Final rule expands counterfeit item reporting

      There’s a new final rule to secure the federal supply chain going into effect on Dec. 23. The FAR Council is expanding the requirements for contractors to do mandatory reporting of non-conforming and counterfeit items to the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP).

      The final rule enlarges the scope of GIDEP screening and reporting to contractors and subcontractors involved in contracts at DoD and other federal agencies. Contractors must report within 60 days on actual or suspect items.

      The rule excludes commercial items, medical devices subject to FDA reporting, and commercially-available off-the-shelf items.

Read more:
Final rule:https://bit.ly/35zm4aU
Analysis:https://bit.ly/2Op1F2o
and:https://bit.ly/33t2LyM

Runway Extension final rule said coming soon

Also, SBA official says Congress inadvertently amended the wrong law

      At the SBA’s recent mentor-protege conference, John Klein, associate general counsel for procurement, updated the audience on the so-called “Runway Act.” Congress passed the Runway law a year ago to allow firms to average their revenues for five years, rather than three, for size determinations.

      Klein said a final rule implementing the law is coming within weeks, according to a report from Samuel Finnerty, attorney with PilieroMazza.

      Klein also said Congress inadvertently amended the wrong section of the Small Business Act. Even so, the SBA final rule carries out the intent of the law, with five-year averaging of annual average receipts. SBA also will allow a two-year phase-in of the law. Read more at

Read more:
PilieroMazza blog entry: https://bit.ly/2skqZhI

VA Reverification

      The Veterans Affairs Dept.’s Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) has a new process it is calling Simplified Reverification, for verifying veteran-owned firms. The new process launched on Nov. 1. Details include:

• Applications must be submitted after Nov. 1, 2019 (not available retroactively);
• The firm must be currently verified and within 120 days of expiration;
• The firm must have less than $1 million in total VA contracts over the past three fiscal years and the current fiscal year to date;
• A firm will NOT qualify if it has participated in the denial avoidance program (aka Post Review Findings program, which allows a firm to withdraw an application instead of receiving a denial;
• A firm will NOT qualify if it is undergoing cancellation proceedings or other investigative proceedings;
• A firm will NOT qualify if it has received simplified reverification within the last three years.

Read the official VA Fact Sheet:
https://bit.ly/2KXtjS5

HUBZone WP story

      As part of its ongoing investigation into the HUBZone program, the Washington Post found that outdated poverty data resulted in HUBZone set-asides being channeled to wealthier communities.

Read the Washington Post story at:
https://wapo.st/2ruXEk0

Inside this Edition:

New rule allows Opp Zones to be designated as HUBZones too

House OKs SDVOSB bills

Dispute over ‘delayed action’ in vendor suspension/debarments

CR extended to Dec. 20

HUBZone rule in effect Jan. 1

FBO transition not so smooth

Anti-Collusion Strike Force

Column: SBA Publishes Important Proposed Rule Changes to 8(a) and Mentor-Protégé Programs

Washington Insider: