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When Size Matters, SBA Has Final Say

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 05.18.10

In DynaLantic Corp., GAO denied a protest based on an allegation that the awardee in a small business set-aside procurement proposed a flight training device simulator that did not comply with the nonmanufacturer rule because the awardee procured the simulators from another country. GAO explained that the protester had concurrently filed a size protest with SBA, which determined that the awardee did comply with the nonmanufacturer rule because it transformed the simulators from a COTS product to a specific product solicited, and that SBA's decision was binding on GAO because SBA has "conclusive authority" to determine the size status of offerors.

Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 09.15.26

GAO Indicates Reasonable Conflict of Interest Investigation Must Include Inquiry of Involved Firm

The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recent decision in Viderity Inc.—Costs, B-424422.5, Sept. 1, 2026, offers useful insight into what constitutes a legally sufficient conflict of interest investigation. The decision arose in an unusual procedural posture: Viderity initially protested, alleging that an agency evaluator had a personal conflict of interest. After the agency took corrective action, Viderity filed a cost entitlement claim requesting that GAO direct the agency to reimburse Viderity’s protest costs. In evaluating that claim, GAO assessed whether Viderity’s underlying protest ground was “clearly meritorious.”...