Surveys show COVID-19 pain, worry for small biz contractors

     The majority of small business federal contractors in a new Set-Aside Alert survey reported they are “very concerned” about continuing work or already “shut down” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

      Most of the 360 small business respondents said that large portions of their workforces were continuing to work, mostly by teleworking, but some were not sure how their workers would be paid. They also reported worries about getting infected with COVID-19.

      The Set-Aside Alert survey was conducted from March 31 to April 6, with 372 respondents in all, including 360 respondents that identified themselves as small businesses. About 65% of them currently are performing on one or more federal contracts.

      It is one of several recent surveys that show deep anxiety among small government vendors.

      “Ninety-nine percent of our normal sales have dropped off completely,” wrote one respondent. “One contract is all that is left”...more....