Larry Allen’s Post

On January 25, 2024, the White House introduced new guidance from the Office of Management and Budget with the goal of increasing small business participation on multiple-award contracts. As pointed out in the guidance, multiple-award contracts afford small businesses the opportunity to "compete for work under the reduced administrative burden and simpler evaluation procedures used to support order competitions rather than pursuing competitions on the open market." Additionally, certain multiple-award contracts have been set aside for small businesses. Of note, the January 25th guidance is designed to address the goals set forth in the February 2023 Executive Order and the November 2023 Better Contracting Initiative. Ultimately, to increase opportunities for small businesses, the January 25th guidance suggests the following: 1) Engage agency small business specialists early in the acquisition process 2) Utilize "on-ramps" as part of acquisition strategy (i.e., allows small and large businesses to be added during contract performance) 3) Avoid applying "off-ramps" to remove businesses when their size status changes (except as part of a merger or acquisition) 4) Apply the rule of two (i.e., contracting officer anticipates at least two, competitive offers from small businesses) 5) Maximize orders to small businesses under the simplified acquisition threshold #governmentcontracts #governmentcontracting #governmentcontractors https://bit.ly/47QyCdK

@smallbiz #govcon This is a big deal! Contract task orders that were going to large businesses will soon be for small businesses only. What's Happening: * On January 25, 2024, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) put out this memo on increasing small business participation in multiple award contracts https://lnkd.in/gyrhRirG * The memo talks about applying the "rule of two" to contract task orders (meaning if there are 2 or more small businesses that can do it, it SHOULD be set aside for small business). * The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the FAR Council are working to amend the FAR, but OFPP encourages early adoption by federal agencies. Brief Background: * Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 said contracting officers "may" set aside task orders; not shall. * November 2, 2011 FAR Council issued interim rule, and we submitted public comments saying make sure it's clear that the small business set aside is mandatory for simplified acquisition purchase task orders as it is for other contracts. * We (Aldevra) filed a protest against the Army National Guard saying they should buy an ice machine from a small business and not a large business. The Army refused. SBA sided with us. On October 16, 2015, GAO sided with the Army and said the government could buy ice machines from a large business even if there were 2 or more small businesses selling ice machines. * A fellow SDVOSB, Tolliver, took the issue to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC), and COFC took our side saying small businesses first. There have been other cases, rules, comments, bills and decisions, but this has been going on for YEARS, and now, finally, the federal government has to give small businesses a chance first for contracts AND TASK ORDERS between $10,000.01-$250,000. Thank you to the SBA for having our back! And thank you to all the other small businesses, advocates and attorneys (you know who you are!) who have been on this journey with us since 2010. #SmallBiz #Tenacity #GameChanger Just a few months ago, I said I couldn't retire until this was fixed....where's the beach and my margarita?!

Enhancing Small Business Opportunities in Federal Contracting: New Guidance Overview Summary: A recent update from the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) provides recommendations to boost small business participation in federal contracting. Key points include: Expanded "Rule of Two": Agencies are directed to set aside orders over the micro-purchase threshold for small business contract holders when expecting competitive offers from at least two small businesses under multiple-award contracts. Maximizing Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) Opportunities: Agencies are urged to work with small business directors to ensure exclusive set-aside opportunities for small businesses in re-competes of orders under SAT. Early Engagement of Small Business Specialists: Agencies are reinforced to involve small business awardees early in the acquisition process for multiple-award contracts. On-Ramps Consideration: Explicit consideration of on-ramps, allowing addition of businesses during the contract period, is now part of the acquisition plan. Promoting Best-in-Class (BIC) Contracts: Emphasis on the benefits of BIC contracts, encouraging agencies to demonstrate commitment to small business considerations. Final Thoughts: While the guidance signals a positive shift towards small business inclusion in federal contracts, its practical implementation awaits. Small businesses should leverage this guidance in advocating for increased participation in multiple-award contracts, with a focus on fostering collaboration and engagement with federal agencies.

Check this article out! Alliant 3 Draft RFP No. 2 Guide. #governmentcontracts

"Government contracting presents an incredible opportunity for small businesses to expand their reach, secure steady revenue, and establish long-term growth. With billions of dollars in federal contracts awarded each year, it's no wonder many small business owners are eager to break into this lucrative market. However, the path to successful government contracting is fraught with challenges and potential pitfalls." Here are 10 Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make In Government Contracting (And How To Avoid Them) presented by FedBizAccess. Click the link below to read more: https://lnkd.in/gCtvRmCQ #GovernmentContracting #APEXAccelerator #SmallBusiness

Maximizing Small Business Participation in Multiple-Award Contracts (MACS): Navigating New OMB Directives. "In government contracting, Multiple-Award Contracts are agreements made with several vendors to supply similar goods or services. These contracts are a common method for streamline procurement, as they allow multiple agencies to leverage the same contracts, reducing administrative costs and fostering competition. For small businesses, MACs present a significant opportunity. They can be a gateway to more consistent revenue streams and a way to build a reputation within the federal marketplace. However, the competition is fierce, and the process can be complex, particularly for newcomers." Click the link below to read the rest of the article!

📣 Attention all small business owners! 📣 🚨 Important Update: Changes to SDVOSB Subcontracting Goals 🚨 The Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently published a direct final rule that will impact how prime contractors can count awards to self-certified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) towards their subcontracting goals. Under the new rule, prime contractors will no longer be able to include awards to self-certified SDVOSBs when calculating their SDVOSB subcontracting goals. Additionally, the government will also be prohibited from counting awards to self-certified SDVOSBs towards its own goals. Starting from August 5, only awards to certified SDVOSBs will be considered for goaling purposes. However, there is an important note for self-certified companies. While the rule goes into effect on August 5, self-certified companies will have until December 22 to apply for certification and still qualify for goaling purposes, even if their applications are pending. This recent development has raised concerns among many small business owners, as it seems to contradict the information provided in the 'DOD Subcontracting Program - The Basics of Subcontracting' document released in May 2024. According to the document, SB, WOSB, VOSB, SDVOSB, and SDB categories only require "self-certification" to be counted in a Prime's Subcontracting Plan goals. Only the HUBZone category must be SBA certified to count in a Prime's Subcontracting Plan goals. For more information and to stay updated on this issue, please refer to the following sources: 🔗 [SBA's Direct Final Rule](https://lnkd.in/en6D54RY) 🔗 [DOD Subcontracting Program - The Basics of Subcontracting](https://lnkd.in/eqGm_uHc) Let's stay informed and support our small business community during these challenging times! 💪🌟 #SmallBusiness #SDVOSB #SubcontractingGoals #SupportLocalBusinesses

The US government spends billions yearly, providing huge contract opportunities for small businesses. Yet too many businesses are shut out of the process. Our new report has 12 solutions for small business success in federal contracting. 1. Establish a benchmark for first-time awardees and recent entrants. 2. Count online retail purchases toward contracting goals. 3. Prioritize small businesses in micropurchase orders. 4. Ensure contract solicitations are written in plain language. 5. Cut back on contract bundling. 6. Allow subcontractors to evaluate primes. 7. Lower the Miller Act threshold to encourage prompt pay. 8. Improve subcontracting data collection. 9. Streamline WOSB certifications through one portal. 10. Improve training for acquisition workforce. 11. Eliminate artificial inflation and “double counting” of businesses toward agency goals. 12. Revise and enhance SBA’s scorecard system to ensure accountability. Learn more ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eg2iRy54

The latest issue of Client Advisory Inc is out now. Read the article here – https://lnkd.in/gRXZZh_U #accountants #bookkeepers #businessadvisory #virtualcfo #scalingup #accountantsforsmes 

The latest issue of Client Advisory Inc is out now. Read the article here – https://lnkd.in/gNttaPKX #accountants #bookkeepers #businessadvisory #virtualcfo #scalingup #accountantsforsmes