Wide-ranging Govcon rule

In effect on May 30

      The Small Business Administration on April 27 published a wide-ranging final rule aiming to clarify definitions and procedures on a number of aspects of the 8(a) Small Business program and on other small business federal contracting issues.

      The final rule goes into effect on May 30. A minor correction to the final rule also was published on April 27.

      Topics covered include:

• Definitions in the 8(a) program, including those of ownership and control;
• Ability of a former 8(a) participant to sell the company to another disadvantaged individual;
• Clarifying that a contracting officer cannot limit an 8(a) competition to participants having more than one certification;
• Clarifying the rules pertaining to issuing sole source 8(a) orders under an 8(a) multiple award contract;
• Clarifying definitions of affiliation for joint ventures;
• Defining when the size of a small business contractor is determined;
• Defining sizing procedures for SBA’s 8(d) Subcontracting program;
• Clarifying requirements for joint ventures in the HUBZone program;
• Clarifying size and eligibility for the SBIR and STTR programs;
• Clarifying time limits for size protests and definition of who may protest a small business size; and
• Clarifying waivers of the non-manufacturer rule, among other topics.

More information:
Final rule: https://bit.ly/3LQPIz4

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