President Bush has signed legislation pumping $8 billion into the Highway Trust Fund. The fund was nearly empty, threatening to slow or shut down road-building projects nationwide.

The fund takes in money from gasoline taxes, but those tax receipts have been falling as Americans cut back on driving. But Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the transportation funding system is flawed and in need of a long-term overhaul.

SBA has suspended applications for certification as a small disadvantaged business. Legal authority has expired for most agencies to offer SDB contracting preferences. As a result, SBA says, other agencies are no longer willing to pay for processing applications.

SBA will complete processing of SDB applications that were filed before Sept. 22. The agency says it is reassessing its SDB certification program, which has been widely criticized as too cumbersome.

GSA said it awarded 34% of its prime contract dollars to small businesses in fiscal 2007, up from 32% the year before. The agency said it also exceeded the 5% goal for woman-owned and small disadvantaged businesses, and the 3% goal for HUBZone contracts.

GSA is asking for nominations to serve on its Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Subcommittee. The subcommittee, to be part of GSA’s Small Business Advisory Committee, will offer suggestions on how to increase contract opportunities for SDVs.

The nomination form is available at www.gsa.gov/service-disabled and should be submitted to sbac@gsa.gov.

GSA has named Barnaby (Barney) Brasseux deputy administrator under Acting Administrator Jim Williams. Brasseux had been serving as acting commissioner of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service.

Tyree Varnado was appointed to the FAS job. He had been assistant administrator for FAS in the Greater Southwest Region.