HSBC: PPP, EIDL fraud prosecutions for 10 yrs

      The House Small Business Committee has approved two bills that would extend the time period in which pandemic aid loan fraud may be prosecuted to 10 years, up from six years currently.

      HR 7352 would allow fraud prosecutions for up to 10 years for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and HR 7334 would do the same for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

      Committee Chair Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-NY, said the goal is to align with the laws for bank loan fraud. The bills appear likely to gain Congress’ approval as there is great concern about the estimated $89 billion in PPP & EIDL fraud.

      Contractors are being advised to keep all loan records, including on forgiven loans. Civil and criminal lawsuits against loan holders may be filed as late as 2031 for PPP and 2032 for EIDL if the House bills become law.

DOD: consider more telework for vendors

      DOD contracting officers should consider allowing continued teleworking and other flexible arrangements for contractors as the Covid pandemic recedes, according to a memo from John M. Tenaglia, principal director of defense pricing and contracting.

      While contracting officers are allowed to require on-site contractor performance in certain circumstances, the contracting officers “should avoid specifying unnecessarily restrictive places of performance, to the maximum extent practicable,” Tenaglia wrote.

      Reentry guidance for DOD contractors also should follow local health rules, he added.

Read more at:
Read the memo: https://bit.ly/3O00Pp7

Small biz overseas contracts now in goals

      On May 26, a final rule became effective amending the FAR to include small business contracts performed overseas in agency small business procurement goals. The final rule and a previous SBA rule both intend to expand small business procurement by allowing contracting officers, at their own discretion, to create set-asides for overseas requirements.

      From 2019-2021, there were 359,567 awards for overseas performance, of which only 4% went to small firms.

Read more at:
Final rule: https://bit.ly/3tjfvrs

Inside this edition:

USDA ramps up enforcement of contractor labor law compliance

PSL set-asides at NASA

HUBZONE update: SBA reports on performance, goals for 2023

DOD: EPAs may be OK for inflation

HSBC passes SBA legislation

SBA biz size forums in June

COFC backs late-is-late

Column: DOL Updates Language on Service Contract Act Wage Determinations Again!

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update