“The Section 809 Panel has recommended that Congress eliminate most small business set-asides for DoD acquisitions. The Panel would replace the longstanding set-aside system with a meager five percent small business price preference.””
“For small government contractors, this recommendation is the policy equivalent of a five-alarm fire. Small contractors may need to fight hard to save the set-aside system.
Get ready for a battle.”
“The Government’s Longstanding Small Business Policy
The United States Government has long supported small contractors. Policymakers wisely understand that providing contracting opportunities to small businesses isn’t just good for those businesses, but benefits the nation as a whole. Here’s how that longstanding policy is described in the Small Business Act itself…”
“Contracting Officers also have ways of avoiding the rule of two entirely. For instance, while small business set-asides are allowed under GSA Schedules, they aren’t required. Unlike the VA’s separate SDVOSB rule of two, which was the subject of the Supreme Court’s famous Kingdomware case, a Contracting Officer need not apply the FAR’s small business rule of two before buying off the Schedule. Additionally, the GAO has held that Contracting Officers need not…” Read the full article here.
Source: “Eliminate Most DoD Small Business Set-Asides,” Says Section 809 Panel – By Steven Koprince, January 24, 2019. SmallGovCon.
