For better or for worse, these federal procurement “times they are a-changin’.” One obvious source of recent change is the shiny new FAR 2.0, a.k.a. the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). With the government’s widespread implementation of the RFO and its many procurement rule and procedure updates, we at SmallGovCon have tried to cover as much as possible. But we’re talking about an essential rewrite of the decades-longstanding procurement playbook here. So unsurprisingly, there’s still a lot to go. One recent change well-worth some deeper discussion is the RFO’s updated “Once 8(a), Always 8(a)” Rule–which I’ve aptly deemed the “Once 8(a), Always 8(a)–or HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB” Rule. As the SBA’s “Once 8(a), Always 8(a)” Rule remains unchanged, this RFO update has the potential for significant impacts on small business federal contracting, as well as some implementation conflicts–or confusion at the least.
Continue readingTag Archives: HUBZone
Back to Basics: HUBZone Eligibility
When exploring the world of SBA socioeconomic programs, the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program isn’t always the first program on a business’ radar. One reason for this could be the distinct eligibility requirements an applicant must meet to qualify for HUBZone certification.
This is the only socioeconomic program where SBA requires a company’s principal office and employees to reside in a designated area, i.e., a HUBZone. SBA provides a HUBZone map showing the areas designated as a HUBZone. Keep in mind that this map is reevaluated every five years, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on any updates made to the map.
We have previously covered the basics and overall benefits of the HUBZone Program. Here, we’ll go through the eligibility requirements more in-depth.
Continue readingNo More HUBZone Price Preference for Most Mentor-Protege Joint Ventures
An advantage of being a HUBZone Program contractor is the aptly-named HUBZone price evaluation preference. The possibility of utilizing that price preference has been a great reason for contractors to form joint ventures with HUBZone businesses. However, contractors need to be aware that SBA has effectively eliminated the usage of price preference within certain joint ventures.
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 readingNews Flash: SBA Releases Final HUBZone Rule Update, Other Small Business Changes
SBA has released the final rule for the HUBZone Program Updates and Clarifications, and Clarifications to Other Small Business Programs on December 17, 2024. As we have discussed, this rule made a lot of changes to the HUBZone program. But it also updated a lot of other small business rules. Below are the details on some of these significant changes. This rule will be effective on January 16, 2025.
Continue readingAre Mentor-Protégé Joint Ventures Just Too Successful, Asks SBA
SBA recently issued a proposed rule purportedly concerning the HUBZone Program and its regulations–but actually, covering a bevy of other discussions and proposed changes relating to size, SBA’s other small business socioeconomic programs, and even teaming. Specifically, regarding teaming, SBA revealed that it has apparently decided to take a deeper look into the immense success of mentor-protégé joint venture teaming. It is also requesting comments on this concern, as well as potential policy changes for joint venturing in SBA programs, more generally.
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).
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