News

COVID-19

• Urgent Message from GSA - COVID-19 PPE Sources Sought!
• Resources for Connecting Industry Capabilities to Requirements in Support of COVID-19 Response
• Practical Advice for Uncertain Times - Surviving COVID-19
• Manufacturing  Changes & Medical Supply Donation in response to COVID-19
• Network Resources
• State Resources
• Raising the Roofs...and Floors: Acquisition Thresholds in the Time of Emergency

SBA ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS FOR WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACTING PROGRAM

The U.S. Small Business Administration published Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program regulations that will provide a free, online certification and eligibility application process for women-owned small businesses and economically-disadvantaged women-owned small businesses. The timeline for implementation of changes to SBA’s WOSB program has been delayed to accommodate those affected by the current pandemic. Learn more. 

CYBERSECURITY

CMMC REGULATIONS ON THE WAY DESPITE PANDEMIC

The Defense Department’s new high-profile cybersecurity regulations are on schedule for implementation this year despite potential setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic. Katie Arrington, chief information security officer at the office of the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said the Pentagon will begin rolling out the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification version 1.0 rules this year. Read more.

DOD SIGNED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CMMC ACCREDITATION BOARD

On March 23, 2020, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Ms. Ellen Lord, and Mr. Ty Schieber, Chairman of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Board (CMMC-AB), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that established the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of each organization to help ensure a cyber-safe, cyber-secure and cyber-resilient defense industrial base. Read more.

NEW CMMC RULES FOR DEFENSE CONTRACTORS TO COME IN NOVEMBER

Defense contractors should expect to see new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification version 1.0 requirements in requests for proposals released in November, Katie Arrington, chief information security officer in the office of the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said May 11. Read more.

NEW CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS POST CHALLENGES FOR INDUSTRY

The Defense Department in late January released its highly anticipated new set of cybersecurity standards that companies must eventually adhere to if they want to do business with the Pentagon. But important issues have yet to be resolved, including how much it will cost contractors to comply. Read more.

BETA.SAM NEWS

FEDERAL CONTRACT AWARD DATA FROM FPDS WILL BE ON SAM BEFORE SPRING

With the FedBizOpps transition done, the Federal Procurement Data System reporting tool—one of the main functions of the website—will be the next to migrate to GSA’s central contracting site. Learn more.

NEW FUNCTIONALITY ON THE WAY FOR FEDBIZOPPS REPLACEMENT

The transition from the standalone Federal Business Opportunities—better known as FedBizOpps or FBO—was a rough one for users of the federal contracting website. But program managers at the General Services Administration say they’re working through the problems and plan to launch new capabilities in the near future. Read more.

There is also a helpful video on How to Drill in Reports. 

 

GSA ISSUES MASS MODIFICATION FOR CURRENT SCHEDULE CONTRACTORS 

The GSA has begun issuing a Mass Modification (Mass Mod) to current Schedule contractors. The Mass Mod will update current contracts to conform with the terms and conditions of the new consolidated Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) that was released on Oct. 1, 2019. Contractors must accept this Mass Mod by July 31, 2020 - failure to do so will result in their offerings no longer being accessible on GSA eTools. Current contracts will be moved to GSA’s new single Schedule solicitation for products, services, and solutions after the Mass Mod is accepted. Read more.

SBREA FINAL RULE