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Does your business qualify for the HUBzone program?

The Small Business Administration’s “HUBZone” or “Historically Underutilized Business Zone program” provides special assistance to businesses within these defined zones, usually around Native American Reservations and military bases.

To find out if you business falls within one of the HUBZones, take a look at the HUBZone Maps at the SBA.

To qualify, it is also required that

  • It must be a small business by SBA standards;
  • It must be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe;
  • Its principal office must be located within a “Historically Underutilized Business Zone,” which includes lands considered “Indian Country” and military facilities closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act; and
  • At least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone.

To learn more about the application process, visit applying for the HUBZone Program, or take a look at a variety of related topics at SBA’s website.

If you require special assistance or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@ezgsa.com !

Marketing Tip of the week: Expiring Contracts

When a government contract ends, there is a likelihood that the particular agency will again need the things they bought before. Like a yearly grocery list, they buy the same types of things over and over again.

Knowing contract end dates are essential to winning new business. By researching for existing contracts that will be expiring in the next 6 months, you’ll be able to determine:

  • the status of the current project
  • if it’s going to be up for “re-compete”
  • what the incumbent did to win the original
  • the likely parameters of the forthcoming RFP
  • the strengths and weaknesses of your competition

—and you’ll have this information well in advance of the RFP, giving your team ample time to prepare .

For more information or for research and marketing assistance, call EZGSA @301-913-5000

GSA Presents Technology Matters Concept for the Workplace

GSA has long been a leader when it comes to implementing technology in the workplace: they like to brag that they were the first federal agency to implement the use of email. But they do in fact has a history to trying to model the practices that are successful in the private sector.  Even now, GSA is seeking to learn and implement best practices. Learn more at:

https://gsablogs.gsa.gov/gsablog/2016/10/05/gsa-presents-technology-matters-concept-for-the-workplace/

Supreme Court takes on “Rule of Two”: what the decision means for set-asides on Federal Supply Schedules

reposted from https://gsablogs.gsa.gov/gsablog/2016/07/14/supreme-court-takes-on-rule-of-two-what-the-decision-means-for-set-asides-on-federal-supply-schedules/

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?

The very short answer is “no, not at this time.” That’s because “Rule of Two” is a term used for both the VA and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) statutes and regulations – but they’re different rules with the same name. At this time, the Supreme Court decision applies only to VA contracting rules and is specific to Veterans Affairs and to VA awarded contracts. Unless there is a regulatory change, agencies other than the VA should recognize that there has been no policy change in regard to the discretionary nature of FSS set-asides.

So, you can jump into the fourth quarter buying season with confidence, knowing there has been no change in procedures for using the Federal Supply Schedules.

As you might expect, we’ve received many questions since this decision was announced. Here are a few of the most frequently asked ones, along with brief answers:

Are set-asides allowed against FSS contracts?

Yes. FAR 8.405-5 allows for set-aside acquisitions on FSS contracts. In accordance with FAR 8.405-5(a), ordering activity contracting officers may, at their discretion, set aside orders or blanket purchase agreements for any of the small business concerns identified in FAR 19.000(a)(3).

Are ordering activity contracting officers required to set aside task or delivery orders against FSS contracts if the “Rule of Two” is met?

No, it is not required unless agency specific statutes or regulations require set-asides. FAR 8.405-5(1) states “preference programs of part 19 are not mandatory in this subpart,” and ordering activity contracting officers are provided the discretionary authority to set aside FSS orders.

Could there be future policy changes in light of the Kingdomware decision?

Yes. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) will coordinate meetings between GSA and SBA to discuss this decision. However, unless there is a regulatory change, agencies other than VA should continue to follow policies recognizing the discretionary nature of set-asides under the FSS.

Who can I talk to if I have questions regarding acquisitions against FSS contracts?

Any questions regarding acquisitions against FSS contracts may be directed to Steve Hutchinson, MAS Policy Division, Federal Acquisition Service Office of Acquisition Management, by phone at (202) 573-6211 or by email atsteven.hutchinson@gsa.gov.

1. FAR 8.405 was updated through FAR Case 2011-024 published in the Federal Register at 76 FR 68032 which was based on updates to the statute, specifically 15 U.S.C. 644(r), Multiple Award Contracts.