Thank You, APTAC!

I am on my way home from Denver, where I have been since Tuesday for the Association of Procurement Assistance Centers Spring Conference.  My talk today was the final presentation of the conference (I like to think that APTAC saves the best for last!) and focused on recent SBA proposals regarding the limitations on subcontracting, “universal” mentor-protege, and women-owned small businesses, among other topics.

It was great to see so many familiar faces and have the chance to talk to so many PTAC counselors.  Thank you to Becky Peterson, Jason Porch, and the APTAC leadership for inviting me to speak, and thank you to all the PTAC-ers who stayed until the end of the conference to catch my presentation.  As always, you were a fantastic audience.

If you are a small business, you may be surprised at the many ways that your local PTAC can help you–usually free of charge.  Visit the APTAC website to get started.

Joint Ventures: SBA Proposes Major Changes

The SBA has proposed major changes to rules governing joint venturing for set-aside contracts.

As part of a proposed rule released last week, the SBA proposes to eliminate so-called “populated” joint ventures, and proposes additional changes regarding joint venture certifications, performance of work reports, and more.

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Mentor-Protege For All: SBA Proposes “Universal” Mentor-Protege Program

The SBA has proposed to establish a government-wide mentor-protege program available to all small businesses.

In a proposed rule released yesterday, the SBA proposed to establish a single, “universal” mentor-protege program, open to all small businesses, not just those with certain socioeconomic designations.  And critically, the SBA’s proposed mentor-protege program would allow SBA-approved mentor-protege joint ventures to qualify as “small” for any federal government prime contract or subcontract–a benefit currently available only to 8(a) companies.

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