NEWS & INSIGHTS

The “anti-DEI clause” has begun reshaping how businesses engage with the federal government

In recent months, the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program has undergone one of its most significant shifts in years. Increased scrutiny, enforcement actions, and tighter eligibility requirements have raised concerns among small businesses leading many to ask: Is the program still worth it?

While it does not result in an immediate contract award, an RFI plays a critical role in shaping future opportunities and positioning your business to win them.

Ashequka Lacey, Founder & Owner of Baby Bays Naturals Entrepreneurship often begins with a simple idea: solving a problem that affects everyday life. For the founders of Baby Bays Naturals, that problem was the lack of gentle, chemical-free skincare products designed specifically for infants and young children with sensitive skin. Today, that idea has grown into a promising Columbus-based skincare company that is expanding its reach while making an impact on families and comm

For the second consecutive year, Aventi Enterprises is partnering with EPiC Learning Today to support small business growth through the Smashing Your Sales Goals Velocity Accelerator. The continued collaboration equips entrepreneurs with the skills needed to strengthen their sales performance while expanding their access to government and corporate contracting opportunities.

In contract-driven markets, momentum is rarely lost because of a lack of opportunity. More often, it is lost because of the lack of preparation. As agencies release solicitations and corporations refresh supplier rosters, evaluators are reviewing materials that should clearly communicate capability, credibility, and capacity. When those documents are outdated, even strong companies appear unprepared. Each quarter presents a strategic checkpoint. Rather than waiting for an RFP

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that fundamentally alters the DBE program’s eligibility criteria. The key change removes the longstanding race- and gender-based presumptions previously used to classify individuals as socially and economically disadvantaged. As a result of the IFR, state UCPs are currently instructed to remove DBE participation goals from affected contracts until revisions under new standards are complete.

Summer programming under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) represents one of the most accessible entry points for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) seeking workforce development contracts. WIOA requires that a significant portion of youth funding be dedicated to serving out-of-school and in-school youth, and summer employment and career exploration programs are a primary vehicle for meeting this mandate. WIOA summer programming contracts are typically re

Contract opportunities are not evenly distributed throughout the year. Instead, opportunities come and go based on fiscal calendars, budget execution timelines, seasonal operations, and program delivery schedules. Understanding which contract opportunities are in demand right now can help small businesses focus their efforts where buyers are actively spending and avoid chasing opportunities that are not aligned with current needs. At this point in the year, many federal, stat

Food service contract opportunities are entering their most active period of the year. Each spring, school districts, municipalities, and corporate organizations move from planning to procurement. Beginning in March, solicitations for catering, concessions, summer feeding programs, and public events increase rapidly, peaking between May and July. The challenge we see most often is not a lack of opportunities, but a lack of preparation. Vendors that wait until an RFP is releas

The City of Columbus has announced the launch of its Small Regional Business Enterprise (SRBE) certification program.

The State of Texas no longer recognizes the TexasHUB certification in its traditional form. The long-standing program has been formally restructured and replaced with a new program called VetHUB, Veteran Heroes United in Business.

As 2026 unfolds, small businesses are operating in a markedly different environment than just a few years ago. Higher interest rates, cautious corporate spending, evolving public-sector procurement rules, and increased competition have shifted the definition of “growth.” Growth is no longer defined by speed or volume. Rather than chasing every opportunity, the businesses positioned to grow this year are concentrating on a few high-impact strategies that create stability and s

Supplier diversity remains an active but evolving component of public- and private-sector procurement. While political, legal, and cultural shifts have altered how these programs are discussed and implemented, supplier diversity has not disappeared. Instead, it is being restructured, reframed, and more tightly aligned with business performance, risk management, and compliance considerations.

Canada, including the Province of Ontario, has implemented procurement restriction measures that limit the participation of U.S.-based businesses in publicly funded contracting opportunities. Under these rules, U.S. suppliers may only be considered under narrowly defined and exceptional circumstances, such as when no suitable domestic alternatives are available.

(Columbus, OH) We are pleased to share upcoming contracting opportunities with to the Columbus City Schools district available through Public Purchase: Bid ITB #1097 - (10) Cargo Vans - Outfitting for Maintenance & Repair Public Purchase: Bid ITB #1097 - (10) Cargo Vans - Outfitting for Maintenance and Repair Due 1/12/2026 Bid RFP #1096 - Absence and Substitute Management Services Public Purchase: Bid RFP #1096 - Absence and Substitute Management Services Request for Prop

One critical area that often gets overlooked at the end of the year is contract preparation. This checklist guides you through practical steps to review, organize, and prepare for contract growth so you can start the new year with confidence.

Aventi joined more than 750 economic development leaders from across Central Ohio at the record-setting ED411 convening. With record attendance, ambitious goals, and a shared commitment to building the workforce and industries of the future, the Columbus Region is well-positioned for another decade of strong economic growth.

Aventi Enterprises (Aventi) proudly hosted a successful Supplier Outreach session on November 11, 2025, in partnership with Columbus City Schools (CCS), as part of our ongoing role as the District’s Outreach Services Consultant.

As a growing business, one of the most strategic decisions you’ll make is choosing who your primary customers will be. Should you focus solely on selling to other businesses (B2B)? Should you pursue contracts with government agencies (B2G)? Or is it best to serve both? The answer depends on your goals, capacity, industry, and risk tolerance. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each model and explore why a combination approach might give your business the edge. The B2B Model