The Small Business Administration intends to modify its definition of monetary-based small business size across 263 industries. In a recent notice for proposed rule published on the Federal Register, the agency said the modification would cover 259 receipts-based and four assets-based small business standards.
A proposed rule for changes in employee-based size standards will be issued at a future date
Why Change Small Business Standards?
According to SBA, by adjusting size standards, more firms will qualify as small businesses and capture set-aside contracting and financial assistance opportunities. Government procurement programs have set-aside opportunities for small businesses under SBA’s various contracting and business development programs, including Historically Underutilized Business Zones, or HUBZone; 8(a) Business Development; and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. Small businesses can also access SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, or EIDL, program, which grants a total of $223 million in funding annually.
Moreover, growing firms on the cusp of outgrowing their small business designation under the current standards will retain their small business status for longer.
For the federal government, the size modification will create a larger pool of small businesses and lower prices as a result of increased competition. With an expanded pool of small businesses, SBA also anticipates that agencies will award more small business set aside contracts.
The change will likely not incur direct costs for firms to gain or retain small business status for firms already registered in the System for Award Management, or SAM, website.
SBA is inviting industry to review and submit a comment about the proposed rule by Oct. 2.
Related Articles
Adele Merritt has stepped down as the National Institutes of Health’s chief information officer, Federal News Network reported Friday. Merritt is joining the University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security. Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Healthcare Summit on Dec. 4, and hear experts discuss the latest tech advancements, policies and more. Reserve your seat now for this GovCon networking event! With Merritt’s departure, Jon Henke, the acting deputy director and deputy CIO at NIH, now serves as the agency’s acting CIO. Henke is also the National Human Genome Research Institute’s CIO. Who Is Adele Merritt? Merritt
Manish Amin has assumed the responsibilities of deputy chief information officer for data, security and technology at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The official confirmed his new role in a LinkedIn post Monday. As deputy CIO, he will lead the agency’s data, security and technology division. He will also work with agency leadership to develop and implement data and technology strategy and best practices and drive continuous process improvements to enhance organizational efficiency and security. Who Is Manish Amin? Amin is a longtime DSCA official with 15 years of service to the government. He joined the agency as enterprise data
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is providing advanced geospatial intelligence support to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense to enhance border security. Gather valuable insights and learn about the significant role of intelligence in protecting our nation from the top intelligence community leaders at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Intel Summit on Oct. 2 . Strengthening Border Security NGA said Monday that GEOINT enhances the DOD and DHS’s ability to anticipate, detect, and respond to threats along the U.S. borders. This is reportedly crucial in addressing illicit activity along the borders, where drugs, weapons, other illegal items and even