Government Contracting Gets New Circular Memo Magic

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: 2025-16409 — Oranges and Grapefruit Grown in Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas; Increased Assessment Rate

If you grow oranges or grapefruit in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley, your fees are going up from 3 cents to 4 cents per small carton starting in 2024. This change helps support the local citrus industry and will stay in place until further notice. Get ready to pay a bit more to keep the citrus growing strong!

Next: 2025-16412 — Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds

The FAR Council is updating certain government buying rules to keep up with inflation, making sure dollar limits for contracts reflect today’s prices. This affects federal agencies and contractors by raising some spending thresholds starting in 2025, so bigger deals can happen without extra paperwork. These changes don’t touch construction wages or trade agreements but do help streamline government purchases overall.