PilieroMazza Annual Review: 2025 GovCon Year in Review
Inside the SBA’s Full-Scale 8(a) Audit: What Participants Need to Know Now
Federal Small Business Programs—A Primer for Government Contractors
Exit Strategies for GOVCONs with Set Aside Contracts: 2021 Insights and Lessons Learned from Business Owners and Advisors
SBA’s Final Rule on SBA’s MP Program, Joint Ventures, Affiliation and 8(a) Regulations
SBA’s Final Rule on Mentor-Protégé Programs: Key Changes for Government Contractors
Growth Strategies for Small Businesses Moving to Mid-Tier
Exiting From the Valley of the Shadow of Death: Successful Growth Strategies for Small Businesses...
SBA’s New WOSB / EDWOSB Certification Requirement and 8(a) Economic Disadvantage Criteria Revisions
For all its controversy, complications, successes, and failures, the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program (the “8(a) Program”) has served as an access point for socially and economically...more
The first quarter of 2026 brought significant legal, regulatory, and compliance developments that federal contractors and government procurement professionals must understand....more
On March 17, 2026, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) announced the audit and review priorities of the SBA’s Office of Inspector General. According to the SBA, the announced priorities “includes planned audits,...more
The Department of War’s Office of Industrial Base Growth has issued a data call inviting small businesses and nontraditional suppliers to share how their work supports mission success and national security. ANC and tribally...more
Effective February 20, 2026, the SBA has stripped district offices and Business Opportunity Specialists of authority to approve or deny continued 8(a) program participation through annual reviews. All final determinations now...more
On March 4, 2026, the SBA announced that it had initiated termination proceedings against 628 firms in the 8(a) Business Development Program. These firms were among the 1,091 previously suspended on January 28, 2026, for...more
This alert is a follow-on to our prior coverage of the SBA’s December 2025 data call, widespread suspensions, and the initial wave of proposed terminations: SBA Client Alert: All 8(a) Firms Must Submit Detailed...more
Sending Out An SOS for the LOS - The limitations on subcontracting, or LOS, is a fundamental requirement of set-aside contracting. Historically, however, the LOS has not received as much attention as other set-aside...more
If you’re a veteran small business owner interested in working with the federal government, you are likely familiar with the 8(a) program through the U.S. Small Business Administration. If you’re not familiar, you may have...more
On January 16, 2026, Secretary Hegseth announced in a video posted on X that the DOW would undertake an audit of all 8(a) sole-source awards over $20 Million to redirect defense spending to programs that enhance lethality...more
SBA Strikes Again: New 8(a) Program Suspensions Related to Economic Disadvantage Criteria - On February 11, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration issued a press release announcing that it was initiating termination...more
A suspension notice from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can have immediate and significant consequences for a participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program. ...more
We recently provided an update regarding ongoing activities involving the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the SBA’s 8(a) Program, including one on a hearing held by Senate Committee on Small Business and...more
This alert is a follow-on to our prior coverage of the SBA’s December 2025 data call, suspensions of over 1,000 firms, and DoD’s review of high-value set-asides...more
On Jan. 16, 2026, Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of Defense will initiate a comprehensive review of contracts awarded under the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program...more
On February 6, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the suspension of 111,620 California borrowers after identifying suspected fraudulent activity involving pandemic-era loan programs. The agency determined that...more
On February 11, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration issued a press release announcing that it was initiating termination proceedings and suspending over 150 Washington, D.C.-based 8(a) firms for allegedly failing to...more
Welcome to Holland & Knight's monthly defense news update. We are pleased to bring you the latest in defense policy, regulatory updates and other significant developments. If you would like additional information on anything...more
A recently made public Department of War Secretary Memorandum (Memo) dated Jan. 16, 2026, orders a line-by-line review of all small business 8(a) sole-source and set-aside contracts with over $20 million in contract awards....more
On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued policy guidance indicating that it will administer its 8(a) business development program on a strictly neutral basis going forward. ...more
January 2026: Partial Government Shutdown Imminent—Key Considerations for Federal Contractors - Last fall, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history—at 43 days—had lasting and widespread negative impacts across the...more
In a sweeping and unprecedented enforcement action, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has dramatically escalated its oversight of the 8(a) Business Development Program — reportedly leaving more than 1,000 small...more
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has suspended 1,091 participants in the 8(a) Business Development Program after concluding that those firms did not timely submit required documentation in response to SBA’s recent...more
From DOGE to the FAR re-write and a lot in between, 2025 was an unprecedented year of upheaval and unique challenges in government contracting. While many contractors may be eager to turn the page to 2026, looking back on key...more
On January 22, 2026, the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) issued a new “8(a) Program Mandate” that, according to the SBA, is intended to eliminate the use of any racial component to admission to the SBA’s 8(a) Program....more