On Aug. 23, SBA published updates to HubZone program, clarification.
SBA proposed to update Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program.
Aims to clarify and improve policies around comprehensive 2019 revisions to program.
Sections Amended
Measure would amend 13 CFR 121, Small business size regulations, and 13 CFR 124, 8(a) business development/small advantaged business status determinations.
Additionally, 13 CFR 127, Women-owned small business federal contract program.
Further, would amend 13 CFR 128, Veteran small business certification program; 13 CFR 134, Rules of procedure governing cases before office of hearings and appeals.
HUBZone Clarifications
Require certified HUBZone small business to be eligible as of HUBZone contract date.
Also proposes to change SBA's size and 8(a) Business Development (BD) regulations.
Made changes to the women-owned and veteran small business certification programs.
Would also delete the program specific recertification requirements contained in SBA's size, 8(a) BD, HUBZone, women-owned and veteran small business certifications.
Recertifications will be moved to new section that cover all size/status requirements.
Request for Comments
Comments on HUBZone changes will must be received on or before Oct. 7, 2024.
Sep. 2024 SBA Clarification to HubZone
On Sep. 19, 2024, SBA published clarification to the scope of the Aug. 23 proposal.
Clarifies that prospective policy change to eliminate or restrict the exclusion from affiliation for mentor-protégé joint ventures is outside the scope of the proposed rule.
SBA is also not addressing the applicability of the HUBZone price evaluation preference to the HUBZone joint ventures that are formed under the Mentor-Protégé Program.
Dec. 2024 SBA Final Rule
On Dec. 17, 2024, SBA issued final rule in the federal register, effective Jan. 16, 2025.
