The strategy aims to sharpen the focus, collaboration, and integration of legacy departmental efforts while providing strategic guidance for new initiatives to realize its vision for a cyber secure DIB (Defense Industrial Base).

The strategy has 4 goals:
1) strengthen the DoD governance structure for DIB cybersecurity
2) enhance the cybersecurity posture of the DIB
3) preserve the resiliency of critical DIB capabilities in a cyber-contested environment
4) improve cybersecurity collaboration with the DIB.

Read More Here
Read the Full Report

DoD Mentor-Protégé Program is Permanent

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that permanently authorizes and modifies the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program. Effective as of March 26, 2024. 


Read More Here

The U.S. Department of Labor announced its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will begin accepting online submissions on April 1 from covered contractors to certify they have developed and maintained affirmative action programs for each establishment or functional unit.

Affirmative action requirements ensure that applicants and employees of federal contractors have equal employment opportunity without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

More Than $16 Million Now Available to Advance Innovation in Clean Hydrogen

Supports Research, Development, and Demonstration Projects and Helps Leverage Federal Funding Opportunities

Governor Hochul announced more than $16 million is now available to advance innovation in clean hydrogen through the Hydrogen and Clean Fuel Program. This funding will support research, development, and demonstration projects and also help leverage federal hydrogen funding opportunities, promoting the use of clean hydrogen in industrial processes, clean transportation, energy storage and for grid support. Today's announcement supports the State’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to transition to 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040.

Read More Here

As part of the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, FuzeHub’s Manufacturing Grants are designed to encourage collaboration between not-for-profit organizations and small to medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York State. The partnership created with the not-for-profit organization serves as a pathway to technology transfer, adoption and implementation of new manufacturing processes, as well as the creation of enhanced products and services, and help manufacturing companies achieve success from early stage, proof of concept through maturity.

Program Goals
To identify innovative projects that support the collaboration of not-for-profit organizations and New York State small to medium-sized manufacturers, leading to the creation of valuable economic impacts in our communities, and the growth of New York’s manufacturing sector.

Available Funding
Individual grants will not exceed $65,000. The number of awards made may vary by funding round depending on other uses of the Fund and the quality of applications received. FuzeHub maintains the right to award less than is being requested.

Applications Open April 15th 

Read More Here

Entrepreneurial Funding

Springboard: $600,000 in prizes to help grow the local entrepreneurial landscape

Springboard is a new competition that awards cash prizes to organizations that help grow the entrepreneurial landscape in Buffalo-Niagara, the Rochester region, and the southern tier.

• Multiple winners up to $25,000
• Three rounds, dozens of winners
• Open to nearly any organization

Springboard is one of the most flexible funding programs in the region, open to local businesses, non-profits, schools, and other organizations that support entrepreneurship and small businesses. 

Read More Here
Apply now

• 101 Sessions (Industry) Registration: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/aesEvJx5Z5
• Government Event Pre-Registration: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/0u1dCDFXUZ
• Email Support: DoDSBIRExpoHotline@groups.af.mil

Avoiding Kickbacks in Federal Contracting

When government contractors hear the word “kickback,” they may think of a suitcase of cash given to a contracting officer or another federal employee in exchange for favorable treatment. While this type of interaction can constitute illegal bribery or gratuities, the FAR defines an impermissible kickback differently. Kickback violations can carry severe legal consequences, so it is essential that federal prime contractors and subcontractors understand and comply with the rules.

In this article, we will take a brief, “big picture” look at the FAR’s kickback rules. However, this article is just a starting point; contractors should review the rules themselves and consult with a qualified attorney or other expert regarding any compliance measures they may wish to adopt.

What is a “kickback”?

FAR 52.203-7 (Anti-Kickback Procedures) defines a “kickback” as:

“any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value, or compensation of any kind which is provided to any prime Contractor, prime Contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or in connection with a subcontract relating to a prime contract.”

Notably, a kickback does not refer to an improper interaction between the prime contractor and a government employee. Instead, a kickback involves an improper interaction between people or entities lower on the contracting chain, such as an interaction between a prime contractor or subcontractor.

It is also important to be aware that a kickback need not be cash but can be another “thing of value.” For example, if a prospective subcontractor offers Super Bowl tickets to a prime contractor’s CEO in exchange for the CEO selecting the subcontractor to work on a federal project, this arrangement would constitute a kickback.

Procedures to Prevent and Detect Kickbacks

FAR 52.203-7 states that a prime contractor “shall have in place and follow reasonable procedures designed to prevent and detect possible [kickback] violations . . . in its own operations and direct business relationships.” Accordingly, a contractor subject to FAR 52.203-7 must adopt anti-kickback procedures.

Additionally, according to the FAR, the contractor must “promptly report in writing” if the contractor has “reasonable grounds” to believe that a kickback violation has occurred. The contractor also must “cooperate fully with any Federal agency investigating a possible violation.”

As always, before adopting new policies or procedures, a contractor should consult with a qualified attorney or other expert.

House Committee Unanimously Approves 8(a) Asset Bill

The House Committee on Small Business has unanimously approved H.R. 6591, the “Encouraging Success Act.” The bill recently passed the full House and is now in front of the Senate. If adopted, the Encouraging Success Act would require the SBA to revisit the 8(a) Program’s economic eligibility thresholds at least every four years and make any necessary inflation-related adjustments to keep the program open to more applicants. The Committee’s support of the bill is a signal that the 8(a) Program still enjoys strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill following some turmoil in 2023 caused by a federal court decision. Read more about the Encouraging Success Act here. 

If you want to learn more about 8(a) Program certification and how it could benefit your business or are ready to proceed with an 8(a) Program application, your APEX Accelerator can help! Contact your APEX Accelerator counselor to arrange a meeting.

Missouri-Based Defense Contractor Admits Fraud
A defense contractor based in Missouri has admitted to “illegally obtaining parts for the military overseas, undercutting domestic suppliers.” The contractor was awarded several DoD contracts containing domestic sourcing requirements but “actually provided parts from China and other foreign countries.” The contractor now faces penalties of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. This case is a good reminder of the importance of abiding by domestic sourcing requirements in government procurements. Read more about this case here.

This section highlights items of special interest and importance to the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (DOD OSBP). Please take a moment to visit the sites listed below for additional information. We also suggest that you read the latest edition of the DOD’s Small Business Digest (log into LinkedIn to access this resource) if you want to do business with the DOD.

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)/Cybersecurity Compliance Resources
DOD CMMC Resource Page – Resources to assist government contractors with understanding and complying with CMMC/cybersecurity requirements.
Project Spectrum – Project Spectrum is working with APEX Accelerators to assist small businesses in achieving compliance with CMMC/cybersecurity requirements. 

Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence (FOCI) Resources
FOCI Frequently Asked Questions -- FOCI is a status or situation in which a contractor with access to classified information has some foreign investment or association with foreign interest. Learn more about the federal government’s requirements relating to FOCI. 
https://business.defense.gov/ – The official website of DOD OSBP. It contains additional information, news, events, and other items for those interested in doing business (or currently engaged) with the DOD.