Labor Proposes Goal for Hiring Disabled Workers
In an expansion of affirmative action regulations, the Labor Department plans to require federal contractors to set a 7% hiring goal for people with disabilities.

VA: Vets First Contracting Policy is Under Review
The Obama administration is reviewing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ use of the Veterans First contracting preference to determine whether VA is unlawfully bypassing veteran-owned businesses when it orders through GSA schedules.

Congress May Increase Small Business R&D Funding
House and Senate committee chairs have agreed to substantial increases in Small Business Innovation Research grants as part of a deal to reauthorize the SBIR program for six years.

OMB To Set Standards for Cloud Computing Security
A GSA official said the one-stop for accreditation of cybersecurity solutions will save contractors “an enormous amount of dollars that they spend now doing that time and time again.”

Air Force Awards $950 Million Set-Aside Contract
The Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center has chosen 19 small businesses for its ACCESS contract to provide advisory and assistance services.

I Have to Do What? Hire My Competitor’s Employees?
Contractors are beginning to realize the complexities of implementing a new regulation that will require them to offer jobs to an incumbent contractor’s employees.

Happy Holidays
Because of the holidays, the next issue of Set-Aside Alert will be published on Jan. 13. Daily Contract Opportunities emails will continue without interruption.