Acquisition

Audit agency reaffirms earlier ruling against HUBZone preference

SBA and OMB contended GAO overreached its authority in ruling that HUBZone businesses should get priority over 8(a) small businesses and service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses.

Acquisition

Coalition stumps for Alaska Native set-asides as hearing looms

Native8(a)works launched its effort to tell Congress about what SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program does for the United States’ indigenous people.

People

Senate confirms Mills to head SBA

Karen Mills would help put SBA back on track to carry out its lending, technical assistance and entrepreneurship programs, a senator said.

Modernization

Federal 100 winner: James Ryan

Ryan, deputy director of the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Credit Management System Operations Center, led the design, development and deployment of an online loan application that allows people affected by a disaster to securely apply for loans.

Modernization

Federal 100 winner: Molly Wilkinson

Molly Wilkinson, SBA's chief of staff, led several projects that improved the efficiency of the agency, including the Business Development Management Information System, a system allowing small-business 8(a) online applications.

Modernization

Agencies establish stimulus-focused sites

While the Obama administration and Congress have started tackling economic issues, agency Web teams have been setting up sites that help carry out the goals of the stimulus work.

Modernization

SBA site offers Web 2.0 tools

Business.gov Community is a place where small-business owners can collaborate on questions and ideas, the SBA says.

Acquisition

Law halts regulations for woman-owned businesses

The fiscal 2009 spending law prohibits the Small Business Administration from using Bush administration regulations.

Digital Government

Budget proposes level funding for SBA

The fiscal 2010 budget would fund the Small Business Administration at $700 million, which matches the Bush administration's fiscal 2009 request.

Acquisition

Panel will review Alaska Native set-asides

The House Small Business Committee said it will examine the SBA's program after a 2008 report raised questions about possible fraud.