As one of the (if not the) largest consumers of goods and services in the world, the United States Government represents a very lucrative target market for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. Bidding for and winning government contracts, however, can often be a daunting task for small or new businesses or those […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
New Law Eases US Government Contracting for Small Businesses with One-Stop Shop Compliance Guides Website
In October of 2022, Congress and the President passed a law that made a small but very important addition to the rules governing the US Small Business Administration. In a bipartisan bill known as “The One-Stop Shop for Small Business Compliance Act” (Public Law 177-118), the US Government made life in the often confusing and […]
SBA Proposes Consolidation of Federal Contracting Assistance Mentor-Protégé Programs
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed a rule of merging two of its current federal contracting assistance programs, the 8(a) Business Development Mentor-Protégé Program and the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program, in order to eliminate confusion and remove unnecessary duplication of functions within the SBA. The 8(a) Program is for small businesses owned by […]
Goodbye DUNS, Hello SAMMI
In November 2020, DUNS will be replaced by the Sam Managed Identifier (SAMMI) which will also be known as the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). While the DUNS was proprietary to Dun and Bradstreet, the new number will now be owned by the Government. This will allow for this service to be competitively sought in the […]
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) Solicitations Severely Restricted
On October 1, 2019 a new Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) provision 215.101-2-70 will go into effect which significantly limits a Contracting Officers ability to use a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) solicitation. The LPTA process prioritizes cost over technical capability and allows the agency to make an award to the lowest-priced offeror that […]
FedBizOpps is Undergoing a Transition
The Federal Business Opportunities website (FBO.gov), along with all the other government wide acquisition systems managed by the Integrated Award Environment, is being modernized and consolidated under the “beta.SAM.gov” system. This consolidation will provide not only better security, data quality and convenience for users, but will also reduce barriers for doing business with the government, […]
Companies Must be Cybersecurity Compliant – Department of Defense (DoD) Proposes New Certification Process
At the recent National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Procurement Division Meeting, Ms. Katie Arrington, the Special Assistant for Cybersecurity to the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment, updated attendees on DoD’s new approach to addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities. She stated the DoD will no longer compromise cybersecurity over performance, cost or scheduling in government contracts. […]
SBA Proposes New Certification Procedure for Women-Owned Small Businesses and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed an amendment to its regulations on how Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs) are certified. The WOSB and EDWOSB certification is required in order for these businesses to participate in the WOSB Federal Contract Program which restricts competition for these federal contracts to […]
Ask the Question – Avoiding Bid Protest and Contract Disputes
Based on my 25 years of experience in practicing federal procurement law, the single biggest cause of bid protests and contract disputes is the failure to “ask the question.” While I can’t tell you what the question is because it’s never the same, I can tell you that by “asking the question” you can save […]
Ed Kinberg Presents Webinar on Small Business Joint Venture Agreements
On November 7, 2018, Widerman Malek attorney Ed Kinberg presented a webinar for the Florida 8(a) Alliance on new SBA rules for small businesses and the legal requirements for contracting with the United States Government as a qualified small business through a joint venture or Mentor Protégé agreement with a large business. Mr. Kinberg is […]
