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DOD AND SBA SIGNED MEMORANDUM
On Friday, the Defense Department and the U.S. Small Business Administration signed
a memorandum
of understanding to help both agencies better meet the needs of small businesses
in the United States. While both the SBA and DOD already work with small businesses,
the agreement aims to strengthen and expand small business development nationally
and locally.
Farooq A. Mitha, director of small business programs at DOD, and Mark Madrid, associate administrator of SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development, signed the agreement at the Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Center, a DOD-funded office in College Park, Maryland. The facility is one of more than 90 such offices that help small businesses find contracts with DOD and other federal agencies. The centers will soon be rebranded as APEX Accelerators, formerly known as the PTACs.
DOD GUIDANCE ON INFLATION AND EPA
The current economic environment requires we understand the impacts of inflation to existing contracts and consider various approaches to manage risk of inflation to prospective Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. Take a look at the guidance on inflation and economic price adjustments from the DoD themselves.
VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Effective January 1, 2023
The Veteran Small Business Certification program is scheduled to officially begin operations and accept new applications in January 2023.
Administrator Guzman also shared much-anticipated news that she intends to grant a one-time, one-year extension to current veteran-owned small businesses verified by the VA as of the transfer date on January 1, 2023. More details on the extension can be found in the press release.
Along with the recertification extension, the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act grants a one-year grace period for self-certified SDVOSBs until January 1, 2024. Find out more about this extension in the press release.
Until the SBA opens the VSBC program in January 2023, the recommended next step for uncertified veteran-owned small businesses is to self-certify so that you have federal contracting opportunities through all federal agencies, aside from the VA, until 2024.
In the meantime, please continue to direct any questions to – cvetransfer@sba.gov
BUY AMERICAN RULES ARE CHANGING
On March 7, 2022, the FAR council published FAR Rule 2021-008, which included substantial and complex changes to the requirements of the Buy American statute. FAI has created a five-minute micro-learning video to help contracting professionals understand the changes which take effect on Oct. 25, 2022. In addition, GSA has developed decision trees to assist in further understanding the new process. You can also review the Federal Register Notice for the complete details about FAR Case 2021-008.
SAM.GOV NEWS
SAM is 100% free to all users. Contact a AEPX advisor for assistance with SAM registration.
Entity Validation Documents
Don’t make the mistakes that cause delays with your entity registration in SAM.gov. The Federal Service Desk (FSD) shares seven reasons entity validation documents are rejected here.
About SAM.gov
The IAE facilitates the federal awards processes in multiple online systems, including the SAM. Those systems are used for registering to do business with the federal government, listing contract opportunities, capturing contractor performance, viewing contract data, searching assistance listings, reporting subcontracts, and more.
REGIONAL NEWS
Air Force GBSD Program
The Department of the Air Force’s new weapon system, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, has officially been designated the LGM-35A Sentinel. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the designation for the system that modernizes the ICBM leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad. “Our Nation’s nuclear deterrent force, two legs of which is operated by Airmen, has quietly provided a strategic security shield for decades,” Kendall said. “All that time, the Department of the Air Force has kept the watch; always vigilant and ready. The name Sentinel recognizes the mindset that thousands of Airmen, past and present, have brought to the deterrence mission, and will serve as a reminder for those who operate, secure, and maintain this system in the future about the discipline and responsibility their duty entails...”
Supporting DoD's National Security Priorities
The Defense Department's industrial policy doesn't involve five-year plans or a command economy approach, but instead believes market signals and clear investment priorities can unlock the power of American entrepreneurship, technological breakthroughs and individual achievement. See what the Deputy Secretary had to say about supporting DoD's National Security Priorities.
North Dakota Secretary of State
Most businesses must be registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State. Secretary of State registration and reporting requirements vary by business type. Since state agencies must ensure that vendors have complied with the Secretary of State and Business License requirements stated in the solicitation, learn additional information when it comes learning how to bid.
CYBERSECURITY
Contractual Remedies to Ensure Contractor Compliance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Clause 252.204-7012
Important information about contractor cybersecurity requirements for companies doing business with the Department of Defense. If you have a contract containing Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.204-7012 “Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting”, contracting officers are required to verify, prior to award, the contractor has the summary level score of a current NIST SP800-171 DoD Assessment for that system posted in SPRS. See a copy of a DoD letter dated June 16, 2022 that further discusses the requirements.
Algorithmic Warfare: Industry — ‘Don’t Wait’ for CMMC Accreditation
The updated version of the cybersecurity framework — which was revamped to be more streamlined and less expensive for companies — will not be a contractual requirement until the Pentagon completes a rulemaking process in the Code of Federal Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, which can take up to two years. See why you should not wait to engage in CMMC and get certified.