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This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.
Please see our list of Helpful Government Contracting Websites and recent important contracting information Announcements below. If you need further information on these or other government contracting topics, please contact the National Center APEX Accelerator at apex@ncaied.org.
Over the last two years, the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs announced new regulations to improve implementation of the Buy Indian Act to promote economic development opportunities in Indian Country and systematically led an effort to strengthen policies and procedures, increase training and stakeholder engagement, develop performance goals for Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) and Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE), and implement strategic acquisition set-aside contract awards for IEE and ISBEE vendors across the Department of Interior (DOI). As previously published on the new Buy Indian Act Information and Tools website, DOI bureaus awarded over $1.4 billion to IEE vendors across the nation during Fiscal Year 2023.
Indian Affairs is pleased to announce the Buy Indian System for Award Management (BISAM). https://www.bia.gov/bisam
BISAM gives Indian businesses the ability to easily find Buy Indian set-aside procurement opportunities by consolidating all Indian Affairs, DOI bureaus, and Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service SAM.gov opportunities into a one-stop, easily accessible and searchable platform. Please share this news and the link to BISAM with your clients as well as all other audiences interested in IEE and ISBEE set asides under the Buy Indian Act.
If you have any questions, please contact your National Center APEX Procurements Specialist or the Indian Affairs Acquisition office at biaq@bia.gov
The Defense Department’s “oldest continuously operating federal” program is coming to the Defense Logistics Agency. The DLA’s Office of Small Business programs has just rolled out its mentor-protégé program, which will help small businesses navigate the federal contracting space and enhance their technical and business processes. Read more here.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification ( CMMC ) Program has been a headache for many defense contractors since the idea was first introduced in 2019. The program seeks to protect unclassified information, including federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) not intended for public release, shared by the Department of Defense (DOD) with its contractors and subcontractors. In December 2023, the DOD proposed a rule to formally codify the CMMC Program in a phased rollout. The DOD has now released . . . Read More
On August 5, GSA published a final rule to standardize and simplify Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) clauses for economic price adjustments and remove requirements within those clauses to align with commercial standards and practices. The rule is available here and will be effective September 4, 2024.
On August 9, HHS published a proposed rule and request for comments from the public regarding proposed amendments and updates to the HHSAR to implement procurement requirements for health IT to meet the requirements and standards promulgated by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The rule is available here. Comments close October 8, 2024.
Increasing pressure from the industry about the lack of clarity of the SEWP VI solicitation has forced NASA to hit a pause on its governmentwide acquisition contract. Read more here.
As suspected and previewed in PilieroMazza’s April 24, 2024 blog , a Texas federal judge permanently blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) impending restriction on non-competition agreements (Non-Compete Rule). This means, at least for now, businesses will not need to follow the Non-Compete Rule and can maintain non-compete provisions in their agreements with employees, so long as those agreements are state law compliant. U.S. District Judge Ada E. Brown indicated earlier this summer (see coverage here ) she was likely to . . . Read More
On August 23, 2024, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published a proposed rule that would make changes to its regulations for the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program to clarify certain policies. In 2019, SBA made significant revisions to these regulations to enhance the program’s efficiency and effectiveness. The proposed rule aims to further clarify and refine some of these changes, particularly by requiring that any certified HUBZone small business to be eligible as of the date of offer for any HUBZone contract. Additionally, the rule proposes several amendments to SBA’s size and 8(a) Business Development (BD) regulations, along with technical adjustments to the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) programs.Top of FormBottom of Form Public comments on SBA’s proposals are currently due by October 7, 2024. Government contractors that participate in any of SBA’s small business programs should take note of the proposed changes and consider whether to address them through public comment. Read more here.
Beginning Aug. 1, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be upgrading the system it uses to process applications for socioeconomic contracting certifications, such as the 8(a) Program certification and HUBZone certification. The upgrade is expected to be completed in early September. During the upgrade period, the SBA will not be accepting new applications but will continue to process previously submitted applications. For more information, visit the SBA’s website. Visit certify.sba.gov for the most current guidance or contact SBA at certifications@sba.gov or (202) 205-6459.
If you are interested in learning more about the SBA’s certifications or applying for a socioeconomic certification, your APEX Accelerator can help. Contact your APEX Accelerator counselor for an appointment.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the release of its new Business Resilience Guide, a comprehensive resource for small business owners who may not be familiar with disaster preparation. The guide, which has six sections to plan and recover from disasters, includes best practices and template forms to help mitigate disasters for America’s entrepreneurs and help them build back stronger. This resource is to help small businesses stay operational before, during, and after a disaster. Read more
On August 23, SBA published an interim final rule and requested comments regarding extending the length of time records should be retained for lenders under the PPP. This rule also extends the statute of limitations for criminal charges and civil enforcement actions. The rule is available here and is effective as of August 22, 2024. Comments close September 23, 2024.
The Small Business Administration has recently seen an uptick in scammers claiming they are an SBA employee or third-party that can secure SBA grants for you for a fee.
What you need to know about small business grants:
For more information about our grants, see our official website https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/grants.
Additionally, there are no more pandemic relief funds available and SBA loans are not forgivable.
Protect yourself:
Stay vigilant and spread the world to help protect others!
US Army Corps of Engineers Forecasted Contract Opportunities
In order to be the most successful Government contractor, it is recommended that you not only seek current solicited opportunities, but also understand planned and forecasted procurements that are planned for solicitation.
Being aware of planned procurements helps you understand where to better focus your business development efforts within USACE, but will also help your small business team know how to plan out potential project and proposal dates.
As always, if you have any questions on any of the planned procurements or how to better utilize SAM.gov to locate current solicitations, you can utilize your district/center small business office.
For more information visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Business-With-Us/Small-Business/Upcoming-Contract-Opportunities/
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NASA to Relaunch Mentor-Protégé Program
by Miles Jamison, ExecutiveGov
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to relaunch its Mentor-Protégé Program for contractors on November 1 to boost the growth of commercial markets supporting the future of space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.
Read more here.
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Recruit, Hire, and Administer Personal Services Contract (RHAPSC) IDIQ
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) is considering a new and experimental approach to procuring Personal Service Contractors (PSCs). The Agency is inviting interested businesses to a Virtual Industry Day on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 1:00 pm EST to clarify the Governments’ approach and invite comments and questions. Interested businesses must preregister by using the hyperlink no later than Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 1:00 pm EST. Each business is limited to five attendees. The conference will be recorded and available as an update to this Notice. Questions/comments must be submitted no later than Friday, December 20, 2024, at 1:00pm EST.
To review the draft solicitation and register for the Industry Day, go to SAM.gov.
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The National Center Joins 13 Other Native Organizations on Economic Policy Brief for Trump Administration Transition Team
MESA, AZ - 14 prominent Native organizations – led by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development – shared a joint brief titled “Tribal Economic Development: Indian Country’s Policy Priorities for the Federal Government” with key members of the incoming Trump Administration’s transition team.
The comprehensive brief features 38 consensus-based policy priorities for the Administration and its various federal agencies across several topical categories, including: Increasing Indian Country’s Access to Capital and Credit, Tax Fairness for Tribal Economic Development & Growth, Enhancing Marketplace Competitiveness for Indian Country Businesses, Native-Owned Small Business Development, Tribal Land & Energy Development, and Growing Native Food Economies. As the brief explains, its included priorities will “enhance and grow the federal government’s support of Tribal Nations as they build and sustain vibrant economies that benefit not just Native people, but all Americans.”
Read the complete article at Indian Country Priorities for the Trump Administration .
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DOD, SBA to Pour Over $2.8 Billion Into Small Businesses, Federal News Network
The Defense Department, in partnership with the Small Business Administration, has issued licenses to the first group of investors through the Small Business Investment Company Critical Technology initiative, which will pour more than $2.8 billion into innovative startups and small businesses developing technologies deemed vital to national security. The first 13 funds approved under the SBICCT initiative are now eligible to receive government-backed loans. Each fund can borrow up to $175 million.
Read more here.
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DHS releases guidance on AI in critical Infrastructure
Set-Aside Alert - Published by Business Research Services, Inc.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its “Roles and Responsibilities Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Critical Infrastructure” on Nov.14 to provide guidance for various stakeholders to address the most prominent AI security risks and promote innovation as the federal AI market establishes itself.
This latest framework, written in collaboration with the DHS’ internal Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board, emphasizes the need for transparency in the AI market as well as accountability and the ethical use of AI while detailing mechanisms for collaboration, regulation, and public trust.
Most notably, this framework supports responsible risk management and AI deployment while warning users against the potential consequences of mismanagement across 16 critical sectors, including transportation, nuclear waste, water, the public sector and the defense industrial base.
Within those critical sectors, this guidance identifies the specific roles and unique tasks stakeholders will need to take in their distinct sector to develop a strong general foundation of the best practices regarding AI safety and security.
DHS concluded that success for this framework would see all stakeholders improve the delivery of critical services enabled by AI, enhance trust and transparency across the AI ecosystem as well as advance research into safe and secure AI for critical infrastructure, and ensure that civil liberties are protected by all entities no matter how AI evolves in the future.
The framework also featured a letter from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sharing that DHS will continue to engage and help key stakeholders with their sector-specific needs and guide AI adoption efforts as the technology continues to change how we do business in the federal sector.
More Information: USDHS Framework for AI in Critical Infrastructure
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SBA’s Proposed Changes to “Rule of Two” Increases Award Opportunities for Small Business Government Contractors. . .Maybe, PilieroMazza Client Alert
Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV, Meghan F. Leemon, Krissy Cralle
On October 25, 2024, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published a proposed rule to implement recommendations from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy’s memorandum “Increasing Small Business Participation on Multiple-Award Contracts” from earlier this year. The SBA hopes to increase small business participation on multiple award contracts (MAC) through the application of the Rule of Two to MAC task and delivery orders. However, by declining to follow the Court of Federal Claims’ (COFC) decision in Tolliver Group, the SBA created a process for procuring agencies to circumvent the Rule of Two and indeed produced the exact opposite results.
Read more here.
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Department of Defense (DOD) Rules: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Updates
On November 15, DOD published three final rules and a proposed rule with a request for comments regarding updates to the DFARS. Technical Amendments are available here.
1. Final Rule: Inapplicability of Additional Defense-Unique Laws and Certain Non-statutory DFARS Clauses to Commercial Item Contracts: DOD is issuing a final rule amending the DFARS to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 regarding the applicability of certain solicitation provisions and contract clauses to contracts and subcontracts for commercial products, commercial services, and commercially available off-the-shelf items. The rule is available here and will be effective November 25, 2024.
2. Final Rule: Past Performance of Affiliate Companies of Small Business Concerns: DOD is issuing a final rule amending the DFARS to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 that provides direction to contracting officers evaluating the past performance of small business concerns. The rule is available here and effective November 15, 2024.
3. Final Rule: Updates to the Definition of Departments and Agencies: DOD is issuing a final rule amending the DFARS to update the existing definition of “departments and agencies.” The unpublished rule is available here and effective November 15, 2024.
4. Proposed Rule: Disclosure of Information Regarding Foreign Obligations: DOD is proposing to amend the DFARS to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which prohibits DOD from acquiring products, services, or systems relating to information or operational technology, cybersecurity, industrial control systems, or weapon systems through a contract unless the offeror or contractor provides disclosures related to sharing source code and computer code with foreign governments. The rule is available here. Comments close January 14, 2025.
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At Last! CMMC Final Rule Published
On October 15, the DoD published the much-anticipated final rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Known as CMMC 2.0, defense contractors and subcontractors will have until early to mid-2025 to comply. The updated rule change revises certain aspects of the CMMC program to address public corners in response to DoD’s initial vision for the program originally published in 2020.
This final rule aligns the program with the cybersecurity requirements described in Federal Acquisition Regulation part 52.204-21 and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publications (SP) 800-171 Rev 2 and -172. It also clearly identifies the 24 NIST SP 800-172 requirements mandated for CMMC Level 3 certification.
For more information, visit DoD's dedicated CMMC 2.0 page and OSBP’s cybersecurity resources page.
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FY2025 NDAA: Significant Impacts on Small and Large Defense Contractors
PilieroMazza Blog, Lauren Brier
The Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 NDAA), signed into law on December 23, 2024, has significant implications for defense acquisition and contracting. Each year, PilieroMazza highlights key changes that impact small and large defense contractors when considering opportunities and complying with current law. Read more here.
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Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Proposed Rule - Small Business Participation on Certain Multiple-Award Contracts (MACs)
On January 15, the Department of Defense (DOD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) published a proposed rule and request for comments regarding changes to the FAR. Comments close March 17, 2025. This proposed rule will amend the FAR to update market research, acquisition planning, small business specialist coordination, and the use of set-asides for MACs. This proposed rule implements recommendations of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and is intended to expand the use of small business set-asides, increase coordination during acquisition planning, and provide additional criteria to consider or address in the documentation provided to the Small Business Administration. The rule is available here.
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Key Executive Orders Passed by President Trump and Their Implications for Government Contractors
By: Jacqueline K. Unger, Lauren Brier
Since President Trump took office a little over ten days ago, he has issued a flurry of Executive Orders (EO) aiming to further his policy objectives and rescind certain policies set by the Biden Administration. Many of these EOs affect government contractors working on federal contracts, as well as contractors working on state and local projects that receive federal assistance. On February 12, 2025, PilieroMazza will host a webinar addressing these Executive Orders in-depth and provide cost recovery strategies for . . . Read More
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Trump’s Executive Order on IIJA and IRA Contracts: Maximizing Cost Recovery for Government Contractors
by PilieroMazza: Jessica A. duHoffmann, Lauren Brier, Jacqueline K. Unger, Aaron A. Kor
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order entitled “ Unleashing American Energy ” (the Executive Order) aimed at reversing many of the Biden Administration’s clean energy and climate-related actions. The Executive Order will have significant impacts on many contracts (as well as grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and other awards) that are funded by either the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) or the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). Given the Executive Order and its wide-ranging impacts on federal, state, and local projects, PilieroMazza provides important steps for potentially affected contractors . . . Read More
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Trump’s Executive Order Shuts Down Federal DEI Programs: Key Steps for Federal Contractors to Improve Cost Recovery
By: Lauren Brier, Sarah L. Nash
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed the executive order, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing ( DEI Executive Order ), putting an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government. Given the DEI Executive Order and the potential impact it may have on current federal contracts, PilieroMazza put together the following key steps for federal contractors who received and/or expect to receive termination-related directives from their customers, as well as ways to improve their ability to . . . Read More
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Government Contracts and New Mandates: Executive Orders and Cost Recovery Strategies Explained
Date / Time: February 12, 2025 / 2:00 pm ET
Speaker(s): Jackie Unger, Lauren Brier
President Trump recently introduced a series of Executive Orders affecting government contractors in terms of new compliance obligations, cost considerations, and enforcement risks. Don’t miss Jackie Unger and Lauren Brier’s in-depth discussion on how recent and upcoming EOs are reshaping the government contracting landscape at federal, state, and local levels. Whether you’re navigating new workforce requirements, supply chain mandates, or funding restrictions, this webinar will provide practical insights to help your business remain compliant and competitive, as well as gain clarity on your rights and strategies to minimize disruptions and improve cost recovery.
Learning objectives:
$840M
4,600
1,516
23
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is a proud supporter of The National Center. We believe in its mission and have experienced first-hand the value of an organization focused solely to advancing tribal economies across the United States. Indian Country continues to benefit from the skill, dedication, and tireless work of The National Center and its team.
