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116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-240
======================================================================
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2019
_______
October 17, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Velazquez, from the Committee on Small Business, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4406]
The Committee on Small Business, to whom was referred the
bill (H.R. 4406) to amend the Small Business Act to improve the
small business development centers program, and for other
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Purpose and Bill Summary........................................1
II. Background and Need for Legislation.............................2
III. Hearings........................................................2
IV. Committee Consideration.........................................3
V. Committee Votes.................................................3
VI. Section-by-Section Analysis for H.R. 4406.......................5
VII. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................6
VIII. Unfunded Mandates...............................................6
IX. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditure6
X. Oversight Findings..............................................7
XI. Statement of Constitutional Authority...........................7
XII. Congressional Accountability Act................................7
XIII. Federal Advisory Committee Act Statement........................7
XIV. Statement of No Earmarks........................................7
XV. Statement of Duplication of Federal Programs....................7
XVI. Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings.............................7
XVII. Performance Goals and Objectives................................7
XVIII.Changes in Existing Law, Made by the Bill, As Reported..........8
I. Purpose and Bill Summary
The purpose of H.R. 4406, the ``Small Business Development
Centers Improvement Act of 2019'' is to modernize and
strengthen the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network
by authorizing program funding, requiring an annual report on
program effectiveness, and increasing awareness of the SBDC
program and services.
II. Background and Need for Legislation
H.R. 4406 was introduced by Representative Jared Golden (D-
ME), and Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS) on
September 19, 2019.
America's 30 million small businesses account for more than
56 million jobs and create two out of three private sector jobs
in the United States. The Small Business Administration (SBA)
offers a wide range of free or low-cost counseling and training
services through its entrepreneurial ecosystem to help
entrepreneurs launch and grow their small businesses. To
deliver these resources, the SBA relies on its four primary
resource partners: Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs),
Women's Business Centers (WBCs), SCORE, and Veterans Business
Outreach Centers (VBOCs).
The largest of the resource partners within SBA's
entrepreneurial ecosystem is the SBDC network, which is
comprised of 63 lead organizations and more than 900 SBDC
centers. They are located in rural, urban, and suburban
communities nationwide, and many are housed at universities or
state agencies. The network delivers free face-to-face
counseling and at-cost training in all aspects of small
business management to new and existing small businesses. The
services include, but are not limited to, assisting small
businesses with developing a business plan, accessing capital,
marketing, regulatory compliance, technology development, and
international trade. According to the Small Business
Administration's FY2020 Congressional Budget Justification, in
FY2018, SBDCs trained and advised more than 440,000 clients,
and helped clients create more than 14,000 small businesses.
To modernize and strengthen the SBDC network, the bill
would, among other provisions, authorize funding for the SBDC
program for four years (FY2020-FY2023) at $175 million for each
fiscal year, require an annual report to measure the
effectiveness of the Small Business Development Center program,
and increase the awareness of the SBDC program and services.
III. Hearings
In the 116th Congress, the Committee on Small Business held
a hearing on February 27, 2019 titled ``Supporting America's
Startups: Review of SBA Entrepreneurial Development
Programs.''\1\ The witnesses for the hearing were stakeholders
representing each of the SBA's primary entrepreneurial
development resource partners: Mr. Charles Rowe for America's
Small Business Development Centers; Ms. Corinne Hodges for the
Association of Women's Business Centers; Mr. Ken Yancey for the
SCORE Association; and Ms. Cherlynn Sagester representing a
Veterans Business Outreach Center.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Supporting America's Startups: Review of SBA Entrepreneurial
Development Programs, Hearing Before the H. Comm. On Small Bus., 116th
Cong. (2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As part of this hearing, each of the entrepreneurial
development programs was explored to analyze their success in
assisting small business owners start and grow their
businesses. The hearing also highlighted SBA's oversight of the
programs and witnesses discussed the areas wherein the programs
could be modernized and strengthened. Mr. Tee Rowe testified on
the many benefits of the program and explained the need for
working with the agency to design improved metrics with which
to measure the program, especially considering the diverse
economies, resources, and needs of centers located in different
states and regions. The bill reauthorizes the program,
clarifies the need for collaboration between the agency and the
SBDC network, sets forth priorities to strengthen and modernize
the program, clarifies marketing capabilities, and ensures
accountability and oversight of the program.
IV. Committee Consideration
The Committee on Small Business met in open session, with a
quorum being present, on September 25, 2019, and ordered H.R.
4406 favorably reported to the House of Representatives. During
the markup, no amendments were offered.
V. Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded
votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto. The Committee voted by voice vote to favorably report
H.R. 4406 to the House at 11:47 A.M.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
VI. Section-by-Section of H.R. 4406
Section 1. Short title
This section provides that the bill may be cited as the
``Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2019''.
Section 2. Use of authorized Entrepreneurial Development programs
This section amends the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 631-57s) by creating a new section 48 of the Act.
Subsection (a) prohibits the Administrator from utilizing
unauthorized programs to deliver Entrepreneurial Development
(ED) services and provides that Small Business Administration
(SBA) initiatives must be delivered through those authorized
programs specifically cross-referenced in this subsection. The
only exception to this overall prohibition, in subsection
(a)(2)(A), relates to assistance offered to small business
concerns owned by an Indian tribe.
Subsection (b) requires the SBA to issue a report to
Congress delineating all ED activities during the current
fiscal year. This report will include: description and
operating details for each program and activity; operating
circulars, manuals, and standard operating procedures for each
program and activity; a list of all awardees, contractors, and
vendors (including organization name and location) and the
amounts of awards for the current fiscal year for each program
and activity; the amount of funding obligated for the current
fiscal year for each program and activity; and the date, names,
and titles for individuals responsible for each program and
activity.
Section 3. Marketing of services
This section amends Sec. 21 of the Act by adding a new
subsection (o), which ensures SBDCs are able to market and
advertise their products and services.
Section 4. Data collection by the Small Business Development Center
association
This section amends the Small Business Act to direct the
SBA to consult with SBDC associations to develop documents
governing data collection activities related to grant
recipients. Section 21 is further amended to require the
Administrator to provide an annual report on data collection
activities related to the SBDC program, and to establish a Data
Collection Working Group, consisting of members from the SBA
and representatives from each resource partner, to develop a
plan for data collection. This plan should be submitted to the
Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the
House Committee on Small Business within 180 days.
Section 5. Fees from private partnerships and co-sponsorships
This section permits SBDCs to collect participation fees or
other income related to the operation of partnerships or
sponsorships. This does not alter the requirements for SBDCs to
provide no-cost counseling to individual small businesses.
Section 6. Equity for Small Business Development Centers
This section eliminates the award of $500,000 of SBDC grant
monies to reimburse the SBA for program administration while
raising the amount of funding to $600,000 to be provided to the
ASBDC for accreditation.
Section 7. Confidentiality requirements
This section prohibits the SBA from distributing and
sharing SBDC client information with other parties and
reinforces the Committee's longstanding efforts to ensure the
confidentiality of the information that small businesses
provide to SBDCs.
Section 8. Limitation on award of grants to Small Business Development
Centers
This section prohibits entities other than institutions of
higher education from becoming grantees under section 21. An
exception is provided for current SBDC grantees who are not
institutions of higher education. These institutions can
continue to renew their status as a grantee until they no
longer wish or the SBA determines that these grandfathered
grantees are incapable of providing these services.
Furthermore, a rule of construction is added to make it clear
that while Women's Business Centers may not lead a center under
the SBDC program, they may receive funds from lead centers and
act as subgrantees.
Section 9. Management of program activities
This section requires SBA to work in partnership with the
SBDC program to determine program functions and services to
ensure that the program best meets the needs of individual
state networks and the national small business economy.
Section 10. Authorization of appropriations
This section authorizes appropriations in the amount of
$175 million for each fiscal year through 2023.
VII. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
At the time H.R. 4405 was reported to the House, the
Congressional Budget Office had not provided a cost-estimate.
VIII. Unfunded Mandates
H.R. 4406 contains no intergovernmental or private sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, Public
Law No. 104-4, and would impose no costs on state, local, or
tribal governments.
IX. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House, the Committee provides the following opinion and
estimate with respect to new budget authority, entitlement
authority, and tax expenditures. While the Committee has not
received an estimate of new budget authority contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to Sec. 402 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, the Committee does not believe that there will be
any additional costs attributable to this legislation because
all authorizations would be subject to future appropriation
action.
X. Oversight Findings
In accordance with clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of
the House, the oversight findings and recommendations of the
Committee on Small Business with respect to the subject matter
contained in H.R. 4406 are incorporated into the descriptive
portions of this report.
XI. Statement of Constitutional Authority
Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for this
legislation in Art. I, Sec. 8 of the Constitution of the United
States.
XII. Congressional Accountability Act
H.R. 4406 does not relate to the terms and conditions of
employment or access to public services or accommodations
within the meaning of Sec. 102(b)(3) of Public Law No. 104-1.
XIII. Federal Advisory Committee Act Statement
H.R. 4406 does not establish or authorize the establishment
of any new advisory committees as that term is defined in the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.2.
XIV. Statement of No Earmarks
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI, H.R. 4406 does not
contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits as defined in subsections (d), (e), or
(f) of clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House.
XV. Statement of Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House, no provision of H.R. 4406 establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the federal government known to be duplicative of
another federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the United States Government Accountability Office
pursuant to Sec. 21 of Pub. L. No. 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent catalog of
federal domestic assistance.
XVI. Disclosure of Directed Rulemakings
Pursuant to clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House, H.R. 4406 does not direct any rulemaking.
XVII. Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XII of the Rules of the
House, the Committee establishes the following performance-
related goals and objectives for this legislation:
By authorizing funding for the SBDC program through FY2023
and adding an annual reporting requirement, H.R. 4406
modernizes and strengthens the SBDC network, and increases the
general awareness of the SBDC program and services.
XVIII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause (E) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House, changes in existing law made by the bill, as
reported, as shown as follows: existing law proposed to be
omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in
italic, and existing law in which no change is proposed is
shown in roman:
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
SMALL BUSINESS ACT
* * * * * * *
Sec. 21. (a)(1) The Administration is authorized to make
grants (including contracts and cooperative agreements) to any
State government or any agency thereof, any regional entity,
any State-chartered development, credit or finance corporation,
[any women's business center operating pursuant to section 29,]
any public or private institution of higher education,
including but not limited to any land-grant college or
university, any college or school of business, engineering,
commerce, or agriculture, community college or junior college,
or to any entity formed by two or more of the above entities
(herein referred to as ``applicants'') to assist in
establishing small business development centers and to any such
labor for: small business oriented employment or natural
resources development programs; studies, research, and
counseling concerning the managing, financing, and operation of
small business enterprises, management and technical assistance
regarding small business participation in international
markets, export promotion and technology transfer; delivery or
distribution of such services and information; providing access
to business analysts who can refer small business concerns to
available experts; and, to the extent practicable, providing
assistance in furtherance of the Small Business Development
Center Cyber Strategy developed under section 1841(a) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017:
Provided, That after December 31, 1990, the Administration
shall not make a grant to any applicant other than an
institution of higher education [or a women's business center
operating pursuant to section 29] as a Small Business
Development Center unless the applicant was receiving a grant
(including a contract or cooperative agreement) on such date.
The Administration shall require any applicant for a small
business development center grant with performance commencing
on or after January 1, 1992 to have its own budget and to
primarily utilize institutions of higher education [and women's
business centers operating pursuant to section 29] to provide
services to the small business community. The term of such
grants shall be made on a calendar year basis or to coincide
with the Federal fiscal year.
(2) Cooperation to provide international trade
services.--
(A) Information and services.--The small
business development centers shall work in
close cooperation with the Administration's
regional and local offices, the Department of
Commerce, appropriate Federal, State and local
agencies (including State trade agencies), and
the small business community to serve as an
active information dissemination and service
delivery mechanism for existing trade
promotion, trade finance, trade adjustment,
trade remedy and trade data collection programs
of particular utility for small businesses.
(B) Cooperation with state trade agencies and
export assistance centers.--A small business
development center that counsels a small
business concern on issues relating to
international trade shall--
(i) consult with State trade agencies
and Export Assistance Centers to
provide appropriate services to the
small business concern; and
(ii) as necessary, refer the small
business concern to a State trade
agency or an Export Assistance Center
for further counseling or assistance.
(C) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term
``Export Assistance Center'' has the same
meaning as in section 22.
(3) The Small Business Development Center Program shall be
under the general management and oversight of the
Administration for the delivery of programs and services to the
small business community. Such programs and services shall be
jointly developed, negotiated, and agreed [upon, with full
participation of both parties,] upon with the full
participation of all parties (including the association
authorized in subparagraph (A)), and carried out pursuant to an
executed cooperative agreement between the Small Business
Development Center applicant and the Administration.
(A) Small business development centers are authorized to form
an association to pursue matters of common concern. If more
than a majority of the small business development centers which
are operating pursuant to agreements with the Administration
are members of such an association, the Administration is
authorized and directed to recognize the existence and
activities of such an association and to consult with it [and
develop] and negotiate the development of documents (i)
announcing the annual scope of activities pursuant to this
section, (ii) requesting proposals to deliver assistance [as
provided in this section and] as provided in this section,
(iii) governing the general operations and administration of
the Small Business Development Center Program, specifically
including the development of regulations and a uniform
negotiated cooperative agreement for use on an annual basis
when entering into individual negotiated agreements with small
business development centers, and (iv) governing data
collection activities related to applicants receiving grants
under this section.
(B) Provisions governing audits, cost principles and
administrative requirements for Federal grants, contracts and
cooperative agreements which are included in uniform
requirements of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars
shall be incorporated by reference and shall not be set forth
in summary or other form in regulations.
(C) [Whereas] On an annual basis, the Small Business
Development Center Program shall review and coordinate public
and private partnerships and cosponsorships with the
Administration for the purpose of more efficiently leveraging
available resources on a [National] national and a State basis.
(D) Fees From Private Partnerships and Cosponsorships.--A
small business development center that participates in a
private partnership or cosponsorship, in which the
Administrator or designee of the Administrator also
participates, may collect fees or other income related to the
operation of such private partnership or cosponsorship.
(4) Small business development center program level.--
(A) In general.--The Administration shall require as
a condition of any grant (or amendment or modification
thereof) made to an applicant under this section, that
a matching amount (excluding any fees collected from
recipients of such assistance) equal to the amount of
such grant be provided from sources other than the
Federal Government, to be comprised of not less than 50
percent cash and not more than 50 percent of indirect
costs and in-kind contributions.
(B) Restriction.--The matching amount described in
subparagraph (A) shall not include any indirect costs
or in-kind contributions derived from any Federal
program.
(C) Funding formula.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clause (iii), the
amount of a formula grant received by a State
under this subparagraph shall be equal to an
amount determined in accordance with the
following formula:
(I) The annual amount made available
under section 20(a) for the Small
Business Development Center Program,
less any reductions made for expenses
authorized by clause (v) of this
subparagraph, shall be divided on a pro
rata basis, based on the percentage of
the population of each State, as
compared to the population of the
United States.
(II) If the pro rata amount
calculated under subclause (I) for any
State is less than the minimum funding
level under clause (iii), the
Administration shall determine the
aggregate amount necessary to achieve
that minimum funding level for each
such State.
(III) The aggregate amount calculated
under subclause (II) shall be deducted
from the amount calculated under
subclause (I) for States eligible to
receive more than the minimum funding
level. The deductions shall be made on
a pro rata basis, based on the
population of each such State, as
compared to the total population of all
such States.
(IV) The aggregate amount deducted
under subclause (III) shall be added to
the grants of those States that are not
eligible to receive more than the
minimum funding level in order to
achieve the minimum funding level for
each such State, except that the
eligible amount of a grant to any State
shall not be reduced to an amount below
the minimum funding level.
(ii) Grant determination.--The amount of a
grant that a State is eligible to apply for
under this subparagraph shall be the amount
determined under clause (i), subject to any
modifications required under clause (iii), and
shall be based on the amount available for the
fiscal year in which performance of the grant
commences, but not including amounts
distributed in accordance with clause (iv). The
amount of a grant received by a State under any
provision of this subparagraph shall not exceed
the amount of matching funds from sources other
than the Federal Government, as required under
subparagraph (A).
(iii) Minimum funding level.--The amount of
the minimum funding level for each State shall
be determined for each fiscal year based on the
amount made available for that fiscal year to
carry out this section, as follows:
(I) If the amount made available is
not less than $81,500,000 and not more
than $90,000,000, the minimum funding
level shall be $500,000.
(II) If the amount made available is
less than $81,500,000, the minimum
funding level shall be the remainder of
$500,000 minus a percentage of $500,000
equal to the percentage amount by which
the amount made available is less than
$81,500,000.
(III) If the amount made available is
more than $90,000,000, the minimum
funding level shall be the sum of
$500,000 plus a percentage of $500,000
equal to the percentage amount by which
the amount made available exceeds
$90,000,000.
(iv) Distributions.--Subject to clause (iii),
if any State does not apply for, or use, its
full funding eligibility for a fiscal year, the
Administration shall distribute the remaining
funds as follows:
(I) If the grant to any State is less
than the amount received by that State
in fiscal year 2000, the Administration
shall distribute such remaining funds,
on a pro rata basis, based on the
percentage of shortage of each such
State, as compared to the total amount
of such remaining funds available, to
the extent necessary in order to
increase the amount of the grant to the
amount received by that State in fiscal
year 2000, or until such funds are
exhausted, whichever first occurs.
(II) If any funds remain after the
application of subclause (I), the
remaining amount may be distributed as
supplemental grants to any State, as
the Administration determines, in its
discretion, to be appropriate, after
consultation with the association
referred to in subsection (a)(3)(A).
(v) Use of amounts.--
[(I) In general.--Of the amounts made
available in any fiscal year to carry
out this section--
[(aa) not more than $500,000
may be used by the
Administration to pay expenses
enumerated in subparagraphs (B)
through (D) of section
20(a)(1); and
[(bb) not more than $500,000
may be used by the
Administration to pay the
examination expenses enumerated
in section 20(a)(1)(E).]
(I) In general.--Of the amounts made
available in any fiscal year to carry
out this section, not more than
$600,000 may be used by the
Administration to pay expenses
enumerated in subparagraphs (B) through
(D) of section 20(a)(1).
(II) Limitation.--No funds described
in subclause (I) may be used for
examination expenses under section
20(a)(1)(E) if the usage would reduce
the amount of grants made available
under clause (i)(I) of this
subparagraph to less than $85,000,000
(after excluding any amounts provided
in appropriations Acts, or accompanying
report language, for specific
institutions or for purposes other than
the general small business development
center program) or would further reduce
the amount of such grants below such
amount.
(vi) Exclusions.--Grants provided to a State
by the Administration or another Federal agency
to carry out subsection (a)(6) or (c)(3)(G), or
for supplemental grants set forth in clause
(iv)(II) of this subparagraph, shall not be
included in the calculation of maximum funding
for a State under clause (ii) of this
subparagraph.
(vii) Authorization of appropriations.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this [subparagraph--] subparagraph $175,000,000
for fiscal years 2020 through 2023
[(I) $130,000,000 for fiscal year
2005; and
[(II) $135,000,000 for fiscal year
2006.]
(viii) Limitation.--From the funds
appropriated pursuant to clause (vii), the
Administration [shall reserve not less than
$1,000,000] shall reserve not more than
$2,000,000 in each fiscal year to develop
portable assistance for startup and
sustainability non-matching grant programs to
be conducted by eligible small business
development centers in communities that are
economically challenged as a result of a
business or government facility down sizing or
closing, which has resulted in the loss of jobs
or small business instability. A non-matching
grant under this clause shall not exceed
$100,000, and shall be used for small business
development center personnel expenses and
related small business programs and services.
(ix) State defined.--In this subparagraph,
the term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
(5) Federal contracts with small business development
centers.--
(A) In general.--Subject to the conditions set forth
in subparagraph (B), a small business development
center may enter into a contract with a Federal
department or agency to provide specific assistance to
small business concerns.
(B) Contract prerequisites.--Before bidding on a
contract described in subparagraph (A), a small
business development center shall receive approval from
the Associate Administrator of the small business
development center program of the subject and general
scope of the contract. Each approval under subparagraph
(A) shall be based upon a determination that the
contract will provide assistance to small business
concerns and that performance of the contract will not
hinder the small business development center in
carrying out the terms of the grant received by the
small business development center from the
Administration.
(C) Exemption from matching requirement.--A contract
under this paragraph shall not be subject to the
matching funds or eligibility requirements of paragraph
(4).
(D) Additional provision.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, a contract for assistance under this
paragraph shall not be applied to any Federal
department or agency's small business, woman-owned
business, or socially and economically disadvantaged
business contracting goal under section 15(g).
(6) Any applicant which is funded by the
Administration as a Small Business Development Center
may apply for an additional grant to be used solely to
assist--
(A) with the development and enhancement of
exports by small business concerns;
(B) in technology transfer; and
(C) with outreach, development, and
enhancement of minority-owned small business
startups or expansions, HUBZone small business
concerns, veteran-owned small business startups
or expansions, and women-owned small business
startups or expansions, in communities impacted
by base closings or military or corporate
downsizing, or in rural or underserved
communities;
as provided under subparagraphs (B) through (G) of
subsection (c)(3). Applicants for such additional
grants shall comply with all of the provisions of this
section, including providing matching funds, except
that funding under this paragraph shall be effective
for any fiscal year to the extent provided in advance
in appropriations Acts and shall be in addition to the
dollar program limitations specified in paragraphs (4)
and (5). No recipient of funds under this paragraph
shall receive a grant which would exceed its pro rata
share of a $15,000,000 program based upon the
populations to be served by the Small Business
Development Center as compared to the total population
of the United States. The minimum amount of eligibility
for any State shall be $100,000.
(7) Privacy requirements.--
(A) In general.--A small business development
center, consortium of small business
development centers, or contractor or agent of
a small business development center may not
disclose the name, address, [or telephone
number], telephone number, or email address of
any individual or small business concern
receiving assistance under this section, or the
nature or content of such assistance, to any
State, local, or Federal agency, or to any
third party without the consent of such
individual or small business concern, unless--
(i) the Administrator is ordered to
make such a disclosure by a court in
any civil or criminal enforcement
action initiated by a Federal or State
agency; or
(ii) the Administrator considers such
a disclosure to be necessary for the
purpose of conducting a financial audit
of a small business development center,
but a disclosure under this clause
shall be limited to the information
necessary for such audit.
(B) Administrator use of information.--This
section shall not--
(i) restrict Administrator access to
program activity data; or
(ii) prevent the Administrator from
using client information to conduct
client surveys.
(C) Regulations.--
(i) In general.--The Administrator
shall issue regulations to establish
standards--
(I) for disclosures with
respect to financial audits
under subparagraph (A)(ii); and
(II) for client surveys under
subparagraph (B)(ii), including
standards for oversight of such
surveys and for dissemination
and use of client information.
(ii) Maximum privacy protection.--
Regulations under this subparagraph,
shall, to the extent practicable,
provide for the maximum amount of
privacy protection.
(iii) Inspector general.--Until the
effective date of regulations under
this subparagraph, any client survey
and the use of such information shall
be approved by the Inspector General
who shall include such approval in his
semi-annual report.
(8) Cybersecurity assistance.--
(A) In general.--The Department of Homeland
Security, and any other Federal department or
agency in coordination with the Department of
Homeland Security, may leverage small business
development centers to provide assistance to
small business concerns by disseminating
information relating to cybersecurity risks and
other homeland security matters to help small
business concerns in developing or enhancing
cybersecurity infrastructure, awareness of
cyber threat indicators, and cyber training
programs for employees.
(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph, the
terms ``cybersecurity risk'' and ``cyber threat
indicator'' have the meanings given such terms,
respectively, under section 2209(a) of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002.
(b)(1) Financial assistance shall not be made available to
any applicant if approving such assistance would be
inconsistent with a plan for the area involved which has been
adopted by an agency recognized by the State government as
authorized to do so and approved by the Administration in
accordance with the standards and requirements established
pursuant to this section.
(2) An applicant may apply to participate in the program by
submitting to the Administration for approval a plan naming
those authorized in subsection (a) to participate in the
program, the geographic area to be served, the services that it
would provide, the method for delivering services, a budget,
and any other information and assurances the Administration may
require to insure that the applicant will carry out the
activities eligible for assistance. The Administration is
authorized to approve, conditionally approve or reject a plan
or combination of plans submitted. In all cases, the
Administration shall review plans for conformity with the plan
submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, and
with a view toward providing small business with the most
comprehensive and coordinated assistance in the State or part
thereof to be served.
(3) Assistance to out-of-state small business
concerns.--
(A) In general.--At the discretion of the
Administration, the Administration is
authorized to permit a small business
development center to provide advice,
information and assistance, as described in
subsection (c), to small businesses located
outside the State, but only to the extent such
businesses are located within close
geographical proximity to the small business
development center, as determined by the
Administration.
(B) Disaster recovery assistance.--
(i) In general.--At the discretion of
the Administrator, the Administrator
may authorize a small business
development center to provide advice,
information, and assistance, as
described in subsection (c), to a small
business concern located outside of the
State, without regard to geographic
proximity to the small business
development center, if the small
business concern is located in an area
for which the President has declared a
major disaster.
(ii) Term.--
(I) In general.--A small
business development center may
provide advice, information,
and assistance to a small
business concern under clause
(i) for a period of not more
than 2 years after the date on
which the President declared a
major disaster for the area in
which the small business
concern is located.
(II) Extension.--The
Administrator may, at the
discretion of the
Administrator, extend the
period described in subclause
(I).
(iii) Continuity of services.--A
small business development center that
provides counselors to an area
described in clause (i) shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, ensure
continuity of services in any State in
which the small business development
center otherwise provides services.
(iv) Access to disaster recovery
facilities.--For purposes of this
subparagraph, the Administrator shall,
to the maximum extent practicable,
permit the personnel of a small
business development center to use any
site or facility designated by the
Administrator for use to provide
disaster recovery assistance.
(c)(1) Applicants receiving grants under this section shall
assist small businesses in solving problems concerning
operations, manufacturing, engineering, technology exchange and
development, personnel administration, marketing, sales,
merchandising, finance, accounting, business strategy
development, and other disciplines required for small business
growth and expansion, innovation, increased productivity, and
management improvement, and for decreasing industry economic
concentrations. Applicants receiving grants under this section
may also assist small businesses by providing, where
appropriate, education on the requirements applicable to small
businesses under the regulations issued under section 38 of the
Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778) and on compliance with
those requirements.
(2) A small business development center shall provide
services as close as possible to small businesses by providing
extension services and utilizing satellite locations when
necessary. The facilities and staff of each Small Business
Development Center shall be located in such places as to
provide maximum accessibility and benefits to the small
businesses which the center is intended to serve. To the extent
possible, it also shall make full use of other Federal and
State government programs that are concerned with aiding small
business. A small business development center shall have--
(A) a full-time staff, including a full-time director
who shall have the authority to make expenditures under
the center's budget and who shall manage the program
activities;
(B) access to business analysts to counsel, assist,
and inform small business clients;
(C) access to technology transfer agent to provide
state or art technology to small businesses through
coupling with national and regional technology data
sources;
(D) access to information specialists to assist in
providing information searches and referrals to small
business;
(E) access to part-time professional specialists to
conduct research or to provide counseling assistance
whenever the need arises;
(F) access to laboratory and adaptive engineering
facilities; and
(G) access to cybersecurity specialists to counsel,
assist, and inform small business concern clients, in
furtherance of the Small Business Development Center
Cyber Strategy developed under section 1841(a) of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
2017.
(3) Services provided by a small business development center
shall include, but shall not be limited to--
(A) furnishing one-to-one individual counseling to
small businesses, including--
(i) working with individuals to increase
awareness of basic credit practices and credit
requirements;
(ii) working with individuals to develop
business plans, financial packages, credit
applications, and contract proposals;
(iii) working with the Administration to
develop and provide informational tools for use
in working with individuals on pre-business
startup planning, existing business expansion,
and export planning; and
(iv) working with individuals referred by the
local offices of the Administration and
Administration participating lenders;
(B) assisting in technology transfer, research and
development, including applied research, and coupling
from existing sources to small businesses, including--
(i) working to increase the access of small
businesses to the capabilities of automated
flexible manufacturing systems;
(ii) working through existing networks and
developing new networks for technology transfer
that encourage partnership between the small
business and academic communities to help
commercialize university-based research and
development and introduce university-based
engineers and scientists to their counterparts
in small technology-based firms; and
(iii) exploring the viability of developing
shared production facilities, under appropriate
circumstances;
(C) in cooperation with the Department of Commerce
and other relevant Federal agencies, actively assisting
small businesses in exporting by identifying and
developing potential export markets, facilitating
export transactions, developing linkages between United
States small business firms and prescreened foreign
buyers, assisting small businesses to participate in
international trade shows, assisting small businesses
in obtaining export financing, and facilitating the
development or reorientation of marketing and
production strategies; where appropriate, the Small
Business Development Center and the Administration may
work in cooperation with the State to establish a State
international trade center for these purposes;
(D) developing a program in conjunction with the
Export-Import Bank and local and regional
Administration offices that will enable Small Business
Development Centers to serve as an information network
and to assist small business applicants for Export-
Import Bank financing programs, and otherwise identify
and help to make available export financing programs to
small businesses;
(E) working closely with the small business
community, small business consultants, State agencies,
universities and other appropriate groups to make
translation services more readily available to small
business firms doing business, or attempting to develop
business, in foreign markets;
(F) in providing assistance under this subsection,
applicants shall cooperate with the Department of
Commerce and other relevant Federal agencies to
increase access to available export market information
systems, including the CIMS system;
(G) assisting small businesses to develop and
implement strategic business plans to timely and
effectively respond to the planned closure (or
reduction) of a Department of Defense facility within
the community, or actual or projected reductions in
such firms' business base due to the actual or
projected termination (or reduction) of a Department of
Defense program or a contract in support of such
program--
(i) by developing broad economic assessments
of the adverse impacts of--
(I) the closure (or reduction) of the
Department of Defense facility on the
small business concerns providing goods
or services to such facility or to the
military and civilian personnel
currently stationed or working at such
facility; and
(II) the termination (or reduction)
of a Department of Defense program (or
contracts under such program) on the
small business concerns participating
in such program as a prime contractor,
subcontractor or supplier at any tier;
(ii) by developing, in conjunction with
appropriate Federal, State, and local
governmental entities and other private sector
organizations, the parameters of a transition
adjustment program adaptable to the needs of
individual small business concerns;
(iii) by conducting appropriate programs to
inform the affected small business community
regarding the anticipated adverse impacts
identified under clause (i) and the economic
adjustment assistance available to such firms;
and
(iv) by assisting small business concerns to
develop and implement an individualized
transition business plan.
(H) maintaining current information concerning
Federal, State, and local regulations that affect small
businesses and counsel small businesses on methods of
compliance. Counseling and technology development shall
be provided when necessary to help small businesses
find solutions for complying with environmental,
energy, health, safety, and other Federal, State, and
local regulations;
(I) coordinating and conducting research into
technical and general small business problems for which
there are no ready solutions;
(J) providing and maintaining a comprehensive library
that contains current information and statistical data
needed by small businesses;
(K) maintaining a working relationship and open
communications with the financial and investment
communities, legal associations, local and regional
private consultants, and local and regional small
business groups and associations in order to help
address the various needs of the small business
community;
(L) conducting in-depth surveys for local small
business groups in order to develop general information
regarding the local economy and general small
businesses strengths and weaknesses in the locality;
(M) in cooperation with the Department of Commerce,
the Administration and other relevant Federal agencies,
actively assisting rural small businesses in exporting
by identifying and developing potential export markets
for rural small businesses, facilitating export
transactions for rural small businesses, developing
linkages between United States' rural small businesses
and prescreened foreign buyers, assisting rural small
businesses to participate in international trade shows,
assisting rural small businesses in obtaining export
financing and developing marketing and production
strategies;
(N) assisting rural small businesses--
(i) in developing marketing and production
strategies that will enable them to better
compete in the domestic market--
(ii) by providing technical assistance needed
by rural small businesses;
(iii) by making available managerial
assistance to rural small business concerns;
and
(iv) by providing information and assistance
in obtaining financing for business startups
and expansion;
(O) in conjunction with the United States Travel and
Tourism Administration, assist rural small business in
developing the tourism potential of rural communities
by--
(i) identifying the cultural, historic,
recreational, and scenic resources of such
communities;
(ii) providing assistance to small businesses
in developing tourism marketing and promotion
plans relating to tourism in rural areas; and
(iii) assisting small business concerns to
obtain capital for starting or expanding
businesses primarily serving tourists;
(P) maintaining lists of local and regional private
consultants to whom small business can be referred;
(Q) providing information to small business concerns
regarding compliance with regulatory requirements;
(R) developing informational publications,
establishing resource centers of reference materials,
and distributing compliance guides published under
section 312(a) of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996;
(S) providing small business owners with access to a
wide variety of export-related information by
establishing on-line computer linkages between small
business development centers and an international trade
data information network with ties to the Export
Assistance Center program;
(T) providing information and assistance to small
business concerns with respect to establishing drug-
free workplace programs on or before October 1, 2006;
and
(U) encouraging and assisting the provision of
succession planning to small business concerns with a
focus on transitioning to cooperatives, as defined in
section 7(a)(35), and qualified employee trusts
(collectively referred to in this subparagraph as
``employee-owned business concerns''), including by--
(i) providing training to individuals to
promote the successful management, governance,
or operation of a business purchased by those
individuals in the formation of an employee-
owned business concern;
(ii) assisting employee-owned business
concerns that meet applicable size standards
established under section 3(a) with education
and technical assistance with respect to
financing and contracting programs administered
by the Administration;
(iii) coordinating with lenders on conducting
outreach on financing through programs
administered by the Administration that may be
used to support the transition of ownership to
employees;
(iv) supporting small business concerns in
exploring or assessing the possibility of
transitioning to an employee-owned business
concern; and
(v) coordinating with the cooperative
development centers of the Department of
Agriculture, the land grant extension network,
the Manufacturing Extension Partnership,
community development financial institutions,
employee ownership associations and service
providers, and local, regional and national
cooperative associations.
(U) in conjunction with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, providing training--
(i) to small business concerns relating to--
(I) domestic and international
intellectual property protections; and
(II) how the protections described in
subclause (I) should be considered in
the business plans and growth
strategies of the small business
concerns; and
(ii) that may be delivered--
(I) in person; or
(II) through a website.
(4) A small business development center shall continue to
upgrade and modify its services, as needed, in order to meet
the changing and evolving needs of the small business
community.
(5) In addition to the methods prescribed in section
21(c)(2), a small business development center shall utilize and
compensate as one of its resources qualified small business
vendors, including but not limited to, private management
consultants, private consulting engineers and private testing
laboratories, to provide services as described in this
subsection to small businesses on behalf of such small business
development center.
(6) In any State (A) in which the Administration has not made
a grant pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a), or (B) in
which no application for a grant has been made by a Small
Business Development Center pursuant to paragraph (6) of such
subsection within 60 days after the effective date of any grant
under subsection (a)(1) to such center or the date the
Administration notifies the grantee funded under subsection
(a)(1) that funds are available for grant applications pursuant
to subsection (a)(6), whichever date occurs last, the
Administration may make grants to a non-profit entity in that
State to carry out the activities specified in paragraph (6) of
subsection (a). Any such applicants shall comply with the
matching funds requirement of paragraph (4) of subsection (a).
Such grants shall be effective for any fiscal year only to the
extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, and each
State shall be limited to the pro rata share provisions of
paragraph (6) of subsection (a).
(7) In performing the services identified in
paragraph (3), the Small Business Development Centers
shall work in close cooperation with the
Administration's regional and local offices, the local
small business community, and appropriate State and
local agencies.
(8) The Associate Administrator for Small Business
Development Centers, in consultation with the Small
Business Development Centers, shall develop and
implement an information sharing system. Subject to
amounts approved in advance in appropriations Acts, the
Administration may make grants or enter cooperative
agreements with one or more centers to carry out the
provisions of this paragraph. Said grants or
cooperative agreements shall be awarded for periods of
no more than five years duration. The matching funds
provisions of subsection (a) shall not be applicable to
grants or cooperative agreements under this paragraph.
The system shall--
(A) allow Small Business Development Centers
participating in the program to exchange
information about their programs; and
(B) provide information central to technology
transfer.
(d) Where appropriate, the Small Business Development Centers
shall work in conjunction with the relevant State agency and
the Department of Commerce to develop a comprehensive plan for
enhancing the export potential of small businesses located
within the State. This plan may involve the cofunding and
staffing of a State Office of International Trade within the
State Small Business Development Center, using joint State and
Federal funding, and any other appropriate measures directed at
improving the export performance of small businesses within the
State.
(e) Laboratories operated and funded by the Federal
Government are authorized and directed to cooperate with the
Administration in developing and establishing programs to
support small business development centers by making facilities
and equipment available; providing experiment station
capabilities in adaptive engineering; providing library and
technical information processing capabilities; and providing
professional staff for consulting. The Administration is
authorized to reimburse the laboratories for such services.
(f) The National Science Foundation is authorized and
directed to cooperate with the Administration and with the
Small Business Development Centers in developing and
establishing programs to support the centers.
(g) National Aeronautics and Space Administration and
Regional Technology Transfer Centers.--The National Aeronautics
and Space Administration and regional technology transfer
centers supported by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration are authorized and directed to cooperate with
small business development centers participating in the
program.
(h) Associate Administrator for Small Business Development
Centers.--
(1) Appointment and compensation.--The Administrator
shall appoint an Associate Administrator for Small
Business Development Centers who shall report to an
official who is not more than one level below the
Office of the Administrator and who shall serve without
regard to the provisions of title 5, governing
appointments in the competitive service, and without
regard to chapter 51, and subchapter III of chapter 53
of such title relating to classification and General
Schedule pay rates, but at a rate not less than the
rate of GS-17 of the General Schedule.
(2) Duties.--
(A) In general.--The sole responsibility of
the Associate Administrator for Small Business
Development Centers shall be to administer the
small business development center program.
Duties of the position shall include
recommending the annual program budget,
reviewing the annual budgets submitted by each
applicant, establishing appropriate funding
levels therefore, selecting applicants to
participate in this program, implementing the
provisions of this section, maintaining a
clearinghouse to provide for the dissemination
and exchange of information between small
business development centers and conducting
audits of recipients of grants under this
section.
(B) Consultation requirements.--In carrying
out the duties described in this subsection,
the Associate Administrator shall confer with
and seek the advice of the Board established by
subsection (i) and Administration officials in
areas served by the small business development
centers; however, the Associate Administrator
shall be responsible for the management and
administration of the program and shall not be
subject to the approval or concurrence of such
Administration officials.
(i)(1) There is established a National Small Business
Development Center Advisory Board (herein referred to as
``Board'') which shall consist of nine members appointed from
civilian life by the Administrator and who shall be persons of
outstanding qualifications known to be familiar and sympathetic
with small business needs and problems. No more than three
members shall be from universities or their affiliates and six
shall be from small businesses or associations representing
small businesses. At the time of the appointment of the Board,
the Administrator shall designate one-third of the members and
at least one from each category whose term shall end in two
years from the date of appointment, a second third whose term
shall end in three years from the date of appointment, and the
final third whose term shall end in four years from the date of
appointment. Succeeding Boards shall have three-year terms,
with one-third of the Board changing each year.
(2) The Board shall elect a Chairman and advise, counsel, and
confer with the Associate Administrator for Small Business
Development Centers in carrying out the duties described in
this section. The Board shall meet at least semiannually and at
the call of the Chairman of the Board. Each member of the Board
shall be entitled to be compensated at the rate not in excess
of the per diem equivalent of the highest rate of pay for
individuals occupying the position under GS-18 of the General
Schedule for each day engaged in activities of the Board and
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for expenses as a member of
the Board.
(j)(1) Each small business development center shall establish
an advisory board.
(2) Each small business development center advisory board
shall elect a chairman and advise, counsel, and confer with the
director of the small business development center on all policy
matters pertaining to the operation of the small business
development center, including who may be eligible to receive
assistance from, and how local and regional private consultants
may participate with the small business development center.
(k) Program Examination and Accreditation.--
(1) Examination.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the
Administration shall develop and implement a biennial
programmatic and financial examination of each small
business development center established pursuant to
this section.
(2) Accreditation.--The Administration may provide
financial support, by contract or otherwise, to the
association authorized by subsection (a)(3)(A) for the
purpose of developing a small business development
center accreditation program.
(3) Extension or renewal of cooperative agreements.--
(A) In general.--In extending or renewing a
cooperative agreement of a small business
development center, the Administration shall
consider the results of the examination and
accreditation program conducted pursuant to
paragraphs (1) and (2).
(B) Accreditation requirement.--After
September 30, 2000, the Administration may not
renew or extend any cooperative agreement with
a small business development center unless the
center has been approved under the
accreditation program conducted pursuant to
this subsection, except that the Associate
Administrator for Small Business Development
Centers may waive such accreditation
requirement, in the discretion of the Associate
Administrator, upon a showing that the center
is making a good faith effort to obtain
accreditation.
(l) Contract Authority.--The authority to enter into
contracts shall be in effect for each fiscal year only to the
extent and in the amounts as are provided in advance in
appropriations Acts. After the administration has entered a
contract, either as a grant or a cooperative agreement, with
any applicant under this section, it shall not suspend,
terminate, or fail to renew or extend any such contract unless
the Administration provides the applicant with written
notification setting forth the reasons therefore and affording
the applicant an opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or other
administrative proceeding under the provisions of chapter 5 of
title 5, United States Code. If any contract or cooperative
agreement under this section with an entity that is covered by
this section is not renewed or extended, any award of a
successor contract or cooperative agreement under this section
to another entity shall be made on a competitive basis.
(m) Prohibition on Certain Fees.--A small business
development center shall not impose or otherwise collect a fee
or other compensation in connection with the provision of
counseling services under this section.
(n) Veterans Assistance and Services Program.--
(1) In general.--A small business development center
may apply for a grant under this subsection to carry
out a veterans assistance and services program.
(2) Elements of program.--Under a program carried out
with a grant under this subsection, a small business
development center shall--
(A) create a marketing campaign to promote
awareness and education of the services of the
center that are available to veterans, and to
target the campaign toward veterans, service-
disabled veterans, military units, Federal
agencies, and veterans organizations;
(B) use technology-assisted online counseling
and distance learning technology to overcome
the impediments to entrepreneurship faced by
veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and
(C) increase coordination among organizations
that assist veterans, including by establishing
virtual integration of service providers and
offerings for a one-stop point of contact for
veterans who are entrepreneurs or owners of
small business concerns.
(3) Amount of grants.--A grant under this subsection
shall be for not less than $75,000 and not more than
$250,000.
(4) Funding.--Subject to amounts approved in advance
in appropriations Acts, the Administration may make
grants or enter into cooperative agreements to carry
out the provisions of this subsection.
(o) No Prohibition of Marketing of Services.--An applicant
receiving a grant under this section may market and advertise
the services of such applicant to individuals and small
business concerns.
(p) Annual Report on Data Collection.--The Administrator
shall annually submit to the Committee on Small Business of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business
and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report on any data
collection activities related to the Small Business Development
Center Program.
(q) Limitation on Award of Grants.--Except for not-for-profit
institutions of higher education, and notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Administrator may not award a grant or
contract to, or enter into a cooperative agreement with, an
entity under this section unless that entity--
(1) received a grant or contract from, or entered
into a cooperative agreement with, the Administrator
under this section before the date of the enactment of
this subsection; and
(2) seeks to renew such a grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement after such date.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 49. USE OF AUTHORIZED ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
(a) Expanded Support for Entrepreneurs.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Administrator shall only deliver
entrepreneurial development services, entrepreneurial
education, and support for the development and
maintenance of the Regional Innovation Clusters Program
(or similar business training services) through a
program authorized under--
(A) section 7(j), 7(m), 8(a), 8(b)(1), 21,
22, 29, or 32 of this Act; or
(B) sections 358 or 389 of the Small Business
Investment Act of 1958.
(2) Exception.--This section shall not apply to
services provided to assist small business concerns
owned by an Indian tribe (as such term is defined in
section 8(a)(13)).
(b) Annual Report.--Beginning on the first December 1 after
the date of the enactment of this section, the Administrator
shall annually submit to the Committee on Small Business of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business
and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report on the following:
(1) All entrepreneurial development activities
undertaken during the fiscal year preceding the date of
the report through a program described in subsection
(a), including--
(A) a description and operating details for
each program and the activities performed under
each program;
(B) operating circulars, manuals, and
standard operating procedures for each program;
(C) a description of the process used to
award grants under such programs;
(D) a list of all recipients of awards under
a program described in subsection (a),
contractors, and vendors (including
organization name and location) and the amount
of awards provided during the fiscal year
preceding the date of the report for such
programs and activities performed under such
programs;
(E) the total amount of funding obligated for
such programs and activities for the fiscal
year preceding the date of the report; and
(F) the names and titles of the individuals
responsible for such programs.
(2) For entrepreneurial development activities
undertaken during the fiscal year preceding the date of
the report through the Small Business Development
Center Program (in this section referred to as the
``Program'')--
(A) the number of individuals counseled or
trained through the Program;
(B) the total number of hours of counseling
and training services provided through the
Program;
(C) the demographics of participants in the
Program, which shall include the gender, race,
and age of each such participant;
(D) the number of participants in the Program
who are veterans;
(E) the number of new businesses started by
participants in the Program;
(F) to the extent practicable, the number of
jobs supported, created, or retained with
assistance from small business development
centers;
(G) the amount of capital secured by
participants in the Program, including through
loans and equity investment;
(H) the number of participants in the Program
receiving financial assistance, including the
type and dollar amount, under the loan programs
of the Administration;
(I) an estimate of gross receipts, including
(to the extent practicable) a description of
any change in revenue, of small business
concerns assisted through the Program;
(J) the number of referrals to other
resources and programs of the Administration;
(K) the results of satisfaction surveys of
participants in the Program, including a
summary of any comments received from such
participants; and
(L) any recommendations by the Administrator
to improve the delivery of services by the
Program.
Sec. [49.] 50. All laws and parts of laws inconsistent with
this Act are hereby repealed to the extent of such
inconsistency.
* * * * * * *
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