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- February 28, 2023 -

UPCOMING EVENTS

3/1/23

Acquisition Hour: Service Contracts with Federal Agencies

Webinar

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3/8/23

Acquisition Hour: ESRS Individual Subcontractor Reporting (ISR) Basics – Virtual

Webinar

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3/9/23

DOD Supply Chain: Cyber Workshop – Fond du Lac

In-Person

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3/10/23

Cyber Friday: Preparing for a Cyber Incident – Virtual

Webinar

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NEWS & UPDATES

STOPfakes.gov


STOPfakes.gov is a one-stop shop for U.S. government tools and resources on intellectual property rights (IPR). The federal agencies behind STOPfakes.gov have developed a number of resources to educate and assist businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as consumers, government officials, and the general public. 

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GSA launches AI Challenge to drive better healthcare outcomes


Yesterday, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) launched the Applied AI Healthcare Challenge, a prize competition seeking diverse and practical solutions to help federal agencies provide the highest level of medical care.


This challenge focuses on improving healthcare outcomes in these areas:

  • Mental Health: AI technologies applied to mental health data to identify potential treatments.
  • Addiction and the Opioid Epidemic: AI technologies to help public service agencies identify trends to detect and intervene earlier.
  • Equity: AI to improve outcomes for populations disproportionately impacted by illness or disease.
  • Supply Chain and Safety: AI to improve access to and safety of medications and supplies.
  • Cancer: Research-based AI detection models to help detect cancers earlier and improve outcomes.


The Centers of Excellence (CoE) is working in partnership with Challenge.gov, both housed within GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS), a part of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service, to invite teams with new and existing AI technologies to participate in this competition as part of the Year of Open Science.

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New Proposed Guidance to Boost American-Made Goods in Federal Infrastructure Projects


Yesterday, in his State of the Union speech, President Biden spoke to the success of the made in America agenda and its critical role in supporting growth in new industries and spurring more manufacturing in the United States. Delivering on the President’s words, today the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released proposed guidance to boost the use of American-made goods in infrastructure projects. As part of the Biden Administration’s efforts to ensure a future made in America, OMB is proposing new standards to determine if construction materials for federally funded infrastructure projects are made in the USA—supporting American businesses and workers.


A little over a year ago, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure that created a historic opportunity to invest in American industry and workers by strengthening Made in America standards. The law, which includes the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), significantly expanded these standards to require that federally funded infrastructure projects use American-made iron, steel, construction materials, and manufactured products. That means taxpayer dollars funding our country’s infrastructure projects are invested back in American jobs and American manufacturing. Since then, the Biden-Harris Administration has made significant progress rebuilding our roads and bridges, making public transportation accessible, investing in clean water infrastructure, upgrading power grids to transmit clean energy, and more. At the same time, companies are investing in America again, building out their manufacturing footprints, and creating good-paying jobs—including 750,000 manufacturing jobs since the President took office.

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Small Business Size Standards: Manufacturing and Industries With Employee-Based Size Standards in Other Sectors Except Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade


The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or the Agency) is increasing its employee-based small business size definitions (commonly referred to as “size standards”) for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sectors related to Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (Sector 21); Utilities (Sector 22); Manufacturing (Sector 31-33); Transportation and Warehousing (Sector 48-49); Information (Section 51); Finance and Insurance (Sector 52); Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Sector 54); and Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services (Sector 56). Specifically, in terms of industries defined under the NAICS 2022 revision, SBA is increasing 144 and retaining 268 employee-based size standards in those sectors. SBA is also retaining the current 500-employee size standard for Federal procurement of supplies under the nonmanufacturer rule.

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A Change in SAM.gov will Affect Access for Some Entity Administrators


All SAM.gov users have specified roles, with each type of role offering different levels of ability to interact with the system. Beginning March 3, 2023, Entity Administrator roles can only be held by employees, officers, or board members of the organization. A comprehensive role with elevated responsibilities, this change to the Entity Administrator role ensures the entity is in control of and accountable for who can update their registration in SAM.gov, while allowing entities to continue to use service providers to manage their entity registration, if they wish.


If you use an outside service to manage your registration, or if you provide registration management services to other organizations, this change to SAM.gov roles may impact you. The outside service and/or the entity may need to take action to ensure entities can manage access to their entities. Contact WPI's staff for assistance on your SAM.GOV registration at 414-270-3600 or [email protected]  

  

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Federal Acquisition Regulation: Accelerated Payments Applicable to Contracts With Certain Small Business Concerns


DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to provide for accelerated payments to small business contractors and subcontractors and a comparable statute applicable only to the Department of Defense.

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New Requirement for Registering a Contract with the Vendor Support Center


Attention MAS Contractors, 


As part of GSA’s ongoing commitment to your privacy and security, there is a new requirement for registering a contract with the Vendor Support Center (VSC). Previously, all that was needed to register was a Contract Number and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). As of February 16, 2023, you must also be an Authorized Negotiator to register a contract. Note: This requirement does not apply to VA contracts.


If you are not listed on the contract as an Authorized Negotiator or Authorized Negotiator to Sign, an administrative modification must be submitted to update the contract. If you need assistance, please contact the help desk at eoffer@gsa.govor 1-866 472-9114.

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Executive Order on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government


By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: 


Section 1Policy. On my first day in office, I signed Executive Order 13985 of January 20, 2021 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government), which charged the Federal Government with advancing equity for all, including communities that have long been underserved, and addressing systemic racism in our Nation’s policies and programs.By advancing equity, the Federal Government can support and empower all Americans, including the many communities in America that have been underserved, discriminated against, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. We can also deliver resources and benefits equitably to the people of the United States and rebuild trust in Government.

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FEATURED EVENTS

DOD Supply Chain: Cyber Workshop


Wisconsin manufacturers are facing a significant challenge in meeting cyber and security compliance requirements that are being included in their Defense, Federal and commercial contracts and subcontracts.


Join us at one of the following in person sessions to learn from a veteran of the IT Industry as he provides insights and guidance on what manufacturers can do to improve their security position in a rapidly shifting digital landscape while positioning themselves to meet both existing and upcoming supply chain requirement (such as NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, ITAR).


All session are scheduled for 10 am - Noon

Click date for more information

March 9

Envision Greater Fond Du Lac

23 S Main St Ste 101

Fond du Lac, WI 54935

March 15

Progress Lakeshore

202 N 8th St Ste 101

Manitowoc, WI 54220

March 21

Greater Oshkosh EDC

100 N Main St Ste 104

Oshkosh, WI 54901


Upcoming Webinar Series

Acquisition Hour

The Acquisition Hour webinar series is presented by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Wisconsin Chapter and the Wisconsin Procurement Institute.


Cyber Friday

For Department of Defense Contractors and Subcontractors: Join Marc Violante, WPI’s Director, Federal Market Strategies for the Cyber Friday series starting at 11:00am – a series of one-hour webinars focusing on critical topics in cyber security, data security, and CMMC.


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WPI 10437 Innovation Dr. Suite 320, Milwaukee, WI 53226 414-270-3600
Newsletter Editor: Doug Clemons, [email protected] 
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