FFCRA’s new rules on paid leave are in effect

      The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) created a new temporary program for 100% reimbursable paid sick leave and a new temporary program for 100% reimbursable expanded family and medical leave. Regulations for both new programs went into effect April 1 and will expire on Dec. 31.

      The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released a guide to both programs.

Read more:
US Chamber guide: https://uscham.com/3b0oCBi

OTA class deviation

      DOD acquisition chief Ellen Lord issued a memo that temporarily reduces red tape for use of Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) for prototype projects related to the coronavirus pandemic.

      Congress, in the CARES Act, reduced the need for internal approvals to use of OTAs at DOD.

Read more:
Lord’s memo:https://bit.ly/2YECDSy

VA gets coronavirus buying authorities

      President Trump issued a memo granting national defense procurement authorities to the Veterans Affairs Dept. for contracts related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more:
Authorizing memo: https://bit.ly/2L5gpB7

Navy contracting up 30% in April

      The Navy’s contract obligations rose 30% in April, compared to last year, partly due to new coronavirus spending, according to a report by Federal News Network.

Federal News Network story:
https://bit.ly/3dkTNZK

Vendor suspension procedures changing during pandemic

      The DOD and GSA are shifting to mostly electronic communications in dealing with contractor suspensions and debarments during the coronavirus pandemic. The change was made to be responsive to stay-at-home orders and social distancing.

Venable LLP analysis:
https://bit.ly/2W6Q6RF

Inside this edition:

SBA’s SBDCs, WBCs got a huge funding boost in the CARES Act

Judge blocks relief funds for ANCs for now

Congress OKs $484B COVID-19 relief bill; PPP gets $321B more

Updated Coronavirus Resources for Small Business Federal Contractors

CAAC class deviations

Suspend UNICOR work, say small biz

Reopenings bring issues, lawyers say

Column: Compete to Win - To Improve Win Ratio, Build a Business Development Organization

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