SBA extends the size-standards comment deadline to November 20
What happened. On September 24, 2026, SBA published a notice extending the public comment period on its two proposed size-standards rules — the overhaul of the revenue and employee ceilings that decide who counts as “small” (338 industry groups) and the revised methodology behind them. The original 30-day window closed September 21; in response to requests for more time, SBA added 60 days. Comments are now due November 20, 2026.
Who this affects. Any NYC firm that competes for federal work or wants to — especially companies sitting just above their industry’s current size ceiling, who could newly qualify as small if the threshold rises.
What to do. Read the proposed rules, check whether your primary NAICS code’s standard is moving, and submit comments by November 20, 2026 at regulations.gov (RIN 3245-AI67, Docket No. SBA-2026-0199). We covered the underlying proposal in our August 21 digest, and our guide on how to check your SBA size standard walks through finding your number.
Why it matters. Size standards are the gatekeeper for nearly every federal small business benefit — set-asides and the 8(a)/WOSB/SDVOSB/HUBZone programs. If you meant to weigh in and ran out of time, this is your window reopening.
Primary source: U.S. SBA Office of Advocacy — comment period extended (September 24, 2026) →