SBIR Funding Proposals Due to NIH by January 5, 2021: 5 Tips for Your Submission
The Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program provides grant or contract funding to small businesses seeking to commercialize innovative technologies. With $3.2 billion allotted to SBIR each year, there are twelve different agencies that have set aside SBIR funding. One agency is Health and Human Services which provides funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH has three grant funding proposal deadlines a year. The next deadline is January 5, 2021. On the NIH/SBIR website , NIH states that the electronic . . . Read More
Protecting Your Company Against Revenue Clawbacks: Preference Actions (Part 1 of 3)
A customer goes bankrupt and then they (or a trustee) demand you return money you were already paid for services or goods duly rendered. In this three-part series, we discuss strategies to protect your company against these revenue “clawbacks,” and how to implement these strategies before and after a customer’s bankruptcy filing. In this blog, we discuss the definition of preferences and the policy purpose of preference actions. In the second, we discuss specific actionable items to take to limit . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – November 4, 2020
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . WEBINAR: Mergers and Acquisitions in Healthcare: Getting Your House in Order, November 11, 2020, Kathryn Hickey. Read more here . WEBINAR: The CARES Act: Highlights and Planning for the Future, December 16, 2020, Cy Alba , Nichole Atallah , Kathryn Hickey, and Matt Feinberg . RECORDING: SBA’s Final Rule on Mentor Protégé Programs: Key Changes for Government Contractors, October 28, 2020, Pam Mazza and Peter Ford . Watch here . Read PilieroMazza’s summary of the final rule here . COVID-19 Client . . . Read More
SBA Releases Loan Necessity Questionnaire for PPP Borrowers
On October 26, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a notice in the Federal Register that, among other updates, announced two new forms, 3509 and 3510 (the Forms), related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Form 3509 is for for-profit businesses, while 3510 applies only to non-profit entities. These Forms will be sent by PPP lenders only to PPP borrowers who received a principal loan amount of $2 million or more, and borrowers will have ten days to complete it. According to . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Sponsors MCCC’s 2020 Business Awards
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) hosted its 2020 Business Awards on October 29, 2020. The virtual event celebrated the best of Montgomery County’s business community, with organizations and leaders receiving recognition from a variety of industries. PilieroMazza was a proud sponsor of the 2020 Business Partner of the Year Award. The award recognizes an individual or business that meets the mission of MCCC’s Government Contracting Network (GovConNet): to promote the economic impact of the federal government presence and to advocate on . . . Read More
The Government Contractor Gifting Guide: 4 Tips to Avoid Severe Penalties
The holiday season will be here before we know it. Although this year’s celebrations may look different for many of us, one thing will still be on everyone’s mind: gifts. For companies, holiday gifting to clients and colleagues can be a cheerful and effective marketing tool. If your clients or colleagues are government employees, it is important to remember the many rules that govern making gifts to government employees. Keep these rules in mind to prevent a small gift from . . . Read More
JEDI Update: 3 Years After Launch, DOD’s Critical Cloud Computing Contract Is Still On Hold
The acquisition battle between Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) over the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) Cloud contract saw another major development this fall with the announcement that the DOD will again award the JEDI contract to Microsoft following corrective action. This blog provides an update on the JEDI protest, which has potential implications for the government contracting community. On September 4, 2020, after taking corrective action to reassess its evaluation of AWS’ and Microsoft’s . . . Read More
PilieroMazza’s 889 Compliance Assistance Program
The Second Interim Rule implementing Section 889, Part 2 becomes effective October 26, 2020. Section 889 Part B prohibits any executive agency from entering into, extending, or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or services that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This second interim rule requires contractors to represent annually in the System for Award Management . . . Read More
Virginia Companies Required to Update Handbooks and Workplace Policies: Pregnancy Discrimination Updates and More
Effective October 29, 2020, Virginia employers must update their handbooks to reflect new state requirements regarding pregnancy discrimination, according to a recent law. The law adds posting requirements and is one of several state obligations recently introduced in Virginia. This client alert explains the new requirement and flags additional policy changes that employers need to take to avoid future liabilities. This year, Virginia joined a number of states that include clear prohibitions on discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, and related . . . Read More
DOD Extends Section 889 Waiver to September 30, 2022
In August, we wrote about a memorandum issued by Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe that waived the Department of Defense’s (DOD) requirements under Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. The Federal Register published an interim rule on July 14, 2020, that implemented Section 889, which prohibits agencies from procuring telecommunications equipment and services from Huawei Technologies Company, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, Hytera Communications Company, Dahua Technology Company, and ZTE Corporation. The DOD originally released a memorandum on July . . . Read More