Comment on FR Doc # 2026-12560

My name is Nikki Rogers, owner of The Bladen Group. My firm provides leadership advisory, governance, and program management support for large scale transformation efforts. I oppose these proposed rules. They strip vital conduits to finding and winning federal work. While I support streamlining the FAR, I do not support the proposed removal of mandatory small business protections. Finding opportunities in time We typically learn about federal opportunities through SAM.gov searches on a weekly basis, and it usually takes us about 10- 12 business days to prepare a bid or quote. If the guaranteed 15-day head start disappeared on smaller purchases, we would miss most opportunities under $45K because we do not have full time business development and bid staff. Growing past small Our typical federal contract is around $250,000, and the work we are trying to grow into runs $400,000 to $1.4M. If small-business consideration above $350,000 became optional, our path to growth would be stalled at exactly the point at which we are striving to breakthrough. This delays hiring and expansion, in turn, reducing my company's economic impact within my community. Losing sight of who wins We use award announcements to find teaming partners, and roughly 90% of our work comes from subcontracting or teaming. If the government stopped announcing its largest awards, we would lose a vital information source that allows us to identify and reach out to potential partners.. Sole-source opportunities going quiet Public sole-source notices have let us showcase our capabilities prior to an award being made. It provides an opportunity to connect with agencies and offer solutions to critical needs.. If sole-source intentions in our industry stopped being posted, we would Not know about upcoming opportunities nor be able to offer the government often innovative and/or cost effective solutions that add real value to the agencies being served.. Your certification losing its pull Getting WOSB/EDWOSB certified took us over 1 year and multiple communications, and it has opened access to set aside opportunities and opportunities to partner with other companies. If the program's name disappears from the publicizing rules, we expect fewer buyers to even consider WOSB and EDWOSB companies in the procurement process. We are capable, experienced, willing, and passionate about the work and should have the opportunity to provide critical support while growing our businesses. I support and incorporate by reference the comments filed in this docket by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce — its principal comment (Comment ID FAR-2026-0002-0017) and its comment under 5 U.S.C. 610 (Comment ID FAR-2026-0002-0020).