GSA’s Power Play: What the SEWP and CIO-SP Transfer Means for Small Contractors
In a move that could reshape federal IT contracting as we know it, the General Services Administration (GSA) is preparing to take over two of the government’s largest technology purchasing vehicles: NASA’s SEWP and NIH’s CIO-SP. If you’re a small or mid-size business navigating government procurement, this shift isn’t just an administrative shuffle—it could change how you compete, who you compete against, and what hoops you’ll need to jump through to win.
VA’s New Review Process Could Delay Your Next Award—Here’s What Contractors Need to Know
The Department of Veterans Affairs just changed the playbook for how it handles high-dollar and mission-critical contracts. On May 13, 2025, the VA issued a new acquisition memo that adds an extra—and mandatory—layer of review for certain contracts. If you’re a small or mid-sized business in IT, professional services, or dealing with large-dollar awards, this change could slow things down unless you’re ready.
SBIR Scrutiny Is Rising—Here’s What Contractors Need to Know About Foreign Influence Risk
The SBIR/STTR programs have long been a lifeline for tech-focused small businesses looking to fund innovation and bring new products to market. But in 2025, these “America’s Seed Fund” programs are under intense scrutiny—not for how much they fund, but who they fund. If you’re a small business eyeing these grants, or already holding one, foreign affiliations are now a make-or-break factor. And agencies aren’t treating these risks equally.
CMMC 2.0 Is Here—What Small Contractors Need to Do Now
If you’re a small business working in the defense space, 2025 just got a lot more real. The Department of Defense finalized the long-awaited Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 rule in December 2024, and implementation has already begun. This isn’t just another bureaucratic update—CMMC 2.0 changes the rules of the game for every contractor and subcontractor in the DoD supply chain.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Federal Government Contracting for Small Businesses in 2025
If you're a small business owner looking to tap into the massive pool of federal government spending, the process can feel overwhelming—especially if you're just getting started. Acronyms like SAM, NAICS, UEI, and FAR might sound like alphabet soup now, but with a little clarity and a solid roadmap, you'll be well on your way to landing your first government contract.
DoD’s Software Acquisition Pathways: A New Door Opens for Agile Contractors
The Department of Defense just made it easier—and faster—for software-focused small businesses to break into federal contracting. If you’re in the business of governance, compliance, or risk management tools, the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) and Software Fast Track (SWFT) programs could be your express lanes to securing DoD contracts. Here's what you need to know—and how to act.
SLED Contracting Just Got Easier—If You Know the Right Codes
Trying to break into state and local government contracts—or scale up your wins? Then you’ve probably wrestled with the alphabet soup of codes used in procurement. But here’s the thing: if you’re a small business focused on state, local, and education (SLED) markets, understanding Product Service Codes (PSCs) vs. NAICS codes isn’t just helpful—it’s strategic.
Pentagon’s New Procurement Playbook Could Be a Gamechanger for Small Contractors
The Department of Defense just issued a seismic shift in how it does business—and small businesses should be paying close attention. On April 9, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base.” It’s a sweeping directive that reimagines how the Pentagon buys goods and services, with bold promises to slash red tape, speed up awards, and reward agility over bureaucracy.
The Best NAICS Codes for Small Businesses Going After SLED Contracts in 2025
State, local, and education (SLED) contracts can be a goldmine for small businesses, but only if you know how to position yourself. One of the most overlooked (but powerful) ways to boost your visibility and competitiveness? Picking the right NAICS code.
FY2026’s Skinny Budget: What It Means for Your Government Contracts
You might’ve seen the headlines: on May 2, 2025, the White House dropped its Fiscal Year 2026 “skinny budget” blueprint, calling for a $163 billion cut to non-defense discretionary spending—nearly 23% across domestic agencies—while boosting defense outlays by 13% to about $1.01 trillion . For government contractors and small businesses, this isn’t just politics as usual; it’s a roadmap of where opportunity—and risk—will lie in the year ahead.
Tariffs Are Back—and Government Contractors Need to Pay Attention
New tariffs are hitting supply chains hard, and if you're a government contractor—especially with fixed-price contracts—you're likely already feeling the squeeze. In early 2025, the federal government rolled out sweeping new import duties, including a 10% “reciprocal tariff” on most goods and even harsher penalties for imports from China. For government contractors, this isn’t just another trade headline—it’s a cost crisis with real contract performance risks.
Cyber Budget Cuts Are Reshaping the Playing Field for Contractors—Here’s How to Adapt
If you’re a small business or cybersecurity contractor serving the federal government, brace yourself: the landscape just changed—fast. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a hallmark of the second Trump administration, has been slashing budgets and cutting contracts across the board, and the cybersecurity sector is feeling the burn.
Faster, Leaner, More Competitive: How the 2025 Federal Contracting Reforms Reshape the Game for Small Businesses
In May 2025, the Trump Administration dropped a procurement policy bombshell: a sweeping Executive Order, backed by a DoD memo, that rewires how federal contracts—especially defense contracts—are awarded. If you’re running a government contracting business, or thinking about jumping in, this just changed the landscape.
The Pentagon’s New SWFT Program Could Be a Game-Changer for Software Vendors—If You’re Ready
The Department of Defense just launched something that could open the door to more government contracting opportunities—or lock you out if you’re not prepared. It’s called the Software Fast Track (SWIFT) program, and it aims to slash the time it takes to get your software approved for use on military systems. For small businesses, especially those navigating the government contracting certification process, this could be a game-changer.
Navy Axes $568M in IT Contracts — Here’s What It Means for GovCon Firms
The Navy just pulled the plug on some of its biggest IT modernization efforts — and if you’re a government contracting business, especially in the tech or logistics space, this is a headline you can’t afford to ignore. We're talking about over $568 million in canceled contracts, including a massive human-resources overhaul and a failed logistics software program. And it's not just about what was cut — it’s about where the Navy is headed next.
Army’s Bold Overhaul: What It Means for Defense Contractors—Especially the Small and Nimble
On April 30, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth dropped a bombshell in the form of a sweeping memo ordering a full-scale transformation of the U.S. Army. This isn’t a bureaucratic shuffle or a few tweaks at the margins—it’s a root-and-branch reimagining of how the Army organizes, equips, and fights. For businesses with Army contracts—or hoping to break into the space—this is not just news. It’s a full-on call to pivot, adapt, and rethink your positioning in the defense landscape.
Pentagon’s Tech Overhaul Could Reshape Government Contracting—Here’s What You Need to Know
The Pentagon is about to hit refresh on how it buys cutting-edge tech. A major reorganization is in the works that could consolidate several of its innovation arms into one new, streamlined acquisition powerhouse. If you’re in the business of government contracting—especially if you touch AI, defense tech, or R&D—this move could either open new doors or push you out of the running.
The Pentagon’s New SWFT Program Could Be a Game-Changer for Software Vendors—If You’re Ready
The Department of Defense just launched something that could open the door to more government contracting opportunities—or lock you out if you’re not prepared. It’s called the Software Fast Track (SWIFT) program, and it aims to slash the time it takes to get your software approved for use on military systems. For small businesses, especially those navigating the government contracting certification process, this could be a game-changer.
Pentagon’s Tech Overhaul Could Reshape Government Contracting—Here’s What You Need to Know
The Pentagon is about to hit refresh on how it buys cutting-edge tech. A major reorganization is in the works that could consolidate several of its innovation arms into one new, streamlined acquisition powerhouse. If you’re in the business of government contracting—especially if you touch AI, defense tech, or R&D—this move could either open new doors or push you out of the running.
Contractors, Brace Yourselves: NCI’s Acquisition Power Just Moved to ARPA-H
If you’ve got a stake in health R&D contracts—especially with the National Cancer Institute—there’s a seismic shift you need to know about. As part of a sweeping reorganization at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), all acquisition roles at NCI are being eliminated effective June 2, 2025. Contracting responsibilities are being handed over to ARPA-H, the agency known for agile, DARPA-style health innovation. It’s all thanks to Executive Order 14210. And yes, this changes everything about how contracts will be managed going forward.