DHS shutdown looms

The Homeland Security Department intends to furlough about 30,000 employees and suspend some management and administrative activities if it shuts down on Feb. 27 due to lack of funding.

DHS’ fiscal 2015 budget appropriation is being used as leverage in the fight in Congress over Obama’s recent immigration orders. House GOP members recently passed a DHS budget that also would cancel all of Obama’s immigration measures.

Chabot bill helps big biz?

The House approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot, R-OH, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, to require analysis of the direct and indirect costs of any new regulations on small businesses.

However, the Center for Effective Government watchdog group called the legislation a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” and said in an alert that the bill would do more for big businesses than for small ones. The bill would stall major regulations on the environment, workplace safety and other areas, the group contends.

The bill is a “blatant attempt to use small businesses as cover for corporate efforts to undermine public protections,” the group charged.

Chabot has said the bill forces agencies to consider small businesses.

More information: Watchdog group alert http://goo.gl/HBwR7z

HUBZone losses

According to a new report from the Government Accountability Office, 578 small businesses will lose their HUBZone status in 2015--but they might not realize it.

A total of 3,417 designated geographic areas will lose their HUBZone status in 2015 due to changes in economic conditions, the GAO said. Firms in those areas can be redesignated for up to three years.

However, some of those firms may not be aware of the loss of HUBZone status, the GAO said.

More information: http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/668468.pdf

WOSB Sole Sourcing

Advocates for women contractors are urging the Small Business Administration to act speedily on developing regulations to implement sole-sourcing for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs).

Congress approved WOSB sole-source authority in the fiscal 2015 defense authorization law. Since rulemaking typically takes many months, 24 organizations wrote to the SBA asking to put WOSB sole-source rulemaking on a fast track.

Congress also approved language to end self-certification for WOSBs. However, the groups say the self-certification rulemaking does not need to be expedited.

More information: SBA letter http://goo.gl/25Twqi

SBA to create mentor-proteges government-wide

President seeks $4T budget

Simplified Acquisitions up to $500K?

Rule of Two for reverse auctions

Obama proposes 8% increase for tribal programs, IHS

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