Follow @Setasidealert on Twitter for the latest news & tips Defense bill: new benefits, rules for small vendors Evaluation factor for meeting small biz goals, no cap for women-owned firms Whew, it’s over! 2012’s top 12 stories The year started off with a crackdown on federal spending on employee conferences and travel, setting a harsh tone that continued throughout the year in ongoing battles over the budget between Congress and the White House. Defense Bill restores “Simplified Acquisition” authority through 2015 The National Defense Authorization Act included many major provisions for the military and defense contractors. But it also restored a relatively little-known authority of substantial importance to small federal contractors: simplified acquistion. Rule requiring contractors to hire displaced workers starts Jan. 18 Starting Jan. 18, federal contractors that win services contracts must offer to first hire the workers from the company that previously performed the work. More uses for GSA Schedules funding fee? Tips for boosting your profile & network, from Mark Amtower Washington Insider: Sequestration delayed While the threat of imminent tax increases has been averted for the vast majority of Americans, small federal contractors are not enthusiastic about the “fiscal cliff” deal reached by the White House and Congress.... WARN notices needed? The sequestration delay is renewing discussion about whether contractors should issue sequestration-related layoff notices.... RFP-EZ pilot The Small Business Administration announced a pilot project in which federal agencies will test out the new RFP-EZ (Request for Proposal Easy) platform to make it easier to buy technology from small businesses.... GAO protest win rates Federal contractors win 13% of their Government Accountability Office protests against the Defense Department, but their win rate averages 50% against the State Department....