Feds Ditch Small Biz Contract Overhaul, Nothing Changes

2026-09523 — Information Collection; Prospective Subcontractor Requests for Bonds

The government is asking for your thoughts on keeping a form that helps subcontractors request bonds when working on federal projects. This form helps agencies like the DoD, NASA, and GSA make sure subcontractors are reliable and financially secure. They want to extend the use of this form for three more years, so if you’re involved in federal contracts, your input matters before July 13, 2026!

2026-09525 — Information Collection; Contract Financing

The government agencies in charge of buying stuff—like the Department of Defense, NASA, and others—are asking to keep collecting info about contract payments for three more years. They want your thoughts on how this info helps them work better and how to make it easier to share. If you’re involved in government contracts, this could affect how you report payment details, with no new costs but a chance to improve the process.

2026-09527 — Information Collection; Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408)

The government wants to keep using six important preaward survey forms that help check if companies are ready to work on federal contracts. They’re asking for your thoughts on how useful these forms are and how to make them easier to fill out. Comments are open until July 13, 2026, and if all goes well, these forms will stay in use for three more years without extra costs.

2026-09526 — Information Collection; Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Using Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

The government is asking for your thoughts on keeping rules that stop contracts with companies using certain risky telecom and video gear. This affects businesses wanting to work with federal agencies like the DoD, NASA, and GSA. The current approval lasts until the end of 2026, and they want to extend it for three more years to keep things safe and clear.

2026-08940 — Information Collection; Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

Federal contractors will soon need to share info showing they’re fighting discrimination based on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Four big agencies—DoD, GSA, NASA, and OFPP—are asking for public feedback on this new info collection by July 6, 2026. This effort aims to keep workplaces fair without adding too much paperwork or cost.

2026-04913 — Federal Acquisition Regulation; Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01; Small Entity Compliance Guide

Starting March 13, 2026, small businesses working with the government will see updated dollar limits for trade agreements. These changes affect when certain international trade rules kick in, making it easier to know when they apply. If you’re a small contractor, this update helps you understand new spending thresholds and plan your bids better—no surprises, just clearer rules!

Previous: 2025-10609 — Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs

The government has decided to stop the planned changes to rules that help small businesses with innovation and tech transfer projects. This affects small businesses and agencies like DoD, GSA, and NASA, who were waiting for these updates. They’ll revisit the changes later after a big review of all acquisition rules, so no new costs or deadlines are coming right now.

Next: 2025-10611 — Federal Acquisition Regulation: Protests of Orders Under Certain Multiple-Award Contracts

The FAR Council (including OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA) decided to cancel a planned rule about protests on orders under some multiple-award contracts. This means no new protest rules will be added right now, keeping things as they are for contractors and agencies. So, if you’re involved in these contracts, no changes or extra costs are coming your way—at least for now!