Small Business

SBA Interim Final Rule Provides Critical Guidance for Paycheck Protection Program Under the CARES Act

On April 2, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published an interim final rule, “Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program,” which provides guidance and interpretation on the implementation of the “Paycheck Protection Program” (PPP) created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). On April 3, the SBA published...
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CARES Act – What Small Businesses and Government Contractors Need to Know

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), a $2.2 trillion emergency relief bill passed by Congress on March 27, contains certain provisions specifically targeted to small businesses and federal government contractors.  The most significant help for these companies are: 1) partially forgivable loans through the SBA’s 7(a) program to support business...
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Coronavirus Relief Legislation Targets Family & Sick Leave: Stimulus Package in Progress

Late Wednesday night, President Trump signed into law a coronavirus relief package with provisions targeting paid sick leave and paid family leave. The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act expands the federal Family and Medical Leave Act to include paid leave for certain COVID-19 related absences and mandatory paid sick time.  The Act provides workers at companies with...
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Pandemic Implications for Government Contractors: How the FAR Covers COVID-19

Developed in conjunction with our friends at The Pulse of GovCon, and from the desk of Ryan Bradel, Partner at Ward & Berry PLLC, here is what government contractors should know while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic: I.       Introduction The last week has seen a stunning advance in the breadth of the Coronavirus...
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Bid Protest Challenging Agency’s Evaluation of Protestor’s Criteria Is Denied When Evaluations Are Reasonable and Consistent with the Solicitation

On February 24, 2020, the GAO denied the bid protest of 22nd Century Technologies, Inc., which challenged the issuance of a task order to KCI-Acuity, LLC by the Department of State (DOS) on the grounds that DOS unreasonably evaluated the vendors’ quotations under the management and technical, price, and similar experience and past performance...
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DoD, GSA, and NASA to Issue Final Rule Conforming FAR to 2013 SBA Rule Regarding Multiple-Award Contracts and Small Businesses

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule, effective March 30, 2020, that will amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement regulatory changes made by the Small Business Administration (SBA). That SBA rule, made pursuant to section 1331 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, provides for partial set-asides and reserves,...
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