HUBZone Rezoning Updates

Source: SMALLGOVCON

In this post, learn about the remaining proposed changes. SBA’s proposed rule would change HUBZone protests appeals, principal office requirements, HUBZone map concepts, and the HUBZone price evaluation preference (PEP). HUBZone status protests, like 8(a), WOSB/EDWOSB, and VOSB/SDVOSB status protests, can only be brought by SBA, the contracting officer for the procurement, or interested parties (essentially other bidders), per 13 C.F.R. § 126.800. Currently, any offeror on a HUBZone set-aside can bring a HUBZone protest, per 13 C.F.R. § 126.103. As the regulation is written, it doesn’t specify that the offeror has to actually be eligible for the set-aside. As such, SBA wants to change it so that only HUBZone parties can be interested parties for the purposes of a protest. In other words, only other HUBZone businesses could protest another HUBZone company’s HUBZone status. The change would still allow protests by other bidders in an unrestricted procurement where the PEP would affect the award decision as well. We think this only makes sense, and really should just clarify what should have been in the regulation in the first place.

Click HERE for the full article.