OHA Upholds SBA Denial of Admission to 8(a) Program for Failure to Demonstrate Status as Recognized Indian Tribe
In a noteworthy decision this February, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) upheld SBA’s determination denying GTEC Industries, Inc. (GTECI) entry into the 8(a) Business Development Program as a tribally owned entity. [1] For businesses seeking 8(a) program certification, this decision highlights the importance of demonstrating eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence. GTECI’s 8(a) application has a lengthy history. GTECI first applied to the 8(a) program in May 2017 and was denied in May 2018 . . . Read More
10 Questions to Ask for a Successful Government Contractor Change of Name Submission
Government contractor name changes, whether through a standard name change or through a restructuring, present unique regulatory hurdles. One such challenge is the preparation, submission, and execution of a change of name package with the U.S. government. While the change of name package itself is a hurdle, there are additional factors that impact its success. Below are ten questions government contractors should ask, which can make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful change of name. Change of Name Package Documentation . . . Read More
Rescue Plan Update: The State of FFCRA and Other State COVID-19 Paid Leave
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law, providing an estimated $1.9 trillion in stimulus to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the various relief provisions are updates to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) paid leave requirements. While there is no mandate for employers to continue providing FFCRA leave, an employer who chooses to do so can still take the associated tax credits for an additional period of time, . . . Read More
SBA Pivots to Say HUBZone Firms in Redesignated QDA Cannot Maintain 10-Year Principal Office Eligibility Through Long-Term Investment
In January, we issued a client alert discussing how HUBZone firms in redesignated areas could plan to maintain their HUBZone status after the end of 2021. One of the primary strategies we discussed in the client alert was based on Small Business Administration (SBA) guidance about long-term investments in qualified disaster areas (QDAs). At the time, based on SBA guidance, we understood that HUBZone firms located in redesignated areas could qualify their current HUBZone principal office location as HUBZone eligible for at . . . Read More
HHS Issues Proposed Regulations Governing Buy Indian Act Procurement Procedures
Late last year, the Indian Health Service (IHS) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued proposed regulations that would, if made final, govern IHS’s use of set-asides under the Buy Indian Act (Act). IHS’s current regulations give little guidance on how set-asides under the Act should be made. If the proposed regulations go into effect, officials at IHS will have a better roadmap for setting aside procurements under the Act. Below are key eligibility and procedural updates . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Founding Partner Pam Mazza Inducted Into WIPP 2021 Legacy Circle
PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that the Firm’s Founding Partner Pam Mazza is an inductee into the inaugural Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Legacy Circle recognizing past leaders who worked tirelessly towards the organization’s success. In response to receiving this distinction, Pam stated, “I’m of course honored to be named an inductee and am proud to be in the company of such accomplished women. For many years, I worked alongside a group of remarkable women who helped advance WIPP’s mission to work on behalf of women entrepreneurs . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – April 2, 2021
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . PilieroMazza Reacts to the Rise in Violence Against the Asian-American Community, March 29, 2021 In the past year, 3,800 acts of violence were perpetrated against the Asian-American community, with a disproportionate number of these attacks directed at women specifically. The PilieroMazza family joins others in raising our voices to condemn these acts of violence, which diminish us as a nation and violate every human being’s basic right to . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Earns #1 Spot for Government Contracts Thought Leadership on JD Supra
PilieroMazza attorneys and their thought leadership have taken the #1 government contracting position—for a fourth consecutive year—in JD Supra’s Readers Choice Awards . Cy Alba and Nichole Atallah , partners in PilieroMazza’s Government Contracts and Labor & Employment for Government Contractors practice groups, respectively, were recognized as the Firm’s leading authors, earning a place among JD Supra’s top 10 authors in government contracting. “This is a great achievement for Cy, Nichole, and PilieroMazza’s Government Contracts Group. We are honored that readers engage with and value our content as they address their business and legal concerns,” . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Celebrates Women’s History Month
PilieroMazza celebrates Women’s History Month and throughout the year, we recognize the ongoing achievements and contributions of the women within the Firm—including our Founding Partner Pam Mazza —who set the foundation for the successful firm we are today and who are leading us into the future. #WomensHistoryMonth
Congress Expands Buy Indian Act Procurement Authority: 7 Key Changes Native American Businesses Should Watch
A law passed by Congress at the end of 2020 seeks to expand contracting opportunities under the Buy Indian Act (Act). Through the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2020, Congress amended the Act to expand the scope of the authority of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make acquisitions subject to preferences for Indian labor and Indian industry under the Act. It is unclear how DOI or HHS will . . . Read More