SBA’s Proposed Size-Standard Overhaul Could Reshape Small-Business Competition
SBA has proposed a major overhaul of federal small-business size standards that could add more than 110,000 employer firms to the small-business pool. For government contractors, broader industry categories and higher thresholds could reshape set-aside competition, teaming decisions, growth strategies, and the point at which successful firms graduate from small-business programs.
SBA's New 8(a) Rule Rewrites the Evidence of Social Disadvantage
SBA's August 2026 rule eliminates the 8(a) program's rebuttable presumption of social disadvantage for individually owned firms and creates a new evidence-based eligibility test. The change has implications not only for applicants, but also for primes, teaming partners, mentor-protégé relationships, and capture strategy.
SBA’s Critical Supplier Request Shows Why Small Manufacturers Should Track Industrial Base Policy
SBA’s May 2026 request for input on scaling critical domestic suppliers is a signal for small manufacturers and technology firms. Contractors should document capacity, bottlenecks, tooling needs, workforce gaps, certifications, and supply chain constraints to position for future industrial base initiatives.
SBA’s Small Business Scorecard May Be Changing: Why Contractors Should Pay Attention
SBA may be changing how it grades agency small business contracting performance, with greater emphasis on veteran-owned firms, competition, fraud reduction, subcontracting, and taxpayer value. Federal contractors should monitor how these changes may affect set-asides, 8(a) usage, outreach, and agency acquisition strategies.
Open vs. Conventional SBIR/STTR Topics
GAO’s 2025 report on SBIR/STTR finds open topics now account for about half of FY 2023 awards and increase competition, but inconsistent definitions across agencies hinder outcome measurement. SBA plans guidance to standardize labels. Federal contractors should adjust capture strategies and prepare for policy changes that may reshape pipelines and metrics.
FY24 Small Business Procurement Scorecard
The SBA's FY24 Small Business Procurement Scorecard awards high grades to federal agencies, but do these scores truly reflect meaningful support for small businesses? Explore the implications of these ratings and what they mean for the small business community.
GAO Highlights Gaps in SBA’s Fraud Detection During COVID-19 Relief Programs
A March 2025 GAO report criticizes the SBA’s delayed and ineffective fraud controls in the COVID-19 PPP and EIDL loan programs, raising concerns over billions in potentially fraudulent loans.
New SBA 7(a) Working Capital Pilot Program for Small Business Contractors
The new SBA 7(a) Working Capital Pilot Program, designed to provide small business federal contractors with flexible and accessible lines of credit up to $5 million. Learn how this program can enhance cash flow management and support growth in the dynamic world of government contracting.
Implications of the CMMC Program for Small Business Contractors: A Call for Clarity and Support
Read about the U.S. Small Business Administration's concerns about the CMMC Program's impact on small business contractors. The letter to the DoD highlights challenges like compliance costs, certification delays, and the need for clearer guidelines to ensure small businesses can compete effectively in federal contracting.
The SBA’s Strategic Plan: A Mid-Point Check-In for Small Business Federal Contractors
Mid-Point Check in on how small business federal contractors can benefit from the SBA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Learn key strategies for accessing capital, enhancing resilience, and navigating the expanded support aimed at fostering a robust economic environment for small businesses.