New SBA regs threaten small business M&A

New SBA rules effective January 17, 2026, will significantly reduce the value of small business set-aside companies during sales; if a company is sold and the new owner does not meet size requirements, they may face limitations on contract options; this change impacts small business owners’ retirement plans and potential earnings; some provisions offer limited relief, but overall, the new regulations are seen as detrimental to small business valuations in government contracting…New SBA regs threaten small business M&A