Defense Dept. implements part of diversity EO

      DOD published a class deviation to implement Section 4 of controversial Executive Order 13950 on combating race and sex “stereotyping” and “scapegoating.” Section 4 requires agencies to include a clause in new contracts banning contractors from using any workplace training with such stereotyping or scapegoating.

      The EO is being challenged as unconstitutional in a lawsuit filed by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund with the National Urban League and National Fair Housing Alliance. In addition, Lambda Legal is suing on behalf of gay and transgendered people and other advocates.

      For now, the EO and class deviation remain in effect, according to PilieroMazza PLLC law firm. The EO is expected to be rescinded by Biden soon after Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021. .

Read more at:
Class deviation: https://bit.ly/3qDZTf7

Biden names HHS secretary, COVID19 team

      President-elect Joe Biden has named more people to his team, including top Cabinet officials. Nominees named by Biden include:

• California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services Department;
• Dr. Rochelle Walensky, a Harvard professor, as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
• Dr. Vivek Murthy, who served as Surgeon General under President Obama, would serve in that role again; and
• Former National Economic Council director Jeff Zients as coronavirus response coordinator.

Read more:
NPR’s complete list of recent nominees: https://n.pr/39SVCOQ

Category mgmt needs refocusing, says GAO

      OMB, which is the lead agency for category management, has focused primarily on the contracting aspects of category management and now needs to refocus on other goals, according to a new report from the GAO.

      “Leading practitioners of category management told GAO that agencies could save billions of additional dollars if OMB focused more on how agencies define requirements, GAO wrote in a new report.

Read more at:
GAO report: https://www.gao.gov/assets/720/710938.pdf

Inside this edition:

NDAA 2021 has numerous small biz items

PPP loans go to large businesses

The post-election situation: What’s at stake for small business federal contractors

CR, PPP updates

House OKs HUBZ appeals at SBA OHA

SBA changes small biz sizes in 5 more sectors

Links for Trump & allies’ post-election lawsuits

Column: Home Office Expenses

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update