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SBA Launches $9 Million Supply Chain Grant Program for Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched the Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) grant program, making $9 million in federal funding available to strengthen small business supply chain infrastructure. Key Details of the SCALE Grant Program The SCALE initiative awards up to 20 competitive grants valued at up to $500,000 each over…
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Pentagon Suspends CMMC Phase II Cybersecurity Rules for Small Contractors
The Department of War has announced an immediate suspension of Phase II implementation for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, pausing mandatory third-party audits that were set to begin on November 10, 2026. Key Elements of the Suspension Announcement Following extensive consultation with the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy, defense procurement officials…
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Federal Contractors Have Until July 23 to Comment on the First FAR Overhaul Proposed Rules.
The federal procurement rulebook is moving through a major rewrite, and the first comment deadline is close. On June 23, 2026, the FAR Council published proposed rules covering multiple parts of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Comments on those proposals are due July 23, 2026. That’s not a lot of time for small contractors to read,…
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SBA Says Small Businesses Won Nearly 28 Percent of Federal Prime Contract Dollars in FY25.
SBA’s FY25 contracting scorecard gives small businesses a useful signal: federal agencies are still buying from small firms at scale, but the market is getting more selective. According to SBA, small businesses received nearly 28 percent of federal prime contract dollars in fiscal year 2025, above the 23 percent governmentwide statutory goal. SBA put the…
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SBA Says 7(a) and 504 Financing Can Now Combine Up to $10 Million. Here Is What That Does, and Does Not, Mean.
SBA announced a financing change that matters for businesses planning a serious expansion. Beginning July 4, 2026, eligible borrowers can combine SBA 7(a) and 504 financing for up to $10 million in SBA-backed capital. That is double the prior cumulative limit SBA highlighted in its May 18 announcement. It is also one of the more…
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China Trade Talks May Help Exporters, but Importers Still Need Written Tariff Details.
The China trade headlines from last week are worth watching, but they are not a reason for importers to change landed-cost assumptions yet. After President Trump’s China visit, the White House and USTR described new trade channels, agricultural purchase commitments, movement on non-tariff barriers, and attention to rare earth and critical mineral supply issues. Those…
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BOI Reporting in 2026: Why Foreign-Owned Businesses Still Need to File
FinCEN exempted domestic companies from BOI reporting, but foreign-owned entities registered in the U.S. must still file. Here is who is affected and what the penalties look like.
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Independent Contractor or Employee? The DOL’s New Classification Proposal and What It Means for Your Business
The DOL has proposed new independent contractor classification rules. Here is how to evaluate your workforce arrangements and protect your business from misclassification risk.
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SBA Just Had Its Best Lending Year Since 1991. Here Is How to Get Your Share.
The SBA deployed a record $44.8 billion in FY2025. Here is how the 7(a) and 504 programs work, what changed in underwriting, and how to prepare your application.
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OSHA’s Proposed Heat Safety Standard: What Employers Need to Prepare For
OSHA’s proposed heat safety standard will create new employer obligations for outdoor and indoor heat-exposed workers. Here is what to expect and how to prepare before the final rule.
