Small Business Size Regulations; 8(a) Business Development/Small Disadvantaged Business Status Determinations; Rules of Procedure Governing Cases before the Office of Hearings and Appeals

The Small Business Administration (SBA) amends its regulations governing proceedings before the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA). The SBA also makes conforming changes to several sections of the regulations governing the Small Business Size Determination program and the 8(a) Business Development (8(a) BD) program. This rule improves the appeals process by revising and clarifying procedures, particularly those on filing, service, and calculating deadlines that have proven to be "stumbling blocks," causing additional litigation and delays; expedites certain procedures; conforms the regulations and procedures developed by case law and prevailing practice; and makes plain language revisions.