ITAR Just Got Real: Why Cybersecurity Compliance Can Make or Break Your GovCon Business
If you're a small government contractor working with defense-related tech, there's a silent compliance killer that could tank your contracts overnight: ITAR. We cut through the noise and make one thing clear—export-controlled data is no longer a “back-burner” issue. It’s front and center in 2025.
SBA’s New SBS Platform Just Rewrote the Rulebook for Small Contractors
The U.S. Small Business Administration just launched a major update to how government buyers find small business vendors — and if your company relies on being seen for set-asides or subcontracting work, this one matters. The new Small Business Search (SBS) platform, which officially replaced the old Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) in July 2025, is more than a facelift. It’s a full rebuild, and your visibility in the federal marketplace depends on how well you adapt to it.
Inside the Marine Corps’ $17M Sole-Source Contract—and What Small Businesses Should Learn from It
On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps handed out a $17 million sole-source contract to Ternion Corporation—and small businesses in the federal contracting space should pay attention. This contract isn’t just another high-value DoD deal—it’s a crystal-clear example of how sole-source awards operate, why certain vendors win them, and how small businesses can position themselves to benefit despite the odds.
SBA’s Non-Manufacturer Rule Gets a Major Overhaul—Here’s What Small Businesses Must Know
The Small Business Administration (SBA) just dropped a major update that every product reseller, distributor, and VAR in federal contracting needs to have on their radar. As of July 14, 2025, the SBA clarified the Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR), tightening the screws on who can qualify for set-aside supply contracts—and when. If you supply goods to the federal government, especially under programs like 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB, this is going to impact how you bid, win, and stay compliant.
The SBA’s 2025 Non-Manufacturer Rule Update: What Every Small Business Reseller Needs to Know
The Small Business Administration (SBA) just dropped a major clarification on the Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR), and it’s a big deal for anyone selling products in the federal market. If you’re a small business—especially if you’re chasing 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, or general set-aside supply contracts—this update spells out exactly when you need to comply, when you need a waiver, and what could get you disqualified. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and competitive.
FAST Grants Get a Data Overhaul—Here’s What That Means for Small Business Innovators
Big changes are coming to a critical program that helps small businesses tap into federal innovation funding. On July 14, 2025, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced new reporting requirements for its Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program—and while this may seem like paperwork for grant recipients, it could have ripple effects across the entire small business innovation ecosystem.
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.