House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) released the following statement after all four small business contracting amendments passed the House as attached to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2015 (NDAA):
“The contracting amendments offered to the NDAA are common-sense reforms that will provide opportunities for small companies trying to break into the federal marketplace. These amendments address many of the barriers created due to the federal procurement system’s bureaucracy and inefficiency. I’m pleased that the House has approved them. I also applaud the decision to name this year’s bill after my friend, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon, who has been such a strong partner in our efforts to advance small business contracting.”
Earlier this month, the Armed Services Committee reported out the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which included small business contracting reforms initiated by the House Small Business Committee. Click here for a list of all NDAA amendments.
Small Business Contracting Floor Amendments to the NDAA:
1. Amendment #77 – Increases the small business prime contracting goal from 23% to 25% and establishes a 40% subcontracting goal. Previously introduced as H.R. 4093. Reported out of Small Business Committee in March. Sponsor: Graves and Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
2. Amendment #76 – Increases the access of small construction companies to surety bonds in order to increase the number of small construction contractors able to participate in the federal market, and ensures that the bonds issued protect taxpayers, small subcontractors, and suppliers. Previously introduced as H.R. 776. Reported out of Small Business Committee in March. Sponsor: Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY)
3. Amendment #73 – Reforms the bidding process for design-build contracts to save small businesses money, by requiring two-phases that allows the government to assess technical qualification in the first round, but doesn’t ask small businesses to expend significant funds unless they make the list of the top five most qualified, competitive companies in the second phase. Previously introduced as HR 2750 by Graves. The Oversight and Government Reform Committee also reported out this legislation today. Sponsor: Rep. Mick Mulvaney
4. Amendment #75 – Furthers the Committee’s work on bundling and consolidation by requiring that the Administration publish the bundling and consolidation justifications prior to issuing Request For Proposals for contracts awarded under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative. Sponsors: Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI)
During the 112th Congress and early in the 113th Congress, the Committee was successful in including its small business legislation in the final NDAAs that were signed into law. Given that about 70 percent of government contracts are awarded by the Department of Defense, the Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee have worked together to improve small business procurement policies.
