Marketing Industry Update: OASIS+ Wins, SBA Cracks Down on Subcontracting, and Major Changes for Mentor-Protégé JVs

As we all work toward a strong finish to the fiscal year, we wanted to share some important industry updates that you might find of interest. 

OASIS+ Contract Awards

The GSA recently announced the first round of OASIS+ contract awards for HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), and Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB). In the Management & Advisory Services domain, 82 HUBZone, 234 SDVOSB, and 224 WOSB firms are slated for award. While not a perfect fit for marketing communications, this domain is most relevant for marketing communications until the Marketing and Public Relations domain is released next year. Notable marketing communications firms awarded include:

  • WOSB: Bixal Solutions, Communicate Health, LMD Agency, Partner Forces, Red Carrot

  • SDVOSB: Arrow Arc, Barbaricum, Dynamic Integrated Services

  • HUBZone: Tactis, The Bizzell Group

Formal awards are expected by September 30, with further announcements on a rolling basis. 

SBA Regulatory Fairness Hearing
We attended the National Regulatory Fairness Hearing at the SBA headquarters on the Impact of Joint Ventures on Small Business Participation in Multiple Award Contracts. There had been some concern about discussion from the SBA regarding restricting Mentor-Protégé Joint Ventures from bidding on these contracts. The vast majority of testimony at the hearing was in favor of maintaining the current rules, and since then, the SBA appears to be backing away from the proposed changes. This is great news for those of you leveraging the Mentor-Protégé Program to fuel growth through joint ventures.

SBA Subcontracting Report
Prime contractors met just 64.4% of their small business subcontracting goals in FY 2023, resulting in more than $1.5 billion in missed opportunities for small businesses. Both large and small businesses should be aware of this trend, as we expect the SBA to stay on top of it. Additionally, we’ve seen an uptick in policing by OSDBUs at various federal agencies, pushing to ensure large businesses meet their subcontracting goals. This could lead to stricter enforcement moving forward.

As always, we’ll continue to monitor these developments closely and keep you informed of any changes that may affect your business strategies.

Here’s to a strong finish to this very busy fiscal year—just six days left!  Wishing you all the best as you close out FY24!

Mike KapetanovicMarketing Communications, Professional Services