FEDCON Official Blog

The New Federal AI Rules and What They Mean for Your Contracts

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The Department of War just blacklisted one of the world's leading AI companies, signed deals with two others, and launched a platform giving 3 million military personnel access to AI tools — all in the span of a few weeks. If you are a small business owner working in government contracting, or thinking about getting into it, this matters to you. AI is no longer a buzzword floating around federal agencies. It is a regulated capability with real rules, real deadlines, and real consequences for contractors who are not paying attention. Whether you are building AI tools or simply using them in your day-to-day operations, the federal government now has specific expectations for how AI fits into the contracting process — and yourcybersecurity and compliance readinessis part of that picture.

Golden Dome America - Contracts for Small Businesses

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

When the federal government commits $151 billion to a single defense initiative, every business owner in the contracting space should be paying attention. The Golden Dome for America program is not just a headline — it is one of the largest contract opportunities in modern history, and small businesses have a real path to the table. Whether you are already working with the Department of War or just beginning to exploregovernment contracting consulting, this is a program worth understanding right now.

8(a) Program: 5 Alternative Paths to Government Contracts

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:55:09 GMT

This is Part 4 of our 4-part series on the 8(a) program in 2026. Part 1: What Happened | Part 2: Who's Affected | Part 3: What to Do

SBA 8(a) Program Changes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Help

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:54:41 GMT

The SBA overhauled the 8(a) Business Development Program in early 2026 — eliminating race-based presumptions, suspending over 1,000 firms, issuing 154 termination notices, and dropping new admissions by 97%. We covered the full timeline in Part 1 and broke down who's affected in Part 2. But whether you've been following along or this is your first stop, the question is the same: what should you actually do about it?

SBA 8(a) Program Changes — What to Do Now

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:54:21 GMT

In Part 1 of our 4-part series, we broke down everything that changed in the 8(a) program in just six weeks — race-based presumptions eliminated, 1,091 firms suspended, 154 facing termination, and new admissions down 97%. Now the question I keep hearing from business owners: what does this actually mean for me?"

The 8(a) Program Changes - What is Happening

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:53:16 GMT

I've been tracking government contracting certifications long enough to know that change usually comes slowly in this world. A new rule here. An updated threshold there. Steady, incremental, predictable. Not this time. Between January 22 and February 11, 2026, the SBA issued three major announcements that collectively rewrote the rules for the 8(a) Business Development Program — the federal government's flagship certification for socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners. More than 4,300 participating firms were affected. Thousands of prospective applicants saw the path forward narrow dramatically. And the ripple effects are still unfolding. This is Part 1 of a 4-part series breaking down what happened, what it means, and what to do about it. We're starting with the full timeline — dates, numbers, and sources — so you have the facts before we dig into the impact.

Managing Risk During a Government Shutdown

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:44:59 GMT

If you've been following the news lately, "government shutdown" has been everywhere—trending on Google, dominating headlines, and filling social media feeds. For most Americans, a shutdown means closed national parks and delayed passport processing. But if you hold a federal contract—or you're considering entering the government marketplace—a shutdown means something very different.

What are Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contracts?

rachel.phillips@federalgovernment.info (Rachel Phillips) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:30:00 GMT

An Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is one of the most common procurement vehicles in federal contracting—and for good reason. It gives government agencies the flexibility they need while providing contractors with long-term revenue opportunities.

How to Increase Task Order Win Rates Across Multiple Contract Vehicles

noah.king@federalgovernment.info (Noah King) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 02:50:46 GMT

For many federal contractors, winning a place on a major IDIQ, GWAC, or BPA feels like the destination. In reality, it is only the starting point. The real competition begins at the task order level, where speed, focus, and execution determine whether your vehicles become engines of growth or simply marketing lines on your website. Many companies underperform across their vehicles not because they lack capability, but because they do not manage task order pursuits with the same discipline they applied to the original vehicle win.

How Incumbents Are Losing — and How to Protect Your Position

noah.king@federalgovernment.info (Noah King) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 02:30:31 GMT

For many years, incumbency in federal contracting felt like a safety net. If you were performing reasonably well, it was easy to assume that your recompete was yours to lose. That assumption is no longer safe. Budget pressure, the legacy of lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) buying, evolving evaluation methods, small business and socioeconomic set-asides, and a steady flow of new, digitally savvy entrants have all changed the landscape. Agencies are under pressure to demonstrate competition, innovation, and value. As a result, incumbents are losing work they once considered secure.