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Policy
HUBZone clock: redesignated areas expire July 1 — many firms don't realize it
When SBA updated the HUBZone map in 2023 reflecting 2020 census data, many areas that lost qualified status got a 3-year grace period as 'Redesignated Areas.' That grace period ends July 1, 2026. Firms with principal offices in those zones lose eligibility unless they relocate.
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Policy
DoD issued 31 DFARS class deviations in December — and 6 more in January. What's actually changing
On December 19, 2025, the Department of War issued 31 class deviations to the DFARS — covering nearly every section. A second batch of 6 followed January 24, 2026. Both took effect February 1, 2026. The largest DFARS shake-up in over a decade.
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Policy
The 43-day shutdown is over — but the contracting damage will linger through Q2
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended November 12, 2025 after 43 days. New contracts froze, options weren't exercised, and the post-shutdown CR keeps DoD frozen at FY24 levels. Some DoD civilians still chasing back pay weeks later.
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Awards
Army awards Anduril $20B enterprise deal — and quietly redraws the procurement map
The Army consolidated 120 separate Anduril contracts into one 10-year, $20B-ceiling enterprise vehicle built around the Lattice platform. The first task order is already out. What it signals for non-traditional vendors and the small firms beneath them.
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Awards
Salesforce wins $5.6B Army IDIQ — the largest commercial SaaS deal in DoD history
A 10-year IDIQ executed through a wholly-owned subsidiary brings agentic AI, Slack, and Salesforce's data fabric to the Department of War. The deal is also a signal: predictable pricing and days-not-months procurement timelines are the new ask.
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Awards
Lockheed Martin lands $4.76B PAC-3 contract — but 94% of the money is foreign
An undefinitized contract action signed April 10 obligates $4.76B for Patriot interceptor production through 2030. Only $265M of it is U.S. Army money. The deal is a window into how Foreign Military Sales now drive missile-line throughput.
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Policy
Hegseth orders DoD-wide review of every small-business contract over $20M
A January directive from the Secretary of Defense triggered a line-by-line review of all 8(a) and small-business set-aside awards above $20M. Compliance verification owed by Feb 28. What it actually changes for legitimate small primes.
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Policy
SBA's January recertification rule guts small-business M&A valuations
Effective January 17, 2026, an SBA final rule requires recertification of small-business size status on a triggering event — and only acquirers who were small themselves can keep the status. The valuation hit on small-business sellers is real and immediate.
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Policy
CMMC Phase 2 hits in November — and the math says half the contractor pool will miss it
Mandatory C3PAO Level 2 certification arrives November 10, 2026. There are roughly 80 authorized C3PAOs serving 80,000 contractors. Anyone who hasn't started by spring statistically can't make it.
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Policy
June 2026: DoD bans procurement from listed China-affiliated companies — supply chain audit time
Starting June 2026, DoD cannot directly procure from listed Chinese Military Companies (CMCs) or firms hiring lobbyists for them. June 2027 extends the ban to indirect procurement. The supply-chain audit work to comply starts now.
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Policy
The FAR is being rewritten in plain English — first time in 40 years, and small firms benefit most
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) is the most comprehensive rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation since 1984. Plain language, fewer 'shalls,' four-year sunsets on non-statutory rules. What contractors actually gain — and what stays the same.
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Awards
SDVOSB firms: cert backlog cleared, federal goal raised to 5%, $31B target
The 12-day VetCert turnaround and the FY24 NDAA's increased SDVOSB spending goal create the strongest tailwind for veteran-owned small businesses in years. Self-certification is dead; certified firms own the upside.
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