Locked Out Overnight

On May 2, 2025, the federal government eliminated the core regulations that for decades implemented, enforced, and gave effect to the law requiring that small businesses receive the “maximum practicable opportunity” to compete for federal contracts (15U.S.C. § 644(a)).

They didn’t reform the federal acquisition system — they erased it.

As of May 2, 2025, federal agencies are now free to bypass small businesseswithout notice, without accountability, and without any legal obligation to include them.

The law remains.

But the entire regulatory structure that made it work is gone.

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What Happened?

Brief History of the Destruction:

In early 2025, the current administration issued a Presidential Executive Order instructing agencies to streamline and consolidate procurement. On May 2, 2025, that directive was quietly executed: the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) was redlined, and the regulatory framework that had enforced small business contracting law for decades was simply deleted.

What was removed:

  • The Rule of Two, which required set-asides when two or more small businesses could perform the work

  • Mandatory set-aside procedures

  • Transparency requirements, including deviation publication and market research protocols

These were not minor edits. They were a structural reset.

The law remains — but without regulations, there is no process, no oversight, and no accountability. Agencies are no longer required to evaluate small businesses first. They are no longer required to explain when they bypass them.

Now — we have a law. But the rules that made it real are gone.

Why this Matters — In Every District

Every community depends on small businesses for jobs, innovation, and resilience.

Our federal contracting system used to reflect that—until now.

These changes aren’t theoretical. The number of small businesses receiving federal contracts has fallen by nearly 50% since 2008.

See our local impact details for communities all across America.

These trends are anti-competitive, anti-innovation and anti-regional economic vitality. The Department of Defense has warned that these anti-competitive trends directly threaten our industrial base and national security.

What We’re Doing About It.

Restore Fair Access™ is a national campaign led by small business advocates, trade associations, and economic leaders.

We are:

  • Building the transparency that Washington just destroyed

  • Tracking agency behavior

  • Documenting violations

  • Defending the law—demanding its restoration

🔗 Learn more on our ACTION page

“This campaign was created not to speak for small businesses — but to help them be heard.”

– Restore Fair Access™ Founding Vision