The largest receipt-based size standard, which now is $41.5 million, will be $47 million. This substantial increase will have a significant effect for many small businesses. Under the current size standards, for proposals submitted in 2023, small businesses could not have received receipts for their five prior fiscal years totaling more than $207.5 million. Once the interim rule goes into effect on December 19, 2022, small businesses may have receipts up to $235 million, a $27.5 million jump in receipts over the prior five fiscal years.
For the 8(a) program, the three standards for initial and continuing eligibility (net worth, aggregate gross income and total assets) have also been adjusted for inflation. The interim rule would also increase the dollar limit for combined total 8(a) contracts from $100 million to $168.5 million.
Public comments on the interim final rule are due by January 17, 2023.