Deviations on JVs, FAR updates

      The Defense Dept. and civilian agencies published class deviations affecting small business federal contractors in recent weeks. The actions were:

• DOD Class Deviation for Verifying Small Business Joint Ventures: The class deviation provides DOD contracting officers with an alternative procedure for verifying small business joint venture offeror eligibility instead of using the System for Award Management. The deviation went into effect on Oct. 28 and will remain in effect indefinitely.
• Civilian Agencies’ Class Deviations for Procedures to use while recent FAR Changes are implemented in SAM: The Civilian Agencies Acquisition Council authorized agencies to issue class deviations to utilize new FAR updates even though those updates are not fully implemented into SAM. The FAR updates, effective on Oct. 28, included modifications to policies on joint ventures, construction contract administration, HUBZone rules and certification of women-owned small businesses (WOSBs).

More information:
Undersecretary of Defense class deviation memo: https://bit.ly/3TsQd48
CAAC memo: https://bit.ly/3tjOFie
Summary of the final rules: https://bit.ly/3WQEorv

Midterm elections: Democrats hold Senate; GOP gaining House

No. of Cat Mgt small biz vendors has shrunk by 18% since 2018

Emissions disclosure rule

White House equity efforts

Buy American hikes eff. Oct 25

GSA Schedules update Dec. 7

Deviations on JVs, FAR updates

DOD pilot for worker-owned

More details on veteran certs

Protests drop in number

Column: Going to a Trade Show?
Put Yourself in a Reporter’s Shoes, First

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update

Correction: CR expires on Dec. 16