SBA Admin. Linda McMahon names chief of staff

Linda McMahon, who was confirmed by the Senate as the new administrator of the Small Business Administration on Feb. 14, has named her chief of staff.

McMahon selected Mary Anne Bradfield, who is on President Trump’s transition team for the SBA.

Bradfield’s most recent position was in a senior program development role at Accelerated Development and Support (ADS) Corp., supporting the National Guard Bureau Joint Staff for three years.

She also served as a senior leader in the congressional affairs office of the SBA in the President George W. Bush’s administration from 2004 to 2009, worked as a state lobbyist for the National Rifle Association for eight years, and served as a loan officer for seven years, among other positions. Bradfield has a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma.

More information: White House memo: http://goo.gl/C1EnO8

VECTOR RFP is out

The Veteran Affairs Dept.’s long-awaited VECTOR contract is no longer on hold.

The RFP for the Veteran Enterprises Contracting for Transformation and Operational Readiness contract was released on Feb. 14 and proposals are due on March 14.

The 10-year professional services contract is valued at about $25 billion, according to Bloomberg.

See below for the link to the latest document on the procurement from the VA.

More information: VA VECTOR RFP link: http://goo.gl/bqc6Uk

VA recertification

The Veterans Affairs Dept.’s interim final rule allowing veterans to recertify their small business ownership every three years, rather than every two years, became effective Feb. 21.

The extension is meant to reduce administrative burden. Comments are due by April 24.

More information: Federal Register notice:http://goo.gl/oN6s8a

Pence on small biz

Vice President Michael Pence gave a speech on small business in St. Louis, MO, saying small business is the "beating heart that creates prosperity and growth."

Pence spoke to employees at Fabick Cat, a 1,100-employee company that supports Caterpillar.

He said the administration is focused on cutting taxes, repealing and replacing Obamacare and on cutting regulations.

Audit of micropurchases

GAO's government-wide review of micropurchases (under $3,500) found weaknesses in 23% of such purchases at DOD and 13% of such purchases at the VA. Most weaknesses were due to transactions with inadequate documentation.

More information: GAO report: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-17-276

GOP may delay spending boost to infrastructure

Top 60 NAICS codes for 8(a) opportunities

Minority firms suffering: MBDA

Court hurts small biz transparency: Watchdog

Column: Nine ways to get the most out of FBO.gov

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