(Click on headlines below to read each full story.) News analysis: GSA owes $3 million to cancelled schedules contractors GSA trips up on payments, but should contractors share blame? SBA: $475M in new loans for veterans The Small Business Administration announced it expects to increase lending to veteran entrepreneurs by $475 million over the next five years under its new Veteran Pledge Initiative. Getting easier to bid on OASIS? The General Services Administration has made recent changes to the draft solicitation for its upcoming “OASIS” procurement that seem to be making it easier for small vendors to bid. DHS awards EAGLE II to 15 small vendors The Homeland Security Department announced 15 contracts to small businesses for EAGLE II Functional Category 2-Small Business Track. Update on Sect. 331 for military bases Contracts with 8(a) small businesses are being protected from the negative impacts of Sect. 331 in the recent national defense law, according to two high-level Defense Department procurement specialists. DOT IG faults small biz contracting The Transportation Department is not doing enough to supervise contracting with small disadvantaged businesses, according to a new report from the Office of Inspector General. Financial reporting requirements for 8(a) contractors Participation in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program can obviously enhance a company’s business development efforts, but with that designation comes certain requirements that participants must meet regarding financial statement reporting and submission to the SBA. Washington Insider: JanSan draft RFQ The General Services Administration published a draft Request for Quotes for its upcoming strategic sourcing initiative.... GSA pushes schedules The General Services Administration wants to dramatically increase the percentage of federal procurement spending that goes through GSA schedules and programs.... Conference restrictions The federal Office of Government Ethics outlined new restrictions for federal conferences.... VA verification update The Veterans Affairs Department’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is planning an update to the rules on the VA’s verification program.... Too much duplication? The Government Accountability Office identified 31 new areas that federal agencies ought to target for efficiency improvements.... Court budget crisis The federal courts system has asked for an additional $72.9 million this year to prevent serious impacts on its operations from the sequester....