The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently published two Federal Register notices that together represent the most sweeping rewrite of small business size standards since SBA adopted NAICS as its organizing framework in 2000. The first is a proposed rule (RIN 3245–AI67, Docket No. SBA–2026–0199) setting new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries. The
On August 11, 2026, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published a final rule amending 13 CFR § 124.103 to eliminate the 8(a) Business Development Program’s race-based rebuttable presumption of social disadvantage. In its place, SBA adopted a group-discrimination-plus-self-certification test that any individual American citizen may use, regardless of race, ethnicity, or sex. The rule takes
In a significant policy shift that will have immediate implications for the defense industrial base (DIB), the Department of Defense (DoD) announced on July 13, 2026, that it is suspending the implementation of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Phase II requirements. The announcement halts what would have been one of the most consequential cybersecurity
What happens when a mentor-protégé joint venture fractures before a federal contract is awarded — and the mentor company that supplied all of the experience and past performance tries to protest the resulting contract award? The United States Court of Federal Claims answered that question decisively in IBSS v. United States, dismissing the bid
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) recently issued a significant decision addressing due process, administrative records, and the evidentiary standards required for suspending a company from the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program. In ATI Government Solutions, LLC, SBA No. BDPT-728 (May 18, 2026), OHA remanded the proceeding after
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
The first quarter of 2026 brought significant legal, regulatory, and compliance developments that federal contractors and government procurement professionals must understand. From transformative regulatory initiatives to high-profile executive actions and agency guidance, these shifts reflect changing priorities across the federal acquisition landscape. Below is a summary of the most impactful trends and legal updates through
A suspension notice from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can have immediate and significant consequences for a participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program. While a suspension is not the same as a final termination, it typically halts a firm’s ability to receive new 8(a) contract awards and may jeopardize its continued participation in
In a sweeping and unprecedented enforcement action, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has dramatically escalated its oversight of the 8(a) Business Development Program — reportedly leaving more than 1,000 small businesses suddenly sidelined and raising serious questions about procedural protections and appeal rights.
In December 2025, SBA issued a blanket
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) ostensible subcontractor rule remains one of the most consequential — and misunderstood — affiliation principles in federal procurement. For small businesses pursuing set-aside contracts, failing to navigate this rule properly can result in bid protests, loss of eligibility, and even contract termination.
Under 13