The HUBZone Program generally has received less attention from SBA than its counterparts in the 8(a) Business Development, WOSB, and SDVOSB Programs. However, over the past couple years, SBA has given it a little more attention than it has received in the past, with proposed changes in 2024 later becoming finalized that same year to make some aspects of the program a little stricter. This might reflect a new approach to the HUBZone Program. SBA has recently proclaimed that it has approved several petitions for new Governor-Designated Covered Areas, expanding the HUBZone map in 252 areas. Here, we explore what this actually means and how much of an impact this might have.
Continue readingTag Archives: HUBZone Program
GovCon FAQs: Should I Apply Simultaneously for All SBA Statuses I’m Eligible For?
In September 2024, following a temporary application and system pause, SBA switched over to a new, streamlined and unified application portal. Now, applications for the SBA’s 8(a) Program, HUBZone Program, Veteran-Owned Programs, and Woman-Owned Programs all go through MySBACertifications.Gov. Unlike prior portals and procedures, through this one, those eligible have the option to apply for multiple SBA small business contracting programs simultaneously. But the question is, what are the potential risks and benefits of doing so?
Continue readingWhy File: A HUBZone Status Protest
Lately, it seems there has been an uptick in questions we receive at webinars, on the blog, and from prospective clients about the HUBZone program. There may be more interest in this program than there has been in the past as it could be a key tool for procurement designations in the future. At the same time, the HUBZone program, while making some aspects of the program more flexible, has also put more scrutiny on current and aspiring HUBZone contractors. This post talks about one process that puts a lot of scrutiny on HUBZone contractors: a HUBZone status protest.
Continue readingRezoning (Part 2): Updates to the HUBZone Program
Very recently, we went through some more of the potential changes to the HUBZone Program from SBA’s proposed rule from August 23, 2024. In this post, we will look at the remaining proposed changes. SBA’s proposed rule would change HUBZone protests appeals, principal office requirements (which we did discuss a bit before here), HUBZone map concepts, and the HUBZone price evaluation preference (PEP).
Continue readingRezoning (Part 1): A Look at SBA’s Proposed Changes to the HUBZone Program
A few weeks ago, SBA released a proposed rule that would, among other things, modify the HUBZone program. We took a look at some of these changes when the proposals were released. As we promised in that post, we stated we were going to discuss some other aspects of the proposed rule in later posts. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the other changes that SBA is proposing for the HUBZone program, as there’s a lot. In this post, we’ll be focusing on other changes to how HUBZone employees are determined, new rules on certification and decertification, and changes to the “attempt to maintain” rule with regards to maintaining 35% HUBZone resident workforce. Some of these changes reflect a stricter approach from SBA that contractors should be on the lookout for.
Continue readingNews Flash: SBA Issues Proposed Rule with HUBZone and Small Business Changes
The SBA has issued a new proposed rule addressing both the Historically Underutilized Business Zone
(HUBZone) Program and other small business updates. It is titled: “HUBZone Program Updates and Clarifications, and Clarifications to Other Small Business Programs.” In this post, we’ll provide an overview of some of the main highlights of the proposed rule, and will do a deeper dive on some aspects of the regulation in later posts.
A HUBZone Appeal Appears! Continuing our Look at the HUBZone Appeal Process
Earlier this year, SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeal (“OHA”) released its first HUBZone status protest appeal decision. That decision, as you may recall was fairly straightforward, resulting in a dismissal of the appeal. About half a year later, OHA has issued its second HUBZone status appeal decision! This one is even more straightforward than the first one, but it is important nonetheless as it now gives us further insight into the HUBZone appeal system. Let’s take a little look.
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