The FCC released a Small Entity Compliance Guide to assist small businesses, providers, and other entities with understanding and complying with the March 2026 Modernizing Suspension and Debarment Rules Report and Order, Direct Final Rule, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The rules revised the Commission’s rules to be in line with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines to hold participants in its nonprocurement programs accountable for misconduct leading to waste, fraud, and abuse.
The compliance guide provides an overview of the objectives of the new rules, new compliance requirements, and new recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Specifically, it explains who the rules apply to, the policies and procedures that small entities must follow, the steps of the suspension and debarment processes, the steps in the limited denial of participation processes, and how the rules affect conducting business with other entities.
The compliance guide also explains that the amendments to 47 CFR § 54.8 became effective on May 11, 2026, and that all other amendments contain information collection requirements that are not effective until approved by OMB.
