SBA Issues Final Subcontracting Rule
A large prime contractor’s success or failure in meeting small-business subcontracting goals may be considered as a significant factor in the prime’s past-performance evaluation, but that is not mandatory under a new SBA rule.

More Procurement Data Is Available in New System
A new storehouse of federal procurement data is now available at www.fpdsng.com.

IG Outlines GSA Contracting Problems
GSA’s inspector general found contracting abuses in all of the Federal Technology Service’s regional centers, but also saw signs of improvement after top management began focusing on the problems.

Armed Services Now Run Their Mentor-Protege Programs
The military services and defense agencies have taken over their mentor-protégé programs, which were formerly run by the Defense Department Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

SBA Sets 2005 Matchmaking Schedule
SBA and the HP Small Business Foundation plan four face-to-face Business Matchmaking events and five online matchmaking sessions this year.

Merged Companies Must Recertify Small-Business Eligibility
A small business that merges or is acquired must recertify itself as small on all current contracts under a new SBA regulation effective Dec. 21.