Compliance Stuff

As we have previously  discussed , the Small Business Administration announced it will be  conducting an audit of the 8(a) Program . The SBA’s focus on this audit might have increased due to efforts by Senator Joni Ernst,  who recently issued a letter to the SBA asking for an investigation into the 8(a) Program . As part of this audit, the SBA has begun requesting extensive information from 8(a) entities. The same document request has been sent to 8(a) companies that are owned by individuals and to 8(a) companies owned by Alaska Native Corporations, Tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations. The SBA has set a deadline of  January 5, 2026 , to provide the requested information. The requested information covers the last three full fiscal years and includes financial records, payroll details, contract information, and employee lists. The specific items requested include: General Ledger  for the last three full fiscal years (CSV Files Only) Trial Balance  as o...

  On July 17, 2025, the California State Auditor’s Office released a comprehensive report ( Report No. 2024-115 ) highlighting significant deficiencies within the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The audit, which reviewed sixty case files from fiscal years 2019–20 through 2023–24, exposed alleged critical weaknesses in Cal/OSHA’s enforcement processes and staffing levels, and in very plain language, raised concerns about the agency’s ability to protect California’s nearly 20 million workers effectively. Quick Hits On July 17, 2025, the California state auditor released a report identifying significant deficiencies in Cal/OSHA’s enforcement processes and staffing levels. The audit reviewed sixty case files from fiscal years 2019–20 through 2023–24 and found critical weaknesses in Cal/OSHA’s inspection and documentation practices. The report recommended that Cal/OSHA update its policies, improve inspection processes, enhance abatement verification, address staff...

California just released the most comprehensive, forward-looking AI policy framework we've seen from any US jurisdiction to date – and it is expected to lay the groundwork for legislation and regulation we could see emerge in the next year . Even as Congress debates whether to ban state-level AI laws for the next decade, California is charging forward with a detailed blueprint that could also set the tone for AI regulation nationwide. So what does the June 17  California Report on Frontier AI Policy  mean for your business? And how should you respond? The Big Picture: California Steps Into the Leadership Void The June 17 report ( which you can read here ) was prepared by an expert working group at the request of Governor Gavin Newsom. You might recall that,  after he vetoed the legislature’s attempt at regulating AI systems last year , Newsom called upon AI experts to recommend a framework for a proposed law that would balance the needs of safety with innovation. Last we...

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) just released its 2024 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL), which identified 500 establishments of supply and service contractors that have been selected for an upcoming audit. Federal contractors and subcontractors should immediately examine the list, which was just released last Friday, to determine if one or more of your establishments have been identified for such an audit. This Insight explains how to find out if you’ve been selected, summarizes the scheduling methodology in more detail so you can learn why you were chosen, and provides a seven-step plan for responding. How Can We Find Out If We’ve Been Selected for Audit? You should immediately review the 2024 Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL)  by clicking on this link and choosing “FY 2024 CSAL Supply & Service Scheduling List.” Doing so will generate an Excel document as a downloadable file, which contains the actual list. What Should Contr...