Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 3, 2025
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live! here , Clocking in with PilieroMazza here , and Ex Rel. Radio here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS ITAR Registration Fees Increase, Preparing Government Contractors for Financial Impact and Registration Requirements, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV , Aaron A. Kor On December 10, 2024, the U.S. State Department published a Final Rule , announcing an increase . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act, Part 7: Reporting Requirements Stayed (Again), Voluntary Reporting Allowed
In the latest twist regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, on December 26, 2024, vacated its own stay of the nationwide preliminary injunction that halted the enforcement of the CTA. Thus, the CTA’s reporting requirements are not currently in effect, though voluntary reporting is allowed. See links here to Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , and Part 6 in this series. In response to the Fifth Circuit vacating its own stay, FinCEN issued guidance . . . Read More
ITAR Registration Fees Increase, Preparing Government Contractors for Financial Impact and Registration Requirements
On December 10, 2024, the U.S. State Department published a Final Rule , announcing an increase in registration fees with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), as required by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). [1] With the January 9, 2025, effective date looming, PilieroMazza discusses below ITAR’s increased registration fees, registration requirements, and potential discounts that government contractors should know now to prepare. Overview of ITAR In a nutshell, ITAR is a federal regulatory scheme governing the export, temporary import, . . . Read More
SBA Update: Final Rule Significantly Changes Effect of Size/Status Recertifications, Alters M&A Landscape for Government Contractors
As PilieroMazza outlined on December 17, 2024, the Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued its highly-anticipated final rule (Rule) in response to its August 2024 proposed rule and the hundreds of public comments. The Rule significantly alters the size and socioeconomic status recertification obligations for government contractors and the effect of those recertifications. The Rule impacts eligibility for set-aside contracts, alters the landscape for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the government contracts industry, and could have other downstream consequences. Earlier this year, we . . . Read More
SBA Update: Final Rule Makes Investing in 8(a) Firms Easier Than Ever!
As PilieroMazza has been reporting, the Small Business Administration (SBA) recently issued its much-anticipated final rule, which updates and clarifies many regulations that impact small businesses. The revised regulations impact not only small businesses but also firms in preferential procurement programs like the 8(a) Program and individuals and larger businesses that do business with these firms. Of these amendments to the regulations, there are three that loosen ownership restrictions on the minority owners in 8(a) firms and should be welcomed by . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act, Part 6: Reporting Requirements Back In Effect, Deadlines Looming
On December 23, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a stay on the preliminary injunction that halted enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), pending resolution of the government’s appeal of the decision granting the injunction. Thus, the CTA’s reporting requirements are once again in effect, subject to FinCEN’s revised filing deadlines discussed below. See links here to Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , and Part 5 in this series. In response to the stay of the preliminary injunction, . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – December 20, 2024
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live! here and Clocking in with PilieroMazza here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS December 2024: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV , Nichole D. Atallah , Lauren Brier , Abigail “Abby” Finan Once again, the specter of a government shutdown looms over the federal contracting community. The federal . . . Read More
But My Affiliates ARE Me! GAO Rules Agencies May Limit Use of Affiliate Experience and Past Performance
On November 15, 2024, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) denied a protest where a mentor-protégé joint venture offeror attempted to use the past experience of a wholly owned subsidiary of the protégé member to satisfy a solicitation requirement. The requirement specified that joint ventures must submit a relevant qualifying project from either the protégé or the mentor-protégé joint venture itself. The AtVentures, LLC [1] protest reminds us to pay close attention to solicitation requirements and offers a different perspective when considering . . . Read More
December 2024: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors
Once again, the specter of a government shutdown looms over the federal contracting community. The federal government is set to run out of funding on December 20 due to an impasse during final negotiations over added spending. The expected timeline for renegotiations is making it ever more likely that a protracted shutdown of over a month will occur. Below are key steps your business should take to mitigate the possible negative impacts of a government shutdown, along with shutdown-related labor and . . . Read More
FY25 NDAA Update: Potential Costly Changes Ahead for Bid Protests
The Senate approved the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (FY25 NDAA) on December 18, 2024. The bill is now on its way to the President’s desk for signature. Of particular note to federal defense contractors is Section 885, “Proposal for Payment of Costs for Certain Government Accountability Office Bid Protests.” Section 885 raises the task and delivery order bid protest jurisdictional threshold under 10 U.S.C. § 3406(f)(1)(B) from $25 Million to $35 Million for DOD orders. Additionally, Section . . . Read More