The U.S. Small Business Administration published a significant proposed rule on June 11, 2026, that would fundamentally reshape how individuals qualify for the Section 8(a) Business Development Program. The rule, appearing at 91 Fed. Reg. 35433, proposes to eliminate the race-based rebuttable presumption of social disadvantage that has governed 8(a) eligibility for nearly four
Federal contractors should be paying close attention to a growing issue in government procurement: the use of shadow AI and generative artificial intelligence by agency evaluators during proposal evaluations.
As federal agencies increasingly experiment with AI tools in procurement and acquisition processes, evaluators may be using generative AI platforms to summarize proposals, identify strengths and
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued a significant proposal that could reshape how federal agencies address confidentiality obligations across the federal workforce. In a notice seeking public comment, OPM released a draft governmentwide nondisclosure agreement (NDA) intended for use with both new and existing federal employees. Comments are due by June 26, 2026.
The Defense Acquisition Regulations System has issued a significant proposed rule that would dramatically expand disclosure and compliance obligations for defense contractors and subcontractors regarding beneficial ownership and foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI). The proposed amendments to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) implement key provisions of the National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs)
Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements have become one of the most important — and most misunderstood — vehicles for doing business with the federal government. Once limited to niche research programs, OTAs are now widely used across the Department of Defense and civilian agencies to accelerate acquisition of emerging technologies, prototypes, and innovative capabilities.
For
The Cost Accounting Standards Board (CASB) has proposed a significant overhaul to CAS applicability thresholds — one that is clearly aimed at reducing compliance burdens, simplifying CAS administration, and expanding competition in the federal marketplace. If implemented, these changes would represent one of the most meaningful deregulatory CAS reforms in decades, particularly for growing mid-size
Government contracting can feel like learning a new language. Even sophisticated commercial vendors often struggle with the rules, acronyms, and procedural traps that come with selling to federal agencies.
Below are 25 of the most common questions contractors search online — along with short, practical answers designed for business owners, compliance teams, and government contracts
On March 26, 2026, the president issued an executive order titled “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors”, directing federal agencies to include a new mandatory contract clause prohibiting federal contractors and subcontractors from engaging in “racially discriminatory DEI activities.” The order also expressly links compliance to False Claims Act (FCA) materiality, signaling heightened enforcement
Federal contractors often face unique challenges when their work intersects with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). While FOIA primarily governs federal agencies, contractors can be indirectly affected when agencies receive requests for documents related to proposals or contract performance. Understanding how to respond — and when to object — is critical to protecting
We previously published an update on the bid protest procedures in the state of Alabama, discussing the revised statutory and regulatory processes and procedures implemented effective October 1, 2022. Certain of these statutes have since been updated again, effective June 1, 2025. This article provides a brief update on those revised statutory processes and procedures