SBA extends comment deadline for proposed rule overhauling small business size standards

Recently, McDonald Hopkins wrote about the Small Business Administration’s proposed rule that would fundamentally overhaul how the SBA determines industry-specific small business size standards.

The SBA has extended the deadline for submitting comments on the proposed rule to Friday, Nov. 20, 2026. The extension provides additional time for businesses and other stakeholders to review the proposed changes and submit comments to the SBA.

As previously reported, the SBA held a virtual public forum on Sept. 17 to receive public testimony on the proposed rule and its revised methodology. Testimony presented at the forum will become part of the administrative record as the SBA considers the proposed changes.

If finalized, the proposed rule could have far-reaching implications for small businesses and stakeholders across hundreds of industries. The SBA estimates the changes could qualify more than 110,000 additional businesses as “small,” potentially expanding their access to federal contracting opportunities and certain SBA programs.

Businesses that could be affected by the proposed changes should use the additional time to review the proposed rule and consider submitting formal comments before the Nov. 20 deadline. The extension will not be officially published until Thursday.

If you have questions about how the proposed changes could affect your business, or would like assistance in submitting formal comments to the SBA, please contact attorneys in McDonald Hopkins’ Government Contracting and Procurement Practice Group.