Small Business

R&D funding vehicle could supercharge small biz innovation programs

The General Services Administration's Office of Assisted Acquisition Service is working to bridge the gap between the research and commercialization phases of technology development, while bringing more governmentwide access to the new technologies.

  • By Carten Cordell

Small business contract awards hit record $154B

But fewer of those companies are entering the federal market or competing for the work, the Small Business Administration says.

  • By Chris Riotta

SBA faces fraud risks and IT security woes, IG says

The Small Business Administration has struggled to cope with an onslaught of potentially fraudulent activity within its direct lending programs spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Inspector General Hannibal Ware testified to the House Small Business Committee.

  • By Chris Riotta

House helps small businesses speak out on agency regulations

New site spotlights regulations that are open for comment.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

Using startups brings rewards -- and risks

Steve Kelman sorts out the pros and cons of hiring startup firms for government contracts.

The Top 50-woman-owned companies

The top 50 government contractors owned by women did billions of dollars of business with the government in 2011.

  • By FCW Staff

The top 50 8(a) firms

The 8(a) program helps many disadvanatged businesses sell their products and services to agencies. Here are the 50 companies that did the most business through the program in fiscal 2011.

  • By FCW Staff

Sequstration could cut off some suppliers for agencies

Agencies rely on small firms for their operations, but many of those companies don't have the cushion to survive harsh cutbacks from sequestration.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

Are small-business set-asides helping?

After nearly 35 years of small-business contracting goals, it's worth asking how the set-asides are doing in delivering the intended results.

  • By Anne Armstrong

Do small-business preferences make the grade?

Agencies labor mightily to hit small-business contracting targets, but the emphasis on score cards overshadows some larger questions about set-asides.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

VA to direct more money to service-disabled vets

VA officials intend to boost their contract awards to veterans.

  • By FCW Staff

How a few words could change small-business set-aside picture

The Obama administration is trying to change some wording in the acquisition rules make it easier to set aside R&D solicitations.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

Should VA's company database go governmentwide?

VA has a database of verified companies owned by veterans. Other agencies could take advantage of that resource, GAO says.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

Contract considerations to include treatment of other companies

The Obama administration wants procurement officials to consider how companies treat their business partners as a factor in making contract decisions.

  • By Matthew Weigelt
Featured eBooks

Agencies told to ensure subcontractors get prompt payments

OMB is asking agencies to report on their progress at speeding up payments.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

Agencies fail, again, to meet small-business contracting goals

Small businesses received $91.5 billion in prime contracts last year, falling short of the percentage supposed to go to them.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

Small firms 'stiffed' on subcontracts, survey says

The fault though can lie with both the prime contractor and the agency, if there is a fault at all.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

GSA job security could increase with schedules revisions

Terminating contracts might seem like a job killer, but some experts predict the opposite effect.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

Think small business when buying small things

Administration puts more emphasis on increasing contracts with small businesses.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

6 steps for agencies to aid small businesses

OFPP's new leader gives agency officials six steps to increase contracts for businesses through multiple-award contracts.

  • By Matthew Weigelt

GSA to close some contracts to new vendors

The GSA Schedules program is about to get some new limitations, official says.

  • By Matthew Weigelt