SBA Consolidates Mentor-Protege Programs and Changes Other Important Small Business Rules

Rogers Joseph O'Donnell – On October 16, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published a Final Rule that consolidates its mentor-protégé programs and makes various other important rule changes that will impact small business government contractors.  The changes are also important for larger businesses considering the competitive benefits of teaming with small businesses to win federal contracts.  The Final Rule includes changes to the regulations that govern a variety of issues including mentor-protégé joint ventures, affiliation between joint venture partners, the timing of size and socioeconomic status recertification for task and delivery orders, the 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program’s “once an 8(a), always an 8(a)” rule, and more.  This article summarizes the key elements of the Final Rule that contractors need to know.