Featured Stories
UCLA Health Researchers Awarded Funding for Interventions That Aim to Improve Advance Care Planning
LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 26 (TNSjou) -- The UCLA Health issued the following news release:
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UCLA Health researchers awarded funding for interventions that aim to improve advance care planning
UCLA Health and UCSF will receive funding to expand an intervention that has proven successful in promoting Advance Care Planning (ACP) documentation for seriously ill primary care patients. The non-profit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute awarded $2.4 million to be allotted over three years.
The system already is up and running at clinics within UCLA Health and UCSF. It includes
... Show Full Article
LOS ANGELES, California, Aug. 26 (TNSjou) -- The UCLA Health issued the following news release:
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UCLA Health researchers awarded funding for interventions that aim to improve advance care planning
UCLA Health and UCSF will receive funding to expand an intervention that has proven successful in promoting Advance Care Planning (ACP) documentation for seriously ill primary care patients. The non-profit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute awarded $2.4 million to be allotted over three years.
The system already is up and running at clinics within UCLA Health and UCSF. It includesautomated interventions via patient portals, clinician training and navigator outreach to patients. It was preceded by a 24-month trial that covered 50 primary care clinics: 41 within UCLA, six within UC Irvine and 3 within UCSF.
In all, the trial identified 5,810 seriously ill patients without advance directive documentation, of which 48 percent were female and 50 percent were of a racial or ethnic minority. By its conclusion, the percentage of patients who had completed ACP documents ranged from 13 percent to 20 percent. The cohort with the highest rate of success in securing planning documents received outreach from a healthcare navigator trained in ACP.
The researchers chronicled the trial in a recent paper published in Annals of Internal Medicine (https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-02111).
"Health systems strive to integrate ACP to improve care quality but often lack pragmatic strategies to engage patients," the authors wrote. The applied interventions work within existing clinical workflows, can be as frequent as desired or be a foundation for more intensive interventions, they wrote.
The funding will support expansion of the program to clinics within UC Davis, UC Irvine and UC Riverside, as well as the Cedars Sinai health system, Alameda Health System, University of Minnesota health system and Washington University St. Louis, said lead researcher Dr. Neil Wenger, professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. This project will also be led by Dr. Anne Walling, also a professor of medicine in the same division, and Rebecca Sudore, MD, professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics at UCSF.
The group authored an additional study recently, which showed that it matters how one promotes advance care planning. The research, published in JAMA Open Network, found that prompting patients to discuss advance care planning with their primary care physician just before an office visit resulted in 66 percent more advance directives and 44 percent more ACP discussions compared with patients who were prompted at other times.
"These findings may have broader implications," said Dr. Walling. "Health systems often want to send preventive care reminders, so if we know the most effective timing of those, it could boost other sorts of preventive health."
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Original text here: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/ucla-health-researchers-awarded-funding-interventions-aim
[Category: Medical]
Newmark Arranges $277 Million Construction Financing for 201 Hudson - By Urby on Jersey City Waterfront
NEW YORK, Aug. 26 -- Newmark Group, a commercial real estate company that says they offer comprehensive suite of services and products, posted the following news release:
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Newmark Arranges $277 Million Construction Financing for 201 Hudson - by Urby on Jersey City Waterfront
Newmark announces the Company has arranged a $277 million construction loan on behalf of the Sponsor, a joint venture between Urby and Rockpoint, for 201 Hudson - by Urby, a 748-unit multifamily development planned on the Jersey City waterfront.
Co-Head of Global Debt & Structured Finance Jordan Roeschlaub and Vice
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Aug. 26 -- Newmark Group, a commercial real estate company that says they offer comprehensive suite of services and products, posted the following news release:
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Newmark Arranges $277 Million Construction Financing for 201 Hudson - by Urby on Jersey City Waterfront
Newmark announces the Company has arranged a $277 million construction loan on behalf of the Sponsor, a joint venture between Urby and Rockpoint, for 201 Hudson - by Urby, a 748-unit multifamily development planned on the Jersey City waterfront.
Co-Head of Global Debt & Structured Finance Jordan Roeschlaub and ViceChairman Chris Kramer, Director Holden Witkoff and Analyst Jack Fenton arranged the financing on behalf of the joint venture with Truist.
Located at 201 Hudson Street in Jersey City's Paulus Hook neighborhood, 201 Hudson - by Urby represents the second phase of Urby's waterfront residential development. Upon completion, the 69-story tower will deliver 748 market-rate apartments across approximately 528,000 rentable square feet, complemented by approximately 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, extensive resident amenities and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor.
The financing will fund ongoing construction of the tower, which will feature a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. The development will also include a robust suite of lifestyle-oriented amenities that includes a pool, fitness center, social and coworking spaces, outdoor recreation areas and curated food-and-beverage offerings.
Situated on the Jersey City waterfront, the property offers convenient access to PATH service, NY Waterway ferry routes and major regional transportation networks, providing direct connectivity to Manhattan while benefiting from one of the region's most dynamic and rapidly growing residential submarkets.
Newmark Co-Head of U.S. Capital Markets Adam Spies, Executive Vice Chairman Adam Doneger and Managing Director Michael Collins also advised Urby and Rockpoint on the joint venture capitalization, which was previously announced in June.
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About Newmark
Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries ("Newmark"), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark's comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform's global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, Newmark generated revenues of more than $3.4 billion. As of March 31, 2026, Newmark and its business partners together operated from over 185 offices with more than 9,600 professionals across four continents. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark.
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Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about Newmark
Statements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the Company's business, results, financial position, liquidity, and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.
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Original text here: https://www.nmrk.com/insights/press-releases/newmark-arranges-277-million-construction-financing-for-201-hudson-by-urby-on-jersey-city-waterfront
[Category: BizReal Estate]
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Honors Morgan Lewis Partner Stephen Altieri as Go To Life Sciences Lawyer
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Aug. 26 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Honors Morgan Lewis Partner Stephen Altieri as Go To Life Sciences Lawyer
Morgan Lewis partner Stephen Altieri was named one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's 2026 Go To Lawyers - Life Sciences. The publication's Go To Lawyers program recognizes experienced lawyers with demonstrated success in their fields who bring creative thinking to client challenges and are sought out by other legal professionals for their expertise and accomplishments.
Steve
... Show Full Article
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Aug. 26 [Category: BizLaw/Legal] -- Morgan Lewis, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Honors Morgan Lewis Partner Stephen Altieri as Go To Life Sciences Lawyer
Morgan Lewis partner Stephen Altieri was named one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly's 2026 Go To Lawyers - Life Sciences. The publication's Go To Lawyers program recognizes experienced lawyers with demonstrated success in their fields who bring creative thinking to client challenges and are sought out by other legal professionals for their expertise and accomplishments.
Stevefocuses his intellectual property practice on patent counseling, procurement, and licensing in the life sciences industry.
He represents clients of all sizes, with a particular focus on emerging biotech companies, helping them develop US and international intellectual property rights aligned with their business objectives. He works closely with scientific personnel to identify patenting opportunities and competitive advantages and assists clients in partnering and investment transactions.
A Fulbright Fellow, Steve earned his doctorate from Yale University's Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, and then his J.D. from Boston College Law School. He currently serves as co-chair of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council's Entrepreneur University.
Read the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly feature (https://masslawyersweekly.com/2026/08/24/go-to-lawyers-stephen-l-altieri/)
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Original text here: https://www.morganlewis.com/news/2026/08/massachusetts-lawyers-weekly-honors-morgan-lewis-partner-stephen-altieri-as-go-to-life-sciences-lawyer
Gartner Survey Finds AI Spending by Customer Service Leaders Has Surged by 38%, Despite Overall Service and Support Function Budgets Rising by Just 2%
STAMFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 26 (TNSrep) -- Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company, issued the following news release:
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Gartner Survey Finds AI Spending by Customer Service Leaders Has Surged by 38%, Despite Overall Service and Support Function Budgets Rising by Just 2%
GenAI Chatbots, Voicebots and Agentic AI Platforms Emerge as the Technologies Expected to Deliver the Greatest Future Value
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AI spending by customer service leaders has surged despite near-stagnant overall budget growth for customer service and support functions, according to a survey by Gartner,
... Show Full Article
STAMFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 26 (TNSrep) -- Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company, issued the following news release:
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Gartner Survey Finds AI Spending by Customer Service Leaders Has Surged by 38%, Despite Overall Service and Support Function Budgets Rising by Just 2%
GenAI Chatbots, Voicebots and Agentic AI Platforms Emerge as the Technologies Expected to Deliver the Greatest Future Value
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AI spending by customer service leaders has surged despite near-stagnant overall budget growth for customer service and support functions, according to a survey by Gartner,Inc., a business and technology insights company.
Customer service organizations are prioritizing technology investments as AI rapidly reshapes the function. A Gartner survey of 199 service and support leaders conducted in April through May 2026 revealed that spending on AI has increased by 38%, while overall service and support function budgets have grown just 2%.
"To fund ambitious AI initiatives, leaders are increasingly redirecting spending away from labor and overhead and instead toward technology. The challenge is ensuring those investments produce measurable business value," said Kim Hedlin, Director Analyst in the Gartner Customer Service & Support practice. "Hype alone doesn't make a technology the right solution to real business problems."
GenAI Chatbots, Voicebots and Agentic AI Platforms Poised to Deliver the Greatest Value
While service and support leaders report that live chat and phone remain their most valuable customer service channels today, they expect AI-powered channels and platforms to drive the greatest value in the years ahead. Looking ahead two years, respondents predict GenAI chatbots will become the most valuable customer service channel, followed by live chat and GenAI voicebots (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: The Most Valuable Customer Service and Support Technologies in Two Years' Time
The research also identified three technology platforms expected to deliver substantially greater value to customer service and support organizations over the next two years:
* No-code agent builders
* Communications platforms as a service (CPaaS)
* Customer identity and access management (IAM)
"Organizations are moving beyond isolated AI use cases and toward connected ecosystems of AI agents," said Daniel O'Sullivan, Senior Director Analyst in the Gartner Customer Service & and Support practice. "The technologies that will create the most value are those that help organizations build, deploy and govern these agents securely and at scale."
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Additional Insights Available
Gartner clients can read more in the report "2026 Technology Trends Report for Customer Service and Support" (https://www.gartner.com/document-reader/document/8167129?ref=solrAll&refval=575216047&). Further information is available in the associated infographic.
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Gartner is the World Authority on AI
Gartner is an indispensable partner to C-Level executives and technology providers as they implement AI strategies to achieve their mission-critical priorities. The independence and objectivity of Gartner insights provide clients with the confidence to make informed decisions and unlock the full potential of AI. Clients across the C-Level are using Gartner's proprietary AskGartner AI tool to determine how to leverage AI in their business. With more than 2,500 business and technology experts, 6,000 written insights, as well as more than 4,000 AI use cases and case studies, Gartner is the world authority on AI. More information can be found here.
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About Gartner Customer Service & Support Conference
Gartner Customer Service & Support Conference is taking place November 4-5, 2026, in Denver, providing customer service and support leaders with actionable advice about the trends, tools and emerging technologies they need to deliver business results in an AI-driven world. Gartner analysts address the biggest opportunities, challenges and priorities in the market today, including the latest advancements in AI , innovative strategies that are transforming customer experience, streamlining support channels and harnessing data to drive results to shape the future of their organizations. Follow news and updates coming out of the conference on the Gartner Newsroom and on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerCSS.
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About Gartner for Customer Service & Support Leaders
The customer service and support function is vital to maintaining customer loyalty and influencing brand perceptions. Gartner for Customer Service & Support Leaders provides indispensable insights, advice and tools needed to achieve service and support leaders' mission-critical priorities, specifically improving the customer experience while managing costs; designing an optimal service channel strategy; measuring and reducing customer effort; and how to hire, develop and retain high-potential frontline talent.
Follow news and update from the Gartner Customer Service & Support Practice on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerCSS. Members of the media can find additional information and insights in the Gartner Customer Service & Support Newsroom.
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Original text here: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-08-26-gartner-survey-finds-ai-spending-by-customer-service-leaders-has-surged-by-38-percent-despite-overall-service-and-support-function-budgets-rising-by-just-2-percent
[Category: BizConsulting]
Gartner Forecasts the Market for Securing AI Will Reach $4.8 Billion in 2027
STAMFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 26 (TNSrep) -- Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company, issued the following news release:
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Gartner Forecasts the Market for Securing AI Will Reach $4.8 Billion in 2027
Analysts to Explore the Latest AI and Cybersecurity Trends During Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo on the Gold Coast, September 14-16
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The market for securing AI is growing rapidly, projected to reach almost $4.8 billion in 2027, a 68.7% increase over 2026, according to Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company. By 2028, the market is forecast to reach almost
... Show Full Article
STAMFORD, Connecticut, Aug. 26 (TNSrep) -- Gartner, an information technology research and advisory company, issued the following news release:
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Gartner Forecasts the Market for Securing AI Will Reach $4.8 Billion in 2027
Analysts to Explore the Latest AI and Cybersecurity Trends During Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo on the Gold Coast, September 14-16
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The market for securing AI is growing rapidly, projected to reach almost $4.8 billion in 2027, a 68.7% increase over 2026, according to Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company. By 2028, the market is forecast to reach almost$7.7 billion.
"This surge is driven by the urgent need for enterprises to secure AI systems, address emerging vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses against sophisticated cyberthreats," said Shailendra Upadhyay, Senior Principal Analyst at Gartner. "This is compounded by growing vulnerabilities and supply chain attacks involving third-party and open-source software in AI projects. Without adequate security and visibility controls, enterprise AI initiatives face a high risk of failure."
Gartner predicts over half of successful cyberattacks on AI agents are expected to exploit access control weaknesses and prompt injections by 2029. There is a growing need for organizations to identify, monitor and protect AI models from these unique threats, which is driving the adoption of advanced AI security solutions. To build a strong defense, businesses need to combine their existing security systems with specialized AI security tools.
"Traditional security tools often treat AI applications like any other software and need significant updates to address AI-specific threats," said Upadhyay. "Specialized solutions, such as AI usage control and application security, will see rapid growth as solutions that address these challenges."
The market for securing AI is divided into four main areas: AI application security, AI usage control, AI governance platforms, and AI gateways. This includes a range of software and platforms designed to help organizations use AI safely, responsibly, and in line with regulations.
AI application security will remain the largest spending category in 2027, forecast to reach almost $851 million, followed by AI usage control at $749 million. However, AI usage control will experience the largest growth of 73%, followed by AI gateway at 70.9% (see Table 1).
Table 1: Securing AI Opportunity by Segment (Millions of U.S. Dollars), 2026-2027
Segment ... 2026 Spending ... 2026 Growth (%) ... 2027 Spending ... 2027 Growth (%)
AI Application Security ... 508 ... 82.1 ... 851 ... 67.5
AI Usage Control ... 433 ... 86.6 ... 749 ... 73.0
AI Governance Platforms ... 275 ... 77.4 ... 462 ... 68.0
AI Gateway ... 251 ... 80.6 ... 429 ... 70.9
Other Securing AI ... 1,368 ... 83.9 ... 2,292 ... 67.5
Total ... 2,835 ... 83.0 ... 4,783 ... 68.7
"As defenses like AI runtime protection and dedicated gateways become more reliable, organizations will gain confidence in these tools, accelerating adoption," said Upadhyay. "At the same time, as businesses expand their AI initiatives, the need for specialized AI security solutions will further grow, especially as autonomous AI introduces new vulnerabilities beyond the reach of traditional monitoring."
Market Competition
According to Gartner, competition in the securing AI market varies depending on the segment. For AI governance platforms and AI gateways, which often build on existing enterprise systems for governance, data, and API management, major vendors are likely to maintain their lead by adding AI features or integrating specialized products. On the other hand, the AI application security and AI usage control segments are seeing a wave of startups entering the field.
"As the market grows, we can expect increased consolidation and acquisitions, with larger cybersecurity companies buying these startups to broaden their offerings," said Upadhyay. "Overall, the fast-paced growth in this space is fueling intense competition among vendors as they vie for market share."
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Additional Insights Available
Gartner clients can read more in the report Forecasting the $16.4 Billion Opportunity in Securing AI (https://www.gartner.com/document-reader/document/8203329?ref=solrResearch&refval=576565044).
Learn how to maximize AI's value while managing critical risks with the complimentary ebook AI in Cybersecurity: Minimize Risks and Maximize Impact (https://www.gartner.com/en/cybersecurity/topics/cybersecurity-and-ai).
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Gartner is the World Authority on AI
Gartner is the indispensable partner to C-Level executives and technology providers as they implement AI strategies to achieve their mission-critical priorities. The independence and objectivity of Gartner insights provide clients with the confidence to make informed decisions and unlock the full potential of AI. Clients across the C-Level are using Gartner's proprietary AskGartner AI tool to determine how to leverage AI in their business. With more than 2,500 business and technology experts, 6,000 written insights, as well as more than 4,000 AI use cases and case studies, Gartner is the world authority on AI. More information can be found here.
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About Gartner Market Share Momentum
Gartner Market Share Momentum (MSM) projects the future trajectory of vendor market share and revenues based on recent historical performance, forecasted market conditions and peer-index performance. It provides a comprehensive view of how a vendor's prior-year momentum positions them for future market share outcomes if they continue to operate at that trajectory. Technology providers can use MSM to benchmark performance, spot emerging competitors, and make confident strategic decisions. More information can be found here.
Gartner clients can view the most current MSM report at Market Share Momentum, Worldwide, 2Q26.
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Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo
Additional AI trends will be discussed during Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, the world's most important conference for CIOs and other IT executives. Gartner analysts and attendees will explore how to become agents of change in their organizations and harness AI for successful digital transformation. Follow news and updates from the conferences on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerSYM, and on the Gartner Newsroom.
Upcoming dates and locations for Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo include:
September 14-16, 2026 | Gold Coast, Australia
October 19-22, 2026 | Orlando, FL
November 4-6, 2026 | Yokohama, Japan
November 9-12, 2026 | Barcelona, Spain
November 16-18, 2026 | Kochi, India
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About Gartner for High Tech Leaders and Providers
Gartner for High Tech Leaders and Providers equips tech leaders and their teams with role-based best practices, industry insights and strategic views into emerging trends and market changes to achieve their mission-critical priorities and build the successful organizations of tomorrow. Additional information is available at www.gartner.com/en/industries/high-tech.
Follow news and updates from Gartner for High Tech on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerHT. Visit the Gartner Newsroom for more information and insights.
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Original text here: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-08-26-gartner-forecasts-the-market-for-securing-ai-will-reach-almost-5-billion-in-2027
[Category: BizConsulting]
GE Vernova Launches New SF6-Free Circuit Breaker for High-Voltage Transmission Networks at CIGRE 2026
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Aug. 26 -- G.E. Vernova, an energy company, posted the following news release:
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GE Vernova launches new SF6-free circuit breaker for high-voltage transmission networks at CIGRE 2026
* New 420 kV, 63 kA Live Tank Circuit Breaker expands the range of technologies available for demanding high-voltage transmission applications
* Uses a CO2/O2 gas mixture instead of SF6 while delivering the performance and reliability required by modern transmission networks
Developed with support from the EU LIFE Programme, the technology expands GE Vernova's GRiDEA portfolio of
... Show Full Article
CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, Aug. 26 -- G.E. Vernova, an energy company, posted the following news release:
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GE Vernova launches new SF6-free circuit breaker for high-voltage transmission networks at CIGRE 2026
* New 420 kV, 63 kA Live Tank Circuit Breaker expands the range of technologies available for demanding high-voltage transmission applications
* Uses a CO2/O2 gas mixture instead of SF6 while delivering the performance and reliability required by modern transmission networks
Developed with support from the EU LIFE Programme, the technology expands GE Vernova's GRiDEA portfolio ofhigh-voltage transmission solutions
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PARIS, France - GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) today announced the launch of its new 420 kV, 63 kA CO2-O2 Live Tank Circuit Breaker, GL316c, at CIGRE Paris 2026, expanding the range of technologies available to network operators as they modernize and reinforce high-voltage transmission infrastructure.
Circuit breakers are essential safety devices on the electricity network. They rapidly stop the flow of electricity when a fault occurs, helping protect equipment and maintain the reliable operation of the wider power system. They are used in substations across transmission networks, where high-voltage power lines and major electrical equipment connect.
The new GL316c is designed for some of the most demanding applications on high-voltage transmission networks. By using a mixture of carbon dioxide and oxygen (CO2/O2) instead of sulfur hexafluoride, or SF6, the technology gives network operators an additional option as they modernize their infrastructure while maintaining the performance required at 420 kV and short-circuit breaking capability of up to 63 kA.
"As transmission networks carry more power and operate under increasingly demanding conditions, equipment at the highest voltage levels has to deliver exceptional switching performance and reliability," said Eric Chaussin, VP and CEO Power Transmission Business. "Advancing our CO2-O2 technology to 420 kV and 63 kA is an important engineering step, extending SF6-free capability into applications where fault currents are among the most challenging on the network."
Building on EU-supported innovation
The GL316c was originally developed for 420 kV, 50 kA applications as part of GE Vernova's "LIFE SF6-free HV Breaker" project, co-funded by the European Union's LIFE Programme.
Building on that development, GE Vernova's engineering teams further tested and advanced the technology for applications requiring short-circuit breaking capability of up to 63 kA, extending its potential use across demanding transmission applications.
The new circuit breaker expands GE Vernova's GRiDEATM portfolio, which brings together technologies designed to support the safe, reliable and efficient operation of modern electricity networks while helping customers reduce reliance on SF6.
The GL316c also forms part of GE Vernova's broader work to develop alternatives to fluorinated gases across its high-voltage equipment portfolio.
From development to deployment
The new 420 kV, 63 kA circuit breaker is planned to be manufactured at GE Vernova's facility in Villeurbanne, France.
GE Vernova is launching the GL316c during CIGRE Paris 2026, taking place August 23-28, where a full-scale 420 kV CO2-O2 model is being showcased at Stand C93.
Visitors can meet GE Vernova's Electrification experts throughout the event to learn more about the technology and the company's broader portfolio of high-voltage transmission solutions.
Learn more about GE Vernova's GRiDEATM and SF6-free high-voltage technologies here (https://www.gevernova.com/electrification/equipment/gridea),
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Original text here: https://www.gevernova.com/news/press-releases/ge-vernova-launches-new-sf6-free-circuit-breaker-high-voltage-transmission-networks
[Category: BizEnergy]
Clark Hill: SBA Final Rule Eliminates Presumptive Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned 8(a) Applicants
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Aug. 26 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
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SBA Final Rule Eliminates Presumptive Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned 8(a) Applicants
Authors
Bret S. Wacker , Ronald D. Sullivan , J. Chris White , Colleen Jarrott , Gabrielle Long
Background and Litigation Context
The 8(a) Business Development Program was established under the Small Business Act to provide contracting and business development opportunities to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Historically, SBA regulations
... Show Full Article
BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, Aug. 26 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following legal update:
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SBA Final Rule Eliminates Presumptive Social Disadvantage for Individually Owned 8(a) Applicants
Authors
Bret S. Wacker , Ronald D. Sullivan , J. Chris White , Colleen Jarrott , Gabrielle Long
Background and Litigation Context
The 8(a) Business Development Program was established under the Small Business Act to provide contracting and business development opportunities to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
Historically, SBA regulationsincluded a rebuttable presumption that individuals belonging to certain designated groups (Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Americans) were socially disadvantaged.
The final rule follows constitutional challenges to that regulatory presumption. In Ultima Servs. Corp. v. U.S. Dep't of Agric., 683 F. Supp. 3d 745 (E.D. Tenn. 2023), the Court enjoined SBA from continuing to rely on the presumption in administering the 8(a) Program. SBA then implemented interim procedures requiring individually owned applicants to establish social disadvantage through narrative submissions. The final rule codifies SBA's revised approach.
What Changed?
The final rule removes the provision at 13 C.F.R. Sec. 124.103 that previously presumed social disadvantage for individuals belonging to certain racial or ethnic groups.
Under the revised framework, individually owned applicants must establish social disadvantage case by case. Applicants should be prepared to submit a detailed narrative and objective evidence showing discrimination, bias, or other qualifying barriers; that the experiences were chronic and substantial; that they occurred in an American social environment; and that they negatively affected the individual's entry into or advancement in the business world.
Supporting evidence may include policies, regulations, guidance, procedures, public statements, reports, audits, court decisions, administrative rulings, Congressional findings, or other materials showing governmental or private actions that favored or disfavored an identifiable group.
Applicants should be prepared to connect the evidence to material harm suffered by the qualifying individual and to certify facts needed to support the claim under SBA's revised standard.
What Is Not Changing
* The statutory existence of the 8(a) Business Development Program
* The availability of 8(a) sole-source and competitive contracting opportunities
* Economic disadvantage requirements
* Ownership and control requirements
* Annual review and continuing eligibility requirements
* Eligibility rules applicable to entity-owned participants, including firms owned by Tribes, ANCs, NHOs, and CDCs
What This Means for Contractors and Business Operators
Current 8(a) Participants
Current participants are not the primary target of the rule, but should continue maintaining records supporting ownership, control, economic disadvantage, annual reviews, any applicable social-disadvantage narrative, and future ownership or management changes.
Pending Individually Owned Applicants and Prospective Applicants
Pending individually owned applicants face the most immediate issue because the rule applies to applications pending as of September 10, 2026. Applicants should review whether their submissions include individualized evidence, objective corroboration, and a clear connection between the asserted disadvantage and business-related harm.
Prospective applicants should build additional time into certification planning because admission will require a specific, well-supported eligibility record under SBA's revised standard.
Prime Contractors, Mentors, Joint Venture Partners, and Subcontractors
Prime contractors and teaming partners should monitor the certification status and timing of prospective 8(a) partners where future capture efforts depend on 8(a) eligibility.
Entity-Owned Firms
The rule does not amend eligibility for entity-owned firms owned by Tribes, ANCs, NHOs, or CDCs, but businesses should account for that distinction when evaluating ownership structure, teaming strategy, acquisitions, and growth planning.
What Companies Should Do Now
* Review application status. Identify pending individually owned 8(a) applications affected by the September 10, 2026 effective date.
* Evaluate existing submissions. Identify whether the application relies on the former presumption or includes evidence that may satisfy the revised standard.
* Develop a detailed narrative. Address the experiences, chronology, business impact, and supporting evidence.
* Build an evidence file. Collect policies, rules, regulations, public statements, litigation materials, administrative findings, audits, reports, Congressional findings, and other corroborating documentation.
* Document material harm. Develop a clear record connecting the asserted disadvantage to specific business-related harm suffered by the qualifying owner.
* Coordinate internally. Align legal, compliance, business development, finance, and executive leadership on certification strategy and capture plans.
* Review teaming and growth plans. Confirm whether planned opportunities depend on a partner's anticipated 8(a) admission timeline.
* Monitor SBA implementation. Watch for additional SBA guidance, application instructions, FAQs, decisions, and related litigation.
Bottom Line
Beginning September 10, 2026, pending and future individually owned applicants must establish social disadvantage through individualized evidence rather than membership in a designated racial or ethnic group.
Businesses that rely on 8(a) certification should start early, gather evidence, document business-related harm, and align certification planning with capture strategy.
How Clark Hill Can Help
Clark Hill's Government Contracts and Regulations Team can assist companies in evaluating how this final rule may affect pending applications, future 8(a) certification strategies, teaming arrangements, mentor-protege relationships, joint ventures, and federal capture plans.
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Original text here: https://www.clarkhill.com/news-events/news/sba-final-rule-8a-program-eligibility-changes/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
