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States Are Expanding Small Business Set-Asides: What It Means for Federal Contractors
If your business has been focused on federal contracting, you’ve probably noticed the slowdown in grants and delayed solicitations lately. But here’s a positive shift that hasn’t gotten enough attention: state and local agencies are doubling down on set-aside programs, creating fresh opportunities for certified small businesses to win contracts — often with faster timelines than federal work.
DoD’s $800M AI Bet Sends a Clear Signal: Compliance Is the New Competitive Edge
Last week, the Department of Defense made headlines by awarding xAI, Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic contracts worth up to $200 million each under a new “Grok for Government” initiative. If you’re in the AI or federal contracting space—especially as a small business—this isn’t just headline news. It’s a roadmap.
FOCI Compliance Just Became a Top Priority for Small Defense Contractors—Here’s What You Need to Know
If your small business works—or wants to work—in the defense industrial base, you can’t afford to ignore Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) requirements. Recent rule changes and heightened scrutiny mean FOCI compliance isn’t just about classified contracts anymore; even unclassified defense R&D and tech projects now face review. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters for government contracting businesses, and what you should do to stay eligible for federal contracting opportunities.
How Civilians and Startups Can Tap Into the Pentagon’s Billion-Dollar Innovation Pipeline
If you think working with the U.S. military means navigating decades of red tape and chasing classified RFPs, it’s time to update your playbook. Over the past few years, the Department of Defense has rolled out a wave of open innovation programs designed specifically to bring in non-traditional vendors—startups, researchers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with no prior government experience. This shift isn’t just symbolic; it’s backed by billions in funding and a mandate to fast-track commercial tech for defense use.
Federal Workforce Cuts Are Jamming the Procurement Pipeline—Here’s What Small Contractors Should Do About It
The federal government is downsizing fast. Entire departments are laying off thousands of employees, contracting offices are stretched to the breaking point, and procurement cycles are slowing to a crawl. If you’re a small business counting on federal contracts, this isn’t just a bureaucratic shakeup—it’s a direct threat to your cash flow, capture pipeline, and survival.
Federal Grant Freeze Fallout: What Every Government Contractor and Grantee Needs to Know
In early 2025, a brief but chaotic policy move by the White House nearly torpedoed billions in federal grant funding—and sent shockwaves through the small business ecosystem. For companies that rely on government-funded contracts and subawards, the “grant freeze” was more than a bureaucratic blip. It was a blunt reminder: if you’re not prepared, politics can punch a hole straight through your revenue model.
Canceled RFP? H.R. 789 Just Made That a Lot Less Painful for Small Businesses
If you've ever spent weeks preparing a bid—only for the agency to cancel it without a word—you’re not alone. For small government contractors, it’s one of the most frustrating (and expensive) parts of the game. But thanks to a new bill that just passed the House, that silent shutdown could soon become a thing of the past.
DOL’s July Outreach Session Could Be a Game-Changer for Small GovCon Firms
If you’re a small business eyeing federal contracting work, especially with the Department of Labor (DOL), clear your calendar for July 16. That’s when DOL’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting its next virtual Vendor Outreach Session—a low-barrier, high-opportunity event that could set your BD pipeline on fire.
Congress Is Making Moves: Here’s What 8 Key Bills Could Mean for Small GovCon Players
If you’re a small business contractor, the House of Representatives just served you a mixed plate of promise and pressure. Eight new bills focused on federal contracting for small businesses are working their way through Congress, and together they represent one of the most significant waves of proposed changes in recent memory. Whether you’re pursuing 8a contracts services, women owned small business certification, or trying to land your first prime award, these proposals could reshape how you compete—and who your competition is.
The Rule of Two May Be on the Chopping Block—Here’s What Small Contractors Need to Know
In a June 2025 update, legal powerhouse PilieroMazza dropped a bombshell that every small federal contractor should be paying attention to: the FAR Council is weighing a rollback of the long-standing “Rule of Two.” This foundational policy requires agencies to set aside contracts for small businesses when at least two qualified firms can bid at a fair market price. If the rollback proceeds, it could dramatically reduce the number of set-aside opportunities in the federal marketplace.
Congress Is Rethinking Small Business Contracting. Here’s What You Need to Know
A cluster of bills moving through Congress in 2025 could seriously reshape the landscape for small businesses in federal contracting. From more accountability in women-owned awards to restoring set-aside protections and expanding 8(a) construction access, these proposals aren’t just policy tweaks—they could redefine who gets a fair shot at the $700+ billion federal marketplace.
Maryland’s $67B Modernization Push: What It Means for Local Government Contractors
Maryland’s FY2026 budget isn’t just about plugging a $3.3 billion deficit—it’s also about transforming how the state operates. And if you’re a small business owner in Maryland with your eye on government contracting opportunities, now is the time to lean in.
GSA’s OneGov Strategy Just Changed the Game for Small IT Resellers
If you’re a small business VAR or IT integrator with federal contracts, the GSA’s new OneGov initiative should be on your radar—right now. This isn’t just another policy tweak. It’s a fundamental shake-up of how federal agencies will buy software and IT services moving forward, and the implications for small business resellers are huge.
Texas Contractors Are Feeling the Heat: $863M in Cuts and What Comes Next
Federal budget politics just got real for small businesses in Texas. In the first half of 2025, more than $860 million in federal contracts and grants across the state have been canceled, and the ripple effects are already hammering local contractors—especially in San Antonio. If you're a small or disadvantaged business in the government procurement space, this is more than just a headline. It’s a wake-up call.
SBA’s Contracting Assistance Programs: What Every Small Business Needs to Know in 2025
If you’re a small business owner looking to grow through federal contracting, here’s the blunt truth: you’re leaving money on the table without an SBA certification. The federal government awarded over $176 billion to small businesses last year—and more than a third of that came through set-aside programs. Whether you’re a woman-owned business, located in a HUBZone, led by a disabled veteran, or socially disadvantaged, the right certification can turn a door into a pipeline.
Budget Cuts, Big Risks: What Michigan’s K–12 Shake-Up Means for School Vendors
Michigan’s proposed 2025 K–12 education budget is making waves—and not in a good way for small business vendors. While lawmakers are increasing the per-pupil base to $10,025, they’re simultaneously gutting the very funding streams that support non-instructional service providers. Universal free school meals? Zeroed out. After-school programs? Slashed. DEI training and support services? Not only defunded but penalized.
The DBE Program Faces a Courtroom Crossroads — What Contractors Need to Know Now
Big news is shaking up the world of federal transportation contracting — and if your business is DBE-certified, it’s time to take this seriously. In a major legal pivot, the Justice Department has moved to dismantle the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, a long-standing federal initiative that’s helped minority- and women-owned businesses secure billions in transportation contracts. The implications are immediate, far-reaching, and potentially precedent-setting for every firm navigating government procurement.
When the Grant Well Dries Up: How SMBs in Texas and Michigan Can Bounce Back
It’s the kind of news no small business wants to wake up to: the grant you were counting on just got paused, defunded, or outright canceled. That’s exactly what’s happened to dozens of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in Texas and Michigan this year, where political shifts and federal budget freezes have gutted DEI, clean energy, and workforce-related funding.
Who’s Got Your Back? The Most Small-Business-Friendly Federal Agencies in FY2025
If you’re a small business chasing federal contracting dollars, it pays—literally—to know which agencies are most likely to award you a contract. Spoiler: not all federal buyers are created equal. Some go out of their way to engage and support small businesses through targeted set-asides, outreach, and accessible contracts. Others? Not so much.
5 Proposal Mistakes That Are Costing You Federal Contracts (and How to Fix Them)
If you’ve ever poured hours—or weeks—into a government proposal only to walk away empty-handed, you’re not alone. Federal contracting is brutal in that way. The smallest misstep can knock you out of the running before evaluators even read your technical brilliance or see your competitive pricing. But here’s the good news: Most of these mistakes are 100% avoidable. Let’s walk through five of the most common proposal pitfalls small businesses make—and more importantly, how to sidestep them.