House Approves Bill to Improve Contracting Opportunities for Small Firms

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act [H.R. 3867] by a margin of 334 to 80. Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez [D-N.Y.] gave the following opening statement:

"In recent years, the federal marketplace has seen phenomenal growth. However, while procurement opportunities are increasing, agencies are failing to meet their small-business-, women-, service-disabled veterans-, minority- and low-income contracting goals. This has not only cost small businesses billions in lost opportunities, but deprives the government of a valuable supplier.

"Our nation’s entrepreneurs play an important role in the procurement system, providing diversity, competition, and ensuring we get the best value for the taxpayer dollar. To help them get a start, there is an array of contracting programs offering technical assistance, purchasing flexibility, and targeted benefits.

"Unfortunately, due to legislative neglect, underfunding and mismanagement by several administrations, the programs have fallen far short of their full potential, leaving many small businesses outside of the federal marketplace. The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act, introduced by myself and Rep. Mary Fallin [R-Okla.], will change that by making important improvements to women, minority, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran contracting programs.

"H.R. 3867 will immediately implement the Women’s Procurement Program that has languished in the current administration’s endless delays. It also updates the economic criteria for the 8[a] program, reflecting current fiscal realities. The last time Congress addressed the 8[a] program was almost 20 years ago, when a gallon of gas was 90 cents and the average cost of a home was less than $90,000. For too long, we have forced minority businesses to operate under antiquated financial standards that, in many cases, were simply setting them up to fail.

"Most importantly, this legislation will give our service-disabled veterans top priority when it comes to contracting opportunities. For those men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan -- many with life-altering injuries -- this bill will provide the tools to start a new endeavor and begin a new life. These changes will go a long way to addressing many of the program shortcomings that have frustrated our nation’s small-business owners.

"H.R. 3867 also fights fraud in the federal marketplace. Contracting opportunities are a privilege, not a right; the Small Business Contracting Improvements Act makes that clear. For the first time, we are imposing a business code of conduct on all participants, requiring the federal government to verify that individuals are who they claim, and empower small firms to police their own programs. This will restore integrity to these critical programs.

"Through modernizing programs and increasing accountability, H.R. 3867 brings SBA’s contracting programs into the 21st century. It is for this reason that this legislation has attracted remarkably broad support -- including the National Federation of Independent Business, Associated General Contractors, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Black Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, International Franchise Association, as well as the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association.

"This is a measured approach that balances the need to give program flexibility within the realities of current agency buying strategies. It is good for small business, good for the agencies and, most importantly, good for the taxpayers."

GoodBiz113's take: Thank you, Reps. Velázquez and Fallin, for leading House efforts to level the playing field for all small businesses and holding agencies accountable for how, exactly, federal procurement dollars are spent. This bipartisan legislation offers great promise to any of our nation's small businesses -- 26.8 million and counting -- that choose to play the government contracting game and spread the win-win-win wealth.

Source: GovTrack.us, PBS [file photo], U.S. House Small Business Committee
____________________

Do business online? [These days, who doesn't?] Start accepting credit cards -- including government-issued cards -- in just minutes!

House Democrats Pass Significant Reforms for Entrepreneurial Development Initiatives

While many aspiring entrepreneurs have great ideas, it is not unusual that they face difficulty when it comes to turning their dreams of business ownership into successful ventures. This is often caused by a lack of adequate training.

Today, members of the U.S. House of Representatives acted to change this by approving a bipartisan package of new education and investment tools for small firms. Simply put, it's the most comprehensive restructuring of entrepreneurial development programs in nearly a decade.

The legislation that passed today targets growing sectors of the small business community, including veterans and women. It also offers assistance to help entrepreneurs cope with their most pressing challenges, such as regulatory burdens, rising health care, and energy costs. The result will be increased business growth and more successful ventures throughout the country.

"The face of business is changing and so are the challenges that entrepreneurs are being hit with," said Nydia M. Velázquez, chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business. "If they are to succeed in the 21st century, then small businesses need access to the tools that will make that possible. This is exactly what we are providing them with today by passing this legislative package."

The House passed four bills that modernize entrepreneurial development programs across the U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA]:

* H.R. 2359, the SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007, introduced by committee Vice-Chairman Joe Sestak [D-PA, pictured above], expands the role of Small Business Development Centers [SBDCs] and targets the most pressing economic challenges facing entrepreneurs today -- from the rising costs of health care and energy, to regulatory burdens and compliance costs. It also expands the SCORE program, to ensure services reach entrepreneurs across the country.

* H.R. 2397, the SBA Women's Business Programs Act of 2007, introduced by Rep. Mary Fallin [R-OK], expands the Women's Business Centers' reach across the U.S., and increases services in underserved communities. The legislation dedicates resources to strengthen centers and ensure stability in the program.

* H.R. 2366, the SBA Veterans' Programs Act of 2007, introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan [R-FL], creates additional Veterans Business Outreach Centers and offers business development services targeted to veterans.

* H.R. 2284, the Native American Small Business Development Act of 2007, introduced by Congressman Tom Udall [D-NM], amends the Small Business Act to expand and improve the educational and technical assistance provided by SBDCs to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs.

"Around the country, small firms are taking the lead in creating jobs and developing their communities," said Chairwoman Velázquez. "Democrats took steps today to ensure that burgeoning entrepreneurs -- including returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and aspiring women business owners -- will be able to learn the skills they need to turn their dreams into reality."

Entrepreneurial development programs have been critical to the success of small-business owners nationwide. In fact, studies show that entrepreneurs who receive this assistance are twice as likely to succeed as those who have not.

These initiatives, and the service they provide, are critical to small business expansion. This technical assistance will enable entrepreneurs to better handle the unique challenges they face in today's economy and, thus, create jobs -- often, in areas that were previously underserved.

"This is a big step forward for aspiring entrepreneurs," added Chairwoman Velázquez. "This legislation ensures that emerging sectors of our small business community -- returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, female entrepreneurs, and senior citizens -- have access to the resources they need to not only start a business, but to also expand it. It allows the drivers of this nation's economy to remain on top when it comes to development and job creation."

Sources: Congressional Budget Office, GovTrack.us, Library of Congress, U.S. House Committee on Small Business
____________________

Save Up to 25% on Business Expenses -- OPEN from American Express®