Events
 Blog
 FAQs
ACQUISITION ALERT

 HUBZone Program Changes
 
One of the significant changes from the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act impacts the HUBZone program.

Effective immediately the HUBZone map is frozen until January 1 st 2020.
Other changes will take place in 2020 and will ensure that HUBZone businesses will be able to keep their certifications longer.

Current and potential Federal contractors and subcontractors with primary office located in a HUBZone designated area are encouraged to review this program and consider the possible benefits to their business.
 
For additional information about the upcoming changes or assistance in the HUBZone certification process, please contact: Benjamin Blanc at benjaminb@wispro.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS
1/23/17
Acquisition Hour: Market Research Using FPDS
Webinar



1/23/17
Preparing a Winning Proposal
Milwaukee
Learn More
1/24/17
Acquisition Hour: Cyber Security for Current & Prospective DOD Contractors & Subcontractors
Webinar
  Learn More

2/7/17
Marketing Your Business to the Government
Iron Mountain, MI
Learn More
Small Business Contracting: SBA Efforts May Clarify the Assignment of Industry Codes, and Most Code Appeals Were Dismissed

 What GAO Found
  
Agencies' contracting officers consider various factors in assigning North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes to federal contracts, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a rule in 2013 intended to clarify NAICS code assignment. NAICS codes are the basis for SBA's size standards; therefore, the code that the contracting officer assigns determines whether a firm is eligible for federal contracting preferences, such as small business set-asides. The contracting officers GAO interviewed cited several factors that affect their assignment of NAICS codes, including information on the work to be performed and input from agency small business specialists. However, they stated that assigning a NAICS code can be challenging when one or more codes could apply to a contract. In the 2013 rule, SBA clarified that under certain circumstances, contracting officers may assign more than one code to multiple-award contracts. Such contracts are awarded to two or more contractors under a single solicitation and include indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contracts used when quantities and timing are not known at the time of the award. However, updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-the rules governing the federal government's purchasing process-are required to fully implement SBA's final rule. The agencies GAO interviewed plan to implement this rule after it is adopted into the FAR and they can make necessary updates to their information technology for contracting. This FAR rule-making process is ongoing.

     
End of year Federal Contractor Update -January 17th, 2018
 
Join Wisconsin's Federal contractors for a series of briefings focusing on changes and challenges from this year. This event is a must attend for all Federal contractors and subcontractors.

Confirmed Speakers:
  • William Hughes, Attorney and Shareholder, Husch Blackwell
  • Emily Constantine, Associate, Husch Blackwell
  • Eric Ness, District Director, US Small Business Administration Wisconsin District
  • Jason Rathsack, Contracting Supervisor, DCMA Milwaukee
  • Daryl Zahn, CFCM, Manager, Contracts & Compliance, DRS Technologies and Past President NCMA Wisconsin Chapter
  • Nathaniel T. Millsap Jr., Director, Industrial Security & Technology, Fincantieri Marinette Marine
  • Phil Bail, Owner, Phil Bail & Associates
  • Aina Vilumsons, CEO, Wisconsin Procurement Institute and Board Member NCMA Wisconsin Chapter
 
VA: New Vendor Information Pages (VIP) Access  
   
In February 2018, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will begin the rollout
of the new Vendor Information Pages (VIP) and VetBiz Case Management System to support the Vets First Verification Program. The new VIP system will enable OSDBU to more effectively manage all aspects of the Vets First Verification Program while improving the online experience of Veterans as well as the broader user community.

One major initiative is the re-designed VIP web interface that leverages
AccessVA's Single Sign-On (SSO) service to provide VIP users a single entry point for access to information, resources and online applications. Users will access the new VIP application using either DS Logon (Veterans) or a Symantec Norton account (Non-Veterans and representatives). Visit
https://access.va.gov/accessva/about to learn more about AccessVA and its benefits.

We strongly encourage users to establish either a DS Logon or a Norton
account prior to the implementation of the new system. This will ensure
minimal loss of time and a smooth transition to the new VIP system.

All currently verified business owners (including verified business owners
who plan to submit a reverification application) and business owners
submitting initial applications need to establish a DS Logon (Veteran) or
Norton's Account (Non-Veteran).

With the implementation of the new VIP system, a DS Logon or Norton account will be required for owners to receive notification to complete individually required documents such as the VA Form 0877 or to upload required documents such as personal taxes.

Follow the links below to create a new account today.

For a new DS Logon account, go to https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/ and from More DS Logon Options select Need a DS Logon?

For a new Symantec Norton account, go to https://login.norton.com/ and
select Create an Account.

Visit https://www.va.gov/osdbu/docs/new-vip-vetbiz-cms-system.pdf for
additional information on creating a DS Logon or Symantec Norton Account.

If you have any questions, please call the VA OSDBU Call Center at
866-584-2344.
New NDAA purchasing rule should benefit government shoppers, small business

The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) rules governing the acquisition of commercial items should give those making relatively small purchases more choices, and small businesses more hope for getting a piece of the federal spending pie.

Since President Donald Trump signed the 2018 NDAA into law on Dec. 12, the focus has been on rules providing a three-fold increase in the micro-purchase threshold for civilian agencies from $3,000 to $10,000.

A micro-purchase, because of its relatively low value, doesn't require competition. With few limitations, it allows contracting officers to  buy any product from any company, so long as it doesn't exceed the $10,000 threshold.

U.S. DOT SBIR Solicitation Announcement

U.S. DOT's FY 2018 SBIR Solicitation will open on January 17th and close March 20th at 5:00 p.m. est.  Descriptions and funding levels will be released on January 17th.

A pre-proposal webinar for anyone interested in applying to the solicitation will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 1:30 pm ET. Anyone interested in applying is urged to attend this webinar, which will provide information on the application process and featured solicitation topics.  You may register any time prior to noon on the day of the conference by clicking here. Upon receipt of your registration, you will receive information for connecting to the conference.

Proposed Rule Change: VA Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Guidelines

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend its regulations governing VA's Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Verification Program. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 ("the NDAA"), Public Law 114-840 , placed the responsibility for issuing regulations relating to ownership and control for the verification of VOSBs with the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). This proposed regulation seeks to remove all references to ownership and control and to add and clarify certain terms and references that are currently part of the verification process. The NDAA also provides that in certain circumstances a firm can qualify as VOSB or Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) when there is a surviving spouse or an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
 
Comments must be received on or before March 12, 2018.  
 
Save the Date: EPA Region 5 Event

EPA Region 5 will "Make a Brand New START" by hosting its annual small business conference February 13, 2018. 
The one-day conference brings together EPA program officials, acquisition personnel, other federal agency procurement officials and prime contractors in an effort to inform and educate small businesses about the EPA's Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contracts and other critical elements of the acquisition process for EPA programs and activities. 
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
12th floor, Metcalfe Federal Building
77 W. Jackson Blvd
Chicago, Ill.