DOD’s long-distance construction contractors

      Forty six percent of DOD building construction, maintenance and repair contracts reviewed by the GAO were awarded to contractors farther than 60 miles away from the work sites, according to a new GAO report.

      DOD did not consider contractor location in making awards for nearly all of the 28 construction contracts reviewed. They considered contractor availability and demand in their area.

      DOD officials said there were little to no ill effects from having long-distance contractors for construction work.

      “Contracting officers stated that the distance between a contractor’s primary business location and the work site is generally not relevant to the contractor’s ability to complete quality work,” GAO said, making no recommendations.

Read more:
GAO report: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106035.pdf

Cardin retiring

      Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD, chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced on May 1 that he will not run for reelection when his term ends in 2024.

      Cardin, who will turn 80 in October, served in the Maryland legislature for 20 years. He then served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 until 2006, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. He also has a law degree.

      “As Small Business Chair, I will continue to work on behalf of small businesses in Maryland and across the country, who still face a tough economic climate,” Cardin said.

Read more at:
Cardin statement: https://bit.ly/3B70mgq

SBA lending update

      The SBA issued two final rules updating rules and procedures for its lending programs to better assist underserved communities.

      One of the final rules revises lending criteria for SBA’s 7(a) and 504 loan programs. The other allows new Small Business Lending Companies to form, among other changes.

      The final rules went into effect on May 11 and May 12.

Read more at:
Final rules: https://bit.ly/44OwG55 And: https://bit.ly/3Mchjw0

Inside this edition:

While 8(a) set-asides slump, are riskier SDB awards soaring?

Judge pauses Polaris GWAC

SBA’s six new vet biz centers

CIO-SP3 for 6 more months

Debt default starts June 1

Wide-ranging Govcon rule

FAA awards to small biz’s

GSA’s FAS Web catalog

Column: In-Person GovCon Industry Meetings Are Back!

Washington Insider: