Set-asides give small businesses a major advantage when it comes to winning contracts. If it wasn't for these distinctions, small businesses would have a much more difficult time getting established in government contracting. HUBZone certification is one of the more confusing set-asides to attain and that's why we'll dedicate this podcast episode to understanding it more.
Federal contracting is a highly competitive sector. Getting your foot in the door is a whole feat of its own. However, a true indicator of a contractor’s prowess and quality of work is when Uncle Sam chooses to build a working relationship with their business. Such is the case with RTG Building Services Inc. (which has held previous contracts under LP Custodial) winning their rebid on a janitorial contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After a 10 year contract, the Army has once again solidified their trust in RTG Building Services Inc. with this recent award.
"What is a small business?"
Depending on who you ask, the answer will vary.
However, if you're looking for the answer that can actually help you make a lot of money and grow your business, then you're going to want Uncle Sam's opinion.
Two Federal Contract Awards in Two Months of Simplified Acquisition Program Enrollment
Verified Vendor Outdoor Systems Management LLC (DUNS #038798665) recently won two federal contracts in late March and early April 2018. On both contracts the company will supply government agencies with industry materials. One of them, through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, requires canal piping. The other requires electric motors to be sent to the Coast Guard. Together the supply contracts are valued at $38,873.
HUBZone regulation changes, approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) earlier this year, take effect on August 24, 2016. They represent a significant expansion of opportunities for HUBZone small businesses–but also represent compliance challenges, especially in ensuring that joint venture agreements met all of the requirements of the new rule.
By revising 13 C.F.R. § 126.306, the SBA makes available new information about how it processes HUBZone applications. The regulation now reads:
You may have heard people talking about a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision ( Kingdomware Technologies Inc. v United States of America), saying it’s given a “boost” to veteran-owned businesses. And that the “Rule of Two” is now mandatory at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). But does the Court action affect Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) task and delivery orders? And does it affect every agency?
A Canton, Ohio man was sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to repay $6.7 million for making false representations about the company’s office location so it could obtain a HUBZone certification and qualify for federal contracts, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Do you know what the terms “set-aside” and “simplified acquisition” means in terms of government contracting? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Many of our clients see these terms in solicitations and ask us to better explain what the terms mean and if their company even qualifies.
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) firms now have available for Information Technology GWACs. These contracts enable federal agencies to fulfill their information technology (IT) requirements through the utilization of small businesses that are located in HUBZones. Agencies have a statutory goal to spend three percent of their federal procurement dollars with HUBZone small business firms.
