For many government contractors, their primary goals is to maximize award opportunities. In today’s environment, where an increasing number of contracts are set-aside for small businesses, that means understanding how to leverage small business eligibility to maximize contract opportunities. But how can a contractor tell what programs it may be eligible for and – more importantly – what common pitfalls could be putting its eligibility in danger?  In this webinar, Obermayer’s experienced government contracting attorneys will answer those very questions.  

First, we will explain what “small” means in the federal government contracting context, and how to determine if you are a “small” business for purposes of a particular procurement.  Next, attendees will learn about the federal government’s 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO SBC/VOSB/SDVOSB, and WOSB/EDWOSB small business programs, and the eligibility requirements of each.  This will include a discussion of what “social disadvantage” and “economic disadvantage” really mean.   

We will then move on to discuss common pitfalls relating to ownership, control, and affiliation, outlining the most common mistakes contractors make, and how to avoid them.  Specific types of affiliation will be explained, and potentially problematic practices and provisions will be explored.  We will also discuss recent legal developments, including the revision of the VOSB/SDVOSB eligibility regulations.