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Welcome to AMACG’s Monday Morning Brief, a weekly roundup of consequential developments gathered from government agencies, regulators, funders, and other credible sources. This week’s developments affect federal contractors, grant recipients, Georgia employers, manufacturers, technology ventures, workforce organizations, and businesses preparing for growth or leadership transition.
Status: Proposed—not final
What changed: The U.S. Small Business Administration extended the public-comment deadline for its proposed changes to small-business size standards from September 21 to November 20, 2026.
The proposal covers 338 industry groups and would change how many businesses qualify as small. Numerous industries would move from revenue-based standards to employee-count standards. Management-consulting and professional-training businesses are among the sectors expected to be affected.
Why it matters: A company’s size status can affect its eligibility for SBA programs, federal contracting set-asides, and other small-business opportunities. Businesses that become newly eligible could gain access to these programs, while companies that already qualify as small could face additional competition.
Federal contractors should pay particular attention to the proposed standards associated with the North American Industry Classification System—or NAICS—codes used in their registrations, certifications, and bids.
Learn more: Review the proposed size standards and comment-period extension
Status: Confirmed delay; proposed changes remain under consideration
What changed: The continuing resolution funding the federal government through December 11, 2026, temporarily prevents the Office of Management and Budget from finalizing or implementing its proposed overhaul of the Uniform Guidance governing federal financial assistance.
The proposal could broaden the circumstances under which agencies terminate federal awards and incorporate additional policy considerations into grant administration.
Why it matters: Nonprofits, educational institutions, and other federal grant recipients have more time before the proposed framework could take effect. However, the proposal has not been withdrawn, and the temporary restriction may expire after December 11.
Current federal grant requirements remain in effect unless and until a final rule and implementation guidance are issued.
Learn more: Review the proposed federal grant regulations
What changed: Georgia Access for Business allows employers to establish a fixed, tax-free monthly contribution that participating employees may use toward eligible individual health-insurance coverage.
Rather than selecting one traditional group plan for the entire workforce, employers determine their contribution amount, and employees select eligible individual plans available through Georgia Access.
Why it matters: Small businesses and nonprofits that have struggled to afford or manage traditional group coverage may have another option for supporting employee health benefits. The program could also affect recruitment, retention, staffing costs, and long-term capacity planning.
Georgia Access emphasizes that the arrangement is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Suitability will depend on the organization’s budget, workforce, benefits strategy, and applicable tax and insurance requirements.
Learn more: Georgia Access for Business
Status: Confirmed award
What changed: The SBA awarded $8.9 million to 18 organizations through its Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement—or SCALE—program. Georgia Tech Research Corporation was selected as the Georgia recipient, with a focus on the energy sector.
The two-year awards begin September 30 and may support technical assistance, accelerator programming, supplier matchmaking, industry engagement, and assistance addressing supply-chain barriers.
Why it matters: Georgia manufacturers may gain access to specialized support related to operations, technology, workforce needs, financing, supply-chain participation, and market access.
Participation details will depend on how Georgia Tech structures and launches its program.
Learn more: SBA SCALE awards
Status: Confirmed award
What changed: The SBA awarded more than $8 million through its Federal and State Technology—or FAST—Partnership Program. The University of Georgia Research Foundation was selected as Georgia’s recipient.
The program supports organizations that help research-driven small businesses compete for funding through the federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.
Why it matters: Georgia technology ventures may gain additional assistance with federal innovation funding, proposal readiness, commercialization planning, and participation in the SBIR and STTR programs.
This support is intended primarily for innovation- and research-focused businesses. It is not a general small-business grant program.
Learn more: Read the SBA FAST award announcement
Status: Confirmed awards
What changed: The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $65 million to seven community-college consortia representing 102 member institutions. The funding will support the development of short-term education and training programs that may qualify for Workforce Pell Grants.
Targeted fields include advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, information technology, artificial-intelligence infrastructure, nuclear energy, and shipbuilding.
Why it matters: Workforce Pell represents a broader shift toward short-term, industry-aligned training supported by federal student aid. The initiative may create future partnership opportunities for employers, workforce-development nonprofits, and organizations connecting participants with training and employment.
Learn more: Explore the Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges program
What changed: The IRS app replaced IRS2Go on September 25. Existing IRS2Go users can receive the replacement through the normal application-update process.
The updated app retains services such as checking refund status and making certain payments. Secure sign-in also provides access to selected individual account information, including available balances, payment activity, certain notices, transcripts, and identity-protection PINs.
Why it matters: The app gives individual taxpayers another official way to access IRS information and selected self-service options. However, it does not replace IRS.gov, the IRS Business Tax Account, or professional tax guidance.
Users should access the application only through verified IRS links or official app-store listings and remain alert to look-alike applications and unsolicited messages requesting personal or financial information.
Learn more: Review the IRS app frequently asked questions
This brief is provided for general educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment, or financial advice. Organizations should review the official sources and consult professionals when determining how a development applies to their specific circumstances.
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