Maggie Bullard-Marshall’s Post

In our new blog, we’re tackling an increasingly relevant topic: Multiple-Award Contracts (MACs) and, more importantly, how recent directives from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are poised to change the playing field for small businesses. 👇🏽 🔗 https://ow.ly/oIuj50QQhfQ #MultipleAwardContracts #GovCon #FederalContracting #SmallBiz

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

In our latest blog, we’re tackling an increasingly relevant topic: Multiple-Award Contracts (MACs) and, more importantly, how recent directives from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are poised to change the playing field for small businesses. 👇🏽 🔗 https://ow.ly/50uf50QM3tg #MultipleAwardContracts #SmallBusiness #SmallBiz #GovCon #FederalContracting

ICYMI: The U.S. House Committee on Small Business passed seven #bipartisan bills in a markup earlier this month, including three with #smallbusiness #governmentcontracting policy changes: ➡ H.R.7988, the Small Business Procurement and Utilization Reform (SPUR) Act of 2024 – Requires agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration to consider the number of small businesses winning a federal prime contract for the first time when determining agency grades in the SBA Procurement Scorecard and comparing that to the previous year. ➡ H.R.8014, the Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act – Requires agencies to give justification and future planning information on canceled solicitations. The bill also requires a referral to the agency’s small business office for small businesses that planned on bidding on a canceled solicitation. ➡ H.R.7987, the Plain Language in Contracting Act – Requires agencies to write contract solicitations in clear, concise, and accessible language, and to the extent practicable, a manner consistent with the Federal plain language guidelines. A complete list of bills is here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gS8tkyBa and https://lnkd.in/gcww5iRg You can watch the markup here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gmDx995r   The bills now go to the full House for passage. Members of our Women's Procurement Circle attended the markup as part of their annual Congressional Fly-In, featuring #Congressional speakers and activities to promote increasing federal contract awards to #womenowned businesses.

The SBA’s Fiscal Year 2023 Small Business Procurement Scorecard is out. There’s lots of good news on the dollars front, but the Scorecard reveals that the number of unique small business prime contractors declined once again, down 2.19% from FY 2022. The number of unique small primes has dropped more than 50% since 2010. #SBA #govcon #governmentcontracting #federalcontracting

[Article] OMB Directs Agencies to Apply Small Business "Rule of Two" to Task & Delivery Orders In a memorandum issued on January 25, the Office of Management and Budget has ordered executive agencies to apply the FAR's small business "rule of two" to task and delivery orders competed under multiple-award contracts. It's a change that, when enacted, could--and probably should--mean billions more in federal prime contracting dollars for small businesses. https://lnkd.in/eupbswNM #GovCon #SmallBusiness #Accounting #GovernmentContracting #GovernmentContractor #FederalContracting #FederalGovernment

[Article] OMB Directs Agencies to Apply Small Business "Rule of Two" to Task & Delivery Orders In a memorandum issued on January 25, the Office of Management and Budget has ordered executive agencies to apply the FAR's small business "rule of two" to task and delivery orders competed under multiple-award contracts. It's a change that, when enacted, could--and probably should--mean billions more in federal prime contracting dollars for small businesses. https://lnkd.in/eZb2dkSX #GovCon #SmallBusiness #Accounting #GovernmentContracting #GovernmentContractor #FederalContracting #FederalGovernment

Hot off the presses: The Biden-Harris Administration took actions to enhance small business participation in the federal contracting space, focusing on businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SDBs). Here are the essential takeaways: 1. Expanding Contract Access: The administration aims to increase federal contracting with SDBs to 15% by Fiscal Year 2025, marking a significant 50% rise from previous levels. 2. Growth Under Bidenomics: Since President Biden's tenure, there's been an unprecedented surge in new business applications, with substantial growth in business ownership among historically underrepresented communities. 3. Data Transparency Initiative: The release of FY22 data represents a significant step in bringing transparency to federal contracting, showing increased earnings for businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups in every contract category. 4. New Guidance from OMB: This aims to facilitate small business participation in high-use federal contracts, particularly in multiple-award contracts, which represent a substantial portion of government spending. 5. Revamped SBA Mentoring Programs: The Small Business Administration has overhauled its 7(j) technical assistance program, now known as Empower to Grow (E2G). This program provides customized training and support to help small businesses navigate and secure government contracts.

Today, the Department of Commerce announced that more than half of its federal contract dollars were awarded to small businesses in Fiscal Year 2023, with a total investment of $2.8 billion in the small business economy. In addition, the Department of Commerce directed more than 25% of its contract dollars to Small Disadvantaged Businesses, for a total of $1.4 billion. As a result of these efforts, the Department of Commerce was awarded an “A+” by the Small Business Administration as part of its FY2023 Small Business Procurement Scorecard. This is Commerce’s 8th consecutive year earning an “A+” for its achievements in small business contracting. #SmallBusinessWeek https://lnkd.in/exrKRcMS

Did You Know? Finding government contracts to pair with your small business offerings is easier than ever! Thanks to the U.S. Small Business Administration, you have 24/7 access to federal contract databases and bidding. Check it out today— https://loom.ly/HSpoID4 #SBAtip #federalcontracts #smallbusinesstips