HUBZone companies will get some additional time to plan for the unfreezing of the HUBZone maps by SBA. SBA has just issued a direct final rule that will extend the HUBZone map freeze from December 31, 2021, to June 30, 2023.
Continue readingTag Archives: HUBZone compliance
HUBZone Appeals at OHA Are One Step Closer to Reality
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 8229, the “Parity for HUBZone Appeals Act,” by voice vote on December 3, 2020. It would allow appeal of HUBZone protest decisions to the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals.
Continue readingSBA Inspector General Questions Legality of Relaxed HUBZone Residency Rule
Last December, SBA overhauled its HUBZone Program rules in an effort to make it easier for companies to obtain and maintain HUBZone certification–and to help the Government stop falling so woefully short of the three percent HUBZone prime contracting goal.
But now, in a new report, SBA’s internal watchdog is questioning whether one of those HUBZone Program changes went too far.
Continue readingSBA Provides Flexibility for HUBZone Compliance
We’ve written quite a few posts about how contractors can adapt and deal with the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some small businesses federal contractors, however, face unique challenges. This is particularly true of participants in the HUBZone Program. Specifically, while the OMB has encouraged agencies to allow contractor employees to telework, how will this affect HUBZone entities, where the location of their employees is key to maintaining their HUBZone status?
Well, the SBA has the answer in some recent guidance, and it’s something we could all probably do with a little more of–flexibility. Flexibility, in this case, means that SBA realizes complying with the principal office and employee residency requirements may be tough during a time when all people are encouraged to telework. The flexibility applies to a few of the HUBZone rules.
Continue readingSBA Issues Guidance on New HUBZone Rules
Can a business seeking HUBZone status give employees bonuses or higher wages to entice them to live in a HUBZone?
According to new guidance published by the U.S. Small Business Administration, yes. But that’s not the only question addressed in the guidance.
Continue readingNew HUBZone Rules Kick In December 26
SBA proposed a major revamp of how it will interpret and enforce the HUBZone program’s rules back in October of 2019. We wrote about the major changes in a couple of posts (here and here) as well as some of the common misconceptions that SBA cleared up as part of the proposed rule.
Well, the wait is over. SBA will release the final rule November 26 and the new rules will become effective on December 26, 2019.
Continue reading5 Things You Should Know: HUBZone Program (The Basics)
Editor’s Note: You can find our updated post on the HUBZone Basics here.
5 Things has previously discussed 8(a) Program basics and eligibility requirements. But the 8(a) Program isn’t the only socioeconomic program benefiting small businesses. In this post, we’ll begin exploring another crucial program for small businesses: the Historically Underutilized Business Zone—or HUBZone—program.
Here are five things you should know about the HUBZone program.