Final rule on Controlled Unclassified Info in effect July 21

      The Homeland Security dept. published a final rule to amend its regulations to address requirements to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

      The changes are being made to protect CUI and to respond appropriately when DHS contractors experience incidents with DHS information. The final rule is effective on July 21.

      The DHS identified 264 small firms likely to be impacted by the CUI final rule. It also investigated the potential costs of the final rule as a percentage of small firm revenues. It also looked at the impacts of passing the costs on to the government.

Read more:
Final rule: https://tinyurl.com/yc3n7p28

Alliant 2 extended; Alliant 3 RFP to get second draft

      The GSA on June 22 announced it will extend the Alliant 2 Governmentwide Acquisition multiple-award IDIQ contract for five more years.

      The contract provides a wide range of IT solutions. It has no small business track but is expected to provide subcontracting opportunities to small businesses.

      In related news, GSA on June 28 announced that it will be preparing a second draft RFP for the Alliant 3 follow-on contract to Alliant 2. The first draft RFP was released in January and the final RFP is expected in spring 2024.

Read more at:
Extension news release: https://tinyurl.com/59svhtnw
Draft RFP announcement: https://tinyurl.com/227uuuef

SBA corrects its final rule on veteran certifications

     The SBA issued corrections to its final rule on certification of small firms owned by veterans (including service-disabled), including:

• Affirms that the VA determines whether a veteran is disabled, not DOD;
• Clarifies the process by which SBA may deny certification;
• Clarifies that a firm must be certified at the time of offer on a VOSB or SDVOSB contract.

Read more at:
Corrections to Final Rule: https://tinyurl.com/wwf2pw95

Inside this edition:

SDBs led the pack in 2021-2022 new entrants to gov contracting

Court impacts SBA small biz size standards

House, Senate panels OK 2024 NDAAs

Do you know your supplier risk scores?

SBA in dispute with OIG on Covid fraud

Fed procurement hits record $705B in FY22

EEO-1 portal to remain open

Column: DOD Issues Final Rule Updating SPRS Assessment Procedures for Federal Contractors

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