In recent years there has been an increased focus on the federal small business programs, and a corresponding increase in the amount of federal contracts set-aside for small, and specific types of small, businesses. In this environment, eligibility for the 8(a), HUBZone, women-owned (WOSB/EDWOSB) and veteran-owned (VOSB/SDVOSB) programs has become critical. But did you know that under the regulations, contractors sometimes have the right to officially question an award on the basis that the awardee is not, in fact, eligible under the applicable small business regulations? These challenges can cost a contractor not only a current award, but their eligibility as a whole. In this webinar, attendees how to guard against the most common small-business pitfalls that could lead to a competitor’s successful size and status protest against you. They also learn how to use these protests as an affirmative tool to eliminate competitors who are not legitimate small businesses. Experienced government contracts attorney Maria Panichelli discusses the most common bases for size and status protests – including affiliation and control-related issues – as well as the procedures, timelines and litigation strategies relating to size and status protests for various types of small business concerns.
7.25.2024