(Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mdgovpics/13603116235/sizes/l) 2014 was, in some ways, challenging for small business. While there was growth, and the economy continued to rebound, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) were continuously faced with the recurring question: how to … [Read more...]
State and Local Agency Set Aside Opportunities
Source: Onvia - Total government spending at all levels, including state and local agencies, represents about 28% of the US GDP, or roughly $3.3 trillion (estimated for 2015). How much of this falls into the set aside category varies widely from state-to-state. State-by-State Spending State and … [Read more...]
Limitations on Subcontracting: SBA Proposes Sweeping Changes
By Steven Koprince: The limitations on subcontracting would undergo sweeping changes under a recent SBA proposal. On December 29, the SBA issued a proposed rule to enact the changes implemented by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013–including a thorough re-write of the … [Read more...]
Government Contracting For Small Businesses Just Became Easier
If you are a small business owner in the U.S., you may have given up on the idea of trying to win contracts with the federal government – or perhaps you never seriously entertained the possibility. There is a widespread perception that the government only wants to do business with large, established … [Read more...]
Small Business Jobs Act 2010 Highlights
The Small Business Jobs Act is the most significant piece of small business legislation in over a decade. The new law will provide critical resources to help small businesses continue to drive economic recovery and create jobs. The new law extends the successful SBA enhanced loan provisions while … [Read more...]
Small Business Awards Fall 4%, No-Bid Contracts Rise 9%
During Obama's first term federal government contracts awarded to small businesses fell by about 4 percent. Making this pill harder to swallow is the fact that federal agencies awarded $115.2 billion in no-bid contracts in fiscal year 2012, an 8.9 increase from $105.8 billion from 2009 during the … [Read more...]
Small-business goals will go unmet again this FY
A favorite procurement vehicle is the simplified acquisitions because they’re easy to handle and easy to disguise as purchases going to small business. More times than not, however, simplified acquisition awards land in the laps of big business. Oh, sure simplified acquisitions can be as high as … [Read more...]
Assuring Contracting Equity Act (S. 196) would boost 23-percent goal to 25
FCW reported that Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced the Assuring Contracting Equity Act (S. 196), which would boost the 23-percent goal to 25 percent and increase goals for companies owned by women and minorities from 5 to 10 percent. The House wanted the increase last year and put language to … [Read more...]
GAO no longer to consider 109-461 protests
GAO contends that because the VA won't adhere to its decisions about 109-461, they will dismiss all protests involving 109-461. See related news on VetLikeMe.org VA’s Non-Compliance Under Increased Scrutiny SDVOSB Case Decided in Favor of VA … [Read more...]
Duty, Honor, Country—and Unemployed?
Submitted by Hardy R. Stone Jr., publisher of VetLikeMe.org My younger brother shipped out to Afghanistan this month. Sure, we have that helpless feeling that anything can happen in a war zone. Being a disabled veteran, another concern I have is that he will be wounded or injured. He’ll always … [Read more...]
GSA Awards Purchase Agreements to 43 Small Businesses for Low-Cost IT Equipment
The General Services Administration awarded 43 small business blanket purchase agreements for tablets, mobile products, monitors, video teleconference equipment, laptops, desktops, notebooks, netbooks and data center equipment. The 43 BPAs were awarded to small businesses including women-owned, … [Read more...]
Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development – November 2012 Highlights
Empowering Veterans through Entrepreneurship U.S. military veterans own 2.4 million businesses, or nearly 1 in 10 of all businesses nationwide. 8.3 percent of veteran business owners have service-connected disabilities. Veteran-owned businesses generate $1.2 trillion in … [Read more...]