[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2693 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2693

    To reauthorize the women's business center program of the Small 
            Business Administration, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 30, 2014

 Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Cardin, Mrs. Shaheen, Mrs. Gillibrand, 
 Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Walsh) introduced the following bill; which was 
    read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and 
                            Entrepreneurship

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To reauthorize the women's business center program of the Small 
            Business Administration, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Small Business Ownership Act 
of 2014''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION.

    In this Act--
            (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 
        the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 
        thereof, respectively;
            (2) the term ``disability'' has the meaning given that term 
        in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
        U.S.C. 12102);
            (3) the term ``microloan program'' means the program 
        established under section 7(m) of the Small Business Act (15 
        U.S.C. 636(m));
            (4) the term ``rural small business concern'' means a small 
        business concern located in a rural area, as that term is 
        defined in section 1393(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
        1986; and
            (5) the terms ``small business concern'', ``small business 
        concern owned and controlled by veterans'', and ``small 
        business concern owned and controlled by women'' have the 
        meanings given those terms under section 3 of the Small 
        Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).

SEC. 3. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

    Section 29(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(g)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``in the 
                        areas'' and all that follows through the end of 
                        subclause (I), and inserting the following: 
                        ``to address issues concerning the management, 
                        operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, 
                        retail and product sales, international trade, 
                        Government contracting, and other disciplines 
                        required for--
                                    ``(I) starting, operating, and 
                                increasing the business of a small 
                                business concern;''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``Women's 
                        Business Center program'' each place that term 
                        appears and inserting ``women's business center 
                        program''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting before the 
                period at the end the following: ``, the National 
                Women's Business Council, and any association of 
                women's business centers''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Training.--The Administrator may provide annual 
        programmatic and financial examination training for women's 
        business ownership representatives and district office 
        technical representatives of the Administration to enable 
        representatives to carry out their responsibilities.
            ``(4) Program and transparency improvements.--The 
        Administrator shall maximize the transparency of the women's 
        business center financial assistance proposal process and the 
        programmatic and financial examination process by--
                    ``(A) providing public notice of any announcement 
                for financial assistance under subsection (b) or a 
                grant under subsection (l);
                    ``(B) in the announcement described in subparagraph 
                (A), outlining award and program evaluation criteria 
                and describing the weighting of the criteria for 
                financial assistance under subsection (b) and grants 
                under subsection (l); and
                    ``(C) not later than 60 days after the completion 
                of a site visit to the women's business center (whether 
                conducted for an audit, performance review, or other 
                reason), when feasible, providing to each women's 
                business center a copy of any site visit reports or 
                evaluation reports prepared by district office 
                technical representatives or officers or employees of 
                the Administration.''.

SEC. 4. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

    (a) Women's Business Center Financial Assistance.--Section 29 of 
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (4);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
                paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively;
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) the term `association of women's business centers' 
        means an organization--
                    ``(A) that represents not less than 51 percent of 
                the women's business centers that participate in a 
                program under this section; and
                    ``(B) whose primary purpose is to represent women's 
                business centers;
            ``(3) the term `eligible entity' means--
                    ``(A) a private nonprofit organization;
                    ``(B) a State, regional, or local economic 
                development organization;
                    ``(C) a development, credit, or finance corporation 
                chartered by a State;
                    ``(D) a junior or community college, as defined in 
                section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1058(f)); or
                    ``(E) any combination of entities listed in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (D);''; and
                    (D) by adding after paragraph (5), as so 
                redesignated, the following:
            ``(6) the term `women's business center' means a project 
        conducted by an eligible entity under this section.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) 
                as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and adjusting the 
                margins accordingly;
                    (B) by striking ``The Administration'' and all that 
                follows through ``5-year projects'' and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Administration may provide financial 
        assistance to an eligible entity to conduct a project under 
        this section'';
                    (C) by striking ``The projects shall'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(2) Use of funds.--The project shall be designed to 
        provide training and counseling that meets the needs of women, 
        especially socially and economically disadvantaged women, and 
        shall''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Amount of financial assistance.--The Administrator 
        may award financial assistance under this subsection of not 
        more than $250,000 per project year.
            ``(4) Consultation with associations of women's business 
        centers.--The Administrator shall seek advice, input, and 
        recommendations for policy changes from any association of 
        women's business centers to develop--
                    ``(A) a training program for the staff of women's 
                business centers; and
                    ``(B) recommendations to improve the policies and 
                procedures for governing the general operations and 
                administration of the women's business center program, 
                including grant program improvements under subsection 
                (g)(4).'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``the recipient 
                organization'' and inserting ``an eligible entity'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), in the second sentence, by 
                striking ``a recipient organization'' and inserting 
                ``an eligible entity'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by striking ``recipient of assistance'' 
                        and inserting ``eligible entity'';
                            (ii) by striking ``such organization'' and 
                        inserting ``the eligible entity''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``recipient'' and 
                        inserting ``eligible entity''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Separation of project and funds.--An eligible entity 
        shall--
                    ``(A) carry out a project under this section 
                separately from other projects, if any, of the eligible 
                entity; and
                    ``(B) separately maintain and account for any 
                financial assistance under this section.'';
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by striking ``applicant organization'' and 
                inserting ``eligible entity'';
                    (B) by striking ``a recipient organization'' and 
                inserting ``an eligible entity''; and
                    (C) by striking ``site'';
            (5) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
    ``(f) Applications and Criteria for Initial Financial Assistance.--
            ``(1) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring financial 
        assistance under subsection (b) shall submit to the 
        Administrator an application that contains--
                    ``(A) a certification that the eligible entity--
                            ``(i) has designated an executive director 
                        or program manager, who may be compensated 
                        using financial assistance under subsection (b) 
                        or other sources, to manage the center;
                            ``(ii) as a condition of receiving 
                        financial assistance under subsection (b), 
                        agrees--
                                    ``(I) to receive a site visit at 
                                the discretion of the Administrator as 
                                part of the final selection process;
                                    ``(II) to undergo an annual 
                                programmatic and financial examination; 
                                and
                                    ``(III) to remedy any problems 
                                identified pursuant to the site visit 
                                or examination under subclause (I) or 
                                (II); and
                            ``(iii) meets the accounting and reporting 
                        requirements established by the Director of the 
                        Office of Management and Budget;
                    ``(B) information demonstrating that the eligible 
                entity has the ability and resources to meet the needs 
                of the market to be served by the women's business 
                center for which financial assistance under subsection 
                (b) is sought, including the ability to obtain the non-
                Federal contribution required under subsection (c);
                    ``(C) information relating to the assistance to be 
                provided by the women's business center for which 
                financial assistance under subsection (b) is sought in 
                the area in which the women's business center is 
                located;
                    ``(D) information demonstrating the experience and 
                effectiveness of the eligible entity in--
                            ``(i) conducting financial, management, and 
                        marketing assistance programs, as described in 
                        subsection (b)(2), which are designed to teach 
                        or upgrade the business skills of women who are 
                        business owners or potential business owners;
                            ``(ii) providing training and services to a 
                        representative number of women who are socially 
                        and economically disadvantaged; and
                            ``(iii) working with resource partners of 
                        the Administration and other entities, such as 
                        universities; and
                    ``(E) a 5-year plan that describes the ability of 
                the women's business center for which financial 
                assistance is sought--
                            ``(i) to serve women who are business 
                        owners or potential business owners by 
                        conducting training and counseling activities; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) to provide training and services to 
                        a representative number of women who are 
                        socially and economically disadvantaged.
            ``(2) Review and approval of applications for initial 
        financial assistance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) review each application submitted 
                        under paragraph (1), based on the information 
                        described in such paragraph and the criteria 
                        set forth under subparagraph (B) of this 
                        paragraph; and
                            ``(ii) to the extent practicable, as part 
                        of the final selection process, conduct a site 
                        visit to each women's business center for which 
                        financial assistance under subsection (b) is 
                        sought.
                    ``(B) Selection criteria.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall 
                        evaluate applicants for financial assistance 
                        under subsection (b) in accordance with 
                        selection criteria that are--
                                    ``(I) established before the date 
                                on which applicants are required to 
                                submit the applications;
                                    ``(II) stated in terms of relative 
                                importance; and
                                    ``(III) publicly available and 
                                stated in each solicitation for 
                                applications for financial assistance 
                                under subsection (b) made by the 
                                Administrator.
                            ``(ii) Required criteria.--The selection 
                        criteria for financial assistance under 
                        subsection (b) shall include--
                                    ``(I) the experience of the 
                                applicant in conducting programs or 
                                ongoing efforts designed to teach or 
                                enhance the business skills of women 
                                who are business owners or potential 
                                business owners;
                                    ``(II) the ability of the applicant 
                                to begin a project within a minimum 
                                amount of time, as established under 
                                the program announcement or by 
                                regulation;
                                    ``(III) the ability of the 
                                applicant to provide training and 
                                services to a representative number of 
                                women who are socially and economically 
                                disadvantaged; and
                                    ``(IV) the location for the women's 
                                business center proposed by the 
                                applicant, including whether the 
                                applicant is located in a State in 
                                which there is not a women's business 
                                center receiving funding from the 
                                Administration.
                    ``(C) Proximity.--If the principal place of 
                business of an applicant for financial assistance under 
                subsection (b) is located less than 50 miles from the 
                principal place of business of a women's business 
                center that received funds under this section on or 
                before the date of the application, the applicant shall 
                not be eligible for the financial assistance, unless 
                the applicant submits a detailed written justification 
                of the need for an additional center in the area in 
                which the applicant is located.
                    ``(D) Record retention.--The Administrator shall 
                maintain a copy of each application submitted under 
                this subsection for not less than 7 years.''; and
            (6) in subsection (m)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(3) Application and approval for renewal grants.--
                    ``(A) Solicitation of applications.--The 
                Administrator shall solicit applications and award 
                grants under this subsection for the first fiscal year 
                beginning after the date of enactment of the Women's 
                Small Business Ownership Act of 2014, and every third 
                fiscal year thereafter.
                    ``(B) Contents of application.--Each eligible 
                entity desiring a grant under this subsection shall 
                submit to the Administrator an application that 
                contains--
                            ``(i) a certification that the applicant--
                                    ``(I) is an eligible entity;
                                    ``(II) has designated an executive 
                                director or program manager to manage 
                                the women's business center operated by 
                                the applicant; and
                                    ``(III) as a condition of receiving 
                                a grant under this subsection, agrees--
                                            ``(aa) to receive a site 
                                        visit as part of the final 
                                        selection process;
                                            ``(bb) to submit, for the 2 
                                        full fiscal years before the 
                                        date on which the application 
                                        is submitted, annual 
                                        programmatic and financial 
                                        examination reports or 
                                        certified copies of the 
                                        compliance supplemental audits 
                                        under OMB Circular A-133 of the 
                                        applicant; and
                                            ``(cc) to remedy any 
                                        problem identified pursuant to 
                                        the site visit or examination 
                                        under item (aa) or (bb);
                            ``(ii) information demonstrating that the 
                        applicant has the ability and resources to meet 
                        the needs of the market to be served by the 
                        women's business center for which a grant under 
                        this subsection is sought, including the 
                        ability to obtain the non-Federal contribution 
                        required under paragraph (4)(C);
                            ``(iii) information relating to assistance 
                        to be provided by the women's business center 
                        in the area served by the women's business 
                        center for which a grant under this subsection 
                        is sought;
                            ``(iv) information demonstrating that the 
                        applicant has worked with resource partners of 
                        the Administration and other entities;
                            ``(v) a 3-year plan that describes the 
                        ability of the women's business center for 
                        which a grant under this subsection is sought--
                                    ``(I) to serve women who are 
                                business owners or potential business 
                                owners by conducting training and 
                                counseling activities; and
                                    ``(II) to provide training and 
                                services to a representative number of 
                                women who are socially and economically 
                                disadvantaged; and
                            ``(vi) any additional information that the 
                        Administrator may reasonably require.
                    ``(C) Review and approval of applications for 
                grants.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Administrator 
                        shall--
                                    ``(I) review each application 
                                submitted under subparagraph (B), based 
                                on the information described in such 
                                subparagraph and the criteria set forth 
                                under clause (ii) of this subparagraph; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) at the discretion of the 
                                Administrator, and as part of the final 
                                selection process, conduct a site visit 
                                to each women's business center for 
                                which a grant under this subsection is 
                                sought.
                            ``(ii) Selection criteria.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--The 
                                Administrator shall evaluate applicants 
                                for grants under this subsection in 
                                accordance with selection criteria that 
                                are--
                                            ``(aa) established before 
                                        the date on which applicants 
                                        are required to submit the 
                                        applications;
                                            ``(bb) stated in terms of 
                                        relative importance; and
                                            ``(cc) publicly available 
                                        and stated in each solicitation 
                                        for applications for grants 
                                        under this subsection made by 
                                        the Administrator.
                                    ``(II) Required criteria.--The 
                                selection criteria for a grant under 
                                this subsection shall include--
                                            ``(aa) the total number of 
                                        entrepreneurs served by the 
                                        applicant;
                                            ``(bb) the total number of 
                                        new startup companies assisted 
                                        by the applicant;
                                            ``(cc) the percentage of 
                                        clients of the applicant that 
                                        are socially or economically 
                                        disadvantaged; and
                                            ``(dd) the percentage of 
                                        individuals in the community 
                                        served by the applicant who are 
                                        socially or economically 
                                        disadvantaged.
                            ``(iii) Conditions for continued funding.--
                        In determining whether to make a grant under 
                        this subsection, the Administrator--
                                    ``(I) shall consider the results of 
                                the most recent evaluation of the 
                                women's business center for which a 
                                grant under this subsection is sought, 
                                and, to a lesser extent, previous 
                                evaluations; and
                                    ``(II) may withhold a grant under 
                                this subsection, if the Administrator 
                                determines that the applicant has 
                                failed to provide the information 
                                required to be provided under this 
                                paragraph, or the information provided 
                                by the applicant is inadequate.
                    ``(D) Notification.--Not later than 60 days after 
                the date of each deadline to submit applications, the 
                Administrator shall approve or deny any application 
                under this paragraph and notify the applicant for each 
                such application of the approval or denial.
                    ``(E) Record retention.--The Administrator shall 
                maintain a copy of each application submitted under 
                this paragraph for not less than 7 years.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(5) Award to previous recipients.--There shall be no 
        limitation on the number of times the Administrator may award a 
        grant to an applicant under this subsection.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 29 of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``to award a contract 
        (as a sustainability grant) under subsection (l) or'';
            (2) in subsection (j)(1), by striking ``The 
        Administration'' and inserting ``Not later than November 1 of 
        each year, the Administrator'';
            (3) in subsection (k)--
                    (A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (4);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
                (4);
                    (C) by inserting before paragraph (2) the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        to the Administration to carry out this section, to remain 
        available until expended, $26,750,000 for each of fiscal years 
        2015 through 2019.''; and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) Continuing grant and cooperative agreement 
        authority.--
                    ``(A) Prompt disbursement.--Upon receiving funds to 
                carry out this section for a fiscal year, the 
                Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, 
                promptly reimburse funds to any women's business center 
                awarded financial assistance under this section if the 
                center meets the eligibility requirements under this 
                section.
                    ``(B) Suspension or termination.--If the 
                Administrator has entered into a grant or cooperative 
                agreement with a women's business center under this 
                section, the Administrator may not suspend or terminate 
                the grant or cooperative agreement, unless the 
                Administrator--
                            ``(i) provides the women's business center 
                        with written notification setting forth the 
                        reasons for that action; and
                            ``(ii) affords the women's business center 
                        an opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or other 
                        administrative proceeding under chapter 5 of 
                        title 5, United States Code.'';
            (4) in subsection (m)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection (b) 
                or (l)'' and inserting ``this subsection or subsection 
                (b)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4)(D), by striking ``or 
                subsection (l)''; and
            (5) by redesignating subsections (m), (n), and (o), as 
        amended by this Act, as subsections (l), (m), and (n), 
        respectively.
    (c) Effect on Existing Grants.--
            (1) Terms and conditions.--A nonprofit organization 
        receiving a grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business Act 
        (15 U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect on the day before the date of 
        enactment of this Act, shall continue to receive the grant 
        under the terms and conditions in effect for the grant on the 
        day before the date of enactment of this Act, except that the 
        nonprofit organization may not apply for a renewal of the grant 
        under section 29(m)(5) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
        656(m)(5)), as in effect on the day before the date of 
        enactment of this Act.
            (2) Length of renewal grant.--The Administrator may award a 
        grant under section 29(l) of the Small Business Act, as so 
        redesignated by subsection (a)(5) of this section, to a 
        nonprofit organization receiving a grant under section 29(m) of 
        the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect on the 
        day before the date of enactment of this Act, for the period--
                    (A) beginning on the day after the last day of the 
                grant agreement under such section 29(m); and
                    (B) ending at the end of the third fiscal year 
                beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 5. MATCHING REQUIREMENTS UNDER WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 29(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
656(c)), as amended by section 4 of this Act, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``As a condition'' and 
        inserting ``Subject to paragraph (6), as a condition''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Waiver of non-federal share relating to technical 
        assistance and counseling.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Upon request by a recipient 
                organization, and in accordance with this paragraph, 
                the Administrator may waive, in whole or in part, the 
                requirement to obtain non-Federal funds under this 
                subsection for the technical assistance and counseling 
                activities of the recipient organization carried out 
                using financial assistance under this section for a 
                fiscal year. The Administrator may not waive the 
                requirement for a recipient organization to obtain non-
                Federal funds under this paragraph for more than a 
                total of 2 consecutive fiscal years.
                    ``(B) Considerations.--In determining whether to 
                waive the requirement to obtain non-Federal funds under 
                this paragraph, the Administrator shall consider--
                            ``(i) the economic conditions affecting the 
                        recipient organization;
                            ``(ii) the impact a waiver under this 
                        clause would have on the credibility of the 
                        women's business center program under this 
                        section;
                            ``(iii) the demonstrated ability of the 
                        recipient organization to raise non-Federal 
                        funds; and
                            ``(iv) the performance of the recipient 
                        organization.
                    ``(C) Limitation.--The Administrator may not waive 
                the requirement to obtain non-Federal funds under this 
                paragraph if granting the waiver would undermine the 
                credibility of the women's business center program 
                under this section.
            ``(7) Solicitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, a recipient organization may--
                    ``(A) solicit cash and in-kind contributions from 
                private individuals and entities to be used to carry 
                out the activities of the recipient organization under 
                the project conducted under this section; and
                    ``(B) use amounts made available by the 
                Administration under this section for the cost of such 
                solicitation and management of the contributions 
                received.''.
    (b) Regulations.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall--
                    (A) except as provided in paragraph (2), and not 
                later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
                Act, publish in the Federal Register proposed 
                regulations by the Administrator to carry out the 
                amendments made to section 29 of the Small Business Act 
                by this Act; and
                    (B) accept public comments on such proposed 
                regulations for not less than 60 days.
            (2) Existing proposed regulations.--Paragraph (1)(A) shall 
        not apply to the extent proposed regulations by the 
        Administrator have been published on the date of enactment of 
        this Act that are sufficient to carry out the amendments made 
        to section 29 of the Small Business Act by this Act.

SEC. 6. STUDY AND REPORT ON ECONOMIC ISSUES FACING WOMEN'S BUSINESS 
              CENTERS.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a broad study of the unique economic issues facing women's 
business centers located in covered areas to identify--
            (1) the difficulties such centers face in raising non-
        Federal funds;
            (2) the difficulties such centers face in competing for 
        financial assistance, non-Federal funds, or other types of 
        assistance;
            (3) the difficulties such centers face in writing grant 
        proposals; and
            (4) other difficulties such centers face because of the 
        economy in the type of covered area in which such centers are 
        located.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report 
containing the results of the study under subsection (a), which shall 
include recommendations, if any, regarding how to--
            (1) address the unique difficulties women's business 
        centers located in covered areas face because of the type of 
        covered area in which such centers are located;
            (2) expand the presence of, and increase the services 
        provided by, women's business centers located in covered areas; 
        and
            (3) best use technology and other resources to better serve 
        women business owners located in covered areas.
    (c) Definition of Covered Area.--In this section, the term 
``covered area'' means--
            (1) any State that is predominantly rural, as determined by 
        the Administrator;
            (2) any State that is predominantly urban, as determined by 
        the Administrator; and
            (3) any State or territory that is an island.

SEC. 7. STUDY AND REPORT ON OVERSIGHT OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of the oversight of women's business centers by the 
Administrator, which shall include--
            (1) an analysis of the coordination by the Administrator of 
        the activities of women's business centers with the activities 
        of small business development centers, the Service Corps of 
        Retired Executives, and Veteran Business Outreach Centers;
            (2) a comparison of the types of individuals and small 
        business concerns served by women's business centers and the 
        types of individuals and small business concerns served by 
        small business development centers, the Service Corps of 
        Retired Executives, and Veteran Business Outreach Centers; and
            (3) an analysis of performance data for women's business 
        centers that evaluates how well women's business centers are 
        carrying out the mission of women's business centers and 
        serving individuals and small business concerns.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report 
containing the results of the study under subsection (a), which shall 
include recommendations, if any, for eliminating the duplication of 
services provided by women's business centers, small business 
development centers, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, and 
Veteran Business Outreach Centers.

SEC. 8. SOLE SOURCE CONTRACTS FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND 
              CONTROLLED BY WOMEN.

    (a) In General.--Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
637(m)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Authority for sole source contracts for economically 
        disadvantaged small business concerns owned and controlled by 
        women in underrepresented industries.--A contracting officer 
        may award a sole source contract under this subsection to a 
        small business concern owned and controlled by women that meets 
        the requirements under paragraph (2)(A) if--
                    ``(A) the small business concern owned and 
                controlled by women is in an industry in which small 
                business concerns owned and controlled by women are 
                underrepresented, as determined by the Administrator;
                    ``(B) the contracting officer determines that the 
                small business concern owned and controlled by women is 
                a responsible contractor with respect to performance of 
                the contract opportunity;
                    ``(C) the anticipated award price of the contract, 
                including options, is not more than--
                            ``(i) $6,500,000, in the case of a contract 
                        opportunity assigned a North American Industry 
                        Classification System code for manufacturing; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) $4,000,000, in the case of any other 
                        contract opportunity; and
                    ``(D) in the estimation of the contracting officer, 
                the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable 
                price.
            ``(8) Authority for sole source contracts for small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by women in 
        substantially underrepresented industries.--A contracting 
        officer may award a sole source contract under this subsection 
        to a small business concern owned and controlled by women that 
        meets the requirements under paragraph (2)(E) if--
                    ``(A) the small business concern owned and 
                controlled by women is in an industry in which small 
                business concerns owned and controlled by women are 
                substantially underrepresented, as determined by the 
                Administrator;
                    ``(B) the contracting officer determines that the 
                small business concern owned and controlled by women is 
                a responsible contractor with respect to performance of 
                the contract opportunity;
                    ``(C) the anticipated award price of the contract, 
                including options, is not more than--
                            ``(i) $6,500,000, in the case of a contract 
                        opportunity assigned a North American Industry 
                        Classification System code for manufacturing; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) $4,000,000, in the case of any other 
                        contract opportunity; and
                    ``(D) in the estimation of the contracting officer, 
                the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable 
                price.''.
    (b) Reporting on Goals for Sole Source Contracts for Small Business 
Concerns Owned and Controlled by Women.--Section 15(h)(2)(E)(viii) of 
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(h)(2)(E)(viii)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (IV), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) by redesignating subclause (V) as subclause (VIII); and
            (3) by inserting after subclause (IV) the following:
                                    ``(V) through sole source contracts 
                                awarded under section 8(m)(7);
                                    ``(VI) through sole source 
                                contracts awarded under section 
                                8(m)(8);
                                    ``(VII) by industry for contracts 
                                described in subclause (III), (IV), 
                                (V), or (VI); and''.
    (c) Deadline for Report on Underrepresented Industries 
Accelerated.--Section 29(o)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
656(o)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``5 years after the date of enactment of 
        this subsection'' and inserting ``January 2, 2015''; and
            (2) by striking ``5-year period'' and inserting ``2-year or 
        5-year period, as applicable,''.
    (d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 8(m) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and 
        inserting ``paragraph (4)''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``paragraph (2)(F)'' each 
        place it appears and inserting ``paragraph (2)(E)''.

SEC. 9. SMALL BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY LENDING PROGRAM.

    Section 7(l) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(l)) is 
amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Pilot'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``pilot'';
            (3) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``3-year''; and
                    (B) by striking ``pilot'';
            (4) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Loan limits.--
                            ``(i) In general.--No single loan to an 
                        eligible intermediary under this subsection may 
                        exceed $1,000,000.
                            ``(ii) Total amount.--The total amount 
                        outstanding and committed to an eligible 
                        intermediary by the Administrator under the 
                        Program may not exceed $5,000,000.''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(G) Maximum amounts.--The Administrator may make 
                loans under the Program--
                            ``(i) during each of fiscal years 2015, 
                        2016, and 2017, in a total amount of not more 
                        than $20,000,000; and
                            ``(ii) during fiscal year 2018 and each 
                        fiscal year thereafter, using such amounts as 
                        are made available for the Program.''; and
            (5) by striking paragraph (6).

SEC. 10. ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.

    (a) Microloan Program.--Section 7(m) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(m)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking ``short-term,'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``$5,000,000'' and 
        inserting ``$7,000,000'';
            (3) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (E); and
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as 
                subparagraph (E);
            (4) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``short-
                term,''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) Report to commercial credit reporting 
                agencies.--The Administrator shall establish a process 
                under which an intermediary that makes a loan to a 
                small business concern under this paragraph shall 
                provide to 1 or more of the commercial credit reporting 
                agencies, through the Administration or independently, 
                including through third party intermediaries, 
                information on the small business concern that is 
                relevant to credit reporting, including the payment 
                activity of the small business concern on the loan.'';
            (5) in paragraph (7)--
                    (A) by striking ``Program'' and all that follows 
                through ``Under'' and inserting the following: ``Number 
                of participants.--Under''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B);
            (6) in paragraph (8), by striking ``such intermediaries'' 
        and all the follows through the period at the end and inserting 
        the following: ``intermediaries that serve a diversity of 
        geographic areas in the United States to ensure appropriate 
        availability of loans for small business concerns in all 
        industries that are located in metropolitan, nonmetropolitan, 
        and rural areas.''; and
            (7) in paragraph (11)(B), by striking ``short-term,''.
    (b) Guarantee Fee Waiver.--During fiscal year 2016, the 
Administrator may not collect a guarantee fee under section 
7(a)(18)(A)(i) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(18)(A)(i)) 
with respect to a loan guaranteed under section 7(a) of such Act, 
unless amounts are made available to the Administrator to subsidize the 
cost of guaranteeing such loans for fiscal year 2016.
    (c) Annual Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the Office of 
        Capital Access of the Administration shall submit to the 
        Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate 
        and the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
        Representatives a report on assistance provided by the 
        Administration under--
                    (A) section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 
                U.S.C. 636(a));
                    (B) the microloan program;
                    (C) part A of title III of the Small Business 
                Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 681 et seq.); and
                    (D) section 502 of the Small Business Investment 
                Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 696).
            (2) Requirement.--Each report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include, for the year preceding the date on which the 
        report is submitted--
                    (A) for each type of assistance described under 
                subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D) of paragraph (1)--
                            (i) the number of loans made by the 
                        Administration;
                            (ii) the total amount of loans made by the 
                        Administration;
                            (iii) the percentage of the number and 
                        total amount of loans made by the 
                        Administration to--
                                    (I) rural small business concerns;
                                    (II) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by individuals with a 
                                disability;
                                    (III) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by low-income 
                                individuals, broken down by each racial 
                                or ethnic minority group of which those 
                                individuals are members;
                                    (IV) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by veterans;
                                    (V) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by women; and
                                    (VI) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by members of a racial 
                                or ethnic minority group, broken down 
                                by each such racial or ethnic minority 
                                group; and
                            (iv) the number of jobs created and 
                        retained by borrowers as a result of such 
                        assistance; and
                    (B) for assistance described under subparagraph (C) 
                of paragraph (1)--
                            (i) the number of investments made by small 
                        business investment companies;
                            (ii) the total amount of equity capital 
                        provided and loans made by small business 
                        investment companies;
                            (iii) the percentage of the number of 
                        investments and loans made and total amount of 
                        equity capital provided by small business 
                        investment companies to--
                                    (I) rural small business concerns;
                                    (II) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by individuals with a 
                                disability;
                                    (III) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by low-income 
                                individuals, broken down by each racial 
                                or ethnic minority group of which those 
                                individuals are members;
                                    (IV) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by veterans;
                                    (V) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by women; and
                                    (VI) small business concerns owned 
                                and controlled by members of a racial 
                                or ethnic minority group, broken down 
                                by each such racial or ethnic minority 
                                group;
                            (iv) the number of jobs created and 
                        retained by small business concerns as a result 
                        of investments made by small business 
                        investment companies; and
                            (v) the number of licenses issued by the 
                        Administration under section 301(c) of the 
                        Small Business Investment Act (15 U.S.C. 
                        681(c)), including the percentage of licenses 
                        issued to entities headed by a woman or a 
                        member of a racial or ethnic minority, 
                        respectively.

SEC. 11. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

    It is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) access to capital for small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by women comes from a variety of sources, including 
        important contributions and early investments from angel 
        capital and other venture capital investors; and
            (2) those investors should continue to work to develop 
        small business concerns owned and controlled by women to expand 
        the rate at which those women receive venture investment.
                                 <all>