Per diem rates to rise slightly for fiscal 2020

      The standard per diem rates in fiscal 2020 will rise to $96 per day for lodging, up from $94 in fiscal 2019. The standard meals/incidentals will remain at $55 daily.

      Some areas are allowed much higher rates in peak months. The peak DC lodging rate will rise to $256, from $251. New York City peak rates will increase to $298 per day, from $288; and the San Francisco peak lodging rate will be hiked to $334 per day, from $299. The new rates go into effect on Oct. 1.

Senate confirms Wooten as new OFPP chief

      The Senate has confirmed Michael Wooten as the new administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, which is within the Office of Management and Budget. Lesley Field has served as the acting administrator since October 2016.

      Wooten recently was a senior advisor for acquisitions at the Education Dept.’s Federal Student Aid office and previously served as deputy assistant secretary for Career, Technical and Adult Education. He also was deputy chief procurement officer for the District of Columbia.

      Wooten previously was a Marine Corps officer for 16 years and attended the Defense Acquisition University.

SBA-USDA’s “Rural Strong” goes national

      The Small Business Administration and US Agriculture Dept.’s Rural Development unit recently launched their “Rural Strong” initiative nationwide to encourage rural entrepreneurship.

      The initiative began with an executive order by President Trump in 2017 and a memorandum of understanding signed by the SBA and USDA last year. The goal is to improve access to capital, opportunities for public and private investments and export business development in rural areas.

      Upcoming events are scheduled in Picayune, MS on Sept. 19 and in Moore Haven, FL in September.

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More information: : https://bit.ly/2KEjUOA

Inside this Edition:

Industry likes schedules plans: GSA

House Small Biz panel backs bills to help SDVOSBs, VOSBs

NOTE: Our next edition will be published on September 6th.

Big contracts, small vendors

“Intent to nominate” Carranza

8(a) STARS III draft RFP

Cyber, lending bills in Senate

Ban on Chinese IT in contracts

Column: Defense Dept. Sets Course on Cybersecurity Evaluation, Enforcement

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