreneurship, while various committees and task forces are actively addressing regulatory fairness and development support for veteran-owned businesses. These efforts, coupled with the General Services Administration’s (GSA) celebration of the Inflation Reduction Act’s two-year anniversary, underscore the federal government’s commitment to fostering a robust, secure, and inclusive economic environment. You can read more about those topics in the articles below. Have a great weekend!

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SmallGovCon Week in Review: August 5-9, 2024

Happy Friday, All. Please enjoy our latest week in review in order to stay on top of federal contracting news. Some interesting stories include Senate efforts to enhance oversight of Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements and address delays in Major Acquisition Programs (MTA). Meanwhile, the GSA is pushing forward with updated standards to accelerate federal buildings toward zero emissions, reflecting a broader shift towards sustainability. In cybersecurity, CISA’s CDM program is set to tackle emerging threats in the cloud, while the Department of State is piloting AI adoption to improve operations. You can read more about these topics in the articles below. Have a great weekend!

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Supreme Court Weighs in on Deference to Agencies: What the End of Chevron Deference Means for Federal Contractors

On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, 144 S. Ct. 2244 (2024). It was a pretty notable news story as the case overturned the 1984 case of Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, ending what has been called “Chevron deference.” This actually has many implications for federal contractors and how they interact with the federal government. Today, we’ll generally explore what this decision means for federal contractors.

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SmallGovCon Week in Review: July 22-26, 2024

Happy Friday! This week saw several large contract awards that reflect the federal government’s ongoing efforts to modernize its technology infrastructure, enhance defense capabilities, and improve emergency services and IT support across various agencies. In other news, SBA will be holding a tribal consultation that seeks to reduce administrative burdens and increase autonomy for Tribal Nations in addressing their specific needs. You can read more about this week’s developments in the articles below. And we will do a deeper dive into SBA’s recent announcement in an upcoming blog post. Have a great weekend.

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He Never Saw Himself as Disadvantaged. Then the Government had Him Write an Essay. -Julian Mark (Washington Post)

I am incredible honored by the shout-out I received in this recent, powerful Washington Post article, by the talented Julian Mark. Mark also wrote the prior article including my statements about the 8(a) Program litigation and changes that took place last summer, which you can read about here. This second article covers the incredible story of 8(a) Program graduate, Curtis Joachim, and my work with him in drafting a successful social disadvantage narrative to remain in the program for his final year—a requirement (now) for all applicants and participants imposed by Federal District Court and implemented by SBA. I am so fortunate I had the opportunity to work with Curtis and so grateful for his strength and grace in sharing his inspiring story.

SmallGovCon Week in Review: July 8-12, 2024

Hello readers and happy Friday! We hope you had a nice 4th of July and were able to spend some time with friends and family. This week’s round-up of federal government news, includes some cautionary tales on why defrauding the government is a very bad idea, the impact of the Boeing guilty plea on its federal contracts, and commentary on the Percipient.ai case and its effect on COFC jurisdiction.

Have a great weekend!

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