Professional Services

The FAR Council's proposed rule changes aim to simplify procurement and enhance small business participation. Open for public comment until July 23, 2026, these updates seek to improve supplier resilience and reduce regulatory burdens.

The Office of Personnel Management has clarified veterans' preference policies, impacting hiring practices across federal agencies. This update is essential for HR professionals and contractors to ensure compliance and enhance veteran employment opportunities in federal roles.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States has expanded its Make More in America Initiative, offering up to 90% guarantees on equipment loans and leases. This move is designed to enhance access to capital for small and medium-sized manufacturers, which could significantly impact procurement strategies and contract opportunities in the manufacturing sector.

The federal workforce is projected to shrink by 10-12% during 2025-2026, creating significant challenges for federal contracting. With limited hiring opportunities, contractors may struggle to staff projects effectively, impacting federal service delivery.

Vermont's retirement program, Vermont Saves, has grown to over **$8.02 million** in assets through expanded access for small businesses. More than **1,700 employers** have enrolled, allowing over **6,000 employees** to establish retirement accounts, thereby fostering increased participation in retirement savings.

The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission has issued a guidance letter detailing conflict of interest concerns for municipal officials. This reinforces the need for compliance among those involved in local policy decisions, particularly affecting their financial interests.

The ACL announces up to $3 million in funding for enhancing kinship caregiver services over three years. This opportunity will enable organizations focused on caregiver support to bolster resources and training, addressing the needs of grandfamilies nationwide.

The Oregon Judicial Department has appointed Judge Debra K. Vogt as its first Ombudsman, starting August 1, 2026. This initiative follows House Bill 2712 (2025) and aims to enhance public engagement and judicial effectiveness, creating new procurement opportunities in judicial support services.

In FY 2025, federal agencies awarded **$179 billion** in prime contracts to small businesses, surpassing the **23%** target. Despite a decrease from **$183.5 billion** in 2024, there’s a growing emphasis on compliance and integrity in small business programs as the **SBA** enhances audits and oversight.

Thorough due diligence is crucial when acquiring government services businesses to assess revenue reliability. Key factors include contract timelines and recompete histories, which inform procurement strategies and risk management for contractors.

Budgyt introduces a cost-effective budgeting solution for nonprofits, allowing quick procurement without formal RFPs. This software meets a crucial need for efficient financial planning in the nonprofit sector, minimizing administrative delays.

Contractors face new compliance requirements for the Trade Agreements Act and Buy American Act in 2026, emphasizing the need for updated registrations and adherence to federal guidelines. Non-compliance could lead to bid disqualification, affecting contractor eligibility and competitive positioning in federal markets.

The New Mexico Economic Development Department has awarded over **$375,000** to five business incubators to enhance entrepreneurship through certification. This funding promotes job creation and small business growth, presenting opportunities for procurement in specialized support services for economic development initiatives.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce is inviting applications for the Regional Workforce Impact Program, open through June 30, 2026. With nearly **$1 million** in grant funding available, this initiative targets local workforce challenges and requires a **25% funding match** from applicants, presenting opportunities for strategic partnerships and innovative solutions.

The Australian federal government is introducing new procurement laws favoring union-supported enterprises in contracting. Experts warn this may create corruption risks and limit access for non-union businesses, shifting competitive dynamics in the government procurement landscape.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is set to host a National Small Business Matchmaking Series on July 23, 2026, in Milwaukee. This event will enhance small business engagement in federal contracting, creating vital connections between small vendors and procurement officials.

A confidential investigation into elder abuse oversight in Pennsylvania raises red flags for state procurement. As a result, the potential for upcoming contracts related to elder care compliance and oversight services is on the horizon.

LRTS Solutions has secured a 20-year GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract, enhancing federal access to essential scientific and mission support services. This joint venture will allow agencies like the DOE and DHS to expedite procurement while promoting small and women-owned business participation through collaborative efforts.

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) has implemented updated regulations effective June 23, 2026, aimed at modernizing their operations. These changes, including a new online case portal, will influence technology and service contracts for entities interacting with MCAD, emphasizing the importance of compliance with updated requirements.

Federal agencies are terminating contracts for non-performance, impacting contractors’ future opportunities. This emphasizes the importance of reliability in supply chains and the potential repercussions for subcontractors and primes alike.

Scammers are increasingly posing as legitimate suppliers, targeting procurement departments to exploit payment systems. This trend raises concerns over regulatory compliance and operational integrity across government contracts, urging agencies to enhance verification processes and staff training.

A federal court mandates three Cowbell-operated sports bars to pay over $51,000 due to wage violations. This action highlights increased scrutiny from the Department of Labor, emphasizing the need for compliance in procurement practices across the hospitality sector in Maine.

Multiple federal agencies have reclassified GS-11 and GS-12 employees to non-bargaining status under personnel code 8888. This decision is driven by national security concerns and may impact contractor interactions and workforce management within federal procurement processes.

The Senate is probing over $22 million in contracts awarded to Event Strategies Inc. for the 250th anniversary events. This scrutiny reflects growing congressional concerns regarding contracting transparency and competition amidst politically sensitive procurements.

Federal employees and contractors are reporting issues with missing paychecks and absent Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) on the MyPay system. Agencies recommend immediate verification of timecard certification and banking details to resolve these discrepancies which could affect contractor satisfaction and operational continuity.

The Small Business Administration has failed to implement 14 of 17 vital GAO recommendations on cybersecurity and fraud prevention. This negligence raises serious concerns over the management of billions in federal funds, potentially leading to increased oversight and scrutiny from Congress.

The increasing reliance on contractors for security at major events stresses the need for seamless cooperation between government and private sectors. This signals new procurement opportunities and challenges in ensuring accountability and coordination during critical situations.

Sirion presented its innovative contract intelligence solutions at the SCPC 2026, focusing on improving contract lifecycle visibility and supply chain effectiveness. This move signals a growing trend of utilizing technology to enhance procurement processes and seek operational resilience, which is critical for government contractors and enterprise clients alike.

The **Department of Government Efficiency** caucus successfully navigated Congress to secure over **$1.1 billion** in earmarked funding for fiscal year 2026. This earmark funding is pivotal for local projects but may complicate agency budget management as they reconcile earmark influences with efficiency initiatives.

The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee has moved forward with House Bill 2344, aimed at protecting victims of coerced debt, especially in domestic violence situations. This new legislative measure will impose compliance changes for financial entities, compelling them to cease collection efforts on specific debts and attribute financial liability to the perpetrators instead.

The OMB's proposal to overhaul federal grantmaking could reshape how agencies manage and award funds. Starting October 1, 2026, stricter regulations will centralize granting authority and increase compliance burdens for contractors in scientific and infrastructure sectors.

The UK Government has introduced procurement guidance effective April 2027, emphasizing national security and economic resilience. Key mandates include public interest tests for contracts over £1 million and a shift towards insourcing strategies in departments spending over £100 million annually, impacting how firms engage with government contracts.

The GSA has reorganized its FAS into six offices focused on improving procurement efficacy, particularly in AI. This restructuring also empowers contracting officers by streamlining processes and enhancing their authority, which could expedite procurement timelines significantly.

The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council is revising the first 17 parts of the FAR to modernize federal procurement. With public comments accepted until mid-July 2026, these proposed updates will have substantial implications for federal agencies and contractors, affecting compliance, contract management, and procurement cycles.

The Australian federal government proposes amendments to the Fair Work Act favoring union-endorsed suppliers. This could disrupt procurement competition, disadvantaging SMEs lacking such agreements and raising costs.

The OPM has outlined key details regarding part-time employment under FERS and its implications on retirement benefits. This guidance is crucial for federal contractors and agencies in managing retirement planning and compliance, especially in workforce transitions.

The **Office of Personnel Management** explains that Houston's higher federal locality pay than Seattle results from metropolitan employment data. This clarification is crucial for federal contractors to align budgeting and compensation strategies with local labor market conditions.

Federal employees transitioning to state roles face complex pension conversion options. Variances in state pension systems can complicate career moves and impact retention rates, especially for agencies managing workforce mobility. Understanding these nuances is vital for effective planning and support services.

The SBA and GSA's crackdown on falsely labeled products aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and compliance. Procurement professionals must be vigilant in verifying product origins to ensure eligibility for federal contracts.

A Mississippi federal judge disqualified four attorneys after finding AI-generated filings with fake citations. This ruling raises compliance concerns for contractors supporting federal legal services, urging them to ensure AI tools are rigorously verified to avoid similar sanctions.

Federal agencies have detailed distinct hiring pathways for disabled veterans, including Schedule A and the 30% Disabled Veteran Authority. Understanding these paths is crucial for procurement professionals as it maximizes recruitment strategies while supporting federal diversity goals and including protections for disabled veterans.

The **Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerator Program** has awarded a **$300,000** grant to **United Tool & Machine Corporation** to expand its manufacturing capabilities. This investment reflects the state’s commitment to strengthening its advanced manufacturing sector, which in turn, creates opportunities for procurement in related fields.

The 2026 National Urban League Conference will occur from July 29 - August 1 in Nashville, TN, emphasizing diversity and economic empowerment. Government contractors can leverage this opportunity to connect with minority-owned businesses and refine their strategies for upcoming DEI procurement initiatives.

The Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerator Program has awarded a **$300,000** grant to **United Tool & Machine Corporation**. This funding aims to facilitate manufacturing modernization, reflecting **state-level** commitment to advance local manufacturing capabilities, promoting opportunities for contractors in the sector.

The Department of Health and Human Services is reviewing reasonable accommodations for employee cubicles, stirring administrative challenges. This process signals potential shifts in workspace needs, prompting procurement managers to adjust their strategies.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has appointed Theresa Wilson as the new State Ethics Commissioner. This appointment is poised to elevate ethical governance and compliance standards across state contracting processes, potentially affecting vendor relationships and procurement practices.

The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) proposed non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for federal employees may have significant implications for employee reporting of misconduct. The proposal has been criticized for potentially jeopardizing existing whistleblower protections, prompting OPM to provide clarification to Congress by June 24, 2026.

The New Jersey Senate approved bipartisan legislation, S-4219, aimed at increasing educational standards for real estate professionals. This mandates ongoing education to align licensees with industry advancements, creating potential advantages for contractors and training providers in the procurement space.

Texas was awarded its 13th Gold Shovel Award for attracting $9 billion in capital investments and over 9,700 new jobs in 2025. This recognition highlights the state's successful economic climate and the potential for increased procurement opportunities in various sectors, particularly infrastructure and manufacturing.

Massachusetts has obtained federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the SBA for businesses impacted by the February 2026 blizzard. These loans, available up to **$2 million**, offer vital support for recovery efforts, enabling cash flow restoration and operational continuity for affected organizations.