DOD Issues Guidance on Managing Defense Contracts During COVID-19
On the heels of the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance encouraging agencies to consider requests for equitable adjustment (REAs) for increased costs related to COVID-19, the Department of Defense issued a similar memorandum for defense agencies. The memo outlines three ways defense agencies can work with contractors during this challenging time: Delays related to […]
HUBZone Program Flexibility During the COVID-19 Outbreak
In a webinar on March 25, 2020, officials with SBA’s HUBZone Program showed that SBA understands the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak has created some unique...
The CARES Act Provides Potential Reimbursement for Paid Leave on Federal Projects
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), in Section 3610, offers discretionary relief to federal contractors whose employees cannot perform work on a site that has been approved by the federal government during the COVID-19 public health emergency. It should be noted that the inability to work must result from “facility closures […]
New Paid Sick Leave Requirements Impact Government Contractors
Recent legislation significantly expanded many workers’ entitlement to paid sick leave and paid family leave. These new benefits take effect on April 1st. Federal government contractors should pay particular attention to these new benefits and the way they interact with other paid sick leave requirements. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, as amended by the […]
Raising the Roofs . . . and Floors: Acquisition Thresholds in the Time of...
As many contractors have heard, the President declared a state of emergency under the Stafford Act. What will this mean for acquisitions conducted while the COVID-19 emergency continues? In this post, I’ll dig into some contractor-specific effects of that declaration: modifying the micro-purchase, simplified acquisition, and commercial purchase acquisition thresholds. More at SmallGovCon
Federal Contractors Entitled to Potential Relief Under Coronavirus Aid Package
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) provides potential reimbursement to federal contractors whose employees (1) cannot perform work on a “site that has been approved by the Federal Government ” during the COVID-19 public health emergency due to facility closures or other restrictions, and (2) cannot telework because their job duties cannot […]
Contractors Should Prepare for DPAS Rated Orders Due to COVID-19
The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is used to prioritize national defense-related contracts and orders throughout the U.S. supply chain in order to support military, energy, homeland security, emergency preparedness, and critical infrastructure requirements. DPAS authorizes the federal government to require preferential acceptance and performance of contracts or orders—other than contracts of employment—that support […]
Congress Creates the Paycheck Protection Program Through the SBA to Provide Loans and a...
Phase III of the federal COVID-19 relief legislation—the CARES Act amends Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act to create the Paycheck Protection Program. Under this expansion of the SBA’s traditional loan program, the government will provide or 100% guarantee loans made to eligible persons or entities over the next several months in an effort […]
COVID-19 & SBA 8(a) Program Suspensions: FAQs
If you are a government contractor participating in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program, there is a good chance you received an email this week about COVID-19 and the SBA’s 8(a) suspension authority. What is this authority and, more importantly, how would suspension impact your 8(a) status? This post provides some answers to […]
State COVID-19 Lockdowns: What Contractors Operating in “Lockdown” Areas Need to Know
As the federal government continues taking steps to mitigate the unfolding COVID-19 public health emergency, state and local governments have started issuing “lockdown” or “stay at home” orders. These orders, among other things, place significant restrictions on or mandate the closure of non-essential businesses. Government contractors with operations in these jurisdictions must understand the scope […]