SBA operations review

      The GAO reviewed the setup of the SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development (OGCBD) and its field staff.

      Some field staff implement OGCBD programs but report to the Office of Field Operations. While SBA officials said this allows these staff to support the goals of the OGCBD as well as those of the individual field offices, it also results in “inconsistent program delivery,” the GAO said.

      The GAO also examined several of its recommendations that SBA has not implemented, and looked at the timeliness of SBA’s rulemaking.

More information: GAO report: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-17-573

Small biz wins big share of contracts in Puerto Rico

      Small businesses in Puerto Rico more than doubled their share of U.S. federal contracting dollars awarded in Puerto Rico between fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2015, according to a new study by the GAO.

      The small firms in Puerto Rico got 24% of all federal contract obligations in Puerto Rico in fiscal 2006, which rose to a high of 51% in fiscal 2015. The small firms’ percentage of such obligations remained high in fiscal 2016, at 47%.

      More small business awards were made in Puerto Rico through the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program than through the programs for HUBZone, women-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned combined, the GAO said. More information:

More information: GAO report: https://www.gao.gov/assets/690/685548.pdf

More government procurement execs ‘overworked’

      Nearly 40% of public sector procurement officials report being overworked, according to Onvia’s second annual Survey of Government Procurement Professionals. That was 4% higher than in last year’s survey.

      The government contracting officials say they are struggling to find the time to research and put together well-written solicitations.

      As a result, Onvia’s Procurement Performance Index dropped from 76.4 last year to the current value of 72.6. With fewer staff, the buyers are challenged to “do more with less.”

More information: Onvia study: http://goo.gl/Y3avrJ

New HUBZone maps are online

Sharpe vs. Roth in turf battle: IG

Vendor competition rising: survey

Accelerated payments change gets pushback

NDAA Sect. 801 raises concerns

Column: Your friendly neighborhood OSDBU

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