SBA Seeks Specific Industry Feedback on Proposed Small-Business Size Standards

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is asking contractors and other stakeholders to provide feedback on proposed changes to the methodology used to determine small-business size standards. The agency first outlined its plans in August, including both a revised approach to setting standards and how it would apply that approach when rewriting them. The comment period closes November 20, 2026, giving businesses a limited window to put recommendations on the record. SBA associate administrator Ryan Lambert reiterated that deadline in remarks at the 2026 Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards on November 5.

The proposals matter across the federal contracting market because size standards help determine whether a company qualifies as a small business for particular opportunities. Changes could affect a contractor’s eligibility for small-business procurements, as well as the composition and structure of teams that include small-business partners. A company that gains or loses small-business status under revised standards may need to reassess its pursuit pipeline, teaming relationships, and role on future bids. Large contractors that rely on small businesses as partners also have a stake in the outcome.

SBA said it had received approximately 1,200 comments on the two proposed rules by mid-October. The volume indicates substantial industry engagement, while the reported responses show disagreement about the proposals’ potential effects. Lambert urged commenters to provide specific, usable recommendations rather than general reactions: “We want real, specific comments. If you like part of it, tell us. If you don’t like a part of it, tell us what you might need.” For contractors, that is a prompt to connect feedback to practical business impacts and explain which provisions create concerns or would better reflect their circumstances.

The procurement implication is immediate but not yet a change in eligibility: the source describes proposed revisions and an open comment period, not final standards or an implementation date. Contractors should review the proposals, identify how possible revisions could affect their size status and current or planned teaming arrangements, and submit evidence-based comments before the deadline. Small businesses may want to assess their own qualification outlook, while primes and other teaming partners can evaluate whether changes could affect the availability or status of firms they expect to team with. The awards remarks also included recognition of industry leaders and contractors, but those honors do not alter the SBA rulemaking process.

• Comment deadline: Submit recommendations to the SBA by November 20, 2026; the deadline was emphasized by Ryan Lambert at the November 5 awards event.
• Proposed scope: SBA is revising its methodology for determining size standards and describing how it will apply that methodology in rewriting standards.
• Industry participation: The agency had received approximately 1,200 comments on both proposed rules by mid-October.
• Potential eligibility impact: Revised standards could affect which businesses qualify as small for relevant federal contracting opportunities.
• Teaming considerations: Small businesses and larger firms that depend on them should assess potential effects on partner status, bid eligibility, and team composition.
• Comment quality: SBA is seeking specific recommendations that explain what commenters support, oppose, and what adjustments they need.
• Action for contractors: Compare the proposals with current company status and planned pursuits, then document concrete operational or competitive effects in any comment.
• Rulemaking status: The source reports proposals and an open comment period; it does not report finalized standards or a date when revised standards would take effect.
• Related event context: The remarks were delivered at the 2026 Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards, co-hosted by the Northern Virginia Chamber and George Mason University’s Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting.