Office of Advocacy
The independent voice for small businesses and entities.
Victor Ponce, A Leader on and off the Battlefield: The Office of Advocacy’s Role in Supporting Small Businesses
by Region 7 Advocate, Darcella Craven Victor Ponce joined the U.S. Army in El Paso, Texas, in 1990. He worked as a Patriot Missile Operator/Maintainer and retired as a First Sergeant after 25 years of service. Ponce’s military career was marked by leadership roles within the United States Army Recruiting Command, where he mentored countless […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: November 14, 2024, 2:00 pm
CPSC Extends the Comment Period for Proposed Rule to Establish Safety Standards for Water Bead Toys and Toys Containing Water Beads
On September 9, 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a proposed rule to establish a safety standard for water bead toys and toys containing water beads. The comment period for the proposed rule is extended to December 8, 2024. To address the risk of injury and death associated with children ingesting water […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: November 13, 2024, 5:01 pm
Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture Orders a Referendum for Almonds Grown in California
On November 8, 2024, the Agricultural Marketing Service published a referendum order (“order”) for eligible almond growers to determine whether growers favor continuance of the marketing order that regulates the handling of almonds in California. The referendum will be conducted from December 4 – 20, 2024. Only current growers who have grown almonds in […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: November 13, 2024, 4:15 pm
EPA’s Final Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels
On November 12, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule addressing health concerns for children with high blood lead levels. The final rule would lower the dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS) from 10 micrograms per square foot (µg/ft2) and 100 µg/ft2 for floors and windowsills to require testing by an EPA-accredited to […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: November 13, 2024, 3:57 pm
Advocacy Attends MINExpo 2024
by Emily Jones, Assistant Chief Counsel for Environment and Chemicals During the week of September 23, 2024, the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) Assistant Chief Counsels Emily Jones, Shanerika Flemings, and Bruce Lundegren attended and participated in the National Mining Association’s MINExpo International in Las Vegas. MINExpo is held every three years and brings professionals, experts, […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: November 12, 2024, 5:00 pm
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Invites Interested Persons to Join Its Final Leadership Call of 2024
On November 5, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publicized its upcoming national leadership call which will be held on November 20, 2024, from 2:00-3:00 pm (ET). During the call, CMS leadership will discuss many topics including policy updates and a discussion on how to partner with the agency on key initiatives, […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: November 12, 2024, 3:20 pm
FCC Releases Agenda and Draft Proposals for November Open Commission Meeting
The FCC’s next open meeting will be on November 21, 2024, at 10 am EST (view live on FCC.gov). The Commission has released a tentative agenda for the meeting. The Commission will consider three orders during this meeting. Updating Security for Vital Infrastructure – This proposed rule would be the Commission’s first comprehensive review of […]
Author: Office of Advocacy
Posted: November 12, 2024, 2:36 pm
Agencies
Whitehouse.gov is the portal for the latest news regarding the Executive branch policies affecting federal contract spending.
FEMA.gov helps with disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, education, and references.
The GSA provides federal purchasers with cost-effective high-quality products and services from commercial vendors.
FedBizOpps serves as the single government point-of-entry for federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000.