President Trump signs CR expiring on Nov. 21

      President Trump on Sept. 27 signed a Continuing Resolution to fund federal agencies at fiscal 2019 levels, temporarily avoiding a government shutdown and allowing more time for Congress to negotiate appropriations for fiscal 2020. The appropriations process has been bogged down by controversy over border wall funding, which is likely to continue, making additional continuing resolutions a possibility. The impeachment inquiry, which House Democratic leaders have labeled as urgent, adds scheduling uncertainties.

Significant delays for some SBIR/STTR funds

      While most of the government’s SBIR and STTR awards are made within the recommended time frame, some agencies have serious delays, according to a new GAO report.

      For fiscal 2016-2018, agencies issued 15,453 SBIR and STTR awards, and 76% of the awards reviewed by GAO were timely.

      Some were long delayed. The worst offenders, in mean average notification time, were the Defense Microelectronics Activity, 288 days; EPA, 260 days; FDA, 255 days; and CDC, 249 days. The policy directive for the program recommends that agencies issue awards within 180 days (except for NIH and the National Science Foundation, for which 15 months is recommended).

Inside this Edition:

SBA urged to shut down, debar Alabama Women’s Biz Centers

Could you make it as a mid-sized?

GSA releases Schedules RFP

Panel OKs SBDC, SCORE and WBC bills

DOD limits use of LPTA

DOL expands overtime threshold

Alutiiq wins court case

Column: Declining number of set-asides

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