Press Releases

Small Business Committee Passes Contracting Reform Bill

WASHINGTON – The Small Business Committee today passed legislation introduced by Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) to ensure more small businesses can compete for federal contracts and help save taxpayer money.

H.R. 1481, the Small Contractors Improve Competition Act, makes a series of commonsense improvements to small business contracting policies to promote increased competition, a healthier industrial base, and a more cost-effective federal procurement process.

“We know that when small businesses compete for federal work, it creates jobs, improves the quality of work, and saves taxpayers’ money,” said Chabot. “This bill is a commonsense approach to make sure that Washington is working with Main Street – not locking it out of the procurement process altogether.”

The bill is the result of a series of hearings examining small business contracting policies, including a full committee hearing in February and two subcommittee hearings last week that further exposed how unjustified contract bundling, Administration policies devaluing small business subcontracting opportunities, and the improper use of reverse auctions are keeping small businesses from participating in the federal procurement process. It incorporates a number of proposals introduced by Small Business Committee Members, including:

·         H.R. 1386 introduced by Rep. Carlos Curbelo

·         H.R. 1390 introduced by Rep. Steve Knight

·         H.R. 1410 introduced by Rep. Amata Coleman Radewagen

·         H.R. 1429 introduced by Rep. Mike Bost

·         H.R. 1444 introduced by Rep. Richard Hanna

·         H.R. 1583 introduced by Rep. Cresent Hardy

The Committee has received testimony supporting provisions of the bill from the American Council of Engineering Companies, Mechanical Contractors Association, Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force, the American Legion, and the Professional Services Council.

The bill has also been endorsed by:

·         The Associated General Contractors

·         The National Defense Industrial Association

·         Women Impacting Public Policy

·         National Electrical Contractors Association

·         American Institute of Architects

·         National Small Business Association

·         Mid-Tier Advocacy

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