[Title 13 CFR ]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - January 1, 2024 Edition]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page i]]

          
          
          Title 13

Business Credit and Assistance

                         Revised as of January 1, 2024

          Containing a codification of documents of general 
          applicability and future effect

          As of January 1, 2024
                    Published by the Office of the Federal Register 
                    National Archives and Records Administration as a 
                    Special Edition of the Federal Register

[[Page ii]]

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                            Table of Contents



                                                                    Page
  Explanation.................................................       v

  Title 13:
          Chapter I--Small Business Administration                   3
          Chapter III--Economic Development Administration, 
          Department of Commerce                                   805
          Chapter IV--Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board         871
          Chapter V--Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan 
          Board                                                    895
  Finding Aids:
      Table of CFR Titles and Chapters........................     921
      Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR......     941
      List of CFR Sections Affected...........................     951

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                     ----------------------------

                     Cite this Code: CFR
                     To cite the regulations in 
                       this volume use title, 
                       part and section number. 
                       Thus, 13 CFR 101.100 
                       refers to title 13, part 
                       101, section 100.

                     ----------------------------

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                               EXPLANATION

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    Each volume of the Code is revised at least once each calendar year 
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Title 1 through Title 16.................................as of January 1
Title 17 through Title 27..................................as of April 1
Title 28 through Title 41...................................as of July 1
Title 42 through Title 50................................as of October 1

    The appropriate revision date is printed on the cover of each 
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[[Page vi]]

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    Director,
    Office of the Federal Register
    January 1, 2024







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                               THIS TITLE

    Title 13--Business Credit and Assistance is composed of one volume. 
This volume contains chapter I--Small Business Administration, chapter 
III--Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce, 
chapter IV--Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board, and chapter V--
Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board. The contents of this volume 
represent all current regulations codified under this title of the CFR 
as of January 1, 2024.

    For this volume, Christine Colaninno was Chief Editor. The Code of 
Federal Regulations publication program is under the direction of John 
Hyrum Martinez, assisted by Stephen J. Frattini.

[[Page 1]]



                TITLE 13--BUSINESS CREDIT AND ASSISTANCE




  --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Part

chapter i--Small Business Administration....................         101

chapter iii--Economic Development Administration, Department 
  of Commerce...............................................         300

chapter iv--Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board............         400

chapter v--Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board......         500


Abbreviations Used in This Chapter:
    SBA = Small Business Administration. SBID = The Small Business 
  Investment Division of SBA. RFC = Reconstruction Finance Corporation.

[[Page 3]]



                CHAPTER I--SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION




  --------------------------------------------------------------------


  Editorial Note: The Small Business Administration has asked the 
Director of the Federal Register to inform users of this chapter that 
parts 143, 145, and 146 are common rule regulations that cannot be 
amended by the Small Business Administration unilaterally.
Part                                                                Page
1-100

[Reserved]

101             Administration..............................           5
102             Record disclosure and privacy...............          11
103             Standards for conducting business with SBA..          39
105             Standards of conduct and employee 
                    restrictions and responsibilities.......          41
106             Cosponsorships, fee and non-fee based SBA-
                    sponsored activities and gifts..........          44
107             Small business investment companies.........          49
108             New Markets Venture Capital (``NMVC'') 
                    Program.................................         134
109             Intermediary Lending Pilot Program..........         176
112             Nondiscrimination in federally assisted 
                    programs of SBA--effectuation of Title 
                    VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964......         184
113             Nondiscrimination in financial assistance 
                    programs of SBA--effectuation of 
                    policies of Federal Government and SBA 
                    Administrator...........................         190
114             Administrative claims under the Federal Tort 
                    Claims Act and representation and 
                    indemnification of SBA employees........         215
115             Surety bond guarantee.......................         219
117             Nondiscrimination in federally assisted 
                    programs or activities of SBA--
                    effectuation of the Age Discrimination 
                    Act of 1975, as amended.................         239
119             Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs 
                    (``PRIME'' or ``The Act'')..............         250
120             Business loans..............................         251
121             Small business size regulations.............         376
123             Disaster loan program.......................         452
124             8(a) Business Development/Small 
                    Disadvantaged Business status 
                    determinations..........................         477
125             Government contracting programs.............         547
126             HUBZone program.............................         593
127             Women-owned small business Federal contract 
                    program.................................         629

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128             Veteran small business certification program         654
129             Contracts for small businesses located in 
                    disaster areas, and surplus personal 
                    property for small businesses located in 
                    disaster areas, Puerto Rico, and covered 
                    territory businesses....................         678
130             Small Business Development Centers..........         681
131             Women's business center program.............         704
134             Rules of procedure governing cases before 
                    the Office of Hearings and Appeals......         719
136             Enforcement of nondiscrimination on the 
                    basis of handicap in programs or 
                    activities conducted by the Small 
                    Business Administration.................         764
140             Debt collection.............................         772
142             Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act regulations         778
143

[Reserved]

146             New restrictions on lobbying................         788
147             Governmentwide requirements for drug-free 
                    workplace (nonprocurement)..............         799
148-199

[Reserved]

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                         PARTS 1	100 [RESERVED]



PART 101_ADMINISTRATION--Table of Contents



                           Subpart A_Overview

Sec.
101.100 What is the purpose of SBA?
101.101 Who manages SBA?
101.102 Where is SBA's Headquarters located?
101.103 Where are SBA's field offices located?
101.104 What are the functions of SBA's field offices?
101.105 Who may use SBA's official seal and for what purpose?
101.106 Does Federal law apply to SBA programs and activities?
101.107 What SBA forms are approved for public use?
101.108 Has SBA waived any of the public participation exemptions of the 
          Administrative Procedure Act?
101.109 Do SBA regulations include the section headings?

                 Subpart B_Employment of Private Counsel

101.200 When does SBA hire private counsel?
101.201 What are the minimum terms of private counsel's employment?

                       Subpart C_Inspector General

101.300 What is the Inspector General's authority to conduct audits, 
          investigations, and inspections?
101.301 Who should receive information or allegations of waste, fraud, 
          and abuse?
101.302 What is the scope of the Inspector General's authority?
101.303 How are Inspector General subpoenas served?

                 Subpart D_Intergovernmental Partnership

101.400 What is the purpose of this subpart?
101.401 What programs and activities of SBA are subject to this subpart?
101.402 What procedures apply to the selection of SBA programs and 
          activities?
101.403 What are the notice and comment procedures?
101.404 How does the Administrator receive comments?
101.405 How does the Administrator respond to comments?
101.406 What are the Administrator's responsibilities in interstate 
          situations?
101.407 May the Administrator waive these regulations?

               Subpart E_Small Business Energy Efficiency

101.500 Small Business Energy Efficiency Program.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552 and App. 3, secs. 2, 4(a), 6(a), and 
9(a)(1)(T); 15 U.S.C. 633, 634, 687; 31 U.S.C. 6506; 44 U.S.C. 3512; 42 
U.S.C. 6307(d); 15 U.S.C. 657h; E.O. 12372 (July 14, 1982), 47 FR 30959, 
3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 197, as amended by E.O. 12416 (April 8, 1983), 48 
FR 15887, 3 CFR, 1983 Comp., p. 186.

    Source: 61 FR 2394, Jan. 26, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



                           Subpart A_Overview



Sec.  101.100  What is the purpose of SBA?

    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) aids, counsels, 
assists, and protects the interests of small business concerns, and 
advocates on their behalf within the Government. It also helps victims 
of disasters. It provides financial assistance, contractual assistance, 
and business development assistance. For a more detailed description of 
the functions of SBA see The United States Government Manual, a special 
publication of the Federal Register, which is available from 
Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.



Sec.  101.101  Who manages SBA?

    (a) An Administrator, appointed by the President with the advice and 
consent of the Senate, manages SBA. The Administrator--
    (1) Is responsible to the President and Congress for exercising 
direction, authority, and control over SBA.
    (2) Determines and approves all policies covering SBA's programs to 
aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of the nation's small 
businesses.
    (3) Employs or appoints employees necessary to implement the Small 
Business Act, as amended, the Small Business Investment Act, as amended, 
and other laws and directives.
    (4) Delegates certain activities, by issuing regulations or 
otherwise, to Headquarters and field positions.
    (b) A Deputy Administrator, appointed by the President with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, serves

[[Page 6]]

as Acting Administrator during the absence or disability of the 
Administrator or in the event of a vacancy in the Office of the 
Administrator.



Sec.  101.102  Where is SBA's Headquarters located?

    The Headquarters of SBA is at 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20416.



Sec.  101.103  Where are SBA's field offices located?

    A list of SBA's field offices with addresses, phone numbers and 
jurisdictions served is periodically published in the Federal Register. 
You can also obtain the address and phone number of an SBA office to 
serve you by calling 1-800-8-ASK-SBA or 1-800-827-5722.



Sec.  101.104  What are the functions of SBA's field offices?

    (a) Regional offices. Regional offices are managed by a Regional 
Administrator who is responsible to the Administrator and to the 
Associate Administrator for Field Operations. They are located in major 
cities and have geographical boundaries which cover multi-state areas. 
Regional offices exercise limited authority over field activities within 
their region.
    (b) District offices. District offices are managed by a District 
Director and are located in cities within a region. District offices are 
responsible to Headquarters, the Associate Administrator for Field 
Operations, and to a regional office. Within their delegated authority, 
district offices have authority for--
    (1) Conducting all program delivery activities within the district 
boundaries;
    (2) Supervising all branch offices located within the district 
boundaries; and
    (3) Providing subordinate branch offices with the technical 
capability necessary to execute assigned programs.
    (c) Branch offices. Branch offices are managed by a Branch Manager 
and are located in cities within a district. Branch offices are 
responsible to the district office within whose boundaries it is 
located. Branch offices execute one or more elements of the business or 
disaster loan programs and have limited authority for program execution.
    (d) Disaster assistance offices. The Office of Disaster Assistance 
maintains five permanent field offices which are named according to the 
particular functions they perform in the disaster loan making process. 
The office names are: Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center, 
Disaster Assistance Processing and Disbursement Center, Disaster 
Assistance Field Operations Center East, Disaster Assistance Field 
Operations Center West, and the Disaster Assistance Personnel and 
Administrative Services Center. Each office is managed by a Center 
Director who reports to the Deputy Associate Administrator for Disaster 
Assistance. The offices provide loan services to victims of declared 
disasters, or support the efforts of the other offices to do so. 
Temporary disaster offices may be established in areas where disasters 
have occurred.
    (e) Responsibilities. Each field office has responsibilities within 
a defined geographical area as periodically set forth in the Federal 
Register.

[61 FR 2394, Jan. 26, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 63676, Oct. 31, 2006]



Sec.  101.105  Who may use SBA's official seal and for what purpose?

    (a) General. This section describes the official seal of the SBA and 
prescribes rules for its use.
    (b) Official Seal. The official seal of the SBA is illustrated 
below.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR11JA08.000

    (c) Authorized Use. The official seal and reproductions of the seal 
may only be used as follows:

[[Page 7]]

    (1) Certify and authenticate originals and copies of any books, 
records, papers or other documents on file within SBA or extracts taken 
from them or to provide certification for the purposes authorized in 28 
U.S.C. 1733;
    (2) SBA award certificates and medals;
    (3) SBA awards for career service;
    (4) Security credentials and employee identification cards;
    (5) Business cards for SBA employees;
    (6) Official SBA signs;
    (7) Plaques; the design of the SBA seal may be incorporated in 
plaques for display in Agency auditoriums, presentation rooms, lobbies, 
offices and on buildings occupied by SBA;
    (8) The SBA flag;
    (9) Officially authorized reports or publications of the SBA; or
    (10) For such other purposes as determined necessary by the 
Administrator.
    (d) Unauthorized use. The official seal shall not be used, except as 
authorized by the Administrator, in connection with:
    (1) Contractor operated facilities;
    (2) Souvenir or novelty items;
    (3) Toys or commercial gifts or premiums;
    (4) Letterhead design, except on official SBA stationery;
    (5) Clothing or equipment; or
    (6) Any article which may disparage the seal or reflect unfavorably 
upon SBA.
    (e) SBA's seal will not be used in any manner which implies SBA 
endorsement of commercial products or services or of the user's policies 
or activities.
    (f) Reproduction of Official Seal. Requests for permission to 
reproduce the SBA seal in circumstances other than those listed in 
paragraph (c) of this section must be made in writing to the 
Administrator. The decision whether to grant permission will be made in 
writing on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the General 
Counsel, with consideration of any relevant factors which may include 
the benefit or cost to the Agency of granting the request; the 
unintended appearance of endorsement or authentication by SBA; the 
potential for misuse; the reputability of the use; the extent of control 
by SBA over the use; and the extent of control by SBA over distribution 
of any products or publications bearing the SBA seal.
    (g) Penalties for Unauthorized Use. Fraudulent or wrongful use of 
SBA's seal can lead to criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. 506 or 18 
U.S.C. 1017.

[72 FR 1963, Jan. 11, 2008]



Sec.  101.106  Does Federal law apply to SBA programs and activities?

    (a) SBA makes loans and provides other services that are authorized 
and executed under Federal programs to achieve national purposes.
    (b) The following are construed and enforced in accordance with 
Federal law--
    (1) Instruments evidencing loans;
    (2) Security interests in real or personal property payable to or 
held by SBA or the Administrator such as promissory notes, bonds, 
guarantee agreements, mortgages, and deeds of trust;
    (3) Other evidences of debt or security;
    (4) Contracts or agreements to which SBA is a party, unless 
expressly provided otherwise.
    (c) To the extent feasible, SBA uses local or state procedures, 
especially for recordation and notification purposes, in implementing 
and facilitating SBA's loan programs. This use of local or state 
procedures is not a waiver by SBA of any Federal immunity from any local 
or state control, penalty, tax, or liability.
    (d) No person, corporation, or organization that applies for and 
receives any benefit or assistance from SBA, or that offers any 
assurance or security upon which SBA relies for the granting of such 
benefit or assistance, is entitled to claim or assert any local or state 
law to defeat the obligation incurred in obtaining or assuring such 
Federal benefit or assistance.



Sec.  101.107  What SBA forms are approved for public use?

    (a) SBA uses forms approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.), as amended. You may obtain approved forms for use by the public 
when applying for or obtaining SBA assistance, or

[[Page 8]]

when providing services for SBA, from any field office (see Sec.  
101.103). You may also use forms which you have prepared yourself, or 
have obtained from another source, if those forms are identical in every 
respect to the forms approved by OMB for the same purpose.
    (b) Any member of the public who has reason to believe any SBA 
office or agent is in violation of the Public Protection Clause of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3512 and see 5 CFR 1320.6) should 
notify SBA. Direct such comments to the Director, Office of Business 
Operations at 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416.

[61 FR 2394, Jan. 26, 1996, as amended at 72 FR 50038, Aug. 30, 2007]



Sec.  101.108  Has SBA waived any of the public participation exemptions 
of the Administrative Procedure Act?

    Yes. Despite these exemptions, SBA will follow the public 
participation requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 
553, in rulemakings relating to public property, loans, grants, 
benefits, or contracts.



Sec.  101.109  Do SBA regulations include the section headings?

    Yes. All SBA regulations must be interpreted as including the 
section headings.



                 Subpart B_Employment of Private Counsel



Sec.  101.200  When does SBA hire private counsel?

    (a) Business loans. SBA may hire private counsel to represent it in 
regard to business loans when the volume of activity in an area is not 
sufficient to require a full-time SBA employee, or the area is too 
remote for economical use of a full-time SBA employee.
    (b) Disaster loans. SBA may hire private counsel in regard to 
disaster loans when the disaster presents an emergency and a volume of 
activity that cannot be promptly and economically serviced by available 
SBA employees.



Sec.  101.201  What are the minimum terms of private counsel's employment?

    (a) Private counsel must perform all requested work in compliance 
with SBA's regulations, policies, and instructions, and take such action 
as is legally required under the Small Business Act, the Small Business 
Investment Act, and other laws applicable to SBA.
    (b) Private counsel must adhere to the highest standards of 
professional conduct and maintain confidentiality appropriate to the 
attorney-client relationship.
    (c) Private counsel acts under the supervision of the SBA General 
Counsel (and designees).
    (d) Private counsel usually is compensated at an hourly rate as 
approved by SBA. Contingency fee agreements may be used if approved by 
the General Counsel.
    (e) Either party may terminate the employment upon written notice.



                       Subpart C_Inspector General



Sec.  101.300  What is the Inspector General's authority to conduct audits, 
investigations, and inspections?

    The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 3) 
authorizes SBA's Inspector General to provide policy direction for, and 
to conduct, supervise, and coordinate such audits, investigations, and 
inspections relating to the programs and operations of SBA as appears 
necessary or desirable.



Sec.  101.301  Who should receive information or allegations of waste, 
fraud, and abuse?

    The Office of Inspector General should receive all information or 
allegations of waste, fraud, or abuse regarding SBA programs and 
operations.



Sec.  101.302  What is the scope of the Inspector General's authority?

    To obtain the necessary information and evidence, the Inspector 
General (and designees) have the right to:
    (a) Have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, 
papers, recommendations, and other materials available to SBA and 
relating to SBA's programs and operations;
    (b) Require by subpoena the production of all information, 
documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data 
and documentary evidence;

[[Page 9]]

    (c) Administer oaths and affirmations or take affidavits; and
    (d) Request information or assistance from any Federal, state, or 
local government agency or unit.



Sec.  101.303  How are Inspector General subpoenas served?

    (a) Service of subpoenas may be effected by any of the following 
means--
    (1) If by mail, a copy of the subpoena must be addressed to the 
person, partnership, corporation, or unincorporated association to be 
served at a residence or usual dwelling place, or a principal office or 
place of business, and mailed first class by registered or certified 
mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), or by a commercial or 
U.S. Postal Service overnight or express delivery service.
    (2) If by personal delivery, a copy of the subpoena must be 
delivered to the person to be served, or to a member of the partnership 
to be served, or to an executive officer or a director of the 
corporation or unincorporated association to be served, or to a person 
authorized by appointment or by law to receive process for the person or 
entity named in the subpoena.
    (3) If by delivery to an address, a copy of the subpoena must be 
left at the principal office or place of business of the person, 
partnership, corporation, or unincorporated association to be served, or 
at the residence or usual dwelling place of the person, member of the 
partnership, or officer or director of the corporation or unincorporated 
association to be served, with someone of suitable age and discretion.
    (b) Proof of service--
    (1) When service is by registered, certified, overnight, or express 
mail, it is complete upon delivery of the document by the Postal Service 
or commercial service.
    (2) The return Postal Service receipt for a document that was 
registered or certified and mailed, the signed receipt for a document 
delivered by an overnight or express delivery service, or the Return of 
Service completed by the individual serving the subpoena by personal 
delivery shall be proof of service.



                 Subpart D_Intergovernmental Partnership



Sec.  101.400  What is the purpose of this subpart?

    (a) This subpart implements section 401 of the Intergovernmental 
Cooperation Act (31 U.S.C. 6506 et seq.) which promotes 
intergovernmental partnership and strengthens Federalism by relying on 
state processes and state, area-wide, regional, and local coordination 
for the review of proposed Federal financial assistance and direct 
Federal development.
    (b) While guiding SBA's management, this subpart does not create any 
right or benefit enforceable at law.



Sec.  101.401  What programs and activities of SBA are subject to this subpart?

    SBA publishes in the Federal Register a list of programs and 
activities subject to this subpart.



Sec.  101.402  What procedures apply to the selection of SBA programs 
and activities?

    (a) A state may--
    (1) Select any program or activity published in the Federal Register 
under Sec.  101.401 for intergovernmental review (providing it consults 
with local elected officials before doing so) and then notify the 
Administrator of the programs and activities selected; and
    (2) Notify the Administrator of changes in its selections at any 
time. For each change, the state submits to the Administrator an 
assurance that it consulted with local elected officials regarding the 
change.
    (b) SBA may establish deadlines by which states must inform the 
Administrator of changes in their program selections.
    (c) After receiving notice of a state's selections, the 
Administrator uses a state's process as soon as feasible depending on 
individual programs and activities.
    (d) ``State'' means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the 
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

[[Page 10]]



Sec.  101.403  What are the notice and comment procedures?

    (a) The Administrator provides notice to directly affected state, 
area-wide, regional, and local entities in a state of proposed SBA 
financial assistance or direct SBA development if--
    (1) The state has not adopted a process under Executive Order 12372 
(3 CFR, 1982 Comp., p. 197), as amended by Executive Order 12416 (3 CFR, 
1983 Comp., p. 186); or
    (2) The assistance or development involves a program or activity not 
selected for the state process.
    (b) Notice may be made by publication in the Federal Register or 
other means as SBA deems appropriate.
    (c) Except in unusual circumstances the Administrator gives state 
processes or directly affected state, area-wide, regional, and local 
officials and entities at least 60 days to comment on proposed SBA 
financial assistance or direct SBA development.
    (d) In cases where SBA delegates the review, coordination, and 
communication authority under this subpart, this section also applies.



Sec.  101.404  How does the Administrator receive comments?

    (a) The Administrator follows the procedures of Sec.  101.405 if--
    (1) A state office or official is designated to act as a single 
point of contact between a state process and all Federal agencies; and
    (2) That office or official transmits a state process recommendation 
for a program selected under Sec.  101.402(a).
    (b)(1) The single point of contact is not obligated to transmit 
comments from state, area-wide, regional, or local officials and 
entities where there is no state process recommendation.
    (2) If a state process recommendation is transmitted by a single 
point of contact, all comments from state, area-wide, regional, and 
local officials and entities that differ from it must also be 
transmitted.
    (c) If a state has not established a process, or is unable to submit 
a state process recommendation, state, area-wide, regional, and local 
officials and entities may submit comments to SBA.
    (d) If a program or activity is not selected for a state process, 
state, area-wide, regional, and local officials and entities may submit 
comments to SBA. In addition, if a state process recommendation for a 
non-selected program or activity is transmitted to SBA by the single 
point of contact, the Administrator follows the procedures of Sec.  
101.405.
    (e) The Administrator considers comments which do not constitute a 
state process recommendation submitted under this subpart and for which 
the Administrator is not required to apply the procedures of Sec.  
101.405 when such comments are provided by a single point of contact 
directly to SBA by a commenting party.



Sec.  101.405  How does the Administrator respond to comments?

    (a) If a state process provides a recommendation to SBA through its 
single point of contact, the Administrator:
    (1) Accepts the recommendation; or
    (2) Reaches a mutually agreeable solution with the state process; or
    (3) Provides the single point of contact with a written explanation 
of the decision in a form the Administrator deems appropriate. The 
Administrator may also supplement the written explanation by telephone 
or other means.
    (b) In any explanation under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the 
Administrator informs the single point of contact that--
    (1) SBA will not implement its decision for at least 10 days after 
the single point of contact receives the explanation; or
    (2) Because of unusual circumstances the waiting period of at least 
10 days is not feasible.
    (c) For purposes of computing the waiting period under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, a single point of contact is presumed to have 
received written notification 5 days after the date of mailing.



Sec.  101.406  What are the Administrator's responsibilities 
in interstate situations?

    The Administrator is responsible for--

[[Page 11]]

    (a) Identifying proposed SBA financial assistance and direct SBA 
development that have an impact on interstate areas;
    (b) Notifying appropriate officials and entities in states which 
have adopted a process and selected an SBA program or activity;
    (c) Making efforts to identify and notify the affected state, area-
wide, regional, and local officials and entities in states that have not 
adopted a process or selected an SBA program or activity;
    (d) Using the procedures of Sec.  101.405 if a recommendation of a 
designated area-wide agency is transmitted by a single point of contact 
in cases in which the review, coordination, and communication with SBA 
has been delegated; and
    (e) Using the procedures of Sec.  101.405 if a state process 
provides a state recommendation to SBA through a single point of 
contact.



Sec.  101.407  May the Administrator waive these regulations?

    The Administrator may waive any provision of Sec. Sec.  101.400 
through and including 101.406 in an emergency.



               Subpart E_Small Business Energy Efficiency



Sec.  101.500  Small Business Energy Efficiency Program.

    (a) The Administration has developed and coordinated a Government-
wide program, which is located at http://www.sba.gov/energy, building on 
the Energy Star for Small Business Program, to assist small business 
concerns in becoming more energy efficient, understanding the cost 
savings from improved energy efficiency, and identifying financing 
options for energy efficiency upgrades.
    (b) The Program has been developed and coordinated in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Department of Energy and the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency, and in cooperation with entities 
the Administrator has considered appropriate, for example, such as 
industry trade associations, industry members, and energy efficiency 
organizations. SBA's Office of Policy and Strategic Planning will be 
responsible for overseeing the program but will coordinate with the 
Department of Energy and EPA.
    (c) The Administration is distributing and making available online, 
the information and materials developed under the program to small 
business concerns, including smaller design, engineering, and 
construction firms, and other Federal programs for energy efficiency, 
such as the Energy Star for Small Business Program.
    (d) The Administration will develop a strategy to educate, 
encourage, and assist small business concerns in adopting energy 
efficient building fixtures and equipment.

[73 FR 61666, Oct. 17, 2008]



PART 102_RECORD DISCLOSURE AND PRIVACY--Table of Contents



                   Subpart A_Disclosure of Information

Sec.
102.1 General provisions.
102.2 Proactive disclosure of records.
102.3 Requirements pertaining to the submission of requests.
102.4 Responsibility for responding to requests.
102.5 Timing of responses to requests.
102.6 Responses to requests.
102.7 Confidential commercial information.
102.8 Fees.
102.9 Administrative appeals.
102.10 Preservation of records.
102.11 Subpoenas.

Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 102--Records Maintained by SBA

 Subpart B_Protection of Privacy and Access to Individual Records Under 
                         the Privacy Act of 1974

102.20 General provisions.
102.21 Agency employees responsible for the Privacy Act of 1974.
102.22 Requirements relating to systems of records.
102.23 Publication in the Federal Register--Notices of systems of 
          records.
102.24 Requests for access to records.
102.25 Responsibility for responding to requests for access to records.
102.26 Responses to requests for access to records.
102.27 Appeals from denials of requests for access to records.
102.28 Requests for amendment or correction of records.
102.29 Requests for an accounting of record disclosures.

[[Page 12]]

102.30 Preservation of records.
102.31 Fees.
102.32 Notice of court-ordered and emergency disclosures.
102.33 Security of systems of records.
102.34 Contracts for the operation of record systems.
102.35 Use and collection of Social Security Numbers.
102.36 Privacy Act standards of conduct.
102.37 Training requirements.
102.38 Other rights and services.
102.39 SBA's exempt Privacy Act systems of records.
102.40 Computer matching.
102.41 Other provisions.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 552, 552a; 31 U.S.C. 3717, 9701; 44 U.S.C. 
3501.

    Source: 61 FR 2673, Jan. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



                   Subpart A_Disclosure of Information

    Source: 82 FR 46371, Oct. 5, 2017, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  102.1  General provisions.

    (a) This subpart contains the rules that SBA follows in processing 
requests for records under the Freedom of Information Act (``FOIA''), 5 
U.S.C. 552. The rules in this subpart should be read in conjunction with 
the text of the FOIA and the Uniform Freedom of Information Fee Schedule 
and Guidelines published by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB 
Guidelines''). Requests made by individuals for records about themselves 
under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, are processed under 
subpart B of this part as well as under this subpart.
    (b) As referenced in this subpart, ``component'' means each separate 
bureau, office, division, district office, regional office, area office, 
service center, loan processing center or central office duty location 
within the SBA that is responsible for processing FOIA requests. See 
appendix A to this subpart for a list of information generally exempt 
from disclosure. For contact information for each office visit https://
www.sba.gov/foia and for a detailed description of the function of each 
office to help ascertain the types of records maintained by each 
component, please visit https://www.sba.gov/about-sba. The rules 
described in this regulation that apply to SBA also apply to its 
components.
    (c) The SBA has a decentralized system for processing requests, with 
each component handling requests for its records.
    (d) The term record means:
    (1) Any information that would be an agency record subject to the 
requirements of this section when maintained by SBA in any format, 
including written or electronic format; and
    (2) Any information described under paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
that is maintained for SBA by an entity under Government contract, for 
purposes of records management.



Sec.  102.2  Proactive disclosure of records.

    Records that are required by the FOIA to be made available for 
public inspection in an electronic format may be accessed through the 
SBA's Web site at https://www.sba.gov/foia. Each component of SBA is 
responsible for determining which of its records are required to be made 
publicly available, as well as for identifying additional records of 
interest to the public that are appropriate for public disclosure, and 
for posting and indexing such records. Each component shall ensure that 
its Web site of posted records and indices is reviewed and updated on an 
ongoing basis. Each component has a FOIA Public Liaison who can assist 
individuals in locating records particular to a component. A list of the 
SBA's FOIA Public Liaisons is available at https://www.sba.gov/foia.



Sec.  102.3  Requirements pertaining to the submission of requests.

    (a) General information. (1) The SBA has a decentralized system for 
responding to FOIA requests, with each component handling requests for 
its records. All components have the capability to receive requests 
electronically either through email or a web portal. To make a request 
for records, a requester should write directly to the Freedom of 
Information/Privacy Acts (FOI/PA) Office by mail to 409 3rd St SW., 
Washington, DC 20416 or submit a fax to 202-205-7059 or email to 
[email protected]. Requesters may also submit their request through the FOIA 
online portal at

[[Page 13]]

https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/ foia/action/public/home. Additional 
information for submitting a request to SBA is listed at https://
www.sba.gov/foia. However, a request will receive the quickest possible 
response if it is addressed to the component that maintains the records 
sought.
    (2) A requester who is making a request for records about himself or 
herself must comply with the verification of identity provision set 
forth in subpart B of this part. The Certification of Identity form, 
available at http://www.justice.gov/ oip/forms/cert_ind.pdf, may be used 
by individuals who are making requests for records pertaining to 
themselves.
    (3) Where a request for records pertains to another individual, a 
requester may receive greater access by submitting either a notarized 
authorization signed by that individual or a declaration made in 
compliance with the requirements set forth in 28 U.S.C. 1746 by that 
individual authorizing disclosure of the records to the requester, or by 
submitting proof that the individual is deceased (e.g., a copy of a 
death certificate or an obituary). As an exercise of administrative 
discretion, each component can require a requester to supply additional 
information if necessary in order to verify that a particular individual 
has consented to disclosure.
    (b) Description of records sought. Requesters must describe the 
records sought in sufficient detail to enable agency personnel to locate 
them with a reasonable amount of effort. To the extent possible, 
requesters should include specific information that may help the 
component in identifying the requested records, such as the date, title 
or name, author, recipient, subject matter of the record, case number, 
file designation, reference number, the timeframe for which the records 
are sought, the office that created the records, or any other 
information that will assist the component in locating documents 
responsive to the request. Before submitting their requests, requesters 
may contact the component's FOIA Contact or FOIA Public Liaison to 
discuss the records they are seeking and to receive assistance in 
describing the records. If, after receiving a request, a component 
determines that the request does not adequately describe the records 
sought, the component will inform the requester what additional 
information is needed or why the request is otherwise insufficient. The 
component will also notify the requester that it will not be able to 
comply with their request unless the additional information it has 
requested is received from them in writing within 20 working days after 
the component has requested it. If this type of notification is 
received, a requester may wish to discuss it with the FOIA Public 
Liaison. If the component does not receive a written response containing 
the additional information within 20 working days after it has been 
requested, the SBA will presume that the requester is no longer 
interested in the records and will close the file on the request. 
Requesters who are attempting to reformulate or modify such a request 
may discuss their request with the component's designated FOIA Contact 
or its FOIA Public Liaison, or a representative of the FOI/PA Office, 
each of whom is available to assist the requester in reasonably 
describing the records sought. If a request does not reasonably describe 
the records sought, the SBA's response to the request may be delayed.
    (c) Form or format. Requests may specify the preferred form or 
format (including electronic formats) for the records sought. The SBA 
will accommodate the request if the record is readily reproducible in 
that form or format.
    (d) Contact information. Requesters must provide contact 
information, such as their phone number, email address, and mailing 
address, to assist the SBA in communicating with the requester and 
providing the released records.



Sec.  102.4  Responsibility for responding to requests.

    (a) In general. Except in the instances described in paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of this section, the component that first receives a request for 
a record and maintains that record is the component responsible for 
responding to the request. In determining which records are responsive 
to a request, a component ordinarily will include only records in its 
possession as of the date

[[Page 14]]

that it begins its search. If any other date is used, the component 
shall inform the requester of that date. A record that is excluded from 
the requirements of the FOIA pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(c) is not 
considered responsive to a request.
    (b) Authority to grant or deny requests. The head of a component, or 
designee, is authorized to grant or to deny any requests for records 
that are maintained by that component.
    (c) Re-routing of misdirected requests. Where a component determines 
that a request was misdirected within the SBA, the receiving component 
shall route the request to the proper component(s).
    (d) Consultation, referral, and coordination. When reviewing records 
located by a component in response to a request, the component shall 
determine whether another component of SBA or another agency of the 
Federal Government is better able to determine whether the record is 
exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. As to any such record, the 
component shall proceed in one of the following ways:
    (1) Consultation. When records originated with the component 
processing the request, but contain within them information of interest 
to another component, agency, or other Federal Government office, the 
component processing the request should typically consult with that 
other component or agency prior to making a release determination.
    (2) Referral. (i) When the component processing the request believes 
that a different component, agency, or other Federal Government office 
is best able to determine whether to disclose the record, the component 
typically should refer the responsibility for responding to the request 
regarding that record, as long as the referral is to a component or 
agency that is subject to the FOIA. Ordinarily, the component or agency 
that originated the record will be presumed to be best able to make the 
disclosure determination. However, if the component processing the 
request and the originating component or agency jointly agrees that the 
former is in the best position to respond regarding the record, then the 
record may be handled as a consultation.
    (ii) Whenever a component refers any part of the responsibility for 
responding to a request to another component or agency, it shall 
document the referral, maintain a copy of the record that it refers, and 
notify the requester of the referral and inform the requester of the 
name(s) of the component or agency to which the record was referred, 
including that component's or agency's FOIA Contact information.
    (3) Coordination. The standard referral procedure is not appropriate 
where disclosure of the identity of the component or agency to which the 
referral would be made could harm an interest protected by an applicable 
exemption, such as the exemptions that protect personal privacy or 
national security interests. For example, if a non-law enforcement 
component responding to a request for records on a living third party 
locates within its files records originating with a law enforcement 
agency, and if the existence of that law enforcement interest in the 
third party was not publicly known, then to disclose that law 
enforcement interest could cause an unwarranted invasion of the personal 
privacy of the third party. Similarly, if a component locates within its 
files material originating with an Intelligence Community agency and the 
involvement of that agency in the matter is classified and not publicly 
acknowledged, then to disclose or give attribution to the involvement of 
that Intelligence Community agency could cause national security harms. 
In such instances, in order to avoid harm to an interest protected by an 
applicable exemption, the component that received the request should 
coordinate with the originating component or agency to seek its views on 
the disclosure of the record. The release determination for the record 
that is the subject of the coordination should then be conveyed to the 
requester by the component that originally received the request.
    (e) Classified information. On receipt of any request involving 
classified information, the component shall determine whether the 
information is currently and properly classified and take appropriate 
action to ensure compliance. Whenever a request involves a record 
containing information that has been classified or may be appropriate

[[Page 15]]

for classification by another component or agency under any applicable 
executive order concerning the classification of records, the receiving 
component shall refer the responsibility for responding to the request 
regarding that information to the component or agency that classified 
the information, or that should consider the information for 
classification. Whenever a component's record contains information that 
has been derivatively classified (for example, when it contains 
information classified by another component or agency), the component 
shall refer the responsibility for responding to that portion of the 
request to the component or agency that classified the underlying 
information.
    (f) Agreements regarding consultations and referrals. Components of 
SBA may establish agreements with other components of SBA or other 
Federal agencies to eliminate the need for consultations or referrals 
with respect to particular types of records.
    (g) Timing of responses to consultations and referrals. All 
consultations and referrals received by the SBA will be handled 
according to the date that the FOIA request initially was received by 
the first component or agency.



Sec.  102.5  Timing of responses to requests.

    (a) In general. Components ordinarily will respond to requests 
according to their order of receipt. In instances involving misdirected 
requests that are re-routed pursuant to Sec.  102.4(c), the response 
time will commence on the date that the request is received by the 
proper component's office that is designated to receive requests, but in 
any event not later than 10 working days after the request is first 
received by any component's office that is designated by these 
regulations to receive requests.
    (b) Multitrack processing. All components will designate a specific 
track for requests that are granted expedited processing, in accordance 
with the standards set forth in paragraph (e) of this section. A 
component may also designate additional processing tracks that 
distinguish between simple and more complex requests based on the 
estimated amount of work or time needed to process the request. Among 
the factors that may be considered are the number of records requested, 
the number of pages involved in processing the request and the need for 
consultations or referrals. Components shall advise requesters of the 
track into which their request falls and, when appropriate, should offer 
the requester an opportunity to narrow or modify the request so that it 
can be placed in a different processing track.
    (c) Unusual circumstances. Whenever the statutory time limit for 
processing a request cannot be met because of ``unusual circumstances,'' 
as defined in the FOIA, and the component extends the time limit on that 
basis, the component shall, before expiration of the 20-working day 
period to respond, notify the requester in writing of the unusual 
circumstances involved and of the date by which the component estimates 
processing of the request will be completed. Where the extension exceeds 
10 working days, the component shall, as prescribed by the FOIA, provide 
the requester with an opportunity to modify the request or to arrange an 
alternative time period for processing the original or modified request. 
The component shall make available its designated FOIA Contact or its 
FOIA Public Liaison for this purpose. The component must also alert 
requesters to the availability of the Office of Government Information 
Services (OGIS) to provide dispute resolution services.
    (d) Aggregating requests. For the purposes of determining unusual 
circumstances under the FOIA, components may aggregate requests in cases 
where it reasonably appears that multiple requests, submitted either by 
a requester or by a group of requesters acting in concert, constitute a 
single request that would otherwise involve unusual circumstances. 
Components shall not aggregate multiple requests that involve unrelated 
matters.
    (e) Expedited processing. (1) Requests and appeals shall be 
processed on an expedited basis whenever it is determined that they 
involve:
    (i) Circumstances in which the lack of expedited processing could 
reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or 
physical safety of an individual;

[[Page 16]]

    (ii) An urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged 
Federal Government activity, if made by a person who is primarily 
engaged in disseminating information.
    (iii) The loss of substantial due process rights; or
    (iv) A matter of widespread and exceptional media interest in which 
there exist possible questions about the government's integrity that 
affect public confidence.
    (2) A request for expedited processing may be made at any time. 
Requests based on paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section 
must be submitted to the component that maintains the records requested. 
When making a request for expedited processing of an administrative 
appeal, the request should be submitted to the FOI/PA Office. Requests 
for expedited processing that are based on paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this 
section must be submitted to the component processing the request. A 
component that receives a misdirected request for expedited processing 
under the standard set forth in paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this section 
shall forward it immediately to the FOI/PA Office for its determination. 
The time period for making the determination on the request for 
expedited processing under paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this section shall 
commence on the date that the FOI/PA Office receives the request, 
provided that it is routed within 10 working days.
    (3) A requester who seeks expedited processing must submit a 
notarized statement, such as an affidavit or declaration, certified to 
be true and correct, explaining in detail the basis for making the 
request for expedited processing. For example, under paragraph 
(e)(1)(ii) of this section, a requester who is not a full-time member of 
the news media must establish that the requester is a person whose 
primary professional activity or occupation is information 
dissemination, though it need not be the requester's sole occupation. 
Such a requester also must establish a particular urgency to inform the 
public about the government activity involved in the request--one that 
extends beyond the public's right to know about government activity 
generally. The existence of numerous articles published on a given 
subject can be helpful in establishing the requirement that there be an 
``urgency to inform'' the public on the topic. As a matter of 
administrative discretion, the SBA may waive the formal certification 
requirement.
    (4) A component shall notify the requester within 10 working days of 
the receipt of a request for expedited processing of its decision 
whether to grant or deny expedited processing. If expedited processing 
is granted, the request must be given priority, placed in the processing 
track for expedited requests, and must be processed as soon as 
practicable. If a request for expedited processing is denied, any appeal 
of that decision shall be acted on expeditiously.



Sec.  102.6  Responses to requests.

    (a) In general. Components should, to the extent practicable, 
communicate with requesters having access to the Internet using 
electronic means, such as email or web portal.
    (b) Acknowledgments of requests. A component shall acknowledge the 
request in writing and assign it an individualized tracking number. 
Components shall include in the acknowledgment a brief description of 
the records sought to allow requesters to more easily keep track of 
their requests.
    (c) Estimated dates of completion and interim responses. Upon 
request, components shall provide an estimated date by which they expect 
to provide a response to the requester. If a request involves a 
voluminous amount of material, or searches in multiple locations, the 
SBA or component may provide interim responses, releasing the records on 
a rolling basis.
    (d) Grants of requests. Once a component determines it will grant a 
request in full or in part, it will notify the requester in writing. The 
component shall inform the requester of any fees charged under Sec.  
102.8 and shall disclose the requested records to the requester promptly 
upon payment of any applicable fees. The component must inform the 
requester of the availability of its FOIA Public Liaison to offer 
assistance.

[[Page 17]]

    (e) Adverse determinations of requests. A component making an 
adverse determination denying a request in any respect shall notify the 
requester of that determination in writing. Adverse determinations, or 
denials of requests, include denials involving fees or fee waiver 
matters, denials of requests for expedited processing, and decisions 
where:
    (1) The requested record is exempt, in whole or in part;
    (2) The request does not reasonably describe the records sought;
    (3) The information requested is not a record subject to the FOIA;
    (4) The requested record does not exist, cannot be located, or has 
been destroyed; or
    (5) The requested record is not readily reproducible in the form or 
format sought by the requester.
    (f) Content of denial. The denial must be signed by the head of the 
component or designee and must include:
    (1) The name and title or position of the person responsible for the 
denial;
    (2) A brief statement of the reasons for the denial, including any 
FOIA exemption applied by the component in denying the request;
    (3) An estimate of the volume of any records or information 
withheld, such as the number of pages or some other reasonable form of 
estimation, although such an estimate is not required if the volume is 
otherwise indicated by deletions marked on records that are disclosed in 
part or if providing an estimate would harm an interest protected by an 
applicable exemption;
    (4) A statement that the denial may be appealed under Sec.  102.9, 
and a description of the appeal requirements; and
    (5) A statement notifying the requester of the assistance available 
from the component's FOIA Public Liaison or designee, and the dispute 
resolution services offered by OGIS.
    (g) Markings on released documents. Records disclosed in part must 
be marked clearly to show the amount of information deleted and the 
exemption under which the deletion was made unless doing so would harm 
an interest protected by an applicable exemption.



Sec.  102.7  Confidential commercial information.

    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    Confidential commercial information means commercial or financial 
information obtained by the SBA from a submitter that may be protected 
from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4).
    Submitter means any person or entity, including a corporation, 
State, or foreign government, but not including another Federal 
Government entity, that provides information, either directly or 
indirectly to the Federal Government.
    (b) Designation of confidential commercial information. A submitter 
of confidential commercial information must use good faith efforts to 
designate by appropriate markings, either at the time of submission or 
within a reasonable time thereafter, any portion of its submission that 
it considers to be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4. These 
designations shall expire 10 years after the date of the submission 
unless the submitter requests and provides justification for a longer 
designation period.
    (c) When notice to submitters is required. (1) A component shall 
promptly provide written notice to a submitter of confidential 
commercial information whenever records containing such information are 
requested under the FOIA if, after reviewing the request, the responsive 
records, and any appeal by the requester, the component determines that 
it may be required to disclose the records, provided:
    (i) The requested information has been designated in good faith by 
the submitter as information considered protected from disclosure under 
Exemption 4; or
    (ii) The component has a reason to believe that the requested 
information may be protected from disclosure under Exemption 4, but has 
not yet determined whether the information is protected from disclosure 
under that exemption or any other applicable exemption.
    (2) The notice shall either describe the commercial information 
requested or include a copy of the requested

[[Page 18]]

records or portions of records containing the information. In cases 
involving a voluminous number of submitters, notice may be made by 
posting or publishing the notice in a place or manner reasonably likely 
to accomplish it.
    (d) Exceptions to submitter notice requirements. The notice 
requirements of this section shall not apply if:
    (1) The component determines that the information is exempt under 
the FOIA;
    (2) The information has been lawfully published or has been 
officially made available to the public;
    (3) Disclosure of the information is required by a statute other 
than the FOIA or by a regulation issued in accordance with the 
requirements of Executive Order 12600 of June 23, 1987; or
    (4) The designation made by the submitter under paragraph (b) of 
this section appears obviously frivolous, except that, in such a case, 
the component shall give the submitter written notice of any final 
decision to disclose the information and must provide that notice within 
a reasonable number of days prior to a specified disclosure date.
    (e) Opportunity to object to disclosure. (1) A component shall 
specify a reasonable time period within which the submitter must respond 
to the notice referenced above. If the submitter has any objections to 
disclosure, it should provide the component a detailed written statement 
that specifies all grounds for withholding the particular information 
under any exemption of the FOIA. In order to rely on Exemption 4 as the 
basis for nondisclosure, the submitter must explain why the information 
constitutes a trade secret or commercial or financial information that 
is privileged or confidential.
    (2) A submitter who fails to respond within the time period 
specified in the notice shall be considered to have no objection to 
disclosure of the information. Information received by the component 
after the date of any disclosure decision shall not be considered by the 
component. Any information provided by a submitter under this subpart 
may itself be subject to disclosure under the FOIA.
    (f) Analysis of objections. A component shall consider a submitter's 
objections and specific grounds for nondisclosure in deciding whether to 
disclose the requested information.
    (g) Notice of intent to disclose. Whenever a component decides to 
disclose information over the objection of a submitter, the component 
shall provide the submitter written notice, which shall include:
    (1) A statement of the reasons why each of the submitter's 
disclosure objections was not sustained;
    (2) A description of the information to be disclosed; and
    (3) A specified disclosure date, which shall be a reasonable time 
subsequent to the notice.



Sec.  102.8  Fees.

    (a) In general. Components shall charge for processing requests 
under the FOIA in accordance with the provisions of this section and 
with the OMB Guidelines. In order to resolve any fee issues that arise 
under this section, a component may contact a requester for additional 
information. Components shall ensure that searches, review, and 
duplication are conducted in the most efficient and the least expensive 
manner. A component ordinarily will collect all applicable fees before 
sending copies of records to a requester. Requesters must pay fees by 
check or money order made payable to the Small Business Administration, 
addressed to the component assessing the fee.
    (b) Categories of requesters. Different fees are assessed depending 
on the requester category. Requesters may seek a fee waiver. Requests 
for fee waivers will be considered in accordance with the requirements 
in paragraph (l) of this section. For purposes of assessing fees, the 
FOIA establishes four categories of requesters:
    (1) Commercial use requesters;
    (2) Non-commercial scientific/educational institutions requesters;
    (3) News media requesters, and;
    (4) All other requesters.
    (c) Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    (1) Commercial use request is a request that asks for information 
for a use or a purpose that furthers a commercial,

[[Page 19]]

trade, or profit interest, which can include furthering those interests 
through litigation. A component's decision to place a requester in the 
commercial use category will be made on a case-by-case basis based on 
the requester's intended use of the information.
    (2) Direct costs are those expenses that the SBA incurs in searching 
for and duplicating (and, in the case of commercial use requests, 
reviewing) records in order to respond to a FOIA request. For example, 
direct costs include the salary of the employee performing the work 
(i.e., the basic rate of pay for the employee, plus 16 percent of that 
rate to cover benefits) and the cost of operating computers and other 
electronic equipment, such as photocopiers and scanners. Direct costs do 
not include overhead expenses such as the costs of space, and of heating 
or lighting a facility. This will be in addition to search, review, and 
duplication fees, and shall be paid by requesters categorized as 
commercial and other.
    (3) Duplication is reproducing a copy of a record, or of the 
information contained in it, necessary to respond to a FOIA request. 
Copies can take the form of paper, audiovisual materials, or electronic 
records, among others.
    (4) Educational institution is any school that operates a program of 
scholarly research. A requester in this fee category must show that the 
request is made in connection with his or her role at the educational 
institution. Components may seek verification from the requester that 
the request is in furtherance of scholarly research and will advise 
requesters of their placement in this category.

    Example 1 to paragraph (c)(4). A request from a professor of geology 
at a university for records relating to soil erosion, written on 
letterhead of the Department of Geology, would be presumed to be from an 
educational institution.
    Example 2 to paragraph (c)(4). A request from the same professor of 
geology seeking drug information from the Food and Drug Administration 
in furtherance of a murder mystery he is writing would not be presumed 
to be an institutional request, regardless of whether it was written on 
institutional stationery.
    Example 3 to paragraph (c)(4). A student, who makes a request in 
furtherance of their coursework or other school-sponsored activities and 
provides a copy of a course syllabus or other reasonable documentation 
to indicate the research purpose for the request, would qualify as part 
of this fee category.

    (5) Noncommercial scientific institution is an institution that is 
not operated on a ``commercial'' basis, as defined in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section and that is operated solely for the purpose of 
conducting scientific research, the results of which are not intended to 
promote any particular product or industry. A requester in this category 
must show that the request is authorized by and is made under the 
auspices of a qualifying institution and that the records are sought to 
further scientific research and are not for a commercial use.
    (6) Representative of the news media is any person or entity that 
gathers information of potential interest to a segment of the public, 
uses its editorial skills to turn the raw materials into a distinct 
work, and distributes that work to an audience. The term ``news'' means 
information that is about current events or that would be of current 
interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include 
television or radio stations that broadcast ``news'' to the public at 
large and publishers of periodicals that disseminate ``news'' and make 
their products available through a variety of means to the general 
public, including news organizations that disseminate solely on the 
Internet. A request for records supporting the news-dissemination 
function of the requester will not be considered to be for a commercial 
use. ``Freelance'' journalists who demonstrate a solid basis for 
expecting publication through a news media entity will be considered as 
a representative of the news media. A publishing contract would provide 
the clearest evidence that publication is expected; however, a 
requester's past publication record will be considered in making a 
determination.
    (7) Review is the examination of a record located in response to a 
request in order to determine whether any portion of it is exempt from 
disclosure. Review time includes processing any record for disclosure, 
such as doing all that is necessary to prepare the record for 
disclosure, including the process of

[[Page 20]]

redacting the record and marking the appropriate exemptions. Review 
costs are properly charged even if a record ultimately is not disclosed. 
Review time also includes time spent both obtaining and considering any 
formal objection to disclosure made by a confidential commercial 
information submitter under Sec.  102.7, but it does not include time 
spent resolving general legal or policy issues regarding the application 
of exemptions.
    (8) Search is the process of looking for and retrieving records or 
information responsive to a request. Search time includes page-by-page 
or line-by-line identification of information within records and the 
reasonable efforts expended to locate and retrieve information from 
electronic records.
    (d) Charging fees. In responding to FOIA requests, components will 
charge the following fees unless a waiver or reduction of fees has been 
granted under paragraph (l) of this section. Because the fee amounts 
provided below already account for the direct costs associated with a 
given fee type, components will not add any additional costs to charges 
calculated under this section.
    (1) Search. (i) Requests made by educational institutions, 
noncommercial scientific institutions, or representatives of the news 
media are not subject to search fees. Search fees shall be charged for 
all other requesters, subject to the restrictions of paragraph (e) of 
this section. Components may properly charge for time spent searching 
even if they do not locate any responsive records or if they determine 
that the records are entirely exempt from disclosure.
    (ii) For each hour spent by personnel searching for requested 
records, including electronic searches that do not require new 
programming, the fees will be charged as follows: Professional (GS 9-
14)--$46; and managerial (GS 15 and above)--$83.
    (iii) Requesters shall be charged the direct costs associated with 
conducting any search that requires the creation of a new computer 
program to locate the requested records. Requesters shall be notified of 
the costs associated with creating such a program and must agree to pay 
the associated costs before the costs may be incurred.
    (iv) For requests that require the retrieval of records stored by 
SBA at a Federal Records Center operated by the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA), additional costs shall be charged in 
accordance with the Transactional Billing Rate Schedule established by 
NARA.
    (2) Duplication. Duplication fees will be assessed to all 
requesters, subject to the restrictions of paragraph (e) of this 
section. A component shall honor a requester's preference for receiving 
a record in a particular form or format where it can be readily 
reproduced in the form or format requested. Where photocopies are 
supplied, SBA will provide one copy per request at the cost of $.10 per 
page. For copies of records produced on tapes, disks, or other media, 
SBA will charge the direct costs of producing the copy, including 
operator time. Where paper documents must be scanned in order to comply 
with a requester's preference to receive the records in an electronic 
format, the requester must also pay the direct costs associated with 
scanning those materials. For other forms of duplication, components 
shall charge the direct costs.
    (3) Review. (i) Review fees will be assessed to requesters who make 
commercial use requests. Review fees will be assessed in connection with 
the initial review of the record, i.e., the review conducted by a 
component to determine whether an exemption applies to a particular 
record or portion of a record. No charge will be made for review at the 
administrative appeal stage of exemptions applied at the initial review 
stage. However, if a particular exemption is deemed to no longer apply, 
any costs associated with SBA's re-review of the records in order to 
consider the use of other exemptions may be assessed as review fees. 
Review fees will be charged at the same rates as those charged for a 
search under paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) The following table summarizes the fees for each type of 
requester.

[[Page 21]]



                                    Table 1 to Sec.   102.8--Summary of Fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Requester category                Search                Review           Duplication fees   Direct costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Use...................  Yes.................  Yes.................  Yes................  Yes.
Educational/Noncommercial          No..................  No..................  Yes (first 100       No.
 Scientific Institutions.                                                       pages, or
                                                                                equivalent volume
                                                                                free).
News Media.......................  No..................  No..................  Yes (first 100       No.
                                                                                pages, or
                                                                                equivalent volume
                                                                                free).
All Others.......................  Yes (first 2 hours    No..................  Yes (first 100       Yes.
                                    free).                                      pages, or
                                                                                equivalent volume
                                                                                free).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Restrictions on charging fees. (1) When a component determines 
that a requester is an educational institution, non-commercial 
scientific institution, or representative of the news media, and the 
records are not sought for commercial use, it will not charge search 
fees.
    (i) If a component fails to comply with the time limits in which to 
respond to a request, it may not charge search fees, or, in the 
instances of requests from requesters described in paragraph (c)(1) of 
this section, may not charge duplication fees, except as described in 
paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) through (iv) of this section.
    (ii) If a component has determined that unusual circumstances as 
defined by the FOIA apply and SBA provided timely written notice to the 
requester in accordance with the FOIA, a failure to comply with the time 
limit shall be excused for an additional 10 working days.
    (iii) If a component has determined that unusual circumstances, as 
defined by the FOIA, apply and more than 5,000 pages are necessary to 
respond to the request, the component may charge search fees, or, in the 
case of requesters described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, may 
charge duplication fees, if the following steps are taken. The component 
shall provide a timely written notice of unusual circumstances to the 
requester in accordance with the FOIA and SBA must have discussed with 
the requester via written mail, email, or telephone (or made not less 
than three good-faith attempts to do so) how the requester could 
effectively limit the scope of the request in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a)(6)(B)(ii). If this exception is satisfied, the component may 
charge all applicable fees incurred in the processing of the request.
    (iv) If a court has determined that exceptional circumstances exist, 
as defined by the FOIA, a failure to comply with the time limits shall 
be excused for the length of time provided by the court order.
    (2) No search or review fees will be charged for a quarter-hour 
period unless more than half of that period is required for search or 
review.
    (3) Except for requesters seeking records for a commercial use, 
components shall provide without charge:
    (i) The first 100 pages of duplication (or the cost equivalent for 
other media); and
    (ii) The first two hours of search.
    (4) No fee will be charged when the total fee, after deducting the 
100 free pages (or its cost equivalent) and the first two hours of 
search, is equal to or less than $46.00.
    (f) Notice of anticipated fees in excess of $46.00. (1) When a 
component determines or estimates that the fees to be assessed in 
accordance with this section will exceed $46.00, the component shall 
notify the requester of the actual or estimated amount of the fees, 
including a breakdown of the fees for search, review, or duplication, 
unless the requester has indicated a willingness to pay fees as high as 
those anticipated. If only a portion of the fee can be estimated 
readily, the component shall advise the requester accordingly. If the 
request is not for noncommercial use, the notice will specify that the 
requester is entitled to the statutory entitlements of 100 pages of 
duplication at no charge and, if the requester is charged search fees, 
two hours of search time at no charge, and will advise the requester 
whether those entitlements have been provided.
    (2) In cases in which a requester has been notified that the actual 
or estimated fees are in excess of $46.00, the

[[Page 22]]

request shall not be considered received and further work will not be 
completed until the requester commits in writing to pay the actual or 
estimated total fee, or designates some amount of fees the requester is 
willing to pay, or in the case of a noncommercial use requester who has 
not yet been provided with the requester's statutory entitlements, 
designates that the requester seeks only that which can be provided by 
the statutory entitlements. The requester must provide the commitment or 
designation in writing, and must, when applicable, designate an exact 
dollar amount the requester is willing to pay. Components are not 
required to accept payments in installments.
    (3) If the requester has indicated a willingness to pay some 
designated amount of fees, but the component estimates that the total 
fee will exceed that amount, the component will toll the processing of 
the request when it notifies the requester of the estimated fees in 
excess of the amount the requester has indicated a willingness to pay. 
The component shall inquire whether the requester wishes to revise the 
amount of fees the requester is willing to pay or modify the request. 
Once the requester responds, the time to respond will resume from where 
it was at the date of the notification.
    (4) Components shall make available their FOIA Public Liaison or 
other designee to assist any requester in reformulating a request to 
meet the requester's needs at a lower cost.
    (g) Charges for other services. Although not required to provide 
special services, if a component chooses to do so as a matter of 
administrative discretion, the direct costs of providing the service 
will be charged. Examples of such services include certifying that 
records are true copies, providing multiple copies of the same document, 
or sending records by means other than first class mail.
    (h) Charging interest. Components may charge interest on any unpaid 
bill starting on the 31st day following the date of billing the 
requester. Interest charges will be assessed at the rate provided in 31 
U.S.C. 3717 and will accrue from the billing date until payment is 
received by the component. Components shall follow the provisions of the 
Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-365, 96 Stat. 1749), as amended, 
and its administrative procedures, including the use of consumer 
reporting agencies, collection agencies, and offset.
    (i) Aggregating requests. When a component reasonably believes that 
a requester or a group of requesters acting in concert is attempting to 
divide a single request into a series of requests for the purpose of 
avoiding fees, the component may aggregate those requests and charge 
accordingly. Components may presume that multiple requests of this type 
made within a 30-day period have been made in order to avoid fees. For 
requests separated by a longer period, components shall aggregate them 
only where there is a reasonable basis for determining that aggregation 
is warranted in view of all the circumstances involved. Multiple 
requests involving unrelated matters cannot be aggregated.
    (j) Advance payments. (1) For requests other than those described in 
paragraphs (j)(2) or (j)(3) of this section, components cannot require 
the requester to make an advance payment before work is commenced or 
continued on a request. Payment owed for work already completed (i.e., 
payment before copies are sent to a requester) is not an advance 
payment.
    (2) When a component determines or estimates that a total fee to be 
charged under this section will exceed $250.00, it may require that the 
requester make an advance payment up to the amount of the entire 
anticipated fee before beginning to process the request. Components may 
elect to process the request prior to collecting fees when it receives a 
satisfactory assurance of full payment from a requester with a history 
of prompt payment.
    (3) Where a requester has previously failed to pay a properly 
charged FOIA fee to any component or SBA within 30 working days of the 
billing date, a component may require that the requester pay the full 
amount due, plus any applicable interest on that prior request, and the 
component may require that the requester make an advance payment of the 
full amount of any anticipated fee before SBA begins

[[Page 23]]

to process a new request or continues to process a pending request or 
any pending appeal. When a component has a reasonable basis to believe 
that a requester has misrepresented the requester's identity in order to 
avoid paying outstanding fees, it may require that the requester provide 
proof of identity.
    (4) In cases in which advanced payment is required, the request will 
not be considered received and further work will not be completed until 
the required payment is received. If the requester does not pay the 
advance payment within 30 working days after the date of the fee 
determination, the request will be closed.
    (k) Other statutes specifically providing for fees. The fee schedule 
of this section does not apply to fees charged under any statute that 
specifically requires SBA to set and collect fees for particular types 
of records. In instances where records responsive to a request are 
subject to a statutorily-based fee schedule program, the requester will 
be informed of the contact information for that program.
    (l) Requirements for waiver or reduction of fees. (1) Requesters may 
seek a waiver of fees by submitting written correspondence demonstrating 
how disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest 
because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding 
of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily 
in the commercial interest of the requester. Records responsive to a 
request shall be furnished without charge or at a reduced rate below the 
rate established under paragraph (d) of this section, where a component 
determines, based on all available information, that the requester has 
demonstrated that:
    (i) Disclosure of the requested information is in the public 
interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public 
understanding of the operations or activities of the government, and
    (ii) Disclosure of the information is not primarily in the 
commercial interest of the requester.
    (2) Components shall furnish records responsive to a request without 
charge or at a reduced rate when it determines, based on all available 
information, that the factors described in paragraphs (l)(2)(i) through 
(iii) of this section are satisfied:
    (i) Disclosure of the requested information would shed light on the 
operations or activities of the government. The subject of the request 
must concern identifiable operations or activities of the Federal 
Government with a connection that is direct and clear, not remote or 
attenuated.
    (ii) Disclosure of the requested information is likely to contribute 
significantly to public understanding of those operations or activities. 
This factor is satisfied when the following criteria are met:
    (A) Disclosure of the requested records must be meaningfully 
informative about government operations or activities. The disclosure of 
information that already is in the public domain, in either the same or 
a substantially identical form, would not be meaningfully informative if 
nothing new would be added to the public's understanding.
    (B) The disclosure must contribute to the understanding of a 
reasonably broad audience of persons interested in the subject, as 
opposed to the individual understanding of the requester. A requester's 
expertise in the subject area as well as the requester's ability and 
intention to effectively convey information to the public must be 
considered. Components shall presume that a representative of the news 
media will satisfy this consideration.
    (iii) The disclosure must not be primarily in the commercial 
interest of the requester. To determine whether disclosure of the 
requested information is primarily in the commercial interest of the 
requester, the following criteria will be considered:
    (A) Identify whether the requester has any commercial interest that 
would be furthered by the requested disclosure. A commercial interest 
includes any commercial, trade, or profit interest. Requesters must be 
given an opportunity to provide explanatory information regarding this 
consideration.
    (B) If there is an identified commercial interest, a determination 
will be made whether the primary interest is furthered by the request. A 
waiver or

[[Page 24]]

reduction of fees is justified when the requirements of paragraphs 
(l)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section are satisfied and any commercial 
interest is not the primary interest furthered by the request. 
Ordinarily there will be a presumption, that when a news media requester 
has satisfied factors (l)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section, the request is 
not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Disclosure to 
data brokers or others who merely compile and market government 
information for direct economic return will not be presumed to primarily 
serve the public interest.
    (3) Where only some of the records to be released satisfy the 
requirements for a waiver of fees, a waiver must be granted for those 
records.
    (4) Requests for a waiver or reduction of fees should be made when 
the request is first submitted and should address the criteria 
referenced above. A requester may submit a fee waiver request at a later 
time so long as the underlying record request is pending or on 
administrative appeal. When a requester who has committed to pay fees 
subsequently asks for a waiver of those fees and that waiver is denied, 
the requester must pay any costs incurred up to the date the fee waiver 
request was received.



Sec.  102.9  Administrative appeals.

    (a) Requirements for making an appeal. A requester may appeal any 
adverse determinations to the FOI/PA Office. The contact information is 
contained in Sec.  102.3(a)(1). Examples of adverse determinations are 
provided in Sec.  102.6(e). The requester must make the appeal in 
writing and to be considered timely it must be postmarked, or in the 
case of electronic submissions, transmitted, within 90 working days 
after the date of the response. The appeal should clearly identify the 
component's determination that is being appealed and the assigned 
request number. To facilitate handling, the requester should mark both 
the appeal letter and envelope, or subject line of the electronic 
transmission, ``Freedom of Information Act Appeal.''
    (b) Adjudication of appeals. (1) The Chief, FOI/PA or designee will 
act on behalf of the SBA on all appeals under this section.
    (2) An appeal ordinarily will not be adjudicated if the request 
becomes a matter of FOIA litigation.
    (3) On receipt of any appeal involving classified information, the 
FOI/PA Office shall take appropriate action to ensure compliance with 
Executive Orders 13467 and 13526.
    (c) Decisions on appeals. A decision on an appeal will be made in 
writing. A decision that upholds a component's determination will 
contain a statement that identifies the reasons for the affirmance, 
including any FOIA exemptions applied. The decision will provide the 
requester with notification of the statutory right to file a lawsuit and 
will inform the requester of the mediation services offered by OGIS as a 
non-exclusive alternative to litigation. If a component's decision is 
remanded or modified on appeal, the requester will be notified of that 
determination in writing. The component will thereafter, further process 
the request in accordance with that appeal determination and respond 
directly to the requester.
    (d) Time limit for issuing appeal decision. The statutory time limit 
for responding to appeals is generally 20 working days after receipt. 
However, the Appeals Officer may extend the time limit for responding to 
an appeal provided the circumstances set forth in 5 U.S.C. 
552(a)(6)(B)(i) are met.
    (e) Engaging in dispute resolution services provided by OGIS. 
Mediation is a voluntary process. If a component agrees to participate 
in the mediation services provided by OGIS, it will actively engage as a 
partner to the process in an attempt to resolve the dispute.
    (f) When an appeal is required. Before seeking review by a court of 
a component's adverse determination, a requester generally must first 
submit a timely administrative appeal.



Sec.  102.10  Preservation of records.

    Each component shall preserve all correspondence pertaining to the 
requests that it receives under this subpart, as well as copies of all 
requested records, until disposition or destruction is authorized 
pursuant to title 44

[[Page 25]]

of the United States Code or the General Records Schedule 14 of the 
National Archives and Records Administration. Records shall not be 
disposed of or destroyed while they are the subject of a pending 
request, appeal, or lawsuit under the FOIA.



Sec.  102.11  Subpoenas.

    (a) The person to whom the subpoena is directed must consult with 
SBA counsel in the relevant SBA office, who will seek approval for 
compliance from the Associate General Counsel for Litigation. Except 
where the subpoena requires the testimony of an employee of the 
Inspector General's office, or records within the possession of the 
Inspector General, the Associate General Counsel may delegate the 
authorization for appropriate production of documents or testimony to 
local SBA counsel.
    (b) If SBA counsel approves compliance with the subpoena, SBA will 
comply.
    (c) If SBA counsel disapproves compliance with the subpoena, SBA 
will not comply, and will base such noncompliance on an appropriate 
legal basis such as privilege or a statute.
    (d) SBA counsel must provide a copy of any subpoena relating to a 
criminal matter to SBA's Inspector General prior to its return date.



   Sec. Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 102--Records Maintained by SBA

             I. Information Generally Exempt From Disclosure

    a. Non-statistical information on pending, declined, withdrawn, or 
canceled applications.
    b. Non-statistical information on defaults, delinquencies, losses 
etc.
    c. Loan status, other than charged-off or paid-in-full.
    d. Home disaster loan status and interest rate.
    e. Financial statements, credit reports, business plans, plant lay-
outs, marketing strategy, advertising plans, fiscal projections, pricing 
information, payroll information, private sector experience and 
contracts, IRS forms, purchase information, banking information, 
corporate structure, research plans and client list of applicant/
recipient.
    f. Portions of: Certificate of Competency records, Requests for Size 
Determinations, 8(a) Business Development Plans, loan applications, SBIC 
applications, loan officer's reports.
    g. Internal documents not incorporated into final Agency action, 
pending internal recommendations on applications for assistance, SBA/
attorney-client communications, pending litigation documents and 
investigatory documents. Discretionary disclosure policy must be 
utilized.
    h. Personal history and financial statements, tax forms, resumes, 
all non-government career experience, communications regarding 
applicant's character, home addresses and telephone numbers, social 
security numbers, birth dates and medical records. Portions of Inspector 
General (IG) reports, audit reports, program investigation records and 
any other records which, if released, would interfere with the 
Government's law enforcement proceedings and/or would reveal the 
identity of a confidential source and documents relating to pending 
litigation and investigations. Requests for IG documents must be 
referred to the Office of the Inspector General, Counsel Division.
    i. Financial information on portfolio companies.
    j. Information originating from other agencies should be referred to 
those agencies for disclosure determinations.

                   II. Information Generally Disclosed

    a. Names and business addresses of recipients of approved loans, 
SBIC licenses, Certificates of Competency, lease guarantees, surety bond 
guarantees and requests for counseling.
    b. Names of officers, directors, stockholders or partners of 
recipient firms.
    c. Kinds and amounts of loans, loan terms, interest rates (except on 
home disaster loans), maturity dates, general purpose, etc.
    d. Statistical data on assistance, loans, defaults, contracts, 
counseling, etc.
    e. Decisions, rulings and records showing final Agency actions in 
specific factual situations if identifying details exempt from 
disclosure are first deleted.
    f. Awarded contracts: names, amounts, dates, contracting agencies.
    g. Identity of participating banks.
    h. List of 8(a) participants, date of entry, FPPT dates and NAICS 
codes.
    i. OHA opinions and decisions.
    j. Names of SBA employees, grades, titles, and duty stations.



 Subpart B_Protection of Privacy and Access to Individual Records Under 
                         the Privacy Act of 1974

    Source: 72 FR 17369, Apr. 9, 2007, unless otherwise noted.

[[Page 26]]



Sec.  102.20  General provisions.

    (a) Purpose and scope. This subpart implements the provisions of the 
Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a. These regulations apply to all 
records which are contained in systems of records maintained by the U.S. 
Small Business Administration (SBA) and that are retrieved by an 
individual's name or personal identifier. These regulations set forth 
the procedures by which individuals may request access to records about 
themselves, request amendment or correction of those records, and 
request an accounting of disclosures of those records by the SBA. These 
regulations also set forth the requirements applicable to SBA employees 
maintaining, collecting, using or disseminating records pertaining to 
individuals. This subpart applies to SBA and all of its offices and is 
mandatory for use by all SBA employees.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this subpart:
    (1) Agency means the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and 
includes all of its offices wherever located;
    (2) Employee means any employee of the SBA, regardless of grade, 
status, category or place of employment;
    (3) Individual means a citizen of the United States or an alien 
lawfully admitted for permanent residence. This term shall not encompass 
entrepreneurial enterprises (e.g. sole proprietors, partnerships, 
corporations, or other forms of business entities);
    (4) Maintain includes maintain, collect, use, or disseminate;
    (5) Record means any item, collection, or grouping of information 
about an individual that is maintained by the SBA, including, but not 
limited to education, financial transactions, medical history, and 
criminal or employment history and that contains the individual's name, 
or an identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular 
assigned to the individual such as a finger or voice print or 
photograph;
    (6) System of records means a group of any records under the control 
of SBA from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual 
or by an identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular 
assigned to the individual;
    (7) Statistical record means a record in a system of records 
maintained for statistical research or reporting purposes only and not 
used in whole or in part in making any determination about an 
identifiable individual;
    (8) Routine use means, with respect to the disclosure of a record, 
the use of such record for a purpose which is compatible with the 
purpose for which it was collected;
    (9) Request for access to a record means a request made under 
Privacy Act subsection (d)(1) allowing an individual to gain access to 
his or her record or to any information pertaining to him or her which 
is contained in a system of records;
    (10) Request for amendment or correction of a record means a request 
made under Privacy Act subsection (d)(2), permitting an individual to 
request amendment or correction of a record that he or she believes is 
not accurate, relevant, timely, or complete;
    (11) Request for an accounting means a request made under Privacy 
Act subsection (c)(3) allowing an individual to request an accounting of 
any disclosure to any SBA officers and employees who have a need for the 
record in the performance of their duties;
    (12) Requester is an individual who makes a request for access, a 
request for amendment or correction, or a request for an accounting 
under the Privacy Act; and
    (13) Authority to request records for a law enforcement purpose 
means that the head of an Agency or a United States Attorney, or 
either's designee, is authorized to make written requests under 
subsection (b)(7) of the Privacy Act for records maintained by other 
agencies that are necessary to carry out an authorized law enforcement 
activity.



Sec.  102.21  Agency employees responsible for the Privacy Act of 1974.

    (a) Program/Support Office Head is the SBA employee in each field 
office and major program and support area responsible for implementing 
and overseeing this regulation in that office.
    (b) Privacy Act Systems Manager (PASM) is the designated SBA 
employee in each office responsible for the development and management 
of any

[[Page 27]]

Privacy Act systems of records in that office.
    (c) Senior Agency Official for Privacy is SBA's Chief Information 
Officer (CIO) who has overall responsibility and accountability for 
ensuring the SBA's implementation of information privacy protections, 
including the SBA's full compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and 
policies relating to information privacy such as the Privacy Act and the 
E-Government Act of 2002.
    (d) Chief, Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts (FOI/PA) Office 
oversees and implements the record access, amendment, and correction 
provisions of the Privacy Act.



Sec.  102.22  Requirements relating to systems of records.

    (a) In general. Each SBA office shall, in accordance with the 
Privacy Act:
    (1) Maintain in its records only such information about an 
individual as is relevant and necessary to accomplish a purpose of the 
Agency required to be accomplished by a statute or by Executive Order of 
the President;
    (2) Collect information to the greatest extent practicable directly 
from the subject individual when the information may affect an 
individual's rights, benefits, and privileges under Federal programs;
    (b) Requests for information from individuals. If a form is being 
used to collect information from individuals, either the form used to 
collect the information, or a separate form that can be retained by the 
individual, must state the following:
    (1) The authority (whether granted by statute, or by Executive Order 
of the President) which authorizes the solicitation of the information 
and whether disclosure of such information is mandatory or voluntary;
    (2) The principal purpose or purposes for which the information is 
intended to be used;
    (3) The routine uses which may be made of the information; and
    (4) The effects on such individual, if any, of not providing all or 
any part of the requested information.
    (c) Report on new systems. Each SBA office shall provide adequate 
advance notice to Congress and OMB through the FOI/PA Office of any 
proposal to establish or alter any system of records in order to permit 
an evaluation of the probable or potential effect of such proposal on 
the privacy and other personal or property rights of individuals or the 
disclosure of information relating to such individuals.
    (d) Accurate and secure maintenance of records. Each SBA office 
shall:
    (1) Maintain all records which are used in making any determination 
about any individual with such accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and 
completeness as is reasonably necessary to assure fairness to the 
individual in the determination;
    (2) Prior to disseminating any record from a system of records about 
an individual to any requestor, including an agency, make reasonable 
efforts to assure that such records are accurate, complete, timely, and 
relevant for SBA purposes; and
    (3) Establish appropriate administrative, technical, and physical 
safeguards to insure the security and confidentiality of records and to 
protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to their security or 
integrity which could result in substantial harm, embarrassment, 
inconvenience, or unfairness to any individual on whom information is 
maintained.
    (i) PASMs, with the approval of the head of their offices, shall 
establish administrative and physical controls, consistent with SBA 
regulations, to insure the protection of records systems from 
unauthorized access or disclosure and from physical damage or 
destruction. The controls instituted shall be proportional to the degree 
of sensitivity of the records but at a minimum must ensure that records 
other than those available to the general public under the FOIA, are 
protected from public view, that the area in which the records are 
stored is supervised during all business hours and physically secured 
during non-business hours to prevent unauthorized personnel from 
obtaining access to the records.
    (ii) PASMs, with the approval of the head of their offices, shall 
adopt access restrictions to insure that only those individuals within 
the agency who have a need to have access to the records for the 
performance of their duties have access to them. Procedures shall also

[[Page 28]]

be adopted to prevent accidental access to, or dissemination of, 
records.
    (e) Prohibition against maintenance of records concerning First 
Amendment rights. No SBA office shall maintain a record describing how 
any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment (e.g. 
speech), unless the maintenance of such record is:
    (1) Expressly authorized by statute, or
    (2) Expressly authorized by the individual about whom the record is 
maintained, or
    (3) Pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law 
enforcement activity.



Sec.  102.23  Publication in the Federal Register--
Notices of systems of records.

    (a) Notices of systems of records to be published in the Federal 
Register. (1) The SBA shall publish in the Federal Register upon 
establishment or revision a notice of the existence and character of any 
new or revised systems of records. Unless otherwise instructed, each 
notice shall include:
    (i) The name and location of the system;
    (ii) The categories of individuals on who records are maintained in 
the system;
    (iii) The categories of records maintained in the system;
    (iv) Each routine use of the records contained in the system, 
including the categories of users and the purpose of such use;
    (v) The policies and practices of the office regarding storage, 
retrievability, access controls, retention, and disposal of the records;
    (vi) The title and business address of the SBA official who is 
responsible for the system of records;
    (vii) A statement that SBA procedures allow an individual, at his or 
her request, to determine whether a system of records contains a record 
pertaining to him or her, to review such records and to contest or amend 
such records, located in sections 102.25 through 102.29 of these 
regulations.
    (viii) A statement that such requests may be directed to the SBA's 
FOI/PA Office, 409 3rd St., SW., Washington, DC 20416 or faxed to 202-
205-7059; and
    (ix) The categories of sources of records in the system.
    (2) Minor changes to systems of records shall be published annually.
    (b) Notice of new or modified routine uses to be published in the 
Federal Register. At least 30 days prior to disclosing records pursuant 
to a new use or modification of a routine use, as published under 
paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section, each SBA office shall publish in 
the Federal Register notice of such new or modified use of the 
information in the system and provide an opportunity for any individual 
or persons to submit written comments.



Sec.  102.24  Requests for access to records.

    (a) How made and addressed. An individual, or his or her legal 
guardian, may make a request for access to an SBA record about himself 
or herself by appearing in person or by writing directly to the SBA 
office that maintains the record or to the FOI/PA Office by mail to 409 
3rd St., SW., Washington, DC 20416 or fax to 202-205-7059. A request 
received by the FOI/PA Office will be forwarded to the appropriate SBA 
Office where the records are located.
    (b) Description of records sought. A request for access to records 
must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable SBA 
personnel to locate the system of records containing them with a 
reasonable amount of effort. A request should also state the date of the 
record or time period in which the record was compiled, and the name or 
identifying number of each system of records in which the requester 
believes the record is kept. The SBA publishes notices in the Federal 
Register that describe its systems of records. A description of the 
SBA's systems of records also may be found at http://www.sba.gov/ foia/
systemrecords.doc.
    (c) Verification of identity. Any individual who submits a request 
for access to records must verify his or her identity. No specific form 
is required; however, the requester must state his or her full name, 
current address, and date and place of birth. The request must be signed 
and the requester's signature must either be notarized or submitted 
under 28 U.S.C. 1746. This law

[[Page 29]]

permits statements to be made under penalty of perjury as a substitute 
for notarization, the language states:
    (1) If executed outside the United States: ``I declare (or certify, 
verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United 
States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on 
(date). Signature''; or
    (2) If executed within the Untied States, its territories, 
possessions or commonwealths: ``I declare (or certify, verify, or state) 
under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. 
Executed on (date). Signature''.
    (d) Verification of guardianship. When making a request as a legal 
agent or the parent or guardian of a minor or as the guardian of someone 
determined by a court to be incompetent, for access to records about 
that individual, the requester must establish:
    (1) The identity of the individual who is the subject of the record, 
by stating the name, current address, date and place of birth, and, at 
the requester's option, the social security number of the individual;
    (2) The requester's own identity, as required in paragraph (c) of 
this section;
    (3) That the requester is the legal agent or parent or guardian of 
that individual, which may be proven by providing a copy of the 
individual's birth certificate showing his parentage or by providing a 
court order establishing guardianship; and
    (4) That the requester is acting on behalf of that individual in 
making the request.



Sec.  102.25  Responsibility for responding to requests for access to records.

    (a) In general. Except as stated in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of 
this section and in Sec.  102.24(a), the office that first receives a 
request for access to a record, and has possession of that record, is 
the office responsible for responding to the request. That office shall 
acknowledge receipt of the request not later than 10 days (excluding 
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt 
of the request in writing. In determining which records are responsive 
to a request, an office ordinarily shall include only those records in 
its possession as of the date the office begins its search for them. If 
any other date is used, the office shall inform the requester of that 
date.
    (b) Authority to grant or deny requests. The Program/Support Office 
Head, or designee, is authorized to grant or deny any request for access 
to a record of that office.
    (c) Consultations and referrals. When an office receives a request 
for access to a record in its possession, it shall determine whether 
another office, or another agency of the Federal Government, is better 
able to determine whether the record is exempt from access under the 
Privacy Act. If the receiving office determines that it is best able to 
process the record in response to the request, then it shall do so. If 
the receiving office determines that it is not best able to process the 
record, then it shall either:
    (1) Respond to the request regarding that record, after consulting 
with the office or agency best able to determine whether the record is 
exempt from access and with any other office or agency that has a 
substantial interest in it; or
    (2) Refer the responsibility for responding to the request to the 
office best able to determine whether the record is exempt from access 
or to another agency that originated the record (but only if that agency 
is subject to the Privacy Act). Ordinarily the office or agency that 
originated a record will be presumed to be best able to determine 
whether it is exempt from access.
    (d) Law enforcement information. Whenever a request is made for 
access to a record containing information that relates to an 
investigation of a possible violation of law and that was originated by 
SBA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or another agency, the 
receiving office shall refer the responsibility for responding to the 
request regarding that information to either SBA's OIG or the other 
agency ``depending on where the investigation originated.''
    (e) Classified information. Whenever a request is made for access to 
a record containing information that has been classified by or may be 
appropriate for

[[Page 30]]

classification by another office or agency under Executive Order 12958 
or any other executive order concerning the classification of records, 
the receiving office shall refer the responsibility for responding to 
the request regarding that information to the office or agency that 
classified the information, should consider the information for 
classification, or has the primary interest in it, as appropriate. 
Whenever a record contains information that has been derivatively 
classified by an office because it contains information classified by 
another office or agency, the office shall refer the responsibility for 
responding to the request regarding that information to the office or 
agency that classified the underlying information. Information 
determined to no longer require classification shall not be withheld 
from a requester on the basis of Exemption (k)(1) of the Privacy Act.
    (f) Notice of referral. Whenever an office refers all or any part of 
the responsibility for responding to a request to another office or 
agency, it shall notify the requester of the referral and inform the 
requester of the name of each office or agency to which the request has 
been referred and of the part of the request that has been referred.
    (g) Responses to consultations and referrals. All consultations and 
referrals shall be processed according to the date the access request 
was initially received by the first office or agency, not any later 
date.
    (h) Agreements regarding consultations and referrals. Offices may 
make agreements with other offices or agencies to eliminate the need for 
consultations or referrals for particular types of records.



Sec.  102.26  Responses to requests for access to records.

    (a) Acknowledgements of requests. On receipt of a request, an office 
shall send an acknowledgement letter to the requester.
    (b) Grants of requests for access. Once an office makes a 
determination to grant a request for access in whole or in part, it 
shall notify the requester in writing. The Program/Support Office Head 
or designee shall inform the requester in the notice of any fee charged 
under Sec.  102.31 and shall disclose records to the requester promptly 
on payment of any applicable fee. If a request is made in person, the 
office may disclose records to the requester directly, in a manner not 
unreasonably disruptive of its operations, on payment of any applicable 
fee and with a written record made of the grant of the request. If a 
requester is accompanied by another person, he or she shall be required 
to authorize in writing any discussion of the records in the presence of 
the other person.
    (c) Adverse determinations of requests for access. A Program/Support 
Office Head or designee making an adverse determination denying a 
request for access in any respect shall notify the requester of that 
determination in writing. Adverse determinations, or denials of 
requests, consist of: a determination to withhold any requested record 
in whole or in part; a determination that a requested record does not 
exist or cannot be located; a determination that the requested 
information is not a record subject to the Privacy Act; a determination 
on any disputed fee matter; and a denial of a request for expedited 
treatment. The notification letter shall be signed by the Program/
Support Office Head or designee, and shall include:
    (1) The name and title or position of the person responsible for the 
denial;
    (2) A brief statement of the reason(s) for the denial, including any 
FOIA or Privacy Act exemption(s) applied in denying the request; and
    (3) A statement that the denial may be appealed under Sec.  
102.27(a) and a description of the requirements of Sec.  102.27(a).



Sec.  102.27  Appeals from denials of requests for access to records.

    (a) Appeals. If the requester is dissatisfied with an office's 
response to his or her request for access to records, the requester may 
make a written appeal of the adverse determination denying the request 
in any respect to the SBA's FOI/PA Office, 409 3rd St., SW., Washington, 
DC 20416. The appeal must be received by the FOI/PA Office within 60 
days of the date of the letter denying the request. The requester's 
appeal letter should include as much information

[[Page 31]]

as possible, including the identity of the office whose adverse 
determination is being appealed. Unless otherwise directed, the Chief, 
FOI/PA will decide all appeals under this subpart.
    (b) Responses to appeals. The decision on a requester's appeal will 
be made in writing not later than 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, 
and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt of such appeal. A 
decision affirming an adverse determination in whole or in part will 
include a brief statement of the reason(s) for the affirmation, 
including any Privacy Act exemption applied, and will inform the 
requester of the Privacy Act provisions for court review of the 
decision. If the adverse determination is reversed or modified on appeal 
in whole or in part, the requester will be notified in a written 
decision and his request will be reprocessed in accordance with that 
appeal decision.
    (c) Judicial review. In order to seek judicial review by a court of 
any adverse determination or denial of a request, a requester must first 
appeal it to the FOI/PA Office under this section.



Sec.  102.28  Requests for amendment or correction of records.

    (a) How made and addressed. Unless the record is not subject to 
amendment or correction as stated in paragraph (f) of this section, an 
individual may make a request for amendment or correction of an SBA 
record about himself or herself by writing directly to the office that 
maintains the record, following the procedures in Sec.  102.24. The 
request should identify each particular record in question, state the 
amendment or correction sought, and state why the record is not 
accurate, relevant, timely, or complete. The requester may submit any 
documentation that he or she thinks would be helpful. If the requester 
believes that the same record is in more than one system of records, 
that should be stated and the request should be sent to each office that 
maintains a system of records containing the record.
    (b) Office responses. Within ten (10) days (excluding Saturdays, 
Sundays, and legal public holidays) of receiving a request for amendment 
or correction of records, an office shall send the requester a written 
acknowledgment of receipt, and the office shall notify the requester 
within 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) 
of receipt of the request whether it is granted or denied. If the 
Program/Support Office Head or designee grants the request in whole or 
in part, the amendment or correction must be made, and the requester 
advised of his or her right to obtain a copy of the corrected or amended 
record. If the office denies a request in whole or in part, it shall 
send the requester a letter signed by the Program/Support Office Head or 
designee that shall state:
    (1) The reason(s) for the denial; and
    (2) The procedure for appeal of the denial under paragraph (c) of 
this section, including the name and business address of the official 
who will act on your appeal.
    (c) Appeals. An individual may appeal a denial of a request for 
amendment or correction to the FOI/PA Office in the same manner as a 
denial of a request for access to records (see Sec.  102.27), and the 
same procedures shall be followed. If the appeal is denied, the 
requester shall be advised of his or her right to file a Statement of 
Disagreement as described in paragraph (d) of this section and of his or 
her right under the Privacy Act for court review of the decision.
    (d) Statement of Disagreement. If an appeal under this section is 
denied in whole or in part, the requester has the right to file a 
Statement of Disagreement that states the reason(s) for disagreeing with 
the SBA's denial of his or her request for amendment or correction. A 
Statement of Disagreement must be concise, must clearly identify each 
part of any record that is disputed, and should be no longer than one 
typed page for each fact disputed. An individual's Statement of 
Disagreement must be sent to the office that maintains the record 
involved, which shall place it in the system of records in which the 
disputed record is maintained and shall mark the disputed record to 
indicate that a Statement of Disagreement has been filed and where in 
the system of records it may be found.

[[Page 32]]

    (e) Notification of amendment/correction or disagreement. Within 30 
days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) of the 
amendment or correction of a record, the office that maintains the 
record shall notify all persons, organizations, or agencies to which it 
previously disclosed the record, if an accounting of that disclosure was 
made, that the record has been amended or corrected. If an individual 
has filed a Statement of Disagreement, the office shall append a copy of 
it to the disputed record whenever the record is disclosed and may also 
append a concise statement of its reason(s) for denying the request to 
amend or correct the record.
    (f) Records not subject to amendment or correction. The following 
records are not subject to amendment or correction:
    (1) Transcripts of testimony given under oath or written statements 
made under oath;
    (2) Transcripts of grand jury proceedings, judicial proceedings, or 
quasi-judicial proceedings, which are the official record of those 
proceedings;
    (3) Pre-sentence records that originated with the courts; and
    (4) Records in systems of records that have been exempted from 
amendment and correction under Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a (j) or (k) by 
notice published in the Federal Register.



Sec.  102.29  Requests for an accounting of record disclosures.

    (a) How made and addressed. Except where accountings of disclosures 
are not required to be kept (as stated in paragraph (b) of this 
section), an individual may make a request for an accounting of any 
disclosure that has been made by the SBA to another person, 
organization, or agency of any record in a system of records about him 
or her. This accounting contains the date, nature, and purpose of each 
disclosure, as well as the name and address of the person, organization, 
or agency to which the disclosure was made. The request for an 
accounting should identify each particular record in question and should 
be made by writing directly to the SBA office that maintains the record, 
following the procedures in Sec.  102.24.
    (b) Where accountings are not required. Offices are not required to 
provide accountings where they relate to:
    (1) Disclosures for which accountings are not required to be kept; 
disclosures that are made to employees within the SBA and disclosures 
that are made under the FOIA;
    (2) Disclosures made to law enforcement agencies for authorized law 
enforcement activities in response to written requests from those law 
enforcement agencies specifying the civil or criminal law enforcement 
activities for which the disclosures are sought; or
    (3) Disclosures made from law enforcement systems of records that 
have been exempted from accounting requirements under Privacy Act, 5 
U.S.C. 552a(j) or (k) by notice published in the Federal Register.
    (c) Appeals. An individual may appeal a denial of a request for an 
accounting to the FOI/PA Office in the same manner as a denial of a 
request for access to records (see Sec.  102.27), and the same 
procedures will be followed.



Sec.  102.30  Preservation of records.

    Each office will preserve all correspondence pertaining to the 
requests that it receives under this subpart, as well as copies of all 
requested records, until disposition or destruction is authorized by 
title 44 of the United States Code or the National Archives and Records 
Administration's General Records Schedule 14. Records will not be 
disposed of while they are the subject of a pending request, appeal, or 
lawsuit under the Privacy Act.



Sec.  102.31  Fees.

    SBA offices shall charge fees for duplication of records under the 
Privacy Act in the same way in which they charge duplication fees under 
Sec.  102.6(b)(3). No search or review fee may be charged for any record 
unless the record has been exempted from access under Exemptions (j)(2) 
or (k)(2) of the Privacy Act. SBA will waive fees under $25.00.



Sec.  102.32  Notice of court-ordered and emergency disclosures.

    (a) Court-ordered disclosures. When a record pertaining to an 
individual is required to be disclosed by order of a

[[Page 33]]

court of competent jurisdiction, the office that maintains the record 
shall make reasonable efforts to provide notice of this to the 
individual. Notice shall be given within a reasonable time after the 
office's receipt of the order, except that in a case in which the order 
is not a matter of public record, the notice shall be given only after 
the order becomes public. This notice shall be mailed to the 
individual's last known address and shall contain a copy of the order 
and a description of the information disclosed. Notice shall not be 
given if disclosure is made from a criminal law enforcement system of 
records that has been exempted from the notice requirement.
    (b) Emergency disclosures. Upon disclosing a record pertaining to an 
individual made under compelling circumstances affecting health or 
safety, the office shall notify that individual of the disclosure. This 
notice shall be mailed to the individual's last known address and shall 
state the nature of the information disclosed; the person, organization, 
or agency to which it was disclosed; the date of disclosure; and the 
compelling circumstances justifying the disclosure.



Sec.  102.33  Security of systems of records.

    (a) Each Program/Support Office Head or designee shall establish 
administrative and physical controls to prevent unauthorized access to 
its systems of records, to prevent unauthorized disclosure of records, 
and to prevent physical damage to or destruction of records. The 
stringency of these controls shall correspond to the sensitivity of the 
records that the controls protect. At a minimum, each office's 
administrative and physical controls shall ensure that:
    (1) Records are protected from public view;
    (2) The area in which records are kept is supervised during business 
hours to prevent unauthorized persons from having access to them;
    (3) Records are inaccessible to unauthorized persons outside of 
business hours; and
    (4) Records are not disclosed to unauthorized persons or under 
unauthorized circumstances in either oral or written form.
    (b) Each Program/Support Office Head or designee shall establish 
procedures that restrict access to records to only those individuals 
within the SBA who must have access to those records in order to perform 
their duties and that prevent inadvertent disclosure of records.
    (c) The OCIO shall provide SBA offices with guidance and assistance 
for privacy and security of electronic systems and compliance with 
pertinent laws and requirements.



Sec.  102.34  Contracts for the operation of record systems.

    When SBA contracts for the operation or maintenance of a system of 
records or a portion of a system of records by a contractor, the record 
system or the portion of the record affected, are considered to be 
maintained by the SBA, and subject to this subpart. The SBA is 
responsible for applying the requirements of this subpart to the 
contractor. The contractor and its employees are to be considered 
employees of the SBA for purposes of the sanction provisions of the 
Privacy Act during performance of the contract.



Sec.  102.35  Use and collection of Social Security Numbers.

    Each Program/Support Office Head or designee shall ensure that 
collection and use of SSN is performed only when the functionality of 
the system is dependant on use of the SSN as an identifier. Employees 
authorized to collect information must be aware:
    (a) That individuals may not be denied any right, benefit, or 
privilege as a result of refusing to provide their social security 
numbers, unless:
    (1) The collection is authorized either by a statute; or
    (2) The social security numbers are required under statute or 
regulation adopted prior to 1975 to verify the identity of an 
individual; and
    (b) That individuals requested to provide their social security 
numbers must be informed of:
    (1) Whether providing social security numbers is mandatory or 
voluntary;
    (2) Any statutory or regulatory authority that authorizes the 
collection of social security numbers; and

[[Page 34]]

    (3) The uses that will be made of the numbers.



Sec.  102.36  Privacy Act standards of conduct.

    Each Program/Support Office Head or designee shall inform its 
employees of the provisions of the Privacy Act, including its civil 
liability and criminal penalty provisions. Unless otherwise permitted by 
law, an employee of the SBA shall:
    (a) Collect from individuals only the information that is relevant 
and necessary to discharge the responsibilities of the SBA;
    (b) Collect information about an individual directly from that 
individual whenever practicable;
    (c) Inform each individual from whom information is collected of:
    (1) The legal authority to collect the information and whether 
providing it is mandatory or voluntary;
    (2) The principal purpose for which the SBA intends to use the 
information;
    (3) The routine uses the SBA may make of the information; and
    (4) The effects on the individual, if any, of not providing the 
information;
    (d) Ensure that the office maintains no system of records without 
public notice and that it notifies appropriate SBA officials of the 
existence or development of any system of records that is not the 
subject of a current or planned public notice;
    (e) Maintain all records that are used by the SBA in making any 
determination about an individual with such accuracy, relevance, 
timeliness, and completeness as is reasonably necessary to ensure 
fairness to the individual in the determination;
    (f) Except as to disclosures made to an agency or made under the 
FOIA, make reasonable efforts, prior to disseminating any record about 
an individual, to ensure that the record is accurate, relevant, timely, 
and complete;
    (g) Maintain no record describing how an individual exercises his or 
her First Amendment rights, unless it is expressly authorized by statute 
or by the individual about whom the record is maintained, or is 
pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement 
activity;
    (h) When required by the Privacy Act, maintain an accounting in the 
specified form of all disclosures of records by the SBA to persons, 
organizations, or agencies;
    (i) Maintain and use records with care to prevent the unauthorized 
or inadvertent disclosure of a record to anyone; and
    (j) Notify the appropriate SBA official of any record that contains 
information that the Privacy Act does not permit the SBA to maintain.



Sec.  102.37  Training requirements.

    All employees should attend privacy training within one year of 
employment with SBA. All employees with Privacy Act responsibilities 
must attend Privacy Act training, whenever needed, that is offered by 
the SBA.



Sec.  102.38  Other rights and services.

    Nothing in this subpart shall be construed to entitle any person, as 
a right, to any service or to the disclosure of any record to which such 
person is not entitled under the Privacy Act.



Sec.  102.39  SBA's exempt Privacy Act systems of records.

    (a) Systems of records subject to investigatory material exemption 
under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2), or 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) or both:
    (1) Office of Inspector General Records Other Than Investigation 
Records--SBA 4, contains records pertaining to audits, evaluations, and 
other non-audit services performed by the OIG;
    (2) Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint Cases--SBA 13, contains 
complaint files, Equal Employment Opportunity counselor's reports, 
investigation materials, notes, reports, and recommendations;
    (3) Investigative Files--SBA 16, contains records gathered by the 
OIG in the investigation of allegations that are within the jurisdiction 
of the OIG;
    (4) Investigations Division Management Information System--SBA 17, 
contains records gathered or created during preparation for, conduct of, 
and follow-up on investigations conducted by the OIG, the Federal Bureau 
of Investigation (FBI), and other Federal,

[[Page 35]]

State, local, or foreign regulatory or law enforcement agency;
    (5) Litigation and Claims Files--SBA 19, contains records relating 
to recipients classified as ``in litigation'' and all individuals 
involved in claims by or against the Agency;
    (6) Personnel Security Files--SBA 24, contains records on active and 
inactive personnel security files, employee or former employee's name, 
background information, personnel actions, OPM, and/or authorized 
contracting firm background investigations;
    (7) Security and Investigations Files--SBA 27, contains records 
gathered or created during preparation for, conduct of, and follow-up on 
investigations conducted by OIG, the FBI, and other Federal, State, 
local, or foreign regulatory or law enforcement agencies as well as 
other material submitted to or gathered by OIG in furtherance of its 
investigative function; and
    (8) Standards of Conduct Files--SBA 29, contains records on 
confidential employment and financial statements of employees Grade 13 
and above.
    (b) These systems of records are exempt from the following 
provisions of the Privacy Act and all regulations in this part 
promulgated under these provisions:
    (1) 552a(c)(3) (Accounting of Certain Disclosures);
    (2) 552a(d) (Access to Records);
    (3) 552a(e)(1), 4G, H, and I (Agency Requirements); and
    (4) 552a(f) (Agency Rules).
    (c) The systems of records described in paragraph (a) of this 
section are exempt from the provisions of the Privacy Act described in 
paragraph (b) of this section in order to:
    (1) Prevent the subject of investigations from frustrating the 
investigatory process;
    (2) Protect investigatory material compiled for law enforcement 
purposes;
    (3) Fulfill commitments made to protect the confidentiality of 
sources and to maintain access to necessary sources of information; or
    (4) Prevent interference with law enforcement proceedings.
    (d) In addition to the foregoing exemptions in paragraphs (a) 
through (c) of this section, the systems of records described in 
paragraph (a) of this section numbered SBA 4, 16, 17, 24, and 27 are 
exempt from the Privacy Act except for subsections (b), (c)(1) and (2), 
(e)(4)(A) through F, (e)(6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) and (i) to the 
extent that they contain:
    (1) Information compiled to identify individual criminal offenders 
and alleged offenders and consisting only of identifying data and 
notations of arrests, confinement, release, and parole and probation 
status;
    (2) Information, including reports of informants and investigators, 
associated with an identifiable individual compiled to investigate 
criminal activity; or
    (3) Reports compiled at any stage of the process of enforcement of 
the criminal laws from arrest or indictment through release from 
supervision associated with an identifiable individual.
    (e) The systems of records described in paragraph (d) of this 
section are exempt from the Privacy Act to the extent described in that 
paragraph because they are records maintained by the Investigations 
Division of the OIG, which is a component of SBA which performs as its 
principal function activities pertaining to the enforcement of criminal 
laws within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2). They are exempt in order 
to:
    (1) Prevent the subjects of OIG investigations from using the 
Privacy Act to frustrate the investigative process;
    (2) Protect the identity of Federal employees who furnish a 
complaint or information to the OIG, consistent with section 7(b) of the 
Inspector General Act of 1978, 5 U.S.C. app. 3;
    (3) Protect the confidentiality of other sources of information;
    (4) Avoid endangering confidential sources and law enforcement 
personnel;
    (5) Prevent interference with law enforcement proceedings;
    (6) Assure access to sources of confidential information, including 
that contained in Federal, State, and local criminal law enforcement 
information systems;
    (7) Prevent the disclosure of investigative techniques; or
    (8) Prevent the disclosure of classified information.

[[Page 36]]



Sec.  102.40  Computer matching.

    The OCIO will enforce the computer matching provisions of the 
Privacy Act. The FOI/PA Office will review and concur on all computer 
matching agreements prior to their activation and/or renewal.
    (a) Matching agreements. SBA will comply with the Computer Matching 
and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (5 U.S.C. 552a(o), 552a notes) . The 
Privacy Protection Act establishes procedures Federal agencies must use 
if they want to match their computer lists. SBA shall not disclose any 
record which is contained in a system of records to a recipient agency 
or non-Federal agency for use in a computer matching program except 
pursuant to a written agreement between SBA and the recipient agency or 
non-Federal agency specifying:
    (1) The purpose and legal authority for conducting the program;
    (2) The justification for the purpose and the anticipated results, 
including a specific estimate of any savings;
    (3) A description of the records that will be matched, including 
each data element that will be used, the approximate number of records 
that will be matched, and the projected starting and completion dates of 
the matching program;
    (4) Procedures for providing individualized notice at the time of 
application, and periodically thereafter as directed by the Data 
Integrity Board, that any information provided by any of the above may 
be subject to verification through matching programs to:
    (i) Applicants for and recipients of financial assistance or 
payments under Federal benefit programs, and
    (ii) Applicants for and holders of positions as Federal personnel.
    (5) Procedures for verifying information produced in such matching 
program as required by paragraph (c) of this section.
    (6) Procedures for the retention and timely destruction of 
identifiable records created by a recipient agency or non-Federal agency 
in such matching program;
    (7) Procedures for ensuring the administrative, technical, and 
physical security of the records matched and the results of such 
programs;
    (8) Prohibitions on duplication and redisclosure of records provided 
by SBA within or outside the recipient agency or non-Federal agency, 
except where required by law or essential to the conduct of the matching 
program;
    (9) Procedures governing the use by a recipient agency or non-
Federal agency of records provided in a matching program by SBA, 
including procedures governing return of the records to SBA or 
destruction of records used in such programs;
    (10) Information on assessments that have been made on the accuracy 
of the records that will be used in such matching programs; and
    (11) That the Comptroller General may have access to all records of 
a recipient agency or non-Federal agency that the Comptroller General 
deems necessary in order to monitor or verify compliance with the 
agreement.
    (b) Agreement specifications. A copy of each agreement entered into 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall be transmitted to OMB, 
the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Governmental Operations of the House of Representatives and be available 
upon request to the public.
    (1) No such agreement shall be effective until 30 days after the 
date on which a copy is transmitted.
    (2) Such an agreement shall remain in effect only for such period, 
not to exceed 18 months, as the Data Integrity Board determines is 
appropriate in light of the purposes, and length of time necessary for 
the conduct, of the matching program.
    (3) Within three (3) months prior to the expiration of such an 
agreement, the Data Integrity Board may without additional review, renew 
the matching agreement for a current, ongoing matching program for not 
more than one additional year if:
    (i) Such program will be conducted without any change; and
    (ii) Each party to the agreement certifies to the Board in writing 
that the program has been conducted in compliance with the agreement.
    (c) Verification. In order to protect any individual whose records 
are used

[[Page 37]]

in matching programs, SBA and any recipient agency or non-Federal agency 
may not suspend, terminate, reduce, or make a final denial of any 
financial assistance or payment under the Federal benefit program to 
such individual, or take other adverse action against such individual as 
a result of information produced by such matching programs until such 
information has been independently verified.
    (1) Independent verification requires independent investigation and 
confirmation of any information used as a basis for an adverse action 
against an individual including, where applicable:
    (i) The amount of the asset or income involved,
    (ii) Whether such individual actually has or had access to such 
asset or income or such individual's own use, and
    (iii) The period or periods when the individual actually had such 
asset or income.
    (2) SBA and any recipient agency or non-Federal agency may not 
suspend, terminate, reduce, or make a final denial of any financial 
assistance or payment under a Federal benefit program, or take other 
adverse action as a result of information produced by a matching 
program,
    (i) Unless such individual has received notice from such agency 
containing a statement of its findings and information of the 
opportunity to contest such findings, and
    (ii) Until the subsequent expiration of any notice period provided 
by the program's governing statute or regulations, or 30 days. Such 
opportunity to contest may be satisfied by notice, hearing, and appeal 
rights governing such Federal benefit program. The exercise of any such 
rights shall not affect rights available under the Privacy Act.
    (3) SBA may take any appropriate action otherwise prohibited by the 
above if SBA determines that the public health or safety may be 
adversely affected or significantly threatened during the notice period 
required by paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (d) Sanctions. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, SBA may 
not disclose any record which is contained in a system of records to a 
recipient agency or non-Federal agency for a matching program if SBA has 
reason to believe that the requirements of paragraph (c) of this 
section, or any matching agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph 
(b) of this section or both, are not being met by such recipient agency.
    (1) SBA shall not renew a matching agreement unless,
    (i) The recipient agency or non-Federal agency has certified that it 
has complied with the provisions of that agreement; and
    (ii) SBA has no reason to believe that the certification is 
inaccurate.
    (e) Review annually each ongoing matching program in which the 
Agency has participated during the year, either as a source or as a 
matching agency in order to assure that the requirements of the Privacy 
Act, OMB guidance, and any Agency regulations and standard operating 
procedures, operating instructions, or guidelines have been met.
    (f) Data Integrity Board. SBA shall establish a Data Integrity Board 
(Board) to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the matching 
program. The Board shall consist of the senior officials designated by 
the Administrator, to include the Inspector General (who shall not serve 
as chairman), and the Senior Agency Official for Privacy. The Board 
shall:
    (1) Review, approve and maintain all written agreements for receipt 
or disclosure of Agency records for matching programs to ensure 
compliance with paragraph (a) of this section and with all relevant 
statutes, regulations, and guidance;
    (2) Review all matching programs in which SBA has participated 
during the year, determine compliance with applicable laws, regulations, 
guidelines, and Agency agreements, and assess the costs and benefits of 
such programs;
    (3) Review all recurring matching programs in which SBA has 
participated during the year, for continued justification for such 
disclosures;
    (4) At the instruction of OMB, compile a report to be submitted to 
the Administrator and OMB, and made available to the public on request, 
describing the matching activities of SBA, including,

[[Page 38]]

    (i) Matching programs in which SBA has participated;
    (ii) Matching agreements proposed that were disapproved by the 
Board;
    (iii) Any changes in membership or structure of the Board in the 
preceding year;
    (iv) The reasons for any waiver of the requirement described below 
for completion and submission of a cost-benefit analysis prior to the 
approval of a matching program;
    (v) Any violations of matching agreements that have been alleged or 
identified and any corrective action taken; and
    (vi) Any other information required by OMB to be included in such 
report;
    (5) Serve as clearinghouse for receiving and providing information 
on the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of records used in 
matching programs;
    (6) Provide interpretation and guidance to SBA offices and personnel 
on the requirements for matching programs;
    (7) Review Agency recordkeeping and disposal policies and practices 
for matching programs to assure compliance with the Privacy Act; and
    (8) May review and report on any SBA matching activities that are 
not matching programs.
    (g) Cost-benefit analysis. Except as provided in paragraphs (e)(2) 
and (3) of this section, the Data Integrity Board shall not approve any 
written agreement for a matching program unless SBA has completed and 
submitted to such Board a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed program 
and such analysis demonstrates that the program is likely to be cost 
effective. The Board may waive these requirements if it determines, in 
writing, and in accordance with OMB guidelines, that a cost-benefit 
analysis is not required. Such an analysis also shall not be required 
prior to the initial approval of a written agreement for a matching 
program that is specifically required by statute.
    (h) Disapproval of matching agreements. If a matching agreement is 
disapproved by the Data Integrity Board, any party to such agreement may 
appeal to OMB. Timely notice of the filing of such an appeal shall be 
provided by OMB to the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate 
and the Committee on Government Operations of the House of 
Representatives.
    (1) OMB may approve a matching agreement despite the disapproval of 
the Data Integrity Board if OMB determines that:
    (i) The matching program will be consistent with all applicable 
legal, regulatory, and policy requirements;
    (ii) There is adequate evidence that the matching agreement will be 
cost-effective; and
    (iii) The matching program is in the public interest.
    (2) The decision of OMB to approve a matching agreement shall not 
take effect until 30 days after it is reported to the committees 
described in paragraph (h) of this section.
    (3) If the Data Integrity Board and the OMB disapprove a matching 
program proposed by the Inspector General, the Inspector General may 
report the disapproval to the Administrator and to the Congress.



Sec.  102.41  Other provisions.

    (a) Personnel records. All SBA personnel records and files, as 
prescribed by OPM, shall be maintained in such a way that the privacy of 
all individuals concerned is protected in accordance with regulations of 
OPM (5 CFR parts 293 and 297).
    (b) Mailing lists. The SBA will not sell or rent an individual's 
name or address. This provision shall not be construed to require the 
withholding of names or addresses otherwise permitted to be made public.
    (c) Changes in systems. The SBA shall provide adequate advance 
notice to Congress and OMB of any proposal to establish or alter any 
system of records in order to permit an evaluation of the probable or 
potential effect of such proposal on the privacy and other personal or 
property rights of individuals or the disclosure of information relating 
to such individuals, and its effect on the preservation of the 
constitutional principles of federalism and separation of powers.
    (d) Medical records. Medical records shall be disclosed to the 
individual to whom they pertain. SBA may, however, transmit such 
information to a medical doctor named by the requesting individual. In 
regard to medical

[[Page 39]]

records in personnel files, see also 5 CFR 297.205.



PART 103_STANDARDS FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS WITH SBA--Table of Contents



Sec.
103.1 Key definitions.
103.2 Who may conduct business with SBA?
103.3 May SBA suspend or revoke an Agent's privilege?
103.4 What is ``good cause'' for suspension or revocation?
103.5 How does SBA regulate an Agent's fees and provision of service?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634, 642.

    Source: 61 FR 2681, Jan. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  103.1  Key definitions.

    (a) Agent means an authorized representative, including an attorney, 
accountant, consultant, packager, lender service provider, or any other 
person representing an Applicant or Participant by conducting business 
with SBA.
    (b) The term conduct business with SBA means:
    (1) Preparing or submitting on behalf of an applicant an application 
for financial assistance of any kind, assistance from the Investment 
Division of SBA, or assistance in procurement and technical matters;
    (2) Preparing or processing on behalf of a lender or a participant 
in any of SBA's programs an application for federal financial 
assistance;
    (3) Participating with or communicating in any way with officers or 
employees of SBA on an applicant's, participant's, or lender's behalf;
    (4) Acting as a lender service provider; and
    (5) Such other activity as SBA reasonably shall determine.
    (c) Applicant means any person, firm, concern, corporation, 
partnership, cooperative or other business enterprise applying for any 
type of assistance from SBA.
    (d) Lender Service Provider means an Agent who carries out lender 
functions in originating, disbursing, servicing, or liquidating a 
specific SBA business loan or loan portfolio for compensation from the 
lender. SBA determines whether or not one is a ``Lender Service 
Provider'' on a loan-by-loan basis.
    (e) Packager means an Agent who is employed and compensated by an 
Applicant or lender to prepare the Applicant's application for financial 
assistance from SBA. SBA determines whether or not one is a ``Packager'' 
on a loan-by-loan basis.
    (f) Referral Agent means a person or entity who identifies and 
refers an Applicant to a lender or a lender to an Applicant. The 
Referral Agent may be employed and compensated by either an Applicant or 
a lender.
    (g) Participant means a person or entity that is participating in 
any of the financial, investment, or business development programs 
authorized by the Small Business Act or Small Business Investment Act of 
1958.

[61 FR 2681, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 85 FR 7647, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 
FR 80587, Dec. 14, 2020]



Sec.  103.2  Who may conduct business with SBA?

    (a) If you are an Applicant, a Participant, a partner of an 
Applicant or Participant partnership, or serve as an officer of an 
Applicant, Participant corporation, or limited liability company, you 
may conduct business with SBA without a representative.
    (b) If you are an Agent, you may conduct business with SBA on behalf 
of an Applicant, Participant or lender, unless representation is 
otherwise prohibited by law or the regulations in this part or any other 
part in this chapter. For example, persons debarred under the SBA or 
Government-wide debarment regulations may not conduct business with SBA. 
SBA may request that any Agent supply written evidence of his or her 
authority to act on behalf of an Applicant, Participant, or lender as a 
condition of revealing any information about the Applicant's, 
Participant's, or lender's current or prior dealings with SBA.



Sec.  103.3  May SBA suspend or revoke an Agent's privilege?

    The Administrator of SBA or designee may, for good cause, suspend or 
revoke the privilege of any Agent to conduct business with SBA. Part 134 
of this chapter states the procedures for appealing the decision to 
suspend or revoke the privilege. The suspension or

[[Page 40]]

revocation remains in effect during the pendency of any administrative 
proceedings under part 134 of this chapter.



Sec.  103.4  What is ``good cause'' for suspension or revocation?

    Any unlawful or unethical activity is good cause for suspension or 
revocation of the privilege to conduct business. This includes:
    (a) Attempting to influence any employee of SBA or a lender, by 
gifts, bribes or other unlawful or unethical activity, with respect to 
any matter involving SBA assistance.
    (b) Soliciting for the provision of services to an Applicant by 
another entity when there is an undisclosed business relationship 
between the two parties.
    (c) Violating ethical guidelines which govern the profession or 
business of the Agent or which are published at any time by SBA.
    (d) Implying or stating that the work to be performed for an 
Applicant will include use of political or other special influence with 
SBA. Examples include indicating that the entity is affiliated with or 
paid, endorsed or employed by SBA, advertising using the words Small 
Business Administration or SBA in a manner that implies SBA's 
endorsement or sponsorship, use of SBA's seal or symbol, and giving a 
``guaranty'' to an Applicant that the application will be approved.
    (e) Charging or proposing to charge any fee that does not bear a 
necessary and reasonable relationship to the services actually rendered 
or expenses actually incurred in connection with a matter before SBA or 
which is materially inconsistent with the provisions of an applicable 
compensation agreement or Lender Service Provider agreement. A fee based 
solely on a percentage of a loan or guarantee amount can be reasonable, 
depending on the circumstances of a case and the services actually 
rendered.
    (f) Engaging in any conduct indicating a lack of business integrity 
or business honesty, including debarment, criminal conviction, or civil 
judgment within the last seven years for fraud, embezzlement, theft, 
forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, false 
statements, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, false claims, or 
obstruction of justice.
    (g) Acting as both a Lender Service Provider or Referral Agent and a 
Packager for an Applicant on the same SBA business loan and receiving 
compensation for such activity from both the Applicant and lender. A 
limited exception to the ``two master'' prohibition in this paragraph 
(g) exists when an Agent acts as a Packager and is compensated by the 
Applicant for packaging services; also acts as a Referral Agent and is 
compensated by the lender for those activities; discloses the referral 
activities to the Applicant; and discloses the packaging activities to 
the lender.
    (h) Violating materially the terms of any compensation agreement or 
Lender Service Provider agreement provided for in Sec.  103.5.
    (i) Violating or assisting in the violation of any SBA regulations, 
policies, or procedures of which the Applicant has been made aware.

[61 FR 2681, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 85 FR 7647, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 
FR 80587, Dec. 14, 2020]



Sec.  103.5  How does SBA regulate an Agent's fees and provision of service?

    (a) Any Applicant, Agent, or Packager must execute and provide to 
SBA a compensation agreement, and any Lender Service Provider must 
execute and provide to SBA a Lender Service Provider agreement. Each 
agreement governs the compensation charged for services rendered or to 
be rendered to the Applicant or lender in any matter involving SBA 
assistance. SBA provides the form of compensation agreement and a 
suggested form of Lender Service Provider agreement to be used by 
Agents.
    (b) Compensation agreements must provide that in cases where SBA 
deems the compensation unreasonable, the Agent or Packager must: Reduce 
the charge to an amount SBA deems reasonable, refund any sum in excess 
of the amount SBA deems reasonable to the Applicant, and refrain from 
charging or collecting, directly or indirectly, from the Applicant an 
amount in excess of the amount SBA deems reasonable.

[[Page 41]]

    (c) Each Lender Service Provider must enter into a written agreement 
with each lender for whom it acts in that capacity. SBA will review all 
such agreements. Such agreements need not contain each and every 
provision found in the SBA's suggested form of agreement. However, each 
agreement must indicate that both parties agree not to engage in any 
sharing of secondary market premiums, that the services to be provided 
are accurately described, and that the agreement is otherwise consistent 
with SBA requirements. Subject to the prohibition on splitting premiums, 
lenders have reasonable discretion in setting compensation for Lender 
Service Providers. However, such compensation may not be directly 
charged to an Applicant or Borrower.

[61 FR 2681, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 85 FR 7647, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 
FR 80587, Dec. 14, 2020]



PART 105_STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND EMPLOYEE RESTRICTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES--
Table of Contents



                          Standards of Conduct

Sec.
105.101 Cross-reference to employee ethical conduct standards and 
          financial disclosure regulations.

 Restrictions and Responsibilities Related to SBA Employees and Former 
                                Employees

105.201 Definitions.
105.202 Employment of former employee by person previously the recipient 
          of SBA Assistance.
105.203 SBA Assistance to person employing former SBA employee.
105.204 Assistance to SBA employees or members of their household.
105.205 Duty to report irregularities.
105.206 Applicable rules and directions.
105.207 Politically motivated activities with respect to the Minority 
          Small Business Program.
105.208 Penalties.

           Restrictions on SBA Assistance to Other Individuals

105.301 Assistance to officers or employees of other Government 
          organizations.
105.302 Assistance to employees or members of quasi-Government 
          organizations.

                        Administrative Provisions

105.401 Standards of Conduct Committee.
105.402 Standards of Conduct Counselors.
105.403 Designated Agency Ethics Officials.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7301; 15 U.S.C. 634, 637(a)(18) and (a)(19), 
642, and 645(a).

    Source: 61 FR 2399, Jan. 26, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

                          Standards of Conduct



Sec.  105.101  Cross-reference to employee ethical conduct standards 
and financial disclosure regulations.

    In addition to this part, Small Business Administration (SBA) 
employees should refer to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees 
of the Executive Branch at 5 CFR part 2635 and the regulations at 5 CFR 
part 2634 entitled, Executive Branch Financial Disclosure, Qualified 
Trusts and Certificates of Divestiture.

[69 FR 63922, Nov. 3, 2004]

 Restrictions and Responsibilities Related to SBA Employees and Former 
                                Employees



Sec.  105.201  Definitions.

    (a) Employee means an officer or employee of the SBA regardless of 
grade, status or place of employment, including employees on leave with 
pay or on leave without pay other than those on extended military leave. 
Unless stated otherwise. Employee shall include those within the 
category of Special Government Employee.
    (b) Special Government Employee means an officer or employee of SBA, 
who is retained, appointed or employed to perform temporary duties on a 
full-time or intermittent basis, with or without compensation, for not 
to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days.
    (c) Person means an individual, a corporation, a company, an 
association, a firm, a partnership, a society, a joint stock company, or 
any other organization or institution.
    (d) Household member means spouse and minor children of an employee, 
all blood relations of the employee and any spouse who resides in the 
same place of abode with the employee.
    (e) SBA Assistance means financial, contractual, grant, managerial 
or other aid, including size determinations, section 8(a) participation, 
licensing, certification, and other eligibility

[[Page 42]]

determinations made by SBA. The term also includes an express decision 
to compromise or defer possible litigation or other adverse action.



Sec.  105.202  Employment of former employee by person previously 
the recipient of SBA Assistance.

    (a) No former employee, who occupied a position involving discretion 
over, or who exercised discretion with respect to, the granting or 
administration of SBA Assistance may occupy a position as employee, 
partner, agent, attorney or other representative of a concern which has 
received this SBA Assistance for a period of two years following the 
date of granting or administering such SBA Assistance if--
    (1) The date of granting or administering such SBA Assistance was 
within the period of the employee's term of employment; or
    (2) The date of granting or administering such SBA Assistance was 
within one year following the termination of such employment.
    (b) Failure of a recipient of SBA Assistance to comply with these 
provisions may result, in the discretion of SBA, in the requirement for 
immediate repayment of SBA financial Assistance, the immediate 
termination of other SBA Assistance involved or other appropriate 
action.



Sec.  105.203  SBA Assistance to person employing former SBA employee.

    (a) SBA will not provide SBA Assistance to any person who has, as an 
employee, owner, partner, attorney, agent, owner of stock, officer, 
director, creditor or debtor, any individual who, within one year prior 
to the request for such SBA Assistance was an SBA employee, without the 
prior approval of the SBA Standards of Conduct Counselor. The Standards 
of Conduct Counselor will refer matters of a controversial nature to the 
Standards of Conduct Committee for final decision; otherwise, his or her 
decision is final.
    (b) In reviewing requests for approval, the Standards of Conduct 
Counselor will consider:
    (1) The relationship of the former employee with the applicant 
concern;
    (2) The nature of the SBA Assistance requested;
    (3) The position held by the former employee with SBA and its 
relationship to the SBA Assistance requested; and
    (4) Whether an apparent conflict of interest might exist if the SBA 
Assistance were granted.



Sec.  105.204  Assistance to SBA employees or members of their household.

    Without the prior written approval of the Standards of Conduct 
Committee, no SBA Assistance, other than Disaster loans under 
subparagraphs (1) and (2) of section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, 
shall be furnished to a person when the sole proprietor, partner, 
officer, director or significant stockholder of the person is an SBA 
employee or a household member.



Sec.  105.205  Duty to report irregularities.

    Every employee shall immediately report to the SBA Inspector General 
any acts of malfeasance or misfeasance or other irregularities, either 
actual or suspected, arising in connection with the performance by SBA 
of any of its official functions.



Sec.  105.206  Applicable rules and directions.

    Every employee shall follow all agency rules, regulations, operating 
procedures, instructions and other proper directions in the performance 
of his official functions.



Sec.  105.207  Politically motivated activities with respect to 
the Minority Small Business Program.

    (a) Any employee who has authority to take, direct others to take, 
recommend, or approve any action with respect to any program or activity 
conducted pursuant to section 8(a) or section 7(j) of the Small Business 
Act, shall not, with respect to any such action, exercise or threaten to 
exercise such authority on the basis of the political activity or 
affiliation of any party. Employees shall expeditiously report to the 
SBA Inspector General any such action for which such employee's 
participation has been solicited or directed.
    (b) Any employee who willfully and knowingly violates this section 
shall be subject to disciplinary action, which

[[Page 43]]

may consist of separation from service, reduction in grade, suspension, 
or reprimand.
    (c) This section shall not apply to any action taken as a penalty or 
other enforcement of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation 
prohibiting or restricting political activity.
    (d) The prohibitions in and remedial measures provided for under 
this section with regard to such prohibitions, shall be in addition to, 
and not in lieu of, any other prohibitions, measures or liabilities that 
may arise under any other provision of law.



Sec.  105.208  Penalties.

    Any employee guilty of violating any of the provisions in this part 
may be disciplined, including removal or suspension from SBA employment.

           Restrictions on SBA Assistance to Other Individuals



Sec.  105.301  Assistance to officers or employees of other 
Government organizations.

    (a) SBA must receive a written statement of no objection by the 
pertinent Department or military service before it gives any SBA 
Assistance, other than Disaster loans under subparagraphs (1) and (2) of 
section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, to a person when its sole 
proprietor, partner, officer, director or stockholder with a 10 percent 
or more interest, or a household member, is an employee of another 
Government Department or Agency having a grade of at least GS-13 or its 
equivalent.
    (b) The Standards of Conduct Committee must approve an SBA contract 
with an entity if a sole proprietor, general partner, officer, director, 
or stockholder with a 10 or more percent interest (or a household member 
of such individuals) is an employee of a Government Department or 
Agency. See also 48 CFR part 35, subpart 3.6.
    (c) The Standards of Conduct Committee must approve SBA Assistance, 
other than disaster loans under subparagraphs (1) and (2) of section 
7(b) of the Small Business Act, to a person if its sole proprietor, 
general partner, officer, director or stockholder with a 10 percent or 
more interest (or a household member of such individual) is a member of 
Congress or an appointed official or employee of the legislative or 
judicial branch of the Government.



Sec.  105.302  Assistance to employees or members of 
quasi-Government organizations.

    (a) The Standards of Conduct Committee must approve SBA Assistance, 
other than Disaster loans under subparagraphs (1) and (2) of section 
7(b) of the Small Business Act, to a person if its sole proprietor, 
general partner, officer, director or stockholder with a 10 percent or 
more interest (or a household member) is a member or employee of a Small 
Business Advisory Council or is a SCORE volunteer.
    (b) In reviewing requests for approval, factors the Standards of 
Conduct Committee may consider include whether the granting of the SBA 
Assistance might result in or create the appearance of giving 
preferential treatment, the loss of complete independence or 
impartiality, or adversely affect the confidence of the public in the 
integrity of the Government.

                        Administrative Provisions



Sec.  105.401  Standards of Conduct Committee.

    (a) The Standards of Conduct Committee will:
    (1) Advise and give direction to SBA management officials concerning 
the administration of this part and any other rules, regulations or 
directives dealing with conflicts of interest and ethical standards of 
SBA employees; and
    (2) Make decisions on specific requests when its approval is 
required.
    (b) The Standards of Conduct Committee will consist of:
    (1) The General Counsel or, in his or her absence, the Deputy 
General Counsel or, in his or her absence, the Acting General Counsel 
who shall act as Chairman of the Committee;
    (2) The Associate Administrator, Office of Management and 
Administration, or in his or her absence, the Director, Office of 
Business Operations; and

[[Page 44]]

    (3) The Chief Human Capital Officer, or in his or her absence, the 
Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer.

[61 FR 2399, Jan. 26, 1996, as amended at 72 FR 50038, Aug. 30, 2007]



Sec.  105.402  Standards of Conduct Counselors.

    (a) The SBA Standards of Conduct Counselor is the Designated Agency 
Ethics Official, as appointed by the Administrator. Assistant Standards 
of Conduct Counselors may be designated by the Standards of Conduct 
Counselor.
    (b) The Standards of Conduct Counselors and Assistants:
    (1) Provide general advice, assistance and guidance to employees 
concerning this part and the regulations referred to in Sec.  105.101;
    (2) Monitor the Standards of Conduct Program within their assigned 
areas and provide required reports thereon; and
    (3) Review Confidential Financial Disclosure reports as required 
under 5 CFR part 2634, subpart I, and provide an annual report on 
compliance with filing requirements to the SBA Standards of Conduct 
Counselor as of February 1 of each year.
    (c) Each employee will be periodically informed of the name, address 
and telephone number of the Assistant Standards of Conduct Counselor to 
contact for advice and assistance.
    (d) Employee requests for advice or rulings should be directed to 
the appropriate Standards of Conduct Counselor for appropriate action.

[61 FR 2399, Jan. 26, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 48477, Sept. 16, 1997; 
69 FR 63922, Nov. 3, 2004]



Sec.  105.403  Designated Agency Ethics Officials.

    The Designated Agency Ethics Official and Alternates administer the 
program for Financial Disclosure Statements under 5 CFR 2634.201, 
receive and evaluate these statements, and provide advice and counsel 
regarding matters relating to the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and 
its implementing regulations. The duties and responsibilities of the 
Designated Agency Ethics Official and Alternates are set forth in more 
detail in 5 CFR 2638.203, which is promulgated and amended by the Office 
of Government Ethics.

[62 FR 2399, Jan. 26, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 48477, Sept. 16, 1997]



PART 106_COSPONSORSHIPS, FEE AND NON-FEE BASED SBA-SPONSORED ACTIVITIES 
AND GIFTS--Table of Contents



                     Subpart A_Scope and Definitions

Sec.
106.100 Scope.
106.101 Definitions.

                    Subpart B_Cosponsored Activities

106.200 Cosponsored Activity.
106.201 Who may be a Cosponsor?
106.202 What are the minimum requirements applicable to Cosponsored 
          Activities?
106.203 What provisions must be set forth in a Cosponsorship Agreement?
106.204 Who has the authority to approve and sign a Cosponsorship 
          Agreement?

              Subpart C_Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities

106.300 Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity.
106.301 What are the minimum requirements applicable to Fee Based SBA-
          Sponsored Activities?
106.302 What provisions must be set forth in a Fee Based Record?
106.303 Who has the authority to approve and sign a Fee Based Record?

            Subpart D_Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities

106.400 Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity.
106.401 What are the minimum requirements applicable to a Non-Fee Based 
          SBA-Sponsored Activity?
106.402 What provisions must be set forth in a Non-Fee Based Record?
106.403 Who has the authority to approve and sign a Non-Fee Based 
          Record?

                             Subpart E_Gifts

106.500 What is SBA's Gift authority?
106.501 What minimum requirements are applicable to SBA's solicitation 
          and/or acceptance of Gifts?
106.502 Who has authority to perform a Gift conflict of interest 
          determination?
106.503 Are there types of Gifts which SBA may not solicit and/or 
          accept?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 633 (g) and (h); 15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(A); 15 
U.S.C. 637(b)(G).

[[Page 45]]


    Source: 70 FR 70704, Nov. 23, 2005, unless otherwise noted.



                     Subpart A_Scope and Definitions



Sec.  106.100  Scope.

    The regulations in this part apply to SBA-provided assistance for 
the benefit of small business through Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities 
or through Cosponsored Activities with Eligible Entities authorized 
under section 4(h) of the Small Business Act, and to SBA assistance 
provided directly to small business concerns through Non-Fee Based SBA-
Sponsored Activities authorized under section 8(b)(1)(A) of the Small 
Business Act. The regulations in this part also apply to SBA's 
solicitation and acceptance of Gifts under certain sections (sections 
4(g), 8(b)(1)(G), 5(b)(9) and 7(k)(2)) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 631 et seq.), including Gifts of cash, property, services and 
subsistence. Under section 4(g) of the Small Business Act, Gifts may be 
solicited and accepted for marketing and outreach purposes including the 
cost of promotional items and wearing apparel.



Sec.  106.101  Definitions.

    The following definitions apply to this part. Defined terms are 
capitalized wherever they appear.
    (a) Cosponsor means an entity or individual designated in Sec.  
106.201 that has signed a written Cosponsorship Agreement with SBA and 
who actively and substantially participates in planning and conducting 
an agreed upon Cosponsored Activity.
    (b) Cosponsored Activity means an activity, event, project or 
initiative, designed to provide assistance for the benefit of small 
business as authorized by section 4(h) of the Small Business Act, which 
has been set forth in an approved written Cosponsorship Agreement. The 
Cosponsored Activity must be planned and conducted by SBA and one or 
more Cosponsors. Assistance for purposes of Cosponsored Activity does 
not include grant or any other form of financial assistance. A 
Participant Fee may be charged by SBA or another Cosponsor at any 
Cosponsored Activity.
    (c) Cosponsorship Agreement means an approved written document (as 
outlined in Sec. Sec.  106.203 and 106.204 which has been duly executed 
by SBA and one or more Cosponsors. The Cosponsorship Agreement shall 
contain the parties' respective rights, duties and responsibilities 
regarding implementation of the Cosponsored Activity.
    (d) Donor means an individual or entity that provides a Gift, 
bequest or devise (in cash or in-kind) to SBA.
    (e) An Eligible Entity is a potential Cosponsor. An Eligible Entity 
must be a for-profit or not-for-profit entity, or a Federal, State or 
local government official or entity.
    (f) Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity Record (Fee Based Record) means 
a written document, as outlined in Sec.  106.302, describing a Fee Based 
SBA-Sponsored Activity and approved in writing pursuant to Sec.  
106.303.
    (g) Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity means an activity, event, 
project or initiative designed to provide assistance for the benefit of 
small business, as authorized by section 4(h) of the Small Business Act, 
at which SBA may charge a Participant Fee. Assistance for purposes of 
Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity does not include grant or any other 
form of financial assistance. A Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity must be 
planned, conducted, controlled and sponsored solely by SBA.
    (h) Gift (including a bequest or a device) is the voluntary transfer 
to SBA of something of value without the Donor receiving legal 
consideration.
    (i) Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity Record (Non-Fee Based 
Record) means a written document describing a Non-Fee Based SBA-
Sponsored Activity which has been approved pursuant to Sec.  106.403.
    (j) Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity means an activity, event, 
project or initiative designed to provide assistance directly to small 
business concerns as authorized by section 8(b)(1)(A) of the Small 
Business Act. Assistance for purposes of a Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored 
Activity does not include grant or any other form of financial 
assistance. A Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity must be planned, 
conducted, controlled and sponsored solely by SBA. No fees including 
Participant Fees may be

[[Page 46]]

charged for a Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity.
    (k) Participant Fee means a minimal fee assessed against a person or 
entity that participates in a Cosponsored Activity or Fee Based SBA-
Sponsored Activity and is used to cover the direct costs of such 
activity.
    (l) Responsible Program Official is an SBA senior management 
official from the originating office who is accountable for the 
solicitation and/or acceptance of a Gift to the SBA; a Cosponsored 
Activity; a Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity; or a Non-Fee Based SBA-
Sponsored Activity. If the originating office is a district or branch 
office, the Responsible Program Official is the district director or 
their deputy. In headquarters, the Responsible Program Official is the 
management board member or their deputy with responsibility for the 
relevant program area.



                    Subpart B_Cosponsored Activities



Sec.  106.200  Cosponsored Activity.

    The Administrator (or designee), after consultation with the General 
Counsel (or designee), may provide assistance for the benefit of small 
business through Cosponsored Activities pursuant to section 4(h) of the 
Small Business Act.



Sec.  106.201  Who may be a Cosponsor?

    (a) Except as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, SBA may 
enter into a Cosponsorship Agreement with an Eligible Entity as defined 
in Sec.  106.101(e).
    (b) SBA may not enter into a Cosponsorship Agreement with an 
Eligible Entity if the Administrator (or designee), after consultation 
with the General Counsel (or designee), determines that such agreement 
would create a conflict of interest.



Sec.  106.202  What are the minimum requirements applicable to 
Cosponsored Activities?

    While SBA may subject a Cosponsored Activity to additional 
requirements through internal policy, procedure and the Cosponsorship 
Agreement, the following requirements apply to all Cosponsored 
Activities:
    (a) Cosponsored Activities must be set forth in a written 
Cosponsorship Agreement signed by the Administrator (or designee) and 
each Cosponsor;
    (b) Appropriate recognition must be given to SBA and each Cosponsor 
but shall not constitute or imply an endorsement by SBA of any Cosponsor 
or any Cosponsor's products or services;
    (c) Any printed or electronically generated material used to 
publicize or conduct the Cosponsored Activity, including any material 
which has been developed, prepared or acquired by a Cosponsor, must be 
approved in advance by the Responsible Program Official and must include 
a prominent disclaimer stating that the Cosponsored Activity does not 
constitute or imply an endorsement by SBA of any Cosponsor or the 
Cosponsor's products or services;
    (d) No Cosponsor shall make a profit on any Cosponsored Activity. 
SBA grantees who earn program income on Cosponsored Activities must use 
that program income for the Cosponsored Activity;
    (e) Participant Fee(s) charged for a Cosponsored Activity may not 
exceed the minimal amount needed to cover the anticipated direct costs 
of the Cosponsored Activity and must be liquidated prior to other 
sources of funding for the Cosponsored Activity. If SBA charges a 
Participant Fee, the collection of the Participant Fees is subject to 
internal SBA policies and procedures as well as applicable U.S. Treasury 
rules and guidelines;
    (f) SBA may not provide a Cosponsor with lists of names and 
addresses of small business concerns compiled by SBA which are otherwise 
protected by law or policy from disclosure; and
    (g) Written approval must be obtained as outlined in Sec.  106.204.



Sec.  106.203  What provisions must be set forth in a Cosponsorship Agreement?

    While SBA may require additional provisions in the Cosponsorship 
Agreement through internal policy and procedure, the following 
provisions must be in all Cosponsorship Agreements:
    (a) A written statement agreed to by each Cosponsor that they will 
abide by all of the provisions of the Cosponsorship Agreement, the 
requirements of

[[Page 47]]

this subpart as well the applicable definitions in Sec.  106.100;
    (b) A narrative description of the Cosponsored Activity;
    (c) A listing of SBA's and each Cosponsor's rights, duties and 
responsibilities with regard to the Cosponsored Activity;
    (d) A proposed budget demonstrating:
    (1) The type and source of financial contribution(s) (including but 
not limited to cash, in-kind, Gifts, and Participant Fees) that the SBA 
and each Cosponsor will make to the Cosponsored Activity; and
    (2) A reasonable estimation of all anticipated expenses;
    (e) A written statement that each Cosponsor agrees that they will 
not make a profit on the Cosponsored Activity; and
    (f) A written statement that Participant Fees, if charged, will not 
exceed the minimal amount needed to cover the anticipated direct costs 
of the Cosponsored Activity as outlined in the budget and will be 
liquidated prior to other sources of funding for the Cosponsored 
Activity.



Sec.  106.204  Who has the authority to approve and sign 
a Cosponsorship Agreement?

    The Administrator, or upon his/her written delegation, the Deputy 
Administrator, an associate or assistant administrator, after 
consultation with the General Counsel (or designee), has the authority 
to approve each Cosponsored Activity and sign each Cosponsorship 
Agreement. This authority cannot be re-delegated.



              Subpart C_Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities



Sec.  106.300  Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity.

    The Administrator (or designee), after consultation with the General 
Counsel (or designee), may provide assistance for the benefit of small 
business through Fee-Based SBA-Sponsored Activities pursuant to section 
4(h) of the Small Business Act.



Sec.  106.301  What are the minimum requirements applicable to 
Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities?

    While SBA may subject a Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity to 
additional requirements through internal policy and procedure, the 
following requirements apply to all Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities:
    (a) A Fee Based Record must be prepared by the Responsible Program 
Official in advance of the activity;
    (b) Any Participant Fees charged will not exceed the minimal amount 
needed to cover the anticipated direct costs of the activity;
    (c) Gifts of cash accepted and the collection of Participant Fees 
for Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities are subject to the applicable 
requirements in this part, internal SBA policies and procedures as well 
as applicable U.S. Treasury rules and guidelines; and
    (d) Written approval must be obtained as outlined in Sec.  106.303.



Sec.  106.302  What provisions must be set forth in a Fee Based Record?

    A Fee Based Record must contain the following:
    (a) A narrative description of the Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity;
    (b) A certification by the Responsible Program Official that he or 
she will abide by the requirements contained in this part, as well as 
all other applicable statutes, regulations, policies and procedures for 
Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities;
    (c) A proposed budget demonstrating:
    (1) All sources of funding, including annual appropriations, 
Participant Fees and Gifts, to be used in support of the Fee Based SBA-
Sponsored Activity;
    (2) A reasonable estimation of all anticipated expenses, which 
indicates that no profit is anticipated from the Fee Based SBA-Sponsored 
Activity; and
    (3) A provision stating that Participant Fees, if charged, will not 
exceed the minimal amount needed to cover the anticipated direct costs 
of the Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity as outlined in the budget;
    (d) With regard to any donations made in support of the Fee Based 
SBA-Sponsored Activity, the Fee Based Record will reflect the following:

[[Page 48]]

    (1) Each Donor may receive appropriate recognition for its Gift; and
    (2) Any printed or electronically generated material recognizing a 
Donor will include a prominent disclaimer stating that the acceptance of 
the Gift does not constitute or imply an endorsement by SBA of the Donor 
or the Donor's products or services.



Sec.  106.303  Who has authority to approve and sign a Fee Based Record?

    The Administrator, or upon his/her written delegation, the Deputy 
Administrator, an associate or assistant administrator, after 
consultation with the General Counsel (or designee), has the authority 
to approve and sign each Fee Based Record. This authority may not be re-
delegated.



            Subpart D_Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities



Sec.  106.400  Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activity.

    The Administrator (or designee) may provide assistance directly to 
small business concerns through Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities 
under section 8(b)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act.



Sec.  106.401  What are the minimum requirements applicable to 
a Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities?

    While SBA may subject Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities to 
additional requirements through internal policy and procedure, the 
following requirements apply to all Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored 
Activity:
    (a) A Non-Fee Based Record must be prepared and approved by the 
Responsible Program Official in advance of the activity;
    (b) Gifts of cash accepted for Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored 
Activities are subject to Sec.  106.500, internal SBA policies and 
procedures as well as applicable U.S. Treasury rules and guidelines; and
    (c) Written approval must be obtained as outlined in Sec.  106.403.



Sec.  106.402  What provisions must be set forth in a Non-Fee Based Record?

    A Non-Fee Based Record must contain the following:
    (a) A narrative description of the Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored 
Activity;
    (b) A certification by the Responsible Program Official that he or 
she will abide by the requirements contained in this part, as well as 
all other applicable statutes, regulations, policies and procedures for 
Non-Fee Based SBA-Sponsored Activities;
    (c) If applicable, a list of Donors supporting the activity; and
    (d) With regard to any donations made in support of a Non-Fee Based 
SBA-Sponsored Activity, the Non-Fee Based Record will reflect the 
following:
    (1) Each Donor may receive appropriate recognition for its Gift; and
    (2) Any printed or electronically generated material recognizing a 
Donor will include a prominent disclaimer stating that the acceptance of 
the Gift does not constitute or imply an endorsement by SBA of the 
Donor, or the Donor's products or services.



Sec.  106.403  Who has authority to approve and sign a Non-Fee Based Record?

    The appropriate Responsible Program Official, after consultation 
with the designated legal counsel, has authority to approve and sign 
each Non-Fee Based Record.



                             Subpart E_Gifts



Sec.  106.500  What is SBA's Gift authority?

    This section covers SBA's Gift acceptance authority under sections 
4(g), 8(b)(1)(G), 5(b)(9) and 7(k)(2) of the Small Business Act.



Sec.  106.501  What minimum requirements are applicable to SBA's solicitation 
and/or acceptance of Gifts?

    While SBA may subject the solicitation and/or acceptance of Gifts to 
additional requirements through internal policy and procedure, the 
following requirements must apply to all Gift solicitations and/or 
acceptances under the authority of the Small Business Act sections cited 
in Sec.  106.500:
    (a) SBA is required to use the Gift (whether cash or in-kind) in a 
manner consistent with the original purpose of the Gift;

[[Page 49]]

    (b) There must be written documentation of each Gift solicitation 
and/or acceptance signed by an authorized SBA official;
    (c) Any Gift solicited and/or accepted must undergo a determination, 
prior to solicitation of the Gift or prior to acceptance of the Gift if 
unsolicited, of whether a conflict of interest exists between the Donor 
and SBA; and
    (d) All cash Gifts donated to SBA under the authority cited in Sec.  
106.500 must be deposited in an SBA trust account at the U.S. Department 
of the Treasury.



Sec.  106.502  Who has authority to perform a Gift conflict 
of interest determination?

    (a) For Gifts solicited and/or accepted under sections 4(g), 
8(b)(1)(G), and 7(k)(2) of the Small Business Act, the General Counsel, 
or designee, must make the final conflict of interest determination. No 
Gift shall be solicited and/or accepted under these sections of the 
Small Business Act if such solicitation and/or acceptance would, in the 
determination of the General Counsel (or designee), create a conflict of 
interest.
    (b) For Gifts of services and facilities solicited and/or accepted 
under section 5(b)(9), the conflict of interest determination may be 
made by designated disaster legal counsel.



Sec.  106.503  Are there types of Gifts which SBA may not solicit 
and/or accept?

    Yes. SBA shall not solicit and/or accept Gifts of or for (or use 
cash Gifts to purchase or engage in) the following:
    (a) Alcohol products;
    (b) Tobacco products;
    (c) Pornographic or sexually explicit objects or services;
    (d) Gambling (including raffles and lotteries);
    (e) Parties primarily for the benefit of Government employees; and
    (f) Any other product or service prohibited by law or policy.



PART 107_SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANIES--Table of Contents



                   Subpart A_Introduction to Part 107

Sec.
107.20 Legal basis and applicability of this part 107.
107.25 Severability.
107.30 Amendments to Act and regulations.
107.40 How to read this part 107.

             Subpart B_Definition of Terms Used in Part 107

107.50 Definition of terms.

                Subpart C_Qualifying for an SBIC License

                           Organizing an SBIC

107.100 Organizing a Section 301(c) Licensee.
107.115 1940 Act and 1980 Act Companies.
107.120 Special rules for a Section 301(d) Licensee owned by another 
          Licensee.
107.130 Requirement for qualified management.
107.140 SBA approval of initial Management Expenses.
107.150 Management-ownership diversification requirement.
107.160 Special rules for Licensees formed as limited partnerships.

                          Capitalizing an SBIC

107.200 Adequate capital for Licensees.
107.210 Minimum capital requirements for Licensees.
107.230 Permitted sources of Private Capital for Licensees.
107.240 Limitations on including non-cash capital contributions in 
          Private Capital.
107.250 Exclusion of stock options issued by Licensee from Management 
          Expenses.

                      Applying for an SBIC License

107.300 License application form and fee.
107.305 Evaluation of license applicants.
107.310 When and how to apply for licensing as an Early Stage SBIC.
107.320 Leverage portfolio diversification.

   Subpart D_Changes in Ownership, Control, or Structure of Licensee; 
                           Transfer of License

               Changes in Control or Ownership of Licensee

107.400 Changes in ownership of 10 percent or more of Licensee but no 
          change of Control.
107.410 Changes in Control of Licensee (through change in ownership or 
          otherwise).

[[Page 50]]

107.420 Prohibition on exercise of ownership or Control rights in 
          Licensee before SBA approval.
107.430 Notification to SBA of transactions that may change ownership or 
          Control.
107.440 Standards governing prior SBA approval for a proposed transfer 
          of Control.
107.450 Notification to SBA of pledge of Licensee's shares.

  Restrictions on Common Control or Ownership of Two or More Licensees

107.460 Restrictions on Common Control or ownership of two (or more) 
          Licensees.

                     Change in Structure of Licensee

107.470 SBA approval of merger, consolidation, or reorganization of 
          Licensee.

                           Transfer of License

107.475 Transfer of license.

             Subpart E_Managing the Operations of a Licensee

                          General Requirements

107.500 Lawful operations under the Act.
107.501 Identification.
107.502 Representations to the public.
107.503 Licensee's adoption of an approved Valuation Policy.
107.504 Equipment and office requirements.
107.506 Safeguarding Licensee's assets/Internal controls.
107.507 Violations based on false filings and nonperformance of 
          agreements with SBA.
107.509 Employment of SBA officials.

                       Management and Compensation

107.510 SBA approval of Licensee's Investment Adviser/Manager.
107.520 Management Expenses of a Licensee.

                      Cash Management by a Licensee

107.530 Restrictions on investments of idle funds by leveraged 
          Licensees.

               Borrowing by Licensees From Non-SBA Sources

107.550 Prior approval of secured third-party debt of Leveraged 
          Licensees.
107.560 Subordination of SBA's creditor position.
107.565 Restrictions on third-party debt of Early Stage SBICs.
107.570 [Reserved]

           Distributions and Reductions in Regulatory Capital

107.585 Distributions and reductions in Regulatory Capital.

           Requirement To Conduct Active Investment Operations

107.590 Licensee's requirement to maintain active operations.

  Subpart F_Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Examination Requirements for 
                                Licensees

                Recordkeeping Requirements for Licensees

107.600 General requirement for Licensee to maintain and preserve 
          records.
107.610 Required certifications for Loans and Investments.
107.620 Requirements to obtain information from Portfolio Concerns.

                  Reporting Requirements for Licensees

107.630 Requirement for Licensees to file financial statements with SBA 
          (Form 468).
107.640 Requirement to file Portfolio Financing Reports (SBA Form 1031).
107.650 Requirement to report portfolio valuations to SBA.
107.660 Other items required to be filed by Licensee with SBA.
107.665 Civil penalties.
107.670 Application for exemption from civil penalty for late filing of 
          reports.
107.680 Reporting changes in Licensee not subject to prior SBA approval.

       Examinations of Licensees by SBA for Regulatory Compliance

107.690 Examinations.
107.691 Responsibilities of Licensee during examination.
107.692 Examination fees.

          Subpart G_Financing of Small Businesses by Licensees

   Determining the Eligibility of a Small Business for SBIC Financing

107.700 Compliance with size standards in part 121 of this chapter as a 
          condition of Assistance.
107.710 Requirement to finance smaller enterprises.
107.720 Small Businesses that may be ineligible for financing.
107.730 Financings which constitute conflicts of interest.
107.740 Portfolio diversification (``overline'' limitation).
107.750 Conditions for financing a change of ownership of a Small 
          Business.
107.760 How a change in size or activity of a Portfolio Concern affects 
          the Licensee and the Portfolio Concern.

[[Page 51]]

Structuring Licensee's Financing of Eligible Small Businesses: Types of 
                                Financing

107.800 Financings in the form of Equity Securities.
107.810 Financing in the form of Loans.
107.815 Financings in the form of Debt Securities.
107.820 Financings in the form of guarantees.
107.825 Purchasing securities from an underwriter or other third party.

 Structuring Licensee's Financing of an Eligible Small Business: Terms 
                       and Conditions of Financing

107.830 Minimum duration/term of financing.
107.835 Exceptions to minimum duration/term of Financing.
107.840 Maximum term of financing.
107.845 Maximum rate of amortization on Loans and Debt Securities.
107.850 Restrictions on redemption of Equity Securities.
107.855 Interest rate ceiling and limitations on fees charged to small 
          businesses (``Cost of Money'').
107.860 Financing fees and expense reimbursements a Licensee may receive 
          from a small business.
107.865 Control of a small business by a Licensee.
107.880 Assets acquired in liquidation of Portfolio securities.

                  Limitations on Disposition of Assets

107.885 Disposition of assets to Licensee's Associates or to competitors 
          of Portfolio Concern.

                      Management Services and Fees

107.900 Management fees for services provided to a Small Business by 
          Licensee or its Associate.

       Subpart H_Non-leveraged Licensees-Exceptions to Regulations

107.1000 Non-leveraged Licensees--exceptions to this part.

       Subpart I_SBA Financial Assistance for Licensees (Leverage)

              General Information About Obtaining Leverage

107.1100 Types of Leverage and application procedures.
107.1120 General eligibility requirements for Leverage.
107.1130 Leverage fees and Annual Charges.
107.1140 Licensee's acceptance of SBA remedies under Sec. Sec.  107.1800 
          through 107.1820.

       Maximum Amount of Leverage for Which a Licensee Is Eligible

107.1150 Maximum amount of Leverage.
107.1160 Maximum amount of Leverage for a Section 301(d) Licensee.
107.1170 Maximum amount of Participating Securities for any Licensee.

        Special Rules for Leverage Issued by an Early Stage SBIC

107.1180 Required distributions to SBA by Early Stage SBICs.
107.1181 Interest reserve requirements for Early Stage SBICs.
107.1182 Valuation requirements for Early Stage SBICs based on Capital 
          Impairment Percentage.

    Conditional Commitments by SBA To Reserve Leverage for a Licensee

107.1200 SBA's Leverage commitment to a Licensee--application procedure, 
          amount, and term.
107.1210 Payment of leverage fee upon receipt of commitment.
107.1220 Requirement for Licensee to file quarterly financial 
          statements.
107.1230 Draw-downs by Licensee under SBA's Leverage commitment.
107.1240 Funding of Licensee's draw request through sale to short-term 
          investor.

         Preferred Securities Leverage--Section 301(d) Licensees

107.1400 Dividends or partnership distributions on 4 percent Preferred 
          Securities.
107.1410 Requirement to redeem 4 percent Preferred Securities.
107.1420 Articles requirements for 4 percent Preferred Securities.
107.1430 Redeeming 4 percent Preferred Securities with proceeds of non-
          subsidized Debentures.
107.1440 Three percent preferred stock issued before November 21, 1989.
107.1450 Optional redemption of Preferred Securities.

                    Participating Securities Leverage

107.1500 General description of Participating Securities.
107.1505 Liquidity requirements for Licensees issuing Participating 
          Securities.
107.1510 How a Licensee computes Earmarked Profit (Loss).
107.1520 How a Licensee computes and allocates Prioritized Payments to 
          SBA.
107.1530 How a Licensee computes SBA's Profit Participation.
107.1540 Distributions by Licensee--Prioritized Payments and 
          Adjustments.
107.1550 Distributions by Licensee--permitted ``tax Distributions'' to 
          private investors and SBA.

[[Page 52]]

107.1560 Distributions by Licensee--required Distributions to private 
          investors and SBA.
107.1570 Distributions by Licensee--optional Distribution to private 
          investors and SBA.
107.1575 Distributions on other than Payment Dates.
107.1580 Special rules for In-Kind Distributions by Licensees.
107.1585 Exchange of Debentures for Participating Securities.
107.1590 Special rules for companies licensed on or before March 31, 
          1993.

 Funding Leverage by Use of SBA-Guaranteed Trust Certificates (``TCs'')

107.1600 SBA authority to issue and guarantee Trust Certificates.
107.1610 Effect of prepayment or early redemption of Leverage on a Trust 
          Certificate.
107.1620 Functions of agents, including Central Registration Agent, 
          Selling Agent and Fiscal Agent.
107.1630 SBA regulation of Brokers and Dealers and disclosure to 
          purchasers of Leverage or Trust Certificates.
107.1640 SBA access to records of the CRA, Brokers, Dealers and Pool or 
          Trust assemblers.

                              Miscellaneous

107.1700 Transfer by SBA of its interest in Licensee's Leverage 
          security.
107.1710 SBA authority to collect or compromise its claims.
107.1720 Characteristics of SBA's guarantee.

                   Subpart J_Licensee's Noncompliance

107.1800 Licensee's agreement to terms and conditions in Sec. Sec.  
          107.1810 and 107.1820.
107.1810 Events of default and SBA's remedies for Licensee's 
          noncompliance with terms of Debentures.
107.1820 Conditions affecting issuers of Preferred Securities and/or 
          Participating Securities.

              Computation of Licensee's Capital Impairment

107.1830 Licensee's Capital Impairment--definition and general 
          requirements.
107.1840 Computation of Licensee's Capital Impairment Percentage.
107.1845 Determination of Capital Impairment Percentage for Early Stage 
          SBICs.
107.1850 Watchlist.

                Subpart K_Ending Operations as a Licensee

107.1900 Surrender of license.

                         Subpart L_Miscellaneous

107.1910 Non-waiver of SBA's rights or terms of Leverage security.
107.1920 Licensee's application for exemption from a regulation in this 
          part 107.
107.1930 Effect of changes in this part 107 on transactions previously 
          consummated.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 662, 681-687, 687b-h, 687k-m.

    Source: 61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



                   Subpart A_Introduction to Part 107



Sec.  107.20  Legal basis and applicability of this part 107.

    (a) The regulations in this part implement Title III of the Small 
Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended. All Licensees must comply 
with all applicable regulations, accounting guidelines and valuation 
guidelines for Licensees.
    (b) Provisions of this part which are not mandated by the Act shall 
not supersede existing State law. A party claiming that a conflict 
exists shall submit an opinion of independent counsel, citing 
authorities, for SBA's resolution of the issues involved.



Sec.  107.25  Severability.

    Any provision of this part held to be invalid or unenforceable as 
applied to any person, entity, or circumstance shall be construed so as 
to continue to give the maximum effect to such provision as permitted by 
law, including as applied to persons or entities not similarly situated 
or to dissimilar circumstances, unless such holding is that the 
provision of this part is invalid and unenforceable in all 
circumstances, in which event the provision shall be severable from the 
remainder of this part and shall not affect the remainder thereof.

[88 FR 46005, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.30  Amendments to Act and regulations.

    A Licensee shall be subject to all existing and future provisions of 
the Act and parts 107 and 112 of title 13 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.

[[Page 53]]



Sec.  107.40  How to read this part 107.

    (a) Center Headings. All references in this part to SBA forms, and 
instructions for their preparation, are to the current issue of such 
forms. Center headings are descriptive and are used for convenience 
only. They have no regulatory effect.
    (b) Capitalizing defined terms. Terms defined in Sec.  107.50 are 
capitalized in this part 107.
    (c) The pronoun ``you'' as used in this part 107 means a Licensee or 
license applicant, as appropriate, unless otherwise noted.



             Subpart B_Definition of Terms Used in Part 107



Sec.  107.50  Definition of terms.

    Accrual Debenture means a Debenture issued at face value that 
accrues interest over its ten-year term, as to which instrument SBA 
guarantees both the principal and unpaid accrued interest.
    Accrual Small Business Investment Company (``Accrual SBIC'') means a 
Section 301(c) Partnership Licensee, licensed under Sec.  107.300 and 
approved by SBA to issue Accrual Debentures. Accrual SBICs shall be 
limited to a maximum of one and one quarter tiers of Leverage.
    Accumulated Prioritized Payments has the meaning set forth in Sec.  
107.1520.
    Act means the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended.
    Adjustments has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.1520.
    Affiliate or Affiliates has the meaning set forth in Sec.  121.103 
of this chapter.
    Annual Charge means an annual fee on Leverage which is payable to 
SBA by Licensees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in 
Sec. Sec.  107.585 and 107.1130(d).
    Articles mean articles of incorporation or charter for a Corporate 
Licensee and the partnership agreement or certificate for a Partnership 
Licensee.
    Assistance or Assisted means Financing of or management services 
rendered to a Small Business by a Licensee pursuant to the Act and these 
regulations.
    Associate of a Licensee means any of the following:
    (1)(i) An officer, director, employee or agent of a Corporate 
Licensee;
    (ii) A Control Person, employee or agent of a Partnership Licensee;
    (iii) An Investment Adviser/Manager of any Licensee, including any 
Person who contracts with a Control Person of a Partnership Licensee to 
be the Investment Adviser/Manager of such Licensee; or
    (iv) Any Person regularly serving a Licensee on retainer in the 
capacity of attorney at law.
    (2) Any Person who owns or controls, or who has entered into an 
agreement to own or control, directly or indirectly, at least 10 percent 
of any class of stock of a Corporate Licensee or a limited partner's 
interest of at least 10 percent of the partnership capital of a 
Partnership Licensee. However, an entity Institutional Investor, as a 
limited partner in a Partnership Licensee, is not considered an 
Associate solely because such Person's investment in the Partnership, 
including commitments, represents 10 percent or more but less than 50 
percent of the Licensee's partnership capital, provided that such 
investment also represents no more than five percent of such Person's 
net worth and such limited partner also has no role in the management of 
the subject Licensee, with no right to control or approve any matter 
(other than such entity's vote as a limited partner) involving the 
Licensee.
    (3) Any officer, director, partner (other than a limited partner), 
manager, agent, or employee of any Associate described in paragraph (1) 
or (2) of this definition.
    (4) Any Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is 
Controlled by, or is under Common Control with, a Licensee.
    (5) Any Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is 
Controlled by, or is under Common Control with, any Person described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition.
    (6) Any Close Relative of any Person described in paragraphs 
(1),(2), (4), and (5) of this definition.
    (7) Any Secondary Relative of any Person described in paragraphs 
(1), (2), (4), and (5) of this definition.
    (8) Any concern in which--

[[Page 54]]

    (i) Any person described in paragraphs (1) through (6) of this 
definition is an officer; general partner, or managing member; or
    (ii) Any such Person(s) singly or collectively Control or own, 
directly or indirectly, an equity interest of at least 10 percent 
(excluding interests that such Person(s) own indirectly through 
ownership interests in the Licensee).
    (9) Any concern in which any Person(s) described in paragraph (7) of 
this definition singly or collectively own (including beneficial 
ownership) a majority equity interest, or otherwise have Control. As 
used in this paragraph (9), ``collectively'' means together with any 
Person(s) described in paragraphs (1) though (7) of this definition.
    (10) For the purposes of this definition, if any Associate 
relationship described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of this definition 
exists at any time within six months before or after the date that a 
Licensee provides Financing, then that Associate relationship is 
considered to exist on the date of the Financing.
    (11) If any Licensee has any ownership interest in another Licensee, 
the two Licensees are Associates of each other.
    Capital Call Line has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.550(c).
    Capital Impairment has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.1830(c).
    Central Registration Agent or CRA means one or more agents appointed 
by SBA for the purpose of issuing TCs and performing the functions 
enumerated in Sec.  107.1620 and performing similar functions for 
Debentures and Participating Securities funded outside the pooling 
process.
    Charge has the same meaning as Annual Charge.
    Close Relative of an individual means:
    (1) A current or former spouse;
    (2) A father, mother, guardian, brother, sister, son, daughter; or
    (3) A father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, 
son-in-law, or daughter-in-law.
    Combined Capital means the sum of Regulatory Capital and outstanding 
Leverage.
    Commitment means a written agreement between a Licensee and an 
eligible Small Business that obligates the Licensee to provide Financing 
(except a guarantee) to that Small Business in a fixed or determinable 
sum, by a fixed or determinable future date. In this context the term 
``agreement'' means that there has been agreement on the principal 
economic terms of the Financing. The agreement may include reasonable 
conditions precedent to the Licensee's obligation to fund the 
commitment, but these conditions must be outside the Licensee's control.
    Common Control means a condition where two or more Persons, either 
through ownership, management, contract, or otherwise, are under the 
Control of one group or Person. Two or more Licensees are presumed to be 
under Common Control if they are Affiliates of each other by reason of 
common ownership or common officers, directors, or general partners; or 
if they are managed or their investments are significantly directed 
either by a common independent investment advisor or managerial 
contractor, or by two or more such advisors or contractors that are 
Affiliates of each other. This presumption may be rebutted by evidence 
satisfactory to SBA.
    Control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to 
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a 
Licensee or other concern, whether through the ownership of voting 
securities, by contract, or otherwise.
    Control Person means any Person that controls a Licensee, either 
directly or through an intervening entity. A Control Person includes:
    (1) A general partner of a Partnership Licensee;
    (2) Any Person serving as the general partner, officer, director, or 
manager (in the case of a limited liability company) of any entity that 
controls a Licensee, either directly or through an intervening entity;
    (3) Any Person that--
    (i) Controls or owns, directly or through an intervening entity, at 
least 30 percent of a Partnership Licensee or any entity described in 
paragraph (1) or (2) of this definition; and
    (ii) Participates in the investment decisions of the general partner 
of such Partnership Licensee; provided that, if at least 30% of 
Regulatory Capital is

[[Page 55]]

unaffiliated and unassociated with management of the Licensee, the 
management company of the Licensee is a government sponsored non-profit 
entity, the general partners of the Licensee are bound by a fiduciary 
duty to the investors in the Licensee, and such members of the general 
partner may not be hired or removed directly or indirectly by such 
government sponsor, the management of the Licensee will be deemed to be 
free from any outside Control; and
    (4) Any Person that controls or owns, directly or through an 
intervening entity, at least 50 percent of a Partnership Licensee or any 
entity described in paragraphs (1) or (2) of this definition.
    Corporate Licensee. See definition of Licensee in this section.
    Cost of Money has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.855.
    Debenture Rate means the interest rate, as published from time to 
time in the Federal Register by SBA, for ten year debentures issued by 
Licensees and funded through public sales of certificates bearing SBA's 
guarantee. User or guarantee fees, if any, paid by a Licensee are not 
considered in determining the Debenture Rate.
    Debentures means debt obligations issued by Licensees pursuant to 
section 303(a) of the Act and held or guaranteed by SBA.
    Debt Securities has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.815.
    Disadvantaged Business means a Small Business that is at least 50 
percent owned, and controlled and managed, on a day to day basis, by a 
person or persons whose participation in the free enterprise system is 
hampered because of social or economic disadvantages.
    Distributable Securities means equity securities that are determined 
by SBA (with the advice of a third party expert in the marketing of 
securities) to meet each of the following requirements:
    (1) The securities (which may include securities that are salable 
pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 (17 CFR 230.144) under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended) are salable immediately without 
restriction under Federal and state securities laws;
    (2) The securities are of a class:
    (i) Which is listed and registered on a national securities 
exchange, or
    (ii) For which quotation information is disseminated in the National 
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System and as to 
which transaction reports and last sale data are disseminated pursuant 
to Rule 11Aa3-1 (17 CFR 240.11Aa3-1) under the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended; and
    (3) The quantity of such securities to be distributed to SBA can be 
sold over a reasonable period of time without having an adverse impact 
upon the price of the security.
    Distribution means any transfer of cash or non-cash assets to SBA, 
its agent or Trustee, or to partners in a Partnership Licensee, or to 
shareholders in a Corporate Licensee. Capitalization of Retained 
Earnings Available for Distribution constitutes a Distribution to the 
Licensee's non-SBA partners or shareholders.
    Early Stage SBIC means a Section 301(c) Partnership Licensee, 
licensed pursuant to Sec.  107.310 of this part, in which at least 50 
percent of all Loans and Investments (in dollars) must be made to Small 
Businesses that are ``early stage'' companies at the time of the 
Licensee's initial Financing (see also Sec.  107.1810(f)(11)). For the 
purposes of this definition, an ``early stage'' company is one that has 
never achieved positive cash flow from operations in any fiscal year.
    Earmarked Assets has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.1510(b). 
(See also Sec.  107.1590.)
    Earmarked Profit (Loss) has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.1510.
    Earned Prioritized Payments has the meaning set forth in Sec.  
107.1520.
    Energy Saving Activities means any of the following:
    (1) Manufacturing or research and development of products, integral 
product components, integral material, or related software that meet one 
or more of the following:
    (i) Improves residential energy efficiency as demonstrated by 
meeting Department of Energy or Environmental Protection Agency criteria 
for use of the Energy Star trademark label;
    (ii) Improves commercial energy efficiency as demonstrated by being 
in the

[[Page 56]]

upper 25% of efficiency for all similar products as designated by the 
Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program;
    (iii) Improves automobile efficiency or reduces consumption of non-
renewable fuels through the use of advanced batteries, power 
electronics, or electric motors; advanced combustion engine technology; 
alternative fuels; or advanced materials technologies, such as 
lightweighting;
    (iv) Improves industrial energy efficiency through combined heat and 
power (CHP) prime mover or power generation technologies, heat recovery 
units, absorption chillers, desiccant dehumidifiers, packaged CHP 
systems, more efficient process heating equipment, more efficient steam 
generation equipment, heat recovery steam generators, or more efficient 
use of water recapture, purification and reuse for industrial 
application;
    (v) Advances commercialization of technologies developed by 
recipients of awards from the Department of Energy under the Advanced 
Research Projects Agency--Energy, Small Business Innovation Research, or 
Small Business Technology Transfer programs;
    (vi) Reduces the consumption of non-renewable energy by providing 
renewable energy sources, as demonstrated by meeting the standards, 
applicable to the year in which the investment is made, for receiving a 
Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit as defined in Internal 
Revenue Code Section 45 or an Energy Credit as defined in Internal 
Revenue Code Section 48;
    (vii) Reduces the consumption of non-renewable energy for electric 
power generation as described in Internal Revenue Code Section 
48(c)(1)(A) by providing highly efficient energy conversion systems that 
can use renewable or non-renewable fuel through fuel cells; or
    (viii) Improves electricity delivery efficiency by supporting one or 
more of the smart grid functions as identified in 42 U.S.C. 17386(d), by 
means of a product, service, or functionality that serves one or more of 
the following smart grid operational domains: Equipment manufacturing, 
customer systems, advanced metering infrastructure, electric 
distribution systems, electric transmission systems, storage systems, 
and cyber security.
    (2) Installation and/or inspection services associated with the 
deployment of energy saving products as identified by meeting one or 
more of the following standards:
    (i) Deploys products that qualify, in the year in which the 
investment is made, for installation-related Federal Tax Credits for 
Residential Consumer Energy Efficiency;
    (ii) Deploys products related to commercial energy efficiency as 
demonstrated by deploying commercial equipment that is in the upper 25% 
of efficiency for all similar products as designated by the Department 
of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program;
    (iii) Deploys combined heat and power products, goods, or services;
    (iv) Deploys products that qualify, in the year in which the 
investment is made, for receiving a Renewable Electricity Production Tax 
Credit as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 45 or an Energy 
Credit as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 48; or
    (v) Deploys a product, service, or functionality that improves 
electricity delivery efficiency by supporting one or more of the smart 
grid functions as identified in 42 U.S.C. 17386(d), and that serves one 
or more of the following smart grid operational domains: Equipment 
manufacturing, customer systems, advanced metering infrastructure, 
electric distribution systems, electric transmission systems, or grid 
cyber security.
    (3) Auditing or consulting services performed with the objective of 
identifying potential improvements of the type described in paragraph 
(1) or (2) of this definition.
    (4) Other manufacturing, service, or research and development 
activities that use less energy to provide the same level of energy 
service or reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy by providing 
renewable energy sources, as determined by SBA. A Licensee must obtain 
such determination in writing prior to providing Financing to a Small 
Business. SBA will consider factors including but not limited to:

[[Page 57]]

    (i) Results of energy efficiency testing performed in accordance 
with recognized professional standards, preferably by a qualified third-
party professional, such as a certified energy assessor, energy auditor, 
or energy engineer;
    (ii) Patents or grants awarded to or licenses held by the Small 
Business related to Energy Saving Activities listed in subsection (1) or 
(2) above;
    (iii) For research and development of products or services that are 
anticipated to reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy, written 
evidence from an independent, certified third-party professional of the 
feasibility, commercial potential, and projected energy savings of such 
products or services; and
    (iv) Eligibility of the product or service for a Federal tax credit 
cited in this definition that is not available in the year in which the 
investment is made, but was available in a previous year.
    Energy Saving Qualified Investment means a Financing which:
    (1) Is made by a Licensee licensed after September 30, 2008;
    (2) Is in the form of a Loan, Debt Security, or Equity Security, 
each as defined in this section;
    (3) Is made to a Small Business that is primarily engaged in Energy 
Saving Activities. A Licensee must obtain a determination from SBA prior 
to the provision of Financing as to whether a Small Business is 
primarily engaged in Energy Saving Activities. SBA will consider the 
distribution of revenues, employees and expenditures, intellectual 
property rights held, and Energy Saving Activities described in a 
business plan presented to investors as part of a formal solicitation in 
making its determination. However, a Small Business is presumed to be 
primarily engaged in Energy Saving Activities, and no pre-Financing 
determination by SBA is required, if:
    (i) The Small Business derived at least 50% of its revenues during 
its most recently completed fiscal year from Energy Saving Activities; 
or
    (ii) The Small Business will utilize 100% of the Financing proceeds 
received from a Licensee to engage in Energy Saving Activities.
    Equity Capital Investments means investments in a Small Business in 
the form of common or preferred stock, limited partnership interests, 
options, warrants, or similar equity instruments, including subordinated 
debt with equity features if such debt provides only for interest 
payments contingent upon and limited to the extent of earnings. Equity 
Capital Investments must not require amortization. Equity Capital 
Investments may be guaranteed; however, neither Equity Capital 
Investments nor such guarantee may be collateralized or otherwise 
secured. Investments classified as Debt Securities (see Sec. Sec.  
107.800 and 107.815) are not precluded from qualifying as Equity Capital 
Investments.
    Equity Securities has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.800.
    Final Licensing Fee has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.300.
    Financing or Financed means outstanding financial assistance 
provided to a Small Business by a Licensee, whether through:
    (1) Loans;
    (2) Debt Securities;
    (3) Equity Securities;
    (4) Guarantees; or
    (5) Purchases of securities of a Small Business through or from an 
underwriter (see Sec.  107.825).
    GAAP means Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as established 
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and refers to 
established financial accounting and reporting standards for public and 
private companies and not-for-profit organizations.
    Guaranty Agreement means the contract entered into by SBA which is a 
guarantee backed by the full faith and credit of the United States 
Government as to timely payment of principal and interest on Debentures 
or the Redemption Price of and Prioritized Payments on Participating 
Securities and SBA's rights in connection with such guarantee.
    Includible Non-Cash Gains means those non-cash gains (as reported on 
SBA Form 468) that are realized in the form of Publicly Traded and 
Marketable securities or investment grade debt instruments. For purposes 
of this definition, investment grade debt instruments means those 
instruments

[[Page 58]]

that are rated ``BBB'' or ``Baa'', or better, by Standard & Poor's 
Corporation or Moody's Investors Service, respectively. Non-rated debt 
may be considered to be investment grade if Licensee obtains a written 
opinion from an investment banking firm acceptable to SBA stating that 
the non-rated debt instrument is equivalent in risk to the issuer's 
investment grade debt.
    Inflation Adjustment is the methodology used to increase SBIC 
administrative fees using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers 
(CPI-U), calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), 
using the U.S. city average for all items, not seasonally adjusted, with 
the base period of 1982 - 84 = 100. To calculate the Inflation 
Adjustment, each year, SBA will divide the CPI-U from the most recent 
June by the CPI-U from June of the preceding year. If the result is 
greater than 1, SBA will increase the relevant fees as follows:
    (1) Multiply the result by the current fee; and
    (2) Round to the nearest $100.
    Initial Licensing Fee has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.300.
    Institutional Investor means:
    (1) Entities. Any of the following entities if the entity has a net 
worth (exclusive of unfunded commitments from investors) of at least $1 
million, or such higher amount as is specified in paragraph (1) of this 
definition. (See also Sec.  107.230(b)(4) for limitations on the amount 
of an Institutional Investor's commitment that may be included in 
Private Capital.)
    (i) A State or National bank, trust company, savings bank, or 
savings and loan association.
    (ii) An insurance company.
    (iii) A 1940 Act Investment Company or Business Development Company 
(each as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15 
U.S.C. 8a-1 et seq.).
    (iv) A holding company of any entity described in paragraph (1)(i), 
(ii) or (iii) of this definition.
    (v) An employee benefit or pension plan established for the benefit 
of employees of the Federal government, any State or political 
subdivision of a State, or any agency or instrumentality of such 
government unit.
    (vi) An employee benefit or pension plan (as defined in the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (Pub. L. 93-406, 88 
Stat. 829), excluding plans established under section 401(k) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 401(k)), as amended).
    (vii) A trust, foundation or endowment exempt from Federal income 
taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
    (viii) A corporation, partnership or other entity with a net worth 
(exclusive of unfunded commitments from investors) of more than $10 
million.
    (ix) A State, a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or 
instrumentality of a State or its political subdivision.
    (x) An entity whose primary purpose is to manage and invest non-
Federal funds on behalf of at least three Institutional Investors 
described in paragraphs (1)(i) through (1)(ix) of this definition, each 
of whom must have at least a 10 percent ownership interest in the 
entity.
    (xi) Any other entity that SBA determines to be an Institutional 
Investor.
    (2) Individuals. (i) Any of the following individuals if he/she is 
also a permanent resident of the United States:
    (A) An individual who is an Accredited Investor (as defined in the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (15 U.S.C. 77a-77aa)) and whose 
commitment to the Licensee is backed by a letter of credit from a State 
or National bank acceptable to SBA.
    (B) An individual whose personal net worth is at least $2 million 
and at least ten times the amount of his or her commitment to the 
Licensee. The individual's personal net worth must not include the value 
of any equity in his or her most valuable residence.
    (C) An individual whose personal net worth (determined in accordance 
with paragraph (2)(i)(B) of this definition) is at least $10 million.
    (ii) Any individual who is not a permanent resident of the United 
States but who otherwise satisfies paragraph (2)(i) of this definition 
provided such individual has irrevocably appointed an agent within the 
United States for the service of process.

[[Page 59]]

    Investment Adviser/Manager means any Person who furnishes advice or 
assistance with respect to operations of a Licensee under a written 
contract executed in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  107.510.
    Lending Institution means a concern that is operating under 
regulations of a state or Federal licensing, supervising, or examining 
body, or whose shares are publicly traded and listed on a recognized 
stock exchange or NASDAQ and which has assets in excess of $500 million; 
and which, in either case, holds itself out to the public as engaged in 
the making of commercial and industrial loans and whose lending 
operations are not for the purpose of financing its own or an 
Associate's sales or business operations.
    Leverage means financial assistance provided to a Licensee by SBA, 
either through the purchase or guaranty of a Licensee's Debentures, and 
any other SBA financial assistance evidenced by a security of the 
Licensee. For the Accrual Debenture, Leverage includes principal and 
accrued unpaid interest.
    Leverageable Capital means Regulatory Capital, excluding unfunded 
commitments.
    Leveraged Licensee means a Licensee which has outstanding Leverage, 
Leverage commitments, or intends to issue Leverage in the future.
    Licensee means either a corporation (Corporate Licensee), or a 
limited partnership organized pursuant to Sec.  107.160 (Partnership 
Licensee), to which a license has been granted pursuant to the Act. For 
certain purposes, the Entity General Partner of a Partnership Licensee 
is treated as if it were a Licensee (see Sec.  107.160(b)(2)).
    LMI Enterprise means:
    (1) A Small Business that has at least 50% of its employees or 
tangible assets located in LMI Zone(s) or in which at least 35% of the 
full-time employees have primary residences in LMI Zone(s), in either 
case determined as of the time of application for SBIC financing; or
    (2) A Small Business that does not meet the requirements of 
paragraph (1) of this definition as of the time of application for SBIC 
financing but that certifies at such time that it intends to meet the 
requirements within 180 days after the closing of the SBIC financing. A 
Small Business qualifying under this paragraph (2) will no longer be an 
LMI Enterprise as of the 180th day after the closing of the SBIC 
financing unless, on or before such date, at least 50% of its employees 
or tangible assets are located in LMI Zones or at least 35% of its full-
time employees have primary residences in LMI Zones.
    LMI Investment means a financing of an LMI Enterprise, made after 
September 30, 1999, in the form of equity securities or debt securities 
that are junior to all existing or future secured borrowings of the 
business. The debt securities may be guaranteed and may be secured by 
the assets of the LMI Enterprise, but the guarantee may not be 
collateralized or otherwise secured.
    LMI Zone means any area located within a HUBZone (as defined in 13 
CFR 126.103), an Urban Empowerment Zone or Urban Enterprise Community 
(as designated by the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development), a Rural Empowerment Zone or Rural Enterprise Community (as 
designated by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture), an area 
of Low Income or Moderate Income (as recognized by the Federal Financial 
Institutions Examination Council), or a county with Persistent Poverty 
(as classified by the Economic Research Service of the Department of 
Agriculture).
    Loan has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.810.
    Loans and Investments means Portfolio Securities, Assets Acquired in 
Liquidation of Portfolio Securities, Operating Concerns Acquired, and 
Notes and Other Securities Received, as set forth in the Statement of 
Financial Position of SBA Form 468.
    Management Expenses has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.520.
    1940 Act Company means a Licensee which is registered under the 
Investment Company Act of 1940.
    1980 Act Company means a Licensee which is registered under the 
Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980.
    Non-leveraged Licensee means a Licensee which has no outstanding 
Leverage or Leverage commitment, no earmarked assets, and certifies to 
SBA

[[Page 60]]

(in writing) that it will not seek Leverage in the future.
    Original Issue Price means the price paid by the purchaser for 
securities at the time of issuance.
    Participating Securities means preferred stock, preferred limited 
partnership interests, or similar instruments issued by Licensees, 
including debentures having interest payable only to the extent of 
earnings, all of which are subject to the terms set forth in Sec. Sec.  
107.1500 through 107.1590 and section 303(g) of the Act.
    Partnership Licensee. See definition of Licensee in this section.
    Payment Date means:
    (1) For a Participating Securities issuer, each February 1, May 1, 
August 1, and November 1 during the term of a Participating Security, or
    (2) For an Early Stage SBIC, each March 1, June 1, September 1, and 
December 1 during the term of a Debenture.
    Person means a natural person or legal entity.
    Pool means an aggregation of SBA guaranteed Debentures or SBA 
guaranteed Participating Securities approved by SBA.
    Portfolio means the securities representing a Licensee's total 
outstanding Financing of Small Businesses. It does not include idle 
funds or assets acquired in liquidation of Portfolio securities.
    Portfolio Concern means a Small Business Assisted by a Licensee.
    Preferred Securities means nonvoting preferred stock or nonvoting 
limited partnership interests issued to SBA prior to October 1, 1996, by 
a Section 301(d) Licensee. Such securities were issued at par value in 
the case of preferred stock, or at face value in the case of preferred 
limited partnership interests.
    Prioritized Payments has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.1520.
    Private Capital has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.230.
    Profit Participation has the meaning set forth in Sec.  
107.1500(c)(3).
    Publicly Traded and Marketable means securities that are salable 
without restriction or that are salable within 12 months pursuant to 
Rule 144 (17 CFR 230.144) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by 
the holder thereof (or in the case of an In-kind Distribution by the 
distributee thereof), and are of a class which is traded on a regulated 
stock exchange, or is listed in the Automated Quotation System of the 
National Association of Securities Dealers (NASDAQ), or has, at a 
minimum, at least two market makers as defined in the relevant sections 
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (15 U.S.C. 77b et 
seq.), and in all cases the quantity of which can be sold over a 
reasonable period of time without having an adverse impact upon the 
price of the stock.
    Qualified Non-private Funds has the meaning set forth in Sec.  
107.230.
    Redemption Price means the amount required to be paid by the issuer, 
or successor to the issuer, of Preferred or Participating Securities to 
repurchase such securities from the holder. The Redemption Price shall 
be the Original Issue Price less any prepayments or prior redemptions.
    Regulatory Capital means:
    (1) General. Regulatory Capital means Private Capital, excluding 
non-cash assets contributed to a Licensee or a license applicant and 
non-cash assets purchased by a license applicant, unless such assets 
have been converted to cash or have been approved by SBA for inclusion 
in Regulatory Capital. For purposes of this definition, sales of 
contributed non-cash assets with recourse or borrowing against such 
assets shall not constitute a conversion to cash. Regulatory Capital 
becomes Leverageable Capital when it is paid in.
    (2) Exclusion of questionable commitments. An investor's commitment 
to a Licensee is excluded from Regulatory Capital if SBA determines that 
there is a lack of enforceable legal agreements under United States law 
or there is an issue of collectability for financial or any other 
reason, provided, however, that the unfunded commitment of an investor 
that has satisfied the applicable net worth test set forth in the 
definition of Institutional Investor will not be of questionable 
collectability (for financial reasons) if the Licensee's limited 
partnership agreement (or other

[[Page 61]]

governing agreement) contains sufficient provisions to ensure 
collectability.
    Reinvestor SBIC has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.720(a)(2).
    Retained Earnings Available for Distribution (READ) means 
Undistributed Net Realized Earnings less any Unrealized Depreciation on 
Loans and Investments (as reported on SBA Form 468) and represents the 
amount that a Licensee may distribute to investors (including SBA) in 
accordance with Sec.  107.585 as a profit Distribution, or transfer to 
Private Capital.
    Revenue-Based Financing and Revenue-Based Loan have the meaning set 
forth in Sec.  107.810.
    SBA means the Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20416.
    SBIC means Small Business Investment Company and has the same 
meaning as ``Licensee'' as set forth in this section.
    SBIC website means the website maintained by SBA at www.sba.gov/
sbic, which contains information on the SBIC program, including notices, 
policies, procedures, and forms pertaining to the program.
    Secondary Relative of an individual means:
    (1) A grandparent, grandchild, or any other ancestor or lineal 
descendent who is not a Close Relative;
    (2) An uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, or first cousin; or
    (3) A spouse of any person described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this 
definition.
    Section 301(c) Licensee has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.100.
    Section 301(d) Licensee means a company licensed prior to October 1, 
1996 under section 301(d) of the Act as in effect on the date of 
licensing, that may provide Assistance only to Disadvantaged Businesses. 
A Section 301(d) Licensee may be organized as a for-profit corporation, 
as a non-profit corporation, or as a limited partnership.
    Short-term Financing means Financing with a term of less than one 
year in accordance with the regulations.
    Small Business means a small business concern as defined in section 
103(5) of the Act (including its Affiliates), which for purposes of size 
eligibility, meets the applicable criteria set forth in part 121 of this 
chapter.
    Smaller Enterprise has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.710.
    Start-up Financing means an Equity Capital Investment in a Small 
Business that--
    (1) Has not had sales exceeding $3,000,000 or positive cash flow 
from operations in any of its last three full fiscal years; and
    (2) Was not formed to acquire any existing business, unless the 
acquired business satisfies paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition.
    State means one of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
    Temporary Debt has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.570.
    Total Intended Leverage Commitment means the dollar amount or ratio 
of SBA Leverage commitments to Private Capital commitments. The final 
Total Intended Leverage Commitment dollar amount applied in the Accrual 
Debenture SBA Share calculation will be finalized no later than 12 
months after licensure or upon the Licensee's final close, whichever 
occurs first.
    Total Private Capital Commitment has the meaning set forth in Sec.  
107.300.
    Trust means the legal entity created for the purpose of holding 
guaranteed Debentures or Participating Securities and the guaranty 
agreement related thereto, receiving, holding and making any related 
payments, and accounting for such payments.
    Trust Certificate Rate means a fixed rate determined by the 
Secretary of the Treasury at the time Participating Securities or 
Debentures are pooled, taking into consideration the current average 
market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States 
with maturities comparable to the maturities of the Trust Certificates 
being guaranteed by SBA, adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of one 
percent.
    Trust Certificates (TCs) means certificates issued by SBA, its agent 
or Trustee and representing ownership of all or a fractional part of a 
Trust or Pool of Debentures or Participating Securities.

[[Page 62]]

    Trustee means the trustee or trustees of a Trust.
    Underlicensed State means a State in which the number of operating 
licensees per capita is less than the median number of operating 
licensees per capita for all States, where the per capita per State is 
based on the most recent resident population published by the U.S. 
Census as of the date of the calculation. SBA publishes a notice with 
the current list of Underlicensed States on the SBIC website.
    Undistributed Net Realized Earnings means Undistributed Realized 
Earnings less Non-cash Gains/Income, each as reported on SBA Form 468.
    Unrealized Appreciation means the amount by which a Licensee's 
valuation of each of its Loans and Investments, as determined by its 
Board of Directors or General Partner(s) in accordance with Licensee's 
valuation policies, exceeds the cost basis thereof.
    Unrealized Depreciation means the amount by which a Licensee's 
valuation of each of its Loans and Investments, as determined by its 
Board of Directors or General Partner(s) in accordance with Licensee's 
valuation policies, is below the cost basis thereof.
    Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Held means the sum of the 
Unrealized Appreciation and Unrealized Depreciation on all of a 
Licensee's Loans and Investments, less estimated future income tax 
expense or estimated realizable future income tax benefit, as 
appropriate.
    Venture Capital Financing has the meaning set forth in Sec.  
107.1160.
    Watchlist has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.1850.
    Wind-down Plan has the meaning set forth in Sec.  107.590.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996; 61 FR 41496, Aug. 9, 1996, as amended at 62 
FR 11759, Mar. 13, 1997; 63 FR 5865, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 FR 52645, Sept. 
30, 1999; 64 FR 70995, Dec. 20, 1999; 69 FR 8098, Feb. 23, 2004; 77 FR 
23378, Apr. 19, 2012; 77 FR 25051, Apr. 27, 2012; 79 FR 62823, Oct. 21, 
2014; 82 FR 39340, Aug. 18, 2017; 82 FR 52184, Nov. 13, 2017; 88 FR 
46005, July 18, 2023]



                Subpart C_Qualifying for an SBIC License

                           Organizing an SBIC



Sec.  107.100  Organizing a Section 301(c) Licensee.

    Section 301(c) Licensee means a company licensed under section 
301(c) of the Act. It may be organized as a for-profit corporation or as 
a limited partnership created in accordance with the special rules of 
Sec.  107.160.



Sec.  107.115  1940 Act and 1980 Act Companies.

    A 1940 Act or 1980 Act Company is eligible to apply for an SBIC 
license, and an existing Licensee is eligible to apply for SBA's 
approval to convert to a 1940 Act or 1980 Act Company. In either case, 
the 1940 Act or 1980 Act Company may elect to be taxed as a regulated 
investment company under section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986, as amended (26 U.S.C. 851). However, a Licensee making such 
election may make Distributions only as permitted under the applicable 
sections of this part (see the definition of Retained Earnings Available 
for Distribution, Sec.  107.585, and Sec. Sec.  107.1540 through 
107.1580).



Sec.  107.120  Special rules for a Section 301(d) Licensee owned by 
another Licensee.

    With SBA's prior written approval, a Section 301(d) Licensee may 
operate as the subsidiary of one or more Licensees (participant 
Licensees), subject to the following:
    (a) Each participant Licensee must own at least 20 percent of the 
voting securities of the Section 301(d) Licensee.
    (b) A participant Licensee must treat its entire capital 
contribution to the subsidiary as a reduction of its Leverageable 
Capital. The participant Licensee's remaining Leverageable Capital must 
be sufficient to support its outstanding Leverage.
    (c) A participant Licensee may not transfer its Leverage to a 
subsidiary Section 301(d) Licensee.

[63 FR 5865, Feb. 5, 1998]

[[Page 63]]



Sec.  107.130  Requirement for qualified management.

    When applying for a license, and while you have a license, you must 
show, to the satisfaction of SBA, that your current or proposed 
management team is qualified and has the knowledge, experience and 
capability necessary for investing in the types of businesses 
contemplated by the Act, the regulations in this part 107, and your 
business plan. You must designate at least one individual as the 
official responsible for contact with SBA.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 25051, Apr. 27, 2012]



Sec.  107.140  SBA approval of initial Management Expenses.

    If you plan to obtain Leverage, you must have your Management 
Expenses approved by SBA at the time of licensing. (See Sec.  107.520 
for the definition of Management Expenses.)



Sec.  107.150  Management-ownership diversification requirement.

    (a) Diversification requirement. (Also referenced in this part as 
the ``diversity requirement.'') You must satisfy the requirements in 
paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section:
    (1) In order to obtain an SBIC license (unless you do not plan to 
obtain Leverage),
    (2) If at the time you were licensed you did not plan to obtain 
Leverage, but you now wish to be eligible for Leverage, or
    (3) If SBA so requires as a condition of approval of your transfer 
of Control under Sec.  107.440.
    (b) Percentage ownership requirement. (1) General rule. Except as 
provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, no Person or group of 
Persons who are Affiliates of one another may own, directly or 
indirectly, more than 70 percent of your Regulatory Capital or your 
Leverageable Capital.
    (2) Exception. An investor that is a Traditional Investment Company, 
as determined by SBA, may own more than 70% of a Licensee's Regulatory 
Capital and Leverageable Capital. A Traditional Investment Company may 
also serve as the management company of an SBIC owning and control more 
than 70 percent of the Licensee's Regulatory Capital and Leverageable 
Capital. A non-profit entity which is a Traditional Investment Company 
may only serve as the management company of a Licensee and, unlike other 
Traditional Investment Companies, is limited to no more than 70% of the 
Licensee's Regulatory and Leverageable Capital. A Licensee must be a 
for-profit entity. In determining whether a firm is a Traditional 
Investment Company for purposes of this section, SBA will also consider:
    (i) The degree to which the managers of the firm are unrelated to 
and unaffiliated with the investors in the firm or non-profit entity.
    (ii) Whether the managers of the firm are authorized and motivated 
to make investments that, in their independent judgment, are likely to 
produce significant returns to all investors in the firm or non-profit 
entity.
    (iii) Whether the firm or non-profit entity serving as the 
management company of a for-profit SBIC benefits from the use of the 
SBIC through the financial performance of the SBIC.
    (iv) Other related factors.
    (c) Non-affiliation requirement--(1) General rule. At least 30 
percent of your Regulatory Capital and Leverageable Capital must be 
owned and controlled by three Persons unaffiliated with your management 
and unaffiliated with each other, and whose investments are significant 
in dollar and percentage terms as determined by SBA. Such Persons must 
not be your Associates (except for their status as your shareholders, 
limited partners, or members). A single ``acceptable'' Institutional 
Investor may be substituted for two or three of the three Persons who 
are otherwise required under this paragraph. The following Institutional 
Investors are ``acceptable'' for this purpose:
    (i) Entities whose overall activities are regulated and periodically 
examined by state, Federal or other governmental authorities 
satisfactory to SBA;
    (ii) Entities listed on the New York Stock Exchange;
    (iii) Entities that are publicly-traded and that meet both the 
minimum numerical listing standards and the corporate governance listing 
standards of the New York Stock Exchange;

[[Page 64]]

    (iv) Public or private employee pension funds;
    (v) Trusts, foundations, or endowments, but only if exempt from 
Federal income taxation; and
    (vi) Other Institutional Investors satisfactory to SBA.
    (2) Look-through for Traditional Investment Company investors. SBA, 
in its sole discretion, may consider the requirement in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section to be satisfied if at least 30 percent of your 
Regulatory Capital and Leverageable Capital is owned and controlled 
indirectly, through a Traditional Investment Company, by Persons 
unaffiliated with your management.
    (d) Voting requirement. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) 
of this section, the investors required for you to satisfy diversity may 
not delegate their voting rights to any Person who is your Associate, or 
who Controls, is Controlled by, or is under Common Control with any of 
your Associates, without prior SBA approval.
    (2) Exception. Paragraph (d)(1) of this section does not apply to 
investors in publicly-traded Licensees, to proxies given to vote in 
accordance with specific instructions for single specified meetings, or 
to any delegation of voting rights to a Person who is neither a 
diversity investor in the Licensee nor affiliated with management of the 
Licensee.
    (e) Requirement to maintain diversity. If you were required to have 
management-ownership diversity at any time, you must maintain such 
diversity while you have outstanding Leverage or Earmarked Assets. To 
maintain management-ownership diversity, you may continue to satisfy the 
diversity requirement as in effect at the time it was first applicable 
to you or you may satisfy the management-ownership diversity requirement 
as currently in effect. If, at any time, you no longer have the required 
management-ownership diversity, you must:
    (1) Notify SBA within 10 days; and
    (2) Re-establish diversity within six months. For the consequences 
of failure to re-establish diversity, see Sec. Sec.  107.1810(g) and 
107.1820(f).

[65 FR 71055, Nov. 29, 2000, as amended at 88 FR 46007, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.160  Special rules for Licensees formed as limited partnerships.

    A limited partnership organized under State law solely for the 
purpose of performing the functions and conducting the activities 
contemplated under the Act may apply for a license under section 301(c) 
or section 301 (d) of the Act (``Partnership Licensee'').
    (a) Number of Licensee's General Partners. If you are a Partnership 
Licensee, you must have as your general partner(s) at least two 
individuals, or at least one corporation, partnership, or limited 
liability company (LLC), or any combination of individuals, 
corporations, partnerships, or LLCs.
    (b) Entity General Partner of Licensee. A general partner which is a 
corporation, limited liability company or partnership (an ``Entity 
General Partner'') shall be organized under state law solely for the 
purpose of serving as the general partner of one or more Licensees.
    (1) SBA must approve any person who will serve as an officer, 
director, manager, or general partner of the Entity General Partner. 
This provision must be stated in an Entity General Partner's Certificate 
of Incorporation, member agreement, Limited Partnership Agreement or 
other similar governing instrument which must, in each case, accompany 
the license application.
    (2) An Entity General Partner is subject to the same examination and 
reporting requirements as a Licensee under section 310(b) of the Act. 
The restrictions and obligations imposed upon a Licensee by Sec. Sec.  
107.1800 through 107.1820, and 107.30, 107.410 through 107.450, 107.470, 
107.475, 107.500, 107.510, 107.585, 107.600, 107.680, 107.690 through 
107.692, 107.865, and 107.1910 apply also to an Entity General Partner 
of a Licensee.
    (3) The general partner(s) of your Entity General Partner(s) will be 
considered your general partner.
    (4) If your Entity General Partner is a limited partnership, its 
limited partners may be considered your Control Person(s) if they meet 
the definition for Control Person in Sec.  107.50.
    (5) If your Entity General Partner is a limited partnership, it is 
subject to paragraph (a) of this section.

[[Page 65]]

    (c) Other requirements for Partnership Licensees. If you are a 
Partnership Licensee:
    (1) You must have a minimum duration of ten years or two years 
following the maturity of your last-maturing Leverage security, 
whichever is longer. After 10 years, if all Leverage has been repaid or 
redeemed and all amounts due SBA, its agent, or Trustee have been paid, 
the Partnership Licensee may be terminated by a vote of your partners. 
(For purposes of this provision SBA is not considered a partner.);
    (2) None of your general partner(s) may be removed or replaced by 
your limited partners without prior written approval of SBA;
    (3) Any transferee of, or successor in interest to, your general 
partner shall have only the rights and liabilities of a limited partner 
pending SBA's written approval of such transfer or succession; and
    (4) You must incorporate all the provisions in this paragraph (c) in 
your Limited Partnership Agreement.
    (d) Obligations of a Control Person. All Control Persons are bound 
by the disciplinary provisions of sections 313 and 314 of the Act and by 
the conflict-of-interest rules under section 312 of the Act. The term 
Licensee, as used in Sec. Sec.  107.30, 107.460, and 107.680 includes 
all of the Licensee's Control Persons. The term Licensee as used in 
Sec.  107.670 includes only the Licensee's general partner(s). The 
conditions specified in Sec. Sec.  107.1800 through 107.1820 and Sec.  
107.1910 apply to all general partners.
    (e) Liability of general partner for partnership debts to SBA. 
Subject to section 314 of the Act, your general partner is not liable 
solely by reason of its status as a general partner for repayment of any 
Leverage or debts you owe to SBA unless SBA, in the exercise of 
reasonable investment prudence, and with regard to your financial 
soundness, determines otherwise prior to the purchase or guaranty of 
your Leverage.
    (f) Reorganization of Licensee. A corporate Licensee wishing to 
reorganize as a Partnership Licensee, or a Partnership Licensee wishing 
to reorganize as a Corporate Licensee, may apply to SBA for approval 
under Sec.  107.470.
    (g) Special Leverage requirement. Before your first issuance of 
Leverage, you must furnish SBA with evidence that you qualify as a 
partnership for tax purposes, either by a ruling from the Internal 
Revenue Service, or by an opinion of counsel.

                          Capitalizing an SBIC



Sec.  107.200  Adequate capital for Licensees.

    You must meet the requirements of this Sec.  107.200 to qualify for 
a license, to continue as a Licensee, and to receive Leverage.
    (a) You must have enough Regulatory Capital to provide reasonable 
assurance that:
    (1) You will operate soundly and profitably over the long term; and
    (2) You will be able to operate actively in accordance with your 
Articles and within the context of your business plan, as approved by 
SBA.
    (b) In SBA's sole discretion, you must be economically viable, 
taking into consideration actual and anticipated income and losses on 
your Loans and Investments, and the experience and qualifications of 
your owners and managers.



Sec.  107.210  Minimum capital requirements for Licensees.

    (a) Companies licensed on or after October 1, 1996. A company 
licensed on or after October 1, 1996, must have Leverageable Capital of 
at least $2,500,000 and must meet the applicable minimum Regulatory 
Capital requirement in this paragraph (a), unless lower Leverageable 
Capital and Regulatory Capital amounts are approved by SBA as part of a 
Wind-down Plan in accordance with Sec.  107.590(c):
    (1) Licensees other than Early Stage SBICs. Except for Early Stage 
SBICs, a Licensee must have Regulatory Capital of at least $5,000,000. 
As an exception to the general rule in this paragraph (a)(1), SBA in its 
sole discretion and based on a showing of special circumstances and good 
cause, which includes applicants that are headquartered in an 
Underlicensed State, may license an applicant with Regulatory Capital of 
at least $3,000,000, but only if the applicant:

[[Page 66]]

    (i) Has satisfied all licensing standards and requirements except 
the minimum capital requirement, as determined solely by SBA;
    (ii) Has a viable business plan reasonably projecting profitable 
operations; and
    (iii) Has a reasonable timetable for achieving Regulatory Capital of 
at least $5,000,000.
    (2) Early Stage SBICs. An Early Stage SBIC must have Regulatory 
Capital of at least $20 million.
    (b) Companies licensed before October 1, 1996. A company licensed 
before October 1, 1996 must meet the minimum capital requirements 
applicable to such company, as required by the regulations in effect on 
September 30, 1996. See Sec.  107.1120(c)(2) for Leverage eligibility 
requirements.

[63 FR 5866, Feb. 5, 1998, as amended at 77 FR 25051, Apr. 27, 2012; 82 
FR 39340, Aug. 18, 2017; 88 FR 46007, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.230  Permitted sources of Private Capital for Licensees.

    Private Capital means the contributed capital of a Licensee, plus 
unfunded binding commitments by Institutional Investors (including 
commitments evidenced by a promissory note) to contribute capital to a 
Licensee.
    (a) Contributed capital. For purposes of this section, contributed 
capital means the paid-in capital and paid-in surplus of a Corporate 
Licensee, or the partners' contributed capital of a Partnership 
Licensee, in either case subject to the limitations in paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (b) Exclusions from Private Capital. Private Capital does not 
include:
    (1) Funds borrowed by a Licensee from any source.
    (2) Funds obtained through the issuance of Leverage.
    (3) Funds obtained directly or indirectly from any Federal, State, 
or local government agency or instrumentality, except for:
    (i) Funds invested by a public pension fund;
    (ii) Funds obtained from the business revenues (excluding any 
governmental appropriation) of any federally chartered or government-
sponsored corporation established before October 1, 1987, to the extent 
that such revenues are reflected in the retained earnings of the 
corporation; and
    (iii) ``Qualified Non-private Funds'' as defined in paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (4) Any portion of a commitment from an Institutional Investor with 
a net worth of less than $10 million that exceeds 10 percent of such 
Institutional Investor's net worth and is not backed by a letter of 
credit from a State or National bank acceptable to SBA.
    (c) Non-cash capital contributions. Capital contributions in a form 
other than cash are subject to the limitations in Sec.  107.240.
    (d) Qualified Non-private Funds. Private Capital includes 
``Qualified Non-private Funds'' as defined in this paragraph (d); 
however, investors of Qualified Non-private Funds must not control, 
directly or indirectly, a Licensee's management, or its board of 
directors or general partner(s). Qualified Non-private Funds are:
    (1) Funds directly or indirectly invested in any Licensee on or 
before August 16, 1982 by any Federal agency except SBA, under a statute 
explicitly mandating the inclusion of such funds in ``Private Capital'';
    (2) Funds directly or indirectly invested in any Licensee by any 
Federal agency under a statute that is enacted after September 4, 1992, 
explicitly mandating the inclusion of such funds in ``Private Capital'';
    (3) Funds invested in any Licensee or license applicant by one or 
more State or local government entities (including any guarantee 
extended by such entities) in an aggregate amount that does not exceed 
33 percent of Regulatory Capital; and
    (4) Funds invested in or committed in writing to any Section 301(d) 
Licensee prior to October 1, 1996, from the following sources:
    (i) A State financing agency, or similar agency or instrumentality, 
if the funds invested are derived from such agency's net income and not 
from appropriated State or local funds; and
    (ii) Grants made by a state or local government agency or 
instrumentality into a nonprofit corporation or institution exercising 
discretionary authority with respect to such funds, if SBA determines 
that such funds have taken

[[Page 67]]

on a private character and the nonprofit corporation or institution is 
not a mere conduit.
    (e) You may not accept any capital contribution made with funds 
borrowed by a Person seeking to own an equity interest (whether direct 
or indirect, beneficial or of record) of at least 10 percent of your 
Private Capital. This exclusion does not apply if:
    (1) Such Person's net worth is at least twice the amount borrowed; 
or
    (2) SBA gives its prior written approval of the capital 
contribution.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5866, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70995, Dec. 20, 1999]



Sec.  107.240  Limitations on including non-cash capital contributions 
in Private Capital.

    Non-cash capital contributions to a Licensee or license applicant 
are included in Private Capital only if they fall into one of the 
following categories:
    (a) Direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal 
and interest by, the United States.
    (b) Services rendered or to be rendered to you, priced at no more 
than their fair market value.
    (c) Tangible assets used in your operations, priced at no more than 
their fair market value.
    (d) Shares in a Disadvantaged Business received by a subsidiary 
Section 301(d) Licensee from its parent Licensee, valued at the lower of 
cost or fair value.
    (e) Other non-cash assets approved by SBA.



Sec.  107.250  Exclusion of stock options issued by Licensee 
from Management Expenses.

    Stock options issued by any Licensee, including a 1940 or 1980 Act 
Company, are not considered compensation and therefore do not count as 
part of a Licensee's Management Expenses.

                      Applying for an SBIC License



Sec.  107.300  License application form and fee.

    SBA evaluates license applicants, giving first priority to 
applicants headquartered in Underlicensed States with below median SBIC 
Financing dollars per State, as determined by SBA and published 
periodically in a notice on the SBIC website. Once priority is 
established, such applicants will continue to receive priority 
throughout the licensing process. SBA reviews and processes applications 
in two review phases (initial review and final licensing), as follows:
    (a) Initial review. Except as provided in this paragraph (a), SBIC 
applicants must submit a Management Assessment Questionnaire (``MAQ'') c 
and the Initial Licensing Fee, as defined in paragraph (c) of this 
section. An applicant under Common Control with one or more Licensees 
must submit a written request to SBA, and the Initial Licensing Fee, to 
be considered for a license and is exempt from the requirement in this 
paragraph (a) to submit a MAQ, unless otherwise determined by SBA in 
SBA's discretion. Eligible ``Expedited Subsequent Funds'' as described 
in Sec.  107.305(e) are permitted to submit a streamlined ``Short-Form'' 
Subsequent Fund MAQ.
    (b) Final licensing. An applicant may proceed to the final licensing 
phase only if notified in writing by SBA that it may do so. Following 
receipt of such notice, in order to proceed to the final licensing 
phase, the applicant must submit a complete license application with all 
required appendices, within the timeframe identified by SBA and the 
Final Licensing Fee, as defined in paragraph (c) of this section. If you 
are seeking to be licensed as a Leveraged Licensee and SBA approves your 
License, SBA will also approve your Total Intended Leverage Commitment 
amount and ratio as defined in Sec.  107.50 based on the target fund 
size stated in the MAQ, which means the total Leverage commitments 
available to you for the life of your SBIC, subject to the provisions of 
Sec. Sec.  107.320 and 107.1150. A Licensee is permitted to hold 
multiple fund closings within and for up to 12 months of receiving a 
License to reach the target fund size. SBA will then determine the final 
Total Intended Leverage Commitment which is either the dollar amount or 
ratio to targeted Private Capital provided at the Green Light. SBA will 
determine the Total Private Capital Commitment (defined

[[Page 68]]

as the total Private Capital committed to a Licensee within 12 months 
after licensure or upon the Licensee's final closing, whichever occurs 
first) amount for the Accrual Debenture SBA Share calculation.
    (c) Licensing Fees. SBIC Initial and Final Licensing Fees are non-
refundable fees determined as set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of 
this section.
    (1) Initial Licensing Fee. The Initial Licensing Fee is based on the 
applicant's fund sequence, where the fund sequence means the order of 
succession of private equity or private credit funds for the same fund 
management team and same strategy. SBA will determine the applicant's 
fund sequence based on the management team's composition and experience 
as a team. The Initial Licensing Fees are as follows:

                       Table 1 to Paragraph (c)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Initial
                      Fund sequence                        licensing fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund I..................................................          $5,000
Fund II.................................................          10,000
Fund III................................................          15,000
Fund IV+................................................          20,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 1 to paragraph (c)(1): If the management team members of 
applicant DEF I consists primarily of the same team members of fund ABC 
II and ABC II represented the second fund for those team members, SBA 
will consider the fund sequence of DEF I as a Fund III, regardless of 
the number in the applicant's name.
    (2) Final Licensing Fee. The Final Licensing Fee is calculated as 
the Final Licensing Base Fee plus 1.25 basis points multiplied by the 
Leverage dollar amount requested by the applicant, where the Final 
Licensing Base Fee is based on the applicant's Fund Sequence as follows:

                       Table 2 to Paragraph (c)(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Final
                      Fund sequence                       licensing base
                                                                fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fund I..................................................         $10,000
Fund II.................................................          15,000
Fund III................................................          25,000
Fund IV+................................................          30,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Resubmission Penalty Fee. The Resubmission Penalty Fee means a 
$10,000 penalty fee assessed to an applicant that has previously 
withdrawn or is otherwise not approved for a license that must be paid 
in addition to the Initial and Final Licensing Fees at the time the 
applicant resubmits its application.
    (4) Inflation Adjustments. SBA annually adjusts the Initial 
Licensing Fee, Final Licensing Base Fee, and Resubmission Penalty Fee 
using the Inflation Adjustment and will publish notification prior to 
such adjustment in the Federal Register identifying the amount of the 
fees.

[88 FR 46007, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.305  Evaluation of license applicants.

    SBA will evaluate a license applicant based on the submitted 
application materials, any interviews with the applicant's management 
team, and the results of background investigations, public record 
searches, and other due diligence conducted by SBA and other Federal 
agencies. SBA's evaluation will consider factors including the 
following:
    (a) Management qualifications. Management qualifications, including 
demonstrated investment skills and experience as a principal investor, 
or a combination of investment skill and relevant industry operational 
experience; business reputation; adherence to legal and ethical 
standards; record of active involvement in making and monitoring 
investments and assisting portfolio companies; managing a regulated 
business, if applicable; successful history of working as a team; and 
experience in developing appropriate processes for evaluating 
investments and implementing best practices for investment firms.
    (b) Demonstrated investment acumen. Performance of proposed 
investment team's prior relevant industry investments as well as any 
supporting operating experience, including investment returns measured 
both in percentage terms and in comparison to appropriate industry 
benchmarks; the extent to which investments have been realized as a 
result of sales, repayments, or other exit mechanisms; evidence of 
previous investment or operational experience contributing to U.S. 
domestic job creation and, when applicable, demonstrated past adherence 
to statutory

[[Page 69]]

and regulatory SBIC program requirements.
    (c) Strategy and fit. Applicant's proposed investment strategy as 
presented in its business plan, including adherence to the Statement of 
Policy as stated in section 102 of the Act, clarity of objectives; 
strength of management's rationale for pursuing the selected strategy; 
compliance with this part and applicable provisions of part 121 of this 
chapter; fit with management's skills and experience; and the 
availability of sufficient resources to carry out the proposed strategy. 
As determined by SBA, a Licensee may not materially deviate from the 
proposed investment strategy after three years of Licensure.
    (d) Structure and economics. Applicant's proposed organizational 
structure and fund economics, including compliance with this part 107; 
soundness of financial projections and underlying assumptions; a 
compensation plan that provides managers with appropriate economic 
incentives; a reasonable basis for allocations of profits and fees to 
Persons not involved in management; and governance procedures that 
provide appropriate checks and balances.
    (e) Subsequent fund applicants. (1) Applicants operating an active 
Licensee that meet the following eligibility criteria can apply under an 
``Expediated Subsequent Fund'' evaluation process. Should an applicant 
fulfill and formally attest to meeting all of the following eligibility 
criteria, the applicant can apply for an ``Expediated Subsequent Fund'' 
evaluation process:
    (i) Consistent strategy and fund size. Targeted Regulatory Capital 
to be raised is <=133% the size of their most recent SBIC fund 
(inflation adjustments will be considered). Same asset class and 
investment strategy as most recent license.
    (ii) Clean regulatory history. No major findings, significant 
``other matters,'' or unresolved ``other matters'' related to licensees 
managed by the principals of applicant in the previous ten years.
    (iii) Consistent limited partnership (LP)-general partnership (GP) 
dynamics. No new limited partner will represent =33% of the 
Private Capital of the licensee upon reaching final close at target fund 
size or hard cap. The two largest investors in terms of committed 
capital have verbally committed to invest in the new fund pending 
receipt of license. The most recent limited partnership agreement (LPA) 
of the active Licensee and all side letters will have no substantive 
changes for the applicant fund.
    (iv) Investment performance stability. The most recent licensee net 
distributions to paid-in capital (DPI) and net total value to paid-in 
capital (TVPI) TVPI are at or above median vintage year and strategy 
performance benchmarks for the prior three quarters. The principals of 
the applicant are not managing a licensee in default or with high 
Capital Impairment (CIP).
    (v) Consistent or reduced leverage management. The applicant is 
requesting a leverage to Private Capital ratio <= the current or most 
recent SBIC licensee at target fund size or hard cap.
    (vi) Firm stability. Subject to SBA's determination, no material 
changes to the broader firm, to include resignations, terminations, or 
retirements by members of the general partnership, investment committee, 
broader investment team, or key finance and operations personnel, 
subject to paragraph (e)(1)(vii) of this section.
    (vii) Promotions from within. Demonstration of promoting internal 
investment team talent from within the firm/organization sponsoring the 
license.
    (viii) Inclusive equity. Demonstration of appropriate/increased 
sharing of carry and/or management company economics with promoted 
talent or distribution of equitable or increasingly equitable economics 
among the partnership.
    (ix) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal and Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS) background check no findings. The sponsoring 
entity and all principals of the Licensee do not have an FBI criminal 
record and do not have IRS violations from the date of their most recent 
SBIC fund licensure.
    (x) No outstanding or unresolved material litigation matters. No 
outstanding or unresolved litigation matters involving allegations of 
dishonesty, fraud, or breach of fiduciary duty or otherwise requiring a 
report under Sec.  107.660(c) or

[[Page 70]]

(d) as to a prior Licensee, the prospective Applicant's general partner, 
or any other person who was required by SBA to complete a personal 
history statement in connection with the license application.
    (xi) No outstanding tax liens. On the principals applying to manage 
the licensee, on the most recent or active licensee, and on the 
sponsoring entity of the licensee.
    (2) Should an applicant fulfill and formally attest to meeting all 
of the eligibility criteria in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the 
applicant can submit a streamlined ``Short-Form Subsequent Fund MAQ''.

[77 FR 25052, Apr. 27, 2012, as amended at 88 FR 46008, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.310  When and how to apply for licensing as an Early Stage SBIC.

    From time to time, SBA will publish a Notice in the Federal 
Register, inviting the submission of applications for licensing as an 
Early Stage SBIC. SBA will not consider an application from an Early 
Stage SBIC applicant that is under Common Control with another Early 
Stage SBIC applicant or an existing Early Stage SBIC (unless it has no 
outstanding Leverage or Leverage commitments and will not seek 
additional Leverage in the future). Applicants must comply with both the 
regulations in this part 107 and any requirements specified in the 
Notice, including submission deadlines. The Notice will specify 
procedures for a particular application period.

[77 FR 25052, Apr. 27, 2012]



Sec.  107.320  Leverage portfolio diversification.

    To minimize ``cost'' as defined in section 502(5)(A) of the Federal 
Credit Reform Act of 1990, SBA reserves the right to maintain broad 
diversification to mitigate concentration of investment risk in 
approving Leverage commitments for Leveraged Licensees with respect to:
    (a) The year in which they commence operations;
    (b) The geographic location (giving first priority to applicants 
from Underlicensed States with below median SBIC Financing dollars per 
State); and
    (c) The asset class and investment strategy.

[88 FR 46009, July 18, 2023]



   Subpart D_Changes in Ownership, Control, or Structure of Licensee; 
                           Transfer of License

               Changes in Control or Ownership of Licensee



Sec.  107.400  Changes in ownership of 10 percent or more of Licensee 
but no change of Control.

    (a) Prior approval requirements. You must obtain SBA's prior written 
approval for any proposed transfer or issuance of ownership interests 
that results in the ownership (beneficial or of record) by any Person, 
or group of Persons acting in concert, of at least 10 percent of any 
class of your stock or partnership capital.
    (b) Fee. A processing fee of $200 must accompany each such request 
for approval of a change of ownership.



Sec.  107.410  Changes in Control of Licensee 
(through change in ownership or otherwise).

    (a) Prior approval requirements. You must obtain SBA's prior written 
approval for any proposed transaction or event that results in Control 
by any Person(s) not previously approved by SBA.
    (b) Fee. A processing fee equal to the combined Licensing Fee 
(Initial Licensing Fee plus the Final Licensing Fee then in effect) 
defined in Sec.  107.300 must accompany any application for approval of 
one or more transactions or events that will result in a transfer of 
Control.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 52185, Nov. 13, 2017]



Sec.  107.420  Prohibition on exercise of ownership or Control rights 
in Licensee before SBA approval.

    Without prior written SBA approval, no change of ownership or 
Control may take effect and no officer, director, employee or other 
Person acting on your behalf shall:
    (a) Register on your books any transfer of ownership interest to the 
proposed new owner(s);

[[Page 71]]

    (b) Permit the proposed new owner(s) to exercise voting rights with 
respect to such ownership interest (including directly or indirectly 
procuring or voting any proxy, consent or authorization as to such 
voting rights at any shareholders' or partnership meeting);
    (c) Permit the proposed new owner(s) to participate in any manner in 
the conduct of your affairs (including exercising control over your 
books, records, funds or other assets; participating directly or 
indirectly in any disposition thereof; or serving as an officer, 
director, partner, employee or agent); or
    (d) Allow ownership or Control to pass to another Person.



Sec.  107.430  Notification to SBA of transactions that may change 
ownership or Control.

    You must promptly notify SBA as soon as you have knowledge of 
transactions or events that may result in a transfer of Control or 
ownership of at least 10 percent of your capital. If there is any doubt 
as to whether a particular transaction or event will result in such a 
change, report the facts to SBA.



Sec.  107.440  Standards governing prior SBA approval for a proposed 
transfer of Control.

    SBA approval is contingent upon full disclosure of the real parties 
in interest, the source of funds for the new owners' interest, and other 
data requested by SBA. As a condition of approving a proposed transfer 
of control, SBA may:
    (a) Require an increase in your Regulatory Capital;
    (b) Require the new owners or the transferee's Control Person(s) to 
assume, in writing, personal liability for your Leverage, effective only 
in the event of their direct or indirect participation in any transfer 
of Control not approved by SBA; or
    (c) Require compliance with any other conditions set by SBA, 
including compliance with the requirements for minimum capital and 
management-ownership diversity as in effect at such time for new license 
applicants.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996]



Sec.  107.450  Notification to SBA of pledge of Licensee's shares.

    (a) You must notify SBA in writing, within 30 calendar days, of the 
terms of any transaction in which:
    (1) Any Person, or group of Persons acting in concert, pledges 
shares of your stock (or equivalent ownership interests) as collateral 
for indebtedness; and
    (2) The shares pledged are at least 10 percent of your Regulatory 
Capital.
    (b) If the transaction creates a change of ownership or Control, you 
must comply with Sec.  107.400 or Sec.  107.410, as appropriate.

  Restrictions on Common Control or Ownership of Two or More Licensees



Sec.  107.460  Restrictions on Common Control or ownership of two 
(or more) Licensees.

    (a) General rule. Without SBA's prior written approval, you must not 
have an officer, director, manager, Control Person, or owner (with a 
direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 10 percent) who is 
also:
    (1) An officer, director, manager, Control Person, or owner (with a 
direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 10 percent) of another 
Licensee; or
    (2) An officer or director of any Person that directly or indirectly 
controls, or is controlled by, or is under Common Control with, another 
Licensee.
    (b) Exceptions to general rule. This Sec.  107.460 does not apply 
to:
    (1) Common officers, directors, managers, or owners of a Section 
301(c) Licensee and its Section 301(d) subsidiary; or
    (2) Common officers, directors, managers, Control Persons, or owners 
of two (or more) Licensees which have no Leverage.

                     Change in Structure of Licensee



Sec.  107.470  SBA approval of merger, consolidation, 
or reorganization of Licensee.

    (a) Prior approval requirements. You may not merge, consolidate, 
change form of organization (corporation or partnership) or reorganize 
without SBA's prior written approval. Any such

[[Page 72]]

merger or consolidation will be subject to Sec.  107.440.
    (b) Fee. A processing fee of $5,000 must accompany any application 
for approval of a change in your form of organization (from corporation 
to partnership or partnership to corporation).

                           Transfer of License



Sec.  107.475  Transfer of license.

    You may not transfer your license in any manner without SBA's prior 
written approval.



             Subpart E_Managing the Operations of a Licensee

                          General Requirements



Sec.  107.500  Lawful operations under the Act.

    You must engage only in the activities contemplated by the Act and 
in no other activities.



Sec.  107.501  Identification.

    (a) Publication upon issuance. SBA shall publish in the Federal 
Register the names of SBICs with date of licensure and Total Intended 
Leverage Commitments approved within 30 days of the end of the month of 
licensure.
    (b) Identification as a Licensee. You must display your SBIC license 
in a prominent location. You must also have a listed telephone number. 
Before collecting an application fee or extending Financing to a Small 
Business, you must obtain a written statement from the concern 
acknowledging its awareness that you are ``a Federal licensee under the 
Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended.''

[88 FR 46009, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.502  Representations to the public.

    You may not represent or imply to anyone that the SBA, the U.S. 
Government or any of its agencies or officers has approved any ownership 
interests you have issued or obligations you have incurred. Be certain 
to include a statement to this effect in any solicitation to investors. 
Example: You may not represent or imply that ``SBA stands behind the 
Licensee'' or that ``Your capital is safe because SBA's experts review 
proposed investments to make sure they are safe for the Licensee.''



Sec.  107.503  Licensee's adoption of an approved valuation policy.

    (a) Valuation guidelines. You must prepare, document and report the 
valuations of your Loans and Investments in accordance with the 
Valuation Guidelines for SBICs issued by SBA. These guidelines may be 
obtained from the SBIC website.
    (b) SBA approval of valuation policy. You must have a written 
valuation policy approved by SBA for use in determining the value of 
your Loans and Investments. You must either:
    (1) Adopt without change the model valuation policy set forth in 
section III of the Valuation Guidelines for SBICs; or
    (2) Obtain SBA's prior written approval of an alternative valuation 
policy. If you are or applying to be a Non-leveraged Licensee, SBA will 
generally approve a valuation policy that meets GAAP.
    (c) Responsibility for valuations. Your board of directors or 
general partner(s) will be solely responsible for adopting your 
valuation policy and for using it to prepare valuations of your Loans 
and Investments for submission to SBA. If SBA reasonably believes that 
your valuations, individually or in the aggregate, are materially 
misstated, it reserves the right to require you to engage, at your 
expense, an independent third party, acceptable to SBA, to substantiate 
the valuations.
    (d) Frequency of valuations. (1) If you are a Leveraged Licensee, 
you must value your Loans and Investments at the end of each quarter of 
your fiscal year, and at the end of your fiscal year.
    (2) Otherwise, you must value your Loans and Investments only at 
your fiscal year end.
    (3) On a case-by-case basis, SBA may require you to perform 
valuations more frequently.
    (4) You must report material adverse changes in valuations at least 
quarterly, within forty-five days following the close of the quarter.
    (e) Review of valuations by independent public accountant. (1) For 
valuations performed as of the end of your fiscal

[[Page 73]]

year, your independent public accountant must review your valuation 
procedures and the implementation of such procedures, including adequacy 
of documentation.
    (2) The independent public accountant's report on your audited 
annual financial statements (SBA Form 468) must include a statement that 
your valuations were prepared in accordance with your approved valuation 
policy established in accordance with section 310(d)(2) of the Act.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5866, Feb. 5, 1998; 82 
FR 39340, Aug. 18, 2017; 88 FR 46009, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.504  Equipment and office requirements.

    (a) Technology. You must have access to technology to securely send 
and receive emails, scan documents, and prepare and submit electronic 
information and reports required by SBA.
    (b) Accessible office. You must maintain an office that is open to 
the public during normal working hours.

[88 FR 46009, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.506  Safeguarding Licensee's assets/Internal controls.

    You must adopt a plan to safeguard your assets and monitor the 
reliability of your financial data, personnel, Portfolio, funds and 
equipment. You must provide your bank and custodian with a certified 
copy of your resolution or other formal document describing your control 
procedures.



Sec.  107.507  Violations based on false filings and nonperformance 
of agreements with SBA.

    The following shall constitute a violation of this part:
    (a) Nonperformance. Nonperformance of any of the requirements of any 
Debenture, Participating Security or Preferred Security, or of any 
written agreement with SBA.
    (b) False statement. In any document submitted to SBA:
    (1) Any false statement knowingly made; or
    (2) Any misrepresentation of a material fact; or
    (3) Any failure to state a material fact. A material fact is any 
fact which is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of 
the circumstances under which the statement was made.



Sec.  107.509  Employment of SBA officials.

    Without SBA's prior written approval, for a period of two years 
after the date of your most recent issuance of Leverage (or the receipt 
of any SBA Assistance as defined in part 105 of this chapter), you are 
not permitted to employ, offer employment to, or retain for professional 
services, any person who:
    (a) Served as an officer, attorney, agent, or employee of SBA on or 
within one year before such date; and
    (b) As such, occupied a position or engaged in activities which, in 
SBA's determination, involved discretion with respect to the granting of 
Assistance under the Act.

                       Management and Compensation



Sec.  107.510  SBA approval of Licensee's Investment Adviser/Manager.

    You may employ an Investment Adviser/Manager who will be subject to 
the supervision of your board of directors or general partner. If you 
have Leverage or plan to seek Leverage, you must obtain SBA's prior 
written approval of the management contract. SBA's approval of an 
Investment Adviser/Manager for one Licensee does not indicate approval 
of that manager for any other Licensee.
    (a) Management contract. The contract must:
    (1) Specify the services the Investment Adviser/Manager will render 
to you and to the Small Businesses in your Portfolio; and
    (2) Indicate the basis for computing Management Expenses.
    (b) Material change to approved management contract. If there is a 
material change, both you and SBA must approve such change in advance. 
If you are uncertain if the change is material, submit the proposed 
revision to SBA.



Sec.  107.520  Management Expenses of a Licensee.

    SBA must approve any increases in your Management Expenses if you 
have outstanding Leverage or Earmarked Assets.

[[Page 74]]

    (a) Definition of Management Expenses. Management Expenses include:
    (1) Salaries;
    (2) Office expenses;
    (3) Travel;
    (4) Business development;
    (5) Office and equipment rental;
    (6) Bookkeeping; and
    (7) Expenses related to developing, investigating and monitoring 
investments.
    (b) Management Expenses do not include services provided by 
specialized outside consultants, outside lawyers and independent public 
accountants, if they perform services not generally performed by a 
venture capital company.
    (c) If your Management Expenses have not already been approved by 
SBA, you must submit such expenses for approval with your SBA Form 468 
for your first fiscal year ending after January 31, 1996.

                      Cash Management by a Licensee



Sec.  107.530  Restrictions on investments of idle funds 
by leveraged Licensees.

    (a) Applicability of this section. This Sec.  107.530 applies if you 
have outstanding Leverage or if you have applied for Leverage.
    (b) Permitted investments of idle funds. Funds not invested in Small 
Businesses must be maintained in:
    (1) Direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal 
and interest by, the United States, which mature within 15 months from 
the date of the investment; or
    (2) Repurchase agreements with federally insured institutions, with 
a maturity of seven days or less. The securities underlying the 
repurchase agreements must be direct obligations of, or obligations 
guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the United States. The 
securities must be maintained in a custodial account at a federally 
insured institution; or
    (3) Mutual funds, securities, or other instruments that exclusively 
consist of, or represent pooled assets of, investments described in 
paragraphs (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this section; or
    (4) Certificates of deposit with a maturity of one year or less, 
issued by a federally insured institution; or
    (5) A deposit account in a federally insured institution, subject to 
a withdrawal restriction of one year or less; or
    (6) A checking account in a federally insured institution; or
    (7) A reasonable petty cash fund.
    (c) Deposit of funds in excess of the insured amount. (1) You are 
permitted to deposit funds in a federally insured institution in excess 
of the institution's insured amount, but only if the institution is 
``well capitalized'' in accordance with the definition set forth in 
regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as amended (12 
CFR 325.103).
    (2) Exception: You may make a temporary deposit (not to exceed 30 
days) in excess of the insured amount, in a transfer account established 
to facilitate the receipt and disbursement of funds or to hold funds 
necessary to honor Commitments issued.
    (d) Deposit of funds in Associate institution. A deposit in, or a 
repurchase agreement with, a federally insured institution that is your 
Associate is not considered a Financing of such Associate under Sec.  
107.730, provided the terms of such deposit or repurchase agreement are 
no less favorable than those available to the general public.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 20294, Apr. 4, 2012]

               Borrowing by Licensees From Non-SBA Sources



Sec.  107.550  Prior approval of secured third-party debt 
of Leveraged Licensees.

    (a) Definition. In this section, secured third-party debt means any 
non-SBA debt secured by any of your assets, including secured guarantees 
and other contingent obligations that you voluntarily assume, and 
secured lines of credit.
    (b) General rule. If you are a Leveraged Licensee, you must get 
SBA's written approval before you incur any secured third-party debt or 
refinance any debt with secured third-party debt, including any renewal 
of a secured line of credit, increase in the maximum amount available 
under a secured line of credit, or expansion of the scope of a security 
interest or lien. For purposes

[[Page 75]]

of this paragraph (b), ``expansion of the scope of a security interest 
or lien'' does not include the substitution of one asset or group of 
assets for another, provided the asset values (as reported on your most 
recent annual Form 468) are comparable.
    (c) Capital Call Line. Without obtaining SBA's written approval, a 
Leveraged Licensee may obtain from a federally regulated financial 
institution, a line of credit (``Capital Call Line'') that meets all of 
the following conditions:
    (1) The maximum amount available under the Capital Call Line is no 
more than your unfunded Regulatory Capital, as reflected on your most 
recent Capital Certificate;
    (2) Your payment obligations under the Capital Call Line may be 
secured, but only by your unfunded Regulatory Capital;
    (3) The lender under the Capital Call Line may have a right to debit 
your depository account(s) at the lender's institution, so long as such 
lender's right to debit is limited to circumstances involving a default 
of your obligation to pay principal, interest, or fees due (``Payment 
Default'') under the Capital Call Line and only to the amount of such 
Payment Default;
    (4) Each borrowing under the Capital Call Line must be repaid, in 
full, within 120 days after it is drawn;
    (5) The term of the Capital Call Line may not exceed 12 months, but 
may be renewable, provided that each renewal does not exceed 12 months 
and you remain in compliance with the conditions of this paragraph (c); 
and
    (6) Consistent with Sec.  107.410, the Capital Call Line contains no 
provision permitting the lender to dictate when capital calls are made 
or otherwise ceding to the lender any control of the Licensee or its 
operations; provided, however, that the Capital Call Line may include a 
provision authorizing the lender, in the event of a Payment Default, to 
endorse, on your behalf, checks and other forms of payment in the 
Lender's possession and to apply the proceeds of such instruments to 
such Payment Default, with unapplied and remaining proceeds promptly to 
be paid to you.
    (d) Conditions for SBA approval. Excluding Capital Call Lines 
defined in paragraph (c) of this section, SBA approval is required for 
secured third-party debt. As a condition of granting such approval under 
this section, SBA may impose such restrictions or limitations as it 
deems appropriate, taking into account your historical performance, 
current financial position, proposed terms of the secured debt and 
amount of aggregate debt you will have outstanding (including Leverage). 
SBA will not favorably consider any requests for approval which include 
a blanket lien on all your assets, or a security interest in your 
investor commitments in excess of 125 percent of the proposed borrowing.

[88 FR 46009, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.560  Subordination of SBA's creditor position.

    (a) Debentures purchased or guaranteed on or before July 1, 1991. 
Under the terms of any Debenture purchased or guaranteed by SBA on or 
before July 1, 1991, SBA's unsecured claims against you, as a Debenture-
holder or as subrogee, are subordinated in favor of all your other 
creditors, except to the extent that such claims may be subject to 
equitable subordination in SBA's favor.
    (b) Debentures purchased or guaranteed after July 1, 1991, including 
refinancings of Debentures previously purchased or guaranteed. (1) Under 
the terms of any Debenture purchased or guaranteed by SBA after July 1, 
1991, SBA's unsecured claims against you, as a Debenture-holder or as 
subrogee, are subordinated only in favor of non-Associate lenders; and, 
to the extent that your indebtedness to such lenders exceeds the lesser 
of $10,000,000 or 200 percent of your Regulatory Capital (determined as 
of the date your Debentures were purchased or guaranteed), SBA's 
unsecured claims enjoy parity with those of other unsecured creditors, 
except with respect to indebtedness created on or before July 1, 1991.
    (2) In order to induce others to lend you money after your Debenture 
has been purchased or guaranteed, SBA may agree in writing on a case-by-
case basis to subordinate its unsecured claims, on such terms as it may 
determine, in favor of one or more of your Associates, or in favor of 
other lenders

[[Page 76]]

in excess of the amounts mentioned in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (3) SBA reserves the authority to refuse to subordinate its claims 
if it determines, at the time you request your Debenture be purchased or 
guaranteed, that the exercise of reasonable investment prudence and your 
financial condition warrant such refusal.



Sec.  107.565  Restrictions on third-party debt of Early Stage SBICs.

    If you are an Early Stage SBIC and you have outstanding Leverage or 
a Leverage commitment, you must get SBA's prior written approval to 
have, incur, or refinance any third-party debt other than accounts 
payable from routine business operations.

[77 FR 25052, Apr. 27, 2012]



Sec.  107.570  [Reserved]

           Distributions and Reductions in Regulatory Capital



Sec.  107.585  Distributions and reductions in Regulatory Capital.

    (a) Non-leveraged Licensees. If you are a Non-leveraged Licensee, 
you may make distributions to your private investors without SBA prior 
approval. At all times, you must retain sufficient Regulatory Capital to 
meet the minimum capital requirements in the Act and in Sec.  107.210, 
unless such amounts are in accordance with your SBA approved Wind-down 
Plan (see Sec.  107.590). You must report any reductions of Regulatory 
Capital to SBA within 30 days via an updated Capital Certificate (see 
Sec.  107.300).
    (b) Non-Accrual Leveraged Licensees. If you are a Standard Debenture 
Leveraged Licensee that is also an Early Stage SBIC, you are subject to 
the distributions identified in Sec.  107.1180. If you are a Standard 
Debenture Leveraged Licensee, you may distribute READ to your private 
investors without SBA approval only after considering any material 
adverse changes to your portfolio. You must obtain SBA's prior written 
approval to reduce your Regulatory Capital by more than two percent in 
any fiscal year. Such approved reduction amount may, for a period of 
five years after the reduction, be included in the sum determined under 
Sec.  107.740(a). In seeking SBA's prior written approval, you must 
disclose any material adverse changes or certify that you have no 
material adverse changes and provide an updated Wind-down Plan. You must 
retain sufficient Regulatory Capital to meet the minimum capital 
requirements of Sec.  107.210 and sufficient Leverageable Capital to 
avoid having excess Leverage in violation of section 303 of the Act and 
Sec.  107.1150. You must report any reductions of Regulatory Capital to 
SBA within 30 days via an updated Capital Certificate (see Sec.  
107.300).
    (c) Accrual SBICs and Reinvestor SBICs. If you are an Accrual SBIC 
or Reinvestor SBIC, unless you receive prior approval from SBA for the 
purposes of covering a tax distribution you may only distribute as 
follows:
    (1) Payment of Annual Charges and Accrued Interest. Prior to any 
distributions to your private investors, you must pay to SBA any Annual 
Charges and all accrued interest on outstanding Leverage at the next 
available repayment window but no later than six months following a 
distribution to your private investors. Within six months of any non-tax 
distribution to your private investors, you must pay any Annual Charges 
owed to SBA and all accrued interest on your outstanding Leverage.
    (2) Calculate SBA's share of distribution. Within six months of any 
non-tax distribution to your private investors, you must make payments 
to SBA on a pro rata basis with any distributions to your private 
investors based on your SBA Total Intended Leverage Commitment relative 
to your Total Private Capital Commitments, inclusive of Qualified Non-
Private Funds, determined within 12 months of Licensure calculated as 
follows: SBA's Share = Total Distributions x [Total Intended Leverage 
Commitment/(Total Intended Leverage Commitment + Total Private Capital 
Commitments)] where:
    (i) Total Distributions means the total amount of distributions 
(whether profit or return of capital) you intend to make after paying 
all accrued interest and Annual Charges plus any prior tax 
distributions.
    (ii) Total Intended Leverage Commitment is as defined in Sec.  
107.300.

[[Page 77]]

    (iii) Total Private Capital Commitments is as defined in Sec.  
107.300.
    (3) Apply SBA Share. You must repay SBA outstanding Leverage in an 
amount no less than SBA's Share to the extent of Outstanding Leverage 
and report the SBA calculation to SBA. If SBA's Share is greater than 
Outstanding Leverage and you have unfunded Leverage commitments, you 
must submit a Leverage commitment cancellation equal to SBA's Share 
minus the SBA Leverage redemption up to the unfunded Leverage 
commitments.
    (4) Distribute to private investors. You must report SBA's Share 
calculation to SBA prior to distributing READ to your private investors 
without SBA approval and only after considering any adverse changes to 
your portfolio. You must pay Annual Charges to SBA prior to distributing 
READ. After repaying all accrued interest, Annual Charges, and 
outstanding Leverage calculated as SBA's Share, you may distribute READ 
to your private investors without SBA approval only after considering 
any adverse changes to your portfolio. You must obtain SBA's prior 
written approval to reduce your Regulatory Capital by more than two 
percent in any fiscal year. Such approved reduction amount may, for a 
period of five years after the reduction, be included in the sum 
determined under Sec.  107.740(a). In seeking SBA's prior written 
approval, you must disclose any material adverse changes or certify that 
you have no material adverse changes and provide an updated Wind-down 
Plan. You must retain sufficient Regulatory Capital to meet the minimum 
capital requirements of Sec.  107.210 and sufficient Leverageable 
Capital to avoid having excess Leverage in violation of section 303 of 
the Act and Sec.  107.1150. You must report any reductions of Regulatory 
Capital to SBA within 30 days. Prior to any reduction in Regulatory 
Capital, if you have made a tax distribution, you must make a 
distribution to SBA pursuant to the formula set forth in paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section, as if you had made a non-tax distribution.
    (5) Report distribution to SBA. You must report to SBA the 
distribution, the calculations, and the amounts distributed to each 
party as part of your annual and quarterly Form 468 (see Sec. Sec.  
107.630 and 107.1220).
    Example 1 to paragraph (c): Your Total Intended Leverage Commitment 
is $50 million, and your Total Private Capital Commitments are $25 
million. You currently have $25 million in Outstanding Leverage, $25 
million in unfunded Leverage commitments, and $15 million in 
Leverageable Capital. You owe $1 million in accrued interest and Annual 
Charges. You have $61 million to distribute.
    Step 1: Payment of Annual Charges and all accrued interest. You 
would first pay the $1 million in accrued interest and Annual Charges.
    Step 2: Calculate SBA's Share of Distribution. SBA's share is 
calculated as: $60 million x [$50 million/($50 million + $25 million)] = 
$40 million.
    Step 3: Apply SBA Share. You would repay $25 million in Outstanding 
Leverage and cancel $15 million of your unfunded Leverage commitments.
    Step 4: Distribute to Private Investors. You would distribute $35 
million to Private Investors.
    Step 5: Report Distribution to SBA. You would then report the 
distribution to SBA, detailing the amounts and calculations from steps 1 
through 4 of this example 1.

[88 FR 46009, July 18, 2023]

           Requirement To Conduct Active Investment Operations



Sec.  107.590  Licensee's requirement to maintain active operations.

    (a) Activity test. You must conduct active operations, as determined 
under this Sec.  107.590, as a condition of your license. You will be 
considered active if:
    (1) During the eighteen months preceding your most recent fiscal 
year end, you made Financings totaling at least 20 percent of your 
Regulatory Capital; or
    (2) Your idle funds did not exceed 20 percent of your total assets 
(at cost) at your most recent fiscal year end.
    (b) Permitted exceptions to activity requirements. You are 
considered active if your failure to meet the requirements in paragraph 
(a) of this section is the result of one or more of the following 
factors:
    (1) Your excess idle funds are the result of the receipt, within the 
previous nine months, of realized gains, repayments, additional capital 
contributions, or Leverage.

[[Page 78]]

    (2) It is necessary for you to maintain excess idle funds to conduct 
your operations because:
    (i) Your unfunded commitments from investors are no more than 20 
percent of your Regulatory Capital; and
    (ii) You cannot receive additional Leverage, solely because SBA has 
insufficient funds available.
    (3) You have not made sufficient Financings because of a lack of 
available funds, evidenced by Loans and Investments (at cost) equal to 
at least 90 percent of your Combined Capital as of your most recent 
fiscal year end.
    (4) You have not made sufficient Financings solely because SBA has 
restricted your ability to make investments.
    (c) Applicability of activity requirements. The activity 
requirements in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply if you have 
filed a Wind-down Plan approved by SBA. Wind-down Plan means a plan that 
you prepare when you decide that you will no longer make any Financings 
other than follow-on investments, and that you update annually when you 
file your SBA Form 468. The plan must contain your best estimates of the 
following:
    (1) The remaining number of years you expect to operate.
    (2) For each of your Loans and Investments, the expected liquidation 
date and anticipated proceeds.
    (3) The timing of your repayment of obligations to SBA.
    (4) The timing and amount of any planned reductions in your 
Management Expenses.
    (d) Phase-in of activity requirements--(1) General rule. You must 
meet the activity requirements in this Sec.  107.590 as of the end of 
your first full fiscal year beginning after January 31, 1996. Until 
then, you will be considered active if you meet the activity 
requirements in effect on January 30, 1996.
    (2) Rule for new Licensees. If you received your license after 
January 31, 1996, or if you received your license less than eighteen 
months before the fiscal year end determined under paragraph (d)(1) of 
this section, you must meet the activity requirements in this Sec.  
107.590 as of the end of your second full fiscal year beginning after 
the date you received your license.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 46010, July 18, 2023]



  Subpart F_Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Examination Requirements for 
                                Licensees

                Recordkeeping Requirements for Licensees



Sec.  107.600  General requirement for Licensee to maintain 
and preserve records.

    (a) Maintaining your accounting records. You must establish and 
maintain your accounting records using SBA's standard chart of accounts 
for Licensees, unless SBA approves otherwise.
    (b) Location of records. You must keep the following records at your 
principal place of business or, in the case of paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, at the branch office that is primarily responsible for the 
transaction:
    (1) All your accounting and other financial records;
    (2) All minutes of meetings of directors, stockholders, executive 
committees, partners, or other officials; and
    (3) All documents and supporting materials related to your business 
transactions, except for any items held by a custodian under a written 
agreement between you and a Portfolio Concern or non-SBA lender, or any 
securities held in a safe deposit box, or by a licensed securities 
broker in an amount not exceeding the broker's per-account insurance 
coverage.
    (c) Preservation of records. You must retain all the records that 
are the basis for your financial reports. Such records must be preserved 
for the periods specified in this paragraph (c), and must remain 
accessible for the first two years of the preservation period.
    (1) You must preserve for at least 15 years or, in the case of a 
Partnership Licensee, at least two years beyond the date of liquidation:
    (i) All your accounting ledgers and journals, and any other records 
of assets, asset valuations, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses.
    (ii) Your Articles, bylaws, minute books, and license application.

[[Page 79]]

    (iii) All documents evidencing ownership of the Licensee including 
ownership ledgers, and ownership transfer registers.
    (2) You must preserve for at least six years all supporting 
documentation (such as vouchers, bank statements, or canceled checks) 
for the records listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (3) After final disposition of any item in your Portfolio, you must 
preserve for at least six years:
    (i) Financing applications and Financing instruments.
    (ii) All loan, participation, and escrow agreements.
    (iii) Size status declarations (SBA Form 480) and Financing 
Eligibility Statements (SBA Form 1941).
    (iv) Any capital stock certificates and warrants of the Portfolio 
Concern that you did not surrender or exercise.
    (v) All other documents and supporting material relating to the 
Portfolio Concern, including correspondence.
    (4) You may substitute a computer-scanned or generated copy for the 
original of any record covered by this paragraph (c).

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 62823, Oct. 21, 2014]



Sec.  107.610  Required certifications for Loans and Investments.

    For each of your Loans and Investments, you must have the documents 
listed in this section. Except for information and documentation 
prepared under paragraphs (f)(2) and (3) of this section, you must keep 
these documents in your files and make them available to SBA upon 
request.
    (a) SBA Form 480, the Size Status Declaration, executed both by you 
and by the concern you are financing. By executing this document, both 
parties certify that the concern is a Small Business. For securities 
purchased from an underwriter in a public offering, you may substitute a 
prospectus showing that the concern is a Small Business.
    (b) SBA Form 652, a certification by the concern you are financing 
that it will not illegally discriminate (see part 112 of this chapter).
    (c) SBA Form 1941 (for Section 301(d) Licensees only), executed both 
by you and by the concern you are financing. By executing this document, 
both parties certify that the concern is a Disadvantaged Business.
    (d) A certification by the concern you are financing of the intended 
use of the proceeds. For securities purchased from an underwriter in a 
public offering, you may substitute a prospectus indicating the intended 
use of proceeds.
    (e) For each LMI Investment:
    (1) A certification by the concern, dated as of the date of 
application for SBIC financing, as to the basis for its qualification as 
an LMI Enterprise,
    (2) If the concern qualifies as an LMI Enterprise as defined in 
paragraph (2) of the definition of LMI Enterprise in Sec.  107.50, an 
additional certification dated no later than the date 180 days after the 
closing of the LMI Investment, as to the location of the concern's 
employees or tangible assets or the principal residences of its full-
time employees as of the date of such certification, and
    (3) Certification(s) by the SBIC, made contemporaneously with the 
certification(s) of the concern, that the concern qualifies as an LMI 
Enterprise as of the date(s) of the concern's certification(s) and the 
basis for such qualification.
    (f) For each Energy Saving Qualified Investment:
    (1) If a pre-Financing determination of eligibility by SBA is not 
required under the definition of Energy Saving Activities or Energy 
Saving Qualified Investment:
    (i) A certification by you, dated as of the closing date of the 
Financing, as to the basis for the qualification of the Financing as an 
Energy Saving Qualified Investment;
    (ii) Supporting documentation of the Energy Saving Activities 
engaged in by the concern;
    (iii) Supporting documentation of either the percentage of its 
revenues derived from Energy Saving Activities during the concern's most 
recently completed fiscal year, which must be at least 50 percent, or 
the concern's intended use of the Financing proceeds, all of which must 
be used for Energy Saving Activities; and

[[Page 80]]

    (iv) A certification by the concern, dated as of the closing date of 
the Financing, that any information it provided to you in connection 
with this paragraph (f)(1) is true and correct to the best of its 
knowledge.
    (2) If, prior to providing Financing, you must obtain a 
determination from SBA that the activities in which a concern is engaged 
are Energy Saving Activities, submit to SBA in writing a description of 
the product or service being provided or developed, including all 
available documentation of the energy savings produced or anticipated, 
addressing the factors considered under paragraph (4) of the definition 
of ``Energy Saving Activities'' in Sec.  107.50 and certified by the 
concern to be true and correct to the best of its knowledge.
    (3) If, prior to providing Financing, you must obtain a 
determination from SBA that the concern is ``primarily engaged'' in 
Energy Saving Activities, submit to SBA in writing all available 
information concerning the factors considered under paragraph (3) of the 
definition of ``Energy Saving Qualified Investment'' in Sec.  107.50, 
certified by the concern to be true and correct to the best of its 
knowledge.
    (4) For each Financing closed after you obtain a determination from 
SBA under paragraph (f)(2) or (3) of this section, a certification by 
you, dated as of the closing date of the Financing, that to the best of 
your knowledge, you have no reason to believe that the materials 
submitted are incorrect.
    (5) For each Financing closed based on supporting documentation of 
the concern's intended use of proceeds for Energy Saving Activities 
under paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section:
    (i) Documentation by the concern, dated no later than six months 
after the closing of the Financing, of the proceeds used to date for 
Energy Saving Activities, with further updates provided at six month 
intervals until 100 percent of the Financing proceeds have been 
accounted for; and
    (ii) Documentation that you have reviewed the information submitted 
by the concern under paragraph (f)(5)(i) of this section and have 
reasonably determined that 100 percent of the Financing proceeds were 
used for Energy Saving Activities.
    (g) For each passive business financed under Sec.  107.720(b)(3), a 
certification by you, dated as of the closing date of the Financing, as 
to the basis for the qualification of the Financing under Sec.  
107.720(b)(3) and identifying one or more limited partners for which a 
direct Financing would cause those investors:
    (1) To incur ``unrelated business taxable income'' under section 511 
of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 511); or
    (2) To incur ``effectively connected income'' to foreign investors 
under sections 871 and 882 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 871 
and 882).

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 52646, Sept. 30, 1999; 
77 FR 23379, Apr. 19, 2012; 82 FR 39340, Aug. 18, 2017]



Sec.  107.620  Requirements to obtain information from Portfolio Concerns.

    All the information required by this section is subject to the 
requirements of Sec.  107.600 and must be in English.
    (a) Information for initial Financing decision. Before extending any 
Financing, you must require the applicant to submit such financial 
statements, plans of operation (including intended use of financing 
proceeds), cash flow analyses and projections as are necessary to 
support your investment decision. The information submitted must be 
consistent with the size and type of the business and the amount of the 
proposed Financing.
    (b) Updated financial information. (1) The terms of each Financing 
must require the Portfolio Concern to provide, at least annually, 
sufficient financial information to enable you to perform the following 
required procedures:
    (i) Evaluate the financial condition of the Portfolio Concern for 
the purpose of valuing your investment;
    (ii) Determine the continued eligibility of the Portfolio Concern; 
and
    (iii) Verify the use of Financing proceeds.
    (2) Demographic information on the Portfolio Concern's ownership is 
requested for reporting purposes only and is on a voluntary basis.
    (3) The information submitted to you must be certified by the 
president, chief executive officer, treasurer, chief

[[Page 81]]

financial officer, general partner, or proprietor of the Portfolio 
Concern.
    (4) For financial and valuation purposes, you may accept a complete 
copy of the Federal income tax return filed by the Portfolio Concern (or 
its proprietor) in lieu of financial statements, but only if appropriate 
for the size and type of the business involved.
    (5) The requirements in this paragraph (b) do not apply when you 
acquire securities from an underwriter in a public offering (see Sec.  
107.825). In that case, you must keep copies of all reports furnished by 
the Portfolio Concern to the holders of its securities.
    (c) Information required for examination purposes. You must obtain 
any information requested by SBA's examiners for the purpose of 
verifying the certifications made by a Portfolio Concern under Sec.  
107.610. In this regard, your Financing documents must contain 
provisions requiring the Portfolio Concern to give you and/or SBA's 
examiners access to its books and records for such purpose.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 46010, July 18, 2023]

                  Reporting Requirements for Licensees



Sec.  107.630  Requirement for Licensees to file financial statements 
with SBA (Form 468).

    (a) Annual filing of Form 468. For each fiscal year, you must submit 
to SBA financial statements and supplementary information prepared on 
SBA Form 468. You must file Annual Form 468 within 90 calendar days of 
the end of your fiscal year.
    (1) Audit of Form 468. The annual Form 468 must be audited by an 
independent public accountant acceptable to SBA.
    (2) Insurance requirement for public accountant. Unless SBA approves 
otherwise, your independent public accountant must carry at least 
$1,000,000 of Errors and Omissions insurance, or be self-insured and 
have a net worth of at least $1,000,000.
    (b) Interim filings of Form 468. When requested by SBA, you must 
file interim reports on Form 468. SBA may require you to file the entire 
form or only certain statements and schedules. You must file such 
reports on or before the last day of the month following the end of the 
reporting period. If you have an outstanding Leverage commitment from 
SBA, see the filing requirements in Sec.  107.1220.
    (c) Standards for preparation of Form 468. You must prepare SBA Form 
468 in accordance with SBA's Accounting Standards and Financial 
Reporting Requirements for Small Business Investment Companies.
    (d) Reporting of economic impact information on Form 468. Your 
annual filing of SBA Form 468 must include an assessment of the economic 
impact of each Financing, specifying the full-time equivalent net jobs 
created and total jobs created or retained, and the impact of the 
Financing on the revenues and profits of the business and on taxes paid 
by the business and its employees.
    (e) Fund management contact and optional demographic information. 
The Licensee shall provide and update management contact information. 
Demographic information is requested for reporting purposes only and on 
a voluntary basis.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39340, Aug. 18, 2017; 88 
FR 46011, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.640  Requirement to file Portfolio Financing Reports 
(SBA Form 1031).

    For each Financing of a Small Business (excluding guarantees), you 
must submit a Portfolio Financing Report on SBA Form 1031 within 30 
calendar days of the end of the calendar year quarter (March, June, 
September, and December) following the closing date of the Financing. 
SBA also permits Form 1031s for portfolio company financings to be 
disaggregated and submitted individually for each portfolio company 
within 30 days of the closing of a Financing or otherwise submitted on a 
more frequent basis. If you are on the Watchlist, SBA may require more 
frequent reporting (see Sec.  107.1850).

[88 FR 46011, July 18, 2023]

[[Page 82]]



Sec.  107.650  Requirement to report portfolio valuations to SBA.

    You must determine the value of your Loans and Investments in 
accordance with Sec.  107.503. You must report such valuations to SBA 
within 90 calendar days of the end of the fiscal year in the case of 
annual valuations, and if you are a Leveraged Licensee within 45 
calendar days following the close of other reporting periods. You must 
report material adverse changes in valuations at least quarterly, within 
45 calendar days following the close of the quarter.

[88 FR 46011, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.660  Other items required to be filed by Licensee with SBA.

    (a) Reports to owners. You must give SBA a copy of any report you 
furnish to your investors, including any prospectus, quarterly or annual 
valuation data, materials presented to investors during any meetings 
(including any annual meeting), fund management demographic information, 
letter, or other publication concerning your financial operations or 
those of any Portfolio Concern no later than 30 calendar days after you 
submit the report to your private investors.
    (b) Documents filed with SEC. You must give SBA a copy of any 
report, application or document you file with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.
    (c) Litigation reports. When you become a party to litigation or 
other proceedings, you must give SBA a report within 30 days that 
describes the proceedings and identifies the other parties involved and 
your relationship to them.
    (1) The proceedings covered by this paragraph (c) include any action 
by you, or by your security holder(s) in a personal or derivative 
capacity, against an officer, director, Investment Adviser or other 
Associate of yours for alleged breach of official duty.
    (2) SBA may require you to submit copies of the pleadings and other 
documents SBA may specify.
    (3) Where proceedings have been terminated by settlement or final 
judgment, you must promptly advise SBA of the terms.
    (4) This paragraph (c) does not apply to collection actions or 
proceedings to enforce your ordinary creditors' rights.
    (d) Notification of criminal charges. If any officer, director, or 
general partner of the Licensee, or any other person who was required by 
SBA to complete a personal history statement in connection with your 
license, is charged with or convicted of any criminal offense other than 
a misdemeanor involving a minor motor vehicle violation, you must report 
the incident to SBA within 5 calendar days. Such report must fully 
describe the facts which pertain to the incident.
    (e) Other reports. You must file any other reports that SBA may 
require by written directive.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5866, Feb. 5, 1998; 88 
FR 46011, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.665  Civil penalties.

    Except as provided in Sec.  107.670, a Licensee that violates any 
regulation or written directive issued by SBA, requiring the filing of 
any regular or special report pursuant to this part, shall be fined a 
civil penalty of not more than $314 for each day the Licensee fails to 
file such report. The civil penalties provided for in this section shall 
accrue to the United States and may be recovered in a civil action 
brought by the SBA.

[81 FR 31491, May 19, 2016, as amended at 82 FR 9969, Feb. 9, 2017; 83 
FR 7363, Feb. 21, 2018; 84 FR 12061, Apr. 1, 2019; 85 FR 13727, Mar. 10, 
2020; 86 FR 52957, Sept. 24, 2021; 87 FR 28758, May 11, 2022; 88 FR 
50004, Aug. 1, 2023]



Sec.  107.670  Application for exemption from civil penalty 
for late filing of reports.

    (a) If it is impracticable to submit any required report within the 
time allowed, you may apply for an extension. The request for an 
extension must:
    (1) Be filed before the reporting deadline;
    (2) Certify to an extraordinary occurrence, not within your control, 
that makes timely filing of the report impracticable; and
    (3) Be accompanied by written evidence of such occurrence, where 
appropriate.

[[Page 83]]

    (b) Upon receipt of your request, SBA may exempt you from the civil 
penalty stated in Sec.  107.665, in such manner and under such 
conditions as SBA determines.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 31491, May 19, 2016]



Sec.  107.680  Reporting changes in Licensee not subject to prior SBA approval.

    (a) Changes to be reported for post approval. (1) This section 
applies to any changes in your Articles, ownership, capitalization, 
management, operating area, or investment policies that do not require 
SBA's prior approval. You must report such changes to SBA within 30 days 
for post approval. A processing fee of $200 must accompany each request 
for post approval of new officers, directors, or Control Persons.
    (2) Exception for non-leveraged Licensees. If you do not have 
outstanding Leverage or Earmarked Assets, you are not required to obtain 
post approval of new directors or new officers other than your chief 
operating officer; however, you must notify SBA of the new directors or 
officers within 30 days.
    (b) Approval by SBA. You may consider any change submitted under 
this section Sec.  107.680 to be approved unless SBA notifies you to the 
contrary within 90 days after receiving it. SBA's approval is contingent 
upon your full disclosure of all relevant facts and is subject to any 
conditions SBA may prescribe.

       Examinations of Licensees by SBA for Regulatory Compliance



Sec.  107.690  Examinations.

    SBA will examine all Licensees for the purpose of evaluating 
regulatory compliance.



Sec.  107.691  Responsibilities of Licensee during examination.

    You must make all books, records and other pertinent documents and 
materials available for the examination, including any information 
required by the examiner under Sec.  107.620(c). In addition, the 
agreement between you and the independent public accountant performing 
your audit must provide that any information in the accountant's working 
papers be made available to SBA upon request.



Sec.  107.692  Examination fees.

    (a) General. SBA will assess fees for examinations in accordance 
with this Sec.  107.692. Unless SBA determines otherwise on a case by 
case basis, SBA will not assess fees for special examinations to obtain 
specific information.
    (b) Base Fee. (1) The Base Fee will be assessed based on your total 
assets (at cost) as of the date of your latest certified financial 
statement, including if requested by SBA in connection with the 
examination, a more recently submitted interim statement. For purposes 
of this section, Base Fee means the Minimum Base Fee plus 0.024% of 
assets at cost, rounded to the nearest $100, not to exceed the Maximum 
Base Fee. The Minimum and Maximum Base Fees are adjusted annually as 
follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Maximum      Maximum
                                                  base fee     base fee
    Time period (Based on the        Minimum      for non-       for
     examination start date)         base fee    leveraged    leveraged
                                                   SBICs        SBICs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 13, 2017 to September          $6,000      $22,500      $26,000
 30, 2018........................
October 1, 2018 to September 30,         7,000       25,000       32,000
 2019............................
October 1, 2019 to September 30,         8,000       27,500       38,000
 2020............................
October 1, 2020 to September 30,         9,000       30,000       44,000
 2021............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) In the table in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a Non-
leveraged SBIC means any SBIC that, as of the date of the examination, 
has no outstanding Leverage or Leverage commitment, has no Earmarked 
Assets, and certifies to SBA that it will not seek Leverage in the 
future. Beginning on October 1, 2021, SBA will annually adjust the 
Minimum Base Fee and Maximum Base Fees using the Inflation Adjustment 
and will publish a Notice prior to such

[[Page 84]]

adjustment in the Federal Register identifying the amount of the fees.
    (c) Adjustments to Base Fee. In order to determine the amount of 
your examination fee, your Base Fee, as determined in paragraph (b) of 
this section, will be increased based on the following criteria:
    (1) If you were not fully responsive to the letter of notification 
of examination (that is, you did not provide all requested documents and 
information within the time period stipulated in the notification letter 
in a complete and accurate manner, or you did not prepare or did not 
have available all information requested by the examiner for on-site 
review) after a written warning by the SBA, you will pay an additional 
charge equal to 15% of your Base Fee;
    (2) If you maintain your records/files in multiple locations (as 
permitted under Sec.  107.600(b)), you will pay an additional charge 
equal to 10% of your Base Fee; and
    (3) For any regulatory violation that remains unresolved 90 days 
from the date SBA notified you that you must take corrective action (as 
established by the date of the notification letter) or such later date 
as SBA sets forth in the notice, you will pay an additional charge equal 
to 5% of the Base Fee for every 30 days or portion thereof that the 
violation remains unresolved after the cure period, unless SBA resolves 
the finding in your favor.
    (d) Fee additions table. The following table summarizes the 
additions noted in paragraph (c) of this section:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Amount of addition - % of base
       Examination fee additions                       fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-responsive.........................  15%.
Records/Files at multiple locations....  10%.
Unresolved Findings....................  5% of Base Fee for every 30
                                          days or portion thereof beyond
                                          the 90 day cure period or such
                                          later date as SBA sets forth
                                          in the notice for each
                                          unresolved finding.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Delay fee. If, in the judgment of SBA, the time required to 
complete your examination is delayed due to your lack of cooperation or 
the condition of your records, SBA may assess an additional fee of $700 
per day. Beginning on October 1, 2021, SBA will annually adjust this fee 
using the Inflation Adjustment and will publish a Notice prior to such 
adjustment in the Federal Register identifying the amount of the fee.

[62 FR 23338, Apr. 30, 1997, as amended at 77 FR 25052, Apr. 27, 2012; 
82 FR 52185, Nov. 13, 2017]



          Subpart G_Financing of Small Businesses by Licensees

   Determining the Eligibility of a Small Business for SBIC Financing



Sec.  107.700  Compliance with size standards in part 121 of this chapter 
as a condition of Assistance.

    You are permitted to provide financial assistance and management 
services only to a Small Business. To determine whether an applicant is 
a Small Business, you may use either the financial size standards in 
Sec.  121.301(c)(2) of this chapter or the industry standard covering 
the industry in which the applicant is primarily engaged, as set forth 
in Sec.  121.301(c)(1) of this chapter.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 74 FR 33915, July 14, 2009]



Sec.  107.710  Requirement to finance smaller enterprises.

    Your Portfolio must include Financings to Smaller Enterprises.
    (a) Definition of Smaller Enterprise. A Smaller Enterprise means any 
small business concern that:
    (1) Both together with its Affiliates, and by itself, meets the size 
standard of Sec.  121.201 of this chapter at the time of Financing for 
the industry in which it is then primarily engaged; or
    (2) Together with its affiliates has a net worth of not more than $6 
million and average net income after Federal income taxes (excluding any 
carry-over losses) for the preceding two years no greater than $2 
million. If the applicant is not required by law to pay Federal income 
taxes at the enterprise level, but is required to pass income through to 
its shareholders, partners, beneficiaries, or other equitable owners, 
the applicant's ``net income after Federal income taxes'' will be its 
net income reduced by an amount computed as follows:

[[Page 85]]

    (i) If the applicant is not required by law to pay State (and local, 
if any) income taxes at the enterprise level, multiply its net income by 
the marginal State income tax rate (or by the combined State and local 
income tax rates, as applicable) that would have applied if it were a 
taxable corporation.
    (ii) Multiply the applicant's net income, less any deduction for 
State and local income taxes calculated under paragraph (a)(2)(i) of 
this section, by the marginal Federal income tax rate that would have 
applied if the applicant were a taxable corporation.
    (iii) Add the results obtained in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and 
(a)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (b) Smaller Enterprise Financings. At the close or each of your 
fiscal years, and at the time of any application to draw Leverage, you 
must satisfy the Smaller Enterprise financing requirement in this 
paragraph (b) that applies to you.
    (1) If you were licensed after February 17, 2009, at least 25 
percent (in dollars) of your Financings must have been invested in 
Smaller Enterprises.
    (2) If you were licensed on or before February 17, 2009, and you 
have received no SBA Leverage commitment issued after February 17, 2009, 
at least 20 percent (in dollars) of your Financings, excluding 
Financings made in whole or in part with Leverage in excess of $90 
million, must have been invested in Smaller Enterprises. In addition, 
100 percent of all Financings made in whole or in part with Leverage in 
excess of $90 million (including aggregate Leverage over $90 million 
issued by two or more Licensees under Common Control) must have been 
invested in Smaller Enterprises.
    (3) If you were licensed on or before February 17, 2009, and you 
have received an SBA Leverage commitment after February 17, 2009:
    (i) For all Financings made after the date of the first Leverage 
commitment issued after February 17, 2009, at least 25 percent (in 
dollars) of your Financings must have been invested in Smaller 
Enterprises, and
    (ii) For all Financings made before February 17, 2009, at least 20 
percent (in dollars) of your Financings, excluding Financings made in 
whole or in part with Leverage in excess of $90 million, must have been 
invested in Smaller Enterprises. In addition, 100 percent of all 
Financings made in whole or in part with Leverage in excess of $90 
million (including aggregate Leverage over $90 million issued by two or 
more Licensees under Common Control) must have been invested in Smaller 
Enterprises.
    (c) Special requirement for certain leveraged Licensees. (1) This 
paragraph (c) applies if you were licensed on or before September 30, 
1996, and you issued Leverage after that date, and you have Regulatory 
Capital of:
    (i) Less than $10,000,000 if such Leverage included Participating 
Securities; or
    (ii) Less than $5,000,000 if such Leverage was Debentures only.
    (2) At the close of each of your fiscal years, at least 50 percent 
of the total dollar amount of the Financings you extended after 
September 30, 1996 must have been invested in Smaller Enterprises.
    (d) Financing a change of ownership which results in the creation of 
a Smaller Enterprises. The Financing of a change of ownership under 
Sec.  107.750 which results in the creation of a Smaller Enterprise 
qualifies as a Smaller Enterprise Financing.
    (e) Non-compliance with this section. If you have not reached the 
required percentage of Smaller Enterprise Financings at the end of any 
fiscal year, then you must be in compliance by the end of the following 
fiscal year. However, you will not be eligible for additional Leverage 
until you reach the required percentage (see Sec.  107.1120(c) and (g)).

[62 FR 11760, Mar. 13, 1997, as amended at 63 FR 5866, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70995, Dec. 20, 1999; 66 FR 30647, June 7, 2001; 74 FR 33915, July 
14, 2009]



Sec.  107.720  Small Businesses that may be ineligible for financing.

    (a) Relenders or reinvestors. You are not permitted to finance any 
business that is a relender or reinvestor.
    (1) Definition. Relenders or reinvestors are businesses whose 
primary business activity involves, directly or indirectly, providing 
funds to others, purchasing debt obligations, factoring, or

[[Page 86]]

long-term leasing of equipment with no provision for maintenance or 
repair.
    (2) Exceptions--(i) Reinvestor SBICs. Reinvestor SBIC means a 
Section 301(c) Partnership licensed as a Reinvestor SBIC under Sec.  
107.300 and approved by SBA at the time of licensing to issue Accrual 
Debentures and shall provide a meaningful percentage of Equity Capital 
Investments to underserved Small Business reinvestors (except banks, 
savings and loans not insured by agencies of the Federal Government, and 
agricultural credit companies) that make direct financings solely to 
Small Businesses with at least 50% of employees in the United States, 
Small Businesses Concerns headquartered in the United States, owned and 
controlled by United States citizens and/or entities, and Small 
Businesses eligible for investment based on SBA size standards defined 
in Sec.  121.301 of this chapter or SBIC alternative size standards 
defined in Sec.  121.301(c) of this chapter at the time of initial 
investment. SBA may require that each Reinvestor SBIC obtain from each 
such Small Business reinvestor a written agreement that such Small 
Business reinvestor has only provided and will only provide financing in 
compliance with this paragraph (a)(2)(i) and will provide to such 
Reinvestor SBIC information reasonably necessary to verify compliance 
with this paragraph (a)(2)(i).
    (ii) Equity Capital Investments to Disadvantaged Businesses. 
Licensees may provide Equity Capital Investments to Disadvantaged 
Businesses that are relenders or reinvestors (except banks or savings 
and loans not insured by agencies of the Federal Government, and 
agricultural credit companies).
    (b) Passive Businesses. You are not permitted to finance a passive 
business.
    (1) Definition. A business is passive if:
    (i) It is not engaged in a regular and continuous business operation 
(for purposes of this paragraph (b), the mere receipt of payments such 
as dividends, rents, lease payments, or royalties is not considered a 
regular and continuous business operation); or
    (ii) Its employees are not carrying on the majority of day to day 
operations, and the company does not provide effective control and 
supervision, on a day to day basis, over persons employed under 
contract; or
    (iii) It passes through substantially all of the proceeds of the 
Financing to another entity.
    (2) Exception for pass-through of proceeds to subsidiary. You may 
provide Financing directly to a passive business, including a passive 
business that you have formed, if it is a Small Business and it passes 
substantially all the proceeds through to (or uses substantially all the 
proceeds to acquire) one or more subsidiary companies, each of which is 
an eligible Small Business that is not passive. For the purpose of this 
paragraph (b)(2), ``subsidiary company'' means a company in which the 
financed passive business either:
    (i) Directly owns, or will own as a result of the Financing, at 
least 50 percent of the outstanding voting securities; or
    (ii) Indirectly owns, or will own as a result of the Financing, at 
least 50 percent of the outstanding voting securities (by directly 
owning the outstanding voting securities of another passive Small 
Business that is the direct owner of the outstanding voting securities 
of the subsidiary company).
    (3) Exception for certain Partnership Licensees. If you are a 
Partnership Licensee, you may form one or more blocker entities in 
accordance with this paragraph (b)(3). For the purposes of this 
paragraph, a ``blocker entity'' means a corporation or a limited 
liability company that elects to be taxed as a corporation for Federal 
income tax purposes. The sole purpose of a blocker entity must be to 
provide Financing to one or more eligible, unincorporated Small 
Businesses. You may form such blocker entities only if a direct 
Financing to such Small Businesses would cause any of your investors to 
incur ``unrelated business taxable income'' under section 511 of the 
Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 511) or to incur ``effectively 
connected income'' to foreign investors under sections 871 and 882 of 
the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 871 and 882). Your ownership and 
investment of funds in such blocker entities will not constitute a 
violation of Sec.  107.730(a). For each passive business financed under 
this section

[[Page 87]]

107.720(b)(3), you must provide a certification to SBA as required under 
Sec.  107.610(g). A blocker entity formed under this paragraph may 
provide Financing:
    (i) Directly to one or more eligible non-passive Small Businesses; 
or
    (ii) Directly to a passive Small Business that passes substantially 
all the proceeds directly to (or uses substantially all the proceeds to 
acquire) one or more eligible non-passive Small Businesses in which the 
passive Small Business directly owns, or will own as a result of the 
Financing, at least 50% of the outstanding voting securities.
    (4) Additional conditions for permitted passive business financings. 
Financings permitted under paragraphs (b)(2) or (3) of this section must 
meet all of the following conditions:
    (i) For the purposes of this paragraph (b), ``substantially all'' 
means at least 99 percent of the Financing proceeds after deduction of 
actual application fees, closing fees, and expense reimbursements, which 
may not exceed those permitted by Sec.  107.860.
    (ii) If you and/or your Associate charge fees permitted by Sec.  
107.860 and/or Sec.  107.900, the total amount of such fees charged to 
all passive and non-passive businesses that are part of the same 
Financing may not exceed the fees that would have been permitted if the 
Financing had been provided directly to a non-passive Small Business. 
Any such fees received by your Associate must be paid to you in cash 
within 30 days of the receipt of such fees.
    (iii) For the purposes of this part 107, each passive and non-
passive business included in the Financing is a Portfolio Concern. The 
terms of the financing must provide SBA with access to Portfolio Concern 
information in compliance with this part 107, including without 
limitation Sec. Sec.  107.600 and 107.620.
    (c) Real Estate Businesses. (1) You are not permitted to finance any 
business classified under North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS) codes 531110 (lessors of residential buildings and dwellings), 
531120 (lessors of nonresidential buildings except miniwarehouses), 
531190 (lessors of other real estate property), 237210 (land 
subdivision), or 236117 (new housing for-sale builders). You are not 
permitted to finance any business classified under NAICS codes 236118 
(residential remodelers), 236210 (industrial building construction), or 
236220 (commercial and institutional building construction), if such 
business is primarily engaged in construction or renovation of 
properties on its own account rather than as a hired contractor. You are 
permitted to finance a business classified under NAICS codes 531210 
(offices of real estate agents and brokers), 531311 (residential 
property managers), 531312 (nonresidential property managers), 531320 
(offices of real estate appraisers), or 531390 (other activities related 
to real estate), only if such business derives at least 80 percent of 
its revenue from non-Affiliate sources.
    (2) You are not permitted to finance a Small Business, regardless of 
NAICS classification, if the Financing is to be used to acquire or 
refinance real property, unless the Small Business:
    (i) Is acquiring an existing property and will use at least 51 
percent of the usable square footage for an eligible business purpose; 
or
    (ii) Is building or renovating a building and will use at least 67 
percent of the usable square footage for an eligible business purpose; 
or
    (iii) Occupies the subject property and uses at least 67 percent of 
the usable square footage for an eligible business purpose.
    (d) Project Financing. You are not permitted to finance a business 
if:
    (1) The assets of the business are to be reduced or consumed, 
generally without replacement, as the life of the business progresses, 
and the nature of the business requires that a stream of cash payments 
be made to the business's financing sources, on a basis associated with 
the continuing sale of assets. Examples include real estate development 
projects and oil and gas wells; or
    (2) The primary purpose of the Financing is to fund production of a 
single item or defined limited number of items, generally over a defined 
production period, and such production will constitute the majority of 
the activities of the Small Business. Examples include motion pictures 
and electric generating plants.

[[Page 88]]

    (e) Farm land purchases. You are not permitted to finance the 
acquisition of farm land. Farm land means land which is or is intended 
to be used for agricultural or forestry purposes, such as the production 
of food, fiber, or wood, or is so taxed or zoned.
    (f) Public interest. You are not permitted to finance any business 
if the proceeds are to be used for purposes contrary to the public 
interest, including but not limited to activities which are in violation 
of law, or inconsistent with free competitive enterprise.
    (g) Foreign investment--(1) General rule. You are not permitted to 
finance a business if:
    (i) The funds will be used substantially for a foreign operation; or
    (ii) At the time of the Financing or within one year thereafter, 
more than 49 percent of the employees or tangible assets of the Small 
Business are located outside the United States (unless you can show, to 
SBA's satisfaction, that the Financing was used for a specific domestic 
purpose).
    (2) Exception. This paragraph (g) does not prohibit a Financing used 
to acquire foreign materials and equipment or foreign property rights 
for use or sale in the United States.
    (h) Associated supplier. You are not permitted to finance a business 
that purchases, or will purchase, goods or services from a supplier who 
is your Associate, except under the following conditions:
    (1) The amount of goods and services purchased (or to be purchased) 
from your Associate with the proceeds of the Financing, or with funds 
released as a result of the Financing, is less than 50 percent of the 
total amount of the Financing (75 percent for a Section 301(d) 
Licensee);
    (2) The price of such goods and services is no higher than that 
charged other customers of your Associate; and
    (3) The Small Business purchases no capital goods from your 
Associate.
    (i) Financing Licensees. You are not permitted to provide funds, 
directly or indirectly, that the Small Business will use:
    (1) To purchase stock in or provide capital to a Licensee, provided 
that a Reinvestor SBIC is permitted to make Equity Capital Investments 
in Non-leveraged Licensees.
    (2) To repay an indebtedness incurred for the purpose of investing 
in a Licensee.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5867, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70995, Dec. 20, 1999; 79 FR 62823, Oct. 21, 2014; 82 FR 39340, Aug. 
18, 2017; 88 FR 46011, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.730  Financings which constitute conflicts of interest.

    (a) General rule. You must not self-deal to the prejudice of a Small 
Business, the Licensee, its shareholders or partners, or SBA. Unless you 
obtain a prior written exemption from SBA for special instances in which 
a Financing may further the purposes of the Act despite presenting a 
conflict of interest, you must not directly or indirectly:
    (1) Provide Financing to any of your Associates, except for when the 
Small Business that receives the Financing is your Associate, pursuant 
to paragraph (8)(ii) of Associate as defined in Sec.  107.50, only 
because an investment fund that is your Associate holds a 10% or greater 
equity interest in the Small Business and either of the following 
conditions is met:
    (i) You and the Associate investment fund previously invested in the 
Small Business at the same time and on the same terms and conditions; 
and you and the Associate investment fund are providing follow-on 
financing to the Small Business at the same time, on the same terms and 
conditions, and in the same proportionate dollar amounts as your 
respective investments in the previous round(s) of financing.
    Example 1 to paragraph (a)(1)(i): If you invested $2 million and 
your Associate invested $1 million in the previous round, your 
respective follow-on investments would be in the same 2:1 ratio.
    (ii) An independent third party is investing in the Small Business 
at the same time as the Licensee and on the same terms and conditions as 
the Licensee and represents a significant portion of the Financing; 
provided, that if the Licensee has a prior Financing in such Small 
Business, a Licensee's position in such prior Financing may not be 
diminished or diluted to the benefit of an Associate.

[[Page 89]]

    (2) Provide Financing to an Associate of another Licensee if one of 
your Associates has received or will receive any direct or indirect 
Financing or a Commitment from that Licensee or a third Licensee 
(including Financing or Commitments received under any understanding, 
agreement, or cross dealing, reciprocal or circular arrangement).
    (3) Borrow money from:
    (i) A Small Business Financed by you;
    (ii) An officer, director, or owner of at least a 10 percent equity 
interest in such business; or
    (iii) A Close Relative of any such officer, director, or equity 
owner.
    (4) Provide Financing to a Small Business to discharge an obligation 
to your Associate or free other funds to pay such obligation. This 
paragraph (a)(4) does not apply if the obligation is to an Associate 
Lending Institution and is a line of credit or other obligation incurred 
in the normal course of business.
    (5) Provide Financing to a Small Business for the purpose of 
purchasing property from your Associate, except as permitted under Sec.  
107.720(h).
    (b) Rules applicable to Associates. Without SBA' s prior written 
approval, your Associates must not, directly or indirectly:
    (1) Borrow money from any Person described in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section.
    (2) Receive from a Small Business any compensation in connection 
with Assistance you provide (except as permitted under Sec. Sec.  
107.825(c) and 107.900), or anything of value for procuring, attempting 
to procure, or influencing your action with respect to such Assistance.
    (c) Applicability of other laws. You are also bound by any 
restrictions in Federal or State laws governing conflicts of interest 
and fiduciary obligations.
    (d) Financings with Associates--(1) Financings with Associates 
requiring prior approval. Without SBA's prior written approval, you may 
not Finance any business in which your Associate has either a voting 
equity interest, or total equity interests (including potential 
interests), of at least five percent.
    (2) Other Financings with Associates. If you and an Associate 
provide Financing to the same Small Business, either at the same time or 
at different times, you must be able to demonstrate to SBA's 
satisfaction that the terms and conditions are (or were) fair and 
equitable to you, taking into account any differences in the timing of 
each party's financing transactions.
    (3) Exceptions to paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section. A 
Financing that falls into one of the following categories is exempt from 
the prior approval requirement in paragraph (d)(1) of this section or is 
presumed to be fair and equitable to you for the purposes of paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section, as appropriate:
    (i) Your Associate is a Lending Institution that is providing 
financing under a credit facility in order to meet the operational needs 
of the Small Business, and the terms of such financing are usual and 
customary.
    (ii) Your Associate invests in the Small Business on the same terms 
and conditions and at the same time as you.
    (iii) You are a Non-leveraged Licensee, and your Associate either is 
not a Licensee or is a Non-leveraged Licensee.
    (e) Use of Associates to manage Portfolio Concerns. To protect your 
investment, you may designate an Associate to serve as an officer, 
director, or other participant in the management of a Small Business. 
You must identify any such Associate in your records available for SBA's 
review under Sec.  107.600. Without SBA's prior written approval, the 
Associate must not:
    (1) Have any other direct or indirect financial interest in the 
Portfolio Concern that exceeds, or has the potential to exceed, 5 
percent of the Portfolio Concern's equity.
    (2) Have served for more than 30 days as an officer, director or 
other participant in the management of the Portfolio Concern before you 
provided Financing.
    (3) Receive any income or anything of value from the Portfolio 
Concern unless it is for your benefit, with the exception of director's 
fees, expenses, and distributions based upon the Associate's ownership 
interest in the Concern.

[[Page 90]]

    (f) 1940 and 1980 Act Companies: SEC exemptions. If you are a 1940 
or 1980 Act Company and you receive an exemption from the Securities and 
Exchange Commission for a transaction described in this Sec.  107.730, 
you need not obtain SBA's approval of the transaction. However, you must 
promptly notify SBA of the transaction and satisfy the public notice 
requirements in paragraph (g) of this section.
    (g) Public notice. Before granting an exemption under this Sec.  
107.730, SBA will publish notice of the transaction in the Federal 
Register.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5867, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70996, Dec. 20, 1999; 77 FR 20294, Apr. 4, 2012; 88 FR 46011, July 
18, 2023]



Sec.  107.740  Portfolio diversification (``overline'' limitation).

    (a) General rule. This Sec.  107.740 applies if you have outstanding 
Leverage or intend to issue Leverage in the future. Unless SBA approved 
your license application based upon a plan to issue less than two tiers 
of Leverage, you may provide Financing or a Commitment to a Small 
Business if the resulting amount of your aggregate Financings and 
Commitments to such Small Business and its Affiliates does not exceed 30 
percent of the sum of:
    (1) Your Regulatory Capital as of the date of the Financing or 
Commitment; plus
    (2) Any Distribution(s) you made under Sec.  107.1570(b), during the 
five years preceding the date of the Financing or Commitment, which 
reduced your Regulatory Capital; plus
    (3) Any Distribution(s) you made under Sec.  107.585, during the 
five years preceding the date of the Financing or Commitment, which 
reduced your Regulatory Capital by no more than two percent or which SBA 
approves for inclusion in the sum determined in this paragraph (a).
    (b) Lower overline limit. If SBA approved your license application 
based upon a plan to issue less than two tiers of Leverage, the 
applicable percentage of the amount computed in paragraphs (a)(1) though 
(a)(3) of this section will be:
    (1) 20 percent if the plan contemplates one tier of Leverage.
    (2) 25 percent if the plan contemplates 1.5 tiers of Leverage.
    (c) Outstanding Financings. For the purposes of paragraphs (a) and 
(b) of this section, you must measure each outstanding Financing at its 
original cost (including any amount of the Financing that was previously 
written off).

[74 FR 33915, July 14, 2009]



Sec.  107.750  Conditions for financing a change of ownership 
of a Small Business.

    You may finance a change of ownership of a Small Business only under 
the conditions set forth in this section.
    (a) The Financing must:
    (1) Promote the sound development or preserve the existence of the 
Small Business;
    (2) Help create a Small Business as a result of a corporate 
divestiture; or
    (3) Facilitate ownership in a Disadvantaged Business.
    (b) The Resulting Concern (as defined in paragraph (c) of this 
section) must:
    (1) Be a Small Business under Sec.  107.700;
    (2) Have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees; or meet one of 
the appropriate debt/equity ratio tests:
    (i) If you have outstanding Leverage, the Resulting Concern's ratio 
of debt to equity must be no more than 5 to 1; or
    (ii) If you have no outstanding Leverage, the Resulting Concern's 
ratio of debt to equity must be no more than 8 to 1.
    (c) Definitions. (1) The ``Resulting Concern'' is determined by 
viewing the business as though the change of ownership had already 
occurred, giving effect to all contemplated financing, mergers, and 
acquisitions.
    (2) For purposes of this section, ``debt'' means long-term debt, 
including contingent liabilities, but excluding accounts payable, 
operating leases, letters of credit, subordinated notes payable to the 
seller, any other liabilities approved for exclusion by SBA and short-
term working capital loans (so long as the loans carry a zero balance 
for 30 consecutive days during the concern's fiscal year).
    (3) For purposes of this section, ``equity'' means common and 
preferred

[[Page 91]]

stock (corporation), contributed capital (partnership), or membership 
interests (limited liability company).



Sec.  107.760  How a change in size or activity of a Portfolio Concern 
affects the Licensee and the Portfolio Concern.

    (a) Effect on Licensee of a change in size of a Portfolio Concern. 
If a Portfolio Concern no longer qualifies as a Small Business you may 
keep your investment in the concern and:
    (1) Subject to the overline limitations of Sec.  107.740, you may 
provide additional Financing to the concern up to the time it makes a 
public offering of its securities.
    (2) Even after the concern makes a public offering, you may exercise 
any stock options, warrants, or other rights to purchase Equity 
Securities which you acquired before the public offering, or fund 
Commitments you made before the public offering.
    (b) Effect of a change in business activity occurring within one 
year of Licensee's initial Financing--(1) Retention of Investment. 
Unless you receive SBA's written approval, you may not keep your 
investment in a Portfolio Concern, small or otherwise, which becomes 
ineligible by reason of a change in its business activity within one 
year of your initial investment.
    (2) Request for SBA's approval to retain investment. If you request 
that SBA approve the retention of your investment, your request must 
include sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the change in business 
activity was caused by an unforeseen change in circumstances and was not 
contemplated at the time the Financing was made.
    (3) Additional Financing. If SBA approves your request to retain an 
investment under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, you may provide 
additional Financing to the Portfolio Concern to the extent necessary to 
protect against the loss of the amount of your original investment, 
subject to the overline limitations of Sec.  107.740.
    (c) Effect of a change in business activity occurring more than one 
year after the initial Financing. If a Portfolio Concern becomes 
ineligible because of a change in business activity more than one year 
after your initial Financing you may:
    (1) Retain your investment; and
    (2) Provide additional Financing to the Portfolio Concern to the 
extent necessary to protect against the loss of the amount of your 
original investment, subject to the overline limitations of Sec.  
107.740.

Structuring Licensee's Financing of Eligible Small Businesses: Types of 
                                Financing



Sec.  107.800  Financings in the form of Equity Securities.

    (a) You may purchase the Equity Securities of a Small Business. You 
may not, inadvertently or otherwise:
    (1) Become a general partner in any unincorporated business; or
    (2) Become jointly or severally liable for any obligations of an 
unincorporated business.
    (b) Definition. Equity Securities means stock of any class in a 
corporation, stock options, warrants, limited partnership interests in a 
limited partnership, membership interests in a limited liability 
company, or joint venture interests. If the Financing agreement contains 
debt-type acceleration provisions or includes redemption provisions, 
other than those permitted under Sec.  107.850, the security will be 
considered a Debt Security for purposes of Sec.  107.855 and Sec.  
107.1150(c)(1).

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 74 FR 33915, July 14, 2009]



Sec.  107.810  Financing in the form of Loans.

    You may make Loans to Small Businesses. A Loan means a transaction 
evidenced by a debt instrument with no provision for you to acquire 
Equity Securities. Loans may include Revenue-Based Financing or Revenue-
Based Loans in which you provide financing to a Small Business in 
exchange for a percentage of the Small Business's anticipated future 
revenue which shall not exceed 19% of the Small Business's annual gross 
revenue.

[88 FR 46011, July 18, 2023]

[[Page 92]]



Sec.  107.815  Financings in the form of Debt Securities.

    You may purchase Debt Securities from Small Businesses.
    (a) Definitions. Debt Securities are instruments evidencing a loan 
with an option or any other right to acquire Equity Securities in a 
Small Business or its Affiliates, or a loan which by its terms is 
convertible into an equity position, or a loan with a right to receive 
royalties that are excluded from the Cost of Money pursuant to Sec.  
107.855(g)(12). Consideration must be paid for all options that you 
acquire.
    (b) Restriction on options obtained by Licensee's management and 
employees. If you have outstanding Leverage or plan to obtain Leverage, 
your employees, officers, directors or general partners, or the general 
partners of the management company that is providing services to you or 
to your general partner, may obtain options in a Financed Small Business 
only if:
    (1) They participate in the Financing on a pari passu basis with 
you; or
    (2) SBA gives its prior written approval; or
    (3) The options received are compensation for service as a member of 
the board of directors of the Small Business, and such compensation does 
not exceed that paid to other outside directors. In the absence of such 
directors, fees must be reasonable when compared with amounts paid to 
outside directors of similar companies.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 69432, Nov. 17, 2000]



Sec.  107.820  Financings in the form of guarantees.

    At the request of a Small Business or where necessary to protect 
your existing investment, you may guarantee the monetary obligation of a 
Small Business to any non-Associate creditor.
    (a) You may not issue a guaranty if:
    (1) You would become subject to State regulation as an insurance, 
guaranty or surety business;
    (2) The amount of the guaranty plus any direct Financings to the 
Small Business exceed the overline limitations of Sec.  107.740, except 
that a pledge of the Equity Securities of the issuer or a subordination 
of your lien or creditor position does not count toward your overline; 
or
    (3) The total financing cost to the Small Business exceeds the cost 
of money limits of Sec.  107.855.
    (b) Pledge of Licensee's assets as guaranty. For purposes of this 
section, a guaranty with recourse only to specific asset(s) you have 
pledged is equal to the fair market value of such asset(s) or the amount 
of the debt guaranteed, whichever is less.



Sec.  107.825  Purchasing securities from an underwriter or other third party.

    (a) Securities purchased through or from an underwriter. You may 
purchase the securities of a Small Business through or from an 
underwriter if:
    (1) You purchase such securities within 90 days of the date the 
public offering is first made;
    (2) Your purchase price is no more than the original public offering 
price; and
    (3) The amount paid by you for the securities (less ordinary and 
reasonable underwriting charges and commissions) has been, or will be, 
paid to the Small Business, and the underwriter certifies in writing 
that this requirement has been met.
    (b) Recordkeeping requirements. If you have outstanding Leverage or 
plan to obtain Leverage, you must keep records available for SBA's 
inspection which show the relevant details of the transaction, 
including, but not limited to, date, price, commissions, and the 
underwriter's certifications required under paragraph (c) of this 
section.
    (c) Underwriter's requirements. If you have outstanding Leverage or 
plan to obtain Leverage, the underwriter must certify whether it is your 
Associate. You may pay reasonable and customary commissions and expenses 
to an Associate underwriter for the portion of an offering that you 
purchase, provided it is no more than 25 percent of the total offering. 
If you buy more than 25 percent of the offering, the amount you pay to 
the Associate underwriter must not exceed the total of the application 
and closing fees and reimbursable expenses permitted by Sec.  107.860.

[[Page 93]]

    (d) Securities purchased from another Licensee or from SBA. You may 
purchase from, or exchange with, another Licensee, Portfolio securities 
(or any interest therein). Such purchase or exchange may only be made on 
a non-recourse basis. You may not have more than one-third of your total 
assets(valued at cost) invested in such securities. If you have 
previously sold Portfolio Securities (or any interest therein) on a 
recourse basis, you shall include the amount for which you may be 
contingently liable in your overline computation.
    (e) Purchases of securities from other non-issuers. You may purchase 
securities of a Small Business from a non-issuer not previously 
described in this Sec.  107.825 if:
    (1) Such acquisition is a reasonably necessary part of the overall 
sound Financing of the Small Business under the Act; or
    (2) The securities are acquired to finance a change of ownership 
under Sec.  107.750.

 Structuring Licensee's Financing of an Eligible Small Business: Terms 
                       and Conditions of Financing



Sec.  107.830  Minimum duration/term of financing.

    (a) General rule. The duration/term of all your Financings must be 
for a minimum period of one year.
    (b) Restrictions on mandatory redemption of Equity Securities. If 
you have acquired Equity Securities, options or warrants on terms that 
include redemption by the Small Business, you must not require 
redemption by the Small Business within the first year of your 
acquisition except as permitted in Sec.  107.850.
    (c) Special rules for Loans and Debt Securities--(1) Term. The 
minimum term for Loans and Debt Securities starts with the first 
disbursement of the Financing.
    (2) Prepayment. You must permit voluntary prepayment of Loans and 
Debt Securities by the Small Business. You must obtain SBA's prior 
written approval of any restrictions on the ability of the Small 
Business to prepay other than the imposition of a reasonable prepayment 
penalty under paragraph (c)(3) of this section. For purposes of 
evaluating prepayment restrictions under this section, requirements to 
apply prepayments pro rata among a group of lenders participating in 
such Financing that is pari passu in rights to payment will not be 
deemed to constitute a restriction on prepayments.
    (3) Prepayment penalties. You may charge a reasonable prepayment 
penalty which must be agreed upon at the time of the Financing. If SBA 
determines that a prepayment penalty is unreasonable, you must refund 
the entire penalty to the Small Business. A prepayment penalty equal to 
5 percent of the outstanding balance during the first year of any 
Financing, declining by one percentage point per year through the fifth 
year, is considered reasonable.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 8098, Feb. 23, 2004; 88 
FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.835  Exceptions to minimum duration/term of Financing.

    You may make a Short-term Financing for a term less than one year if 
the Financing is:
    (a) An interim Financing in contemplation of long-term Financing. 
The contemplated long-term Financing must be in an amount at least equal 
to the short-term Financing, and must be made by you alone or in 
participation with other investors; or
    (b) For protection of your prior investment(s); or
    (c) For the purpose of Financing a change of ownership under Sec.  
107.750. The total amount of such Financings may not exceed 20 percent 
of your Loans and Investments (at cost) at the end of any fiscal year; 
or
    (d) For the purpose of aiding a Small Business in performing a 
contract awarded under a Federal, State, or local government set-aside 
program for ``minority'' or ``disadvantaged'' contractors.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 52646, Sept. 30, 1999; 
69 FR 8098, Feb. 23, 2004]

[[Page 94]]



Sec.  107.840  Maximum term of Financing.

    The maximum term of any Loan or Debt Security Financing must be no 
longer than 20 years.



Sec.  107.845  Maximum rate of amortization on Loans and Debt Securities.

    The principal of any Loan (or the loan portion of any Debt Security) 
with a term of one year or less cannot be amortized faster than straight 
line. If the term is greater than one year, the principal cannot be 
amortized faster than straight line for the first year.

[69 FR 8098, Feb. 23, 2004]



Sec.  107.850  Restrictions on redemption of Equity Securities.

    (a) A Portfolio Concern cannot be required to redeem Equity 
Securities earlier than one year from the date of the first closing 
unless:
    (1) The concern makes a public offering, or has a change of 
management or control, or files for protection under the provisions of 
the Bankruptcy Code, or materially breaches your Financing agreement; or
    (2) You make a follow-on investment, in which case the new 
securities may be redeemed in less than one year, but no earlier than 
the redemption date associated with your earliest Financing of the 
concern.
    (b) The redemption price must be either:
    (1) A fixed amount that is no higher than the price you paid for the 
securities; or
    (2) An amount that cannot be fixed or determined before the time of 
redemption. In this case, the redemption price must be based on:
    (i) A reasonable formula that reflects the performance of the 
concern (such as one based on earnings or book value); or
    (ii) The fair market value of the concern at the time of redemption, 
as determined by a professional appraisal performed under an agreement 
acceptable to both parties.
    (c) Any method for determining the redemption price must be agreed 
upon no later than the date of the first (or only) closing of the 
Financing.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 52646, Sept. 30, 1999; 
69 FR 8098, Feb. 23, 2004]



Sec.  107.855  Interest rate ceiling and limitations on fees charged 
to Small Businesses (``Cost of Money'').

    ``Cost of Money'' means the interest and other consideration that 
you receive from a Small Business. Subject to lower ceilings prescribed 
by local law, the Cost of Money to the Small Business must not exceed 
the ceiling determined under this section.
    (a) Financings to which the Cost of Money rules apply. This section 
applies to all Loans and Debt Securities. As required by Sec.  
107.800(b), you must include as Debt Securities any equity interests 
with redemption provisions that do not meet the restrictions in Sec.  
107.850.
    (b) When to determine the Cost of Money ceiling for a Financing. You 
may determine your Cost of Money ceiling for a particular Financing as 
of the date you issue a Commitment or as of the date of the first 
closing of the Financing. Once determined, the Cost of Money ceiling 
remains fixed for the duration of the Financing.
    (c) How to determine the Cost of Money ceiling for a Financing. At a 
minimum, you may use a Cost of Money ceiling of 19 percent for a Loan 
and 14 percent for a Debt Security. To determine whether you may charge 
more, do the following:
    (1) Choose a base rate for your Cost of Money computation. The base 
rate may be either the Debenture Rate currently in effect plus the 
applicable Charge determined under Sec.  107.1130(d)(1), or your own 
``Cost of Capital'' as determined under paragraph (d) of this section.
    (2) For a Loan, add 11 percentage points to the base rate; for a 
Debt Security, add 6 percentage points. In either case, round the sum 
down to the nearest eighth of one percent.
    (3) If the result is more than 19 percent (for a Loan) or 14 percent 
(for a Debt Security), you may use it as your Cost of Money ceiling.
    (4) If two or more Licensees participate in the same Financing of a 
Small Business, the base rate used in this

[[Page 95]]

paragraph (c) is the highest of the following:
    (i) The current Debenture Rate plus the applicable Charge determined 
under Sec.  107.1130(d)(1);
    (ii) The Cost of Capital of the lead Licensee; or
    (iii) The weighted average of the Cost of Capital for all Licensees 
participating in the Financing.
    (d) How to determine your Cost of Capital. ``Cost of Capital'' is an 
optional computation of the weighted average interest rate you pay on 
your ``qualified borrowings''. ``Qualified borrowings'' means your 
Debentures together with your borrowings at or below the usual interest 
rate charged by banks in your locality on the date your loan was made.
    (1) For any fiscal year, you may compute your Cost of Capital:
    (i) As of the first day of your fiscal year, to remain in effect for 
the entire year; or
    (ii) As of the first day of every fiscal quarter during the fiscal 
year, to remain in effect for the duration of the quarter.
    (2) For each qualified borrowing outstanding at your last fiscal 
year or fiscal quarter end, multiply the ending principal balance (net 
of related unamortized fees) by the number of days during the past four 
fiscal quarters that the borrowing was outstanding, and divide the 
result by 365.
    (3) Add together the amounts computed for all borrowings under 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section. The result is your weighted average 
borrowings.
    (4) For all qualified borrowings outstanding at your last fiscal 
year or fiscal quarter end, determine the aggregate interest expense for 
the past four fiscal quarters, excluding amortization of loan fees. For 
the purposes of this paragraph (d)(4):
    (i) Interest expense on Debentures includes the 1 percent Charge 
paid by a Licensee under Sec.  107.1130(d)(1); and
    (ii) Section 301(d) Licensees with outstanding subsidized Debentures 
are presumed to have paid interest at the rate stated on the face of 
such Debentures, without regard to any subsidy paid by SBA.
    (5) Divide the interest expense from paragraph (d)(4) of this 
section by the weighted average borrowings from paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section, and multiply by 100. The result is your Cost of Capital, which 
you may use to compute a Cost of Money ceiling under paragraph (c) of 
this section.
    (e) SBA review of Cost of Capital computation. You must keep your 
Cost of Capital computations in a separate file available for SBA's 
review.
    (1) A computation that is kept in such a file and is audited by your 
independent public accountant is considered correct unless SBA 
demonstrates otherwise.
    (2) If a computation is not kept in such a file or is unaudited, you 
must prove its accuracy to SBA's satisfaction.
    (f) Charges included in the Cost of Money. The Cost of Money 
includes all interest, points, discounts, fees, royalties, profit 
participation, and any other consideration you receive from a Small 
Business, except for the specific exclusions in paragraph (g) of this 
section. For equity interests subject to the Cost of Money rules (see 
paragraph (a) of this section), you must include:
    (1) The portion of the fixed redemption price that exceeds your 
original cost.
    (2) Any amount of a redemption that is paid out of accounts other 
than the Small Business's capital accounts (capital, paid-in surplus, or 
retained earnings of a corporation; or partners' capital of a 
partnership).
    (g) Charges excluded from the Cost of Money. You may exclude from 
the Cost of Money:
    (1) Discount on the loan portion of a Debt Security, if such 
discount exists solely as the result of the allocation of value to 
detachable stock purchase warrants in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles.
    (2) Closing fees, application fees, and expense reimbursements, each 
as permitted under Sec.  107.860.
    (3) Reasonable prepayment penalties permitted under Sec.  
107.830(d)(3).
    (4) Out-of-pocket conveyance and/or recordation fees and taxes.
    (5) Reasonable closing costs.
    (6) Fees for management services as permitted under Sec.  107.900.

[[Page 96]]

    (7) Reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses you incur to 
monitor the Financing.
    (8) Board of director fees not in excess of those paid to other 
outside directors, if your board representation meets the requirements 
of Sec.  107.730(e).
    (9) A reasonable fee for arranging financing for a Small Business 
from a source that is neither a Licensee nor an Associate of yours. The 
Small Business must agree in writing to pay such a fee before you 
arrange the financing.
    (10) The difference between the contractual interest rate of the 
Financing and a default rate of interest permitted as follows:
    (i) If a Small Business is in default, you may charge a default rate 
of interest as much as 7 percentage points higher than the contractual 
rate until the default is cured.
    (ii) For this purpose, ``default'' means either failure to pay an 
amount when due or failure to provide information required under the 
Financing documents.
    (11) Royalty payments based on improvement in the performance of the 
Small Business after the date of the Financing.
    (12) Gains realized on the disposition of Equity Securities issued 
by the Small Business.
    (h) How to evaluate compliance with the Cost of Money ceiling. You 
must determine whether a Financing is within the Cost of Money ceiling 
based on its discounted cash flows, as follows:
    (1) Beginning with the date of the first disbursement (``period 
zero''), identify your cash inflows and cash outflows for each period of 
the Financing. The appropriate period to use (such as years, quarters, 
or months) depends on how you have structured the disbursements and 
payments.
    (2) Discount the cash flows back to the first disbursement date 
using the Cost of Money ceiling from paragraph (d) of this section as 
the discount rate.
    (3) If the result is zero or less, the Financing is within the Cost 
of Money ceiling; if it is greater than zero, the Financing exceeds the 
Cost of Money ceiling.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5867, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 52646, Sept. 30, 1999; 65 FR 69432, Nov. 17, 2000; 77 FR 20294, Apr. 
4, 2012]



Sec.  107.860  Financing fees and expense reimbursements a Licensee 
may receive from a Small Business.

    You may collect Financing fees and receive expense reimbursements 
from a Small Business only as permitted under this Sec.  107.860.
    (a) Application fee. You may collect a nonrefundable application fee 
from a Small Business to review its Financing application. The 
application fee may be collected at the same time as the closing fee 
under paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, or earlier. The fee must be:
    (1) No more than 1 percent of the amount of Financing requested (or, 
if two or more Licensees participate in the Financing, their combined 
application fees are no more than 1 percent of the total Financing 
requested); and
    (2) Agreed to in writing by the Financing applicant.
    (b) SBA review of application fees. For any fiscal year, if the 
number of application fees you collect is more than twice the number of 
Financings closed, SBA in its sole discretion may determine that you are 
engaged in activities not contemplated by the Act, in violation of Sec.  
107.500.
    (c) Closing fee--Loans. You may charge a closing fee on a Loan if:
    (1) The fee is no more than 2 percent of the Financing amount (or, 
if two or more Licensees participate in the Financing, their combined 
closing fees are no more than 2 percent of the total Financing amount); 
and
    (2) You charge the fee no earlier than the date of the first 
disbursement.
    (d) Closing fee--Debt or Equity Financings. You may charge a Closing 
Fee on a Debt Security or Equity Security Financing if:
    (1) The fee is no more than 4 percent of the Financing amount (or, 
if two or more Licensees participate in the Financing, their combined 
closing fees are no more than 4 percent of the total Financing amount); 
and

[[Page 97]]

    (2) You charge the fee no earlier than the date of the first 
disbursement.
    (e) Limitation on dual fees. If another Licensee or an Associate of 
yours collects a transaction fee under Sec.  107.900(e) in connection 
with your Financing of a Small Business, the sum of the transaction fee 
and your application and closing fees cannot exceed the maximum 
application and closing fees permitted under this Sec.  107.860.
    (f) Expense reimbursements. You may charge a Small Business for the 
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, other than Management Expenses, that 
you incur to process its Financing application. If SBA determines that 
any of your reimbursed expenses are unreasonable or are Management 
Expenses, SBA will require you to include such amounts in the Cost of 
Money or refund them to the Small Business.
    (g) Breakup fee. If a Small Business accepts your Commitment and 
then fails to close the Financing because it has accepted funds from 
another source, you may charge a ``breakup fee'' equal to the closing 
fee that you would have been permitted to charge under paragraph (c) or 
(d) of this section.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996; 61 FR 41496, Aug. 9, 1996]



Sec.  107.865  Control of a Small Business by a Licensee.

    (a) In general. You, or you and your Associates (in the latter case, 
the ``Investor Group''), may exercise Control over a Small Business for 
purposes connected to your investment, through ownership of voting 
securities, management agreements, voting trusts, majority 
representation on the board of directors, or otherwise. The period of 
such Control will be limited to the seventh anniversary of the date on 
which such Control was initially acquired, or any earlier date specified 
by the terms of any investment agreement.
    (b) Presumption of control. Control over a Small Business based on 
ownership of voting securities will be presumed to exist whenever you or 
the Investor Group own or control, directly or indirectly:
    (1) At least 50 percent of the outstanding voting securities, if 
there are fewer than 50 shareholders; or
    (2) More than 25 percent of the outstanding voting securities, if 
there are 50 or more shareholders; or
    (3) At least 20 percent of the outstanding voting securities, if 
there are 50 or more shareholders and no other party holds a larger 
block.
    (c) Rebuttals to presumption of Control. A presumption of Control 
under paragraph (b) of this section is rebutted if:
    (1) The management of the Small Business owns at least a 25 percent 
interest in the voting securities of the business; and
    (2) The management of the Small Business can elect at least 40 
percent of the board members of a corporation, general partners of a 
limited partnership, or managers of a limited liability company, as 
appropriate, and the Investor Group can elect no more than 40 percent. 
The balance of such officials may be elected through mutual agreement by 
management and the Investor Group.
    (d) Extension of Control. With SBA's prior written approval you, or 
the Investor Group, may retain Control for such additional period as may 
be reasonably necessary to complete divestiture of Control or to ensure 
the financial stability of the portfolio company.
    (e) Additional Financing for businesses under Licensee's Control. If 
you assume Control of a Small Business, you may later provide additional 
Financing, without an exemption under Sec.  107.730(a)(1).

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5867, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 52646, Sept. 30, 1999; 67 FR 64790, Oct. 22, 2002]



Sec.  107.880  Assets acquired in liquidation of Portfolio securities.

    You may acquire assets in full or partial liquidation of a Small 
Business's obligation to you under the conditions permitted by this 
Sec.  107.880. The assets may be acquired from the Small Business, a 
guarantor of its obligation, or another party.
    (a) Timely disposition of assets. You must dispose of assets 
acquired in liquidation of a Portfolio security within a reasonable 
period of time.
    (b) Permitted expenditures to preserve assets. (1) You may incur 
reasonably necessary expenditures to maintain and preserve assets 
acquired.

[[Page 98]]

    (2) You may incur reasonably necessary expenditures for improvements 
to render such assets saleable.
    (3) You may make payments of mortgage principal and interest 
(including amounts in arrears when you acquired the asset), pay taxes 
when due, and pay for necessary insurance coverage.
    (c) SBA approval of expenditures. This paragraph (c) applies if you 
have outstanding Leverage or are applying for Leverage. Any application 
for SBA approval under this paragraph must specify all expenses 
estimated to be necessary pending disposal of the assets. Without SBA's 
prior written approval:
    (1) Your total expenditures under paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of 
this section plus your total Financing(s) to the Small Business must not 
exceed your overline limit under Sec.  107.740; and
    (2) Your total expenditures under paragraph (b) of this section plus 
your total Financing(s) to the Small Business must not exceed 35 percent 
of your Regulatory Capital.

                  Limitations on Disposition of Assets



Sec.  107.885  Disposition of assets to Licensee's Associates 
or to competitors of Portfolio Concern.

    Sale of assets to Associate. Except with SBA's prior written 
approval, you are not permitted to dispose of assets (including assets 
acquired in liquidation) to any Associate if you have outstanding 
Leverage or Earmarked Assets. As a prerequisite to such approval, you 
must demonstrate that the proposed terms of disposal are at least as 
favorable to you as the terms obtainable elsewhere.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 64791, Oct. 22, 2002]

                      Management Services and Fees



Sec.  107.900  Management fees for services provided to a Small Business 
by Licensee or its Associate.

    This Sec.  107.900 applies to management services that you or your 
Associate provide to a Small Business during the term of a Financing or 
prior to Financing. It does not apply to management services that you or 
your Associate provide to a Small Business that you do not finance. Fees 
permitted under this section are not included in the Cost of Money (see 
Sec.  107.855).
    (a) Permitted management fees. You or your Associate may provide 
management services to a Small Business financed by you if:
    (1) You or your Associate have entered into a written contract with 
the Small Business;
    (2) The fees charged are for services actually performed;
    (3) Services are provided on an hourly fee, project fee, or other 
reasonable basis; and
    (4) You can demonstrate to SBA, upon request, that the rate does not 
exceed the prevailing rate charged for comparable services by other 
organizations in the geographic area of the Small Business.
    (b) Fees for service as a board member. You or your Associate may 
receive fees in the form of cash, warrants, or other payments, for 
services provided as members of the board of directors of a Small 
Businesses Financed by you. The fees must not exceed those paid to other 
outside board members. In the absence of such board members, fees must 
be reasonable when compared with amounts paid to outside directors of 
similar companies.
    (c) SBA approval required. You must obtain SBA's prior written 
approval of any management contract that does not satisfy paragraphs (a) 
or (b) of this section.
    (d) Recordkeeping requirements. You must keep a record of hours 
spent and amounts charged to the Small Business, including expenses 
charged.
    (e) Transaction fees. (1) You may charge reasonable transaction fees 
for work you or your Associate perform to prepare a client for a public 
offering, private offering, or sale of all or part of the business, and 
for assisting with the transaction. Compensation may be in the form of 
cash, notes, stock, and/or options.
    (2) Your Associate may charge market rate investment banking fees to 
a Small Business on that portion of a Financing that you do not provide.

[[Page 99]]



       Subpart H_Non-leveraged Licensees_Exceptions to Regulations



Sec.  107.1000  Non-leveraged Licensees--exceptions to this part.

    The regulatory exceptions in this section apply to Non-leveraged 
Licensees.
    (a) You are exempt from the following provisions (but you must come 
into compliance with them to become eligible for Leverage):
    (1) The overline limitation in Sec.  107.740.
    (2) The restrictions in Sec.  107.530 on investments of idle funds, 
provided you do not engage in activities not contemplated by the Act.
    (3) The restrictions in Sec.  107.550 on third-party debt.
    (4) The restrictions in Sec.  107.880 on expenses incurred to 
maintain or improve assets acquired in liquidation of Portfolio 
securities.
    (5) The recordkeeping requirements and fee limitations in Sec.  
107.825 (b) and (c), respectively, for securities purchased through or 
from an underwriter.
    (b) You are exempt from the requirements to obtain SBA's prior 
approval for:
    (1) A decrease in your Regulatory Capital of more than two percent 
under Sec.  107.585 (but not below the minimum required under the Act or 
these regulations). You must report the reduction to SBA within 30 days.
    (2) Disposition of any asset to your Associate under Sec.  107.885.
    (3) A contract to employ an Investment Adviser/Manager under Sec.  
107.510. However, you must notify SBA of the Management Expenses to be 
incurred under such contract, or of any subsequent material changes in 
such Management Expenses, within 30 days of execution. In order to 
become eligible for Leverage, you must have the contract approved by 
SBA.
    (4) Your initial Management Expenses under Sec.  107.140 and 
increases in your Management Expenses under Sec.  107.520. However, you 
must have your Management Expenses approved by SBA in order to become 
eligible for Leverage.
    (5) Options obtained from a Small Business by your management or 
employees under Sec.  107.815(b).
    (c) You are exempt from the requirement in Sec.  107.680 to obtain 
SBA's post approval of new directors and new officers, other than your 
chief operating officer. However, you must notify SBA of the new 
directors or officers within 30 days, and you must have all directors 
and officers approved by SBA in order to become eligible for Leverage.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



       Subpart I_SBA Financial Assistance for Licensees (Leverage)

              General Information About Obtaining Leverage



Sec.  107.1100  Types of Leverage and application procedures.

    (a) Types of Leverageable available. You may apply for Leverage from 
SBA in one or both of the following forms:
    (1) The purchase or guarantee of your Debentures.
    (2) The purchase or guarantee of your Participating Securities.
    (b) Applying for Leverage. The Leverage application process has two 
parts. You must first apply for SBA's conditional commitment to reserve 
a specific amount of Leverage for your future use. You may then apply to 
draw down Leverage against the commitment. See Sec. Sec.  107.1200 
through 107.1240.

[63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 70996, Dec. 20, 1999; 82 
FR 39341, Aug. 18, 2017]



Sec.  107.1120  General eligibility requirements for Leverage.

    To be eligible for Leverage, you must:
    (a) Demonstrate a need for Leverage, evidenced by your investment 
activity and a lack of sufficient funds for investment. For your first 
issuance of Leverage, if you have invested at least 50 percent of your 
Leverageable Capital, you are presumed to lack sufficient funds for 
investment.
    (b) Have adequate Private Capital to satisfy the requirements for 
financial viability under Sec.  107.200.

[[Page 100]]

    (c) Meet the minimum capital requirements of Sec.  107.210, subject 
to the following additional conditions:
    (1) If you were licensed after September 30, 1996, under the 
exception in Sec.  107.210(a)(1), you will not be eligible for Leverage 
until you have Regulatory Capital of at least $5,000,000, unless you 
were licensed because you are headquartered in an Underlicensed State.
    (2) If you were licensed on or before September 30, 1996, and have 
Regulatory Capital of less than $5,000,000 (less than $10,000,000 if you 
wish to issue Participating Securities):
    (i) You must certify in writing that at least 50 percent of the 
aggregate dollar amount of your Financings extended after September 30, 
1996 will be provided to Smaller Enterprises (as defined in Sec.  
107.710(a)); and
    (ii) You must demonstrate to SBA's satisfaction that the approval of 
Leverage will not create or contribute to an unreasonable risk of 
default or loss to the United States government, based on such 
measurements of profitability and financial viability as SBA deems 
appropriate.
    (d) For any Leverage draw that would cause you and any other 
Licensees under Common Control to have aggregate outstanding Leverage in 
excess of $150 million, certify that none of the Licensees has a 
condition of Capital Impairment. See also Sec.  107.1150(b).
    (e) For any Leverage request pursuant to Sec.  107.1150(d)(2)(i), 
certify that at least 50 percent (in dollars) of your Financings made on 
or after the date of such request will be invested in Small Businesses 
located in low-income geographic areas.
    (f) For any Leverage request pursuant to Sec.  107.1150(d)(2)(ii), 
certify that at least 50 percent (in dollars) of the Financings made by 
each Licensee under Common Control on or after the date of such request 
will be invested in Small Businesses located in low-income geographic 
areas.
    (g) Certify in writing that you are in compliance with the 
requirement to finance Smaller Enterprises in Sec.  107.710(b).
    (h) Show, to the satisfaction of SBA, that your management is 
qualified and has the knowledge, experience, and capability necessary 
for investing in the types of businesses contemplated by the Act, the 
regulations in this part and your business plan.
    (i) Be in compliance with the regulations in this part.
    (j) If required by SBA, have your Control Person(s) assume, in 
writing, personal responsibility for your Leverage, effective only if 
such Control Person(s) participate (directly or indirectly) in a 
transfer of Control not approved by SBA.
    (k) If you are an Early Stage SBIC, certify in writing that in 
accordance with Sec.  107.1810(f)(11), at least 50 percent of the 
aggregate dollar amount of your Financings will be provided to ``early 
stage'' companies as defined under the definition of Early Stage SBIC in 
Sec.  107.50 of this part.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70996, Dec. 20, 1999; 74 FR 33916, July 14, 2009; 77 FR 25053, Apr. 
27, 2012; 79 FR 62824, Oct. 21, 2014; 88 FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1130  Leverage fees and Annual Charges.

    (a) Leverage fee. You must pay a leverage fee to SBA for each 
issuance of a Debenture or Participating Security. The fee is 3 percent 
of the face amount of the Leverage issued.
    (b) Payment of leverage fee. (1) If you issue a Debenture or 
Participating Security to repay or redeem existing Leverage, you must 
pay the leverage fee before SBA will guarantee or purchase the new 
Leverage security.
    (2) If you issue a Debenture or Participating Security that is not 
used to repay or redeem existing Leverage, SBA will deduct the leverage 
fee from the proceeds remitted to you, unless you prepaid the fee under 
Sec.  107.1210.
    (c) Refundability. The leverage fee is not refundable under any 
circumstances.
    (d) Additional charge for Leverage--(1) Debentures. You must pay to 
SBA an Annual Charge, not to exceed 1.38 percent per annum, on the 
outstanding amount of your Debentures, payable under the same terms and 
conditions as the interest on the Debentures. For Leverage issued 
pursuant to Leverage

[[Page 101]]

commitments approved on or after October 1, 2023, the Annual Charge, 
established and published, shall not be less than 0.10 percent per 
annum, subject to the following provisions:
    (i) For Leverage issued pursuant to Leverage commitments approved on 
or after October 1, 2024, the Annual Charge, established and published, 
shall not be less than 0.20 percent per annum.
    (ii) For Leverage issued pursuant to Leverage commitments approved 
on or after October 1, 2025, the Annual Charge, established and 
published, shall not be less than 0.25 percent per annum.
    (iii) For Leverage issued pursuant to Leverage commitments approved 
on or after October 1, 2026, the Annual Charge, established and 
published, shall not be less than 0.30 percent per annum.
    (iv) For Leverage issued pursuant to Leverage commitments approved 
on or after October 1, 2027, the Annual Charge, established and 
published annually, shall not be less than 0.35 percent per annum.
    (v) For Leverage issued pursuant to Leverage commitments approved on 
or after October 1, 2028, the Annual Charge, established and published 
annually, shall not be less than 0.40 percent per annum.
    (2) Participating Securities. You must pay to SBA a Charge, not to 
exceed 1.46 percent per annum, on the outstanding amount of your 
Participating Securities issued on or after October 1, 1996, payable 
under the same terms and conditions as the Prioritized Payments on the 
Participating Securities. This Charge does not apply to Participating 
Securities issued pursuant to a Leverage commitment obtained from SBA on 
or before September 30, 1996.
    (e) Other Leverage fees. SBA may establish a fee structure for 
services performed by the CRA. SBA will not collect any fee for its 
guarantee of TCs.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998; 77 
FR 25053, Apr. 27, 2012; 88 FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1140  Licensee's acceptance of SBA remedies 
under Sec. Sec.  107.1800 through 107.1820.

    If you issue Leverage after April 25, 1994, you automatically agree 
to the terms and conditions in Sec. Sec.  107.1800 through 107.1820 as 
they exist at the time of issuance. The effect of these terms and 
conditions is the same as if they were fully incorporated in the terms 
of your Leverage.

       Maximum Amount of Leverage for Which a Licensee Is Eligible



Sec.  107.1150  Maximum amount of Leverage.

    A Leveraged Licensee, other than an Early Stage SBIC, may have 
maximum outstanding Leverage as set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), (d), 
and (e) of this section. An Early Stage SBIC may have maximum 
outstanding Leverage as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section. In 
general, SBA will approve Leverage commitment requests in excess of 200 
percent of Regulatory Capital and draw requests in excess of 200 percent 
of Leverageable Capital only after a Licensee has demonstrated 
consistent, sustainable profitability based on a conservative investment 
strategy that limits downside risk. Any such Leverage request must be 
supported by an up-to-date business plan that reflects continuation of 
the Licensee's successful investment strategy and demonstrates the 
Licensee's ability to pay all SBA obligations in accordance with their 
terms.
    (a) Individual Licensee. Subject to SBA's credit policies, if you 
are a Leveraged Licensee and not an Accrual SBIC, the maximum amount of 
Leverage you may have outstanding at any time is the Individual Maximum. 
If you are an Accrual SBIC, the maximum amount of Leverage and accrued 
interest you may have outstanding at any time is the Individual Maximum. 
The Individual Maximum means the lesser of:
    (1) 300 percent of your Leverageable Capital;
    (2) 100 percent of your Leverageable Capital if you have less than 
$5 Million in Regulatory Capital and you were Licensed because you are 
headquartered in an Underlicensed State; or

[[Page 102]]

    (3) The maximum Leverage available to a single Licensee under 
section 303(b) of the Act.
    (b) Multiple Licensees under Common Control. Subject to SBA's credit 
policies, two or more Licenses under Common Control may have maximum 
aggregate outstanding Leverage as permitted under the Act. For any 
Accrual SBIC or Reinvestor SBIC under Common Control, the aggregate 
accrued interest associated with Accrual Debentures will be included in 
determining whether this maximum has been exceeded. However, for any 
Leverage draw(s) by one or more such Licensees that would cause the 
aggregate outstanding Leverage to exceed the Individual Maximum, each of 
the Licensees under Common Control must certify that it does not have a 
condition of Capital Impairment. See also Sec.  107.1120(d).
    Example 1 to paragraph (b): If a fund manager has both a regular 
Leveraged Licensee with $250 million in outstanding Leverage and an 
Accrual SBIC with $50 million in Accrual Debentures that could accrue 
interest of $25 million at maturity, SBA will apply the principal from 
the regular Leverage plus the $50 million from the Accrual Debenture 
plus the $25 million in potential accrued interest for a combined total 
of $325 million.
    (c) Early Stage SBICs. Subject to SBA's credit policies, if you are 
an Early Stage SBIC:
    (1) The total amount of any and all Leverage commitments you receive 
from SBA shall not exceed 100 percent of your highest Regulatory Capital 
or $50 million, whichever is less;
    (2) On a cumulative basis, the total amount of Leverage you have 
issued shall not exceed the total amount of capital paid in by your 
investors; and
    (3) The maximum amount of Leverage you may have outstanding at any 
time is the lesser of:
    (i) 100 percent of your Leverageable Capital, or
    (ii) $50 million.
    (d) Additional Leverage based on investment in low-income geographic 
areas. Subject to SBA's credit policies, you may have outstanding 
Leverage in excess of the amounts permitted by paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section in accordance with this paragraph (d). If you were licensed 
before October 1, 2009, you may seek additional Leverage under paragraph 
(d)(1) only. If you were licensed on or after October 1, 2009, you may 
seek additional Leverage under paragraph (d)(1) or (2), but not both. In 
this paragraph (d), ``low income geographic areas'' are as defined in 
Sec.  108.50 of this chapter. Any investment that you use as a basis to 
seek additional leverage under this paragraph (d) cannot also be used to 
seek additional leverage under paragraph (e) of this section.
    (1) Investment in Smaller Enterprises located in low-income 
geographic areas. To determine whether you may request a draw that would 
cause you to have outstanding Leverage in excess of the amount 
determined under paragraph (a) of this section:
    (i) Determine the cost basis, as reported on your most recent filing 
of SBA Form 468, of any investments in the Equity Securities of a 
Smaller Enterprise located in a low-income geographic area.
    (ii) Calculate the amount that equals 50 percent of your 
Leverageable Capital.
    (iii) Subtract from your outstanding Leverage the lesser of 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) or (ii).
    (iv) If the amount calculated in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) is less than 
the maximum leverage determined under paragraph (a) of this section, the 
difference between the two amounts equals your additional Leverage 
availability.
    (2) Investment in Small Businesses located in low-income geographic 
areas. This paragraph (d)(2) applies only to Licensees licensed on or 
after October 1, 2009. You may substitute a maximum Leverage amount of 
$175,000,000 for the $150,000,000 set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, and a maximum Leverage amount of $250,000,000 for the 
$225,000,000 set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, if you satisfy 
the following conditions:
    (i) At least 50 percent (in dollars) of your Financings preceding 
the date of such request must have been invested in Small Businesses 
located in low-income geographic areas. In addition, you must certify 
that at least 50 percent (in dollars) of your Financings on or after the 
date of such request will be

[[Page 103]]

invested in Small Businesses located in low-income geographic areas.
    (ii) If you are requesting a draw that would cause you and any other 
Licensees under Common Control to have aggregate outstanding Leverage in 
excess of $225,000,000, at least 50 percent (in dollars) of the 
Financings made by each Licensee under Common Control preceding the date 
of such request must have been invested in Small Businesses located in 
low-income geographic areas. In addition, each such Licensee must 
certify that at least 50 percent (in dollars) of its Financings on or 
after the date of such request will be invested in Small Businesses 
located in low-income geographic areas.
    (e) Additional Leverage based on Energy Saving Qualified Investments 
in Smaller Enterprises. (1) Subject to SBA's credit policies, if you 
were licensed on or after October 1, 2008, you may have outstanding 
Leverage in excess of the amounts permitted by paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this section in accordance with this paragraph (e). Any investment that 
you use as a basis to seek additional Leverage under this paragraph (e) 
cannot also be used to seek additional Leverage under paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (2) To determine whether you may request a draw that would cause you 
to have outstanding Leverage in excess of the amount determined under 
paragraph (a) of this section:
    (i) Determine the cost basis, as reported on your most recent filing 
of SBA Form 468, of any Energy Saving Qualified Investments in a Smaller 
Enterprise that individually do not exceed 20% of your Regulatory 
Capital.
    (ii) Calculate the amount that equals 33% of your Leverageable 
Capital.
    (iii) Subtract from your outstanding Leverage the lesser of 
paragraph (e)(2)(i) or (ii).
    (iv) If the amount calculated in paragraph (e)(2)(iii) is less than 
the maximum Leverage determined under paragraph (a) of this section, the 
difference between the two amounts equals your additional Leverage 
availability.

[74 FR 33916, July 14, 2009, as amended at 77 FR 23380, Apr. 19, 2012; 
77 FR 25053, Apr. 27, 2012; 79 FR 62824, Oct. 21, 2014; 82 FR 39341, 
Aug. 18, 2017; 88 FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1160  Maximum amount of Leverage for a Section 301(d) Licensee.

    This section applies to Leverage issued by a Section 301(d) Licensee 
on or before September 30, 1996. Effective October 1, 1996, a Section 
301(d) Licensee may apply to issue new Leverage, or refinance existing 
Leverage, only on the same terms permitted under Sec.  107.1150.
    (a) Maximum amount of subsidized Leverage. (1) ``Subsidized 
Leverage'' means Debentures with a reduced interest rate and Preferred 
Securities. If you are a Section 301(d) Licensee:
    (i) The maximum amount of subsidized Leverage you may have 
outstanding at any time is the lesser of 400 percent of your 
Leverageable Capital, or $35,000,000. The same limit applies to a group 
of Section 301(d) Licensees under Common Control.
    (ii) The maximum amount of Preferred Securities you may have 
outstanding at any time is 200 percent of your Leverageable Capital.
    (2) Certain types and amounts of subsidized Leverage have special 
eligibility requirements (see paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section).
    (b) Maximum amount of total Leverage. Use Sec.  107.1150 to 
determine your maximum amount of Leverage as if you were a Section 
301(c) Licensee. If the result is more than your maximum subsidized 
Leverage, then this is your maximum total (subsidized plus non-
subsidized) Leverage. Otherwise, your maximum total Leverage is the same 
as your maximum subsidized Leverage. For Participating Securities, see 
Sec.  107.1170.
    (c) Special eligibility requirements for fourth tier of Leverage. A 
``fourth tier of Leverage'' is any amount of outstanding Leverage in 
excess of 300 percent of your Leverageable Capital.
    (1) To qualify for a fourth tier of Leverage, you must have invested 
(or have Commitments to invest) at least 30 percent of your ``Total 
Funds Available for Investment'' in ``Venture Capital Financings'' (see 
the definitions in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section).
    (2) While you have a fourth tier of Leverage, you must maintain 
Venture Capital Financings (at cost) that equal at least 30 percent of 
your Total Funds Available for Investment.

[[Page 104]]

    (d) Special eligibility requirements for second tier of Preferred 
Securities. A ``second tier of Preferred Securities'' is any amount of 
outstanding Preferred Securities in excess of 100 percent of your 
Leverageable Capital.
    (1) To qualify for a second tier of Preferred Securities:
    (i) If your license was issued after October 13, 1971, you must have 
at least $500,000 of Leverageable Capital.
    (ii) You must have invested (or have Commitments to invest) at least 
the same dollar amount in Venture Capital Financings.
    (2) While you have a second tier of Preferred Securities, you must 
maintain at least the same dollar amount of Venture Capital Financings 
(at cost).
    (e) Definition of ``Total Funds Available for Investment''. Total 
Funds Available for Investment means the result obtained from the 
following formula:

T = .90 x (CA + LI)

Where:

T = Total funds available for investment
CA = Total current assets
LI = Total Loans and Investment at cost (as reported on SBA Form 468), 
          net of current maturities

    (f) Definition of ``Venture Capital Financing''. Venture Capital 
Financing means an investment represented by common or preferred stock, 
a limited partnership interest, or a similar ownership interest; or by 
an unsecured debt instrument that is subordinated by its terms to all 
other borrowings of the issuer.
    (1) A debt secured by any agreement with a third party is not a 
Venture Capital Financing, whether or not you have a security interest 
in any asset of the third party or have recourse against the third 
party.
    (2) A Financing that originally qualified as a Venture Capital 
Financing will continue to qualify (at its original cost), even if you 
later must report it on SBA Form 468 under either Assets Acquired in 
Liquidation of Portfolio Securities or Operating Concerns Acquired.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998; 74 
FR 33916, July 14, 2009]



Sec.  107.1170  Maximum amount of Participating Securities for any Licensee.

    The maximum amount of Participating Securities you may have 
outstanding at any time is 200 percent of your Leverageable Capital. If 
you are a Section 301(d) Licensee, the maximum combined amount of 
Participating Securities and Preferred Securities you may have 
outstanding at any time is 200 percent of your Leverageable Capital.

        Special Rules for Leverage Issued by an Early Stage SBIC



Sec.  107.1180  Required distributions to SBA by Early Stage SBICs.

    (a) Distribution requirement. If you are an Early Stage SBIC with 
outstanding Leverage, you may make Distributions to your investors and 
to SBA only as permitted under this section. See also Sec.  107.585. For 
the purposes of this section, ``Distributions'' do not include required 
payments to SBA of interest and Charges and payments of Leverage 
principal at maturity, all of which shall be paid in accordance with the 
terms of the Leverage. You may make a Distribution on any Payment Date. 
Unless SBA permits otherwise, you must notify SBA in writing of any 
planned distribution under this section, including computations of the 
amounts distributable to SBA and your investors, at least 10 business 
days before the distribution date.
    (b) How SBA will apply Distributions. Any amounts you distribute to 
SBA, or its designated agent or Trustee, under this section will be 
applied to repayment of principal of outstanding Debentures in order of 
issue. You may prepay any Debenture in whole, but not in part, on any 
Payment Date without penalty.
    (c) Condition for making a Distribution. You may make a Distribution 
under this section only if you have paid all interest and Charges on 
your outstanding Debentures that are due and payable, or will pay such 
interest and Charges simultaneously with your Distribution.
    (d) SBA's share of Distribution. For each proposed Distribution, 
determine

[[Page 105]]

SBA's share of the Distribution as follows:
    (1) Determine the highest ratio of outstanding Leverage to 
Leverageable Capital that you have ever attained (your ``Highest 
Leverage Ratio''). For the purpose of determining your Highest Leverage 
Ratio, any deferred interest Debentures issued at a discount must be 
included in the computation at their face value.
    (2) Determine SBA's percentage share of cumulative Distributions:
    (i) If your Capital Impairment Percentage under Sec.  107.1840 is 
less than 50 percent as of the Distribution date or your Highest 
Leverage Ratio equals 0.5 or less, except as provided in paragraph 
(d)(2)(iii) of this section, SBA's percentage share of cumulative 
Distributions equals:

[Highest Leverage Ratio/(Highest Leverage Ratio + 1)] x 100
For example, if your Highest Leverage Ratio equals 1, then SBA's share 
of any distribution you make will be 50 percent.

    (ii) If your Capital Impairment Percentage under Sec.  107.1840 is 
50 percent or greater as of the Distribution date and your Highest 
Leverage Ratio is greater than 0.5, SBA's percentage share of cumulative 
Distributions equals 100 percent.
    (iii) If you have a condition of Capital Impairment under Sec.  
107.1830 and your Highest Leverage Ratio equals 0.5 or less as of the 
Distribution date, SBA's percentage share of cumulative Distributions 
equals 100 percent.
    (3) Multiply the sum of all your prior Distributions and your 
current proposed Distribution (including Distributions to SBA, your 
limited partners and your General Partner) by SBA's percentage share of 
cumulative Distributions as determined in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section.
    (4) From the result in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, subtract 
the sum of all your prior Distributions to SBA under this Sec.  
107.1180.
    (5) The amount of your Distribution to SBA will be the least of:
    (i) The result in paragraph (d)(4) of this section;
    (ii) Your current proposed Distribution; or
    (iii) Your outstanding Leverage.
    (e) Additional Leverage prepayment. On any Payment Date, subject to 
the terms of your Leverage, you may make a payment to SBA to be applied 
to repayment of the principal of one or more outstanding Debentures in 
order of issue, without making any Distribution to your investors.

[77 FR 25053, Apr. 27, 2012]



Sec.  107.1181  Interest reserve requirements for Early Stage SBICs.

    (a) Reserve requirement. If you are an Early Stage SBIC with 
outstanding Leverage, for each Debenture which requires periodic 
interest payments to SBA during the first five years of its term, you 
must maintain a reserve sufficient to pay the interest and Charges on 
such Debenture for the first 21 Payment Dates following the date of 
issuance. This reserve may consist of any combination of the following:
    (1) Binding unfunded commitments from your Institutional Investors 
that cannot be called for any purpose other than the payment of interest 
and Charges to SBA, or the payment of any amounts due to SBA; and
    (2) Cash maintained in a separate bank account or separate 
investment account permitted under Sec.  107.530 of this part and 
separately identified in your financial statements as ``restricted 
cash'' available only for the purpose of paying interest and Charges to 
SBA, or for the payment of any amounts due to SBA.
    (b) The required reserve associated with an individual Debenture 
shall be reduced on each Payment Date upon payment of the required 
interest and Charges. If you prepay a Debenture prior to the 21st 
Payment Date following its date of issuance, the reserve requirement 
associated with that Debenture shall be correspondingly eliminated.
    (c) Your limited partnership agreement must incorporate the reserve 
requirement in paragraph (a) of this section.

[77 FR 25053, Apr. 27, 2012]

[[Page 106]]



Sec.  107.1182  Valuation requirements for Early Stage SBICs based on 
Capital Impairment Percentage.

    (a) If you are an Early Stage SBIC, you must compute your Capital 
Impairment Percentage and determine whether you have a condition of 
Capital Impairment in accordance with Sec. Sec.  107.1830 and 107.1840 
of this part.
    (b) You must promptly notify SBA in writing if your Capital 
Impairment Percentage is at least 50 percent, even if your maximum 
permitted Capital Impairment Percentage is higher.
    (c) Upon receipt of your notification under paragraph (b) of this 
section, or upon making its own determination that your Capital 
Impairment Percentage is at least 50 percent, SBA has the right to 
require you to engage, at your expense, an independent third party, 
acceptable to SBA, to prepare valuations of some or all of your Loans 
and Investments, as designated by SBA.

[77 FR 25053, Apr. 27, 2012]

    Conditional Commitments by SBA To Reserve Leverage for a Licensee



Sec.  107.1200  SBA's Leverage commitment to a Licensee--
application procedure, amount, and term.

    (a) General. Under the provisions in Sec. Sec.  107.1200 through 
107.1240, you may apply for SBA's conditional commitment to reserve a 
specific amount and type of Leverage for your future use. You may then 
apply to draw down Leverage against the commitment.
    (b) Applying for a Leverage commitment. SBA will notify you when it 
is accepting requests for Leverage commitments. Upon receipt of your 
request, SBA will send you a complete application package.
    (c) Limitations on the amount of a Leverage commitment. The amount 
of a Leverage commitment must be a multiple of $5,000.
    (d) Term of Leverage commitment. SBA's Leverage commitment will 
automatically lapse on the expiration date stated in the commitment 
letter issued to you by SBA.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1210  Payment of leverage fee upon receipt of commitment.

    (a) Partial prepayment of leverage fee. As a condition of SBA's 
Leverage commitment, and before you draw any Leverage under such 
commitment, you must pay to SBA a non-refundable fee equal to 1 percent 
of the face amount of the Debentures or Participating Securities 
reserved under the commitment. This amount represents a partial 
prepayment of the 3 percent leverage fee established under Sec.  
107.1130(a).
    (b) Automatic cancellation of commitment. Unless you pay the fee 
required under paragraph (a) of this section by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time 
on the 30th calendar day following the issuance of SBA's Leverage 
commitment, the commitment will be automatically canceled.

[63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1220  Requirement for Licensee to file quarterly 
financial statements.

    Leveraged Licensees must submit to SBA a Financial Statement on SBA 
Form 468 (Short Form) as of the close of each quarter of your fiscal 
year (other than the fourth quarter, which is covered by your annual 
filing of Form 468 under Sec.  107.630(a)). You must file this form 
within 45 days after the close of the quarter. You will not be eligible 
for a draw if you are not in compliance with this section.

[88 FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1230  Draw-downs by Licensee under SBA's Leverage commitment.

    (a) Licensee's authorization of SBA to purchase or guarantee 
securities. By submitting a request for a draw against SBA's Leverage 
commitment, you authorize SBA, or any agent or trustee SBA designates, 
to guarantee your Debenture or Participating Security and to sell it 
with SBA's guarantee.
    (b) Limitations on amount of draw. The amount of a draw must be a 
multiple of $5,000. SBA, in its discretion, may determine a minimum 
dollar amount for draws against SBA's Leverage commitments. Any such 
minimum amounts will be published in Notices in the Federal Register 
from time to time.
    (c) Effect of regulatory violations on Licensee's eligibility for 
draws--(1) General

[[Page 107]]

rule. You are eligible to make a draw against SBA's Leverage commitment 
only if you are in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Act 
and SBA regulations (i.e., no unresolved statutory or regulatory 
violations).
    (2) Exception to general rule. If you are not in compliance, you may 
still be eligible for draws if:
    (i) SBA determines that your outstanding violations are of non-
substantive provisions of the Act or regulations and that you have not 
repeatedly violated any non-substantive provisions; or
    (ii) You have agreed with SBA on a course of action to resolve your 
violations and such agreement does not prevent you from issuing 
Leverage.
    (d) Procedures for funding draws. You may request a draw at any time 
during the term of the commitment. With each request, submit the 
following documentation:
    (1) A statement certifying that there has been no material adverse 
change in your financial condition since your last filing of SBA Form 
468 (see also Sec.  107.1220 for SBA Form 468 filing requirements).
    (2) If your request is submitted more than 30 days following the end 
of your fiscal year, but before you have submitted your annual filing of 
SBA Form 468 (Long Form) in accordance with Sec.  107.630(a), a 
preliminary unaudited annual financial statement on SBA Form 468 (Short 
Form).
    (3) A statement certifying that to the best of your knowledge and 
belief, you are in compliance with all provisions of the Act and SBA 
regulations (i.e., no unresolved regulatory or statutory violations), or 
a statement listing any specific violations you are aware of. Either 
statement must be executed by one of the following:
    (i) An officer of the Licensee;
    (ii) An officer of a corporate general partner of the Licensee; or
    (iii) An individual who is authorized to act as or for a general 
partner of the Licensee.
    (4) A statement that the proceeds are needed to fund one or more 
particular Small Businesses or to provide liquidity for your operations. 
If required by SBA, the statement must include the name and address of 
each Small Business, and the amount and anticipated closing date of each 
proposed Financing.
    (e) Reporting requirements after drawing funds. (1) Within 30 
calendar days after the actual closing date of each Financing funded 
with the proceeds of your draw, you must file an SBA Form 1031 
confirming the closing of the transaction.
    (2) If SBA required you to provide information concerning a specific 
planned Financing under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, and such 
Financing has not closed within 60 calendar days after the anticipated 
closing date, you must give SBA a written explanation of the failure to 
close.
    (3) If you do not comply with this paragraph (e), you will not be 
eligible for additional draws. SBA may also determine that you are not 
in compliance with the terms of your Leverage under Sec. Sec.  107.1810 
or 107.1820.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70996, Dec. 20, 1999]



Sec.  107.1240  Funding of Licensee's draw request through sale 
to short-term investor.

    (a) Licensee's authorization of SBA to arrange sale of securities to 
short-term investor. By submitting a request for a draw of Debenture or 
Participating Security Leverage, you authorize SBA, or any agent or 
trustee SBA designates, to enter into any agreements (and to bind you to 
such agreements) necessary to accomplish:
    (1) The sale of your Debenture or Participating Security to a short-
term investor at a rate that may be different from the Trust Certificate 
Rate which will be established at the time of the pooling of your 
security;
    (2) The purchase of your security from the short-term investor, 
either by you or on your behalf; and
    (3) The pooling of your security with other securities with the same 
maturity date.
    (b) Sale of Debentures to a short-term investor. If SBA sells your 
Debenture to a short-term investor:
    (1) The sale price will be the face amount.
    (2) At the next scheduled date for the sale of Debenture Trust 
Certificates,

[[Page 108]]

whether or not the sale actually occurs, you must pay interest to the 
short-term investor for the short-term period. If the actual sale of 
Trust Certificates takes place after the scheduled date, you must pay 
the short-term investor interest from the scheduled sale date to the 
actual sale date. This additional interest is due on the actual sale 
date.
    (3) Failure to pay the interest constitutes noncompliance with the 
terms of your Leverage (see Sec.  107.1810).
    (c) Sale of Participating Securities to a short-term investor. If 
SBA sells your Participating Security to a short-term investor, the sale 
price will be the face amount.
    (d) Licensee's right to repurchase its Debentures before pooling. 
You may repurchase your Debentures from the short-term investor before 
they are pooled. To do so, you must:
    (1) Give SBA written notice at least 10 days before the cut-off date 
for the pool in which your Debenture is to be included; and
    (2) Pay the face amount of the Debenture, plus interest, to the 
short-term investor.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5868, Feb. 5, 1998]

         Preferred Securities Leverage--Section 301(d) Licensees



Sec.  107.1400  Dividends or partnership distributions on 4 percent 
Preferred Securities.

    If you issued Preferred Securities to SBA on or after November 21, 
1989, you must pay SBA a dividend or partnership distribution of 4 
percent per year, from the date you issued Preferred Securities to the 
date you repay them, both inclusive. The dividend or partnership 
distribution is:
    (a) Computed on the par value of the outstanding stock or the face 
value of the outstanding limited partnership interest.
    (b) Cumulative. This means that if you do not pay the entire 
dividend or partnership distribution for a given fiscal year, the unpaid 
balance accumulates as a distribution in arrears. You do not have to pay 
interest on distributions in arrears.
    (c) Preferred. This means that you must pay SBA in full (including 
distributions in arrears) before setting aside or paying any amount to 
any other equity holder.
    (d) Payable at the discretion of your Board of Directors or General 
Partner(s), except that all distributions in arrears must be paid in 
full when you redeem the Preferred Securities.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5869, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1410  Requirement to redeem 4 percent Preferred Securities.

    You must redeem 4 percent Preferred Securities not later than 15 
years from the date of issuance. At the redemption date, you must pay to 
SBA:
    (a) The par value (of preferred stock) or face value (of a preferred 
limited partnership interest); plus
    (b) Any unpaid dividends or partnership distributions accrued to the 
redemption date.



Sec.  107.1420  Articles requirements for 4 percent Preferred Securities.

    If you have outstanding 4 percent Preferred Securities, your 
Articles must contain all the provisions in Sec. Sec.  107.1400 and 
107.1410.

[63 FR 5869, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1430  Redeeming 4 percent Preferred Securities with proceeds 
of non-subsidized Debentures.

    If SBA approves, a Section 301(d) Licensee may use the proceeds of a 
Debenture to redeem Preferred Securities at their mandatory redemption 
date, including any accrued unpaid dividends or partnership 
distributions.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5869, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1440  Three percent preferred stock issued before November 21, 1989.

    Before November 21, 1989, Preferred Securities were available only 
in the form of preferred stock and had a preferred and cumulative 
dividend of 3 percent. If you have such preferred stock outstanding, you 
must follow Sec.  107.1400 (except for Sec.  107.1400(d)), substituting 
``3 percent'' for ``4 percent'' throughout.) Dividends on 3 percent

[[Page 109]]

preferred stock are payable at the discretion of your Board of Directors 
or General Partner(s), except that all dividends in arrears must be paid 
in full before any non-SBA investor receives any distribution. Upon your 
liquidation, SBA is entitled to payment of all dividends in arrears even 
if you have no Retained Earnings Available for Distribution at such 
time.



Sec.  107.1450  Optional redemption of Preferred Securities.

    (a) Redemption at par or face value. A Section 301(d) Licensee may 
redeem Preferred Securities at any time, provided you give SBA at least 
30 days written notice. You may redeem all or only part of your 
Preferred Securities, but the par value or face value of the securities 
being redeemed must be at least $50,000. At the redemption date, you 
must pay to SBA:
    (1) The par value (of preferred stock) or face value (of a preferred 
limited partnership interest); plus
    (2) Any unpaid dividends or partnership distributions accrued to the 
redemption date.
    (b) Repurchase of 3 percent preferred stock for less than par value. 
If you issued 3 percent preferred stock to SBA, you may ask SBA to sell 
it back to you at a price less than its par value. The terms and 
conditions of any such transaction will be as set forth in the Notice 
published in the Federal Register on April 1, 1994 (Copies of this 
notice are available from SBA, 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC, 
20416). SBA has sole discretion to:
    (1) Approve or disapprove the sale.
    (2) Determine the sale price after considering any factors SBA 
considers appropriate.
    (3) Determine the form of payment SBA will accept. SBA is not 
authorized to accept the proceeds of a subsidized Debenture as payment.

                    Participating Securities Leverage



Sec.  107.1500  General description of Participating Securities.

    (a) Types of Participating Securities. Participating Securities are 
redeemable, preferred, equity-type securities. SBA may purchase or 
guarantee Participating Securities issued by Licensees in the form of 
limited partnership interests, preferred stock, or debentures with 
interest payable only to the extent of earnings. The structure, terms 
and conditions of Participating Securities are set forth in detail in 
Sec. Sec.  107.1500 through 107.1590.
    (b) Special eligibility requirements for Participating Securities. 
In addition to the general eligibility requirements for Leverage under 
Sec.  107.1120, Participating Securities issuers must also comply with 
special rules on:
    (1) Minimum capital (see Sec.  107.210).
    (2) Liquidity (see Sec.  107.1505).
    (3) Non-SBA borrowing (see Sec.  107.570).
    (4) Equity investing, as set forth in this paragraph (b)(4). If you 
issue Participating Securities, you must invest an amount equal to the 
Original Issue Price of such securities solely in Equity Capital 
Investments, as defined in Sec.  107.50.
    (c) Special features of Participating Securities--Prioritized 
Payments, Adjustments, and Profit Participation. When you issue 
Participating Securities, you agree to make the following payments:
    (1) Prioritized Payments. Depending upon the type of Participating 
Security you issue, Prioritized Payments may be preferred partnership 
distributions, preferred dividends, or interest. Your obligation to pay 
Prioritized Payments is contingent upon your profits as determined under 
Sec.  107.1520.
    (2) Adjustments to Prioritized Payments. If you have unpaid 
Prioritized Payments, you must compute Adjustments, which are additional 
contingent obligations determined under Sec.  107.1520. The conditions 
for paying Adjustments are the same as for Prioritized Payments.
    (3) SBA Profit Participation. Profit Participation is an amount 
payable to SBA under Sec.  107.1530 in consideration for SBA's guarantee 
of your Participating Securities.
    (d) Distributions by Licensees issuing Participating Securities. 
Sections 107.1540 through 107.1580 govern both required and optional 
Distributions by Participating Securities issuers. Distributions include 
both profit distributions and returns of capital, paid either to SBA or 
to your non-SBA investors.

[[Page 110]]

    (e) Mandatory redemption of Participating Securities. You must 
redeem Participating Securities at the redemption date, which is the 
same as the maturity date of the Trust Certificates for the Trust 
containing such securities. The redemption date can never be later than 
15 years after the issue date. You must pay the Redemption Price plus 
any unpaid Earned Prioritized Payments and any earned Adjustments and 
earned Charges (see Sec.  107.1520).
    (f) Priority of Participating Securities in liquidation of Licensee. 
In the event of your liquidation, the following are senior in priority, 
for all purposes, to all other equity interests you have issued at any 
time:
    (1) The Redemption Price of Participating Securities;
    (2) Any Earned Prioritized Payments and any earned Adjustments and 
earned Charges (see Sec.  107.1520); and
    (3) Any Profit Participation allocated to SBA under Sec.  107.1530.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5869, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1505  Liquidity requirements for Licensees issuing 
Participating Securities.

    If you have outstanding Participating Securities, you must maintain 
sufficient liquidity to avoid a condition of Liquidity Impairment. Such 
a condition will constitute noncompliance with the terms of your 
Leverage under Sec.  107.1820(e).
    (a) Definition of Liquidity Impairment. A condition of Liquidity 
Impairment exists when your Liquidity Ratio, as determined in paragraph 
(b) of this section, is less than 1.20. You are responsible for 
calculating whether you have a condition of Liquidity Impairment:
    (1) As of the close of your fiscal year;
    (2) At the time you apply for Leverage, unless SBA permits 
otherwise; and
    (3) At such time as you contemplate making any Distribution.
    (b) Computation of Liquidity Ratio. Your Liquidity Ratio equals your 
Total Current Funds Available (A) divided by your Total Current Funds 
Required (B), as determined in the following table:

                                         Calculation of Liquidity Ratio
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Amount reported on SBA
           Financial account                     form 468                 Weight            Weighted amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Cash and invested idle funds......  ..........................   x 1.00
(2) Commitments from investors........  ..........................   x 1.00
(3) Current maturities................  ..........................   x 0.50
(4) Other current assets..............  ..........................   x 1.00
(5) Publicly Traded and Marketable      ..........................   x 1.00
 Securities.
(6) Anticipated operating revenue for   \1\                          x 1.00
 next 12 months.
(7) Total Current Funds Available.....  ..........................  .................  A
(8) Current liabilities...............  ..........................   x 1.00
(9) Commitments to Small Businesses...  ..........................   x 0.75
(10) Anticipated operating expense for  \1\                          x 1.00
 next 12 months.
(11) Anticipated interest expense for   \1\                          x 1.00
 next 12 months.
(12) Contingent liabilities             ..........................   x 0.25
 (guarantees).
(13) Total Current Funds Required.....  ..........................  .................  B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As determined by Licensee's management under its business plan.


[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5869, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1510  How a Licensee computes Earmarked Profit (Loss).

    Computing your Earmarked Profit (Loss) is the first step in 
determining your obligations to pay Prioritized Payments, Adjustments 
and Charges under Sec.  107.1520 and Profit Participation under Sec.  
107.1530.
    (a) Requirement to compute your Earmarked Profit (Loss). While you 
have Participating Securities outstanding or have Earmarked Assets (as 
defined in paragraph (b) of this section), you must compute your 
Earmarked Profit (Loss) for:
    (1) Each full fiscal year.

[[Page 111]]

    (2) Any interim period (consisting of one or more fiscal quarters) 
for which you want to make a Distribution.
    (b) How to determine your Earmarked Assets. ``Earmarked Assets'' 
means all the Loans and Investments that you have when you issue 
Participating Securities or that you acquire while you have 
Participating Securities outstanding, and any non-cash assets that you 
receive in exchange for such Loans and Investments.
    (1) An Earmarked Asset remains earmarked until you dispose of it, 
even if you no longer have any outstanding Participating Securities.
    (2) Investments you make after redeeming all your Participating 
Securities are not Earmarked Assets. However, if you issue new 
Participating Securities, all of your Loans and Investments again become 
Earmarked Assets.
    (3) If you were licensed before March 31, 1993, you may be permitted 
to exclude Loans and Investments held at that date from Earmarked Assets 
under Sec.  107.1590.
    (c) How to compute your Earmarked Asset Ratio. You must determine 
your Earmarked Asset Ratio each time you compute Earmarked Profit 
(Loss). If all your Loans and Investments are Earmarked Assets, your 
Earmarked Asset Ratio equals 100 percent. Otherwise, compute your 
Earmarked Asset Ratio using the following formula:

EAR = (EA / LI) x 100

where:

EAR = Earmarked Asset Ratio.
EA = Average Earmarked Assets (at cost) for the fiscal year or interim 
          period.
LI = Average Loans and Investments (at cost) for the fiscal year or 
          interim period.

    (d) How to compute your Earmarked Profit (Loss) if Earmarked Asset 
Ratio is 100 percent. (1) (i) If your Earmarked Asset Ratio from 
paragraph (b) of this section is 100 percent, use the following formula 
to compute your Earmarked Profit (Loss):

EP = NI + IK + EME

where:

EP = Earmarked Profit (Loss)
NI = Net Income (Loss), as reported on SBA Form 468 except as otherwise 
          provided in this paragraph (d)(1)
IK = Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Earmarked Assets that you 
          are distributing as an In-Kind Distribution under Sec.  
          107.1580
EME = Excess Management Expenses

    (ii) For the purpose of determining Net Income (Loss), leverage fees 
paid to SBA and partnership syndication costs that you incur must be 
capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over not less than 
five years.
    (2) ``Excess Management Expenses'' are those that exceed the 
following limit:
    (i) For a full fiscal year, the limit is the lower of:
    (A) 2.5 percent of your weighted average Combined Capital for the 
year, plus $125,000 if Combined Capital is below $20,000,000; or
    (B) Your Management Expenses approved by SBA.
    (ii) For less than a full fiscal year, you must prorate the annual 
amounts in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section to determine the limit.
    (e) How to compute your Earmarked Profit (Loss) if Earmarked Asset 
Ratio is less than 100 percent. If your Earmarked Asset Ratio is less 
than 100 percent, compute your Earmarked Profit (Loss) as follows:
    (1) Do the Earmarked Profit (Loss) computation in paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (2) Subtract your net realized gain (loss) (as reported on SBA Form 
468) on Loans and Investments that are not Earmarked Assets.
    (3) Separate the result from paragraph (e)(2) of this section into:
    (i) Net realized gain (loss) (as reported on SBA Form 468) on 
Earmarked Assets (``EGL''); and
    (ii) The remainder (``R'').
    (4) Your Earmarked Profit (Loss) equals:

EGL + (R x Earmarked Asset Ratio)

    (f) How to compute your cumulative Earmarked Profit (Loss). Sum your 
Earmarked Profit (Loss) for all fiscal years and for any interim period 
following the end of your last fiscal year. The total is your cumulative 
Earmarked Profit (Loss), which you must

[[Page 112]]

use in the Prioritized Payment computations under Sec.  107.1520.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5870, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1520  How a Licensee computes and allocates 
Prioritized Payments to SBA.

    This section tells you how to compute Prioritized Payments, 
Adjustments and Charges on Participating Securities and determine the 
amounts you must pay. To distribute these amounts, see Sec.  107.1540.
    (a) How to compute Prioritized Payments and Adjustments--(1) 
Prioritized Payments. For a full fiscal year, the Prioritized Payment on 
an outstanding Participating Security equals the Redemption Price times 
the related Trust Certificate Rate. For an interim period, you must 
prorate the annual Prioritized Payment. If your Participating Security 
was sold to a short-term investor in accordance with Sec.  107.1240, the 
Prioritized Payment for the short-term period equals the Redemption 
Price times the short-term rate.
    (2) Adjustments. Compute Adjustments using paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (3) Charges. Compute Charges in accordance with Sec.  
107.1130(d)(2).
    (b) Licensee's obligation to pay Prioritized Payments, Adjustments 
and Charges. You are obligated to pay Prioritized Payments, Adjustments 
and Charges only if you have profit as determined in paragraph (d) of 
this section.
    (1) Prioritized Payments that you must pay (or have already paid) 
because you have sufficient profit are ``Earned Prioritized Payments''.
    (2) Prioritized Payments that have not become payable because you 
lack sufficient profit are ``Accumulated Prioritized Payments''. Treat 
all Prioritized Payments as ``Accumulated'' until they become ``Earned'' 
under this section.
    (3) Adjustments (computed under paragraph (f) of this section) and 
Charges (computed under Sec.  107.1130(d)(2)) are ``earned'' according 
to the same criteria applied to Prioritized Payments.
    (c) How to keep track of Prioritized Payments. You must establish 
three accounts to record your Accumulated and Earned Prioritized 
Payments:
    (1) Accumulation Account. The Accumulation Account is a memorandum 
account. Its balance represents your Accumulated Prioritized Payments, 
unearned Adjustments and unearned Charges.
    (2) Distribution Account. The Distribution Account is a liability 
account. Its balance represents your unpaid Earned Prioritized Payments, 
earned Adjustments and earned Charges.
    (3) Earned Payments Account. The Earned Payments Account is a 
memorandum account. Each time you add to the Distribution Account 
balance, add the same amount to the Earned Payments Account. Its balance 
represents your total (paid and unpaid) Earned Prioritized Payments, 
earned Adjustments and earned Charges.
    (d) How to determine your profit for Prioritized Payment purposes. 
As of the end of each fiscal year and any interim period for which you 
want to make a Distribution:
    (1) Bring the Accumulation Account up to date by adding to it all 
Prioritized Payments and Charges through the end of the appropriate 
fiscal period.
    (2) Determine whether you have profit for the purposes of this 
section by doing the following computation:
    (i) Cumulative Earmarked Profit (Loss) under Sec.  107.1510(f); 
minus
    (ii) The Earned Payments Account balance; minus
    (iii) All Distributions previously made under Sec. Sec.  107.1550, 
107.1560 and 107.1570(a); minus
    (iv) Any Profit Participation previously allocated to SBA under 
Sec.  107.1530, but not yet distributed.
    (3) The amount computed in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, if 
greater than zero, is your profit. If the amount is zero or less, you 
have no profit.
    (4) If you have a profit, continue with paragraph (e) of this 
section. Otherwise, continue with paragraph (f) of this section.
    (e) Allocating Prioritized Payments to the Distribution Account. (1) 
If you have a profit under paragraph (d) of this section, determine the 
lesser of:

[[Page 113]]

    (i) Your profit; or
    (ii) The balance in your Accumulation Account.
    (2) Subtract the result in paragraph (e)(1) of this section from the 
Accumulation Account and add it to the Distribution Account and the 
Earned Payments Account.
    (f) How to compute Adjustments. You must compute Adjustments as of 
the end of each fiscal year if you have a balance greater than zero in 
either your Accumulation Account or your Distribution Account, after 
giving effect to any Distribution that will be made no later than the 
second Payment Date following the fiscal year end.
    (1) Determine the combined average Accumulation Account and 
Distribution Account balances for the fiscal year, assuming that 
Prioritized Payments accumulate on a daily basis without compounding.
    (2) Multiply the average balance computed in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this section by the average of the Trust Certificate Rates for all the 
Participating Securities poolings during the fiscal year.
    (3) Add the amounts computed in this paragraph (f) to your 
Accumulation Account.
    (g) Licensee's obligation to pay Prioritized Payments after 
redeeming Participating Securities. This paragraph (g) applies if you 
have redeemed all your Participating Securities, but you still hold 
Earmarked Assets and still have a balance in your Accumulation Account.
    (1) You must continue to perform all the procedures in this section 
as of the end of each fiscal quarter and prior to making any 
Distribution. You must distribute any Earned Prioritized Payments, 
earned Adjustments and earned Charges in accordance with Sec.  107.1540.
    (2) After you dispose of all your Earmarked Assets and make any 
required Distributions in accordance with Sec.  107.1540, your 
obligation to pay any remaining Accumulated Prioritized Payments, 
unearned Adjustments and unearned Charges will be extinguished.

[63 FR 5870, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1530  How a Licensee computes SBA's Profit Participation.

    This section tells you how to compute SBA's Profit Participation. 
Profit Participation is included in the Distributions you make to SBA 
under Sec. Sec.  107.1550 and 107.1560.
    (a) How to compute Profit Participation. Profit Participation equals 
your ``Base'' times your ``Profit Participation Rate'' (if the Base is 
zero or less, you do not owe SBA Profit Participation). Compute the Base 
using paragraph (c) of this section and the Profit Participation Rate 
using paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section. You must compute your 
Earmarked Profit (Loss) under Sec.  107.1510 and your Prioritized 
Payments and Adjustments under Sec.  107.1520 before you can compute 
Profit Participation.
    (b) How to keep track of Profit Participation. You must establish a 
Profit Participation Account to record your computations under this 
section and payments under Sec. Sec.  107.1550 and 107.1560. Its balance 
represents your unpaid Profit Participation.
    (c) How to compute the Base. As of the end of each fiscal year and 
any year-to-date interim period for which you want to make a 
Distribution, compute your Base using the following formula:

B = EP - PPA - UL

where:

B = Base.
EP = Earmarked Profit (Loss) for the period from Sec.  107.1510.
PPA = Prioritized Payments for the period from Sec.  107.1520(a)(1), 
          Adjustments (if applicable) from Sec.  107.1520(f), and 
          Charges (if applicable) from Sec.  107.1130(d)(2).
UL = ``Unused Loss'' from prior periods as determined in this paragraph 
          (c).

    (1) If the Base computed as of the end of your previous fiscal year 
(your ``Previous Base'') was less than zero, your Unused Loss equals 
your Previous Base.
    (2) If your Previous Base was zero or greater, your Unused Loss 
equals zero, with the following exception: If you made an interim 
Distribution of Profit Participation during your previous fiscal year, 
and your Previous Base was lower than the interim Base on which your 
Distribution was computed, then your Unused Loss equals the difference

[[Page 114]]

between the interim Base and the Previous Base. For example, assume you 
are computing your Base as of December 31, 1997, your fiscal year end. 
Your Previous Base, computed as of December 31, 1996, was $3,000,000. 
During 1996, you made an interim Distribution which was computed on a 
Base of $3,500,000 as of June 30, 1996. The $500,000 difference between 
the 1996 interim and year-end Bases would be carried forward as Unused 
Loss in the computation of your Base as of December 31, 1997.
    (3) If you had no Participating Securities outstanding as of the end 
of your last fiscal year, you may request SBA's approval to treat your 
Undistributed Net Realized Loss, as reported on SBA Form 468 for that 
year, as Unused Loss. If you did not file SBA Form 468 because you were 
not yet licensed as of the end of your last fiscal year, you may request 
SBA's approval to treat pre-licensing losses as Unused Loss.
    (d) How to compute the Profit Participation Rate. You must determine 
your Profit Participation Rate each time you compute a Base that is 
greater than zero. Compute the Rate by following the steps in paragraphs 
(e) through (g) of this section.
    (e) Compute the ``PLC ratio''--(1) General rule. The ``PLC ratio'' 
is the highest ratio of outstanding Participating Securities to 
Leverageable Capital that you have ever attained.
    (2) Exception. You may reduce the ratio computed under paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section if you have increased your Leverageable Capital 
above its highest previous level. The increase must have taken place at 
least 120 days before the date as of which your Base is computed. In 
addition, the increase must have been expressly provided for in a plan 
of operations submitted to and approved by SBA in writing, or must be 
the result of the takedown of commitments or the conversion of non-cash 
assets that were included in your Private Capital. If these conditions 
are satisfied, compute your reduced PLC ratio as follows:
    (i) Divide the highest dollar amount of Participating Securities you 
have ever had outstanding by your increased Leverageable Capital.
    (ii) If the result in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this section is lower 
than your PLC ratio currently in effect, such result will become your 
new PLC ratio.
    (f) Compute the Profit Participation Rate (before indexing). Compute 
the Profit Participation Rate (before indexing) using the table in this 
paragraph (f). Then go to paragraph (g) of this section to determine 
whether to index the Profit Participation Rate.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     If your PLC ratio is:       Then your Profit Participation Rate is:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 or less......................  9% x PLC Ratio.
More than 1....................  9% + [3% x (PLC ratio-1)].
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) Indexing the Profit Participation Rate. The Profit Participation 
Rate is indexed, up or down, to the yield-to-maturity on Treasury bonds 
with a remaining term of ten (10) years (the ``Treasury Rate''). You 
must perform the indexing procedures in this paragraph (g) unless the 
Treasury Rate was exactly 8 percent on every date that you issued 
Participating Securities.
    (1) Licensees that have issued Participating Securities on only one 
occasion. Determine the Treasury Rate for the date you issued your 
Participating Security. Adjust the Profit Participation Rate from 
paragraph (f) of this section by the percentage difference between the 
Treasury Rate and 8 percent. For example, assume that you issued 
Participating Securities when the Treasury Rate was 10 percent. The 
percentage difference between 10 percent and 8 percent is 25 percent. If 
you had a PLC ratio of 1, the Profit Participation Rate before indexing 
would be 9 percent. You would increase this rate by 25 percent, giving 
you a Profit Participation Rate of 11.25 percent.
    (2) Licensees that have issued Participating Securities on more than 
one occasion. Determine the Treasury Rate for each of the dates you 
issued Participating Securities.
    (i) Compute an average of all such Treasury Rates, weighted to 
reflect the dollar amount of each issuance (ignoring any redemptions) 
and the number of days from the date of each issuance to the date as of 
which you are computing the Profit Participation Rate.

    Example to paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this section. If you issued $10 
million of Participating Securities on the 60th day of Fiscal Year 1

[[Page 115]]

when the Treasury Rate was 8 percent, and another $15 million on the 
100th day of Fiscal Year 3 when the Treasury Rate was 10 percent, then 
the weighted average Treasury Rate computed as of the end of Fiscal Year 
3 would be 8.55 percent. [Days elapsed since first issuance of 
Participating Securities = 1,035; days elapsed since second issuance of 
Participating Securities = 265; weighted amount of first issuance = 
$10,000,000 x 1,035/1,035 = $10,000,000; weighted amount of second 
issuance = $15,000,000 x 265/1035 = $3,840,579; weighted average amount 
of Participating Securities issued = $10,000,000 + $3,840,579 = 
$13,840,579; weighted average Treasury Rate= {(.08 x $10,000,000) + (.10 
x $3,840,579){time}  / $13,840,579 = 8.55%]

    (ii) Adjust the Profit Participation Rate from paragraph (f) of this 
section by the percentage difference between the weighted average 
Treasury Rate and 8 percent. In the example given in paragraph (g)(2)(i) 
of this section, if the PLC ratio were equal to 2, the Profit 
Participation Rate for the fiscal year would be 12.83 percent. 
[{((.0855-.08) / .08) + 1{time}  x .12 x 100 = 12.83%]
    (h) Computing SBA's Profit Participation. If the Base from paragraph 
(c) of this section is greater than zero, you must compute SBA's Profit 
Participation as follows:
    (1) Multiply the Base from paragraph (c) of this section by the 
Profit Participation Rate from paragraph (g) of this section.
    (2) If your last Profit Participation computation was for an interim 
period during the same fiscal year and used a higher Profit 
Participation Rate than the Rate you just used in paragraph (h)(1) of 
this section, you must adjust the amount computed in paragraph (h)(1) of 
this section as follows:
    (i) Determine the difference between the Profit Participation Rate 
you just used in paragraph (h)(1) of this section and the Rate used in 
your previous computation;
    (ii) Multiply the difference by the Base from your last Profit 
Participation computation; and
    (iii) Add the result to the amount you computed in paragraph (h)(1) 
of this section.
    (3) Reduce the Profit Participation computed in paragraphs (h)(1) 
and (h)(2) of this section by any amounts of Profit Participation that 
you distributed or reserved for distribution to SBA, or its designated 
agent or Trustee, for any previous interim period(s) during the fiscal 
year. The result is SBA's Profit Participation (unless it is less than 
zero, in which case SBA's Profit Participation is zero).
    (i) Allocation of Profit Participation. Before any Distribution and 
in any case within 120 days following the end of your fiscal year, you 
must add the amount of Profit Participation computed under this Sec.  
107.1530 to the Profit Participation Account. You must reserve funds 
equal to this amount for distribution to SBA, or its designated agent or 
Trustee; you may not reinvest these funds or use them for any other 
purpose.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996; 61 FR 41496, Aug. 9, 1996, as amended at 63 
FR 5871, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1540  Distributions by Licensee--Prioritized Payments 
and Adjustments.

    After you compute Prioritized Payments and Adjustments under Sec.  
107.1520, you must distribute them in accordance with this Sec.  
107.1540. You must notify SBA of any planned distribution under this 
section 10 business days before the distribution date, unless SBA 
permits otherwise.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5871, Feb. 5, 1998; 88 
FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1550  Distributions by Licensee--permitted ``tax Distributions'' 
to private investors and SBA.

    If you have outstanding Participating Securities or Earmarked 
Assets, and you are a limited partnership, ``S Corporation,'' or 
equivalent pass-through entity for tax purposes, you may make ``tax 
Distributions'' to your investors in accordance with this Sec.  
107.1550, whether or not they have an actual tax liability. SBA receives 
a share of any tax Distribution you make. This section tells you when 
you may make a ``tax Distribution'' and how to compute it. You must 
notify SBA of any planned distribution under this section 10 business 
days before the distribution date, unless SBA permits otherwise.
    (a) Conditions for making a tax Distribution. You may make a tax 
Distribution only if:

[[Page 116]]

    (1) You have paid all your Prioritized Payments, Adjustments, and 
Charges, so that the balance in both your Distribution Account and your 
Accumulation Account is zero (see Sec.  107.1520).
    (2) You satisfy the liquidity requirement in Sec.  107.1505.
    (3) The tax Distribution does not exceed your Retained Earnings 
Available for Distribution.
    (4) The tax Distribution does not exceed the Maximum Tax Liability 
from paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) How to compute the Maximum Tax Liability. (1) You may compute 
your Maximum Tax Liability for a full fiscal year or for any calendar 
quarter. Use the following formula:

M = (TOI x HRO) + (TCG x HRC)

where:

M = Maximum Tax Liability
TOI = Net ordinary income allocated to your partners or other owners for 
          Federal income tax purposes for the fiscal year or calendar 
          quarter for which the Distribution is being made, excluding 
          Prioritized Payments allocated to SBA.
HRO = The highest combined marginal Federal and State income tax rate 
          for corporations or individuals on ordinary income, determined 
          in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4) of this 
          section.
TCG = Net capital gains allocated to your partners or other owners for 
          Federal income tax purposes for the fiscal year or calendar 
          quarter for which the Distribution is being made, excluding 
          Prioritized Payments allocated to SBA.
HRC = The highest combined marginal Federal and State income tax rate 
          for corporations or individuals on capital gains, determined 
          in accordance with paragraphs (b)(2) through (b)(4) of this 
          section.

    (2) You may compute the highest combined marginal Federal and State 
income tax rate on ordinary income and capital gains using either 
individual or corporate rates. However, you must apply the same type of 
rate, either individual or corporate, to both ordinary income and 
capital gains.
    (3) In determining the combined Federal and State income tax rate, 
you must assume that State income taxes are deductible from Federal 
income taxes. For example, if the Federal tax rate was 35 percent and 
the State tax rate was 5 percent, the combined tax rate would be [35% x 
(1-.05)] + 5% = 38.25%.
    (4) For purposes of this paragraph (b), the ``State income tax'' is 
that of the State where your principal place of business is located, and 
does not include any local income taxes.
    (c) SBA's share of the tax Distribution. (1) SBA's percentage share 
of the tax Distribution is equal to the Profit Participation Rate 
computed under Sec.  107.1530.
    (2) SBA may direct you to pay its share of the tax Distribution to 
its designated agent or Trustee.
    (3) SBA will apply its share of the tax Distribution in the order 
set forth in Sec.  107.1560(g).
    (d) Paying a tax Distribution. You may make an annual tax 
Distribution on the first or second Payment Date following the end of 
your fiscal year. You may make a quarterly tax Distribution on the first 
Payment Date following the end of the calendar quarter for which the 
Distribution is being made. See also Sec.  107.1575(a).
    (e) Excess tax Distributions. (1) As of the end of your fiscal year, 
you must determine whether you made any excess tax Distributions for the 
year in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) of this section. Any tax 
Distributions that you make for a subsequent period must be reduced by 
the excess amount distributed.
    (2) Determine your excess tax Distributions by adding together all 
your quarterly tax Distributions for the year (ignoring any required 
reductions for excess tax Distributions made in prior years), and 
subtracting the maximum tax Distribution that you would have been 
permitted to make based upon a single computation performed for the 
entire fiscal year. The result, if greater than zero, is your excess tax 
Distribution for the year.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5871, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70996, Dec. 20, 1999]



Sec.  107.1560  Distributions by Licensee--required Distributions 
to private investors and SBA.

    You must make Distributions under this Sec.  107.1560 if you have 
outstanding Participating Securities or Earmarked Assets and you satisfy 
the conditions

[[Page 117]]

in paragraph (a) of this section. Distributions under this section are 
determined as of the end of each fiscal year. You must notify SBA of any 
planned distribution under this section 10 business days before the 
distribution date, unless SBA permits otherwise.
    (a) Conditions for making Distributions. Distributions under this 
section are subject to the following conditions:
    (1) You must have paid all Prioritized Payments, Adjustments and 
Charges, so that the balance in both your Distribution Account and your 
Accumulation Account is zero (see Sec. Sec.  107.1520 and 107.1540).
    (2) You must have made any permitted tax Distribution that you 
choose to make under Sec.  107.1550.
    (3) You must satisfy the liquidity requirement in Sec.  107.1505.
    (4) The amount you distribute under this section must not exceed 
your remaining Retained Earnings Available for Distribution.
    (b) Total amount you must distribute. Unless SBA permits otherwise, 
the total amount you must distribute equals the result (if greater than 
zero) of the following computation:
    (1) Your Retained Earnings Available for Distribution as of the end 
of your fiscal year, after giving effect to any Distribution under 
Sec. Sec.  107.1540 and 107.1550; minus
    (2) All previous Distributions under this section and Sec.  
107.1570(a) that were applied as redemptions or repayments of Leverage; 
plus
    (3) All previous Distributions under Sec.  107.1570(b) that reduced 
your Retained Earnings Available for Distribution.
    (c) When you must make Distributions. You must make the required 
Distributions on either the first or second Payment Date following the 
end of your fiscal year.
    (d) Effect of Distributions on Retained Earnings Available for 
Distribution. Distributions under this Sec.  107.1560 have the following 
effect on your Retained Earnings Available for Distribution:
    (1) All Distributions to private investors reduce Retained Earnings 
Available for Distribution.
    (2) Distributions to SBA, or its designated agent or Trustee, reduce 
Retained Earnings Available for Distribution if they are applied as 
payments of Profit Participation or distributions on Preferred 
Securities (see paragraph (g) of this section).
    (3) Distributions to SBA, or its designated agent or Trustee, do not 
reduce Retained Earnings Available for Distribution if they are applied 
as a repayment or redemption of Leverage (see paragraph (g) of this 
section).
    (e) SBA's share of the total Distribution. Use the following table 
to determine the percentage share of the total Distribution (from 
paragraph (b) of this section) that goes to SBA (or its designated agent 
or Trustee):

              SBA's Percentage Share of Total Distribution
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 If your ratio of Leverage to Leverageable   Then SBA's percentage share
  Capital as of the fiscal period end is:      of the Distribution is:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over 200%.................................  [Leverage / (Leverage +
                                             Leverageable Capital)] x
                                             100.
Over 100% but not over 200%...............  50%.
100% or less..............................  Profit Participation Rate
                                             from Sec.   107.1530.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Exceptions to the Distribution requirement. (1) With SBA's prior 
written approval, you may withhold from distribution reasonable reserves 
necessary to protect your investments or relative position in Loans and 
Investments and to meet contingent liabilities.
    (i) If you submit a written request for SBA approval, you may 
consider it approved unless SBA notifies you otherwise within 30 days 
from receipt.
    (ii) Reserves that you withhold from distribution may not be used to 
make investments in additional portfolio companies.
    (iii) Withholding of reserves under this paragraph (f)(1) is not a 
``payment failure'' in violation of Sec.  107.1820(e)(6).
    (2) SBA may restrict Distributions under this Sec.  107.1560 if SBA 
determines that the value of your assets is materially overstated. SBA 
must give you notice of such a determination in advance of your proposed 
Distribution.
    (g) How SBA will apply your Distributions. Your Distributions to SBA 
(or its designated agent or Trustee) under this Sec.  107.1560 will be 
applied in the following order:
    (1) First, to Profit Participation;

[[Page 118]]

    (2) Second, to the extent there remain any Retained Earnings 
Available for Distribution, to distributions on Preferred Securities;
    (3) Third, as a redemption of Participating Securities in order of 
issue;
    (4) Fourth, as a redemption of Preferred Securities; and
    (5) Fifth, as the repayment of principal of any outstanding 
Debentures, with such repayment to be made into escrow on terms and 
conditions SBA determines.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5872, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1570  Distributions by Licensee--optional Distribution 
to private investors and SBA.

    If you have outstanding Participating Securities or Earmarked 
Assets, you may make two types of optional Distributions under this 
Sec.  107.1570: quarterly Distributions determined the same way as the 
required annual Distributions in Sec.  107.1560, and Distributions 
allocated between SBA and your private investors in proportion to the 
capital contributions of each. You must notify SBA of any planned 
distribution under this section 10 business days before the distribution 
date, unless SBA permits otherwise.
    (a) Quarterly Distributions subject to conditions in Sec.  107.1560. 
(1) You may make Distributions under this paragraph (a) as of the end of 
any fiscal quarter, giving SBA (or its designated agent or Trustee) a 
percentage share determined under Sec.  107.1560(e).
    (2) Such Distributions are subject to all the provisions in Sec.  
107.1560 (a)(1), (a)(3), (a)(4), (d), (f)(2), and (g).
    (3) You may make such Distributions only on the next Payment Date 
following the end of your fiscal quarter.
    (4) The total amount of such Distributions may not exceed the result 
of the following computation:
    (i) Your Retained Earnings Available for Distribution as of the end 
of your fiscal quarter; minus
    (ii) All previous Distributions under this paragraph (a) or Sec.  
107.1560 that were applied as redemptions or repayments of Leverage; 
plus
    (iii) All previous Distributions under paragraph (b) of this section 
that reduced your Retained Earnings Available for Distribution.
    (b) Other optional Distributions. On any Payment Date, you may make 
additional Distributions to your private investors and to SBA (or its 
designated agent or Trustee) under this paragraph (b).
    (1) Conditions for making a Distribution. You may make a 
Distribution under this paragraph (b) only if:
    (i) You have distributed all Earned Prioritized Payments, earned 
Adjustments, and earned Charges, so that the balance in your 
Distribution Account is zero (see Sec.  107.1520).
    (ii) You have distributed all Profit Participation computed under 
Sec.  107.1530 which you are required to distribute under Sec.  107.1560 
or permitted to distribute under paragraph (a) of this section, as 
appropriate, and you have made all required Distributions under Sec.  
107.1560.
    (iii) You satisfy the liquidity requirement in Sec.  107.1505 or 
obtain SBA's prior written approval of the Distribution.
    (iv) You do not have a condition of Capital Impairment.
    (v) The Distribution does not reduce your Regulatory Capital 
(excluding commitments from Institutional Investors) below the minimum 
required under Sec.  107.210, unless SBA approves the reduction as part 
of a plan of liquidation.
    (vi) The Distribution does not cause you to have excess Leverage 
contrary to section 303 of the Act.
    (2) SBA's share of Distribution. (i) If your Capital Impairment 
Percentage under Sec.  107.1840 is zero, SBA's percentage share of any 
Distribution under this paragraph (b) equals:

[Leverage /(Leverage + Leverageable Capital)] x 100


In this formula, use Leverage and Leverageable Capital as of the date of 
the Distribution, after giving effect to any Distribution under Sec.  
107.1560 and paragraph (a) of this section.
    (ii) If your Capital Impairment Percentage under Sec.  107.1840 is 
greater than zero, you must modify the formula in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of 
this section by replacing Leverageable Capital with:

Leverageable Capital x (100% - CIP)


[[Page 119]]


where ``CIP'' is your Capital Impairment Percentage or 100 percent, 
          whichever is less.

    (3) How SBA will apply Distributions. Any amounts you distribute to 
SBA, or its designated agent or Trustee, under this paragraph (b) will 
be applied as a repayment or redemption of Leverage in the order set 
forth in Sec.  107.1560(g)(3) through (g)(5).
    (4) Effect of Distributions on Retained Earnings Available for 
Distribution. Any amounts you distribute to non-SBA investors under this 
paragraph (b) must reduce your Retained Earnings Available for 
Distribution to zero before reducing your Private Capital.
    (5) Permitted exception to Sec.  107.585. You may make any 
Distribution permitted by this paragraph (b), even if the result is a 
reduction in your Regulatory Capital that would otherwise be prohibited 
under Sec.  107.585.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5872, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1575  Distributions on other than Payment Dates.

    (a) Permitted Distributions on other than Payment Dates. 
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in Sec. Sec.  107.1540 
through 107.1570, you may make Distributions on dates other than Payment 
Dates as follows:
    (1) Required annual Distributions under Sec.  107.1540(a)(1), annual 
Distributions under Sec.  107.1550, and any Distributions under Sec.  
107.1560 must be made no later than the second Payment Date following 
the end of your fiscal year.
    (2) Required Distributions under Sec.  107.1540(b) must be made no 
later than the first Payment Date following the end of the applicable 
fiscal quarter;
    (3) Optional Distributions under Sec.  107.1540(a)(2) and Sec.  
107.1570 may be made on any date.
    (4) Quarterly Distributions under Sec.  107.1550 must be made no 
earlier than the last day of the calendar quarter for which the 
Distribution is being made and no later than the first Payment Date 
following the end of such calendar quarter.
    (b) Conditions for making Distribution. All Distributions under this 
section are subject to the following conditions:
    (1) You must obtain SBA's written approval before the distribution 
date;
    (2) The ending date of the period for which you compute your 
Earmarked Profits, Prioritized Payments, Adjustments, Charges, Profit 
Participation, Retained Earnings Available for Distribution, liquidity 
ratio, Capital Impairment, and any other applicable computations 
required under Sec. Sec.  107.1500 through 107.1570, must be:
    (i) The distribution date, or
    (ii) If your Distribution includes annual Distributions under 
Sec. Sec.  107.1540(a)(1), 107.1550 and/or 107.1560, your most recent 
fiscal year end;
    (3) If your Distribution includes an amount which SBA will apply as 
a redemption of Participating Securities, the effective date of such 
redemption, for all purposes including future computations of 
Prioritized Payments, will be the next Payment Date following the 
distribution date.

[63 FR 5872, Feb. 5, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 70997, Dec. 20, 1999]



Sec.  107.1580  Special rules for In-Kind Distributions by Licensees.

    (a) In-Kind Distributions while Licensee has outstanding 
Participating Securities. A Distribution under Sec. Sec.  107.1540, 
107.1560 or 107.1570 may consist of securities (an ``In-Kind 
Distribution''). Such a Distribution must satisfy the conditions in this 
paragraph (a).
    (1) You may distribute only Distributable Securities.
    (2) You must distribute each security pro-rata to all investors and 
to SBA or its designated agent or Trustee, based on the amounts that 
each party would receive if the Distribution were in cash.
    (3) You must impute a gain (loss) on each security being distributed 
as if it were being sold, using the value of the security as of the 
declaration date of the Distribution (if you are a Corporate Licensee) 
or the distribution date (if you are a Partnership Licensee).
    (4) You must deposit SBA's share of securities being distributed 
with a disposition agent designated by SBA. As an alternative, if you 
agree, SBA may direct you to dispose of its shares. In this case, you 
must promptly remit the proceeds to SBA.
    (b) In-Kind Distributions after Licensee has redeemed all 
Participating Securities. This paragraph (b) applies from the

[[Page 120]]

time you redeem all your Participating Securities until you dispose of 
all your Earmarked Assets.
    (1) You may make an In-Kind Distribution of an Earmarked Asset only 
if you pay SBA the lower of:
    (i) An amount equal to the Unrealized Appreciation on the asset; or
    (ii) The full amount of your Accumulated Prioritized Payments and 
unpaid Adjustments.
    (2) You must obtain SBA's prior written approval of any In-Kind 
Distribution of Earmarked Assets that are not Distributable Securities, 
specifically including approval of the valuation of the assets.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5872, Feb. 5, 1998; 64 
FR 70997, Dec. 20, 1999]



Sec.  107.1585  Exchange of Debentures for Participating Securities.

    You may, in SBA's discretion, retire a Debenture through the 
issuance of Participating Securities. To do so, you must:
    (a) Obtain SBA's approval to issue Participating Securities;
    (b) Pay all unpaid accrued interest on the Debenture, plus any 
applicable prepayment penalties, fees, and other charges;
    (c) Have outstanding Equity Capital Investments (at cost) equal to 
the amount of the Debenture being refinanced; and
    (d) Classify all your existing Loans and Investments as Earmarked 
Assets.

[63 FR 5869, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1590  Special rules for companies licensed on 
or before March 31, 1993.

    This section applies to companies licensed on or before March 31, 
1993 that apply to issue Participating Securities.
    (a) Election to exclude pre-existing portfolio. You may choose to 
exclude all (but not a portion) of your Loans and Investments as of 
March 31, 1993, from classification as Earmarked Assets if:
    (1) The proceeds of your first issuance of Participating Securities 
are not used to refinance outstanding Debentures (see Sec.  
107.1585(a)). SBA will consider payment or prepayment of any outstanding 
Debenture to be a refinancing unless you demonstrate to SBA's 
satisfaction that you can pay the Debenture principal without relying on 
the proceeds of the Participating Securities.
    (2) SBA, in its sole discretion, approves the exclusion.
    (b) Treatment of pre-existing portfolio if not excluded. If you do 
not choose to exclude your Loans and Investments as of March 31, 1993, 
they will be Earmarked Assets for all purposes.
    (c) Requirements for Licensee's first issuance of Participating 
Securities. When you apply for your first issuance of Participating 
Securities, you must comply with the following:
    (1) For each of your Loans and Investments, you must submit:
    (i) The most recent annual report (or fiscal year-end financial 
statements) and the most recent interim financial statements of the 
Small Business; and
    (ii) Your valuation reports on the Small Business, prepared as of 
the end of each of your last three fiscal years. If you have applied for 
Participating Securities on the basis of interim financial statements, 
you must also submit a valuation report as of your interim financial 
statement date.
    (2) If you have negative Undistributed Net Realized Earnings and/or 
a net Unrealized Loss on Securities Held, SBA may require you to undergo 
a quasi-reorganization in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles.
    (3) If your financial statements accompanying the Participating 
Securities application are for an interim period, you must have your 
SBA-approved independent public accountant perform a limited-scope audit 
of the statements. For purposes of this paragraph (d)(3), ``limited 
scope audit'' means auditing procedures sufficient to enable the 
independent public accountant to express an opinion on the Statement of 
Financial Position and the accompanying Schedule of Loans and 
Investments.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5873, Feb. 5, 1998]

[[Page 121]]

 Funding Leverage by Use of SBA-Guaranteed Trust Certificates (``TCs'')



Sec.  107.1600  SBA authority to issue and guarantee Trust Certificates.

    (a) Authorization. Sections 319(a) and (b) of the Act authorize SBA 
or its CRA to issue TCs, and SBA to guarantee the timely payment of the 
principal and interest thereon. Any guarantee by SBA of such TC is 
limited to the principal and interest due on the Debentures or the 
Redemption Price of and Prioritized Payments on Participating Securities 
in any Trust or Pool backing such TC. The full faith and credit of the 
United States is pledged to the payment of all amounts due under the 
guarantee of any TC.
    (b) Periodic exercise of authority. SBA will issue guarantees of 
Debentures and Participating Securities under section 303 and of TCs 
under section 319 of the Act at six month intervals, or at shorter 
intervals, taking into account the amount and number of such guarantees 
or TCs.
    (c) SBA authority to arrange public or private fundings of Leverage. 
SBA in its discretion may arrange for public or private financing under 
its guarantee authority. Such financing arranged by SBA may be 
accomplished by the sale of individual Debentures or Participating 
Securities, aggregations of Debentures or Participating Securities, or 
Pools or Trusts of Debentures or Participating Securities.
    (d) Pass-through provisions. TCs shall provide for a pass-through to 
their holders of all amounts of principal and interest paid on the 
Debentures, or the Redemption Price of and Prioritized Payments on the 
Participating Securities, in the Pool or Trust against which they are 
issued.
    (e) Formation of a Pool or Trust holding Leverage Securities. SBA 
shall approve the formation of each Pool or Trust. SBA may, in its 
discretion, establish the size of the Pools and their composition, the 
interest rate on the TCs issued against Trusts or Pools, fees, 
discounts, premiums and other charges made in connection with the Pools, 
Trusts, and TCs, and any other characteristics of a Pool or Trust it 
deems appropriate.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5873, Feb. 5, 1998]



Sec.  107.1610  Effect of prepayment or early redemption of Leverage 
on a Trust Certificate.

    (a) The rights, if any, of a Licensee to prepay any Debenture or 
make early redemption of any Participating Security are established by 
the terms of such securities, and no such right is created or denied by 
the regulations in this part.
    (b) SBA's rights to purchase or prepay any Debenture without premium 
are established by the terms of the Guaranty Agreement relating to the 
Debenture. SBA's rights to redeem, at any time, any Participating 
Security without premium are established by the terms of the Guaranty 
Agreement relating to the Participating Security.
    (c) Any prepayment of a Debenture or early redemption of a 
Participating Security pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty Agreement 
relating to such securities, shall reduce the SBA guarantee of timely 
payment of principal and interest on a TC in proportion to the amount of 
principal or Redemption Price that such prepaid Debenture or redeemed 
Participating Security represents in the Trust or Pool backing such TC.
    (d) SBA shall be discharged from its guarantee obligation to the 
holder or holders of any TC, or any successor or transferee of such 
holder, to the extent of any such prepayment, whether or not such 
successor or transferee shall have notice of any such prepayment.
    (e) Interest on prepaid Debentures and Prioritized Payments on 
Participating Securities shall accrue only through the date of such 
voluntary prepayment or SBA payment, as the case may be.
    (f) In the event that all Debentures or Participating Securities 
constituting a Trust or Pool are prepaid, the TCs backed by such Trust 
or Pool shall be redeemed by payment of the unpaid principal and 
interest on the TCs; Provided, however, that in the case of the 
prepayment of a Debenture pursuant to the provisions of the Guaranty 
Agreement relating to the Debenture, the

[[Page 122]]

CRA shall pass through pro rata to the holders of the TCs any such 
prepayments including any prepayment penalty paid by the obligor 
Licensee pursuant to the terms of the Debenture.



Sec.  107.1620  Functions of agents, including Central Registration Agent, 
Selling Agent and Fiscal Agent.

    (a) Agents. SBA will appoint or cause to be appointed agent(s) to 
perform functions necessary to market and service Debentures, 
Participating Securities, or TCs pursuant to this part.
    (1) Selling Agent. As a condition of guaranteeing a Debenture or 
Participating Security, SBA shall cause each Licensee to appoint a 
Selling Agent to perform functions which include, but are not limited 
to:
    (i) Selecting qualified entities to become pool or Trust assemblers 
(``Poolers'').
    (ii) Receiving guaranteed Debentures and Participating Securities as 
well as negotiating the terms and conditions of periodic offerings of 
Debentures and/or TCs with Poolers on behalf of Licensees.
    (iii) Directing and coordinating periodic sales of Debentures and 
Participating Securities and/or TCs.
    (iv) Arranging for the production of the Offering Circular, 
certificates, and such other documents as may be required from time to 
time.
    (2) Fiscal Agent. SBA shall appoint a Fiscal Agent to:
    (i) Establish performance criteria for Poolers.
    (ii) Monitor and evaluate the financial markets to determine those 
factors that will minimize or reduce the cost of funding Debentures or 
Participating Securities.
    (iii) Monitor the performance of the Selling Agent, Poolers, CRA, 
and the Trustee.
    (iv) Perform such other functions as SBA, from time to time, may 
prescribe.
    (3) Central Registration Agent. Pursuant to a contract entered into 
with SBA, the CRA, as SBA's agent, will do the following with respect to 
the Pools or Trust Certificates for the Debentures or Participating 
Securities:
    (i) Form an SBA-approved Pool or Trust;
    (ii) Issue the TCs in the form prescribed by SBA;
    (iii) Transfer the TCs upon the sale of original issue TCs in any 
secondary market transaction;
    (iv) Receive payments from Licensees;
    (v) Make periodic payments as scheduled or required by the terms of 
the TCs, and pay all amounts required to be paid upon prepayment of 
Debentures or redemption of Participating Securities;
    (vi) Hold, safeguard, and release all Debentures and Participating 
Securities constituting Trusts or Pools upon instructions from SBA;
    (vii) Remain custodian of such other documentation as SBA shall 
direct by written instructions;
    (viii) Provide for the registration of all pooled Debentures and 
Participating Securities, all Pools and Trusts, and all TCs;
    (ix) Perform such other functions as SBA may deem necessary to 
implement the provisions of this section.
    (b) Functions. The function of locating purchasers, and negotiating 
and closing the sale of Debentures, Participating Securities and TCs, 
may be performed either by SBA or an agent appointed by SBA. Nothing in 
the regulations in this part shall be interpreted to prevent the CRA 
from acting as SBA's agent for this purpose.



Sec.  107.1630  SBA regulation of Brokers and Dealers and disclosure 
to purchasers of Leverage or Trust Certificates.

    (a) Disclosure to purchasers. Prior to any sale of a Debenture, 
Participating Security, or TC, SBA shall require the seller, or the 
broker or dealer as agent for the seller, to disclose to the purchaser, 
in a form prescribed or approved by SBA, specified information on the 
terms, conditions, and yield of such instrument.
    (b) Brokers and Dealers. Each broker, dealer, and Pool or Trust 
assembler approved by SBA pursuant to these regulations shall either be 
regulated by a Federal financial regulatory agency, or be a member of 
the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), and shall be in 
good standing in respect to compliance with the financial, ethical,

[[Page 123]]

and reporting requirements of such body. They also shall be in good 
standing with SBA as determined by the SBA Associate Administrator for 
Investment (see paragraph (d) of this section) and shall provide a 
fidelity bond or insurance in such amount as SBA may require.
    (c) Suspension and/or termination of Broker or Dealer. SBA shall 
exclude from the sale and all other dealings in Debentures, 
Participating Securities or TCs any broker or dealer:
    (1) If such broker's or dealer's authority to engage in the 
securities business has been revoked or suspended by a supervisory 
agency. When such authority has been suspended, such broker or dealer 
will be suspended by SBA for the duration of such suspension by the 
supervisory agency.
    (2) If such broker or dealer has been indicted or otherwise formally 
charged with a misdemeanor or felony bearing on its fitness, such broker 
or dealer may be suspended while the charge is pending. Upon conviction, 
participation may be terminated.
    (3) If such broker or dealer has suffered an adverse final civil 
judgment, holding that such broker or dealer has committed a breach of 
trust or violation of law or regulation protecting the integrity of 
business transactions or relationships, participation in the market for 
Debentures, Participating Securities or TCs may be terminated.
    (4) If such broker or dealer has failed to make full disclosure of 
the information required by SBA in paragraph (a) of this section, such 
broker's or dealer's participation in the market for Debentures, 
Participating Securities or TCs may be terminated.
    (d) Termination/suspension proceedings. A broker's or dealer's 
participation in the market for Debentures, Participating Securities or 
TCs will be conducted in accordance with part 134 of this chapter. SBA 
may, for any of the reasons stated in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) 
of this section, suspend the privilege of any broker or dealer to 
participate in this market. SBA shall give written notice at least ten 
(10) business days prior to the effective date of such suspension. Such 
notice shall inform the broker or dealer of the opportunity for a 
hearing pursuant to part 134 of this chapter.



Sec.  107.1640  SBA access to records of the CRA, Brokers, Dealers 
and Pool or Trust assemblers.

    The CRA and any broker, dealer and Pool or Trust assembler operating 
under the regulations in this part shall make all books, records and 
related materials associated with Debentures, Participating Securities 
and TCs available to SBA for review and copying purposes. Such access 
shall be at such party's primary place of business during normal 
business hours.

                              Miscellaneous



Sec.  107.1700  Transfer by SBA of its interest in Licensee's 
Leverage security.

    Upon such conditions and for such consideration as it deems 
reasonable, SBA may sell, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any 
Preferred Security, Debenture, Participating Security, or other security 
held by or on behalf of SBA in connection with Leverage. Upon notice by 
SBA, Licensee will make all payments of principal, dividends, interest, 
Prioritized Payments, and redemptions as shall be directed by SBA. 
Licensee will be liable for all damage or loss which SBA may sustain by 
reason of such disposal, up to the amount of Licensee's liability under 
such security, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred 
by SBA.



Sec.  107.1710  SBA authority to collect or compromise its claims.

    SBA may, upon such conditions and for such consideration as it deems 
reasonable, collect or compromise all claims relating to Preferred or 
Participating Securities or obligations held or guaranteed by SBA, and 
all legal or equitable rights accruing to SBA.



Sec.  107.1720  Characteristics of SBA's guarantee.

    If SBA agrees to guarantee a Licensee's Debentures or Participating 
Securities, such guarantee will be unconditional, irrespective of the 
validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debentures or 
Participating Securities or any other circumstances which might

[[Page 124]]

constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. 
Pursuant to its guarantee, SBA will make timely payments of principal 
and interest on the Debentures or the Redemption Price of and 
Prioritized Payments on the Participating Securities.

[63 FR 5873, Feb. 5, 1998]



                   Subpart J_Licensee's Noncompliance



Sec.  107.1800  Licensee's agreement to terms and conditions 
in Sec. Sec.  107.1810 and 107.1820.

    Any Licensee that violates the terms and conditions of its Leverage 
is subject to SBA remedies. The terms, conditions and remedies in Sec.  
107.1810 apply to outstanding Debentures issued after April 25, 1994. 
The terms, conditions and remedies in Sec.  107.1820 apply to 
outstanding Preferred Securities and Participating Securities issued 
after April 25, 1994, or if you have Earmarked Assets in your portfolio.



Sec.  107.1810  Events of default and SBA's remedies for Licensee's 
noncompliance with terms of Debentures.

    (a) Applicability of this section. This Sec.  107.1810 applies to 
Debentures issued after April 25, 1994. By issuing such Debentures, you 
automatically agree to the terms, conditions and remedies in this 
section, as in effect at the time of issuance and as if fully set forth 
in the Debentures. Debentures issued before April 25, 1994 continue to 
be governed by the remedies in effect at the time of their issuance.
    (b) Automatic events of default. The occurrence of one or more of 
the events in this paragraph (b) causes the remedies in paragraph (c) of 
this section to take effect immediately.
    (1) Insolvency. You become equitably or legally insolvent.
    (2) Voluntary assignment. You make a voluntary assignment for the 
benefit of creditors without SBA's prior written approval.
    (3) Bankruptcy. You file a petition to begin any bankruptcy or 
reorganization proceeding, receivership, dissolution or other similar 
creditors' rights proceeding, or such action is initiated against you 
and is not dismissed within 60 days.
    (c) SBA remedies for automatic events of default. Upon the 
occurrence of one or more of the events in paragraph (b) of this 
section:
    (1) Without notice, presentation or demand, the entire indebtedness 
evidenced by your Debentures, including accrued interest, and any other 
amounts owed SBA with respect to your Debentures, is immediately due and 
payable; and
    (2) You automatically consent to the appointment of SBA or its 
designee as your receiver under section 311(c) of the Act.
    (d) Events of default with notice. For any occurrence (as determined 
by SBA) of one or more of the events in this paragraph (d), SBA may 
avail itself of one or more of the remedies in paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (1) Fraud. You commit a fraudulent act which causes detriment to 
SBA's position as a creditor or guarantor.
    (2) Fraudulent transfers. You make any transfer or incur any 
obligation that is fraudulent under the terms of 11 U.S.C. 548.
    (3) Willful conflicts of interest. You willfully violate Sec.  
107.730.
    (4) Willful non-compliance. You willfully violate one or more of the 
substantive provisions of the Act, specifically including but not 
limited to the provisions summarized in section 310(c) of the Act, or 
any substantive regulation promulgated under the Act.
    (5) Repeated Events of Default. At any time after being notified by 
SBA of the occurrence of an event of default under paragraph (f) of this 
section, you engage in similar behavior which results in another 
occurrence of the same event of default.
    (6) Transfer of Control. You violate Sec.  107.475 and/or willfully 
violate Sec.  107.410, and as a result of such violation you undergo a 
transfer of Control.
    (7) Non-cooperation under Sec.  107.1810(h). You fail to take 
appropriate steps, satisfactory to SBA, to accomplish any action SBA may 
have required under paragraph (h) of this section.
    (8) Non-notification of Events of Default. You fail to notify SBA as 
soon as you know or reasonably should have known that any event of 
default exists under this section.

[[Page 125]]

    (9) Non-notification of defaults to others. You fail to notify SBA 
in writing within ten days from the date of a declaration of an event of 
default or nonperformance under any note, debenture or indebtedness of 
yours, issued to or held by anyone other than SBA.
    (e) SBA remedies for events of default with notice. Upon written 
notice to you of the occurrence (as determined by SBA) of one or more of 
the events in paragraph (d) of this section:
    (1) SBA may declare the entire indebtedness evidenced by your 
Debentures, including accrued interest, and/or any other amounts owed 
SBA with respect to your Debentures, immediately due and payable; and
    (2) SBA may avail itself of any remedy available under the Act, 
specifically including institution of proceedings for the appointment of 
SBA or its designee as your receiver under section 311(c) of the Act.
    (f) Events of default with opportunity to cure. For any occurrence 
(as determined by SBA) of one or more of the events in this paragraph 
(f), SBA may avail itself of one or more of the remedies in paragraph 
(g) of this section.
    (1) Excessive Management Expenses. Without the prior written consent 
of SBA, you incur Management Expenses in excess of those permitted under 
Sec.  107.520.
    (2) Improper Distributions. You make any Distribution to your 
shareholders or partners, except with the prior written consent of SBA, 
other than:
    (i) Distributions permitted under Sec.  107.585;
    (ii) Payments from Retained Earnings Available for Distribution 
based on either the shareholders' pro-rata interests or the provisions 
for profit distributions in your partnership agreement, as appropriate;
    (iii) Distributions by Participating Securities issuers as permitted 
under Sec. Sec.  107.1540 through 107.1580; and
    (iv) Distributions by Early Stage SBICs as permitted under Sec.  
107.1180.
    (3) Failure to make payment. Unless otherwise approved by SBA, you 
fail to make timely payment of any amount due under any security or 
obligation of yours that is issued to, held or guaranteed by SBA.
    (4) Failure to maintain Regulatory Capital. You fail to maintain the 
minimum Regulatory Capital required under these regulations or, without 
the prior written consent of SBA, you reduce your Regulatory Capital, 
except as permitted by Sec. Sec.  107.585 and 107.1560 through 107.1580.
    (5) Capital Impairment. You have a condition of Capital Impairment 
as determined under Sec.  107.1830.
    (6) Cross-default. An obligation of yours that is greater than 
$100,000 becomes due or payable (with or without notice) before its 
stated maturity date, for any reason including your failure to pay any 
amount when due. This provision does not apply if you pay the amount due 
within any applicable grace period or contest the payment of the 
obligation in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
    (7) Nonperformance. You violate or fail to perform one or more of 
the terms and conditions of any security or obligation of yours that is 
issued to, held or guaranteed by SBA, or of any agreement with or 
conditions imposed by SBA in its administration of the Act and the 
regulations promulgated under the Act.
    (8) Noncompliance. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(5) 
of this section, SBA determines that you have violated one or more of 
the substantive provisions of the Act, specifically including but not 
limited to the provisions summarized in section 310(c) of the Act, or 
any substantive regulation promulgated under the Act.
    (9) Failure to maintain investment ratio. You fail to maintain the 
investment ratio for Leverage in excess of 300 percent of Leverageable 
Capital (see Sec.  107.1160(c)), if applicable to you, as of the end of 
each fiscal year. In determining whether you have maintained the ratio, 
SBA will disregard any prepayment, sale, or disposition of Venture 
Capital Financing, any increase in Leverageable Capital, and any receipt 
of additional Leverage, within 120 days prior to the end of your fiscal 
year.
    (10) Failure to maintain diversity. You fail to maintain diversity 
between management and ownership as required by Sec.  107.150, if 
applicable to you.
    (11) Failure by an Early Stage SBIC to meet investment requirements. 
You are an

[[Page 126]]

Early Stage SBIC and, beginning on the first fiscal quarter end when 
your cumulative total Financings (in dollars) are at least equal to your 
Regulatory Capital, you have not made at least 50 percent of such 
Financings to Small Businesses that at the time of your initial 
Financing were ``early stage'' companies, as defined under the 
definition of Early Stage SBIC in Sec.  107.50 of this part.
    (12) Failure by an Early Stage SBIC to maintain required interest 
reserve. You are an Early Stage SBIC and you fail to maintain a 
sufficient reserve to pay interest and Charges on your Debentures as 
required under Sec.  107.1181 of this part.
    (g) SBA remedies for events of default with opportunity to cure. (1) 
Upon written notice to you of the occurrence (as determined by SBA) of 
one or more of the events of default in paragraph (f) of this section, 
and subject to the conditions in paragraph (g)(2) of this section:
    (i) SBA may declare the entire indebtedness evidenced by your 
Debentures, including accrued interest, and/or any other amounts owed 
SBA with respect to your Debentures, immediately due and payable; and
    (ii) SBA may avail itself of any remedy available under the Act, 
specifically including institution of proceedings for the appointment of 
SBA or its designee as your receiver under section 311(c) of the Act.
    (2) SBA may invoke the remedies in paragraph (g)(1) of this section 
only if:
    (i) It has given you at least 15 days to cure the default(s); and
    (ii) You fail to cure the default(s) to SBA's satisfaction within 
the allotted time.
    (h) Repeated non-substantive violations. If you repeatedly fail to 
comply with one or more of the non-substantive provisions of the Act or 
any non-substantive regulation promulgated under the Act, SBA, after 
written notification to you and until you cure such condition to SBA's 
satisfaction, may deny you additional Leverage and/or require you to 
take such actions as SBA may determine to be appropriate under the 
circumstances.
    (i) Consent to removal of officers, directors, or general partners 
and/or appointment of receiver. The Articles of any Licensee issuing 
Debentures after April 25, 1994 must include the following provisions as 
a condition to the purchase or guarantee by SBA of such Leverage. Upon 
the occurrence of any of the events specified in paragraphs (d)(1) 
through (d)(6) or (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this section as determined by 
SBA, SBA shall have the right, and your consent to SBA's exercise of 
such right:
    (1) With respect to a Corporate Licensee, upon written notice, to 
require you to replace, with individuals approved by SBA, one or more of 
your officers and/or such number of directors of your board of directors 
as is sufficient to constitute a majority of such board; or
    (2) With respect to a Partnership Licensee, upon written notice, to 
require you to remove the person(s) responsible for such occurrence and/
or to remove the general partner of Licensee, which general partner 
shall then be replaced in accordance with Licensee's Articles by a new 
general partner approved by SBA; and/or
    (3) With respect to either a Corporate or Partnership Licensee, to 
obtain the appointment of SBA or its designee as your receiver under 
section 311(c) of the Act for the purpose of continuing your operations. 
The appointment of a receiver to liquidate a Licensee is not within such 
consent, but is governed instead by the relevant provisions of the Act.
    (j) Additional SBA remedies applicable to Debentures issued by Early 
Stage SBICs. If you are an Early Stage SBIC, upon SBA's payment pursuant 
to its guarantee of any of your Debentures, SBA shall have the following 
additional rights and you consent to SBA's exercise of any or all of 
such rights:
    (1) To prohibit you from making any additional investments except 
for investments under legally binding commitments you entered into 
before such payment by SBA and, subject to SBA's prior written approval, 
investments that are necessary to protect your investments;
    (2) Until all Leverage is repaid and amounts related thereto are 
paid in full, to prohibit Distributions by you to any party other than 
SBA, its agent or Trustee;

[[Page 127]]

    (3) To require all your commitments from investors to be funded at 
the earliest time(s) permitted in accordance with your Articles;
    (4) To review and re-determine your approved Management Expenses; 
and
    (5) To the appointment of SBA or its designee as your receiver under 
section 311(c) of the Act for the purpose of continuing your operations.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 74 FR 33916, July 14, 2009; 77 
FR 25054, Apr. 27, 2012]



Sec.  107.1820  Conditions affecting issuers of Preferred Securities 
and/or Participating Securities.

    (a) Applicability of this section. This section applies if you have 
Preferred Securities issued after April 25, 1994, or if you issue 
Participating Securities or have Earmarked Assets in your portfolio. 
Your Articles must include the provisions of this Sec.  107.1820 as a 
condition to SBA's purchase of Preferred Securities or guarantee of 
Participating Securities and for as long as you own Earmarked Assets. 
Preferred Securities issued before April 25, 1994 continue to be 
governed by the remedies in effect at the time of their issuance.
    (b) Removal Conditions. Upon the occurrence (as determined by SBA) 
of any of the following conditions (``Removal Conditions''), SBA may 
avail itself of one or more of the remedies in paragraph (d) of this 
section:
    (1) Insolvency or extreme Capital Impairment. You become equitably 
or legally insolvent, or have a Capital Impairment Percentage of 100 
percent or more (``extreme Capital Impairment'') and have not cured such 
Capital Impairment within the time limits set by SBA in writing. In this 
regard:
    (i) You are not considered to have a condition of extreme Capital 
Impairment during the first eight years following your first issuance of 
Participating Securities.
    (ii) This paragraph (b)(1) does not give you an additional 
opportunity to cure if you have already had an opportunity to cure your 
Capital Impairment under paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (2) Voluntary assignment. You make a voluntary assignment for the 
benefit of creditors.
    (3) Bankruptcy. You begin any bankruptcy or reorganization 
proceeding, receivership, dissolution or other similar creditors' rights 
proceeding, or such action is initiated against you and is not dismissed 
within 60 days.
    (4) Transfer of Control. You violate Sec.  107.475 and/or willfully 
violate Sec.  107.410, and such violation results in a transfer of 
Control.
    (5) Fraud. You commit a fraudulent act which causes serious 
detriment to SBA's position as a guarantor or investor.
    (6) Fraudulent transfers. You make any transfer or incur any 
obligation that is fraudulent under the terms of 11 U.S.C. 548.
    (c) Contingent Removal Conditions. Upon the occurrence (as 
determined by SBA) of any of the following conditions (``Contingent 
Removal Conditions''), SBA may avail itself of one or more of the 
remedies in paragraph (d) of this section, but only if you fail to 
remove the person(s) SBA identifies as responsible for such occurrence 
and/or cure such occurrence to SBA's satisfaction within a time period 
determined by SBA (but not less than 15 days):
    (1) Willful conflicts of interest. You willfully violate Sec.  
107.730.
    (2) Willful or repeated noncompliance. You willfully or repeatedly 
violate one or more of the substantive provisions of the Act, 
specifically including but not limited to the provisions summarized in 
section 310(c) of the Act, or any substantive regulation promulgated 
under the Act.
    (3) Failure to comply with restrictions under paragraph (f) of this 
section. You fail to comply with the restrictions imposed by SBA under 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (d) SBA remedies for Removal Conditions and Contingent Removal 
Conditions. Upon the occurrence (as determined by SBA) of any Removal 
Condition, or any Contingent Removal Condition accompanied by your 
failure to act as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, SBA has 
the following rights, and you consent to SBA's exercise of any or all of 
such rights:
    (1) With respect to a Corporate Licensee, upon written notice, to 
require

[[Page 128]]

you to replace, with individuals approved by SBA, one or more of your 
officers and/or such number of directors as is sufficient to constitute 
a majority of your board of directors; or
    (2) With respect to a Partnership Licensee, upon written notice, to 
require you to remove the person(s) responsible for such occurrence and/
or to remove your general partner, who shall then be replaced in 
accordance with your Articles by a new general partner approved by SBA; 
and/or
    (3) With respect to either a Corporate or Partnership Licensee, to 
the appointment of SBA or its designee as your receiver under section 
311(c) of the Act for the purpose of continuing your operations. The 
appointment of a receiver to liquidate a Licensee is not within such 
consent, but is governed instead by the relevant provisions of the Act.
    (e) Restricted Operations Conditions. Upon the occurrence (as 
determined by SBA) of any of the following conditions (``Restricted 
Operations Conditions''), SBA may avail itself of any of the remedies in 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (1) Removal Conditions or Contingent Removal Conditions. Any 
condition occurs which is listed in paragraphs (b) or (c) of this 
section.
    (2) Failure to maintain Regulatory Capital. You fail to maintain the 
minimum Regulatory Capital required by this part.
    (3) Capital or Liquidity Impairment. You have a condition of Capital 
Impairment as determined under Sec.  107.1830 or, if applicable, a 
condition of Liquidity Impairment as determined under Sec.  107.1505, 
and you fail to cure the impairment within time limits set by SBA in 
writing.
    (4) Improper Distributions. You make any Distribution to your 
shareholders or partners other than those permitted by Sec. Sec.  
107.585 and 107.1560 through 107.1580.
    (5) Excessive Management Expenses. Without the prior written consent 
of SBA, you incur Management Expenses in excess of those permitted under 
Sec.  107.520.
    (6) Failure to make payment. You fail to pay any amounts due under 
Preferred Securities or required by Sec. Sec.  107.1500 through 
107.1590, unless otherwise permitted by SBA.
    (7) Noncompliance. Except as otherwise provided for in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section, SBA determines that you have failed 
to comply with one or more of the substantive provisions of the Act, 
specifically including but not limited to the provisions summarized in 
section 310(c) of the Act, or any substantive regulation promulgated 
under the Act.
    (8) Failure to maintain diversity. You fail to maintain diversity 
between management and ownership as required by Sec.  107.150, if 
applicable to you.
    (9) Failure to meet investment requirements. You fail to make the 
amount of Equity Capital Investments required for Participating 
Securities (Sec.  107.1500(b)(4)), if applicable to you; or you fail to 
maintain as of the end of each fiscal year the investment ratios or 
amounts required for Leverage in excess of 300 percent of Leverageable 
Capital (Sec.  107.1160(c)) or Preferred Securities in excess of 100 
percent of Leverageable Capital (Sec.  107.1160(d)), if applicable to 
you. In determining whether you have met the maintenance requirements in 
Sec.  107.1160(c) or (d), SBA will disregard any prepayment, sale, or 
disposition of Venture Capital Financings, any increase in Leverageable 
Capital, and any receipt of additional Leverage, within 120 days prior 
to the end of your fiscal year.
    (10) Nonperformance. You violate or fail to perform one or more of 
the terms and conditions of any Participating Security or Preferred 
Security or of any agreement with or condition imposed by SBA in its 
administration of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
    (11) Noncooperation under paragraph (g) of this section. You fail to 
take appropriate steps, satisfactory to SBA, to accomplish such action 
as SBA may have required under paragraph (g) of this section.
    (f) SBA remedies for Restricted Operations Conditions. Upon the 
occurrence of any Restricted Operations Condition, and until such 
condition(s) are cured to SBA's satisfaction within a time period 
determined by SBA (but not less than 15 days), upon written notice SBA 
shall have the following

[[Page 129]]

rights, and you consent to SBA's exercise of any or all of such rights:
    (1) To prohibit you from making any additional investments except 
for investments under legally binding commitments you entered into 
before such notice and, subject to SBA's prior written approval, 
investments that are necessary to protect your investments;
    (2) Until all Leverage is redeemed and amounts due are paid, to 
prohibit Distributions by you to any party other than SBA, its agent or 
Trustee;
    (3) To require all your commitments from investors to be funded at 
the earliest time(s) permitted in accordance with your Articles; and
    (4) To review and re-determine your approved Management Expenses.
    (g) Repeated non-substantive violations. If you repeatedly fail to 
comply with one or more of the non-substantive provisions of the Act or 
any non-substantive regulation promulgated thereunder, SBA, after 
written notification to you and until such condition is cured to SBA's 
satisfaction, will deny you additional Leverage and/or require you to 
take such actions as SBA may determine to be appropriate under the 
circumstances.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5873, Feb. 5, 1998]

              Computation of Licensee's Capital Impairment



Sec.  107.1830  Licensee's Capital Impairment--definition 
and general requirements.

    (a) Applicability of this section. This section applies to Leverage 
issued on or after April 25, 1994. For Leverage issued before April 25, 
1994, you must comply with paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section and 
the Capital Impairment regulations in this part in effect when you 
issued your Leverage. For all Leverage issued, you must also comply with 
any contractual provisions to which you have agreed.
    (b) Significance of Capital Impairment condition. If you have a 
condition of Capital Impairment, you are not in compliance with the 
terms of your Leverage. As a result, SBA has the right to impose the 
applicable remedies for noncompliance in Sec. Sec.  107.1810(g) and 
107.1820(f).
    (c) Definition of Capital Impairment condition. You have a condition 
of Capital Impairment if your Capital Impairment Percentage, as computed 
in Sec.  107.1840, exceeds:
    (1) For Section 301(d) Licensees, 75 percent.
    (2) For Section 301(c) Licensees, the appropriate percentage from 
the following table:

                  Maximum Permitted Capital Impairment Percentages for Section 301(c) Licensees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Then your maximum
     If the percentage of equity capital        And your ratio of outstanding leverage      permitted capital
 investments (at cost) in your portfolio is:          to leverageable capital is:         impairment percentage
                                                                                                   is:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
67%..........................................  100% or less............................                       70
                                               Over 100% but not over 200%.............                       60
                                               Over 200%...............................                       50
At least 40% but under 67%...................  100% or less............................                       55
                                               Over 100% but not over 200%.............                       50
                                               Over 200%...............................                       40
Under 40%....................................  100% or less............................                       45
                                               Over 100% but not over 200%.............                       40
                                               Over 200%...............................                       35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Phase-in of maximum permitted Capital Impairment Percentages for 
Section 301(c) Licensees. If you are a Section 301(c) Licensee, 
regardless of your maximum permitted Capital Impairment Percentage under 
paragraph (c) of this section, you will not have a condition of Capital 
Impairment if:
    (1) Your Capital Impairment Percentage does not exceed 50 percent; 
and
    (2) You have not reached your first fiscal year end occurring after 
April 25, 1995.
    (e) Quarterly computation requirement and procedure. SBA will 
determine whether you have a condition of Capital Impairment as of the 
end of each

[[Page 130]]

fiscal quarter. If SBA finds you capitally impaired, they will notify 
you.
    (f) SBA's right to determine Licensee's Capital Impairment 
condition. SBA may make its own determination of your Capital Impairment 
condition at any time.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 5873, Feb. 5, 1998; 88 
FR 46012, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1840  Computation of Licensee's Capital Impairment Percentage.

    (a) General. This section contains the procedures SBA will use to 
determine your Capital Impairment Percentage. SBA will compare your 
Capital Impairment Percentage to the maximum permitted under Sec.  
107.1830(c) to determine whether you have a condition of Capital 
Impairment.
    (b) Preliminary impairment test. If you satisfy the preliminary 
impairment test, your Capital Impairment Percentage is zero and SBA will 
not have to perform any more procedures in this section. Otherwise, SBA 
will continue with paragraph (c) of this section. You satisfy the test 
if the following amounts are both zero or greater:
    (1) The sum of Undistributed Net Realized Earnings, as reported on 
SBA Form 468, and Includible Non-Cash Gains.
    (2) Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Held.
    (c) How to compute Capital Impairment Percentage. (1) If you have an 
Unrealized Gain on Securities Held, SBA will compute your Adjusted 
Unrealized Gain using paragraph (d) of this section. If you have an 
Unrealized Loss on Securities Held, SBA will continue with paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section.
    (2) Add together your Undistributed Net Realized Earnings, your 
Includible Non-cash Gains, and either your Unrealized Loss on Securities 
Held or your Adjusted Unrealized Gain.
    (3) If the sum in paragraph (c)(2) of this section is zero or 
greater, your Capital Impairment Percentage is zero.
    (4) If the sum in paragraph (c)(2) of this section is less than 
zero, drop the negative sign, divide by your Regulatory Capital 
(excluding Treasury Stock), and multiply by 100. The result is your 
Capital Impairment Percentage.
    (d) How to compute your Adjusted Unrealized Gain. (1) Subtract 
Unrealized Depreciation from Unrealized Appreciation. This is your ``Net 
Appreciation''.
    (2) Determine your Unrealized Appreciation on Publicly Traded and 
Marketable securities. This is your ``Class 1 Appreciation''.
    (3) Determine your Unrealized Appreciation on securities that are 
not Publicly Traded and Marketable and meet the following criteria, 
which must be substantiated to the satisfaction of SBA (this is your 
``Class 2 Appreciation''):
    (i) The Small Business that issued the security received a 
significant subsequent equity financing by an investor whose objectives 
were not primarily strategic and at a price that conclusively supports 
the Unrealized Appreciation;
    (ii) Such financing represents a substantial investment in the form 
of an arm's length transaction by a sophisticated new investor in the 
issuer's securities; and
    (iii) Except as provided for Early Stage SBICs in Sec.  107.1845, 
such financing occurred within 24 months of the date of the Capital 
Impairment computation, or the Small Business's pre-tax cash flow from 
operations for its most recent fiscal year was at least 10 percent of 
the Small Business's average contributed capital for such fiscal year.
    (4) Except as provided for Early Stage SBICs in Sec.  107.1845, 
perform the appropriate computation from the following table:

          Adjusted Unrealized Gain Before Estimated Tax Effects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Then adjusted
              If:                       And:           unrealized gain
                                                      before taxes is:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class 1 Appreciation <=Net       Class 1            (80% x Class 1
 Appreciation.                    Appreciation +     Appreciation) +
                                  Class 2            (50% x Class 2
                                  Appreciation       Appreciation).
                                  <=Net
                                  Appreciation.
Class 1 Appreciation <=Net       Class 1            (80% x Class 1
 Appreciation.                    Appreciation +     Appreciation) +
                                  Class 2            [(50% x (Net
                                  Appreciation Net         Class 1
                                  Appreciation.      Appreciation)].

[[Page 131]]

 
Class 1 Appreciation Net Appreciation.                                Appreciation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Reduce the gain computed in paragraph (d)(4) of this section by 
your estimate of related future income tax expense. Subject to any 
adjustment required by paragraph (d)(6) of this section, the result is 
your Adjusted Unrealized Gain for use in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section.
    (6) If any securities that are the source of either Class 1 or Class 
2 Appreciation are pledged or encumbered in any way, SBA will reduce the 
Adjusted Unrealized Gain computed in paragraph (d)(5) of this section by 
the amount of the related borrowing or other obligation, up to the 
amount of the Unrealized Appreciation on the securities.

[61 FR 3189, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 25054, Apr. 27, 2012; 88 
FR 46013, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1845  Determination of Capital Impairment Percentage 
for Early Stage SBICs.

    This section applies to Early Stage SBICs only. Except as modified 
by this section, all provisions of Sec.  107.1840 apply to an Early 
Stage SBIC.
    (a) To determine your Class 2 Appreciation under Sec.  
107.1840(d)(3), SBA will use the following provisions instead of Sec.  
107.1840(d)(3)(iii):
    (1) Such financing occurred within 24 months of the date of the 
Capital Impairment computation. At the end of the 24 month period 
following the financing, you may request SBA's written approval to 
retain the use of the original Class 2 Appreciation on the investment 
for up to 24 additional months.
    (2) In considering your request, SBA may obtain its own valuation of 
the investment, require you to obtain a valuation performed by an 
independent third party acceptable to SBA, and may consider any other 
information that it deems relevant. To the extent that the valuation and 
any other relevant information conclusively support the original Class 2 
appreciation, SBA may approve an extension to use all or part of the 
original Class 2 Appreciation for up to an additional 24 months (the 
``extension period'').
    (3) At the end of any extension period, you may submit a new request 
to retain the use of the original Class 2 Appreciation, repeating the 
steps in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (4) SBA may reconsider its approval to retain the use of the 
original Class 2 Appreciation at any time based on information that may 
affect the value of an investment.
    (b) Any time you submit a request for SBA approval to retain the use 
of the original Class 2 Appreciation under paragraph (a) of this 
section, you may also request SBA's written approval to modify your 
computation of Adjusted Unrealized Gain under Sec.  107.1840(d)(4) as 
provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) If SBA determines that the appreciation on an investment, based 
on its current fair value, is at least two times the original Class 2 
Appreciation on the investment, SBA may allow you, based on relevant 
information, to compute your Adjusted Unrealized Gain for the duration 
of the extension period as follows:
    (1) Compute Adjusted Unrealized Gain in accordance with Sec.  
107.1840(d)(4).
    (2) If your result in paragraph (c)(1) of this section was computed 
using the first line of the table in Sec.  107.1840(d)(4):
    (i) Calculate 50 percent of the original Class 2 Appreciation on the 
individual investment that is the subject of this paragraph (c), and
    (ii) Add it to the result from paragraph (c)(1) of this section to 
determine your Adjusted Unrealized Gain.
    (3) If your result in paragraph (c)(1) of this section was computed 
using the second line of the table in Sec.  107.1840(d)(4):
    (i) Calculate 50 percent of the original Class 2 Appreciation on the 
individual investment that is the subject of this paragraph (c).

[[Page 132]]

    (ii) Subtract your Class 1 Appreciation from your Net Appreciation, 
and multiply the result by 50 percent.
    (iii) Add the lesser of (c)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section to the 
result from paragraph (c)(1) of this section to determine your Adjusted 
Unrealized Gain.

[77 FR 25054, Apr. 27, 2012, as amended at 88 FR 46013, July 18, 2023]



Sec.  107.1850  Watchlist.

    Under certain circumstances, SBA may place Licensees on a Watchlist 
as a process to increase proactive communication between SBA and the 
Licensee to help mitigate the potential for a future default or 
significant regulatory violation. Being on a Watchlist means that SBA 
has determined, based on certain triggers discussed in this section, a 
Licensee will provide a heightened level of reporting and communication 
with SBA.
    (a) Watchlist triggers. SBA may place you on the Watchlist for any 
of the following:
    (1) You perform an investment that is a direct violation of your 
fund's stated investment policy as identified in its limited partnership 
agreement (or other governing agreement) or as presented to SBA in its 
license application under Sec.  107.300.
    (2) The key person clause in your limited partnership agreement (or 
other governing agreement) is invoked due to a change in personnel of 
management team members identified as key persons.
    (3) You or your General Partner has been named as a party in 
litigation proceedings brought by a Federal agency, involving felony 
charges, or allegations of dishonesty, fraud, or breach of fiduciary 
duty.
    (4) You have violated a material provision in your limited 
partnership agreement (or other governing agreement) or any side letter 
agreement.
    (5) You rank in the bottom quartile for the primary strategy 
benchmark, as identified by the Licensee at the time of licensure, by 
vintage year, defined as the year in which you were licensed as an SBIC, 
after three years based on the private investor's total value to paid-in 
capital (TVPI), where TVPI is calculated as (cumulative distributions to 
private investors plus net asset value minus expenses and carried 
interest)/cumulative private investor paid in capital.
    (6) Your leverage coverage ratio (LCR) falls below 1.25, where LCR 
is calculated as (unfunded Regulatory Capital commitments plus net asset 
value minus outstanding Leverage)/outstanding Leverage or a Capital 
Impairment Percentage approaching your threshold set forth in Sec.  
107.1830.
    (7) You default on your interest payment and fail to pay within 30 
days of the date it is due. (Note: This event represents an event of 
default under Sec.  107.1810(f) for which SBA maintains its rights under 
Sec.  107.1810(g) if the Licensee does not cure to SBA's satisfaction.)
    (8) Outstanding or unresolved regulatory matters.
    (b) Requirements for Licensees on the Watchlist. If SBA places you 
on the Watchlist, you will be required to comply with any or all of the 
following:
    (1) You must submit Portfolio Company Financing Reports (SBA Form 
1031s), required under Sec.  107.640, within 30 calendar days of the 
financing date.
    (2) You must participate in monthly portfolio reviews with SBA.
    (3) You must file quarterly valuation reports on specific or all of 
your portfolio company holdings, as requested by SBA.
    (4) You must submit a letter formally requesting whether you may 
submit a request for a subsequent fund if you are currently on the 
Watchlist or have managed any Licensee on a Watchlist within the last 12 
months. If you have already submitted a request or are otherwise in the 
Licensing process (see Sec.  107.300), SBA may suspend processing your 
request until it is satisfied that SBA's concerns are resolved or 
otherwise disapprove your request for a subsequent fund. SBA maintains 
the right to deny approval of any request to submit a subsequent fund 
request or any subsequent fund request submitted under Sec.  107.300.
    (c) Removal from the Watchlist. SBA will remove you from the 
Watchlist if the event that triggered your addition to the Watchlist 
(see paragraph (a) in this section) is resolved to SBA's satisfaction. 
Accordingly, SBA may require any or all of the following resolutions:

[[Page 133]]

    (1) Successful completion of a portfolio review to confirm 
compliance of your adherence to your investment policy.
    (2) SBA's written approval of your key person resolution.
    (3) SBA's written acknowledgement of pending litigation.
    (4) SBA's written consent to the resolution of the LPA or side 
letter violation.
    (5) Two quarters of performance above a bottom quartile industry 
benchmark based on the TVPI by vintage year and strategy, as calculated 
under paragraph (a) of this section.
    (6) Two quarters of consistent reporting of your LCR, as calculated 
under paragraph (a) of this section, exceeding 1.25.
    (7) You are current on your Leverage interest payments.
    (8) A completed regulatory examination acceptable to SBA.
    (d) Watchlist communications--(1) Notification to Licensee. If you 
trigger any of the events under paragraph (a) of this section, SBA will 
notify you in writing that you have been placed on the Watchlist, 
identify the event(s) which triggered your placement on the Watchlist, 
the actions you must take as noted under paragraph (b) of this section, 
and the remedies as identified under paragraph (c) of this section.
    (2) Watchlist status disclosure. SBA will not disclose your 
Watchlist status publicly.
    (3) Removal from Watchlist status notification. SBA will provide you 
with written notice after SBA determines that you have resolved all 
matter identified in your notification letter and satisfied the 
applicable requirements set forth in paragraph (c) of this section.

[88 FR 46013, July 18, 2023]



                Subpart K_Ending Operations as a Licensee



Sec.  107.1900  Surrender of license.

    You may not surrender your license without SBA's prior written 
approval. Your request for approval must be accompanied by an offer of 
immediate repayment of all of your outstanding Leverage (including any 
prepayment penalties thereon), or by a plan satisfactory to SBA for the 
orderly liquidation of the Licensee.



                         Subpart L_Miscellaneous



Sec.  107.1910  Non-waiver of SBA's rights or terms of Leverage security.

    SBA's failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right or remedy 
under the Act or the regulations in this part does not constitute a 
waiver of such right or remedy. SBA's failure to require you to perform 
any term or provision of your Leverage does not affect SBA's right to 
enforce such term or provision. Similarly, SBA's waiver of, or failure 
to enforce, any term or provision of your Leverage or of any event or 
condition set forth in Sec.  107.1810 or Sec.  107.1820 does not 
constitute a waiver of any succeeding breach of such term or provision 
or condition.



Sec.  107.1920  Licensee's application for exemption from a regulation 
in this part 107.

    You may file an application in writing with SBA to have a proposed 
action exempted from any procedural or substantive requirement, 
restriction, or prohibition to which it is subject under this part, 
unless the provision is mandated by the Act. SBA may grant an exemption 
for such applicant, conditionally or unconditionally, provided the 
exemption would not be contrary to the purposes of the Act. Your 
application must be accompanied by supporting evidence which 
demonstrates to SBA's satisfaction that:
    (a) The proposed action is fair and equitable; and
    (b) The exemption requested is reasonably calculated to advance the 
best interests of the SBIC program in a manner consonant with the policy 
objectives of the Act and the regulations in this part.



Sec.  107.1930  Effect of changes in this part 107 on transactions 
previously consummated.

    The legality of a transaction covered by the regulations in this 
part is governed by the regulations in this part in effect at the time 
the transaction was consummated, regardless of later changes. Nothing in 
this part bars SBA

[[Page 134]]

enforcement action with respect to any transaction consummated in 
violation of provisions applicable at the time, but no longer in effect.



PART 108_NEW MARKETS VENTURE CAPITAL (``NMVC'') PROGRAM--Table of Contents



                   Subpart A_Introduction to Part 108

Sec.
108.10 Description of the New Markets Venture Capital Program.
108.20 Legal basis and applicability of this part 108.
108.30 Amendments to Act and regulations.
108.40 How to read this part 108.

           Subpart B_Definition of Terms Used in This Part 108

108.50 Definition of terms.

              Subpart C_Qualifications for the NMVC Program

                        Organizing a NMVC Company

108.100 Business form.
108.110 Qualified management.
108.120 Economic development primary mission.
108.130 Identified Low Income Geographic Areas.
108.140 SBA approval of initial Management Expenses.
108.150 Management and ownership diversity requirement.
108.160 Special rules for NMVC Companies formed as limited partnerships.

                       Capitalizing a NMVC Company

108.200 Adequate capital for NMVC Companies.
108.210 Minimum capital requirements for NMVC Companies.
108.230 Private Capital for NMVC Companies.

 Subpart D_Application and Approval Process for NMVC Company Designation

108.300 When and how to apply for designation as a NMVC Company.
108.310 Contents of application.
108.320 Contents of comprehensive business plan.
108.330 Grant issuance fee.

          Subpart E_Evaluation and Selection of NMVC Companies

108.340 Evaluation and selection--general.
108.350 Eligibility and completeness.
108.360 Evaluation criteria.
108.370 Conditional approval.
108.380 Final approval as a NMVC Company.

          Subpart F_Changes in Ownership, Structure, or Control

             Changes in Control or Ownership of NMVC Company

108.400 Changes in ownership of 10 percent or more of NMVC Company but 
          no change of Control.
108.410 Changes in Control of NMVC Company (through change in ownership 
          or otherwise).
108.420 Prohibition on exercise of ownership or Control rights in NMVC 
          Company before SBA approval.
108.430 Notification to SBA of transactions that may change ownership or 
          Control.
108.440 Standards governing prior SBA approval for a proposed transfer 
          of Control.
108.450 Notification to SBA of pledge of NMVC Company's shares.

    Restrictions on Common Control or Ownership of Two or More NMVC 
                                Companies

108.460 Restrictions on Common Control or ownership of two (or more) 
          NMVC Companies.

                   Change in Structure of NMVC Company

108.470 SBA approval of merger, consolidation, or reorganization of NMVC 
          Company.

           Subpart G_Managing the Operations of a NMVC Company

                          General Requirements

108.500 Lawful operations under the Act.
108.502 Representations to the public.
108.503 NMVC Company's adoption of an approved valuation policy.
108.504 Equipment and office requirements.
108.506 Safeguarding the NMVC Company's assets/Internal controls.
108.507 Violations based on false filings and nonperformance of 
          agreements with SBA.
108.509 Employment of SBA officials.

                       Management and Compensation

108.510 SBA approval of NMVC Company's Investment Adviser/Manager.
108.520 Management Expenses of a NMVC Company.

                    Cash Management by a NMVC Company

108.530 Restrictions on investments of idle funds by NMVC Companies.

            Borrowing by NMVC Companies From Non-SBA Sources

108.550 Prior approval of secured third-party debt of NMVC companies.

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                Voluntary Decrease in Regulatory Capital

108.585 Voluntary decrease in NMVC Company's Regulatory Capital.

  Subpart H_Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Examination Requirements for 
                             NMVC Companies

              Recordkeeping Requirements For NMVC Companies

108.600 General requirement for NMVC Company to maintain and preserve 
          records.
108.610 Required certifications for Loans and Investments.
108.620 Requirements to obtain information from Portfolio Concerns.

                Reporting Requirements for NMVC Companies

108.630 Requirement for NMVC companies to file financial statements and 
          supplementary information with SBA (SBA Form 468).
108.640 Requirement to file portfolio financing reports (SBA Form 1031).
108.650 Requirement to report portfolio valuations to SBA.
108.660 Other items required to be filed by NMVC Company with SBA.
108.680 Reporting changes in NMVC Company not subject to prior SBA 
          approval.

     Examinations of NMVC Companies by SBA for Regulatory Compliance

108.690 Examinations.
108.691 Responsibilities of NMVC Company during examination.
108.692 Examination fees.

        Subpart I_Financing of Small Businesses by NMVC Companies

   Determining the Eligibility of a Small Business for NMVC Financing

108.700 Compliance with size standards in part 121 of this chapter as a 
          condition of Assistance.
108.710 Requirement to finance Low-Income Enterprises.
108.720 Small Businesses that may be ineligible for financing.
108.730 Financings which constitute conflicts of interest.
108.740 Portfolio diversification (``overline'' limitation).
108.760 How a change in size or activity of a Portfolio Concern affects 
          the NMVC Company and the Portfolio Concern.

    Structuring NMVC Company's Financing of Eligible Small Businesses

108.800 Financings in the form of equity interests.
108.820 Financings in the form of guarantees.
108.825 Purchasing securities from an underwriter or other third party.

                  Limitations on Disposition of Assets

108.885 Disposition of assets to NMVC Company's Associates.

                      Management Services and Fees

108.900 Fees for management services provided to a Small Business by a 
          NMVC Company or its Associate.

    Subpart J_SBA Financial Assistance for NMVC Companies (Leverage)

              General Information About Obtaining Leverage

108.1100 Type of Leverage and application procedures.
108.1120 General eligibility requirement for Leverage.
108.1130 Leverage fees payable by NMVC Company.
108.1140 NMVC Company's acceptance of SBA remedies under Sec.  108.1810.

     Maximum Amount of Leverage for Which a NMVC Company is Eligible

108.1150 Maximum amount of Leverage for a NMVC Company.

  Conditional Commitments by SBA To Reserve Leverage for a NMVC Company

108.1200 SBA's Leverage commitment to a NMVC Company's application 
          procedure, amount, and term.
108.1220 Requirement for NMVC Company to file financial statements at 
          the time of request for a draw.
108.1230 Draw-downs by NMVC Company under SBA's Leverage commitment.
108.1240 Funding of NMVC Company's draw request through sale to third-
          party.

 Funding Leverage by Use of SBA Guaranteed Trust Certificates (``TCs'')

108.1600 SBA authority to issue and guarantee Trust Certificates.
108.1610 Effect of prepayment or early redemption of Leverage on a Trust 
          Certificate.
108.1620 Functions of agents, including Central Registration Agent, 
          Selling Agent and Fiscal Agent.
108.1630 SBA regulation of Brokers and Dealers and disclosure to 
          purchasers of Leverage or Trust Certificates.
108.1640 SBA access to records of the CRA, Brokers, Dealers and Pool or 
          Trust assemblers.

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                              Miscellaneous

108.1700 Transfer by SBA of its interest in a NMVC Company's Leverage 
          security.
108.1710 SBA authority to collect or compromise its claims.
108.1720 Characteristics of SBA's guarantee.

      Subpart K_NMVC Company's Noncompliance With Terms of Leverage

108.1810 Events of default and SBA's remedies for NMVC Company's 
          noncompliance with terms of Debentures.

            Computation of NMVC Company's Capital Impairment

108.1830 NMVC Company's Capital Impairment definition and general 
          requirements.
108.1840 Computation of NMVC Company's Capital Impairment Percentage.

              Subpart L_Ending Operations as a NMVC Company

108.1900 Termination of participation as a NMVC Company.

                         Subpart M_Miscellaneous

108.1910 Non-waiver of SBA's rights or terms of Leverage security.
108.1920 NMVC Company's application for exemption from a regulation in 
          this part 108.
108.1930 Effect of changes in this part 108 on transactions previously 
          consummated.
108.1940 Procedures for designation of additional Low-Income Geographic 
          Areas

Subpart N_Requirements and Procedures for Operational Assistance Grants 
                      to NMVC Companies and SSBICs

108.2000 Operational Assistance grants to NMVC Companies and SSBICs.
108.2001 When and how SSBICs may apply for Operational Assistance 
          grants.
108.2002 Eligibility of SSBICs to apply for Operational Assistance 
          grants.
108.2003 Grant issuance fee for SSBICs.
108.2004 Contents of application submitted by SSBICs.
108.2005 Contents of plan submitted by SSBICs.
108.2006 Evaluation and selection of SSBICs.
108.2007 Grant award to SSBICs.
108.2010 Restrictions on use of Operational Assistance grant funds.
108.2020 Amount of Operational Assistance grant.
108.2030 Matching requirements.
108.2040 Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 689-689q.

    Source: 66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, unless otherwise noted.



                   Subpart A_Introduction to Part 108



Sec.  108.10  Description of the New Markets Venture Capital Program.

    The New Markets Venture Capital (``NMVC'') Program is a 
developmental venture capital program for the purpose of promoting 
economic development and the creation of wealth and job opportunities in 
low-income geographic areas and among individuals living in such areas. 
SBA selects and then enters into participation agreements with selected 
newly formed venture capital companies, and provides leverage in the 
form of debenture guarantees to such companies to allow them to make 
equity capital investments in smaller enterprises located in low-income 
geographic areas. SBA also awards grants to such companies and to 
Specialized Small Business Investment Companies so that they can provide 
operational assistance to such smaller enterprises in connection with 
such investments.



Sec.  108.20  Legal basis and applicability of this part 108.

    The regulations in this part implement Part B of Title III of the 
Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended (15 U.S.C. 661 et 
seq.). All NMVC Companies must comply with all applicable SBA 
regulations, accounting guidelines and valuation guidelines for NMVC 
Companies, available from SBA.



Sec.  108.30  Amendments to Act and regulations.

    A NMVC Company is subject to all provisions of the Act and parts 108 
and 112 of title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations.



Sec.  108.40  How to read this part 108.

    (a) Center headings. All references in this part to SBA forms, and 
instructions for their preparation, are to the current issue of such 
forms (available from Investment Division, SBA). Center headings are 
descriptive and are used for convenience only. They have no regulatory 
effect.

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    (b) Capitalizing defined terms. Terms defined in Sec.  108.50 have 
initial capitalization in this part 108.
    (c) ``You.'' The pronoun ``you'' as used in this part 108 means a 
NMVC Company unless otherwise noted.



           Subpart B_Definition of Terms Used in This Part 108



Sec.  108.50  Definition of terms.

    The following definitions apply to this part 108:
    Act means the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended (15 
U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
    Affiliate or Affiliates has the meaning set forth in Sec.  121.103 
of this chapter.
    Applicant means any entity submitting an application to SBA for 
designation as a NMVC Company under this part.
    Articles mean articles of incorporation or charter for a Corporate 
NMVC Company, the partnership agreement or certificate for a Partnership 
NMVC Company, and the operating agreement or other organizational 
documents for a LLC NMVC Company.
    Assistance or Assisted means Financing of or management services 
rendered to a Small Business by or through a NMVC Company pursuant to 
the Act and this part.
    Associate of a NMVC Company means any of the following:
    (1)(i) An officer, director, employee or agent of a Corporate NMVC 
Company;
    (ii) A Control Person, employee or agent of a Partnership NMVC 
Company;
    (iii) A managing member of a LLC NMVC Company;
    (iv) An Investment Adviser/Manager of any NMVC Company, including 
any Person who contracts with a Control Person of a Partnership NMVC 
Company to be the Investment Adviser/Manager of such NMVC Company; or
    (v) Any Person regularly serving a NMVC Company on retainer in the 
capacity of attorney at law.
    (2) Any Person who owns or controls, or who has entered into an 
agreement to own or control, directly or indirectly, at least 10 percent 
of any class of stock of a Corporate NMVC Company or 10 percent of the 
membership interests of an LLC NMVC Company, or a limited partner's 
interest of at least 10 percent of the partnership capital of a 
Partnership NMVC Company. However, neither a limited partner in a 
Partnership NMVC Company nor a non-managing member in an LLC NMVC 
Company is considered an Associate if such Person is an entity 
Institutional Investor whose investment in the Partnership, including 
commitments, represents no more than 33 percent of the capital of the 
NMVC Company and no more than five percent of such Person's net worth.
    (3) Any officer, director, partner (other than a limited partner), 
manager, agent, or employee of any Associate described in paragraph (1) 
or (2) of this definition.
    (4) Any Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is 
Controlled by, or is under Common Control with, a NMVC Company.
    (5) Any Person that directly or indirectly Controls, or is 
Controlled by, or is under Common Control with, any Person described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition.
    (6) Any Close Relative of any Person described in paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of this definition.
    (7) Any Secondary Relative of any Person described in paragraphs 
(1), (2), (4), and (5) of this definition.
    (8) Any concern in which--
    (i) Any person described in paragraphs (1) through (6) of this 
definition is an officer; general partner, or managing member; or
    (ii) Any such Person(s) singly or collectively Control or own, 
directly or indirectly, an equity interest of at least 10 percent 
(excluding interests that such Person(s) own indirectly through 
ownership interests in the NMVC Company).
    (9) Any concern in which any Person(s) described in paragraph (7) of 
this definition singly or collectively own (including beneficial 
ownership) a majority equity interest, or otherwise have Control. As 
used in this paragraph (9), ``collectively'' means together with any 
Person(s) described in paragraphs (1) though (7) of this definition.
    (10) For the purposes of this definition, if any Associate 
relationship described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of

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this definition exists at any time within six months before or after the 
date that a NMVC Company provides Financing, then that Associate 
relationship is considered to exist on the date of the Financing.
    (11) If any NMVC Company has any ownership interest in another NMVC 
Company, the two NMVC companies are Associates of each other.
    Capital Impairment has the meaning set forth in Sec.  108.1830(b).
    Central Registration Agent or CRA means one or more agents appointed 
by SBA for the purpose of issuing TCs and performing the functions 
enumerated in Sec.  108.1620 and performing similar functions for 
Debentures funded outside the pooling process.
    Close Relative of an individual means:
    (1) A current or former spouse;
    (2) A father, mother, guardian, brother, sister, son, daughter; or
    (3) A father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, 
son-in-law, or daughter-in-law.
    Commitment means a written agreement between a NMVC Company and an 
eligible Small Business that obligates the NMVC Company to provide 
Financing (except a guarantee) to that Small Business in a fixed or 
determinable sum, by a fixed or determinable future date. In this 
context the term ``agreement'' means that there has been agreement on 
the principal economic terms of the Financing. The agreement may include 
reasonable conditions precedent to the NMVC Company's obligation to fund 
the commitment, but these conditions must be outside the NMVC Company's 
control.
    Common Control means a condition where two or more Persons, either 
through ownership, management, contract, or otherwise, are under the 
Control of one group or Person. Two or more NMVC companies are presumed 
to be under Common Control if they are Affiliates of each other by 
reason of common ownership or common officers, directors, or general 
partners; or if they are managed or their investments are significantly 
directed either by a common independent investment advisor or managerial 
contractor, or by two or more such advisors or contractors that are 
Affiliates of each other. This presumption may be rebutted by evidence 
satisfactory to SBA.
    Community Development Finance means debt and equity-type investments 
in low-income communities.
    Conditionally Approved NMVC Company means a company that--
    (1) Has applied for participation as a NMVC Company, and
    (2) SBA has conditionally approved to participate in the NMVC 
program for a specified period of time not to exceed two years, subject 
to the company fulfilling the requirements to be a NMVC Company within 
that specified period of time.
    Control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to 
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a NMVC 
Company or other concern, whether through the ownership of voting 
securities, by contract, or otherwise.
    Control Person means any Person that controls a NMVC Company, either 
directly or through an intervening entity. A Control Person includes:
    (1) A general partner of a Partnership NMVC Company;
    (2) Any Person serving as the general partner, officer, director, or 
manager (in the case of a limited liability company) of any entity that 
controls a NMVC Company, either directly or through an intervening 
entity;
    (3) Any Person that--
    (i) Controls or owns, directly or through an intervening entity, at 
least 10 percent of a Partnership NMVC Company or any entity described 
in paragraphs (1) or (2) of this definition; and
    (ii) Participates in the investment decisions of the general partner 
of such Partnership NMVC Company;
    (4) Any Person that controls or owns, directly or through an 
intervening entity, at least 50 percent of a Partnership NMVC Company or 
any entity described in paragraphs (1) or (2) of this definition.
    Corporate NMVC Company. See definition of NMVC Company in this 
section.
    Debentures means debt obligations issued by NMVC companies pursuant 
to section 355 of the Act and held or guaranteed by SBA.
    Debt Securities are instruments evidencing a loan with an option or 
any

[[Page 139]]

other right to acquire Equity Securities in a Small Business or its 
Affiliates, or a loan which by its terms is convertible into an equity 
position. Consideration must be paid for all options that you acquire.
    Developmental Venture Capital means capital in the form of Equity 
Capital Investments in Smaller Enterprises made with a primary objective 
of fostering economic development in Low-Income Geographic Areas.
    Distribution means any transfer of cash or non-cash assets to SBA, 
its agent or Trustee, or to partners in a Partnership NMVC Company, or 
to shareholders in a Corporate NMVC Company, or to members in an LLC 
NMVC Company. Capitalization of Retained Earnings Available for 
Distribution constitutes a Distribution to the NMVC Company's non-SBA 
partners, shareholders, or members.
    Equity Capital Investments means investments in the form of common 
or preferred stock, limited partnership interests, options, warrants, or 
similar equity instruments, including subordinated debt with equity 
features if such debt provides only for interest payments contingent 
upon and limited to the extent of earnings. Equity Capital Investments 
must not require amortization. Equity Capital Investments may be 
guaranteed by one or more third parties; however, neither Equity Capital 
Investments nor such guarantee may be collateralized or otherwise 
secured. Investments classified as Debt Securities are not precluded 
from qualifying as Equity Capital Investments. Equity Capital 
Investments may provide for royalty payments only if the royalty 
payments are based on the earnings of the concern.
    Equity Securities means stock of any class in a corporation, stock 
options, warrants, limited partnership interests in a limited 
partnership, membership interests in a limited liability company, or 
joint venture interests.
    Financing or Financed means outstanding financial assistance 
provided to a Small Business by a NMVC Company, whether through:
    (1) Loans;
    (2) Debt Securities;
    (3) Equity Securities;
    (4) Guarantees; or
    (5) Purchases of securities of a Small Business through or from an 
underwriter (see Sec.  108.825).
    Guaranty Agreement means the contract entered into by SBA which is a 
guarantee backed by the full faith and credit of the United States 
Government as to timely payment of principal and interest on Debentures 
and SBA's rights in connection with such guarantee.
    Includible Non-Cash Gains means those non-cash gains (as reported on 
SBA Form 468) that are realized in the form of Publicly Traded and 
Marketable securities or investment grade debt instruments. For purposes 
of this definition, investment grade debt instruments means those 
instruments that are rated ``BBB'' or ``Baa'', or better, by Standard & 
Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Service, respectively. Non-rated 
debt may be considered to be investment grade if a NMVC Company obtains 
a written opinion from an investment banking firm acceptable to SBA 
stating that the non-rated debt instrument is equivalent in risk to the 
issuer's investment grade debt.
    Institutional Investor means:
    (1) Entities. Any of the following entities if the entity has a net 
worth (exclusive of unfunded commitments from investors) of at least $1 
million, or such higher amount as is specified in this paragraph (1). 
(See also Sec.  108.230(c)(4) for limitations on the amount of an 
Institutional Investor's commitment that may be included in Private 
Capital.)
    (i) A State or National bank, trust company, savings bank, or 
savings and loan association.
    (ii) An insurance company.
    (iii) A 1940 Act Investment Company or Business Development Company 
(each as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15 
U.S.C. 8a-1 et seq.).
    (iv) A holding company of any entity described in paragraph (l)(i), 
(ii) or (iii) of this definition.
    (v) An employee benefit or pension plan established for the benefit 
of employees of the Federal government, any State or political 
subdivision of a State, or any agency or instrumentality of such 
government unit.

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    (vi) An employee benefit or pension plan (as defined in the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (Public Law 93-406, 
88 Stat. 829), excluding plans established under section 401(k) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 401(k)), as amended).
    (vii) A trust, foundation or endowment exempt from Federal income 
taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
    (viii) A corporation, partnership or other entity with a net worth 
(exclusive of unfunded commitments from investors) of more than $10 
million.
    (ix) A State, a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or 
instrumentality of a State or its political subdivision.
    (x) An entity whose primary purpose is to manage and invest non-
Federal funds on behalf of at least three Institutional Investors 
described in paragraphs (l)(i) through (l)(ix) of this definition, each 
of whom must have at least a 10 percent ownership interest in the 
entity.
    (xi) Any other entity that SBA determines to be an Institutional 
Investor.
    (2) Individuals. (i) Any of the following individuals if he/she is 
also a permanent resident of the United States:
    (A) An individual who is an Accredited Investor (as defined in the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (15 U.S.C. 77a-77aa)) and whose 
commitment to the NMVC Company is backed by a letter of credit from a 
State or National bank acceptable to SBA.
    (B) An individual whose personal net worth is at least $2 million 
and at least ten times the amount of his or her commitment to the NMVC 
Company. The individual's personal net worth must not include the value 
of any equity in his or her most valuable residence.
    (C) An individual whose personal net worth, not including the value 
of any equity in his or her most valuable residence, is at least $10 
million.
    (ii) Any individual who is not a permanent resident of the United 
States but who otherwise satisfies paragraph (2)(i) of this definition 
provided such individual has irrevocably appointed an agent within the 
United States for the service of process.
    Investment Adviser/Manager means any Person who furnishes advice or 
assistance with respect to operations of a NMVC Company under a written 
contract executed in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  108.510.
    Lending Institution means a concern that is operating under 
regulations of a state or Federal licensing, supervising, or examining 
body, or whose shares are publicly traded and listed on a recognized 
stock exchange or NASDAQ and which has assets in excess of $500 million; 
and which, in either case, holds itself out to the public as engaged in 
the making of commercial and industrial loans and whose lending 
operations are not for the purpose of financing its own or an 
Associate's sales or business operations.
    Leverage means financial assistance provided to a NMVC Company by 
SBA through the guaranty of a NMVC Company's Debentures, and any other 
SBA financial assistance evidenced by a security of the NMVC Company.
    Leverageable Capital means Regulatory Capital, excluding unfunded 
commitments.
    LLC NMVC Company. See definition of NMVC Company in this section.
    Loan means a transaction evidenced by a debt instrument with no 
provision for you to acquire Equity Securities.
    Loans and Investments means Portfolio securities, assets acquired in 
liquidation of Portfolio securities, operating concerns acquired, and 
notes and other securities received, as set forth in the Statement of 
Financial Position of SBA Form 468.
    Low-Income Enterprise means a Smaller Enterprise that, as of the 
time of the initial Financing, has its Principal Office located in a 
Low-Income Geographic Area.
    Low-Income Geographic Area (``LI Area'') means--
    (1) Any population census tract (or in the case of an area that is 
not tracted for population census tracts, the equivalent county 
division, as defined by the Bureau of the Census of the United States 
Department of Commerce for purposes of defining poverty areas), if--
    (i) The poverty rate for that census tract is not less than 20 
percent;

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    (ii) In the case of a tract--
    (A) That is located within a metropolitan area, 50 percent or more 
of the households in that census tract have an income equal to less than 
60 percent of the area median gross income; or
    (B) That is not located within a metropolitan area, the median 
household income for such tract does not exceed 80 percent of the 
statewide median household income; or
    (C) As determined by the Administrator in accordance with Sec.  
108.1940 of this part, a substantial population of Low-Income 
Individuals reside, an inadequate access to investment capital exists, 
or other indications of economic distress exist in that census tract; or
    (2) Any area located within--
    (i) A Historically Underutilized Business Zone (``HUBZone'') as 
defined in section 3(p) of the Small Business Act and 13 CFR 126.103;
    (ii) An Urban Empowerment Zone or Urban Enterprise Community (as 
designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing 
and Urban Development); or
    (iii) A Rural Empowerment Zone or Rural Enterprise Community (as 
designated by the Secretary of the United States Department of 
Agriculture).
    Low-Income Individual means an individual whose income (adjusted for 
family size) does not exceed--
    (1) For metropolitan areas, 80 percent of the area median income; 
and
    (2) For nonmetropolitan areas, the greater of--
    (i) 80 percent of the area median income, or
    (ii) 80 percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan area median income.
    Low-Income Investment means an Equity Capital Investment in a Low-
Income Enterprise.
    Management Expenses has the meaning set forth in Sec.  108.520.
    NAICS Manual means the latest issue of the North American Industrial 
Classification System Manual, prepared by the Office of Management and 
Budget, and available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15250-
7954.
    New Markets Tax Credit program means the tax credit created by the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001, Public Law 106-554 (114 Stat. 
2762A), enacted December 21, 2000, to be implemented by the Internal 
Revenue Service, United States Department of Treasury.
    New Markets Venture Capital Company or NMVC Company means a 
corporation (Corporate NMVC Company), a limited partnership organized as 
required by Sec.  108.160 (Partnership NMVC Company), or a limited 
liability company (LLC NMVC Company) that--
    (1) Has been granted final approval by SBA under Sec.  108.380, and
    (2) Has entered into a Participation Agreement with SBA. For certain 
purposes, the Entity General Partner of a Partnership NMVC Company is 
treated as if it were a NMVC Company (see Sec.  108.160(a)).
    1940 Act Company means a NMVC Company which is registered under the 
Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq.).
    1980 Act Company means a NMVC Company which is registered under the 
Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-447, 94 
Stat. 2275).
    Operational Assistance means management, marketing, and other 
technical assistance that assists a Small Business with its business 
development.
    Original Issue Price means the price paid by the purchaser for 
securities at the time of issuance.
    Participation Agreement means an agreement between SBA and a company 
to which SBA has granted final approval under Sec.  108.380, that--
    (1) Details the company's operating plan and investment criteria; 
and
    (2) Requires the company to make investments in Smaller Enterprises 
at least 80 percent of which Smaller Enterprises are located in LI 
Areas.
    Partnership NMVC Company. See definition of NMVC Company in this 
section.
    Person means a natural person or legal entity.
    Pool means an aggregation of SBA guaranteed Debentures approved by 
SBA.
    Portfolio means the securities representing a NMVC Company's total 
outstanding Financing of Smaller Enterprises. It does not include idle 
funds

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or assets acquired in liquidation of Portfolio securities.
    Portfolio Concern means a Small Business Assisted by a NMVC Company.
    Principal Office means the location where the greatest number of the 
concern's employees at any one location perform their work. However, for 
those concerns whose ``primary industry'' (see 13 CFR 121.107) is 
service or construction (see 13 CFR 121.201), the determination of 
principal office excludes the concern's employees who perform the 
majority of their work at job-site locations to fulfill specific 
contract obligations.
    Private Capital has the meaning set forth in Sec.  108.230.
    Publicly Traded and Marketable means securities that are salable 
without restriction or that are salable within 12 months pursuant to 
Rule 144 (17 CFR 230.144) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by 
the holder thereof, and are of a class which is traded on a regulated 
stock exchange, or is listed in the Automated Quotation System of the 
National Association of Securities Dealers (NASDAQ), or has, at a 
minimum, at least two market makers as defined in the relevant sections 
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (15 U.S.C. 77b et 
seq.), and in all cases the quantity of which can be sold over a 
reasonable period of time without having an adverse impact upon the 
price of the stock.
    Regulatory Capital means Private Capital, excluding any portion of 
Private Capital that is designated as matching resources in accordance 
with Sec.  108.2030(b)(3).
    Relevant Venture Capital Finance means Equity Capital Investments in 
small businesses in low-income communities or benefiting low-income 
communities.
    Retained Earnings Available for Distribution means Undistributed Net 
Realized Earnings less any Unrealized Depreciation on Loans and 
Investments (as reported on SBA Form 468), and represents the amount 
that a NMVC Company may distribute to investors (including SBA) as a 
profit Distribution, or transfer to Private Capital.
    SBA means the Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20416.
    Secondary Relative of an individual means:
    (1) A grandparent, grandchild, or any other ancestor or lineal 
descendent who is not a Close Relative;
    (2) An uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, or first cousin; or
    (3) A spouse of any person described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this 
definition.
    Small Business means a small business concern as defined in section 
103(5) of the Act (including its Affiliates), and which meets the 
criteria applicable to the Small Business Investment Company program as 
set forth in part 121 of this chapter.
    Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) means a Licensee, as that 
term is defined in Sec.  107.50 of this chapter.
    Smaller Enterprise means any Small Business that:
    (1) Together with its Affiliates has a net worth of not more than 
$6.0 million and average net income after Federal income taxes 
(excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two years no greater 
than $2.0 million; or
    (2) Both together with its Affiliates, and by itself, meets the size 
standard of Sec.  121.201 of this chapter at the time of Financing for 
the industry in which it is then primarily engaged.
    Specialized Small Business Investment Companies (SSBICs) means any 
Small Business Investment Company that--
    (1) Invests solely in small business concerns that contribute to a 
well-balanced national economy by facilitating ownership in such 
concerns by persons whose participation in the free enterprise system is 
hampered because of social or economic disadvantages; and
    (2) Was licensed under section 301(d) of the Small Business 
Investment Act, as in effect before September 30, 1996.
    Trust means the legal entity created for the purpose of holding 
guaranteed Debentures and the guaranty agreement related thereto, 
receiving, holding and making any related payments, and accounting for 
such payments.
    Trust Certificate Rate means a fixed rate determined at the time 
Debentures are pooled.
    Trust Certificates (TCs) means certificates issued by SBA, its agent 
or Trustee and representing ownership of

[[Page 143]]

all or a fractional part of a Trust or Pool of Debentures.
    Trustee means the trustee or trustees of a Trust.
    Undistributed Net Realized Earnings means Undistributed Realized 
Earnings less Non-cash Gains/Income, each as reported on SBA Form 468.
    Unrealized Appreciation means the amount by which a NMVC Company's 
valuation of each of its Loans and Investments, as determined by its 
Board of Directors or General Partner(s) in accordance with NMVC 
Company's valuation policies, exceeds the cost basis thereof.
    Unrealized Depreciation means the amount by which a NMVC Company's 
valuation of each of its Loans and Investments, as determined by its 
Board of Directors or General Partner(s) in accordance with NMVC 
Company's valuation policies, is below the cost basis thereof.
    Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Held means the sum of the 
Unrealized Appreciation and Unrealized Depreciation on all of a NMVC 
Company's Loans and Investments, less estimated future income tax 
expense or estimated realizable future income tax benefit, as 
appropriate.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68502, Nov. 12, 2002]



              Subpart C_Qualifications for the NMVC Program

                        Organizing a NMVC Company



Sec.  108.100  Business form.

    A NMVC Company must be a newly formed for-profit entity or, subject 
to Sec.  108.150, a newly formed for-profit subsidiary of an existing 
entity. It must be organized under State law solely for the purpose of 
performing the functions and conducting the activities contemplated 
under the Act. It may be organized as a corporation (``Corporate NMVC 
Company''), a limited partnership (``Partnership NMVC Company''), or a 
limited liability company (``LLC NMVC Company'').



Sec.  108.110  Qualified management.

    An Applicant must show, to the satisfaction of SBA, that its current 
or proposed management team is qualified and has the knowledge, 
experience, and capability in Community Development Finance or Relevant 
Venture Capital Finance, necessary for investing in the types of 
businesses contemplated by the Act, the regulations in this part and its 
business plan. In determining whether an Applicant's current or proposed 
management team has sufficient qualifications, SBA will consider 
information provided by the Applicant and third parties concerning the 
background, capability, education, training and reputation of its 
general partners, managers, officers, key personnel, and investment 
committee and governing board members. The Applicant must designate at 
least one individual as the official responsible for contact with SBA.



Sec.  108.120  Economic development primary mission.

    The primary mission of a NMVC Company must be economic development 
of one or more LI Areas.



Sec.  108.130  Identified Low Income Geographic Areas.

    A NMVC Company must identify the specific LI Areas in which it 
intends to make Developmental Venture Capital investments and provide 
Operational Assistance under the NMVC program.



Sec.  108.140  SBA approval of initial Management Expenses.

    A NMVC Company must have its Management Expenses approved by SBA at 
the time of designation as a NMVC Company. (See Sec.  108.520 for the 
definition of Management Expenses.)



Sec.  108.150  Management and ownership diversity requirement.

    (a) Diversity requirement. You must have diversity between 
management and ownership in order to be a NMVC Company. To establish 
diversity, you must meet the requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) of 
this section.
    (b) Percentage ownership requirement. No Person or group of Persons 
who are Affiliates of one another may own or control, directly or 
indirectly, more than 70 percent of your Regulatory Capital or your 
Leverageable Capital.
    (c) Non-affiliation requirement. At least 30 percent of your 
Regulatory

[[Page 144]]

Capital and Leverageable Capital must be owned and controlled by three 
Persons unaffiliated with your management and unaffiliated with each 
other, whose investments are significant in dollar and percentage terms 
as determined by SBA. Such Persons must not be your Associates (except 
for their status as your shareholders, limited partners or members) and 
must not Control, be Controlled by, or be under Common Control with any 
of your Associates. A single ``acceptable'' Institutional Investor may 
be substituted for two or three of the three investors who are otherwise 
required. The following Institutional Investors are ``acceptable'' for 
this purpose:
    (1) Entities whose overall activities are regulated and periodically 
examined by state, Federal or other governmental authorities 
satisfactory to SBA;
    (2) Entities listed on the New York Stock Exchange;
    (3) Entities that are publicly-traded and that meet both the minimum 
numerical listing standards and the corporate governance listing 
standards of the New York Stock Exchange:
    (4) Public or private employee pension funds;
    (5) Trusts, foundations, or endowments, but only if exempt from 
Federal income taxation; and
    (6) Other Institutional Investors satisfactory to SBA.
    (d) Voting requirement. The investors required for you to satisfy 
diversity may not delegate their voting rights to any Person who is your 
Associate, or who Controls, is Controlled by, or is under Common Control 
with any of your Associates, without prior SBA approval.
    (e) Requirement to maintain diversity. You must maintain management-
ownership diversity while you are a NMVC Company. If, at any time, you 
no longer have the required management-ownership diversity, you must:
    (1) Notify SBA within 10 days; and
    (2) Re-establish diversity within six months.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001; 66 FR 32894, June 19, 2001]



Sec.  108.160  Special rules for NMVC Companies formed as limited partnerships.

    (a) Entity General Partner. (1) A general partner which is a 
corporation, limited liability company or partnership (an ``Entity 
General Partner'') shall be organized under state law solely for the 
purpose of serving as the general partner of one or more NMVC companies.
    (2) SBA must approve any person who will serve as an officer, 
director, manager, or general partner of the Entity General Partner. 
This provision must be stated in an Entity General Partner's Certificate 
of Incorporation, operating agreement, limited partnership agreement or 
other similar governing instrument.
    (3) An Entity General Partner is subject to the same examination and 
reporting requirements as a NMVC Company under sections 361 and 362 of 
the Act. The restrictions and obligations imposed upon a NMVC Company by 
Sec. Sec.  108.1810, 108.30, 108.410 through 108.450, 108.470, 108.500, 
108.510, 108.585, 108.600, 108.680, 108.690 through 108.692, and 
108.1910 apply also to an Entity General Partner of a NMVC Company.
    (4) The general partner(s) of your Entity General Partner(s) will be 
considered your general partner.
    (5) If your Entity General Partner is a limited partnership, its 
limited partners may be considered your Control Person(s) if they meet 
the definition for Control Person in Sec.  108.50.
    (b) Other requirements for Partnership NMVC Companies. If you are a 
Partnership NMVC Company:
    (1) You must have a minimum duration of 10 years or two years 
following the maturity of your last-maturing Leverage security, 
whichever is longer. After 10 years, if all Leverage has been repaid or 
redeemed and all amounts due SBA, its agent, or Trustee have been paid, 
the Partnership NMVC Company may be terminated by a vote of your 
partners;
    (2) None of your general partner(s) may be removed or replaced by 
your limited partners without prior written approval of SBA;
    (3) Any transferee of, or successor in interest to, your general 
partner shall have only the rights and liabilities of a

[[Page 145]]

limited partner pending SBA's written approval of such transfer or 
succession; and
    (4) You must incorporate all the provisions in this paragraph (b) in 
your limited partnership agreement.
    (c) Obligations of a Control Person. All Control Persons are bound 
by the disciplinary provisions of sections 365 and 366 of the Act and by 
the conflict-of-interest rules under Sec.  108.730. The term NMVC 
Company, as used in Sec. Sec.  108.30, 108.460, and 108.680, includes 
all of the NMVC Company's Control Persons. The conditions specified in 
Sec.  108.1810 and Sec.  108.1910 apply to all general partners.
    (d) Liability of general partner for partnership debts to SBA. 
Subject to section 365 of the Act, your general partner is not liable 
solely by reason of its status as a general partner for repayment of any 
Leverage or debts you owe to SBA unless SBA, in the exercise of 
reasonable investment prudence, and with regard to your financial 
soundness, determines otherwise prior to the purchase or guaranty of 
your Leverage.
    (e) Special Leverage requirement. Before your first issuance of 
Leverage, you must furnish SBA with evidence that you qualify as a 
partnership for tax purposes, either by a ruling from the Internal 
Revenue Service or by an opinion of counsel.

                       Capitalizing a NMVC Company



Sec.  108.200  Adequate capital for NMVC Companies.

    You must meet the requirements of Sec. Sec.  108.200-108.230 in 
order to qualify for designation as a NMVC Company and to receive 
Leverage.



Sec.  108.210  Minimum capital requirements for NMVC Companies.

    You must have Regulatory Capital of at least $5,000,000 and 
Leverageable Capital of at least $500,000 to become a NMVC Company.



Sec.  108.230  Private Capital for NMVC Companies.

    (a) General. Private Capital means the contributed capital of a NMVC 
Company, plus unfunded binding commitments by Institutional Investors 
(including commitments evidenced by a promissory note) to contribute 
capital to a NMVC Company.
    (b) Contributed capital. For purposes of this section, contributed 
capital means the paid-in capital and paid-in surplus of a Corporate 
NMVC Company, the members' paid-in capital of a LLC NMVC Company, or the 
partners' paid-in capital of a Partnership NMVC Company, in each case 
subject to the limitations in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) Exclusions from Private Capital. Private Capital does not 
include:
    (1) Funds borrowed by a NMVC Company from any source.
    (2) Funds obtained through the issuance of Leverage.
    (3) Funds obtained directly from any Federal agency or department.
    (4) Any portion of a commitment from an Institutional Investor with 
a net worth of less than $10 million that exceeds 10 percent of such 
Institutional Investor's net worth.
    (5) A commitment from an investor if SBA determines that the 
collectability of the commitment is questionable.
    (d) Limitations on including non-cash capital contributions in 
Private Capital. Private Capital does not include capital contributions 
in a form other than cash, except as provided in this paragraph (d). 
Subject to SBA's prior approval, Private Capital may include payments 
made on behalf of an Applicant or Conditionally Approved NMVC Company 
before the Applicant or Conditionally Approved NMVC Company becomes a 
NMVC Company for organizational expenses and Management Expenses 
incurred by the Applicant or the Conditionally Approved NMVC Company 
prior to its becoming a NMVC Company.
    (e) Contributions with borrowed funds. You may not accept any 
capital contribution made with funds borrowed by a Person seeking to own 
an equity interest (whether direct or indirect, beneficial or of record) 
of at least 10 percent of your Private Capital. This exclusion does not 
apply if:
    (1) Such Person's net worth is at least twice the amount borrowed; 
or
    (2) SBA gives its prior written approval of the capital 
contribution.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68502, Nov. 12, 2002]

[[Page 146]]



 Subpart D_Application and Approval Process for NMVC Company Designation



Sec.  108.300  When and how to apply for designation as a NMVC Company.

    (a) Notice of Funds Availability (``NOFA''). SBA will publish a NOFA 
in the Federal Register, advising potential applicants of the 
availability of funds for the NMVC program. An entity may then submit an 
application for designation as a NMVC Company. When submitting its 
application, an Applicant must comply with both these regulations and 
any requirements specified in the NOFA, including submission deadlines. 
The NOFA may specify limitations, special rules, procedures, and 
restrictions for a particular funding round.
    (b) Application form. An Applicant must apply for designation as a 
NMVC Company using the application packet provided by SBA. Upon receipt 
of an application, SBA may request clarifying or technical information 
on the materials submitted as part of the application.



Sec.  108.310  Contents of application.

    Each Applicant must submit a complete application, including the 
following:
    (a) Amounts. The Applicant must indicate--
    (1) The specific amount of Regulatory Capital it proposes to raise 
(which amount must be at least $5,000,000); and
    (2) The specific amount of binding commitments for contributions in 
cash or in-kind it proposes to raise, and/or an annuity it proposes to 
purchase, in accordance with the requirements of Sec.  108.2030, as its 
matching resources for its Operational Assistance grant award (the 
aggregate of which must be not less than $1,500,000 or 30 percent of the 
Regulatory Capital it proposes to raise under paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, whichever is greater).
    (b) Comprehensive business plan. The Applicant must submit a 
comprehensive business plan covering at least a five-year period, 
addressing the specific items described in Sec.  108.320, and which 
demonstrates that the Applicant has the capacity to operate successfully 
as a NMVC Company.
    (c) New Markets Tax Credit program. Applicant must address if and to 
what extent it intends to conform its activities to the New Markets Tax 
Credit laws. If Applicant plans to seek a New Markets Tax Credit, 
Applicant also must state the amount of tax credit allocation it intends 
to seek.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68502, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.320  Contents of comprehensive business plan.

    (a) Executive summary. The executive summary must include a 
description of--
    (1) The Applicant;
    (2) Its strategy for how it proposes to make successful 
Developmental Venture Capital investments in identified LI Areas;
    (3) The markets in the LI Areas it proposes to serve; and
    (4) How it intends to work with community organizations in and be 
accountable to the residents of identified LI Areas in order to 
facilitate its Developmental Venture Capital investments.
    (b) Capacity, skills, and experience of the management team. An 
Applicant must provide information generally as to the background, 
capability, education, reputation and training of its general partners, 
managers, officers, key personnel, investment committee and governing 
board members. The Applicant also must provide information specifically 
on these individuals' qualifications and reputation in the areas of 
Community Development Finance and/or Relevant Venture Capital Finance, 
including the impact of these individuals' activities in these areas.
    (c) Market analysis. An Applicant must provide an analysis of the LI 
Areas in which it intends to focus its Developmental Venture Capital 
investments and Operational Assistance to Smaller Enterprises, 
demonstrating that the Applicant understands the market and the unmet 
capital needs in such areas and how its activities will meet these unmet 
capital needs through Developmental Venture Capital investments and will 
have a positive economic impact on those areas.

[[Page 147]]

The analysis must include a description of the extent of the economic 
distress in the identified LI Areas. An Applicant also must analyze the 
extent of the demand in such areas for Developmental Venture Capital 
investments and any factors or trends that may affect the Applicant's 
ability to make effective Developmental Venture Capital investments.
    (d) Operational capacity and investment strategies. An Applicant 
must submit information concerning its policies and procedures for 
underwriting and approving its Developmental Venture Capital 
investments, monitoring its portfolio, and maintaining internal controls 
and operations.
    (e) Regulatory Capital. An Applicant must include a detailed 
description of how it plans to raise its Regulatory Capital. An 
Applicant must discuss its potential sources of Regulatory Capital, the 
estimated timing on raising such funds, and the extent of the 
expressions of interest to commit such funds to the Applicant.
    (f) Plan for providing Operational Assistance. An Applicant must 
describe how it plans to use its grant funds to provide Operational 
Assistance to Smaller Enterprises in which it will make Developmental 
Venture Capital investments. Its plan must address the types of 
Operational Assistance it proposes to provide, and how it plans to 
provide the Operational Assistance through the use of licensed 
professionals, when necessary, either from its own staff or from outside 
entities.
    (g) Matching resources for Operational Assistance grant. An 
Applicant must include a detailed description of how it plans to obtain 
binding commitments for cash or in-kind contributions, and/or to 
purchase an annuity, to match the funds requested from SBA for the 
Applicant's Operational Assistance grant. If it proposes to obtain 
commitments for cash and in-kind contributions, it also must estimate 
the ratio of cash to in-kind contributions (in no event may in-kind 
contributions exceed 50 percent of the total contributions). Applicant 
must discuss its potential sources of matching resources, the estimated 
timing on raising such funds, and the extent of the expressions of 
interest to commit such funds to the Applicant. Potential sources of 
matching resources must satisfy the requirements in Sec.  
108.2030(b)(1).
    (h) Projected amount of investment in LI Areas. An Applicant must 
describe the amount of its total Regulatory Capital and Leverage that it 
proposes to invest in Smaller Enterprises located in LI Areas, as 
compared to the amount that it proposes to invest in Small Businesses 
located outside of LI Areas.
    (i) Projected impact. An Applicant must describe the criteria and 
economic measurements to be used to evaluate whether and to what extent 
it has met the objectives of the NMVC program. It must include:
    (1) A description of the extent to which it will concentrate its 
Developmental Venture Capital investments and Operational Assistance 
activities in identified LI Areas;
    (2) An estimate of the social, economic, and community development 
benefits to be created within identified LI Areas over the next five 
years or more as a result of its activities;
    (3) A description of the criteria to be used to measure the benefits 
created as a result of its activities;
    (4) A discussion about the amount of such benefits created that it 
will consider to constitute successfully meeting the objectives of the 
NMVC program.
    (j) Affiliates and business relationships. Applicant must submit 
information regarding the management and financial strength of any 
parent or holding entity, affiliated firm or entity, or any other firm 
or entity essential to the success of the Applicant's business plan.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.330  Grant issuance fee.

    An Applicant must pay to SBA a grant issuance fee of $5,000. An 
Applicant must submit this fee in advance, at the time of application 
submission. If SBA does not select an Applicant as a Conditionally 
Approved NMVC Company or designate an Applicant as a NMVC Company, SBA 
will refund this fee to the Applicant.

[[Page 148]]



          Subpart E_Evaluation and Selection of NMVC Companies



Sec.  108.340  Evaluation and selection--general.

    SBA will evaluate and select an Applicant to participate in the NMVC 
program solely at SBA's discretion, based on SBA's review of the 
Applicant's application materials, interviews or site visits with the 
Applicant (if any), and background investigations conducted by SBA and 
other Federal agencies. SBA's evaluation and selection process is 
intended to--
    (a) Ensure that Applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis and 
in a fair and consistent manner;
    (b) Take into consideration the unique proposals presented by 
Applicants;
    (c) Ensure that each Applicant that SBA designates as a NMVC Company 
can fulfill successfully the goals of its comprehensive business plan; 
and
    (d) Ensure that SBA selects Applicants in such a way as to promote 
Developmental Venture Capital investments nationwide and in both urban 
and rural areas.



Sec.  108.350  Eligibility and completeness.

    SBA will not consider any application that is not complete or that 
is submitted by an Applicant that does not meet the eligibility criteria 
described in subpart C of this part. SBA, at its sole discretion, may 
request from an Applicant additional information concerning eligibility 
criteria or easily completed portions of the application in order to 
allow SBA to consider that Applicant's application.



Sec.  108.360  Evaluation criteria.

    SBA will evaluate and select an Applicant for participation in the 
NMVC program by considering the following criteria--
    (a) The quality of the Applicant's comprehensive business plan in 
terms of meeting the objectives of the NMVC program;
    (b) The likelihood that the Applicant will fulfill the goals 
described in its comprehensive business plan;
    (c) The capability of the Applicant's management team;
    (d) The strength and likelihood for success of the Applicant's 
operations and investment strategies;
    (e) The need for Developmental Venture Capital investments in the LI 
Areas in which the Applicant intends to invest;
    (f) The extent to which the Applicant will concentrate its 
activities on serving the LI Areas in which it intends to invest, 
including the ratio of resources that it proposes to invest in such 
areas as compared to other areas;
    (g) The Applicant's demonstrated understanding of the markets in the 
LI Areas in which it intends to focus its activities;
    (h) The likelihood that and the time frame within which the 
Applicant will be able to--
    (1) Raise the Regulatory Capital it proposes to raise for its 
investments, and
    (2) Obtain the binding commitments for contributions in cash or in-
kind and/or an annuity it proposes to obtain as its matching resources 
for its Operational Assistance grant award;
    (i) The strength of the Applicant's proposal to provide Operational 
Assistance to Smaller Enterprises in which it plans to invest;
    (j) The extent to which the activities proposed by the Applicant 
will promote economic development and the creation of wealth and job 
opportunities in the LI Areas in which it intends to invest and among 
individuals living in LI Areas; and
    (k) The strength of the Applicant's application compared to 
applications submitted by other Applicants and by SSBICs intending to 
invest in the same or proximate LI Areas.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.370  Conditional approval.

    From among the Applicants submitting eligible and complete 
applications, SBA will select a number of Applicants and will 
conditionally approve such selected Applicants to participate in the 
NMVC program. SBA will give each such Conditionally Approved NMVC 
Company a specific period of time, not to exceed two years, to satisfy 
the requirements to become a NMVC Company.

[[Page 149]]



Sec.  108.380  Final approval as a NMVC Company.

    (a) General rule. With respect to each Conditionally Approved NMVC 
Company, SBA will either:
    (1) Grant final approval to participate in the NMVC program and 
designate such company as a NMVC Company, if such Conditionally Approved 
NMVC Company:
    (i) Within the specific period of time SBA gave to it when SBA 
conditionally approved it for participation in the NMVC program, has 
raised:
    (A) The amount of Regulatory Capital set forth in its application, 
pursuant to Sec.  108.310(a)(1); and
    (B) The amount of matching resources for its Operational Assistance 
grant award set forth in its application, pursuant to Sec.  
108.310(a)(2); and
    (ii) Enters into a Participation Agreement with SBA; or
    (2) Revoke SBA's conditional approval of the company, at which time 
it is no longer a Conditionally Approved NMVC Company and must not 
participate in the NMVC program or represent itself as a Conditionally 
Approved NMVC Company.
    (b) Exception to requirement to raise matching resources--(1) 
General. At its discretion and based upon a showing of good cause, SBA 
may consider a Conditionally Approved NMVC Company to have satisfied the 
requirement in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of this section to raise matching 
resources in the amount of at least 30 percent of its Regulatory Capital 
if the Conditionally Approved NMVC Company--
    (i) Already has raised at least 20 percent of the total amount of 
required matching resources; and
    (ii) Has a viable plan that reasonably projects its capacity to 
raise the remainder of the required amount of matching resources.
    (2) Request for exception. Before the expiration of the time period 
given to it by SBA to meet the requirements to become a NMVC Company, a 
Conditionally Approved NMVC Company may submit to SBA a request that SBA 
grant the exception described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. Such 
Conditionally Approved NMVC must present to SBA evidence of good cause 
for such request, as well as evidence supporting the elements of the 
exception described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (3) No applicability to Regulatory Capital. The exception described 
in this section applies only to matching resources for the Operational 
Assistance grant award. Under no circumstances will SBA designate a 
Conditionally Approved NMVC Company as a NMVC Company if such 
Conditionally Approved NMVC Company does not raise the required amount 
of Regulatory Capital within the time period SBA gave it to do so.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



          Subpart F_Changes in Ownership, Structure, or Control

             Changes in Control or Ownership of NMVC Company



Sec.  108.400  Changes in ownership of 10 percent or more of NMVC Company 
but no change of Control.

    You must obtain SBA's prior written approval for any proposed 
transfer or issuance of ownership interests that results in the 
ownership (beneficial or of record) by any Person, or group of Persons 
acting in concert, of at least 10 percent of any class of your stock, 
partnership capital or membership interests.



Sec.  108.410  Changes in Control of NMVC Company (through change 
in ownership or otherwise).

    You must obtain SBA's prior written approval for any proposed 
transaction or event that results in Control by any Person(s) not 
previously approved by SBA.



Sec.  108.420  Prohibition on exercise of ownership or Control rights 
in NMVC Company before SBA approval.

    Without prior written SBA approval, no change of ownership or 
Control may take effect and no officer, director, employee or other 
Person acting on your behalf shall:
    (a) Register on your books any transfer of ownership interest to the 
proposed new owner(s);
    (b) Permit the proposed new owner(s) to exercise voting rights with 
respect

[[Page 150]]

to such ownership interest (including directly or indirectly procuring 
or voting any proxy, consent or authorization as to such voting rights 
at any meeting of shareholders, partners or members);
    (c) Permit the proposed new owner(s) to participate in any manner in 
the conduct of your affairs (including exercising control over your 
books, records, funds or other assets; participating directly or 
indirectly in any disposition thereof; or serving as an officer, 
director, partner, manager, employee or agent); or
    (d) Allow ownership or Control to pass to another Person.



Sec.  108.430  Notification to SBA of transactions that may change 
ownership or Control.

    You must promptly notify SBA as soon as you have knowledge of 
transactions or events that may result in a transfer of Control or 
ownership of at least 10 percent of your capital. If there is any doubt 
as to whether a particular transaction or event will result in such a 
change, report the facts to SBA.



Sec.  108.440  Standards governing prior SBA approval for a proposed 
transfer of Control.

    SBA approval is contingent upon full disclosure of the real parties 
in interest, the source of funds for the new owners' interest, and other 
data requested by SBA. As a condition of approving a proposed transfer 
of control, SBA may:
    (a) Require an increase in your Regulatory Capital;
    (b) Require the new owners or the transferee's Control Person(s) to 
assume, in writing, personal liability for your Leverage, effective only 
in the event of their direct or indirect participation in any transfer 
of Control not approved by SBA; or
    (c) Require compliance with any other conditions set by SBA, 
including compliance with the requirements for minimum capital and 
management-ownership diversity as in effect at such time for new NMVC 
Companies.



Sec.  108.450  Notification to SBA of pledge of NMVC Company's shares.

    (a) You must notify SBA in writing, within 30 calendar days, of the 
terms of any transaction in which:
    (1) Any Person, or group of Persons acting in concert, pledges 
shares of your stock (or equivalent ownership interests) as collateral 
for indebtedness; and
    (2) The shares pledged are at least 10 percent of your Regulatory 
Capital.
    (b) If the transaction creates a change of ownership or Control, you 
must comply with Sec.  108.400 or Sec.  108.410, as appropriate.

    Restrictions on Common Control or Ownership of Two or More NMVC 
                                Companies



Sec.  108.460  Restrictions on Common Control or ownership of two 
(or more) NMVC Companies.

    Without SBA's prior written approval, you must not have an officer, 
director, manager, Control Person, or owner (with a direct or indirect 
ownership interest of at least 10 percent) who is also:
    (a) An officer, director, manager, Control Person, or owner (with a 
direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 10 percent) of another 
NMVC Company; or
    (b) An officer or director of any Person that directly or indirectly 
controls, or is controlled by, or is under Common Control with, another 
NMVC Company.

                   Change in Structure of NMVC Company



Sec.  108.470  SBA approval of merger, consolidation, or reorganization 
of NMVC Company.

    You may not merge, consolidate, change form of organization 
(corporation or partnership) or reorganize without SBA's prior written 
approval. Any such merger or consolidation will be subject to Sec.  
108.440.

[[Page 151]]



           Subpart G_Managing the Operations of a NMVC Company

                          General Requirements



Sec.  108.500  Lawful operations under the Act.

    You must engage only in the activities contemplated by the Act and 
in no other activities.



Sec.  108.502  Representations to the public.

    You may not represent or imply to anyone that the SBA, the U.S. 
Government or any of its agencies or officers has approved any ownership 
interests you have issued or obligations you have incurred. Be certain 
to include a statement to this effect in any solicitation to investors. 
Example: You may not represent or imply that ``SBA stands behind the 
NMVC Company'' or that ``Your capital is safe because SBA's experts 
review proposed investments to make sure they are safe for the NMVC 
Company.''



Sec.  108.503  NMVC Company's adoption of an approved valuation policy.

    (a) Valuation guidelines. You must prepare, document and report the 
valuations of your Loans and Investments in accordance with the 
Valuation Guidelines for SBICs issued by SBA. These guidelines may be 
obtained from SBA's Investment Division.
    (b) SBA approval of valuation policy. You must have a written 
valuation policy approved by SBA for use in determining the value of 
your Loans and Investments. You must either:
    (1) Adopt without change the model valuation policy set forth in 
section III of the Valuation Guidelines for SBICs; or
    (2) Obtain SBA's prior written approval of an alternative valuation 
policy.
    (c) Responsibility for valuations. Your board of directors, managing 
members, or general partner(s) will be solely responsible for adopting 
your valuation policy and for using it to prepare valuations of your 
Loans and Investments for submission to SBA. If SBA reasonably believes 
that your valuations, individually or in the aggregate, are materially 
misstated, it reserves the right to require you to engage, at your 
expense, an independent third party acceptable to SBA to substantiate 
the valuations.
    (d) Frequency of valuations. (1) You must value your Loans and 
Investments at the end of the second quarter of your fiscal year, and at 
the end of your fiscal year.
    (2) On a case-by-case basis, SBA may require you to perform 
valuations more frequently.
    (3) You must report material adverse changes in valuations at least 
quarterly, within thirty days following the close of the quarter.
    (e) Review of valuations by independent public accountant. (1) For 
valuations performed as of the end of your fiscal year, your independent 
public accountant must review your valuation procedures and the 
implementation of such procedures, including adequacy of documentation.
    (2) The independent public accountant's report on your audited 
annual financial statements (SBA Form 468) must include a statement that 
your valuations were prepared in accordance with your approved valuation 
policy.



Sec.  108.504  Equipment and office requirements.

    (a) Computer capability. You must have a personal computer with a 
modem, and be able to use this equipment to prepare reports (using SBA 
provided software) and transmit them to SBA. In addition, you must have 
access to the Internet and the capability to send and receive electronic 
mail via the Internet.
    (b) Facsimile capability. You must be able to receive facsimile 
messages 24 hours per day at your primary office.
    (c) Accessible office. You must maintain an office that is 
convenient to the public and is open for business during normal working 
hours.



Sec.  108.506  Safeguarding the NMVC Company's assets/Internal controls.

    You must adopt a plan to safeguard your assets and monitor the 
reliability of your financial data, personnel, Portfolio, funds and 
equipment. You must provide your bank and custodian with a certified 
copy of your resolution or

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other formal document describing your control procedures.



Sec.  108.507  Violations based on false filings and nonperformance 
of agreements with SBA.

    The following shall constitute a violation of this part:
    (a) Nonperformance. Nonperformance of any of the requirements of any 
Debenture or of any written agreement with SBA.
    (b) False statement. In any document submitted to SBA:
    (1) Any false statement knowingly made; or
    (2) Any misrepresentation of a material fact; or
    (3) Any failure to state a material fact. A material fact is any 
fact that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of 
the circumstances under which the statement was made.



Sec.  108.509  Employment of SBA officials.

    Without SBA's prior written approval, for a period of two years 
after the date of your most recent issuance of Leverage (or the receipt 
of any SBA Assistance as defined in part 105 of this chapter), you are 
not permitted to employ, offer employment to, or retain for professional 
services, any person who:
    (a) Served as an officer, attorney, agent, or employee of SBA on or 
within one year before such date; and
    (b) As such, occupied a position or engaged in activities which, in 
SBA's determination, involved discretion with respect to the granting of 
SBA Assistance.

                       Management and Compensation



Sec.  108.510  SBA approval of NMVC Company's Investment Adviser/Manager.

    You may employ an Investment Adviser/Manager who will be subject to 
the supervision of your board of directors, managing members, or general 
partner. If you have Leverage or plan to seek Leverage, you must obtain 
SBA's prior written approval of the management contract. SBA's approval 
of an Investment Adviser/Manager for one NMVC Company does not indicate 
approval of that manager for any other NMVC Company.
    (a) Management contract. The contract must:
    (1) Specify the services the Investment Adviser/Manager will render 
to you and to the Small Businesses in your Portfolio; and
    (2) Indicate the basis for computing Management Expenses.
    (b) Material change to approved management contract. If there is a 
material change, both you and SBA must approve such change in advance. 
If you are uncertain if the change is material, submit the proposed 
revision to SBA.



Sec.  108.520  Management Expenses of a NMVC Company.

    SBA must approve your initial Management Expenses and any increases 
in your Management Expenses.
    (a) Definition of Management Expenses. Management Expenses include:
    (1) Salaries;
    (2) Office expenses;
    (3) Travel;
    (4) Business development;
    (5) Office and equipment rental;
    (6) Bookkeeping; and
    (7) Expenses related to developing, investigating and monitoring 
investments.
    (b) Management Expenses do not include services provided by 
specialized outside consultants, outside lawyers and independent public 
accountants, if they perform services not generally performed by a 
venture capital company.

                    Cash Management by a NMVC Company



Sec.  108.530  Restrictions on investments of idle funds by NMVC Companies.

    (a) Permitted investments of idle funds. Funds not invested in Small 
Businesses must be maintained in:
    (1) Direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal 
and interest by, the United States, which mature within 15 months from 
the date of the investment; or
    (2) Repurchase agreements with federally insured institutions, with 
a maturity of seven days or less. The securities underlying the 
repurchase agreements must be direct obligations of, or obligations 
guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the United States. The

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securities must be maintained in a custodial account at a federally 
insured institution; or
    (3) Certificates of deposit with a maturity of one year or less, 
issued by a federally insured institution; or
    (4) A deposit account in a federally insured institution, subject to 
a withdrawal restriction of one year or less; or
    (5) A checking account in a federally insured institution; or
    (6) A reasonable petty cash fund.
    (b) Deposit of funds in excess of the insured amount. (1) You are 
permitted to deposit funds in a federally insured institution in excess 
of the institution's insured amount, but only if the institution is 
``well capitalized'' in accordance with the definition set forth in 
regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as amended (12 
CFR 325.103).
    (2) Exception: You may make a temporary deposit (not to exceed 30 
days) in excess of the insured amount, in a transfer account established 
to facilitate the receipt and disbursement of funds or to hold funds 
necessary to honor Commitments issued.
    (c) Deposit of funds in Associate institution. A deposit in, or a 
repurchase agreement with, a federally insured institution that is your 
Associate is not considered a Financing of such Associate under Sec.  
108.730, provided the terms of such deposit or repurchase agreement are 
no less favorable than those available to the general public.

            Borrowing by NMVC Companies From Non-SBA Sources



Sec.  108.550  Prior approval of secured third-party debt of NMVC companies.

    (a) Definition. In this section, ``secured third-party debt'' means 
any non-SBA debt secured by any of your assets, including secured 
guarantees and other contingent obligations that you voluntarily assume 
and secured lines of credit.
    (b) General rule. You must get SBA's written approval before you 
incur any secured third-party debt or refinance any debt with secured 
third-party debt, including any renewal of a secured line of credit, 
increase in the maximum amount available under a secured line of credit, 
or expansion of the scope of a security interest or lien. For purposes 
of this paragraph (b), ``expansion of the scope of a security interest 
or lien'' does not include the substitution of one asset or group of 
assets for another, provided the asset values (as reported on your most 
recent annual Form 468) are comparable.
    (c) Conditions for SBA approval. As a condition of granting its 
approval under this section, SBA may impose such restrictions or 
limitations as it deems appropriate, taking into account your historical 
performance, current financial position, proposed terms of the secured 
debt and amount of aggregate debt you will have outstanding (including 
Leverage). SBA will not favorably consider any requests for approval 
which include a blanket lien on all your assets, or a security interest 
in your investor commitments in excess of 125 percent of the proposed 
borrowing.
    (d) Thirty-day approval. Unless SBA notifies you otherwise within 30 
days after it receives your request, you may consider your request 
automatically approved if:
    (1) You are in regulatory compliance;
    (2) The security interest in your assets is limited to either those 
assets being acquired with the borrowed funds or an asset coverage ratio 
of no more than 2:1;
    (3) Your request is for approval of a secured line of credit that 
would not cause your total outstanding borrowings (not including 
Leverage) to exceed 50 percent of your Leverageable Capital.

                Voluntary Decrease in Regulatory Capital



Sec.  108.585  Voluntary decrease in NMVC Company's Regulatory Capital.

    You must obtain SBA's prior written approval to reduce your 
Regulatory Capital by more than two percent in any fiscal year. At all 
times, you must retain sufficient Regulatory Capital to meet the minimum 
capital requirements in the Act and Sec.  108.210, and sufficient 
Leverageable Capital to avoid having excess Leverage in violation of 
section 355(d) of the Act.

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  Subpart H_Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Examination Requirements for 
                             NMVC Companies

              Recordkeeping Requirements for NMVC Companies



Sec.  108.600  General requirement for NMVC Company to maintain 
and preserve records.

    (a) Maintaining your accounting records. You must establish and 
maintain your accounting records using SBA's standard chart of accounts 
for SBICs, unless SBA approves otherwise. You may obtain this chart of 
accounts from SBA.
    (b) Location of records. You must keep the following records at your 
principal place of business or, in the case of paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, at the branch office that is primarily responsible for the 
transaction:
    (1) All your accounting and other financial records;
    (2) All minutes of meetings of directors, stockholders, executive 
committees, partners, or other officials; and
    (3) All documents and supporting materials related to your business 
transactions, except for any items held by a custodian under a written 
agreement between you and a Portfolio Concern or non-SBA lender, or any 
securities held in a safe deposit box, or by a licensed securities 
broker in an amount not exceeding the broker's per-account insurance 
coverage.
    (c) Preservation of records. You must retain all the records that 
are the basis for your financial reports. Such records must be preserved 
for the periods specified in this paragraph (c), and must remain 
accessible for the first two years of the preservation period.
    (1) You must preserve for at least 15 years or, in the case of a 
Partnership NMVC Company or LLC NMVC Company, at least two years beyond 
the date of liquidation:
    (i) All your accounting ledgers and journals, and any other records 
of assets, asset valuations, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses.
    (ii) Your Articles, bylaws, minute books, and NMVC Company 
application.
    (iii) All documents evidencing ownership of the NMVC Company 
including ownership ledgers, and ownership transfer registers.
    (2) You must preserve for at least six years all supporting 
documentation (such as vouchers, bank statements, or canceled checks) 
for the records listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (3) After final disposition of any item in your Portfolio, you must 
preserve for at least six years:
    (i) Financing applications and Financing instruments.
    (ii) All loan, participation, and escrow agreements.
    (iii) Size status declarations (SBA Form 480).
    (iv) Any capital stock certificates and warrants of the Portfolio 
Concern that you did not surrender or exercise.
    (v) All other documents and supporting material relating to the 
Portfolio Concern, including correspondence.
    (4) You may substitute a microfilm or computer-scanned or generated 
copy for the original of any record covered by this paragraph (c).
    (d) Additional requirement. You must comply with the recordkeeping 
and record retention requirements set forth in Circular A-110 of the 
Office of Management and Budget. (OMB circulars are available from the 
addresses in 5 CFR 1310.3.)



Sec.  108.610  Required certifications for Loans and Investments.

    For each of your Loans and Investments, you must have the documents 
listed in this section. You must keep these documents in your files and 
make them available to SBA upon request.
    (a) SBA Form 480, the Size Status Declaration, executed both by you 
and by the concern you are financing. By executing this document, both 
parties certify that the concern is a Small Business. For securities 
purchased from an underwriter in a public offering, you may substitute a 
prospectus showing that the concern is a Small Business.
    (b) SBA Form 652, a certification by the concern you are financing 
that it will not illegally discriminate (see part 112 of this chapter).

[[Page 155]]

    (c) A certification by the concern you are financing of the intended 
use of the proceeds. For securities purchased from an underwriter in a 
public offering, you may substitute a prospectus indicating the intended 
use of proceeds.
    (d) For each Low-Income Investment, a certification by the concern 
you are financing as to the basis for its qualification as a Low-Income 
Enterprise.



Sec.  108.620  Requirements to obtain information from Portfolio Concerns.

    All the information required by this section is subject to the 
requirements of Sec.  108.600 and must be in English.
    (a) Information for initial Financing decision. Before extending any 
Financing, you must require the applicant to submit such financial 
statements, plans of operation (including intended use of financing 
proceeds), cash flow analyses, projections, and such community economic 
development information about the company, as are necessary to support 
your investment decision. The information submitted must be consistent 
with the size and type of the business and the amount of the proposed 
Financing.
    (b) Updated financial and community economic development 
information. (1) The terms of each Financing must require the Portfolio 
Concern to provide, at least annually, sufficient financial and 
community economic development information to enable you to perform the 
following required procedures:
    (i) Evaluate the financial condition of the Portfolio Concern for 
the purpose of valuing your investment;
    (ii) Determine the continued eligibility of the Portfolio Concern;
    (iii) Verify the use of Financing proceeds; and
    (iv) Evaluate the community economic development impact of the 
Financing.
    (2) The president, chief executive officer, treasurer, chief 
financial officer, general partner, or proprietor of the Portfolio 
Concern must certify the information submitted to you.
    (3) For financial and valuation purposes, you may accept a complete 
copy of the Federal income tax return filed by the Portfolio Concern (or 
its proprietor) in lieu of financial statements, but only if appropriate 
for the size and type of the business involved.
    (4) The requirements in this paragraph (b) do not apply when you 
acquire securities from an underwriter in a public offering (see Sec.  
108.825). In that case, you must keep copies of all reports furnished by 
the Portfolio Concern to the holders of its securities.
    (c) Information required for examination purposes. You must obtain 
any information requested by SBA's examiners for the purpose of 
verifying the certifications made by a Portfolio Concern under Sec.  
108.610. In this regard, your Financing documents must contain 
provisions requiring the Portfolio Concern to give you and/or SBA's 
examiners access to its books and records for such purpose.

                Reporting Requirements for NMVC Companies



Sec.  108.630  Requirement for NMVC companies to file financial statements 
and supplementary information with SBA (SBA Form 468).

    (a) Annual filing of Form 468. For each fiscal year, you must submit 
to SBA financial statements and supplementary information prepared on 
SBA Form 468. You must file Form 468 on or before the last day of the 
third month following the end of your fiscal year, except for the 
information required under paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, which 
must be filed on or before the last day of the fifth month following the 
end of your fiscal year.
    (1) Audit of Form 468. An independent public accountant acceptable 
to SBA must audit the annual Form 468.
    (2) Insurance requirement for public accountant. Unless SBA approves 
otherwise, your independent public accountant must carry at least 
$1,000,000 of Errors and Omissions insurance, or be self-insured and 
have a net worth of at least $1,000,000.
    (b) Interim filings of Form 468. When requested by SBA, you must 
file interim reports on Form 468. SBA may require you to file the entire 
form or only certain statements and schedules. You must file such 
reports on or before the last day of the month following the end of the 
reporting period. When you submit a request for a draw under an SBA 
Leverage commitment, you must

[[Page 156]]

also comply with any applicable filing requirements set forth in Sec.  
108.1220.
    (c) Standards for preparation of Form 468. You must prepare SBA Form 
468 in accordance with SBA's Accounting Standards and Financial 
Reporting Requirements for Small Business Investment Companies, which 
you may obtain from SBA.
    (d) Where to file Form 468. Submit all filings of Form 468 to the 
Office of New Markets Venture Capital in the Investment Division of SBA.
    (e) Reporting of social, economic, or community development impact 
information on Form 468. Your annual filing of SBA Form 468 must include 
an assessment of the social, economic, or community development impact 
of each Financing. This assessment must specify the fulltime equivalent 
jobs created, the impact of the Financing on the revenues and profits of 
the business and on taxes paid by the business and its employees, and a 
listing of the number and percentage of employees who reside in LI 
Areas.
    (f) Reporting of community development information. For each 
Financing of a Low-Income Enterprise, your Form 468 must include an 
assessment of such Financing with respect to:
    (1) The social, economic or community development benefits achieved 
as a result of the Financing;
    (2) How and to what extent such benefits fulfilled the goals of your 
comprehensive business plan and Participation Agreement;
    (3) Whether you consider the Financing or the results of the 
Financing to have fulfilled the objectives of the NMVC program; and
    (4) Whether, and if so, how you achieved accountability to the 
residents of the LI Area in connection with that Financing.



Sec.  108.640  Requirement to file portfolio financing reports (SBA Form 1031).

    For each Financing you make (excluding guarantees), you must submit 
a Portfolio Financing Report on SBA Form 1031 within 30 days of the 
closing date.



Sec.  108.650  Requirement to report portfolio valuations to SBA.

    You must determine the value of your Loans and Investments in 
accordance with Sec.  108.503. You must report such valuations to SBA 
within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year in the case of annual 
valuations, and within 30 days following the close of other reporting 
periods. You must report material adverse changes in valuations at least 
quarterly, within thirty days following the close of the quarter.



Sec.  108.660  Other items required to be filed by NMVC Company with SBA.

    (a) Reports to owners. You must give SBA a copy of any report you 
furnish to your investors, including any prospectus, letter, or other 
publication concerning your financial operations or those of any 
Portfolio Concern.
    (b) Documents filed with SEC. You must give SBA a copy of any 
report, application or document you file with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission.
    (c) Litigation reports. When you become a party to litigation or 
other proceedings, you must give SBA a report within 30 days that 
describes the proceedings and identifies the other parties involved and 
your relationship to them.
    (1) The proceedings covered by this paragraph (c) include any action 
by you, or by your security holder(s) in a personal or derivative 
capacity, against an officer, director, Investment Adviser or other 
Associate of yours for alleged breach of official duty.
    (2) SBA may require you to submit copies of the pleadings and other 
documents SBA may specify.
    (3) Where proceedings have been terminated by settlement or final 
judgment, you must promptly advise SBA of the terms.
    (4) This paragraph (c) does not apply to collection actions or 
proceedings to enforce your ordinary creditors' rights.
    (d) Notification of criminal charges. If any officer, director, or 
general partner of the NMVC Company, or any other person who was 
required by SBA to complete a personal history statement, is charged 
with or convicted of any

[[Page 157]]

criminal offense other than a misdemeanor involving a minor motor 
vehicle violation, you must report the incident to SBA within 5 calendar 
days. Such report must fully describe the facts that pertain to the 
incident.
    (e) Reports concerning Operational Assistance grant funds. You must 
comply with all reporting requirements set forth in Circular A-110 of 
the Office of Management and Budget and any grant award document 
executed between you and SBA.
    (f) Other reports. You must file any other reports SBA may require 
in writing.



Sec.  108.680  Reporting changes in NMVC Company not subject to 
prior SBA approval.

    (a) Changes to be reported for post-approval. This section applies 
to any changes in your Articles, ownership, capitalization, management, 
operating area, or investment policies that do not require SBA's prior 
approval. You must report such changes to SBA within 30 days for post 
approval.
    (b) Approval by SBA. You may consider any change submitted under 
this section to be approved unless SBA notifies you to the contrary 
within 90 days after receiving it. SBA's approval is contingent upon 
your full disclosure of all relevant facts and is subject to any 
conditions SBA may prescribe.

     Examinations of NMVC Companies by SBA for Regulatory Compliance



Sec.  108.690  Examinations.

    All NMVC companies must submit to annual examinations by or at the 
direction of SBA for the purpose of evaluating regulatory compliance.



Sec.  108.691  Responsibilities of NMVC Company during examination.

    You must make all books, records and other pertinent documents and 
materials available for the examination, including any information 
required by the examiner under Sec.  108.620(c). In addition, the 
agreement between you and the independent public accountant performing 
your audit must provide that any information in the accountant's working 
papers be made available to SBA upon request.



Sec.  108.692  Examination fees.

    (a) General. SBA will assess fees for examinations in accordance 
with this section. Unless SBA determines otherwise on a case by case 
basis, SBA will not assess fees for special examinations to obtain 
specific information.
    (b) Base fee. A base fee of $3,500 will be assessed, subject to 
adjustment in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) Adjustments to base fee. The base fee will be decreased based on 
the following criteria:
    (1) If you have no outstanding regulatory violations at the time of 
the commencement of the examination and SBA did not identify any 
violations as a result of the most recent prior examination, you will 
receive a 15% discount on your base fee; and
    (2) If you were fully responsive to the letter of notification of 
examination (that is, you provided all requested documents and 
information within the time period stipulated in the notification letter 
in a complete and accurate manner, and you prepared and had available 
all information requested by the examiner for on-site review), you will 
receive a 10% discount on your base fee.
    (d) Delay fee. If, in the judgment of SBA, the time required to 
complete your examination is delayed due to your lack of cooperation or 
the condition of your records, SBA may assess an additional fee of up to 
$500 per day.



        Subpart I_Financing of Small Businesses by NMVC Companies

   Determining the Eligibility of a Small Business for NMVC Financing



Sec.  108.700  Compliance with size standards in part 121 of this chapter 
as a condition of Assistance.

    You are permitted to provide financial assistance and management 
services only to a Small Business. To determine whether an applicant 
meets the size standards for a Small Business, you may use either the 
financial size standards in Sec.  121.301(c)(1) of this chapter or the 
industry standard covering the industry in which the applicant is 
primarily engaged, as set forth in Sec.  121.301(c)(2) of this chapter.

[[Page 158]]



Sec.  108.710  Requirement to finance Low-Income Enterprises.

    (a) Low-Income Enterprise Financings. At the close of each of your 
fiscal years--
    (1) At least 80 percent of your Portfolio Concerns must be Low-
Income Enterprises in which you have an Equity Capital Investment; and
    (2) For all Financings you have extended, you must have invested at 
least 80 percent (in total dollars) in Equity Capital Investments in 
Low-Income Enterprises.
    (b) Non-compliance with this section. If you have not reached the 
percentages required in paragraph (a) of this section at the end of any 
fiscal year, then you must be in compliance by the end of the following 
fiscal year. However, you will not be eligible for additional Leverage 
until such time as you reach the required percentages (see Sec.  
108.1120).



Sec.  108.720  Small Businesses that may be ineligible for financing.

    (a) Relenders or reinvestors. You are not permitted to finance any 
business that is a relender or reinvestor. Relenders or reinvestors are 
businesses whose primary business activity involves, directly or 
indirectly, providing funds to others, purchasing debt obligations, 
factoring, or long-term leasing of equipment with no provision for 
maintenance or repair.
    (b) Passive Businesses. You are not permitted to finance a passive 
business.
    (1) Definition. A business is passive if:
    (i) It is not engaged in a regular and continuous business operation 
(for purposes of this paragraph (b), the mere receipt of payments such 
as dividends, rents, lease payments, or royalties is not considered a 
regular and continuous business operation); or
    (ii) Its employees are not carrying on the majority of day to day 
operations, and the company does not provide effective control and 
supervision, on a day to day basis, over persons employed under 
contract; or
    (iii) It passes through substantially all of the proceeds of the 
Financing to another entity.
    (2) Exception for pass-through of proceeds to subsidiary. With the 
prior written approval of SBA, you may finance a passive business if it 
is a Small Business and it passes substantially all the proceeds through 
to one or more subsidiary companies, each of which is an eligible Small 
Business that is not passive. For the purpose of this paragraph (b) (2), 
``subsidiary company'' means a company in which at least 50 percent of 
the outstanding voting securities are owned by the Financed passive 
business.
    (3) Exception for certain Partnership NMVC companies. With the prior 
written approval of SBA, if you are a Partnership NMVC Company, you may 
form one or more wholly owned corporations in accordance with this 
paragraph (b) (3). The sole purpose of such corporation(s) must be to 
provide Financing to one or more eligible, unincorporated Small 
Businesses. You may form such corporation(s) only if a direct Financing 
to such Small Businesses would cause any of your investors to incur 
unrelated business taxable income under section 511 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (26 U.S.C. 511). Your investment of 
funds in such corporation(s) will not constitute a violation of Sec.  
108.730(a).
    (c) Real Estate Businesses. (1) You are not permitted to finance:
    (i) Any business classified under subsector 5311 (Lessors of Real 
Estate) of the NAICS Manual; or
    (ii) Any business listed under subsector 5312 (Offices of Real 
Estate Agents and Brokers) unless at least 80 percent of the revenue is 
derived from non-Affiliate sources.
    (2) You are not permitted to finance a business, regardless of NAICS 
classification, if the Financing is to be used to acquire or refinance 
real property, unless the Small Business:
    (i) Is acquiring an existing property and will use at least 51 
percent of the usable square footage for an eligible business purpose; 
or
    (ii) Is building or renovating a building and will use at least 67 
percent of the usable square footage for an eligible business purpose; 
or
    (iii) Occupies the subject property and uses at least 67 percent of 
the usable square footage for an eligible business purpose.
    (d) Project Financing. You are not permitted to finance a business 
if:

[[Page 159]]

    (1) The assets of the business are to be reduced or consumed, 
generally without replacement, as the life of the business progresses, 
and the nature of the business requires that a stream of cash payments 
be made to the business's financing sources, on a basis associated with 
the continuing sale of assets. Examples include real estate development 
projects and oil and gas wells; or
    (2) The primary purpose of the Financing is to fund production of a 
single item or defined limited number of items, generally over a defined 
production period, and such production will constitute the majority of 
the activities of the Small Business. Examples include motion pictures 
and electric generating plants.
    (e) Farm land purchases. You are not permitted to finance the 
acquisition of farmland. Farmland means land, which is or is intended to 
be used for agricultural or forestry purposes, such as the production of 
food, fiber, or wood, or is so taxed or zoned.
    (f) Public interest. You are not permitted to finance any business 
if the proceeds are to be used for purposes contrary to the public 
interest, including but not limited to activities which are in violation 
of law, or inconsistent with free competitive enterprise.
    (g) Foreign investment--(1) General rule. You are not permitted to 
finance a business if:
    (i) The funds will be used substantially for a foreign operation; or
    (ii) At the time of the Financing or within one year thereafter, 
more than 49 percent of the employees or tangible assets of the Small 
Business are located outside the United States (unless you can show, to 
SBA's satisfaction, that the Financing was used for a specific domestic 
purpose).
    (2) Exception. This paragraph (g) does not prohibit a Financing used 
to acquire foreign materials and equipment or foreign property rights 
for use or sale in the United States.
    (h) Financing NMVC companies or SBICs. You are not permitted to 
provide funds, directly or indirectly, that the Small Business will use:
    (1) To purchase stock in or provide capital to a NMVC Company or 
SBIC; or
    (2) To repay an indebtedness incurred for the purpose of investing 
in a NMVC Company or SBIC.



Sec.  108.730  Financings which constitute conflicts of interest.

    (a) General rule. You must not self-deal to the prejudice of a Small 
Business, the NMVC Company, its shareholders or partners, or SBA. Unless 
you obtain a prior written exemption from SBA for special instances in 
which a Financing may further the purposes of the Act despite presenting 
a conflict of interest, you must not directly or indirectly:
    (1) Provide Financing to any of your Associates, except for a Small 
Business that satisfies all of the following conditions:
    (i) Your Associate relationship with the Small Business is described 
by paragraph (8) or (9) of the definition of Associate in Sec.  108.50;
    (ii) No Person triggering the Associate relationship identified in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section is a Close Relative or Secondary 
Relative of any Person described in paragraph (1), (2), (4), or (5) of 
the definition of Associate in Sec.  108.50; and
    (iii) No single Associate of yours has either a voting interest or 
an economic interest in the Small Business exceeding 20 percent, and no 
two or more of your Associates have either a voting interest or an 
economic interest exceeding 33 percent. Economic interests shall be 
computed on a fully diluted basis, and both voting and economic 
interests shall exclude any interest owned through the NMVC Company.
    (2) Provide Financing to an Associate of another NMVC Company if one 
of your Associates has received or will receive any direct or indirect 
Financing or a Commitment from that NMVC Company or a third NMVC Company 
(including Financing or Commitments received under any understanding, 
agreement, or cross dealing, reciprocal or circular arrangement).
    (3) Borrow money from:
    (i) A Small Business Financed by you;
    (ii) An officer, director, or owner of at least a 10 percent equity 
interest in such business; or

[[Page 160]]

    (iii) A Close Relative of any such officer, director, or equity 
owner.
    (4) Provide Financing to a Small Business to discharge an obligation 
to your Associate or free other funds to pay such obligation. This 
paragraph (a)(4) does not apply if the obligation is to an Associate 
Lending Institution and is a line of credit or other obligation incurred 
in the normal course of business.
    (b) Rules applicable to Associates. Without SBA' s prior written 
approval, your Associates must not, directly or indirectly:
    (1) Borrow money from any Person described in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section.
    (2) Receive from a Small Business any compensation in connection 
with Assistance you provide (except as permitted under Sec.  
108.825(c)), or anything of value for procuring, attempting to procure, 
or influencing your action with respect to such Assistance.
    (c) Applicability of other laws. You are also bound by any 
restrictions in Federal or State laws governing conflicts of interest 
and fiduciary obligations.
    (d) Financings with Associates--(1) Financings with Associates 
requiring prior approval. Without SBA's prior written approval, you may 
not Finance any business in which your Associate has either a voting 
equity interest or total equity interests (including potential 
interests) of at least five percent, except as otherwise permitted under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (2) Other Financings with Associates. If you and an Associate 
provide Financing to the same Small Business, either at the same time or 
at different times, you must be able to demonstrate to SBA's 
satisfaction that the terms and conditions are (or were) fair and 
equitable to you, taking into account any differences in the timing of 
each party's financing transactions.
    (3) Exceptions to paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this section. A 
Financing that falls into one of the following categories is exempt from 
the prior approval requirement in paragraph (d)(1) of this section or is 
presumed to be fair and equitable to you for the purposes of paragraph 
(d)(2) of this section, as appropriate:
    (i) Your Associate is a Lending Institution that is providing 
financing under a credit facility in order to meet the operational needs 
of the Small Business, and the terms of such financing are usual and 
customary.
    (ii) Your Associate invests in the Small Business on the same terms 
and conditions and at the same time as you.
    (iii) Both you and your Associate are NMVC companies.
    (e) Use of Associates to manage Portfolio Concerns. To protect your 
investment, you may designate an Associate to serve as an officer, 
director, or other participant in the management of a Small Business. 
You must identify any such Associate in your records available for SBA's 
review under Sec.  108.600. Without SBA's prior written approval, the 
Associate must not:
    (1) Have any other direct or indirect financial interest in the 
Portfolio Concern that exceeds, or has the potential to exceed, the 
percentages of the Portfolio Concern's equity set forth in paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section.
    (2) Receive any income or anything of value from the Portfolio 
Concern unless it is for your benefit, with the exception of director's 
fees, expenses, and distributions based upon the Associate's ownership 
interest in the Concern.
    (f) 1940 and 1980 Act Companies: SEC exemptions. If you are a 1940 
or 1980 Act Company and you receive an exemption from the Securities and 
Exchange Commission for a transaction described in this section, you 
need not obtain SBA's approval of the transaction. However, you must 
promptly notify SBA of the transaction.
    (g) Restriction on options obtained by NMVC Company's management and 
employees. Your employees, officers, directors, managing members or 
general partners, or the general partners of the management company that 
is providing services to you or to your general partner, may obtain 
options in a Financed Small Business only if:
    (1) They participate in the Financing on a pari passu basis with 
you; or
    (2) SBA gives its prior written approval; or
    (3) The options received are compensation for service as a member of

[[Page 161]]

the board of directors of the Small Business, and such compensation does 
not exceed that paid to other outside directors. In the absence of such 
directors, fees must be reasonable when compared with amounts paid to 
outside directors of similar companies.



Sec.  108.740  Portfolio diversification (``overline'' limitation).

    (a) Without SBA's prior written approval, you may provide Financing 
or a Commitment to a Small Business only if the resulting amount of your 
aggregate outstanding Financings and Commitments to such Small Business 
and its Affiliates does not exceed 10 percent of the sum of:
    (1) Your Regulatory Capital as of the date of the Financing or 
Commitment; plus
    (2) The total amount of leverage projected in your participation 
agreement with SBA; plus
    (3) Any permitted Distribution(s) you made during the five years 
preceding the date of the Financing or Commitment which reduced your 
Regulatory Capital.
    (b) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, you must 
measure each outstanding Financing at its current cost plus any amount 
of the Financing that was previously written off.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 76 FR 63545, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  108.760  How a change in size or activity of a Portfolio Concern 
affects the NMVC Company and the Portfolio Concern.

    (a) Effect on NMVC Company of a change in size of a Portfolio 
Concern. If a Portfolio Concern no longer qualifies as a Small Business 
you may keep your investment in the concern and:
    (1) Subject to the overline limitations of Sec.  108.740, you may 
provide additional Financing to the concern up to the time it makes a 
public offering of its securities.
    (2) Even after the concern makes a public offering, you may exercise 
any stock options, warrants, or other rights to purchase Equity 
Securities which you acquired before the public offering, or fund 
Commitments you made before the public offering.
    (b) Effect of a change in business activity occurring within one 
year of NMVC Company's initial Financing--(1) Retention of Investment. 
Unless you receive SBA's written approval, you may not keep your 
investment in a Portfolio Concern, small or otherwise, which becomes 
ineligible by reason of a change in its business activity within one 
year of your initial investment.
    (2) Request for SBA 's approval to retain investment. If you request 
that SBA approve the retention of your investment, your request must 
include sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the change in business 
activity was caused by an unforeseen change in circumstances and was not 
contemplated at the time the Financing was made.
    (3) Additional Financing. If SBA approves your request to retain an 
investment under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, you may provide 
additional Financing to the Portfolio Concern to the extent necessary to 
protect against the loss of the amount of your original investment, 
subject to the overline limitations of Sec.  108.740.
    (c) Effect of a change in business activity occurring more than one 
year after the initial Financing. If a Portfolio Concern becomes 
ineligible because of a change in business activity more than one year 
after your initial Financing you may:
    (1) Retain your investment; and
    (2) Provide additional Financing to the Portfolio Concern to the 
extent necessary to protect against the loss of the amount of your 
original investment, subject to the overline limitations of Sec.  
108.740.

    Structuring NMVC Company's Financing of Eligible Small Businesses



Sec.  108.800  Financings in the form of equity interests.

    You may not, inadvertently or otherwise:
    (a) Become a general partner in any unincorporated business; or
    (b) Become jointly or severally liable for any obligations of an 
unincorporated business.

[[Page 162]]



Sec.  108.820  Financings in the form of guarantees.

    (a) General rule. At the request of a Small Business or where 
necessary to protect your existing investment, you may guarantee the 
monetary obligation of a Small Business to any non-Associate creditor.
    (b) Exception. You may not issue a guaranty if:
    (1) You would become subject to State regulation as an insurance, 
guaranty or surety business; or
    (2) The amount of the guaranty plus any direct Financings to the 
Small Business exceed the overline limitations of Sec.  108.740, except 
that a pledge of the Equity Securities of the issuer or a subordination 
of your lien or creditor position does not count toward your overline.
    (c) Pledge of NMVC Company's assets as guaranty. For purposes of 
this section, a guaranty with recourse only to specific asset(s) you 
have pledged is equal to the fair market value of such asset(s) or the 
amount of the debt guaranteed, whichever is less.



Sec.  108.825  Purchasing securities from an underwriter or other third party.

    (a) Securities purchased through or from an underwriter. You may 
purchase the securities of a Small Business through or from an 
underwriter if:
    (1) You purchase such securities within 90 days of the date the 
public offering is first made;
    (2) Your purchase price is no more than the original public offering 
price; and
    (3) The amount paid by you for the securities (less ordinary and 
reasonable underwriting charges and commissions) has been, or will be, 
paid to the Small Business, and the underwriter certifies in writing 
that this requirement has been met.
    (b) Recordkeeping requirements. You must keep records available for 
SBA's inspection which show the relevant details of the transaction, 
including, but not limited to, date, price, commissions, and the 
underwriter's certifications required under paragraphs (a)(3) and (c) of 
this section.
    (c) Underwriter's requirements. The underwriter must certify whether 
it is your Associate. You may pay reasonable and customary commissions 
and expenses to an Associate underwriter for the portion of an offering 
that you purchase.
    (d) Securities purchased from another NMVC Company or from SBA. You 
may purchase from, or exchange with, another NMVC Company, Portfolio 
securities (or any interest therein). Such purchase or exchange may only 
be made on a non-recourse basis. You may not have more than one-third of 
your total assets (valued at cost) invested in such securities. If you 
have previously sold Portfolio securities (or any interest therein) on a 
recourse basis, you shall include the amount for which you may be 
contingently liable in your overline computation.
    (e) Purchases of securities from other non-issuers. You may purchase 
securities of a Small Business from a non-issuer not previously 
described in this section if such acquisition is a reasonably necessary 
part of the overall sound Financing of the Small Business.

                  Limitations on Disposition of Assets



Sec.  108.885  Disposition of assets to NMVC Company's Associates.

    Except with SBA's prior written approval, you are not permitted to 
dispose of assets (including assets acquired in liquidation) to any 
Associate. As a prerequisite to such approval, you must demonstrate that 
the proposed terms of disposal are at least as favorable to you as the 
terms obtainable elsewhere.

                      Management Services and Fees



Sec.  108.900  Fees for management services provided to a Small Business 
by a NMVC Company or its Associate.

    (a) General. This section applies to management services that you or 
your Associate provide to a Small Business during the term of a 
Financing or prior to a Financing. It does not apply to management 
services that your Associate provides to a Small Business that you do 
not finance. It also does not apply to Operational Assistance that you 
or your Associate provide to a Smaller Enterprise that you have Financed 
or in which you expect to make

[[Page 163]]

a Financing, for which neither you nor your Associate may charge the 
Smaller Enterprise.
    (b) SBA approval. You must obtain SBA's prior written approval of 
any management services fees and other fees described in this section 
that you or your Associate charge.
    (c) Permitted management services fees. You or your Associate may 
provide management services to a Small Business financed by you if:
    (1) You or your Associate have entered into a written contract with 
the Small Business;
    (2) The fees charged are for services actually performed;
    (3) Services are provided on an hourly fee, project fee, or other 
reasonable basis;
    (4) You can demonstrate to SBA, upon request, that the rate does not 
exceed the prevailing rate charged for comparable services by other 
organizations in the geographic area of the Small Business; and
    (5) At least 50 percent of any management services fees paid to your 
Associate by a Small Business for management services provided by the 
Associate is allocated back to you for your benefit.
    (d) Fees for service as a board member. You or your Associate may 
charge a Small Business Financed by you for services provided as members 
of the Small Business' board of directors. The fees must not exceed 
those paid to other outside board members. In the absence of such board 
members, fees must be reasonable when compared with amounts paid to 
outside directors of similar companies. Fees may be in the form of cash, 
warrants, or other payments. At least 50 percent of any such fees paid 
to your Associate by a Small Business for service by the Associate as a 
board member must be allocated back to you for your benefit.
    (e) Transaction fees. (1) You or your Associate may charge 
reasonable transaction fees for work performed such as preparing a Small 
Business for a public offering, private offering, or sale of all or part 
of the business, and for assisting with the transaction. Fees may be in 
the form of cash, notes, stock, and/or options. At least 50 percent of 
any such fees paid to your Associate by a Small Business for 
transactions work done by the Associate must be allocated back to you 
for your benefit.
    (2) Your Associate may charge market rate investment banking fees to 
a Small Business on that portion of a Financing that you do not provide.
    (f) Recordkeeping requirements. You must keep a record of hours 
spent and amounts charged to the Small Business, including expenses 
charged.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



    Subpart J_SBA Financial Assistance for NMVC Companies (Leverage)

              General Information About Obtaining Leverage



Sec.  108.1100  Type of Leverage and application procedures.

    (a) Type of Leverage available. You may apply for Leverage from SBA 
in the form of a guarantee of your Debentures.
    (b) Applying for Leverage. The Leverage application process has two 
parts. You must first apply for SBA's conditional commitment to reserve 
a specific amount of Leverage for your future use. You may then apply to 
draw down Leverage against the commitment. See Sec. Sec.  108.1200 
through 108.1240.
    (c) Where to send your application. Send all Leverage applications 
to SBA, Investment Division Office of New Markets Venture Capital, 409 
Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416.



Sec.  108.1120  General eligibility requirement for Leverage.

    To be eligible for Leverage, you must be in compliance with the Act, 
the regulations in this part, and your Participation Agreement.



Sec.  108.1130  Leverage fees payable by NMVC Company.

    There is no fee for the issuance of Debentures by a NMVC Company.



Sec.  108.1140  NMVC Company's acceptance of SBA remedies under Sec.  108.1810.

    If you issue Leverage, you automatically agree to the terms and 
conditions in Sec.  108.1810 as it exists at the time of

[[Page 164]]

issuance. The effect of these terms and conditions is the same as if 
they were fully incorporated in the terms of your Leverage.

     Maximum Amount of Leverage for Which a NMVC Company Is Eligible



Sec.  108.1150  Maximum amount of Leverage for a NMVC Company.

    The face amount of a NMVC Company's outstanding Debentures may not 
exceed 150 percent of its Leverageable Capital.

  Conditional Commitments by SBA To Reserve Leverage for a NMVC Company



Sec.  108.1200  SBA's Leverage commitment to a NMVC Company--
application procedure, amount, and term.

    (a) General. Under the provisions in Sec. Sec.  108.1200 through 
108.1240, you may apply for SBA's conditional commitment to reserve a 
specific amount and type of Leverage for your future use. You may then 
apply to draw down Leverage against the commitment.
    (b) Applying for a Leverage commitment. SBA will notify you when it 
is accepting requests for Leverage commitments. Upon receipt of your 
request, SBA will send you a complete application package.
    (c) Limitations on the amount of a Leverage commitment. The amount 
of a Leverage commitment must be a multiple of $5,000. SBA, in its 
discretion, may determine a minimum dollar amount for Leverage 
commitments. Any such minimum amounts will be published in Notices in 
the Federal Register from time to time.
    (d) Term of Leverage commitment. SBA's Leverage commitment will 
automatically lapse on the expiration date stated in the commitment 
letter issued to you by SBA.



Sec.  108.1220  Requirement for NMVC Company to file financial statements 
at the time of request for a draw.

    (a) If you submit a request for a draw against SBA's Leverage 
commitment more than 90 days since your submission of an annual Form 468 
or a Form 468 (Short Form), you must:
    (1) Give SBA a financial statement on Form 468 (Short Form); and
    (2) File a statement of no material adverse change in your financial 
condition since your last filing of Form 468.
    (b) You will not be eligible for a draw if you are not in compliance 
with this section.



Sec.  108.1230  Draw-downs by NMVC Company under SBA's Leverage commitment.

    (a) NMVC Company's authorization of SBA to guarantee securities. By 
submitting a request for a draw against SBA's Leverage commitment, you 
authorize SBA, or any agent or trustee SBA designates, to guarantee your 
Debenture and to sell it with SBA's guarantee.
    (b) Limitations on amount of draw. The amount of a draw must be a 
multiple of $5,000. SBA, in its discretion, may determine a minimum 
dollar amount for draws against SBA's Leverage commitments. Any such 
minimum amounts will be published in Notices in the Federal Register 
from time to time.
    (c) Effect of regulatory violations on NMVC Company's eligibility 
for draws--(1) General rule. You are eligible to make a draw against 
SBA's Leverage commitment only if you are in compliance with all 
applicable provisions of the Act and SBA regulations (i.e., no 
unresolved statutory or regulatory violations) and your Participation 
Agreement.
    (2) Exception to general rule. If you are not in compliance, you may 
still be eligible for draws if:
    (i) SBA determines that your outstanding violations are of non-
substantive provisions of the Act or regulations or your Participation 
Agreement and that you have not repeatedly violated any non-substantive 
provisions; or
    (ii) You have agreed with SBA on a course of action to resolve your 
violations and such agreement does not prevent you from issuing 
Leverage.
    (d) Procedures for funding draws. You may request a draw at any time 
during the term of the commitment. With each request, submit the 
following documentation:
    (1) A statement certifying that there has been no material adverse 
change in your financial condition since your last

[[Page 165]]

filing of SBA Form 468 (see also Sec.  108.1220 for SBA Form 468 filing 
requirements).
    (2) If your request is submitted more than 30 days following the end 
of your fiscal year, but before you have submitted your annual filing of 
SBA Form 468 (Long Form) in accordance with Sec.  108.630(a), a 
preliminary unaudited annual financial statement on SBA Form 468 (Short 
Form).
    (3) A statement certifying that to the best of your knowledge and 
belief, you are in compliance with all provisions of the Act and SBA 
regulations (i.e., no unresolved regulatory or statutory violations) and 
your Participation Agreement, or a statement listing any specific 
violations you are aware of. Either statement must be executed by one of 
the following:
    (i) An officer of the NMVC Company;
    (ii) An officer of a corporate general partner of the NMVC Company;
    (iii) An individual who is authorized to act as or for a general 
partner of the NMVC Company; or
    (iv) An individual who is authorized to act as or for a member-
manager of the NMVC Company.
    (4) A statement that the proceeds are needed to fund one or more 
particular Small Businesses or to provide liquidity for your operations. 
If required by SBA, the statement must include the name and address of 
each Small Business, and the amount and anticipated closing date of each 
proposed Financing.
    (e) Reporting requirements after drawing funds. (1) Within 30 
calendar days after the actual closing date of each Financing funded 
with the proceeds of your draw, you must file an SBA Form 1031 
confirming the closing of the transaction.
    (2) If SBA required you to provide information concerning a specific 
planned Financing under paragraph (d)(4) of this section, and such 
Financing has not closed within 60 calendar days after the anticipated 
closing date, you must give SBA a written explanation of the failure to 
close.
    (3) If you do not comply with this paragraph (e), you will not be 
eligible for additional draws. SBA may also determine that you are not 
in compliance with the terms of your Leverage under Sec.  108.1810.



Sec.  108.1240  Funding of NMVC Company's draw request through sale 
to third-party.

    (a) NMVC Company's authorization of SBA to arrange sale of 
securities to third-party. By submitting a request for a draw of 
Debenture Leverage, you authorize SBA, or any agent or trustee SBA 
designates, to enter into any agreements (and to bind you to such 
agreements) necessary to accomplish:
    (1) The sale of your Debenture to a third-party at a rate approved 
by SBA; and
    (2) The purchase of your security from the third-party and the 
pooling of your security with other securities with the same maturity 
date.
    (b) Sale of Debentures to a third-party. If SBA arranges for the 
sale of your Debenture to a third-party, the sale price may be an amount 
discounted from the face amount of the Debenture.

 Funding Leverage by use of SBA Guaranteed Trust Certificates (``TCs'')



Sec.  108.1600  SBA authority to issue and guarantee Trust Certificates.

    (a) Authorization. Section 356 of the Act authorizes SBA to issue 
TCs and to guarantee the timely payment of the principal and interest 
thereon. Any guarantee by SBA of such TC is limited to the principal and 
interest due on the Debentures in any Trust or Pool backing such TC. The 
full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the payment of 
all amounts due under the guarantee of any TC.
    (b) SBA authority to arrange public or private fundings of Leverage. 
SBA in its discretion may arrange for public or private financing under 
its guarantee authority. Such financing arranged by SBA may be 
accomplished by the sale of individual Debentures, aggregations of 
Debentures, or Pools or Trusts of Debentures.
    (c) Pass-through provisions. TCs shall provide for a pass-through to 
their holders of all amounts of principal and interest paid on the 
Debentures in the Pool or Trust against which they are issued.

[[Page 166]]

    (d) Formation of a Pool or Trust holding Leverage Securities. SBA 
shall approve the formation of each Pool or Trust. SBA may, in its 
discretion, establish the size of the Pools and their composition, the 
interest rate on the TCs issued against Trusts or Pools, fees, 
discounts, premiums and other charges made in connection with the Pools, 
Trusts, and TCs, and any other characteristics of a Pool or Trust it 
deems appropriate.



Sec.  108.1610  Effect of prepayment or early redemption of Leverage 
on a Trust Certificate.

    (a) The rights, if any, of a NMVC Company to prepay any Debenture is 
established by the terms of such security, and no such right is created 
or denied by the regulations in this part.
    (b) SBA's rights to purchase or prepay any Debenture without premium 
are established by the terms of the Guaranty Agreement relating to the 
Debenture.
    (c) Any prepayment of a Debenture pursuant to the terms of the 
Guaranty Agreement relating to such security shall reduce the SBA 
guarantee of timely payment of principal and interest on a TC in 
proportion to the amount of principal that such prepaid Debenture 
represents in the Trust or Pool backing such TC.
    (d) SBA shall be discharged from its guarantee obligation to the 
holder or holders of any TC, or any successor or transferee of such 
holder, to the extent of any such prepayment. whether or not such 
successor or transferee shall have notice of any such prepayment.
    (e) Interest on prepaid Debentures shall accrue only through the 
date of prepayment.
    (f) In the event that all Debentures constituting a Trust or Pool 
are prepaid, the TCs backed by such Trust or Pool shall be redeemed by 
payment of the unpaid principal and interest on the TCs; provided, 
however, that in the case of the prepayment of a Debenture pursuant to 
the provisions of the Guaranty Agreement relating to the Debenture, the 
CRA shall pass through pro rata to the holders of the TCs any such 
prepayments including any prepayment penalty paid by the obligor NMVC 
Company pursuant to the terms of the Debenture.



Sec.  108.1620  Functions of agents, including Central Registration Agent, 
Selling Agent and Fiscal Agent.

    (a) Agents. SBA may appoint or cause to be appointed agent(s) to 
perform functions necessary to market and service Debentures or TCs 
pursuant to this part.
    (1) Selling Agent. As a condition of guaranteeing a Debenture, SBA 
may cause each NMVC Company to appoint a Selling Agent to perform 
functions that include, but are not limited to:
    (i) Selecting qualified entities to become pool or Trust assemblers 
(``Poolers'').
    (ii) Receiving guaranteed Debentures as well as negotiating the 
terms and conditions of sales or periodic offerings of Debentures and/or 
TCs on behalf of NMVC companies.
    (iii) Directing and coordinating periodic sales of Debentures and/or 
TCs.
    (iv) Arranging for the production of Offering Circulars, 
certificates, and such other documents as may be required from time to 
time.
    (2) Fiscal Agent. SBA shall appoint a Fiscal Agent to:
    (i) Establish performance criteria for Poolers.
    (ii) Monitor and evaluate the financial markets to determine those 
factors that will minimize or reduce the cost of funding Debentures.
    (iii) Monitor the performance of the Selling Agent, Poolers, CRA, 
and the Trustee.
    (iv) Perform such other functions as SBA, from time to time, may 
prescribe.
    (3) Central Registration Agent. Pursuant to a contract entered into 
with SBA, the CRA, as SBA's agent, will do the following with respect to 
the Pools or Trust Certificates for the Debentures:
    (i) Form an SBA-approved Pool or Trust;
    (ii) Issue the TCs in the form prescribed by SBA;
    (iii) Transfer the TCs upon the sale of original issue TCs in any 
secondary market transaction;
    (iv) Receive payments from NMVC companies;

[[Page 167]]

    (v) Make periodic payments as scheduled or required by the terms of 
the TCs, and pay all amounts required to be paid upon prepayment of 
Debentures;
    (vi) Hold, safeguard, and release all Debentures constituting Trusts 
or Pools upon instructions from SBA;
    (vii) Remain custodian of such other documentation as SBA shall 
direct by written instructions;
    (viii) Provide for the registration of all pooled Debentures, all 
Pools and Trusts, and all TCs;
    (ix) Perform such other functions as SBA may deem necessary to 
implement the provisions of this section.
    (b) Functions. Either SBA or an agent appointed by SBA may perform 
the function of locating purchasers, and negotiating and closing the 
sale of Debentures and TCs. Nothing in the regulations in this part 
shall be interpreted to prevent the CRA from acting as SBA's agent for 
this purpose.



Sec.  108.1630  SBA regulation of Brokers and Dealers and disclosure 
to purchasers of Leverage or Trust Certificates.

    (a) Brokers and Dealers. Each broker, dealer, and Pool or Trust 
assembler approved by SBA pursuant to these regulations shall either be 
regulated by a Federal financial regulatory agency, or be a member of 
the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), and shall be in 
good standing in respect to compliance with the financial, ethical, and 
reporting requirements of such body. They also shall be in good standing 
with SBA as determined by the SBA Associate Administrator for Investment 
(see paragraph (c) of this section) and shall provide a fidelity bond or 
insurance in such amount as SBA may require.
    (b) Suspension and/or termination of Broker or Dealer. SBA shall 
exclude from the sale and all other dealings in Debentures or TCs any 
broker or dealer:
    (1) If such broker's or dealer's authority to engage in the 
securities business has been revoked or suspended by a supervisory 
agency. When such authority has been suspended, SBA will suspend such 
broker or dealer for the duration of such suspension by the supervisory 
agency.
    (2) If such broker or dealer has been indicted or otherwise formally 
charged with a misdemeanor or felony bearing on its fitness, such broker 
or dealer may be suspended while the charge is pending. Upon conviction, 
participation may be terminated.
    (3) If such broker or dealer has suffered an adverse final civil 
judgment holding that such broker or dealer has committed a breach of 
trust or violation of law or regulation protecting the integrity of 
business transactions or relationships, participation in the market for 
Debentures or TCs may be terminated.
    (c) Termination/suspension proceedings. A broker's or dealer's 
participation in the market for Debentures or TCs will be conducted in 
accordance with part 134 of this chapter. SBA may, for any of the 
reasons stated in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section, 
suspend the privilege of any broker or dealer to participate in this 
market. SBA shall give written notice at least ten (10) business days 
prior to the effective date of such suspension. Such notice shall inform 
the broker or dealer of the opportunity for a hearing pursuant to part 
134 of this chapter.



Sec.  108.1640  SBA access to records of the CRA, Brokers, Dealers 
and Pool or Trust assemblers.

    The CRA and any broker, dealer and Pool or Trust assembler operating 
under the regulations in this part shall make all books, records and 
related materials associated with Debentures and TCs available to SBA 
for review and copying purposes. Such access shall be at such party's 
primary place of business during normal business hours.

                              Miscellaneous



Sec.  108.1700  Transfer by SBA of its interest in a NMVC Company's 
Leverage security.

    Upon such conditions and for such consideration as it deems 
reasonable, SBA may sell, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any 
Debenture held by or on behalf of SBA. Upon notice by SBA, a NMVC 
Company will make all payments of principal and interest as

[[Page 168]]

shall be directed by SBA. A NMVC Company will be liable for all damage 
or loss which SBA may sustain by reason of such disposal, up to the 
amount of the NMVC Company's liability under such security, plus court 
costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by SBA.



Sec.  108.1710  SBA authority to collect or compromise its claims.

    SBA may, upon such conditions and for such consideration as it deems 
reasonable, collect or compromise all claims relating to obligations 
held or guaranteed by SBA, and all legal or equitable rights accruing to 
SBA.



Sec.  108.1720  Characteristics of SBA's guarantee.

    If SBA agrees to guarantee a NMVC Company's Debentures, such 
guarantee will be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, 
regularity or enforceability of the Debentures or any other 
circumstances that might constitute a legal or equitable discharge or 
defense of a guarantor. Pursuant to its guarantee, SBA will make timely 
payments of principal and interest on the Debentures.



      Subpart K_NMVC Company's Noncompliance With Terms of Leverage



Sec.  108.1810  Events of default and SBA's remedies for NMVC Company's 
noncompliance with terms of Debentures.

    (a) Applicability of this section. By issuing Debentures, you 
automatically agree to the terms, conditions and remedies in this 
section, as in effect at the time of issuance and as if fully set forth 
in the Debentures.
    (b) Automatic events of default. The occurrence of one or more of 
the events in this paragraph (b) causes the remedies in paragraph (c) of 
this section to take effect immediately.
    (1) Insolvency. You become equitably or legally insolvent.
    (2) Voluntary assignment. You make a voluntary assignment for the 
benefit of creditors without SBA's prior written approval.
    (3) Bankruptcy. You file a petition to begin any bankruptcy or 
reorganization proceeding, receivership, dissolution or other similar 
creditors' rights proceeding, or such action is initiated against you 
and is not dismissed within 60 days.
    (c) SBA remedies for automatic events of default. Upon the 
occurrence of one or more of the events in paragraph (b) of this 
section:
    (1) Without notice, presentation or demand, the entire indebtedness 
evidenced by your Debentures, including accrued interest, and any other 
amounts owed SBA with respect to your Debentures, is immediately due and 
payable; and
    (2) You automatically consent to the appointment of SBA or its 
designee as your receiver under section 363(c) of the Act.
    (d) Events of default with notice. For any occurrence (as determined 
by SBA) of one or more of the events in this paragraph (d), SBA may 
avail itself of one or more of the remedies in paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (1) Fraud. You commit a fraudulent act that causes detriment to 
SBA's position as a creditor or guarantor.
    (2) Fraudulent transfers. You make any transfer or incur any 
obligation that is fraudulent under the terms of 11 U.S.C. 548.
    (3) Willful conflicts of interest. You willfully violate Sec.  
108.730.
    (4) Willful non-compliance. You willfully violate one or more of the 
substantive provisions of the Act or any substantive regulation 
promulgated under the Act or any substantive provision of your 
Participation Agreement.
    (5) Repeated Events of Default. At any time after being notified by 
SBA of the occurrence of an event of default under paragraph (f) of this 
section, you engage in similar behavior that results in another 
occurrence of the same event of default.
    (6) Transfer of Control. You willfully violate Sec.  108.410, and as 
a result of such violation you undergo a transfer of Control.
    (7) Non-cooperation under paragraph (h) of this section. You fail to 
take appropriate steps, satisfactory to SBA, to accomplish any action 
SBA may have required under paragraph (h) of this section.

[[Page 169]]

    (8) Non-notification of Events of Default. You fail to notify SBA as 
soon as you know or reasonably should have known that any event of 
default exists under this section.
    (9) Non-notification of defaults to others. You fail to notify SBA 
in writing within ten days from the date of a declaration of an event of 
default or nonperformance under any note, debenture or indebtedness of 
yours, issued to or held by anyone other than SBA.
    (e) SBA remedies for events of default with notice. Upon written 
notice to you of the occurrence (as determined by SBA) of one or more of 
the events in paragraph (d) of this section:
    (1) SBA may declare the entire indebtedness evidenced by your 
Debentures, including accrued interest. and/or any other amounts owed 
SBA with respect to your Debentures, immediately due and payable; and
    (2) SBA may avail itself of any remedy available under the Act, 
specifically including institution of proceedings for the appointment of 
SBA or its designee as your receiver under section 363 (c) of the Act.
    (f) Events of default with opportunity to cure. For any occurrence 
(as determined by SBA) of one or more of the events in this paragraph 
(f), SBA may avail itself of one or more of the remedies in paragraph 
(g) of this section.
    (1) Excessive Management Expenses. Without the prior written consent 
of SBA, you incur Management Expenses in excess of those permitted under 
Sec. Sec.  108.510 and 108.520.
    (2) Improper Distributions. You make any Distribution to your 
shareholders or partners, except with the prior written consent of SBA, 
other than:
    (i) Distributions permitted under Sec.  108.585; and
    (ii) Payments from Retained Earnings Available for Distribution 
based on either the shareholders' or members' pro-rata interests or the 
provisions for profit distributions in your partnership agreement, as 
appropriate.
    (3) Failure to make payment. Unless otherwise approved by SBA, you 
fail to make timely payment of any amount due under any security or 
obligation of yours that is issued to, held or guaranteed by SBA.
    (4) Failure to maintain Regulatory Capital. You fail to maintain the 
minimum Regulatory Capital required under these regulations or, without 
the prior written consent of SBA, you reduce your Regulatory Capital 
except as permitted by Sec.  108.585.
    (5) Capital Impairment. You have a condition of Capital Impairment 
as determined under Sec.  108.1830.
    (6) Cross-default. An obligation of yours that is greater than 
$100,000 becomes due or payable (with or without notice) before its 
stated maturity date, for any reason including your failure to pay any 
amount when due. This provision does not apply if you pay the amount due 
within any applicable grace period or contest the payment of the 
obligation in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
    (7) Nonperformance. You violate or fail to perform one or more of 
the terms and conditions of any security or obligation of yours that is 
issued to, held or guaranteed by SBA, or of any agreement (including 
your Participation Agreement) with or conditions imposed by SBA in its 
administration of the Act and the regulations promulgated under the Act.
    (8) Noncompliance. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d) (5) 
of this section, SBA determines that you have violated one or more of 
the substantive provisions of the Act or any substantive regulation 
promulgated under the Act.
    (9) Failure to maintain diversity. You fail to maintain diversity 
between management and ownership as required by Sec.  108.150.
    (g) SBA remedies for events of default with opportunity to cure. (1) 
Upon written notice to you of the occurrence (as determined by SBA) of 
one or more of the events of default in paragraph (f) of this section, 
and subject to the conditions in paragraph (g)(2) of this section:
    (i) SBA may declare the entire indebtedness evidenced by your 
Debentures, including accrued interest, and/ or any other amounts owed 
SBA with respect to your Debentures, immediately due and payable; and
    (ii) SBA may avail itself of any remedy available under the Act, 
specifically including institution of proceedings for the appointment of 
SBA or

[[Page 170]]

its designee as your receiver under section 363(c) of the Act.
    (2) SBA may invoke the remedies in paragraph (g)(1) of this section 
only if:
    (i) It has given you at least 15 days to cure the default(s); and
    (ii) You fail to cure the default(s) to SBA's satisfaction within 
the allotted time.
    (h) Repeated non-substantive violations. If you repeatedly fail to 
comply with one or more of the non-substantive provisions of the Act or 
any non-substantive regulation promulgated under the Act, SBA, after 
written notification to you and until you cure such condition to SBA's 
satisfaction, may deny you additional Leverage and/or require you to 
take such actions as SBA may determine to be appropriate under the 
circumstances.
    (i) Consent to removal of officers, directors, or general partners 
and/or appointment of receiver. The Articles of each NMVC Company must 
include the following provisions as a condition to the purchase or 
guarantee by SBA of Leverage. Upon the occurrence of any of the events 
specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(6) or (f)(1) through (f)(3) 
of this section as determined by SBA, SBA shall have the right, and you 
consent to SBA's exercise of such right:
    (1) With respect to a Corporate NMVC Company, upon written notice, 
to require you to replace, with individuals approved by SBA, one or more 
of your officers and/or such number of directors of your board of 
directors as is sufficient to constitute a majority of such board; or
    (2) With respect to a Partnership NMVC Company or an LLC NMVC 
Company, upon written notice, to require you to remove the person(s) 
responsible for such occurrence and/or to remove the general partner or 
manager of the NMVC Company, which general partner or manager shall then 
be replaced in accordance with NMVC Company's Articles by a new general 
partner or manager approved by SBA; and/or
    (3) With respect to a Corporate or Partnership or LLC NMVC Company, 
to obtain the appointment of SBA or its designee as your receiver under 
section 363(c) of the Act for the purpose of continuing your operations. 
The appointment of a receiver to liquidate a NMVC Company is not within 
such consent, but is governed instead by the relevant provisions of the 
Act.

            Computation of NMVC Company's Capital Impairment



Sec.  108.1830  NMVC Company's Capital Impairment definition 
and general requirements.

    (a) Significance of Capital Impairment condition. If you have a 
condition of Capital Impairment, you are not in compliance with the 
terms of your Leverage. As a result, SBA has the right to impose the 
applicable remedies for noncompliance in Sec.  108.1810(g).
    (b) Definition of Capital Impairment condition. You have a condition 
of Capital Impairment if your Capital Impairment Percentage, as computed 
in Sec.  108.1840, exceeds 70 percent.
    (c) Quarterly computation requirement and procedure. You must 
determine whether you have a condition of Capital Impairment as of the 
end of each fiscal quarter. You must notify SBA promptly if you are 
capitally impaired.
    (d) SBA's right to determine NMVC Company's Capital Impairment 
condition. SBA may make its own determination of your Capital Impairment 
condition at any time.



Sec.  108.1840  Computation of NMVC Company's Capital Impairment Percentage.

    (a) General. This section contains the procedures you must use to 
determine your Capital Impairment Percentage. You must compare your 
Capital Impairment Percentage to the maximum permitted under Sec.  
108.1830(b) to determine whether you have a condition of Capital 
Impairment.
    (b) Preliminary impairment test. If you satisfy the preliminary 
impairment test, your Capital Impairment Percentage is zero and you do 
not have to perform any more procedures in this section. Otherwise, you 
must continue with paragraph (c) of this section. You satisfy the test 
if the following amounts are both zero or greater:
    (1) The sum of Undistributed Net Realized Earnings, as reported on 
SBA Form 468, and Includible Non-Cash Gains.

[[Page 171]]

    (2) Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities Held.
    (c) How to compute your Capital Impairment Percentage. (1) If you 
have an Unrealized Gain on Securities Held, compute your Adjusted 
Unrealized Gain using paragraph (d) of this section. If you have an 
Unrealized Loss on Securities Held, continue with paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section.
    (2) Add together your Undistributed Net Realized Earnings, your 
Includible Non-cash Gains, and either your Unrealized Loss on Securities 
Held or your Adjusted Unrealized Gain.
    (3) If the sum in paragraph (c)(2) of this section is zero or 
greater, your Capital Impairment Percentage is zero.
    (4) If the sum in paragraph (c)(2) of this section is less than 
zero, drop the negative sign, divide by your Regulatory Capital 
(excluding Treasury Stock), and multiply by 100. The result is your 
Capital Impairment Percentage.
    (d) How to compute your Adjusted Unrealized Gain. (1) Subtract 
Unrealized Depreciation from Unrealized Appreciation. This is your ``Net 
Appreciation''.
    (2) Determine your Unrealized Appreciation on Publicly Traded and 
Marketable securities. This is your ''Class I Appreciation''.
    (3) Determine your Unrealized Appreciation on securities that are 
not Publicly Traded and Marketable and meet the following criteria, 
which must be substantiated to the satisfaction of SBA (this is your 
``Class 2 Appreciation''):
    (i) The Small Business that issued the security received a 
significant subsequent equity financing by an investor whose objectives 
were not primarily strategic and at a price that conclusively supports 
the Unrealized Appreciation;
    (ii) Such financing represents a substantial investment in the form 
of an arm's length transaction by a sophisticated new investor in the 
issuer's securities; and
    (iii) Such financing occurred within 24 months of the date of the 
Capital Impairment computation, or the Small Business' pre-tax cash flow 
from operations for its most recent fiscal year was at least 10 percent 
of the Small Business' average contributed capital for such fiscal year.
    (4) Perform the appropriate computation from the table in Sec.  
107.1840(d)(4) of this chapter.
    (5) Reduce the gain computed in paragraph (d) (4) of this section by 
your estimate of related future income tax expense. Subject to any 
adjustment required by paragraph (d)(6) of this section, the result is 
your Adjusted Unrealized Gain for use in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section.
    (6) If any securities that are the source of either Class 1 or Class 
2 Appreciation are pledged or encumbered in any way, you must reduce the 
Adjusted Unrealized Gain computed in paragraph (d)(5) of this section by 
the amount of the related borrowing or other obligation, up to the 
amount of the Unrealized Appreciation on the securities.



              Subpart L_Ending Operations as a NMVC Company



Sec.  108.1900  Termination of participation as a NMVC Company.

    You may not terminate your participation as a NMVC Company without 
SBA's prior written approval. Your request for approval must be 
accompanied by an offer of immediate repayment of all of your 
outstanding Leverage (including any prepayment penalties thereon), or by 
a plan satisfactory to SBA for the orderly liquidation of the NMVC 
Company.



                         Subpart M_Miscellaneous



Sec.  108.1910  Non-waiver of SBA's rights or terms of Leverage security.

    SBA's failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right or remedy 
under the Act or the regulations in this part does not constitute a 
waiver of such right or remedy. SBA's failure to require you to perform 
any term or provision of your Leverage does not affect SBA's right to 
enforce such term or provision. Similarly, SBA's waiver of, or failure 
to enforce, any term or provision of your Leverage or of any event or 
condition set forth in Sec.  108.1810 does not constitute a waiver of 
any succeeding breach of such term or provision or condition.

[[Page 172]]



Sec.  108.1920  NMVC Company's application for exemption from a regulation 
in this part 108.

    (a) General. You may file an application in writing with SBA to have 
a proposed action exempted from any procedural or substantive 
requirement, restriction, or prohibition to which it is subject under 
this part, unless the provision is mandated by the Act. SBA may grant an 
exemption for such applicant, conditionally or unconditionally, provided 
the exemption would not be contrary to the purposes of the Act.
    (b) Contents of application. Your application must be accompanied by 
supporting evidence that demonstrates to SBA's satisfaction that:
    (1) The proposed action is fair and equitable; and
    (2) The exemption requested is reasonably calculated to advance the 
best interests of the NMVC program in a manner consistent with the 
policy objectives of the Act and the regulations in this part.



Sec.  108.1930  Effect of changes in this part 108 on transactions 
previously consummated.

    The legality of a transaction covered by the regulations in this 
part is governed by the regulations in this part in effect at the time 
the transaction was consummated, regardless of later changes. Nothing in 
this part bars SBA enforcement action with respect to any transaction 
consummated in violation of provisions applicable at the time, but no 
longer in effect.



Sec.  108.1940  Procedures for designation of additional Low-Income 
Geographic Areas

    (a) General. On its own initiative or upon written request by a 
Person which addresses the relevant factor(s) set forth in paragraph (b) 
of this section, SBA may consider whether to designate additional census 
tracts (or equivalent county divisions) as LI Areas.
    (b) Criteria. SBA will consider one or more of the following factors 
in determining whether to designate a particular census tract (or 
equivalent county division) as an additional LI Area:
    (1) A substantial number of Low-Income Individuals reside in that 
census tract (or equivalent county division).
    (2) As adequately supported by studies or other analyses or reliable 
data, that census tract (or equivalent county division) has a pattern of 
unmet needs for investment capital.
    (3) As adequately supported by studies or other analyses or reliable 
data, that census tract (or equivalent county division) has indications 
of economic distress.
    (c) Procedure for designation. (1) If SBA decides to consider the 
designation of an additional LI Area, SBA will publish in the Federal 
Register a notice that it is considering such designation. SBA will 
advise the public that it will consider any comments supporting or 
opposing the designation, submitted within a specified time period.
    (2) In making a final decision on whether to designate a particular 
census tract (or equivalent county division) as an additional LI Area, 
SBA will consider evidence submitted by any requester, SBA's own 
research, any public comments submitted, and any other information 
deemed relevant by SBA.
    (3) If SBA designates a particular census tract (or equivalent 
county division) as an additional LI Area, SBA will publish a notice in 
the Federal Register and, if appropriate, will amend this part to 
include the additional LI Area.



Subpart N_Requirements and Procedures for Operational Assistance Grants 
                      to NMVC Companies and SSBICs



Sec.  108.2000  Operational Assistance Grants to NMVC Companies and SSBICs.

    (a) NMVC Companies. Regulations governing Operational Assistance 
grants to NMVC Companies may be found in subparts D and E of this part 
108, and in Sec. Sec.  108.2010 through 108.2040.
    (b) SSBICs. Regulations governing Operational Assistance grants to 
SSBICs may be found in Sec. Sec.  108.2001 through 108.2040.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]

[[Page 173]]



Sec.  108.2001  When and how SSBICs may apply for Operational 
Assistance grants.

    (a) Notice of Funds Availability (``NOFA''). SBA will publish a NOFA 
in the Federal Register, advising SSBICs of the availability of funds 
for Operational Assistance grants to SSBICs. This NOFA will be the same 
NOFA described in Sec.  108.300(a), or will be published simultaneously 
with that NOFA. An SSBIC may submit an application for an Operational 
Assistance grant only during the time period specified for such purpose 
in the NOFA.
    (b) Application form. An SSBIC must apply for an Operational 
Assistance grant using the application packet provided by SBA. Upon 
receipt of an application, SBA may request clarifying or technical 
information on the materials submitted as part of the application.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2002  Eligibility of SSBICs to apply for Operational 
Assistance grants.

    An SSBIC is eligible to apply for an Operational Assistance grant 
if:
    (a) It intends to increase its Regulatory Capital, as in effect on 
December 21, 2000, and to make Low-Income Investments in the amount of 
such increase;
    (b) It intends to raise binding commitments for contributions in 
cash or in-kind, and/or to purchase an annuity, in an amount not less 
than 30 percent of the intended increase in its Regulatory Capital 
described in paragraph (a) of this section; and
    (c) It has a plan describing how it intends to use the requested 
grant funds to provide Operational Assistance to Smaller Enterprises in 
which it has made or expects to make Low-Income Investments after 
December 21, 2000.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2003  Grant issuance fee for SSBICs.

    An SSBIC must pay to SBA a grant issuance fee of $5,000. An SSBIC 
must submit this fee in advance, at the time of application submission. 
If SBA does not award a grant to the SSBIC, SBA will refund this fee to 
the SSBIC.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2004  Contents of application submitted by SSBICs.

    Each application submitted by an SSBIC for an Operational Assistance 
grant must contain the information specified in the application packet 
provided by SBA, including the following information:
    (a) Amounts. An SSBIC must specify the amount of Regulatory Capital 
it intends to raise after December 21, 2000, and the amount of 
Operational Assistance grant funds it seeks from SBA, which must be at 
least 30 percent of its intended increase in its Regulatory Capital 
since December 21, 2000.
    (b) Plan. An SSBIC must submit a plan addressing the specific items 
described in Sec.  108.2005.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2005  Contents of plan submitted by SSBICs.

    (a) Plan for providing Operational Assistance. The SSBIC must 
describe how it plans to use its grant funds to provide Operational 
Assistance to Smaller Enterprises in which it will make Low-Income 
Investments. Its plan must address the types of Operational Assistance 
it proposes to provide, and how it plans to provide the Operational 
Assistance through the use of licensed professionals, when necessary, 
either from its own staff or from outside entities.
    (b) Matching resources for Operational Assistance grant. The SSBIC 
must include a detailed description of how it plans to obtain binding 
commitments for contributions in cash or in-kind, and/or to purchase an 
annuity, to match the funds requested from SBA for the SSBIC's 
Operational Assistance grant. If it proposes to obtain commitments for 
cash and in-kind contributions, it also must estimate the ratio of cash 
to in-kind contributions (in no event may in-kind contributions exceed 
50 percent of the total contributions). The SSBIC must discuss its 
potential sources of matching resources, the estimated timing on raising 
such match, and the extent of the expressions of interest to commit such 
match to the SSBIC.
    (c) Identification of LI Areas. The SSBIC must identify the specific 
LI

[[Page 174]]

Areas in which it intends to make Low-Income Investments and provide 
Operational Assistance under the NMVC program.
    (d) Projected allocation of investments among identified LI Areas. 
The SSBIC must describe the amount of Low-Income Investments it intends 
to make in each of the identified LI Areas.
    (e) Track record of management team in obtaining public policy 
results through investments. The SSBIC must provide information 
concerning the past track record of the SSBIC in making investments that 
have had a demonstrable impact on the socially or economically 
disadvantaged businesses targeted by the SSBIC program (for example, new 
businesses created, jobs created, or wealth created). Such information 
might include case studies or examples of the SSBIC's successful 
Financings.
    (f) Market analysis. The SSBIC must provide an analysis of the LI 
Areas in which it intends to makes its Low-Income Investments and 
provide its Operational Assistance to Smaller Enterprises, demonstrating 
that the SSBIC understands the market and the unmet capital needs in 
such areas and how its activities will meet these unmet capital needs 
through Low-Income Investments and have a positive economic impact on 
those areas. The analysis must include a description of the extent of 
the economic distress in the identified LI Areas. The SSBIC also must 
analyze the extent of the demand in such areas for Low-Income 
Investments and any factors or trends that may affect the SSBIC's 
ability to make effective Low-Income Investments.
    (g) Regulatory Capital. The SSBIC must include a detailed 
description of how it plans to raise its Regulatory Capital. The SSBIC 
must discuss its potential sources of Regulatory Capital, the estimated 
timing on raising such funds, and the extent of the expressions of 
interest to commit such funds to the SSBIC.
    (h) Projected impact. The SSBIC must describe the criteria and 
economic measurements to be used to evaluate whether and to what extent 
it has met the objectives of the NMVC program. It must include:
    (1) An estimate of the social, economic, and community development 
benefits to be created within identified LI Areas over the next five 
years or more as a result of its activities;
    (2) A description of the criteria to be used to measure the benefits 
created as a result of its activities; and
    (3) A discussion about the amount of such benefits created that it 
will consider to constitute successfully meeting the objectives of the 
NMVC program.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2006  Evaluation and selection of SSBICs.

    SBA will evaluate and select an SSBIC for an Operational Assistance 
grant award under the NMVC program solely at SBA's discretion, based on 
SBA's review of the SSBIC's application materials, interviews or site 
visits with the SSBIC (if any), and information in SBA's records 
relating to the SSBIC's regulatory compliance status and track record as 
an SSBIC. SBA's evaluation and selection process is intended to ensure 
that SSBIC requests are evaluated on a competitive basis and in a fair 
and consistent manner. SBA will evaluate and select SSBICs for an 
Operational Assistance grant award by considering the following 
criteria:
    (a) The strength of the SSBIC's application, including the strength 
of its proposal to provide Operational Assistance to Smaller Enterprises 
in which it intends to invest;
    (b) The SSBIC's regulatory compliance status and past track record 
in being able to accomplish program goals through its investment 
activity;
    (c) The likelihood that and the time frame within which the SSBIC 
will be able to raise the Regulatory Capital it intends to raise and 
obtain the matching resources described in Sec.  108.2005(b) and (g);
    (d) The need for Low-Income Investments in the LI Areas in which the 
SSBIC intends to invest;
    (e) The SSBIC's demonstrated understanding of the markets in the LI 
Areas in which it intends to invest;
    (f) The extent to which the activities proposed by the SSBIC will 
promote economic development and the creation of wealth and job 
opportunities in the LI Areas in which it intends to

[[Page 175]]

invest and among individuals living in LI Areas;
    (g) The likelihood that the SSBIC will fulfill the goals described 
in its application and meet the objectives of the NMVC program; and
    (h) The strength of the SSBIC's application compared to applications 
submitted by other SSBICs and by Applicants intending to invest in the 
same or proximate LI Areas.

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2007  Grant award to SSBICs.

    An SSBIC selected for an Operational Assistance grant award will 
receive a grant award only if, by a date established by SBA, it 
increases its Regulatory Capital in the specific amount set forth in its 
application, pursuant to Sec.  108.2004(a), and raises matching 
resources for the grant in the amount required by Sec.  108.2030(d)(2).

[67 FR 68503, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2010  Restrictions on use of Operational Assistance grant funds.

    (a) Restrictions applicable only to SSBICs. An SSBIC that receives 
an Operational Assistance grant must use both grant funds awarded by SBA 
and its matching resources only to provide Operational Assistance in 
connection with a Low-Income Investment made by the SSBIC with 
Regulatory Capital raised after December 21, 2000.
    (b) Restrictions applicable only to NMVC Companies. A NMVC Company 
must use at least 80 percent of both grant funds awarded by SBA and its 
matching resources to provide Operational Assistance to Smaller 
Enterprises whose Principal Office at the time the Operational 
Assistance commences is located in an LI Area.
    (c) Restrictions applicable to NMVC Companies and SSBICs. A NMVC 
Company or a SSBIC that receives an Operational Assistance grant must 
not use either grant funds awarded by SBA or its matching resources for 
``general and administrative expense,'' as defined in the Federal 
Acquisition Regulations, ``Definitions of Words and Terms,'' 48 CFR 
2.101.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001; 66 FR 32894, June 19, 2001, as amended at 67 
FR 68505, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2020  Amount of Operational Assistance grant.

    (a) Amount of grant to NMVC Company. NMVC Companies are eligible for 
an Operational Assistance grant award equal to the amount of matching 
resources raised by the NMVC Company in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
108.380(a)(1)(i)(B) and 108.2030.
    (b) Amount of grant to SSBIC. SSBICs are eligible for an Operational 
Assistance grant award equal to the amount of matching resources raised 
by the SSBIC in accordance with Sec. Sec.  108.2007 and 108.2030.
    (c) Pro rata reductions. In the event that the total amount of funds 
available to SBA for purposes of making Operational Assistance grant 
awards to NMVC Companies and SSBICs is not sufficient to award grants in 
the amounts described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, SBA 
will make pro rata reductions in the amounts otherwise awarded to each 
such NMVC Company and SSBIC.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68505, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2030  Matching requirements.

    (a) General. All Operational Assistance grant funds SBA awards to an 
NMVC Company or a SSBIC must be matched on a dollar for dollar basis 
with funds or other resources raised by the NMVC Company or SSBIC.
    (b) Allowable sources. (1) Any source other than SBA is an allowable 
source of matching resources for an Operational Assistance grant award.
    (2) Neither a NMVC Company nor a SSBIC may use funds or other 
resources that it has used to satisfy a legal requirement for obtaining 
funds under any other Federal program, to satisfy the matching resources 
requirements described in this part.
    (3) A portion of Private Capital may be designated as matching 
resources if the designated funds are used to purchase an annuity 
pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section or are otherwise 
segregated in a manner acceptable to SBA.
    (c) Type and form of matching resources. (1) Matching resources may 
come from cash contributions or in-

[[Page 176]]

kind contributions. In-kind contributions cannot exceed 50 percent of 
the total amount of match raised by the NMVC Company or SSBIC.
    (2) Matching resources may be in the form of:
    (i) Cash;
    (ii) In-kind contributions;
    (iii) Binding commitments for cash or in-kind contributions that may 
be payable over a multiyear period acceptable to SBA (but not to exceed 
the term of the Operational Assistance grant from SBA and in no event 
more than 10 years); and/or
    (iv) An annuity, purchased with funds other than Regulatory Capital, 
from an insurance company acceptable to SBA and that may be payable over 
a multiyear period acceptable to SBA (but not to exceed the term of the 
Operational Assistance grant from SBA and in no event more than 10 
years).
    (d) Amount of matching resources--(1) NMVC Companies. The amount of 
matching resources required of an NMVC Company is set forth in Sec.  
108.380(a)(1)(i)(B).
    (2) SSBICs. The amount of matching resources required of an SSBIC is 
equal to the amount of Operational Assistance grant funds requested by 
the SSBIC, as set forth in its application pursuant to Sec.  
108.2004(a).

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68505, Nov. 12, 2002]



Sec.  108.2040  Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    (a) NMVC Companies. Policies governing reporting, record retention, 
and recordkeeping requirements applicable to NMVC Companies may be found 
in subpart H of this part. NMVC Companies also must comply with all 
reporting, record retention, and recordkeeping requirements set forth in 
Circular A-110 of the Office of Management and Budget (for availability, 
see 5 CFR 1310.3) and any grant award document executed between SBA and 
the NMVC Company.
    (b) SSBICs. An SSBIC receiving an Operational Assistance grant award 
must comply with all reporting, record retention and recordkeeping 
requirements set forth in Circular A-110 of the Office of Management and 
Budget and any grant award document executed between SBA and the SSBIC, 
as well as the reporting requirements in Sec.  108.630(f) and the filing 
requirement in Sec.  108.640.

[66 FR 28609, May 23, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 68505, Nov. 12, 2002]



PART 109_INTERMEDIARY LENDING PILOT PROGRAM--Table of Contents



                         Subpart A_Introduction

Sec.
109.10 Description of the Intermediary Lending Pilot program.
109.20 Definitions.

      Subpart B_ILP Intermediary Application and Selection Process

109.100 ILP Intermediary eligibility and continuing participation 
          requirements.
109.200-109.220 [Reserved]

                   Subpart C_ILP Program Requirements

109.300 General.
109.310 Terms of loans to ILP Intermediaries.
109.320 ILP Loan purposes.
109.330 ILP Relending Fund.
109.340 Lending requirements.
109.350 Maintenance of loan loss reserve.
109.360 Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

  Subpart D_Requirements for ILP Intermediary Loans to Small Businesses

109.400 Eligible Small Business Concerns.
109.410 Loan limits--loans to Eligible Small Business Concerns.
109.420 Terms of Loans from ILP Intermediaries to Eligible Small 
          Business Concerns.
109.430 Loan purposes.
109.440 Requirements imposed under other laws and orders.
109.450 SBA Review of ILP Intermediary loans to Eligible Small Business 
          Concerns.
109.460 Prohibition on sales of ILP Intermediary loans to Eligible Small 
          Business Concerns.

                           Subpart E_Oversight

109.500 SBA access to ILP Intermediary files.
109.510 Reviews.
109.520 Events of default and revocation of authority to participate in 
          the ILP program.
109.530 Debarment and Suspension.


[[Page 177]]


    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), (b)(7), and 636(l).

    Source: 76 FR 18015, Apr. 1, 2011, unless otherwise noted.



                         Subpart A_Introduction



Sec.  109.10  Description of the Intermediary Lending Pilot program.

    The Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot program (ILP program) 
provides direct loans to ILP Intermediaries to make loans of up to 
$200,000 to startup, newly established, or growing small businesses. ILP 
Intermediaries continue to relend a portion of the payments received on 
small business loans made under the program until they have fully repaid 
their loans to SBA.



Sec.  109.20  Definitions.

    Affiliate is defined in Sec.  121.301(f) of this chapter.
    Associate. (1) An Associate of an ILP Intermediary is:
    (i) An officer, director, key employee, or holder of 20 percent or 
more of the value of the ILP Intermediary or its debt instruments, or an 
agent involved in the loan process;
    (ii) Any entity in which one or more individuals referred to in 
paragraph (1)(i) of this definition or a Close Relative of any such 
individual owns or controls at least 20 percent;
    (2) An Associate of an Eligible Small Business Concern is:
    (i) An officer director, owner of more than 20 percent of the 
equity, or key employee of the Eligible Small Business Concern;
    (ii) Any entity in which one or more individuals referred to in 
paragraphs (2)(i) of this definition owns or controls at least 20 
percent; and
    (iii) Any individual or entity in control of or controlled by the 
small business (except a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) 
licensed by SBA).
    (3) For the purposes of this definition, the time during which an 
Associate relationship exists commences six months before the following 
dates and continues as long as the ILP Note or the loan to the Eligible 
Small Business Concern is outstanding:
    (i) For an ILP Intermediary, the date of the ILP Note;
    (ii) For an Eligible Small Business Concern, the date of the loan 
application to the ILP Intermediary.
    Close Relative is a spouse; a parent; a child or sibling, or the 
spouse of any such person.
    Eligible Small Business Concern is a small business that meets the 
requirements of Sec.  109.400.
    ILP Intermediary means a private, nonprofit entity that has received 
an ILP Loan.
    ILP Loan means a direct loan made by SBA to an ILP Intermediary 
under this program.
    ILP Note means the instrument that represents the obligation of the 
ILP Intermediary to repay the ILP Loan to SBA.
    ILP Program Activities Report means the quarterly report that 
identifies the use and management of ILP program funds.
    ILP Program Requirements are requirements imposed upon an ILP 
Intermediary by statute, SBA regulations, any agreement executed between 
SBA and the ILP Intermediary, SBA SOPs, SBA procedural guidance, 
official SBA notices and forms applicable to the ILP program, any NOFA 
applicable to the ILP program, and the ILP Note and Loan Authorization, 
as such requirements are issued and revised by SBA from time to time.
    ILP Relending Fund means a federally insured depository account 
established by the ILP Intermediary at a well-capitalized financial 
institution which includes, at a minimum, the ILP Loan proceeds and the 
principal portion of repayments from Eligible Small Business Concerns.
    Intermediary Lending Program Electronic Reporting System (ILPERS) 
means the web-based, electronic reporting system used by the ILP 
Intermediary to report each loan made to Eligible Small Business 
Concerns, to provide aging information on each loan, and to update the 
outstanding principal balance of each loan until all loans are either 
paid in full or charged off.
    Native American Tribal Government means the governing body of any 
Native American tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or 
community,

[[Page 178]]

including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation 
as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.A. Sec.  1601 et seq.), which is recognized as 
eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United 
States to Native Americans because of their status as Native Americans.
    Portfolio Identification Report means the electronic report that 
collects identifying information on loans made to Eligible Small 
Business Concerns, including demographic information, use of proceeds, 
payment terms, and jobs created and retained.
    Portfolio Status Report means the quarterly electronic report that 
summarizes the payment status and outstanding principal balances of an 
ILP Intermediary's loans to Eligible Small Business Concerns.

[76 FR 18015, Apr. 1, 2011, as amended at 81 FR 41428, June 27, 2016; 85 
FR 75834, Nov. 27, 2020]



      Subpart B_ILP Intermediary Application and Selection Process



Sec.  109.100  ILP Intermediary eligibility and continuing 
participation requirements.

    (a) Organization type: An ILP Intermediary must be a private, 
nonprofit entity other than an intermediary participating in the SBA 
Microloan program as described in subpart G of Part 120. Eligible 
entities include:
    (1) Private, nonprofit community development corporations;
    (2) Consortiums of private, nonprofit organizations or nonprofit 
community development corporations; and
    (3) Agencies of or nonprofit entities established by Native American 
tribal governments.
    (b) Prior experience: An ILP Intermediary must have at least one 
year of successful experience making and servicing loans to startup, 
newly established, or growing small businesses.
    (c) Management and operations. (1) An ILP Intermediary must have 
paid staff with loan making and servicing experience acceptable to SBA.
    (2) An ILP Intermediary must have a continuing ability to evaluate, 
process, close, disburse, service and liquidate small business loans 
including, but not limited to:
    (i) Holding sufficient permanent capital (as determined by SBA) to 
support lending activities under this program; and
    (ii) Maintaining satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA 
in its discretion.
    (3) An ILP Intermediary must meet and maintain the ethical 
requirements of 13 CFR 120.140.
    (4) An ILP Intermediary (and any Affiliates) that participates in 
other SBA programs must be in compliance with those program 
requirements.
    (5) An ILP Intermediary must be in good standing with its Federal 
and/or State regulator, as applicable.
    (6) An ILP Intermediary must have the ability to comply with the ILP 
Program Requirements, including reporting requirements, as such 
requirements are revised from time to time, and maintain compliance with 
ILP Program Requirements for as long as the ILP Intermediary 
participates in the ILP program.



Sec. Sec.  109.200-109.220  [Reserved]



                   Subpart C_ILP Program Requirements



Sec.  109.300  General.

    An ILP Intermediary must maintain compliance with all ILP Program 
Requirements until the ILP Intermediary has repaid its ILP Loan to SBA. 
With respect to its activities in the ILP program, the ILP Intermediary 
is subject to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  120.140 (What ethical 
requirements apply to participants?), 120.197 (Notifying SBA's Office of 
Inspector General of suspected fraud), 120.412 (Other services Lenders 
may provide Borrowers), and 120.413 (Advertisement of relationship with 
SBA) of this chapter, in addition to the regulations specifically set 
forth in this Part. The ILP Intermediary and any contractor(s) it may 
have are independent contractors that are responsible for their own 
actions with respect to small business loans made under this program. 
SBA has no responsibility or liability for any claim by an Eligible 
Small Business Concern or other party for any injury as a result of

[[Page 179]]

any wrongful action taken by the ILP Intermediary or an employee, agent 
or contractor of an ILP Intermediary.



Sec.  109.310  Terms of loans to ILP Intermediaries.

    (a) Disbursement. An ILP Intermediary must be in compliance with ILP 
Program Requirements in order to draw down its ILP Loan funds. SBA may 
place restrictions on disbursement, including the amount disbursed to an 
ILP Intermediary at one time or conditions on subsequent disbursements.
    (b) Term. An ILP Loan must be repaid within 20 years from the date 
of the ILP Note.
    (c) Interest rate. The interest rate for an ILP Loan to an ILP 
Intermediary is fixed at one percent per annum.
    (d) Repayment. Payments of principal and interest must be made on a 
quarterly basis, except SBA will defer the first payment on an ILP Loan 
for two years from the date of the first disbursement. Interest will 
accrue on all disbursed funds during the deferment period. Accrued 
interest will be added to the outstanding principal balance at the end 
of the deferment period and amortized over the remaining life of the 
loan. An ILP Intermediary may prepay an ILP Loan at any time without 
penalty.
    (e) Collateral. SBA does not require the ILP Intermediary to provide 
any collateral for an ILP Loan.
    (f) Fees. SBA does not charge an ILP Intermediary any fees for an 
ILP Loan.



Sec.  109.320  ILP Loan purposes.

    (a) ILP Loan funds must only be used to provide direct loans to 
Eligible Small Business Concerns for working capital, real estate, or 
the acquisition of materials, supplies, furniture, fixtures, or 
equipment.
    (b) ILP Loan funds must not be used for any other purpose, including 
maintenance of loan loss reserves or payment of administrative costs or 
expenses of the ILP Intermediary.



Sec.  109.330  ILP Relending Fund.

    (a) General. The ILP Intermediary must establish and maintain an ILP 
Relending Fund for as long as it has an outstanding balance owed to SBA 
under this program. The ILP Relending Fund must be in an account 
separate and distinct from the ILP Intermediary's other assets and 
financial activities.
    (b) Contents of the ILP Relending Fund. All ILP Loan proceeds 
disbursed from SBA to the ILP Intermediary must be deposited into the 
ILP Relending Fund. All payments received by the ILP Intermediary on 
loans made to Eligible Small Business Concerns must also be deposited 
into the ILP Relending Fund. The ILP Intermediary must not commingle 
funds from any other public programs (including other SBA programs) in 
this account.
    (c) Interest earned. The ILP Intermediary is not required to retain 
the interest portion of payments received on loans made to Eligible 
Small Business Concerns in the ILP Relending Fund or to retain the 
interest earned on the ILP Relending Fund in the ILP Relending Fund.
    (d) Allowable uses of the ILP Relending Fund. The ILP Intermediary 
must use the ILP Relending Fund to disburse loans made to Eligible Small 
Business Concerns under this program and to make payments to SBA on its 
ILP Loan; it may not use the ILP Relending Fund for any other purposes.



Sec.  109.340  Lending requirements.

    (a) Initial lending requirement. The ILP Intermediary must commit 
100% of its ILP Loan funds to Eligible Small Business Concerns within 
two years of the date of the ILP Note. The Associate Administrator for 
Capital Access (AA/CA) or designee may approve extensions to the initial 
lending requirement on a case-by-case basis.
    (b) Ongoing relending requirement. After meeting the initial lending 
requirement, the ILP Intermediary must relend the funds in the ILP 
Relending Fund so that the total principal balance of loans outstanding 
to Eligible Small Business Concerns does not fall below 75% of the 
outstanding principal balance of the ILP Loan at any time while the ILP 
Loan is outstanding. Exceptions to this requirement will be considered 
by the AA/CA or designee on a case by case basis based on the particular 
facts and circumstances of the ILP Intermediary.

[[Page 180]]



Sec.  109.350  Maintenance of loan loss reserve.

    The ILP Intermediary must maintain a reasonable loan loss reserve 
appropriate for the quality of the ILP Intermediary's portfolio in a 
federally insured depository account established by the ILP Intermediary 
at a well-capitalized financial institution. The loan loss reserve must 
be in an account separate and distinct from the ILP Intermediary's other 
assets and financial activities. This reserve must be maintained at not 
less than 5% of the principal balance of all outstanding loans to 
Eligible Small Business Concerns made from the ILP Relending Fund. The 
AA/CA or designee may require the ILP Intermediary to maintain a larger 
loss reserve if the AA/CA determines that the ILP Intermediary's loss 
reserve level is potentially inadequate to protect SBA from loss. ILP 
Relending Fund proceeds must not be used to establish or maintain the 
loan loss reserve.



Sec.  109.360  Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    (a) Maintenance of records. The ILP Intermediary must maintain at 
its principal business office accurate and current financial records, 
including books of accounts, and all documents and supporting materials 
relating to the ILP Intermediary's activities in the ILP program, 
including files on loans made to Eligible Small Business Concerns. 
Records may be preserved electronically if the original is available for 
retrieval within 15 calendar days.
    (b) ILP Intermediary reporting. The ILP Intermediary must submit the 
following to SBA:
    (1) Portfolio Identification Reports. All loans made by the ILP 
Intermediary to an Eligible Small Business Concern under this program 
must be entered into the Intermediary Lending Program Electronic 
Reporting System (ILPERS) within seven calendar days of closing the 
loan.
    (2) Quarterly reports. By the 30th calendar day following the end of 
each calendar quarter, each ILP Intermediary must submit a Portfolio 
Status Report via ILPERS to update the payment status and outstanding 
principal balances of its loans to Eligible Small Business Concerns. 
Additionally, each ILP Intermediary must submit an ILP Program 
Activities Report with accompanying bank statements to demonstrate the 
use and management of ILP program funds.
    (3) Audited financial statements. Within four months after the close 
of the ILP Intermediary's fiscal year, the ILP Intermediary must submit 
to SBA audited financial statements as prepared by an independent 
certified public accountant, except that ILP Intermediaries subject to 
OMB Circular A-133 must submit audits prepared in accordance with that 
circular. The AA/CA or designee may provide extensions to the filing 
deadline.
    (4) Reports of changes. An ILP Intermediary must submit to SBA a 
summary of any changes in the ILP Intermediary's organization or 
financing (within 30 calendar days of the change), such as:
    (i) Any change in its name, address or telephone number;
    (ii) Any change in its charter, bylaws, or its officers or directors 
(to be accompanied by a statement of personal history on the form 
approved by SBA);
    (iii) Any material change in capitalization or financial condition; 
and
    (iv) Any change affecting the ILP Intermediary's eligibility to 
continue to participate in the ILP program.
    (5) Other reports. Each ILP Intermediary must submit such other 
reports as SBA may require from time to time.



  Subpart D_Requirements for ILP Intermediary Loans to Small Businesses



Sec.  109.400  Eligible Small Business Concerns.

    (a) To be eligible to receive loans from an ILP Intermediary under 
this program, a small business must:
    (1) Be organized for profit;
    (2) Be located in the U.S.;
    (3) Be small under the size requirements applicable to 7(a) business 
loans (including Affiliates);
    (4) Be a startup, newly established, or growing small business;

[[Page 181]]

    (5) Together with Affiliates and principal owners, not have credit 
elsewhere; and
    (6) Be creditworthy and demonstrate reasonable assurance of 
repayment of the loan.
    (b) The following types of businesses are not eligible to receive a 
loan from an ILP Intermediary under this program:
    (1) Nonprofit businesses (for-profit subsidiaries are eligible);
    (2) Financial businesses primarily engaged in the business of 
lending;
    (3) Passive businesses owned by developers and landlords that do not 
actively use or occupy the assets acquired or improved with the loan 
proceeds;
    (4) Life insurance companies;
    (5) Businesses located in a foreign country;
    (6) Pyramid sale distribution plans;
    (7) Businesses deriving more than one-third of gross annual revenue 
from legal gambling activities;
    (8) Businesses engaged in any illegal activity;
    (9) Private clubs and businesses which limit the number of 
memberships for reasons other than capacity;
    (10) Government-owned entities (except for businesses owned or 
controlled by a Native American tribe);
    (11) Businesses principally engaged in teaching, instructing, 
counseling or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a 
religious or secular setting;
    (12) [Reserved]
    (13) Loan packagers earning more than one third of their gross 
annual revenue from packaging SBA loans;
    (14) Businesses in which the ILP Intermediary or any of its 
Associates owns an equity interest;
    (15) Businesses with an Associate who is incarcerated, on probation, 
on parole, or has been indicted for a felony or a crime of moral 
turpitude;
    (16) Businesses which:
    (i) Present live performances of a prurient sexual nature; or
    (ii) Derive directly or indirectly more than de minimis gross 
revenue through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of 
any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature;
    (17) Businesses that have previously defaulted on a Federal loan or 
Federally assisted financing, resulting in the Federal government or any 
of its agencies or Departments sustaining a loss in any of its programs, 
and businesses owned or controlled by an applicant or any of its 
Associates which previously owned, operated, or controlled a business 
which defaulted on a Federal loan (or guaranteed a loan which was 
defaulted) and caused the Federal government or any of its agencies or 
Departments to sustain a loss in any of its programs. For purposes of 
this section, a compromise agreement shall also be considered a loss 
unless the agreement provides otherwise;
    (18) Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying 
activities; and
    (19) Speculative businesses (such as oil wildcatting);
    (20) Businesses located in a Coastal Barrier Resource Area (as 
defined in the Coastal Barriers Resource Act);
    (21) Businesses owned or controlled by an applicant or any of its 
Associates who are more than 60 days delinquent in child support under 
the terms of any administrative order, court order, or repayment 
agreement;
    (22) Businesses in which any Associate is an undocumented (illegal) 
alien; or
    (23) Businesses owned or controlled by an applicant or any of its 
Associates who are presently debarred, suspended, proposed for 
debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from 
participation by any Federal department or agency.

[76 FR 18015, Apr. 1, 2011, as amended at 82 FR 39501, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  109.410  Loan limits--loans to Eligible Small Business Concerns.

    No small business (including Affiliates) may have more than $200,000 
outstanding under this program at one time. The provisions of Sec.  
120.151 do not apply to loans under this program.



Sec.  109.420  Terms of loans from ILP Intermediaries to Eligible 
Small Business Concerns.

    (a) General. The terms of a loan made by the ILP Intermediary to an 
Eligible Small Business Concern must be agreed

[[Page 182]]

to by the ILP Intermediary and the Eligible Small Business Concern. The 
loan terms must be within the limits established by SBA in these 
regulations.
    (b) Maximum loan size. The maximum amount of a loan by the ILP 
Intermediary to an Eligible Small Business Concern under this program is 
$200,000.
    (c) Maturity. The term of a loan by the ILP Intermediary to an 
Eligible Small Business Concern under this program must be the shortest 
appropriate term. The maximum loan term is 10 years or less, unless the 
loan finances or refinances real estate or equipment with a useful life 
exceeding ten years, in which case the maximum loan term is 25 years.
    (d) Interest rate. The maximum interest rate the ILP Intermediary 
may charge for loans less than or equal to $50,000 is 8.75 percent. The 
maximum interest rate the ILP Intermediary may charge for loans greater 
than $50,000 is 7%. SBA may adjust the maximum interest rates from time 
to time; SBA will publish any such change by Notice in the Federal 
Register. Changes to the maximum interest rate do not apply to loans 
made to Eligible Small Business Concerns prior to publication of the 
change in the Federal Register.
    (e) Fees. The ILP Intermediary must not impose any fees or direct 
costs on an Eligible Small Business Concern, except for the following 
allowed fees or direct costs:
    (1) Necessary out-of-pocket expenses, such as filing or recording 
fees;
    (2) The reasonable direct costs of any liquidation;
    (3) A late payment fee not to exceed 5 percent of the scheduled loan 
payment; and
    (4) Reasonable application and origination fees, subject to a 
maximum total fee cap of 1 percent of the amount of the loan to the 
Eligible Small Business Concern. SBA may adjust the maximum total fee 
cap from time to time; SBA will publish any such change by Notice in the 
Federal Register.



Sec.  109.430  Loan purposes.

    (a) An Eligible Small Business Concern may only use the proceeds of 
a loan under this program for the following purposes:
    (1) Working capital;
    (2) Real estate (except for real estate acquired and held primarily 
for sale, lease, or investment); and
    (3) The acquisition of materials, supplies, furniture, fixtures, or 
equipment.
    (b) Revolving lines of credit are permitted. However, if, at any 
time, SBA determines that the ILP Intermediary's operation of revolving 
lines of credit is causing excessive risk of loss for the intermediary 
or the Government, the AA/CA or designee may terminate the ILP 
Intermediary's authority to use the ILP Relending Fund proceeds for 
revolving lines of credit. Such termination will be by written notice 
and will prevent the ILP Intermediary from approving any new lines of 
credit or extending any existing revolving lines of credit beyond the 
effective date of termination contained in the notice.



Sec.  109.440  Requirements imposed under other laws and orders.

    Loans made by the ILP Intermediary under this program must comply 
with all applicable laws, including Sec. Sec.  120.170 (Flood 
insurance), 120.172 (Flood-plain and wetlands management), 120.173 
(Earthquake hazards), and the civil rights laws (see parts 112, 113, 
117, and 136 of this chapter) prohibiting discrimination on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, 
disability or age.

[76 FR 18015, Apr. 1, 2011, as amended at 85 FR 75834, Nov. 27, 2020]



Sec.  109.450  SBA review of ILP Intermediary loans to Eligible 
Small Business Concerns.

    (a) Review restrictions. SBA does not review loans made by an ILP 
Intermediary under this program before approval of the loan by the ILP 
Intermediary. The ILP Intermediary is responsible for all loan decisions 
regarding eligibility (including size).
    (b) Subsequent review. SBA will periodically review loans made by an 
ILP Intermediary after approval of the loan by the ILP Intermediary as 
part of the on-site and off-site reviews described in Sec.  109.510. If 
SBA discovers that an ILP Intermediary has made a loan under

[[Page 183]]

this program to an ineligible business or for an ineligible purpose, SBA 
will require the ILP Intermediary to refinance the ineligible loan with 
non-ILP program funds and to deposit into its ILP Relending Fund an 
amount equal to the outstanding principal balance on the ineligible 
loan.



Sec.  109.460  Prohibition on sales of ILP Intermediary Loans to Eligible 
Small Business Concerns.

    An ILP Intermediary may not sell all or any portion of a loan made 
to an Eligible Small Business Concern without prior written consent from 
the AA/CA or designee.



                           Subpart E_Oversight



Sec.  109.500  SBA access to ILP Intermediary files.

    The ILP Intermediary must allow SBA's authorized representatives, 
including other officers of any other Federal agency and representatives 
authorized by the SBA Inspector General, during normal business hours, 
timely access to its facility and files to review, inspect, and copy all 
records and documents, including electronic and hard copy, relating to 
the operations of the ILP Intermediary, the ILP Loan, and the loans made 
from the ILP Relending Fund and other records and documents as requested 
for oversight of the ILP Intermediary.



Sec.  109.510  Reviews.

    (a) General. SBA may conduct reviews and monitoring of ILP 
Intermediaries, including ILP Intermediaries' self-assessments. SBA may 
also perform reviews of ILP Intermediaries as needed, as determined by 
SBA in its discretion.
    (b) Corrective actions. SBA may require an ILP Intermediary to take 
corrective actions to address findings from reviews. Failure to take 
required corrective actions may constitute an event of default, as 
described in Sec.  109.520(c).
    (c) Confidentiality of reports. Review reports and other SBA 
prepared review related documents are subject to the confidentiality 
requirements of Sec.  120.1060.

[82 FR 39501, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  109.520  Events of default and revocation of authority to participate 
in the ILP program.

    (a) Automatic events of default. Upon the occurrence of one or more 
of the events in this paragraph (a), the ILP Loan balance, including 
accrued interest, is immediately due and payable to SBA without notice 
and the ILP Intermediary's authority to participate in the ILP program 
is revoked.
    (1) Insolvency. The ILP Intermediary becomes equitably or legally 
insolvent.
    (2) Voluntary assignment. The ILP Intermediary makes a voluntary 
assignment for the benefit of creditors without SBA's prior written 
approval.
    (3) Bankruptcy. The ILP Intermediary files a petition to begin any 
bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding, receivership, dissolution or 
other similar creditors' rights proceeding, or such action is initiated 
against the ILP Intermediary and is not dismissed within 60 calendar 
days.
    (b) Events of default with notice and possible opportunity to cure. 
Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, upon receipt of 
written notice to the ILP Intermediary of the occurrence (as determined 
by SBA) of one or more of the events in this paragraph (b), the ILP loan 
balance, including accrued interest, is immediately due and payable to 
SBA and the ILP Intermediary's authority to participate in the ILP 
program is revoked.
    (1) Fraud. The ILP Intermediary commits a fraudulent act.
    (2) Violation of SBA's ethical requirements. The ILP Intermediary 
violates 13 CFR Sec.  120.140.
    (3) Non-notification of events of default. The ILP Intermediary 
fails to notify SBA in writing as soon as it knows or reasonably should 
have known that any event of default exists under this section.
    (4) Non-notification of defaults to others. The ILP Intermediary 
fails to notify SBA in writing within ten calendar days from the date of 
a declaration of an event of default or nonperformance under any note, 
debenture or indebtedness, issued to or held by anyone other than SBA.
    (5) Failure to make timely payment. Unless otherwise approved by the 
AA/CA

[[Page 184]]

or designee in writing, the ILP Intermediary fails to make timely 
payment to SBA on its ILP Loan.
    (6) Failure to take adequate corrective actions. The ILP 
Intermediary fails to take adequate corrective actions, to SBA's 
satisfaction, as required by SBA under Sec.  109.510 within the 
timeframe requested by SBA.
    (7) Violation of ILP Program Requirements. The ILP Intermediary 
violates one or more ILP Program Requirement.
    (8) Actions that increase risk. The ILP Intermediary takes other 
action which increases the risk of loss to SBA.
    (c) Opportunity to Cure. SBA may, in its discretion, provide the ILP 
Intermediary with an opportunity to cure an event of default identified 
in paragraph (b) of this section. If SBA provides the ILP Intermediary 
with such a cure opportunity, SBA will issue written notice discussing 
the relevant facts, and directing the ILP Intermediary to cure the 
default and provide SBA with documentation to show that the default has 
been cured within a specified period of time (generally 15 days). SBA 
will then provide the ILP Intermediary with a final notification 
advising whether the default has been satisfactorily cured. In the event 
SBA determines the default has not been cured, the ILP Loan balance, 
including accrued interest, is immediately due and payable to SBA and 
the ILP Intermediary's authority to participate in the ILP program is 
revoked upon the ILP Intermediary's receipt of this final notification.
    (d) Appeals. Notification of default without opportunity to cure 
under paragraph (b) of this section and final notification of uncured 
default under paragraph (c) of this section are final agency decisions. 
An ILP Intermediary may appeal a final agency decision only in the 
appropriate federal district court.



Sec.  109.530  Debarment and Suspension.

    In accordance with 2 CFR Parts 180 and 2700, SBA may take any 
necessary action to debar or suspend an ILP Intermediary or any officer, 
director, general partner, manager, employee, agent or other participant 
in the affairs of an ILP Intermediary's SBA operations.



PART 112_NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OF SBA_
EFFECTUATION OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964--Table of Contents



Sec.
112.1 Purpose.
112.2 Application of this part.
112.3 Discrimination prohibited.
112.4 Discrimination in employment.
112.5 Discrimination in providing financial assistance.
112.6 Discrimination in accommodations or services.
112.7 Illustrative applications.
112.8 Assurances required.
112.9 Compliance information.
112.10 Conduct of investigations.
112.11 Procedure for effecting compliance.
112.12 Effect on other regulations; forms and instructions.

Appendix A to Part 112

    Authority: Sec. 602, 78 Stat. 252 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1).

    Source: 30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  112.1  Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to effectuate the provisions of Title VI 
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) to 
the end that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of 
race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be 
denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination 
under any financial assistance activities of the Small Business 
Administration to which the Act applies.



Sec.  112.2  Application of this part.

    (a) This part applies to all recipients of Federal financial 
assistance administered by the Small Business Administration. (See 
appendix A)
    (b) The term Federal financial assistance includes: (1) Grants and 
loans of Federal funds; (2) the grant or donation of Federal property 
and interests in property; (3) the detail of Federal personnel; (4) the 
sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or 
transient basis), Federal property or any interest in such property 
without consideration, or at a nominal

[[Page 185]]

consideration, or at a consideration which is reduced for the purpose of 
assisting the recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be 
served by such sale or lease to the recipient; and (5) any Federal 
agreement, arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its 
purposes the provision of assistance.
    (c) This part does not apply to financial assistance extended by way 
of insurance or guarantee.
    (d) The terms applicant and recipient mean, respectively, one who 
applies for and one who receives any of the financial assistance under 
any of the statutes referred to in paragraph (a) of this section. The 
term recipient also shall be deemed to include subrecipients of SBA 
financial assistance, i.e., concerns which secondarily receive financial 
assistance from the primary recipients of such financial assistance.
    (e) The terms program or activity and program mean all of the 
operations of any entity described in paragraphs (e)(1) through (4) of 
this section, any part of which is extended Federal financial 
assistance:
    (1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
    (ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes 
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State 
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the 
case of assistance to a State or local government;
    (2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or 
a public system of higher education; or
    (ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), 
system of vocational education, or other school system;
    (3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private 
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
    (A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, 
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
    (B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing 
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and 
recreation; or
    (ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate 
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case 
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole 
proprietorship; or
    (4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the 
entities described in paragraph (e)(1),(2), or (3) of this section.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17934, July 5, 1973; 50 FR 
1441 Jan. 11, 1985; 68 FR 51348, 51349, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec.  112.3  Discrimination prohibited.

    (a) General. To the extent that this part applies, no person in the 
United States shall, on the ground of race, color or national origin be 
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be 
otherwise subjected to discrimination by any business or other activity.
    (b) Specific discriminatory actions prohibited. (1) To the extent 
that this part applies, a business or other activity may not, directly 
or through contractual or other arrangements, on ground of race, color 
or national origin:
    (i) Deny an individual any services, financial aid or other benefit 
provided by the business or other activity;
    (ii) Provide any service, financial aid or other benefit to an 
individual which is different or is provided in a different manner, from 
that provided to others by the business or other activity;
    (iii) Subject an individual to segregation or separate treatment in 
any manner related to his receipt of any service, financial aid or other 
benefit from the business or other activity;
    (iv) Restrict an individual in any way in the enjoyment of any 
advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any service, 
financial aid or other benefit from the business or other activity;
    (v) Treat an individual differently from others in determining 
whether he satisfies any admission, enrollment, quota, eligibility, 
membership or other requirement or condition which individuals must meet 
in order to be provided any service, financial aid or other benefit 
provided by the business or other activity.
    (2) The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination 
in this

[[Page 186]]

paragraph does not limit the generality of the prohibition in paragraph 
(a) of this section.
    (3) This regulation does not prohibit the consideration of race, 
color, or national origin if the purpose and effect are to remove or 
overcome the consequences of practices or impediments which have 
restricted the availability of, or participation in, a program or 
activity receiving Federal financial assistance, on the grounds of race, 
color, or national origin. Where previous discriminatory practice or 
usage tends, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, to 
exclude individuals from participation in, to deny them the benefits of, 
or to subject them to discrimination under any program or activity to 
which this regulation applies, the applicant or recipient has an 
obligation to take reasonable action to remove or overcome the 
consequences of the prior discriminatory practice or usage, and to 
accomplish the purposes of the Act.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17934, July 5, 1973; 68 FR 
51349, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec.  112.4  Discrimination in employment.

    Small business concerns and development companies which apply for or 
receive any financial assistance of the kind described in Sec.  112.2(a) 
(1) and (2), including concerns which are identifiable beneficiaries of 
loans made under Sec.  112.2(a)(2), may not discriminate on the grounds 
of race, color, or national origin in their employment practices. Such 
assistance is deemed to have as a primary objective the providing of 
employment. Where a primary objective of the Federal financial 
assistance is not to provide employment, but discrimination on the 
grounds of race, color, or national origin in the employment practices 
of the recipient or other persons subject to the regulation tends, on 
the grounds of race, color, or national origin, to exclude individuals 
from participation in, to deny them the benefits of, or to subject them 
to discrimination under any program to which this regulation applies, 
the provisions of Sec.  112.7(a) shall apply to the employment practices 
of the recipient or other persons subject to the regulation, to the 
extent necessary to assure equality of opportunity and nondiscriminatory 
treatment.

[38 FR 17934, July 5, 1973]



Sec.  112.5  Discrimination in providing financial assistance.

    Development companies and small business investment companies which 
apply for or receive any of the financial assistance described in Sec.  
112.2(a) may not discriminate, on the ground of race, color or national 
origin, in providing financial assistance to small business concerns.



Sec.  112.6  Discrimination in accommodations or services.

    Small business concerns which apply for or receive any financial 
assistance of the kind described in Sec.  112.2(a)(1), concerns which 
are identifiable beneficiaries of loans made under Sec.  112.2(a)(2), 
and physicians, hospitals, schools, libraries, and other individuals or 
organizations which apply for or receive financial assistance of the 
kind described in Sec.  112.2(a)(5), may not discriminate in the 
treatment accommodations or services they provide to their patients, 
students, visitors, guests, members, passengers, or patrons in the 
conduct of such businesses or other enterprises, whether or not operated 
for profit.

[31 FR 2374, Feb. 4, 1966]



Sec.  112.7  Illustrative applications.

    (a) Employment. The discrimination prohibited by Sec.  112.4 
includes but is not limited to any action (taken directly or through 
contractual or other arrangements) which subjects an individual to 
discrimination on the ground of race, color or national origin in any 
employment practice, including recruitment or recruitment advertising, 
employment, layoff or termination, upgrading, demotion, or transfer, 
rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and use of facilities.
    (b) Financial assistance. The discrimination prohibited by Sec.  
112.5 includes but is not limited to the failure or refusal, because of 
the race, color, or national origin of a person, to extend a loan or 
equity financing to him or to any business concern of which he is an 
owner or employee; or, in the case of financing

[[Page 187]]

which has actually been extended, the failure or refusal, because of the 
race, color, or national origin of the borrower or of an owner or 
employee of the borrower, to accord the borrower fair treatment and the 
customary courtesies regarding such matters as default, grace periods 
and the like.
    (c) Accommodations or services. The discrimination prohibited by 
Sec.  112.6 includes but is not limited to the failure or refusal, 
because of the race, color, or national origin of a person, to accept 
him on a nonsegregated basis as a patient, student, visitor, guest, 
member, customer, passenger or patron.
    (d) Affirmative action. (1) In some situations even though past 
discriminatory practices have been abandoned, the consequences of such 
practices continue to impede the full availability of equal opportunity. 
If the efforts required of the applicant or recipient under Sec.  
112.3(b)(3) to provide information as to the availability of equal 
opportunity, and the rights of individuals under this regulation, have 
failed to overcome these consequences, it will become necessary for such 
applicant or recipient to take additional steps to make equal 
opportunity fully available to racial and nationality groups previously 
subjected to discrimination.
    (2) Even though an applicant or recipient has never used 
discriminatory policies, the opportunities in the business it operates 
may not in fact be equally available to some racial or nationality 
groups. In such circumstances a recipient may properly give special 
consideration to race, color, or national origin to make opportunity 
more widely available to such groups.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17934, July 5, 1973]



Sec.  112.8  Assurances required.

    An application for any of the financial assistance described in 
Sec.  112.2(a) shall, as a condition to its approval and the extension 
of such assistance, contain or be accompanied by an assurance that the 
recipient will comply with this part. Such an assurance shall contain 
provisions authorizing the acceleration of the maturity of the 
recipient's financial obligation to the SBA in the event of a failure to 
comply, and provisions which give the United States a right to seek 
judicial enforcement of the terms of the assurance. SBA shall specify 
the form of the foregoing assurance, and the extent to which like 
assurances will be required of contractors and subcontractors, 
transferees, successors in interest, and other participants.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 68 FR 51349, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec.  112.9  Compliance information.

    (a) Cooperation and assistance. SBA shall to the fullest extent 
practicable seek the cooperation of applicants and recipients in 
obtaining compliance with this part and shall provide assistance and 
guidance to applicants and recipients to help them comply voluntarily 
with this part.
    (b) Compliance reports. Each applicant or recipient shall keep such 
records and submit to SBA timely, complete and accurate compliance 
reports at such times, and in such form and containing such information, 
as SBA may determine to be necessary to enable SBA to ascertain whether 
the applicant or recipient has complied or is complying with this part. 
In the case of a small business concern which receives financial 
assistance from a development company or from a small business 
investment company, such concern shall submit to the company such 
information as may be necessary to enable the company to meet its 
reporting requirements under this part.
    (c) Access to sources of information. Each applicant or recipient 
shall permit access by SBA during normal business hours to such of its 
books, records, accounts, and other sources of information, and its 
facilities as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with this part. 
Where any information required of an applicant or recipient is in the 
exclusive possession of any other agency, institution or person and this 
agency, institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish this 
information, the applicant or recipient shall so certify in its report 
and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain this information.
    (d) Information to the public. Each recipient shall make available 
to persons entitled under the Act and under this

[[Page 188]]

part to protection against discrimination by the recipient such 
information as SBA may find necessary to apprise them of their rights to 
such protection.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17934, July 5, 1973]



Sec.  112.10  Conduct of investigations.

    (a) Periodic compliance reviews. SBA shall from time to time review 
the practices of recipients to determine whether they are complying with 
this part.
    (b) Complaints. Any person who believes himself or any specific 
class of individuals to be subjected to discrimination prohibited by 
this part may, by himself or by a representative, file with SBA a 
written complaint. A complaint must be filed not later than 180 days 
from the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing 
is extended by SBA.
    (c) Investigations. SBA will make a prompt investigation whenever a 
compliance review, report, complaint, or any other information indicates 
a possible failure to comply with this part. The investigation should 
include, where appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and 
policies of the applicant or recipient, the circumstances under which 
the possible noncompliance with this part occurred, and other factors 
relevant to a determination as to whether the applicant or recipient has 
failed to comply with this part.
    (d) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section indicates a failure to comply with this 
part, SBA will so inform the applicant or recipient and the matter will 
be resolved by informal means whenever possible. If it has been 
determined that the matter cannot be resolved by informal means, action 
will be taken as provided for in Sec.  112.11.
    (2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, SBA will so inform the applicant or 
recipient and the complainant, if any, in writing.
    (e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No applicant or 
recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or 
discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with 
any right or privilege secured by section 601 of the Act or by this part 
or because he has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated 
in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this 
part. The identity of complainants shall be kept confidential except to 
the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, including 
the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding 
arising thereunder.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17934, July 5, 1973]



Sec.  112.11  Procedure for effecting compliance.

    (a) General. (1) If there appears to be a failure or threatened 
failure to comply with this part and if the noncompliance or threatened 
noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, compliance with 
this part may be effected by suspending, terminating, or refusing any 
financial assistance approved but not yet disbursed to an applicant or, 
in the case of a loan which has been partially disbursed, by refusing to 
make further disbursements. In addition, compliance may be effected by 
any other means authorized by law.
    (2) Such other means may include but are not limited to (i) legal 
action by SBA to enforce its right, embodied in the assurances described 
in Sec.  112.8, to accelerate the maturity of the recipient's 
obligation; (ii) a reference to the Department of Justice with a 
recommendation that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any 
rights of the United States under any law of the United States, 
including other titles of the Act; and (iii) any applicable proceedings 
under State or local law.
    (b) Noncompliance with Sec.  112.8. If an applicant fails or refuses 
to furnish an assurance required under Sec.  112.8 or otherwise fails or 
refuses to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to that 
section Federal financial assistance may be refused in accordance with 
the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. SBA shall not be 
required to provide assistance in such a case during the pendency of the 
administrative proceedings under such paragraph except that SBA shall 
continue assistance during the pendency of such proceedings where such 
assistance is due and payable pursuant to an application

[[Page 189]]

therefor approved prior to the effective date of this part. Such 
proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of part 
134 of this chapter by an Administrative Law Judge of the Office of 
Hearings and Appeals, who shall issue an initial decision in the case. 
The Administrator shall be the reviewing official for purposes of Sec.  
134.228. The applicant's failure to file a timely motion in accordance 
with Sec. Sec.  134.222 and 134.211, requesting that the matter be 
scheduled for an oral hearing, shall constitute waiver of the right to 
an oral hearing but shall not prevent the submission of written 
information and argument for the record in accordance with the 
provisions of part 134.
    (c) Conditions precedent. No order suspending, terminating, or 
refusing financial assistance shall become effective until (1) SBA has 
advised the applicant or recipient of his failure to comply and has 
determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means; (2) 
there has been an express finding on the record after an opportunity for 
an oral hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to comply 
with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part; (3) the initial 
decision has become final pursuant to Sec.  134.227(b); and (4) the 
expiration of 30 days after SBA has filed with the committee of the 
House and the committee of the Senate having legislative jurisdiction of 
the form of financial assistance involved, a full written report of the 
circumstances and the grounds for such action.
    (d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by 
any other means authorized by law shall be taken until (1) SBA has 
determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means; (2) the 
action has been approved by the Administrator or his designee; (3) the 
applicant or recipient or other person has been notified of its failure 
to comply and of the action to be taken to effect compliance; and (4) 
the expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of such notice to 
the applicant or recipient or other person. During this period of at 
least 10 days from the mailing of such notice to the applicant or 
recipient or other person. During this period of at least 10 days 
additional efforts shall be made to persuade the applicant or recipient 
or other person to comply with this part and to take such corrective 
action as may be appropriate.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17934, July 5, 1973; 49 FR 
33629, Aug. 24, 1984; 61 FR 2691, Jan. 29, 1996]



Sec.  112.12  Effect on other regulations; forms and instructions.

    (a) Effect on other regulations. All regulations, orders or like 
directions heretofore issued by SBA which impose requirements designed 
to prohibit any discrimination against individuals on the grounds of 
race, color, or national origin and which authorize the suspension or 
termination of or refusal to grant to or to continue financial 
assistance to any applicant for or recipient of such assistance for 
failure to comply with such requirements, are hereby superseded to the 
extent that such discrimination is prohibited by this part, except that 
nothing in this part shall be deemed to relieve any person of any 
obligation assumed or imposed under any such superseded regulation, 
order, instruction, or like direction prior to the effective date of 
this part. Nothing in this part, however, shall be deemed to supersede 
any of the following (including future amendments thereof):
    (1) Executive Order 11246 and regulations issued thereunder, or (2) 
any other orders, regulations or instructions, insofar as such order, 
regulations, or instructions prohibit discrimination on the grounds of 
race, color, or national origin in any program or situation to which 
this part is inapplicable or prohibit discrimination on any other 
ground.
    (b) Forms and instructions. SBA shall issue and promptly make 
available to interested persons forms and detailed instructions and 
procedures for effectuating this part.
    (c) Supervision and coordination. The Administrator may from time to 
time assign to officials of SBA or to officials of other agencies of the 
Government with the consent of such agencies, responsibilities in 
connection with the effectuation of the purpose of Title VI

[[Page 190]]

of the Act and this part (other than responsibility for final decision 
as provided in Sec.  112.13), including the achievement of effective 
coordination and maximum uniformity within SBA and within the Executive 
Branch of the Government in the application of Title VI and this part to 
similar programs and in similar situations. Any action taken, 
determination made, or requirement imposed by an official of another 
Department or agency acting pursuant to an assignment of responsibility 
under this subsection shall have the same effect as though such action 
had been taken by the Administrator of SBA.

[30 FR 298, Jan. 9, 1965, as amended at 38 FR 17935, July 5, 1973. 
Redesignated at 49 FR 33629, Aug. 24, 1984]



                       Sec. Appendix A to Part 112

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Name of Federal financial assistance               Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Federal Financial Assistance Involving Grants of Funds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular business loans....................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a) and 7(a)(11).
Handicapped assistance loans..............  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(10)
Small business energy loans...............  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(12).
Small general contractors.................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(9).
Vietnam-era and Disabled Veterans Loan      Pub. L. 97-72.
 Program.
Debtor State development company loans      Small Business Investment
 (501) and their small business concerns.    Act, title V, and Small
                                             Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(13).
Debtor small business investment companies  Small Business Investment
 and their small business concerns.          Act, title III.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Disaster Loans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Physical..................................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(b)(1).
Economic injury (EIDL)....................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(b)(2).
Federal action--economic injury...........  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(b)(3).
Currency fluctuation--economic injury.....  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(b)(4).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Other Federal Financial Assistance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's business enterprise...............  Executive Order 12138.
Small business innovation and research....  Small Business Act, sec. 9.
Procurement automated source system.......  Small Business Act, sec. 8
                                             and Pub. L. 96-302.
Business Development Program..............  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(a) and Pub. L. 95-507, as
                                             amended by Pub. L. 96-481.
Small Business Institute Program..........  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(b)(1) and Pub. L. 85-536.
Certificate of competency.................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(b)(7) and Pub. L 95-89.
Subcontracting Assistance Program.........  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(d) and Pub. L. 95-507.
Technology Assistance Program.............  Small Business Act, sec. 9.
Small business development centers........  Small Business Act, sec. 21
                                             and Pub. L. 96-302.
International Trade Program...............  Small Business Act, sec. 22
                                             and Pub. L. 96-481.
Service Corps of Retired Executives and     Small Business Act, secs.
 Active Corps of Executives.                 101 and 8(b)(1) and Pub. L.
                                             95-510.
Veterans affairs programs.................  Pub. L. 93-237.
Private sector initiatives................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(b)(1).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: All types of Federal financial assistance listed above are 
also covered by part 113 of title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

[50 FR 1441, Jan. 11, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51348, 51349, Aug. 26, 
2003]



PART 113_NONDISCRIMINATION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF SBA_
EFFECTUATION OF POLICIES OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SBA ADMINISTRATOR--
Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
113.1 Purpose.
113.2 Definitions.
113.3 Discrimination prohibited.
113.3-1 Consideration of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, 
          handicap, or national origin.
113.3-2 Accommodations to religious observance and practice.
113.3-3 Structural accommodations for handicapped clients.
113.4 Assurances required.
113.5 Compliance information.
113.6 Conduct of investigations.
113.7 Procedure for effecting compliance.
113.8 Effect on other regulations, forms and instructions.

Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 113

Subpart B_Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or 
            Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance

                              Introduction

113.100 Purpose and effective date.
113.105 Definitions.

[[Page 191]]

113.110 Remedial and affirmative action and self-evaluation.
113.115 Assurance required.
113.120 Transfers of property.
113.125 Effect of other requirements.
113.130 Effect of employment opportunities.
113.135 Designation of responsible employee and adoption of grievance 
          procedures.
113.140 Dissemination of policy.

                                Coverage

113.200 Application.
113.205 Educational institutions and other entities controlled by 
          religious organizations.
113.210 Military and merchant marine educational institutions.
113.215 Membership practices of certain organizations.
113.220 Admissions.
113.225 Educational institutions eligible to submit transition plans.
113.230 Transition plans.
113.235 Statutory amendments.

    Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment 
                               Prohibited

113.300 Admission.
113.305 Preference in admission.
113.310 Recruitment.

 Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities 
                               Prohibited

113.400 Education programs or activities.
113.405 Housing.
113.410 Comparable facilities.
113.415 Access to course offerings.
113.420 Access to schools operated by LEAs.
113.425 Counseling and use of appraisal and counseling materials.
113.430 Financial assistance.
113.435 Employment assistance to students.
113.440 Health and insurance benefits and services.
113.445 Marital or parental status.
113.450 Athletics.
113.455 Textbooks and curricular material.

 Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Employment in Education Programs 
                        or Activities Prohibited

113.500 Employment.
113.505 Employment criteria.
113.510 Recruitment.
113.515 Compensation.
113.520 Job classification and structure.
113.525 Fringe benefits.
113.530 Marital or parental status.
113.535 Effect of state or local law or other requirements.
113.540 Advertising.
113.545 Pre-employment inquiries.
113.550 Sex as a bona fide occupational qualification.

                               Procedures

113.600 Notice of covered programs.
113.605 Enforcement procedures.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 633, 634, 687, 1691; 20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 
1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688; 29 U.S.C. 794; Sec. 5, Pub. L. 85-536, 72 
Stat. 385, as amended; Sec. 308, Pub. L. 85-699, 72 Stat. 694, as 
amended.

    Source: 44 FR 20068, Apr. 4, 1979, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec.  113.1  Purpose.

    (a) Part 112 of this chapter, issued pursuant to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, 
color, or national origin by some recipients of financial assistance 
from SBA. The purpose of this part is to reflect to the fullest extent 
possible the nondiscrimination policies of the Federal Government as 
expressed in the several statutes, Executive Orders, and messages of the 
President dealing with civil rights and equality of opportunity, and in 
the previous determination of the Administrator of the Small Business 
Administration that discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, 
marital status, handicap or national origin shall be prohibited, to the 
extent that it is not prohibited by part 112 of this chapter, to all 
recipients of financial assistance from SBA.
    (b) In accordance with Pub. L. 94-239, 15 U.S.C. 1691, cited as the 
Equal Credit Act Amendments of 1976, it is unlawful for any recipient 
creditor to discriminate against any applicant, with respect to any 
aspect of a credit transaction because of race, color, religion, 
national origin, sex, marital status, age: (Provided, the applicant has 
the capacity to contract), because all or part of the applicant's income 
derives from any public assistance program, or because the applicant has 
in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection 
Act.
    (c) It is the intention of the Administrator that the prohibitions 
in this part supplement those in part 112 of this chapter, that the two 
parts be read in pari materia, and that the procedures established 
herein be harmonized to the maximum extent feasible with

[[Page 192]]

those established in part 112 of this chapter.



Sec.  113.2  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    (a) The term Federal financial assistance includes (1) grants and 
loans of Federal funds, (2) the grant or donation of Federal property 
and interests in property, (3) the detail of Federal personnel, (4) the 
sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or 
transient basis), Federal property or any interest in such property 
without consideration, or at a nominal consideration, or at a 
consideration which is reduced for the purpose of assisting the 
recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such 
sale or lease to the recipient, and (5) any Federal agreement, 
arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its purposes the 
provision of assistance.
    (b) The terms applicant and recipient mean, respectively, one who 
applies for and one who receives any of the financial assistance under 
any of the statutes referred to in paragraph (a) of this section. The 
term recipient also shall be deemed to include subrecipients of SBA 
financial assistance, i.e., concerns which secondarily receive financial 
assistance from the primary recipients of such financial assistance. For 
the purposes of this part, a paragraph (b) lender (13 CFR 120.4(b)) 
shall be deemed a recipient of financial assistance.
    (c) The term religion includes all aspects of religious observance 
and practice, as well as belief.
    (d) The term qualified handicapped person means (1) with respect to 
employment, a handicapped person who, with reasonable accommodation, can 
perform the essential functions of the job in question and (2) with 
respect to services, a handicapped person who meets the essential 
eligibility requirements for the receipt of such services.
    (e) The term handicapped person, as defined by the guideline set 
forth by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in Sec.  85.31 
of title 45 of the CFR (43 FR 2137, dated January 13, 1978), means any 
person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 
one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, 
or is regarded as having such an impairment.
    (f) As used in paragraph (e) of this section, the phrase:
    (1) Physical or mental impairment means (i) any physiological 
disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss 
affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological; 
musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech 
organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic 
and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or (ii) any mental or psychological 
disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional 
or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. The term physical 
or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and 
conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, 
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, 
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, 
drug addiction and alcoholism.
    (2) Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's 
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, 
breathing, learning, and working.
    (3) Has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or 
has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that 
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
    (4) Is regarded as having an impairment means (i) has a physical or 
mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life 
activities but is treated by a recipient as constituting such a 
limitation; (ii) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially 
limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others 
toward such impairment; or (iii) has none of the impairments defined in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this section but is treated by a recipient as having 
such an impairment.
    (g) The term reasonable accommodation as used in these Regulations 
may include: (1) making facilities used by employees readily accessible 
to and usable by handicapped persons; and (2) job restructuring, part-
time or modified work schedules, acquisition or modification of 
equipment or devices,

[[Page 193]]

the provision of readers or interpreters, and other similar actions.
    (h) The term facility means all or any portion of buildings, 
structures, equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, or other real or 
personal property.

[44 FR 20068, Apr. 4, 1979, as amended at 48 FR 14891, Apr. 6, 1983]



Sec.  113.3  Discrimination prohibited.

    To the extent not covered or prohibited by part 112 of this chapter, 
recipients of financial assistance may not:
    (a) Discriminate with regard to goods, services, or accommodations 
offered or provided by the aided business or other enterprise, whether 
or not operated for profit, because of race, color, religion, sex, 
handicap, or national origin of a person, or fail or refuse to accept a 
person on a nonsegregated basis as a patient, student, visitor, guest, 
customer, passenger, or patron.
    (b) With regard to employment practices within the aided business or 
other enterprise, whether or not operated for profit; fail or refuse, 
because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin of a person, to 
seek or retain the person's services, or to provide the person with 
opportunities for advancement or promotion, or accord an employee the 
rank and rate of compensation, including fringe benefits, merited by the 
employee's services and abilities.
    (c) With regard to employment practices within the aided business or 
other enterprise, whether or not operated for profit; discriminate 
against a qualified handicapped person; or because of handicap, fail or 
refuse to seek or retain the person's services or to provide the person 
with opportunities for advancement or promotion, or accord an employee 
the rank and rate of compensation, including fringe benefits, merited by 
the employee's services and abilities. All employment decisions shall be 
made in a manner which ensures that discrimination on the basis of 
handicap does not occur. Such decisions may not limit, segregate, or 
classify job applicants or employees in any way that adversely affects 
the opportunities or status of qualified handicapped individuals.
    (d) Participate in a contractual or other relationship that has the 
effect of subjecting job applicants or employees to discrimination 
prohibited by this part. The relationships referred to in this paragraph 
include those with employment and referral agencies, labor unions, 
organizations providing or administering fringe benefits to employees of 
the recipient, and organizations providing training and apprenticeship 
programs. Activities covered by this part are as follows:
    (1) Recruitment, advertising, and the processing of applications for 
employment;
    (2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion, 
transfer, layoff, termination, right of return from layoff, and 
rehiring;
    (3) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation and changes in 
compensation;
    (4) Job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures, 
position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists;
    (5) Leaves of absence, sick leave, or any other leave;
    (6) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or 
not administered by the recipient;
    (7) Selection and financial support for training, including 
apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related 
activities, and selection for leaves of absence to pursue training;
    (8) Employer sponsored activities, including social or recreational 
programs; and
    (9) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.
    (e) Use employment tests or criteria that discriminate on the basis 
of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, handicap, or national 
origin. Employment tests which are used for all other job applicants 
shall be adapted in an appropriate mode for use by persons who have 
handicaps that impair sensory, manual, or speaking skills.
    (f) Conduct a preemployment medical examination, unless required of 
all job applicants, and subsequent to a conditional offer of employment. 
The results of all such medical examinations shall be kept confidential.
    (g) Make a preemployment inquiry as to whether a job applicant is a 
handicapped person or as to the nature or severity of a handicap: EXCEPT 
when a

[[Page 194]]

recipient is taking remedial action to overcome the effects of 
conditions which resulted in past discrimination, or when a recipient is 
taking affirmative action pursuant to section 503 of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973, as amended.
    (1) Such preemployment inquiry may only be made after the job 
applicant has been informed that such disclosure is for the purposes set 
forth in paragraph (g) of this section; that the disclosure is voluntary 
and will be kept confidential; and that refusal of the job applicant to 
provide such information will not subject the applicant to any adverse 
action.
    (2) Information elicited from qualified handicapped job applicants 
concerning their medical history or condition shall be kept confidential 
EXCEPT that:
    (i) Supervisors and managers may be informed about restrictions on 
or accommodations to be made for the qualified handicapped individual;
    (ii) First aid and safety personnel may be informed, where 
appropriate, of the need for possible emergency treatment; and
    (iii) Compliance officials shall be given relevant information, if 
requested.
    (h) Discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, handicap or 
national origin in the use of toilets or any facilities for rest or 
comfort. Discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, 
handicap or national origin in the use of cafeterias, recreational 
programs or other programs sponsored by the applicant or recipient.
    (i) With regard to all recipients offering credit, such as Small 
Business Investment Companies and Community Development Companies, 
discriminate against debtors on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, 
marital status, handicap, or national origin.
    (j) With regard to the granting of credit by all recipient 
creditors, discriminate against any credit applicant, with respect to 
any aspect of a credit transaction because of race, color, religion, 
national origin, sex, marital status, handicap, age (provided the 
applicant has the capacity to contract), because all or part of the 
applicant's income derives from any public assistance program, or 
because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the 
Consumer Credit Protection Act.



Sec.  113.3-1  Consideration of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, 
handicap, or national origin.

    (a) This regulation does not prohibit the consideration of race, 
color, religion, sex, marital status, handicap, or national origin if 
the purpose and effect are to remove or overcome the consequences of 
practices or impediments which have restricted the availability of, or 
participation in, the program or activity receiving Federal financial 
assistance, on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, marital 
status, handicap, or national origin. Where previous discriminatory 
practices or usage tends, on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, 
marital status, handicap, or national origin, to exclude individuals 
from participation in, to deny them the benefits of, or to subject them 
to discrimination under any program or activity to which this regulation 
applies, the applicant or recipient has an obligation to take reasonable 
action to remove or overcome the consequences of the prior 
discriminatory practice or usage, and to accomplish the purposes of this 
regulation. All programs and activities shall be administered in the 
most integrated setting possible.
    (b) Nothing in this part shall prohibit the restriction of certain 
jobs to members of one sex if a bona fide occupational qualification can 
be demonstrated by the applicant or recipient. Custom or tradition is 
not a bona fide occupational qualification.
    (c) Recipients shall take steps to ensure that communications with 
job applicants and employees who have vision and/or hearing disabilities 
are available in appropriate modes.
    (d) Recipients shall make reasonable accommodation to the known 
physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified handicapped job 
applicant or employee UNLESS the recipient can demonstrate that the 
accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the 
business. Factors to be considered in determining whether an 
accommodation would impose an undue

[[Page 195]]

hardship on the operation of a recipient's business include:
    (1) The overall size of the recipient's business with respect to 
number of employees, number and type of facilities, size of budget, and 
the financial condition of the business;
    (2) The type of the recipient's operation, including the composition 
and structure of the recipient's workforce; and
    (3) The nature and cost of the accommodation needed.
    (e) Such accommodation may include making facilities used by 
employees readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, job 
restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, acquisition or 
modification of equipment or devices, the provision of readers or 
interpreters, and other similar actions.
    (f) The final decision, when making a review or investigation of a 
complaint, as to whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship 
on the operation of a recipient business will be made by the compliance 
officials of the Small Business Administration.
    (g) Recipients shall administer programs and activities in the most 
integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified handicapped 
persons, and shall not participate in a contractual relationship that 
has the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped job applicants or 
employees to discrimination prohibited by this part. The relationships 
referred to in this paragraph include those with referral agencies, 
labor unions, organizations providing or administering fringe benefits 
to employees of the recipient, and organizations providing training and 
apprenticeship programs.
    (h) Nothing in this part shall apply to a religious corporation, 
association, educational institution or society with respect to the 
membership or the employment of individuals of a particular religion to 
perform work connected with the carrying on by such corporation, 
association, educational institution or society of its religious 
activities.



Sec.  113.3-2  Accommodations to religious observance and practice.

    A recipient of financial assistance must accommodate to the 
religious observances and practices of an employee or prospective 
employee unless the recipient demonstrates that it is unable to 
reasonably accommodate to an employee's or prospective employee's 
religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct 
of the employer's business. As part of this obligation, recipient must 
make reasonable accommodations to the religious observances and 
practices of an employee or prospective employee who regularly observes 
Friday evening and Saturday, or some other day of the week, as Sabbath 
and/or who observes certain religious holidays during the year and who 
is conscientiously opposed to performing work or engaging in similar 
activity on such days, when such accommodations can be made without 
undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business. In determining 
the extent of a recipient's obligations under this section, at least the 
following factors should be considered: (a) Business necessity, (b) 
financial costs and expenses, and (c) resulting personnel problems.



Sec.  113.3-3  Structural accommodations for handicapped clients.

    (a) Existing facilities. Recipients in preexisting structures shall 
make their goods or services accessible to and usable by handicapped 
clients. Where structural changes are necessary to make the recipient's 
goods or services accessible, such changes shall be made as soon as 
practicable, but in no event later than three years after the effective 
date of this Regulation. A plan setting forth the steps necessary to 
complete such structural changes shall be developed and submitted to 
SBA. If practical, interested persons, including handicapped persons or 
organizations representing handicapped persons, will be consulted.
    (b) Design, construction, and alteration. New facilities shall be 
designed and constructed to be readily accessible to and usable by 
persons with handicaps. Alterations to existing facilities that affect 
usability shall, to the maximum

[[Page 196]]

extent feasible, be designed and constructed to be readily accessible to 
and usable by handicapped persons.
    (c) Conformance with Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. (1) 
Effective as of January 18, 1991, design, construction, or alteration of 
buildings in conformance with sections 3-8 of the Uniform Federal 
Accessibility Standards (UFAS) (appendix A to 41 CFR subpart 101-19.6) 
shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this section with 
respect to those buildings. Departures from particular technical and 
scoping requirements of UFAS by the use of other methods are permitted 
where substantially equivalent or greater access to and usability of the 
building is provided.
    (2) For purposes of this section, section 4.1.6(1)(g) of UFAS shall 
be interpreted to exempt from the requirements of UFAS only mechanical 
rooms and other spaces that, because of their intended use, will not 
require accessibility to the public or beneficiaries or result in the 
employment or residence therein of persons with physical handicaps.
    (3) This section does not require recipients to make building 
alterations that have little likelihood of being accomplished without 
removing or altering a load-bearing structural member.

[44 FR 20068, Apr. 4, 1979, as amended at 45 FR 81734, Dec. 12, 1980; 55 
FR 52138, 52140, Dec. 19, 1990]



Sec.  113.4  Assurances required.

    An application for financial assistance shall, as a condition to its 
approval and the extension of such assistance, contain or be accompanied 
by an assurance that the recipient will comply with this part. Such an 
assurance shall contain provisions authorizing the acceleration of the 
maturity of the recipient's financial obligations to SBA in the event of 
a failure to comply, and provisions which give the United States a right 
to seek judicial enforcement of the terms of the assurance. SBA shall 
specify the form of the foregoing assurance for each program, and the 
extent to which like assurances will be required of contractors and 
subcontractors, transferees, successors in interest, and other 
participants in the program.



Sec.  113.5  Compliance information.

    (a) Cooperation and assistance: SBA shall to the fullest extent 
practicable seek the cooperation of applicants and recipients in 
obtaining compliance with this part and shall provide assistance and 
guidance to applicants and recipients to help them comply voluntarily 
with this part. Recipients are expected to continually evaluate their 
compliance status, with the assistance of interested persons, including 
handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons.
    (b) Compliance reports: Each applicant or recipient shall keep such 
records and submit to SBA timely, complete and accurate compliance 
reports at such times, and in such form and containing such information, 
as SBA may determine to be necessary to enable SBA to ascertain whether 
the applicant or recipient has complied or is complying with this part. 
In the case of a small business concern which receives financial 
assistance from a development company or from a small business 
investment company, such concern shall submit to the company such 
information as may be necessary to enable the company to meet its 
reporting requirements under this part.
    (c) Access to sources of information: Each applicant or recipient 
shall permit access by SBA during normal business hours to such of its 
books, records, accounts and other sources of information, and its 
facilities as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with this part. 
Where any information required of an applicant or recipient is in the 
exclusive possession of any other agency, institution or person; and 
such agency, institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish this 
information, the applicant or recipient shall so certify in its report 
and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain this information.
    (d) Information to the Public. Each recipient shall make available 
to persons entitled under this part to protection against discrimination 
by the recipient such information as SBA may find necessary to apprise 
them of their rights to such protection.
    (1) In some situations even though past discriminatory practices 
have been abandoned, the consequences of

[[Page 197]]

such practices continue to impede the full availability of equal 
opportunity. If the efforts required of the applicant or recipient under 
Sec.  113.5(b) to provide information as to the availability of equal 
opportunity, and the rights of individuals under this regulation, have 
failed to overcome these consequences, it will become necessary for such 
applicant or recipient to take additional steps to make equal 
opportunity fully available to racial, qualified handicapped, 
nationality groups and persons who because of their sex were previously 
subjected to discrimination.
    (2) Even though an applicant or recipient has never used 
discriminatory policies, the opportunities in the business it operates 
may not in fact be equally available to some racial, qualified 
handicapped, or nationality groups. In such circumstances a recipient 
may properly give special consideration to race, color, religion, sex, 
marital status, qualified handicap or national origin to make the 
opportunities more widely available to such groups.



Sec.  113.6  Conduct of investigations.

    (a) Periodic compliance reviews. SBA shall from time to time review 
the practices of recipients to determine whether they are complying with 
this part.
    (b) Complaints. Any person who believes that he, she or any class of 
individuals has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this part 
may, personally or through a representative, file with SBA a written 
complaint. A complaint must be filed not later than 180 days from the 
date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is 
extended by SBA.
    (c) Investigations. SBA will make a prompt investigation whenever a 
compliance review, report, complaint, or any other information indicates 
a possible failure to comply with this part. The investigation should 
include, where appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and 
policies of the applicant or recipient, the circumstances under which 
the possible noncompliance with this part occurred, and other factors 
relevant to a determination as to whether the applicant or recipient has 
failed to comply with this part.
    (d) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section indicates a failure to comply with this 
part, SBA will so inform the applicant or recipient and the matter will 
be resolved by informal means whenever possible. If it has been 
determined that the matter cannot be resolved by informal means, action 
will be taken as provided for in Sec.  113.7.
    (2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, SBA will so inform the applicant or 
recipient and the complainant, if any, in writing.
    (e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No applicant or 
recipient or other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or 
discriminate against any individual for the purpose of interfering with 
any right or privilege secured by this part or because he has made a 
complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an 
investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. The identity of 
complainants shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary 
to carry out the purposes of this part, including the conduct of any 
investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising thereunder.



Sec.  113.7  Procedure for effecting compliance.

    (a) General. (1) If there appears to be a failure or threatened 
failure to comply with this part and if the noncompliance or threatened 
noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, compliance with 
this part may be effected by suspending, terminating, or refusing any 
financial assistance approved but not yet disbursed to an applicant. In 
the case of loans partially or fully disbursed, compliance with this 
part may be effected by calling, canceling, terminating, accelerating 
repayment, or suspending in whole or in part the financial assistance 
provided. In addition compliance may be effected by any other means 
authorized by law.
    (2) Such other means may include but are not limited to (i) legal 
action by SBA to enforce its rights, embodied in the assurances 
described in Sec.  113.4; (ii) a reference to the Department of Justice 
with a recommendation that

[[Page 198]]

appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any rights of the United 
States under any law of the United States; and (iii) any applicable 
proceedings under State or local law.
    (b) Noncompliance with Sec.  113.4. If an applicant fails or refuses 
to furnish an assurance required under Sec.  113.4 or otherwise fails or 
refuses to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to that 
section, Federal financial assistance may be refused in accordance with 
the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. SBA shall not be 
required to provide assistance in such a case during the pendency of the 
administrative proceedings under such paragraph except that SBA shall 
continue assistance during the pendency of such proceedings where such 
assistance is due and payable pursuant to an application therefor 
approved prior to the effective date of this part. Such proceedings 
shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of part 134 of this 
chapter by an Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Hearings and 
Appeals, who shall issue an initial decision in the case. The 
Admininstrator shall be the reviewing official for purposes of Sec.  
134.228. The applicant's failure to file a timely motion in accordance 
with Sec. Sec.  134.222 and 134.211, requesting that the matter be 
scheduled for an oral hearing, shall constitute waiver of the right to 
an oral hearing but shall not prevent the submission of written 
information and argument for the record in accordance with the 
provisions of part 134.
    (c) Condition precedent. Under this part 113, no order suspending, 
terminating, refusing, calling, canceling, or accelerating repayment of 
financial assistance in whole or in part shall become effective until 
(1) SBA has advised the applicant or recipient of his failure to comply 
and has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means; 
(2) there has been an express finding on the record after an opportunity 
for an oral hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to 
comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part; and (3) 
the initial decision has become final pursuant to Sec.  134.227(b).
    (d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by 
any other means authorized by law shall be taken until:
    (1) SBA has determined that compliance cannot be secured by 
voluntary means.
    (2) The action has been approved by the Administrator or the 
Administrator's designee.
    (3) The applicant or recipient or other person has been notified of 
its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to effect 
compliance.
    (4) The expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of such 
notice to the applicant or recipient or other person. During this period 
of at least 10 days, additional efforts shall be made to persuade the 
applicant or recipient or other person to comply with this part and to 
take such corrective action as may be appropriate.

[44 FR 20068, Apr. 4, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 33629, Aug. 24, 1984; 61 
FR 2691, Jan. 29, 1996]



Sec.  113.8  Effect on other regulations, forms and instructions.

    (a) Effect on other regulations. All regulations, orders of like 
directions heretofore issued by SBA which impose requirements designed 
to prohibit any discrimination against individuals on the grounds of 
race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, age, or national 
origin and which authorize the suspension or termination of a refusal to 
grant to or to continue financial assistance to any applicant for or 
recipient of such assistance for failure to comply with such 
requirements, are hereby superseded to the extent that such 
discrimination is prohibited by this part, except that nothing in this 
part shall be deemed to relieve any person of any obligation assumed or 
imposed under any such superseded regulation, order, instruction or like 
direction prior to the effective date of this part.
    (b) Forms and instructions. SBA shall issue and promptly make 
available to interested persons forms and detailed instructions and 
procedures for effectuating this part.
    (c) Supervision and coordination. The Administrator may from time-
to-time assign to officials of SBA or to officials of other agencies of 
the Government,

[[Page 199]]

with the consent of such agencies, responsibilities in connection with 
the effectuation of the purposes of this part (other than responsibility 
of first decisions as provided in Sec.  113.9) including the achievement 
of effective coordination and maximum uniformity within SBA and within 
the executive branch of the Government in the application of this part 
and of comparable regulations issued by other agencies of the Government 
to similar situations. Any action taken, determination made, or 
requirement imposed by an official of another department or agency 
acting pursuant to an assignment of responsibility under this subsection 
shall have the same effect as though such action had been taken by the 
Administrator of SBA.

[44 FR 20068, Apr. 4, 1979. Redesignated at 49 FR 33629, Aug. 24, 1984]



                Sec. Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 113

------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Name of program                         Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Financial Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular business loans....................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a).
Handicapped assistance loans..............  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(10).
Small business energy loans...............  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(12).
Small general contractors loans...........  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(9).
Export revolving line of credit...........  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(14).
Vietnam-era and Disabled Veterans Loan      Pub. L. 97-72.
 Program.
Debtor State development company loans      Small Business Investment
 (501) and their small business concerns.    Act, Title V and Small
                                             Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(13).
Debtor State and local development company  Small Business Investment
 loans (502) and their small business        Act, Title V and Small
 concerns.                                   Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(13).
Debtor certified development companies      Small Business Investment
 (503) and their small business concerns.    Act, Title V and Small
                                             Business Act, sec.
                                             7(a)(13).
Debtor small business investment companies  Small Business Investment
 and their small business concerns.          Act, Title III.
Pollution Control.........................  Small Business Investment
                                             Act, Title IV, Part A.
Surety bond guarantees....................  Small Business Investment
                                             Act, Title IV, Part B.
Lease guarantees (not funded) disaster      Small Business Investment
 loans.                                      Act, Title IV.
Physical..................................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(b)(1).
Economic injury (EIDL)....................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(b)(2).
Federal action--economic injury...........  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             7(b)(3).
Currency fluctuation--economic injury.....  Small Business Act, sec
                                             7(b)(4).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Nonfinancial Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's business enterprise...............  Executive Order 12138.
Small business innovation and research....  Small Business Act, sec. 9.
Procurement automated source system.......  Small Business Act, sec. 8
                                             and Pub. L. 96-302.
Business Development Program..............  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(a) and Pub. L. 95-507, as
                                             amended by Pub. L. 96-481.
Small Business Institute..................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(b)(1).
Certificate of competency.................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(b)(7) and Pub. L. 95-89.
Subcontracting Assistance Program.........  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(d) and Pub. L. 95-507.
Technology Assistance Program.............  Small Business Act, sec. 9.
Small business development centers........  Small Business Act, sec. 21
                                             and Pub. L. 96-302.
International Trade Program...............  Small Business Act, sec. 22
                                             and Pub. L. 96-481.
Service Corps of Retired Executives and     Small Business Act, secs.
 Active Corps of Executives.                 101 and 8(b)(1) and Pub. L.
                                             95-510.
Veterans Affairs Programs.................  Pub. L. 93-237.
Private sector initiatives................  Small Business Act, sec.
                                             8(b)(1).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[50 FR 1442, Jan. 11, 1985]



Subpart B_Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or 
            Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688.

    Source: 65 FR 52865, 52876, Aug. 30, 2000, unless otherwise noted.

                              Introduction



Sec.  113.100  Purpose and effective date.

    The purpose of these Title IX regulations is to effectuate Title IX 
of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (except sections 904 and 
906 of those Amendments) (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 
1688), which is designed to eliminate (with certain exceptions) 
discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity 
receiving Federal financial assistance, whether or not such program or 
activity is offered or sponsored by an educational institution as 
defined in

[[Page 200]]

these Title IX regulations. The effective date of these Title IX 
regulations shall be September 29, 2000.



Sec.  113.105  Definitions.

    As used in these Title IX regulations, the term:
    Administratively separate unit means a school, department, or 
college of an educational institution (other than a local educational 
agency) admission to which is independent of admission to any other 
component of such institution.
    Admission means selection for part-time, full-time, special, 
associate, transfer, exchange, or any other enrollment, membership, or 
matriculation in or at an education program or activity operated by a 
recipient.
    Applicant means one who submits an application, request, or plan 
required to be approved by an official of the Federal agency that awards 
Federal financial assistance, or by a recipient, as a condition to 
becoming a recipient.
    Designated agency official means Assistant Administrator for Equal 
Employment and Civil Rights Compliance.
    Educational institution means a local educational agency (LEA) as 
defined by 20 U.S.C. 8801(18), a preschool, a private elementary or 
secondary school, or an applicant or recipient that is an institution of 
graduate higher education, an institution of undergraduate higher 
education, an institution of professional education, or an institution 
of vocational education, as defined in this section.
    Federal financial assistance means any of the following, when 
authorized or extended under a law administered by the Federal agency 
that awards such assistance:
    (1) A grant or loan of Federal financial assistance, including funds 
made available for:
    (i) The acquisition, construction, renovation, restoration, or 
repair of a building or facility or any portion thereof; and
    (ii) Scholarships, loans, grants, wages, or other funds extended to 
any entity for payment to or on behalf of students admitted to that 
entity, or extended directly to such students for payment to that 
entity.
    (2) A grant of Federal real or personal property or any interest 
therein, including surplus property, and the proceeds of the sale or 
transfer of such property, if the Federal share of the fair market value 
of the property is not, upon such sale or transfer, properly accounted 
for to the Federal Government.
    (3) Provision of the services of Federal personnel.
    (4) Sale or lease of Federal property or any interest therein at 
nominal consideration, or at consideration reduced for the purpose of 
assisting the recipient or in recognition of public interest to be 
served thereby, or permission to use Federal property or any interest 
therein without consideration.
    (5) Any other contract, agreement, or arrangement that has as one of 
its purposes the provision of assistance to any education program or 
activity, except a contract of insurance or guaranty.
    Institution of graduate higher education means an institution that:
    (1) Offers academic study beyond the bachelor of arts or bachelor of 
science degree, whether or not leading to a certificate of any higher 
degree in the liberal arts and sciences;
    (2) Awards any degree in a professional field beyond the first 
professional degree (regardless of whether the first professional degree 
in such field is awarded by an institution of undergraduate higher 
education or professional education); or
    (3) Awards no degree and offers no further academic study, but 
operates ordinarily for the purpose of facilitating research by persons 
who have received the highest graduate degree in any field of study.
    Institution of professional education means an institution (except 
any institution of undergraduate higher education) that offers a program 
of academic study that leads to a first professional degree in a field 
for which there is a national specialized accrediting agency recognized 
by the Secretary of Education.
    Institution of undergraduate higher education means:
    (1) An institution offering at least two but less than four years of 
college-level study beyond the high school

[[Page 201]]

level, leading to a diploma or an associate degree, or wholly or 
principally creditable toward a baccalaureate degree; or
    (2) An institution offering academic study leading to a 
baccalaureate degree; or
    (3) An agency or body that certifies credentials or offers degrees, 
but that may or may not offer academic study.
    Institution of vocational education means a school or institution 
(except an institution of professional or graduate or undergraduate 
higher education) that has as its primary purpose preparation of 
students to pursue a technical, skilled, or semiskilled occupation or 
trade, or to pursue study in a technical field, whether or not the 
school or institution offers certificates, diplomas, or degrees and 
whether or not it offers full-time study.
    Recipient means any State or political subdivision thereof, or any 
instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof, any public 
or private agency, institution, or organization, or other entity, or any 
person, to whom Federal financial assistance is extended directly or 
through another recipient and that operates an education program or 
activity that receives such assistance, including any subunit, 
successor, assignee, or transferee thereof.
    Student means a person who has gained admission.
    Title IX means Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Public 
Law 92-318, 86 Stat. 235, 373 (codified as amended at 20 U.S.C. 1681-
1688) (except sections 904 and 906 thereof), as amended by section 3 of 
Public Law 93-568, 88 Stat. 1855, by section 412 of the Education 
Amendments of 1976, Public Law 94-482, 90 Stat. 2234, and by Section 3 
of Public Law 100-259, 102 Stat. 28, 28-29 (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 
1685, 1686, 1687, 1688).
    Title IX regulations means the provisions set forth at Sec. Sec.  
113.100 through 113.605.
    Transition plan means a plan subject to the approval of the 
Secretary of Education pursuant to section 901(a)(2) of the Education 
Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. 1681(a)(2), under which an educational 
institution operates in making the transition from being an educational 
institution that admits only students of one sex to being one that 
admits students of both sexes without discrimination.



Sec.  113.110  Remedial and affirmative action and self-evaluation.

    (a) Remedial action. If the designated agency official finds that a 
recipient has discriminated against persons on the basis of sex in an 
education program or activity, such recipient shall take such remedial 
action as the designated agency official deems necessary to overcome the 
effects of such discrimination.
    (b) Affirmative action. In the absence of a finding of 
discrimination on the basis of sex in an education program or activity, 
a recipient may take affirmative action consistent with law to overcome 
the effects of conditions that resulted in limited participation therein 
by persons of a particular sex. Nothing in these Title IX regulations 
shall be interpreted to alter any affirmative action obligations that a 
recipient may have under Executive Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., 
p. 339; as amended by Executive Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 
684; as amended by Executive Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 
803; as amended by Executive Order 12086, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as 
amended by Executive Order 12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264.
    (c) Self-evaluation. Each recipient education institution shall, 
within one year of September 29, 2000:
    (1) Evaluate, in terms of the requirements of these Title IX 
regulations, its current policies and practices and the effects thereof 
concerning admission of students, treatment of students, and employment 
of both academic and non-academic personnel working in connection with 
the recipient's education program or activity;
    (2) Modify any of these policies and practices that do not or may 
not meet the requirements of these Title IX regulations; and
    (3) Take appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any 
discrimination that resulted or may have resulted from adherence to 
these policies and practices.

[[Page 202]]

    (d) Availability of self-evaluation and related materials. 
Recipients shall maintain on file for at least three years following 
completion of the evaluation required under paragraph (c) of this 
section, and shall provide to the designated agency official upon 
request, a description of any modifications made pursuant to paragraph 
(c)(2) of this section and of any remedial steps taken pursuant to 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section.



Sec.  113.115  Assurance required.

    (a) General. Either at the application stage or the award stage, 
Federal agencies must ensure that applications for Federal financial 
assistance or awards of Federal financial assistance contain, be 
accompanied by, or be covered by a specifically identified assurance 
from the applicant or recipient, satisfactory to the designated agency 
official, that each education program or activity operated by the 
applicant or recipient and to which these Title IX regulations apply 
will be operated in compliance with these Title IX regulations. An 
assurance of compliance with these Title IX regulations shall not be 
satisfactory to the designated agency official if the applicant or 
recipient to whom such assurance applies fails to commit itself to take 
whatever remedial action is necessary in accordance with Sec.  
113.110(a) to eliminate existing discrimination on the basis of sex or 
to eliminate the effects of past discrimination whether occurring prior 
to or subsequent to the submission to the designated agency official of 
such assurance.
    (b) Duration of obligation. (1) In the case of Federal financial 
assistance extended to provide real property or structures thereon, such 
assurance shall obligate the recipient or, in the case of a subsequent 
transfer, the transferee, for the period during which the real property 
or structures are used to provide an education program or activity.
    (2) In the case of Federal financial assistance extended to provide 
personal property, such assurance shall obligate the recipient for the 
period during which it retains ownership or possession of the property.
    (3) In all other cases such assurance shall obligate the recipient 
for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended.
    (c) Form. (1) The assurances required by paragraph (a) of this 
section, which may be included as part of a document that addresses 
other assurances or obligations, shall include that the applicant or 
recipient will comply with all applicable Federal statutes relating to 
nondiscrimination. These include but are not limited to: Title IX of the 
Education Amendments of 1972, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1681-1683, 1685-
1688).
    (2) The designated agency official will specify the extent to which 
such assurances will be required of the applicant's or recipient's 
subgrantees, contractors, subcontractors, transferees, or successors in 
interest.



Sec.  113.120  Transfers of property.

    If a recipient sells or otherwise transfers property financed in 
whole or in part with Federal financial assistance to a transferee that 
operates any education program or activity, and the Federal share of the 
fair market value of the property is not upon such sale or transfer 
properly accounted for to the Federal Government, both the transferor 
and the transferee shall be deemed to be recipients, subject to the 
provisions of Sec. Sec.  113.205 through 113.235(a).



Sec.  113.125  Effect of other requirements.

    (a) Effect of other Federal provisions. The obligations imposed by 
these Title IX regulations are independent of, and do not alter, 
obligations not to discriminate on the basis of sex imposed by Executive 
Order 11246, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339; as amended by Executive 
Order 11375, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 684; as amended by Executive 
Order 11478, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 803; as amended by Executive 
Order 12087, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 230; as amended by Executive Order 
12107, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264; sections 704 and 855 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295m, 298b-2); Title VII of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); the Equal Pay Act of 1963 
(29 U.S.C. 206); and any other Act of Congress or Federal regulation.

[[Page 203]]

    (b) Effect of State or local law or other requirements. The 
obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or 
alleviated by any State or local law or other requirement that would 
render any applicant or student ineligible, or limit the eligibility of 
any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, to practice any 
occupation or profession.
    (c) Effect of rules or regulations of private organizations. The 
obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not obviated or 
alleviated by any rule or regulation of any organization, club, athletic 
or other league, or association that would render any applicant or 
student ineligible to participate or limit the eligibility or 
participation of any applicant or student, on the basis of sex, in any 
education program or activity operated by a recipient and that receives 
Federal financial assistance.



Sec.  113.130  Effect of employment opportunities.

    The obligation to comply with these Title IX regulations is not 
obviated or alleviated because employment opportunities in any 
occupation or profession are or may be more limited for members of one 
sex than for members of the other sex.



Sec.  113.135  Designation of responsible employee and adoption 
of grievance procedures.

    (a) Designation of responsible employee. Each recipient shall 
designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with 
and carry out its responsibilities under these Title IX regulations, 
including any investigation of any complaint communicated to such 
recipient alleging its noncompliance with these Title IX regulations or 
alleging any actions that would be prohibited by these Title IX 
regulations. The recipient shall notify all its students and employees 
of the name, office address, and telephone number of the employee or 
employees appointed pursuant to this paragraph.
    (b) Complaint procedure of recipient. A recipient shall adopt and 
publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable 
resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that 
would be prohibited by these Title IX regulations.



Sec.  113.140  Dissemination of policy.

    (a) Notification of policy. (1) Each recipient shall implement 
specific and continuing steps to notify applicants for admission and 
employment, students and parents of elementary and secondary school 
students, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and 
employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding 
collective bargaining or professional agreements with the recipient, 
that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational 
programs or activities that it operates, and that it is required by 
Title IX and these Title IX regulations not to discriminate in such a 
manner. Such notification shall contain such information, and be made in 
such manner, as the designated agency official finds necessary to 
apprise such persons of the protections against discrimination assured 
them by Title IX and these Title IX regulations, but shall state at 
least that the requirement not to discriminate in education programs or 
activities extends to employment therein, and to admission thereto 
unless Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 do not apply to the recipient, 
and that inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and these 
Title IX regulations to such recipient may be referred to the employee 
designated pursuant to Sec.  113.135, or to the designated agency 
official.
    (2) Each recipient shall make the initial notification required by 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section within 90 days of September 29, 2000 or 
of the date these Title IX regulations first apply to such recipient, 
whichever comes later, which notification shall include publication in:
    (i) Newspapers and magazines operated by such recipient or by 
student, alumnae, or alumni groups for or in connection with such 
recipient; and
    (ii) Memoranda or other written communications distributed to every 
student and employee of such recipient.
    (b) Publications. (1) Each recipient shall prominently include a 
statement of the policy described in paragraph (a) of this section in 
each announcement, bulletin, catalog, or application form

[[Page 204]]

that it makes available to any person of a type, described in paragraph 
(a) of this section, or which is otherwise used in connection with the 
recruitment of students or employees.
    (2) A recipient shall not use or distribute a publication of the 
type described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that suggests, by 
text or illustration, that such recipient treats applicants, students, 
or employees differently on the basis of sex except as such treatment is 
permitted by these Title IX regulations.
    (c) Distribution. Each recipient shall distribute without 
discrimination on the basis of sex each publication described in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and shall apprise each of its 
admission and employment recruitment representatives of the policy of 
nondiscrimination described in paragraph (a) of this section, and shall 
require such representatives to adhere to such policy.

                                Coverage



Sec.  113.200  Application.

    Except as provided in Sec. Sec.  113.205 through 113.235(a), these 
Title IX regulations apply to every recipient and to each education 
program or activity operated by such recipient that receives Federal 
financial assistance.



Sec.  113.205  Educational institutions and other entities controlled 
by religious organizations.

    (a) Exemption. These Title IX regulations do not apply to any 
operation of an educational institution or other entity that is 
controlled by a religious organization to the extent that application of 
these Title IX regulations would not be consistent with the religious 
tenets of such organization.
    (b) Exemption claims. An educational institution or other entity 
that wishes to claim the exemption set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section shall do so by submitting in writing to the designated agency 
official a statement by the highest-ranking official of the institution, 
identifying the provisions of these Title IX regulations that conflict 
with a specific tenet of the religious organization.



Sec.  113.210  Military and merchant marine educational institutions.

    These Title IX regulations do not apply to an educational 
institution whose primary purpose is the training of individuals for a 
military service of the United States or for the merchant marine.



Sec.  113.215  Membership practices of certain organizations.

    (a) Social fraternities and sororities. These Title IX regulations 
do not apply to the membership practices of social fraternities and 
sororities that are exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), the active membership 
of which consists primarily of students in attendance at institutions of 
higher education.
    (b) YMCA, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls. These 
Title IX regulations do not apply to the membership practices of the 
Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the Young Women's Christian 
Association (YWCA), the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and Camp Fire 
Girls.
    (c) Voluntary youth service organizations. These Title IX 
regulations do not apply to the membership practices of a voluntary 
youth service organization that is exempt from taxation under section 
501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. 501(a), and the 
membership of which has been traditionally limited to members of one sex 
and principally to persons of less than nineteen years of age.



Sec.  113.220  Admissions.

    (a) Admissions to educational institutions prior to June 24, 1973, 
are not covered by these Title IX regulations.
    (b) Administratively separate units. For the purposes only of this 
section, Sec. Sec.  113.225 and 113.230, and Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 
113.310, each administratively separate unit shall be deemed to be an 
educational institution.
    (c) Application of Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310. Except as 
provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, Sec. Sec.  113.300 
through 113.310 apply to each recipient. A recipient to which Sec. Sec.  
113.300

[[Page 205]]

through 113.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in 
admission or recruitment in violation of Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 
113.310.
    (d) Educational institutions. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of 
this section as to recipients that are educational institutions, 
Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 apply only to institutions of 
vocational education, professional education, graduate higher education, 
and public institutions of undergraduate higher education.
    (e) Public institutions of undergraduate higher education. 
Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 do not apply to any public 
institution of undergraduate higher education that traditionally and 
continually from its establishment has had a policy of admitting 
students of only one sex.



Sec.  113.225  Educational institutions eligible to submit transition plans.

    (a) Application. This section applies to each educational 
institution to which Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 apply that:
    (1) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 
23, 1972; or
    (2) Admitted students of only one sex as regular students as of June 
23, 1965, but thereafter admitted, as regular students, students of the 
sex not admitted prior to June 23, 1965.
    (b) Provision for transition plans. An educational institution to 
which this section applies shall not discriminate on the basis of sex in 
admission or recruitment in violation of Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 
113.310.



Sec.  113.230  Transition plans.

    (a) Submission of plans. An institution to which Sec.  113.225 
applies and that is composed of more than one administratively separate 
unit may submit either a single transition plan applicable to all such 
units, or a separate transition plan applicable to each such unit.
    (b) Content of plans. In order to be approved by the Secretary of 
Education, a transition plan shall:
    (1) State the name, address, and Federal Interagency Committee on 
Education Code of the educational institution submitting such plan, the 
administratively separate units to which the plan is applicable, and the 
name, address, and telephone number of the person to whom questions 
concerning the plan may be addressed. The person who submits the plan 
shall be the chief administrator or president of the institution, or 
another individual legally authorized to bind the institution to all 
actions set forth in the plan.
    (2) State whether the educational institution or administratively 
separate unit admits students of both sexes as regular students and, if 
so, when it began to do so.
    (3) Identify and describe with respect to the educational 
institution or administratively separate unit any obstacles to admitting 
students without discrimination on the basis of sex.
    (4) Describe in detail the steps necessary to eliminate as soon as 
practicable each obstacle so identified and indicate the schedule for 
taking these steps and the individual directly responsible for their 
implementation.
    (5) Include estimates of the number of students, by sex, expected to 
apply for, be admitted to, and enter each class during the period 
covered by the plan.
    (c) Nondiscrimination. No policy or practice of a recipient to which 
Sec.  113.225 applies shall result in treatment of applicants to or 
students of such recipient in violation of Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 
113.310 unless such treatment is necessitated by an obstacle identified 
in paragraph (b)(3) of this section and a schedule for eliminating that 
obstacle has been provided as required by paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section.
    (d) Effects of past exclusion. To overcome the effects of past 
exclusion of students on the basis of sex, each educational institution 
to which Sec.  113.225 applies shall include in its transition plan, and 
shall implement, specific steps designed to encourage individuals of the 
previously excluded sex to apply for admission to such institution. Such 
steps shall include instituting recruitment programs that emphasize the 
institution's commitment to enrolling students of the sex previously 
excluded.

[[Page 206]]



Sec.  113.235  Statutory amendments.

    (a) This section, which applies to all provisions of these Title IX 
regulations, addresses statutory amendments to Title IX.
    (b) These Title IX regulations shall not apply to or preclude:
    (1) Any program or activity of the American Legion undertaken in 
connection with the organization or operation of any Boys State 
conference, Boys Nation conference, Girls State conference, or Girls 
Nation conference;
    (2) Any program or activity of a secondary school or educational 
institution specifically for:
    (i) The promotion of any Boys State conference, Boys Nation 
conference, Girls State conference, or Girls Nation conference; or
    (ii) The selection of students to attend any such conference;
    (3) Father-son or mother-daughter activities at an educational 
institution or in an education program or activity, but if such 
activities are provided for students of one sex, opportunities for 
reasonably comparable activities shall be provided to students of the 
other sex;
    (4) Any scholarship or other financial assistance awarded by an 
institution of higher education to an individual because such individual 
has received such award in a single-sex pageant based upon a combination 
of factors related to the individual's personal appearance, poise, and 
talent. The pageant, however, must comply with other nondiscrimination 
provisions of Federal law.
    (c) Program or activity or program means:
    (1) All of the operations of any entity described in paragraphs 
(c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section, any part of which is extended 
Federal financial assistance:
    (i)(A) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
    (B) The entity of such State or local government that distributes 
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State 
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the 
case of assistance to a State or local government;
    (ii)(A) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, 
or a public system of higher education; or
    (B) A local educational agency (as defined in section 8801 of title 
20), system of vocational education, or other school system;
    (iii)(A) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private 
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
    (1) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, 
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
    (2) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing 
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and 
recreation; or
    (B) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate 
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case 
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole 
proprietorship; or
    (iv) Any other entity that is established by two or more of the 
entities described in paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this 
section.
    (2)(i) Program or activity does not include any operation of an 
entity that is controlled by a religious organization if the application 
of 20 U.S.C. 1681 to such operation would not be consistent with the 
religious tenets of such organization.
    (ii) For example, all of the operations of a college, university, or 
other postsecondary institution, including but not limited to 
traditional educational operations, faculty and student housing, campus 
shuttle bus service, campus restaurants, the bookstore, and other 
commercial activities are part of a ``program or activity'' subject to 
these Title IX regulations if the college, university, or other 
institution receives Federal financial assistance.
    (d)(1) Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be construed to 
require or prohibit any person, or public or private entity, to provide 
or pay for any benefit or service, including the use of facilities, 
related to an abortion. Medical procedures, benefits, services, and the 
use of facilities, necessary to save

[[Page 207]]

the life of a pregnant woman or to address complications related to an 
abortion are not subject to this section.
    (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a penalty 
to be imposed on any person or individual because such person or 
individual is seeking or has received any benefit or service related to 
a legal abortion. Accordingly, subject to paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied 
the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, 
extracurricular, research, occupational training, employment, or other 
educational program or activity operated by a recipient that receives 
Federal financial assistance because such individual has sought or 
received, or is seeking, a legal abortion, or any benefit or service 
related to a legal abortion.

    Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment 
                               Prohibited



Sec.  113.300  Admission.

    (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied 
admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any 
recipient to which Sec. Sec.  113.300 through Sec. Sec.  113.310 apply, 
except as provided in Sec. Sec.  113.225 and Sec. Sec.  113.230.
    (b) Specific prohibitions. (1) In determining whether a person 
satisfies any policy or criterion for admission, or in making any offer 
of admission, a recipient to which Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 
apply shall not:
    (i) Give preference to one person over another on the basis of sex, 
by ranking applicants separately on such basis, or otherwise;
    (ii) Apply numerical limitations upon the number or proportion of 
persons of either sex who may be admitted; or
    (iii) Otherwise treat one individual differently from another on the 
basis of sex.
    (2) A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other 
criterion for admission that has a disproportionately adverse effect on 
persons on the basis of sex unless the use of such test or criterion is 
shown to predict validly success in the education program or activity in 
question and alternative tests or criteria that do not have such a 
disproportionately adverse effect are shown to be unavailable.
    (c) Prohibitions relating to marital or parental status. In 
determining whether a person satisfies any policy or criterion for 
admission, or in making any offer of admission, a recipient to which 
Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 apply:
    (1) Shall not apply any rule concerning the actual or potential 
parental, family, or marital status of a student or applicant that 
treats persons differently on the basis of sex;
    (2) Shall not discriminate against or exclude any person on the 
basis of pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery 
therefrom, or establish or follow any rule or practice that so 
discriminates or excludes;
    (3) Subject to Sec.  113.235(d), shall treat disabilities related to 
pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom 
in the same manner and under the same policies as any other temporary 
disability or physical condition; and
    (4) Shall not make pre-admission inquiry as to the marital status of 
an applicant for admission, including whether such applicant is ``Miss'' 
or ``Mrs.'' A recipient may make pre-admission inquiry as to the sex of 
an applicant for admission, but only if such inquiry is made equally of 
such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are not 
used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX 
regulations.



Sec.  113.305  Preference in admission.

    A recipient to which Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 apply shall 
not give preference to applicants for admission, on the basis of 
attendance at any educational institution or other school or entity that 
admits as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if the 
giving of such preference has the effect of discriminating on the basis 
of sex in violation of Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310.



Sec.  113.310  Recruitment.

    (a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment. A recipient to which Sec. Sec.  
113.300 through 113.310 apply shall not discriminate on the basis of sex 
in the recruitment and admission of students. A recipient may

[[Page 208]]

be required to undertake additional recruitment efforts for one sex as 
remedial action pursuant to Sec.  113.110(a), and may choose to 
undertake such efforts as affirmative action pursuant to Sec.  
113.110(b).
    (b) Recruitment at certain institutions. A recipient to which 
Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 apply shall not recruit primarily or 
exclusively at educational institutions, schools, or entities that admit 
as students only or predominantly members of one sex, if such actions 
have the effect of discriminating on the basis of sex in violation of 
Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310.

 Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities 
                               Prohibited



Sec.  113.400  Education programs or activities.

    (a) General. Except as provided elsewhere in these Title IX 
regulations, no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from 
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to 
discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, 
occupational training, or other education program or activity operated 
by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance. Sections 
113.400 through 113.455 do not apply to actions of a recipient in 
connection with admission of its students to an education program or 
activity of a recipient to which Sec. Sec.  113.300 through 113.310 do 
not apply, or an entity, not a recipient, to which Sec. Sec.  113.300 
through 113.310 would not apply if the entity were a recipient.
    (b) Specific prohibitions. Except as provided in Sec. Sec.  113.400 
through 113.455, in providing any aid, benefit, or service to a student, 
a recipient shall not, on the basis of sex:
    (1) Treat one person differently from another in determining whether 
such person satisfies any requirement or condition for the provision of 
such aid, benefit, or service;
    (2) Provide different aid, benefits, or services or provide aid, 
benefits, or services in a different manner;
    (3) Deny any person any such aid, benefit, or service;
    (4) Subject any person to separate or different rules of behavior, 
sanctions, or other treatment;
    (5) Apply any rule concerning the domicile or residence of a student 
or applicant, including eligibility for in-state fees and tuition;
    (6) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against any person by providing 
significant assistance to any agency, organization, or person that 
discriminates on the basis of sex in providing any aid, benefit, or 
service to students or employees;
    (7) Otherwise limit any person in the enjoyment of any right, 
privilege, advantage, or opportunity.
    (c) Assistance administered by a recipient educational institution 
to study at a foreign institution. A recipient educational institution 
may administer or assist in the administration of scholarships, 
fellowships, or other awards established by foreign or domestic wills, 
trusts, or similar legal instruments, or by acts of foreign governments 
and restricted to members of one sex, that are designed to provide 
opportunities to study abroad, and that are awarded to students who are 
already matriculating at or who are graduates of the recipient 
institution; Provided, that a recipient educational institution that 
administers or assists in the administration of such scholarships, 
fellowships, or other awards that are restricted to members of one sex 
provides, or otherwise makes available, reasonable opportunities for 
similar studies for members of the other sex. Such opportunities may be 
derived from either domestic or foreign sources.
    (d) Aids, benefits or services not provided by recipient. (1) This 
paragraph (d) applies to any recipient that requires participation by 
any applicant, student, or employee in any education program or activity 
not operated wholly by such recipient, or that facilitates, permits, or 
considers such participation as part of or equivalent to an education 
program or activity operated by such recipient, including participation 
in educational consortia and cooperative employment and student-teaching 
assignments.
    (2) Such recipient:

[[Page 209]]

    (i) Shall develop and implement a procedure designed to assure 
itself that the operator or sponsor of such other education program or 
activity takes no action affecting any applicant, student, or employee 
of such recipient that these Title IX regulations would prohibit such 
recipient from taking; and
    (ii) Shall not facilitate, require, permit, or consider such 
participation if such action occurs.



Sec.  113.405  Housing.

    (a) Generally. A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, apply 
different rules or regulations, impose different fees or requirements, 
or offer different services or benefits related to housing, except as 
provided in this section (including housing provided only to married 
students).
    (b) Housing provided by recipient. (1) A recipient may provide 
separate housing on the basis of sex.
    (2) Housing provided by a recipient to students of one sex, when 
compared to that provided to students of the other sex, shall be as a 
whole:
    (i) Proportionate in quantity to the number of students of that sex 
applying for such housing; and
    (ii) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.
    (c) Other housing. (1) A recipient shall not, on the basis of sex, 
administer different policies or practices concerning occupancy by its 
students of housing other than that provided by such recipient.
    (2)(i) A recipient which, through solicitation, listing, approval of 
housing, or otherwise, assists any agency, organization, or person in 
making housing available to any of its students, shall take such 
reasonable action as may be necessary to assure itself that such housing 
as is provided to students of one sex, when compared to that provided to 
students of the other sex, is as a whole:
    (A) Proportionate in quantity; and
    (B) Comparable in quality and cost to the student.
    (ii) A recipient may render such assistance to any agency, 
organization, or person that provides all or part of such housing to 
students of only one sex.



Sec.  113.410  Comparable facilities.

    A recipient may provide separate toilet, locker room, and shower 
facilities on the basis of sex, but such facilities provided for 
students of one sex shall be comparable to such facilities provided for 
students of the other sex.



Sec.  113.415  Access to course offerings.

    (a) A recipient shall not provide any course or otherwise carry out 
any of its education program or activity separately on the basis of sex, 
or require or refuse participation therein by any of its students on 
such basis, including health, physical education, industrial, business, 
vocational, technical, home economics, music, and adult education 
courses.
    (b)(1) With respect to classes and activities in physical education 
at the elementary school level, the recipient shall comply fully with 
this section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one 
year from September 29, 2000. With respect to physical education classes 
and activities at the secondary and post-secondary levels, the recipient 
shall comply fully with this section as expeditiously as possible but in 
no event later than three years from September 29, 2000.
    (2) This section does not prohibit grouping of students in physical 
education classes and activities by ability as assessed by objective 
standards of individual performance developed and applied without regard 
to sex.
    (3) This section does not prohibit separation of students by sex 
within physical education classes or activities during participation in 
wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and other 
sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily contact.
    (4) Where use of a single standard of measuring skill or progress in 
a physical education class has an adverse effect on members of one sex, 
the recipient shall use appropriate standards that do not have such 
effect.
    (5) Portions of classes in elementary and secondary schools, or 
portions of education programs or activities, that deal exclusively with 
human sexuality may be conducted in separate sessions for boys and 
girls.

[[Page 210]]

    (6) Recipients may make requirements based on vocal range or quality 
that may result in a chorus or choruses of one or predominantly one sex.



Sec.  113.420  Access to schools operated by LEAs.

    A recipient that is a local educational agency shall not, on the 
basis of sex, exclude any person from admission to:
    (a) Any institution of vocational education operated by such 
recipient; or
    (b) Any other school or educational unit operated by such recipient, 
unless such recipient otherwise makes available to such person, pursuant 
to the same policies and criteria of admission, courses, services, and 
facilities comparable to each course, service, and facility offered in 
or through such schools.



Sec.  113.425  Counseling and use of appraisal and counseling materials.

    (a) Counseling. A recipient shall not discriminate against any 
person on the basis of sex in the counseling or guidance of students or 
applicants for admission.
    (b) Use of appraisal and counseling materials. A recipient that uses 
testing or other materials for appraising or counseling students shall 
not use different materials for students on the basis of their sex or 
use materials that permit or require different treatment of students on 
such basis unless such different materials cover the same occupations 
and interest areas and the use of such different materials is shown to 
be essential to eliminate sex bias. Recipients shall develop and use 
internal procedures for ensuring that such materials do not discriminate 
on the basis of sex. Where the use of a counseling test or other 
instrument results in a substantially disproportionate number of members 
of one sex in any particular course of study or classification, the 
recipient shall take such action as is necessary to assure itself that 
such disproportion is not the result of discrimination in the instrument 
or its application.
    (c) Disproportion in classes. Where a recipient finds that a 
particular class contains a substantially disproportionate number of 
individuals of one sex, the recipient shall take such action as is 
necessary to assure itself that such disproportion is not the result of 
discrimination on the basis of sex in counseling or appraisal materials 
or by counselors.



Sec.  113.430  Financial assistance.

    (a) General. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section, in providing financial assistance to any of its students, a 
recipient shall not:
    (1) On the basis of sex, provide different amounts or types of such 
assistance, limit eligibility for such assistance that is of any 
particular type or source, apply different criteria, or otherwise 
discriminate;
    (2) Through solicitation, listing, approval, provision of 
facilities, or other services, assist any foundation, trust, agency, 
organization, or person that provides assistance to any of such 
recipient's students in a manner that discriminates on the basis of sex; 
or
    (3) Apply any rule or assist in application of any rule concerning 
eligibility for such assistance that treats persons of one sex 
differently from persons of the other sex with regard to marital or 
parental status.
    (b) Financial aid established by certain legal instruments. (1) A 
recipient may administer or assist in the administration of 
scholarships, fellowships, or other forms of financial assistance 
established pursuant to domestic or foreign wills, trusts, bequests, or 
similar legal instruments or by acts of a foreign government that 
require that awards be made to members of a particular sex specified 
therein; Provided, that the overall effect of the award of such sex-
restricted scholarships, fellowships, and other forms of financial 
assistance does not discriminate on the basis of sex.
    (2) To ensure nondiscriminatory awards of assistance as required in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, recipients shall develop and use 
procedures under which:
    (i) Students are selected for award of financial assistance on the 
basis of nondiscriminatory criteria and not on the basis of availability 
of funds restricted to members of a particular sex;
    (ii) An appropriate sex-restricted scholarship, fellowship, or other 
form

[[Page 211]]

of financial assistance is allocated to each student selected under 
paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section; and
    (iii) No student is denied the award for which he or she was 
selected under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section because of the 
absence of a scholarship, fellowship, or other form of financial 
assistance designated for a member of that student's sex.
    (c) Athletic scholarships. (1) To the extent that a recipient awards 
athletic scholarships or grants-in-aid, it must provide reasonable 
opportunities for such awards for members of each sex in proportion to 
the number of students of each sex participating in interscholastic or 
intercollegiate athletics.
    (2) A recipient may provide separate athletic scholarships or 
grants-in-aid for members of each sex as part of separate athletic teams 
for members of each sex to the extent consistent with this paragraph (c) 
and Sec.  113.450.



Sec.  113.435  Employment assistance to students.

    (a) Assistance by recipient in making available outside employment. 
A recipient that assists any agency, organization, or person in making 
employment available to any of its students:
    (1) Shall assure itself that such employment is made available 
without discrimination on the basis of sex; and
    (2) Shall not render such services to any agency, organization, or 
person that discriminates on the basis of sex in its employment 
practices.
    (b) Employment of students by recipients. A recipient that employs 
any of its students shall not do so in a manner that violates Sec. Sec.  
113.500 through 113.550.



Sec.  113.440  Health and insurance benefits and services.

    Subject to Sec.  113.235(d), in providing a medical, hospital, 
accident, or life insurance benefit, service, policy, or plan to any of 
its students, a recipient shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, or 
provide such benefit, service, policy, or plan in a manner that would 
violate Sec. Sec.  113.500 through 113.550 if it were provided to 
employees of the recipient. This section shall not prohibit a recipient 
from providing any benefit or service that may be used by a different 
proportion of students of one sex than of the other, including family 
planning services. However, any recipient that provides full coverage 
health service shall provide gynecological care.



Sec.  113.445  Marital or parental status.

    (a) Status generally. A recipient shall not apply any rule 
concerning a student's actual or potential parental, family, or marital 
status that treats students differently on the basis of sex.
    (b) Pregnancy and related conditions. (1) A recipient shall not 
discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its 
education program or activity, including any class or extracurricular 
activity, on the basis of such student's pregnancy, childbirth, false 
pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery therefrom, unless the 
student requests voluntarily to participate in a separate portion of the 
program or activity of the recipient.
    (2) A recipient may require such a student to obtain the 
certification of a physician that the student is physically and 
emotionally able to continue participation as long as such a 
certification is required of all students for other physical or 
emotional conditions requiring the attention of a physician.
    (3) A recipient that operates a portion of its education program or 
activity separately for pregnant students, admittance to which is 
completely voluntary on the part of the student as provided in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, shall ensure that the separate portion is 
comparable to that offered to non-pregnant students.
    (4) Subject to Sec.  113.235(d), a recipient shall treat pregnancy, 
childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery 
therefrom in the same manner and under the same policies as any other 
temporary disability with respect to any medical or hospital benefit, 
service, plan, or policy that such recipient administers, operates, 
offers, or participates in with respect to students admitted to the 
recipient's educational program or activity.
    (5) In the case of a recipient that does not maintain a leave policy 
for its students, or in the case of a student who does not otherwise 
qualify for leave under such a policy, a recipient shall treat 
pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and

[[Page 212]]

recovery therefrom as a justification for a leave of absence for as long 
a period of time as is deemed medically necessary by the student's 
physician, at the conclusion of which the student shall be reinstated to 
the status that she held when the leave began.



Sec.  113.450  Athletics.

    (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from 
participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from 
another person, or otherwise be discriminated against in any 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics offered 
by a recipient, and no recipient shall provide any such athletics 
separately on such basis.
    (b) Separate teams. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph 
(a) of this section, a recipient may operate or sponsor separate teams 
for members of each sex where selection for such teams is based upon 
competitive skill or the activity involved is a contact sport. However, 
where a recipient operates or sponsors a team in a particular sport for 
members of one sex but operates or sponsors no such team for members of 
the other sex, and athletic opportunities for members of that sex have 
previously been limited, members of the excluded sex must be allowed to 
try out for the team offered unless the sport involved is a contact 
sport. For the purposes of these Title IX regulations, contact sports 
include boxing, wrestling, rugby, ice hockey, football, basketball, and 
other sports the purpose or major activity of which involves bodily 
contact.
    (c) Equal opportunity. (1) A recipient that operates or sponsors 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics shall 
provide equal athletic opportunity for members of both sexes. In 
determining whether equal opportunities are available, the designated 
agency official will consider, among other factors:
    (i) Whether the selection of sports and levels of competition 
effectively accommodate the interests and abilities of members of both 
sexes;
    (ii) The provision of equipment and supplies;
    (iii) Scheduling of games and practice time;
    (iv) Travel and per diem allowance;
    (v) Opportunity to receive coaching and academic tutoring;
    (vi) Assignment and compensation of coaches and tutors;
    (vii) Provision of locker rooms, practice, and competitive 
facilities;
    (viii) Provision of medical and training facilities and services;
    (ix) Provision of housing and dining facilities and services;
    (x) Publicity.
    (2) For purposes of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, unequal 
aggregate expenditures for members of each sex or unequal expenditures 
for male and female teams if a recipient operates or sponsors separate 
teams will not constitute noncompliance with this section, but the 
designated agency official may consider the failure to provide necessary 
funds for teams for one sex in assessing equality of opportunity for 
members of each sex.
    (d) Adjustment period. A recipient that operates or sponsors 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the 
elementary school level shall comply fully with this section as 
expeditiously as possible but in no event later than one year from 
September 29, 2000. A recipient that operates or sponsors 
interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics at the 
secondary or postsecondary school level shall comply fully with this 
section as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than three 
years from September 29, 2000.



Sec.  113.455  Textbooks and curricular material.

    Nothing in these Title IX regulations shall be interpreted as 
requiring or prohibiting or abridging in any way the use of particular 
textbooks or curricular materials.

 Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Employment in Education Programs 
                        or Activities Prohibited



Sec.  113.500  Employment.

    (a) General. (1) No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded 
from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to 
discrimination in employment, or recruitment, consideration, or 
selection therefor, whether

[[Page 213]]

full-time or part-time, under any education program or activity operated 
by a recipient that receives Federal financial assistance.
    (2) A recipient shall make all employment decisions in any education 
program or activity operated by such recipient in a nondiscriminatory 
manner and shall not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or 
employees in any way that could adversely affect any applicant's or 
employee's employment opportunities or status because of sex.
    (3) A recipient shall not enter into any contractual or other 
relationship which directly or indirectly has the effect of subjecting 
employees or students to discrimination prohibited by Sec. Sec.  113.500 
through 113.550, including relationships with employment and referral 
agencies, with labor unions, and with organizations providing or 
administering fringe benefits to employees of the recipient.
    (4) A recipient shall not grant preferences to applicants for 
employment on the basis of attendance at any educational institution or 
entity that admits as students only or predominantly members of one sex, 
if the giving of such preferences has the effect of discriminating on 
the basis of sex in violation of these Title IX regulations.
    (b) Application. The provisions of Sec. Sec.  113.500 through 
113.550 apply to:
    (1) Recruitment, advertising, and the process of application for 
employment;
    (2) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, consideration for and award of 
tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, application of nepotism 
policies, right of return from layoff, and rehiring;
    (3) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation, and changes in 
compensation;
    (4) Job assignments, classifications, and structure, including 
position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists;
    (5) The terms of any collective bargaining agreement;
    (6) Granting and return from leaves of absence, leave for pregnancy, 
childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, leave for persons 
of either sex to care for children or dependents, or any other leave;
    (7) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or 
not administered by the recipient;
    (8) Selection and financial support for training, including 
apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related 
activities, selection for tuition assistance, selection for sabbaticals 
and leaves of absence to pursue training;
    (9) Employer-sponsored activities, including social or recreational 
programs; and
    (10) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment.



Sec.  113.505  Employment criteria.

    A recipient shall not administer or operate any test or other 
criterion for any employment opportunity that has a disproportionately 
adverse effect on persons on the basis of sex unless:
    (a) Use of such test or other criterion is shown to predict validly 
successful performance in the position in question; and
    (b) Alternative tests or criteria for such purpose, which do not 
have such disproportionately adverse effect, are shown to be 
unavailable.



Sec.  113.510  Recruitment.

    (a) Nondiscriminatory recruitment and hiring. A recipient shall not 
discriminate on the basis of sex in the recruitment and hiring of 
employees. Where a recipient has been found to be presently 
discriminating on the basis of sex in the recruitment or hiring of 
employees, or has been found to have so discriminated in the past, the 
recipient shall recruit members of the sex so discriminated against so 
as to overcome the effects of such past or present discrimination.
    (b) Recruitment patterns. A recipient shall not recruit primarily or 
exclusively at entities that furnish as applicants only or predominantly 
members of one sex if such actions have the effect of discriminating on 
the basis of sex in violation of Sec. Sec.  113.500 through 113.550.



Sec.  113.515  Compensation.

    A recipient shall not make or enforce any policy or practice that, 
on the basis of sex:

[[Page 214]]

    (a) Makes distinctions in rates of pay or other compensation;
    (b) Results in the payment of wages to employees of one sex at a 
rate less than that paid to employees of the opposite sex for equal work 
on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and 
responsibility, and that are performed under similar working conditions.



Sec.  113.520  Job classification and structure.

    A recipient shall not:
    (a) Classify a job as being for males or for females;
    (b) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority 
lists, career ladders, or tenure systems based on sex; or
    (c) Maintain or establish separate lines of progression, seniority 
systems, career ladders, or tenure systems for similar jobs, position 
descriptions, or job requirements that classify persons on the basis of 
sex, unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the 
positions in question as set forth in Sec.  113.550.



Sec.  113.525  Fringe benefits.

    (a) ``Fringe benefits'' defined. For purposes of these Title IX 
regulations, fringe benefits means: Any medical, hospital, accident, 
life insurance, or retirement benefit, service, policy or plan, any 
profit-sharing or bonus plan, leave, and any other benefit or service of 
employment not subject to the provision of Sec.  113.515.
    (b) Prohibitions. A recipient shall not:
    (1) Discriminate on the basis of sex with regard to making fringe 
benefits available to employees or make fringe benefits available to 
spouses, families, or dependents of employees differently upon the basis 
of the employee's sex;
    (2) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a fringe benefit 
plan that does not provide for equal periodic benefits for members of 
each sex and for equal contributions to the plan by such recipient for 
members of each sex; or
    (3) Administer, operate, offer, or participate in a pension or 
retirement plan that establishes different optional or compulsory 
retirement ages based on sex or that otherwise discriminates in benefits 
on the basis of sex.



Sec.  113.530  Marital or parental status.

    (a) General. A recipient shall not apply any policy or take any 
employment action:
    (1) Concerning the potential marital, parental, or family status of 
an employee or applicant for employment that treats persons differently 
on the basis of sex; or
    (2) Which is based upon whether an employee or applicant for 
employment is the head of household or principal wage earner in such 
employee's or applicant's family unit.
    (b) Pregnancy. A recipient shall not discriminate against or exclude 
from employment any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of 
pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or 
recovery therefrom.
    (c) Pregnancy as a temporary disability. Subject to Sec.  
113.235(d), a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, false 
pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, recovery therefrom, and any 
temporary disability resulting therefrom as any other temporary 
disability for all job-related purposes, including commencement, 
duration, and extensions of leave, payment of disability income, accrual 
of seniority and any other benefit or service, and reinstatement, and 
under any fringe benefit offered to employees by virtue of employment.
    (d) Pregnancy leave. In the case of a recipient that does not 
maintain a leave policy for its employees, or in the case of an employee 
with insufficient leave or accrued employment time to qualify for leave 
under such a policy, a recipient shall treat pregnancy, childbirth, 
false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and recovery therefrom as a 
justification for a leave of absence without pay for a reasonable period 
of time, at the conclusion of which the employee shall be reinstated to 
the status that she held when the leave began or to a comparable 
position, without decrease in rate of compensation or loss of 
promotional opportunities, or any other right or privilege of 
employment.



Sec.  113.535  Effect of state or local law or other requirements.

    (a) Prohibitory requirements. The obligation to comply with 
Sec. Sec.  113.500

[[Page 215]]

through 113.550 is not obviated or alleviated by the existence of any 
State or local law or other requirement that imposes prohibitions or 
limits upon employment of members of one sex that are not imposed upon 
members of the other sex.
    (b) Benefits. A recipient that provides any compensation, service, 
or benefit to members of one sex pursuant to a State or local law or 
other requirement shall provide the same compensation, service, or 
benefit to members of the other sex.



Sec.  113.540  Advertising.

    A recipient shall not in any advertising related to employment 
indicate preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based 
on sex unless sex is a bona fide occupational qualification for the 
particular job in question.



Sec.  113.545  Pre-employment inquiries.

    (a) Marital status. A recipient shall not make pre-employment 
inquiry as to the marital status of an applicant for employment, 
including whether such applicant is ``Miss'' or ``Mrs.''
    (b) Sex. A recipient may make pre-employment inquiry as to the sex 
of an applicant for employment, but only if such inquiry is made equally 
of such applicants of both sexes and if the results of such inquiry are 
not used in connection with discrimination prohibited by these Title IX 
regulations.



Sec.  113.550  Sex as a bona fide occupational qualification.

    A recipient may take action otherwise prohibited by Sec. Sec.  
113.500 through 113.550 provided it is shown that sex is a bona fide 
occupational qualification for that action, such that consideration of 
sex with regard to such action is essential to successful operation of 
the employment function concerned. A recipient shall not take action 
pursuant to this section that is based upon alleged comparative 
employment characteristics or stereotyped characterizations of one or 
the other sex, or upon preference based on sex of the recipient, 
employees, students, or other persons, but nothing contained in this 
section shall prevent a recipient from considering an employee's sex in 
relation to employment in a locker room or toilet facility used only by 
members of one sex.

                               Procedures



Sec.  113.600  Notice of covered programs.

    Within 60 days of September 29, 2000, each Federal agency that 
awards Federal financial assistance shall publish in the Federal 
Register a notice of the programs covered by these Title IX regulations. 
Each such Federal agency shall periodically republish the notice of 
covered programs to reflect changes in covered programs. Copies of this 
notice also shall be made available upon request to the Federal agency's 
office that enforces Title IX.



Sec.  113.605  Enforcement procedures.

    The investigative, compliance, and enforcement procedural provisions 
of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) (``Title 
VI'') are hereby adopted and applied to these Title IX regulations. 
These procedures may be found at 13 CFR part 112.

[65 FR 52876, Aug. 30, 2000]



PART 114_ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMS UNDER THE FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT 
AND REPRESENTATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF SBA EMPLOYEES--Table of Contents



                  Subpart A_Administrative Tort Claims

Sec.
114.100 Definitions.
114.101 What do these regulations cover?
114.102 When, where and how do I present a claim?
114.103 Who may file a claim?
114.104 What evidence and information may SBA require relating to my 
          claim?
114.105 Who investigates and considers my claim?
114.106 What if my claim exceeds $5,000?
114.107 What if my claim exceeds $25,000 or has other special features?
114.108 What if my claim is approved?
114.109 What if my claim is denied?

      Subpart B_Representation and Indemnification of SBA Employees

114.110 What is SBA's policy with respect to indemnifying and providing 
          legal representation to SBA employees?

[[Page 216]]

114.111 Does the attorney-client privilege apply when SBA employees are 
          represented by the Government?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634 (b)(1), (b)(6); 28 U.S.C. 2672; 28 CFR 
14.11.

    Source: 61 FR 2401, Jan. 26, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



                  Subpart A_Administrative Tort Claims



Sec.  114.100  Definitions.

    As used throughout this part 114, date of accrual means the date you 
know or reasonably should have known of your injury. The date of accrual 
will depend on the facts of each case. Site means the geographic 
location where the incident giving rise to your claim occurred.



Sec.  114.101  What do these regulations cover?

    This part applies only to monetary claims you assert under the 
Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 2671 et seq., for injury to or loss 
of property, personal injury, or death arising from the negligent or 
wrongful act or omission of any SBA employee acting within the scope of 
his or her employment.



Sec.  114.102  When, where and how do I present a claim?

    (a) When. You must present your claim within 2 years of the date of 
accrual.
    (b) Where. You may present your claim at the SBA District Office 
nearest to the site of the action giving rise to the claim and within 
the same state as the site. If your claim is based on the acts or 
omissions of an employee of SBA's Disaster Assistance Program, you may 
present your claim either to the appropriate SBA District Office or to 
the Disaster Assistance Office nearest to the site of the action giving 
rise to the claim.
    (c) How. You must use an official form which can be obtained from 
the SBA office where you file the claim or give other written notice of 
your claim, stating the specific amount of your alleged damages and 
providing enough information to enable SBA to investigate your claim. 
You may present your claim in person or by mail, but your claim will not 
be considered presented until SBA receives the written information.

[64 FR 40283, July 26, 1999]



Sec.  114.103  Who may file a claim?

    (a) If a claim is based on factors listed in the first column, then 
it may be presented by persons listed in the second column.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Claim factors                      Claim presenters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injury to or loss of property.............  The owner of the property,
                                             his or her duly authorized
                                             agent, or legal
                                             representative.
Personal injury...........................  The injured person, his or
                                             her duly authorized agent,
                                             or legal representative.
Death.....................................  The executor, administrator,
                                             or legal representative of
                                             the decedent's estate, or
                                             any other person entitled
                                             to assert the claim under
                                             applicable state law.
Loss wholly compensated by an insurer with  The parties individually, as
 rights as a subrogee.                       their interests appear, or
                                             jointly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) An agent or legal representative may present your claim in your 
name, but must sign the claim, state his or her title or legal capacity, 
and include documentation of authority to present the claim on your 
behalf.



Sec.  114.104  What evidence and information may SBA require 
relating to my claim?

    (a) For a claim based on injury to or loss of property:
    (1) Proof you own the property.
    (2) A specific statement of the damage you claim with respect to 
each item of property.
    (3) Itemized receipts for payment for necessary repairs or itemized 
written estimates of the cost of such repairs.
    (4) A statement listing date of purchase, purchase price and salvage 
value, where repair is not economical.
    (5) Full information about potential insurance coverage and any 
insurance claims or payments relating to your claim.
    (6) Any other information that may be relevant to the government's 
alleged liability or the damages you claim.
    (b) For a claim based on personal injury, including pain and 
suffering:
    (1) A written report from your health care provider stating the 
nature and extent of your injury and treatment,

[[Page 217]]

the degree of your temporary or permanent disability, your prognosis, 
period of hospitalization, and any diminished earning capacity.
    (2) A written report following a physical, dental or mental 
examination of you by a physician employed by SBA or another Federal 
Agency. If you want a copy of this report, you must request it in 
writing, furnish SBA with the written report of your health care 
provider, if SBA requests it, and make or agree to make available to SBA 
any other medical reports relevant to your claim.
    (3) Itemized bills for medical, dental and hospital expenses you 
have incurred, or itemized receipts of payment for these expenses.
    (4) Your health care provider's written statement of the expected 
expenses related to any necessary future treatment.
    (5) A statement from your employer showing actual time lost from 
employment, whether you are a full or part-time employee, and the wages 
or salary you actually lost.
    (6) Documentary evidence showing the amount of earnings you actually 
lost if you are self-employed.
    (7) Information about the existence of insurance coverage and any 
insurance claims or payments relating to the claim in question.
    (8) Any other information that may be relevant to the government's 
alleged liability or the damages you claim.
    (c) For a claim based on death:
    (1) An authenticated death certificate or other competent evidence 
showing cause of death, date of death, and age of the decedent.
    (2) Evidence of decedent's employment or occupation at the time of 
death, including monthly or yearly salary or earnings, and the duration 
of such employment or occupation.
    (3) Full names, addresses, birth dates, kinship, and marital status 
of the decedent's survivors, including identification of those survivors 
who were dependent upon the decedent for support at the time of his or 
her death.
    (4) Evidence of the support provided by the decedent to each 
dependent survivor at the time of his or her death.
    (5) A summary of the decedent's general physical and mental 
condition before death.
    (6) Itemized bills or receipts for payments for medical and burial 
expenses.
    (7) For pain and suffering damage claims, a physician's detailed 
statement specifying the injuries suffered, the duration of pain and 
suffering, any drugs administered for pain, and the decedent's physical 
condition in the interval between injury and death.
    (8) Any other information that may be relevant to the government's 
alleged liability or the damages claimed.



Sec.  114.105  Who investigates and considers my claim?

    (a) SBA may investigate, or ask another Federal agency to 
investigate, your claim. SBA also may request any Federal agency to 
conduct a physical examination of you and provide a report to SBA. SBA 
will reimburse the Federal agency for the costs of that examination when 
authorized or required by statute or regulation.
    (b) In those cases in which SBA investigates your claim, and which 
arise out of the acts or omissions of employees other than employees of 
the Disaster Assistance Program, the SBA District Counsel in the office 
with jurisdiction over the site where the action giving rise to the 
claim occurred will investigate and make recommendations or 
determination with respect to your claim. In those cases in which SBA 
investigates your claim, and which arise out of acts or omissions of 
Disaster Assistance Program employees, the SBA Disaster Area Counsel in 
the office with jurisdiction over the site where the action giving rise 
to the claim occurred will investigate and make recommendations or a 
determination with respect to your claim. The District Counsel, or 
Disaster Area Counsel, where appropriate, may negotiate with you, and is 
authorized to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, which are 
nonbinding on SBA, when they may promote the prompt, fair and efficient 
resolution of your claim.
    (c) If your claim is for $5,000 or less, the District Counsel or 
Disaster Area Counsel who investigates your claim

[[Page 218]]

may deny the claim, or may recommend approval, compromise, or settlement 
of the claim to the Associate General Counsel for Litigation, who will 
in such a case take final action.

[61 FR 2401, Jan. 26, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 40283, July 26, 1999]



Sec.  114.106  What if my claim exceeds $5,000?

    The District Counsel or Disaster Area Counsel, as appropriate, must 
review and investigate your claim and forward it with a report and 
recommendation to the Associate General Counsel for Litigation, who may 
approve or deny an award, compromise, or settlement of claims in excess 
of $5,000, but not exceeding $25,000.

[64 FR 40283, July 26, 1999]



Sec.  114.107  What if my claim exceeds $25,000 or has other special features?

    (a) The U.S. Attorney General or designee must approve in writing 
any award, compromise, or settlement of a claim in excess of $25,000. 
For this purpose, a principal claim and any derivative or subrogated 
claim are considered a single claim.
    (b) SBA must consult with the Department of Justice before 
adjusting, determining, compromising, or settling a claim whenever the 
General Counsel or designee determines:
    (1) The claim involves a new precedent or a new point of law; or
    (2) The claim involves or may involve a question of policy; or
    (3) The United States is or may be entitled to indemnity or 
contribution from a third party and SBA is unable to adjust the third 
party claim; or
    (4) Approval of a claim, as a practical matter, will or may control 
the disposition of a related claim in which the amount to be paid may 
exceed $25,000.
    (c) SBA must consult with the Department of Justice before 
adjusting, determining, compromising, or settling a claim whenever SBA 
learns that the United States, or any of its employees, agents, or cost-
plus contractors, is involved in litigation based on a claim arising out 
of the same incident or transaction.
    (d) SBA, acting through its General Counsel or designee, must make 
any referrals to the Department of Justice for approval or consultation 
by transmitting them in writing to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil 
Division.
    (1) The referral must contain a short and concise statement of the 
facts and the reason for the request or referral, copies of the relevant 
portions of the claim file, and SBA's views and recommendations.
    (2) SBA may make this referral at any time after a claim is 
presented.



Sec.  114.108  What if my claim is approved?

    SBA will notify you in writing if it approves your claim. The 
District Counsel or Disaster Area Counsel investigating your claim will 
forward to you, your agent or legal representative the forms necessary 
to indicate satisfaction of your claim and your acceptance of the 
payment. Acceptance by you, your agent or your legal representative of 
any award, compromise or settlement releases all your claims against the 
United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act. This means that it 
binds you, your agent or your legal representative, and any other person 
on whose behalf or for whose benefit the claim was presented. It also 
constitutes a complete release of your claim against the United States 
and its employees. If you are represented by counsel, SBA will designate 
you and your counsel as joint payees and will deliver the check to 
counsel. Payment is contingent upon the waiver of your claim and is 
subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

[64 FR 40283, July 26, 1999]



Sec.  114.109  What if my claim is denied?

    SBA will notify you or your agent or legal representative in writing 
by certified or registered mail if it denies your claim. You have a 
right to file suit in an appropriate U.S. District Court not later than 
six months after the date the notification was mailed.

[[Page 219]]



      Subpart B_Representation and Indemnification of SBA Employees



Sec.  114.110  What is SBA's policy with respect to indemnifying 
and providing legal representation to SBA employees?

    (a) If an SBA employee engages in conduct, within the scope of his 
or her employment, which gives rise to a claim, and the SBA 
Administrator or designee determines that any of the following actions 
relating to the claim are in SBA's interest, SBA may:
    (1) Indemnify the employee after a verdict, judgment, or other 
monetary award is rendered personally against the employee in any civil 
suit in state or federal court or any arbitration proceeding;
    (2) Settle or compromise the claim; and/or
    (3) Pay for, or request that the Department of Justice provide, 
legal representation to the employee once personally named in such a 
suit.
    (b) If you are an SBA employee, you may ask SBA to settle or 
compromise your claim, provide you with legal representation, or provide 
you with indemnification for a verdict, judgment or award entered 
against you in a suit. To do so, you must submit a timely, written 
request to the General Counsel, with appropriate documentation, 
including copies of any pleadings, verdict, judgment, award, or 
settlement proposal. The General Counsel will decide all requests for 
representation or settlement, and will forward to the Administrator, 
with the accompanying documentation and a recommendation, any requests 
for indemnification.
    (c) Any payments by SBA under this section will be contingent upon 
the availability of appropriated funds.



Sec.  114.111  Does the attorney-client privilege apply when SBA employees 
are represented by the Government?

    When attorneys employed by SBA participate in any process in which 
SBA seeks to determine whether SBA should request the Department of 
Justice to provide representation to an SBA employee sued, subpoenaed, 
or charged in his or her individual capacity, or whether attorneys 
employed by SBA should provide representational assistance for such an 
employee, those attorneys undertake a full and traditional attorney-
client relationship with the employee with respect to the attorney-
client privilege. If representation is authorized, SBA attorneys who 
assist in the representation of an SBA employee also undertake a full 
and traditional attorney-client relationship with the employee with 
respect to the attorney-client privilege. Unless authorized by the 
employee, the attorney must not disclose to anyone other than attorneys 
also responsible for the employee's representation information 
communicated to the attorney by the client-employee during the course of 
the attorney-client relationship. The attorney-client privilege will 
continue with respect to that information whether or not representation 
is provided, and even if the employee's representation is denied or 
discontinued.



PART 115_SURETY BOND GUARANTEE--Table of Contents



Sec.
115.1 Overview of regulations.
115.2 Savings clause.

           Subpart A_Provisions for All Surety Bond Guarantees

115.10 Definitions.
115.11 Applying to participate in the Surety Bond Guarantee Program.
115.12 General program policies and provisions.
115.13 Eligibility of Principal.
115.14 Loss of Principal's eligibility for future assistance and 
          reinstatement of Principal.
115.15 Underwriting and servicing standards.
115.16 Determination of Surety's Loss.
115.17 Minimization of Surety's Loss.
115.18 Refusal to issue further guarantees; suspension and termination 
          of PSB status.
115.19 Denial of liability.
115.20 Insolvency of Surety.
115.21 Audits and investigations.
115.22 Quarterly Contract Completion Report.

             Subpart B_Guarantees Subject to Prior Approval

115.30 Submission of Surety's guarantee application.
115.31 Guarantee percentage.

[[Page 220]]

115.32 Fees and Premiums.
115.33 Surety bonding line.
115.34 Minimization of Surety's Loss.
115.35 Claims for reimbursement of Losses.
115.36 Indemnity settlements.

            Subpart C_Preferred Surety Bond (PSB) Guarantees

115.60 Selection and admission of PSB Sureties.
115.61 [Reserved]
115.62 Prohibition on participation in Prior Approval program.
115.63 Allotment of guarantee authority.
115.64 Timeliness requirement.
115.65 General PSB procedures.
115.66 Fees.
115.67 Changes in Contract or bond amount.
115.68 Guarantee percentage.
115.69 Imminent Breach.
115.70 Claims for reimbursement of Losses.
115.71 Denial of liability.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. app 3; 15 U.S.C. 636i, 687b, 687c, 694a, and 
694b note.

    Source: 61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 115 appear at 72 FR 
50038, Aug. 30, 2007.



Sec.  115.1  Overview of regulations.

    The regulations in this part cover the SBA's Surety Bond Guarantee 
Programs under Part B of Title IV of the Small Business Investment Act 
of 1958, as amended. Subpart A of this part contains regulations common 
to both the program requiring prior SBA approval of each bond guarantee 
(the Prior Approval Program) and the program not requiring prior 
approval (the PSB Program). Subpart B of this part contains the 
regulations applicable only to the Prior Approval Program. Subpart C of 
this part contains the regulations applicable only to the PSB Program.



Sec.  115.2  Savings clause.

    Transactions affected by this part 115 are governed by the 
regulations in effect at the time they occur.



           Subpart A_Provisions for All Surety Bond Guarantees



Sec.  115.10  Definitions.

    Affiliate is defined in Sec.  121.301(f) of this chapter.
    Ancillary Bond means a bond incidental and essential to the 
performance of a Contract for which there is a guaranteed Final Bond.
    Applicable Statutory Limit means the maximum amount, set forth 
below, of any Contract or Order for which SBA is authorized to 
guarantee, or commit to guarantee, a Bid Bond, Payment Bond, Performance 
Bond, or Ancillary Bond:
    (1) $6.5 million (as adjusted for inflation in accordance with 41 
U.S.C. 1908);
    (2) $10 million if a contracting officer of a Federal agency 
certifies, in accordance with section 115.12(e)(3), that such guarantee 
is necessary; or
    (3) if SBA is guaranteeing the bond in connection with a procurement 
related to a major disaster pursuant to section 12079 of Pub. L. 110-
246, see section 115.12(e)(4).
    Bid Bond means a bond conditioned upon the bidder on a Contract 
entering into the Contract, and furnishing the required Payment and 
Performance Bonds. The term does not include a forfeiture bond unless it 
is issued for a jurisdiction where statute or settled decisional law 
requires forfeiture bonds for public works.
    Contract means a written obligation of the Principal, including an 
Order, requiring the furnishing of services, supplies, labor, materials, 
machinery, equipment or construction. A Contract:
    (1) Must not prohibit a Surety from performing the Contract upon 
default of the Principal;
    (2) Does not include a permit, subdivision contract, lease, land 
contract, evidence of debt, financial guarantee (e.g., a contract 
requiring any payment by the Principal to the Obligee, except for 
contracts in connection with bid and performance bonds for the sale of 
timber and/or other forest products, such as biomass, that require the 
Principal to pay the Obligee), warranty of performance or efficiency, 
warranty of fidelity, or release of lien (other than for claims under a 
guaranteed bond); and
    (3) May include a maintenance agreement under the following 
circumstances:
    (i) The maintenance agreement is ancillary to a Contract for which 
SBA is guaranteeing a bond, is performed by the same Principal, is for a 
period of 2 years or less, and only covers defective workmanship or 
materials that are not

[[Page 221]]

covered by a manufacturer's warranty. With SBA's prior written approval, 
the agreement may cover a period longer than 2 years, or cover something 
other than defective workmanship or materials, if a longer period or 
something other than defective workmanship or materials is customarily 
required in the relevant trade or industry; or
    (ii) The maintenance agreement is stand-alone and is entered into in 
connection with a Contract for which a bond was not required and only 
covers defective workmanship or materials that are not covered by a 
manufacturer's warranty. The agreement must cover a period of 3 years or 
less that begins immediately after the Contract is complete and must be 
executed prior to the completion of the Contract. It must also be 
entered into with the same Principal that completed the Contract. With 
SBA's prior written approval, the agreement may cover a period longer 
than 3 years if a longer period is customarily required in the relevant 
trade or industry.
    D/SG means SBA's Director, Office of Surety Guarantees.
    Execution means signing by a representative or agent of the Surety 
with the authority and power to bind the Surety.
    Final Bond means a Performance Bond and/or a Payment Bond.
    Head of Agency means in the case of a cabinet department, the 
Secretary; and in the case of an independent commission, board, or 
agency, the Chair or Administrator; or any person to whom the Secretary, 
Chair, or Administrator has directly delegated the authority to request 
SBA to guarantee bonds on Contracts or Orders in excess of $5,000,000.
    Imminent Breach means a threat to the successful completion of a 
bonded Contract which, unless remedied by the Surety, makes a default 
under the bond appear to be inevitable.
    Investment Act means the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 661 et seq.), as amended.
    Loss has the meaning set forth in Sec.  115.16.
    Obligee means:
    (1)(i) In the case of a Bid Bond, the Person requesting bids for the 
performance of a Contract; or
    (ii) In the case of a Final Bond, the Person who has contracted with 
a Principal for the completion of the Contract and to whom the primary 
obligation of the Surety runs in the event of a breach by the Principal.
    (2) In either case, no Person (other than a Federal department or 
agency) may be named co-Obligee or Obligee on a bond or on a rider to 
the bond unless that Person is bound by the Contract to the Principal 
(or to the Surety, if the Surety has arranged completion of the 
Contract) to the same extent as the original Obligee. In no event may 
the addition of one or more co-Obligees increase the aggregate liability 
of the Surety under the bond.
    Order means a task order for services or delivery order for supplies 
issued under an indefinite delivery Contract (definite quantity, 
indefinite quantity, or requirements).
    OSG means SBA's Office of Surety Guarantees.
    Payment Bond means a bond which is conditioned upon the payment by 
the Principal of money to persons who have a right of action against 
such bond, including those who have furnished labor, materials, 
equipment and supplies for use in the performance of the Contract. A 
Payment Bond can not require the Surety to pay an amount which exceeds 
the claimant's actual loss or damage.
    Performance Bond means a bond conditioned upon the completion by the 
Principal of a Contract in accordance with its terms.
    Person means a natural person or a legal entity.
    Premium means the amount charged by a Surety to issue bonds. The 
Premium is determined by applying an approved rate (see Sec. Sec.  
115.32(a) and 115.60(a)(2)) to the bond or contract amount. The Premium 
does not include surcharges for extra services, whether or not 
considered part of the ``premium'' under local law.
    Principal means, in the case of a Bid Bond, the Person bidding for 
the award of a Contract. In the case of Final Bonds and Ancillary Bonds, 
Principal means the Person primarily liable to complete the Contract, or 
to make Contract-related payments to other

[[Page 222]]

persons, and is the Person whose performance or payment is bonded by the 
Surety. A Principal may be a prime contractor or a subcontractor.
    Prior Approval Agreement means the Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement 
(SBA Form 990) entered into between a Prior Approval Surety and SBA 
under which SBA agrees to guarantee a specific bond.
    Prior Approval Surety means a Surety which must obtain SBA's prior 
approval on each guarantee and which has entered into one or more Prior 
Approval Agreements with SBA.
    PSB Agreement means the Preferred Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement 
entered into between a PSB Surety and SBA.
    PSB Surety means a Surety that has been admitted to the Preferred 
Surety Bond (PSB) Program.
    Service-Disabled Veteran means a veteran with a disability that is 
service-connected, as defined in Section 101(16) of Title 38, United 
States Code.
    Small Business Owned and Controlled by Service-Disabled Veterans 
means:
    (1) A Small Concern of which not less than 51 percent is owned by 
one or more Service-Disabled Veterans; or a publicly-owned Small concern 
of which not less than 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more 
Service-Disabled Veterans; and
    (2) The management and daily business operations of which are 
controlled by one or more Service-Disabled Veterans, or in the case of a 
Service-Disabled Veteran with permanent and severe disability, the 
spouse or permanent caregiver of such Veteran.
    Small Business Owned and Controlled by Veterans means:
    (1) A Small Concern of which not less than 51 percent is owned by 
one or more Veterans; or a publicly-owned Small Concern of which not 
less than 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more Veterans; and
    (2) The management and daily business operations of which are 
controlled by one or more Veterans.
    Surety means a company which:
    (1)(i) Under the terms of a Bid Bond, agrees to pay a sum of money 
to the Obligee if the Principal breaches the conditions of the bond;
    (ii) Under the terms of a Performance Bond, agrees to pay a sum of 
money or to incur the cost of fulfilling the terms of a Contract if the 
Principal breaches the conditions of the Contract; and
    (iii) Under the terms of a Payment or an Ancillary Bond, agrees to 
make payment to all who have a right of action against such bond, 
including those who have furnished labor, materials, equipment and 
supplies in the performance of the Contract.
    (2) The term Surety includes an agent, independent agent, 
underwriter, or any other company or individual empowered to act on 
behalf of the Surety.
    Veteran has the meaning given the term in Section 101(2) of Title 
38, United States Code.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 7985, Mar. 1, 1996; 72 
FR 34599, June 25, 2007; 72 FR 50038, Aug. 30, 2007; 74 FR 36109, July 
22, 2009; 76 FR 2572, Jan. 14, 2011; 76 FR 9963, Feb. 23, 2011; 77 FR 
41665, July 16, 2012; 79 FR 2086, Jan. 13, 2014; 81 FR 41428, June 27, 
2016; 87 FR 48083, Aug. 8, 2022; 88 FR 24473, Apr. 21, 2023]



Sec.  115.11  Applying to participate in the Surety Bond Guarantee Program.

    Sureties interested in participating as Prior Approval Sureties or 
PSB Sureties should apply in writing to the D/SG at 409 3rd Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20416. OSG will determine the eligibility of the 
applicant considering its standards and procedures for underwriting, 
administration, claims and recovery. Each applicant must be a 
corporation listed by the U.S. Treasury as eligible to issue bonds in 
connection with Federal procurement contracts. At a minimum, each 
applicant must have salaried staff that is employed directly (not an 
agent or other individual or entity under contract with the applicant) 
to oversee its underwriting function and perform all claims and recovery 
functions other than specialized services the costs of which may be 
reimbursable under 13 CFR 115.16(e)(1). Final settlement authority for 
claims and recovery must be vested only in the applicant's salaried 
claims staff. The applicant must continue to comply with SBA's standards 
and procedures for underwriting, administration,

[[Page 223]]

claims, recovery, and staffing requirements while participating in SBA's 
Surety Bond Guarantee Programs.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 23565, Apr. 22, 2016]



Sec.  115.12  General program policies and provisions.

    (a) Description of Surety Bond Guarantee Programs. SBA guarantees 
Sureties participating in the Surety Bond Guarantee Programs against a 
portion of their Losses incurred and paid as a result of a Principal's 
breach of the terms of a Bid Bond, Final Bond or Ancillary Bond, on any 
eligible Contract. In the Prior Approval Program, the Surety must obtain 
SBA's approval before a guaranteed bond can be issued. In the PSB 
Program, selected Sureties may issue, monitor, and service SBA 
guaranteed bonds without further SBA approval.
    (b) Eligibility of bonds. Bid Bonds and Final Bonds are eligible for 
an SBA guarantee if they are executed in connection with an eligible 
Contract, as defined in Sec.  115.10, Definitions. Commercial and 
Fidelity bonds are not eligible for SBA guarantees. Ancillary Bonds may 
also be eligible for SBA's guarantee. A performance bond must not 
prohibit a Surety from performing the Contract upon default of the 
Principal.
    (c) Expiration of Bid Bond Guarantee. A Bid Bond guarantee expires 
120 days after Execution of the Bid Bond, unless the Surety notifies SBA 
in writing before the 120th day that a later expiration date is 
required. The notification must include the new expiration date.
    (d) Guarantee agreement. The terms and conditions of SBA's bond 
guarantee agreements, including the guarantee percentage, may vary from 
Surety to Surety, depending on past experience with SBA. If the 
guarantee percentage is not fixed by the Investment Act, it is 
determined by OSG after considering, among other things, the rating or 
ranking assigned to the Surety by recognized authority, and the Surety's 
Loss rate, average Contract amount, average bond penalty per guaranteed 
bond, and ratio of Bid Bonds to Final Bonds, all in comparison with 
other Sureties participating in the same SBA Surety Bond Guarantee 
Program (Prior Approval or PSB) to a comparable degree. Any guarantee 
agreement under this part is made exclusively for the benefit of SBA and 
the Surety, and does not confer any rights (such as a right of action 
against SBA) or benefits on any other party.
    (e) Amount of Contract--(1) Determination of Amount of Contract. For 
a fixed price Contract, the amount of the Contract is the price 
excluding any options. For a requirements Contract, the amount of the 
Contract is the price of the total estimated quantity to be ordered 
under the Contract. For an indefinite quantity Contract, the amount of 
the Contract is the price of the specified minimum quantity to be 
ordered under the Contract and, for each Order issued under such 
Contract, the price of each such Order. The amount of the Contract or 
Order to be bonded must not exceed the Applicable Statutory Limit as of 
the date:
    (i) SBA approves a Prior Approval Surety's request for a Bid Bond 
guarantee;
    (ii) A Preferred Surety Executes a Bid Bond; or
    (iii) The date Final Bonds (and any Ancillary Bonds) unrelated to an 
SBA-guaranteed Bid Bond are Executed by a Preferred Surety or by a Prior 
Approval Surety following SBA's approval of its request for a guarantee 
of Final Bonds.
    (2) Aggregation of Contract and Order amounts. (i) The amounts of 
two or more formally separate Contracts for a single construction 
project are aggregated to determine the Contract amount unless the 
Contracts are to be performed in phases and the prior bond is released 
before the beginning of each succeeding phase. A bond may be considered 
released even if the warranty period it is covering has not yet expired. 
For purposes of this paragraph, a ``single construction project'' means 
one represented by two or more Contracts of one Principal or its 
Affiliates with one Obligee or its Affiliates for performance at the 
same location, regardless of job title or nature of the work to be 
performed.
    (ii) The amounts of two or more Contracts or Orders for supplies and 
services awarded to the same Principal or

[[Page 224]]

its Affiliates are aggregated to determine the Contract or Order amount 
if SBA determines, after discussion with the contracting official 
responsible for the award of the contract, that award of a single 
Contract or Order could reasonably have satisfied the supply or service 
requirement at the time of issuance.
    (3) Federal Contracts or Orders in excess of $6,500,000 (as adjusted 
for inflation in accordance with section 1908 of title 41, United States 
Code). SBA is authorized to guarantee bonds on Federal Contracts or 
Orders greater than $6,500,000 (as adjusted for inflation in accordance 
with 41 U.S.C. 1908), but not exceeding $10,000,000, upon a signed 
certification of a Federal contracting officer that the SBA guarantee is 
necessary. The certification must be either express mailed to SBA, 
Office of Surety Guarantees, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416 
or sent by email to [email protected], and include the following 
additional information:
    (i) Name, address and telephone number of the small business;
    (ii) Offer or Contract number and brief description of the contract; 
and
    (iii) Estimated Contract value and date of anticipated award 
determination.
    (4) Alternative authority to guarantee bonds for Contracts and 
Orders related to a major disaster area. Subject to the availability of 
funds appropriated in advance specifically for the purpose of 
guaranteeing bonds for any Contract or Order related to a major 
disaster, SBA may, as an alternative to the authority otherwise set 
forth in this Part, guarantee bonds on any Contract or Order under the 
following terms and conditions:
    (i) The Contract or Order does not exceed $5,000,000 at the time of 
bond execution, and:
    (A) For products or services procured under a Federal Contract or 
Order, the products will be manufactured or the services will be 
performed in the major disaster area identified in the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) Web site at http://www.fema.gov, or the 
products will be manufactured or the services will be performed outside 
the major disaster area and the products or services will directly 
assist in the recovery efforts in the major disaster area; or
    (B) For products or services procured under any other Contract or 
Order, the products will be manufactured or the services will be 
performed in the major disaster area identified in the FEMA Web site at 
http://www.fema.gov;
    (ii) At the request of the Head of the Agency involved in 
reconstruction efforts in response to a major disaster, SBA may 
guarantee bonds on Federal Contracts or Orders in excess of $5,000,000, 
but not more than $10,000,000;
    (iii) A guarantee may be issued under this paragraph (e)(4) for any 
Contract or Order for which an offer is submitted or an award is made 
within 12 months from the date an area is designated a major disaster 
area in the Federal Register. SBA may, at its discretion, extend this 
time period for any particular disaster, and will publish a notice of 
the extension in the Federal Register.
    (f) Transfers or sales by Surety. Sureties must not sell or 
otherwise transfer their files or accounts, whether before or after a 
default by the Principal has occurred, without the prior written 
approval of SBA. A violation of this provision is grounds for 
termination from participation in the program. This provision does not 
apply to the sale of an entire business division, subsidiary or 
operation of the Surety.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 30804, June 8, 2001; 74 
FR 36109, July 22, 2009; 76 FR 2572, Jan. 14, 2011; 79 FR 2086, Jan. 13, 
2014; 87 FR 48083, Aug. 8, 2022]



Sec.  115.13  Eligibility of Principal.

    (a) General eligibility. In order to be eligible for a bond 
guaranteed by SBA, the Principal must comply with the following 
requirements:
    (1) Size. Together with its Affiliates, it must qualify as a small 
business under part 121 of this title.
    (2) Character. It must possess good character and reputation. A 
Principal meets this standard if each owner of 20% or more of its 
equity, and each of its officers, directors, or general partners, 
possesses good character and reputation. A Person's good character and 
reputation is presumed absent when:
    (i) The Person is under indictment for, or has been convicted of a 
felony,

[[Page 225]]

or a final civil judgment has been entered stating that such Person has 
committed a breach of trust or has violated a law or regulation 
protecting the integrity of business transactions or business 
relationships; or
    (ii) A regulatory authority has revoked, canceled, or suspended a 
license of the Person which is necessary to perform the Contract; or
    (iii) The Person has obtained a bond guarantee by fraud or material 
misrepresentation (as described in Sec.  115.19(b)), or has failed to 
keep the Surety informed of unbonded contracts or of a contract bonded 
by another Surety, as required by a bonding line commitment under Sec.  
115.33.
    (3) Need for bond. It must certify that a bond is expressly required 
by the bid solicitation or the original Contract in order to bid on the 
Contract or to serve as a prime contractor or subcontractor.
    (4) Availability of bond. It must certify that a bond is not 
obtainable on reasonable terms and conditions without SBA's guarantee.
    (5) Partial subcontract. It must certify the percentage of work 
under the Contract to be subcontracted. SBA will not guarantee bonds for 
Principals who are primarily brokers. In addition, the Principal must 
retain full responsibility for the oversight and management of the 
Contract, including any work performed by any subcontractor, and may not 
subcontract the full scope of the statement of work.
    (6) Debarment. It must certify that the Principal is not presently 
debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or 
voluntarily excluded from transactions with any Federal department or 
agency, under governmentwide debarment and suspension rules.
    (7) No loss of eligibility. Neither the Principal nor any of its 
Affiliates is ineligible for an SBA-guaranteed bond under Sec.  115.14.
    (b) Conflict of interest. A Principal is not eligible for an SBA-
guaranteed bond issued by a particular Surety if that Surety, or an 
Affiliate of that Surety, or a close relative or member of the household 
of that Surety or Affiliate owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of 
the Principal. This prohibition also applies to ownership interests in 
any of the Principal's Affiliates.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014; 81 
FR 23565, Apr. 22, 2016]



Sec.  115.14  Loss of Principal's eligibility for future assistance 
and reinstatement of Principal.

    (a) Ineligibility. A Principal and its Affiliates lose eligibility 
for further SBA bond guarantees if any of the following occurs under an 
SBA-guaranteed bond issued on behalf of the Principal:
    (1) Legal action under the guaranteed bond has been initiated.
    (2) The Obligee has declared the Principal to be in default under 
the Contract.
    (3) The Surety has established a claim reserve for the bond of at 
least $10,000.
    (4) The Principal, or any of its Affiliates, has defaulted on an 
SBA-guaranteed bond resulting in a Loss that has not been fully 
reimbursed to SBA, or SBA has not been fully reimbursed for any Imminent 
Breach payments.
    (5) The guarantee fee has not been paid by the Principal.
    (6) The Principal committed fraud or material misrepresentation in 
obtaining the guaranteed bond.
    (b) Reinstatement of Principal's eligibility. At any time after a 
Principal becomes ineligible for further bond guarantees under paragraph 
(a) of this section:
    (1) A Prior Approval Surety may recommend that such Principal's 
eligibility be reinstated, and OSG may agree to reinstate the Principal 
if:
    (i) The Surety has settled its claim with the Principal, or any of 
its Affiliates, for an amount that results in no Loss to SBA or in no 
amount owed for Imminent Breach payments, or OSG finds good cause for 
reinstating the Principal notwithstanding the Loss to SBA or amount owed 
for Imminent Breach payments; or
    (ii) OSG and the Surety determine that further bond guarantees are 
appropriate after the Principal was deemed ineligible for further SBA 
bond guarantees under paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), (5) or (6) of this 
section.
    (2) A PSB Surety may:

[[Page 226]]

    (i) Recommend that such Principal's eligibility be reinstated, and 
OSG may agree to reinstate the Principal, if the Surety has settled its 
claim with the Principal, or any of its Affiliates, for an amount that 
results in no Loss to SBA or in no amount owed for Imminent Breach 
payments, or OSG finds good cause for reinstating the Principal 
notwithstanding the Loss to SBA or amount owed for Imminent Breach 
payments; or
    (ii) Reinstate a Principal's eligibility upon the Surety's 
determination that further bond guarantees are appropriate after the 
Principal was deemed ineligible for further SBA bond guarantees under 
paragraph (a)(1), (2), (3), (5) or (6) of this section.
    (c) Underwriting after reinstatement. A guarantee application 
submitted after reinstatement of the Principal's eligibility is subject 
to a very stringent underwriting review.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 23565, Apr. 22, 2016; 87 
FR 48084, Aug. 8, 2022]



Sec.  115.15  Underwriting and servicing standards.

    (a) Underwriting. (1) Sureties must evaluate the credit, capacity, 
and character of a Principal using standards generally accepted by the 
surety industry and in accordance with SBA's Standard Operating 
Procedures on underwriting and the Surety's principles and practices on 
unguaranteed bonds. The Principal must satisfy the eligibility 
requirements set forth in Sec.  115.13. The Surety must reasonably 
expect that the Principal will successfully perform the Contract to be 
bonded.
    (2) The terms and conditions of the bond and the Contract must be 
reasonable in light of the risks involved and the extent of the Surety's 
participation. The bond must satisfy the eligibility requirements set 
forth in Sec.  115.12(b). The Surety must be satisfied as to the 
reasonableness of cost and the feasibility of successful completion of 
the Contract.
    (b) Servicing. The Surety must ensure that the Principal remains 
viable and eligible for SBA's Surety Bond Guarantee Program, must 
monitor the Principal's progress on bonded Contracts guaranteed by SBA, 
and must request job status reports from Obligees of Final Bonds 
guaranteed by SBA. Documentation of the job status requests must be 
maintained by the Surety.



Sec.  115.16  Determination of Surety's Loss.

    Loss is determined as follows:
    (a) Loss under a Bid Bond is the lesser of the penal sum or the 
amount which is the difference between the bonded bid and the next 
higher responsive bid. In either case, the Loss is reduced by any 
amounts the Surety recovers by reason of the Principal's defenses 
against the Obligee's demand for performance by the Principal and any 
sums the Surety recovers from indemnitors and other salvage.
    (b) Loss under a Payment Bond is, at the Surety's option, the sum 
necessary to pay all just and timely claims against the Principal for 
the value of labor, materials, equipment and supplies furnished for use 
in the performance of the bonded Contract and other covered debts, or 
the penal sum of the Payment Bond. In either case, the Loss includes 
interest (if any), but Loss is reduced by any amounts recovered (through 
offset or otherwise) by reason of the Principal's claims against 
laborers, materialmen, subcontractors, suppliers, or other rightful 
claimants, and by any amounts recovered from indemnitors and other 
salvage.
    (c) Loss under a Performance Bond is, at the Surety's option, the 
sum necessary to meet the cost of fulfilling the terms of a bonded 
Contract or the penal sum of the bond. In either case, the Loss includes 
interest (if any), but Loss is reduced by any amounts recovered (through 
offset or otherwise) by reason of the Principal's defenses or causes of 
action against the Obligee, and by any amounts recovered from 
indemnitors and other salvage.
    (d) Loss under an Ancillary Bond is the amount covered by such bond 
which is attributable to the Contract for which guaranteed Final Bonds 
were Executed.
    (e) Loss includes the following expenses if they are itemized, 
documented and attributable solely to the Loss under the guaranteed 
bond:
    (1) Amounts actually paid by the Surety for specialized services 
that are provided under contract by an outside

[[Page 227]]

consultant, which is not an Affiliate of the Surety, provided that such 
services are beyond the capability of the Surety's salaried claims 
staff, and amounts actually paid by the Surety for travel expenses of 
the Surety's claims staff. The cost of the consultant's services and the 
travel expenses of the Surety's claims staff must be reasonable and 
necessary and must specifically concern the investigation, adjustment, 
negotiation, compromise, settlement of, or resistance to a claim for 
Loss resulting from the breach of the terms of the bonded Contract. The 
cost allocation method must be reasonable and must comply with generally 
accepted accounting principles; and
    (2) Amounts actually paid by the Surety for court costs and 
reasonable attorney's fees incurred to mitigate any Loss under 
paragraphs (a) through (e)(1) of this section including suits to obtain 
sums due from Obligees, indemnitors, Principals and others.
    (f) Loss does not include the following expenses:
    (1) Any unallocated expenses, all direct and indirect costs incurred 
by the Surety's salaried claims staff (except for reasonable and 
necessary travel expenses of such staff), or any clear mark-up on 
expenses or any overhead of the Surety, its attorney, or any other 
consultant hired by the Surety or the attorney;
    (2) Expenses paid for any suits, cross-claims, or counterclaims 
filed against the United States of America or any of its agencies, 
officers, or employees unless the Surety has received, prior to filing 
such suit or claim, written concurrence from SBA that the suit may be 
filed;
    (3) Attorney's fees and court costs incurred by the Surety in a suit 
by or against SBA or its Administrator;
    (4) Fees, costs, or other payments, including tort damages, arising 
from a successful tort suit or claim by a Principal or any other Person 
against the Surety; and
    (5) Any costs that arise from the Principal's failure to secure and 
maintain insurance coverage required by the Contract or Order, or any 
costs that result from any claims or judgments that exceed the amount of 
any insurance coverage required by the Contract or Order, as well as any 
costs that arise as a result of any agreement by the Principal in the 
Contract or Order to indemnify the Obligee or any other Persons.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 2572, Jan. 14, 2011; 81 
FR 23566, Apr. 22, 2016]



Sec.  115.17  Minimization of Surety's Loss.

    (a) Indemnity agreements and collateral--(1) Requirements. The 
Surety must take all reasonable action to minimize risk of Loss 
including, but not limited to, obtaining from each Principal a written 
indemnity agreement which covers actual Losses under the Contract and 
Imminent Breach payments under Sec.  115.34(a) or Sec.  115.69. The 
indemnity agreement must be secured by such collateral as the Surety or 
SBA finds appropriate. Indemnity agreements from other Persons, secured 
or unsecured, may also be required by the Surety or SBA.
    (2) Prohibitions. No indemnity agreement may be obtained from the 
Surety, its agent or any other representative of the Surety. The Surety 
must not separately collateralize the portion of its bond which is not 
guaranteed by SBA.
    (b) Salvage and recovery--(1) General. The Surety must pursue all 
possible sources of salvage and recovery. Salvage and recovery includes 
all payments made in settlement of the Surety's claim, even though the 
Surety has incurred other losses as a result of that Principal which are 
not reimbursable by SBA.
    (2) SBA's share. SBA is entitled to its guaranteed percentage of all 
salvage and recovery from a defaulted Principal, its guarantors and 
indemnitors, and any other party, received by the Surety in connection 
with the guaranteed bond or any other bond issued by the Surety on 
behalf of the Principal unless such recovery is unquestionably 
identifiable as related solely to the non-guaranteed bond. The Surety 
must reimburse or credit SBA (in the same proportion as SBA's share of 
Loss) within 45 days of receipt of any recovery by the Surety.
    (3) Multiple Sureties. In any dispute between two or more Sureties 
concerning recovery under SBA guaranteed bonds, the dispute must first 
be

[[Page 228]]

brought to the attention of OSG for an attempt at mediation and 
settlement.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014]



Sec.  115.18  Refusal to issue further guarantees; suspension 
and termination of PSB status.

    (a) Improper surety bond guarantee practices--(1) Imprudent 
practices. SBA may refuse to issue further guarantees to a Prior 
Approval Surety or may suspend the preferred status of a PSB Surety, by 
written notice stating all reasons for such decision and the effective 
date. Reasons for such a decision include, but are not limited to, a 
determination that the Surety (in its underwriting, its efforts to 
minimize Loss, its claims or recovery practices, or its documentation 
related to SBA guaranteed bonds) has failed to adhere to prudent 
standards or practices, including any standards or practices required by 
SBA, as compared to those of other Sureties participating in the same 
SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program to a comparable degree.
    (2) Regulatory violations, fraud. Acts of wrongdoing such as fraud, 
material misrepresentation, breach of the Prior Approval or PSB 
Agreement, the Surety's failure to continue to comply with the 
requirements set forth in Sec.  115.11, or regulatory violations (as 
defined in Sec.  115.19(d) and (h)) also constitute sufficient grounds 
for refusal to issue further guarantees, or in the case of a PSB Surety, 
termination of preferred status.
    (3) Audit; records. The failure of a Surety to consent to SBA's 
audit or to maintain and produce records constitutes grounds for SBA to 
refuse to issue further guarantees for a Prior Approval Surety, to 
suspend a PSB Surety from participation, and to refuse to honor claims 
submitted by a Prior Approval or PSB Surety until the Surety consents to 
the audit.
    (4) Excessive Losses. If a Surety experiences excessive Losses on 
SBA guaranteed bonds relative to those of other Sureties participating 
in the same SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program to a comparable degree, 
SBA may also require the renegotiation of the guarantee percentage and/
or SBA's charge to the Surety for bonds executed thereafter.
    (b) Lack of business integrity. A Surety's participation in the 
Surety Bond Guarantee Programs may be denied, suspended, or terminated 
upon the occurrence of any event in paragraphs (b) (1) through (5) of 
this section involving any of the following Persons: The Surety or any 
of its officers, directors, partners, or other individuals holding at 
least 20% of the Surety's voting securities, and any agents, 
underwriters, or any individual empowered to act on behalf of any of the 
preceding Persons.
    (1) If a State or other authority has revoked, canceled, or 
suspended the license required of such Person to engage in the surety 
business, the right of such Person to participate in the SBA Surety Bond 
Guarantee Program may be denied, terminated, or suspended, as 
applicable, in that jurisdiction or in other jurisdictions. 
Ineligibility or suspension from the Surety Bond Guarantee Programs is 
for at least the duration of the license suspension.
    (2) If such Person has been indicted or otherwise formally charged 
with a misdemeanor or felony bearing on such Person's fitness to 
participate in the Surety Bond Guarantee Programs, the participation of 
such Person may be suspended pending disposition of the charge. Upon 
conviction, participation may be denied or terminated.
    (3) If a final civil judgment is entered holding that such Person 
has committed a breach of trust or violation of a law or regulation 
protecting the integrity of business transactions or relationships, 
participation may be denied or terminated.
    (4) If such Person has made a material misrepresentation or 
willfully false statement in the presentation of oral or written 
information to SBA in connection with an application for a surety bond 
guarantee or the presentation of a claim, or committed a material breach 
of the Prior Approval or PSB Agreement or a material violation of the 
regulations (all as described in Sec.  115.19), participation may be 
denied or terminated.
    (5) If such Person is debarred, suspended, voluntarily excluded 
from, or declared ineligible for participation in

[[Page 229]]

Federal programs, participation may be denied or terminated.
    (c) Notification requirement. The Prior Approval or PSB Surety must 
promptly notify SBA of the occurrence of any event in paragraphs (b) (1) 
through (5) of this section, or if any of the Persons described in 
paragraph (b) of this section does not, or ceases to, qualify as a 
Surety. SBA may require submission of a Statement of Personal History 
(SBA Form 912) from any of these Persons.
    (d) SBA proceedings. Decisions to suspend, terminate, deny 
participation in, or deny reinstatement in the Surety Bond Guarantee 
program are made by the D/SG. A Surety may file a petition for review of 
suspensions and terminations with the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals 
(OHA) under part 134 of this chapter. SBA's Administrator may, pending a 
decision pursuant to part 134 of this chapter, suspend the participation 
of any Surety for any of the causes listed in paragraphs (b) (1) through 
(5) of this section.
    (e) Effect on guarantee. A guarantee issued by SBA before a 
suspension or termination under this section remains in effect, subject 
to SBA's right to deny liability under the guarantee.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 23566, Apr. 22, 2016]



Sec.  115.19  Denial of liability.

    In addition to equitable and legal defenses and remedies under 
contract law, the Act, and the regulations in this Part, SBA is relieved 
of liability in whole or in part within its discretion if any of the 
circumstances in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this section exist, 
except that SBA shall not deny liability on Prior Approval bonds based 
solely upon material information that was provided to SBA as part of the 
Surety's guarantee application.
    (a) Excess Contract or bond amount. The total Contract or Order 
amount at the time of Execution of the bond exceeds the Applicable 
Statutory Limit (see Sec.  115.10) or the bond amount at any time 
exceeds the total Contract or Order amount.
    (b) Misrepresentation or fraud. The Surety obtained the Prior 
Approval or PSB Agreement, or applied for reimbursement for losses, by 
fraud or material misrepresentation. Material misrepresentation includes 
(but is not limited to) both the making of an untrue statement of 
material fact and the omission of a statement of material fact necessary 
to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in 
which it was made. Material misrepresentation also includes the adoption 
by the Surety of a material misstatement made by others which the Surety 
knew or under generally accepted underwriting standards should have 
known to be false or misleading. The Surety's failure to disclose its 
ownership (or the ownership by any owner of at least 20% of the Surety's 
equity) of an interest in a Principal or an Obligee is considered the 
omission of a statement of material fact.
    (c) Material breach. The Surety has committed a material breach of 
one or more terms or conditions of its Prior Approval or PSB Agreement. 
A material breach is considered to have occurred if:
    (1) Such breach (or such breaches in the aggregate) causes an 
increase in the Contract amount or in the bond amount of at least 25% or 
$500,000 of the original contract or bond amount, whichever is less; or
    (2) One of the conditions under Part B of Title IV of the Investment 
Act is not met.
    (d) Substantial regulatory violation. The Surety has committed a 
``substantial violation'' of SBA regulations. For purposes of this 
paragraph, a ``substantial violation'' is a violation which causes an 
increase in the bond amount of at least 25% or $500,000 of the original 
contract or bond amount, whichever is less in the aggregate, or is 
contrary to the purposes of the Surety Bond Guarantee Programs.
    (e) Alteration. Without obtaining prior written approval from SBA 
(which may be conditioned upon payment of additional fees), the Surety 
agrees to or acquiesces in any material alteration in the terms, 
conditions, or provisions of the bond, including but not limited to the 
following acts:
    (1) Naming as an Obligee or co-Obligee any Person that does not 
qualify as an Obligee under Sec.  115.10; or
    (2) In the case of a Prior Approval Surety, acquiescing in any 
alteration

[[Page 230]]

to the bond which would increase the bond amount by at least 25% or 
$500,000 of the original contract or bond amount, whichever is less.
    (f) Timeliness. (1) Either:
    (i) The bond was Executed prior to the date of SBA's guarantee; or
    (ii) The bond was Executed (or approved, if the Surety is legally 
bound by such approval) after the work under the Contract had begun, 
unless SBA executes a ``Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement Addendum'' (SBA 
Form 991) after receiving all of the following from the Surety:
    (A) Satisfactory evidence, including a certified copy of the 
Contract (or a sworn affidavit from the Principal), showing that the 
bond requirement was contained in the original Contract, or other 
documentation satisfactory to SBA, showing why a bond was not previously 
obtained and is now being required;
    (B) Certification by the Principal that all taxes and labor costs 
are current, and listing all suppliers and subcontractors, indicating 
that they are all paid to date, and attaching a waiver of lien from 
each; or an explanation satisfactory to SBA why such documentation 
cannot be produced; and
    (C) Certification by the Obligee that all payments due under the 
Contract to date have been made and that the job has been satisfactorily 
completed to date.
    (2)(i) For purposes of paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, work 
under a Contract is considered to have begun when a Principal takes any 
action related to the contract or bond that would have exposed its 
Surety to liability under applicable law had a bond been Executed (or 
approved, if the Surety is legally bound by such approval) at the time.
    (ii) For purposes of this paragraph (f), the Surety must maintain a 
contemporaneous record of the Execution and approval of each bond.
    (g) Delinquent fees. The Surety has not remitted to SBA the 
Principal's payment for the full amount of the guarantee fee within the 
time period required under Sec.  115.30(d) for Prior Approval Sureties 
or Sec.  115.66 for PSB Sureties, or has not made timely payment of the 
Surety's fee within the time period required by Sec.  115.32(c). SBA may 
reinstate the guarantee upon showing that the contract is not in default 
and that a valid reason exists why a timely remittance or payment was 
not made.
    (h) Other regulatory violations. The occurrence of any of the 
following:
    (1) The Principal on the bonded Contract is not a small business;
    (2) The bond was not required under the bid solicitation or the 
original Contract;
    (3) The bond was not eligible for guarantee by SBA because the 
bonded contract was not a Contract as defined in Sec.  115.10;
    (4) The loss occurred under a bond that was not guaranteed by SBA;
    (5) The loss incurred by the Surety was not a Loss as determined 
under Sec.  115.16; or
    (6) The Surety's loss under a Performance Bond did not result from 
the Principal's breach or Imminent Breach of the Contract.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 30804, June 8, 2001; 72 
FR 34599, July 25, 2007; 74 FR 36110, July 22, 2009; 79 FR 2087, Jan. 
13, 2014; 82 FR 39501, Aug. 21, 2017; 87 FR 48084, Aug. 8, 2022]



Sec.  115.20  Insolvency of Surety.

    (a) Successor in interest. If a Surety becomes insolvent, all rights 
or benefits conferred on the Surety under a valid and binding Prior 
Approval or PSB Agreement will accrue only to the trustee or receiver of 
the Surety. SBA will not be liable to the trustee or receiver of the 
insolvent Surety except for the guaranteed portion of any Loss incurred 
and actually paid by such Surety or its trustee or receiver under the 
guaranteed bonds.
    (b) Filing requirement. The trustee or receiver must submit to SBA 
quarterly status reports accounting for all funds received and all 
settlements being considered.



Sec.  115.21  Audits and investigations.

    (a) Audits--(1) Scope of audit. SBA may audit in the office of a 
Prior Approval or PSB Surety, the Surety's attorneys or consultants, or 
the Principal or its subcontractors, all documents, files, books, 
records, tapes, disks and other material relevant to SBA's guarantee, 
commitments to

[[Page 231]]

guarantee a surety bond, or agreements to indemnify the Prior Approval 
or PSB Surety. See Sec.  115.18(a)(3) for consequences of failure to 
comply with this section.
    (2) Frequency of PSB audits. Each PSB Surety is subject to an audit 
at least once every 3 years by examiners selected and approved by SBA.
    (b) Records. The Surety must maintain the records listed in this 
paragraph (b) for the term of each bond, plus any additional time 
required to settle any claims of the Surety for reimbursement from SBA 
and to attempt salvage or other recovery, plus an additional 3 years. If 
there are any unresolved audit findings in relation to a particular 
bond, the Surety must maintain the related records until the findings 
are resolved. The records to be maintained include the following:
    (1) A copy of the bond;
    (2) A copy of the bonded Contract;
    (3) All documentation submitted by the Principal in applying for the 
bond;
    (4) All information gathered by the Surety in reviewing the 
Principal's application;
    (5) All documentation of any of the events set forth in Sec.  
115.35(a) or Sec.  115.65(c)(2);
    (6) All records of any transaction for which the Surety makes 
payment under or in connection with the bond, including but not limited 
to claims, bills (including lawyers' and consultants' bills), judgments, 
settlement agreements and court or arbitration decisions, consultants' 
reports, Contracts and receipts;
    (7) All documentation relating to efforts to mitigate Losses, 
including documentation required by Sec.  115.34(a) or Sec.  115.69 
concerning Imminent Breach;
    (8) All records of any accounts into which fees and funds obtained 
in mitigation of Losses were paid and from which payments were made 
under the bond, and any other trust accounts, and any reconciliations of 
such accounts;
    (9) Job status reports received from Obligees and documentation of 
each unanswered request for a job status report; and
    (10) All documentation relating to any collateral held by or 
available to the Surety.
    (c) Purpose of audit. SBA's audit will determine, but not be limited 
to:
    (1) The adequacy and sufficiency of the Surety's underwriting and 
credit analysis, its documentation of claims and claims settlement 
procedures and activities, and its recovery procedures and practices;
    (2) The Surety's minimization of Loss, including the exercise of 
bond options upon Contract default; and
    (3) The Surety's loss ratio in comparison with other Sureties 
participating in the same SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program to a 
comparable degree.
    (d) Investigations. SBA may conduct investigations to inquire into 
the possible violation by any Person of the Small Business Act or the 
Investment Act, or of any rule or regulation under those Acts, or of any 
order issued under those Acts, or of any Federal law relating to 
programs and operations of SBA.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 72 FR 34599, June 25, 2007]



Sec.  115.22  Quarterly Contract Completion Report.

    The Surety must submit a Quarterly Contract Completion Report within 
45 days after the close of each fiscal year quarter ending December 31, 
March 31, June 30, and September 30, that identifies each contract 
successfully completed during the quarter. The report shall include:
    (a) The SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Number,
    (b) Name of the Principal,
    (c) The original Contract Dollar Amount,
    (d) The revised Contract Dollar Amount (if applicable),
    (e) The date of Contract completion, and
    (f) A summary specifying the fee amounts paid to SBA by the Surety 
and Principal, the fee amounts due to SBA as a result of any increases 
in the Contract amount, and the fee amounts to be refunded to the 
Principal or rebated to the Surety as a result of any decreases in the 
Contract amount.

[82 FR 39501, Aug. 21, 2017]

[[Page 232]]



             Subpart B_Guarantees Subject to Prior Approval



Sec.  115.30  Submission of Surety's guarantee application.

    (a) Legal effect of application. By submitting an application to SBA 
for a bond guarantee, the Prior Approval Surety certifies that the 
Principal meets the eligibility requirements set forth in Sec.  115.13 
and that the underwriting standards set forth in Sec.  115.15 have been 
met.
    (b) SBA's determination. SBA's approval or decline of a guarantee 
application is made in writing by an authorized SBA officer. The officer 
may provide telephone notice before the Prior Approval Surety receives 
SBA's guarantee approval form if the officer has already signed the 
form. In the event of a conflict between the telephone notice and the 
written form, the written form controls.
    (c) Reconsideration-appeal of SBA determination. A Prior Approval 
Surety may request reconsideration of a decline from the SBA officer who 
made the decision. If the decision on reconsideration is negative, the 
Surety may appeal to an individual designated by the D/SG. If the 
decision is again adverse, the Surety may appeal to the D/SG, who will 
make the final decision.
    (d) Prior Approval Agreement. To apply for a bond guarantee, a Prior 
Approval Surety must submit a Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement (SBA Form 
990) and select one of the following application types:
    (1) Regular. A Prior Approval Surety may complete and submit a 
Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement (SBA Form 990) indicating a Regular 
application type to SBA for each Bid Bond or Final Bond. This Form must 
be approved by SBA prior to the Surety's Execution of the bond. The 
guarantee fees owed in connection with Final Bonds must be paid in 
accordance with Sec.  115.32.
    (2) Quick Bond Agreement--(i) General procedures. Except as provided 
in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, a Prior Approval Surety may 
complete and submit a SBA Form 990 indicating a Quick Bond Agreement 
application type for each Bid Bond or Final Bond. This form must be 
approved by SBA prior to the Surety's Execution of the bond. The Quick 
Bond application type is used only for contract amounts that do not 
exceed $500,000 at the time of application. The guarantee fees owed in 
connection with Final Bonds must be paid in accordance with Sec.  
115.32.
    (ii) Exclusions. The Quick Bond application type may not be used 
under the following circumstances:
    (A) The Principal has previously defaulted on any contract or has 
had any claims or complaints filed against it with any court or 
administrative agency;
    (B) Work on the Contract commenced before a bond was Executed;
    (C) The time for completion of the Contract exceeds 12 months;
    (D) The Contract includes a provision for liquidated damages that 
exceed $2,500 per day;
    (E) The Contract involves asbestos abatement, hazardous waste 
removal, or timber sales; or
    (F) The bond would be issued under a surety bonding line approved 
under Sec.  115.33.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 41665, July 16, 2012; 79 
FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014; 82 FR 39501, Aug. 21, 2017; 87 FR 48084, Aug. 8, 
2022; 88 FR 24473, Apr. 21, 2023]



Sec.  115.31  Guarantee percentage.

    (a) Ninety percent. SBA reimburses a Prior Approval Surety for 90% 
of the Loss incurred and paid if:
    (1) The total amount of the Contract at the time of Execution of the 
bond is $100,000 or less; or
    (2) The bond was issued on behalf of a small business owned and 
controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, on 
behalf of a certified HUBZone small business concern, or on behalf of a 
small business owned and controlled by veterans or a small business 
owned and controlled by Service-disabled veterans.
    (b) Eighty percent. SBA reimburses a Prior Approval Surety in an 
amount not to exceed 80% of the Loss incurred and paid on bonds for 
Contracts in excess of $100,000 which are executed on behalf of non-
disadvantaged concerns.
    (c) Contract increase to over $100,000. If the Contract amount 
increases to more than $100,000 after Execution of the bond, the 
guarantee percentage decreases by one percentage point for

[[Page 233]]

each $5,000 of increase or part thereof, but it does not decrease below 
80%. This provision applies only to guarantees which qualify under 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (d) Contract or Order increases exceed Applicable Statutory Limit. 
If the Contract or Order amount is increased above the Applicable 
Statutory Limit after Execution of the bond, SBA's share of the Loss is 
limited to that percentage of the increased Contract or Order amount 
that the Applicable Statutory Limit represents multiplied by the 
guarantee percentage approved by SBA. For example, if a contract amount 
increases to $6,800,000, SBA's share of the loss under an 80% guarantee 
is limited to 76.5% [6,500,000/6,800,000 = 95.6% x 80% = 76.5%].
    (e) Contract or Order decrease to $100,000 or less. If the Contract 
or Order amount decreases to $100,000, or less, after Execution of the 
bond, SBA's guarantee percentage increases to 90% if the Surety provides 
SBA with evidence supporting the decrease and any other information or 
documents requested.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 18324, Apr. 14, 1999; 66 
FR 30804, June 8, 2001; 72 FR 34599, June 25, 2007; 74 FR 36110, July 
22, 2009; 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014; 84 FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  115.32  Fees and Premiums.

    (a) Surety's Premium. A Prior Approval Surety must not charge a 
Principal an amount greater than that authorized by the appropriate 
insurance department. The Surety must not require the Principal to 
purchase casualty or other insurance or any other services from the 
Surety or any Affiliate or agent of the Surety. The Surety must not 
charge non-Premium fees to a Principal unless the Surety performs other 
services for the Principal, the additional fee is permitted by State 
law, and the Principal agrees to the fee.
    (b) SBA charge to Principal. SBA does not charge Principals 
application or Bid Bond guarantee fees. If SBA guarantees a Final Bond, 
the Principal must pay a guarantee fee equal to a certain percentage of 
the Contract amount. The percentage is determined by SBA and is 
published in Notices in the Federal Register from time to time. The 
Principal's fee is rounded to the nearest dollar and is to be remitted 
to SBA with the form submitted under Sec.  115.30(d). See paragraph (d) 
of this section for additional requirements when the Contract amount 
changes.
    (c) SBA charge to Surety. SBA does not charge Sureties application 
or Bid Bond guarantee fees. Subject to Sec.  115.18(a)(4), the Surety 
must pay SBA a guarantee fee on each guaranteed bond (other than a Bid 
Bond) within 60 calendar days after SBA's approval of the Prior Approval 
Agreement. The fee is a certain percentage of the bond premium 
determined by SBA and published in Notices in the Federal Register from 
time to time. The fee is rounded to the nearest dollar. SBA does not 
receive any portion of a Surety's non-premium charges. See paragraph (d) 
of this section for additional requirements when the Contract or bond 
amount changes.
    (d) Contract or bond increases/decreases--(1) Notification and 
approval. The Prior Approval Surety must notify SBA of any increases or 
decreases in the Contract or bond amount that aggregate 25% or $500,000 
of the original contract or bond amount, whichever is less, as soon as 
the Surety acquires knowledge of the change. Whenever the original bond 
amount increases as a result of a single change order of at least 25% or 
$500,000 of the original contract or bond amount, whichever is less, the 
prior written approval of such increase by SBA is required on a 
supplemental Prior Approval Agreement and is conditioned upon payment by 
the Surety of the increase in the Principal's guarantee fee as set forth 
in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. In notifying SBA of any increase or 
decrease in the Contract or bond amount, the Prior Approval Surety must 
use SBA Form 990 and select the application type that it used in 
applying for the original bond guarantee.
    (2) Increases; fees. The payment for the increase in the Principal's 
guarantee fee, which is computed on the increase in the Contract amount, 
is due upon notification of the increase in the Contract or bond amount 
under this paragraph (d). If the increase in the Principal's fee is less 
than $250, no payment is due until the total amount of

[[Page 234]]

increases in the Principal's fee equals or exceeds $250. The Surety's 
payment of the increase in the Surety's guarantee fee, computed on the 
increase in the bond Premium, must be submitted to SBA within 60 
calendar days of SBA's approval of the Prior Approval Agreement, unless 
the amount of such increased guarantee fee is less than $250. When the 
total amount of increase in the guarantee fee equals or exceeds $250, 
the Surety must remit the fee within 60 calendar days.
    (3) Decreases; refunds. Whenever SBA is notified of a decrease in 
the Contract or bond amount, SBA will refund to the Principal a 
proportionate amount of the Principal's guarantee fee and rebate to the 
Surety a proportionate amount of SBA's Premium share in the ordinary 
course of business. If the amount to be refunded or rebated is less than 
$250, such refund or rebate will not be made until the amounts to be 
refunded or rebated, respectively, aggregate at least $250. Upon receipt 
of the refund, the Surety must promptly pay a proportionate amount of 
its Premium to the Principal.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 72 FR 34599, June 25, 2007; 77 
FR 41665, July 16, 2012; 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014; 82 FR 39502, Aug. 
21, 2017; 87 FR 48084, Aug. 8, 2022; 88 FR 24473, Apr. 21, 2023]



Sec.  115.33  Surety bonding line.

    A surety bonding line is a written commitment by SBA to a Prior 
Approval Surety which provides for the Surety's Execution of multiple 
bonds for a specified small business strictly within pre-approved terms, 
conditions and limitations. In applying for a bonding line, the Surety 
must provide SBA with information on the applicant as requested. In 
addition to the other limitations and provisions set forth in this part 
115, the following conditions apply to each surety bonding line:
    (a) Underwriting. A bonding line may be issued by SBA for a 
Principal only if the underwriting evaluation is satisfactory. The Prior 
Approval Surety must require the Principal to keep it informed of all 
its contracts, whether bonded by the same or another surety or unbonded, 
during the term of the bonding line.
    (b) Bonding line conditions. The bonding line contains limitations 
on the following:
    (1) The term of the bonding line, not to exceed 1 year subject to 
renewal in writing;
    (2) The total dollar amount of the Principal's bonded and unbonded 
work on hand at any time, including outstanding bids, during the term of 
the bonding line;
    (3) The number of such bonded and unbonded contracts outstanding at 
any time during the term of the bonding line;
    (4) The maximum dollar amount of any single guaranteed bonded 
Contract;
    (5) The timing of Execution of bonds under the bonding line--bonds 
must be dated and Executed before the work on the underlying Contract 
has begun, or the Surety must submit to SBA the documentation required 
under Sec.  115.19(f)(1)(ii); and
    (6) Any other limitation related to type, specialty of work, 
geographical area, or credit.
    (c) Excess bonding. If, after a bonding line is issued, the 
Principal desires a bond and the Surety desires a guarantee exceeding a 
limitation of the bonding line, the Surety must submit an application to 
SBA under regular procedures.
    (d) Submission of forms to SBA--(1) Bid Bonds. Within 15 business 
days after the Execution of any Bid Bonds under a bonding line, the 
Surety must submit a ``Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement (Form 990)'' to 
SBA for approval. If the Surety fails to submit the form within this 
time period, SBA's guarantee of the bond will be void from its inception 
unless SBA determines otherwise upon a showing that a valid reason 
exists why the timely submission was not made.
    (2) Final Bonds. Within 15 business days after the Execution of any 
Final Bonds under a bonding line, the Surety must submit a Surety Bond 
Guarantee Agreement (SBA Form 990) to SBA for approval. If the surety 
fails to submit this form within the time period or the guarantee fees 
are not paid in accordance with Sec.  115.32, SBA's guarantee of the 
bond will be void from its inception unless SBA determines otherwise 
upon

[[Page 235]]

a showing that the Contract is not in default and a valid reason exists 
why the timely submission was not made.
    (3) Additional information. The Surety must submit any other data 
SBA requests.
    (e) Cancellation of bonding line--(1) Optional cancellation. Either 
SBA or the Surety may cancel a bonding line at any time, with or without 
cause, upon written notice to the other party. Upon the receipt of any 
adverse information concerning the Principal, the Surety must promptly 
notify SBA, and SBA may cancel the bonding line.
    (2) Mandatory cancellation. Upon the occurrence of a default by the 
Principal, whether under a contract bonded by the same or another surety 
or an unbonded contract, the Surety must immediately cancel the bonding 
line.
    (3) Effect of cancellation. Cancellation of a bonding line by SBA is 
effective upon receipt of written notice by the Surety. Bonds issued 
before the effective date of cancellation remain guaranteed by SBA. Upon 
cancellation by SBA or the Surety, the Surety must promptly notify the 
Principal in writing.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 41665, July 16, 2012; 87 
FR 48084, Aug. 8, 2022]



Sec.  115.34  Minimization of Surety's Loss.

    (a) Imminent Breach--(1) Prior approval requirement. SBA will 
reimburse its guaranteed share of payments made by a Surety to avoid or 
attempt to avoid an Imminent Breach of the terms of a Contract covered 
by an SBA guaranteed bond only if the payments were made with the prior 
approval of OSG. OSG's prior approval will be given only if the Surety 
demonstrates to SBA's satisfaction that a breach is imminent and that 
there is no other recourse to prevent such breach.
    (2) Amount of reimbursement. The aggregate of the payments by SBA to 
avoid Imminent Breach cannot exceed 10% of the Contract amount, unless 
the Administrator finds that a greater payment (not to exceed the 
guaranteed share of the bond penalty) is necessary and reasonable. In no 
event will SBA make any duplicate payment pursuant to this or any other 
provision of this part 115.
    (3) Recordkeeping requirement. The Surety must keep records of 
payments made to avoid Imminent Breach.
    (b) Salvage and recovery. A Prior Approval Surety must pursue all 
possible sources of salvage and recovery until SBA concurs with the 
Surety's recommendation for a discontinuance or for a settlement. The 
Surety must certify that continued pursuit of salvage and recovery would 
be neither economically feasible nor a viable strategy in maximizing 
recovery. See also Sec.  115.17(b).



Sec.  115.35  Claims for reimbursement of Losses.

    (a) Notification requirements--(1) Events requiring notification. A 
Prior Approval Surety must notify OSG of the occurrence of any of the 
following:
    (i) Legal action under the bond has been initiated.
    (ii) The Obligee has declared the Principal to be in default under 
the Contract.
    (iii) The Surety has established a claim reserve for the bond.
    (iv) The Surety has received any adverse information concerning the 
Principal's financial condition or possible inability to complete the 
project or to pay laborers or suppliers.
    (2) Timing of notification. Notification must be made in writing at 
the earlier of the time the Surety applies for a guarantee on behalf of 
an affected Principal, or within 30 days of the date the Surety acquires 
knowledge, or should have acquired knowledge, of any of the listed 
events.
    (b) Surety action. The Surety must take all necessary steps to 
mitigate Losses resulting from any of the events in paragraph (a) of 
this section, including the disposal at fair market value of any 
collateral held by or available to the Surety. Unless SBA notifies the 
Surety otherwise, the Surety must take charge of all claims or suits 
arising from a defaulted bond, and compromise, settle and defend such 
suits. The Surety must handle and process all claims under the bond and 
all settlements and recoveries as it does on non-guaranteed bonds.
    (c) Claim reimbursement requests. (1) Claims for reimbursement for 
Losses

[[Page 236]]

which the Surety has paid must be submitted (together with a copy of the 
bond, the bonded Contract, and any indemnity agreements) with the 
initial claim to OSG on a ``Default Report, Claim for Reimbursement and 
Report of Recoveries'' (SBA Form 994H), within 90 days from the time of 
each disbursement. Claims submitted after 90 days must be accompanied by 
substantiation satisfactory to SBA. The date of the claim for 
reimbursement is the date of receipt of the claim by SBA, or such later 
date as additional information requested by SBA is received.
    (2) The Surety must also submit evidence of the disposal of all 
collateral at fair market value.
    (3) SBA may request additional information prior to reimbursing the 
Surety for its Loss.
    (4) Subject to the offset provisions of part 140, SBA pays its share 
of the Loss incurred and paid by the Surety within 45 days of receipt of 
the requisite information.
    (5) Claims for reimbursement and any additional information 
submitted are subject to review and audit by SBA, including but not 
limited to the Surety's compliance with SBA's regulations and forms.
    (d) Status updates. The Surety must submit semiannual status reports 
on each claim 6 months after the initial default notice, and then every 
6 months. The Surety must notify SBA immediately of any substantial 
changes in the status of the claim or the amounts of Loss reserves.
    (e) Reservation of SBA rights. The payment by SBA of a Surety's 
claim does not waive or invalidate any of the terms of the Prior 
Approval Agreement, the regulations set forth in this part 115, or any 
defense SBA may have against the Surety. Within 30 days of receipt of 
notification that a claim or any portion of a claim should not have been 
paid by SBA, the Surety must repay the specified amounts to SBA.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014]



Sec.  115.36  Indemnity settlements.

    (a) An indemnity settlement occurs when a defaulted Principal and 
its Surety agree upon an amount, less than the actual loss under the 
bond, which will satisfy the Principal's indebtedness to the Surety. 
Sureties must not agree to any indemnity settlement proposal or enter 
into any such agreement without SBA's concurrence.
    (b) Any settlement proposal submitted for SBA's consideration must 
include current financial information, including financial statements, 
tax returns, and credit reports, together with the Surety's written 
recommendations. It should also indicate whether the Principal is 
interested in further bonding.
    (c) The Surety must pay SBA its pro rata share of the settlement 
amount within 45 days of receipt. Prior to closing the file on a 
Principal, the Surety must certify that SBA has received its pro rata 
share of all indemnity recovery.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014; 81 
FR 23566, Apr. 22, 2016]



            Subpart C_Preferred Surety Bond (PSB) Guarantees



Sec.  115.60  Selection and admission of PSB Sureties.

    (a) Selection of PSB Sureties. SBA's selection of PSB Sureties will 
be guided by, but not limited to, these factors:
    (1) An underwriting limitation of at least $6,500,000 on the U.S. 
Treasury Department list of acceptable sureties;
    (2) An agreement that the Surety will neither charge a bond premium 
in excess of that authorized by the appropriate State insurance 
department, nor impose any non-premium fee unless such fee is permitted 
by applicable State law and approved by SBA.
    (3) Premium income from contract bonds guaranteed by any government 
agency (Federal, State or local) of no more than one- quarter of the 
total contract bond premium income of the Surety;
    (4) The vesting of underwriting authority for SBA guaranteed bonds 
only in employees of the Surety;
    (5) The rating or ranking designations assigned to the Surety by 
recognized authority.
    (b) Admission of PSB Sureties. A Surety admitted to the PSB program 
must execute a PSB Agreement before approving SBA guaranteed bonds. No

[[Page 237]]

SBA guarantee attaches to bonds approved before the D/SG or designee has 
countersigned the Agreement. For a period of nine months following 
admission to the PSB program, the Surety must obtain SBA's prior written 
approval before executing a bond greater than $2 million so that SBA may 
evaluate the Surety's performance in its underwriting and claims and 
recovery functions. At the end of this nine month period, SBA may in its 
discretion extend this period to allow SBA to further evaluate the 
Surety's performance.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 30804, June 8, 2001; 72 
FR 34600, June 25, 2007; 81 FR 23566, Apr. 22, 2016; 82 FR 39502, Aug. 
21, 2017]



Sec.  115.61  [Reserved]



Sec.  115.62  Prohibition on participation in Prior Approval program.

    A PSB Surety is not eligible to submit applications under subpart B 
of this part. This prohibition does not extend to an Affiliate, as 
defined in 13 CFR Sec.  121.103, of a PSB Surety that is not itself a 
PSB Surety provided that the relationship between the PSB Surety and the 
Affiliate has been fully disclosed to SBA and that such Affiliate has 
been approved by SBA to participate as a Prior Approval Surety pursuant 
to Sec.  115.11.

[72 FR 34600, June 25, 2007]



Sec.  115.63  Allotment of guarantee authority.

    (a) General. SBA allots to each PSB Surety a periodic maximum 
guarantee authority. No SBA guarantee attaches to bonds approved by a 
PSB Surety if the bonds exceed the allotted authority for the period in 
which the bonds are approved. No reliance on future authority is 
permitted. An allotment can be increased only by prior written 
permission of SBA.
    (b) Execution of Bid Bonds. When the PSB Surety Executes a Bid Bond, 
SBA debits the Surety's allotment for an amount equal to the guarantee 
percentage of the estimated penal sum of the Final Bond SBA would 
guarantee if the Contract were awarded. If the Contract is then awarded 
for an amount other than the bid amount, or if the bid is withdrawn or 
the Bid Bond guarantee has expired (see Sec.  115.12(c)), SBA debits or 
credits the Surety's allotment accordingly.
    (c) Execution of Final Bonds. If the PSB Surety Executes a 
guaranteed Final Bond, but not the related Bid Bond, SBA debits the 
Surety's allotment for an amount equal to the guarantee percentage of 
the penal sum of the Final Bond. SBA will debit the allotment for 
increases, and credit the allotment for decreases, in the bond amount.
    (d) Release and non-issuance of Final Bonds. The release of Final 
Bonds upon completion of the Contract does not restore the corresponding 
allotment. If, however, a PSB Surety approves a Final Bond but never 
issues the bond, SBA will credit the Surety's allotment for an amount 
equal to the guarantee percentage of the penal sum of the bond. In that 
event, the Surety must notify SBA as soon as possible, but in no event 
later than 5 business days after the non-issuance has been determined. 
Until the Surety has so notified SBA, it cannot rely on such credit.



Sec.  115.64  Timeliness requirement.

    There must be no Execution or approval of a bond by a PSB Surety 
after commencement of work under a Contract unless the Surety obtains 
written approval from the D/SG. To apply for such approval, the Surety 
must submit a completed ``Surety Bond Guarantee Agreement Addendum'' 
(SBA Form 991), together with the evidence and certifications described 
in Sec.  115.19(f)(1)(ii). For purposes of this section, work has 
commenced under a Contract when a Principal takes any action related to 
the contract or bond that would have exposed its Surety to liability 
under applicable law had a bond been Executed (or approved, if the 
Surety is legally bound by such approval) at the time.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 87 FR 48084, Aug. 8, 2022]



Sec.  115.65  General PSB procedures.

    (a) Retention of information. A PSB Surety must comply with all 
applicable SBA regulations and obtain from its applicants all the 
information and certifications required by SBA. The

[[Page 238]]

PSB Surety must document compliance with SBA regulations and retain such 
certifications in its files, including a contemporaneous record of the 
date of approval and Execution of each bond. See also Sec.  115.19(f). 
The certifications and other information must be made available for 
inspection by SBA or its agents and must be available for submission to 
SBA in connection with the Surety's claims for reimbursement. The PSB 
Surety must retain the certifications and other information for the term 
of the bond, plus such additional time as may be required to settle any 
claims of the Surety for reimbursement from SBA and to attempt salvage 
or other recovery, plus an additional 3 years. If there are any 
unresolved audit findings in relation to a particular bond, the Surety 
must maintain the related certifications and other information until the 
findings are resolved.
    (b) Usual staff and procedures. The approval, Execution and 
administration by a PSB Surety of SBA guaranteed bonds must be handled 
in the same manner and with the same staff as the Surety's activity 
outside the PSB program. The Surety must request job status reports from 
Obligees in accordance with its own procedures.
    (c) Notification to SBA--(1) Approvals. A PSB Surety must notify SBA 
by electronic transmission or monthly bordereau, as agreed between the 
Surety and SBA, of all approved Bid and Final Bonds, and of the Surety's 
approval of increases and decreases in the Contract or bond amount. The 
notice must contain the information specified from time to time in 
agreements between the Surety and SBA. SBA may deny liability with 
respect to Final Bonds for which SBA has not received timely notice.
    (2) Other events requiring notification. The PSB Surety must notify 
SBA within 30 calendar days of the name and address of any Principal 
against whom legal action on the bond has been instituted; whenever an 
Obligee has declared a default; whenever the Surety has established or 
added to a claim reserve; of the recovery of any amounts on the 
guaranteed bond; and of any decision by the Surety to bond any such 
Principal again.



Sec.  115.66  Fees.

    The PSB Surety must pay SBA a certain percentage of the Premium it 
charges on Final Bonds. The PSB Surety must also remit to SBA the 
Principal's payment for its guarantee fee, equal to a certain percentage 
of the Contract amount. The fee percentages are determined by SBA and 
are published in Notices in the Federal Register from time to time. Each 
fee is rounded to the nearest dollar. The Surety must remit SBA's 
Premium share and the Principal's guarantee fee with the bordereau 
listing the related Final Bond, as required in the PSB Agreement.



Sec.  115.67  Changes in Contract or bond amount.

    (a) Increases. The PSB Surety must process Contract or bond amount 
increases within its allotment in the same manner as initial guaranteed 
bond issuances (see Sec.  115.65(c)(1)). The Surety must present checks 
for additional fees due from the Principal and the Surety on any 
increases aggregating 25% of the original Contract or bond amount or 
$500,000, whichever is less, and attach such payments to the respective 
monthly bordereau. If the additional Principal's fee or Surety's fee is 
less than $250, such fee is not due until all unpaid increases in such 
fee aggregate at least $250.
    (b) Decreases. If the Contract or bond amount is decreased, SBA will 
refund to the Principal a proportionate amount of the guarantee fee, and 
adjust SBA's Premium share accordingly in the ordinary course of 
business. No refund or adjustment will be made until the amounts to be 
refunded or rebated, respectively, aggregate at least $250.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014; 82 
FR 39502, Aug. 21, 2017; 87 FR 48084, Aug. 8, 2022]



Sec.  115.68  Guarantee percentage.

    SBA reimburses a PSB Surety in the same percentages and under the 
same terms as set forth in Sec.  115.31.

[82 FR 39502, Aug. 21, 2017]

[[Page 239]]



Sec.  115.69  Imminent Breach.

    (a) No prior approval requirement. SBA will reimburse a PSB Surety 
for the guaranteed portion of payments the Surety makes to avoid or 
attempt to avoid an Imminent Breach of the terms of a Contract covered 
by an SBA guaranteed bond. The aggregate of the payments by SBA under 
this section cannot exceed 10% of the Contract amount, unless the 
Administrator finds that a greater payment (not to exceed the guaranteed 
portion of the bond penalty) is necessary and reasonable. The PSB Surety 
does not need to obtain prior SBA approval to make Imminent Breach 
payments, except that the PSB Surety may request SBA to approve payments 
that exceed 10% of the Contract amount prior to the Surety making the 
payment. In no event will SBA make any duplicate payment under any 
provision of these regulations in this part.
    (b) Recordkeeping requirement. The PSB Surety must keep records of 
payments made to avoid Imminent Breach.

[79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014]



Sec.  115.70  Claims for reimbursement of Losses.

    (a) How claims are submitted. A PSB Surety must submit claims for 
reimbursement on a form approved by SBA no later than 90 days from the 
date the Surety paid the amount. Loss is determined as of the date of 
receipt by SBA of the claim for reimbursement, or as of such later date 
as additional information requested by SBA is received. Subject to the 
offset provisions of part 140, SBA pays its share of Loss within 45 days 
of receipt of the requisite information. Claims for reimbursement and 
any additional information submitted are subject to review and audit by 
SBA.
    (b) Surety responsibilities. The PSB Surety must take all necessary 
steps to mitigate Losses when legal action against a bond has been 
instituted, when the Obligee has declared a default, and when the Surety 
has established a claim reserve. The Surety may dispose of collateral at 
fair market value only. Unless SBA notifies the Surety otherwise, the 
Surety must take charge of all claims or suits arising from a defaulted 
bond, and compromise, settle or defend the suits. The Surety must handle 
and process all claims under the bond and all settlements and recoveries 
in the same manner as it does on non-guaranteed bonds.
    (c) Reservation of SBA's rights. The payment by SBA of a PSB 
Surety's claim does not waive or invalidate any of the terms of the PSB 
Agreement, the regulations in this part 115, or any defense SBA may have 
against the Surety. Within 30 days of receipt of notification that a 
claim or any portion of a claim should not have been paid by SBA, the 
Surety must repay the specified amounts to SBA.

[61 FR 3271, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 2087, Jan. 13, 2014]



Sec.  115.71  Denial of liability.

    In addition to the grounds set forth in Sec.  115.19, SBA may deny 
liability to a PSB Surety if:
    (a) The PSB Surety's guaranteed bond was in an amount which, 
together with all other guaranteed bonds, exceeded the allotment for the 
period during which the bond was approved, and no prior SBA approval had 
been obtained;
    (b) The PSB Surety's loss was incurred under a bond which was not 
listed on the bordereau for the period when it was approved; or
    (c) The loss incurred by the PSB Surety is not attributable to the 
particular Contract for which an SBA guaranteed bond was approved.



PART 117_NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES 
OF SBA_EFFECTUATION OF THE AGE DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 1975, AS AMENDED--
Table of Contents



Sec.
117.1 Purpose.
117.2 Application of this part.
117.3 Definitions.
117.4 Discrimination prohibited and exceptions.
117.5 Illustrative applications.
117.6 Remedial and affirmative action by recipients.
117.7 Assurances required.
117.8 Responsibilities of SBA recipients.
117.9 Compliance information.

[[Page 240]]

117.10 Review procedures.
117.11 Complaint procedures.
117.12 Mediation.
117.13 Investigation and resolution of matters.
117.14 Intimidating or retaliatory acts prohibited.
117.15 Procedure for effecting compliance.
117.16 Hearings.
117.17 Decisions and notices.
117.18 Judicial review.
117.19 Effect on other regulations.
117.20 Supervision and coordination.

Appendix A to Part 117

    Authority: Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.

    Source: 50 FR 41648, Oct. 11, 1985, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 117 appear at 68 FR 
51349, Aug. 26, 2003.



Sec.  117.1  Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to effectuate the provisions of The Age 
Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (hereinafter referred to as the 
Act), to the end that no person in the United States shall, on the basis 
of age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or 
be subjected to discrimination under programs or activities receiving 
financial assistance or any financial activities of the Small Business 
Administration to which this Act applies. The Act also permits 
recipients of Federal funds to continue to use certain age distinctions 
and other factors other than age which meet the requirements of the Act 
and these regulations in the conduct of programs or activities and the 
provision of services to the public.



Sec.  117.2  Application of this part.

    (a) This part applies to all recipients of Federal financial 
assistance administered by the Small Business Administration, whether or 
not the specific type of Federal financial assistance administered is 
listed in appendix A.
    (b) For the purposes of this part, the prohibition against age 
discrimination applies to natural persons of all ages.
    (c) This part does not apply to the employment practices of any 
recipients.

[50 FR 41648, Oct. 11, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51349, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec.  117.3  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    (a) The term act means the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as 
amended (Title III of Pub. L. 94-135).
    (b) The term action means any act, activity, policy, rule, standard, 
or method of administration; or the use of any policy, rule, standard, 
or method of administration.
    (c) The term age means how old a person is, or the number of years 
from the date of a person's birth.
    (d) The term age distinction means any action using age or an age-
related term.
    (e) The term age-related means a word or words which necessarily 
imply a particular age or range of ages (for example, children, adult, 
older persons, but not student).
    (f) The term agency means a Federal department or agency that is 
empowered to extend financial assistance.
    (g) The term applicant means one who applies for Federal financial 
assistance.
    (h) The term Federal financial assistance includes: (1) Grants and 
loans of Federal funds; (2) the grant or donation of Federal property 
and interests in property; (3) the detail of Federal personnel; (4) the 
sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or 
transient basis), Federal property or any interest in such property 
without consideration, or at a nominal consideration, or at a 
consideration which is reduced for the purpose of assisting the 
recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by such 
sale or lease to the recipient; and (5) any Federal agreement, 
arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its purposes the 
provision of assistance.
    (i) The term normal operation means the operation of a business or 
activity without significant changes that would impair its ability to 
meet its objectives.
    (j) The term program or activity means all of the operations of any 
entity described in paragraphs (j)(1) through (4) of this section, any 
part of which is extended Federal financial assistance:

[[Page 241]]

    (1)(i) A department, agency, special purpose district, or other 
instrumentality of a State or of a local government; or
    (ii) The entity of such State or local government that distributes 
such assistance and each such department or agency (and each other State 
or local government entity) to which the assistance is extended, in the 
case of assistance to a State or local government;
    (2)(i) A college, university, or other postsecondary institution, or 
a public system of higher education; or
    (ii) A local educational agency (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801), 
system of vocational education, or other school system;
    (3)(i) An entire corporation, partnership, or other private 
organization, or an entire sole proprietorship--
    (A) If assistance is extended to such corporation, partnership, 
private organization, or sole proprietorship as a whole; or
    (B) Which is principally engaged in the business of providing 
education, health care, housing, social services, or parks and 
recreation; or
    (ii) The entire plant or other comparable, geographically separate 
facility to which Federal financial assistance is extended, in the case 
of any other corporation, partnership, private organization, or sole 
proprietorship; or
    (4) Any other entity which is established by two or more of the 
entities described in paragraph (j)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.
    (k) The term recipient means one who receives any Federal financial 
assistance administered by the Small Business Administration. (See 
Appendix A.) The term recipient also shall be deemed to include 
subrecipients of SBA financial assistance.
    (l) The term SBA means the Small Business Administration.
    (m) The term subrecipient means any business concern that receives 
Federal financial assistance from the primary recipient of such 
financial assistance. A subrecipient is generally regarded as a 
recipient of Federal financial assistance and has all the duties of a 
recipient in these regulations.
    (n) The term statutory objective means the purposes of the 
legislation as stated in an act, statute or ordinance or can be shown in 
the legislative history of any Federal statute, State statute, or local 
statute or ordinance adopted by an elected, general purpose legislative 
body.

[50 FR 41648, Oct. 11, 1985, as amended at 68 FR 51349, Aug. 26, 2003]



Sec.  117.4  Discrimination prohibited and exceptions.

    (a) General. To the extent that this part applies, no person in the 
United States shall, on the basis of age, be excluded from participation 
in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under 
any business or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
    (b) Specific discriminatory actions prohibited. To the extent that 
this part applies, a recipient business or other activity may not, 
directly or through contractual arrangements, on the ground of age:
    (1) Deny an individual any services, financial aid or other benefit 
provided by the business or other activity, except where sanctioned by 
one of the exceptions stated in Sec.  117.4 (d), (e) or (f) of this 
section.
    (2) Provide any service, financial aid or other benefit, except as 
sanctioned by one of the exceptions stated below, in such a way as to 
deny or limit persons in their efforts to participate in federally-
assisted programs or activities;
    (3) Treat an individual differently from others, except as 
sanctioned by an exception stated below, in determining whether the 
person satisfied any admission, enrollment, eligibility, membership, or 
other requirement or condition which individuals must meet in order to 
be provided any service, financial aid or other benefit provided by the 
business or activity.
    (c) The specific forms of prohibited discrimination in paragraph (b) 
of this section does not limit the generality of the prohibition in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) Exception 1. A recipient is permitted to take an action 
otherwise prohibited by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, if the 
action reasonably takes into account age as a factor necessary

[[Page 242]]

to the normal operation or the achievement of any statutory objective of 
a business or activity. An action reasonably takes into account age as a 
factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any 
statutory objective of a business or activity, if:
    (1) Age is used as a measure or approximation of one or more other 
characteristics; and
    (2) The other characteristic(s) must be measured or approximated in 
order for the normal operation of the business or activity to continue, 
or to achieve any statutory objective of the business or activity; and
    (3) The other characteristic(s) can be reasonably measured or 
approximated by the use of age; and
    (4) The other characteristic(s) are impractical to measure directly 
on an individual basis.

    Note: All of the above factors must be met in order to exclude a 
business activity from the provisions of this part.

    (e) Exception 2. A recipient is permitted to take an action 
otherwise prohibited by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section which is 
based on a factor other than age, even though that action may have a 
disproportionate effect on persons of different ages. An action may be 
based on a factor other than age if the factor bears a direct and 
substantial relationship to the normal operation of the business or 
activity or to the achievement of a statutory objective.
    (f) Exception 3. A recipient is permitted to take an action 
otherwise prohibited by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section if an age 
distinction is contained in that part of a Federal, State or local 
statute or ordinance adopted by an elected general purpose legislative 
body which provides any benefits or assistance to, establishes criteria 
for participation in, or describes intended beneficiaries or target 
groups in age-related terms.
    (g) The burden of proving that an age distinction or other action 
falls within the exceptions outlined in paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of 
this section on the recipient of Federal financial assistance.



Sec.  117.5  Illustrative applications.

    (a) Discrimination in providing financial assistance. Development 
companies and small business investment companies, which apply for or 
receive any financial assistance may not discriminate on the ground of 
age in providing financial assistance to small business concerns. Such 
discrimination prohibited by Sec.  117.4 includes but is not limited to 
the failure or refusal, because of the age of the applicant, or the age 
of the applicant's principal owner or operating official to extend a 
loan or equity financing to any business concern; or, in the case of 
financing which has actually been extended, the failure or refusal 
because of the age of the recipient, or the age of recipient's principal 
owner or operating official to accord the recipient fair treatment and 
the customary courtesies regarding such matters as default, grace 
periods and the like.
    (b) Discrimination in accommodations or services. Small Business 
Concerns and others who or which apply for or receive any financial 
assistance administered by the Small Business Administration, such as 
but not limited to physicians, dentists, hospitals, schools, libraries, 
and other individuals or organizations may not discriminate in the 
treatment, accommodations or services they provide to their patients, 
students, members, passengers, or members of the public, except when the 
normal operation or statutory objective of the business or activity of 
the intended beneficiary is designated in age-related terms, whether or 
not operated for profit. Action by such business or activity to be 
excluded from compliance with this regulation must fall within the 
exceptions enumerated in Sec.  117.4 (d), (e), and (f) of this part.
    (c) The discrimination prohibited by Sec.  117.5(b) includes, but is 
not limited to the failure or refusal, because of age, to accept a 
patient, student, member, customer, client, or passenger, except when 
the imposition of this prohibition would interfere with the normal 
operation of the business, e.g., pediatricians, nursery schools, 
geriatric clinics.

[[Page 243]]



Sec.  117.6  Remedial and affirmative action by recipients.

    (a) Where a recipient is found to have discriminated on the basis of 
age, the recipient shall take any remedial action which the Agency may 
require to overcome the effects of the discrimination. If another 
recipient exercises control over the recipient that has discriminated, 
both recipients may be required to take remedial action.
    (b) Even in the absence of a finding of discrimination, a recipient 
may take affirmative action to overcome the effects of conditions that 
resulted in limited participation in the recipient's program or activity 
on the basis of age.
    (c) If a recipient operating a program or activity which serves the 
elderly or children in addition to persons of other ages, provides 
special benefits to the elderly or to children, the provision of those 
benefits shall be presumed to be voluntary affirmative action provided 
that it does not have the effect of excluding otherwise eligible persons 
from participation in the program or activity.



Sec.  117.7  Assurances required.

    An application for financial assistance administered by the Small 
Business Administration shall, as a condition of its approval and the 
extension of such assistance, contain or be accompanied by an assurance 
that the recipient will comply with this part. SBA shall specify the 
form of the foregoing assurance, and the extent to which like assurances 
will be required of contractors and subcontractors, transferees, 
successors, and other participants.



Sec.  117.8  Responsibilities of SBA recipients.

    (a) Each SBA recipient has the primary responsibility to ensure that 
its programs or activities are in compliance with the Act and these 
regulations, and shall take steps to eliminate violations of the Act. A 
recipient also has responsibility to maintain records, provide 
information, and to afford SBA access to its records to the extent SBA 
finds necessary to determine whether the recipient is in compliance with 
the Act and these regulations. (OMB No. 3245 0076)
    (b) Where a recipient passes on Federal financial assistance from 
SBA to subrecipients, the recipient shall provide the subrecipients 
written notice of their obligations under the Act and these regulations.
    (c) Each recipient shall make necessary information about the Act 
and these regulations available to the beneficiaries of its programs or 
activities in order to inform them about the protections against 
discrimination provided by the Act and these regulations.
    (d) Whenever an assessment indicates a violation of the Act and the 
SBA regulations, the recipient shall take corrective action.



Sec.  117.9  Compliance information.

    (a) Cooperation and assistance. SBA shall, to the fullest extent 
practicable, seek the cooperation of recipients in obtaining compliance 
with this part and shall provide assistance and guidance to recipients 
to help them comply voluntarily with this part.
    (b) Record Keeping. Each recipient shall keep records in such form, 
and containing such information which SBA determines may be necessary to 
ascertain whether the recipient has complied or is complying with this 
part (OMB No. 3245 0076). In the case of a small business concern which 
receives financial assistance from a development company or from a small 
business investment company, the small business concern shall also keep 
such records and information as may be necessary to enable SBA to 
determine if the small business concern is complying with this part.
    (c) Each recipient shall provide to SBA, upon request, information 
and reports which SBA determines are necessary to ascertain whether the 
recipient is complying with the Act and these regulations.
    (d) Access to sources of information. Each recipient shall permit 
reasonable access by SBA during normal business hours to such of its 
books, records, accounts, and other sources of information, and its 
facilities as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with this part. 
Where any information required of an applicant or recipient is in the

[[Page 244]]

exclusive possession of any other agency, institution or person and that 
agency, institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish the 
information, the recipient shall so certify and shall set forth what 
efforts it has made to obtain the required information. The recipient 
will be held responsible for submitting the information. Failure to 
submit information or permit access to sources of information required 
by SBA will subject the recipient to enforcement procedure as provided 
in Sec.  117.15 of this part.

(Information collection requirements in paragraph (c) were approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget under control number 3245-0076)



Sec.  117.10  Review procedures.

    (a) SBA shall from time to time review the practices of recipients 
to determine whether they are complying with this part. As part of a 
compliance review or complaint investigation, SBA may require a 
recipient employing 15 or more full-time employees to complete a written 
self-evaluation, in a manner specified by the Agency, of any age 
distinction imposed in its program or activity receiving Federal 
financial assistance.
    (b) If a compliance review or pre-award review indicates a violation 
of the Act or these regulations, SBA will attempt to achieve voluntary 
compliance with the Act. If voluntary compliance with the recipient 
cannot be achieved, such recipient will be subject to the enforcement 
procedure contained in Sec.  117.15 of these regulations. A refusal to 
permit an on-site compliance review during normal working hours may 
constitute noncompliance with this part.



Sec.  117.11  Complaint procedures.

    (a) Any person who believes that he/she or any specific class of 
individuals is being or has been subjected to discrimination by SBA, a 
recipient, or an applicant for assistance, prohibited by this part may, 
by himself/herself or by a representative, file with SBA a written 
complaint. The complainant has the right to have a representative at all 
stages of the complaint procedure.
    (b) A complaint must be filed not later than 180 days from the date 
of the alleged discrimination, unless the time filing is extended by 
SBA. The Adminstrator, the Assistant Administrator, Office of Equal 
Employment Opportunity & Civil Rights Compliance, are the only officials 
who may waive the 180-day time limit for filing complaints under this 
part. SBA will consider the date a complaint is filed to be the date 
upon which the complaint is sufficient to be processed.
    (c) Each complaint will be reviewed to ensure that it falls within 
the coverage of the Act and contains all information necessary for 
further processing.
    (d) SBA will attempt to facilitate the filing of complaints wherever 
possible, including taking the following actions:
    (1) Accepting as a sufficient complaint, any written statement which 
identifies the parties involved and the date the complainant first had 
knowledge of the alleged violation, describes generally the action or 
practice complained of, and is signed by the complainant.
    (2) Freely permitting a complainant to add information to the 
complaint to meet the requirements of a sufficient complaint.
    (3) Notifying the complainant and the recipient of their rights and 
obligations under the complaint procedure, including the right to have a 
representative at all stages of the complaint procedure.
    (4) Notifying the complainant and the recipient (or their 
representatives) of their right to contact the Assistant Administrator, 
Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Civil Rights Compliance, for 
information and assistance regarding the complaint resolution process.
    (e) SBA will return to the complainant any complaint filed under the 
jurisdiction of this regulation, but found to be outside the 
jurisdiction of this regulation, and will state the reason(s) why it is 
outside the jurisdiction of this regulation.

[50 FR 41648, Oct. 11, 1985, as amended at 72 FR 50038, Aug. 30, 2007]



Sec.  117.12  Mediation.

    (a) SBA shall, after ensuring that the complaint falls within the 
coverage of this Act and all information necessary

[[Page 245]]

for further processing is contained therein, unless the age distinction 
complained of is clearly within an exception, promptly refer the 
complaint to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
    (b) SBA shall, to the extent possible, require the participation of 
the recipient and the complainant in the mediation process in an effort 
to reach a mutually satisfactory settlement of the complaint or make an 
informed judgment that an agreement is not possible. Both parties need 
not meet with the mediator at the same time.
    (c) If the complainant and the recipient reach a mutually 
satisfactory resolution of the complaint during the mediation period, 
the mediator shall prepare a written statement of the agreement and have 
the complainant and recipient sign it.
    (d) A copy of the written mediation agreement will be referred to 
SBA, and no further action will be taken unless it appears that either 
the complainant or the recipient (or other alleged discriminator subject 
to this part) fails to comply with the agreement.
    (e) If at the end of 60 days after the receipt of a complaint by 
SBA, or at any time prior thereto, an agreement is reached or the 
mediator determines an agreement cannot be reached through mediation, 
the agreement or complaint will be returned to SBA.
    (f) This 60-day period may be extended by the mediator, with the 
concurrence of SBA for not more than 30 days if the mediator determines 
that an agreement will likely be reached during the extended period.
    (g) The mediator shall protect the confidentiality of all 
information obtained in the course of the mediation process. No mediator 
shall testify in any adjudicative proceeding, produce any document, or 
otherwise disclose any information obtained during the course of the 
mediation process without prior approval of the head of the agency 
appointing the mediator.



Sec.  117.13  Investigation and resolution of matters.

    (a) SBA will make a prompt investigation whenever a compliance 
review indicates a possible failure to comply with this part by the 
recipient and additional information is needed by SBA to assure 
compliance with this part, or when an unresolved complaint has been 
returned by the FMCS, or when it appears that the complainant or the 
recipient is failing to comply with a mediation agreement. The 
investigation shall include a review of the pertinent practices and 
policies of the recipient, the circumstances under which the possible 
noncompliance with this part occurred, and other factors relevant to a 
determination as to whether the recipient is complying, is not 
complying, or has failed to comply with this part.
    (b) Resolution of matters. If an investigation indicates a failure 
to comply with this part, SBA will so inform the complainant, if 
applicable, and the recipient that the matter will be resolved by 
informal means that are mutually agreeable to the parties, whenever 
possible.
    (1) If, during the course of an investigation, the matter is 
resolved by informal means, SBA will put any agreement in writing and 
have it signed by the parties and an authorized official of SBA.
    (2) If investigation indicates a violation of the Act or these 
regulations, SBA will attempt to achieve voluntary compliance. If SBA 
cannot achieve voluntary compliance, it will begin enforcement as 
described in Sec.  117.15.
    (3) If an investigation does not warrant action, SBA will so inform 
the complainant, if applicable, and the recipient in writing.



Sec.  117.14  Intimidating or retaliatory acts prohibited.

    No complainant, recipient or other person shall intimidate, 
threaten, coerce, or discriminate against any individual for the purpose 
of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this part or 
because an individual or group has made a complaint, testified, 
assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, review, 
enforcement process, or hearing under this part. The identity of 
complainants shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary 
to carry out the purposes of this part, including the conduct of any 
investigation, hearing, mediation, or judicial proceeding.

[[Page 246]]



Sec.  117.15  Procedure for effecting compliance.

    (a) General. (1) If there appears to be a failure or threatened 
failure to comply with this part by an applicant or recipient and if the 
noncompliance or threatened noncompliance cannot be resolved by informal 
means, compliance with this part may be effected by suspending, 
terminating, or refusing any financial assistance approved but not yet 
disbursed to an applicant. In the case of loans partially or fully 
disbursed, compliance with this part may be effected by calling, 
canceling, terminating, accelerating repayment, or suspending in whole 
or in part the Federal financial assistance provided. The determination 
of the recipient's violation may be made only after a recipient has had 
an opportunity for a hearing on the record before an administrative law 
judge.
    (2) In addition, compliance may be effected by any other means 
authorized by law. Such other means may include, but are not limited to:
    (i) Action by SBA to accelerate the maturity of the recipient's 
obligation;
    (ii) Referral to the Department of Justice with a recommendation 
that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any rights of the 
United States under any law of the United States or obligations of the 
recipient created by the Act or this part; and
    (iii) Use of any requirement of or referral to any Federal, State or 
local government agency that will have the effect of correcting a 
violation of the Act or these regulations.
    (3) If there appears to be a failure or threatened failure to comply 
with this part by an SBA office or official, the Assistant 
Administrator, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Civil Rights 
Compliance, will recommend appropriate corrective action to the 
Administrator. Any resulting adverse action against an SBA employee 
shall follow Office of Personnel Management and SBA procedures for such 
action.
    (b) Noncompliance with Sec. Sec.  117.7 and 117.9. If an applicant 
fails or refuses to furnish an assurance required under Sec.  117.7, or 
fails to provide information or allow SBA access to information under 
Sec.  117.9 or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with a requirement 
imposed by or pursuant to those sections, Federal financial assistance 
may be deferred for a period not to exceed 60 days after the applicant 
has received a notice for an opportunity for hearing under Sec.  117.16, 
or unless a hearing has begun within that time, or the time for 
beginning the hearing has been extended by mutual consent of the 
recipient and the Agency, for purposes of determining what constitutes 
mutual consent, the Agency shall be deemed to have consented to any 
extension requested by the recipient and granted by the administrative 
law judge (hearing officer), whether or not the Agency initially 
approved the extension. A deferral may not continue for more than 30 
days after the close of the hearing, unless the hearing results in a 
finding against the applicant or recipient.
    (c) SBA will not take action toward accelerating repayment, 
suspending, terminating, or refusing financial assistance until:
    (1) SBA has advised the applicant or recipient of the failure to 
comply and has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary 
means;
    (2) There has been an express finding on the record, after an 
opportunity for hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to 
comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part;
    (3) The action has been approved by the Administrator of SBA 
pursuant to Sec.  117.17; and
    (4) The expiration of 30 days after SBA has filed with the committee 
of the House and the committee of the Senate having legislative 
jurisdiction over the form of financial assistance involved, a full 
written report of the circumstances and the grounds for such action.
    (d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by 
any other means authorized by law shall be taken until:
    (1) SBA has determined that compliance cannot be secured by 
voluntary means;
    (2) The action has been approved by the Administrator or designee;
    (3) The expiration of 30 days after SBA has filed with the committee 
of the House and the committee of the Senate having legislative 
jurisdiction

[[Page 247]]

over the form of financial assistance involved, a full written report of 
the circumstances and the grounds for such action;
    (4) The applicant or recipient has been notified of the failure to 
comply, and of the action to be taken to effect compliance; and
    (5) The expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of such 
notice to the applicant or recipient or other person. During this period 
of at least 10 days from the mailing of such notice to the applicant or 
recipient or other person, additional efforts shall be made to persuade 
the applicant or recipient to comply with this part and to take such 
corrective action as may be appropriate.

[50 FR 41648, Oct. 11, 1985, as amended at 72 FR 50038, Aug. 30, 2007]



Sec.  117.16  Hearings.

    (a) Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing 
is required by Sec.  117.15, reasonable notice shall be given by 
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected 
applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or 
recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision 
under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the 
matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action, and 
either.
    (1) Fix a date not less than 20 days after the date of such notice 
within which the applicant or recipient may request the Office of 
Hearings and Appeals (OHA) that the matter be scheduled for hearing; or
    (2) Advise the applicant or recipient that the matter in question 
has been set down for hearing at a stated place and time. The time and 
place so fixed shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for 
cause. The complainant shall be advised of the time and place of the 
hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit 
written information and argument for the record. The failure of an 
applicant or recipient to appear at a hearing for which a date has been 
set shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right to a hearing and as 
consent to the making of a decision on the basis of such information as 
is available.
    (b) Time and place of hearing. Hearings shall be held at OHA in 
Washington, DC, at a time fixed by OHA unless that office determines 
that the convenience of the complainant, applicant, recipient or SBA 
requires that another place be selected. Hearings shall be held before 
an administrative law judge designated in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act.
    (c) Right to counsel. In all proceedings under this section, the 
applicant or recipient and SBA shall have the right to be represented by 
counsel.
    (d) Procedures, evidence, and record. (1) The hearings, decisions, 
and any administrative review shall be conducted in conformity with the 
Administrative Procedure Act and 13 CFR part 134. Such rules of 
procedure should be consistent with this section, relate to the conduct 
of the hearing, provide for giving of notices to those referred to in 
paragraph (a) of this section, taking of testimony, exhibits, arguments, 
and briefs, request for findings and other related matters. SBA, the 
complainant, if any, and the applicant or recipient shall be entitled to 
introduce all relevant evidence on the issues as stated in the notice 
for hearing, or as determined by the administrative law judge conducting 
the hearing at the outset of or during the hearing.
    (2) Technical rules of evidence may be waived by the administrative 
law judge conducting a hearing pursuant to this part, but rules or 
principles designed to assure production of the most credible evidence 
available, and subject testimony to test by cross-examination shall be 
applied where reasonably necessary. The administrative law judge may 
exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. All 
documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record shall be 
open to examination by the parties and opportunity shall be given to 
refute facts and arguments advanced on either side of the issues. A 
transcript shall be made of the oral evidence except to the extent the 
substance thereof is stipulated for the record. All decisions shall be 
based upon the hearing record and written findings shall be made.
    (e) Consolidated or joint hearings. In cases in which the same or 
related

[[Page 248]]

facts are asserted to constitute noncompliance or threatened 
noncompliance with this part, with respect to two or more forms of 
financial assistance to which this part applies, or noncompliance with 
this part and the regulations of one or more other Federal agencies 
issued under the Act, the Administrator may, by agreement with such 
other agencies, provide for the conduct of consolidated or joint 
hearings, and for the application to such hearings of rules and 
procedures not inconsistent with this part. Final decisions in such 
cases, insofar as this part is concerned, shall be made in accordance 
with Sec.  117.17.



Sec.  117.17  Decisions and notices.

    (a) Decision by an administrative law judge. If the hearing is held 
by an administrative law judge, such administrative law judge shall 
either make an initial decision, if so authorized, or certify the entire 
record, including recommended findings and proposed decision, to the 
Administrator for a final decision and a copy of such initial decision 
or certification shall be mailed to the applicant or recipient and the 
complainant. Where the initial decision is made by the administrative 
law judge, the applicant or recipient may, within 30 days of the mailing 
of such notice of initial decision, file with the Administrator 
exceptions to the initial decision, with the reasons therefor. In the 
absence of exceptions, the Administrator may, by motion within 45 days 
after the initial decision, serve on the applicant or recipient a notice 
that he/she will review the decision. Upon the filing of such exceptions 
or of such notice of review, the Administrator shall review the initial 
decision and issue his/her decision thereon, including the reasons 
therefor. The decision of the Administrator shall be mailed promptly to 
the applicant or recipient, and the complainant, if any. In the absence 
of either exceptions or a notice of review, the initial decision shall 
constitute the final decision of the Administrator.
    (b) Decisions on record or review by the Administrator. Whenever a 
record is certified to the Administrator for decision or the 
Administrator reviews the decision of an administrative law judge 
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, or whenever the Secretary of 
the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Justice 
conducts the hearing, the applicant or recipient shall be given 
reasonable opportunity to file briefs or other written statements of its 
contentions and a copy of the final decision of the Administrator shall 
be given in writing to the applicant or recipient and the complainant, 
if any.
    (c) Decisions on record where a hearing is waived. Whenever a 
hearing is waived pursuant to Sec.  117.16, a decision shall be made by 
the Administrator on the record and a copy of such decision shall be 
given in writing to the applicant or recipient, and to the complainant, 
if any.
    (d) Rulings required. Each decision of an administrative law judge 
or the Administrator shall set forth the ruling on each finding, 
conclusion, or exception presented, and shall identify the requirement 
or requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part with which it is 
found that the applicant or recipient has failed to comply.
    (e) Decision by the Administrator. The Administrator shall make any 
final decision which provides for the suspension or termination of, or 
the refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, 
acceleration repayment or the imposition of any other sanction available 
under the regulations or taken under other means authorized by law.
    (f) Content of orders. The final decision may provide for 
accelerating of repayment, suspension or termination of, or refusal to 
approve, disburse, or continue Federal financial assistance, in whole or 
in part, to which this regulation applies, and may contain such terms, 
conditions, and other provisions as are consistent with and will 
effectuate the purposes of the Act and this part, including provisions 
designed to assure that no Federal financial assistance to which this 
regulation applies will, thereafter, be extended to the applicant or 
recipient determined by such decision to have failed to comply with this 
part, unless and until it corrects its noncompliance and satisfies the 
Administrator that it will fully comply with this part.

[[Page 249]]

    (g) Post termination proceedings. (1) An applicant or recipient 
adversely affected by an order issued under paragraph (e) of this 
section shall be restored to full eligibility to receive Federal 
financial assistance only if it satisfies the terms and conditions of 
that order for such eligibility and it brings itself into compliance 
with this regulation and provides reasonable assurance that it will 
fully comply with this regulation.
    (2) Any applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order 
entered pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section may at any time 
request the Administrator to restore fully its eligibility to receive 
Federal financial assistance. Any such request shall be supported by 
information showing that the applicant or recipient has met the 
requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. If the Administrator 
determines that those requirements have been satisfied, he/she shall 
restore such eligibility.
    (3) If the Administrator denies any such request, the applicant or 
recipient may submit a request for a hearing in writing, specifying why 
it believes the denial to have been in error. It shall there upon be 
given an expeditious hearing, with a decision on the record, in 
accordance with rules and procedures issued by the Administrator. The 
applicant or recipient shall be restored to such eligibility if it 
proves at such hearing that it satisfied the requirements of paragraph 
(g)(1) of this section. While proceedings under this paragraph are 
pending, the sanctions imposed by the order issued under paragraph (f) 
of this section shall remain in effect.



Sec.  117.18  Judicial review.

    (a) The complainant may file a civil action following the exhaustion 
of administrative remedies under the Act. Administrative remedies are 
exhausted if:
    (1) 180 days have elapsed since the complainant filed the complaint 
and the Agency has made no finding with regard to the complaint; or
    (2) The Agency has issued a finding in favor of the recipient.
    (b) If the Agency fails to make a finding within 180 days or issues 
a finding in favor of the recipient, the Agency shall:
    (1) Advise the complainant of this fact;
    (2) Advise the complainant of the right to file a civil action for 
injunctive relief; and
    (3) Inform the complainant:
    (i) That the complainant may bring a civil action only in a United 
States district court for the district in which the recipient is found 
or transacts business;
    (ii) That a complainant prevailing in a civil action has the right 
to be awarded the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney's 
fees, but that the complainant must demand these costs in the complaint;
    (iii) That before commencing the action the complainant shall give 
30 days notice by registered mail to the Secretary of the Department of 
Health and Human Services, the Attorney General of the United States and 
the recipient;
    (iv) That the notice must state: The alleged violation of the Act; 
the relief requested; the court in which the complainant is bringing the 
action; and whether or not attorney's fees are demanded in the event the 
complainant prevails; and
    (v) That the complainant may not bring an action if the same alleged 
violation of the Act by the same recipient is the subject of a pending 
action in any court of the United States.



Sec.  117.19  Effect on other regulations.

    (a) All regulations, orders or like directions heretofore issued by 
SBA which impose requirements designed to prohibit any discrimination 
against individuals on the grounds of age and which authorize the 
suspension or termination of or refusal to grant or to continue 
financial assistance to any applicant for or recipient of such 
assistance for failure to comply with such requirements, are hereby 
superseded to the extent that such discrimination is prohibited by this 
part, except that nothing in this part shall be deemed to relieve any 
person of any obligation assumed or imposed under any such superseded 
regulation, order, instruction, or like direction prior to the effective 
date of this part. Nothing in this part, however, shall be deemed to

[[Page 250]]

supersede any of the following (including future amendments thereof):
    (1) Executive Order 11246, as amended, and regulations issued 
thereunder;
    (2) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;
    (3) The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as amended and Regulation B of 
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, (12 CFR part 202);
    (4) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
    (5) Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968;
    (6) Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972;
    (7) Section 633(b) of the Small Business Act;
    (8) Part 113 of title 13 of the Code of Federal Regulations (13 CFR 
part 113); or
    (9) Any other statute, order, regulation or instruction, insofar as 
such order, regulations, or instruction prohibits discrimination on the 
grounds of age in any program or activity or situation to which this 
part is inapplicable on any other ground.



Sec.  117.20  Supervision and coordination.

    The Administrator may from time to time assign to officials of SBA 
or to officials of other agencies of the Government with the consent of 
such agencies, responsibilities in connection with the effectuation of 
the purpose of the Act and this part (other than responsibility for 
final decision as provided in Sec.  117.17), including the achievement 
of effective coordination and maximum uniformity within SBA and within 
the Executive Branch of the Government in the application of the Act and 
this part to similar programs or activities and in similar situations. 
Responsibility for administering and enforcing this part is assigned by 
the Administrator, to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, Office of 
Equal Employment Opportunity and Compliance of the Small Business 
Administration.



                     Sec. Appendix A to Part 11 \1\

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Type of Federal financial assistance               Authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Loans............................  Small Business Act, section
                                             7(a).
Debtor State Development companies (501)    Small Business Investment
 and their small business concerns.          Act, Title V.
Debtor State Development companies (502)    Small Business Investment
 and their small business concerns.          Act, Title V.
Debtor certified development companies      Small Business Investment
 (503) and their small business concerns.    Act, Title V.
Debtor small business investment companies  Small Business Investment
 and their small business concerns.          Act, Title III.
Pollution Control.........................  Small Business Investment
                                             Act, Title IV, Part A.
Disaster Loans:
  Physical, including riot................  Small Business Act, section
                                             7(b)(1).
  Economic Injury (EIDL)..................  Small Business Act, section
                                             7(b)(2).
  Federal Action Loan Program.............  Small Business Act, section
                                             7(b)(3).
  Small Business Institute................  Small Business Act, section
                                             8(b)(1).
  Small Business Development Centers......  Small Business Act, section
                                             21.
  International Trade Program.............  Small Business Act, section
                                             22.
  Technical and Management Assistance.....  Small Business Act, section
                                             7(j).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ None of the programs administered have any age distinctions except
  as statutorily required.





PART 119_PROGRAM FOR INVESTMENT IN MICROENTREPRENEURS 
(``PRIME'' OR ``THE ACT'')--Table of Contents



Sec.
119.1 What is the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs 
          (``PRIME'')?
119.2-119.20 [Reserved]

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), 6901-6910.

    Source: 66 FR 29013, May 29, 2001, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  119.1  What is the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME)?

    (a) The PRIME program authorizes SBA to award grants to qualified 
organizations to fund training and technical assistance for 
disadvantaged microentrepreneurs; training and capacity-building 
services for microenterprise development organizations; research and 
development of the best practices in the fields of microenterprise 
development and the provision of technical assistance to disadvantaged 
microentrepreneurs; and such other activities as the Agency deems 
appropriate.

[[Page 251]]

    (b) Dependent upon the availability of funds and continuing program 
authority, SBA will issue, via Grants.gov or any successor platform, 
funding announcements specifying the terms, conditions, and evaluation 
criteria for each potential round of PRIME awards. These funding 
announcements will identify who is eligible to apply for PRIME awards; 
summarize the purposes for which the available funds may be used; advise 
potential applicants regarding the process for obtaining, completing, 
and submitting an application packet; and provide information regarding 
application deadlines and any additional limitations, special rules, 
procedures, and restrictions which SBA may deem advisable.
    (c) SBA will evaluate applications for PRIME awards in accordance 
with the stated statutory goals of the program and the specific criteria 
described in the relevant funding announcement.
    (d) In administering the PRIME program, SBA will require recipients 
to provide reports in accordance with the subject matter areas and 
schedule identified in the terms and conditions of their awards. In 
addition, SBA may, as it deems appropriate, make site visits to 
recipients' premises and review all applicable documentation and 
records.

[85 FR 62951, Oct. 6, 2020]



Sec. Sec.  119.2-119.20  [Reserved]



PART 120_BUSINESS LOANS--Table of Contents



          General Descriptions of SBA'S Business Loan Programs

Sec.
120.1 Which loan programs does this part cover?
120.2 Descriptions of the business loan programs.
120.3 Pilot programs.

                               Definitions

120.10 Definitions.

            Subpart A_Policies Applying to All Business Loans

                        Eligibility Requirements

120.100 What are the basic eligibility requirements for all applicants 
          for SBA business loans?
120.101 Credit not available elsewhere.
120.102 [Reserved]
120.104 Are businesses financed by SBICs eligible?
120.105 Special consideration for veterans.

          Ineligible Businesses and Eligible Passive Companies

120.110 What businesses are ineligible for SBA business loans?
120.111 What conditions must an Eligible Passive Company satisfy?

                            Uses of Proceeds

120.120 What are eligible uses of proceeds?
120.130 Restrictions on uses of proceeds.
120.131 Leasing part of new construction or existing building to another 
          business.

                          Ethical Requirements

120.140 What ethical requirements apply to participants?

                      Credit Criteria for SBA Loans

120.150 What are SBA's lending criteria?
120.151 What is the statutory limit for total loans to a Borrower?
120.160 Loan conditions.

            Requirements Imposed Under Other Laws and Orders

120.170 Flood insurance.
120.171 Compliance with child support obligations.
120.172 Flood-plain and wetlands management.
120.174 Earthquake hazards.
120.175 Coastal barrier islands.
120.176 Compliance with other laws.

      Applicability and Enforceability of Loan Program Requirements

120.180 Compliance with Loan Program Requirements.
120.181 Status of Lenders and CDCs.

                            Loan Applications

120.190 Where does an applicant apply for a loan?
120.191 The contents of a business loan application.
120.192 Approval or denial.
120.193 Reconsideration after denial.

                         Computerized SBA Forms

120.194 [Reserved]

                                Reporting

120.195 Disclosure of fees.
120.197 Notifying SBA's Office of Inspector General of suspected fraud.

                Subpart B_Policies Specific to 7(a) Loans

                          Bonding Requirements

120.200 What bonding requirements exist during construction?

[[Page 252]]

                     Limitations on Use of Proceeds

120.201 Refinancing unsecured or undersecured loans.
120.202 Loans for changes of ownership.

         Maturities; Interest Rates; Loan and Guarantee Amounts

120.210 What percentage of a loan may SBA guarantee?
120.211 What limits are there on the amounts of direct loans?
120.212 What limits are there on loan maturities?
120.213 What fixed interest rates may a Lender charge?
120.214 What conditions apply for variable interest rates?

                        Fees for Guaranteed Loans

120.220 Fees that Lender pays SBA.
120.221 Fees and expenses that the Lender may collect from a loan 
          applicant or Borrower.
120.222 Prohibition on sharing premiums for secondary market sales.
120.223 Subsidy recoupment fee payable to SBA by Borrower.

                     Subpart C_Special Purpose Loans

120.300 Statutory authority.

                 Disabled Assistance Loan Program (DAL)

120.310 What assistance is available for the disabled?
120.311 Definitions.
120.312 DAL-1 use of proceeds and other program conditions.
120.313 DAL-2 use of proceeds and other program conditions.
120.314 Resolving doubts about creditworthiness.
120.315 Interest rate and loan limit.

               Businesses Owned by Low Income Individuals

120.320 Policy.

                           Energy Conservation

120.330 Who is eligible for an energy conservation loan?
120.331 What devices or techniques are eligible for a loan?
120.332 What are the eligible uses of proceeds?
120.333 Are there any special credit criteria?

                  Export Working Capital Program (EWCP)

120.340 What is the Export Working Capital Program?
120.341 Who is eligible?
120.342 What are eligible uses of proceeds?
120.343 Collateral.
120.344 Unique requirements of the EWCP.

                        International Trade Loans

120.345 Policy.
120.346 Eligibility.
120.347 Use of proceeds.
120.348 Amount of guarantee.
120.349 Collateral.

                    Qualified Employee Trusts (ESOP)

120.350 Policy.
120.351 Definitions.
120.352 Use of proceeds.
120.353 Eligibility.
120.354 Creditworthiness.

                          Veterans Loan Program

120.360 Which veterans are eligible?
120.361 Other conditions of eligibility.

                Loans to Participants in the 8(a) Program

120.375 Policy.
120.376 Special requirements.
120.377 Use of proceeds.

                            CapLines Program

120.390 Revolving credit.

                          Builders Loan Program

120.391 What is the Builders Loan Program?
120.392 Who may apply?
120.393 Are there special application requirements?
120.394 What are the eligible uses of proceeds?
120.395 What is SBA's collateral position?
120.396 What is the term of the loan?
120.397 Are there any special restrictions?

 America's Recovery Capital (Business Stabilization) Loan Program--ARC 
                              Loan Program

120.398 America's Recovery Capital (ARC) Loan Program.

                            Subpart D_Lenders

120.400 Loan Guarantee Agreements.

                         Participation Criteria

120.410 Requirements for all participating Lenders.
120.411 Preferences.
120.412 Other services Lenders may provide Borrowers.
120.413 Advertisement of relationship with SBA.

                     Participating Lender Financings

120.420 Definitions.
120.421 Which Lenders may securitize?
120.422 Are all securitizations subject to this subpart?
120.423 Which 7(a) loans may a Lender securitize?
120.424 What are the basic conditions a Lender must meet to securitize?

[[Page 253]]

120.425 What are the minimum elements that SBA will require before 
          consenting to a securitization?
120.426 What action will SBA take if a securitizer transfers the 
          subordinated tranche prior to the termination of the holding 
          period?
120.427 Will SBA approve a securitization application from a capital 
          impaired Securitizer?
120.428 What happens to a securitizer's other PLP responsibilities if 
          SBA suspends its PLP approval privilege?

                            Other Conveyances

120.430 What conveyances are covered by Sec. Sec.  120.430 through 
          120.435?
120.431 Which Lenders may sell, sell participations in, or pledge 7(a) 
          loans?
120.432 Under what circumstances does this subpart permit sales of, or 
          sales of participating interests in, 7(a) loans?
120.433 What are SBA's other requirements for sales and sales of 
          participating interests?
120.434 What are SBA's requirements for loan pledges?
120.435 Which loan pledges do not require notice to or consent by SBA?

                      Delegated Authority Criteria

120.440 How does a 7(a) Lender obtain delegated authority?
120.441-120.447 [Reserved]

                     Preferred Lenders Program (PLP)

120.450 What is the Preferred Lenders Program?
120.451 [Reserved]
120.452 What are the requirements of PLP loan processing?

                         SBA Supervised Lenders

120.460 What are SBA's additional requirements for SBA Supervised 
          Lenders?
120.461 What are SBA's additional requirements for SBA Supervised 
          Lenders concerning records?
120.462 What are SBA's additional requirements on capital maintenance 
          for SBA Supervised Lenders?
120.463 Regulatory accounting--What are SBA's regulatory accounting 
          requirements for SBA Supervised Lenders?
120.464 Reports to SBA.
120.465 Civil penalty for late submission of required reports.
120.466 SBA Supervised Lender application.
120.467 Evaluation of SBA Supervised Lender applicants.
120.468 Change of ownership or control requirements for SBA Supervised 
          Lenders.

                 Small Business Lending Companies (SBLC)

120.470 What are SBA's additional requirements for SBLCs?
120.471 What are the minimum capital requirements for SBLCs?
120.472 Higher individual minimum capital requirement.
120.473 Procedures for determining individual minimum capital 
          requirement.
120.474 Relation to other actions.
120.475 [Reserved]
120.476 Prohibited financing.
120.490 Audits.

Subpart E_Servicing, Liquidation and Debt Collection Litigation of 7(a) 
                              and 504 Loans

                 SBA'S Purchase of a Guaranteed Portion

120.520 Purchase of 7(a) loan guarantees.
120.521 What interest rate applies after SBA purchases its guaranteed 
          portion?
120.522 Payment of accrued interest to the Lender or Registered Holder 
          when SBA purchases the guaranteed portion.
120.523 What is the ``earliest uncured payment default''?
120.524 When is SBA released from liability on its guarantee?
120.530 Deferment of payment.
120.531 Extension of maturity.
120.535 Standards for Lender and CDC loan servicing, loan liquidation 
          and debt collection litigation.
120.536 Servicing and liquidation actions that require the prior written 
          consent of SBA.
120.540 Liquidation and litigation plans.
120.541 Time for approval by SBA.
120.542 Payment by SBA of legal fees and other expenses.
120.545 What are SBA's policies concerning the liquidation of collateral 
          and the sale of business loans and physical disaster 
          assistance loans, physical disaster business loans and 
          economic injury disaster loans?
120.546 Loan asset sales.

                    Homestead Protection for Farmers

120.550 What is homestead protection for farmers?
120.551 Who is eligible for homestead protection?
120.552 Lease.
120.553 Appeal.
120.554 Conflict of laws.

                       Subpart F_Secondary Market

                     Fiscal and Transfer Agent (FTA)

120.600 Definitions.
120.601 SBA Secondary Market.

                              Certificates

120.610 Form and terms of Certificates.
120.611 Pools backing Pool Certificates.
120.612 Loans eligible to back Certificates.
120.613 Secondary Participation Guarantee Agreement.

[[Page 254]]

                   The SBA Guarantee of a Certificate

120.620 SBA guarantee of a Pool Certificate.
120.621 SBA guarantee of an Individual Certificate.

                             Pool Assemblers

120.630 Qualifications to be a Pool Assembler.
120.631 Suspension or termination of Pool Assembler.

                        Miscellaneous Provisions

120.640 Administration of the Pool and Individual Certificates.
120.641 Disclosure to purchasers.
120.642 Requirements before the FTA issues Pool Certificates.
120.643 Requirements before the FTA issues Individual Certificates.
120.644 Transfers of Certificates.
120.645 Redemption of Certificates.
120.650 Registration duties of FTA in Secondary Market.
120.651 Claim to FTA by Registered Holder to replace Certificate.
120.652 FTA fees.

       Suspension or Revocation of Participant in Secondary Market

120.660 Suspension or revocation.

                       Subpart G_Microloan Program

120.700 What is the Microloan Program?
120.701 Definitions.
120.702 Are there limitations on who can be an Intermediary or on where 
          an Intermediary may operate?
120.703 How does an organization apply to become an Intermediary?
120.704 How are applications evaluated?
120.705 What is a Specialized Intermediary?
120.706 What are the terms and conditions of an SBA loan to an 
          intermediary?
120.707 What conditions apply to loans by Intermediaries to Microloan 
          borrowers?
120.708 What is the Intermediary's financial contribution?
120.709 What is the Microloan Revolving Fund?
120.710 What is the Loan Loss Reserve Fund?
120.711 What rules govern Intermediaries?
120.712 How does an Intermediary get a grant to assist Microloan 
          borrowers?
120.713 Does SBA provide technical assistance to Intermediaries?
120.714-120.715 [Reserved]
120.716 What is the minimum number of loans an Intermediary must make 
          each Federal fiscal year?

            Subpart H_Development Company Loan Program (504)

120.800 [Reserved]
120.801 How a 504 Project is financed.
120.802 Definitions.

                Certification Procedures to Become a CDC

120.810 Applications for certification as a CDC.
120.812 Probationary period for newly certified CDCs.

            Requirements for CDC Certification and Operation

120.816 CDC non-profit status and good standing.
120.818 Applicability to existing for-profit CDCs.
120.820 CDC Affiliation.
120.821 CDC Area of Operations.
120.823 CDC Board of Directors.
120.824 Professional management and staff, and contracts for services.
120.825 Financial ability to operate.
120.826 Basic requirements for operating a CDC.
120.827 Other services a CDC may provide to small businesses.
120.828 Minimum level of 504 loan activity and restrictions on portfolio 
          concentrations.
120.829 Job Opportunity average a CDC must maintain.
120.830 Reports a CDC must submit.

                  Extending a CDC's Area of Operations

120.835 Application to expand an Area of Operations.
120.837 SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing CDC 
          to expand Area of Operations.
120.839 Case-by-case application to make a 504 loan outside of a CDC's 
          Area of Operation.

                    Accredited Lenders Program (ALP)

120.840 Accredited Lenders Program (ALP).
120.841 Qualifications for the ALP.
120.842 ALP Express Loans.

                    Premier Certified Lenders Program

120.845 Premier Certified Lenders Program (PCLP).
120.846 Requirements for maintaining and renewing PCLP status.
120.847 Requirements for the Loan Loss Reserve Fund (LLRF).
120.848 Requirements for 504 loan processing, closing, servicing, 
          liquidating, and litigating by PCLP CDCs.

                         Other CDC Requirements

120.851 CDC ethical requirements.
120.852 [Reserved]
120.853 Inspector General audits of CDCs.
120.857 Voluntary transfer and surrender of CDC certification.

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                   Project Economic Development Goals

120.860 Required objectives.
120.861 Job creation or retention.
120.862 Other economic development objectives.

                 Leasing Policies Specific to 504 Loans

120.870 Leasing Project Property.
120.871 Leasing part of Project Property to another business.

               Loan-Making Policies Specific to 504 Loans

120.880 Basic eligibility requirements.
120.881 Ineligible Projects for 504 loans.
120.882 Eligible Project costs for 504 loans.
120.883 Eligible administrative costs for 504 loans.
120.884 Ineligible costs for 504 loans.

                            Interim Financing

120.890 Source of interim financing.
120.891 Certifications of disbursement and completion.
120.892 Certifications of no adverse change.

                           Permanent Financing

120.900 Sources of permanent financing.

                       The Borrower's Contribution

120.910 Borrower contributions.
120.911 Land contributions.
120.912 Borrowed contributions.
120.913 Limitations on any contributions by a Licensee.

                            Third Party Loans

120.920 Required participation by the Third Party Lender.
120.921 Terms of Third Party loans.
120.922 Pre-existing debt on the Project Property.
120.923 Policies on subordination.
120.925 [Reserved]
120.926 Referral fee.

                        504 Loans and Debentures

120.930 Amount.
120.931 504 Lending limits.
120.932 Interest rate.
120.933 Maturity.
120.934 Collateral.
120.935 Deposit from the Borrower that a CDC may require.
120.937 Assumption.
120.938 Default.
120.939 Borrower prohibition.
120.940 Prepayment of the 504 loan or Debenture.
120.941 Certificates.

                   Debenture Sales and Service Agents

120.950 SBA and CDC must appoint agents.
120.951 Selling agent.
120.952 Fiscal agent.
120.953 Trustee.
120.954 Central Servicing Agent.
120.955 Agent bonds and records.
120.956 Suspension or revocation of brokers and dealers.

                                Closings

120.960 Responsibility for closing.
120.961 Construction escrow accounts.

                                Servicing

120.970 Servicing of 504 loans and Debentures.

                                  Fees

120.971 Allowable fees paid by Borrower.
120.972 Third Party Lender participation fee and CDC fee.

 Authority of CDCs To Perform Liquidation and Debt Collection Litigation

120.975 CDC Liquidation of loans and debt collection litigation.

         Enforceability of 501, 502 and 503 Loans and Other Laws

120.990 501, 502 and 503 loans.
120.991 Effect of other laws.

                  Subpart I_Risk-Based Lender Oversight

                               Supervision

120.1000 Risk-Based Lender Oversight.
120.1005 Bureau of PCLP Oversight.
120.1010 SBA access to SBA Lender and Intermediary files.
120.1015 Risk Rating System.
120.1025 Monitoring.
120.1050 Reviews and examinations.
120.1051 Frequency of reviews and examinations.
120.1055 Review and examination results.
120.1060 Confidentiality of Reports, Risk Ratings, and related 
          Confidential Information.
120.1070 SBA Lender oversight fees

                           Enforcement Actions

120.1300 Informal enforcement actions--7(a) Lenders.
120.1400 Grounds for enforcement actions--SBA Lenders.
120.1425 Grounds for formal enforcement actions--Intermediaries 
          participating in the Microloan Program.
120.1500 Types of formal enforcement actions--SBA Lenders.
120.1510 Other Regulated SBLCs.
120.1511 Certification and other reporting and notification requirements 
          for Other Regulated SBLCs.
120.1540 Types of formal enforcement actions--Intermediaries 
          participating in the Microloan Program.

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120.1600 General procedures for formal enforcement actions against SBA 
          Lenders, SBA Supervised Lenders, Other Regulated SBLCs, 
          Management Officials, Other Persons, and Intermediaries.

 Subpart J_Establishment of SBA Secondary Market Guarantee Program for 
                   First Lien Position 504 Loan Pools

120.1700 Definitions used in subpart J.
120.1701 Program purpose.
120.1702 Program fee.
120.1703 Qualifications to be a Pool Originator.
120.1704 Pool Loans eligible for Pooling.
120.1705 Pool formation requirements.
120.1706 Pool Originator's retained interest in Pool.
120.1707 Seller's retained Loan Interest.
120.1708 Pool Certificates.
120.1709 Transfers of Pool Certificates.
120.1710 Central servicing of the Program.
120.1711 Suspension or termination of Program participation privileges.
120.1712 Seller responsibilities with respect to Seller's Pool Loan.
120.1713 Seller's Pool Loan origination.
120.1714 Seller's Pool Loan servicing.
120.1715 Seller's Pool Loan liquidation.
120.1716 Required SBA approval of servicing actions.
120.1717 Seller's Pool Loan deferments.
120.1718 SBA's right to assume Seller's responsibilities.
120.1719 SBA's right to recover from Seller.
120.1720 SBA's right to review Pool Loan documents.
120.1721 SBA's right to investigate.
120.1722 SBA's offset rights.
120.1723 Pool Loan receivables received by Seller.
120.1724 Servicing and liquidation expenses.
120.1725 No Program Preference by Seller or Pool Originator.
120.1726 Pool Certificates a Seller cannot purchase.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b) (6), (b) (7), (b) (14), (h), and note, 
636(a), (h) and (m), 650, 687(f), 696(3) and (7), and 697(a) and (e); 
sec. 521, Pub. L. 114-113, 129 Stat. 2242; sec. 328(a), Pub. L. 116-260, 
134 Stat. 1182.

    Source: 61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 120 appear at 72 FR 
50039, Aug. 30, 2007.

          General Descriptions of SBA's Business Loan Programs



Sec.  120.1  Which loan programs does this part cover?

    This part regulates SBA's financial assistance to small businesses 
under its general business loan programs (``7(a) loans'') authorized by 
section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (``the Act''), 15 U.S.C. 636(a), 
its microloan demonstration loan program (``Microloans'') authorized by 
section 7(m) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 636(m), and its development company 
program (``504 loans'') authorized by Title V of the Small Business 
Investment Act, 15 U.S.C. 695 to 697f (``Title V''). These three 
programs constitute the business loan programs of the SBA.



Sec.  120.2  Descriptions of the business loan programs.

    (a) 7(a) loans. (1) 7(a) loans provide financing for general 
business purposes and may be:
    (i) A direct loan by SBA;
    (ii) An immediate participation loan by a Lender and SBA; or
    (iii) A guaranteed loan (deferred participation) by which SBA 
guarantees a portion of a loan made by a Lender.
    (2) A guaranteed loan is initiated by a Lender agreeing to make an 
SBA guaranteed loan to a small business and applying to SBA for SBA's 
guarantee under a blanket guarantee agreement (participation agreement) 
between SBA and the Lender. If SBA agrees to guarantee (authorizes) a 
portion of the loan, the Lender funds and services the loan. If the 
small business defaults on the loan, SBA's guarantee requires SBA to 
purchase its portion of the outstanding balance, upon demand by the 
Lender and subject to specific conditions. Regulations specific to 7(a) 
loans are found in subpart B of this part.
    (b) Microloans. SBA makes loans and loan guarantees to non-profit 
Intermediaries that make short-term loans up to $50,000 to eligible 
small businesses for general business purposes, except payment of 
personal debts. SBA also makes grants to Intermediaries for use in 
providing management assistance and counseling to small businesses. 
Regulations specific to these loans are found in subpart G of this part.
    (c) 504 loans. Projects involving 504 loans require long-term fixed-
asset financing for small businesses. A Certified Development Company 
(CDC) provides the final portion of this financing with a 504 loan made 
from the

[[Page 257]]

proceeds of a Debenture issued by the CDC, guaranteed 100 percent by SBA 
(with the full faith and credit of the United States), and sold to 
investors. The regulations specific to these loans are found in subpart 
H of this part.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 63545, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.3  Pilot programs.

    The Administrator of SBA may from time to time suspend, modify, or 
waive rules for a limited period of time to test new programs or ideas. 
The Administrator shall publish a document in the Federal Register 
explaining the reasons for these actions.

                               Definitions



Sec.  120.10  Definitions.

    The following terms have the same meaning wherever they are used in 
this part. Defined terms are capitalized wherever they appear.
    Acceptable Risk Rating is an SBA-assigned Risk Rating, currently 
defined by SBA as ``1'', ``2'' or ``3'' on a scale of 1 to 5, which 
represents an acceptable level of risk as determined by SBA, and which 
may be revised by SBA from time to time as published in the Federal 
Register through notice and comment.
    Associate. (1) An Associate of a Lender or CDC is:
    (i) An officer, director, key employee, or holder of 20 percent or 
more of the value of the Lender's or CDC's stock or debt instruments, or 
an agent involved in the loan process; or
    (ii) Any entity in which one or more individuals referred to in 
paragraphs (1)(i) of this definition or a Close Relative of any such 
individual owns or controls at least 20 percent.
    (2) An Associate of a small business is:
    (i) An officer, director, owner of more than 20 percent of the 
equity, or key employee of the small business;
    (ii) Any entity in which one or more individuals referred to in 
paragraphs (2)(i) of this definition owns or controls at least 20 
percent; and
    (iii) Any individual or entity in control of or controlled by the 
small business (except a Small Business Investment Company (``SBIC'') 
licensed by SBA).
    (3) For purposes of this definition, the time during which an 
Associate relationship exists commences six months before the following 
dates and continues as long as the certification, participation 
agreement, or loan is outstanding:
    (i) For a CDC, the date of certification by SBA;
    (ii) For a Lender, the date of application for a loan guarantee on 
behalf of an applicant; or
    (iii) For a small business, the date of the loan application to SBA, 
the CDC, the Intermediary, or the Lender.
    Authorized CDC Liquidator is a CDC in good standing with authority 
under the Act and SBA regulations to conduct liquidation and certain 
debt collection litigation in connection with 504 loans, as authorized 
by Sec.  120.975.
    Borrower is the obligor of an SBA business loan.
    Certified Development Company (``CDC'') is an entity authorized by 
SBA to deliver 504 financing to small businesses.
    Close Relative is a spouse; a parent; or a child or sibling, or the 
spouse of any such person.
    Community Advantage Small Business Lending Company (Community 
Advantage SBLC) is a type of SBLC that is a nonprofit lending 
institution licensed and authorized by SBA to make loans pursuant to 
section 7(a) of the Small Business Act. Note: This includes former 
Community Advantage Pilot Lenders that were grandfathered in at the time 
Community Advantage SBLC licenses were authorized regardless of their 
profit or nonprofit status. SBA accepts applications for Community 
Advantage SBLCs from time to time as published in the Federal Register.
    Eligible Passive Company is a small entity or trust which does not 
engage in regular and continuous business activity, which leases real or 
personal property to an Operating Company for use in the Operating 
Company's business, and which complies with the conditions set forth in 
Sec.  120.111.
    Federal Financial Institution Regulator is the Federal banking 
regulator of a 7(a) Lender and may include the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation,

[[Page 258]]

the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the 
Currency, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Farm Credit 
Administration.
    Intermediary is the entity in the Microloan program that receives 
SBA financial assistance and makes loans to small businesses in amounts 
up to $50,000.
    Lender or 7(a) Lender is an institution that has executed a 
participation agreement with SBA under the guaranteed loan program.
    Lender Oversight Committee (LOC) is a committee established within 
SBA by legislation, which meets at least quarterly, and which has the 
membership and duties set forth in section 48 of the Small Business Act 
as further outlined in Delegations of Authority published in the Federal 
Register. The LOC's duties include, but are not limited to, reviewing 
(in an advisory capacity) any lender oversight, portfolio risk 
management, or program integrity matters brought by the Director of the 
Office of Credit Risk Management (D/OCRM), and voting on formal 
enforcement action recommendations.
    Less Than Acceptable Risk Rating is an SBA-assigned Risk Rating, 
currently defined by SBA as ``4'' or ``5'' on a scale of 1 to 5, which 
represents a higher level of risk as determined by SBA, and which may be 
revised by SBA from time to time as published in the Federal Register 
through notice and comment.
    Loan Instruments are the note, instruments of hypothecation, and all 
other agreements and documents related to a loan.
    Loan Program Requirements or SBA Loan Program Requirements are 
requirements imposed upon Lenders, CDCs, or Intermediaries by statute; 
SBA and applicable government-wide regulations; any agreement the 
Lender, CDC, or Intermediary has executed with SBA or to which the 
Lender or CDC is subject; SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); 
Federal Register notices; and official SBA notices and forms applicable 
to the 7(a) Loan Program, 504 Loan Program or Microloan Program, as such 
requirements are issued and revised by SBA from time to time. For CDCs, 
this term also includes requirements imposed by Debentures, as that term 
is defined in Sec.  120.802. For Intermediaries, this term also includes 
requirements imposed by promissory notes, collateral documents, and 
grant agreements.
    Management Official is an officer, director, general partner, 
manager, employee participating in management, agent or other 
participant in the management of the affairs of the SBA Supervised 
Lender's activities under the 7(a) program.
    Non-Federally Regulated Lender (NFRL) is a business concern that is 
authorized by the SBA to make loans under section 7(a) and is subject to 
regulation by a state but whose lending activities are not regulated by 
a Federal Financial Institution Regulator.
    Operating Company is an eligible small business actively involved in 
conducting business operations now or about to be located on real 
property owned by an Eligible Passive Company, or using or about to use 
in its business operations personal property owned by an Eligible 
Passive Company.
    Other Regulated SBLC is a Small Business Lending Company whose SBA 
operations receive regular safety and soundness examinations by a state 
banking regulator or a Federal Financial Institution Regulator, and 
which meets the requirements set forth in Sec.  120.1511.
    Person is any individual, corporation, partnership, association, 
unit of government, or legal entity, however organized.
    Preference is any arrangement giving a Lender or a CDC a preferred 
position compared to SBA relating to the making, servicing, or 
liquidation of a business loan with respect to such things as repayment, 
collateral, guarantees, control, maintenance of a compensating balance, 
purchase of a Certificate of deposit or acceptance of a separate or 
companion loan, without SBA's consent.
    Rentable Property is the total square footage of all buildings or 
facilities used for business operations.
    Risk Rating is an SBA internal composite rating assigned to 
individual SBA Lenders and Intermediaries that reflects the risk 
associated with the

[[Page 259]]

SBA Lender's or Intermediary's portfolio of SBA loans. Risk Ratings 
currently range from one to five, with one representing the least risk 
and five representing the most risk, and may be revised by SBA from time 
to time as published in the Federal Register through notice and comment.
    Rural Area is a political subdivision or unincorporated area in a 
non-metropolitan county (as defined by the Department of Agriculture), 
or, if in a metropolitan county, any such subdivision or area with a 
resident population under 20,000 which is designated by SBA as rural.
    SBA Lender is a 7(a) Lender or a CDC. This term includes SBA 
Supervised Lenders.
    SBA Supervised Lender is a 7(a) Lender that is either a Small 
Business Lending Company or a NFRL.
    Service Provider is an entity that contracts with a Lender or CDC to 
perform management, marketing, legal or other services.
    Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) is a non-depository lending 
institution that is SBA-licensed and is authorized by SBA to make loans 
pursuant to section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and loans to 
Intermediaries in SBA's Microloan program. SBA accepts applications for 
SBLCs from time to time as published in the Federal Register.
    SOPs are SBA Standard Operating Procedures, as issued and revised by 
SBA from time to time. SOPs are publicly available on SBA's Web site at 
http://www.sba.gov in the online library.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2117, Jan. 13, 1999; 68 
FR 57980, Oct. 7, 2003; 72 FR 18360, Apr. 12, 2007; 73 FR 75510, Dec. 
11, 2008; 76 FR 63545, Oct. 12, 2011; 85 FR 7647, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 FR 
14780, Mar. 16, 2020; 85 FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 87 FR 38908, June 30, 
2022; 88 FR 21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



            Subpart A_Policies Applying to All Business Loans

                        Eligibility Requirements



Sec.  120.100  What are the basic eligibility requirements for all applicants 
for SBA business loans?

    To be eligible for an SBA business loan, a small business applicant 
must:
    (a) Be an operating business (except for loans to Eligible Passive 
Companies);
    (b) Be organized for profit;
    (c) Be located in the United States;
    (d) Be small under the size requirements of part 121 of this chapter 
(including affiliates). See subpart H of this part for the size 
standards of part 121 of this chapter which apply only to 504 loans; and
    (e) Be able to demonstrate a need for the desired credit.



Sec.  120.101  Credit not available elsewhere.

     SBA provides business loan assistance only to applicants for whom 
the desired credit is not otherwise available on reasonable terms from 
non-Federal, non-State, and non-local government sources. Accordingly, 
SBA requires the Lender or CDC to certify or otherwise show that the 
desired credit is unavailable to the applicant on reasonable terms and 
conditions from non-Federal, non-State, and non-local government sources 
without SBA assistance, taking into consideration factors associated 
with conventional lending practices, including: The business industry of 
the loan applicant; whether the loan applicant has been in operation two 
years or less; the adequacy of collateral available to secure the loan; 
the loan term necessary to reasonably assure repayment of the loan from 
actual or projected business cash flow; and any other factor relating to 
the particular loan application that cannot be overcome except through 
obtaining a Federal loan guarantee under prudent lending standards. 
Submission of an application to SBA by a Lender or CDC constitutes 
certification by the Lender or CDC that it has examined the availability 
of credit to the applicant, has based its certification upon that 
examination, and has substantiation in its file to support the 
certification.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 85 FR 14780, Mar. 16, 2020]

[[Page 260]]



Sec.  120.102  [Reserved]



Sec.  120.104  Are businesses financed by SBICs eligible?

    SBA may make or guarantee loans to a business financed by an SBIC if 
SBA's collateral position will be superior to that of the SBIC. SBA may 
also make or guarantee a loan to an otherwise eligible small business 
which temporarily is owned or controlled by an SBIC under the 
regulations in part 107 of this chapter. SBA neither guarantees SBIC 
loans nor makes loans jointly with SBICs.



Sec.  120.105  Special consideration for veterans.

    SBA will give special consideration to a small business owned by a 
veteran or, if the veteran chooses not to apply, to a business owned or 
controlled by one of the veteran's dependents. If the veteran is 
deceased or permanently disabled, SBA will give special consideration to 
one survivor or dependent. SBA will process the application of a 
business owned or controlled by a veteran or dependent promptly, resolve 
close questions in the applicant's favor, and pay particular attention 
to maximum loan maturity. For SBA loans, a veteran is a person honorably 
discharged from active military service.

          Ineligible Businesses and Eligible Passive Companies



Sec.  120.110  What businesses are ineligible for SBA business loans?

    The following types of businesses are ineligible:
    (a) Non-profit businesses (for-profit subsidiaries are eligible);
    (b) Financial businesses primarily engaged in the business of 
lending, such as banks, finance companies, and factors (pawn shops, 
although engaged in lending, may qualify in some circumstances);
    (c) Passive businesses owned by developers and landlords that do not 
actively use or occupy the assets acquired or improved with the loan 
proceeds (except Eligible Passive Companies under Sec.  120.111);
    (d) Life insurance companies;
    (e) Businesses located in a foreign country (businesses in the U.S. 
owned by aliens may qualify);
    (f) Pyramid sale distribution plans;
    (g) Businesses deriving more than one-third of gross annual revenue 
from legal gambling activities;
    (h) Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under 
Federal, State, or local law;
    (i) Private clubs and businesses which limit the number of 
memberships for reasons other than capacity;
    (j) Government-owned entities (except for businesses owned or 
controlled by a Native American tribe);
    (k)-(l) [Reserved]
    (m) Loan packagers earning more than one third of their gross annual 
revenue from packaging SBA loans;
    (n) Businesses with an Associate who is incarcerated, on probation, 
on parole, or is under indictment for a felony or any crime involving or 
relating to financial misconduct or a false statement;
    (o) Businesses in which the Lender or CDC, or any of its Associates 
owns an equity interest;
    (p) Businesses which:
    (1) Present live performances of a prurient sexual nature; or
    (2) Derive directly or indirectly more than de minimis gross revenue 
through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of any 
depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature;
    (q) Unless waived by SBA for good cause, businesses that have 
previously defaulted on a Federal loan or Federally assisted financing, 
resulting in the Federal government or any of its agencies or 
Departments sustaining a loss in any of its programs, and businesses 
owned or controlled by an applicant or any of its Associates which 
previously owned, operated, or controlled a business which defaulted on 
a Federal loan (or guaranteed a loan which was defaulted) and caused the 
Federal government or any of its agencies or Departments to sustain a 
loss in any of its programs. For purposes of this section, a compromise 
agreement shall also be considered a loss;
    (r) Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying 
activities; and

[[Page 261]]

    (s) Speculative businesses (such as oil wildcatting).

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39502, Aug. 21, 2017; 87 
FR 38908, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.111  What conditions must an Eligible Passive Company satisfy?

    An Eligible Passive Company must use loan proceeds only to acquire 
or lease, and/or improve or renovate, real or personal property 
(including eligible refinancing), that it leases to one or more 
Operating Companies for conducting the Operating Company's business, or 
to finance a change of ownership between the existing owners of the 
Eligible Passive Company. When the Operating Company is a co-borrower on 
the loan, loan proceeds also may be used by the Operating Company for 
working capital and/or the purchase of other assets, including 
intangible assets, for the Operating Company's use as provided in 
paragraph (a)(5) of this section. (References to Operating Company in 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section mean each Operating Company.) In 
the 504 loan program, if the Eligible Passive Company owns assets in 
addition to the real estate or other eligible long-term fixed assets, 
loan proceeds may not be used to finance a change of ownership between 
existing owners of the Eligible Passive Company unless the additional 
assets owned by the Eligible Passive Company are directly related to the 
real estate or other eligible long-term fixed assets, the amount 
attributable to the additional assets is de minimis, and the additional 
assets are excluded from the Project financing. Any ownership structure 
or legal form may qualify as an Eligible Passive Company.
    (a) Conditions that apply to all legal forms:
    (1) The Operating Company must be an eligible small business, and 
the proposed use of the proceeds must be an eligible use if the 
Operating Company were obtaining the financing directly;
    (2) The Eligible Passive Company (with the exception of a trust) and 
the Operating Company each must be small under the appropriate size 
standards in part 121 of this chapter;
    (3) The lease between the Eligible Passive Company and the Operating 
Company must be in writing and must be subordinate to SBA's mortgage, 
trust deed lien, or security interest on the property. The Eligible 
Passive Company (as landlord) must furnish as collateral for the loan an 
assignment of all rents paid under the lease. The rent or lease payments 
cannot exceed the amount necessary to make the loan payment to the 
lender, and an additional amount to cover the Eligible Passive Company's 
direct expenses of holding the property, such as maintenance, insurance 
and property taxes;
    (4) The lease between the Eligible Passive Company and the Operating 
Company, including options to renew exercisable solely by the Operating 
Company, must have a remaining term at least equal to the term of the 
loan;
    (5) The Operating Company must be a guarantor or co-borrower with 
the Eligible Passive Company. In a 7(a) loan that includes working 
capital and/or the purchase of other assets, including intangible 
assets, for the Operating Company's use, the Operating Company must be a 
co-borrower.
    (6) Each holder of an ownership interest constituting at least 20 
percent of either the Eligible Passive Company or the Operating Company 
must guarantee the loan. The trustee shall execute the guaranty on 
behalf of any trust. When deemed necessary for credit or other reasons, 
SBA or, for a loan processed under an SBA Lender's delegated authority, 
the SBA Lender may require other appropriate individuals or entities to 
provide full or limited guarantees of the loan without regard to the 
percentage of their ownership interests, if any.
    (b) Additional conditions that apply to trusts. The eligibility 
status of the trustor will determine trust eligibility. All donors to 
the trust will be deemed to have trustor status for eligibility 
purposes. A trust qualifying as an Eligible Passive Company may engage 
in other activities as authorized by its trust agreement. The trustee 
must warrant and certify that the trust will not be revoked or 
substantially amended for the term of the loan without the consent of 
SBA. The trustor must guarantee the loan. For purposes of this section, 
the trustee shall certify to SBA that:

[[Page 262]]

    (1) The trustee has authority to act;
    (2) The trust has the authority to borrow funds, pledge trust 
assets, and lease the property to the Operating Company;
    (3) The trustee has provided accurate, pertinent language from the 
trust agreement confirming the above; and
    (4) The trustee has provided and will continue to provide SBA with a 
true and complete list of all trustors and donors.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996; 61 FR 7986, Mar. 1, 1996, as amended at 64 
FR 2117, Jan. 13, 1999; 77 FR 19533, Apr. 2, 2012; 82 FR 39502, Aug. 21, 
2017; 87 FR 38908, June 30, 2022]

                            Uses of Proceeds



Sec.  120.120  What are eligible uses of proceeds?

    A small business must use an SBA business loan for sound business 
purposes.
    (a) A Borrower may use loan proceeds from any SBA loan to:
    (1) Acquire land (by purchase or lease);
    (2) Improve a site (e.g., grading, streets, parking lots, 
landscaping), including up to 5 percent for community improvements such 
as curbs and sidewalks;
    (3) Purchase one or more existing buildings;
    (4) Convert, expand or renovate one or more existing buildings;
    (5) Construct one or more new buildings; and/or
    (6) Acquire (by purchase or lease) and install fixed assets (for a 
504 loan, these assets must have a useful life of at least 10 years and 
be at a fixed location, although short-term financing for equipment, 
furniture, and furnishings may be permitted where essential to and a 
minor portion of the 504 Project).
    (b) A Borrower may also use 7(a) and microloan proceeds for:
    (1) Inventory;
    (2) Supplies;
    (3) Raw materials; and
    (4) Working capital (if the Operating Company is a co-borrower with 
the Eligible Passive Company, part of the loan proceeds may be applied 
for working capital and/or the purchase of other assets, including 
intangible assets, for use by the Operating Company).
    (c) A Borrower may use 7(a) loan proceeds for refinancing certain 
outstanding debts.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 19533, Apr. 2, 2012; 88 
FR 21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.130  Restrictions on uses of proceeds.

    SBA will not authorize nor may a Borrower use loan proceeds for the 
following purposes (including the replacement of funds used for any such 
purpose):
    (a) Payments, distributions, or loans to Associates of the applicant 
(except for ordinary compensation for services rendered or to facilitate 
changes of ownership in accordance with Sec.  120.202);
    (b) Refinancing a debt owed to a Small Business Investment Company 
(``SBIC'') or a New Markets Venture Capital Company (``NMVCC'');
    (c) Floor plan financing or other revolving line of credit, except 
under Sec.  120.340 or Sec.  120.390;
    (d) Investments in real or personal property acquired and held 
primarily for sale, lease, or investment (except for a loan to an 
Eligible Passive Company or to a small contractor under Sec.  120.310);
    (e) The applicant may not use any of the proceeds to pay past-due 
Federal, state, or local payroll taxes, sales taxes, or other similar 
taxes that are required to be collected by the applicant and held in 
trust on behalf of a Federal, state, or local government entity.
    (f) A purpose which does not benefit the small business; or
    (g) Any use restricted by Sec. Sec.  120.201 and 120.884 (specific 
to 7(a) loans and 504 loans respectively).

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 9218, Feb. 17, 2011; 76 
FR 63545, Oct. 12, 2011; 82 FR 39502, Aug. 21, 2017; 85 FR 7648, Feb. 
10, 2020; 85 FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 88 FR 21085, Apr. 10, 2023]



Sec.  120.131  Leasing part of new construction or existing building 
to another business.

    (a) If the SBA financing (whether 7(a) or 504) is for the 
construction of a new building, a Borrower may permanently lease up to 
20 percent of the Rentable Property to one or more tenants if the

[[Page 263]]

Borrower permanently occupies and uses no less than 60 percent of the 
Rentable Property, and plans to permanently occupy and use within three 
years some of the remaining space not immediately occupied and not 
permanently leased and plans to permanently occupy and use within ten 
years all of the remaining space not permanently leased. If the Borrower 
is an Eligible Passive Company which leases 100 percent of the new 
building's space to one or more Operating Companies, the Operating 
Company, or Operating Companies together, must follow the same rules set 
forth in this paragraph.
    (b) If the SBA financing (whether 7(a) or 504) is for the 
acquisition, renovation, or reconstruction of an existing building, the 
Borrower may permanently lease up to 49 percent of the Rentable Property 
if the Borrower permanently occupies and uses no less than 51 percent of 
the Rentable Property. If the Borrower is an Eligible Passive Company 
which leases 100 percent of the space of the existing building to one or 
more Operating Companies, the Operating Company, or Operating Companies 
together, must follow the same rules set forth in this paragraph.

[68 FR 51679, Aug. 28, 2003]

                          Ethical Requirements



Sec.  120.140  What ethical requirements apply to participants?

    Lenders, Intermediaries, and CDCs (in this section, collectively 
referred to as ``Participants''), must act ethically and exhibit good 
character. Ethical indiscretion of an Associate of a Participant or a 
member of a CDC will be attributed to the Participant. A Participant 
must promptly notify SBA if it obtains information concerning the 
unethical behavior of an Associate. The following are examples of such 
unethical behavior. A Participant may not:
    (a) Self-deal;
    (b) Have a real or apparent conflict of interest with a small 
business with which it is dealing (including any of its Associates or an 
Associate's Close Relatives) or SBA;
    (c) Own an equity interest in a business that has received or is 
applying to receive SBA financing (during the term of the loan or within 
6 months prior to the loan application);
    (d) Be incarcerated, on parole, or on probation;
    (e) Knowingly misrepresent or make a false statement to SBA;
    (f) Engage in conduct reflecting a lack of business integrity or 
honesty;
    (g) Be a convicted felon, or have an adverse final civil judgment 
(in a case involving fraud, breach of trust, or other conduct) that 
would cause the public to question the Participant's business integrity, 
taking into consideration such factors as the magnitude, repetition, 
harm caused, and remoteness in time of the activity or activities in 
question;
    (h) Accept funding from any source that restricts, prioritizes, or 
conditions the types of small businesses that the Participant may assist 
under an SBA program or that imposes any conditions or requirements upon 
recipients of SBA assistance inconsistent with SBA's loan programs or 
regulations;
    (i) Fail to disclose to SBA all relationships between the small 
business and its Associates (including Close Relatives of Associates), 
the Participant, and/or the lenders financing the Project of which it is 
aware or should be aware;
    (j) Fail to disclose to SBA whether the loan will:
    (1) Reduce the exposure of a Participant or an Associate of a 
Participant in a position to sustain a loss;
    (2) Directly or indirectly finance the purchase of real estate, 
personal property or services (including insurance) from the Participant 
or an Associate of the Participant;
    (3) Repay or refinance a debt due a Participant or an Associate of a 
Participant; or
    (4) Require the small business, or an Associate (including Close 
Relatives of Associates), to invest in the Participant (except for 
institutions which require an investment from all members as a condition 
of membership, such as a Production Credit Association);
    (k) Issue a real estate forward commitment to a builder or 
developer; or

[[Page 264]]

    (l) Engage in any activity which taints its objective judgment in 
evaluating the loan.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57980, Oct. 7, 2003]

                      Credit Criteria for SBA Loans



Sec.  120.150  What are SBA's lending criteria?

    The applicant (including an Operating Company) must be creditworthy. 
Loans must be so sound as to reasonably assure repayment. Lenders and 
CDCs must use appropriate and prudent generally acceptable commercial 
credit analysis processes and procedures consistent with those used for 
their similarly-sized, non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans. Lenders, 
CDCs, and SBA may use a business credit scoring model. When approving 
direct or guaranteed loans, Lenders, CDCs, and SBA may consider (as 
applicable) the following criteria: credit score or credit history of 
the applicant (and the Operating Company, if applicable), its Associates 
and any guarantors; the earnings or cashflow of applicant; or where 
applicable any equity or collateral of the applicant.

[88 FR 21085, Apr. 10, 2023]



Sec.  120.151  What is the statutory limit for total loans to a Borrower?

    The aggregate amount of the SBA portions of all loans to a single 
Borrower, including the Borrower's affiliates as defined in Sec.  
121.301(f) of this chapter, must not exceed a guaranty amount of 
$3,750,000, except as otherwise authorized by statute for a specific 
program. The maximum loan amount for any one 7(a) loan is $5,000,000. 
The amount of any loan received by an Eligible Passive Company applies 
to the loan limit of both the Eligible Passive Company and the Operating 
Company.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 51680, Aug. 28, 2003; 76 
FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011; 81 FR 41428, June 27, 2016]



Sec.  120.160  Loan conditions.

    The following requirements are normally required by SBA for all 
business loans:
    (a) Personal guarantees. Holders of at least a 20 percent ownership 
interest generally must guarantee the loan. When deemed necessary for 
credit or other reasons, SBA or, for a loan processed under an SBA 
Lender's delegated authority, the SBA Lender, may require other 
appropriate individuals or entities to provide full or limited 
guarantees of the loan without regard to the percentage of their 
ownership interests, if any.
    (b) Appraisals. SBA may require professional appraisals of the 
applicant's and principals' assets, a survey, or a feasibility study.
    (c) Hazard Insurance. SBA requires hazard insurance for 7(a) loans 
greater than $500,000 and for 504 projects greater than $500,000, on all 
collateral.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39502, Aug. 21, 2017; 88 
FR 21085, Apr. 10, 2023]

            Requirements Imposed Under Other Laws and Orders



Sec.  120.170  Flood insurance.

    Under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (Sec. 205(b) of Pub. 
L. 93-234; 87 Stat. 983 (42 U.S.C. 4000 et seq.)), a loan recipient must 
obtain flood insurance if any building (including mobile homes), 
machinery, or equipment acquired, installed, improved, constructed, or 
renovated with the proceeds of SBA financial assistance is located in a 
special flood hazard area. The requirement applies also to any inventory 
(business loan program), fixtures or furnishings contained or to be 
contained in the building. Mobile homes on a foundation are buildings. 
SBA, Lenders, CDCs, and Intermediaries must notify Borrowers that flood 
insurance must be maintained.



Sec.  120.171  Compliance with child support obligations.

    Any holder of 50% or more of the ownership interest in the recipient 
of an SBA loan must certify that he or she is not more than 60 days 
delinquent on any obligation to pay child support arising under:
    (a) An administrative order;
    (b) A court order;
    (c) A repayment agreement between the holder and a custodial parent; 
or

[[Page 265]]

    (d) A repayment agreement between the holder and a State agency 
providing child support enforcement services.



Sec.  120.172  Flood-plain and wetlands management.

    (a) All loans must conform to requirements of Executive Orders 
11988, ``Flood Plain Management'' (3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 117) and 11990, 
``Protection of Wetlands'' (3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 121). Lenders, 
Intermediaries, CDCs, and SBA must comply with requirements applicable 
to them. Applicants must show:
    (1) Whether the location for which financial assistance is proposed 
is in a floodplain or wetland;
    (2) If it is in a floodplain, that the assistance is in compliance 
with local land use plans; and
    (3) That any necessary construction or use permits will be issued.
    (b) Generally, there is an 8-step decision making process with 
respect to:
    (1) Construction or acquisition of anything, other than a building;
    (2) Repair and restoration equal to more than 50% of the market 
value of a building; or
    (3) Replacement of destroyed structures.
    (c) SBA may determine for the following types of actions, on a case-
by-case basis, that the full 8-step process is not warranted and that 
only the first step (determining if a proposed action is in the base 
floodplain) need be completed:
    (1) Actions located outside the base floodplain;
    (2) Repairs, other than to buildings, that are less than 50% of the 
market value;
    (3) Replacement of building contents, materials, and equipment;
    (4) Hazard mitigation measures;
    (5) Working capital loans; or
    (6) SBA loan assistance of $1,500,000 or less.



Sec.  120.174  Earthquake hazards.

    When loan proceeds are used to construct a new building or an 
addition to an existing building, the construction must conform with the 
``National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (``NEHRP'') Recommended 
Provisions for the Development of Seismic Regulations for New 
Buildings'' (which can be obtained from the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, Publications Office, Washington, DC) or a code identified by SBA 
as being substantially equivalent.



Sec.  120.175  Coastal barrier islands.

    SBA and Intermediaries may not make or guarantee any loan within the 
Coastal Barrier Resource System.



Sec.  120.176  Compliance with other laws.

    All SBA loans are subject to all applicable laws, including (without 
limitation) the civil rights laws (see parts 112, 113, 117 and 136 of 
this chapter), prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race, color, 
national origin, religion, sex, marital status, disability or age. SBA 
requests agreements or evidence to support or document compliance with 
these laws, including reports required by applicable statutes or the 
regulations in this chapter.

      Applicability and Enforceability of Loan Program Requirements



Sec.  120.180  Compliance with Loan Program Requirements.

    SBA Lenders and Intermediaries must comply and maintain familiarity 
with Loan Program Requirements for the 7(a) Loan Program, 504 Loan 
Program, and the Microloan Program, as applicable, and as such 
requirements are revised from time to time. Loan Program Requirements in 
effect at the time that an SBA Lender or Intermediary takes an action in 
connection with a particular loan govern that specific action. For 
example, although loan closing requirements in effect when an SBA Lender 
closes a loan will govern the closing actions, an SBA Lender's 
liquidation actions on the same loan are subject to the liquidation 
requirements in effect at the time that a liquidation action is taken. 
An SBA Lender or Intermediary must maintain sufficient documentation to 
demonstrate that Loan Program Requirements have been satisfied.

[85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]

[[Page 266]]



Sec.  120.181  Status of Lenders and CDCs.

    Lenders, CDCs and their contractors are independent contractors that 
are responsible for their own actions with respect to a 7(a) or 504 
loan. SBA has no responsibility or liability for any claim by a 
borrower, guarantor or other party alleging injury as a result of any 
allegedly wrongful action taken by a Lender, CDC or an employee, agent, 
or contractor of a Lender or CDC.

[72 FR 18360, Apr. 12, 2007]

                            Loan Applications



Sec.  120.190  Where does an applicant apply for a loan?

    An applicant for a business loan should apply to:
    (a) A Lender for a guaranteed or immediate participation loan;
    (b) A CDC for a 504 loan;
    (c) An Intermediary for a Microloan; or
    (d) SBA for a direct loan.



Sec.  120.191  The contents of a business loan application.

    For most business loans, SBA requires that an application for a 
business loan contain, among other things, a description of the history 
and nature of the business, the amount and purpose of the loan, the 
collateral offered for the loan, current financial statements, 
historical financial statements (or tax returns if appropriate) for the 
past three years, IRS tax verification, and a business plan, when 
applicable. Personal histories and financial statements will be required 
from principals of the applicant (and the Operating Company, if 
applicable).



Sec.  120.192  Approval or denial.

    Applicants receive notice of approval or denial by the Lender, CDC, 
Intermediary, or SBA, as appropriate. Notice of denial will include the 
reasons.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.193  Reconsideration after denial.

    An applicant or recipient of a business loan may request 
reconsideration of a denied loan or loan modification request within 6 
months of denial. Applicants denied due to a size determination can 
appeal that determination under part 121 of this chapter. All others 
must be submitted to the office that denied the original request. To 
prevail, the applicant must demonstrate that it has overcome all 
legitimate reasons for denial. Six months after denial, a new 
application is required. If the reconsideration is denied, a second and 
final reconsideration may be considered by the Director, Office of 
Financial Assistance (D/FA) or designee(s), whose decision is final. The 
SBA Administrator, solely within the Administrator's discretion, may 
choose to review the matter and make the final decision. Such 
discretionary authority of the Administrator does not create additional 
rights of appeal on the part of an applicant not otherwise specified in 
SBA regulations.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 21085, Apr. 10, 2023]

                         Computerized SBA Forms



Sec.  120.194  [Reserved]

                                Reporting



Sec.  120.195  Disclosure of fees.

    An Applicant for a business loan must identify to SBA the name of 
each Agent as defined in part 103 of this chapter that helped the 
applicant obtain the loan, describing the services performed, and 
disclosing the amount of each fee paid or to be paid by the applicant to 
the Agent in conjunction with the performance of those services.



Sec.  120.197  Notifying SBA's Office of Inspector General of suspected fraud.

    Lenders, CDCs, Borrowers, and others must notify the SBA Office of 
Inspector General of any information which indicates that fraud may have 
occurred in connection with a 7(a) or 504 loan. Send the notification to 
the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, Office of Inspector 
General, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20416.

[72 FR 18360, Apr. 12, 2007]

[[Page 267]]



                Subpart B_Policies Specific to 7(a) Loans

                          Bonding Requirements



Sec.  120.200  What bonding requirements exist during construction?

    On 7(a) loans which finance construction, the Borrower must supply a 
100 percent payment and performance bond and builder's risk insurance, 
unless waived by SBA.

                     Limitations on Use of Proceeds



Sec.  120.201  Refinancing unsecured or undersecured loans.

    A Borrower may not use 7(a) loan proceeds to pay any creditor in a 
position to sustain a loss causing a shift to SBA of all or part of a 
potential loss from an existing debt.



Sec.  120.202  Loans for changes of ownership.

    A Borrower may use 7(a) loan proceeds to purchase a portion of or 
the entirety of an owner's interest in a business, or a portion of or 
the entirety of a business itself.

[88 FR 21086, Apr. 10, 2023]

         Maturities; Interest Rates; Loan and Guarantee Amounts



Sec.  120.210  What percentage of a loan may SBA guarantee?

    SBA's guarantee percentage must not exceed the applicable percentage 
established in section 7(a) of the Act. The maximum allowable guarantee 
percentage on a loan will be determined by the loan amount. Loans of 
$150,000 or less may receive a maximum guaranty of 85 percent. Loans 
more than $150,000 may receive a maximum guaranty of 75 percent, except 
as otherwise authorized by law.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 51680, Aug. 28, 2003; 76 
FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.211  What limits are there on the amounts of direct loans?

    (a) The statutory limit for direct loans made under the authority of 
section 7(a)(1)-(19) of the Small Business Act is $350,000. SBA has 
established an administrative limit of $150,000 for direct loans. The D/
FA may authorize acceptance of an application up to the statutory limit.
    (b) The statutory limit for direct loans made under the authority of 
section 7(a)(20) is $750,000. SBA has established an administrative 
limit of $150,000. The Associate Administrator for Business Development 
may authorize the acceptance of an application that exceeds the 
administrative limit.
    (c) The statutory limit on SBA's portion of an immediate 
participation loan is $350,000. The administrative limit is the lesser 
of 75 percent of the loan or $150,000. The D/FA may authorize exceptions 
to the administrative limit up to $350,000.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009]



Sec.  120.212  What limits are there on loan maturities?

    The term of a loan shall be:
    (a) The shortest appropriate term, depending upon the Borrower's 
ability to repay;
    (b) Ten years or less, unless it finances or refinances real estate 
or equipment with a useful life exceeding ten years. The term for a loan 
to finance equipment and/or leasehold improvements may include an 
additional reasonable period, not to exceed 12 months, when necessary to 
complete the installation of the equipment and/or complete the leasehold 
improvements.
    (c) A maximum of 25 years, including extensions. (A portion of a 
loan used to acquire or improve real property may have a term of 25 
years plus an additional period needed to complete the construction or 
improvements.)

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 87 FR 38908, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.213  What fixed interest rates may a Lender charge?

    (a) Fixed Rates for Guaranteed Loans. A loan may have a reasonable 
fixed interest rate. SBA periodically publishes the maximum allowable 
rate in the Federal Register.
    (b) Direct loans. A statutory formula based on the cost of money to 
the Federal government determines the interest rate on direct loans. SBA 
publishes

[[Page 268]]

the rate periodically in the Federal Register.



Sec.  120.214  What conditions apply for variable interest rates?

    A Lender may use a variable rate of interest for guaranteed loans 
under the following conditions:
    (a) Frequency. The first change may occur on the first calendar day 
of the month following initial disbursement, using the base rate (see 
paragraph (c) of this section) in effect on the first business day of 
the month. After that, changes may occur no more often than monthly.
    (b) Range of fluctuation. The amount of fluctuation shall be equal 
to the movement in the base rate. The difference between the initial 
rate and the ceiling rate may be no greater than the difference between 
the initial rate and the floor rate.
    (c) Base rate. The base rate will be one of the following: the prime 
rate or the Optional Peg Rate. The prime rate will be that which is in 
effect on the first business day of the month, as printed in a national 
financial newspaper published each business day. SBA may from time to 
time permit the use of alternative base rate options that are widely 
adopted for small business commercial lending and will publish notice of 
such alternative options in the Federal Register. SBA publishes the 
Optional Peg Rate quarterly in the Federal Register.
    (d) Maximum Allowable Variable Interest Rates. The maximum allowable 
variable interest rates are set forth below, with the initial maximum 
allowable rate for the loan determined as of the date SBA receives the 
loan application:
    (1) For all 7(a) loans of $50,000 and less, the interest rate shall 
not exceed six and a half (6.5) percentage points over the base rate;
    (2) For all 7(a) loans of more than $50,000 and up to and including 
$250,000, the maximum interest rate shall not exceed six (6.0) 
percentage points over the base rate;
    (3) For all 7(a) loans of more than $250,000 and up to and including 
$350,000, the maximum interest rate shall not exceed four and a half 
(4.5) percentage points over the base rate; and
    (4) For all 7(a) loans of more than $350,000, the maximum interest 
rate shall not exceed three (3.0) percentage points over the base rate.
    (e) Amortization. Initial amortization of principal and interest may 
be recomputed and reassessed as interest rates fluctuate, as directed by 
SBA. With prior approval of SBA, the Lender may use certain other 
amortization methods, except that SBA does not allow balloon payments.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 67101, Nov. 13, 2008; 87 
FR 38908, June 30, 2022]

                        Fees for Guaranteed Loans



Sec.  120.220  Fees that Lender pays SBA.

    A Lender must pay a guaranty fee to SBA for each loan it makes. If 
the guarantee fee is not paid, SBA may terminate the guarantee. 
Acceptance of the guaranty fee by SBA does not waive any right of SBA 
arising from a Lender's negligence, misconduct or violation of any 
provision of these regulations or the guaranty agreement or other loan 
documents.
    (a) Amount of guaranty fee--(1) In general. Except to the extent 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section applies, for a loan with a maturity of 
twelve (12) months or less, the guarantee fee which the Lender must pay 
to SBA is one-quarter (\1/4\) of one percent of the guaranteed portion 
of the loan. For a loan with a maturity of more than twelve (12) months, 
the guarantee fee is payable as follows:
    (i) Not more than 2 percent of the guaranteed portion of a loan if 
the total amount of the loan is not more than $150,000;
    (ii) Not more than 3 percent of the guaranteed portion of a loan if 
the total amount of the loan is more than $150,000 but not more than 
$700,000;
    (iii) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section, 
not more than 3.5 percent of the guaranteed portion of a loan if the 
total amount of the loan is more than $700,000; and
    (iv) An additional 0.25 percent of the guaranteed portion of a loan 
if the total amount of the loan is more than $1,000,000.
    (2) For loans approved October 1, 2002, through September 30, 2004. 
For a loan

[[Page 269]]

with a maturity of twelve (12) months or less, the guarantee fee which 
the Lender must pay to SBA is one-quarter (\1/4\) of one percent of the 
guaranteed portion of the loan. For a loan with a maturity of more than 
twelve (12) months, the guarantee fee is:
    (i) 1 percent of the guaranteed portion of the loan if the total 
loan amount is not more than $150,000,
    (ii) 2.5 percent of the guaranteed portion of a loan if the total 
loan amount is more than $150,000, but not more than $700,000, and
    (iii) 3.5 percent of the guaranteed portion if the total loan amount 
is more than $700,000.
    (3) For loans approved under section 7(a)(31) of the Small Business 
Act (SBA Express loans) to veterans and/or the spouse of a veteran. SBA 
will not collect a guarantee fee in connection with a loan made under 
section 7(a)(31) of the Small Business Act to a business owned and 
controlled by a veteran or the spouse of a veteran.
    (b) When the guaranty fee is payable. For a loan with a maturity of 
twelve (12) months or less, the Lender must pay the guaranty fee to SBA 
electronically within 10 business days after receiving SBA loan 
approval. The Lender may only charge the Borrower for the fee after the 
Lender pays the guaranty fee. For a loan with a maturity in excess of 
twelve (12) months, the Lender must pay the guaranty fee to SBA 
electronically within 90 days after SBA gives its loan approval. The 
Lender may charge the Borrower the fee after the Lender has made the 
first disbursement of the loan. The Borrower may use the loan proceeds 
to pay the guaranty fee. However, the first disbursement must not be 
made solely or primarily to pay the guaranty fee.
    (c) Refund of guaranty fee. For a loan with a maturity of more than 
twelve (12) months, SBA will refund the guaranty fee if the Lender has 
not made any disbursement and the lender requests in writing the refund 
and cancellation of the SBA guaranty.
    (d) Lender's retention of portion of guaranty fee. With respect to a 
loan with a maturity of more than twelve (12) months, where the total 
loan amount is no more than $150,000 Lender may retain not more than 25 
percent of the guaranty fee.
    (e) If the guarantee fee is not paid, SBA may terminate the 
guarantee. The Borrower may use working capital loan proceeds to 
reimburse the Lender for the guarantee fee. Acceptance of the guarantee 
fee by SBA shall not waive any right of SBA arising from the Lender's 
misconduct or violation of any provision of this part, the guarantee 
agreement or other loan documents.
    (f) Lender's annual service fee payable to SBA--(1) In general. 
Except to the extent paragraph (f)(2) of this section applies, the 
lender shall pay SBA an annual service fee in an amount not to exceed 
0.55 percent of the outstanding balance of the guaranteed portion of 
each loan. The service fee cannot be charged to the Borrower. SBA may 
institute a late fee charge for delinquent payments of the annual 
service fee to cover administrative costs associated with collecting 
delinquent fees.
    (2) For loans approved from October 1, 2002, through September 30, 
2004. The lender shall pay SBA an annual service fee equal to 0.25 
percent of the outstanding balance of the guaranteed portion of each 
loan. The service fee cannot be charged to the Borrower. SBA may 
institute a late fee charge for delinquent payments of the annual 
service fee to cover administrative costs associated with collecting 
delinquent fees.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996; 61 FR 11471, Mar. 20, 1996, as amended at 68 
FR 51680, Aug. 28, 2003; 68 FR 56554, Oct. 1, 2003; 76 FR 63546, Oct. 
12, 2011; 82 FR 39502, Aug. 21, 2017; 87 FR 38908, June 30, 2022; 88 FR 
21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.221  Fees and expenses that the Lender may collect from 
a loan applicant or Borrower.

    Unless otherwise allowed by SBA Loan Program Requirements, the 
Lender may charge and collect from the applicant or Borrower only the 
following fees and expenses:
    (a) Service and packaging fees. The Lender may charge an applicant 
reasonable fees (customary for similar Lenders in the geographic area 
where the loan is being made) for packaging and other services. The 
Lender must advise the applicant in writing that the

[[Page 270]]

applicant is not required to obtain or pay for unwanted services. The 
applicant is responsible for deciding whether fees are reasonable. SBA 
may review these fees at any time. Lender must refund any such fee 
considered unreasonable by SBA.
    (b) Extraordinary servicing. Subject to prior written SBA approval, 
if all or part of a loan will have extraordinary servicing needs, the 
Lender may charge the applicant a service fee not to exceed 2 percent 
per year on the outstanding balance of the part requiring special 
servicing.
    (c) Out-of-pocket expenses. The Lender may collect from the 
applicant necessary out-of-pocket expenses such as filing or recording 
fees.
    (d) Late payment fee. The Lender may charge the Borrower a late 
payment fee not to exceed 5 percent of the regular loan payment.
    (e) Legal services. Lender may charge the Borrower for legal 
services rendered on an hourly basis.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017; 85 
FR 7648, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020]



Sec.  120.222  Prohibition on sharing premiums for secondary market sales.

    The Lender or its Associates may not share any premium received from 
the sale of an SBA guaranteed loan in the secondary market with a 
Service Provider, packager, or other loan-referral source.

[82 FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017, as amended at 85 FR 7648, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 
FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 87 FR 38908, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.223  Subsidy recoupment fee payable to SBA by Borrower.

    (a) The subsidy recoupment fee is payable to SBA when:
    (1) Loan has a maturity of 15 years or more.
    (2) Borrower makes a voluntary prepayment (or several prepayments in 
the aggregate) during any one of the first three successive 12 month 
periods following the first disbursement of the loan. Prepayment is 
defined as a payment of principal in excess of the amount due according 
to the amortization schedule.
    (3) The prepayment (or several prepayments in the aggregate) is more 
than 25 percent of the highest outstanding principal balance of the loan 
in any one of the first three successive 12 month periods following the 
first disbursement.
    (b) When all the conditions above exist, the following subsidy 
recoupment fees apply:
    (1) If the prepayment is made during the first 12 month period after 
first disbursement, the charge is 5 percent of the total amount of all 
prepayments made during such period;
    (2) If the prepayment is made during the second 12 month period 
after first disbursement, the charge is 3 percent of the total amount of 
all prepayments made during that period; and
    (3) If the prepayment is made during the third 12 month period after 
first disbursement, the charge is 1 percent of the total amount of all 
prepayments made during that period.

[68 FR 51680, Aug. 28, 2003]



                     Subpart C_Special Purpose Loans



Sec.  120.300  Statutory authority.

    Congress has authorized several special purpose programs in various 
subsections of section 7(a) of the Act. Generally, 7(a) loan policies, 
eligibility requirements and credit criteria enumerated in subpart B of 
this part apply to these programs. The sections of this subpart 
prescribe the special conditions applying to each special purpose 
program. As with other business loans, special purpose loans are 
available only to the extent funded by annual appropriations.

                 Disabled Assistance Loan Program (DAL)



Sec.  120.310  What assistance is available for the disabled?

    Section 7(a)(10) of the Act authorizes SBA to guarantee or make 
direct loans to the disabled. SBA distinguishes two kinds of assistance:
    (a) DAL-1. DAL-1 Financial Assistance is available to non-profit 
public or private organizations for disabled individuals that employ 
such individuals; or
    (b) DAL-2. DAL-2 Financial Assistance is available to:

[[Page 271]]

    (1) Small businesses wholly owned by disabled individuals; and
    (2) Disabled individuals to establish, acquire, or operate a small 
business.



Sec.  120.311  Definitions.

    (a) Organization for the disabled means one which:
    (1) Is organized under federal or state law to operate in the 
interest of disabled individuals;
    (2) Is non-profit;
    (3) Employs disabled individuals for seventy-five percent of the 
time needed to produce commodities or services for sale; and
    (4) Complies with occupational and safety standards prescribed by 
the Department of Labor.
    (b) Disabled individual means a person who has a permanent physical, 
mental or emotional impairment, defect, ailment, disease or disability 
which limits the type of employment for which the person would otherwise 
be qualified.



Sec.  120.312  DAL-1 use of proceeds and other program conditions.

    (a) DAL-1 applicants must submit appropriate documents to establish 
program eligibility.
    (b) Generally, applicants may use loan proceeds for any 7(a) loan 
purposes. Loan proceeds may not be used:
    (1) To purchase or construct facilities if construction grants and 
mortgage assistance are available from another Federal source; or
    (2) For supportive services (expenses incurred by a DAL-1 
organization to subsidize wages of low producers, health and 
rehabilitation services, management, training, education, and housing of 
disabled workers).
    (c) SBA does not consider a DAL-1 organization to have a conflict of 
interest if one or more of its Associates is an Associate of the Lender.



Sec.  120.313  DAL-2 use of proceeds and other program conditions.

    (a) The DAL-2 loan proceeds may be used for any 7(a) loan purposes.
    (b) An applicant may use DAL-2 loan proceeds to acquire an eligible 
small business without complying with the change of ownership conditions 
in Sec.  120.202.
    (c) A DAL-2 applicant must submit evidence from a physician, 
psychiatrist, or other qualified professional as to the permanent nature 
of the disability and the limitation it places on the applicant.



Sec.  120.314  Resolving doubts about creditworthiness.

    For the purpose of the DAL Program, SBA shall resolve doubts 
concerning the creditworthiness of an applicant in favor of the 
applicant. However, the applicant must present satisfactory evidence of 
repayment ability. Personal guarantees of Associates are not required 
for purposes of DAL-1 financial assistance.



Sec.  120.315  Interest rate and loan limit.

    The interest rate on direct DAL loans is three percent. There is an 
administrative limit of $150,000 on a direct DAL loan.

               Businesses Owned by Low Income Individuals



Sec.  120.320  Policy.

    Section 7(a)(11) of the Act authorizes SBA to guarantee or make 
direct loans to establish, preserve or strengthen small business 
concerns:
    (a) Located in an area having high unemployment according to the 
Department of Labor;
    (b) Located in an area in which a high percentage of individuals 
have a low income inadequate to satisfy basic family needs; and
    (c) More than 50 percent owned by low income individuals.

                           Energy Conservation



Sec.  120.330  Who is eligible for an energy conservation loan?

    SBA may make or guarantee loans to assist a small business to 
design, engineer, manufacture, distribute, market, install, or service 
energy devices or techniques designed to conserve the Nation's energy 
resources.



Sec.  120.331  What devices or techniques are eligible for a loan?

    Eligible energy conservation devices or techniques include:
    (a) Solar thermal equipment;

[[Page 272]]

    (b) Photovoltaic cells and related equipment;
    (c) A product or service which increases the energy efficiency of 
existing equipment, methods of operation or systems which use fossil 
fuels, and which is on the Energy Conservation Measures list of the 
Secretary of Energy;
    (d) Equipment producing energy from wood, biological waste, grain or 
other biomass energy sources;
    (e) Equipment for cogeneration of energy, district heating or 
production of energy from industrial waste;
    (f) Hydroelectric power equipment;
    (g) Wind energy conversion equipment; and
    (h) Engineering, architectural, consulting, or other professional 
services necessary or appropriate for any of the devices or techniques 
in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section.



Sec.  120.332  What are the eligible uses of proceeds?

    (a) Acquire property. The Borrower may use the loan proceeds to 
acquire land necessary for imminent plant construction, buildings, 
machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, facilities, supplies, and 
material needed to accomplish any of the eligible program purposes in 
Sec.  120.330.
    (b) Research and development. Up to 30% of loan proceeds may be used 
for research and development:
    (1) Of an existing product or service; or
    (2) A new product or service.
    (c) Working capital. The Borrower may use proceeds for working 
capital for entering or expanding in the energy conservation market.



Sec.  120.333  Are there any special credit criteria?

    In addition to regular credit evaluation criteria, SBA shall weigh 
the greater risk associated with energy projects. SBA shall consider 
such factors as quality of the product or service, technical 
qualifications of the applicant's management, sales projections, and 
financial status.

                  Export Working Capital Program (EWCP)



Sec.  120.340  What is the Export Working Capital Program?

    Under the EWCP, SBA guarantees short-term working capital loans made 
by participating lenders to exporters (section 7(a)(14) of the Act). 
Loan maturities may be for up to three years with annual renewals. 
Proceeds can be used only to finance export transactions. Loans can be 
for single or multiple export transactions. An export transaction is the 
production and payment associated with a sale of goods or services to a 
foreign buyer. The maximum loan amount for any one EWCP loan is 
$5,000,000. EWCP loans shall receive a guaranty of 90 percent, not to 
exceed $4,500,000.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.341  Who is eligible?

    In addition to the eligibility criteria applicable to all 7(a) 
loans, an applicant must be in business for one full year at the time of 
application, but not necessarily in the exporting business. SBA may 
waive this requirement if the applicant has sufficient export trade 
experience or other managerial experience.



Sec.  120.342  What are eligible uses of proceeds?

    Loan proceeds may be used:
    (a) To acquire inventory;
    (b) To pay the manufacturing costs of goods for export;
    (c) To purchase goods or services for export;
    (d) To support standby letters of credit;
    (e) For pre-shipment working capital; and
    (f) For post-shipment foreign accounts receivable financing.



Sec.  120.343  Collateral.

    A Borrower must give SBA a first security interest sufficient to 
cover 100 percent of the EWCP loan amount (such as insured accounts 
receivable or letters of credit). Collateral must be located in the 
United States, its territories or possessions.

[[Page 273]]



Sec.  120.344  Unique requirements of the EWCP.

    (a) An applicant must submit cash flow projections to support the 
need for the loan and the ability to repay. After the loan is made, the 
loan recipient must submit continual progress reports.
    (b) SBA does not limit the amount of extraordinary servicing fees, 
as referenced in Sec.  120.221(b), under the EWCP.
    (c) SBA does not prescribe the interest rates for the EWCP, but will 
monitor these rates for reasonableness.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 85 FR 7648, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 
FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020]

                        International Trade Loans



Sec.  120.345  Policy.

    Section 7(a)(16) of the Act authorizes SBA to guarantee loans to 
small businesses that are:
    (a) Engaged or preparing to engage in international trade; or
    (b) Adversely affected by import competition.



Sec.  120.346  Eligibility.

    (a) An applicant must establish that:
    (1) The loan proceeds will significantly expand an existing export 
market or develop new export markets; or
    (2) The applicant business is adversely affected by import 
competition; and
    (3) The loan will improve the applicant's competitive position.
    (b) The applicant must have a business plan reasonably supporting 
its projected export sales.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.347  Use of proceeds.

    The Borrower may use loan proceeds to acquire, construct, renovate, 
modernize, improve, or expand facilities and equipment to be used in the 
United States to produce goods or services involved in international 
trade, and to develop and penetrate foreign markets. The Borrower may 
also use proceeds in the refinancing of existing indebtedness that is 
not structured with reasonable terms and conditions, including any debt 
that qualifies for refinancing under 7(a) Loan Program Requirements, and 
to provide working capital.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.348  Amount of guarantee.

    The maximum loan amount for any one International Trade (IT) loan is 
$5,000,000. IT loans may receive a maximum guaranty of 90 percent or 
$4,500,000, except that the maximum guaranty amount for any working 
capital component of an IT loan is limited to $4,000,000. To the extent 
that the Borrower has a separate EWCP loan or any other 7(a) loan for 
working capital, the guaranty amount for the other loan is counted 
against the $4,000,000 guaranty limit for the IT loan.

[76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.349  Collateral.

    Each IT loan must be secured either by a first lien position or 
first mortgage on the property or equipment financed by the IT loan or 
on other assets of the Borrower, except that an IT loan may be secured 
by a second lien position on the property or equipment financed by the 
IT loan or on other assets of the Borrower, if the SBA determines the 
second lien position provides adequate assurance of the payment of the 
IT loan.

[76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]

                    Qualified Employee Trusts (ESOP)



Sec.  120.350  Policy.

    Section 7(a)(15) of the Act authorizes SBA to guarantee a loan to a:
    (a) Qualified employee trust (``ESOP'') to:
    (1) Help finance the growth of its employer's small business; or
    (2) Purchase ownership or voting control of the employer; and a
    (b) Small business concern, if the proceeds from the loan are only 
used to make a loan to a qualified employee trust that results in the 
qualified employee trust owning at least 51 percent of the small 
business concern.

[87 FR 38908, June 30, 2022]

[[Page 274]]



Sec.  120.351  Definitions.

    All terms specific to ESOPs have the same definition for purposes of 
this section as in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code (title 26 of 
the United States Code) or regulations (26 CFR chapter I).



Sec.  120.352  Use of proceeds.

    Loan proceeds may be used for:
    (a) Qualified employee trust. A qualified employee trust may use 
loan proceeds for two purposes:
    (1) Qualified employer securities. A qualified employee trust may 
relend loan proceeds to the employer by purchasing qualified employer 
securities. The small business concern may use these funds for any 
general 7(a) purpose.
    (2) Control of employer. A qualified employee trust may use loan 
proceeds to purchase a controlling interest (51 percent) in the 
employer. Ownership and control must vest in the trust by the time the 
loan is repaid.
    (b) Small business concern. A small business concern may only use 
loan proceeds to make a loan to a qualified employee trust that results 
in the qualified employee trust owning at least 51 percent of the small 
business concern.

[87 FR 38908, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.353  Eligibility.

    SBA may assist a qualified employee trust (or equivalent trust) that 
meets the requirements and conditions for an ESOP prescribed in all 
applicable IRS, Treasury and Department of Labor (DOL) regulations. In 
addition, the following conditions apply:
    (a) The small business must provide the funds needed by the trust to 
repay the loan; and
    (b) The small business must provide adequate collateral.



Sec.  120.354  Creditworthiness.

    In determining repayment ability, SBA shall not consider the 
personal assets of the employee-owners of the trust. SBA shall consider 
the earnings history and projected future earnings of the employer small 
business. SBA may consider the business and management experience of the 
employee-owners.

                          Veterans Loan Program



Sec.  120.360  Which veterans are eligible?

    SBA may guarantee or make direct loans to a small business 51 
percent owned by one or more of the following eligible veterans:
    (a) Vietnam-era veterans who served for a period of more than 180 
days between August 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975, and were discharged other 
than dishonorably;
    (b) Disabled veterans of any era with a minimum compensable 
disability of 30 percent; or
    (c) A veteran of any era who was discharged for disability.



Sec.  120.361  Other conditions of eligibility.

    (a) Management and daily operations of the business must be directed 
by one or more of the veteran owners whose veteran status was used to 
qualify for the loan.
    (b) This direct loan program is available only if private sector 
financing and guaranteed loans are not available.
    (c) A veteran may qualify only once for this program on a direct 
loan basis.

                Loans to Participants in the 8(a) Program



Sec.  120.375  Policy.

    Section 7(a)(20) of the Act authorizes SBA to provide direct 
(unilaterally or together with Lenders) or guaranteed loans to firms 
participating in the 8(a) Program.



Sec.  120.376  Special requirements.

    The following special conditions apply (otherwise, 7(a) loan 
eligibility criteria apply):
    (a) The Associate Administrator for Business Development may waive 
the direct loan administrative ceiling of $150,000, and raise it to 
$750,000.
    (b) The SBA portion of a guaranteed loan must not exceed $750,000.
    (c) The interest rate on a guaranteed loan shall be the same as on 
7(a) guaranteed business loans. The interest rate on a direct loan shall 
be one percent less than on a regular direct loan.

[[Page 275]]

    (d) For a direct loan or SBA's portion of an immediate participation 
loan, SBA shall subordinate its security interest on all collateral to 
other debt of the applicant.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009]



Sec.  120.377  Use of proceeds.

    The loan proceeds shall not be used for debt refinancing. Only a 
manufacturing concern may use loan proceeds for working capital.

                            CapLines Program



Sec.  120.390  Revolving credit.

    (a) CapLines finances eligible small businesses' short-term, 
revolving and non-revolving working-capital needs. SBA regulations 
governing the 7(a) loan program govern business loans made under this 
program. The maximum guaranteed amount and the maximum loan amount are 
the same under CapLines as other 7(a) loans, as stated in Sec.  120.151.
    (b) CapLines proceeds can be used to finance the cyclical, 
recurring, or other identifiable short-term operating capital needs of 
small businesses. Proceeds can be used to create current assets or used 
to provide financing against the current assets that already exist.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]

                          Builders Loan Program



Sec.  120.391  What is the Builders Loan Program?

    Under section 7(a)(9) of the Act, SBA may make or guarantee loans to 
finance small general contractors to construct or rehabilitate 
residential or commercial property for resale. This program provides an 
exception under specified conditions to the general rule against 
financing investment property. ``Construct'' and ``rehabilitate'' mean 
only work done on-site to the structure, utility connections and 
landscaping.



Sec.  120.392  Who may apply?

    A construction contractor or home-builder with a past history of 
profitable construction or rehabilitation projects of comparable type 
and size may apply. An applicant may subcontract the work. Subcontracts 
in excess of $25,000 may require 100 percent payment and performance 
bonds.



Sec.  120.393  Are there special application requirements?

    (a) An applicant must submit documentation from:
    (1) A mortgage lender indicating that permanent mortgage money is 
available to qualified purchasers to buy such properties;
    (2) A real estate broker indicating that a market exists for the 
proposed building and that it will be compatible with its neighborhood; 
and
    (3) An architect, appraiser or engineer agreeing to make inspections 
and certifications to support interim disbursements.
    (b) The Borrower may substitute a letter from a qualified Lender for 
one or more of the letters.



Sec.  120.394  What are the eligible uses of proceeds?

    A Borrower must use the loan proceeds solely to acquire, construct 
or substantially rehabilitate an individual residential or commercial 
building for sale. ``Substantial'' means rehabilitation expenses of more 
than one-third of the purchase price or fair market value at the time of 
the application. A Borrower may use up to 33 percent of the proceeds to 
acquire land, and up to 5 percent for community improvements such as 
curbs and sidewalks.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.395  What is SBA's collateral position?

    SBA will require a lien on the building which must be in no less 
than a second position.



Sec.  120.396  What is the term of the loan?

    The loan must not exceed sixty (60) months plus the estimated time 
to complete construction or rehabilitation.

[[Page 276]]



Sec.  120.397  Are there any special restrictions?

    The borrower must not use loan proceeds to purchase vacant land for 
possible future construction or to operate or hold rental property for 
future rehabilitation. SBA may allow rental of the property only if the 
rental will improve the ability to sell the property. The sale must be a 
legitimate change of ownership.

 America's Recovery Capital (Business Stabilization) Loan Program--ARC 
                              Loan Program



Sec.  120.398  America's Recovery Capital (ARC) Loan Program.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of the ARC Loan Program is to enable SBA to 
guarantee certain loans to viable small businesses that are experiencing 
immediate financial hardship. Loans made under this loan program are 
referred to as ARC Loans and are subject to the requirements set forth 
in this Part for 7(a) loans except as noted in this section.
    (b) Definitions. (1) (i) Eligible Borrower is a small business 
concern as defined in Section 3 of the Small Business Act and Sec.  
120.100. Eligible Borrower does not include:
    (A) Ineligible small businesses as listed in Sec.  120.110; and
    (B) Small business concerns with the following primary industry 
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes:
    (1) 713210 (Casinos (Except Casino Hotels));
    (2) 721120 (Casino Hotels);
    (3) 713290 (Other Gambling Industries);
    (4) 713910 (Golf Courses and Country Clubs); and
    (5) 712130 (Zoos and Botanical Gardens).
    (ii) Applications submitted by small business concerns with a 
primary industry NAICS code of 713940 (Fitness and Recreational Sports 
Centers) will be identified and reviewed by SBA to determine eligibility 
in accordance with the statutory restriction on assistance to swimming 
pools.
    (2) Going Concern is a small business concern actively engaging in 
business with the expectation of indefinite continuance.
    (3) Qualifying Small Business Loan is a loan previously made to an 
Eligible Borrower for any of the purposes set forth in Sec.  120.120 and 
not for any of the purposes set forth in Sec.  120.130 or 120.160(d). 
Qualifying Small Business Loans may include credit card obligations, 
capital leases for major equipment and vehicles, notes payable to 
vendors or suppliers, loans in the first lien position made by 
commercial lenders in connection with the Development Company Loan 
Program (504), home equity loans used to finance business operations, 
other loans to small businesses made without an SBA guaranty, and loans 
made by or with an SBA guaranty on or after February 17, 2009. Loans 
made or guaranteed by SBA before February 17, 2009 are not Qualifying 
Small Business Loans for the purposes of the ARC Loan Program. A 
Qualifying Small Business Loan may not be used as the basis for more 
than one ARC Loan but ARC Loans may be used to pay multiple Qualifying 
Small Business Loans.
    (4) Viable small business is a small business that is a Going 
Concern but which is having difficulty making periodic payments of 
principal and interest on Qualifying Small Business Loan(s) and/or 
meeting operating expenses of the business although it can reasonably 
demonstrate its projected continued operation for a reasonable period 
beyond the six month period of payment assistance with an ARC Loan.
    (c) Period of program. The ARC Loan Program is authorized through 
September 30, 2010, or until appropriated funds are exhausted, whichever 
is sooner.
    (d) Use of proceeds. Loans made under the ARC Loan Program are for 
the sole purpose of making periodic payments of principal and interest 
(including default interest), in full or in part, for up to six (6) 
months, on one or more existing Qualifying Small Business Loans. ARC 
Loan proceeds cannot be used to make payments on loans made or 
guaranteed by SBA prior to February 17, 2009.
    (e) Loan terms. (1) Guaranty percentage. ARC Loans are 100% 
guaranteed by SBA.

[[Page 277]]

    (2) Maximum loan size. An ARC Loan may not exceed $35,000.
    (3) Interest rate. The interest rate for ARC Loans will be published 
by SBA in the Federal Register.
    (4) Loan maturity. An ARC Loan may be made with a maturity of up to 
six and one-half years.
    (5) Disbursement period. The disbursement period for an ARC Loan is 
up to six consecutive months.
    (6) Loan payments.
    (i) Borrower's payments. The borrower will be responsible for all 
principal payments.
    (ii) Payment of interest by SBA. SBA will make periodic interest 
payments to the lender on ARC Loans. Interest will accrue only until the 
date 120 days after the earliest uncured payment default on the ARC 
Loan. However, the amount paid by SBA on a defaulted ARC Loan, when it 
honors its guarantee, will be adjusted to reconcile for any overpayments 
or underpayments of interest previously paid to the Lender. Interim 
adjustments to interest paid by SBA to lenders may be made during the 
term of the ARC Loan and interest payments due the Lender will be 
adjusted to accommodate the interim interest adjustments.
    (iii) Deferral period. No principal repayment is required during the 
disbursement period or for 12 months following the final loan 
disbursement.
    (iv) Repayment period. The borrower will be required to pay the loan 
principal over five years beginning in the 13th month following the 
final loan disbursement. The ARC Loan balance will be fully amortized 
over the five year repayment period. Balloon payments may not be 
required by lenders. The borrower may prepay all or a portion of the 
principal during the life of the loan without penalty.
    (f) Number of ARC Loans per small business. No small business may 
obtain more than one ARC Loan, but the proceeds of the ARC loan may be 
used to pay more than one Qualifying Small Business Loan.
    (g) Personal guarantees. Holders of at least a 20 percent ownership 
interest in the borrower generally must guarantee the ARC Loan.
    (h) Collateral. SBA requires each lender to follow the collateral 
policies and procedures that it has established and implemented for 
similarly-sized non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans. The lender's 
collateral policies must be commercially reasonable and prudent. Lenders 
will certify that the collateral policies applied to the ARC Loan meet 
this standard. Lenders may charge borrowers the direct cost of securing 
and liquidating collateral for ARC Loans. SBA will reimburse Lenders for 
the direct cost of liquidating collateral that are not reimbursed by the 
borrower in the event of default. Reimbursement of the direct costs of 
liquidation by SBA to the Lender is limited to the amount of the 
recovery received on the ARC Loan.
    (i) Credit criteria. To be approved for an ARC Loan, the applicant 
must be a creditworthy small business with a reasonable expectation of 
repayment, taking into consideration the following:
    (1) Character, reputation, and credit history of the applicant (and 
the Operating Company, if applicable) and its Associates;
    (2) Experience and depth of management;
    (3) Strength of the business;
    (4) Past earnings, current earnings, and projected cash flow; and
    (5) Ability to repay the loan with earnings from the business.
    (j) Statement of hardship. In addition to the certifications 
required for 7(a) loans generally, ARC Loan recipients must submit a 
statement certifying that they are experiencing immediate financial 
hardship and provide documentation to support the certification.
    (k) Loan application. The provisions of Sec.  120.191 do not apply 
for ARC Loans. A lender making an ARC Loan will provide an application 
with information on the small business that includes the nature and 
history of the business, current and historical financial statements (or 
tax returns), and other information that SBA may require.
    (l) Preferences and refinancing. A lender may make an ARC Loan to an 
Eligible Borrower that intends to use the proceeds of the ARC Loan to 
make periodic payments of principal and interest on a Qualifying Small 
Business Loan that is owned or serviced by that same lender. The 
provisions of Sec. Sec.  120.10, 120.536(a)(2) and 120.925 with regard 
to

[[Page 278]]

Preference for repayments without prior SBA approval do not apply to ARC 
Loans. The provisions of Sec.  120.201 restricting refinancing also do 
not apply to ARC Loans.
    (m) Loan fees. Neither the lender nor SBA shall impose any fees or 
direct costs on a borrower of an ARC Loan, except that lenders may 
charge borrowers for the direct costs of securing and liquidating 
collateral for the ARC Loan. Fees include, but are not limited to, 
points, bonus points, prepayment penalties, brokerage fees, fees for 
processing, origination, or application, and out of pocket expenses 
(other than the direct costs of securing and liquidating collateral). 
SBA will not impose any fees on a lender making an ARC Loan.
    (n) Lender reporting. Lenders shall report on its ARC Loans in 
accordance with requirements established by SBA from time to time for 7a 
loans and loans made under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
2009.
    (o) Loan servicing. Each originating lender shall service all of its 
ARC Loans in accordance with the existing practices and procedures that 
the Lender uses for its non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans. In all 
circumstances, such practices and procedures must be commercially 
reasonable and consistent with prudent lending standards and in 
accordance with SBA Loan Program Requirements as defined in Sec.  
120.10. SBA's prior written consent is required for servicing actions 
that may have significant exposure implications for SBA. SBA may require 
written notice of other servicing actions it considers necessary for 
portfolio management purposes.
    (p) Liquidations. Each Lender shall be responsible for liquidating 
any defaulted ARC Loan originated by the Lender. ARC Loans will be 
liquidated in accordance with the existing practices and procedures that 
the Lender uses for its non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans. In all 
circumstances, such practices and procedures must be commercially 
reasonable and consistent with prudent lending standards and in 
accordance with SBA Loan Program Requirements as defined in Section 
120.10. Loans with de minimis value may, at the Lender's request and 
with SBA's approval, be liquidated by SBA or its agent(s). Significant 
liquidation actions taken on ARC Loans must be documented. The 
reimbursement of liquidation related fees by SBA to the Lender is 
limited to the amount of the recovery on the ARC Loan.
    (q) Purchase requests. Any purchase request to SBA to honor its 
guaranty on a defaulted ARC Loan shall be made by the originating 
lender. Lenders may request SBA to purchase an ARC Loan when there has 
been an uncured payment default exceeding 60 days or when the borrower 
has declared bankruptcy. SBA requires Lenders to submit loans for 
purchase no later than 120 days after the earliest uncured payment 
default on the ARC Loan. Additionally, SBA may honor its guarantee and 
require a Lender to submit an ARC Loan for purchase at any time. Except 
as noted above, the Lender is required to complete all recovery actions 
on the ARC Loan after purchase.
    (r) Prohibition on secondary market sales and loan participations. A 
lender may not sell an ARC loan into the secondary market nor may a 
lender participate a portion of an ARC loan with another lender.
    (s) Loan volume. SBA reserves the right to allocate loan volume 
under the ARC Loan Program among Lenders (as defined in Sec.  120.10).
    (t) Delegated authority. SBA may allow lenders to use their 
delegated authority to process ARC Loans.
    (u) Personal resources test. The personal resources test provisions 
of Sec.  120.102 do not apply to ARC Loans.
    (v) Statutory loan limit. The provisions of Sec.  120.151 do not 
apply to ARC Loans.

[74 FR 27247, June 9, 2009]



                            Subpart D_Lenders



Sec.  120.400  Loan Guarantee Agreements.

    SBA may enter into a Loan Guarantee Agreement with a Lender to make 
deferred participation (guaranteed) loans. Such an agreement does not 
obligate SBA to participate in any specific proposed loan that a Lender 
may submit. The existence of a Loan Guarantee Agreement does not limit 
SBA's rights to deny a specific loan or establish general policies. See 
also

[[Page 279]]

Sec.  120.440(c) concerning Supplemental Guarantee Agreements.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]

                         Participation Criteria



Sec.  120.410  Requirements for all participating Lenders.

    A Lender must:
    (a) Have a continuing ability to evaluate, process, close, disburse, 
service, liquidate and litigate small business loans including, but not 
limited to:
    (1) Holding sufficient permanent capital to support SBA lending 
activities (for SBA Lenders with a Federal Financial Institution 
Regulator, meeting capital requirements for an adequately capitalized 
financial institution is considered sufficient permanent capital to 
support SBA lending activities; and for SBLCs and NFRLs, meeting their 
respective minimum capital requirement); and
    (2) Maintaining satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA 
in its discretion. The 7(a) Lender's Risk Rating, among other factors, 
will be considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other 
factors may include, but are not limited to, review/examination 
assessments, historical performance measures (like default rate, 
purchase rate and loss rate), loan volume to the extent that it impacts 
performance measures, and other performance related measurements and 
information (such as contribution toward SBA mission);
    (b) Be open to the public for the making of such loans (not be a 
financing subsidiary, engaged primarily in financing the operations of 
an affiliate);
    (c) Have continuing good character and reputation, and otherwise 
meet and maintain the ethical requirements of Sec.  120.140
    (d) Be supervised and examined by either:
    (1) A Federal Financial Institution Regulator,
    (2) A state banking regulator satisfactory to SBA, or
    (3) SBA;
    (e) Be in good standing with SBA, as defined in Sec.  120.420(f) 
(and determined by SBA in its discretion), and, as applicable, with its 
state regulator and be considered Satisfactory by its Federal Financial 
Institution Regulator (as determined by SBA and based on, for example, 
information in published orders/agreements and call reports); and
    (f) Operate in a safe and sound condition using commercially 
reasonable lending policies, procedures, and standards employed by 
prudent Lenders.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 302, Jan. 3, 1997; 73 FR 
75510, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017; 85 FR 78213, Dec. 4, 
2020]



Sec.  120.411  Preferences.

    An agreement to participate under the Act may not establish any 
Preferences in favor of the Lender.



Sec.  120.412  Other services Lenders may provide Borrowers.

    Subject to Sec.  120.140 Lenders, their Associates or the designees 
of either may provide services to and contract for goods with a Borrower 
only after full disbursement of the loan to the small business or to an 
account not controlled by the Lender, its Associate, or the designee. A 
Lender, an Associate, or a designee providing such services must do so 
under a written contract with the small business, based on time and 
hourly charges, and must maintain time and billing records for 
examination by SBA. Fees cannot exceed those charged by established 
professional consultants providing similar services. See also Sec.  
120.195.



Sec.  120.413  Advertisement of relationship with SBA.

    A Lender may refer in its advertising to its participation with SBA. 
The advertising may not:
    (a) State or imply that the Lender, or any of its Borrowers, has or 
will receive preferential treatment from SBA;
    (b) Be false or misleading; or
    (c) Make use of SBA's seal.

                     Participating Lender Financings

    Source: Sections 120.420 through 120.428 appear at 64 FR 6507, Feb. 
10, 1999, unless otherwise noted.

[[Page 280]]



Sec.  120.420  Definitions.

    (a) 7(a) Loans--All references to 7(a) loans under this subpart 
include loans made under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 631 et seq.) and loans made under section 502 of the Small 
Business Investment Act (15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), both of which may be 
securitized under this subpart.
    (b) Benchmark Number--The maximum number of percentage points that a 
securitizer's Currency Rate can decrease without triggering the PLP 
suspension provision set forth in Sec.  120.425. SBA will publish the 
Benchmark Number in the Federal Register.
    (c) Currency Rate--A securitizer's ``Currency Rate'' is the dollar 
balance of its 7(a) guaranteed loans that are less than 30 days past due 
divided by the dollar balance of its portfolio of 7(a) guaranteed loans 
outstanding, as calculated quarterly by SBA, excluding loans approved in 
SBA's current fiscal year.
    (d) Currency Rate Percentage--The relationship between the 
securitizer's Currency Rate and the SBA 7(a) loan portfolio Currency 
Rate as calculated by dividing the securitizer's Currency Rate by the 
SBA 7(a) loan portfolio Currency Rate.
    (e) Good Standing--In general, a Lender is in ``good standing'' with 
SBA if it:
    (1) Is in compliance with all applicable:
    (i) Laws and regulations;
    (ii) Policies; and
    (iii) Procedures;
    (2) Is in good financial condition as determined by SBA;
    (3) Is not under investigation or indictment for, or has not been 
convicted of, or had a judgment entered against it for felony or fraud, 
or charges relating to a breach of trust or violation of a law or 
regulation protecting the integrity of business transactions or 
relationships, unless the Lender Oversight Committee has determined that 
good standing exists despite the existence of such factors.
    (4) Does not have any officer or employee who has been under 
investigation or indictment for, or has been convicted of or had a 
judgment entered against him for, a felony or fraud, or charges relating 
to a breach of trust or violation of a law or regulation protecting the 
integrity of business transactions or relationships, unless the Lender 
Oversight Committee has determined that good standing exists despite the 
existence of such person.
    (f) Initial Currency Rate--The Initial Currency Rate (ICR) is the 
securitizer's benchmark Currency Rate. SBA will calculate the 
securitizer's ICR as of the end of the calendar quarter immediately 
prior to the first securitization completed after April 12, 1999. This 
calculation will include all 7(a) loans which are outstanding and were 
approved in any fiscal year prior to SBA's current fiscal year. Each 
quarter, SBA will compare each securitizer's Currency Rate to its ICR.
    (g) Initial Currency Rate Percentage--The Initial Currency Rate 
Percentage (ICRP) measures the relationship between a securitizer's 
Initial Currency Rate and the SBA 7(a) loan portfolio Currency Rate at 
the time of the first securitization after April 12, 1999. The ICRP is 
calculated by dividing the securitizer's Currency Rate by the SBA 7(a) 
loan portfolio Currency Rate. SBA will calculate the securitizer's ICRP 
as of the end of the calendar quarter immediately prior to the first 
securitization completed after April 12, 1999.
    (h) Loss Rate--A securitizer's ``loss rate,'' as calculated by SBA, 
is the aggregate principal amount of the securitizer's 7(a) loans 
determined uncollectible by SBA for the most recent 10-year period, 
excluding SBA's current fiscal year activity, divided by the aggregate 
original principal amount of 7(a) loans disbursed by the securitizer 
during that period.
    (i) Nondepository Institution--A ``nondepository institution'' is a 
Small Business Lending Company (``SBLC'') regulated by SBA or a Business 
and Industrial Development Company (``BIDCO'') or other nondepository 
institution participating in SBA's 7(a) program.
    (j) Securitization--A ``securitization'' is the pooling and sale of 
the unguaranteed portion of SBA guaranteed loans to a trust, special 
purpose vehicle, or other mechanism, and the issuance of securities 
backed by those

[[Page 281]]

loans to investors in either a private placement or public offering.

[64 FR 6507, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 73 FR 75511, Dec. 11, 2008; 87 
FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.421  Which Lenders may securitize?

    All SBA participating Lenders may securitize subject to SBA's 
approval.



Sec.  120.422  Are all securitizations subject to this subpart?

    All securitizations are subject to this subpart. Until additional 
regulations are promulgated, SBA will consider securitizations involving 
multiple Lenders on a case by case basis, using the conditions in Sec.  
120.425 as a starting point. SBA will consider securitizations by 
affiliates as single Lender securitizations for purposes of this 
subpart.



Sec.  120.423  Which 7(a) loans may a Lender securitize?

    A Lender may only securitize 7(a) loans that will be fully disbursed 
within 90 days of the securitization's closing date. If the amount of a 
fully disbursed loan increases after a securitization settles, the 
Lender must retain the increased amount.



Sec.  120.424  What are the basic conditions a Lender must meet to securitize?

    To securitize, a Lender must:
    (a) Be in good standing with SBA as defined in Sec.  120.420(f) of 
this chapter and determined by SBA in its discretion;
    (b) Have satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA in its 
discretion. The Lender's Risk Rating, among other factors, will be 
considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other factors 
may include, but are not limited to, review/examination assessments, 
historical performance measures (like default rate, purchase rate and 
loss rate), loan volume to the extent that it impacts performance 
measures, and other performance related measurements and information 
(such as contribution toward SBA mission);
    (c) Use a securitization structure which is satisfactory to SBA;
    (d) Use documents acceptable to SBA, including SBA's model multi-
party agreement, as amended from time to time;
    (e) Obtain SBA's written consent, which it may withhold in its sole 
discretion, prior to executing a commitment to securitize; and
    (f) Cause the original notes to be stored at the FTA, as defined in 
Sec.  120.600, and other loan documents to be stored with a party 
approved by SBA.

[64 FR 6507, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 73 FR 75511, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 
FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.425  What are the minimum elements that SBA will require 
before consenting to a securitization?

    A securitizer must comply with the following three conditions:
    (a) Capital Requirement--All securitizers must be considered to be 
``well capitalized'' by their regulator. SBA will consider a depository 
institution to be in compliance with this section if it meets the 
definition of ``well capitalized'' used by its bank regulator. SBA's 
capital requirement does not change the requirements that banks already 
meet. For nondepository institutions, SBA, as the regulator, will 
consider a non-depository institution to be ``well capitalized'' if it 
maintains a minimum unencumbered paid in capital and paid in surplus 
equal to at least 10 percent of its assets, excluding the guaranteed 
portion of 7(a) loans. The capital charge applies to the remaining 
balance outstanding on the unguaranteed portion of the securitizer's 
7(a) loans in its portfolio and in any securitization pools. Each 
nondepository institution must submit annual audited financial 
statements demonstrating that it has met SBA's capital requirement.
    (b) Subordinated Tranche--A securitizer or its wholly owned 
subsidiary must retain a tranche of the securities issued in the 
securitization (subordinated tranche) equal to the greater of two times 
the securitizer's Loss Rate or 2 percent of the principal balance 
outstanding at the time of securitization of the unguaranteed portion of 
the loans in the securitization. This tranche must be subordinate to all 
other securities issued in the

[[Page 282]]

securitization including other subordinated tranches. The securitizer or 
its wholly owned subsidiary may not sell, pledge, transfer, assign, sell 
participations in, or otherwise convey the subordinated tranche during 
the first 6 years after the closing date of the securitization. The 
securities evidencing the subordinated tranche must bear a legend 
stating that the securities may not be sold until 6 years after the 
issue date. SBA's Securitization Committee may modify the formula for 
determining the tranche size for a securitizer creating a securitization 
from a pool of loans located in a region affected by a severe economic 
downturn if the Securitization Committee concludes that enforcing this 
section might exacerbate the adverse economic conditions in the region. 
SBA will work with the securitizer to verify the accuracy of the data 
used to make the Loss Rate calculation.
    (c) PLP Privilege Suspension.
    (1) Suspension: If a securitizer's Currency Rate declines, SBA may 
suspend the securitizer's PLP unilateral loan approval privileges (PLP 
approval privileges) if the decline from the securitizer's ICR is more 
than the Benchmark Number as published in the Federal Register from time 
to time and the securitizer's Currency Rate Percentage is less than its 
ICRP. The securitizer will first be placed on probation for one quarter. 
If, at the end of the probationary quarter the securitizer has not met 
either of the following conditions in paragraph (c)(1)(i) or (c)(1)(ii) 
of this section, SBA will suspend the securitizer's PLP approval 
privileges and will not approve additional securitization requests from 
that securitizer. SBA will provide written notice at least 10 days prior 
to the effective date of suspension. The suspension will last a minimum 
of 3 months. During the suspension period, the securitizer must use 
Certified Lender or Regular Procedures to process 7(a) loan 
applications. The prohibition will end if, at the end of the 
probationary quarter: (i) the securitizer has improved its Currency Rate 
to above its ICR less the Benchmark Number; or (ii) its Currency Rate 
Percentage is either the same or greater than its ICRP.
    (2) Reinstatement: The suspension will remain in effect until the 
securitizer meets either the condition in paragraph (c)(1)(i) or 
(c)(1)(ii) of this section. If the securitizer meets either condition by 
the end of the 3-month period, notifies SBA with acceptable 
documentation, and SBA agrees, SBA will reinstate the securitizer. If 
the securitizer cannot meet either condition, the suspension will remain 
in effect. The securitizer may then petition the Lender Oversight 
Committee (Committee) for reinstatement. The Committee will review the 
reinstatement petition and determine if the securitizer's PLP approval 
privilege and securitization status should be reinstated. The Committee 
may consider the economic conditions in the securitizer's market area, 
the securitizer's efforts to improve its Currency Rate, and the quality 
of the securitizer's 7(a) loan packages and servicing. The Committee 
will consider only one petition by a securitizer per quarter.
    (3) The Benchmark Number. SBA will monitor the Benchmark Number. If 
economic conditions or policy considerations warrant, SBA may modify the 
Benchmark Number to protect the safety and soundness of the 7(a) 
program.
    (4) Data. SBA will calculate Currency Rate and Currency Rate 
Percentages quarterly from financial information that securitizers 
provide. SBA will work with a securitizer to verify the accuracy of the 
data used to make the Currency Rate calculation.

[64 FR 6508, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 49481, Aug. 14, 2000; 73 
FR 75511, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.426  What action will SBA take if a securitizer transfers 
the subordinated tranche prior to the termination of the holding period?

    If a securitizer transfers the subordinated tranche prior to the 
termination of the holding period, SBA will suspend immediately the 
securitizer's ability to make new 7(a) loans. The securitizer will have 
30 calendar days to submit an explanation to Lender Oversight Committee 
(``Committee''). The Committee will have 30 calendar days to review the 
explanation and determine whether

[[Page 283]]

to lift the suspension. If an explanation is not received within 30 
calendar days or the explanation is not satisfactory to the Committee, 
SBA may transfer the servicing of the applicable securitized loans, 
including the securitizers' servicing fee on the guaranteed and 
unguaranteed portions and the premium protection fee on the guaranteed 
portion, to another SBA participating Lender.

[64 FR 6507, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 73 FR 75511, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.427  Will SBA approve a securitization application 
from a capital impaired Securitizer?

    If a securitizer does not maintain the level of capital required by 
this subpart, SBA will not approve a securitization application from 
that securitizer.



Sec.  120.428  What happens to a securitizer's other PLP responsibilities 
if SBA suspends its PLP approval privilege?

    The securitizer must continue to service and liquidate loans 
according to its PLP Supplemental Agreement.

                            Other Conveyances

    Source: Sections 120.430 through 120.435 appear at 64 FR 6509, 6510, 
Feb. 10, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  120.430  What conveyances are covered by Sec. Sec.  120.430 
through 120.435?

    Sections 120.430 through 120.435 cover all other transactions in 
which a Lender sells, sells a participating interest in, or pledges an 
SBA guaranteed loan other than for the purpose of securitizing and other 
than conveyances covered under Subpart F, Secondary Market, of this 
part.



Sec.  120.431  Which Lenders may sell, sell participations in, 
or pledge 7(a) loans?

    All Lenders may sell, sell participations in, or pledge 7(a) loans 
in accordance with this subpart.



Sec.  120.432  Under what circumstances does this subpart permit sales of, 
or sales of participating interests in, 7(a) loans?

    (a) A Lender may sell all of its interest in a 7(a) loan to another 
Lender operating under a current Loan Guarantee Agreement (SBA Form 750) 
(``participating Lender''), with SBA's prior written consent, which SBA 
may withhold in its sole discretion. A Lender may not sell any of its 
interest in a 7(a) loan to a nonparticipating Lender. The purchasing 
Lender must take possession of the promissory note and other loan 
documents, and service the sold 7(a) loan. The purchasing Lender 
purchases the loan subject to SBA's existing rights including its right 
to deny liability on its guarantee as provided in Sec.  120.524. After 
purchase, the purchased loan will be subject to the purchasing Lender's 
Loan Guarantee Agreement. This paragraph (a) applies to all 7(a) loans 
purchased from any Federal or state banking regulator, any receiver, or 
any conservator, unless SBA agrees otherwise in writing. This paragraph 
(a) applies to all 7(a) loans purchased from any Federal or state 
banking regulator, any receiver, or any conservator, unless SBA agrees 
otherwise in writing.
    (b) A Lender may sell, or sell a participating interest in, a part 
of a 7(a) loan to another participating Lender. If the Lender retains 
ownership of a part of the unguaranteed portion of the loan equal to at 
least 10 percent of the outstanding principal balance of the loan, the 
Lender must give SBA prior written notice of the transaction, and the 
Lender must continue to hold the note and service the loan. If a Lender 
retains ownership of a part of the unguaranteed portion of the loan 
equal to less than 10 percent of the outstanding principal balance of 
the loan, the Lender must obtain SBA's prior written consent to the 
transaction, which consent SBA may withhold in its sole discretion. The 
Lender must continue to hold the note and other loan documents, and 
service the loan unless SBA otherwise agrees in its sole discretion.
    (c) For purposes of determining the percentage of ownership a Lender 
has

[[Page 284]]

retained, SBA will not consider a Lender to be the owner of the part of 
a loan in which it has sold a participating interest.

[64 FR 6509, 6510, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 85 FR 7648, Feb. 10, 
2020; 85 FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.433  What are SBA's other requirements for sales and sales 
of participating interests?

    SBA requires the following:
    (a) The Lender must be in good standing with SBA as defined in Sec.  
120.420(f) and determined by SBA in its discretion;
    (b) The Lender has satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by 
SBA in its discretion. The Lender's Risk Rating, among other factors, 
will be considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other 
factors may include, but are not limited to, review/examination 
assessments, historical performance measures (like default rate, 
purchase rate and loss rate), loan volume to the extent that it impacts 
performance measures, and other performance related measurements and 
information (such as contribution toward SBA mission); and
    (c) In transactions requiring SBA's consent, all documentation must 
be satisfactory to SBA, including, if SBA determines it to be necessary, 
a multi-party agreement.

[64 FR 6507, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 73 FR 75511, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 
FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.434  What are SBA's requirements for loan pledges?

    (a) Except as set forth in Sec.  120.435, SBA must give its prior 
written consent to all pledges of any portion of a 7(a) loan, which 
consent SBA may withhold in its sole discretion;
    (b) The Lender must be in good standing with SBA as defined in Sec.  
120.420(f) and determined by SBA in its discretion;
    (c) The Lender has satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by 
SBA in its discretion. The Lender's Risk Rating, among other factors, 
will be considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other 
factors may include, but are not limited to, review/examination 
assessments, historical performance measures (like default rate, 
purchase rate and loss rate), loan volume to the extent that it impacts 
performance measures, and other performance related measurements and 
information (such as contribution toward SBA mission);
    (d) All loan documents must be satisfactory to SBA and must include 
a multi-party agreement among SBA, Lender, the pledgee, FTA and such 
other parties as SBA determines are necessary;
    (e) The Lender must use the proceeds of the loan secured by the 7(a) 
loans only for financing 7(a) loans and for costs and expenses directly 
connected with the borrowing for which the loans are pledged;
    (f) The Lender must remain the servicer of the loans and retain 
possession of all loan documents other than the original promissory 
notes;
    (g) The Lender must deposit the original promissory notes at the 
FTA; and
    (h) The Lender must retain an economic interest in and the ultimate 
risk of loss on the unguaranteed portion of the loans.

[64 FR 6507, Feb. 10, 1999, as amended at 73 FR 75511, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 
FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.435  Which loan pledges do not require notice to or consent by SBA?

    (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec.  120.434(e), 7(a) loans 
may be pledged for the following purposes without notice to or consent 
by SBA:
    (1) Treasury tax and loan accounts;
    (2) The deposit of public funds;
    (3) Uninvested trust funds;
    (4) Borrowings from a Federal Reserve Bank; or
    (5) Advances by a Federal Home Loan Bank.
    (b) For purposes of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the other 
provisions of Sec.  120.434 shall also not apply to PPP loans pledged 
under paragraph (a)(4) or (5) of this section.

[85 FR 21752, Apr. 20, 2020]

[[Page 285]]

                      Delegated Authority Criteria



Sec.  120.440  How does a 7(a) Lender obtain delegated authority?

    (a) In making its decision to grant or renew a delegated authority, 
SBA considers whether the Lender, as determined by SBA in its 
discretion:
    (1) Has the continuing ability to evaluate, process, close, 
disburse, service, liquidate and litigate SBA loans. This includes the 
ability to develop and analyze complete loan packages. SBA may consider 
the experience and capability of Lender's management and staff.
    (2) Has satisfactory SBA performance (as defined in Sec.  
120.410(a)(2));
    (3) Is in compliance with SBA Loan Program Requirements (e.g., Form 
1502 reporting, timely payment of all fees to SBA);
    (4) Has completed to SBA's satisfaction all required corrective 
actions;
    (5) Whether Lender is subject to any enforcement action, order or 
agreement with a regulator or the presence of other regulatory concerns 
as determined by SBA; and
    (6) Whether Lender exhibits other risk factors (e.g., has rapid 
growth; low SBA activity; SBA loan volume; Lender, an officer or 
director is under investigation or indictment).
    (b) Delegated authority decisions are made by the appropriate SBA 
official in accordance with Delegations of Authority, and are final.
    (c) If delegated authority is approved or renewed, Lender must 
execute a Supplemental Guarantee Agreement, which will specify a term 
not to exceed two years. SBA may grant shortened renewals based on risk 
or any of the other delegated authority criteria. Lenders with less than 
3 years of SBA lending experience will be limited to a term of 1 year or 
less.

[82 FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017, as amended at 85 FR 7648, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 
FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020]



Sec.  120.441-Sec.  120.447  [Reserved]

                     Preferred Lenders Program (PLP)



Sec.  120.450  What is the Preferred Lenders Program?

    Under the Preferred Lenders Program (PLP), designated Lenders 
process, close, service, and liquidate SBA guaranteed loans with reduced 
requirements for documentation to and prior approval by SBA.



Sec.  120.451  [Reserved]



Sec.  120.452  What are the requirements of PLP loan processing?

    (a) Subparts A and B of this part govern the making of PLP loans, 
except for the following:
    (1) Certain types of businesses, loans, and loan programs are not 
eligible for PLP, as detailed in published SBA policy and procedures.
    (2) A Lender may not make a PLP business loan which reduces its 
existing credit exposure for any Borrower, except in cases where an 
interim loan(s) has been made for other than real estate construction 
purposes to the Borrower which was approved by the Lender within 90 days 
of receipt of the issuance fo a subsequent PLP loan number.
    (3) SBA will not guarantee more than the specified statutory 
percentage of any PLP loan.
    (b) A PLP Lender notifies SBA of its approval of a PLP loan by 
submitting to SBA's loan processing center appropriate documentation 
signed by two of the PLP's authorized representatives. SBA will attach 
the SBA guarantee and notify the PLP Lender of the SBA loan number (if 
it does not identify a problem with eligibility, and funds are 
available).
    (c) The PLP Lender is responsible for all PLP loan decisions 
regarding eligibility (including size) and creditworthiness. The PLP 
Lender is also responsible for confirming that all PLP loan closing 
decisions are correct, and that it has complied with all requirements of 
law and SBA regulations.

                         SBA Supervised Lenders



Sec.  120.460  What are SBA's additional requirements for SBA 
Supervised Lenders?

    (a) In general. In addition to complying with SBA's requirements for 
SBA Lenders, an SBA Supervised Lender must meet the additional 
requirements set forth in this regulation and the SBA Supervised Lender 
regulations that follow.

[[Page 286]]

    (b) Operations and internal controls. Each SBA Supervised Lender's 
board of directors (or management, if the SBA Supervised Lender is a 
division of another company and does not have its own board of 
directors) must adopt an internal control policy which provides adequate 
direction to the institution in establishing effective control over and 
accountability for operations, programs, and resources. The internal 
control policy must, at a minimum:
    (1) Direct management to assign responsibility for the internal 
control function (covering financial, credit, credit review, collateral, 
and administrative matters) to an officer or officers of the SBA 
Supervised Lender;
    (2) Adopt and set forth procedures for maintenance and periodic 
review of the internal control function; and
    (3) Direct the operation of a program to review and assess the SBA 
Supervised Lender's assets. The asset review program policies must 
specify the following:
    (i) Loan, loan-related asset, and appraisal review standards, 
including standards for scope of selection for review (of any such loan, 
loan-related asset or appraisal) and standards for work papers and 
supporting documentation;
    (ii) Asset quality classification standards consistent with the 
standardized classification systems used by the Federal Financial 
Institution Regulators;
    (iii) Specific internal control requirements for the SBA Supervised 
Lender's major asset categories (cash and investment securities), 
lending, and the issuance of debt;
    (iv) Specific internal control requirements for the SBA Supervised 
Lender's oversight of Lender Service Providers; and
    (v) Standards for training to implement the asset review program.
    (c) An SBA Supervised Lender must have qualified full-time 
professional management including, but not limited to, a chief executive 
officer or the equivalent to manage daily operations, and a chief 
credit/risk officer. An SBA Supervised Lender must also have at least 
one other part-time professional employee (which may be a shared 
employee of the lender's affiliates) qualified by training and 
experience to carry out its business plan. An SBA Supervised Lender is 
expected to sustain a sufficient level of lending activity in its 
lending area, which means obtaining at least four 7(a) loan approvals 
during two consecutive fiscal years. This paragraph only applies to SBA 
Supervised Lenders that make or acquire a 7(a) loan after January 4, 
2021, or to any SBA Supervised Lender approved after such date, 
including in the event of a change of ownership or control of an SBA 
Supervised Lender.
    (d) An NFRL may only make or acquire 7(a) loans in the state in 
which its primary state regulator is located, except that an NFRL's 
lending area may include a local trade area that is contiguous to such 
state (e.g., a city or metropolitan statistical area that is bisected by 
a state line) if the NFRL receives SBA's prior written approval. This 
paragraph applies to all NFRLs on or after January 4, 2021, including in 
the event of approval of a new NFRL or a change of ownership or control 
of an NFRL; provided however, that if SBA has approved any NFRL to make 
7(a) loans out of their state, then this paragraph will apply on or 
after January 4, 2022.

[73 FR 75512, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 85 FR 78213, Dec. 4, 2020]



Sec.  120.461  What are SBA's additional requirements for SBA 
Supervised Lenders concerning records?

    (a) Report filing. All SBA Supervised Lender-specific reports 
(including all SBLC-only reports) must be filed with the appropriate 
Office of Capital Access official in accordance with Delegations of 
Authority.
    (b) Maintenance of records. An SBA Supervised Lender must maintain 
at its principal business office accurate and current financial records, 
including books of accounts, minutes of stockholder, directors, and 
executive committee meetings, and all documents and supporting materials 
relating to the SBA Supervised Lender's transactions. However, 
securities held by a custodian pursuant to a written agreement are 
exempt from this requirement.

[[Page 287]]

    (c) Permanent preservation of records. An SBA Supervised Lender must 
permanently preserve in a manner permitting immediate (one business day) 
retrieval the following documentation for the financial statements and 
other reports required by Sec.  120.464 (and the accompanying certified 
public accountant's opinion):
    (1) All general and subsidiary ledgers (or other records) reflecting 
asset, liability, capital stock and additional paid-in capital, income, 
and expense accounts;
    (2) All general and special journals (or other records forming the 
basis for entries in such ledgers); and
    (3) The corporate charter, bylaws, application for determination of 
eligibility to participate with SBA, and all minutes books, capital 
stock certificates or stubs, stock ledgers, and stock transfer 
registers.
    (d) Other preservation of records. An SBA Supervised Lender must 
preserve for at least 6 years following final disposition of each 
individual SBA loan:
    (1) All applications for financing;
    (2) Lending, participation, and escrow agreements;
    (3) Financing instruments; and
    (4) All other documents and supporting material relating to such 
loans, including correspondence.
    (e) Electronic preservation. Records and other documents referred to 
in this section may be preserved electronically if the original is 
available for retrieval within 15 working days.

[73 FR 75512, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.462  What are SBA's additional requirements on capital maintenance 
for SBA Supervised Lenders?

    (a) Minimum capital requirements--(1) For NFRLs. (i) Beginning on 
January 4, 2024, each NFRL that makes or acquires a 7(a) loan must 
maintain the minimum capital required by its state regulator, or 
$2,500,000, whichever is greater.
    (ii) Any NFRL approved on or after January 4, 2021, including in the 
event of a change of ownership or control, must maintain the minimum 
capital requirement set forth in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Unless subject to paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (ii) of this section, 
an NFRL must comply with the minimum capital requirements for NFRLs that 
were in effect on January 3, 2021.
    (2) For SBLCs. For information on minimum capital requirements for 
SBLCs, see Sec.  120.471.
    (b) Capital adequacy. The board of directors (or management, if the 
SBA Supervised Lender is a division of another company and does not have 
its own board of directors) of each SBA Supervised Lender must determine 
capital adequacy goals; that is, the total amount of capital needed to 
assure the SBA Supervised Lender's continued financial viability and 
provide for any necessary growth. The minimum standards set in Sec.  
120.471 for SBLCs and those established in Sec.  120.462(a)(1) for NFRLs 
are not to be adopted as the ideal capital level for a given SBA 
Supervised Lender. Rather, the minimum standards are to serve as minimum 
levels of capital that each SBA Supervised Lender must maintain to 
protect against the credit risk and other general risks inherent in its 
operation.
    (c) Capital plan. (1) The board of directors of each SBA Supervised 
Lender must establish, adopt, and maintain a formal written capital 
plan. The plan must include any interim capital targets that are 
necessary to achieve the SBA Supervised Lender's capital adequacy goals 
as well as the minimum capital standards. The plan must address any 
projected dividend goals, equity retirements, or any other anticipated 
action that may decrease the SBA Supervised Lender's capital. The plan 
must set forth the circumstances in which capital retirements (e.g., 
dividends, distributions of capital or purchase of treasury stock) can 
occur. In addition to factors described above that must be considered in 
meeting the minimum standards, the board of directors must also address 
the following factors in developing the SBA Supervised Lender's capital 
adequacy plan:
    (i) Management capability;
    (ii) Quality of operating policies, procedures, and internal 
controls;
    (iii) Quality and quantity of earnings;
    (iv) Asset quality and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses 
within the loan portfolio;

[[Page 288]]

    (v) Sufficiency of liquidity; and
    (vi) Any other risk-oriented activities or conditions that warrant 
additional capital (e.g., portfolio growth rate).
    (2) An SBA Supervised Lender must keep its capital plan current, 
updating it at least annually or more often as operating conditions may 
warrant.
    (d) Certification of compliance. Within 45 days of the end of each 
fiscal quarter, each SBA Supervised Lender must furnish the SBA with a 
calculation of capital and certification of compliance with its minimum 
capital requirement as set forth in Sec. Sec.  120.471, 120.472, or 
120.474, as applicable, for SBLCs and as established in Sec.  
120.462(a)(1) for NFRLs. The SBA Supervised Lender's chief financial 
officer must certify the calculation to be correct. The quarterly 
calculation and certification of compliance may be included in the SBA 
Supervised Lender's Quarterly Condition Report.
    (e) Capital impairment. An SBA Supervised Lender must meet its 
minimum regulatory capital requirement and avoid capital impairment. 
Capital impairment exists if an SBA Supervised Lender fails to meet its 
minimum regulatory capital requirement under Sec. Sec.  120.471, 
120.472, and 120.474 for SBLCs or as established in Sec.  120.462(a)(1) 
for NFRLs. An SBA Supervised Lender must provide the appropriate Office 
of Capital Access official in accordance with Delegations of Authority 
written notice of any failure to meet its minimum capital requirement 
within 30 calendar days of the month-end in which the impairment 
occurred. Unless otherwise waived by the appropriate Office of Capital 
Access official in accordance with Delegations of Authority in writing, 
an SBA Supervised Lender may not present any loans to SBA for guaranty 
until the impairment is cured. SBA may waive the presentment prohibition 
for good cause as determined by SBA in its discretion. In the case of 
differences in calculating capital or capital requirements between the 
SBA Supervised Lender and SBA, SBA's calculations will prevail until 
differences between the two calculations are resolved.
    (f) Capital restoration plan-- (1) Filing requirement. An SBA 
Supervised Lender must file a written capital restoration plan with SBA 
within 45 days of the date that the SBA Supervised Lender provides 
notice to SBA under paragraph (d) of this section or receives notice 
from SBA (whichever is earlier) that the SBA Supervised Lender has not 
met its minimum capital requirement, unless SBA notifies the SBA 
Supervised Lender in writing that the plan is to be filed within a 
different time period.
    (2) Plan content. An SBA Supervised Lender must detail the steps it 
will take to meet its minimum capital requirement; the time within which 
each step will be taken; the timeframe for accomplishing the entire 
capital restoration; and the person or department at the SBA Supervised 
Lender charged with carrying out the capital restoration plan.
    (3) SBA response. SBA will provide written notice of whether the 
capital restoration plan is approved or not or whether SBA will seek 
additional information. If the capital restoration plan is not approved 
by SBA, the SBA Supervised Lender will submit a revised capital 
restoration plan within the timeframe specified by SBA.
    (4) Amendment of capital restoration plan. An SBA Supervised Lender 
that has submitted an approved capital restoration plan may, after prior 
written notice to and approval by SBA, amend the plan to reflect a 
change in circumstance. Until such time as a proposed amendment has been 
approved, the SBA Supervised Lender must implement the capital 
restoration plan as approved prior to the proposed amendment.
    (5) Failure. If an SBA Supervised Lender fails to submit a capital 
restoration plan that is acceptable to SBA within its discretion within 
the required timeframe, or fails to implement, in any material respect 
as determined by SBA in its discretion, its SBA approved capital 
restoration plan within the plan timeframe, SBA may undertake 
enforcement actions under Sec.  120.1500.

[73 FR 75512, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 85 FR 78213, Dec. 4, 2020]

[[Page 289]]



Sec.  120.463  Regulatory accounting--What are SBA's regulatory 
accounting requirements for SBA Supervised Lenders?

    (a) Books and records. The books and records of an SBA Supervised 
Lender must be kept on an accrual basis in accordance with Generally 
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as promulgated by the Financial 
Accounting Standards Board (FASB), supplemented by Regulatory Accounting 
Principles (RAP) as identified by SBA in Policy, Procedural or 
Information Notices, from time to time.
    (b) Annual audit. Each SBA Supervised Lender must have its financial 
statements audited annually by a certified public accountant experienced 
in auditing financial institutions. The audit must be performed in 
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as adopted by the 
Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public 
Accountants (AICPA) for non-public companies and by the Public Company 
Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) for public companies. Annually, the 
auditor must issue an audit report with an opinion as to the fairness of 
the SBA Supervised Lender's financial statements and their compliance 
with GAAP.
    (c) Auditor qualifications. The audit shall be conducted by an 
independent certified public accountant who:
    (1) Is registered or licensed to practice as a certified public 
accountant, and is in good standing, under the laws of the state or 
other political subdivision of the United States in which the SBA 
Supervised Lender's principal office is located;
    (2) Agrees in the engagement letter with the SBA Supervised Lender 
to provide the SBA with access to and copies of any work papers, 
policies, and procedures relating to the services performed;
    (3)(i) Is in compliance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct; 
and
    (ii) Meets the independence requirements and interpretations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission and its staff;
    (4) Has received a peer review or is enrolled in a peer review 
program, that meets AICPA guidelines; and
    (5) Is otherwise acceptable to SBA.
    (d) Change of auditor. If an SBA Supervised Lender discharges or 
changes its auditor, it must notify SBA in writing within ten days of 
the occurrence. Such notification must provide:
    (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the discharged 
auditor; and
    (2) If the discharge/change involved a dispute over the financial 
statements, a reasonably detailed statement of all the reasons for the 
discharge or change. This statement must set out the issue in dispute, 
the position of the auditor, the position of the SBA Supervised Lender, 
and the effect of each position on the balance sheet and income 
statement of the SBA Supervised Lender.
    (e) Specific accounting requirements. (1) Each SBA Supervised Lender 
must maintain an allowance for losses on loans and other assets that is 
sufficient to absorb all probable and estimated losses that may 
reasonably be expected based on the SBA Supervised Lender's historical 
performance and reasonably-anticipated events. Each SBA Supervised 
Lender must maintain documentation of its loan loss allowance 
calculations and analysis in sufficient detail to permit the SBA to 
understand the assumptions used and the application of those assumptions 
to the assets of the SBA Supervised Lender.
    (2) The unguaranteed portions of loans determined to be 
uncollectible must be charged-off promptly. If the portion determined to 
be uncollectible by the SBA Supervised Lender is different from the 
amount determined by its auditors or the SBA, the SBA Supervised Lender 
must charge-off such amount as the SBA may direct.
    (3) Each SBA Supervised Lender must classify loans as:
    (i) ``Nonaccrual,'' if any portion of the principal or interest is 
determined to be uncollectible and
    (ii) ``Formally restructured,'' if the loan meets the ``troubled 
debt restructuring'' definition set forth in FASB Statement of Financial 
Accounting Standards No. 15, Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for 
Troubled Debt Restructurings.
    (4) When one loan to a borrower is classified as nonaccrual or 
formally restructured, all loans to that borrower

[[Page 290]]

must be so classified unless the SBA Supervised Lender can document that 
the loans have independent sources of repayment.
    (f) Valuing loan servicing rights and residual interests. Each SBA 
Supervised Lender must account for loan sales transactions and the 
valuation of loan servicing rights in accordance with GAAP. At the end 
of each quarter, the SBA Supervised Lender must review for 
reasonableness the existing environmental assumptions used in the 
valuation. Particular attention must be given to interest rate and 
repayment rate assumptions. Assumptions considered no longer reasonable 
must be modified and modifications must be reflected in the valuation 
and must be documented and supported by a market analysis. Work papers 
reflecting the analysis of assumptions and any resulting adjustment in 
the valuation must be maintained for SBA review in accordance with Sec.  
120.461. SBA may require an SBA Supervised Lender to use industry 
averages for the valuation of servicing rights.

[73 FR 75513, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.464  Reports to SBA.

    (a) An SBA Supervised Lender must submit the following to SBA:
    (1) Annual Report. Within three months after the close of each 
fiscal year, each SBA Supervised Lender must submit to SBA two copies of 
an annual report including audited financial statements as prepared by a 
certified public accountant in accordance with Sec.  120.463. 
Specifically, the annual report must, at a minimum, include the 
following:
    (i) Audited balance sheet;
    (ii) Audited statement of income and expense;
    (iii) Audited reconciliation of capital accounts;
    (iv) Audited source and application of funds;
    (v) Such footnotes as are necessary to an understanding of the 
report;
    (vi) Auditor's letter to management on internal control weaknesses; 
and
    (vii) The auditor's report.
    (2) Quarterly Condition Reports. By the 45th calendar day following 
the end of each calendar quarter, each SBA Supervised Lender must submit 
a Quarterly Condition Report in a form and content as the SBA may 
prescribe from time to time. At a minimum, the Quarterly Condition 
Report must include the SBA Supervised Lender's quarterly financial 
statements, which may be internally prepared. The SBA Supervised Lender 
must apply uniform definitions to categories of nonperforming loans and 
include recovery amounts on liquidated loans. SBA may, on a case-by-case 
basis, depending on an SBA Supervised Lender's size and the quality of 
its assets, adjust the requirements for content and frequency of filing 
Quarterly Condition Reports.
    (3) Legal and Administrative Proceeding Report. Each SBA Supervised 
Lender must report any legal or administrative proceeding by or against 
the SBA Supervised Lender, or against any officer, director or employee 
of the SBA Supervised Lender for an alleged breach of official duty, 
within ten business days after initiating or learning of the proceeding, 
and also must notify the SBA of the terms of any settlement or final 
judgment. The SBA Supervised Lender must include such information in any 
reporting required under other provisions of SBA regulations.
    (4) Stockholder Reports. Each SBA Supervised Lender must submit to 
SBA a copy of any report furnished to its stockholders in any manner, 
within 30 calendar days after submission to stockholders, including any 
prospectus, letter, or other document, concerning the financial 
operations or condition of the SBA Supervised Lender.
    (5) Reports of Changes. Each SBA Supervised Lender must submit to 
SBA a summary of any changes in the SBA Supervised Lender's organization 
or financing (within 30 calendar days of the change), such as:
    (i) Any change in its name, address or telephone number;
    (ii) Any change in its charter, bylaws, or its officers or directors 
(to be accompanied by a statement of personal history on the form 
approved by SBA);
    (iii) Any change in capitalization, including such types of change 
as are identified in this part 120;

[[Page 291]]

    (iv) Any changes affecting an SBA Supervised Lender's eligibility to 
continue to participate as an SBA Supervised Lender; and
    (v) Notice of any pledge of stock (within 30 calendar days of the 
transaction) if 10 percent or more of the stock is pledged by any person 
(or group of persons acting in concert) as collateral for indebtedness.
    (6) Report of Changes in Financial Condition. In addition to other 
reports required under this part 120, each SBA Supervised Lender must 
submit a report to SBA on any material change in financial condition. 
The SBA Supervised Lender must submit such report promptly, but no later 
than ten days after its management becomes aware of such change (except 
as provided for in Sec.  120.462(d)). Failure to promptly notify SBA 
concerning a material change in financial condition may lead to 
enforcement action.
    (7) Other Reports. Each SBA Supervised Lender must submit such other 
reports as SBA from time to time may in writing require.
    (b) Preparing financial reports for filing. Each SBA Supervised 
Lender must prepare financial reports:
    (1) In accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, procedures, 
standards, and such instructions and specifications and in such form and 
media format as may be prescribed by SBA from time to time;
    (2) On an accrual basis, in accordance with GAAP principles and such 
other accounting requirements, standards, and procedures as may be 
prescribed by the SBA from time to time;
    (3) That contain all applicable footnotes in accordance with GAAP 
principals, one of which includes a brief analysis of how the SBA 
Supervised Lender complies with SBA's capital regulations, as 
applicable; and
    (4) In such manner as to facilitate the reconciliation of these 
reports with the books and records of the SBA Supervised Lender.
    (c) Responsibility for assuring the accuracy of filed financial 
reports. Each financial report filed with SBA must be certified as 
having been prepared in accordance with all applicable regulations, 
SOPs, notices, and instructions and to be a true, accurate, and complete 
representation of the financial condition and financial performance of 
the SBA Supervised Lender to which it applies. The reports must be 
certified by the officer of the reporting SBA Supervised Lender named 
for that purpose by action of the institution's board of directors. If 
the institution's board of directors has not acted to name an officer to 
certify the correctness of its reports of financial condition and 
financial performance, then the reports must be certified by the 
president or chief executive officer of the reporting SBA Supervised 
Lender.
    (d) Waiver. The appropriate Office of Capital Access official in 
accordance with Delegations of Authority may in his/her discretion waive 
any Sec.  120.464 reporting requirement for SBA Supervised Lenders for 
good cause (including, but not limited to, where an SBA Supervised 
Lender has a relatively small SBA loan portfolio), as determined by SBA. 
SBA Supervised Lenders must request the waiver in writing and include 
all supporting reasons and documentation. The waiver decision of the 
appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance with 
Delegations of Authority is final.

[73 FR 75514, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.465  Civil penalty for late submission of required reports.

    (a) Obligation to submit required reports by applicable due dates. 
SBA Supervised Lenders must submit complete reports by the due dates 
described in the regulations or as directed in writing by SBA. SBA 
considers any report that an SBA Supervised Lender sends to SBA by the 
applicable due date but that is submitted only in part, to have not been 
submitted by the applicable due date. SBA also considers any report that 
is postmarked by the due date to be submitted by the due date.
    (b) Amount of civil penalty. For each day past the due date for such 
report, the SBA Supervised Lender must pay to SBA a civil penalty of not 
more than $7,805 per day per report. Such civil penalty continues to 
accrue until and including the date upon which SBA Supervised Lender 
submits the complete report. In determining the amount of the civil 
penalty to be assessed, SBA may consider the financial

[[Page 292]]

resources and good faith of the SBA Supervised Lender, the gravity of 
the violation, the history of previous violations and any such other 
matters as justice may require.
    (c) Notification of amount of civil penalty. SBA will notify the SBA 
Supervised Lender in writing of the amount of civil penalties imposed 
either upon receiving the required complete report or at such other time 
as SBA determines. The SBA Supervised Lender must pay this amount to SBA 
within 30 days of the date of SBA's written demand.
    (d) Identification during examination. SBA may also impose on an SBA 
Supervised Lender a civil penalty as described in this section if SBA 
discovers, during an examination pursuant to subpart I of this Part 120 
or otherwise, that the SBA Supervised Lender did not submit a required 
report by the due date.
    (e) Extensions of submission due dates. (1) An SBA Supervised Lender 
may request in writing to SBA that SBA extend its report due date. The 
request must reference the report and its due date, state the reasonable 
cause for extension, and assert how much additional time is needed in 
order to submit a complete report. SBA will advise SBA Supervised Lender 
in writing as to whether it approved or denied the extension request. If 
SBA determines that there is reasonable cause to grant an extension and 
it is not due to willful neglect, SBA will establish a new due date. 
Such determination as to willful neglect and reasonable cause is in 
SBA's discretion. SBA will consider the following factors in determining 
willful neglect:
    (i) Whether the SBA Supervised Lender failed to file required 
reports for more than two reporting periods and
    (ii) If SBA provided the SBA Supervised Lender notice of the failure 
to file and the SBA Supervised Lender failed to respond or failed to 
provide a reasonable explanation for the filing failure in its response.
    (2) If SBA disapproves the extension, the due date remains the same. 
The civil penalty accrues regardless of whether the SBA Supervised 
Lender files an extension request. If SBA approves the extension, SBA 
will waive the civil penalty that has accrued so far for that particular 
report. However, a new civil penalty will accrue if the SBA Supervised 
Lender does not submit a complete report by the new due date established 
by SBA.
    (f) Requests for reduction or exemption. (1) An SBA Supervised 
Lender may request a reduction or exemption from the civil penalty in 
writing to SBA. The request must reference the required report, its due 
date and the amount sought for reduction, and state in detail the 
reasons for the reduction. SBA will consider the following factors:
    (i) Whether there is reasonable cause for failure to file timely and 
it was not due to willful neglect;
    (ii) Whether the SBA Supervised Lender has demonstrated to SBA's 
satisfaction that it has modified its internal procedures to comply with 
reporting requirements in the future; and
    (iii) Whether the SBA Supervised Lender has demonstrated to SBA's 
satisfaction, based on financial information fully disclosed together 
with its request, that it would have difficulty paying the civil penalty 
assessed.
    (2) SBA must also determine that a reduction or exemption is not 
inconsistent with the public interest or the protection of SBA.
    (3) SBA may in writing approve the exemption, reduce the civil 
penalty, or deny the exemption.
    (4) If SBA grants the reduction request or denies the reduction or 
exemption, the SBA Supervised Lender must pay the amount owed within 30 
days of the letter date. Civil penalties will accrue while the request 
is pending.
    (g) Reconsideration of decisions. An SBA Supervised Lender may 
request in writing to the Associate Administrator for Capital Access 
(AA/CA) to reconsider its request for extension, reduction, or 
exemption. The reconsideration request must be received by SBA within 30 
days of the date of the letter denying the SBA Supervised Lender's 
original request. SBA will not consider untimely requests. The SBA 
Supervised Lender must include any additional information or 
documentation to support its reconsideration request. SBA will issue a 
written decision on

[[Page 293]]

the reconsideration request. The decision is a final agency decision. If 
on reconsideration, a civil penalty remains due, the SBA Supervised 
Lender must pay to SBA the civil penalty within 30 days of the written 
decision or as otherwise directed. Civil penalties will continue to 
accrue while the reconsideration request is pending.
    (h) Other enforcement actions. SBA may seek additional remedies for 
failure to timely file reports as authorized by law.
    (i) Exception for affiliate of SBLC. Civil penalties under this 
section do not apply to any affiliate of an SBLC that procures at least 
10% of its annual purchasing requirements from small manufacturers.

[73 FR 75515, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 81 FR 31491, May 19, 2016; 82 
FR 9969, Feb. 9, 2017; 83 FR 7363, Feb. 21, 2018; 84 FR 12061, Apr. 1, 
2019; 85 FR 13727, Mar. 10, 2020; 86 FR 52957, Sept. 24, 2021; 87 FR 
28758, May 11, 2022; 88 FR 50005, Aug. 1, 2023]



Sec.  120.466  SBA Supervised Lender application.

    An entity seeking to participate as an SBA Supervised Lender must 
apply to SBA. SBA evaluates SBA Supervised Lender applicants through an 
initial review and final review, as follows:
    (a) Initial review. SBA Supervised Lender applicants must submit a 
written plan containing information about the organization and its 
current and proposed lending activities (``Lender Assessment Plan''). 
After SBA's review of the Lender Assessment Plan, the Office of Capital 
Access may require an interview with the applicant and its management 
team. SBA will determine, in its sole discretion, whether an applicant 
may proceed to the final review. If SBA determines that an applicant may 
not proceed to the final review, the applicant must wait at least 6 
months before it may submit a new Lender Assessment Plan. Each applicant 
must demonstrate to SBA's satisfaction that it meets the ethical 
requirements and the participation criteria set forth in 13 CFR 120.140 
and 120.410. The Lender Assessment Plan must include the following 
items:
    (1) The legal name, address, telephone number and email address of 
the applicant;
    (2) Business plan, detailing the applicant's proposed lending area 
and the volume of loan activity projected over the next 3 years 
(supported by current and projected balance sheets, income statements 
and statements of cash flows);
    (3) Capitalization (current and proposed), including the form of 
organization and the identification of all debt and classes of equity 
capital and proposed funding amounts, including any rights or 
preferences accorded to such interests (e.g., voting rights, redemption 
rights and rights of convertibility) and any conditions for the 
transfer, sale or assignment of such interests;
    (4) A list of all members of the applicant's management team, 
including the applicant's officers, directors, managers and key 
employees, as well as the applicant's owners, Associates (as defined in 
Sec.  120.10) and Affiliates (as defined in Sec.  121.103 of this 
chapter);
    (5) A written summary of the professional experience (including any 
prior experience with any SBA program) of the applicant's management 
team (including key employees);
    (6) In connection with any application to acquire an existing SBLC 
License, the applicant must include a letter agreement signed by an 
authorized official of the SBLC whose License is to be acquired 
certifying that the SBLC is seeking to transfer its SBA lending 
authority to the applicant;
    (7) If approval of any state or Federal chartering, licensing or 
other regulatory authority is required, copies of any licenses issued by 
or documents filed with such authority.
    (b) Final review. Each applicant that receives notice from SBA in 
writing that it may proceed to the final review must submit a complete 
application to SBA within 90 calendar days. The application requirements 
for SBA Supervised Lenders are set forth in official SBA policy and 
procedures. An incomplete application submitted to SBA will not be 
processed and will be returned to the applicant. SBA may, in its sole 
discretion, approve or deny any SBA Supervised Lender application. The 
decision to approve or deny an SBA Supervised Lender application is a 
final agency decision. If an SBA Supervised Lender application is denied 
by

[[Page 294]]

SBA or if a complete application is not timely submitted, the applicant 
may not submit a new Lender Assessment Plan and restart the application 
process until 12 months from the date of denial or the date a complete 
application was due to SBA, as applicable.
    (c) NFRL operating and lending experience requirement. For an entity 
seeking to become an NFRL, evidence of at least 1 year of current 
operating and relevant commercial lending experience by the entity must 
be provided.

[85 FR 78213, Dec. 4, 2020, as amended at 88 FR 21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.467  Evaluation of SBA Supervised Lender applicants.

    (a) SBA will evaluate an SBA Supervised Lender applicant based on 
information from, among other sources, the Lender Assessment Plan, an 
interview with the applicant's management team (if required), the 
application and any other documentation submitted by the applicant, the 
results of background investigations, public record searches and due 
diligence conducted by SBA or other Federal or state agencies. SBA's 
evaluation will consider factors such as the following:
    (1) Professional qualifications of its management team (including 
key employees), including demonstrated commercial lending experience, 
business reputation, adherence to legal and ethical standards, track 
record in making and monitoring business loans, and prior history, if 
any, working as an officer, manager, director or key employee of a 
lender involved in any SBA program or any other Federal or state lending 
program.
    (2) Historical performance measures of loans originated by the 
applicant or attributable to its management team (including key 
employees), including loan default rates, purchase rates and loss rates, 
measured in both percentage terms and in comparison to appropriate 
industry benchmarks, review/examination assessments and other 
performance measures.
    (3) The applicant's capitalization, organizational structure, 
business plan (including any risk factors), projected financial 
performance, financial strength, liquidity, the soundness of its 
financial projections and underlying assumptions, loan underwriting 
process, operations plan and the history of compliance of the applicant 
and its management team (including key employees) with SBA Loan Program 
Requirements.
    (4) Whether the NFRL's state regulator and the state statute or 
regulations governing the NFRL's operations, including but not limited 
to those pertaining to audit, examination, supervision, enforcement and 
information sharing, are satisfactory to SBA in its sole discretion.
    (5) For changes of ownership or control, in addition to the factors 
listed in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section, SBA will 
consider whether the applicant's plan for the resolution of any 
outstanding monetary liabilities to SBA, including repairs and denials 
and civil monetary penalties, is acceptable to SBA in its sole 
discretion.
    (b) SBA may prohibit any individual or entity from participating as 
an officer, director, manager, owner or key employee of the applicant if 
such individual or entity:
    (1) Has a previous record of failing to materially comply with SBA 
Loan Program Requirements;
    (2) Previously participated in a material way with any past or 
present SBA Lender or Intermediary that failed to maintain satisfactory 
SBA performance;
    (3) Previously defaulted on any Federal loan or Federally assisted 
financing that resulted in the Federal Government or any of its agencies 
or departments sustaining a loss in any of its programs; or
    (4) Ever failed to pay when due any debt or obligation, including 
any amounts in dispute, to the Federal Government or guaranteed by the 
Federal Government (including but not limited to taxes or business or 
student loans).

[85 FR 78214, Dec. 4, 2020]



Sec.  120.468  Change of ownership or control requirements 
for SBA Supervised Lenders.

    (a) SBA prior approval required. Any change of ownership or control 
of an SBA Supervised Lender without SBA's prior written approval is 
prohibited. Prior to entering into any agreement,

[[Page 295]]

other than a non-binding letter of intent, for a change of ownership or 
control, SBA Supervised Lenders must receive SBA's prior written 
approval from the appropriate SBA official in accordance with the 
prevailing Delegations of Authority. An SBA Supervised Lender may not 
register proposed new owners on its books and records or permit them to 
participate in any manner in the conduct of the SBA Supervised Lender's 
affairs unless approved in writing by SBA. Any type of non-binding 
letter of intent regarding a prospective change of ownership or control 
must be reported to SBA within 30 calendar days. A change of ownership 
or control includes the following:
    (1) Any transfer(s) (direct or indirect) of 10 percent or more of 
any class of the SBA Supervised Lender's stock or ownership interests 
(or series of transfers which, in the aggregate over an 18 month period, 
equals 10 percent or more), or any agreement providing for such 
transfer;
    (2) Any transfer(s) (direct or indirect) that could result in the 
beneficial ownership by any person or group of persons acting in concert 
of 10 percent or more of any class of the SBA Supervised Lender's stock 
or ownership interests, or any agreement providing for such transfer(s);
    (3) Any merger, consolidation, or reorganization;
    (4) Any other transaction or agreement that transfers control of an 
SBA Supervised Lender; or
    (5) Any other transaction or event that results in any change in the 
possession (direct or indirect) of the right to control, or the power to 
direct or cause the direction of, the management or policies of an SBA 
Supervised Lender, whether through the ownership of voting securities, 
by contract or otherwise.
    (b) Approval required by other regulatory authorities. If a change 
of ownership or control of an SBA Supervised Lender is subject to the 
approval of any state or Federal chartering, licensing or other 
regulatory authority, copies of any documents filed with such authority 
must, at the same time, be transmitted to the appropriate SBA official 
in accordance with the prevailing Delegations of Authority. The approval 
of any state or Federal authority will be required in addition to SBA's 
prior written approval.
    (c) Application requirements for changes of ownership or control. An 
applicant must submit a Lender Assessment Plan and a new application in 
accordance with Sec.  120.466 for any change of ownership or control. If 
a proposed change of ownership is for less than 50 percent of the 
ownership interests in an SBA Supervised Lender, SBA may, in its sole 
discretion, limit the requirements of the Lender Assessment Plan or the 
complete application as set forth in official SBA policy and procedures.
    (d) Voluntary surrender of SBA lending authority. An SBA Supervised 
Lender may voluntarily surrender its SBA lending authority (including 
its SBLC license or NFRL lending authority, as applicable) and withdraw 
as a participating Lender with SBA's prior written approval. The SBA 
Supervised Lender must agree to transfer its entire 7(a) loan portfolio 
to one or more Lenders acceptable to SBA in accordance with Sec.  
120.432(a), and enter into a withdrawal agreement to resolve any 
outstanding issues, including any outstanding monetary liabilities, to 
SBA's satisfaction. SBA may, in its sole discretion, take over the 
servicing of an SBA Supervised Lender's 7(a) loan portfolio in 
accordance with Sec.  120.535(d) upon the voluntary surrender of its SBA 
lending authority.

[85 FR 78214, Dec. 4, 2020]

                 Small Business Lending Companies (SBLC)



Sec.  120.470  What are SBA's additional requirements for SBLCs?

    In addition to complying with SBA's requirements for SBA Lenders and 
SBA Supervised Lenders, an SBLC (including a Community Advantage SBLC) 
must meet the requirements contained in this regulation and the SBLC 
regulations that follow.
    (a) Lending. An SBLC or Community Advantage SBLC may make:
    (1) Loans under section 7(a) (except section 7(a)(13) of the Act in 
participation with SBA); and/or
    (2) SBA guaranteed loans to Intermediaries (see subpart G of this 
part).

[[Page 296]]

Such loans are subject to the same conditions as guaranteed loans made 
to Intermediaries by 7(a) Lenders.
    (b) Business structure. An SBLC must be a corporation (profit or 
nonprofit) or a limited liability company or limited partnership, except 
for a Community Advantage SBLC, which must either be a nonprofit 
corporation or have been a Community Advantage Pilot Program 
participant.
    (c) Written agreement. An SBLC must sign a written agreement with 
SBA.
    (d) Dual control. An SBLC must maintain dual control over 
disbursement of funds and withdrawal of securities.
    (1) An SBLC may disburse funds only by checks or wire transfers 
authorized by signatures of two or more officers covered by the SBLC's 
fidelity bond, except that checks in an amount of $10,000 or less may be 
signed by one bonded officer, provided that such action is permitted 
under the SBLC's fidelity bond.
    (2) There must be two or more bonded officers, or one bonded officer 
and a bonded employee to open safe deposit boxes or withdraw securities 
from safekeeping. The SBLC must furnish to each depository bank, 
custodian, or entity providing safe deposit boxes a certified copy of 
the resolution implementing control procedures.
    (e) Fidelity insurance. An SBLC, except for a Community Advantage 
SBLC, must maintain a Brokers Blanket Bond, Standard Form 14, or Finance 
Companies Blanket Bond, Standard Form 15, or such other form of coverage 
as SBA may approve, in a minimum amount of $2,000,000 executed by a 
surety holding a certificate of authority from the Secretary of the 
Treasury pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 9304-9308. SBA's Administrator, in 
consultation with SBA's Associate Administrator for the Office of 
Capital Access (AA/OCA), or their designee(s), at their discretion, will 
determine the appropriate bond coverage levels for Community Advantage 
SBLCs as published in Loan Program Requirements.
    (f) Common control. (1) An SBLC must not control, be controlled by, 
or be under common control with another SBLC.
    (2) In the case of a purchase of an SBLC by an organization that 
already owns an SBLC, the purchasing entity will have six months to 
submit a plan to SBA for the divestiture of one of the SBLCs. All 
divestiture plans must be approved by SBA and SBA may withhold approval 
in its discretion. Divestiture of the SBLC must occur within one year of 
purchase date.
    (3) Without prior written SBA approval, an Associate of one SBLC 
must not be an Associate of another SBLC or of any entity which directly 
or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, another SBLC.
    (4) For purposes of paragraph (f) of this section, common control 
means a condition where two or more SBLCs, either through ownership, 
management, contract, or otherwise, are under the Control of one group 
or Person (as defined in Sec.  120.10 of this chapter). Two or more 
SBLCs are presumed to be under common control if they are Affiliates of 
each other by reason of common ownership or common officers, directors, 
or general partners.
    (5) ``Affiliate'' has the meaning set forth in Sec.  121.103 of this 
chapter.
    (6) ``Control'' means the possession, direct or indirect, of the 
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of 
an SBLC or other concern, whether through the ownership of voting 
securities, by contract, or otherwise. The common control presumption 
may be rebutted by evidence satisfactory to SBA.
    (g) Borrowed funds. In general, an SBLC may not be capitalized with 
borrowed funds. Shareholders owning 10 percent or more of any class of 
its stock must not use personally-borrowed funds to purchase the stock 
unless the net worth of the shareholder is at least twice the amount 
borrowed or unless the shareholder receives SBA's prior written approval 
for a lower ratio.

[73 FR 75515, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 85 FR 78215, Dec. 4, 2020; 87 
FR 38909, June 30, 2022; 88 FR 21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.471  What are the minimum capital requirements for SBLCs?

    (a) Minimum capital requirements. (1) Beginning on January 4, 2024, 
each SBLC that makes or acquires a 7(a) loan must maintain, at a 
minimum, unencumbered paid-in capital and paid-

[[Page 297]]

in surplus of at least $5,000,000, or 10 percent of the aggregate of its 
share of all outstanding loans, whichever is greater.
    (2) Any SBLC approved on or after January 4, 2021, including in the 
event of a change of ownership or control, must maintain the minimum 
capital requirement set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (3) Unless subject to paragraph (a)(1) or (2) of this section, an 
SBLC must comply with the minimum capital requirements that were in 
effect on January 3, 2021.
    (4) A Community Advantage SBLC must maintain a minimum amount of 
capital as determined at the discretion of the Administrator in 
consultation with SBA's Associate Administrator for the Office of 
Capital Access (AA/OCA), or their designee(s). The minimum capital 
amount as published in Loan Program Requirements will ensure sufficient 
risk protection for SBA and lenders while not burdening smaller lenders 
with large capital requirements.
    (5) Community Advantage SBLCs must maintain a loan loss reserve 
account as determined at the discretion of the Administrator in 
consultation with SBA's Associate Administrator for the Office of 
Capital Access (AA/OCA), or their designee(s) as published in Loan 
Program Requirements.
    (b) Composition of capital. For purposes of complying with paragraph 
(a) of this section, capital consists only of one or more of the 
following:
    (1) Common stock;
    (2) Preferred stock that is noncumulative as to dividends and does 
not have a maturity date;
    (3) Unrestricted net assets (for non-profit corporations);
    (4) Additional paid-in capital representing amounts paid for stock 
in excess of the par value;
    (5) Retained earnings of the business; and/or
    (6) For limited liability companies and limited partnerships, 
capital contributions must not be subject to repayment at any specific 
time, must not be subject to withdrawal and must have no cumulative 
priority return.
    (c) Voluntary capital reduction. Without prior written SBA approval, 
an SBLC must not voluntarily reduce its capital, or repurchase and hold 
more than 2 percent of any class or combination of classes of its stock.
    (d) Issuance of securities. Without prior written SBA approval, an 
SBLC must not issue any securities (including stock options and debt 
securities) except stock dividends.

[73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 85 FR 78215, Dec. 4, 2020; 88 
FR 21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.472  Higher individual minimum capital requirement.

    The Associate Administrator for Capital Access (AA/CA) may require, 
under Sec.  120.473(d), an SBLC to maintain a higher level of capital, 
if the AA/CA determines, in his/her discretion, that the SBLC's level of 
capital is potentially inadequate to protect the SBA from loss due to 
the financial failure of the SBLC. The factors to be considered in the 
determination will vary in each case and may include, for example:
    (a) Specific conditions or circumstances pertaining to the SBLC;
    (b) Exigency of those circumstances or potential problems;
    (c) Overall condition, management strength, and future prospects of 
the SBLC and, if applicable, its parent or affiliates;
    (d) The SBLC's liquidity and existing capital level, and the 
performance of its SBA loan portfolio;
    (e) The management views of the SBLC's directors and senior 
management; and
    (f) Other risk-related factors, as determined by SBA.

[73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.473  Procedures for determining individual minimum 
capital requirement.

    (a) Notice. When SBA determines that an individual minimum capital 
requirement above that set forth in this subpart or other legal 
authority is necessary or appropriate for a particular SBLC, SBA will 
notify the SBLC in writing of the proposed individual minimum capital 
requirement, the date by which it should be reached and will provide an 
explanation of why the requirement proposed is considered necessary or 
appropriate.

[[Page 298]]

    (b) SBLC response. The SBLC may respond to the notice. The response 
should include any matters which the SBLC would have SBA consider in 
deciding whether individual minimum capital requirements should be 
established for the SBLC, what those capital requirements should be, 
and, if applicable, when they should be achieved. The response must be 
in writing and delivered to the AA/CA within 30 days after the date on 
which the SBLC received the notice. SBA may shorten the time for 
response when, in the opinion of SBA, the condition of the SBLC so 
warrants, provided that the SBLC is informed promptly of the new time 
period, or the SBLC consents to the shortening of its response time. In 
its discretion, SBA may extend the time period for good cause.
    (c) Failure to respond. An SBLC that does not respond within 30 days 
or such other time period as may be specified by SBA will have waived 
any objections to the proposed minimum capital requirement and the 
deadline for its achievement. Failure to respond will also constitute 
consent to the individual minimum capital requirement.
    (d) Decision. After the close of the SBLC's response period, the AA/
CA will decide, based on a review of SBA reasons for proposing the 
individual minimum capital requirement, the SBLC's response, and other 
information concerning the SBLC, whether the individual minimum capital 
requirement should be established for the SBLC and, if so, the 
requirement and the date it will become effective. The SBLC will be 
notified of the decision in writing. The notice will include an 
explanation of the decision; except for a decision not to establish an 
individual minimum capital requirement for the SBLC.
    (e) Submission of plan. The decision may require the SBLC to develop 
and submit to SBA, within a time period specified, an acceptable plan to 
reach the individual minimum capital requirement by the date required.
    (f) Change in circumstances. If, after SBA's decision in paragraph 
(d) of this section, there is a change in the circumstances affecting 
the SBLC's capital adequacy or its ability to reach the required 
individual minimum capital requirement by the specified date, either the 
SBLC or the AA/CA may propose to the other a change in the individual 
minimum capital requirement for the SBLC, the date when the individual 
minimum must be achieved, and/or the SBLC's plan (if applicable). The 
AA/CA may decline to consider proposals that are not based on a 
significant change in circumstances or are repetitive or frivolous. 
Pending a decision by the AA/CA on reconsideration, SBA's original 
decision and any plan required under that decision will continue in full 
force and effect.

[73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.474  Relation to other actions.

    In lieu of, or in addition to, the procedures in this subpart, the 
individual minimum capital requirement for an SBLC may be established or 
revised through a written agreement or cease and desist proceedings 
under subpart I of this part.

[73 FR 75517, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.475  [Reserved]



Sec.  120.476  Prohibited financing.

    An SBLC may not make a loan to a small business that has received 
financing (or a commitment for financing) from an SBIC that is an 
Associate of the SBLC.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.490  Audits.

    Every SBLC is subject to periodic audits by SBA's Office of 
Inspector General, Auditing Division, and the cost of such audits will 
be assessed against the SBLC, except for the first audit. Fees are 
structured based on the SBLC's assets as of the date of the latest 
audited financial statement submitted to SBA before the audit. The fee 
schedule is set forth in SBA's Standard Operating Procedures manual.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 73 FR 75516, Dec. 11, 2008]

[[Page 299]]



Subpart E_Servicing, Liquidation and Debt Collection Litigation of 7(a) 
                              and 504 Loans

                 SBA'S Purchase of a Guaranteed Portion



Sec.  120.520  Purchase of 7(a) loan guarantees.

    (a) When SBA will purchase--(1) For loans approved on or after May 
14, 2007. A Lender may demand in writing that SBA honor its guarantee if 
the Borrower is in default on any installment for more than 60 calendar 
days (or less if SBA agrees) and the default has not been cured, 
provided all business personal property securing the defaulted SBA loan 
has been liquidated. A Lender may also submit a request for purchase of 
a defaulted 7(a) loan when a Borrower files for federal bankruptcy once 
a period of at least 60 days has elapsed since the last full installment 
payment. If a Borrower cures a default before a Lender requests purchase 
by SBA, the Lender's right to request purchase on that default lapses. 
SBA considers liquidation of business personal property collateral to be 
completed when a Lender has exhausted all prudent and commercially 
reasonable efforts to collect upon these assets. In addition, SBA, in 
its sole discretion, may purchase the guaranteed portion of a loan at 
any time whether in default or not, with or without the request from a 
Lender.
    (2) For loans approved before May 14, 2007. The regulations 
applicable to the time that a Lender may make demand for purchase that 
were in effect immediately prior to this date will govern such loans.
    (b) Documentation for purchase. SBA will not purchase its guaranteed 
portion of a loan from a Lender unless the Lender has submitted to SBA 
documentation that SBA deems sufficient to allow SBA to determine 
whether purchase of the guarantee is warranted under Sec.  120.524.
    (c) Purchase of loans sold in Secondary Market. When the Lender has 
sold the guaranteed portion of a loan in the Secondary Market, under 
subpart F of this part, Lenders must perform all necessary servicing and 
liquidation actions for such loan even after SBA has purchased the 
guaranteed portion of such loan from a Registered Holder (as that term 
is defined in Sec.  120.600(i)). In the event that SBA purchases its 
guaranteed portion of such a loan from the Registered Holder, Lenders 
must provide SBA with a loan status report within 15 business days of 
such purchase. This report should include but not be limited to, a 
status report on the borrower and current condition of the collateral, 
plans for any type of loan workout or loan restructuring, existing 
liquidation activities including the sale of loan collateral, or the 
status of ongoing foreclosure proceedings. The report should accompany 
requested documentation that SBA deems sufficient to be able to review 
the Lender's administration of the loan under Sec.  120.524. A Lender's 
failure to provide sufficient documentation may constitute a material 
failure to comply with SBA requirements under Sec.  120.524(a)(1), and 
may lead to initiation of an action for recovery from the Lender of all 
or some of the moneys SBA paid to a Registered Holder on a guarantee. 
SBA will also evaluate the Lender's continued participation in the 
Secondary Market and may restrict further sale of guaranteed portions 
into the Secondary Market until SBA determines that the Lender has 
provided sufficient documentation for purchases.
    (d) No waiver of SBA's rights. Purchase by SBA of the guaranteed 
portion of a loan, or of a portion of SBA's guarantee of a loan, either 
through a negotiated agreement with a Lender or otherwise, does not 
waive any of SBA's rights to recover from the responsible Lender any 
money paid on the guarantee based upon the occurrence of any of the 
events set forth in Sec.  120.524(a) in connection with that loan.

[72 FR 18360, Apr. 12, 2007]



Sec.  120.521  What interest rate applies after SBA purchases 
its guaranteed portion?

    When SBA purchases the guaranteed portion of a fixed interest rate 
loan, the rate of interest remains as stated in the note. On loans with 
a fluctuating interest rate, the interest rate that the Borrower owes 
will be at the rate in effect at the time of the earliest

[[Page 300]]

uncured payment default, or the rate in effect at the time of purchase 
(where no default has occurred).



Sec.  120.522  Payment of accrued interest to the Lender or Registered Holder 
when SBA purchases the guaranteed portion.

    (a) Rate of interest. If SBA purchases the guaranteed portion from a 
Lender or from a Registered Holder (if sold in the Secondary Market), it 
will pay accrued interest at:
    (1) The rate in the note if it is a fixed rate loan; or
    (2) The rate in effect on the date of the earliest uncured payment 
default, or of SBA's purchase (if there has been no default).
    (b) Payment to Lender--(1) For loans approved on or after May 14, 
2007. SBA will pay up to a maximum of 120 days interest to a Lender at 
the time of guarantee purchase.
    (2) For loans approved before May 14, 2007. The regulations 
applicable to the amount of interest that SBA will pay to a Lender upon 
loan default that were in effect immediately prior to this date will 
govern such loans.
    (c) Payment to Registered Holder. SBA will pay a Registered Holder 
all accrued interest up to the date of payment.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 72 FR 18361, Apr. 12, 2007]



Sec.  120.523  What is the ``earliest uncured payment default''?

    The earliest uncured payment default is the date of the earliest 
failure by a Borrower to pay a regular installment of principal and/or 
interest when due. Payments made by the Borrower before a Lender makes 
its request to SBA to purchase are applied to the earliest uncured 
payment default. If the installment is paid in full, the earliest 
uncured payment default date will advance to the next unpaid installment 
date. If a Borrower makes any payment after the Lender makes its request 
to SBA to purchase, the earliest uncured payment default date does not 
change because the Lender has already exercised its right to request 
purchase.



Sec.  120.524  When is SBA released from liability on its guarantee?

    (a) SBA is released from liability on a loan guarantee (in whole or 
in part, within SBA's exclusive discretion), if any of the events below 
occur:
    (1) The Lender has failed to comply materially with any Loan Program 
Requirement for 7(a) loans.
    (2) The Lender has failed to make, close, service, or liquidate a 
loan in a prudent manner;
    (3) The Lender's improper action or inaction has placed SBA at risk;
    (4) The Lender has failed to disclose a material fact to SBA 
regarding a guaranteed loan in a timely manner;
    (5) The Lender has misrepresented a material fact to SBA regarding a 
guaranteed loan;
    (6) SBA has received a written request from the Lender to terminate 
the guarantee;
    (7) The Lender has not paid the guarantee fee within the period 
required under SBA rules and regulations;
    (8) The Lender has failed to request that SBA purchase a guarantee 
within 180 days after maturity of the loan. However, if the Lender is 
conducting liquidation or debt collection litigation in connection with 
a loan that has matured, SBA will be released from its guarantee only if 
the Lender fails to request that SBA purchase the guarantee within 180 
days after the completion of the liquidation or debt collection 
litigation;
    (9) The Lender has failed to use required SBA forms or exact 
electronic copies; or
    (10) The Borrower has paid the loan in full.
    (b) If SBA determines, at any time, that any of the events set forth 
in paragraph (a) of this section occurred in connection with that loan, 
SBA is entitled to recover any moneys paid on the guarantee plus 
interest from the Lender. In the exercise of its rights, SBA may utilize 
all legal means available, including offset and judicial remedies.
    (c) If the Lender's loan documentation or other information 
indicates that one or more of the events in paragraph (a) of this 
section occurred, SBA may undertake such investigation as it deems 
necessary to determine whether

[[Page 301]]

to honor or deny the guarantee, and may withhold a decision on whether 
to honor the guarantee until the completion of such investigation.
    (d) Any information provided to SBA by a Lender or other party will 
not prejudice, or be construed as effecting any waiver of, SBA's right 
to deny liability for a guarantee if one or more of the events listed in 
paragraph (a) of this section occur.
    (e) Unless SBA provides written notice to the contrary, the Lender 
remains responsible for all loan servicing ad liquidation actions until 
SBA honors its guarantee in full.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 72 FR 18361, Apr. 12, 2007; 82 
FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.530  Deferment of payment.

    SBA may agree to defer payments on a business loan for a stated 
period of time, and use such other methods as it considers necessary and 
appropriate to help in the successful operation of the Borrower. This 
policy applies to all business loan programs, including 504 loans.



Sec.  120.531  Extension of maturity.

    SBA may agree to extend the maturity of a loan for up to 10 years 
beyond its original maturity if the extension will aid in the orderly 
repayment of the loan.



Sec.  120.535  Standards for Lender and CDC loan servicing, loan liquidation 
and debt collection litigation.

    (a) Service using prudent lending standards. Lenders and CDCs must 
service 7(a) and 504 loans in their portfolio no less diligently than 
their non-SBA portfolio, and in a commercially reasonable manner, 
consistent with prudent lending standards, and in accordance with Loan 
Program Requirements. Those Lenders and CDCs that do not maintain a non-
SBA loan portfolio must adhere to the same prudent lending standards for 
loan servicing followed by commercial lenders on loans without a 
government guarantee.
    (b) Liquidate using prudent lending standards. Lenders and 
Authorized CDC Liquidators must liquidate and conduct debt collection 
litigation for 7(a) and 504 loans in their portfolio no less diligently 
than for their non-SBA portfolio, and in a prompt, cost-effective and 
commercially reasonable manner, consistent with prudent lending 
standards, and in accordance with Loan Program Requirements and with any 
SBA approval of either a liquidation or litigation plan or any amendment 
of such a plan. Lenders and CDCs that do not maintain a non-SBA loan 
portfolio must adhere to the same prudent lending standards followed by 
commercial lenders that liquidate loans without a government guarantee. 
They are also to operate in accordance with Loan Program Requirements 
and with any SBA approval of either a liquidation or litigation plan or 
any amendment of such a plan.
    (c) Absence of actual or apparent conflict of interest. A CDC must 
not take any action in the liquidation or debt collection litigation of 
a 504 loan that would result in an actual or apparent conflict of 
interest between the CDC (or any employee of the CDC) and any Third 
Party Lender, associate of a Third Party Lender, or any person 
participating in a liquidation, foreclosure or loss mitigation action.
    (d) SBA rights to take over servicing or liquidation. SBA may, in 
its sole discretion, undertake the servicing, liquidation and/or 
litigation of any 7(a) or 504 loan. If SBA elects to service, liquidate 
and/or litigate a loan, it will notify the relevant Lender or CDC in 
writing, and, upon receiving such notice, the Lender or CDC must assign 
the Loan Instruments to SBA and provide any needed assistance to allow 
SBA to service, liquidate and/or litigate the loan. SBA will notify the 
Borrower of the change in servicing. SBA may use contractors to perform 
these actions.

[72 FR 18361, Apr. 12, 2007]



Sec.  120.536  Servicing and liquidation actions that require 
the prior written consent of SBA.

    (a) Actions by Lenders and CDCs. Except as otherwise provided in a 
Supplemental Guarantee Agreement with a Lender or an Agreement with a 
CDC, SBA must give its prior written consent before a Lender or CDC 
takes any of the following actions:

[[Page 302]]

    (1) Increases the principal amount of a loan above that authorized 
by SBA at loan origination.
    (2) Confers a Preference on the Lender or CDC or engages in an 
activity that creates a conflict of interest.
    (3) Compromises the principal balance of a loan.
    (4) Takes title to any property in the name of SBA.
    (5) Takes title to environmentally contaminated property, or takes 
over operation and control of a business that handles hazardous 
substances or hazardous wastes.
    (6) Transfers, sells or pledges more than 90% of a loan.
    (7) Takes any action for which prior written consent is required by 
a Loan Program Requirement.
    (b) Actions by CDCs only (other than PCLP CDCs). SBA must give its 
prior written consent before a CDC, other than a PCLP CDC, takes any of 
the following actions with respect to a 504 loan:
    (1) Alters substantially the terms or conditions of any Loan 
Instrument.
    (2) Releases collateral having a cumulative market value in excess 
of 10 percent of the Debenture amount or $10,000, whichever is less.
    (3) Accelerates the maturity of the note.
    (4) Compromises or releases any claim against any Borrower or 
obligor, or against any guarantor, standby creditor, or any other person 
that is contingently liable for moneys owed on the loan.
    (5) Purchases or pays off any indebtedness secured by the property 
that serves as collateral for a defaulted 504 loan, such as payment of 
the debt(s) owed to a lien holder or lien holders with priority over the 
lien securing the loan.
    (6) Accepts a workout plan to restructure the material terms and 
conditions of a loan that is in default or liquidation.
    (7) Takes any action for which prior written consent is required by 
a Loan Program Requirement.
    (c) Documentation requirements. For all servicing/liquidation 
actions not requiring SBA's prior written consent, Lenders and CDCs must 
document the justifications for their decisions and retain these and 
supporting documents in their file for future SBA review to determine if 
the actions taken by the Lender or CDC were prudent, commercially 
reasonable, and complied with all Loan Program Requirements.

[72 FR 18361, Apr. 12, 2007]



Sec.  120.540  Liquidation and litigation plans.

    (a) SBA oversight. SBA may monitor or review liquidation through the 
review of liquidation plans which all Authorized CDC Liquidators and 
certain Lenders must submit to SBA for approval prior to undertaking 
liquidation, and through liquidation wrap-up reports which Lenders must 
submit to SBA at the completion of liquidation. SBA will monitor debt 
collection litigation, such as judicial foreclosures, bankruptcy 
proceedings and other state and federal insolvency proceedings, through 
the review of litigation plans, as set forth in this section.
    (b) Liquidation plan. An Authorized CDC Liquidator and a Lender for 
a loan made under its authority as a CLP Lender must, prior to 
undertaking any liquidation, submit a written proposed liquidation plan 
to SBA and receive SBA's written approval of that plan.
    (c) Litigation plan. An Authorized CDC Liquidator and a Lender must 
obtain SBA's prior approval of a litigation plan before proceeding with 
any Non-Routine Litigation, as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section. SBA's prior approval is not required for Routine Litigation, as 
defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.
    (1) Non-Routine Litigation includes:
    (i) All litigation where factual or legal issues are in dispute and 
require resolution through adjudication;
    (ii) Any litigation where legal fees are estimated to exceed 
$10,000;
    (iii) Any litigation involving a loan where a Lender or Authorized 
CDC Liquidator has an actual or potential conflict of interest with SBA; 
and
    (iv) Any litigation involving a 7(a) or 504 loan where the Lender or 
CDC has made a separate loan to the same borrower which is not a 7(a) or 
504 loan.
    (2) Routine Litigation means uncontested litigation, such as non-
adversarial matters in bankruptcy and undisputed foreclosure actions, 
having

[[Page 303]]

estimated legal fees not exceeding $10,000.
    (d) Decision by SBA to take over litigation. If a Lender or 
Authorized CDC Liquidator is conducting, or proposes to conduct, debt 
collection litigation on a 7(a) loan or 504 loan, SBA may take over the 
litigation if SBA determines that the outcome of the litigation could 
adversely affect SBA's administration of the loan program or that the 
Government is entitled to legal remedies that are not available to the 
Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator. Examples of cases that could 
adversely affect SBA's administration of a loan program include, but are 
not limited to, situations where SBA determines that:
    (1) The litigation involves important governmental policy or program 
issues.
    (2) The case is potentially of great precedential value or there is 
a risk of adverse precedent to the Government.
    (3) The Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator has an actual or 
potential conflict of interest with SBA.
    (4) The legal fees of the Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator's 
outside counsel are unnecessary, unreasonable or not customary in the 
locality.
    (e) Amendments to a liquidation or litigation plan. Lenders and 
Authorized CDC Liquidators must submit an amended liquidation or 
litigation plan to address any material changes arising during the 
course of the liquidation or litigation that were not addressed in the 
original plan or an amended plan. Lenders and Authorized CDC Liquidators 
must obtain SBA's written approval of the amended plan prior to taking 
any further liquidation or litigation action. Examples of such material 
changes that would require the approval of an amended plan include, but 
are not limited to:
    (1) Changes arising during the course of Routine Litigation that 
transform the litigation into Non-Routine Litigation, such as when the 
debtor contests a foreclosure or when the actual legal fees incurred 
exceed $10,000.
    (2) If SBA has approved a litigation plan where anticipated legal 
fees exceed $10,000, or has approved an amended plan, and thereafter the 
anticipated or actual legal fees increase by more than 15 percent.
    (3) If SBA has approved a liquidation plan, or an amended plan, and 
thereafter the anticipated or actual costs of conducting the liquidation 
increase by more than 15 percent.
    (f) Limited waiver of need for a written liquidation or litigation 
plan. SBA may, in its discretion, and upon request by a Lender or 
Authorized CDC Liquidator, waive the requirements of paragraphs (b), (c) 
or (e) of this section, if one of the following extraordinary 
circumstances warrant such a waiver: the need for expeditious action to 
avoid the potential risk of loss on the loan or dissipation of 
collateral exists; an immediate response is required to litigation by a 
borrower, guarantor or third party; or another urgent reason arises. The 
Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator must obtain SBA's written consent to 
such waiver before undertaking the Emergency action, if at all 
practicable. SBA's waiver will apply only to the specific action(s) 
which the Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator has identified to SBA as 
being necessary to address the Emergency. The Lender or Authorized CDC 
Liquidator must, as soon after the Emergency as is practicable, submit a 
written liquidation or litigation plan to SBA or, if appropriate, a 
written amended plan, and may not take further liquidation or litigation 
action without written approval of such plan or amendment by SBA.
    (g) Appeals. A Lender for loans made under its authority as a CLP 
Lender or an Authorized CDC Liquidator that disagrees with an SBA 
office's decision pertaining to an original or amended liquidation plan, 
other than such portions of the plan that address litigation matters, 
may submit a written appeal to the Director/Office of Financial Program 
Operations (D/OFPO) within 30 days of the decision. The D/OFPO or 
designee will make the final Agency decision in consultation with the 
Associate General Counsel for Litigation. A Lender or Authorized CDC 
Liquidator that disagrees with an SBA office's decision pertaining to an 
original or amended litigation plan, or the portion of a liquidation 
plan addressing litigation matters, may submit a written appeal to the 
Associate General Counsel

[[Page 304]]

for Litigation within 30 days of the decision. The Associate General 
Counsel for Litigation will make the final Agency decision in 
consultation with the D/OFPO.

[72 FR 18362, Apr. 12, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.541  Time for approval by SBA.

    (a) Except as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, in 
responding to a request for approval under Sec. Sec.  120.540(b), 
120.540(c), 120.536(b)(5) or 120.536(b)(6), SBA will approve or deny the 
request within 15 business days of the date when SBA receives the 
request. If SBA is unable to approve or deny the request within this 15-
day period, SBA will provide a written notice of no decision to the 
Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator, stating the reason for SBA's 
inability to act; an estimate of the additional time required to act on 
the plan or request; and, if SBA deems appropriate, requesting 
additional information.
    (b) Except as set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, unless SBA 
gives its written consent to a proposed liquidation or litigation plan, 
or a proposed amendment of a plan, or any of the actions set forth in 
Sec.  120.536(b)(5) or Sec.  120.536(b)(6), SBA will not be deemed to 
have approved the proposed action.
    (c) If a Lender seeks to perform liquidation on a loan made under 
its authority as a CLP Lender by submitting a liquidation plan to SBA 
for approval, SBA will approve or deny such plan within ten business 
days. If SBA fails to approve or deny the plan within ten business days, 
SBA will be deemed to have approved such plan.

[72 FR 18362, Apr. 12, 2007]



Sec.  120.542  Payment by SBA of legal fees and other expenses.

    (a) Legal fees SBA will not pay. (1) SBA will not pay legal fees or 
other costs that a Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator incurs:
    (i) In asserting a claim, cross claim, counterclaim, or third-party 
claim against SBA or in defense of an action brought by SBA, unless 
payment of such fees or costs is otherwise required by federal law.
    (ii) In connection with actions of a Lender or Authorized CDC 
Liquidator's outside counsel for performing non-legal liquidation 
services, unless authorized by SBA prior to the action.
    (iii) In taking actions which solely benefit a Lender or Authorized 
CDC Liquidator and which do not benefit SBA, as determined by SBA.
    (2) SBA will not pay legal fees or other costs a Lender or CDC 
incurs in the defense of, or pay for any settlement or adverse judgment 
resulting from, a suit, counterclaim or other claim by a borrower, 
guarantor, or other party that seeks damages based upon a claim that the 
Lender or CDC breached any duty or engaged in any wrongful actions, 
unless SBA expressly directed the Lender or CDC to undertake the 
allegedly wrongful action that is the subject of the suit, counterclaim 
or other claim.
    (b) Legal fees SBA may decline to pay. In addition to any right or 
authority SBA may have under law or contract, SBA may, in its 
discretion, decline to pay a Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator for 
all, or a portion, of legal fees and/or other costs incurred in 
connection with the liquidation and/or litigation of a 7(a) loan or 504 
loan under any of the following circumstances:
    (1) SBA determines that the Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator 
failed to perform liquidation or litigation promptly and in accordance 
with commercially reasonable standards, in a prudent manner, or in 
accordance with any Loan Program Requirement or SBA approvals of either 
a liquidation or litigation plan or any amendment of such a plan.
    (2) A Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator fails to obtain prior 
written approval from SBA for any liquidation or litigation plan, or for 
any amended liquidation or litigation plan, or for any action set forth 
in Sec.  120.536, when such approval is required by these regulations or 
a Loan Program Requirement.
    (3) If SBA has not specifically approved fees or costs identified in 
an original or amended liquidation or litigation plan under Sec.  
120.540, and SBA determines that such fees or costs are not reasonable, 
customary or necessary in the locality in question. In such cases, SBA 
will pay only such fees as it deems

[[Page 305]]

are necessary, customary and reasonable in the locality in question.
    (c) Fees for liquidation actions performed by Authorized CDC 
Liquidators. Subject to paragraph (d) of this section, SBA will 
compensate Authorized CDC Liquidators for their liquidation actions on 
504 loans, whether such actions are performed by the CDC or the CDC's 
contractor retained in accordance with Sec.  120.975(a)(2) or 
(b)(2)(ii). The compensation fee will be a percentage (to be published 
in the Federal Register from time to time, but not to exceed 10%) of the 
net recovery proceeds realized from the sale of collateral or other 
liquidation actions on an individual loan, up to a fee of $25,000 for 
such loan, and a lower percentage (also to be published in the Federal 
Register from time to time, but not to exceed 5%) of the realized net 
recovery proceeds above such amounts. The compensation fee limits set 
forth in this paragraph (c) do not include reasonable, customary and 
necessary administrative costs related to liquidation activities on such 
loan that are incurred in accordance with the liquidation plan, or 
amendments thereto, approved by SBA pursuant to Sec.  120.540(b). The 
Authorized CDC Liquidator may compensate its contractor up to the amount 
it receives from SBA. All requests for compensation fees must be 
received by SBA within nine months from the date of SBA's purchase of 
the defaulted debenture. Fee requests not received within such timeframe 
will be automatically rejected.
    (d) Appeals--liquidation costs. A Lender or Authorized CDC 
Liquidator that disagrees with a decision by an SBA office to decline to 
reimburse all, or a portion, of the fees and/or costs incurred in 
conducting liquidation may appeal this decision in writing to the D/OFPO 
within 30 days of the decision. The decision of the D/OFPO or designee 
will be made in consultation with the Associate General Counsel for 
Litigation, and will be the final Agency decision.
    (e) Appeals--litigation costs. A Lender or Authorized CDC Liquidator 
that disagrees with a decision by SBA to decline to reimburse all, or a 
portion, of the legal fees and/or costs incurred in conducting debt 
collection litigation may appeal this decision in writing to the 
Associate General Counsel for Litigation within 30 days of the decision. 
The decision of the Associate General Counsel for Litigation will be 
made in consultation with the D/OFPO, and will be the final Agency 
decision.

[72 FR 18362, Apr. 12, 2007, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.545  What are SBA's policies concerning the liquidation 
of collateral and the sale of business loans and physical disaster 
assistance loans, physical disaster business loans and economic injury 
disaster loans?

    (a) Liquidation policy. SBA or the Lender may liquidate collateral 
securing a loan if the loan is in default or there is no reasonable 
prospect that the loan can be repaid within a reasonable period.
    (b) Sale and conversion of loans. Without the consent of the 
Borrower, SBA may:
    (1) Sell a direct loan;
    (2) Convert a guaranteed or immediate participation loan to a direct 
loan; or
    (3) Convert an immediate participation loan to a guaranteed loan or 
a loan owned solely by the Lender.
    (4) Sell direct and purchased 7(a) and 501, 502, 503 and 504 loans 
and physical disaster home loans, physical disaster business loans and 
economic injury disaster loans in asset sales. SBA will offer these 
loans for sale to qualified bidders by means of competitive procedures 
at publicly advertised sales. Bidder qualifications will be set for each 
sale in accordance with the terms and conditions of each sale.
    (c) Disposal of collateral and assets acquired through foreclosure 
or conveyance. SBA or the Lender may sell real and personal property 
(including contracts and claims) pledged to secure a loan that is in 
default in accordance with the provisions of the related security 
instrument (see Sec.  120.550 for Homestead Protection for Farmers).
    (1) Competitive bids or negotiated sales. Generally, SBA will offer 
loan collateral and acquired assets for public sale through competitive 
bids at auctions or sealed bid sales. The Lender may use negotiated 
sales if consistent with its

[[Page 306]]

usual practice for similar non-SBA assets.
    (2) Lease of acquired property. Normally, neither SBA nor a Lender 
will rent or lease acquired property or grant options to purchase. SBA 
and the Lender will consider proposals for a lease if it appears a 
property cannot be sold advantageously and the lease may be terminated 
on reasonable notice upon receipt of a favorable purchase offer.
    (d) Recoveries and security interests shared. SBA and the Lender 
will share pro rata (in accordance with their respective interests in a 
loan) all loan payments or recoveries, including proceeds from asset 
sales, all reasonable expenses (including advances for the care, 
preservation, and maintenance of collateral securing the loan and the 
payment of senior lienholders), and any security interest or guarantee 
(excluding SBA's guarantee) which the Lender or SBA may hold or receive 
in connection with a loan.
    (e) Guarantors. Guarantors of financial assistance have no rights of 
contribution against SBA on an SBA guaranteed or direct loan. SBA is not 
deemed to be a co-guarantor with any other guarantors.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 44110, Aug. 13, 1999; 65 
FR 17133, Mar. 31, 2000; 68 FR 51680, Aug. 28, 2003. Redesignated and 
amended at 72 FR 18362, Apr. 12, 2007]



Sec.  120.546  Loan asset sales.

    (a) General. Loan asset sales are governed by Sec.  120.545(b)(4) 
and by this section.
    (b) 7(a) loans--(1) For loans approved on or after May 14, 2007. The 
Lender will be deemed to have consented to SBA's sale of the loan 
(guaranteed and unguaranteed portions) in an asset sale conducted or 
overseen by SBA upon the occurrence any of the following:
    (i) SBA's purchase of the guaranteed portion of the loan from the 
Registered Holder for a loan where the guaranteed portion has been sold 
in the Secondary Market pursuant to subpart F of this part and after 
default, the Lender has not exercised its option to purchase such 
guaranteed portion; or
    (ii) SBA's purchase of the guaranteed portion from the Lender, 
provided however, that if SBA purchased the guaranteed portion pursuant 
to Sec.  120.520(a)(1) prior to the Lender's completion of liquidation 
for the loan, then SBA will not sell such loan in an asset sale until 
nine months from the date of SBA's purchase; or
    (iii) SBA receives written consent from the Lender.
    (2) For loans identified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the 
Lender may request that SBA withhold the loan from an asset sale if the 
Lender submits a written request to SBA within 15 business days of SBA's 
purchase of the guaranteed portion of the loan from the Registered 
Holder and if such request addresses the issues described in this 
subparagraph. The Lender's written request must advise SBA of the status 
of the loan, the Lender's plans for workout and/or liquidation, 
including and pending sale of loan collateral or foreclosure proceedings 
arranged prior to SBA's purchase that already are underway, and the 
Lender's estimated schedule for restructuring the loan or liquidating 
the collateral. SBA will consider the Lender's request and, based on the 
circumstances, SBA in its sole discretion may elect to defer including 
the loan in an asset sale in order to provide the Lender additional time 
to complete the planned restructuring and/or liquidation actions.
    (3) For loans approved before May 14, 2007. SBA must obtain written 
consent from the Lender for the sale of such loans in an asset sale.
    (4) After SBA has purchased the guaranteed portion of a loan from 
the Registered Holder or from the Lender, the Lender must continue to 
perform all necessary servicing and liquidation actions for the loan up 
to the point the loan is transferred to the purchaser in an asset sale. 
The Lender also must cooperate and take all necessary actions to 
effectuate both the asset sale and the transfer of the loan to the 
purchaser in the asset sale.
    (c) 504 loans--(1) PCLP Loans. After SBA's purchase of a Debenture, 
SBA may at its sole discretion sell a defaulted PCLP Loan in an asset 
sale conducted or overseen by SBA, after providing to the PCLP CDC that 
made the loan advance notice of not less than 90 days before the date 
upon

[[Page 307]]

which SBA first makes its records concerning such loan available to 
prospective purchasers for examination.
    (2) All other 504 loans. After SBA's purchase of a Debenture, SBA 
may at its sole discretion sell a defaulted 504 loan in an asset sale 
conducted or overseen by SBA.

[72 FR 18364, Apr. 12, 2007]

                    Homestead Protection for Farmers



Sec.  120.550  What is homestead protection for farmers?

    SBA may lease to a farmer-Borrower the farm residence occupied by 
the Borrower and a reasonable amount of adjoining property (no more than 
10 acres and seven farm buildings), if they were acquired by SBA as a 
result of a defaulted farm loan made or guaranteed by SBA (see the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1921, for 
qualifying loan purposes).



Sec.  120.551  Who is eligible for homestead protection?

    SBA must notify the Borrower in possession of the availability of 
these homestead protection rights within 30 days after SBA acquires the 
property. A farmer-Borrower must:
    (a) Apply for the homestead occupancy to the SBA field office which 
serviced the loan within 90 days after SBA acquires the property;
    (b) Provide evidence that the farm produces farm income reasonable 
for the area and economic conditions;
    (c) Show that at least 60 percent of the Borrower and spouse's gross 
annual income came from farm or ranch operations in at least any two out 
of the last six calendar years;
    (d) Have resided on the property during the previous six years; and
    (e) Be personally liable for the debt.



Sec.  120.552  Lease.

    If approved, the applicant must personally occupy the residence 
during the term of the lease and pay a reasonable rent to SBA. The lease 
will be for a period of at least 3 years, but no more than 5 years. A 
lease of less than 5 years may be renewed, but not beyond 5 years from 
the original lease date. During or at the end of the lease period, the 
lessee has a right of first refusal to reacquire the homestead property 
under terms and conditions no less favorable than those offered to any 
other purchaser.



Sec.  120.553  Appeal.

    If the application is denied, the Borrower may appeal the decision 
to the D/FA. Until the conclusion of any appeal, the Borrower may retain 
possession of the homestead property.



Sec.  120.554  Conflict of laws.

    In the event of a conflict between the homestead provisions at 
Sec. Sec.  120.550 through 120.553 of this part, and any state law 
relating to the right of a Borrower to designate for separate sale or to 
redeem part or all of the real property securing a loan foreclosed by 
the Lender, state law shall prevail.



                       Subpart F_Secondary Market

                     Fiscal and Transfer Agent (FTA)



Sec.  120.600  Definitions.

    (a) Certificate is the document the FTA issues representing either a 
beneficial fractional undivided interest in a Pool (Pool Certificate), 
or a fractional undivided interest in some or all of the guaranteed 
portion of an individual 7(a) guaranteed loan (Individual Certificate).
    (b) Current means that no repayment from a Borrower to a Lender is 
over 29 days late measured from the due date of the payment on the 
records of the FTA's central registry (Pools) or the entity servicing 
the loan (individual guaranteed portion).
    (c) Dollar-Weighted Average Net Rate of a Pool is calculated by 
multiplying the interest rate of each loan in the Pool by the ratio of 
that loan's current outstanding guaranteed principal to the current 
outstanding guaranteed principal of all loans in the Pool, and adding 
the sum of the resulting products. The Dollar-Weighted Average Net Rate 
of a Pool will fluctuate over the life of the Pool as loan defaults, 
prepayments and normal loan repayments occur.
    (d) FTA is the SBA's fiscal and transfer agent.

[[Page 308]]

    (e) Note Rate is the interest rate on the Borrower's note.
    (f) Net Rate is the interest rate on an individual guaranteed 
portion of a loan in a Pool.
    (g) Pool is an aggregation of SBA guaranteed portions of loans made 
by Lenders.
    (h) Pool Assembler is a financial institution that:
    (1) Organizes and packages a Pool by acquiring the SBA guaranteed 
portions of loans from Lenders;
    (2) Resells fractional interests in the Pool to Registered Holders; 
and
    (3) Directs the FTA to issue Certificates.
    (i) Pool Rate is the interest rate on a Pool Certificate.
    (j) Registered Holder is the Certificate owner listed in FTA's 
records.
    (k) SBA's Secondary Market Program Guide is an issuance from SBA 
which describes the characteristics of Secondary Market transactions.
    (l) Weighted Average Coupon (WAC) Pool is a Pool where the interest 
rate payable to the investor is equal to the Dollar-Weighted Average Net 
Rate of the Pool.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 67102, Nov. 13, 2008; 76 
FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.601  SBA Secondary Market.

    The SBA secondary market (``Secondary Market'') consists of the sale 
of Certificates, representing either a fractional undivided interest in 
some or all of the guaranteed portion of an individual 7(a) guaranteed 
loan or a fractional undivided interest in a Pool consisting of the SBA 
guaranteed portions of a number of 7(a) guaranteed loans. Transactions 
involving interests in Pools or the sale of individual guaranteed 
portions of loans are governed by the contracts entered into by the 
parties, SBA's Secondary Market Program Guide, and this subpart. See 
sections 5(f), (g), and (h) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 634(f), 
(g), and (h)).

[76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]

                              Certificates



Sec.  120.610  Form and terms of Certificates.

    (a) General form and content. Each Certificate must be registered 
with the FTA. SBA must approve the terms of the Certificate.
    (b) Face amount of Pool Certificate. The face amount of a Pool 
Certificate cannot be less than a minimum amount as specified in the 
Program Guide, and the dollar amount of Certificates must be in 
increments which SBA will specify in the Program Guide (except for one 
Certificate in each Pool). SBA may change these requirements based upon 
an analysis of market conditions and program experience, and will 
publish any such change in the Federal Register.
    (c) Basis of payment for Pool Certificates. Principal installments 
and interest payments are based on the unpaid principal balance of the 
portion of the Pool represented by a Pool Certificate. All prepayments 
on loans in the Pool must be passed through to the appropriate 
Registered Holders with the regularly scheduled payments to such 
Holders.
    (d) Basis of payment for Individual Certificates. Principal 
installments and interest payments are based on the unpaid principal 
balance of the SBA guaranteed portion of the loan supporting an 
Individual Certificate. The Certificate must provide for a pass through 
to the Registered Holder of payments which the FTA receives from a 
Lender or any entity servicing the loan, less applicable fees.
    (e) Interest rate on Pool Certificate. The interest rate on a Pool 
Certificate will be either the lowest Net Rate of any individual 
guaranteed portion of a loan in the Pool or the Dollar-Weighted Average 
Net Rate of the Pool.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 67102, Nov. 13, 2008]



Sec.  120.611  Pools backing Pool Certificates.

    (a) Pool characteristics. As set forth in the Program Guide, each 
Pool must have:
    (1) A minimum number of guaranteed portions of loans;

[[Page 309]]

    (2) A minimum aggregate principal balance of the guaranteed 
portions;
    (3) A maximum percentage of the Pool which an individual guaranteed 
portion may constitute;
    (4) A maximum allowable difference between the highest and lowest 
note interest rates;
    (5) A maximum allowable difference between the remaining terms to 
maturity of the loans in the Pool;
    (6) A minimum weighted average maturity at Pool formation; and
    (7) A maximum allowable difference between the highest and lowest 
Net Rate on the guaranteed portions that are placed in a WAC Pool.
    (b) Adjustment of Pool characteristics. SBA may adjust the Pool 
characteristics periodically based upon program experience and market 
conditions.
    (c) Increments of guaranteed portion. If the amount of the 
guaranteed portion of an individual 7(a) guaranteed loan is more than 
$500,000, a Pool Assembler may elect to divide the guaranteed portion 
into increments of $500,000 and one increment of any remaining amount 
less than $500,000, in order to permit the maximum amount of any 
guaranteed portion in a Pool to be not more than $500,000. Only one 
increment from a loan to a specific borrower may be included in a Pool.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 67102, Nov. 13, 2008; 76 
FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.612  Loans eligible to back Certificates.

    (a) Pool Certificates are backed by the SBA guaranteed portions of 
loans comprising the Pool. An Individual Certificate is backed by the 
SBA guaranteed portion of a single loan. Any such loan must:
    (1) Be current as of the date the Pool is formed or the individual 
guaranteed portion of a loan is initially sold in the Secondary Market;
    (2) Be guaranteed under the Act; and
    (3) Meet such other standards as SBA may determine to be necessary 
for the successful operation of the Secondary Market program.
    (b) The loans that back a Pool must meet the SBA requirements in 
effect at the time the Pool is formed.



Sec.  120.613  Secondary Participation Guarantee Agreement.

    When a Lender wants to sell the guaranteed portion of a loan, it 
enters into a Secondary Participation Guarantee Agreement (``SPGA'') 
with SBA and the prospective purchaser. The terms of sale between the 
Lender and the purchaser cannot require the Lender or SBA to repurchase 
the guaranteed portion of the loan except in accordance with the terms 
of the SPGA. Before execution of the SPGA, the Lender must:
    (a) Submit to FTA a copy of the proposed SPGA, the note, and such 
other documents as SBA may require;
    (b) Except for export working capital loans, disburse to the 
Borrower the full amount of the loan; and
    (c) Pay SBA all guarantee fees relevant to the loan in full.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 51680, Aug. 28, 2003]

                   The SBA Guarantee of a Certificate



Sec.  120.620  SBA guarantee of a Pool Certificate.

    (a) Extent of Guarantee. SBA guarantees to a Registered Holder the 
timely payment of principal and interest installments and any prepayment 
or other recovery of principal to which the Registered Holder is 
entitled. If the Borrower of a loan in a Pool backing the Certificates 
does not make a required installment payment, SBA, through the FTA, will 
make advances to maintain the schedule of interest and principal 
payments to the Registered Holders.
    (b) SBA guarantee backed by full faith and credit. SBA's guarantee 
of the Pool Certificate is backed by the full faith and credit of the 
United States.



Sec.  120.621  SBA guarantee of an Individual Certificate.

    (a) Extent of SBA guarantee. With respect to Individual 
Certificates, SBA guarantees to purchase from the Registered Holder the 
guaranteed portion of the loan for an amount equal to the unpaid 
principal and accrued interest due as of the date of SBA's purchase, 
less deductions for applicable fees. Unlike the SBA guarantee with 
respect to pooled loans, SBA does not guarantee

[[Page 310]]

timely payment on Individual Certificates.
    (b) What triggers the SBA guarantee. SBA's guarantee to the 
Registered Holder may be called upon when:
    (1) The Borrower remains in uncured default for 60 days on payments 
of principal or interest due on the note;
    (2) The Lender fails to send to the FTA on a timely basis payments 
it received from the Borrower; or
    (3) The FTA fails to send to the Registered Holder on a timely basis 
any payments it has received from the Lender.
    (c) Full faith and credit. SBA's guarantee to the Registered Holder 
is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

                             Pool Assemblers



Sec.  120.630  Qualifications to be a Pool Assembler.

    (a) Application to become Pool Assembler. The application to become 
a Pool Assembler is available from the D/FA. In order to qualify as a 
Pool Assembler, an entity must send the application to the D/FA, with an 
application fee, and certify that it:
    (1) Is regulated by the appropriate agency as defined in section 
3(a)(34)(G) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 
78c(a)(34)(G));
    (2) Meets all financial and other applicable requirements of its 
regulatory authority and the Government Securities Act of 1986, as 
amended (Pub. L. 99-571, 100 Stat. 3208);
    (3) Has the financial capability to assemble acceptable and eligible 
guaranteed loan portions in sufficient quantity to support the issuance 
of Pool Certificates; and
    (4) Is in good standing with SBA (as the D/FA determines in his or 
her discretion), and is Satisfactory with the Office of the Comptroller 
of the Currency (``OCC'') if it is a national bank, the Federal Deposit 
Insurance Corporation if it is a bank not regulated by the OCC, or the 
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') if it is a member as 
determined by SBA.
    (5) For any pool assembler that is an SBA Lender, that the SBA 
Lender has satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA in its 
discretion. The Lender's Risk Rating, among other factors, will be 
considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other factors 
may include, but are not limited to, review/examination assessments, 
historical performance measures (like default rate, purchase rate and 
loss rate), loan volume to the extent that it impacts performance 
measures, and other performance related measurements and information 
(such as contribution toward SBA mission).
    (b) Approval by SBA. An entity may not submit Pool applications to 
the FTA until SBA has approved the application to become a Pool 
Assembler.
    (c) Conduct of business by Pool Assembler. An entity continues to 
qualify as a Pool Assembler so long as it:
    (1) Meets the eligibility standards in paragraph (a) of this 
section;
    (2) Conducts its business in accordance with SBA regulations and 
accepted securities or banking industry practices, ethics, and 
standards; and
    (3) Maintains its books and records in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles or in accordance with the guidelines of 
the regulatory body governing its activities.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 75517, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 
FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.631  Suspension or termination of Pool Assembler.

    (a) Suspension or termination. The D/FA may suspend a Pool Assembler 
from operating in the Secondary Market for up to 18 months or terminate 
its status as a Pool Assembler, if the Pool Assembler (and/or its 
Associates):
    (1) Does not comply with any of the requirements in Sec.  120.630 
(a) and (c);
    (2) Has been indicted or otherwise formally charged with, or 
convicted of, a misdemeanor or felony;
    (3) Has received an adverse civil judgment that it has committed a 
breach of trust or a violation of a law or regulation protecting the 
integrity of business transactions or relationships;
    (4) Has not formed a Pool for at least three years; or
    (5) Is under investigation by its regulating authority for 
activities which may affect its fitness to participate in the Secondary 
Market.

[[Page 311]]

    (b) Suspension procedures. The D/FA shall notify a Pool Assembler by 
certified mail, return receipt requested, of the decision to suspend and 
the reasons therefore at least 10 business days prior to the effective 
date of the suspension. The Pool Assembler may appeal the suspension 
made under this section pursuant to the procedures set forth in part 134 
of this chapter. The action of the D/FA shall remain in effect pending 
resolution of the appeal.
    (c) Notice of termination. In order to terminate a Pool Assembler, 
the D/FA must issue an order to show cause why the SBA should not 
terminate the Pool Assembler's participation in the Secondary Market. 
The Pool Assembler may appeal the termination made under this section 
pursuant to procedures set forth in part 134 of this chapter. The action 
of the D/FA shall remain in effect pending resolution of the appeal.

                        Miscellaneous Provisions



Sec.  120.640  Administration of the Pool and Individual Certificates.

    (a) FTA responsibility. The FTA has the responsibility to administer 
each Pool or Individual Certificate. It shall maintain a registry of 
Registered Holders and other information as SBA requires.
    (b) Self-liquidating. Each Pool or individual guaranteed portion of 
a loan in the Secondary Market is self-liquidating because of Borrower 
payments or prepayments, redemption by SBA, and/or payments by SBA or 
the Lender after default by the Borrower. Substitution of the guaranteed 
portions of existing loans for defaulted loans is not permitted.
    (c) SBA's right to subrogation. If SBA pays a claim under a 
guarantee with respect to a Certificate issued under this subpart, it 
must be subrogated fully to the rights satisfied by such payment.
    (d) SBA ownership rights not limited. No Federal, State or local law 
can preclude or limit the exercise by SBA of its ownership rights in the 
portions of loans constituting the Pool against which the Certificates 
are issued.



Sec.  120.641  Disclosure to purchasers.

    (a) Information to purchaser. Prior to any sale, the Pool Assembler, 
Registered Holder of an Individual Certificate, or any subsequent seller 
must disclose to the purchaser, verbally or in writing, information on 
the terms, conditions, and yield as described in the SBA Secondary 
Market Program Guide.
    (b) Information on transfer document. The seller must provide the 
same information described in paragraph (a) of this section in writing 
on the transfer document when the seller submits it to the FTA. After 
the sale of an Individual Certificate, the FTA will provide the 
disclosure information in writing to the purchaser.
    (c) Information in prospectus. If the Registered Holder is a trust, 
investment Pool, mutual fund or other security, it must disclose the 
information in paragraph (a) of this section to investors through a 
prospectus and other promotional material if an Individual Certificate 
or Pool Certificate is placed into or used as the backing for the 
investment vehicle.



Sec.  120.642  Requirements before the FTA issues Pool Certificates.

    Before the FTA issues any Pool Certificate, the Pool Assembler must 
deliver to it the following documents:
    (a) A properly completed Pool application form;
    (b) Either:
    (1) Individual Certificates evidencing the guaranteed portions 
comprising the Pool; or
    (2) An executed SPGA and related documentation for the loans whose 
guaranteed portions are to be part of the Pool; and
    (c) Any other documentation which SBA may require.



Sec.  120.643  Requirements before the FTA issues Individual Certificates.

    (a) FTA issuance of initial Certificate. Before the FTA can issue 
the Individual Certificate for a guaranteed portion of a loan, the 
original seller must provide the following documents to the FTA:
    (1) An executed SPGA;
    (2) A copy of the note representing the guaranteed loan; and

[[Page 312]]

    (3) Any other documentation which SBA may require.
    (b) Review of documentation. SBA may review or require the FTA to 
review any documentation before the FTA issues a Certificate.



Sec.  120.644  Transfers of Certificates.

    (a) General rule. Certificates are transferable. Transfers in the 
Secondary Market must comply with Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial 
Code of the State of New York. The seller must use the detached form of 
assignment (SBA Form 1088), unless the seller and purchaser choose to 
use another form which the SBA approves. The FTA may refuse to issue a 
Certificate until it is satisfied that the documents of transfer are 
complete.
    (b) Transfer on FTA records. In order for the transfer of a 
Certificate to be effective the FTA must reflect it on its records.
    (c) Contents of letter of transmittal accompanying the transfer of 
Certificates. (1) A letter of transmittal must accompany each 
Certificate which a Registered Holder submits to the FTA for transfer. 
The Registered Holder must supply the following information in the 
letter:
    (i) Pool number, if applicable;
    (ii) Certificate number;
    (iii) Name of purchaser of Certificate;
    (iv) Address and tax identification number of the purchaser;
    (v) Name and telephone number of the person handling or facilitating 
the transfer;
    (vi) Instructions for the delivery of the new Certificate.
    (2) The Registered Holder must also send the fee which the FTA 
charges for this service. The FTA will supply fee information to the 
Registered Holder.
    (d) Lender cannot purchase guaranteed portion of loan it made. The 
Lender (or its Associate) that made a 7(a) guaranteed loan cannot 
purchase the guaranteed portion of that loan in the Secondary Market. If 
a Lender does purchase the guaranteed portion of one of its own loans, 
it shall not have the unconditional guarantee of SBA.



Sec.  120.645  Redemption of Certificates.

    (a) Redemption of Individual Certificate. The prepayment of the 
underlying loan or a default on such loan will trigger the redemption of 
the Certificate by FTA/SBA in accordance with the procedures prescribed 
in the SPGA.
    (b) Redemption of Pool Certificate. The FTA and SBA may redeem a 
Pool Certificate because of prepayment or default of all loans in a 
Pool.



Sec.  120.650  Registration duties of FTA in Secondary Market.

    The FTA registers all Certificates. This means it issues, transfers 
title to, and redeems them. All financial transactions relating to a 
guaranteed portion of a loan flow through the FTA. In fulfilling its 
obligation to keep the central registry current, the FTA may, with SBA's 
approval, obtain any necessary information from the parties involved in 
the Secondary Market.



Sec.  120.651  Claim to FTA by Registered Holder to replace Certificate.

    (a) To replace a Certificate because of loss, theft, destruction, 
mutilation, or defacement, the Registered Holder must:
    (1) Give the FTA information about the Certificate and the facts 
relating to the claim;
    (2) File an indemnity bond acceptable to SBA and the FTA with a 
surety to protect the interests of SBA and the FTA;
    (3) Pay the FTA its fee to replace a Certificate; and
    (4) Use an affidavit of loss (form available from the FTA) to 
report:
    (i) The name and address of the Registered Holder (and the name and 
capacity of any representative actually filing the claim);
    (ii) The Certificate by Pool number, if applicable;
    (iii) The Certificate number;
    (iv) The original principal amount;
    (v) The name in which the Certificate was registered;
    (vi) Any assignment, endorsement or other writing on the 
Certificate; and
    (vii) A statement of the circumstances of the theft or loss.
    (b) When the FTA receives notice of the theft or loss, it will stop 
any transfer of the Certificate. The Registered Holder must send to the 
FTA all available portions of a mutilated or defaced

[[Page 313]]

Certificate. When the Registered Holder completes these steps, the FTA 
will replace the Certificate.



Sec.  120.652  FTA fees.

    The FTA may charge reasonable servicing fees, transfer fees, and 
other fees as the SBA and FTA may negotiate under contract.

       Suspension or Revocation of Participant in Secondary Market



Sec.  120.660  Suspension or revocation.

    (a) Temporary suspension or revocation of Lender, broker, dealer, or 
Registered Holder for violation of Secondary Market rules and 
regulations or other risks to SBA. The D/FA together with the Director, 
Office of Credit Risk Management (D/OCRM) may suspend for a period of no 
more than 120 calendar days or revoke for a period of no more than two 
(2) years, the privilege of a Lender, broker, dealer, or Registered 
Holder to sell, purchase, broker, or deal in loans or Certificates for:
    (1) Committing a serious violation, in SBA's discretion, of:
    (i) The regulations governing the Secondary Market; or
    (ii) Any provisions in the contracts entered into by the parties, 
including SBA Forms 1086, 1088 and 1454;
    (2) Knowingly submitting false or fraudulent information to the SBA 
or FTA; or
    (3) A Lender's receipt, from its primary Federal or state regulator 
(including SBA), of a cease and desist order, a consent agreement 
affecting capital or commercial lending issues, a supervisory action 
citing unsafe or unsound banking practices, or any other supervisory 
action a primary regulator establishes hereafter that addresses unsafe 
or unsound lending practices; or a going concern opinion issued by the 
Lender's auditor. A Lender subject to a public action or going concern 
opinion must notify the D/FA and the D/OCRM within five (5) business 
days (or as soon as practicable thereafter) of the public issuance of 
any such action or the issuance of a going concern opinion. The Lender 
notice shall include copies of all relevant documents for SBA review.
    (b) Additional rules for suspension or revocation of broker or 
dealer. In addition to acting under paragraph (a) of this section, the 
D/FA may suspend or revoke the privilege of any broker or dealer to sell 
or otherwise deal in Certificates in the Secondary Market if:
    (1) Its supervisory agency has revoked or suspended the broker or 
dealer from engaging in the securities business, or is investigating the 
firm or broker for a practice which SBA considers, in its sole 
discretion, to be relevant to the broker's or dealer's fitness to 
participate in the Secondary Market;
    (2) The broker or dealer has been indicted or otherwise formally 
charged with a misdemeanor or felony which bears on its fitness to 
participate in the Secondary Market; or
    (3) A civil judgment is entered holding that the broker or dealer 
has committed a breach of trust or a violation of any law or regulation 
protecting the integrity of business transactions or relationships.
    (c) Notice to suspend or revoke. The D/FA and the D/OCRM shall 
notify the affected party in writing, providing the reasons therefore, 
at least 10 business days prior to the effective date of the suspension 
or revocation. The affected party may appeal the suspension or 
revocation made under this section pursuant to the procedures set forth 
in part 134 of this chapter. The action taken by the D/FA and the D/OCRM 
will remain in effect pending resolution of the appeal.
    (d) Early termination of suspension or revocation. SBA may, by 
written notice, terminate a Secondary Market suspension or revocation 
under this section, if the D/FA and the D/OCRM, in their sole 
discretion, determine that such termination is warranted for good cause.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39503, Aug. 21, 2017]



                       Subpart G_Microloan Program



Sec.  120.700  What is the Microloan Program?

    The Microloan Program assists women, low income individuals, 
minority entrepreneurs, and other small businesses which need small 
amounts

[[Page 314]]

of financial assistance. Under this program, SBA makes direct and 
guaranteed loans to Intermediaries (as defined below) who use the 
proceeds to make loans to eligible borrowers. SBA may also make grants 
under the program to Intermediaries and other qualified nonprofit 
entities to be used for marketing, management, and technical assistance 
to the program's target population.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47073, Sept. 11, 2001]



Sec.  120.701  Definitions.

    (a) Deposit account is a demand, time, savings, passbook, or similar 
account maintained with an insured depository institution (not including 
an account evidenced by a Certificate of Deposit).
    (b) Grant is a Federal award of money, or property in lieu of money 
(including cooperative agreements) to an eligible grantee that must 
account for its use. The term does not include the provision of 
technical assistance, revenue sharing, loans, loan guarantees, interest 
subsidies, insurance, direct appropriations, or any fellowship or other 
lump sum award.
    (c) Insured depository institution means any Federally insured bank, 
savings association, or credit union.
    (d) Intermediary is an entity participating in the Microloan Program 
which makes and services Microloans to eligible small businesses and 
which provides marketing, management, and technical assistance to its 
borrowers. It may be:
    (1) A private, nonprofit community development corporation or other 
entity;
    (2) A consortium of private, nonprofit community development 
corporations or other entities;
    (3) A quasi-governmental economic development entity, other than a 
state, county, municipal government or any agency thereof; or
    (4) An agency of or a nonprofit entity established by a Native 
American Tribal Government.
    (e) Microloan is a short-term, fixed interest rate loan of not more 
than $50,000 made by an Intermediary to an eligible small business.
    (f) Non-Federal sources are sources of funds other than the Federal 
Government and may include indirect costs or in-kind contributions paid 
for under non-Federal programs. Community Block Development Grants are 
considered non-Federal sources.
    (g) Specialized Intermediary is an Intermediary which maintains a 
portfolio of Microloans averaging $10,000 or less.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47073, Sept. 11, 2001; 
66 FR 47878, Sept. 14, 2001; 76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011; 80 FR 34046, 
June 15, 2015; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.702  Are there limitations on who can be an Intermediary 
or on where an Intermediary may operate?

    (a) Prior experience requirement. To be eligible to be an 
Intermediary, an organization must:
    (1) Have made and serviced short-term fixed rate loans of not more 
than $50,000 to newly established or growing small businesses for at 
least one year: and
    (2) Have at least one year of experience providing technical 
assistance to its borrowers.
    (b) Limitation to one state. An Intermediary may not operate in more 
than one state unless the appropriate Office of Capital Access official 
in accordance with Delegations of Authority determines that it would be 
in the best interests of the small business community for it to operate 
across state lines.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47878, Sept. 14, 2001; 
73 FR 75517, Dec. 11, 2008; 76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.703  How does an organization apply to become an Intermediary?

    (a) Application Process. Organizations interested in becoming 
Intermediaries should contact SBA for information on the application 
process.
    (b) Documentation in support of application. The application must 
include a detailed narrative statement describing:
    (1) The types of businesses assisted in the past and those the 
applicant intends to assist with Microloans;
    (2) The average size of the loans made in the past and the average 
size of intended Microloans;
    (3) The extent to which the applicant will make Microloans to small 
businesses in rural areas;

[[Page 315]]

    (4) The geographic area in which the applicant intends to operate, 
including a description of the economic and demographic conditions 
existing in the intended area of operations;
    (5) The availability and cost of obtaining credit for small 
businesses in the area;
    (6) The applicant's experience and qualifications in providing 
marketing, management, and technical assistance to small businesses; and
    (7) Any plan to use other technical assistance resources (such as 
counselors from the Service Corps of Retired Executives) to help 
Microloan borrowers.



Sec.  120.704  How are applications evaluated?

    (a) Evaluation criteria. In selecting Intermediaries, SBA will 
attempt to insure that Microloans are available to small businesses in 
all industries and particularly to small businesses located in urban and 
rural areas.
    (b) Preference for organizations which make very small loans. In 
selecting Intermediaries, SBA will give priority to applicants which 
maintain a portfolio of loans averaging $10,000 or less.
    (c) Consideration of quasi-governmental organizations. Generally, 
SBA will consider applications by quasi-governmental organizations only 
when it determines that program services for a particular geographic 
area would be best provided by such organization.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47878, Sept. 14, 2001]



Sec.  120.705  What is a Specialized Intermediary?

    At the end of an Intermediary's first year of participation in the 
program, SBA will determine whether it qualifies as a Specialized 
Intermediary. An Intermediary qualifies as a Specialized Intermediary if 
it maintains a portfolio of Microloans averaging $10,000 or less. 
Specialized Intermediaries qualify for more favorable interest rates on 
SBA loans. If, after the first year, an Intermediary qualifies as a 
Specialized Intermediary, the special interest rate is applied 
retroactively to SBA loans made to the Intermediary. After the first 
year SBA will determine an Intermediary's qualifications as a 
Specialized Intermediary annually, based on its lending practices during 
the term of its participation in the program. Specialized Intermediaries 
also qualify for a greater amount of technical assistance grant funding.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47878, Sept. 14, 2001]



Sec.  120.706  What are the terms and conditions of an SBA loan 
to an Intermediary?

    (a) Loan Amount. An Intermediary may not borrow more than $750,000 
in the first year of participation in the program. In later years, the 
Intermediary's obligation to SBA may not exceed an aggregate of $6 
million, subject to statutory limitations on the total amount of funds 
available per state.
    (b) Repayment terms. During the first year of the loan, an 
Intermediary is not required to make any payments, but interest accrues 
from the date that SBA disburses the loan proceeds to the Intermediary. 
After that, SBA will determine the periodic payments. The loan must be 
repaid within 10 years.
    (c) Interest rate. The interest rate is equal to the rate applicable 
to five-year obligations of the United States Treasury, adjusted to the 
nearest one-eighth percent, less 1.25 percent. However, the interest 
rate for Specialized Intermediaries is equal to the rate applicable to 
five-year obligations of the United States Treasury, adjusted to the 
nearest one-eighth percent, less two percent.
    (d) Collateral. As security for repayment of the SBA loan, an 
Intermediary must pledge to SBA a first lien position in the MRF 
(described below), LLRF (described below), and all notes receivable from 
Microloans.
    (e) Default. If for any reason an Intermediary is unable to make 
payment to SBA when due, SBA may accelerate maturity of the loan and 
demand payment in full. In this event, or if an Intermediary violates 
this part or the terms of its loan agreement, it must surrender 
possession of all collateral described in paragraph (d) of this section 
to SBA. The Intermediary is not obligated to pay SBA any loss or 
deficiency which may remain after liquidation of the collateral unless 
the loss

[[Page 316]]

was caused by fraud, negligence, violation of any of the ethical 
requirements of Sec.  120.140, or violation of any other provision of 
this part.
    (f) Fees. SBA does not charge Intermediaries any fees for loans 
under this Program. An Intermediary may, however, pay minimal closing 
costs to third parties, such as filing and recording fees.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47073, Sept. 11, 2001; 
76 FR 63546, Oct. 12, 2011; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.707  What conditions apply to loans by Intermediaries 
to Microloan borrowers?

    (a) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, an Intermediary 
may only make Microloans to small businesses eligible to receive 
financial assistance under this part. A borrower may also use Microloan 
proceeds to establish a nonprofit child care business. An Intermediary 
may also make Microloans to businesses with an Associate who is 
currently on probation or parole; provided, however, that the Associate 
is not on probation or parole for an offense involving fraud or 
dishonesty or, in the case of a child care business, is not on probation 
or parole for an offense against children. Proceeds from Microloans may 
be used only for working capital and acquisition of materials, supplies, 
furniture, fixtures, and equipment. SBA does not review Microloans for 
creditworthiness.
    (b) Amount and maturity. Generally, Intermediaries should not make a 
Microloan of more than $10,000 to any borrower. An Intermediary may not 
make a Microloan of more than $20,000 unless the borrower demonstrates 
that it is unable to obtain credit elsewhere at comparable interest 
rates and that it has good prospects for success. An Intermediary may 
not make a Microloan of more than $50,000, and no borrower may owe an 
Intermediary more than $50,000 at any one time. Each Microloan must be 
repaid within seven years.
    (c) Interest rate. The maximum interest rate that can be charged a 
Microloan borrower is:
    (1) On loans of more than $10,000, the interest rate charged on the 
SBA loan to the Intermediary, plus 7.75 percentage points; and
    (2) On loans of $10,000 or less, the interest rate charged on the 
SBA loan to the Intermediary, plus 8.5 percentage points.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47073, Sept. 11, 2001; 
66 FR 47878, Sept. 14, 2001; 76 FR 63547, Oct. 12, 2011; 80 FR 34046, 
June 15, 2015; 85 FR 7651, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 87 
FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.708  What is the Intermediary's financial contribution?

    The Intermediary must contribute from non-Federal sources an amount 
equal to 15 percent of any loan that it receives from SBA. The 
contribution may not be borrowed. For purposes of this program, 
Community Development Block Grants are considered non-Federal sources.



Sec.  120.709  What is the Microloan Revolving Fund?

    The Microloan Revolving Fund (``MRF'') is a Deposit Account into 
which an Intermediary must deposit the proceeds from SBA loans, its 
contributions from non-Federal sources, and payments from its Microloan 
borrowers. An Intermediary may only withdraw from this account the money 
needed to establish the Loan Loss Reserve Fund (Sec.  120.710), proceeds 
for each Microloan it makes, and any payments to be made to SBA.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 80 FR 34046, June 15, 2015]



Sec.  120.710  What is the Loan Loss Reserve Fund?

    (a) General. The Loan Loss Reserve Fund (``LLRF'') is a Deposit 
Account which an Intermediary must establish to pay any shortage in the 
MRF caused by delinquencies or losses on Microloans.
    (b) Level of Loan Loss Reserve Fund. Until it is in the Microloan 
program for at least five years, an Intermediary must maintain a balance 
on deposit in its LLRF equal to 15 percent of the outstanding balance of 
the notes receivable owed to it by its Microloan borrowers 
(``Portfolio'').
    (c) SBA review of Loan Loss Reserve Fund. After an Intermediary has 
been in the Microloan program for five

[[Page 317]]

years, it may request SBA's appropriate Office of Capital Access 
official in accordance with Delegations of Authority to reduce the 
percentage of its Portfolio which it must maintain in its LLRF to an 
amount equal to the actual average loan loss rate during the preceding 
five-year period. Upon receipt of such request, he/she will review the 
Intermediary's annual loss rate for the most recent five-year period 
preceding the request.
    (d) Reduction of Loan Loss Reserve Fund. The appropriate Office of 
Capital Access official in accordance with Delegations of Authority has 
the authority to reduce the percentage of an Intermediary's Portfolio 
that it must maintain in its LLRF to an amount equal to the actual 
average loan loss rate during the preceding five-year period. The 
appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance with 
Delegations of Authority cannot reduce the LLRF to less than ten percent 
of the Portfolio.
    (e) What must an intermediary demonstrate to get a reduction in Loan 
Loss Reserve Fund? To receive a reduction in its LLRF, an Intermediary 
must:
    (1) Have satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA in its 
discretion. The Intermediary's Risk Rating, among other factors, will be 
considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other factors 
may include, but are not limited to, review/examination assessments, 
historical performance measures (like default rate, purchase rate and 
loss rate), loan volume to the extent that it impacts performance 
measures, and other performance related measurements and information 
(such as contribution toward SBA mission); and
    (2) No other factors exist that may impair the Intermediary's 
ability to repay all obligations which it owes to the SBA under the 
Microloan program.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 17439, Apr. 3, 2000; 73 
FR 75517, Dec. 11, 2008; 80 FR 34046, June 15, 2015; 82 FR 39504, Aug. 
21, 2017]



Sec.  120.711  What rules govern Intermediaries?

    Intermediaries must operate in accordance with applicable statutes, 
regulations, policy notices, SBA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), 
and the information in the application.



Sec.  120.712  How does an Intermediary get a grant to assist 
Microloan borrowers?

    (a) General. An Intermediary is eligible to receive grant funding 
from SBA of not more than 25 percent of the outstanding balance of all 
SBA loans to the Intermediary. The Intermediary must contribute, solely 
from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to 25 percent of the grant. 
Contributions may be made in cash or in kind.
    (b) Limitations on grant funds. An Intermediary may not borrow its 
contribution. It may only use grant funds to provide Microloan borrowers 
with marketing, management, and technical assistance, except that:
    (1) Up to 50 percent of the grant funds may be used to provide 
information and technical assistance to prospective Microloan borrowers; 
provided, however, that no more than 5 percent of the grant funds may be 
used to market or advertise the products and services of the Microloan 
Intermediary directly related to the Microloan Program; and
    (2) Grant monies may be used to attend training required by SBA.
    (c) Intermediaries eligible to receive additional grant monies. An 
Intermediary may receive an additional SBA grant equal to five percent 
of the outstanding balance of all loans received from SBA (with no 
obligation to contribute additional matching funds) if the Intermediary 
is a Specialized Intermediary.
    (d) Third party contracts for technical assistance. An Intermediary 
may use no more than 50 percent of the grant funds it receives from SBA 
for contracts with third parties for the latter to provide technical 
assistance to Microloan borrowers.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47073, Sept. 11, 2001; 
76 FR 63547, Oct. 12, 2011; 80 FR 34047, June 15, 2015; 85 FR 7651, Feb. 
10, 2020; 85 FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.713  Does SBA provide technical assistance to Intermediaries?

    SBA may procure technical assistance for an Intermediary to improve 
its knowledge, skill, and understanding of microlending by awarding a 
grant to

[[Page 318]]

a more experienced Intermediary. SBA may also obtain such assistance for 
prospective Intermediaries in areas of the country that are either not 
served or underserved by an existing Intermediary.



Sec. Sec.  120.714-120.715  [Reserved]



Sec.  120.716  What is the minimum number of loans an Intermediary 
must make each Federal fiscal year?

    (a) Minimum loan requirement. Intermediaries must close and fund the 
required number of microloans per year (October 1-September 30) as 
follows, except that an Intermediary entering the program will not be 
required to meet the minimum in that year:
    (1) For fiscal year 2015, four microloans,
    (2) For fiscal year 2016, six microloans,
    (3) For fiscal year 2017, eight microloans, and
    (4) For fiscal years 2018 and thereafter, ten microloans per year.
    (b) Intermediaries that do not meet the minimum loan requirement are 
not eligible to receive new grant funding unless they submit a 
corrective action plan acceptable to SBA, in its discretion. 
Intermediaries that have submitted acceptable corrective action plans 
may receive a reduced grant at SBA's discretion.

[80 FR 34047, June 15, 2015]



            Subpart H_Development Company Loan Program (504)



Sec.  120.800  [Reserved]



Sec.  120.801  How a 504 Project is financed.

    (a) One or more small businesses may apply for 504 financing through 
a CDC serving the area where the 504 Project is located. SBA issues a 
loan number if it agrees to guarantee part of the funding for a Project.
    (b) Usually, a Project requires interim financing from an interim 
lender (often the same lender that later provides a portion of the 
permanent financing).
    (c) Generally, permanent financing of the Project consists of:
    (1) A contribution by the small business in an amount of at least 10 
percent of the Project costs;
    (2) A loan made with the proceeds of a CDC Debenture for up to 40 
percent of the Project costs and certain administrative costs, 
collateralized by a second lien on the Project Property; and
    (3) A Third Party Loan comprising the balance of the financing, 
collateralized by a first lien on the Project property (see Sec.  
120.920).
    (d) The Debenture is guaranteed 100 percent by SBA (with the full 
faith and credit of the United States), and sold to Underwriters who 
form Debenture Pools. Investors purchase interests in Debenture Pools 
and receive Certificates representing ownership of all or part of a 
Debenture Pool. SBA and CDCs use various agents to facilitate the sale 
and service of the Certificates and the orderly flow of funds among the 
parties.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999; 88 
FR 21899, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.802  Definitions.

    The following terms have the same meaning wherever they are used in 
this subpart. Defined terms are capitalized wherever they appear.
    Area of Operations is the geographic area where SBA has approved a 
CDC's request to provide 504 program services to small businesses on a 
permanent basis. The minimum Area of Operations is the State in which 
the CDC is incorporated.
    Central Servicing Agent (CSA) is an entity that receives and 
disburses funds among the various parties involved in 504 financing 
under a master servicing agent agreement with SBA.
    Certificate is a document issued by SBA or its agent representing 
ownership of all or part of a Debenture Pool.
    Debenture is an obligation issued by a CDC and guaranteed 100 
percent by SBA, the proceeds of which are used to fund a 504 loan.
    Debenture Pool is an aggregation of Debentures.
    Designated Attorney is the CDC closing attorney that SBA has 
approved to close loans under an expedited closing process for a 
Priority CDC.

[[Page 319]]

    Investor is an owner of a beneficial interest in a Debenture Pool.
    Job Opportunity is a full time (or equivalent) permanent job created 
within two years of receipt of 504 funds, or retained in the community 
because of a 504 loan.
    Lead SBA Office is the SBA District Office designated by SBA as the 
primary liaison between SBA and a CDC and with responsibility for 
managing SBA's relationship with that CDC.
    Local Economic Area is an area, as determined by SBA, that is in a 
State other than the State in which an existing CDC (or an applicant 
applying to become a CDC) is incorporated, is contiguous to the CDC's 
existing Area of Operations (or the applicant's proposed Area of 
Operations) of its State of incorporation, and is a part of a local 
trade area that is contiguous to the CDC's Area of Operations (or 
applicant's proposed Area of Operations) of its State of incorporation. 
Examples of a local trade area would be a city that is bisected by a 
State line or a metropolitan statistical area that is bisected by a 
State line.
    Multi-State CDC is a CDC that is incorporated in one State and is 
authorized by SBA to operate as a CDC in a State contiguous to its State 
of incorporation beyond any contiguous Local Economic Areas.
    Net Debenture Proceeds are the portion of Debenture proceeds that 
finance eligible Project costs (excluding administrative costs).
    Priority CDC is a CDC certified to participate on a permanent basis 
in the 504 program (see Sec.  120.812) that SBA has approved to 
participate in an expedited 504 loan and Debenture closing process.
    Project is the purchase or lease, and/or improvement or renovation 
of long-term fixed assets by a small business, with 504 financing, for 
use in its business operations.
    Project Property is one or more long-term fixed assets, such as 
land, buildings, machinery, and equipment, acquired or improved by a 
small business, with 504 financing, for use in its business operations.
    Third Party Loan is a loan from a commercial or private lender, 
investor, or Federal (non-SBA), State or local government source that is 
part of the Project financing.
    Underwriter is an entity approved by SBA to form Debenture Pools and 
arrange for the sale of Certificates.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999; 65 
FR 42632, July 11, 2000; 68 FR 57980, Oct. 7, 2003]

                Certification Procedures To Become a CDC



Sec.  120.810  Applications for certification as a CDC.

    (a) An applicant for certification as a CDC must apply to the SBA 
District Office serving the jurisdiction in which the applicant has or 
proposes to locate its headquarters (see Sec.  101.103 of this chapter).
    (b) The applicant must apply for an Area of Operations. The 
applicant's proposed Area of Operations must include the entire State in 
which the applicant is incorporated, and may include Local Economic 
Areas. An applicant may not apply to cover an area as a Multi-State CDC.
    (c) The applicant must demonstrate that it satisfies the CDC 
certification and operational requirements in Sec. Sec.  120.820, and 
120.822 through 120.824. The applicant also must include an operating 
budget, approved by the applicant's Board of Directors, which 
demonstrates the required financial ability (as described in Sec.  
120.825), and a plan to meet CDC operational requirements (without 
specializing in a particular industry) in Sec. Sec.  120.821, and 
120.826 through 120.830.
    (d) The District Office will forward the application and its 
recommendation to the D/FA, who will make the final decision. SBA will 
notify the CDC in writing of its decision, and, if the petition is 
declined, the reasons for the decision.

[68 FR 57980, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.812  Probationary period for newly certified CDCs.

    (a) Newly certified CDCs will be on probation for a period of two 
years from the date of certification, at the end of which the CDC must 
petition the Lead SBA Office for:
    (1) Permanent CDC status; or

[[Page 320]]

    (2) A one-year extension of probation. If a one-year extension of 
probation is granted, at the end of this extension period, the CDC must 
petition the Lead SBA Office for permanent CDC status or an additional 
one-year extension of probation.
    (b) SBA will consider the failure to file a petition before the end 
of the probationary period as a withdrawal from the 504 program. If the 
CDC elects withdrawal, SBA will direct the CDC to transfer all funded 
and/or approved loans to another CDC, SBA, or another servicer approved 
by SBA.
    (c) The Lead SBA Office will send the petition and its 
recommendation to the D/FA, who will make the final decision. SBA will 
determine permanent CDC status or an extension of probation, in part, 
based upon the CDC's compliance with the certification and operational 
requirements in Sec. Sec.  120.820 through 120.830. To be considered for 
permanent CDC status or an extension of probation, the CDC must have 
satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA in its discretion. 
The CDC's Risk Rating, among other factors, will be considered in 
determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other factors may include, but 
are not limited to, review/examination assessments, historical 
performance measures, loan volume to the extent that it impacts 
performance measures, and other performance related measurements and 
information (such as contribution toward SBA mission).
    (d) SBA will notify the CDC in writing of its decision, and, if the 
petition is declined, the reasons for the decision. If SBA declines the 
petition, the CDC will no longer have authority to participate in the 
504 Loan Program and SBA will direct the CDC to transfer all funded and/
or approved loans to another CDC, SBA, or another servicer approved by 
SBA.

[68 FR 57980, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 73 FR 75517, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 
FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]

            Requirements for CDC Certification and Operation



Sec.  120.816  CDC non-profit status and good standing.

    A CDC must be a non-profit corporation, except that for-profit CDCs 
certified by SBA prior to January 1, 1987 may retain their 
certifications. An SBIC may not become a CDC. A CDC must be in good 
standing based upon the following criteria:
    (a) In good standing in the State in which the CDC is incorporated 
and any other State in which the CDC conducts business.
    (b) In compliance with all laws, including taxation requirements, in 
the State in which the CDC is incorporated and any other State in which 
the CDC conducts business.
    (c) Must have satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA in 
its discretion. The CDC's Risk Rating, among other factors, will be 
considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other factors 
may include, but are not limited to, review/examination assessments, 
historical performance measures, loan volume to the extent that it 
impacts performance measures, and other performance related measurements 
and information (such as contribution toward SBA mission).
    (d) If a non-profit CDC has a membership and the members are 
responsible for electing or appointing voting directors to the CDC's 
Board of Directors, no person or entity can control more than 25 percent 
of the CDC's voting membership.

[68 FR 57980, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 73 FR 75518, Dec. 11, 2008. 
Redesignated at 79 FR 15649, Mar. 21, 2014; 82 FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017; 
84 FR 66294, Dec. 4, 2019]



Sec.  120.818  Applicability to existing for-profit CDCs.

    (a) Unless expressly provided otherwise in the regulations, any Loan 
Program Requirement that applies to non-profit CDCs also applies to for-
profit CDCs.
    (b) No person or entity can own or control more than 25 percent of a 
for-profit CDC's stock.

[79 FR 15649, Mar. 21, 2014, as amended at 84 FR 66294, Dec. 4, 2019]

[[Page 321]]



Sec.  120.820  CDC Affiliation.

    (a) A CDC must be independent and must not be affiliated (as 
determined in accordance with Sec.  121.103 of this chapter) with any 
Person (as defined in Sec.  120.10) except as permitted under this 
section.
    (b) A CDC may be affiliated with an entity (other than a 7(a) Lender 
or another CDC) whose function is economic development in the same Area 
of Operations and that is either a non-profit entity or a State or local 
government or political subdivision (e.g., council of governments).
    (c) A CDC must not be affiliated (as determined in accordance with 
Sec.  121.103) with or invest, directly or indirectly, in a 7(a) Lender. 
A CDC that was affiliated with a 7(a) Lender as of November 6, 2003 may 
continue such affiliation.
    (d) A CDC must not be affiliated (as determined in accordance with 
Sec.  121.103 of this chapter) with another CDC. In addition, a CDC must 
not directly or indirectly invest in or finance another CDC, except with 
the prior written approval of D/FA or designee and D/OCRM or designee if 
they determine in their discretion that such approval is in the best 
interests of the 504 Loan Program.
    (e) A CDC may remain affiliated with a for-profit entity (other than 
a 7(a) Lender) if such affiliation existed prior to March 21, 2014. A 
CDC may also be affiliated with a for-profit entity (other than a 7(a) 
Lender) whose function is economic development in the same Area of 
Operations with the prior written approval of the D/FA or designee if he 
or she determines in his or her discretion that such approval is in the 
best interests of the 504 Loan Program.
    (f) A CDC must not directly or indirectly invest in a Licensee (as 
defined in Sec.  107.50 of this chapter) licensed by SBA under the SBIC 
program authorized in Part A of Title III of the Small Business 
Investment Act, 15 U.S.C. 681 et seq. A CDC that has an SBA-approved 
investment in a Licensee as of November 6, 2003 may retain such 
investment.
    (g) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) of this section, a 
CDC may be affiliated with a Community Advantage SBLC. Additionally, 
CDCs that are also Community Advantage Pilot Program Lenders as of May 
11, 2023 may be licensed as Community Advantage SBLCs.

[79 FR 15649, Mar. 21, 2014, as amended at 88 FR 21900, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.821  CDC Area of Operations.

    A CDC must operate only within its designated Area of Operations 
approved by SBA except as provided in Sec.  120.839.

[68 FR 57980, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.823  CDC Board of Directors.

    (a) The CDC, whether for-profit or non-profit, must have a Board of 
Directors with at least seven (7) voting directors who live or work in 
the CDC's State of incorporation or in an area that is contiguous to 
that State that meets the definition of a Local Economic Area for the 
CDC. The Board must be actively involved in encouraging economic 
development in the Area of Operations. The initial Board may be created 
by any method permitted by applicable State law. At a minimum, the Board 
must have directors with background and expertise in internal controls, 
financial risk management, commercial lending, legal issues relating to 
commercial lending, corporate governance, and economic, community or 
workforce development. Directors may be either currently employed or 
retired.
    (b) At least two voting members of the Board of Directors, other 
than the CDC manager, must possess commercial lending experience 
satisfactory to SBA. When the Board votes on SBA loan approval or 
servicing actions, at least two voting Board members, with such 
commercial lending experience, other than the CDC manager, must be 
present and vote.
    (c) The Board of Directors must meet at least quarterly and shall be 
responsible for the actions of the CDC and any committees established by 
the Board of Directors. In addition, the Board of Directors is subject 
to the following requirements:
    (1) Except for the CDC manager, no person on the CDC's staff may be 
a voting director of the Board;
    (2) A quorum must be present to transact business. The quorum shall 
be

[[Page 322]]

set by the CDC but shall be no less than 50% of the voting members of 
the Board of Directors;
    (3) Attendance at meetings may be through any format permitted by 
State law;
    (4) No CDC Board member may serve on the Board of another CDC.
    (d) The Board shall have and exercise all corporate powers and 
authority and be responsible for all corporate actions and business. 
There must be no actual or appearance of a conflict of interest with 
respect to any actions of the Board. The Board is responsible for 
ensuring that the structure and operation of the CDC, as set forth in 
the Bylaws, comply with SBA's Loan Program Requirements. The 
responsibilities of the Board include, but are not limited, to the 
following:
    (1) Approving the mission and the policies for the CDC;
    (2) Hiring, firing, supervising and annually evaluating the CDC 
manager;
    (3) Setting the salary for the CDC manager and reviewing all 
salaries;
    (4) Establishing committees, at its discretion, including the 
following:
    (i) Executive Committee. To the extent authorized in the Bylaws, the 
Board of Directors may establish an Executive Committee. The Executive 
Committee may exercise the authority of the Board; however, the 
delegation of its authority does not relieve the Board of its 
responsibility imposed by law or Loan Program Requirements. No further 
delegation or redelegation of this authority is permitted. If the Board 
establishes an Executive Committee and delegates any of its authority to 
the Executive Committee as set forth in the Bylaws of the CDC, the 
Executive Committee must:
    (A) Be chosen by and from the Board of Directors from the Board; and
    (B) Meet the same organizational and representational requirements 
as the Board of Directors, except that the Executive Committee must have 
a minimum of four voting members who must be present to conduct 
business.
    (ii) Loan Committee. The Board of Directors may establish a Loan 
Committee. The Loan Committee may exercise the authority of the Board 
only as set forth below; however, the delegation of its authority does 
not relieve the Board of its responsibility imposed by law or Loan 
Program Requirements. If the Board of Directors chooses to establish a 
Loan Committee, no CDC staff or manager may serve on the Loan Committee. 
The Loan Committee must:
    (A) Be chosen by the Board of Directors, and consist of individuals 
with a background in either financial risk management, commercial 
lending, or legal issues relating to commercial lending who are not 
associated with another CDC;
    (B) Have a Quorum of at least four Loan Committee members authorized 
to vote;
    (C) Have at least two (2) Loan Committee members with commercial 
lending experience satisfactory to SBA;
    (D) Have no actual or appearance of a conflict of interest, 
including for example, a Loan Committee member participating in 
deliberations on a loan for which the Third Party Lender is the member's 
employer or the member is otherwise associated with the Third Party 
Lender; and
    (E) Consist only of Loan Committee members who live or work in the 
CDC's State of incorporation or in an area that meets the definition of 
a Local Economic Area for the CDC, except that, for Projects that are 
financed under a CDC's Multi-State authority, the CDC must satisfy the 
requirements of either Sec.  120.835(c)(1) or (2) when voting on that 
Project.
    (5) Ensuring that the CDC's expenses are reasonable and customary;
    (6) Hiring directly an independent auditor to provide the financial 
statements in accordance with Loan Program Requirements;
    (7) Monitoring the CDC's portfolio performance on a regular basis;
    (8) Reviewing a semiannual report on portfolio performance from the 
CDC manager, which would include, but not be limited to, asset quality 
and industry concentration;
    (9) Ensuring that the CDC establishes and maintains adequate 
reserves for operations;
    (10) Ensuring that the CDC invests in economic development in each 
of the States in its Area of Operations in which it has a portfolio, and 
approving each investment. If the investment is

[[Page 323]]

included in the CDC's budget, the Board's approval of the budget may be 
deemed approval of the investment. If the investment is not included in 
the budget, the Board must separately approve the investment;
    (11) Establishing a policy in the Bylaws of the CDC prohibiting an 
actual conflict of interest or the appearance of same, and enforcing 
such policy (see Sec.  120.140 and Sec.  120.851);
    (12) Retaining accountability for all of the actions of the CDC;
    (13) Establishing written internal control policies, in accordance 
with Sec.  120.826;
    (14) Establishing commercially reasonable loan approval policies, 
procedures, and standards. The Bylaws must include any delegations of 
authority to the Loan Committee and Executive Committee, if either 
Committee has been established. In addition, the CDC must establish and 
set forth in detail in a policy manual its credit approval process. All 
504 loan applications must have credit approval prior to submission to 
the Agency. The Loan Committee, if established, may be delegated the 
authority to provide credit approval for loans up to $2,000,000 but, for 
loans of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, the Loan Committee's action must be 
ratified by the Board or Executive Committee prior to Debenture closing. 
Only the Board or Executive Committee, if authorized by the Board, may 
provide credit approval for loans greater than $2,000,000.
    (15) All members of the Board of Directors must annually certify in 
writing that they have read and understand this section, and copies of 
the certification must be included in the Annual Report to SBA.
    (e) The Board of Directors shall maintain Directors' and Officers' 
Liability and Errors and Omissions insurance in amounts established by 
SBA that are based on the size of the CDC's portfolio and other relevant 
factors.

[79 FR 15649, Mar. 21, 2014, as amended at 82 FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017; 
84 FR 66294, Dec. 4, 2019]



Sec.  120.824  Professional management and staff, and contracts for services.

    (a) Management. A CDC must have full-time professional management, 
including an executive director or the equivalent (CDC manager) to 
manage daily operations. This requirement is met if the CDC has at least 
one salaried professional employee that is employed directly (not a 
contractor or an officer, director, 20 percent or more equity owner, or 
key employee of a contractor) on a full-time basis to manage the CDC. 
The CDC manager must be hired by the CDC's Board of Directors and 
subject to termination only by the Board. A CDC may obtain, under a 
written contract, management services provided by a qualified individual 
under the following circumstances:
    (1) The CDC must submit a request for the D/FA (or designee) to 
approve, in consultation with the D/OCRM (or designee), a waiver of the 
requirement that the manager be employed directly by the CDC. In its 
request, the CDC must demonstrate that:
    (i) Another non-profit entity (that is not a CDC) that has the 
economic development of the CDC's Area of Operations as one of its 
principal activities will provide management services to the CDC and, if 
the manager is also performing services for the non-profit entity, the 
manager will be available to small businesses interested in the 504 
program and to 504 loan borrowers during regular business hours; or
    (ii) The CDC submitting the request for the waiver is rural, has 
insufficient loan volume to justify having management employed directly 
by the CDC, and is requesting to contract with another CDC located in 
the same general area to provide the management.
    (2) The CDC must submit a request for the D/FA (or designee), in 
consultation with the D/OCRM (or designee), to pre-approve the contract 
for management services. This contract must comply with paragraphs 
(c)(2) through (4) and, if applicable, paragraph (d) of this section.
    (b) Professional staff. The CDC must have a full-time professional 
staff qualified by training and experience to market the 504 Loan 
Program, package and process loan applications, close

[[Page 324]]

loans, service, and, if authorized by SBA, liquidate the loan portfolio, 
and to sustain a sufficient level of service and activity in the Area of 
Operations.
    (c) Professional services contracts. Through a written contract with 
qualified individuals or entities, a CDC may obtain services for 
marketing, packaging, processing, closing, servicing, or liquidation 
functions, or for other services (e.g., legal, accounting, information 
technology, independent loan reviews, and payroll and employee 
benefits), provided that:
    (1) The contract must be pre-approved by the D/FA (or designee), 
subject to the following exceptions:
    (i) CDCs may contract for legal, accounting, and information 
technology services without SBA approval, except for legal services in 
connection with loan liquidation or litigation.
    (ii) CDCs may contract for independent loan review services with 
non-CDC entities without SBA approval. Contracts between CDCs for 
independent loan reviews must be pre-approved by SBA in accordance with 
paragraph (d) of this section.
    (2) If the contract requires SBA's prior approval under paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section, the CDC's Board must explain to SBA why it is in 
the best interest of the CDC to obtain services through a contract and 
must demonstrate that:
    (i) The compensation under the contract is paid only by the CDC 
obtaining the services, is reasonable and customary for similar services 
in the Area of Operations, and is only for actual services performed;
    (ii) The full term of the contract (including options) is necessary 
and appropriate and the contract permits the CDC procuring the services 
to terminate the contract prior to its expiration date with or without 
cause; and
    (iii) There is no actual or apparent conflict of interest or self-
dealing on the part of any of the CDC's officers, management, or staff, 
including members of the Board and Loan Committee, in the negotiation, 
approval or implementation of the contract.
    (3) Neither the contractor nor any officer, director, 20 percent or 
more equity owner, or key employee of a contractor may be a voting or 
non-voting member of the CDC's Board.
    (4) The CDC procuring the services must provide a copy of all 
executed contracts requiring SBA prior approval to SBA as part of the 
CDC's Annual Report submitted under Sec.  120.830(a) unless the CDC 
certifies that it has previously submitted an identical copy of the 
executed contract to SBA.
    (5) With respect to any contract under which the CDC's staff are 
deemed co-employees of both the CDC and the contractor (e.g., contracts 
with professional employer organizations to obtain employee benefits, 
such as retirement and health benefits, for the CDC's staff), the 
contract must provide that the CDC retains the final authority to hire 
and fire the CDC's employees.
    (6) If the contract is between CDCs, the CDCs and the contract must 
also comply with paragraph (d) of this section.
    (d) Professional Services Contracts between CDCs. Notwithstanding 
the prohibition in 13 CFR 120.820(d) against a CDC affiliating with 
another CDC, a CDC may obtain services through a written contract with 
another CDC for managing, marketing, packaging, processing, closing, 
servicing, independent loan review, or liquidation functions, provided 
that:
    (1) The contract between the CDCs must be pre-approved by the D/FA 
(or designee), in consultation with the D/OCRM (or designee), who 
determines in his or her discretion that such approval is in the best 
interests of the 504 Loan Program and that the terms and conditions of 
the contract are satisfactory to SBA. For management services, a CDC may 
contract with another CDC only in accordance with paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
of this section.
    (2) Except for contracts for liquidation services and independent 
loan reviews:
    (i) The CDCs entering into the contract must be located in the same 
SBA Region or, if not located in the same SBA Region, must be located in 
contiguous States. For purposes of this provision, the location of a CDC 
is the CDC's State of incorporation;
    (ii) A CDC may provide assistance to only one CDC per State; and

[[Page 325]]

    (iii) No CDC may provide assistance to another CDC in its State of 
incorporation or in any State in which it has Multi-State authority.
    (3) The Board of Directors for each CDC entering into the contract 
must be separate and independent and may not include any common 
directors. In addition, if either of the CDCs is for-profit, neither CDC 
may own any stock in the other CDC. The CDCs are also prohibited from 
comingling any funds.
    (4) With respect to contracts for independent loan reviews, CDCs may 
not review each other's portfolios or exchange any other services, nor 
may they enter into any other arrangement with each other that could 
appear to bias the outcome or integrity of the independent loan review.
    (5) The contract must satisfy the requirements set forth in 
paragraphs (c)(2) through (4) of this section.

[84 FR 66294, Dec. 4, 2019]



Sec.  120.825  Financial ability to operate.

    A CDC must be able to sustain its operations continuously, with 
reliable sources of funds (such as income from services rendered and 
contributions from government or other sponsors). Any funds generated 
from 503 and 504 loan activity by a CDC remaining after payment of staff 
and overhead expenses must be retained by the CDC as a reserve for 
future operations or for investment in other local economic development 
activity in its Area of Operations. If a CDC is operating as a Multi-
State CDC, it must maintain a separate accounting for each State of all 
504 fee income and expenses and provide, upon SBA's request, evidence 
that the funds resulting from its Multi-State CDC operations are being 
invested in economic development activities in each State in which they 
were generated.

[65 FR 42633, July 11, 2000]



Sec.  120.826  Basic requirements for operating a CDC.

    A CDC must operate in accordance with the following requirements:
    (a) In general. CDCs must meet all 504 Loan Program Requirements. In 
its Area of Operations, a CDC must market the 504 program, package and 
process 504 loan applications, close and service 504 loans, and if 
authorized by SBA, liquidate and litigate 504 loans. It must supply to 
SBA current and accurate information about all certification and 
operational requirements, and maintain the records and submit all 
reports required by SBA.
    (b) Operations and internal controls. Each CDC's board of directors 
must adopt an internal control policy which provides adequate direction 
to the institution for effective control over and accountability for 
operations, programs, and resources. The board adopted internal control 
policy must, at a minimum:
    (1) Direct management to assign the responsibility for the internal 
control function (covering financial, credit, credit review, collateral, 
and administrative matters) to an officer or officers of the CDC;
    (2) Adopt and set forth procedures for maintenance and periodic 
review of the internal control function;
    (3) Direct the operation of a program to review and assess the CDC's 
504-related loans. For the 504 review program, the internal control 
policies must specify the following:
    (i) Loan, loan-related collateral, and appraisal review standards, 
including standards for scope of selection (for review of any such loan, 
loan-related collateral or appraisal) and standards for work papers and 
supporting documentation;
    (ii) Loan quality classification standards consistent with the 
standardized classification systems used by the Federal Financial 
Institution Regulators;
    (iii) Specific control requirements for the CDC's oversight of 
Lender Service Providers; and
    (iv) Standards for training to implement the loan review program; 
and
    (4) Address other control requirements as may be established by SBA.
    (c) Annual Audited/Reviewed Financial Statements. Each CDC with a 
504 loan portfolio balance of $30 million or more (as calculated by SBA) 
must have its financial statements audited annually by a certified 
public accountant that is independent and experienced in auditing 
financial institutions. The audit must be performed in accordance with 
generally accepted auditing standards

[[Page 326]]

as adopted by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of 
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The auditor must be independent, 
as defined by the AICPA, of the CDC. Annually, the auditor must issue an 
opinion as to the fairness of the CDC's financial statements and their 
compliance with GAAP. For CDCs with a 504 portfolio balance of less than 
$30 million (as calculated by SBA), the CDC's annual financial 
statements submitted to SBA must be reviewed by an independent CPA in 
accordance with GAAP, except that the D/OCRM may require a CDC with a 
portfolio balance of less than $30 million to submit an audited 
financial statement in the event the D/OCRM determines, in his or her 
discretion, that such audit is necessary or appropriate when the CDC is 
in material noncompliance with Loan Program Requirements.
    (d) Auditor qualifications. The audit or review must be conducted by 
an independent certified public accountant who:
    (1) Is registered or licensed to practice as a public accountant, 
and is in good standing, under the laws of the state or other political 
subdivision of the United States in which the CDC's principal office is 
located;
    (2) Agrees in the engagement letter with the CDC to provide the SBA 
with access to and copies of any work papers, policies, and procedures 
relating to the services performed;
    (3)(i) Is in compliance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct; 
and
    (ii) Meets the independence requirements and interpretations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission and its staff;
    (4) Has received a peer review or is enrolled in a peer review 
program that meets AICPA guidelines; and
    (5) Is otherwise acceptable to SBA.

[73 FR 75518, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 84 FR 66295, Dec. 4, 2019]



Sec.  120.827  Other services a CDC may provide to small businesses.

    A CDC may provide a small business with assistance unrelated to the 
504 loan program as long as the CDC does not make such assistance a 
condition of the CDC accepting from that small business an application 
for a 504 loan. An example of other services a CDC may provide is 
assisting a small business in applying for a 7(a) loan (as described in 
Sec.  120.2). A CDC is subject to part 103 of this chapter when 
providing such assistance.

[68 FR 57981, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.828  Minimum level of 504 loan activity and restrictions 
on portfolio concentrations.

    (a) A CDC is required to receive SBA approval of at least four 504 
loan approvals during two consecutive fiscal years.
    (b) A CDC's 504 loan portfolio must be diversified by business 
sector.

[68 FR 57981, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.829  Job Opportunity average a CDC must maintain.

    (a) A CDC's portfolio must maintain a minimum average of one Job 
Opportunity per an amount of 504 loan funding that will be specified by 
SBA from time to time in a Federal Register notice. Such Job Opportunity 
average remains in effect until changed by subsequent Federal Register 
publication. A CDC is permitted two years from its certification date to 
meet this average.
    (b) A CDC must indicate in its annual report the Job Opportunities 
actually or estimated to be provided by each Project.
    (c) If a CDC does not maintain the required average, it may retain 
its certification if it justifies to SBA's satisfaction its failure to 
do so in its annual report and shows how it intends to attain the 
required average.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57981, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.830  Reports a CDC must submit.

    A CDC must submit the following reports to SBA:
    (a) An Annual Report within one hundred-eighty days after the end of 
the CDC's fiscal year (to include Federal tax returns for that year). A 
CDC that is certified by SBA within 6 months of the CDC's fiscal year-
end is not required to submit an Annual Report for that year. The Annual 
Report

[[Page 327]]

must include, but is not limited to, the following:
    (1) Audited or Reviewed Financial Statements as required in Sec.  
120.826(c) and (d) for the CDC and any affiliates or subsidiaries of the 
CDC.
    (i) Audited financial statements must, at a minimum, include the 
following:
    (A) Audited balance sheet;
    (B) Audited statement of income (or receipts) and expenses;
    (C) Audited statement of source and application of funds;
    (D) Such footnotes as are necessary to an understanding of the 
financial statements;
    (E) Auditor's letter to management on internal control weaknesses; 
and
    (F) The auditor's report; and
    (ii) Reviewed financial statements must, at a minimum, include the 
following:
    (A) Balance sheet;
    (B) Statement of income (or receipts) and expenses;
    (C) Statement of source and application of funds;
    (D) Such footnotes as are necessary to an understanding of the 
financial statements;
    (E) The accountant's review report; and
    (2) Report on compensation: CDCs are required to provide detailed 
information on total compensation (including salary, bonuses and 
expenses) paid within the CDC's most recent tax year for current and 
former officers and directors, and for current and former employees and 
independent contractors with total compensation of more than $100,000 
during that period.
    (3) Certification of members of the Board of Directors. Written 
annual certification by each Board member that he or she has read and 
understands the requirements set forth in Sec.  120.823.
    (4) Report on investment in economic development. Written report on 
investments in economic development in each State in which the CDC has 
an outstanding 504 loan.
    (b) For each new associate and staff, a Statement of Personal 
History (for use by non-bank lenders and CDCs) and other information 
required by SBA;
    (c) Reports of involvement in any legal proceeding;
    (d) Changes in organizational status;
    (e) Changes in any condition that affects its eligibility to 
continue to participate in the 504 program; and
    (f) Quarterly service reports on each loan in its portfolio which is 
60 days or more past due (and interim reports upon request by SBA).
    (g) Other reports as required by SBA.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57981, Oct. 7, 2003; 73 
FR 75518, Dec. 11, 2008; 79 FR 15650, Mar. 21, 2014]

                  Extending a CDC'S Area of Operations



Sec.  120.835  Application to expand an Area of Operations.

    (a) General. A CDC that has been certified to participate in the 504 
program may apply to expand its Area of Operations if it meets all 
requirements to be an Accredited Lender Program (ALP) CDC, as set forth 
in Sec.  120.840(c), and demonstrates that it can competently fulfill 
its 504 program responsibilities in the proposed area.
    (b) Local Economic Area Expansion. A CDC seeking to expand its Area 
of Operations into a Local Economic Area must apply in writing to the 
Lead SBA Office.
    (c) Multi-State expansion. A CDC seeking to become a Multi-State CDC 
must apply to the SBA District Office that services the area within each 
State where the CDC intends to locate its principal office for that 
State. A CDC may apply to be a Multi-State CDC only if the State the CDC 
seeks to expand into is contiguous to the State of the CDC's 
incorporation and either:
    (1) The CDC establishes a Loan Committee in the additional State 
consisting only of members who live or work in that State and that 
satisfies the other requirements in Sec.  120.823(d)(4)(ii)(A) through 
(D); or
    (2) For any Project located in the additional State, the CDC's Board 
or Loan Committee (if established in the CDC's State of incorporation) 
includes at least two members who live or work in that State when voting 
on that Project. These two members may vote only on Projects located in 
the additional State.

[68 FR 57981, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 79 FR 15650, Mar. 21, 2014; 84 
FR 66295, Dec. 4, 2019]

[[Page 328]]



Sec.  120.837  SBA decision on application for a new CDC or for an existing 
CDC to expand Area of Operations.

    The processing District Office must solicit the comments of any 
other District Office in which the CDC operates or proposes to operate. 
The processing District Office must determine that the CDC is in 
compliance with SBA's regulations, policies, and performance benchmarks, 
including pre-approval and annual review by SBA of any management or 
staff contracts, and the timely submission of all annual reports. In 
making its recommendation on the application, the District Office may 
consider any information presented to it regarding the requesting CDC, 
the existing CDC, or CDCs that may be affected by the application, and 
the proposed Area of Operations.
    (a) The SBA District office will submit the application, 
recommendation, and supporting materials within 60 days of the receipt 
of a complete application from the CDC to the D/FA, who will make the 
final decision. The D/FA may consider any information submitted or 
available related to the applicant and the application.
    (b) SBA will notify the CDC of its decision in writing, and if the 
application is denied, the reasons for its decision.
    (c) If a CDC is approved to operate as a Multi-State CDC, the CDC's 
ALP, PCLP, or Priority CDC authority will carry over into every 
additional State in which it is approved to operate as a Multi-State 
CDC.

[65 FR 42633, July 11, 2000, as amended at 68 FR 57981, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.839  Case-by-case application to make a 504 loan outside of 
a CDC's Area of Operations.

    A CDC may apply to make a 504 loan for a Project outside its Area of 
Operations by submitting a request to the 504 loan processing center. 
The applicant CDC must demonstrate that it can adequately fulfill its 
504 program responsibilities for the 504 loan, including proper 
servicing. In addition, the CDC must have satisfactory SBA performance, 
as determined by SBA in its discretion. The CDC's Risk Rating, among 
other factors, will be considered in determining satisfactory SBA 
performance. Other factors may include, but are not limited to, review/
examination assessments, historical performance measures, loan volume to 
the extent that it impacts performance measures, and other performance 
related measurements and information (such as contribution toward SBA 
mission). The 504 loan processing center may approve the application if:
    (a) The applicant CDC has previously assisted the business or its 
affiliate(s) to obtain a 504 loan; or
    (b) The existing CDC or CDCs serving the area agree to permit the 
applicant CDC to make the 504 loan; or
    (c) There is no CDC within the Area of Operations.

[68 FR 57982, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 73 FR 75518, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 
FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017; 84 FR 66296, Dec. 4, 2019]

                    Accredited Lenders Program (ALP)



Sec.  120.840  Accredited Lenders Program (ALP).

    (a) General. Under the ALP program, SBA designates qualified CDCs as 
ALP CDCs, gives them increased authority to process, close, and service 
504 loans, and provides expedited processing of loan approval and 
servicing actions.
    (b) Application. A CDC must apply for ALP status by submitting an 
application in accordance with SBA's Standard Operating Procedure 50 10, 
available at http://www.sba.gov. A final decision will be made by the 
appropriate SBA official in accordance with Delegations of Authority.
    (c) Eligibility. In order for a CDC to be eligible to receive ALP 
status, its application must show that it meets the criteria set forth 
in Sec.  120.841.
    (d) Additional application requirements. The CDC's application must 
include the following:
    (1) Certified copy of the CDC's Board of Directors' resolution 
authorizing the application for ALP status.
    (2) Summary of the experience of each of the CDC's loan processing, 
closing, and servicing staff members with significant authority.
    (3) Name, address, and summary of experience of Designated Attorney.
    (4) Documentation of any SBA required insurance.
    (5) Any other documentation required by SBA.

[[Page 329]]

    (e) Term of ALP designation. SBA generally will designate a CDC as 
an ALP CDC for a two-year period. SBA may renew the designation for 
additional two-year periods if the CDC continues to meet the ALP program 
eligibility requirements.
    (f) SBA approval or decline decision. SBA will notify the CDC in 
writing of an approval or decline of either an ALP application or of an 
ALP renewal. If the SBA approves the CDC's application, the ALP CDC may 
exercise its ALP authority in its entire Area of Operations. If an 
application or renewal is declined, SBA will notify the CDC of the 
reasons for the decision.

[68 FR 57982, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 85 FR 7651, Feb. 10, 2020; 85 
FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.841  Qualifications for the ALP.

    An applicant for ALP status must show that it substantially meets 
the following criteria:
    (a) CDC staff experience. The CDC's staff must have well-trained, 
qualified loan officers who are knowledgeable concerning SBA's lending 
policies and procedures for the 504 program. The CDC must have at least 
one loan officer with three years of 504 loan processing experience and 
at least one loan officer with three years of 504 servicing experience 
or two years experience plus satisfactory completion of SBA-approved 
processing and servicing training. The same loan officer may meet these 
qualifications. In addition, the CDC's staff must have demonstrated 
satisfactorily to SBA the ability to process and service 504 loans.
    (b) Number of 504 loans approved and size of portfolio. SBA must 
have approved at least 20 504 loan applications by the CDC in the most 
recent three years, and the CDC must have a portfolio of at least 30 
active 504 loans. (An ``active'' 504 loan is a loan that was approved 
and closed by the CDC and has a status of either current, delinquent, or 
in liquidation.)
    (c) CDC reviews. CDC reviews conducted by SBA must be current 
(within the last 24 months, if applicable) for applicants for ALP 
status. The CDC must have received a review assessment of either 
``Acceptable'' or ``Acceptable With Corrective Actions Required.'' In 
addition, the CDC must have satisfactory SBA performance, as determined 
by SBA in its discretion. The CDC's Risk Rating, among other factors, 
will be considered in determining satisfactory SBA performance. Other 
factors may include, but are not limited to, review/examination 
assessments, historical performance measures, loan volume to the extent 
that it impacts performance measures, and other performance related 
measurements and information (such as contribution toward SBA mission);
    (d) Record of compliance with 504 program requirements. The CDC must 
have a record of conforming to SBA's policies and procedures and of 
satisfactorily underwriting, closing and servicing 504 loans. SBA will 
consider all relevant material information, which will include but is 
not limited to whether the CDC meets all SBA's CDC portfolio benchmarks, 
when determining the CDC's record of compliance, including:
    (1) Submission of satisfactory 504 loan analyses and applications, 
and all required, and properly completed, loan documents.
    (2) Careful and thorough analysis and screening of all 504 loan 
applications for conformance with SBA credit and eligibility standards;
    (3) Proper completion of required 504 loan closing documents and 
compliance with SBA 504 loan closing policies and procedures.
    (4) Compliance with SBA loan servicing policies and procedures.
    (5) Compliance with the certification and operational requirements 
as set forth in Sec. Sec.  120.820 through 120.830.
    (6) Submission of timely, complete and acceptable annual reports.
    (7) Compliance with CDC ethical requirements (see Sec.  120.851).
    (e) Priority CDC. The CDC must be a Priority CDC with a Designated 
Attorney and SBA required insurance.
    (f) Record of Cooperation. The CDC must have a record of effective 
communication and a cooperative relationship with all SBA offices 
including district offices and SBA's loan processing and servicing 
centers.

[68 FR 57982, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 72 FR 18364, Apr. 12, 2007; 73 
FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008; 82 FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017]

[[Page 330]]



Sec.  120.842  ALP Express Loans.

    (a) Definition. For the purposes of this section, an ALP Express 
Loan:
    (1) Means a 504 loan in an amount that is not more than $500,000; 
and
    (2) Does not include a loan made to a borrower that is in an 
industry that has a high rate of default, as annually determined by SBA. 
SBA will publish an annual list of the industries with a high rate of 
default in a notice in the Federal Register.
    (b) Requirements for the underwriting, approving, closing, and 
servicing of ALP Express Loans--(1) General. When underwriting, 
approving, closing, and servicing 504 loans under this section, the ALP 
CDC must comply with Loan Program Requirements and conduct such 
activities in accordance with prudent and commercially reasonable 
lending standards.
    (2) Documentation of decision making. For each ALP Express Loan, the 
ALP CDC must document in its files the basis for its decisions with 
respect to underwriting, approving, closing, and servicing the loan.
    (3) Processing requirements--(i) Eligibility. An ALP Express Loan is 
subject to SBA's final approval as to eligibility and, for each loan, an 
ALP CDC must submit the documents required by SBA to complete the 
eligibility review. ALP CDCs must submit to SBA for review and approval 
any servicing action that the ALP CDC proposes prior to closing that may 
affect the eligibility of the borrower or the ALP Express Loan.
    (ii) Credit decisions. The ALP CDC is responsible for properly 
determining the applicant's creditworthiness and establishing the terms 
and conditions under which the ALP Express Loan will be made in 
accordance with SBA's Loan Program Requirements and prudent lending 
standards. The ALP CDC's determination regarding creditworthiness will 
not be subject to SBA review.
    (4) Submission of loan documents. An ALP CDC must notify SBA of its 
credit decision on an ALP Express Loan by submitting to SBA all required 
documentation. SBA will review these documents to determine whether the 
applicant and the ALP Express Loan are eligible and whether SBA funds 
are available for the ALP Express Loan. If approved, SBA will notify the 
ALP CDC of the loan number assigned to the loan.
    (5) Loan and Debenture closing. After receiving notification of the 
loan number from SBA, the ALP CDC is responsible for properly 
undertaking all actions necessary to close the ALP Express Loan and 
Debenture in accordance with the expedited loan closing procedures 
applicable to a Priority CDC and with Sec.  120.960, and in compliance 
with all applicable Loan Program Requirements.
    (6) Servicing. The ALP CDC is responsible for servicing its ALP 
Express Loans in accordance with Sec.  120.970. SBA may in certain 
circumstances, in its discretion, elect to handle such duties with 
respect to a particular ALP Express Loan or Loans. Additional servicing 
requirements are set forth in subpart E of this part. The CDC must 
promptly notify SBA when it approves any servicing action delegated to 
the CDC under Loan Program Requirements.
    (c) Prohibition against making a 504 loan previously submitted to 
the SBA. An ALP CDC may not process a 504 loan application under 
paragraph (b)(3) of this section from an applicant whose application was 
previously submitted to SBA and was withdrawn by the CDC or was declined 
or otherwise not approved by SBA.
    (d) Applicability. The authority to make ALP Express Loans is 
available for applications submitted to the ALP CDC on or after June 27, 
2022 and approved through September 30, 2023.

[87 FR 37982, June 27, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 21900, Apr. 12, 2023]

                    Premier Certified Lenders Program



Sec.  120.845  Premier Certified Lenders Program (PCLP).

    (a) General. Under the PCLP, SBA designates qualified CDCs as PCLP 
CDCs and delegates to them increased authority to process, close, 
service, and liquidate 504 loans. SBA also may give PCLP CDCs increased 
authority to litigate 504 loans.
    (b) Application. A CDC must apply for PCLP status to the Lead SBA 
Office. The Lead SBA Office will send its written recommendation and the 
application to SBA's PCLP Loan Processing

[[Page 331]]

Center. The PCLP Loan Processing Center will review these materials and 
forward them to the appropriate Office of Capital Access official in 
accordance with Delegations of Authority for final determination.
    (c) Eligibility. In order for a CDC to be eligible to receive PCLP 
status, its application must show that it meets the following criteria:
    (1) The CDC must be an ALP CDC in substantial compliance with Loan 
Program Requirements or meet the criteria to be an ALP CDC set forth in 
Sec.  120.841(a) through (f).
    (2) The CDC can adequately comply with SBA liquidation and 
litigation requirements.
    (d) Additional application requirements. The application must 
include the following:
    (1) Certified copy of the CDC's Board of Directors' resolution 
authorizing the application for PCLP status.
    (2) Summary of the experience of each of the CDC's loan processing, 
closing, servicing and liquidation staff members with significant 
authority.
    (3) Name, address and summary of experience of Designated Attorney.
    (4) Documentation of any SBA required insurance.
    (5) Any other documentation required by SBA.
    (e) Term of designation. If approved, SBA generally will confer PCLP 
status for a period of two years. However, if SBA deems it appropriate, 
it may confer PCLP status for a period of less than two years.
    (f) Area of Operations for PCLP CDCs. If the SBA approves the CDC's 
application, the PCLP CDC may exercise its PCLP authority in its entire 
Area of Operations.
    (g) SBA approval or decline decision. SBA will notify the CDC in 
writing of an approval or decline of a PCLP application. If an 
application is declined, SBA will notify the CDC of the reasons for the 
decision.

[68 FR 57982, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 72 FR 18364, Apr. 12, 2007; 73 
FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.846  Requirements for maintaining and renewing PCLP status.

    (a) To maintain its status as a PCLP CDC, a CDC must continue to:
    (1) Meet the PCLP eligibility requirements in Sec.  120.845.
    (2) Timely conform with all requirements and deadlines set forth in 
SBA's regulations and policy and procedural guidance concerning properly 
establishing, funding and reporting a PCLP Loan Loss Reserve Fund 
(LLRF).
    (3) Substantially comply with all Loan Program Requirements.
    (4) Remain an active CDC.
    (5) In accordance with statutory requirements set forth in section 
508(i) of Title V, 15 U.S.C. 697e(i), establish a goal of processing at 
least 50 percent of its 504 loans using PCLP procedures.
    (b) SBA will notify the PCLP CDC in writing of a renewal or non-
renewal of PCLP status. If PCLP status is not renewed, SBA will notify 
the CDC of the reasons for the decision.

[68 FR 57983, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 72 FR 18364, Apr. 12, 2007]



Sec.  120.847  Requirements for the Loan Loss Reserve Fund (LLRF).

    (a) General. PCLP CDCs must establish and maintain a LLRF (or 
multiple accounts which together constitute one LLRF) which complies 
with paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section. A PCLP CDC must use the 
LLRF or other funds to reimburse the SBA for 10 percent of any loss 
sustained by SBA as a result of a default in the payment of principal or 
interest on a Debenture it issued under the PCLP (``PCLP Debenture''). A 
CDC that is participating in the PCLP as of January 1, 2004, and a CDC 
that has participated in the PCLP in the past but which does not have 
PCLP status as of that date, must establish a LLRF within 30 days of 
that date to cover potential losses for all 504 loans made in connection 
with PCLP Debentures that remain outstanding as of that date. A CDC that 
receives PCLP status after that date must establish and maintain a LLRF 
prior to closing any 504 loans processed under its PCLP status. The LLRF 
is the accumulation of deposits that a PCLP CDC must establish and 
maintain for each PCLP Debenture that it issues. PCLP CDCs must 
coordinate with their Lead SBA Office to ensure that the LLRF is 
properly established, that all necessary documentation is executed and 
delivered by all parties in a timely fashion,

[[Page 332]]

and that all required deposits are made.
    (b) PCLP CDC Exposure and LLRF deposit requirements. A PCLP CDC's 
``Exposure'' is defined as its reimbursement obligation to SBA with 
respect to default in the payment of any PCLP Debenture. The amount of a 
PCLP CDC's Exposure is 10 percent of any loss (including attorney's 
fees; litigation costs; and care of collateral, appraisal and other 
liquidation costs and expenses) sustained by SBA as a result of a 
default in the payment of principal or interest on a PCLP Debenture. For 
each PCLP Debenture a PCLP CDC issues, it must establish and maintain an 
LLRF equal to one percent of the original principal amount of the PCLP 
Debenture. The amount the PCLP CDC must maintain in the LLRF for each 
PCLP Debenture remains the same even as the principal balance of the 
PCLP Debenture is paid down over time except that, after the first 10 
years of the term of the Debenture, the amount maintained in the LLRF 
may be based on one percent of the current principal amount of the PCLP 
Debenture (the declining balance methodology), as determined by SBA. All 
withdrawals must be made in accordance with the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this section. A CDC may not use the declining balance 
methodology:
    (1) With respect to any Debenture that has been purchased. Within 30 
days after purchase, the CDC must restore the balance maintained in the 
LLRF for the Debenture that was purchased to one percent of the original 
principal amount of that Debenture; or
    (2) With respect to any other Debenture if SBA notifies the CDC in 
writing that it has failed to satisfy the requirements in paragraph (e), 
(f), (h), (i), or (j) of this section. In such case, the CDC will not be 
required to restore the balance maintained in the LLRF to one percent of 
the original principal amount of the Debenture but must base the amount 
maintained in the LLRF on one percent of the principal amount of the 
Debenture as of the date of notification. The CDC may not begin to use 
the declining balance methodology again until SBA notifies the CDC in 
writing that SBA has determined, in its discretion, that the CDC has 
corrected the noncompliance and has demonstrated its ability to comply 
with these requirements.
    (c) Establishing a LLRF. The LLRF must be a deposit account (or 
accounts) with a federally insured depository institution selected by 
the PCLP CDC. A ``deposit account'' is a demand, time, savings, or 
passbook account, including a certificate of deposit (CD) which is 
either uncertificated or, if certificated, non-transferable. A ``deposit 
account'' is not an investment account and must not contain securities 
or other investment properties. A deposit account may contain only cash 
and CDs credited to that account. A PCLP CDC may pool its deposits for 
multiple PCLP Debentures in a single account in one institution. The 
LLRF must be segregated from the PCLP CDC's other operating accounts. 
The PCLP CDC is responsible for all fees, costs and expenses incurred in 
connection with establishing, managing and maintaining the LLRF, 
including fees associated with transferring funds or early withdrawal of 
CDs, and related income tax expenses.
    (d) Creating and perfecting a security interest in a LLRF. A PCLP 
CDC must give SBA a first priority, perfected security interest in the 
LLRF to secure the PCLP CDC's obligation to reimburse SBA for the PCLP 
CDC's Exposure under all of its outstanding PCLP Debentures. (If a PCLP 
CDC's LLRF is comprised of multiple deposit accounts, it must give SBA 
this security interest with respect to each such account.) The PCLP CDC 
must grant to SBA the security interest in the LLRF pursuant to a 
security agreement between the PCLP CDC and SBA, and a control agreement 
between the PCLP CDC, SBA, and the applicable depository institution. 
The control agreement must include provisions requiring the depository 
institution to follow SBA instructions regarding withdrawal from the 
account without a requirement for obtaining further consent from the 
PCLP CDC, and must restrict the PCLP CDC's ability to make withdrawals 
from the account without SBA consent. When establishing the LLRF, a PCLP 
CDC must coordinate with its Lead SBA Office to execute and deliver

[[Page 333]]

the required documentation. The PCLP CDC must provide to the Lead SBA 
Office a fully executed original of the security and control agreements. 
All documents must be satisfactory to SBA in both form and substance.
    (e) Schedule for contributions to a LLRF. The PCLP CDC must 
contribute to the LLRF the required deposits for each PCLP Debenture in 
accordance with the following schedule:
    (1) At least 50 percent of the required deposits to the LLRF on or 
about the date that it issues the PCLP Debenture.
    (2) At least an additional 25 percent of the required deposits to 
the LLRF no later than one year after it issues the PCLP Debenture.
    (3) Any remainder of the required deposits to the LLRF no later than 
two years after it issues the PCLP Debenture.
    (f) LLRF reporting requirements. Each PCLP CDC must periodically 
report to SBA the amount in the LLRF in a form that will readily 
facilitate reconciliation of the amount maintained in the LLRF with the 
amount required to meet a PCLP CDC's Exposure for its entire portfolio 
of PCLP Debentures.
    (g) Withdrawal of excess funds. Interest and other funds in the LLRF 
that exceed the required minimums as set forth in paragraph (b) of this 
section, within the time frames set forth in paragraph (e) of this 
section, accrue to the benefit of the PCLP CDC. PCLP CDCs are authorized 
to withdraw excess funds, including interest, from the LLRF if such 
funds exceed the required minimums set forth in paragraph (b) of this 
section. The PCLP CDC must forward requests for withdrawals to the Lead 
SBA Office, which will verify the existence and amount of excess funds 
and notify the financial institution to transfer the excess funds to the 
PCLP CDC.
    (h) Determining SBA loss. When a PCLP CDC has concluded the 
liquidation of a defaulted 504 loan made with the proceeds of a PCLP 
Debenture and has submitted a liquidation wrap-up report to SBA, or when 
SBA otherwise determines that the PCLP CDC has exhausted all reasonable 
collection efforts with respect to that 504 loan, SBA will determine the 
amount of the loss to SBA. SBA will notify the PCLP CDC of the amount of 
its reimbursement obligation to SBA (if any) and will explain how SBA 
calculated the loss.
    (1) If the PCLP CDC agrees with SBA's calculations of the loss, it 
must reimburse SBA for ten percent of the amount of that loss no later 
than 30 days after SBA's notification to the PCLP CDC of the CDC's 
reimbursement obligation.
    (2) If the PCLP CDC disputes SBA's calculations, it must reimburse 
SBA for ten percent of any loss amount that is not in dispute no later 
than 30 days after SBA's notification to the PCLP CDC of the CDC's 
reimbursement obligation. No later than 30 days after SBA's 
notification, the PCLP CDC may submit to the D/FA or his or her delegate 
a written appeal of any disagreement regarding the calculation of SBA's 
loss. The PCLP CDC must include with that appeal an explanation of its 
reasons for the disagreement. Upon the D/FA's final decision as to the 
disputed amount of the loss, the PCLP CDC must promptly reimburse SBA 
for ten percent of that amount.
    (i) Reimbursing SBA for loss. A PCLP CDC may use funds in the LLRF 
or other funds to reimburse SBA for the PCLP CDC's Exposure on a 
defaulted PCLP Debenture. If a PCLP CDC does not satisfy the entire 
reimbursement obligation within 30 days after SBA's notification to the 
PCLP CDC's of its reimbursement obligation, SBA may cause funds in the 
LLRF to be transferred to SBA in order to cover the PCLP CDC's Exposure, 
unless the PCLP CDC has filed an appeal under paragraph (h)(2) of this 
section. If the PCLP CDC has filed such an appeal, SBA may cause such a 
transfer of funds to SBA 30 days after the D/FA's or his or her 
delegate's decision. If the LLRF does not contain sufficient funds to 
reimburse SBA for any unpaid Exposure with respect to any PCLP 
Debenture, the PCLP CDC must pay SBA the difference within 30 days after 
demand for payment by SBA.
    (j) Insufficient funding of LLRF. A PCLP CDC must diligently monitor 
the LLRF to ensure that it contains sufficient funds to cover its 
Exposure for its entire portfolio of PCLP Debentures.

[[Page 334]]

If, at any time, the LLRF does not contain sufficient funds, the PCLP 
CDC must, within 30 days of the earlier of the date it becomes aware of 
this deficiency or the date it receives notification from SBA of this 
deficiency, make additional contributions to the LLRF to make up this 
difference.

[68 FR 57983, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 84 FR 66296, Dec. 4, 2019]



Sec.  120.848  Requirements for 504 loan processing, closing, servicing, 
liquidating, and litigating by PCLP CDCs.

    (a) General. In processing closing, servicing, liquidating and 
litigating 504 loans under the PCLP (``PCLP Loans''), the PCLP CDC must 
comply with Loan Program Requirements and conduct such activities in 
accordance with prudent and commercially reasonable lending standards.
    (b) Documentation of decision making. For each PCLP Loan, the PCLP 
CDC must document in its files the basis for its decisions with respect 
to loan processing, closing, servicing, liquidating, and litigating.
    (c) Processing requirements. SBA expects PCLP CDCs to handle most 
504 loan processing situations, although SBA may require that the PCLP 
CDC process 504 loans involving complex or problematic eligibility 
issues through the SBA using standard 504 loan processing procedures. 
The PCLP CDC is responsible for properly determining borrower 
creditworthiness and establishing the terms and conditions under which 
the PCLP Loan will be made. The PCLP CDC also is responsible for 
properly undertaking such other processing actions as SBA may delegate 
to the PCLP CDC.
    (d) Submission of loan documents. A PCLP CDC must notify SBA of its 
approval of a 504 loan by submitting to SBA's PCLP Loan Processing 
Center all documentation required by SBA, including SBA's PCLP 
eligibility checklist, signed by an authorized representative of the 
PCLP CDC. The PCLP Loan Processing Center will review these documents to 
determine whether the PCLP CDC has identified any problems with the PCLP 
Loan approval, and whether SBA funds are available for the PCLP Loan. If 
appropriate, the PCLP Processing Center will notify the PCLP CDC of the 
loan number assigned to the loan.
    (e) Loan and Debenture closing. After receiving notification from 
SBA PCLP Loan Processing Center, the PCLP CDC is responsible for 
properly undertaking all actions necessary to close the PCLP Loan and 
Debenture in accordance with the expedited loan closing procedures 
applicable to a Priority CDC and with Sec.  120.960.
    (f) Servicing, liquidation and litigation responsibilities. The PCLP 
CDC generally must service, liquidate and litigate its entire portfolio 
of PCLP Loans, although SBA may in certain circumstances elect to handle 
such duties with respect to a particular PCLP Loan or Loans. Additional 
servicing and liquidation requirements are set forth in subpart E of 
this part.
    (g) Making a 504 loan previously considered by another CDC. A PCLP 
CDC also may utilize its PCLP status to process a 504 loan application 
from an applicant whose application was declined or rejected by another 
CDC operating in that same Area of Operations, if the applicant is 
located within that area and as long as SBA has not previously declined 
that applicant's 504 loan application. This may include the processing 
of a 504 loan application from an applicant that has withdrawn its 
application from another CDC.

[68 FR 57984, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 72 FR 18364, Apr. 12, 2007]

                         Other CDC Requirements



Sec.  120.851  CDC ethical requirements.

    CDCs and their Associates must act ethically and exhibit good 
character. They must meet all of the ethical requirements of Sec.  
120.140. In addition, they are subject to the following:
    (a) Any benefit flowing to a CDC's Associate or his or her employer 
from activities as an Associate must be merely incidental (this 
requirement does not prevent an Associate or an Associate's employer 
from providing interim financing as described in Sec.  120.890 or Third 
Party Loans as described in Sec.  120.920, as long as such activity does 
not violate Sec.  120.140); and

[[Page 335]]

    (b) A CDC's Associate may not be an officer, director, or manager of 
more than one CDC.

[68 FR 57984, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.852  [Reserved]



Sec.  120.853  Inspector General audits of CDCs.

    The SBA Office of Inspector General may also conduct, supervise or 
coordinate audits pursuant to the Inspector General Act. The CDC must 
cooperate and make its staff, records, and facilities available.

[68 FR 57985, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.857  Voluntary transfer and surrender of CDC certification.

    A CDC may not transfer its certification or withdraw from the 504 
program without SBA's consent. The CDC must provide a plan to SBA to 
transfer its portfolio. The portfolio may only be transferred with SBA's 
written consent. If a CDC desires to withdraw from the 504 program, it 
must forfeit its portfolio to SBA. SBA may conduct an audit of the 
transferring or withdrawing CDC.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996. Redesignated at 68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003]

                   Project Economic Development Goals



Sec.  120.860  Required objectives.

    A Project must achieve at least one of the economic development 
objectives set forth in Sec.  120.861 or Sec.  120.862.



Sec.  120.861  Job creation or retention.

    A Project must create or retain one Job Opportunity per an amount of 
504 loan funding that will be specified by SBA from time to time in a 
Federal Register notice. Such Job Opportunity average remains in effect 
until changed by subsequent Federal Register publication.

[68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.862  Other economic development objectives.

    A Project that achieves any of the following community development 
or public policy goals is eligible if the CDC's overall portfolio of 504 
loans, including the subject loan, meets or exceeds the CDC's required 
Job Opportunity average. Loan applications must indicate how the Project 
will meet the specified economic development objective.
    (a) Community Development goals:
    (1) Improving, diversifying or stabilizing the economy of the 
locality;
    (2) Stimulating other business development;
    (3) Bringing new income into the community;
    (4) Assisting manufacturing firms (North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS), Sectors 31 `` 33); or
    (5) Assisting businesses in Labor Surplus Areas as defined by the 
Department of Labor.
    (b) Public Policy goals:
    (1) Revitalizing a business district of a community with a written 
revitalization or redevelopment plan;
    (2) Expansion of exports;
    (3) Expansion of small businesses owned and controlled by women as 
defined in section 29(a)(3) of the Act, 15 U.S.C. 656(a)(3);
    (4) Expansion of small businesses owned and controlled by veterans 
(especially service-disabled veterans) as defined in section 3(q) of the 
Act, 15 U.S.C. 632(q);
    (5) Expansion of minority enterprise development (see Sec.  
124.103(b) of this chapter for minority groups who qualify for this 
description);
    (6) Aiding rural development;
    (7) Increasing productivity and competitiveness (retooling, 
robotics, modernization, competition with imports);
    (8) Modernizing or upgrading facilities to meet health, safety, and 
environmental requirements;
    (9) Assisting businesses in or moving to areas affected by Federal 
budget reductions, including base closings, either because of the loss 
of Federal contracts or the reduction in revenues in the area due to a 
decreased Federal presence;
    (10) Reduction of rates of unemployment in labor surplus areas, as 
such areas are determined by the Secretary of Labor;
    (11) Reduction of energy consumption by at least 10 percent;

[[Page 336]]

    (12) Increased use of sustainable design, including designs that 
reduce the use of greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuels, or low-impact 
design to produce buildings that reduce the use of non-renewable 
resources and minimize environmental impact; or
    (13) Plant, equipment and process upgrades of renewable energy 
sources such as the small-scale production of energy for individual 
buildings' or communities' consumption, commonly known as micropower, or 
renewable fuels producers including biodiesel and ethanol producers.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999; 68 
FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003; 76 FR 63547, Oct. 12, 2011; 87 FR 38909, June 
30, 2022]

                 Leasing Policies Specific to 504 Loans



Sec.  120.870  Leasing Project Property.

    (a) A Borrower may use the proceeds of a 504 loan to acquire, 
construct, or modify buildings and improvements, and/or to purchase and 
install machinery and equipment located on land leased to the Borrower 
by an unrelated lessor if:
    (1) The remaining term of the lease, including options to renew, 
exercisable only by the lessee, equals or exceeds the term of the 
Debenture;
    (2) The Borrower assigns its interest in the lease to the CDC with 
right of reassignment to SBA; and
    (3) The 504 loan is secured by a recorded lien against the leasehold 
estate and other collateral as necessary.
    (b) If the Project is for new construction, the Borrower may lease 
long term up to 20 percent of the Rentable Property in the Project to 
one or more tenants if the Borrower immediately occupies at least 60 
percent of the Rentable Property, plans to occupy within three years 
some of the remaining space not immediately occupied and not leased long 
term, and plans to occupy all of the remaining space not leased long 
term within ten years.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999; 68 
FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.871  Leasing part of Project Property to another business.

    (a) The costs of interior finishing of space to be leased out to 
another business are not eligible Project costs.
    (b) Third-party loan proceeds used to renovate the leased space do 
not count towards the 504 first mortgage requirement or the Borrower's 
contribution.

               Loan-Making Policies Specific to 504 Loans



Sec.  120.880  Basic eligibility requirements.

    In addition to the eligibility requirements specified in subpart A, 
to be an eligible Borrower for a 504 loan, a small business must:
    (a) Use the Project Property (except that an Eligible Passive 
Company may lease to an Operating Company); and
    (b) Together with its Affiliates, meet one of the size standards set 
forth in Sec.  121.301(b) of this chapter.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.881  Ineligible Projects for 504 loans.

    In addition to the ineligible businesses and uses of proceeds 
specified in subpart A of this part, the following Projects are 
ineligible for 504 financing:
    (a) Relocation of any of the operations of a small business which 
will cause a net reduction of one-third or more in the workforce of a 
relocating small business or a substantial increase in unemployment in 
any area of the country, unless the CDC can justify the loan because:
    (1) The relocation is for key economic reasons and crucial to the 
continued existence, economic wellbeing, and/or competitiveness of the 
applicant; and
    (2) The economic development benefits to the applicant and the 
receiving community outweigh the negative impact on the community from 
which the applicant is moving; and
    (b) Projects in foreign countries (loans financing real or personal 
property located outside the United States or its possessions).

[[Page 337]]



Sec.  120.882  Eligible Project costs for 504 loans.

    Eligible Project costs which may be paid with the proceeds of 504 
loans are:
    (a) Costs directly attributable to the Project including 
expenditures incurred by the Borrower (with its own funds or from a 
loan) to acquire land used in the Project, or for any other expense 
directly attributable to the Project, prior to applying to SBA for the 
504 loan;
    (b) In Projects involving construction, a contingency reserve for 
cost overruns not to exceed 10 percent of construction cost;
    (c) Professional fees directly attributable and essential to the 
Project, such as title insurance, opinion of title, architectural and 
engineering costs, appraisals, environmental studies, and legal fees 
related to zoning, permits, or platting; and
    (d) Repayment of interim financing including points, fees and 
interest.
    (e) If the project involves expansion of a small business concern, 
any amount of existing indebtedness that does not exceed 100 percent of 
the project cost of the expansion may be refinanced and added to the 
expansion cost if:
    (1) Substantially all (85% or more) of the proceeds of the 
indebtedness were used to acquire land, including a building situated 
thereon, to construct a building thereon, or to purchase equipment. The 
assets acquired must be eligible for financing under the 504 loan 
program. If the acquisition, construction or purchase of the asset was 
originally financed through a commercial loan that would have satisfied 
the ``substantially all'' requirement and that was subsequently 
refinanced one or more times, with the current commercial loan being the 
most recent refinancing, the current commercial loan will be deemed to 
satisfy this paragraph (e)(1).
    (2) The existing indebtedness is collateralized by fixed assets. The 
504 eligible fixed assets collateralizing any debt to be refinanced or 
relating to the portion of debt being refinanced in the case of a 
partial refinance must also collateralize the 504 Loan unless SBA 
approves a waiver due to extraordinary circumstances. PCLP CDCs may not 
use their delegated authority to approve a loan requiring this waiver;
    (3) The existing indebtedness was incurred for the benefit of the 
small business concern for which any new Project costs are incurred. 
Existing 7(a) and 504 loans may be refinanced under this section in 
accordance with SBA policies or procedures;
    (4) The financing will be used only for refinancing existing 
indebtedness or costs relating to the project financed;
    (5) The financing will provide a substantial benefit to the borrower 
when prepayment penalties, financing fees, and other financing costs are 
accounted for. For purposes of this paragraph, ``substantial benefit'' 
means that the portion of the new installment amount attributable to the 
debt being refinanced must be at least 10 percent less than the existing 
installment amount(s). Prepayment penalties, financing fees, and other 
financing costs must also be added to the amount being refinanced in 
calculating the percentage reduction in the new installment payment. 
Exceptions to the 10% reduction requirement may be approved by the D/FA 
or designee for good cause. PCLP CDCs may not use their delegated 
authority to approve a loan requiring this exception;
    (6) The borrower has been current on all payments due on the 
existing debt for not less than 1 year preceding the date of 
refinancing. For purposes of this section, ``date of refinancing'' 
refers to the date the 504 loan is approved by SBA. Any unremedied 
delinquency after approval must be reported to SBA as an adverse change;
    (7) The financing under section 504 will provide better terms or 
rate of interest than the existing indebtedness on the date of 
refinancing. For purposes of this paragraph, ``better terms or rate of 
interest'' may include longer maturity (but always commensurate with the 
assets' useful life), a lower interest rate committed on the Third Party 
Lender Loan or projected on the 504 loan, improved collateral 
conditions, or less restrictive loan covenants.
    (8) The authority to approve the refinancing of same institution 
debt must

[[Page 338]]

be approved by SBA and is not delegated to the PCLP CDCs. For the 
purposes of this paragraph, ``same institution debt'' means any debt of 
the CDC or the Third Party Lender financing the new project, or of 
affiliates of either.
    (f) For the purposes of paragraph (e), the phrase ``project involves 
expansion of a small business concern'' includes any project that 
involves the acquisition, construction or improvement of land, building 
or equipment for use by the small business concern.
    (g) SBA may approve a Refinancing Project of a qualified debt 
subject to the following conditions and requirements:
    (1) The Refinancing Project does not involve the expansion of a 
small business;
    (2) The applicant for the refinancing available under this paragraph 
(g) has been in operation for all of the 2 year period ending on the 
date of application;
    (3) A loan that is subject to a guarantee by a Federal agency or 
department may be refinanced under the following conditions and 
requirements:
    (i) An existing 504 loan may be refinanced if both the Third Party 
Loan and the 504 Loan are being refinanced or the Third Party Loan has 
been paid in full. If the 504 Loan being refinanced received approval 
through another CDC, the CDC working on the current refinancing must 
provide advance notice to the other CDC in writing (by email or letter).
    (ii) An existing 7(a) loan may be refinanced if the CDC notifies the 
7(a) lender in advance in writing (by email or letter).
    (iii) The refinancing will provide a substantial benefit to the 
borrower. For purposes of this paragraph (g)(3)(iii), ``substantial 
benefit'' means that the portion of the new installment amount 
attributable to the debt being refinanced must be at least 10 percent 
less than the existing installment amount(s). Prepayment penalties 
(including subsidy recoupment fees), financing fees, and other financing 
costs must be added to the amount being refinanced in calculating the 
percentage reduction in the new installment payment, but the portion of 
the new installment amount attributable to Eligible Business Expenses 
(as described in paragraph (g)(6)(ii) of this section) is not included 
in this calculation. Exceptions to the 10 percent reduction requirement 
may be approved by the Director, Office of Financial Assistance (D/FA) 
or designee for good cause. PCLP CDCs may not use their delegated 
authority to approve a loan requiring the exception in this paragraph 
(g)(3)(iii).
    (4) In addition to the annual guarantee fee assessed under Sec.  
120.971(d)(2), Borrower must pay SBA a supplemental annual guarantee fee 
to cover the additional cost attributable to the refinancing in an 
amount established by SBA each fiscal year.
    (5) The funding for the Refinancing Project must come from three 
sources based on the current fair market value of the fixed assets 
serving as collateral for the Refinancing Project, including a Third 
Party Loan that is at least as much as the 504 loan, not less than 10% 
from the Borrower (excluding administrative costs), and not more than 
40% from the 504 loan. If the Refinancing Project involves a limited or 
single purpose building or structure, the Borrower must contribute not 
less than 15% (excluding administrative costs), unless SBA determines, 
in its discretion, and publishes a notice in the Federal Register, that 
due to an economic recession, as determined by the National Bureau of 
Economic Research or its equivalent, Borrowers may contribute not less 
than 10% for Refinancing Projects involving a limited or single purpose 
property during the recession. The lower required contribution by the 
Borrower will be in effect until the first day of the calendar quarter 
following the end of the economic recession as determined by the 
National Bureau of Economic Research or its equivalent. SBA will publish 
a notice in the Federal Register announcing the date on which the 
requirement of the lower Borrower contribution ended. In addition to a 
cash contribution, the Borrower's contribution may be satisfied as set 
forth in Sec.  120.910 or by the equity in any other fixed assets

[[Page 339]]

that are acceptable to SBA as collateral for the Refinancing Project, 
provided that there is an independent appraisal of the fair market value 
of the asset;
    (6)(i) The portion of the Refinancing Project provided by the 504 
loan and the Third Party Loan may be no more than 90% of the fair market 
value of the fixed assets that will serve as collateral, except that if 
the Borrower's application includes a request to finance the Eligible 
Business Expenses described in paragraph (g)(6)(ii) of this section, the 
portion of the Refinancing Project provided by the 504 loan and the 
Third Party Loan may be no more than 85% of the fair market value of the 
fixed assets that will serve as collateral and the Borrower may receive 
no more than 20% of the fair market value of the Eligible Fixed Asset(s) 
securing the Qualified Debt for Eligible Business Expenses;
    (ii) The Borrower's application may include a request to finance 
eligible business expenses as part of the Refinancing Project if the 
amount of cash funds that will be provided for the Refinancing Project 
exceeds the amount to be paid to the lender of the Qualified Debt. The 
Borrower's application must include a specific description of the 
business expenses for which the financing is requested and an 
itemization of the amount of each expense. For the purposes of this 
paragraph (g), ``Eligible Business Expenses'' are limited to the 
operating expenses of the business that were incurred but not paid prior 
to the date of application or that will become due for payment within 18 
months after the date of application. These expenses may include 
salaries, rent, utilities, inventory, and other expenses of the business 
that are not capital expenditures. Debt is not included as an Eligible 
Business Expense, except debt that was incurred with a credit card or a 
business line of credit may be included if the credit card or business 
line of credit is issued in the name of the small business and the 
Applicant certifies that the debt being refinanced was incurred 
exclusively for business related purposes. Loan proceeds must not be 
used to refinance any personal expenses. Both the CDC and the Borrower 
must certify in the application that the funds will be used to cover 
Eligible Business Expenses. Borrower must, upon request, substantiate 
the use of the funds provided for business expenses through, for 
example, bank statements, invoices marked ``paid,'' cleared checks, or 
any other documents that demonstrate that a business obligation was 
satisfied with the funds provided.
    (7) If the qualified debt is not fully satisfied by the funding 
provided by the Refinancing Project, the lender of the qualified debt 
must take one of the following actions, or some combination thereof, to 
address the deficiency:
    (i) Forgiveness of all or part of the deficiency;
    (ii) Acceptance of payment by the Borrower, or
    (iii) Acceptance of a Note executed by the Borrower for the balance, 
or any portion of the balance. Such Note must be subordinate to the 504 
loan if the Note and the 504 loan are secured by any of the same 
collateral. The Note is subject to any other restrictions that SBA may 
establish to protect its creditor position, including standby 
requirements;
    (8) The Third Party Lender must have a first lien position, and the 
504 loan must have a second lien position, on all Eligible Fixed Assets 
securing the Refinancing Project. Any other lien must be junior in 
priority to these lien positions. For other fixed assets serving as 
collateral for the Refinancing Project, the lien positions of the Third 
Party Lender and the 504 loan may be junior to any existing liens 
acceptable to SBA;
    (9) Eligible Project costs which may be paid with the proceeds of 
the 504 loan are the amount used to refinance the qualified debt and 
other costs under Sec.  120.882(c) and (d) and eligible administrative 
costs under Sec.  120.883;
    (10) A CDC must limit the amount of its loans under this paragraph 
(g) so that, during any Federal fiscal year, the amount of the new loans 
approved under this paragraph (g) does not exceed 50% of the total 
dollar amount of the CDC's 504 loans approved (including the loans 
approved under this paragraph (g)) during the previous fiscal year. This 
limitation may be waived upon application by the CDC and upon

[[Page 340]]

a determination by SBA that the 504 loan is needed for good cause.
    (11) PCLP CDCs may not approve the refinancing of same institution 
debt under their delegated authority and must submit the application to 
SBA for approval.
    (12) The 504 loans approved under this paragraph (g) must be 
disbursed within 9 months after loan approval. The Director, Office of 
Financial Assistance, or his or her designee, may approve a request for 
extension of the disbursement period for an additional 6 months for good 
cause.
    (13) The Third Party Loan may not be sold on the secondary market as 
a part of a pool guaranteed under subpart J of this part, or any 
successor to this program, when the debt being refinanced is same 
institution debt;
    (14) The Third Party Lender must certify that it would not refinance 
the qualified debt except for the assistance provided under this 
paragraph (g);
    (15) Notwithstanding Sec.  120.860, a debt may be refinanced under 
this paragraph (g) if it does not meet the job creation or other 
economic development objectives set forth in Sec.  120.861 or Sec.  
120.862. In such case, the 504 loan may not exceed the product obtained 
by multiplying the number of employees of the Borrower by $90,000. The 
number of employees of the Borrower is equal to the sum of:
    (i) The number of full-time employees of the Borrower on the date of 
the application; and
    (ii) The product obtained by multiplying:
    (A) The number of part-time employees of the Borrower on the date of 
the application; by
    (B) The quotient obtained by dividing the average number of hours 
each part-time employee of the Borrower works each week by 40.
    Example 1 to paragraph (g)(15): 30 full-time employees and 35 part-
time employees working 20 hours per week is calculated as follows: 30 + 
(35 x (20/40)) = 47.5. The maximum amount of the 504 loan would be 47.5 
multiplied by $90,000, or $4,275,000.
    (16) For the purposes of this paragraph (g), the terms below are 
defined as follows:
    Date of application refers to the date the 504 loan application is 
received by SBA.
    Eligible Fixed Assets are one or more long-term fixed assets, such 
as land, buildings, machinery, and equipment, acquired, constructed or 
improved by a small business for use in its business operations.
    Fair market value refers to the current appraised value of an asset 
that is established by an independent appraiser in accordance with the 
standards established by SBA in its SOPs.
    Qualified debt is a commercial loan:
    (A) That was incurred not less than 6 months before the date of the 
application for refinancing available under this paragraph (g).
    (B) Substantially all (75% or more) of which was for an Eligible 
Fixed Asset. If the Eligible Fixed Asset was originally financed through 
a commercial loan that would have satisfied the ``substantially all'' 
standard (the ``original loan'') and that was subsequently refinanced 
one or more times, with the current commercial loan being the most 
recent refinancing, the current commercial loan will be deemed to 
satisfy this paragraph (B). If the original loan was for the 
construction of a new building, or the acquisition, renovation, or 
reconstruction of an existing building, and such loan would not have 
satisfied the leasing policies set forth in Sec. Sec.  120.131 and 
120.870(b), the current commercial loan will be deemed to satisfy these 
policies, provided that Borrower demonstrates compliance with Sec.  
120.131(b) for existing buildings as of the date of application.
    (C) That was for the benefit of the small business concern;
    (D) That is collateralized by Eligible Fixed Assets; and
    (E) That is not a Third Party Loan that is part of an existing 504 
Project, except as allowed under paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
    Refinancing Project means the fair market value of the Eligible 
Fixed Asset(s) securing the qualified debt and any other fixed assets 
acceptable to SBA, except that if the Refinancing Project includes the 
financing of Eligible Business Expenses, SBA will not accept as 
collateral any fixed assets

[[Page 341]]

other than the Eligible Fixed Asset(s) securing the Qualified Debt.
    Same institution debt means any debt of the CDC or the Third Party 
Lender, or an affiliate of either, that is providing funds for the 
refinancing.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003; 74 
FR 29591, June 23, 2009; 76 FR 9218, Feb. 17, 2011; 76 FR 63155, Oct. 
12, 2011; 79 FR 15650, Mar. 21, 2014; 81 FR 33125, May 25, 2016; 83 FR 
19920, May 7, 2018; 86 FR 40779, July 29, 2021; 88 FR 70585, Oct. 12, 
2023]



Sec.  120.883  Eligible administrative costs for 504 loans.

    The following administrative costs are not part of Project costs, 
but may be paid with the proceeds of the 504 loan and the Debenture (see 
Sec.  120.971):
    (a) SBA guarantee fee;
    (b) Funding fee (to cover the cost of a public issuance of 
securities and the Trustee);
    (c) CDC processing fee;
    (d) Borrower's out-of-pocket costs associated with 504 loan and 
Debenture closing other than legal fees (for example, certifications and 
the copying costs associated with them, overnight delivery, postage, and 
messenger services) but not to include fees and costs described in Sec.  
120.882;
    (e) CDC Closing Fee (see Sec.  120.971(a)(2)) up to a maximum of 
$10,000; and
    (f) Underwriters' fee.

[64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003; 88 
FR 70586, Oct. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.884  Ineligible costs for 504 loans.

    Costs not directly attributable and necessary for the Project may 
not be paid with proceeds of the 504 loan. These include, but are not 
limited to, the following:
    (a) Debt refinancing (other than interim financing), except as 
provided in Sec.  120.882(e) and (g).
    (b) A CDC may not use 504 loan proceeds to pay any creditor in a 
position to sustain a loss causing a shift to SBA of all or part of a 
potential loss from an existing debt.
    (c) Third-Party Loan fees (commitment, broker, finders, origination, 
processing fees of permanent financing).
    (d) Ancillary business expenses, such as:
    (1) Working capital;
    (2) Counseling or management services fees;
    (3) Incorporation/organization costs;
    (4) Franchise fees; and
    (5) Advertising.
    (e) Fixed-asset Project components, such as:
    (1) Short-term equipment, furniture, and furnishings (unless 
essential to and a minor portion of the Project);
    (2) Automobiles, trucks, and airplanes; and
    (3) Construction equipment (except for heavy duty construction 
equipment integral to the business' operations with a remaining useful 
life of a minimum of 10 years).

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999; 74 
FR 29591, June 23, 2009; 76 FR 9219, Feb. 17, 2011; 82 FR 39504, Aug. 
21, 2017]

                            Interim Financing



Sec.  120.890  Source of interim financing.

    A Project may use interim financing for all Project costs except the 
Borrower's contribution. Any source (including a CDC) may supply interim 
financing provided:
    (a) The financing is not derived from any SBA program, directly or 
indirectly;
    (b) The terms and conditions of the financing are acceptable to SBA;
    (c) The source is not the Borrower or an Associate of the Borrower; 
and
    (d) The source has the experience and qualifications to monitor 
properly all Project construction and progress payments. (If the source 
lacks such experience or qualifications, SBA may require the interim 
loan to be managed by a third party such as a bank or professional 
construction manager.)



Sec.  120.891  Certifications of disbursement and completion.

    Before the Debenture is issued, the interim lender must certify the 
amount disbursed. The CDC must certify that the Project was completed in 
accordance with the final plans and specifications (except as provided 
in Sec.  120.961).

[[Page 342]]



Sec.  120.892  Certifications of no adverse change.

    Following completion of the Project, the following certifications 
must be made before the 504 loan closing:
    (a) The interim lender must certify to the CDC that it has no 
knowledge of any unremedied substantial adverse change in the condition 
of the small business since the application to the interim lender;
    (b) The Borrower (or Operating Company) must certify to the CDC that 
there has been no unremedied substantial adverse change in its financial 
condition or its ability to repay the 504 loan since the date of 
application, and must furnish interim financial statements, current 
within 120 days of closing; and
    (c) The CDC must issue an opinion to the best of its knowledge that 
there has been no unremedied substantial adverse change in the 
Borrower's (or Operating Company's) ability to repay the 504 loan since 
its submission of the loan application to SBA.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003]

                           Permanent Financing



Sec.  120.900  Sources of permanent financing.

    Permanent financing for each Project must come from three sources: 
the Borrower's contribution, Third-Party Loans, and the 504 loan. 
Typically, the Borrower contributes 10 percent of the permanent 
financing, Third-Party Loans 50 percent and the 504 loan 40 percent.

                       The Borrower's Contribution



Sec.  120.910  Borrower contributions.

    (a) The Borrower must contribute to the Project cash (or property 
acceptable to SBA obtained with the cash) or land (that is part of the 
Project Property), in an amount equal to the following percentage of the 
Project cost, excluding administrative costs:
    (1) At least 15 percent, if the Borrower (or Operating Company if 
the Borrower is an Eligible Passive Company) has operated for two years 
or less;
    (2) At least 15 percent, if the Project involves the acquisition, 
construction, conversion, or expansion of a limited or single purpose 
building or structure;
    (3) At least 20 percent, if the Project involves conditions 
described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section; or
    (4) At least 10 percent, in all other circumstances.
    (b) The source of the contribution may be a CDC or any other source 
except an SBA business loan program (see Sec.  120.913 for SBIC 
exception).

[64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999]



Sec.  120.911  Land contributions.

    The Borrower's contribution may be land (including buildings, 
structures and other site improvements which will be part of the Project 
Property) previously acquired by the Borrower.

[68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.912  Borrowed contributions.

    The Borrower may borrow its cash contribution from the CDC or a 
third party. If any of the contribution is borrowed, the interest rate 
must be reasonable. If the loan is secured by any of the Project assets, 
the loan must be subordinate to the liens securing the 504 Loan, and the 
loan may not be repaid at a faster rate than the 504 Loan unless SBA 
gives prior written approval. A third party lender may not receive 
voting rights, stock options, or any other actual or potential voting 
interest in the small business.



Sec.  120.913  Limitations on any contributions by a Licensee.

    Subject to part 107 of this chapter, a Licensee may provide 
financing for all or part of the Borrower's contribution to the Project. 
SBA will consider Licensee funds to be derived from federal sources if 
the Licensee has Leverage (as defined in Sec.  107.50 of this chapter). 
If the Licensee does not have Leverage, SBA will consider the investment 
to be from private funds. Licensee financing must be subordinated to the 
504 loan and must not be repaid at a faster rate than the Debenture. 
(Refer to Sec.  120.930(a) for additional limitations.)

[68 FR 57987, Oct. 7, 2003]

[[Page 343]]

                            Third Party Loans



Sec.  120.920  Required participation by the Third Party Lender.

    (a) Amount of Third Party Loans. A Project financing must include 
one or more Third Party Loans totaling at least as much as the 504 loan. 
However, the Third Party Loans must total at least 50 percent of the 
total cost of the Project if:
    (1) The Borrower (or Operating Company, if the Borrower is an 
Eligible Passive Company) has operated for two years or less, or
    (2) The Project is for the acquisition, construction, conversion or 
expansion of a limited or single purpose asset.
    (b) Third party loan collateral. The 504 loan is usually 
collateralized by a second lien on Project Property. The Third Party 
Lender may obtain additional collateral or other security for the Third 
Party Loan (``Additional Collateral'') only if in the event of 
liquidation and unless otherwise approved in writing by SBA:
    (1) The Third Party Lender liquidates or otherwise exhausts all 
reasonable avenues of collection with respect to the Additional 
Collateral no later than the disposition of the Project Property, and
    (2) The Third Party Lender applies any proceeds received as a result 
of the Additional Collateral to the balance outstanding on the Third 
Party Loan prior to the application of proceeds from the disposition of 
the Project Property to the Third Party Loan.

[64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999, as amended at 79 FR 15650, Mar. 21, 2014]



Sec.  120.921  Terms of Third Party loans.

    (a) Maturity. A Third Party Loan must have a term of at least 7 
years when the 504 loan is for a term of 10 years and 10 years when the 
504 loan is for 20 years. If there is more than one Third Party Loan, an 
overall loan maturity must be calculated, taking into account the 
maturities and amounts of each loan.
    (b) Interest rates. Interest rates must be reasonable. SBA must 
establish and publish in the Federal Register a maximum interest rate 
for any Third Party Loan from commercial financial institutions. The 
rate shall remain in effect until changed.
    (c) Other terms. The Third Party Loan must not have any early call 
feature or contain any demand provisions unless the loan is in default. 
By participating, a Third Party Loan lender waives, as to the CDC/SBA 
financing, any provision in its deed of trust, or mortgage, or other 
documents prohibiting further encumbrances or subordinate debt. In the 
event of default, the Third Party Lender must give the CDC and SBA 
written notice of default within 30 days of the event of default and at 
least 60 days prior to foreclosure.
    (d) Future advances. The Third Party Loan must not be open-ended. 
After completion of the Project, the Third Party Lender may not make 
future advances under the Third Party Loan except expenditures to 
collect amounts due the Third Party Loan notes, maintain collateral and 
protect the Third Party Lender's lien position on the Third Party Loan.
    (e) Subordination. The Third Party Lender's lien will be subordinate 
to the CDC/SBA lien regarding any prepayment penalties, late fees, other 
default charges, and escalated interest after default due under the 
Third Party Loan.
    (f) Escalation upon default. A Third-Party Lender may not escalate 
the rate of interest upon default to a rate greater than the maximum 
rate set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. Regarding any Project 
that SBA approved after September 30, 1996, SBA will only pay the 
interest rate on the note in effect before the date of the Borrower's 
default.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2118, Jan. 13, 1999; 88 
FR 21900, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.922  Pre-existing debt on the Project Property.

    In addition to its share of Project cost, a Third-Party Loan may 
include consolidation of existing debt on the Project Property. The 
consolidation must not improve the lien position of the Lender on the 
pre-existing debt, unless the debt is a previous Third-Party Loan.

[[Page 344]]



Sec.  120.923  Policies on subordination.

    (a) Financing provided by the seller of Project Property must be 
subordinate to the 504 loan. SBA may waive the subordination requirement 
if the property is classified as ``other real estate owned'' by a 
national bank or other Federally regulated lender and SBA considers the 
property to be of sufficient value to support the 504 loan.
    (b) A Borrower is eligible for a 504 loan even if part of the 
Project financing is tax-exempt. SBA's lien position must not be 
subordinate to loans made from the proceeds of the tax-exempt 
obligation.
    (c) The Borrower must not prepay any Project financing subordinate 
to the 504 loan without SBA's prior written consent.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.925  [Reserved]



Sec.  120.926  Referral fee.

    The CDC can receive a reasonable referral fee from the Third Party 
Lender if the CDC secured the Third Party Lender for the Borrower under 
a written contract between the CDC and the Third Party Lender. Both the 
CDC and the Third Party Lender are prohibited from charging this fee to 
the Borrower. If a CDC charges a referral fee, the CDC will be construed 
as a Referral Agent under part 103 of this chapter.

[68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003]

                        504 Loans and Debentures



Sec.  120.930  Amount.

    (a) Generally, a 504 loan may not exceed 40 percent of total Project 
cost plus 100 percent of eligible administrative costs. For good cause 
shown, SBA may authorize an increase in the percentage of Project costs 
covered up to 50 percent. No more than 50 percent of eligible Project 
costs can be from Federal sources, whether received directly or 
indirectly through an intermediary.
    (b) A 504 loan must not be less than $25,000.
    (c) Upon completion of the Project, the Debenture amount will be 
reduced by the amount that the unused contingency reserve exceeds 2 
percent of the anticipated Debenture.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.931  504 Lending limits.

    504 loan amounts shall be limited to:
    (a) An outstanding balance of $5,000,000 for each Borrower and its 
affiliates if the loan proceeds will not be directed towards a Project 
in paragraph (c) of this section,
    (b) An outstanding balance of $5,000,000 for each Borrower and its 
affiliates if one or more of the public policy goals enumerated in Sec.  
120.862(b) applies to the Project; and
    (c) $5,500,000 for each Project for:
    (1) Small Manufacturers (NAICS Codes 31-33) with all production 
facilities located in the United States;
    (2) Reduction of the Borrower's, or if the Borrower is an Eligible 
Passive Company, the Operating Company's energy consumption by at least 
10%; or
    (3) Plant, equipment and process upgrades of renewable energy 
sources such as the small-scale production of energy for individual 
buildings' or communities' consumption, commonly known as micropower, or 
renewable fuel producers including biodiesel and ethanol producers.

[76 FR 63547, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.932  Interest rate.

    The interest rate of the 504 Loan and the Debenture which funds it 
is set by the SBA and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury.



Sec.  120.933  Maturity.

    From time to time, SBA will publish in the Federal Register the 
available maturities for a 504 loan and the Debenture that funds it. 
Such available maturities remain in effect until changed by subsequent 
Federal Register publication.

[68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.934  Collateral.

    The CDC usually takes a second lien position on the Project Property 
to secure the 504 loan. Sometimes additional collateral is required. (In 
rare circumstances, SBA may permit other

[[Page 345]]

collateral substituted for Project Property.) All collateral must be 
insured against such hazards and risks as SBA may require, with 
provisions for notice to SBA and the CDC in the event of impending lapse 
of coverage.

[68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003]



Sec.  120.935  Deposit from the Borrower that a CDC may require.

    At the time of application for a 504 loan, the CDC may require a 
deposit from the Borrower of $2,500 or 1 percent of the Net Debenture 
Proceeds, whichever is less. The deposit may be applied to the loan 
processing fee if the application is accepted, but must be refunded if 
the application is denied. If the small business withdraws its 
application, the CDC may deduct from the deposit reasonable costs 
incurred in packaging and processing the application.



Sec.  120.937  Assumption.

    A 504 loan may be assumed with SBA's prior written approval.



Sec.  120.938  Default.

    (a) Upon occurrence of an event of default specified in the 504 note 
which requires automatic acceleration, the note becomes due and payable. 
Upon occurrence of an event of default which does not require automatic 
acceleration, SBA may forbear acceleration of the note and attempt to 
resolve the default. If the default is not cured subsequently, the note 
shall be accelerated. In either case, upon acceleration of the note, the 
Debenture which funded it is also due immediately, and SBA must honor 
its guarantee of the Debenture. SBA shall not reimburse the investor for 
any premium paid.
    (b) If a CDC defaults on a Debenture, SBA generally shall limit its 
recovery to the payments made by the small business to the CDC on the 
loan made from the Debenture proceeds, and the collateral securing the 
defaulted loan. However, SBA will look to the CDC for the entire amount 
of the Debenture in the case of fraud, negligence, or misrepresentation 
by the CDC.



Sec.  120.939  Borrower prohibition.

    Neither a Borrower nor an Associate of the Borrower may purchase an 
interest in a Debenture Pool in which the Debenture that funded its 504 
loan has been placed.



Sec.  120.940  Prepayment of the 504 loan or Debenture.

    The Borrower may prepay its 504 loan, if it pays the entire 
principal balance, unpaid interest, any unpaid fees, and any prepayment 
premium established in the note. If the Borrower prepays, the CDC must 
prepay the corresponding Debenture with interest and premium. If one of 
the Debentures in a Debenture Pool is prepaid, the Investors in that 
Debenture Pool must be paid pro rata, and SBA's guarantee on the entire 
Debenture Pool must be proportionately reduced. If the entire Debenture 
Pool is paid off, SBA may call all Certificates backed by the Pool for 
redemption.



Sec.  120.941  Certificates.

    (a) The face value of a Certificate must be at least $25,000. 
Certificates are issued in registered form and transferred only by entry 
on the central registry maintained by the Trustee. SBA guarantees the 
timely payment of principal and interest on the Certificates.
    (b) Before the sale of a Certificate, the seller, or the broker or 
dealer acting as the seller's agent, must disclose to the purchaser the 
terms, conditions, yield, and premium and other characteristics not 
guaranteed by SBA.

                   Debenture Sales and Service Agents



Sec.  120.950  SBA and CDC must appoint agents.

    SBA and the CDC must appoint the following agents to facilitate the 
sale and service of the Certificates and disbursement of the proceeds.



Sec.  120.951  Selling agent.

    The CDC, with SBA approval, shall appoint a Selling Agent to select 
underwriters, negotiate the terms and conditions of Debenture offerings 
with the underwriters, and direct and coordinate Debenture sales.

[[Page 346]]



Sec.  120.952  Fiscal agent.

    SBA shall appoint a Fiscal Agent to assess the financial markets, 
minimize the cost of sales, arrange for the production of the Offering 
Circular, Debenture Certificates, and other required documents, and 
monitor the performance of the Trustee and the underwriters.



Sec.  120.953  Trustee.

    SBA must appoint a Trustee to:
    (a) Issue Certificates;
    (b) Transfer the Certificates upon resale in the secondary market;
    (c) Maintain physical possession of the Debentures for SBA and the 
Certificate holders;
    (d) Establish and maintain a central registry of:
    (1) Debenture Pools, including the CDC obligors and the interest 
rate payable on the Debentures in each Pool;
    (2) Certificates issued or transferred, including the Debenture Pool 
backing the Certificate, name and address of the purchaser, price paid, 
the interest rate on the Certificate, and fees or charges assessed by 
the transferror; and
    (3) Brokers and dealers in Certificates, and the commissions, fees 
or discounts granted to the brokers and dealers;
    (e) Receive semi-annual Debenture payments and prepayments;
    (f) Make regularly scheduled and prepayment payments to Investors; 
and
    (g) Assure before any resale of a Debenture or Certificate is 
recorded in the registry that the seller has provided the purchaser a 
written disclosure statement approved by SBA.



Sec.  120.954  Central Servicing Agent.

    (a) SBA has entered into a Master Servicing Agreement designating a 
Central Servicing Agent (CSA) to support the orderly flow of funds among 
Borrowers, CDCs, and SBA. The CDC and Borrower must enter into an 
individual Servicing Agent Agreement with the CSA for each 504 loan, 
constituting acceptance by the CDC and the Borrower of the terms of the 
Master Servicing Agreement.
    (b) The CSA has established a master reserve account. All funds 
related to the 504 loans and Debentures flow through the master reserve 
account under the provisions of the Master Servicing Agreement. The 
master reserve account will be funded by a guarantee fee, a funding fee 
to be published from time to time in the Federal Register, and by 
principal and interest payments of 504 loans. At SBA's direction, the 
CSA may use funds in the master reserve account to defray program 
expenses. In the event a Borrower defaults and its 504 note is 
accelerated, SBA shall add funds under its guarantee to ensure the full 
and timely payment of the Debenture which funded the 504 loan. At SBA's 
direction, the CSA must pay to the CDC servicing each loan the interest 
accruing in the master reserve account on loan payments made by each 
Borrower between the date of receipt of each monthly payment and the 
date of disbursement to investors. The CSA may disburse such interest 
periodically to CDCs on a pro rata basis. SBA may use interest accruals 
in the master reserve account earned prior to October 1991 (not 
previously distributed to the CDCs) for the costs of 504 program 
administration.



Sec.  120.955  Agent bonds and records.

    (a) Each agent (in Sec. Sec.  120.951 through 120.954) must provide 
a fidelity bond or insurance in such amount as necessary to fully 
protect the interest of the government.
    (b) SBA must have access at the agent's place of business to all 
books, records and other documents relating to Debenture activities.



Sec.  120.956  Suspension or revocation of brokers and dealers.

    The appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance with 
Delegations of Authority may suspend or revoke the privilege of any 
broker or dealer to participate in the sale or marketing of Debentures 
and Certificates for actions or conduct bearing negatively on the 
broker's fitness to participate in the securities market. SBA must give 
the broker or dealer written notice, stating the reasons, at least 10 
business days prior to the effective date of the suspension or 
revocation. A broker or dealer may appeal the suspension or revocation 
made

[[Page 347]]

under this section pursuant to the procedures set forth in part 134 of 
this chapter. The action of this official will remain in effect pending 
resolution of the appeal.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008]

                                Closings



Sec.  120.960  Responsibility for closing.

    (a) The CDC is responsible for the 504 loan closing.
    (b) The Debenture closing is the joint responsibility of the CDC and 
SBA.
    (c) SBA may, within its sole discretion, decline to close the 
Debenture; direct the transfer of the 504 loan to another CDC; or cancel 
its guarantee of the Debenture, prior to sale, if any of the following 
occur:
    (1) The CDC has failed to comply materially with any Loan Program 
Requirement as defined in Sec.  120.10;
    (2) The CDC has failed to make or close the 504 loan or prepare the 
Debenture closing in a prudent or commercially reasonable manner;
    (3) The CDC's improper action or inaction places SBA at risk;
    (4) The CDC has failed to use required SBA forms or electronic 
versions of those forms;
    (5) The CDC, Third Party Lender or Borrower has failed to timely 
disclose to SBA a material fact regarding the Project or 504 loan;
    (6) The CDC, Third Party Lender or Borrower has misrepresented a 
material fact to SBA regarding the Project or 504 loan; or
    (7) SBA determines that there has been an unremedied material 
adverse change, such as deterioration in the Borrower's financial 
condition, since the 504 loan was approved, or that approving the 
closing of the Debenture will put SBA at unacceptable financial risk.

[68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 88 FR 21900, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.961  Construction escrow accounts.

    The CSA, title company, CDC attorney, or bank may hold Debenture 
proceeds in escrow to complete Project components such as landscaping 
and parking lots, and acquire machinery and equipment if the component 
or acquisition is a minor portion of the total Project and has been 
contracted for completion or delivery at a specified price and specific 
future date. The escrow agent must disburse funds upon approval by the 
CDC and the SBA, supported by invoices and payable jointly to the small 
business and the designated contractor.

                                Servicing



Sec.  120.970  Servicing of 504 loans and Debentures.

    (a) In servicing 504 loans, CDCs must comply with Loan Program 
Requirements and in accordance with prudent and commercially reasonable 
lending standards.
    (b) The CDC is responsible for routine servicing including receipt 
and review of the Borrower's or Operating Company's financial statements 
on an annual or more frequent basis and monitoring the status of the 
Borrower and 504 loan collateral.
    (c) The CDC is responsible for assuring that the Borrower makes all 
required insurance premium payments and has paid all taxes when due.
    (d) The CDC is responsible for filing renewals and extensions of 
security interests on collateral for the 504 loan, as required.
    (e) The CDC must timely respond to Borrower requests for loan 
modifications.
    (f) For any 504 loan that is more than three months past due, the 
CDC must promptly request that SBA purchase the Debenture unless the 504 
loan has an SBA-approved deferment or is in compliance with an SBA-
approved plan to allow the Borrower to catch up on delinquent loan 
payments.
    (g) The CDC must cooperate with SBA to cure defaults and initiate 
workouts.
    (h) Additional servicing requirements are set forth in subpart E of 
this part.

[68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003, as amended at 72 FR 18364, Apr. 12, 2007]

                                  Fees



Sec.  120.971  Allowable fees paid by Borrower.

    (a) CDC fees. The fees a CDC may charge the Borrower in connection

[[Page 348]]

with a 504 loan and Debenture are limited to the following:
    (1) Processing fee. The CDC may charge up to 1.5 percent of the net 
Debenture proceeds to process the financing. Two-thirds of this fee will 
be considered earned and may be collected by the CDC when the loan 
number is issued by SBA. The portion of the processing fee paid by the 
Borrower may be reimbursed from the Debenture proceeds;
    (2) Closing fee. The CDC may charge a reasonable closing fee 
sufficient to reimburse it for the expenses of its in-house or outside 
legal counsel, and other miscellaneous closing costs (CDC Closing Fee). 
Some closing costs may be funded out of the Debenture proceeds (see 
Sec.  120.883 for limitations);
    (3) Servicing fee. The CDC will charge a monthly servicing fee of at 
least 0.625 percent per annum and no more than 2 percent per annum on 
the unpaid balance of the loan as determined at five-year anniversary 
intervals. A servicing fee greater than 1.5 percent in a rural area and 
1 percent everywhere else requires SBA's prior written approval, based 
on evidence of substantial need. The servicing fee may be paid only from 
loan payments received. The fees may be accrued without interest and 
collected from the CSA when the payments are made.
    (4) Late fees. Loan payments received after the 15th of each month 
may be subject to a late payment fee of 5 percent of the late payment or 
$100, whichever is greater. These fees will be collected by the CSA on 
behalf of the CDC; and
    (5) Assumption fee. Upon SBA's written approval, a CDC may charge an 
assumption fee not to exceed 1 percent of the outstanding principal 
balance of the loan being assumed.
    (b) CSA fees. The CSA may charge an initiation fee on each loan and 
a monthly servicing fee under the terms of the Master Servicing 
Agreement.
    (c) Other agent fees. Agent fees and charges necessary to market and 
service Debentures and Certificates may be assessed to the Borrower or 
the investor. The fees must be approved by SBA and published 
periodically in the Federal Register.
    (d) SBA fees. (1) SBA charges a 0.5 percent guarantee fee on the 
Debenture.
    (2) For loans approved by SBA after September 30, 1996, SBA charges 
a fee of not more than 0.9375 percent annually on the unpaid principal 
balance of the loan as determined at five-year anniversary intervals.
    (e) Miscellaneous fees. A funding fee not to exceed 0.25 percent of 
the Debenture may be charged to cover costs incurred by the trustee, 
fiscal agent, transfer agent.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 2119, Jan. 13, 1999; 68 
FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003; 88 FR 21900, Apr. 12, 2023]



Sec.  120.972  Third Party Lender participation fee and CDC fee.

    (a) Participation fee. For loans approved by SBA after September 30, 
1996, SBA must collect a one-time fee equal to 50 basis points on the 
Third Party Lender's participation in a Project when the Third Party 
Lender occupies a senior credit position to SBA in the Project.
    (b) CDC fee. For loans approved by SBA after September 30, 1996, SBA 
must collect an annual fee from the CDC equal to 0.125 percent of the 
outstanding principal balance of the Debenture. The fee must be paid 
from the servicing fees collected by the CDC and cannot be paid from any 
additional fees imposed on the Borrower.

[68 FR 57988, Oct. 7, 2003]

 Authority of CDCs To Perform Liquidation and Debt Collection Litigation



Sec.  120.975  CDC Liquidation of loans and debt collection litigation.

    (a) PCLP CDCs. If a CDC is designated as a PCLP CDC under Sec.  
120.845, the CDC must liquidate and handle debt collection litigation 
with respect to all PCLP Loans in its portfolio on behalf of SBA as 
required by Sec.  120.848(f), in accordance with subpart E of this part. 
With respect to all other 504 loans that a PCLP CDC makes, the PCLP CDC 
is an Authorized CDC Liquidator and must exercise its delegated 
authority to liquidate and handle debt-collection litigation in 
accordance with subpart E of this part for such loans, if the PCLP

[[Page 349]]

CDC is notified by SBA that it meets either of the following 
requirements to be an Authorized CDC Liquidator, as determined by SBA:
    (1) The PCLP CDC has one or more employees who have not less than 
two years of substantive, decision-making experience in administering 
the liquidation and workout of defaulted or problem loans secured in a 
manner substantially similar to loans funded with 504 loan program 
debentures, and who have completed a training program on loan 
liquidation developed by the Agency in conjunction with qualified CDCs 
that meet the requirements of this section; or
    (2) The PCLP CDC has entered into a contract with a qualified third 
party for the performance of its liquidation responsibilities and 
obtains the approval of SBA with respect to the qualifications of the 
contractor and the terms and conditions of the contract.
    (b) All other CDCs. A CDC that is not authorized under paragraph (a) 
of this section may apply to become an Authorized CDC Liquidator with 
authority to liquidate and handle debt collection litigation with 
respect to 504 loans on behalf of SBA, in accordance with subpart E of 
this part, if the CDC meets the following requirements:
    (1) The CDC meets either of the following criteria:
    (i) The CDC participated in the loan liquidation pilot program 
established by the Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 1996 prior 
to October 1, 2006; or
    (ii) During the three fiscal years immediately prior to seeking such 
authority, the CDC made an average of not less than ten 504 loans per 
year; and
    (2) The CDC meets either of the following requirements:
    (i) The CDC has one or more employees who have not less than two 
years of substantive, decision-making experience in administering the 
liquidation and workout of defaulted or problem loans secured in a 
manner substantially similar to loans funded with 504 loan program 
debentures, and who have completed a training program on loan 
liquidation developed by the Agency in conjunction with qualified CDCs 
that meet the requirements of this section; or
    (ii) The CDC has entered into a contract with a qualified third 
party for the performance of its liquidation responsibilities and 
obtains the approval of SBA with respect to the qualifications of the 
contractor and the terms and conditions of the contract.
    (c) CDC counsel. To perform debt collection litigation under 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, a CDC must also have either in-
house counsel with adequate experience as approved by SBA or entered 
into a contract for the performance of debt collection litigation with 
an experienced attorney or law firm as approved by SBA.
    (d) Application for authority to liquidate and litigate. To seek 
authority to perform liquidation and debt collection litigation under 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a CDC other than a PCLP CDC must 
submit a written application to SBA and include documentation 
demonstrating that the CDC meets the requirements of paragraph (b) and 
(c) of this section. If a CDC intends to use a contractor to perform 
liquidation, it must obtain approval from SBA of both the qualifications 
of the contractor and the terms and conditions in the contract covering 
the CDC's retention of the contractor. SBA will notify a CDC in writing 
when the CDC can begin to perform liquidation and/or debt collection 
litigation under this section.

[72 FR 18365, Apr. 12, 2007]

         Enforceability of 501, 502 and 503 Loans and Other Laws



Sec.  120.990  501, 502 and 503 loans.

    SBA has discontinued loan programs for 501, 502, and 503 loans. 
Outstanding loans remain under these programs, and Borrowers, CDCs, and 
SBA must comply with the terms and conditions of the corresponding notes 
and Debentures, and the regulations in this part in effect when the 
obligations were undertaken or last in effect, if applicable.



Sec.  120.991  Effect of other laws.

    No State or local law may preclude or limit SBA's exercise of its 
rights with respect to notes, guarantees, Debentures and Debenture 
Pools, or of its

[[Page 350]]

enforcement rights to foreclose on collateral.



                  Subpart I_Risk-Based Lender Oversight

    Source: 72 FR 25194, May 4, 2007, unless otherwise noted.

                               Supervision



Sec.  120.1000  Risk-Based Lender Oversight.

    (a) Risk-Based Lender Oversight. SBA monitors, supervises, examines, 
regulates, and enforces laws against SBA Supervised Lenders and the SBA 
operations of SBA Lenders and Intermediaries.
    (b) Scope. Most rules and standards set forth in this subpart apply 
to SBA Lenders as well as Intermediaries; however, SBA has separate 
regulations for enforcement grounds and formal enforcement actions for 
Intermediaries at Sec. Sec.  120.1425 and 120.1540.

[85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1005  Bureau of PCLP Oversight.

    SBA's Bureau of PCLP Oversight within OCRM, monitors the 
capitalization of PCLP CDC pilot participants' LLRFs and performs other 
related functions.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.1010  SBA access to SBA Lender and Intermediary files.

    An SBA Lender and Intermediary must allow SBA's authorized 
representatives, including representatives authorized by the SBA 
Inspector General, during normal business hours, access to its files to 
review, inspect, and copy all records and documents, relating to SBA 
guaranteed loans or as requested for SBA oversight.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1015  Risk Rating System.

    (a) Risk Rating. SBA may assign a Risk Rating to all SBA Lenders and 
Intermediaries on a periodic basis. Risk Ratings are based on certain 
risk-related portfolio performance factors as set forth in notices or 
SBA's SOPs and as published from time to time.
    (b) Rating categories. Risk Ratings fall into one of two broad 
categories: Acceptable Risk Ratings or Less Than Acceptable Risk 
Ratings.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1025  Monitoring.

    SBA may conduct monitoring of SBA Lenders and Intermediaries 
including, but not limited to, SBA Lenders' or Intermediaries' self-
assessments.

[85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1050  Reviews and examinations.

    (a) Reviews. SBA may conduct reviews of the SBA loan operations of 
SBA Lenders. The review may include, but is not limited to, an 
evaluation of the following:
    (1) Portfolio performance;
    (2) SBA operations management;
    (3) Credit administration; and
    (4) Compliance with Loan Program Requirements.
    (b) Examinations. SBA may conduct safety and soundness examinations 
of SBA Supervised Lenders, except SBA will not conduct safety and 
soundness examinations of Other Regulated SBLCs under Sec. Sec.  
120.1510 and 1511. The safety and soundness examination may include, but 
is not limited to, an evaluation of:
    (1) Capital adequacy;
    (2) Asset quality (including credit administration and allowance for 
loan losses);
    (3) Management quality (including internal controls, loan portfolio 
management, and asset/liability management);
    (4) Earnings;
    (5) Liquidity; and
    (6) Compliance with Loan Program Requirements.
    (c) Reviews/examinations of Intermediaries. SBA may perform reviews 
or examinations of Intermediaries.
    (d) Other reviews or examinations. SBA may perform other reviews/
examinations as needed as determined by SBA in its discretion.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 82 FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017; 
85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]

[[Page 351]]



Sec.  120.1051  Frequency of reviews and examinations.

     SBA may conduct reviews and examinations of SBA Lenders and 
Intermediaries on a periodic basis. SBA may consider, but is not limited 
to, the following factors in determining frequency:
    (a) Results of monitoring, including an SBA Lender's or 
Intermediary's Risk Rating;
    (b) SBA loan portfolio size;
    (c) Previous review or examination findings;
    (d) Responsiveness in correcting deficiencies noted in prior reviews 
or examinations; and
    (e) Such other risk-related information as SBA, in its discretion, 
determines to be appropriate.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 82 FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017; 
85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1055  Review and examination results.

    (a) Written Reports. SBA will provide an SBA Lender and Intermediary 
a copy of SBA's written report prepared as a result of the SBA Lender or 
Intermediary review or examination (``Report''). SBA will provide the 
Report generally within 60 business days following SBA's conclusion of 
the review/examination unless SBA notifies the SBA Lender or 
Intermediary of a later date and the reason for the delay. The Report 
may contain findings, conclusions, corrective actions, and 
recommendations. Each director (or manager, in the absence of a Board of 
Directors) of the SBA Lender or Intermediary, in keeping with his or her 
responsibilities, must become fully informed regarding the contents of 
the Report.
    (b) Response to review and examination Reports. SBA Lenders and 
Intermediaries must respond to Report findings, recommendations, and 
corrective actions, if any, in writing to SBA and, if requested, submit 
proposed corrective actions and/or a capital restoration plan. An SBA 
Lender or Intermediary must respond within 45 business days from the 
date the Report is received unless SBA notifies the SBA Lender or 
Intermediary in writing that the response, proposed corrective actions 
or capital restoration plan is to be filed within a different time 
period (either shortened or extended in SBA's discretion). The SBA 
Lender or Intermediary response must address each finding, 
recommendation, and corrective action. In proposing a corrective action 
or capital restoration plan, the SBA Lender or Intermediary must detail 
the steps it will take to correct the finding(s); the time within which 
each step will be taken; the timeframe for accomplishing the entire 
corrective action plan; and the person(s) or department at the SBA 
Lender or Intermediary charged with carrying out the corrective action 
or capital restoration plan, as applicable. In addition, SBA Lenders and 
Intermediaries must implement corrective actions within 90 calendar days 
from the date the Report or SBA's letter requiring corrective action is 
received, unless SBA provides written notice of another timeframe. For 
purposes of this paragraph (b), a Report will be deemed to have been 
received on the date it was emailed to the last known email address of 
the SBA Lender or Intermediary unless the SBA Lender or Intermediary can 
provide compelling evidence to the contrary.
    (c) SBA response. SBA will provide written notice of whether the 
response and, if applicable, any corrective action or capital 
restoration plan, is approved, or whether SBA will seek additional 
information or require other action.
    (d) Failure to respond or to submit or implement an acceptable plan. 
If an SBA Lender or Intermediary fails to respond in writing to SBA, 
respond timely to SBA, or provide a response acceptable to SBA within 
SBA's discretion, or respond to all findings and required corrective 
actions in a Report, then SBA may take enforcement action under this 
subpart. If an SBA Lender or Intermediary that is requested to submit a 
corrective action plan or capital restoration plan to SBA fails to do so 
in writing; fails to submit timely such plan to SBA; or fails to submit 
a plan acceptable to SBA within SBA's discretion, then SBA may take 
enforcement action under this subpart. If an SBA

[[Page 352]]

Lender or Intermediary fails to implement in any material respect a 
corrective action or capital restoration plan within the required 
timeframe, then SBA may undertake enforcement action under this subpart.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1060  Confidentiality of Reports, Risk Ratings 
and related Confidential Information.

    (a) In general. Reports and other SBA prepared review or examination 
related documents are the property of SBA and are loaned to an SBA 
Lender or Intermediary for its confidential use only. The Reports, Risk 
Ratings, and related Confidential Information are privileged and 
confidential as more fully explained in paragraph (b) of this section. 
The Report, Risk Rating, and Confidential Information must not be relied 
upon for any purpose other than SBA's Lender oversight and SBA's 
portfolio management purposes. An SBA Lender or Intermediary must not 
make any representations concerning the Report (including its findings, 
conclusions, and recommendations), the Risk Rating, or the Confidential 
Information. For purposes of this regulation, Report means the review or 
examination report and related documents. For purposes of this 
regulation, Confidential Information is defined in the SBA Lender 
information portal and by notice issued from time to time. Access to the 
Lender information portal may be obtained by contacting the OCRM.
    (b) Disclosure prohibition. Each SBA Lender and Intermediary is 
prohibited from disclosing its Report, Risk Rating, and Confidential 
Information, in full or in part, in any manner, without SBA's prior 
written permission. An SBA Lender and Intermediary may use the Report, 
Risk Rating, and Confidential Information for confidential use within 
its own immediate corporate organization. SBA Lender's and 
Intermediary's must restrict access to their Report, Risk Rating and 
Confidential Information to their respective parent entities, officers, 
directors, employees, auditors and consultants, in each case who 
demonstrate a legitimate need to know such information for the purpose 
of assisting in improving the SBA Lender's or Intermediary's SBA program 
operations in conjunction with SBA's Program and SBA's portfolio 
management (for purposes of this regulation, each referred to as a 
``permitted party''), and to those for whom SBA has approved access by 
prior written consent, and those for whom access is required by 
applicable law or legal process. If such law or process requires SBA 
Lender or Intermediaryto disclose the Report, Risk Rating, or 
Confidential Information to any person other than a permitted party, SBA 
Lender or Intermediary will promptly notify SBA and SBA's Information 
Provider in writing and in advance of such disclosure so that SBA and 
the Information Provider have, within their discretion, the opportunity 
to seek appropriate relief such as an injunction or protective order 
prior to disclosure. For purposes of this regulation, ``consultants'' 
means only those consultants that are under written contract with an SBA 
Lender or Intermediary specifically to assist with addressing its Report 
Findings and Corrective Actions to SBA's satisfaction. The consultant 
contract must provide for both the consultant's agreement to abide by 
the disclosure prohibition in this paragraph and the consultant's 
agreement not to use the Report, Risk Rating, and Confidential 
Information for any purpose other than to assist with addressing the 
Report Findings and Corrective Actions. ``Information Provider'' means 
any contractor that provides SBA with the Risk Rating. Each SBA Lender 
and Intermediary must ensure that each permitted party is aware of and 
agrees to these regulatory requirements and must ensure that each such 
permitted party abides by them. Any disclosure of the Report, Risk 
Rating, or Confidential Information other than as permitted by this 
regulation may result in appropriate action as authorized by law. An SBA 
Lender and Intermediary will indemnify and hold harmless SBA from and 
against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, and liabilities to 
any degree based upon or resulting from any unauthorized use or 
disclosure of the Report, Risk Rating, or Confidential Information. 
Information Provider contact information is

[[Page 353]]

available from the Office of Capital Access.

[73 FR 75519, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 82 FR 39504, Aug. 21, 2017; 
85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1070  SBA Lender oversight fees.

    Lenders are required to pay to SBA fees to cover costs of 
examinations and reviews and, if assessed by SBA, other Lender oversight 
activities.
    (a) Fee components: The fees may cover the following:
    (1) Examinations. The costs of conducting a safety and soundness 
examination and related activities of an SBA-Supervised Lender, 
including any expenses that are incurred in relation to the examination 
and such activities.
    (2) Reviews. The costs of conducting a review of a 7(a) Lender or a 
7(a) Lender's loans, and related review activities (e.g., corrective 
action assessments, delegated loan reviews), including any expenses that 
are incurred in relation to the review and such activities.
    (3) Monitoring. The costs of conducting monitoring reviews of a 7(a) 
Lender, including any expenses that are incurred in relation to the 
monitoring review activities.
    (4) Other lender oversight activities. The costs of additional 
expenses that SBA incurs in carrying out other lender oversight 
activities (for example, the salaries and travel expenses of SBA 
employees and equipment expenses that are directly related to carrying 
out lender oversight activities, technical assistance and analytics to 
support the monitoring and review program, and supervision and 
enforcement activity costs).
    (b) Allocation. SBA will assess to 7(a) Lender(s) the costs 
associated with the review, examination, monitoring, or other lender 
oversight activity, as determined by SBA in its discretion. In general:
    (1) Where the costs that SBA incurs for a review, exam, monitoring 
or other lender oversight activity are specific to a particular 7(a) 
Lender, SBA will charge that 7(a) Lender a fee for the actual costs of 
conducting the review, exam, monitoring or other lender oversight 
activity; and
    (2) Where the costs that SBA incurs for the lender oversight 
activity are not sufficiently specific to a particular Lender, SBA will 
assess a fee based on each 7(a) Lender's portion of the total dollar 
amount of SBA guarantees in SBA's total portfolio or in the relevant 
portfolio segment being reviewed or examined, to cover the costs of such 
activity. SBA may waive the assessment of this fee for all 7(a) Lenders 
owing less than a threshold amount below which SBA determines that it is 
not cost effective to collect the fee.
    (c) Billing process. For the examinations or reviews conducted under 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, SBA will bill each 7(a) 
Lender for the amount owed following completion of the examination, 
review or related activity. For monitoring conducted under paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section and the other lender oversight activity expenses 
incurred under paragraph (a)(4) of this section, SBA will bill each 7(a) 
Lender for the amount owed on an annual basis. SBA will state in the 
bill the date by which payment is due SBA and the approved payment 
method(s). The payment due date will be no less than 30 calendar days 
from the bill date.
    (d) Delinquent payment and late-payment charges. Payments that are 
not received by the due date specified in the bill shall be considered 
delinquent. SBA will charge interest, and other applicable charges and 
penalties, on delinquent payments, as authorized by 31 U.S.C. 3717. SBA 
may waive or abate the collection of interest, charges and/or penalties 
if circumstances warrant. In addition, a 7(a) Lender's failure to pay 
any of the fee components described in this section, or to pay interest, 
charges and penalties that have been charged, may result in a decision 
to suspend or revoke a participant's eligibility, limit a participant's 
delegated authority, or other remedy available under law.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 82 FR 39505, Aug. 21, 2017]

                           Enforcement Actions



Sec.  120.1300  Informal enforcement actions--7(a) Lenders.

    (a) Upon a determination that the grounds in Sec.  120.1400 exist, 
the D/OCRM may undertake, in his/her discretion,

[[Page 354]]

one or more of the informal enforcement actions listed in this section 
and is not restricted from delegating as appropriate. SBA will consider 
the severity or frequency of the violation or action triggering the 
ground and the circumstances in determining whether and what type of 
informal action to take. Circumstances that may lead to SBA taking 
informal enforcement action rather than formal enforcement action 
include, for example, when problems are narrow in scope and are 
correctible and SBA is confident of a 7(a) Lender's Board of Directors 
(``Board'') and management commitment and ability to correct; where 
violations are less frequent or less severe but warrant enforcement; or 
while more fully assessing risk.
    (b) Informal enforcement actions include, but are not limited to:
    (1) An SBA supervisory letter. The letter may discuss serious or 
persistent supervisory concerns, as determined by SBA, and expected 
corrective action by the 7(a) Lender. Supervisory letters include, for 
example, Notices of Material Non-Compliance;
    (2) Mandatory training. SBA may require a 7(a) Lender to complete 
training to address certain findings, weaknesses, and deficiencies;
    (3) A commitment letter or Board resolution. SBA may require a 7(a) 
Lender to submit a commitment letter or Board resolution, satisfactory 
to SBA, signed by the 7(a) Lender's Board on behalf of the entity that 
may:
    (i) Include specific written commitments to take corrective actions 
in response to the 7(a) Lender's acknowledged deficiencies;
    (ii) Identify the person(s) responsible for taking the corrective 
action; and
    (iii) Set forth the timeframe for taking the corrective action. The 
document may be drafted by SBA or the 7(a) Lender;
    (4) Agreements. SBA may request that a 7(a) Lender enter into a 
written agreement with, and drafted by, SBA to address and correct 
identified weaknesses and/or limit or mitigate risk. The agreement may 
provide, for example, that a 7(a) Lender take certain actions or refrain 
from certain actions; and
    (5) Other informal enforcement actions. Others as SBA determines 
appropriate on a case by case basis.
    (c) A 7(a) Lender may appeal informal enforcement actions to the 
appropriate Federal district court or SBA's Office of Hearings and 
Appeals (OHA) within 20 calendar days of the date of the decision, and 
in the event of an OHA appeal, OHA will issue its decision in accordance 
with part 134 of this title. The enforcement action will remain in 
effect pending resolution of the appeal, if any. SBA is not precluded 
from taking one or more formal enforcement actions under Sec.  120.1500, 
or as otherwise authorized by law, while an appeal of an informal 
enforcement action is pending.

[85 FR 14781, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1400  Grounds for enforcement actions--SBA Lenders.

    (a) Agreements. By making SBA 7(a) guaranteed loans or 504 loans, 
SBA Lenders automatically agree to the terms, conditions, and remedies 
in Loan Program Requirements, as promulgated or issued from time to time 
and as if fully set forth in the SBA Form 750 (Loan Guaranty Agreement), 
Development Company 504 Debenture, CDC Certification, Servicing Agent 
Agreement, or other applicable participation, guaranty, or supplemental 
agreement. SBA Lenders further agree that a violation of Loan Program 
Requirements constitutes default under their respective agreements with 
SBA.
    (1) Additional agreements by CDCs. By obtaining approval for 504 
loans after January 1, 2018, a CDC consents to the remedies in Sec.  
120.1500(e)(3) and waives in advance any right it may have to contest 
the validity of the appointment of a receiver. The CDC agrees that its 
consent to SBA's application to a Federal court of competent 
jurisdiction for appointment of a receiver of SBA's choosing, an 
injunction or other equitable relief, and the CDC's consent in advance 
to the court's granting of SBA's application, may be enforced upon any 
basis in law or equity recognized by the court. The CDC's consent does 
not preclude the CDC from contesting whether or not SBA has established 
the grounds for seeking the remedy of a receivership. A CDC's consent

[[Page 355]]

to receivership as a remedy does not require SBA to seek appointment of 
a receiver in any particular SBA enforcement action.
    (2) Additional agreements by SBA Supervised Lenders (except Other 
Regulated SBLCs). By making SBA 7(a) guaranteed loans after January 1, 
2018, an SBA Supervised Lender (except an Other Regulated SBLC) consents 
to the remedies in Sec.  120.1500(c)(3) and waives in advance any right 
it may have to contest the validity of the appointment of a receiver. 
The SBA Supervised Lender agrees that its consent to SBA's application 
to a Federal court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a 
receiver of SBA's choosing, an injunction or other equitable relief, and 
the SBA Supervised Lender's consent in advance to the court's granting 
of SBA's application, may be enforced upon any basis in law or equity 
recognized by the court. The SBA Supervised Lender's consent does not 
preclude such Lender from contesting whether or not SBA has established 
the grounds for seeking the remedy of a receivership. The SBA Supervised 
Lender's consent to receivership as a remedy does not require SBA to 
seek appointment of a receiver in any particular SBA enforcement action.
    (b) Scope. SBA may undertake one or more of the enforcement actions 
listed in Sec. Sec.  120.1300 and 120.1500, or as otherwise authorized 
by law, if SBA determines that the grounds applicable to the enforcement 
action exist. Paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section list the 
grounds that trigger enforcement actions against each type of SBA 
Lender. In general, the grounds listed in paragraph (c) apply to all SBA 
Lenders. However, certain enforcement actions against SBA Supervised 
Lenders require the existence of certain grounds, as set forth in 
paragraphs (d) and (e). In addition, paragraph (f) of this section lists 
two additional grounds for taking enforcement action against CDCs that 
do not apply to other SBA Lenders. SBA considers the severity or 
frequency of a violation in determining whether to take an enforcement 
action and the type of enforcement action to take.
    (c) Grounds in general. Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) 
of this section, the grounds that may trigger an enforcement action 
against any SBA Lender (regardless of its Risk Rating) include:
    (1) Failure to maintain eligibility requirements for specific SBA 
programs and delegated authorities, including but not limited to: 7(a), 
PLP, SBAExpress, 504, ALP, PCLP, the alternative loss reserve pilot 
program and any pilot loan program;
    (2) Failure to comply materially with any requirement imposed by 
Loan Program Requirements;
    (3) Making a material false statement or failure to disclose a 
material fact to SBA. (A material fact is any fact which is necessary to 
make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under 
which the statement was made.);
    (4) Not performing underwriting, closing, disbursing, servicing, 
liquidation, litigation or other actions in a commercially reasonable 
and prudent manner for 7(a) or 504 loans, respectively, as applicable. 
Evidence of such performance or actions may include, but is not limited 
to, the SBA Lender having a repeated Less Than Acceptable Risk Rating 
(generally in conjunction with other evidence) or an on-site review/
examination assessment which is Less Than Acceptable;
    (5) Failure within the time period specified to correct an 
underwriting, closing, disbursing, servicing, liquidation, litigation, 
or reporting deficiency, or failure in any material respect to take 
other corrective action, after receiving notice from SBA of a deficiency 
and the need to take corrective action;
    (6) Engaging in a pattern of uncooperative behavior or taking an 
action that SBA determines is detrimental to the integrity or reputation 
of an SBA program, that undermines management or administration of a 
program, or that is not consistent with standards of good conduct. Prior 
to issuing a notice of a proposed enforcement action or immediate 
suspension under Sec.  120.1500 based upon this paragraph, SBA must send 
prior written notice to the SBA Lender explaining why the SBA Lender's 
actions were uncooperative, detrimental to the program, undermined SBA's 
management of the

[[Page 356]]

program, or were not consistent with standards of good conduct. The 
prior notice must also state that the SBA Lender's actions could give 
rise to a specified enforcement action, and provide the SBA Lender with 
a reasonable time to cure the deficiency before any further action is 
taken;
    (7) Repeated failure to correct continuing deficiencies;
    (8) Unauthorized disclosure of Reports, Risk Rating, or Confidential 
Information;
    (9) Any other reason that SBA determines may increase SBA's 
financial risk (for example, repeated Less Than Acceptable Risk Ratings 
(generally in conjunction with other indicators of increased financial 
risk); failure to properly oversee Agent activity (``Agent'' as defined 
in part 103 of this title); or, indictment on felony or fraud charges of 
an officer, key employee, or loan agent involved with SBA loans for the 
SBA Lender);
    (10) As otherwise authorized by law;
    (11) For immediate suspension of all SBA Lenders from delegated 
authorities--upon a determination by SBA that:
    (i) One or more of the grounds in paragraph (c) or (f) of this 
section, as applicable, exists; and
    (ii) Immediate action is needed to protect the interests of the 
Federal Government (such as where there is risk of immediate harm or 
loss, a significant program integrity concern, or clear evidence of 
conduct indicating a lack of business integrity); and
    (12) For immediate suspension of all SBA Lenders (except SBA 
Supervised Lenders, which are covered under paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section) from the authority to participate in the SBA loan program, 
including the authority to make, service, liquidate, or litigate 7(a) or 
504 loans--upon a determination by SBA that:
    (i) One or more of the grounds in paragraph (c) or (f) of this 
section, as applicable, exists; and
    (ii) Immediate action is needed to protect the interests of the 
Federal Government (such as where there is risk of immediate harm or 
loss, a significant program integrity concern, or clear evidence of 
conduct indicating a lack of business integrity).
    (d) Grounds required for certain enforcement actions against SBA 
Supervised Lenders (except Other Regulated SBLCs) or, as applicable, 
Other Persons. For purposes of Subpart I, Other Person means a 
Management Official, attorney, accountant, appraiser, Lender Service 
Provider or other individual involved in the SBA Supervised Lender's 
operations. For the below listed SBA Supervised Lender enforcement 
actions, the grounds that are required to take the enforcement action 
are:
    (1) For SBA program suspensions and revocations--
    (i) False statements knowingly made in any required written 
submission to SBA; or
    (ii) An omission of a material fact from any written submission 
required by SBA; or
    (iii) A willful or repeated violation of SBA Loan Program 
Requirements; or
    (iv) A willful or repeated violation of any condition imposed by SBA 
with respect to any application or request with SBA; or
    (v) A violation of any cease and desist order of SBA.
    (2) For SBA program immediate suspension--SBA may suspend an SBA 
Supervised Lender, effective immediately, if in addition to meeting the 
grounds set forth in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the Administrator 
(or the Deputy Administrator, only if the Administrator is unavailable 
to take such action) finds extraordinary circumstances and takes such 
action in order to protect the financial or legal position of the United 
States.
    (3) For cease and desist orders--
    (i) A violation of SBA Loan Program Requirements; or
    (ii) Where an SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person engages in or is 
about to engage in any acts or practices that will violate SBA Loan 
Program Requirements.
    (4) For an emergency cease and desist order--
    (i) Where grounds for cease and desist order are met,
    (ii) The Administrator (or the Deputy Administrator, only if the 
Administrator is unavailable to take such action) finds extraordinary 
circumstances, and

[[Page 357]]

    (iii) In order to protect the financial or legal position of the 
United States.
    (5) For transfer of Loan portfolio--
    (i) Where a court has appointed a receiver; or
    (ii) The SBA Supervised Lender is either not in compliance with 
capital requirements or is insolvent. An SBA Supervised Lender is 
insolvent within the meaning of this provision when all of its capital, 
surplus, and undivided profits are absorbed in funding losses and the 
remaining assets are not sufficient to pay and discharge its contracts, 
debts, and other obligations as they come due.
    (6) For transfer of servicing activity--
    (i) Where grounds for transfer of Loan portfolio are met; or
    (ii) Where the SBA Supervised Lender is otherwise operating in an 
unsafe and unsound condition.
    (7) For order to remove Management Official--where, in the opinion 
of the Administrator or his/her delegatee, the Management Official--
    (i) Willfully and knowingly committed a substantial violation of the 
Act, SBA regulation, a final cease and desist order, or any agreement by 
the Management Official or the SBA Supervised Lender under the Act or 
SBA regulations, or
    (ii) Willfully and knowingly committed a substantial breach of a 
fiduciary duty of that person as a Management Official and the violation 
or breach of fiduciary duty is one involving personal dishonesty on the 
part of such Management Official, or
    (iii) The Management Official is convicted of a felony involving 
dishonesty or breach of trust and the conviction is no longer subject to 
further judicial review (excludes writ of habeas corpus).
    (8) For order to suspend or prohibit participation of Management 
Official (interim measure pending removal)--where SBA is undertaking 
enforcement action of removal of a Management Official.
    (9) For order to suspend or prohibit participation of Management 
Official due to criminal charges--where the Management Official is 
charged in any information, indictment or complaint authorized by a 
United States attorney with a felony involving dishonesty or breach of 
trust.
    (e) Grounds required for certain enforcement actions against SBLCs 
and Other Regulated SBLCs--(1) Capital directive. If the AA/CA 
determines that an SBLC is capitally impaired or is otherwise being 
operated in an imprudent manner, the AA/CA may, in addition to any other 
action authorized by law, issue a directive to the SBLC to increase 
capital consistent with Sec.  120.1500(d)(1).
    (2) Civil action for termination. If an SBLC violates the Act or SBA 
regulations, SBA may institute a civil action to terminate SBLC rights, 
privileges, and the franchise under Sec.  120.1500(d)(2).
    (f) Additional grounds specific to CDCs. In addition to the grounds 
set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, SBA may take 
enforcement action against a CDC for:
    (1) Failure to receive SBA approval for at least four 504 loans 
during the last two consecutive fiscal years, or
    (2) For PCLP CDCs, failure to establish or maintain a LLRF as 
required by the PCLP.

[73 FR 75521, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 82 FR 39505, Aug. 21, 2017; 
85 FR 14782, Mar. 16, 2020; 87 FR 38909, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  120.1425  Grounds for formal enforcement actions--
Intermediaries participating in the Microloan Program.

    (a) Agreement. By participating in the SBA Microloan Program, 
Intermediaries automatically agree to the terms, conditions, and 
remedies in this part as if fully set forth in their participation 
agreement and all other agreements jointly executed by the Intermediary 
and SBA.
    (b) Scope. SBA may undertake one or more of the formal enforcement 
actions listed in Sec.  120.1540, or as otherwise authorized by law, if 
SBA determines that any of the grounds listed in paragraph (c) of this 
section exist.
    (c) Grounds in general. For any Intermediary, grounds that may 
trigger enforcement action against the Intermediary (regardless of its 
Risk Rating) include:
    (1) Failure to comply materially with any requirement imposed by 
Loan Program Requirements;
    (2) Failure to meet any one of the following performance standards:

[[Page 358]]

    (i) Coverage of the service territory assigned by SBA, including 
honoring SBA's determined boundaries of neighboring intermediaries;
    (ii) Fulfill reporting requirements;
    (iii) Manage program funds and matching funds in a satisfactory and 
financially sound manner;
    (iv) Communicate and file reports within six months after beginning 
participation in program;
    (v) Maintain a currency rate of 85% or more for the Intermediary's 
SBA Microloan portfolio (that is, loans that are no more than 30 days 
late in scheduled payments);
    (vi) Maintain a default rate in the Intermediary's Microloan 
portfolio of 15% or less of the cumulative dollars loaned under the 
program;
    (vii) Maintain a staff trained in Microloan Program issues and Loan 
Program Requirements;
    (viii) Maintain the financial ability to sustain the Intermediary's 
operations (including, but not limited to, adequate capital), as 
determined by SBA;
    (ix) Satisfactorily provide in-house technical assistance to 
Microloan borrowers and prospective Microloan borrowers; or
    (x) Close and fund the required number of microloans per year under 
Sec.  120.716;
    (3) Failure within the time period specified to correct an 
underwriting, closing, disbursing, servicing, liquidation, litigation, 
or reporting deficiency, or failure in any material respect to take 
other corrective action, after receiving notice from SBA of a deficiency 
and the need to take corrective action;
    (4) Engaging in a pattern of uncooperative behavior or taking an 
action that SBA determines is detrimental to the integrity or reputation 
of the Microloan Program, that undermines management or administration 
of the program, or that is not consistent with standards of good 
conduct. Prior to issuing a notice of a proposed formal enforcement 
action or immediate suspension under Sec.  120.1540 based upon the 
grounds discussed in this paragraph (c)(4), SBA must send prior written 
notice to the Intermediary explaining why the Intermediary's actions 
were uncooperative, detrimental to the program, undermined SBA's 
management of the program, or were not consistent with standards of good 
conduct. The prior notice must also state that the Intermediary's 
actions could give rise to a specified formal enforcement action, and 
provide the Intermediary with a reasonable time to cure the deficiency 
before any further action is taken;
    (5) Any other reason that SBA determines may increase SBA's 
financial or program risk (for example, repeated Less Than Acceptable 
Risk Ratings (generally in conjunction with other indicators of 
increased risk) or indictment on felony or fraud charges of an officer, 
key employee, or loan agent involved with SBA programs for the 
Intermediary);
    (6) For immediate suspension of an Intermediary--upon a 
determination by SBA that:
    (i) One or more of the grounds in paragraph (c) of this section 
exists; and
    (ii) Immediate action is needed to protect the interests of the 
Federal Government (such as where there is risk of immediate harm or 
loss, a significant program integrity concern, or clear evidence of 
conduct indicating a lack of business integrity); and
    (7) As otherwise authorized by law.

[73 FR 75521, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 80 FR 34047, June 15, 2015; 
85 FR 14782, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  120.1500  Types of formal enforcement actions--SBA Lenders.

    Upon a determination that the grounds set forth in Sec.  120.1400 
exist, the D/OCRM may undertake, in his/her discretion (and with the 
involvement of the LOC as appropriate and consistent with its assigned 
responsibilities), one or more of the following formal enforcement 
actions for each of the types of SBA Lender listed, and is not 
restricted from delegating as appropriate. SBA will consider the 
severity or frequency of the violation or action and the circumstances 
triggering the ground in determining whether and what type of 
enforcement action to take. SBA will take formal enforcement action in 
accordance with procedures set forth in Sec.  120.1600. If formal 
enforcement action is taken under this

[[Page 359]]

section and the SBA Lender fails to implement required corrective action 
in any material respect within the required timeframe in response to the 
formal enforcement action, the D/OCRM may take further enforcement 
action, as authorized by law. SBA's decision to take a formal 
enforcement action will not, by itself, invalidate a guaranty previously 
provided by SBA.
    (a) Formal enforcement actions for all SBA Lenders--(1) Imposition 
of portfolio guaranty dollar limit. SBA may limit the maximum dollar 
amount that SBA will guarantee on the SBA Lender's SBA loans or 
debentures.
    (2) Suspension or revocation of delegated authority. SBA may suspend 
or revoke an SBA Lender's delegated authority (including, but not 
limited to, PLP, SBA Express, or PCLP delegated authorities).
    (3) Suspension or revocation from SBA program. SBA may suspend or 
revoke an SBA Lender's authority to participate in the SBA loan program, 
including the authority to make, service, liquidate, or litigate 7(a) or 
504 loans. Section 120.1400(d)(1) sets forth the grounds for SBA program 
suspension or revocation of an SBA Supervised Lender (except Other 
Regulated SBLCs). The grounds for SBA program suspension or revocation 
for all other SBA Lenders are set forth in Sec.  120.1400(c) and, as 
applicable, paragraph (f) of Sec.  120.1400.
    (4) Immediate suspension. SBA may suspend, effective immediately, an 
SBA Lender's delegated authority or authority to participate in the SBA 
loan program, or the authority to make, service, liquidate, or litigate 
7(a) or 504 loans. Section 120.1400(d)(2) sets forth the grounds for SBA 
program immediate suspension of an SBA Supervised Lender (except Other 
Regulated SBLCs). The grounds for SBA program immediate suspension for 
all other SBA Lenders and the grounds for immediate suspension of 
delegated authority for all SBA Lenders are set forth in Sec.  
120.1400(c)(11) and Sec.  120.1400(c)(12).
    (5) Debarment. In accordance with 2 CFR Parts 180 and 2700, SBA may 
take any necessary action to debar a Person, as defined in Sec.  120.10, 
including but not limited to an officer, a director, a general partner, 
a manager, an employee, an agent or other participant in the affairs of 
an SBA Lender's SBA operations.
    (6) Other actions available under law. SBA may take all other 
enforcement actions against SBA Lenders available under law.
    (b) Formal enforcement actions specific to 7(a) Lenders. In addition 
to those formal enforcement actions applicable to all SBA Lenders, SBA 
may take the following actions:
    (1) Secondary market suspension or revocation (other than temporary 
suspension and revocation under Sec.  120.660). SBA may suspend or 
revoke a 7(a) Lender's authority to sell or purchase loans or 
certificates in the Secondary Market; or
    (2) Civil monetary penalty (other than SBA Supervised Lender civil 
monetary penalty under Sec.  120.465). SBA may assess a civil monetary 
penalty against a 7(a) Lender. The civil monetary penalty will be in an 
amount not to exceed the maximum published in the Federal Register from 
time to time, which will be 289,504 plus any increases required under 
law. In determining whether to assess a civil monetary penalty and, if 
so, in what amount, SBA may consider, for example, the following: The 
gravity (e.g., severity and frequency) of the violation; the history of 
previous violations; the financial resources and good faith of the 7(a) 
Lender; and any other matters as justice may require.
    (c) Formal enforcement actions specific to SBA Supervised Lenders 
and Other Persons (except Other Regulated SBLCs). In addition to those 
enforcement actions listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, 
SBA may take any one or more of the following enforcement actions 
specific to SBA Supervised Lenders and as applicable, Other Persons:
    (1) Cease and desist order. SBA may issue a cease and desist order 
against the SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person. The Cease and Desist 
order may either require the SBA Supervised Lender or the Other Person 
to take a specific action, or to refrain from a specific action. The 
Cease and Desist Order may be issued as effective immediately (or as a 
proposal for Order).

[[Page 360]]

SBA may include in the cease and desist order the suspension of 
authority to lend.
    (2) Remove Management Official. SBA may issue an order to remove a 
Management Official from office. SBA may suspend a Management Official 
from office or prohibit a Management Official from participating in 
management of the SBA Supervised Lender or in reviewing, approving, 
closing, servicing, liquidating or litigating any 7(a) loan, or any 
other activities of the SBA Supervised Lender while the removal 
proceeding is pending in order to protect an SBA Supervised Lender or 
the interests of SBA or the United States.
    (3) Initiate request for appointment of receiver and/or other 
relief. The SBA may make application to any Federal court of competent 
jurisdiction for the court to take exclusive jurisdiction, without 
notice, of an SBA Supervised Lender, and SBA shall be entitled to the 
appointment of a receiver of SBA's choosing to hold, administer, 
operate, and/or liquidate the SBA Supervised Lender; and to such 
injunctive or other equitable relief as may be appropriate. Without 
limiting the foregoing and with SBA's written consent, the receiver may 
take possession of the portfolio of 7(a) loans and sell such loans to a 
third party, and/or take possession of servicing activities of 7(a) 
loans and sell such servicing rights to a third party. In deciding 
whether to seek the appointment of a receiver and in determining the 
scope of a receivership, SBA will consider the following factors, in its 
discretion:
    (i) for NFRLs:
    (A) the existence of fraud or false statements;
    (B) the NFRL's refusal to cooperate with SBA enforcement action 
instructions or orders;
    (C) the NFRL's insolvency (legal or equitable);
    (D) the size of the NFRL's SBA loan portfolio(s) in relation to 
other activities of the NFRL;
    (E) the dollar amount of any claims SBA may have against the NFRL;
    (F) the NFRL's failure to comply materially with any requirement 
imposed by Loan Program Requirements; and/or
    (G) the existence of other non-SBA enforcement actions against the 
NFRL;
    (ii) for SBLCs:
    (A) the existence of fraud or false statements;
    (B) the SBLC's refusal to cooperate with SBA enforcement action 
instructions or orders;
    (C) the SBLC's insolvency (legal or equitable);
    (D) the dollar amount of any claims SBA may have against the SBLC; 
and/or
    (E) the SBLC's failure to comply materially with any requirement 
imposed by Loan Program Requirements.
    (4) Civil monetary penalties for report filing failure under Sec.  
120.465. SBA may seek civil penalties, in accordance with Sec.  120.465, 
against an SBA Supervised Lender that fails to file any regular or 
special report by its due date as specified by regulation or SBA written 
directive.
    (d) Formal enforcement actions specific to SBLCs. In addition to 
those supervisory actions listed in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this 
section, SBA may take the following enforcement actions specific to 
SBLCs.
    (1) Capital directive. The AA/CA may issue a capital directive upon 
a determination that the grounds in Sec.  120.1400(e)(1) exist. A 
directive may order the SBLC to:
    (i) Achieve its minimum capital requirement applicable to it by a 
specified date;
    (ii) Adhere to a previously submitted capital restoration plan 
(provided under Sec.  120.462 or Sec.  120.1055) to achieve the 
applicable capital requirement;
    (iii) Submit and adhere to a capital restoration plan acceptable to 
SBA describing the means and time schedule by which the SBLC will 
achieve the applicable capital requirement (The SBLC must provide its 
capital restoration plan within 30 days from the date of the SBA order 
unless SBA notifies the SBLC that the plan is to be filed within a 
different time period. SBA may perform an on-site examination (generally 
within 90 days after the restoration plan is submitted) to verify the 
implementation of the plan and verify that the SBLC meets minimum 
capital requirements.);
    (iv) Refrain from taking certain actions without obtaining SBA's 
prior

[[Page 361]]

written approval (Such actions may include but are not limited to: 
paying any dividend; retiring any equity; maintaining a rate of growth 
that causes further deterioration in the capital percentage; 
securitizing any unguaranteed portion of its 7(a) loans; or selling 
participations in any of its 7(a) loans); or
    (v) Undertake a combination of any of these or similar actions.
    (2) Civil action for termination. SBA may institute a civil action 
to terminate the rights, privileges, and franchises of an SBLC.
    (e) Formal enforcement actions specific to CDCs. In addition to 
those enforcement actions listed in paragraph (a) of this section, SBA 
may take any one or more of the following enforcement actions specific 
to CDCs:
    (1) Require the CDC to transfer part or all of its existing 504 loan 
portfolio and/or part or all of its pending 504 loan applications to 
SBA, another CDC, or any other entity designated by SBA. Any such 
transfer may be on a temporary or permanent basis, in SBA's discretion; 
or
    (2) Instruct the Central Servicing Agent to withhold payment of 
servicing, late and/or other fee(s) to the CDC.
    (3) Apply to any Federal court of competent jurisdiction for the 
court to take exclusive jurisdiction, without notice, of the CDC, and 
SBA shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver of SBA's choosing 
to hold, administer, operate and/or liquidate the CDC; and to such 
injunctive or other equitable relief as may be appropriate. SBA will 
limit the scope of the receivership to the CDC's assets related to the 
SBA loan program(s) except where the CDC's business is almost 
exclusively SBA-related. SBA will only seek a receivership if there is 
either the existence of fraud or false statements, or if the CDC has 
refused to cooperate with SBA enforcement action instructions or orders. 
Without limiting the foregoing and with SBA's consent, the receiver may 
take possession of the portfolio of 504 loans and/or pending 504 loan 
applications, including for the purpose of carrying out an enforcement 
order under paragraph (e)(1) of this section.

[73 FR 75521, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 82 FR 39506, Aug. 21, 2017; 
84 FR 12061, Apr. 1, 2019; 85 FR 14783, Mar. 16, 2020; 86 FR 52957, 
Sept. 24, 2021; 87 FR 28758, May 11, 2022; 87 FR 38910, June 30, 2022; 
88 FR 50005, Aug. 1, 2023]



Sec.  120.1510  Other Regulated SBLCs.

    Other Regulated SBLCs are exempt from Sec. Sec.  120.465, 
120.1050(b), 120.1400(d), 120.1500(c), and 120.1600(b). This exemption 
is not intended to preclude SBA from seeking any other remedy authorized 
by law or equity.

[73 FR 75521, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.1511  Certification and other reporting and notification 
requirements for Other Regulated SBLCs.

    (a) Certification. An SBLC seeking Other Regulated SBLC status must 
certify to SBA in writing that its lending activities are subject to 
regulation by a Federal Financial Institution Regulator or state banking 
regulator. This certification must be executed by the chair of the board 
of directors of the SBLC and submitted to SBA either:
    (1) Within 60 calendar days of the effective date of this section or
    (2) If the SBLC becomes subject to regulation by a Federal Financial 
Institution Regulator or state banking regulator after the effective 
date of this section for any reason (e.g. license transfers), within 60 
days of the date that the SBLC becomes directly examined and directly 
regulated by such regulator.
    (b) Contents of Certification: This certification must include:
    (1) The identity of the Federal Financial Institution Regulator or 
state banking regulator that regulates the lending activities of the 
SBLC;
    (2) A statement that the Federal Financial Institution Regulator or 
state banking regulator identified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
regularly conducts safety and soundness examinations on the SBLC itself 
and not only on the SBLC's parent company or affiliate, if any; and
    (3) The date of the most recent safety and soundness examination 
conducted on the SBLC by the Federal Financial Institution Regulator or 
state banking

[[Page 362]]

regulator. To qualify as an Other Regulated SBLC, the SBLC must have 
received this examination within the past 3 years of the date of 
certification.
    (c) Notification of examination. An Other Regulated SBLC must notify 
SBA in writing each time a Federal Financial Institution Regulator or 
state banking regulator conducts a safety and soundness examination, and 
this notification must be submitted to SBA within 30 calendar days of 
the SBLC receiving the results of the examination. To retain its status 
as an Other Regulated SBLC, the Other Regulated SBLC must receive such 
examination, and provide the written notification to SBA, at least once 
every two years following initial certification.
    (d) Report. An Other Regulated SBLC must report in writing to SBA on 
its interactions with other Federal Financial Institution Regulators or 
state banking regulator (e.g., the results of the safety and soundness 
examinations and any order issued against the Other Regulated SBLC), to 
the extent allowed by law.
    (e) Notification of change in status. If, for any reason, an Other 
Regulated SBLC becomes no longer subject to regulation by a Federal 
Financial Institution Regulator or state banking regulator, the Other 
Regulated SBLC must immediately notify SBA in writing, and the exemption 
provided in Sec.  120.1510 will immediately no longer apply.
    (f) Extension of timeframes. SBA may in its discretion extend any 
timeframe imposed on the SBLC under this section if the SBLC can show 
good cause for any delay in meeting the time requirement. The SBLC may 
appeal this decision to the AA/CA.
    (g) Failure to satisfy requirements. In the event that an SBLC fails 
to satisfy the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of 
this section, then the exemption provided in Sec.  120.1510 will not 
apply to the SBLC.

[73 FR 75521, Dec. 11, 2008]



Sec.  120.1540  Types of formal enforcement actions--
Intermediaries participating in the Microloan Program.

    Upon a determination that any ground set out in Sec.  120.1425 
exists, the D/OCRM may undertake, in his/her discretion (and with the 
involvement of the LOC as appropriate and consistent with its assigned 
responsibilities), one or more of the following formal enforcement 
actions against an Intermediary, and is not restricted from delegating 
as appropriate:
    (a) Suspension. SBA may suspend an Intermediary's authority to 
participate in the Microloan Program, which may include, but is not 
limited to, the authority to make, service, liquidate, and/or litigate 
SBA microloans, and the imposition of a freeze on the Intermediary's MRF 
and LLRF accounts.
    (b) Immediate suspension. SBA may suspend, effective immediately, an 
Intermediary's authority to participate in the Microloan Program, which 
may include, but is not limited to, the authority to make, service, 
liquidate, and/or litigate SBA microloans, and the imposition of an 
immediate freeze on the Intermediary's MRF and LLRF accounts. Section 
120.1425(c)(6) sets forth the grounds for SBA Microloan Program 
immediate suspension of an Intermediary.
    (c) Revocation. SBA may revoke an Intermediary's authority to 
participate in the Microloan Program which may include, but is not 
limited to:
    (1) Removal from the program;
    (2) Liquidation of the Intermediary's MRF and LLRF accounts by SBA, 
and application of the liquidated funds to any outstanding balance owed 
to SBA;
    (3) Payment of outstanding debt to SBA by the Intermediary;
    (4) Forfeiture or repayment of any unused grant funds by the 
Intermediary;
    (5) Debarment of the organization from receipt of Federal funds 
until loan and grant repayments are met; and
    (6) Surrender of possession of Intermediary's SBA microloan 
portfolio to SBA, with the microloan portfolio and all associated rights 
transferred on a permanent basis to SBA, in accordance with SBA's rights 
as a secured creditor.
    (d) Other actions. Such other actions available under law.

[85 FR 14783, Mar. 16, 2020]

[[Page 363]]



Sec.  120.1600  General procedures for formal enforcement actions 
against SBA Lenders, SBA Supervised Lenders, Other Regulated SBLCs, 
Management Officials, Other Persons, and Intermediaries.

    (a) In general. Except as otherwise set forth for the formal 
enforcement actions listed in paragraphs (a)(6), (b), and (c) of this 
section and in Sec.  120.465, SBA will follow the procedures listed in 
this section.
    (1) SBA's notice of formal enforcement action. (i) When undertaking 
an immediate suspension under Sec.  120.1500(a)(4), or prior to 
undertaking a formal enforcement action set forth in Sec.  120.1500(a), 
(b), and (e) and Sec.  120.1540, SBA will issue a written notice to the 
affected SBA Lender or Intermediary identifying the proposed formal 
enforcement action or notifying it of an immediate suspension. The 
notice will set forth in reasonable detail the underlying facts and 
reasons for the proposed action or immediate suspension. If the notice 
is for a proposed or immediate suspension, SBA will also state the scope 
and term of the proposed or immediate suspension.
    (ii) If a proposed formal enforcement action or immediate suspension 
is based upon information obtained from a third party other than the SBA 
Lender, Intermediary, or SBA, SBA's notice of proposed action or 
immediate suspension will provide copies of documentation received from 
such third party, or the name of the third party in case of oral 
information, unless SBA determines that there are compelling reasons not 
to provide such information. If compelling reasons exist, SBA will 
provide a summary of the information it received to the SBA Lender or 
Intermediary.
    (2) SBA Lender's or Intermediary's opportunity to object. (i) An SBA 
Lender or Intermediary that desires to contest a proposed formal 
enforcement action or an immediate suspension must file, within 30 
calendar days of its receipt of the notice or within some other term 
established by SBA in its notice, a written objection with the 
appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance with 
Delegations of Authority or other SBA official identified in the notice. 
Notice will be presumed to have been received within five days of the 
date of the notice unless the SBA Lender or Intermediary can provide 
compelling evidence to the contrary.
    (ii) The objection must set forth in detail all grounds known to the 
SBA Lender or Intermediary to contest the proposed action or immediate 
suspension and all mitigating factors, and must include documentation 
that the SBA Lender or Intermediary believes is most supportive of its 
objection. An SBA Lender or Intermediary must exhaust this 
administrative remedy in order to preserve its objection to a proposed 
formal enforcement action or an immediate suspension.
    (iii) If an SBA Lender or Intermediary can show legitimate reasons 
as determined by SBA in SBA's discretion why it does not understand the 
reasons given by SBA in its notice of the action, the Agency will 
provide clarification. SBA will provide the requested clarification in 
writing to the SBA Lender or Intermediary or notify the SBA Lender or 
Intermediary in writing that SBA has determined that such clarification 
is not necessary. SBA, in its discretion, will further advise in writing 
whether the SBA Lender or Intermediary may have additional time to 
present its objection to the notice. Requests for clarification must be 
made to the appropriate Office of Capital Access official in accordance 
with Delegations of Authority in writing and received by SBA within the 
30 day timeframe or the timeframe given by the notice for response.
    (iv) An SBA Lender or Intermediary may request additional time to 
respond to SBA's notice if it can show that there are compelling reasons 
why it is not able to respond within the 30 day timeframe or the 
response timeframe given by the notice. If such requests are submitted 
to the Agency, SBA may, in its discretion, provide the SBA Lender or 
Intermediary with additional time to respond to the notice of proposed 
action or immediate suspension. Requests for additional time to respond 
must be made in writing to the appropriate Office of Capital Access 
official in accordance with Delegations of Authority or other official 
identified in the notice and received by SBA within

[[Page 364]]

the 30 day timeframe or the response timeframe given by the notice.
    (v) Prior to the issuance of a final agency decision by SBA, if an 
SBA Lender or Intermediary can show that there is newly discovered 
material evidence which, despite the SBA Lender's or Intermediary's 
exercise of due diligence, could not have been discovered within the 
timeframe given by SBA to respond to a notice, or that there are 
compelling reasons beyond the SBA Lender's or Intermediary's control as 
to why it was not able to present a material fact or argument to SBA, 
and that the SBA Lender or Intermediary has been prejudiced by not being 
able to present such information, the SBA Lender or Intermediary may 
submit such information to SBA and request that the Agency consider such 
information in its final agency decision.
    (3) SBA's notice of final agency decision on a formal enforcement 
action where an SBA Lender or Intermediary filed objection to the 
proposed action or immediate suspension. (i) If the affected SBA Lender 
or Intermediary files a timely written objection to a proposed formal 
enforcement action other than an immediate suspension in accordance with 
this section, SBA must issue a written notice of final agency decision 
to the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary advising whether SBA is 
undertaking the proposed formal enforcement action and setting forth the 
grounds for the decision. SBA will issue such a notice of decision 
within 90 days of either receiving the objection or from when additional 
information is provided under paragraph (a)(2)(v) or (a)(3)(iii) of this 
section, whichever is later, unless SBA provides notice that it requires 
additional time.
    (ii) If the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary files a timely 
written objection to a notice of immediate suspension, SBA must issue a 
written notice of final agency decision to the affected SBA Lender or 
Intermediary within 30 days of receiving the objection advising whether 
SBA is continuing with the immediate suspension, unless SBA provides 
notice that it requires additional time. If the SBA Lender or 
Intermediary submits additional information to SBA (under paragraph 
(a)(2)(v) or (a)(3)(iii) of this section) after submitting its objection 
but before SBA issues its final agency decision, SBA must issue its 
final agency decision within 30 days of receiving such information, 
unless SBA provides notice that it requires additional time.
    (iii) Prior to issuing a notice of decision, SBA in its discretion 
can request additional information from the affected SBA Lender or 
Intermediary or other partiesand conduct any other investigation it 
deems appropriate. If SBA determines, in its discretion, to consider an 
untimely objection, it must issue a notice of final agency decision 
pursuant to this paragraph (a)(3).
    (4) SBA's notice of final agency decision on a formal enforcement 
action where no filed objection or untimely objection not considered. If 
SBA chooses not to consider an untimely objection or if the affected SBA 
Lender or Intermediary fails to file a written objection to a proposed 
formal enforcement action or an immediate suspension, and if SBA 
continues to believe that such proposed formal enforcement action or 
immediate suspension is appropriate, SBA must issue a written notice of 
final agency decision to the affected SBA Lender or Intermediary that 
SBA is undertaking one or more of the proposed formal enforcement 
actions against the SBA Lender or Intermediary or that an immediate 
suspension of the SBA Lender or Intermediary will continue. Such a 
notice of final agency decision need not state any grounds for the 
action other than to reference the SBA Lender's or Intermediary's 
failure to file a timely objection, and represents the final agency 
decision.
    (5) Appeals. An SBA Lender or Intermediary may appeal the final 
agency decision to the appropriate Federal district court. 
Alternatively, 7(a) Lenders may appeal such decisions (except for 
decisions against SBA Supervised Lenders that are covered by procedures 
in Sec.  120.1600(b) or (c) or Sec.  120.465) to SBA's Office of 
Hearings and Appeals (``OHA'') within 30 calendar days of the date of 
the decision, and in the event of such an appeal, OHA will issue its 
decision in accordance with part 134 of this

[[Page 365]]

title. The enforcement action will remain in effect pending resolution 
of the appeal, if any.
    (6) Receiverships of Certified Development Companies and/or other 
relief. If SBA undertakes the appointment of a receiver for a Certified 
Development Company and/or injunctive or other equitable relief, 
paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section will not apply and SBA 
will follow the applicable procedures under Federal law to obtain such 
remedies and to enforce the Certified Development Company's consent and 
waiver in advance to those remedies.
    (b) Procedures for certain formal enforcement actions against SBA 
Supervised Lenders (except Other Regulated SBLCs) and, where applicable, 
Management Officials and Other Persons--(1) Suspension and revocation 
actions and cease and desist orders. If SBA seeks to suspend or revoke 
loan program authority (including, the authority to make, service, 
liquidate, or litigate SBA loans), or issue a cease and desist order to 
an SBA Supervised Lender or, as applicable, Other Person, SBA will 
follow the procedures below in lieu of those in paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (i) Show cause order and hearing. The Administrator will serve upon 
the SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person an order to show cause why an 
order suspending or revoking the authority or why a cease and desist 
order should not be issued. The show cause order will contain a 
statement of the matters of fact and law asserted by SBA, as well as the 
legal authority and jurisdiction under which an administrative hearing 
will be held, and will set forth the place and time of the 
administrative hearing. The hearing will be conducted by an 
administrative law judge in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554-557, 15 U.S.C. 
650, and applicable sections of part 134 of this chapter. The 
Administrative Law Judge will issue a recommended decision based on the 
record.
    (ii) Witnesses. The party calling witnesses will pay the witness the 
same fees and mileage paid witnesses for their appearance in U.S. 
courts.
    (iii) Administrator finding and order issuance. If after the 
administrative hearing, or the SBA Supervised Lender's or Other Person's 
waiver of the administrative hearing, the Administrator determines that 
the order should be issued, the Administrator will issue an order to 
suspend or revoke authority or a cease and desist order, as applicable. 
The order will include a statement of findings, the grounds and reasons, 
and will specify the order's effective date. SBA will serve the order on 
the SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person. The Administrator may 
delegate the power to issue a cease and desist order or to suspend or 
revoke loan program authority only if the Administrator is unavailable 
and only to the Deputy Administrator.
    (iv) Judicial review. The order constitutes a final agency action. 
The SBA Supervised Lender or Other Person will have 20 days from the 
order issuance date to file an appeal in the appropriate federal 
district court.
    (2) Immediate suspension or immediate cease and desist order. If SBA 
undertakes an immediate suspension of authority to participate in the 
7(a) loan program or immediate cease and desist order against an SBA 
Supervised Lender or, as applicable, Other Person, SBA will within two 
business days follow the procedures set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section.
    (3) Removal of Management Official. If SBA undertakes the removal of 
a Management Official of an SBA Supervised Lender, SBA will follow the 
procedures below in lieu of those in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (i) Notice and hearing. SBA will serve upon the Management Official 
and the SBA Supervised Lender written notice of intention to remove that 
includes a statement of the facts constituting the grounds and the date, 
time, and place for an administrative hearing. The administrative 
hearing will be held between 30 and 60 days from the date notice is 
served, unless an earlier or later date is set at the request of the 
Management Official for good cause shown or at the request of the 
Attorney General. The hearing will be conducted in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 554-557, 15 U.S.C. 650 and applicable sections of part 134 of 
this chapter. Failure of the Management Official to appear at the 
administrative hearing will constitute consent to the removal order. SBA 
will serve on the SBA Supervised Lender a

[[Page 366]]

copy of each notice that is served on a Management Official.
    (ii) Suspension from office or prohibition in participation, pending 
removal. The suspension or prohibition will take effect upon service of 
intention to remove the Management Official or such subsequent time as 
the Administrator or his/her delegate deems appropriate and serves 
notice. It will remain in effect pending the completion of the 
administrative proceedings to remove and until such time as either SBA 
dismisses the charges in the removal notice or, if an order to remove or 
prohibit participation is issued, until the effective date of an order 
to remove or prohibit. In the case of suspension or prohibition 
following criminal charges, it may remain in effect until the 
information, indictment, or complaint is finally disposed of, or until 
the suspension is terminated by SBA or by order of a district court. A 
Management Official may appeal to the appropriate federal district court 
for a stay of the suspension or prohibition pending completion of the 
administrative hearing not later than 10 days from the suspension or 
prohibition's effective date.
    (iii) Decision. SBA may issue the order of removal if the Management 
Official consents or is convicted of the criminal charges and the 
judgment is not subject to further judicial review (not including writ 
of habeas corpus), or if upon a record of a hearing, SBA finds that any 
of the notice grounds have been established. After the hearing, in the 
latter case, and within 30 days after SBA has notified the parties that 
the case has been submitted for final decision, SBA will render a 
decision (which includes findings of fact upon which the decision is 
predicated) and issue and serve an order upon each party to the 
proceeding. The decision will constitute final agency action.
    (iv) Effective date and judicial review. The removal order will take 
effect 30 days after date of service upon the SBA Supervised Lender and 
the Management Official except in case of consent which will be 
effective at the time specified in the order or in case of removal for 
conviction on criminal charges the order will be effective upon removal 
order service on the SBA Supervised Lender and the Management Official. 
The order will remain effective and enforceable, except to the extent it 
is stayed, modified, terminated, or set aside by Administrator or a 
reviewing court. The adversely affected party will have 20 days from the 
order issuance date to seek judicial review in the appropriate federal 
district court.
    (4) Receiverships, transfer of assets and servicing activities. If 
SBA undertakes the appointment of a receiver for, or the transfer of 
assets or servicing rights of an SBA Supervised Lender and/or injunctive 
or other equitable relief, SBA will follow the applicable procedures 
under Federal law to obtain such remedies and to enforce the SBA 
Supervised Lender's consent and waiver in advance to those remedies.
    (5) Civil penalties for report filing failure. If SBA seeks to 
impose civil penalties against an SBA Supervised Lender for failure to 
file a report in accordance with SBA regulations or written directive, 
SBA will follow the procedures set forth for enforcement actions in 
Sec.  120.465.
    (c) Additional procedures for certain formal enforcement actions 
against SBLCs. Capital directive--(1) Notice of intent to issue capital 
directive. SBA will notify an SBLC in writing of its intention to issue 
a directive. The notice will state:
    (i) Reasons for issuance of the directive and
    (ii) The proposed contents of the directive.
    (2) Response to notice. (i) An SBLC may respond to the notice by 
stating why a capital directive should not be issued and/or by proposing 
alternative contents for the capital directive or seeking other 
appropriate relief. The response must include any information, 
mitigating circumstances, documentation, or other relevant evidence that 
supports its position. The response may include a plan for achieving the 
minimum capital requirement applicable to the SBLC. The response must be 
in writing and delivered to the SBA within 30 days after the date on 
which the SBLC received the notice. In its discretion, SBA may extend 
the time period for good cause. SBA may shorten the 30-day time period:

[[Page 367]]

    (A) When, in the opinion of SBA, the condition of the SBLC so 
requires, provided that the SBLC will be informed promptly of the new 
time period;
    (B) With the consent of the SBLC; or
    (C) When the SBLC already has advised SBA that it cannot or will not 
achieve its applicable minimum capital requirement.
    (ii) Failure to respond within 30 days or such other time period as 
may be specified by SBA will constitute a waiver of any objections to 
the proposed capital directive.
    (3) Decision. After the closing date of the SBLC's response period, 
or receipt of the SBLC's response, if earlier, SBA may seek additional 
information or clarification of the response. Thereafter, SBA will 
determine whether or not to issue a capital directive, and if one is to 
be issued, whether it should be as originally proposed or in modified 
form.
    (4) Issuance of a capital directive. (i) A capital directive will be 
served by delivery to the SBLC. It will include, or be accompanied by, a 
statement of reasons for its issuance.
    (ii) A capital directive is effective immediately upon its receipt 
by the SBLC, or upon such later date as may be specified therein, and 
will remain effective and enforceable until it is stayed, modified, or 
terminated by SBA.
    (5) Reconsideration based on change in circumstances. Upon a change 
in circumstances, an SBLC may request SBA to reconsider the terms of its 
capital directive or may propose changes in the plan to achieve the 
SBLC's applicable minimum capital requirement. SBA also may take such 
action on its own initiative. SBA may decline to consider requests or 
proposals that are not based on a significant change in circumstances or 
are repetitive or frivolous. Pending a decision on reconsideration, the 
capital directive and plan will continue in full force and effect.
    (6) Relation to other administrative actions. A capital directive 
may be issued in addition to, or in lieu of, any other action authorized 
by law, including cease and desist proceedings. SBA also may, in its 
discretion, take any action authorized by law, in lieu of a capital 
directive, in response to an SBLC's failure to achieve or maintain the 
applicable minimum capital requirement.
    (7) Appeals. The capital directive constitutes a final agency 
action. An SBLC may appeal the final agency decision only in the 
appropriate federal district court.

[73 FR 75521, Dec. 11, 2008, as amended at 82 FR 39506, Aug. 21, 2017; 
85 FR 14784, Mar. 16, 2020]



 Subpart J_Establishment of SBA Secondary Market Guarantee Program for 
                   First Lien Position 504 Loan Pools

    Source: 74 FR 56093, Oct. 30, 2009, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  120.1700  Definitions used in subpart J.

    504 financing. The loans made to a small business to fund a Project 
under the SBA's development company loan program authorized by Title V 
of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
    Affiliate. A person or entity SBA determines to be an affiliate of a 
Program Participant pursuant to the application of the principles and 
guidelines set forth in Sec.  121.103 of this Title.
    Central Servicing Agent or CSA. The entity serving as SBA's central 
servicing agent for the Program.
    Certified Development Company or CDC. An entity that meets the 
definition of a Certified Development Company as defined in Sec.  120.10 
of this Part.
    Current. That no scheduled payment owed by an Obligor pursuant to a 
Pool Note is over 29 days past due.
    First Lien Position 504 Loan. The financing provided by the First 
Lien Position 504 lender that is part of the 504 project financing.
    First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement. The 
agreement, in the form approved by SBA, wherein entities agree to 
participate in the forming of a Pool under the Program, available at 
http://www.sba.gov/ aboutsba/sbaprograms/ elending/index.html/.
    Guide. The First Lien Position 504 Loan Pooling Program Guide 
published by SBA which provides information applicable to the Program 
including, among other things, requirements relating to the formation of 
a Pool,

[[Page 368]]

available at http://www.sba.gov/ aboutsba/sbaprograms/ elending/
index.html/.
    Liquidation Proceeds. Cash, including insurance proceeds, proceeds 
of any foreclosed-on property disposition, revenues received with 
respect to the conservation and disposition of a foreclosed-on property 
or repossessed collateral, including any real property securing the Pool 
Loan, consisting of a commercial property or residential property and 
any improvements thereon, and any other amounts received in connection 
with the liquidation of the Pool Loan, whether through Seller's sale, 
foreclosure sale, any offset or workout, or otherwise.
    Loan Interest. The right to receive the owned portion of the 
principal balance of the Pool Loan together with interest thereon at a 
per annum rate in effect from time to time in accordance with the First 
Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement.
    Maturity. The maturity of the Loan Interest in the Pool that has the 
longest remaining term of any Loan Interest in the Pool. The maturity 
will change from time to time due to prepayment or default on Loan 
Interests in the Pool.
    Ongoing Guarantee Fee. An annual fee collected monthly and based on 
the percentage of the Pool Loan amount, pursuant to section 
503(C)(3)(B)(ii) of the Recovery Act, to result in a cost of the loan 
guarantee of zero as determined under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 
1990, as amended. The funds generated by the fee serve as a reserve to 
pay for program losses.
    Obligor. The obligor(s) under a Pool Note.
    Pool. The aggregate of Loan Interests formed into a single pool by 
the Pool Originator in accordance with the Program. The Pool is 
comprised of an unguaranteed portion and an SBA-guaranteed portion. The 
unguaranteed portion of the Pool backs the Pool Originator Receipt, and 
cannot be sold to Pool Investors. The SBA-guaranteed portion of the Pool 
backs the Pool Certificates sold to Pool Investors. The Seller's Loan 
Interest is not included in the Pool.
    Pool Assembler. An entity that meets the qualifications of a Pool 
Assembler as set forth in section 120.630 of this Part and has been 
approved as such by SBA.
    Pool Certificate. The document representing a beneficial fractional 
interest in the SBA-guaranteed portion of a Pool.
    Pooled. When one or more Loan Interests in a Pool Loan has been put 
into a Pool.
    Pooling. The transfer of one or more Loan Interests in a Pool Loan 
into a Pool.
    Pool Investor. An entity which holds a Pool Certificate in 
accordance with Program Rules and Regulations.
    Pool Loan. A loan that meets the Program eligibility requirements as 
set forth in Sec.  120.1704 of this subpart J and has been pooled.
    Pool Loan Receivables. Pool Loan payments, prepayments, or 
collections made in connection with the Pool Loan by the Obligor 
pursuant to Pool Note or any other Pool Loan documents or agreements, or 
by another person or entity made on behalf of any such Pool Loan 
obligor, and Liquidation Proceeds.
    Pool Note. The document evidencing a Pool Loan.
    Pool Originator. An entity approved by SBA to pool Loan Interests 
under the Program.
    Pool Originator Receipt. The document evidencing the Pool 
Originator's retained ownership in a Pool it has formed under the 
Program.
    Premier Certified Lenders Program. The program defined in Sec.  
120.845 of this Part.
    Program. The program authorized by section 503 of the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
    Program Participant. An entity that executes the First Lien Position 
504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement as Seller, Pool Originator, or Pool 
Investor, and any successors or assignees thereof.
    Program Participant Associate. (1) An officer, director, key 
employee, or holder of 20 percent or more of the value of a Program 
Participant's stock or debt instruments, or (2) Any individual in which 
one or more individuals referred to in paragraph (1) of this definition, 
or a spouse, or child, or sibling,

[[Page 369]]

or the spouse of any such individual, owns or controls at least 20 
percent.
    Program Preference. Any arrangement giving the Seller, Pool 
Originator, or a Program Associate or Affiliate of Seller or Pool 
Originator, a preference or benefit of proportion greater than its Loan 
Interest as compared to Pool Originator, Pool Investor, or SBA relating 
to the making, servicing, or liquidation of the Loan with respect to 
such things as repayment, collateral, guarantees, control, maintenance 
of a compensating balance, purchase of a certificate of deposit or 
acceptance of a separate or companion loan, without SBA's consent. 
Seller's agreement to grant a Pool Loan's Obligor a deferment in return 
for receiving more collateral on a different loan owned by Seller is an 
example of a preference.
    Program Rules and Regulations. This subpart J, as may be amended 
from time to time by SBA (the Program Regulations), the First Lien 
Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement, any other Program agreements 
signed by a Program Participant, if applicable, the Guide, the Recovery 
Act, and the provisions of subpart H governing Third Party Loans and 
Third Party Lenders.
    Project. A project as defined by Sec.  120.802 of the Part.
    SBA. The United States Small Business Administration, an agency of 
the United States Government.
    Seller. An entity that has sold a Pool Loan to a Pool Originator to 
be Pooled and any successor entity that has executed the First Lien 
Position 504 Loan Pool Guaranty Agreement pursuant to Sec.  120.1707.
    Seller's Pool Loan. The Pool Loan sold to a Pool Originator pursuant 
to the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement.
    Seller Receipt. The document that evidences a Seller's Loan 
Interest.
    Servicing Retention Amount. The amount of a Pool Loan interest 
payment retained by Seller for servicing the Pool Loan that is payable 
and calculated pursuant to the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool 
Guarantee Agreement.
    Weighted Average Interest Rate. The dollar-weighted average interest 
rate of a Pool Certificate calculated by multiplying the interest rate 
of each Loan Interest in the Pool by the ratio of that Loan Interest's 
current outstanding principal in the SBA-guaranteed portion of the Pool 
(that is, the portion of the Pool Loan backing the Pool Certificates) to 
the current aggregate or outstanding principal of each Loan Interest in 
the SBA-guaranteed portion of the Pool, and adding the sum of the 
resulting products. The Pool Certificate interest rate will fluctuate 
over the life of the Pool as defaults, prepayments and normal repayments 
applicable to Loan Interests in the Pool occur.
    Weighted Average Maturity. The weighted average maturity of a Pool 
Certificate is a dollar weighted average maturity that is calculated by 
multiplying the remaining term, in months, of each Loan Interest in a 
Pool by the ratio of that Loan Interest's current outstanding pooled 
principal to the current aggregate outstanding pooled principal of all 
Loan Interests in the Pool, and adding the sum of the resulting 
products. The weighted average maturity of a Pool Certificate will 
fluctuate over the life of the Pool as Loan Interest defaults, 
prepayments and normal Loan Interest repayments occur.



Sec.  120.1701  Program purpose.

    As authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
(Recovery Act), SBA establishes the Program to authorize an entity to 
apply for SBA's guarantee of Pools comprised of portions of First Lien 
Position 504 Loans backing Pool Certificates to be sold to Pool 
Investors. The purpose of the Program is to temporarily provide a 
federal guarantee for Pools of First Lien Position 504 Loans to 
facilitate the sale of such loans and increase the liquidity of the 
lenders holding the loans so that the lenders can use the sale proceeds 
to fund more such loans. The Program's authorization expires on 
September 23, 2012 and the Administrator may guarantee not more than 
$3,000,000,000 of pools under this authority pursuant to section 
503(c)(B)(iii) of the Recovery Act, as

[[Page 370]]

amended by section 1119 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

[61 FR 3235, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 76 FR 63547, Oct. 12, 2011]



Sec.  120.1702  Program fee.

    Ongoing Guarantee Fee. The Ongoing Guarantee Fee is payable to SBA, 
and it is calculated and payable monthly from the amounts received in 
respect of interest on Loan Interests in the SBA-guaranteed portion of a 
Pool. This amount is set forth in the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool 
Guarantee Agreement. This fee is used to pay program losses.



Sec.  120.1703  Qualifications to be a Pool Originator.

    (a) Application to become Pool Originator. The application to become 
a Pool Originator is available from the SBA and can be found on SBA's 
website. In order to qualify as a Pool Originator, an entity must send 
the application to the SBA and certify that it is a Pool Assembler or 
it:
    (1) Is regulated by the appropriate agency as defined in section 
3(a)(34)(G) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 
78c(a)(34)(G));
    (2) Meets all financial and other applicable requirements of its 
regulatory authority and the Government Securities Act of 1986, as 
amended (Pub. L. 99-571, 100 Stat. 3208);
    (3) Has the financial capability to originate acceptable pools 
consisting of eligible First Lien Position 504 Loans in sufficient 
quantity to support the issuance of Pool Certificates;
    (4) Is in good standing with SBA (as the SBA determines), and is 
Satisfactory with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) if 
it is a national bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation if it 
is a bank not regulated by the OCC, the Financial Institutions 
Regulatory Authority if it is a member, the National Credit Union 
Administration if it is a credit union, as determined by SBA; and
    (5) for any Pool Originator that is an SBA Lender, that the SBA 
Lender has satisfactory SBA performance, as determined by SBA in its 
sole discretion.
    (b) Approval by SBA. An entity may not submit applications to form 
Pools to the CSA until SBA has approved its application to become a Pool 
Originator.
    (c) Conduct of business by Pool Originator. An entity continues to 
qualify as a Pool Originator so long as it:
    (1) Meets the eligibility standards in paragraph (a) of this 
section;
    (2) Conducts its business in accordance with SBA regulations and 
accepted securities or banking industry practices, ethics, and 
standards;
    (3) Maintains its books and records in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles or in accordance with the guidelines of 
the regulatory body governing its activities; and
    (4) Has not been suspended or terminated from the Program by SBA.

[74 FR 56093, Oct. 30, 2009, as amended at 82 FR 39506, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.1704  Pool Loans eligible for Pooling.

    (a) General Pool Loan eligibility requirements. For a First Lien 
Position 504 Loan to be eligible for Pooling it must:
    (1) Be a loan that is:
    (i) A Third Party Loan as defined in Sec.  120.801(c)(3);
    (ii) Made by a private sector lender acceptable to SBA in its sole 
discretion; and
    (iii) Secured by a first lien on the Project Property as defined in 
Sec.  120.801 of this chapter;
    (2) Be part of a 504 financing that is comprised of only one Third 
Party Loan and one CDC 504 loan; the CDC 504 loan must be funded by a 
Debenture that was been sold on or after February 17, 2009;
    (3) Be Current and have been Current for the six-month-period 
immediately prior to the date the Pool is formed or for the life of the 
Pool Loan, whichever time period is shorter;
    (4) Have been made and closed in a commercially reasonable manner, 
consistent with prudent lending standards;
    (5) Be part of a completed 504 financing, funded by a 504 debenture, 
which means that the Pool Loan must be fully disbursed and the debenture 
funding the related loan by a CDC must have been sold on or after 
February 17, 2009; and
    (6) Not be:

[[Page 371]]

    (i) To a business deriving more than one-third of its gross annual 
revenue from legal gambling activities;
    (ii) To a casino, gambling establishment, or casino hotel;
    (iii) For financing the acquisition, construction or renovation of 
an aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool; or
    (iv) To a business covered by a six-digit North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) code for casinos--713210 (``Casinos 
(Except Casino Hotels)''); casino hotels--721120 (``Casino Hotels''); 
other gambling institutions--713290 (``Other Gambling Industries''); 
golf courses--713910 (``Golf Courses and Country Clubs''); or aquariums 
and zoos--712130 (``Zoos and Botanical Gardens'').
    (b) SBA review of a Pool Loan prior to pool formation. SBA has the 
right to review any Pool Loan before a Loan Interest in it is added to a 
Pool, and SBA may prohibit the Pool's formation as proposed based on 
SBA's review in SBA's sole discretion. In the event SBA decides to 
review Pool Loan documents related to a Loan Interest prior to the 
requested Pool formation, that Loan Interest may not be added to the 
Pool until SBA reviews and approves the Pool Loan for such purpose. 
Copies of Pool Loan documents related to underwriting and origination, 
and any other Pool Loan-related documents SBA may, in its sole 
discretion, request to review in writing, must be sent to SBA's 
Sacramento Pool Loan Processing Center. The Pool Originator must 
identify and SBA must review Pool Loan documents before a Loan Interest 
is added to a Pool if:
    (1) The Pool Loan is to a business within NAICS code 713940 covering 
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers; (If SBA determines that a Pool 
Loan has had any of its proceeds used for any of the restricted purposes 
listed above, the Pool Loan will be prohibited from being part of a 
Pool.)
    (2) The Pool Loan was part of a 504 financing involving a 504 loan 
that was processed under SBA's Premier Certified Lenders Program; or
    (3) The Project the Pool Loan financed included the refinancing of 
existing debt owed to the Seller or Third Party Lender (not including 
interim financing associated with the Project).



Sec.  120.1705  Pool formation requirements.

    (a) Initiation of Pool formation. Only an entity approved by SBA to 
be a Pool Originator under the Program that continues to qualify to be a 
Pool Originator pursuant to this subpart may initiate the formation of a 
Pool. The Pool Originator creates the Pool subject to Program Rules and 
Regulations, including the parameters set forth in the Guide, and SBA 
approval.
    (b) Adjustment of Pool requirements. SBA may adjust the Pool 
characteristics periodically based on program experience and market 
conditions and will publish a revised version of the Guide in the 
Federal Register to implement such adjustments. Any such adjustments 
shall not affect Pools formed prior to the adjustment.
    (c) When the Pool Originator is the Seller. When a Pool Originator 
proposes to form a Pool involving a Pool Loan it owns, it must execute 
the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement as Pool 
Originator and as Seller and, consequently, will be subject to all 
applicable Program Rules and Regulations pertaining to both roles.
    (d) When the Pool Originator does not own the Pool Loan. When a Pool 
Originator proposes to form a Pool involving a Pool Loan it does not 
own, it must purchase the Loan Interest it proposes to pool from a 
Seller that owns the whole Pool Loan and that has the servicing rights. 
The Pool Originator must purchase the Loan Interest and take it into 
inventory or settle the purchase of the Loan Interest through the CSA 
concurrently with the formation of the Pool. The entity selling the Loan 
Interest to the Pool Originator must execute the First Lien Position 504 
Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement as Seller and, consequently, will be 
subject to all applicable Program Rules and Regulations pertaining to a 
Seller. The Pool Originator must also execute the First Lien Position 
504 Loan Pool Guaranty Agreement.
    (e) What CSA must receive prior to Pool formation. Before the CSA 
may carry

[[Page 372]]

out its responsibilities relating to the formation of a Pool, it must 
receive:
    (1) From the Pool Originator: A properly completed First Lien 
Position 504 Loan Pool application form, First Lien Position 504 Loan 
Guarantee Agreement, and any other documentation which SBA may require, 
if applicable; and
    (2) All cost reimbursement due and payable to the CSA prior to Pool 
formation owed by the Participants participating in the formation of the 
Pool.



Sec.  120.1706  Pool Originator's retained interest in Pool.

    The Pool Originator must retain an ownership interest in any Pool it 
has formed that is equal to at least 5% of the aggregate of the total 
outstanding principal balance of each Pool Loan with a Loan Interest in 
the Pool as calculated at the time of Pool formation. Such interest will 
decline with Loan Interest payments, prepayments, defaults and any other 
early termination. At Pool formation, the CSA will issue the Pool 
Originator a Pool Originator Receipt evidencing the Pool Originator's 
retained interest in the Pool. The Pool Originator may not sell, pledge, 
participate, or otherwise transfer its Pool Originator Receipt or any 
interest therein for the life of the Pool.



Sec.  120.1707  Seller's retained Loan Interest.

    The Seller must retain a 15% or greater Loan Interest in each of its 
loans included in a Pool. At Pool formation, the CSA will issue the 
Seller a Seller Receipt evidencing the Seller's retained ownership in 
the Pool Loan. With SBA's written permission, the Seller may sell the 
Seller Receipt and Servicing Retention Amount in whole, but not in part, 
to a single entity at one time. The Seller may not sell less than 100% 
of the Seller Receipt and Servicing Retention Amount, and may not sell a 
participation interest in any portion of any of its Pooled loans. In 
addition, in order to complete such sale, Seller must have the purchaser 
of its rights to the Pool Loan execute an allonge to the Seller's First 
Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement in a form acceptable to 
SBA, acknowledging and accepting all terms of the Seller's First Lien 
Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement, and deliver the executed 
original allonge and a copy of the corresponding First Lien Position 504 
Loan Pool Guarantee Agreement to the CSA. All Pool Loan payments related 
to a Seller Receipt and Servicing Retention Amount proposed for sale 
will be withheld by the CSA pending SBA acknowledgement of receipt of 
all executed documents required to complete the transfer.

[74 FR 56093, Oct. 30, 2009, as amended at 82 FR 39506, Aug. 21, 2017]



Sec.  120.1708  Pool Certificates.

    (a) SBA Guarantee of Pool Certificates. SBA guarantees to a Pool 
Investor the timely payment of principal and interest installments and 
any prepayment or other recovery of principal to which the Pool Investor 
is entitled. If an Obligor misses a scheduled payment pursuant to the 
terms of the Pool Note underlying a Loan Interest backing a Pool 
Certificate, SBA, through the CSA, will make advances to maintain the 
schedule of interest and principal payments to the Pool Investor. If SBA 
makes such payments, it is subrogated fully to the rights satisfied by 
such payment.
    (b) SBA guarantee backed by full faith and credit. SBA's guarantee 
of the Pool Certificate is backed by the full faith and credit of the 
United States.
    (c) SBA purchase of a Loan Interest. SBA will determine whether to 
purchase a Loan Interest backing a Pool Certificate with an underlying 
Pool Note that is 60 days or more in arrears. SBA reserves the right to 
purchase a Loan Interest from a Pool at any time.
    (d) Self-liquidating. A Pool Certificate represents a fractional 
beneficial interest in a Pool that is self-liquidating by Pool Loan 
Receivables and/or SBA Loan Interest payment or redemption.
    (e) Pool Certificate form. The CSA prepares the Pool Certificate. 
SBA must approve the form and terms of the Pool Certificate.
    (f) Pool Certificate registration. A Pool Certificate must be 
registered with the CSA.
    (g) Face amount of Pool Certificate. The face amount of a Pool 
Certificate cannot be less than a minimum amount as specified in the 
Guide, and

[[Page 373]]

the dollar amount of Pool Certificates must be in increments which SBA 
will specify in the Guide (except for one Pool Certificate for each 
Pool). SBA may change these requirements based upon an analysis of 
market conditions and program experience, and will publish any such 
change in the Federal Register.
    (h) Basis of payment for Pool Certificates. All payments on a Pool 
Certificate are due pursuant to terms, conditions, and percentages set 
forth or referenced therein and are based on the unpaid principal 
balance of the Pool represented by the Pool Certificate. Any Pool Loan 
Receivables applicable to a Loan Interest in the SBA-guaranteed portion 
of a Pool will be passed through to the appropriate Pool Investors with 
the regularly scheduled payments to such Pool Investors.
    (i) Pool Certificate interest rate. A Pool Certificate must have a 
Weighted Average Interest Rate.
    (j) Pool Certificate maturity. A Pool Certificate must have a 
Maturity and a Weighted Average Maturity.
    (k) Early Pool Certificate redemption. SBA, or the CSA on behalf of 
SBA, may redeem a Pool Certificate prior to its Maturity because of 
Obligor prepayment and/or SBA purchase of all Loan Interests in the Pool 
backing the Pool Certificate.



Sec.  120.1709  Transfers of Pool Certificates.

    (a) Transfer of Pool Certificates. A Pool Certificate is 
transferable. A transfer of a Pool Certificate must comply with Article 
8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York. The seller 
may use any form of assignment acceptable to SBA and the CSA. The CSA 
may refuse to issue a Pool Certificate until it is satisfied that the 
documents of transfer are complete.
    (b) Transfer on CSA records. In order for the transfer of a Pool 
Certificate to be effective, the CSA must reflect the transfer on its 
records.
    (c) Contents of letter of transmittal for Pool Certificate. A letter 
of transmittal must accompany each Pool Certificate which a Pool 
Investor submits to the CSA for transfer. The Pool Investor must supply 
the following information in the letter:
    (1) Pool number;
    (2) Pool Certificate number;
    (3) Name of purchaser of Pool Certificate;
    (4) Address and tax identification number of the purchaser;
    (5) Name, e-mail address and telephone number of the person handling 
or facilitating the transfer; and
    (6) Instructions for the delivery of the new Pool Certificate.
    (d) CSA transfer cost recovery. At the same time a Pool Investor 
submits a letter of transmittal for a Pool Certificate pursuant to this 
section, it must send to the CSA sufficient funds to cover its cost for 
this service. The CSA will supply the transfer information to the Pool 
Investor.



Sec.  120.1710  Central servicing of the Program.

    (a) Pool Certificates and Receipts issued at Pool formation. As part 
of its role as Central Servicing Agent for the Pool, at Pool formation, 
CSA issues a Seller Receipt to the Seller, a Pool Originator Receipt to 
the Pool Originator, and a Pool Certificate to each Pool Investor.
    (b) CSA fiscal transfer responsibilities. All Pool Loan Receivables 
on a Pool Loan received by the CSA must be forwarded by it to pay the 
Servicing Retention Amount, Ongoing Guarantee Fee, Seller Receipt, Pool 
Originator Receipt, Pool Certificates, any SBA-purchased Loan Interest, 
and any other payment applicable to the Pooling of such Pooled Loan, in 
accordance with Program Rules and Regulations.
    (c) Administration of the Pool Certificates. CSA must administer 
each Pool Certificate. It shall maintain a registry of Pool Investors 
and other information as SBA requires. CSA registers all Pool 
Certificates. This means it issues, transfers title to, and redeems 
them. It shall maintain a registry of Pool Investors and other 
information as SBA requires. In fulfilling its obligation to keep the 
central registry current, the CSA may, with SBA's approval, obtain any 
necessary information from the parties involved in the Program.
    (d) CSA Monthly Report. CSA must provide SBA with a list, by Pool, 
of each Loan Interest with an underlying Pool Note that is 60 days or 
more in arrears on a monthly basis.

[[Page 374]]



Sec.  120.1711  Suspension or termination of Program participation privileges.

    (a) Participant suspension or termination. The SBA may suspend or 
terminate the privilege of a Participant, and/or any Associate or 
Affiliate of the Participant, to sell, purchase, broker, or deal in Pool 
Loans, Loan Interests, or Pool Certificates under the Program if any 
such Participant or its Associate or Affiliate has:
    (1) Failed to comply materially with any requirement imposed by the 
Program Rules and Regulations or other SBA rules and regulations; or
    (2) Made a material false statement or failed to disclose a material 
fact to SBA.
    (b) Additional rules for suspension or termination of Pool 
Originator. In addition to the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) 
above, SBA may also suspend or terminate the Program participation 
privileges of a Pool Originator if the Pool Originator (and/or its 
Associates):
    (1) Does not comply with any of the requirements in 120.1703(a) or 
(c);
    (2) Has been revoked or suspended it from engaging in the securities 
business by its supervisory agency, or is under investigation for a 
practice which SBA considers, in its sole discretion, to be relevant to 
its fitness to participate in the Program;
    (3) Has been indicted or otherwise formally charged with, or 
convicted of, a felony, or a misdemeanor which, in SBA's sole 
discretion, bears on its fitness to participate in the Program;
    (4) Has received an adverse civil judgment that it has committed a 
breach of trust or a violation of a law or regulation protecting the 
integrity of business transactions or relationships; or
    (5) Has been suspended or terminated as a Pool Assembler under 
120.631.
    (c) Suspension procedures. SBA may undertake suspension or 
enforcement actions under this section using the procedures set forth in 
Sec.  120.1600(a).



Sec.  120.1712  Seller responsibilities with respect to Seller's Pool Loan.

    Seller shall remain obligated for servicing and liquidating Seller's 
Pool Loan until the Pool Loan is repaid in full unless SBA provides 
written approval or notice to the contrary.



Sec.  120.1713  Seller's Pool Loan origination.

    SBA is entitled to recover from the Seller losses incurred by SBA on 
its guarantee of a Pool if such losses resulted because Seller's Pool 
Loan was not made and closed in a commercially reasonable manner, 
consistent with prudent lending standards, and in accordance with any 
applicable Program Rules and Regulations.



Sec.  120.1714  Seller's Pool Loan servicing.

    Subject to Sec.  120.1718 of this subpart J, the Seller must service 
Seller's Pool Loan in a commercially reasonable manner, consistent with 
prudent lending standards, and in accordance with applicable Program 
Rules and Regulations. The Seller receives the Servicing Retention 
Amount for servicing the Seller's Pool Loan.



Sec.  120.1715  Seller's Pool Loan liquidation.

    Subject to Sec.  120.1718 of this subpart J, the Seller must 
liquidate and conduct debt collection litigation for Seller's Pool Loan 
in a prompt, cost-effective and commercially reasonable manner, 
consistent with prudent lending standards, in accordance with applicable 
Program Rules and Regulations, and with SBA approval of a liquidation 
plan and any litigation plan, and any amendment of either such a plan, 
if applicable.



Sec.  120.1716  Required SBA approval of servicing actions.

    Seller shall not, without prior written consent of SBA, take the 
following actions with respect to Seller's Pool Loan:
    (a) Make or consent to any substantial alteration in the terms 
(``substantial'' includes, but is not limited to, any changes to the 
principal amount or interest rate);
    (b) Accelerate the maturity;
    (c) Sue; or
    (d) Waive or release any claim. Guidance on other servicing actions, 
some of which may need prior SBA approval, is provided in the Guide.

[[Page 375]]



Sec.  120.1717  Seller's Pool Loan deferments.

    Without the prior written consent of SBA, Seller, at the request of 
Obligor, may grant one deferment of Obligor's scheduled payments for a 
continuous period not to exceed three months of past or future 
installments. Seller shall immediately notify CSA of any payment 
deferment and that notification shall include:
    (a) The SBA Pool Loan number;
    (b) The Obligor's name;
    (c) The terms of such deferment;
    (d) The date Obligor is to resume payment; and
    (e) Reconfirmation of the basis of interest calculation (e.g. 30/360 
or Actual Days/365).



Sec.  120.1718  SBA's right to assume Seller's responsibilities.

    SBA may, in its sole discretion, undertake the servicing, 
liquidation and/or litigation of Seller's Pool Loan at any time and, in 
such event, Seller must take any steps necessary to facilitate the 
assumption by SBA of such responsibilities, which can be transferred by 
SBA at its discretion to a contractor, agent or other entity, and such 
steps shall include, among other things, providing or assigning to SBA 
any documents requested by SBA within 15 calendar days of Seller's 
receipt of such request. SBA will notify the Obligor of the change in 
servicing.



Sec.  120.1719  SBA's right to recover from Seller.

    SBA is entitled to recover from Seller any monies paid on SBA's 
guarantee of a Pool Certificate backed in part by Seller's Pool Loan, 
plus interest, if SBA in its sole discretion determines that any of the 
following events has occurred:
    (a) Seller's improper action or inaction has put SBA at risk;
    (b) Seller has failed to disclose a material fact to SBA regarding a 
Seller's Pool Loan in a timely manner;
    (c) Seller has misrepresented a material fact to SBA regarding 
Seller's Pool Loan;
    (d) Seller has failed to comply materially with Sec.  120.1720 of 
this subpart;
    (e) SBA has received a written request from Seller to terminate the 
SBA's guarantee on the Loan Interest in Seller's Pool Loan;
    (f) Seller has failed to comply materially with Program Rules and 
Regulations; or
    (g) Seller has failed to make, close, service or liquidate Seller's 
Pool Loan in a prudent manner.



Sec.  120.1720  SBA's right to review Pool Loan documents.

    In the event that SBA purchases a Loan Interest in Seller's Pool 
Loan, Seller must provide to SBA copies of the Pool Loan collateral 
documents, Pool Loan underwriting documents, and any other documents SBA 
may require in writing within 15 calendar days of a written request from 
SBA (which SBA will review in connection with its efforts to determine 
if Seller is obligated to reimburse SBA pursuant to this subpart). A 
Seller's failure to provide the requested documentation may constitute a 
material failure to comply with the Program Rules and Regulations and 
may lead to an action for recovery under Sec.  120.1719. SBA will also 
evaluate a Seller's continued participation in the Program and may 
restrict further sales under the Program until SBA determines that the 
Seller has provided sufficient documentation.



Sec.  120.1721  SBA's right to investigate.

    SBA may undertake such investigation as it deems necessary to 
determine whether it is entitled to seek recovery from the Seller and 
Seller agrees to take whatever actions are necessary to facilitate such 
investigation.



Sec.  120.1722  SBA's offset rights.

    SBA shall have the right to offset any amount owed by Lender to SBA, 
including, without limitation, an offset against CSA's obligation to pay 
Lender pursuant to any Section 504 First Mortgage Loan Pool Guarantee 
Agreement.



Sec.  120.1723  Pool Loan receivables received by Seller.

    Any Pool Loan Receivables received by Seller in connection with 
obligations under Seller's Pool Loan must be forwarded by Seller to CSA 
within two business days of receipt of collected funds.

[[Page 376]]



Sec.  120.1724  Servicing and liquidation expenses.

    All ordinary and reasonable expenses of servicing and liquidating 
Seller's Pool Loan shall be paid by, or be recoverable from, Obligor, 
and all such ordinary and reasonable expenses incurred by Seller or SBA 
which are not recoverable from Obligor shall be shared ratably by 
Seller, SBA, and the Pool Originator pursuant to the applicable 
percentages set forth in the First Lien Position 504 Loan Pool Guarantee 
Agreement.



Sec.  120.1725  No Program Preference by Seller or Pool Originator.

    The Seller and the Pool Originator must not establish a Program 
Preference, which is defined in 13 CFR 120.10.



Sec.  120.1726  Pool Certificates a Seller cannot purchase.

    Neither a Seller, nor any of its Program Associates or Affiliates, 
may purchase a Pool Certificate that is backed by a Loan Interest in a 
Pool Loan that the Seller, or any of its Program Associates or 
Affiliates, originated or owned, and, in the event such purchase occurs, 
SBA's guarantee shall not be in effect with respect to any such Pool 
Certificate.



PART 121_SMALL BUSINESS SIZE REGULATIONS--Table of Contents



           Subpart A_Size Eligibility Provisions and Standards

                   Provisions of General Applicability

Sec.
121.101 What are SBA size standards?
121.102 How does SBA establish size standards?
121.103 How does SBA determine affiliation?
121.104 How does SBA calculate annual receipts?
121.105 How does SBA define ``business concern or concern''?
121.106 How does SBA calculate number of employees?
121.107 How does SBA determine a concern's ``primary industry''?
121.108 What are the penalties for misrepresentation of size status?
121.109 What is a small business status advisory opinion?
121.110 What must a concern do in order to be identified as a small 
          business concern in any Federal procurement databases?

          Size Standards Used To Define Small Business Concerns

121.201 What size standards has SBA identified by North American 
          Industry Classification System codes?

       Size Eligibility Requirements for SBA Financial Assistance

121.301 What size standards and affiliation principles are applicable to 
          financial assistance programs?
121.302 When does SBA determine the size status of an applicant?
121.303 What size procedures are used by SBA before it makes a formal 
          size determination?
121.304 What are the size requirements for refinancing an existing SBA 
          loan?
121.305 What size eligibility requirements exist for obtaining financial 
          assistance relating to particular procurements?

        Size Eligibility Requirements for Government Procurement

121.401 What procurement programs are subject to size determinations?
121.402 What size standards are applicable to Federal Government 
          Contracting programs?
121.403 Are SBA size determinations and NAICS code designations binding 
          on parties?
121.404 When is the size status of a business concern determined?
121.405 May a business concern self-certify its small business size 
          status?
121.406 How does a small business concern qualify to provide 
          manufactured products or other supply items under a small 
          business set-aside, service-disabled veteran-owned small 
          business, HUBZone, WOSB or EDWOSB, or 8(a) contract?
121.407 What are the size procedures for multiple item procurements?
121.408 What are the size procedures for SBA's Certificate of Competency 
          Program?
121.409 What size standard applies in an unrestricted procurement for 
          Certificate of Competency purposes?
121.410 What are the size standards for SBA's Section 8(d) 
          Subcontracting Program?
121.411 What are the size procedures for SBA's Section 8(d) 
          Subcontracting Program?
121.412 What are the size procedures for partial small business set-
          asides?

[[Page 377]]

 Size Eligibility Requirements for Sales or Lease of Government Property

121.501 What programs for sales or leases of Government property are 
          subject to size determinations?
121.502 What size standards are applicable to programs for sales or 
          leases of Government property?
121.503 Are SBA size determinations binding on parties?
121.504 When does SBA determine the size status of a business concern?
121.505 What is the effect of a self-certification?
121.506 What definitions are important for sales or leases of 
          Government-owned timber?
121.507 What are the size standards and other requirements for the 
          purchase of Government-owned timber (other than Special 
          Salvage Timber)?
121.508 What are the size standards and other requirements for the 
          purchase of Government-owned Special Salvage Timber?
121.509 What is the size standard for leasing of Government land for 
          coal mining?
121.510 What is the size standard for leasing of Government land for 
          uranium mining?
121.511 What is the size standard for buying Government-owned petroleum?
121.512 What is the size standard for stockpile purchases?

 Size Eligibility Requirements for the 8(a) Business Development Program

121.601 What is a small business for purposes of admission to SBA's 8(a) 
          Business Development program?
121.602 At what point in time must a 8(a) BD applicant be small?
121.603 How does SBA determine whether a Participant is small for a 
          particular 8(a) BD subcontract?
121.604 Are 8(a) BD Participants considered small for purposes of other 
          SBA assistance?

  Size and Eligibility Requirements for the Small Business Innovation 
 Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

121.701 What SBIR and STTR programs are subject to size and eligibility 
          determinations and what definitions are important?
121.702 What size and eligibility standards are applicable to the SBIR 
          and STTR programs?
121.703 Are formal size determinations binding on parties?
121.704 When does SBA determine the size and eligibility status of a 
          business concern?
121.705 Must a business concern self-certify its size and eligibility 
          status?

      Size Eligibility Requirements for Paying Reduced Patent Fees

121.801 May patent fees be reduced if a concern is small?
121.802 What size standards are applicable to reduced patent fees 
          programs?
121.803 Are formal size determinations binding on parties?
121.804 When does SBA determine the size status of a business concern?
121.805 May a business concern self-certify its size status?

  Size Eligibility Requirements for Compliance With Programs of Other 
                                Agencies

121.901 Can other Government agencies obtain SBA size determinations?
121.902 What size standards are applicable to programs of other 
          agencies?
121.903 How may an agency use size standards for its programs that are 
          different than those established by SBA?
121.904 When does SBA determine the size status of a business concern?

Procedures for Size Protests and Requests for Formal Size Determinations

121.1001 Who may initiate a size protest or a request for formal size 
          determination?
121.1002 Who makes a formal size determination?
121.1003 Where should a size protest be filed?
121.1004 What time limits apply to size protests?
121.1005 How must a protest be filed with the contracting officer?
121.1006 When will a size protest be referred to an SBA Government 
          Contracting Area Office?
121.1007 Must a protest of size status relate to a particular 
          procurement and be specific?
121.1008 What occurs after SBA receives a size protest or request for a 
          formal size determination?
121.1009 What are the procedures for making the size determination?
121.1010 How does a concern become recertified as a small business?

       Appeals of Size Determinations and NAICS Code Designations

121.1101 Are formal size determinations subject to appeal?
121.1102 Are NAICS code designations subject to appeal?
121.1103 What are the procedures for appealing a NAICS code or size 
          standard designation?

[[Page 378]]

                  Subpart B_Other Applicable Provisions

    Waivers of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Classes of Products and 
                          Individual Contracts

121.1201 What is the Nonmanufacturer Rule?
121.1202 When will a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule be granted for a 
          class of products?
121.1203 When will a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule be granted for 
          an individual contract?
121.1204 What are the procedures for requesting and granting waivers?
121.1205 How is a list of previously granted class waivers obtained?
121.1206 How will potential offerors be notified of applicable waivers?

Appendix A to Part 121--Paycheck Protection Program Sample Addendum A

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 636(a)(36), 662, and 694a(9).

    Source: 61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 121 appear at 72 FR 
50039 and 50040, Aug. 30, 2007.



           Subpart A_Size Eligibility Provisions and Standards

                   Provisions of General Applicability



Sec.  121.101  What are SBA size standards?

    (a) SBA's size standards define whether a business entity is small 
and, thus, eligible for Government programs and preferences reserved for 
``small business'' concerns. Size standards have been established for 
types of economic activity, or industry, generally under the North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
    (b) NAICS is described in the North American Industry Classification 
Manual-United States, which is available from the National Technical 
Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161; by 
calling 1(800) 553-6847 or 1(703) 605-6000; or via the Internet at 
http://www.ntis.gov/ products/naics.aspx. The manual includes 
definitions for each industry, tables showing relationships between 1997 
NAICS and 1987 SICs, and a comprehensive index. NAICS assigns codes to 
all economic activity within twenty broad sectors. Section 121.201 
provides a full table of small business size standards matched to the 
U.S. NAICS industry codes. A full table matching a size standard with 
each NAICS Industry or U.S. Industry code is also published annually by 
SBA in the Federal Register.

[65 FR 30840, May 15, 2000, as amended at 67 FR 52602, Aug. 13, 2002; 74 
FR 46313, Sept. 9, 2009]



Sec.  121.102  How does SBA establish size standards?

    (a) SBA considers economic characteristics comprising the structure 
of an industry, including degree of competition, average firm size, 
start-up costs and entry barriers, and distribution of firms by size. It 
also considers technological changes, competition from other industries, 
growth trends, historical activity within an industry, unique factors 
occurring in the industry which may distinguish small firms from other 
firms, and the objectives of its programs and the impact on those 
programs of different size standard levels.
    (b) As part of its review of a size standard, SBA will investigate 
if any concern at or below a particular standard would be dominant in 
the industry. SBA will take into consideration market share of a concern 
and other appropriate factors which may allow a concern to exercise a 
major controlling influence on a national basis in which a number of 
business concerns are engaged. Size standards seek to ensure that a 
concern that meets a specific size standard is not dominant in its field 
of operation.
    (c) As part of its review of size standards, SBA's Office of Size 
Standards will examine the impact of inflation on monetary-based size 
standards (e.g., receipts, net income, assets) at least once every five 
years and submit a report to the Administrator or designee. If SBA finds 
that inflation has significantly eroded the value of the monetary-based 
size standards, it will issue a proposed rule to increase size 
standards.
    (d) Please address any requests to change existing size standards or 
establish new ones for emerging industries to the Division Chief, Office 
of Size Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20416.
    (e) When SBA publishes a final rule in the Federal Register 
revising,

[[Page 379]]

modifying, or establishing a size standard, SBA will include in the 
final rule, an instruction that interested persons may file a petition 
for reconsideration of a revised, modified, or established size standard 
at SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) within 30 calendar days 
after publication of the final rule in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 
632(a)(9) and part 134, subpart I of this chapter. The instruction will 
provide the mailing address, facsimile number, and email address of OHA.
    (f) Within 14 calendar days after a petition for reconsideration of 
a size standard is filed, unless it appears OHA will dismiss the 
petition for reconsideration, SBA will publish a document in the Federal 
Register announcing the size standard or standards that have been 
challenged, the Federal Register citation of the final rule, the 
assigned OHA docket number, and the date of the close of record. The 
document will further state that interested parties may contact OHA to 
intervene in the dispute pursuant to Sec.  134.906 of this chapter.
    (g) Where OHA grants a petition for reconsideration of a size 
standard that had been revised or modified, OHA will remand the case to 
SBA's Office of Size Standards for further action in accordance with 
Sec.  134.916(a) of this chapter.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 3045, Jan. 23, 2002; 82 
FR 25506, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  121.103  How does SBA determine affiliation?

    (a) General Principles of Affiliation. (1) Concerns and entities are 
affiliates of each other when one controls or has the power to control 
the other, or a third party or parties controls or has the power to 
control both. It does not matter whether control is exercised, so long 
as the power to control exists.
    (2) SBA considers factors such as ownership, management, previous 
relationships with or ties to another concern, and contractual 
relationships, in determining whether affiliation exists.
    (3) Control may be affirmative or negative. Negative control 
includes, but is not limited to, instances where a minority shareholder 
has the ability, under the concern's charter, by-laws, or shareholder's 
agreement, to prevent a quorum or otherwise block action by the board of 
directors or shareholders.
    (4) Affiliation may be found where an individual, concern, or entity 
exercises control indirectly through a third party.
    (5) In determining whether affiliation exists, SBA will consider the 
totality of the circumstances, and may find affiliation even though no 
single factor is sufficient to constitute affiliation.
    (6) In determining the concern's size, SBA counts the receipts, 
employees, or other measure of size of the concern whose size is at 
issue and all of its domestic and foreign affiliates, regardless of 
whether the affiliates are organized for profit.
    (7) For SBA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small 
Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the bases for affiliation 
are set forth in Sec.  121.702.
    (8) For applicants in SBA's Business Loan, Disaster Loan, and Surety 
Bond Guarantee Programs, the size standards and bases for affiliation 
are set forth in Sec.  121.301.
    (b) Exceptions to affiliation coverage. (1) Business concerns owned 
in whole or substantial part by investment companies licensed, or 
development companies qualifying, under the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958, as amended, are not considered affiliates of such 
investment companies or development companies.
    (2)(i) Business concerns owned and controlled by Indian Tribes, 
Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) organized pursuant to the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), Native Hawaiian 
Organizations (NHOs), Community Development Corporations (CDCs) 
authorized by 42 U.S.C. 9805, or wholly-owned entities of Indian Tribes, 
ANCs, NHOs, or CDCs are not considered affiliates of such entities.
    (ii) Business concerns owned and controlled by Indian Tribes, ANCs, 
NHOs, CDCs, or wholly-owned entities of Indian Tribes, ANCs, NHOs, or 
CDCs, are not considered to be affiliated with other concerns owned by 
these entities because of their common ownership or common management. 
In addition, affiliation will not be found based upon the performance of 
common administrative services so long as adequate

[[Page 380]]

payment is provided for those services. Affiliation may be found for 
other reasons.
    (A) Common administrative services which are subject to the 
exception to affiliation include, bookkeeping, payroll, recruiting, 
other human resource support, cleaning services, and other duties which 
are otherwise unrelated to contract performance or management and can be 
reasonably pooled or otherwise performed by a holding company, parent 
entity, or sister business concern without interfering with the control 
of the subject firm.
    (B) Contract administration services include both services that 
could be considered ``common administrative services'' under the 
exception to affiliation and those that could not.
    (1) Contract administration services that encompass actual and 
direct day-to-day oversight and control of the performance of a 
contract/project are not shared common administrative services, and 
would include tasks or functions such as negotiating directly with the 
government agency regarding proposal terms, contract terms, scope and 
modifications, project scheduling, hiring and firing of employees, and 
overall responsibility for the day-to-day and overall project and 
contract completion.
    (2) Contract administration services that are administrative in 
nature may constitute administrative services that can be shared, and 
would fall within the exception to affiliation. These administrative 
services include tasks such as record retention not related to a 
specific contract (e.g., employee time and attendance records), 
maintenance of databases for awarded contracts, monitoring for 
regulatory compliance, template development, and assisting accounting 
with invoice preparation as needed.
    (C) Business development may include both services that could be 
considered ``common administrative services'' under the exception to 
affiliation and those that could not. Efforts at the holding company or 
parent level to identify possible procurement opportunities for specific 
subsidiary companies may properly be considered ``common administrative 
services'' under the exception to affiliation. However, at some point 
the opportunity identified by the holding company's or parent entity's 
business development efforts becomes concrete enough to assign to a 
subsidiary and at that point the subsidiary must be involved in the 
business development efforts for such opportunity. At the proposal or 
bid preparation stage of business development, the appropriate 
subsidiary company for the opportunity has been identified and a 
representative of that company must be involved in preparing an 
appropriate offer. This does not mean to imply that one or more 
representatives of a holding company or parent entity cannot also be 
involved in preparing an offer. They may be involved in assisting with 
preparing the generic part of an offer, but the specific subsidiary that 
intends to ultimately perform the contract must control the technical 
and contract specific portions of preparing an offer. In addition, once 
award is made, employee assignments and the logistics for contract 
performance must be controlled by the specific subsidiary company and 
should not be performed at a holding company or parent entity level.
    (3) Business concerns which are part of an SBA approved pool of 
concerns for a joint program of research and development or for defense 
production as authorized by the Small Business Act are not affiliates of 
one another because of the pool.
    (4) Business concerns which lease employees from concerns primarily 
engaged in leasing employees to other businesses or which enter into a 
co-employer arrangement with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) 
are not affiliated with the leasing company or PEO solely on the basis 
of a leasing agreement.
    (5) For financial, management or technical assistance under the 
Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended, (an applicant is not 
affiliated with the investors listed in paragraphs (b)(5) (i) through 
(vi) of this section.
    (i) Venture capital operating companies, as defined in the U.S. 
Department of Labor regulations found at 29 CFR 2510.3-101(d);
    (ii) Employee benefit or pension plans established and maintained by 
the Federal government or any state,

[[Page 381]]

or their political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality 
thereof, for the benefit of employees;
    (iii) Employee benefit or pension plans within the meaning of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (29 U.S.C. 
1001, et seq.);
    (iv) Charitable trusts, foundations, endowments, or similar 
organizations exempt from Federal income taxation under section 501(c) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (26 U.S.C. 501(c));
    (v) Investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act 
of 1940, as amended (1940 Act) (15 U.S.C. 80a-1, et seq.); and
    (vi) Entities determined by SBA to be Traditional Investment 
Companies under 13 CFR 107.150(b)(2) and private funds exempt from 
registration under section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
    (6) A firm that has an SBA-approved mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
agreement authorized under Sec.  125.9 of this chapter is not affiliated 
with its mentor or prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm solely because the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm receives assistance from the mentor under the 
agreement. Similarly, a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm is not affiliated 
with its mentor solely because the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm receives 
assistance from the mentor under a federal mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
program where an exception to affiliation is specifically authorized by 
statute or by SBA under the procedures set forth in Sec.  121.903. 
Affiliation may be found in either case for other reasons as set forth 
in this section.
    (7) The member shareholders of a small agricultural cooperative, as 
defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j), are not 
considered affiliated with the cooperative by virtue of their membership 
in the cooperative.
    (8) These exceptions to affiliation and any others set forth in 
Sec.  121.702 apply for purposes of SBA's SBIR and STTR programs.
    (9) In the case of a solicitation for a bundled contract or a 
Multiple Award Contract with a value in excess of the agency's 
substantial bundling threshold, a small business contractor may enter 
into a Small Business Teaming Arrangement with one or more small 
business subcontractors and submit an offer as a small business without 
regard to affiliation, so long as each team member is small for the size 
standard assigned to the contract or subcontract. The agency shall 
evaluate the offer in the same manner as other offers with due 
consideration of the capabilities of the subcontractors.
    (10)(i) The relationship of a faith-based organization to another 
organization is not considered an affiliation with the other 
organization under this subpart if the relationship is based on a 
religious teaching or belief or otherwise constitutes a part of the 
exercise of religion. In addition, the eligibility criteria set forth in 
15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)(D) are satisfied for any faith-based organization 
having not more than 500 employees (including individuals employed on a 
full-time, part-time, or other basis) that pays Federal payroll taxes 
using its own Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Number 
(EIN) or that would support a deduction under the second sentence of 26 
U.S.C. 512(b)(12) if the organization generated unrelated business 
taxable income. For purposes of this paragraph (b)(10), the term 
``faith-based organization'' includes, but is not limited to, any 
organization associated with a church or convention or association of 
churches within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 414(e)(3)(D). The term 
``organization'' has the meaning given in 26 U.S.C. 414(m)(6)(A). The 
terms ``church'' and ``convention or association of churches'' have the 
same meaning that they have in 26 U.S.C. 414.
    (ii) No specific process or filing is necessary to claim the benefit 
of the exemption in paragraph (b)(10)(i) of this section. In applying 
for a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a faith-based 
organization may make all necessary certifications with respect to 
common ownership or management or other eligibility criteria based upon 
affiliation, if the organization would be an eligible borrower but for 
application of SBA affiliation rules and if the organization falls 
within the terms of the exemption described in paragraph (b)(10)(i) of 
this section. If a faith-based organization indicates any relationship 
that may

[[Page 382]]

pertain to affiliation, such as ownership of, ownership by, or common 
management with any other organization, on or in connection with a loan 
application, and if the faith-based organization applying for a loan 
falls within the terms of the exemption described in paragraph 
(b)(10)(i) of this section with respect to that relationship, the faith-
based organization may indicate on a separate sheet that it is entitled 
to the exemption. That sheet may be identified as addendum A, and no 
further listing of the other organization or description of the 
relationship to that organization is required. See appendix A to this 
part for a sample ``Addendum A'', but the format need not be used as 
long as the substance is the same.
    (c) Affiliation based on stock ownership. (1) A person (including 
any individual, concern or other entity) that owns, or has the power to 
control, 50 percent or more of a concern's voting stock, or a block of 
voting stock which is large compared to other outstanding blocks of 
voting stock, controls or has the power to control the concern.
    (2) If two or more persons (including any individual, concern or 
other entity) each owns, controls, or has the power to control less than 
50 percent of a concern's voting stock, and such minority holdings are 
equal or approximately equal in size, and the aggregate of these 
minority holdings is large as compared with any other stock holding, SBA 
presumes that each such person controls or has the power to control the 
concern whose size is at issue. This presumption may be rebutted by a 
showing that such control or power to control does not in fact exist.
    (3) If a concern's voting stock is widely held and no single block 
of stock is large as compared with all other stock holdings, the 
concern's Board of Directors and CEO or President will be deemed to have 
the power to control the concern in the absence of evidence to the 
contrary.
    (d) Affiliation arising under stock options, convertible securities, 
and agreements to merge. (1) In determining size, SBA considers stock 
options, convertible securities, and agreements to merge (including 
agreements in principle) to have a present effect on the power to 
control a concern. SBA treats such options, convertible securities, and 
agreements as though the rights granted have been exercised.
    (2) Agreements to open or continue negotiations towards the 
possibility of a merger or a sale of stock at some later date are not 
considered ``agreements in principle'' and are thus not given present 
effect.
    (3) Options, convertible securities, and agreements that are subject 
to conditions precedent which are incapable of fulfillment, speculative, 
conjectural, or unenforceable under state or Federal law, or where the 
probability of the transaction (or exercise of the rights) occurring is 
shown to be extremely remote, are not given present effect.
    (4) An individual, concern or other entity that controls one or more 
other concerns cannot use options, convertible securities, or agreements 
to appear to terminate such control before actually doing so. SBA will 
not give present effect to individuals', concerns' or other entities' 
ability to divest all or part of their ownership interest in order to 
avoid a finding of affiliation.
    (e) Affiliation based on common management. Affiliation arises where 
one or more officers, directors, managing members, or partners who 
control the board of directors and/or management of one concern also 
control the board of directors or management of one or more other 
concerns.
    (f) Affiliation based on identity of interest. Affiliation may arise 
among two or more persons with an identity of interest. Individuals or 
firms that have identical or substantially identical business or 
economic interests (such as family members, individuals or firms with 
common investments, or firms that are economically dependent through 
contractual or other relationships) may be treated as one party with 
such interests aggregated. Where SBA determines that such interests 
should be aggregated, an individual or firm may rebut that determination 
with evidence showing that the interests deemed to be one are in fact 
separate.
    (1) Firms owned or controlled by married couples, parties to a civil 
union, parents, children, and siblings are presumed to be affiliated 
with each other if they conduct business with

[[Page 383]]

each other, such as subcontracts or joint ventures or share or provide 
loans, resources, equipment, locations or employees with one another. 
This presumption may be overcome by showing a clear line of fracture 
between the concerns. Other types of familial relationships are not 
grounds for affiliation on family relationships.
    (2) SBA may presume an identity of interest based upon economic 
dependence if the concern in question derived 70% or more of its 
receipts from another concern over the previous three fiscal years.
    (i) This presumption may be rebutted by a showing that despite the 
contractual relations with another concern, the concern at issue is not 
solely dependent on that other concern, such as where the concern has 
been in business for a short amount of time and has only been able to 
secure a limited number of contracts or where the contractual relations 
do not restrict the concern in question from selling the same type of 
products or services to another purchaser.
    (ii) A business concern owned and controlled by an Indian Tribe, 
ANC, NHO, CDC, or by a wholly-owned entity of an Indian Tribe, ANC, NHO, 
or CDC, is not considered to be affiliated with another concern owned by 
that entity based solely on the contractual relations between the two 
concerns.

    Example 1 to paragraph (f). Firm A has been in business for 9 months 
and has two contracts. Contract 1 is with Firm B and is valued at 
$900,000 and Contract 2 is with Firm C and is valued at $200,000. Thus, 
Firm B accounts for over 70% of Firm A's receipts. Absent other 
connections between A and B, the presumption of affiliation between A 
and B is rebutted because A is a new firm.
    Example 2 to paragraph (f). Firm A has been in business for five 
years and has approximately 200 contracts. Of those contracts, 195 are 
with Firm B. The value of Firm A's contracts with Firm B is greater than 
70% of its revenue over the previous three years. Unless Firm A can show 
that its contractual relations with Firm B do not restrict it from 
selling the same type of products or services to another purchaser, SBA 
would most likely find the two firms affiliated.

    (g) Affiliation based on the newly organized concern rule. Except as 
provided in Sec.  124.109(c)(4)(iii), affiliation may arise where former 
or current officers, directors, principal stockholders, managing 
members, or key employees of one concern organize a new concern in the 
same or related industry or field of operation, and serve as the new 
concern's officers, directors, principal stockholders, managing members, 
or key employees, and the one concern is furnishing or will furnish the 
new concern with contracts, financial or technical assistance, 
indemnification on bid or performance bonds, and/or other facilities, 
whether for a fee or otherwise. A concern may rebut such an affiliation 
determination by demonstrating a clear line of fracture between the two 
concerns. A ``key employee'' is an employee who, because of his/her 
position in the concern, has a critical influence in or substantive 
control over the operations or management of the concern.
    (h) Affiliation based on joint ventures. A joint venture is an 
association of individuals and/or concerns with interests in any degree 
or proportion intending to engage in and carry out business ventures for 
joint profit over a two-year period, for which purpose they combine 
their efforts, property, money, skill, or knowledge, but not on a 
continuing or permanent basis for conducting business generally. This 
means that a specific joint venture generally may not be awarded 
contracts beyond a two-year period, starting from the date of the award 
of the first contract, without the partners to the joint venture being 
deemed affiliated for the joint venture. However, a joint venture may be 
issued an order under a previously awarded contract beyond the two-year 
period. Once a joint venture receives a contract, it may submit 
additional offers for a period of two years from the date of that first 
award. An individual joint venture may be awarded one or more contracts 
after that two-year period as long as it submitted an offer prior to the 
end of that two-year period. SBA will find joint venture partners to be 
affiliated, and thus will aggregate their receipts and/or employees in 
determining the size of the joint venture for all small business 
programs, where the joint venture submits an offer after two years from 
the date of the first award. The same two (or more) entities may

[[Page 384]]

create additional joint ventures, and each new joint venture may submit 
offers for a period of two years from the date of the first contract to 
the joint venture without the partners to the joint venture being deemed 
affiliates. At some point, however, such a longstanding inter-
relationship or contractual dependence between the same joint venture 
partners may lead to a finding of general affiliation between and among 
them. SBA may also determine that the relationship between a prime 
contractor and its subcontractor is a joint venture pursuant to 
paragraph (h)(3) of this section. For purposes of this paragraph (h), 
contract refers to prime contracts, novations of prime contracts, and 
any subcontract in which the joint venture is treated as a similarly 
situated entity as the term is defined in part 125 of this chapter.

    Example 1 to paragraph (h) introductory text. Joint Venture AB 
receives a contract on April 2, year 1. Joint Venture AB may receive 
additional contracts through April 2, year 3. On June 6, year 2, Joint 
Venture AB submits an offer for Solicitation 1. On July 13, year 2, 
Joint Venture AB submits an offer for Solicitation 2. On May 27, year 3, 
Joint Venture AB is found to be the apparent successful offeror for 
Solicitation 1. On July 22, year 3, Joint Venture AB is found to be the 
apparent successful offeror for Solicitation 2. Even though the award of 
the two contracts emanating from Solicitations 1 and 2 would occur after 
April 2, year 3, Joint Venture AB may receive those awards without 
causing general affiliation between its joint venture partners because 
the offers occurred prior to the expiration of the two-year period.
    Example 2 to paragraph (h) introductory text. Joint Venture XY 
receives a contract on August 10, year 1. It may receive two additional 
contracts through August 10, year 3. On March 19, year 3, XY receives 
its fifth contract. It receives no other contract awards through August 
10, year 3 and has submitted no additional offers prior to August 10, 
year 3. Because two years have passed since the date of the first 
contract award, after August 10, year 3, XY cannot receive an additional 
contract award. The individual parties to XY must form a new joint 
venture if they want to seek and be awarded additional contracts as a 
joint venture.
    Example 3 to paragraph (h) introductory text. Joint Venture XY 
receives a contract on December 15, year 1. On May 22, year 3 XY submits 
an offer for Solicitation S. On December 8, year 3, XY submits a 
novation package for contracting officer approval for Contract C. In 
January, year 4 XY is found to be the apparent successful offeror for 
Solicitation S and the relevant contracting officer seeks to novate 
Contract C to XY. Because both the offer for Solicitation S and the 
novation package for Contract C were submitted prior to December 15 year 
3, both contract award relating to Solicitation S and novation of 
Contract C may occur without a finding of general affiliation.

    (1) Form of joint venture. A joint venture: must be in writing; must 
do business under its own name and be identified as a joint venture in 
the System for Award Management (SAM) for the award of a prime contract 
or agreement; and may be in the form of a formal or informal partnership 
or exist as a separate limited liability company or other separate legal 
entity.
    (i) If a joint venture exists as a formal separate legal entity, it 
cannot be populated with individuals intended to perform contracts 
awarded to the joint venture for any contract or agreement which is set 
aside or reserved for small business, unless all parties to the joint 
venture are similarly situated as that term is defined in part 125 of 
this chapter (i.e., the joint venture may have its own separate 
employees to perform administrative functions, including one or more 
Facility Security Officer(s), but may not have its own separate 
employees to perform contracts awarded to the joint venture).
    (ii) A populated joint venture that is not comprised entirely of 
similarly situated entities will be ineligible for any contract or 
agreement which is set aside or reserved for small business.
    (iii) In determining the size of a populated joint venture (whether 
one involving similarly situated entities or not), SBA will aggregate 
the revenues or employees of all partners to the joint venture.
    (2) Size of joint ventures. (i) A joint venture of two or more 
business concerns may submit an offer as a small business for a Federal 
procurement, subcontract or sale so long as each concern is small under 
the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the 
contract. For a competitive 8(a) procurement, a joint venture between an 
8(a) Participant and one or more other small business concerns 
(including two firms approved by SBA to be a mentor and 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] under Sec.  125.9 of

[[Page 385]]

this chapter) must also meet the requirements of Sec.  124.513(c) and 
(d) of this chapter as of the date of the final proposal revision for 
negotiated acquisitions and final bid for sealed bidding in order to be 
eligible for award.
    (ii) Two firms approved by SBA to be a mentor and 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] under Sec.  125.9 of this chapter may joint 
venture as a small business for any Federal government prime contract or 
subcontract, provided the prot[eacute]g[eacute] qualifies as small for 
the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the 
procurement, and the joint venture meets the requirements of Sec.  
124.513 (c) and (d), Sec.  125.8(b) and (c), Sec.  128.402(c) and (d), 
Sec.  126.616(c) and (d), or Sec.  127.506(c) and (d) of this chapter, 
as appropriate. Except for sole source 8(a) awards, the joint venture 
must meet the requirements of Sec.  124.513(c) and (d), Sec.  125.8(b) 
and (c), Sec.  125.18(b)(2) and (3), Sec.  126.616(c) and (d), or Sec.  
127.506(c) and (d) of this chapter, as appropriate, as of the date of 
the final proposal revision for negotiated acquisitions and final bid 
for sealed bidding. For a sole source 8(a) award, the joint venture must 
demonstrate that it meets the requirements of Sec.  124.513(c) and (d) 
prior to the award of the contract.
    (3) Ostensible subcontractors. A contractor and its ostensible 
subcontractor are treated as joint venturers for size determination 
purposes. An ostensible subcontractor is a subcontractor that is not a 
similarly situated entity, as that term is defined in Sec.  125.1 of 
this chapter, and performs primary and vital requirements of a contract, 
or of an order, or is a subcontractor upon which the prime contractor is 
unusually reliant. As long as each concern is small under the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract (or 
the prime contractor is small if the subcontractor is the SBA-approved 
mentor to the prime contractor), the arrangement will qualify as a small 
business.
    (i) All aspects of the relationship between the prime and 
subcontractor are considered, including, but not limited to, the terms 
of the proposal (such as contract management, transfer of the 
subcontractor's incumbent managers, technical responsibilities, and the 
percentage of subcontracted work), agreements between the prime and 
subcontractor (such as bonding assistance or the teaming agreement), 
whether the subcontractor is the incumbent contractor and is ineligible 
to submit a proposal because it exceeds the applicable size standard for 
that solicitation, and whether the prime contractor relies solely on the 
subcontractor's experience because it lacks any relevant experience of 
its own. No one factor is determinative.
    (ii) A prime contractor may use the experience and past performance 
of a subcontractor to enhance or strengthen its offer, including that of 
an incumbent contractor. It is only where that subcontractor will 
perform primary and vital requirements of a contract or order, or the 
prime contractor is unusually reliant on the subcontractor, that SBA 
will find the subcontractor to be an ostensible subcontractor.
    (iii) In the case of a contract or order set-aside or reserved for 
small business for services, specialty trade construction or supplies, 
SBA will find that a small business prime contractor is performing the 
primary and vital requirements of the contract or order, and is not 
unduly reliant on one or more subcontractors that are not small 
businesses, where the prime contractor can demonstrate that it, together 
with any subcontractors that qualify as small businesses, will meet the 
limitations on subcontracting provisions set forth in Sec.  125.6 of 
this chapter.
    (iv) In a general construction contract, the primary and vital 
requirements of the contract are the management, supervision and 
oversight of the project, including coordinating the work of various 
subcontractors, not the actual construction work performed.
    (4) Receipts/employees attributable to joint venture partners. For 
size purposes, a concern must include in its receipts its proportionate 
share of joint venture receipts. Proportionate receipts do not include 
proceeds from transactions between the concern and its joint ventures 
(e.g., subcontracts from a joint venture entity to joint venture 
partners) already accounted for in the concern's tax return. In 
determining the number of employees, a concern must

[[Page 386]]

include in its total number of employees its proportionate share of 
individuals employed by the joint venture. For the calculation of 
receipts, the appropriate proportionate share is the same percentage of 
receipts or employees as the joint venture partner's percentage share of 
the work performed by the joint venture. For a populated joint venture 
(where work is performed by the joint venture entity itself and not by 
the individual joint venture partners) the appropriate share is the same 
percentage as the joint venture partner's percentage ownership share in 
the joint venture. For the calculation of employees, the appropriate 
share is the same percentage of employees as the joint venture partner's 
percentage ownership share in the joint venture, after first subtracting 
any joint venture employee already accounted for in one of the partner's 
employee counts.
    (5) Facility security clearances. A joint venture may be awarded a 
contract requiring a facility security clearance where either the joint 
venture itself or the individual partner(s) to the joint venture that 
will perform the necessary security work has (have) a facility security 
clearance.
    (i) Where a facility security clearance is required to perform 
primary and vital requirements of a contract, the lead small business 
partner to the joint venture must possess the required facility security 
clearance.
    (ii) Where the security portion of the contract requiring a facility 
security clearance is ancillary to the principal purpose of the 
procurement, the partner to the joint venture that will perform that 
work must possess the required facility security clearance.
    (i) Affiliation based on franchise and license agreements. The 
restraints imposed on a franchisee or licensee by its franchise or 
license agreement relating to standardized quality, advertising, 
accounting format and other similar provisions, generally will not be 
considered in determining whether the franchisor or licensor is 
affiliated with the franchisee or licensee provided the franchisee or 
licensee has the right to profit from its efforts and bears the risk of 
loss commensurate with ownership. Affiliation may arise, however, 
through other means, such as common ownership, common management or 
excessive restrictions upon the sale of the franchise interest.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996]

    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec.  
121.103, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.



Sec.  121.104  How does SBA calculate annual receipts?

    (a) Receipts means all revenue in whatever form received or accrued 
from whatever source, including from the sales of products or services, 
interest, dividends, rents, royalties, fees, or commissions, reduced by 
returns and allowances. Generally, receipts are considered ``total 
income'' (or in the case of a sole proprietorship ``gross income'') plus 
``cost of goods sold'' as these terms are defined and reported on 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax return forms (such as Form 1120 for 
corporations; Form 1120S for S corporations; Form 1120, Form 1065 or 
Form 1040 for LLCs; Form 1065 for partnerships; Form 1040, Schedule F 
for farms; Form 1040, Schedule C for other sole proprietorships). 
Receipts do not include net capital gains or losses; taxes collected for 
and remitted to a taxing authority if included in gross or total income, 
such as sales or other taxes collected from customers and excluding 
taxes levied on the concern or its employees; proceeds from transactions 
between a concern and its domestic or foreign affiliates; and amounts 
collected for another by a travel agent, real estate agent, advertising 
agent, conference management service provider, freight forwarder or 
customs broker. For size determination purposes, the only exclusions 
from receipts are those specifically provided for in this paragraph. All 
other items, such as subcontractor costs, reimbursements for purchases a 
contractor makes at a customer's request, investment income, and 
employee-based costs such as payroll taxes, may not be excluded from 
receipts.
    (1) The Federal income tax return and any amendments filed with the 
IRS on or before the date of self-certification must be used to 
determine the size status of a concern. SBA will not

[[Page 387]]

use tax returns or amendments filed with the IRS after the initiation of 
a size determination.
    (2) When a concern has not filed a Federal income tax return with 
the IRS for a fiscal year which must be included in the period of 
measurement, SBA will calculate the concern's annual receipts for that 
year using any other available information, such as the concern's 
regular books of account, audited financial statements, or information 
contained in an affidavit by a person with personal knowledge of the 
facts.
    (b) Completed fiscal year means a taxable year including any short 
year. ``Taxable year'' and ``short year'' have the meanings attributed 
to them by the IRS.
    (c) Period of measurement. (1) Except for the Business Loan, 
Disaster Loan, Surety Bond Guarantee, and Small Business Investment 
Company (SBIC) Programs, annual receipts of a concern that has been in 
business for 5 or more completed fiscal years means the total receipts 
of the concern over its most recently completed 5 fiscal years divided 
by 5.
    (2) Except for the Business Loan, Disaster Loan Programs, Surety 
Bond Guarantee, and SBIC Programs, annual receipts of a concern which 
has been in business for less than 5 complete fiscal years means the 
total receipts for the period the concern has been in business divided 
by the number of weeks in business, multiplied by 52.
    (3) Except for the Business Loan, Disaster Loan, Surety Bond 
Guarantee, and SBIC Programs, where a concern has been in business 5 or 
more complete fiscal years but has a short year as one of the years 
within its period of measurement, annual receipts means the total 
receipts for the short year and the 4 full fiscal years divided by the 
total number of weeks in the short year and the 4 full fiscal years, 
multiplied by 52.
    (4) For the Business Loan, Disaster Loan, Surety Bond Guarantee, and 
SBIC Programs, a concern that has been in business for three or more 
completed fiscal years may elect to calculate annual receipts using 
either the total receipts of the concern over its most recently 
completed 5 fiscal years divided by 5, or the total receipts of the 
concern over its most recently completed 3 fiscal years divided by 3. 
Annual receipts of a concern which has been in business for less than 
three complete fiscal years means the total receipts for the period the 
concern has been in business divided by the number of weeks in business, 
multiplied by 52. Where a concern has been in business three or more 
complete fiscal years but has a short year as one of the years within 
its period of measurement, annual receipts means the total receipts for 
the short year and the two full fiscal years divided by the total number 
of weeks in the short year and the two full fiscal years, multiplied by 
52. For the purposes of this subsection, the Business Loan Programs 
consist of the 7(a) Loan Program, the Microloan Program, the 
Intermediary Lending Pilot Program, and the Development Company Loan 
Program (``504 Loan Program''). The Disaster Loan Programs consist of 
Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Military Reservist Economic Injury 
Disaster Loans, and Immediate Disaster Assistance Program loans.
    (d) Annual receipts of affiliates. (1) The average annual receipts 
size of a business concern with affiliates is calculated by adding the 
average annual receipts of the business concern with the average annual 
receipts of each affiliate.
    (2) If a concern has acquired an affiliate or been acquired as an 
affiliate during the applicable period of measurement or before the date 
on which it self-certified as small, the annual receipts used in 
determining size status includes the receipts of the acquired or 
acquiring concern. This aggregation applies for the entire period of 
measurement, not just the period after the affiliation arose. However, 
if a concern has acquired a segregable division of another business 
concern during the applicable period of measurement or before the date 
on which it self-certified as small, the annual receipts used in 
determining size status do not include the receipts of the acquired 
division prior to the acquisition.
    (3) Except for the Business Loan and Disaster Loan Programs, if the 
business concern or an affiliate has been in business for a period of 
less than 5

[[Page 388]]

years, the receipts for the fiscal year with less than a 12-month period 
are annualized in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section. 
Receipts are determined for the concern and its affiliates in accordance 
with paragraph (c) of this section even though this may result in using 
a different period of measurement to calculate an affiliate's annual 
receipts.
    (4) The annual receipts of a former affiliate are not included if 
affiliation ceased before the date used for determining size. This 
exclusion of annual receipts of such former affiliate applies during the 
entire period of measurement, rather than only for the period after 
which affiliation ceased. However, if a concern has sold a segregable 
division to another business concern during the applicable period of 
measurement or before the date on which it self-certified as small, the 
annual receipts used in determining size status will continue to include 
the receipts of the division that was sold.
    (e) Unless otherwise defined in this section, all terms shall have 
the meaning attributed to them by the IRS.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 48604, Aug. 9, 2000; 69 
FR 29203, May 21, 2004; 81 FR 34258, May 31, 2016; 84 FR 66578, Dec. 5, 
2019; 87 FR 34120, June 6, 2022]



Sec.  121.105  How does SBA define ``business concern or concern''?

    (a)(1) Except for small agricultural cooperatives, a business 
concern eligible for assistance from SBA as a small business is a 
business entity organized for profit, with a place of business located 
in the United States, and which operates primarily within the United 
States or which makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy 
through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or 
labor.
    (2) A small agricultural cooperative is an association (corporate or 
otherwise) acting pursuant to the provisions of the Agricultural 
Marketing Act (12 U.S.C.A. 1141j) whose size does not exceed the size 
standard established by SBA for other similar agricultural small 
business concerns. A small agricultural cooperative's member 
shareholders are not considered to be affiliates of the cooperative by 
virtue of their membership in the cooperative. However, a business 
concern or cooperative that does not qualify as small under this part 
may not be a member of a small agricultural cooperative.
    (b) A business concern may be in the legal form of an individual 
proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, 
joint venture, association, trust or cooperative, except that where the 
form is a joint venture there can be no more than 49 percent 
participation by foreign business entities in the joint venture.
    (c) A firm will not be treated as a separate business concern if a 
substantial portion of its assets and/or liabilities are the same as 
those of a predecessor entity. In such a case, the annual receipts and 
employees of the predecessor will be taken into account in determining 
size.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 70 FR 51248, Aug. 30, 2005]



Sec.  121.106  How does SBA calculate number of employees?

    (a) In determining a concern's number of employees, SBA counts all 
individuals employed on a full-time, part-time, or other basis. This 
includes employees obtained from a temporary employee agency, 
professional employee organization or leasing concern. SBA will consider 
the totality of the circumstances, including criteria used by the IRS 
for Federal income tax purposes, in determining whether individuals are 
employees of a concern. Volunteers (i.e., individuals who receive no 
compensation, including no in-kind compensation, for work performed) are 
not considered employees.
    (b) Where the size standard is number of employees, the method for 
determining a concern's size includes the following principles:
    (1) The average number of employees of the concern is used 
(including the employees of its domestic and foreign affiliates) based 
upon numbers of employees for each of the pay periods for the preceding 
completed 24 calendar months.
    (2) Part-time and temporary employees are counted the same as full-
time employees.
    (3) If a concern has not been in business for 24 months, the average 
number of employees is used for each of the pay

[[Page 389]]

periods during which it has been in business.
    (4)(i) The average number of employees of a business concern with 
affiliates is calculated by adding the average number of employees of 
the business concern with the average number of employees of each 
affiliate. If a concern has acquired an affiliate or been acquired as an 
affiliate during the applicable period of measurement or before the date 
on which it self-certified as small, the employees counted in 
determining size status include the employees of the acquired or 
acquiring concern. Furthermore, this aggregation applies for the entire 
period of measurement, not just the period after the affiliation arose.
    (ii) The employees of a former affiliate are not counted if 
affiliation ceased before the date used for determining size. This 
exclusion of employees of a former affiliate applies during the entire 
period of measurement, rather than only for the period after which 
affiliation ceased. However, if a concern has sold a segregable division 
to another business concern during the applicable period of measurement 
or before the date on which it self-certified as small, the employees 
used in determining size status will continue to include the employees 
of the division that was sold.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 29203, May 21, 2004; 84 
FR 66579, Dec. 5, 2019; 87 FR 34120, June 6, 2022]



Sec.  121.107  How does SBA determine a concern's ``primary industry''?

    In determining the primary industry in which a concern or a concern 
combined with its affiliates is engaged, SBA considers the distribution 
of receipts, employees and costs of doing business among the different 
industries in which business operations occurred for the most recently 
completed fiscal year. SBA may also consider other factors, such as the 
distribution of patents, contract awards, and assets.



Sec.  121.108  What are the penalties for misrepresentation of size status?

    (a) Presumption of Loss Based on the Total Amount Expended. In every 
contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and 
development agreement, or grant which is set aside, reserved, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to small business concerns, 
there shall be a presumption of loss to the United States based on the 
total amount expended on the contract, subcontract, cooperative 
agreement, cooperative research and development agreement, or grant 
whenever it is established that a business concern other than a small 
business concern willfully sought and received the award by 
misrepresentation.
    (b) Deemed Certifications. The following actions shall be deemed 
affirmative, willful and intentional certifications of small business 
size and status:
    (1) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, or 
cooperative research and development agreement reserved, set aside, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to small business concerns.
    (2) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement or 
cooperative research and development agreement which in any way 
encourages a Federal agency to classify the bid or proposal, if awarded, 
as an award to a small business concern.
    (3) Registration on any Federal electronic database for the purpose 
of being considered for award of a Federal grant, contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, or cooperative research and development 
agreement, as a small business concern.
    (c) Signature Requirement. Each offer, proposal, bid, or application 
for a Federal contract, subcontract, or grant shall contain a 
certification concerning the small business size and status of a 
business concern seeking the Federal contract, subcontract or grant. An 
authorized official must sign the certification on the same page 
containing the size status claimed by the concern.
    (d) Limitation of Liability. Paragraphs (a) through (c) of this 
section may be determined not to apply in the case of unintentional 
errors, technical malfunctions, and other similar situations

[[Page 390]]

that demonstrate that a misrepresentation of size was not affirmative, 
intentional, willful or actionable under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 
Sec. Sec.  3729, et seq. A prime contractor acting in good faith should 
not be held liable for misrepresentations made by its subcontractors 
regarding the subcontractors' size. Relevant factors to consider in 
making this determination may include the firm's internal management 
procedures governing size representation or certification, the clarity 
or ambiguity of the representation or certification requirement, and the 
efforts made to correct an incorrect or invalid representation or 
certification in a timely manner. An individual or firm may not be held 
liable where government personnel have erroneously identified a concern 
as small without any representation or certification having been made by 
the concern and where such identification is made without the knowledge 
of the individual or firm.
    (e) Penalties for Misrepresentation. (1) Suspension or debarment. 
The SBA suspension and debarment official or the agency suspension and 
debarment official may suspend or debar a person or concern for 
misrepresenting a firm's size status pursuant to the procedures set 
forth in 48 CFR subpart 9.4.
    (2) Civil Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733, the Program 
Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812 and any other applicable 
laws or regulations, including 13 CFR part 142.
    (3) Criminal Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
criminal penalties for knowingly misrepresenting the small business size 
status of a concern in connection with procurement programs pursuant to 
section 16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d), as amended, 
18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 287, and any other applicable laws. Persons or 
concerns are subject to criminal penalties for knowingly making false 
statements or misrepresentations to SBA for the purpose of influencing 
any actions of SBA pursuant to section 16(a) of the Small Business Act, 
15 U.S.C. 645(a), as amended, including failure to correct ``continuing 
representations'' that are no longer true.
    (4) Limitation on Liability. An individual or business concern will 
not be subject to the penalties imposed under 15 U.S.C. 645(a) where it 
acted in good faith reliance on a small business status advisory opinion 
accepted by SBA under Sec.  121.109.

[78 FR 38816, June 28, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 7536, Feb. 11, 2015; 81 
FR 31491, May 19, 2016]



Sec.  121.109  What is a small business status advisory opinion?

    (a) Defined. A small business status advisory opinion is a written 
opinion issued by either a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 
operating under part 130 of this chapter or a Procurement Technical 
Assistance Center (PTAC) operating under 10 U.S.C. chapter 142 which 
concludes that a firm is entitled to represent itself as a small 
business concern for purposes of federal government procurement 
opportunities.
    (b) Submission. An SBDC or PTAC must submit a copy of each small 
business status advisory opinion it issues to the following Agency 
official for review: Associate General Counsel, Office of Procurement 
Law, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20416 or by fax to (202) 205-6390 marked Attn: Small 
Business Status Advisory Opinion. A small business status advisory 
opinion must:
    (1) Provide a written analysis explaining the reasoning underlying 
the SBDC or PTAC's determination that the covered concern, along with 
its affiliates, either does or does not exceed the size standard(s). 
This analysis must be dated and signed by an SBDC or PTAC business 
counselor or similarly qualified individual.
    (2) Include, as an attachment, a completed copy of an SBA Form 355 
for the covered concern and its affiliates.
    (3) Include, as an attachment, copies of the evidence (such as 
payroll records, time sheets, federal income tax returns, etc.) provided 
by the covered concern to the SBDC or PTAC clearly documenting its 
annual receipts and/or number of employees as those terms are defined by 
Sec. Sec.  121.104 and 121.106.
    (c) Review. Unless a referral is made under paragraph (e) of this 
section,

[[Page 391]]

SBA will decide within 10 business days of receiving a small business 
status advisory opinion to accept or reject it based on its consistency 
with part 121. SBA will provide written notification of that decision to 
the SBDC or PTAC that issued the small business status advisory opinion 
as well as to the covered concern.
    (d) Reliance. A concern that receives a small business status 
advisory opinion holding that it does not exceed the applicable size 
standard(s) may rely upon that determination for purposes of responding 
to Federal procurement opportunities from the date it is issued unless 
and until that advisory opinion is rejected by SBA in accordance with 
paragraph (c) of this section or the concern undergoes a significant 
change in its ownership, management, or other factors bearing on its 
status as a small business concern. However, the firm's size may be 
protested by interested parties in connection with a specific 
procurement.
    (e) Referral for size determination. Nothing in this section 
precludes the Associate General Counsel, Office of Procurement Law from 
requesting a formal size determination for a concern that is the subject 
of a small business status advisory opinion pursuant to Sec.  
121.1001(b)(9).
    (f) Penalties for misrepresentation--(1) Suspension or debarment. 
The SBA suspension and debarment official may suspend or debar a person 
or concern for misrepresenting a concern's size for purposes of 
obtaining a small business size status advisory opinion pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in 48 CFR subpart 9.4.
    (2) Civil penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733, and under the 
Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 331 U.S.C. 3801-3812, and any other 
applicable laws.
    (3) Criminal Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
criminal penalties for knowingly misrepresenting the small business size 
status of a concern in connection with procurement programs pursuant to 
section 16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d), as amended, 
18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 287, and any other applicable laws. Persons or 
concerns are subject to criminal penalties for knowingly making false 
statements or misrepresentations for the purpose of influencing any 
actions of SBA pursuant to section 16(a) of the Small Business Act, 15 
U.S.C. 645(a), as amended, including failure to correct ``continuing 
representations'' that are no longer true.

[80 FR 7536, Feb. 11, 2015]



Sec.  121.110  What must a concern do in order to be identified as 
a small business concern in any Federal procurement databases?

    (a) In order to be identified as a small business concern in the 
System for Award Management (SAM) database (or any successor thereto), a 
concern must certify its size in connection with specific size standards 
at least annually.
    (b) If a firm identified as a small business concern in SAM fails to 
certify its size within one year of a size certification, the firm will 
not be listed as a small business concern in SAM, unless and until the 
firm recertifies its size.

[78 FR 38817, June 28, 2013. Redesignated at 80 FR 7536, Feb. 11, 2015]

          Size Standards Used To Define Small Business Concerns



Sec.  121.201  What size standards has SBA identified by North American 
Industry Classification System codes?

    The size standards described in this section apply to all SBA 
programs unless otherwise specified in this part. The size standards 
themselves are expressed either in number of employees or annual 
receipts in millions of dollars, unless otherwise specified. The number 
of employees or annual receipts indicates the maximum allowed for a 
concern and its affiliates to be considered small.

[[Page 392]]



                                 Small Business Size Standards by NAICS Industry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Size standards  Size standards
            NAICS codes                       NAICS U.S. industry title           in millions of   in number of
                                                                                      dollars        employees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Sector 11--Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Subsector 111--Crop Production
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
111110.............................  Soybean Farming............................           $2.25
111120.............................  Oilseed (except Soybean) Farming...........           $2.25
111130.............................  Dry Pea and Bean Farming...................           $2.75
111140.............................  Wheat Farming..............................           $2.25
111150.............................  Corn Farming...............................            $2.5
111160.............................  Rice Farming...............................            $2.5
111191.............................  Oilseed and Grain Combination Farming......           $2.25
111199.............................  All Other Grain Farming....................           $2.25
111211.............................  Potato Farming.............................           $4.25
111219.............................  Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon             $3.75
                                      Farming.
111310.............................  Orange Groves..............................            $4.0
111320.............................  Citrus (except Orange) Groves..............           $4.25
111331.............................  Apple Orchards.............................            $4.5
111332.............................  Grape Vineyards............................            $4.0
111333.............................  Strawberry Farming.........................            $5.5
111334.............................  Berry (except Strawberry) Farming..........           $3.75
111335.............................  Tree Nut Farming...........................           $3.75
111336.............................  Fruit and Tree Nut Combination Farming.....            $5.0
111339.............................  Other Noncitrus Fruit Farming..............            $3.5
111411.............................  Mushroom Production........................            $4.5
111419.............................  Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover.........            $4.5
111421.............................  Nursery and Tree Production................           $3.25
111422.............................  Floriculture Production....................           $3.75
111910.............................  Tobacco Farming............................            $2.5
111920.............................  Cotton Farming.............................           $3.25
111930.............................  Sugarcane Farming..........................            $5.0
111940.............................  Hay Farming................................            $2.5
111991.............................  Sugar Beet Farming.........................            $2.5
111992.............................  Peanut Farming.............................            $2.5
111998.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Crop Farming.......            $2.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subsector 112--Animal Production and Aquaculture
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
112111.............................  Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming...........            $2.5
112112.............................  Cattle Feedlots............................           $22.0
112120.............................  Dairy Cattle and Milk Production...........           $3.75
112210.............................  Hog and Pig Farming........................            $4.0
112310.............................  Chicken Egg Production.....................           $19.0
112320.............................  Broilers and Other Meat Type Chicken                   $3.5
                                      Production.
112330.............................  Turkey Production..........................           $3.75
112340.............................  Poultry Hatcheries.........................            $4.0
112390.............................  Other Poultry Production...................           $3.75
112410.............................  Sheep Farming..............................            $3.5
112420.............................  Goat Farming...............................            $2.5
112511.............................  Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries........           $3.75
112512.............................  Shellfish Farming..........................           $3.75
112519.............................  Other Aquaculture..........................           $3.75
112910.............................  Apiculture.................................           $3.25
112920.............................  Horse and Other Equine Production..........           $2.75
112930.............................  Fur-Bearing Animal and Rabbit Production...           $3.75
112990.............................  All Other Animal Production................           $2.75
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Subsector 113--Forestry and Logging
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
113110.............................  Timber Tract Operations....................           $19.0
113210.............................  Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest              $20.5
                                      Products.
113310.............................  Logging....................................  ..............             500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Subsector 114--Fishing, Hunting and Trapping
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
114111.............................  Finfish Fishing............................           $25.0
114112.............................  Shellfish Fishing..........................           $14.0
114119.............................  Other Marine Fishing.......................           $11.5
114210.............................  Hunting and Trapping.......................            $8.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Subsector 115--Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115111.............................  Cotton Ginning.............................           $16.0

[[Page 393]]

 
115112.............................  Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating            $9.5
115113.............................  Crop Harvesting, Primarily by Machine......           $13.5
115114.............................  Postharvest Crop Activities (except Cotton            $34.0
                                      Ginning).
115115.............................  Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders....           $19.0
115116.............................  Farm Management Services...................           $15.5
115210.............................  Support Activities for Animal Production...           $11.0
115310.............................  Support Activities for Forestry............           $11.5
115310 (Exception 1)...............  Forest Fire Suppression \1\................       $34.0 \1\
115310 (Exception 2)...............  Fuels Management Services \1\..............       $34.0 \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Sector 21--Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Subsector 211--Oil and Gas Extraction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
211120.............................  Crude Petroleum Extraction.................  ..............           1,250
211130.............................  Natural Gas Extraction.....................  ..............           1,250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subsector 212--Mining (except Oil and Gas)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
212114.............................  Surface Coal Mining........................  ..............           1,250
212115.............................  Underground Coal Mining....................  ..............           1,500
212210.............................  Iron Ore Mining............................  ..............           1,400
212220.............................  Gold Ore and Silver Ore Mining.............  ..............           1,500
212230.............................  Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining......  ..............           1,400
212290.............................  Other Metal Ore Mining.....................  ..............           1,250
212311.............................  Dimension Stone Mining and Quarrying.......  ..............             500
212312.............................  Crushed and Broken Limestone Mining and      ..............             750
                                      Quarrying.
212313.............................  Crushed and Broken Granite Mining and        ..............             850
                                      Quarrying.
212319.............................  Other Crushed and Broken Stone Mining and    ..............             550
                                      Quarrying.
212321.............................  Construction Sand and Gravel Mining........  ..............             500
212322.............................  Industrial Sand Mining.....................  ..............             750
212323.............................  Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory     ..............             650
                                      Minerals Mining.
212390.............................  Other Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and         ..............             600
                                      Quarrying.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Subsector 213--Support Activities for Mining
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
213111.............................  Drilling Oil and Gas Wells.................  ..............           1,000
213112.............................  Support Activities for Oil and Gas                    $47.0
                                      Operations.
213113.............................  Support Activities for Coal Mining.........           $27.5
213114.............................  Support Activities for Metal Mining........           $41.0
213115.............................  Support Activities for Nonmetallic Minerals           $20.5
                                      (except Fuels).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Sector 22--Utilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Subsector 221--Utilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
221111.............................  Hydroelectric Power Generation.............  ..............             750
221112.............................  Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation......  ..............             950
221113.............................  Nuclear Electric Power Generation..........  ..............           1,150
221114.............................  Solar Electric Power Generation............  ..............             500
221115.............................  Wind Electric Power Generation.............  ..............           1,150
221116.............................  Geothermal Electric Power Generation.......  ..............             250
221117.............................  Biomass Electric Power Generation..........  ..............             550
221118.............................  Other Electric Power Generation............  ..............             650
221121.............................  Electric Bulk Power Transmission and         ..............             950
                                      Control.
221122.............................  Electric Power Distribution................  ..............           1,100
221210.............................  Natural Gas Distribution...................  ..............           1,150
221310.............................  Water Supply and Irrigation Systems........           $41.0
221320.............................  Sewage Treatment Facilities................           $35.0
221330.............................  Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply..........           $30.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Sector 23--Construction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Subsector 236--Construction of Buildings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236115.............................  New Single-family Housing Construction                $45.0
                                      (Except For-Sale Builders).
236116.............................  New Multifamily Housing Construction                  $45.0
                                      (except For-Sale Builders).
236117.............................  New Housing For-Sale Builders..............           $45.0
236118.............................  Residential Remodelers.....................           $45.0

[[Page 394]]

 
236210.............................  Industrial Building Construction...........           $45.0
236220.............................  Commercial and Institutional Building                 $45.0
                                      Construction.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subsector 237--Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
237110.............................  Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures           $45.0
                                      Construction.
237120.............................  Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures           $45.0
                                      Construction.
237130.............................  Power and Communication Line and Related              $45.0
                                      Structures Construction.
237210.............................  Land Subdivision...........................           $34.0
237310.............................  Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction...           $45.0
237990.............................  Other Heavy and Civil Engineering                     $45.0
                                      Construction.
237900 (Exception).................  Dredging and Surface Cleanup Activities \2\       $37.0 \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subsector 238--Specialty Trade Contractors
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
238110.............................  Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure              $19.0
                                      Contractors.
238120.............................  Structural Steel and Precast Concrete                 $19.0
                                      Contractors.
238130.............................  Framing Contractors........................           $19.0
238140.............................  Masonry Contractors........................           $19.0
238150.............................  Glass and Glazing Contractors..............           $19.0
238160.............................  Roofing Contractors........................           $19.0
238170.............................  Siding Contractors.........................           $19.0
238190.............................  Other Foundation, Structure, and Building             $19.0
                                      Exterior Contractors.
238210.............................  Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring               $19.0
                                      Installation Contractors.
238220.............................  Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning               $19.0
                                      Contractors.
238290.............................  Other Building Equipment Contractors.......           $22.0
238310.............................  Drywall and Insulation Contractors.........           $19.0
238320.............................  Painting and Wall Covering Contractors.....           $19.0
238330.............................  Flooring Contractors.......................           $19.0
238340.............................  Tile and Terrazzo Contractors..............           $19.0
238350.............................  Finish Carpentry Contractors...............           $19.0
238390.............................  Other Building Finishing Contractors.......           $19.0
238910.............................  Site Preparation Contractors...............           $19.0
238990.............................  All Other Specialty Trade Contractors......           $19.0
238990 (Exception).................  Building and Property Specialty Trade            $19.0 \13\
                                      Services \13\.
                                          Sectors 31-33--Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Subsector 311--Food Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
311111.............................  Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing.............  ..............           1,250
311119.............................  Other Animal Food Manufacturing............  ..............             650
311211.............................  Flour Milling..............................  ..............           1,050
311212.............................  Rice Milling...............................  ..............             750
311213.............................  Malt Manufacturing.........................  ..............             500
311221.............................  Wet Corn Milling and Starch Manufacturing..  ..............           1,300
311224.............................  Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing.......  ..............           1,250
311225.............................  Fats and Oils Refining and Blending........  ..............           1,100
311230.............................  Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing.............  ..............           1,300
311313.............................  Beet Sugar Manufacturing...................  ..............           1,150
311314.............................  Cane Sugar Manufacturing...................  ..............           1,050
311340.............................  Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing...  ..............           1,000
311351.............................  Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing    ..............           1,250
                                      from Cacao Beans.
311352.............................  Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased   ..............           1,000
                                      Chocolate.
311411.............................  Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable           ..............           1,100
                                      Manufacturing.
311412.............................  Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing........  ..............           1,250
311421.............................  Fruit and Vegetable Canning \3\............  ..............       1,000 \3\
311422.............................  Specialty Canning..........................  ..............           1,400
311423.............................  Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing....  ..............             750
311511.............................  Fluid Milk Manufacturing...................  ..............           1,150
311512.............................  Creamery Butter Manufacturing..............  ..............             750
311513.............................  Cheese Manufacturing.......................  ..............           1,250
311514.............................  Dry, Condensed, and Evaporated Dairy         ..............           1,000
                                      Product Manufacturing.
311520.............................  Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing.  ..............           1,000
311611.............................  Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering.......  ..............           1,150
311612.............................  Meat Processed from Carcasses..............  ..............           1,000
311613.............................  Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing....  ..............             750
311615.............................  Poultry Processing.........................  ..............           1,250
311710.............................  Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging..  ..............             750
311811.............................  Retail Bakeries............................  ..............             500

[[Page 395]]

 
311812.............................  Commercial Bakeries........................  ..............           1,000
311813.............................  Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries       ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
311821.............................  Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing...........  ..............           1,250
311824.............................  Dry Pasta, Dough, and Flour Mixes            ..............             850
                                      Manufacturing from Purchased Flour.
311830.............................  Tortilla Manufacturing.....................  ..............           1,250
311911.............................  Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter               ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
311919.............................  Other Snack Food Manufacturing.............  ..............           1,250
311920.............................  Coffee and Tea Manufacturing...............  ..............           1,000
311930.............................  Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate              ..............           1,100
                                      Manufacturing.
311941.............................  Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared     ..............             850
                                      Sauce Manufacturing.
311942.............................  Spice and Extract Manufacturing............  ..............             650
311991.............................  Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing.....  ..............             700
311999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing.  ..............             700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 312--Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
312111.............................  Soft Drink Manufacturing...................  ..............           1,400
312112.............................  Bottled Water Manufacturing................  ..............           1,100
312113.............................  Ice Manufacturing..........................  ..............             750
312120.............................  Breweries..................................  ..............           1,250
312130.............................  Wineries...................................  ..............           1,000
312140.............................  Distilleries...............................  ..............           1,100
312230.............................  Tobacco Manufacturing......................  ..............           1,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Subsector 313--Textile Mills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
313110.............................  Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills..............  ..............           1,250
313210.............................  Broadwoven Fabric Mills....................  ..............           1,000
313220.............................  Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine     ..............             550
                                      Embroidery.
313230.............................  Nonwoven Fabric Mills......................  ..............             850
313240.............................  Knit Fabric Mills..........................  ..............             500
313310.............................  Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills.........  ..............           1,000
313320.............................  Fabric Coating Mills.......................  ..............           1,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Subsector 314--Textile Product Mills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
314110.............................  Carpet and Rug Mills.......................  ..............           1,500
314120.............................  Curtain and Linen Mills....................  ..............             750
314910.............................  Textile Bag and Canvas Mills...............  ..............             500
314994.............................  Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire    ..............           1,000
                                      Fabric Mills.
314999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product      ..............             550
                                      Mills.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Subsector 315--Apparel Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
315120.............................  Apparel Knitting Mills.....................  ..............             850
315210.............................  Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors............  ..............             750
315250.............................  Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except    ..............             750
                                      Contractors).
315990.............................  Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel        ..............             600
                                      Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subsector 316--Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
316110.............................  Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing.....  ..............             800
316210.............................  Footwear Manufacturing.....................  ..............           1,000
316990.............................  Other Leather and Allied Product             ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Subsector 321--Wood Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
321113.............................  Sawmills...................................  ..............             550
321114.............................  Wood Preservation..........................  ..............             550
321211.............................  Hardwood Veneer and Plywood Manufacturing..  ..............             600
321212.............................  Softwood Veneer and Plywood Manufacturing..  ..............           1,250
321215.............................  Engineered Wood Member Manufacturing.......  ..............             500
321219.............................  Reconstituted Wood Product Manufacturing...  ..............             750
321911.............................  Wood Window and Door Manufacturing.........  ..............           1,000
321912.............................  Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planing....  ..............             500
321918.............................  Other Millwork (including Flooring)........  ..............             500
321920.............................  Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing....  ..............             500
321991.............................  Manufactured Home (Mobile Home)              ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
321992.............................  Prefabricated Wood Building Manufacturing..  ..............             500
321999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product         ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 396]]

 
                                       Subsector 322--Paper Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
322110.............................  Pulp Mills.................................  ..............           1,050
322120.............................  Paper Mills................................  ..............           1,250
322130.............................  Paperboard Mills...........................  ..............           1,250
322211.............................  Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box               ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
322212.............................  Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing.......  ..............             750
322219.............................  Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing...  ..............           1,000
322220.............................  Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper       ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
322230.............................  Stationery Product Manufacturing...........  ..............             750
322291.............................  Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing.......  ..............           1,500
322299.............................  All Other Converted Paper Product            ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subsector 323--Printing and Related Support Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
323111.............................  Commercial Printing (except Screen and       ..............             650
                                      Books).
323113.............................  Commercial Screen Printing.................  ..............             500
323117.............................  Books Printing.............................  ..............           1,250
323120.............................  Support Activities for Printing............  ..............             550
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 324--Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
324110.............................  Petroleum Refineries \4\...................  ..............       1,500 \4\
324121.............................  Asphalt Paving Mixture and Block             ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
324122.............................  Asphalt Shingle and Coating Materials        ..............           1,100
                                      Manufacturing.
324191.............................  Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease         ..............             900
                                      Manufacturing.
324199.............................  All Other Petroleum and Coal Products        ..............             950
                                      Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Subsector 325--Chemical Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
325110.............................  Petrochemical Manufacturing................  ..............           1,300
325120.............................  Industrial Gas Manufacturing...............  ..............           1,200
325130.............................  Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing....  ..............           1,050
325180.............................  Other Basic Inorganic Chemical               ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
325193.............................  Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing................  ..............           1,000
325194.............................  Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and      ..............           1,250
                                      Wood Chemical Manufacturing.
325199.............................  All Other Basic Organic Chemical             ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
325211.............................  Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing..  ..............           1,250
325212.............................  Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing.............  ..............           1,000
325220.............................  Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and          ..............           1,050
                                      Filaments Manufacturing.
325311.............................  Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing.......  ..............           1,050
325312.............................  Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing........  ..............           1,350
325314.............................  Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing.....  ..............             550
325315.............................  Compost Manufacturing......................  ..............             550
325320.............................  Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical    ..............           1,150
                                      Manufacturing.
325411.............................  Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing......  ..............           1,000
325412.............................  Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing...  ..............           1,300
325413.............................  In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing  ..............           1,250
325414.............................  Biological Product (except Diagnostic)       ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
325510.............................  Paint and Coating Manufacturing............  ..............           1,000
325520.............................  Adhesive Manufacturing.....................  ..............             550
325611.............................  Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing.....  ..............           1,100
325612.............................  Polish and Other Sanitation Good             ..............             900
                                      Manufacturing.
325613.............................  Surface Active Agent Manufacturing.........  ..............           1,100
325620.............................  Toilet Preparation Manufacturing...........  ..............           1,250
325910.............................  Printing Ink Manufacturing.................  ..............             750
325920.............................  Explosives Manufacturing...................  ..............             750
325991.............................  Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins.....  ..............             600
325992.............................  Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, Chemical,   ..............           1,500
                                      and Copy Toner Manufacturing.
325998.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product     ..............             650
                                      and Preparation Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 326--Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
326111.............................  Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing.......  ..............             750
326112.............................  Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet            ..............           1,000
                                      (including Laminated) Manufacturing.
326113.............................  Unlaminated Plastics Film and Sheet (except  ..............             750
                                      Packaging) Manufacturing.
326121.............................  Unlaminated Plastics Profile Shape           ..............             600
                                      Manufacturing.
326122.............................  Plastics Pipe and Pipe Fitting               ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
326130.............................  Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet (except      ..............             650
                                      Packaging), and Shape Manufacturing.
326140.............................  Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing.....  ..............           1,000

[[Page 397]]

 
326150.............................  Urethane and Other Foam Product (except      ..............             750
                                      Polystyrene) Manufacturing.
326160.............................  Plastics Bottle Manufacturing..............  ..............           1,250
326191.............................  Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing....  ..............             750
326199.............................  All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing...  ..............             750
326211.............................  Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) \5\.  ..............       1,500 \5\
326212.............................  Tire Retreading............................  ..............             500
326220.............................  Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting        ..............             800
                                      Manufacturing.
326291.............................  Rubber Product Manufacturing for Mechanical  ..............             750
                                      Use.
326299.............................  All Other Rubber Product Manufacturing.....  ..............             650
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 327--Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
327110.............................  Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture      ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
327120.............................  Clay Building Material and Refractories      ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
327211.............................  Flat Glass Manufacturing...................  ..............           1,100
327212.............................  Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware  ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
327213.............................  Glass Container Manufacturing..............  ..............           1,250
327215.............................  Glass Product Manufacturing Made of          ..............           1,000
                                      Purchased Glass.
327310.............................  Cement Manufacturing.......................  ..............           1,000
327320.............................  Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing...........  ..............             500
327331.............................  Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing.....  ..............             500
327332.............................  Concrete Pipe Manufacturing................  ..............             750
327390.............................  Other Concrete Product Manufacturing.......  ..............             500
327410.............................  Lime Manufacturing.........................  ..............           1,050
327420.............................  Gypsum Product Manufacturing...............  ..............           1,500
327910.............................  Abrasive Product Manufacturing.............  ..............             900
327991.............................  Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing..  ..............             500
327992.............................  Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth          ..............             600
                                      Manufacturing.
327993.............................  Mineral Wool Manufacturing.................  ..............           1,500
327999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Nonmetallic Mineral  ..............             750
                                      Product Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subsector 331--Primary Metal Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
331110.............................  Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy          ..............           1,500
                                      Manufacturing.
331210.............................  Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing   ..............           1,000
                                      from Purchased Steel.
331221.............................  Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing...........  ..............           1,000
331222.............................  Steel Wire Drawing.........................  ..............           1,000
331313.............................  Alumina Refining and Primary Aluminum        ..............           1,300
                                      Production.
331314.............................  Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum  ..............             750
331315.............................  Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil              ..............           1,400
                                      Manufacturing.
331318.............................  Other Aluminum Rolling, Drawing, and         ..............             750
                                      Extruding.
331410.............................  Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting  ..............           1,000
                                      and Refining.
331420.............................  Copper Rolling, Drawing, Extruding, and      ..............           1,050
                                      Alloying.
331491.............................  Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and          ..............             900
                                      Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding.
331492.............................  Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying   ..............             850
                                      of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and
                                      Aluminum).
331511.............................  Iron Foundries.............................  ..............           1,000
331512.............................  Steel Investment Foundries.................  ..............           1,050
331513.............................  Steel Foundries (except Investment)........  ..............             700
331523.............................  Nonferrous Metal Die-Casting Foundries.....  ..............             700
331524.............................  Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)....  ..............             550
331529.............................  Other Nonferrous Metal Foundries (except     ..............             500
                                      Die-Casting).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Subsector 332--Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
332111.............................  Iron and Steel Forging.....................  ..............             750
332112.............................  Nonferrous Forging.........................  ..............             950
332114.............................  Custom Roll Forming........................  ..............             600
332117.............................  Powder Metallurgy Part Manufacturing.......  ..............             550
332119.............................  Metal Crown, Closure, and Other Metal        ..............             500
                                      Stamping (except Automotive).
332215.............................  Metal Kitchen Cookware, Utensil, Cutlery,    ..............           1,000
                                      and Flatware (except Precious)
                                      Manufacturing.
332216.............................  Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing.......  ..............             750
332311.............................  Prefabricated Metal Building and Component   ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
332312.............................  Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing..  ..............             500
332313.............................  Plate Work Manufacturing...................  ..............             750
332321.............................  Metal Window and Door Manufacturing........  ..............             750
332322.............................  Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing.............  ..............             500
332323.............................  Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work      ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
332410.............................  Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger              ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.

[[Page 398]]

 
332420.............................  Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing.....  ..............             750
332431.............................  Metal Can Manufacturing....................  ..............           1,500
332439.............................  Other Metal Container Manufacturing........  ..............             600
332510.............................  Hardware Manufacturing.....................  ..............             750
332613.............................  Spring Manufacturing.......................  ..............             600
332618.............................  Other Fabricated Wire Product Manufacturing  ..............             500
332710.............................  Machine Shops..............................  ..............             500
332721.............................  Precision Turned Product Manufacturing.....  ..............             500
332722.............................  Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer          ..............             600
                                      Manufacturing.
332811.............................  Metal Heat Treating........................  ..............             750
332812.............................  Metal Coating, Engraving (except Jewelry     ..............             600
                                      and Silverware), and Allied Services to
                                      Manufacturers.
332813.............................  Electroplating, Plating, Polishing,          ..............             500
                                      Anodizing and Coloring.
332911.............................  Industrial Valve Manufacturing.............  ..............             750
332912.............................  Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting           ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
332913.............................  Plumbing Fixture Fitting and Trim            ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
332919.............................  Other Metal Valve and Pipe Fitting           ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
332991.............................  Ball and Roller Bearing Manufacturing......  ..............           1,250
332992.............................  Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing........  ..............           1,300
332993.............................  Ammunition (except Small Arms)               ..............           1,500
                                      Manufacturing.
332994.............................  Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance           ..............           1,000
                                      Accessories Manufacturing.
332996.............................  Fabricated Pipe and Pipe Fitting             ..............             550
                                      Manufacturing.
332999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal     ..............             750
                                      Product Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subsector 333--Machinery Manufacturing \6\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
333111.............................  Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing.  ..............           1,250
333112.............................  Lawn and Garden Tractor and Home Lawn and    ..............           1,500
                                      Garden Equipment Manufacturing.
333120.............................  Construction Machinery Manufacturing.......  ..............           1,250
333131.............................  Mining Machinery and Equipment               ..............             900
                                      Manufacturing.
333132.............................  Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment    ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
333241.............................  Food Product Machinery Manufacturing.......  ..............             500
333242.............................  Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing......  ..............           1,500
333243.............................  Sawmill, Woodworking, and Paper Machinery    ..............             550
                                      Manufacturing.
333248.............................  All Other Industrial Machinery               ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
333310.............................  Commercial and Service Industry Machinery    ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
333413.............................  Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower     ..............             500
                                      and Air Purification Equipment
                                      Manufacturing.
333414.............................  Heating Equipment (except Warm Air           ..............             500
                                      Furnaces) Manufacturing.
333415.............................  Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating        ..............           1,250
                                      Equipment and Commercial and Industrial
                                      Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing.
333511.............................  Industrial Mold Manufacturing..............  ..............             500
333514.............................  Special Die and Tool, Die Set, Jig and       ..............             500
                                      Fixture Manufacturing.
333515.............................  Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory      ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
333517.............................  Machine Tool Manufacturing.................  ..............             500
333519.............................  Rolling Mill and Other Metalworking          ..............             500
                                      Machinery Manufacturing.
333611.............................  Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units      ..............           1,500
                                      Manufacturing.
333612.............................  Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive,  ..............             750
                                      and Gear Manufacturing.
333613.............................  Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment      ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
333618.............................  Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing.......  ..............           1,500
333912.............................  Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing.......  ..............           1,000
333914.............................  Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping     ..............             750
                                      Equipment Manufacturing.
333921.............................  Elevator and Moving Stairway Manufacturing.  ..............           1,000
333922.............................  Conveyor and Conveying Equipment             ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
333923.............................  Overhead Traveling Crane, Hoist, and         ..............           1,250
                                      Monorail System Manufacturing.
333924.............................  Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and      ..............             900
                                      Stacker Machinery Manufacturing.
333991.............................  Power-Driven Hand Tool Manufacturing.......  ..............             950
333992.............................  Welding and Soldering Equipment              ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
333993.............................  Packaging Machinery Manufacturing..........  ..............             600
333994.............................  Industrial Process Furnace and Oven          ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
333995.............................  Fluid Power Cylinder and Actuator            ..............             800
                                      Manufacturing.
333996.............................  Fluid Power Pump and Motor Manufacturing...  ..............           1,250
333998.............................  All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose      ..............             700
                                      Machinery Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Subsector 334--Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing \6\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
334111.............................  Electronic Computer Manufacturing..........  ..............           1,250
334112.............................  Computer Storage Device Manufacturing......  ..............           1,250
334118.............................  Computer Terminal and Other Computer         ..............           1,000
                                      Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing.

[[Page 399]]

 
334210.............................  Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing..........  ..............           1,250
334220.............................  Radio and Television Broadcasting and        ..............           1,250
                                      Wireless Communications Equipment
                                      Manufacturing.
334290.............................  Other Communications Equipment               ..............             800
                                      Manufacturing.
334310.............................  Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing....  ..............             750
334412.............................  Bare Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing...  ..............             750
334413.............................  Semiconductor and Related Device             ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
334416.............................  Capacitor, Resistor, Coil, Transformer, and  ..............             550
                                      Other Inductor Manufacturing.
334417.............................  Electronic Connector Manufacturing.........  ..............           1,000
334418.............................  Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic         ..............             750
                                      Assembly) Manufacturing.
334419.............................  Other Electronic Component Manufacturing...  ..............             750
334510.............................  Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic        ..............           1,250
                                      Apparatus Manufacturing.
334511.............................  Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance,     ..............           1,350
                                      Aeronautical, and Nautical System and
                                      Instrument Manufacturing.
334512.............................  Automatic Environmental Control              ..............             650
                                      Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial,
                                      and Appliance Use.
334513.............................  Instruments and Related Products             ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying,
                                      and Controlling Industrial Process
                                      Variables.
334514.............................  Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device   ..............             850
                                      Manufacturing.
334515.............................  Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and   ..............             750
                                      Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals.
334516.............................  Analytical Laboratory Instrument             ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
334517.............................  Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing........  ..............           1,200
334519.............................  Other Measuring and Controlling Device       ..............             600
                                      Manufacturing.
334610.............................  Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and   ..............           1,250
                                      Optical Media.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Subsector 335--Electrical Equipment, Appliance and Component Manufacturing \6\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
335131.............................  Residential Electric Lighting Fixture        ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
335132.............................  Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional    ..............             600
                                      Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing.
335139.............................  Electric Lamp Bulb and Other Lighting        ..............           1,250
                                      Equipment Manufacturing.
335210.............................  Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing...  ..............           1,500
335220.............................  Major Household Appliance Manufacturing....  ..............           1,500
335311.............................  Power, Distribution, and Specialty           ..............             800
                                      Transformer Manufacturing.
335312.............................  Motor and Generator Manufacturing..........  ..............           1,250
335313.............................  Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus         ..............           1,250
                                      Manufacturing.
335314.............................  Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing.  ..............             750
335910.............................  Battery Manufacturing......................  ..............           1,250
335921.............................  Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing............  ..............           1,000
335929.............................  Other Communication and Energy Wire          ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
335931.............................  Current-Carrying Wiring Device               ..............             600
                                      Manufacturing.
335932.............................  Noncurrent-Carrying Wiring Device            ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
335991.............................  Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing..  ..............             900
335999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Electrical           ..............             600
                                      Equipment and Component Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 336--Transportation Equipment Manufacturing \6\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
336110.............................  Automobile and Light Duty Motor Vehicle      ..............           1,500
                                      Manufacturing.
336120.............................  Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing.............  ..............           1,500
336211.............................  Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing...........  ..............           1,000
336212.............................  Truck Trailer Manufacturing................  ..............           1,000
336213.............................  Motor Home Manufacturing...................  ..............           1,250
336214.............................  Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing....  ..............           1,000
336310.............................  Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine     ..............           1,050
                                      Parts Manufacturing.
336320.............................  Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic      ..............           1,000
                                      Equipment Manufacturing.
336330.............................  Motor Vehicle Steering and Suspension        ..............           1,000
                                      Components (except Spring) Manufacturing.
336340.............................  Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing...  ..............           1,250
336350.............................  Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train   ..............           1,500
                                      Parts Manufacturing.
336360.............................  Motor Vehicle Seating and Interior Trim      ..............           1,500
                                      Manufacturing.
336370.............................  Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping...............  ..............           1,000
336390.............................  Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing....  ..............           1,000
336411.............................  Aircraft Manufacturing.....................  ..............           1,500
336412.............................  Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts             ..............           1,500
                                      Manufacturing.
336413.............................  Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary           ..............       1,250 \7\
                                      Equipment Manufacturing \7\.
336414.............................  Guided Missile and Space Vehicle             ..............           1,300
                                      Manufacturing.
336415.............................  Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion  ..............           1,250
                                      Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts
                                      Manufacturing.

[[Page 400]]

 
336419.............................  Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle       ..............           1,050
                                      Parts and Auxiliary Equipment
                                      Manufacturing.
336510.............................  Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing.......  ..............           1,500
336611.............................  Ship Building and Repairing................  ..............           1,300
336612.............................  Boat Building..............................  ..............           1,000
336991.............................  Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts               ..............           1,050
                                      Manufacturing.
336992.............................  Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank     ..............           1,500
                                      Component Manufacturing.
336999.............................  All Other Transportation Equipment           ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Subsector 337--Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
337110.............................  Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop          ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
337121.............................  Upholstered Household Furniture              ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
337122.............................  Nonupholstered Wood Household Furniture      ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
337126.............................  Household Furniture (except Wood and         ..............             950
                                      Upholstered) Manufacturing.
337127.............................  Institutional Furniture Manufacturing......  ..............             500
337211.............................  Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing........  ..............           1,000
337212.............................  Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork   ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
337214.............................  Office Furniture (except Wood)               ..............           1,100
                                      Manufacturing.
337215.............................  Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker    ..............             500
                                      Manufacturing.
337910.............................  Mattress Manufacturing.....................  ..............           1,000
337920.............................  Blind and Shade Manufacturing..............  ..............           1,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subsector 339--Miscellaneous Manufacturing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
339112.............................  Surgical and Medical Instrument              ..............           1,000
                                      Manufacturing.
339113.............................  Surgical Appliance and Supplies              ..............             800
                                      Manufacturing.
339114.............................  Dental Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing  ..............             750
339115.............................  Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing.............  ..............           1,000
339116.............................  Dental Laboratories........................  ..............             500
339910.............................  Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing.......                             700
339920.............................  Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing..  ..............             750
339930.............................  Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing..........  ..............             700
339940.............................  Office Supplies (except Paper)               ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
339950.............................  Sign Manufacturing.........................  ..............             500
339991.............................  Gasket, Packing, and Sealing Device          ..............             600
                                      Manufacturing.
339992.............................  Musical Instrument Manufacturing...........  ..............           1,000
339993.............................  Fastener, Button, Needle, and Pin            ..............             750
                                      Manufacturing.
339994.............................  Broom, Brush, and Mop Manufacturing........  ..............             750
339995.............................  Burial Casket Manufacturing................  ..............           1,000
339999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing......  ..............             550
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Sector 42--Wholesale Trade
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (These NAICS codes shall not be used to classify Government acquisitions for supplies. They also shall not be
   used by Federal Government contractors when subcontracting for the acquisition for supplies. The applicable
 manufacturing NAICS code shall be used to classify acquisitions for supplies. A Wholesale Trade or Retail Trade
 business concern submitting an offer or a quote on a supply acquisition is categorized as a nonmanufacturer and
          deemed small if it has 500 or fewer employees and meets the requirements of 13 CFR 121.406.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Subsector 423--Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
423110.............................  Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Merchant  ..............             250
                                      Wholesalers.
423120.............................  Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts         ..............             200
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423130.............................  Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers.........  ..............             200
423140.............................  Motor Vehicle Parts (Used) Merchant          ..............             125
                                      Wholesalers.
423210.............................  Furniture Merchant Wholesalers.............  ..............             100
423220.............................  Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers.......  ..............             100
423310.............................  Lumber, Plywood, Millwork, and Wood Panel    ..............             150
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423320.............................  Brick, Stone, and Related Construction       ..............             150
                                      Material Merchant Wholesalers.
423330.............................  Roofing, Siding, and Insulation Material     ..............             225
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423390.............................  Other Construction Material Merchant         ..............             100
                                      Wholesalers.
423410.............................  Photographic Equipment and Supplies          ..............             200
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423420.............................  Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers......  ..............             200
423430.............................  Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment   ..............             250
                                      and Software Merchant Wholesalers.
423440.............................  Other Commercial Equipment Merchant          ..............             100
                                      Wholesalers.
423450.............................  Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and  ..............             200
                                      Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.
423460.............................  Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers......  ..............             175
423490.............................  Other Professional Equipment and Supplies    ..............             150
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.

[[Page 401]]

 
423510.............................  Metal Service Centers and Other Metal        ..............             200
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423520.............................  Coal and Other Mineral and Ore Merchant      ..............             200
                                      Wholesalers.
423610.............................  Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring   ..............             200
                                      Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant
                                      Wholesalers.
423620.............................  Household Appliances, Electric Housewares,   ..............             225
                                      and Consumer Electronics Merchant
                                      Wholesalers.
423690.............................  Other Electronic Parts and Equipment         ..............             250
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423710.............................  Hardware Merchant Wholesalers..............  ..............             150
423720.............................  Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies  ..............             200
                                      (Hydronics) Merchant Wholesalers.
423730.............................  Warm Air Heating and Air-Conditioning        ..............             175
                                      Equipment and Supplies Merchant
                                      Wholesalers.
423740.............................  Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies         ..............             125
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423810.............................  Construction and Mining (except Oil Well)    ..............             250
                                      Machinery and Equipment Merchant
                                      Wholesalers.
423820.............................  Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment      ..............             125
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
423830.............................  Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant  ..............             100
                                      Wholesalers.
423840.............................  Industrial Supplies Merchant Wholesalers...  ..............             125
423850.............................  Service Establishment Equipment and          ..............             125
                                      Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.
423860.............................  Transportation Equipment and Supplies        ..............             175
                                      (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant
                                      Wholesalers.
423910.............................  Sporting and Recreational Goods and          ..............             100
                                      Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.
423920.............................  Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant    ..............             175
                                      Wholesalers.
423930.............................  Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers...  ..............             125
423940.............................  Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and          ..............             125
                                      Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers.
423990.............................  Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant   ..............             100
                                      Wholesalers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Subsector 424--Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
424110.............................  Printing and Writing Paper Merchant          ..............             225
                                      Wholesalers.
424120.............................  Stationery and Office Supplies Merchant      ..............             150
                                      Wholesalers.
424130.............................  Industrial and Personal Service Paper        ..............             150
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
424210.............................  Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant       ..............             250
                                      Wholesalers.
424310.............................  Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods    ..............             100
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
424340.............................  Footwear Merchant Wholesalers..............  ..............             200
424350.............................  Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant   ..............             150
                                      Wholesalers.
424410.............................  General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers..  ..............             250
424420.............................  Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers..  ..............             200
424430.............................  Dairy Product (except Dried or Canned)       ..............             200
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
424440.............................  Poultry and Poultry Product Merchant         ..............             150
                                      Wholesalers.
424450.............................  Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers.........  ..............             225
424460.............................  Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers......  ..............             100
424470.............................  Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers.  ..............             150
424480.............................  Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant           ..............             100
                                      Wholesalers.
424490.............................  Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant  ..............             250
                                      Wholesalers.
424510.............................  Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers..  ..............             200
424520.............................  Livestock Merchant Wholesalers.............  ..............             125
424590.............................  Other Farm Product Raw Material Merchant     ..............             175
                                      Wholesalers.
424610.............................  Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and       ..............             150
                                      Shapes Merchant Wholesalers.
424690.............................  Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant  ..............             175
                                      Wholesalers.
424710.............................  Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals......  ..............             225
424720.............................  Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant    ..............             200
                                      Wholesalers (except Bulk Stations and
                                      Terminals).
424810.............................  Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers..........  ..............             200
424820.............................  Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage        ..............             250
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
424910.............................  Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.........  ..............             200
424920.............................  Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant     ..............             200
                                      Wholesalers.
424930.............................  Flower, Nursery Stock, and Florists'         ..............             100
                                      Supplies Merchant Wholesalers.
424940.............................  Tobacco Product and Electronic Cigarette     ..............             250
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
424950.............................  Paint, Varnish, and Supplies Merchant        ..............             150
                                      Wholesalers.
424990.............................  Other Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods         ..............             100
                                      Merchant Wholesalers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subsector 425--Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
425120.............................  Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers.........  ..............             125

[[Page 402]]

 
                                           Sector 44-45--Retail Trade
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (These NAICS codes shall not be used to classify Government acquisitions for supplies. They also shall not be
   used by Federal Government contractors when subcontracting for the acquisition for supplies. The applicable
 manufacturing NAICS code shall be used to classify acquisitions for supplies. A Wholesale Trade or Retail Trade
 business concern submitting an offer or a quote on a supply acquisition is categorized as a nonmanufacturer and
          deemed small if it has 500 or fewer employees and meets the requirements of 13 CFR 121.406.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Subsector 441--Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
441110.............................  New Car Dealers............................  ..............             200
441120.............................  Used Car Dealers...........................           $30.5
441210.............................  Recreational Vehicle Dealers...............           $40.0
441222.............................  Boat Dealers...............................           $40.0
441227.............................  Motorcycle, ATV, and All Other Motor                  $40.0
                                      Vehicle Dealers.
441330.............................  Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers.           $28.5
441340.............................  Tire Dealers...............................           $25.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Subsector 444--Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
444110.............................  Home Centers...............................           $47.0
444120.............................  Paint and Wallpaper Retailers..............           $34.0
444140.............................  Hardware Retailers.........................           $16.5
444180.............................  Other Building Material Dealers............           $25.0
444230.............................  Outdoor Power Equipment Retailers..........            $9.5
444240.............................  Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply               $21.5
                                      Retailers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Subsector 445--Food and Beverage Stores
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
445110.............................  Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers              $40.0
                                      (except Convenience Retailers).
445131.............................  Convenience Retailers......................           $36.5
445132.............................  Vending Machine Operators..................           $21.0
445230.............................  Fruit and Vegetable Retailers..............            $9.0
445240.............................  Meat Retailers.............................            $9.0
445250.............................  Fish and Seafood Retailers.................            $9.0
445291.............................  Baked Goods Retailers......................           $16.0
445292.............................  Confectionery and Nut Retailers............           $19.5
445298.............................  All Other Specialty Food Retailers.........           $10.0
445320.............................  Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers...........           $10.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Subsector 449--Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
449110.............................  Furniture Retailers........................           $25.0
449121.............................  Floor Covering Retailers...................            $9.0
449122.............................  Window Treatment Retailers.................           $11.5
449129.............................  All Other Home Furnishings Retailers.......           $33.5
449210.............................  Electronics and Appliance Retailers........           $40.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Subsector 455--General Merchandise Retailers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
455110.............................  Department Stores..........................           $40.0
455211.............................  Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters...........           $47.0
455219.............................  All Other General Merchandise Retailers....           $40.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subsector 456--Health and Personal Care Retailers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
456110.............................  Pharmacies and Drug Retailers..............           $37.5
456120.............................  Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume               $34.0
                                      Retailers.
456130.............................  Optical Goods Retailers....................           $29.5
456191.............................  Food (Health) Supplement Retailers.........           $22.5
456199.............................  All Other Health and Personal Care                     $9.5
                                      Retailers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subsector 457--Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
457110.............................  Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores..           $36.5
457120.............................  Other Gasoline Stations....................           $33.5
457210.............................  Fuel Dealers...............................  ..............             100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Subsector 458--Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
458110.............................  Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers           $47.0

[[Page 403]]

 
458210.............................  Shoe Retailers.............................           $34.0
458310.............................  Jewelry Retailers..........................           $20.5
458320.............................  Luggage and Leather Goods Retailers........           $38.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Subsector 459--Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
459110.............................  Sporting Goods Retailers...................           $26.5
459120.............................  Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers.............           $35.0
459130.............................  Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods                   $34.0
                                      Retailers.
459140.............................  Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers..           $22.5
459210.............................  Book Retailers and News Dealers............           $36.0
459310.............................  Florists...................................            $9.0
459410.............................  Office Supplies and Stationery Retailers...           $40.0
459420.............................  Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers......           $13.5
459510.............................  Used Merchandise Retailers.................           $14.0
459910.............................  Pet and Pet Supplies Retailers.............           $32.0
459920.............................  Art Dealers................................           $16.5
459930.............................  Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers.........           $19.0
459991.............................  Tobacco, Electronic Cigarette, and Other              $11.5
                                      Smoking Supplies Retailers.
459999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Retailers..........           $11.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Sectors 48-49--Transportation and Warehousing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Subsector 481--Air Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
481111.............................  Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation.....  ..............           1,500
481112.............................  Scheduled Freight Air Transportation.......  ..............           1,500
481211.............................  Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air         ..............           1,500
                                      Transportation.
481212.............................  Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air           ..............           1,500
                                      Transportation.
481219.............................  Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation......           $25.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Subsector 482--Rail Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
482111.............................  Line-Haul Railroads........................  ..............           1,500
482112.............................  Short Line Railroads.......................  ..............           1,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Subsector 483--Water Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
483111.............................  Deep Sea Freight Transportation............  ..............           1,050
483112.............................  Deep Sea Passenger Transportation..........  ..............           1,500
483113.............................  Coastal and Great Lakes Freight              ..............             800
                                      Transportation.
483114.............................  Coastal and Great Lakes Passenger            ..............             550
                                      Transportation.
483211.............................  Inland Water Freight Transportation........  ..............           1,050
483212.............................  Inland Water Passenger Transportation......  ..............             550
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Subsector 484--Truck Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
484110.............................  General Freight Trucking, Local............           $34.0
484121.............................  General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance,              $34.0
                                      Truckload.
484122.............................  General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance,              $43.0
                                      Less Than Truckload.
484210.............................  Used Household and Office Goods Moving.....           $34.0
484220.............................  Specialized Freight (except Used Goods)               $34.0
                                      Trucking, Local.
484230.............................  Specialized Freight (except Used Goods)               $34.0
                                      Trucking, Long-Distance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Subsector 485--Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
485111.............................  Mixed Mode Transit Systems.................           $29.0
485112.............................  Commuter Rail Systems......................           $47.0
485113.............................  Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems           $32.5
485119.............................  Other Urban Transit Systems................           $37.5
485210.............................  Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation....           $32.0
485310.............................  Taxi and Ridesharing Services..............           $19.0
485320.............................  Limousine Service..........................           $19.0
485410.............................  School and Employee Bus Transportation.....           $30.0
485510.............................  Charter Bus Industry.......................           $19.0
485991.............................  Special Needs Transportation...............           $19.0
485999.............................  All Other Transit and Ground Passenger                $19.0
                                      Transportation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Subsector 486--Pipeline Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
486110.............................  Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil.......  ..............           1,500

[[Page 404]]

 
486210.............................  Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas.....           $41.5
486910.............................  Pipeline Transportation of Refined           ..............           1,500
                                      Petroleum Products.
486990.............................  All Other Pipeline Transportation..........           $46.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Subsector 487--Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
487110.............................  Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land           $20.5
487210.............................  Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation,                $14.0
                                      Water.
487990.............................  Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation,                $25.0
                                      Other.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Subsector 488--Support Activities for Transportation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
488111.............................  Air Traffic Control........................           $40.0
488119.............................  Other Airport Operations...................           $40.0
488190.............................  Other Support Activities for Air                      $40.0
                                      Transportation.
488210.............................  Support Activities for Rail Transportation.           $34.0
488310.............................  Port and Harbor Operations.................           $47.0
488320.............................  Marine Cargo Handling......................           $47.0
488330.............................  Navigational Services to Shipping..........           $47.0
488390.............................  Other Support Activities for Water                    $47.0
                                      Transportation.
488410.............................  Motor Vehicle Towing.......................            $9.0
488490.............................  Other Support Activities for Road                     $18.0
                                      Transportation.
488510.............................  Freight Transportation Arrangement \10\....      $20.0 \10\
488510 (Exception).................  Non-Vessel Owning Common Carriers and                 $34.0
                                      Household Goods Forwarders.
488991.............................  Packing and Crating........................           $34.0
488999.............................  All Other Support Activities for                      $25.0
                                      Transportation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Subsector 491--Postal Service
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
491110.............................  Postal Service.............................            $9.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Subsector 492--Couriers and Messengers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
492110.............................  Couriers and Express Delivery Services.....  ..............           1,500
492210.............................  Local Messengers and Local Delivery........           $34.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Subsector 493--Warehousing and Storage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
493110.............................  General Warehousing and Storage............           $34.0
493120.............................  Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage.......           $36.5
493130.............................  Farm Product Warehousing and Storage.......           $34.0
493190.............................  Other Warehousing and Storage..............           $36.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Sector 51--Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Subsector 512--Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
512110.............................  Motion Picture and Video Production........           $40.0
512120.............................  Motion Picture and Video Distribution......           $39.0
512131.............................  Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins).           $47.0
512132.............................  Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters...........           $12.5
512191.............................  Teleproduction and Other Postproduction               $39.0
                                      Services.
512199.............................  Other Motion Picture and Video Industries..           $28.5
512230.............................  Music Publishers...........................  ..............             900
512240.............................  Sound Recording Studios....................           $11.0
512250.............................  Record Production and Distribution.........  ..............             900
512290.............................  Other Sound Recording Industries...........           $22.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Subsector 513--Publishing Industries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
513110.............................  Newspaper Publishers.......................  ..............           1,000
513120.............................  Periodical Publishers......................  ..............           1,000
513130.............................  Book Publishers............................  ..............           1,000
513140.............................  Directory and Mailing List Publishers......  ..............           1,000
513191.............................  Greeting Card Publishers...................  ..............           1,000
513199.............................  All Other Publishers.......................  ..............           1,000
513210.............................  Software Publishers \15\...................      $47.0 \15\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subsector 516--Broadcasting and Content Providers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
516110.............................  Radio Broadcasting Stations................           $47.0

[[Page 405]]

 
516120.............................  Television Broadcasting Stations...........           $47.0
516210.............................  Media Streaming Distribution Services,                $47.0
                                      Social Networks, and Other Media Networks
                                      and Content Providers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Subsector 517--Telecommunications
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
517111.............................  Wired Telecommunications Carriers..........  ..............           1,500
517112.............................  Wireless Telecommunications Carriers         ..............           1,500
                                      (except Satellite).
517121.............................  Telecommunications Resellers...............  ..............           1,500
517122.............................  Agents for Wireless Telecommunications       ..............           1,500
                                      Services.
517410.............................  Satellite Telecommunications...............           $44.0
517810.............................  All Other Telecommunications...............           $40.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subsector 518--Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
518210.............................  Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data              $40.0
                                      Processing, Web Hosting, and Related
                                      Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Subsector 519--Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
519210.............................  Libraries and Archives.....................           $21.0
519290.............................  Web Search Portals and All Other             ..............           1,000
                                      Information Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Sector 52--Finance and Insurance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Subsector 522--Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
522110.............................  Commercial Banking \8\.....................    $850 million
                                                                                   in assets \8\
522130.............................  Credit Unions \8\..........................    $850 million
                                                                                   in assets \8\
522180.............................  Savings Institutions and Other Depository      $850 million
                                      Credit Intermediation\8\.                    in assets \8\
522210.............................  Credit Card Issuing \8\....................    $850 million
                                                                                   in assets \8\
522220.............................  Sales Financing............................           $47.0
522291.............................  Consumer Lending...........................           $47.0
522292.............................  Real Estate Credit.........................           $47.0
522299.............................  International, Secondary Market, and All              $47.0
                                      Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation.
522310.............................  Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers......           $15.0
522320.............................  Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve,           $47.0
                                      and Clearinghouse Activities.
522390.............................  Other Activities Related to Credit                    $28.5
                                      Intermediation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Subsector 523--Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
523150.............................  Investment Banking and Securities                     $47.0
                                      Intermediation.
523160.............................  Commodity Contracts Intermediation.........           $41.5
523210.............................  Securities and Commodity Exchanges.........           $47.0
523910.............................  Miscellaneous Intermediation...............           $47.0
523940.............................  Portfolio Management and Investment Advice.           $47.0
523991.............................  Trust, Fiduciary and Custody Activities....           $47.0
523999.............................  Miscellaneous Financial Investment                    $47.0
                                      Activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 524--Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
524113.............................  Direct Life Insurance Carriers.............           $47.0
524114.............................  Direct Health and Medical Insurance                   $47.0
                                      Carriers.
524126.............................  Direct Property and Casualty Insurance       ..............           1,500
                                      Carriers.
524127.............................  Direct Title Insurance Carriers............           $47.0
524128.............................  Other Direct Insurance (except Life, Health           $47.0
                                      and Medical) Carriers.
524130.............................  Reinsurance Carriers.......................           $47.0
524210.............................  Insurance Agencies and Brokerages..........           $15.0
524291.............................  Claims Adjusting...........................           $25.0
524292.............................  Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third           $45.5
                                      Party Administration of Insurance and
                                      Pension Funds.
524298.............................  All Other Insurance Related Activities.....           $30.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 525--Funds, Trusts and Other Financial Vehicles
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
525110.............................  Pension Funds..............................           $40.0

[[Page 406]]

 
525120.............................  Health and Welfare Funds...................           $40.0
525190.............................  Other Insurance Funds......................           $40.0
525910.............................  Open-End Investment Funds..................           $40.0
525920.............................  Trusts, Estates, and Agency Accounts.......           $40.0
525990.............................  Other Financial Vehicles...................           $40.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Sector 53--Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Subsector 531--Real Estate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
531110.............................  Lessors of Residential Buildings and               $34.0\9\
                                      Dwellings \9\.
531120.............................  Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except       $34.0 \9\
                                      Miniwarehouses)\ 9\.
531130.............................  Lessors of Miniwarehouses and Self-Storage        $34.0 \9\
                                      Units\9\.
531190.............................  Lessors of Other Real Estate Property \9\..       $34.0 \9\
531210.............................  Offices of Real Estate Agents and                $15.0 \10\
                                      Brokers\10\.
531311.............................  Residential Property Managers..............           $12.5
531312.............................  Nonresidential Property Managers...........           $19.5
531320.............................  Offices of Real Estate Appraisers..........            $9.5
531390.............................  Other Activities Related to Real Estate....           $19.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Subsector 532--Rental and Leasing Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
532111.............................  Passenger Car Rental.......................           $47.0
532112.............................  Passenger Car Leasing......................           $47.0
532120.............................  Truck, Utility Trailer, and RV                        $47.0
                                      (Recreational Vehicle) Rental and Leasing.
532210.............................  Consumer Electronics and Appliances Rental.           $47.0
532281.............................  Formal Wear and Costume Rental.............           $25.0
532282.............................  Video Tape and Disc Rental.................           $35.0
532283.............................  Home Health Equipment Rental...............           $41.0
532284.............................  Recreational Goods Rental..................            $9.0
532289.............................  All Other Consumer Goods Rental............           $12.5
532310.............................  General Rental Centers.....................            $9.0
532411.............................  Commercial Air, Rail, and Water                       $45.5
                                      Transportation Equipment Rental and
                                      Leasing.
532412.............................  Construction, Mining and Forestry Machinery           $40.0
                                      and Equipment Rental and Leasing.
532420.............................  Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and             $40.0
                                      Leasing.
532490.............................  Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery             $40.0
                                      and Equipment Rental and Leasing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Subsector 533--Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
533110.............................  Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets             $47.0
                                      (except Copyrighted Works).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Sector 54--Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Subsector 541--Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
541110.............................  Offices of Lawyers.........................           $15.5
541191.............................  Title Abstract and Settlement Offices......           $19.5
541199.............................  All Other Legal Services...................           $20.5
541211.............................  Offices of Certified Public Accountants....           $26.5
541213.............................  Tax Preparation Services...................           $25.0
541214.............................  Payroll Services...........................           $39.0
541219.............................  Other Accounting Services..................           $25.0
541310.............................  Architectural Services.....................           $12.5
541320.............................  Landscape Architectural Services...........            $9.0
541330.............................  Engineering Services.......................           $25.5
541330 (Exception 1)...............  Military and Aerospace Equipment and                  $47.0
                                      Military Weapons.
541330 (Exception 2)...............  Contracts and Subcontracts for Engineering            $47.0
                                      Services Awarded Under the National Energy
                                      Policy Act of 1992.
541330 (Exception 3)...............  Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture..           $47.0
541340.............................  Drafting Services..........................            $9.0
541350.............................  Building Inspection Services...............           $11.5
541360.............................  Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services.           $28.5
541370.............................  Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical)            $19.0
                                      Services.
541380.............................  Testing Laboratories and Services..........           $19.0
541410.............................  Interior Design Services...................            $9.0
541420.............................  Industrial Design Services.................           $17.0

[[Page 407]]

 
541430.............................  Graphic Design Services....................            $9.0
541490.............................  Other Specialized Design Services..........           $13.5
541511.............................  Custom Computer Programming Services.......           $34.0
541512.............................  Computer Systems Design Services...........           $34.0
541513.............................  Computer Facilities Management Services....           $37.0
541519.............................  Other Computer Related Services............           $34.0
541519 (Exception).................  Information Technology Value Added           ..............        150 \18\
                                      Resellers \18\.
541611.............................  Administrative Management and General                 $24.5
                                      Management Consulting Services.
541612.............................  Human Resources Consulting Services........           $29.0
541613.............................  Marketing Consulting Services..............           $19.0
541614.............................  Process, Physical Distribution and                    $20.0
                                      Logistics Consulting Services.
541618.............................  Other Management Consulting Services.......           $19.0
541620.............................  Environmental Consulting Services..........           $19.0
541690.............................  Other Scientific and Technical Consulting             $19.0
                                      Services.
541713.............................  Research and Technology in Nanotechnology    ..............      1,000 \11\
                                      \11\.
541714.............................  Research and Technology in Biotechnology     ..............      1,000 \11\
                                      (except Nanobiotechnology) \11\.
541715.............................  Research and Development in the Physical,    ..............      \11\ 1,000
                                      Engineering, and Life Sciences (except
                                      Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) \11\.
541715 (Exception 1)...............  Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts   ..............      \11\ 1,500
                                      \11\.
541715 (Exception 2)...............  Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary           ..............      \11\ 1,250
                                      Equipment \11\.
541715 (Exception 3)...............  Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles, Their    ..............      \11\ 1,300
                                      Propulsion Units and Propulsion Parts \11\.
541720.............................  Research and Development in the Social                $28.0
                                      Sciences and Humanities.
541810.............................  Advertising Agencies \10\..................      $25.5 \10\
541820.............................  Public Relations Agencies..................           $19.0
541830.............................  Media Buying Agencies......................           $32.5
541840.............................  Media Representatives......................           $21.0
541850.............................  Indoor and Outdoor Display Advertising.....           $34.5
541860.............................  Direct Mail Advertising....................           $22.0
541870.............................  Advertising Material Distribution Services.           $28.5
541890.............................  Other Services Related to Advertising......           $19.0
541910.............................  Marketing Research and Public Opinion                 $22.5
                                      Polling.
541921.............................  Photography Studios, Portrait..............           $16.0
541922.............................  Commercial Photography.....................            $9.0
541930.............................  Translation and Interpretation Services....           $22.5
541940.............................  Veterinary Services........................           $10.0
541990.............................  All Other Professional, Scientific and                $19.5
                                      Technical Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Sector 55--Management of Companies and Enterprises
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subsector 551--Management of Companies and Enterprises
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
551111.............................  Offices of Bank Holding Companies..........           $38.5
551112.............................  Offices of Other Holding Companies.........           $45.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Sector 56--Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
                               Subsector 561--Administrative and Support Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
561110.............................  Office Administrative Services.............           $12.5
561210.............................  Facilities Support Services \12\...........      $47.0 \12\
561311.............................  Employment Placement Agencies..............           $34.0
561312.............................  Executive Search Services..................           $34.0
561320.............................  Temporary Help Services....................           $34.0
561330.............................  Professional Employer Organizations........           $41.5
561410.............................  Document Preparation Services..............           $19.0
561421.............................  Telephone Answering Services...............           $19.0
561422.............................  Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact               $25.5
                                      Centers.
561431.............................  Private Mail Centers.......................           $19.0
561439.............................  Other Business Service Centers (including             $26.5
                                      Copy Shops).
561440.............................  Collection Agencies........................           $19.5
561450.............................  Credit Bureaus.............................           $41.0
561491.............................  Repossession Services......................           $19.0
561492.............................  Court Reporting and Stenotype Services.....           $19.0
561499.............................  All Other Business Support Services........           $21.5
561510.............................  Travel Agencies \10\.......................      $25.0 \10\
561520.............................  Tour Operators \10\........................      $25.0 \10\
561591.............................  Convention and Visitors Bureaus............           $25.0

[[Page 408]]

 
561599.............................  All Other Travel Arrangement and                      $32.5
                                      Reservation Services.
561611.............................  Investigation and Personal Background Check           $25.0
                                      Services.
561612.............................  Security Guards and Patrol Services........           $29.0
561613.............................  Armored Car Services.......................           $43.0
561621.............................  Security Systems Services (except                     $25.0
                                      Locksmiths).
561622.............................  Locksmiths.................................           $25.0
561710.............................  Exterminating and Pest Control Services....           $17.5
561720.............................  Janitorial Services........................           $22.0
561730.............................  Landscaping Services.......................            $9.5
561740.............................  Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services....            $8.5
561790.............................  Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings..            $9.0
561910.............................  Packaging and Labeling Services............           $19.5
561920.............................  Convention and Trade Show Organizers\10\...      $20.0 \10\
561990.............................  All Other Support Services.................           $16.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Subsector 562--Waste Management and Remediation Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
562111.............................  Solid Waste Collection.....................           $47.0
562112.............................  Hazardous Waste Collection.................           $47.0
562119.............................  Other Waste Collection.....................           $47.0
562211.............................  Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal.....           $47.0
562212.............................  Solid Waste Landfill.......................           $47.0
562213.............................  Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators....           $47.0
562219.............................  Other Nonhazardous Waste Treatment and                $47.0
                                      Disposal.
562910.............................  Remediation Services.......................           $25.0
562910 (Exception).................  Environmental Remediation Services \14\....  ..............      \14\ 1,000
562920.............................  Materials Recovery Facilities..............           $25.0
562991.............................  Septic Tank and Related Services...........            $9.0
562998.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management              $16.5
                                      Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Sector 61--Educational Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Subsector 611--Educational Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
611110.............................  Elementary and Secondary Schools...........           $20.0
611210.............................  Junior Colleges............................           $32.5
611310.............................  Colleges, Universities and Professional               $34.5
                                      Schools.
611410.............................  Business and Secretarial Schools...........           $20.5
611420.............................  Computer Training..........................           $16.0
611430.............................  Professional and Management Development               $15.0
                                      Training.
611511.............................  Cosmetology and Barber Schools.............           $13.0
611512.............................  Flight Training............................           $34.0
611513.............................  Apprenticeship Training....................           $11.5
611519.............................  Other Technical and Trade Schools..........           $21.0
611519 (Exception).................  Job Corps Centers \16\.....................      $47.0 \16\
611610.............................  Fine Arts Schools..........................            $9.0
611620.............................  Sports and Recreation Instruction..........            $9.0
611630.............................  Language Schools...........................           $20.5
611691.............................  Exam Preparation and Tutoring..............           $12.5
611692.............................  Automobile Driving Schools.................           $10.0
611699.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Schools and                   $16.5
                                      Instruction.
611710.............................  Educational Support Services...............           $24.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Sector 62--Health Care and Social Assistance
                                 Subsector 621--Ambulatory Health Care Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
621111.............................  Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health           $16.0
                                      Specialists).
621112.............................  Offices of Physicians, Mental Health                  $13.5
                                      Specialists.
621210.............................  Offices of Dentists........................            $9.0
621310.............................  Offices of Chiropractors...................            $9.0
621320.............................  Offices of Optometrists....................            $9.0
621330.............................  Offices of Mental Health Practitioners                 $9.0
                                      (except Physicians).
621340.............................  Offices of Physical, Occupational and                 $12.5
                                      Speech Therapists and Audiologists.
621391.............................  Offices of Podiatrists.....................            $9.0
621399.............................  Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health             $10.0
                                      Practitioners.
621410.............................  Family Planning Centers....................           $19.0
621420.............................  Outpatient Mental Health and Substance                $19.0
                                      Abuse Centers.
621491.............................  HMO Medical Centers........................           $44.5
621492.............................  Kidney Dialysis Centers....................           $47.0

[[Page 409]]

 
621493.............................  Freestanding Ambulatory Surgical and                  $19.0
                                      Emergency Centers.
621498.............................  All Other Outpatient Care Centers..........           $25.5
621511.............................  Medical Laboratories.......................           $41.5
621512.............................  Diagnostic Imaging Centers.................           $19.0
621610.............................  Home Health Care Services..................           $19.0
621910.............................  Ambulance Services.........................           $22.5
621991.............................  Blood and Organ Banks......................           $40.0
621999.............................  All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health             $20.5
                                      Care Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Subsector 622--Hospitals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
622110.............................  General Medical and Surgical Hospitals.....           $47.0
622210.............................  Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals..           $47.0
622310.............................  Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance           $47.0
                                      Abuse) Hospitals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Subsector 623--Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
623110.............................  Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing              $34.0
                                      Facilities).
623210.............................  Residential Intellectual and Developmental            $19.0
                                      Disability Facilities.
623220.............................  Residential Mental Health and Substance               $19.0
                                      Abuse Facilities.
623311.............................  Continuing Care Retirement Communities.....           $34.0
623312.............................  Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly.           $23.5
623990.............................  Other Residential Care Facilities..........           $16.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Subsector 624--Social Assistance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
624110.............................  Child and Youth Services...................           $15.5
624120.............................  Services for the Elderly and Persons with             $15.0
                                      Disabilities.
624190.............................  Other Individual and Family Services.......           $16.0
624210.............................  Community Food Services....................           $19.5
624221.............................  Temporary Shelters.........................           $13.5
624229.............................  Other Community Housing Services...........           $19.0
624230.............................  Emergency and Other Relief Services........           $41.5
624310.............................  Vocational Rehabilitation Services.........           $15.0
624410.............................  Child Care Services........................            $9.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Sector 71--Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
                     Subsector 711--Performing Arts, Spectator Sports and Related Industries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
711110.............................  Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters......           $25.0
711120.............................  Dance Companies............................           $18.0
711130.............................  Musical Groups and Artists.................           $15.0
711190.............................  Other Performing Arts Companies............           $34.0
711211.............................  Sports Teams and Clubs.....................           $47.0
711212.............................  Racetracks.................................           $47.0
711219.............................  Other Spectator Sports.....................           $16.5
711310.............................  Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports and              $40.0
                                      Similar Events with Facilities.
711320.............................  Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports and              $22.0
                                      Similar Events without Facilities.
711410.............................  Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes,            $17.5
                                      Entertainers and Other Public Figures.
711510.............................  Independent Artists, Writers, and                      $9.0
                                      Performers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Subsector 712--Museums, Historical Sites and Similar Institutions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
712110.............................  Museums....................................           $34.0
712120.............................  Historical Sites...........................           $13.0
712130.............................  Zoos and Botanical Gardens.................           $34.0
712190.............................  Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions           $19.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          Subsector 713--Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
713110.............................  Amusement and Theme Parks..................           $47.0
713120.............................  Amusement Arcades..........................            $9.0
713210.............................  Casinos (except Casino Hotels).............           $34.0
713290.............................  Other Gambling Industries..................           $40.0
713910.............................  Golf Courses and Country Clubs.............           $19.0
713920.............................  Skiing Facilities..........................           $35.0
713930.............................  Marinas....................................           $11.0
713940.............................  Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers....           $17.5
713950.............................  Bowling Centers............................           $12.5
713990.............................  All Other Amusement and Recreation                     $9.0
                                      Industries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 410]]

 
                                   Sector 72--Accommodation and Food Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Subsector 721--Accommodation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
721110.............................  Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels...           $40.0
721120.............................  Casino Hotels..............................           $40.0
721191.............................  Bed-and-Breakfast Inns.....................            $9.0
721199.............................  All Other Traveler Accommodation...........            $9.0
721211.............................  RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and                   $10.0
                                      Campgrounds.
721214.............................  Recreational and Vacation Camps (except                $9.0
                                      Campgrounds).
721310.............................  Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories,             $14.0
                                      and Workers' Camps.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Subsector 722--Food Services and Drinking Places
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
722310.............................  Food Service Contractors...................           $47.0
722320.............................  Caterers...................................            $9.0
722330.............................  Mobile Food Services.......................            $9.0
722410.............................  Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)......            $9.0
722511.............................  Full-Service Restaurants...................           $11.5
722513.............................  Limited-Service Restaurants................           $13.5
722514.............................  Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets.....           $34.0
722515.............................  Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars.......           $22.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Sector 81--Other Services (Except Public Administration)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Subsector 811--Repair and Maintenance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
811111.............................  General Automotive Repair..................            $9.0
811114.............................  Specialized Automotive Repair..............            $9.0
811121.............................  Automotive Body, Paint and Interior Repair             $9.0
                                      and Maintenance.
811122.............................  Automotive Glass Replacement Shops.........           $17.5
811191.............................  Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops           $11.0
811192.............................  Car Washes.................................            $9.0
811198.............................  All Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance           $10.0
811210.............................  Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair             $34.0
                                      and Maintenance.
811310.............................  Commercial and Industrial Machinery and               $12.5
                                      Equipment (except Automotive and
                                      Electronic) Repair and Maintenance.
811411.............................  Home and Garden Equipment Repair and                   $9.0
                                      Maintenance.
811412.............................  Appliance Repair and Maintenance...........           $19.0
811420.............................  Reupholstery and Furniture Repair..........            $9.0
811430.............................  Footwear and Leather Goods Repair..........            $9.0
811490.............................  Other Personal and Household Goods Repair              $9.0
                                      and Maintenance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Subsector 812--Personal and Laundry Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
812111.............................  Barber Shops...............................            $9.5
812112.............................  Beauty Salons..............................            $9.5
812113.............................  Nail Salons................................            $9.0
812191.............................  Diet and Weight Reducing Centers...........           $27.5
812199.............................  Other Personal Care Services...............            $9.0
812210.............................  Funeral Homes and Funeral Services.........           $12.5
812220.............................  Cemeteries and Crematories.................           $25.0
812310.............................  Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners....           $13.0
812320.............................  Drycleaning and Laundry Services (except               $8.0
                                      Coin-Operated).
812331.............................  Linen Supply...............................           $40.0
812332.............................  Industrial Launderers......................           $47.0
812910.............................  Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services......            $9.0
812921.............................  Photofinishing Laboratories (except One-              $29.5
                                      Hour).
812922.............................  One-Hour Photofinishing....................           $19.0
812930.............................  Parking Lots and Garages...................           $47.0
812990.............................  All Other Personal Services................           $15.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Subsector 813--Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional and Similar Organizations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
813110.............................  Religious Organizations....................           $13.0
813211.............................  Grantmaking Foundations....................           $40.0
813212.............................  Voluntary Health Organizations.............           $34.0
813219.............................  Other Grantmaking and Giving Services......           $47.0
813311.............................  Human Rights Organizations.................           $34.0
813312.............................  Environment, Conservation and Wildlife                $19.5
                                      Organizations.
813319.............................  Other Social Advocacy Organizations........           $18.0

[[Page 411]]

 
813410.............................  Civic and Social Organizations.............            $9.5
813910.............................  Business Associations......................           $15.5
813920.............................  Professional Organizations.................           $23.5
813930.............................  Labor Unions and Similar Labor                        $16.5
                                      Organizations.
813940.............................  Political Organizations....................           $14.0
813990.............................  Other Similar Organizations (except                   $13.5
                                      Business, Professional, Labor, and
                                      Political Organizations).
                              Sector 92--Public Administration \17\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Small business size standards are not established for this sector. Establishments in the Public Administration
  sector are Federal, state, and local government agencies which administer and oversee government programs and
                          activities that are not performed by private establishments.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                Footnotes

    1. NAICS code 115310--Support Activities for Forestry: Forest Fire 
Suppression and Fuels Management Services are two components of Support 
Activities for Forestry. Forest Fire Suppression includes establishments 
which provide services to fight forest fires. These firms usually have 
fire-fighting crews and equipment. Fuels Management Services firms 
provide services to clear land of hazardous materials that would fuel 
forest fires. The treatments used by these firms may include prescribed 
fire, mechanical removal, establishing fuel breaks, thinning, pruning, 
and piling.
    2. NAICS code 237990--Dredging: To be considered small for purposes 
of Government procurement, a firm or its similarly situated 
subcontractors must perform at least 40 percent of the volume dredged 
with their own equipment or equipment owned by another small dredging 
concern.
    3. NAICS code 311421--For purposes of Government procurement for 
food canning and preserving, the standard of 1,000 employees excludes 
agricultural labor as defined in 3306(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, 
26 U.S.C. 3306(k).
    4. NAICS code 324110--To qualify as small for purposes of Government 
procurement, the petroleum refiner, including its affiliates, must be a 
concern that has either no more than 1,500 employees or no more than 
200,000 barrels per calendar day total Operable Atmospheric Crude Oil 
Distillation capacity. Capacity includes all domestic and foreign 
affiliates, all owned or leased facilities, and all facilities under a 
processing agreement or an arrangement such as an exchange agreement or 
a throughput. To qualify under the capacity size standard, the firm, 
together with its affiliates, must be primarily engaged in refining 
crude petroleum into refined petroleum products. A firm's ``primary 
industry'' is determined in accordance with 13 CFR 121.107.
    5. NAICS code 326211--For Government procurement, a firm is small 
for bidding on a contract for pneumatic tires within Census NAICS 
Product Classification codes 3262111 and 3262113, provided that:
    (a) The value of tires within Census NAICS Product Classification 
codes 3262111 and 3262113 that it manufactured in the United States 
during the previous calendar year is more than 50 percent of the value 
of its total worldwide manufacture,
    (b) The value of pneumatic tires within Census NAICS Product 
Classification codes 3262111 and 3262113 comprising its total worldwide 
manufacture during the preceding calendar year was less than 5 percent 
of the value of all such tires manufactured in the United States during 
that period, and
    (c) The value of the principal product that it manufactured, 
produced, or sold worldwide during the preceding calendar year is less 
than 10 percent of the total value of such products manufactured or 
otherwise produced or sold in the United States during that period.
    6. NAICS Subsectors 333, 334, 335 and 336--For rebuilding machinery 
or equipment on a factory basis, or equivalent, use the NAICS code for a 
newly manufactured product. Concerns performing major rebuilding or 
overhaul activities do not necessarily have to meet the criteria for 
being a ``manufacturer'' although the activities may be classified under 
a manufacturing NAICS code. Ordinary repair services or preservation are 
not considered rebuilding.
    7. NAICS code 336413--Contracts for the rebuilding or overhaul of 
aircraft ground support equipment on a contract basis are classified 
under NAICS code 336413.
    8. NAICS Codes 522110, 522130, 522180, and 522210--A financial 
institution's assets are determined by averaging the assets reported on 
its four quarterly financial statements for the preceding year. 
``Assets'' for the purposes of this size standard means the assets 
defined according to the Federal Financial

[[Page 412]]

Institutions Examination Council 041 call report form for NAICS codes 
522110, 522180, and 522210 and the National Credit Union Administration 
5300 call report form for NAICS code 522130.
    9. NAICS codes 531110, 531120, 531130, and 531190--Leasing of 
Building Space to the Federal Government by Owners: For Government 
procurement, a size standard of $47 million in gross receipts applies to 
the owners of building space leased to the Federal Government. The 
standard does not apply to an agent.
    10. NAICS codes 488510 (excluding the exception), 531210, 541810, 
561510, 561520 and 561920--As measured by total revenues, but excluding 
funds received in trust for an unaffiliated third party, such as 
bookings or sales subject to commissions. The commissions received are 
included as revenue.
    11. NAICS code 541713, 541714, and 541715--
    (a) Research and Development'' means laboratory or other physical 
research and development. It does not include economic, educational, 
engineering, operations, systems, or other nonphysical research; or 
computer programming, data processing, commercial and/or medical 
laboratory testing.
    (b) For research and development contracts requiring the delivery of 
a manufactured product, the appropriate size standard is that of the 
manufacturing industry.
    (c) For purposes of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 
and Small Business Transfer Technology (STTR) programs, the term 
``research'' or ``research and development'' means any activity which is 
(A) a systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or 
understanding of the subject studied; (B) a systematic study directed 
specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a recognized need; or 
(C) a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of 
useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, 
development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet 
specific requirements. See 15 U.S.C. 638(e)(5) and section 3 of the SBIR 
and STTR policy directives available at www.sbir.gov. For size 
eligibility requirements for the SBIR and STTR programs, see Sec.  
121.702 of this part.
    (d) ``Research and Development'' for guided missiles and space 
vehicles includes evaluations and simulation, and other services 
requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and spacecraft.
    12. NAICS code 561210--Facilities Support Services:
    (a) If one or more activities of Facilities Support Services as 
defined in paragraph (b) (below in this footnote) can be identified with 
a specific industry and that industry accounts for 50 percent or more of 
the value of an entire procurement, then the proper classification of 
the procurement is that of the specific industry, not Facilities Support 
Services.
    (b) ``Facilities Support Services'' requires the performance of 
three or more separate activities in the areas of services or specialty 
trade contractors industries. If services are performed, these service 
activities must each be in a separate NAICS industry. If the procurement 
requires the use of specialty trade contractors (plumbing, painting, 
plastering, carpentry, etc.), all such specialty trade contractors 
activities are considered a single activity and classified as ``Building 
and Property Specialty Trade Services.'' Since ``Building and Property 
Specialty Trade Services'' is only one activity, two additional 
activities of separate NAICS industries are required for a procurement 
to be classified as ``Facilities Support Services.''
    13. NAICS code 238990--Building and Property Specialty Trade 
Services: If a procurement requires the use of multiple specialty trade 
contractors (i.e., plumbing, painting, plastering, carpentry, etc.), and 
no specialty trade accounts for 50 percent or more of the value of the 
procurement, all such specialty trade contractors activities are 
considered a single activity and classified as Building and Property 
Specialty Trade Services.
    14. NAICS 562910--Environmental Remediation Services:
    (a) For SBA assistance as a small business concern in the industry 
of Environmental Remediation Services, other than for Government 
procurement, a concern must be engaged primarily in furnishing a range 
of services for the remediation of a contaminated environment to an 
acceptable condition including, but not limited to, preliminary 
assessment, site inspection, testing, remedial investigation, 
feasibility studies, remedial design, containment, remedial action, 
removal of contaminated materials, storage of contaminated materials and 
security and site closeouts. If one of such activities accounts for 50 
percent or more of a concern's total revenues, employees, or other 
related factors, the concern's primary industry is that of the 
particular industry and not the Environmental Remediation Services 
Industry.
    (b) For purposes of classifying a Government procurement as 
Environmental Remediation Services, the general purpose of the 
procurement must be to restore or directly support the restoration of a 
contaminated environment (such as, preliminary assessment, site 
inspection, testing, remedial investigation, feasibility studies, 
remedial design, remediation services, containment, removal of 
contaminated materials, storage of contaminated materials or security 
and site closeouts), although the general purpose of the procurement 
need not necessarily include remedial actions. Also, the procurement 
must be composed of activities in three

[[Page 413]]

or more separate industries with separate NAICS codes or, in some 
instances (e.g., engineering), smaller sub-components of NAICS codes 
with separate, distinct size standards. These activities may include, 
but are not limited to, separate activities in industries such as: Heavy 
Construction; Specialty Trade Contractors; Engineering Services; 
Architectural Services; Management Consulting Services; Hazardous and 
Other Waste Collection; Remediation Services, Testing Laboratories; and 
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences. 
If any activity in the procurement can be identified with a separate 
NAICS code, or component of a code with a separate distinct size 
standard, and that industry accounts for 50 percent or more of the value 
of the entire procurement, then the proper size standard is the one for 
that particular industry, and not the Environmental Remediation Service 
size standard.
    15. NAICS code 513210--For purposes of Government procurement, the 
purchase of software subject to potential waiver of the nonmanufacturer 
rule pursuant to Sec.  121.1203(d) should be classified under this NAICS 
code.
    16. NAICS code 611519--Job Corps Centers. For classifying a Federal 
procurement, the purpose of the solicitation must be for the management 
and operation of a U.S. Department of Labor Job Corps Center. The 
activities involved include admissions activities, life skills training, 
educational activities, comprehensive career preparation activities, 
career development activities, career transition activities, as well as 
the management and support functions and services needed to operate and 
maintain the facility. For SBA assistance as a small business concern, 
other than for Federal Government procurements, a concern must be 
primarily engaged in providing the services to operate and maintain 
Federal Job Corps Centers.
    17. NAICS Sector 92--Small business size standards are not 
established for this sector. Establishments in the Public Administration 
sector are Federal, State, and local government agencies which 
administer and oversee government programs and activities that are not 
performed by private establishments. Concerns performing operational 
services for the administration of a government program are classified 
under the NAICS private sector industry based on the activities 
performed. Similarly, procurements for these types of services are 
classified under the NAICS private sector industry that best describes 
the activities to be performed. For example, if a government agency 
issues a procurement for law enforcement services, the requirement would 
be classified using one of the NAICS industry codes under 56161, 
Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services.
    18. NAICS code 541519--An Information Technology Value Added 
Reseller (ITVAR) provides a total solution to information technology 
acquisitions by providing multi-vendor hardware and software along with 
significant value added services. Significant value added services 
consist of, but are not limited to, configuration consulting and design, 
systems integration, installation of multi-vendor computer equipment, 
customization of hardware or software, training, product technical 
support, maintenance, and end user support. For purposes of Government 
procurement, an information technology procurement classified under this 
exception and 150-employee size standard must consist of at least 15% 
and not more than 50% of value added services, as measured by the total 
contract price. In addition, the offeror must comply with the 
manufacturing performance requirements, or comply with the non-
manufacturer rule by supplying the products of small business concerns, 
unless SBA has issued a class or contract specific waiver of the non-
manufacturer rule. If the contract consists of less than 15% of value 
added services, then it must be classified under a NAICS manufacturing 
industry. If the contract consists of more than 50% of value added 
services, then it must be classified under the NAICS industry that best 
describes the predominate service of the procurement.

[65 FR 30840, May 15, 2000]

    Editorial Notes: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec.  
121.201, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 
Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

       Size Eligibility Requirements For SBA Financial Assistance



Sec.  121.301  What size standards and affiliation principles 
are applicable to financial assistance programs?

    The Small Business Act defines a small business concern as one which 
is independently owned and operated, and which is not dominant in its 
field of operation. SBA interprets this statutory definition to require, 
in certain circumstances, the inclusion of other entities 
(``Affiliates'') owned by the applicant or an owner of the applicant in 
determining the size of the applicant.
    (a) For Business Loans (other than for 7(a) Business Loans for the 
period beginning May 5, 2009 and ending on September 30, 2010) and for 
Disaster Loans (other than physical disaster loans), an applicant 
business concern must satisfy two criteria:
    (1) The size of the applicant alone (without affiliates) must not 
exceed

[[Page 414]]

the size standard designated for the industry in which the applicant is 
primarily engaged; and
    (2) The size of the applicant combined with its affiliates must not 
exceed the size standard designated for either the primary industry of 
the applicant alone or the primary industry of the applicant and its 
affiliates, which ever is higher. These size standards are set forth in 
Sec.  121.201.
    (b) For Development Company programs and, for the period beginning 
May 5, 2009 and ending on September 30, 2010, for 7(a) Business Loans, 
an applicant must meet one of the following standards:
    (1) The same standards applicable under paragraph (a) of this 
section; or
    (2) Including its affiliates, tangible net worth not in excess of 
$8.5 million, and average net income after Federal income taxes 
(excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal 
years not in excess of $3.0 million. If the applicant is not required by 
law to pay Federal income taxes at the enterprise level, but is required 
to pass income through to its shareholders, partners, beneficiaries, or 
other equitable owners, the applicant's ``net income after Federal 
income taxes'' will be its net income reduced by an amount computed as 
follows:
    (i) If the applicant is not required by law to pay State (and local, 
if any) income taxes at the enterprise level, multiply its net income by 
the marginal State income tax rate (or by the combined State and local 
income tax rates, as applicable) that would have applied if it were a 
taxable corporation.
    (ii) Multiply the applicant's net income, less any deduction for 
State and local income taxes calculated under paragraph (b)(2)(i) of 
this section, by the marginal Federal income tax rate that would have 
applied if the applicant were a taxable corporation.
    (iii) Sum the results obtained in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and 
(b)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (c) For the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program, an 
applicant must meet one of the following standards:
    (1) The same standards applicable under paragraph (a) of this 
section; or
    (2) Including its affiliates, tangible net worth not in excess of 
$24 million, and average net income after Federal income taxes 
(excluding any carry-over losses) for the preceding two completed fiscal 
years not in excess of $8 million. If the applicant is not required by 
law to pay Federal income taxes at the enterprise level, but is required 
to pass income through to its shareholders, partners, beneficiaries, or 
other equitable owners, the applicant's ``net income after Federal 
income taxes'' will be its net income reduced by an amount computed as 
follows:
    (i) If the applicant is not required by law to pay State (and local, 
if any) income taxes at the enterprise level, multiply its net income by 
the marginal State income tax rate (or by the combined State and local 
income tax rates, as applicable) that would have applied if it were a 
taxable corporation.
    (ii) Multiply the applicant's net income, less any deduction for 
State and local income taxes calculated under paragraph (c)(2)(i) of 
this section, by the marginal Federal income tax rate that would have 
applied if the applicant were a taxable corporation.
    (iii) Add the results obtained in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and 
(c)(2)(ii) of this section.
    (d) For Surety Bond Guarantee assistance--a business concern, 
combined with its affiliates, must meet the size standard for the 
primary industry in which such business concern, combined with its 
affiliates, is engaged.
    (e) The applicable size standards for purposes of SBA's financial 
assistance programs, excluding the Surety Bond Guarantee assistance 
program, are increased by 25% whenever the applicant agrees to use all 
of the financial assistance within a labor surplus area. Labor surplus 
areas are listed monthly in the Department of Labor publication ``Area 
Trends in Employment and Unemployment.''
    (f) Affiliation. Any of the circumstances described below 
establishes affiliation for applicants of SBA's Business Loan, Disaster 
Loan, and Surety Bond Programs. For this rule, the Business Loan 
Programs consist of the 7(a) Loan Program (Direct and Guaranteed Loans), 
the Microloan Program,

[[Page 415]]

the Intermediary Lending Pilot Program, and the Development Company Loan 
Program (``504 Loan Program''). The Disaster Loan Programs consist of 
Physical Disaster Business Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, 
Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and Immediate 
Disaster Assistance Program loans. The following principles apply for 
the Business Loan, Disaster Loan, and Surety Bond Guarantee Programs:
    (1) Ownership. (i) When the Applicant owns more than 50 percent of 
another business, the Applicant and the other business are affiliated.
    (ii) When a business owns more than 50 percent of an Applicant, the 
business that owns the Applicant is affiliated with the Applicant. 
Additionally, if the business entity owner that owns more than 50 
percent of the Applicant also owns more than 50 percent of another 
business that operates in the same 3-digit NAICS subsector as the 
Applicant, then the business entity owner, the other business and the 
Applicant are all affiliated.
    (iii) When an individual owns more than 50 percent of the Applicant 
and the individual also owns more than 50 percent of another business 
entity that operates in the same 3-digit NAICS subsector as the 
Applicant, the Applicant and the individual owner's other business 
entity are affiliated.
    (iv) When the Applicant does not have an owner that owns more than 
50 percent of the Applicant, if an owner of 20 percent or more of the 
Applicant is a business that operates in the same 3-digit NAICS 
subsector as the Applicant, the Applicant and the owner are affiliated.
    (v) When the Applicant does not have an owner that owns more than 50 
percent of the Applicant, if an owner of 20 percent or more of the 
Applicant also owns more than 50 percent of another business entity that 
operates in the same 3-digit NAICS subsector as the Applicant, the 
Applicant and the owner's other business entity are affiliated.
    (vi) Ownership interests of spouses and minor children must be 
combined when determining amount of ownership interest.
    (vii) When determining the percentage of ownership that an 
individual owns in a business, SBA considers the pro rata ownership of 
entities. For example, John Smith, Jane Doe, and Jane Doe, Inc., each 
own an interest in the Applicant. Jane Doe owns 15 percent of the 
Applicant, and she also owns 100 percent of Jane Doe, Inc. Jane Doe, 
Inc. owns 50 percent of the Applicant. SBA considers Jane Doe to own 65 
percent of the Applicant.
    (2) Stock options, convertible securities, and agreements to merge. 
(i) For purposes of this subparagraph, SBA considers stock options, 
convertible securities, and agreements to merge (including agreements in 
principle) to have a present effect on the ownership of the entity. SBA 
treats such options, convertible securities, and agreements as though 
the rights granted have been exercised.
    (ii) Agreements to open or continue negotiations towards the 
possibility of a merger or a sale of stock at a later date are not 
considered ``agreements in principle'' and are thus not given present 
effect.
    (iii) Options, convertible securities, and agreements that are 
subject to conditions precedent which are incapable of fulfillment, 
speculative, conjectural, or unenforceable under state or Federal law, 
or where the probability of the transaction (or exercise of the rights) 
occurring is shown to be extremely remote, are not given present effect.
    (iv) SBA will not give present effect to individuals', concerns', or 
other entities' ability to divest all or part of their ownership 
interest to avoid a finding of affiliation.
    (3) Determining the concern's size. In determining the concern's 
size, SBA counts the receipts, employees (see Sec.  121.201), or the 
alternate size standard (if applicable) of the concern whose size is at 
issue and all of its domestic and foreign affiliates, regardless of 
whether the affiliates are organized for profit.
    (4) Exceptions to affiliation. For exceptions to affiliation, see 
Sec.  121.103(b).
    (g) For COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster (COVID EIDL) loans, an 
``affiliated business'' or ``affiliate'' is a business in which an 
eligible entity has an equity interest or right to profit distributions 
of not less than 50 percent, or in which an eligible entity has

[[Page 416]]

the contractual authority to control the direction of the business, 
provided that such affiliation shall be determined as of any 
arrangements or agreements in existence as of January 31, 2020. For 
exceptions to affiliation, see Sec.  121.103(b).

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 30648, June 7, 2001; 67 
FR 3056, Jan. 23, 2002; 69 FR 29204, May 21, 2004; 70 FR 69047, 69052, 
Nov. 14, 2005; 70 FR 72594, Dec. 6, 2005; 71 FR 62208, Oct. 24, 2006; 73 
FR 41254, July 18, 2008; 74 FR 20580, May 5, 2009; 74 FR 36110, July 22, 
2009; 75 FR 48550, Aug. 11, 2010; 79 FR 33669, June 12, 2014; 79 FR 
71296, Dec. 2, 2014; 81 FR 41428, June 27, 2016; 85 FR 7651, Feb. 10, 
2020; 85 FR 80588, Dec. 14, 2020; 86 FR 50218, Sept. 8, 2021; 87 FR 
69154, Nov. 17, 2022; 88 FR 21086, Apr. 10, 2023]



Sec.  121.302  When does SBA determine the size status of an applicant?

    (a) The size status of an applicant for SBA financial assistance is 
determined as of the date the application for financial assistance is 
accepted for processing by SBA, except for applications under the 
Preferred Lenders Program (PLP), the Disaster Loan program, the SBIC 
program, and the New Markets Venture Capital (NMCV) program.
    (b) For the Preferred Lenders Program, size is determined as of the 
date of approval of the loan by the Preferred Lender.
    (c) For disaster loan assistance (other than physical disaster 
loans), size status is determined as of the date the disaster commenced, 
as set forth in the Disaster Declaration. For pre-disaster mitigation 
loans, size status is determined as of the date SBA accepts a complete 
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Small Business Loan Application for processing. 
Refer to Sec.  123.408 of this chapter to find out what SBA considers to 
be a complete Pre-Disaster Mitigation Small Business Loan Application.
    (d) For financial assistance from an SBIC licensee or an NMVC 
company, size is determined as of the date a concern's application is 
accepted for processing by the SBIC or the NMVC company.
    (e) Changes in size after the applicable date when size is 
determined will not disqualify an applicant for assistance.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 48276, Sept. 3, 1999; 67 
FR 11880, Mar. 15, 2002; 67 FR 62337, Oct. 7, 2002; 69 FR 29204, May 21, 
2004; 70 FR 72594, Dec. 6, 2005; 73 FR 41254, July 18, 2008; 75 FR 
48550, Aug. 11, 2010; 79 FR 33669, June 12, 2014; 85 FR 7652, Feb. 10, 
2020; 85 FR 80589, Dec. 14, 2020]



Sec.  121.303  What size procedures are used by SBA before it makes 
a formal size determination?

    (a) A concern that submits an application for financial assistance 
is deemed to have certified that it is small under the applicable size 
standard. SBA may question the concern's status based on information 
supplied in the application or from any other source.
    (b) A small business investment company, a development company, a 
surety bond company, or a preferred lender may accept as true the size 
information provided by an applicant, unless credible evidence to the 
contrary is apparent.
    (c) Size is initially considered by the individual with final 
financial assistance authority. This is not a formal size determination. 
A formal determination may be requested prior to a denial of eligibility 
based on size.
    (d) An applicant may request a formal size determination when 
assistance has been denied for size ineligibility. Except for disaster 
loan eligibility, a request for a formal size determination must be made 
to the Government Contracting Area Director serving the area in which 
the headquarters of the applicant is located, regardless of the location 
of the parent company or affiliates. For disaster loan assistance, the 
request for a size determination must be made to the Area Director for 
the Disaster Area Office which denied the assistance.
    (e) There are no time limitations for making a formal size 
determination for purposes of financial assistance. The official making 
the formal size determination must provide a copy of the determination 
to the applicant, to the requesting SBA official, and to other 
interested SBA program officials.

[[Page 417]]



Sec.  121.304  What are the size requirements for refinancing 
an existing SBA loan?

    (a) A concern that applies to refinance an existing SBA loan or 
guarantee will be considered small for the refinancing even though its 
size has increased since the date of the original financing to exceed 
its applicable size standard, provided that:
    (1) The increase in size is due to natural growth (as distinguished 
from merger, acquisition or similar management action); and
    (2) SBA determines that refinancing is necessary to protect the 
Government's financial interest.
    (b) If a concern's size has increased other than by natural growth, 
the concern and its affiliates must be small at the time the application 
for refinancing is accepted for processing by SBA.



Sec.  121.305  What size eligibility requirements exist for obtaining 
financial assistance relating to particular procurements?

    A concern qualified as small for a particular procurement, including 
an 8(a) subcontract, is small for financial assistance directly and 
primarily relating to the performance of the particular procurement.

        Size Eligibility Requirements for Government Procurement



Sec.  121.401  What procurement programs are subject to size determinations?

    The rules set forth in Sec. Sec.  121.401 through 121.412 apply to 
all Federal procurement programs for which status as a small business is 
required or advantageous, including the small business set-aside 
program, SBA's Certificate of Competency program, SBA's 8(a) Business 
Development program, SBA's HUBZone program, the Women Owned Small 
Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program, SBA's Service-Disabled 
Veteran-Owned Small Business program, the Small Business Subcontracting 
program, and the Federal Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) program.

[75 FR 62280, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 88 FR 26200, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.402  What size standards are applicable to Federal Government 
Contracting programs?

    (a) A concern must not exceed the size standard for the NAICS code 
specified in the solicitation. The contracting officer must specify the 
size standard in effect on the date the solicitation is issued. If SBA 
amends the size standard and it becomes effective before the date 
initial offers (including price) are due, the contracting officer may 
amend the solicitation and use the new size standard.
    (b) The procuring agency contracting officer, or authorized 
representative, designates the proper NAICS code and corresponding size 
standard in a solicitation, selecting the single NAICS code which best 
describes the principal purpose of the product or service being 
acquired. Except for multiple award contracts as set forth in paragraph 
(c) of this section, every solicitation, including a request for 
quotations, must contain only one NAICS code and only one corresponding 
size standard.
    (1) Primary consideration is given to the industry descriptions in 
the U.S. NAICS Manual, the product or service description in the 
solicitation and any attachments to it, the relative value and 
importance of the components of the procurement making up the end item 
being procured, and the function of the goods or services being 
purchased.
    (2) A procurement is generally classified according to the component 
which accounts for the greatest percentage of contract value. 
Acquisitions for supplies must be classified under the appropriate 
manufacturing or supply NAICS code, not under a Wholesale Trade or 
Retail Trade NAICS code. A concern that submits an offer or quote for a 
contract, order, or subcontract where the NAICS code assigned to the 
contract, order, or subcontract is one for supplies, and furnishes a 
product it did not itself manufacture or produce, is categorized as a 
nonmanufacturer and deemed small if it has 500 or fewer employees and 
meets the requirements of Sec.  121.406(b).
    (c) Multiple Award Contracts (see definition at Sec.  125.1).
    (1) For a Multiple Award Contract, the contracting officer must:

[[Page 418]]

    (i) Assign the solicitation a single NAICS code and corresponding 
size standard which best describes the principal purpose of the 
acquisition as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, only if the 
NAICS code will also best describe the principal purpose of each order 
to be placed under the Multiple Award Contract; or
    (ii) Divide the solicitation into discrete categories (such as 
Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs), Special Item Numbers (SINs), 
Sectors, Functional Areas (FAs), or the equivalent), and assign each 
discrete category the single NAICS code and corresponding size standard 
that best describes the principal purpose of the goods or services to be 
acquired under that category (CLIN, SIN, Sector, FA or equivalent) as 
set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. A concern must meet the 
applicable size standard for each category (CLIN, SIN, Sector, FA or 
equivalent) for which it seeks an award as a small business concern.
    (2)(i) The contracting officer must assign a single NAICS code for 
each order issued against a Multiple Award Contract. The NAICS code 
assigned to an order must be a NAICS code included in the underlying 
Multiple Award Contract. When placing an order under a Multiple Award 
Contract with multiple NAICS codes, the contracting officer must assign 
the NAICS code and corresponding size standard that best describes the 
principal purpose of each order. In cases where an agency can issue an 
order against multiple SINs with different NAICS codes, the contracting 
officer must select the single NAICS code that best represents the 
acquisition. If the NAICS code corresponding to the principal purpose of 
the order is not contained in the underlying Multiple Award Contract, 
the contracting officer may not use the Multiple Award Contract to issue 
that order.
    (ii) With respect to an order issued against a multiple award 
contract, an agency will receive small business credit for goaling only 
if the business concern awarded the order has represented its status as 
small for the underlying multiple award contract for the same NAICS code 
as that assigned to the order, provided recertification has not been 
required or occurred for the contract or order.
    (d) The NAICS code assigned to a procurement and its corresponding 
size standard is final unless timely appealed to SBA's Office of 
Hearings and Appeals (OHA), or unless SBA assigns an NAICS code or size 
standard as provided in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (e) When a NAICS code designation or size standard in a solicitation 
is unclear, incomplete, missing, or prohibited, SBA may clarify, 
complete, or supply a NAICS code designation or size standard, as 
appropriate, in connection with a formal size determination or size 
appeal.
    (f) Any offeror or other interested party adversely affected by an 
NAICS code designation or size standard designation may appeal the 
designations to OHA under part 134 of this chapter.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000; 69 
FR 29205, May 21, 2004; 75 FR 61604, Oct. 6, 2010; 76 FR 5683, Feb. 2, 
2011; 76 FR 8252, Feb. 11, 2011; 78 FR 61130, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 34259, 
May 31, 2016; 85 FR 66180, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  121.403  Are SBA size determinations and NAICS code designations 
binding on parties?

    Formal size determinations and NAICS code designations made by 
authorized SBA officials are binding upon the parties. Opinions 
otherwise provided by SBA officials to contracting officers or others 
are advisory in nature, and are not binding or appealable.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000]



Sec.  121.404  When is the size status of a business concern determined?

    (a) Time of size. SBA determines the size status of a concern, 
including its affiliates, as of the date the concern submits a written 
self-certification that it is small to the procuring activity as part of 
its initial offer or response which includes price.
    (1) Multiple award contracts. With respect to Multiple Award 
Contracts, orders issued against a Multiple Award Contract, and Blanket 
Purchase Agreements issued against a Multiple Award Contract:
    (i) Single NAICS. If a single NAICS code is assigned as set forth in

[[Page 419]]

Sec.  121.402(c)(1)(i), SBA determines size status for the underlying 
Multiple Award Contract at the time of initial offer (or other formal 
response to a solicitation), which includes price, based upon the size 
standard set forth in the solicitation for the Multiple Award Contract, 
unless the concern was required to recertify under paragraph (g)(1), 
(2), or (3) of this section.
    (A) Unrestricted Multiple Award Contracts. For an unrestricted 
Multiple Award Contract, if a business concern (including a joint 
venture) is small at the time of offer and contract-level 
recertification for the Multiple Award Contract, it is small for goaling 
purposes for each order issued against the contract, unless a 
contracting officer requests a size recertification for a specific order 
or Blanket Purchase Agreement. Except for orders and Blanket Purchase 
Agreements issued under any Federal Supply Schedule contract, if an 
order or a Blanket Purchase Agreement under an unrestricted Multiple 
Award Contract is set-aside exclusively for small business (i.e., small 
business set-aside, 8(a) small business, service-disabled veteran-owned 
small business, HUBZone small business, or women-owned small business), 
a concern must recertify its size status and qualify as a small business 
at the time it submits its initial offer, which includes price, for the 
particular order or Blanket Purchase Agreement. However, where the 
underlying Multiple Award Contract has been awarded to a pool of 
concerns for which small business status is required, if an order or a 
Blanket Purchase Agreement under that Multiple Award Contract is set-
aside exclusively for concerns in the small business pool, concerns need 
not recertify their status as small business concerns (unless a 
contracting officer requests size certifications with respect to a 
specific order or Blanket Purchase Agreement).
    (B) Set-aside Multiple Award Contracts. Except as set forth in Sec.  
124.503(i)(1)(iv) for sole source 8(a) orders, for a Multiple Award 
Contract that is set aside or reserved for small business (i.e., small 
business set-aside, 8(a) small business, service-disabled veteran-owned 
small business, HUBZone small business, or women-owned small business), 
if a business concern (including a joint venture) is small at the time 
of offer and contract-level recertification for the Multiple Award 
Contract, it is small for each order or Blanket Purchase Agreement 
issued against the contract, unless a contracting officer requests a 
size recertification for a specific order or Blanket Purchase Agreement.
    (ii) Multiple NAICS. If multiple NAICS codes are assigned as set 
forth in Sec.  121.402(c)(1)(ii), SBA determines size status at the time 
a business concern submits its initial offer (or other formal response 
to a solicitation) which includes price for a Multiple Award Contract 
based upon the size standard set forth for each discrete category (e.g., 
CLIN, SIN, Sector, FA or equivalent) for which the business concern 
submits an offer and represents that it qualifies as small for the 
Multiple Award Contract, unless the business concern was required to 
recertify under paragraph (g)(1), (2), or (3) of this section. If the 
business concern (including a joint venture) submits an offer for the 
entire Multiple Award Contract, SBA will determine whether it meets the 
size standard for each discrete category (CLIN, SIN, Sector, FA or 
equivalent).
    (A) Unrestricted Multiple Award Contracts. For an unrestricted 
Multiple Award Contract, if a business concern (including a joint 
venture) is small at the time of offer and contract-level 
recertification for discrete categories on the Multiple Award Contract, 
it is small for goaling purposes for each order issued against any of 
those categories, unless a contracting officer requests a size 
recertification for a specific order or Blanket Purchase Agreement. 
Except for orders or Blanket Purchase Agreements issued under any 
Federal Supply Schedule contract, if an order or Blanket Purchase 
Agreement for a discrete category under an unrestricted Multiple Award 
Contract is set-aside exclusively for small business (i.e., small 
business set, 8(a) small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small 
business, HUBZone small business, or women-owned small business), a 
concern must recertify its size status and qualify as a small business 
at the time it submits its initial offer,

[[Page 420]]

which includes price, for the particular order or Agreement. However, 
where the underlying Multiple Award Contract for discrete categories has 
been awarded to a pool of concerns for which small business status is 
required, if an order or a Blanket Purchase Agreement under that 
Multiple Award Contract is set-aside exclusively for concerns in the 
small business pool, concerns need not recertify their status as small 
business concerns (unless a contracting officer requests size 
certifications with respect to a specific order or Blanket Purchase 
Agreement).
    (B) Set-aside Multiple Award Contracts. Except as set forth in Sec.  
124.503(i)(1)(iv) for sole source 8(a) orders, for a Multiple Award 
Contract that is set aside or reserved for small business (i.e., small 
business set-aside, 8(a) small business, service-disabled veteran-owned 
small business, HUBZone small business, or women-owned small business), 
if a business concern (including a joint venture) is small at the time 
of offer and contract-level recertification for discrete categories on 
the Multiple Award Contract, it is small for each order or Agreement 
issued against any of those categories, unless a contracting officer 
requests a size recertification for a specific order or Blanket 
Purchase.
    (iii) SBA will determine size at the time of initial offer (or other 
formal response to a solicitation), which includes price, for an order 
or Agreement issued against a Multiple Award Contract if the contracting 
officer requests a new size certification for the order or Agreement.
    (iv) For a Multiple Award Contract, where concerns are not required 
to submit price as part of the offer for the contract, size for the 
contract will be determined as of the date of initial offer, which may 
not include price. Size for set-aside orders will be determined in 
accordance with subparagraphs (i)(A), (i)(B), (ii)(A), or (ii)(B), as 
appropriate.
    (2) Agreements. With respect to ``Agreements'' including Blanket 
Purchase Agreements (BPAs) (except for BPAs issued against a GSA 
Schedule Contract), Basic Agreements, Basic Ordering Agreements, or any 
other Agreement that a contracting officer sets aside or reserves awards 
to any type of small business, a concern must qualify as small at the 
time of its initial offer (or other formal response to a solicitation), 
which includes price, for the Agreement. Because an Agreement is not a 
contract, the concern must also qualify as small for each order issued 
pursuant to the Agreement in order to be considered small for the order 
and for an agency to receive small business goaling credit for the 
order.
    (b) Eligibility for SBA programs. A concern applying to be certified 
as a Participant in SBA's 8(a) Business Development program (under part 
124, subpart A, of this chapter), as a HUBZone small business (under 
part 126 of this chapter), or as a women-owned small business concern 
(under part 127 of this chapter) must qualify as a small business for 
its primary industry classification as of the date of its application 
and, where applicable, the date the SBA program office requests a formal 
size determination in connection with a concern that otherwise appears 
eligible for program certification.
    (c) Certificates of competency. The size status of an applicant for 
a Certificate of Competency (COC) relating to an unrestricted 
procurement is determined as of the date of the concern's application 
for the COC.
    (d) Nonmanufacturer rule, ostensible subcontractor rule, and joint 
venture agreements. Compliance with the nonmanufacturer rule set forth 
in Sec.  121.406(b)(1), the ostensible subcontractor rule set forth in 
Sec.  121.103(h)(3), and the joint venture agreement requirements in 
Sec.  124.513(c) and (d), Sec.  125.8(b) and (c), Sec.  128.402(c) and 
(d), Sec.  126.616(c) and (d), or Sec.  127.506(c) and (d) of this 
chapter, as appropriate, is determined as of the date of the final 
proposal revision for negotiated acquisitions and final bid for sealed 
bidding.
    (e) Subcontracting. For subcontracting purposes, a concern must 
qualify as small as of the date that it certifies that it is small for 
the subcontract. The applicable size standard is that which is set forth 
in Sec.  121.410 and which is in effect at the time the concern self-
certifies that it is small for the subcontract. A prime contractor may 
rely on the self-certification of

[[Page 421]]

subcontractor provided it does not have a reason to doubt the concern's 
self-certification.
    (f) Two-step procurements. For purposes of architect-engineering, 
design/build or two-step sealed bidding procurements, a concern must 
qualify as small as of the date that it certifies that it is small as 
part of its initial bid or proposal (which may or may not include 
price).
    (g) Effect of size certification and recertification. A concern that 
represents itself as a small business and qualifies as small at the time 
it submits its initial offer (or other formal response to a 
solicitation) which includes price is generally considered to be a small 
business throughout the life of that contract. Similarly, a concern that 
represents itself as a small business and qualifies as small after a 
required recertification under paragraph (g)(1), (2), or (3) of this 
section is generally considered to be a small business throughout the 
life of that contract. Where a concern grows to be other than small, the 
procuring agency may exercise options and still count the award as an 
award to a small business, except that a required recertification as 
other than small under paragraph (g)(1), (2), or (3) of this section 
changes the firm's status for future options and orders. The following 
exceptions apply to this paragraph (g):
    (1) Within 30 days of an approved contract novation, a contractor 
must recertify its small business size status to the procuring agency, 
or inform the procuring agency that it is other than small. If the 
contractor is other than small, the agency can no longer count the 
options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, from that point 
forward, towards its small business goals.
    (2)(i) In the case of a merger, acquisition, or sale which results 
in a change in controlling interest under Sec.  121.103, where contract 
novation is not required, the contractor must, within 30 days of the 
transaction becoming final, recertify its small business size status to 
the procuring agency, or inform the procuring agency that it is other 
than small. If the contractor is other than small, the agency can no 
longer count the options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, from 
that point forward, towards its small business goals. The agency and the 
contractor must immediately revise all applicable Federal contract 
databases to reflect the new size status.
    (ii) Recertification is required:
    (A) When a concern, or an affiliate of the concern, acquires or is 
acquired by another concern;
    (B) From both the acquired concern and the acquiring concern if each 
has been awarded a contract as a small business; and
    (C) In the context of a joint venture that has been awarded a 
contract or order as a small business, from any partner to the joint 
venture that has been acquired, is acquiring, or has merged with another 
business entity.
    (iii) If the merger, sale or acquisition occurs after offer but 
prior to award, the offeror must recertify its size to the contracting 
officer prior to award. If the merger, sale or acquisition (including 
agreements in principle) occurs within 180 days of the date of an offer 
relating to the award of a contract, order or agreement and the offeror 
is unable to recertify as small, it will not be eligible as a small 
business to receive the award of the contract, order or agreement. If 
the merger, sale or acquisition (including agreements in principal) 
occurs more than 180 days after the date of an offer, award can be made, 
but it will not count as an award to small business.
    (iv) Recertification is not required when the ownership of a concern 
that is at least 51% owned by an entity (i.e., tribe, Alaska Native 
Corporation, or Community Development Corporation) changes to or from a 
wholly-owned business concern of the same entity, as long as the 
ultimate owner remains that entity.

    Example 1 to paragraph (g)(2)(iii).  Indian Tribe X owns 100% of 
small business ABC. ABC wins an award for a small business set-aside 
contract. In year two of contract performance, X changes the ownership 
of ABC so that X owns 100% of a holding company XYZ, Inc., which in turn 
owns 100% of ABC. This restructuring does not require ABC to recertify 
its status as a small business because it continues to be 100% owned 
(indirectly rather than directly) by Indian Tribe X.

    (3) For the purposes of contracts (including Multiple Award 
Contracts)

[[Page 422]]

with durations of more than five years (including options), a 
contracting officer must request that a business concern recertify its 
small business size status no more than 120 days prior to the end of the 
fifth year of the contract, and no more than 120 days prior to 
exercising any option thereafter. If the contractor certifies that it is 
other than small, the agency can no longer count the options or orders 
issued pursuant to the contract towards its small business prime 
contracting goals. A contracting officer may also request size 
recertification, as he or she deems appropriate, prior to the 120-day 
point in the fifth year of a long-term multiple award contract. The 
agency and the contractor must immediately revise all applicable Federal 
contract databases to reflect the new size status.
    (i) A business concern that certified itself as other than small, 
either initially or prior to an option being exercised, may recertify 
itself as small for a subsequent option period if it meets the 
applicable size standard.
    (ii) Re-certification does not change the terms and conditions of 
the contract. The limitations on subcontracting, non-manufacturer and 
subcontracting plan requirements in effect at the time of contract award 
remain in effect throughout the life of the contract. However, a 
contracting officer may require a subcontracting plan if a prime 
contractor's size status changes from small to other than small as a 
result of a size recertification.
    (iii) A request for a size re-certification shall include the size 
standard in effect at the time of re-certification that corresponds to 
the NAICS code that that was initially assigned to the contract.
    (iv) A contracting officer must assign a NAICS code and size 
standard to each order under a long-term contract. The NAICS code and 
size standard assigned to an order must correspond to a NAICS code and 
size standard assigned to the underlying long-term contract and must be 
assigned in accordance with Sec. Sec.  121.402(b) and (c). A concern 
will be considered small for that order only if it certified itself as 
small under the same or lower size standard.
    (v) Where the contracting officer explicitly requires concerns to 
recertify their size status in response to a solicitation for an order, 
SBA will determine size as of the date the concern submits its self-
representation as part of its response to the solicitation for the 
order.
    (4) The requirements in paragraphs (g)(1), (2), and (3) of this 
section apply to Multiple Award Contracts. However, if the Multiple 
Award Contract was set-aside for small businesses, partially set-aside 
for small businesses, or reserved for small business, then in the case 
of a contract novation, or merger or acquisition where no novation is 
required, where the resulting contractor is now other than small, the 
agency cannot count any new or pending orders issued pursuant to the 
contract, from that point forward, towards its small business goals. 
This includes set-asides, partial set-asides, and reserves for 8(a) BD 
Participants, certified HUBZone small business concerns, SDVO SBCs, and 
ED/WOSBs.
    (5) If during contract performance a subcontractor that is not a 
similarly situated entity performs primary and vital requirements of a 
contract, the contractor and its ostensible subcontractor will be 
treated as joint venturers. See Sec.  121.103(h)(3).
    (6) Where a joint venture must recertify its small business size 
status under paragraph (g), the joint venture can recertify as small 
where all parties to the joint venture qualify as small at the time of 
recertification, or the prot[eacute]g[eacute] small business in a still 
active mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] joint venture qualifies as small at 
the time of recertification. A joint venture can recertify as small even 
though the date of recertification occurs more than two years after the 
joint venture received its first contract award (i.e., recertification 
is not considered a new contract award under Sec.  121.103(h)).
    (h) Follow-on contracts. A follow-on or renewal contract is a new 
contracting action. As such, size is determined as of the date the 
concern submits a written self-certification that it is small to

[[Page 423]]

the procuring agency as part of its initial offer including price for 
the follow-on or renewal contract.

[69 FR 29205, May 21, 2004, as amended at 71 FR 19813, Apr. 18, 2006; 71 
FR 66443, Nov. 15, 2006; 76 FR 5683, Feb. 2, 2011; 76 FR 8252, Feb. 11, 
2011; 78 FR 42403, July 16, 2013; 78 FR 38817, June 28, 2013; 78 FR 
61131, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 34259, May 31, 2016; 81 FR 48578, July 25, 
2016; 83 FR 12851, Mar. 26, 2018; 84 FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019; 84 FR 
65661, Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 66180, Oct. 16, 2020; 85 FR 72917, Nov. 16, 
2020; 86 FR 2959, Jan. 14, 2021; 86 FR 10732, Feb. 23, 2021; 86 FR 
38538, July 22, 2021; 87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022; 88 FR 26200, Apr. 27, 
2023]



Sec.  121.405  May a business concern self-certify its small 
business size status?

    (a) A concern must self-certify it is small under the size standard 
specified in the solicitation, or as clarified, completed or supplied by 
SBA pursuant to Sec.  121.402(d).
    (b) A contracting officer may accept a concern's self-certification 
as true for the particular procurement involved in the absence of a 
written protest by other offerors or other credible information which 
causes the contracting officer or SBA to question the size of the 
concern.
    (c) Procedures for protesting the self-certification of an offeror 
are set forth in Sec. Sec.  121.1001 through 121.1009.



Sec.  121.406  How does a small business concern qualify to provide 
manufactured products or other supply items under a small business set-aside, 
service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone, WOSB or EDWOSB, 
or 8(a) contract?

    (a) General. In order to qualify as a small business concern for a 
small business set-aside, service-disabled veteran-owned small business 
set-aside or sole source contract, HUBZone set-aside or sole source 
contract, WOSB or EDWOSB set-aside or sole source contract, 8(a) set-
aside or sole source contract, partial set-aside, or set aside of an 
order against a multiple award contract to provide manufactured products 
or other supply items, an offeror must either:
    (1) Be the manufacturer or producer of the end item being procured 
(and the end item must be manufactured or produced in the United 
States); or
    (2) Comply with the requirements of paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of 
this section as a nonmanufacturer, a kit assembler or a supplier under 
Simplified Acquisition Procedures.
    (b) Nonmanufacturers. (1) A firm may qualify as a small business 
concern for a requirement to provide manufactured products or other 
supply items as a nonmanufacturer if it:
    (i) Does not exceed 500 employees (or 150 employees for the 
Information Technology Value Added Reseller exception to NAICS Code 
541519, which is found at Sec.  121.201, footnote 18);
    (ii) Is primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale trade and 
normally sells the type of item being supplied;
    (iii) Takes ownership or possession of the item(s) with its 
personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry 
practice; and
    (iv) Will supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, 
processor or producer made in the United States, or obtains a waiver of 
such requirement pursuant to paragraph (b)(5) of this section.
    (2) For size purposes, there can be only one manufacturer of the end 
item being acquired. The manufacturer is the concern which, with its own 
facilities, performs the primary activities in transforming inorganic or 
organic substances, including the assembly of parts and components, into 
the end item being acquired. The end item must possess characteristics 
which, as a result of mechanical, chemical or human action, it did not 
possess before the original substances, parts or components were 
assembled or transformed. The end item may be finished and ready for 
utilization or consumption, or it may be semifinished as a raw material 
to be used in further manufacturing. Firms which perform only minimal 
operations upon the item being procured do not qualify as manufacturers 
of the end item. Firms that add substances, parts, or components to an 
existing end item to modify its performance will not be considered the 
end item manufacturer where those identical modifications can be 
performed by and are available from the manufacturer of the existing end 
item:

[[Page 424]]

    (i) SBA will evaluate the following factors in determining whether a 
concern is the manufacturer of the end item:
    (A) The proportion of total value in the end item added by the 
efforts of the concern, excluding costs of overhead, testing, quality 
control, and profit;
    (B) The importance of the elements added by the concern to the 
function of the end item, regardless of their relative value; and
    (C) The concern's technical capabilities; plant, facilities and 
equipment; production or assembly line processes; packaging and boxing 
operations; labeling of products; and product warranties.
    (ii) Firms that provide computer and other information technology 
equipment primarily consisting of component parts (such as motherboards, 
video cards, network cards, memory, power supplies, storage devices, and 
similar items) who install components totaling less than 50% of the 
value of the end item are generally not considered the manufacturer of 
the end item.
    (3) The nonmanufacturer rule applies only to procurements that have 
been assigned a manufacturing or supply NAICS code, or the Information 
Technology Value Added Resellers (ITVAR) exception to NAICS code 541519. 
The nonmanufacturer rule does not apply to contracts that have been 
assigned a service (except for the ITVAR exception to NAICS code 
541519), construction, or specialty trade construction NAICS code.
    (4) The nonmanufacturer rule applies only to the supply component of 
a requirement classified as a manufacturing, supply, or ITVAR contract. 
If a requirement is classified as a service contract, but also has a 
supply component, the nonmanufacturer rule does not apply to the supply 
component of the requirement. The rental of an item(s) is a service and 
should be treated as such in the application of the nonmanufacturer rule 
and the limitation on subcontracting.

    Example 1 to paragraph (b)(4). A procuring agency seeks to acquire 
computer integration and maintenance services. Included within that 
requirement, the agency also seeks to acquire some computer hardware. If 
the procuring agency determines that the principal nature of the 
procurement is services and classifies the procurement as a services 
procurement, the nonmanufacturer rule does not apply to the computer 
hardware portion of the requirement. This means that while a contractor 
must meet the applicable performance of work requirement set forth in 
Sec.  125.6 for the services portion of the contract, the contractor 
does not have to supply the computer hardware of a small business 
manufacturer.
    Example 2 to paragraph (b)(4). A procuring agency seeks to acquire 
computer hardware, as well as computer integration and maintenance 
services. If the procuring agency determines that the principal nature 
of the procurement is for supplies and classifies the procurement as a 
supply procurement, the nonmanufacturer rule applies to the computer 
hardware portion of the requirement. A firm seeking to qualify as a 
small business nonmanufacturer must supply the computer hardware 
manufactured by a small business. Because the requirement is classified 
as a supply contract, the contractor does not have to meet the 
performance of work requirement set forth in Sec.  125.6 for the 
services portion of the contract.

    (5) The Administrator or designee may waive the requirement set 
forth in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section under the following two 
circumstances:
    (i) The contracting officer has determined that no small business 
manufacturer or processor reasonably can be expected to offer a product 
meeting the specifications (including period for performance) required 
by a particular solicitation and SBA reviews and accepts that 
determination; or
    (ii) SBA determines that no small business manufacturer or processor 
of the product or class of products is available to participate in the 
Federal procurement market.
    (6) The two waiver possibilities identified in paragraph (b)(5) of 
this section are called ``individual'' and ``class'' waivers 
respectively, and the procedures for requesting and granting them are 
contained in Sec.  121.1204.
    (7) SBA's waiver of the nonmanufacturer rule means that the firm can 
supply the product of any size business without regard to the place of 
manufacture. However, SBA's waiver of the nonmanufacturer rule has no 
effect on requirements external to the Small Business Act which involve 
domestic sources of supply, such as the Buy American Act or the Trade 
Agreements Act.

[[Page 425]]

    (c) The limitations on subcontracting (performance of work) 
requirements, the ostensible subcontracting rule, and the 
nonmanufacturer rule do not apply to small business set-aside 
acquisitions with an estimated value between the micro-purchase 
threshold and the simplified acquisition threshold (as both terms are 
defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101).
    (d) Multiple item acquisitions. (1) If at least 50% of the estimated 
contract value is composed of items that are manufactured by small 
business concerns, then a waiver of the nonmanufacturer rule is not 
required. There is no requirement that each and every item acquired in a 
multiple-item procurement be manufactured by a small business.
    (2) If more than 50% of the estimated contract value is composed of 
items manufactured by other than small concerns, then a waiver is 
required. SBA may grant a contract specific waiver for one or more items 
in order to ensure that at least 50% of the value of the products to be 
supplied by the nonmanufacturer comes from domestic small business 
manufacturers or are subject to a waiver.
    (3) If a small business is both a manufacturer of item(s) and a 
nonmanufacturer of other item(s), the manufacturer size standard should 
be applied.
    (e) These requirements do not apply to small business concern 
subcontractors.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996; 61 FR 7986, Mar. 1, 1996, as amended at 65 
FR 30863, May 15, 2000; 69 FR 29205, May 21, 2004; 76 FR 8252, Feb. 11, 
2011; 78 FR 61132, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 4469, Jan. 26, 2016; 81 FR 34259, 
May 31, 2016; 81 FR 48579, July 25, 2016; 83 FR 12851, Mar. 26, 2018; 84 
FR 65661, Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 66182, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26201, Apr. 
27, 2023]



Sec.  121.407  What are the size procedures for multiple item procurements?

    If a procurement calls for two or more specific end items or types 
of services with different size standards and the offeror may submit an 
offer on any or all end items or types of services, the offeror must 
meet the size standard for each end item or service item for which it 
submits an offer. If the procurement calls for more than one specific 
end item or type of service and an offeror is required to submit an 
offer on all items, the offeror may qualify as a small business for the 
procurement if it meets the size standard of the item which accounts for 
the greatest percentage of the total contract value.



Sec.  121.408  What are the size procedures for SBA's 
Certificate of Competency Program?

    (a) A firm which applies for a COC must file an ``Application for 
Small Business Size Determination'' (SBA Form 355). If the initial 
review of SBA Form 355 indicates the applicant, including its 
affiliates, is small for purposes of the COC program, SBA will process 
the application for COC. If the review indicates the applicant, 
including its affiliates is other than small SBA will initiate a formal 
size determination as set forth in Sec.  121.1001(b)(3)(ii). In such a 
case, SBA will not further process the COC application until a formal 
size determination is made.
    (b) A concern is ineligible for a COC if a formal SBA size 
determination finds the concern other than small.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 34259, May 31, 2016]



Sec.  121.409  What size standard applies in an unrestricted procurement 
for Certificate of Competency purposes?

    For the purpose of receiving a Certificate of Competency in an 
unrestricted procurement, the applicable size standard is that 
corresponding to the NAICS code set forth in the solicitation. The 
offeror need not be the manufacturer of any of the items acquired.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000; 81 
FR 34259, May 31, 2016]



Sec.  121.410  What are the size standards for SBA's Section 8(d) 
Subcontracting Program?

    For subcontracting purposes pursuant to sections 8(d) of the Small 
Business Act, a concern is small for subcontracts which relate to 
Government procurements if it does not exceed the size standard for the 
NAICS code that

[[Page 426]]

the prime contractor believes best describes the product or service 
being acquired by the subcontract. However, subcontracts for engineering 
services awarded under the National Energy Policy Act of 1992 have the 
same size standard as Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military 
Weapons under NAICS code 541330.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000; 69 
FR 29205, May 21, 2004; 74 FR 46313, Sept. 9, 2009]



Sec.  121.411  What are the size procedures for SBA's Section 8(d) 
Subcontracting Program?

    (a) Prime contractors may rely on the information contained in the 
System for Award Management (SAM) (or any successor system or equivalent 
database maintained or sanctioned by SBA) as an accurate representation 
of a concern's size and ownership characteristics for purposes of 
maintaining a small business source list.
    (b) Even if a concern is on a small business source list, it must 
still qualify and self-certify as a small business at the time it 
submits its offer as a section 8(d) subcontractor. Prime contractors (or 
subcontractors) may accept paper self-certifications as to size and 
socioeconomic status or a subcontractor's electronic self-certification 
as to size or socioeconomic status, if the solicitation for the 
subcontract contains a clause which provides that the subcontractor 
verifies by submission of the offer that the size or socioeconomic 
representations and certifications are accurate and complete. Electronic 
submission may include any method acceptable to the prime contractor (or 
subcontractor) including, but not limited to, size representations and 
certifications made in SAM (or any successor system) and electronic 
conveyance of subcontractor certifications in prime contractor systems 
in connection with an offer for a subcontract. Prime contractors or 
subcontractors may not require the use of SAM (or any successor system) 
for purposes of representing size or socioeconomic status in connection 
with a subcontract.
    (c) Upon determination of the successful subcontract offeror for a 
competitive subcontract over the simplified acquisition threshold, but 
prior to award, the prime contractor must inform each unsuccessful 
subcontract offeror in writing of the name and location of the apparent 
successful offeror.
    (d) The self-certification of a concern subcontracting or proposing 
to subcontract under section 8(d) of the Small Business Act may be 
protested by the contracting officer, the prime contractor, the 
appropriate SBA official or any other interested party.
    (e) Presumption of Loss Based on the Total Amount Expended. In every 
contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and 
development agreement, or grant which is set aside, reserved, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to small business concerns, 
there shall be a presumption of loss to the United States based on the 
total amount expended on the contract, subcontract, cooperative 
agreement, cooperative research and development agreement, or grant 
whenever it is established that a business concern other than a small 
business concern willfully sought and received the award by 
misrepresentation.
    (f) Deemed Certifications. The following actions shall be deemed 
affirmative, willful and intentional certifications of small business 
size and status:
    (1) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, or 
cooperative research and development agreement reserved, set aside, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to small business concerns.
    (2) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement or 
cooperative research and development agreement which in any way 
encourages a Federal agency to classify the bid or proposal, if awarded, 
as an award to a small business concern.
    (3) Registration on any Federal electronic database for the purpose 
of being considered for award of a Federal grant, contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, or cooperative research and development 
agreement, as a small business concern.

[[Page 427]]

    (g) Signature Requirement. Each offer, proposal, bid, or application 
for a Federal contract, subcontract, or grant shall contain a 
certification concerning the small business size and status of a 
business concern seeking the Federal contract, subcontract or grant. An 
authorized official must sign the certification on the same page 
containing the size status claimed by the concern.
    (h) Limitation of Liability. Paragraphs (d) through (f) of this 
section may be determined not to apply in the case of unintentional 
errors, technical malfunctions, and other similar situations that 
demonstrate that a misrepresentation of size was not affirmative, 
intentional, willful or actionable under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 
Sec. Sec.  3729, et seq. A prime contractor acting in good faith should 
not be held liable for misrepresentations made by its subcontractors 
regarding the subcontractors' size. Relevant factors to consider in 
making this determination may include the firm's internal management 
procedures governing size representation or certification, the clarity 
or ambiguity of the representation or certification requirement, and the 
efforts made to correct an incorrect or invalid representation or 
certification in a timely manner. An individual or firm may not be held 
liable where government personnel have erroneously identified a concern 
as small without any representation or certification having been made by 
the concern and where such identification is made without the knowledge 
of the individual or firm.
    (i) Penalties for Misrepresentation. (1) Suspension or debarment. 
The SBA suspension and debarment official or the agency suspension and 
debarment official may suspend or debar a person or concern for 
misrepresenting a firm's size status pursuant to the procedures set 
forth in 48 CFR subpart 9.4.
    (2) Civil Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733, the Program 
Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812 and any other applicable 
laws or regulations, including 13 CFR part 142.
    (3) Criminal Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
criminal penalties for knowingly misrepresenting the small business size 
status of a concern in connection with procurement programs pursuant to 
section 16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d), as amended, 
18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 287, and any other applicable laws. Persons or 
concerns are subject to criminal penalties for knowingly making false 
statements or misrepresentations to SBA for the purpose of influencing 
any actions of SBA pursuant to section 16(a) of the Small Business Act, 
15 U.S.C. 645(a), as amended, including failure to correct ``continuing 
representations'' that are no longer true.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 29205, May 21, 2004; 78 
FR 42403, July 16, 2013; 78 FR 38817, June 28, 2013; 79 FR 29661, May 
23, 2014; 81 FR 31491, May 19, 2016; 81 FR 94250, Dec. 23, 2016; 88 FR 
26201, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.412  What are the size procedures for partial 
small business set-asides?

    A firm is required to meet size standard requirements only for the 
small business set-aside portion of a procurement, and is not required 
to qualify as a small business for the unrestricted portion.

 Size Eligibility Requirements for Sales or Lease of Government Property



Sec.  121.501  What programs for sales or leases of Government property 
are subject to size determinations?

    Sections 121.501 through 121.512 apply to small business size 
determinations for the purpose of the sale or lease of Government 
property, including the Timber Sales Program, the Special Salvage Timber 
Sales Program, and the sale of Government petroleum, coal and uranium.



Sec.  121.502  What size standards are applicable to programs for sales 
or leases of Government property?

    (a) Unless otherwise specified in this part--
    (1) A concern primarily engaged in manufacturing is small for sales 
or leases of Government property if it does not exceed 500 employees;
    (2) A concern not primarily engaged in manufacturing is small for 
sales or leases of Government property if it has

[[Page 428]]

annual receipts not exceeding $9 million.
    (b) Size status for such sales and leases is determined by the 
primary industry of the applicant business concern.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 3056, Jan. 23, 2002; 70 
FR 72594, Dec. 6, 2005; 73 FR 41254, July 18, 2008; 79 FR 33669, June 
12, 2014; 84 FR 34281, July 18, 2019; 87 FR 69154, Nov. 17, 2022]



Sec.  121.503  Are SBA size determinations binding on parties?

    Formal size determinations based upon a specific Government sale or 
lease, or made in response to a request from another Government agency 
under Sec.  121.901, are binding upon the parties. Other SBA opinions 
provided to contracting officers or others are only advisory, and are 
not binding or appealable.



Sec.  121.504  When does SBA determine the size status of a business concern?

    SBA determines the size status of a concern (including its 
affiliates) as of the date the concern submits a written self-
certification that it is small to the Government as part of its initial 
offer including price where there is a specific sale or lease at issue, 
or as set forth in Sec.  121.903 if made in response to a request of 
another Government agency.



Sec.  121.505  What is the effect of a self-certification?

    (a) A contracting officer may accept a concern's self-certification 
as true for the particular sale or lease involved, in the absence of a 
written protest by other offerors or other credible information which 
would cause the contracting officer or SBA to question the size of the 
concern.
    (b) Procedures for protesting the self-certification of an offeror 
are set forth in Sec. Sec.  121.1001 through 121.1009.



Sec.  121.506  What definitions are important for sales or leases 
of Government-owned timber?

    (a) Computation of Market Share means the small business share, 
expressed as a percentage for a market area, based on the purchase by 
small business over the preceding 5-year period. The computation is done 
every five years.
    (b) Forest product industry means logging, wood preserving, and the 
manufacture of lumber and wood related products such as veneer, plywood, 
hardboard, particle board, or wood pulp, and of products of which lumber 
or wood related products are the principal raw materials.
    (c) Integrated Resource Timber Contracts means contracts that 
combine product removal and service work when the value of included 
timber exceeds the value of services.
    (d) Logging of timber means felling and bucking, yarding, and/or 
loading. It does not mean hauling.
    (e) Manufacture of logs means, at a minimum, breaking down logs into 
rough cuts of the finished product.
    (f) Sell means, in addition to its usual and customary meaning, the 
exchange of sawlogs for sawlogs on a product-for-product basis with or 
without monetary adjustment, and an indirect transfer, such as the sale 
of the assets of a concern after it has been awarded one or more set-
aside sales of timber.
    (g) Significant logging of timber means that a concern uses its own 
employees to perform at least two of the following: felling and bucking, 
yarding, and loading.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 26201, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.507  What are the size standards and other requirements for 
the purchase of Government-owned timber (other than Special Salvage Timber)?

    (a) To be small for purposes of the sale of Government-owned timber 
(other than Special Salvage Timber) a concern must:
    (1) Be primarily engaged in the logging or forest products industry;
    (2) Not exceed 500 employees, taking into account its affiliates; 
and
    (3) If it does not intend at the time of the offer to resell the 
timber--
    (i) Agree that it will manufacture the logs with its own facilities 
or those of another business which meets the requirements of paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section;

[[Page 429]]

    (ii) Agree that if it eventually resells the timber, it will resell 
no more than 30% of the sawtimber volume to other businesses which do 
not meet the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
section; and
    (iii) Agree that if it becomes acquired or controlled by a business 
which does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this section, it will require as a condition of the acquisition or 
change of control that the acquiring or controlling business resell at 
least 70% of the sawtimber volume to businesses which do meet the 
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section; or
    (4) If it intends at the time of offer to resell the timber--
    (i) Agree that it will not sell more than 30% of such timber (50% of 
such timber if the concern is an Alaskan business) to a business which 
does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
section; and
    (ii) Agree that if it becomes acquired or controlled by a business 
which does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this section, it will require as a condition of the acquisition or 
change of control that the acquiring or controlling business resell at 
least 70% of the sawtimber volume (or at least 50% of the sawtimber 
volume, if it is an Alaskan business) to businesses which meet the 
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.
    (b) For a period of three years following the date upon which a 
concern purchases timber under a small business set-aside (other than 
through the Special Salvage Timber Sale program), it must maintain a 
record of:
    (1) The name, address and size status of every concern to which it 
sells the timber or sawlogs; and
    (2) The species, grades and volumes of sawlogs sold.
    (c) For a period of three years following the date upon which a 
concern purchases timber, it must by contract require all small business 
repurchasers of the sawlogs or timber it purchased under the small 
business set-aside to maintain the records described in paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (d) The Director of Government Contracting may waive one or more of 
the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this 
section in limited circumstances where conditions make the 
requirement(s) impractical or prohibitive. A request for waiver must be 
made to the Director of Government Contracting and contain facts, 
arguments, and any appropriate supporting documentation as to why a 
waiver should be granted.
    (e) Sawtimber volume from Integrated Resource Timber Contracts shall 
be included in the Computation of Market Share and set-aside trigger.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 26201, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.508  What are the size standards and other requirements for 
the purchase of Government-owned Special Salvage Timber?

    (a) In order to purchase Government-owned Special Salvage Timber 
from the United States Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management 
as a small business, a concern must:
    (1) Be primarily engaged in the logging or forest product industry;
    (2) Have, together with its affiliates, no more than twenty-five 
employees during any pay period for the last twelve months; and
    (3) If it does not intend at the time of offer to resell the 
timber--
    (i) Agree that it will manufacture a significant portion of the logs 
with its own employees; and
    (ii) Agree that it will log the timber only with its own employees 
or with employees of another business which is eligible for award of a 
Special Salvage Timber sales contract; or
    (4) If it intends at the time of offer to resell the timber, agree 
that it will perform a significant portion of timber logging with its 
own employees and that it will subcontract the remainder of the timber 
logging to a concern which is eligible for award of a Special Salvage 
Timber sales contract.



Sec.  121.509  What is the size standard for leasing of Government land 
for coal mining?

    A concern is small for this purpose if it:
    (a) Together with its affiliates, does not have more than 250 
employees;

[[Page 430]]

    (b) Maintains management and control of the actual mining operations 
of the tract; and
    (c) Agrees that if it subleases the Government land, it will be to 
another small business, and that it will require its sublessors to agree 
to the same.



Sec.  121.510  What is the size standard for leasing of Government land 
for uranium mining?

    A concern is small for this purpose if it, together with its 
affiliates, does not have more than 100 employees.



Sec.  121.511  What is the size standard for buying Government-owned petroleum?

    A concern is small for this purpose if it is primarily engaged in 
petroleum refining and meets the size standard for a petroleum refining 
business.



Sec.  121.512  What is the size standard for stockpile purchases?

    A concern is small for this purpose if:
    (a) It is primarily engaged in the purchase of materials which are 
not domestic products; and
    (b) Its annual receipts, together with its affiliates, do not exceed 
$76.5 million.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 3056, Jan. 23, 2002; 70 
FR 72594, Dec. 6, 2005; 73 FR 41254, July 18, 2008; 79 FR 33669, June 
12, 2014; 84 FR 34281, July 18, 2019; 87 FR 69154, Nov. 17, 2022]

 Size Eligibility Requirements for the 8(a) Business Development Program



Sec.  121.601  What is a small business for purposes of admission to 
SBA's 8(a) Business Development program?

    An applicant must not exceed the size standard corresponding to its 
primary industry classification in order to qualify for admission to 
SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program.

[69 FR 29205, May 21, 2004]



Sec.  121.602  At what point in time must a 8(a) BD applicant be small?

    A 8(a) BD applicant must be small for its primary industry at the 
time SBA certifies it for admission into the program.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 29206, May 21, 2004]



Sec.  121.603  How does SBA determine whether a Participant is small 
for a particular 8(a) BD subcontract?

    (a) Self certification by Participant. A 8(a) BD Participant must 
certify that it qualifies as a small business under the NAICS code 
assigned to a particular 8(a) BD subcontract as part of its initial 
offer including price to the procuring agency. The Participant also must 
submit a copy of its offer, including its self-certification as to size, 
to the appropriate SBA district office at the same time it submits the 
offer to the procuring agency. See Sec.  121.404 for the time at which 
size is determined for, and Sec.  121.406 for the applicability of the 
nonmanufacturer rule to, 8(a) BD procurements.
    (b) Verification of size by SBA. Within 30 days of its receipt of a 
Participant's size self-certification for a particular 8(a) BD 
subcontract, the SBA district office serving the geographic area in 
which the Participant's principal office is located will review the 
Participant's self-certification and determine if it is small for 
purposes of that subcontract. The SBA district office will review the 
Participant's most recent financial statements and other relevant data 
and then notify the Participant of its decision.
    (c) Changes in size between date of self-certification and date of 
award. (1) Where SBA verifies that the selected Participant is small for 
a particular procurement, subsequent changes in size up to the date of 
award, except those due to merger with or acquisition by another 
business concern, will not affect the firm's size status for that 
procurement.
    (2) Where a Participant has merged with or been acquired by another 
business concern between the date of its self-certification and the date 
of award, the concern must recertify its size status, and SBA must 
verify the new certification before award can occur.
    (3) Recertification is not required when the ownership of a concern 
that is at least 51% owned by an entity (i.e., tribe, Alaska Native 
Corporation, or

[[Page 431]]

Community Development Corporation) changes to or from a wholly-owned 
business concern of the same entity, as long as the ultimate owner 
remains that entity.
    (d) Finding Participant to be other than small. (1) A Participant 
may request a formal size determination (pursuant to Sec. Sec.  121.1001 
through 121.1009) with the SBA Government Contracting Area Office 
serving the geographic area in which the principal office of the 
Participant is located within 5 working days of its receipt of notice 
from the SBA district office that it is not small for a particular 8(a) 
BD subcontract.
    (2) Where the Participant does not timely request a formal size 
determination, SBA may accept the procurement in support of another 
Participant, or may rescind its acceptance of the offer for the 8(a) BD 
program, as appropriate.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000; 69 
FR 29206, May 21, 2004; 85 FR 66182, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  121.604  Are 8(a) BD Participants considered small for purposes 
of other SBA assistance?

    A concern which SBA determines to be a small business for the award 
of a 8(a) BD subcontract will be considered to have met applicable size 
eligibility requirements of other SBA programs where that assistance 
directly and primarily relates to the performance of the 8(a) BD 
subcontract in question.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 29206, May 21, 2004]

  Size and Eligibility Requirements for the Small Business Innovation 
 Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs



Sec.  121.701  What SBIR and STTR programs are subject to size 
and eligibility determinations and what definitions are important?

    (a) These sections apply to SBA's SBIR and STTR programs, 15 U.S.C. 
638.
    (b) Definitions--(1) Funding agreement officer means a contracting 
officer, a grants officer, or a cooperative agreement officer.
    (2) Funding agreement means any contract, grant or cooperative 
agreement entered into between any Federal agency and any small business 
for the purposes of the SBIR or STTR program.
    (3) Hedge fund has the meaning given that term in section 13(h)(2) 
of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1851(h)(2)). The 
hedge fund must have a place of business located in the United States 
and be created or organized in the United States, or under the law of 
the United States or of any State.
    (4) Portfolio company means any company that is owned in whole or 
part by a venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private 
equity firm.
    (5) Private equity firm has the meaning given the term ``private 
equity fund'' in section 13(h)(2) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 
1956 (12 U.S.C. 1851(h)(2)). The private equity firm must have a place 
of business located in the United States and be created or organized in 
the United States, or under the law of the United States or of any 
State.
    (6) Venture capital operating company means an entity described in 
Sec.  121.103(b)(5)(i), (v), or (vi). The venture capital operating 
company must have a place of business located in the United States and 
be created or organized in the United States, or under the law of the 
United States or of any State.

[77 FR 76225, Dec. 27, 2012]



Sec.  121.702  What size and eligibility standards are applicable to 
the SBIR and STTR programs?

    To be eligible for award of funding agreements in SBA's SBIR and 
STTR programs, a business concern must meet the requirements below at 
the time of award of an SBIR or STTR Phase I or Phase II funding 
agreement:
    (a) Ownership and control for the SBIR program. (1) An SBIR awardee 
must:
    (i) Be a concern which is more than 50% directly owned and 
controlled by one or more individuals (who are citizens or permanent 
resident aliens of the United States), other small business concerns 
(each of which is more than 50% directly owned and controlled by 
individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United 
States), an Indian tribe, ANC or NHO

[[Page 432]]

(or a wholly owned business entity of such tribe, ANC or NHO), or any 
combination of these;
    (ii) Be a concern which is more than 50% owned by multiple venture 
capital operating companies, hedge funds, private equity firms, or any 
combination of these (for agencies electing to use the authority in 15 
U.S.C. 638(dd)(1)); or
    (iii) Be a joint venture in which each entity to the joint venture 
must meet the requirements set forth in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or 
(a)(1)(ii) of this section. A joint venture that includes one or more 
concerns that meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this 
section must comply with Sec.  121.705(b) concerning registration and 
proposal requirements.
    (2) No single venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or 
private equity firm may own more than 50% of the concern unless that 
single venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private equity 
firm qualifies as a small business concern that is more than 50% 
directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or 
permanent resident aliens of the United States.
    (3) If an Employee Stock Ownership Plan owns all or part of the 
concern, each stock trustee and plan member is considered an owner.
    (4) If a trust owns all or part of the concern, each trustee and 
trust beneficiary is considered an owner.
    (b) Ownership and control for the STTR program. (1) An STTR awardee 
must:
    (i) Be a concern which is more than 50% directly owned and 
controlled by one or more individuals (who are citizens or permanent 
resident aliens of the United States), other small business concerns 
(each of which is more than 50% directly owned and controlled by 
individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the United 
States), an Indian tribe, ANC or NHO (or a wholly owned business entity 
of such tribe, ANC or NHO), or any combination of these; or
    (ii) Be a joint venture in which each entity to the joint venture 
must meet the requirements set forth in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this 
section.
    (2) If an Employee Stock Ownership Plan owns all or part of the 
concern, each stock trustee and plan member is considered an owner.
    (3) If a trust owns all or part of the concern, each trustee and 
trust beneficiary is considered an owner.
    (c) Size and affiliation. An SBIR or STTR awardee, together with its 
affiliates, must not have more than 500 employees. Concerns and entities 
are affiliates of each other when one controls or has the power to 
control the other, or a third party or parties controls or has the power 
to control both. It does not matter whether control is exercised, so 
long as the power to control exists. For the purposes of the SBIR and 
STTR programs, the following bases of affiliation apply:
    (1) Affiliation based on ownership. For determining affiliation 
based on equity ownership, a concern is an affiliate of an individual, 
concern, or entity that owns or has the power to control more than 50 
percent of the concern's voting equity. However, SBA may find a concern 
an affiliate of an individual, concern, or entity that owns or has the 
power to control 40% or more of the voting equity based upon the 
totality of circumstances. If no individual, concern, or entity is found 
to control, SBA will deem the Board of Directors to be in control of the 
concern.
    (2) Affiliation arising under stock options, convertible securities, 
and agreements to merge. In determining size, SBA considers stock 
options, convertible securities, and agreements to merge (including 
agreements in principle) to have a present effect on the power to 
control a concern. SBA treats such options, convertible securities, and 
agreements as though the rights granted have been exercised.
    (i) Agreements to open or continue negotiations towards the 
possibility of a merger or a sale of stock at some later date are not 
considered ``agreements in principle'' and are thus not given present 
effect.
    (ii) Options, convertible securities, and agreements that are 
subject to conditions precedent which are incapable of fulfillment, 
speculative, conjectural, or unenforceable under state or Federal law, 
or where the probability of the transaction (or exercise of the

[[Page 433]]

rights) occurring is shown to be extremely remote, are not given present 
effect.
    (iii) An individual, concern or other entity that controls one or 
more other concerns cannot use options, convertible securities, or 
agreements to appear to terminate such control before actually doing so. 
SBA will not give present effect to individuals', concerns' or other 
entities' ability to divest all or part of their ownership interest in 
order to avoid a finding of affiliation.
    (3) Affiliation based on common management. Affiliation arises where 
the CEO or President of a concern (or other officers, managing members, 
or partners who control the management of the concern) also controls the 
management of one or more other concerns. Affiliation also arises where 
a single individual, concern, or entity that controls the board of 
directors of one concern also controls the board of directors or 
management of one or more other concerns.
    (4) Affiliation based on identity of interest. Affiliation may arise 
among two or more persons (including any individual, concern or other 
entity) with an identity of interest. An individual, concern or entity 
may rebut a determination of identity of interest with evidence showing 
that the interests deemed to be one are in fact separate.
    (i) SBA may presume an identity of interest between family members 
with identical or substantially identical business or economic interests 
(such as where the family members operate concerns in the same or 
similar industry in the same geographic area).
    (ii) SBA may presume an identity of interest based upon economic 
dependence if the SBIR/STTR awardee relies upon another concern or 
entity for 70% or more of its receipts.
    (iii) An SBIR or STTR awardee is not affiliated with a portfolio 
company of a venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private 
equity firm, solely on the basis of one or more shared investors, though 
affiliation may be found for other reasons.
    (5) Affiliation based on the newly organized concern rule. 
Affiliation may arise where former or current officers, directors, 
principal stockholders, managing members, general partners, or key 
employees of one concern organize a new concern in the same or related 
industry or field of operation, and serve as the new concern's officers, 
directors, principal stockholders, managing members, general partners, 
or key employees, and the one concern is furnishing or will furnish the 
new concern with contracts, financial or technical assistance, 
indemnification on bid or performance bonds, and/or other facilities, 
whether for a fee or otherwise. A concern may rebut such an affiliation 
determination by demonstrating a clear line of fracture between the two 
concerns. A ``key employee'' is an employee who, because of his/her 
position in the concern, has a critical influence in or substantive 
control over the operations or management of the concern. A concern will 
be considered ``new'' for the purpose of this rule if it has been 
actively operating continuously for less than one year.
    (6) Size requirement for joint ventures. Two or more small business 
concerns may submit an application as a joint venture. The joint venture 
will qualify as small as long as each concern is small under the size 
standard for the SBIR program, found at Sec.  121.702(c), or the joint 
venture meets the exception at Sec.  121.103(h)(3)(ii) for two firms 
approved to be a mentor and prot[eacute]g[eacute] under SBA's All Small 
Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program.
    (7) Affiliation based on the ostensible subcontractor rule. A 
concern and its ostensible subcontractor are treated as joint venturers. 
As such, they are affiliates for size determination purposes and must 
meet the ownership and control requirements applicable to joint 
ventures. An ostensible subcontractor is a subcontractor or subgrantee 
that performs primary and vital requirements of a funding agreement 
(i.e., those requirements associated with the principal purpose of the 
funding agreement), or a subcontractor or subgrantee upon which the 
concern is unusually reliant. All aspects of the relationship between 
the concern and subcontractor are considered, including, but not limited 
to, the terms of the

[[Page 434]]

proposal (such as management, technical responsibilities, and the 
percentage of subcontracted work) and agreements between the concern and 
subcontractor or subgrantee (such as bonding assistance or the teaming 
agreement). To determine whether a subcontractor performs primary and 
vital requirements of a funding agreement, SBA will consider whether the 
concern's proposal complies with the performance requirements of the 
SBIR or STTR program.
    (8) Affiliation based on license agreements. SBA will consider 
whether there is a license agreement concerning a product or trademark 
which is critical to operation of the licensee. The license agreement 
will not cause the licensor to be affiliated with the licensee if the 
licensee has the right to profit from its efforts and bears the risk of 
loss. Affiliation may arise, however, through other means, such as 
common ownership or common management.
    (9) Exception to affiliation for portfolio companies. If a venture 
capital operating company, hedge fund, or private equity firm that is 
determined to be affiliated with an awardee is a minority investor in 
the awardee, the awardee is not affiliated with a portfolio company of 
the venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private equity 
firm, unless:
    (i) The venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private 
equity firm owns a majority of the portfolio company; or
    (ii) The venture capital operating company, hedge fund, or private 
equity firms holds a majority of the seats of the board of directors of 
the portfolio company.
    (10) Totality of the circumstances. In determining whether 
affiliation exists, SBA may consider the totality of the circumstances, 
and may find affiliation even though no single factor is sufficient to 
constitute affiliation.
    (11) Exception to affiliation for certain investment companies. 
There is an exception to affiliation for Small Business Investment 
Companies (SBICs) that invest in SBIR or STTR awardees, in accordance 
with 13 CFR 121.103(b)(1).
    (d) Calculating ownership and control. SBA will review the small 
business' equity ownership on a fully diluted basis for purposes of 
determining ownership, control and affiliation in the SBIR and STTR 
programs. This means that SBA will consider the total number of shares 
or equity that would be outstanding if all possible sources of 
conversion were exercised, including, but not limited to: Outstanding 
common stock or equity, outstanding preferred stock (on a converted to 
common basis) or equity, outstanding warrants (on an as exercised and 
converted to common basis), outstanding options and options reserved for 
future grants, and any other convertible securities on an as converted 
to common basis.

[77 FR 76225, Dec. 27, 2012; 78 FR 11745, Feb. 20, 2013, as amended at 
81 FR 34259, May 31, 2016; 81 FR 48579, July 25, 2016; 81 FR 71983, Oct. 
19, 2016; 85 FR 66182, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26201, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.703  Are formal size determinations binding on parties?

    Size determinations by authorized SBA officials are formal actions 
based upon a specific funding agreement, and are binding upon the 
parties. Other SBA opinions provided to funding agreement officers or 
others, are only advisory, and are not binding or appealable.



Sec.  121.704  When does SBA determine the size and eligibility status 
of a business concern?

    (a) The size and eligibility status of a concern for the purpose of 
a funding agreement award under the SBIR and STTR programs is determined 
at the time of award for both Phase I and Phase II SBIR and STTR awards, 
or on the date of the request for a size determination, if an award is 
pending.
    (b) A concern that qualified as a small business at the time it 
receives an SBIR or STTR funding agreement is considered a small 
business throughout the life of that specific funding agreement. Where a 
concern grows to be other than small, the funding agreement agency may 
exercise the options on the award that is a contract, grant or 
cooperative agreement or issue a continuation on a grant or cooperative 
agreement and still count the award as an award to a small business 
under the SBIR or STTR program. However, the following exceptions apply:

[[Page 435]]

    (1) In the case of a merger or acquisition, the awardee must, within 
30 days of the transaction becoming final (or the approved funding 
agreement novation if a novation is required), recertify its small 
business size status to the funding agreement agency or inform the 
funding agreement agency that it is other than small. If the awardee is 
other than small, the agency can no longer fund the options or issue a 
continuation pursuant to the funding agreement, from that point forward, 
with SBIR or STTR funds. Funding agreement novations for reasons other 
than a merger or acquisition do not necessarily require re-
certification. The funding agreement agency and the awardee must 
immediately revise all applicable Federal contract and grant databases 
to reflect the new size status from that point forward.
    (2) For the purposes of SBIR and STTR funding agreements with 
durations of more than five years, a funding agreement officer must 
request that a business concern re-certify its small business size 
status no more than 120 days prior to the end of the fifth year of the 
funding agreement, and no more than 120 days prior to exercising any 
option or issuing any continuation. If the awardee certifies that it is 
other than small, the funding agreement agency can no longer fund the 
options or issue a continuation pursuant to the funding agreement with 
SBIR or STTR funds. The funding agreement agency and the awardee must 
immediately revise all applicable Federal contract and grant databases 
to reflect the new size status from that point forward.
    (c) Re-certification does not change the terms and conditions of the 
funding agreement. The requirements in effect at the time of award 
remain in effect throughout the life of the funding agreement.
    (d) A request for a size re-certification shall include the size 
standard in effect at the time of re-certification.

[77 FR 76226, Dec. 27, 2012]



Sec.  121.705  Must a business concern self-certify its size 
and eligibility status?

    (a) A business concern must self-certify that it meets the 
eligibility requirements set forth in Sec.  121.702 for a Phase I or 
Phase II SBIR or STTR funding agreement.
    (b) A business concern that is more than 50% owned by multiple 
venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity 
firms and a joint venture where one or more parties to the joint venture 
is more than 50% owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, 
hedge funds, or private equity firms must be registered with SBA as of 
the date it submits its initial proposal (or other formal response) to a 
Phase I or Phase II SBIR announcement or solicitation. The concern must 
indicate in any SBIR proposal or application that it is registered with 
SBA as majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, 
hedge funds, or private equity firms.
    (c) A small business concern that did not meet the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this section at the time of its SBIR proposal or 
application must notify the funding agreement officer if, on the date of 
award, the concern is more than 50% owned by multiple venture capital 
operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms.
    (1) The concern is still eligible to receive the award if it becomes 
majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge 
funds, or private equity firms after the time it submitted its initial 
proposal (or other formal response) to a Phase I or Phase II SBIR 
announcement or solicitation if the agency makes the award on or after 
the date that is 9 months from the end of the period for submitting 
applications under the SBIR solicitation.
    (2) This small business, known as a covered small business concern, 
would have to certify that it meets the requirements of the SBIR program 
set forth in Sec. Sec.  121.702(a)(1)(ii) or 121.702(a)(1)(iii), and 
121.702(a)(2) and 121.702(c) at the time of award of the funding 
agreement.
    (d) A funding agreement officer may accept a concern's self-
certification as true for the particular funding agreement involved in 
the absence of a written protest or other credible information which 
would cause the funding agreement officer or SBA to question the size or 
eligibility of the concern.

[[Page 436]]

    (e) Procedures for protesting an awardee's self-certification are 
set forth in Sec. Sec.  121.1001 through 121.1009. In adjudicating a 
protest, SBA may address both the size status and eligibility of the 
SBIR or STTR awardee.

[77 FR 76227, Dec. 27, 2012]

      Size Eligibility Requirements for Paying Reduced Patent Fees



Sec.  121.801  May patent fees be reduced if a concern is small?

    These sections apply to size status for the purpose of paying 
reduced patent fees authorized by Pub. L. 97-247, 96 Stat. 317. The 
eligibility requirements for independent inventors and nonprofit 
organizations for the purpose of paying reduced patent fees are set 
forth in regulations of the Patent and Trademark Office of the 
Department of Commerce, 37 CFR 1.9, 1.27, 1.28.



Sec.  121.802  What size standards are applicable to reduced 
patent fees programs?

    A concern eligible for reduced patent fees is one:
    (a) Whose number of employees, including affiliates, does not exceed 
500 persons; and
    (b) Which has not assigned, granted, conveyed, or licensed (and is 
under no obligation to do so) any rights in the invention to any person 
who made it and could not be classified as an independent inventor, or 
to any concern which would not qualify as a non-profit organization or a 
small business concern under this section.



Sec.  121.803  Are formal size determinations binding on parties?

    Size determinations by authorized SBA officials are formal actions, 
based upon a specific patent application pursuant to the rules of the 
Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce, and are binding 
upon the parties. Other SBA opinions provided to patent applicants or 
others are only advisory, and are not binding or appealable.



Sec.  121.804  When does SBA determine the size status of a business concern?

    Size status is determined as of the date of the patent applicant's 
written verification of size.



Sec.  121.805  May a business concern self-certify its size status?

    (a) A concern verifies its size status with its submission of its 
patent application.
    (b) Any attempt to establish small size status improperly 
(fraudulently, through gross negligence, or otherwise) may result in 
remedial action by the Patent and Trademark Office.
    (c) In the absence of credible information indicating otherwise, the 
Patent and Trademark Office may accept the verification by the concern 
as a small business as true.
    (d) Questions concerning the size verification are resolved 
initially by the Patent and Trademark Office. If not verified as small, 
the applicant may request a formal SBA size determination.

  Size Eligibility Requirements for Compliance With Programs of Other 
                                Agencies



Sec.  121.901  Can other Government agencies obtain SBA size determinations?

    Upon request by another Government agency, SBA will provide a size 
determination, under SBA rules, standards and procedures, for its use in 
determining compliance with small business requirements of its statutes, 
regulations or programs.



Sec.  121.902  What size standards are applicable to programs 
of other agencies?

    SBA size standards. The size standards for compliance with programs 
of other agencies are those for SBA programs which are most comparable 
to the programs of such other agencies, unless the agency and SBA agree 
otherwise.

[67 FR 13716, Mar. 26, 2002]

[[Page 437]]



Sec.  121.903  How may an agency use size standards for its programs 
that are different than those established by SBA?

    (a) Federal agencies or departments promulgating regulations 
relating to small businesses usually use SBA size criteria. In limited 
circumstances, if they decide the SBA size standard is not suitable for 
their programs, then agency heads may establish a more appropriate small 
business definition for the exclusive use in such programs, but only 
when:
    (1) The size standard will determine:
    (i) The size of a manufacturing concern by its average number of 
employees based on the preceding 24 calendar months, determined 
according to Sec.  121.106;
    (ii) The size of a services concern by its average annual receipts 
over a period of at least 5 years, determined according to Sec.  
121.104;
    (iii) The size of other concerns on data over a period of at least 5 
years, determined according to Sec.  121.104; or,
    (iv) Other factors approved by SBA;
    (2) The agency has consulted in writing with SBA's Division Chief, 
office of Size Standards at least fourteen (14) calendar days before 
publishing the proposed rule which is part of the rulemaking process. 
The written consultation will include:
    (i) What size standard the agency contemplates using;
    (ii) To what agency program it will apply;
    (iii) How the agency arrived at this particular size standard for 
this program; and,
    (iv) Why SBA's existing size standards do not satisfy the program 
requirements;
    (3) The agency proposes the size standard for public comment 
pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553;
    (4) The agency provides a copy of the proposed rule, when it 
publishes it for public comment as part of the rulemaking process, to 
SBA's Division Chief, Office of Size Standards; and
    (5) SBA's Administrator approves the size standard before the agency 
adopts a final rule or otherwise prescribes the size standard for its 
use. The agency's request for the SBA Administrator's approval must 
include:
    (i) Copies of all comments on the proposed size standard received in 
response to the proposed rule;
    (ii) A separate written justification for the intended size 
standard;
    (iii) A copy of the intended final rule if available at that time, 
or a copy of the intended final rule and preamble prior to its 
publication; and
    (iv) Other information SBA may request in connection with the 
request.
    (b) When approving any size standard established pursuant to this 
section, SBA's Administrator will ensure that the size standard varies 
from industry to industry to the extent necessary to reflect the 
differing characteristics of the various industries, and consider other 
relevant factors.
    (c) Where the agency head is developing a size standard for the sole 
purpose of performing a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis pursuant to 
section 601(3) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the department or 
agency may, after consultation with the SBA Office of Advocacy, 
establish a size standard different from SBA's which is more appropriate 
for such analysis.

[67 FR 13716, Mar. 26, 2002, as amended at 84 FR 66579, Dec. 5, 2019; 87 
FR 34120, June 6, 2022]



Sec.  121.904  When does SBA determine the size status of a business concern?

    For compliance with programs of other agencies, SBA will base its 
size determination on the size of the concern as of the date set forth 
in the request of the other agency.

[67 FR 13716, Mar. 26, 2002]

Procedures for Size Protests and Requests for Formal Size Determinations



Sec.  121.1001  Who may initiate a size protest or request 
a formal size determination?

    (a) Size Status Protests. (1) For SBA's Small Business Set-Aside 
Program, including the Property Sales Program, or any instance in which 
a procurement

[[Page 438]]

or order has been restricted to or reserved for small businesses or a 
particular group of small businesses (including a partial set-aside), 
the following entities may file a size protest in connection with a 
particular procurement, sale or order:
    (i) Any offeror that the contracting officer has not eliminated from 
consideration for any procurement-related reason, such as non-
responsiveness, technical unacceptability or outside of the competitive 
range;
    (ii) The contracting officer;
    (iii) The SBA Government Contracting Area Director having 
responsibility for the area in which the headquarters of the protested 
offeror is located, regardless of the location of a parent company or 
affiliates, the Director, Office of Government Contracting, or the 
Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law; and
    (iv) Other interested parties. Other interested parties include 
large businesses where only one concern submitted an offer for the 
specific procurement in question. A concern found to be other than small 
in connection with the procurement is not an interested party unless 
there is only one remaining offeror after the concern is found to be 
other than small.
    (2) For competitive 8(a) contracts, the following entities may 
protest:
    (i) Any offeror that the contracting officer has not eliminated from 
consideration for any procurement related reason, such as non-
responsiveness, technical unacceptability or outside of the competitive 
range;
    (ii) The contracting officer; or
    (iii) The SBA District Director, or designee, in either the district 
office serving the geographical area in which the procuring activity is 
located or the district office that services the apparent successful 
offeror, the Associate Administrator for Business Development, or the 
Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law.
    (3) For SBA's Subcontracting Program, the following entities may 
protest:
    (i) The prime contractor;
    (ii) The contracting officer;
    (iii) Other potential subcontractors;
    (iv) The responsible SBA Government Contracting Area Director or the 
Director, Office of Government Contracting, or the SBA's Associate 
General Counsel for Procurement Law; and
    (v) Other interested parties.
    (4) For SBA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and 
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, the following 
entities may protest:
    (i) An offeror or applicant for that solicitation;
    (ii) The funding agreement officer; and
    (iii) The responsible SBA Government Contracting Area Director; the 
Director, Office of Government Contracting; the Associate Administrator, 
Investment Division, or the Associate General Counsel for Procurement 
Law.
    (5) For the Department of Defense's Small Disadvantaged Business 
(SDB) Program, and any other similar program of another Federal agency, 
the following entities may file a protest in connection with a 
particular SDB procurement:
    (i) Any offeror for the specific SDB requirement whom the 
contracting officer has not eliminated for reasons unrelated to size;
    (ii) The contracting officer; and
    (iii) The responsible SBA Area Director for Government Contracting, 
the SBA Director, Office of Government Contracting, or the SBA Associate 
Administrator for Business Development;
    (6) For SBA's HUBZone program, the following entities may protest in 
connection with a particular HUBZone procurement:
    (i) Any offeror for a specific HUBZone set-aside contract that the 
contracting officer has not eliminated from consideration for any 
procurement-related reason, such as non-responsiveness, technical 
unacceptability or outside of the competitive range;
    (ii) Any concern that submitted an offer in full and open 
competition and its opportunity for award will be affected by a price 
evaluation preference given acertified HUBZone small business concern;
    (iii) The contracting officer; and
    (iv) The SBA Director, Office of HUBZone, or designee, or the SBA 
Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law.

[[Page 439]]

    (7) For any unrestricted Government procurement in which a business 
concern has represented itself as a small business concern, the 
following entities may protest in connection with a particular 
procurement:
    (i) Any offeror;
    (ii) The contracting officer; and
    (iii) The responsible SBA Government Contracting Area Director, the 
Director, Office of Government Contracting, the Associate Administrator 
for Business Development, or the Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law.
    (8) For SBA's Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern 
program, the following entities may protest in connection with a 
particular service-disabled veteran-owned procurement:
    (i) Any offeror for a specific service-disabled veteran-owned small 
business set-aside contract that the contracting officer has not 
eliminated from consideration for any procurement-related reason, such 
as non-responsiveness, technical unacceptability or outside of the 
competitive range;
    (ii) The contracting officer;
    (iii) The SBA Government Contracting Area Director; and
    (iv) The Director, Office of Government Contracting, or designee, or 
the Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law.
    (9) For SBA's WOSB Federal Contracting Program, the following 
entities may protest:
    (i) Any offeror for a specific contract set aside for WOSBs or WOSBs 
owned by one or more women who are economically disadvantaged (EDWOSB) 
that the contracting officer has not eliminated from consideration for 
any procurement-related reason, such as non-responsiveness, technical 
unacceptability or outside of the competitive range;
    (ii) The contracting officer;
    (iii) The SBA Government Contracting Area Director; and
    (iv) The Director, Office of Government Contracting, or designee, or 
the Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law.
    (b) Request for Size Determinations. (1) For SBA's Financial 
Assistance Programs, the following entities may request a formal size 
determination:
    (i) The applicant for assistance; and
    (ii) The SBA official with authority to take final action on the 
assistance requested. That official may also request the appropriate 
Government Contracting Area Office to determine whether affiliation 
exists between an applicant for financial assistance and one or more 
other entities for purposes of determining whether the applicant would 
exceed the loan limit amount imposed by Sec.  120.151 of this chapter.
    (iii) The SBA Associate Administrator for Investment or designee may 
request a formal size determination for any purpose relating to the SBIC 
program (see part 107 of this chapter) or the NMVC program (see part 108 
of this chapter). A formal size determination includes a request to 
determine whether or not affiliation exists between two or more entities 
for any purpose relating to the SBIC program.
    (2) For SBA's 8(a) BD program:
    (i) Concerning initial or continued 8(a) BD eligibility, the 
following entities may request a formal size determination:
    (A) The 8(a) BD applicant concern or Participant; or
    (B) The Director of the Division of Program Certification and 
Eligibility or the Associate Administrator for Business Development.
    (ii) Concerning individual sole source and competitive 8(a) contract 
awards where SBA cannot verify the eligibility of the apparent 
successful offeror because SBA finds the concern to be other than small, 
the following entities may request a formal size determination:
    (A) The Participant nominated for award of the particular sole 
source contract, or found to be ineligible for a competitive 8(a) 
contract due to its size;
    (B) The SBA program official with authority to execute the 8(a) 
contract or, where applicable, the procuring activity contracting 
officer who has been delegated SBA's 8(a) contract execution functions; 
or
    (C) The SBA District Director in the district office that services 
the Participant, the Associate Administrator for

[[Page 440]]

Business Development, or the Associate General Counsel for Procurement 
Law.
    (3) For SBA's Certificate of Competency Program, the following 
entities may request a formal size determination:
    (i) The offeror who has applied for a COC; and
    (ii) The responsible SBA Government Contracting Area Director or the 
Director, Office of Government Contracting.
    (4) For SBA's sale or lease of government property, the following 
entities may request a formal size determination:
    (i) The responsible SBA Government Contracting Area Director or the 
Director, Office of Government Contracting; and
    (ii) Authorized officials of other Federal agencies administering a 
property sales program.
    (5) For eligibility to pay reduced patent fees, the following 
entities may request a formal size determination:
    (i) The applicant for the reduced patent fees; and
    (ii) The Patent and Trademark Office.
    (6) For purposes of determining compliance with small business 
requirements of another Government agency program not otherwise 
specified in this section, an official with authority to administer the 
program involved may request a formal size determination.
    (7) In connection with initial or continued eligibility for the WOSB 
program, the following may request a formal size determination:
    (i) The applicant or WOSB/EDWOSB; or
    (ii) The Director of Government Contracting or the Deputy Director, 
Program and Resource Management, for the Office of Government 
Contracting.
    (8) In connection with initial or continued eligibility for the 
HUBZone program, the following may request a formal size determination:
    (i) The applicant or certified HUBZone small business concern; or
    (ii) The Director, Office of HUBZone, or designee.
    (9) For other purposes related to protecting the integrity of the 
Federal procurement process, including validating that firms listed in 
the System for Award Management database are small, the Government 
Contracting Area Director or the Director, Office of Government 
Contracting may initiate a formal size determination when sufficient 
information exists that calls into question a firm's small business 
status. The current date will be used to determine size, and SBA will 
initiate the process to remove from the database the small business 
designation of any firm found to be other than small.
    (10) For purposes of the small business mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
program authorized pursuant to Sec.  125.9 of this chapter (based on its 
status as a small business for its primary or identified secondary NAICS 
code), the business concern seeking to be a prot[eacute]g[eacute] or SBA 
may request a formal size determination.
    (11) For purposes of determining compliance with small business 
requirements for firms relying upon small business status advisory 
opinions, the Associate General Counsel, Office of Procurement Law may 
request a formal size determination. Additionally, any firm that is the 
subject of a small business status advisory opinion holding that it is 
other than small may request a formal size determination.
    (12) In connection with eligibility for the SDVO program, the 
following may request a formal size determination:
    (i) The SDVO business concern; or
    (ii) The Director of Government Contracting or designee.
    (13) The SBA Inspector General may request a formal size 
determination with respect to any of the programs identified in 
paragraph (b) of this section.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 31907, June 11, 1998; 63 
FR 35739, June 30, 1998; 69 FR 25266, May 5, 2004; 69 FR 29206, May 21, 
2004; 69 FR 29420, May 24, 2004; 69 FR 44461, July 26, 2004; 73 FR 
56947, Oct. 1, 2008; 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 75 FR 62280, Oct. 7, 
2010; 76 FR 8253, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 FR 76227, Dec. 27, 2012; 78 FR 
61132, Oct. 2, 2013; 80 FR 7536, Feb. 11, 2015; 81 FR 34259, May 31, 
2016; 81 FR 48579, July 25, 2016; 84 FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019; 85 FR 
66182, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26202, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.1002  Who makes a formal size determination?

    The responsible Government Contracting Area Director or designee

[[Page 441]]

makes all formal size determinations in response to either a size 
protest or a request for a formal size determination, with the exception 
of size determinations for purposes of the Disaster Loan Program, which 
will be made by the Disaster Area Office Director or designee 
responsible for the area in which the disaster occurred.



Sec.  121.1003  Where should a size protest be filed?

    A protest involving a government procurement or sale must be filed 
with the contracting officer for the procurement or sale, who must 
forward the protest to the SBA Government Contracting Area Office 
serving the area in which the headquarters of the protested concern is 
located, regardless of the location of any parent company or affiliates.



Sec.  121.1004  What time limits apply to size protests?

    (a) Protests by entities other than contracting officers or SBA--(1) 
Sealed bids or sales (including protests on partial set-asides and 
reserves of Multiple Award Contracts and set-asides of orders against 
Multiple Award Contracts). (i) A protest must be received by the 
contracting officer prior to the close of business on the 5th day, 
exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after bid opening 
for
    (A) The contract;
    (B) An order issued against a Multiple Award Contract if the 
contracting officer requested a new size certification in connection 
with that order; or
    (C) Except for orders or Blanket Purchase Agreements issued under 
any Federal Supply Schedule contract, an order or Blanket Purchase 
Agreement set aside for small business (i.e., small business set-aside, 
8(a) small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, 
HUBZone small business, or women-owned small business) where the 
underlying Multiple Award Contract was awarded on an unrestricted basis.
    (ii) Where the identified low bidder is determined to be ineligible 
for award, a protest of any other identified low bidder must be received 
prior to the close of business on the 5th day, exclusive of Saturdays, 
Sundays, and legal holidays, after the contracting officer has notified 
interested parties of the identity of that low bidder.
    (2) Negotiated procurement (including protests on partial set-asides 
and reserves of Multiple Award Contracts and set-asides of orders 
against Multiple Award Contracts). A protest must be received by the 
contracting officer prior to the close of business on the 5th day, 
exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the 
contracting officer has notified the protestor of the identity of the 
prospective awardee for
    (i) The contract; or
    (ii) An order issued against a Multiple Award Contract if the 
contracting officer requested a size recertification in connection with 
that order; or
    (iii) Except for orders or Blanket Purchase Agreements issued under 
any Federal Supply Schedule contract, an order or Blanket Purchase 
Agreement set-aside for small business (i.e., small business set-aside, 
8(a) small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, 
HUBZone small business, or women-owned small business) where the 
underlying Multiple Award Contract was awarded on an unrestricted basis 
without a reserve.
    (3) Long-Term Contracts. For contracts with durations greater than 
five years (including options), including all existing long-term 
contracts, Multi-agency contracts, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts 
and Multiple Award Contracts:
    (i) Protests regarding size certifications made for contracts must 
be received by the contracting officer prior to the close of business on 
the 5th day, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after 
receipt of notice (including notice received in writing, orally, or via 
electronic posting) of the identity of the prospective awardee or award.
    (ii) Protests regarding size certifications made for an option 
period must be received by the contracting officer prior to the close of 
business on the 5th day, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal 
holidays, after receipt of notice (including notice received in writing, 
orally, or via electronic posting) of the size certification made by the 
protested concern.

[[Page 442]]

    (A) A contracting officer is not required to terminate a contract 
where a concern is found to be other than small pursuant to a size 
protest concerning a size certification made for an option period.
    (B) [Reserved]
    (iii) Protests relating to size certifications made in response to a 
contracting officer's request for size certifications in connection with 
an individual order must be received by the contracting officer prior to 
the close of business on the 5th day, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, 
and legal holidays, after receipt of notice (including notice received 
in writing, orally, or via electronic posting) of the identity of the 
prospective awardee or award.
    (4) Electronic notification of award. Where notification of award is 
made electronically, such as posting on the Internet under Simplified 
Acquisition Procedures, a protest must be received by the contracting 
officer before close of business on the fifth day, exclusive of 
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the electronic posting.
    (5) No notice of award. Where there is no requirement for written 
pre-award notice or notice of award, or where the contracting officer 
has failed to provide written notification of award, the 5-day protest 
period will commence upon oral notification by the contracting officer 
or authorized representative or another means (such as public 
announcements or other oral communications) of the identity of the 
apparent successful offeror.
    (b) Protests by contracting officers, funding agreement officers or 
SBA. The time limitations in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply 
to contracting officers, funding agreement officers or SBA, and they may 
file protests before or after awards, except to the extent set forth in 
paragraph (e) of this section, including for purposes of the SBIR and 
STTR programs. Notwithstanding paragraph (e), for purposes of the SBIR 
and STTR programs the funding agreement officer or SBA may file a 
protest in anticipation of an award.
    (c) Effect of contract award. A timely filed protest applies to the 
procurement in question even though a contracting officer awarded the 
contract prior to receipt of the protest.
    (d) Untimely protests. A protest received after the allotted time 
limits must still be forwarded to SBA. SBA will dismiss untimely 
protests.
    (e) Premature protests. A protest filed by any party, including the 
contracting officer, before bid opening or notification to offerors of 
the selection of the apparent successful offer will be dismissed as 
premature.
    (f) Apparent successful offeror. A party with standing, as set forth 
in Sec.  121.1001(a), may file a protest only against an apparent 
successful offeror or an offeror in line to receive an award.
    (g) Bid protest corrective action. SBA will generally dismiss any 
size protest relating to an initial apparent successful offeror where an 
agency decides to reevaluate offers as a corrective action in response 
to a FAR subpart 33.1 bid protest.
    (1) SBA will complete the size determination where the procuring 
agency makes a written request to SBA within two business days of the 
agency informing SBA of the corrective action and demonstrates that the 
corrective action will not result in a change of the apparent successful 
offeror, unless the protest involves size issues determined as of the 
date of final proposal revision per Sec.  121.404(d).
    (2) When the apparent successful offeror is announced after 
reevaluation, interested parties will again have the opportunity to 
protest the size of the new or same apparent successful offeror within 
five business days after such notification.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 29206, May 21, 2004; 71 
FR 66444, Nov. 15, 2006; 77 FR 76227, Dec. 27, 2012; 78 FR 61132, Oct. 
2, 2013; 85 FR 66182, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26202, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.1005  How must a protest be filed with the contracting officer?

    A protest must be delivered to the contracting officer by hand, 
telegram, mail, facsimile, Federal Express or other overnight delivery 
service, e-mail, or telephone. If a protest is made by telephone, the 
contracting officer must later receive a confirming letter either within 
the 5-day period in

[[Page 443]]

Sec.  121.1004(a)(1) or postmarked no later than one day after the date 
of the telephone protest.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 29206, May 21, 2004]



Sec.  121.1006  When will a size protest be referred to an SBA Government 
Contracting Area Office?

    (a) A contracting officer who receives a protest (other than from 
SBA) must forward the protest promptly to the SBA Government Contracting 
Area Office serving the area in which the headquarters of the offeror is 
located.
    (b) A contracting officer's referral must contain the following 
information:
    (1) The protest and any accompanying materials;
    (2) A copy of the self-certification as to size;
    (3) Identification of the applicable size standard;
    (4) A copy of the solicitation;
    (5) Identification of the date of bid opening or notification 
provided to unsuccessful offerors;
    (6) The date on which the protest was received; and
    (7) A complete address and point of contact for the protested 
concern.



Sec.  121.1007  Must a protest of size status relate to a particular 
procurement and be specific?

    (a) Particular procurement. A protest challenging the size of a 
concern which does not pertain to a particular procurement or sale will 
not be acted on by SBA.
    (b) A protest must include specific facts. A protest must be 
sufficiently specific to provide reasonable notice as to the grounds 
upon which the protested concern's size is questioned. Some basis for 
the belief or allegation stated in the protest must be given. A protest 
merely alleging that the protested concern is not small or is affiliated 
with unnamed other concerns does not specify adequate grounds for the 
protest. No particular form is prescribed for a protest. Where materials 
supporting the protest are available, they should be submitted with the 
protest.
    (c) Non-specific protests will be dismissed. Protests which do not 
contain sufficient specificity will be dismissed by SBA. The following 
are examples of allegation specificity:

    Example 1: An allegation that concern X is large because it employs 
more than 500 employees (where 500 employees is the applicable size 
standard) without setting forth a basis for the allegation is non-
specific.
    Example 2: An allegation that concern X is large because it exceeds 
the 500 employee size standard (where 500 employees is the applicable 
size standard) because a higher employment figure was published in 
publication Y is sufficiently specific.
    Example 3: An allegation that concern X is affiliated with concern Y 
without setting forth any basis for the allegation is non-specific.
    Example 4: An allegation that concern X is affiliated with concern Y 
because Mr. A is the majority shareholder in both concerns is 
sufficiently specific.
    Example 5: An allegation that concern X has revenues in excess of $5 
million (where $5 million is the applicable size standard) without 
setting forth a basis for the allegation is non-specific.
    Example 6: An allegation that concern X exceeds the size standard 
(where the applicable size standard is $5 million) because it received 
Government contracts in excess of $5 million last year is sufficiently 
specific.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 69 FR 29206, May 21, 2004]



Sec.  121.1008  What occurs after SBA receives a size protest or request for 
a formal size determination?

    (a) When SBA receives a size protest, the SBA Area Director for 
Government Contracting, or designee, will notify the contracting 
officer, the protested concern, and the protestor that the protest has 
been received. If the protest pertains to a requirement involving SBA's 
HUBZone program, the Area Director will also notify the D/HUB of the 
protest. If the protest pertains to a requirement set aside for WOSBs or 
EDWOSBs, the Area Director will also notify SBA's Director for 
Government Contracting of the protest. If the protest pertains to a 
requirement involving SBA's SBIR or STTR programs, the Area Director 
will also notify the Associate Administrator, Investment Division. If 
the protest involves the size status of an SDB concern (see part 124, 
subpart B of this chapter) the Area Director will notify SBA's Associate 
Administrator for Business Development. If the protest pertains to a 
requirement that has been reserved for competition

[[Page 444]]

among eligible 8(a) BD program participants, the Area Director will 
notify the SBA district office servicing the 8(a) concern whose size 
status has been protested. SBA will provide a copy of the protest to the 
protested concern together with SBA Form 355, Application for Small 
Business Size Determination, by certified mail, return receipt 
requested, or by any overnight delivery service that provides proof of 
receipt. SBA will ask the protested concern to complete the form and 
respond to the allegations in the protest.
    (b) When SBA receives a request for a formal size determination in 
accord with Sec.  121.1001(b), SBA will provide a blank copy of SBA Form 
355 to the concern whose size is at issue.
    (c) The protested concern or concern whose size is at issue must 
return the completed SBA Form 355 and all other requested information to 
SBA within 3 working days from the date of receipt of the blank form 
from SBA. SBA has discretion to grant an extension of time to file the 
form. The firm must attach to the completed SBA Form 355 its answers to 
the allegations contained in the protest, where applicable, together 
with any supporting material.
    (d) If a concern whose size status is at issue fails to submit a 
completed SBA Form 355, responses to the allegations of the protest, or 
other requested information within the time allowed by SBA, or if it 
submits incomplete information, SBA may presume that disclosure of the 
information required by the form or other missing information would 
demonstrate that the concern is other than a small business. A concern 
whose size status is at issue must furnish information about its alleged 
affiliates to SBA, despite any third party claims of privacy or 
confidentiality, because SBA will not disclose information obtained in 
the course of a size determination except as permitted by Federal law.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998; 69 
FR 29207, May 21, 2004; 73 FR 56948, Oct. 1, 2008; 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 
2009; 75 FR 62280, Oct. 7, 2010; 77 FR 76227, Dec. 27, 2012]



Sec.  121.1009  What are the procedures for making the size determination?

    (a) Time frame for making size determination. (1) After receipt of a 
protest or a request for a formal size determination, if no protest is 
pending under FAR subpart 33.1, the SBA Area Office will issue a formal 
size determination within 15 business days, if possible;
    (2) If a protest is pending under FAR subpart 33.1, the SBA Area 
Office will suspend processing a valid, timely and specific size 
protest. Once the procuring agency, GAO or the Court of Federal Claims 
issues a decision under FAR subpart 33.1, the SBA Area Office will 
recommence the size determination process.
    (i) If the FAR subpart 33.1 decision denies the protest, SBA will 
issue a formal size determination within 15 business days of the 
decision, if possible.
    (ii) If the decision results in a cancellation of the award or 
change of the apparent successful offeror, SBA will dismiss the size 
protest as moot.
    (iii) If the decision requires re-evaluation of offers or other 
corrective action but the award is not cancelled, SBA will continue to 
suspend processing the protest.
    (A) If after re-evaluation or other corrective action occurs the 
protested concern remains the apparent successful offeror, SBA will 
issue a formal size determination within 15 business days after 
notification of the apparent successful offeror, if possible.
    (B) If after re-evaluation or other corrective action occurs a 
different apparent successful offeror is identified, SBA will dismiss 
the size protest as moot. Interested parties may file a timely size 
protest with respect to the newly identified apparent successful offeror 
after the notification of award.
    (3) The contracting officer may award a contract after receipt of a 
protest if the contracting officer determines in writing that an award 
must be made to protect the public interest. Notwithstanding such a 
determination, the provisions of paragraph (g) of this section apply to 
the procurement in question.
    (4) If SBA does not issue its determination in accordance with 
paragraph

[[Page 445]]

(a)(1) of this section (or request an extension that is granted), the 
contracting officer may award the contract if he or she determines in 
writing that there is an immediate need to award the contract and that 
waiting until SBA makes its determination will be disadvantageous to the 
Government. Notwithstanding such a determination, the provisions of 
paragraph (g) of this section apply to the procurement in question.
    (b) Basis for determination. The size determination will be based 
primarily on the information supplied by the protestor or the entity 
requesting the size determination and that provided by the concern whose 
size status is at issue. The determination, however, may also be based 
on grounds not raised in the protest or request for size determination. 
SBA may use other information and may make requests for additional 
information to the protestor, the concern whose size status is at issue 
and any alleged affiliates, or other parties.
    (c) Burden of persuasion. The concern whose size is under 
consideration has the burden of establishing its small business size.
    (d) Weight of evidence. SBA will give greater weight to specific, 
signed, factual evidence than to general, unsupported allegations or 
opinions. In the case of refusal or failure to furnish requested 
information within a required time period, SBA may assume that 
disclosure would be contrary to the interests of the party failing to 
make disclosure.
    (e) Formal size determination. The SBA will base its formal size 
determination upon the record, including reasonable inferences from the 
record, and will state in writing the basis for its findings and 
conclusions.
    (f) Notification of determination. SBA will promptly notify the 
contracting officer, the protester, and the protested concern. SBA will 
send the notification by verifiable means, which may include facsimile, 
electronic mail, or overnight delivery service.
    (g) Results of an SBA Size Determination. (1) A contracting officer 
may award a contract to a protested concern after the SBA Area Office 
has determined either that the protested concern is an eligible small 
business or has dismissed all protests against it. If OHA subsequently 
overturns the Area Office's determination or dismissal, the contracting 
officer may apply the OHA decision to the procurement in question.
    (2) A contracting officer shall not award a contract to a protested 
concern that the Area Office has determined is not an eligible small 
business for the procurement in question.
    (i) If a contracting officer receives such a determination after 
contract award, and no OHA appeal has been filed, the contracting 
officer shall terminate the award.
    (ii) If a timely OHA appeal is filed after contract award, the 
contracting officer must consider whether performance can be suspended 
until an appellate decision is rendered.
    (iii) If OHA affirms the size determination finding the protested 
concern ineligible, the contracting officer shall either terminate the 
contract or not exercise the next option.
    (3) The contracting officer must update the Federal Procurement Data 
System and other procurement reporting databases to reflect the final 
agency size decision (the formal size determination if no appeal is 
filed or the appellate decision).
    (4) Once SBA has determined that a concern is other than small for 
purposes of a particular procurement, the concern cannot later become 
eligible for the procurement by reducing its size.
    (5) A concern determined to be other than small under a particular 
size standard is ineligible for any procurement or any assistance 
authorized by the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958 which requires the same or a lower size standard, unless SBA 
recertifies the concern to be small pursuant to Sec.  121.1010 or OHA 
reverses the adverse size determination. After an adverse size 
determination, a concern cannot self-certify as small under the same or 
lower size standard unless it is first recertified as small by SBA. If a 
concern does so, it may be in violation of criminal laws, including 
section 16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d). If the 
concern has already certified itself as

[[Page 446]]

small under the same or a smaller size standard on a pending procurement 
or on an application for SBA assistance, the concern must immediately 
inform the contracting officer or responsible official of the adverse 
size determination.
    (i) Not later than two days after the date on which SBA issues a 
final size determination finding a business concern to be other than 
small, such concern must update its size status in the System for Award 
Management (or any successor system).
    (ii) If a business concern fails to update its size status in the 
System for Award Management (or any successor system) in response to an 
adverse size determination, SBA will make such update within two days of 
the business's failure to do so.
    (h) Limited reopening of size determinations. SBA may, in its sole 
discretion, reopen a formal size determination to correct an error or 
mistake, provided it is within the appeal period and no appeal has been 
filed with OHA. Once the agency has issued a final decision (either a 
formal size determination that is not timely appealed or an appellate 
decision), SBA cannot re-open the size determination.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47245, July 18, 2002; 69 
FR 29207, May 21, 2004; 76 FR 5683, Feb. 2, 2011; 78 FR 38818, June 28, 
2013; 88 FR 26202, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.1010  How does a concern become recertified as a small business?

    (a) A concern may request SBA to recertify it as small at any time 
by filing an application for recertification with the Government 
Contracting Area Office responsible for the area in which the 
headquarters of the applicant is located, regardless of the location of 
parent companies or affiliates. No particular form is prescribed for the 
application; however, the request for recertification must be 
accompanied by a current completed SBA Form 355 and any other 
information sufficient to show a significant change in its ownership, 
management, or other factors bearing on its status as a small concern.
    (b) Recertification will not be required nor will the prohibition 
against future self-certification apply if the adverse SBA size 
determination is based solely on a finding of affiliation due to a joint 
venture (e.g., ostensible subcontracting) limited to a particular 
Government procurement or property sale, or is based on an ineligible 
manufacturer where the eligible small business bidder or offeror is a 
nonmanufacturer on a particular Government procurement.
    (c) A denial of an application for recertification is a formal size 
determination and may be reviewed by OHA at the discretion of that 
office.
    (d) The granting of an application for recertification has future 
effect only. While it is a formal size determination, notice of 
recertification is required to be given only to the applicant.

       Appeals of Size Determinations and NAICS Code Designations



Sec.  121.1101  Are formal size determinations subject to appeal?

    (a) Appeals from formal size determinations may be made to OHA. 
Unless an appeal is made to OHA, the size determination made by a SBA 
Government Contracting Area Office or Disaster Area Office is the final 
decision of the agency. The procedures for appealing a formal size 
determination to OHA are set forth in part 134 of this chapter. The OHA 
appeal is an administrative remedy that must be exhausted before 
judicial review of a formal size determination may be sought in a court.
    (b) OHA will review all timely appeals of size determinations.

[69 FR 29207, May 21, 2004, as amended at 76 FR 5683, Feb. 2, 2011]



Sec.  121.1102  Are NAICS code designations subject to appeal?

    A NAICS code designation made by a procuring activity contracting 
officer may be appealed to OHA. The procedures governing OHA appeals are 
set forth in part 134 of this chapter. The OHA appeal is an 
administrative remedy that must be exhausted before judicial review of a 
NAICS code designation may be sought in a court.

[67 FR 47245, July 18, 2002]

[[Page 447]]



Sec.  121.1103  What are the procedures for appealing a NAICS code 
or size standard designation?

    (a)(1) Any interested party adversely affected by a NAICS code 
designation may appeal the designation to OHA. An interested party would 
include a business concern seeking to change the NAICS code designation 
in order to be considered a small business for the challenged 
procurement, regardless of whether the procurement is reserved for small 
businesses or unrestricted. The only exception is that, for a sole 
source contract reserved under SBA's 8(a) Business Development program 
(see part 124 of this chapter), only SBA's Associate Administrator for 
Business Development may appeal the NAICS code designation.
    (2) A NAICS code appeal may include an appeal involving the 
applicable size standard, such as where more than one size standard 
corresponds to the selected NAICS code, or a question relating to the 
size standard in effect at the time the solicitation was issued or 
amended.
    (b) The contracting officer's determination of the applicable NAICS 
code is final unless appealed as follows:
    (1) An appeal from a contracting officer's NAICS code or size 
standard designation must be served and filed within 10 calendar days 
after the issuance of the solicitation or amendment affecting the NAICS 
code or size standard. However, SBA may file a NAICS code appeal at any 
time before offers are due. OHA will summarily dismiss an untimely NAICS 
code appeal.
    (2)(i) The appeal petition must be in writing and must be sent to 
the Office of Hearings & Appeals, U.S. Small Business Administration, 
409 3rd Street, SW., Suite 5900, Washington, DC 20416.
    (ii) There is no required format for a NAICS code appeal, but an 
appeal must include the following information: the solicitation or 
contract number; the name, address, and telephone number of the 
contracting officer; a full and specific statement as to why the NAICS 
code designation is erroneous, and argument in support thereof; and the 
name, address and telephone number of the appellant or its attorney.
    (3) The appellant must serve the appeal petition upon the 
contracting officer who assigned the NAICS code to the acquisition and 
SBA's Office of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law, 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416.
    (c) Procedure after a NAICS code appeal is filed and served. (1) 
Upon receipt of the service copy of a NAICS code appeal, the contracting 
officer shall:
    (i) Stay the date for the closing of receipt of offers;
    (ii) Advise the public, by amendment to the solicitation or other 
method, of the existence of the NAICS code appeal and the procedures and 
deadline for interested parties to file and serve arguments concerning 
the appeal;
    (iii) Send a copy of (or an electronic link to) the entire 
solicitation, including amendments, to OHA;
    (iv) File and serve any response to the appeal prior to the close of 
the record; and
    (v) Inform OHA of any amendments, actions or developments concerning 
the procurement in question.
    (2) Upon receipt of a NAICS code appeal, OHA shall:
    (i) Notify the appellant, the contracting officer, the SBA and any 
other known party of the date OHA received the appeal and the date the 
record will close; and
    (ii) Conduct the appeal in accordance with part 134 of this chapter.
    (3) Any interested party may file and serve its response to the 
NAICS code appeal.

[69 FR 29207, May 21, 2004; 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009, as amended at 76 
FR 5683, Feb. 2, 2011; 78 FR 61132, Oct. 2, 2013; 85 FR 66183, Oct. 16, 
2020]



                  Subpart B_Other Applicable Provisions

    Waivers of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for Classes of Products and 
                          Individual Contracts



Sec.  121.1201  What is the Nonmanufacturer Rule?

    The Nonmanufacturer Rule is set forth in Sec.  121.406(b).

[[Page 448]]



Sec.  121.1202  When will a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule be granted 
for a class of products?

    (a) A waiver for a class of products (class waiver) will be granted 
when there are no small business manufacturers or processors available 
to participate in the Federal market for that class of products.
    (b) Federal market means acquisitions by the Federal Government from 
offerors located in the United States, or such smaller area as SBA 
designates if it concludes that the class of products is not supplied on 
a national basis.
    (1) When considering the appropriate market area for a product, SBA 
presumes that the entire United States is the relevant Federal market, 
unless it is clearly demonstrated that a class of products cannot be 
procured on a national basis. This presumption may be particularly 
difficult to overcome in the case of manufactured products, since such 
items typically have a market area encompassing the entire United 
States.
    (2) When considering geographic segmentation of a Federal market, 
SBA will not necessarily use market definitions dependent on airline 
radius, political, or SBA regional boundaries. Market areas typically 
follow established transportation routes rather than jurisdictional 
borders. SBA examines the following factors, among others, in cases 
where geographic segmentation for a class of products is urged:
    (i) Whether perishability affects the area in which the product can 
practically be sold;
    (ii) Whether transportation costs are high as a proportion of the 
total value of the product so as to limit the economic distribution of 
the product;
    (iii) Whether there are legal barriers to transportation of the 
item;
    (iv) Whether a fixed, well-delineated boundary exists for the 
purported market area and whether this boundary has been stable over 
time; and
    (v) Whether a small business, not currently selling in the defined 
market area, could potentially enter the market from another area and 
supply the market at a reasonable price.
    (c) Available to participate in the context of the Federal market 
means that contractors exist that have been awarded or have performed a 
contract to supply a specific class of products to the Federal 
Government within 24 months from the date of the request for waiver, 
either directly or through a dealer, or who have submitted an offer on a 
solicitation for that class of products within that time frame.
    (d) Class of products is an individual subdivision within an NAICS 
Industry Number as established by the Office of Management and Budget in 
the NAICS Manual.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000]



Sec.  121.1203  When will a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule be granted 
for an individual contract?

    (a) Where appropriate, SBA will generally grant waivers for an 
individual contract or order prior to the issuance of a solicitation, 
or, where a solicitation has been issued, when the contracting officer 
provides all potential offerors additional time to respond.
    (b) SBA may grant a waiver after contract award, where the 
contracting officer has determined that the modification is within the 
scope of the contract and the agency followed the regulations prior to 
issuance of the solicitation and properly and timely requested a waiver 
for any other items under the contract, where required.

    Example to paragraph (b): The Government seeks to buy spare parts to 
fix Item A. After conducting market research, the government determines 
that Items B, C, and D that are being procured may be eligible for 
waivers and requests and receives waivers from SBA for those items prior 
to issuing the solicitation. After the contract is awarded, the 
Government determines that it will need additional spare parts to fix 
Item A. The Government determines that adding the additional parts as a 
modification to the original contract is within scope. The contracting 
officer believes that one of the additional parts is also eligible for a 
waiver from SBA, and requests the waiver at the time of the 
modification. If all other criteria are met, SBA would grant the waiver, 
even though the contract has already been awarded.

    (c) An individual waiver for an item in a solicitation will be 
approved when the SBA Director, Office of Government Contracting, 
reviews and accepts a contracting officer's determination

[[Page 449]]

that no small business manufacturer or processor can reasonably be 
expected to offer a product meeting the specifications of a 
solicitation, including the period of performance.
    (d) An individual waiver applies only to the contract for which it 
is granted and does not apply to modifications outside the scope of the 
contract or other procurement actions (e.g., follow-on or bridge 
contracts).
    (e) An individual waiver in connection with a long-term contract 
(i.e., a contract with a duration of longer than five years, including 
options) cannot exceed five years. A procuring agency may seek a new 
waiver for an additional five years if, after conducting market 
research, it demonstrates that there are no available small business 
manufacturers and that a waiver remains appropriate.
    (f) For a multiple item procurement, except those described in Sec.  
121.406(d)(1), a waiver must be sought and granted for each item that 
the procuring agency believes no small business manufacturer or 
processor can reasonably be expected to offer a product meeting the 
specifications of the solicitation and which will bring the total value 
of items to be procured from small business or subject to a waiver to at 
least 50% of the estimated value of the contract.
    (1) SBA's waiver applies only to the specific item(s) identified, 
not to the entire contract.
    (2) The estimated aggregate value of all items manufactured by small 
business and those subject to a waiver must equal at least 50% of the 
value of the contract. A contracting officer need not seek a waiver for 
each item for which the procuring agency believes no small business 
manufacturer or processor can reasonably be expected to offer a product 
meeting the specifications of the solicitation.
    (3) When a contracting officer seeks a waiver for an individual 
item, the term ``item'' can be a specific broad identifying thing (e.g., 
all spare parts related to aircraft X), but cannot be so broad as to 
have no real identification (e.g., all medical supplies).
    (g) Waivers for the purchase of software. (1) SBA may grant an 
individual waiver for the procurement of software provided that the 
software being sought is an item that is of a type customarily used by 
the general public or by non-governmental entities for purposes other 
than governmental purposes, and the item:
    (i) Has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public, or has 
been offered for sale, lease, or license to the general public;
    (ii) Is sold in substantial quantities in the commercial 
marketplace; and
    (iii) Is offered to the Government, without modification, in the 
same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace.
    (2) If the value of services provided related to the purchase of a 
supply item that meets the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section exceeds the value of the item itself, the procurement should be 
identified as a service procurement, even if the services are provided 
as part of the same license, lease, or sale terms. If a contracting 
officer cannot make a determination of the value of services being 
provided, SBA will assume that the value of the services is greater than 
the value of items or supplies, and will not grant a waiver.
    (3) Subscription services, remote hosting of software, data, or 
other applications on servers or networks of a party other than the U.S. 
Government are considered by SBA to be services and not the procurement 
of a supply item. Therefore SBA will not grant waivers of the 
nonmanufacturer rule for these types of services.

[81 FR 34260, May 31, 2016, as amended at 88 FR 26203, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.1204  What are the procedures for requesting and granting waivers?

    (a) Waivers for classes of products. (1) SBA may, at its own 
initiative, examine a class of products for possible waiver of the 
Nonmanufacturer Rule.
    (2) Any interested person, business, association, or Federal agency 
may submit a request for a waiver for a particular class of products. 
Requests should be addressed or hand-carried to the Director, Office of 
Government Contracting, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20416.

[[Page 450]]

    (3) Requests for a waiver of a class of products need not be in any 
particular form, but should include a statement of the class of products 
to be waived, the applicable NAICS code, and detailed information on the 
efforts made to identify small business manufacturers or processors for 
the class.
    (4) If SBA decides that there are small business manufacturers or 
processors in the Federal procurement market, it will deny the request 
for waiver, issue notice of the denial, and provide the names, 
addresses, and telephone numbers of the sources found. If SBA does not 
initially confirm the existence of small business manufacturers or 
processors in the Federal market, it will:
    (i) Publish notices in the Commerce Business Daily and the Federal 
Register seeking information on small business manufacturers or 
processors, announcing a notice of intent to waive the Nonmanufacturer 
Rule for that class of products and affording the public a 15-day 
comment period; and
    (ii) If no small business sources are identified, publish a notice 
in the Federal Register stating that no small business sources were 
found and that a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for that class of 
products has been granted.
    (5) An expedited procedure for issuing a class waiver may be used 
for emergency situations, but only if the contracting officer provides a 
determination to the Director, Office of Government Contracting that the 
procurement is proceeding under the authority of FAR Sec.  6.302-2 (48 
CFR 6.302-2) for ``unusual and compelling urgency,'' or provides a 
determination materially the same as one of unusual and compelling 
urgency. Under the expedited procedure, if a small business manufacturer 
or processor is not identified by a PASS search, the SBA will grant the 
waiver for the class of products and then publish a notice in the 
Federal Register. The notice will state that a waiver has been granted, 
and solicit public comment for future procurements.
    (6) The decision by the Director, Office of Government Contracting 
to grant or deny a waiver is the final decision by the Agency.
    (7) A waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for classes of products has 
no specific time limitation. SBA will, however, periodically review 
existing class waivers to the Nonmanufacturer Rule to determine if small 
business manufacturers or processors have become available to 
participate in the Federal market for the waived classes of products and 
the waiver should be terminated.
    (i) Upon SBA's receipt of evidence that a small business 
manufacturer or processor exists in the Federal market for a waived 
class of products, the waiver will be terminated by the Director, Office 
of Government Contracting. This evidence may be discovered by SBA during 
a periodic review of existing waivers or may be brought to SBA's 
attention by other sources.
    (ii) SBA will announce its intent to terminate a waiver for a class 
of products through the publication of a notice in the Federal Register, 
asking for comments regarding the proposed termination.
    (iii) Unless public comment reveals that no small business 
manufacturer or processor in fact exists for the class of products in 
question, SBA will publish a final Notice of Termination in the Federal 
Register.
    (b) Individual waivers for specific solicitations. (1) A contracting 
officer's request for a waiver of the Nonmanufacturer Rule for specific 
solicitations need not be in any particular form, but must, at a 
minimum, include:
    (i) A definitive statement of each specific item sought to be waived 
and justification as to why the specific item is required;
    (ii) The proposed solicitation number, NAICS code, dollar amount of 
the procurement, dollar amount of the item(s) for which a waiver is 
sought, and a brief statement of the procurement history;
    (iii) A determination by the contracting officer that no small 
business manufacturer or processor reasonably can be expected to offer a 
product or products meeting the specifications (including period of 
performance) required by a particular solicitation. For a multiple item 
procurement, a contracting officer must determine that no small business 
manufacturer or

[[Page 451]]

processor reasonably can be expected to offer each item for which a 
waiver is sought. Include a narrative describing market research and 
supporting documentation; and
    (iv) For contracts or orders expected to exceed $500,000, a copy of 
the Statement of Work.
    (2) Unless an agency has justified a brand-name acquisition, the 
market research conducted to support the waiver request should be 
tailored to attract the attention of potential small business 
manufacturers or processors, not resellers or distributors.
    (3) Requests should be addressed to the Director, Office of 
Government Contracting, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20416.
    (4) SBA will examine the contracting officer's determination and any 
other information it deems necessary to make an informed decision on the 
individual waiver request.
    (i) If SBA's research verifies that no small business manufacturers 
or processors exist for the item, the Director, Office of Government 
Contracting will grant an individual, one-time waiver.
    (ii) If a small business manufacturer or processor is found for the 
product in question, the Director, Office of Government Contracting will 
deny the request.
    (iii) Where an agency requests a waiver for multiple items, SBA may 
grant a waiver for all items requested, deny a waiver for all items 
requested, or grant a waiver for some but not all of the items 
requested. SBA's determination will specifically identify the items for 
which a waiver is granted, and the procuring agency must then identify 
the specific items for which the waiver applies in its solicitation.
    (iv) The Director, Office of Government Contracting's decision to 
grant or deny a waiver request represents the final agency decision by 
SBA.
    (5) A nonmanufacturer rule waiver for a specific solicitation 
expires one year after SBA's determination to grant the waiver. This 
means that contract award must occur within one year of the date SBA 
granted the waiver. Where a contract is not awarded within one year, the 
procuring agency must come back to SBA with revised market research 
requesting that the waiver (or waivers in the case of a multiple item 
procurement) be extended.

[61 FR 3286, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 30863, May 15, 2000; 78 
FR 61132, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 34260, May 31, 2016; 88 FR 26203, Apr. 27, 
2023]



Sec.  121.1205  How is a list of previously granted class waivers obtained?

    A list of classes of products for which waivers for the 
Nonmanufacturer Rule have been granted is maintained in SBA Web site at: 
https://www.sba.gov/ document/ support-non-manufacturer- rule-class-
waiver-list A list of such waivers may also be obtained by contacting 
the Office of Government Contracting, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416, or the 
nearest SBA Government Contracting Area Office.

[69 FR 29208, May 21, 2004, as amended at 74 FR 46313, Sept. 9, 2009; 88 
FR 26204, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  121.1206  How will potential offerors be notified of applicable waivers?

    (a) Contracting officers must provide written notification to 
potential offerors of any waivers being applied to a specific 
acquisition, whether it is a class waiver or a contract specific waiver. 
This notification must be provided at the time a solicitation is issued. 
If the notification is provided after a solicitation is issued, the 
contracting officer must provide potential offerors a reasonable amount 
of additional time to respond to the solicitation.
    (b) If a contracting officer does not provide notice, and additional 
reasonable time for responses when required, then the waiver cannot be 
applied to the solicitation. This applies to both class waivers and 
individual waivers.

[81 FR 34260, May 31, 2016]



Sec. Appendix A to Part 121--Paycheck Protection Program Sample Addendum 
                                    A

[Sample]

                               ADDENDUM A

    [check] The Applicant claims an exemption from all SBA affiliation 
rules applicable to Paycheck Protection Program loan eligibility

[[Page 452]]

because the Applicant has made a reasonable, good faith determination 
that the Applicant qualifies for a religious exemption under 13 CFR 
121.103(b)(10), which says that ``[t]he relationship of a faith-based 
organization to another organization is not considered an affiliation 
with the other organization . . . if the relationship is based on a 
religious teaching or belief or otherwise constitutes a part of the 
exercise of religion.''

[85 FR 20821, Apr. 15, 2020]



PART 123_DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM--Table of Contents



                           Subpart A_Overview

Sec.
123.1 What do these rules cover?
123.2 What are disaster loans and disaster declarations?
123.3 How are disaster declarations made?
123.4 What is a disaster area and why is it important?
123.5 What kinds of loans are available?
123.6 What does SBA look for when considering a disaster loan applicant?
123.7 Are there restrictions on how disaster loans can be used?
123.8 Does SBA charge any fees for obtaining a disaster loan?
123.9 What happens if I don't use loan proceeds for the intended 
          purpose?
123.10 What happens if I cannot use my insurance proceeds to make 
          repairs?
123.11 Does SBA require collateral for any of its disaster loans?
123.12 Are books and records required?
123.13 What happens if my loan application is denied?
123.14 How does the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act of 1990 
          apply?
123.15 What if I change my mind?
123.16 How are loans administered and serviced?
123.17 Do other Federal requirements apply?
123.18 Can I request an increase in the amount of a physical disaster 
          loan?
123.19 May I request an increase in the amount of an economic injury 
          loan?
123.20 How long do I have to request an increase in the amount of a 
          physical disaster loan or an economic injury loan?
123.21 What is a mitigation measure?

                      Subpart B_Home Disaster Loans

123.100 Am I eligible to apply for a home disaster loan?
123.101 When am I not eligible for a home disaster loan?
123.102 What circumstances would justify my relocating?
123.103 What happens if I am forced to move from my home?
123.104 What interest rate will I pay on my home disaster loan?
123.105 How much can I borrow with a home disaster loan and what limits 
          apply on use of funds and repayment terms?
123.106 What is eligible refinancing?
123.107 How much can I borrow for post-disaster mitigation for my home?
123.108 How do the SBA disaster loan program and the FEMA grant programs 
          interact?

               Subpart C_Physical Disaster Business Loans

123.200 Am I eligible to apply for a physical disaster business loan?
123.201 When am I not eligible to apply for a physical disaster business 
          loan?
123.202 How much can my business borrow with a physical disaster 
          business loan?
123.203 What interest rate will my business pay on a physical disaster 
          business loan and what are the repayment terms?
123.204 How much can your business borrow for post-disaster mitigation?

                Subpart D_Economic Injury Disaster Loans

123.300 Is my business eligible to apply for an economic injury disaster 
          loan?
123.301 When would my business not be eligible to apply for an economic 
          injury disaster loan?
123.302 What is the interest rate on an economic injury disaster loan?
123.303 How can my business spend my economic injury disaster loan?
123.304 Is there a limit on the maximum loan amount to a single 
          corporate group for COVID EIDL Loans?

Subpart E [Reserved]

       Subpart F_Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans

123.500 Definitions.
123.501 Under what circumstances is your business eligible to be 
          considered for a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster 
          Loan?
123.502 Under what circumstances is your business ineligible to be 
          considered for a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster 
          Loan?
123.503 When can you apply for a Military Reservist EIDL?
123.504 How do you apply for a Military Reservist EIDL?
123.505 What if you are both an essential employee and the owner of the 
          small business and you started active service before applying 
          for a Military Reservist EIDL?
123.506 How much can you borrow under the Military Reservist EIDL 
          Program?

[[Page 453]]

123.507 Under what circumstances will SBA consider waiving the $2 
          million loan limit?
123.508 How can you use Military Reservist EIDL funds?
123.509 What can't you use Military Reservist EIDL funds for?
123.510 What if you don't use your Military Reservist EIDL funds as 
          authorized?
123.511 How will SBA disburse Military Reservist EIDL funds?
123.512 What is the interest rate on a Military Reservist EIDL?
123.513 Does SBA require collateral on its Military Reservist EIDL?

Subpart G [Reserved]

             Subpart H_Immediate Disaster Assistance Program

123.700 What is the Immediate Disaster Assistance Program?
123.701 What is the application procedure for an IDAP loan?
123.702 What are the eligibility requirements for an IDAP loan?
123.703 What are the terms of an IDAP loan?
123.704 Are there restrictions on how IDAP loan funds may be used?
123.705 Are there any fees associated with IDAP loans?
123.706 What are the requirements for IDAP lenders?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 636(b), 636(d), 657n, and 9009.

    Source: 61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



                           Subpart A_Overview



Sec.  123.1  What do these rules cover?

    This part covers the disaster loan programs authorized under the 
Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 636(b), (d), and (f); and 15 U.S.C. 657n. 
Since SBA cannot predict the occurrence or magnitude of disasters, it 
reserves the right to change the rules in this part, without advance 
notice, by publishing interim emergency regulations in the Federal 
Register.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 60597, Oct. 1, 2010]



Sec.  123.2  What are disaster loans and disaster declarations?

    SBA offers low interest, fixed rate loans to disaster victims, 
enabling them to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed in 
declared disasters. It also offers such loans to affected small 
businesses to help them recover from economic injury caused by such 
disasters. SBA also offers interim guaranteed disaster loans, in 
participation with financial institutions, to affected small businesses 
(``IDAP loans''). Disaster declarations are official notices recognizing 
that specific geographic areas have been damaged by floods and other 
acts of nature, riots, civil disorders, or industrial accidents such as 
oil spills. These disasters are sudden events which cause severe 
physical damage, and do not include slower physical occurrences such as 
shoreline erosion or gradual land settling. However, for purposes of 
economic injury disaster loans only, they do include droughts and below 
average water levels in the Great Lakes or on any body of water in the 
United States that supports commerce by small businesses. Sudden events 
that cause substantial economic injury may be disasters even if they do 
not cause physical damage to a victim's property. Past examples include 
ocean conditions causing significant displacement (major ocean currents) 
or closure (toxic algae blooms) of customary fishing waters, as well as 
contamination of food or other products for human consumption from 
unforeseeable and unintended events beyond the control of the victims.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 75409, Dec. 15, 2007; 75 
FR 60597, Oct. 1, 2010; 81 FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016]



Sec.  123.3  How are disaster declarations made?

    (a) There are seven ways in which disaster declarations are issued 
which make SBA disaster loans possible:
    (1) The President declares a Major Disaster and authorizes Federal 
Assistance, including individual assistance (Assistance to Individuals 
and Households Program).
    (2) If the President declares a Major Disaster limited to public 
assistance only, a private nonprofit facility which provides non-
critical services under guidelines of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency (FEMA) must first apply to SBA for disaster loan assistance for 
such non-critical services before it could seek grant assistance from 
FEMA.

[[Page 454]]

    (3) SBA makes a physical disaster declaration, based on the 
occurrence of at least a minimum amount of physical damage to buildings, 
machinery, equipment, inventory, homes and other property. Such damage 
usually must meet the following tests:
    (i) In any county or other smaller political subdivision of a State 
or U.S. possession, at least 25 homes or 25 businesses, or a combination 
of at least 25 homes, businesses, or other eligible institutions, each 
sustain uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of the estimated fair 
replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged 
property, whichever is lower; or
    (ii) In any such political subdivision, at least three businesses 
each sustain uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of the estimated 
fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged 
property, whichever is lower, and, as a direct result of such physical 
damage, 25 percent or more of the work force in their community would be 
unemployed for at least 90 days; and
    (iii) The Governor of the State in which the disaster occurred 
submits a written request to SBA for a physical disaster declaration by 
SBA (OMB Approval No. 3245-0121). This request should be delivered to 
the Disaster Assistance Field Operations Center serving the jurisdiction 
within 60 days of the date of the disaster. The addresses, phone 
numbers, and jurisdictions served by the field operations centers are 
published in the Federal Register.
    (4) SBA makes an economic injury disaster declaration in response to 
a determination of a natural disaster by the Secretary of Agriculture.
    (5) SBA makes an economic injury declaration in reliance on a state 
certification that at least five small business concerns in a disaster 
area have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the 
disaster and are in need of financial assistance not otherwise available 
on reasonable terms. The state certification must be signed by the 
Governor, must specify the county or counties or other political 
subdivision in which the disaster occurred, and must be delivered (with 
supporting documentation) to the Disaster Assistance Field Operations 
Center serving the jurisdiction within 120 days of the disaster 
occurrence. When a Governor certifies with respect to a drought or to 
below average water levels, the supporting documentation must include 
findings which show that conditions during the incident period meet or 
exceed the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) standard of ``severe'' (Intensity 
level D-2 to D-4). The USDM may be found at http://drought.unl.edu/dm/
monitor. With respect to below average water levels, the supplementary 
information accompanying the certification must include findings which 
establish long-term average water levels based on recorded historical 
data, show that current water levels are below long-term average levels, 
and demonstrate that economic injury has occurred as a direct result of 
the low water levels. Not later than 30 days after SBA receives a 
certification by a Governor, it shall respond in writing with its 
decision and its reasons.
    (6) SBA makes a physical disaster declaration in a rural area (rural 
disaster declaration) upon request from the Governor of the State or the 
Chief Executive of the Indian tribal government in which the rural area 
is located. Rural area means any county or other political subdivision 
of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of 
the United States that is designated as a rural area by the Bureau of 
the Census. The following conditions must be met:
    (i) The President has declared a Major Disaster for the rural area, 
but has not authorized individual assistance; and
    (ii) Any home, small business concern, private nonprofit 
organization, or small agricultural cooperative in the rural area has 
incurred significant damage. Significant damage means uninsured losses 
of 40 percent or more of the estimated fair replacement value or pre-
disaster fair market value of the damaged property, whichever is lower.
    (7) SBA makes an economic injury disaster declaration in response to 
a determination of an emergency involving Federal primary responsibility 
by the President.

[[Page 455]]

    (b) SBA publishes notice of any disaster declaration in the Federal 
Register. The published notice will identify the kinds of assistance 
available, the date and nature of the disaster, and the deadline and 
location for filing loan applications. Additionally, SBA will use the 
local media to inform potential loan applicants where to obtain loan 
applications and otherwise to assist victims in applying for disaster 
loans. SBA will accept applications after the announced deadline only 
when SBA determines that the late filing resulted from substantial 
causes beyond the control of the applicant.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 13667, Mar. 22, 1999; 67 
FR 64518, Oct. 21, 2002; 71 FR 63676, Oct. 31, 2006; 71 FR 75409, Dec. 
15, 2006; 73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008; 81 FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016; 88 FR 
24109, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.4  What is a disaster area and why is it important?

    Each disaster declaration defines the geographical areas affected by 
the disaster. Only those victims located in the declared disaster area 
are eligible to apply for SBA disaster loans. When the President 
declares a major disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
defines the disaster area. In major disasters, economic injury disaster 
loans and IDAP loans may be made for victims in contiguous counties or 
other political subdivisions, provided, however that with respect to 
major disasters which authorize public assistance only, SBA shall not 
make economic injury disaster or IDAP loans in counties contiguous to 
the disaster area. Except for rural disaster declarations (as defined in 
Sec.  123.3), disaster declarations issued by SBA include contiguous 
counties for both physical, economic injury and, in some cases IDAP 
assistance. Rural disaster declarations do not include assistance for 
contiguous counties. Contiguous counties or other political subdivisions 
are those land areas which abut the land area of the declared disaster 
area without geographic separation other than by a minor body of water, 
not to exceed one mile between the land areas of such counties. When SBA 
issues an economic injury disaster declaration in response to a 
determination of an emergency involving Federal primary responsibility 
by the President, the disaster area shall include each State or 
subdivision thereof (including counties) included in the President's 
emergency determination.

[88 FR 24109, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.5  What kinds of loans are available?

    (a) Disaster loans authorized under Section 7(b). SBA offers four 
kinds of disaster loans as authorized by Section 7(b) of the Small 
Business Act: Physical disaster home loans, physical disaster business 
loans, economic injury disaster business loans, and Military Reservist 
EIDL loans. SBA makes these loans directly or in participation with a 
financial institution. If a disaster loan authorized under Section 7(b) 
is made in participation with a financial institution, SBA's share in 
that loan may not exceed 90 percent.
    (b) IDAP loans. SBA also offers IDAP loans as authorized by Section 
42 of the Small Business Act. SBA makes these interim guaranteed 
disaster loans to small businesses only in participation with a 
financial institution. SBA's share in an IDAP loan is equal to 85 
percent.

[75 FR 60597, Oct. 1, 2010]



Sec.  123.6  What does SBA look for when considering a disaster loan applicant?

    There must be reasonable assurance that you can repay your loan 
based on SBA's analysis of your credit or your personal or business cash 
flow, and you must also have satisfactory character. SBA will not make a 
loan to you if repayment depends upon the sale of collateral through 
foreclosure or any other disposition of assets owned by you. SBA is 
prohibited by statute from making a loan to you if you are engaged in 
the production or distribution of any product or service that has been 
determined to be obscene by a court.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 79 FR 22862, Apr. 25, 2014]



Sec.  123.7  Are there restrictions on how disaster loans can be used?

    You must use disaster loans to restore or replace your primary home

[[Page 456]]

(including a mobile home used as a primary residence) and your personal 
or business property as nearly as possible to their condition before the 
disaster occurred, and within certain limits, to protect damaged or 
destroyed real property from possible future disasters.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 39340, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.8  Does SBA charge any fees for obtaining a disaster loan?

    SBA does not charge points, closing, or servicing fees on any 
disaster loan authorized under Section 7(b). You will be responsible for 
payment of any closing costs owed to third parties on these loans, such 
as recording fees and title insurance premiums. If your loan is made 
under Section 7(b) in participation with a financial institution, SBA 
will charge a guarantee fee to the financial institution, which then may 
recover the guarantee fee from you. SBA does not charge a guarantee fee 
for an IDAP loan made under Section 42.

[75 FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010]



Sec.  123.9  What happens if I don't use loan proceeds 
for the intended purpose?

    (a) For disaster loans authorized under Section 7(b), when SBA 
approves each application, it issues a loan authorization which 
specifies the amount of the loan, repayment terms, any collateral 
requirements, and the permitted use of loan proceeds. If you wrongfully 
misapply the proceeds of a disaster loan authorized under Section 7(b), 
you will be liable to SBA for one and one-half times the proceeds 
disbursed to you as of the date SBA learns of your wrongful 
misapplication. Wrongful misapplication means the willful use of any 
loan proceeds without SBA approval contrary to the loan authorization. 
If you fail to use loan proceeds for authorized purposes for 60 days or 
more after receiving a loan disbursement check, such non-use also is 
considered a wrongful misapplication of the proceeds.
    (b) If SBA learns that you may have misapplied your loan proceeds 
from a disaster loan authorized under Section 7(b), SBA will notify you 
at your last known address, by certified mail, return receipt requested. 
You will be given at least 30 days to submit to SBA evidence that you 
have not misapplied the loan proceeds or that you have corrected any 
such misapplication. Any failure to respond in time will be considered 
an admission that you misapplied the proceeds. If SBA finds a wrongful 
misapplication, it will cancel any undisbursed loan proceeds, call the 
loan, and begin collection measures to collect your outstanding loan 
balance and the civil penalty.
    (c) If you misapply loan proceeds of any disaster loan under this 
Part, including an IDAP loan, you may face criminal prosecution or civil 
or administrative action.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010]



Sec.  123.10  What happens if I cannot use my insurance proceeds 
to make repairs?

    If you must pay insurance proceeds to the holder of a recorded lien 
or encumbrance against your damaged property instead of using them to 
make repairs, you may apply to SBA for the full amount needed to make 
such repairs. If you voluntarily pay insurance proceeds to a recorded 
lienholder, your loan eligibility is reduced by the amount of the 
voluntary payment.



Sec.  123.11  Does SBA require collateral for any of its disaster loans?

    (a) When collateral is not required:
    (1) Economic injury disaster loans. Generally, SBA will not require 
that you pledge collateral to secure an economic injury disaster loan of 
$25,000 or less.
    (2) Physical disaster home and physical disaster business loans. 
Generally, SBA will not require that you pledge collateral to secure a 
physical disaster home or physical disaster business loan of $25,000 or 
less. This authority expires on November 25, 2018, unless extended by 
statute.
    (3) IDAP loans. Collateral requirements for IDAP loans are set forth 
in Subpart H of this part.
    (4) Military Reservist EIDL. For the purposes of the Military 
Reservist EIDL only, as described in section 123.513, SBA will not 
generally require that you pledge collateral to secure a loan of $50,000 
or less.

[[Page 457]]

    (b) For loans larger than the amounts outlined in paragraph (a) of 
this section, you will be required to provide available collateral, as 
determined by SBA, such as a lien on the damaged or replacement property 
and/or a security interest in business assets.
    (c) Sometimes a borrower, including affiliates as defined in part 
121 of this title, will have more than one loan after a single disaster. 
In deciding whether collateral is required, SBA will add up all physical 
disaster loans to see if they exceed the applicable unsecured threshold 
outlined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section and all economic injury 
disaster loans to see if they exceed $25,000.
    (d) SBA will not decline a loan if you lack a particular amount of 
collateral as long as it is reasonably sure that you can repay your 
loan. If you refuse to pledge available collateral when requested by 
SBA, however, SBA may decline or cancel your loan.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008; 
75 FR 14332, Mar. 25, 2010; 75 FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010; 79 FR 22862, Apr. 
25, 2014; 81 FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016; 88 FR 39340, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.12  Are books and records required?

    You must retain complete records of all transactions financed with 
your SBA loan proceeds, including copies of all contracts and receipts, 
for a period of 3 years after you receive your final disbursement of 
loan proceeds. If you have a physical disaster business or economic 
injury loan, you must also maintain current and accurate books of 
account, including financial and operating statements, insurance 
policies, and tax returns. You must retain applicable books and records 
for 3 years after your loan matures including any extensions, or from 
the date when your loan is paid in full, whichever occurs first. You 
must make available to SBA or other authorized government personnel upon 
request all such books and records for inspection, audit, and 
reproduction during normal business hours and you must also permit SBA 
and any participating financial institution to inspect and appraise your 
assets. (OMB Approval No. 3245-0110.)



Sec.  123.13  What happens if my loan application is denied?

    (a) If SBA denies your loan application, SBA will notify you in 
writing and set forth the specific reasons for the denial. Any applicant 
whose request for a loan is declined for reasons other than size (not 
being a small business) has the right to present information to overcome 
the reason or reasons for the decline and to request reconsideration in 
writing.
    (b) Any decline due to size can only be appealed as set forth in 
part 121 of this chapter.
    (c) Any request for reconsideration must be received by SBA's 
Disaster Assistance Processing and Disbursement Center (DAPDC) within 
six months of the date of the decline notice. After six months, a new 
loan application is required.
    (d) A request for reconsideration must contain all significant new 
information that you rely on to overcome SBA's denial of your original 
loan application.
    (e) If SBA declines your application a second time, you have the 
right to appeal in writing to the Director, Disaster Assistance 
Processing and Disbursement Center (DAPDC) or the Director's 
designee(s). All appeals must be received by the processing center 
within 30 days of the decline action. Your request must state that you 
are appealing, and must give specific reasons why the decline action 
should be reversed.
    (f) The decision of the Director, DAPDC or the Director's 
designee(s), is final unless:
    (1) The Director, DAPDC or the Director's designee(s), does not have 
the authority to approve the requested loan;
    (2) The Director, DAPDC or the Director's designee(s), refers the 
matter to the SBA Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance (AA/
DA);
    (3) The AA/DA, upon a showing of special circumstances, requests 
that the Director, DAPDC or the Director's designee(s), forward the 
matter to him or her for final consideration; or
    (4) The SBA Administrator, solely within the Administrator's 
discretion, chooses to review the matter and make the final decision. 
Such discretionary

[[Page 458]]

authority of the Administrator does not create additional rights of 
appeal on the part of an applicant not otherwise specified in SBA 
regulations.
    (g) This section does not apply to IDAP loans.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 63676, Oct. 31, 2006; 75 
FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010; 81 FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016; 86 FR 50219, Sept. 8, 
2021; 88 FR 39340, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.14  How does the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act 
of 1990 apply?

    (a) Under the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act of 1990 (28 
U.S.C. 3201(e)), a debtor who owns property which is subject to an 
outstanding judgment lien for a debt owed to the United States generally 
is not eligible to receive a disaster loan. The SBA Associate 
Administrator for Disaster Assistance, or designee, may waive this 
restriction as to disaster loans (except IDAP loans) upon a 
demonstration of good cause. Good cause means a written representation 
by you under oath which convinces SBA that:
    (1) The declared disaster was a major contributing factor to the 
delinquency which led to the judgment lien, regardless of when the 
original debt was incurred; or
    (2) The disaster directly prevented you from fulfilling the terms of 
an agreement with SBA or any other Federal Government entity to satisfy 
its pre-disaster judgment lien; in this situation, the judgment creditor 
must certify to SBA that you were complying with the agreement to 
satisfy the judgment lien when the disaster occurred; or
    (3) Other circumstances exist which would justify a waiver.
    (b) The waiver determination by the Associate Administrator for 
Disaster Assistance, or designee, is a final, non-appealable decision. 
The granting of a waiver does not include loan approval; a waiver 
recipient must then follow normal loan application procedures.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010]



Sec.  123.15  What if I change my mind?

    If SBA required you to pledge collateral for your loan, you may 
change your mind and rescind your loan pursuant to the Consumer Credit 
Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. 1601, and Regulation Z of the Federal Reserve 
Board, 12 CFR part 226. Your note and any collateral documents signed by 
you will be canceled upon your return of all loan proceeds and your 
payment of any interest accrued. This provision does not apply to IDAP 
loans.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010]



Sec.  123.16  How are loans administered and serviced?

    (a) If you obtained your disaster loan from a participating lender, 
that lender is responsible for closing and servicing your loan. If you 
obtained your loan directly from SBA, your loan will be closed and 
serviced by SBA. The SBA rules on servicing are found in Subpart H of 
this part and part 120 of this chapter.
    (b) If you are unable to pay your SBA loan installments in a timely 
manner for reasons substantially beyond your control, you may request 
that SBA suspend your loan payments, extend your maturity, or both.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010]



Sec.  123.17  Do other Federal requirements apply?

    As a condition of disbursement, you must be in compliance with 
certain requirements relating to flood insurance, earthquake hazards, 
coastal barrier islands, and child support obligations, as set forth in 
Sec. Sec.  120.170 through 120.172, 120.174 and 120.175 of this chapter.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 87 FR 38910, June 30, 2022]



Sec.  123.18  Can I request an increase in the amount of 
a physical disaster loan?

    (a) Generally, SBA will consider your request for an increase in 
your loan if you can show that the eligible cost of repair or 
replacement of damages increased because of events occurring after the 
loan approval that were beyond your control. An eligible cost is one 
which is related to the disaster for which SBA issued the original loan. 
For example, if you discover hidden damage within a reasonable time 
after

[[Page 459]]

SBA approved your original disaster loan and before repair, renovation, 
or reconstruction is complete, you may request an increase. Or, if 
applicable building code requirements were changed since SBA approved 
your original loan, you may request an increase in your loan amount.
    (b) For all disasters occurring on or after November 25, 2015, you 
may also request an increase in your loan if you suffered substantial 
economic damage or substantial risks to health or safety as a result of 
malfeasance in connection with the repair or replacement of real 
property or business machinery and equipment for which SBA made a 
disaster loan. See Sec.  123.105 for limits on home loan amounts and 
Sec.  123.202 for limits on business loan amounts. Malfeasance may 
include, but is not limited to, nonperformance of all or any portion of 
the work for which a contractor was paid, work that does not meet 
acceptable standards, or use of substandard materials.

[63 FR 15072, Mar. 30, 1998, as amended at 81 FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016]



Sec.  123.19  May I request an increase in the amount of 
an economic injury loan?

    SBA will consider your request for an increase in the loan amount if 
you can show that the increase is essential for your business to 
continue and is based on events occurring after SBA approved your 
original loan which were beyond your control. For example, delays may 
have occurred beyond your control which prevent you from resuming your 
normal business activity in a reasonable time frame. Your request for an 
increase in the loan amount must be related to the disaster for which 
the SBA economic injury disaster loan was originally made.

[63 FR 15072, Mar. 30, 1998]



Sec.  123.20  How long do I have to request an increase in the amount of 
a physical disaster loan or an economic injury loan?

    (a) You should request a loan increase as soon as possible after you 
discover the need for the increase, but not later than two years after 
SBA approved your physical disaster or economic injury loan. After two 
years, the SBA Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance (AA/DA) 
may waive this limitation after finding extraordinary and unforeseeable 
circumstances.
    (b) For physical disaster loan increases requested under Sec.  
123.18(b) as a result of malfeasance, the request must be received not 
later than two years after the date of final disbursement.

[63 FR 15073, Mar. 30, 1998, as amended at 81 FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016]



Sec.  123.21  What is a mitigation measure?

    A mitigation measure is something done for the purpose of protecting 
property and occupants against disaster related damage. You may 
implement mitigation measures after a disaster occurs (post-disaster) to 
protect against recurring disaster related damage, or before a disaster 
occurs (pre-disaster) to protect against future disaster related damage. 
Examples of mitigation measures include building retaining walls, sea 
walls, grading and contouring land, elevating flood prone structures, 
relocating utilities, constructing a safe room or similar storm shelter 
(if such safe room or similar storm shelter is constructed in accordance 
with applicable standards issued by the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency), or retrofitting structures to protect against high winds, 
earthquakes, flood, wildfires, or other physical disasters. Section 
123.107 specifically addresses post-disaster mitigation for home 
disaster loans, and Sec.  123.204 specifically addresses post-disaster 
mitigation for businesses.

[67 FR 62337, Oct. 7, 2002, as amended at 81 FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016; 85 
FR 12864, Mar. 5, 2020]



                      Subpart B_Home Disaster Loans



Sec.  123.100  Am I eligible to apply for a home disaster loan?

    (a) You are eligible to apply for a home disaster loan if you:
    (1) Own and occupy your primary residence and have suffered a 
physical loss to your primary residence, personal property, or both; or
    (2) Do not own your primary residence, but have suffered a physical 
loss to your personal property. Family

[[Page 460]]

members sharing a residence are eligible if they are not dependents of 
the owners of the residence.
    (b) Losses may be claimed only by the owners of the property at the 
time of the disaster, and all such losses will be verified by SBA. SBA 
will consider beneficial ownership as well as legal title (for real or 
personal property) in determining who suffered the loss.



Sec.  123.101  When am I not eligible for a home disaster loan?

    You are not eligible for a home disaster loan if:
    (a) You have been convicted, during the past year, of a felony 
during and in connection with a riot or civil disorder or other declared 
disaster;
    (b) You acquired voluntarily more than a 50 percent ownership 
interest in the damaged property after the disaster, and no contract of 
sale existed at the time of the disaster;
    (c) Your damaged property can be repaired or replaced with the 
proceeds of insurance, gifts or other compensation, including 
condemnation awards (with one exception), these amounts must either be 
deducted from the amount of the claimed losses or, if received after SBA 
has approved and disbursed a loan, must be paid to SBA as principal 
payments on your loan. You must notify SBA of any such recoveries 
collected after receiving an SBA disaster loan. The one exception 
applies to amounts received under the Individuals and Household Program 
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency solely to meet an emergency 
need pending processing of an SBA loan. In such an event, you must repay 
the financial assistance with SBA loan proceeds if it was used for 
purposes also eligible for an SBA loan;
    (d) SBA determines that you assumed the risk (for example, by not 
maintaining flood insurance as required by an earlier SBA disaster loan 
when the current loss is also due to flood);
    (e) Your damaged property is a secondary home (although if you 
rented the property out before the disaster and the property would not 
constitute a ``residence'' under the provisions of Section 280A of the 
Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 280A), you may be eligible for a 
physical disaster business loan);
    (f) Your damaged property is the type of vehicle normally used for 
recreational purposes, such as motorhomes, aircraft, and boats;
    (g) Your damaged property consists of cash or securities;
    (h) The replacement value of your damaged personal property is 
extraordinarily high and not easily verified, such as the value of 
antiques, artworks, or hobby collections;
    (i) You or other principal owners of the damaged property are 
presently incarcerated, or on probation or parole following conviction 
for a serious criminal offense;
    (j) Your only interest in the damaged property is in the form of a 
security interest, mortgage, or deed of trust;
    (k) The damaged building, including contents, was newly constructed 
or substantially improved on or after February 9, 1989, and (without a 
significant business justification) is located seaward of mean high tide 
or entirely in or over water; or
    (l) You voluntarily decide to relocate outside the business area in 
which the disaster has occurred, and there are no special or unusual 
circumstances leading to your decision (business area means the 
municipality which provides general governmental services to your 
damaged home or, if not located in a municipality, the county or 
equivalent political entity in which your damaged home is located).

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 64519, Oct. 21, 2002]



Sec.  123.102  What circumstances would justify my relocating?

    SBA may approve a loan if you intend to relocate outside the 
business area in which the disaster has occurred if your relocation is 
caused by such special or unusual circumstances as:
    (a) Demonstrable risk that the business area will suffer future 
disasters;
    (b) A change in employment status (such as loss of job, transfer, 
lack of adequate job opportunities within the business area or scheduled 
retirement within 18 months after the disaster occurs);
    (c) Medical reasons; or

[[Page 461]]

    (d) Special family considerations which necessitate a move outside 
of the business area.



Sec.  123.103  What happens if I am forced to move from my home?

    If you must relocate inside or outside the business area because 
local authorities will not allow you to repair your damaged property, 
SBA considers this to be a total loss and a mandatory relocation. In 
this case, your loan would be an amount that SBA considers sufficient to 
replace your residence at your new location, plus funds to cover losses 
of personal property and eligible refinancing.



Sec.  123.104  What interest rate will I pay on my home disaster loan?

    If you can obtain credit elsewhere, your interest rate is set by a 
statutory formula, but will not exceed 8 percent per annum. If you 
cannot obtain credit elsewhere, your interest rate is one-half the 
statutory rate, but will not exceed 4 percent per annum. Credit 
elsewhere means that, with your cash flow and disposable assets, SBA 
believes you could obtain financing from non-federal sources on 
reasonable terms. If you cannot obtain credit elsewhere, you also may be 
able to borrow from SBA to refinance existing recorded liens against 
your damaged real property. Under prior legislation, some SBA disaster 
loans had split interest rates. On any such loan, repayments of 
principal are applied first to that portion of the loan with the lowest 
interest rate.



Sec.  123.105  How much can I borrow with a home disaster loan 
and what limits apply on use of funds and repayment terms?

    (a) There are limits on how much money you can borrow for particular 
purposes. The limits in effect for disasters occurring on or after June 
16, 2023 are as follows.
    (1) $100,000 for repair or replacement of household and personal 
effects;
    (2) $500,000 for repair or replacement of a primary residence 
(including upgrading in order to meet minimum standards of safety and 
decency or current building code requirements);
    (3) $500,000 for eligible refinancing purposes;
    (4) 20 percent of the verified loss (not including refinancing or 
malfeasance), before deduction of compensation from other sources, up to 
a maximum of $500,000 for post-disaster mitigation (see Sec.  123.107); 
and
    (5) $500,000 for eligible malfeasance, pursuant to Sec.  123.18.
    (b) You may not use loan proceeds to repay any debts on personal 
property, secured or unsecured, unless you incurred those debts as a 
direct result of the disaster.
    (c) SBA determines the loan maturity and repayment terms based on 
your needs and your ability to pay. Generally, you will pay monthly 
installments of principal and interest, beginning twelve months from the 
date of the initial disbursement. SBA will consider other payment terms 
if you have seasonal or fluctuating income. The maximum maturity for a 
home disaster loan is 30 years. There is no penalty for prepayment of 
disaster loans.
    (d) The SBA Administrator may increase the home loan lending limits 
within paragraph (a) of this section under an individual disaster 
declaration based on appropriate economic indicators for the region(s) 
in which the disaster occurred. SBA will publish any increased lending 
limit for an individual disaster declaration in the Federal Register.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 14332, Mar. 25, 2010; 81 
FR 67903, Oct. 3, 2016; 88 FR 39340, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.106  What is eligible refinancing?

    (a) If your home (primary residence) is totally destroyed or 
substantially damaged, and you do not have credit elsewhere, SBA may 
allow you to borrow money to refinance recorded liens or encumbrances on 
your home. Your home is totally destroyed or substantially damaged if it 
has suffered uninsured or otherwise uncompensated damage which, at the 
time of the disaster, is either:
    (1) 40 percent or more of the home's market value or replacement 
cost at the time of the disaster, including land value, whichever is 
less; or

[[Page 462]]

    (2) 50 percent or more of its market value or replacement cost at 
the time of the disaster, not including land value, whichever is less.
    (b) Your home disaster loan for refinancing existing liens or 
encumbrances cannot exceed an amount equal to the lesser of $500,000, or 
the physical damage to your primary residence. Any refinancing amount 
will be reduced to the extent such lien or encumbrance is satisfied by 
insurance or otherwise.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 39341, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.107  How much can I borrow for post-disaster mitigation for my home?

    For mitigation measures implemented after a disaster has occurred, 
you can request that the approved home disaster loan amount be increased 
by the lesser of the cost of the mitigation measure, or up to 20 percent 
of the verified loss (before deducting compensation from other sources), 
to a maximum of $500,000.

[75 FR 14332, Mar. 25, 2010, as amended at 88 FR 39341, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.108  How do the SBA disaster loan program and the FEMA 
grant programs interact?

    After a Presidential disaster declaration is made, you may be 
eligible for disaster assistance, including grant assistance, from the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Federal Assistance to 
Individuals and Households Program (IHP). After you register with FEMA 
for disaster assistance, FEMA will consider you for IHP assistance, 
which includes housing assistance grants to repair or replace your 
damaged primary residence and temporary housing assistance (including 
rental assistance) to assist you temporarily with a place to live, and 
assistance with personal property, medical, dental and funeral expenses. 
FEMA may also refer you to SBA to apply for loan assistance to help 
repair or rebuild your home and/or to replace personal property 
destroyed during the disaster. If SBA is unable to approve your loan 
application, or if you have damage in excess of the SBA loan amount, SBA 
may refer you, on a timely basis, to FEMA for IHP grant consideration to 
assist with your unmet personal property and transportation needs. If 
you are approved for the SBA disaster loan and you have received grant 
assistance that duplicates the damage covered by the SBA loan, such 
grant assistance must be deducted from your loan eligibility as 
described in section 123.101(c) of the regulations. All grant decisions 
are made by FEMA. Additionally, if additional disaster assistance is 
available from state, local or other agencies, SBA may refer you to the 
appropriate agency for consideration.

[75 FR 7546, Feb. 22, 2010]



               Subpart C_Physical Disaster Business Loans



Sec.  123.200  Am I eligible to apply for a physical disaster business loan?

    (a) Almost any business concern or charitable or other non-profit 
entity whose real or tangible personal property is damaged in a declared 
disaster area is eligible to apply for a physical disaster business 
loan. Your business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, 
corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity recognized 
under State law. Your business' size (average annual receipts or number 
of employees) is not taken into consideration in determining your 
eligibility for a physical disaster business loan. If your damaged 
business occupied rented space at the time of the disaster, and the 
terms of your business' lease require you to make repairs to your 
business' building, you may have suffered a physical loss and can apply 
for a physical business disaster loan to repair the property. In all 
other cases, the owner of the building is the eligible loan applicant.
    (b) Damaged vehicles, of the type normally used for recreational 
purposes, such as motorhomes, aircraft, and boats, may be repaired or 
replaced with SBA loan proceeds if you can submit evidence that the 
damaged vehicles were used in your business at the time of the disaster.

[[Page 463]]



Sec.  123.201  When am I not eligible to apply for a physical disaster 
business loan?

    (a) You are not eligible for a physical disaster business loan if 
your business is an agricultural enterprise or if you (or any principal 
of the business) fit into any of the categories in Sec.  123.101. 
Agricultural enterprise means a business primarily engaged in the 
production of food and fiber, ranching and raising of livestock, 
aquaculture and all other farming and agriculture-related industries.
    (b) Sometimes a damaged business entity (whether in the form of a 
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or sole 
proprietorship) is engaged in both agricultural enterprise and a non-
agricultural business venture. If the agricultural enterprise part of 
your business entity has suffered a physical disaster, that enterprise 
is not eligible for SBA physical disaster assistance. If the non-
agricultural business venture of your entity has suffered physical 
disaster damage, that part of your business operation would be eligible 
for SBA physical disaster assistance. If both the agricultural 
enterprise part and the non-agricultural business venture have incurred 
physical disaster damage, only the non-agricultural business venture of 
your business entity would be eligible for SBA physical disaster 
assistance.
    (c) If your business is going to relocate voluntarily outside the 
business area in which the disaster occurred, you are not eligible for a 
physical disaster business loan. If, however, the relocation is due to 
uncontrollable or compelling circumstances, SBA will consider the 
relocation to be involuntary and eligible for a loan. Such circumstances 
may include, but are not limited to:
    (1) The elimination or substantial decrease in the market for your 
products or services, as a consequence of the disaster;
    (2) A change in the demographics of your business area within 18 
months prior to the disaster, or as a result of the disaster, which 
makes it uneconomical to continue operations in your business area;
    (3) A substantial change in your cost of doing business, as a result 
of the disaster, which makes the continuation of your business in the 
business area not economically viable;
    (4) Location of your business in a hazardous area such as a special 
flood hazard area or an earthquake-prone area;
    (5) A change in the public infrastructure in your business area 
which occurred within 18 months or as a result of the disaster that 
would result in substantially increased expenses for your business in 
the business area;
    (6) Your implementation of decisions adopted and at least partially 
implemented within 18 months prior to the disaster to move your business 
out of the business area; and
    (7) Other factors which undermine the economic viability of your 
business area.
    (d) You are not eligible if your business is engaged in any illegal 
activity.
    (e) You are not eligible if you are a government owned entity 
(except for a business owned or controlled by a Native American tribe).
    (f) You are not eligible if your business presents live performances 
of a prurient sexual nature or derives directly or indirectly more than 
de minimis gross revenue through the sale of products or services, or 
the presentation of any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual 
nature.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 62 FR 35337, July 1, 1997; 63 
FR 46644, Sept. 2, 1998]



Sec.  123.202  How much can my business borrow with a physical disaster 
business loan?

    (a) Disaster business loans, including both physical disaster and 
economic injury loans to the same borrower, together with its 
affiliates, cannot exceed the lesser of the uncompensated physical loss 
and economic injury or $2 million. Physical disaster loans may include 
amounts to meet current building code requirements. If your business is 
a major source of employment, SBA may waive the $2 million limitation. A 
major source of employment is a business concern that has one or more 
locations in the disaster area, on or after the date of the disaster, 
which:

[[Page 464]]

    (1) Employed 10 percent or more of the entire work force within the 
commuting area of a geographically identifiable community (no larger 
than a county), provided that the commuting area does not extend more 
than 50 miles from such community; or
    (2) Employed 5 percent of the work force in an industry within the 
disaster area and, if the concern is a non-manufacturing concern, 
employed no less than 50 employees in the disaster area, or if the 
concern is a manufacturing concern, employed no less than 150 employees 
in the disaster area; or
    (3) Employed no less than 250 employees within the disaster area.
    (b) SBA will consider waiving the $2 million loan limit for a major 
source of employment only if:
    (1) Your damaged location or locations are out of business or in 
imminent danger of going out of business as a result of the disaster, 
and a loan in excess of $2 million is necessary to reopen or keep open 
the damaged locations in order to avoid substantial unemployment in the 
disaster area; and
    (2) You have used all reasonably available funds from your business, 
its affiliates and its principal owners (20% or greater ownership 
interest) and all available credit elsewhere (as described in Sec.  
123.104) to alleviate your physical damage and economic injury.
    (c) Physical disaster business borrowers may request refinancing of 
liens on both damaged real property and machinery and equipment. Such 
amount shall be reduced to the extent such lien or encumbrance is 
satisfied by insurance or otherwise. Your business property must be 
totally destroyed or substantially damaged, which means:
    (1) 40 percent or more of the aggregate value (lesser of market 
value or replacement cost at the time of the disaster) of the damaged 
real property (including land) and damaged machinery and equipment; or
    (2) 50 percent or more of the aggregate value (lesser of market 
value or replacement cost at the time of the disaster) of the damaged 
real property (excluding land) and damaged machinery and equipment.
    (d) The SBA Administrator may increase the $2 million loan limit for 
disaster business physical and economic injury loans under an individual 
disaster declaration based on appropriate economic indicators for the 
region(s) in which the disaster occurred. SBA will publish the increased 
loan amount in the Federal Register.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 46644, Sept. 2, 1998; 75 
FR 14332, Mar. 25, 2010; 88 FR 39341, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.203  What interest rate will my business pay on a physical disaster 
business loan and what are the repayment terms?

    (a) SBA will announce interest rates with each disaster declaration. 
If your business, together with its affiliates and principal owners, has 
credit elsewhere, your interest rate is set by a statutory formula, but 
will not exceed 8 percent per annum. If you do not have credit 
elsewhere, your interest rate will not exceed 4 percent per annum. The 
maturity of your loan depends upon your repayment ability, but cannot 
exceed seven years if you have credit elsewhere.
    (b) Generally, you will pay monthly installments of principal and 
interest, beginning twelve months from the date of the initial 
disbursement. SBA will consider other payment terms if you have seasonal 
or fluctuating income. There is no penalty for prepayment for disaster 
loans.
    (c) For certain disaster business physical and economic injury 
loans, an additional payment, based on a percentage of net earnings, 
will be required to reduce the balance of the loan. This additional 
payment will not be required until 5 years after repayment begins.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 14333, Mar. 25, 2010; 77 
FR 12157, Feb. 29, 2012; 88 FR 39341, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.204  How much can your business borrow for post-disaster mitigation?

    For mitigation measures implemented after a disaster has occurred, 
you can request an increase in the approved physical disaster business 
loan by the lesser of the cost of the mitigation measure, or up to 20 
percent of the verified loss, before deducting compensation from other 
sources, to repair or replace your damaged business.

[75 FR 14333, Mar. 25, 2010]

[[Page 465]]



                Subpart D_Economic Injury Disaster Loans



Sec.  123.300  Is my business eligible to apply for an economic injury 
disaster loan?

    (a) If your business is located in a declared disaster area, and 
suffered substantial economic injury as a direct result of a declared 
disaster, you are eligible to apply for an economic injury disaster 
loan.
    (1) Substantial economic injury is such that a business concern is 
unable to meet its obligations as they mature or to pay its ordinary and 
necessary operating expenses.
    (2) Loss of anticipated profits or a drop in sales is not considered 
substantial economic injury for this purpose.
    (b) Economic injury disaster loans are available only if you were a 
small business (as defined in part 121 of this chapter) or a private 
non-profit organization when the declared disaster commenced, you and 
your affiliates and principal owners (20% or more ownership interest) 
have used all reasonably available funds, and you are unable to obtain 
credit elsewhere (see Sec.  123.104).
    (c) Eligible businesses do not include agricultural enterprises, but 
do include--
    (1) Small nurseries affected by a drought disaster designated by the 
Secretary of Agriculture (nurseries are commercial establishments 
deriving 50 percent or more of their annual receipts from the production 
and sale of ornamental plants and other nursery products, including, but 
not limited to, bulbs, florist greens, foliage, flowers, flower and 
vegetable seeds, shrubbery, and sod);
    (2) Small agricultural cooperatives;
    (3) Producer cooperatives; and
    (4) Small aquaculture enterprises.
    (d) An eligible private non-profit organization is a non-
governmental agency or entity that currently has:
    (1) An effective ruling letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue 
Service, granting tax exemption under sections 510(c), (d), or (e) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or
    (2) Satisfactory evidence from the State that the non-revenue 
producing organization or entity is a non-profit one organized or doing 
business under State law.
    (e) COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster (COVID EIDL) loans are 
available if, as of the date of application, you:
    (1) Are a business, including an agricultural cooperative, 
aquaculture enterprise, nursery, or producer cooperative (but excluding 
all other agricultural enterprises), that is small under SBA Size 
Standards (as defined in part 121 of this chapter);
    (2) Are an individual who operates under a sole proprietorship, with 
or without employees, or as an independent contractor;
    (3) Are a private non-profit organization that is a non-governmental 
agency or entity that currently has an effective ruling letter from the 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) granting tax exemption under sections 
501(c), (d), or (e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or 
satisfactory evidence from the State that the non-revenue-producing 
organization or entity is a non-profit one organized or doing business 
under State law, or a faith-based organization;
    (4) Are a business, cooperative, agricultural enterprise, Employee 
Stock Ownership Plan (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 632), or tribal small 
business concern (as described in 15 U.S.C. 657a(b)(2)(C)), with not 
more than 500 employees; or
    (5) Are a business that is assigned a North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) code beginning with 61, 71, 72, 213, 3121, 
315, 448, 451, 481, 485, 487, 511, 512, 515, 532, or 812, employs not 
more than 500 employees per physical location, and together with 
affiliates has no more than 20 locations.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 11880, Mar. 15, 2002; 70 
FR 72595, Dec. 6, 2005; 73 FR 41254, July 18, 2008; 75 FR 14333, Mar. 
25, 2010; 76 FR 63547, Oct. 12, 2011; 86 FR 50219, Sept. 8, 2021]



Sec.  123.301  When would my business not be eligible to apply for 
an economic injury disaster loan?

    Your business is not eligible for an economic disaster loan if you 
(or any principal of the business) fit into any of the categories in 
Sec. Sec.  123.101 and 123.201, or if your business is:

[[Page 466]]

    (a) Engaged in lending, multi-level sales distribution, speculation, 
or investment (except for real estate investment with property held for 
rental when the disaster occurred);
    (b) A non-profit or charitable concern, other than a private non-
profit organization;
    (c) [Reserved]
    (d) Not a small business concern; or
    (e) Deriving more than one-third of gross annual revenue from legal 
gambling activities;
    (f) A loan packager which earns more than one-third of its gross 
annual revenue from packaging SBA loans;
    (g) Principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or 
indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a religious or 
secular setting; or
    (h) Primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 46644, Sept. 2, 1998; 75 
FR 14333, Mar. 25, 2010; 88 FR 39341, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.302  What is the interest rate on an economic injury disaster loan?

    Your economic injury loan will have an interest rate of 4 percent 
per annum or less.



Sec.  123.303  How can my business spend my economic injury disaster loan?

    (a) You can only use the loan proceeds for working capital necessary 
to carry your concern until resumption of normal operations and for 
expenditures necessary to alleviate the specific economic injury, but 
not to exceed that which the business could have provided had the injury 
not occurred. COVID EIDL loan proceeds also may be used to make debt 
payments including monthly payments, payment of deferred interest, and 
pre-payments on any business debts, except pre-payments are not 
permitted on any loans owned by a Federal agency (including SBA) or a 
Small Business Investment Company licensed under the Small Business 
Investment Act.
    (b) Loan proceeds may not be used to:
    (1) Refinance indebtedness which you incurred prior to the disaster 
event;
    (2) Except for COVID EIDL loan proceeds, make payments on loans 
owned by a Federal agency (including SBA) or a Small Business Investment 
Company licensed under the Small Business Investment Act;
    (3) Pay, directly or indirectly, any obligations resulting from a 
federal, state or local tax penalty as a result of negligence or fraud, 
or any non-tax criminal fine, civil fine, or penalty for non-compliance 
with a law, regulation, or order of a federal, state, regional, or local 
agency or similar matter;
    (4) Repair physical damage; or
    (5) Pay dividends or other disbursements to owners, partners, 
officers or stockholders, except for reasonable remuneration directly 
related to their performance of services for the business.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 86 FR 50219, Sept. 8, 2021]



Sec.  123.304  Is there a limit on the maximum loan amount to a single 
corporate group for COVID EIDL Loans?

    Entities that are part of a single corporate group shall in no event 
receive more than $10,000,000 of COVID EIDL loans in the aggregate. For 
purposes of this limit, entities are part of a single corporate group if 
they are majority owned, directly or indirectly, by a common parent.

[86 FR 50219, Sept. 8, 2021]

Subpart E--[Reserved]



       Subpart F_Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans

    Source: 66 FR 38530, July 25, 2001, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  123.500  Definitions.

    The following terms have the same meaning wherever they are used in 
this subpart:
    (a) Essential employee is an individual (whether or not an owner of 
a small business) whose managerial or technical expertise is critical to 
the successful day-to-day operations of a small business.
    (b) Military reservist is a member of a reserve component of the 
Armed Forces ordered to active service.
    (c) Active service has the meaning given in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(3):

[[Page 467]]

    (1) Service on active duty; or
    (2) Full-time National Guard duty.
    (d) Principal owner is a person or entity which owns 20 percent or 
more of the small business.
    (e) Substantial economic injury means an economic harm to the small 
business such that it cannot:
    (1) Meet its obligations as they mature,
    (2) Pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses, or
    (3) Market, produce or provide a product or service ordinarily 
marketed, produced or provided by the business. Loss of anticipated 
profits or a drop in sales is not considered substantial economic injury 
for this purpose.

[66 FR 38530, July 25, 2001, as amended at 88 FR 24109, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.501  Under what circumstances is your business eligible to be 
considered for a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan?

    Your business is eligible to apply for a Military Reservist EIDL if:
    (a) It is a small business as defined in 13 CFR part 121 when the 
essential employee was called to active service,
    (b) The owner of the business is a military reservist and an 
essential employee or the business employs a military reservist who is 
an essential employee,
    (c) The essential employee has been called-up to active service for 
a period of more than 30 consecutive days,
    (d) The business has suffered or is likely to suffer substantial 
economic injury as a result of the absence of the essential employee, 
and
    (e) You and your affiliates and principal owners (20% or more 
ownership interest) have used all reasonably available funds, and you 
are unable to obtain credit elsewhere (see Sec.  123.104).

[66 FR 38530, July 25, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 64519, Oct. 21, 2002; 
88 FR 24109, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.502  Under what circumstances is your business ineligible to be 
considered for a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan?

    Your business is ineligible for a Military Reservist EIDL if it, 
together with its affiliates, is subject to any of the following 
conditions:
    (a) Any of your business' principal owners has been convicted, 
during the past year, of a felony during and in connection with a riot 
or civil disorder;
    (b) You have assumed the risk associated with employing the military 
reservist, as determined by SBA (for example, hiring the ``essential 
employee'' after the employee has received call-up orders or been 
notified that they are imminent);
    (c) Any of your business' principal owners is presently 
incarcerated, or on probation or parole following conviction of a 
serious criminal offense;
    (d) Your business is an agricultural enterprise. Agricultural 
enterprise means a business primarily engaged in the production of food 
and fiber, ranching and raising of livestock, aquaculture and all other 
farming and agriculture-related industries. (See 13 CFR 121.107, ``How 
does SBA determine a concern's primary industry?'') Sometimes a business 
is engaged in both agricultural and non-agricultural business 
activities. If the primary business activity of the business is not an 
agricultural enterprise, it may apply for a Military Reservist EIDL, but 
loan proceeds may not be used, directly or indirectly, for the benefit 
of the agricultural enterprises;
    (e) Your business is engaged in any illegal activity;
    (f) Your business is a government owned entity (except for a 
business owned or controlled by a Native American tribe);
    (g) Your business presents live performances of a prurient sexual 
nature or derives directly or indirectly more than an insignificant 
gross revenue through the sale of products or services, or through the 
presentation of any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature;
    (h) Your business is engaged in lending, multi-level sales 
distribution, speculation, or investment (except for real estate 
investment with property held for commercial rental);
    (i) Your business is a non-profit or charitable concern;
    (j) [Reserved]
    (k) Your business is not a small business concern;

[[Page 468]]

    (l) Your business derives more than one-third of its gross annual 
revenue from legal gambling activities;
    (m) Your business is a loan packager which earns more than one-third 
of its gross annual revenue from packaging SBA loans;
    (n) Your business' principal activity is teaching, instructing, 
counseling, or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in 
a religious or secular setting; or
    (o) Your business' principal activity is political or lobbying 
activities.

[66 FR 38530, July 25, 2001, as amended at 88 FR 39341, June 16, 2023]



Sec.  123.503  When can you apply for a Military Reservist EIDL?

    Your small business can apply for a Military Reservist EIDL any time 
beginning on the date your essential employee receives notice of 
expected call-up and ending one year after the date the essential 
employee is discharged or released from active service. The Associate 
Administrator for Disaster Assistance (AA/DA) or designee may extend the 
one year limit by no more then one additional year after finding 
extraordinary or unforeseeable circumstances.

[73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008, as amended at 88 FR 24110, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.504  How do you apply for a Military Reservist EIDL?

    To apply for a Military Reservist EIDL you must complete a SBA 
Military Reservist EIDL application package (SBA Form 5R and supporting 
documentation can be obtained through SBA's Disaster Area Office) 
including:
    (a) A copy of the essential employee's official call-up orders for 
active service showing the date of call-up, and, if known, the date of 
release from active service. For an essential employee who expects to be 
called up and who has not received official call-up orders, the 
application shall include the notice of the expected call-up including, 
if known, the expected date of call-up and expected date of release from 
active service;
    (b) A statement from the business owner that the reservist is 
essential to the successful day-to-day operations of the business 
(detailing the employee's duties and responsibilities and explaining why 
these duties and responsibilities can't be completed in the essential 
employee's absence);
    (c) A certification by the essential employee supporting that he or 
she concurs with the business owner's statement as described in 
paragraph (b) of this section;
    (d) A written explanation and financial estimate of how the call-up 
of the essential employee has or will result in economic injury to your 
business;
    (e) The steps your business is taking to alleviate the economic 
injury; and
    (f) The business owners' certification that the essential employee 
will be offered the same or a similar job upon the employee's return 
from active service.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008; 
88 FR 24110, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.505  What if you are both an essential employee and the owner of 
the small business and you started active service before applying for 
a Military Reservist EIDL?

    If you are both an essential employee and the owner of the small 
business and you started active service before applying for an Military 
Reservist EIDL, a person who has a power of attorney with the authority 
to borrow and make other related commitments on your behalf, may 
complete and submit the EIDL loan application package for you.

[66 FR 38530, July 25, 2001, as amended at 88 FR 24110, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.506  How much can you borrow under the Military Reservist 
EIDL Program?

    You can borrow an amount equal to the substantial economic injury 
you have suffered or are likely to suffer until normal operations resume 
as a result of the absence of one or more essential employees called to 
active service, up to a maximum of $2 million.

[73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008, as amended at 88 FR 24110, Apr. 19, 2023]

[[Page 469]]



Sec.  123.507  Under what circumstances will SBA consider waiving 
the $2 million loan limit?

    SBA will consider waiving the $2 million limit if you can certify to 
the following conditions and SBA approves of such certification based on 
the information supplied in your application:
    (a) Your small business is a major source of employment. A major 
source of employment is a business concern that, on or after the date of 
the disaster:
    (1) Employs 10 percent or more of the work force within the 
commuting area of the geographically identifiable community (no larger 
than a county) in which the business employing the essential employee is 
located, provided that the commuting area does not extend more than 50 
miles from such community; or
    (2) Employs 5 percent of the work force in an industry within such 
commuting area and, if the small business is a non-manufacturing small 
business, employs no less than 50 employees in the same commuting area, 
or if the small business is a manufacturing small business, employs no 
less than 150 employees in the commuting area; or
    (3) Employs no less than 250 employees within such commuting area;
    (b) Your small business is in imminent danger of going out of 
business as a result of one or more essential employees being called up 
to active service for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, and a 
loan in excess of $2 million is necessary to reopen or keep open the 
small business; and
    (c) Your small business has used all reasonably available funds from 
the small business, its affiliates, its principal owners and all 
available credit elsewhere to alleviate the small business' economic 
injury. Credit elsewhere means financing from non-Federal sources on 
reasonable terms given your available cash flow and disposable assets 
which SBA believes your small business, its affiliates and principal 
owners could obtain.

[61 FR 3304, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008; 
75 FR 14333, Mar. 25, 2010; 88 FR 24109, Apr. 19, 2023]



Sec.  123.508  How can you use Military Reservist EIDL funds?

    Your small business can use Military Reservist EIDL to:
    (a) Meet obligations as they mature,
    (b) Pay ordinary and necessary operating expenses, or
    (c) Enable the business to market, produce or provide products or 
services ordinarily marketed, produced, or provided by the business, 
which cannot be done as a result of the essential employee's military 
call-up.



Sec.  123.509  What can't you use Military Reservist EIDL funds for?

    Your small business can not use Military Reservist EIDL funds for 
purposes described in Sec.  123.303(b) (See Sec.  123.303, `` How can my 
business spend my economic injury disaster loan?'').



Sec.  123.510  What if you don't use your Military Reservist EIDL funds 
as authorized?

    If your small business does not use Military Reservist EIDL funds as 
authorized by Sec.  123.508, then Sec.  123.9 applies (See Sec.  123.9, 
``What happens if I don't use loan proceeds for the intended 
purpose?'').



Sec.  123.511  How will SBA disburse Military Reservist EIDL funds?

    Funds will be disbursed only after the essential employee has been 
called to active service, and you have provided a copy of the essential 
employee's official call-up orders for active service showing the date 
of the call-up. SBA will disburse your funds in quarterly installments 
(unless otherwise specified in your loan authorization agreement) based 
on a continued need as demonstrated by comparative financial 
information. On or about 30 days before your scheduled fund 
disbursement, SBA will request ordinary and usual financial statements 
(including balance sheets and profit and loss statements). Based on this 
information, SBA will assess your continued need for disbursements under 
this program. Upon making such assessment, SBA will notify you of the 
status of future disbursements.

[73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008, as amended at 88 FR 24110, Apr. 19, 2023]

[[Page 470]]



Sec.  123.512  What is the interest rate on a Military Reservist EIDL?

    The interest rate on a Military Reservist EIDL will be 4 percent per 
annum or less. SBA will publish the interest rate quarterly in the 
Federal Register.



Sec.  123.513  Does SBA require collateral on its Military Reservist EIDL?

    SBA will not generally require you to pledge collateral to secure a 
Military Reservist EIDL of $50,000 or less. For loans larger than 
$50,000, you will be required to provide available collateral such as a 
lien on business property, a security interest in personal property, or 
both. SBA will not decline a loan if you do not have a particular amount 
of collateral so long as SBA is reasonably sure that you can repay the 
loan. If you refuse to pledge the available collateral when requested by 
SBA, however, SBA may decline or cancel your loan.

[73 FR 54675, Sept. 23, 2008]

Subpart G--[Reserved]



             Subpart H_Immediate Disaster Assistance Program

    Source: 75 FR 60598, Oct. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  123.700  What is the Immediate Disaster Assistance Program?

    (a) The Immediate Disaster Assistance Program (IDAP) is a guaranteed 
disaster loan program for small businesses that have suffered physical 
damage or economic injury due to a Declared Disaster. An IDAP loan is an 
interim loan in an amount not to exceed $25,000 made by an IDAP Lender 
to meet the immediate business needs of an IDAP Borrower while approval 
of long-term financing from a Disaster Loan is pending with SBA.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this subpart, the terms below are 
defined as follows:
    Contiguous Counties means the counties or other political 
subdivisions identified in the IDAP-Eligible Disaster Declaration as 
abutting the Primary Counties.
    Credit Elsewhere means that the IDAP Borrower is able to address 
disaster losses using available personal or business resources or access 
to nonfederal lending sources at reasonable rates and terms.
    Declared Disaster is a disaster event for which an IDAP-Eligible 
Disaster Declaration has been issued.
    Declared Disaster Area means the Primary Counties and the Contiguous 
Counties identified for a particular Declared Disaster.
    Disaster Loan means a disaster loan authorized by Section 7(b) of 
the Small Business Act.
    IDAP Borrower is the obligor of an IDAP loan.
    IDAP Lender is a financial institution participating in the IDAP 
loan program, subject to the requirements of this subpart.
    IDAP Loan Program Requirements are requirements imposed upon an IDAP 
Lender by statute, SBA regulations, any agreement the IDAP Lender has 
executed with SBA, SBA SOPs, SBA procedural guidance, official SBA 
notices and forms applicable to the IDAP loan program, and loan 
authorizations, as such requirements are issued and revised by SBA from 
time to time.
    IDAP-Eligible Disaster Declaration means a Major Disaster 
Declaration, SBA Administrative Disaster Declaration or SBA EIDL-Only 
Disaster Declaration in which SBA has indicated that IDAP loans are 
available.
    Initial Period is the IDAP loan repayment period that begins upon 
the initial disbursement of an IDAP loan and ends upon (i) full 
repayment of the IDAP loan from the proceeds of the IDAP Borrower's 
Disaster Loan; (ii) SBA notice to the IDAP Lender of decline of the IDAP 
Borrower's Disaster Loan Application; or (iii) receipt by the IDAP 
Lender of partial repayment of the IDAP loan from the proceeds of the 
Disaster Loan; provided that if the IDAP loan has not been fully 
disbursed at such time, the Initial Period shall not end until the IDAP 
loan is fully disbursed.
    Major Disaster Declaration means a disaster declaration issued under 
Sec.  123.3(a)(1) of this part.
    Other Recoveries are other compensation for disaster losses and 
include, but

[[Page 471]]

are not limited to: Proceeds of policies of insurance or other 
indemnifications; grants or other reimbursement (including loans) from 
government agencies or private organizations; claims for civil liability 
against other individuals, organizations or governmental entities; 
gifts; condemnation awards; and salvage (including any sale or re-use) 
of items of disaster-damaged property. If an IDAP Borrower has 
voluntarily paid insurance recoveries to a recorded lienholder, the 
amount paid is considered to be Other Recoveries.
    Primary Counties means the counties or other political subdivisions 
identified in the IDAP-Eligible Disaster Declaration as having been 
adversely affected by the disaster.
    SBA Administrative Disaster Declaration means a disaster declaration 
issued under Sec.  123.3(a)(3) of this part.
    SBA EIDL-Only Disaster Declaration means a disaster declaration 
issued under Sec.  123.3(a)(5) of this part.
    Substantial Economic Injury exists when a business concern is unable 
to meet its obligations as they mature or to pay its ordinary and 
necessary operating expenses. Loss of anticipated profits or a drop in 
sales is not considered substantial economic injury.
    Term Period is the repayment period that begins following:
    (i) SBA notice to the IDAP Lender of decline of the IDAP Borrower's 
Disaster Loan application;
    (ii) Receipt by the IDAP Lender of partial repayment of the IDAP 
loan from the proceeds of the Disaster Loan; or
    (iii) Final disbursement of the IDAP loan, whichever is later, and 
ends when the IDAP loan is repaid in full.



Sec.  123.701  What is the application procedure for an IDAP loan?

    A prospective IDAP Borrower must apply to an IDAP Lender for an IDAP 
loan by the application deadline for prospective IDAP Borrowers 
established by SBA in the IDAP-Eligible Disaster Declaration. If the 
IDAP Lender approves the application, it must submit a request for IDAP 
loan approval to SBA by the application deadline for IDAP Lenders 
established by SBA in the IDAP-Eligible Disaster Declaration. SBA will 
issue an approval or a decline of the IDAP Lender's request within 36 
hours of receipt by SBA. A prospective IDAP Borrower will receive notice 
of approval or decline of its loan application from the IDAP Lender. 
Notice of decline will include the reasons. If an IDAP loan is approved, 
a loan authorization will be issued.



Sec.  123.702  What are the eligibility requirements for an IDAP loan?

    (a) Eligible IDAP applicants. To be eligible for an IDAP loan, an 
applicant business must meet all of the requirements set forth below. 
The applicant business must:
    (1) Be located within a Declared Disaster Area;
    (2) Have eligible disaster losses as follows:
    (i) For a Major Disaster Declaration, if located in a Primary 
County, have sustained damage to real or business personal property in 
the Declared Disaster or, if located in a Primary or Contiguous County, 
have sustained Substantial Economic Injury as a direct result of the 
Declared Disaster; or
    (ii) For an SBA Administrative Disaster Declaration, have sustained 
damage to real or business personal property in the Declared Disaster or 
sustained Substantial Economic Injury as a direct result of the Declared 
Disaster; or
    (iii) For an SBA EIDL-Only Disaster Declaration, have sustained 
Substantial Economic Injury as a direct result of the Declared Disaster;
    (3) Have been a small business concern under the size requirements 
applicable to disaster loan assistance under part 121 of this chapter 
(including affiliates) when the Declared Disaster commenced;
    (4) Together with affiliates and principal owners, not have Credit 
Elsewhere;
    (5) Apply to SBA for a Disaster Loan within the applicable deadline 
and before any disbursement of the IDAP loan; and
    (6) Be creditworthy and demonstrate reasonable assurance of 
repayment of the IDAP loan.
    (b) Ineligible IDAP applicants. An applicant business is not 
eligible for an IDAP loan if it is:

[[Page 472]]

    (1) A non-profit or charitable concern;
    (2) A business that was not a small business concern under the size 
requirements of part 121 of this chapter (including affiliates) when the 
Declared Disaster commenced;
    (3) A consumer or marketing cooperative;
    (4) Deriving more than one-third of gross annual revenue from legal 
gambling activities or a business whose purpose for being is gambling 
regardless of its ability to meet the one-third criteria established for 
otherwise eligible concerns;
    (5) A loan packager which earns more than one-third of its gross 
annual revenue from packaging SBA loans;
    (6) Principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or 
indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a religious or 
secular setting;
    (7) Primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities;
    (8) A private club or business that limits the number of memberships 
for reasons other than capacity;
    (9) Presents live performances of a prurient sexual nature or 
derives directly or indirectly more than de minimis gross revenue 
through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of any 
depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature;
    (10) Engaged in the production or distribution of any product or 
service that has been determined to be obscene by a court;
    (11) Engaged in any illegal activity;
    (12) A government owned entity (except for a business owned or 
controlled by a Native American tribe);
    (13) A business in which the IDAP Lender or any of its Associates 
(as defined in Sec.  120.10) owns an equity interest;
    (14) Primarily engaged in subdividing real property into lots and 
developing it for resale on its own account;
    (15) Engaged in lending, multi-level sales distribution, 
speculation, or investment (except for real estate investment with 
property held for rental when the Declared Disaster occurred);
    (16) Delinquent on any Federal obligation, including but not limited 
to any Federal loans, contracts, grants, student loans or taxes, or has 
a judgment lien for a Federal debt against its property;
    (17) Located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), as designated by 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and has not maintained required 
flood insurance on its business property (regardless of the type of 
disaster);
    (18) Located in a SFHA within a non-participating community or a 
community under sanction;
    (19) Located in a building that was newly constructed or 
substantially improved on or after February 9, 1989, and is currently 
located seaward of mean high tide or entirely in or over water;
    (20) Located in a Coastal Barrier Resource Area (COBRA);
    (21) A business that had a substantial change of ownership (more 
than 50 percent) after the Declared Disaster and no contract of sale 
existed prior to that time;
    (22) A business that was established after the Declared Disaster;
    (23) Relocating out of the Declared Disaster Area;
    (24) Primarily engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching 
and raising of livestock, aquaculture and all other farming and 
agriculture-related industries (except for a nursery deriving less than 
50 percent of annual receipts from the production and sale of ornamental 
plants and other nursery products, a small agricultural cooperative or a 
small producer cooperative); or
    (25) A sole proprietorship, unincorporated association, partnership 
or limited liability company in which a Member of Congress (or a 
household member) has an ownership interest.
    (c) Character requirements. An applicant business is not eligible 
for an IDAP loan if any Associate (as defined in Sec.  120.10) of the 
applicant business:
    (1) Is presently under indictment, on parole or probation;
    (2) Has ever been charged with, arrested for, convicted, placed on 
pretrial diversion, and/or placed on any form of probation (including 
adjudication withheld pending probation) for any criminal offense other 
than a minor motor vehicle violation (including offenses which have been 
dismissed, discharged, or not prosecuted);

[[Page 473]]

    (3) Is at least a 50 percent or more owner of applicant business, 
and is more than 60 days delinquent on any obligation to pay child 
support arising under an administrative order, court order, repayment 
agreement between the holder and a custodial parent, or repayment 
agreement between the holder and a state agency providing child support 
enforcement services;
    (4) Is an undocumented (illegal) alien; or
    (5) Is delinquent on any Federal obligation, including but not 
limited to any Federal loans, contracts, grants, student loans or taxes.



Sec.  123.703  What are the terms of an IDAP loan?

    (a) Guaranty percentage. The SBA guaranteed share of an IDAP loan is 
85%.
    (b) Maximum loan size. (1) If the amount of an IDAP Borrower's 
disaster losses is $25,000 or less, the principal amount of an IDAP loan 
must not exceed the amount of disaster losses minus Other Recoveries.
    (2) If the amount of an IDAP Borrower's disaster losses is more than 
$25,000, the principal amount of an IDAP loan must not exceed $25,000 
minus Other Recoveries.
    (c) Disbursement. The disbursement period for an IDAP loan is 
generally up to 30 days from the date of SBA approval of the IDAP loan. 
If the IDAP Lender is notified before disbursement of the IDAP loan that 
the IDAP Borrower has received Other Recoveries, the IDAP Lender must 
decrease the approved amount of the IDAP loan by the amount of the Other 
Recoveries. If the IDAP Borrower's Disaster Loan is approved, SBA will 
contact the IDAP Lender when SBA is ready to disburse the Disaster Loan. 
Upon receipt of such notification by SBA, the IDAP Lender must cancel 
any remaining undisbursed amount of the IDAP loan.
    (d) Repayment--(1) Initial Period. During the Initial Period, an 
IDAP Borrower will pay interest only on the disbursed principal balance 
of the IDAP loan. If SBA approves the IDAP Borrower's Disaster Loan 
application, SBA will require that the IDAP loan be repaid first from 
the proceeds of the Disaster Loan. If the IDAP Borrower receives Other 
Recoveries during the Initial Period, the IDAP Borrower must, in 
accordance with Sec.  123.703(h), remit the Other Recoveries to the IDAP 
Lender, and the IDAP Lender will apply the Other Recoveries to the IDAP 
loan. If the IDAP Borrower's Disaster Loan application is declined or if 
the amount of the approved Disaster Loan is insufficient to repay the 
IDAP loan in full, the remaining balance of the IDAP loan will be repaid 
during the Term Period as described in paragraph (2). The Initial Period 
ends upon (i) full repayment of the IDAP loan from the proceeds of the 
IDAP Borrower's Disaster Loan; (ii) SBA notice to the IDAP Lender of 
decline of the IDAP Borrower's Disaster Loan Application; or (iii) 
receipt by the IDAP Lender of partial repayment of the IDAP loan from 
the proceeds of the Disaster Loan; provided that if the IDAP loan has 
not been fully disbursed at such time, the Initial Period shall not end 
until the IDAP loan is fully disbursed. If an IDAP Borrower withdraws an 
application for a Disaster Loan, fails to close on an approved Disaster 
Loan or if the approved Disaster Loan is cancelled, the IDAP loan is 
immediately due and payable by the IDAP Borrower.
    (2) Term Period. If SBA declines the IDAP Borrower's Disaster Loan 
application or the approved amount of the Disaster Loan is insufficient 
to repay the IDAP loan in full, the IDAP Borrower must pay principal and 
interest on the IDAP loan, with the IDAP loan balance to be fully 
amortized over a period that is at least 10 years from the date of final 
disbursement of the IDAP loan, but no more than 25 years from the date 
of final disbursement. The Term Period begins in the first month 
following SBA notice to the IDAP Lender of decline of the IDAP 
Borrower's Disaster Loan application, receipt by the IDAP Lender of 
partial repayment of the IDAP loan from the proceeds of the Disaster 
Loan, or final disbursement of the IDAP loan, whichever is later. 
Balloon payments are not permitted. The IDAP Borrower may prepay all or 
a portion of the principal during the life of the loan without penalty. 
If the IDAP Borrower receives

[[Page 474]]

Other Recoveries during the Term Period, the IDAP Borrower must, in 
accordance with Sec.  123.703(h), remit the Other Recoveries to the IDAP 
Lender, and the IDAP Lender will apply the Other Recoveries to the IDAP 
loan.
    (e) Interest rate--(1) Initial Period. The maximum interest rate an 
IDAP Lender may charge an IDAP Borrower during the Initial Period will 
be published by SBA in the Federal Register from time to time. This rate 
must be a fixed rate.
    (2) Term Period. The maximum interest rate an IDAP Lender may charge 
an IDAP Borrower during the Term Period will be published in the Federal 
Register from time to time. The IDAP Lender may charge either a fixed or 
a variable rate during the Term Period.
    (f) Number of IDAP loans per small business. No small business 
(including affiliates) may obtain more than one IDAP loan per Declared 
Disaster. The provisions of Sec.  120.151 do not apply to IDAP loans.
    (g) Personal guarantees. Holders of at least a 20 percent ownership 
interest in the IDAP Borrower must guarantee the IDAP loan.
    (h) Agreement to remit Other Recoveries. IDAP Borrowers must 
promptly notify the IDAP Lender of the receipt of Other Recoveries, and 
must promptly remit the proceeds of Other Recoveries to the IDAP Lender. 
The IDAP Lender must apply the Other Recoveries to the IDAP loan 
balance. SBA does not require any additional collateral for IDAP loans.



Sec.  123.704  Are there restrictions on how IDAP loan funds may be used?

    (a) IDAP loan proceeds may only be used for the following purposes:
    (1) For a Major Disaster Declaration:
    (i) If the IDAP Borrower is located in a Primary County, to restore 
or replace the IDAP Borrower's real or business personal property to its 
condition before the Declared Disaster occurred and/or for working 
capital necessary to carry the IDAP Borrower until resumption of normal 
operations and for expenditures necessary to alleviate the specific 
economic injury, but not to exceed that which the IDAP Borrower could 
have provided had the injury not occurred; or
    (ii) If the IDAP Borrower is located in a Contiguous County, for 
working capital necessary to carry the IDAP Borrower until resumption of 
normal operations and for expenditures necessary to alleviate the 
specific economic injury, but not to exceed that which the IDAP Borrower 
could have provided had the injury not occurred.
    (2) For an SBA Administrative Disaster Declaration, if the IDAP 
Borrower is located in either a Primary County or a Contiguous County, 
to restore or replace the IDAP Borrower's real or business personal 
property to its condition before the Declared Disaster occurred and/or 
for working capital necessary to carry the IDAP Borrower until 
resumption of normal operations and for expenditures necessary to 
alleviate the specific economic injury, but not to exceed that which the 
IDAP Borrower could have provided had the injury not occurred.
    (3) For an SBA EIDL-Only Disaster Declaration, if the IDAP Borrower 
is located in either a Primary County or a Contiguous County, for 
working capital necessary to carry the IDAP Borrower until resumption of 
normal operations and for expenditures necessary to alleviate the 
specific economic injury, but not to exceed that which the IDAP Borrower 
could have provided had the injury not occurred.
    (b) IDAP loan proceeds may not be used to:
    (1) Refinance or repay indebtedness incurred prior to the Declared 
Disaster (other than regularly due installments);
    (2) Make payments on loans owned by another federal agency 
(including SBA) or a Small Business Investment Company licensed under 
the Small Business Investment Act;
    (3) Pay, directly or indirectly, any obligations resulting from a 
federal, state or local tax penalty as a result of negligence or fraud, 
or any non-tax criminal fine, civil fine, or penalty for non-compliance 
with a law, regulation, or order of a federal, state, regional, or local 
agency or similar matter;
    (4) Pay dividends, bonuses or other disbursements to owners, 
partners, officers or stockholders, except for reasonable remuneration 
directly related

[[Page 475]]

to their performance of services for the business;
    (5) Make repairs on a building rented by the IDAP Borrower if the 
IDAP Borrower's lease does not require the IDAP Borrower to make such 
repairs;
    (6) Make repairs to a condominium unit owned by the IDAP Borrower;
    (7) Replace landscaping in excess of $5,000 unless the disaster 
damaged landscaping fulfilled a functional need or contributed toward 
the generation of business;
    (8) Repair or replace property not located within the Declared 
Disaster Area at the time of the Declared Disaster;
    (9) Repay stockholder/Associate loans, except where the funds were 
injected on an interim basis as a result of the Declared Disaster and 
non-repayment would cause undue hardship to the stockholder/Associate;
    (10) Expand facilities or acquire fixed assets, except for 
replacement of disaster-damaged fixed assets;
    (11) Pay for contractor malfeasance;
    (12) Replace damaged property that consists of cash or securities;
    (13) Replace damaged property if the replacement value is 
extraordinarily high and not easily verified, such as the value of 
antiques, artworks or hobby collections; or
    (14) Repair or replace damaged property where the IDAP Borrower's 
only interest is in the form of a security interest, mortgage or deed of 
trust.



Sec.  123.705  Are there any fees associated with IDAP loans?

    (a) IDAP Lender Fees. An IDAP Lender must not impose any fees or 
direct costs on an IDAP Borrower, except for the following allowed fees 
or direct costs:
    (1) The reasonable direct costs of liquidation;
    (2) A late payment fee not to exceed 5 percent of the scheduled IDAP 
loan payment; and
    (3) An application fee not to exceed $250. Notwithstanding the 
provisions of 13 CFR 103.5, no compensation agreement is required for 
the application fee. If an undisbursed IDAP loan is cancelled pursuant 
to Sec.  123.703(c), the IDAP Lender may retain the application fee.
    (b) SBA Fees. SBA will not impose any guarantee fees on an IDAP 
Lender making an IDAP loan.
    (c) Prohibition on paid loan packagers, referral agents or brokers. 
Other than the application fee set forth in (a)(3) of this section, no 
IDAP Lender or third party may charge an IDAP Borrower a fee to assist 
in the preparation of an IDAP loan application or application materials. 
No third party may charge an IDAP Borrower or an IDAP Lender a referral 
fee or broker's fee in connection with an IDAP loan.



Sec.  123.706  What are the requirements for IDAP Lenders?

    (a) IDAP Lenders. An IDAP Lender must be a 7(a) Lender (as defined 
in Sec.  120.10). Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec.  120.470(a), a 
Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) that is a 7(a) Lender may make 
IDAP loans. An IDAP Lender must sign a supplemental Loan Guarantee 
Agreement for the IDAP loan program. An IDAP Lender must comply and 
maintain familiarity with the IDAP Loan Program Requirements, as such 
requirements are revised from time to time. IDAP Loan Program 
Requirements in effect at the time that an IDAP Lender takes an action 
in connection with a particular IDAP loan govern that specific action. 
With respect to their activities in the IDAP loan program, IDAP Lenders 
are subject to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  120.140 (What ethical 
requirements apply to participants?), 120.197 (Notifying SBA's Office of 
Inspector General of suspected fraud), 120.400 (Loan Guarantee 
Agreements), 120.410 (Requirements for all participating Lenders), 
120.411 (Preferences), 120.412 (Other services Lenders may provide 
Borrowers), and 120.413 (Advertisement of relationship with SBA) of this 
chapter. An IDAP Lender and its contractor(s) are independent 
contractors that are responsible for their own actions with respect to 
an IDAP loan. SBA has no responsibility or liability for any claim by an 
IDAP Borrower, guarantor or other party alleging injury as a result of 
any allegedly wrongful action taken by an IDAP Lender or an employee, 
agent or contractor of an IDAP Lender.

[[Page 476]]

    (b) Delegated authority. An IDAP loan must be processed, serviced 
and liquidated under an IDAP Lender's delegated authority provided by 
the supplemental Loan Guarantee Agreement for the IDAP loan program. 
Non-delegated processing is not available for the IDAP loan program. An 
IDAP Lender is responsible for all IDAP loan decisions regarding 
eligibility (including size) and creditworthiness. In determining 
creditworthiness, an IDAP Lender must use the existing practices and 
procedures that the IDAP Lender uses for its non-SBA guaranteed 
commercial loans of a similar size. The IDAP Lender's existing practices 
and procedures must be appropriate and generally accepted, proven and 
prudent credit evaluation processes and procedures, which may include 
credit scoring, and must ensure that there is reasonable assurance of 
repayment. In disbursing the IDAP loan, the IDAP Lender must use the 
same disbursement procedures and documentation as it uses for its 
similarly sized non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans. An IDAP Lender is 
also responsible for confirming that all IDAP loan processing, closing, 
servicing and liquidation decisions are correct and that all IDAP Loan 
Program Requirements have been followed.
    (c) IDAP Lender reporting. An IDAP Lender must report on its IDAP 
loans in accordance with requirements established by SBA from time to 
time.
    (d) Servicing. Each IDAP Lender must service all of its IDAP loans 
in accordance with the existing practices and procedures that the IDAP 
Lender uses for its non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans. In all 
circumstances, such practices and procedures must be commercially 
reasonable and consistent with prudent lending standards and in 
accordance with IDAP Loan Program Requirements. SBA's prior written 
consent is required for servicing actions that may have significant 
exposure implications for SBA. SBA may require written notice of other 
servicing actions it considers necessary for portfolio management 
purposes.
    (e) Liquidations. Each IDAP Lender must be responsible for 
liquidating its defaulted IDAP loans. IDAP loans will be liquidated in 
accordance with the existing practices and procedures that the IDAP 
Lender uses for its non-SBA guaranteed commercial loans. In all 
circumstances, such practices and procedures must be commercially 
reasonable and consistent with prudent lending standards and in 
accordance with IDAP Loan Program Requirements. IDAP loans with de 
minimis value may, at the IDAP Lender's request and with SBA's approval, 
be liquidated by SBA or its agent(s). Significant liquidation actions 
taken on IDAP loans must be documented. The reimbursement of IDAP Lender 
liquidation expenses is limited to the amount of the recovery on the 
IDAP loan.
    (f) Purchase requests. An IDAP Lender may request SBA to purchase 
the guaranteed portion of an IDAP loan when there has been an uncured 
payment default exceeding 60 days or when the IDAP Borrower has declared 
bankruptcy. IDAP loans are subject to the 7(a) loan program requirements 
of Sec. Sec.  120.520 (Purchase of 7(a) loan guarantees), 120.521 (What 
interest rate applies after SBA purchases its guaranteed portion?), 
120.522 (Payment of accrued interest to the Lender or Registered Holder 
when SBA purchases the guaranteed portion), 120.523 (What is the 
``earliest uncured payment default''?), 120.524 (When is SBA released 
from liability on its guarantee?), 120.542 (Payment by SBA of legal fees 
and other expenses) and 120.546 (Loan asset sales) of this chapter.
    (g) Prohibition on secondary market sales, securitizations, loan 
participations and loan sales. An IDAP Lender may not sell the 
guaranteed portion of an IDAP loan in the secondary market, securitize 
the unguaranteed portion of an IDAP loan, participate any portion of an 
IDAP loan with another lender, or sell all of its interest in an IDAP 
loan.
    (h) Loan pledges. An IDAP Lender may pledge an IDAP loan subject to 
the 7(a) loan program requirements of Sec. Sec.  120.434 and 120.435 of 
this chapter.
    (i) Oversight. All IDAP Lenders are subject to the supervision and 
enforcement provisions applicable to 7(a) Lenders in part 120, subpart I 
of this chapter (Sec. Sec.  120.1000 through 120.1600). In addition, an 
IDAP Lender that is an SBA Supervised Lender (as defined in

[[Page 477]]

Sec.  120.10) is subject to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  120.460 
through 120.490, as applicable.



PART 124_8(a) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS 
STATUS DETERMINATIONS--Table of Contents



                   Subpart A_8(a) Business Development

                   Provisions of General Applicability

Sec.
124.1 What is the purpose of the 8(a) Business Development program?
124.2 What length of time may a business participate in the 8(a) BD 
          program?
124.3 What definitions are important in the 8(a) BD program?
124.4 What restrictions apply to fees for applicant and Participant 
          representatives?

    Eligibility Requirements for Participation in the 8(a) Business 
                           Development Program

124.101 What are the basic requirements a concern must meet for the 8(a) 
          BD program?
124.102 What size business is eligible to participate in the 8(a) BD 
          program?
124.103 Who is socially disadvantaged?
124.104 Who is economically disadvantaged?
124.105 What does it mean to be unconditionally owned by one or more 
          disadvantaged individuals?
124.106 When do disadvantaged individuals control an applicant or 
          Participant?
124.107 What is potential for success?
124.108 What other eligibility requirements apply for individuals or 
          businesses?
124.109 Do Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations have any special 
          rules for applying to and remaining eligible for the 8(a) BD 
          program?
124.110 Do Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) have any special rules 
          for applying to and remaining eligible for the 8(a) BD 
          program?
124.111 Do Community Development Corporations (CDCs) have any special 
          rules for applying to and remaining eligible for the 8(a) BD 
          program?
124.112 What criteria must a business meet to remain eligible to 
          participate in the 8(a) BD program?

                     Applying to the 8(a) BD Program

124.201 May any business submit an application?
124.202 How must an application be filed?
124.203 What must a concern submit to apply to the 8(a) BD program?
124.204 How does SBA process applications for 8(a) BD program admission?
124.205 Can an applicant ask SBA to reconsider SBA's initial decision to 
          decline its application?
124.206 What appeal rights are available to an applicant that has been 
          denied admission?
124.207 Can an applicant reapply for admission to the 8(a) BD program?

                       Exiting the 8(a) BD Program

124.300 What are the ways a business may leave the 8(a) BD program?
124.302 What is graduation and what is early graduation?
124.303 What is termination?
124.304 What are the procedures for early graduation and termination?
124.305 What is suspension and how is a Participant suspended from the 
          8(a) BD program?

                          Business Development

124.401 Which SBA field office services a Participant?
124.402 How does a Participant develop a business plan?
124.403 How is a business plan updated and modified?
124.404 What business development assistance is available to 
          Participants during the two stages of participation in the 
          8(a) BD program?
124.405 How does a Participant obtain Federal Government surplus 
          property?

                         Contractual Assistance

124.501 What general provisions apply to the award of 8(a) contracts?
124.502 How does an agency offer a procurement to SBA for award through 
          the 8(a) BD program?
124.503 How does SBA accept a procurement for award through the 8(a) BD 
          program?
124.504 What circumstances limit SBA's ability to accept a procurement 
          for award as an 8(a) contract, and when can a requirement be 
          released from the 8(a) BD program?
124.505 When will SBA appeal the terms or conditions of a particular 
          8(a) contract or a procuring activity decision not to use the 
          8(a) BD program?
124.506 At what dollar threshold must an 8(a) procurement be competed 
          among eligible Participants?
124.507 What procedures apply to competitive 8(a) procurements?
124.508 How is an 8(a) contract executed?
124.509 What are non-8(a) business activity targets?
124.510 What limitations on subcontracting apply to an 8(a) contract?
124.511 How is fair market price determined for an 8(a) contract?
124.512 Delegation of contract administration to procuring agencies.

[[Page 478]]

124.513 Under what circumstances can a joint venture be awarded an 8(a) 
          contract?
124.514 Exercise of 8(a) options and modifications.
124.515 Can a Participant change its ownership or control and continue 
          to perform an 8(a) contract, and can it transfer performance 
          to another firm?
124.516 [Reserved]
124.517 Can the eligibility or size of a Participant for award of an 
          8(a) contract be questioned?
124.518 How can an 8(a) contract be terminated before performance is 
          completed?
124.519 Are there any dollar limits on the amount of 8(a) contracts that 
          a Participant may receive?
124.520 Can 8(a) BD Program Participants participate in SBA's Mentor-
          Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program?
124.521 What are the requirements for representing 8(a) status, and what 
          are the penalties for misrepresentation?

                  Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements

124.601 What reports does SBA require concerning parties who assist 
          Participants in obtaining federal contracts?
124.602 What kind of annual financial statement must a Participant 
          submit to SBA?
124.603 What reports regarding the continued business operations of 
          former Participants does SBA require?
124.604 Report of benefits for firms owned by Tribes, NNCs, NHOs and 
          CDCs.

               Management and Technical Assistance Program

124.701 What is the purpose of the 7(j) management and technical 
          assistance program?
124.702 What types of assistance are available through the 7(j) program?
124.703 Who is eligible to receive 7(j) assistance?
124.704 What additional management and technical assistance is reserved 
          exclusively for concerns eligible to receive 8(a) contracts?

 Subpart B_Eligibility, Certification, and Protests Relating to Federal 
                  Small Disadvantaged Business Programs

124.1001 What is a Small Disadvantaged Business?
124.1002 Reviews and protests of SDB status.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), 636(j), 637(a), 637(d), 644, 42 
U.S.C. 9815; and Pub. L. 99-661, 100 Stat. 3816; Sec. 1207, Pub. L. 100-
656, 102 Stat. 3853; Pub. L. 101-37, 103 Stat. 70; Pub. L. 101-574, 104 
Stat. 2814; Sec. 8021, Pub. L. 108-87, 117 Stat. 1054; and Sec. 330, 
Pub. L. 116-260.

    Source: 63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 124 appear at 72 FR 
50040, Aug. 30, 2007, and 76 FR 8253, Feb. 11, 2011.



                   Subpart A_8(a) Business Development

                   Provisions of General Applicability



Sec.  124.1  What is the purpose of the 8(a) Business Development program?

    Sections 8(a) and 7(j) of the Small Business Act authorize a 
Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development program 
(designated the 8(a) Business Development or ``8(a) BD'' program for 
purposes of the regulations in this part). The purpose of the 8(a) BD 
program is to assist eligible small disadvantaged business concerns 
compete in the American economy through business development.



Sec.  124.2  What length of time may a business participate in 
the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) Except as set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, a 
Participant receives a program term of nine years from the date of SBA's 
approval letter certifying the concern's admission to the program. The 
Participant must maintain its program eligibility during its tenure in 
the program and must inform SBA of any changes that would adversely 
affect its program eligibility. The nine-year program term may be 
shortened only by termination, early graduation (including voluntary 
early graduation) or voluntary withdrawal as provided for in this 
subpart.
    (b) Pursuant to section 330 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2021, and section 869 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2021, a small business concern participating the 8(a) BD 
program on March 13, 2020, may elect to extend such participation by a 
period of one year from the end of its program term, regardless of 
whether it previously elected to suspend participation in the program 
under the procedures set forth in Sec.  124.305(h)(1)(iii).
    (1) Unless expressly declined in writing, SBA will extend a 
Participant's

[[Page 479]]

program term by one year if the concern was a Participant in the 8(a) BD 
program on March 13, 2020, and continued its participation through 
January 13, 2021. Declines of such extension must be submitted to: 
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Business Development, Small 
Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, or 
email to [email protected].
    (2) Except as set forth in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section any 
concern that was a Participant in the 8(a) BD program on March 13, 2020, 
but graduated or otherwise left the program before January 13, 2021 may 
elect to be readmitted to the 8(a) BD program for the period of time 
equal to one year from the date of the original expiration of the 
concern's program term. A concern seeking to be readmitted to the 8(a) 
BD program must notify SBA of its intent to be readmitted no later than 
March 15, 2021.

    Example 1 to paragraph (b)(2) introductory text. Business Concern A 
was a Participant in the 8(a) BD program on September 9, 2020, and its 
program term expired on November 25, 2020. On January 28, 2021, Business 
Concern A notified SBA of its election to be readmitted to the 8(a) BD 
program under the process outlined in this paragraph (b)(2). Business 
Concern A would be eligible to participate in the 8(a) BD program until 
November 25, 2021.
    (i) All requests for readmittance must be submitted to: Associate 
Administrator, Office of Business Development, Small Business 
Administration, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, or email to 
[email protected].

    (ii) As part of a concern's notification to SBA of its intent to be 
readmitted to the 8(a) BD program, the concern must certify that it 
continues to meet the applicable 8(a) BD program eligibility 
requirements as set forth in Sec. Sec.  124.101 through 124.111. SBA 
may, in its discretion, request information or documentation to assess 
whether the concern meets the eligibility criteria for readmittance.
    (iii) Business concerns that were Participants in the 8(a) BD 
program on March 13, 2020, but were terminated or early graduated by SBA 
or elected to voluntarily withdraw or early graduate in lieu of 
termination are not eligible to extend their program terms.
    (iv) The readmittance of a business concern owned and controlled by 
a tribe, ANC, NHO, or CDC to the 8(a) BD program under this paragraph 
(b)(2) will be disregarded for purposes of the ownership restrictions 
applicable to Participants owned by a tribe, ANC, NHO, or CDC as set 
forth in Sec. Sec.  124.109(c)(3)(ii), 124.110(e), and 124.111(d). The 
date to commence the two-year waiting period for the tribe, ANC, NHO, or 
CDC to own another business concern in the 8(a) BD program with the same 
primary NAICS code as the readmitted concern will not be readjusted with 
the firm's readmittance.

[86 FR 2532, Jan. 13, 2021]



Sec.  124.3  What definitions are important in the 8(a) BD program?

    Alaska Native, as defined by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 
(43 U.S.C. 1602), means a citizen of the United States who is a person 
of one-fourth degree or more Alaskan Indian (including Tsimshian Indians 
not enrolled in the Metlaktla Indian Community), Eskimo, or Aleut blood, 
or a combination of those bloodlines. The term includes, in the absence 
of proof of a minimum blood quantum, any citizen whom a Native village 
or Native group regards as an Alaska Native if their father or mother is 
regarded as an Alaska Native.
    Alaska Native Corporation or ANC means any Regional Corporation, 
Village Corporation, Urban Corporation, or Group Corporation organized 
under the laws of the State of Alaska in accordance with the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.)
    Bona fide place of business, for purposes of 8(a) construction 
procurements, means a location where a Participant regularly maintains 
an office within the appropriate geographical boundary which employs at 
least one individual who works at least 20 hours per week at that 
location. The term does not include construction trailers or other 
temporary construction sites.
    Community Development Corporation or CDC means a nonprofit 
organization responsible to residents of the area it serves which has 
received financial assistance under 42 U.S.C. 9805, et seq.

[[Page 480]]

    Concern is defined in part 121 of this title.
    Days means calendar days unless otherwise specified.
    Day-to-day operations of a firm means the marketing, production, 
sales, and administrative functions of the firm.
    Follow-on requirement or contract. The determination of whether a 
particular requirement or contract is a follow-on includes consideration 
of whether the scope has changed significantly, requiring meaningful 
different types of work or different capabilities; whether the magnitude 
or value of the requirement has changed by at least 25 percent for 
equivalent periods of performance; and whether the end user of the 
requirement has changed. As a general guide, if the procurement 
satisfies at least one of these three conditions, it may be considered a 
new requirement. However, meeting any one of these conditions is not 
dispositive that a requirement is new. In particular, the 25 percent 
rule cannot be applied rigidly in all cases. Conversely, if the 
requirement satisfies none of these conditions, it is considered a 
follow-on procurement.
    Immediate family member means father, mother, husband, wife, son, 
daughter, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, 
granddaughter, father-in-law, and mother-in-law.
    Indian tribe means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other 
organized group or community of Indians, including any ANC, which is 
recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by 
the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians, or is 
recognized as such by the State in which the tribe, band, nation, group, 
or community resides. See definition of ``tribally-owned concern.''
    NAICS code means North American Industry Classification System code.
    Native Hawaiian means any individual whose ancestors were natives, 
prior to 1778, of the area which now comprises the State of Hawaii.
    Native Hawaiian Organization means any community service 
organization serving Native Hawaiians in the State of Hawaii which is a 
not-for-profit organization chartered by the State of Hawaii, is 
controlled by Native Hawaiians, and whose business activities will 
principally benefit such Native Hawaiians.
    Negative control is defined in part 121 of this title.
    Non-disadvantaged individual means any individual who does not claim 
disadvantaged status, does not qualify as disadvantaged, or upon whose 
disadvantaged status an applicant or Participant does not rely in 
qualifying for 8(a) BD program participation.
    Participant means a small business concern admitted to participate 
in the 8(a) BD program.
    Primary industry classification means the six digit North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) code designation which best 
describes the primary business activity of the 8(a) BD applicant or 
Participant. The NAICS code designations are described in the North 
American Industry Classification System book published by the U.S. 
Office of Management and Budget. SBA utilizes Sec.  121.107 of this 
chapter in determining a firm's primary industry classification. A 
Participant may change its primary industry classification where it can 
demonstrate to SBA by clear evidence that the majority of its total 
revenues during a three-year period have evolved from one NAICS code to 
another.
    Principal place of business means the business location where the 
individuals who manage the concern's day-to-day operations spend most 
working hours and where top management's business records are kept. If 
the offices from which management is directed and where the business 
records are kept are in different locations, SBA will determine the 
principal place of business for program purposes.
    Program year means a 12-month period of an 8(a) BD Participant's 
program participation. The first program year begins on the date that 
the concern is certified to participate in the 8(a) BD program and ends 
one year later. Each subsequent program year begins on the Participant's 
anniversary of program certification and runs for one 12-month period.
    Regularly maintains an office means conducting business activities 
as an on-going business concern from a fixed

[[Page 481]]

location on a daily basis. The best evidence of the regular maintenance 
of an office is documentation that shows that third parties routinely 
transact business with a Participant at a location within a particular 
geographical area. Such evidence includes lease agreements, payroll 
records, advertisements, bills, correspondence, and evidence that the 
Participant has complied with all local requirements concerning 
registering, licensing, or filing with the State or County where the 
place of business is located. Although a firm would generally be 
required to have a license to do business in a particular location in 
order to ``regularly maintain an office'' there, the firm would not be 
required to have an additional construction license or other specific 
type of license in order to regularly maintain an office.
    Same or similar line of business means business activities within 
the same four-digit ``Industry Group'' of the NAICS Manual as the 
primary industry classification of the applicant or Participant. The 
phrase ``same business area'' is synonymous with this definition.
    Self-marketing of a requirement occurs when a Participant identifies 
a requirement that has not been committed to the 8(a) BD program and, 
through its marketing efforts, causes the procuring activity to offer 
that specific requirement to the 8(a) BD program on the Participant's 
behalf. A firm which identifies and markets a requirement which is 
subsequently offered to the 8(a) BD program as an open requirement or on 
behalf of another Participant has not ``self-marketed'' the requirement 
within the meaning of this part.
    Tribally-owned concern means any concern at least 51 percent owned 
by an Indian tribe as defined in this section.
    Unconditional ownership means ownership that is not subject to 
conditions precedent, conditions subsequent, executory agreements, 
voting trusts, restrictions on or assignments of voting rights, or other 
arrangements causing or potentially causing ownership benefits to go to 
another (other than after death or incapacity). The pledge or 
encumbrance of stock or other ownership interest as collateral, 
including seller-financed transactions, does not affect the 
unconditional nature of ownership if the terms follow normal commercial 
practices and the owner retains control absent violations of the terms.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8253, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 
FR 28237, May 14, 2012; 85 FR 66183, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26204, Apr. 
27, 2023]



Sec.  124.4  What restrictions apply to fees for applicant 
and Participant representatives?

    (a) The compensation received by any packager, agent or 
representative of an 8(a) applicant or Participant for assisting the 
applicant in obtaining 8(a) certification or for assisting the 
Participant in obtaining 8(a) contracts, or any other assistance to 
support program participation, must be reasonable in light of the 
service(s) performed by the packager, agent or representative.
    (b) In assisting a Participant obtain one or more 8(a) contracts, a 
packager, agent or representative cannot receive a fee that is a 
percentage of the gross contract value.
    (c) For good cause, the AA/BD may initiate proceedings to suspend or 
revoke a packager's, agent's or representative's privilege to assist 
applicants obtain 8(a) certification, assist Participants obtain 8(a) 
contracts, or any other assistance to support program participation. 
Good cause is defined in Sec.  103.4 of these regulations.
    (1) The AA/BD may send a show cause letter requesting the agent or 
representative to demonstrate why the agent or representative should not 
be suspended or proposed for revocation, or may immediately send a 
written notice suspending or proposing revocation, depending upon the 
evidence in the administrative record. The notice will include a 
discussion of the relevant facts and the reason(s) why the AA/BD 
believes that good cause exists.
    (2) Unless the AA/BD specifies a different time in the notice, the 
agent or representative must respond to the notice within 30 days of the 
date of the notice with any facts or arguments showing why good cause 
does not exist. The agent or representative may request additional time 
to respond, which the AA/BD may grant in his or her discretion.

[[Page 482]]

    (3) After considering the agent's or representative's response, the 
AA/BD will issue a final determination, setting forth the reasons for 
this decision and, if a suspension continues to be effective or a 
revocation is implemented, the term of the suspension or revocation.
    (d) The AA/BD may refer a packager, agent, or other representative 
to SBA's Suspension and Debarment Official for possible Government-wide 
suspension or debarment where appropriate, including where it appears 
that the packager, agent or representative assisted an applicant to or 
Participant in the 8(a) BD program submit information to SBA that the 
packager, agent or representative knew was false or materially 
misleading.

[76 FR 8253, Feb. 11, 2011]

    Eligibility Requirements for Participation in the 8(a) Business 
                           Development Program



Sec.  124.101  What are the basic requirements a concern must meet for 
the 8(a) BD program?

    Generally, a concern meets the basic requirements for admission to 
the 8(a) BD program if it is a small business which is unconditionally 
owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically 
disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of and 
residing in the United States, and which demonstrates potential for 
success.

[76 FR 8254, Feb. 11, 2011]



Sec.  124.102  What size business is eligible to participate in 
the 8(a) BD program?

    (a)(1) An applicant concern must qualify as a small business concern 
as defined in part 121 of this title. The applicable size standard is 
the one for its primary industry classification. The rules for 
calculating the size of a tribally-owned concern, a concern owned by an 
Alaska Native Corporation, a concern owned by a Native Hawaiian 
Organization, or a concern owned by a Community Development Corporation 
are additionally affected by Sec. Sec.  124.109, 124.110, and 124.111, 
respectively.
    (2) In order to remain eligible to participate in the 8(a) BD 
program after certification, a firm must generally remain small for its 
primary industry classification, as adjusted during the program. SBA may 
graduate a Participant prior to the expiration of its program term where 
the firm exceeds the size standard corresponding to its primary NAICS 
code, as adjusted, for three successive program years, unless the firm 
demonstrates that through its growth and development its primary 
industry is changing, pursuant to the criteria described in 13 CFR 
121.107, to a related secondary NAICS code that is contained in its most 
recently approved business plan. The firm's business plan must contain 
specific targets, objectives, and goals for its continued growth and 
development under its new primary industry.
    (b) If 8(a) BD program officials determine that a concern may not 
qualify as small, they may deny an application for 8(a) BD program 
admission or may request a formal size determination under part 121 of 
this title.
    (c) A concern whose application is denied due to size by SBA may 
request a formal size determination with the SBA Government Contracting 
Area Office serving the geographic area in which the principal office of 
the business is located under part 121 of this chapter. Where the SBA 
Government Contracting Area Office determines that an applicant 
qualifies as a small business concern for the size standard 
corresponding to its primary NAICS code:
    (1) The AA/BD will certify the concern as eligible to participate in 
the 8(a) BD program if size was the only reason for decline; or
    (2) The concern may reapply for participation in the 8(a) BD program 
at any point after 90 days from the AA/BD's decline if size was not the 
only reason for decline. In such a case, the AA/BD will accept the size 
determination as conclusive of the concern's small business status, 
provided the applicant concern has not completed an additional fiscal 
year in the intervening period and SBA believes that the additional 
fiscal year changes the applicant's size.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8254, Feb. 11, 2011; 88 
FR 26204, Apr. 27, 2023]

[[Page 483]]



Sec.  124.103  Who is socially disadvantaged?

    (a) General. Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have 
been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within 
American society because of their identities as members of groups and 
without regard to their individual qualities. The social disadvantage 
must stem from circumstances beyond their control.
    (b) Members of designated groups. (1) There is a rebuttable 
presumption that the following individuals are socially disadvantaged: 
Black Americans; Hispanic Americans; Native Americans (Alaska Natives, 
Native Hawaiians, or enrolled members of a Federally or State recognized 
Indian Tribe); Asian Pacific Americans (persons with origins from Burma, 
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, China 
(including Hong Kong), Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia (Kampuchea), Vietnam, 
Korea, The Philippines, U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 
(Republic of Palau), Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States 
of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, 
Samoa, Macao, Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, or Nauru); Subcontinent 
Asian Americans (persons with origins from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, 
Sri Lanka, Bhutan, the Maldives Islands or Nepal); and members of other 
groups designated from time to time by SBA according to procedures set 
forth at paragraph (d) of this section. Being born in a country does 
not, by itself, suffice to make the birth country an individual's 
country of origin for purposes of being included within a designated 
group.
    (2) An individual must demonstrate that he or she has held himself 
or herself out, and is currently identified by others, as a member of a 
designated group if SBA requires it.
    (3) The presumption of social disadvantage may be overcome with 
credible evidence to the contrary. Individuals possessing or knowing of 
such evidence should submit the information in writing to the Associate 
Administrator for Business Development (AA/BD) for consideration.
    (c) Individuals not members of designated groups. (1) An individual 
who is not a member of one of the groups presumed to be socially 
disadvantaged in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must establish 
individual social disadvantage by a preponderance of the evidence. Such 
individual should present corroborating evidence to support his or her 
claim(s) of social disadvantage where readily available.
    (2) Evidence of individual social disadvantage must include the 
following elements:
    (i) At least one objective distinguishing feature that has 
contributed to social disadvantage, such as race, ethnic origin, gender, 
identifiable disability, long-term residence in an environment isolated 
from the mainstream of American society, or other similar causes not 
common to individuals who are not socially disadvantaged;
    (ii) The individual's social disadvantage must be rooted in 
treatment which he or she has experienced in American society, not in 
other countries;
    (iii) The individual's social disadvantage must be chronic and 
substantial, not fleeting or insignificant; and
    (iv) The individual's social disadvantage must have negatively 
impacted on his or her entry into or advancement in the business world. 
SBA will consider any relevant evidence in assessing this element, 
including experiences relating to education, employment and business 
history (including experiences relating to both the applicant firm and 
any other previous firm owned and/or controlled by the individual), 
where applicable.
    (A) Education. SBA considers such factors as denial of equal access 
to institutions of higher education, exclusion from social and 
professional association with students or teachers, denial of 
educational honors rightfully earned, and social patterns or pressures 
which discouraged the individual from pursuing a professional or 
business education.
    (B) Employment. SBA considers such factors as unequal treatment in 
hiring, promotions and other aspects of professional advancement, pay 
and fringe benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment; 
retaliatory or discriminatory behavior by an employer; and social 
patterns or pressures

[[Page 484]]

which have channeled the individual into nonprofessional or non-business 
fields.
    (C) Business history. SBA considers such factors as unequal access 
to credit or capital, acquisition of credit or capital under 
commercially unfavorable circumstances, unequal treatment in 
opportunities for government contracts or other work, unequal treatment 
by potential customers and business associates, and exclusion from 
business or professional organizations.
    (3) An individual claiming social disadvantage must present facts 
and evidence that by themselves establish that the individual has 
suffered social disadvantage that has negatively impacted his or her 
entry into or advancement in the business world.
    (i) Each instance of alleged discriminatory conduct must be 
accompanied by a negative impact on the individual's entry into or 
advancement in the business world in order for it to constitute an 
instance of social disadvantage.
    (ii) SBA may disregard a claim of social disadvantage where a 
legitimate alternative ground for an adverse employment action or other 
perceived adverse action exists and the individual has not presented 
evidence that would render his/her claim any more likely than the 
alternative ground.

    Example 1 to paragraph (c)(3)(ii). A woman who is not a member of a 
designated group attempts to establish her individual social 
disadvantage based on gender. She certifies that while working for 
company X, she received less compensation than her male counterpart. 
Without additional facts, that claim is insufficient to establish an 
incident of gender bias that could lead to a finding of social 
disadvantage. Without additional facts, it is no more likely that the 
individual claiming disadvantage was paid less than her male counterpart 
because he had superior qualifications or because he had greater 
responsibilities in his employment position. She must identify her 
qualifications (education, experience, years of employment, supervisory 
functions) as being equal or superior to that of her male counterpart in 
order for SBA to consider that particular incident may be the result of 
discriminatory conduct.
    Example 2 to paragraph (c)(3)(ii). A woman who is not a member of a 
designated group attempts to establish her individual social 
disadvantage based on gender. She certifies that while working for 
company Y, she was not permitted to attend a professional development 
conference, even though male employees were allowed to attend similar 
conferences in the past. Without additional facts, that claim is 
insufficient to establish an incident of gender bias that could lead to 
a finding of social disadvantage. It is no more likely that she was not 
permitted to attend the conference based on gender bias than based on 
non-discriminatory reasons. She must identify that she was in the same 
professional position and level as the male employees who were permitted 
to attend similar conferences in the past, and she must identify that 
funding for training or professional development was available at the 
time she requested to attend the conference.

    (iii) SBA may disregard a claim of social disadvantage where an 
individual presents evidence of discriminatory conduct, but fails to 
connect the discriminatory conduct to consequences that negatively 
impact his or her entry into or advancement in the business world.

    Example to paragraph (c)(3)(iii). A woman who is not a member of a 
designated group attempts to establish her individual social 
disadvantage based on gender. She provides instances where one or more 
male business clients utter derogatory statements about her because she 
is a woman. After each instance, however, she acknowledges that the 
clients gave her contracts or otherwise continued to do business with 
her. Despite suffering discriminatory conduct, this individual has not 
established social disadvantage because the discriminatory conduct did 
not have an adverse effect on her business.

    (4) SBA may request an applicant to provide additional facts to 
support his or her claim of social disadvantage to substantiate that a 
negative outcome was based on discriminatory conduct instead of one or 
more legitimate non-discriminatory reasons.
    (5) SBA will discount or disbelieve statements made by an individual 
seeking to establish his or her individual social disadvantage where 
such statements are inconsistent with other evidence contained in the 
record.
    (6) In determining whether an individual claiming social 
disadvantage meets the requirements set forth in this paragraph (c), SBA 
will determine whether:
    (i) Each specific claim establishes an incident of bias or 
discriminatory conduct;
    (ii) Each incident of bias or discriminatory conduct negatively 
impacted

[[Page 485]]

the individual's entry into or advancement in the business world; and
    (iii) In the totality, the incidents of bias or discriminatory 
conduct that negatively impacted the individual's entry into or 
advancement in the business world establish chronic and substantial 
social disadvantage.
    (d) Socially disadvantaged group inclusion--(1) General. 
Representatives of an identifiable group whose members believe that the 
group has suffered chronic racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias 
may petition SBA to be included as a presumptively socially 
disadvantaged group under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. Upon 
presentation of substantial evidence that members of the group have been 
subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of 
their identity as group members and without regard to their individual 
qualities, SBA will publish a notice in the Federal Register that it has 
received and is considering such a request, and that it will consider 
public comments.
    (2) Standards to be applied. In determining whether a group has made 
an adequate showing that it has suffered chronic racial or ethnic 
prejudice or cultural bias for the purposes of this section, SBA must 
determine that:
    (i) The group has suffered prejudice, bias, or discriminatory 
practices;
    (ii) Those conditions have resulted in economic deprivation for the 
group of the type which Congress has found exists for the groups named 
in the Small Business Act; and
    (iii) Those conditions have produced impediments in the business 
world for members of the group over which they have no control and which 
are not common to small business owners generally.
    (3) Procedure. The notice published under paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section will authorize a specified period for the receipt of public 
comments supporting or opposing the petition for socially disadvantaged 
group status. If appropriate, SBA may hold hearings. SBA may also 
conduct its own research relative to the group's petition.
    (4) Decision. In making a final decision that a group should be 
considered presumptively disadvantaged, SBA must find that a 
preponderance of the evidence demonstrates that the group has met the 
standards set forth in paragraph (d)(2) of this section based on SBA's 
consideration of the group petition, the comments from the public, and 
any independent research it performs. SBA will advise the petitioners of 
its final decision in writing, and publish its conclusion as a notice in 
the Federal Register. If appropriate, SBA will amend paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section to include a new group.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
76 FR 8254, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 FR 48579, July 25, 2016; 88 FR 26204, Apr. 
27, 2023]



Sec.  124.104  Who is economically disadvantaged?

    (a) General. Economically disadvantaged individuals are socially 
disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free 
enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit 
opportunities as compared to others in the same or similar line of 
business who are not socially disadvantaged.
    (b) Submission of narrative and financial information. (1) Each 
individual claiming economic disadvantage must submit personal financial 
information.
    (2) When married, an individual claiming economic disadvantage must 
submit separate financial information for his or her spouse, unless the 
individual and the spouse are legally separated. SBA will consider a 
spouse's financial situation in determining an individual's access to 
credit and capital where the spouse has a role in the business (e.g., an 
officer, employee or director) or has lent money to, provided credit 
support to, or guaranteed a loan of the business. SBA does not take into 
consideration community property laws when determining economic 
disadvantage.
    (c) Factors to be considered. In considering diminished capital and 
credit opportunities, SBA will examine factors relating to the personal 
financial condition of any individual claiming disadvantaged status, 
including income for the past three years (including bonuses and the 
value of company stock received in lieu of cash), personal net worth, 
and the fair market value of all assets, whether encumbered or not. An

[[Page 486]]

individual who exceeds any one of the thresholds set forth in this 
paragraph for personal income, net worth or total assets will generally 
be deemed to have access to credit and capital and not economically 
disadvantaged.
    (1) Transfers within two years. (i) Except as set forth in paragraph 
(c)(1)(ii) of this section, SBA will attribute to an individual claiming 
disadvantaged status any assets which that individual has transferred to 
an immediate family member, or to a trust a beneficiary of which is an 
immediate family member, for less than fair market value, within two 
years prior to a concern's application for participation in the 8(a) BD 
program or within two years of a Participant's annual program review, 
unless the individual claiming disadvantaged status can demonstrate that 
the transfer is to or on behalf of an immediate family member for that 
individual's education, medical expenses, or some other form of 
essential support.
    (ii) SBA will not attribute to an individual claiming disadvantaged 
status any assets transferred by that individual to an immediate family 
member that are consistent with the customary recognition of special 
occasions, such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and 
retirements.
    (iii) In determining an individual's access to capital and credit, 
SBA may consider any assets that the individual transferred within such 
two-year period described by paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section that 
SBA does not consider in evaluating the individual's assets and net 
worth (e.g., transfers to charities).
    (2) Net worth. The net worth of an individual claiming disadvantage 
must be less than $850,000. In determining such net worth, SBA will 
exclude the ownership interest in the applicant or Participant and the 
equity in the primary personal residence (except any portion of such 
equity which is attributable to excessive withdrawals from the applicant 
or Participant). Exclusions for net worth purposes are not exclusions 
for asset valuation or access to capital and credit purposes.
    (i) A contingent liability does not reduce an individual's net 
worth.
    (ii) Funds invested in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 
other official retirement account will not be considered in determining 
an individual's net worth. In order to properly assess whether funds 
invested in a retirement account may be excluded from an individual's 
net worth, SBA may require the individual to provide information about 
the terms and restrictions of the account to SBA and certify that the 
retirement account is legitimate.
    (iii) The personal net worth of an individual claiming to be an 
Alaska Native will include assets and income from sources other than an 
Alaska Native Corporation and exclude any of the following which the 
individual receives from any Alaska Native Corporation: cash (including 
cash dividends on stock received from an ANC) to the extent that it does 
not, in the aggregate, exceed $2,000 per individual per annum; stock 
(including stock issued or distributed by an ANC as a dividend or 
distribution on stock); a partnership interest; land or an interest in 
land (including land or an interest in land received from an ANC as a 
dividend or distribution on stock); and an interest in a settlement 
trust.
    (3) Personal income for the past three years. (i) SBA will presume 
that an individual is not economically disadvantaged if his or her 
adjusted gross income averaged over the three preceding years exceeds 
$400,000. The presumption may be rebutted by a showing that this income 
level was unusual and not likely to occur in the future, that losses 
commensurate with and directly related to the earnings were suffered, or 
by evidence that the income is not indicative of lack of economic 
disadvantage.
    (ii) Income received from an applicant or Participant that is an S 
corporation, LLC or partnership will be excluded from an individual's 
income where the applicant or Participant provides documentary evidence 
demonstrating that the income was reinvested in the firm or used to pay 
taxes arising in the normal course of operations of the firm. Losses 
from the S corporation, LLC or partnership, however, are losses to the 
company only, not losses to the individual, and cannot be used to reduce 
an individual's personal income.

[[Page 487]]

    (4) Fair market value of all assets. An individual will generally 
not be considered economically disadvantaged if the fair market value of 
all his or her assets (including his or her primary residence and the 
value of the applicant/Participant firm) exceeds $6.5 million. The only 
assets excluded from this determination are funds excluded under 
paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section as being invested in a qualified 
IRA account.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8254, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 
FR 48580, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 27660, May 11, 2020; 87 FR 69154, Nov. 
17, 2022; 88 FR 26204, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.105  What does it mean to be unconditionally owned by one 
or more disadvantaged individuals?

    An applicant or Participant must be at least 51 percent 
unconditionally and directly owned by one or more socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals who are citizens of the United 
States, except for concerns owned by Indian tribes, Alaska Native 
Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, or Community Development 
Corporations (CDCs). See Sec.  124.3 for definition of unconditional 
ownership; and Sec. Sec.  124.109, 124.110, and 124.111, respectively, 
for special ownership requirements for concerns owned by Indian tribes, 
ANCs, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and CDCs.
    (a) Ownership must be direct. Ownership by one or more disadvantaged 
individuals must be direct ownership. An applicant or Participant owned 
principally by another business entity or by a trust (including employee 
stock ownership trusts) that is in turn owned and controlled by one or 
more disadvantaged individuals does not meet this requirement. However, 
ownership by a trust, such as a living trust, may be treated as the 
functional equivalent of ownership by a disadvantaged individual where 
the trust is revocable, and the disadvantaged individual is the grantor, 
a trustee, and the sole current beneficiary of the trust.
    (b) Ownership of a partnership. In the case of a concern which is a 
partnership, at least 51 percent of every class of partnership interest 
must be unconditionally owned by one or more individuals determined by 
SBA to be socially and economically disadvantaged. The ownership must be 
reflected in the concern's partnership agreement.
    (c) Ownership of a limited liability company. In the case of a 
concern which is a limited liability company, at least 51 percent of 
each class of member interest must be unconditionally owned by one or 
more individuals determined by SBA to be socially and economically 
disadvantaged.
    (d) Ownership of a corporation. In the case of a concern which is a 
corporation, at least 51 percent of each class of voting stock 
outstanding and 51 percent of the aggregate of all stock outstanding 
must be unconditionally owned by one or more individuals determined by 
SBA to be socially and economically disadvantaged.
    (e) Stock options' effect on ownership. In determining unconditional 
ownership, SBA will disregard any unexercised stock options or similar 
agreements held by disadvantaged individuals. However, any unexercised 
stock options or similar agreements (including rights to convert non-
voting stock or debentures into voting stock) held by non-disadvantaged 
individuals will be treated as exercised, except for any ownership 
interests which are held by investment companies licensed under the 
Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
    (f) Dividends and distributions. One or more disadvantaged 
individuals must be entitled to receive:
    (1) At least 51 percent of the annual distribution of dividends paid 
on the stock of a corporate applicant concern;
    (2) 100 percent of the value of each share of stock owned by them in 
the event that the stock is sold; and
    (3) At least 51 percent of the retained earnings of the concern and 
100 percent of the unencumbered value of each share of stock owned in 
the event of dissolution of the corporation.
    (g) Ownership of another current or former Participant by an 
immediate family member. (1) An individual may not use his or her 
disadvantaged status to qualify a concern if that individual has an 
immediate family member who is using or has used his or her 
disadvantaged status to qualify another concern for the 8(a) BD program 
and any of the following circumstances exist:

[[Page 488]]

    (i) The concerns are connected by any common ownership or 
management, regardless of amount or position;
    (ii) The concerns have a contractual relationship that was not 
conducted at arm's length;
    (iii) The concerns share common facilities; or
    (iv) The concerns operate in the same primary NAICS code and the 
individual seeking to qualify the applicant concern does not have 
management or technical experience in that primary NAICS code.

    Example 1 to paragraph (g)(1). X applies to the 8(a) BD program. X 
is 95% owned by A and 5% by B, A's father and the majority owner in a 
former 8(a) Participant. Even though B has no involvement in X, X would 
be ineligible for the program.
    Example 2 to paragraph (g)(1). Y applies to the 8(a) BD program. C 
owns 100% of Y. However, D, C's sister and the majority owner in a 
former 8(a) Participant, is acting as a Vice President in Y. Y would be 
ineligible for the program.
    Example 3 to paragraph (g)(1). X seeks to apply to the 8(a) BD 
program with a primary NAICS code in plumbing. X is 100% owned by A. Z, 
a former 8(a) participant with a primary industry in general 
construction, is owned 100% by B, A's brother. For general construction 
jobs, Z has subcontracted plumbing work to X in the past at normal 
commercial rates. Subcontracting work at normal commercial rates would 
not preclude X from being admitted to the 8(a) BD program. X would be 
eligible for the program.

    (2) If the AA/BD approves an application under paragraph (g)(1) of 
this section, SBA will, as part of its annual review, assess whether the 
firm continues to operate independently of the other current or former 
8(a) concern of an immediate family member. SBA may initiate proceedings 
to terminate a firm from further participation in the 8(a) BD program if 
it is apparent that there are connections between the two firms that 
were not disclosed to the AA/BD at the time of application or that came 
into existence after program admittance.
    (h) Ownership restrictions for non-disadvantaged individuals and 
concerns. (1) A non-disadvantaged individual (in the aggregate with all 
immediate family members) or a non-Participant concern that is a general 
partner or stockholder with at least a 10 percent ownership interest in 
one Participant may not own more than a 10 percent interest in another 
Participant that is in the developmental stage or more than a 20 percent 
interest in another Participant in the transitional stage of the 
program. This restriction does not apply to financial institutions 
licensed or chartered by Federal, state or local government, including 
investment companies which are licensed under the Small Business 
Investment Act of 1958.
    (2) A non-Participant concern in the same or similar line of 
business or a principal of such concern may generally not own more than 
a 10 percent interest in a Participant that is in the developmental 
stage or more than a 20 percent interest in a Participant in the 
transitional stage of the program, except that:
    (i) A former Participant in the same or similar line of business or 
a principal of such a former Participant (except those that have been 
terminated from 8(a) BD program participation pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
124.303 and 124.304) may have an equity ownership interest of up to 20 
percent in a current Participant in the developmental stage of the 
program or up to 30 percent in a transitional stage Participant; and
    (ii) A business concern approved by SBA to be a mentor pursuant to 
Sec.  125.9 of this chapter may own up to 40 percent of its 8(a) 
Participant prot[eacute]g[eacute] as set forth in Sec.  125.9(d)(2) of 
this chapter, whether or not that concern is in the same or similar line 
of business as the Participant.
    (i) Change of ownership. A Participant may change its ownership or 
business structure so long as one or more disadvantaged individuals own 
and control it after the change and SBA approves the transaction in 
writing prior to the change. The decision to approve or deny a 
Participant's request for a change in ownership or business structure 
will be made and communicated to the firm by the AA/BD. The decision of 
the AA/BD is the final decision of the Agency. The AA/BD will issue a 
decision within 60 days from receipt of a request containing all 
necessary documentation, or as soon thereafter as possible. If 60 days 
lapse without a decision from SBA, the Participant cannot presume that 
it can complete the change without written approval from

[[Page 489]]

SBA. A decision to deny a request for change of ownership or business 
structure may be grounds for program termination where the change is 
made nevertheless.
    (1) Any Participant or former Participant that is performing one or 
more 8(a) contracts may substitute one disadvantaged individual or 
entity for another disadvantaged individual or entity without requiring 
the termination of those contracts or a request for waiver under Sec.  
124.515, as long as it receives SBA's approval prior to the change.
    (2) Prior approval by the AA/BD is not needed where all non-
disadvantaged individual (or entity) owners involved in the change of 
ownership own no more than a 20 percent interest in the concern both 
before and after the transaction, the transfer results from the death or 
incapacity due to a serious, long-term illness or injury of a 
disadvantaged principal, or the disadvantaged individual or entity in 
control of the Participant will increase the percentage of its ownership 
interest. In determining whether a non-disadvantaged individual involved 
in a change of ownership has more than a 20 percent interest in the 
concern, SBA will aggregate the interests of all immediate family 
members as set forth in Sec.  124.3, as well as any individuals who are 
affiliated based on an identity of interest under Sec.  121.103(f). The 
concern must notify SBA within 60 days of such a change in ownership.

    Example 1 to paragraph (i)(2). Disadvantaged individual A owns 90% 
of 8(a) Participant X; non-disadvantaged individual B owns 10% of X. In 
order to raise additional capital, X seeks to change its ownership 
structure such that A would own 80%, B would own 10% and C would own 
10%. X can accomplish this change in ownership without prior SBA 
approval. Non-disadvantaged owner B is not involved in the transaction 
and non-disadvantaged individual C owns less than 20% of X both before 
and after the transaction.
    Example 2 to paragraph (i)(2). Disadvantaged individual C owns 60% 
of 8(a) Participant Y; non-disadvantaged individual D owns 30% of Y; and 
non-disadvantaged individual E owns 10% of Y. C seeks to transfer 5% of 
Y to E. Prior SBA approval is not needed. Although non-disadvantaged 
individual D owns more than 20% of Y, D is not involved in the transfer. 
Because the only non-disadvantaged individual involved in the transfer, 
E, owns less than 20% of Y both before and after the transaction, prior 
approval is not needed.
    Example 3 to paragraph (i)(2). Disadvantaged individual A owns 85% 
of 8(a) Participant X; non-disadvantaged individual B owns 15% of X. A 
seeks to transfer 15% of X to B. Prior SBA approval is needed. Although 
B, the non-disadvantaged owner of X, owns less than 20% of X prior to 
the transaction, prior approval is needed because B would own more than 
20% after the transaction.
    Example 4 to paragraph (i)(2). ANC A owns 60% of 8(a) Participant X; 
non-disadvantaged individual B owns 40% of X. B seeks to transfer 15% to 
A. Prior SBA approval is not needed. Although a non-disadvantaged 
individual who is involved in the transaction, B, owns more than 20% of 
X both before and after the transaction, SBA approval is not needed 
because the change only increases the percentage of A's ownership 
interest in X.

    (3) Continued participation of the Participant with new ownership 
and the award of any new 8(a) contracts requires SBA's determination 
that all eligibility requirements are met by the concern and the new 
owners.
    (4) Where a Participant requests a change of ownership or business 
structure, and proceeds with the change prior to receiving SBA approval 
(or where a change of ownership results from the death or incapacity of 
a disadvantaged individual for which a request prior to the change in 
ownership could not occur), SBA may suspend the Participant from program 
benefits pending resolution of the request. If the change is approved, 
the length of the suspension will be restored to the Participant's 
program term in the case of death or incapacity, or if the firm 
requested prior approval and waited 60 days for SBA approval.
    (5) A change in ownership does not provide the new owner(s) with a 
new 8(a) BD program term. For example, if a concern has been in the 8(a) 
BD program for five years when a change in ownership occurs, the new 
owner will have four years remaining until program graduation.
    (j) Public offering. A Participant's request for SBA's approval for 
the issuance of a public offering will be treated as a request for a 
change of ownership. Such request will cause SBA to examine the 
concern's continued need for access to the business development 
resources of the 8(a) BD program.

[[Page 490]]

    (k) Community property laws given effect. In determining ownership 
interests when an owner resides in any of the community property states 
or territories of the United States (Arizona, California, Idaho, 
Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington and 
Wisconsin), SBA considers applicable state community property laws. If 
only one spouse claims disadvantaged status, that spouse's ownership 
interest will be considered unconditionally held only to the extent it 
is vested by the community property laws. A transfer or relinquishment 
of interest by the non-disadvantaged spouse may be necessary in some 
cases to establish eligibility.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
76 FR 8255, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 FR 48580, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 66183, Oct. 
16, 2020; 88 FR 26204, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.106  When do disadvantaged individuals control an applicant 
or Participant?

    Control is not the same as ownership, although both may reside in 
the same person. SBA regards control as including both the strategic 
policy setting exercised by boards of directors and the day-to-day 
management and administration of business operations. An applicant or 
Participant's management and daily business operations must be conducted 
by one or more disadvantaged individuals, except for concerns owned by 
Indian tribes, ANCs, Native Hawaiian Organizations, or Community 
Development Corporations (CDCs). (See Sec. Sec.  124.109, 124.110, and 
124.111, respectively, for the requirements for concerns owned by Indian 
tribes or ANCs, for concerns owned by Native Hawaiian Organizations, and 
for CDC-owned concerns.) Management experience need not be related to 
the same or similar industry as the primary industry classification of 
the applicant or Participant. Disadvantaged individuals managing the 
concern must have managerial experience of the extent and complexity 
needed to run the concern. A disadvantaged individual need not have the 
technical expertise or possess a required license to be found to control 
an applicant or Participant if he or she can demonstrate that he or she 
has ultimate managerial and supervisory control over those who possess 
the required licenses or technical expertise. However, where a critical 
license is held by a non-disadvantaged individual having an equity 
interest in the applicant or Participant firm, the non-disadvantaged 
individual may be found to control the firm.
    (a)(1) An applicant or Participant must be managed on a full-time 
basis by one or more disadvantaged individuals who possess requisite 
management capabilities.
    (2) A disadvantaged full-time manager must hold the highest officer 
position (usually President or Chief Executive Officer) in the applicant 
or Participant and be physically located in the United States.
    (3) One or more disadvantaged individuals who manage the applicant 
or Participant must devote full-time to the business during the normal 
working hours of firms in the same or similar line of business. Work in 
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the applicant or participant may be 
considered to meet the requirement of full-time devotion. This applies 
only to a subsidiary owned by the 8(a) firm, and not to firms in which 
the disadvantaged individual has an ownership interest.
    (4) Any disadvantaged manager who wishes to engage in outside 
employment must notify SBA of the nature and anticipated duration of the 
outside employment and obtain the prior written approval of SBA. SBA 
will deny a request for outside employment which could conflict with the 
management of the firm or could hinder it in achieving the objectives of 
its business development plan.
    (5) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, a 
disadvantaged owner's unexercised right to cause a change in the control 
or management of the applicant concern does not in itself constitute 
disadvantaged control and management, regardless of how quickly or 
easily the right could be exercised.
    (b) In the case of a partnership, one or more disadvantaged 
individuals must serve as general partners, with control over all 
partnership decisions. A partnership in which no disadvantaged 
individual is a general partner will be ineligible for participation.

[[Page 491]]

    (c) In the case of a limited liability company, one or more 
disadvantaged individuals must serve as management members, with control 
over all decisions of the limited liability company.
    (d) One or more disadvantaged individuals must control the Board of 
Directors of a corporate applicant or Participant.
    (1) SBA will deem disadvantaged individuals to control the Board of 
Directors where:
    (i) A single disadvantaged individual owns 100% of all voting stock 
of an applicant or Participant concern;
    (ii) A single disadvantaged individual owns at least 51% of all 
voting stock of an applicant or Participant concern, the individual is 
on the Board of Directors and no super majority voting requirements 
exist for shareholders to approve corporation actions. Where super 
majority voting requirements are provided for in the concern's articles 
of incorporation, its by-laws, or by state law, the disadvantaged 
individual must own at least the percent of the voting stock needed to 
overcome any such super majority voting requirements; or
    (iii) More than one disadvantaged shareholder seeks to qualify the 
concern (i.e., no one individual owns 51%), each such individual is on 
the Board of Directors, together they own at least 51% of all voting 
stock of the concern, no super majority voting requirements exist, and 
the disadvantaged shareholders can demonstrate that they have made 
enforceable arrangements to permit one of them to vote the stock of all 
as a block without a shareholder meeting. Where the concern has super 
majority voting requirements, the disadvantaged shareholders must own at 
least that percentage of voting stock needed to overcome any such super 
majority ownership requirements.
    (2) Where an applicant or Participant does not meet the requirements 
set forth in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the disadvantaged 
individual(s) upon whom eligibility is based must control the Board of 
Directors through actual numbers of voting directors or, where permitted 
by state law, through weighted voting (e.g., in a concern having a two-
person Board of Directors where one individual on the Board is 
disadvantaged and one is not, the disadvantaged vote must be weighted--
worth more than one vote--in order for the concern to be eligible for 
8(a) participation). Where a concern seeks to comply with this 
paragraph:
    (i) Provisions for the establishment of a quorum cannot permit non-
disadvantaged Directors to control the Board of Directors, directly or 
indirectly;
    (ii) Any Executive Committee of Directors must be controlled by 
disadvantaged directors unless the Executive Committee can only make 
recommendations to and cannot independently exercise the authority of 
the Board of Directors.
    (3) An applicant must inform SBA of any super majority voting 
requirements provided for in its articles of incorporation, its by-laws, 
by state law, or otherwise. Similarly, after being admitted to the 
program, a Participant must inform SBA of changes regarding super 
majority voting requirements.
    (4) Non-voting, advisory, or honorary Directors may be appointed 
without affecting disadvantaged individuals' control of the Board of 
Directors.
    (5) Arrangements regarding the structure and voting rights of the 
Board of Directors must comply with applicable state law.
    (e) Non-disadvantaged individuals may be involved in the management 
of an applicant or Participant, and may be stockholders, partners, 
limited liability members, officers, and/or directors of the applicant 
or Participant. However, no non-disadvantaged individual or immediate 
family member may:
    (1) Exercise actual control or have the power to control the 
applicant or Participant;
    (2) Be a former employer or a principal of a former employer of any 
disadvantaged owner of the applicant or Participant, unless it is 
determined by the AA/BD that the relationship between the former 
employer or principal and the disadvantaged individual or applicant 
concern does not give the former employer actual control or the 
potential to control the applicant or Participant and such relationship 
is in the best interests of the 8(a) BD firm; or

[[Page 492]]

    (3) Receive compensation from the applicant or Participant in any 
form as directors, officers or employees, including dividends, that 
exceeds the compensation to be received by the highest officer (usually 
CEO or President). The highest ranking officer may elect to take a lower 
salary than a non-disadvantaged individual only upon demonstrating that 
it helps the applicant or Participant. In the case of a Participant, the 
Participant must also obtain the prior written consent of the AA/BD or 
designee before changing the compensation paid to the highest ranking 
officer to be below that paid to a non-disadvantaged individual.
    (f) Non-disadvantaged individuals who transfer majority stock 
ownership or control of the firm to an immediate family member within 
two years prior to the application and remain involved in the firm as a 
stockholder, officer, director, or key employee of the firm are presumed 
to control the firm. The presumption may be rebutted by showing that the 
transferee has independent management experience necessary to control 
the operation of the firm.
    (g) Non-disadvantaged individuals or entities may be found to 
control or have the power to control in any of the following 
circumstances, which are illustrative only and not all inclusive:
    (1) In circumstances where an applicant or Participant seeks to 
establish disadvantaged control of the Board of Directors through 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section, non-disadvantaged individuals control 
the Board of Directors of the applicant or Participant, either directly 
through majority voting membership, or indirectly, where the by-laws 
allow non-disadvantaged individuals effectively to prevent a quorum or 
block actions proposed by the disadvantaged individuals.
    (2) A non-disadvantaged individual or entity, having an equity 
interest in the applicant or participant, provides critical financial or 
bonding support or a critical license to the applicant or Participant 
which directly or indirectly allows the non-disadvantaged individual 
significantly to influence business decisions of the Participant.
    (3) A non-disadvantaged individual or entity controls the applicant 
or Participant or an individual disadvantaged owner through loan 
arrangements. Providing a loan guaranty on commercially reasonable terms 
does not, by itself, give a non-disadvantaged individual or entity the 
power to control a firm.
    (4) Business relationships exist with non-disadvantaged individuals 
or entities which cause such dependence that the applicant or 
Participant cannot exercise independent business judgment without great 
economic risk.
    (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section requiring a 
disadvantaged owner to control the daily business operations and long-
term strategic planning of an 8(a) BD Participant, where a disadvantaged 
individual upon whom eligibility is based is a reserve component member 
in the United States military who has been called to active duty, the 
Participant may elect to designate one or more individuals to control 
the Participant on behalf of the disadvantaged individual during the 
active duty call-up period. If such an election is made, the Participant 
will continue to be treated as an eligible 8(a) Participant and no 
additional time will be added to its program term. Alternatively, the 
Participant may elect to suspend its 8(a) BD participation during the 
active duty call-up period pursuant to Sec. Sec.  124.305(h)(1)(ii) and 
124.305(h)(4).

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
76 FR 8255, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 FR 48580, July 25, 2016]



Sec.  124.107  What is potential for success?

    SBA must determine that with contract, financial, technical, and 
management support from the 8(a) BD program, the applicant concern is 
able to perform 8(a) contracts and possess reasonable prospects for 
success in competing in the private sector. To do so, the applicant 
concern must show that it has operated and received contracts (either in 
the private sector, at the state or local government level, or with the 
Federal Government) in its primary industry classification for at least 
two full years immediately prior to the date of its 8(a) BD application, 
unless a waiver for this requirement is granted pursuant to paragraph 
(b) of this section.

[[Page 493]]

    (a) Income tax returns for each of the two previous tax years must 
show operating revenues in the primary industry in which the applicant 
is seeking 8(a) BD certification.
    (b)(1) SBA may waive the two years in business requirement if each 
of the following five conditions are met:
    (i) The individual or individuals upon whom eligibility is based 
have substantial business management experience;
    (ii) The applicant has demonstrated technical experience to carry 
out its business plan with a substantial likelihood for success if 
admitted to the 8(a) BD program;
    (iii) The applicant has adequate capital to sustain its operations 
and carry out its business plan as a Participant;
    (iv) The applicant has a record of successful performance on 
contracts from governmental or nongovernmental sources in its primary 
industry category; and
    (v) The applicant has, or can demonstrate its ability to timely 
obtain, the personnel, facilities, equipment, and any other requirements 
needed to perform contracts as a Participant.
    (2) The concern seeking a waiver under paragraph (b) must provide 
information on governmental and nongovernmental contracts in progress 
and completed (including letters of reference) in order to establish 
successful contract performance, and must demonstrate how it otherwise 
meets the five conditions for waiver. SBA considers an applicant's 
performance on both government and private sector contracts in 
determining whether the firm has an overall successful performance 
record. If, however, the applicant has performed only government 
contracts or only private sector contracts, SBA will review its 
performance on those contracts alone to determine whether the applicant 
possesses a record of successful performance.
    (c) In assessing potential for success, SBA considers the concern's 
access to credit and capital, including, but not limited to, access to 
long-term financing, access to working capital financing, equipment 
trade credit, access to raw materials and supplier trade credit, and 
bonding capability.
    (d) In assessing potential for success, SBA will also consider the 
technical and managerial experience of the applicant concern's managers, 
the operating history of the concern, the concern's record of 
performance on previous Federal and private sector contracts in the 
primary industry in which the concern is seeking 8(a) BD certification, 
and its financial capacity. The applicant concern as a whole must 
demonstrate both technical knowledge in its primary industry category 
and management experience sufficient to run its day-to-day operations.
    (e) The Participant or individuals employed by the Participant must 
hold all requisite licenses if the concern is engaged in an industry 
requiring professional licensing (e.g., public accountancy, law, 
professional engineering).
    (f) An applicant will not be denied admission into the 8(a) BD 
program due solely to a determination that potential 8(a) contract 
opportunities are unavailable to assist in the development of the 
concern unless:
    (1) The Government has not previously procured and is unlikely to 
procure the types of products or services offered by the concern; or
    (2) The purchase of such products or services by the Federal 
Government will not be in quantities sufficient to support the 
developmental needs of the applicant and other Participants providing 
the same or similar items or services.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 88 FR 26204, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.108  What other eligibility requirements apply for individuals 
or businesses?

    (a) Good character. The applicant or Participant and all its 
principals must have good character.
    (1) If during the processing of an application, SBA receives adverse 
information from the applicant or a credible source regarding possible 
criminal conduct by the applicant or any of its principals, SBA may 
suspend further processing of the application and refer it to SBA's 
Office of Inspector General (OIG) for review. If the SBA suspends the 
application, but does not hear back from OIG within 45 days, SBA may 
proceed with application processing. The

[[Page 494]]

AA/BD will consider any findings of the OIG when evaluating the 
application.
    (2) Violations of any of SBA's regulations may result in denial of 
participation in the 8(a) BD program. The AA/BD will consider the nature 
and severity of the violation in making an eligibility determination.
    (3) Debarred or suspended concerns or concerns owned by debarred or 
suspended persons are ineligible for admission to the 8(a) BD program.
    (4) An applicant is ineligible for admission to the 8(a) BD program 
if the applicant concern or a proprietor, partner, limited liability 
member, director, officer, or holder of at least 20 percent of its 
stock, or another person (including key employees) with significant 
authority over the concern:
    (i) Lacks business integrity as demonstrated by information related 
to an indictment or guilty plea, conviction, civil judgment, or 
settlement; or
    (ii) Is currently incarcerated, or on parole or probation pursuant 
to a pre-trial diversion or following conviction for a felony or any 
crime involving business integrity.
    (5) If, during the processing of an application, SBA determines that 
an applicant has knowingly submitted false information, regardless of 
whether correct information would cause SBA to deny the application, and 
regardless of whether correct information was given to SBA in 
accompanying documents, SBA will deny the application. If, after 
admission to the program, SBA discovers that false information has been 
knowingly submitted by a firm, SBA will initiate termination proceedings 
and suspend the firm under Sec. Sec.  124.304 and 124.305. Whenever SBA 
determines that the applicant submitted false information, the matter 
will be referred to SBA's Office of Inspector General for review.
    (b) One-time eligibility. Once a concern or disadvantaged individual 
upon whom eligibility was based has participated in the 8(a) BD program, 
neither the concern nor that individual will be eligible again.
    (1) An individual who claims disadvantage and completes the 
appropriate SBA forms to qualify an applicant has participated in the 
8(a) BD program if SBA approves the application.
    (2) Use of eligibility will take effect on the date of the concern's 
approval for admission into the program.
    (3) An individual who uses his or her one-time eligibility to 
qualify a concern for the 8(a) BD program will be considered a non-
disadvantaged individual for ownership or control purposes of another 
applicant or Participant. The criteria restricting participation by non-
disadvantaged individuals will apply to such an individual. See 
Sec. Sec.  124.105 and 124.106.
    (4) When at least 50% of the assets of a concern are the same as 
those of a former Participant, the concern will not be eligible for 
entry into the program.
    (5) Participants which change their form of business organization 
and transfer their assets and liabilities to the new organization may do 
so without affecting the eligibility of the new organization provided 
the previous business is dissolved and all other eligibility criteria 
are met. In such a case, the new organization may complete the remaining 
program term of the previous organization. A request for a change in 
business form will be treated as a change of ownership under Sec.  
124.105(i).
    (c) Wholesalers. An applicant concern seeking admission to the 8(a) 
BD program as a wholesaler need not demonstrate that it is capable of 
meeting the requirements of the nonmanufacturer rule for its primary 
industry classification.
    (d) Brokers. Brokers are ineligible to participate in the 8(a) BD 
program. A broker is a concern that adds no material value to an item 
being supplied to a procuring activity or which does not take ownership 
or possession of or handle the item being procured with its own 
equipment or facilities.
    (e) Federal financial obligations. Neither a firm nor any of its 
principals that fails to pay significant financial obligations owed to 
the Federal Government, including unresolved tax liens and defaults on 
Federal loans or other Federally assisted financing, is eligible for 
admission to or participation in the 8(a) BD program. However,

[[Page 495]]

a firm will not be ineligible to participate in the 8(a) BD program if 
the firm or the affected principals can demonstrate that the financial 
obligations owed have been settled and discharged/forgiven by the 
Federal Government.

[63 FR 35739, 35772, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 
2009; 76 FR 8255, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 FR 48580, July 25, 2016; 88 FR 
26204, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.109  Do Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations have any 
special rules for applying to and remaining eligible for the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) Special rules for ANCs. Small business concerns owned and 
controlled by ANCs are eligible for participation in the 8(a) program 
and must meet the eligibility criteria set forth in Sec.  124.112 to the 
extent the criteria are not inconsistent with this section. ANC-owned 
concerns are subject to the same conditions that apply to tribally-owned 
concerns, as described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, except 
that the following provisions and exceptions apply only to ANC-owned 
concerns:
    (1) Alaska Natives and descendants of Natives must own a majority of 
both the total equity of the ANC and the total voting powers to elect 
directors of the ANC through their holdings of settlement common stock. 
Settlement common stock means stock of an ANC issued pursuant to 43 
U.S.C. 1606(g)(1), which is subject to the rights and restrictions 
listed in 43 U.S.C. 1606(h)(1).
    (2) An ANC that meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (a)(1) 
of this section is deemed economically disadvantaged under 43 U.S.C. 
1626(e), and need not establish economic disadvantage as required by 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (3) Even though an ANC can be either for profit or non-profit, a 
small business concern owned and controlled by an ANC must be for profit 
to be eligible for the 8(a) program. The concern will be deemed owned 
and controlled by the ANC where both the majority of stock or other 
ownership interest and total voting power are held by the ANC and 
holders of its settlement common stock.
    (4) The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act provides that a concern 
which is majority owned by an ANC shall be deemed to be both owned and 
controlled by Alaska Natives and an economically disadvantaged business. 
Therefore, an individual responsible for control and management of an 
ANC-owned applicant or Participant need not establish personal social 
and economic disadvantage.
    (5) Paragraphs (b)(3)(i), (ii) and (iv) of this section are not 
applicable to an ANC, provided its status as an ANC is clearly shown in 
its articles of incorporation.
    (6) Paragraph (c)(1) of this section is not applicable to an ANC-
owned concern to the extent it requires an express waiver of sovereign 
immunity or a ``sue and be sued'' clause.
    (7) Notwithstanding Sec.  124.105(i), where an ANC merely 
reorganizes its ownership of a Participant in the 8(a) BD program by 
inserting or removing a wholly-owned business entity between the ANC and 
the Participant, the Participant need not request a change of ownership 
from SBA. The Participant must, however, notify SBA of the change within 
60 days of the transfer.
    (b) Tribal eligibility. In order to qualify a concern which it owns 
and controls for participation in the 8(a) BD program, an Indian Tribe 
must establish its own economic disadvantaged status under paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section. Once an Indian Tribe establishes that it is 
economically disadvantaged in connection with the application for one 
Tribally-owned firm, it need not reestablish such status in order to 
have other businesses that it owns certified for 8(a) BD program 
participation, unless specifically requested to do so by the AA/BD. An 
Indian Tribe may request to meet with SBA prior to submitting an 
application for 8(a) BD participation for its first applicant firm to 
better understand what SBA requires for it to establish economic 
disadvantage. Each Tribally-owned concern seeking to be certified for 
8(a) BD participation must comply with the provisions of paragraph (c) 
of this section.
    (1) Social disadvantage. An Indian tribe as defined in Sec.  124.3 
is considered to be socially disadvantaged.
    (2) Economic disadvantage. In order to be eligible to participate in 
the 8(a) BD

[[Page 496]]

program, the Indian tribe must demonstrate to SBA that the tribe itself 
is economically disadvantaged. This must involve the consideration of 
available data showing the tribe's economic condition, including but not 
limited to, the following information:
    (i) The number of tribal members.
    (ii) The present tribal unemployment rate.
    (iii) The per capita income of tribal members, excluding judgment 
awards.
    (iv) The percentage of the local Indian population below the poverty 
level.
    (v) The tribe's access to capital.
    (vi) The tribal assets as disclosed in a current tribal financial 
statement. The statement must list all assets including those which are 
encumbered or held in trust, but the status of those encumbered or in 
trust must be clearly delineated.
    (vii) A list of all wholly or partially owned tribal enterprises or 
affiliates and the primary industry classification of each. The list 
must also specify the members of the tribe who manage or control such 
enterprises by serving as officers or directors.
    (3) Forms and documents required to be submitted. Except as 
otherwise provided in this section, the Indian tribe generally must 
submit the forms and documents required of 8(a) BD applicants as well as 
the following material:
    (i) A copy of all governing documents such as the tribe's 
constitution or business charter.
    (ii) Evidence of its recognition as a tribe eligible for the special 
programs and services provided by the United States or by its state of 
residence.
    (iii) Copies of its articles of incorporation and bylaws as filed 
with the organizing or chartering authority, or similar documents needed 
to establish and govern a non-corporate legal entity.
    (iv) Documents or materials needed to show the tribe's economically 
disadvantaged status as described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
    (c) Business eligibility. In order to be eligible to participate in 
the 8(a) BD program, a concern which is owned by an eligible Indian 
tribe (or wholly owned business entities of such tribe) must meet the 
conditions set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this 
section.
    (1) Legal business entity organized for profit and susceptible to 
suit. The applicant or participating concern must be a separate and 
distinct legal entity organized or chartered by the tribe, or Federal or 
state authorities. Where an applicant or participating concern is owned 
by a federally recognized tribe, the concern's articles of 
incorporation, partnership agreement, limited liability company articles 
of organization, or other similar incorporating documents for tribally 
incorporated applicants must contain express sovereign immunity waiver 
language, or a ``sue and be sued'' clause which designates United States 
Federal Courts to be among the courts of competent jurisdiction for all 
matters relating to SBA's programs including, but not limited to, 8(a) 
BD program participation, loans, and contract performance. Also, the 
concern must be organized for profit, and the tribe must possess 
economic development powers in the tribe's governing documents.
    (2) Size. (i) A tribally-owned applicant concern must qualify as a 
small business concern as defined for purposes of Federal Government 
procurement in part 121 of this title. The particular size standard to 
be applied is based on the primary industry classification of the 
applicant concern.
    (ii) A tribally-owned Participant must certify to SBA that it is a 
small business pursuant to the provisions of part 121 of this title for 
the purpose of performing each individual contract which it is awarded.
    (iii) In determining the size of a small business concern owned by a 
socially and economically disadvantaged Indian tribe (or a wholly owned 
business entity of such tribe) for either 8(a) BD program entry or 
contract award, the firm's size shall be determined independently 
without regard to its affiliation with the tribe, any entity of the 
tribal government, or any other business enterprise owned by the tribe, 
unless the Administrator determines that one or more such tribally-owned 
business concerns have obtained, or are likely to obtain, a substantial 
unfair competitive advantage within an industry category.

[[Page 497]]

    (iv) In determining whether a tribally-owned concern has obtained, 
or is likely to obtain, a substantial unfair competitive advantage 
within an industry category, SBA will examine the firm's participation 
in the relevant six digit NAICS code nationally as compared to the 
overall small business share of that industry.
    (A) SBA will consider the firm's percentage share of the national 
market and other relevant factors to determine whether the firm is 
dominant in a specific six-digit NAICS code with a particular size 
standard.
    (B) SBA does not contemplate a finding of affiliation where a 
tribally-owned concern appears to have obtained an unfair competitive 
advantage in a local market, but remains competitive, but not dominant, 
on a national basis.
    (3) Ownership. (i) For corporate entities, a Tribe must 
unconditionally own at least 51 percent of the voting stock and at least 
51 percent of the aggregate of all classes of stock. For non-corporate 
entities, a Tribe must unconditionally own at least a 51 percent 
interest.
    (ii) A Tribe may not own 51% or more of another firm which, either 
at the time of application or within the previous two years, has been 
operating in the 8(a) program under the same primary NAICS code as the 
applicant. For purposes of this paragraph, the same primary NAICS code 
means the six-digit NAICS code having the same corresponding size 
standard. A Tribe may, however, own a Participant or other applicant 
that conducts or will conduct secondary business in the 8(a) BD program 
under the NAICS code which is the primary NAICS code of the applicant 
concern.
    (A) Once an applicant is admitted to the 8(a) BD program, it may not 
receive an 8(a) sole source contract that is a follow-on contract to an 
8(a) contract that was performed immediately previously by another 
Participant (or former Participant) owned by the same Tribe. However, a 
tribally-owned concern may receive a follow-on sole source 8(a) contract 
to a requirement that it performed through the 8(a) program (either as a 
competitive or sole source contract).
    (B) If the primary NAICS code of a tribally-owned Participant is 
changed pursuant to Sec.  124.112(e), the tribe can submit an 
application and qualify another firm owned by the tribe for 
participation in the 8(a) BD program under the NAICS code that was the 
previous primary NAICS code of the Participant whose primary NAICS code 
was changed.

    Example 1 to paragraph (c)(3)(ii)(B). Tribe X owns 100% of 8(a) 
Participant A. A entered the 8(a) BD program with a primary NAICS code 
of 236115, New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale 
Builders). After four years in the program, SBA noticed that the vast 
majority of A's revenues were in NAICS Code 237310, Highway, Street, and 
Bridge Construction, and notified A that SBA intended to change its 
primary NAICS code pursuant to Sec.  124.112(e). A agreed to change its 
primary NAICS Code to 237310. Once the change is finalized, Tribe X can 
immediately submit a new application to qualify another firm that it 
owns for participation in the 8(a) BD program with a primary NAICS Code 
of 236115.

    (iii) The restrictions of Sec.  124.105(h) do not apply to tribes; 
they do, however, apply to non disadvantaged individuals or other 
business concerns that are partial owners of a tribally-owned concern.
    (iv) Notwithstanding Sec.  124.105(i), where a Tribe merely 
reorganizes its ownership of a Participant in the 8(a) BD program by 
inserting or removing a wholly-owned business entity between the Tribe 
and the Participant, the Participant need not request a change of 
ownership from SBA. The Participant must, however, notify SBA of the 
change within 30 days of the transfer.
    (4) Control and management. (i) The management and daily business 
operations of a Tribally-owned concern must be controlled by the Tribe. 
The Tribally-owned concern may be controlled by the Tribe through one or 
more individuals who possess sufficient management experience of an 
extent and complexity needed to run the concern, or through management 
as follows:
    (A) Management may be provided by committees, teams, or Boards of 
Directors which are controlled by one or more members of an economically 
disadvantaged tribe, or

[[Page 498]]

    (B) Management may be provided by non-Tribal members if the concern 
can demonstrate that the Tribe can hire and fire those individuals, that 
it will retain control of all management decisions common to boards of 
directors, including strategic planning, budget approval, and the 
employment and compensation of officers, and that a written management 
development plan exists which shows how Tribal members will develop 
managerial skills sufficient to manage the concern or similar Tribally-
owned concerns in the future.
    (ii) Members of the management team, business committee members, 
officers, and directors are precluded from engaging in any outside 
employment or other business interests which conflict with the 
management of the concern or prevent the concern from achieving the 
objectives set forth in its business development plan. This is not 
intended to preclude participation in tribal or other activities which 
do not interfere with such individual's responsibilities in the 
operation of the applicant concern.
    (iii) The individuals responsible for the management and daily 
operations of a tribally-owned concern cannot manage more than two 
Program Participants at the same time.
    (A) An individual's officer position, membership on the board of 
directors or position as a tribal leader does not necessarily imply that 
the individual is responsible for the management and daily operations of 
a given concern. SBA looks beyond these corporate formalities and 
examines the totality of the information submitted by the applicant to 
determine which individual(s) manage the actual day-to-day operations of 
the applicant concern.
    (B) Officers, board members, and/or tribal leaders may control a 
holding company overseeing several tribally-owned or ANC-owned 
companies, provided they do not actually control the day-to-day 
management of more than two current 8(a) BD Program Participant firms.
    (C) Because an individual may be responsible for the management and 
daily business operations of two tribally-owned concerns, the full-time 
devotion requirement does not apply to tribally-owned applicants and 
Participants.
    (5) Individual eligibility limitation. SBA does not deem an 
individual involved in the management or daily business operations of a 
tribally-owned concern to have used his or her individual eligibility 
within the meaning of Sec.  124.108(b).
    (6) Potential for success. A Tribally-owned applicant concern must 
possess reasonable prospects for success in competing in the private 
sector if admitted to the 8(a) BD program. A Tribally-owned applicant 
may establish potential for success by demonstrating that:
    (i) It has been in business for at least two years, as evidenced by 
income tax returns (individual or consolidated) or financial statements 
(either audited, reviewed or in-house as set-forth in Sec.  124.602) for 
each of the two previous tax years showing operating revenues in the 
primary industry in which the applicant seeks 8(a) BD certification; or
    (ii) The individual(s) who will manage and control the daily 
business operations of the firm have substantial technical and 
management experience, the applicant has a record of successful 
performance on contracts from governmental or nongovernmental sources in 
its primary industry category, and the applicant has adequate capital to 
sustain its operations and carry out its business plan as a Participant; 
or
    (iii) The Tribe, a tribally-owned economic development corporation, 
or other relevant tribally-owned holding company vested with the 
authority to oversee tribal economic development or business ventures 
has made a firm written commitment to support the operations of the 
applicant concern and it has the financial ability to do so.
    (7) Other eligibility criteria. (i) As with other 8(a) applicants, a 
tribally-owned applicant concern shall not be denied admission into the 
8(a) program due solely to a determination that specific contract 
opportunities are unavailable to assist the development of the concern 
unless:
    (A) The Government has not previously procured and is unlikely to 
procure the types of products or services offered by the concern; or

[[Page 499]]

    (B) The purchase of such products or services by the Federal 
Government will not be in quantities sufficient to support the 
developmental needs of the applicant and other program participants 
providing the same or similar items or services.
    (ii) The officers, directors, and all shareholders owning an 
interest of 20% or more (other than the tribe itself) of a tribally-
owned applicant or Participant must demonstrate good character (see 
Sec.  124.108(a)) and cannot fail to pay significant Federal obligations 
owed to the Federal Government (see Sec.  124.108(e)).

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
76 FR 8255, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 FR 48580, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 66184, Oct. 
16, 2020; 88 FR 26204, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.110  Do Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) have any special rules 
for applying to and remaining eligible for the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) Concerns owned by economically disadvantaged Native Hawaiian 
Organizations, as defined in Sec.  124.3, are eligible for participation 
in the 8(a) program and other federal programs requiring SBA to 
determine social and economic disadvantage as a condition of 
eligibility. Such concerns must meet all eligibility criteria set forth 
in Sec. Sec.  124.101 through 124.108 and Sec.  124.112 to the extent 
that they are not inconsistent with this section.
    (b) A concern owned by a Native Hawaiian Organization must qualify 
as a small business concern as defined in part 121 of this title. The 
size standard corresponding to the primary industry classification of 
the applicant concern applies for determining size. SBA will determine 
the concern's size independently, without regard to its affiliation with 
the Native Hawaiian Organization or any other business enterprise owned 
by the Native Hawaiian Organization, unless the Administrator determines 
that one or more such concerns owned by the Native Hawaiian Organization 
have obtained, or are likely to obtain, a substantial unfair competitive 
advantage within an industry category. In determining whether an NHO-
owned concern has obtained, or is likely to obtain, a substantial unfair 
competitive advantage within an industry category, SBA will examine the 
firm's participation in the relevant six digit NAICS code nationally.
    (1) SBA will consider the firm's percentage share of the national 
market and other relevant factors to determine whether the firm is 
dominant in a specific six-digit NAICS code with a particular size 
standard.
    (2) SBA does not contemplate a finding of affiliation where an NHO-
owned concern appears to have obtained an unfair competitive advantage 
in a local market, but remains competitive, but not dominant, on a 
national basis.
    (c) An NHO must establish that it is economically disadvantaged and 
that its business activities will principally benefit Native Hawaiians. 
Once an NHO establishes that it is economically disadvantaged in 
connection with the application of one NHO-owned firm, it need not 
reestablish such status in order to have other businesses that it owns 
certified for 8(a) BD program participation, unless specifically 
requested to do so by the AA/BD. If a different NHO identifies that it 
will serve and benefit the same Native Hawaiian community as an NHO that 
has already established its economic disadvantage status, that NHO need 
not establish its economic disadvantage status in connection with an 
8(a) BD application of a business concern that it owns, unless 
specifically requested to do so by the AA/BD.
    (1) In order to establish that an NHO is economically disadvantaged, 
it must demonstrate that it will principally benefit economically 
disadvantaged Native Hawaiians. To do this, the NHO must provide data 
showing the economic condition of the Native Hawaiian community that it 
intends to serve, including:
    (i) The number of Native Hawaiians in the community that the NHO 
intends to serve;
    (ii) The present Native Hawaiian unemployment rate of those 
individuals;
    (iii) The per capita income of those Native Hawaiians, excluding 
judgment awards;
    (iv) The percentage of those Native Hawaiians below the poverty 
level; and
    (v) The access to capital of those Native Hawaiians.

[[Page 500]]

    (2) An NHO should describe any activities that it has done to 
benefit Native Hawaiians at the time its NHO-owned firm applies to the 
8(a) BD program. In addition, the NHO must include statements in its 
bylaws or operating agreements identifying the benefits Native Hawaiians 
will receive from the NHO. The NHO must have a detailed plan that shows 
how revenue earned by the NHO will principally benefit Native Hawaiians. 
As part of an annual review conducted for an NHO-owned Participant, SBA 
will review how the NHO is fulfilling its obligation to principally 
benefit Native Hawaiians.
    (d) An NHO must control the applicant or Participant firm. To 
establish that it is controlled by an NHO, an applicant or Participant 
must demonstrate that the NHO controls its board of directors, managing 
members, managers or managing partners.
    (1) The NHO need not possess the technical expertise necessary to 
run the NHO-owned applicant or Participant firm. The NHO must have 
managerial experience of the extent and complexity needed to run the 
concern. Management experience need not be related to the same or 
similar industry as the primary industry classification of the applicant 
or Participant.
    (2) An individual responsible for the day-to-day management of an 
NHO-owned firm need not establish personal social and economic 
disadvantage.
    (3) The individuals responsible for the management and daily 
operations of an NHO-owned concern cannot manage more than two Program 
Participants at the same time.
    (i) An individual's officer position or membership on the board of 
directors does not necessarily imply that the individual is responsible 
for the management and daily operations of a given concern. SBA looks 
beyond these corporate formalities and examines the totality of the 
information submitted by the applicant to determine which individual(s) 
manage the actual day-to-day operations of the applicant concern.
    (ii) NHO officers and/or board members may control a holding company 
overseeing several NHO-owned business concerns, provided they do not 
actually control the day-to-day management of more than two current 8(a) 
BD Program Participant firms.
    (iii) Because an individual may be responsible for the management 
and daily business operations of two NHO-owned concerns, the full-time 
devotion requirement does not apply to NHO-owned applicants and 
Participants.
    (e) For corporate entities, an NHO must unconditionally own at least 
51 percent of the voting stock and at least 51 percent of the aggregate 
of all classes of stock. For non-corporate entities, an NHO must 
unconditionally own at least a 51 percent interest.
    (f) An NHO cannot own 51% or more of another firm which, either at 
the time of application or within the previous two years, has been 
operating in the 8(a) program under the same primary NAICS code as the 
applicant. For purposes of this paragraph, the same primary NAICS code 
means the six-digit NAICS code having the same corresponding size 
standard. An NHO may, however, own a Participant or an applicant that 
conducts or will conduct secondary business in the 8(a) BD program under 
the same NAICS code that a current Participant owned by the NHO operates 
in the 8(a) BD program as its primary NAICS code.
    (1) Once an applicant is admitted to the 8(a) BD program, it may not 
receive an 8(a) sole source contract that is a follow-on contract to an 
8(a) contract that was performed immediately previously by another 
Participant (or former Participant) owned by the same NHO. However, an 
NHO-owned concern may receive a follow-on sole source 8(a) contract to a 
requirement that it performed through the 8(a) program (either as a 
competitive or sole source contract).
    (2) If the primary NAICS code of a Participant owned by an NHO is 
changed pursuant to Sec.  124.112(e), the NHO can submit an application 
and qualify another firm owned by the NHO for participation in the 8(a) 
BD program under the NAICS code that was the previous primary NAICS code 
of the Participant whose primary NAICS code was changed.
    (g) SBA does not deem an individual involved in the management or 
daily business operations of a Participant

[[Page 501]]

owned by a Native Hawaiian Organization to have used his or her 
individual eligibility within the meaning of Sec.  124.108(b).
    (h) An NHO-owned firm's eligibility for 8(a) BD participation is 
separate and distinct from the individual eligibility of the NHO's 
members, directors, or managers. The eligibility of an NHO-owned concern 
is not affected by the former 8(a) BD participation of one or more of 
the NHO's individual members.
    (i) An applicant concern owned by a NHO must possess reasonable 
prospects for success in competing in the private sector if admitted to 
the 8(a) BD program. An applicant concern owned by a NHO may establish 
potential for success by demonstrating that:
    (1) It has been in business for at least two years, as evidenced by 
income tax returns (individual or consolidated) for each of the two 
previous tax years showing operating revenues in the primary industry in 
with the applicant is seeking 8(a) BD certification; or
    (2) The individual(s) who will manage and control the daily business 
operations of the firm have substantial technical and management 
experience, the applicant has a record of successful performance on 
contracts from governmental or nongovernmental sources in its primary 
industry category, and the applicant has adequate capital to sustain its 
operations and carry out its business plan as a Participant; or
    (3) The NHO has made a firm written commitment to support the 
operations of the applicant concern and it has the financial ability to 
do so.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8256, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 
FR 28237, May 14, 2012; 81 FR 48580, July 25, 2016; 81 FR 71983, Oct. 
19, 2016; 85 FR 66184, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26205, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.111  Do Community Development Corporations (CDCs) have any 
special rules for applying to and remaining eligible for the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) Concerns owned at least 51 percent by CDCs (or a wholly owned 
business entity of a CDC) are eligible for participation in the 8(a) BD 
program and other federal programs requiring SBA to determine social and 
economic disadvantage as a condition of eligibility. These concerns must 
meet all eligibility criteria set forth in Sec.  124.101 through Sec.  
124.108 and Sec.  124.112 to the extent that they are not inconsistent 
with this section.
    (b) A concern that is at least 51 percent owned by a CDC (or a 
wholly owned business entity of a CDC) is considered to be controlled by 
such CDC and eligible for participation in the 8(a) BD program, provided 
it meets all eligibility criteria set forth or referred to in this 
section and its management and daily business operations are conducted 
by one or more individuals determined to have managerial experience of 
an extent and complexity needed to run the concern.
    (c) A concern that is at least 51 percent owned by a CDC (or a 
wholly owned business entity of a CDC) must qualify as a small business 
concern as defined in part 121 of this title. The size standard 
corresponding to the primary industry classification of the applicant 
concern applies for determining size. SBA will determine the concern's 
size independently, without regard to its affiliation with the CDC or 
any other business enterprise owned by the CDC, unless the Administrator 
determines that one or more such concerns owned by the CDC have 
obtained, or are likely to obtain, a substantial unfair competitive 
advantage within an industry category. In determining whether a CDC-
owned concern has obtained, or is likely to obtain, a substantial unfair 
competitive advantage within an industry category, SBA will examine the 
firm's participation in the relevant six digit NAICS code nationally.
    (1) SBA will consider the firm's percentage share of the national 
market and other relevant factors to determine whether the firm is 
dominant in a specific six-digit NAICS code with a particular size 
standard.
    (2) SBA does not contemplate a finding of affiliation where a CDC-
owned concern appears to have obtained an unfair competitive advantage 
in a local market, but remains competitive, but not dominant, on a 
national basis.
    (3) Notwithstanding Sec.  124.105(i), where a CDC merely reorganizes 
its ownership of a Participant in the 8(a) BD program by inserting or 
removing a wholly-owned business entity between

[[Page 502]]

the CDC and the Participant, the Participant need not request a change 
of ownership from SBA. The Participant must, however, notify SBA of the 
change within 30 days of the transfer.
    (d) A CDC cannot own 51% or more of another firm which, either at 
the time of application or within the previous two years, has been 
operating in the 8(a) program under the same primary NAICS code as the 
applicant. For purposes of this paragraph, the same primary NAICS code 
means the six-digit NAICS code having the same corresponding size 
standard. A CDC may, however, own a Participant or an applicant that 
conducts or will conduct secondary business in the 8(a) BD program under 
the same NAICS code that a current Participant owned by the CDC operates 
in the 8(a) BD program as its primary NAICS code.
    (1) Once an applicant is admitted to the 8(a) BD program, it may not 
receive an 8(a) sole source contract that is a follow-on contract to an 
8(a) contract that was performed immediately previously by another 
Participant (or former Participant) owned by the same CDC. However, a 
CDC-owned concern may receive a follow-on sole source 8(a) contract to a 
requirement that it performed through the 8(a) program.
    (2) If the primary NAICS code of a Participant owned by a CDC is 
changed pursuant to Sec.  124.112(e), the CDC can submit an application 
and qualify another firm owned by the CDC for participation in the 8(a) 
BD program under the NAICS code that was the previous primary NAICS code 
of the Participant whose primary NAICS code was changed.
    (e) SBA does not deem an individual involved in the management or 
daily business operations of a CDC-owned concern to have used his or her 
individual eligibility within the meaning of Sec.  124.108(b).
    (f) An applicant concern owned by a CDC must possess reasonable 
prospects for success in competing in the private sector if admitted to 
the 8(a) BD program. An applicant concern owned by a CDC may establish 
potential for success by demonstrating that:
    (1) It has been in business for at least two years, as evidenced by 
income tax returns (individual or consolidated) for each of the two 
previous tax years showing operating revenues in the primary industry in 
with the applicant is seeking 8(a) BD certification; or
    (2) The individual(s) who will manage and control the daily business 
operations of the firm have substantial technical and management 
experience, the applicant has a record of successful performance on 
contracts from governmental or nongovernmental sources in its primary 
industry category, and the applicant has adequate capital to sustain its 
operations and carry out its business plan as a Participant; or
    (3) The CDC has made a firm written commitment to support the 
operations of the applicant concern and it has the financial ability to 
do so.
    (g) A CDC-owned applicant and all of its principals must have good 
character as set forth in Sec.  124.108(a).

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8257, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 
FR 28237, May 14, 2012; 81 FR 48581, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 66184, Oct. 
16, 2020; 88 FR 26205, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.112  What criteria must a business meet to remain eligible 
to participate in the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) Standards. In order for a concern (except those owned by Indian 
tribes, ANCs, Native Hawaiian Organizations or CDCs) to remain eligible 
for 8(a) BD program participation, it must continue to meet all 
eligibility criteria contained in Sec.  124.101 through Sec.  124.108. 
For concerns owned by Indian tribes, ANCs, Native Hawaiian Organizations 
or CDCs to remain eligible, they must meet the criteria set forth in 
this Sec.  124.112 to the extent that they are not inconsistent with 
Sec.  124.109, Sec.  124.110 and Sec.  124.111, respectively. The 
concern must inform SBA in writing of any changes in circumstances which 
would adversely affect its program eligibility, especially economic 
disadvantage and ownership and control. Any concern that fails to meet 
the eligibility requirements after being admitted to the program will be 
subject to termination or early graduation under Sec. Sec.  124.302 
through 124.304, as appropriate.
    (b) Submissions supporting continued eligibility. As part of an 
annual review, each Participant must annually submit to the servicing 
district office the following:

[[Page 503]]

    (1) A certification that it meets the 8(a) BD program eligibility 
requirements as set forth in Sec.  124.101 through Sec.  124.108 and 
paragraph (a) of this section;
    (2) A certification that there have been no changed circumstances 
which could adversely affect the Participant's program eligibility. If 
the Participant is unable to provide such certification, the Participant 
must inform SBA of any changes and provide relevant supporting 
documentation.
    (3) Personal financial information for each disadvantaged owner;
    (4) A record from each individual claiming disadvantaged status 
regarding the transfer of assets for less than fair market value to any 
immediate family member, or to a trust any beneficiary of which is an 
immediate family member, within two years of the date of the annual 
review. The record must provide the name of the recipient(s) and family 
relationship, and the difference between the fair market value of the 
asset transferred and the value received by the disadvantaged 
individual.
    (5) A record of all payments, compensation, and distributions 
(including loans, advances, salaries and dividends) made by the 
Participant to each of its owners, officers or directors, or to any 
person or entity affiliated with such individuals;
    (6) If it is an approved prot[eacute]g[eacute], a narrative report 
detailing the contracts it has had with its mentor and benefits it has 
received from the mentor/prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship. See Sec.  
124.520(b)(4) for additional annual requirements;
    (7) A listing of any fees paid to agents or representatives to 
assist the Participant in obtaining or seeking to obtain a Federal 
contract;
    (8) A report for each 8(a) contract performed during the year 
explaining how the performance of work requirements are being met for 
the contract, including any 8(a) contracts performed as a joint venture; 
and
    (9) Such other information as SBA may deem necessary. For other 
required annual submissions, see Sec. Sec.  124.601 through 124.603.
    (c) Eligibility reviews. (1) Upon receipt of specific and credible 
information alleging that a Participant no longer meets the eligibility 
requirements for continued program eligibility, SBA will review the 
concern's eligibility for continued participation in the program.
    (2) Sufficient reasons for SBA to conclude that a socially 
disadvantaged individual is no longer economically disadvantaged 
include, but are not limited to, excessive withdrawals of funds or other 
assets withdrawn from the concern by its owners, or substantial personal 
assets, income or net worth of any disadvantaged owner. SBA may also 
consider access by the Participant firm to a significant new source of 
capital or loans since the financial condition of the Participant is 
considered in evaluating the disadvantaged individual's economic status.
    (d) Excessive withdrawals. (1) The term withdrawal includes, but is 
not limited to, the following: Cash dividends; distributions in excess 
of amounts needed to pay S Corporation, LLC or partnership taxes; cash 
and property withdrawals; payments to immediate family members not 
employed by the Participant; bonuses to officers; and investments on 
behalf of an owner. Although officers' salaries are generally not 
considered withdrawals for purposes of this paragraph, SBA will count 
those salaries as withdrawals where SBA believes that a firm is 
attempting to circumvent the excessive withdrawal limitations through 
the payment of officers' salaries. SBA will look at the totality of the 
circumstances in determining whether to include any specific amount as a 
withdrawal under this paragraph.
    (2) If SBA determines that funds or assets have been excessively 
withdrawn from the Participant for the personal benefit of one or more 
owners or managers, or any person or entity affiliated with such owners 
or managers, and such withdrawal was detrimental to the achievement of 
the targets, objectives, and goals contained in the Participant's 
business plan, SBA may:
    (i) Initiate termination proceedings under Sec. Sec.  124.303 and 
124.304 where the withdrawals detrimentally affect the achievement of 
the Participant's targets, objectives and goals set forth in its 
business plan, or its overall business development;

[[Page 504]]

    (ii) Initiate early graduation proceedings under Sec. Sec.  124.302 
and 124.303 where the withdrawals do not adversely affect the 
Participant's business development; or
    (iii) Require an appropriate reinvestment of funds or other assets, 
as well as any other actions SBA deems necessary to counteract the 
detrimental effects of the withdrawals, as a condition of the 
Participant maintaining program eligibility.
    (3) Withdrawals are excessive if in the aggregate during any fiscal 
year of the Participant they exceed (i) $250,000 for firms with sales up 
to $1,000,000; (ii) $300,000 for firms with sales between $1,000,000 and 
$2,000,000; and (iii) $400,000 for firms with sales exceeding 
$2,000,000.
    (4) The fact that a concern's net worth has increased despite 
withdrawals that are deemed excessive will not preclude SBA from 
determining that such withdrawals were detrimental to the attainment of 
the concern's business objectives or to its overall business 
development.
    (5) The excessive withdrawal analysis does not apply to Participants 
owned by Tribes, ANCs, NHOs, or CDCs where a withdrawal is made for the 
benefit of the Tribe, ANC, NHO, CDC or the native or shareholder 
community. It does, however, apply to withdrawals from a firm owned by a 
Tribe, ANC, NHO, or CDC that do not benefit the relevant entity or 
community. Thus, if funds or assets are withdrawn from an entity-owned 
Participant for the benefit of a non-disadvantaged manager or owner that 
exceed the withdrawal thresholds, SBA may find that withdrawal to be 
excessive. However, a non-disadvantaged minority owner may receive a 
payout in excess of the excessive withdrawal amount if it is a pro rata 
distribution paid to all shareholders (i.e., the only way to increase 
the distribution to the Tribe, ANC, NHO or CDC is to increase the 
distribution to all shareholders) and it does not adversely affect the 
business development of the Participant.

    Example 1 to paragraph (d)(5).  Tribally-owned Participant X pays 
$1,000,000 to a non-disadvantaged manager. If that was not part of a pro 
rata distribution to all shareholders, that would be deemed an excessive 
withdrawal.
    Example 2 to paragraph (d)(5).  ANC-owned Participant Y seeks to 
distribute $550,000 to the ANC and $450,000 to non-disadvantaged 
individual A based on their 55%/45% ownership interests. Because the 
distribution is based on the pro rata share of ownership, this would not 
be prohibited as an excessive withdrawal unless SBA determined that Y 
would be adversely affected.

    (e) Change in primary industry classification. (1) A Participant may 
request that the primary industry classification contained in its 
business plan be changed by filing such a request with its servicing SBA 
district office. SBA will grant such a request where the Participant can 
demonstrate that the majority of its total revenues during a three-year 
period have evolved from one NAICS code to another.
    (2) SBA may change the primary industry classification contained in 
a Participant's business plan where the greatest portion of the 
Participant's total revenues during the Participant's last three 
completed fiscal years has evolved from one NAICS code to another. As 
part of its annual review, SBA will consider whether the primary NAICS 
code contained in a Participant's business plan continues to be 
appropriate.
    (i) Where SBA believes that the primary industry classification 
contained in a Participant's business plan does not match the 
Participant's actual revenues over the Participant's most recently 
completed three fiscal years, SBA may notify the Participant of its 
intent to change the Participant's primary industry classification and 
afford the Participant the opportunity to respond.
    (ii) A Participant may challenge SBA's intent to change its primary 
industry classification by demonstrating why it believes the primary 
industry classification contained in its business plan continues to be 
appropriate, despite an increase in revenues in a secondary NAICS code 
beyond those received in its designated primary industry classification. 
The Participant should identify: All non-federal work that it has 
performed in its primary NAICS code; any efforts it has made and any 
plans it has to make to receive

[[Page 505]]

contracts to obtain contracts in its primary NAICS code; all contracts 
that it was awarded that it believes could have been classified under 
its primary NAICS code, but which a contracting officer assigned another 
reasonable NAICS code; and any other information that it believes has a 
bearing on why its primary NAICS code should not be changed despite 
performing more work in another NAICS code.
    (iii) As long as the Participant provides a reasonable explanation 
as to why the identified primary NAICS code continues to be its primary 
NAICS code, SBA will not change the Participant's primary NAICS code.
    (iv) A Participant may appeal a district office's decision to change 
its primary NAICS code to SBA's Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law (AGC/PL) within 10 business days of receiving the 
district office's final determination. The AGC/PL will examine the 
record, including all information submitted by the Participant in 
support of its position as to why the primary NAICS code contained in 
its business plan continues to be appropriate despite performing more 
work in another NAICS code, and issue a final agency decision within 15 
business days of receiving the appeal.
    (v) Where an SBA change in the primary NAICS code of an entity-owned 
firm results in the entity having two Participants with the same primary 
NAICS code, the second, newer Participant will not be able to receive 
any 8(a) contracts in the six-digit NAICS code that is the primary NAICS 
code of the first, older Participant for a period of time equal to two 
years after the first Participant leaves the 8(a) BD program.
    (f) Graduation determination. As part of the final annual review 
performed by SBA prior to the expiration of a Participant's nine-year 
program term, SBA will determine if the Participant has met the targets, 
objectives and goals set forth in its business plan and, thus, whether 
the Participant will be considered to have graduated from the 8(a) BD 
program at the expiration of its program term. A firm that has not met 
the targets, objectives and goals set forth in its business plan at the 
end of its nine-year term in the 8(a) BD program will not be considered 
to have graduated from the 8(a) BD program, but rather to have merely 
completed its program term.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8257, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 
FR 28237, May 14, 2012; 81 FR 48581, July 25, 2016; 81 FR 71983, Oct. 
19, 2016; 85 FR 66185, Oct. 16, 2020]

                     Applying to the 8(a) BD Program



Sec.  124.201  May any business submit an application?

    Any concern or any individual on behalf of a business has the right 
to apply for 8(a) BD program participation whether or not there is an 
appearance of eligibility.



Sec.  124.202  How must an application be filed?

    An application for 8(a) BD program admission must be filed in an 
electronic format. An electronic application can be found by going to 
the 8(a) BD page of SBA's Web site (http://www.sba.gov). The SBA 
district office will provide an applicant with information regarding the 
8(a) BD program.

[81 FR 48581, July 25, 2016]



Sec.  124.203  What must a concern submit to apply to the 8(a) BD program?

    Each 8(a) BD applicant concern must submit information and 
supporting documents required by SBA when applying for admission to the 
8(a) BD program. This information may include, but not be limited to, 
financial data and statements, copies of filed Federal personal and 
business tax returns, individual and business bank statements, personal 
history statements, and any additional information or documents SBA 
deems necessary to determine eligibility. Each individual claiming 
disadvantaged status must also authorize SBA to request and receive tax 
return information directly from the Internal Revenue Service. In all 
cases, the applicant must provide a signature from each individual 
claiming social and economic disadvantage status. The electronic signing 
protocol will ensure the Agency is able to specifically identify the 
individual making the representation. The individual(s) upon

[[Page 506]]

whom eligibility is based take responsibility for the accuracy of all 
information submitted on behalf of the applicant.

[81 FR 48581, July 25, 2016, as amended at 85 FR 66185, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.204  How does SBA process applications for 8(a) BD program admission?

    (a) The AA/BD is authorized to approve or decline applications for 
admission to the 8(a) BD program.
    (1) Except as set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the 
DPCE will receive, review and evaluate all 8(a) BD applications.
    (2) Where an applicant answers on its electronic application that it 
is not a for-profit business (see Sec. Sec.  121.105 and 124.104), that 
one or more of the individuals upon whom eligibility is based is not a 
United States citizen (see Sec.  124.104), that the applicant or one or 
more of the individuals upon whom eligibility is based has previously 
participated in the 8(a) BD program (see Sec.  124.108(b)), or that the 
applicant is not an entity-owned business and has generated no revenues 
(see Sec. Sec.  124.107(a) and 124.107(b)(1)(iv)), its application will 
be closed automatically and it will be prevented from completing a full 
electronic application.
    (3) SBA will advise each program applicant within 15 days after the 
receipt of an application whether the application is complete and 
suitable for evaluation and, if not, what additional information or 
clarification is required to complete the application.
    (4) SBA will process an application for 8(a) BD program 
participation within 90 days of receipt of an application package deemed 
complete by the DPCE. Incomplete packages will not be processed. Where 
during its screening or review SBA requests clarifying, revised or other 
information from the applicant, SBA's processing time for the 
application will be suspended pending the receipt of such information.
    (b) SBA, in its sole discretion, may request clarification of 
information contained in the application at any time in the application 
process. SBA will take into account any clarifications made by an 
applicant in response to a request for such by SBA.
    (c) The burden of proof to demonstrate eligibility is on the 
applicant concern. If a concern does not provide requested information 
within the allotted time provided by SBA, or if it submits incomplete 
information, SBA may presume that disclosure of the missing information 
would adversely affect the firm or would demonstrate lack of eligibility 
in the area to which the information relates.
    (d) An applicant must be eligible as of the date the AA/BD issues a 
decision. The decision will be based on the facts set forth in the 
application, any information received in response to SBA's request for 
clarification made pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, and any 
changed circumstances since the date of application.
    (e) Changed circumstances for an applicant concern occurring 
subsequent to its application and which adversely affect eligibility 
will be considered and may constitute grounds for decline. The applicant 
must inform SBA of any changed circumstances that could adversely affect 
its eligibility for the program (particularly economic disadvantage and 
ownership and control) during its application review. Failure to inform 
SBA of any such changed circumstances constitutes good cause for which 
SBA may terminate the Participant if non-compliance is discovered after 
admittance.
    (f) The decision of the AA/BD to approve or deny an application will 
be in writing. A decision to deny admission will state the specific 
reasons for denial, and will inform the applicant of any appeal rights.
    (g) If the AA/BD approves the application, the date of the approval 
letter is the date of program certification for purposes of determining 
the concern's program term.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
76 FR 8258, Feb. 11, 2011; 85 FR 66185, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26205, Apr. 
27, 2023]



Sec.  124.205  Can an applicant ask SBA to reconsider SBA's initial decision 
to decline its application?

    There is no reconsideration process for applications that have been 
declined. An applicant which has been declined may file an appeal with 
SBA's

[[Page 507]]

Office of Hearings and Appeals pursuant to Sec.  124.206, or reapply to 
the program pursuant to Sec.  124.207.

[85 FR 66185, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.206  What appeal rights are available to an applicant that has 
been denied admission?

    (a) An applicant may appeal a denial of program admission to SBA's 
Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA), if it is based solely on a 
negative finding of social disadvantage, economic disadvantage, 
ownership, control, or any combination of these four criteria. A denial 
decision that is based at least in part on the failure to meet any other 
eligibility criterion is not appealable and is the final decision of 
SBA.
    (b) [Reserved]
    (b) The applicant may initiate an appeal by filing a petition in 
accordance with part 134 of this chapter with OHA within 45 days after 
the applicant receives the Agency decision.
    (c) If an appeal is filed with OHA, the written decision of the 
Administrative Law Judge is the final Agency decision. If an appealable 
decision is not appealed, the decision of the AA/BD is the final Agency 
decision.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 47246, July 18, 2002; 
74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 85 FR 66185, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.207  Can an applicant reapply for admission to the 8(a) BD program?

    A concern which has been declined for 8(a) BD program participation 
may submit a new application for admission to the program at any time 
after 90 days from the date of the Agency's final decision to decline. 
However, a concern that has been declined three times within 18 months 
of the date of the first final Agency decision finding the concern 
ineligible cannot submit a new application for admission to the program 
until 12 months from the date of the third final Agency decision to 
decline.

[85 FR 66185, Oct. 16, 2020]

                       Exiting the 8(a) BD Program



Sec.  124.300  What are the ways a business may leave the 8(a) BD program?

    A concern participating in the 8(a) BD program may leave the program 
by any of the following means:
    (a) Expiration of the program term established pursuant to Sec.  
124.2;
    (b) Voluntary withdrawal or voluntary early graduation;
    (c) Graduation pursuant to Sec.  124.302;
    (d) Early graduation pursuant to the provisions of Sec. Sec.  
124.302 and 124.304; or
    (e) Termination pursuant to the provisions of Sec. Sec.  124.303 and 
124.304.

[76 FR 8258, Feb. 11, 2011. Redesignated at 85 FR 66186, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.301  Voluntary withdrawal or voluntary early graduation.

    (a) A Participant may voluntarily withdraw from the 8(a) BD program 
at any time prior to the expiration of its program term. Where a 
Participant has substantially achieved the goals and objectives set 
forth in its business plan, it may elect to voluntarily early graduate 
from the 8(a) BD program.
    (b) To initiate withdrawal or early graduation from the 8(a) BD 
program, a Participant must notify its servicing SBA district office of 
its intent to do so in writing. Once the SBA servicing district office 
processes the request and the District Director recognizes the 
withdrawal or early graduation, the Participant is no longer eligible to 
receive any 8(a) BD program assistance.

[85 FR 66186, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.302  What is graduation and what is early graduation?

    (a) General. SBA may graduate a firm from the 8(a) BD program at the 
expiration of its program term (graduation) or prior to the expiration 
of its program term (early graduation) where SBA determines that:
    (1) The concern has successfully completed the 8(a) BD program by 
substantially achieving the targets, objectives, and goals set forth in 
its business plan, and has demonstrated the ability to compete in the 
marketplace without assistance under the 8(a) BD program; or
    (2) One or more of the disadvantaged owners upon whom the 
Participant's

[[Page 508]]

eligibility is based are no longer economically disadvantaged.
    (b) Exceeding the size standard corresponding to the primary NAICS 
code. SBA may graduate a Participant prior to the expiration of its 
program term where the firm exceeds the size standard corresponding to 
its primary NAICS code, as adjusted during the program, for three 
successive program years unless the firm is able to demonstrate that it 
has taken steps to change its industry focus to another NAICS code that 
is contained in the goals, targets and objectives of its business plan.
    (c) Excessive withdrawals. SBA may graduate a Participant prior to 
the expiration of its program term where excessive funds or other assets 
have been withdrawn from the Participant (see Sec.  124.112(d)(3)), 
causing SBA to determine that the Participant has demonstrated the 
ability to compete in the marketplace without assistance under the 8(a) 
BD program.

[63 FR 35739, 35772, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8258, Feb. 11, 
2011; 88 FR 26205, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.303  What is termination?

    (a) SBA may terminate the participation of a concern in the 8(a) BD 
program prior to the expiration of the concern's Program Term for good 
cause. Examples of good cause include, but are not limited to, the 
following:
    (1) Submission of false information in the concern's 8(a) BD 
application, regardless of whether correct information would have caused 
the concern to be denied admission to the program, and regardless of 
whether correct information was given to SBA in accompanying documents 
or by other means.
    (2) Failure by the concern to maintain its eligibility for program 
participation, including failure by an individual owner or manager to 
continue to meet the requirements for economic disadvantage set forth in 
Sec.  124.104 where such status is needed for eligibility.
    (3) Failure by the concern for any reason, including the death of an 
individual upon whom eligibility was based, to maintain ownership, full-
time day-to-day management, and control by disadvantaged individuals.
    (4) Failure by the concern to obtain prior written approval from SBA 
for any changes in ownership or business structure, management or 
control pursuant to Sec. Sec.  124.105 and 124.106.
    (5) Failure by the concern to disclose to SBA the extent to which 
non-disadvantaged persons or firms participate in the management of the 
Participant business concern.
    (6) Failure by the concern or one or more of the concern's 
principals to maintain good character.
    (7) A pattern of failure to make required submissions or responses 
to SBA in a timely manner, including a failure to provide required 
financial statements, requested tax returns, reports, updated business 
plans, information requested by SBA's Office of Inspector General, or 
other requested information or data within 30 days of the date of 
request.
    (8) Cessation of business operations by the concern.
    (9) Failure by the concern to pursue competitive and commercial 
business in accordance with its business plan, or failure in other ways 
to make reasonable efforts to develop and achieve competitive viability.
    (10) A pattern of inadequate performance by the concern of awarded 
section 8(a) contracts.
    (11) Failure by the concern to pay or repay significant financial 
obligations owed to the Federal Government.
    (12) Failure by the concern to obtain and keep current any and all 
required permits, licenses, and charters, including suspension or 
revocation of any professional license required to operate the business.
    (13) Excessive withdrawals that are detrimental to the achievement 
of the targets, objectives, and goals contained in the Participant's 
business plan, including transfers of funds or other business assets 
from the concern for the personal benefit of any of its owners or 
managers, or any person or entity affiliated with the owners or managers 
(see Sec.  124.112(d)).
    (14) Unauthorized use of SBA direct or guaranteed loan proceeds or 
violation of an SBA loan agreement.
    (15) Submission by or on behalf of a Participant of false 
information to SBA, including false certification of

[[Page 509]]

compliance with non-8(a) business activity targets under Sec.  124.509 
or failure to report changes that adversely affect the program 
eligibility of an applicant or program participant under Sec.  124.204 
and Sec.  124.112, where responsible officials of the 8(a) BD 
Participant knew or should have known the submission to be false.
    (16) Debarment, suspension, voluntary exclusion, or ineligibility of 
the concern or its principals pursuant to 2 CFR parts 180 and 2700 or 
FAR subpart 9.4 (48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4). * * *
    (17) Conduct by the concern, or any of its principals, indicating a 
lack of business integrity. Such conduct may be demonstrated by 
information related to a criminal indictment or guilty plea, a criminal 
conviction, or a judgment or settlement in a civil case.
    (18) Willful failure by the Participant business concern to comply 
with applicable labor standards and obligations.
    (19) Material breach of any terms and conditions of the 8(a) BD 
Program Participation Agreement.
    (20) Willful violation by a concern, or any of its principals, of 
any SBA regulation pertaining to material issues.
    (b) The examples of good cause listed in paragraph (a) of this 
section are intended to be illustrative only. Other grounds for 
terminating a Participant from the 8(a) BD program for cause may exist 
and may be used by SBA.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8258, Feb. 11, 2011; 88 
FR 26205, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.304  What are the procedures for early graduation and termination?

    (a) General. The same procedures apply to both early graduation and 
termination of Participants from the 8(a) BD program.
    (b) Letter of Intent to Terminate or Graduate Early. (1) Except as 
set forth in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, when SBA believes that a 
Participant should be terminated or graduated prior to the expiration of 
its program term, SBA will notify the concern in writing. The Letter of 
Intent to Terminate or Graduate Early will set forth the specific facts 
and reasons for SBA's findings and will notify the concern that it has 
30 days from the date it receives the letter to submit a written 
response to SBA explaining why the proposed ground(s) should not justify 
termination or early graduation.
    (2) Where SBA obtains evidence that a Participant has ceased its 
operations, the AA/BD may immediately terminate a concern's 
participation in the 8(a) BD program by notifying the concern of its 
termination and right to appeal that decision to OHA.
    (c) Recommendation and decision. Following the 30-day response 
period, the Assistant Administrator for DPCE (AA/DPCE) or designee will 
consider the proposed early graduation or termination and any 
information submitted in response by the concern. Upon determining that 
early graduation or termination is not warranted, the AA/DPCE or 
designee will notify the Participant in writing. If early graduation or 
termination appears warranted, the AA/DPCE will make such a 
recommendation to the AA/BD, who will then make a decision whether to 
early graduate or terminate the concern. SBA will act in a timely manner 
in processing early graduation and termination actions.
    (d) Notice requirements and effect of decision. Upon deciding that 
early graduation or termination is warranted, the AA/BD will issue a 
Notice of Early Graduation or Termination. The Notice will set forth the 
specific facts and reasons for the decision, and will advise the concern 
that it may appeal the decision in accordance with the provisions of 
part 134 of this title. Once the AA/BD issues a decision to early 
graduate or terminate a Participant, the Participant will be immediately 
ineligible to receive further program assistance. If OHA overrules the 
AA/BD's decision on appeal, the length of time between the AA/BD's 
decision and OHA's decision on appeal will be added to the Participant's 
program term.
    (e) Appeal to OHA. Procedures governing appeals of early graduation 
or termination to SBA's OHA are set forth in part 134. If a Participant 
does not appeal a Notification of Early Graduation or Termination within 
45 days after the Participant receives the Notification, the decision of 
the AA/BD is the final agency decision effective on the date the appeal 
right expired.
    (f) Effect or early graduation or termination. (1) After the 
effective date of

[[Page 510]]

early graduation or termination, a Participant is no longer eligible to 
receive any 8(a) BD program assistance. However, such concern is 
obligated to complete previously awarded 8(a) contracts, including any 
priced options which may be exercised.
    (2) When SBA early graduates or terminates a firm from the 8(a) BD 
program, the firm will generally not qualify as an SDB for future 
procurement actions. If the firm believes that it does qualify as an SDB 
and seeks to certify itself as an SDB, as part of its SDB certification 
the firm must identify:
    (i) That it has been early graduated or terminated;
    (ii) The statutory or regulatory authority that qualifies the firm 
for SDB status; and
    (iii) Where applicable, the circumstances that have changed since 
the early graduation or termination or that do not prevent it from 
qualifying as an SDB.
    (3) Where a concern certifies that it qualifies as an SDB pursuant 
to paragraph (f)(2) of the section, the procuring activity contracting 
officer may protest the SDB status of the firm to SBA pursuant to Sec.  
124.1002 where questions regarding the firm's SDB status remain.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 47246, July 18, 2002; 
74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 76 FR 8258, Feb. 11, 2011; 85 FR 66186, Oct. 
16, 2020; 88 FR 26205, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.305  What is suspension and how is a Participant suspended 
from the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) Except as set forth in paragraph (h) of this section, the AA/BD 
may suspend a Participant when he or she determines that suspension is 
needed to protect the interests of the Federal Government, such as where 
information showing a clear lack of program eligibility or conduct 
indicating a lack of business integrity exists, including where the 
concern or one of its principals submitted false statements to the 
Federal Government. SBA will suspend a Participant where SBA determines 
that the Participant submitted false information in its 8(a) BD 
application.
    (b) SBA will issue a Notice of Suspension to the Participant's last 
known address by certified mail, return receipt requested. Suspension is 
effective as of the date of the issuance of the Notice. The Notice will 
provide the following information:
    (1) The basis for the suspension;
    (2) A statement that the suspension will continue pending the 
completion of further investigation, a final program termination 
determination, or some other specified period of time;
    (3) A statement that awards of competitive and non-competitive 8(a) 
contracts, including those which have been ``self-marketed'' by a 
Participant, will not be made during the pendency of the suspension 
unless it is determined by the head of the relevant procuring agency or 
an authorized representative to be in the best interest of the 
Government to do so, and SBA adopts that determination;
    (4) A statement that the concern is obligated to complete previously 
awarded section 8(a) contracts;
    (5) A statement that the suspension is effective nationally 
throughout SBA;
    (6) A statement that a request for a hearing on the suspension will 
be considered by an Administrative Law Judge at OHA, and granted or 
denied as a matter of discretion.
    (7) A statement that the firm's participation in the program is 
suspended effective on the date the Notice is served, and that the 
program term will resume only if the suspension is lifted or the firm is 
not terminated.
    (c) The Participant may appeal a Notice of Suspension by filing a 
petition in accordance with part 134 of this chapter with OHA within 45 
days after the concern receives the Notice of Suspension pursuant to 
paragraph (b) of this section. It is contemplated that in most cases a 
hearing on the issue of the suspension will be afforded if the 
Participant requests one, but authority to grant a hearing is within the 
discretion of the Administrative Law Judge in OHA. A suspension remains 
in effect pending the result of its appeal.
    (d) SBA has the burden of showing that adequate evidence exists that 
protection of the Federal Government's interest requires suspension.

[[Page 511]]

    (1) The term ``adequate evidence'' means information contained in 
the record before the AA/BD at the time of his or her suspension 
decision that is sufficient to support the reasonable belief that the 
Government's interests need to be protected.
    (2) SBA need not demonstrate that an act or omission actually 
occurred in order for OHA to uphold a suspension. SBA's burden in a 
suspension proceeding is limited to demonstrating that it had a 
reasonable belief that a particular act or omission occurred, and that 
that act or omission requires suspension to protect the interests of the 
Government.
    (3) OHA's review is limited to determining whether the Government's 
interests need to be protected, unless a termination action has also 
been initiated and the Administrative Law Judge consolidates the 
suspension and termination proceedings. In such a case, OHA will also 
consider the merits of the termination action.
    (e) If there is a timely appeal, the decision of the Administrative 
Law Judge is the final SBA decision. If there is not a timely appeal, 
the decision of the AA/BD is the final Agency decision.
    (f) Upon the request of SBA, OHA may consolidate suspension and 
termination proceedings when the issues presented are identical.
    (g) Any program suspension which occurs under this section is 
effective until such time as SBA lifts the suspension or the 
Participant's participation in the program is fully terminated. If the 
concern is ultimately not terminated from the 8(a) BD program, the 
suspension will be lifted and the length of the suspension will be added 
to the concern's program term.
    (h)(1) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, SBA will 
suspend a Participant from receiving further 8(a) BD program benefits 
where:
    (i) A Participant requests a change of ownership and/or control and 
SBA discovers that a change of ownership or control has in fact occurred 
prior to SBA's approval; or
    (ii) A disadvantaged individual who is involved in controlling the 
day-to-day management and control of the Participant is called to active 
military duty by the United States, his or her participation in the 
firm's management and daily business operations is critical to the 
firm's continued eligibility, the Participant does not designate another 
disadvantaged individual to control the concern during the call-up 
period, and the Participant requests to be suspended during the call-up 
period;
    (iii) A Participant has a principal place of business located in a 
federally declared disaster area and elects to suspend its participation 
in the 8(a) BD program for a period of up to one year from the date of 
the disaster declaration to allow the firm to recover from the disaster 
and take full advantage of the program. A Participant that elects to be 
suspended may request that the suspension be lifted prior to the end 
date of the original request; or
    (iv) Federal appropriations for one or more Federal departments or 
agencies have lapsed, a Participant would lose an 8(a) sole source award 
due to the lapse in appropriations (e.g., SBA has previously accepted an 
offer for a sole source 8(a) award on behalf of the Participant or an 
agency could not offer a sole source 8(a) requirement to the program on 
behalf of the Participant due to the lapse in appropriations, and the 
Participant's program term would end during the lapse), and the 
Participant elects to suspend its participation in the 8(a) BD program 
during the lapse in Federal appropriations; or
    (v) A Participant has not submitted a business plan to its SBA 
servicing office within 60 days after program admission.
    (2) A suspension initiated under paragraph (h) of this section will 
be commenced by the issuance of a notice similar to that required for 
termination-related suspensions under paragraph (b) of this section, 
except that a suspension issued under paragraph (h) is not appealable.
    (3) Where a Participant is suspended pursuant to paragraph (h)(1)(i) 
of this section and SBA approves the change of ownership and/or control, 
the length of the suspension will be added to the firm's program term 
only where the change in ownership or control results from the death or 
incapacity of a disadvantaged individual or where the

[[Page 512]]

firm requested prior approval and waited at least 60 days for SBA 
approval before making the change.
    (4) Where a Participant is suspended pursuant to paragraph 
(h)(1)(ii) of this section, the Participant must notify SBA when the 
disadvantaged individual returns to control the firm so that SBA can 
immediately lift the suspension. When the suspension is lifted, the 
length of the suspension will be added to the concern's program term.
    (5) Where a Participant is suspended pursuant to (h)(1)(iv) of this 
section, the Participant must notify SBA when the lapse in appropriation 
ends so that SBA can immediately lift the suspension. When the 
suspension is lifted, the length of the suspension will be added to the 
concern's program term.
    (6) Where a Participant is suspended pursuant to paragraph 
(h)(1)(iii) or paragraph (h)(1)(v) of this section, the length of the 
suspension will be added to the concern's program term.
    (7) Effect of suspension. Once a suspension is issued pursuant to 
this section, a Participant cannot receive any additional 8(a) BD 
program assistance, including new 8(a) contract awards, for as long as 
the Participant is suspended. This includes any procurement requirements 
that the firm has self-marketed and those that have been accepted into 
the 8(a) BD program on behalf of the suspended concern. However, the 
suspended Participant must complete any previously awarded 8(a) 
contracts.
    (i) SBA does not recognize the concept of de facto suspension. 
Adding time to the end of a Participant's program term equal to the 
length of a suspension will occur only where a concern's program 
participation has been formally suspended in accordance with the 
procedures set forth in this section.
    (j) A suspension from 8(a) BD participation under this section has 
no effect on a concern's eligibility for non-8(a) Federal Government 
contracts. However, a debarment or suspension under the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR, chapter 1) will disqualify a concern 
from receiving all Federal Government contracts, including 8(a) 
contracts.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 47246, July 18, 2002; 
74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 76 FR 8259, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 FR 48582, July 
25, 2016; 85 FR 66186, Oct. 16, 2020]

                          Business Development



Sec.  124.401  Which SBA field office services a Participant?

    The SBA district office which serves the geographical territory 
where a Participant's principal place of business is located normally 
will service the concern during its participation in the 8(a) BD 
program.



Sec.  124.402  How does a Participant develop a business plan?

    (a) General. In order to assist the SBA servicing office in 
determining the business development needs of its portfolio 
Participants, each Participant must develop a comprehensive business 
plan setting forth its business targets, objectives, and goals.
    (b) Submission of initial business plan. Each Participant must 
submit a business plan to its SBA servicing office as soon as possible 
after program admission. SBA will suspend a Participant from receiving 
8(a) BD program benefits, including 8(a) contracts, if it has not 
submitted its business plan to the servicing district office within 60 
days after program admission. Where a sole source 8(a) requirement is 
offered to SBA on behalf of a Participant or a Participant is the 
apparent successful offeror for a competitive 8(a) requirement and SBA 
has not yet approved the Participant's business plan, SBA will approve 
the Participant's business plan as part of its eligibility determination 
prior to contract award.
    (c) Contents of business plan. The business plan must contain at 
least the following:
    (1) A detailed description of any products currently being produced 
and any services currently being performed by the concern, as well as 
any future plans to enter into one or more new markets;
    (2) The applicant's designation of its primary industry 
classification, as defined in Sec.  124.3;

[[Page 513]]

    (3) An analysis of market potential, competitive environment, and 
the concern's prospects for profitable operations during and after its 
participation in the 8(a) BD program;
    (4) An analysis of the concern's strengths and weaknesses, with 
particular attention on ways to correct any financial, managerial, 
technical, or work force conditions which could impede the concern from 
receiving and performing non-8(a) contracts;
    (5) Specific targets, objectives, and goals for the business 
development of the concern during the next two years;
    (6) Estimates of both 8(a) and non-8(a) contract awards that will be 
needed to meet its targets, objectives and goals; and
    (7) Such other information as SBA may require.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 85 FR 66186, Oct. 16, 2020; 
88 FR 26205, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.403  How is a business plan updated and modified?

    (a) Annual review. Each Participant must annually review its 
business plan with its assigned Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS), 
and modify the plan as appropriate. If there are no changes in a 
Participant's business plan, the Participant need not resubmit its 
business plan. A Participant must submit a new or modified business plan 
only if its business plan has changed from the previous year. The 
Participant must submit a modified plan and updated information to its 
BOS within thirty (30) days after the close of each program year. It 
also must submit a capability statement describing its current contract 
performance capabilities as part of its updated business plan.
    (b) Contract forecast. As part of the annual review of its business 
plan, each Participant must annually forecast in writing its needs for 
contract awards for the next program year. The forecast must include:
    (1) The aggregate dollar value of 8(a) contracts to be sought, 
broken down by sole source and competitive opportunities where possible;
    (2) The aggregate dollar value of non-8(a) contracts to be sought;
    (3) The types of contract opportunities to be sought, identified by 
product or service; and
    (4) Such other information as SBA may request to aid in providing 
effective business development assistance to the Participant.
    (c) Transition management strategy. Beginning in the first year of 
the transitional stage of program participation, each Participant must 
annually submit a transition management strategy to be incorporated into 
its business plan. The transition management strategy must describe:
    (1) How the Participant intends to meet the applicable non-8(a) 
business activity target imposed by Sec.  124.509 during the 
transitional stage of participation; and
    (2) The specific steps the Participant intends to take to continue 
its business growth and promote profitable business operations after the 
expiration of its program term.

[63 FR 35739, 35772, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8259, Feb. 11, 
2011; 88 FR 26205, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.404  What business development assistance is available 
to Participants during the two stages of participation in the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) General. Participation in the 8(a) BD program is divided into 
two stages, a developmental stage and a transitional stage. The 
developmental stage will last four years, and the transitional stage 
will last five years, unless the concern has exited the program by one 
of the means set forth in Sec.  124.301 prior to the expiration of its 
program term or has elected to extend its participation pursuant to 
Sec.  124.2(b).
    (b) Developmental stage of program participation. A Participant, if 
otherwise eligible, may receive the following assistance during the 
developmental stage of program participation:
    (1) Sole source and competitive 8(a) contract support;
    (2) Financial assistance pursuant to Sec.  120.375 of this title;
    (3) The transfer of technology or surplus property owned by the 
United States pursuant to Sec.  124.405; and

[[Page 514]]

    (4) Training to aid in developing business principles and strategies 
to enhance their ability to compete successfully for both 8(a) and non-
8(a) contracts.
    (c) Transitional stage of program participation. A Participant, if 
otherwise eligible, may receive the following assistance during the 
transitional stage of program participation:
    (1) The same assistance as that provided to Participants in the 
developmental stage;
    (2) Assistance from procuring agencies (in cooperation with SBA) in 
forming joint ventures, leader-follower arrangements, and teaming 
agreements between the concern and other Participants or other business 
concerns with respect to contracting opportunities outside the 8(a) BD 
program for research, development, or full scale engineering or 
production of major systems (these arrangements must comply with all 
relevant statutes and regulations, including applicable size standard 
requirements); and
    (3) Training and technical assistance in transitional business 
planning.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 86 FR 2533, Jan. 13, 2021]



Sec.  124.405  How does a Participant obtain Federal Government 
surplus property?

    (a) General. (1) Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 636(j)(13)(F), eligible 
Participants may receive surplus Federal Government property from State 
Agencies for Surplus Property (SASPs). The procedures set forth in 41 
CFR part 102-37 and this section will be used to transfer surplus 
personal property to eligible Participants.
    (2) The surplus personal property which may be transferred to SASPs 
for further transfer to eligible Participants includes all personal 
property which has become available for donation pursuant to 41 CFR 102-
37.30.
    (b) Eligibility to receive Federal surplus property. To be eligible 
to receive Federal surplus property, on the date of transfer a concern 
must:
    (1) Be in the 8(a) BD program;
    (2) Be in compliance with all program requirements, including any 
reporting requirements;
    (3) Not be debarred, suspended, or declared ineligible under Title 2 
or Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations;
    (4) Not be under a pending 8(a) BD program suspension, termination 
or early graduation proceeding; and
    (5) Be engaged or expect to be engaged in business activities making 
the item useful to it.
    (6) Not have received property under part 129, Subpart B of this 
chapter, during the applicable period described in that section.
    (c) Use of acquired surplus personal property. (1) Eligible 
Participants may acquire Federal surplus personal property from the SASP 
in the State(s) where the Participant is located and operates, provided 
the Participant represents in writing:
    (i) As to what the intended use of the surplus property is to be and 
that this use is consistent with the objectives of the concern's 8(a) 
business plan;
    (ii) That it will use the property to be acquired in the normal 
conduct of its business activities or be liable for the fair rental 
value from the date of its receipt;
    (iii) That it will not sell or transfer the property to be acquired 
to any party other than the Federal Government during its term of 
participation in the 8(a) program and for one year after it leaves the 
program;
    (iv) That, at its own expense, it will return the property to a SASP 
or transfer it to another Participant if directed to do so by SBA 
because it has not used the property as intended within one year of 
receipt;
    (v) That, should it breach its agreement not to sell or transfer the 
property, it will be liable to the Government for the established fair 
market value or the sale price, whichever is greater, of the property 
sold or transferred; and
    (vi) That it will give SBA access to inspect the property and all 
records pertaining to it.
    (2) A firm receiving surplus property pursuant to this section 
assumes all liability associated with or stemming from the use of the 
property.
    (3) If the property is not placed in use for the purposes for which 
it was intended within one year of its receipt, SBA may direct the 
concern to deliver

[[Page 515]]

the property to another Participant or to the SASP from which it was 
acquired.
    (4) Failure to comply with any of the commitments made under 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section constitutes a basis for termination 
from the 8(a) program.
    (d) Procedures for acquiring Federal Government surplus personal 
property. (1) Participants may participate in the GSA Federal Surplus 
Personal Property Donation Program administered by the SASPs. See 
generally 41 CFR part 102-37 and/or Sec.  102-37.125 of that title.
    (2) Each Participant seeking to acquire Federal Government surplus 
property from a SASP must:
    (i) Certify in writing to the SASP that it is eligible to receive 
the property pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section;
    (ii) Make the written representations and agreement required by 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section; and
    (iii) Identify to the SASP its servicing SBA field office.
    (3) Upon receipt of the required certification, representations, 
agreement, and information set forth in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section, the SASP must contact the appropriate SBA field office and 
obtain SBA's verification that the concern seeking to acquire the 
surplus property is eligible, and that the identified use of the 
property is consistent with the concern's business activities. SASPs may 
not release property to a Participant without this verification.
    (4) The SASP and the Participant must agree on and record the fair 
market value of the surplus property at the time of the transfer to the 
Participant. The SASP must provide to SBA a written record, including 
the agreed upon fair market value, of each transaction to a Participant 
when any property has been transferred.
    (e) Costs. Participants acquiring surplus property from a SASP must 
pay a service fee to the SASP which is equal to the SASP's direct costs 
of locating, inspecting, and transporting the surplus property. If a 
Participant elects to incur the responsibility and the expense for 
transporting the acquired property, the concern may do so and no 
transportation costs will be charged by the SASP. In addition, the SASP 
may charge a reasonable fee to cover its costs of administering the 
program. In no instance will any SASP charge a Participant more for any 
service than their established fees charged to other transferees.
    (f) Title. Upon execution of the SASP distribution document, the 
Participant has conditional title only to the surplus personal property 
during the applicable period of restriction. Full title to the surplus 
personal property will vest in the donee only after the donee has met 
all of the requirements of this part.
    (g) Compliance. (1) SBA will periodically review whether 
Participants that have received surplus property have used and 
maintained the property as agreed. This review may include site visits 
to visually inspect the property to ensure that it is being used in a 
manner consistent with the terms of its transfer.
    (2) Participants must provide SBA with access to all relevant 
records upon request.
    (3) Where SBA receives credible information that transferred surplus 
property may have been disposed of or otherwise used in a manner that is 
not consistent with the terms of the transfer, SBA may investigate such 
claim to determine its validity.
    (4) SBA may take any action to correct any noncompliance involving 
the use of transferred property still in possession of the Participant 
or to enforce any terms, conditions, reservations, or restrictions 
imposed on the property by the distribution document. Actions to enforce 
compliance, or which may be taken as a result of noncompliance, include 
the following:
    (i) Requiring that the property be placed in proper use within a 
specified time;
    (ii) Requiring that the property be transferred to another 
Participant having a need and use for the property, returned to the SASP 
serving the area where the property is located for distribution to 
another eligible transferee or to another SASP, or transferred through 
GSA to another Federal agency;

[[Page 516]]

    (iii) Recovery of the fair rental value of the property from the 
date of its receipt by the Participant; and
    (iv) Initiation of proceedings to terminate the Participant from the 
8(a) BD program.
    (5) Where SBA finds that a recipient has sold or otherwise disposed 
of the acquired surplus property in violation of the agreement covering 
sale and disposal, the Participant is liable for the agreed upon fair 
market value of the property at the time of the transfer, or the sale 
price, whichever is greater. However, a Participant need not repay any 
amount where it can demonstrate to SBA's satisfaction that the property 
is no longer useful for the purpose for which it was transferred and 
receives SBA's prior written consent to transfer the property. For 
example, if a piece of equipment breaks down beyond repair, it may be 
disposed of without being subject to the repayment provision, so long as 
the concern receives SBA's prior consent.
    (6) Any funds received by SBA in enforcement of this section will be 
remitted promptly to the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous 
receipts.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 85 FR 69124, Nov. 2, 2020]

                         Contractual Assistance



Sec.  124.501  What general provisions apply to the award of 8(a) contracts?

    (a) Pursuant to section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, SBA is 
authorized to enter into all types of contracts with other Federal 
agencies regardless of the place of performance, including contracts to 
furnish equipment, supplies, services, leased real property, or 
materials to them or to perform construction work for them, and to 
contract the performance of these contracts to qualified Participants. 
This includes set-asides, partial set-asides and reserves of Multiple 
Award Contracts and set-asides of orders issued against Multiple Award 
Contracts. Where practicable, simplified acquisition procedures should 
be used for 8(a) contracts at or below the simplified acquisition 
threshold. Where appropriate, SBA will delegate the contract execution 
function to procuring activities. In order to receive and retain a 
delegation of SBA's contract execution and review functions, a procuring 
activity must report all 8(a) contract awards, modifications, and 
options to SBA.
    (b) 8(a) contracts may either be sole source awards or awards won 
through competition with other Participants. In addition, for multiple 
award contracts not set aside for the 8(a) BD program, a procuring 
agency may award an 8(a) sole source order or set aside one or more 
specific orders to be competed only among eligible 8(a) Participants. 
Such an order may be awarded as an 8(a) award where the order was 
offered to and accepted by SBA as an 8(a) award and the order specifies 
that the performance of work and/or non-manufacturer rule requirements 
apply as appropriate. A procuring activity cannot restrict an 8(a) 
competition (for either a contract or order) to require SBA 
socioeconomic certifications other than 8(a) certification (i.e., a 
competition cannot be limited only to business concerns that are both 
8(a) and HUBZone, 8(a) and WOSB, or 8(a) and SDVO) or give evaluation 
preferences to firms having one or more other certifications.
    (c) Admission into the 8(a) BD program does not guarantee that a 
Participant will receive 8(a) contracts.
    (d) A requirement for possible award may be identified by SBA, a 
particular Participant or the procuring activity itself. SBA will submit 
the capability statements provided to SBA annually under Sec.  124.403 
to appropriate procuring activities for the purpose of matching 
requirements with Participants.
    (e) Participants should market their capabilities to appropriate 
procuring activities to increase their prospects of receiving sole 
source 8(a) contracts.
    (f) An 8(a) participant that identifies a requirement that appears 
suitable for award through the 8(a) BD program may request SBA to 
contact the procuring activity to request that the requirement be 
offered to the 8(a) BD program.
    (g) Before a Participant may be awarded either a sole source or 
competitive 8(a) contract, SBA must determine that the Participant is 
eligible

[[Page 517]]

for award. SBA will determine eligibility at the time of its acceptance 
of the underlying requirement into the 8(a) BD program for a sole source 
8(a) contract, and after the apparent successful offeror is identified 
for a competitive 8(a) contract. Where a joint venture is the apparent 
successful offeror in connection with a competitive 8(a) procurement or 
is offered a sole source order under a previously competitively awarded 
8(a) multiple award contract, SBA will determine whether the 8(a) 
partner to the joint venture is eligible for award, but will not review 
the joint venture agreement to determine compliance with Sec.  124. 513 
(see Sec.  124.513(e)(1)). In any case in which an 8(a) Participant is 
determined to be ineligible, SBA will notify the 8(a) Participant of 
that determination. Eligibility is based on 8(a) BD program criteria, 
including whether the 8(a) Participant:
    (1) Qualifies as a small business under the size standard 
corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the requirement;
    (2) Is in compliance with any applicable competitive business mix 
targets established or remedial measure imposed by Sec.  124.509 that 
does not include the denial of future sole source 8(a) contracts;
    (3) Complies with the continued eligibility reporting requirements 
set forth in Sec.  124.112(b);
    (4) Has a bona fide place of business in the applicable geographic 
area if the procurement is for construction;
    (5) Has not received 8(a) contracts in excess of the dollar limits 
set forth in Sec.  124.519 for a sole source 8(a) procurement;
    (6) Has complied with the provisions of Sec.  124.513(c) and (d) if 
it is seeking a sole source 8(a) award through a joint venture; and
    (7) Can demonstrate that it, together with any similarly situated 
entity, will meet the limitations on subcontracting provisions set forth 
in Sec.  124.510.
    (h) For a sole source 8(a) procurement, a concern must be a current 
Participant in the 8(a) BD program at the time of award and must qualify 
as small for the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned 
to the contract or order on the date the contract or order is offered to 
the 8(a) BD program. If a firm's term of participation in the 8(a) BD 
program ends (or the firm otherwise exits the program) before a sole 
source 8(a) contract can be awarded, award cannot be made to that firm. 
This applies equally to sole source orders issued under multiple award 
contracts. For a competitive 8(a) procurement, a firm must be a current 
Participant eligible for award of the contract on the initial date 
specified for receipt of offers contained in the solicitation as 
provided in Sec.  124.507(d).
    (i) A Participant must certify that it qualifies as a small business 
under the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to each 
8(a) contract. 8(a) BD program personnel will verify size prior to award 
of an 8(a) contract. If the Participant is not verified as small, it may 
request a formal size determination from the appropriate General 
Contracting Area Office under part 121 of this title.
    (j) Any person or entity that misrepresents its status as a ``small 
business concern owned and controlled by socially and economically 
disadvantaged individuals'' in order to obtain any 8(a) contracting 
opportunity will be subject to possible criminal, civil and 
administrative penalties, including those imposed by section 16(d) of 
the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d).
    (k) In order to be awarded a sole source or competitive 8(a) 
construction contract, a Participant must have a bona fide place of 
business within the applicable geographic location determined by SBA. 
This will generally be the geographic area serviced by the SBA district 
office, a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), a contiguous county 
(whether in the same or different state), or the geographical area 
serviced by a contiguous SBA district office to where the work will be 
performed. A Participant with a bona fide place of business within a 
state will be deemed eligible for a construction contract anywhere in 
that state (even if that state is serviced by more than one SBA district 
office). SBA may also determine that a Participant with a bona fide 
place of business in the geographic area served by one of several SBA 
district offices or another nearby area is

[[Page 518]]

eligible for the award of an 8(a) construction contract.
    (1) A Participant may have bona fide places of business in more than 
one location.
    (2) In order for a Participant to establish a bona fide place of 
business in a particular geographic location, the SBA district office 
serving the geographic area of that location must determine if the 
location in fact qualifies as a bona fide place of business under SBA's 
requirements.
    (i) A Participant must submit a request for a bona fide business 
determination to the SBA district office servicing it. Such request may, 
but need not, relate to a specific 8(a) requirement. In order to apply 
to a specific competitive 8(a) solicitation, such request must be 
submitted at least 20 working days before initial offers that include 
price are due.
    (ii) The servicing district office will immediately forward the 
request to the SBA district office serving the geographic area of the 
particular location for processing. Within 10 working days of receipt of 
the submission, the reviewing district office will conduct a site visit, 
if practicable. If not practicable, the reviewing district office will 
contact the Participant within such 10-day period to inform the 
Participant that the reviewing office has received the request and may 
ask for additional documentation to support the request.
    (iii) In connection with a specific competitive solicitation, the 
reviewing office will make a determination whether or not the 
Participant has a bona fide place of business in its geographical area 
within 5 working days of a site visit or within 15 working days of its 
receipt of the request from the servicing district office if a site 
visit is not practical in that timeframe. If the request is not related 
to a specific procurement, the reviewing office will make a 
determination within 30 working days of its receipt of the request from 
the servicing district office, if practicable.
    (A) Where SBA does not provide a determination within the identified 
time limit, a Participant may presume that SBA has approved its request 
for a bona fide place of business and submit an offer for a competitive 
8(a) procurement that requires a bona fide place of business in the 
requested area.
    (B) In order to be eligible for award, SBA must approve the bona 
fide place of business prior to award. If SBA has not provided a 
determination prior to the time that a Participant is identified as the 
apparent successful offeror, SBA will make the bona fide place of 
business determination as part of the eligibility determination set 
forth in paragraph (g)(4) of this section within 5 days of receiving a 
procuring activity's request for an eligibility determination, unless 
the procuring activity grants additional time for review. If, due to 
deficiencies in a Participant's request, SBA cannot make a 
determination, and the procuring activity does not grant additional time 
for review, SBA will be unable to verify the Participant's eligibility 
for award and the Participant will be ineligible for award.
    (3) The effective date of a bona fide place of business is the date 
that the evidence (paperwork) shows that the business in fact regularly 
maintained its business at the new geographic location.
    (4) If a Participant is currently performing a contract in a 
specific state, it qualifies as having a bona fide place of business in 
that state for one or more additional contracts. The Participant may not 
use contract performance in one state to allow it to be eligible for an 
8(a) contract in a contiguous state unless it officially establishes a 
bona fide place of business in the location in which it is currently 
performing a contract, in the contiguous state or in a location in 
another state in which the geographical area serviced by the SBA 
district office is contiguous to the district office in the state where 
the work will be performed.
    (5) A Participant may establish a bona fide place of business 
through a full-time employee in a home office.
    (6) An individual designated as the full-time employee of the 
Participant seeking to establish a bona fide place of business in a 
specific geographic location need not be a resident of the state where 
he/she is conducting business.

[[Page 519]]

    (7) Except as provided in paragraph (k)(2)(iii) of this section, in 
order for a Participant to be eligible to submit an offer for an 8(a) 
procurement limited to a specific geographic area, it must receive from 
SBA a determination that it has a bona fide place of business within 
that area prior to submitting its offer for the procurement.
    (8) Once a Participant has established a bona fide place of 
business, the Participant may change the location of the recognized 
office without prior SBA approval. However, the Participant must notify 
SBA and provide documentation demonstrating an office at that new 
location within 30 days after the move. Failure to timely notify SBA 
will render the Participant ineligible for new 8(a) construction 
procurements limited to that geographic area.
    (9) For an 8(a) construction contract requiring work in multiple 
locations, a Participant is eligible if:
    (i) For a single award contract, the Participant has a bona fide 
place of business where a majority of the work (as identified by the 
dollar value of the work) is anticipated to be performed; and
    (ii) For a multiple award contract, the Participant has a bona fide 
place of business in any location where work is to be performed.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8259, Feb. 11, 2011; 78 
FR 61132, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 48582, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 66186, Oct. 
16, 2020; 86 FR 2959, Jan. 14, 2021; 88 FR 26206, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.502  How does an agency offer a procurement to SBA for award 
through the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) A procuring activity contracting officer indicates his or her 
formal intent to award a procurement requirement as an 8(a) contract by 
submitting a written offering letter to SBA.
    (1) Except as set forth in Sec.  124.503(a)(4)(ii) and Sec.  
124.503(i)(1)(ii), a procuring activity contracting officer must submit 
an offering letter for each intended 8(a) procurement, including follow-
on 8(a) contracts, competitive 8(a) orders issued under non-8(a) 
multiple award contracts, and sole source 8(a) orders issued under 8(a) 
multiple award contracts.
    (2) The procuring activity may transmit the offering letter to SBA 
by electronic mail, if available, or by facsimile transmission, as well 
as by mail or commercial delivery service.
    (b) Contracting officers must submit offering letters to the 
following locations:
    (1) For competitive 8(a) requirements and those sole source 
requirements for which no specific Participant is nominated (i.e., open 
requirements) other than construction requirements, to the SBA district 
office serving the geographical area in which the procuring activity is 
located;
    (2) For competitive and open construction requirements, to the SBA 
district office serving the geographical area in which the work is to be 
performed or, in the case of such contracts to be performed overseas, to 
the Office of 8(a) BD located in SBA Headquarters;
    (3) For sole source requirements offered on behalf of a specific 
Participant, to the SBA district office servicing that concern.
    (c) An offering letter must contain the following information:
    (1) A description of the work to be performed;
    (2) The estimated period of performance;
    (3) The NAICS code that applies to the principal nature of the 
acquisition;
    (4) The anticipated dollar value of the requirement, including 
options, if any;
    (5) Any special restrictions or geographical limitations on the 
requirement;
    (6) The location of the work to be performed for construction 
procurements;
    (7) Any special capabilities or disciplines needed for contract 
performance;
    (8) The type of contract to be awarded, such as firm fixed price, 
cost reimbursement, or time and materials;
    (9) The acquisition history, if any, of the requirement, including 
specifically whether the requirement is a follow-on requirement, and 
whether any portion of the contract was previously performed by a small 
business outside of the 8(a) BD program;

[[Page 520]]

    (10) The names and addresses of any small business contractors which 
have performed on this requirement during the previous 24 months;
    (11) A statement that prior to the offering no solicitation for the 
specific acquisition has been issued as a small business set-aside, or 
as a small disadvantaged business set-aside if applicable, and that no 
other public communication (such as a notice in the Commerce Business 
Daily) has been made showing the procuring activity's clear intent to 
use any of these means of procurement;
    (12) Identification of any specific Participant that the procuring 
activity contracting officer nominates for award of a sole source 8(a) 
contract, if appropriate, including a brief justification for the 
nomination, such as one of the following:
    (i) The Participant, through its own efforts, marketed the 
requirement and caused it to be reserved for the 8(a) BD program; or
    (ii) The acquisition is a follow-on or renewal contract and the 
nominated concern is the incumbent;
    (13) Bonding requirements, if applicable;
    (14) Identification of all Participants which have expressed an 
interest in being considered for the acquisition;
    (15) Identification of all SBA field offices which have requested 
that the requirement be awarded through the 8(a) BD program;
    (16) A request, if appropriate, that a requirement whose estimated 
contract value is under the applicable competitive threshold be awarded 
as an 8(a) competitive contract;
    (17) A statement that the necessary justification and approval under 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation has occurred where a requirement 
whose estimated contract value exceeds $25,000,000, or $100,000,000 in 
the case of Department of Defense contracts, is offered to SBA as a sole 
source requirement on behalf of a specific Participant; and
    (18) Any other information that the procuring activity deems 
relevant or which SBA requests.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 81 FR 48582, July 25, 2016; 
86 FR 61672, Nov. 8, 2021; 88 FR 26206, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.503  How does SBA accept a procurement for award through 
the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) Acceptance of the requirement. Upon receipt of the procuring 
activity's offer of a procurement requirement, SBA will determine 
whether it will accept the requirement for the 8(a) BD program. SBA's 
decision whether to accept the requirement will be sent to the procuring 
activity in writing within 10 business days of receipt of the written 
offering letter if the contract is valued at more than the simplified 
acquisition threshold, and within two business days of receipt of the 
offering letter if the contract is valued at or below the simplified 
acquisition threshold, unless SBA requests, and the procuring activity 
grants, an extension. SBA and the procuring activity may agree to a 
shorter timeframe for SBA's review under a Partnership Agreement 
delegating 8(a) contract execution functions to the agency. SBA is not 
required to accept any particular procurement offered to the 8(a) BD 
program.
    (1) Where SBA decides to accept an offering of a sole source 8(a) 
procurement, SBA will accept the offer both on behalf of the 8(a) BD 
program and in support of a specific Participant. As part of its 
acceptance of a sole source requirement, SBA will determine the 
eligibility of the Participant identified in the offering letter, using 
the same analysis set forth in Sec.  124.501(g). Where a procuring 
agency offers a sole source 8(a) procurement on behalf of a joint 
venture, SBA will conduct an eligibility review of the lead 8(a) party 
to the joint venture as part of its acceptance, and will approve the 
joint venture prior to award pursuant to Sec.  124.513(e).
    (2) Where SBA decides to accept an offering of a competitive 8(a) 
procurement, SBA will accept the offer on behalf of the 8(a) BD program. 
For a competitive 8(a) procurement, SBA will determine the eligibility 
of the apparent successful offeror pursuant to Sec.  124.507(b).
    (3) Where SBA has delegated its contract execution functions to a 
procuring activity, the procuring activity may assume that SBA accepts 
its offer for the 8(a) program if the procuring

[[Page 521]]

activity does not receive a reply to its offer within five days.
    (4) In the case of procurement requirements valued at or below the 
Simplified Acquisition Procedures threshold:
    (i) Where a procuring activity makes an offer to the 8(a) program on 
behalf of a specific Program Participant and does not receive a reply to 
its offer within two days, the procuring activity may assume the offer 
is accepted and proceed with award of an 8(a) contract;
    (ii) Where SBA has delegated its 8(a) contract execution functions 
to an agency through a signed Partnership Agreement, SBA may authorize 
the procuring activity to award an 8(a) contract below the simplified 
acquisition threshold without requiring an offer and acceptance of the 
requirement for the 8(a) BD program. However, the procuring activity 
must request SBA to determine the eligibility of the intended awardee 
prior to award. SBA shall review the 8(a) Participant's eligibility and 
issue an eligibility determination within two business days after a 
request from the procuring activity. If SBA does not respond within this 
timeframe, the procuring activity may assume the 8(a) Participant is 
eligible and proceed with award. The procuring activity shall provide a 
copy of the executed contract to the SBA servicing district office 
within fifteen business days of award.
    (5) Where SBA does not respond to an offering letter within the 
normal 10 business-day time period, the procuring activity may seek 
SBA's acceptance through the AA/BD. The procuring activity may assume 
that SBA accepts its offer for the 8(a) program if it does not receive a 
reply from the AA/BD within 5 business days of his or her receipt of the 
procuring activity request.
    (b) Verification of NAICS code. As part of the acceptance process, 
SBA will verify the appropriateness of the NAICS code designation 
assigned to the requirement by the procuring activity contracting 
officer.
    (1) SBA will accept the NAICS code assigned to the requirement by 
the procuring activity contracting officer as long as it is reasonable, 
even though other NAICS codes may also be reasonable.
    (2) If SBA and the procuring activity are unable to agree as to the 
proper NAICS code designation for the requirement, SBA may either refuse 
to accept the requirement for the 8(a) BD program, appeal the 
contracting officer's determination to the head of the agency pursuant 
to Sec.  124.505, or appeal the NAICS code designation to OHA under part 
134 of this title.
    (c) Sole source award where procuring activity nominates a specific 
Participant. SBA will determine whether an appropriate match exists 
where the procuring activity identifies a particular Participant for a 
sole source award.
    (1) Once SBA determines that a procurement is suitable to be 
accepted as an 8(a) sole source contract, SBA will normally accept it on 
behalf of the Participant recommended by the procuring activity, 
provided that:
    (i) The procurement is consistent with the Participant's business 
plan;
    (ii) The Participant complies with its applicable non-8(a) business 
activity target imposed by Sec.  124.509(d);
    (iii) The Participant is small for the size standard corresponding 
to the NAICS code assigned to the requirement by the procuring activity 
contracting officer;
    (iv) The Participant has submitted required financial statements to 
SBA; and
    (v) The Participant can demonstrate that it, together with any 
similarly situated entity, will meet the limitations on subcontracting 
provisions set forth in Sec.  124.510.
    (2) If an appropriate match exists, SBA will advise the procuring 
activity whether SBA will participate in contract negotiations or 
whether SBA will authorize the procuring activity to negotiate directly 
with the identified Participant. Where SBA has delegated its contract 
execution functions to a procuring activity, SBA will also identify that 
delegation in its acceptance letter.
    (3) If an appropriate match does not exist, SBA will notify the 
Participant and the procuring activity, and may then nominate an 
alternate Participant.
    (d) Open requirements. When a procuring activity does not nominate a 
particular concern for performance of a

[[Page 522]]

sole source 8(a) contract (open requirement), the following additional 
procedures will apply:
    (1) If the procurement is a construction requirement, SBA will 
examine the portfolio of Participants that have a bona fide place of 
business within the geographical boundaries served by the SBA district 
office where the work is to be performed to select a qualified 
Participant. If none is found to be qualified or a match for a concern 
in that district is determined to be impossible or inappropriate, SBA 
may nominate a Participant with a bona fide place of business within the 
geographical boundaries served by another district office within the 
same state, or may nominate a Participant having a bona fide place of 
business out of state but within a reasonable proximity to the work 
site. SBA's decision will ensure that the nominated Participant is close 
enough to the work site to keep costs of performance reasonable.
    (2) If the procurement is not a construction requirement, SBA may 
select any eligible, responsible Participant nationally to perform the 
contract.
    (3) In cases in which SBA selects a Participant for possible award 
from among two or more eligible and qualified Participants, the 
selection will be based upon relevant factors, including business 
development needs, compliance with competitive business mix requirements 
(if applicable), financial condition, management ability, technical 
capability, and whether award will promote the equitable distribution of 
8(a) contracts.
    (e) Withdrawal/substitution of offered requirement or Participant. 
After SBA has accepted a requirement for award as a sole source 8(a) 
contract on behalf of a specific Participant (whether nominated by the 
procuring agency or identified by SBA for an open requirement), if the 
procuring agency believes that the identified Participant is not a good 
match for the procurement--including for such reasons as the procuring 
agency finding the Participant non-responsible or the negotiations 
between the procuring agency and the Participant otherwise failing--the 
procuring agency may seek to substitute another Participant for the 
originally identified Participant. The procuring agency must inform SBA 
of its concerns regarding the originally identified Participant and 
identify whether it believes another Participant could fulfill its 
needs.
    (1) If the procuring agency and SBA agree that another Participant 
can fulfill its needs, the procuring agency will withdraw the original 
offering and reoffer the requirement on behalf of another 8(a) 
Participant. SBA will then accept the requirement on behalf of the newly 
identified Participant and authorize the procuring agency to negotiate 
directly with that Participant.
    (2) If the procuring agency and SBA agree that another Participant 
cannot fulfill its needs, the procuring agency will withdraw the 
original offering letter and fulfill its needs outside the 8(a) BD 
program.
    (3) If the procuring agency believes that another Participant cannot 
fulfill its needs, but SBA does not agree, SBA may appeal that decision 
to the head of the procuring agency pursuant to Sec.  124.505(a)(2).
    (f) Formal technical evaluations. Except for requirements for 
architectural and engineering services, SBA will not authorize formal 
technical evaluations for sole source 8(a) requirements. A procuring 
activity:
    (1) Must request that a procurement be a competitive 8(a) award if 
it requires formal technical evaluations of more than one Participant 
for a requirement below the applicable competitive threshold amount; and
    (2) May conduct informal assessments of several Participants' 
capabilities to perform a specific requirement, so long as the statement 
of work for the requirement is not released to any of the Participants 
being assessed.
    (g) Repetitive acquisitions. A procuring activity contracting 
officer must submit a new offering letter to SBA where he or she intends 
to award a follow-on or repetitive contract as an 8(a) award.
    (1) This enables SBA to determine:
    (i) Whether the requirement should be a competitive 8(a) award;
    (ii) A nominated firm's eligibility, whether or not it is the same 
firm that performed the previous contract;
    (iii) The affect that contract award would have on the equitable 
distribution of 8(a) contracts; and

[[Page 523]]

    (iv) Whether the requirement should continue under the 8(a) BD 
program.
    (2) Where a procuring agency seeks to reprocure a follow-on 
requirement through an 8(a) contracting vehicle which is not available 
to all 8(a) BD Program Participants (e.g., a multiple award or 
Governmentwide acquisition contract that is itself an 8(a) contract), 
and the previous/current 8(a) award was not so limited, SBA will 
consider the business development purposes of the program in determining 
how to accept the requirement.
    (h) Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs) and Blanket Purchase Agreements 
(BPAs). Neither a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) nor a Blanket Purchase 
Agreement (BPA) is a contract under the FAR. See 48 CFR 13.303 and 48 
CFR 16.703(a). Each order to be issued under a BOA or BPA is an 
individual contract. As such, the procuring activity must offer, and SBA 
must accept, each order under a BOA or BPA in addition to offering and 
accepting the BOA or BPA itself.
    (1) SBA will not accept for award on a sole source basis any task 
order under a BOA or BPA that would cause the total dollar amount of 
task orders issued to exceed the applicable competitive threshold amount 
set forth in Sec.  124.506(a).
    (2) Where a procuring activity believes that task orders to be 
issued under a proposed BOA or BPA will exceed the applicable 
competitive threshold amount set forth in Sec.  124.506(a), the 
procuring activity must offer the requirement to the program to be 
competed among eligible Participants.
    (3) Once a concern's program term expires, the concern otherwise 
exits the 8(a) BD program, or becomes other than small for the NAICS 
code assigned under the BOA or BPA, new orders will not be accepted for 
the concern.
    (4) A procuring agency may offer, and SBA may accept, an order 
issued under a BOA or BPA to be awarded through the 8(a) BD program 
where the BOA or BPA itself was not accepted for the 8(a) BD program, 
but rather was awarded on an unrestricted basis.
    (i) Task or Delivery Order Contracts, including Multiple Award 
Contracts--(1) Contracts set-aside for exclusive competition among 8(a) 
Participants. (i) A task or delivery order contract, Multiple Award 
Contract, or order issued against a Multiple Award Contract that is set-
aside exclusively for 8(a) Program Participants, partially set-aside for 
8(a) Program Participants or reserved solely for 8(a) Program 
Participants must follow the established 8(a) competitive procedures. 
This includes an offering to and acceptance into the 8(a) program, SBA 
eligibility verification of the apparent successful offerors prior to 
contract award, compliance with the performance of work requirements set 
forth in Sec.  124.510, and compliance with the nonmanufacturer rule 
(see Sec.  121.406(b)), if applicable.
    (ii) An agency is not required to offer or receive acceptance of 
individual orders into the 8(a) BD program if the task or delivery order 
contract or Multiple Award Contract was set-aside exclusively for 8(a) 
Program Participants, partially set-aside for 8(a) Program Participants 
or reserved solely for 8(a) Program Participants, and the individual 
order is to be competed among all 8(a) contract holders. However, where 
the order includes work that was previously performed through another 
8(a) contract, the procuring agency must notify and consult with SBA 
prior to issuing the order that it intends to procure such specified 
work through an order under an 8(a) Multiple Award Contract. 
Consultation with SBA does not require SBA concurrence or approval. 
Where that work is critical to the business development of a current 
Participant that previously performed the work through another 8(a) 
contract and that Participant is not a contract holder of the 8(a) 
Multiple Award Contract, SBA may request that the procuring agency 
fulfill the requirement through a competition available to all 8(a) BD 
Program Participants. SBA will provide any feedback in response to the 
procuring agency's notification within 10 business days.
    (iii) A concern awarded a task or delivery order contract or 
Multiple Award Contract that was set-aside exclusively for 8(a) Program 
Participants, partially set-aside for 8(a) Program Participants or 
reserved solely for 8(a) Program Participants may generally continue to 
receive new orders

[[Page 524]]

even if it has grown to be other than small or has exited the 8(a) BD 
program, and agencies may continue to take SDB credit toward their prime 
contracting goals for orders awarded to 8(a) Participants. A procuring 
agency may seek to award an order only to a concern that is a current 
Participant in the 8(a) program at the time of the order. In such a 
case, the procuring agency will announce its intent to limit the award 
of the order to current 8(a) Participants and verify a contract holder's 
8(a) BD status prior to issuing the order. Where a procuring agency 
seeks to award an order to a concern that is a current 8(a) Participant, 
a concern must be an eligible Participant in accordance with Sec.  
124.501(g) as of the initial date specified for the receipt of offers 
contained in the order solicitation, or at the date of award of the 
order if there is no solicitation.
    (iv) An agency may issue a sole source award against a Multiple 
Award Contract that has been set aside exclusively for 8(a) Program 
Participants, partially set-aside for 8(a) BD Program Participants or 
reserved solely for 8(a) Program Participants if the required dollar 
thresholds for sole source awards are met. Where an agency seeks to 
award an order on a sole source basis (i.e., to one particular 8(a) 
contract holder without competition among all 8(a) contract holders), 
the agency must offer, and SBA must accept, the order into the 8(a) 
program on behalf of the identified 8(a) contract holder.
    (A) To be eligible for the award of a sole source order, a concern 
must be a current Participant in the 8(a) BD program at the time of 
award of the order, qualify as small for the size standard corresponding 
to the NAICS code assigned to the order on the date the order is offered 
to the 8(a) BD program, and be in compliance with any applicable 
competitive business mix target established or remedial measure imposed 
by Sec.  124.509. Where the intended sole source recipient is a joint 
venture, the 8(a) managing partner to the joint venture is the concern 
whose eligibility is considered.
    (B) Where an agency seeks to issue a sole source order to a joint 
venture, the two-year restriction for joint venture awards set forth in 
Sec.  121.103(h) does not apply and SBA will not review and approve the 
joint venture agreement as set forth in Sec.  124.513(e)(1).
    (2) Allowing orders issued to 8(a) Participants under Multiple Award 
Contracts that were not set-aside for exclusive competition among 
eligible 8(a) Participants to be considered 8(a) awards. In order for an 
order issued to an 8(a) Participant and placed against a Multiple Award 
Contract to be considered an 8(a) award, where the Multiple Award 
contract was not initially set-aside, partially set-aside or reserved 
for exclusive competition among 8(a) Participants, the following 
conditions must be met:
    (i) The order must be offered to and accepted into the 8(a) BD 
program;
    (ii) The order must be either an 8(a) sole source award or be 
competed exclusively among only the 8(a) awardees of the underlying 
multiple award contract. Where an agency seeks to issue an 8(a) 
competitive order under a multiple award contract that was awarded under 
full and open competition or as a small business set-aside, all eligible 
8(a) BD Participants who are contract holders of the underlying multiple 
award contract must have the opportunity to compete for the order. Where 
an agency seeks to issue an 8(a) competitive order under the Federal 
Supply Schedule, an agency can utilize the procedures set forth in FAR 
subpart 8.4 (48 CFR part 8, subpart 8.4) to award to an eligible 8(a) BD 
Participant. Where an agency seeks to issue an 8(a) sole source order 
under a multiple award contract that was awarded under full and open 
competition or as a small business set-aside, the identified 8(a) 
Participant that is a contract holder of the underlying multiple award 
contract must be an eligible Participant on the date of the issuance of 
the order.
    (iii) The order must require the concern comply with applicable 
limitations on subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6) and the 
nonmanufacturer rule, if applicable, (see Sec.  121.406(b)) in the 
performance of the individual order; and
    (iv) SBA must verify that a concern is an eligible 8(a) Participant 
in accordance with Sec.  124.501(g) as of the initial date specified for 
the receipt of offers contained in the order solicitation,

[[Page 525]]

or at the date of award of the order if there is no solicitation. If a 
concern has exited the 8(a) BD program prior to that date, it will be 
ineligible for the award of the order.
    (3) Reserves. A procuring activity must offer and SBA must accept a 
requirement that is reserved for 8(a) Participants (i.e., an acquisition 
where the contracting officer states an intention to make one or more 
awards to only 8(a) Participants under full and open competition). 
However, a contracting officer does not have to offer the requirement to 
SBA where the acquisition has been reserved for small businesses, even 
if the contracting officer states an intention to make one or more 
awards to several types of small business including 8(a) Participants 
since any such award to 8(a) Participants would not be considered an 
8(a) contract award.
    (j) Requirements where SBA has delegated contract execution 
authority. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4)(i) of this section, 
where SBA has delegated its 8(a) contract execution authority to the 
procuring activity, the procuring activity must still offer and SBA must 
still accept all requirements intended to be awarded as 8(a) contracts.
    (k) Contracting Among Small Business Programs--(1) Acquisitions 
Valued At or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The contracting 
officer shall set aside any acquisition with an anticipated dollar value 
exceeding the Micro-purchase Threshold but not exceeding the Simplified 
Acquisition Threshold (defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small 
business concerns when there is a reasonable expectation that offers 
will be obtained from at least two small business concerns that are 
competitive in terms of quality and delivery and award will be made at 
fair market prices. This requirement does not preclude a contracting 
officer from making an award to a small business under the 8(a) BD, 
HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB Programs.
    (2) Acquisitions Valued Above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. 
(i) The contracting officer shall set aside any acquisition with an 
anticipated dollar value exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold 
(defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small business concerns when 
there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at 
least two small business concerns that are competitive in terms of 
quality and delivery and award will be made at fair market prices. 
However, after conducting market research, the contracting officer shall 
first consider a set-aside or sole source award (if the sole source 
award is permitted by statute or regulation) under the 8(a) BD, HUBZone, 
SDVO SBC or WOSB programs before setting aside the requirement as a 
small business set-aside. There is no order of precedence among the 8(a) 
BD, HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB programs. The contracting officer must 
document the contract file with the rationale used to support the 
specific set-aside, including the type and extent of market research 
conducted. In addition, the contracting officer must document the 
contract file showing that the apparent successful offeror's System for 
Award Management (SAM) (or any successor system) certifications and 
associated representations were reviewed.
    (ii) SBA believes that Progress in fulfilling the various small 
business goals, as well as other factors such as the results of market 
research, programmatic needs specific to the procuring agency, 
anticipated award price, and the acquisition history, will be considered 
in making a decision as to which program to use for the acquisition.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 70 FR 51248, Aug. 30, 2005; 
71 FR 66444, Nov. 15, 2006; 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 75 FR 62280, 
Oct. 7, 2010; 76 FR 8259, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 FR 1860, Jan. 12, 2012; 78 
FR 61133, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 48582, July 25, 2016; 84 FR 65661, Nov. 
29, 2019; 85 FR 66187, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26206, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.504  What circumstances limit SBA's ability to accept a procurement 
for award as an 8(a) contract, and when can a requirement be released 
from the 8(a) BD program?

    SBA will not accept a procurement for award as an 8(a) contract if 
the circumstances identified in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this 
section exist.
    (a) Prior intent to award as a small business set-aside, or use the 
HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small

[[Page 526]]

Business, or Women-Owned Small Business programs. The procuring activity 
issued a solicitation for or otherwise expressed publicly a clear intent 
to award the contract as a small business set-aside, or to use the 
HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Women-Owned 
Small Business programs prior to offering the requirement to SBA for 
award as an 8(a) contract. However, the AA/BD may permit the acceptance 
of the requirement under extraordinary circumstances.
    (b) Competition prior to offer and acceptance. The procuring 
activity competed a requirement among 8(a) Participants prior to 
offering the requirement to SBA and did not clearly evidence its intent 
to conduct an 8(a) competitive acquisition.
    (c) Adverse impact. SBA has made a written determination that 
acceptance of the procurement for 8(a) award would have an adverse 
impact on an individual small business, a group of small businesses 
located in a specific geographical location, or other small business 
programs. The adverse impact concept is designed to protect small 
business concerns which are performing Government contracts awarded 
outside the 8(a) BD program, and does not apply to follow-on or renewal 
8(a) acquisitions. SBA will not consider adverse impact with respect to 
any requirement offered to the 8(a) program under the simplified 
acquisition threshold (as defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101).
    (1) In determining whether the acceptance of a requirement would 
have an adverse impact on an individual small business, SBA will 
consider all relevant factors.
    (i) In connection with a specific small business, SBA presumes 
adverse impact to exist where:
    (A) The small business concern has performed the specific 
requirement for at least 24 months;
    (B) The small business is performing the requirement at the time it 
is offered to the 8(a) BD program, or its performance of the requirement 
ended within 30 days of the procuring activity's offer of the 
requirement to the 8(a) BD program; and
    (C) The dollar value of the requirement that the small business is 
or was performing is 25 percent or more of its most recent annual gross 
sales (including those of its affiliates). For a multi-year requirement, 
the dollar value of the last 12 months of the requirement will be used 
to determine whether a small business would be adversely affected by 
SBA's acceptance.
    (ii) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, adverse 
impact does not apply to ``new'' requirements. A new requirement is one 
which has not been previously procured by the relevant procuring 
activity.
    (A) Where a requirement is new, no small business could have 
previously performed the requirement and, thus, SBA's acceptance of the 
requirement for the 8(a) BD program will not adversely impact any small 
business.
    (B) Procurements for construction services (e.g., the building of a 
specific structure) are generally deemed to be new requirements. 
However, recurring indefinite delivery or indefinite quantity task or 
delivery order construction services are not considered new (e.g., a 
recurring procurement requiring all construction work at base X).
    (C) The expansion or modification of an existing requirement may be 
considered a new requirement where the magnitude of change is 
significant enough to cause a price adjustment of at least 25 percent 
(adjusted for inflation) or to require significant additional or 
different types of capabilities or work.
    (D) SBA need not perform an impact determination where a new 
requirement is offered to the 8(a) BD program.
    (2) In determining whether the acceptance of a requirement would 
have an adverse impact on a group of small businesses, SBA will consider 
the effects of combining or consolidating various requirements being 
performed by two or more small business concerns into a single contract 
which would be considered a ``new'' requirement as compared to any of 
the previous smaller requirements. SBA may find adverse impact to exist 
if one of the existing small business contractors meets the presumption 
set forth in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
    (3) In determining whether the acceptance of a requirement would 
have

[[Page 527]]

an adverse impact on other small business programs, SBA will consider 
all relevant factors, including but not limited to, the number and value 
of contracts in the subject industry in the 8(a) BD program as compared 
with other small business programs.
    (4) SBA does not typically consider the value of a bridge contract 
when determining whether an offered procurement is a new requirement. A 
bridge contract is meant to be a temporary stop-gap measure intended to 
ensure the continuation of service while an agency finalizes a long-term 
procurement approach.
    (d) Release for non-8(a) or limited 8(a) competition. (1) Except as 
set forth in paragraph (d)(4) of this section, where a procurement is 
awarded as an 8(a) contract, its follow-on requirement must remain in 
the 8(a) BD program unless SBA agrees to release it for non-8(a) 
competition. Where a procurement will contain work currently performed 
under one or more 8(a) contracts, and the procuring agency determines 
that the procurement should not be considered a follow-on requirement to 
the 8(a) contract(s), the procuring agency must coordinate with the SBA 
District Office servicing the 8(a) incumbent firm and the SBA 
Procurement Center Representative assigned to the contracting activity 
initiating a non-8(a) procurement action that it intends to procure such 
specified work outside the 8(a) BD program through a requirement that it 
considers to be new. Such notification must identify the scope and 
dollar value of any work previously performed through another 8(a) 
contract and the scope and dollar value of the contract determined to be 
new. Additionally, a procuring agency must coordinate with SBA where it 
seeks to reprocure a follow-on requirement through a pre-existing 
limited contracting vehicle which is not available to all 8(a) BD 
Program Participants and the previous/current 8(a) award was not so 
limited. If a procuring agency would like to fulfill a follow-on 
requirement outside of the 8(a) BD program, it must make a written 
request to and receive the concurrence of the AA/BD to do so. In 
determining whether to release a requirement from the 8(a) BD program, 
SBA will consider:
    (i) Whether the agency has achieved its SDB goal;
    (ii) Where the agency is in achieving its HUBZone, SDVO, WOSB, or 
small business goal, as appropriate; and
    (iii) Whether the requirement is critical to the business 
development of the 8(a) Participant that is currently performing it.
    (2) SBA may decline to accept the offer of a follow-on or renewable 
8(a) acquisition in order to give a concern previously awarded the 
contract that is leaving or has left the 8(a) BD program the opportunity 
to compete for the requirement outside of the 8(a) BD program.
    (i) SBA will consider release under paragraph (2) only where:
    (A) The procurement awarded through the 8(a) BD program is being or 
was performed by either a Participant whose program term will expire 
prior to contract completion, or by a former Participant whose program 
term expired within one year of the date of the offering letter;
    (B) The concern requests in writing that SBA decline to accept the 
offer prior to SBA's acceptance of the requirement for award as an 8(a) 
contract; and
    (C) The concern qualifies as a small business for the requirement 
now offered to the 8(a) BD program.
    (ii) In considering release under paragraph (2), SBA will balance 
the importance of the requirement to the concern's business development 
needs against the business development needs of other Participants that 
are qualified to perform the requirement. This determination will 
include consideration of whether rejection of the requirement would 
seriously reduce the pool of similar types of contracts available for 
award as 8(a) contracts. SBA will also seek the views of the procuring 
agency.
    (3) SBA may release a requirement under this paragraph only where 
the procuring activity agrees to procure the requirement as a small 
business, HUBZone, SDVO small business, or WOSB set-aside or otherwise 
identifies a procurement strategy that would emphasize or target small 
business participation.
    (4) The requirement that a follow-on procurement must be released 
from the

[[Page 528]]

8(a) BD program in order for it to be fulfilled outside the 8(a) BD 
program does not apply:
    (i) Where previous orders were offered to and accepted for the 8(a) 
BD program pursuant to Sec.  124.503(i)(2); or
    (ii) Where a procuring agency will use a mandatory source (see FAR 
Subparts 8.6 and 8.7(48 CFR subparts 8.6 and 8.7)). In such a case, the 
procuring agency should notify SBA at least 30 days prior to the end of 
the contract or order.

[63 FR 35739, 35772, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 
2009; 76 FR 8259, Feb. 11, 2011; 78 FR 61133, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 34260, 
May 31, 2016; 81 FR 48582, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 66188, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 
FR 26207, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.505  When will SBA appeal the terms or conditions of a particular 
8(a) contract or a procuring activity decision not to use the 8(a) BD program?

    (a) What SBA may appeal. The Administrator of SBA may appeal the 
following matters to the head of the procuring agency:
    (1) A contracting officer's decision not to make a particular 
procurement available for award as an 8(a) contract;
    (2) A contracting officer's decision to reject a specific 
Participant for award of an 8(a) contract after SBA's acceptance of the 
requirement for the 8(a) BD program;
    (3) A decision by a contracting officer that a particular 
procurement is a new requirement that is not subject to the release 
requirements set forth in Sec.  124.504(d); and
    (4) The terms and conditions of a proposed 8(a) contract, including 
the procuring activity's NAICS code designation and estimate of the fair 
market price.
    (b) Procedures for appeal. (1) SBA must notify the contracting 
officer of the SBA Administrator's intent to appeal an adverse decision 
within 5 working days of SBA's receipt of the decision.
    (2) Upon receipt of the notice of intent to appeal, the procuring 
activity must suspend further action regarding the procurement until the 
head of the procuring agency issues a written decision on the appeal, 
unless the head of the procuring agency makes a written determination 
that urgent and compelling circumstances which significantly affect 
interests of the United States will not permit waiting for a 
consideration of the appeal.
    (3) The SBA Administrator must send a written appeal of the adverse 
decision to the head of the procuring agency within 15 working days of 
SBA's notification of intent to appeal or the appeal may be considered 
withdrawn.
    (4) By statute (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(1)(A)), the procuring agency head 
must specify in writing the reasons for a denial of an appeal brought by 
the Administrator under this section.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 85 FR 66189, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.506  At what dollar threshold must an 8(a) procurement be competed 
among eligible Participants?

    (a) Competitive thresholds. (1) The Federal Acquisition Regulatory 
Council (FAR Council) has the responsibility of adjusting each 
acquisition-related dollar threshold on October 1, of each year that is 
evenly divisible by five. Acquisition-related dollar thresholds are 
defined as dollar thresholds that are specified in law as a factor in 
defining the scope of the applicability of a policy, procedure, 
requirement, or restriction provided in that law to the procurement of 
property or services by an executive agency as determined by the FAR 
Council. 41 U.S.C. 431a(c). Part 124, Subpart A, 8(a) Business 
Development, contains acquisition-related dollar thresholds subject to 
inflationary adjustments. The FAR Council shall publish a notice of the 
adjusted dollar thresholds in the Federal Register. The adjusted dollar 
thresholds shall take effect on the date of publication.
    (2) A procurement offered and accepted for the 8(a) BD program must 
be competed among eligible Participants if:
    (i) There is a reasonable expectation that at least two eligible 
Participants will submit offers at a fair market price;
    (ii) The anticipated award price of the contract, including options, 
will exceed $7,000,000 for contracts assigned manufacturing NAICS codes 
and $4,500,000 for all other contracts; and
    (iii) The requirement has not been accepted by SBA for award as a 
sole

[[Page 529]]

source 8(a) procurement on behalf of a tribally-owned or ANC-owned 
concern.
    (3) For all types of contracts, the applicable competitive threshold 
amounts will be applied to the procuring activity estimate of the total 
value of the contract, including all options.

    Example to paragraph (a)(3). If the anticipated award price for a 
professional services requirement is determined to be $3.8 million and 
it is accepted as a sole source 8(a) requirement on that basis, a sole 
source award will be valid even if the contract price arrived at after 
negotiation is $4.2 million.

    (4) Where the estimate of the total value of a proposed 8(a) 
contract is less than the applicable competitive threshold amount and 
the requirement is accepted as a sole source requirement on that basis, 
award may be made even though the contract price arrived at through 
negotiations exceeds the competitive threshold, provided that the 
contract price is not more than ten percent greater than the competitive 
threshold amount.
    (5) A proposed 8(a) requirement with an estimated value exceeding 
the applicable competitive threshold amount may not be divided into 
several separate procurement actions for lesser amounts in order to use 
8(a) sole source procedures to award to a single contractor.
    (b) Exemption from competitive thresholds for Participants owned by 
Indian Tribes, ANCs and NHOs. (1) A Participant concern owned and 
controlled by an Indian Tribe or an ANC may be awarded a sole source 
8(a) contract where the anticipated value of the procurement exceeds the 
applicable competitive threshold if SBA has not accepted the requirement 
into the 8(a) BD program as a competitive procurement.
    (2) A Participant concern owned and controlled by an NHO may be 
awarded a sole source Department of Defense (DoD) 8(a) contract where 
the anticipated value of the procurement exceeds the applicable 
competitive threshold if SBA has not accepted the requirement into the 
8(a) BD program as a competitive procurement.
    (3) There is no requirement that a procurement must be competed 
whenever possible before it can be accepted on a sole source basis for a 
tribally-owned or ANC-owned concern, or a concern owned by an NHO for 
DoD contracts. However, a current procurement requirement may not be 
removed from competition and awarded to a tribally-owned, ANC-owned or 
NHO-owned concern on a sole source basis (i.e., a procuring agency may 
not evidence its intent to fulfill a requirement as a competitive 8(a) 
procurement, through the issuance of a competitive 8(a) solicitation or 
otherwise, cancel the solicitation or change its public intent, and then 
procure the requirement as a sole source 8(a) procurement to an entity-
owned Participant). A follow-on requirement to one that was previously 
awarded as a competitive 8(a) procurement may be offered, accepted and 
awarded on a sole source basis to a tribally-owned or ANC-owned concern, 
or a concern owned by an NHO for DoD contracts.
    (4) A joint venture between one or more eligible Tribally-owned, 
ANC-owned or NHO-owned Participants and one or more non-8(a) business 
concerns may be awarded sole source 8(a) contracts above the competitive 
threshold amount, provided that it meets the requirements of Sec.  
124.513.
    (5) An agency may not award an 8(a) sole source contract for an 
amount exceeding $25,000,000, or $100,000,000 for an agency of the 
Department of Defense, unless the contracting officer justifies the use 
of a sole source contract in writing and has obtained the necessary 
approval under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
    (c) Competition below thresholds. The AA/BD, on a nondelegable 
basis, may approve a request from a procuring activity to compete a 
requirement that is below the applicable competitive threshold amount 
among eligible Participants.
    (1) This authority will be used primarily when technical 
competitions are appropriate or when a large number of potential 
awardees exist.
    (2) The AA/BD may consider whether the procuring activity has made 
and will continue to make available a significant number of its 
contracts to the 8(a) BD program on a noncompetitive basis.

[[Page 530]]

    (3) The AA/BD may deny a request if the procuring activity 
previously offered the requirement to the 8(a) BD program on a 
noncompetitive basis and the request is made following the inability of 
the procuring activity and the potential sole source awardee to reach an 
agreement on price or some other material term or condition.
    (d) Sole source above thresholds. Where a contract opportunity 
exceeds the applicable threshold amount and there is not a reasonable 
expectation that at least two eligible 8(a) Participants will submit 
offers at a fair price, the AA/BD may accept the requirement for a sole 
source 8(a) award if he or she determines that an eligible Participant 
in the 8(a) portfolio is capable of performing the requirement at a fair 
price. The AA/BD may also accept a requirement that exceeds the 
applicable competitive threshold amount for a sole source 8(a) award if 
he or she determines that a FAR exception (48 CFR 6.302) to full and 
open competition exists (e.g., unusual and compelling urgency). An 
agency may not award an 8(a) sole source contract under this paragraph 
for an amount exceeding $25,000,000, or $100,000,000 for an agency of 
the Department of Defense, unless the contracting officer justifies the 
use of a sole source contract in writing and has obtained the necessary 
approval under FAR Sec.  19.808-1 or DFAR Sec.  219.808-1(a).

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45753, Sept. 4, 2009; 
74 FR 46887, Sept. 14, 2009; 76 FR 8260, Feb. 11, 2011; 78 FR 61133, 
Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 48582, July 25, 2016; 86 FR 61672, Nov. 8, 2021; 88 
FR 26208, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.507  What procedures apply to competitive 8(a) procurements?

    (a) FAR procedures. Procuring activities will conduct competitions 
among and evaluate offers received from Participants in accordance with 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR, chapter 1).
    (b) Eligibility determination by SBA. In either a negotiated or 
sealed bid competitive 8(a) acquisition, the procuring activity will 
request that the SBA district office servicing the apparent successful 
offeror determine that firm's eligibility for award.
    (1) Within 5 working days after receipt of a procuring activity's 
request for an eligibility determination, SBA will determine whether the 
firm identified by the procuring activity is eligible for award.
    (2) SBA determines a Participant's eligibility pursuant to Sec.  
124.501(g).
    (3) If SBA determines that the apparent successful offeror is 
ineligible, SBA will notify the procuring activity. The procuring 
activity will then send to SBA the identity of the next highest 
evaluated firm for an eligibility determination. The process is repeated 
until SBA determines that an identified offeror is eligible for award.
    (4) Except to the extent set forth in paragraph (d) of this section, 
SBA determines whether a Participant is eligible for a specific 8(a) 
competitive requirement as of the date that the Participant submitted 
its initial offer which includes price.
    (5) If the procuring activity contracting officer believes that the 
apparent successful offeror is not responsible to perform the contract, 
he or she must refer the concern to SBA for a possible Certificate of 
Competency in accord with Sec.  125.5 of this title.
    (c) Restricted competition--(1) Construction competitions. Based on 
its knowledge of the 8(a) BD portfolio, SBA will determine whether a 
competitive 8(a) construction requirement should be competed among only 
those Participants having a bona fide place of business within the 
geographical boundaries of one or more SBA district offices, within a 
state, or within the state and nearby areas. Only those Participants 
with bona fide places of business within the appropriate geographical 
boundaries are eligible to submit offers.
    (2) Competition for all non-construction requirements. Except for 
construction requirements, all eligible Participants regardless of 
location may submit offers in response to competitive 8(a) 
solicitations. The only geographic restrictions pertaining to 8(a) 
competitive requirements, other than those for construction 
requirements, are any imposed by the solicitations themselves.
    (d) Award to firms whose program terms have expired. A concern that 
has completed its term of participation in the

[[Page 531]]

8(a) BD program may be awarded a competitive 8(a) contract if it was a 
Participant eligible for award of the contract on the initial date 
specified for receipt of offers contained in the contract solicitation, 
and if it continues to meet all other applicable eligibility criteria.
    (1) Amendments to the solicitation extending the date for 
submissions of offers will be disregarded.

    Example to paragraph (d)(1). The program term for 8(a) Participant X 
is scheduled to expire on December 19. A solicitation for a competitive 
8(a) procurement specifies that initial offers are due on December 15. 
The procuring activity amends the solicitation to extend the date for 
the receipt of offers to January 5. X submits its offer on January 5 and 
is selected as the apparent successful offeror. X is eligible for award 
because it was an eligible 8(a) Participant on the initial date set 
forth in the solicitation for the receipt of offers.

    (2) For a negotiated procurement, a Participant may submit revised 
offers, including a best and final offer, and be awarded a competitive 
8(a) contract if it was eligible as of the initial date specified for 
the receipt of offers in the solicitation, even though its program term 
may expire after that date.
    (3) For a two-step design-build procurement to be awarded through 
the 8(a) BD program, a firm must be a current Participant eligible for 
award of the contract on the initial date specified for receipt of phase 
one offers contained in the contract solicitation.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8260, Feb. 11, 2011; 81 
FR 48582, July 25, 2016; 84 FR 65661, Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 66189, Oct. 
16, 2020]



Sec.  124.508  How is an 8(a) contract executed?

    (a) An 8(a) contract can be awarded in the following ways:
    (1) As a tripartite agreement in which the procuring activity, SBA 
and the Participant all sign the appropriate contract documents. There 
may be separate prime and subcontract documents (i.e., a prime contract 
between the procuring activity and SBA and a subcontract between SBA and 
the selected 8(a) concern) or a combined contract document representing 
both the prime and subcontract relationships; or
    (2) Where SBA has delegated contract execution authority to the 
procuring activity, directly by the procuring activity through a 
contract between the procuring activity and the Participant.
    (b) Where SBA receives a contract for signature valued at or below 
the simplified acquisition threshold, it will sign the contract and 
return it to the procuring activity within three (3) days of receipt.
    (c) In order to be eligible to receive a sole source 8(a) contract, 
a firm must be a current Participant on the date of award. (See Sec.  
124.507(d) for competitive 8(a) awards.)



Sec.  124.509  What are non-8(a) business activity targets?

    (a) General. (1) To ensure that Participants do not develop an 
unreasonable reliance on 8(a) awards, and to ease their transition into 
the competitive marketplace after graduating from the 8(a) BD program, 
Participants must make good faith efforts to obtain business outside the 
8(a) BD program. Work performed by an 8(a) Participant for any Federal 
department or agency other than through an 8(a) contract, including work 
performed on orders under the General Services Administration Multiple 
Award Schedule program, and work performed as a subcontractor, including 
work performed as a subcontractor to another 8(a) Participant on an 8(a) 
contract, qualifies as work performed outside the 8(a) BD program.
    (2) During both the developmental and transitional stages of the 
8(a) BD program, a Participant must make good faith efforts, including 
following a reasonable marketing strategy, to attain the targeted dollar 
levels of non-8(a) revenue established in its business plan. It must 
attempt to use the 8(a) BD program as a resource to strengthen the firm 
for economic viability when program benefits are no longer available.
    (b) Required non-8(a) business activity targets during transitional 
stage--(1) General. During the transitional stage of the 8(a) BD 
program, a Participant must achieve certain targets of non-8(a) contract 
revenue (i.e., revenue from other than sole source or competitive 8(a) 
contracts). These targets

[[Page 532]]

are called non-8(a) business activity targets and are expressed as a 
percentage of total revenue. The targets call for an increase in non-
8(a) revenue over time.
    (2) Non-8(a) business activity targets--(i) During their 
transitional stage of program participation, Participants must meet the 
following non-8(a) business activity targets each year:

                     Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(2)(i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Non-8(a) business
                                                       activity targets
                                                      (required minimum
    Participant's year in the transitional stage     non-8(a) revenue as
                                                       a percentage of
                                                        total revenue)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................................                   15
2..................................................                   25
3..................................................                   30
4..................................................                   40
5..................................................                   50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Any Participant that extended its program term pursuant to 
Sec.  124.2(b) of this chapter must meet the business activity target 
for year 5 or meet the applicable requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) 
of this section in order to preserve its eligibility for sole source 
8(a) contracts during the extended program period. The applicable 
business activity target for the extended program period will be the 
same as that for year 5 of the transitional stage (i.e., 50% non-8(a) 
revenue).
    (3) Compliance with non-8(a) business activity targets. SBA will 
measure the Participant's compliance with the applicable non-8(a) 
business activity target at the end of each program year in the 
transitional stage by comparing the Participant's non-8(a) revenue to 
its total revenue during the program year just completed. Thus, at the 
end of the first year in the transitional stage of program 
participation, SBA will compare the Participant's non-8(a) revenue to 
its total revenue during that first year. If appropriate, SBA will 
require remedial measures during the subsequent program year. Thus, for 
example, non-compliance with the required non-8(a) business activity 
target in year one of the transitional stage would cause SBA to initiate 
remedial measures under paragraph (d) of this section for year two in 
the transitional stage.
    (4) Certification of compliance. A Participant must certify as part 
of its offer that it complies with the applicable non-8(a) business 
activity target or with the measures imposed by SBA under paragraph (d) 
of this section before it can receive any 8(a) contract during the 
transitional stage of the 8(a) BD program.
    (c) Reporting and verification of business activity. (1) As part of 
its annual review after being admitted to the 8(a) BD program, a 
Participant must provide to SBA within 30 days from the end of its 
program year:
    (i) Annual financial statements with a breakdown of 8(a) and non-
8(a) revenue in accord with Sec.  124.602; and
    (ii) An estimate of 8(a) and non-8(a) revenue derived during the 
program year, which may be obtained from monthly, quarterly or semi-
annual interim financial statements or otherwise.
    (2) At the end of each year of participation in the transitional 
stage, the BOS assigned to work with the Participant will review the 
Participant's total revenues to determine whether the non-8(a) revenues 
have met the applicable target. In determining compliance, SBA will 
compare all 8(a) revenues received during the year, including those from 
options and modifications, to all non-8(a) revenues received during the 
year.
    (d) Consequences of not meeting competitive business mix targets. 
(1) Beginning at the end of the first year in the transitional stage 
(the fifth year of participation in the 8(a) BD program), any firm that 
does not meet its applicable competitive business mix target for the 
just completed program year must demonstrate to SBA the specific efforts 
it made during that year to obtain non-8(a) revenue.
    (i) SBA will determine whether the Participant made good faith 
efforts to attain the targeted non-8(a) revenues during the just 
completed program year. A Participant may establish that it made good 
faith efforts by demonstrating to SBA that:
    (A) It submitted offers for one or more non-8(a) procurements which, 
if awarded to the Participant during its just completed program year, 
would have given the Participant sufficient

[[Page 533]]

revenues to achieve the applicable non-8(a) business activity target 
during that same program year. In such a case, the Participant must 
provide copies of offers submitted in response to solicitations and 
documentary evidence of its projected revenues under these missed 
contract opportunities; or
    (B) Individual extenuating circumstances adversely impacted its 
efforts to obtain non-8(a) revenues, including but not limited to a 
reduction in government funding, continuing resolutions and budget 
uncertainties, increased competition driving prices down, or having one 
or more prime contractors award less work to the Participant than 
originally contemplated. Where available, supporting information and 
documentation must be included to show how such extenuating 
circumstances specifically prevented the Participant from attaining its 
targeted non-8(a) revenues during the just completed program year.
    (ii) The Participant bears the burden of establishing that it made 
good faith efforts to meet its non-8(a) business activity target. SBA's 
determination as to whether a Participant made good faith efforts is 
final and no appeal may be taken with respect to that decision.
    (2) If SBA determines that an 8(a) Participant has failed to meet 
its applicable competitive business mix target during any program year 
in the transitional stage of program participation, SBA will increase 
its monitoring of the Participant's contracting activity during the 
ensuing program year.
    (3) As a condition of eligibility for new 8(a) sole source 
contracts, SBA may require a Participant that fails to achieve the non-
8(a) business activity targets to take one or more specific actions. 
These include requiring the Participant to obtain management assistance, 
technical assistance, and/or counseling from an SBA resource partner or 
otherwise, and/or attend seminars relating to management assistance, 
business development, financing, marketing, accounting, or proposal 
preparation. Where any such condition is imposed, SBA will not accept a 
sole source requirement offered to the 8(a) BD program on behalf of the 
Participant until the Participant demonstrates to SBA that the condition 
has been met.
    (4) If SBA determines that a Participant has not made good faith 
efforts to meet its applicable non-8(a) business activity target, the 
Participant will be ineligible for sole source 8(a) contracts in the 
current program year. SBA will notify the Participant in writing that 
the Participant will not be eligible for further 8(a) sole source 
contract awards until it has demonstrated to SBA that it has complied 
with its non-8(a) business activity requirements as described in 
paragraphs (d)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section. In order for a 
Participant to come into compliance with the non-8(a) business activity 
target and be eligible for further 8(a) sole source contracts, it may:
    (i) Wait until the end of the current program year and demonstrate 
to SBA as part of the normal annual review process that it has met the 
revised non-8(a) business activity target; or
    (ii) At its option, submit information regarding its non-8(a) 
revenue to SBA quarterly throughout the current program year in an 
attempt to come into compliance before the end of the current program 
year. If the Participant satisfies the requirements of paragraphs 
(d)(2)(ii)(A) or (B) of this section, SBA will reinstate the 
Participant's ability to get sole source 8(a) contracts prior to its 
annual review.
    (A) To qualify for reinstatement during the first six months of the 
current program year (i.e., at either the first or second quarterly 
review), the Participant must demonstrate that it has received non-8(a) 
revenue and new non-8(a) contract awards that are equal to or greater 
than the dollar amount by which it failed to meet its non-8(a) business 
activity target for the just completed program year. For this purpose, 
SBA will not count options on existing non-8(a) contracts in determining 
whether a Participant has received new non-8(a) contract awards.
    (B) To qualify for reinstatement during the last six months of the 
current program year (i.e., at either the nine-month or one year 
review), the Participant must demonstrate that it has achieved its non-
8(a) business activity target as of that point in the current program 
year.


[[Page 534]]


    Example 1 to paragraph (d)(4).  Firm A had $10 million in total 
revenue during year 2 in the transitional stage (year 6 in the program), 
but failed to meet the minimum non-8(a) business activity target of 25 
percent. It had 8(a) revenues of $8.5 million and non-8(a) revenues of 
$1.5 million (15 percent). Based on total revenues of $10 million, Firm 
A should have had at least $2.5 million in non-8(a) revenues. Thus, Firm 
A missed its target by $1 million (its target ($2.5 million) minus its 
actual non-8(a) revenues ($1.5 million)). Because Firm A did not achieve 
its non-8(a) business activity target and SBA determined that it did not 
make good faith efforts to obtain non-8(a) revenue, it cannot receive 
8(a) sole source awards until correcting that situation. The firm may 
wait until the next annual review to establish that it has met the 
revised target, or it can choose to report contract awards and other 
non-8(a) revenue to SBA quarterly. Firm A elects to submit information 
to SBA quarterly in year 3 of the transitional stage (year 7 in the 
program). In order to be eligible for sole source 8(a) contracts after 
either its 3 month or 6 month review, Firm A must show that it has 
received non-8(a) revenue and/or been awarded new non-8(a) contracts 
totaling $1 million (the amount by which it missed its target in year 2 
of the transitional stage).
    Example 2 to paragraph (d)(4). Firm B had $10 million in total 
revenue during year 2 in the transitional stage (year 6 in the program), 
of which $8.5 million were 8(a) revenues and $1.5 million were non-8(a) 
revenues, and SBA determined that Firm B did not make good faith efforts 
to meet its non-8(a) business activity target. At its first two 
quarterly reviews during year 3 of the transitional stage (year 7 in the 
program), Firm B could not demonstrate that it had received at least $1 
million in non-8(a) revenue and new non-8(a) awards. In order to be 
eligible for sole source 8(a) contracts after its 9 month or 1 year 
review, Firm B must show that at least 35% (the non-8(a) business 
activity target for year 3 in the transitional stage) of all revenues 
received during year 3 in the transitional stage as of that point are 
from non-8(a) sources.
    Example 3 to paragraph (d)(4). Firm C elected to extend its 
participation in the 8(a) BD program as set forth in Sec.  124.2 of this 
chapter. Firm C had $10 million in total revenue during year 5 in the 
transitional stage (year 9 in the program), of which $8.5 million were 
8(a) revenues and $1.5 million were non-8(a) revenues, and SBA 
determined that Firm C did not make good faith efforts to meet its non-
8(a) business activity target. In order to be eligible for sole source 
8(a) contracts during year 6 of the transitional stage (year 10 in the 
program), Firm C must demonstrate at its first or second quarterly 
review that it had received at least $3.5 million in non-8(a) revenue 
and new non-8(a) awards (the amount by which it failed to meet the 50% 
non-8(a) business activity target for year 5 in the transitional stage). 
If, at its first two quarterly reviews during year 6 of the transitional 
stage (year 10 in the program), Firm C could not demonstrate that it had 
received at least $3.5 million in non-8(a) revenue and new non-8(a) 
awards, Firm C would not be eligible for sole source 8(a) contracts for 
the remainder of its program term.

    (5) In determining whether a Participant has achieved its required 
non-8(a) business activity target at the end of any program year in the 
transitional stage, or whether a Participant that failed to meet the 
target for the previous program year has achieved the required level of 
non-8(a) business at its nine-month review, SBA will measure 8(a) 
support by adding the base year value of all 8(a) contracts awarded 
during the applicable program year to the value of all options and 
modifications executed during that year.
    (6) SBA may initiate proceedings to terminate a Participant from the 
8(a) BD program where the firm makes no good faith efforts to obtain 
non-8(a) revenues.
    (e) Waiver of sole source prohibition. (1) Despite a finding by SBA 
that a Participant did not make good faith efforts to meet its non-8(a) 
business activity target, SBA may waive the requirement prohibiting a 
Participant from receiving further sole source 8(a) contracts where a 
denial of a sole source contract would cause severe economic hardship on 
the Participant so that the Participant's survival may be jeopardized, 
or where extenuating circumstances beyond the Participant's control 
caused the Participant not to meet its non-8(a) business activity 
target.
    (2) SBA may waive the requirement prohibiting a Participant from 
receiving further sole source 8(a) contracts when the Participant does 
not meet its non-8(a) business activity target where the head of a 
procuring activity represents to SBA that award of a sole source 8(a) 
contract to the Participant is needed to achieve significant interests 
of the Government.
    (3) The decision to grant or deny a request for a waiver is at SBA's 
discretion, and no appeal may be taken with respect to that decision.

[[Page 535]]

    (4) A waiver generally applies to a specific sole source 
opportunity. If SBA grants a waiver with respect to a specific 
procurement, the firm will be able to self-market its capabilities to 
the applicable procuring activity with respect to that procurement. If 
the Participant seeks an additional sole source opportunity, it must 
request a waiver with respect to that specific opportunity. Where, 
however, a Participant can demonstrate that the same extenuating 
circumstances beyond its control affect its ability to receive specific 
multiple 8(a) contracts, one waiver can apply to those multiple contract 
opportunities.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45754, Sept. 4, 2009; 
76 FR 8261, Feb. 11, 2011; 85 FR 66189, Oct. 16, 2020; 86 FR 2533, Jan. 
13, 2021; 86 FR 38538, July 22, 2021; 88 FR 26208, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.510  What limitations on subcontracting apply to an 8(a) contract?

    (a) To assist the business development of Participants in the 8(a) 
BD program, there are limitations on the percentage of an 8(a) contract 
award amount that may be spent on subcontractors. The prime contractor 
recipient of an 8(a) contract must comply with the limitations on 
subcontracting at Sec.  125.6 of this chapter.
    (b) Indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contracts. In order 
to ensure that the required limitations on subcontracting requirements 
on an indefinite delivery or indefinite quantity 8(a) award are met by 
the Participant, the Participant cannot subcontract more than the 
required percentage to subcontractors that are not similarly situated 
entities for each performance period of the contract (i.e., during the 
base term and then during each option period thereafter). However, the 
contracting officer, in his or her discretion, may require the 
Participant to meet the applicable limitation on subcontracting or 
comply with the nonmanufacturer rule for each order.
    (1) This includes Multiple Award Contracts that were set-aside or 
partially set-aside for 8(a) BD Participants.
    (2) For orders that are set aside for eligible 8(a) Participants 
under full and open contracts or reserves, the Participant must meet the 
applicable limitation on subcontracting requirement and comply with the 
nonmanufacturer rule, if applicable, for each order.

[81 FR 34260, May 31, 2016]



Sec.  124.511  How is fair market price determined for an 8(a) contract?

    (a) The procuring activity determines what constitutes a ``fair 
market price'' for an 8(a) contract.
    (1) The procuring activity must derive the estimate of a current 
fair market price for a new requirement, or a requirement that does not 
have a satisfactory procurement history, from a price or cost analysis. 
This analysis may take into account prevailing market conditions, 
commercial prices for similar products or services, or data obtained 
from any other agency. The analysis must also consider any cost or 
pricing data that is timely submitted by SBA.
    (2) The procuring activity must base the estimate of a current fair 
market price for a requirement that has a satisfactory procurement 
history on recent award prices adjusted to ensure comparability. 
Adjustments will take into account differences in quantities, 
performance, times, plans, specifications, transportation costs, 
packaging and packing costs, labor and material costs, overhead costs, 
and any other additional costs which may be appropriate.
    (b) Upon the request of SBA, a procuring activity will provide to 
SBA a written statement detailing the method it has used to estimate the 
current fair market price for the 8(a) requirement. This statement must 
be submitted within 10 working days of SBA's request. The procuring 
activity must identify the information, studies, analyses, and other 
data it used in making its estimate.
    (c) The procuring activity's estimate of fair market price and any 
supporting data may not be disclosed by SBA to any Participant or 
potential contractor.
    (d) The concern selected to perform an 8(a) contract may request SBA 
to protest the procuring activity's estimate of current fair market 
price to the Secretary of the Department or head of the agency in 
accordance with Sec.  124.505.

[[Page 536]]



Sec.  124.512  Delegation of contract administration to procuring agencies.

    (a) SBA may delegate, by the use of special clauses in the 8(a) 
contract documents or by a separate agreement with the procuring 
activity, all responsibilities for administering an 8(a) contract to the 
procuring activity except the approval of novation agreements under 48 
CFR 42.302(a)(25). Tracking compliance with the performance of work 
requirements set forth in Sec.  124.510 is included within the functions 
performed by the procuring activity as part of contract administration.
    (b) This delegation of contract administration authorizes a 
contracting officer to execute any priced option or in scope 
modification without SBA's concurrence. The contracting officer must, 
however, submit copies to the SBA servicing district office of all 
modifications and options exercised within 15 business days of their 
occurrence, or by another date agreed upon by SBA.
    (c) SBA may conduct periodic compliance on-site agency reviews of 
the files of all contracts awarded pursuant to Section 8(a) authority.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8261, Feb. 11, 2011]



Sec.  124.513  Under what circumstances can a joint venture be awarded 
an 8(a) contract?

    (a) General. (1) A Participant may enter into a joint venture 
agreement with one or more other small business concerns, whether or not 
8(a) Participants, for the purpose of performing one or more specific 
8(a) contracts.
    (2) A joint venture agreement is permissible only where an 8(a) 
concern lacks the necessary capacity to perform the contract on its own, 
and the agreement is fair and equitable and will be of substantial 
benefit to the 8(a) concern. However, where SBA concludes that an 8(a) 
Participant brings very little to the joint venture relationship in 
terms of resources and expertise other than its 8(a) status, SBA will 
not approve the joint venture to receive an 8(a) sole source contract 
award and will find the joint venture to be ineligible for a competitive 
8(a) award if it is determined to be the apparent successful offeror.
    (3) As long as a joint venture qualifies as small under the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to a specific contract 
or order (see Sec.  124.513(b)), it will be eligible for award based on 
the status of its 8(a) managing venturer.
    (4) A Program Participant cannot be a joint venture partner on more 
than one joint venture that submits an offer for a specific 8(a) 
contract or for an 8(a) order under a multiple award contract that is 
not itself an 8(a) contract.
    (b) Size of concerns to an 8(a) joint venture. (1) A joint venture 
of at least one 8(a) Participant and one or more other business concerns 
may submit an offer as a small business for a competitive 8(a) 
procurement, or be awarded a sole source 8(a) procurement, so long as 
each concern is small under the size standard corresponding to the NAICS 
code assigned to the procurement.
    (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, a joint venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm and its 
approved mentor (see Sec.  124.520) will be deemed small provided the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] qualifies as small for the size standard 
corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract and has not 
reached the dollar limits set forth in Sec.  124.519.
    (3) SBA approval of a joint venture agreement pursuant to paragraph 
(e) of this section does not equate to a formal size determination. As 
such, despite SBA's approval of a joint venture, the size status of a 
joint venture that is the apparent successful offeror for a competitive 
8(a) contract may be protested pursuant to Sec.  121.1001(a)(2) of this 
chapter. See Sec.  124.517(b).
    (c) Contents of joint venture agreement. Every joint venture 
agreement to perform an 8(a) contract, including those between mentors 
and prot[eacute]g[eacute]s authorized by Sec.  124.520, must contain a 
provision:
    (1) Setting forth the purpose of the joint venture;
    (2) Designating an 8(a) Participant as the managing venturer of the 
joint venture, and designating a named employee of the 8(a) managing 
venturer as the manager with ultimate responsibility for performance of 
the contract (the ``Responsible Manager'').

[[Page 537]]

    (i) The managing venturer is responsible for controlling the day-to-
day management and administration of the contractual performance of the 
joint venture, but other partners to the joint venture may participate 
in all corporate governance activities and decisions of the joint 
venture as is commercially customary.
    (ii) The individual identified as the Responsible Manager of the 
joint venture need not be an employee of the 8(a) Participant at the 
time the joint venture submits an offer, but, if he or she is not, there 
must be a signed letter of intent that the individual commits to be 
employed by the 8(a) Participant if the joint venture is the successful 
offeror. The individual identified as the Responsible Manager cannot be 
employed by the mentor and become an employee of the 8(a) Participant 
for purposes of performance under the joint venture.
    (iii) Although the joint venture managers responsible for orders 
issued under an IDIQ contract need not be employees of the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute], those managers must report to and be supervised 
by the joint venture's Responsible Manager;
    (3) Stating that with respect to a separate legal entity joint 
venture the 8(a) Participant(s) must own at least 51% of the joint 
venture entity;
    (4) Stating that the 8(a) Participant(s) must receive profits from 
the joint venture commensurate with the work performed by the 8(a) 
Participant(s), or a percentage agreed to by the parties to the joint 
venture whereby the 8(a) Participant(s) receive profits from the joint 
venture that exceed the percentage commensurate with the work performed 
by the 8(a) Participant(s);
    (5) Providing for the establishment and administration of a special 
bank account in the name of the joint venture. This account must require 
the signature or consent of all parties to the joint venture for any 
payments made by the joint venture to its members for services 
performed. All payments due the joint venture for performance on an 8(a) 
contract will be deposited in the special account; all expenses incurred 
under the contract will be paid from the account as well;
    (6) Itemizing all major equipment, facilities, and other resources 
to be furnished by each party to the joint venture, with a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, where practical. If a contract is 
indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a 
multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope of work is 
not known, the joint venture must provide a general description of the 
anticipated major equipment, facilities, and other resources to be 
furnished by each party to the joint venture, without a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, or in the alternative, specify how 
the parties to the joint venture will furnish such resources to the 
joint venture once a definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (7) Specifying the responsibilities of the parties with regard to 
negotiation of the contract, source of labor, and contract performance, 
including ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure that 
the joint venture and the 8(a) partner(s) to the joint venture will meet 
the performance of work requirements set forth in paragraph (d) of this 
section, where practical. If a contract is indefinite in nature, such as 
an indefinite quantity contract or a multiple award contract where the 
level of effort or scope of work is not known, the joint venture must 
provide a general description of the anticipated responsibilities of the 
parties with regard to negotiation of the contract, source of labor, and 
contract performance, not including the ways that the parties to the 
joint venture will ensure that the joint venture and the 8(a) partner(s) 
to the joint venture will meet the performance of work requirements set 
forth in paragraph (d) of this section, or in the alternative, specify 
how the parties to the joint venture will define such responsibilities 
once a definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (8) Obligating all parties to the joint venture to ensure 
performance of the 8(a) contract and to complete performance despite the 
withdrawal of any member;
    (9) Designating that accounting and other administrative records 
relating to the joint venture be kept in the office of the 8(a) 
Participant managing

[[Page 538]]

venturer, unless approval to keep them elsewhere is granted by the 
District Director or his/her designee upon written request;
    (10) Requiring the final original records be retained by the 8(a) 
Participant managing venturer upon completion of the 8(a) contract 
performed by the joint venture;
    (11) Stating that quarterly financial statements showing cumulative 
contract receipts and expenditures (including salaries of the joint 
venture's principals) must be submitted to SBA not later than 45 days 
after each operating quarter of the joint venture; and
    (12) Stating that a project-end profit and loss statement, including 
a statement of final profit distribution, must be submitted to SBA no 
later than 90 days after completion of the contract.
    (d) Performance of work. (1) For any 8(a) contract, including those 
between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and a mentor authorized by Sec.  
124.520, the joint venture must perform the applicable percentage of 
work required by Sec.  124.510 of this chapter.
    (2) The 8(a) partner(s) to the joint venture must perform at least 
40% of the work performed by the joint venture.
    (i) The work performed by the 8(a) partner(s) to a joint venture 
must be more than administrative or ministerial functions so that the 
8(a) partners gain substantive experience.
    (ii) The amount of work done by the partners will be aggregated and 
the work done by the 8(a) partner(s) must be at least 40% of the total 
done by all partners. In determining the amount of work done by a non-
8(a) partner, all work done by the non-8(a) partner and any of its 
affiliates at any subcontracting tier will be counted.
    (e) Prior approval by SBA. (1) When a joint venture between one or 
more 8(a) Participants seeks a sole source 8(a) award, SBA must approve 
the joint venture prior to the award of the sole source 8(a) contract. 
SBA will not approve joint ventures in connection with competitive 8(a) 
awards (but see Sec.  124.501(g) for SBA's determination of Participant 
eligibility).
    (2) Where a joint venture has been established for one 8(a) 
contract, the joint venture may receive additional 8(a) contracts 
provided the parties create an addendum to the joint venture agreement 
setting forth the performance requirements for each additional award 
(and provided any contract is awarded within two years of the first 
award as set forth in Sec.  121.103(h)). If an additional 8(a) contract 
is a sole source award, SBA must also approve the addendum prior to 
contract award.
    (f) Capabilities, past performance, and experience. When evaluating 
the capabilities, past performance, experience, business systems, and 
certifications of an entity submitting an offer for an 8(a) contract as 
a joint venture established pursuant to this section, a procuring 
activity must consider work done and qualifications held individually by 
each partner to the joint venture as well as any work done by the joint 
venture itself previously. A procuring activity may not require the 8(a) 
Participant to individually meet the same evaluation or responsibility 
criteria as that required of other offerors generally. The partners to 
the joint venture in the aggregate must demonstrate the past 
performance, experience, business systems, and certifications necessary 
to perform the contract.
    (g) Contract execution. Where an 8(a) award will be made to a joint 
venture, the procuring activity will execute an 8(a) contract in the 
name of the joint venture entity or the 8(a) Participant, but in either 
case will identify the award as one to an 8(a) joint venture or an 8(a) 
mentor-protege joint venture, as appropriate.
    (h) Amendments to joint venture agreement. Where SBA has approved a 
joint venture for a sole source 8(a) contract, all amendments to the 
joint venture agreement must be approved by SBA.
    (i) Inspection of records. The joint venture partners must allow 
SBA's authorized representatives, including representatives authorized 
by the SBA Inspector General, during normal business hours, access to 
its files to inspect and copy all records and documents relating to the 
joint venture.
    (j) Certification of compliance. Prior to the performance of any 
8(a) contract by a joint venture, the 8(a) BD Participant to the joint 
venture must submit a written certification to the contracting

[[Page 539]]

officer and SBA, signed by an authorized official of each partner to the 
joint venture, stating as follows:
    (1) The parties have entered into a joint venture agreement that 
fully complies with paragraph (c) of this section; and
    (2) The parties will perform the contract in compliance with the 
joint venture agreement and with the performance of work requirements 
set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (3) For a sole source 8(a) contract, the parties have obtained SBA's 
approval of the joint venture agreement and any addendum to that 
agreement and that there have been no modifications to the agreement 
that SBA has not approved.
    (k) Performance of work reports. An 8(a) Participant to a joint 
venture must describe how it is meeting or has met the applicable 
performance of work requirements for each 8(a) contract it performs as a 
joint venture.
    (1) As part of its annual review, the 8(a) Participant(s) to the 
joint venture must explain for each 8(a) contract performed during the 
year how the performance of work requirements are being met for the 
contract.
    (2) At the completion of every 8(a) contract awarded to a joint 
venture, the 8(a) Participant(s) to the joint venture must submit a 
report to the local SBA district office explaining how the performance 
of work requirements were met for the contract.
    (l) Basis for suspension or debarment. The Government may consider 
the following as a ground for suspension or debarment as a willful 
violation of a regulatory provision or requirement applicable to a 
public agreement or transaction:
    (1) Failure to enter a joint venture agreement that complies with 
paragraph (c) of this section;
    (2) Failure to perform a contract in accordance with the joint 
venture agreement or performance of work requirements in paragraph (d) 
of this section; or
    (3) Failure to submit the certification required by paragraph (e) of 
this section or comply with paragraph (i) of this section.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 29208, May 21, 2004; 76 
FR 8261, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 FR 28238, May 14, 2012; 81 FR 34261, May 31, 
2016; 81 FR 48582, July 25, 2016; 81 FR 71983, Oct. 19, 2016; 85 FR 
66190, Oct. 16, 2020; 86 FR 2959, Jan. 14, 2021; 88 FR 26208, Apr. 27, 
2023]



Sec.  124.514  Exercise of 8(a) options and modifications.

    (a) Unpriced options. The exercise of an unpriced option is 
considered to be a new contracting action.
    (1) If a concern has graduated or been terminated from the 8(a) BD 
program or is no longer small under the size standard corresponding to 
the NAICS code for the requirement, negotiations to price the option 
cannot be entered into and the option cannot be exercised.
    (2) If the concern is still a Participant and otherwise eligible for 
the requirement on a sole source basis, the procuring activity 
contracting officer may negotiate price and exercise the option provided 
the option, considered a new contracting action, meets all regulatory 
requirements, including the procuring activity's offering and SBA's 
acceptance of the requirement for the 8(a) BD program.
    (3) If the estimated fair market price of the option exceeds the 
applicable threshold amount set forth in Sec.  124.506, the requirement 
must be competed as a new contract among eligible Participants.
    (b) Priced options. Except as set forth in Sec.  124.521(e)(2), the 
procuring activity contracting officer may exercise a priced option to 
an 8(a) contract whether the concern that received the award has 
graduated or been terminated from the 8(a) BD program or is no longer 
eligible if to do so is in the best interests of the Government.
    (c) Modifications beyond the scope. A modification beyond the scope 
of the initial 8(a) contract award is considered to be a new contracting 
action. It will be treated the same as an unpriced option as described 
in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (d) Modifications within the scope. The procuring activity 
contracting officer may exercise a modification within the

[[Page 540]]

scope of the initial 8(a) contract whether the concern that received the 
award has graduated or been terminated from the 8(a) BD program or is no 
longer eligible if to do so is in the best interests of the Government.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 85 FR 66191, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.515  Can a Participant change its ownership or control and continue 
to perform an 8(a) contract, and can it transfer performance to another firm?

    (a) An 8(a) contract (or 8(a) order where the underlying contract is 
not an 8(a) contract) must be performed by the Participant that 
initially received it unless a waiver is granted under paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (1) An 8(a) contract or order, whether in the base or an option 
year, must be terminated for the convenience of the Government if one or 
more of the individuals upon whom eligibility for the 8(a) BD program 
was based relinquishes or enters into any agreement to relinquish 
ownership or control of the Participant such that the Participant would 
no longer be controlled or at least 51% owned by disadvantaged 
individuals.
    (2) The procuring activity may not assess repurchase costs or other 
damages against the Participant due solely to the provisions of this 
section.
    (b) The SBA Administrator may waive the requirements of paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section if requested to do so by the 8(a) contractor 
when:
    (1) It is necessary for the owners of the concern to surrender 
partial control of such concern on a temporary basis in order to obtain 
equity financing;
    (2) Ownership and control of the concern that is performing the 8(a) 
contract will pass to another Participant, but only if the acquiring 
firm would otherwise be eligible to receive the award directly as an 
8(a) contract;
    (3) Any individual upon whom eligibility was based is no longer able 
to exercise control of the concern due to physical or mental incapacity 
or death;
    (4) The head of the procuring agency, or an official with delegated 
authority from the agency head, certifies that termination of the 
contract would severely impair attainment of the agency's program 
objectives or missions; or
    (5) It is necessary for the disadvantaged owners of the initial 8(a) 
awardee to relinquish ownership of a majority of the voting stock of the 
concern in order to raise equity capital, but only if--
    (i) The concern has graduated from the 8(a) BD program;
    (ii) The disadvantaged owners will maintain ownership of the largest 
single outstanding block of voting stock (including stock held by 
affiliated parties); and
    (iii) The disadvantaged owners will maintain control of the daily 
business operations of the concern.
    (c) The 8(a) contractor must request a waiver in writing prior to 
the change of ownership and control except in the case of death or 
incapacity. A request for waiver due to incapacity or death must be 
submitted within 60 calendar days after such occurrence.
    (1) A request for a waiver to the termination for convenience 
requirement must be sent to the AA/BD.
    (2) The Participant seeking to change ownership or control must 
specify the grounds upon which it requests a waiver and must demonstrate 
that the proposed transaction would meet such grounds.
    (3) If a Participant seeks a waiver based on the impairment of the 
agency's objectives under paragraph (b)(4) of this section, it must 
identify and provide a certification from the procuring agency relating 
to each 8(a) contract for which a waiver is sought.
    (4) SBA will process a request for waiver within 90 days of receipt 
of a complete waiver package by the AA/BD.
    (d) SBA determines the eligibility of an acquiring Participant under 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section by referring to the items identified in 
Sec.  124.501(g) and deciding whether at the time of the request for 
waiver (and prior to the transaction) the acquiring Participant is an 
eligible concern with respect to each contract for which a waiver is 
sought. As part of the waiver request, the acquiring concern must 
certify that it is a small business for the size standard corresponding 
to the NAICS

[[Page 541]]

code assigned to each contract for which a waiver is sought.
    (e) Anyone other than a procuring agency head who submits a 
certification regarding the impairment of the agency's objectives under 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section, must also certify delegated authority 
to make the certification.
    (f) In processing a request for a waiver under paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section, SBA will treat a transfer of all a Participant's operating 
assets to another Participant the same as the transfer of an ownership 
interest, provided the Participant that transfers its assets to another 
eligible Participant:
    (1) Voluntarily graduates from the 8(a) BD program; and
    (2) Ceases its business operations, or presents a plan to SBA for 
its orderly dissolution.
    (g) A concern performing an 8(a) contract must notify SBA in writing 
immediately upon entering into an agreement or agreement in principle 
(either oral or written) to transfer all or part of its stock or other 
ownership interest or assets to any other party. Such an agreement could 
include an oral agreement to enter into a transaction to transfer 
interests in the future.
    (h) The Administrator has discretion to decline a request for waiver 
even though legal authority exists to grant the waiver.
    (i) The 8(a) contractor may appeal SBA's denial of a waiver request 
by filing a petition with OHA pursuant to part 134 of this chapter 
within 45 days after the contractor receives the Administrator's 
decision.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 47246, July 18, 2002; 
81 FR 48584, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 66191, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26208, 
Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.516  [Reserved]



Sec.  124.517  Can the eligibility or size of a Participant for award 
of an 8(a) contract be questioned?

    (a) The eligibility of a Participant for a sole source or 
competitive 8(a) requirement may not be challenged by another 
Participant or any other party, either to SBA or any administrative 
forum as part of a bid or other contract protest.
    (b) The size status of the apparent successful offeror for a 
competitive 8(a) procurement may be protested pursuant to Sec.  
121.1001(a)(2) of this chapter. The size status of a nominated 
Participant for a sole source 8(a) procurement may not be protested by 
another Participant or any other party.
    (c) A Participant cannot appeal SBA's determination not to award it 
a specific 8(a) contract because the concern lacks an element of 
responsibility or is ineligible for the contract, other than the right 
set forth in Sec.  124.501(h) to request a formal size determination 
where SBA cannot verify it to be small.
    (d)(1) The NAICS code assigned to a sole source 8(a) requirement may 
not be challenged by another Participant or any other party either to 
SBA or any administrative forum as part of a bid or contract protest. 
Only the AA/BD may appeal a NAICS code designation with respect to a 
sole source 8(a) requirement.
    (2) In connection with a competitive 8(a) procurement, any 
interested party who has been adversely affected by a NAICS code 
designation may appeal the designation to SBA's OHA pursuant to Sec.  
121.1103 of this title.
    (e) Anyone with information questioning the eligibility of a 
Participant to continue participation in the 8(a) BD program or for 
purposes of a specific 8(a) contract may submit such information to SBA 
under Sec.  124.112(c).

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 45754, Sept. 4, 2009]



Sec.  124.518  How can an 8(a) contract be terminated before performance 
is completed?

    (a) Termination for default. A decision to terminate a specific 8(a) 
contract for default can be made by the procuring activity contracting 
officer after consulting with SBA. The contracting officer must advise 
SBA of any intent to terminate an 8(a) contract for default in writing 
before doing so. SBA may provide to the Participant any program benefits 
reasonably available in order to assist it in avoiding termination for 
default. SBA will advise the contracting officer of this effort. Any 
procuring activity contracting officer who believes grounds for 
termination continue to exist may terminate the 8(a)

[[Page 542]]

contract for default, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition 
Regulations (48 CFR chapter 1). SBA will have no liability for 
termination costs or reprocurement costs.
    (b) Termination for convenience. After consulting with SBA, the 
procuring activity contracting officer may terminate an 8(a) contract 
for convenience when it is in the best interests of the Government to do 
so. A termination for convenience is appropriate if any disadvantaged 
owner of the Participant performing the contract relinquishes ownership 
or control of such concern, or enters into any agreement to relinquish 
such ownership or control, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Sec.  
124.515.
    (c) Substitution of one 8(a) contractor for another. SBA may 
authorize another Participant to complete performance and, in 
conjunction with the procuring activity, permit novation of an 8(a) 
contract without invoking the termination for convenience or waiver 
provisions of Sec.  124.515 where a procuring activity contracting 
officer demonstrates to SBA that the Participant that was awarded the 
8(a) contract is unable to complete performance, where an 8(a) contract 
will otherwise be terminated for default, or where SBA determines that 
substitution would serve the business development needs of both 8(a) 
Participants.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 85 FR 66191, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.519  Are there any dollar limits on the amount of 8(a) contracts 
that a Participant may receive?

    (a) A Participant (other than one owned by an Indian Tribe, ANC, 
NHO, or CDC) may not receive sole source 8(a) contract awards where it 
has received a combined total of competitive and sole source 8(a) 
contracts in excess of $168,500,000 during its participation in the 8(a) 
BD program.
    (b) In determining whether a Participant has reached the limit 
identified in paragraph (a) of this section, SBA:
    (1) Looks at the 8(a) revenues a Participant has actually received, 
not projected 8(a) revenues that a Participant might receive through an 
indefinite delivery or indefinite quantity contract, a multiple award 
contract, or options or modifications; and
    (2) Will not consider 8(a) contracts awarded under the Simplified 
Acquisition Threshold.
    (c) Once the limit is reached, a firm may not receive any more 8(a) 
sole source contracts, but may remain eligible for competitive 8(a) 
awards.
    (d) A Participant's eligibility for a sole source award in terms of 
whether it has exceeded the dollar limit for 8(a) contracts is measured 
as of the date that the requirement is accepted for the 8(a) program 
without taking into account whether the value of that award will cause 
the limit to be exceeded.
    (e) The AA/BD may waive the requirement prohibiting a Participant 
from receiving sole source 8(a) contracts in excess of the dollar amount 
set forth in this section where the head of a procuring activity 
represents that award of a sole source 8(a) contract to the Participant 
is needed to achieve significant interests of the Government.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8262, Feb. 11, 2011; 77 
FR 28238, May 14, 2012; 85 FR 66191, Oct. 16, 2020; 87 FR 69154, Nov. 
17, 2022]



Sec.  124.520  Can 8(a) BD Program Participants participate in SBA's 
Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] program?

    (a) An 8(a) BD Program Participant, as any other small business, may 
participate in SBA's All Small Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] Program 
authorized under Sec.  125.9 of this chapter.
    (b) In order for a joint venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and 
its SBA-approved mentor to receive the exclusion from affiliation with 
respect to a sole source or competitive 8(a) contract, the joint venture 
must meet the requirements set forth in Sec.  124.513(c) and (d).

[85 FR 66191, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  124.521  What are the requirements for representing 8(a) status, 
and what are the penalties for misrepresentation?

    (a) Presumption of Loss Based on the Total Amount Expended. In every 
contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and 
development agreement, or grant which is

[[Page 543]]

set aside, reserved, or otherwise classified as intended for award to 
8(a) Participants, there shall be a presumption of loss to the United 
States based on the total amount expended on the contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, cooperative research and development agreement, 
or grant whenever it is established that a business concern other than 
an 8(a) Participant willfully sought and received the award by 
misrepresentation.
    (b) Deemed Certifications. The following actions shall be deemed 
affirmative, willful and intentional certifications of 8(a) status:
    (1) Submission of a bid or proposal for an 8(a) sole source or 
competitive contract.
    (2) Registration on any Federal electronic database for the purpose 
of being considered for award of a Federal grant, contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, or cooperative research and development 
agreement, as a small disadvantaged business (SDB).
    (c) Signature Requirement. Each offer for an 8(a) contract shall 
contain a certification concerning the 8(a) status of a business concern 
seeking the contract. An authorized official must sign the certification 
on the same page containing the 8(a) status claimed by the concern.
    (d) Limitation of Liability. Paragraphs (a)-(c) of this section may 
be determined not to apply in the case of unintentional errors, 
technical malfunctions, and other similar situations that demonstrate 
that a misrepresentation of 8(a) status was not affirmative, 
intentional, willful or actionable under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 
3729, et seq. A prime contractor acting in good faith should not be held 
liable for misrepresentations made by its subcontractors regarding the 
subcontractors' 8(a) status. Relevant factors to consider in making this 
determination may include the firm's internal management procedures 
governing representation or certification as an eligible 8(a) 
Participant, the clarity or ambiguity of the representation or 
certification requirement, and the efforts made to correct an incorrect 
or invalid representation or certification in a timely manner. An 
individual or firm may not be held liable where government personnel 
have erroneously identified a concern as an eligible 8(a) Participant 
without any representation or certification having been made by the 
concern and where such identification is made without the knowledge of 
the individual or firm.
    (e) Recertification. (1) Generally, a concern that is an eligible 
8(a) Participant at the time of initial offer or response, which 
includes price, for an 8(a) contract, including a Multiple Award 
Contract, is considered an 8(a) Participant throughout the life of that 
contract. For an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), 
Multiple Award 8(a) Contract, where concerns are not required to submit 
price as part of the offer for the contract, a concern that is an 
eligible 8(a) Participant at the time of initial offer, which may not 
include price, is considered an 8(a) Participant throughout the life of 
that contract. This means that if an 8(a) Participant is qualified at 
the time of initial offer for a Multiple Award 8(a) Contract, then it 
will be considered an 8(a) Participant for each order issued against the 
contract, unless a contracting officer requests a new 8(a) eligibility 
determination in connection with a specific order. Except as set forth 
in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, where a concern later fails to 
qualify as an 8(a) Participant, the procuring agency may exercise 
options and still count the award as an award to a Small Disadvantaged 
Business (SDB).
    (i) Where an 8(a) contract is novated to another business concern, 
or where the concern performing the 8(a) contract is acquired by, 
acquires, or merges with another concern and contract novation is not 
required, the concern must comply with the process outlined at 
Sec. Sec.  124.105(i) and 124.515.
    (ii) Where an 8(a) Participant that was initially awarded a non-8(a) 
contract that is subsequently novated to another business concern, the 
concern that will continue performance on the contract must certify its 
SDB status to the procuring agency, or inform the procuring agency that 
it does not qualify as an SDB, within 30 days of the novation approval. 
If the concern is not an SDB, the agency can no longer

[[Page 544]]

count the options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, from that 
point forward, towards its SDB goals.
    (iii) Where an 8(a) Participant receives a non-8(a) contract, and 
that Participant acquires, is acquired by, or merges with another 
concern and contract novation is not required, the concern must, within 
30 days of the transaction becoming final, recertify its SDB status to 
the procuring agency, or inform the procuring agency that it no longer 
qualifies as an SDB. If the contractor is no longer a current 8(a) 
Participant, the contractor is not eligible for orders limited to 8(a) 
awardees. If the contractor is not an SDB, the agency can no longer 
count the options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, from that 
point forward, towards its SDB goals. The agency and the contractor must 
immediately revise all applicable Federal contract databases for which 
they directly certify information to reflect the new status.
    (2) For the purposes of 8(a) contracts (including Multiple Award 
Contracts) with durations of more than five years (including options), a 
contracting officer must verify in SAM.gov (or successor system) whether 
a business concern continues to be an eligible 8(a) Participant no more 
than 120 days prior to the end of the fifth year of the contract, and no 
more than 120 days prior to exercising any option thereafter. Where a 
concern fails to qualify or will no longer qualify as an eligible 8(a) 
Participant at any point during the 120 days prior to the end of the 
fifth year of the contract, the option shall not be exercised.
    (3) Recertification does not change the terms and conditions of the 
contract. The limitations on subcontracting, nonmanufacturer and 
subcontracting plan requirements in effect at the time of contract award 
remain in effect throughout the life of the contract.
    (4) Where the contracting officer explicitly requires concerns to 
qualify as eligible 8(a) Participants in response to a solicitation for 
an order, SBA will determine eligibility as of the date the concern 
submits its self-representation as part of its response to the 
solicitation for the order.
    (5) A concern's status will be determined at the time of a response 
to a solicitation for a basic ordering agreement (BOA), basic agreement 
(BA), or blanket purchase agreement (BPA) and each order issued pursuant 
to the BOA, BA, or BPA.

[78 FR 38818, June 28, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 65661, Nov. 29, 2019; 
85 FR 66191, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26209, Apr. 27, 2023]

                  Miscellaneous Reporting Requirements



Sec.  124.601  What reports does SBA require concerning parties who assist 
Participants in obtaining federal contracts?

    (a) Each Participant must submit semi-annually a written report to 
its assigned BOS that includes a listing of any agents, representatives, 
attorneys, accountants, consultants and other parties (other than 
employees) receiving fees, commissions, or compensation of any kind to 
assist such Participant in obtaining or seeking to obtain a Federal 
contract. The listing must indicate the amount of compensation paid and 
a description of the activities performed for such compensation.
    (b) Failure to submit the report is good cause for the initiation of 
a termination proceeding pursuant to Sec. Sec.  124.303 and 124.304.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8264, Feb. 11, 2011]



Sec.  124.602  What kind of annual financial statement must a Participant 
submit to SBA?

    (a) Except as set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, 
Participants with gross annual receipts of more than $10,000,000 must 
submit to SBA audited annual financial statements prepared by a licensed 
independent public accountant within 120 days after the close of the 
concern's fiscal year.
    (1) Participants with gross annual receipts of more than $10,000,000 
which are owned by a Tribe, ANC, NHO, or CDC may elect to submit 
unaudited financial statements within 120 days after the close of the 
concern's fiscal year, provided the following additional documents are 
submitted simultaneously:

[[Page 545]]

    (i) Audited annual financial statements for the parent company owner 
of the Participant, prepared by a licensed independent public 
accountant, for the equivalent fiscal year;
    (ii) Certification from the Participant's Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer (or comparable positions) that each 
individual has read the unaudited financial statements, affirms that the 
statements do not contain any material misstatements, and certifying 
that the statements fairly represent the Participant's financial 
condition and result of operations.
    (2) In the first year that a Participant's gross receipts exceed 
$10,000,000, a Participant may provide an audited balance sheet, with 
the income and cash flow statements receiving the level of service 
required for the previous year (review or none, depending on sales the 
year before the audit is required).
    (3) The servicing SBA District Director may waive the requirement 
for audited financial statements for good cause shown by the 
Participant.
    (4) Circumstances where waivers of audited financial statements may 
be granted include, but are not limited to, the following:
    (i) The concern has an unexpected increase in sales towards the end 
of its fiscal year that creates an unforeseen requirement for audited 
statements;
    (ii) The concern unexpectedly experiences severe financial 
difficulties which would make the cost of audited financial statements a 
particular burden; and
    (iii) The concern has been a Participant less than 12 months.
    (b)(1) Participants with gross annual receipts between $2,000,000 
and $10,000,000 must submit to SBA reviewed annual financial statements 
prepared by a licensed independent public accountant within 90 days 
after the close of the concern's fiscal year.
    (2) The servicing SBA District Director may waive the requirement 
for reviewed financial statements for good cause shown by the 
Participant.
    (c) Participants with gross annual receipts of less than $2,000,000 
must submit to SBA an annual statement prepared in-house or a 
compilation statement prepared by a licensed independent public 
accountant, verified as to accuracy by an authorized officer, partner, 
limited liability member, or sole proprietor of the Participant, 
including signature and date, within 90 days after the close of the 
concern's fiscal year.
    (d) Any audited or reviewed financial statements submitted to SBA 
pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section must be prepared in 
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
    (e) While financial statements need not be submitted until 90 or 120 
days after the close of a Participant's fiscal year, depending on the 
receipts of the concern, a Participant seeking to be awarded an 8(a) 
contract between the close of its fiscal year and such 90 or 120-day 
time period must submit a final sales report signed by the CEO or 
President to SBA in order for SBA to determine the concern's eligibility 
for the 8(a) contract. This report must show a breakdown of 8(a) and 
non-8(a) sales.
    (f) Notwithstanding the amount of a Participant's gross annual 
receipts, SBA may require audited or reviewed statements whenever they 
are needed to obtain more complete information as to a concern's assets, 
liabilities, income or expenses, such as when the concern's capacity to 
perform a specific 8(a) contract must be determined, or when they are 
needed to determine continued program eligibility.
    (g) Participants owned by Tribes, ANCs, NHOs and CDCs may submit 
consolidated financial statements prepared by the parent entity that 
include schedules for each 8(a) Participant instead of separate audited 
financial statements for each individual 8(a) Participant. If one 
Participant must submit an audited financial statement, then the 
consolidated statement and the schedules for each 8(a) Participant must 
be audited.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 76 FR 8264, Feb. 11, 2011]



Sec.  124.603  What reports regarding the continued business operations 
of former Participants does SBA require?

    Former Participants must provide such information as SBA may request

[[Page 546]]

concerning the former Participant's continued business operations, 
contracts, and financial condition for a period of three years following 
the date on which the concern leaves the 8(a) BD program (either through 
the expiration of the firm's program term, graduation, or termination). 
Failure to provide such information when requested will constitute a 
violation of the regulations set forth in this part, and may result in 
the nonexercise of options on or termination of contracts awarded 
through the 8(a) BD program, debarment, or other legal recourse.

[63 FR 35739, June 30, 1998, as amended at 88 FR 26209, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  124.604  Report of benefits for firms owned by Tribes, 
ANCs, NHOs and CDCs.

    As part of its annual financial statement submission (see Sec.  
124.602), each Participant owned by a Tribe, ANC, NHO or CDC must submit 
to SBA information showing how the Tribe, ANC, NHO or CDC has provided 
benefits to the Tribal or native members and/or the Tribal, native or 
other community due to the Tribe's/ANC's/NHO's/CDC's participation in 
the 8(a) BD program through one or more firms. This data includes 
information relating to funding cultural programs, employment 
assistance, jobs, scholarships, internships, subsistence activities, and 
other services provided by the Tribe, ANC, NHO or CDC to the affected 
community.

[76 FR 8264, Feb. 11, 2011, as amended at 81 FR 48585, July 25, 2016]

               Management and Technical Assistance Program



Sec.  124.701  What is the purpose of the 7(j) management and 
technical assistance program?

    Section 7(j)(1) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 636(j)(1), 
authorizes SBA to enter into grants, cooperative agreements, or 
contracts with public or private organizations to pay all or part of the 
cost of technical or management assistance for individuals or concerns 
eligible for assistance under sections 7(a)(11), 7(j)(10), or 8(a) of 
the Small Business Act.



Sec.  124.702  What types of assistance are available through the 7(j) program?

    Through its private sector service providers, SBA may provide a wide 
variety of management and technical assistance to eligible individuals 
or concerns to meet their specific needs, including:
    (a) Counseling and training in the areas of financing, management, 
accounting, bookkeeping, marketing, and operation of small business 
concerns; and
    (b) The identification and development of new business 
opportunities.



Sec.  124.703  Who is eligible to receive 7(j) assistance?

    The following businesses are eligible to receive assistance from SBA 
through its service providers:
    (a) Businesses which qualify as small under part 121 of this title, 
and which are located in urban or rural areas with a high proportion of 
unemployed or low-income individuals, or which are owned by such low-
income individuals; and
    (b) Businesses eligible to receive 8(a) contracts.



Sec.  124.704  What additional management and technical assistance is reserved 
exclusively for concerns eligible to receive 8(a) contracts?

    In addition to the management and technical assistance available 
under Sec.  124.702, Section 7(j)(10) of the Small Business Act 
authorizes SBA to provide additional management and technical assistance 
through its service providers exclusively to small business concerns 
eligible to receive 8(a) contracts, including:
    (a) Assistance to develop comprehensive business plans with specific 
business targets, objectives, and goals;
    (b) Other nonfinancial services necessary for a Participant's growth 
and development, including loan packaging; and
    (c) Assistance in obtaining equity and debt financing.

[[Page 547]]



 Subpart B_Eligibility, Certification, and Protests Relating to Federal 
                  Small Disadvantaged Business Programs

    Source: 63 FR 35772, June 30, 1998, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  124.1001  What is a Small Disadvantaged Business?

    (a) General. A Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) for purposes of 
any Federal subcontracting program is a concern that qualifies as small 
under part 121 of this title for the size standard corresponding to the 
six-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 
that is assigned by the contracting officer to the procurement at issue, 
and that is owned and controlled by one or more socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals. Unless specifically stated 
otherwise, the phrase ``socially and economically disadvantaged 
individuals'' includes Indian tribes, ANCs, CDCs, and NHOs. A firm may 
represent that it qualifies as an SDB for any Federal subcontracting 
program if it believes in good faith that it is owned and controlled by 
one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
    (b) Reliance on 8(a) criteria. In determining whether a firm 
qualifies as an SDB, the criteria of social and economic disadvantage 
and other eligibility requirements established in subpart A of this part 
apply, including the requirements of ownership and control and 
disadvantaged status, unless otherwise provided in this subpart. All 
current Participants in the 8(a) BD program qualify as SDBs.

[85 FR 27292, May 8, 2020]



Sec.  124.1002  Reviews and protests of SDB status.

    (a) SBA may initiate the review of SDB status on any firm that has 
represented itself to be an SDB on a prime contract (for goaling 
purposes or otherwise) or subcontract to a federal prime contract 
whenever SBA receives credible information calling into question the SDB 
status of the firm.
    (b) Requests for an SBA review of SDB status may be forwarded to the 
Small Business Administration, Associate Administrator for Business 
Development (AA/BD), 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416.
    (c) The contracting officer or the SBA may protest the SDB status of 
a proposed subcontractor or subcontract awardee. Other interested 
parties may submit information to the contracting officer or the SBA in 
an effort to persuade the contracting officer or the SBA to initiate a 
protest. Such protests, in order to be considered timely, must be 
submitted to the SBA prior to completion of performance by the intended 
subcontractor.
    (1) SBA will request relevant information from the protested concern 
pertaining to: (i) the social and economic disadvantage of the 
individual(s) claiming to own and control the protested concern; (ii) 
the ownership and control of the protested concern; and (iii) the size 
of the protested concern.
    (2) The concern whose disadvantaged status is under consideration 
has the burden of establishing that it qualifies as an SDB.
    (3) Where SBA requests specific information and the concern does not 
submit it, SBA may draw adverse inferences against the concern.
    (4) SBA will base its SDB determination upon the record, including 
reasonable inferences from the record, and will state in writing the 
basis for its findings and conclusions.
    (d) Where SBA determines that a subcontractor does not qualify as an 
SDB, the prime contractor must not include subcontracts to that 
subcontractor as subcontracts to an SDB in its subcontracting reports, 
starting from the time that the protest was decided.

[88 FR 26209, Apr. 27, 2023]



PART 125_GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING PROGRAMS--Table of Contents



Sec.
125.1 What definitions are important to SBA's Government Contracting 
          Programs?
125.2 What are SBA's and the procuring agency's responsibilities when 
          providing contracting assistance to small businesses?
125.3 What types of subcontracting assistance are available to small 
          businesses?

[[Page 548]]

125.4 What is the Government property sales assistance program?
125.5 What is the Certificate of Competency Program?
125.6 What are the prime contractor's limitations on subcontracting?
125.7 Acquisition-related dollar thresholds.
125.8 What requirements must a joint venture satisfy to submit an offer 
          for a procurement or sale set aside or reserved for small 
          business?
125.9 What are the rules governing SBA's small business mentor-
          prot[eacute]g[eacute] program?
125.10 Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] programs of other agencies.
125.11 Past performance ratings for certain small business concerns.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(p), (q), 634(b)(6), 637, 644, 657f, 657q, 
657r, and 657s; 38 U.S.C. 501 and 8127.

    Source: 61 FR 3312, Jan. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  125.1  What definitions are important to SBA's Government 
Contracting Programs?

    Chief Acquisition Officer means the employee of a Federal agency 
designated as such pursuant to section 16(a) of the Office of Federal 
Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 414(a)).
    Commercial off-the-shelf item has the same definition as set forth 
in 41 U.S.C. 101 (as renumbered) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 
(FAR) 2.101 (48 U.S.C. 2.101).
    Consolidation of contract requirements, consolidated contract, or 
consolidated requirement means a solicitation for a single contract, a 
Multiple Award Contract, or Blanket Purchase Agreement to:
    (1) Satisfy two or more requirements of the Federal agency for goods 
or services that have been provided to or performed for the Federal 
agency under two or more separate contracts each of which was lower in 
cost than the total cost of the contract or agreement for which the 
offers are solicited, the total cost of which exceeds $2 million 
(including options), regardless of whether new work is added to the 
solicitation for the contract or agreement; or
    (2) Satisfy requirements of the Federal agency for construction 
projects to be performed at two or more discrete sites.
    Contract, unless otherwise noted, has the same definition as set 
forth in FAR 2.101 (48 U.S.C. 2.101) and includes orders issued against 
Multiple Award Contracts and orders competed under agreements where the 
execution of the order is the contract (e.g., a Blanket Purchase 
Agreement (BPA), a Basic Agreement (BA), or a Basic Ordering Agreement 
(BOA)).
    Contract bundling, bundled requirement, bundled contract, or 
bundling means the consolidation of two or more procurement requirements 
for goods or services previously provided or performed under separate 
smaller contracts into a solicitation of offers for a single contract, a 
Multiple Award Contract, or Blanket Purchase Agreement that is likely to 
be unsuitable for award to a small business concern (but may be suitable 
for award to a small business with a Small Business Teaming 
Arrangement), regardless of whether new work is added to the 
solicitation for the contract or agreement, due to:
    (1) The diversity, size, or specialized nature of the elements of 
the performance specified;
    (2) The aggregate dollar value of the anticipated award;
    (3) The geographical dispersion of the contract performance sites; 
or
    (4) Any combination of the factors described in paragraphs (1), (2), 
and (3) of this definition.
    Cost of materials means costs of the items purchased, handling and 
associated shipping costs for the purchased items (which includes raw 
materials), commercial off-the-shelf items (and similar common supply 
items or commercial products that require additional manufacturing, 
modification or integration to become end items), special tooling, 
special testing equipment, and construction equipment purchased for and 
required to perform on the contract. In the case of a supply contract, 
cost of materials includes the acquisition of services or products from 
outside sources following normal commercial practices within the 
industry.
    Covered territory business means a small business concern that has 
its principal office located in one of the following:
    (1) The United States Virgin Islands;
    (2) American Samoa;
    (3) Guam; or

[[Page 549]]

    (4) The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contract means a 
Multiple Award Contract issued by GSA and includes the Federal Supply 
Schedules and other Multiple Award Schedules.
    Multiple Award Contract means a contract that is:
    (1) A Multiple Award Schedule contract issued by GSA (e.g., GSA 
Schedule Contract) or agencies granted Multiple Award Schedule contract 
authority by GSA (e.g., Department of Veterans Affairs) as described in 
FAR part 38 and subpart 8.4;
    (2) A multiple award task-order or delivery-order contract issued in 
accordance with FAR subpart 16.5, including Governmentwide acquisition 
contracts; or
    (3) Any other indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract 
entered into with two or more sources pursuant to the same solicitation.
    Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) or 
the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) means the office in each 
Federal agency having procurement powers that is responsible for 
ensuring that small businesses receive a fair proportion of Federal 
contracts in that agency. The office is managed by a Director, who is 
responsible and reports directly to the head of the agency or deputy to 
the agency (except that for DoD, the Director reports to the Secretary 
or the Secretary's designee).
    Partial set-aside (or partially set-aside) means, for a Multiple 
Award Contract, a contracting vehicle that can be used when: market 
research indicates that a total set-aside is not appropriate; the 
procurement can be broken up into smaller discrete portions or discrete 
categories such as by Contract Line Items, Special Item Numbers, Sectors 
or Functional Areas or other equivalent; and two or more small business 
concerns, 8(a) BD Participants, HUBZone SBCs, SDVO SBCs, WOSBs or 
EDWOSBs are expected to submit an offer on the set-aside part or parts 
of the requirement at a fair market price.
    Reserve means, for a Multiple Award Contract,
    (1) An acquisition conducted using full and open competition where 
the contracting officer makes--
    (i) Two or more contract awards to any one type of small business 
concern (e.g., small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO SBC, WOSB or EDWOSB) 
and competes any orders solely amongst the specified types of small 
business concerns if the ``rule of two'' or any alternative set-aside 
requirements provided in the small business program have been met;
    (ii) Several awards to several different types of small businesses 
(e.g., one to 8(a), one to HUBZone, one to SDVO SBC, one to WOSB or 
EDWOSB) and competes any orders solely amongst all of the small business 
concerns if the ``rule of two'' has been met; or
    (iii) One contract award to any one type of small business concern 
(e.g., small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO SBC, WOSB or EDWOSB) and 
subsequently issues orders directly to that concern.
    (2) An award on a bundled contract to one or more small businesses 
with a Small Business Teaming Arrangement.
    ``Rule of Two'' refers to the requirements set forth in Sec. Sec.  
124.506, 125.2(f), 125.19(c), 126.607(c) and 127.503 of this chapter 
that there is a reasonable expectation that the contracting officer will 
obtain offers from at least two small businesses and award will be made 
at fair market price.
    Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) means the employee of a Federal 
agency designated as such pursuant to section 16(c) of the Office of 
Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 414(c)).
    Separate contract means a contract or order (including those placed 
against a GSA Schedule Contract or an indefinite delivery, indefinite 
quantity contract) that has previously been performed by any business, 
including an other-than-small business or small business concern.
    Separate smaller contract means a contract that has previously been 
performed by one or more small business concerns or was suitable for 
award to one or more small business concerns.
    Similarly situated entity means a subcontractor that has the same 
small business program status as the prime

[[Page 550]]

contractor. This means that: For a HUBZone contract, a subcontractor 
that is a certified HUBZone small business concern; for a small business 
set-aside, partial set-aside, or reserve, a subcontractor that is a 
small business concern; for a SDVOSB contract, a subcontractor that is a 
certified SDVOSB; for a VOSB contract, a subcontractor that is a 
certified VOSB; for an 8(a) contract, a subcontractor that is a 
certified 8(a) BD Program Participant; for a WOSB or EDWOSB contract, a 
subcontractor that is a certified WOSB or EDWOSB. In addition to sharing 
the same small business program status as the prime contractor, a 
similarly situated entity must also be small for the NAICS code that the 
prime contractor assigned to the subcontract the subcontractor will 
perform.
    Single contract means any contract or order (including those placed 
against a GSA Schedule Contract or an indefinite delivery, indefinite 
quantity contract) resulting in one or more awardee(s).
    Small business concern owned and controlled by socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals means, for both SBA's 
subcontracting assistance program in 15 U.S.C. 637(d) and for the goals 
described in 15 U.S.C. 644(g), a small business concern unconditionally 
and directly owned by and controlled by one or more socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals.
    Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, for both SBA's 
subcontracting assistance program in 15 U.S.C. 637(d) and for the goals 
described in 15 U.S.C. 644(g), means:
    (1) Individuals who meet the criteria for social disadvantage in 
Sec.  124.103(a) through (c) of this chapter and the criteria for 
economic disadvantage in Sec.  124.104(a) and (c) of this chapter;
    (2) Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations that satisfy the 
ownership, control, and disadvantage criteria in Sec.  124.109 of this 
chapter;
    (3) Native Hawaiian Organizations that satisfy the ownership, 
control, and disadvantage criteria in Sec.  124.110 of this chapter; or
    (4) Community Development Corporations that satisfy the ownership 
and control criteria in Sec.  124.111 of this chapter.
    Subcontract or subcontracting means, except for purposes of Sec.  
125.3, that portion of the contract performed by a business concern, 
other than the business concern awarded the contract, under a second 
contract, purchase order, or agreement for any parts, supplies, 
components, or subassemblies which are not available commercial off-the-
shelf items, and which are manufactured in accordance with drawings, 
specifications, or designs furnished by the contractor, or by the 
government as a portion of the solicitation. Raw castings, forgings, and 
moldings are considered as materials, not as subcontracting costs. Where 
the prime contractor has been directed by the Government as part of the 
contract to use any specific source for parts, supplies, or components 
subassemblies, the costs associated with those purchases will be 
considered as part of the cost of materials, not subcontracting costs.
    Substantial bundling means any bundling that meets or exceeds the 
following dollar amounts (if the acquisition strategy contemplates 
multiple award contracts, orders placed under unrestricted multiple 
award contracts, or a Blanket Purchase Agreement issued against a GSA 
Schedule contract or a task or delivery order contract awarded by 
another agency, these thresholds apply to the cumulative estimated value 
of the Multiple Award Contracts, orders, or Blanket Purchase Agreement, 
including options):
    (1) $8.0 million or more for the Department of Defense;
    (2) $6.0 million or more for the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, the General Services Administration, and the Department 
of Energy; and
    (3) $2.5 million or more for all other agencies.

[78 FR 61134, Oct. 2, 2013, as amended at 81 FR 34261, May 31, 2016; 84 
FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019; 87 FR 50927, Aug. 19, 2022; 87 FR 73412, Nov. 
29, 2022; 88 FR 26209, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  125.2  What are SBA's and the procuring agency's responsibilities 
when providing contracting assistance to small businesses?

    (a)(1) General. The objective of the SBA's contracting programs is 
to assist small business concerns, including

[[Page 551]]

8(a) BD Participants, HUBZone small business concerns, Service-Disabled 
Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns, Women-Owned Small Businesses and 
Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses, in obtaining a 
fair share of Federal Government prime contracts, subcontracts, orders, 
and property sales. Therefore, these regulations apply to all types of 
Federal Government contracts, including Multiple Award Contracts, and 
contracts for architectural and engineering services, research, 
development, test and evaluation. Small business concerns must receive 
any award (including orders, and orders placed against Multiple Award 
Contracts) or contract, part of any such award or contract, any contract 
for the sale of Government property, or any contract resulting from a 
reverse auction, regardless of the place of performance, which SBA and 
the procuring or disposal agency determine to be in the interest of:
    (i) Maintaining or mobilizing the Nation's full productive capacity;
    (ii) War or national defense programs;
    (iii) Assuring that a fair proportion of the total purchases and 
contracts for property, services and construction for the Government in 
each industry category are placed with small business concerns; or
    (iv) Assuring that a fair proportion of the total sales of 
Government property is made to small business concerns.
    (2) One acceptable offer. If the contracting officer receives only 
one acceptable offer from a responsible small business concern in 
response to any small or socioeconomic set-aside, the contracting 
officer should make an award to that firm.
    (b) SBA's responsibilities in the acquisition planning process--(1) 
SBA Procurement Center Representative (PCR) Responsibilities--
    (i) PCR Review--(A) SBA has PCRs who are generally located at 
Federal agencies and buying activities which have major contracting 
programs. At the SBA's discretion, PCRs may review any acquisition to 
determine whether a set-aside or sole-source award to a small business 
under one of SBA's programs is appropriate and to identify alternative 
strategies to maximize the participation of small businesses in the 
procurement. PCRs also advocate for the maximum practicable utilization 
of small business concerns in Federal contracting, including by 
advocating against the consolidation or bundling of contract 
requirements, as defined in Sec.  125.1, and reviewing any justification 
provided by the agency for consolidation or bundling. This review 
includes acquisitions that are Multiple Award Contracts where the agency 
has not set-aside all or part of the acquisition or reserved the 
acquisition for small businesses. It also includes acquisitions where 
the agency has not set-aside orders placed against Multiple Award 
Contracts for small business concerns. Unless the contracting agency 
requests a review, PCRs will not review an acquisition by or on behalf 
of the Department of Defense if the acquisition is conducted for a 
foreign government pursuant to section 22 of the Arms Control Export Act 
(22 U.S.C. 2762), is humanitarian or civic assistance provided in 
conjunction with military operations as defined in 10 U.S.C. 401(e), is 
for a contingency operation as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13), is to be 
awarded pursuant to an agreement with the government of a foreign 
country in which Armed Forces of the United States are deployed, or 
where both the place of award and place of performance are entirely 
outside of the United States and its territories.
    (B) PCRs will work with the cognizant Small Business Specialist 
(SBS) and agency OSDBU or OSBP as early in the acquisition process as 
practicable to identify proposed solicitations that involve bundling, 
and with the agency acquisition officials to revise the acquisition 
strategies for such proposed solicitations, where appropriate, to 
increase the probability of participation by small businesses, including 
small business contract teams and Small Business Teaming Arrangements, 
as prime contractors.
    (C) In conjunction with their duties to promote the set-aside of 
procurements for small business, PCRs may identify small businesses that 
are capable of performing particular requirements.

[[Page 552]]

    (D) PCRs will also ensure that any Federal agency decision made 
concerning the consolidation of contract requirements considers the use 
of small businesses and ways to provide small businesses with maximum 
opportunities to participate as prime contractors and subcontractors in 
the acquisition or sale of real property.
    (E) PCRs will review whether, for bundled and consolidated contracts 
that are recompeted, the amount of savings and benefits was achieved 
under the prior bundling or consolidation of contract requirements, that 
such savings and benefits will continue to be realized if the contract 
remains bundled or consolidated, or such savings and benefits would be 
greater if the procurement requirements were divided into separate 
solicitations suitable for award to small business concerns.
    (F) PCRs also advocate competitive procedures and recommend the 
breakout for competition of items and requirements which previously have 
not been competed when appropriate. They may appeal the failure by the 
buying activity to act favorably on a recommendation in accord with the 
appeal procedures in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. PCRs also review 
restrictions and obstacles to competition and make recommendations for 
improvement.
    (ii) PCR recommendations. The PCR must recommend to the procuring 
activity alternative procurement methods that would increase small 
business prime contract participation if a PCR believes that a proposed 
procurement includes in its statement of work goods or services 
currently being performed by a small business and is in a quantity or 
estimated dollar value the magnitude of which renders small business 
prime contract participation unlikely; will render small business prime 
contract participation unlikely (e.g., ensure geographical preferences 
are justified); or is for construction and seeks to package or 
consolidate discrete construction projects. If a PCR does not believe a 
bundled or consolidated requirement is necessary or justified the PCR 
shall advocate against the consolidation or bundling of such requirement 
and recommend to the procuring activity alternative procurement methods 
which would increase small business prime contract participation. Such 
alternatives may include:
    (A) Breaking up the procurement into smaller discrete procurements, 
especially construction acquisitions that can be procured as separate 
projects;
    (B) Breaking out one or more discrete components, for which a small 
business set-aside may be appropriate;
    (C) Reserving one or more awards for small businesses when issuing 
Multiple Award Contracts;
    (D) Using a partial set-aside;
    (E) Stating in the solicitation for a Multiple Award Contract that 
the orders will be set-aside for small businesses; and
    (F) Where the bundled or consolidated requirement is necessary and 
justified, the PCR will work with the procuring activity to tailor a 
strategy that preserves small business contract participation to the 
maximum extent practicable.
    (iii) PCR Recommendations for Small Business Teaming Arrangements 
and Subcontracting. The PCR will work to ensure that small business 
participation is maximized both at the prime contract level such as 
through Small Business Teaming Arrangements and through subcontracting 
opportunities. This may include the subcontracting considerations in 
source selections set forth in Sec.  125.3(g), as well as the following:
    (A) Reviewing an agency's oversight of its subcontracting program, 
including its overall and individual assessment of a contractor's 
compliance with its small business subcontracting plans. The PCR will 
furnish a copy of the information to the SBA Commercial Market 
Representative (CMR) servicing the contractor;
    (B) Recommending that the solicitation and resultant contract 
specifically state the small business subcontracting goals that are 
expected of the contractor awardee;
    (C) Recommending that the small business subcontracting goals be 
based on total contract dollars in addition to goals based on a 
percentage of total subcontracted dollars;
    (D) Recommending that separate evaluation factors be established for

[[Page 553]]

evaluating the offerors' proposed approach to small business 
subcontracting participation in the subject procurement, the extent to 
which the offeror has met its small business subcontracting goals on 
previous contracts; and/or the extent to which the offeror actually paid 
small business subcontractors within the specified number of days;
    (E) Recommending that a contracting officer include an evaluation 
factor in a solicitation which evaluates an offeror's commitment to pay 
small business subcontractors within a specified number of days after 
receipt of payment from the Government for goods and services previously 
rendered by the small business subcontractor. The contracting officer 
will comparatively evaluate the proposed timelines. Such a commitment 
shall become a material part of the contract. The contracting officer 
must consider the contractor's compliance with the commitment in 
evaluating performance, including for purposes of contract continuation 
(such as exercising options);
    (F) For bundled and consolidated requirements, recommending that a 
separate evaluation factor with significant weight be established for 
evaluating the offeror's proposed approach to small business 
utilization, the extent to which the offeror has met its small business 
subcontracting goals on previous contracts; and the extent to which the 
other than small business offeror actually paid small business 
subcontractors within the specified number of days;
    (G) For bundled or consolidated requirements, recommending the 
solicitation state that the agency must evaluate offers from teams of 
small businesses the same as other offers, with due consideration to the 
capabilities and past performance of all proposed subcontractors. It may 
also include recommending that the agency reserve at least one award to 
a small business prime contractor with a Small Business Teaming 
Arrangement;
    (H) For Multiple Award Contracts and multiple award requirements 
above the substantial bundling threshold, recommending or requiring that 
the solicitation state that the agency will solicit offers from small 
business concerns and small business concerns with Small Business 
Teaming Arrangements;
    (I) For consolidated contracts, ensuring that agencies have provided 
small business concerns with appropriate opportunities to participate as 
prime contractors and subcontractors and making recommendations on such 
opportunities as appropriate; and
    (J) Recommending paragraphs (B) through (I) above apply to an 
ordering agency placing an order against a Multiple Award Contract or 
Agreement.
    (iv) PCRs will consult with the agency OSDBU regarding agency 
decisions to convert an activity performed by a small business concern 
to an activity performed by a Federal employee.
    (v) PCRs may receive unsolicited proposals from small business 
concerns and will transmit those proposals to the agency personnel 
responsible for reviewing such proposals. The agency personnel shall 
provide the PCR with information regarding the disposition of such 
proposal.
    (2) Appeals of PCR recommendations. In cases where there is 
disagreement between a PCR and the contracting officer over the 
suitability of a particular acquisition for a small business set-aside, 
partial set-aside or reserve, whether or not the acquisition is a 
bundled, substantially bundled or consolidated requirement, the PCR may 
initiate an appeal to the head of the contracting activity. If the head 
of the contracting activity agrees with the contracting officer, SBA may 
appeal the matter to the Secretary of the Department or head of the 
agency. The time limits for such appeals are set forth in FAR subpart 
19.5 (48 CFR 19.5).
    (c) Procuring Agency Responsibilities--(1) Requirement to Foster 
Small Business Participation. The Small Business Act requires each 
Federal agency to foster the participation of small business concerns as 
prime contractors and subcontractors in the contracting opportunities of 
the Government regardless of the place of performance of the contract. 
In addition, Federal agencies must ensure that all bundled and 
consolidated contracts contain the required analysis and justification 
and provide small business concerns with

[[Page 554]]

appropriate opportunities to participate as prime contractors and 
subcontractors. Agency acquisition planners must:
    (i) Structure procurement requirements to facilitate competition by 
and among small business concerns, including small business concerns 
owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, certified HUBZone 
small business concerns , 8(a) BD small business concerns (including 
those owned by ANCs, Indian Tribes and NHOs), and small business 
concerns owned and controlled by women;
    (ii) Avoid unnecessary and unjustified bundling of contracts or 
consolidation of contract requirements that inhibits or precludes small 
business participation in procurements as prime contractors;
    (iii) Follow the limitations on use of consolidated contracts;
    (iv) With respect to any work to be performed the amount of which 
would exceed the maximum amount of any contract for which a surety may 
be guaranteed against loss under 15 U.S.C. 694b, to the extent 
practicable, place contracts so as to allow more than one small business 
concern to perform such work;
    (v) Provide SBA the necessary information relating to the 
acquisition under review at least 30 days prior to issuance of a 
solicitation. This includes providing PCRs (to the extent allowable 
pursuant to their security clearance) copies of all documents relating 
to the acquisition under review, including, but not limited to, the 
performance of work statement/statement of work, technical data, market 
research, hard copies or their electronic equivalents of Department of 
Defense (DoD) Form 2579 or equivalent, and other relevant information. 
The DoD Form 2579 or equivalent must be sent electronically to the PCR 
(or if a PCR is not assigned to the procuring activity, to the SBA 
Office of Government Contracting Area Office serving the area in which 
the buying activity is located);
    (vi) Provide opportunities for the participation of small business 
concerns during acquisition planning processes and in acquisition plans; 
and
    (vii) Invite the participation of the appropriate Director of Small 
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization in acquisition planning processes 
and provide that Director with access to acquisition plans.
    (2) Requirement for market research. Each agency, as part of its 
acquisition planning, must conduct market research to determine the type 
and extent of foreseeable small business participation in the 
acquisition. In addition, each agency must conduct market research and 
any required analysis and justifications before proceeding with an 
acquisition strategy that could lead to a bundled, substantially 
bundled, or consolidated contract. The purpose of the market research 
and analysis is to determine whether the bundling or consolidation of 
the requirements is necessary and justified and all statutory 
requirements for such a strategy have been met. Agencies should be as 
broad as possible in their search for qualified small businesses, using 
key words as well as NAICS codes in their examination of the System for 
Award Management (SAM) and the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS), and 
must not place unnecessary and unjustified restrictions when conducting 
market research (e.g., requiring that small businesses prove they can 
provide the best scientific and technological sources) when determining 
whether to set-aside, partially set-aside, reserve or sole source a 
requirement to small businesses. During the market research phase, the 
acquisition team must consult with the applicable PCR (or if a PCR is 
not assigned to the procuring activity, the SBA Office of Government 
Contracting Area Office serving the area in which the buying activity is 
located) and the activity's Small Business Specialist.
    (3) Proposed Acquisition Strategy. A procuring activity must provide 
to the applicable PCR (or to the SBA Office of Government Contracting 
Area Office serving the area in which the buying activity is located if 
a PCR is not assigned to the procuring activity) at least 30 days prior 
to a solicitation's issuance:
    (i) A copy of a proposed acquisition strategy (e.g., DoD Form 2579, 
or equivalent) whenever a proposed acquisition strategy:

[[Page 555]]

    (A) Includes in its description goods or services the magnitude of 
the quantity or estimated dollar value of which would render small 
business prime contract participation unlikely;
    (B) Seeks to package or consolidate discrete construction projects;
    (C) Is a bundled or substantially bundled requirement; or
    (D) Is a consolidation of contract requirements;
    (ii) A written statement explaining why, if the proposed acquisition 
strategy involves a bundled or consolidated requirement, the procuring 
activity believes that the bundled or consolidated requirement is 
necessary and justified; the analysis required by paragraph (d)(2)(i) of 
this section; the acquisition plan; any bundling information required 
under paragraph (d)(3) of this section; and any other relevant 
information. The PCR and agency OSDBU or OSBP, as applicable, must then 
work together to develop alternative acquisition strategies identified 
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section to enhance small business 
participation;
    (iii) All required clearances for the bundled, substantially 
bundled, or consolidated requirement; and
    (iv) A written statement explaining why--if the description of the 
requirement includes goods or services currently being performed by a 
small business and the magnitude of the quantity or estimated dollar 
value of the proposed procurement would render small business prime 
contract participation unlikely, or if a proposed procurement for 
construction seeks to package or consolidate discrete construction 
projects--
    (A) The proposed acquisition cannot be divided into reasonably small 
lots to permit offers on quantities less than the total requirement;
    (B) Delivery schedules cannot be established on a basis that will 
encourage small business participation;
    (C) The proposed acquisition cannot be offered so as to make small 
business participation likely; or
    (D) Construction cannot be procured through separate discrete 
projects.
    (4) Procuring Agency Small Business Specialist (SBS) 
Responsibilities.
    (i) As early in the acquisition planning process as practicable--but 
no later than 30 days before the issuance of a solicitation, or prior to 
placing an order without a solicitation--the procuring activity must 
coordinate with the procuring activity's SBS when the acquisition 
strategy contemplates an acquisition meeting the dollar amounts set 
forth for substantial bundling. If the acquisition strategy contemplates 
Multiple Award Contracts or orders under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule 
Program or a task or delivery order contract awarded by another agency, 
these thresholds apply to the cumulative estimated value of the Multiple 
Award Contracts or orders, including options. The procuring activity is 
not required to coordinate with its SBS if the contract or order is 
entirely set-aside for small business concerns, or small businesses 
under one of SBA's small business programs, as authorized under the 
Small Business Act.
    (ii) The SBS must notify the agency OSDBU or OSBP if the agency's 
acquisition strategy or plan includes bundled or consolidated 
requirements that the agency has not identified as bundled, or includes 
unnecessary or unjustified bundling of requirements. If the strategy 
involves substantial bundling, the SBS must assist in identifying 
alternative strategies that would reduce or minimize the scope of the 
bundling.
    (iii) The SBS must coordinate with the procuring activity and PCR on 
all required determinations and findings for bundling and/or 
consolidation, and acquisition planning and strategy documentation.
    (5) OSDBU and OSBP Oversight Functions. The Agency OSDBU or OSBP 
must:
    (i) Conduct annual reviews to assess the:
    (A) Extent to which small businesses are receiving their fair share 
of Federal procurements, including contract opportunities under programs 
administered under the Small Business Act;
    (B) Adequacy of the bundling or consolidation documentation and 
justification; and
    (C) Adequacy of actions taken to mitigate the effects of necessary 
and justified contract bundling or consolidation on small businesses 
(e.g., review agency oversight of prime contractor

[[Page 556]]

subcontracting plan compliance under the subcontracting program);
    (ii) Provide a copy of the assessment under paragraph (c)(5)(i) of 
this section to the agency head and SBA's Administrator;
    (iii) Identify proposed solicitations that involve significant 
bundling of contract requirements, and work with the agency acquisition 
officials and the SBA to revise the procurement strategies for such 
proposed solicitations to increase the probability of participation by 
small businesses as prime contractors through Small Business Teaming 
Arrangements;
    (iv) Facilitate small business participation as subcontractors and 
suppliers, if a solicitation for a substantially bundled contract is to 
be issued;
    (v) Assist small business concerns to obtain payments, required late 
payment interest penalties, or information regarding payments due to 
such concerns from an executive agency or a contractor, in conformity 
with chapter 39 of Title 31 or any other protection for contractors or 
subcontractors (including suppliers) that is included in the FAR or any 
individual agency supplement to such Government-wide regulation;
    (vi) Cooperate, and consult on a regular basis with the SBA with 
respect to carrying out these functions and duties;
    (vii) Make recommendations to contracting officers as to whether a 
particular contract requirement should be awarded to any type of small 
business. The Contracting Officer must document any reason not to accept 
such recommendations and include the documentation in the appropriate 
contract file; and
    (viii) Coordinate on any acquisition planning and strategy 
documentation, including bundling and consolidation determinations at 
the agency level.
    (6) Communication on Achieving Goals. All Senior Procurement 
Executives, senior program managers, Directors of OSDBU or Directors of 
OSBP must communicate to their subordinates the importance of achieving 
small business goals and ensuring that a fair proportion of awards are 
made to small businesses.
    (d) Contract Consolidation and Bundling--(1) Limitation on the Use 
of Consolidated Contracts. (i) An agency may not conduct an acquisition 
that is a consolidation of contract requirements unless the Senior 
Procurement Executive or Chief Acquisition Officer for the Federal 
agency, before carrying out the acquisition strategy:
    (A) Conducts adequate market research;
    (B) Identifies any alternative contracting approaches that would 
involve a lesser degree of consolidation of contract requirements;
    (C) Makes a written determination, which is coordinated with the 
agency's OSDBU/OSBP, that the consolidation of contract requirements is 
necessary and justified;
    (D) Identifies any negative impact by the acquisition strategy on 
contracting with small business concerns; and
    (E) Ensures that steps will be taken to include small business 
concerns in the acquisition strategy.
    (ii) A Senior Procurement Executive or Chief Acquisition Officer may 
determine that an acquisition strategy involving a consolidation of 
contract requirements is necessary and justified.
    (A) A consolidation of contract requirements may be necessary and 
justified if the benefits of the acquisition strategy substantially 
exceed the benefits of each of the possible alternative contracting 
approaches identified under paragraph (d)(1)(i)(B).
    (B) The benefits may include cost savings and/or price reduction, 
quality improvements that will save time or improve or enhance 
performance or efficiency, reduction in acquisition cycle times, better 
terms and conditions, and any other benefits that individually, in 
combination, or in the aggregate would lead to: benefits equivalent to 
10 percent of the contract or order value (including options) where the 
contract or order value is $94 million or less; or benefits equivalent 
to 5 percent of the contract or order value (including options) or $9.4 
million, whichever is greater, where the contract or order value exceeds 
$94 million.
    (C) Savings in administrative or personnel costs alone do not 
constitute a

[[Page 557]]

sufficient justification for a consolidation of contract requirements in 
a procurement unless the expected total amount of the cost savings, as 
determined by the Senior Procurement Executive or Chief Acquisition 
Officer, is expected to be substantial in relation to the total cost of 
the procurement. To be substantial, such administrative or personnel 
cost savings must be at least 10 percent of the contract value 
(including options).
    (iii) Each agency must ensure that any decision made concerning the 
consolidation of contract requirements considers the use of small 
businesses and ways to provide small businesses with opportunities to 
participate as prime contractors and subcontractors in the acquisition.
    (iv) If the consolidated requirement is also considered a bundled 
requirement, then the contracting officer must instead follow the 
provisions regarding bundling set forth in paragraphs (d)(2) through (7) 
of this section.
    (v) Not later than 7 days after making a determination that an 
acquisition strategy involving a consolidation of contract requirements 
is necessary and justified under subparagraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, 
the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) or Chief Acquisition Officer 
(CAO), or designee, shall publish a notice on the Government Point of 
Entry (GPE) that such determination has been made. Any solicitation for 
a procurement related to the acquisition strategy shall not be issued 
earlier than 7 days after such notice is published. Along with the 
publication of the solicitation, the SPE or CAO (or designee) must 
publish in the GPE the justification for the determination, which shall 
include the information in paragraphs (d)(1)(i)(A) through (E) of this 
section.
    (2) Limitation on the Use of Contract Bundling.(i) When the 
procuring activity intends to proceed with an acquisition involving 
bundled or substantially bundled procurement requirements, it must 
document the acquisition strategy to include a determination that the 
bundling is necessary and justified, when compared to the benefits that 
could be derived from meeting the agency's requirements through separate 
smaller contracts.
    (ii) A bundled requirement is necessary and justified if, as 
compared to the benefits that the procuring activity would derive from 
contracting to meet those requirements if not bundled, it would derive 
measurably substantial benefits. The procuring activity must quantify 
the identified benefits and explain how their impact would be measurably 
substantial. This analysis must include quantification of the reduction 
or increase in price of the proposed bundled strategy as compared to the 
cumulative value of the separate contracts. The benefits may include 
cost savings and/or price reduction, quality improvements that will save 
time or improve or enhance performance or efficiency, reduction in 
acquisition cycle times, better terms and conditions, and any other 
benefits that individually, in combination, or in the aggregate would 
lead to:
    (A) Benefits equivalent to 10 percent of the contract or order value 
(including options), where the contract or order value is $94 million or 
less; or
    (B) Benefits equivalent to 5 percent of the contract or order value 
(including options) or $9.4 million, whichever is greater, where the 
contract or order value exceeds $94 million.
    (iii) Notwithstanding paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, the 
Senior Procurement Executives or the Under Secretary of Defense for 
Acquisition and Technology (for other Defense Agencies) in the 
Department of Defense and the Deputy Secretary or equivalent in civilian 
agencies may, on a non-delegable basis, determine that a bundled 
requirement is necessary and justified when:
    (A) There are benefits that do not meet the thresholds set forth in 
paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section but, in the aggregate, are critical 
to the agency's mission success; and
    (B) The procurement strategy provides for maximum practicable 
participation by small business.
    (iv) The reduction of administrative or personnel costs alone must 
not be a justification for bundling of contract requirements unless the 
administrative or personnel cost savings are expected to be substantial, 
in relation to the dollar value of the procurement to be

[[Page 558]]

bundled (including options). To be substantial, such administrative or 
personnel cost savings must be at least 10 percent of the contract value 
(including options).
    (v) In assessing whether cost savings and/or a price reduction would 
be achieved through bundling, the procuring activity and SBA must 
compare the price that has been charged by small businesses for the work 
that they have performed and, where available, the price that could have 
been or could be charged by small businesses for the work not previously 
performed by small business.
    (vi) The substantial benefit analysis set forth in paragraph 
(d)(2)(ii) of this section is still required where a requirement is 
subject to a Cost Comparison Analysis under OMB Circular A-76.
    (3) Limitations on the Use of Substantial Bundling. Where a proposed 
procurement strategy involves a Substantial Bundling of contract 
requirements, the procuring agency must, in the documentation of that 
strategy, include a determination that the anticipated benefits of the 
proposed bundled contract justify its use, and must include, at a 
minimum:
    (i) The analysis for bundled requirements set forth in paragraphs 
(d)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section;
    (ii) An assessment of the specific impediments to participation by 
small business concerns as prime contractors that will result from the 
substantial bundling;
    (iii) Actions designed to maximize small business participation as 
prime contractors, including provisions that encourage small business 
teaming for the substantially bundled requirement;
    (iv) Actions designed to maximize small business participation as 
subcontractors (including suppliers) at any tier under the contract or 
contracts that may be awarded to meet the requirements; and
    (v) The identification of the alternative strategies that would 
reduce or minimize the scope of the bundling, and the rationale for not 
choosing those alternatives (i.e., consider the strategies under 
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section).
    (4) Significant Subcontracting Opportunities in Justified 
Consolidated, Bundled and Substantially Bundled Requirements.
    (i) Where a justified consolidated, bundled, or substantially 
bundled requirement offers a significant opportunity for subcontracting, 
the procuring agency must designate the following factors as significant 
factors in evaluating offers:
    (A) A factor that is based on the rate of participation provided 
under the subcontracting plan for small business in the performance of 
the contract; and
    (B) For the evaluation of past performance of an offeror, a factor 
that is based on the extent to which the offeror attained applicable 
goals for small business participation in the performance of contracts.
    (ii) Where the offeror for such a contract qualifies as a small 
business concern, the procuring agency must give to the offeror the 
highest score possible for the evaluation factors identified above.
    (5) Notification to Current Small Business Contractors of Intent to 
Bundle. The procuring activity must notify each small business which is 
performing a contract that it intends to bundle that requirement with 
one or more other requirements at least 30 days prior to the issuance of 
the solicitation for the bundled or substantially bundled requirement. 
The procuring activity, at that time, should also provide to the small 
business the name, phone number and address of the applicable SBA PCR 
(or if a PCR is not assigned to the procuring activity, the SBA Office 
of Government Contracting Area Office serving the area in which the 
buying activity is located). This notification must be documented in the 
contract file.
    (6) Notification to Public of Rationale for Bundled Requirement. The 
head of a Federal agency must publish on the agency's Web site a list 
and rationale for any bundled requirement for which the agency solicited 
offers or issued an award. The notification must be made within 30 days 
of the agency's data certification regarding the validity and 
verification of data entered in that Federal Procurement Data Base to 
the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. However, to foster 
transparency in

[[Page 559]]

Federal procurement, the agency is encouraged to provide such 
notification before issuance of the solicitation.
    (7) Notification to public of rationale for substantial bundling. If 
the head of a contracting agency determines that an acquisition plan for 
a procurement involves a substantial bundling of contract requirements, 
the head of a contracting agency shall publish a notice on the GPE that 
such determination has been made not later than 7 days after making such 
determination. Any solicitation for a procurement related to the 
acquisition plan may not be published earlier than 7 days after such 
notice is published. Along with the publication of the solicitation, the 
head of a contracting agency shall publish in the GPE a justification 
for the determination, which shall include the following information:
    (i) The specific benefits anticipated to be derived from the 
bundling of contract requirements and a determination that such benefits 
justify the bundling;
    (ii) An identification of any alternative contracting approaches 
that would involve a lesser degree of bundling of contract requirements;
    (iii) An assessment of the specific impediments to participation by 
small business concerns as prime contractors that result from the 
bundling of contract requirements; and
    (iv) The specific actions designed to maximize participation of 
small business concerns as subcontractors (including suppliers) at 
various tiers under the contract or contracts that are awarded to meet 
the requirements.
    (8) Notification to SBA of Recompeted Bundled or Consolidated 
Requirement. For each bundled or consolidated contract that is to be 
recompeted (even if additional requirements have been added or deleted) 
the procuring agency must notify SBA's PCR as soon as possible but no 
later than 30 days prior to issuance of the solicitation of:
    (i) The amount of savings and benefits achieved under the prior 
bundling or consolidation of contract requirements;
    (ii) Whether such savings and benefits will continue to be realized 
if the contract remains bundled or consolidated; and
    (iii) Whether such savings and benefits would be greater if the 
procurement requirements were divided into separate solicitations 
suitable for award to small business concerns.
    (e) Multiple Award Contract--(1) General.(i) The contracting officer 
must set-aside a Multiple Award Contract if the requirements for a set-
aside are met. This includes set-asides for small businesses, 8(a) 
Participants, HUBZone SBCs, SDVO SBCs, WOSBs or EDWOSBs.
    (ii) The contracting officer in his or her discretion may partially 
set-aside or reserve a Multiple Award Contract, or set aside, or 
preserve the right to set aside, orders against a Multiple Award 
Contract that was not itself set aside for small business. The ultimate 
decision of whether to use any of the above-mentioned tools in any given 
procurement action is a decision of the contracting agency.
    (iii) The procuring agency contracting officer must document the 
contract file and explain why the procuring agency did not partially 
set-aside or reserve a Multiple Award Contract, or set-aside orders 
issued against a Multiple Award Contract, when these authorities could 
have been used.
    (2) Total Set-aside of Multiple Award Contracts.(i) The contracting 
officer must conduct market research to determine whether the ``rule of 
two'' can be met. If the ``rule of two'' can be met, the contracting 
officer must follow the procedures for a set-aside set forth in 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (ii) The contracting officer must assign a NAICS code to the 
solicitation for the Multiple Award Contract and each order pursuant to 
Sec.  121.402(c) of this chapter. See Sec.  121.404 for further 
determination on size status for the Multiple Award Contract and each 
order issued against that contract.
    (iii) When drafting the solicitation for the contract, agencies 
should consider an ``on-ramp'' provision that permits the agency to 
refresh the awards by adding more small business contractors throughout 
the life of the contract. Agencies should also consider the need to 
``off-ramp'' existing contractors that no longer qualify as small for 
the size standard corresponding to

[[Page 560]]

the NAICS code assigned to the contract (e.g., termination for 
convenience).
    (iv) A business must comply with the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6) and the nonmanufacturer rule 
(see Sec.  121.406(b)), if applicable, during each performance period of 
the contract (e.g., the base term and each subsequent option period). 
However, the contracting officer, in his or her discretion, may require 
the contractor perform the applicable amount of work or comply with the 
nonmanufacturer rule for each order awarded under the contract.
    (3) Partial Set-asides of Multiple Award Contracts.(i) A contracting 
officer may partially set-aside a multiple award contract when: market 
research indicates that a total set-aside is not appropriate; the 
procurement can be broken up into smaller discrete portions or discrete 
categories such as by Contract Line Items, Special Item Numbers, Sectors 
or Functional Areas or other equivalent; and two or more small business 
concerns, 8(a) BD Participants, HUBZone SBCs, SDVO SBCs, WOSBs or 
EDWOSBs are expected to submit an offer on the set-aside part or parts 
of the requirement at a fair market price. A contracting officer has the 
discretion, but is not required, to set-aside the discrete portions or 
categories for different small businesses participating in SBA's small 
business programs (e.g., CLIN 0001, 8(a) set-aside; CLIN 0002, HUBZone 
set-aside; CLIN 0003, SDVO SBC set-aside; CLIN 0004, WOSB set-aside; 
CLIN 0005 EDWOSB set-aside; CLIN 0006, small business set-aside). If the 
contracting officer decides to partially set-aside a Multiple Award 
Contract, the contracting officer must follow the procedures for a set-
aside set forth in paragraph (f) of this section for the part or parts 
of the contract that have been set-aside.
    (ii) The contracting officer must assign a NAICS code and 
corresponding size standard to the solicitation for the Multiple Award 
Contract and each order issued against the Multiple Award Contract 
pursuant to Sec.  121.402(c) of this chapter. See Sec.  121.404 for 
further determination on size status for the Multiple Award Contract and 
each order issued against that contract.
    (iii) A contracting officer must state in the solicitation that the 
small business will not compete against other-than-small businesses for 
any order issued against that part or parts of the Multiple Award 
Contract that are set-aside.
    (iv) A contracting officer must state in the solicitation that the 
small business will be permitted to compete against other-than-small 
businesses for an order issued against the portion of the Multiple Award 
Contract that has not been partially set-aside if the small business 
submits an offer for the non-set-aside portion. The business concern 
will not have to comply with the limitations on subcontracting (see 
Sec.  125.6) and the nonmanufacturer rule for any order issued against 
the Multiple Award Contract if the order is competed and awarded under 
the portion of the contract that is not set-aside.
    (v) When drafting the solicitation for the contract, agencies should 
consider an ``on ramp'' provision that permits the agency to refresh 
these awards by adding more small business contractors to that portion 
of the contract that was set-aside throughout the life of the contract. 
Agencies should also consider the need to ''off ramp'' existing 
contractors that no longer qualify as small for the size standard 
corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract (e.g., 
termination for convenience).
    (vi) The small business must submit one offer that addresses each 
part of the solicitation for which it wants to compete. A small business 
(or 8(a) Participant, HUBZone SBC, SDVO SBC or ED/WOSB) is not required 
to submit an offer on the part of the solicitation that is not set-
aside. However, a small business may choose to submit an offer on the 
part or parts of the solicitation that have been set-aside and/or on the 
parts that have not been set-aside.
    (vii) A small business must comply with the applicable limitations 
on subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6) and the nonmanufacturer 
rule (see Sec.  121.406(b)), if applicable, during each performance 
period of the contract (e.g., during the base term and then

[[Page 561]]

during option period thereafter). However, the contracting officer, in 
his or her discretion, may require the contractor perform the applicable 
amount of work or comply with the nonmanufacturer rule for each order 
awarded under the contract.
    (4) Reserves of Multiple Award Contracts Awarded in Full and Open 
Competition. (i) A contracting officer may reserve one or more awards 
for small business where:
    (A) The market research and recent past experience evidence that--
    (1) At least two small businesses, 8(a) BD Participants, HUBZone 
SBCs, SDVO SBCs, WOSBs or EDWOSBs could perform one part of the 
requirement, but the contracting officer was unable to divide the 
requirement into smaller discrete portions or discrete categories by 
utilizing individual Contract Line Items (CLINs), Special Item Numbers 
(SINs), Functional Areas (FAs), or other equivalent; or
    (2) At least one small business, 8(a) BD Participant, HUBZone SBC, 
SDVO SBC, WOSB or EDWOSB can perform the entire requirement, but there 
is not a reasonable expectation of receiving at least two offers from 
small business concerns, 8(a) BD Participants, HUBZone SBCs, SDVO SBCs, 
WOSBs or EDWOSBs at a fair market price for all the work contemplated 
throughout the term of the contract; or
    (B) The contracting officer makes:
    (1) Two or more contract awards to any one type of small business 
concern (e.g., small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO SBC, WOSB or EDWOSB) 
and competes any orders solely amongst the specified types of small 
business concerns if the ``rule of two'' or any alternative set-aside 
requirements provided in the small business program have been met;
    (2) Several awards to several different types of small businesses 
(e.g., one to 8(a), one to HUBZone, one to SDVO SBC, one to WOSB or 
EDWOSB) and competes any orders solely amongst all of the small business 
concerns if the ``rule of two'' has been met; or
    (3) One contract award to any one type of small business concern 
(e.g., small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO SBC, WOSB or EDWOSB) and 
subsequently issues orders directly to that concern.
    (ii) If the contracting officer decides to reserve a multiple award 
contract established through full and open competition, the contracting 
officer must assign a NAICS code to the solicitation for the Multiple 
Award Contract and each order issued against the Multiple Award Contract 
pursuant to Sec.  121.402(c) of this chapter. See Sec.  121.404 for 
further determination on size status for the Multiple Award Contract and 
each order issued against that contract.
    (iii) A contracting officer must state in the solicitation that if 
there are two or more contract awards to any one type of small business 
concern (e.g., small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO SBC, WOSB or EDWOSB), 
the agency may compete any orders solely amongst the specified types of 
small business concerns if the ``rule of two'' or an alternative set-
aside requirement provided in the small business program have been met.
    (iv) A contracting officer must state in the solicitation that if 
there are several awards to several different types of small businesses 
(e.g., one to 8(a), one to HUBZone, one to SDVO SBC, one to WOSB or 
EDWOSB), the agency may compete any orders solely amongst all of the 
small business concerns if the ``rule of two'' has been met.
    (v) A contracting officer must state in the solicitation that if 
there is only one contract award to any one type of small business 
concern (e.g., small business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVO SBC, WOSB or EDWOSB), 
the agency may issue orders directly to that concern for work that it 
can perform.
    (vi) A contracting officers may, but is not required to, set forth 
targets in the contract showing the estimated dollar value or percentage 
of the total contract to be awarded to small businesses.
    (vii) A small business offeror must submit one offer that addresses 
each part of the solicitation for which it wants to compete.
    (viii) Small businesses are permitted to compete against other-than-
small businesses for an order issued against the Multiple Award Contract 
if agency issued the small business a contract for those supplies or 
services.

[[Page 562]]

    (ix) A business must comply with the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6) and the nonmanufacturer rule 
(see Sec.  121.406(b)), if applicable, for any order issued against the 
Multiple Award Contract if the order is set aside or awarded on a sole 
source basis. However, a business need not comply with the limitations 
on subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6) and the nonmanufacturer 
rule for any order issued against the Multiple Award Contract if the 
order is competed amongst small and other-than-small business concerns.
    (5) Reserve of Multiple Award Contracts that are Bundled.
    (i) If the contracting officer decides to reserve a multiple award 
contract established through full and open competition that is a bundled 
contract, the contracting officer must assign a NAICS code to the 
solicitation for the Multiple Award Contract and each order issued 
against the Multiple Award Contract pursuant to Sec.  121.402(c) of this 
chapter. See Sec.  121.404 for further determination on size status for 
the Multiple Award Contract and each order issued against that contract.
    (ii) The Small Business Teaming Arrangement must comply with the 
applicable limitations on subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6) 
and the nonmanufacturer rule (see Sec.  121.406(b)), if applicable, on 
all orders issued against the Multiple Award Contract, although the 
cooperative efforts of the team members will be considered in 
determining whether the subcontracting limitations requirement is met 
(see Sec.  125.6(j)).
    (iii) Team members of the Small Business Teaming Arrangement will 
not be affiliated for the specific solicitation or contract (see Sec.  
121.103(b)(8)).
    (6) Set-aside of orders against Multiple Award Contracts.
    (i) Notwithstanding the fair opportunity requirements set forth in 
10 U.S.C. 2304c and 41 U.S.C. 4106(c), a contracting officer may set 
aside orders for small businesses, eligible 8(a) Participants, certified 
HUBZone small business concerns, SDVO small business concerns, WOSBs, 
and EDWOSBs against full and open Multiple Award Contracts. In addition, 
a contracting officer may set aside orders for eligible 8(a) 
Participants, certified HUBZone small business concerns, SDVO small 
business concerns, WOSBs, and EDWOSBs against total small business set-
aside Multiple Award Contracts, partial small business set-aside 
Multiple Award Contracts, and small business reserves of Multiple Award 
Contracts awarded in full and open competition. Although a contracting 
officer can set aside orders issued under a small business set-aside 
Multiple Award Contract or reserve to any subcategory of small 
businesses, contracting officers are encouraged to review the award 
dollars under the Multiple Award Contract and aim to make available for 
award at least 50% of the award dollars under the Multiple Award 
Contract to all contract holders of the underlying small business set-
aside Multiple Award Contract or reserve. However, a contracting officer 
may not further set aside orders for specific types of small business 
concerns against Multiple Award Contracts that are set-aside or reserved 
for eligible 8(a) Participants, certified HUBZone small business 
concerns, SDVO small business concerns, WOSBs, and EDWOSBs (e.g., a 
contracting officer cannot set-aside an order for 8(a) Participants that 
are also certified HUBZone small business concerns against an 8(a) 
Multiple Award Contract).
    (ii) The contracting officer may state in the solicitation and 
resulting contract for the Multiple Award Contract that:
    (A) Based on the results of market research, orders issued against 
the Multiple Award Contract will be set-aside for small businesses or 
any subcategory of small businesses whenever the ``rule of two'' or any 
alternative set-aside requirements provided in the small business 
program have been met; or
    (B) The agency is preserving the right to consider set-asides using 
the ``rule of two'' or any alternative set-aside requirements provided 
in the small business program, on an order-by-order basis.
    (iii) For the acquisition of orders valued at or below the 
simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), the contracting officer may set-
aside the order for

[[Page 563]]

small businesses, 8(a) BD Participants, HUBZone SBCs, SDVO SBCs, WOSBs 
or EDWOSBs in accordance with the relevant program's regulations. For 
the acquisition of orders valued above the SAT, the contracting officer 
shall first consider whether there is a reasonable expectation that 
offers will be obtained from at least two 8(a) BD Participants, HUBZone 
SBCs, SDVO SBCs, WOSBs or EDWOSBs in accordance with the program's 
regulations, before setting aside the requirement as a small business 
set-aside. There is no order of precedence among the 8(a) BD, HUBZone, 
SDVO SBC or WOSB programs.
    (iv) The contracting officer must assign a NAICS code to the 
solicitation for each order issued against the Multiple Award Contract 
pursuant to Sec.  121.402(c) of this chapter. See Sec.  121.404 for 
further determination on size status for each order issued against that 
contract.
    (v) A business must comply with applicable limitations on 
subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6) and the nonmanufacturer rule 
(see Sec.  121.406(b)), if applicable in the performance of each order 
that is set-aside against the contract.
    (7) Tiered evaluation of offers, or cascading. An agency cannot 
create a tiered evaluation of offers or ``cascade'' unless it has 
specific statutory authority to do so. This is a procedure used in 
negotiated acquisitions when the contracting officer establishes a 
tiered or cascading order of precedence for evaluating offers that is 
specified in the solicitation, which states that if no award can be made 
at the first tier, it will evaluate offers at the next lower tier, until 
award can be made. For example, unless the agency has specific statutory 
authority to do so, an agency is not permitted to state an intention to 
award one contract to an 8(a) BD Participant and one to a HUBZone SBC, 
but only if no awards are made to 8(a) BD Participants.
    (f) Contracting Among Small Business Programs--(1) Acquisitions 
Valued At or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The contracting 
officer shall set aside any acquisition with an anticipated dollar value 
exceeding the Micro-purchase Threshold but not exceeding the Simplified 
Acquisition Threshold (defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small 
business concerns when there is a reasonable expectation that offers 
will be obtained from at least two small business concerns that are 
competitive in terms of quality and delivery and award will be made at 
fair market prices. This requirement does not preclude a contracting 
officer from making an award to a small business under the 8(a) BD, 
HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB Programs.
    (2) Acquisitions Valued Above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. 
(i) The contracting officer shall set aside any acquisition with an 
anticipated dollar value exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold 
(defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small business concerns when 
there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at 
least two small business concerns that are competitive in terms of 
quality and delivery and award will be made at fair market prices. 
However, after conducting market research, the contracting officer shall 
first consider a set-aside or sole source award (if the sole source 
award is permitted by statute or regulation) under the 8(a) BD, HUBZone, 
SDVO SBC or WOSB programs before setting aside the requirement as a 
small business set-aside. There is no order of precedence among the 8(a) 
BD, HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB programs. The contracting officer must 
document the contract file with the rationale used to support the 
specific set-aside, including the type and extent of market research 
conducted. In addition, the contracting officer must document the 
contract file showing that the apparent successful offeror's 
certifications in the System for Award Management (SAM) (or successor 
system) and associated representations were reviewed.
    (ii) SBA believes that Progress in fulfilling the various small 
business goals, as well as other factors such as the results of market 
research, programmatic needs specific to the procuring agency, 
anticipated award price, and the acquisition history, will be considered 
in making a decision as to which program to use for the acquisition.
    (g) Capabilities, past performance, and experience. When an offer of 
a small

[[Page 564]]

business prime contractor includes a proposed team of small business 
subcontractors and specifically identifies the first-tier 
subcontractor(s) in the proposal, the head of the agency must consider 
the capabilities, past performance, and experience of each first tier 
subcontractor that is part of the team as the capabilities, past 
performance, and experience of the small business prime contractor if 
the capabilities, past performance, and experience of the small business 
prime does not independently demonstrate capabilities and past 
performance necessary for award.

[61 FR 3312, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998; 64 
FR 57370, Oct. 25, 1999; 65 FR 45833, July 26, 2000; 68 FR 60012, Oct. 
20, 2003; 74 FR 46887, Sept. 14, 2009; 75 FR 62281, Oct. 7, 2010; 76 FR 
63547, Oct. 12, 2011; 77 FR 1860, Jan. 12, 2012; 78 FR 61135, Oct. 2, 
2013; 81 FR 34261, May 31, 2016; 81 FR 48585, July 25, 2016; 84 FR 
65239, Nov. 26, 2019; 84 FR 65662, Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 66191, Oct. 16, 
2020; 88 FR 26210, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  125.3   What types of subcontracting assistance are available 
to small businesses?

    (a) General. The purpose of the subcontracting assistance program is 
to provide the maximum practicable subcontracting opportunities for 
small business concerns, including small business concerns owned and 
controlled by veterans, small business concerns owned and controlled by 
service-disabled veterans, certified HUBZone small business concerns, 
certified small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals, and small business concerns 
owned and controlled by women. The subcontracting assistance program 
implements section 8(d) of the Small Business Act, which includes the 
requirement that, unless otherwise exempt, other than small business 
concerns awarded contracts that offer subcontracting possibilities by 
the Federal Government in excess of $750,000, or in excess of $1,500,000 
for construction of a public facility, must submit a subcontracting plan 
to the appropriate contracting agency. The Federal Acquisition 
Regulation sets forth the requirements for subcontracting plans in 48 
CFR 19.7, and the clause at 48 CFR 52.219-9.
    (1) Subcontract under this section means a legally binding agreement 
between a contractor that is already under contract to another party to 
perform work and a third party (other than one involving an employer-
employee relationship), hereinafter referred to as the subcontractor, 
for the subcontractor to perform a part or all of the work that the 
contractor has undertaken.
    (i) Subcontract award data reported by prime contractors and 
subcontractors shall be limited to awards made to their immediate next-
tier subcontractors. Credit cannot be taken for awards made beyond the 
immediate next-tier, except as follows:
    (A) The contractor or subcontractor has been designated to receive a 
small business or small disadvantaged business credit from an ANC or 
Indian Tribe; or
    (B) Purchases from a corporation, company, or subdivision that is an 
affiliate of the prime contractor or subcontractor, or a joint venture 
in which the contractor is one of the joint venturers, are not included 
in the subcontracting base. Subcontracts by first-tier affiliates, and 
subcontracts by a joint venture in which the prime contractor is one of 
the joint venturers, shall be treated as subcontracts of the prime.
    (C) Where the subcontracting goals pertain only to a single contract 
with one Federal agency, the contractor may elect to receive credit for 
small business concerns performing as first-tier subcontractors or 
subcontractors at any tier pursuant to the subcontracting plans required 
under paragraph (c) of this section in an amount equal to the dollar 
value of work awarded to such small business concerns. The election must 
be recorded in the subcontracting plan. If the contractor elects to 
receive credit for subcontractors at any tier, the following 
requirements apply:
    (1) The prime contractor must incorporate the subcontracting-plan 
goals of their lower-tier subcontractors in its individual-
subcontracting-plan goals.
    (2) To receive credit for their subcontracting, lower-tier 
subcontractors must have their own individual subcontracting plans.

[[Page 565]]

    (3) The prime contractor and any subcontractor with a subcontracting 
plan are responsible for reporting on subcontracting performance under 
their contracts or subcontracts at their first tier. This reporting 
method applies to both individual subcontracting reports and summary 
subcontracting reports.
    (4) The prime contractor's performance under its individual 
subcontracting plan will be calculated by aggregating the prime 
contractor's first-tier subcontracting achievements with the 
achievements of the prime contractor's lower-tier subcontractors that 
have flow-down subcontracting plans.
    (5) If the subcontracting goals pertain to more than one contract 
with one or more Federal agencies, or to one contract with more than one 
Federal agency, the prime contractor shall receive credit only for 
first-tier subcontractors that are small business concerns. This 
restriction applies to all commercial plans, all comprehensive 
subcontracting plans with the Department of Defense, governmentwide 
contracts, and multi-agency contracts.
    (D) Other-than-small prime contractors and subcontractors with 
subcontracting plans shall report on their subcontracting performance on 
the Summary Subcontracting report (SSR) at their first tier only.
    (ii) Only subcontracts involving performance in the United States or 
its outlying areas should be included, with the exception of 
subcontracts under a contract awarded by the U.S. Department of State or 
any other agency that has statutory or regulatory authority to require 
subcontracting plans for subcontracts performed outside the United 
States and its outlying areas and subcontracts for foreign military 
sales unless waived in accordance with agency regulations.
    (iii) The following should not be included in the subcontracting 
base: internally generated costs such as salaries and wages; employee 
insurance; other employee benefits; payments for petty cash; 
depreciation; interest; income taxes; property taxes; lease payments; 
fines, claims, and dues; Original Equipment Manufacturer relationships 
during warranty periods (negotiated up front with product); utilities 
such as electricity, water, sewer, and other services purchased from a 
municipality or solely authorized by the municipality to provide those 
services in a particular geographical region; and philanthropic 
contributions. Utility companies may be eligible for additional 
exclusions unique to their industry, which may be approved by the 
contracting officer on a case-by-case basis. Exclusions from the 
subcontracting base include but are not limited to those listed above.
    (2) Subcontracting goals required under paragraph (c) of this 
section must be established in terms of the total dollars subcontracted 
and as a percentage of total subcontract dollars. However, a contracting 
officer may establish additional goals as a percentage of total contract 
dollars.
    (3) A prime contractor has a history of unjustified untimely or 
reduced payments to subcontractors if the prime contractor has reported 
itself to a contracting officer in accordance with paragraph (c)(5) of 
this section on three occasions within a 12 month period.
    (b) Responsibilities of prime contractors. (1) Prime contractors 
(including small business prime contractors) selected to receive a 
Federal contract that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, that 
will not be performed entirely outside of any state, territory, or 
possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and that is not for services which are 
personal in nature, are responsible for ensuring that small business 
concerns have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the 
performance of the contract, including subcontracts for subsystems, 
assemblies, components, and related services for major systems, 
consistent with the efficient performance of the contract.
    (2) A small business cannot be required to submit a formal 
subcontracting plan or be asked to submit a formal subcontracting plan, 
a small-business prime contractor is encouraged to provide maximum 
practicable opportunity to other small businesses to participate in the 
performance of the contract, consistent with the efficient performance 
of the contract. This applies whether the firm qualifies as a

[[Page 566]]

small business concern for the size standard corresponding to the NAICS 
code assigned to the contract, or is deemed to be treated as a small 
business concern by statute (see e.g., 43 U.S.C. 1626(e)(4)(B)).
    (3) Efforts to provide the maximum practicable subcontracting 
opportunities for small business concern may include, as appropriate for 
the procurement, one or more of the following actions:
    (i) Breaking out contract work items into economically feasible 
units, as appropriate, to facilitate small business participation;
    (ii) Conducting market research to identify small business 
subcontractors and suppliers through all reasonable means, such as 
performing online searches via the System for Award Management (SAM) (or 
any successor system), posting Notices of Sources Sought and/or Requests 
for Proposal on SBA's SUB-Net, participating in Business Matchmaking 
events, and attending pre-bid conferences;
    (iii) Soliciting small business concerns as early in the acquisition 
process as practicable to allow them sufficient time to submit a timely 
offer for the subcontract;
    (iv) Providing interested small businesses with adequate and timely 
information about the plans, specifications, and requirements for 
performance of the prime contract to assist them in submitting a timely 
offer for the subcontract;
    (v) Negotiating in good faith with interested small businesses;
    (vi) Directing small businesses that need additional assistance to 
SBA;
    (vii) Assisting interested small businesses in obtaining bonding, 
lines of credit, required insurance, necessary equipment, supplies, 
materials, or services;
    (viii) Utilizing the available services of small business 
associations; local, state, and Federal small business assistance 
offices; and other organizations; and
    (ix) Participating in a formal mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program 
with one or more small-business prot[eacute]g[eacute]s that results in 
developmental assistance to the prot[eacute]g[eacute]s.
    (c) Additional responsibilities of other than small contractors. (1) 
In addition to the responsibilities provided in paragraph (b) of this 
section, a prime contractor selected for award of a contract or contract 
modification that exceeds $750,000, or $1,500,000 in the case of 
construction of a public facility, is responsible for the following:
    (i) Submitting and negotiating before award an acceptable 
subcontracting plan that reflects maximum practicable opportunities for 
small businesses in the performance of the contract as subcontractors or 
suppliers at all tiers of performance. A prime contractor may submit a 
commercial plan, described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, instead 
of an individual subcontracting plan, when the product or service being 
furnished to the Government meets the definition of a commercial product 
or commercial service under 48 CFR 2.101;
    (ii) Making a good-faith effort to achieve the dollar and percentage 
goals and other elements in its subcontracting plan;
    (iii) The contractor may not prohibit a subcontractor from 
discussing any material matter pertaining to payment or utilization with 
the contracting officer;
    (iv) When developing an individual subcontracting plan (also called 
individual contract plan), the contractor must determine whether to 
include indirect costs in its subcontracting goals. A prime contractor 
must include indirect costs in its subcontracting goals if the contract 
exceeds $7.5 million. Below $7.5 million, a prime contractor may include 
indirect costs in its subcontracting plan at its option. If indirect 
costs are included in the goals, these costs must be included in the 
Individual Subcontract Report (ISR) in www.esrs.gov (eSRS) or 
Subcontract Reports for Individual Contracts (the paper SF-294, if 
authorized). Contractors may use a pro rata formula to allocate indirect 
costs to covered individual contracts, if the indirect costs are not 
already allocable to specific contracts. Regardless of whether the 
contractor has included indirect costs in the subcontracting plan, 
indirect costs must be included on a prorated basis in the Summary 
Subcontracting

[[Page 567]]

Report (SSR) in the eSRS system. A contractor authorized to use a 
commercial subcontracting plan must include all indirect costs in its 
subcontracting goals and in its SSR;
    (v) The contractor must assign to each subcontract, and to each 
solicitation, if a solicitation is utilized, the NAICS code and 
corresponding size standard that best describes the principal purpose of 
the subcontract (see Sec.  121.410 of this chapter). A formal 
solicitation is not required for each subcontract, but the contractor 
must provide some form of written notice of the NAICS code and size 
standard assigned to potential offerors prior to acceptance and award of 
the subcontract. The prime contractor (or subcontractor) may rely on a 
subcontractor's electronic representations and certifications, if the 
solicitation for the subcontract contains a clause which provides that 
the subcontractor verifies by submission of the offer that the size or 
socioeconomic representations and certifications are current, accurate 
and complete as of the date of the offer for the subcontract. Electronic 
submission may include any method acceptable to the prime contractor (or 
subcontractor) including, but not limited to, size or socioeconomic 
representations and certifications made in SAM (or any successor 
system). A prime contractor (or subcontractor) may not require the use 
of SAM (or any successor system) for purposes of representing size or 
socioeconomic status in connection with a subcontract;
    (vi) The contractor must submit timely and accurate ISRs and SSRs in 
eSRS (or any successor system), or if information for a particular 
procurement cannot be entered into eSRS (or any successor system), 
submit a timely SF-294, Subcontracting Report for Individual Contract. 
When a report is rejected by the contracting officer, the contractor 
must make the necessary corrections and resubmit the report within 30 
days of receiving the notice of rejection;
    (vii) The contractor must cooperate in the reviews of subcontracting 
plan compliance, including providing requested information and 
supporting documentation reflecting actual achievements and good-faith 
efforts to meet the goals and other elements in the subcontracting plan;
    (viii) The contractor must provide pre-award written notification to 
unsuccessful small business offerors on all competitive subcontracts 
over the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in the FAR at 48 
CFR 2.101). The written notification must include the name and location 
of the apparent successful offeror and if the successful offeror is a 
small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-
owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged 
business, or women-owned small business;
    (ix) As a best practice, the contractor may provide the pre-award 
written notification cited in paragraph (c)(1)(viii) of this section to 
unsuccessful and small business offerors on subcontracts at or below the 
simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) 
and should do so whenever practical;
    (x) Except when subcontracting for commercial products or commercial 
services, the prime contractor must require all subcontractors (except 
small business concerns) who receive subcontracts in excess of 
$1,500,000 in the case of a subcontract for the construction of any 
public facility, or in excess of $750,000 in the case of all other 
subcontracts, and which offer further subcontracting possibilities, to 
adopt a subcontracting plan of their own consistent with this section, 
and must ensure at a minimum that all subcontractors required to 
maintain subcontracting plans pursuant to this paragraph will review and 
approve subcontracting plans submitted by their subcontractors; monitor 
their subcontractors' compliance with their approved subcontracting 
plans; ensure that subcontracting reports are submitted by their 
subcontractors when required; acknowledge receipt of their 
subcontractors' reports; compare the performance of their subcontractors 
to their subcontracting plans and goals; and discuss performance with 
their subcontractors when necessary to ensure their subcontractors make 
a good-faith effort to comply with their subcontracting plans;

[[Page 568]]

    (xi) The prime contractor must provide a written statement of the 
types of records it will maintain to demonstrate procedures which have 
been adopted to ensure subcontractors at all tiers comply with the 
requirements and goals set forth in the subcontracting plan established 
in accordance with paragraph (c)(1)(x) of this section, including the 
establishment of source lists of small business concerns, small business 
concerns owned and controlled by veterans, small business concerns owned 
and controlled by service-disabled veterans, certified HUBZone small 
business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by 
socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small business 
concerns owned and controlled by women; the efforts to identify and 
award subcontracts to such small business concerns; and size or 
socioeconomic certifications or representations received in connection 
with each subcontract;
    (xii) The prime contractor must provide a written statement of the 
types of records it will maintain to demonstrate that procedures have 
been adopted to substantiate the subcontracting credit that the prime 
contractor elects under paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this section; and
    (xiii)(A) The prime contractor, upon request from a first-tier small 
business subcontractor, shall provide the subcontractor with a rating of 
the subcontractor's past performance. The prime contractor must provide 
the small business subcontractor the requested rating within 15 calendar 
days of the request. The rating provided by the prime contractor to the 
first-tier small business subcontractor shall utilize the five-scale 
ratings system found in FAR 42.1503 (48 CFR 42.1503): Exceptional, Very 
Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory. If the subcontractor 
will use the rating for an offer on a prime contract, it must include, 
at a minimum, the following evaluation factors in the requested rating:
    (1) Technical (quality of product or service);
    (2) Cost control (not applicable for firm-fixed-price or fixed-price 
with economic price adjustment arrangements);
    (3) Schedule/timeliness;
    (4) Management or business relations; and
    (5) Other (as applicable).
    (B) The requirement in paragraph (c)(1)(xii)(A) of this section is 
not subject to the flow-down in paragraph (c)(1)(x) of this section.
    (C) A first-tier small business subcontractor must make the request 
for a performance rating from the prime contractor within 30 calendar 
days after the completion of the period of performance for the prime 
contractor's contract with the Government. The prime contractor and the 
first-tier small business subcontractor may negotiate a later deadline 
for the request for a performance rating, but in no case can the prime 
contractor impose a deadline earlier than 30 calendar days after the 
completion of the period of performance for the prime contractor's 
contract with the Government.
    (D) The rating provided by the prime contractor to the first-tier 
small business subcontractor shall utilize the five-scale ratings system 
found in FAR 42.1503 (48 CFR 42.1503): Exceptional, Very Good, 
Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory.
    (2) A commercial plan, also referred to as an annual plan or 
company-wide plan, is the preferred type of subcontracting plan for 
contractors furnishing commercial products and commercial services. A 
commercial plan covers the offeror's fiscal year and applies to all of 
the commercial products and commercial services sold by either the 
entire company or a portion thereof (e.g., division, plant, or product 
line). Once approved, the plan remains in effect during the federal 
fiscal year for all Federal Government contracts in effect during that 
period. The contracting officer of the agency that originally approved 
the commercial plan will exercise the functions of the contracting 
officer on behalf of all agencies that award contracts covered by the 
plan.
    (3) An offeror must represent to the contracting officer that it 
will make a good faith effort to acquire articles, equipment, supplies, 
services, or materials, or obtain the performance of construction work 
from the small business concerns that it used in preparing the bid or 
proposal, in the same scope,

[[Page 569]]

amount, and quality used in preparing and submitting the bid or 
proposal. Merely responding to a request for a quote does not constitute 
use in preparing a bid or offer. An offeror used a small business 
concern in preparing the bid or proposal if:
    (i) The offeror references the small business concern as a 
subcontractor in the bid or proposal or associated small business 
subcontracting plan;
    (ii) The offeror has a subcontract or agreement in principle to 
subcontract with the small business concern to perform a portion of the 
specific contract; or
    (iii) The small business concern drafted any portion of the bid or 
proposal or the offeror used the small business concern's pricing or 
cost information or technical expertise in preparing the bid or 
proposal, where there is written evidence (including email) of an intent 
or understanding that the small business concern will be awarded a 
subcontract for the related work if the offeror is awarded the contract.
    (4) If a prime contractor fails to acquire articles, equipment, 
supplies, services or materials or obtain the performance of 
construction work as described in (c)(3), the prime contractor must 
provide the contracting officer with a written explanation. This written 
explanation must be submitted to the contracting officer prior to the 
submission of the invoice for final payment and contract close-out.
    (5) A prime contractor shall notify the contracting officer in 
writing if upon completion of the responsibilities of the small business 
subcontractor (i.e., the subcontractor is entitled to payment under the 
terms of the subcontract), the prime contractor pays a reduced price to 
a small business subcontractor for goods and services provided for the 
contract or the payment to a small business subcontractor is more than 
90 days past due under the terms of the subcontract for goods and 
services provided for the contract and for which the Federal agency has 
paid the prime contractor. ``Reduced price'' means a price that is less 
than the price agreed upon in a written, binding contractual document. 
The prime contractor shall include the reason for the reduction in 
payment to or failure to pay a small business subcontractor in any 
written notice.
    (6) If at the conclusion of a contract the prime contractor did not 
meet all of the small business subcontracting goals in the 
subcontracting plan, the prime contractor shall provide the contracting 
officer with a written explanation as to why it did not meet the goals 
of the plan so that the contracting officer can evaluate whether the 
prime contractor acted in good faith as set forth in paragraph (d)(3) of 
this section.
    (7) The additional prime contractor responsibilities described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section do not apply if:
    (i) The prime contractor is a small business concern;
    (ii) The prime contract or contract modification is a personal 
services contract; or
    (iii) The prime contract or contract modification will be performed 
entirely outside of any state, territory, or possession of the United 
States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
    (8) A prime contractor that identifies a small business by name as a 
subcontractor in a proposal, offer, bid or subcontracting plan must 
notify those subcontractors in writing prior to identifying the concern 
in the proposal, bid, offer or subcontracting plan.
    (9) Anyone who has a reasonable basis to believe that a prime 
contractor or a subcontractor may have made a false statement to an 
employee or representative of the Federal Government, or to an employee 
or representative of the prime contractor, with respect to 
subcontracting plans must report the matter to the SBA Office of 
Inspector General. All other concerns as to whether a prime contractor 
or subcontractor has complied with SBA regulations or otherwise acted in 
bad faith may be reported to the Government Contracting Area Office 
where the firm is headquartered.
    (d) Contracting officer responsibilities. The contracting officer 
(or administrative contracting officer if specifically delegated in 
writing to accomplish this task) is responsible for evaluating the prime 
contractor's compliance with its subcontracting plan, including:

[[Page 570]]

    (1) Ensuring that all contractors submit their subcontracting 
reports into the eSRS (or any successor system) or, if applicable, the 
SF-294, Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts, within 30 days 
after the report ending date (e.g., by October 30th for the fiscal year 
ended September 30th).
    (2) Reviewing all ISRs, and where applicable, SSRs, in eSRS (or any 
successor system) within 60 days of the report ending date (e.g., by 
November 30th for a report submitted for the fiscal year ended September 
30th) and either accepting or rejecting the reports in accordance with 
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions set forth in 48 CFR 
subpart 19.7, 52.219-9, and the eSRS instructions (www.esrs.gov). The 
authority to acknowledge or reject SSRs for commercial plans resides 
with the contracting officer who approved the commercial plan. If a 
report is rejected, the contracting officer must provide an explanation 
for the rejection to allow prime contractors the opportunity to respond 
specifically to perceived deficiencies.
    (3) Evaluating whether the prime contractor made a good faith effort 
to comply with its small business subcontracting plan.
    (i) Evidence that a large business prime contractor has made a good 
faith effort to comply with its subcontracting plan or other 
subcontracting responsibilities includes supporting documentation that:
    (A) The contractor performed one or more of the actions described in 
paragraph (b) of this section, as appropriate for the procurement;
    (B) Although the contractor may have failed to achieve its goal in 
one socioeconomic category, it over-achieved its goal by an equal or 
greater amount in one or more of the other categories; or
    (C) The contractor fulfilled all of the requirements of its 
subcontracting plan.
    (ii) Examples of activities reflective of a failure to make a good 
faith effort to comply with a subcontracting plan include, but are not 
limited, to:
    (A) Failure to submit the acceptable individual or summary 
subcontracting reports in eSRS by the report due dates or as provided by 
other agency regulations within prescribed time frames;
    (B) Failure to pay small business concern subcontractors in 
accordance with the terms of the contract with the prime;
    (C) Failure to designate and maintain a company official to 
administer the subcontracting program and monitor and enforce compliance 
with the plan;
    (D) Failure to maintain records or otherwise demonstrate procedures 
adopted to comply with the plan including subcontracting flow-down 
requirements;
    (E) Adoption of company policies or documented procedures that have 
as their objectives the frustration of the objectives of the plan;
    (F) Failure to correct substantiated findings from federal 
subcontracting compliance reviews or participate in subcontracting plan 
management training offered by the government;
    (G) Failure to conduct market research identifying potential small 
business concern subcontractors through all reasonable means including 
outreach, industry days, or the use of federal database marketing 
systems such as SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) or SUBNet 
Systems or any successor federal systems;
    (H) Failure to comply with regulations requiring submission of a 
written explanation to the contracting officer to change small business 
concern subcontractors that were used in preparing offers; or
    (I) Falsifying records of subcontracting awards to SBCs.
    (4) Evaluating the prime contractor's written explanation concerning 
the prime contractor's failure to use a small business concern in 
performance in the same scope, amount, and quality used in preparing and 
submitting the bid or proposal, and considering that information when 
rating the contractor for past performance purposes.
    (5) Evaluating the prime contractor's written explanation concerning 
its payment of a reduced price to a small business subcontractor for 
goods and services upon completion of the responsibilities of the 
subcontractor or its payment to a subcontractor more than 90 days past 
due under the terms of the

[[Page 571]]

subcontract for goods and services provided for the contract and for 
which the Federal agency has paid the prime contractor, and considering 
that information when rating the contractor for past performance 
purposes.
    (6) Evaluating whether the prime contractor has a history of 
unjustified untimely or reduced payments to subcontractors, and if so, 
recording the identity of the prime contractor in the Federal Awardee 
Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), or any successor 
database.
    (7) In his or her discretion, requiring the prime contractor (other 
than a prime contractor with a commercial plan) to update its 
subcontracting plan when an option is exercised.
    (8) Requiring the prime contractor (other than a contractor with a 
commercial plan) to submit a subcontracting plan if the value of a 
modification causes the value of the contract to exceed the 
subcontracting plan threshold and to the extent that subcontracting 
opportunities exist.
    (9) In his or her discretion, requiring a subcontracting plan if a 
prime contractor's size status changes from small to other than small as 
a result of a size recertification.
    (10) Where a subcontracting plan is amended in connection with an 
option, or added as a result of a recertification or modification, the 
changes to any existing plan are for prospective subcontracting 
opportunities and do not apply retroactively. However, since 
achievements must be reported on the ISR (or the SF-294, if applicable) 
on a cumulative basis from the inception of the contract, the 
contractor's achievements prior to the modification or option will be 
factored into its overall achievement on the contract from inception.
    (11) Evaluating whether the contractor or subcontractor complied in 
good faith with the requirement to provide periodic reports and 
cooperate in any studies or surveys as may be required by the Federal 
agency or the Administration in order to determine the extent of 
compliance by the contractor or subcontractor with the subcontracting 
plan. The contractor or subcontractor's failure to comply with this 
requirement in good faith shall be a material breach of such contract or 
subcontract and may be considered in any past performance evaluation of 
the contractor.
    (e) CMR Responsibilities. Commercial Market Representatives (CMRs) 
are SBA's subcontracting specialists. CMRs are responsible for:
    (1) Facilitating the matching of large prime contractors with small 
business concerns;
    (2) Counseling large prime contractors on their responsibilities to 
maximize subcontracting opportunities for small business concerns;
    (3) Instructing large prime contractors on identifying small 
business concerns by means of SAM (or any successor system), SUB-Net, 
Business Matchmaking events, and other resources and tools;
    (4) Counseling small business concerns on how to market themselves 
to large prime contractors;
    (5) Maintaining a portfolio of large prime contractors and 
conducting Subcontracting Orientation and Assistance Reviews (SOARs). 
SOARs are conducted for the purpose of assisting prime contractors in 
understanding and complying with their small business subcontracting 
responsibilities, including developing subcontracting goals that reflect 
maximum practicable opportunity for small business; maintaining 
acceptable books and records; and periodically submitting reports to the 
Federal government; and
    (6) Conducting periodic reviews, including compliance reviews in 
accordance with paragraph (f) of this section.
    (f) Compliance reviews. (1) A prime contractor's performance under 
its subcontracting plan is evaluated by means of on-site compliance 
reviews and follow-up reviews, as a supplement to evaluations performed 
by the contracting agency, either on a contract-by-contract basis or, in 
the case of contractors having multiple contracts, on an aggregate 
basis. A compliance review is a surveillance review that determines a 
contractor's achievements in meeting the goals and other elements in its 
subcontracting plan for both open contracts and contracts completed 
during the previous twelve months. A follow-up review is done after a 
compliance review, generally

[[Page 572]]

within six to eight months, to determine if the contractor has 
implemented SBA's recommendations.
    (2) All compliance reviews begin with a validation of the prime 
contractor's most recent ISR (or SF-294, if applicable) or SSR. A 
compliance review includes:
    (i) An evaluation of whether the prime contractor assigned the 
proper NAICS code and corresponding size standard to a subcontract, and 
a review of whether small business subcontractors qualify for the size 
or socioeconomic status claimed;
    (ii) Validation of the prime contractor's methodology for completing 
its subcontracting reports; and
    (iii) Consideration of whether the prime contractor is monitoring 
its other than small subcontractors with regard to their subcontracting 
plans, determining achievement of their proposed subcontracting goals, 
and reviewing their subcontractors' ISRs (or SF-294s, if applicable).
    (3) Upon completion of the review and evaluation of a contractor's 
performance and efforts to achieve the requirements in its 
subcontracting plans, the contractor's performance will be assigned one 
of the following ratings: Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal 
or Unsatisfactory. The factors listed in paragraph (c) of this section 
will be taken into consideration, where applicable, in determining the 
contractor's rating. However, a contractor may be found Unsatisfactory, 
regardless of other factors, if it cannot substantiate the claimed 
achievements under its subcontracting plan.
    (4) Any contractor that receives a marginal or unsatisfactory rating 
must provide a written corrective action plan to SBA, or to both SBA and 
the agency that conducted the compliance review if the agency conducting 
the review has an agreement with SBA, within 30 days of its receipt of 
the official compliance report.
    (5) Any contractor that fails to comply with paragraph (f)(4) of 
this section, or any contractor that fails to demonstrate a good-faith 
effort, as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section:
    (i) May be considered for liquidated damages under the procedures in 
48 CFR 19.705-7 and the clause at 52.219-16; and
    (ii) Shall be in material breach of such contract or subcontract, 
and such failure to demonstrate good faith must be considered in any 
past performance evaluation of the contractor. This action shall be 
considered by the contracting officer upon receipt of a written 
recommendation to that effect from the CMR. The CMR's recommendation 
must include a copy of the compliance report and any other relevant 
correspondence or supporting documentation. Furthermore, if the CMR has 
a reasonable basis to believe that a contractor has made a false 
statement to an employee or representative of the Federal Government, or 
to an employee or representative of the prime contractor, the CMR must 
report the matter to the SBA Office of Inspector General. All other 
concerns as to whether a prime contractor or subcontractor has complied 
with SBA regulations or otherwise acted in bad faith may be reported to 
the Area Government Contracting Office where the firm is headquartered.
    (6) Reviews and evaluations of contractors with commercial plans are 
identical to reviews and evaluations of other contractors, except that 
contractors with commercial subcontracting plans do not submit the SF-
294, Subcontracting Report for Individual Contracts. Instead, goal 
achievement is determined by comparing the goals in the approved 
commercial subcontracting plan against the cumulative achievements on 
the SF-295, Summary Subcontract Report, for the same period. The same 
ratings criteria set forth in paragraph (f)(3) of this section apply to 
contractors with commercial plans.
    (7) SBA is authorized to enter into agreements with other Federal 
agencies or entities to conduct compliance reviews and otherwise further 
the objectives of the subcontracting program. Copies of these agreements 
will be published on http://www.sba.gov/GC. SBA is the lead agency on 
all joint compliance reviews with other agencies.
    (8) The head of the contracting agency shall ensure that:
    (i) The agency collects and reports data on the extent to which 
contractors of the agency meet the goals and

[[Page 573]]

objectives set forth in subcontracting plans; and
    (ii) The agency periodically reviews data collected and reported 
pursuant to paragraph (f)(8)(i) of this section for the purpose of 
ensuring that such contractors comply in good faith with the 
requirements of this section.
    (g) Subcontracting consideration in source selection. (1) A 
contracting officer may include an evaluation factor in a solicitation 
which evaluates:
    (i) An offeror's proposed approach to small business subcontracting 
participation in the subject procurement;
    (ii) The extent to which the offeror has met its small business 
subcontracting plan goals on previous covered contracts; and/or
    (iii) The extent to which the offeror timely paid its small business 
subcontractors under covered contracts.
    (2) A contracting officer may include an evaluation factor in a 
solicitation which evaluates an offeror's commitment to pay small 
business subcontractors within a specific number of days after receipt 
of payment from the Government for goods and services previously 
rendered by the small business subcontractor.
    (i) The contracting officer will comparatively evaluate the proposed 
timelines.
    (ii) Such a commitment shall become a material part of the contract.
    (iii) The contracting officer must consider the contractor's 
compliance with the commitment in evaluating performance, including for 
purposes of contract continuation (such as exercising options).
    (3) A small business concern submitting an offer shall receive the 
maximum score, credit or rating under an evaluation factor described in 
paragraph (g) of this section without having to submit any information 
in connection with this factor.
    (4) A contracting officer shall include a significant evaluation 
factor for the criteria described in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) 
of this section in a bundled contract or order as defined in Sec.  
125.2.
    (5) Paragraph (g) of this section may apply to solicitations for 
orders against multiple award contracts, (including a Federal Supply 
Schedule or Multiple Award Schedule contract, a Government-wide 
acquisition contract (GWAC), or a multi-agency contract (MAC)), blanket 
purchase agreements or basic ordering agreements.
    (h) Multiple award contracts. (1) Except where a prime contractor 
has a commercial plan, the contracting officer shall require a 
subcontracting plan for each multiple award indefinite delivery, 
indefinite quantity contract (including Multiple Award Schedule), where 
the estimated value of the contract exceeds the subcontracting plan 
thresholds in paragraph (a) of this section and the contract has 
subcontracting opportunities.
    (2) Contractors shall submit small business subcontracting reports 
for individual orders to the contracting agency on an annual basis.
    (3) The agency funding the order shall receive credit towards its 
small business subcontracting goals. More than one agency may not 
receive credit towards its subcontracting goals for a particular 
subcontract.
    (4) The agency funding the order may in its discretion establish 
small business subcontracting goals for individual orders, blanket 
purchase agreements or basic ordering agreements.
    (i) Subcontracting consideration in bundled and consolidated 
contracts. (1) For bundled requirements, the agency must evaluate offers 
from teams of small businesses the same as other offers, with due 
consideration to the capabilities of all proposed subcontractors.
    (2) For substantial bundling, the agency must design actions to 
maximize small business participation as subcontractors (including 
suppliers) at any tier under the contract or contracts that may be 
awarded to meet the requirements.
    (3) For significant subcontracting opportunities in consolidated 
contracts, bundled requirements, and substantially bundled requirements, 
see Sec.  125.2(d)(4).

[69 FR 75824, Dec. 20, 2004, as amended at 74 FR 46887, Sept. 14, 2009; 
78 FR 42403, July 16, 2013; 78 FR 59798, Sept. 30, 2013; 78 FR 61142, 
Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 34262, May 31, 2016; 81 FR 94250, Dec. 23, 2016; 83 
FR 12852, Mar. 26, 2018; 84 FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019; 84 FR 65663, Nov. 
29, 2019; 85 FR 66192, Oct. 16, 2020; 86 FR 61672, Nov. 8, 2021; 87 FR 
43739, July 22, 2022; 88 FR 26210, Apr. 27, 2023; 88 FR 70343, Oct. 11, 
2023]

[[Page 574]]



Sec.  125.4  What is the Government property sales assistance program?

    (a) The purpose of SBA's Government property sales assistance 
program is to:
    (1) Insure that small businesses obtain their fair share of all 
Federal real and personal property qualifying for sale or other 
competitive disposal action; and
    (2) Assist small businesses in obtaining Federal property being 
processed for disposal, sale, or lease.
    (b) SBA property sales assistance primarily consists of two 
activities:
    (1) Obtaining small business set-asides when necessary to insure 
that a fair share of Government property sales are made to small 
businesses; and
    (2) Providing advice and assistance to small businesses on all 
matters pertaining to sale or lease of Government property.
    (c) The program is intended to cover the following categories of 
Government property:
    (1) Sales of timber and related forest products;
    (2) Sales of strategic material from national stockpiles;
    (3) Sales of royalty oil by the Department of Interior's Minerals 
Management Service;
    (4) Leases involving rights to minerals, petroleum, coal, and 
vegetation; and
    (5) These provisions are contained in Sec. Sec.  121.501 through 
121.512 of this chapter.
    (d) SBA has established specific small business size standards and 
rules for the sale or lease of the different kinds of Government 
property. These provisions are contained in Sec. Sec.  121.501 through 
121.514 of this chapter.

[61 FR 3312, Jan. 31, 1996, as amended at 88 FR 70343, Oct. 11, 2023]



Sec.  125.5  What is the Certificate of Competency Program?

    (a) General. (1) The Certificate of Competency (COC) Program is 
authorized under section 8(b)(7) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
637(b)(7)). The COC Program is applicable to all Government procurement 
actions, with the exception of 8(a) sole source awards but including 
Multiple Award Contracts and orders placed against Multiple Award 
Contracts, where the contracting officer has used any issues of capacity 
or credit (responsibility) to determine suitability for an award. The 
COC Program is applicable to all Government procurement actions, 
including Multiple Award Contracts and orders placed against Multiple 
Award Contracts, where the contracting officer has used any issues of 
capacity or credit (responsibility) to determine suitability for an 
award. With respect to Multiple Award Contracts, contracting officers 
generally determine responsibility at the time of award of the contract. 
However, if a contracting officer makes a responsibility determination 
as set forth in paragraph (a)(2) of this section for an order issued 
against a Multiple Award Contract, the contracting officer must refer 
the matter to SBA for a COC. The COC procedures apply to all Federal 
procurements, regardless of the location of performance or the location 
of the procuring activity.
    (2) A contracting officer must refer a small business concern to SBA 
for a possible COC, even if the next apparent successful offeror is also 
a small business, when the contracting officer:
    (i) Denies an apparent successful small business offeror award of a 
contract or order on the basis of responsibility (including those bases 
set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section);
    (ii) Refuses to consider a small business concern for award of a 
contract or order after evaluating the concern's offer on a non-
comparative basis (e.g., a pass/fail, go/no go, or acceptable/
unacceptable) under one or more responsibility type evaluation factors 
(such as experience of the company or key personnel or past 
performance); or
    (iii) Refuses to consider a small business concern for award of a 
contract or order because it failed to meet a definitive responsibility 
criterion contained in the solicitation.
    (3) A small business offeror referred to SBA as nonresponsible may 
apply to SBA for a COC. Where the applicant is a non-manufacturing 
offeror on a supply contract, the COC applies to the responsibility of 
the non-manufacturer, not to that of the manufacturer.

[[Page 575]]

    (b) COC Eligibility. (1) The offeror seeking a COC has the burden of 
proof to demonstrate its eligibility for COC review. (i) To be eligible 
for a COC, an offeror must qualify as a small business under the 
applicable size standard in accordance with part 121 of this chapter.
    (ii) To be eligible for a COC, an offeror must qualify as a small 
business under the applicable size standard in accordance with part 121 
of this chapter, and must have agreed to comply with the applicable 
limitations on subcontracting and the nonmanufacturer rule, where 
applicable.
    (2) SBA will determine a concern ineligible for a COC if the 
concern, or any of its principals, appears in the ``Parties Excluded 
From Federal Procurement Programs'' section found in the U.S. General 
Services Administration Office of Acquisition Policy Publication: List 
of Parties Excluded From Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs. 
If a principal is unable to presently control the applicant concern, and 
appears in the Procurement section of the list due to matters not 
directly related to the concern itself, responsibility will be 
determined in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this section.
    (3) An eligibility determination will be made on a case-by-case 
basis, where a concern or any of its principals appears in the 
Nonprocurement Section of the publication referred to in paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section.
    (c) Referral of nonresponsibility determination to SBA. (1) The 
contracting officer must refer the matter in writing to the SBA 
Government Contracting Area Office (Area Office) serving the area in 
which the headquarters of the offeror is located. The referral must 
include a copy of the following:
    (i) Solicitation;
    (ii) Offer submitted by the concern whose responsibility is at issue 
for the procurement (its Best and Final Offer for a negotiated 
procurement);
    (iii) Abstract of Bids, where applicable, or the Contracting 
Officer's Price Negotiation Memorandum;
    (iv) Preaward survey, where applicable;
    (v) Contracting officer's written determination of 
nonresponsibility;
    (vi) Technical data package (including drawings, specifications, and 
Statement of Work); and
    (vii) Any other justification and documentation used to arrive at 
the nonresponsibility determination.
    (2) Contract award must be withheld by the contracting officer for a 
period of 15 working days (or longer if agreed to by SBA and the 
contracting officer) following receipt by the appropriate Area Office of 
a referral which includes all required documentation.
    (3) The COC referral must indicate that the offeror has been found 
responsive to the solicitation, and also identify the reasons for the 
nonresponsibility determination.
    (d) Application for COC. (1) Upon receipt of the contracting 
officer's referral, the Area Office will inform the concern of the 
contracting officer's negative responsibility determination, and offer 
it the opportunity to apply to SBA for a COC by a specified date.
    (2) The COC application must include all information and 
documentation requested by SBA and any additional information which the 
firm believes will demonstrate its ability to perform on the proposed 
contract. The application should be returned as soon as possible, but no 
later than the date specified by SBA.
    (3) Upon receipt of a complete and acceptable application, SBA may 
elect to visit the applicant's facility to review its responsibility. 
SBA personnel may obtain clarification or confirmation of information 
provided by the applicant by directly contacting suppliers, financial 
institutions, and other third parties upon whom the applicant's 
responsibility depends.
    (e) Incomplete applications. If an application for a COC is 
materially incomplete or is not submitted by the date specified by SBA, 
SBA will close the case without issuing a COC and will notify the 
contracting officer and the concern with a declination letter.
    (f) Reviewing an application. (1) The COC review process is not 
limited to the areas of nonresponsibility cited by the contracting 
officer. SBA may, at its discretion, independently evaluate the COC 
applicant for all elements of responsibility, but it may presume 
responsibility exists as to elements other

[[Page 576]]

than those cited as deficient. SBA may deny a COC for reasons of 
nonresponsibility not originally cited by the contracting officer.
    (2) An offeror seeking a COC has the burden of proof to demonstrate 
that it possesses all relevant elements of responsibility and that it 
has overcome the contracting officer's objection(s).
    (3) A small business will be rebuttably presumed nonresponsible if 
any of the following circumstances are shown to exist:
    (i) Within three years before the application for a COC, the 
concern, or any of its principals, has been convicted of an offense or 
offenses that would constitute grounds for debarment or suspension under 
FAR subpart 9.4 (48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4), and the matter is still 
under the jurisdiction of a court (e.g., the principals of a concern are 
incarcerated, on probation or parole, or under a suspended sentence); or
    (ii) Within three years before the application for a COC, the 
concern or any of its principals has had a civil judgment entered 
against it or them for any reason that would constitute grounds for 
debarment or suspension under FAR subpart 9.4 (48 CFR part, subpart 
9.4).
    (4) Where a contracting officer finds a concern to be non-
responsible for reasons of financial capacity on an indefinite delivery 
or indefinite quantity task or delivery order contract, the Area 
Director will consider the firm's maximum financial capacity. If the 
Area Director issues a COC, it will be for a specific amount that is the 
limit of the firm's financial capacity for that contract. The 
contracting officer may subsequently determine to exceed the amount, but 
cannot deny the firm award of an order or contract on financial grounds 
if the firm has not reached the financial maximum the Area Director 
identified in the COC letter.
    (g) Decision by Area Director (``Director''). After reviewing the 
information submitted by the applicant and the information gathered by 
SBA, the Area Director will make a determination, either final or 
recommended as set forth in the following chart:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 SBA official or         Finality of
                                   office with        decision; options
     Contracting actions        authority to make      for contracting
                                    decision              agencies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than or equal to the     Director may approve  Final. The Director
 Simplified Acquisition        or deny.              will notify both
 Threshold.                                          applicant and
                                                     contracting agency
                                                     in writing of the
                                                     decision.
Above the Simplified          (1) Director may      (1) Final.
 Acquisition Threshold and     deny.
 less than or equal to $25
 million.
                              (2) Director may      (2) Contracting
                               approve, subject to   agency may proceed
                               right of appeal and   under paragraph (h)
                               other options.        or paragraph (i) of
                                                     this section.
Exceeding $25 million.......  (1) Director may      (1) Final.
                               deny.
                              (2) Director must     (2) Contracting
                               refer to SBA          agency may proceed
                               Headquarters          under paragraph (j)
                               recommendation for    of this section.
                               approval.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (h) Notification of intent to issue on a contract or order with a 
value between the simplified acquisition threshold and $25 million. 
Where the Director determines that a COC is warranted, he or she will 
notify the contracting officer (or the procurement official with the 
authority to accept SBA's decision) of the intent to issue a COC, and of 
the reasons for that decision, prior to issuing the COC. At the time of 
notification, the contracting officer or the procurement official with 
the authority to accept SBA's decision has the following options:
    (1) Accept the Director's decision to issue the COC and award the 
contract to the concern. The COC issuance letter will then be sent, 
including as an attachment a detailed rationale of the decision; or
    (2) Ask the Director to suspend the case for one of the following 
purposes:
    (i) To forward a detailed rationale for the decision to the 
contracting officer for review within a specified period of time;
    (ii) To afford the contracting officer the opportunity to meet with 
the Area

[[Page 577]]

Office to review all documentation contained in the case file;
    (iii) To submit any information which the contracting officer 
believes SBA has not considered (at which time, SBA will establish a new 
suspense date mutually agreeable to the contracting officer and SBA); or
    (iv) To permit resolution of an appeal by the contracting agency to 
SBA Headquarters under paragraph (i) of this section.
    (i) Appeals of Area Director determinations. For COC actions with a 
value exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold , contracting 
agencies may appeal a Director's decision to issue a COC to SBA 
Headquarters by filing an appeal with the Area Office processing the COC 
application. The Area Office must honor the request to appeal if the 
contracting officer agrees to withhold award until the appeal process is 
concluded. Without such an agreement from the contracting officer, the 
Director must issue the COC. When such an agreement has been obtained, 
the Area Office will immediately forward the case file to SBA 
Headquarters.
    (1) The intent of the appeal procedure is to allow the contracting 
agency the opportunity to submit to SBA Headquarters any documentation 
which the Area Office may not have considered.
    (2) SBA Headquarters will furnish written notice to the Director, 
OSDBU or OSBP of the procuring agency, with a copy to the contracting 
officer, that the case file has been received and that an appeal 
decision may be requested by an authorized official. If the contracting 
agency decides to file an appeal, it must notify SBA Headquarters 
through its Director, OSDBU, within 10 working days (or a time period 
agreed upon by both agencies) of its receipt of the notice under 
paragraph (h) of this section. The appeal and any supporting 
documentation must be filed within 10 working days (or a different time 
period agreed to by both agencies) after SBA receives the request for a 
formal appeal.
    (3) The SBA Director, Office of Government Contracting (D/GC) will 
make a final determination, in writing, to issue or to deny the COC.
    (j) Decision by SBA Headquarters where contract value exceeds $25 
million. (1) Prior to taking final action, SBA Headquarters will contact 
the contracting agency at the secretariat level or agency equivalent and 
afford it the following options:
    (i) Ask SBA Headquarters to suspend the case so that the agency can 
meet with Headquarters personnel and review all documentation contained 
in the case file; or
    (ii) Submit to SBA Headquarters for evaluation any information which 
the contracting agency believes has not been considered.
    (2) After reviewing all available information, the AA/GC will make a 
final decision to either issue or deny the COC. If the AA/GC's decision 
is to deny the COC, the applicant and contracting agency will be 
informed in writing by the Area Office. If the decision is to issue the 
COC, a letter certifying the responsibility of the firm will be sent to 
the contracting agency by Headquarters and the applicant will be 
informed of such issuance by the Area Office. Except as set forth in 
paragraph (l) of this section, there can be no further appeal or 
reconsideration of the decision of the AA/GC.
    (k) Notification of denial of COC. The notification to an 
unsuccessful applicant following either an Area Director or a 
Headquarters denial of a COC will briefly state all reasons for denial 
and inform the applicant that a meeting may be requested with 
appropriate SBA personnel to discuss the denial. Upon receipt of a 
request for such a meeting, the appropriate SBA personnel will confer 
with the applicant and explain the reasons for SBA's action. The meeting 
does not constitute an opportunity to rebut the merits of the SBA's 
decision to deny the COC, and is for the sole purpose of giving the 
applicant the opportunity to correct deficiencies so as to improve its 
ability to obtain future contracts either directly or, if necessary, 
through the issuance of a COC.
    (l) Reconsideration of COC after issuance. (1) An approved COC may 
be reconsidered and possibly rescinded, at the sole discretion of SBA, 
where an award of the contract has not occurred, and one of the 
following circumstances exists:

[[Page 578]]

    (i) The COC applicant submitted false or omitted materially adverse 
information;
    (ii) New materially adverse information has been received relating 
to the current responsibility of the applicant concern; or
    (iii) The COC has been issued for more than 60 days (in which case 
SBA may investigate the business concern's current circumstances and the 
reason why the contract has not been issued).
    (2) Where SBA reconsiders and reaffirms the COC the procedures under 
paragraph (h) of this section do not apply.
    (m) Effect of a COC. By the terms of the Act, a COC is conclusive as 
to responsibility. Where SBA issues a COC on behalf of a small business 
with respect to a particular contract, contracting officers are required 
to award the contract without requiring the firm to meet any other 
requirement with respect to responsibility. Where SBA issues a COC with 
respect to a referral in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) or (a)(2)(iii) of this 
section, the contracting officer is not required to issue an award to 
that offeror if the contracting officer denies the contract for reasons 
unrelated to responsibility.
    (n) Effect of Denial of COC. Denial of a COC by SBA does not 
preclude a contracting officer from awarding a contract to the referred 
firm, nor does it prevent the concern from making an offer on any other 
procurement.
    (o) Monitoring performance. Once a COC has been issued and a 
contract awarded on that basis, SBA will monitor contractor performance.

[61 FR 3312, Jan. 31, 1996; 61 FR 7987, Mar. 1, 1996, as amended at 72 
FR 50041, Aug. 30, 2007; 78 FR 61142, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 34262, May 31, 
2016; 81 FR 48585, July 25, 2016; 85 FR 66192, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  125.6  What are the prime contractor's limitations on subcontracting?

    (a) General. In order to be awarded a full or partial small business 
set-aside contract with a value greater than the simplified acquisition 
threshold (as defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101), an 8(a) contract, an 
SDVOSB contract, a VOSB contract, a HUBZone contract, or a WOSB or 
EDWOSB contract pursuant to part 127 of this chapter, a small business 
concern must agree that:
    (1) In the case of a contract for services (except construction), it 
will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to 
firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly 
situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% 
subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Other direct costs may be 
excluded to the extent they are not the principal purpose of the 
acquisition and small business concerns do not provide the service, such 
as airline travel, work performed by a transportation or disposal entity 
under a contract assigned the environmental remediation NAICS code 
(562910), cloud computing services, or mass media purchases. In 
addition, work performed overseas on awards made pursuant to the Foreign 
Assistance Act of 1961 or work required to be performed by a local 
contractor, is excluded.
    (2)(i) In the case of a contract for supplies or products (other 
than from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 
50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not 
similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor 
further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that 
cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to 
be subcontracted.
    (ii) In the case of a contract for supplies from a nonmanufacturer, 
it will supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or 
processor, unless a waiver as described in Sec.  121.406(b)(5) of this 
chapter is granted.
    (A) For a multiple item procurement where a waiver as described in 
Sec.  121.406(b)(5) of this chapter has not been granted for one or more 
items, more than 50% of the value of the products to be supplied by the 
nonmanufacturer must be the products of one or more domestic small 
business manufacturers or processors.
    (B) For a multiple item procurement where a waiver as described in 
Sec.  121.406(b)(5) of this chapter is granted for one or more items, 
compliance with

[[Page 579]]

the limitation on subcontracting requirement will be determined by 
combining the value of the items supplied by domestic small business 
manufacturers or processors with the value of the items subject to a 
waiver. As such, as long as the value of the items to be supplied by 
domestic small business manufacturers or processors plus the value of 
the items to be supplied that are subject to a waiver account for at 
least 50% of the value of the contract, the limitations on 
subcontracting requirement is met.
    (C) For a multiple item procurement, the same small business concern 
may act as both a manufacturer and a nonmanufacturer.

    Example 1 to paragraph (a)(2). A contract calls for the supply of 
one item valued at $1,000,000. The market research shows that there are 
no small business manufacturers that produce this item, and the 
contracting officer seeks and is granted a contract specific waiver for 
this item. In this case, a small business nonmanufacturer may supply an 
item manufactured by a large business.
    Example 2 to paragraph (a)(2). A procurement is for $1,000,000 and 
calls for the acquisition of 10 items. Market research shows that nine 
of the items can be sourced from small business manufacturers and one 
item is subject to an SBA class waiver. Since 100% of the value of the 
contract can be procured through domestic small business manufacturers 
or processors plus manufacturers or processors of the item for which a 
waiver has been granted, the procurement should be set aside for small 
business. At least 50% of the value of the contract, or 50% of 
$1,000,000, must be supplied by one or more domestic small business 
manufacturers or manufacturers or processors of the one item for which 
class waiver has been granted. In addition, the prime small business 
nonmanufacturer may act as a manufacturer for one or more items.
    Example 3 to paragraph (a)(2).  A contract is for $1,000,000 and 
calls for the acquisition of 10 items. Market research shows that only 
four of these items are manufactured by small businesses. The value of 
the items manufactured by small business is estimated to be $400,000. 
The contracting officer seeks and is granted contract specific waivers 
on the other six items. Since 100% of the value of the contract can be 
procured through domestic small business manufacturers or processors 
plus manufacturers or processors of the items for which a waiver has 
been granted, the procurement should be set aside for small business. At 
least 50% of the value of the contract, or 50% of $1,000,000, must be 
supplied by one or more domestic small business manufacturers or 
manufacturers or processors of the six items for which a contract 
specific waiver has been granted. In addition, the prime small business 
nonmanufacturer may act as a manufacturer for one or more items.
    Example 4 to paragraph (a)(2).  A contract is for $1,000,000 and 
calls for the acquisition of 10 items. Market research shows that three 
of the items can be sourced from small business manufacturers at this 
particular time, and the estimated value of these items is $300,000. 
There are no class waivers subject to the remaining seven items. In 
order for this procurement to be set aside for small business, a 
contracting officer must seek and be granted a contract specific waiver 
for one or more items totaling $200,000 (so that $300,000 plus $200,000 
equals 50% of the value of the entire procurement). Once a contract 
specific waiver is received for one or more items, at least 50% of the 
value of the contract, or 50% of $1,000,000, must be supplied by one or 
more domestic small business manufacturers or processors or by 
manufacturers or processors of the items for which a contract specific 
waiver has been granted. In addition, the prime small business 
nonmanufacturer may act as a manufacturer for one or more items.

    (3) In the case of a contract for general construction, it will not 
pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms 
that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated 
subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 85% 
subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are 
excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.
    (4) In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, no more 
than 75% of the amount paid by the government to the prime may be paid 
to firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly 
situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 75% 
subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are 
excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.
    (b) Mixed contracts. Where a contract integrates any combination of 
services, supplies, or construction, the contracting officer shall 
select the appropriate NAICS code as prescribed in Sec.  121.402(b) of 
this chapter. The contracting officer's selection of the applicable 
NAICS code is determinative as to which limitation on subcontracting and 
performance requirement applies.

[[Page 580]]

Based on the NAICS code selected, the relevant limitation on 
subcontracting requirement identified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) 
of this section will apply only to that portion of the contract award 
amount. In no case shall more than one limitation on subcontracting 
requirement apply to the same contract.

    Example 1 to paragraph (b). A procuring agency is acquiring both 
services and supplies through a small business set-aside. The total 
value of the requirement is $3,000,000, with the supply portion 
comprising $2,500,000, and the services portion comprising $500,000. The 
contracting officer appropriately assigns a manufacturing NAICS code to 
the requirement. The cost of material is $500,000. Thus, because the 
services portion of the contract and the cost of materials are excluded 
from consideration, the relevant amount for purposes of calculating the 
performance of work requirement is $2,000,000 and the prime and/or 
similarly situated entities must perform at least $1,000,000 and the 
prime contractor may not subcontract more than $1,000,000 to non-
similarly situated entities.
    Example 2 to paragraph (b). A procuring agency is acquiring both 
services and supplies through a small business set-aside. The total 
value of the requirement is $3,000,000, with the services portion 
comprising $2,500,000, and the supply portion comprising $500,000. The 
contracting officer appropriately assigns a services NAICS code to the 
requirement. Thus, because the supply portion of the contract is 
excluded from consideration, the relevant amount for purposes of 
calculating the performance of work requirement is $2,500,000 and the 
prime and/or similarly situated entities must perform at least 
$1,250,000 and the prime contractor may not subcontract more than 
$1,250,000 to non-similarly situated entities.
    Example 3 to paragraph (b).  A procuring activity is acquiring both 
services and general construction through a small business set-aside. 
The total value of the requirement is $10,000,000, with the construction 
portion comprising $8,000,000, and the services portion comprising 
$2,000,000. The contracting officer appropriately assigns a construction 
NAICS code to the requirement. The 85% limitation on subcontracting 
identified in paragraph (a)(3) would apply to this procurement. Because 
the services portion of the contract is excluded from consideration, the 
relevant amount for purposes of calculating the limitation on 
subcontracting requirement is $8,000,000. As such, the prime contractor 
cannot subcontract more than $6,800,000 to non-similarly situated 
entities, and the prime and/or similarly situated entities must perform 
at least $1,200,000.

    (c) Subcontracts to similarly situated entities. A small business 
concern prime contractor that receives a contract listed in paragraph 
(a) of this section and spends contract amounts on a subcontractor that 
is a similarly situated entity shall not consider those subcontracted 
amounts as subcontracted for purposes of determining whether the small 
business concern prime contractor has violated paragraph (a) of this 
section, to the extent the subcontractor performs the work with its own 
employees. Any work that the similarly situated subcontractor does not 
perform with its own employees shall be considered subcontracted. SBA 
will also exclude a subcontract to a similarly situated entity from 
consideration under the ostensible subcontractor rule (Sec.  
121.103(h)(3)). A prime contractor may no longer count a similarly 
situated entity towards compliance with the limitations on 
subcontracting where the subcontractor ceases to qualify as small or 
under the relevant socioeconomic status.

    Example 1 to paragraph (c): An SDVO SBC sole source contract is 
awarded in the total amount of $500,000 for hammers. The prime 
contractor is a manufacturer and subcontracts 51% of the total amount 
received, less the cost of materials ($100,000) or $204,000, to an SDVO 
SBC subcontractor that manufactures the hammers in the U.S. The prime 
contractor does not violate the limitation on subcontracting requirement 
because the amount subcontracted to a similarly situated entity (less 
the cost of materials) is excluded from the limitation on subcontracting 
calculation.
    Example 2 to paragraph (c): A competitive 8(a) BD contract is 
awarded in the total amount of $10,000,000 for janitorial services. The 
prime contractor subcontracts $8,000,000 of the janitorial services to 
another 8(a) BD certified firm. The prime contractor does not violate 
the limitation on subcontracting for services because the amount 
subcontracted to a similarly situated entity is excluded from the 
limitation on subcontracting.
    Example 3 to paragraph (c): A WOSB set-aside contract is awarded in 
the total amount of $1,000,000 for landscaping services. The prime 
contractor subcontracts $500,001 to an SDVO SBC subcontractor that is 
not also a WOSB under the WOSB program. The prime contractor is in 
violation of the limitation on subcontracting requirement because it has 
subcontracted more than 50% of the contract amount to an SDVO SBC 
subcontractor, which is not considered similarly situated to a WOSB 
prime contractor.


[[Page 581]]


    (d) Determining compliance with applicable limitation on 
subcontracting. The period of time used to determine compliance for a 
total or partial set-aside contract will generally be the base term and 
then each subsequent option period. However, for a multi-agency set 
aside contract where more than one agency can issue orders under the 
contract, the ordering agency must use the period of performance for 
each order to determine compliance. For an order set aside under a full 
and open contract or a full and open contract with reserve, the agency 
will use the period of performance for each order to determine 
compliance unless the order is competed among small and other-than-small 
businesses (in which case the subcontracting limitations will not 
apply).
    (1) The contracting officer, in his or her discretion, may require 
the concern to comply with the applicable limitations on subcontracting 
and the nonmanufacturer rule for each order awarded under a total or 
partial set-aside contract.
    (2) Compliance will be considered an element of responsibility and 
not a component of size eligibility.
    (3) Work performed by an independent contractor shall be considered 
a subcontract, and may count toward meeting the applicable limitation on 
subcontracting where the independent contractor qualifies as a similarly 
situated entity.
    (e) Past Performance Evaluation. Where an agency determines that a 
contractor has not met the applicable limitation on subcontracting 
requirement at the conclusion of contract performance, the agency must 
notify the business concern and give it the opportunity to explain any 
extenuating or mitigating circumstances that negatively impacted its 
ability to do so.
    (1) Where a small business does not provide any extenuating or 
mitigating circumstances or the agency determines that the concern's 
failure to meet the applicable limitation on subcontracting requirement 
was not beyond the concern's control, the agency may not give a 
satisfactory or higher past performance rating for the appropriate 
factor or subfactor in accordance with FAR 42.1503.
    (2) Where a contracting officer determines that extenuating 
circumstances warrant a satisfactory/positive past performance 
evaluation for the appropriate evaluation factor or subfactor and the 
individual at least one level above the contracting officer concurs with 
that determination, a satisfactory or higher past performance rating may 
be given.
    (i) Extenuating or mitigating circumstances that could lead to a 
satisfactory/positive rating include, but are not limited to, unforeseen 
labor shortages, modifications to the contract's scope of work which 
were requested or directed by the Government, emergency or rapid 
response requirements that demand immediate subcontracting actions by 
the prime small business concern, unexpected changes to a 
subcontractor's designation as a similarly situated entity (as defined 
in Sec.  125.1), differing site or environmental conditions which arose 
during the course of performance, force majeure events, and the 
contractor's good faith reliance upon a similarly situated 
subcontractor's representation of size or relevant socioeconomic status.
    (ii) An agency cannot rely on any circumstances that were within the 
contractor's control, or those which could have been mitigated without 
imposing an undue cost or burden on the contractor.
    (f) Inapplicability of limitations on subcontracting. The 
limitations on subcontracting do not apply to:
    (1) Small business set-aside contracts with a value that is greater 
than the micro-purchase threshold but less than or equal to the 
simplified acquisition threshold (as both terms are defined in the FAR 
at 48 CFR 2.101); or
    (2) Subcontracts (except where a prime is relying on a similarly 
situated entity to meet the applicable limitations on subcontracting).
    (3) For contracts where an independent contractor is not otherwise 
treated as an employee of the concern for which he/she is performing 
work for size purposes under Sec.  121.106(a) of this chapter, work 
performed by the independent contractor shall be considered a 
subcontract. Such work will count

[[Page 582]]

toward meeting the applicable limitation on subcontracting where the 
independent contractor qualifies as a similarly situated entity.
    (4) Contracting officers may, at their discretion, require the 
contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on 
subcontracting at any time during performance and upon completion of a 
contract if the information regarding such compliance is not already 
available to the contracting officer. Evidence of compliance includes, 
but is not limited to, invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of 
the value of tasks performed.
    (g) Request to change applicable limitation on subcontracting. SBA 
may use different percentages if the Administrator determines that such 
action is necessary to reflect conventional industry practices among 
small business concerns that are below the numerical size standard for 
businesses in that industry group. Representatives of a national trade 
or industry group or any interested SBC may request a change in 
subcontracting percentage requirements for the categories defined by six 
digit industry codes in the North American Industry Classification 
System (NAICS) pursuant to the following procedures:
    (1) Format of request. Requests from representatives of a trade or 
industry group and interested SBCs should be in writing and sent or 
delivered to the Director, Office of Government Contracting, U.S. Small 
Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW., Washington, DC 20416. The 
requester must demonstrate to SBA that a change in percentage is 
necessary to reflect conventional industry practices among small 
business concerns that are below the numerical size standard for 
businesses in that industry category, and must support its request with 
information including, but not limited to:
    (i) Information relative to the economic conditions and structure of 
the entire national industry;
    (ii) Market data, technical changes in the industry and industry 
trends;
    (iii) Specific reasons and justifications for the change in the 
subcontracting percentage;
    (iv) The effect such a change would have on the Federal procurement 
process; and
    (v) Information demonstrating how the proposed change would promote 
the purposes of the small business, 8(a), SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, WOSB, 
or EDWOSB programs.
    (2) Notice to public. Upon an adequate preliminary showing to SBA, 
SBA will publish in the Federal Register a notice of its receipt of a 
request that it considers a change in the subcontracting percentage 
requirements for a particular industry. The notice will identify the 
group making the request, and give the public an opportunity to submit 
information and arguments in both support and opposition.
    (3) Comments. SBA will provide a period of not less than 30 days for 
public comment in response to the Federal Register notice.
    (4) Decision. SBA will render its decision after the close of the 
comment period. If SBA decides against a change, SBA will publish notice 
of its decision in the Federal Register. Concurrent with the notice, SBA 
will advise the requester of its decision in writing. If SBA decides in 
favor of a change, SBA will propose an appropriate change to this part.
    (h) Penalties. Whoever violates the requirements set forth in 
paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties 
prescribed in 15 U.S.C. 645(d), except that the fine shall be treated as 
the greater of $500,000 or the dollar amount spent, in excess of 
permitted levels, by the entity on subcontractors. A party's failure to 
comply with the spirit and intent of a subcontract with a similarly 
situated entity may be considered a basis for debarment on the grounds, 
including but not limited to, that the parties have violated the terms 
of a Government contract or subcontract pursuant to FAR 9.406-2(b)(1)(i) 
(48 CFR 9.406-2(b)(1)(i)).

[81 FR 34262, May 31, 2016, as amended at 81 FR 67093, Sept. 30, 2016; 
83 FR 12852, Mar. 26, 2018; 84 FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019; 84 FR 65664, 
Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 66192, Oct. 16, 2020; 87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022; 
88 FR 26210, Apr. 27, 2023]

    Editorial Note: At 81 FR 48585, July 25, 2016, Sec.  125.6 was 
amended; however, the amendment could not be incorporated due to 
inaccurate amendatory instruction.

[[Page 583]]



Sec.  125.7  Acquisition-related dollar thresholds.

    The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) has the 
responsibility of adjusting each acquisition-related dollar threshold on 
October 1, of each year that is evenly divisible by five. Acquisition-
related dollar thresholds are defined as dollar thresholds that are 
specified in law as a factor in defining the scope of the applicability 
of a policy, procedure, requirement, or restriction provided in that law 
to the procurement of property or services by an executive agency as 
determined by the FAR Council. 41 U.S.C. 431a(c). Part 125, Government 
Contracting Programs, contains acquisition-related dollar thresholds 
subject to inflationary adjustments. The FAR Council shall publish a 
notice of the adjusted dollar thresholds in the Federal Register. The 
adjusted dollar thresholds shall take effect on the date of publication.

[74 FR 46887, Sept. 14, 2009]



Sec.  125.8  What requirements must a joint venture satisfy to submit 
an offer for a procurement or sale set aside or reserved for small business?

    (a) General. A joint venture of two or more business concerns may 
submit an offer as a small business for a Federal procurement, 
subcontract or sale so long as each concern is small under the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract, or 
qualify as small under one of the exceptions to affiliation set forth in 
Sec.  121.103(h)(4) of this chapter.
    (b) Contents of joint venture agreement. (1) A joint venture 
agreement between two or more entities that individually qualify as 
small need not be in any specific form or contain any specific 
conditions in order for the joint venture to qualify as a small 
business.
    (2) Every joint venture agreement to perform a contract set aside or 
reserved for small business between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] small 
business and its SBA-approved mentor authorized by Sec.  125.9 must 
contain a provision:
    (i) Setting forth the purpose of the joint venture;
    (ii) Designating a small business as the managing venturer of the 
joint venture, and designating a named employee of the small business 
managing venturer as the manager with ultimate responsibility for 
performance of the contract (the ``Responsible Manager'').
    (A) The managing venturer is responsible for controlling the day-to-
day management and administration of the contractual performance of the 
joint venture, but other partners to the joint venture may participate 
in all corporate governance activities and decisions of the joint 
venture as is commercially customary. The joint venture agreement may 
not give to a non-managing venturer negative control over activities of 
the joint venture, unless those provisions would otherwise be 
commercially customary for a joint venture agreement for a government 
contract outside of SBA's programs. A non-managing venturer's approval 
may be required in, among other things, determining what contract 
opportunities the joint venture should seek and initiating litigation on 
behalf of the joint venture.
    (B) The individual identified as the Responsible Manager of the 
joint venture need not be an employee of the small business at the time 
the joint venture submits an offer, but, if he or she is not, there must 
be a signed letter of intent that the individual commits to be employed 
by the small business if the joint venture is the successful offeror. 
The individual identified as the Responsible Manager cannot be employed 
by the mentor and become an employee of the small business for purposes 
of performance under the joint venture.
    (C) Although the joint venture managers responsible for orders 
issued under an IDIQ contract need not be employees of the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute], those managers must report to and be supervised 
by the joint venture's Responsible Manager;
    (iii) Stating that with respect to a separate legal entity joint 
venture, the small business must own at least 51% of the joint venture 
entity;
    (iv) Stating that the small business participant(s) must receive 
profits from the joint venture commensurate with the work performed by 
them, or a percentage agreed to by the parties to the joint venture 
whereby the small business participant(s) receive profits

[[Page 584]]

from the joint venture that exceed the percentage commensurate with the 
work performed by them, and that at the termination of a joint venture, 
any funds remaining in the joint venture bank account shall be 
distributed according to the percentage of ownership;
    (v) Providing for the establishment and administration of a special 
bank account in the name of the joint venture. This account must require 
the signature or consent of all parties to the joint venture for any 
payments made by the joint venture to its members for services 
performed. All payments due the joint venture for performance on a 
contract set aside or reserved for small business will be deposited in 
the special account; all expenses incurred under the contract will be 
paid from the account as well;
    (vi) Itemizing all major equipment, facilities, and other resources 
to be furnished by each party to the joint venture, with a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, where practical. If a contract is 
indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a 
multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope of work is 
not known, the joint venture must provide a general description of the 
anticipated major equipment, facilities, and other resources to be 
furnished by each party to the joint venture, without a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, or in the alternative, specify how 
the parties to the joint venture will furnish such resources to the 
joint venture once a definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (vii) Specifying the responsibilities of the parties with regard to 
negotiation of the contract, source of labor, and contract performance, 
including ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure that 
the joint venture and the small business partner(s) to the joint venture 
will meet the performance of work requirements set forth in paragraph 
(c) of this section, where practical. If a contract is indefinite in 
nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a multiple award 
contract where the level of effort or scope of work is not known, the 
joint venture must provide a general description of the anticipated 
responsibilities of the parties with regard to negotiation of the 
contract, source of labor, and contract performance, not including the 
ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure that the joint 
venture and the small business partner(s) to the joint venture will meet 
the performance of work requirements set forth in paragraph (c) of this 
section, or in the alternative, specify how the parties to the joint 
venture will define such responsibilities once a definite scope of work 
is made publicly available;
    (viii) Obligating all parties to the joint venture to ensure 
performance of a contract set aside or reserved for small business and 
to complete performance despite the withdrawal of any member;
    (ix) Designating that accounting and other administrative records 
relating to the joint venture be kept in the office of the small 
business managing venturer, unless approval to keep them elsewhere is 
granted by the District Director or his/her designee upon written 
request;
    (x) Requiring that the final original records be retained by the 
small business managing venturer upon completion of any contract set 
aside or reserved for small business that was performed by the joint 
venture;
    (xi) Stating that annual performance-of-work statements required by 
paragraph (h)(1) must be submitted to SBA and the relevant contracting 
officer not later than 45 days after each operating year of the joint 
venture; and
    (xii) Stating that the project-end performance-of-work required by 
paragraph (h)(2) must be submitted to SBA and the relevant contracting 
officer no later than 90 days after completion of the contract.
    (c) Performance of work. (1) For any contract set aside or reserved 
for small business that is to be performed by a joint venture between a 
small business prot[eacute]g[eacute] and its SBA-approved mentor 
authorized by Sec.  125.9, the joint venture must perform the applicable 
percentage of work required by Sec.  125.6, and the small business 
partner to the joint venture must perform at least 40% of the work 
performed by the joint venture. Except as set forth in paragraph (c)(4) 
of this section, the 40% calculation for

[[Page 585]]

prot[eacute]g[eacute] workshare follows the same rules as those set 
forth in Sec.  125.6 concerning supplies, construction, and mixed 
contracts, including the exclusion of the same costs from the limitation 
on subcontracting calculation (e.g., cost of materials excluded from the 
calculation in construction contracts).
    (2) The work performed by the small business partner to a joint 
venture must be more than administrative or ministerial functions so 
that it gains substantive experience.
    (3) The amount of work done by the partners will be aggregated and 
the work done by the small business prot[eacute]g[eacute] partner must 
be at least 40% of the total done by the partners. In determining the 
amount of work done by a mentor participating in a joint venture with a 
small business prot[eacute]g[eacute], all work done by the mentor and 
any of its affiliates at any subcontracting tier will be counted.
    (4) Work performed by a similarly situated entity will not count 
toward the requirement that a prot[eacute]g[eacute] must perform at 
least 40% of the work performed by a joint venture.
    (d) Certification of compliance. Prior to the performance of any 
contract set aside or reserved for small business by a joint venture 
between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] small business and a mentor authorized 
by Sec.  125.9, the small business partner to the joint venture must 
submit a written certification to the contracting officer and SBA, 
signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, 
stating as follows:
    (1) The parties have entered into a joint venture agreement that 
fully complies with paragraph (b) of this section;
    (2) The parties will perform the contract in compliance with the 
joint venture agreement and with the performance of work requirements 
set forth in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (e) Capabilities, past performance and experience. When evaluating 
the capabilities, past performance, experience, business systems and 
certifications of an entity submitting an offer for a contract set aside 
or reserved for small business as a joint venture established pursuant 
to this section, a procuring activity must consider work done and 
qualifications held individually by each partner to the joint venture as 
well as any work done by the joint venture itself previously. A 
procuring activity may not require the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm to 
individually meet the same evaluation or responsibility criteria as that 
required of other offerors generally. The partners to the joint venture 
in the aggregate must demonstrate the past performance, experience, 
business systems and certifications necessary to perform the contract.
    (f) Contract execution. The procuring activity will execute a 
contract set aside or reserved for small business in the name of the 
joint venture entity or a small business partner to the joint venture, 
but in either case will identify the award as one to a small business 
joint venture or a small business mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] joint 
venture, as appropriate.
    (g) Inspection of records. The joint venture partners must allow 
SBA's authorized representatives, including representatives authorized 
by the SBA Inspector General, during normal business hours, access to 
its files to inspect and copy all records and documents relating to the 
joint venture.
    (h) Performance of work reports. In connection with any contract set 
aside or reserved for small business that is awarded to a joint venture 
between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] small business and a mentor authorized 
by Sec.  125.9, the small business partner must describe how it is 
meeting or has met the applicable performance of work requirements for 
each contract set aside or reserved for small business that it performs 
as a joint venture.
    (1) The small business partner to the joint venture must annually 
submit a report to the relevant contracting officer and to the SBA, 
signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, 
explaining how the performance of work requirements are being met for 
each contract set aside or reserved for small business that is performed 
during the year.
    (2) At the completion of every contract set aside or reserved for 
small business that is awarded to a joint venture between a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] small business and a mentor authorized by Sec.  
125.9, and upon request by SBA or the relevant

[[Page 586]]

contracting officer prior to contract completion, the small business 
partner to the joint venture must submit a report to the relevant 
contracting officer and to SBA, signed by an authorized official of each 
partner to the joint venture, explaining how and certifying that the 
performance of work requirements were met for the contract, and further 
certifying that the contract was performed in accordance with the 
provisions of the joint venture agreement that are required under 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (i) Basis for suspension or debarment. For any joint venture between 
a prot[eacute]g[eacute] small business and a mentor authorized by Sec.  
125.9, the Government may consider the following as a ground for 
suspension or debarment as a willful violation of a regulatory provision 
or requirement applicable to a public agreement or transaction:
    (1) Failure to enter a joint venture agreement that complies with 
paragraph (b) of this section;
    (2) Failure to perform a contract in accordance with the joint 
venture agreement or performance of work requirements in paragraph (c) 
of this section; or
    (3) Failure to submit the certification required by paragraph (d) of 
this section or comply with paragraph (g) of this section.
    (j) Compliance with performance of work requirements. Any person 
with information concerning a joint venture's compliance with the 
performance of work requirements may report that information to SBA and/
or the SBA Office of Inspector General.

[81 FR 48585, July 25, 2016, as amended at 81 FR 94941, Dec. 27, 2016; 
85 FR 66193, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26211, Apr. 27, 2023; 88 FR 70343, 
Oct. 11, 2023]



Sec.  125.9  What are the rules governing SBA's small business 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program?

    (a) General. The small business mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program 
is designed to enhance the capabilities of prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms 
by requiring approved mentors to provide business development assistance 
to prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms and to improve the prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
firms' ability to successfully compete for federal contracts. This 
assistance may include technical and/or management assistance; financial 
assistance in the form of equity investments and/or loans; subcontracts 
(either from the mentor to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] or from the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] to the mentor); trade education; and/or assistance 
in performing prime contracts with the Government through joint venture 
arrangements. Mentors are encouraged to provide assistance relating to 
the performance of contracts set aside or reserved for small business so 
that prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms may more fully develop their 
capabilities.
    (b) Mentors. Any concern that demonstrates a commitment and the 
ability to assist small business concerns may act as a mentor and 
receive benefits as set forth in this section. This includes other than 
small businesses.
    (1) In order to qualify as a mentor, a concern must demonstrate that 
it:
    (i) Is capable of carrying out its responsibilities to assist the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm under the proposed mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement;
    (ii) Does not appear on the Federal list of debarred or suspended 
contractors; and
    (iii) Can impart value to a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm due to 
lessons learned and practical experience gained or through its knowledge 
of general business operations and government contracting.
    (2) SBA will decline an application if SBA determines that the 
mentor does not possess good character or a favorable financial 
position, employs or otherwise controls the managers of the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute], or is otherwise affiliated with the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute]. Once approved, SBA may terminate the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement if the mentor does not possess good 
character or a favorable financial position, was affiliated with the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] at time of application, or is affiliated with the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] for reasons other than the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or assistance provided under the 
agreement.
    (3) In order for SBA to agree to allow a mentor to have more than 
one prot[eacute]g[eacute] at time, the mentor and proposed additional 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] must demonstrate that the added mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship will not adversely affect the 
development of either prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm (e.g., the second firm 
may not be a competitor of the first firm).

[[Page 587]]

    (i) A mentor that has more than one prot[eacute]g[eacute] cannot 
submit competing offers in response to a solicitation for a specific 
procurement through separate joint ventures with different 
prot[eacute]g[eacute]s.
    (ii) A mentor (including in the aggregate a parent company and all 
of its subsidiaries) generally cannot have more than three 
prot[eacute]g[eacute]s at one time.
    (A) The first two mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationships 
approved by SBA between a specific mentor and a small business that has 
its principal office located in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico do not 
count against the limit of three proteges that a mentor can have at one 
time.
    (B) Where a mentor purchases another business entity that is also an 
SBA-approved mentor of one or more prot[eacute]g[eacute] small business 
concerns and the purchasing mentor commits to honoring the obligations 
under the seller's mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement(s), that 
entity may have more than three prot[eacute]g[eacute]s (i.e., those of 
the purchased concern in addition to those of its own). In such a case, 
the entity could not add another prot[eacute]g[eacute] until it fell 
below three in total.
    (c) Prot[eacute]g[eacute]s. (1) In order to initially qualify as a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm, a concern must qualify as small for the size 
standard corresponding to its primary NAICS code or identify that it is 
seeking business development assistance with respect to a secondary 
NAICS code and qualify as small for the size standard corresponding to 
that NAICS code.
    (i) A firm may self-certify that it qualifies as small for its 
primary or identified secondary NAICS code.
    (ii) Where a small business concern seeks to qualify as a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] in a secondary NAICS code, the concern must 
demonstrate how the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship will help 
it further develop or expand its current capabilities in that secondary 
NAICS code. SBA will not approve a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship in a secondary NAICS code in which the small business 
concern has no prior experience. SBA may approve a mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship where the small business concern can 
demonstrate that it has performed work in one or more similar NAICS 
codes or where the NAICS code in which the small business concern seeks 
a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship is a logical business 
progression to work previously performed by the concern.
    (2) A prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm may generally have only one mentor 
at a time. SBA may approve a second mentor for a particular 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm where the second relationship will not 
compete or otherwise conflict with the first mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship, and:
    (i) The second relationship pertains to an unrelated NAICS code; or
    (ii) The prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm is seeking to acquire a specific 
expertise that the first mentor does not possess.
    (3) SBA may authorize a small business to be both a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] and a mentor at the same time where the small 
business can demonstrate that the second relationship will not compete 
or otherwise conflict with the first mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship.
    (d) Benefits. (1) A prot[eacute]g[eacute] and mentor may joint 
venture as a small business for any government prime contract, 
subcontract or sale, provided the prot[eacute]g[eacute] qualifies as 
small for the procurement or sale. Such a joint venture may seek any 
type of small business contract (i.e., small business set-aside, 8(a), 
HUBZone, SDVO, or WOSB) for which the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm 
qualifies (e.g., a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm that qualifies as a WOSB 
could seek a WOSB set-aside as a joint venture with its SBA-approved 
mentor). Similarly, a joint venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and 
mentor may seek a subcontract as a HUBZone small business, small 
disadvantaged business, SDVO small business, or WOSB provided the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] individually qualifies as such.
    (i) SBA must approve the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement 
before the two firms may submit an offer as a joint venture on a 
particular government prime contract or subcontract in order for the 
joint venture to receive the exclusion from affiliation.
    (ii) In order to receive the exclusion from affiliation, the joint 
venture must meet the requirements set forth in Sec.  125.8(b)(2), (c), 
and (d).
    (iii) A joint venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and its mentor 
will qualify as a small business for any procurement for which the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] individually qualifies as small. Once a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm no longer qualifies as a small business for

[[Page 588]]

the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code under which SBA 
approved its mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship, any joint 
venture between the prot[eacute]g[eacute] and its mentor will no longer 
be able to seek additional contracts or subcontracts as a small business 
for any NAICS code having the same or lower size standard. A joint 
venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and its mentor could seek 
additional contract opportunities in NAICS codes having a size standard 
for which the prot[eacute]g[eacute] continues to qualify as small. A 
change in the prot[eacute]g[eacute]'s size status does not generally 
affect contracts previously awarded to a joint venture between the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] and its mentor.
    (A) Except for contracts with durations of more than five years 
(including options), a contract awarded to a joint venture between a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] and a mentor as a small business continues to 
qualify as an award to small business for the life of that contract and 
the joint venture remains obligated to continue performance on that 
contract.
    (B) For contracts with durations of more than five years (including 
options), where size re-certification is required under Sec.  
121.404(g)(3) of this chapter no more than 120 days prior to the end of 
the fifth year of the contract and no more than 120 days prior to 
exercising any option thereafter, once the prot[eacute]g[eacute] no 
longer qualifies as small for the size standard corresponding to the 
NAICS code assigned to the contract, the joint venture will not be able 
re-certify itself to be a small business for that contract. The rules 
set forth in Sec.  121.404(g)(3) of this chapter apply in such 
circumstances.
    (2) In order to raise capital, the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm may 
agree to sell or otherwise convey to the mentor an equity interest of up 
to 40% in the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm.
    (3) Notwithstanding the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship, a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm may qualify for other assistance as a small 
business, including SBA financial assistance.
    (4) No determination of affiliation or control may be found between 
a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm and its mentor based solely on the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or any assistance provided pursuant to 
the agreement. However, affiliation may be found for other reasons set 
forth in Sec.  121.103 of this chapter.
    (5) Where appropriate, procuring activities may provide incentives 
in the contract evaluation process to a firm that will provide 
significant subcontracting work to its SBA-approved 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm.
    (6) A mentor that provides a subcontract to its 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] that is a covered territory business, or that has 
its principal office located in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, may:
     (i) receive positive consideration for the mentor's past 
performance evaluation, and (ii) apply costs incurred for providing 
training to such protege toward the subcontracting goals contained in 
the subcontracting plan of the mentor.
     (ii) [Reserved]
    (e) Written agreement. (1) The mentor and prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
firms must enter a written agreement setting forth an assessment of the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute]'s needs and providing a detailed description and 
timeline for the delivery of the assistance the mentor commits to 
provide to address those needs (e.g., management and or technical 
assistance; loans and/or equity investments; bonding; use of equipment; 
export assistance; assistance as a subcontractor under prime contracts 
being performed by the prot[eacute]g[eacute]; cooperation on joint 
venture projects; or subcontracts under prime contracts being performed 
by the mentor). The mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement must:
    (i) Specifically identify the business development assistance to be 
provided and address how the assistance will help the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] enhance its growth and/or foster or acquire needed 
capabilities;
    (ii) Identify the specific entity or entities that will provide 
assistance to or participate in joint ventures with the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] where the mentor is a parent or subsidiary 
concern;
    (iii) Establish a single point of contact in the mentor concern who 
is responsible for managing and implementing the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement; and
    (iv) Provide that the mentor will provide such assistance to the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm for at least one year.

[[Page 589]]

    (2) A firm seeking SBA's approval to be a prot[eacute]g[eacute] must 
identify any other mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship it has 
through another federal agency or SBA and provide a copy of each such 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement to SBA.
    (i) The small business mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement must 
identify how the assistance to be provided by the proposed mentor is 
different from assistance provided to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] through 
another mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship, either with the same 
or a different mentor.
    (ii) A firm seeking SBA's approval to be a prot[eacute]g[eacute] may 
terminate a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship it has through 
another agency and use any not yet provided assistance identified in the 
other mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement as part of the assistance 
that will be provided through the small business mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship. Any assistance that has already been 
provided through another mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship 
cannot be identified as assistance that will be provided through the 
small business mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship.
    (3) The written agreement must be approved by the Associate 
Administrator for Business Development (AA/BD) or his/her designee. The 
agreement will not be approved if SBA determines that the assistance to 
be provided is not sufficient to promote any real developmental gains to 
the prot[eacute]g[eacute], or if SBA determines that the agreement is 
merely a vehicle to enable the mentor to receive small business 
contracts.
    (4) The agreement must provide that either the prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
or the mentor may terminate the agreement with 30 days advance notice to 
the other party to the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship and to 
SBA.
    (5) The term of a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement may not 
exceed six years. If an initial mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement 
is for less than six years, it may be extended by mutual agreement prior 
to the expiration date for an additional amount of time that would total 
no more than six years from its inception (e.g., if the initial mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement was for two years, it could be extended 
for an additional four years by consent of the two parties; if the 
initial mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement was for three years, it 
could be extended for an additional three years by consent of the two 
parties). Unless rescinded in writing as a result of an SBA review, the 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship will automatically renew 
without additional written notice of continuation or extension to the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm.
    (6) A prot[eacute]g[eacute] may generally have a total of two 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreements with different mentors.
    (i) Each mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement may last for no more 
than six years, as set forth in paragraph (e)(5) of this section.
    (ii) If a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement is terminated 
within 18 months from the date SBA approved the agreement, that mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship will generally not count as one of 
the two mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationships that a small business 
may enter as a prot[eacute]g[eacute]. However, where a specific small 
business prot[eacute]g[eacute] appears to enter into many short-term 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationships as a means of extending its 
program eligibility as a prot[eacute]g[eacute], SBA may determine that 
the business concern has exhausted its participation in the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] program and not approve an additional mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship.
    (iii) If during the evaluation of the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship pursuant to paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section SBA 
determines that a mentor has not provided the business development 
assistance set forth in its mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or 
that the quality of the assistance provided was not satisfactory, SBA 
may allow the prot[eacute]g[eacute] to substitute another mentor for the 
time remaining in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement without 
counting against the two-mentor limit.
    (iv) Instead of having a six-year mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship with two separate mentors, a prot[eacute]g[eacute] may 
elect to extend or renew a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship 
with the same mentor for a second six-year term. In order for SBA to 
approve an extension or renewal of a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship with the same mentor, the mentor must commit to providing 
additional business development assistance to the prot[eacute]g[eacute].
    (7) SBA must approve all changes to a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
agreement in advance, and any changes made to the

[[Page 590]]

agreement must be provided in writing. If the parties to the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship change the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement without prior approval by SBA, SBA shall 
terminate the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship and may also 
propose suspension or debarment of one or both of the firms pursuant to 
paragraph (h) of this section where appropriate.
    (8) If control of the mentor changes (through a stock sale or 
otherwise), the previously approved mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship may continue provided that, after the change in control, 
the mentor expresses in writing to SBA that it acknowledges the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute]agreement and certifies that it will continue to 
abide by its terms.
    (9) SBA may terminate the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement at 
any time if it determines that the prot[eacute]g[eacute] is not 
benefiting from the relationship or that the parties are not complying 
with any term or condition of the mentor prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
agreement. In the event SBA terminates the relationship, the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] joint venture is obligated to complete any 
previously awarded contracts unless the procuring agency issues a stop 
work order.
    (f) Decision to decline mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship. 
Where SBA declines to approve a specific mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
agreement, SBA will issue a written decision setting forth its reason(s) 
for the decline. The small business concern seeking to be a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] cannot attempt to enter into another mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship with the same mentor for a period of 
60 calendar days from the date of the final decision. The small business 
concern may, however, submit another proposed mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement with a different proposed mentor at any 
time after the SBA's final decline decision.
    (g) Evaluating the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship. SBA 
will review the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship annually. SBA 
will ask the prot[eacute]g[eacute] for its assessment of how the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship is working, whether or not the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] received the agreed upon business development 
assistance, and whether the prot[eacute]g[eacute] would recommend the 
mentor to be a mentor for another small business in the future. At any 
point in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship where a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] believes that a mentor has not provided the 
business development assistance set forth in its mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or that the quality of the assistance 
provided did not meet its expectations, the prot[eacute]g[eacute] can 
ask SBA to intervene on its behalf with the mentor.
    (1) Within 30 days of the anniversary of SBA's approval of the 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement, the prot[eacute]g[eacute] must 
report to SBA for the preceding year:
    (i) All technical and/or management assistance provided by the 
mentor to the prot[eacute]g[eacute];
    (ii) All loans to and/or equity investments made by the mentor in 
the prot[eacute]g[eacute];
    (iii) All subcontracts awarded to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] by the 
mentor and all subcontracts awarded to the mentor by the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute], and the value of each subcontract;
    (iv) All federal contracts awarded to the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship as a joint venture (designating each 
as a small business set-aside, small business reserve, or unrestricted 
procurement), the value of each contract, and the percentage of the 
contract performed and the percentage of revenue accruing to each party 
to the joint venture; and
    (v) A narrative describing the success such assistance has had in 
addressing the developmental needs of the prot[eacute]g[eacute] and 
addressing any problems encountered.
    (2) The prot[eacute]g[eacute] must report the mentoring services it 
receives by category and hours.
    (3) The prot[eacute]g[eacute] must annually certify to SBA whether 
there has been any change in the terms of the agreement.
    (4) At any point in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship 
where a prot[eacute]g[eacute] believes that a mentor has not provided 
the business development assistance set forth in its mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or that the quality of the assistance 
provided did not meet its expectations, the prot[eacute]g[eacute] can 
ask SBA to intervene on its behalf with the mentor.
    (5) SBA may decide not to approve continuation of a mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement where:
    (i) SBA finds that the mentor has not provided the assistance set 
forth in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement;

[[Page 591]]

    (ii) SBA finds that the assistance provided by the mentor has not 
resulted in any material benefits or developmental gains to the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute]; or
    (iii) A prot[eacute]g[eacute] does not provide information relating 
to the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship, as set forth in 
paragraph (g).
    (h) Consequences of not providing assistance set forth in the 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement. (1) Where SBA determines that a 
mentor may not have provided to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm the 
business development assistance set forth in its mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or that the quality of the assistance 
provided may not have been satisfactory, SBA will notify the mentor of 
such determination and afford the mentor an opportunity to respond. The 
mentor must respond within 30 days of the notification, presenting 
information demonstrating that it did satisfactorily provide the 
assistance set forth in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or 
explaining why it has not provided the agreed upon assistance and 
setting forth a definitive plan as to when it will provide such 
assistance. If the mentor fails to respond, does not adequately provide 
information demonstrating that it did satisfactorily provide the 
assistance set forth in the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement, does 
not supply adequate reasons for its failure to provide the agreed upon 
assistance, or does not set forth a definite plan to provide the 
assistance:
    (i) SBA will terminate the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement;
    (ii) The firm will be ineligible to again act as a mentor for a 
period of two years from the date SBA terminates the mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement; and
    (iii) SBA may recommend to the relevant procuring agency to issue a 
stop work order for each federal contract for which the mentor and 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] are performing as a small business joint venture 
in order to encourage the mentor to comply with its mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement. Where a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm is 
able to independently complete performance of any such contract, SBA may 
recommend to the procuring agency to authorize a substitution of the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm for the joint venture.
    (2) SBA may consider a mentor's failure to comply with the terms and 
conditions of an SBA-approved mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement as 
a basis for debarment on the grounds, including but not limited to, that 
the mentor has not complied with the terms of a public agreement under 2 
CFR 180.800(b).
    (i) Results of mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship. (1) In 
order to assess the results of a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship upon its completion, the prot[eacute]g[eacute] must report 
to SBA whether it believed the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship 
was beneficial and describe any lasting benefits to the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute].
    (2) Where a prot[eacute]g[eacute] does not report the results of a 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship upon its completion, SBA will 
not approve a second mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship either 
under this section or under Sec.  124.520 of this chapter.

[81 FR 48585, July 25, 2016, as amended at 85 FR 66194, Oct. 16, 2020; 
87 FR 50927, Aug. 19, 2022; 88 FR 26211, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  125.10  Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] programs of other agencies.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, a Federal 
department or agency may not carry out a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
program for small business unless the head of the department or agency 
submits a plan to the SBA Administrator for the program and the SBA 
Administrator approves the plan. Before starting a new mentor 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] program, the head of a department or agency must 
submit a plan to the SBA Administrator. Within one year of the effective 
date of this section, the head of a department or agency must submit a 
plan to the SBA for any previously existing mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
program that the department or agency seeks to continue.
    (b) The SBA Administrator will approve or disapprove a plan 
submitted under paragraph (a) of this section based on whether the 
proposed program:
    (1) Will assist prot[eacute]g[eacute]s to compete for Federal prime 
contracts and subcontracts; and
    (2) Complies with the provisions set forth in Sec. Sec.  125.9 and 
124.520 of this chapter, as applicable.
    (c) Paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to:
    (1) Any mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program of the Department of 
Defense;

[[Page 592]]

    (2) Any mentoring assistance provided under a Small Business 
Innovation Research Program or a Small Business Technology Transfer 
Program; and
    (3) A mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program operated by a Department 
or agency on January 2, 2013, for a period of one year after the 
effective date of this section.
    (d) The head of each Federal department or agency carrying out an 
agency-specific mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program must report 
annually to SBA:
    (1) The participants (both prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms and their 
approved mentors) in its mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program. This 
includes identifying the number of participants that are:
    (i) Small business concerns;
    (ii) Small business concerns owned and controlled by service-
disabled veterans;
    (iii) Small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals;
    (iv) Small business concerns owned and controlled by Indian tribes, 
Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian Organizations, and Community 
Development Corporations; and
    (v) Small business concerns owned and controlled by women;
    (2) The assistance provided to small businesses through the program; 
and
    (3) The progress of prot[eacute]g[eacute] firms under the program to 
compete for Federal prime contracts and subcontracts.

[81 FR 48585, July 25, 2016]



Sec.  125.11  Past performance ratings for certain small business concerns.

    (a) General. In accordance with sections 15(e)(5) and 8(d)(17) of 
the Small Business Act, agencies are required to consider the past 
performance of certain small business offerors that have been members of 
joint ventures or have been first-tier subcontractors. The agencies 
shall consider the small business' past performance for the evaluated 
contract or order similarly to a prime-contract past performance.
    (b) Small business concerns that have been members of joint 
ventures--(1) Joint venture past performance. (i) When submitting an 
offer for a prime contract, a small business concern that has been a 
member of a joint venture may elect to use the experience and past 
performance of the joint venture (whether or not the other joint venture 
partners were small business concerns) where the small business does not 
independently demonstrate past performance necessary for award. The 
small business concern, when making such an election, shall:
    (A) Identify to the contracting officer the joint venture of which 
the small business concern is or was a member;
    (B) Identify the contract or contracts of the joint venture that the 
small business elects to use for its experience and past performance for 
the prime contract offer; and
    (C) Inform the contracting officer what duties and responsibilities 
the concern carried out or is carrying out as part of the joint venture.
    (ii) A small business cannot identify and use as its own experience 
and past performance work that was performed exclusively by other 
partners to the joint venture.
    (2) Evaluation. When evaluating the past performance of a small 
business concern that has submitted an offer on a prime contract, the 
contracting officer shall consider the joint venture past performance 
that the concern elected to use under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, 
giving due consideration to the information provided under paragraph 
(b)(1)(i)(C) of this section for the performance of the evaluated 
contract or order. This includes where the small business concern lacks 
a past performance rating as a prime contractor in the Contractor 
Performance Assessment Reporting System, or successor system used by the 
Federal Government to monitor or rate contractor past performance.
    (c) Small business concerns that have performed as first-tier 
subcontractors--(1) Responsibility of prime contractors. A small 
business concern may request a rating of its subcontractor past 
performance from the prime contractor for a contract on which the 
concern was a first-tier subcontractor and which included a 
subcontracting plan. The prime contractor shall provide the rating to 
the small business concern within 15 calendar days of the request. The 
rating provided by the prime contractor to the first-tier small business 
subcontractor shall utilize the five-

[[Page 593]]

scale ratings system found in FAR 42.1503 (48 CFR 42.1503): Exceptional, 
Very Good, Satisfactory, Marginal, and Unsatisfactory. The prime 
contractor must include, at a minimum, the following evaluation factors 
in the requested rating:
    (i) Technical (quality of product or service);
    (ii) Cost control (not applicable for firm-fixed-price or fixed-
price with economic price adjustment arrangements);
    (iii) Schedule/timeliness;
    (iv) Management or business relations; and
    (v) Other (as applicable).
    (2) Responsibility of first-tier small business subcontractors. A 
first-tier small business subcontractor must make the request for a 
performance rating from the prime contractor within 30 days after the 
completion of the period of performance for the prime contractor's 
contract with the Government. However, the prime contractor and the 
first-tier small business subcontractor may negotiate a later deadline 
for the request for a performance rating, but in no case can the prime 
contractor impose a deadline earlier than 30 days after the completion 
of the period of performance for the prime contractor's contract with 
the Government. The subcontractor may notify the contracting officer in 
the event that the prime contractor does not comply with its 
responsibility to submit a timely rating.
    (3) Joint ventures that performed as first-tier subcontractors. A 
small business member of a joint venture may request a past performance 
rating under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, where a joint venture 
performed as a first-tier subcontractor. The joint venture member may 
then submit the subcontractor past performance rating to a procuring 
agency in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section.
    (4) Evaluation. When evaluating the past performance of a small 
business concern that elected to use a rating for its offer on a prime 
contract, a contracting officer shall consider the concern's experience 
and rating of past performance as a first-tier subcontractor. This 
includes where the small business concern lacks a past performance 
rating as a prime contractor in the Contractor Performance Assessment 
Reporting System (CPARS), or successor system used by the Federal 
Government to monitor or rate contractor past performance.

[87 FR 43739, July 22, 2022]



PART 126_HUBZONE PROGRAM--Table of Contents



              Subpart A_Provisions of General Applicability

Sec.
126.100 What is the purpose of the HUBZone program?
126.101 Which government departments or agencies are affected directly 
          by the HUBZone program?
126.102 What is the effect of the HUBZone program on the section 8(d) 
          subcontracting program?
126.103 What definitions are important in the HUBZone program?
126.104 How can a Governor petition for the designation of a Governor-
          designated covered area?

 Subpart B_Requirements To Be a Certified HUBZone Small Business Concern

126.200 What requirements must a concern meet to be eligible as a 
          certified HUBZone small business concern?
126.201 Who does SBA consider to own a HUBZone SBC?
126.202 Who does SBA consider to control a HUBZone SBC?
126.203 [Reserved]
126.204 May a HUBZone small business concern have affiliates?
126.205 May participants in other SBA programs be certified as HUBZone 
          small business concerns?
126.206 May nonmanufacturers be certified as HUBZone small business 
          concerns?
126.207 Do all of the offices or facilities of a certified HUBZone small 
          business concern have to be located in a HUBZone?

                         Subpart C_Certification

126.300 How may a concern be certified as a HUBZone small business 
          concern?
126.301 Is there any other way for a concern to obtain certification?
126.302 When may a concern apply for certification?
126.303 Where must a concern submit its application for certification?
126.304 What must a concern submit to SBA in order to be certified as a 
          HUBZone small business concern?
126.305 [Reserved]
126.306 How will SBA process an application for HUBZone certification?

[[Page 594]]

126.307 Where is there a list of certified HUBZone small business 
          concerns?
126.308 What happens if a HUBZone small business concern receives notice 
          of its certification but it does not appear in DSBS as a 
          certified HUBZone small business concern?
126.309 May a declined or de-certified concern seek certification at a 
          later date?

                     Subpart D_Program Examinations

126.400 Who will conduct program examinations?
126.401 What is a program examination?
126.402 When will SBA conduct program examinations?
126.403 What will SBA review during a program examination?
126.404 What are the possible outcomes of a program examination and when 
          will SBA make its determination?

                  Subpart E_Maintaining HUBZone Status

126.500 How does a concern maintain HUBZone certification?
126.501 How long does HUBZone certification last?
126.502 Is there a limit to the length of time a concern may be a 
          certified HUBZone small business concern?
126.503 What happens if SBA is unable to verify a HUBZone small business 
          concern's eligibility or determines that a concern is no 
          longer eligible for the program?
126.504 When will SBA remove the designation of a concern in DSBS (or 
          successor system) as a certified HUBZone small business 
          concern?

  Subpart F_Contracting With Certified HUBZone Small Business Concerns

126.600 What are HUBZone contracts?
126.601 What additional requirements must a certified HUBZone small 
          business concern meet to submit an offer on a HUBZone 
          contract?
126.602 Must a certified HUBZone small business concern maintain the 
          employee residency percentage during contract performance?
126.603 Does HUBZone certification guarantee receipt of HUBZone 
          contracts?
126.604 Who decides if a contract opportunity for HUBZone set-aside 
          competition exists?
126.605 What requirements are not available for HUBZone contracts?
126.606 May a procuring activity request that SBA release a requirement 
          from the 8(a) BD program for award as a HUBZone contract?
126.607 When must a contracting officer set aside a requirement for 
          certified HUBZone small business concerns?
126.608 Are there HUBZone contract opportunities at or below the 
          simplified acquisition threshold or micropurchase threshold?
126.609 Can a HUBZone competition be limited or authorize preferences to 
          small business concerns having additional socioeconomic 
          certifications?
126.610 May SBA appeal a contracting officer's decision not to make a 
          procurement available for award as a HUBZone contract?
126.611 What is the process for an appeal of a contracting officer's 
          decision not to issue a procurement as a HUBZone contract?
126.612 When may a CO award sole source contracts to HUBZone small 
          business concerns?
126.613 How does a price evaluation preference affect the bid of a 
          certified HUBZone small business concern in full and open 
          competition?
126.614 [Reserved]
126.615 May a large business participate on a HUBZone contract?
126.616 What requirements must a joint venture satisfy to submit an 
          offer and be eligible to perform on a HUBZone contract?
126.617 Who decides contract disputes arising between a certified 
          HUBZone small business concern and a contracting activity 
          after the award of a HUBZone contract?
126.618 How does a certified HUBZone small business concern's 
          participation in a Mentor-Prote[eacute]g[eacute] relationship 
          affect its participation in the HUBZone Program?
126.619 When must a certified HUBZone small business concern recertify 
          its status for a HUBZone contract?

               Subpart G_Contract Performance Requirements

126.700 What are the limitations on subcontracting requirements for 
          HUBZone contracts?
126.701 Can these subcontracting percentages requirements change?
126.702 How can the subcontracting percentage requirements be changed?

                           Subpart H_Protests

126.800 Who may protest the status of a certified HUBZone small business 
          concern?
126.801 How does an interested party file a HUBZone status protest?
126.802 Who decides a HUBZone status protest?
126.803 How will SBA process a HUBZone status protest and what are the 
          possible outcomes?
126.804 Will SBA decide all HUBZone status protests?

[[Page 595]]

126.805 What are the procedures for appeals of HUBZone status protest 
          determinations?

                           Subpart I_Penalties

126.900 What are the requirements for representing HUBZone status, and 
          what are the penalties for misrepresentation?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(a), 632(j), 632(p), 644 and 657a.

    Source: 63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 126 appear at 72 FR 
50041, Aug. 30, 2007.



              Subpart A_Provisions of General Applicability



Sec.  126.100  What is the purpose of the HUBZone program?

    The purpose of the HUBZone program is to provide federal contracting 
assistance for qualified SBCs located in historically underutilized 
business zones in an effort to increase employment opportunities, 
investment, and economic development in such areas.



Sec.  126.101  Which government departments or agencies are affected directly 
by the HUBZone program?

    (a) The HUBZone Program applies to all federal departments or 
agencies that employ one or more contracting officers.
    (b) The HUBZone program does not apply to contracts awarded by state 
and local governments. However, state and local governments may use the 
List of certified HUBZone small business concerns to identify certified 
HUBZone small business concerns for similar programs authorized under 
state or local law.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 66 FR 4645, Jan. 18, 2001; 69 
FR 29420, May 24, 2004; 84 FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.102  What is the effect of the HUBZone program on the section 8(d) 
subcontracting program?

    The HUBZone Act of 1997 amended the section 8(d) subcontracting 
program to include qualified HUBZone SBCs in the formal subcontracting 
plans described in Sec.  125.3 of this title.



Sec.  126.103  What definitions are important in the HUBZone program?

    Administrator means the Administrator of the United States Small 
Business Administration (SBA).
    AA/BD means SBA's Associate Administrator for Business Development.
    Agricultural commodity has the same meaning as in section 102 of the 
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
    Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) has the same meaning as the term 
``Native Corporation'' in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (ANCSA), 43 U.S.C. 1602.
    Attempt to maintain means making substantive and documented efforts, 
such as written offers of employment, published advertisements seeking 
employees, and attendance at job fairs and applies only to concerns 
during the performance of any HUBZone contract. A certified HUBZone 
small business concern that has less than 20% of its total employees 
residing in a HUBZone during the performance of a HUBZone contract has 
failed to attempt to maintain the HUBZone residency requirement.
    Base closure area means:
    (1) Lands within the external boundaries of a military installation 
that were closed through a privatization process under the authority of:
    (i) The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of 
title XXIX of division B of Pub. L. 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note);
    (ii) Title II of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base 
Closure and Realignment Act (Pub. L. 100-526; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note);
    (iii) 10 U.S.C. 2687; or
    (iv) Any other provision of law authorizing or directing the 
Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department to 
dispose of real property at the military installation for purposes 
relating to base closures of redevelopment, while retaining the 
authority to enter into a leaseback of all or a portion of the property 
for military use;
    (2) The census tract or nonmetropolitan county (excluding any 
qualified census tract and any qualified non-metropolitan county) in 
which the

[[Page 596]]

lands described in paragraph (1) of this definition are wholly 
contained;
    (3) A census tract or nonmetropolitan county (excluding any 
qualified census tract and any qualified non-metropolitan county) the 
boundaries of which intersect the area described in paragraph (1) of 
this definition; and
    (4) A census tract or nonmetropolitan county (excluding any 
qualified census tract and any qualified non-metropolitan county) the 
boundaries of which are contiguous to the area described in paragraph 
(2) or paragraph (3) of this definition.
    Certify means the process by which SBA determines that a concern is 
qualified for the HUBZone program and eligible to be designated by SBA 
as a certified HUBZone small business concern in the Dynamic Small 
Business Search (DSBS) system (or successor system).
    Citizen means a person born or naturalized in the United States. SBA 
does not consider holders of permanent visas and resident aliens to be 
citizens.
    Community Development Corporation (CDC) means a corporation that has 
received financial assistance under Part 1 of Subchapter A of the 
Community Economic Development Act of 1981, 42 U.S.C. 9805-9808.
    Concern means a firm which satisfies the requirements in Sec. Sec.  
121.105(a) and (b) of this title.
    Contract opportunity means a situation in which a requirement for a 
procurement exists, none of the exclusions from Sec.  126.605 applies, 
and any applicable conditions in Sec.  126.607 are met.
    Contracting Officer (CO) has the meaning given that term in 41 
U.S.C. 423(f)(5), which defines a CO as a person who, by appointment in 
accordance with applicable regulations, has the authority to enter into 
a Federal agency procurement contract on behalf of the Government and to 
make determinations and findings with respect to such a contract.
    County means the political subdivisions recognized as a county by a 
state or commonwealth or which is an equivalent political subdivision 
such as a parish, borough, independent city, or municipio, where such 
subdivisions are not subdivisions within counties.
    D/HUB means the Director of SBA's Office of HUBZone.
    Decertify means the process by which SBA determines that a concern 
no longer qualifies as a HUBZone small business concern and removes that 
concern as a certified HUBZone small business concern from DSBS (or 
successor system), or the process by which SBA removes a concern as a 
certified HUBZone small business concern from DSBS (or successor system) 
after receiving a request to voluntarily withdraw from the HUBZone 
program.
    Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) means the database that 
government agencies use to find small business contractors for upcoming 
contracts. The information a business provides when registering in the 
System for Award Management (SAM) is used to populate DSBS. For HUBZone 
Program purposes, a concern's DSBS profile will indicate whether it is a 
certified HUBZone small business concern, and if so, the date it was 
certified or recertified.
    Employee means all individuals employed on a full-time, part-time, 
or other basis, so long as that individual works a minimum of 40 hours 
during the four-week period immediately prior to the relevant date of 
review, which is either the date the concern submits its HUBZone 
application to SBA or the date of recertification. SBA will review a 
concern's payroll records for the most recently completed pay periods 
that account for the four-week period immediately prior to the date of 
application or date of recertification in order to determine which 
individuals meet this definition. To determine if an individual is an 
employee, SBA reviews the totality of circumstances, including criteria 
used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for Federal income tax 
purposes and the factors set forth in SBA's Size Policy Statement No. 1 
(51 FR 6099, February 20, 1986).
    (1) In general, the following are considered employees:
    (i) Individuals obtained from a temporary employee agency, leasing 
concern, or through a union agreement, or co-employed pursuant to a 
professional employer organization agreement;
    (ii) An individual who has an ownership interest in the concern and 
who

[[Page 597]]

works for the concern a minimum of 40 hours during the four-week period 
immediately prior to the relevant date of review, whether or not the 
individual receives compensation;
    (iii) The sole owner of a concern who works less than 40 hours 
during the four-week period immediately prior to the relevant date of 
review, but who has not hired another individual to direct the actions 
of the concern's employees;
    (iv) Individuals who receive in-kind compensation commensurate with 
work performed. Such compensation must provide a demonstrable financial 
value to the individual and must be compliant with all relevant federal 
and state laws.
    (2) In general, the following are not considered employees:
    (i) Individuals who are not owners and receive no compensation 
(including no in-kind compensation) for work performed;
    (ii) Individuals who receive deferred compensation for work 
performed;
    (iii) Independent contractors that receive payment via IRS Form 1099 
and are not considered employees under SBA's Size Policy Statement No. 
1; and
    (iv) Subcontractors.
    (3) Employees of an affiliate may be considered employees, if the 
totality of the circumstances shows that there is no clear line of 
fracture between the HUBZone applicant (or certified HUBZone small 
business concern) and its affiliate(s) (see Sec.  126.204).
    Governor-designated covered area means an area that the 
Administrator has designated as a HUBZone by approving a Governor-
generated petition as described in Sec.  126.104.
    HUBZone means a historically underutilized business zone, which is 
an area located within one or more:
    (1) Qualified census tracts;
    (2) Qualified non-metropolitan counties;
    (3) Lands within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation;
    (4) Redesignated areas;
    (5) Qualified base closure areas;
    (6) Qualified disaster areas; or
    (7) Governor-designated covered areas.
    HUBZone small business concern or certified HUBZone small business 
concern means a small business concern that meets the requirements 
described in Sec.  126.200 and that SBA has certified as eligible for 
federal contracting assistance under the HUBZone program. A concern that 
was a certified HUBZone small business concern as of December 12, 2017, 
and that had its principal office located in a redesignated area set to 
expire prior to January 1, 2020, shall remain a certified HUBZone small 
business concern until June 30, 2023, so long as all other HUBZone 
eligibility requirements are met.
    Indian reservation (1) Has the same meaning as the term ``Indian 
country'' in 18 U.S.C. 1151, except that such term does not include:
    (i) Any lands that are located within a State in which a tribe did 
not exercise governmental jurisdiction as of December 21, 2000, unless 
that tribe is recognized after that date by either an Act of Congress or 
pursuant to regulations of the Secretary of the Interior for the 
administrative recognition that an Indian group exists as an Indian 
tribe (25 CFR part 83); and
    (ii) Lands taken into trust or acquired by an Indian tribe after 
December 21, 2000 if such lands are not located within the external 
boundaries of an Indian reservation or former reservation or are not 
contiguous to the lands held in trust or restricted status as of 
December 21, 2000; and
    (2) In the State of Oklahoma, means lands that:
    (i) Are within the jurisdictional areas of an Oklahoma Indian tribe 
(as determined by the Secretary of the Interior); and
    (ii) Are recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as of December 
21, 2000, as eligible for trust land status under 25 CFR part 151.
    Indian Tribal Government means the governing body of any Indian 
tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community which 
is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided 
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
    Interested party means any concern that submits an offer for a 
specific HUBZone set-aside contract (including Multiple Award Contracts) 
or order, any concern that submitted an offer in

[[Page 598]]

full and open competition and its opportunity for award will be affected 
by a price evaluation preference given a qualified HUBZone small 
business concern, any concern that submitted an offer in a full and open 
competition and its opportunity for award will be affected by a reserve 
of an award given to a qualified HUBZone small business concern, the 
contracting activity's contracting officer, or SBA.
    Lands within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation 
include all lands within the perimeter of an Indian reservation, whether 
tribally owned and governed or not. For example, land that is 
individually owned and located within the perimeter of an Indian 
reservation is ``lands within the external boundaries of an Indian 
reservation.'' By contrast, an Indian-owned parcel of land that is 
located outside the perimeter of an Indian reservation is not ``lands 
within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation.''
    Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) means any community service 
organization serving Native Hawaiians in the State of Hawaii which is a 
not-for-profit organziation chartered by the State of Hawaii, is 
controlled by Native Hawaiians, and whose business activities will 
principally benefit such Native Hawaiians.
    Non-metropolitan has the meaning used by the Bureau of the Census, 
United States Department of Commerce, in its publication titled, ``1990 
Census of Population, Social and Economic Characteristics,'' Report 
Number CP-2, page A-9. This publication is available for inspection at 
any local Federal Depository Library. For the location of a Federal 
Depository Library, call toll-free (888) 293-6498 or contact the Bureau 
of the Census, Population Distribution Branch, Population Division, 
Washington D.C. 20233-8800.
    Person means a natural person.
    Primary industry classification or primary industry means the six-
digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 
designation which best describes the primary business activity of the 
HUBZone applicant or certified HUBZone small business concern. SBA 
utilizes Sec.  121.107 of this chapter in determining a concern's 
primary industry classification.
    Principal office means the location where the greatest number of the 
concern's employees at any one location perform their work.
    (1) If an employee works at multiple locations, then the employee 
will be deemed to work at the location where the employee spends more 
than 50% of his or her time. If an employee does not spend more than 50% 
of his or her time at any one location and at least one of those 
locations is a non-HUBZone location, then the employee will be deemed to 
work at a non-HUBZone location.
    (2) In order for a location to be considered the principal office, 
the concern must conduct business at this location.
    (3) For those concerns whose ``primary industry classification'' is 
services or construction (see Sec.  121.201 of this chapter), the 
determination of principal office excludes the concern's employees who 
perform more than 50% of their work at job-site locations to fulfill 
specific contract obligations. If all of a concern's employees perform 
more than 50% of their work at job sites, the concern does not comply 
with the principal office requirement.
    (i) Example 1: A business concern whose primary industry is 
construction has a total of 78 employees, including the owners. The 
business concern has one office (Office A), which is located in a 
HUBZone, with 3 employees working at that location. The business concern 
also has a job-site for a current contract, where 75 employees perform 
more than 50% of their work. The 75 job-site employees are excluded for 
purposes of determining principal office. Since the remaining 3 
employees all work at Office A, Office A is the concern's principal 
office. Since Office A is in a HUBZone, the business concern complies 
with the principal office requirement.
    (ii) Example 2: A business concern whose primary industry is 
services has a total of 4 employees, including the owner. The business 
concern has one office located in a HUBZone (Office A), where 2 
employees perform more than 50% of their work, and a second office not 
located in a HUBZone (Office B), where 2 employees perform more than 50% 
of their work. Since there is not

[[Page 599]]

one location where the greatest number of the concern's employees at any 
one location perform their work, the business concern would not have a 
principal office in a HUBZone.
    (iii) Example 3: A business concern whose primary industry is 
services has a total of 6 employees, including the owner. Five of the 
employees perform all of their work at job-sites fulfilling specific 
contract obligations. The business concern's owner performs 45% of her 
work at job-sites, and 55% of her work at an office located in a HUBZone 
(Office A) conducting tasks such as writing proposals, generating 
payroll, and responding to emails. Office A would be considered the 
principal office of the concern since it is the only location where any 
employees of the concern work that is not a job site and the 1 
individual working there spends more than 50% of her time at Office A. 
Since Office A is located in a HUBZone, the small business concern would 
meet the principal office requirement.
    Qualified base closure area means a base closure area that is 
treated by SBA as a HUBZone for a period of at least 8 years, beginning 
on the date on which the Administrator designates the base closure area 
as a HUBZone and ending on the date on which the base closure area 
ceases to be a qualified census tract or a qualified nonmetropolitan 
county in accordance with the online tool prepared by the Administrator.
    Qualified census tract. (1) Qualified census tract means a census 
tract which is designated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, and for the most recent year for which census data are 
available on household income in such tract, either in which 50 percent 
or more of the households have an income which is less than 60 percent 
of the area median gross income for such year or which has a poverty 
rate of at least 25 percent. See 26 U.S.C. 42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(I).
    (2) The portion of a metropolitan statistical area (as defined by 
the Bureau of the Census, United States Department of Commerce, in its 
publications on the Census of Population, Social and Economic 
Characteristics) which may be designated as ``qualified census tracts'' 
shall not exceed an area having 20 percent of the population of such 
metropolitan statistical area. See 26 U.S.C. 42(d)(5)(B)(ii)(II). This 
paragraph does not apply to any metropolitan statistical area in the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico until December 22, 2027, or the date on 
which the Financial Oversight and Management Board for the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico created by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and 
Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) (Pub. L. 114-187, June 30, 2016) ceases 
to exist, whichever event occurs first.
    (3) Qualified census tracts are reflected in a publicly accessible 
online tool that depicts HUBZones and will be updated every 5 years.
    Qualified disaster area. (1) Qualified disaster area means any 
census tract or nonmetropolitan county located in an area where a major 
disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) 
has occurred or an area in which a catastrophic incident has occurred if 
such census tract or nonmetropolitan county ceased to be a qualified 
census tract or qualified nonmetropolitan county during the period 
beginning 5 years before the date on which the President declared the 
major disaster or the catastrophic incident occurred.
    (2) A census tract or nonmetropolitan county shall be considered to 
be a qualified disaster area only for the period of time ending on the 
date the area ceases to be a qualified census tract or a qualified 
nonmetropolitan county, in accordance with the publicly accessible 
online tool that depicts HUBZones, and beginning--
    (i) In the case of a major disaster, on the date on which the 
President declared the major disaster for the area in which the census 
tract or nonmetropolitan county, as applicable, is located; or
    (ii) In the case of a catastrophic incident, on the date on which 
the catastrophic incident occurred in the area in which the census tract 
or nonmetropolitan county, as applicable, is located.
    Qualified non-metropolitan county means any county that was not 
located in a metropolitan statistical area (as

[[Page 600]]

defined by the Bureau of the Census, United States Department of 
Commerce, in its publications on the Census of Population, Social and 
Economic Characteristics) at the time of the most recent census taken 
for purposes of selecting qualified census tracts under section 26 
U.S.C. 42(d)(5)(B)(ii), and in which:
    (1) The median household income is less than 80% of the State median 
household income, based on a 5-year average of the available data from 
the Bureau of the Census of the Department of Commerce;
    (2) The unemployment rate is not less than 140% of the average 
unemployment rate for the United States or for the State in which such 
county is located, whichever is less, based on a 5-year average of the 
data available from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics report, 
produced by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics; or
    (3) There is located a Difficult Development Area within Alaska, 
Hawaii, or any territory or possession of the United States outside the 
48 contiguous States. A Difficult Development Area (DDA) is an area 
designated by the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, in accordance with section 26 U.S.C. 42(d)(5)(B)(iii), with 
high construction, land, and utility costs relative to its area median 
gross income.
    (4) Qualified non-metropolitan counties are reflected in a publicly 
accessible online tool that depicts HUBZones and will be updated every 5 
years.
    Redesignated area means any census tract that ceases to be a 
``qualified census tract'' or any non-metropolitan county that ceases to 
be a ``qualified non-metropolitan county.'' A redesignated area 
generally shall be treated as a HUBZone for a period of three years, 
starting from the date on which the area ceased to be a qualified census 
tract or a qualified non-metropolitan county. The date on which the 
census tract or non-metropolitan county ceases to be qualified is the 
date on which the official government data affecting the eligibility of 
the HUBZone is released to the public. However, an area that was a 
redesignated area on or after December 12, 2017 shall remain a 
redesignated area until June 30, 2023.
    Reside means to live at a location full-time and for at least 180 
days immediately prior to the date of application (or date of 
recertification where the individual is being treated as a HUBZone 
resident for the first time).
    (1) To determine residence, SBA will first look to an individual's 
address identified on his or her driver's license or voter's 
registration card. Where such documentation is not available, SBA will 
require other specific proof of residency, such as deeds, leases, or 
utility bills. Where the documentation provided does not demonstrate 180 
days of residency, SBA will require a signed statement attesting to an 
individual's dates of residency.
    (2) For HUBZone purposes, SBA will consider individuals temporarily 
residing overseas in connection with the performance of a contract to 
reside at their U.S. residence.
    (i) Example 1: A person possesses the deed to a residential property 
and pays utilities and property taxes for that property. However, the 
person does not live at this property, but instead rents out this 
property to another individual. For HUBZone purposes, the person does 
not reside at the address listed on the deed.
    (ii) Example 2: A person moves into an apartment under a month-to-
month lease and lives in that apartment full-time. SBA would consider 
the person to reside at the address listed on the lease if the person 
can show that he or she has lived at that address for at least 180 days 
immediately prior to the date of application or date of recertification.
    (iii) Example 3: A person is working overseas on a contract for the 
small business and is therefore temporarily living abroad. The employee 
can provide documents showing he is paying rent for an apartment located 
in a HUBZone. That person is deemed to reside in a HUBZone.
    Small agricultural cooperative means an association (corporate or 
otherwise), comprised exclusively of other small agricultural 
cooperatives, small business concerns, or U.S. citizens, pursuant to the 
provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 12 U.S.C. 1141j,

[[Page 601]]

whose size does not exceed the applicable size standard pursuant to part 
121 of this chapter. In determining such size, an agricultural 
cooperative is treated as a ``business concern'' and its member 
shareholders are not considered affiliated with the cooperative by 
virtue of their membership in the cooperative.
    Small business concern (SBC) means a concern that, with its 
affiliates, meets the size standard for its primary industry, pursuant 
to part 121 of this chapter.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 66 FR 4645, Jan. 18, 2001; 69 
FR 29421, May 24, 2004; 70 FR 51248, Aug. 30, 2005; 72 FR 50041, Aug. 
30, 2007; 74 FR 45754, Sept. 4, 2009; 74 FR 56702, Nov. 3, 2009; 78 FR 
61144, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 FR 51313, Aug. 4, 2016; 82 FR 48904, Oct. 23, 
2017; 84 FR 62449, Nov. 15, 2019; 84 FR 65239, Nov. 26, 2019; 86 FR 
23864, May 5, 2021; 88 FR 21088, Apr. 10, 2023]



Sec.  126.104  How can a Governor petition for the designation of 
a Governor-designated covered area?

    (a) For a specific covered area to receive a designation as a 
Governor-designated covered area, the Governor of the State in which the 
identified covered area is wholly contained shall include such area in a 
petition to the Administrator requesting such a designation. In 
reviewing a request for designation included in such a petition, the 
Administrator may consider--
    (1) The potential for job creation and investment in the covered 
area;
    (2) The demonstrated interest of small business concerns in the 
covered area to be designated as a Governor-designated covered area;
    (3) How State and local government officials have incorporated the 
covered area into an economic development strategy; and
    (4) If the covered area was a HUBZone before becoming the subject of 
the petition, the impact on the covered area if the Administrator did 
not approve the petition.
    (b) Each calendar year, a Governor may submit not more than 1 
petition described in this section. Such petition shall include all 
covered areas in a State for which the Governor seeks designation as a 
Governor-designated covered area, except that the total number of 
covered areas included in such petition may not exceed 10 percent of the 
total number of covered areas in the State.
    (c) If the Administrator grants a petition described in this 
section, the Governor of the Governor-designated covered area shall, not 
less frequently than annually, submit data to the Administrator 
certifying that each Governor-designated covered area continues to meet 
the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
    (d) In this section:
    (1) The term ``covered area'' means an area in a State--
    (i) That is located outside of an urbanized area, as determined by 
the Bureau of the Census;
    (ii) With a population of not more than 50,000; and
    (iii) For which the average unemployment rate is not less than 120 
percent of the average unemployment rate of the United States or of the 
State in which the covered area is located, whichever is less, based on 
the most recent data available from the American Community Survey 
conducted by the Bureau of the Census.
    (2) The term ``Governor'' means the chief executive of a State.
    (3) The term ``State'' means each of the States of the United 
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, or American Samoa.

[84 FR 62449, Nov. 15, 2019]



 Subpart B_Requirements To Be a Certified HUBZone Small Business Concern



Sec.  126.200  What requirements must a concern meet to be eligible 
as a certified HUBZone small business concern?

    (a) Ownership. In order to be eligible for HUBZone certification and 
to remain certified, a small business concern must be owned in 
accordance with this paragraph. The concern must be:
    (1) At least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who 
are United States citizens;
    (2) An ANC or at least 51% owned by an ANC or a wholly-owned 
business entity of an ANC;

[[Page 602]]

    (3) At least 51% owned by one or more Indian Tribal Governments, or 
by a corporation that is wholly owned by one or more Indian Tribal 
Governments;
    (4) At least 51% owned by one or more CDCs;
    (5) A small agricultural cooperative organized or incorporated in 
the United States, or at least 51% owned by one or more small 
agricultural cooperatives organized or incorporated in the United 
States; or
    (6) At least 51% owned by one or more NHOs, or by a corporation that 
is wholly owned by one or more NHOs.
    (b) Size. (1) In order to be eligible for HUBZone certification and 
remain eligible as a certified HUBZone small business concern, a 
concern, together with its affiliates, must qualify as a small business 
concern as defined in part 121 of this chapter under the size standard 
corresponding to any NAICS code listed in its profile in the System for 
Award Management (SAM.gov).
    (2) In order to be eligible for a HUBZone contract, a certified 
HUBZone small business concern must qualify as small under the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the HUBZone 
contract.
    (3) If the concern is a small agricultural cooperative, in 
determining size, the small agricultural cooperative is treated as a 
``business concern'' and its member shareholders are not considered 
affiliated with the cooperative by virtue of their membership in the 
cooperative.
    (c) Principal office. In order to be eligible for HUBZone 
certification, a concern's principal office must be located in a 
HUBZone, except for concerns owned in whole or in part by one or more 
Indian Tribal Governments.
    (1) A concern that owns or makes a long-term investment (i.e., a 
lease of at least 10 years) in a principal office in an area that 
qualifies as a HUBZone at the time of its initial certification will be 
deemed to have its principal office located in a HUBZone for at least 10 
years from the date of that certification as long as the firm maintains 
the long-term lease or continues to own the property upon which the 
principal office designation was made. This does not apply to leases of 
office space that are shared with one or more other concerns or 
individuals.
    (2) A concern that is owned in whole or in part by one or more 
Indian Tribal Governments (or by a corporation that is wholly owned by 
Indian Tribal Governments) must either:
    (i) Maintain a principal office located in a HUBZone and ensure that 
at least 35% of its employees reside in a HUBZone as provided in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section; or
    (ii) Certify that when performing a HUBZone contract, at least 35% 
of its employees engaged in performing that contract will reside within 
any Indian reservation governed by one or more of the Indian Tribal 
Government owners, or reside within any HUBZone adjacent to such Indian 
reservation.
    (d) Employees. (1) In order to be eligible for HUBZone 
certification, at least 35% of a concern's employees must reside in a 
HUBZone. When determining the percentage of employees that reside in a 
HUBZone, if the percentage results in a fraction, SBA rounds to the 
nearest whole number.
    (i) Example 1 to paragraph (d)(1): A concern has 25 employees; 35% 
of 25, or 8.75, employees must reside in a HUBZone. The number 8.75 
rounded to the nearest whole number is 9. Thus, 9 employees must reside 
in a HUBZone.
    (ii) Example 2 to paragraph (d)(1): A concern has 95 employees; 35% 
of 95, or 33.25, employees must reside in a HUBZone. The number 33.25 
rounded to the nearest whole number is 33. Thus, 33 employees must 
reside in a HUBZone.

    (2) If the concern is owned in whole or in part by one or more 
Indian Tribal Governments (or by a corporation that is wholly owned by 
one or more Indian Tribal Governments), see paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section.
    (3) An employee who resides in a HUBZone at the time of 
certification (or time of recertification where the individual is being 
treated as a HUBZone resident for the first time) shall continue to 
count as a HUBZone resident employee if the individual continues to live 
in the HUBZone for at least 180 days immediately after certification (or 
recertification) and remains an employee of the concern, even if the 
employee subsequently

[[Page 603]]

moves to a location that is not in a HUBZone or the area in which the 
employee's residence is located no longer qualifies as a HUBZone. The 
certified HUBZone small business concern must maintain records of the 
employee's original HUBZone address, as well as records of the 
individual's continued and uninterrupted employment by the HUBZone small 
business concern, for the duration of the concern's participation in the 
HUBZone program.
    (i) Example to paragraph (d)(3): As part of its application for 
HUBZone certification, a concern provides documentation showing that 35% 
of its employees have lived in a HUBZone for more than 180 days. SBA 
certifies the concern as a certified HUBZone small business concern. 
Within 180 after being certified, an individual critical to the 
concern's meeting the 35% residency requirement moves out of the HUBZone 
area. That individual will continue to be treated as a HUBZone resident 
during the first year after the concern's certification; however, at the 
time of the firm's recertification, that individual will not be counted 
as a resident of a HUBZone.

    (ii) [Reserved]
    (e) Attempt to maintain. (1) At the time of application, a concern 
must certify that it will ``attempt to maintain'' (see Sec.  126.103) 
having at least 35% of its employees reside in a HUBZone during the 
performance of any HUBZone contract it receives.
    (2) If the concern is owned in whole or in part by one or more 
Indian Tribal Governments (or by a corporation that is wholly owned by 
one or more Indian Tribal Governments), the concern must certify that it 
will ``attempt to maintain'' (see Sec.  126.103) the applicable 
employment percentage described in paragraph (c)(2) of this section 
during the performance of any HUBZone contract it receives.
    (f) Subcontracting. At the time of application, an applicant concern 
must certify that it will comply with the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting requirements in connection with any procurement that it 
receives as a certified HUBZone small business concern (see Sec. Sec.  
125.6 and 126.700).
    (g) Suspension and Debarment. In order to be eligible for HUBZone 
certification and to remain certified, the concern and any of its owners 
must not have an active exclusion in the System for Award Management, 
available at www.SAM.gov, at the time of application.

[84 FR 65242, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 86 FR 61673, Nov. 8, 2021; 88 
FR 26212, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.201  Who does SBA consider to own a HUBZone SBC?

    An owner of a SBC seeking HUBZone certification or a qualified 
HUBZone SBC is a person who owns any legal or equitable interest in such 
SBC. If an Employee Stock Ownership Plan owns all or part of the 
concern, SBA considers each stock trustee and plan member to be an 
owner. If a trust owns all or part of the concern, SBA considers each 
trustee and trust beneficiary to be an owner. In addition:
    (a) Corporations. SBA considers any person who owns stock, whether 
voting or non-voting, to be an owner. SBA considers options to purchase 
stock and the right to convert debentures into voting stock to have been 
exercised.

    Example: U.S. citizens own all of the stock of a corporation. A 
corporate officer, a non-U.S. citizen, owns no stock in the corporation 
but owns options to purchase stock in the corporation. SBA will consider 
the options exercised and the individual to be an owner. Therefore, if 
that corporate officer has options to purchase 50% or more of the 
corporate stock, pursuant to Sec.  126.200, the corporation would not be 
eligible to be a qualified HUBZone SBC because it is not at least 51% 
owned and controlled by persons who are U.S. citizens.

    (b) Partnerships. SBA considers all partners, whether general or 
limited, to be owners in a partnership.
    (c) Sole proprietorships. The proprietor is the owner.
    (d) Limited liability companies. SBA considers each member to be an 
owner of a limited liability company.

[69 FR 29422, May 24, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 51249, Aug. 30, 2005; 71 
FR 69183, Nov. 30, 2006]



Sec.  126.202  Who does SBA consider to control a HUBZone SBC?

    Control means both the day-to-day management and long-term decision-

[[Page 604]]

making authority for the HUBZone SBC. Many persons may share control of 
a concern, including each of those occupying the following positions: 
officer, director, general partner, managing partner, managing member 
and manager. In addition, key employees who possess expertise or 
responsibilities related to the concern's primary economic activity may 
share significant control of the concern. SBA will consider the control 
potential of such key employees on a case by case basis.

[69 FR 29422, May 24, 2004, as amended at 84 FR 65243, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.203  [Reserved]



Sec.  126.204  May a HUBZone small business concern have affiliates?

    (a) A HUBZone small business concern may have affiliates, provided 
that the aggregate size of the concern together with all of its 
affiliates is small as defined in part 121 of this title, except as 
otherwise provided for small agricultural cooperatives in Sec.  126.103.
    (b) Employees of affiliates are not automatically considered 
employees of a HUBZone applicant or HUBZone small business concern 
solely on the basis of affiliation.
    (c) The employees of an affiliate may be counted as employees of a 
HUBZone applicant or HUBZone small business concern for purposes of 
determining compliance with the HUBZone program's principal office and 
35% residency requirements in certain circumstances. In determining 
whether individuals should be counted as employees of a HUBZone 
applicant or HUBZone small business concern, SBA will consider all 
information, including criteria used by the IRS for Federal income tax 
purposes and those set forth in SBA's Size Policy Statement No. 1. 
Employees of the concern's affiliate will not be counted as the 
concern's employees if there is a clear line of fracture between the 
concern and its affiliate.
    (1) SBA generally will find that there is a clear line of fracture 
where the concern demonstrates that it does not share employees, 
facilities, or equipment with the affiliate; has different customers or 
lines of business (or is distinctly segregated geographically); and does 
not receive significant contracts or financial assistance from the 
affiliate.
    (2) The use of common administrative services between parent and/or 
sister concerns by itself will not result in an affiliate's employees 
being counted as employees of the HUBZone applicant or HUBZone small 
business concern.
    (3) Minimal business activity between the concern and its affiliate 
will not result in an affiliate's employees being counted as employees 
of the HUBZone applicant or HUBZone small business concern.
    (i) Example to paragraph (c): X owns 100% of Company A and 51% of 
Company B. Based on X's common ownership of A and B, the two companies 
are affiliated under SBA's size regulations. SBA will look at the 
totality of circumstances to determine whether it would be reasonable to 
treat the employees of B as employees of A for HUBZone program purposes. 
If both companies do construction work and share office space and 
equipment, then SBA would find that there is not a clear line of 
fracture between the two concerns and would treat the employees of B as 
employees of A for HUBZone program purposes. In order to be eligible for 
the HUBZone program, at least 35% of the combined employees of A and B 
must reside in a HUBZone.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[84 FR 65243, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.205  May participants in other SBA programs be certified as 
HUBZone small business concerns?

    Participants in other SBA programs may be certified as HUBZone small 
business concerns if they meet all of the requirements set forth in this 
part.

[84 FR 65243, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.206  May nonmanufacturers be certified as HUBZone 
small business concerns?

    Nonmanufacturers (referred to in the HUBZone Act of 1997 as 
``regular dealers'') may be certified as HUBZone small business concerns 
if they meet all of the requirements set forth in Sec.  126.200. For 
purposes of this part, a

[[Page 605]]

``nonmanufacturer'' is defined in Sec.  121.406(b) of this chapter.

[84 FR 65243, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.207  Do all of the offices or facilities of a certified HUBZone 
small business concern have to be located in a HUBZone?

    A HUBZone small business concern may have offices or facilities in 
multiple HUBZones or even outside a HUBZone. However, in order to be 
certified as a HUBZone small business concern, the concern's principal 
office must be located in a HUBZone (except see Sec.  126.200(c)(2) for 
concerns owned by Indian Tribal Governments).

[84 FR 65243, Nov. 26, 2019]



                         Subpart C_Certification



Sec.  126.300  How may a concern be certified as a HUBZone 
small business concern?

    (a) A concern must apply to SBA for HUBZone certification. SBA will 
consider the information provided by the concern in order to determine 
whether the concern qualifies.
    (b) SBA, at its discretion, may rely solely upon the information 
submitted, may request additional information, may conduct independent 
research, or may verify the information before making an eligibility 
determination.
    (c) If SBA determines that a concern meets the eligibility 
requirements of a HUBZone small business concern, it will notify the 
concern and designate the concern as a certified HUBZone small business 
concern in DSBS (or successor system).

[84 FR 65243, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.301  Is there any other way for a concern to obtain certification?

    No. SBA certification is the only way to qualify for HUBZone program 
status.



Sec.  126.302  When may a concern apply for certification?

    A concern may apply to SBA and submit the required information 
whenever it can represent that it meets the eligibility requirements, 
subject to Sec.  126.309. All representations and supporting information 
contained in the application must be complete and accurate as of the 
date of submission. The application must be signed by an officer of the 
concern who is authorized to represent the concern.



Sec.  126.303  Where must a concern submit its application for certification?

    A concern seeking certification as a HUBZone small business concern 
must submit an electronic application to SBA's HUBZone Program Office 
via SBA's web page at www.SBA.gov. The application and any supporting 
documentation must be submitted by a person authorized to represent the 
concern.

[84 FR 65243, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.304  What must a concern submit to SBA in order to be certified 
as a HUBZone small business concern?

    (a) General. To be certified by SBA as a HUBZone small business 
concern, a concern must submit a completed application and all documents 
requested by SBA. The concern must also represent to SBA that it meets 
the requirements set forth in Sec.  126.200 and that all of the 
information provided as of the date of the application (and any 
subsequent information provided) is complete, true and accurate. The 
representation must be signed by an owner or officer of the applicant.
    (b) Supporting documents. (1) SBA may request documents to verify 
that the applicant meets the HUBZone program's eligibility requirements. 
The documents must show that the concern meets the program's 
requirements at the time it submits its application to SBA.
    (2) The concern must document compliance with the requirements 
listed in Sec.  126.200, including but not limited to employment records 
and documentation showing the address of each HUBZone resident employee. 
Records sufficient to demonstrate HUBZone residency include copies of 
driver's licenses and voter registration cards; only where such 
documentation is unavailable will SBA accept alternative documentation 
(such as copies of leases, deeds, and/or utility bills) accompanied by 
signed statements explaining why the alternative documentation is being 
provided.

[[Page 606]]

    (c) Changes after submission of application. After submitting an 
application, a concern applying for HUBZone certification must 
immediately notify SBA of any changes that could affect its eligibility 
and provide information and documents to verify the changes. If the 
changed information indicates that the concern is not eligible, the 
applicant will be given the option to withdraw its application, or SBA 
will decline certification and the concern must wait 90 days to reapply.
    (d) HUBZone areas. Concerns applying for HUBZone status must use 
SBA's website (e.g., maps or other tools showing qualified HUBZones) to 
verify that the location of the concern's principal office and the 
residences of at least 35% of the concern's employees are within 
HUBZones. If SBA's website indicates that a particular location is not 
within a HUBZone and the applicant disagrees, then the applicant must 
note this on the application and submit relevant documents showing why 
the applicant believes the area meets the statutory criteria of a 
HUBZone. SBA will determine whether the location is within a HUBZone 
using available methods (e.g., by contacting Bureau of Indian Affairs 
for Indian reservations or Department of Defense for BRACs).
    (e) Record maintenance. HUBZone small business concerns must retain 
documentation demonstrating satisfaction of all qualifying requirements 
for 6 years from date of submission of all initial and continuing 
eligibility actions as required by this part. In addition, HUBZone small 
business concerns must retain documentation as required in Sec.  
126.200(d)(3).

[84 FR 65244, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.305  [Reserved]



Sec.  126.306  How will SBA process an application for HUBZone certification?

    (a) The D/HUB or designee is authorized to approve or decline 
applications for HUBZone certification. SBA will receive and review all 
applications and request supporting documents. SBA must receive all 
required information, supporting documents, and a completed HUBZone 
representation before it will begin processing a concern's application. 
SBA will not process incomplete packages. SBA will make its 
determination within 60 calendar days after receipt of a complete 
package.
    (b) The burden of proof to demonstrate eligibility is on the 
applicant concern. If a concern does not provide requested information 
within the allotted time provided by SBA, or if it submits incomplete 
information, SBA may draw an adverse inference and presume that the 
information that the applicant failed to provide would demonstrate 
ineligibility and deny certification on this basis.
    (1) If a concern submits inconsistent information that results in 
SBA's inability to determine the concern's compliance with any of the 
HUBZone eligibility requirements, SBA will decline the concern's 
application.
    (2) If, during the processing of an application, SBA determines that 
an applicant has knowingly submitted false information, regardless of 
whether correct information would cause SBA to deny the application, and 
regardless of whether correct information was given to SBA in 
accompanying documents, SBA will deny the application.
    (c) SBA's decision will be based on the facts set forth in the 
application, any information received in response to SBA's request for 
clarification, any independent research conducted by SBA, and any 
changed circumstances.
    (d) In order to be certified into the program, the applicant must be 
eligible as of the date it submitted its application and at the time the 
D/HUB issues a decision. An applicant must inform SBA of any changes to 
its circumstances that occur after its application and before its 
certification that may affect its eligibility. SBA will consider such 
changed circumstances in determining whether to certify the concern.
    (e) If SBA approves the application, it will send a written notice 
to the concern and designate the concern as a certified HUBZone small 
business concern in DSBS (or successor system) as described in Sec.  
126.307.
    (f) If SBA denies the application, it will send a written notice to 
the concern and state the specific reasons for denial.

[[Page 607]]

    (g) SBA will presume that notice of its decision was provided to an 
applicant if SBA sends a communication to the concern at a mailing 
address, email address, or fax number provided in the concern's profile 
in the System for Award Management (or successor system).

[84 FR 65244, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 88 FR 26212, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.307  Where is there a list of certified HUBZone 
small business concerns?

    SBA designates concerns as certified HUBZone small business concerns 
in DSBS (or successor system).

[84 FR 65244, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.308  What happens if a HUBZone small business concern 
receives notice of its certification but it does not appear in DSBS 
as a certified HUBZone small business concern?

    (a) A certified HUBZone small business concern that has received 
SBA's notice of certification, but does not appear in DSBS (or successor 
system) as a certified HUBZone small business concern within 10 business 
days, should immediately notify the D/HUB via email at [email protected].
    (b) A certified HUBZone small business concern that has received 
SBA's notice of certification must appear as a certified HUBZone small 
business concern in DSBS (or successor system) in order to be eligible 
for HUBZone contracts (i.e., it cannot ``opt out'' of a public display 
in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) or DSBS (or successor 
systems)).

[84 FR 65244, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.309  May a declined or decertified concern seek certification 
at a later date?

    A concern that SBA has declined or decertified may seek 
certification after ninety (90) calendar days from the date of decline 
or decertification if it believes that it has overcome all reasons for 
decline or decertification through changed circumstances and is 
currently eligible. A concern found to be ineligible during a HUBZone 
status protest is precluded from applying for HUBZone certification for 
ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the final agency decision 
(i.e., the D/HUB's decision if the protest determination is not 
appealed, or OHA's decision if the protest determination is appealed) 
pursuant to 13 CFR 126.803(d)(5).

[76 FR 43574, July 21, 2011, as amended at 88 FR 21088, Apr. 10, 2023]



                     Subpart D_Program Examinations



Sec.  126.400  Who will conduct program examinations?

    SBA field staff or others designated by the D/HUB will conduct 
program examinations.



Sec.  126.401  What is a program examination?

    A program examination is an investigation by SBA officials, which 
verifies the accuracy of any certification made or information provided 
as part of the HUBZone application or recertification process. Examiners 
may verify that the concern met the program's eligibility requirements 
at the time of its certification or, if applicable, at the time of its 
most recent recertification.

[84 FR 65244, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.402  When will SBA conduct program examinations?

    (a) SBA may conduct a program examination at any time after the 
concern submits its application, during the processing of the 
application, and at any time while the concern is a certified HUBZone 
small business concern.
    (b) SBA will conduct program examinations periodically as part of 
the recertification process set forth in Sec.  126.500.
    (c) Upon receipt of specific and credible information alleging that 
a certified HUBZone small business concern no longer meets the 
eligibility requirements for continued program eligibility, SBA will 
examine the concern's eligibility for continued participation in the 
program.

[84 FR 65245, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.403  What will SBA review during a program examination?

    (a) SBA may conduct a program examination, or parts of an 
examination, at one or more of the concern's offices.

[[Page 608]]

SBA will determine the location and scope of the examination and may 
review any information related to the concern's HUBZone eligibility 
including, but not limited to, documentation related to the location and 
ownership of the concern, compliance with the 35% HUBZone residency 
requirement, and the concern's ``attempt to maintain'' (see Sec.  
126.103) this percentage.
    (b) SBA may require that a HUBZone small business concern (or 
applicant) submit additional information as part of the program 
examination. If SBA requests additional information, SBA will presume 
that written notice of the request was provided when SBA sends such 
request to the concern at a mailing address, email address or fax number 
provided in the concern's profile in the Dynamic Small Business Search 
(DSBS) or the System for Award Management (SAM) (or successor systems). 
SBA may draw an adverse inference from a concern's failure to cooperate 
with a program examination or provide requested information and assume 
that the information that the HUBZone small business concern (or 
applicant) failed to provide would demonstrate ineligibility, and 
decertify (or deny certification) on this basis.
    (c) The concern must retain documentation provided in the course of 
a program examination for 6 years from the date of submission.

[84 FR 65245, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.404  What are the possible outcomes of a program examination 
and when will SBA make its determination?

    (a) Timing. SBA will make its determination within 90 calendar days 
after SBA receives all requested information, when practicable.
    (b) Program examinations on certified HUBZone small business 
concerns. If the program examination was conducted on a certified 
HUBZone small business concern--
    (1) And the D/HUB (or designee) determines that the concern is 
eligible, SBA will send a written notice to the HUBZone small business 
concern and continue to designate the concern as a certified HUBZone 
small business concern in DSBS (or successor system).
    (2) And the D/HUB (or designee) determines that the concern is not 
eligible, the concern will have 30 days to submit documentation showing 
that it is eligible. During the 30-day period, such concern may not 
compete for or be awarded a HUBZone contract. If such concern fails to 
demonstrate its eligibility by the last day of the 30-day period, the 
concern will be decertified.
    (c) Program examinations on applicants. If the program examination 
was conducted on an applicant to the HUBZone program--
    (1) And the D/HUB (or designee) determines that the concern is 
eligible, SBA will send a written certification notice to the concern 
and designate the concern as a certified HUBZone small business concern 
in DSBS (or successor system).
    (2) And the D/HUB (or designee) determines that the concern is 
ineligible, SBA will send a written decline notice to the concern.

[84 FR 65245, Nov. 26, 2019]



                  Subpart E_Maintaining HUBZone Status



Sec.  126.500  How does a concern maintain HUBZone certification?

    (a) Any concern seeking to remain a certified HUBZone small business 
concern in DSBS (or successor system) must annually represent to SBA 
that it continues to meet all HUBZone eligibility criteria (see Sec.  
126.200).
    (1) If at the time of its recertification the certified HUBZone 
small business concern is not currently performing a HUBZone contract, 
its representation means that at least 35% of its employees continue to 
reside in a HUBZone and the principal office of the concern continues to 
be located in a HUBZone.
    (2) If at the time of its recertification the certified HUBZone 
small business concern is currently performing a HUBZone contract, its 
representation means that at least 20% of its employees continue to 
reside in a HUBZone and the principal office of the concern continues to 
be located in a HUBZone.
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, unless SBA 
has reason to question the concern's representation of its continued 
eligibility, SBA

[[Page 609]]

will accept the representation without requiring the certified HUBZone 
small business concern to submit any supporting information or 
documentation.
    (4) The concern's recertification must be submitted within 30 days 
of the anniversary date of its original HUBZone certification. The date 
of HUBZone certification is the date specified in the concern's 
certification letter. If the business fails to recertify, SBA may 
propose the concern for decertification pursuant to Sec.  126.503.
    (b) SBA will conduct a program examination of each certified HUBZone 
small business concern pursuant to Sec.  126.403 at least once every 
three years to ensure continued program eligibility. Specifically, SBA 
will conduct a program examination as part of the recertification 
process three years after the concern's initial HUBZone certification or 
three years after the date of the concern's last program examination, 
whichever date is later.
    (1) Example: Concern A is certified by SBA to be eligible for the 
HUBZone program on September 27, 2020. During that year, Concern A does 
not receive a HUBZone contract. Concern A must recertify its eligibility 
to SBA between August 27, 2021 and September 26, 2021. Concern A must 
represent that at least 35% of its employees continue to reside in a 
HUBZone and that its principal office continues to be located in a 
HUBZone. Concern A will continue to be a certified HUBZone small 
business concern that is eligible to receive HUBZone contracts (as long 
as it is small for the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code 
assigned to the contract) through September 26, 2022. On June 28, 2022, 
Concern A is awarded a HUBZone contract. Concern A must recertify its 
eligibility to SBA between August 27, 2022 and September 26, 2022. 
Because Concern A is performing a HUBZone contract, Concern A must 
represent that at least 20% of its employees continue to reside in a 
HUBZone and that its principal office continues to be located in a 
HUBZone. Concern A will continue to be a certified HUBZone small 
business concern that is eligible to receive HUBZone contracts (as long 
as it is small for the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code 
assigned to the contract) through September 26, 2023. Concern A must 
recertify its eligibility to SBA between August 27, 2023 and September 
26, 2023. Because three years have elapsed since its application and 
original certification, SBA will conduct a program examination of 
Concern A at that time. In addition to its representation that it 
continues to be eligible as a certified HUBZone small business concern, 
Concern A must provide additional information as requested by SBA to 
demonstrate that it continues to meet all the eligibility requirements 
of the HUBZone Program.
    (2) [Reserved]

[84 FR 65245, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 66197, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  126.501  How long does HUBZone certification last?

    (a) One-year certification. Once SBA certifies a concern as eligible 
to participate in the HUBZone program, the concern will be treated as a 
certified HUBZone small business concern eligible for all HUBZone 
contracts for which the concern qualifies as small, for a period of one 
year from the date of its initial certification or recertification, 
unless the concern acquires, is acquired by, or merges with another firm 
during that one-year period, or the concern is performing a HUBZone 
contract and fails to attempt to maintain the minimum employee HUBZone 
residency requirement (see Sec.  126.103).
    (1) A certified HUBZone small business concern that acquires, is 
acquired by, or merges with another business entity must notify SBA 
within 30 days of the transaction becoming final. The concern must then 
demonstrate to SBA that it continues to meet the HUBZone eligibility 
requirements in order for it to remain eligible as a certified HUBZone 
small business concern.
    (2) A certified HUBZone small business concern that is performing a 
HUBZone contract and fails to attempt to maintain the minimum employee 
HUBZone residency requirement (see Sec.  126.103) must notify SBA within 
30 days of such occurrence. A concern that cannot meet the requirement 
may voluntarily withdraw from the program, or it will be removed by SBA 
pursuant to program decertification procedures.

[[Page 610]]

    (b) Annual recertification. On the annual anniversary of a concern's 
certification or recertification, the concern must recertify that it is 
fully compliant with all HUBZone eligibility requirements (see Sec.  
126.200), or it can request to voluntarily withdraw from the HUBZone 
program.
    (c) Review of recertification. SBA may review the concern's 
recertification through the program examination process when deemed 
appropriate and will do so every three years pursuant to Sec.  126.500.
    (1) If SBA determines that the concern is no longer eligible at the 
time of its recertification, SBA will propose the HUBZone small business 
concern for decertification pursuant to Sec.  126.503.
    (2) If SBA determines that the concern continues to be eligible, SBA 
will notify the concern of this determination. In such case, the concern 
will:
    (i) Continue to be designated as a certified HUBZone small business 
concern in DSBS (or successor system); and
    (ii) Be treated as an eligible HUBZone small business concern for 
all HUBZone contracts for which the concern qualifies as small for a 
period of one year from the date of the recertification.
    (d) Voluntary withdrawal. A HUBZone small business concern may 
request to voluntarily withdraw from the HUBZone program at any time. 
Once SBA concurs, SBA will decertify the concern and no longer designate 
it as a certified HUBZone small business concern in DSBS (or successor 
system). The concern may apply again for certification at any point 
ninety (90) calendar days after the date of decertification. At that 
point, the concern would have to demonstrate that it meets all HUBZone 
eligibility requirements.

[84 FR 65246, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.502  Is there a limit to the length of time a concern may be 
a certified HUBZone small business concern?

    There is no limit to the length of time a concern may remain 
designated as a certified HUBZone small business concern in DSBS (or 
successor system) so long as it continues to comply with the provisions 
of Sec. Sec.  126.200, 126.500, and 126.501.

[84 FR 65246, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.503  What happens if SBA is unable to verify a HUBZone 
small business concern's eligibility or determines that a concern 
is no longer eligible for the program?

    (a) Proposed decertification--(1) General. If SBA is unable to 
verify a certified HUBZone small business concern's eligibility or has 
information indicating that a concern was not eligible for the program 
at the time of certification or recertification, SBA may propose 
decertification of the concern. In addition, if during the one-year 
period of time after certification or recertification SBA believes that 
a HUBZone small business concern that is performing one or more HUBZone 
contracts no longer has at least 20% of its employees living in a 
HUBZone, SBA will propose the concern for decertification based on the 
concern's failure to attempt to maintain compliance with the HUBZone 
residency requirement.
    (i) Notice of proposed decertification. SBA will notify the HUBZone 
small business concern in writing that SBA is proposing to decertify it 
and state the reasons for the proposed decertification. The notice of 
proposed decertification will notify the concern that it has 30 days 
from the date it receives the letter to submit a written response to SBA 
explaining why the proposed ground(s) should not justify 
decertification. SBA will consider that written notice was provided if 
SBA sends the notice of proposed decertification to the concern at a 
mailing address, email address, or fax number provided in the concern's 
profile in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) or the Dynamic 
Small Business Search (DSBS) (or successor systems).
    (ii) Response to notice of proposed decertification. The HUBZone 
small business concern must submit a written response to the notice of 
proposed decertification within the timeframe specified in the notice. 
In this response, the HUBZone small business concern must rebut each of 
the reasons set forth by

[[Page 611]]

SBA in the notice of proposed decertification, and where appropriate, 
the rebuttal must include documents showing that the concern is eligible 
for the HUBZone program as of the date specified in the notice.
    (iii) Adverse inference. If a HUBZone small business concern fails 
to cooperate with SBA or fails to provide the information requested, the 
D/HUB may draw an adverse inference and assume that the information that 
the concern failed to provide would demonstrate ineligibility.
    (2) SBA's decision. SBA will determine whether the HUBZone small 
business concern remains eligible for the program within 90 calendar 
days after receiving all requested information, when practicable. The D/
HUB will provide written notice to the concern stating the basis for the 
determination.
    (i) If SBA finds that the concern is not eligible, the D/HUB will 
decertify the concern and remove its designation as a certified HUBZone 
small business concern in DSBS and the System for Award Management (or 
successor system) within four business days of the determination.
    (ii) If SBA finds that the concern is eligible, the concern will 
continue to be designated as a certified HUBZone small business concern 
in DSBS (or successor system).
    (b) Decertification pursuant to a protest. The procedures described 
in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply to HUBZone status 
protests. If the D/HUB sustains a protest pursuant to Sec.  126.803, SBA 
will decertify the HUBZone small business concern immediately and change 
the concern's status in DSBS (or successor system) to reflect that it no 
longer qualifies as a certified HUBZone small business concern without 
first proposing it for decertification.
    (c) Decertification due to submission of false information. If SBA 
discovers that a certified HUBZone small business concern or its 
representative knowingly submitted false information, SBA will propose 
the firm for decertification. In addition, SBA will refer the matter to 
the SBA Office of Inspector General for review and may request that 
Government-wide debarment or suspension proceedings be initiated by the 
agency.
    (d) Effect of decertification. Once SBA has decertified a concern, 
the concern cannot submit an offer or quote as a HUBZone small business 
concern. If a concern does so, it may be in violation of criminal laws, 
including section 16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d). If 
the concern has already certified as a HUBZone small business on a 
pending procurement, the concern must immediately inform the contracting 
officer for the procuring agency of the adverse eligibility 
determination. A contracting officer shall not award a HUBZone contract 
to a concern that the D/HUB has determined is not an eligible HUBZone 
small business concern for the procurement in question.

[84 FR 65246, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 88 FR 26212, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.504  When will SBA remove the designation of a concern in DSBS 
(or successor system) as a certified HUBZone small business concern?

    (a) SBA will remove the designation of a concern in DSBS (or 
successor system) as a certified HUBZone small business concern if the 
concern has:
    (1) Been decertified as a result of a HUBZone status protest 
pursuant to Sec.  126.803;
    (2) Been decertified as a result of the procedures set forth in 
Sec.  126.503; or
    (3) Voluntarily withdrawn from the HUBZone program pursuant to Sec.  
126.501(b).
    (b) SBA will remove the designation of a concern in DSBS (or 
successor system) as a certified HUBZone small business concern as soon 
as the D/HUB issues a decision decertifying the concern from the 
program.
    (c) After a concern has been removed as a certified HUBZone small 
business concern in DSBS (or successor system), it is ineligible for the 
HUBZone program and may not submit an offer for a HUBZone contract.
    (1) As long as the concern was eligible at the time of its offer 
(and eligibility relates back to the date of its certification or 
recertification), it could be awarded a HUBZone contract

[[Page 612]]

even if it no longer appears as a certified HUBZone small business 
concern on DSBS on the date of award.
    (2) If SBA determines that the concern's recertification was invalid 
(i.e., based on a protest or program examination SBA determines that the 
concern did not qualify as a HUBZone small business concern on the date 
of its recertification), the concern will be ineligible for the award of 
any HUBZone contract for which it previously certified its HUBZone 
status.

[84 FR 65247, Nov. 26, 2019]



  Subpart F_Contracting With Certified HUBZone Small Business Concerns



Sec.  126.600  What are HUBZone contracts?

    HUBZone contracts are contracts awarded to a certified HUBZone small 
business concern, regardless of the place of performance, through any of 
the following procurement methods:
    (a) Sole source awards to certified HUBZone small business concerns;
    (b) Set-aside awards, including partial set-asides, based on 
competition restricted to certified HUBZone small business concerns;
    (c) Awards to certified HUBZone small business concerns through full 
and open competition after a price evaluation preference is applied to 
an other than small business in favor of certified HUBZone small 
business concerns;
    (d) Awards based on a reserve for certified HUBZone small business 
concerns in a solicitation for a Multiple Award Contract (see Sec.  
125.1); or
    (e) Orders set-aside for certified HUBZone small business concerns 
under a Multiple Award Contract that was awarded in full and open 
competition.

[78 FR 61144, Oct. 2, 2013, as amended at 81 FR 48591, July 25, 2016; 84 
FR 65247, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.601  What additional requirements must a certified HUBZone 
small business concern meet to submit an offer on a HUBZone contract?

    (a) Only certified HUBZone small business concerns are eligible to 
submit offers for a HUBZone contract or to receive a price evaluation 
preference under Sec.  126.613.
    (b) At the time a certified HUBZone small business concern submits 
its initial offer (including price) on a specific HUBZone contract, it 
must certify to the contracting officer that it:
    (1) Is a certified HUBZone small business concern in DSBS (or 
successor system);
    (2) Is small, together with its affiliates, at the time of its offer 
under the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the 
procurement;
    (3) Will ``attempt to maintain'' having at least 35% of its 
employees residing in a HUBZone during the performance of the contract, 
as set forth in Sec.  126.200(e); and
    (4) Will comply with the applicable limitations on subcontracting 
during performance of the contract, as set forth in Sec.  125.6 of this 
chapter and Sec. Sec.  126.200(f) and 126.700.
    (c) A certified HUBZone small business concern may submit an offer 
on a HUBZone contract for supplies as a nonmanufacturer if it meets the 
requirements of the nonmanufacturer rule set forth at Sec.  121.406 of 
this chapter.
    (d) Where a subcontractor that is not a certified HUBZone small 
business will perform the primary and vital requirements of a HUBZone 
contract, or where a HUBZone prime contractor is unduly reliant on one 
or more small businesses that are not HUBZone-certified to perform the 
HUBZone contract, the prime contractor is not eligible for award of that 
HUBZone contract.
    (1) When the subcontractor qualifies as small for the size standard 
assigned to the procurement, this issue may be grounds for a HUBZone 
status protest, as described in Sec.  126.801. When the subcontractor is 
alleged to be other than small for the size standard assigned to the 
procurement, this issue may be grounds for a size protest under the 
ostensible subcontractor rule, as described at Sec.  121.103(h)(3) of 
this chapter.
    (2) In the case of a contract or order for services, specialty trade 
construction or supplies, SBA will find that a

[[Page 613]]

prime HUBZone contractor is performing the primary and vital 
requirements of the contract or order, and is not unduly reliant on one 
or more subcontractors that are not HUBZone-certified, where the prime 
contractor can demonstrate that it, together with any subcontractors 
that are certified HUBZone small business concerns, will meet the 
limitations on subcontracting provisions set forth in Sec.  125.6 of 
this chapter.
    (3) In a general construction contract, the primary and vital 
requirements of the contract are the management, supervision and 
oversight of the project, including coordinating the work of various 
subcontractors, not the actual construction work performed.
    (e) For two-step procurements (including architect-engineering and 
design-build procurements) to be awarded as HUBZone contracts, a concern 
must be a certified HUBZone small business concern as of the date that 
it submits its initial bid or proposal (which may or may not include 
price) during phase one.

[84 FR 65247, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 84 FR 65664, Nov. 29, 2019; 
85 FR 5304, Jan. 30, 2020; 88 FR 26212, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.602  Must a certified HUBZone small business concern maintain 
the employee residency percentage during contract performance?

    (a) A certified HUBZone small business concern that has not received 
a HUBZone contract must have at least 35% of its employees residing 
within a HUBZone at the time of certification and annual 
recertification. Such a concern need not meet the 35% HUBZone residency 
requirement at all times while certified in the program. A certified 
HUBZone small business concern that has received a HUBZone contract must 
``attempt to maintain'' (see Sec.  126.103) having 35% of its employees 
residing in a HUBZone during the performance of any HUBZone contract 
awarded to the concern on the basis of its HUBZone status. Such a 
concern must have at least 20% of its employees residing within a 
HUBZone at the time of its annual recertification.
    (b) For orders under indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity 
contracts, including orders under multiple award contracts, a certified 
HUBZone small business concern must ``attempt to maintain'' the HUBZone 
residency requirement during the performance of each order that is set 
aside for HUBZone small business concerns.
    (c) A certified HUBZone small business concern eligible for the 
program pursuant to Sec.  126.200(c)(2)(ii) must have at least 35% of 
its employees engaged in performing a HUBZone contract residing within 
any Indian reservation governed by one or more of the concern's Indian 
Tribal Government owners, or residing within any HUBZone adjoining any 
such Indian reservation.
    (d) A certified HUBZone small business concern that has less than 
20% of its total employees residing in a HUBZone during the performance 
of a HUBZone contract has failed to attempt to maintain the HUBZone 
residency requirement. Such failure will result in proposed 
decertification pursuant to Sec.  126.503.

[84 FR 65247, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 66197, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  126.603  Does HUBZone certification guarantee receipt 
of HUBZone contracts?

    HUBZone certification does not guarantee that a certified HUBZone 
small business concernwill receive HUBZone contracts. Certified HUBZone 
small business concerns should market their capabilities to appropriate 
contracting activities in order to increase the prospect that the 
contracting activity will adopt an acquisition strategy that includes 
HUBZone contract opportunities.

[69 FR 29425, May 24, 2004, as amended at 84 FR 65247, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.604  Who decides if a contract opportunity for HUBZone 
set-aside competition exists?

    The contracting officer for the contracting activity makes this 
decision.



Sec.  126.605  What requirements are not available for HUBZone contracts?

    A contracting activity may not make a requirement available for a 
HUBZone contract if:
    (a) The contracting activity otherwise would fulfill that 
requirement

[[Page 614]]

through award to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. under 18 U.S.C. 4124 or 
4125, or to Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act participating non-profit agencies 
for the blind and severely disabled, under 41 U.S.C. 46 et seq., as 
amended; or
    (b) An 8(a) participant currently is performing the requirement 
through the 8(a)BD program or SBA has accepted the requirement for award 
through the 8(a)BD program, unless SBA has consented to release the 
requirement from the 8(a)BD program.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 29425, May 24, 2004]



Sec.  126.606  May a procuring activity request that SBA release a requirement 
from the 8(a) BD program for award as a HUBZone contract?

    A procuring activity may request that SBA release an 8(a) 
requirement for award as a HUBZone contract under the procedures set 
forth in Sec.  124.504(d).

[85 FR 66197, Oct. 16, 2020]



Sec.  126.607  When must a contracting officer set aside a requirement 
for certified HUBZone small business concerns?

    (a) The contracting officer first must review a requirement to 
determine whether it is excluded from HUBZone contracting pursuant to 
Sec.  126.605.
    (b) Contracting Among Small Business Programs--(1) Acquisitions 
Valued at or below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The contracting 
officer shall set aside any acquisition with an anticipated dollar value 
exceeding the Micro-purchase Threshold but not exceeding the Simplified 
Acquisition Threshold (defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small 
business concerns when there is a reasonable expectation that offers 
will be obtained from at least two small business concerns that are 
competitive in terms of quality and delivery and award will be made at 
fair market prices. This requirement does not preclude a contracting 
officer from making an award to a small business under the 8(a) BD, 
HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB Programs.
    (2) Acquisitions Valued Above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. 
(i) The contracting officer shall set aside any acquisition with an 
anticipated dollar value exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold 
(defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small business concerns when 
there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at 
least two small business concerns that are competitive in terms of 
quality and delivery and award will be made at fair market prices. 
However, after conducting market research, the contracting officer shall 
first consider a set-aside or sole source award (if the sole source 
award is permitted by statute or regulation) under the 8(a) BD, HUBZone, 
SDVO SBC or WOSB programs before setting aside the requirement as a 
small business set-aside. There is no order of precedence among the 8(a) 
BD, HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB programs. The contracting officer must 
document the contract file with the rationale used to support the 
specific set-aside, including the type and extent of market research 
conducted. In addition, the contracting officer must document the 
contract file showing that the apparent successful offeror's 
certifications in the System for Award Management (SAM) (or any 
successor system) and associated representations were reviewed.
    (ii) SBA believes that Progress in fulfilling the various small 
business goals, as well as other factors such as the results of market 
research, programmatic needs specific to the procuring agency, 
anticipated award price, and the acquisition history, will be considered 
in making a decision as to which program to use for the acquisition.
    (c) If the contracting officer decides to set aside the requirement 
for competition restricted to certified HUBZone small business concerns, 
the contracting officer must:
    (1) Have a reasonable expectation after reviewing the list of 
certified HUBZone small business concerns contained in DSBS (or 
successor system) that at least two responsible qualified HUBZone SBCs 
will submit offers; and
    (2) Determine that award can be made at fair market price.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 70 FR 51250, Aug. 30, 2005; 
75 FR 62281, Oct. 7, 2010; 77 FR 1860, Jan. 12, 2012; 78 FR 61146, Oct. 
2, 2013; 84 FR 65247, Nov. 26, 2019]

[[Page 615]]



Sec.  126.608  Are there HUBZone contract opportunities at or below 
the simplified acquisition threshold or micropurchase threshold?

    A CO may make a requirement available as a HUBZone set-aside or sole 
source award if it is at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. 
In addition, a CO may award a requirement as a HUBZone contract to a 
certified HUBZone small business concern at or below the micropurchase 
threshold.

[69 FR 29425, May 24, 2004, as amended at 84 FR 65248, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.609  Can a HUBZone competition be limited or authorize preferences 
to small business concerns having additional socioeconomic certifications?

    A procuring activity cannot restrict a HUBZone competition (for 
either a contract or order) to require SBA socioeconomic certifications 
other than HUBZone certification (i.e., a competition cannot be limited 
only to business concerns that are both HUBZone and 8(a), HUBZone and 
WOSB, or HUBZone and SDVO) or give evaluation preferences to firms 
having one or more other certifications.

[88 FR 26212, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.610  May SBA appeal a contracting officer's decision not to 
make a procurement available for award as a HUBZone contract?

    (a) The Administrator may appeal a CO's decision not to make a 
particular requirement available for award as a HUBZone contract to the 
Secretary of the department or head of the agency.
    (b) An appeal is initiated by SBA's Procurement Center 
Representative to the CO, and may be in response to information supplied 
by the D/HUB, his or her designee, or other interested parties.

[69 FR 29425, May 24, 2004]



Sec.  126.611  What is the process for an appeal of a contracting officer's 
decision not to issue a procurement as a HUBZone contract?

    (a) Notice of appeal. When the contracting officer rejects a 
recommendation by SBA's Procurement Center Representative to make a 
requirement available for award as a HUBZone contract, he or she must 
notify the Procurement Center Representative as soon as practicable. If 
the Administrator intends to appeal the decision, SBA must notify the 
contracting officer no later than five business days after receiving 
notice of the contracting officer's decision.
    (b) Suspension of action. Upon receipt of notice of SBA's intent to 
appeal, the contracting officer must suspend further action regarding 
the procurement until the head of the contracting activity issues a 
written decision on the appeal, unless the head of the contracting 
activity makes a written determination that urgent and compelling 
circumstances which significantly affect the interests of the United 
States compel award of the contract.
    (c) Deadline for appeal. Within 15 business days of SBA's 
notification to the CO, SBA must file its formal appeal with the 
Secretary of the department or head of the agency, or the appeal will be 
deemed withdrawn.
    (d) Decision. The contracting activity must specify in writing the 
reasons for a denial of an appeal brought under this section.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 29425, May 24, 2004; 84 
FR 65248, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.612  When may a CO award sole source contracts to HUBZone 
small business concerns?

    A contracting officer may award a sole source contract to a HUBZone 
small business concern only when the contracting officer determines 
that:
    (a) None of the provisions of Sec. Sec.  126.605 or 126.607 apply;
    (b) The anticipated award price of the contract, including options, 
will not exceed:
    (1) $7,000,000 for a contract assigned a manufacturing NAICS code, 
or
    (2) $4,500,000 for all other contracts.
    (c) Two or more HUBZone small business concerns are not likely to 
submit offers;
    (d) A HUBZone small business concern is a responsible contractor 
able to perform the contract; and

[[Page 616]]

    (e) In the estimation of the CO, contract award can be made at a 
fair and reasonable price.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 29425, May 24, 2004; 74 
FR 46887, Sept. 14, 2009; 83 FR 12852, Mar. 26, 2018; 84 FR 65248, Nov. 
26, 2019; 86 FR 61673, Nov. 8, 2021]



Sec.  126.613  How does a price evaluation preference affect the bid of 
a certified HUBZone small business concern in full and open competition?

    (a)(1) Where a CO will award a contract on the basis of full and 
open competition, the CO must deem the price offered by a certified 
HUBZone small business concern to be lower than the price offered by 
another offeror (other than another small business concern) if the price 
offered by the certified HUBZone small business concern is not more than 
10% higher than the price offered by the otherwise lowest, responsive, 
and responsible offeror. For a best value procurement, the CO must apply 
the 10% preference to the otherwise successful offer of a large business 
and then determine which offeror represents the best value to the 
Government, in accordance with the terms of the solicitation. This does 
not apply if the certified HUBZone small business concern will receive 
the contract as part of a reserve for certified HUBZone small business 
concerns.
    (2) Where, after considering the price evaluation adjustment, the 
price offered by a certified HUBZone small business concern is equal to 
the price offered by a large business (or, in a best value procurement, 
the total evaluation points received by a certified HUBZone small 
business concern is equal to the total evaluation points received by a 
large business), award shall be made to the certified HUBZone small 
business concern.

    (i) Example 1:
    In a full and open competition, a certified HUBZone small business 
concern submits an offer of $98, a non-HUBZone small business concern 
submits an offer of $95, and a large business submits an offer of $93. 
The lowest, responsive, responsible offeror would be the large business. 
However, the CO must apply the HUBZone price evaluation preference. In 
this example, the certified HUBZone small business concern's offer is 
not more than 10% higher than the large business' offer and, 
consequently, the certified HUBZone small business concern displaces the 
large business as the lowest, responsive, and responsible offeror.
    (ii) Example 2:
    In a full and open competition, a certified HUBZone small business 
concern submits an offer of $103, a non-HUBZone small business concern 
submits an offer of $100, and a large business submits an offer of $93. 
The lowest, responsive, responsible offeror would be from the large 
business. The CO must then apply the HUBZone price evaluation 
preference. In this example, the certified HUBZone small business 
concern's offer is more than 10% higher than the large business' offer 
and, consequently, the certified HUBZone small business concern does not 
displace the large business as the lowest, responsive, and responsible 
offeror. In addition, the non-HUBZone small business concern's offer at 
$100 does not displace the large business' offer because a price 
evaluation preference is not applied to change an offer and benefit a 
non-HUBZone small business concern.
    (iii) Example 3:
    In a full and open competition, a certified HUBZone small business 
concern submits an offer of $98 and a non-HUBZone small business concern 
submits an offer of $93. The CO would not apply the price evaluation 
preference in this procurement because the lowest, responsive, 
responsible offeror is a SBC.
    (iv) Example 4:
    In a full and open competition, a certified HUBZone small business 
concern submits an offer of $98 and a large business submits an offer of 
$93. The contracting officer has stated in the solicitation that one 
contract will be reserved for a certified HUBZone small business 
concern. The contracting officer would not apply the price evaluation 
preference when determining which HUBZone small business concern would 
receive the contract reserved for HUBZone small business concerns, but 
would apply the price evaluation preference when determining the 
awardees for the non-reserved portion.


[[Page 617]]


    (b)(1) For purchases by the Secretary of Agriculture of agricultural 
commodities, the price evaluation preferences shall be:
    (i) 10%, for the portion of a contract to be awarded that is not 
greater than 25% of the total volume being procured for each commodity 
in a single invitation for bids (IFB);
    (ii) 5%, for the portion of a contract to be awarded that is greater 
than 25%, but not greater than 40%, of the total volume being procured 
for each commodity in a single IFB; and
    (iii) Zero, for the portion of a contract to be awarded that is 
greater than 40% of the total volume being procured for each commodity 
in a single IFB.
    (2) The 10% and 5% price evaluation preferences for agricultural 
commodities apply to all offers from certified HUBZone small business 
concerns up to the 25% and 40% volume limits specified in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section. As such, more than one certified HUBZone small 
business concern may receive a price evaluation preference for any given 
commodity in a single IFB.

    (i) Example:
    There is an IFB for 100,000 pounds of wheat. Bid 1 (from a large 
business) is $1/pound for 100,000 pounds of wheat. Bid 2 (from a HUBZone 
small business concern) is $1.05/pound for 20,000 pounds of wheat. Bid 3 
(from a HUBZone small business concern) is $1.04/pound for 20,000 
pounds. Bid 3 receives a 10% price evaluation adjustment for 20,000 
pounds, since 20,000 is less than 25% of 100,000 pounds. With the 10% 
price evaluation adjustment, Bid 1 changes from $20,000 for the first 
20,000 pounds to $22,000. Bid 3's price of $20,800 ($1.04 x 20,000) is 
now lower than any other bid for 20,000 pounds. Thus, Bid 3 will be 
accepted for the full 20,000 pounds. Bid 2 receives a 10% price 
evaluation adjustment for that amount of its bid when added to the 
volume in Bid 3 that does not exceed 25% of the total volume being 
procured. Since 25,000 pounds is 25% of the total volume of wheat under 
the IFB, and Bid 3 totaled 20,000 pounds, a 10% price evaluation 
adjustment will be applied to the first 5,000 pounds of Bid 2. With the 
price evaluation adjustment, the price for Bid 1, as measured against 
Bid 2, for 5,000 pounds changes from $5,000 to $5,500. Bid 2's price of 
$5,250 ($1.05 x 5,000) is lower than Bid 1 for 5,000 pounds. Bid 2 will 
then receive a 5% price evaluation adjustment for the remaining 15,000 
pounds, since the total volume of Bids 3 and 2 receiving an adjustment 
does not exceed 40% of the total volume of wheat under the IFB (i.e., 
40,000 pounds). With the 5% price evaluation adjustment, Bid 1's price 
for the next 15,000 pounds changes from $15,000 to $15,750. Bid 2's 
price for that 15,000 pounds is also $15, 750 ($1.05 x 15,000). Because 
the evaluation price for Bid 2 is not more than 10% higher than the 
price offered by Bid 1, Bid 2's price is deemed to be lower than the 
price offered by Bid 1. Since the evaluation price for both the first 
5,000 pounds (receiving a 10% price evaluation adjustment) and the 
remaining 15,000 pounds (receiving a 5% price evaluation adjustment) is 
less than Bid 1, Bid 2 will be accepted for the full 20,000 pounds.
    (ii) [Reserved]

    (c) For purchases by the Secretary of Agriculture of agricultural 
commodities for export operations through international food aid 
programs administered by the Farm Service Agency, the price evaluation 
preference shall be 5% on the first portion of a contract to be awarded 
that is not greater than 20% of the total volume being procured for each 
commodity in a single IFB.
    (d) A contract awarded to a certified HUBZone small business concern 
under a preference described in paragraph (b) of this section shall not 
be counted toward the fulfillment of any requirement partially set aside 
for competition restricted to small business concerns.

[69 FR 29425, May 24, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 51250, Aug. 30, 2005; 78 
FR 61146, Oct. 2, 2013; 84 FR 65248, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.614  [Reserved]



Sec.  126.615  May a large business participate on a HUBZone contract?

    Except as provided in Sec.  126.618, a large business may not 
participate as a prime contractor on a HUBZone award, but may 
participate as a subcontractor to an otherwise qualified HUBZone

[[Page 618]]

SBC, subject to the contract performance requirements set forth in Sec.  
126.700.

[81 FR 48591, July 25, 2016, as amended at 81 FR 71983, Oct. 19, 2016]



Sec.  126.616  What requirements must a joint venture satisfy to submit 
an offer and be eligible to perform on a HUBZone contract?

    (a) General. A certified HUBZone small business concern may enter 
into a joint venture agreement with one or more other small business 
concerns, or with an SBA-approved mentor authorized by Sec.  125.9 of 
this chapter, for the purpose of submitting an offer for a HUBZone 
contract.
    (1) The joint venture itself need not be a certified HUBZone small 
business concern, but the joint venture should be designated as a 
HUBZone joint venture in SAM (or successor system) with the HUBZone-
certified joint venture partner identified.
    (2) A certified HUBZone small business concern cannot be a joint 
venture partner on more than one joint venture that submits an offer for 
a specific contract or order set-aside or reserved for certified HUBZone 
small business concerns.
    (b) Size. (1) A joint venture of at least one certified HUBZone 
small business concern and one or more other business concerns may 
submit an offer as a small business for a HUBZone procurement or sale so 
long as each concern is small under the size standard corresponding to 
the NAICS code assigned to the procurement or sale.
    (2) A joint venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm and its 
SBA-approved mentor (see Sec.  125.9 of this chapter) will be deemed 
small provided the prot[eacute]g[eacute] qualifies as small for the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the HUBZone 
procurement or sale.
    (c) Contents of joint venture agreement. Every joint venture 
agreement to perform a HUBZone contract, including those between a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm that is a certified HUBZone small business 
concern and its SBA-approved mentor authorized by Sec.  124.520 or Sec.  
125.9 of this chapter, must contain a provision:
    (1) Setting forth the purpose of the joint venture;
    (2) Designating a certified HUBZone small business concern as the 
managing venturer of the joint venture, and designating a named employee 
of the certified HUBZone small business managing venturer as the manager 
with ultimate responsibility for performance of the contract (the 
``Responsible Manager'').
    (i) The managing venturer is responsible for controlling the day-to-
day management and administration of the contractual performance of the 
joint venture, but other partners to the joint venture may participate 
in all corporate governance activities and decisions of the joint 
venture as is commercially customary.
    (ii) The individual identified as the Responsible Manager of the 
joint venture need not be an employee of the certified HUBZone small 
business concern at the time the joint venture submits an offer, but, if 
he or she is not, there must be a signed letter of intent that the 
individual commits to be employed by the certified HUBZone small 
business concern if the joint venture is the successful offeror. The 
individual identified as the Responsible Manager cannot be employed by 
the mentor and become an employee of the certified HUBZone small 
business concern for purposes of performance under the joint venture.
    (iii) Although the joint venture managers responsible for orders 
issued under an IDIQ contract need not be employees of the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute], those managers must report to and be supervised 
by the joint venture's Responsible Manager.
    (3) Stating that with respect to a separate legal entity joint 
venture, the certified HUBZone small business concern must own at least 
51% of the joint venture entity;
    (4) Stating that the certified HUBZone small business concern must 
receive profits from the joint venture commensurate with the work 
performed by the certified HUBZone small business concern, or a 
percentage agreed to by the parties to the joint venture whereby the 
certified HUBZone small business concern receives profits from the joint 
venture that exceed the percentage commensurate with the work performed 
by the certified HUBZone small business concern;

[[Page 619]]

    (5) Providing for the establishment and administration of a special 
bank account in the name of the joint venture. This account must require 
the signature or consent of all parties to the joint venture for any 
payments made by the joint venture to its members for services 
performed. All payments due the joint venture for performance on a 
HUBZone contract will be deposited in the special account; all expenses 
incurred under the contract will be paid from the account as well;
    (6) Itemizing all major equipment, facilities, and other resources 
to be furnished by each party to the joint venture, with a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, where practical. If a contract is 
indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a 
multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope of work is 
not known, the joint venture must provide a general description of the 
anticipated major equipment, facilities, and other resources to be 
furnished by each party to the joint venture, without a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, or in the alternative, specify how 
the parties to the joint venture will furnish such resources to the 
joint venture once a definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (7) Specifying the responsibilities of the parties with regard to 
negotiation of the contract, source of labor, and contract performance, 
including ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure that 
the joint venture and the HUBZone partner(s) to the joint venture will 
meet the limitations on subcontracting requirements set forth in 
paragraph (d) of this section, where practical. If a contract is 
indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a 
multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope of work is 
not known, the joint venture must provide a general description of the 
anticipated responsibilities of the parties with regard to negotiation 
of the contract, source of labor, and contract performance, not 
including the ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure 
that the joint venture and the HUBZone partner(s) to the joint venture 
will meet the limitations on subcontracting requirements set forth in 
paragraph (d) of this section, or in the alternative, specify how the 
parties to the joint venture will define such responsibilities once a 
definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (8) Obligating all parties to the joint venture to ensure 
performance of the HUBZone contract and to complete performance despite 
the withdrawal of any member;
    (9) Designating that accounting and other administrative records 
relating to the joint venture be kept in the office of the certified 
HUBZone small business concern managing venturer, unless approval to 
keep them elsewhere is granted by the District Director or his/her 
designee upon written request;
    (10) Requiring that the final original records be retained by the 
certified HUBZone small business concern managing venturer upon 
completion of the HUBZone contract performed by the joint venture;
    (11) Stating that quarterly financial statements showing cumulative 
contract receipts and expenditures (including salaries of the joint 
venture's principals) must be submitted to SBA not later than 45 days 
after each operating quarter of the joint venture; and
    (12) Stating that a project-end profit and loss statement, including 
a statement of final profit distribution, must be submitted to SBA no 
later than 90 days after completion of the contract.
    (d) Limitations on subcontracting. (1) For any HUBZone contract to 
be performed by a joint venture between a certified HUBZone small 
business concern and another certified HUBZone small business concern, 
the aggregate of the certified HUBZone small business concerns to the 
joint venture, not each concern separately, must perform the applicable 
percentage of work required by Sec.  125.6 of this chapter.
    (2) For any HUBZone contract to be performed by a joint venture 
between a certified HUBZone small business concern and a small business 
concern or its SBA-approved mentor authorized by Sec.  125.9 or Sec.  
124.520 of this chapter, the joint venture must perform the applicable 
percentage of work required by Sec.  125.6 of this chapter, and the 
certified HUBZone small business concern partner to the joint venture 
must perform

[[Page 620]]

at least 40% of the work performed by the joint venture.
    (i) The work performed by the certified HUBZone small business 
concern partner to a joint venture must be more than administrative or 
ministerial functions so that it gains substantive experience.
    (ii) The amount of work done by the partners will be aggregated and 
the work done by the certified HUBZone small business concern partner 
must be at least 40% of the total done by the partners. In determining 
the amount of work done by a mentor participating in a joint venture 
with a HUBZone qualified prot[eacute]g[eacute], all work done by the 
mentor and any of its affiliates at any subcontracting tier will be 
counted.
    (e) Certification of compliance--(1) At time of offer. If submitting 
an offer as a joint venture for a HUBZone contract, at the time of 
initial offer (and if applicable, final offer), each certified HUBZone 
small business concern joint venture partner must make the following 
certifications to the contracting officer separately under its own name:
    (i) It is a certified HUBZone small business concern that appears in 
DSBS (or successor system) as a certified HUBZone small business concern 
and it met the eligibility requirements in Sec.  126.200 at the time of 
its initial certification or, if applicable, at the time of its most 
recent recertification;
    (ii) It, together with its affiliates, is small under the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the procurement;
    (iii) It will ``attempt to maintain'' having at least 35% of its 
employees residing in a HUBZone during performance of the contract; and
    (iv) It will comply with the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting during performance of the contract, as set forth in Sec.  
125.6 of this chapter and Sec. Sec.  126.200(f) and 126.700.
    (2) Prior to performance. Prior to the performance of any HUBZone 
contract as a joint venture, the HUBZone small business concern partner 
to the joint venture must submit a written certification to the 
contracting officer and SBA, signed by an authorized official of each 
partner to the joint venture, stating the following:
    (i) The parties have entered into a joint venture agreement that 
fully complies with paragraph (c) of this section; and
    (ii) The parties will perform the contract in compliance with the 
joint venture agreement.
    (f) Capabilities, past performance, and experience. When evaluating 
the capabilities, past performance, experience, business systems, and 
certifications of an entity submitting an offer for a HUBZone contract 
as a joint venture established pursuant to this section, a procuring 
activity must consider work done and qualifications held individually by 
each partner to the joint venture as well as any work done by the joint 
venture itself previously. A procuring activity may not require the 
HUBZone small business concern to individually meet the same evaluation 
or responsibility criteria as that required of other offerors generally. 
The partners to the joint venture in the aggregate must demonstrate the 
past performance, experience, business systems, and certifications 
necessary to perform the contract.
    (g) Contract execution. The procuring activity will execute a 
HUBZone contract in the name of the joint venture entity or the 
certified HUBZone small business concern, but in either case will 
identify the award as one to a HUBZone joint venture or a HUBZone 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] joint venture, as appropriate.
    (h) Inspection of records. The joint venture partners must allow 
SBA's authorized representatives, including representatives authorized 
by the SBA Inspector General, during normal business hours, access to 
its files to inspect and copy all records and documents relating to the 
joint venture.
    (i) Limitations on subcontracting reports. The certified HUBZone 
small business concern partner to a joint venture must describe how it 
is meeting or has met the applicable limitations on subcontracting 
requirements for each HUBZone contract it performs as a joint venture.
    (1) The certified HUBZone small business concern partner to the 
joint venture must annually submit a report to the relevant contracting 
officer and to

[[Page 621]]

the SBA, signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint 
venture, explaining how the limitations on subcontracting requirements 
are being met for each HUBZone contract performed during the year.
    (2) At the completion of every HUBZone contract awarded to a joint 
venture, the certified HUBZone small business concern partner to the 
joint venture must submit a report to the relevant contracting officer 
and to the SBA, signed by an authorized official of each partner to the 
joint venture, explaining how and certifying that the limitations on 
subcontracting requirements were met for the contract, and further 
certifying that the contract was performed in accordance with the 
provisions of the joint venture agreement that are required under 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (j) Basis for suspension or debarment. The Government may consider 
the following as a ground for suspension or debarment as a willful 
violation of a regulatory provision or requirement applicable to a 
public agreement or transaction:
    (1) Failure to enter a joint venture agreement that complies with 
paragraph (c) of this section;
    (2) Failure to perform a contract in accordance with the joint 
venture agreement or limitations on subcontracting requirements in 
paragraph (d) of this section; or
    (3) Failure to submit the certification required by paragraph (e) of 
this section or comply with paragraph (h) of this section.
    (k) Any person with information concerning a joint venture's 
compliance with the limitations on subcontracting requirements may 
report that information to SBA and/or the SBA Office of Inspector 
General.

[81 FR 48591, July 25, 2016, as amended at 81 FR 94942, Dec. 27, 2016; 
83 FR 12852, Mar. 26, 2018; 84 FR 65248, Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 66197, 
Oct. 16, 2020; 86 FR 2959, Jan. 14, 2021; 88 FR 26212, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.617  Who decides contract disputes arising between a certified 
HUBZone small business concern and a contracting activity after the award 
of a HUBZone contract?

    For purposes of the Disputes Clause of a specific HUBZone contract, 
the contracting activity will decide disputes arising between a 
certified HUBZone small business concern and the contracting activity.

[69 FR 29426, May 24, 2004, as amended at 84 FR 65249, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.618  How does a certified HUBZone small business concern's 
participation in a Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship affect 
its participation in the HUBZone Program?

    (a) A certified HUBZone small business concern may enter into a 
mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] relationship under Sec.  125.9 of this 
chapter or in connection with a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program of 
another agency, provided that such relationships do not conflict with 
the HUBZone requirements described in Sec.  126.200.
    (b) For purposes of determining whether an applicant to the HUBZone 
Program or a certified HUBZone small business concern qualifies as small 
under part 121 of this chapter, SBA will not find affiliation between 
the applicant or certified HUBZone small business concern and the firm 
that is its mentor in an SBA-approved mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
relationship (including a mentor that is other than small) on the basis 
of the mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] agreement or the assistance provided 
to the prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm under the agreement. SBA will not 
consider the employees of the mentor in determining whether the 
applicant or certified HUBZone small business concern meets (or 
continues to meet) the 35% HUBZone residency requirement or the 
principal office requirement, or in determining the size of the 
applicant or certified HUBZone small business concern for any employee-
based size standard.
    (c) A certified HUBZone small business concern that is a prime 
contractor on a HUBZone contract may subcontract work to its mentor.
    (1) The certified HUBZone small business concern must meet the 
applicable limitations on subcontracting requirements set forth in Sec.  
125.6(c) of this chapter.
    (2) SBA may find affiliation between a prime HUBZone contractor and 
its

[[Page 622]]

mentor subcontractor where the mentor will perform primary and vital 
requirements of the contract. See Sec.  121.103(h)(3) of this chapter.

[81 FR 48593, July 25, 2016, as amended at 84 FR 65249, Nov. 26, 2019; 
85 FR 66197, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26213, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.619  When must a certified HUBZone small business concern 
recertify its status for a HUBZone contract?

    (a) A concern that is a certified HUBZone small business concern at 
the time of initial offer (including a Multiple Award Contract) is 
generally considered a HUBZone small business concern throughout the 
life of that contract.
    (1) If a concern is a certified HUBZone small business concern at 
the time of initial offer for a HUBZone Multiple Award Contract, then it 
will be considered a certified HUBZone small business concern for each 
order issued against the contract, unless a contracting officer requests 
a new HUBZone certification in connection with a specific order (see 
paragraph (b)(4) of this section).
    (2) Except for orders under Federal Supply Schedule contracts, where 
the underlying Multiple Award Contract is not a HUBZone contract and a 
procuring agency is setting aside an order for the HUBZone program, a 
concern must be a certified HUBZone small business concern and appear in 
DSBS (or successor system) as a certified HUBZone small business concern 
at the time it submits its offer for the order.
    (3) Where a contract is novated to another business concern, the 
concern that will continue performance on the contract must certify its 
status as a certified HUBZone small business concern to the procuring 
agency, or inform the procuring agency that it is not a certified 
HUBZone small business concern, within 30 days of the novation approval. 
If the concern is not a certified HUBZone small business concern, the 
agency can no longer count any work performed under the contract, 
including any options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, from 
that point forward towards its HUBZone goals.
    (4) Where a concern that is performing a contract acquires, is 
acquired by, or merges with another concern and contract novation is not 
required, the concern must, within 30 days of the transaction becoming 
final, recertify its status as a certified HUBZone small business 
concern to the procuring agency, or inform the procuring agency that it 
no longer qualifies as a HUBZone small business concern. If the 
contractor is unable to recertify its status as a HUBZone small business 
concern, the agency can no longer count the options or orders issued 
pursuant to the contract, from that point forward, towards its HUBZone 
goals. The agency must immediately revise all applicable Federal 
contract databases to reflect the new status.
    (5) Where a concern is decertified after the award of a HUBZone 
contract, the procuring agency may exercise options and still count the 
award as an award to a HUBZone small business concern, except where 
recertification is required or requested under this section, or where 
the concern has been found to be ineligible for award pursuant to a 
HUBZone status protest pursuant to Sec.  126.803.
    (b) For the purposes of contracts (including Multiple Award 
Contracts) with durations of more than five years (including options), a 
contracting officer must request that a business concern recertify its 
status as a HUBZone small business concern no more than 120 days prior 
to the end of the fifth year of the contract, and no more than 120 days 
prior to exercising any option. If the business is unable to recertify 
its HUBZone status, the procuring agency may no longer be able to count 
the options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, from that point 
forward, towards its HUBZone goals.
    (1) If the concern cannot recertify that it qualifies as a HUBZone 
small business concern, the agency can no longer count the options or 
orders issued pursuant to the contract, from that point forward, towards 
its HUBZone goals. This means that if the concern either no longer meets 
the HUBZone eligibility requirements or no longer qualifies as small for 
the size standard corresponding to NAICS code assigned to the contract, 
the agency

[[Page 623]]

can no longer count the options or orders issued pursuant to the 
contract, from that point forward, towards its HUBZone goals.
    (2) A concern that did not certify itself as a HUBZone small 
business concern, either initially or prior to an option being 
exercised, may recertify itself as a HUBZone small business concern for 
a subsequent option period if it meets the eligibility requirements at 
that time.
    (3) Recertification does not change the terms and conditions of the 
contract. The limitations on subcontracting, nonmanufacturer and 
subcontracting plan requirements in effect at the time of contract award 
remain in effect throughout the life of the contract.
    (4) Where the contracting officer explicitly requires concerns to 
recertify their status in response to a solicitation for an order, SBA 
will determine eligibility as of the date of the concern's initial 
certification or, if applicable, its most recent recertification.
    (c) Except for Blanket Purchase Agreements under Federal Supply 
Schedule contracts, a concern's status will be determined at the time of 
submission of its initial response to a solicitation for an Agreement 
(including Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), Basic Agreements, Basic 
Ordering Agreements, or any other Agreement that a contracting officer 
sets aside or reserves awards for certified HUBZone small business 
concerns) and each order issued pursuant to the Agreement.

[84 FR 65249, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 5304, Jan. 30, 2020; 85 
FR 27660, May 11, 2020]



               Subpart G_Contract Performance Requirements



Sec.  126.700  What are the limitations on subcontracting requirements 
for HUBZone contracts?

    (a) Other than Multiple Award Contracts. For other than a Multiple 
Award Contract, a prime contractor receiving an award as a certified 
HUBZone small business concern must meet the limitations on 
subcontracting requirements set forth in Sec.  125.6 of this chapter.
    (b) Multiple Award Contracts--(1) Total Set-Aside Contracts. For a 
Multiple Award Contract that is totally set aside for certified HUBZone 
small business concerns, a certified HUBZone small business concern must 
comply with the applicable limitations on subcontracting (see Sec.  
125.6), or if applicable, the nonmanufacturer rule (see Sec.  121.406 of 
this chapter), during the base term and during each subsequent option 
period. However, the contracting officer, at his or her discretion, may 
also require the concern to comply with the limitations on 
subcontracting or the nonmanufacturer rule for each individual order 
awarded under the Multiple Award Contract.
    (2) Partial Set-Aside Contracts. For Multiple Award Contracts that 
are partially set aside for certified HUBZone small business concerns, 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section applies to the set-aside portion of the 
contract. For orders awarded under the non-set-aside portion of a 
Multiple Award Contract, a certified HUBZone small business concern need 
not comply with any limitations on subcontracting or nonmanufacturer 
rule requirements.
    (3) Orders Set Aside for certified HUBZone small business concerns. 
For each individual order that is set aside for certified HUBZone small 
business concerns under a Multiple Award Contract that is not itself set 
aside for certified HUBZone small business concerns, a certified HUBZone 
small business concern must comply with the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting (see Sec.  125.6 of this chapter), or if applicable, the 
nonmanufacturer rule (see Sec.  121.406 of this chapter), in the 
performance of such order.
    (4) Reserves. For an order that is set aside for certified HUBZone 
small business concerns against a Multiple Award Contract with a HUBZone 
reserve, a certified HUBZone small business concern must comply with the 
applicable limitations on subcontracting (see Sec.  125.6 of this 
chapter), or if applicable, the nonmanufacturer rule (see Sec.  121.406 
of this chapter), in the performance of such order. However, the 
certified HUBZone small business concern does not have to comply with 
the limitations on subcontracting or the nonmanufacturer rule for any 
order issued

[[Page 624]]

against the Multiple Award Contract if the order is competed amongst 
certified HUBZone small business concerns and one or more other-than-
small business concerns.

[84 FR 65249, Nov. 26, 2019, as amended at 86 FR 61673, Nov. 8, 2021]



Sec.  126.701  Can these subcontracting percentages requirements change?

    Yes. The Administrator may change the subcontracting percentage 
requirements if the Administrator determines that such action is 
necessary to reflect conventional industry practices.



Sec.  126.702  How can the subcontracting percentage requirements be changed?

    SBA may change the required subcontracting percentage for a specific 
industry if the Administrator determines that such action is necessary 
to reflect conventional industry practices among SBCs that are below the 
numerical size standard for businesses in that industry group. The 
procedures for requesting changes in subcontracting percentages are set 
forth in Sec.  125.6 of this chapter.

[69 FR 29427, May 24, 2004]



                           Subpart H_Protests



Sec.  126.800  Who may protest the status of a certified HUBZone 
small business concern?

    (a) For sole source procurements. SBA or the contracting officer may 
protest the proposed awardee's status as a certified HUBZone small 
business concern.
    (b) For all other procurements, including Multiple Award Contracts 
(see Sec.  125.1 of this chapter). SBA, the contracting officer, or any 
other interested party may protest the apparent successful offeror's 
status as a certified HUBZone small business concern.

[84 FR 65250, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.801  How does an interested party file a HUBZone status protest?

    (a) General. (1) A HUBZone status protest is the process by which an 
interested party may challenge the HUBZone status of an apparent 
successful offeror on a HUBZone contract, including a HUBZone joint 
venture submitting an offer under Sec.  126.616. SBA will also consider 
a protest challenging whether a HUBZone prime contractor is unduly 
reliant on a small, non-similarly situated entity subcontractor or if 
such subcontractor performs the primary and vital requirements of the 
contract.
    (2) The protest procedures described in this part are separate from 
those governing size protests and appeals. All protests relating to 
whether a certified HUBZone small business concern is other than small 
for purposes of any Federal program are subject to part 121 of this 
chapter and must be filed in accordance with that part. If a protester 
protests both the size of the HUBZone small business concern and whether 
the concern meets the HUBZone eligibility requirements set forth in 
Sec.  126.200, SBA will process the protests concurrently, under the 
procedures set forth in part 121 of this chapter and this part.
    (3) SBA does not review issues concerning the administration of a 
HUBZone contract.
    (b) Format and specificity. (1) Protests must be in writing and must 
state all specific grounds as to why the protestor believes the 
protested concern should not qualify as a certified HUBZone small 
business concern. Specifically, a protestor must explain why:
    (i) The protested concern did not meet the HUBZone eligibility 
requirements set forth in Sec.  126.200;
    (ii) The protested joint venture does not meet the requirements set 
forth in Sec.  126.616;
    (iii) The protested concern, as a HUBZone prime contractor, is 
unduly reliant on one or more small subcontractors that are not HUBZone-
certified, or subcontractors that are not HUBZone-certified will perform 
the primary and vital requirements of the contract; and/or
    (iv) The protested concern, on the anniversary date of its initial 
HUBZone certification, failed to attempt to maintain compliance with the 
35% HUBZone residency requirement during the performance of a HUBZone 
contract.
    (2) Specificity requires more than conclusions of ineligibility. A 
protest merely asserting that the protested

[[Page 625]]

concern did not qualify as a HUBZone small business concern, or that it 
did not meet the principal office and/or 35% residency requirements, 
without setting forth specific facts or allegations, is insufficient and 
will be dismissed.
    (3) For a protest filed against a HUBZone joint venture, the protest 
must state all specific grounds as to why:
    (i) The HUBZone small business partner to the joint venture did not 
meet the HUBZone eligibility requirements set forth in Sec.  126.200 at 
the time the concern applied for certification or on the anniversary of 
such certification; and/or
    (ii) The protested HUBZone joint venture does not meet the 
requirements set forth in Sec.  126.616.
    (4) For a protest alleging that the prime contractor has an 
ostensible subcontractor, the protest must state all specific grounds as 
to why:
    (i) The protested concern is unduly reliant on one or more small 
subcontractors that are not HUBZone-certified, or
    (ii) One or more subcontractors that are not HUBZone-certified will 
perform the primary and vital requirements of the contract.
    (5) For a protest alleging that the protested concern failed to 
attempt to maintain compliance with the 35% HUBZone residency 
requirement during the performance of a HUBZone contract, the protest 
must state all specific grounds explaining why the protester believes 
that at least 20% of the protested firm's employees do not reside in a 
HUBZone.
    (c) Filing. (1) An interested party other than a contracting officer 
or SBA must submit its written protest to the contracting officer.
    (2) A contracting officer and SBA must submit their protest to the 
D/HUB.
    (3) Protestors may submit their protests by email to 
[email protected].
    (d) Timeliness. A protest challenging the HUBZone status of an 
apparent successful offeror on a HUBZone contract must be timely, or it 
will be dismissed.
    (1) For negotiated acquisitions, an interested party must submit its 
protest by close of business on the fifth business day after 
notification by the contracting officer of the apparent successful 
offeror.
    (i) Except for an order or Blanket Purchase Agreement issued under a 
Federal Supply Schedule contract, for an order or Agreement that is set-
aside for certified HUBZone small business concerns under a multiple 
award contract that was not itself set aside or reserved for certified 
HUBZone small business concerns, an interested party must submit its 
protest by close of business on the fifth business day after 
notification by the contracting officer of the intended awardee of the 
order or Agreement.
    (ii) Where a contracting officer has required offerors for a 
specific order under a multiple award HUBZone contract to recertify 
their HUBZone status, an interested party must submit its protest by 
close of business on the fifth business day after notification by the 
contracting officer of the intended awardee of the order.
    (2) For sealed bid acquisitions:
    (i) An interested party must submit its protest by close of business 
on the fifth business day after bid opening, or where the identified low 
bidder is determined to be ineligible for award, by close of business on 
the fifth business day after the contracting officer has notified 
interested parties of the identity of that low bidder, or
    (ii) If the price evaluation preference was not applied at the time 
of bid opening, an interested party must submit its protest by close of 
business on the fifth business day after the date of identification of 
the apparent successful low bidder.
    (3) Any protest submitted after the time limits is untimely, unless 
it is from SBA or the CO.
    (4) Any protest received prior to bid opening or notification of 
intended award, whichever applies, is premature.
    (e) Referral to SBA. The contracting officer must forward to SBA any 
non-premature HUBZone status protest received, notwithstanding whether 
he or she believes it is sufficiently specific or timely. The 
contracting officer must send the protest, along with a referral letter, 
to the D/HUB by email to [email protected].

[[Page 626]]

    (1) The contracting officer's referral letter must include 
information pertaining to the solicitation that may be necessary for SBA 
to determine timeliness and standing, including the following:
    (i) The solicitation number;
    (ii) The name, address, telephone number, email address, and 
facsimile number of the contracting officer;
    (iii) The type of HUBZone contract at issue (i.e., HUBZone set-
aside; HUBZone sole source; full and open competition with a HUBZone 
price evaluation preference applied; reserve for HUBZone small business 
concerns under a Multiple Award Contract; or order set-aside for HUBZone 
small business concerns against a Multiple Award Contract);
    (iv) If the procurement was conducted using full and open 
competition with a HUBZone price evaluation preference, whether the 
protester's opportunity for award was affected by the preference;
    (v) If the procurement was a HUBZone set-aside, whether the 
protester submitted an offer;
    (vi) Whether the protested concern was the apparent successful 
offeror;
    (vii) Whether the procurement was conducted using sealed bid or 
negotiated procedures;
    (viii) If the procurement was conducted using sealed bid procedures, 
the bid opening date;
    (ix) The date the protester was notified of the apparent successful 
offeror;
    (x) The date the protest was submitted to the contracting officer;
    (xi) The date the protested concern submitted its initial offer or 
bid to the contracting activity; and
    (xii) Whether a contract has been awarded, and if applicable, the 
date of contract award and contract number.
    (2) Where a protestor alleges that a certified HUBZone small 
business concern is unduly reliant on one or more subcontractors that 
are not certified HUBZone small business concerns or a subcontractor 
that is not a certified HUBZone small business concern will perform 
primary and vital requirements of the contract, the D/HUB will refer the 
matter to the Government Contracting Area Office serving the geographic 
area in which the principal office of the certified HUBZone small 
business concern is located for a determination as to whether the 
ostensible subcontractor rule has been met.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 29427, May 24, 2004, 84 
FR 65250, Nov. 26, 2019; 84 FR 65665, Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 66197, Oct. 
16, 2020; 88 FR 26213, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  126.802  Who decides a HUBZone status protest?

    The D/HUB or designee will determine whether the concern qualifies 
as a certified HUBZone small business concern.

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 84 FR 65250, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.803  How will SBA process a HUBZone status protest and 
what are the possible outcomes?

    (a) Date at which eligibility determined. SBA will determine the 
eligibility of a concern subject to a HUBZone status protest as of the 
date of its initial certification or, if applicable, its most recent 
recertification.
    (b) Notice of receipt of protest. (1) SBA immediately will notify 
the contracting officer and the protestor of the date SBA receives a 
protest and whether SBA will process the protest or dismiss it in 
accordance with Sec.  126.804.
    (2) If SBA determines the protest is timely and sufficiently 
specific, SBA will notify the protested concern of the protest and the 
identity of the protestor. The protested concern must submit information 
responsive to the protest within 5 business days of the date of receipt 
of the protest.
    (c) Time period for determination. (1) SBA will determine the 
HUBZone status of the protested concern within 15 business days after 
receipt of a complete protest referral.
    (2) If SBA does not issue its determination within 15 business days 
(or request an extension that is granted), the contracting officer may 
award the contract if he or she determines in writing that there is an 
immediate need to award the contract and that waiting until SBA makes 
its determination will be disadvantageous to the Government. 
Notwithstanding such a determination, the provisions of

[[Page 627]]

paragraph (e) of this section apply to the procurement in question.
    (d) Notice of determination. SBA will notify the contracting 
officer, the protestor, and the protested concern of its determination.
    (e) Effect of determination. The determination is effective 
immediately and is final, unless overturned on appeal by SBA's Office of 
Hearings and Appeals (OHA) pursuant to part 134 of this chapter.
    (1) Protest sustained. If the D/HUB finds the protested concern 
ineligible and sustains the protest, SBA will decertify the concern and 
remove its designation as a certified HUBZone small business concern in 
DSBS (or successor system). A contracting officer shall not award a 
contract to a protested concern that the D/HUB has determined is not an 
eligible HUBZone small business concern for the procurement in question.
    (i) No appeal filed. If a contracting officer receives a 
determination sustaining a protest after contract award, and no appeal 
has been filed, the contracting officer shall terminate the award.
    (ii) Appeal filed. (A) If a timely appeal is filed after contract 
award, the contracting officer must consider whether performance can be 
suspended until an appellate decision is rendered.
    (B) If OHA affirms the initial determination finding the protested 
concern ineligible, the contracting officer shall either terminate the 
contract or not exercise the next option.
    (iii) Update FPDS-NG. Where the contract was awarded to a concern 
that is found not to qualify as a HUBZone small business concern, the 
contracting officer must update the Federal Procurement Data System-Next 
Generation (FPDS-NG) and other procurement reporting databases to 
reflect the final agency HUBZone decision (i.e., the D/HUB's decision if 
the protest determination is not appealed, or OHA's decision if the 
protest determination is appealed).
    (2) Protest dismissed or denied. If the D/HUB denies or dismisses 
the protest, the contracting officer may award the contract to the 
protested concern.
    (i) No appeal filed. If a contracting officer receives a 
determination dismissing or denying a protest and no appeal has been 
filed, the contracting officer may:
    (A) Award the contract to the protested concern if it has not yet 
been awarded; or
    (B) Authorize contract performance to proceed if the contract has 
been awarded.
    (ii) Appeal filed. If OHA overturns the initial determination or 
dismissal, the contracting officer may apply the appeal decision to the 
procurement in question.
    (3) A concern found to be ineligible is precluded from applying for 
HUBZone certification for ninety (90) calendar days from the date of the 
final agency decision (i.e., the D/HUB's decision if the protest 
determination is not appealed, or OHA's decision if the protest 
determination is appealed).

[63 FR 31908, June 11, 1998, as amended at 69 FR 29427, May 24, 2004; 74 
FR 45754, Sept. 4, 2009; 76 FR 5685, Feb. 2, 2011; 76 FR 43574, July 21, 
2011; 84 FR 65250, Nov. 26, 2019; 88 FR 21088, Apr. 10, 2023]



Sec.  126.804  Will SBA decide all HUBZone status protests?

    SBA will decide all protests not dismissed on the basis that they 
are premature, untimely, non-specific, moot, or not filed by an 
interested party.

[84 FR 65251, Nov. 26, 2019]



Sec.  126.805  What are the procedures for appeals of HUBZone status 
protest determinations?

    The protested concern, the protester, or the contracting officer may 
file an appeal of a HUBZone status protest determination with SBA's 
Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) in accordance with part 134 of this 
chapter.

[88 FR 21089, Apr. 10, 2023]



                           Subpart I_Penalties



Sec.  126.900  What are the requirements for representing HUBZone status, 
and what are the penalties for misrepresentation?

    (a) Presumption of Loss Based on the Total Amount Expended. In every 
contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and 
development agreement, or grant which is

[[Page 628]]

set aside, reserved, or otherwise classified as intended for award to 
HUBZone SBCs, there shall be a presumption of loss to the United States 
based on the total amount expended on the contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, cooperative research and development agreement, 
or grant whenever it is established that a business concern other than a 
HUBZone SBC willfully sought and received the award by 
misrepresentation.
    (b) Deemed Certifications. The following actions shall be deemed 
affirmative, willful and intentional certifications of HUBZone SBC 
status:
    (1) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, or 
cooperative research and development agreement reserved, set aside, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to HUBZone SBCs.
    (2) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement or 
cooperative research and development agreement which in any way 
encourages a Federal agency to classify the bid or proposal, if awarded, 
as an award to a HUBZone SBC.
    (3) Registration on any Federal electronic database for the purpose 
of being considered for award of a Federal grant, contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, or cooperative research and development 
agreement, as a HUBZone SBC.
    (c) Signature Requirement. Each offer, proposal, bid, or application 
for a Federal contract, subcontract, or grant shall contain a 
certification concerning the HUBZone SBC status of a business concern 
seeking the Federal contract, subcontract or grant. An authorized 
official must sign the certification on the same page containing the 
HUBZone status claimed by the concern.
    (d) Limitation of Liability. Paragraphs (a)-(c) of this section may 
be determined not to apply in the case of unintentional errors, 
technical malfunctions, and other similar situations that demonstrate 
that a misrepresentation of HUBZone status was not affirmative, 
intentional, willful or actionable under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 
Sec. Sec.  3729, et seq. A prime contractor acting in good faith should 
not be held liable for misrepresentations made by its subcontractors 
regarding the subcontractors' HUBZone status. Relevant factors to 
consider in making this determination may include the firm's internal 
management procedures governing HUBZone status representations or 
certifications, the clarity or ambiguity of the representation or 
certification requirement, and the efforts made to correct an incorrect 
or invalid representation or certification in a timely manner. An 
individual or firm may not be held liable where government personnel 
have erroneously identified a concern as a HUBZone SBC without any 
representation or certification having been made by the concern and 
where such identification is made without the knowledge of the 
individual or firm.
    (e) Penalties for Misrepresentation. (1) Suspension or debarment. 
The SBA suspension and debarment official or the agency suspension and 
debarment official may suspend or debar a person or concern for 
misrepresenting a firm's status as a HUBZone SBC pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in 48 CFR subpart 9.4.
    (2) Civil Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733, the Program 
Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812, and any other applicable 
laws or regulations, including 13 CFR part 142.
    (3) Criminal Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
criminal penalties for knowingly misrepresenting the HUBZone status of a 
concern in connection with procurement programs pursuant to section 
16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d), as amended, 18 U.S.C. 
1001, 18 U.S.C. 287, and any other applicable laws. Persons or concerns 
are subject to criminal penalties for knowingly making false statements 
or misrepresentations to SBA for the purpose of influencing any actions 
of SBA pursuant to section 16(a) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 
645(a), as amended, including failure to correct ``continuing 
representations'' that are no longer true.

[78 FR 38820, June 28, 2013, as amended at 81 FR 31492, May 19, 2016]

[[Page 629]]



PART 127_WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACT PROGRAM--Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
127.100 What is the purpose of this part?
127.101 What type of assistance is available under this part?
127.102 What are the definitions of the terms used in this part?

   Subpart B_Eligibility Requirements To Qualify as an EDWOSB or WOSB

127.200 What are the requirements a concern must meet to qualify as an 
          EDWOSB or WOSB?
127.201 What are the requirements for ownership of an EDWOSB and WOSB?
127.202 What are the requirements for control of an EDWOSB or WOSB?
127.203 What are the rules governing the requirement that economically 
          disadvantaged women must own EDWOSBs?

            Subpart C_Certification of EDWOSB or WOSB Status

127.300 How is a concern certified as an WOSB or EDWOSB?
127.301 When may a concern apply for certification?
127.302 Where can a concern apply for certification?
127.303 What must a concern submit for certification?
127.304 How is an application for certification processed?
127.305 May declined or decertified concerns seek recertification at a 
          later date?
127.350 What is a third-party certifier?
127.351 What third-party certifications may a concern use as evidence of 
          its status as a qualified EDWOSB or WOSB?
127.352 What is the process for becoming a third-party certifier?
127.353 May third-party certifiers charge a fee?
127.354 What requirements must a third-party certifier follow to 
          demonstrate capability to certify concerns?
127.355 How will SBA ensure that approved third-party certifiers are 
          meeting the requirements?
127.356 How does a concern obtain certification from an approved 
          certifier?

                   Subpart D_Eligibility Examinations

127.400 How does a concern maintain its WOSB or EDWOSB certification?
127.401 What are a WOSB's and EDWOSB's ongoing obligations to SBA?
127.402 What is a program examination, who will conduct it, and what 
          will SBA examine?
127.403 When will SBA conduct program examinations?
127.404 May SBA require additional information from a WOSB or EDWOSB 
          during a program examination?
127.405 What happens if SBA determines that the concern is no longer 
          eligible for the program?

                  Subpart E_Federal Contract Assistance

127.500 In what industries is a contracting officer authorized to 
          restrict competition or make a sole source award under this 
          part?
127.501 How will SBA determine the industries that are eligible for 
          EDWOSB or WOSB requirements?
127.502 How will SBA identify and provide notice of the designated 
          industries?
127.503 When is a contracting officer authorized to restrict competition 
          or award a sole source contract or order under this part?
127.504 What requirements must an EDWOSB or WOSB meet to be eligible for 
          an EDWOSB or WOSB requirement?
127.505 [Reserved]
127.506 May a joint venture submit an offer on an EDWOSB or WOSB 
          requirement?
127.507 Are there EDWOSB and WOSB contracting opportunities at or below 
          the simplified acquisition threshold?
127.508 May SBA appeal a contracting officer's decision not to make a 
          requirement available for award as a WOSB Program contract?
127.509 What is the process for such an appeal?

                           Subpart F_Protests

127.600 Who may protest the status of a concern as an EDWOSB or WOSB?
127.601 May a protest challenging the size and status of a concern as an 
          EDWOSB or WOSB be filed together?
127.602 What are the grounds for filing an EDWOSB or WOSB status 
          protest?
127.603 What are the requirements for filing an EDWOSB or WOSB status 
          protest?
127.604 How will SBA process an EDWOSB or WOSB status protest?
127.605 What are the procedures for appealing an EDWOSB or WOSB status 
          protest decision?

                           Subpart G_Penalties

127.700 What are the requirements for representing EDWOSB or WOSB 
          status, and what are the penalties for misrepresentation?

[[Page 630]]

127.701 What must a concern do in order to be identified as an EDWOSB or 
          WOSB in any Federal procurement databases?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 637(m), 644 and 657r.

    Source: 75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec.  127.100  What is the purpose of this part?

    Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act authorizes certain 
procurement mechanisms to ensure that Women-Owned Small Businesses 
(WOSBs) have an equal opportunity to participate in Federal contracting. 
This part implements these mechanisms and ensures that the program 
created, referred to as the WOSB Program, is substantially related to 
this important Congressional goal in accordance with applicable law.



Sec.  127.101  What type of assistance is available under this part?

    This part authorizes contracting officers to restrict competition or 
award sole source contracts or orders to eligible Economically 
Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs) for certain Federal 
contracts or orders in industries in which the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) determines that WOSBs are underrepresented in 
Federal procurement. It also authorizes contracting officers to restrict 
competition or award sole source contracts or orders to eligible WOSBs 
for certain Federal contracts or orders in industries in which SBA 
determines that WOSBs are substantially underrepresented in Federal 
procurement and has waived the economically disadvantaged requirement.

[80 FR 55021, Sept. 14, 2015]



Sec.  127.102  What are the definitions of the terms used in this part?

    For purposes of this part:
    8(a) Business Development (8(a) BD) concern means a concern that SBA 
has certified as an 8(a) BD program participant and whose term has not 
expired or otherwise left the 8(a) BD program early.
    AA/GC&BD means SBA's Associate Administrator for Government 
Contracting and Business Development.
    Citizen means a person born or naturalized in the United States. 
Resident aliens and holders of permanent visas are not considered to be 
citizens.
    Concern means a firm that satisfies the requirements in Sec.  
121.105 of this chapter.
    Contracting officer has the meaning given to that term in Section 
27(f)(5) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (codified at 41 
U.S.C. 423(f)(5)).
    D/GC means SBA's Director for Government Contracting.
    Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) means a concern that is 
small pursuant to part 121 of this chapter and that is at least 51 
percent owned and controlled by one or more women who are citizens and 
who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with Sec. Sec.  
127.200, 127.201, 127.202 and 127.203. An EDWOSB automatically qualifies 
as a WOSB.
    EDWOSB requirement means a Federal requirement for services or 
supplies for which a contracting officer has restricted competition or 
awarded a sole source contract or order to eligible EDWOSBs, including 
Multiple Award Contracts, partial set-asides, reserves, sole source 
awards, and orders set aside for EDWOSBs issued against a Multiple Award 
Contract.
    Immediate family member means father, mother, husband, wife, son, 
daughter, stepchild, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, 
grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, and 
daughter-in-law.
    Interested party means any concern that submits an offer for a 
specific EDWOSB or WOSB requirement (including Multiple Award 
Contracts), any concern that submitted an offer in a full and open 
competition and its opportunity for award will be affected by a reserve 
of an award given a WOSB or EDWOSB, the contracting activity's 
contracting officer, or SBA.
    Primary industry classification means the six-digit North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) code designation that best 
describes the primary business activity of the concern.

[[Page 631]]

The NAICS code designations are described in the NAICS manual available 
via the Internet at http://www.census.gov/NAICS. In determining the 
primary industry in which a concern is engaged, SBA will consider the 
factors set forth in Sec.  121.107 of this chapter.
    Same or similar line of business means business activities within 
the same four-digit ``Industry Group'' of the NAICS Manual as the 
primary industry classification of the WOSB or EDWOSB.
    Substantial underrepresentation is determined by a study using a 
reliable and relevant methodology.
    System for Award Management (SAM) (or any successor system) means a 
federal system that consolidates various federal procurement systems 
(e.g., Central Contractor Registration (CCR), Federal Agency 
Registration (Fedreg), Online Representations and Certifications 
Application (ORCA), Excluded Parties List System (EPLS)) and the Catalog 
of Federal Domestic Assistance into one system.
    Underrepresentation is determined by a study using a reliable and 
relevant methodology.
    Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) means a concern that qualifies as 
small pursuant to part 121 of this chapter under the size standard 
corresponding to any NAICS code listed in its SAM profile, and that is 
at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women who are 
citizens in accordance with Sec. Sec.  127.200, 127.201 and 127.202. 
This definition applies to any certification as to a concern's status as 
a WOSB, not solely to those certifications relating to a WOSB contract.
    WOSB Program Repository means a secure, Web-based application that 
collects, stores and disseminates documents to the contracting community 
and SBA, which verify the eligibility of a business concern for a 
contract to be awarded under a WOSB or EDWOSB requirement.
    WOSB requirement means a Federal requirement for services or 
supplies for which a contracting officer has restricted competition or 
awarded a sole source contract or order to eligible WOSBs, including 
Multiple Award Contracts, partial set-asides, reserves, sole source 
awards, and orders set aside for WOSBs issued against a Multiple Award 
Contract.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 61146, Oct. 2, 2013; 80 
FR 55022, Sept. 14, 2015; 88 FR 26214, Apr. 27, 2023]



   Subpart B_Eligibility Requirements To Qualify as an EDWOSB or WOSB



Sec.  127.200  What are the requirements a concern must meet to qualify 
as an EDWOSB or WOSB?

    (a) Qualification as an EDWOSB. To qualify as an EDWOSB, a concern 
must be:
    (1) A small business concern as defined in part 121 of this chapter 
under the size standard corresponding to any NAICS code listed in its 
SAM profile; and
    (2) Not less than 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned and 
controlled by one or more women who are United States citizens and are 
economically disadvantaged.
    (b) Qualification as a WOSB. To qualify as a WOSB, a concern must 
be:
    (1) A small business as defined in part 121 of this chapter for the 
size standard corresponding to any NAICS code listed in its SAM profile; 
and
    (2) Not less than 51 percent unconditionally and directly owned and 
controlled by one or more women who are United States citizens.
    (c) WOSB and EDWOSB certifications. (1) A concern must be certified 
as a WOSB or EDWOSB pursuant to Sec.  127.300 in order to be awarded a 
WOSB or EDWOSB set-aside or sole-source contract.
    (2) Other women-owned small business concerns that do not seek WOSB 
or EDWOSB set-aside or sole-source contracts may continue to self-
certify their status, receive contract awards outside the Program, and 
count toward an agency's goal for awards to WOSBs.
    (d) Suspension and debarment. In order to be eligible for WOSB and 
EDWOSB certification and to remain certified, the concern and any of its 
owners must not have an active exclusion in the System for Award 
Management at the time of application or recertification.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 27660, May 11, 2020; 88 
FR 26214, Apr. 27, 2023]

[[Page 632]]



Sec.  127.201  What are the requirements for ownership of an EDWOSB and WOSB?

    (a) General. To qualify as an EDWOSB one or more economically 
disadvantaged women must unconditionally and directly own at least 51 
percent of the concern. To qualify as a WOSB, one or more women must 
unconditionally and directly own at least 51 percent of the concern. 
Ownership will be determined without regard to community property laws.
    (b) Requirement for unconditional ownership. To be considered 
unconditional, the ownership must not be subject to any conditions, 
executory agreements, voting trusts, or other arrangements that cause or 
potentially cause ownership benefits to go to another (other than after 
death or incapacity). The pledge or encumbrance of stock or other 
ownership interest as collateral, including seller-financed 
transactions, does not affect the unconditional nature of ownership if 
the terms follow normal commercial practices and the owner retains 
control absent violations of the terms.
    (c) Requirement for direct ownership. To be considered direct, the 
qualifying women must own 51 percent of the concern directly. The 51 
percent ownership may not be through another business entity or a trust 
(including employee stock ownership plan) that is, in turn, owned and 
controlled by one or more women or economically disadvantaged women. 
However, ownership by a trust, such as a living trust, may be treated as 
the functional equivalent of ownership by a woman or economically 
disadvantaged woman where the trust is revocable, and the woman is the 
grantor, the trustee, and the sole current beneficiary of the trust.
    (d) Ownership of a partnership. In the case of a concern that is a 
partnership, at least 51 percent of each class of partnership interest 
must be unconditionally owned by one or more women or in the case of an 
EDWOSB, economically disadvantaged women. The ownership must be 
reflected in the concern's partnership agreement. For purposes of this 
requirement, general and limited partnership interests are considered 
different classes of partnership interest.
    (e) Ownership of a limited liability company. In the case of a 
concern that is a limited liability company, at least 51 percent of each 
class of member interest must be unconditionally owned by one or more 
women or in the case of an EDWOSB, economically disadvantaged women.
    (f) Ownership of a corporation. In the case of a concern that is a 
corporation, at least 51 percent of each class of voting stock 
outstanding and 51 percent of the aggregate of all stock outstanding 
must be unconditionally owned by one or more women, or in the case of an 
EDWOSB, economically disadvantaged women. In determining unconditional 
ownership of the concern, any unexercised stock options or similar 
agreements held by a woman will be disregarded. However, any unexercised 
stock option or other agreement, including the right to convert non-
voting stock or debentures into voting stock, held by any other 
individual or entity will be treated as having been exercised.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 88 FR 26214, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.202  What are the requirements for control of an EDWOSB or WOSB?

    (a) General. To qualify as a WOSB, the management and daily business 
operations of the concern must be controlled by one or more women. To 
qualify as an EDWOSB, the management and daily business operations of 
the concern must be controlled by one or more women who are economically 
disadvantaged. Control by one or more women or economically 
disadvantaged women means that both the long-term decision making and 
the day-to-day management and administration of the business operations 
must be conducted by one or more women or economically disadvantaged 
women.
    (b) Managerial position and experience. A woman, or in the case of 
an EDWOSB an economically disadvantaged woman, must hold the highest 
officer position in the concern and must have managerial experience of 
the extent and complexity needed to run the concern. The woman or 
economically disadvantaged woman manager need not have the

[[Page 633]]

technical expertise or possess the required license to be found to 
control the concern if she can demonstrate that she has ultimate 
managerial and supervisory control over those who possess the required 
licenses or technical expertise. However, if a man possesses the 
required license and has an equity interest in the concern, he may be 
found to control the concern.
    (c) Limitation on outside employment. The woman or economically-
disadvantaged woman who holds the highest officer position of the 
business concern may not engage in outside employment that prevent her 
from devoting sufficient time and attention to the business concern to 
control its management and daily operations. Where a woman or 
economically disadvantaged woman claiming to control a business concern 
devotes fewer hours to the business than its normal hours of operation, 
there is a rebuttable presumption that she does not control the business 
concern. In such a case, the woman must provide evidence that she has 
ultimate managerial and supervisory control over both the long-term 
decision making and day-to-day management and administration of the 
business.
    (d) Control over a partnership. In the case of a partnership, one or 
more women, or in the case of an EDWOSB, economically disadvantaged 
women, must serve as general partners, with control over all partnership 
decisions.
    (e) Control over a limited liability company. In the case of a 
limited liability company, one or more women, or in the case of an 
EDWOSB, economically disadvantaged women, must serve as management 
members, with control over all decisions of the limited liability 
company.
    (f) Control over a corporation. One or more women, or in the case of 
an EDWOSB, economically disadvantaged women, must control the Board of 
Directors of the concern. Women or economically disadvantaged women are 
considered to control the Board of Directors when either:
    (1) One or more women or economically disadvantaged women own at 
least 51 percent of all voting stock of the concern, are on the Board of 
Directors and have the percentage of voting stock necessary to overcome 
any super majority voting requirements; or
    (2) Women or economically disadvantaged women comprise the majority 
of voting directors through actual numbers or, where permitted by state 
law, through weighted voting.
    (g) Involvement in the concern by other individuals or entities. Men 
or other entities may be involved in the management of the concern and 
may be stockholders, partners or limited liability members of the 
concern. However, no males or other entity may exercise actual control 
or have the power to control the concern.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 88 FR 26214, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.203  What are the rules governing the requirement that 
economically disadvantaged women must own EDWOSBs?

    (a) General. To qualify as an EDWOSB, the concern must be at least 
51 percent owned by one or more women who are economically 
disadvantaged. A woman is economically disadvantaged if she can 
demonstrate that her ability to compete in the free enterprise system 
has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as 
compared to others in the same or similar line of business. SBA does not 
take into consideration community property laws when determining 
economic disadvantage when the woman has no direct, individual or 
separate ownership interest in the property.
    (b) Limitation on personal net worth. (1) In order to be considered 
economically disadvantaged, the woman's personal net worth must be less 
than $850,000, excluding her ownership interest in the concern and her 
equity interest in her primary personal residence.
    (2) Income received from an EDWOSB that is an S corporation, LLC or 
partnership will be excluded from net worth where the EDWOSB provides 
documentary evidence demonstrating that the income was reinvested in the 
business concern or the distribution was solely for the purposes of 
paying taxes arising in the normal course of operations of the business 
concern. Losses from the S corporation, LLC or partnership, however, are 
losses to the

[[Page 634]]

EDWOSB only, not losses to the individual, and cannot be used to reduce 
an individual's net worth.
    (3) Funds invested in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or 
other official retirement account will not be considered in determining 
an individual's net worth. In order to properly assess whether funds 
invested in a retirement account may be excluded from a woman's net 
worth, she must provide information about the terms and restrictions of 
the account to SBA and certify that the retirement account is 
legitimate.
    (c) Factors to be considered. (1) General. The personal financial 
condition of the woman claiming economic disadvantage, including her 
personal income for the past three years (including bonuses, and the 
value of company stock given in lieu of cash), her personal net worth 
and the fair market value of all of her assets, whether encumbered or 
not, will be considered in determining whether she is economically 
disadvantaged.
    (2) Spouse's financial situation. SBA may consider a spouse's 
financial situation in determining a woman's access to credit and 
capital. When married, an individual claiming economic disadvantage must 
submit separate financial information for her spouse, unless the 
individual and the spouse are legally separated. SBA will consider a 
spouse's financial situation in determining an individual's access to 
credit and capital where the spouse has a role in the business (e.g., an 
officer, employee or director) or has lent money to, provided credit or 
financial support to, or guaranteed a loan of the business. SBA may also 
consider the spouse's financial condition if the spouse's business is in 
the same or similar line of business as the EDWOSB or WOSB and the 
spouse's business and WOSB share similar names, Web sites, equipment or 
employees. In addition, all transfers to a spouse within two years of a 
certification will be attributed to a woman claiming economic 
disadvantage as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (3) Income.
    (i) When considering a woman's personal income, if the adjusted 
gross yearly income averaged over the three years preceding the 
certification exceeds $400,000, SBA will presume that she is not 
economically disadvantaged. The presumption may be rebutted by a showing 
that this income level was unusual and not likely to occur in the 
future, that losses commensurate with and directly related to the 
earnings were suffered, or by evidence that the income is not indicative 
of lack of economic disadvantage.
    (ii) Income received by an EDWOSB that is an S corporation, LLC, or 
partnership will be excluded from an individual's income where the 
EDWOSB provides documentary evidence demonstrating that the income was 
reinvested in the EDWOSB or the distribution was solely for the purposes 
of paying taxes arising in the normal course of operations of the 
business concern. Losses from the S corporation, LLC or partnership, 
however, are losses to the EDWOSB only, not losses to the individual, 
and cannot be used to reduce a woman's personal income.
    (4) Fair market value of all assets. A woman will generally not be 
considered economically disadvantaged if the fair market value of all 
her assets (including her primary residence and the value of the 
business concern) exceeds $6.5 million. The only assets excluded from 
this determination are funds excluded under paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section as being invested in a qualified IRA account or other official 
retirement account.
    (d) Transfers within two years. Assets that a woman claiming 
economic disadvantage transferred within two years of the date of the 
concern's certification will be attributed to the woman claiming 
economic disadvantage if the assets were transferred to an immediate 
family member, or to a trust that has as a beneficiary an immediate 
family member. The transferred assets within the two-year period will 
not be attributed to the woman if the transfer was:
    (1) To or on behalf of an immediate family member for that 
individual's education, medical expenses, or some other form of 
essential support; or
    (2) To an immediate family member in recognition of a special 
occasion,

[[Page 635]]

such as a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or retirement.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 27660, May 11, 2020; 87 
FR 69154, Nov. 17, 2022]



            Subpart C_Certification of EDWOSB or WOSB Status

                              Certification



Sec.  127.300  How is a concern certified as an WOSB or EDWOSB?

    (a) WOSB certification. (1) A concern may apply to SBA for WOSB 
certification. There is no cost to apply to SBA for certification. SBA 
will consider the information provided by the concern in order to 
determine whether the concern qualifies. SBA, in its discretion, may 
rely solely upon the information submitted to establish eligibility, may 
request additional information, or may verify the information before 
making a determination. SBA may draw an adverse inference and deny the 
certification where the concern fails to cooperate with SBA or submit 
information requested by SBA.
    (2) A concern may submit evidence to SBA that it is a women-owned 
and controlled small business that is certified by the U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and Evaluation as a Service-
Disabled Veteran Owned Business or Veteran-Owned Business.
    (3) A concern may submit evidence that it has been certified as a 
WOSB by an approved Third-Party Certifier in accordance with this 
subpart.
    (b) EDWOSB certification. (1) A concern may apply to SBA for EDWOSB 
certification. There is no cost to apply to SBA for certification. SBA 
will consider the information provided by the concern in order to 
determine whether the concern qualifies. SBA, in its discretion, may 
rely solely upon the information submitted to establish eligibility, may 
request additional information, or may verify the information before 
making a determination. SBA may draw an adverse inference and deny the 
certification where the concern fails to cooperate with SBA or submit 
information requested by SBA.
    (2) A concern that is a certified participant in the 8(a) BD Program 
and owned and controlled by one or more women qualifies as an EDWOSB.
    (3) A concern may submit evidence to SBA that it is an economically 
disadvantaged women-owned and controlled small business that is 
certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for 
Verification and Evaluation as a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business 
or Veteran-Owned Business.
    (4) A concern may submit evidence that it has been certified as an 
EDWOSB by a Third-Party Certifier under this subpart.
    (c) SBA notification and designation. If SBA determines that the 
concern is a qualified WOSB or EDWOSB, it will issue a letter of 
certification and designate the concern as a certified WOSB or EDWOSB on 
the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) system, or successor system.

[85 FR 27660, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.301  When may a concern apply for certification?

    A concern may apply for WOSB or EDWOSB certification and submit the 
required information whenever it can represent that it meets the 
eligibility requirements, subject to the restrictions of Sec.  127.306. 
All representations and supporting information contained in the 
application must be complete and accurate as of the date of submission. 
The application must be signed by an officer of the concern who is 
authorized to represent the concern.

[85 FR 27661, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.302  Where can a concern apply for certification?

    A concern seeking certification as a WOSB or EDWOSB may apply to SBA 
for certification via https://certify.sba.gov or any successor system. 
Certification pages must be validated electronically or signed by a 
person authorized to represent the concern.

[85 FR 27661, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.303  What must a concern submit for certification?

    (a)(1) SBA certification. (i) To be certified by SBA as a WOSB or 
EDWOSB, a concern must provide documents and information demonstrating 
that it

[[Page 636]]

meets the requirements set forth in part 127, subpart B. SBA maintains a 
list of the minimum required documents that can be found at https://
certify.sba.gov or any successor system. A concern may submit additional 
documents and information to support its eligibility. The required 
documents must be provided to SBA during the application process 
electronically. This may include, but is not limited to, corporate 
records, business and personal financial records, including copies of 
signed Federal personal and business tax returns, and individual and 
business bank statements.
    (ii) A concern that is certified by the 8(a) BD Program and is owned 
and controlled by one or more women may use documentation of its most 
recent annual review, or documentation of its 8(a) acceptance if it has 
not yet had an annual review, in support of its application for 
certification.
    (iii) A concern that is certified through a program examination or 
status protest may use the positive determination from SBA as evidence 
for certification.
    (2) CVE certification. (i) To be certified as a WOSB, a concern that 
is certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for 
Verification and Evaluation may submit documentation of its most recent 
certification, along with documentation confirming that it is owned and 
controlled by one or more women, in support of its application for 
certification.
    (ii) To be certified as an EDWOSB, a concern that is certified by 
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Verification and 
Evaluation may submit documentation of its most recent certification, 
along with documentation confirming that it is owned and controlled by 
one or more women who are economically disadvantaged in accordance with 
Sec.  127.203(b)(3), in support of its application for certification.
    (3) Third-Party Certifier certification. A concern that is certified 
by a Third-Party Certifier must provide a current, valid certification 
from an entity designated as an SBA-approved certifier.
    (b) In addition to the minimum required documents, SBA may request 
additional information from applicants in order to verify eligibility.
    (c) After submitting the required documentation, an applicant must 
notify SBA of any changes that could affect its eligibility.
    (d) If a concern was decertified or previously denied certification, 
it must include with its application for certification a full 
explanation of why it was decertified or denied certification, and what, 
if any, changes have been made. If SBA is not satisfied with the 
explanation provided, SBA will decline to certify the concern.
    (e) If the concern was decertified for failure to notify SBA of a 
material change affecting its eligibility pursuant to Sec.  127.401, it 
must include with its application for certification a full explanation 
of why it failed to notify SBA of the material change. If SBA is not 
satisfied with the explanation provided, SBA will decline to certify the 
concern.

[85 FR 27661, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.304  How is an application for certification processed?

    (a) The SBA's Director of Government Contracting (D/GC) or designee 
is authorized to approve or decline applications for certification. SBA 
must receive all required information and supporting documents before it 
will begin processing a concern's application. SBA will not process 
incomplete applications. SBA will advise each applicant within 15 
calendar days after the receipt of an application whether the 
application is complete and suitable for evaluation and, if not, what 
additional information or clarification is required to complete the 
application. SBA will make its determination within ninety (90) calendar 
days after receipt of a complete package, whenever practicable.
    (b) SBA may request additional information or clarification of 
information contained in an application or document submission at any 
time.
    (c) The burden of proof to demonstrate eligibility is on the 
applicant concern. If a concern does not provide requested information 
within the allotted time provided by SBA, or if it submits incomplete 
information, SBA may presume that disclosure of the missing information 
would adversely affect the

[[Page 637]]

business concern's eligibility or demonstrate a lack of eligibility in 
the area or areas to which the information relates.
    (1) If a concern submits inconsistent information that results in 
SBA's inability to determine the concern's compliance with any of the 
WOSB or EDWOSB eligibility requirements, SBA will decline the concern's 
application.
    (2) If, during the processing of an application, SBA determines that 
an applicant or its representative has knowingly submitted false 
information, regardless of whether correct information would cause SBA 
to deny the application, and regardless of whether correct information 
was given to SBA in accompanying documents, SBA will deny the 
application.
    (d) The applicant must be eligible as of the date it submitted its 
application and up until the time the D/GC issues a decision. The 
decision will be based on the facts contained in the application, any 
information received in response to SBA's request for clarification, and 
any changed circumstances since the date of application.
    (e) Any changed circumstances occurring after an applicant has 
submitted an application will be considered and may constitute grounds 
for decline. After submitting the application and signed representation, 
an applicant must notify SBA of any changes that could affect its 
eligibility. The D/GC may propose decertification for any EDWOSB or WOSB 
that fails to inform SBA of any changed circumstances that affected its 
eligibility for the program during the processing of the application.
    (f) If SBA approves the application, SBA will send a written notice 
to the concern and update https://certify.sba.gov or any successor 
system, and update DSBS and the System for Award Management (or any 
successor systems) to indicate the concern has been certified by SBA as 
a WOSB and/or EDWOSB.
    (g) A decision to deny eligibility must be in writing and state the 
specific reasons for denial.
    (1) If SBA denies a business concern's application for WOSB 
certification based on lack of ownership or lack of control by women, 
within two days of SBA's denial, the applicant concern must update its 
WOSB self-certification status in the System for Award Management (or 
any successor system) to reflect that the concern is not an eligible 
WOSB.
    (2) If a business concern fails to update its WOSB self-
certification status in the System for Award Management (or any 
successor system), SBA will make such update within two days of the 
business's failure to do so.
    (h) SBA will send a copy of the decision letter to the electronic 
mail address provided with the application. SBA will consider any 
decision sent to this electronic mail address provided to have been 
received by the applicant concern.
    (i) The decision of the D/GC to decline certification is the final 
agency decision. The concern can reapply for certification after ninety 
(90) days, as set forth in Sec.  127.305.

[85 FR 27661, May 11, 2020, as amended at 88 FR 26214, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.305  May declined or decertified concerns seek recertification 
at a later date?

    (a) A concern that SBA or a third-party certifier has declined or 
that SBA has decertified may seek certification after ninety (90) days 
from the date of decline or decertification if it believes that it has 
overcome all of the reasons for decline or decertification and is 
currently eligible. A concern that has been declined may seek 
certification by any of the certification options listed in Sec.  
127.300.
    (b) A concern found to be ineligible during a WOSB/EDWOSB status 
protest or program examination is precluded from applying for 
certification for ninety (90) days from the date of the final agency 
decision (the D/GC's decision if no appeal is filed or the decision of 
SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) where an appeal is filed 
pursuant to Sec.  127.605).

[85 FR 27661, May 11, 2020]

[[Page 638]]

                 Requirements for Third-Party Certifiers



Sec.  127.350  What is a third-party certifier?

    A third-party certifier is a non-governmental entity that SBA has 
authorized to certify that an applicant concern is eligible for the WOSB 
or EDWOSB contracting program. A third-party certifier may be a for-
profit or non-profit entity. The list of SBA-approved third-party 
certifiers may be found on SBA's website at sba.gov.

[85 FR 27662, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.351  What third-party certifications may a concern use as evidence 
of its status as a qualified EDWOSB or WOSB?

    In order for SBA to accept a third-party certification that a 
concern qualifies as a WOSB or EDWOSB, the concern must have a current, 
valid certification from an entity designated as an SBA-approved 
certifier. The third-party certification must be submitted to SBA 
through https://certify.sba.gov or a successor system.

[85 FR 27662, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.352  What is the process for becoming a third-party certifier?

    SBA will periodically hold open solicitations. All entities that 
believe they meet the criteria to act as a third-party certifier will be 
free to respond to the solicitation.

[85 FR 27662, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.353  May third-party certifiers charge a fee?

    (a) Third-party certifiers may charge a reasonable fee, but must 
notify applicants first, in writing, that SBA offers certification for 
free.
    (b) The method of notification and the language that will be used 
for this notification must be approved by SBA. The third-party certifier 
may not change its method or the language without SBA approval.

[85 FR 27662, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.354  What requirements must a third-party certifier follow 
to demonstrate capability to certify concerns?

    (a) All third-party certifiers must enter into written agreements 
with SBA. This agreement will detail the requirements that the third-
party certifier must meet. SBA may terminate the agreement if SBA 
subsequently determines that the entity's certification process does not 
comply with SBA-approved certification standards or is not based on the 
same program eligibility requirements as set forth in subpart B of this 
part or if, upon review, SBA determines that the third-party certifier 
has demonstrated a pattern of certifying concerns that SBA later 
determines to be ineligible for certification.
    (b) Third-party certifiers' certification process must comply with 
SBA-approved certification standards and track the WOSB or EDWOSB 
eligibility requirements set forth in subpart B of this part.
    (c) In order for SBA to enter into an agreement with a third-party 
certifier, the entity must establish the following:
    (1) It will render fair and impartial WOSB/EDWOSB Federal Contract 
Program eligibility determinations;
    (2) It will provide the approved applicant a valid certificate for 
entering into the SBA electronic platform, and will retain documents 
used to determine eligibility for a period of six (6) years to support 
SBA's responsibility to conduct a status protest, eligibility 
examination, agency investigation, or audit of the third party 
determinations;
    (3) Its certification process will require applicant concerns to 
register in SAM (or any successor system) and submit sufficient 
information as determined by SBA to enable it to determine whether the 
concern qualifies as a WOSB. This information must include documentation 
demonstrating whether the concern is:
    (i) A small business concern under the SBA size standard 
corresponding to the concern's primary industry, as defined in Sec.  
121.107 of this part;
    (ii) At least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women 
who are United States citizens; and

[[Page 639]]

    (4) It will not decline to accept a concern's application for WOSB/
EDWOSB certification on the basis of race, color, national origin, 
religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital or family status, 
or political affiliation.

[85 FR 27662, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.355  How will SBA ensure that approved third-party certifiers 
are meeting the requirements?

    (a) SBA will require third-party certifiers to submit monthly 
reports to SBA. These reports will contain information including the 
number of applications received, number of applications approved and 
denied, and other information that SBA determines may be helpful for 
ensuring that third-party certifiers are meeting their obligations or 
information or data that may be useful for improving the program.
    (b) SBA will conduct periodic compliance reviews of third-party 
certifiers and their underlying certification determinations to ensure 
that they are properly applying SBA's WOSB/EDWOSB requirements and 
certifying concerns in accordance with those requirements.
    (1) SBA will conduct a full compliance review on every third-party 
certifier at least once every three years.
    (2) At the conclusion of each compliance review, SBA will provide 
the third-party certifier with a written report detailing SBA's findings 
with regard to the third-party certifier's compliance with SBA's 
requirements. The report will include recommendations for possible 
improvements, and detailed explanations for any deficiencies identified 
by SBA.
    (c) If SBA determines that a third-party certifier is not properly 
applying SBA's eligibility requirements, SBA may revoke the approval of 
that third-party certifier.

[85 FR 27662, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.356  How does a concern obtain certification 
from an approved certifier?

    (a) A concern that seeks WOSB or EDWOSB certification from an SBA-
approved third-party certifier must submit its application directly to 
the approved certifier in accordance with the specific application 
procedures of the particular certifier.
    (b) The concern must register in the System for Award Management 
(SAM), or any successor system.
    (c) The approved certifier must ensure that all documents used to 
determine that a concern is approved for certification are uploaded in 
https://certify.sba.gov or any successor system.

[85 FR 27662, May 11, 2020]



                   Subpart D_Eligibility Examinations



Sec.  127.400  How does a concern maintain its WOSB or EDWOSB certification?

    Any concern seeking to remain a certified WOSB or EDWOSB must 
undergo a program examination every three years.
    (a) SBA or a third-party certifier will conduct a program 
examination three years after the concern's initial WOSB or EDWOSB 
certification (whether by SBA or a third-party certifier) or three years 
after the date of the concern's last program examination, whichever date 
is later.
    Example to paragraph (a). Concern A is certified by SBA to be 
eligible for the WOSB Program on March 31, 2023. Concern A is considered 
a certified WOSB that is eligible to receive WOSB contracts (as long as 
it is small for the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code 
assigned to the contract) through March 30, 2026. On April 22, 2025, 
after Concern A is identified as the apparent successful offeror on a 
WOSB set-aside contract, its status as an eligible WOSB is protested. On 
May 15, 2025, Concern A receives a positive determination from SBA 
confirming that it is an eligible WOSB. Concern A's new certification 
date is May 15, 2025. Concern A is now considered a certified WOSB that 
is eligible to receive WOSB contracts (as long as it is small for the 
size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract) 
through May 14, 2028.
    (b) The concern must either request a program examination from SBA 
or notify SBA that it has requested a program examination from a third-
party certifier no later than 30 days prior to its certification 
anniversary. Failure to do so will result in the concern being 
decertified.

[[Page 640]]

    Example to paragraph (b). Concern B is certified by a third-party 
certifier to be eligible for the WOSB Program on July 20, 2023. Concern 
B is considered a certified WOSB that is eligible to receive WOSB 
contracts (as long as it is small for the size standard corresponding to 
the NAICS code assigned to the contract) through July 19, 2026. Concern 
B must request a program examination from SBA or notify SBA that it has 
requested a program examination from a third-party certifier, by June 
20, 2026, to continue participating in the WOSB Program after July 19, 
2026.

[88 FR 26214, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.401  What are a WOSB's and EDWOSB's ongoing obligations to SBA?

    Once certified, a WOSB or EDWOSB must notify SBA of any material 
changes that could affect its eligibility within 30 calendar days of any 
such change. Material change includes, but is not limited to, a change 
in the ownership, business structure, or management. The notification 
must be in writing and must be uploaded into the concern's profile with 
SBA. The method for notifying SBA can be found on https://
certify.sba.gov. A concern's failure to notify SBA of such a material 
change may result in decertification and removal from SAM and DSBS (or 
any successor system) as a designated certified WOSB/EDWOSB concern. In 
addition, SBA may seek the imposition of penalties under Sec.  127.700.

[85 FR 27663, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.402  What is a program examination, who will conduct it, 
and what will SBA examine?

    (a) A program examination is an investigation by SBA officials or 
authorized third-party certifier that verifies the accuracy of any 
certification of a concern issued in connection with the concern's WOSB 
or EDWOSB status. Thus, examiners may verify that the concern currently 
meets the program's eligibility requirements, and that it met such 
requirements at the time of its application for certification, its most 
recent recertification, or its certification in connection with a WOSB 
or EDWOSB contract.
    (b) Examiners may review any information related to the concern's 
eligibility requirements. SBA may also conduct site visits.
    (c) It is the responsibility of program participants to ensure the 
information provided to SBA is kept up to date and is accurate. SBA 
considers all required information and documents material to a concern's 
eligibility and assumes that all information and documentation submitted 
are up to date and accurate unless SBA has information that indicates 
otherwise.

[85 FR 27664, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.403  When will SBA conduct program examinations?

    (a) SBA may conduct a program examination at any time after the 
concern submits its application, during the processing of the 
application, and at any time while the concern is a certified WOSB or 
EDWOSB.
    (b) SBA will conduct program examinations periodically as part of 
the recertification process set forth in Sec.  127.400.

[85 FR 27664, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.404  May SBA require additional information from a WOSB 
or EDWOSB during a program examination?

    At the discretion of the D/GC, SBA has the right to require that a 
WOSB or EDWOSB submit additional information at any time during the 
program examination. SBA may draw an adverse inference from the failure 
of a concern to cooperate with a program examination or provide 
requested information.

[85 FR 27664, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.405  What happens if SBA determines that the concern 
is no longer eligible for the program?

    If SBA believes that a concern does not meet the program eligibility 
requirements, the concern fails to recertify in accordance with the 
requirements in Sec.  127.400, or the concern has failed to notify SBA 
of a material change, SBA will propose the concern for decertification 
from the program.
    (a) Proposed decertification. The D/GC or designee will notify the 
concern in

[[Page 641]]

writing that it has been proposed for decertification. This notice will 
state the reasons why SBA has proposed decertification, and that the 
WOSB or EDWOSB must respond to each of the reasons set forth.
    (1) The WOSB or EDWOSB must respond in writing to a proposed 
decertification within 20 calendar days from the date of the proposed 
decertification.
    (2) If the initial certification was done by a third-party 
certifier, SBA will also notify the third-party certifier of the 
proposed decertification in writing.
    (b) Decertification. The D/GC or designee will consider the reasons 
for proposed decertification and the concern's response before making a 
written decision whether to decertify. The D/GC may draw an adverse 
inference where a concern fails to cooperate with SBA or provide the 
information requested. The D/GC's decision is the final agency decision.
    (c) Decertification in response to adverse protest decision. SBA 
will decertify a concern found to be ineligible during a WOSB/EDWOSB 
status protest.
    (d) Decertification due to submission of false information. If SBA 
discovers that a WOSB or EDWOSB or its representative knowingly 
submitted false information, SBA will propose the firm for 
decertification. In addition, SBA will refer the matter to the SBA 
Office of Inspector General for review and may request that Government-
wide debarment or suspension proceedings be initiated by the agency.
    (e) Effect of decertification. Once SBA has decertified a concern, 
the concern cannot self-certify as a WOSB or EDWOSB, as applicable, for 
any WOSB or EDWOSB contract. If a concern does so, it may be in 
violation of criminal laws, including section 16(d) of the Small 
Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d). If the concern has already certified 
itself as a WOSB or EDWOSB on a pending procurement, the concern must 
immediately inform the contracting officer for the procuring agency of 
its decertification.
    (1) Not later than two days after the date on which SBA decertifies 
a business concern, such concern must update its WOSB/EDWOSB status in 
the System for Award Management (or any successor system).
    (2) If a business concern fails to update its WOSB/EDWOSB status in 
the System for Award Management (or any successor system) in response to 
decertification, SBA will make such update within two days of the 
business's failure to do so.
    (f) Reapplication. A concern decertified pursuant to this section 
may reapply to the program pursuant to Sec.  127.305.

[85 FR 27664, May 11, 2020, as amended at 88 FR 26215, Apr. 27, 2023]



                  Subpart E_Federal Contract Assistance



Sec.  127.500  In what industries is a contracting officer authorized 
to restrict competition or make a sole source award under this part?

    A contracting officer may restrict competition or make a sole source 
award under this part only in those industries in which SBA has 
determined that WOSBs are underrepresented or substantially 
underrepresented in Federal procurement, as specified in Sec.  127.501, 
regardless of the place of performance.

[80 FR 55022, Sept. 14, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 48593, July 25, 2016]



Sec.  127.501  How will SBA determine the industries that are eligible 
for EDWOSB or WOSB requirements?

    (a) Based upon its analysis, SBA will designate by NAICS Industry 
Subsector Code those industries in which WOSBs are underrepresented and 
substantially underrepresented.
    (b) In determining the extent of underrepresentation of WOSBs, SBA 
may request that the head of any Federal department or agency provide 
SBA, data or information necessary to analyze the extent of 
underrepresentation of WOSBs.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 55022, Sept. 14, 2015]



Sec.  127.502  How will SBA identify and provide notice of 
the designated industries?

    SBA will post on its Internet Web site at http://www.sba.gov a list 
of

[[Page 642]]

NAICS Industry Subsector industries it designates under Sec.  127.501. 
The list of designated industries also may be obtained from the local 
SBA district office and may be posted on the General Services 
Administration Internet Web site.



Sec.  127.503  When is a contracting officer authorized to restrict 
competition or award a sole source contract or order under this part?

    (a) Competition restricted to EDWOSBs. For requirements in 
industries designated by SBA as underrepresented pursuant to Sec.  
127.501, a contracting officer may restrict competition to EDWOSBs if 
the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation based on market 
research that:
    (1) Two or more EDWOSBs will submit offers for the contract; and
    (2) Contract award may be made at a fair and reasonable price.
    (b) Competition restricted to WOSBs. For requirements in industries 
designated by SBA as substantially underrepresented pursuant to Sec.  
127.501, a contracting officer may restrict competition to WOSBs if the 
contracting officer has a reasonable expectation based on market 
research that:
    (1) Two or more WOSBs will submit offers (this includes EDWOSBs, 
which are also WOSBs); and
    (2) Contract award may be made at a fair and reasonable price.
    (c) Sole source awards to EDWOSBs. For requirements in industries 
designated by SBA as underrepresented pursuant to Sec.  127.501, a 
contracting officer may issue a sole source award to an EDWOSB when the 
contacting officer determines that:
    (1) The EDWOSB is a responsible contractor with respect to 
performance of the requirement and the contracting officer does not have 
a reasonable expectation that 2 or more EDWOSBs will submit offers;
    (2) The anticipated award price of the contract (including options) 
will not exceed $7,000,000 in the case of a contract assigned a North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for manufacturing, 
or $4,500,000 in the case of any other contract opportunity; and
    (3) In the estimation of the contracting officer, the award can be 
made at a fair and reasonable price.
    (d) Sole source awards to WOSBs. For requirements in industries 
designated by SBA as substantially underrepresented pursuant to Sec.  
127.501, a contracting officer may issue a sole source award to a WOSB 
when the contacting officer determines that:
    (1) The WOSB is a responsible contractor with respect to performance 
of the requirement and the contracting officer does not have a 
reasonable expectation that 2 or more WOSBs will submit offers;
    (2) The anticipated award price of the contract (including options) 
will not exceed $7,000,000 in the case of a contract assigned a NAICS 
code for manufacturing, or $4,500,000 in the case of any other contract 
opportunity; and
    (3) In the estimation of the contracting officer, the award can be 
made at a fair and reasonable price.
    (e) Competitions requiring or favoring additional socioeconomic 
certifications. A procuring activity cannot restrict a WOSB or EDWOSB 
competition (for either a contract or order) to require SBA 
socioeconomic certifications other than WOSB/EDWOSB certification (i.e., 
a competition cannot be limited only to business concerns that are both 
WOSB/EDWOSB and 8(a), WOSB/EDWOSB and HUBZone, or WOSB/EDWOSB and SDVO) 
or give evaluation preferences to firms having one or more other 
certifications.
    (f) 8(a) BD requirements. A contracting officer may not restrict 
competition to eligible EDWOSBs or WOSBs if an 8(a) BD Participant is 
currently performing the requirement under the 8(a) BD Program or SBA 
has accepted the requirement for performance under the authority of the 
8(a) BD program, unless SBA consented to release the requirement from 
the 8(a) BD program.
    (g) Contracting Among Small Business Programs. (1) Acquisitions 
Valued At or Below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The contracting 
officer shall set aside any acquisition with an anticipated dollar value 
exceeding the Micro-purchase Threshold but not exceeding the Simplified 
Acquisition Threshold (defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for

[[Page 643]]

small business concerns when there is a reasonable expectation that 
offers will be obtained from at least two small business concerns that 
are competitive in terms of quality and delivery and award will be made 
at fair market prices. This requirement does not preclude a contracting 
officer from making an award to a small business under the 8(a) BD, 
HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB Programs.
    (2) Acquisitions Valued Above the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. 
(i) The contracting officer shall set aside any acquisition with an 
anticipated dollar value exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold 
(defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small business concerns when 
there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at 
least two small business concerns that are competitive in terms of 
quality and delivery and award will be made at fair market prices. 
However, after conducting market research, the contracting officer shall 
first consider a set-aside or sole source award (if the sole source 
award is permitted by statute or regulation) under the 8(a) BD, HUBZone, 
SDVO SBC or WOSB programs before setting aside the requirement as a 
small business set-aside. There is no order of precedence among the 8(a) 
BD, HUBZone, SDVO SBC or WOSB programs. The contracting officer must 
document the contract file with the rationale used to support the 
specific set-aside, including the type and extent of market research 
conducted. In addition, the contracting officer must document the 
contract file showing that the apparent successful offeror's 
certifications in SAM (or any successor system) and associated 
representations were reviewed.
    (ii) SBA believes that Progress in fulfilling the various small 
business goals, as well as other factors such as the results of market 
research, programmatic needs specific to the procuring agency, 
anticipated award price, and the acquisition history, will be considered 
in making a decision as to which program to use for the acquisition.
    (h) Contract file. When restricting competition to WOSBs or EDWOSBs 
in accordance with Sec.  127.503, the contracting officer must document 
the contract file accordingly, including the type and extent of market 
research and the fact that the NAICS code assigned to the contract is 
for an industry that SBA has designated as an underrepresented or, with 
respect to WOSBs, substantially underrepresented, industry. In addition, 
the contracting officer must document the contract file showing that the 
apparent successful offeror's documents and certifications in SAM (or 
any successor system) and associated representations were reviewed.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 1861, Jan. 12, 2012; 78 
FR 26506, May 7, 2013; 78 FR 61147, Oct. 2, 2013; 79 FR 31849, June 3, 
2014; 80 FR 55022, Sept. 14, 2015; 83 FR 12852, Mar. 26, 2018; 84 FR 
65665, Nov. 29, 2019; 85 FR 27664, May 11, 2020; 85 FR 66197, Oct. 16, 
2020; 86 FR 61673, Nov. 8, 2021; 88 FR 26215, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.504  What requirements must an EDWOSB or WOSB meet to be eligible 
for an EDWOSB or WOSB requirement?

    (a) General. In order for a concern to submit an offer on a specific 
EDWOSB or WOSB set-aside requirement, the concern must qualify as a 
small business concern under the size standard corresponding to the 
NAICS code assigned to the contract, and either be a certified EDWOSB or 
WOSB pursuant to Sec.  127.300, or represent that it has submitted a 
complete application for WOSB or EDWOSB certification to SBA or a third-
party certifier and has not received a negative determination regarding 
that application from SBA or the third party certifier.
    (1) If a concern becomes the apparent successful offeror while its 
application for WOSB or EDWOSB certification is pending, either at SBA 
or a third-party certifier, the contracting officer for the particular 
contract must immediately inform SBA's D/GC. SBA will then prioritize 
the concern's WOSB or EDWOSB application and make a determination 
regarding the firm's status as a WOSB or EDWOSB within 15 calendar days 
from the date that SBA received the contracting officer's notification. 
Where the application is pending with a third-party certifier, SBA will 
immediately contact the third-party certifier to require the third-

[[Page 644]]

party certifier to complete its determination within 15 calendar days.
    (2) If the contracting officer does not receive an SBA or third-
party certifier determination within 15 calendar days after the SBA's 
receipt of the notification, the contracting officer may presume that 
the apparently successful offeror is not an eligible WOSB or EDWOSB and 
may make award accordingly, unless the contracting officer grants an 
extension to the 15-day response period.
    (b) Sole source EDWOSB or WOSB requirements. In order for a concern 
to seek a specific sole source EDWOSB or WOSB requirement, the concern 
must be a certified EDWOSB or WOSB pursuant to Sec.  127.300 and qualify 
as small under the size standard corresponding to the requirement being 
sought.
    (c) Joint ventures. A business concern seeking an EDWOSB or WOSB 
contract as a joint venture may submit an offer if the joint venture 
meets the requirements as set forth in Sec.  127.506.
    (d) Multiple Award Contracts. With respect to Multiple Award 
Contracts, orders issued against a Multiple Award Contract, and Blanket 
Purchase Agreements issued against a Multiple Award Contract:
    (1) SBA determines EDWOSB or WOSB eligibility for the underlying 
Multiple Award Contract as of the date a concern certifies its status as 
an EDWOSB or WOSB as part of its initial offer (or other formal response 
to a solicitation), which includes price, unless the concern was 
required to recertify its status as a WOSB or EDWOSB under paragraph (f) 
of this section.
    (i) Unrestricted Multiple Award Contracts or Set-Aside Multiple 
Award Contracts for Other than EDWOSB or WOSB. For an unrestricted 
Multiple Award Contract or other Multiple Award Contract not set aside 
specifically for EDWOSB or WOSB, if a business concern is an EDWOSB or 
WOSB at the time of offer and contract-level recertification for the 
Multiple Award Contract, it is an EDWOSB or WOSB for goaling purposes 
for each order issued against the contract, unless a contracting officer 
requests recertification as an EDWOSB or WOSB for a specific order or 
Blanket Purchase Agreement. Except for orders and Blanket Purchase 
Agreements issued under any Federal Supply Schedule contract, if an 
order or a Blanket Purchase Agreement under an unrestricted Multiple 
Award Contract is set aside exclusively for EDWOSB or WOSB, a concern 
must recertify it qualifies as an EDWOSB or WOSB at the time it submits 
its initial offer, which includes price, for the particular order or 
Agreement. However, where the underlying Multiple Award Contract has 
been awarded to a pool of WOSB or EDWOSB concerns for which WOSB or 
EDWOSB status is required, if an order or a Blanket Purchase Agreement 
under that Multiple Award Contract is set aside exclusively for concerns 
in the WOSB or EDWOSB pool, concerns need not recertify their status as 
WOSBs or EDWOSBs (unless a contracting officer requests size 
certifications with respect to a specific order or Blanket Purchase 
Agreement).
    (ii) EDWOSB or WOSB Set-Aside Multiple Award Contracts. For a 
Multiple Award Contract that is set aside specifically for EDWOSB or 
WOSB, if a business concern is an EDWOSB or WOSB at the time of offer 
and contract-level recertification for the Multiple Award Contract, it 
is an EDWOSB or WOSB for each order issued against the contract, unless 
a contracting officer requests recertification as an EDWOSB or WOSB for 
a specific order or Blanket Purchase Agreement.
    (2) SBA will determine EDWOSB or WOSB status at the time a business 
concern submits its initial offer (or other formal response to a 
solicitation) which includes price for an order or an Agreement issued 
against a Multiple Award Contract if the contracting officer requests a 
new EDWOSB or WOSB certification for the order or Agreement.
    (e) Limitations on subcontracting. A business concern seeking an 
EDWOSB or WOSB requirement must also meet the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting requirements as set forth in Sec.  125.6 of this chapter 
for the performance of EDWOSB or WOSB contracts (both sole source and 
those totally set aside for EDWOSB or WOSB), the performance of the set-
aside portion of a partial set-aside contract, or the performance of 
orders set-aside for EDWOSB or WOSB.

[[Page 645]]

    (f) Non-manufacturers. An EDWOSB or WOSB that is a non-manufacturer, 
as defined in Sec.  121.406(b) of this chapter, may submit an offer on 
an EDWOSB or WOSB contract for supplies, if it meets the requirements 
under the non-manufacturer rule set forth in Sec.  121.406(b) of this 
chapter.
    (g) Ostensible subcontractor. Where a subcontractor that is not 
similarly situated performs primary and vital requirements of a set-
aside service contract, or where a prime contractor is unduly reliant on 
a small business that is not similarly situated to perform the set-aside 
service contract, the prime contractor is not eligible for award of a 
WOSB or EDWOSB contract.
    (1) When the subcontractor is small for the size standard assigned 
to the procurement, this issue may be grounds for a WOSB or EDWOSB 
status protest, as described in subpart F of this part. When the 
subcontractor is other than small or alleged to be other than small for 
the size standard assigned to the procurement, this issue may be grounds 
for a size protest, as described at Sec.  121.103(h)(3) of this chapter.
    (2) In the case of a contract or order for services, specialty trade 
construction or supplies, SBA will find that a prime WOSB or EDWOSB 
contractor is performing the primary and vital requirements of the 
contract or order, and is not unduly reliant on one or more 
subcontractors that are not certified WOSBs or EDWOSBs, where the prime 
contractor can demonstrate that it, together with any subcontractors 
that are certified WOSBs or EDWOSBs, will meet the limitations on 
subcontracting provisions set forth in Sec.  125.6 of this chapter.
    (3) In a general construction contract, the primary and vital 
requirements of the contract are the management, supervision and 
oversight of the project, including coordinating the work of various 
subcontractors, not the actual construction work performed.
    (h) Recertification. (1) Where a contract being performed by an 
EDWOSB or WOSB is novated to another business concern, the concern that 
will continue performance on the contract must recertify its status as 
an EDWOSB or WOSB (or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB for a WOSB 
contract) to the procuring agency, or inform the procuring agency that 
it does not qualify as an EDWOSB or WOSB, (or qualify as a certified 
EDWOSB or WOSB for a WOSB contract) within 30 days of the novation 
approval. If the concern cannot recertify its status as an EDWOSB or 
WOSB (or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB for a WOSB contract), the 
agency must modify the contract to reflect the new status, and may not 
count the options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, from that 
point forward, towards its women-owned small business goals.
    (2) Where an EDWOSB or WOSB concern that is performing a contract 
acquires, is acquired by, or merges with another concern and contract 
novation is not required, the concern must, within 30 days of the 
transaction becoming final, recertify its status as an EDWOSB or WOSB 
(or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB for a WOSB contract) to the 
procuring agency, or inform the procuring agency that it no longer 
qualifies as an EDWOSB or WOSB (or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB 
for a WOSB contract). If the concern is unable to recertify its status 
as an EDWOSB or WOSB (or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB for a 
WOSB contract), the agency must modify the contract to reflect the new 
status, and may not count the options or orders issued pursuant to the 
contract, from that point forward, towards its women-owned small 
business goals.
    (3) For purposes of contracts (including Multiple Award Contracts) 
with durations of more than five years (including options), a 
contracting officer must request that a business concern recertify its 
status as an EDWOSB or WOSB (or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB 
for a WOSB contract) no more than 120 days prior to the end of the fifth 
year of the contract, and no more than 120 days prior to exercising any 
option. If the concern is unable to recertify its status as an EDWOSB or 
WOSB (or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB for a WOSB contract), the 
agency must modify the contract to reflect the new status, and

[[Page 646]]

may not count the options or orders issued pursuant to the contract, 
from that point forward, towards its women-owned small business goals.
    (4) A business concern that did not certify as an EDWOSB or WOSB, 
either initially or prior to an option being exercised, may recertify as 
an EDWOSB or WOSB (or qualify as a certified EDWOSB or WOSB for a WOSB 
contract) for a subsequent option period if it meets the eligibility 
requirements at that time. The agency must modify the contract to 
reflect the new status, and may count the options or orders issued 
pursuant to the contract, from that point forward, towards its women-
owned small business goals.
    (5) Recertification does not change the terms and conditions of the 
contract. The limitations on subcontracting, nonmanufacturer and 
subcontracting plan requirements in effect at the time of contract award 
remain in effect throughout the life of the contract.
    (6) A concern's status will be determined at the time of a response 
to a solicitation for an Agreement and each order issued pursuant to the 
Agreement.

[85 FR 66197, Oct. 16, 2020, as amended at 86 FR 10732, Feb. 23, 2021; 
88 FR 26215, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.505  [Reserved]



Sec.  127.506  May a joint venture submit an offer on an EDWOSB 
or WOSB requirement?

    A joint venture, including those between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and 
a mentor under Sec.  125.9 of this chapter (or, if also an 8(a) BD 
Participant, under Sec.  124.520 of this chapter), may submit an offer 
on a WOSB Program contract if the joint venture meets all of the 
following requirements:
    (a)(1) A joint venture of at least one WOSB or EDWOSB and one or 
more other business concerns may submit an offer as a small business for 
a WOSB Program procurement or sale so long as each concern is small 
under the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the 
procurement or sale.
    (2) A joint venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm and its 
SBA-approved mentor (see Sec.  125.9 and Sec.  124.520 of this chapter) 
will be deemed small provided the prot[eacute]g[eacute] qualifies as 
small for the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to 
the WOSB Program procurement or sale.
    (3) A WOSB or EDWOSB cannot be a joint venture partner on more than 
one joint venture that submits an offer for a specific contract or order 
set-aside or reserved for WOSBs or EDWOSBs.
    (b) The EDWOSB or WOSB participant of the joint venture must be 
designated in SAM (or any successor system)as an EDWOSB or WOSB;
    (c) Contents of joint venture agreement. The parties to the joint 
venture must enter into a written joint venture agreement. The joint 
venture agreement must contain a provision:
    (1) Setting forth the purpose of the joint venture.
    (2) Designating a WOSB or EDWOSB as the managing venturer of the 
joint venture, and designating a named employee of the WOSB or EDWOSB 
managing venturer as the manager with ultimate responsibility for 
performance of the contract (the ``Responsible Manager'').
    (i) The managing venturer is responsible for controlling the day-to-
day management and administration of the contractual performance of the 
joint venture, but other partners to the joint venture may participate 
in all corporate governance activities and decisions of the joint 
venture as is commercially customary.
    (ii) The individual identified as the Responsible Manager of the 
joint venture need not be an employee of the WOSB or EDWOSB at the time 
the joint venture submits an offer, but, if he or she is not, there must 
be a signed letter of intent that the individual commits to be employed 
by the WOSB or EDWOSB if the joint venture is the successful offeror. 
The individual identified as the Responsible Manager cannot be employed 
by the mentor and become an employee of the WOSB or EDWOSB for purposes 
of performance under the joint venture.
    (iii) Although the joint venture managers responsible for orders 
issued under an IDIQ contract need not be employees of the 
prot[eacute]g[eacute], those managers must report to and be supervised 
by

[[Page 647]]

the joint venture's Responsible Manager.
    (3) Stating that with respect to a separate legal entity joint 
venture, the WOSB must own at least 51% of the joint venture entity;
    (4) Stating that the WOSB or EDWOSB must receive profits from the 
joint venture commensurate with the work performed by the WOSB or 
EDWOSB, or a percentage agreed to by the parties to the joint venture 
whereby the WOSB or EDWOSB receives profits from the joint venture that 
exceed the percentage commensurate with the work performed by the WOSB 
or EDWOSB;
    (5) Providing for the establishment and administration of a special 
bank account in the name of the joint venture. This account must require 
the signature or consent of all parties to the joint venture for any 
payments made by the joint venture to its members for services 
performed. All payments due the joint venture for performance on a WOSB 
Program contract will be deposited in the special account; all expenses 
incurred under the contract will be paid from the account as well;
    (6) Itemizing all major equipment, facilities, and other resources 
to be furnished by each party to the joint venture, with a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, where practical. If a contract is 
indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a 
multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope of work is 
not known, the joint venture must provide a general description of the 
anticipated major equipment, facilities, and other resources to be 
furnished by each party to the joint venture, without a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, or in the alternative, specify how 
the parties to the joint venture will furnish such resources to the 
joint venture once a definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (7) Specifying the responsibilities of the parties with regard to 
negotiation of the contract, source of labor, and contract performance, 
including ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure that 
the joint venture and the WOSB Program participant(s) in the joint 
venture will meet the performance of work requirements set forth in 
paragraph (d) of this section, where practical. If a contract is 
indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a 
multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope of work is 
not known, the joint venture must provide a general description of the 
anticipated responsibilities of the parties with regard to negotiation 
of the contract, source of labor, and contract performance, not 
including the ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure 
that the joint venture and the WOSB Program participant(s) in the joint 
venture will meet the performance of work requirements set forth in 
paragraph (d) of this section, or in the alternative, specify how the 
parties to the joint venture will define such responsibilities once a 
definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (8) Obligating all parties to the joint venture to ensure 
performance of the WOSB contract and to complete performance despite the 
withdrawal of any member;
    (9) Designating that accounting and other administrative records 
relating to the joint venture be kept in the office of the WOSB managing 
venturer, unless approval to keep them elsewhere is granted by the 
District Director or his/her designee upon written request;
    (10) Requiring that the final original records be retained by the 
WOSB managing venturer upon completion of the WOSB Program contract 
performed by the joint venture;
    (11) Stating that quarterly financial statements showing cumulative 
contract receipts and expenditures (including salaries of the joint 
venture's principals) must be submitted to SBA not later than 45 days 
after each operating quarter of the joint venture; and
    (12) Stating that a project-end profit and loss statement, including 
a statement of final profit distribution, must be submitted to SBA no 
later than 90 days after completion of the contract.
    (d) Performance of work. (1) For any WOSB Program contract, the 
joint venture (including one between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and a 
mentor authorized by Sec.  125.9 or Sec.  124.520 of this chapter) must 
perform the applicable percentage of work required by Sec.  125.6 of 
this chapter.

[[Page 648]]

    (2) The WOSB partner(s) to the joint venture must perform at least 
40% of the work performed by the joint venture.
    (i) The work performed by the WOSB partner(s) to a joint venture 
must be more than administrative or ministerial functions so that they 
gain substantive experience.
    (ii) The amount of work done by the partners will be aggregated and 
the work done by the WOSB partner(s) must be at least 40% of the total 
done by all partners. In determining the amount of work done by the non-
WOSB partner, all work done by the non-WOSB partner and any of its 
affiliates at any subcontracting tier will be counted.
    (e) Certification of compliance. Prior to the performance of any 
WOSB Program contract as a joint venture, the WOSB Program participant 
in the joint venture must submit a written certification to the 
contracting officer and SBA, signed by an authorized official of each 
partner to the joint venture, stating as follows:
    (i) The parties have entered into a joint venture agreement that 
fully complies with paragraph (c) of this section;
    (ii) The parties will perform the contract in compliance with the 
joint venture agreement and with the performance of work requirements 
set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (f) Capabilities, past performance, and experience. When evaluating 
the capabilities, past performance, experience, business systems, and 
certifications of an entity submitting an offer for an EDWOSB or WOSB 
contract as a joint venture established pursuant to this section, a 
procuring activity must consider work done and qualifications held 
individually by each partner to the joint venture as well as any work 
done by the joint venture itself previously. A procuring activity may 
not require the EDWOSB or WOSB small business concern to individually 
meet the same evaluation or responsibility criteria as that required of 
other offerors generally. The partners to the joint venture in the 
aggregate must demonstrate the past performance, experience, business 
systems, and certifications necessary to perform the contract.
    (g) Contract execution. The procuring activity will execute a WOSB 
Program contract in the name of the joint venture entity or the WOSB, 
but in either case will identify the award as one to a WOSB Program 
joint venture or a WOSB Program mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] joint 
venture, as appropriate.
    (h) Submission of joint venture agreement. The WOSB Program 
participant must provide a copy of the joint venture agreement to the 
contracting officer.
    (i) Inspection of records. The joint venture partners must allow 
SBA's authorized representatives, including representatives authorized 
by the SBA Inspector General, during normal business hours, access to 
its files to inspect and copy all records and documents relating to the 
joint venture.
    (j) Performance of work reports. The WOSB Program participant in the 
joint venture must describe how it is meeting or has met the applicable 
performance of work requirements for each WOSB Program contract it 
performs as a joint venture.
    (1) The WOSB partner to the joint venture must annually submit a 
report to the relevant contracting officer and to the SBA, signed by an 
authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, explaining how 
the performance of work requirements are being met for each WOSB Program 
contract performed during the year.
    (2) At the completion of every WOSB Program contract awarded to a 
joint venture, the WOSB partner to the joint venture must submit a 
report to the relevant contracting officer and to the SBA, signed by an 
authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, explaining how 
and certifying that the performance of work requirements were met for 
the contract, and further certifying that the contract was performed in 
accordance with the provisions of the joint venture agreement that are 
required under paragraph (c) of this section.
    (k) Basis for suspension or debarment. The Government may consider 
the following as a ground for suspension or debarment as a willful 
violation of a regulatory provision or requirement

[[Page 649]]

applicable to a public agreement or transaction:
    (1) Failure to enter a joint venture agreement that complies with 
paragraph (c) of this section;
    (2) Failure to perform a contract in accordance with the joint 
venture agreement or performance of work requirements in paragraph (d) 
of this section; or
    (3) Failure to submit the certification required by paragraph (e) or 
comply with paragraph (i) of this section.
    (l) Any person with information concerning a joint venture's 
compliance with the performance of work requirements may report that 
information to SBA and/or the SBA Office of Inspector General.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 61147, Oct. 2, 2013; 81 
FR 34265, May 31, 2016; 81 FR 48593, July 25, 2016; 81 FR 94942, Dec. 
27, 2016; 85 FR 66199, Oct. 16, 2020; 86 FR 2960, Jan. 14, 2021; 88 FR 
26215, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.507  Are there EDWOSB and WOSB contracting opportunities at 
or below the simplified acquisition threshold?

    If the requirement is valued at or below the simplified acquisition 
threshold, the contracting officer may set aside the requirement or 
award the requirement on a sole source basis as set forth in Sec.  
127.503.

[80 FR 55022, Sept. 14, 2015]



Sec.  127.508  May SBA appeal a contracting officer's decision not to make 
a requirement available for award as a WOSB Program contract?

    The Administrator may appeal a contracting officer's decision not to 
make a particular requirement available for award under the WOSB 
Program.



Sec.  127.509  What is the process for such an appeal?

    (a) Notice of appeal. When the contacting officer rejects a 
recommendation by SBA's Procurement Center Representative to make a 
requirement available for the WOSB Program, he or she must notify the 
Procurement Center Representative as soon as practicable. If the 
Administrator intends to appeal the decision, SBA must notify the 
contracting officer no later than five (5) business days after receiving 
notice of the contracting officer's decision.
    (b) Suspension of action. Upon receipt of notice of SBA's intent to 
appeal, the contracting officer must suspend further action regarding 
the procurement until the Secretary of the department or head of the 
agency issues a written decision on the appeal, unless the Secretary of 
the department or head of the agency makes a written determination that 
urgent and compelling circumstances which significantly affect the 
interests of the United States compel award of the contract.
    (c) Deadline for appeal. Within fifteen (15) business days of SBA's 
notification to the CO, SBA must file its formal appeal with the 
Secretary of the department or head of the agency, or the appeal will be 
deemed withdrawn.
    (d) Decision. The Secretary of the department or head of the agency 
must specify in writing the reasons for a denial of an appeal brought 
under this section.



                           Subpart F_Protests



Sec.  127.600  Who may protest the status of a concern as an EDWOSB or WOSB?

    (a) For sole source procurements. SBA or the contracting officer may 
protest the proposed awardee's EDWOSB or WOSB status.
    (b) For all other EDWOSB or WOSB requirements. An interested party 
may protest the apparent successful offeror's EDWOSB or WOSB status.

[80 FR 55022, Sept. 14, 2015]



Sec.  127.601  May a protest challenging the size and status of a concern 
as an EDWOSB or WOSB be filed together?

    An interested party seeking to protest both the size and the EDWOSB 
or WOSB status of an apparent successful offeror on an EDWOSB or WOSB 
requirement must file two separate protests, one size protest pursuant 
to part 121 of this chapter and one EDWOSB or WOSB status protest 
pursuant to this subpart. An interested party seeking to protest only 
the size of an apparent successful EDWOSB or WOSB offeror

[[Page 650]]

must file a size protest to the contracting officer pursuant to part 121 
of this chapter.



Sec.  127.602  What are the grounds for filing an EDWOSB 
or WOSB status protest?

    (a) SBA will consider a protest challenging the status of a concern 
as an EDWOSB or WOSB if the protest presents sufficient credible 
evidence to show that the concern may not be owned and controlled by one 
or more women who are United States citizens and, if the protest is in 
connection with an EDWOSB contract, that the concern is not at least 51 
percent owned and controlled by one or more women who are economically 
disadvantaged. SBA will also consider a protest challenging the status 
of a concern as an EDWOSB or WOSB if the contracting officer has 
protested because the WOSB or EDWOSB apparent successful offeror has 
failed to provide all of the required documents, as set forth in Sec.  
127.300. In addition, when sufficient credible evidence is presented, 
SBA will consider a protest challenging whether the prime contractor is 
unusually reliant on a small, non-similarly situated entity 
subcontractor, as defined in Sec.  125.1 of this chapter, or a protest 
alleging that such subcontractor is performing the primary and vital 
requirements of a set-aside or sole-source WOSB or EDWOSB contract.
    (b) For a protest filed against an EDWOSB or WOSB joint venture, the 
protest must state all specific grounds for why--
    (1) The EDOWSB or WOSB partner to the joint venture did not meet the 
EDWOSB or WOSB eligibility requirements set forth in Sec.  127.200; and/
or
    (2) The protested EDWOSB or WOSB joint venture did not meet the 
requirements set forth in Sec.  127.506.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 84 FR 65251, Nov. 26, 2019; 84 
FR 65665, Nov. 29, 2019]



Sec.  127.603  What are the requirements for filing an EDWOSB 
or WOSB status protest?

    (a) Format. Protests must be in writing and must specify all the 
grounds upon which the protest is based. A protest merely asserting that 
the protested concern is not an eligible EDWOSB or WOSB, without setting 
forth specific facts or allegations, is insufficient.
    (b) Filing. Protestors may deliver their written protests in person, 
by facsimile, by express delivery service, e-mail, or by U.S. mail 
(received by the applicable date) to the following:
    (1) To the contracting officer, if the protestor is an offeror for 
the specific contract; or
    (2) To the D/GC, if the protest is initiated by the contracting 
officer or SBA. IF SBA initiates a protest, the D/GC will notify the 
contracting officer of such protest.
    (c) Timeliness. (1) For negotiated acquisitions, a protest from an 
interested party must be received by the contracting officer prior to 
the close of business on the fifth business day after notification by 
the contracting officer of the apparent successful offeror or 
notification of award. Except for an order or Blanket Purchase Agreement 
issued under any Federal Supply Schedule contact, for an order or a 
Blanket Purchase Agreement that is set-aside for EDWOSB or WOSB small 
business under a Multiple Award Contract that is not itself set aside 
for EDWOSB or WOSB small business or have a reserve for EDWOSB or WOSB 
small business (or any EDWOSB or WOSB order where the contracting 
officer has requested recertification of such status), an interested 
party must submit its protest challenging the EDWOSB or WOSB status of a 
concern for the order or Blanket Purchase Agreement by close of business 
on the fifth business day after notification by the contracting officer 
of the apparent successful offeror.
    (2) For sealed bid acquisitions, a protest from an interested party 
must be received by close of business on the fifth business day after 
bid opening. Where the identified low bidder is determined to be 
ineligible for award, a protest of any other identified low bidder must 
be received prior to the close of business on the 5th business day after 
the contracting officer has notified interested parties of the identity 
of that low bidder.
    (3) Any protest received after the time limit is untimely, unless it 
is from SBA or the contracting officer. A

[[Page 651]]

contracting officer or SBA may file an EDWOSB or WOSB protest at any 
time after bid opening or notification of intended awardee, whichever 
applies.
    (4) Any protest received prior to bid opening or notification of 
intended awardee, whichever applies, is premature.
    (5) A timely filed protest applies to the procurement in question 
even if filed after award.
    (d) Referral to SBA. The contracting officer must forward to SBA any 
WOSB or EDWOSB status protest received, notwithstanding whether he or 
she believes it is premature, sufficiently specific, or timely. The 
contracting officer must send all WOSB and EDWOSB status protests, along 
with a referral letter and documents, directly to the Director for 
Government Contracting, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, or by fax to (202) 205-6390, Attn: 
Women-Owned Small Business Status Protest.
    (1) The contracting officer's referral letter must include 
information pertaining to the solicitation that may be necessary for SBA 
to determine timeliness and standing, including: the solicitation 
number; the name, address, telephone number and facsimile number of the 
contracting officer; whether the protestor submitted an offer; whether 
the protested concern was the apparent successful offeror; when the 
protested concern submitted its offer; whether the procurement was 
conducted using sealed bid or negotiated procedures; the bid opening 
date, if applicable; when the protest was submitted to the contracting 
officer; when the protestor received notification about the apparent 
successful offeror, if applicable; and whether a contract has been 
awarded.
    (2) Where a protestor alleges that a WOSB/EDWOSB is unduly reliant 
on one or more subcontractors that are not WOSBs/EDWOSBs or a 
subcontractor that is not a WOSB/EDWOSB will perform primary and vital 
requirements of the contract, the D/GC or designee will refer the matter 
to the Government Contracting Area Office serving the geographic area in 
which the principal office of the SDVO SBC is located for a 
determination as to whether the ostensible subcontractor rule has been 
met.
    (3) The D/GC or designee will decide the merits of EDWOSB or WOSB 
status protests.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 27665, May 11, 2020; 85 
FR 66199, Oct. 16, 2020; 88 FR 26215, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  127.604  How will SBA process an EDWOSB or WOSB status protest?

    (a) Notice of receipt of protest. Upon receipt of the protest, SBA 
will notify the contracting officer and the protestor of the date SBA 
received the protest and whether SBA will process the protest or dismiss 
it under paragraph (b) of this section. The contracting officer may 
award the contract after receipt of a protest if the contracting officer 
determines in writing that an award must be made to protect the public 
interest. Notwithstanding such a determination, the provisions of 
paragraph (f) of this section apply to the procurement in question.
    (b) Dismissal of protest. If SBA determines that the protest is 
premature, untimely, nonspecific, or is based on nonprotestable 
allegations, SBA will dismiss the protest and will send the contracting 
officer and the protestor a notice of dismissal, citing the reason(s) 
for the dismissal. Notwithstanding SBA's dismissal of the protest, SBA 
may, in its sole discretion, consider the protest allegations in 
determining whether to conduct an examination of the protested concern 
pursuant to subpart D of this part or submit a protest itself.
    (c) Notice to protested concern. If SBA determines that the protest 
is timely, sufficiently specific and is based upon protestable 
allegations, SBA will:
    (1) Notify the protested concern of the protest and request 
information and documents responding to the protest within five (5) 
business days from the date of the notice. These documents will include 
those that verify the eligibility of the concern, respond to the protest 
allegations, and copies of proposals or bids submitted in response to an 
EDWOSB or WOSB requirement. In addition, EDWOSBs will be required to 
submit signed copies of SBA Form 413, Personal Financial Statement, the

[[Page 652]]

three most recent personal income tax returns (including all schedules 
and W-2 forms) for the women claiming economic disadvantage and their 
spouses, unless the individuals and their spouses are legally separated, 
and SBA Form 4506-T, Request for Tax Transcript Form. SBA may draw an 
adverse inference where a concern fails to cooperate in providing the 
requested information and documents; and
    (2) Forward a copy of the protest to the protested concern.
    (d) Time period for determination. SBA will determine the EDWOSB or 
WOSB status of the protested concern within fifteen (15) business days 
after receipt of the protest, or within any extension of that time that 
the contracting officer may grant SBA. If SBA does not issue its 
determination within the fifteen (15) business day period (or within any 
extension of that time the contracting officer has granted), the 
contracting officer may award the contract if he or she determines in 
writing that there is an immediate need to award the contract and that 
waiting until SBA makes its determination will be disadvantageous to the 
Government. Notwithstanding such a determination, the provisions of 
paragraph (f) of this section apply to the procurement in question. The 
determination must be included in the contract file and a written copy 
sent to the D/GC.
    (e) Notification of determination. SBA will notify the contracting 
officer, the protestor, and the protested concern in writing of its 
determination. If SBA sustains the protest, SBA will issue a decision 
explaining the basis of its determination and requiring that the concern 
remove its designation in SAM (or any successor system) as an EDWOSB or 
WOSB, as appropriate. Regardless of a decision not to sustain the 
protest, SBA may, in its sole discretion, consider the protest 
allegations in determining whether to conduct an examination of the 
protested concern pursuant to subpart D of this part.
    (f) Effect of determination. SBA's determination is effective 
immediately and is final unless overturned by SBA's Office of Hearings 
and Appeals (OHA) on appeal pursuant to Sec.  127.605.
    (1) A contracting officer may award the contract to a protested 
concern after the D/GC either has determined that the protested concern 
is an eligible WOSB or EDWOSB or has dismissed all protests against it. 
If OHA subsequently overturns the D/GC's determination or dismissal, the 
contracting officer may apply the OHA decision to the procurement in 
question.
    (2) A contracting officer shall not award the contract to a 
protested concern that the D/GC has determined is not an EDWOSB or WOSB 
for the procurement in question.
    (i) If a contracting officer receives such a determination after 
contract award, and no OHA appeal has been filed, the contracting 
officer shall terminate the award.
    (ii) If a timely OHA appeal has been filed after contract award, the 
contracting officer must consider whether performance can be suspended 
until an appellate decision is rendered.
    (iii) If OHA affirms the D/GC's determination finding that the 
protested concern is ineligible, the contracting officer shall either 
terminate the contract, not exercise the next option or not award 
further task or delivery orders.
    (3) The contracting officer must update the Federal Procurement Data 
System and other procurement reporting databases to reflect the final 
agency decision (the D/GC's decision if no appeal is filed or OHA's 
decision).
    (4) A concern that has been found to be ineligible will be 
decertified from the program and may not submit an offer as a WOSB or 
EDWOSB on another procurement until it is recertified. A concern may be 
recertified by reapplying to the program pursuant to Sec.  127.305.

[75 FR 62282, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 1861, Jan. 12, 2012; 78 
FR 61148, Oct. 2, 2013; 85 FR 27665, May 11, 2020]



Sec.  127.605  What are the procedures for appealing an EDWOSB 
or WOSB status protest decision?

    The protested concern, the protestor, or the contracting officer may 
file an appeal of a WOSB or EDWOSB status protest determination with 
SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) in

[[Page 653]]

accordance with part 134 of this chapter.



                           Subpart G_Penalties



Sec.  127.700  What are the requirements for representing EDWOSB 
or WOSB status, and what are the penalties for misrepresentation?

    (a) Presumption of Loss Based on the Total Amount Expended. In every 
contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and 
development agreement, or grant which is set aside, reserved, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to EDWOSBs or WOSBs, there 
shall be a presumption of loss to the United States based on the total 
amount expended on the contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, 
cooperative research and development agreement, or grant whenever it is 
established that a business concern other than a EDWOSB or WOSB 
willfully sought and received the award by misrepresentation.
    (b) Deemed Certifications. The following actions shall be deemed 
affirmative, willful and intentional certifications of EDWOSB or WOSB 
status:
    (1) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, or 
cooperative research and development agreement reserved, set aside, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to EDWOSBs or WOSBs.
    (2) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement or 
cooperative research and development agreement which in any way 
encourages a Federal agency to classify the bid or proposal, if awarded, 
as an award to a EDWOSB or WOSB.
    (3) Registration on any Federal electronic database for the purpose 
of being considered for award of a Federal grant, contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, or cooperative research and development 
agreement, as an EDWOSB or WOSB.
    (c) Signature Requirement. Each offer, proposal, bid, or application 
for a Federal contract, subcontract, or grant shall contain a 
certification concerning the EDWOSB or WOSB status of a business concern 
seeking the Federal contract, subcontract or grant. An authorized 
official must sign the certification on the same page containing the 
EDWOSB or WOSB status claimed by the concern.
    (d) Limitation of Liability. Paragraphs (a)-(c) of this section may 
be determined not to apply in the case of unintentional errors, 
technical malfunctions, and other similar situations that demonstrate 
that a misrepresentation of EDWOSB or WOSB status was not affirmative, 
intentional, willful or actionable under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 
Sec. Sec.  3729, et seq. A prime contractor acting in good faith should 
not be held liable for misrepresentations made by its subcontractors 
regarding the subcontractors' EDWOSB or WOSB status. Relevant factors to 
consider in making this determination may include the firm's internal 
management procedures governing EDWOSB or WOSB status representations or 
certifications, the clarity or ambiguity of the representation or 
certification requirement, and the efforts made to correct an incorrect 
or invalid representation or certification in a timely manner. An 
individual or firm may not be held liable where government personnel 
have erroneously identified a concern as an EDWOSB or WOSB without any 
representation or certification having been made by the concern and 
where such identification is made without the knowledge of the 
individual or firm.
    (e) Penalties for Misrepresentation. (1) Suspension or debarment. 
The SBA suspension and debarment official or the agency suspension and 
debarment official may suspend or debar a person or concern for 
misrepresenting a firm's status as an EDWOSB or WOSB pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in 48 CFR subpart 9.4.
    (2) Civil Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733, the Program 
Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812, and any other applicable 
laws or regulations, including 13 CFR part 142.
    (3) Criminal Penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
criminal penalties for knowingly misrepresenting the EDWOSB or WOSB 
status of a concern in connection with procurement programs pursuant to 
section

[[Page 654]]

16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d), as amended, 18 U.S.C. 
1001, 18 U.S.C. 287, and any other applicable laws. Persons or concerns 
are subject to criminal penalties for knowingly making false statements 
or misrepresentations to SBA for the purpose of influencing any actions 
of SBA pursuant to section 16(a) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 
645(a), as amended, including failure to correct ``continuing 
representations'' that are no longer true.

[78 FR 38820, June 28, 2013, as amended at 81 FR 31492, May 19, 2016]



Sec.  127.701  What must a concern do in order to be identified as 
an EDWOSB or WOSB in any Federal procurement databases?

    (a) In order to be identified as an EDWOSB or WOSB in the System for 
Award Management (SAM) database (or any successor thereto), a concern 
must certify its EDWOSB or WOSB status in connection with specific 
eligibility requirements at least annually.
    (b) If a firm identified as an EDWOSB or WOSB in SAM fails to 
certify its status within one year of a status certification, the firm 
will not be listed as an EDWOSB or WOSB in SAM, unless and until the 
firm recertifies its EDWOSB or WOSB status.

[78 FR 38821, June 28, 2013]



PART 128_VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM--Table of Contents



              Subpart A_Provisions of General Applicability

Sec.
128.100 What is the purpose of this part?
128.101 What type of assistance is available under this part?
128.102 What definitions are important in the Veteran Small Business 
          Certification Program?

   Subpart B_Eligibility Requirements for the Veteran Small Business 
                          Certification Program

128.200 What are the requirements a concern must meet to qualify as a 
          VOSB or SDVOSB?
128.201 What other eligibility requirements apply for certification as a 
          VOSB or SDVOSB?
128.202 Who does SBA consider to own a VOSB or SDVOSB?
128.203 Who does SBA consider to control a VOSB or SDVOSB?
128.204 What size standards apply to VOSBs and SDVOSBs?

            Subpart C_Certification of VOSB or SDVOSB Status

128.300 How is a concern certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB?
128.301 Where must an application be filed?
128.302 How does SBA process applications for certification?
128.303 What must a concern submit to apply for VOSB or SDVOSB 
          certification?
128.304 Can an Applicant appeal SBA's initial decision to deny an 
          application?
128.305 Can an Applicant or Participant reapply for certification after 
          a denied certification or decertification?
128.306 How does a concern maintain its VOSB or SDVOSB certification?
128.307 What are a Participant's ongoing obligations to SBA?
128.308 What is a program examination and what will SBA examine?
128.309 What are the ways a Participant may exit the Veteran Small 
          Business Certification Program?
128.310 What are the procedures for decertification?

                  Subpart D_Federal Contract Assistance

128.400 What are VOSB and SDVOSB contracts?
128.401 What requirements must a VOSB or SDVOSB meet to submit an offer 
          on a contract?
128.402 When may a joint venture submit an offer on a VOSB or SDVOSB 
          contract?
128.403 What requirements are not available for VOSB or SDVOSB 
          contracts?
128.404 When may a contracting officer set aside a procurement for VOSBs 
          or SDVOSBs?
128.405 When may a contracting officer award a sole source contract to a 
          VOSB or SDVOSB?
128.406 Are there VOSB or SDVOSB contracting opportunities at or below 
          the simplified acquisition threshold?
128.407 May SBA appeal a contracting officer's decision not to make a 
          procurement available for award as a SDVOSB contract?
128.408 What is the process for such an appeal?

             Subpart E_Protests Concerning VOSBs and SDVOSBs

128.500 What are the requirements for filing a VOSB or SDVOSB status 
          protest?

[[Page 655]]

              Subpart F_Penalties and Retention of Records

128.600 What are the requirements for representing VOSB or SDVOSB 
          status, and what are the penalties for misrepresentation?

  Subpart G_Surplus Personal Property for Veteran-Owned Small Business 
                                Programs

128.700 How does a VOSB obtain Federal surplus personal property?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632(q), 634(b)(6), 644, 645, 657f, 657f-1.

    Source: 87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, unless otherwise noted.



              Subpart A_Provisions of General Applicability



Sec.  128.100  What is the purpose of this part?

    Section 8127 of Title 38 within the U.S. Code (38 U.S.C. 8127) 
authorizes certain procurement mechanisms to provide Veteran-Owned Small 
Business Concerns (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small 
Business Concerns (SDVOSB) with contracting assistance opportunities at 
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Section 36 of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657f) authorizes certain procurement mechanisms 
to provide SDVOSBs with contracting assistance opportunities across the 
Federal Government. In addition, sections 36 and 36A of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657f, 657f-1) authorize the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) to certify the status of VOSB and SDVOSBs. This 
part implements these mechanisms and ensures that the program created, 
referred to as the Veteran Small Business Certification Program, is 
substantially related to this important congressional goal in accordance 
with applicable law.



Sec.  128.101  What type of assistance is available under this part?

    Contracting officers are authorized to restrict competition or award 
sole source contracts or orders to eligible SDVOSBs. In addition, 48 CFR 
chapter 8 authorizes VA contracting officers to restrict competition or 
award sole source contracts or orders to eligible VOSBs and SDVOSBs.



Sec.  128.102  What definitions are important in the Veteran Small Business 
Certification Program?

    Applicant means a firm applying for certification in the Veteran 
Small Business Certification Program.
    Certification database means the database of certified VOSBs and 
SDVOSBs eligible to participate in the Veteran Small Business 
Certification Program.
    Contracting officer has the meaning given such term in section 
2101(1) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
2101(1)).
    Day-to-day operations means the marketing, production, sales, and 
administrative functions of the firm.
    Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has the meaning given such term 
in section 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 
4975(e)(7)).
    Negative control includes, but is not limited to, instances where a 
non-qualifying-veteran has the ability, under the concern's governing 
documents (e.g., charter, by-laws, operating agreement, or shareholder's 
agreement), to prevent a quorum or otherwise block action by the board 
of directors or qualifying veteran owner(s).
    Non-veteran means any individual who does not claim veteran status, 
or upon whose status an Applicant or Participant does not rely in 
qualifying for certification.
    Participant means a small business that has been certified by SBA as 
eligible to participate in the Veteran Small Business Certification 
Program or verified by VA's Center for Verification and Evaluation prior 
to January 1, 2023, and appearing in the certification database.
    Permanent caregiver, for purposes of this part, means the spouse, or 
an individual, 18 years of age or older, who is legally designated, in 
writing, to undertake responsibility for managing the well-being of the 
service-disabled veteran with a permanent and severe disability, as 
determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits 
Administration, to include housing, health and safety. A permanent 
caregiver may, but does not need to, reside in the same household as the 
service-disabled veteran with a permanent and severe disability. In the 
case

[[Page 656]]

of a service-disabled veteran with a permanent and severe disability 
lacking legal capacity, the permanent caregiver shall be a parent, 
guardian, or person having legal custody. There may be no more than one 
permanent caregiver per service-disabled veteran with a permanent and 
severe disability.
    (1) A permanent caregiver may be appointed, in a number of ways, 
including:
    (i) By a court of competent jurisdiction;
    (ii) By the Department of Veterans Affairs, National Caregiver 
Support Program, as the Primary Family Caregiver of a Veteran 
participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family 
Caregivers (this designation is subject to the Veteran and the caregiver 
meeting other specific criteria as established by law and the Secretary 
and may be revoked if the eligibility criteria do not continue to be 
met); or
    (iii) By a legal designation.
    (2) Any appointment of a permanent caregiver must in all cases be 
accompanied by a written determination from the Department of Veterans 
Affairs that the veteran has a permanent and total service-connected 
disability as set forth in 38 CFR 3.340 for purposes of receiving 
disability compensation or a disability pension. The appointment must 
also delineate why the permanent caregiver is given the appointment, 
must include the consent of the veteran to the appointment and how the 
appointment would contribute to managing the veteran's well-being.
    Qualifying veteran means a veteran upon which a VOSB's eligibility 
is based, or in the case of an SDVOSB, a service-disabled veteran (or in 
the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse 
or permanent caregiver of such veteran) (as those terms are defined in 
this part) upon which a SDVOSB's eligibility is based.
    Service-connected has the meaning given that term in 38 U.S.C. 
101(16).
    Service-disabled veteran means a veteran who is registered in the 
Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem or successor 
system, maintained by Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits 
Administration as a service-disabled veteran.
    Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern (SDVOSB) means 
a small business concern that meets the requirements described in Sec.  
128.200(b).
    Service-disabled veteran with a permanent and severe disability 
means a veteran with a service-connected disability that has been 
determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, in writing, to have a 
permanent and total service-connected disability as set forth in 38 CFR 
3.340 for purposes of receiving disability compensation or a disability 
pension.
    Small business concern (SBC) means, a concern that, with its 
affiliates, meets the size standard corresponding to any North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) code listed in its SAM profile, 
pursuant to part 121 of this chapter. At the time of contract offer, a 
VOSB or SDVOSB must be small within the size standard corresponding to 
the NAICS code assigned to the contract.
    Surviving spouse has the meaning given the term in 38 U.S.C. 101(3).
    System for Award Management (SAM) (or any successor system) means a 
federal system available at www.sam.gov that consolidates various 
federal procurement systems (e.g., Central Contractor Registration, 
Federal Agency Registration, Online Representations and Certifications 
Application, Excluded Parties List System) and the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance into one system.
    VA means the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Veteran has the meaning given such term in 38 U.S.C. 101(2). A 
Reservist or member of the National Guard called to Federal active duty 
or disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in line of 
duty or while in training status also qualifies as a veteran.
    Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) is the set of rules, 
located at 48 CFR chapter 8, that specifically govern requirements 
exclusive to VA prime and subcontracting actions.
    Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern (VOSB) means a small business 
concern that meets the requirements described in Sec.  128.200(a).

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 42592, July 3, 2023]

[[Page 657]]



   Subpart B_Eligibility Requirements for the Veteran Small Business 
                          Certification Program



Sec.  128.200  What are the requirements a concern must meet to qualify 
as a VOSB or SDVOSB?

    (a) Qualification as a VOSB. To qualify as a VOSB, a business entity 
must be:
    (1) A small business concern as defined in part 121 of this chapter 
under the size standard corresponding to any NAICS code listed in its 
SAM profile;
    (2) Not less than 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more 
veterans.
    (b) Qualification as an SDVOSB. To qualify as an SDVOSB, a business 
entity must be:
    (1) A small business concern as defined in part 121 of this chapter 
under the size standard corresponding to any NAICS code listed in its 
SAM profile;
    (2) Not less than 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more 
service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a veteran with a disability 
that is rated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as a permanent and 
total disability who are unable to manage the daily business operations 
of such concern, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.
    (c) VOSB and SDVOSB certification requirement. (1) A concern must be 
certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB pursuant to Sec.  128.300 in order to be 
awarded a VOSB or SDVOSB set-aside or sole source contract. Any small 
business concern that submits a complete certification application to 
SBA on or before December 31, 2023, shall be eligible to self-certify 
for SDVOSB sole source or set-aside contracts (other than VA contracts) 
until SBA declines or approves the concern's application. Any small 
business concern that does not submit a complete SDVOSB certification 
application to SBA on or before December 31, 2023, will no longer be 
eligible to self-certify for SDVOSB sole source or set-aside contracts 
effective January 1, 2024.
    (2) Other small business concerns that meet the eligibility 
requirements of this part but do not seek SDVOSB set-aside or sole 
source contracts may continue to self-certify their SDVOSB status, 
receive prime contract or subcontract awards that are not SDVOSB set-
aside or sole source contracts, and count toward an agency's goal for 
SDVOSB awards.



Sec.  128.201  What other eligibility requirements apply for certification 
as a VOSB or SDVOSB?

    (a) Suspension and debarment. (1) In order to be eligible for VOSB 
or SDVOSB certification and to remain certified, the concern and any of 
its owners must not have an active exclusion in SAM.
    (2) An Applicant or Participant must immediately notify SBA of any 
active exclusion.
    (3) If, after certifying a Participant, SBA discovers that a firm 
has been suspended from Federal Government contracting, SBA will propose 
the firm for decertification pursuant to Sec.  128.310.
    (4) If, after certifying a Participant, SBA discovers that a firm 
has been debarred from federal government contracting, SBA will remove 
the Participant from the certification database immediately, 
notwithstanding the provisions of Sec.  128.310.
    (b) Financial obligations. An Applicant is not eligible for 
certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB if the concern, or any of the 
principals, fail to pay significant financial obligations owed to the 
Federal Government, including unresolved tax liens and defaults on 
Federal loans, or other government-assisted financing. An Applicant may 
become eligible for certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB if the firm or the 
affected principals can demonstrate that the financial obligations owed 
have been settled, discharged, or forgiven by the Federal Government. 
If, after certifying a Participant, SBA discovers that the Participant 
or any principals have failed to pay significant financial obligations 
owed to the Federal Government, SBA will initiate proceedings to 
decertify the Participant and remove it from the certification database 
pursuant to Sec.  128.310.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023]

[[Page 658]]



Sec.  128.202  Who does SBA consider to own a VOSB or SDVOSB?

    To qualify as a VOSB, one or more veterans must unconditionally and 
directly own at least 51 percent of the concern. To qualify as a SDVOSB, 
one or more service-disabled veterans must unconditionally and directly 
own at least 51 percent of the concern.
    (a) Direct ownership. To be considered direct ownership, the 
qualifying veteran must own 51 percent of the concern directly, and not 
through another business entity or trust (including an ESOP). However, 
ownership by a trust, such as a living trust, may be considered direct 
ownership where the trust is revocable, and qualifying veterans are the 
grantors, trustees, and the current beneficiaries of the trust.
    (b) Unconditional ownership. To be considered unconditional, 
ownership must not be subject to any conditions, executory agreements, 
voting trusts, restrictions on or assignments of voting rights, or other 
arrangements causing or potentially causing ownership benefits to go to 
another (other than after death or incapacity).
    (1) The pledge or encumbrance of stock or other ownership interest 
as collateral, including seller-financed transactions, does not affect 
the unconditional nature of ownership if the terms follow normal 
commercial practices and the owner retains control absent violations of 
the terms.
    (2) In determining unconditional ownership, SBA will disregard any 
unexercised stock options or similar agreements held by qualifying 
veterans. However, any unexercised stock options or similar agreements 
(including rights to convert non-voting stock or debentures into voting 
stock) held by non-veterans will be treated as exercised, except for any 
ownership interests which are held by investment companies licensed 
under 15 U.S.C. 681 et. seq.
    (3) A right of first refusal granting the non-qualifying-veteran the 
contractual right to purchase the ownership interests of the qualifying 
veteran, does not affect the unconditional nature of ownership, if the 
terms follow normal commercial practices. If those rights are exercised 
by the non-qualifying-veteran, a Participant must notify SBA in 
accordance with Sec.  128.307. If the exercise of those rights results 
in the qualifying veteran(s) owning less than 51% of the concern, SBA 
will initiate decertification pursuant to Sec.  128.310.
    (c) Ownership of a partnership. In the case of a concern that is a 
partnership, at least 51% of aggregate voting interest must be 
unconditionally owned by one or more qualifying veterans. The ownership 
must be reflected in the concern's partnership agreement.
    (d) Ownership of a limited liability company. In the case of a 
concern which is a limited liability company, at least 51% of each class 
of member interest must be unconditionally owned by one or more 
qualifying veterans.
    (e) Ownership of a corporation. In the case of a concern which is a 
corporation, at least 51% of the aggregate of all stock outstanding and 
at least 51% of each class of voting stock outstanding must be 
unconditionally owned by one or more qualifying veterans. In the case of 
a publicly-owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock (not 
including any stock owned by an ESOP) must be unconditionally owned by 
one or more qualifying veterans.
    (f) Change of ownership. A Participant may change its ownership or 
business structure so long as one or more qualifying veterans own and 
control it after the change. A Participant must notify SBA of a change 
of ownership in accordance with Sec.  128.307 and attest to its 
continued eligibility.
    (g) Dividends and distributions. One or more qualifying veterans 
must be entitled to receive:
    (1) At least 51 percent of the annual distribution of profits paid 
to the owners of a corporation, partnership, or limited liability 
company concern, and a qualifying veteran's ability to share in the 
profits of the concern must be commensurate with the extent of his/her 
ownership interest in that concern.
    (2) 100 percent of the value of each share of stock owned by them in 
the event that the stock or member interest is sold;
    (3) At least 51 percent of the retained earnings of the concern and 
100 percent of the unencumbered value of each share of stock or member 
interest

[[Page 659]]

owned in the event of dissolution of the corporation, partnership, or 
limited liability company; and
    (h) Community property. Ownership will be determined without regard 
to community property laws.
    (i) Surviving spouse. (1) A small business concern owned and 
controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans immediately prior to 
the death of a service-disabled veteran who was the owner of the 
concern, the death of whom causes the concern to be less than 51 percent 
owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, will continue to qualify 
as a small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled 
veterans during the time period specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this 
section if:
    (i) The surviving spouse of the deceased veteran acquires such 
veteran's ownership interest in such concern;
    (ii) Such veteran had a service-connected disability (as defined in 
38 U.S.C. 101(16)); and
    (iii) For a Participant, immediately prior to the death of such 
veteran, and during the period described in paragraph (i)(2) of this 
section, the small business concern is included in the certification 
database.
    (2) The time period described in paragraph (i)(1)(iii) of this 
section is the time period beginning on the date of the veteran's death 
and ending on the earlier of--
    (i) The date on which the surviving spouse remarries;
    (ii) The date on which the surviving spouse relinquishes an 
ownership interest in the small business concern;
    (iii) In the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran with a service-
connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling or who dies as a 
result of a service-connected disability, 10 years after the date of the 
death of the veteran; or
    (iv) In the case of a surviving spouse of a veteran with a service-
connected disability rated as less than 100 percent disabling who does 
not die as a result of a service-connected disability, 3 years after the 
date of the death of the veteran.



Sec.  128.203  Who does SBA consider to control a VOSB or SDVOSB?

    (a) General. To be an eligible VOSB, the management and daily 
business operations of the concern must be controlled by one or more 
veterans. To be an eligible SDVOSB, the management and daily business 
operations of the concern must be controlled by one or more service-
disabled veterans (or in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe 
disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran). Control 
by one or more qualifying veterans means that one or more qualifying 
veterans controls both the long-term decision-making and the day-to-day 
operations of the Applicant or Participant.
    (b) Managerial position and experience. A qualifying veteran must 
hold the highest officer position in the concern (usually President or 
Chief Executive Officer) and must have managerial experience of the 
extent and complexity needed to control the concern. The qualifying 
veteran need not have the technical expertise or possess the required 
license to be found to control of the concern if the qualifying veteran 
can demonstrate that he or she has ultimate managerial and supervisory 
control over those who possess the required licenses or technical 
expertise.
    (c) Control over a partnership. In the case of a partnership, one or 
more qualifying veterans must serve as general partners, with control 
over all partnership decisions.
    (d) Control over a limited liability company. In the case of a 
limited liability company, one or more qualifying veterans must serve as 
managing members, with control over all decisions of the limited 
liability company.
    (e) Control over a corporation. One or more qualifying veterans must 
control the Board of Directors of the concern.
    (1) SBA will deem qualifying veterans to control the Board of 
Directors where:
    (i) One qualifying veteran owns 100% of all voting stock and is on 
the Board of Directors;
    (ii) One qualifying veteran owns at least 51% of all voting stock, 
the qualifying veteran is on the Board of Directors, and no 
supermajority voting requirements exist for shareholders to

[[Page 660]]

approve corporation actions. Where supermajority voting requirements are 
provided for in the concern's articles of incorporation, its by-laws, or 
by state law, the qualifying veteran must own at least the percent of 
the voting stock needed to overcome any such supermajority voting 
requirements; or
    (iii) Two or more qualifying veterans together own at least 51% of 
all voting stock, each such qualifying veteran is on the Board of 
Directors, no supermajority voting requirements exist, and the 
qualifying veteran shareholders can demonstrate that they have made 
enforceable arrangements to permit one qualifying veteran to vote the 
stock of all qualifying veterans as a block without a shareholder 
meeting. Where the concern has supermajority voting requirements, the 
qualifying veteran shareholders must own at least that percentage of 
voting stock needed to overcome any such supermajority ownership 
requirements.
    (2) Where a concern does not meet the requirements set forth in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the qualifying veteran(s) must control 
the Board of Directors through actual numbers of voting directors or, 
where permitted by state law, through weighted voting (e.g., in a 
concern having a two-person Board of Directors where one individual on 
the Board is a qualifying veteran and one is not, the qualifying veteran 
vote must be weighted--worth more than one vote--in order for the 
concern to be eligible). Where a concern seeks to comply with this 
paragraph (e)(2):
    (i) Provisions for the establishment of a quorum cannot permit non-
qualifying-veteran Directors to control the Board of Directors, directly 
or indirectly; and
    (ii) Any Executive Committee of Directors must be controlled by 
qualifying veteran Directors unless the Executive Committee can only 
make recommendations to and cannot independently exercise the authority 
of the Board of Directors.
    (iii) Non-qualifying-veterans may be found to control or have the 
power to control in circumstances where non-qualifying-veterans control 
the Board of Directors of the Applicant or Participant, either directly 
through majority voting membership, or indirectly, where the by-laws 
allow non-qualifying-veterans to prevent a quorum or block actions 
proposed by the qualifying veterans.
    (3) Non-voting, advisory, or honorary Directors may be appointed 
without affecting qualifying veterans' control of the Board of 
Directors.
    (4) Arrangements regarding the structure and voting rights of the 
Board of Directors must comply with applicable state law.
    (f) Supermajority requirements. One or more qualifying veteran(s) 
must meet all supermajority voting requirements regarding the management 
and daily business operations of the concern, regardless of the legal 
structure of the firm. An Applicant must inform the SBA, when 
applicable, of any supermajority voting requirements provided for in its 
articles of incorporation, its by-laws, by state law, or otherwise. 
Similarly, after being certified, a Participant must inform the SBA of 
changes regarding supermajority voting requirements.
    (g) Unexercised rights. A qualifying veteran's unexercised right to 
cause a change in the control or management of the concern does not in 
itself constitute control, regardless of how quickly or easily the right 
could be exercised.
    (h) Limitations on control by non-qualifying-veterans. (1) A non-
qualifying-veteran must not:
    (i) Exercise actual control or have the power to control the 
concern;
    (ii) Have business relationships that cause such dependence that the 
qualifying veteran cannot exercise independent business judgment without 
great economic risk;
    (iii) Control the Applicant or Participant through loan arrangements 
(which does not include providing a loan guaranty on commercially 
reasonable terms);
    (iv) Provide critical financial or bonding support or a critical 
license to the Applicant or Participant, which directly or indirectly 
allows the non-qualifying-veteran significantly to influence business 
decisions of the qualifying veteran.
    (2) A non-qualifying-veteran may be involved in the management of 
the

[[Page 661]]

concern, and may be a stockholder, partner, limited liability member, 
officer, and/or director of the concern. However, a non-qualifying-
veteran generally may not:
    (i) Be a former employer, or a principal of a former employer, of 
any qualifying veteran, unless the concern demonstrates that the 
relationship between the former employer or principal and the qualifying 
veteran does not give the former employer actual control or the 
potential to control the Applicant or Participant and such relationship 
is in the best interests of the concern; or
    (ii) Receive compensation from the concern in any form as a 
director, officer, or employee, that exceeds the compensation to be 
received by the qualifying veteran who holds the highest officer 
position (usually Chief Executive Officer or President), unless the 
concern demonstrates that the compensation to be received by the non-
qualifying veteran is commercially reasonable or that the qualifying 
veteran has elected to take lower compensation to benefit the concern.
    (i) Limitation on outside employment. The qualifying veteran who 
holds the highest officer position of the business concern may not 
engage in outside employment that prevent the qualifying veteran from 
devoting the time and attention to the concern necessary to control its 
management and daily business operations. A qualifying veteran generally 
must devote full-time during the business's normal hours of operations, 
unless the concern demonstrates that the qualifying veteran has ultimate 
managerial and supervisory control over both the long-term decision 
making and day-to-day management of the concern. Where a qualifying 
veteran claiming to control a business concern devotes fewer hours to 
the business than its normal hours of operation, SBA will assume that 
the qualifying veteran does not control the concern, unless the concern 
demonstrates that the qualifying veteran has ultimate managerial and 
supervisory control over both the long-term decision making and day-to-
day management of the business.
    (j) Exception for extraordinary circumstances. SBA will not find 
that a lack of control exists where a qualifying veteran does not have 
the unilateral power and authority to make decisions regarding the 
following extraordinary circumstances:
    (1) Adding a new equity stakeholder;
    (2) Dissolution of the company;
    (3) Sale of the company or all assets of the company;
    (4) The merger of the company; and
    (5) Company declaring bankruptcy.
    (k) Exception for active duty. Notwithstanding the requirements of 
this section, where a qualifying veteran is a reserve component member 
in the United States military who has been called to active duty, the 
concern may elect to designate in writing one or more individuals to 
control the concern on behalf of the qualifying veteran during the 
period of active duty. The concern must keep records evidencing the 
qualifying veteran's active duty status and the written designation of 
control and provide those documents to SBA.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  128.204  What size standards apply to VOSBs and SDVOSBs?

    (a) Time of certification. At the time of certification, a VOSB or 
SDVOSB must be a small business under the size standard corresponding to 
any NAICS code listed in its SAM profile. If SBA is unable to verify 
that an Applicant is small, SBA may deny the concern's application as a 
certified VOSB or SDVOSB, or SBA may request a formal size determination 
pursuant to part 121 of this chapter.
    (b) Time of contract offer. In connection with a VOSB or SDVOSB 
contract, a VOSB or SDVOSB must be small under the size standard 
corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract at the time it 
submits its initial offer or response which includes price. To be 
eligible for a VOSB or SDVOSB multiple award contract, a VOSB or SDVOSB 
must be small pursuant to the requirements of Sec.  121.404(a)(1) of 
this chapter. If the contracting officer is unable to verify that the 
VOSB or SDVOSB is small, the contracting officer should submit a size 
protest to SBA in accordance with part 121 of this chapter.

[[Page 662]]



            Subpart C_Certification of VOSB or SDVOSB Status



Sec.  128.300  How is a concern certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB?

    A concern must apply to SBA for certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB. 
The concern must submit evidence that it is a small business owned and 
controlled by one or more qualifying veterans. SBA will consider the 
information provided by the concern in order to determine whether the 
concern qualifies. If SBA determines that a concern meets the 
eligibility requirements of a VOSB or SDVOSB, it will notify the concern 
and designate the concern as a certified VOSB or SDVOSB in the 
certification database.



Sec.  128.301  Where must an application be filed?

    An application for certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB must be 
electronically filed according to the instructions on SBA's website at 
www.sba.gov. Upon receipt of the Applicant's electronic submission, an 
acknowledgment message will be dispatched to the concern containing 
estimated processing time and other information.



Sec.  128.302  How does SBA process applications for certification?

    (a) SBA's Director of Government Contracting (D/GC) (or designee) is 
authorized to approve or deny applications for certification as a VOSB 
or SDVOSB.
    (b) SBA, in its sole discretion, may request clarification of 
information relating to eligibility at any time in the eligibility 
determination process. SBA will take into account any clarifications 
made by an Applicant in response to such a request.
    (c) SBA, in its sole discretion, may request additional 
documentation at any time in the eligibility determination process. 
Failure to adequately respond to the documentation request shall 
constitute grounds for a denial. If an Applicant does not provide 
requested information within the allotted time provided by SBA, or if it 
submits incomplete information, SBA may draw an adverse inference and 
presume that the information that the Applicant failed to provide would 
demonstrate ineligibility and deny certification on this basis.
    (d) An Applicant's eligibility will be based on the totality of 
circumstances, including facts set forth in the application, supporting 
documentation, any information received in response to any SBA request 
for clarification, any independent research conducted by SBA, and any 
changed circumstances. The Applicant bears the burden of proof to 
demonstrate its eligibility as a VOSB or SDVOSB.
    (1) If a concern submits inconsistent information that results in 
SBA's inability to determine the concern's compliance with any of the 
VOSB or SDVOSB eligibility requirements, SBA will decline the concern's 
application.
    (2) If, during the processing of an application, SBA determines that 
an applicant has knowingly submitted false information, regardless of 
whether correct information would cause SBA to deny the application, and 
regardless of whether correct information was given to SBA in 
accompanying documents, SBA will deny the application.
    (e) The Applicant must inform SBA of any changed circumstances that 
occur during its application review and that could affect its 
eligibility for the program (e.g., change in size status, ownership, or 
control, filing of bankruptcy, or calling to active duty) and may 
withdraw its application at that time. Changed circumstances will be 
considered by SBA in determining an Applicant's eligibility and may 
constitute grounds for denial of the application. The D/GC may propose 
decertification for any VOSB or SDVOSB that failed to inform SBA of any 
changed circumstances that affected its eligibility for the program 
during the processing of the application.
    (f) The decision of the D/GC to approve or deny an application will 
be in writing. A decision to deny certification status will state the 
specific reason(s) for denial and will inform the Applicant of any 
appeal rights.
    (1) If SBA denies a business concern's application for VOSB or 
SDVOSB certification, within two days of SBA's denial becoming a final 
agency decision, the applicant concern must update its VOSB or SDVOSB 
self-certification

[[Page 663]]

status in the System for Award Management (or any successor system) to 
reflect that the concern is not an eligible VOSB or SDVOSB.
    (i) If an applicant appeals the D/GC's denial decision to SBA's 
Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) in accordance with part 134 of this 
chapter and OHA affirms the ineligibility determination, the two-day 
requirement applies immediately upon OHA's final decision.
    (ii) If an applicant does not appeal the D/GC's denial decision to 
OHA, the two-day requirement begins 10 business days after receipt of 
the D/GC's denial.
    (2) If a business concern fails to update its VOSB or SDVOSB self-
certification status in the System for Award Management (or any 
successor system) after a final SBA decision, SBA will make such update 
within two days of the business's failure to do so.
    (g) If the D/GC approves the application, the period of program 
eligibility will be specified in the concern's certification letter.
    (h) SBA will send a copy of the decision letter to the electronic 
mail address provided with the application. SBA will consider any 
decision sent to this electronic mail address provided to have been 
received by the applicant concern. It is the responsibility of the 
Applicant to ensure all contact information is current in the 
certification database.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023; 
88 FR 42592, July 3, 2023]



Sec.  128.303  What must a concern submit to apply for VOSB 
or SDVOSB certification?

    (a) To be certified by SBA as a VOSB or SDVOSB, a concern must 
provide documents and information demonstrating that it is owned and 
controlled by one or more qualifying veterans and qualifies as a small 
business concern as defined in part 121 of this chapter under the size 
standard corresponding to any NAICS code listed in its SAM profile. A 
list of the minimum required documents that must be submitted can be 
found on SBA's website at www.sba.gov on or before January 1, 2023.
    (b) Where an Applicant small business concern is a participant in 
the 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program and the individual upon whom 
8(a) BD Program eligibility is based is a qualifying veteran, the 
Applicant may use documentation of its most recent annual review, or 
documentation of its 8(a) BD Program acceptance if it has not yet had an 
annual review, in support of its application for certification as a VOSB 
or SDVOSB. An Applicant must certify that there have been no material 
changes in its ownership or control since its 8(a) BD Program 
certification or annual review and demonstrate that the individual(s) 
who own and control it are qualifying veterans.
    (c) A small business concern that is certified by the WOSB/EDWOSB 
Program and the individual(s) upon whom WOSB/EDWOSB Program eligibility 
is based is one or more qualifying veterans may use documentation of its 
most recent annual recertification, or documentation of its acceptance 
in support of its application for certification. An Applicant must 
certify that there are no material changes in its ownership or control 
since its WOSB certification or recertification and demonstrate that the 
individuals who own and control it are qualifying veterans.
    (d) If a concern was decertified or previously denied certification 
from the Veteran Small Business Certification Program within the past 3 
years, it must include with its application for certification a full 
explanation of why it was decertified or denied certification, and what, 
if any, changes have been made. If SBA is not satisfied with the 
explanation provided, SBA will deny the concern.
    (e) If the concern was decertified for failure to notify SBA of a 
material change affecting its eligibility pursuant to Sec.  128.307, it 
must include with its application for certification a full explanation 
of why it failed to notify SBA of the material change. If SBA is not 
satisfied with the explanation provided, SBA will deny the concern.
    (f) Participants must retain documentation demonstrating 
satisfaction of all qualifying requirements during the entire period of 
participation.

[[Page 664]]



Sec.  128.304  Can an Applicant appeal SBA's initial decision 
to deny an application?

    An Applicant may appeal SBA's decision to deny an application for 
certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB by filing an appeal with the SBA's 
Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) in accordance with part 134 of this 
chapter. A denial or decertification based on the failure to provide 
sufficient evidence of the qualifying individual's status as a veteran 
or a service-disabled veteran is not subject to appeal to OHA.



Sec.  128.305  Can an Applicant or Participant reapply for certification 
after a denied certification or decertification?

    An Applicant that SBA denied certification or a Participant that SBA 
has decertified may submit an application for certification no sooner 
than ninety (90) calendar days from the date of final agency decision 
(i.e., the SBA decision if no appeal is filed or the decision of SBA's 
OHA where an appeal is filed pursuant to Sec.  128.304) if it believes 
that it has overcome all of the reasons for denial or decertification 
and is currently eligible.



Sec.  128.306  How does a concern maintain its VOSB or SDVOSB certification?

    (a) Any Participant seeking to remain certified must recertify its 
eligibility every 3 years. There is no limitation on the number of times 
a business may recertify. Participants may recertify within 120 calendar 
days prior to the termination of their eligibility period. If the 
concern fails to recertify, SBA may decertify the firm at the end of 
their eligibility period.
    (b) The Participant must maintain its eligibility during its 
participation in the program and must inform SBA of any changes that may 
affect its eligibility within 30 calendar days in accordance with Sec.  
128.307.
    (c) The Participant must respond to any program examination 
initiated by SBA to remain a certified VOSB or SDVOSB.
    (d) At the discretion of the Administrator (or designee), a 
Participant's eligibility period may be extended by a period of up to 
one year.



Sec.  128.307  What are a Participant's ongoing obligations to SBA?

    Once certified, a VOSB or SDVOSB must notify SBA of any material 
changes that could affect its eligibility, within 30 calendar days of 
any such change, and attest to its continued eligibility. Material 
changes include, but are not limited to, a change in the firm's 
ownership, business structure, or control, filing of bankruptcy, or 
change in active duty status. The method for notifying SBA can be found 
on SBA's web page. A concern's failure to notify SBA of a material 
change may result in decertification, pursuant to Sec.  128.310. In 
addition, SBA may seek the imposition of penalties under Sec.  128.600.



Sec.  128.308  What is a program examination and what will SBA examine?

    (a) General. A program examination is an investigation by SBA 
officials, which verifies the accuracy of any statement or information 
provided by a certified Participant. SBA may verify that the Participant 
currently meets the eligibility requirements of this part and that it 
met such requirements at the time of its application. An examination may 
be conducted on a random, unannounced basis, or upon receipt of specific 
and credible information alleging that a Participant did not meet the 
eligibility requirements in this part when it was certified or no longer 
meets all of those requirements.
    (b) Scope of examination. SBA may review any information related to 
the concern's eligibility including, but not limited to, documentation 
related to the firm's legal structure, ownership, and control. Examiners 
may review any information previously provided to SBA and any additional 
information requested by SBA at the time of program examination. SBA may 
draw an adverse inference from a concern's failure to cooperate with a 
program examination or provide requested information and assume that the 
information that the concern failed to provide would demonstrate 
ineligibility, and decertify on this basis pursuant to Sec.  128.310.
    (c) Outcome of examination. Upon its completion of the examination, 
SBA will issue a written decision.

[[Page 665]]

    (1) If SBA finds that the Participant does not qualify as a VOSB or 
SDVOSB, the procedures at Sec.  128.310 will apply, except as provided 
in Sec.  128.201.
    (2) If SBA finds that the Participant continues to qualify as a VOSB 
or SDVOSB, the original eligibility period remains in effect.



Sec.  128.309  What are the ways a Participant may exit the Veteran 
Small Business Certification Program?

    (a) Voluntary withdrawal. A Participant may voluntarily withdraw 
from the Veteran Small Business Certification Program at any time. Once 
a concern notifies SBA that it seeks to voluntarily withdraw from the 
program, SBA will decertify the concern and remove its designation as a 
certified VOSB or SDVOSB in the certification database. The concern may 
reapply for SDVOSB or VOSB certification ninety (90) calendar days after 
the date of decertification. At reapplication, the concern must 
demonstrate that it meets all eligibility requirements.
    (b) Decertification by SBA. SBA may decertify a Participant and 
remove its designation as a VOSB or SDVOSB in the certification database 
in accordance with Sec.  128.310. The concern may reapply for 
certification ninety (90) calendar days after the date of 
decertification. At reapplication, the concern must demonstrate that it 
meets all eligibility requirements.
    (c) Decertification pursuant to a protest. Any certified VOSB or 
SDVOSB that is found to be ineligible through a VOSB or SDVOSB status 
protest decision will be immediately removed from the certification 
database. The concern may reapply for certification ninety (90) calendar 
days after the date of decertification. At reapplication, the concern 
must demonstrate that it meets all eligibility requirements.
    (d) Decertification due to suspension or debarment. SBA may 
decertify a Participant immediately upon notice that the Participant or 
any of its owners has an active exclusion in SAM, pursuant to Sec.  
128.201.



Sec.  128.310  What are the procedures for decertification?

    (a) Proposed decertification. If SBA has information indicating that 
a Participant may not meet the eligibility requirements of this part, 
SBA may propose decertification of the concern. The notice of proposed 
decertification will notify the concern that it has 30 calendar days 
from the date it receives the letter to submit a written response to SBA 
explaining why the proposed ground(s) should not justify 
decertification. SBA will consider that written notice was provided if 
SBA sends the notice of proposed decertification to the concern at an 
email address in the Participant's certification database profile.
    (b) Response to proposed decertification. The Participant must 
submit a written response to the notice of proposed decertification 
within the timeframe specified in the notice. In this response, the 
Participant must rebut each of the reasons set forth by SBA in the 
notice of proposed decertification, and where appropriate, the rebuttal 
must include documents showing that the concern is eligible as of the 
date specified in the notice. If a Participant fails to cooperate with 
SBA or fails to provide the information requested, SBA may draw an 
adverse inference and assume that the information that the concern 
failed to provide would demonstrate ineligibility.
    (c) Decision. SBA will review the response and determine whether the 
Participant remains eligible. If SBA determines that the Participant is 
not eligible, the D/GC will issue a notice of decertification. The 
notice will set forth the specific facts and reasons for the decision, 
notify the concern of the right to appeal, and will advise the concern 
that it may re-apply after it has met all eligibility criteria in this 
part and completed the waiting period as set forth in Sec.  128.305(a). 
If SBA finds that the concern is eligible, the Participant will continue 
to be designated as a VOSB or SDVOSB in the certification database.
    (d) Decertification due to submission of false information. If SBA 
discovers that a VOSB/SDVOSB or its representative

[[Page 666]]

knowingly submitted false information, SBA will propose the firm for 
decertification. In addition, SBA will refer the matter to the SBA 
Office of Inspector General for review and may request that Government-
wide debarment or suspension proceedings be initiated by the agency.
    (e) Effect of decertification. On the effective date of a concern's 
decertification, SBA will remove its designation as a certified VOSB or 
SDVOSB in the certification database. However, such concern is obligated 
to perform previously awarded contracts to the completion of their 
existing term of performance.
    (f) Appeals. A concern that has been decertified pursuant to this 
section may file an appeal with OHA in accordance with part 134 of this 
chapter. The decision on the appeal shall be final. If no appeal is 
filed, the D/GC's decision is the final agency decision.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023]



                  Subpart D_Federal Contract Assistance



Sec.  128.400  What are VOSB and SDVOSB contracts?

    (a) VOSB contracts are exclusively VA procurements, including prime 
contracts and subcontracts for which the VA is the procuring agency. For 
VA procurements, the VAAR (48 CFR chapter 8) specifically governs 
requirements exclusive to VA prime and subcontracting actions. The VAAR 
supplements the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which contains 
guidance applicable to most Federal agencies.
    (b) SDVOSB contracts, including Multiple Award Contracts (see Sec.  
125.1 of this chapter), are contracts available to an SDVOSB through any 
of the following procurement methods:
    (1) Sole source awards to an SDVOSB;
    (2) Set-aside awards, including partial set-asides, based on 
competition restricted to SDVOSBs;
    (3) Awards based on a reserve for SDVOSBs in a solicitation for a 
Multiple Award Contract (see Sec.  125.1 of this chapter); or
    (4) Orders set aside for SDVOSBs against a Multiple Award Contract, 
which had been awarded in full and open competition or as a small 
business set-aside.



Sec.  128.401  What requirements must a VOSB or SDVOSB meet to submit 
an offer on a contract?

    (a) Certification requirement. Only certified VOSBs and SDVOSBs are 
eligible to submit an offer on a specific VOSB or SDVOSB requirement. 
The concern must qualify as a small business concern under the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the contract and be 
a certified VOSB or SDVOSB at the time of initial offer or response 
which includes price. Any small business concern that submits a complete 
certification application with to SBA on or before December 31, 2023, 
shall be eligible to self-certify for SDVOSB sole source or set-aside 
contracts (other than VA contracts) until SBA declines or approves the 
concern's application. Any small business concern that does not submit 
to SBA a complete SDVOSB certification application to SBA on or before 
December 31, 2023, will no longer be eligible to self-certify for SDVOSB 
sole source or set-aside contracts effective January 1, 2024.
    (b) Joint ventures. A joint venture may submit an offer for a VOSB 
or SDVOSB contract if the joint venture meets the requirements set forth 
in Sec.  128.402.
    (c) Non-manufacturers. A certified VOSB or SDVOSB that is a non-
manufacturer may submit an offer on a VOSB or SDVOSB contract for 
supplies if it meets the requirements of the non-manufacturer rule set 
forth at Sec.  121.406(b)(1) of this chapter.
    (d) Multiple Award Contracts--(1) VOSB or SDVOSB status. With 
respect to Multiple Award Contracts, orders issued against a Multiple 
Award Contract, and Blanket Purchase Agreements issued against a 
Multiple Award Contract:
    (i) SBA determines a VOSB or SDVOSB's eligibility for the underlying 
Multiple Award Contract as of the date a business concern certifies its 
status as a certified VOSB or SDVOSB as part of its initial offer or 
response which includes price, unless the firm

[[Page 667]]

was required to recertify under paragraph (e) of this section.
    (A) Unrestricted Multiple Award Contracts or set-aside Multiple 
Award Contracts for other than VOSB or SDVOSB. For an unrestricted 
Multiple Award Contract or other Multiple Award Contract not 
specifically set aside for VOSBs or SDVOSBs, if a business concern is a 
certified VOSB or SDVOSB at the time of offer and contract-level 
recertification for the Multiple Award Contract, it is a VOSB or SDVOSB 
for goaling purposes for each order issued against the contract, unless 
a contracting officer requests recertification as a VOSB or SDVOSB for a 
specific order or Blanket Purchase Agreement or a contracting officer 
sets aside an order exclusively for VOSBs or SDVOSBs. Except for orders 
and Blanket Purchase Agreements issued under any Federal Supply Schedule 
contract, if an order or a Blanket Purchase Agreement under an 
unrestricted Multiple Award Contract is set aside exclusively for VOSBs 
or SDVOSBs, a concern must be a certified VOSB or SDVOSB at the time it 
submits its initial offer or response which includes price, for the 
particular order or Blanket Purchase Agreement. However, where the 
underlying Multiple Award Contract has been awarded to a pool of 
concerns for which certified VOSB or SDVOSB status is required, if an 
order or a Blanket Purchase Agreement under that Multiple Award Contract 
is set aside exclusively for concerns in the certified VOSB or SDVOSB 
pool, concerns need not recertify their status as VOSBs or SDVOSBs 
(unless a contracting officer requests size certifications with respect 
to a specific order or Blanket Purchase Agreement).
    (B) VOSB or SDVOSB set-aside Multiple Award Contracts. For a 
Multiple Award Contract that is specifically set aside for VOSBs or 
SDVOSBs, if a business concern is a certified VOSB or SDVOSB at the time 
of offer and contract-level recertification for the Multiple Award 
Contract, it is a VOSB or SDVOSB for each order issued against the 
contract, unless a contracting officer requests recertification as a 
VOSB or SDVOSB for a specific order or Blanket Purchase Agreement.
    (ii) SBA will determine VOSB or SDVOSB status at the time of initial 
offer or response which includes price, for an order or an Agreement 
issued against a Multiple Award Contract, if the contracting officer 
requests a new VOSB or SDVOSB certification for the order or Agreement.
    (iii) For an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ), 
Multiple Award Contract, where concerns are not required to submit price 
as part of the offer for the IDIQ contract, size will be determined as 
of the date of initial offer, which may not include price.
    (2) Total set-aside contracts. The certified VOSB or SDVOSB must 
comply with the applicable limitations on subcontracting provisions (see 
Sec.  125.6 of this chapter) and the nonmanufacturer rule (see Sec.  
121.406(b) of this chapter), if applicable, in the performance of a 
contract totally set aside for VOSBs or SDVOSBs. However, contracting 
officers, in their discretion, may require a concern to perform the 
applicable amount of work or comply with the nonmanufacturer rule for 
each order awarded under the contract.
    (3) Partial set-aside contracts. For orders awarded under a partial 
set-aside contract, the certified VOSB or SDVOSB must comply with the 
applicable limitations on subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6 of 
this chapter) and the nonmanufacturer rule (see Sec.  121.406(b) of this 
chapter), if applicable, during each performance period of the contract 
(e.g., during the base term and then during each option period 
thereafter). For orders awarded under the non-set-aside portion, the 
VOSB or SDVOSB need not comply with any limitations on subcontracting or 
nonmanufacturer rule requirements. However, contracting officers, in 
their discretion, may require a concern to perform the applicable amount 
of work or comply with the nonmanufacturer rule for each order awarded 
under the contract.
    (4) Orders. The certified VOSB or SDVOSB must comply with the 
applicable limitations on subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6 of 
this chapter) and the nonmanufacturer rule (see

[[Page 668]]

Sec.  121.406(b) of this chapter), if applicable, in the performance of 
each individual order that has been set aside for VOSBs or SDVOSBs.
    (5) Reserves. The certified VOSB or SDVOSB must comply with the 
applicable limitations on subcontracting provisions (see Sec.  125.6 of 
this chapter) and the nonmanufacturer rule (see Sec.  121.406(b) of this 
chapter), if applicable, in the performance of an order that is set 
aside for VOSBs or SDVOSBs. However, the VOSB or SDVOSB will not have to 
comply with the limitations on subcontracting provisions and the 
nonmanufacturer rule for any order issued against the Multiple Award 
Contract if the order is competed among VOSBs or SDVOSBs, and other-
than-small business concerns.
    (e) Recertification. (1) A Participant that qualifies as a VOSB or 
SDVOSB at the time of initial offer response which includes price, 
including a Multiple Award Contract, is generally considered to be a 
VOSB or SDVOSB throughout the life of that contract. This means that if 
a VOSB or SDVOSB is certified at the time of initial offer for a 
Multiple Award Contract, then it will be considered a VOSB or SDVOSB for 
each order issued against the contract, unless a contracting officer 
requests a new VOSB or SDVOSB eligibility review in connection with a 
specific order. Where a concern is later decertified from the Veteran-
Owned Small Business Contracting Program, the procuring agency may 
exercise options and still count the award as an award to a VOSB or 
SDVOSB. For a Multiple Award Contract, a concern that has been 
decertified from the Veteran-Owned Small Business Contracting Program 
may still be issued orders as a VOSB or SDVOSB unless the contracting 
officer requests recertification of VOSB or SDVOSB status in connection 
with the order. However, the following exceptions apply to this 
paragraph (e)(1):
    (i) Where a contract is novated to another business concern, the 
concern that will continue performance on the contract must recertify 
its status as a VOSB or SDVOSB to the procuring agency or inform the 
procuring agency that it does not qualify as a VOSB or SDVOSB within 30 
calendar days of the novation approval. If the concern is not a VOSB or 
SDVOSB, the agency can no longer count the options or orders issued 
pursuant to the contract from that point forward towards its VOSB or 
SDVOSB goals.
    (ii) Where a concern that is performing a contract acquires, is 
acquired by, or merges with another concern and contract novation is not 
required, the concern must, within 30 days of the transaction becoming 
final, recertify its VOSB or SDVOSB status to the procuring agency or 
inform the procuring agency that it no longer qualifies as a VOSB or 
SDVOSB. If the contractor is not a VOSB or SDVOSB, the agency can no 
longer count the options or orders issued pursuant to the contract from 
that point forward towards its VOSB or SDVOSB goals. The agency and the 
contractor must immediately revise all applicable Federal contract 
databases to reflect the new status.
    (iii) Where there has been a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest on the 
solicitation or contract, part 134 of this chapter describes the effect 
of the status determination on the contract award.
    (2) For the purposes of VOSB or SDVOSB contracts (including Multiple 
Award Contracts) with durations of more than five years (including 
options), a contracting officer must request that a business concern 
recertify its VOSB or SDVOSB status no more than 120 calendar days prior 
to the end of the fifth year of the contract, and no more than 120 
calendar days prior to exercising any option. If the business is unable 
to recertify its status as a certified VOSB or SDVOSB, the procuring 
agency may no longer be able to count the options or orders issued 
pursuant to the contract, from that point forward, towards its VOSB or 
SDVOSB goals.
    (i) A business concern that did not certify itself as a VOSB or 
SDVOSB, either initially or prior to an option being exercised, may 
recertify itself as a VOSB or SDVOSB for a subsequent option period if 
it meets the eligibility requirements in this part at that time.
    (ii) Recertification does not change the terms and conditions of the 
contract. The limitations on subcontracting (see Sec.  125.6 of this 
chapter),

[[Page 669]]

nonmanufacturer (see Sec.  121.406(b) of this chapter), and 
subcontracting plan requirements (see Sec.  125.3(a) of this chapter) in 
effect at the time of contract award remain in effect throughout the 
life of the contract. However, a concern that initially self-certified 
as an SDVOSB for the award of an SDVOSB contract may recertify as an 
SDVOSB only if it is currently a certified SDVOSB.
    (iii) Where the contracting officer explicitly requires concerns to 
recertify their status in response to a solicitation for an order, SBA 
will determine eligibility as of the date the concern submits its 
response to the solicitation for the order.
    (iv) A concern's status may be determined at the time of a response 
to a solicitation for an Agreement and each order issued pursuant to the 
Agreement.
    (f) Limitations on subcontracting. A business concern seeking a VOSB 
or SDVOSB contract must meet the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting requirements set forth in Sec.  125.6 of this chapter.
    (g) Ostensible subcontractor. Where a subcontractor that is not a 
certified VOSB or SDVOSB will perform the primary and vital requirements 
of a VOSB or SDVOSB contract, or where a VOSB or SDVOSB prime contractor 
is unduly reliant on one or more small businesses that are not certified 
VOSBs or SDVOSBs to perform the VOSB or SDVOSB contract, the prime 
contractor is not eligible for award of that VOSB or SDVOSB contract.
    (1) When the subcontractor qualifies as small for the size standard 
assigned to the procurement, this issue may be grounds for a VOSB or 
SDVOSB status protest, as described in Sec.  134.1003(c) of this 
chapter. When the subcontractor is alleged to be other than small for 
the size standard assigned to the procurement, this issue may be grounds 
for a size protest under the ostensible subcontractor rule, as described 
at Sec.  121.103(h)(2) of this chapter.
    (2) In the case of a contract or order for services, specialty trade 
construction or supplies, SBA will find that a prime VOSB or SDVOSB 
contractor is performing the primary and vital requirements of the 
contract or order, and is not unduly reliant on one or more 
subcontractors that are not certified VOSBs or SDVOSBs, where the prime 
contractor can demonstrate that it, together with any subcontractors 
that are certified VOSBs or SDVOSBs, will meet the limitations on 
subcontracting provisions set forth in Sec.  125.6 of this chapter.
    (3) In a general construction contract, the primary and vital 
requirements of the contract are the management, supervision and 
oversight of the project, including coordinating the work of various 
subcontractors, not the actual construction work performed.
    (h) Two-step procurements. For purposes of architect-engineering, 
design-build or two-step sealed bidding procurements, a concern must be 
certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB as of the date that it submits its initial 
bid or proposal (which may or may not include price) during phase one.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023; 
88 FR 42593, July 3, 2023]



Sec.  128.402  When may a joint venture submit an offer on a VOSB 
or SDVOSB contract?

    (a) General. A certified VOSB or SDVOSB may enter into a joint 
venture agreement with one or more other small business concerns, or 
with an approved mentor authorized by Sec.  125.9 of this chapter, for 
the purpose of submitting an offer for a VOSB or SDVOSB contract. The 
joint venture itself need not be a certified VOSB or SDVOSB. Where this 
section references the requirements of a VOSB or SDVOSB joint venture 
partner, the VOSB or SDVOSB status of that joint venture partner must 
correspond with the type of award (e.g., to be eligible for a SDVOSB 
contract, a SDVOSB joint venture partner must be the managing venturer 
of the joint venture).
    (1) The VOSB or SDVOSB joint venture partner must be certified in 
accordance with this part;
    (2) The joint venture agreement must comply with the requirements 
set forth in this part; and
    (3) A VOSB or SDVOSB cannot be a joint venture partner on more than 
one joint venture that submits an offer for

[[Page 670]]

a specific contract or order set-aside or reserved for VOSBs or SDVOSBs.
    (b) Size. (1) A joint venture of at least one certified VOSB or 
SDVOSB and one or more other business concerns may submit an offer as a 
small business for a competitive VOSB or SDVOSB procurement or sale, or 
be awarded a sole source VOSB or SDVOSB contract, so long as each 
concern is small under the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code 
assigned to the procurement or sale.
    (2) A joint venture between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm certified 
as a VOSB or SDVOSB and its SBA-approved mentor (see Sec.  125.9 of this 
chapter) will be deemed small provided the prot[eacute]g[eacute] 
qualifies as small for the size standard corresponding to the NAICS code 
assigned to the VOSB or SDVOSB procurement or sale.
    (c) Contents of joint venture agreement. Every joint venture 
agreement to perform a VOSB or SDVOSB contract, including those between 
a prot[eacute]g[eacute] firm certified as a VOSB or SDVOSB and its SBA-
approved mentor authorized by Sec.  125.9 of this chapter, must contain 
a provision:
    (1) Setting forth the purpose of the joint venture;
    (2) Designating a certified VOSB or SDVOSB as the managing venturer 
of the joint venture and designating a named employee of the certified 
VOSB or SDVOSB managing venturer as the manager with ultimate 
responsibility for performance of the contract (the ``Responsible 
Manager'');
    (i) The managing venturer is responsible for controlling the day-to-
day management and administration of the contractual performance of the 
joint venture, but other partners to the joint venture may participate 
in all corporate governance activities and decisions of the joint 
venture as is commercially customary;
    (ii) The individual identified as the Responsible Manager of the 
joint venture need not be an employee of the certified VOSB or SDVOSB at 
the time the joint venture submits an offer, but, if he or she is not, 
there must be a signed letter of intent that the individual commits to 
be employed by the certified VOSB or SDVOSB if the joint venture is the 
successful offeror. The individual identified as the Responsible Manager 
cannot be employed by the mentor and become an employee of the certified 
VOSB or SDVOSB for purposes of performance under the joint venture; and
    (iii) Although the joint venture managers responsible for orders 
issued under an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract need 
not be employees of the prot[eacute]g[eacute], those managers must 
report to and be supervised by the joint venture's Responsible Manager;
    (3) Stating that with respect to a separate legal entity joint 
venture, the certified VOSB or SDVOSB must own at least 51% of the joint 
venture entity;
    (4) Stating that the certified VOSB or SDVOSB must receive profits 
from the joint venture commensurate with the work performed by the 
certified VOSB or SDVOSB, or a percentage agreed to by the parties to 
the joint venture whereby the certified VOSB or SDVOSB receives profits 
from the joint venture that exceed the percentage commensurate with the 
work performed by the certified VOSB or SDVOSB;
    (5) Providing for the establishment and administration of a special 
bank account in the name of the joint venture. This account must require 
the signature or consent of all parties to the joint venture for any 
payments made by the joint venture to its members for services 
performed. All payments due the joint venture for performance on a VOSB 
or SDVOSB contract will be deposited in the special account; all 
expenses incurred under the contract will be paid from the account as 
well;
    (6) Itemizing all major equipment, facilities, and other resources 
to be furnished by each party to the joint venture, with a detailed 
schedule of cost or value of each, where practical. If a contract is 
indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity contract or a 
multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope of work is 
not known, the joint venture must provide a general description of the 
anticipated major equipment, facilities, and other resources to be 
furnished by each party to the joint venture, without a detailed

[[Page 671]]

schedule of cost or value of each, or in the alternative, specify how 
the parties to the joint venture will furnish such resources to the 
joint venture once a definite scope of work is made publicly available;
    (7) Specifying the responsibilities of the parties with regard to 
negotiation of the contract, source of labor, and contract performance, 
including ways that the parties to the joint venture will ensure that 
the joint venture and the certified VOSB or SDVOSB partner(s) to the 
joint venture will meet the limitations on subcontracting requirements 
set forth in paragraph (d) of this section, where practical. If a 
contract is indefinite in nature, such as an indefinite quantity 
contract or a multiple award contract where the level of effort or scope 
of work is not known, the joint venture must provide a general 
description of the anticipated responsibilities of the parties with 
regard to negotiation of the contract, source of labor, and contract 
performance, not including the ways that the parties to the joint 
venture will ensure that the joint venture and the certified VOSB or 
SDVOSB partner(s) to the joint venture will meet the limitations on 
subcontracting requirements set forth in paragraph (d) of this section, 
or in the alternative, specify how the parties to the joint venture will 
define such responsibilities once a definite scope of work is made 
publicly available;
    (8) Obligating all parties to the joint venture to ensure 
performance of the VOSB or SDVOSB contract and to complete performance 
despite the withdrawal of any member;
    (9) Designating that accounting and other administrative records 
relating to the joint venture be kept in the office of the certified 
VOSB or SDVOSB managing venturer, unless approval to keep them elsewhere 
is granted by the District Director (or designee) upon written request;
    (10) Requiring that the final original records be retained by the 
certified VOSB or SDVOSB managing venturer upon completion of the VOSB 
or SDVOSB contract performed by the joint venture;
    (11) Stating that quarterly financial statements showing cumulative 
contract receipts and expenditures (including salaries of the joint 
venture's principals) must be submitted to SBA not later than 45 days 
after each operating quarter of the joint venture; and
    (12) Stating that a project-end profit and loss statement, including 
a statement of final profit distribution, must be submitted to SBA no 
later than 90 calendar days after completion of the contract.
    (d) Limitations on subcontracting. (1) For any VOSB or SDVOSB 
contract, including those between a prot[eacute]g[eacute] and a mentor 
authorized by Sec.  125.9 of this chapter, the joint venture must 
perform the applicable percentage of work required by Sec.  125.6 of 
this chapter.
    (2) The certified VOSB or SDVOSB partner(s) to the joint venture 
must perform at least 40% of the work performed by the joint venture, 
except that in the context of a joint venture between a 
prot[eacute]g[eacute] VOSB or SDVOSB and its SBA-approved mentor the 
VOSB or SDVOSB prot[eacute]g[eacute] must individually perform at least 
40% of the work performed by the joint venture.
    (i) The work performed by the certified VOSB or SDVOSB partner(s) to 
a joint venture must be more than administrative or ministerial 
functions so that they gain substantive experience.
    (ii) The amount of work done by the partners will be aggregated and 
the work done by the certified VOSB or SDVOSB partners must be at least 
40% of the total done by all partners. In determining the amount of work 
done by a non-VOSB or SDVOSB partner, all work done by the non-VOSB or 
SDVOSB partner and any of its affiliates at any subcontracting tier will 
be counted.
    (e) Certification of compliance--(1) At time of offer. If submitting 
an offer as a joint venture for a VOSB or SDVOSB contract, at the time 
of initial offer (and if applicable, final offer), each certified VOSB 
or SDVOSB joint venture partner must make the following certifications 
to the contracting officer separately under its own name:
    (i) It is a certified VOSB or SDVOSB;
    (ii) It, together with its affiliates, is small under the size 
standard corresponding to the NAICS code assigned to the procurement;

[[Page 672]]

    (iii) It will comply with the applicable limitations on 
subcontracting during performance of the contract, as set forth in Sec.  
125.6 of this chapter.
    (2) Prior to identification as apparent successful offeror. (i) 
Prior to being identified as an apparent successful offeror for a VOSB 
or SDVOSB contract, the certified VOSB or SDVOSB partner to the joint 
venture must submit a certification to the contracting officer and SBA, 
signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, 
stating as follows:
    (A) The parties have entered into a joint venture agreement that 
fully complies with paragraph (c) of this section;
    (B) The parties will perform the contract in compliance with the 
joint venture agreement and with the limitations on subcontracting 
requirements set forth in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (ii) Although the managing venturer must be a certified VOSB or 
SDVOSB as of the date of the joint venture's initial offer which 
includes price in order for the joint venture to qualify as an eligible 
VOSB or SDVOSB, the joint venture must meet the joint venture agreement 
requirements set forth in paragraph (c) of this section at the time the 
joint venture is identified as an apparent successful offeror.
    (f) Capabilities, past performance, and experience. When evaluating 
the capabilities, past performance, experience, business systems, and 
certifications of an entity submitting an offer for a VOSB or SDVOSB 
contract as a joint venture established pursuant to this section, a 
procuring activity must consider work done and qualifications held 
individually by each partner to the joint venture as well as any work 
done by the joint venture itself previously. A procuring activity may 
not require the certified VOSB or SDVOSB to individually meet the same 
evaluation or responsibility criteria as that required of other offerors 
generally. The partners to the joint venture in the aggregate must 
demonstrate the past performance, experience, business systems, and 
certifications necessary to perform the contract.
    (g) Contract execution. The procuring activity will execute a VOSB 
or SDVOSB contract in the name of the joint venture entity or the 
certified VOSB or SDVOSB, but in either case will identify the award as 
one to a VOSB or SDVOSB joint venture or a VOSB or SDVOSB mentor-
prot[eacute]g[eacute] joint venture, as appropriate.
    (h) Inspection of records. The joint venture partners must allow 
SBA's authorized representatives, including representatives authorized 
by the SBA Inspector General, during normal business hours, access to 
its files to inspect and copy all records and documents relating to the 
joint venture.
    (i) Performance of work reports. A certified VOSB or SDVOSB partner 
to a joint venture must describe how it is meeting or has met the 
applicable performance of work requirements for each VOSB or SDVOSB 
contract it performs as a joint venture.
    (1) The certified VOSB or SDVOSB partner to the joint venture must 
annually submit a report to the relevant contracting officer and to SBA, 
signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, 
explaining how and certifying that the performance of work requirements 
are being met.
    (2) At the completion of every VOSB or SDVOSB contract awarded to a 
joint venture, the certified VOSB or SDVOSB partner to the joint venture 
must submit a report to the relevant contracting officer and to SBA, 
signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, 
explaining how and certifying that the performance of work requirements 
were met for the contract, and further certifying that the contract was 
performed in accordance with the provisions of the joint venture 
agreement that are required under paragraph (c) of this section.
    (3) Any person with information concerning a joint venture's 
compliance with the performance of work requirements may report that 
information to SBA and/or the SBA Office of Inspector General.
    (j) Basis for suspension or debarment. The Government may consider 
the following as a ground for suspension or debarment as a willful 
violation of a regulatory provision or requirement

[[Page 673]]

applicable to a public agreement or transaction:
    (1) Failure to enter a joint venture agreement that complies with 
paragraph (c) of this section;
    (2) Failure to perform a contract in accordance with the joint 
venture agreement or limitations on subcontracting requirements in 
paragraph (d) of this section; or
    (3) Failure to submit the certification required by paragraph (e) of 
this section or comply with paragraph (h) of this section.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023; 
88 FR 42593, July 3, 2023]



Sec.  128.403  What requirements are not available for VOSB 
or SDVOSB contracts?

    For VA procurements, a contracting officer may award a VOSB or 
SDVOSB contract as set forth in the VAAR. For non-VA SDVOSB contracts, a 
contracting activity may not make a requirement available for a SDVOSB 
contract if:
    (a) The contracting activity otherwise would fulfill that 
requirement through award to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. under 18 
U.S.C. 4124 or 4125, or to Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act participating non-
profit agencies for the blind and severely disabled, under 41 U.S.C. 
8501 et seq., as amended; or
    (b) An 8(a) BD program participant currently is performing that 
requirement or SBA has accepted that requirement for performance under 
the authority of the section 8(a) BD program, unless SBA has consented 
to release of the requirement from the section 8(a) BD program.



Sec.  128.404  When may a contracting officer set aside a procurement 
for VOSBs or SDVOSBs?

    (a) VA procurements. For VA procurements, a contracting officer may 
set aside a contract for a VOSB or SDVOSB as set forth in the VAAR. For 
non-VA procurements, the contracting officer first must review a 
requirement to determine whether it is excluded from SDVOSB contracting 
pursuant to Sec.  128.403.
    (b) Contracting among small business programs--(1) Acquisitions 
valued at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. For VA 
procurements, a contracting officer may award at or below the simplified 
acquisition threshold as set forth in the VAAR. For non-VA procurements, 
the contracting officer shall set aside any acquisition with an 
anticipated dollar value exceeding the micro-purchase threshold but not 
exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (defined in the FAR at 48 
CFR 2.101) for small business concerns, regardless of the place of 
performance, when there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be 
obtained from at least two small business concerns that are competitive 
in terms of quality and delivery and award will be made at fair market 
prices. The requirement in this paragraph (b)(1) does not preclude a 
contracting officer from making an award to a small business under the 
8(a) BD, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), SDVOSB, or 
WOSB Programs.
    (2) Acquisitions valued above the simplified acquisition threshold. 
(i) For VA procurements, a contracting officer may award above the 
simplified acquisition threshold as set forth in the VAAR. For non-VA 
procurements, the contracting officer shall set aside any acquisition 
with an anticipated dollar value exceeding the simplified acquisition 
threshold (defined in the FAR at 48 CFR 2.101) for small business 
concerns, regardless of the place of performance, when there is a 
reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two 
small business concerns that are competitive in terms of quality and 
delivery and award will be made at fair market prices. However, after 
conducting market research, the contracting officer shall first consider 
a set-aside or sole source award (if the sole source award is permitted 
by statute or regulation) under the 8(a) BD, HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB 
programs before setting aside the requirement as a small business set-
aside. There is no order of precedence among the 8(a) BD, HUBZone, 
SDVOSB, or WOSB programs. The contracting officer must document the 
contract file with the rationale used to support the specific set-aside, 
including the type

[[Page 674]]

and extent of market research conducted. In addition, the contracting 
officer must document the contract file showing that the apparent 
successful offeror's certifications in the System for Award Management 
(SAM) (or any successor system) and associated representations were 
reviewed.
    (ii) SBA believes that progress in fulfilling the various small 
business goals, as well as other factors such as the results of market 
research, programmatic needs specific to the procuring agency, 
anticipated award price, and the acquisition history, will be considered 
in making a decision as to which program to use for the acquisition.
    (c) SDVOSB set-asides. If the contracting officer decides to set 
aside the requirement for competition restricted to SDVOSBs, the 
contracting officer must:
    (1) Have a reasonable expectation that at least two responsible 
SDVOSBs will submit offers; and
    (2) Determine that the award can be made at fair market price.
    (d) Prohibition on competitions requiring or favoring additional 
socioeconomic certifications. A procuring activity cannot restrict an 
SDVOSB competition (for either a contract or order) to require 
certifications other than SDVOSB certification (i.e., a competition 
cannot be limited only to business concerns that are both SDVOSB and 
8(a), SDVOSB and HUBZone, or SDVOSB and WOSB) or give evaluation 
preferences to firms having one or more other certifications.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023]



Sec.  128.405  When may a contracting officer award a sole source contract 
to a VOSBs or SDVOSB?

    For VA procurements, a contracting officer may award a sole source 
contract to a VOSB or SDVOSB as set forth in the VAAR. A contracting 
officer may award a sole source contract to an SDVOSB for non-VA 
procurements only when the contracting officer determines that:
    (a) None of the provisions of Sec.  128.403 or Sec.  128.404 apply;
    (b) The anticipated award price of the contract, including options, 
will not exceed:
    (1) $7,000,000 for a contract assigned a manufacturing NAICS code; 
or
    (2) $4,000,000 for all other contracts;
    (c) A SDVOSB is a responsible contractor able to perform the 
contract; and
    (d) Contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.



Sec.  128.406  Are there VOSB or SDVOSB contracting opportunities at 
or below the simplified acquisition threshold?

    (a) For VA procurements, a contracting officer may award at or below 
the simplified acquisition threshold as set forth in the VAAR.
    (b) For non-VA procurements, if a SDVOSB requirement is at or below 
the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer may set 
aside the requirement for consideration among SDVOSBs using simplified 
acquisition procedures or may award a sole source contract to an SDVOSB.



Sec.  128.407  May SBA appeal a contracting officer's decision not to make 
a procurement available for award as a SDVOSB contract?

    The SBA Administrator may appeal a contracting officer's decision 
not to make a particular requirement available for award as an SDVOSB 
sole source or a SDVOSB set-aside contract at or above the simplified 
acquisition threshold.



Sec.  128.408  What is the process for such an appeal?

    (a) Notice of appeal. When the contracting officer rejects a 
recommendation by SBA's Procurement Center Representative to make a 
requirement available for award as an SDVOSB contract, the contracting 
officer must notify the Procurement Center Representative as soon as 
practicable. If the SBA Administrator intends to appeal the decision, 
SBA must notify the contracting officer no later than five business days 
after receiving notice of the contracting officer's decision.
    (b) Suspension of action. Upon receipt of notice of SBA's intent to 
appeal, the contracting officer must suspend further action regarding 
the procurement

[[Page 675]]

until the Secretary of the department or head of the agency issues a 
written decision on the appeal, unless the Secretary of the department 
or head of the agency makes a written determination that urgent and 
compelling circumstances which significantly affect the interests of the 
United States compel award of the contract.
    (c) Deadline for appeal. Within 15 business days of SBA's 
notification to the contracting officer, SBA must file its formal appeal 
with the Secretary of the department or head of the agency, or the 
appeal will be deemed withdrawn.
    (d) Decision. The Secretary of the department or head of the agency 
must specify in writing the reasons for a denial of an appeal brought 
under this section.



             Subpart E_Protests Concerning VOSBs and SDVOSBs



Sec.  128.500  What are the requirements for filing a VOSB 
or SDVOSB status protest?

    (a) All challenges to the inclusion in the certification database of 
a VOSB or SDVOSB based on the status of the concern as a small business 
concern or the ownership or control of the concern, shall be heard by 
the Office of Hearings and Appeals of the Small Business Administration 
in accordance with part 134 of this chapter. The decision of the Office 
of Hearings and Appeals shall be considered final agency action.
    (b) The protest procedures described in part 134 of this chapter are 
separate from those governing size protests and appeals. All protests 
relating to whether an eligible VOSB or SDVOSB is a small business for 
purposes of any Federal program are subject to part 121 of this chapter 
and must be filed in accordance with that part. If a protester protests 
both the size of the VOSB or SDVOSB and whether the concern meets the 
VOSB or SDVOSB requirements set forth in Sec.  128.200, SBA will process 
each protest concurrently under the procedures set forth in parts 121 
and 134 of this chapter. SBA does not review issues concerning the 
administration of a VOSB or SDVOSB contract.
    (c) When challenging the SDVOSB status of a joint venture, the 
managing SDVOSB party to the joint venture must be a certified SDVOSB as 
of the date of the joint venture's initial offer, including price, for 
the SDVOSB contract and compliance with the joint venture agreement 
requirements set forth in Sec.  128.402(c) is determined as of the date 
of the final proposal revision for negotiated acquisitions and final bid 
for sealed bidding.
    (d) A concern found not to qualify as a VOSB or SDVOSB in a status 
protest may not submit an offer on a future VOSB or SDVOSB procurement 
until the protested concern reapplies to the Veteran Small Business 
Certification Program and has been designated by SBA as a VOSB or SDVOSB 
into the certification database. If a concern found to be ineligible 
submits an offer, it may be in violation of criminal laws, including 
section 16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(d). If the 
concern has already certified itself as a VOSB or SDVOSB on a pending 
procurement, the concern must immediately inform the contracting officer 
for the procuring agency of the adverse determination.
    (1) Not later than two days after SBA's final determination finding 
a concern ineligible as a VOSB or SDVOSB, such concern must update its 
VOSB or SDVOSB status in the System for Award Management (or any 
successor system).
    (2) If a business concern fails to update its VOSB or SDVOSB status 
in the System for Award Management (or any successor system) in response 
to decertification, SBA will make such update within two days of the 
business's failure to do so.

[87 FR 73412, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 26216, Apr. 27, 2023]

[[Page 676]]



              Subpart F_Penalties and Retention of Records



Sec.  128.600  What are the requirements for representing VOSB 
or SDVOSB status, and what are the penalties for misrepresentation?

    (a) Presumption of loss based on the total amount expended. In every 
contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, cooperative research and 
development agreement, or grant which is set aside, reserved, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to VOSBs or SDVOSBs, there 
shall be a presumption of loss to the United States based on the total 
amount expended on the contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, 
cooperative research and development agreement, or grant whenever it is 
established that a business concern other than a VOSB or SDVOSB 
willfully sought and received the award by misrepresentation.
    (b) Deemed certifications. The following actions shall be deemed 
affirmative, willful, and intentional certifications of VOSB or SDVOSB 
status:
    (1) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, or 
cooperative research and development agreement reserved, set aside, or 
otherwise classified as intended for award to VOSBs or SDVOSBs.
    (2) Submission of a bid, proposal, application or offer for a 
Federal grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement or 
cooperative research and development agreement which in any way 
encourages a Federal agency to classify the bid or proposal, if awarded, 
as an award to a VOSB or SDVOSB.
    (3) Registration on any Federal electronic database for the purpose 
of being considered for award of a Federal grant, contract, subcontract, 
cooperative agreement, or cooperative research and development 
agreement, as a VOSB or SDVOSB.
    (c) Signature requirement. Each offer, proposal, bid, or application 
for a Federal contract, subcontract, or grant shall contain a 
certification concerning the VOSB or, in the case of an SDVOSB, SDVOSB 
status of a business concern seeking the Federal contract, subcontract, 
or grant. An authorized official must sign the certification on the same 
page containing the SDVOSB status claimed by the concern.
    (d) Limitation of liability. Paragraphs (a) through (c) of this 
section may be determined not to apply in the case of unintentional 
errors, technical malfunctions, and other similar situations that 
demonstrate that a misrepresentation of VOSB or SDVOSB status was not 
affirmative, intentional, willful, or actionable under the False Claims 
Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729, et seq. A prime contractor acting in good faith 
should not be held liable for misrepresentations made by its 
subcontractors regarding the subcontractors' VOSB or SDVOSB status. 
Relevant factors to consider in making this determination may include 
the firm's internal management procedures governing VOSB or SDVOSB 
status representations or certifications, the clarity or ambiguity of 
the representation or certification requirement, and the efforts made to 
correct an incorrect or invalid representation or certification in a 
timely manner. An individual or firm may not be held liable where 
Government personnel have erroneously identified a concern as a VOSB or 
SDVOSB without any representation or certification having been made by 
the concern and where such identification is made without the knowledge 
of the individual or firm.
    (e) Penalties for misrepresentation--(1) Suspension or debarment. 
The SBA suspension and debarment official or the agency suspension and 
debarment official may suspend or debar a person or concern for 
misrepresenting a firm's status as a VOSB or SDVOSB pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4.
    (2) Civil penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
penalties under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733, the Program 
Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812, and any other applicable 
laws or regulations, including part 142 of this chapter.
    (3) Criminal penalties. Persons or concerns are subject to severe 
criminal penalties for knowingly misrepresenting the VOSB or SDVOSB 
status of a concern in connection with procurement programs pursuant to 
section 16(d) of the Small Business Act, 15

[[Page 677]]

U.S.C. 645(d), as amended, 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 287, and any other 
applicable laws. Persons or concerns are subject to criminal penalties 
for knowingly making false statements or misrepresentations to SBA for 
the purpose of influencing any actions of SBA pursuant to section 16(a) 
of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 645(a), as amended, including 
failure to correct ``continuing representations'' that are no longer 
true.



  Subpart G_Surplus Personal Property for Veteran-Owned Small Business 
                                Programs



Sec.  128.700  How does a VOSB obtain Federal surplus personal property?

    (a) General. (1) Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 657b(g), eligible small 
business concerns owned and controlled by veterans may receive surplus 
Federal Government property from State Agencies for Surplus Property 
(SASPs). The procedures set forth in 41 CFR part 102-37 and this section 
will be used to transfer surplus personal property to such concerns.
    (2) The surplus personal property which may be transferred to SASPs 
for further transfer to eligible small business concerns owned and 
controlled by veterans includes all surplus personal property which has 
become available for donation pursuant to 41 CFR 102-37.30.
    (b) Eligibility to receive Federal surplus personal property. To be 
eligible to receive Federal surplus personal property, on the date of 
transfer a concern must:
    (1) Be a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans, 
that has been certified by SBA under this part;
    (2) Not be debarred, suspended, or declared ineligible under title 2 
or title 48 of the CFR; and
    (3) Be engaged or expect to be engaged in business activities making 
the item useful to it.
    (c) Use of acquired surplus personal property. (1) Eligible concerns 
may acquire Federal surplus personal property from the SASP in the 
state(s) where the concern is located and operates, provided the concern 
represents and agrees in writing:
    (i) As to what the intended use of the surplus personal property is 
to be;
    (ii) That it will use the surplus personal property to be acquired 
in the normal conduct of its business activities or be liable for the 
fair rental value from the date of its receipt;
    (iii) That it will not sell or transfer the surplus personal 
property to be acquired to any party other than the Federal Government 
as required by General Services Administration (GSA) and SASP 
requirements and guidelines;
    (iv) That, at its own expense, it will return the surplus personal 
property to a SASP if directed to do so by SBA, including where the 
concern has not used the property as intended within one year of 
receipt;
    (v) That, should it breach its agreement not to sell or transfer the 
surplus personal property, it will be liable to the Federal Government 
for the established fair market value or the sale price, whichever is 
greater, of the property sold or transferred; and
    (vi) That it will give GSA and the SASP access to inspect the 
surplus personal property and all records pertaining to it.
    (2) A concern receiving surplus personal property pursuant to this 
section assumes all liability associated with or stemming from the use 
of the property, and all costs associated with the use and maintenance 
of the property.
    (d) Costs. Concerns acquiring surplus personal property from a SASP 
may be required to pay a service fee to the SASP in accordance with 41 
CFR 102-37.280. In no instance will any SASP charge a concern more for 
any service than their established fees charged to other transferees.
    (e) Title. Upon execution of the SASP distribution document, the 
firm receiving the property has only conditional title to the property 
during the applicable period of restriction. Full title to the property 
will vest in the recipient concern only after the recipient concern has 
met all of the requirements of this part and the requirements of GSA and 
the SASP that it received the property from.

[[Page 678]]



 PART 129_CONTRACTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES LOCATED IN DISASTER AREAS, 
 AND SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES LOCATED IN DISASTER AREAS, 
 PUERTO RICO, AND COVERED TERRITORY BUSINESSES--Table of Contents



   Subpart A_Contracts for Small Businesses Located in Disaster Areas

Sec.
129.100 What definitions are important in this part?
129.101 What contracting preferences are available for small business 
          concerns located in disaster areas?
129.102 What small business goaling credit do agencies receive for 
          awarding an emergency response contract to a small business 
          concern under this part?
129.103 What are the applicable performance requirements?
129.104 What are the penalties of misrepresentation of size or status?

  Subpart B_Surplus Personal Property For Small Businesses Located in 
                             Disaster Areas

129.200 What definitions are important in this subpart?
129.201 How does a small business concern located in a disaster area 
          obtain Federal surplus personal property?

  Subpart C_Surplus Personal Property for Small Businesses Located in 
            Puerto Rico and for Covered Territory Businesses

129.300 What definitions are important in this subpart?
129.301 How does a covered territory business or small business concern 
          located in Puerto Rico obtain Federal surplus personal 
          property?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 636(j)(13)(F)(ii), (iii), 644(f).

    Source: 84 FR 65665, Nov. 29, 2019, unless otherwise noted.



   Subpart A_Contracts for Small Businesses Located in Disaster Areas



Sec.  129.100  What definitions are important in this part?

    For the purposes of this part:
    Concern located in a disaster area is a firm that during the last 
twelve months--
    (1)(i) Had its main operating office in the area; and
    (ii) Generated at least half of the firm's gross revenues and 
employed at least half of its permanent employees in the area.
    (2) If the firm does not meet the criteria in paragraph (1) of this 
definition, factors to be considered in determining whether a firm 
resides or primarily does business in the disaster area include--
    (i) Physical location(s) of the firm's permanent office(s) and date 
any office in the disaster area(s) was established;
    (ii) Current state licenses;
    (iii) Record of past work in the disaster area(s) (e.g., how much 
and for how long);
    (iv) Contractual history the firm has had with subcontractors and/or 
suppliers in the disaster area;
    (v) Percentage of the firm's gross revenues attributable to work 
performed in the disaster area;
    (vi) Number of permanent employees the firm employs in the disaster 
area;
    (vii) Membership in local and state organizations in the disaster 
area; and
    (viii) Other evidence that establishes the firm resides or primarily 
does business in the disaster area. For example, sole proprietorships 
may submit utility bills and bank statements.
    Disaster area means the area for which the President has declared a 
major disaster under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), during the period of the 
declaration.
    Emergency response contract means a contract with private entities 
that supports assistance activities in a disaster area, such as debris 
cleanup, distribution of supplies, or reconstruction.



Sec.  129.101  What contracting preferences are available for 
small business concerns located in disaster areas?

    Contracting officers may set aside solicitations for emergency 
response contracts to allow only small businesses located in the 
disaster area to compete.

[84 FR 65665, Nov. 29, 2019. Redesignated at 85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020]

[[Page 679]]



Sec.  129.102  What small business goaling credit do agencies receive 
for awarding an emergency response contract to a small business concern 
under this part?

    If an agency awards an emergency response contract to a local small 
business concern through the use of a local area set-aside that is also 
set aside under a small business or socioeconomic set-aside (8(a), 
HUBZone, SDVO, WOSB, EDWOSB), the value of the contract shall be doubled 
for purposes of determining compliance with the goals for procurement 
contracts under section 15(g)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
644(g)(1)(A)). The procuring agency shall enter the actual contract 
value, not the doubled contract value in the required contract reporting 
systems, and appropriately code the contract action to receive the 
credit. SBA will provide the double credit as part of the Scorecard 
process.

[84 FR 65665, Nov. 29, 2019. Redesignated at 85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020]



Sec.  129.103  What are the applicable performance requirements?

    The performance requirements of Sec.  125.6 of this chapter apply to 
small and socioeconomic set-asides under this part. A similarly situated 
entity as that term is used in Sec.  125.6 of this chapter must qualify 
as a concern located in a disaster area.

[84 FR 65665, Nov. 29, 2019. Redesignated at 85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020]



Sec.  129.104  What are the penalties of misrepresentation of size or status?

    The penalties relevant to the particular size or socioeconomic 
status representation under 13 CFR 121.108, 125.32, 126.900, and 127.700 
are applicable to set-asides under this part.

[84 FR 65665, Nov. 29, 2019. Redesignated at 85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020]



  Subpart B_Surplus Personal Property for Small Businesses Located in 
                             Disaster Areas

    Source: 85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  129.200  What definitions are important in this subpart?

    Covered period means the 2-year period beginning on the date on 
which the President declared the applicable major disaster. 15 U.S.C. 
636(j)(f)(13)(F)(ii)(I)(aa).



Sec.  129.201  How does a small business concern located in a disaster area 
obtain Federal surplus personal property?

    (a) General. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 636(j)(13)(F)(ii) eligible small 
business concerns located in disaster areas may receive surplus Federal 
Government property from State Agencies for Surplus Property (SASPs). 
The procedures set forth in 41 CFR part 102-37 and this section will be 
used to transfer surplus personal property to eligible small business 
concerns.
    (1) The property which may be transferred to SASPs for further 
transfer to eligible small business concerns includes all personal 
property which has become available for donation pursuant to 41 CFR 102-
37.30.
    (b) Eligibility to receive Federal surplus personal property. To be 
eligible to receive Federal surplus personal property, on the date of 
transfer a concern must:
    (1) Be located in a disaster area;
    (2) Qualify as small under the size standard corresponding to its 
primary NAICS code and certify its size in SAM.gov, or a successor 
system, prior to seeking access to surplus property. SASPs and GSA may 
rely on a concern's certification as small for purposes of this program;
    (3) Not be debarred, suspended, or declared ineligible under Title 2 
or Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations;
    (4) Be engaged or expect to be engaged in business activities making 
the item useful to it; and
    (5) Not have received a transfer of property under Sec.  124.405 of 
this chapter during the covered period. The 2-year period of the 
presidentially declared disaster does not affect eligibility for 
additional technology transfers or surplus personal property to a small 
business concern located in a disaster area for a subsequent 
presidentially declared disaster occurring within the

[[Page 680]]

original 2-year period of a prior presidentially declared disaster.
    (c) Use of acquired surplus personal property. (1) Eligible concerns 
may acquire surplus Federal personal property from the SASP in the 
State(s) where the concern is located and operates, provided the concern 
represents and agrees in writing:
    (i) As to what the intended use of the surplus personal property is 
to be;
    (ii) That it will use the property to be acquired in the normal 
conduct of its business activities or be liable for the fair rental 
value from the date of its receipt;
    (iii) That it will not sell or transfer the property to be acquired 
to any party other than the Federal Government as required by GSA and 
SASP requirements and guidelines;
    (iv) That, at its own expense, it will return the property to a SASP 
if directed to do so by SBA, including where the concern has not used 
the property as intended within one year of receipt;
    (v) That, should it breach its agreement not to sell or transfer the 
property, it will be liable to the Federal Government for the 
established fair market value or the sale price, whichever is greater, 
of the property sold or transferred; and
    (vi) That it will give GSA and the SASP access to inspect the 
property and all records pertaining to it.
    (2) A concern receiving surplus personal property pursuant to this 
section assumes all liability associated with or stemming from the use 
of the property.
    (d) Costs. Concerns acquiring surplus personal property from a SASP 
must pay a service fee to the SASP in accordance with 41 CFR 102-37.280. 
In no instance will any SASP charge a concern more for any service than 
their established fees charged to other transferees.
    (e) Title. Upon execution of the SASP distribution document, the 
firm receiving the surplus personal property has only conditional title 
only to the surplus personal property during the applicable period of 
restriction. Full title to the property will vest in the donee only 
after the donee has met all of the requirements of this part and the 
requirements of GSA and the SASP that it received the property from.



  Subpart C_Surplus Personal Property for Small Businesses Located in 
            Puerto Rico and for Covered Territory Businesses

    Source: 85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  129.300  What definitions are important in this subpart?

    Covered period means:
    (1) In the case of a Puerto Rico business, the period beginning on 
August 13, 2018 and ending on the date which the Oversight Board 
established under section 101 of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, 
and Economic Stability Act (48 U.S.C. 2121) terminates. 15 U.S.C. 
636(j)(13)(F)(iii); or
    (2) In the case of a Covered territory business, the period 
beginning on January 1, 2021, the period ending on January 1, 2025. 15 
U.S.C. 636(j)(13)(f)(iii).
    Covered territory business means a small business concern that has 
its principal office located in one of the following:
    (1) The United States Virgin Islands;
    (2) American Samoa;
    (3) Guam; or
    (4) The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
    Located in Puerto Rico means a concern with a physical location in 
Puerto Rico and organized under the laws of Puerto Rico.

[85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020, as amended at 87 FR 50927, Aug. 19, 2022]



Sec.  129.301  How does a covered territory business or small business concern 
located in Puerto Rico obtain Federal surplus personal property?

    (a) General. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 636(j)(13)(F)(iii), eligible 
covered territory businesses may receive surplus Federal Government 
property from their territory State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP), 
and eligible small business concerns located in Puerto Rico may receive 
such property from the Puerto Rico SASP. The procedures set forth in 41 
CFR part 102-37 and this section will be used to transfer surplus 
personal property to eligible

[[Page 681]]

small business concerns. The property which may be transferred to the 
territory SASP or the Puerto Rico SASP for further transfer to eligible 
small business concerns includes all personal property which has become 
available for donation pursuant to 41 CFR 102-37.30.
    (b) Eligibility to receive Federal surplus personal property. To be 
eligible to receive Federal surplus personal property, on the date of 
transfer a concern must:
    (1) Be a covered territory business or be located in Puerto Rico;
    (2) Qualify as small under the size standard corresponding to its 
primary NAICS code and certify its size in SAM.gov, or a successor 
system, prior to seeking access to surplus property. SASPs and GSA may 
rely on concern's certification as small for purposes of this program;
    (3) Not be debarred, suspended, or declared ineligible under Title 2 
or Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations; and
    (4) Be engaged or expect to be engaged in business activities making 
the item useful to it.
    (c) Use of acquired surplus personal property. (1) Eligible concerns 
may acquire surplus Federal personal property from their territory SASP 
or, for a Puerto Rico concern, the Puerto Rico SASP, provided the 
concern represents and agrees in writing:
    (i) As to what the intended use of the surplus personal property is 
to be;
    (ii) That it will use the property to be acquired in the normal 
conduct of its business activities or be liable for the fair rental 
value from the date of its receipt;
    (iii) That it will not sell or transfer the property to be acquired 
to any party other than the Federal Government as required by GSA and 
SASP requirements and guidelines;
    (iv) That, at its own expense, it will return the property to the 
SASP if directed to do so by SBA, including where the concern has not 
used the property as intended within one year of receipt;
    (v) That, should it breach its agreement not to sell or transfer the 
property, it will be liable to the Federal Government for the 
established fair market value or the sale price, whichever is greater, 
of the property sold or transferred; and
    (vi) That it will give GSA and SASPs access to inspect the property 
and all records pertaining to it.
    (2) A concern receiving surplus personal property pursuant to this 
section assumes all liability associated with or stemming from the use 
of the property.
    (d) Costs. Concerns acquiring surplus personal property from a SASP 
must pay a service fee to the SASP in accordance with 41 CFR 102-37.280. 
In no instance will any SASP charge a concern more for any service than 
their established fees charged to other transferees.
    (e) Title. Upon execution of the SASP distribution document, the 
firm receiving the surplus personal property has only conditional title 
to the surplus personal property during the applicable period of 
restriction. Full title to the surplus personal property will vest in 
the donee only after the donee has met all of the requirements of this 
part.

[85 FR 69125, Nov. 2, 2020, as amended at 87 FR 50927, Aug. 19, 2022]



PART 130_SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS--Table of Contents



Sec.
130.100 Introduction.
130.110 Definitions.
130.200 Eligible entities.
130.300 Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).
130.310 Area of service.
130.320 Operating requirements.
130.330 SBDC services and restrictions on service.
130.340 Specific program responsibilities.
130.350 SBDC advisory boards.
130.360 Selection of the SBDC Lead Center Director.
130.370 Contracts with other Federal agencies.
130.380 Client privacy.
130.400 Application procedures.
130.410 New applications.
130.420 Renewal applications.
130.430 Application decisions.
130.440 Maximum grant.
130.450 Matching funds.
130.460 Budget justification.
130.465 Restricted and prohibited costs.
130.470 Fees.
130.480 Program income.
130.490 Property standard.
130.500 Funding.

[[Page 682]]

130.600 Cooperative agreement.
130.610 General terms.
130.620 Revisions and amendments to cooperative agreements.
130.630 Dispute resolution procedures.
130.700 Suspension, termination, and non-renewal.
130.800 Oversight of the SBDC Program.
130.810 SBA review authority.
130.820 Records and recordkeeping.
130.825 Reports.
130.830 Audits and investigations.
130.840 Closeout procedures.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6), 648, and 648 note.

    Source: 60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  130.100  Introduction.

    (a) Objective. The Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Program 
creates a broad-based system of assistance for the small business 
community by linking the resources of Federal, state, tribal, and local 
governments with the resources of the educational community and the 
private sector. The Program provides small businesses and aspiring 
entrepreneurs with a wide array of technical assistance and support to 
strengthen performance and sustainability of existing small businesses, 
and to enable the creation of new business entities. The Small Business 
Administration (SBA or the Agency) articulates its responsibilities for 
the general management and oversight of the SBDC Program by means of a 
cooperative agreement with the recipient organization.
    (b) Adoption of amended references. All references in this part to 
Standard Operating Procedures, SBA official policies and procedures, and 
award documents adopt all ensuing changes or amendments to such sources.

[88 FR 76639, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.110  Definitions.

    Accreditation process. An evaluation process to assist an SBDC with 
assessing its processes and outlining areas needing improvement by 
providing recommendations to strengthen delivery of services and 
assistance.
    Applicant organization. A qualified eligible entity that applies for 
Federal financial assistance to establish, administer, and operate an 
SBDC network under a new or renewed cooperative agreement.
    Application. Also referred to as the proposal or the renewal 
application, the written submission by a new applicant organization or 
an existing recipient organization describing its projected SBDC 
activities for the upcoming budget period and requesting SBA funding for 
use in its operations.
    Area of service. As designated in the cooperative agreement, the 
state or region in which an applicant organization proposes to provide 
services, or in which a recipient organization currently provides 
services.
    Associate Administrator/Entrepreneurial Development (AA/ED). The 
individual who is appointed by the SBA Administrator to oversee the 
Office of Entrepreneurial Development (OED), where the SBDC Program is 
located.
    Associate Administrator/Small Business Development Centers (AA/
SBDC). The individual who is statutorily mandated to administer the SBDC 
Program.
    Budget period. The 12-month period in which expenditure obligations 
are incurred by an SBDC network, coinciding with either the calendar 
year or the Federal fiscal year.
    Cash match. Non-Federal funds budgeted and expended by the recipient 
organization and/or sponsoring SBDC organization for direct costs of the 
project. Cash match excludes indirect costs, overhead costs, in-kind 
contributions, and program income. See 2 CFR 200.306.
    Clearinghouse. A source of market and industry information made 
available to all SBDC networks to assist clients and supports the 
exchange of information between SBDCs.
    Client. A nascent entrepreneur or existing small business seeking 
services provided by the SBDC.
    Cognizant agency. The Federal awarding agency that provides the 
predominant amount of direct funding to a recipient. See 29 CFR 99.105.
    Cooperative agreement. A legal instrument of financial assistance 
between a Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity and a non-
Federal entity that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6302-6305:
    (1) Is used to enter into a relationship the principal purpose of 
which is

[[Page 683]]

to transfer anything of value from the Federal awarding agency or 
passthrough entity to the non-Federal entity to carry out a public 
purpose authorized by a law of the United States (see 31 U.S.C. 
6101(3)); and not to acquire property or services for the Federal 
Government or pass-through entity's direct benefit or use.
    (2) Is distinguished from a grant in that it provides for 
substantial involvement between the Federal awarding agency or pass-
through entity and the non-Federal entity in carrying out the activity 
contemplated by the Federal award.
    (3) The term does not include:
    (i) A cooperative research and development agreement as defined in 
15 U.S.C. 3710a; or
    (ii) An agreement that provides only:
    (A) Direct United States Government cash assistance to an 
individual;
    (B) A subsidy;
    (C) A loan;
    (D) A loan guarantee; or
    (E) Insurance.
    (4) Is a negotiated legal agreement between SBA and a recipient 
organization containing the terms and conditions under which SBA 
provides Federal funds for the performance of SBDC activities.
    Cosponsorship. A ``Cosponsorship'' as defined in and governed by 
Sec.  8(b)(1)(A) of the Act and SBA's Standard Operating Procedures.
    Counseling. Qualifying technical or management assistance, as 
defined in the cooperative agreement, provided through the SBDC Program 
to clients on an individual basis, as established by policy.
    Counseling record. A record that provides individual client contact 
information, demographics about the client/business and data on the 
counseling provided.
    Direct costs. Expenditures that can be identified specifically with 
a final cost objective and are further defined in 2 CFR part 200.
    Dispute. A programmatic or financial disagreement that the recipient 
organization requests be handled in accordance with the dispute 
resolution procedures set forth at Sec.  130.630.
    District Office. The local SBA office, in collaboration with the 
OSBDC, is charged with: ensuring that small business market needs are 
met by the SBDC; conducting the regularly scheduled compliance reviews; 
monitoring statements as required; and collaborating with the SBDC to 
perform joint events and trainings.
    Grants and Cooperative Agreement Appeals Committee. The SBA 
committee, appointed by the SBA Administrator, which resolves appeals 
arising from financial Disputes between a recipient organization and 
SBA.
    Grants Management Specialist. An SBA employee within the Office of 
SBDC, designated by the AA/SBDC, who meets the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) standards and certifications and is responsible for the 
budgetary review, award, and administration of one or more SBDC 
cooperative agreements.
    In-kind contributions. Property, facilities, services, or other 
nonmonetary contributions from non-Federal sources. See 2 CFR part 215 
(OMB Circular A-110) and part 143 of this chapter, as applicable.
    Indirect costs. Costs generally incurred for a common or joint 
purpose. See 2 CFR part 220 (OMB Circular A- 21), 225 (OMB Circular A- 
87), and/or 230 (OMB Circular A-122).
    Insular areas. Territories include the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the 
Government of the Northern Mariana Islands. See 48 U.S.C. 1469a.
    Key personnel. Principal staff of the Lead Center and SBDC service 
centers, including SBDC Lead Center Directors, SBDC Service Center 
Directors, or managers of International Trade Centers, Technology 
Program Centers, and directors of other SBDC specialty programs and any 
other leadership positions identified by the SBDC network.
    Lead Center. The administrative office of the recipient organization 
that operates and manages an SBDC network.
    Lobbying. ``Lobbying'' as described in 2 CFR parts 220 (OMB Circular 
A-21), 225 (OMB Circular A-87), and 230 (OMB Circular A-122) and Public 
Law 101-121, section 319, which discuss the limitations on use of 
appropriated funds to influence decisions of certain of Federal 
officials, including Members of

[[Page 684]]

Congress, Federal contracting, and financial transactions.
    Matching funds. The combined amounts of non-Federal cash and noncash 
resources proposed for the cooperative agreement or claimed to fulfill 
statutory match requirements.
    Notice of funding opportunity. The annual solicitation that an 
applicant organization or recipient organization must respond to in its 
initial or renewal application.
    Notice of non-renewal. A notice provided to an SBDC stating that the 
SBA will not renew the cooperative agreement with the current recipient 
organization.
    Notice of suspension. A notice provided to an SBDC stating that the 
SBDC is under suspension.
    Notice of termination. A notice provided to an SBDC stating that the 
SBDC is terminated.
    Office of Small Business Development Centers (OSBDC). The SBA 
program office providing leadership and program oversight, managing the 
funding formula, program budget, and the establishment and maintenance 
of all program policy over the national SBDC network.
    Overmatched amount. Contributions of non-Federal cash and of non-
cash resources for authorized SBDC activities in excess of the 
statutorily required match.
    Prior approval. The written concurrence from the appropriate SBA AA/
SBDC, Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Small Business 
Development Centers, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management 
Specialist, or Program Manager for a proposed action or amendment to the 
SBDC cooperative agreement.
    Program Announcement. SBA's annual publication of requirements which 
an applicant or recipient organization must address in its initial or 
renewal application.
    Program funds. Also referred to as project funds and defined as all 
funds authorized under the cooperative agreement including, but not 
limited to, Federal funds, cash match, non-cash match from indirect 
costs, in-kind contributions, and program income revenues.
    Program income. Gross income earned as a result of the Federal award 
during the period of performance, including funds received under a 
sponsorship agreement, as defined in 2 CFR 200.80.
    Program Manager. An SBA employee designated by the AA/SBDC who 
oversees and monitors the SBDC network operations, including meeting the 
statutorily required programmatic reviews.
    Program performance data. Any anonymous data or information that 
captures the outputs of the SBDC service center and outcomes of services 
provided to clients.
    Project Officer. The individual who serves as the primary local 
contact for the SBDC, conducts regular compliance oversight as required 
by AA/SBDC, and works in conjunction with the Program Manager.
    Project period. The total annual period of performance for an award 
made under the notice of funding opportunity.
    Proposal. Also known as the application, the written submission by a 
new applicant organization or an existing recipient organization 
describing its projected SBDC activities for the upcoming budget period 
and requesting Federal funding for use in its operations.
    Recipient organization. The selected applicant organization 
receiving Federal funding to deliver SBDC services under a cooperative 
agreement.
    Recognized Organization. The organization whose members include a 
majority of SBDCs and which is recognized as an SBDC representative by 
SBA in accordance with Sec.  21(a)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act, 15 
U.S.C. 648(a)(3)(A).
    SBDC Director. The full-time senior manager designated by each 
recipient organization and approved by SBA.
    SBDC Lead Center Director. Also referred to as the State/Region 
Director, an individual or position whose time is allocated to the SBDC 
grant program or other related small business grant programs that 
provide comparable management and technical assistance to the small 
business community in accordance with the cooperative agreement. For the 
purposes of meeting the Program requirements, no less than 75

[[Page 685]]

percent of the SBDC Lead Center Director's time and effort must be 
devoted specifically to the SBDC grant. The SBDC Lead Center Director 
has clear and complete control of all SBDC Program funds.
    SBDC network. The Lead Center, SBDC service centers, and SBDC 
satellite locations funded and affiliated by sub-agreements and 
comprising a single service delivery network administered by a recipient 
organization.
    SBDC satellite location. A geographic point of service delivery that 
operates on a full- or part-time basis under direct management of an 
SBDC Lead Center Director or SBDC Service Center Director.
    SBDC service center. An entity operating full-time authorized by the 
Lead Center to perform SBDC counseling and training services. Any 
applicant commencing after January 1, 1992, establishing service centers 
within its area of service, to the extent practicable, should be 
primarily housed within institutions of higher education or a Women's 
Business Center (WBC) operating pursuant to section 29 of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) as stated in section 21(a)(1) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(1)).
    SBDC Service Center Director. The individual responsible for SBDC 
Program implementation and management at an SBDC service center within 
an SBDC network.
    SBDC service providers. SBDC network participants, including the 
Lead Center, subcenters (at times referred to as regional centers), 
satellite locations, and any other entity authorized by the recipient 
organization to perform SBDC services.
    Specialized services. SBDC services other than counseling or 
training, e.g., extensive research, hiring outside consultants for a 
client, translation services, etc.
    Sponsoring SBDC organizations. Organizations or entities which 
establish one or more SBDC service providers as part of the SBDC network 
under a contract or agreement with the recipient organization.
    Training. An educational activity or event presented by an SBDC that 
delivers a structured program of knowledge on an entrepreneurial or 
business-related subject, as established in the cooperative agreement.
    Training record. A record that provides aggregate data about a 
training event to include training topic and program format.

[60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995, as amended at 88 FR 76639, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.200  Eligible entities.

     The following entities are eligible to operate an SBDC network:
    (a) A public or private institution of higher education;
    (b) A land-grant college or university;
    (c) A college or school of business, engineering, commerce or 
agriculture;
    (d) A community or junior college;
    (e) A Women's Business Center operating pursuant to section 29 of 
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656);
    (f) The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands SBDC must have 
its principal office located in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands (CNMI) and must:
    (1) Be a CNMI government or agency;
    (2) Be a regional entity;
    (3) Be a CNMI-chartered development, credit, or finance corporation;
    (4) Be an 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);
    (5) Be a current SBA Women's Business Center (WBC); or
    (6) Be any entity formed by two or more of the entities in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (5) of this section;
    (g) Any entity which was operating as a recipient organization as of 
December 31, 1990; or
    (h) Any entity operating continually as a recipient organization on 
or before December 31, 1990.

[60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995, as amended at 88 FR 76642, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.300  Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).

    The Small Business Development Center Program is established under 
the statutory authority of the Small

[[Page 686]]

Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) and administered through cooperative 
agreements issued to recipient organizations.

[88 FR 76642, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.310  Area of service.

    (a) The AA/SBDC will designate, in the cooperative agreement, the 
geographic area of service of each recipient organization. Generally, no 
more than one recipient organization may be located in a state.
    (1) The AA/SBDC may determine that making awards to multiple 
recipient organizations in a state is necessary to more effectively 
implement the Program and provide services to all interested small 
businesses.
    (2) Once the Administration has entered into a cooperative 
agreement, a subsequent decision to change the recipient organization's 
area of service will be considered a non-renewal or termination. This 
decision will be subject to the procedures outlined in Sec.  130.700.
    (b) The recipient organization must locate its Lead Center and SBDC 
service centers in the designated area of service to ensure that 
services are readily accessible to all small businesses within the 
designated area of service.
    (c) Any applicant commencing after January 1, 1992, must ensure that 
any new SBDC service centers established within its area of service, to 
the extent practicable, are primarily housed within institutions of 
higher education or a WBC operating pursuant to section 29 of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) as stated in section 21(a)(1) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(1)).
    (d) The allocation of resources, including site locations of the 
Lead Center and the SBDC service centers, will be reviewed for adequacy 
of coverage by SBA as part of the application review process for each 
budget period.

[88 FR 76642, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.320  Operating requirements.

    (a) The recipient organization has the contractual responsibility 
for performing the duties of the Lead Center in accordance with the 
cooperative agreement. The Lead Center must be an independent department 
within the recipient organization, having its own staff, including a 
full-time SBDC Director.
    (b) A Lead Center must provide administrative services and 
coordination for the SBDC network, including program development, 
program management, financial management, reports management, promotion 
and public relations, program assessment and evaluation, and internal 
quality control. The Lead Center must conduct and document annual 
financial and programmatic reviews and evaluations of its SBDC service 
centers consistent with Sec.  130.820(a).
    (c) The Lead Center's and SBDC service center's services will be 
available to the public throughout the year during the normal hours of 
the business community. In addition, every effort should be made to 
provide assistance, including during nonbusiness hours, both in-person 
and virtually, as appropriate, to meet local community business demands 
and needs. Variations from these schedules or other anticipated closures 
will be included in the new or annual renewal application. Emergency 
closures will be reported to the SBA District Office as soon as is 
feasible.
    (d) The specific identification ``Small Business Development 
Center'' must be a part of the official name of every SBDC Lead Center 
and SBDC service center within the SBDC network, unless waived by the 
AA/SBDC.
    (e) Any entity that is using the term ``Small Business Development 
Center'' and under contract with the Lead Center and receiving program 
funds, whether receiving Federal funding or not, is considered a part of 
the recipient organization's network and as such the recipient 
organization is required to report to the OSBDC each SBDC service 
center's performance as well as any funds or program income generated by 
the activities of that Service Center.
    (f) Each SBDC must maintain a minimum number of export and trade 
certified counselors to assist clients develop export and international 
trade opportunities. The standard for establishing the number of 
counselors required to have this certification is based on the total 
number of full-time

[[Page 687]]

equivalent (FTE) counseling employees in an SBDC's network. The minimum 
number of certified counselors for an SBDC network is the lesser of:
    (1) Five counselors; or
    (2) Ten percent of the total number of FTE counselors in the 
network.
    (g) The Lead Center and all its SBDC service centers must implement 
and have in effect at all times, a uniform and enforceable conflict of 
interest policy applicable to all SBDC employees, contractors, 
consultants, and volunteers and must be signed annually. At a minimum, 
this policy must be consistent with the conflict of interest principles 
set forth in 2 CFR 2701.112.
    (h) The SBDC network will comply with 13 CFR parts 112, 113, 117, 
and 136 requiring that no person, on the grounds of race, color, 
handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion, or gender, be 
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise 
be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted 
by the SBDC network.

[60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995. Redesignated and amended at 88 FR 76642, 
Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.330  SBDC services and restrictions on service.

    (a) Services. The SBDC network, to the extent practicable, must 
provide prospective entrepreneurs and existing small businesses, known 
as clients, with counseling, access to training, and specialized 
services. The SBDC must create counseling records for clients when 
required by the cooperative agreement. The services provided must relate 
to the formation, financing, management, and operation of small business 
enterprises. The network must provide services that meet local needs as 
determined through periodic needs assessments, which are continually 
improved to keep pace with changing local small business needs. It is 
the responsibility of the recipient organization to change local SBDC 
service centers, as necessary, to meet the needs of the communities it 
serves in accordance with Sec. Sec.  130.310 and 130.620. See section 
21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(c)(36)) for the full 
list of compulsory services. To the extent possible, SBDCs will work in 
collaboration with other Federal, state, tribal, and local government 
programs that assist small businesses and will coordinate and cooperate, 
to the extent practicable, with other local public and private providers 
of small business assistance. An SBDC Lead Center should use and 
compensate qualified small business vendors as one of its resources.
    (b) Access to Capital. (1) SBDCs must provide counseling services 
that increase a small business concern's access to capital, such as 
business plan development, financial statement preparation and analysis, 
and cash flow preparation and analysis.
    (2) SBDCs may provide assistance and guidance with the necessary 
documentation required for applications for capital assistance; 
including assistance for SBA loan products and services, including small 
dollar loans, free of charge as stated in Sec.  130.470.
    (3) SBDCs should prepare their clients to represent themselves to 
lending institutions. SBDCs may attend meetings with lenders to assist 
clients in preparing financial packages; however, SBDCs may not attest 
to a client's readiness or creditworthiness to the lending institution 
either verbally or in writing.
    (4) SBDCs may participate on boards and panels of financial 
institutions and with outside organizations but may not be involved in 
any final credit decisions involving SBDC clients or in making or 
servicing loans.
    (5) With respect to SBA loan guaranty programs, SBDCs may accompany 
an applicant organization appearing before SBA or a lender but may not 
advocate for, promote, recommend approval or otherwise attempt in any 
manner to influence SBA or a lender to provide financial assistance to 
any of its clients.
    (c) Special emphasis initiatives. Periodically, SBA may identify, 
and include in the cooperative agreement, portions of the general 
population to be targeted for assistance by SBDCs and specific focus 
areas including, but not limited to: base closure assistance; 
cybersecurity and preparedness; employee ownership program; and 
intellectual property protections. (Refer to current cooperative 
agreement.)

[[Page 688]]

    (d) Portable assistance. The current cooperative agreement is a 
startup and sustainability non-matching program to be conducted by 
eligible SBDCs in communities that are economically challenged as a 
result of a business or government facility downsizing or closing, which 
has resulted in the loss of jobs or small business instability. The 
funds will be used for small business development center personnel 
expenses and related small business programs and services.

[60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995. Redesignated and amended at 88 FR 76642, 
76643, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.340  Specific program responsibilities.

    (a) Policy development. The AA/SBDC will establish program policies 
and procedures to improve the delivery of services by SBDCs to the small 
business community, and to enhance compliance with applicable laws, 
regulations, OMB guidelines, and Executive orders. The AA/SBDC will, to 
the extent practicable, consult with the recognized association.
    (b) Program administration. The AA/SBDC or designee will recommend 
the annual program budget, establish appropriate funding levels in 
compliance with the statute, and review the annual budgets submitted by 
each applicant. The AA/SBDC will also select applicants to participate 
in the Program, to maintain a clearinghouse to provide for the 
dissemination and exchange of information between SBDCs, and to conduct 
audits of recipients of SBDC grants.
    (c) Responsibilities of SBDC Lead Center Directors. (1) The SBDC 
Lead Center Director must be an individual dedicating not less than 75 
percent of their time to the supervision and control of the SBDC on 
behalf of the recipient organization. The position may not be held by a 
company or contractor.
    (2) The SBDC Lead Center Director position must have direct 
reporting authority, at a minimum, equivalent to that of a college dean 
in a university setting or the third level of management or 
administration within a state agency.
    (3) The Lead Center Director will direct and monitor program 
activities and financial affairs of the SBDC network to ensure effective 
delivery of services to the small business community, and compliance 
with applicable laws, regulations, 2 CFR part 200, and the terms and 
conditions of the cooperative agreement.
    (4) The SBDC Lead Center Director must have the authority necessary 
to control all personnel, budgets, and expenditures under the 
cooperative agreement.
    (5) The SBDC Lead Center Director will serve as the SBA's principal 
contact for all matters involving the SBDC network including, but not 
limited to, ensuring that state and local needs are addressed; financial 
and programmatic reporting are submitted; service centers are providing 
access to training; employees have experience necessary to conduct 
meaningful counseling; etc.

[88 FR 76643, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.350  SBDC advisory boards.

    (a) State/Regional Advisory Boards. (1) The Lead Center will 
establish an advisory board to advise, counsel, and confer with the SBDC 
Director on matters pertaining to the operation of the SBDC network.
    (2) This advisory board will be referred to as a State SBDC Advisory 
Board in a state/territory having only one recipient organization, and a 
Regional SBDC Advisory Board in a state having more than one recipient 
organization.
    (3) These advisory boards must include small business owners and 
other representatives from the entire area of service.
    (4) New Lead Centers must establish a State or Regional SBDC 
Advisory Board by the beginning of the second project period.
    (5) A State or Regional SBDC Advisory Board member may also be a 
member of the National SBDC Advisory Board.
    (6) The reasonable cost of travel of any Board member for official 
Board activities may be paid out of the SBDC's budgeted funds. Federal 
and program funds are not to be used to compensate advisory board 
members for non-travel related expenses such as time and effort.

[[Page 689]]

    (b) National SBDC Advisory Board. (1) The SBA will establish a 
National SBDC Advisory Board, appointed by the SBA Administrator, and 
comprised of members who are not Federal employees. The Board will elect 
a chairperson. Three members of the Board will be from universities, or 
their affiliates and the remainder will be from small businesses or 
associations representing small businesses. Board members will serve 
staggered three-year terms. The SBA Administrator may appoint successors 
to fill unexpired terms.
    (2) The National SBDC Advisory Board shall advise and confer with 
SBA's AA/SBDCs on policy matters pertaining to the operation of the SBDC 
program. The Board shall meet with the AA/SBDCs at least semiannually.
    (3) The reasonable cost of travel of any National SBDC Advisory 
Board member for official Board activities will be paid by SBA out of 
SBDC line-item program funds.
    (4) Each member of the Board will be entitled to be reimbursed for 
expenses as a member of the Board.
    (5) The Board will meet at least semiannually and at the call of the 
Chairman of the Board.

[60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995. Redesignated and amended at 88 FR 76642, 
76643, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.360  Selection of the SBDC Lead Center Director.

    (a) Selection. Selection of an SBDC Lead Center Director must be 
accomplished in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the notice 
of funding opportunity and cooperative agreement.
    (b) Vacancy. (1) The recipient organization must notify the 
appropriate SBA District Director (DD), Regional Administrator, and AA/
SBDC within ten business days of either:
    (i) Being notified by the incumbent SBDC Lead Center Director of 
their intent to vacate the position; or
    (ii) Its formal decision to remove the incumbent SBDC Lead Center 
Director.
    (2) If the position will be vacated prior to the selection of a 
replacement, the recipient organization must appoint an interim SBDC 
Lead Center Director, prior to the vacancy, who will serve in that 
capacity until a permanent SBDC Lead Center Director is in position.
    (3) The recipient organization must inform the SBA District 
Director, Regional Administrator, and the AA/SBDC within ten business 
days of the appointment of the interim SBDC Lead Center Director and 
provide that individual's contact information.
    (4) An interim Lead Center Director must allocate at least 75 
percent of their time and effort to the SBDC Program until a permanent 
SBDC Lead Center Director is in position. This must be documented in 
accordance with the policies of the recipient organization. An interim 
SBDC Lead Center Director must be knowledgeable about sponsored 
programs. The appointment period for such interim SBDC Lead Center 
Director will not exceed 120 days. Should more time be needed the 
recipient organization must obtain prior approval from the AA/SBDC for 
an extension.

[88 FR 76644, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.370  Contracts with other Federal agencies.

    (a) An SBDC Lead Center or SBDC service center organization may 
enter into a contract or grant with a Federal department or agency to 
provide specific assistance to small business concerns in accordance 
with paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) Prior to bidding on a non-SBA Federal award or contract, the 
SBDC Lead Center or service center must obtain written consent from the 
AA/SBDC or designee regarding the subject and general scope of the award 
or contract to ensure that performance under the award or contract does 
not represent a conflict with the SBA's cooperative agreement. The AA/
OSBDC or designee shall respond to any written request within five 
business days.
    (c) Federal funds from other Federal programs (except for certain 
Community Development Block Grant program funds) may not be counted as 
match for purposes of the SBDC Program. In addition, match expenditures

[[Page 690]]

reported to the SBA under the cooperative agreement may not be used or 
reported as match for another Federal program.

[88 FR 76644, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.380  Client privacy.

    (a) SBDCs, including their contractors and other agents, are not 
permitted to disclose the Client's name, address, email address, or 
telephone number, hereafter referred to as ``client contact data,'' of 
individuals or small businesses that obtain any type of assistance from 
the Program to any person or entity other than the SBDC, without the 
consent of the client, except in instances where:
    (1) Court orders require the SBA Administrator to do so in any civil 
or criminal enforcement action initiated by a Federal or state agency; 
or
    (2) The Administrator considers such a disclosure to be necessary 
for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of a center, not 
including those required under Sec.  130.830, as determined on a case-
by-case basis when formal requests are made by a Federal or state 
agency. Such formal requests must justify and document the need for 
individual client contact and/or program activity data to the 
satisfaction of the Administrator; or
    (3) SBA requires client contact data to directly survey SBDC 
clients.
    (b) SBDCs must provide an opportunity for a client to opt-in to 
allow the SBA to obtain client contact data. The SBA may use the 
permitted client contact data only to conduct surveys or studies that 
help stakeholders better understand how the services the client received 
affect their business outcomes over time. These surveys or studies would 
include, but not be limited to:
    (1) Studying evaluation and performance management;
    (2) Measuring the effect and economic or other impact of Agency 
programs;
    (3) Assessing public and SBDC partner needs;
    (4) Measuring customer satisfaction;
    (5) Guiding program policy development;
    (6) Improving grant-making processes; and
    (7) Other areas SBA determines would be valuable to strengthen the 
SBDC Programs and/or enhance support for SBDC clients.
    (c) SBDCs may not deny access to services to clients solely based on 
their refusal to provide consent as referenced in this section.
    (d) Any reports or studies on program activity produced by SBDC and/
or the Administrator, including their contractors and other agents, may 
not disseminate client contact data and must only report data in the 
aggregate. Individual client contact data will not be disclosed in any 
way that could individually identify a client.
    (e) SBDCs and the Administrator, including their contractors and 
other agents, must obtain consent from the client prior to publishing 
media or reports that identify an individual client.
    (f) This section does not restrict the Agency in any way from access 
and use of program performance data.

[88 FR 76644, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.400  Application procedures.

    All SBDC applicants must comply with the annual notice of funding 
opportunity, including format, conditions, submission requirements, and 
due dates, for their new or renewal application to receive 
consideration.

[88 FR 76645, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.410  New applications.

    (a) New applicants. New applicants must comply with the requirements 
set forth in the applicable notice of funding opportunity, including 
format, conditions, and due dates for their applications to receive 
consideration.
    (b) Consideration. Except in cases involving insular areas, only 
those applicants operating under Sec.  130.200 and incorporated solely 
within the state where the new SBDC is to be located will receive 
consideration.
    (c) Recruiting and selecting new recipient organizations. (1) SBA 
will use a fair, open and competitive procurement process to solicit 
proposals for new SBDC Program awards.
    (2) After completion of an objective review process, the AA/SBDC 
will make the final selection and notify the successful applicant.

[[Page 691]]

    (3) The newly selected recipient organization may, with prior 
written approval from the SBA, incur qualified pre-award matching 
expenditures for the establishment of the Lead Center office, to recruit 
Lead Center staff, and to cover other related start-up expenditures to 
the extent permitted under 2 CFR 215.25(e)(1).

[88 FR 76645, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.420  Renewal applications.

    (a) The recipient organization will submit the renewal application 
to the OSBDC using the submission process outlined in the annual notice 
of funding opportunity.
    (b) If the OSBDC chooses to not renew the award of an existing 
recipient organization or the recipient organization elects not to 
reapply, the OSBDC will award a cooperative agreement for the conduct of 
an SBDC project to a new recipient organization in the same area of 
service using a competitive process. If the OSBDC has initiated a non-
renewal or termination action, the Agency will not issue the new award 
until all administrative remedies have been exhausted. For further 
information regarding the termination and non-renewal procedures, see 
Sec.  130.700.
    (c) Significant factors considered in the renewal application review 
will include:
    (1) The applicant's ability to obtain matching funds;
    (2) The quality of prior performance under the cooperative agreement 
as measured by client satisfaction rate;
    (3) The results of any examination conducted pursuant to Sec.  
130.810(b);
    (4) Corrective measures implemented as a result of examinations 
conducted; and
    (5) The accreditation provisions of Sec.  130.810(c) including any 
conditions, the most current accreditation report, and corrective 
measures implemented, affecting the recipient organization and the SBDC 
network.
    (d) The OSBDC will review the renewal application for conformity 
with the notice of funding opportunity. The AA/SBDC may request 
additional information and documentation prior to issuing the 
cooperative agreement.

[88 FR 76645, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.430  Application decisions.

    (a) New applications will either be accepted or rejected in 
accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the applicable 
notice of funding opportunity. The AA/SBDC may approve, or conditionally 
approve, or deny any new application. The AA/SBDC may approve or 
conditionally approve or deny a renewal application. The AA/SBDC may 
also reject a renewal application after following due process in 
accordance with the procedures set forth in Sec.  130.700. If a renewal 
application is conditionally approved, the requirements that the 
recipient organization must meet in order to obtain full and 
unconditional approval, will be specified as special terms and 
conditions in the cooperative agreement.
    (b) In the event of a conditional approval, the SBA may fund a 
recipient organization for one or more specified periods of time up to a 
maximum of one budget period. If the recipient organization fails to 
comply with the special terms and conditions of the award to the 
satisfaction of the AA/SBDC within the allotted time period, the AA/SBDC 
may suspend, non-renew, or terminate the cooperative agreement with the 
SBDC, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sec.  130.700.

[88 FR 76645, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.440  Maximum grant.

    (a) No recipient organization will receive an SBDC grant, in any 
fiscal year under a cooperative agreement, exceeding the greater of the 
minimum statutory amount, or its pro rata share of all SBDC grants as 
determined by the statutory formula set forth in section 21(a)(4)(C) of 
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(4)(C)). This limit does not 
apply to the distribution of supplemental funds, or to grants provided 
pursuant to sections 21(a)(4)(C)(viii) and 21(a)(6) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(6)).
    (b) Additional grants are subject to the limitations set forth in 
section

[[Page 692]]

21(a)(6) of the Small Business Act unless the statute providing for the 
additional grant states otherwise.

[88 FR 76645, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.450  Matching funds.

    (a) The recipient organization must provide total Matching Funds 
equal to the total amount of SBA funding. Cash match must be equal to or 
greater than 50 percent of the SBA funds used by the SBDC. The remaining 
match required to equal the one-to-one match requirement may be provided 
through any allowable combination of additional cash, in-kind 
contributions or indirect costs.
    (b) All sources of Matching Funds must be identified as specifically 
as possible in the budget proposal. Cash sources shall be identified by 
name and account. Any additional SBA requirements, specifications, or 
deliverables must be clearly identified in the budget narrative. If a 
political entity is providing such cash and the funds have not been 
appropriated prior to issuance of the cooperative agreement, the 
recipient organization must certify that sufficient funds will be 
available from the political entity prior to the use of Federal dollars.
    (c) Under the authority of 48 U.S.C. 1469a(d), the AA/SBDC may, at 
his/her discretion, waive any requirement of matching funds for an 
insular territory otherwise required by law to be provided. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of American 
Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, any department or agency shall waive any requirements 
for local matching funds under $200,000, including in-kind 
contributions, required by law to be provided by American Samoa, Guam, 
the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands.
    (d) All applicants must submit a certification of cash match and 
program income. This certification must be executed by an authorized 
official of the recipient organization and must identify any SBDC 
service center organization(s) providing cash match under a subcontract 
or other agreement.
    (e) In addition to the Federal and program income funds, all 
matching funds must be under the direct management of either the SBDC 
Lead Center Director or an SBDC Service Center Director, when budgeted 
under an SBDC service center organization. If in-kind contributions are 
utilized by the SBDC, the State Director or an SBDC Service Center 
Director is then considered to be in control of those contributions.
    (f) The Grants Management Specialist will determine whether matching 
funds and cash match set forth in the budget proposal are sufficient to 
issue the cooperative agreement.
    (g) Recipient organizations are not required but encouraged to 
identify overmatched amounts as part of the cooperative agreement. 
Overmatching expenditures are those which are derived from eligible 
matching sources; are reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the SBDC 
program; are over and above the minimum match required to the Federal 
expenditures; and are included on the required SBDC financial reporting 
to SBA for the project period.
    (1) Recipient organizations are encouraged to identify overmatched 
amounts as part of the cooperative agreement. The recipient organization 
must fully identify the amount and sources of claimed overmatched 
amounts. If overmatched amounts are reported, they are subject to the 
provisions of the cooperative agreement and SBA biennial programmatic 
and financial examinations.
    (2) An overmatched amount can be applied as matching funds for any 
funding increase (i.e., supplemental funds) received by the SBDC during 
the budget period, as long as the total cash match contributed by the 
SBDC is 50 percent or more of the total SBA funds tendered during the 
budget period and provided that the total match is still 100 percent.
    (3) Allowable overmatched amounts which have not been used in the 
manner described in this section may, with the approval of the AA/SBDC, 
be used as a credit to offset any confirmed audit disallowances 
applicable only to the budget period in which the overmatched amount 
exists and the two

[[Page 693]]

previous budget periods. Such offsetting funds will be considered 
matching funds.
    (h) The following sources cannot be used as matching funds for the 
SBDC network:
    (1) Uncompensated student labor;
    (2) SCORE, SBA, Women's Business Centers, or other SBA resource 
partners;
    (3) Program income or fees collected from individuals or small 
businesses receiving assistance;
    (4) Federal funds other than Community Development Block Grant 
(CDBG) funds;
    (5) In-kind contributions, or indirect costs not solely dedicated to 
the SBDC Program, or under its control;
    (6) Any resource allocated and claimed as a matching cost to another 
federally funded program; or
    (7) Funds or other resources provided for an agreed upon scope of 
work inconsistent with the authorized activities of the SBDC Program.

[60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995, as amended at 88 FR 76645, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.460  Budget justification.

    (a) General. The SBDC Lead Center Director, as a part of the annual 
renewal proposal, or the applicant organization's authorized 
representative, in the case of a new SBDC application, shall prepare and 
submit to the SBA Project Officer the budget justification for the 
upcoming budget period. The budget will be reviewed annually upon 
submission of a renewal application.
    (b) Direct costs. At least 80 percent of SBA funding must be 
allocated to the direct cost of program delivery.
    (c) Indirect costs. If the applicant organization or recipient 
organization waives all indirect costs, then 100 percent of SBA funding 
must be allocated to program delivery. If the reimbursements of some, 
but not all, indirect costs are waived to meet the matching funds 
requirement, the lesser of the following may be allocated as reimbursed 
indirect costs of the Program and charged against the Federal 
contribution:
    (1) Twenty percent of Federal contribution; or
    (2) The amount remaining after the waived portion of indirect costs 
is deducted from the total indirect costs allowed by the SBA.
    (d) Separate SBDC service provider budgets. The applicant 
organization shall include separate budgets for all SBDC service 
providers in conformity with 2 CFR part 220, appendix A. Applicable 
direct cost categories and indirect cost base/rate agreements will be 
included for the Lead Center and all SBDC service providers, using a 
rate equal to or less than the negotiated predetermined rate. If no such 
rate exists, the sponsoring SBDC organization or SBDC service provider 
will negotiate a rate with its cognizant agency. In the event the 
sponsoring SBDC organization or SBDC service provider does not have a 
cognizant agency, the rate shall be, in accordance with OMB guidelines:
    (1) Negotiated with the SBA Project Officer; or
    (2) Apply the OMB de minimis rate.
    (e) Cost principles. Principles for determining allowable costs are 
contained in 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.
    (f) Salaries. (1) Where the recipient organization is an educational 
institution, the salaries of the SBDC Lead Center Director and the SBDC 
Service Center Director at a minimum must approximate the average 
annualized salary of a full professor and an assistant professor, 
respectively, in the school or department in which the SBDC is located. 
If a recipient organization is not an educational institution, the 
salaries of the SBDC Lead Center Director and the subcenter Directors 
must approximate the average salaries of parallel positions within the 
recipient organization. In both cases, the recipient organization should 
consider the Director's longevity in the Program, the number of 
subcenters, the size of the SBDC budget, the number of service centers, 
and the individual's experience and background when determining the 
salary.
    (2) Salaries for Lead Center Directors should be comparable to 
salaries paid Lead Center Directors in other states or regions with 
comparably sized programs, responsibilities, and authority.
    (3) Salaries for all other positions within the SBDC should be based 
upon

[[Page 694]]

level of responsibility and be comparable to salaries for similar 
positions in the area served by the SBDC.
    (g) Equipment. In accordance with 2 CFR part 200, capital 
expenditures for equipment must have the prior approval of the Program 
Manager of the OSBDC, either through a specific disclosure in an annual 
cost proposal or through an approved amendment to an existing 
cooperative agreement.
    (h) Travel. (1) All travel must be separately identified in the 
proposed budget under the categories of: planned in-state/region, 
planned out-of-state/region, unanticipated in-state/region, or 
unanticipated out-of-state/region. Unplanned travel estimates may be 
based on the SBDC's experience.
    (2) Transportation costs must be justified in writing, including the 
estimated cost, number of persons traveling, and the benefit to be 
derived by the small business community from the proposed travel.
    (3) Any proposed unplanned out-of-state/region travel exceeding the 
approved amount budgeted for this category must be submitted to the SBA 
for approval on a case-by-case basis prior to traveling.
    (4) All foreign travel requests must be submitted to the appropriate 
District Director and the SBDC Program Manager for review and provided 
to the AA/SBDC for final approval in accordance with the notice of 
funding opportunity. Foreign travel charged to the SBDC cooperative 
agreement or performed by SBDC staff, while on duty for the recipient 
organization, must be approved in advance.
    (i) Planned foreign travel costs allocable to the SBDC cooperative 
agreement for SBDC network staff may be approved by AA/SBDC through the 
annual proposal process, but such planned costs must be fully disclosed 
and justified in the budget narrative for Agency review. Prior approval 
should be obtained from the AA/SBDC prior to travel in accordance with 2 
CFR part 200.
    (ii) Unanticipated foreign travel must be approved using the process 
set forth in this paragraph (h).

[88 FR 76646, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.465  Restricted and prohibited costs.

    (a) SBA prohibitions are consistent with those outlined in 2 CFR 
part 200.
    (b) An SBDC must not use project funds as collateral for a loan or 
other such monetary purpose.
    (c) An SBDC must not use project funds for memorabilia, gifts, 
prizes, souvenirs, entertainment, alcoholic beverages, amusement, social 
activities, or any other such costs.
    (d) Prior written approval from the AA/SBDC is need for SBDC project 
funds to be used for the purpose of fundraising activities and costs. 
SBDCs may include in initial applications and renewal applications 
proposed fundraising activities. After issuance of an approved 
cooperative agreement, an SBDC wishing to seek prior approval for new 
fundraising activities not already approved should follow the prior 
approval guidance in the cooperative agreement. Prohibited fundraising 
activities include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Costs of organized fundraising, endowment drives;
    (2) Financial or capital campaigns; or
    (3) Solicitation of gifts and bequests.
    (e) Project funds found to be used in violation of the restrictions 
in this section may be cause for termination, suspension, or non-renewal 
of the cooperative agreement.

[88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.470  Fees.

    (a) An SBDC may charge clients a reasonable fee to cover the costs 
of training (sponsored or cosponsored) by the SBDC, the sale of books, 
the rental of equipment or space, research work, hiring outside 
consultants for a particular client, or other specialized services.
    (b) SBDC network entities, staff, consultants, or volunteers must 
not solicit or accept fees or other compensation for counseling 
services, including, but not limited to, business or marketing plan 
development, loan packaging or credit application assistance, or other 
advisory services described in section 21 of the Small Business Act.

[88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]

[[Page 695]]



Sec.  130.480  Program income.

    (a) Program income and interest earned on program income, may only 
be used for authorized purposes, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.307 and 
the cooperative agreement, such as to expand the quantity or quality of 
services, resources or outreach provided by the SBDC network.
    (b) Program income may not be reported or used as a matching 
resource. Unused program income must be carried over to the subsequent 
budget period by the SBDC network; however, the aggregate amount of 
network program income cannot exceed 25 percent of the total SBDC budget 
(Federal and matching expenditures).
    (c) Program income exceeding 25 percent of the total approved SBDC 
budget must be expended by the SBDC network prior to the end of the 
budget/project period in which the excess occurs.
    (d) The Lead Center must report the consolidated program income 
sources and uses as an attachment to the financial status report for the 
SBDC network during the budget period. The SBDC must provide a narrative 
describing how program income was used to further program objectives.

[88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.490  Property standard.

    See 2 CFR part 200, subpart D.

[88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.500  Funding.

    See 2 CFR 200.305.

[88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.600  Cooperative agreement.

    (a) Cooperative agreement provisions. A recipient organization will 
incorporate into its SBDC sub-agreements and contracts the provisions of 
the cooperative agreement.
    (b) Sub-agreements. SBA reserves the right to disapprove any sub-
agreement entered into by recipient organizations with SBDC service 
center organizations, vendors, or contractors.
    (c) Goals and milestones. (1) The AA/SBDC or designee will develop 
performance measurements for SBDC networks and include provisions for 
their achievement in the cooperative agreement.
    (2) The AA/SBDC or designee will negotiate with the designated 
association and Lead Center to establish the annual goals, milestones, 
and activities for the cooperative agreement.
    (3) Failure to meet the goals and milestones of the cooperative 
agreement may be considered in part of the determination for suspension, 
termination, or non-renewal in accordance with the dispute resolution 
procedures set forth in Sec.  130.630.
    (4) Agency loan goals may not be negotiated or incorporated into the 
cooperative agreement without the prior written approval of the AA/SBDC.
    (d) Procurement policies and procedures. (1) Contracts and sub-
agreements supported with funds provided under the cooperative agreement 
must comply with the procurement procedures of the recipient 
organization.
    (2) Contracting procedures must encourage open competition among 
qualified vendors and promote the effective, efficient, and responsible 
use of program resources and OMB guidance.
    (3) Contracting procedures should provide for domestic sourcing 
preferences to the greatest extent practicable, showing preference for 
the purchase, acquisition, or use of goods, products, or materials 
produced in the United States.

[88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.610  General terms.

    Upon approval of the initial or renewal application, SBA will enter 
into a cooperative agreement with the recipient organization, setting 
forth the programmatic and fiscal responsibilities of the recipient 
organization and SBA, the scope of the project to be funded, and the 
budget of the program year covered by the cooperative agreement.

[60 FR 31056, June 13, 1995, as amended at 88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.620  Revisions and amendments to cooperative agreements.

    (a) Requests for revisions. The cooperative agreement may not be 
unilaterally amended, modified, or revised by the

[[Page 696]]

recipient organization. Rather, a recipient organization must submit a 
written request to AA/SBDC along with a copy to the appropriate District 
Office when it wants to make one or more revisions to the cooperative 
agreement. Written approval from the AA/SBDC is required prior to the 
implementation of a proposed revision. Revisions that require amendment 
of the cooperative agreement include:
    (1) Any change in project scope or objectives that will 
substantially change outcomes described in the cooperative agreement;
    (2) Budget revisions exceeding the limit established in the 
cooperative agreement; and
    (3) Any proposed sole-source or one-bid contracts exceeding the 
limits established by applicable administrative regulations or OMB.
    (b) Emergency authorizations. (1) In consultation with the 
Recognized Organization, the AA/SBDC may amend one or more cooperative 
agreements to authorize unanticipated out-of-state travel by SBDC 
personnel responding to a need for services in a presidentially or SBA 
Administrator declared major disaster area. Notification of this type of 
authorization will be accomplished through the publication of an SBA 
Notice in the Federal Register.
    (2) Proposed and actual travel costs incurred under an emergency 
authorization must comply with the requirements of Sec.  130.460(h), as 
well as the relevant notice of funding opportunity and OMB guidelines.
    (c) Supplemental funding. If supplemental funds are available for 
distribution, SBA will publish a notice of funding opportunity in 
consultation with the Recognized Organization.

[88 FR 76647, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.630  Dispute resolution procedures.

    (a) Financial disputes. (1) A recipient organization wishing to 
resolve a financial dispute must submit a written statement to the 
appropriate Grants Management Officer with copies to the Project Officer 
describing the subject of the dispute, along with any relevant 
documentation. The Grants Management Officer will respond in writing to 
the recipient organization within 30 calendar days of receipt of the 
descriptive statement.
    (2) If the recipient organization receives an unfavorable decision 
from the SBA, it may file an appeal with the AA/SBDC within 30 calendar 
days of the date of receipt of the unfavorable decision.
    (3) The AA/SBDC may request additional information or documentation 
from the recipient organization at any stage of the proceedings. The 
response to the request for additional information must be provided in 
writing to the AA/SBDC within 15 calendar days of receipt of the 
request. The AA/SBDC will transmit a written decision to the recipient 
organization within 15 calendar days of receipt of the appeal or within 
15 calendar days of receipt of additional information requested.
    (4) If the recipient organization receives an unfavorable decision 
from the AA/SBDC, it may make a final appeal to the SBA Grants and 
cooperative agreements Appeals Committee (the ``Committee''). The final 
appeal to the Committee must be filed within 30 calendar days of the 
date of receipt of the AA/SBDC's written decision. Copies of the appeal 
must also be sent to the Grants Management Specialist and the Program 
Manager. If the recipient organization elects not to file an appeal with 
the Committee, the decision of the AA/SBDC becomes the final Agency 
decision on the matter.
    (5) A recipient organization may request a hearing before the 
Committee, but such requests will not be granted, unless material facts 
are substantially in dispute. Legal briefs and other technical forms of 
pleading are not required. However, appeals to the Committee must be in 
writing and contain at least the following information and supporting 
documentation:
    (i) Name and address of the recipient organization;
    (ii) Name and address of the appropriate SBA District Office(s);
    (iii) A copy of the underlying cooperative agreement, including all 
amendments;
    (iv) A statement of the grounds for appeal, with reasons why the 
appeal should be sustained;
    (v) A statement of the specific relief desired on appeal; and

[[Page 697]]

    (vi) If a hearing is requested, a statement of the material facts 
the recipient organization believes are substantially in dispute. In the 
event a recipient organization fails to provide any of the information 
specified in paragraphs (a)(5)(i) through (v) of this section, the 
Committee may dismiss the appeal.
    (6) The Committee may request additional information or 
documentation from the recipient organization at any stage in the 
proceedings. The recipient organization's response to the Committee must 
be submitted, in writing, within 15 calendar days of receipt of the 
request.
    (7) If a request for a hearing is granted, the Committee will 
provide the recipient organization with written instructions and will 
afford the parties the opportunity to present their respective positions 
to the Committee.
    (8) The Chairperson of the Committee, with the advice of the SBA's 
Office of General Counsel (OGC), will issue a final written decision 
within 30 calendar days of receipt of all information or within 30 
calendar days of the completion of the hearing. Copies of the decision 
will be provided to the recipient organization, the AA/SBDC, the Grants 
Management Specialist, and the SBA Project Officer.
    (9) Where a recipient organization's appeal to the Committee 
commences or is pending within 120 days of the end of the current budget 
period, the recipient organization has the right to request, in writing, 
that the matter be handled under an expedited appeal process. In such 
circumstances, the Committee, by an affirmative vote of its membership, 
may expedite the appeals process to attain final resolution of a dispute 
before the anticipated issuance date of a new cooperative agreement.
    (b) Programmatic (non-financial) disputes. (1) The SBDC Lead Center 
and the SBA District Office must make every effort to resolve any 
disputes that arise between the SBDC network and SBA involving non-
financial, programmatic issues. If the recipient organization is not 
satisfied with the resolution, it may, by written request to the AA/
SBDC, seek reconsideration of the programmatic dispute within 30 
calendar days. When a recipient organization requests reconsideration of 
a programmatic dispute, the appropriate Program Manager will forward a 
written summary of the dispute, including comments from the SBDC Lead 
Center Director, the SBA District Office, and all other pertinent 
background information to the AA/SBDC within 15 calendar days of SBA's 
receipt of the request.
    (2) The AA/SBDC will transmit a final, written decision to the 
recipient organization, the Lead Center Director, the SBA Project 
Officer, and the SBA District Office within 30 calendar days of the 
receipt of such documentation, unless the recipient organization agrees 
to an extension of time.

[88 FR 76648, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.700  Suspension, termination, and non-renewal.

    (a) General. After entering into a cooperative agreement with a 
recipient organization, the SBA may take, as it determines appropriate, 
any of the following actions based upon one or more of the circumstances 
listed in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (1) Non-renewal. The AA/SBDC may elect not to renew a cooperative 
agreement with a recipient organization at any point. In undertaking a 
nonrenewal action, the AA/SBDC may either choose not to accept or 
consider any application for renewal from the recipient organization or 
the Agency may choose not to exercise option years remaining under the 
cooperative agreement. When a cooperative agreement is not renewed, the 
recipient organization may continue to conduct project activities and 
incur allowable expenses until the end of the current budget period. If 
a recipient organization decides to not seek to renew its grant, it must 
notify the District Office and send a letter of intent to withdraw to 
the AA/SBDC as soon as it is feasible.
    (2) Suspension. (i) The AA/SBDC may suspend a cooperative agreement 
with a recipient organization at any point. A decision to suspend a 
cooperative agreement is effective immediately. The suspension of a 
recipient organization begins on the date the notice of suspension is 
issued, and the period of suspension will last no longer than six

[[Page 698]]

months. At the end of the period of suspension or at any point during 
that period, the AA/SBDC will either reinstate the cooperative agreement 
or commence an action for termination or non-renewal.
    (ii) The notice of suspension will recommend that the recipient 
organization cease work on the project immediately. The SBA is under no 
obligation to reimburse any expenses incurred by a recipient 
organization while its cooperative agreement is under suspension. Where 
AA/SBDC decides to lift a suspension and reinstate a recipient 
organization's cooperative agreement, the Agency may, at its discretion, 
choose to reimburse a recipient organization for some or all of the 
expenses it incurred in furtherance of project objectives during the 
period of suspension. However, there is no guarantee that the Agency 
will elect to accept such expenses, and recipient organizations 
incurring expenses while under suspension do so at their own risk.
    (b) Cause. The AA/SBDC may terminate, elect not to renew, or suspend 
a cooperative agreement with a recipient organization for cause. The 
cause may include, but is not limited to the following:
    (1) Non-performance;
    (2) Poor performance;
    (3) Unwillingness or inability to implement changes to improve 
performance;
    (4) Disregard or material violation of regulations;
    (5) Willful or material failure to comply with the terms of the 
cooperative agreement, including relevant OMB Circulars;
    (6) Conduct of the SBDC Lead Center Director or other key personnel, 
reflecting a lack of business integrity or honesty, which is not 
properly addressed on the part of the recipient organization or 
sponsoring SBDC organizations;
    (7) A conflict of interest on the part of the recipient 
organization, the SBDC service centers, the SBDC Lead Center Director, 
other key personnel, contractors or volunteers that causes a real or 
perceived detriment to a small business concern, a contractor, the SBDC 
network, including but not limited to, SBDC service centers, or SBA;
    (8) Improper use of Federal funds;
    (9) Failure of a Lead Center or its service centers to consent to 
audits, examinations, certification reviews, or to maintain required 
documents or records;
    (10) Failure to implement recommendations from the audits or 
examinations within one year of notification of deficiencies;
    (11) Failure to implement conditions from accreditation reviews 
within the time frame recommended by the accreditation committee and 
established by the AA/SBDC;
    (12) Failure of the SBDC Lead Center Director to work at the SBDC 
Lead Center on a full-time basis;
    (13) Failure to promptly suspend or terminate the employment of an 
SBDC Lead Center Director, Service Center Director, or other key 
personnel, contractors, or volunteers upon receipt of knowledge or 
written information by the recipient organization and/or SBA indicating 
that such individual has engaged in conduct which may result or has 
resulted in a criminal conviction or civil judgment that would cause the 
public to question the SBDC's integrity. The SBDC Lead Center Director 
(or other appropriate official in the SBDC network), when making the 
decision to suspend or terminate such an employee, must consider the 
magnitude of the behavior, the repetitiveness of the conduct, and the 
remoteness in time of the behavior underlying any conviction or 
judgment;
    (14) Failure to maintain adequate client service facilities or 
service hours; and
    (15) Any other action that materially and adversely affects the 
operation or integrity of an SBDC or the SBDC Program.
    (c) Administrative procedure for suspension, termination, and 
nonrenewal. These procedures apply to termination, non-renewal, and 
suspension of cooperative agreements with recipient organizations.
    (1) Taking action. When the Program Manager has reason to believe 
that there is cause to suspend, terminate, or non-renew a cooperative 
agreement with a recipient organization, either

[[Page 699]]

based on their own knowledge or upon information provided by other 
parties, the AA/SBDC may undertake an enforcement action by issuing a 
written notice of suspension, termination, or non-renewal to the 
recipient organization. The effects of such notice are addressed in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (2) Notice requirements. Each notice of suspension, termination, or 
non-renewal will set forth the specific facts and reasons for the AA/
SBDC's decision and will include reference to the appropriate legal 
authority. The notice will also advise the recipient organization that 
it has the right to request an administrative review of the decision to 
suspend, terminate, or non-renew its cooperative agreement in accordance 
with the procedures set forth in paragraph (d) of this section. The 
notice will be transmitted electronically, via email, to the recipient 
organization on the same date it is issued by mail.
    (3) Relationship to Government-wide suspension and debarment. A 
decision by the AA/SBDC to suspend, terminate, or not renew an SBDC 
cooperative agreement does not constitute a non-procurement suspension 
or debarment of a recipient organization under Executive Order 12549, 
Debarment and Suspension, and SBA's implementation of OMB regulations at 
2 CFR part 2700. However, a decision by the AA/SBDC to undertake a 
suspension, termination, or non-renewal enforcement action with regard 
to a particular SBDC cooperative agreement does not preclude or preempt 
the Agency from also taking action to suspend or debar a recipient 
organization for purposes of all Federal procurement and/or non-
procurement opportunities.
    (d) Administrative review of suspension, termination and nonrenewal 
actions. When the AA/SBDC has suspended, terminated, or elected not to 
renew a cooperative agreement, the recipient organization has the right 
to request an administrative review of the enforcement action. 
Administrative review of the AA/SBDC's enforcement actions will be 
conducted by the Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development 
(AA/ED).
    (1) Format. There is no prescribed format for a request for an 
administrative review of an SBA enforcement action. While a recipient 
organization has the right to retain legal counsel to represent its 
interests in connection with an administrative review, it is under no 
obligation to do so. Formal briefs and other technical forms of pleading 
are not required. However, a request for an administrative review of an 
SBA enforcement action must be in writing, should be concise and 
logically arranged, and must at a minimum include the following 
information:
    (i) Name and address of the recipient organization;
    (ii) Identification of the relevant SBA office/program (i.e., Office 
of Small Business Development Centers/Small Business Development Center 
Program);
    (iii) Cooperative agreement number;
    (iv) Copy of the notice of suspension, termination, or non-renewal;
    (v) Statement discussing why the recipient organization believes the 
SBA's actions were arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and/or 
otherwise not in accordance with the law or governing regulations;
    (vi) Identification of the specific relief being sought (e.g., 
lifting of the suspension);
    (vii) Statement as to whether the recipient organization is 
requesting a hearing, and if so, the reasons why it believes a hearing 
is necessary; and
    (viii) Copies of any documents or other evidence the recipient 
organization believes support its position.
    (2) Service. Any recipient organization requesting an administrative 
review of an SBA enforcement action must submit copies of its request 
(including any attachments) to:
    (i) AA/SBDC; and
    (ii) the Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law.
    (3) Timeliness. To be considered timely, the AA/ED must receive a 
request for an administrative review from the recipient organization 
within 30 days of the date of the notice of termination, non-renewal, or 
suspension. Any request for administrative review received by the AA/ED 
more than 30 days after the date of the notice of suspension, 
termination, or non-renewal will be considered untimely and will be 
rejected without being considered.

[[Page 700]]

    (i) In addition, if the AA/ED does not receive a request for an 
administrative review within the 30-day deadline, then the decision by 
the AA/SBDC to suspend, terminate, or non-renew a recipient 
organization's cooperative agreement will become the final Agency 
decision on the matter.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) Standard of review. In order to have the suspension, 
termination, or non-renewal of a cooperative agreement reversed on an 
administrative review, a recipient organization must successfully 
demonstrate that the SBA enforcement action was arbitrary, capricious, 
an abuse of discretion, and/or otherwise not in accordance with the law 
or governing regulations.
    (5) Conduct of the proceeding. Each party must serve the opposing 
party with copies of all requests, arguments, evidence, and any other 
filings it submits pursuant to the administrative review. Within 30 days 
of the AA/ED receiving a request for an administrative review, the AA/ED 
must also receive the SBA's arguments and evidence in defense of its 
decision to suspend, terminate, or non-renew a recipient organization's 
cooperative agreement. If the SBA fails to provide its arguments and 
evidence in a timely manner, the administrative review will be conducted 
solely on the basis of the information provided by the recipient 
organization. After receiving the SBA's response to the request for an 
administrative review or after the passage of the 30-day deadline for 
filing such a response, the AA/ED will take one or more of the following 
actions, as applicable:
    (i) Notify the parties whether the AA/ED has decided to grant a 
request for a hearing.
    (ii) Direct the parties to submit further arguments and/or evidence 
on any issues, that she/he believes require clarification.
    (iii) Notify the parties that the AA/ED has declared the record to 
be closed and therefore will refuse to admit any further evidence or 
argument.
    (iv) Within ten calendar days of declaring the record to be closed, 
provide all parties with a copy of the AA/ED's written decision on the 
merits of the administrative review.
    (6) Request for hearing. The AA/ED will only grant a request for a 
hearing if she/he concludes that there is a genuine dispute as to a 
material fact that cannot be resolved except by the taking of testimony 
and the confrontation of witnesses. If the AA/ED grants a request for a 
hearing, they will set the time and place for the hearing, determine 
whether the hearing will be conducted in person, via telephone or 
virtually, and identify which witnesses will be permitted to give 
testimony.
    (7) Evidence. The recipient organization and SBA each have the right 
to submit whatever evidence they believe is relevant to the matter in 
dispute. No form of evidence will be permitted unless a party has made a 
substantial showing, based upon credible evidence and not mere 
allegation, that the other party has acted in bad faith or engaged in 
improper behavior.
    (8) Decision. The decision of the AA/ED will be effective 
immediately as of the date it is issued. The decision of the AA/ED will 
represent the final Agency decision on all matters in dispute on 
administrative review. No further relief may be sought from or granted 
by the Agency. If the AA/ED determines that the SBA's decision to 
suspend, terminate, or non-renew a cooperative agreement was arbitrary, 
capricious, an abuse of discretion, and/or otherwise not in accordance 
with the law, she/he will reverse the Agency's enforcement action and 
direct the SBA to reinstate the recipient organization's cooperative 
agreement.
    (i) Where an enforcement action has been reversed on administrative 
review, the SBA will have no more than ten calendar days to implement 
the AA/ED's decision. However, to the extent permitted under the 
applicable OMB Circulars, the SBA reserves the right to impose such 
special conditions in the recipient organization's cooperative agreement 
as it deems necessary to protect the Government's interests.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[88 FR 76648, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.800  Oversight of the SBDC Program.

    (a) The AA/SBDC and designees will monitor the SBDC's performance 
and

[[Page 701]]

its ongoing operations under the cooperative agreement to determine if 
the SBDC is making effective and efficient use of program funds for the 
benefit of the small business community.
    (b) The District Office is the primary contact for the coordination 
of the delivery of services to the small businesses in each area of 
service.
    (c) The AA/SBDC may change the primary contact for coordination at 
any time and will notify the recipient organization of such a change in 
a timely manner.

[88 FR 76650, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.810  SBA review authority.

    (a) Site visits. The AA/SBDC and designees will coordinate with, and 
provide written advance notice to, the SBDC Lead Center Director when 
conducting periodic programmatic visits to the recipient organization, 
Lead Center, SBDC service center organizations, and other service 
locations.
    (1) The programmatic reviews will incorporate District Office 
oversight which will include conducting yearly reviews.
    (2) Site visits may be incorporated into oversight and monitoring 
activities of the SBA program office or the SBA District Office.
    (b) SBA examinations. The SBA designees shall perform a biennial 
programmatic and financial examination of each SBDC network. The purpose 
of these visits is to verify compliance with the cooperative agreement, 
analyze, assess, and evaluate performance management regarding its SBDC 
activities, and if necessary, make recommendations for improved service 
delivery. See 15 U.S.C. 648(k)(1).
    (c) Accreditation program. (1) When extending or renewing a 
cooperative agreement of an SBDC, SBA shall consider the results of the 
examinations and accreditation reviews. See 15 U.S.C. 648(k)(3)(A).
    (i) The Small Business Act provides that the Administration may 
provide financial support, by contract or otherwise, to the association 
for the purpose of developing a SBDCs accreditation program. See 15 
U.S.C. 648(k)(2).
    (ii) SBDC networks must be reviewed for accreditation purposes and 
receive accreditation periodically, as negotiated between the AA/SBDC 
and the accreditation committee of the recognized association.
    (iii) If an SBDC does not receive accreditation, the SBA may 
initiate the non-renewal or termination procedure pursuant to Sec.  
130.700.
    (iv) The statue at 15 U.S.C. 648(k)(3)(B) states the SBA may not 
renew or extend any cooperative agreement with a SBDC unless the center 
has been approved under the accreditation program conducted pursuant to 
this section, except that the AA/SBDC may waive such accreditation 
requirement, at their discretion, upon a showing that the center is 
making a good faith effort to obtain accreditation.
    (2) The AA/SBDC and/or designee will participate in the 
deliberations of the accreditation committee.
    (d) Audits. The examinations by the SBA will not serve as a 
substitute for audits required of Federal recipients under the Single 
Audit Act of 1984 (31 U.S.C. 7501) or applicable OMB guidelines (see 2 
CFR part 200, subpart F) nor will such internal review substitute for 
investigations conducted by the SBA Office of Inspector General under 
the authority of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-452, 92 
Stat. 1101) as amended (see Sec.  130.830).

[88 FR 76650, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.820  Records and recordkeeping.

    (a) Records. (1) The recipient organization will ensure that all 
financial and programmatic records, whether prepared by itself or 
another entity, are adequately maintained in accordance with Federal 
regulations in order to corroborate its performance and financial 
reports to the SBA, as well as to support SBA examinations or other 
audits. These records must include adequate documentation to support the 
expenditures claimed and activities performed under the cooperative 
agreement. The documentation should provide the means to verify proper 
separation of costs among various Federal awards and non-Federal 
spending. See also 2 CFR 200.333 through 200.337.
    (2) The recipient organization will ensure complete and accurate 
detailed financial and programmatic documentation by all SBDC service 
center organizations and service centers. The

[[Page 702]]

recipient organization will monitor and oversee its SBDC service center 
organizations and SBDC service centers each budget period to ensure 
compliance with the OMB guidelines and regulations. See 2 CFR part 200, 
subpart D.
    (i) The recipient organization and Lead Center will ensure that:
    (A) All funds received throughout the SBDC network, both Federal and 
non-Federal, including program income, are properly accounted for, 
adequately safeguarded, accurately reported, and properly used to 
further program objectives.
    (B) Each SBDC service center organization has reviewed all charges 
made to its SBDC accounts, including program income, to ensure that they 
are allowable.
    (ii) The recipient organization's Lead Center monitoring and 
oversight activities must include annual on-site or virtual visits to 
all its SBDC service center organizations.
    (A) These review procedures must ensure that SBDCs are in compliance 
with the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement.
    (B) The Lead Center will document the results of annual reviews of 
the financial and program records of its SBDC service center 
organizations.
    (C) An in-person monitoring review must be conducted the same year 
that there is a change in leadership or a record of problems in that 
year and must be conducted not less than every 4 years.
    (3) The recipient organization must keep records on the amount, 
source, and purpose of all funding under the overall management of the 
SBDC network, including Federal programs.
    (b) Availability of records. (1) All SBDC network records must be 
made available to the SBA for review upon request.
    (2) All SBDC network records, financial and programmatic, must be 
maintained for a period of three years following the date SBA accepted 
the annual performance report and final financial status report from the 
recipient organization.
    (3) The recipient organization will maintain sufficiently detailed 
program and financial documentation to facilitate transition and provide 
continuous SBDC services when changes occur in SBDC service center 
organizations, as well as to support reviews and audits authorized by 
the SBA.

[88 FR 76651, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.825  Reports.

    (a) General. The recipient organization will submit consolidated 
performance and financial reports for the SBDC network to the SBA for 
review. These reports will reflect actual SBDC network activity and 
accomplishments pertinent to the funding periods. Report formats will be 
specified in the annual notice of funding opportunity. See also 2 CFR 
200.327 through 200.329.
    (b) Frequency. (1) Recipient organizations that have been in the 
Program for more than three years must submit financial and programmatic 
performance reports 30 calendar days after completion of six months of 
operation each budget year.
    (2) Recipient organizations that have been in the Program for fewer 
than three years must submit financial and programmatic performance 
reports 30 calendar days after completion of each quarter for the first 
three years.
    (3) The final report from recipient organizations must be submitted 
in accordance with the notice of funding opportunity and terms and 
conditions.
    (c) Electronic data reports. Lead Centers are responsible for 
reporting their consolidated network performance data quarterly to the 
SBA. The format of the reports will be designated in the notice of 
funding opportunity. Lead Centers must ensure that the data is submitted 
to the SBA within the timeframe stipulated and that the data is accurate 
and complete.
    (d) Performance reports. Performance reports must include the data 
specified in paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of this section, along with any 
other information the SBDC feels may be relevant to a full appraisal of 
its performance.
    (1) The quarterly and semiannual performance reports will address, 
in a brief narrative, the SBDC's major activities and objectives. The 
reports should include a discussion on the progress toward achieving 
those objectives.
    (2) Final performance reports should include an overall summary of 
effort

[[Page 703]]

expended to deliver the core services described in the cooperative 
agreement for the full budget period. A discussion of performance 
measurements achieved and an explanation of those objectives or 
measurements not met should be included. Performance reports should be a 
summary of the activities, events or achievements by reportable category 
with an accompanying management analysis.

[88 FR 76651, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.830  Audits and investigations.

    See 2 CFR part 200, subpart F.

[88 FR 76652, Nov. 7, 2023]



Sec.  130.840  Closeout procedures.

    (a) General. The purpose of closeout procedures is to ensure that 
the program funds and property acquired or developed under the SBDC 
cooperative agreement are fully reconciled and transferred seamlessly 
between recipient organizations, SBDC service center organizations, or 
other Federal programs. The responsibility of conducting closeout 
procedures is vested with the recipient organization whose cooperative 
agreement is not being renewed. The procedures should be documented and 
accomplished in accordance with the applicable property standards and 
the provisions of this part.
    (b) Supplies and equipment. Supplies and equipment acquired with 
funds under the cooperative agreement must be accounted for at closeout.
    (c) Intellectual property. (1) In accordance with 2 CFR part 200, 
subpart D, intangible property and items subject to copyright that are 
purchased or developed under the cooperative agreement must be accounted 
for at closeout.
    (2) Inventory and documentation of intellectual property must be 
collected by the Lead Center for close out. In circumstances where SBA 
is not renewing the cooperative agreement, the recipient organization 
must provide an intellectual property inventory and the support 
documentation to the SBDC clearinghouse and to the District Office for 
disposition instructions.
    (d) Responsibilities--(1) Recipient organizations. When an SBDC 
cooperative agreement is not being renewed, regardless of cause, the 
recipient organization will ensure the following steps are taken in 
their closeout process and perform the necessary inventories and 
reconciliations prior to submitting the final annual financial report.
    (i) An inventory of the SBDC property must be compiled and 
evaluated. An asset evaluation final report accounting for the property, 
equipment, and the aggregate of usable supplies and materials must be 
provided to the Program Manager.
    (ii) Program income balances must be reconciled, and unused program 
income transferred to the Lead Center from SBDC service center 
organization accounts.
    (iii) Client counseling and training records, paper and electronic, 
must be compiled to facilitate an SBA program closeout review.
    (iv) Financial records will be compiled to facilitate an SBA 
closeout financial examination.
    (2) Close out actions. Recipient organizations that terminate SBDC 
service center organization agreements will perform the close out 
actions in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section to ensure 
the safeguard of program resources under the cooperative agreement.
    (3) SBA. Upon receipt of the final financial report from a non-
renewing recipient organization, the AA/SBDC will issue disposition 
instructions to the former recipient organization as described in 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    (e) Final disposition. (1) The final financial status report from 
the recipient organization must include the information identified in 
the inventory process and identify any program income collected from the 
SBDC network.
    (2) The AA/SBDC will issue written disposition instructions to the 
recipient organization providing:
    (i) The name and address of the entity or agency to which property 
and program income must be transferred;
    (ii) A date by which the transfer must be completed;
    (iii) Actions to be taken regarding property and program income;
    (iv) Actions to be taken regarding program records such as client 
and training files; and

[[Page 704]]

    (v) Authorization to incur costs for accomplishing the transfer. 
Such costs may, when authorized, be applied to residual program income 
or Federal or matching funds.

[88 FR 76652, Nov. 7, 2023]



PART 131_WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM--Table of Contents



Sec.
131.100 Introduction.
131.110 Definitions.
131.200 Eligible entities.
131.300 Women's Business Centers (WBCs).
131.310 Operating requirements.
131.320 Area of service.
131.330 WBC services and restrictions on service.
131.340 Specific WBC program responsibilities.
131.350 Selection and retention of the WBC Program Director.
131.400 Grant administration and cost principles.
131.410 Maximum grant.
131.420 Carryover of Federal funds.
131.430 Matching funds.
131.440 Program income and fees.
131.450 Budget justification.
131.460 Restricted and prohibited costs.
131.470 Payments and reimbursements.
131.500 Oversight of the WBC program.
131.510 SBA review authority.
131.520 Audits, examinations, and investigations.
131.600 Cooperative agreement and contracts.
131.610 Other Federal grants.
131.620 Revisions and amendments to cooperative agreements.
131.630 Suspension, termination, and non-renewal.
131.640 Dispute procedures.
131.650 Closeout procedures.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 656.

    Source: 84 FR 64713, Nov. 25, 2019, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  131.100  Introduction.

    (a) The Women's Business Centers (WBC) program has grown and evolved 
to provide a variety of services to many entrepreneurs ranging from 
those interested in starting businesses to those looking to expand an 
existing business.
    (b) The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), through the Office 
of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO), is responsible for the general 
management and oversight of the WBC program. The SBA issues an annual 
cooperative agreement to recipient organizations for the delivery of 
assistance to individuals and small businesses. The WBC program acts as 
a catalyst for providing in-depth, substantive, outcome-oriented 
business services, including training, counseling, and technical 
assistance, to women entrepreneurs and both nascent and established 
businesses, a representative number of whom are socially and 
economically disadvantaged. By providing training and counseling on a 
wide variety of topics through WBCs, the SBA meets the needs of the 
individual client in the local marketplace.
    (c) Unless otherwise indicated, all deadlines referred to in this 
Part are measured in terms of calendar days.



Sec.  131.110  Definitions.

    Advisory board. A group established to confer with and provide 
recommendations to the WBC Program Director on matters pertaining to the 
operation of the WBC. The advisory board will also act as a catalyst to 
raise funds for the WBC.
    Applicant organization. An entity that applies for Federal financial 
assistance to establish, administer, and operate a WBC under a new or 
renewed cooperative agreement.
    Application (also known as the proposal). The written submission by 
a new applicant organization or an existing recipient organization 
describing its projected WBC activities for the upcoming budget period 
and requesting SBA funding for use in its operations.
    Annual work plan. See option year work plan and budget.
    Area of service. The State or U.S. Territory, or a regional portion 
of a State or U.S. Territory, in which the SBA approves a WBC to provide 
services.
    Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's Business Ownership. 
(AA/OWBO). The AA/OWBO is statutorily responsible for management of the 
WBC program. The AA/OWBO may elect to designate staff to complete tasks 
assigned to the AA/OWBO position. When AA/OWBO is referenced, it 
includes the designee.
    Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial 
Development. (AA/OED).

[[Page 705]]

The AA/OED is responsible for enhancing the nationwide network of 
offices, business executives, and mentors that support current and 
aspiring business owners as they start, grow, and expand in today's 
global market. This nationwide network includes the following Resource 
Partners: Women's Business Centers (WBCs), Small Business Development 
Centers (SBDCs), and SCORE.
    Authorized official. A person who has the legal authority to sign 
for and/or speak on behalf of an organization.
    Budget period. The period of performance in which expenditures and 
obligations are incurred by a WBC, consistent with 2 CFR 200.77.
    Carryover funds (carryover). Unobligated Federal funds reallocated 
from one budget period to the next through an amendment to the current 
year's cooperative agreement.
    Cash match. Non-Federal funds specifically budgeted and expended by 
the recipient organization for the operation of a WBC project. Cash 
match must be in the form of cash and/or program income.
    Client. An entrepreneur or existing small business seeking services 
provided by a WBC.
    Client record. A record that provides individual client contact 
information, client/business demographics, and documentation of the 
services provided. Additionally, the record provides aggregate data 
about a training event, including topic, date, attendance, format, and 
evaluation.
    Cognizant agency for audit. The Federal agency designated to carry 
out the responsibilities as described in 2 CFR 200.513(a).
    Cognizant agency for indirect costs. The Federal agency responsible 
for reviewing, negotiating, and approving cost allocation plans or 
indirect cost proposals developed under 2 CFR 200.19.
    Conditional approval. An approval granted when an application has 
been determined to meet eligibility requirements and has been 
recommended for funding, but requiring special conditions, such as 
submitting certifications, assurances, or other documentation.
    Cooperative agreement (also known as notice of award). A legal 
instrument of financial assistance between the SBA and a recipient 
organization that is consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6302-6305 and provides 
for substantial involvement between the SBA and the recipient 
organization in carrying out the proposed activities.
    Counseling. Services provided to an individual and/or small business 
owner that are substantive in nature, require assistance from a resource 
partner or SBA district office personnel regarding the formation, 
management, financing, and/or operation of a small business enterprise, 
and are specific to the needs of the business or individual.
    Direct costs. Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.413.
    Dispute. A programmatic or financial disagreement that the recipient 
organization requests be handled according to the dispute resolution 
procedures under Sec.  131.840.
    Distinct population. A specific targeted group. For the purpose of 
the WBC program, the targeted group is women entrepreneurs.
    District office. The local SBA office charged, in collaboration with 
the WBCs, with meeting the needs of women entrepreneurs in the 
community.
    Financial examiner. An SBA employee, or designee, charged with 
conducting financial examinations.
    Full-time. An employee all of whose time and effort (minimum of 30 
hours per week, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, Sec.  
4980H(c)(4)) is allocated to the WBC project. An employee who is full-
time under the WBC should not engage in activities that do not pertain 
to the WBC project.
    Grants and Cooperative Agreement Appeals Committee. The SBA 
committee, appointed by the SBA Administrator, to resolve appeals 
arising from disputes between a recipient organization and the SBA.
    Grants Management Officer. An SBA employee who meets the Office of 
Management and Budget standards and certifications to obligate Federal 
funds by signing a notice of award.
    Grants management specialist. An SBA employee responsible for the 
budgetary review and financial oversight of WBC agreements.
    Indirect costs. Costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.56.

[[Page 706]]

    In-kind contributions (third party). Costs incurred as described in 
2 CFR 200.96.
    Interim Program Director. An individual temporarily assigned by the 
recipient organization to fulfill the responsibilities of a vacant WBC 
Program Director position for no more than 90 days.
    Key personnel/key employee. For the purposes of the WBC program, the 
WBC Program Director is identified as the key employee.
    Loan packaging. Includes any activity done in support of a client or 
in preparation of the client's credit application to a lender for a 
loan, line of credit, or other financial instrument.
    Matching funds. For all Federal awards, any shared costs or matching 
funds and all contributions, as defined in 2 CFR 200.306.
    Microloan. A loan as specified in 13 CFR 120.701.
    Non-Federal entity. An organization as defined in 2 CFR 200.69.
    Nonprofit organization. Any corporation, trust, association, 
cooperative, or other organization as defined in 2 CFR 200.70.
    Notice of award (NOA). See cooperative agreement.
    Office of Women's Business Ownership Program Analyst. An SBA 
employee designated by the AA/OWBO who oversees and monitors WBC 
operations.
    Option year. Additional 12-month budget period awarded after the 
first budget year (base year) as determined by the period of performance 
identified in the cooperative agreement.
    Option year work plan and budget. The written submission by an 
existing WBC applying for an additional year of grant funding. This 
submission is required to ensure the recipient organization's continued 
alignment with the WBC program and to update its description of 
projected WBC activities for the upcoming option year budget period.
    Overmatch. Any non-Federal contribution applied to the WBC award in 
excess of the minimum amount of match required. See Sec.  131.530 for 
specific details on match requirements.
    Period of performance. The period of time as specified in 2 CFR 
200.77.
    Principal investigator. The individual primarily responsible for 
achieving the technical success of a project, while also complying with 
the financial and administrative policies and regulations associated 
with the grant.
    Prior approval. The written concurrence from the appropriate Office 
of Women's Business Ownership official for a proposed action or 
amendment to a WBC cooperative agreement. Specific guidelines governing 
the prior approval process, including the documentation required, are 
outlined in the cooperative agreement.
    Program announcement. The SBA's annual publication of requirements, 
to which an applicant organization must respond in its five-year initial 
or three-year renewal application.
    Program income. Gross income earned by a non-Federal entity, as 
described in 2 CFR 200.80.
    Project funds. All funds authorized under the cooperative agreement 
including Federal funds, non-Federal cash, in-kind contributions (third 
party), and program income, as well as any Federal funds and/or non-
Federal match authorized or reported as carryover funds.
    Project period. The period of time specified in the notice of award, 
which identifies the start and end date of a recipient organization's 
five-year or three-year project.
    Recipient organization. An applicant organization selected to 
receive Federal funding to deliver WBC services under a cooperative 
agreement. By statute, only private, nonprofit organizations certified 
under Sec.  501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 can be recipient 
organizations.
    Socially and economically disadvantaged women. As defined by 13 CFR 
124.103 and 124.104, respectively.
    Specialized services. WBC services other than basic counseling and 
training. The services can include, but are not limited to, assistance 
with disaster readiness; assistance to home-based businesses; assistance 
to agribusinesses; and assistance to construction, childcare, elder 
care, manufacturing or procurement businesses.
    State or U.S. Territory. For the purpose of these regulations, the 
50 United States, and the U.S. Territories of

[[Page 707]]

Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana 
Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
    Training. A qualified activity or event, presented or cosponsored by 
a WBC, that delivers a structured program of knowledge, information, or 
experience on an entrepreneurial or business-related subject.
    WBC Program Director. An individual whose time and effort is 
allocated solely to the WBC program. The WBC Program Director position 
is the only position that requires approval from the Office of Women's 
Business Ownership prior to hiring.
    Women's Business Centers (WBCs). WBCs represent a national network 
of educational centers throughout the United States and its territories 
that assist women in starting and growing small businesses.
    Women-owned businesses. A business concern that is not less than 51 
percent owned by one or more women; additionally, its management and 
daily operations are controlled by one or more women.



Sec.  131.200  Eligible entities.

    (a) Eligible organizations. By statute, only a nonprofit 
organization with active 501(c) certification from the United States 
Department of the Treasury/Internal Revenue Service is eligible to apply 
for Federal funding to operate a WBC project.
    (b) Ineligible organizations. Organizations ineligible to receive 
Federal funds to manage a WBC project include, but are not limited to, 
the following:
    (1) Any organization that owes an outstanding and unresolved 
financial obligation to the Federal Government;
    (2) Any organization, employee, or principal investigator of an 
organization that is currently suspended, debarred, or otherwise 
prohibited from receiving awards, contracts, or grants from the Federal 
Government;
    (3) Any organization with an outstanding and unresolved material 
deficiency reported under the requirements of the Single Audit Act 
within the past three years, consistent with 2 CFR 200.501;
    (4) Any organization that has had a grant or cooperative agreement 
involuntarily terminated or non-renewed by the SBA for cause/material 
non-compliance;
    (5) Any organization that has filed for bankruptcy within the past 
five years;
    (6) Any organization that does not propose to hire and employ a 
full-time WBC Program Director whose time is solely dedicated to 
managing the day-to-day operation of the WBC and staff;
    (7) Any organization that proposes to serve as a pass-through and 
permit another organization to manage the day-to-day operations of the 
project;
    (8) Any organization that had an officer or agent acting on its 
behalf convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law 
within the preceding 24 months; or
    (9) Any other organization the SBA reasonably determines to be 
ineligible to receive Federal funds to manage a WBC project.



Sec.  131.300  Women's Business Centers (WBCs).

    Women's Business Centers (WBCs) are established under the statutory 
authority of the SBA through cooperative agreements with nonprofit 
recipient organizations. WBC program announcements and requests for work 
plans and budgets establish the operating and performance parameters, 
initiatives, and strategies for each project period.
    (a) Program announcements. (1) The SBA will issue a program 
announcement each fiscal year to fund those recipient organizations 
already operating successful WBC projects. The program announcement will 
detail the goals, objectives, and other terms and conditions for 
renewable projects entering a three-year phase of the program. The 
issuance of the program announcement is contingent upon SBA's approved 
budget and funding availability.
    (2) At any time during the current fiscal year, and based on the 
availability of funds, the SBA may, at its discretion, also issue a 
program announcement for the upcoming fiscal year, detailing the goals, 
objectives, and other terms and conditions for new WBC projects. New WBC 
projects may be awarded a maximum of one base

[[Page 708]]

year and 4 additional option years of funding.
    (3) The SBA reserves the right to cancel a program announcement, in 
whole or in part, at the agency's discretion.
    (b) Option year work plans and budgets. (1) Each year, the SBA will 
issue instructions for the submission of the option year work plan and 
budget for those WBCs currently in (and wishing to continue in) the 
SBA's WBC program that will have successfully completed year one, two, 
three or four of an initial project, or year one or two of a renewal 
project. In order to be considered for renewal, submissions for option 
year work plans and budget must be received by OWBO by the deadline 
specified in the annual instructions for the submission of each work 
plan.
    (2) The SBA reserves the right to revise the submission 
requirements, in whole or in part, at the Agency's discretion.
    (3) Awarding option year funding is at the sole discretion of the 
SBA and is subject to continuing program authority, the availability of 
funds, and satisfactory performance by the recipient organization.
    (c) Cooperative agreement. (1) The terms and conditions must 
include, but are not limited to, Office of Management and Budget 
guidelines for grant administration and cost principles, regulations and 
laws governing the WBC project and federally sponsored programs, and 
current year guidelines from the program announcement.
    (2) The SBA will issue a notice of award annually to each eligible 
WBC participant, based on the acceptance of the organization's annual 
proposal or work plan.
    (d) Negotiating the cooperative agreement. The WBC's participation 
in negotiations should include, but is not limited to, the following:
    (1) Proposing services and an appropriate delivery structure to meet 
the needs of the local small business community, specifically targeting 
women, including a representative number of women who are socially and 
economically disadvantaged; and
    (2) Proposing adequate technical and managerial resources for the 
WBC to achieve its performance goals and program objectives, as set 
forth in the cooperative agreement.
    (e) Women's Business Center (WBC) funds. Budgeted WBC funds 
(including match) must be used solely for the WBC project.



Sec.  131.310  Operating requirements.

    (a) The recipient organization has contractual responsibility for 
the duties of the WBC project, which must be a separate and distinct 
entity within the recipient organization, having its own budget, staff, 
and full-time WBC Program Director.
    (b) The WBC must establish an advisory board that is representative 
of the community it will serve and that will confer with and provide 
recommendations to the WBC Program Director on matters pertaining to the 
operation of the WBC. The advisory board will also assist the WBC in 
meeting the match requirements of the program.
    (c) An employee who is full-time under the WBC program should not 
engage in activities that do not pertain to the WBC project. The WBC is 
not prohibited from operating other Federal programs that focus on women 
or other underserved small business concerns if doing so does not hinder 
its ability to deliver the services of the WBC program.
    (d) The WBC must have facilities and administrative infrastructure 
sufficient for its operations, including program development, program 
management, financial management, reports management, promotion and 
public relations, program assessment, program evaluation, and internal 
quality control. The WBC must document annual financial and programmatic 
reviews and evaluations of its center(s) consistent with Agency policy.
    (e) Any new applicant that is accepted into the WBC program after 
January 24, 2020 must include as part of its official name the specific 
identification ``Women's Business Center.'' For the purpose of the WBC 
program, the official name used is the name assigned to the WBC by the 
host organization. The legal name of the organization is the name of the 
host organization and is the name usually listed on line 7a of the 
Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424. Any WBC that is applying for 
a

[[Page 709]]

renewal grant after January 24, 2020 must also include the specific 
identification ``Women's Business Center'' as part of its official name. 
Until such time that any existing WBC has to submit a renewal 
application to the SBA for funding, and does not currently include 
``Women's Business Center'' in its official name, it must include the 
following language prominently on its website and promotional documents: 
``The Women's Business Center is funded in part by the U.S. Small 
Business Administration.'' However, at the time of submission of its 
renewal application, it must include WBC as part of its official name.
    (f) The WBC must maintain adequate staff to operate the WBC, 
including the WBC Program Director and at least one other person, 
preferably a business counselor.
    (g) The WBC must use an enforceable conflict-of-interest policy that 
is consistent with the requirements of 2 CFR 2701.112.
    (h) The WBC must be open to the public a minimum of 40 hours a week 
(which must include evening and weekend hours) and meet other 
requirements as specified in the program announcement. Emergency 
closures must be reported to the district office and Office of Women's 
Business Ownership Program Analyst as soon as is feasible.
    (i) The WBC must comply with 13 CFR parts 112, 113, 117, and 136 
requiring that no person be excluded from participation in, be denied 
the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any 
program or activity conducted by the WBC. However, all WBC marketing 
programs and services must target women.
    (j) The WBC project must not be listed in the organizational 
structure under any other Federal grant.



Sec.  131.320  Area of service.

    (a) Cooperative agreement. The recipient organization will identify 
in its application the geographic area for which it plans to provide 
assistance and should strive to not duplicate services to the same 
client population as an existing WBC. Once approved, the AA/OWBO will 
codify, in writing, the geographic area of service of each recipient 
organization. More than one recipient organization may be located in a 
State, Territory, or other geographic area. Once the SBA has entered 
into a cooperative agreement with a recipient organization, the area of 
service cannot be changed without prior approval by the AA/OWBO. A 
subsequent decision by the recipient organization to change the area of 
service in the cooperative agreement without prior approval by OWBO may 
constitute grounds for suspension, non-renewal, and/or termination as 
set forth in Sec.  131.830.
    (b) Location of WBC projects. An applicant organization responding 
to a program announcement and within proximity of an existing WBC 
project shall provide in its written narrative a justification for 
placing another WBC in the proximity of an existing WBC, including the 
number of socially and economically disadvantaged persons within the 
proposed service area, relevant census data, and information on 
population density. The information provided must clearly justify the 
necessity for an additional WBC project within the same area of service 
as the existing WBC project. The SBA will take the narrative and any 
supporting documentation into consideration when reviewing, ranking, and 
scoring the applicant organization's proposal.
    (c) Resources. An applicant organization's plan for the commitment 
and allocation of resources, including the site from which the WBC plans 
to provide services, will be reviewed as part of the application review 
process for each budget period to ensure adequate coverage in the area 
of service.



Sec.  131.330  WBC services and restrictions on services.

    (a) Services. The WBC must provide prospective entrepreneurs and 
existing small businesses, known as clients, with training, counseling, 
and specialized services. The services provided must relate to the 
formation, financing, management, and operation of small business 
enterprises. The WBC must create and update client records to document 
each time that services are provided to a client. The WBC must provide 
services that meet local needs as determined through periodic needs 
assessments; additionally, services

[[Page 710]]

must be adjusted over time to meet changing small business needs. Any 
changes to the scope of services must be in accordance with Sec.  
131.820.
    (b) Access to capital. (1) WBCs must provide training and counseling 
services that enhance a small business concern's ability to access 
capital, such as business plan development, financial statement 
preparation/analysis, and cash flow preparation/analysis.
    (2) WBCs may provide loan packaging services and other related 
services to WBC clients and may charge a fee for such assistance (see 
Sec.  131.540). Any fees so generated will constitute program income. 
The WBC must ensure that these services are not credited to both the WBC 
program and any other Federally-funded program, thereby double counting 
the efforts.
    (3) WBCs shall prepare their clients to represent themselves to 
lending institutions. WBC personnel may attend meetings with lenders to 
assist clients in preparing financial packages; however, neither WBC 
staff nor their agents may take a direct or indirect role in 
representing clients in any loan negotiations.
    (4) WBCs shall disclose to their clients that financial counseling 
assistance, including loan packaging, will not guarantee receipt or 
imply approval of a loan or loan guarantee.
    (5) WBCs must not intervene in loan decisions, service loans, make 
credit recommendations, or otherwise influence decisions regarding the 
award of any loans or lines of credit on behalf of the WBC's clients, 
unless the WBC operates as an SBA Microloan Intermediary and is awarding 
an individual or small business concern an SBA microloan.
    (6) When the recipient organization operates both a WBC and a 
separate loan program, the WBC must disclose to the client other 
financing options that may be available besides the one offered by the 
recipient organization to ensure that the client has the opportunity to 
seek financing outside of the recipient organization. If the recipient 
organization operates an SBA loan program, it must comply with Sec.  
120.140 of this chapter.
    (7) WBCs must disclose to loan packaging clients any financial 
relationships between the WBC and a lender or the sale of their credit 
products.
    (8) With respect to loan programs, allowable activities include the 
following: assisting clients in formulating a business plan, preparing 
financial statements, completing forms that are part of a loan 
application, and accompanying an applicant appearing before the SBA or 
other lenders. See paragraph (b)(5) of this section for further 
limitations.
    (9) WBCs are to collaborate with state, local, and Federal 
government agencies to identify other resources that may be available to 
its clients and to facilitate interactions deriving from these 
collaborations.
    (c) Special emphasis initiatives. In addition to requiring WBCs to 
assist women entrepreneurs, including a representative number of women 
who are socially and economically disadvantaged, the SBA may identify 
and include in the cooperative agreement other portions of the general 
population that WBCs must target for assistance.



Sec.  131.340  Specific WBC program responsibilities.

    (a) Policy development. The AA/OWBO will establish and modify WBC 
program policies and procedures to improve the delivery of services by 
WBCs to the small business community and to enhance compliance with 
applicable laws, regulations, Office of Management and Budget 
guidelines, and Executive Orders.
    (b) Program administration. The AA/OWBO will recommend the annual 
program budget, establish appropriate funding levels in compliance with 
the statute, and review the annual budgets submitted by each 
organization.
    (c) Responsibilities of WBC Program Director. (1) The WBC Program 
Director must be a full-time employee of the recipient organization and 
not a contractor, consultant, or company. The WBC Program Director will 
direct and monitor all program activities and all financial affairs of 
the WBC to ensure effective delivery of services to the small business 
community and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Office of 
Management and Budget circulars, Executive Orders, and the terms

[[Page 711]]

and conditions of the cooperative agreement.
    (2) The WBC Program Director may not manage any other programs under 
the recipient organization.
    (3) The WBC Program Director will serve as the SBA's principal 
contact for all matters involving the WBC.
    (d) Principal investigator. The principal investigator is primarily 
responsible for achieving the technical success of the project while 
also complying with the financial and administrative policies and 
regulations associated with the grant. Although principal investigators 
may have administrative staff to assist them with the management of the 
project, the ultimate responsibility for the management of the project 
rests with the principal investigator. The principal investigator of a 
recipient organization could also fill the role of Executive Director, 
WBC Program Director, President/CEO, or another key position.



Sec.  131.350  Selection and retention of the WBC Program Director.

    (a) General. (1) The WBC Program Director selected to manage the 
daily operations of the WBC shall possess core competencies in the areas 
of business and/or entrepreneurship training, project and/or small 
business management, effective communication, and collaboration.
    (2)(i) The recipient organization must provide written notification 
to the AA/OWBO or his/her designee within five business days following a 
vacancy in a WBC Program Director position. The notification must 
include the date the former WBC Program Director vacated the position, 
as well as the name, resume, salary, date of appointment, and contact 
information for the person assigned the role of the WBC Interim Program 
Director. If the WBC Program Director temporarily vacates the position, 
the notification must include the projected date of return. The 
placement of an Interim Program Director does not require the submission 
of a key personnel change request; however, the information outlined in 
this section must be submitted to the OWBO Program Analyst, via email, 
consistent with the required timeframe.
    (ii) The Interim Director may not remain in the position more than 
90 calendar days from the date of the vacancy without written approval 
from the AA/OWBO. The recipient organization must document the 
appointment of the Interim Program Director in accordance with its 
policies and procedures and the cooperative agreement.
    (3) An Interim Program Director must allocate a sufficient amount of 
his/her time and effort to management of the daily operations of the WBC 
program until a permanent WBC Program Director is in position.
    (4) Within 30 days from the date of the vacancy, the recipient 
organization must provide OWBO with its plan of how it will ensure that 
a full-time WBC Program Director is hired within the 90 day timeframe 
allocated.
    (5) If it is anticipated that the Interim Program Director will be 
in the position for more than 90 days, prior to the end of the 90 day 
period, the recipient organization must submit a written request to the 
OWBO Program Analyst for approval of an extension. OWBO is not required 
to reimburse personnel costs for any WBC Interim Program Director that 
remains in the position for more than 90 days without prior written 
approval.
    (b) SBA involvement. The AA/OWBO will review the selection of the 
new WBC Program Director submitted by the recipient organization to 
ensure the candidate selected is qualified and their hiring would not 
present a conflict of interest or similar concern that would negatively 
affect the WBC's ability to carry out project and program objectives.
    (c) Recruitment activity and associated costs. Allocable personnel 
compensation and benefits costs are as provided in 2 CFR 200.463.



Sec.  131.400  Grant administration and cost principles.

    Upon approval of a WBC's initial or renewal application, the SBA 
will enter into a cooperative agreement with the recipient organization, 
setting forth the programmatic and fiscal responsibilities of the 
recipient organization and the SBA, the scope of the project

[[Page 712]]

to be funded, and the budget for the period covered by the cooperative 
agreement. The WBC program adopts and implements Office of Management 
and Budget regulations as published and amended in 2 CFR part 200. 
Additional qualifications or clarifications may be promulgated through 
the program announcement, a revised notice of award, or the regulatory 
process.



Sec.  131.410  Maximum grant.

    No individual WBC project will receive a WBC grant in any fiscal 
year under a cooperative agreement in excess of the amount authorized by 
statute. While an individual WBC project cannot exceed the statutory 
limit, a recipient organization is not limited from establishing 
multiple WBC projects as long as the projects are distinct from each 
other and are serving distinct populations that would not otherwise be 
served.



Sec.  131.420  Carryover of Federal funds.

    The AA/OWBO will approve requests for carryover on a case-by-case 
basis. In doing so, the AA/OWBO will take into account the amount of 
carryover requested, whether the WBC currently has any funds carried 
over from prior years, the WBC's record of utilizing all of its awarded 
funding or providing the required level of match, and any factors beyond 
the WBC's control that impeded its ability to conduct project activities 
as originally proposed.



Sec.  131.430  Matching funds.

    (a) The recipient organization must provide matching funds equal to 
one-half of the Federal funding received for the first two years of its 
initial award (a statutory match ratio of 2:1 Federal to non-Federal 
funding). For the remainder of the time the recipient organization is in 
the WBC program, it must provide matching funds of one dollar for every 
dollar of its annual Federal award amount (a statutory match ratio of 
1:1 Federal to non-Federal funding). At least 50 percent of the matching 
funds must be in cash (the sum of non-Federal cash and program income). 
The remaining 50 percent may be provided through allowable combinations 
of cash, in-kind contributions (third party), or authorized indirect 
costs.
    (b) Once the cash match and total match requirements have been met, 
any additional matching funds are considered overmatch. WBCs may provide 
overmatch if they choose to do so; however, if they have used Federal 
funds to raise match above the required amount, the funds must only be 
used to meet the Federal objective of the WBC program and must be 
verifiable from the non-Federal entity's records. All funds allocated to 
a WBC project through a budget proposal are subject to Federal rules and 
regulations, consistent with 2 CFR part 200. The funds must also be used 
solely for the WBC project. However, this does not prohibit WBC 
recipient organizations from raising funds separately and apart from the 
WBC program. Those funds that are not raised with WBC funds and are not 
used as match are not subject to the same recordkeeping requirements as 
they are not tied to the WBC program.
    (c) If the recipient organization indicates difficulty in meeting 
the match requirement, it can request a reduction of the Federal award. 
For specific guidance regarding the allowability, valuation, and 
documentation of match please see 2 CFR 200.306.



Sec.  131.440  Program income and fees.

    (a) Program income, including any interest earned on program income, 
may only be used for authorized purposes and in accordance with the 
cooperative agreement. Program income may be used as matching funds and, 
when expended, is counted towards the cash match requirement of the 
award. Program income must be used to expand the quantity or quality of 
services and for resources or outreach provided by the WBC project.
    (b) Unused program income may be carried over to the subsequent 
budget period by a WBC. The WBC must report the consolidated program 
income sources and uses.
    (c) A WBC may charge clients a reasonable fee for services, 
including training and counseling provided by the WBC (sponsored or 
cosponsored), the sale of books, or the rental of equipment or space. 
Any fees so generated will constitute program income,

[[Page 713]]

and such fees must not restrict access to any services for economically 
disadvantaged entrepreneurs.



Sec.  131.450  Budget justification.

    General. The WBC Program Director or finance person of the non-
Federal entity will prepare and submit the budget justification for the 
upcoming program/budget period for review by the SBA as part of the 
WBC's application package pursuant to the applicable program 
announcement. Worksheets are provided by OWBO for this purpose.



Sec.  131.460  Restricted and prohibited costs.

    SBA prohibitions are consistent with those set forth in 2 CFR part 
200.
    (a) A WBC may not use project funds as collateral for a loan, assign 
an interest in them, or use them for any other such monetary purpose.
    (b) Use of project funds in violation of these restrictions may be 
cause for termination, suspension, or non-renewal of the cooperative 
agreement.



Sec.  131.500  Oversight of the WBC program.

    (a) The AA/OWBO will monitor the WBC's performance and its ongoing 
operations under the cooperative agreement to determine if the WBC is 
making effective and efficient use of program funds, in compliance with 
applicable law and other requirements, for the benefit of the small 
business community.
    (b) The AA/OWBO may revoke delegated authority of oversight 
responsibilities at any time it is deemed necessary and will notify the 
recipient organization of such a change in a timely manner.



Sec.  131.510  SBA review authority.

    To ensure compliance and the effectiveness of WBCs, OWBO staff will 
coordinate with SBA district offices to provide periodic programmatic 
site visits on behalf of OWBO. Prior to conducting such visits, SBA 
district office personnel will coordinate with and provide written 
notice to the WBC Program Director. The SBA's district office personnel 
may inspect WBC records and client files to analyze and assess WBC 
activities, and, if necessary, make recommendations for improved service 
delivery to the OWBO Program Analyst. Periodic district office site 
visits do not supersede or replace OWBO site visits.



Sec.  131.520  Audits, examinations, and investigations.

    (a) General audits. The SBA may conduct WBC audits.
    (1) Audits of a recipient organization will be conducted pursuant to 
the Single Audit Act of 1984 (if applicable) and applicable Office of 
Management and Budget circulars.
    (2) The SBA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) or its agents may 
inspect, audit, investigate, or otherwise review the WBC as the 
Inspector General deems appropriate.
    (b) Financial examinations. The WBC will have periodic financial 
examinations conducted by either the SBA or an independent contracted 
firm. WBCs, in accordance with the program announcement and the 
cooperative agreement, must comply with all requirements set forth for 
such purposes.
    (1) Applicant organizations proposing to enter the WBC program for 
the first time shall be subject to a post-award examination or 
sufficiency review conducted by or coordinated with the SBA or its 
designee. As part of the financial examination, the financial examiner 
will verify the adequacy of the accounting system, the suitability of 
proposed costs, and the nature and sources of proposed matching funds.
    (2) Examinations by the SBA will not serve as a substitute for 
audits required of Federal recipients under the Single Audit Act of 
1984, 31 U.S.C. Chapter 75 or applicable Office of Management and Budget 
guidelines (see 2 CFR part 200), nor will such internal reviews serve as 
a substitute for audits to be conducted by the SBA's Office of the 
Inspector General under authority of the Inspector General Act of 1978, 
as amended.
    (c) Investigations. The SBA may conduct investigations to determine 
whether any person or entity has engaged in acts or practices 
constituting a violation of the Small Business Act,

[[Page 714]]

15 U.S.C. 656; any rule, order, or regulation; or any other applicable 
Federal law.



Sec.  131.600  Cooperative agreement and contracts.

    (a) General. A recipient organization will incorporate into its WBC 
the applicable provisions of the cooperative agreement.
    (b) Goals and milestones. (1) OWBO will work in conjunction with WBC 
participants to establish program goals for the cooperative agreement 
annually. Agency loan goals may not be negotiated or incorporated into 
the cooperative agreement without the prior written approval of the AA/
OWBO.
    (2) Failing to meet the goals and milestones of the cooperative 
agreement may result in suspension, termination, or non-renewal in 
accordance with Sec.  131.830.
    (c) Procurement policies and procedures. (1) The WBC may contract 
out for certain functions as permitted by the terms and conditions of 
the cooperative agreement but may not expend more than 49 percent of the 
total project funds on contractors and consultants.
    (2) The SBA may direct or otherwise approve any obligations or 
expenditures by recipient organizations, including those related to 
vendors or contractors, as deemed appropriate by the Agency.



Sec.  131.610  Other Federal grants.

    (a) Grants from other agencies. A recipient organization may enter 
into a contract or grant with another Federal department or agency to 
provide specific assistance to small business concerns in accordance 
with the following conditions:
    (1) Any additional contract or grant funds obtained from a Federal 
source may not be used as matching funds for the WBC project, with the 
exception of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
    (2) Federal funds from the SBA and match expenditures reported to 
the SBA under the cooperative agreement may not be used or reported as 
match for another Federal program.
    (3) The SBA does not impose any requirements for additional matching 
funds for those recipient organizations managing other Federal 
contracts.
    (4) The WBC must report these other Federal funds and any associated 
matching funds separately to the SBA.
    (b) RISE After Disaster grants. In accordance with 15 U.S.C. 
636(b)(12), the SBA may provide financial assistance to a WBC, SBDC 
(under 13 CFR part 130), SCORE, or any proposed consortium of such 
individuals or entities to spur disaster recovery and growth of small 
business concerns located in an area for which the President has 
declared a major disaster.
    (1) The Administrator, in cooperation with the recipients of 
financial assistance under this paragraph, shall establish metrics and 
goals for performance of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements 
under this paragraph, which shall include recovery of sales, recovery of 
employment, reestablishment of business premises, and establishment of 
new small business concerns.
    (2) Matching funds are not required for any grant, contract, or 
cooperative agreement under this paragraph (see section 7(b) of the 
Small Business Act 15 U.S.C. 636 (b)).



Sec.  131.620  Revisions and amendments to cooperative agreements.

    During a project period, the WBC may request, in writing, one or 
more revisions to the cooperative agreement. The request must be 
submitted by the recipient organization's authorized official. Revisions 
will normally relate to changes in scope, work, or funding during the 
specified budget period. No proposed revision will be implemented 
without the prior approval from the OWBO Program Analyst. Revisions that 
require an amendment include the prior approval items set forth in 2 CFR 
200.308 and 200.407.



Sec.  131.630  Suspension, termination, and non-renewal.

    (a) General. After entering into a cooperative agreement with a 
recipient organization, the AA/OWBO may take, as appropriate, any of the 
following enforcement actions based upon one or more of the 
circumstances set forth in paragraph (b) of this section:

[[Page 715]]

    (1) Suspension. (i) The AA/OWBO may suspend a cooperative agreement 
with a recipient organization at any point. The decision to suspend a 
cooperative agreement with a recipient organization is effective 
immediately as of the date of the notice of suspension. The period of 
suspension will begin on the date of the notice of suspension and will 
last no longer than six months. At the end of the period of suspension, 
or at any point during that period, the AA/OWBO will either reinstate 
the cooperative agreement or commence an action for termination or non-
renewal.
    (ii) The notice of suspension will recommend that the recipient 
organization cease work on the WBC project immediately. The AA/OWBO is 
under no obligation to reimburse any expenses incurred by a recipient 
organization while its cooperative agreement is under suspension. Where 
the AA/OWBO decides to lift a suspension and reinstate a recipient 
organization's cooperative agreement, the Agency may, at its discretion, 
choose to make funds available to reimburse a recipient organization for 
some or all of the expenses it incurred in furtherance of project 
objectives during the period of suspension. However, there is no 
guarantee that the Agency will elect to accept such expenses and 
recipient organizations incurring expenses while under suspension do so 
at their own risk.
    (2) Termination. (i) The AA/OWBO may terminate a cooperative 
agreement with a recipient organization at any point. A decision to 
terminate a cooperative agreement is effective immediately as of the 
date of the notice of termination. A recipient organization may not 
incur further obligations under the cooperative agreement after the date 
of termination unless it has been expressly authorized to do so in the 
notice of termination.
    (ii) Funds remaining under the cooperative agreement may be made 
available by the AA/OWBO to satisfy financial obligations properly 
incurred by the recipient organization prior to the date of termination. 
Award funds will not be available for obligations incurred subsequent to 
the effective date of termination unless expressly authorized under the 
notice of termination. A recipient organization that has had its 
cooperative agreement terminated will have 90 days to submit final 
closeout documents as instructed by the SBA.
    (3) Non-renewal. (i) The AA/OWBO may elect not to renew a 
cooperative agreement with a recipient organization at any point. In 
undertaking a non-renewal action, the SBA may either decline to accept 
or consider any application for renewal the organization submits, or the 
agency may decline to exercise any option years remaining under the 
cooperative agreement. A recipient organization that has had its 
cooperative agreement non-renewed may continue to conduct project 
activities and incur allowable expenses until the end of the current 
budget period.
    (ii) Funds remaining under a non-renewed cooperative agreement may 
be utilized to satisfy financial obligations the recipient organization 
properly incurred prior to the end of the budget period. Award funds 
will not be available for obligations incurred subsequent to the end of 
the current budget period. A recipient organization that has had its 
cooperative agreement non-renewed will have until the end of the current 
budget period or 120 days, whichever is longer, to conclude its 
operations and submit closeout documents as instructed by the SBA.
    (b) Material non-compliance. The AA/OWBO may suspend, terminate, or 
not renew a cooperative agreement, in whole or in part, with a recipient 
organization for material non-compliance (frequently referred to as for 
cause). Material non-compliance may include, but is not limited to, the 
following:
    (1) Non-performance;
    (2) Poor performance;
    (3) Unwillingness or inability to implement changes to improve 
performance;
    (4) Willful or material failure to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the cooperative agreement, including relevant Office of 
Management and Budget circulars;
    (5) Conduct reflecting a lack of business integrity or honesty on 
the part of the recipient organization, the WBC Program Director, or 
other significant employee(s), which has not been properly addressed;

[[Page 716]]

    (6) A conflict of interest on the part of the recipient 
organization, the WBC Program Director, or other significant employees 
causing real or perceived detriment to a small business concern, a 
contractor, the WBC, or the SBA;
    (7) Improper management or use of Federal funds;
    (8) Failure of a WBC to consent to audits or examinations, or to 
maintain required documents or records;
    (9) Failure to implement recommendations from the audits or 
examinations within 30 days of their receipt;
    (10) Failure of the WBC Program Director to work at the WBC on a 100 
percent full-time basis on the WBC project;
    (11) Failure to promptly suspend or terminate the employment of a 
WBC Program Director, or other significant employee, upon receipt of 
knowledge or written information by the recipient organization and/or 
the SBA indicating that such individual has engaged in conduct, which 
may result or has resulted in a criminal conviction or civil judgment 
which would cause the public to question the WBC's integrity. In making 
the decision to suspend or terminate such an employee, the recipient 
organization must consider such factors as the magnitude and 
repetitiveness of the harm caused and the remoteness in time of the 
behavior underlying any conviction or judgment;
    (12) Failure to maintain adequate client service facilities or 
service hours;
    (13) Fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement or criminal activity on the 
part of the recipient organization and/or its staff/employees; or
    (14) Any other action that the AA/OWBO believes materially and 
adversely affects the operation or integrity of a WBC or the WBC 
program.
    (c) Procedures. The same procedures will apply regardless of whether 
a cooperative agreement with a recipient organization is being 
suspended, terminated, or non-renewed by the SBA.
    (1) Taking action. When the AA/OWBO has reason to believe there is 
cause to suspend, terminate, or non-renew a cooperative agreement with a 
recipient organization (either based on its own knowledge or upon 
information provided to it by other parties), the AA/OWBO may undertake 
such an enforcement action by issuing a written notice of suspension, 
termination, or non-renewal to the recipient organization.
    (2) Notice requirements. Each notice of suspension, termination, or 
non-renewal will set forth the specific facts and reasons for the AA/
OWBO decision and will include reference to the appropriate legal 
authority. The notice will also advise the recipient organization that 
it has the right to request an administrative review of the decision to 
suspend, terminate, or non-renew its cooperative agreement in accordance 
with the procedures set forth in paragraph (d) of this section. The 
notice will be transmitted to the recipient organization on the same 
date it is issued by both U.S. Mail and facsimile or as an email 
attachment.
    (3) Relationship to government-wide suspension and debarment. A 
decision by the AA/OWBO to suspend, terminate, or non-renew a WBC 
cooperative agreement does not constitute a nonprocurement suspension or 
debarment of a recipient organization under Executive Order 12549 and 
SBA's implementing regulations (2 CFR part 2700). However, a decision by 
the AA/OWBO to undertake a suspension, termination, or non-renewal 
enforcement action with regard to a particular WBC cooperative agreement 
does not preclude or preempt the Agency from also taking action to 
suspend or debar a recipient organization for purposes of all Federal 
procurement and/or nonprocurement opportunities.
    (d) Administrative review. Any recipient organization that has had 
its cooperative agreement suspended, terminated, or non-renewed has the 
right to request an administrative review of the AA/OWBO's enforcement 
action. Administrative review of WBC enforcement actions will be 
conducted by the AA/OED.
    (1) Format. There is no prescribed format for a request for 
administrative review of an SBA enforcement action. While a recipient 
organization has the right to retain legal counsel to represent its 
interests in connection with an administrative review, it is under no 
obligation to do so. Formal briefs and other technical forms of pleading 
are not required. However, a request

[[Page 717]]

for administrative review of an SBA enforcement action must be in 
writing, should be concise and logically arranged, and must at a minimum 
include the following information:
    (i) Name and address of the recipient organization;
    (ii) Identification of the relevant SBA office/program (i.e., OWBO/
WBC Program);
    (iii) Cooperative agreement number;
    (iv) Copy of the notice of suspension, termination, or non-renewal;
    (v) Statement regarding why the recipient organization believes the 
SBA's actions were arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and/or 
otherwise not in accordance with the law;
    (vi) Identification of the specific relief being sought (e.g., 
lifting of the suspension);
    (vii) Statement as to whether the recipient organization is 
requesting a hearing and, if so, the reasons why it believes a hearing 
is necessary; and
    (viii) Copies of any documents or other evidence the recipient 
organization believes support its position.
    (2) Service. Any recipient organization requesting administrative 
review of an SBA enforcement action must submit copies of its request 
(including any attachments) to all of the following parties:
    (i) Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial 
Development, U.S. Small Business Administration;
    (ii) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women's Business 
Ownership U.S. Small Business Administration;
    (iii) Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law, U.S. Small 
Business Administration.
    (e) Timeliness. (i) In order to be considered timely, the AA/OED 
must receive a recipient organization's request for administrative 
review within 30 days of the date of the notice of suspension, 
termination, or non-renewal. Any request for administrative review 
received by the AA/OED more than 30 days after the date of the notice of 
suspension, termination, or non-renewal will be considered untimely and 
will automatically be rejected without being considered.
    (ii) In addition, if the AA/OED does not receive a request for 
administrative review within the 30-day deadline, then the decision by 
the AA/OWBO to suspend, terminate, or non-renew a recipient 
organization's cooperative agreement will automatically become the final 
Agency decision on the matter.
    (f) Standard of review. In order to have the suspension, 
termination, or non-renewal of a cooperative agreement reversed on 
administrative review, a recipient organization must successfully 
demonstrate that the SBA enforcement action was arbitrary, capricious, 
an abuse of discretion, and/or otherwise not in accordance with the law.
    (g) Conduct of the proceeding. (1) Each party must serve the 
opposing party with copies of all requests, arguments, evidence, and any 
other filings it submits pursuant to the administrative review. Within 
30 days of the AA/OED receiving a request for administrative review, the 
AA/OED must also receive the SBA's arguments and evidence in defense of 
its decision to suspend, terminate, or non-renew a recipient 
organization's cooperative agreement. If the SBA fails to provide its 
arguments and evidence in a timely manner, the administrative review 
will be conducted solely on the basis of the information provided by the 
recipient organization.
    (2) After receiving the SBA's response to the request for 
administrative review or the passage of the 30-day deadline for filing 
such a response, the AA/OED will take one or more of the following 
actions, as applicable:
    (i) Notify the parties whether she/he has decided to grant a request 
for a hearing;
    (ii) Direct the parties to submit further arguments and/or evidence 
on any issues which she/he believes require clarification; and/or
    (iii) Notify the parties that she/he has declared the record to be 
closed and therefore she/he will refuse to admit any further evidence or 
argument.
    (3) The AA/OED will only grant a request for a hearing if she/he 
concludes that there is a genuine dispute as to a material fact that 
cannot be resolved except by the taking of testimony and the 
confrontation of witnesses. If the AA/OED grants a request for a 
hearing,

[[Page 718]]

she/he will set the time and place for the hearing, determine whether 
the hearing will be conducted in person or via telephone, and identify 
which witnesses will be permitted to give testimony.
    (4) Within 10 calendar days of declaring the record to be closed, 
the AA/OED will provide all parties with a copy of her/his written 
decision on the merits of the administrative review.
    (h) Evidence. The recipient organization and the SBA each have the 
right to submit whatever evidence they believe is relevant to the matter 
in dispute. No form of discovery will be permitted unless a party has 
made a substantial showing, based upon credible evidence and not mere 
allegation that the other party has acted in bad faith or engaged in 
improper behavior.
    (i) Decision. (1) The decision of the AA/OED will be effective 
immediately as of the date it is issued. The decision of the AA/OED will 
represent the final Agency decision on all matters in dispute on 
administrative review. No further relief may be sought from or granted 
by the Agency. If the AA/OED determines that the SBA's decision to 
suspend, terminate, or non-renew a cooperative agreement was arbitrary, 
capricious, an abuse of discretion, and/or otherwise not in accordance 
with the law, she/he will reverse the Agency's enforcement action and 
direct the SBA to reinstate the recipient organization's cooperative 
agreement.
    (2) Where an enforcement action has been reversed on administrative 
review, the SBA will have no more than 10 calendar days to implement the 
AA/OED's decision. However, to the extent permitted under the applicable 
Office of Management and Budget circulars, the SBA reserves the right to 
impose such special conditions in the recipient organization's 
cooperative agreement as it deems necessary to protect the government's 
interests.



Sec.  131.640  Dispute procedures.

    (a) Financial and Programmatic disputes. (1) A recipient 
organization wishing to resolve a dispute regarding a financial or 
programmatic matter other than suspension, termination, or non-renewal 
of its award must submit a written appeal petition describing the 
subject of the dispute, along with any relevant documentation, to the 
Chairman of the grant appeals committee (the Committee).
    (2) The appeal petition must be received by the Committee within 30 
calendar days of the date of SBA's decision. A copy of the appeal 
petition must also be provided to the AA/OWBO.
    (3) There is no prescribed format for the submission of an appeal 
petition. Formal briefs and other technical forms of pleading are not 
required, nor is the grantee required to obtain civil representation. 
However, the appeal petition must be in writing and must be concise, 
factual, and logically arranged. In addition, the appeal petition must 
contain the following:
    (i) Name and address of organization; (ii) Name and address of the 
appropriate local SBA district office;
    (iii) Identification of the appropriate SBA program office and the 
award number;
    (iv) A statement of the material which are substantially in dispute;
    (v) Copies of any documents or other evidence supporting the appeal;
    (vi) A request for the specific relief desired on appeal: and
    (vii) A statement as to whether an oral hearing is being requested 
and, if so, the reason for the hearing.
    (4) The Committee will first rule on a request for an oral hearing 
before proceeding to consider the merits of an appeal petition. Within 
60 calendar days of receiving the appeal petition, the Committee will 
present its decision in writing to the recipient organization and the 
AA/OWBO. The Committee's ruling will represent the final Agency decision 
on the subject of the dispute and will not be further appealable within 
SBA.
    (5) Requests for an appeal before the Committee will not be granted 
unless the Agency determines there are substantial material facts in 
dispute.
    (6) The Committee may request additional information or 
documentation from the recipient organization at any stage in the 
proceedings. The recipient organization's response to the Committee's 
request for additional information or documentation must be submitted, 
in writing, to the Committee within 15 calendar days of receipt of the 
request.

[[Page 719]]

In the event that the recipient organization fails to follow the 
procedures specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the Committee 
may dismiss the appeal by a written order.
    (7) If a request for an appeal is granted, the Committee will 
provide the recipient organization with written instructions and will 
afford the parties an opportunity to present their positions to the 
Committee in writing.
    (8) The chairperson of the Committee, with advice from the SBA's 
Office of General Counsel, will issue a final written decision within 30 
calendar days of receipt of all information or inform the recipient 
organization that additional time to issue a decision is necessary. A 
copy of the decision will be transmitted to the recipient organization, 
with copies to the AA/OWBO.
    (9) At any time within 120 days of the end of the budget period, the 
recipient organization may submit a written request to use an expedited 
dispute appeal process. The Committee, by an affirmative vote of a 
majority of its total membership, may expedite the appeals process to 
attain final resolution of a dispute before the issuance date of a new 
cooperative agreement.
    (b) [Reserved]



Sec.  131.650  Closeout procedures.

    (a) General. Closeout procedures are used to ensure that the WBC 
program funds and property acquired or developed under the WBC 
cooperative agreement are fully reconciled and transferred seamlessly 
between the recipient organization and other Federal programs. The 
responsibility of conducting closeout procedures is vested with the 
recipient organization whose cooperative agreement is being 
relinquished, terminated, non-renewed, or suspended.
    (b) Responsibilities--(1) Recipient organizations. When a WBC 
cooperative agreement is not being renewed or a WBC is terminated, 
regardless of cause, the recipient organization will address the 
following in its closeout process and perform the necessary inventories 
and reconciliations prior to submitting the final annual financial 
report.
    (i) An inventory of WBC property must be compiled, evaluated, and 
all property and the aggregate of usable supplies and materials 
accounted for in this inventory.
    (ii) Program income balances will be reconciled and unused WBC 
program income which is not used as match or cannot otherwise be used to 
offset legitimate expenditures of the WBC must be returned to the SBA.
    (iii) Client records, paper and electronic, will be compiled to 
facilitate an SBA program closeout review.
    (iv) Financial records will be compiled to facilitate a closeout of 
the SBA financial examination.
    (2) SBA. Upon receipt of the final annual financial report from a 
non-renewing or terminated recipient organization, the AA/OWBO will 
issue disposition instructions to the former recipient organization.
    (c) Final disposition. (1) The final financial status report from 
the recipient organization must include the information identified in 
the inventory process and identify any WBC program income collected for 
services provided.
    (2) The AA/OWBO will issue written disposition instructions to the 
recipient organization providing the following:
    (i) The name and address of the entity or agency to which property 
and program income must be transferred;
    (ii) The date by which the transfer must be completed;
    (iii) Actions to be taken regarding property and WBC program income;
    (iv) Actions to be taken regarding WBC program records such as 
client and training files; and
    (v) Authorization to incur costs for accomplishing the transfer. 
Such costs may, when authorized, be applied to residual WBC program 
income or Federal or matching funds.



PART 134_RULES OF PROCEDURE GOVERNING CASES BEFORE THE OFFICE OF HEARINGS 
AND APPEALS--Table of Contents



                         Subpart A_General Rules

Sec.
134.101 Definitions.
134.102 Jurisdiction of OHA.
134.103 [Reserved]

[[Page 720]]

                       Subpart B_Rules of Practice

134.201 Scope of the rules in this subpart.
134.202 Commencement of cases.
134.203 The appeal petition.
134.204 Filing and service requirements.
134.205 The appeal file, confidential information, and protective 
          orders.
134.206 The answer or response.
134.207 Amendments and supplemental pleadings.
134.208 Representation in cases before OHA.
134.209 Requirement of signature.
134.210 Intervention.
134.211 Motions.
134.212 Summary judgment.
134.213 Discovery.
134.214 Subpoenas.
134.215 Interlocutory appeals.
134.216 Alternative dispute resolution procedures.
134.217 Settlement.
134.218 Judges.
134.219 Sanctions.
134.220 Prohibition against ex parte communications.
134.221 Prehearing conferences.
134.222 Oral hearing.
134.223 Evidence.
134.224 [Reserved]
134.225 The record.
134.226 The decision.
134.227 Finality of decisions.
134.228 Review of initial decisions.
134.229 Termination of jurisdiction.

  Subpart C_Rules of Practice for Appeals From Size Determinations and 
                         NAICS Code Designations

134.301 Scope of the rules in this subpart C.
134.302 Who may appeal.
134.303 Advisory opinions.
134.304 Commencement of appeals from size determinations and NAICS code 
          designations.
134.305 The appeal petition.
134.306 Transmission of the case file and solicitation.
134.307 Service and filing requirements.
134.308 Limitation on new evidence and adverse inference from non-
          submission in appeals from size determinations.
134.309 Response to an appeal petition.
134.310 Discovery.
134.311 Oral hearings.
134.312 Evidence.
134.313 Applicability of subpart B provisions.
134.314 Standard of review and burden of proof.
134.315 The record.
134.316 The decision.
134.317 [Reserved]
134.318 NAICS appeals.

     Subpart D_Rules of Practice for Appeals Under the 8(a) Program

134.401 Scope of the rules in this subpart D.
134.402 Appeal petition.
134.403 Service of appeal petition.
134.404 Deadline for filing appeal petition.
134.405 Jurisdiction.
134.406 Review of administrative record.
134.407 Evidence beyond the record and discovery.
134.408 Summary decision.
134.409 Decision on appeal.

Subpart E--[Reserved]

       Subpart F_Implementation of the Equal Access to Justice Act

134.601 What is the purpose of this subpart?
134.602 Under what circumstances may I apply for reimbursement?
134.603 What is an adversary adjudication?
134.604 What benefits may I claim?
134.605 Under what circumstances are fees and expenses reimbursable?
134.606 Who is eligible for possible reimbursement?
134.607 How do I know which eligibility requirement applies to me?
134.608 What are the special rules for calculating net worth and number 
          of employees?
134.609 What is the difference between a fee and an expense?
134.610 Are there limitations on reimbursement for fees and expenses?
134.611 What should I include in my application for an award?
134.612 What must a net worth exhibit contain?
134.613 What documentation do I need for fees and expenses?
134.614 What deadlines apply to my application for an award and where do 
          I send it?
134.615 How will proceedings relating to my application for fees and 
          expenses be conducted?
134.616 How will I know if I receive an award?
134.617 May I seek review of the ALJ's decision on my award?
134.618 How are awards paid?

Subpart G_Rules of Practice for Appeals From Women-Owned Small Business 
  Concern (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSB Concern (EDWOSB) 
                                Protests

134.701 What is the scope of the rules in this subpart G?
134.702 Who may appeal?
134.703 When must a person file an appeal from an WOSB or EDWOSB protest 
          determination?

[[Page 721]]

134.704 What are the effects of the appeal on the procurement at issue?
134.705 What are the requirements for an appeal petition?
134.706 What are the service and filing requirements?
134.707 When does the D/GC transmit the protest file and to whom?
134.708 What is the standard of review?
134.709 When will a Judge dismiss an appeal?
134.710 Who can file a response to an appeal petition and when must such 
          a response be filed?
134.711 Will the Judge permit discovery and oral hearings?
134.712 What are the limitations on new evidence?
134.713 When is the record closed?
134.714 When must the Judge issue his or her decision?
134.715 Can a Judge reconsider his decision?

            Subpart H_Rules of Practice for Employee Disputes

134.801 Scope of rules.
134.802 [Reserved]
134.803 Commencement of appeals from SBA Employee Dispute Resolution 
          Process cases (Employee Disputes).
134.804 The appeal petition.
134.805 After the appeal petition is filed.
134.806 Mediation.
134.807 SBA response.
134.808 The decision.
134.809 Review of initial decision.

 Subpart I_Rules of Practice for Petitions for Reconsideration of Size 
                                Standards

134.901 Scope of the rules in this subpart.
134.902 Standing.
134.903 Commencement of cases.
134.904 Requirements for the Size Standard Petition.
134.905 Notice and order.
134.906 Intervention.
134.907 Filing and service.
134.908 The administrative record.
134.909 Standard of review.
134.910 Dismissal.
134.911 Response to the Size Standard Petition.
134.912 Discovery and oral hearings.
134.913 New evidence.
134.914 The decision.
134.915 Remand.
134.916 Effects of OHA's decision.
134.917 Equal Access to Justice Act.
134.918 Judicial review.

Subpart J_Rules of Practice for Protests of Eligibility for Inclusion in 
 the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program Database (VOSB or 
                         SDVOSB Status Protests)

134.1001 Scope of rules.
134.1002 Who may file a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest?
134.1003 Grounds for filing a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest.
134.1004 Commencement of VOSB or SDVOSB status protests.
134.1005 Contents of the VOSB or SDVOSB status protest.
134.1006 Service and filing requirements.
134.1007 Processing a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest.
134.1008 Discovery.
134.1009 Oral hearings.
134.1010 Standard of review and burden of proof.
134.1011 Weight of evidence.
134.1012 The record.
134.1013 Request for reconsideration.

Subpart K_Rules of Practice for Appeals of Denials of Certification and 
Decertification in the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program 
                        (VOSB or SDVOSB Appeals)

134.1101 Scope of rules.
134.1102 Who may file a VOSB or SDVOSB Appeal?
134.1103 Grounds for filing a VOSB or SDVOSB Appeal.
134.1104 Commencement of a VOSB or SDVOSB Appeal.
134.1105 The appeal petition.
134.1106 Service and filing requirements.
134.1107 Transmission of the case file.
134.1108 Response to an appeal petition.
134.1109 Discovery and oral hearings.
134.1110 New evidence.
134.1111 Standard of review and burden of proof.
134.1112 The decision.

      Subpart L_Borrower Appeals of Final SBA Loan Review Decisions

134.1201 Scope of the rules in this subpart.
134.1202 Commencement of appeals of final SBA loan review decisions.
134.1203 Standing.
134.1204 The appeal petition.
134.1205 Dismissal.
134.1206 Notice and Order.
134.1207 The administrative record.
134.1208 Response to an appeal petition.
134.1209 Evidence beyond the record, discovery, and oral hearings.
134.1210 Standard of review.

[[Page 722]]

134.1211 Decision on appeal.
134.1212 Effects of the decision.
134.1213 Equal Access to Justice Act.
134.1214 Confidential information.

   Subpart M_Rules of Practice for Appeals of Protest Determinations 
Regarding the Status of a Concern as a Certified HUBZone Small Business 
                                 Concern

134.1301 What is the scope of the rules in this subpart?
134.1302 Who may appeal a HUBZone status protest determination?
134.1303 What time limits apply to filing an appeal from a HUBZone 
          status protest determination?
134.1304 What are the effects of the filing of an appeal on the 
          procurement at issue?
134.1305 What are the requirements for an appeal petition?
134.1306 What are the service and filing requirements?
134.1307 What are the requirements for transmitting the protest file?
134.1308 What is the standard of review?
134.1309 When will a Judge dismiss an appeal?
134.1310 Who can file a response to an appeal petition and when must 
          such a response be filed?
134.1311 Will the Judge permit discovery and oral hearings?
134.1312 What are the limitations on the introduction of new evidence?
134.1313 When is the record closed?
134.1314 When must the Judge issue the decision?
134.1315 What are the effects of the Judge's decision on the procurement 
          at issue?
134.1316 Can a Judge reconsider an appeal decision?

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 504; 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 634(i), 637(a), 
648(l), 656(i), 657t and 687(c); E.O. 12549, 51 FR 6370, 3 CFR, 1986 
Comp., p. 189.
    Subpart J issued under 15 U.S.C. 657f.
    Subpart K issued under 15 U.S.C. 657f.
    Subpart L issued under 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36); Pub. L. 116-136, 134 
Stat. 281; Pub. L. 116-139, 134 Stat. 620; Pub. L. 116-142, 134 Stat. 
641; and Pub. L. 116-147, 134 Stat. 660.
    Subpart M issued under 15 U.S.C. 657a; Pub. L. 117-81, 135 Stat. 
1541.

    Source: 61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

    Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 134 appear at 72 FR 
50042, Aug. 30, 2007.



                         Subpart A_General Rules



Sec.  134.101  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    AA/OHA means the Assistant Administrator for OHA, who is also the 
Chief Hearing Officer.
    Act means the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.
    Address means the primary home or business address of a person or 
entity, including the street location or postal box number, city or 
town, state, and postal zip code.
    Administrative Judge means a Hearing Officer, as described at 15 
U.S.C. 634(i), appointed by OHA to adjudicate cases.
    Appeal petition has the same meaning as petition.
    Area Office means a Government Contracting Area Office or a Disaster 
Area Office of the Small Business Administration.
    Business day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or a 
Federal holiday.
    Day means a calendar day, unless a Judge specifies otherwise.
    Hearing means the presentation and consideration of argument and 
evidence. A hearing need not include live testimony or argument.
    Investment Act means the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 15 
U.S.C. 661 et seq.
    Judge means the Administrative Judge or Administrative Law Judge who 
decides an appeal or petition brought before OHA, or the AA/OHA when he 
or she acts as an Administrative Judge.
    NAICS code means North American Industry Classification System code.
    OHA means the Office of Hearings and Appeals.
    Party means the petitioner, appellant, respondent, or intervenor, 
and the contracting officer in a NAICS code appeal.
    Person means an individual or any form of business entity.
    Petition (or appeal petition) means a written complaint, a written 
appeal from an SBA determination, or a written request for the 
initiation of proceedings before OHA.
    Petitioner means the person who initially files a petition before 
OHA.
    Pleading means a petition, an order to show cause commencing a case, 
an appeal petition, an answer, a response, or any amendment or 
supplement to those documents.

[[Page 723]]

    Respondent means any person or governmental agency against which a 
case has been brought before OHA.
    SBA means the Small Business Administration.
    Size determination means a formal size determination made by an Area 
Office and includes decisions by Government Contracting Area Directors 
that determine whether two or more concerns are affiliated for purposes 
of SBA's financial assistance programs, or other programs for which an 
appropriate SBA official requested an affiliation determination.
    Size Standard Petition means a petition for reconsideration of a 
revised, modified, or established size standard filed with OHA pursuant 
to 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(9) and subpart I of this part.
    Step One and Step Two refer to the steps of the Employee Dispute 
Resolution Process, see Sec.  134.801(a) for more information.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47246, July 18, 2002; 69 
FR 29208, May 21, 2004; 75 FR 47438, Aug. 6, 2010; 82 FR 25506, June 2, 
2017]



Sec.  134.102  Jurisdiction of OHA.

    OHA has authority to conduct proceedings in the following cases:
    (a) The revocation or suspension of Small Business Investment 
Company licenses, cease and desist orders, and the removal or suspension 
of directors and officers of licensees, under the Investment Act and 
part 107 of this chapter;
    (b) Alleged violations of those civil rights laws which are 
effectuated by parts 112, 113, 117, and 136 of this chapter;
    (c) The revocation of the privilege of a person to conduct business 
with SBA under the Act and part 103 of this chapter;
    (d) 7(a) Lender appeals from informal enforcement actions and final 
agency decisions on 7(a) Lender formal enforcement actions, and any 
other appeal that is specifically authorized by part 120 of this title, 
but not including appeals of actions against SBA Supervised Lenders 
under Sec.  120.1600(b) or (c) or under Sec.  120.465;
    (e) The suspension or termination of surety bond program 
participants under 15 U.S.C. 694a et seq. and part 115 of this chapter;
    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) Allowance of fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice 
Act, 5 U.S.C. 504;
    (h) Debarment from appearance before the SBA because of post-
employment restrictions under 18 U.S.C. 207 and part 105 of this 
chapter;
    (i) Collection of debts owed to SBA and the United States under the 
Debt Collection Act of 1982, the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 
1996, and part 140 of this chapter;
    (j) Appeals from the following SBA 8(a) program determinations under 
the Act and part 124 of this chapter:
    (1) Denial of program admission based solely on a negative finding 
as to social disadvantage, economic disadvantage, ownership or control; 
program termination; program graduation; or denial of a waiver of the 
requirement to perform to completion an 8(a) contract; and
    (2) Program suspension;
    (k) Appeals from size determinations and NAICS code designations 
under part 121 of this chapter;
    (l) The imposition of civil penalties and assessments against 
persons who make false claims or statements to SBA under the Program 
Fraud Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812 and part 142 of this 
chapter;
    (m)-(n) [Reserved]
    (o) The suspension, termination, or non-renewal of cooperative 
agreements with Women's Business Centers and Small Business Development 
Centers under the Act and part 130 of this chapter;
    (p) Certain matters involving debarments and suspensions under 2 CFR 
parts 180 and 2700;
    (q) [Reserved]
    (r) Appeals from SBA Employee Dispute Resolution Process cases 
(Employee Disputes) under Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 37 71 
(available at http://www.sba.gov/ tools/resourcelibrary/ sops/index.html 
or through OHA's Web site http://www.sba.gov/oha) and subpart H of this 
part;

[[Page 724]]

    (s) Appeals from Women-Owned Small Business or Economically-
Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business protest determinations under 
part 127 of this chapter;
    (t) Petitions for reconsideration of revised, modified, or 
established size standards pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 632(a)(9);
    (u) Protests of eligibility for inclusion in the Veteran Small 
Business Certification Program;
    (v) Appeals of denials of certification in and decertification from 
the Veteran Small Business Certification Program;
    (w) Appeals of certain SBA loan review decisions as defined in 13 
CFR 134.1201; and
    (x) Appeals from HUBZone status protest determinations under part 
126 of this chapter.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 47074, Sept. 11, 2001; 
67 FR 47246, July 18, 2002; 69 FR 25271, May 5, 2004; 69 FR 29208, May 
21, 2004; 70 FR 17587, Apr. 7, 2005; 72 FR 39730, July 20, 2007; 73 FR 
56954, Oct. 1, 2008; 75 FR 47438, Aug. 6, 2010; 75 FR 62292, Oct. 7, 
2010; 82 FR 25506, June 2, 2017; 83 FR 13628, Mar. 30, 2018; 85 FR 
14784, Mar. 16, 2020; 85 FR 52887, Aug. 27, 2020; 87 FR 73425, Nov. 29, 
2022; 88 FR 21089, Apr. 10, 2023]



Sec.  134.103  [Reserved]



                       Subpart B_Rules of Practice



Sec.  134.201  Scope of the rules in this subpart.

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart apply to all OHA 
proceedings except:
    (1) Where another subpart of this part, pertaining to a specific 
type of OHA proceeding, provides a different rule; or
    (2) Where another part of this chapter, pertaining to a specific 
type of OHA proceeding (or SBA program allowing appeals to OHA), 
provides a different rule (see Sec.  134.102).
    (b) For specific types of OHA proceedings, the rules of practice are 
located as follows:
    (1) For appeals from size determinations and NAICS code 
designations, in subpart C of this part (Sec.  134.301 et seq.);
    (2) For 8(a) BD appeals, in subpart D of this part (Sec.  134.401 et 
seq.);
    (3) [Reserved]
    (4) For applications under the Equal Access to Justice Act, in 
subpart F of this part (Sec.  134.601 et seq.);
    (5) For appeals from Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and 
Economically-Disadvantaged WOSB protest determinations, in subpart G of 
this part (Sec.  134.701 et seq.);
    (6) For appeals relating to SBA employee disputes, in subpart H of 
this part (Sec.  134.801 et seq.);
    (7) For Size Standard Petitions, in subpart I of this part 
(Sec. Sec.  134.901 through 134.918);
    (8) For protests of eligibility for inclusion in the Veteran Small 
Business Certification Program, in subpart J of this part;
    (9) For appeals of denials of certification and decertification in 
the Veteran Small Business Certification Program, in subpart K of this 
part;
    (10) For appeals of protest determinations regarding the status of a 
concern as a certified HUBZone small business concern, in subpart M of 
this part; and
    (11) For proceedings under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, in 
part 142 of this chapter.
    (c) If a rule in this subpart conflicts with a rule pertaining to 
OHA in another subpart of this part or in another part of this chapter, 
the latter rule shall govern.

[75 FR 47438, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 25506, June 2, 2017; 83 
FR 13629, Mar. 30, 2018; 87 FR 73425, Nov. 29, 2022; 88 FR 21089, Apr. 
10, 2023]



Sec.  134.202  Commencement of cases.

    (a) A party other than the SBA may commence a case by filing an 
appeal petition.
    (1) The filing deadline is contained in the SBA regulations 
governing the specific type of appeal.
    (2) Where the SBA action or determination being appealed states a 
different time period (or deadline) for filing an appeal petition than 
does the applicable regulation, the longer time period (or later 
deadline) governs.
    (b) The SBA may commence a case by issuing to the respondent an 
appropriate written order to show cause and filing the order to show 
cause with OHA.

[[Page 725]]

    (c) Cases concerning Small Business Investment Company license 
suspensions and revocations and cease and desist orders must be 
commenced with an order to show cause containing a statement of the 
matters of fact and law asserted by the SBA, the legal authority and 
jurisdiction under which a hearing is to be held, a statement that a 
hearing will be held, and the time and place for the hearing.
    (d) Calculation and modification of time periods and deadlines. (1) 
Calculation of a deadline when the time period is given in days. (i) Do 
not count the day the time period begins, but do count the last day of 
the time period.
    (ii) If the last day is Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the 
time period ends on the next business day.

    Example: On Monday, a Judge orders a party to file and serve a 
document within (or no later than) five days. The time period begins on 
Monday, so the first day to count is Tuesday. The second, third, and 
fourth days are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The fifth day is 
Saturday, so the time period rolls over to the next business day, which 
is Monday. The deadline is Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a Federal 
holiday).

    (2) Modification of a time period or deadline. (i) A Judge may 
modify any time period or deadline, except:
    (A) The time period governing commencement of a case (i.e., when the 
appeal petition may be filed); and
    (B) A time period established by statute.
    (ii) A party may move for an extension of time pursuant to Sec.  
134.211.

[67 FR 47246, July 18, 2002, as amended at 70 FR 17587, Apr. 7, 2005; 75 
FR 47439, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.203  The appeal petition.

    (a) A petition must contain the following:
    (1) The basis of OHA's jurisdiction (see Sec.  134.102);
    (2) A copy of the SBA determination being appealed, if applicable, 
and the date the determination was received by the petitioner;
    (3) A clear and concise statement of the factual basis of the case 
and applicable legal arguments;
    (4) The relief being sought;
    (5) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail 
address, and signature of the petitioner or its attorney; and
    (6) A certificate of service (see Sec.  134.204(d)).
    (b) If the applicable subpart of this part 134 (or the program 
regulations) requires other documents or information with the appeal 
petition, these must also be included.
    (c) A petition which does not contain all of the information 
required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section may be dismissed, 
with or without prejudice, at the Judge's own initiative, or upon motion 
of the respondent.
    (d) Format. (1) An appeal petition should be on 8.5 x 
11 paper with a clear type at least 12 point in size. 
Preferably, double-space the main text and use 1 margins all 
around. Number each page. A separate cover letter is not needed. A table 
of contents is optional. Hard copies of documents sent by facsimile or 
electronic mail are not needed unless specifically requested.
    (2) The maximum length of an appeal petition (not including 
attachments) is 20 pages, unless prior leave is sought by the petitioner 
and granted by the Judge. A table of authorities is required only for 
petitions citing more than twenty cases, regulations, or statutes.
    (3) Clearly label any exhibits and attachments. Do not include 
documents already submitted to SBA in connection with the matter being 
appealed. SBA will submit these directly to OHA.
    (e) Motion for a more definite appeal petition. A respondent, SBA, 
or a contracting officer (for NAICS appeals) may, not later than five 
days after receiving a petition, move for an order to the petitioner to 
provide a more definite appeal petition or otherwise comply with this 
section. A Judge may order a more definite appeal petition on his or her 
own initiative.
    (1) A motion for a more definite appeal petition stays the 
respondent's time for filing an answer or response. The Judge will 
establish the time for filing and serving an answer or response.
    (2) If the petitioner does not comply with the Judge's order to 
provide a more definite appeal petition or otherwise fails to comply 
with applicable

[[Page 726]]

regulations, the Judge may dismiss the petition with prejudice.
    (f) Notice and Order. After an appeal petition is filed, OHA will 
issue a Notice and Order and serve it upon all known parties (or their 
attorneys). If a party does not receive a Notice and Order, it should 
contact OHA.

[67 FR 47247, July 18, 2002, as amended at 75 FR 47439, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.204  Filing and service requirements.

    All pleadings or other submissions must be filed with OHA and served 
on all other parties or their attorneys. Each submission requires a 
certificate of service.
    (a) Methods of filing and service. E-mail, mail, delivery, and 
facsimile are all permitted unless a Judge orders otherwise.
    (1) E-mail constitutes any system for sending and receiving messages 
electronically over a telecommunications network. The sender is 
responsible for ensuring that e-mail software and file formats are 
compatible with the recipient and for a successful, virus-free 
transmission.
    (2) Mail includes any service provided by the U.S. Postal Service. 
Mail (except ``Express Mail'') is not recommended for time-sensitive 
filings.
    (3) Delivery is personal delivery by a party, its employee, its 
attorney, or a commercial delivery service.
    (4) Facsimile submissions should not exceed 30 pages. Contact OHA 
before faxing longer submissions. Follow-up originals or ``hard copies'' 
are not required unless OHA or another party specifically requests them.
    (b) Filing. Filing is the receipt of pleadings and other submissions 
at OHA. Filers may call OHA to verify receipt. OHA's telephone number is 
(202) 401-8200.
    (1) OHA's address. OHA accepts filings: by e-mail at 
[email protected]; by mail or delivery at Office of Hearings and 
Appeals, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20416; and by facsimile at (202) 205-7059.
    (2) The date of filing is the date the submission is received at 
OHA. Any submission received at OHA after 5 p.m. eastern time is 
considered filed the next business day.
    (3) Exhibits. An exhibit, whether an original or a copy, must be 
authenticated or identified to be what it purports to be. Parties are 
referred to 28 U.S.C. 1746.
    (4) Copies. No extra copies of pleadings or other submissions need 
be filed. If a document is offered as an exhibit, a copy of the document 
will be accepted by the Judge unless--
    (i) a genuine question is raised as to whether it is a true and 
accurate copy; or
    (ii) it would be unfair, under the circumstances, to admit the copy 
instead of the original.
    (c) Service. Service means sending a copy of a pleading or other 
submission filed with OHA to another party.
    (1) Complete copies of all pleadings and other submissions filed 
with OHA must be served upon all other parties or, if represented, their 
attorneys, at their record addresses.
    (2) The date of service is as follows: for e-mail and facsimile, the 
date the copy is sent; for personal delivery, the date the copy is given 
to the party, its attorney, or the commercial delivery service (if one 
is used). For mail, date of service is postmark date; in absence of a 
legible postmark, there is a rebuttable presumption that the copy was 
mailed five days before the served party's receipt.
    (3) SBA address. The correct office(s) of SBA must be served, as 
required by the applicable program regulations, by other subparts of 
part 134, or by the instructions on the SBA determination being 
appealed. If the SBA office for service is not specified elsewhere, 
serve: Office of General Counsel, U.S. Small Business Administration, 
409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416.
    (4) Confidential information. If a pleading or other submission 
contains proprietary or confidential information, that information may 
be redacted (deleted) from any copies served upon non-government 
parties. Counsel for those parties may access the redacted information 
only under the protective order procedure described in Sec.  134.205.
    (d) Certificate of service. A certificate of service shows how, 
when, and to

[[Page 727]]

whom service was made. Each submission to OHA must include a certificate 
of service. The certificate should state: ``I certify that on [date], I 
served the foregoing [type of submission] by [e-mail, mail, Express 
Mail, personal delivery, commercial delivery service, facsimile] upon 
the following''. List the name and address of each party served, and 
either the facsimile number or the e-mail address (if applicable). The 
individual serving the submission must sign the certificate and either 
print or type his or her name and title.

[75 FR 47439, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.205  The appeal file, confidential information, 
and protective orders.

    (a) The appeal file. The appeal file includes: all pleadings and 
other submissions; all admitted evidence; any recordings and transcripts 
of proceedings; the solicitation and amendments; in the case of an 
appeal of an SBA determination, the entire record on which that 
determination was based (i.e., the administrative record, protest file, 
area office file); and any orders and decisions that have been issued.
    (b) Confidential business and financial information. An appeal file 
usually contains confidential business and financial information 
pertaining to the party whose eligibility (as a small business, SDVO 
SBC, etc.) is at issue. A party may redact its own confidential business 
and financial information from the copies of its submissions it must 
serve on other non-government parties (usually protesters). A party 
served with redacted submissions must file and serve any objections to 
the redactions within two business days of its receipt of the 
submissions. The Judge then will rule on the objections and, if 
necessary, order the service of revised submissions.
    (c) Public access. Except for confidential business and financial 
information; source selection sensitive information; income tax returns; 
documents and information covered under Sec.  120.1060 of this title; 
and other exempt information, the appeal file is available to the public 
pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552.
    (d) Party access. A party in a pending appeal may examine and copy 
the party's own submissions as well as any information in the appeal 
file that is not exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. Party access to 
the appeal file in a pending appeal does not require a FOIA request or a 
protective order.
    (e) Counsel's access under a protective order. On request, OHA will 
issue a protective order under which outside counsel for a non-
government party in a pending appeal may be admitted, to examine and 
copy the appeal file (except for tax returns and privileged 
information). The protective order will set out the terms to which 
counsel must agree. The terms will restrict counsel's use of the 
protected information to the pending appeal and will prohibit any 
further disclosure. Violations of the terms of a protective order may 
result in sanctions to the party and referral of the attorney to bar 
disciplinary authorities. OHA's Web site contains detailed information 
on the protective order procedure.
    (f) Decisions. OHA decisions are normally published without 
redactions on OHA's Web site. A decision may contain confidential 
business and financial information where that information is either 
decisionally-significant or otherwise necessary for a comprehensible 
decision. Where no protective order is in place, a party may request a 
redacted public decision by contacting OHA. Where a protective order is 
in place, the Judge will usually issue the unredacted decision under the 
protective order and then a redacted version for public release.

[75 FR 47440, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 14784, Mar. 16, 2020]



Sec.  134.206  The answer or response.

    (a)(1) Except in a case involving a petition appealing from an SBA 
determination, a respondent must file and serve an answer within 45 days 
after the filing of a petition or the service of an order to show cause, 
except that in debt collection cases, answers are due within 30 days.
    (2) The answer must contain the following:
    (i) An admission or denial of each of the factual allegations 
contained in the petition or order to show cause, or a statement that 
the respondent denies knowledge or information sufficient to

[[Page 728]]

determine the truth of a particular allegation;
    (ii) Any affirmative defenses; and
    (iii) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, and 
signature of the respondent or its attorney.
    (3) Allegations in the petition or order to show cause that are not 
answered in accordance with paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section will be 
deemed admitted unless injustice would occur.
    (b) Appeal of an SBA determination. (1) Notice and order. Upon the 
filing of an appeal petition, OHA will issue a notice and order 
informing all known parties of the appeal petition and the deadline for 
filing and serving any responses to the appeal. The SBA response is due 
45 days after the date the appeal petition is filed, unless a rule 
governing the particular type of appeal provides a different deadline.
    (2) SBA response. If SBA is the respondent, SBA need not admit or 
deny the allegations in the petition, but must set forth the relevant 
facts and the legal arguments in support of SBA's determination.
    (3) Administrative record. If SBA is to file and serve an 
authenticated copy of the administrative record (or protest file), the 
notice and order will provide further instructions.
    (4) Claim of privilege. If SBA asserts a claim of privilege over any 
portion of the administrative record, SBA must serve the petitioner a 
redacted version, accompanied by a ``Vaughn Index'' describing each 
withheld item and justifying each claim of privilege. SBA also must file 
an unredacted copy for in camera inspection by the Judge. The Judge will 
afford the petitioner an opportunity to object to the administrative 
record and to challenge any claim of privilege asserted by SBA.
    (c) If a petition or order to show cause is amended or if respondent 
is not properly served, the Judge will order the time to file an answer 
or response extended and will specify the date such answer or response 
is due. If respondent is not properly served with a petition appealing 
from an SBA determination, the Judge will issue an order directing that 
the petitioner serve respondent within a specified time and directing 
respondent to file and serve a response within 45 days after petitioner 
timely serves respondent in accordance with the order.
    (d) If the respondent fails to timely file and serve an answer or 
response, that failure will constitute a default. Following such a 
default, the Judge may prohibit the respondent from participating 
further in the case. If SBA, as respondent to a petition appealing from 
an SBA determination, fails to timely file and serve its response or the 
administrative record (where required), the Judge will issue an order 
directing SBA to file and serve the administrative record by a specified 
date.
    (e) Reply. A reply to a response is not permitted unless the Judge, 
upon motion or on his or her own initiative, orders a reply to be filed 
and served. A party moving for leave to reply should file and serve the 
proposed reply with its motion.

[67 FR 47247, July 18, 2002, as amended at 75 FR 47440, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.207  Amendments and supplemental pleadings.

    (a) Amendments. Upon motion (see Sec.  134.211), and under terms 
needed to avoid prejudice to any non-moving party, the Judge may permit 
the filing and service of amendments to pleadings. However, an amendment 
will not be permitted if it would cause unreasonable delay in the 
determination of the matter. The proposed amendment must be filed and 
served with the motion. The Judge, on his or her own initiative, may 
order a party to file and serve an amendment to a pleading.
    (b) Supplemental pleadings. Upon motion (see Sec.  134.211), and 
under terms needed to avoid prejudice to any non-moving party, the Judge 
may permit the filing and service of a supplemental pleading setting 
forth relevant transactions or occurrences that have taken place since 
the filing of the original pleading. The proposed supplemental pleading 
must be filed and served with the motion. The Judge, on his or her own 
initiative, may order a party to file and serve a supplemental pleading.
    (c) 8(a) appeals. In 8(a) program appeals, amendments to pleadings 
and supplemental pleadings will be permitted by the Judge only upon a 
showing of good cause.

[[Page 729]]

    (d) Answer or response. In an order permitting the filing and 
service of an amended or supplemented petition or order to show cause, 
the Judge will establish the time for filing and serving an answer or 
response.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47248, July 18, 2002; 75 
FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.208  Representation in cases before OHA.

    (a) A party may represent itself, or be represented by an attorney. 
A partner may represent a partnership; a member may represent a limited 
liability company; and an officer may represent a corporation, trust, 
association, or other entity.
    (b) An attorney for a party who did not appear on behalf of that 
party in the party's first filing with OHA must file and serve a written 
notice of appearance.
    (c) An attorney seeking to withdraw from a case must file and serve 
a motion for the withdrawal of his or her appearance.

[67 FR 47248, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.209  Requirement of signature.

    Every written submission to OHA, other than evidence, must be signed 
by the party filing that submission, or by the party's attorney. By 
signing the submission, a party or its attorney attests that the 
statements and allegations in that submission are true to the best of 
its knowledge, and that the submission is not being filed for the 
purpose of delay or harassment. False statements are subject to criminal 
penalties. Any misconduct is subject to sanctions (see Sec.  134.219).

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.210  Intervention.

    (a) By SBA. SBA may intervene as of right at any time in any case 
until 15 days after the close of record, or the issuance of a decision, 
whichever comes first.
    (b) By interested persons. Any interested person may move to 
intervene at any time until the close of record by filing and serving a 
motion to intervene containing a statement of the moving party's 
interest in the case and the necessity for intervention to protect such 
interest. An interested person is any individual, business entity, or 
governmental agency that has a direct stake in the outcome of the 
appeal. The Judge may grant leave to intervene upon such terms as he or 
she deems appropriate.

[67 FR 47248, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.211  Motions.

    (a) Contents. All motions must state the relief being requested, as 
well as the grounds and any authority for that relief. A motion must be 
filed, served, and accompanied by a certificate of service (see Sec.  
134.204).
    (b) Statement of whether motion is opposed. Except when filing a 
motion to dismiss or a motion for summary decision, the moving party 
must make reasonable efforts before filing the motion to contact any 
non-moving party and determine whether it will oppose the motion and 
must state in the motion whether each non-moving party will oppose or 
not oppose the motion. If the moving party cannot determine whether a 
non-moving party will oppose the motion, the moving party must describe 
in the motion the efforts made to contact that non-moving party.
    (c) Response. All non-moving parties must file and serve a response 
to the motion or be deemed to have consented to the relief sought. The 
response is due no later than 15 days after the motion is served, unless 
the Judge sets a different deadline. On motion, or on his or her own 
initiative, the Judge may permit a reply to a response and/or oral 
argument on the motion.
    (d) Service of orders. OHA will serve upon all parties any written 
order issued in response to a motion.
    (e) Motion to dismiss. A respondent may file a motion to dismiss any 
time before a decision is issued. If an answer or response to the appeal 
petition has not yet been filed, the motion to dismiss stays the 
respondent's time to answer or respond.
    (f) Motion for an extension of time. Except for good cause shown, a 
motion for an extension of time must be filed at

[[Page 730]]

least two business days before the original deadline.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998; 67 
FR 47248, July 18, 2002; 75 FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.212  Summary judgment.

    (a) On motion by a party. At any time before the close of record, a 
party may move for summary judgment as to all or any portion of the 
case, on the grounds that there is no genuine issue as to any material 
fact, and that the moving party is entitled to a decision in its favor 
as a matter of law.
    (1) Contents of motion. The motion must include a statement of the 
material facts believed to be undisputed and the party's legal 
arguments. The motion may include supporting statements in accordance 
with 28 U.S.C. 1746. The motion must be filed, served, and accompanied 
by a certificate of service (see Sec.  134.204).
    (2) Response. No later than 15 days after the service of a motion 
for summary judgment, all non-moving parties must file and serve a 
response to the motion or be deemed to have consented to the motion for 
summary judgment.
    (3) Cross-motions. In its response to a motion for summary judgment, 
a party may cross-move for summary judgment. The initial moving party 
must file and serve a response to any cross-motion for summary judgment 
within 15 days after the service of that cross-motion or be deemed to 
have consented to the cross-motion for summary judgment.
    (4) Stay. If an answer or response to the appeal petition has not 
yet been filed, the motion for summary judgment stays the respondent's 
time to answer or respond. If the Judge denies the motion and an answer 
or response has not yet been filed, the respondent must file the answer 
or response within 15 days after the order deciding the motion unless 
otherwise ordered by the Judge.
    (b) On the Judge's own initiative. The Judge may issue an order 
granting summary judgment as to all or any portion of the case in 
absence of a motion if there is no genuine issue to any material fact, 
and a party is entitled to a decision in its favor as a matter of law.
    (c) Appeal of an SBA determination. If the SBA determination being 
appealed was based on multiple grounds, SBA may move for summary 
judgment on one or more of those grounds. If the Judge finds, as to any 
ground, that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the SBA 
is entitled to a decision in its favor as a matter of law, the Judge 
will grant the motion for summary judgment and dismiss the rest of the 
appeal.

[75 FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.213  Discovery.

    (a) Motion. A party may obtain discovery only upon motion, and for 
good cause shown.
    (b) Forms. The forms of discovery which a Judge can order under 
paragraph (a) of this section include requests for admissions, requests 
for production of documents, interrogatories, and depositions.
    (c) Limitations. Discovery may be limited in accordance with the 
terms of a protective order (see Sec.  134.205). Further, privileged 
information and irrelevant issues or facts will not be subject to 
discovery.
    (d) Disputes. If a dispute should arise between the parties over a 
particular discovery request, the party seeking discovery may file and 
serve a motion to compel discovery. Discovery may be opposed on the 
grounds of harassment, needless embarrassment, irrelevance, undue burden 
or expense, privilege, or confidentiality.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998; 67 
FR 47249, July 18, 2002; 75 FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.214  Subpoenas.

    (a) Availability. At the request of a party, or upon his or her own 
initiative, a Judge may issue a subpoena requiring a witness to appear 
and testify, or to produce particular documents, at a specified time and 
place.
    (b) Requests. A request for the issuance of a subpoena must be 
written, served upon all parties, and filed. The request must clearly 
identify the witness and any documents to be subpoenaed, and must set 
forth the relevance of the testimony or documents sought.

[[Page 731]]

    (c) Service. A subpoena may only be served by personal delivery. The 
individual making service shall prepare an affidavit stating the date, 
time, and place of the service. The party which obtained the subpoena 
must serve upon all other parties, and file with OHA, a copy of the 
subpoena and affidavit of service within 2 days after service is made.
    (d) Motion to quash. A motion to limit or quash a subpoena must be 
filed and served within 10 days after service of the subpoena, or by the 
return date of the subpoena, whichever date comes first. Any response to 
the motion must be filed and served within 10 days after service of the 
motion, unless a shorter time is specified by the Judge. No oral 
argument will be heard on the motion unless the Judge directs otherwise.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002; 75 
FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.215  Interlocutory appeals.

    (a) General. A motion for leave to take an interlocutory appeal from 
a Judge's ruling will not be entertained in those proceedings in which 
OHA issues final decisions. In all other cases, an interlocutory appeal 
will be permitted only if, upon motion by a party, or upon the Judge's 
own initiative, the Judge certifies that his or her ruling raises a 
question which is immediately appealable. Interlocutory appeals will be 
decided by the AA/OHA or a designee.
    (b) Motion for certification. A party must file and serve a motion 
for certification no later than 20 days after issuance of the ruling to 
which the motion applies. A denial of the motion does not preclude 
objections to the ruling in any subsequent request for review of an 
initial decision.
    (c) Basis for certification. The Judge will certify a ruling for 
interlocutory appeal only if he or she determines that:
    (1) The ruling involves an important question of law or policy about 
which there is substantial ground for a difference of opinion; and
    (2) An interlocutory appeal will materially expedite resolution of 
the case, or denial of an interlocutory appeal would cause undue 
hardship to a party.
    (d) Stay of proceedings. A stay while an interlocutory appeal is 
pending will be at the discretion of the Judge.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.216  Alternative dispute resolution procedures.

    (a) At any time during the pendency of a case, the parties may 
submit a joint motion requesting that the Judge permit the use of 
alternative dispute resolution procedures to assist in resolving the 
matter. If the motion is granted, the Judge will also stay the 
proceedings before OHA, in whole or in part, as he or she deems 
appropriate, pending the outcome of the alternative dispute resolution 
procedures.
    (b) A Judge may offer alternative dispute resolution procedures to 
the parties at any time during the proceeding.
    (c) The AA/OHA or a Judge may designate a Judge or attorney assigned 
to OHA to serve as a neutral in alternative dispute resolution 
procedures. If OHA provides the neutral and the mediation fails to 
resolve all issues in the case, the OHA-provided neutral will not be 
involved in the adjudication.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.217  Settlement.

    At any time during the pendency of a case, the parties may submit a 
joint motion to dismiss the appeal if they have settled the case, and 
may file with such motion a copy of the settlement agreement. If the 
Judge has express authority, under statute, SBA regulation or SBA 
standard operating procedures, to review the contents of a settlement 
agreement for legality, the Judge may order the parties to file a copy 
of the settlement agreement. Otherwise, upon the filing of a joint 
motion to dismiss, the Judge will issue an order dismissing the case. 
Settlement negotiations, and rejected settlement agreements, are not 
admissible into evidence.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002]

[[Page 732]]



Sec.  134.218  Judges.

    (a) Assignment. The AA/OHA will assign all cases subject to the 
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq., to an Administrative 
Law Judge. The AA/OHA will assign all other cases before OHA to either 
an Administrative Law Judge or an Administrative Judge, or, if the AA/
OHA is a duly licensed attorney, to himself or herself.
    (b) Authority. Except as otherwise limited by this part, or by 
statute or other regulation, a Judge has the authority to take all 
appropriate action to ensure the efficient, prompt, and fair 
determination of a case, including, but not limited to, the authority to 
administer oaths and affirmations and to subpoena and examine witnesses.
    (c) Recusal. Upon the motion of a party, or upon the Judge's own 
initiative, a Judge will promptly recuse himself or herself from further 
participation in a case whenever disqualification is appropriate due to 
conflict of interest, bias, or some other significant reason. A denial 
of a motion for recusal may be appealed within 5 days to the AA/OHA, or 
to the Administrative Law Judge if the AA/OHA is the Judge, but that 
appeal will not stay proceedings in the case.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.219  Sanctions.

    (a) A Judge may impose appropriate sanctions, except for fees, 
costs, or monetary penalties, which he or she deems necessary to serve 
the ends of justice, if a party or its attorney:
    (1) Fails to comply with an order of the Judge;
    (2) Fails to comply with the rules set forth in this part;
    (3) Acts in bad faith or for purposes of delay or harassment;
    (4) Submits false statements knowingly, recklessly, or with 
deliberate disregard for the truth; or
    (5) Otherwise acts in an unethical or disruptive manner.
    (b) Appropriate sanctions may include:
    (1) Ordering a pleading or evidentiary filing to be struck from the 
record;
    (2) Dismissing an appeal with prejudice;
    (3) Suspending counsel from practice before OHA;
    (4) Filing a complaint with the applicable State bar; and
    (5) Taking any other action that is appropriate to further the 
administration of justice.

[75 FR 47441, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.220  Prohibition against ex parte communications.

    No person shall consult or communicate with a Judge concerning any 
fact, question of law, or SBA policy relevant to the merits of a case 
before that Judge except on prior notice to all parties, and with the 
opportunity for all parties to participate. In the event of such 
prohibited consultation or communication, the Judge will disclose the 
occurrence in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 557(d)(1), and may impose such 
sanctions as he or she deems appropriate.



Sec.  134.221  Prehearing conferences.

    Prior to a hearing, the Judge, at his or her own initiative, or upon 
the motion of any party, may direct the parties or their attorneys to 
appear, by telephone or in person, in order to consider any matter which 
may assist in the efficient, prompt, and fair determination of the case. 
The conference may be recorded verbatim at the discretion of the Judge, 
and, if so, a party may purchase a transcript, at its own expense, from 
the recording service.



Sec.  134.222  Oral hearing.

    (a) Availability. A party may obtain an oral hearing only if:
    (1) It is required by regulation; or
    (2) Following the motion of a party, or at his or her own 
initiative, the Judge orders an oral hearing upon concluding that there 
is a genuine dispute as to a material fact that cannot be resolved 
except by the taking of testimony and the confrontation of witnesses.
    (b) Place and time. The place and time of oral hearings is within 
the discretion of the Judge, who shall give due regard to the necessity 
and convenience of the parties, their attorneys, and witnesses. The 
Judge may direct that an oral hearing be conducted by telephone.

[[Page 733]]

    (c) Public access. Unless otherwise ordered by the Judge, all oral 
hearings are public.
    (d) Payment of subpoenaed witnesses. A party who obtains a witness's 
presence at an oral hearing by subpoena must pay to that witness the 
fees and mileage costs to which the witness would be entitled in Federal 
court.
    (e) Recording. Oral hearings will be recorded verbatim. A transcript 
of a recording may be purchased by a party, at its own expense, from the 
recording service.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998; 70 
FR 17587, Apr. 7, 2005; 75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.223  Evidence.

    (a) Federal Rules of Evidence. Unless contrary to a particular rule 
in this part, or an order of the Judge, the Federal Rules of Evidence 
will be used as a general guide in all cases before OHA.
    (b) Hearsay. Hearsay evidence is admissible if it is deemed by the 
Judge to be relevant and reliable. Weight to be afforded hearsay 
evidence is at the discretion of the Judge.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.224  [Reserved]



Sec.  134.225  The record.

    (a) Contents. The record of a case before OHA will consist of all 
pleadings, motions, and other non-evidentiary submissions, all admitted 
evidence, all orders and decisions, and any transcripts of proceedings 
in the case.
    (b) Closure. The Judge will set the date upon which the pre-
decisional record of the case will be closed, and after which no 
additional evidence or argument will be accepted.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.226  The decision.

    (a) Contents. (1) Following close of record, the Judge will issue a 
decision containing findings of fact and conclusions of law, the reasons 
for such findings and conclusions, and any relief ordered. The record 
will constitute the exclusive basis for a decision.
    (2) An OHA decision creates precedent, unless:
    (i) Another regulation in this chapter applicable to a specific type 
of appeal provides that the OHA decision does not create precedent; or
    (ii) the decision is designated as one not to be cited as precedent.
    (3) A summary decision containing only cursory findings of fact and 
conclusions of law may be issued only if the Judge finds a full decision 
will not advance understanding of Federal statutes or applicable 
regulations, policies, or procedures and the underlying facts and law 
are of a routine and non-complex nature.
    (b) Time limits. Decisions pertaining to the collection of debts 
owed to SBA and the United States under the Debt Collection Act of 1982, 
the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, and Part 140 of this 
chapter must be made within 60 days after a petition is filed. Time 
limits for decisions in other types of cases, if any, are indicated 
either in the applicable program regulations or in other subparts of 
this part 134.
    (c) Service. OHA will serve a copy of all written decisions on:
    (1) Each party, or, if represented by counsel, on its counsel; and
    (2) SBA's General Counsel, or his or her designee, if SBA is not a 
party.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002; 70 
FR 17587, Apr. 7, 2005; 75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.227  Finality of decisions.

    (a) Initial decisions. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) 
of this section, a decision by the Judge on the merits is an initial 
decision. However, unless a request for review is filed pursuant to 
Sec.  134.228(a), or a request for reconsideration is filed pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section, an initial decision shall become the 
final decision of the SBA 30 days after its service.
    (b) Final decisions. A decision by the Judge on the merits shall be 
a final decision in the following proceedings:
    (1) Collection of debts owed to SBA and the United States under the 
Debt Collection Act of 1982, Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 
and part 140 of this chapter;

[[Page 734]]

    (2) Appeals from SBA 8(a) program determinations under the Act and 
part 124 of this chapter;
    (3) Appeals from size determinations and NAICS code designations 
under part 121 of this chapter;
    (4) Size Standard Petitions; and
    (5) In other proceedings as provided either in the applicable 
program regulations or in other subparts of this part 134.
    (c) Reconsideration. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the 
applicable program regulations in this chapter, or this part 134, an 
initial or final decision of the Judge may be reconsidered. Any party in 
interest, including SBA where SBA did not appear as a party during the 
proceeding that led to the issuance of the Judge's decision, may request 
reconsideration by filing with the Judge and serving a petition for 
reconsideration within 20 days after service of the written decision, 
upon a clear showing of an error of fact or law material to the 
decision. The Judge also may reconsider a decision on his or her own 
initiative.

[67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002, as amended at 70 FR 17587, Apr. 7, 2005; 81 
FR 48595, July 25, 2016; 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  134.228  Review of initial decisions.

    (a) Request for review. Within 30 days after the service of an 
initial decision or a reconsidered initial decision of a Judge, any 
party, or SBA's Office of General Counsel, may file and serve a request 
for review by the Administrator. A request for review must set forth the 
filing party's specific objections to the initial decision, and any 
alleged support for those objections in the record, or in case law, 
statute, regulation, or SBA policy. A party must serve its request for 
review upon all other parties and upon SBA's Office of General Counsel.
    (b) Response. Within 20 days after the service of a request for 
review, any party, or SBA's Office of General Counsel, may file and 
serve a response. A party must serve its response upon all other parties 
and upon SBA's Office of General Counsel.
    (c) Transfer of the record. Upon receipt of all responses, or 30 
days after the filing of a request for review, whichever is earlier, OHA 
will transfer the record of the case to the Administrator. The 
Administrator, or his or her designee, will then review the record.
    (d) Standard of review. Upon review, the Administrator, or his or 
her designee, will sustain the initial decision unless it is based on an 
erroneous finding of fact or an erroneous interpretation or application 
of case law, statute, regulation, or SBA policy.
    (e) Order. The Administrator, or his or her designee, will:
    (1) Affirm, reverse, or modify the initial decision, which 
determination will become the final decision of the SBA upon issuance; 
or
    (2) Remand the initial decision to the Judge for appropriate further 
proceedings.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.229  Termination of jurisdiction.

    Except when the Judge reconsiders a decision or remands the case, 
the jurisdiction of OHA will terminate upon the issuance of a decision 
resolving all material issues of fact and law. If the Judge reconsiders 
a decision, OHA's jurisdiction terminates when the Judge issues the 
decision after reconsideration. If the Judge remands the case, the Judge 
may retain jurisdiction at his or her own discretion, and the remand 
order may include the terms and duration of the remand.

[67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002]



  Subpart C_Rules of Practice for Appeals From Size Determinations and 
                         NAICS Code Designations



Sec.  134.301  Scope of the rules in this subpart C.

    The rules of practice in this subpart C apply to all appeals to OHA 
from:
    (a) Formal size determinations made by an SBA Government Contracting 
Area Office, under part 121 of this chapter, or by a Disaster Area 
Office, in connection with applications for disaster loans; and
    (b) NAICS code designations, pursuant to part 121 of this chapter.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002]

[[Page 735]]



Sec.  134.302  Who may appeal.

    Appeals from size determinations and NAICS code designations may be 
filed with OHA by the following, as applicable:
    (a) Any person adversely affected by a size determination;
    (b) Any person adversely affected by a NAICS code designation. 
However, with respect to a particular sole source 8(a) contract, only 
the Director, Office of Business Development may appeal a NAICS code 
designation;
    (c) The Associate or Assistant Administrator for the SBA program 
involved, through SBA's Office of General Counsel; or
    (d) The procuring agency contracting officer responsible for the 
procurement affected by a size determination.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002; 74 
FR 45754, Sept. 4, 2009; 75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.303  Advisory opinions.

    The Office of Hearings and Appeals does not issue advisory opinions.

[67 FR 47249, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.304  Commencement of appeals from size determinations 
and NAICS code designations.

    (a) Size appeals must be filed within 15 calendar days after receipt 
of the formal size determination.
    (b) NAICS code appeals must be filed within 10 calendar days after 
issuance of the solicitation, or amendment to the solicitation affecting 
the NAICS code or size standard. However, SBA may file a NAICS code 
appeal at any time before offers or bids are due.
    (c) An untimely appeal will be dismissed.

[76 FR 5685, Feb. 2, 2011]



Sec.  134.305  The appeal petition.

    (a) Form. There is no required format for an appeal petition. 
However, it must include the following information:
    (1) In a size appeal, a copy of the size determination being 
appealed;
    (2) The solicitation or contract number, and the name, address, and 
telephone number of the contracting officer;
    (3) A full and specific statement as to why the size determination 
or NAICS code designation is alleged to be in error, together with 
argument supporting such allegations; and
    (4) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, and 
signature of the appellant or its attorney.
    (b) Service of size determination appeals. The appellant must serve 
the appeal petition upon each of the following:
    (1) The SBA official who issued the size determination;
    (2) The contracting officer responsible for the procurement affected 
by a size determination;
    (3) The business concern whose size status is at issue;
    (4) All persons who filed protests; and
    (5) SBA's Office of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law, 409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416, facsimile 
(202) 205-6873, or e-mail at [email protected].
    (c) Service of NAICS appeals. The appellant must serve:
    (1) The contracting officer who made the NAICS code designation; and
    (2) SBA's Office of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law, 409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416, facsimile 
(202) 205-6873, or e-mail at [email protected].
    (d) Certificate of service. The appellant must attach to the appeal 
petition a signed certificate of service meeting the requirements of 
Sec.  134.204(d).
    (e) Dismissal. An appeal petition which does not contain all of the 
information required in paragraph (a) of this section may be dismissed, 
with or without prejudice, by the Judge at his or her own initiative, or 
upon motion of a respondent.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 57542, Sept. 25, 2000; 
67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002; 69 FR 29208, May 21, 2004; 75 FR 47442, Aug. 
6, 2010]



Sec.  134.306  Transmission of the case file and solicitation.

    (a) Upon receipt of an appeal petition pertaining to a size 
determination, the Area Office which issued the size determination must 
immediately send to

[[Page 736]]

OHA the entire case file relating to that determination.
    (b) Upon receipt of an appeal petition pertaining to a NAICS code 
designation, or a size determination made in connection with a 
particular procurement, the procuring agency contracting officer must 
immediately send to OHA an electronic link to or a paper copy of both 
the original solicitation relating to that procurement and all 
amendments.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002; 75 
FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.307  Service and filing requirements.

    The provisions of Sec.  134.204 apply to the service and filing of 
all pleadings and other submissions permitted under this subpart.



Sec.  134.308  Limitation on new evidence and adverse inference from 
non-submission in appeals from size determinations.

    (a) Evidence not previously presented to the Area Office which 
issued the size determination being appealed will not be considered by a 
Judge unless:
    (1) The Judge, on his or her own initiative, orders the submission 
of such evidence; or
    (2) A motion is filed and served establishing good cause for the 
submission of such evidence. The offered new evidence must be filed and 
served with the motion.
    (b) If the submission of evidence is ordered by a Judge, and the 
party in possession of that evidence does not submit it, the Judge may 
draw adverse inferences against that party.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.309  Response to an appeal petition.

    (a) Who may respond. Any person served with an appeal petition, any 
intervenor, or any person with a general interest in an issue raised by 
the appeal may file and serve a response supporting or opposing the 
appeal. The response should present argument.
    (b) Time limits. The Judge will issue a Notice and Order informing 
the parties of the filing of the appeal petition, establishing the close 
of record as 15 days after service of the Notice and Order, and 
informing the parties that OHA must receive any responses to the appeal 
petition no later than the close of record.
    (c) Service. The respondent must serve its response upon the 
appellant and upon each of the persons identified in the certificate of 
service attached to the appeal petition pursuant to Sec.  134.305.
    (d) Reply to a response. No reply to a response will be permitted 
unless the Judge directs otherwise.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.310  Discovery.

    Discovery will not be permitted in appeals from size determinations 
or NAICS code designations.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.311  Oral hearings.

    Oral hearings will not be held in appeals from NAICS code 
designations, and will be held in appeals from size determinations only 
upon a finding by the Judge of extraordinary circumstances. If such an 
oral hearing is ordered, the proceeding shall be conducted in accordance 
with those rules of subpart B of this part as the Judge deems 
appropriate.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.312  Evidence.

    To the extent the rules in this subpart permit the submission of 
evidence, the provisions of Sec.  134.223 (a) and (b) apply.



Sec.  134.313  Applicability of subpart B provisions.

    Except where inconsistent with this subpart C, the provisions of 
subpart B of this part apply to appeals from size determinations and 
NAICS code designations.

[67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002]

[[Page 737]]



Sec.  134.314  Standard of review and burden of proof.

    The standard of review is whether the size determination or NAICS 
code designation was based on clear error of fact or law. The appellant 
has the burden of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, in both 
size and NAICS code appeals.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002; 69 
FR 29209, May 21, 2004]



Sec.  134.315  The record.

    Where relevant, the provisions of Sec.  134.225 apply. In an appeal 
under this subpart, the contents of the record also include the case 
file or solicitation submitted to OHA in accordance with Sec.  134.306.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.316  The decision.

    (a) The Judge shall issue a size appeal decision, insofar as 
practicable, within 60 calendar days after close of the record.
    (b) The Judge shall issue a NAICS code appeal decision as soon as 
practicable after close of the record.
    (c) Contents. Following closure of the record, the Judge will issue 
a decision containing findings of fact and conclusions of law, reasons 
for such findings and conclusions, and any relief ordered. The Judge 
will not decide substantive issues raised for the first time on appeal, 
or which have been abandoned or become moot.
    (d) Finality. The decision is the final decision of the SBA and 
becomes effective upon issuance. Where a size appeal is dismissed, the 
Area Office size determination remains in effect.
    (e) Service. OHA will serve a copy of all written decisions on:
    (1) Each party, or, if represented by counsel, on its counsel; and
    (2) SBA's General Counsel, or his or her designee, if SBA is not a 
party.
    (f) Reconsideration. The decision in a NAICS code appeal may not be 
reconsidered.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002; 69 
FR 29209, May 21, 2004; 76 FR 5685, Feb. 2, 2011]



Sec.  134.317  [Reserved]



Sec.  134.318  NAICS appeals.

    (a) General. The regulations at Sec. Sec.  121.402, 121.1102, and 
121.1103 of this chapter also apply to NAICS code appeals.
    (b) Effect of OHA's decision. If OHA grants the appeal (changes the 
NAICS code), the contracting officer must amend the solicitation to 
reflect the new NAICS code. The decision will also apply to future 
solicitations for the same supplies or services.
    (c) Summary dismissal. OHA may summarily dismiss a NAICS appeal 
either on the Judge's own initiative or on motion by a party. A summary 
dismissal may be with or without prejudice, and may be issued before the 
date set for close of record. Grounds for summary dismissal include: 
premature appeal, withdrawn appeal, settlement, cancellation of the 
procurement, and contract award.

[75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 66199, Oct. 16, 2020]



     Subpart D_Rules of Practice for Appeals Under the 8(a) Program

    Source: 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.401  Scope of the rules in this subpart D.

    The rules of practice in this subpart D apply to all appeals to OHA 
from:
    (a) Denials of 8(a) BD program admission based solely on a negative 
finding(s) of social disadvantage, economic disadvantage, ownership or 
control pursuant to Sec.  124.206 of this title;
    (b) Early graduation pursuant to Sec. Sec.  124.302 and 124.304;
    (c) Termination pursuant to Sec. Sec.  124.303 and 124.304;
    (d) Denials of requests to issue a waiver pursuant to Sec.  124.515; 
and
    (e) Suspensions pursuant to Sec.  124.305(a).



Sec.  134.402  Appeal petition.

    In addition to the requirements of Sec.  134.203, an appeal petition 
must state, with specific reference to the determination and the record 
supporting such determination, the reasons why

[[Page 738]]

the determination is alleged to be arbitrary, capricious or contrary to 
law. This section does not apply to suspension appeals. For suspensions, 
see Sec.  124.305 of this chapter.

[63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.403  Service of appeal petition.

    Concurrent with its filing with OHA, the petitioner also must serve 
separate copies of the petition, including attachments, on two SBA 
officials.
    (a) All 8(a) appeals must be served to: Director, Office of Business 
Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20416, facsimile (202) 205-5206, or e-mail at 
[email protected].
    (b)(1) Appeals of early graduation or termination also must be 
served to: Associate General Counsel for Litigation, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416, facsimile 
(202) 205-7415, or e-mail at [email protected].
    (2) Appeals of denial of program admission, suspension of program 
assistance, or denial of a request for waiver also must be served to: 
Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416, facsimile 
(202) 205-6873, or e-mail at [email protected].

[75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.404  Deadline for filing appeal petition.

    An 8(a) appeal petition must be filed within 45 calendar days after 
receipt of the SBA determination being appealed.

[75 FR 47442, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.405  Jurisdiction.

    (a) The Administrative Law Judge selected to preside over an appeal 
shall decline to accept jurisdiction over any matter if:
    (1) The appeal does not, on its face, allege facts that, if proven 
to be true, would warrant reversal or modification of the determination, 
including appeals of denials of 8(a) BD program admission based in whole 
or in part on grounds other than a negative finding of social 
disadvantage, economic disadvantage, ownership or control;
    (2) The appeal is untimely filed or is not otherwise filed in 
accordance with the requirements of this subpart or the requirements in 
subparts A and B of this part; or
    (3) The matter has been decided or is the subject of an adjudication 
before a court of competent jurisdiction over such matters.
    (b) Once the Administrative Law Judge accepts jurisdiction over an 
appeal, subsequent initiation of an adjudication of the matter by a 
court of competent jurisdiction will not preclude the Administrative Law 
Judge from rendering a final decision on the matter.
    (c) Jurisdiction of the Administrative Law Judge in a suspension 
case is limited to the issue of whether the protection of the 
Government's interest requires suspension pending resolution of the 
termination action, unless the Administrative Law Judge has consolidated 
the suspension appeal with the corresponding termination appeal.

[63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998; 75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.406  Review of the administrative record.

    (a) Any proceeding conducted under Sec.  134.401(a) through (d) 
shall be decided solely on a review of the written administrative 
record, except as provided in Sec.  134.407 and in suspension appeals. 
For suspension appeals under Sec.  134.401(e), see Sec.  124.305(d) of 
this chapter.
    (b) Except in suspension appeals, the Administrative Law Judge's 
review is limited to determining whether the Agency's determination is 
arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. As long as the Agency's 
determination is not arbitrary, capricious or contrary to law, the 
Administrative Law Judge must uphold it on appeal.
    (1) The Administrative Law Judge must consider whether the decision 
was based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there 
has been a clear error of judgment.
    (2) If the SBA's path of reasoning may reasonably be discerned, the 
Administrative Law Judge will uphold a decision of less than ideal 
clarity.
    (c) The administrative record. (1) The administrative record must 
contain all

[[Page 739]]

documents that are relevant to the determination on appeal before the 
Administrative Law Judge and upon which the SBA decision-maker, and 
those SBA officials that recommended either for or against the decision, 
relied. The administrative record, however, need not contain all 
documents pertaining to the petitioner. For example, the administrative 
record in a termination proceeding need not include the Participant's 
entire business plan file, documents pertaining to specific 8(a) 
contracts, or the firm's application for participation in the 8(a) BD 
program if they are unrelated to the termination action. The SBA may 
claim privilege as to certain materials.
    (2) The petitioner may object to the absence of a document, 
previously submitted to, or sent by, SBA, which the petitioner believes 
was erroneously omitted from the administrative record. The petitioner 
also may object to a claim of privilege made by the SBA. The 
petitioner's objections must be filed and served no later than 10 days 
of its receipt of the administrative record.
    (3) In the absence of any objection by the petitioner or a finding 
by the Judge pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section that the record 
is insufficiently complete to decide whether the determination was 
arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law, the administrative record 
submitted by SBA shall be deemed complete.
    (d) Where the Agency files its response to the appeal petition after 
the date specified in Sec.  134.206, the Administrative Law Judge may 
decline to consider the response and base his or her decision solely on 
a review of the administrative record.
    (e) Remand. (1) The Administrative Law Judge may remand a case to 
the Director, Office of Business Development (or, in the case of a 
denial of a request for waiver under Sec.  124.515 of this chapter, to 
the Administrator) for further consideration if he or she determines 
that, due to the absence in the written administrative record of the 
reasons upon which the determination was based, the administrative 
record is insufficiently complete to decide whether the determination is 
arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law. In the event of such a 
remand, the Judge will not require the SBA to supplement the 
administrative record other than to supply the reason or reasons for the 
determination and any documents submitted to, or considered by, SBA in 
connection with any reconsideration permitted by regulation that occurs 
during the remand period. After such a remand, in the event the Judge 
finds that the reasons upon which the determination is based are absent 
from any supplemented record, the Judge will find the SBA determination 
to be arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.
    (2) The Administrative Law Judge may also remand a case to the 
Director, Office of Business Development (or, in the case of a denial of 
a request for waiver under Sec.  124.515 of this chapter, to the 
Administrator) for further consideration where it is clearly apparent 
from the record that SBA made an erroneous factual finding (e.g., SBA 
double counted an asset of an individual claiming disadvantaged status) 
or a mistake of law (e.g., SBA applied the wrong regulatory provision in 
evaluating the case).
    (3) The Administrative Law Judge may remand an eligibility, early 
graduation, or termination appeal to the Director, Office of Business 
Development, where the determination raises a new ground that was not in 
the initial SBA determination.
    (4) A remand under this section will be for a reasonable period.

[63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 47250, July 18, 2002; 
74 FR 45754, Sept. 4, 2009; 75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010; 81 FR 48595, July 
25, 2016]



Sec.  134.407  Evidence beyond the record and discovery.

    (a) Except in suspension appeals, the Administrative Law Judge may 
not admit evidence beyond the written administrative record nor permit 
any form of discovery unless he or she first determines that the 
petitioner, upon written submission, has made a substantial showing, 
based on credible evidence and not mere allegation, that the Agency 
determination in question may have resulted from bad faith or improper 
behavior.

[[Page 740]]

    (1) Prior to any such determination, the Administrative Law Judge 
must permit SBA to respond in writing to any allegations of bad faith or 
improper behavior.
    (2) Upon a determination by the Administrative Law Judge that the 
petitioner has made such a substantial showing, the Administrative Law 
Judge may permit appropriate discovery, and accept relevant evidence 
beyond the written administrative record, which is specifically limited 
to the alleged bad faith or improper behavior.
    (b) A determination by the Administrative Law Judge that the 
required showing set forth in paragraph (a) of this section has been 
made does not shift the burden of proof, which continues to rest with 
the petitioner.

[63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 47251, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.408  Summary decision.

    (a) Generally. In any appeal under this subpart D, either party may 
move or cross-move for summary decision, as provided in Sec.  134.212.
    (b) Summary decision based on fewer than all grounds. If SBA has 
provided multiple grounds for the 8(a) determination being appealed, SBA 
may move for summary decision on one or more grounds.
    (1) Non-suspension cases. Except in suspension appeals, if the Judge 
finds that there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether SBA 
acted arbitrarily, capriciously, or contrary to law as to any such 
ground or grounds, and that the SBA is entitled to a decision in its 
favor as a matter of law, the Judge will grant the motion for summary 
decision and dismiss the appeal.
    (2) Suspension cases. In suspension appeals, if the Judge finds that 
there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether adequate 
evidence exists that protection of the Federal Government's interest 
requires suspension, as to any such ground or grounds for the proposed 
suspension, the SBA is entitled to a decision in its favor as a matter 
of law, and the Judge will grant the motion for summary decision and 
dismiss the appeal.

[67 FR 47251, July 18, 2002]



Sec.  134.409  Decision on appeal.

    (a) A decision of the Administrative Law Judge under this subpart is 
the final agency decision, and is binding on the parties.
    (b) The Administrative Law Judge shall issue a decision, insofar as 
practicable, within 90 days after an appeal petition is filed.
    (c) The Administrative Law Judge may reconsider an appeal decision 
within 20 days of the decision if there is a clear showing of an error 
of fact or law material to the decision.

[63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998. Redesignated and amended at 67 FR 47251, 
July 18, 2002]

Subpart E--[Reserved]



       Subpart F_Implementation of the Equal Access to Justice Act

    Source: 61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted. 
Redesignated at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, and 70 FR 8927, Feb. 24, 
2005.



Sec.  134.601  What is the purpose of this subpart?

    The Equal Access to Justice Act, 5 U.S.C. 504, establishes 
procedures by which prevailing parties in certain administrative 
proceedings may apply for reimbursement of fees and other expenses. 
Eligible parties may receive awards when they prevail over SBA, unless 
SBA's position in the proceeding was ``substantially justified'' or, as 
provided in Sec.  134.605(b), special circumstances make an award 
unjust. The rules of this subpart explain which OHA proceedings are 
covered, who may be eligible for an award of fees and expenses, and how 
to apply for such an award.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996. Redesignated at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, 
and 70 FR 8927, Feb. 24, 2005, as amended at 75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.602  Under what circumstances may I apply for reimbursement?

    You may apply for reimbursement under this subpart if you meet the 
eligibility requirements in Sec.  134.606 and you prevail over SBA in a 
final decision in:

[[Page 741]]

    (a) The type of administrative proceeding which qualifies as an 
``adversary adjudication'' under Sec.  134.603; or
    (b) An ancillary or subsidiary issue in that administrative 
proceeding that is sufficiently significant and discrete to merit 
treatment as a separate unit; or
    (c) A matter which the agency orders to be determined as an 
``adversary adjudication'' under 5 U.S.C. 554.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996. Redesignated at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, 
and 70 FR 8927, Feb. 24, 2005, as amended at 75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.603  What is an adversary adjudication?

    For purposes of this subpart, adversary adjudications are 
administrative proceedings before OHA which involve SBA as a party and 
which are required to be conducted by an Administrative Law Judge 
(``ALJ''). These adjudications (``administrative proceedings'') include 
those proceedings listed in Sec.  134.102 (a), (i), and (j)(1), but do 
not include other OHA proceedings such as those listed in Sec.  
134.102(k). In order for an administrative proceeding to qualify, SBA 
must have been represented by counsel or by another representative who 
enters an appearance and participates in the proceeding.



Sec.  134.604  What benefits may I claim?

    You may seek reimbursement for certain reasonable fees and expenses 
incurred in prosecuting or defending a claim in an administrative 
proceeding.



Sec.  134.605  Under what circumstances are fees and expenses reimbursable?

    (a) If you are a prevailing eligible party, you may receive an award 
for reasonable fees and expenses unless the position of the agency in 
the proceeding is found by the ALJ to be ``substantially justified'', or 
special circumstances exist which make an award unjust. The ``position 
of the agency'' includes not only the position taken by SBA in the 
administrative proceeding, but also the position which it took in the 
action which led to the administrative proceeding. No presumption arises 
that SBA's position was not substantially justified simply because it 
did not prevail in a proceeding. However, upon your assertion that the 
position of SBA was not substantially justified, SBA will be required to 
establish that its position was reasonable in fact and law.
    (b) The ALJ may reduce or deny an award for reimbursement if you 
have unreasonably protracted the administrative proceeding or if other 
special circumstances would make the award unjust.
    (c) Awards for fees and expenses incurred before the date on which 
an administrative proceeding was initiated are allowable only if you can 
demonstrate that they were reasonably incurred in preparation for the 
proceeding.



Sec.  134.606  Who is eligible for possible reimbursement?

    (a) You are eligible for possible reimbursement if:
    (1) You are an individual, owner of an unincorporated business, 
partnership, corporation, association, organization, or unit of local 
government; and
    (2) You are a party, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 551(3); and
    (3) You are the prevailing party; and
    (4) You meet certain net worth and employee eligibility requirements 
set forth in Sec.  134.607.
    (b) You are not eligible for possible reimbursement if you 
participated in the administrative proceeding only on behalf of persons 
or entities that are ineligible.

[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996. Redesignated at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, 
and 70 FR 8927, Feb. 24, 2005, as amended at 75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.607  How do I know which eligibility requirement applies to me?

    Follow this chart to determine your eligibility. You should 
calculate your net worth and the number of your employees as of the date 
the administrative proceeding was initiated.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  If your participation in the proceeding
                   was:                       Eligibility requirements:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) As an individual rather than a          (1) Personal net worth may
 business owner.                             not exceed 2 million
                                             dollars.
(2) As owner of an unincorporated business  (2) Personal net worth may
                                             not exceed 7 million
                                             dollars, and
                                            No more than 500 employees.

[[Page 742]]

 
(3) As a partnership, corporation,          (3) Business net worth may
 association, organization, or unit of       not exceed 7 million
 local government.                           dollars, and
                                            No more than 500 employees.
(4) As a charitable or other tax-exempt     (4) No net worth
 organization described in 26 U.S.C.         limitations, and
 501(c)(3) or a cooperative association as  No more than 500 employees.
 defined in 12 U.S.C. 1141j(a).
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec.  134.608  What are the special rules for calculating net worth 
and number of employees?

    (a) Your net worth must include the value of any assets disposed of 
for the purpose of meeting an eligibility standard, and must exclude any 
obligation incurred for that purpose. Transfers of assets, or 
obligations incurred, for less than reasonably equivalent value will be 
presumed to have been made for the purpose of meeting an eligibility 
standard.
    (b) If you are an owner of an unincorporated business, or a 
partnership, corporation, association, organization, or unit of local 
government, your net worth must include the net worth of all of your 
affiliates. ``Affiliates'' are:
    (1) Corporations or other business entities which directly or 
indirectly own or control a majority of the voting shares or other 
ownership interests in the applicant concern; and
    (2) Corporations or other business entities in which the applicant 
concern directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting 
shares or other ownership interests.
    (c) Your employees include all those persons regularly working for 
you at the time the administrative proceeding was initiated, whether or 
not they were at work on that date. Part-time employees must be included 
on a proportional basis. You must include the employees of all your 
affiliates in your total number of employees.



Sec.  134.609  What is the difference between a fee and an expense?

    A fee is a charge to you for the professional services of attorneys, 
agents, or expert witnesses rendered in connection with your case. An 
expense is the cost to you of any study, analysis, engineering report, 
test, project, or similar matter prepared in connection with your case.



Sec.  134.610  Are there limitations on reimbursement for fees and expenses?

    (a) Awards will be calculated on the basis of fees and expenses 
actually incurred. If services were provided by one or more of your 
employees, or were made available to you free, you may not seek an award 
for those services. If services were provided at a reduced rate, fees 
and expenses will be calculated at that reduced rate.
    (b) In determining the reasonableness of the fees for attorneys, 
agents or expert witnesses, the ALJ will consider at least the 
following:
    (1) That provider's customary fee for like services;
    (2) The prevailing rate for similar services in the community in 
which that provider ordinarily performs services;
    (3) The time actually spent in representing you; and
    (4) The time reasonably spent in light of the difficulty and 
complexity of the issues.
    (c) An award for the fees of an attorney or agent may not exceed $75 
per hour, and an award for the fees of an expert witness may not exceed 
$25 per hour, regardless of the rate charged.
    (d) An award for the reasonable cost of any study, analysis, 
engineering report, test, project or similar matter prepared on your 
behalf may not exceed the prevailing rate payable for similar services, 
and you may be reimbursed only if the study or other matter was 
necessary to the preparation of your case.



Sec.  134.611  What should I include in my application for an award?

    (a) Your application must be in the form of a written petition which 
is served and filed in accordance with Sec.  134.204. It must contain 
the following information:
    (1) A statement that OHA has jurisdiction over the case pursuant to 
Sec.  134.102(g);
    (2) Identification of the administrative proceeding for which you 
are seeking an award;
    (3) A statement that you have prevailed, and a list of each issue in 
which

[[Page 743]]

you claim the position of SBA was not substantially justified;
    (4) Your status as an individual, owner of an unincorporated 
business, partnership, corporation, association, organization, or unit 
of local government;
    (5) Your net worth and number of employees as of the date the 
administrative proceeding was initiated, or a statement that one or both 
of these eligibility requirements do not apply to you;
    (6) The amount of fees and expenses you are seeking, along with the 
invoice or billing statement from each service provider;
    (7) A description of any affiliates (as that term is defined in 
Sec.  134.608), or a statement that no affiliates exist;
    (8) A statement that the application and any attached statements and 
exhibits are true and complete to the best of your knowledge and that 
you understand a false statement on these documents is a felony 
punishable by fine and imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. 1001; and
    (9)(i) Your name and address;
    (ii) Your signature, or the signature of either a responsible 
official or your attorney; and
    (iii) The address and telephone number of the person who signs the 
application.
    (b) You should follow this chart to determine which further 
documents must be included with your application:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Party                         Required documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Individual, owner of unincorporated     (1) Net worth exhibit.
 business, partnership, corporation,
 association, organization, or unit of
 local government.
(2) Organization qualified as tax-exempt    (2) Copy of a ruling by the
 under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3).                  Internal Revenue Service
                                             that you qualify as a
                                             501(c)(3) organization or
                                            Statement that you were
                                             listed in the current
                                             edition of IRS Bulletin 78
                                             as of the date the
                                             administrative proceeding
                                             was initiated.
(3) Tax-exempt religious organization not   (3) Description of your
 required to obtain a ruling from the        organization and the basis
 Internal Revenue Service on its exempt      for your belief you are
 status.                                     exempt.
(4) Cooperative association as defined in   (4) Copy of your charter or
 12 U.S.C. 1141j(a).                         articles of incorporation,
                                             and
                                            Copy of your bylaws.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[61 FR 2683, Jan. 29, 1996. Redesignated at 63 FR 35766, June 30, 1998, 
and 70 FR 8927, Feb. 24, 2005, as amended at 75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010]



Sec.  134.612  What must a net worth exhibit contain?

    (a) A net worth exhibit may be in any format, but it must contain:
    (1) List of all assets and liabilities for you and each affiliate in 
detail sufficient to show your eligibility;
    (2) Aggregate net worth for you and all affiliates; and
    (3) Description of any transfers of assets from, or obligations 
incurred by, you or your affiliates within one year prior to the 
initiation of the administrative proceeding which reduced your net worth 
below the eligibility ceiling, or a statement that no such transfers 
occurred.
    (b) The net worth exhibit must be filed with your application, but 
will not be part of the public record of the proceeding. Further, in 
accordance with the provisions of Sec.  134.204(g), you need not serve 
your net worth exhibit on other parties.



Sec.  134.613  What documentation do I need for fees and expenses?

    You must submit a separate itemized statement or invoice for the 
services of each provider for which you seek reimbursement. Each 
separate statement or invoice must contain:
    (a) The hours worked in connection with the proceeding by each 
provider supplying a billable service;
    (b) A description of the specific services performed by each 
provider;
    (c) The rate at which fees were computed for each provider;
    (d) The total charged by the provider on that statement or invoice; 
and
    (e) The provider's verification that the statement or invoice is 
true to the best of his or her knowledge and that he or she understands 
that a false statement is punishable by fine and imprisonment under 18 
U.S.C. 1001.



Sec.  134.614  What deadlines apply to my application for an award 
and where do I send it?

    After you have prevailed in an administrative proceeding or in a 
discrete issue therein, you must serve,

[[Page 744]]

and file with OHA, your written application for an award, and its 
attachments, no later than 30 days after the decision in the 
administrative proceeding becomes final under Sec.  134.227. The 
deadline for filing an application for an award may not be extended. If 
SBA or another party requests review of the decision in the underlying 
administrative proceeding, your request for an award for fees and 
expenses may still be filed, but it will not be considered by the ALJ 
until a final decision is rendered.



Sec.  134.615  How will proceedings relating to my application for fees 
and expenses be conducted?

    Proceedings will be conducted in accordance with the provisions in 
subpart B of this part.



Sec.  134.616  How will I know if I receive an award?

    The ALJ will issue an initial decision on the merits of your request 
for an award which will become final in 30 days unless a request for 
review is filed under Sec.  134.228. The decision will include findings 
on your eligibility, on whether SBA's position was substantially 
justified, and on the reasonableness of the amount you requested. Where 
applicable, there will also be findings on whether you have unduly 
protracted the proceedings or whether other circumstances make an award 
unjust, and an explanation of the reason for the difference, if any, 
between the amount requested and the amount awarded. If you have sought 
an award against more than one federal agency, the decision will 
allocate responsibility for payment among the agencies with appropriate 
explanation.



Sec.  134.617  May I seek review of the ALJ's decision on my award?

    You may request review of the ALJ's decision on your award by filing 
a request for review in accordance with Sec.  134.228. You may seek 
judicial review of a final decision as provided in 5 U.S.C. 504(c)(2).



Sec.  134.618  How are awards paid?

    If you are seeking payment of an award, you must submit a copy of 
the final decision, along with your certification that you are not 
seeking judicial review of either the decision in the adversary 
adjudication, or of the award, to the following address: Chief Financial 
Officer, Office of Financial Operations, SBA, P.O. Box 205, Denver, CO 
80201-0205. SBA will pay you the amount awarded within 60 days of 
receipt of your request unless it is notified that you or another party 
has sought judicial review of the underlying decision or the award.



Subpart G_Rules of Practice for Appeals From Women-Owned Small Business 
  Concern (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged WOSB Concern (EDWOSB) 
                                Protests

    Source: 75 FR 62292, Oct. 7, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.701  What is the scope of the rules in this subpart G?

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart G apply to all appeals to 
OHA from formal protest determinations made by the Director for 
Government Contracting (D/GC) in connection with a Women-Owned Small 
Business Concern (WOSB) or Economically Disadvantaged WOSB Concern 
(EDWOSB) protest. Appeals under this subpart include issues related to 
whether the concern is owned and controlled by one or more women who are 
United States citizens and, if the appeal is in connection with an 
EDWOSB contract, that the concern is at least 51 percent owned and 
controlled by one or more women who are economically disadvantaged. This 
includes appeals from determinations by the D/GC that the protest was 
premature, untimely, nonspecific, or not based upon protestable 
allegations.
    (b) Except where inconsistent with this subpart, the provisions of 
subparts A and B of this part apply to appeals listed in paragraph (a) 
of this section.
    (c) Appeals relating to formal size determinations and NAICS Code 
designations are governed by subpart C of this part.

[[Page 745]]



Sec.  134.702  Who may appeal?

    Appeals from WOSB or EDWOSB protest determinations may be filed with 
OHA by the protested concern, the protestor, or the contracting officer 
responsible for the procurement affected by the protest determination.



Sec.  134.703  When must a person file an appeal from an WOSB or EDWOSB 
protest determination?

    Appeals from a WOSB or EDWOSB protest determination must be 
commenced by filing and serving an appeal petition within ten (10) 
business days after the appellant receives the WOSB or EDWOSB protest 
determination (see Sec.  134.204 for filing and service requirements). 
An untimely appeal must be dismissed.



Sec.  134.704  What are the effects of the appeal on the procurement at issue?

    Appellate decisions apply to the procurement in question. If a 
timely OHA appeal has been filed after contract award, the contracting 
officer must consider whether performance can be suspended until an 
appellate decision is rendered. If OHA affirms the D/GC's determination 
finding that the protested concern is ineligible, the contracting 
officer shall either terminate the contract, not exercise the next 
option or not award further task or delivery orders. If OHA overturns 
the D/GC's dismissal or determination that the concern is an eligible 
EDWOSB or WOSB, the contracting officer may apply the OHA decision to 
the procurement in question.



Sec.  134.705  What are the requirements for an appeal petition?

    (a) Format. There is no required format for an appeal petition. 
However, it must include the following information:
    (1) The solicitation or contract number, and the name, address, and 
telephone number of the contracting officer;
    (2) A statement that the petitioner is appealing a WOSB or EDWOSB 
protest determination issued by the D/GC and the date that the 
petitioner received it;
    (3) A full and specific statement as to why the WOSB or EDWOSB 
protest determination is alleged to be based on a clear error of fact or 
law, together with an argument supporting such allegation; and
    (4) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, and 
signature of the appellant or its attorney.
    (b) Service of appeal. The appellant must serve the appeal petition 
upon each of the following:
    (1) The D/GC at U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20416, facsimile (202) 205-6390;
    (2) The contracting officer responsible for the procurement affected 
by a WOSB or EDWOSB determination;
    (3) The protested concern (the business concern whose WOSB or EDWOSB 
status is at issue) or the protester; and
    (4) SBA's Office of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20416, facsimile number (202) 205-6873.
    (c) Certificate of Service. The appellant must attach to the appeal 
petition a signed certificate of service meeting the requirements of 
Sec.  134.204(d).



Sec.  134.706  What are the service and filing requirements?

    The provisions of Sec.  134.204 apply to the service and filing of 
all pleadings and other submissions permitted under this subpart unless 
otherwise indicated in this subpart.



Sec.  134.707  When does the D/GC transmit the protest file and to whom?

    Upon receipt of an appeal petition, the D/GC will send to OHA a copy 
of the protest file relating to that determination. The D/GC will 
certify and authenticate that the protest file, to the best of his or 
her knowledge, is a true and correct copy of the protest file.



Sec.  134.708  What is the standard of review?

    The standard of review for an appeal of a WOSB or EDWOSB protest 
determination is whether the D/GC's determination was based on clear 
error of fact or law.

[[Page 746]]



Sec.  134.709  When will a Judge dismiss an appeal?

    (a) The presiding Judge must dismiss the appeal if the appeal is 
untimely filed under Sec.  134.703.
    (b) The matter has been decided or is the subject of adjudication 
before a court of competent jurisdiction over such matters. However, 
once an appeal has been filed, initiation of litigation of the matter in 
a court of competent jurisdiction will not preclude the Judge from 
rendering a final decision on the matter.



Sec.  134.710  Who can file a response to an appeal petition and when must 
such a response be filed?

    Although not required, any person served with an appeal petition may 
file and serve a response supporting or opposing the appeal if he or she 
wishes to do so. If a person decides to file a response, the response 
must be filed within seven (7) business days after service of the appeal 
petition. The response should present argument.



Sec.  134.711  Will the Judge permit discovery and oral hearings?

    Discovery will not be permitted, and oral hearings will not be held.



Sec.  134.712  What are the limitations on new evidence?

    The Judge may not admit evidence beyond the written protest file nor 
permit any form of discovery. All appeals under this subpart will be 
decided solely on a review of the evidence in the written protest file, 
arguments made in the appeal petition, and response(s) filed thereto.



Sec.  134.713  When is the record closed?

    The record will close when the time to file a response to an appeal 
petition expires pursuant to Sec.  134.710.



Sec.  134.714  When must the Judge issue his or her decision?

    The Judge shall issue a decision, insofar as practicable, within 
fifteen (15) business days after close of the record. The Judge's 
decision is the final agency decision and becomes effective upon 
issuance.

[75 FR 62292, Oct. 7, 2010, as amended at 85 FR 63193, Oct. 7, 2020]



Sec.  134.715  Can a Judge reconsider his decision?

    (a) The Judge may reconsider an appeal decision within twenty (20) 
calendar days after issuance of the written decision. Any party who has 
appeared in the proceeding, or SBA, may request reconsideration by 
filing with the Judge and serving a petition for reconsideration on all 
the parties to the appeal within twenty (20) calendar days after service 
of the written decision. The request for reconsideration must clearly 
show an error of fact or law material to the decision. The Judge may 
also reconsider a decision on his or her own initiative.
    (b) The Judge may remand a proceeding to the D/GC for a new WOSB or 
EDWOSB determination if the D/GC fails to address issues of decisional 
significance sufficiently, does not address all the relevant evidence, 
or does not identify specifically the evidence upon which it relied. 
Once remanded, OHA no longer has jurisdiction over the matter, unless a 
new appeal is filed as a result of the new WOSB or EDWOSB determination.



            Subpart H_Rules of Practice for Employee Disputes

    Source: 75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.801  Scope of rules.

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart H apply to the OHA appeal 
under the Employee Dispute Resolution Process (EDRP). Standard Operating 
Procedure (SOP) 37 71 sets out the EDRP. It is available at http://
www.sba.gov/ tools/resourcelibrary/ sops/index.html or through OHA's Web 
site http://www.sba.gov/oha).
    (b) The following rules, located in subparts A and B of this part, 
also apply to OHA appeals under the EDRP:
    (1) Definitions (Sec.  134.101);
    (2) Jurisdiction of OHA (Sec.  134.102(r) only);
    (3) Scope of the rules in this subpart B (Sec.  134.201(a), (b)(6), 
and (c) only);
    (4) Commencement of cases (Sec.  134.202(d) only, on deadlines and 
how to count days);

[[Page 747]]

    (5) Filing and service requirements (Sec.  134.204);
    (6) Amendments and supplemental pleadings (Sec.  134.207);
    (7) Requirement of signature (Sec.  134.209);
    (8) Motions (Sec.  134.211);
    (9) Summary decision (Sec.  134.212); and
    (10) Sanctions (Sec.  134.219).

[75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  134.802  [Reserved]



Sec.  134.803  Commencement of appeals from SBA Employee Dispute Resolution 
Process cases (Employee Disputes).

    (a) An appeal from a Step Two decision must be commenced by filing 
an appeal petition within 15 calendar days from the date the Employee 
receives the Step Two decision.
    (b) If the Step Two Official does not issue a decision within 15 
calendar days of receiving the SBA Dispute Form from the Employee, the 
Employee must file his/her appeal petition at OHA no later than 15 
calendar days from the date the Step Two decision was due.
    (c) The rule for counting days is in Sec.  134.202(d).
    (d) OHA will dismiss an untimely appeal.

[75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  134.804  The appeal petition.

    (a) Form. There is no required format for an appeal petition. 
However, it must include the following:
    (1) The completed SBA Dispute Form;
    (2) A copy of the Step One and Step Two decisions, if any;
    (3) Statement of why the Step Two decision (or Step One decision, if 
no Step Two decision was received), is alleged to be in error;
    (4) Any other pertinent information the OHA Judge should consider;
    (5) A request for mediation, if applicable; and
    (6) If represented by an attorney, the attorney's contact 
information and signature.
    (b) Service of the appeal petition upon the SBA. The Employee must 
serve copies of the entire appeal petition upon three SBA officials:
    (1) The Step Two Official;
    (2) Chief Human Capital Officer, U.S. Small Business Administration, 
409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416; and
    (3) Associate General Counsel for General Law, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416, e-mail: 
[email protected], except that an employee of the Office of Inspector 
General (OIG) must serve it upon the Counsel to the Inspector General, 
U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20416, e-mail: [email protected].
    (c) The rules governing filing and service are in Sec.  134.204.
    (d) Dismissal. An appeal petition that does not meet all the 
requirements of this section may be dismissed by the Judge at his or her 
own initiative or upon motion of the SBA.

[75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  134.805  After the appeal petition is filed.

    (a) The AA/OHA will assign a Judge to adjudicate the case. If 
mediation is requested or offered, the AA/OHA will assign a different 
person to mediate the case.
    (b) OHA will issue and serve upon the Employee and the SBA a notice 
and order informing the parties that an appeal has been filed, and 
setting the date for SBA's response and the close of record.
    (c) The rules for amendments to pleadings and supplemental pleadings 
are in Sec.  134.207.
    (d) Unless otherwise instructed, OHA will serve all orders and the 
decision by email upon the Employee, or upon the attorney if represented 
by an attorney.

[75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  134.806  Mediation.

    Either the Employee or the SBA may request mediation, or OHA may 
offer mediation. OHA may designate a Judge or an OHA attorney to serve 
as a mediator. If the parties reach a settlement through mediation, they 
may file a joint motion to dismiss the appeal

[[Page 748]]

based on that settlement. If the parties do not reach a settlement, the 
mediation will conclude and the appeal will go to adjudication. An OHA-
provided mediator will not be involved in a subsequent adjudication.



Sec.  134.807  SBA response.

    (a) If the appeal goes to adjudication, SBA will file and serve the 
SBA's response to the appeal and any documentation, not already filed by 
the Employee, that SBA wishes OHA to consider.
    (b) Unless the Judge orders a different date (either on his or her 
own initiative or on motion by a party), the SBA must file any response 
to the appeal petition no later than 15 calendar days from the 
conclusion of mediation or 15 calendar days from the filing of the 
appeal petition, whichever is later.
    (c) The SBA's response is normally the last submission in an appeal, 
although the Judge may order or permit additional submissions. If a 
party wishes to file an additional submission, the party must file and 
serve a motion (see Sec.  134.211) accompanied by the proposed 
submission.

[75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  134.808  The decision.

    (a) The Judge will decide the appeal within 45 calendar days (if 
practicable) from close of record. The decision will affirm, modify, 
remand, or reverse the Step One or Step Two decision.
    (b) The standard of review and burden of proof will be determined by 
the specific issue presented.
    (c) OHA's decision is an initial decision which becomes the final 
decision of the SBA 30 calendar days after issuance, unless a party 
files a request for review pursuant to Sec.  134.809.
    (d) OHA's decision is not precedential and it will not be published.

[75 FR 47443, Aug. 6, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



Sec.  134.809  Review of initial decision.

    (a) If the Chief Human Capital Officer, General Counsel for SBA, or 
Counsel to the Inspector General (IG) believes OHA's decision is 
contrary to law, rule, regulation, or SBA policy, that official may file 
a Petition for Review (PFR) of the decision with the Deputy 
Administrator (or IG for disputes by OIG employees) for a final SBA 
Decision. Only the Chief Human Capital Officer, General Counsel, or 
Counsel to the IG may file a PFR of an OHA decision; the Employee may 
not.
    (b) To file a PFR, the official must request a complete copy of the 
dispute file from the Assistant Administrator for OHA (AA/OHA) within 
five calendar days of receiving the decision. The AA/OHA will provide a 
copy of the dispute file to the official, the Employee, and the 
Employee's representative within five calendar days of the official's 
request. The official's PFR is due no later than 15 calendar days from 
the date the official receives the dispute file. The PFR must specify 
the objections to OHA's decision.

[82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017]



 Subpart I_Rules of Practice for Petitions for Reconsideration of Size 
                                Standards

    Source: 82 FR 25507, June 2, 2017, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.901  Scope of the rules in this subpart.

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart apply to Size Standard 
Petitions.
    (b) Except where inconsistent with this subpart, the provisions of 
subparts A and B of this part apply to Size Standard Petitions listed in 
paragraph (a) of this section.



Sec.  134.902  Standing.

    (a) A Size Standard Petition may be filed with OHA by any person 
that is adversely affected by the Administrator's decision to revise, 
modify, or establish a size standard.
    (b) A business entity is not adversely affected unless it conducts 
business in the industry associated with the size standard that is being 
challenged and:
    (1) The business entity qualified as a small business concern before 
the size standard was revised or modified; or
    (2) The business entity qualifies as a small business under the size 
standard as revised or modified.

[[Page 749]]



Sec.  134.903  Commencement of cases.

    (a) A Size Standard Petition must be filed at OHA not later than 30 
calendar days after the publication in the Federal Register of the final 
rule that revises, modifies, or establishes the challenged size 
standard. An untimely Size Standard Petition will be dismissed.
    (b) A Size Standard Petition filed in response to a notice of 
proposed rulemaking is premature and will be dismissed.
    (c) A Size Standard Petition challenging a size standard that has 
not been revised, modified, or established through publication in the 
Federal Register will be dismissed.



Sec.  134.904  Requirements for the Size Standard Petition.

    (a) Form. There is no required form for a Size Standard Petition. 
However, it must include the following information:
    (1) A copy of the final rule published in the Federal Register to 
revise, modify, or establish a size standard, or an electronic link to 
the final rule;
    (2) A full and specific statement as to which size standard(s) in 
the final rule the Petitioner is challenging and why the process that 
was used to revise, modify, or establish each challenged size standard 
is alleged to be arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or 
otherwise not in accordance with the law, together with argument 
supporting such allegation;
    (3) A copy of any comments the Petitioner submitted in response to 
the proposed notice of rulemaking that pertained to the size standard(s) 
in question, or a statement that no such comments were submitted; and
    (4) The name, mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, 
email address, and signature of the Petitioner or its attorney.
    (b) Multiple size standards. A Petitioner may challenge multiple 
size standards that were revised, modified, or established in the same 
final rule in a single Size Standard Petition, provided that the 
Petitioner demonstrates standing for each of the challenged size 
standards.
    (c) Format. The formatting provisions of Sec.  134.203(d) apply to 
Size Standard Petitions.
    (d) Service. In addition to filing the Size Standard Petition at 
OHA, the Petitioner must serve a copy of the Size Standard Petition upon 
each of the following:
    (1) SBA's Office of Size Standards, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 3rd Street SW., Washington, DC 20416; facsimile 
number (202) 205-6390; or [email protected]; and
    (2) SBA's Office of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20416; facsimile number (202) 205-6873; or 
[email protected].
    (e) Certificate of service. The Petitioner must attach to the Size 
Standard Petition a signed certificate of service meeting the 
requirements of Sec.  134.204(d).



Sec.  134.905  Notice and order.

    Upon receipt of a Size Standard Petition, OHA will assign the matter 
to a Judge in accordance with Sec.  134.218. Unless it appears that the 
Size Standard Petition will be dismissed under Sec.  134.910, the 
presiding Judge will issue a notice and order initiating the publication 
required by Sec.  121.102(f) of this chapter; specifying a date for the 
Office of Size Standards to transmit to OHA a copy of the administrative 
record supporting the revision, modification, or establishment of the 
challenged size standard(s); and establishing a date for the close of 
record. Typically, the administrative record will be due seven calendar 
days after issuance of the notice and order, and the record will close 
45 calendar days from the date of OHA's receipt of the Size Standard 
Petition.



Sec.  134.906  Intervention.

    In accordance with Sec.  134.210(b), interested persons with a 
direct stake in the outcome of the case may contact OHA to intervene in 
the proceeding and obtain a copy of the Size Standard Petition. In the 
event that the Size Standard Petition contains confidential information 
and the intervener is not a governmental entity, the Judge may require 
that the intervener's attorney be admitted to a protective order before 
obtaining a complete copy of the Size Standard Petition.

[[Page 750]]



Sec.  134.907  Filing and service.

    The provisions of Sec.  134.204 apply to the filing and service of 
all pleadings and other submissions permitted under this subpart unless 
otherwise indicated in this subpart.



Sec.  134.908  The administrative record.

    The Office of Size Standards will transmit to OHA a copy of the 
documentation and analysis supporting the revision, modification, or 
establishment of the challenged size standard by the date specified in 
the notice and order. The Chief, Office of Size Standards, will certify 
and authenticate that the administrative record, to the best of his or 
her knowledge, is complete and correct. The Petitioner and any 
interveners may, upon request, review the administrative record 
submitted to OHA. The administrative record will include the 
documentation and analysis supporting the revision, modification, or 
establishment of the challenged size standard.



Sec.  134.909  Standard of review.

    The standard of review for deciding a Size Standard Petition is 
whether the process employed by the Administrator to revise, modify, or 
establish the size standard was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of 
discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law. OHA will not 
adjudicate arguments that a different size standard should have been 
selected. The Petitioner bears the burden of proof.



Sec.  134.910  Dismissal.

    The Judge must dismiss the Size Standard Petition if:
    (a) The Size Standard Petition does not, on its face, allege 
specific facts that if proven to be true, warrant remand of the size 
standard;
    (b) The Petitioner is not adversely affected by the final rule 
revising, modifying, or establishing a size standard;
    (c) The Size Standard Petition is untimely or premature pursuant to 
Sec.  134.903 or is not otherwise filed in accordance with the 
requirements in subparts A and B of this part; or
    (d) The matter has been decided or is the subject of adjudication 
before a court of competent jurisdiction over such matters.



Sec.  134.911  Response to the Size Standard Petition.

    Although not required, any intervener may file and serve a response 
supporting or opposing the Size Standard Petition at any time prior to 
the close of record. SBA may intervene as of right at any time in any 
case until 15 days after the close of record, or the issuance of a 
decision, whichever comes first. The response must present argument.



Sec.  134.912  Discovery and oral hearings.

    Discovery will not be permitted. Oral hearings will not be held 
unless the Judge determines that the dispute cannot be resolved except 
by the taking of live testimony and the confrontation of witnesses.



Sec.  134.913  New evidence.

    Disputes under this subpart ordinarily will be decided based on the 
pleadings and the administrative record. The Judge may admit additional 
evidence upon a motion establishing good cause.



Sec.  134.914  The decision.

    The Judge will issue his or her decision within 45 calendar days 
after close of record, as practicable. The Judge's decision is final and 
will not be reconsidered.



Sec.  134.915  Remand.

    If OHA grants a Size Standard Petition, OHA will remand the matter 
to the Office of Size Standards for further analysis. Once remanded, OHA 
no longer has jurisdiction over the matter unless a new Size Standard 
Petition is filed as a result of a new final rule published in the 
Federal Register.



Sec.  134.916  Effects of OHA's decision.

    (a) If OHA grants a Size Standard Petition of a modified or revised 
size standard, SBA will take appropriate action to rescind that size 
standard and to restore the one that was in effect before the one 
challenged in the Size Standard Petition. The restored size standard 
will remain in effect until SBA issues a new size standard. The

[[Page 751]]

OHA decision does not affect the validity of a concern's size 
representation made under the challenged size standard prior to the 
effective date of the SBA action rescinding that challenged size 
standard. Such a concern remains eligible for award as a small business, 
and the procuring agency may count the award towards its small business 
goals. If the procuring agency amends the solicitation and requires new 
self-certifications, those self-certifications will be based on the size 
standard in effect on the day those self-certifications are made. If the 
size standard in question was newly established, the challenged size 
standard remains in effect while SBA conducts its further analysis on 
remand.
    (b) If OHA denies a Size Standard Petition, the size standard 
remains as published in the Code of Federal Regulations.



Sec.  134.917  Equal Access to Justice Act.

    A prevailing Petitioner is not entitled to recover attorney's fees. 
Size Standard Petitions are not proceedings that are required to be 
conducted by an Administrative Law Judge under Sec.  134.603.



Sec.  134.918  Judicial review.

    The publication of a final rule in the Federal Register is 
considered the final agency action for purposes of seeking judicial 
review.



Subpart J_Rules of Practice for Protests of Eligibility for Inclusion in 
 the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program Database (VOSB or 
                         SDVOSB Status Protests)

    Source: 87 FR 73425, Nov. 29, 2022, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.1001  Scope of rules.

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart apply to VOSB or SDVOSB 
status protests. A VOSB or SDVOSB status protest is the process by which 
an interested party (see Sec.  134.1002(b)) may challenge a concern's 
inclusion in the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program 
database or the VOSB or SDVOSB status of an apparent successful offeror 
on a VOSB or SDVOSB contract, including a joint venture submitting an 
offer under Sec.  128.402 of this chapter. OHA will also consider a 
protest challenging whether a prime contractor is unduly reliant on a 
small, non-similarly situated entity subcontractor or if such 
subcontractor performs the primary and vital requirements of the 
contract.
    (b) Except where inconsistent with this subpart, the provisions of 
subparts A and B of this part apply to protests listed in paragraph (a) 
of this section.
    (c) The protest procedures described in this subpart are separate 
from those governing size protests and size appeals. All protests 
relating to whether a VOSB or SDVOSB is a ``small'' business for 
purposes of any Federal program are subject to part 121 of this chapter 
and must be filed in accordance with that part. If a protester protests 
both the size of a VOSB or SDVOSB and the concern's eligibility for the 
SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program, SBA will process each 
protest concurrently, under the procedures set forth in part 121 of this 
chapter and this part. SBA does not review issues concerning the 
administration of a VOSB or SDVOSB contract.
    (d) Appeals of denials and cancellations of certification for 
inclusion in the Veteran Small Business Certification Program are 
governed by subpart K of this part.



Sec.  134.1002  Who may file a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest?

    (a) For sole source procurements, SBA, VA, or the contracting 
officer may protest the proposed awardee's VOSB or SDVOSB status.
    (b) For all other procurements, any interested party may protest the 
apparent successful offeror's VOSB or SDVOSB status. An interested party 
means the contracting officer, SBA, VA, any concern that submits an 
offer for a specific set-aside VOSB or SDVOSB contract (including 
Multiple Award Contracts) or order, or any concern that submitted an 
offer in full and open competition and its opportunity for award will be 
affected by a reserve of an award given to a VOSB or SDVOSB.

[[Page 752]]

    (c) SBA and VA may file a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest at any time.



Sec.  134.1003  Grounds for filing a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest.

    (a) Veteran status. In cases where the protest is based on service-
connected disability, permanent and severe disability, or veteran 
status, the Judge will only consider a protest that presents specific 
allegations supporting the contention that the owner(s) cannot provide 
documentation from the VA, Department of Defense, or the U.S. National 
Archives and Records Administration to show that they meet the 
definition of veteran, service-disabled veteran, or service-disabled 
veteran with a permanent and severe disability.
    (b) Ownership and control. In cases where the protest is based on 
ownership and/or control, the Judge will consider a protest only if the 
protester presents credible evidence that the concern is not 51% owned 
and controlled by one or more veterans or service-disabled veterans.
    (c) Ostensible subcontractor. In cases where the protest is based on 
an allegation that the prime contractor appears unduly reliant on one or 
more, non-VOSB or non-SDVOSB subcontractors, or the non-VOSB or non-
SDVOSB subcontractor is performing the primary and vital requirements of 
the contract, OHA will consider a protest only if the protester presents 
credible evidence of the alleged undue reliance or credible evidence 
that the primary and vital requirements will be performed by the 
subcontractor(s).
    (d) Joint ventures. A VOSB or SDVOSB joint venture may be protested 
regarding the status of the managing VOSB or SDVOSB joint venture 
partner or for failure to meet the requirements of Sec.  128.402 of this 
chapter. If the joint venture is found to be ineligible solely based on 
failure to meet the requirements of that section, the joint venture will 
be ineligible for the contract at issue. The finding of ineligibility is 
limited to that contract and will not affect the underlying eligibility 
of the VOSB or SDVOSB joint venture partner.
    (e) Date for determining eligibility. (1) If the VOSB or SDVOSB 
status protest pertains to a procurement, the Judge will determine a 
protested concern's eligibility as a VOSB or SDVOSB as of the date of 
its initial offer or response which includes price. For a protest 
challenging an ostensible subcontractor or a joint venture's compliance 
with the joint venture agreement requirements set forth in Sec.  
128.402(c), the Judge will determine eligibility as of the date of the 
final proposal revision for negotiated acquisitions or as of final bid 
for sealed bidding.
    (2) If the VOSB or SDVOSB status protest does not pertain to a 
procurement, the Judge will determine a protested concern's eligibility 
as a VOSB or SDVOSB as of the date the VOSB or SDVOSB status protest was 
filed.



Sec.  134.1004  Commencement of VOSB or SDVOSB status protests.

    (a) Timeliness. (1) The Secretary of the VA (or designee) or SBA may 
file a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest at any time.
    (2) The contracting officer, SBA, or VA may file a VOSB or SDVOSB 
status protest at any time after the apparent awardee has been 
identified or after bid opening, whichever applies.
    (3) For negotiated acquisitions, an interested party (see Sec.  
134.1002(b)) must submit its protest by close of business on the fifth 
business day after notification by the contracting officer of the 
apparent successful offeror.
    (i) Except for an order or Blanket Purchase Agreement issued under a 
Federal Supply Schedule contract, for an order or Agreement that is set-
aside for VOSBs or SDVOSBs under a multiple award contract that was not 
itself set aside or reserved for VOSBs or SDVOSBs, an interested party 
must submit its protest by close of business on the fifth business day 
after notification by the contracting officer of the intended awardee of 
the order or Agreement.
    (ii) Where a contracting officer has required offerors for a 
specific order under a multiple award VOSB or SDVOSB contract to 
recertify their VOSB or SDVOSB status, an interested party must submit 
its protest by close of business on the fifth business day after 
notification by the contracting officer of the intended awardee of the 
order.

[[Page 753]]

    (4) For sealed bid acquisitions, a protest from an interested party 
(see Sec.  134.1002(b)) must be received by close of business on the 
fifth business day after bid opening. Where the identified low bidder is 
determined to be ineligible for award, a protest of any other identified 
low bidder must be received prior to the close of business on the 5th 
business day after the contracting officer has notified interested 
parties of the identity of that low bidder.
    (5) The rule for counting days is in Sec.  134.202(d).
    (6) Any protest received after the time limit is untimely, unless it 
is from SBA, VA, or the contracting officer. An untimely protest will be 
dismissed.
    (b) Filing. (1) An interested party, other than SBA, VA, or the 
contracting officer, must deliver a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest to the 
contracting officer in person, by email, facsimile, by express delivery 
service, or by U.S. mail (postmarked within the applicable time period) 
to the contracting officer.
    (2) VA, SBA, or the contracting officer must submit a VOSB or SDVOSB 
status protest directly to OHA in accordance with the procedures in 
Sec.  134.204. The protest should include in the referral letter the 
information set forth in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (3) SBA must submit a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest directly to OHA 
in accordance with the procedures in Sec.  134.204.
    (c) Referral to OHA. The contracting officer must forward to OHA any 
VOSB or SDVOSB status protest received, notwithstanding whether the 
contracting officer believes it is premature, sufficiently specific, or 
timely. The contracting officer must send all VOSB or SDVOSB status 
protests, along with a referral letter, directly to OHA, addressed to 
Office of Hearings and Appeals, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 
Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, or by email at 
[email protected], marked ``Attn: VOSB Status Protest'' or ``Attn: 
SDVOSB Status Protest''. The referral letter must include information 
pertaining to the solicitation that may be necessary for OHA to 
determine timeliness and standing, including:
    (1) The solicitation number;
    (2) The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the 
contracting officer;
    (3) Whether the contract was a sole source or set-aside VOSB or 
SDVOSB procurement;
    (4) Whether the protester submitted an offer;
    (5) Whether the protested concern was the apparent successful 
offeror;
    (6) Whether the procurement was conducted using sealed bid or 
negotiated procedures;
    (7) The bid opening date, if applicable;
    (8) When the protested concern submitted its initial offer which 
included price;
    (9) When the protest was submitted to the contracting officer;
    (10) When the protester received notification of the apparent 
successful offeror, if applicable; and
    (11) Whether a contract has been awarded.



Sec.  134.1005  Contents of the VOSB or SDVOSB status protest.

    (a) VOSB and SDVOSB status protests must be in writing. There is no 
required format for a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest, but it must include 
the following:
    (1) The solicitation or contract number, if applicable;
    (2) Specific allegations supported by credible evidence that the 
concern (or joint venture) does not meet the VOSB or SDVOSB eligibility 
requirements listed in part 128 of this chapter. A protest merely 
asserting that the protested concern is not an eligible VOSB or SDVOSB, 
without setting forth specific facts or allegations, is insufficient;
    (3) Any other pertinent information the Judge should consider; and
    (4) The name, address, telephone number, and email address, if 
available, and signature of the protester or its attorney.
    (b) If the protester intends to seek access to the SBA case file 
under Sec.  134.205, the protester should include in its protest a 
request for a protective order. Unless good cause is shown, a protester 
must request a protective

[[Page 754]]

order within five days of filing the protest.

[87 FR 73425, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 42593, July 3, 2023]



Sec.  134.1006  Service and filing requirements.

    The provisions of Sec.  134.204 apply to the service and filing of 
all pleadings and other submissions permitted under this subpart.



Sec.  134.1007  Processing a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest.

    (a) Notice and order. If the Judge determines that the protest is 
timely, sufficiently specific, and based upon protestable allegations, 
the Judge will issue a notice and order, notifying the protester, the 
protested concern, the Director, Office of Government Contracting (D/
GC), SBA Counsel, and, if applicable, the contracting officer of the 
date OHA received the protest, and order a due date for responses.
    (b) Dismissal of protest. If the Judge determines that the protest 
is premature, untimely, nonspecific, or is based on non-protestable 
allegations, the Judge will dismiss the protest and will send the 
contracting officer, D/GC, SBA's Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law, and the protester a notice of dismissal, citing the 
reason(s) for the dismissal. The dismissal is a final agency action.
    (c) Transmission of the case file. Upon receipt of a notice and 
order, the D/GC must deliver to OHA the entire case file relating to the 
protested concern's inclusion in the certification database. The notice 
and order will establish the timetable for transmitting the case file to 
OHA. The D/GC must certify and authenticate that the case file, to the 
best of his/her knowledge, is a true and correct copy of the case file.
    (d) Protective order. A protester seeking access to the SBA case 
file must file a timely request for a protective order under Sec.  
134.205. Except for good cause shown, a protester must request a 
protective order within five days of filing the protest. Even after 
issuance of a protective order, OHA will not disclose income tax returns 
or privileged information.
    (e) Supplemental allegations. If, after viewing documents in the SBA 
case file for the first time under a protective order, a protester 
wishes to supplement its protest with additional argument, the protester 
may do so. Any such supplement is due at OHA no later than 15 days from 
the date the protester receives or reviews the SBA case file.
    (f) Response--(1) Timing. The protested concern, the D/GC, the 
contracting officer, and any other interested party (see Sec.  
134.1002(b)) may respond to the protest and supplemental protest, if one 
is filed. The response is due no later than 15 days from the date the 
protest or supplemental protest was filed with OHA. The record closes 
the date the final response is due.
    (2) Service. The respondent must serve its response upon the 
protester or its counsel and upon each of the persons identified in the 
certificate of service attached to the notice and order or, if a 
protective order is issued, in accordance with the terms of the 
protective order.
    (3) Reply to a response. No reply to a response will be permitted 
unless the Judge directs otherwise.
    (g) Basis for decision. The decision will be based primarily on the 
case file and information provided by the protester, the protested 
concern, and any other parties. However, the Judge may investigate 
issues beyond those raised in the protest and may use other information 
or make requests for additional information to the protester, the 
protested concern, or SBA.
    (h) Award of contract. The contracting officer may award a contract 
before the Judge issues a decision only if the contracting officer 
determines that an award must be made to protect the public interest and 
notifies the Judge and D/GC in writing of such determination. 
Notwithstanding such a determination, the provisions of paragraph (j) of 
this section shall apply to the procurement in question.
    (i) Decision. OHA will serve a copy of the written decision on each 
party, or, if represented by counsel, on its counsel. The decision is 
considered the final agency action, and it becomes effective upon 
issuance.

[[Page 755]]

    (j) Effect of decision. (1) A contracting officer may award a 
contract to a protested concern after the Judge has determined either 
that the protested concern is eligible for inclusion in SBA's 
certification database or has dismissed all protests against it.
    (2) A contracting officer shall not award a contract to a protested 
concern that the Judge has determined is not an eligible VOSB or SDVOSB. 
If the contract has already been awarded, the contracting officer shall 
terminate the contract, unless the contracting officer has made a 
written determination that termination is not in the best interests of 
the Government. However, the contracting officer shall not exercise any 
options or award further task or delivery orders.
    (3) The contracting officer must update the Federal Procurement Data 
System (or successor system) and other procurement reporting databases 
to reflect the Judge's decision.
    (4) If the Judge finds the protested concern is not an eligible VOSB 
or SDVOSB, the D/GC must immediately remove the protested concern from 
the certification database.
    (5) A concern found to be ineligible may not submit an offer on a 
future VOSB or SDVOSB procurement until the protested concern reapplies 
to the Veteran Small Business Certification Program and has been 
designated by SBA as a VOSB or SDVOSB into the certification database.

[87 FR 73425, Nov. 29, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 42593, July 3, 2023]



Sec.  134.1008  Discovery.

    Discovery will not be permitted in SBA VOSB or SDVOSB status protest 
proceedings.



Sec.  134.1009  Oral hearings.

    Oral hearings will be held in VOSB or SDVOSB status protest 
proceedings only upon a finding by the Judge of extraordinary 
circumstances. If such an oral hearing is ordered, the proceeding shall 
be conducted in accordance with those rules of subpart B of this part as 
the Judge deems appropriate.



Sec.  134.1010  Standard of review and burden of proof.

    The protested concern has the burden of proving its eligibility, by 
a preponderance of the evidence.



Sec.  134.1011  Weight of evidence.

    The Judge will give greater weight to specific, signed, factual 
evidence than to general, unsupported allegations or opinions. In the 
case of refusal or failure to furnish requested information within a 
required time period, the Judge may assume that disclosure would be 
contrary to the interests of the party failing to make disclosure.



Sec.  134.1012  The record.

    Where relevant, the provisions of Sec.  134.225 apply. In a protest 
under this subpart, the contents of the record also include the case 
file or solicitation submitted to OHA in accordance with Sec.  134.1007.



Sec.  134.1013  Request for reconsideration.

    The decision on a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest may not be appealed. 
However:
    (a) The Judge may reconsider a VOSB or SDVOSB status protest 
decision. Any party that has appeared in the proceeding, or the SBA, may 
request reconsideration by filing with OHA and serving a petition for 
reconsideration on all the parties to the VOSB or SDVOSB status protest 
within twenty (20) calendar days after service of the written decision. 
The request for reconsideration must clearly show an error of fact or 
law material to the decision. The Judge may also reconsider a decision 
on his or her own initiative.
    (b) If the Judge reverses his or her initial decision on 
reconsideration, the contracting officer must follow Sec.  134.1007(j) 
in applying the new decision's results.

[[Page 756]]



Subpart K_Rules of Practice for Appeals of Denials of Certification and 
Decertification in the SBA Veteran Small Business Certification Program 
                        (VOSB or SDVOSB Appeals)

    Source: 87 FR 73425, Nov. 29, 2022, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.1101  Scope of rules.

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart apply to appeals of denial 
of certification and decertification for inclusion in the SBA Veteran 
Small Business Certification Program certification database (VOSB or 
SDVOSB Appeals).
    (b) Except where inconsistent with this subpart, the provisions of 
subparts A and B of this part apply to appeals listed in paragraph (a) 
of this section.
    (c) Protests of a concern's eligibility for inclusion in the SBA 
Veteran Small Business Certification Program Database (VOSB or SDVOSB 
Status Protests) are governed by subpart J of this part.



Sec.  134.1102  Who may file a VOSB or SDVOSB Appeal?

    A concern that has been denied certification as a VOSB or SDVOSB or 
has had its VOSB or SDVOSB status decertified may appeal the decision to 
OHA.



Sec.  134.1103  Grounds for filing a VOSB or SDVOSB Appeal.

    Denial of certification and decertification of VOSB or SDVOSB status 
may be appealed to OHA. A denial or decertification based on the failure 
to provide sufficient evidence of the qualifying individual's status as 
a veteran or a service-disabled veteran are final VA decisions and not 
subject to appeal to OHA.



Sec.  134.1104  Commencement of VOSB or SDVOSB Appeal.

    (a) A concern whose application for VOSB or SDVOSB certification has 
been denied or whose status has been decertified must file its appeal 
within 10 business days of receipt of the denial or decertification.
    (b) The rule for counting days is in Sec.  134.202(d).
    (c) OHA will dismiss an untimely appeal.



Sec.  134.1105  The appeal petition.

    (a) Format. VOSB or SDVOSB appeals must be in writing. There is no 
required format for an appeal petition; however, it must include the 
following:
    (1) A copy of the denial or decertification and the date the 
appellant received it;
    (2) A statement of why the denial or decertification is in error;
    (3) Any other pertinent information the Judge should consider; and
    (4) The name, address, telephone number, and email address, if 
available, and signature of the appellant or its attorney.
    (b) Service. The appellant must serve copies of the entire appeal 
petition upon the Director, Office of Government Contracting (D/GC) and 
SBA Counsel at [email protected].
    (c) Certificate of service. The appellant must attach to the appeal 
petition a signed certificate of service meeting the requirements of 
Sec.  134.204(d).
    (d) Dismissal. An appeal petition that does not meet all the 
requirements of this section may be dismissed by the Judge at his/her 
own initiative or upon motion of a respondent.



Sec.  134.1106  Service and filing requirements.

    The provisions of Sec.  134.204 apply to the service and filing of 
all pleadings and other submissions permitted under this subpart.



Sec.  134.1107  Transmission of the case file.

    Once a VOSB or SDVOSB appeal is filed, the D/GC must deliver to OHA 
the entire case file relating to the denial or decertification. The 
Judge will issue a notice and order establishing the timetable for 
transmitting the case file to OHA. The D/GC must certify and 
authenticate that the case file, to the best of his/her knowledge, is a 
true and correct copy of the case file.



Sec.  134.1108  Response to an appeal petition.

    (a) Who may respond. The D/GC (or designee) or counsel for SBA may 
respond to the VOSB or SDVOSB appeal.

[[Page 757]]

The response should present arguments to the issues presented on appeal.
    (b) Time limits. The notice and order will inform the parties of the 
filing of the appeal petition, establish the close of record as 15 days 
after service of the notice and order, and inform the parties that OHA 
must receive any responses to the appeal petition no later than the 
close of record.
    (c) Service. The respondent must serve its response upon the 
appellant and upon each of the persons identified in the certificate of 
service attached to the appeal petition pursuant to Sec.  134.1105.
    (d) Reply to a response. No reply to a response will be permitted 
unless the Judge directs otherwise.



Sec.  134.1109  Discovery and oral hearings.

    Discovery will not be permitted and oral hearings will not be held.



Sec.  134.1110  New evidence.

    Except for good cause shown, evidence beyond the case file will not 
be admitted.



Sec.  134.1111  Standard of review and burden of proof.

    The standard of review is whether the D/GC denial or decertification 
was based on clear error of fact or law. The appellant has the burden of 
proof, by a preponderance of the evidence.



Sec.  134.1112  The decision.

    (a) Timing. The Judge shall decide a VOSB or SDVOSB Appeal, insofar 
as practicable, within 60 calendar days after close of the record.
    (b) Contents. Following closure of the record, the Judge will issue 
a decision containing findings of fact and conclusions of law, reasons 
for such findings and conclusions, and any relief ordered.
    (c) Basis for decision. Decisions under this subpart will be based 
primarily on the evidence in the SBA case file, arguments made on 
appeal, and any response(s) thereto. However, the Judge, in his/her sole 
discretion, may consider issues beyond those raised in the pleadings and 
the denial or cancellation letter.
    (d) Finality. The decision is the final agency decision and becomes 
effective upon issuance. Where OHA dismisses an appeal of a D/GC denial 
or decertification, the D/GC determination remains in effect.
    (e) Service. OHA will serve a copy of all written decisions on each 
party, or, if represented by counsel, on its counsel.
    (f) Effect. If the Judge grants the appeal and finds the appellant 
eligible for inclusion in the SBA certification database, the D/GC must 
immediately include in the SBA certification database.
    (g) Reconsideration. A decision of the Judge may be reconsidered. 
Any party that has appeared in the proceeding, or the SBA Administrator 
or his or her designee, may request reconsideration by filing with OHA 
and serving a petition for reconsideration on all parties to the VOSB or 
SDVOSB Appeal within twenty (20) calendar days after service of the 
written decision, upon a clear showing of an error of fact or law 
material to the decision. The Judge also may reconsider a decision on 
his or her own initiative.



      Subpart L_Borrower Appeals of Final SBA Loan Review Decisions

    Source: 86 FR 51595, Sept. 16, 2021, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.1201  Scope of the rules in this subpart.

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart apply to appeals to OHA 
from certain final SBA loan review decisions under the Paycheck 
Protection Program (PPP) as described in paragraph (b) of this section, 
and to any other PPP matter referred to OHA by the Administrator of SBA. 
The PPP was established as a temporary program under section 1102 of the 
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 
116-136), as amended. PPP loans include first draw PPP loans made under 
Section 7(a)(36) of the Small Business Act and second draw PPP loans 
made under Section 7(a)(37) of the Small Business Act.
    (b) A final SBA loan review decision that is appealable under this 
subpart is an official written decision by SBA, after SBA completes a 
review of a PPP loan, that finds a borrower:

[[Page 758]]

    (1) Was ineligible for a PPP loan;
    (2) Was ineligible for the PPP loan amount received or used the PPP 
loan proceeds for unauthorized uses;
    (3) Is ineligible for PPP loan forgiveness in the amount determined 
by the lender in its full approval or partial approval decision issued 
to SBA; and/or
    (4) Is ineligible for PPP loan forgiveness in any amount when the 
lender has issued a full denial decision to SBA.
    (c) A borrower cannot directly file an appeal of a decision made by 
a lender concerning a PPP loan with OHA.
    (d) An appeal to OHA is an administrative remedy that must be 
exhausted before judicial review of a final SBA loan review decision may 
be sought in a Federal district court.
    (e) Any determination by SBA's Office of Inspector General 
concerning a PPP loan is not appealable to OHA.
    (f) This subpart does not create any right to appeal any SBA 
decision on any 7(a) loans (see part 120 of this chapter) other than PPP 
loans.
    (g) The Rules of Practice for Appeals From Size Determinations and 
NAICS Code Designations in subpart C of this part do not apply to 
appeals of final SBA loan review decisions or to the PPP.
    (h) In addition to the provisions in subpart B of this part 
specifically referenced in this subpart, the following regulations from 
subpart B of this part also apply to this subpart: Sec. Sec.  134.207 
(Amendments and supplemental pleadings); 134.208 (Representation in 
cases before OHA); 134.209 (Requirement of signature); 134.211 
(Motions); 134.212 (Summary judgment); 134.217 (Settlement); 134.218 
(Judges); 134.219 (Sanctions); and 134.220 (Prohibition on ex parte 
communications). Other provisions from subpart B of this part that are 
not specifically referenced in this subpart do not apply to this 
subpart.



Sec.  134.1202  Commencement of appeals of final SBA loan review decisions.

    (a) An appeal petition must be filed with OHA within 30 calendar 
days after the appellant's receipt of the final SBA loan review 
decision. To file and manage an appeal of a final SBA loan review 
decision with OHA, refer to the OHA Case Portal at https://
appeals.sba.gov. An appellant is required to use the OHA Case Portal to 
file and manage their appeal.
    (b) Appellant must provide their lender with a copy of the timely 
appeal petition upon filing in order for the lender to extend the 
deferment period of the PPP loan until a final decision is issued under 
Sec.  134.1211.
    (c)(1) Do not count the day the time period begins, but do count the 
last day of the time period.
    (2) If the last day is Saturday, Sunday, or a Federal holiday, the 
time period ends on the next business day.
    Example: On a Thursday, a borrower receives a final SBA loan review 
decision. The time period begins on Thursday, so the first day to count 
is Friday. Because the 30th calendar day after receipt of the decision 
is a Saturday, the appeal deadline extends to the next business day, 
which is Monday.
    (3)(i) A Judge may modify any time period or deadline, except:
    (A) The time period governing commencement of a case (i.e., when the 
appeal petition may be filed); and
    (B) A time period established by statute.
    (ii) A party may move for an extension of time pursuant to Sec.  
134.211.
    (d) A timely appeal by a PPP borrower of a final SBA loan review 
decision extends the deferment period of the PPP loan until a final 
decision is issued under Sec.  134.1211.



Sec.  134.1203  Standing.

    Only the borrower on a loan, or its legal successor in interest, for 
which SBA has issued a final SBA loan review decision that makes a 
finding in Sec.  134.1201(b)(1) through (4) has standing to appeal the 
final SBA loan review decision to OHA. Lenders and individual owners of 
a borrower entity do not have standing to appeal a final SBA loan review 
decision.



Sec.  134.1204  The appeal petition.

    (a) Content. The appeal petition must include the following 
information:
    (1) A copy of the final SBA loan review decision that is being 
appealed and the date it was received by the borrower. A Notice of 
Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Payment

[[Page 759]]

does not provide a borrower with a right to appeal to OHA.
    (2) A full and specific statement as to why the final SBA loan 
review decision is alleged to be erroneous, together with all factual 
information and legal arguments supporting the allegations. There is no 
required format for an appeal petition. However, the appeal petition 
must meet the following requirements:
    (i) The maximum length of an appeal petition (not including 
attachments) is 20 pages. A table of authorities is required only for 
petitions citing more than twenty cases, regulations, or statutes.
    (ii) Clearly label any exhibits and attachments.
    (3) The name, address, telephone number, email address, and 
signature of the appellant or its attorney.
    (b) Dismissal. An appeal petition that does not contain all of the 
information required by paragraph (a) of this section may be dismissed, 
with or without prejudice, at the Judge's own initiative, or upon motion 
of SBA.
    (c) Motion for more definite statement. (1) SBA may, no later than 
five calendar days after receiving a Notice and Order on an appeal 
petition, move for an order to the appellant to provide a more definite 
appeal petition or otherwise comply with this section. A Judge may order 
a more definite appeal petition on his or her own initiative.
    (2) A motion for a more definite appeal petition stays SBA's time 
for filing a response. The Judge will establish the time for filing and 
serving a response and will extend the close of the record as 
appropriate.
    (3) If the appellant does not comply with the Judge's order to 
provide a more definite appeal petition or otherwise fails to comply 
with applicable regulations in this subpart, the Judge may dismiss the 
petition with prejudice.



Sec.  134.1205  Dismissal.

    (a) The Judge must dismiss the appeal if:
    (1) The appeal is beyond OHA's jurisdiction as set forth under Sec.  
134.1201;
    (2) The appeal is untimely under Sec.  134.1202;
    (3) The appellant lacks standing to appeal under Sec.  134.1203; or
    (4) The appeal is premature because SBA has not yet made a final SBA 
loan review decision.
    (b) The Judge may dismiss the appeal in accordance with Sec.  
134.1204(b) or (c)(3), or if the appeal does not, on its face, allege 
specific facts that if proven to be true, warrant reversal or remand of 
the final SBA loan review decision.



Sec.  134.1206  Notice and Order.

    Upon receipt of an appeal challenging a final SBA loan review 
decision, OHA will assign the matter to either an Administrative Law 
Judge or an Administrative Judge in accordance with Sec.  134.218. 
Unless the appeal is dismissed under Sec.  134.1205, the Judge will 
issue a Notice and Order, utilizing the OHA Case Portal, establishing a 
deadline for production of the administrative record and specifying a 
date by which SBA may respond to the appeal.



Sec.  134.1207  The administrative record.

    (a) Time limits. The administrative record will be due 20 calendar 
days after issuance of the Notice and Order unless additional time is 
requested and granted.
    (b) Contents. The administrative record shall include non-
privileged, relevant documents that SBA considered in making its final 
loan review decision or that were before SBA at the time of the final 
loan review decision. The administrative record need not, however, 
contain all documents pertaining to the appellant.
    (c) Non-waiver. In the event that privileged or confidential 
information is disclosed in the administrative record, such disclosure 
shall not operate as a waiver of any claim of privilege or 
confidentiality by SBA.
    (d) Filing. SBA will file the administrative record with OHA and 
serve it on appellant utilizing the OHA Case Portal.
    (e) Objections. (1) Any objection to the administrative record must 
be filed with OHA and served on SBA no later than 30 calendar days after 
the issuance of the Notice and Order, utilizing the OHA Case Portal. If 
additional time to file the administrative record was requested and 
granted by a

[[Page 760]]

Judge, appellant will have 10 calendar days from the date SBA is 
required to file the administrative record under the judge's order 
granting an extension in which to file an objection to the 
administrative record.
    (2) The appellant may object to the absence of any document from the 
administrative record that the appellant believes should have been 
included in the administrative record.
    (3) The Judge will rule upon such objections and may direct or 
permit that the administrative record be supplemented.



Sec.  134.1208  Response to an appeal petition.

    (a) Who may respond. SBA may respond to an appeal as determined in 
its discretion, but SBA is not required to respond. If SBA elects not to 
respond, such election shall not be interpreted as an admission or 
waiver of any allegation of law or fact. In addition, after review of 
the appeal petition, OHA may request SBA to respond for good cause shown 
by OHA. Only SBA may respond. If filed, the response should set forth 
the relevant facts and legal arguments to the issues presented on 
appeal.
    (b) Time limit. If an SBA response is filed, it must be filed within 
45 calendar days after issuance of the Notice and Order.
    (c) Close of record. The record will close 45 calendar days from the 
issuance of the Notice and Order, unless the Judge decides otherwise. 
Generally, filings after the close of record will not be considered.
    (d) Service. If a response is filed, the SBA must file its response 
with OHA, and serve a copy of the response upon the appellant or its 
attorney, as applicable by utilizing the OHA Case Portal.
    (e) Reply to response. Generally, a reply to a response is not 
permitted unless the Judge directs otherwise. See Sec.  134.206(e). 
However, upon motion (see Sec.  134.211), and under terms needed to 
avoid prejudice to any non-moving party, the Judge may permit the filing 
and service of a supplemental pleading after review of SBA's response 
and/or the administrative record. The proposed supplemental pleading 
must be filed and served with the motion utilizing the OHA Case Portal.



Sec.  134.1209  Evidence beyond the record, discovery, and oral hearings.

    (a) Generally, the Judge may not admit evidence beyond the 
administrative record.
    (b) Neither discovery nor oral hearings will be permitted in appeals 
from final SBA loan review decisions.
    (c) All appeals under this subpart will be decided solely on a 
review of the administrative record, the appeal petition, any response, 
any reply or supplemental pleading, and filings related to objection to 
the administrative record.



Sec.  134.1210  Standard of review.

    The standard of review is whether the final SBA loan review decision 
was based on clear error of fact or law. The appellant has the burden of 
proof.



Sec.  134.1211  Decision on appeal.

    (a) Time limits and contents. The Judge will issue his or her 
decision within 45 calendar days after the close of record, as 
practicable. The decision will contain findings of fact and conclusions 
of law, the reasons for such findings and conclusions, and any relief 
ordered. The decision will be served upon appellant and SBA utilizing 
the OHA Case Portal.
    (b) Initial decision. The Judge's decision on the appeal is an 
initial decision. However, unless a request for reconsideration is filed 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section or the SBA Administrator, 
solely within the Administrator's discretion, decides to review or 
reverse the initial decision pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, 
an initial decision shall become the final decision of SBA 30 calendar 
days after its service. The discretionary authority of the Administrator 
does not create any additional rights of appeal on the part of an 
appellant not otherwise specified in SBA regulations in this chapter. 
Any decision pursuant to this subpart applies only to the PPP and does 
not apply to SBA's 7(a) Loan Program generally or to any interpretation 
or application of the regulations in part 120 or 121 of this chapter.
    (c) Reconsideration. An initial decision of the Judge may be 
reconsidered. If a request for reconsideration is filed and the SBA 
Administrator does not exercise discretion to review or reverse

[[Page 761]]

the initial decision under paragraph (d) of this section, OHA will 
decide the request for reconsideration and OHA's decision on the request 
for reconsideration is a reconsidered initial OHA decision.
    (1) Either SBA or appellant may request reconsideration by filing 
with the Judge and serving a petition for reconsideration within 10 
calendar days after service of the Judge's decision. The request for 
reconsideration must clearly show an error of fact or law material to 
the decision. SBA does not have to have filed a response to the 
borrower's appeal petition to request reconsideration of the initial 
decision of the Judge.
    (2) The Judge may also reconsider a decision on his or her own 
initiative within 20 calendar days after service of the Judge's 
decision.
    (3) A reconsidered initial OHA decision becomes the final decision 
of SBA 30 calendar days after its service unless the SBA Administrator, 
solely within the Administrator's discretion, decides to review or 
reverse the reconsidered initial OHA decision under paragraph (d) of 
this section. The discretionary authority of the Administrator does not 
create any additional rights of appeal on the part of an appellant not 
otherwise specified in SBA regulations in this chapter.
    (d) Administrator review. Within 30 calendar days after the service 
of an initial OHA decision or a reconsidered initial OHA decision of a 
Judge, the SBA Administrator, solely within the Administrator's 
discretion, may elect to review and/or reverse an initial OHA decision 
or a reconsidered initial OHA decision. In the event that the 
Administrator elects to review and/or reverse an initial OHA decision 
and a timely request for reconsideration of a Judge's initial decision 
is also filed by an appellant pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, 
the Administrator will consider such request for reconsideration. The 
Administrator's decision will become the final decision of the SBA upon 
issuance.
    (e) Precedent. Neither initial nor final decisions rendered by OHA 
under this subpart are precedential.
    (f) Publication. Final decisions are normally published without 
redactions on OHA's website. PPP decisions will likely contain 
confidential business and financial information and/or personally 
identifiable information. Therefore, OHA, within its full discretion, 
may publish final decisions issued under this section with any necessary 
redactions.
    (g) Appeal to Federal district court. Final decisions may be 
appealed to the appropriate Federal district court only.



Sec.  134.1212  Effects of the decision.

    OHA may affirm, reverse, or remand a final SBA loan review decision. 
If remanded, OHA no longer has jurisdiction over the matter unless a new 
appeal is filed as a result of a new final SBA loan review decision.



Sec.  134.1213  Equal Access to Justice Act.

    A prevailing appellant is not entitled to recover attorney's fees. 
Appeals to OHA from final SBA loan review decisions under the PPP are 
not proceedings that are required to be conducted by an Administrative 
Law Judge under Sec.  134.603.



Sec.  134.1214  Confidential information.

    If a filing or other submission made pursuant to an appeal in this 
subpart contains confidential business and financial information; 
personally identifiable information; source selection sensitive 
information; income tax returns; documents and information covered under 
Sec.  120.1060 of this chapter; or any other exempt information, that 
information is not available to the public pursuant to the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552.



   Subpart M_Rules of Practice for Appeals of Protest Determinations 
Regarding the Status of a Concern as a Certified HUBZone Small Business 
                                 Concern

    Source: 88 FR 21089, Apr. 10, 2023, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  134.1301  What is the scope of the rules in this subpart?

    (a) The rules of practice in this subpart apply to all appeals to 
OHA from formal protest determinations made by

[[Page 762]]

the Director of SBA's Office of HUBZone (D/HUB) in connection with a 
HUBZone status protest. Appeals under this subpart include any of the 
grounds for a HUBZone status protest specified in Sec.  126.801 of this 
chapter, as well as appeals from dismissals of HUBZone status protests 
by the D/HUB based on a finding that the protest was premature, 
untimely, nonspecific, not based upon protestable allegations, moot, or 
not filed by an interested party.
    (b) Except where inconsistent with this subpart, the provisions of 
subparts A and B of this part apply to appeals listed in paragraph (a) 
of this section.
    (c) Appeals relating to formal size determinations and NAICS Code 
designations are governed by subpart C of this part.



Sec.  134.1302  Who may appeal a HUBZone status protest determination?

    Appeals from HUBZone status protest determinations may be filed with 
OHA by the protested concern, the protester, or the contracting officer 
responsible for the procurement affected by the protest determination.



Sec.  134.1303  What time limits apply to filing an appeal from a HUBZone 
status protest determination?

    Appeals from a HUBZone status protest determination must be 
commenced by filing and serving an appeal petition within ten (10) 
business days after the appellant receives the HUBZone status protest 
determination (see Sec.  134.204 for filing and service requirements). 
OHA shall dismiss any untimely appeal.



Sec.  134.1304  What are the effects of the filing of an appeal 
on the procurement at issue?

    (a) If a timely appeal is filed after contract award, the 
contracting officer must consider whether performance can be suspended 
until an appellate decision is rendered.
    (b) If a timely appeal is filed before contract award, the 
contracting officer must withhold award until the appellate decision is 
rendered, unless the contracting officer has determined that award and 
performance of the contract is in the best interests of the government.



Sec.  134.1305  What are the requirements for an appeal petition?

    (a) Format. An appeal from a HUBZone status protest determination 
must be in writing. There is no required format for an appeal petition. 
However, it must include the following information:
    (1) A copy of the protest determination;
    (2) The date the appellant received the protest determination;
    (3) A statement that the petitioner is appealing a HUBZone status 
protest determination issued by the D/HUB;
    (4) A full and specific statement as to why the HUBZone status 
protest determination is alleged to be based on a clear error of fact or 
law, together with argument supporting such allegation;
    (5) The solicitation number, the contract number (if applicable), 
and the name, address, and telephone number of the contracting officer; 
and
    (6) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, and 
signature of the appellant or its attorney.
    (b) Service of appeal. Concurrent with filing the appeal with OHA 
([email protected]), the appellant must serve copies of the entire 
appeal petition upon each of the following:
    (1) The D/HUB at [email protected];
    (2) The contracting officer responsible for the procurement affected 
by a HUBZone determination;
    (3) The protested concern (the business concern whose HUBZone status 
is at issue) or the protester; and
    (4) SBA's Office of General Counsel, Associate General Counsel for 
Procurement Law at [email protected].
    (c) Certificate of service. The appellant must attach to the appeal 
petition a signed certificate of service meeting the requirements of 
Sec.  134.204(d).
    (d) Dismissal. An appeal petition that does not meet all the 
requirements of this section may be dismissed by the Judge on the 
Judge's own initiative or upon motion of a respondent.



Sec.  134.1306  What are the service and filing requirements?

    The provisions of Sec.  134.204 apply to the service and filing of 
all pleadings

[[Page 763]]

and other submissions permitted under this subpart, unless otherwise 
indicated in this subpart.



Sec.  134.1307  What are the requirements for transmitting the protest file?

    Upon receipt of an appeal petition, the D/HUB will send to OHA a 
copy of the protest file relating to that determination. The D/HUB will 
certify and authenticate that the protest file, to the best of the D/
HUB's knowledge, is a true and correct copy of the protest file.



Sec.  134.1308  What is the standard of review?

    The standard of review for an appeal of a HUBZone status protest 
determination is whether the D/HUB's determination was based on clear 
error of fact or law. The appellant has the burden of proof, by a 
preponderance of the evidence.



Sec.  134.1309  When will a Judge dismiss an appeal?

    The presiding Judge must dismiss the appeal if:
    (a) The appeal is untimely filed under Sec.  134.1303;
    (b) The appeal does not, on its face, allege facts that if proven to 
be true, warrant reversal or modification of the determination; or
    (c) The matter has been decided or is the subject of adjudication 
before a court of competent jurisdiction over such matters; however, 
once an appeal has been filed, initiation of litigation of the matter in 
a court of competent jurisdiction will not preclude the Judge from 
rendering a final decision on the matter.



Sec.  134.1310  Who can file a response to an appeal petition and when must 
such a response be filed?

    (a) Who may respond. Although not required, any person served with 
an appeal petition may file and serve a response supporting or opposing 
the appeal if he or she wishes to do so. The response should present 
arguments related to the issues presented on appeal.
    (b) Time limits. If a person decides to file a response, the 
response must be filed within fifteen (15) business days after service 
of the appeal petition.
    (c) Service. The respondent must serve its response upon the 
appellant and upon each of the persons identified in the certificate of 
service attached to the appeal petition pursuant to Sec.  134.1305.
    (d) Reply to a response. No reply to a response will be permitted 
unless the Judge directs otherwise.



Sec.  134.1311  Will the Judge permit discovery and oral hearings?

    Discovery will not be permitted, and oral hearings will not be held.



Sec.  134.1312  What are the limitations on the introduction of new evidence?

    The Judge may not admit evidence beyond the written protest file nor 
permit any form of discovery. All appeals under this subpart will be 
decided solely on a review of the evidence in the written protest file, 
arguments made in the appeal petition, and response(s) filed thereto.



Sec.  134.1313  When is the record closed?

    The record will close when the time to file a response to an appeal 
petition expires pursuant to Sec.  134.1310.



Sec.  134.1314  When must the Judge issue the decision?

    The Judge shall issue a decision, insofar as practicable, within 
forty-five (45) calendar days after close of the record.



Sec.  134.1315  What are the effects of the Judge's decision 
on the procurement at issue?

    The Judge's decision is the final agency decision and becomes 
effective upon issuance. For the effects of the decision on the 
procurement at issue, see Sec.  126.803(e) of this chapter.



Sec.  134.1316  Can a Judge reconsider an appeal decision?

    (a) Any party who has appeared in the proceeding, or SBA, may 
request reconsideration of the OHA appeal decision by filing with the 
Judge and serving a petition for reconsideration on all the parties to 
the appeal within twenty (20) calendar days after service of the written 
decision. The request for reconsideration must clearly show an

[[Page 764]]

error of fact or law material to the decision. The Judge may also 
reconsider a decision on the Judge's own initiative, within twenty (20) 
calendar days after issuance of the written decision.
    (b) The Judge may remand a proceeding to the D/HUB for a new HUBZone 
status protest determination if the D/HUB fails to address issues of 
decisional significance sufficiently, does not address all the relevant 
evidence, or does not identify specifically the evidence upon which it 
relied. Once remanded, OHA no longer has jurisdiction over the matter, 
unless a new appeal is filed as a result of the new HUBZone status 
protest determination.



PART 136_ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAP IN PROGRAMS 
OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION--Table of Contents



Sec.
136.101 Purpose.
136.102 Application.
136.103 Definitions.
136.104-136.109 [Reserved]
136.110 Self-evaluation.
136.111 Notice.
136.112-136.129 [Reserved]
136.130 General prohibition against discrimination.
136.131-136.139 [Reserved]
136.140 Employment.
136.141-136.148 [Reserved]
136.149 Program accessibility: Discrimination prohibited.
136.150 Program accessibility: Existing facilities.
136.151 Program accessibility: New construction and alterations.
136.152-136.159 [Reserved]
136.160 Communications.
136.161-136.169 [Reserved]
136.170 Compliance procedures.

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 794.

    Source: 53 FR 19760, May 31, 1988, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  136.101  Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 119 of the 
Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities 
Amendments of 1978, which amended section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of handicap in programs 
or activities conducted by Executive agencies or the United States 
Postal Service.



Sec.  136.102  Application.

    This part applies to all programs or activities conducted by the 
Small Business Administration except for programs or activities 
conducted outside the United States that do not involve individuals with 
handicaps in the United States.



Sec.  136.103  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part, the term--
    Agency means the Small Business Administration.
    Assistant Attorney General. Assistant Attorney General means the 
Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, United States 
Department of Justice.
    Auxiliary aids means services or devices that enable persons with 
impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills to have an equal 
opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or 
activities conducted by the Agency. For example, auxiliary aids useful 
for persons with impaired vision include readers, Brailled materials, 
audio recordings, and other similar services and devices. Auxiliary aids 
useful for persons with impaired hearing include telephone handset 
amplifiers, telephones compatible with hearing aids, telecommunication 
devices for deaf persons (TDD's), interpreters, notetakers, written 
materials, and other similar services and devices.
    Complete complaint means a written statement that contains the 
complainant's name and address and describes the Agency's alleged 
discriminatory actions in sufficient detail to inform the Agency of the 
nature and date of the alleged violation of section 504. It shall be 
signed by the complainant or by someone authorized to do so on his or 
her behalf. Complaints filed on behalf of classes or third parties shall 
describe or identify (by name, if possible) the alleged victims of 
discrimination.
    Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, 
equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, rolling stock or other 
conveyances, or other real or personal property.

[[Page 765]]

    Individual with handicaps means any person who has a physical or 
mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life 
activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having 
such an impairment. As used in this definition, the phrase:
    (1) Physical or mental impairment includes--
    (i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, 
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: 
Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, 
including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; 
genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
    (ii) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental 
retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and 
specific learning disabilities. The term physical or mental impairment 
includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as 
orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, 
epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, 
diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, and drug addiction and 
alcoholism.
    (2) Major life activities includes functions such as caring for 
one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, 
breathing, learning, and working.
    (3) Has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or 
has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that 
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
    (4) Is regarded as having an impairment means--
    (i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially 
limit major life activities but is treated by the Agency as constituting 
such a limitation;
    (ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 
major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward 
such impairment; or
    (iii) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (1) of this 
definition but is treated by the Agency as having such an impairment.
    Qualified individual with handicaps means--
    (1) With respect to any Agency program or activity under which a 
person is required to perform services or to achieve a level of 
accomplishment, an individual with handicaps who meets the essential 
eligibility requirements and who can achieve the purpose of the program 
or activity without modifications in the program or activity that the 
Agency can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in its 
nature;
    (2) With respect to any other program or activity, an individual 
with handicaps who meets the essential eligibility requirements for 
participation in, or receipt of benefits from, that program or activity; 
and
    (3) For purposes of employment, a person who qualifies under the 
definition contained at 29 CFR 1613.702(f), which is made applicable to 
this part by Sec.  136.140.
    Respondent means the organizational unit in which a complainant 
alleges that discrimination occurred.
    Section 504 means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
((Pub. L. 93-112, 87 Stat. 394) (29 U.S.C. 794)), as amended by the 
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-516, 88 Stat. 1617), 
and the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental 
Disabilities Amendments of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-602, 92 Stat. 2955) and the 
Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-506, 100 Stat. 1810). 
As used in this part, section 504 applies only to programs or activities 
conducted by SBA and not to activities of recipients of assistance from 
SBA.



Sec. Sec.  136.104-136.109  [Reserved]



Sec.  136.110  Self-evaluation.

    (a) The Agency shall, by July 17, 1989, evaluate its current 
policies and practices, and the effects thereof, that do not or may not 
meet the requirements of this part, and, to the extent modification of 
any such policies and practices is required, the Agency shall proceed to 
make the necessary modifications.

[[Page 766]]

    (b) The Agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, 
including individuals with handicaps or organizations representing 
individuals with handicaps, to participate in the self-evaluation 
process by submitting comments (both oral and written).
    (c) The Agency shall, for at least three years following the self-
evaluation, maintain on file and make available for public inspection:
    (1) A description of areas examined and any problems identified; and
    (2) A description of any modifications made.



Sec.  136.111  Notice.

    The Agency shall make available to employees, applicants, 
participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons such 
information regarding the provisions of this part and its applicability 
to the programs or activities conducted by the Agency, and make such 
information available to them in such manner as the Administrator finds 
necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against 
discrimination assured them by section 504 and this part.



Sec. Sec.  136.112-136.129  [Reserved]



Sec.  136.130  General prohibition against discrimination.

    (a) No qualified individual with handicaps shall, on the basis of 
handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, 
or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or 
activity conducted by the Agency.
    (b) The Agency, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may not, 
directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on 
the basis of handicap:
    (1) Deny a qualified individual with handicaps the opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;
    (2) Afford a qualified individual with handicaps an opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not 
equal to that afforded others;
    (3) Provide a qualified individual with handicaps with an aid, 
benefit, or service that is not as effective in affording equal 
opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to 
reach the same level of achievement as that provided to others;
    (4) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to 
individuals with handicaps or to any class of individuals with handicaps 
than is provided to others unless such action is necessary to provide 
qualified individuals with handicaps with aid, benefits, or services 
that are as effective as those provided to others;
    (5) Deny a qualified individual with handicaps the opportunity to 
participate as a member of planning, voluntary (such as SCORE or Ace) or 
advisory boards; or
    (6) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with handicaps in the 
enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by 
others receiving the aid, benefit, or service.
    (c) The Agency shall permit a qualified individual with handicaps 
the opportunity to participate in any of the Agency's programs or 
activities, despite the existence of permissibly separate or different 
programs or activities especially designed to accommodate qualified 
individuals with handicaps.
    (d) The Agency may not, directly or through contractual or other 
arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration the purpose 
of effect of which would--
    (1) Subject qualified individuals with handicaps to discrimination 
on the basis of handicap; or
    (2) Defeat or substantially impair accomplishment of the objectives 
of a program or activity with respect to individuals with handicaps.
    (e) The Agency may not, in determining the site or location of a 
facility, make selections the purpose or effect of which would:
    (1) Exclude individuals with handicaps from, deny them the benefits 
of, or otherwise subject them to discrimination under any program or 
activity conducted by the Agency; or
    (2) Defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of the 
objectives of a program or activity with respect to individuals with 
handicaps.
    (f) The Agency, in the selection of procurement contactors, may not 
use

[[Page 767]]

criteria that subject qualified individuals with handicaps to 
discrimination on the basis of handicap.
    (g) The Agency may not administer a licensing or certification 
program in a manner that subjects qualified individuals with handicaps 
to discrimination on the basis of handicap, nor may the Agency establish 
requirements for the programs or activities of licensees or certified 
entities that subject qualified individuals with handicaps to 
discrimination on the basis of handicap. However, the programs or 
activities of entities that are licensed or certified by the Agency are 
not, themselves, covered by this part.
    (h) The exclusion of individuals without handicaps from the benefits 
of a program limited by Federal statute or Executive Order to 
individuals with handicaps or the exclusion of a specific class of 
individuals with handicaps from a program limited by Federal statute or 
Executive Order to a different class of individuals with handicaps is 
not prohibited by this part.
    (i) The Agency shall administer programs and activities in the most 
integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals 
with handicaps.



Sec. Sec.  136.131-136.139  [Reserved]



Sec.  136.140  Employment.

    (a) No qualified individual with handicaps shall, on the basis of 
handicap, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any 
program, or activity conducted by the Agency.
    (b) The definitions, requirements and procedures of section 501 of 
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791) as established by the 
EEOC in 29 CFR part 1613, shall apply to employment in federally 
conducted programs or activities.



Sec. Sec.  136.141-136.148  [Reserved]



Sec.  136.149  Program accessibility: Discrimination prohibited.

    Except as otherwise provided in Sec.  136.150, no qualified 
individual with handicaps shall, because the Agency's facilities are 
inaccessible to or unusable by individuals with handicaps, be denied the 
benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise be 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by 
the Agency.



Sec.  136.150  Program accessibility: Existing facilities.

    (a) General. The Agency shall operate each program or activity so 
that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily 
accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps. This paragraph 
does not--
    (1) Necessarily require the Agency to make each of its existing 
facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps; or
    (2) Require the Agency to take any action that it can demonstrate 
would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or 
activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those 
circumstances where Agency personnel believe that the proposed action 
would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in 
undue financial and administrative burdens, the Agency has the burden of 
proving that compliance with Sec.  136.150(a) would result in such 
alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such 
alteration or burdens must be made by the Administrator or Deputy 
Administrator after considering all Agency resources available for use 
in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity and 
must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching 
that conclusion. The Administrator or Deputy Administrator's decision 
shall be made within 30 days of the initial decision by Agency personnel 
that an action would result in such an alteration or burdens. If an 
action would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the Agency 
shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration 
or such burdens but would, nevertheless, ensure that individuals with 
handicaps receive the benefits and services of the program or activity.
    (b) Methods. The Agency may comply with the requirements of this 
section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of 
services to accessible buildings, assignment of aids to beneficiaries, 
home visits, delivery of services at alternate accessible sites, 
alteration of existing facilities and

[[Page 768]]

construction of new facilities, use of accessible rolling stock, or any 
other methods that result in making its programs or activities readily 
accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps. The Agency is 
not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where 
other methods are effective in achieving compliance with this section. 
The Agency, in making alterations to existing buildings, shall meet 
accessibility requirements to the extent compelled by the Architectural 
Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), and any 
regulations implementing it. In choosing among available methods for 
meeting the requirements of this section, the Agency shall give priority 
to those methods that offer programs and activities to qualified 
individuals with handicaps in the most integrated setting appropriate.
    (c) Time period for compliance. The Agency shall comply with the 
obligations established under this section by September 13, 1988, except 
that where structural changes in facilities are undertaken, such changes 
shall be made by July 15, 1991, but in any event as expeditiously as 
possible.
    (d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to 
facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, the 
Agency shall develop, by January 16, 1989, a transition plan setting 
forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The Agency shall 
provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with 
handicaps or organizations representing individuals with handicaps, to 
participate in the development of the transition plan by submitting 
comments (both oral and written). A copy of the transition plan shall be 
made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a minimum:
    (1) Identify physical obstacles in the Agency's facilities that 
limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals 
with handicaps;
    (2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the 
facilities accessible;
    (3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve 
compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition 
plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during 
each year of the transition period; and
    (4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the 
plan.



Sec.  136.151  Program accessibility: New construction and alterations.

    Each building or part of a building that is constructed or altered 
by, on behalf if, or for the use of the Agency shall be designed, 
constructed, or altered so as to be readily accessible to and usable by 
individuals with handicaps. The definitions, requirements, and standards 
of the Architectural Barriers Act (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), as established 
in 41 CFR 101-19.600--101-19.607, apply to buildings covered by this 
section.



Sec. Sec.  136.152-136.159  [Reserved]



Sec.  136.160  Communications.

    (a) The Agency shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective 
communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal 
entities, and members of the public.
    (1) The Agency shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where 
necessary to afford an individual with handicaps an equal opportunity to 
participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity 
conducted by the Agency.
    (i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the 
Agency shall give primary consideration to the requests of the 
individual with handicaps.
    (ii) The Agency need not provide individually prescribed devices, 
readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a personal 
nature.
    (2) Where the Agency communicates with applicants and beneficiaries 
by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDD's) or 
equally effective telecommunication systems shall be used.
    (b) The Agency shall ensure that interested persons, including 
persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to 
the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and 
facilities.
    (c) The Agency shall provide a sign at each primary entrance to each 
of its inaccessible facilities, directing users

[[Page 769]]

to a location at which they can obtain information about accessible 
facilities. The international symbol for accessibility shall be used at 
each primary entrance of an accessible facility.
    (d) This section does not require the Agency to take any action that 
it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the 
nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative 
burdens. In those circumstances where Agency personnel believe that the 
proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or 
would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the Agency 
has the burden of proving that compliance with Sec.  136.160 would 
result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would 
result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the Administrator 
or Deputy Administrator after considering all Agency resources available 
for use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or 
activity and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons 
for reaching that conclusion. The Administrator or Deputy 
Administrator's decision shall be made within 30 days of the initial 
decision by Agency personnel that an action would result in such an 
alteration or burdens. If an action required to comply with this section 
would result in such as alteration or such burdens, the Agency shall 
take any other action that would not result in such an alteration or 
such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum extent 
possible, individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and services 
of the program or activity.



Sec. Sec.  136.161-136.169  [Reserved]



Sec.  136.170  Compliance procedures.

    (a) Applicability. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
section, this section applies to all allegations of discrimination on 
the basis of handicap in programs or activities conducted by the Agency.
    (b) Employment complaints. The Agency shall process complaints 
alleging violations of section 504 with respect to employment according 
to the procedures established by EEOC in 29 CFR part 1613 pursuant to 
section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791).
    (c) Filing a complaint--(1) Who may file. Any person who believes 
that he or she has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this 
part may file a complaint. An authorized representative of such person 
may file a complaint on his or her behalf. Any person who believes that 
any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination 
prohibited by this part and who is a member of that class, or the 
authorized representative of a member of that class, may file a 
complaint.
    (2) Confidentiality. The Chief, Assistant Administrator, Office of 
Equal Employment Opportunity & Civil Rights Compliance (AA/EEOCCR), 
shall hold in confidence the identity of any person submitting a 
complaint, unless the person submits written authorization otherwise, 
except to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, 
including the conduct of any investigation, hearing, or proceeding under 
this part, or to cooperate with the Office of Inspector General in the 
performance of its responsibilities under the Inspector General Act of 
1978, as amended.
    (3) When to file. Complaints shall be filed within 180 days of the 
alleged act of discrimination, except when this deadline is extended by 
the AA/EEOCCR for good cause shown. For purposes of determining when a 
complaint is timely filed under this paragraph, a complaint mailed to 
the Agency shall be deemed filed on the date it is postmarked. Any other 
complaint shall be deemed filed on the date it is received by the 
Agency.
    (4) How to file. Complaints may be delivered or mailed to the AA/
EEOCCR Small Business Administration, 1441 L Street NW.--Room 501, 
Washington, DC 20416. Any other SBA official receiving a complaint under 
this part shall forward such complaint immediately to the AA/EEOCCR.
    (d) Notification to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers 
Compliance Board. The agency shall promptly send to the Architectural 
and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board a copy of any complaint 
alleging that a building or facility that is subject to the 
Architectural Barriers Act of 1968,

[[Page 770]]

as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4151-4157 is not readily accessible to and usable 
by individuals with handicaps.
    (e) Acceptance of complaint. (1) The AA/EEOCCR shall accept a 
complete complaint that is filed in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this section and over which the Agency has jurisdiction. The AA/EEOCCR 
shall notify the complainant and the respondent of receipt and 
acceptance of the complaint.
    (2) If the AA/EEOCCR receives a complaint that is not complete, he 
or she shall notify the complainant, within 30 days of receipt of the 
incomplete complaint, that additional information is needed. If the 
complainant fails to furnish the necessary information within 30 days of 
receipt of this notice, the AA/EEOCCR shall dismiss the complaint 
without prejudice.
    (3) If the AA/EEOCCR receives a complaint over which the Agency does 
not have jurisdiction, he or she shall promptly notify the complainant 
and shall make reasonable efforts to refer the complaint to the 
appropriate Government entity.
    (f) Investigation/Conciliation. (1) Within 180 days of the receipt 
of a complete complaint the AA/EEOCCR shall complete the investigation 
of the complaint and attempt informal resolution. If no informal 
resolution is achieved, the AA/EEOCCR shall issue a letter of findings.
    (2) The AA/EEOCCR may require Agency employees to cooperate in the 
investigation and attempted resolution of complaints. Employees who are 
required to participate in any investigation under this section shall do 
so as part of their official duties and during regular duty hours.
    (3) The AA/EEOCCR shall furnish the complainant and the respondent 
with a copy of the investigative report and provide the complainant and 
respondent with an opportunity for informal resolution of the complaint.
    (4) If a complaint is resolved informally, the terms of the 
agreement shall be reduced to writing and made part of the complaint 
file, with a copy of the agreement provided to the complainant and 
respondent. The written agreement may include a finding on the issue of 
discrimination and shall describe any corrective action to which the 
complainant and respondent have agreed.
    (g) Letter of findings. If an informal resolution of the complaint 
is not reached, the AA/EEOCCR shall, within 180 days of receipt of the 
complete complaint, notify the complainant, the respondent and the 
Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Compliance (OEEOC), 
of the results of the investigation in a letter sent by certified mail, 
return receipt requested, and containing--
    (1) Findings of fact and conclusions of law;
    (2) A description of a remedy for each violation found;
    (3) A notice of the right of the complainant and respondent to 
appeal to the Director, OEEOC; and
    (4) A notice of the right of the complainant and respondent to 
request a hearing.
    The letter of findings becomes the final Agency decision if neither 
party files an appeal within the time prescribed in paragraph (h)(1) of 
this section. The AA/EEOCCR shall certify that the letter of findings is 
the final Agency decision on the complaint at the expiration of that 
time.
    (h) Filing an appeal. (1) Any notice of appeal to the AA/EEOCCR, 
with or without a request for hearing, shall be filed by the complainant 
or the respondent in writing with the AA/EEOCCR within 30 days of 
receipt from him or her of the letter required by paragraph (g) of this 
section. The notice shall be accompanied by a certificate of service 
attesting that the party has served a copy of his or her notice of 
appeal on all other parties to the proceeding. The AA/EEOCCR may extend 
this time limit for good cause shown pursuant to the procedure in 
paragraph (h)(3) of this section.
    (2) If a timely notice of appeal without a request for hearing is 
filed, any other party may file a written request for hearing within the 
time limit specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this section or within 10 
days of his or her receipt of such notice of appeal, whichever is later.
    (3) A party may appeal to the AA/EEOCCR from a decision of the AA/
EEOCCR that an appeal is untimely. This appeal shall be filed with the 
AA/

[[Page 771]]

EEOCCR within 15 days of receipt of the decision from the AA/EEOCCR.
    (4) Any request for hearing will be construed as a request for an 
oral hearing. The complainant's failure to file a timely request for a 
hearing in accordance with this part shall constitute waiver of the 
right to a hearing, but shall not preclude his or her submitting written 
information and argument to the AA/EEOCCR in connection with his or her 
notice of appeal.
    (i) Acceptance of appeal. The AA/EEOCCR shall accept and process any 
timely filed appeal.
    (1) If a notice of appeal is filed but no party requests a hearing, 
the AA/EEOCCR shall promptly transmit the complaint file, the letter of 
findings and the notice of appeal to the AA/EEOCCR.
    (2) If a notice of appeal if filed and a party makes a timely 
request for a hearing, the AA/EEOCCR will transmit the notice of appeal, 
the request for hearing and the investigative file to the Office of 
Hearings and Appeals which office will assign the case to an 
administrative judge who will conduct a hearing in accordance with the 
procedures contained in 13 CFR part 134.
    (j) Decision. (1) Where no request for a hearing is made, the AA/
EEOCCR shall make the final Agency decision based on the contents of the 
complaint file, the letter of findings, the notice of appeal, and any 
responses to the notice of appeal filed by other parties. The decision 
shall be made within 60 days of receipt of the appeal or any response to 
the notice of appeal, whichever is applicable. If the AA/EEOCCR, 
determines that he or she needs additional information from any party, 
he or she shall request the information and provide the other party or 
parties an opportunity to respond to that information. The AA/EEOCCR 
shall have 60 days from receipt of the additional information or 
responses to such additional information, whichever is later, to make 
the decision. The AA/EEOCCR shall transmit his or her decision in 
writing to the parties. The decision shall set forth the findings, 
remedial actions, and reasons for the decision.
    (2) Where a request for a hearing has been made, the administrative 
judge shall issue an initial decision, in writing, based on the hearing 
record, composed of the proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, 
and remedies, to the parties and to the AA/EEOCCR within 30 days after 
receipt of the hearing transcripts, or within 30 days after the 
conclusion of the hearing if no transcript is made. This time limit may 
be extended with the permission of the AA/EEOCCR. The decision of the 
administrative judge shall be deemed to be the final decision of the 
Agency after 30 days, unless a party files a petition for review with 
the AA/EEOCCR, pursuant to 13 CFR 134.228(a) or the AA/EEOCCR issues an 
order stating his or her decision to review the initial decision, 
pursuant to 13 CFR 134.228(a). See 13 CFR 134.227(b).
    (3) Where a petition for review is filed or a review is ordered by 
the AA/EEOCCR the AA/EEOCCR shall make the final decision of the Agency 
based on information in the complaint file, the letter of findings, the 
hearing record, the initial decision, the petition for review, and any 
responses to the petition or order. The decision shall be made within 60 
days of receipt of the petition for review, the order, or any responses 
to such petition or order, whichever is later. If the AA/EEOCCR 
determines that he or she needs additional information from any party, 
he or she shall request the information and provide the other party or 
parties an opportunity to respond to that information. The AA/EEOCCR 
shall have 60 days from receipt of the additional information or 
responses to such additional information, whichever is later, to make 
the decision. The AA/EEOCCR shall transmit his or her decision by letter 
to the parties. The decision shall set forth the findings, recommended 
remedial actions, and reasons for the decision. The decision shall 
adopt, reject, or modify the initial decision of the administrative 
judge. If the decision is to reject or modify the initial decision, the 
decision letter shall set forth in detail the specific reasons for the 
rejection or modification.
    (4) Any respondent required to take action under the terms of the 
decision of the Agency shall do so promptly. The AA/EEOCCR may require 
periodic compliance reports specifying:

[[Page 772]]

    (i) The manner in which compliance with the provisions of the 
decision has been achieved;
    (ii) The reasons any action required by the final decision has not 
been taken; and
    (iii) The steps being taken to ensure full compliance.
    (k) The time limit cited in paragraph (f) of this section may be 
extended with the permission of the Assistant Attorney General.
    (l) The Agency may delegate its authority for conducting complaint 
investigations to other Federal agencies, except that the authority for 
making the final determination may not be delegated to another agency.

[53 FR 19760, May 31, 1988, as amended at 61 FR 2691, Jan. 29, 1996; 72 
FR 50042, Aug. 30, 2007]



PART 140_DEBT COLLECTION--Table of Contents



                           Subpart A_Overview

Sec.
140.1 What does this part cover?

                            Subpart B_Offset

140.2 What is a debt and how can the SBA collect it through offset?
140.3 What rights do you have when SBA tries to collect a debt from you 
          through offset?

                Subpart C_Administrative Wage Garnishment

140.11 What type of debt is subject to administrative wage garnishment, 
          and how can SBA administratively garnish your pay?

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5514; 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6); 31 U.S.C. 3711, 3716, 
3720, 3720A and 3720D.

    Source: 60 FR 62191, Dec. 5, 1995, unless otherwise noted.



                           Subpart A_Overview



Sec.  140.1  What does this part cover?

    This part establishes procedures which SBA may use in the 
collection, through offset or administrative wage garnishment, of 
delinquent debts owed to the United States. SBA's failure to comply with 
any provision of the regulations in this part is not available to any 
debtor as a defense against collection of the debt through judicial 
process or otherwise.

[70 FR 17587, Apr. 7, 2005]



                            Subpart B_Offset



Sec.  140.2  What is a debt and how can the SBA collect it through offset?

    (a) A debt means an amount owed to the United States from loans made 
or guaranteed by the United States, and from fees, leases, rents, 
royalties, services, sales of real or personal property, overpayments, 
fines, penalties, damages, interest, forfeitures, or any other source. 
You are a debtor if you owe an amount to the United States from any of 
these sources.
    (b) SBA may collect past-due debts through offset by using any of 
three procedures: administrative offset, salary offset, or IRS tax 
refund offset. A past-due debt is one which has been reduced to 
judgment, has been accelerated, or has been due for at least 90 days.
    (1) Administrative offset. SBA may withhold money it owes to the 
debtor in order to satisfy the debt. This procedure is an 
``administrative offset'' and is authorized by 31 U.S.C. 3716.
    (2) Salary offset. If the debtor is a federal employee (a civilian 
employee as defined by 5 U.S.C. 2105, an employee of the U.S. Postal 
Service or Postal Rate Commission, or a member of the Uniformed Services 
or Reserve of the Uniformed Services), SBA may deduct payments owed to 
SBA or another federal agency from the debtor's paycheck. This procedure 
is a ``salary offset'' and is authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5514.
    (i) Any amount deducted from salary in any one pay period will not 
exceed 15 percent of a debtor's disposable pay, unless the debtor agrees 
in writing to a greater percentage.
    (ii) SBA also may collect against travel advances, training 
expenses, disallowed payments, retirement benefits, or any other amount 
due the employee, including lump-sum payments.
    (iii) If an employee has terminated employment after salary offset 
has been initiated, there are no limitations on the amount that can be 
withheld or offset.

[[Page 773]]

    (3) IRS tax refund offset. SBA may request that IRS reduce a 
debtor's tax refund by the amount of the debt, as authorized by 31 
U.S.C. 3720A. Where available, administrative and salary offsets must be 
used before collection is attempted through income tax offset. SBA may 
refer a debt to the IRS for a tax refund offset and take additional 
action against the debtor to collect the debt at the same time or in 
sequence. When SBA makes simultaneous or sequential referrals (within 
six months of the initial notice), only one review pursuant to the rules 
in this part and the statutes authorizing them is required.



Sec.  140.3  What rights do you have when SBA tries to collect a debt 
from you through offset?

    (a) SBA must write to you and tell you that it proposes to collect 
the debt by reducing your federal paycheck, withholding money the 
Government owes you, and/or reducing your tax refund.
    (b) In its written notice to you, SBA must tell you the nature and 
amount of the debt; that SBA will begin procedures to collect the debt 
through reduction of your federal paycheck, administrative offset, or 
reduction of your tax refund; that you have an opportunity to inspect 
and copy Government records relating to the debt at your expense; and 
that, before collection begins, you have an opportunity to agree with 
SBA on a schedule for repayment of your debt.
    (c) SBA also must tell you that unless you respond within 60 days 
from the date of the notice, it will disclose to consumer reporting 
agencies (also known as credit bureaus or credit agencies) that you are 
responsible for the debt and the specific information it intends to 
disclose in order to establish your identity. The amount, status, 
history of the debt, and agency program under which it arose also will 
be disclosed.
    (d) If you respond to SBA within 60 days from the date of the 
notice, SBA will not disclose the information to consumer reporting 
agencies until it considers your response and determines that you owe a 
past-due, legally enforceable debt.
    (e) Within 60 days of the notice you may present evidence that all 
or part of the debt is not past due or not legally enforceable.
    (1) Where a salary offset or administrative offset is proposed, you 
will have the opportunity to present your evidence to SBA's Office of 
Hearings and Appeals (``OHA''). The rules in part 134 of this title 
govern the procedural rights to which you are entitled. In order to have 
a hearing before OHA, you must request a hearing within 15 days of 
receipt of the written notice described in this section. An OHA judge 
will issue a decision within 60 days of the date you filed your 
petition/request for a review or hearing with OHA, unless you were 
granted additional time within which to file your request for review.
    (2) Where an income tax refund offset is proposed, you will have the 
opportunity to request a review and present your evidence to the 
appropriate SBA Commercial Loan Servicing Center at the address provided 
in the notice.
    (f) SBA must consider any evidence you present and must first decide 
that a debt is past due and legally enforceable. A debt is legally 
enforceable if there is any forum, including a State or Federal Court or 
administrative agency, in which SBA's claim would not be barred on the 
date of offset. Non-judgment debts are enforceable for ten years; 
judgment debts are enforceable beyond ten years. You will be notified of 
SBA's decision at least 30 days before any offset deduction is made. You 
also will be notified of the amount, frequency, proposed beginning date, 
and duration of the deductions, as well as any obligation to pay 
interest, penalties, and administrative costs.
    (g) If there is any substantial change in the status or amount of 
your debt, SBA will promptly report that change to each consumer 
reporting agency it originally contacted.
    (h) SBA will obtain satisfactory assurances from each consumer 
reporting agency that the consumer reporting agency has complied with 
all federal laws relating to provision of consumer credit information.
    (i) If your debt is being repaid by reduction of your income tax 
refund and you make any additional payments to

[[Page 774]]

SBA, SBA will notify the IRS of these payments and your new balance 
within 10 business days of receiving your payment.
    (j) When the debt of a federal employee is reduced to court 
judgment, the employee is not entitled to further review by SBA, but is 
only entitled to notice of a proposed salary offset resulting from the 
judgment. The amount deducted may not exceed 15% of disposable pay, 
except when the deduction of a greater amount is necessary to completely 
collect the debt within the employee's remaining period of employment.
    (k) When another federal agency asks SBA to offset a debt for it, 
SBA will not initiate the requested offset until it has received from 
the creditor agency a written certification that the debtor owes a debt, 
its amount, and that the provisions of all applicable statutes and 
regulations have been complied with fully.
    (l) SBA may make an offset prior to completion of the procedures 
described in this part, if:
    (1) Failure to make an offset would substantially prejudice the 
government's ability to collect the debt; and
    (2) The time before the payment would otherwise be made to you does 
not reasonably permit the completion of the procedures.
    (3) Such prior offset then must be followed by the completion of the 
procedures described in this part.
    (m) Where an IRS tax refund offset is sought, SBA must follow the 
Department of the Treasury's regulations governing offset of a past-due, 
legally enforceable debt against tax overpayment.



                Subpart C_Administrative Wage Garnishment



Sec.  140.11  What type of debt is subject to administrative wage garnishment, 
and how can SBA administratively garnish your pay?

    (a) General. SBA may order your employer to pay SBA a portion of 
your disposable pay to satisfy delinquent non-tax debt you owe to the 
United States. This process is called ``administrative wage 
garnishment'' and is authorized by 31 U.S.C. 3720D.
    (b) Scope. (1) This section provides procedures for SBA to collect 
delinquent non-tax debts through administrative wage garnishment.
    (2) This section applies despite any State law.
    (3) Nothing in this section prevents SBA from settling for less than 
the full amount of a debt. See, for example, the Federal Claims 
Collection Standards (FCCS), 31 CFR parts 900-904.
    (4) SBA's receipt of payments under this section does not prevent 
SBA from pursuing other debt collection remedies. SBA may pursue debt 
collection remedies separately or together with administrative wage 
garnishment.
    (5) This section does not apply to the collection of delinquent non-
tax debt owed to the United States from the wages of Federal employees. 
Federal pay is subject to the Federal salary offset procedures set forth 
in 5 U.S.C. 5514 and other laws, including subpart B of this part.
    (6) Nothing in this section requires SBA to duplicate notices or 
administrative proceedings required by contract, other laws, or 
regulations.
    (c) Definitions. In this section the following definitions apply:
    Agency means the SBA or any entity, public or private, that pursues 
recovery of the debt on SBA's behalf.
    Business day means Monday through Friday excluding Federal legal 
holidays.
    Day means calendar day. For purposes of computation, the last day of 
the period will be included unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a 
Federal legal holiday.
    Debt or claim means any amount of money, funds or property that has 
been determined by an appropriate official of the Federal Government to 
be owed to the United States by an individual, including debt 
administered by a third party as an agent for the Federal Government. 
Debt also includes accrued interest, administrative costs incurred in 
collection efforts by SBA or a lender participating in an SBA loan 
program, and penalties imposed pursuant to law or contract.
    Debtor or you means an individual who owes a delinquent non-tax debt 
to the United States.

[[Page 775]]

    Delinquent non-tax debt means any debt not related to an obligation 
under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that has not been 
paid by the date specified in SBA's initial written demand for payment, 
or applicable agreement, unless other satisfactory payment arrangements 
have been made. For purposes of this section, the terms ``debt'' and 
``claim'' are synonymous and refer to delinquent non-tax debt.
    Disposable pay means that part of the debtor's compensation 
(including, but not limited to, salary, bonuses, commissions, and 
vacation pay) from an employer remaining after the deduction of health 
insurance premiums and any amounts required by law to be withheld. For 
purposes of this section, ``amounts required by law to be withheld'' 
include amounts for deductions such as social security taxes and 
withholding taxes, but do not include any amount withheld pursuant to a 
court order.
    Employer means a person or entity that employs the services of 
others and that pays their wages or salaries. The term employer 
includes, but is not limited to, State and local Governments, but does 
not include an agency of the Federal Government.
    Evidence of service means information retained by the Agency 
indicating the nature of the document to which it pertains, the date of 
mailing of the document, and to whom the document is being sent. 
Evidence of service may be retained electronically so long as the manner 
of retention is sufficient for evidentiary purposes.
    Garnishment means the process of withholding amounts from an 
employee's disposable pay and the paying of those amounts to a creditor 
in satisfaction of a withholding order.
    Withholding order means any order for withholding or garnishment of 
pay issued by an agency, or judicial or administrative body. For 
purposes of this section, the terms ``wage garnishment order'' and 
``garnishment order'' have the same meaning as ``withholding order.''
    (d) When may the Agency initiate administrative wage garnishment 
proceedings? Whenever the Agency determines you owe a delinquent non-tax 
debt, the Agency may initiate administrative wage garnishment 
proceedings to withhold a portion of your wages to satisfy the debt.
    (e) Notice Requirements. (1) The Agency will send a written notice 
by first-class mail to your last known address at least 30 days before 
initiating garnishment. This pre-garnishment notice will inform you of:
    (i) The type and amount of the debt;
    (ii) The Agency's intent to collect the debt by making deductions 
from your pay until the debt is paid in full;
    (iii) An explanation of your rights, including those listed below, 
and the timeframe within which you may exercise your rights.
    (2) You have the right to:
    (i) Inspect and copy non-privileged SBA records related to the debt;
    (ii) Enter into a written repayment agreement with SBA under terms 
agreeable to SBA; and
    (iii) Have a hearing before an SBA hearing official in accordance 
with paragraph (f) of this section concerning the existence or the 
amount of the debt or the terms of the proposed repayment schedule under 
the garnishment order. However, you are not entitled to a hearing 
concerning the terms of the proposed repayment schedule if those terms 
have been established by written agreement under paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of 
this section.
    (3) The Agency will retain evidence of service showing when the 
Agency mailed the pre-garnishment notice.
    (f) What type of hearing must SBA give me?--(1) Procedural rules. 
Procedural rules for the conduct of administrative wage garnishment 
hearings are established in this section.
    (2) Request for hearing. You will be provided with a hearing, if you 
request one in writing disputing either the existence or amount of the 
debt or the terms of the repayment schedule (except a repayment schedule 
you and SBA agreed to in writing).
    (3) Type of hearing or review. (i) You will have the right to an 
oral hearing only if the Hearing Official determines that the issues in 
dispute cannot be resolved solely by review of the documentary evidence, 
for example, when

[[Page 776]]

the Hearing Official finds that the validity of the claim turns on the 
issue of credibility or veracity.
    (ii) If the Hearing Official determines an oral hearing is needed, 
he or she will set the time and location. You may choose whether the 
oral hearing is conducted in person or by telephone. You must pay all 
travel expenses for yourself and your witnesses to attend an in-person 
hearing. SBA will pay telephone charges for telephone hearings.
    (iii) If no oral hearing is needed, the Hearing Official will accord 
you a ``paper hearing,'' that is, the Hearing Official will decide the 
issues in dispute based upon a review of the written record. The Hearing 
Official will set a reasonable deadline for the submission of evidence.
    (4) Effect of timely request for hearing. Subject to paragraph 
(f)(13) of this section (failure to appear), if the Hearing Official 
determines your written request for a hearing was received by the 
Hearing Official by the 15th business day after the Agency mailed the 
pre-garnishment notice, the Agency will not issue a garnishment order 
before the Hearing Official renders a decision.
    (5) Untimely request for hearing. If the Hearing Official determines 
your written request for a hearing was not received by the Hearing 
Official by the 15th business day after the Agency mailed the pre-
garnishment notice, the Agency will provide a hearing to you. However, 
the Agency may proceed with the issuance of a garnishment order and 
acceptance of payments unless the Hearing Official determines that the 
delay in filing the request was caused by factors over which you had no 
control, or that information received justifies a delay or cancellation 
of the garnishment order.
    (6) Hearing official. A hearing official may be any qualified 
individual designated in the pre-garnishment notice.
    (7) Procedure. After you request a hearing, the Hearing Official 
will decide what type of hearing to hold and will notify you and the SBA 
of:
    (i) The date and time of a telephonic hearing;
    (ii) The date, time, and location of an in-person oral hearing; or
    (iii) The deadline for the submission of evidence for a written 
hearing.
    (8) Burden of proof. (i) The SBA will have the burden of going 
forward to prove the existence or amount of the debt.
    (ii) Thereafter, if you dispute the existence or amount of the debt, 
you must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that no debt 
exists or that the amount of the debt is incorrect. In addition, you may 
present evidence that the terms of the repayment schedule are unlawful, 
would cause you a financial hardship, or that collection of the debt may 
not be pursued due to operation of law.
    (9) Record. The Hearing Official must maintain a summary record of 
any hearing provided under this section. A hearing is not required to be 
a formal evidentiary-type hearing; however, witnesses who testify in 
oral hearings will do so under oath or affirmation.
    (10) Date of decision. The Hearing Official must render a written 
decision within 60 days of the date on which your request for a hearing 
was received by OHA. If the Hearing Official's decision is not rendered 
within that time, and the Agency had previously issued a garnishment 
order, the Agency must suspend garnishment beginning on the 61st day. 
This suspension must continue until the Hearing Official renders a 
decision.
    (11) Content of decision. The written decision shall include:
    (i) A summary of the facts presented;
    (ii) The Hearing Official's findings, analysis and conclusions; and
    (iii) The terms of any repayment schedule, if applicable.
    (12) Final agency action. The decision of the hearing official is 
the final agency decision for the purposes of judicial review under the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 701 et seq.).
    (13) Failure to appear. In the absence of good cause shown, a debtor 
who fails to appear at an oral hearing will be deemed as not having 
timely filed a request for a hearing.
    (g) Garnishment order. (1) Unless the Agency receives an adverse 
decision from the Hearing Official or information it believes justifies 
delaying or canceling garnishment, the Agency will send the garnishment 
order to your employer by first-class mail, within the following time 
frames:

[[Page 777]]

    (i) If you did not make a timely request for a pre-garnishment 
hearing, within 30 days following the 15th business day after the Agency 
mailed the pre-garnishment notice;
    (ii) If you did make a timely request for a pre-garnishment hearing, 
within 30 days after the final agency decision to proceed with 
garnishment; or,
    (iii) As soon as reasonably possible thereafter.
    (2) The garnishment order will be in a form prescribed by the 
Secretary of the Treasury, and will contain the signature of, or the 
image of the signature of, SBA's Administrator or his/her delegatee. The 
garnishment order will contain only the information necessary for 
compliance, including your name, address, and social security number, 
the instructions for garnishing your pay, and the address for sending 
payments.
    (3) The Agency will retain evidence of service showing when it 
mailed the garnishment order.
    (h) Certification by employer. Along with the garnishment order, the 
Agency will send your employer a certification, in a form determined by 
the Secretary of the Treasury. Your employer must complete and return 
this certification to us within the time stated in the certification 
instructions. The certification will include information about your 
employment status and the amount of your disposable pay available for 
garnishment.
    (i) Amounts withheld. (1) Your employer must deduct the garnishment 
amount from your disposable pay during each pay period.
    (2) Except as shown in paragraphs (i)(3) and (i)(4) of this section, 
the amount of garnishment will be the lesser of:
    (i) The amount stated on the garnishment order, not to exceed 15% of 
your disposable pay; or,
    (ii) The amount in 15 U.S.C. 1673(a)(2) (Restriction on 
Garnishment). This is the amount by which your disposable pay exceeds an 
amount equivalent to thirty times the minimum wage. See 29 CFR 870.10.
    (3) If your pay is subject to other garnishment orders, the 
following applies:
    (i) Unless otherwise provided by Federal law, the Agency garnishment 
orders must be paid in the amounts in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, 
and will have priority over other garnishment orders issued later. 
However, withholding orders for family support have priority over the 
Agency garnishment orders.
    (ii) If amounts are being withheld from your pay because of a 
garnishment order issued before the Agency's garnishment order, or 
because of a garnishment order for family support issued at any time, 
the earlier or family support order will have priority, and the amount 
withheld because of the Agency garnishment order will be the lesser of:
    (A) The amount calculated under paragraph (i)(2) of this section, or
    (B) An amount equal to 25% of your disposable pay minus the amount 
withheld under the garnishment order(s) with priority.
    (iii) If you owe more than one delinquent non-tax debt, the Agency 
may issue multiple garnishment orders if the amount withheld from your 
pay does not exceed the amount in paragraph (i)(2) of this section.
    (4) You may give written consent for the Agency to garnish from your 
pay an amount greater than that in paragraphs (i)(2) and (i)(3) of this 
section.
    (5) Your employer must promptly pay to the Agency all amounts 
withheld under a withholding order.
    (6) Your employer is not required to change normal pay cycles to 
comply with the garnishment order.
    (7) No assignment or allotment of your earnings that you have 
requested may interfere with or prohibit execution of the Agency 's 
garnishment order. The one exception to this rule is that you may assign 
or allot earnings because of a family support judgment or order.
    (8) The garnishment order will state a reasonable time period within 
which your employer must begin wage garnishment. Your employer must 
withhold the designated amount from your wages each pay period until the 
Agency notifies your employer to stop wage garnishment.
    (j) Exclusions from garnishment. The Agency may not garnish your 
wages if

[[Page 778]]

the Agency knows you have been involuntarily unemployed at any time 
during the last 12 months. You are responsible for informing the Agency 
of the facts and circumstances of your unemployment.
    (k) Financial hardship. (1) If your wages are subject to a 
garnishment order issued by the Agency, you may, at any time, request a 
review of the amount being withheld from your wages based on a material 
change in circumstances that causes you financial hardship, such as 
disability, divorce, or catastrophic illness. You may send your request 
to the Director of SBA's loan servicing center in Birmingham, Alabama.
    (2) If you request review under paragraph (k)(1) of this section, 
you must specifically state why the current amount of garnishment causes 
you financial hardship and you must send documentation supporting your 
claim.
    (3) If the Agency finds financial hardship, the Agency will decide 
how much and how long to reduce the amount garnished from your pay. The 
Agency will notify your employer of any reductions.
    (l) Ending garnishment. (1) After the Agency has recovered the 
amount you owe, including interest, penalties, and administrative costs 
consistent with the FCCS, the Agency will send a notice to your employer 
to stop wage garnishment with a copy to you.
    (2) The Agency will review your account to ensure that garnishment 
has stopped if you have paid your debt in full.
    (m) Prohibited actions. No employer may fire, refuse to employ, or 
take disciplinary action against you because of a withholding order 
issued by the Agency.
    (n) Refunds. (1) The Agency must promptly refund any amount 
collected by administrative wage garnishment if either--
    (i) A Judge, after a hearing held under paragraph (f) of this 
section, determines you do not owe a debt to the United States; or
    (ii) The Agency determines that your employer continued submitting 
to the Agency withheld wages after you had paid your debt in full.
    (2) Refunds of amounts collected will not earn interest unless 
required by federal law or contract.
    (o) Right of action. The Agency may sue your employer for any amount 
that the employer fails to withhold from wages owed and payable to you 
in accordance with paragraphs (g) and (i) of this section. However, the 
Agency may not file such a suit until the collection action involving 
you has ended unless earlier filing is necessary to avoid expiration of 
any applicable statute of limitations period. For purposes of this 
section, the collection action involving you ends when the Agency stops 
the collection action in accordance with the FCCS or other applicable 
standards. In any event, the collection action involving you will be 
deemed ended if the Agency has not received any payments from you to 
satisfy your debt, in whole or in part, for a period of one (1) year.

[70 FR 17587, Apr. 7, 2005, as amended at 73 FR 63628, Oct. 27, 2008]



PART 142_PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES ACT REGULATIONS--Table of Contents



                        Overview and Definitions

Sec.
142.1 Overview of regulations.
142.2 What kind of conduct will result in program fraud enforcement?
142.3 What is a claim?
142.4 What is a statement?
142.5 What is a false claim or statement?
142.6 What does the phrase ``know or have reason to know'' mean?

              Procedures Leading to Issuance of a Complaint

142.7 Who investigates program fraud?
142.8 What happens if program fraud is suspected?
142.9 When will SBA issue a complaint?
142.10 What is contained in a complaint?
142.11 How will the complaint be served?

               Procedures Following Service of a Complaint

142.12 How does a defendant respond to the complaint?
142.13 What happens if a defendant fails to file an answer?
142.14 What happens once an answer is filed?

                           Hearing Provisions

142.15 What kind of hearing is contemplated?

[[Page 779]]

142.16 At the hearing, what rights do the parties have?
142.17 What is the role of the ALJ?
142.18 Can the reviewing official or ALJ be disqualified?
142.19 How are issues brought to the attention of the ALJ?
142.20 How are papers served?
142.21 How will the hearing be conducted and who has the burden of 
          proof?
142.22 How is evidence presented at the hearing?
142.23 Are there limits on disclosure of documents or discovery?
142.24 Can witnesses be subpoenaed?
142.25 Can a party or witness object to discovery?
142.26 Can a party informally discuss the case with the ALJ?
142.27 Are there sanctions for misconduct?
142.28 Where is the hearing held?
142.29 Are witness lists exchanged before the hearing?

                          Decisions and Appeals

142.30 How is the case decided?
142.31 Can a party request reconsideration of the initial decision?
142.32 When does the initial decision of the ALJ become final?
142.33 What are the procedures for appealing the ALJ decision?
142.34 Are there any limitations on the right to appeal to the 
          Administrator?
142.35 How does the Administrator dispose of an appeal?
142.36 Can I obtain judicial review?
142.37 What judicial review is available?
142.38 Can the administrative complaint be settled voluntarily?
142.39 How are civil penalties and assessments collected?
142.40 What if the investigation indicates criminal misconduct?
142.41 How does SBA protect the rights of defendants?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634(b); 31 U.S.C. 3803(g)(2).

    Source: 61 FR 2691, Jan. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted.

                        Overview and Definitions



Sec.  142.1  Overview of regulations.

    (a) Statutory basis. This part implements the Program Fraud Civil 
Remedies Act of 1986, 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812 (``the Act''). The Act 
provides SBA and other federal agencies with an administrative remedy to 
impose civil penalties and assessments against persons making false 
claims and statements. The Act also provides due process protections to 
all persons who are subject to administrative proceedings under this 
part.
    (b) Possible remedies for program fraud. In addition to any other 
penalty which may be prescribed by law, a person who submits, or causes 
to be submitted, a false claim or a false statement to SBA is subject to 
a civil penalty of not more than $13,508 for each statement or claim, 
regardless of whether property, services, or money is actually delivered 
or paid by SBA. If SBA has made any payment, transferred property, or 
provided services in reliance on a false claim, the person submitting it 
is also subject to an assessment of not more than twice the amount of 
the false claim. This assessment is in lieu of damages sustained by SBA 
because of the false claim.

[61 FR 2691, Jan. 29, 1996, as amended at 81 FR 31492, May 19, 2016; 82 
FR 9969, Feb. 9, 2017; 83 FR 7363, Feb. 21, 2018; 84 FR 12061, Apr. 1, 
2019; 85 FR 13727, Mar. 10, 2020; 86 FR 52957, Sept. 24, 2021; 87 FR 
28758, May 11, 2022; 88 FR 50005, Aug. 1, 2023]



Sec.  142.2  What kind of conduct will result in program fraud enforcement?

    (a) Any person who makes, or causes to be made, a false, fictitious, 
or fraudulent claim or written statement to SBA is subject to program 
fraud enforcement. A ``person'' means any individual, partnership, 
corporation, association, or other legal entity.
    (b) If more than one person makes a false claim or statement, each 
person is liable for a civil penalty. If more than one person makes a 
false claim which has induced SBA to make payment, an assessment is 
imposed against each person. The liability of each such person to pay 
the assessment is joint and several, that is, each is responsible for 
the entire amount.
    (c) No proof of specific intent to defraud is required to establish 
liability under this part.



Sec.  142.3  What is a claim?

    (a) Claim means any request, demand, or submission:
    (1) Made to SBA for property, services, or money;
    (2) Made to a recipient of property, services, or money from SBA or 
to a party to a contract with SBA for property or services, or for the 
payment of

[[Page 780]]

money. This provision applies only when the claim is related to the 
property, services or money from SBA or to the contract with SBA; or
    (3) Made to SBA which decreases an obligation to pay or account for 
property, services, or money.
    (b) A claim can relate to grants, loans, insurance, or other 
benefits, and includes SBA guaranteed loans made by participating 
lenders. A claim is made when it is received by SBA, an agent, fiscal 
intermediary, or other entity acting for SBA, or when it is received by 
the recipient of property, services, or money, or the party to the 
contract.
    (c) Each voucher, invoice, claim form, or individual request or 
demand for property, services, or money constitutes a separate claim.



Sec.  142.4  What is a statement?

    A ``statement'' means any written representation, certification, 
affirmation, document, record, or accounting or bookkeeping entry made 
with respect to a claim or with respect to a contract, bid or proposal 
for a contract, grant, loan or other benefit from SBA. ``From SBA'' 
means that SBA provides some portion of the money or property in 
connection with the contract, bid, grant, loan, or benefit, or is 
potentially liable to another party for some portion of the money or 
property under such contract, bid, grant, loan, or benefit. A statement 
is made, presented, or submitted to SBA when it is received by SBA or an 
agent, fiscal intermediary, or other entity acting for SBA.



Sec.  142.5  What is a false claim or statement?

    (a) A claim submitted to SBA is a ``false'' claim if the person 
making the claim, or causing the claim to be made, knows or has reason 
to know that the claim:
    (1) Is false, fictitious or fraudulent;
    (2) Includes or is supported by a written statement which asserts or 
contains a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;
    (3) Includes or is supported by a written statement which is false, 
fictitious or fraudulent because it omits a material fact that the 
person making the statement has a duty to include in the statement; or
    (4) Is for payment for the provision of property or services which 
the person has not provided as claimed.
    (b) A statement submitted to SBA is a false statement if the person 
making the statement, or causing the statement to be made, knows or has 
reason to know that the statement:
    (1) Asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or 
fraudulent; or
    (2) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent because it omits a material 
fact that the person making the statement has a duty to include in the 
statement. In addition, the statement must contain or be accompanied by 
an express certification or affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy 
of the contents of the statement.



Sec.  142.6  What does the phrase ``know or have reason to know'' mean?

    A person knows or has reason to know (that a claim or statement is 
false) if the person:
    (a) Has actual knowledge that the claim or statement is false, 
fictitious, or fraudulent; or
    (b) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the 
claim or statement; or
    (c) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the claim 
or statement.

              Procedures Leading to Issuance of a Complaint



Sec.  142.7  Who investigates program fraud?

    The Inspector General, or his designee, is responsible for 
investigating allegations that a false claim or statement has been made. 
In this regard, the Inspector General has authority under the Program 
Fraud Civil Remedies Act and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
App. 3), as amended, to issue administrative subpoenas for the 
production of records and documents. The methods for serving a subpoena 
are set forth in part 101 of this chapter.

[[Page 781]]



Sec.  142.8  What happens if program fraud is suspected?

    (a) If the investigating official concludes that an action under 
this part is warranted, the investigating official submits a report 
containing the findings and conclusions of the investigation to a 
reviewing official. The reviewing official is the General Counsel or his 
designee. If the reviewing official determines that the report provides 
adequate evidence that a person submitted a false claim or statement, 
the reviewing official transmits to the Attorney General written notice 
of an intention to refer the matter for adjudication, with a request for 
approval of such referral. This notice will include the reviewing 
official's statements concerning:
    (1) The reasons for the referral;
    (2) The claims or statements upon which liability would be based;
    (3) The evidence that supports liability;
    (4) An estimate of the amount of money or the value of property, 
services, or other benefits requested or demanded in the false claim or 
statement;
    (5) Any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances that may relate to 
the claims or statements known by the reviewing official or the 
investigating official; and
    (6) The likelihood of collecting the proposed penalties and 
assessments.
    (b) If at any time, the Attorney General or designee requests in 
writing that this administrative process be stayed, the Administrator 
must stay the process immediately. The Administrator may order the 
process resumed only upon receipt of the written authorization of the 
Attorney General.



Sec.  142.9  When will SBA issue a complaint?

    SBA will issue a complaint:
    (a) If the Attorney General (or designee) approves the referral of 
the allegations for adjudication; and
    (b) In a case of submission of false claims, if the amount of money 
or the value of property or services demanded or requested in a false 
claim, or a group of related claims submitted at the same time, does not 
exceed $150,000. A group of related claims submitted at the same time 
includes only those claims arising from the same transaction (such as a 
grant, loan, application, or contract) which are submitted together as 
part of a single request, demand, or submission.



Sec.  142.10  What is contained in a complaint?

    (a) A complaint is a written statement giving notice to the person 
alleged to be liable under 31 U.S.C. 3802 of the specific allegations 
being referred for adjudication and of the person's right to request a 
hearing with respect to those allegations. The person alleged to have 
made false statements or to have submitted false claims to SBA is 
referred to as the ``defendant.''
    (b) The reviewing official may join in a single complaint false 
claims or statements that are unrelated or were not submitted 
simultaneously, regardless of the amount of money or the value of 
property or services demanded or requested.
    (c) The complaint will state that SBA seeks to impose civil 
penalties, assessments, or both, against each defendant and will 
include:
    (1) The allegations of liability against each defendant, including 
the statutory basis for liability, identification of the claims or 
statements involved, and the reasons liability allegedly arises from 
such claims or statements;
    (2) The maximum amount of penalties and assessments for which each 
defendant may be held liable;
    (3) A statement that each defendant may request a hearing by filing 
an answer and may be represented by a representative;
    (4) Instructions for filing such an answer;
    (5) A warning that failure to file an answer within 30 days of 
service of the complaint will result in imposition of the maximum amount 
of penalties and assessments.
    (d) The reviewing official must serve any complaint on the defendant 
and provide a copy to the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA). If a 
hearing is requested, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) from OHA will 
serve as the Presiding Officer.

[[Page 782]]



Sec.  142.11  How will the complaint be served?

    (a) The complaint must be served on individual defendants directly, 
a partnership through a general partner, and on corporations or on 
unincorporated associations through an executive officer or a director, 
except that service also may be made on any person authorized by 
appointment or by law to receive process for the defendant.
    (b) The complaint may be served either by:
    (1) Registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) 
addressed to the defendant at his or her residence, usual dwelling 
place, principal office or place of business; or by
    (2) Personal delivery by anyone 18 years of age or older.
    (c) The date of service is the date of personal delivery or, in the 
case of service by registered or certified mail, the date of postmark.
    (d) Proof of service--
    (1) When service is made by registered or certified mail, the return 
postal receipt will serve as proof of service.
    (2) When service is made by personal delivery, an affidavit of the 
individual serving the complaint, or written acknowledgment of receipt 
by the defendant or a representative, will serve as proof of service.
    (e) When served with the complaint, the defendant also should be 
served with a copy of this part 142 and 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812.

               Procedures Following Service of a Complaint



Sec.  142.12  How does a defendant respond to the complaint?

    (a) A defendant may file an answer with the reviewing official and 
the Office of Hearings and Appeals within 30 days of service of the 
complaint. An answer will be considered a request for an oral hearing.
    (b) In the answer, a defendant--
    (1) Must admit or deny each of the allegations of liability 
contained in the complaint (a failure to deny an allegation is 
considered an admission);
    (2) Must state any defense on which the defendant intends to rely;
    (3) May state any reasons why he or she believes the penalties, 
assessments, or both should be less than the statutory maximum; and
    (4) Must state the name, address, and telephone number of the person 
authorized by the defendant to act as defendant's representative, if 
any.
    (c) If the defendant is unable to file an answer which meets the 
requirements set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, the defendant 
may file with the reviewing official a general answer denying liability, 
requesting a hearing, and requesting an extension of time in which to 
file a complete answer. A general answer must be filed within 30 days of 
service of the complaint.
    (d) If the defendant initially files a general answer requesting an 
extension of time, the reviewing official must promptly file with the 
ALJ the complaint, the general answer, and the request for an extension 
of time.
    (e) For good cause shown, the ALJ may grant the defendant up to 30 
additional days within which to file an answer meeting the requirements 
of paragraph (b) of this section. Such answer must be filed with OHA and 
a copy must be served on the reviewing official.



Sec.  142.13  What happens if a defendant fails to file an answer?

    (a) If a defendant does not file any answer within 30 days after 
service of the complaint, the reviewing official will refer the 
complaint to the ALJ.
    (b) Once the complaint is referred, the ALJ will promptly serve on 
the defendant a notice that an initial decision will be issued.
    (c) The ALJ will assume the facts alleged in the complaint to be 
true and, if such facts establish liability under the statute, the ALJ 
will issue an initial decision imposing the maximum amount of penalties 
and assessments allowed under the statute.
    (d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, when a defendant 
fails to file a timely answer, the defendant waives any right to further 
review of the penalties and assessments imposed in the initial decision.
    (e) The initial decision becomes final 30 days after it is issued.

[[Page 783]]

    (f) If, at any time before an initial decision becomes final, a 
defendant files a motion with the ALJ asking that the case be reopened 
and describing the extraordinary circumstances that prevented the 
defendant from filing an answer, the initial decision will be stayed 
until the ALJ makes a decision on the motion. The reviewing official may 
respond to the motion.
    (g) If, in his motion to reopen, a defendant demonstrates 
extraordinary circumstances excusing his failure to file a timely 
answer, the ALJ will withdraw the initial decision, and grant the 
defendant an opportunity to answer the complaint.
    (h) A decision by the ALJ to deny a defendant's motion to reopen a 
case is not subject to review or reconsideration.



Sec.  142.14  What happens once an answer is filed?

    (a) When the reviewing official receives an answer, he must file 
concurrently, the complaint and the answer with the ALJ, along with a 
designation of an SBA representative.
    (b) When the ALJ receives the complaint and the answer, the ALJ will 
promptly serve a notice of oral hearing upon the defendant and the 
representative for SBA, in the same manner as the complaint, service of 
which is described in Sec.  142.11. The notice of oral hearing must be 
served within six years of the date on which the claim or statement is 
made.
    (c) The notice must include:
    (1) The tentative time, place and nature of the hearing;
    (2) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is 
to be held;
    (3) The matters of fact and law to be asserted;
    (4) A description of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing;
    (5) The name, address, and telephone number of the defendant's 
representative and the representative for SBA; and
    (6) Such other matters as the ALJ deems appropriate.

                           Hearing Provisions



Sec.  142.15  What kind of hearing is contemplated?

    The hearing is a formal proceeding conducted by the ALJ during which 
a defendant will have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, 
present testimony, and dispute liability.



Sec.  142.16  At the hearing, what rights do the parties have?

    (a) The parties to the hearing shall be the defendant and SBA. 
Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3730(c)(5), a private plaintiff in an action under 
the False Claims Act may participate in the hearing to the extent 
authorized by the provisions of that Act.
    (b) Each party has the right to:
    (1) Be represented by a representative;
    (2) Request a pre-hearing conference and participate in any 
conference held by the ALJ;
    (3) Conduct discovery;
    (4) Agree to stipulations of fact or law which will be made a part 
of the record;
    (5) Present evidence relevant to the issues at the hearing;
    (6) Present and cross-examine witnesses;
    (7) Present arguments at the hearing as permitted by the ALJ; and
    (8) Submit written briefs and proposed findings of fact and 
conclusions of law after the hearing, as permitted by the ALJ.



Sec.  142.17  What is the role of the ALJ?

    An ALJ from OHA serves as the Presiding Officer at all hearings, 
with authority as set forth in Sec.  134.218(b) of this chapter.



Sec.  142.18  Can the reviewing official or ALJ be disqualified?

    (a) A reviewing official or an ALJ may disqualify himself or herself 
at any time.
    (b) Upon motion of any party, the reviewing official or ALJ may be 
disqualified as follows:
    (1) The motion must be supported by an affidavit containing specific 
facts establishing that personal bias or other

[[Page 784]]

reason for disqualification exists, including the time and circumstances 
of the discovery of such facts;
    (2) The motion must be filed promptly after discovery of the grounds 
for disqualification, or the objection will be deemed waived; and
    (3) The party, or representative of record, must certify in writing 
that the motion is made in good faith.
    (c) Once a motion has been filed to disqualify the reviewing 
official, the ALJ will halt the proceedings until resolving the matter 
of disqualification. If the ALJ determines that the reviewing official 
is disqualified, the ALJ will dismiss the complaint without prejudice. 
If the ALJ disqualifies himself or herself, the case will be promptly 
reassigned to another ALJ.



Sec.  142.19  How are issues brought to the attention of the ALJ?

    All applications to the ALJ for an order or ruling are made by 
motion, stating the relief sought, the authority relied upon, and the 
facts alleged. Procedures for filing motions under this section are 
governed by Sec.  134.211 of this chapter.



Sec.  142.20  How are papers served?

    Except for service of a complaint or a notice of hearing under 
Sec. Sec.  142.11 and 142.14(b) respectively, service of papers must be 
made as prescribed by Sec.  134.204 of this chapter.



Sec.  142.21  How will the hearing be conducted and who has 
the burden of proof?

    (a) The ALJ conducts a hearing in order to determine whether a 
defendant is liable for a civil penalty, assessment, or both and, if so, 
the appropriate amount of the civil penalty and/or assessment. The 
hearing will be recorded and transcribed, and the transcript of 
testimony, exhibits admitted at the hearing, and all papers and requests 
filed in the proceeding constitute the record for a decision by the ALJ.
    (b) SBA must prove a defendant's liability and any aggravating 
factors by a preponderance of the evidence.
    (c) A defendant must prove any affirmative defenses and any 
mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.
    (d) The hearing will be open to the public unless otherwise ordered 
by the ALJ for good cause shown.



Sec.  142.22  How is evidence presented at the hearing?

    (a) Witnesses at the hearing must testify orally under oath or 
affirmation unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ. At the discretion of 
the ALJ, testimony may be admitted in the form of a written statement or 
deposition, a copy of which must be provided to all other parties, along 
with the last known address of the witness, in a manner which allows 
sufficient time for other parties to subpoena the witness for cross-
examination at the hearing.
    (b) The ALJ determines the admissibility of evidence in accordance 
with Sec.  134.223 (a) and (b) of this chapter.



Sec.  142.23  Are there limits on disclosure of documents or discovery?

    (a) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant 
may review all non-privileged, relevant and material documents, records 
and other material related to the allegations contained in the 
complaint. After paying SBA a reasonable fee for duplication, the 
defendant may obtain a copy of the records described.
    (b) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant 
may obtain a copy of all exculpatory information in the possession of 
the reviewing official or investigating official relating to the 
allegations in the complaint. If the document would otherwise be 
privileged, only the portion of the document containing exculpatory 
information must be disclosed. As used in this section, the term 
``information'' does not include legal materials such as statutes or 
case law obtained through legal research.
    (c) The notice sent to the Attorney General from the reviewing 
official is not discoverable under any circumstances.
    (d) Other discovery is available only as ordered by the ALJ and 
includes only those methods of discovery allowed by Sec.  134.213 of 
this chapter.

[[Page 785]]



Sec.  142.24  Can witnesses be subpoenaed?

    A party seeking the appearance and testimony of any individual or 
the production of documents or records at a hearing may request in 
writing that the ALJ issue a subpoena. Any such request must be filed 
with the ALJ not less than 15 days before the scheduled hearing date 
unless otherwise allowed by the ALJ for good cause. A subpoena shall be 
issued by the ALJ in the manner specified by Sec.  134.214 of this 
chapter.



Sec.  142.25  Can a party or witness object to discovery?

    Any party or prospective witness may file a motion to quash a 
subpoena or to limit discovery or the disclosure of evidence. Motions to 
limit discovery or to object to the disclosure of evidence are governed 
by Sec.  134.213 of this chapter. Motions to limit or quash subpoenas 
are governed by Sec.  134.214(d) of this chapter.



Sec.  142.26  Can a party informally discuss the case with the ALJ?

    No. Such discussions are forbidden as ex parte communications with 
the ALJ as set forth in Sec.  134.220 of this chapter. This does not 
prohibit a party from communicating with other employees of OHA to 
inquire about the status of a case or to ask routine questions 
concerning administrative functions and procedures.



Sec.  142.27  Are there sanctions for misconduct?

    The ALJ may sanction a party or representative, as set forth in 
Sec.  134.219 of this chapter.



Sec.  142.28  Where is the hearing held?

    The ALJ will hold the hearing in any judicial district of the United 
States:
    (a) In which the defendant resides or transacts business; or
    (b) In which the claim or statement on which liability is based was 
made, presented or submitted to SBA; or
    (c) As agreed upon by the defendant and the ALJ.



Sec.  142.29  Are witness lists exchanged before the hearing?

    (a) At least 15 days before the hearing or at such other time as 
ordered by the ALJ, the parties must exchange witness lists and copies 
of proposed hearing exhibits, including copies of any written statements 
or transcripts of deposition testimony that the party intends to offer 
in lieu of live testimony.
    (b) If a party objects, the ALJ will not admit into evidence the 
testimony of any witness whose name does not appear on the witness list 
or any exhibit not provided to an opposing party unless the ALJ finds 
good cause for the omission or concludes that there is no prejudice to 
the objecting party.
    (c) Unless a party objects within the time set by the ALJ, documents 
exchanged in accordance with this section are deemed to be authentic for 
the purpose of admissibility at the hearing.

                          Decisions and Appeals



Sec.  142.30  How is the case decided?

    (a) The ALJ will issue an initial decision based only on the record. 
It will contain findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the amount of 
any penalties and assessments imposed.
    (b) The ALJ will serve the initial decision on all parties within 90 
days after close of the hearing or expiration of any allowed time for 
submission of post-hearing briefs. If the ALJ fails to meet this 
deadline, he or she shall promptly notify the parties of the reason for 
the delay and set a new deadline.
    (c) The findings of fact must include a finding on each of the 
following issues:
    (1) Whether any one or more of the claims or statements identified 
in the complaint violate this part; and
    (2) If the defendant is liable for penalties or assessments, the 
appropriate amount of any such penalties or assessments, considering any 
mitigating or aggravating factors.
    (d) The initial decision will include a description of the right of 
a defendant found liable for a civil penalty or assessment to file a 
motion for reconsideration with the ALJ or a notice of appeal with the 
Administrator.



Sec.  142.31  Can a party request reconsideration of the initial decision?

    (a) Any party may file a motion for reconsideration of the initial 
decision

[[Page 786]]

with the ALJ within 20 days of receipt of the initial decision. If the 
initial decision was served by mail, there is a rebuttable presumption 
that the initial decision was received by the party 5 days from the date 
of mailing.
    (b) A motion for reconsideration must be accompanied by a supporting 
brief and must describe specifically each allegedly erroneous decision.
    (c) Any response to a motion for reconsideration must be filed 
within 20 days of receipt of such motion.
    (d) The ALJ will dispose of a motion for reconsideration by denying 
it or by issuing a revised initial decision.
    (e) If the ALJ issues a revised initial decision upon motion of a 
party, that party may not file another motion for reconsideration.



Sec.  142.32  When does the initial decision of the ALJ become final?

    (a) The initial decision of the ALJ becomes the final decision of 
SBA, and shall be binding on all parties 30 days after it is issued, 
unless any party timely files a motion for reconsideration or any 
defendant adjudged to have submitted a false claim or statement timely 
appeals to the SBA Administrator, as set forth in Sec.  142.33.
    (b) If the ALJ disposes of a motion for reconsideration by denying 
it or by issuing a revised initial decision, the ALJ's order on the 
motion for reconsideration becomes the final decision of SBA 30 days 
after the order is issued, unless a defendant adjudged to have submitted 
a false claim or statement timely appeals to the Administrator, within 
30 days of the ALJ's order, as set forth in Sec.  142.33.



Sec.  142.33  What are the procedures for appealing the ALJ decision?

    (a) Any defendant who submits a timely answer and is found liable 
for a civil penalty or assessment in an initial decision may appeal the 
decision.
    (b) The defendant may file a notice of appeal with the Administrator 
within 30 days following issuance of the initial decision, serving a 
copy of the notice of appeal on all parties and the ALJ. The 
Administrator may extend this deadline for up to thirty additional days 
if an extension request is filed within the initial 30 day period and 
shows good cause.
    (c) The defendant's appeal will not be considered until all timely 
motions for reconsideration have been resolved.
    (d) If a timely motion for reconsideration is denied, a notice of 
appeal may be filed within 30 days following such denial or issuance of 
a revised initial decision, whichever applies.
    (e) A notice of appeal must be supported by a written brief 
specifying why the initial decision should be reversed or modified.
    (f) SBA's representative may file a brief in opposition to the 
notice of appeal within 30 days of receiving the defendant's notice of 
appeal and supporting brief.
    (g) If a defendant timely files a notice of appeal, and the time for 
filing motions for reconsideration has expired, the ALJ will forward the 
record of the proceeding to the Administrator.



Sec.  142.34  Are there any limitations on the right to appeal to 
the Administrator?

    (a) A defendant has no right to appear personally, or through a 
representative, before the Administrator.
    (b) There is no right to appeal any interlocutory ruling.
    (c) The Administrator will not consider any objection or evidence 
that was not raised before the ALJ unless the defendant demonstrates 
that the failure to object was caused by extraordinary circumstances. If 
the appealing defendant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the 
Administrator that extraordinary circumstances prevented the 
presentation of evidence at the hearing, and that the additional 
evidence is material, the Administrator may remand the matter to the ALJ 
for consideration of the additional evidence.



Sec.  142.35  How does the Administrator dispose of an appeal?

    (a) The Administrator may affirm, reduce, reverse, compromise, 
remand, or settle any penalty or assessment imposed by the ALJ in the 
initial decision or reconsideration decision.
    (b) The Administrator will promptly serve each party to the appeal 
and the ALJ with a copy of his or her decision.

[[Page 787]]

This decision must contain a statement describing the right of any 
person, against whom a penalty or assessment has been made, to seek 
judicial review.



Sec.  142.36  Can I obtain judicial review?

    If the initial decision is appealed, the decision of the 
Administrator is the final decision of SBA and is not subject to 
judicial review unless the defendant files a petition for judicial 
review within 60 days after the Administrator serves the defendant with 
a copy of the final decision.



Sec.  142.37  What judicial review is available?

    31 U.S.C. 3805 authorizes judicial review by the appropriate United 
States District Court of any final SBA decision imposing penalties or 
assessments, and specifies the procedures for such review. To obtain 
judicial review, a defendant must file a petition in a timely fashion.



Sec.  142.38  Can the administrative complaint be settled voluntarily?

    (a) Parties may make offers of compromise or settlement at any time. 
Any compromise or settlement must be in writing.
    (b) The reviewing official has the exclusive authority to compromise 
or settle the case from the date on which the reviewing official is 
permitted to issue a complaint until the ALJ issues an initial decision.
    (c) The Administrator has exclusive authority to compromise or 
settle the case from the date of the ALJ's initial decision until 
initiation of any judicial review or any action to collect the penalties 
and assessments.
    (d) The Attorney General has exclusive authority to compromise or 
settle the case while any judicial review or any action to recover 
penalties and assessments is pending.
    (e) The investigating official may recommend settlement terms to the 
reviewing official, the Administrator, or the Attorney General, as 
appropriate. The reviewing official may recommend settlement terms to 
the Administrator or the Attorney General, as appropriate.



Sec.  142.39  How are civil penalties and assessments collected?

    31 U.S.C. 3806 and 3808(b) authorize the Attorney General to bring 
specific actions for collection of such civil penalties and assessments 
including administrative offset under 31 U.S.C. 3716. The penalties and 
assessments may not, however, be administratively offset against an 
overpayment of federal taxes (then or later owed) to the defendant by 
the United States.



Sec.  142.40  What if the investigation indicates criminal misconduct?

    (a) Any investigating official may:
    (1) Refer allegations of criminal misconduct directly to the 
Department of Justice for prosecution or for suit under the False Claims 
Act or other civil proceeding;
    (2) Defer or postpone a report or referral to the reviewing official 
to avoid interference with a criminal investigation or prosecution; or
    (3) Issue subpoenas under other statutory authority.
    (b) Nothing in this part limits the requirement that SBA employees 
report suspected violations of criminal law to the SBA Office of 
Inspector General or to the Attorney General.



Sec.  142.41  How does SBA protect the rights of defendants?

    These procedures separate the functions of the investigating 
official, reviewing official, and the ALJ, each of whom report to a 
separate organizational authority in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3801. 
Except for purposes of settlement, or as a witness or a representative 
in public proceedings, no investigating official, reviewing official, or 
SBA employee or agent who helps investigate, prepare, or present a case 
may (in such case, or a factually related case) participate in the 
initial decision or the review of the initial decision by the 
Administrator. This separation of functions and organization is designed 
to assure the independence and impartiality of each government official 
during every stage of the proceeding. The representative for SBA may be 
employed in the offices of either the investigating official or the 
reviewing official.

[[Page 788]]

                           PART 143 [RESERVED]



PART 146_NEW RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
146.100 Conditions on use of funds.
146.105 Definitions.
146.110 Certification and disclosure.

                  Subpart B_Activities by Own Employees

146.200 Agency and legislative liaison.
146.205 Professional and technical services.
146.210 Reporting.

            Subpart C_Activities by Other Than Own Employees

146.300 Professional and technical services.

                   Subpart D_Penalties and Enforcement

146.400 Penalties.
146.405 Penalty procedures.
146.410 Enforcement.

                          Subpart E_Exemptions

146.500 Secretary of Defense.

                        Subpart F_Agency Reports

146.600 Semi-annual compilation.
146.605 Inspector General report.

Appendix A to Part 146--Certification Regarding Lobbying
Appendix B to Part 146--Disclosure Form To Report Lobbying

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 1352 and 15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6).

    Cross Reference: See also Office of Management and Budget notice 
published at 54 FR 52306, December 20, 1989.

    Source: 55 FR 6737. 6747, Feb. 26, 1990, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec.  146.100  Conditions on use of funds.

    (a) No appropriated funds may be expended by the recipient of a 
Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement to pay any 
person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee 
of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, 
or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any of the 
following covered Federal actions: the awarding of any Federal contract, 
the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the 
entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, 
continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement shall file with that 
agency a certification, set forth in appendix A, that the person has not 
made, and will not make, any payment prohibited by paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (c) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or a cooperative agreement shall file with that 
agency a disclosure form, set forth in appendix B, if such person has 
made or has agreed to make any payment using nonappropriated funds (to 
include profits from any covered Federal action), which would be 
prohibited under paragraph (a) of this section if paid for with 
appropriated funds.
    (d) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a statement, set forth in appendix A, whether that 
person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or 
attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member 
of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or guarantee.
    (e) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a disclosure form, set forth in appendix B, if that 
person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or 
attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member 
of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or guarantee.



Sec.  146.105  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:

[[Page 789]]

    (a) Agency, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(f), includes Federal 
executive departments and agencies as well as independent regulatory 
commissions and Government corporations, as defined in 31 U.S.C. 
9101(1).
    (b) Covered Federal action means any of the following Federal 
actions:
    (1) The awarding of any Federal contract;
    (2) The making of any Federal grant;
    (3) The making of any Federal loan;
    (4) The entering into of any cooperative agreement; and,
    (5) The extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification 
of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.

Covered Federal action does not include receiving from an agency a 
commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a 
loan. Loan guarantees and loan insurance are addressed independently 
within this part.
    (c) Federal contract means an acquisition contract awarded by an 
agency, including those subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation 
(FAR), and any other acquisition contract for real or personal property 
or services not subject to the FAR.
    (d) Federal cooperative agreement means a cooperative agreement 
entered into by an agency.
    (e) Federal grant means an award of financial assistance in the form 
of money, or property in lieu of money, by the Federal Government or a 
direct appropriation made by law to any person. The term does not 
include technical assistance which provides services instead of money, 
or other assistance in the form of revenue sharing, loans, loan 
guarantees, loan insurance, interest subsidies, insurance, or direct 
United States cash assistance to an individual.
    (f) Federal loan means a loan made by an agency. The term does not 
include loan guarantee or loan insurance.
    (g) Indian tribe and tribal organization have the meaning provided 
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 450B). Alaskan Natives are included under the definitions 
of Indian tribes in that Act.
    (h) Influencing or attempting to influence means making, with the 
intent to influence, any communication to or appearance before an 
officer or employee or any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in 
connection with any covered Federal action.
    (i) Loan guarantee and loan insurance means an agency's guarantee or 
insurance of a loan made by a person.
    (j) Local government means a unit of government in a State and, if 
chartered, established, or otherwise recognized by a State for the 
performance of a governmental duty, including a local public authority, 
a special district, an intrastate district, a council of governments, a 
sponsor group representative organization, and any other instrumentality 
of a local government.
    (k) Officer or employee of an agency includes the following 
individuals who are employed by an agency:
    (1) An individual who is appointed to a position in the Government 
under title 5, U.S. Code, including a position under a temporary 
appointment;
    (2) A member of the uniformed services as defined in section 101(3), 
title 37, U.S. Code;
    (3) A special Government employee as defined in section 202, title 
18, U.S. Code; and,
    (4) An individual who is a member of a Federal advisory committee, 
as defined by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, title 5, U.S. Code 
appendix 2.
    (l) Person means an individual, corporation, company, association, 
authority, firm, partnership, society, State, and local government, 
regardless of whether such entity is operated for profit or not for 
profit. This term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or any 
other Indian organization with respect to expenditures specifically 
permitted by other Federal law.
    (m) Reasonable compensation means, with respect to a regularly 
employed officer or employee of any person, compensation that is 
consistent with the normal compensation for such officer

[[Page 790]]

or employee for work that is not furnished to, not funded by, or not 
furnished in cooperation with the Federal Government.
    (n) Reasonable payment means, with respect to professional and other 
technical services, a payment in an amount that is consistent with the 
amount normally paid for such services in the private sector.
    (o) Recipient includes all contractors, subcontractors at any tier, 
and subgrantees at any tier of the recipient of funds received in 
connection with a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative 
agreement. The term excludes an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or 
any other Indian organization with respect to expenditures specifically 
permitted by other Federal law.
    (p) Regularly employed means, with respect to an officer or employee 
of a person requesting or receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or 
cooperative agreement or a commitment providing for the United States to 
insure or guarantee a loan, an officer or employee who is employed by 
such person for at least 130 working days within one year immediately 
preceding the date of the submission that initiates agency consideration 
of such person for receipt of such contract, grant, loan, cooperative 
agreement, loan insurance commitment, or loan guarantee commitment. An 
officer or employee who is employed by such person for less than 130 
working days within one year immediately preceding the date of the 
submission that initiates agency consideration of such person shall be 
considered to be regularly employed as soon as he or she is employed by 
such person for 130 working days.
    (q) State means a State of the United States, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory or possession of 
the United States, an agency or instrumentality of a State, and a multi-
State, regional, or interstate entity having governmental duties and 
powers.



Sec.  146.110  Certification and disclosure.

    (a) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, 
if required, with each submission that initiates agency consideration of 
such person for:
    (1) Award of a Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
exceeding $100,000; or
    (2) An award of a Federal loan or a commitment providing for the 
United States to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000.
    (b) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, 
if required, upon receipt by such person of:
    (1) A Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement exceeding 
$100,000; or
    (2) A Federal loan or a commitment providing for the United States 
to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000,

Unless such person previously filed a certification, and a disclosure 
form, if required, under paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Each person shall file a disclosure form at the end of each 
calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that requires 
disclosure or that materially affects the accuracy of the information 
contained in any disclosure form previously filed by such person under 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section. An event that materially affects 
the accuracy of the information reported includes:
    (1) A cumulative increase of $25,000 or more in the amount paid or 
expected to be paid for influencing or attempting to influence a covered 
Federal action; or
    (2) A change in the person(s) or individual(s) influencing or 
attempting to influence a covered Federal action; or,
    (3) A change in the officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) contacted 
to influence or attempt to influence a covered Federal action.
    (d) Any person who requests or receives from a person referred to in 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section:
    (1) A subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a Federal 
contract;
    (2) A subgrant, contract, or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any 
tier under a Federal grant;
    (3) A contract or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a 
Federal loan exceeding $150,000; or,
    (4) A contract or subcontract exceeding $100,000 at any tier under a 
Federal cooperative agreement,

[[Page 791]]


Shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, to the 
next tier above.
    (e) All disclosure forms, but not certifications, shall be forwarded 
from tier to tier until received by the person referred to in paragraphs 
(a) or (b) of this section. That person shall forward all disclosure 
forms to the agency.
    (f) Any certification or disclosure form filed under paragraph (e) 
of this section shall be treated as a material representation of fact 
upon which all receiving tiers shall rely. All liability arising from an 
erroneous representation shall be borne solely by the tier filing that 
representation and shall not be shared by any tier to which the 
erroneous representation is forwarded. Submitting an erroneous 
certification or disclosure constitutes a failure to file the required 
certification or disclosure, respectively. If a person fails to file a 
required certification or disclosure, the United States may pursue all 
available remedies, including those authorized by section 1352, title 
31, U.S. Code.
    (g) For awards and commitments in process prior to December 23, 
1989, but not made before that date, certifications shall be required at 
award or commitment, covering activities occurring between December 23, 
1989, and the date of award or commitment. However, for awards and 
commitments in process prior to the December 23, 1989 effective date of 
these provisions, but not made before December 23, 1989, disclosure 
forms shall not be required at time of award or commitment but shall be 
filed within 30 days.
    (h) No reporting is required for an activity paid for with 
appropriated funds if that activity is allowable under either Subpart B 
or C.



                  Subpart B_Activities by Own Employees



Sec.  146.200  Agency and legislative liaison.

    (a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in Sec.  
146.100 (a), does not apply in the case of a payment of reasonable 
compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or 
receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement if 
the payment is for agency and legislative liaison activities not 
directly related to a covered Federal action.
    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, providing any 
information specifically requested by an agency or Congress is allowable 
at any time.
    (c) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the following 
agency and legislative liaison activities are allowable at any time only 
where they are not related to a specific solicitation for any covered 
Federal action:
    (1) Discussing with an agency (including individual demonstrations) 
the qualities and characteristics of the person's products or services, 
conditions or terms of sale, and service capabilities; and,
    (2) Technical discussions and other activities regarding the 
application or adaptation of the person's products or services for an 
agency's use.
    (d) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the following 
agencies and legislative liaison activities are allowable only where 
they are prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal action:
    (1) Providing any information not specifically requested but 
necessary for an agency to make an informed decision about initiation of 
a covered Federal action;
    (2) Technical discussions regarding the preparation of an 
unsolicited proposal prior to its official submission; and,
    (3) Capability presentations by persons seeking awards from an 
agency pursuant to the provisions of the Small Business Act, as amended 
by Public Law 95-507 and other subsequent amendments.
    (e) Only those activities expressly authorized by this section are 
allowable under this section.



Sec.  146.205  Professional and technical services.

    (a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in Sec.  
146.100 (a), does not apply in the case of a payment of reasonable 
compensation made to an officer or employee of a person requesting or 
receiving a Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or 
an extension, continuation, renewal,

[[Page 792]]

amendment, or modification of a Federal contract, grant, loan, or 
cooperative agreement if payment is for professional or technical 
services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, or 
negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or for meeting 
requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving 
that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, professional and 
technical services shall be limited to advice and analysis directly 
applying any professional or technical discipline. For example, drafting 
of a legal document accompanying a bid or proposal by a lawyer is 
allowable. Similarly, technical advice provided by an engineer on the 
performance or operational capability of a piece of equipment rendered 
directly in the negotiation of a contract is allowable. However, 
communications with the intent to influence made by a professional (such 
as a licensed lawyer) or a technical person (such as a licensed 
accountant) are not allowable under this section unless they provide 
advice and analysis directly applying their professional or technical 
expertise and unless the advice or analysis is rendered directly and 
solely in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a covered 
Federal action. Thus, for example, communications with the intent to 
influence made by a lawyer that do not provide legal advice or analysis 
directly and solely related to the legal aspects of his or her client's 
proposal, but generally advocate one proposal over another are not 
allowable under this section because the lawyer is not providing 
professional legal services. Similarly, communications with the intent 
to influence made by an engineer providing an engineering analysis prior 
to the preparation or submission of a bid or proposal are not allowable 
under this section since the engineer is providing technical services 
but not directly in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a 
covered Federal action.
    (c) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for 
receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or 
regulation, or reasonably expected to be required by law or regulation, 
and any other requirements in the actual award documents.
    (d) Only those services expressly authorized by this section are 
allowable under this section.



Sec.  146.210  Reporting.

    No reporting is required with respect to payments of reasonable 
compensation made to regularly employed officers or employees of a 
person.



            Subpart C_Activities by Other Than Own Employees



Sec.  146.300  Professional and technical services.

    (a) The prohibition on the use of appropriated funds, in Sec.  
146.100 (a), does not apply in the case of any reasonable payment to a 
person, other than an officer or employee of a person requesting or 
receiving a covered Federal action, if the payment is for professional 
or technical services rendered directly in the preparation, submission, 
or negotiation of any bid, proposal, or application for that Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement or for meeting 
requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for receiving 
that Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) The reporting requirements in Sec.  146.110 (a) and (b) 
regarding filing a disclosure form by each person, if required, shall 
not apply with respect to professional or technical services rendered 
directly in the preparation, submission, or negotiation of any 
commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a 
loan.
    (c) For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, professional and 
technical services shall be limited to advice and analysis directly 
applying any professional or technical discipline. For example, drafting 
or a legal document accompanying a bid or proposal by a lawyer is 
allowable. Similarly, technical advice provided by an engineer on the 
performance or operational capability of a piece of equipment rendered 
directly in the negotiation of a contract is allowable. However, 
communications with the intent to influence made by a

[[Page 793]]

professional (such as a licensed lawyer) or a technical person (such as 
a licensed accountant) are not allowable under this section unless they 
provide advice and analysis directly applying their professional or 
technical expertise and unless the advice or analysis is rendered 
directly and solely in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a 
covered Federal action. Thus, for example, communications with the 
intent to influence made by a lawyer that do not provide legal advice or 
analysis directly and solely related to the legal aspects of his or her 
client's proposal, but generally advocate one proposal over another are 
not allowable under this section because the lawyer is not providing 
professional legal services. Similarly, communications with the intent 
to influence made by an engineer providing an engineering analysis prior 
to the preparation or submission of a bid or proposal are not allowable 
under this section since the engineer is providing technical services 
but not directly in the preparation, submission or negotiation of a 
covered Federal action.
    (d) Requirements imposed by or pursuant to law as a condition for 
receiving a covered Federal award include those required by law or 
regulation, or reasonably expected to be required by law or regulation, 
and any other requirements in the actual award documents.
    (e) Persons other than officers or employees of a person requesting 
or receiving a covered Federal action include consultants and trade 
associations.
    (f) Only those services expressly authorized by this section are 
allowable under this section.



                   Subpart D_Penalties and Enforcement



Sec.  146.400  Penalties.

    (a) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited herein shall be 
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $23,727 and not more than 
$237,268 for each such expenditure.
    (b) Any person who fails to file or amend the disclosure form (see 
appendix B) to be filed or amended if required herein, shall be subject 
to a civil penalty of not less than $23,727 and not more than $237,268 
for each such failure.
    (c) A filing or amended filing on or after the date on which an 
administrative action for the imposition of a civil penalty is commenced 
does not prevent the imposition of such civil penalty for a failure 
occurring before that date. An administrative action is commenced with 
respect to a failure when an investigating official determines in 
writing to commence an investigation of an allegation of such failure.
    (d) In determining whether to impose a civil penalty, and the amount 
of any such penalty, by reason of a violation by any person, the agency 
shall consider the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the 
violation, the effect on the ability of such person to continue in 
business, any prior violations by such person, the degree of culpability 
of such person, the ability of the person to pay the penalty, and such 
other matters as may be appropriate.
    (e) First offenders under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section 
shall be subject to a civil penalty of $23,727, absent aggravating 
circumstances. Second and subsequent offenses by persons shall be 
subject to an appropriate civil penalty between $23,727 and $237,268, as 
determined by the agency head or his or her designee.
    (f) An imposition of a civil penalty under this section does not 
prevent the United States from seeking any other remedy that may apply 
to the same conduct that is the basis for the imposition of such civil 
penalty.

[55 FR 6737. 6747, Feb. 26, 1990, as amended at 81 FR 31492, May 19, 
2016; 82 FR 9969, Feb. 9, 2017; 83 FR 7363, Feb. 21, 2018; 84 FR 12061, 
Apr. 1, 2019; 85 FR 13727, Mar. 10, 2020; 86 FR 52957, Sept. 24, 2021; 
87 FR 28758, May 11, 2022; 88 FR 50005, Aug. 1, 2023]



Sec.  146.405  Penalty procedures.

    Agencies shall impose and collect civil penalties pursuant to the 
provisions of the Program Fraud and Civil Remedies Act, 31 U.S.C. 
sections 3803 (except subsection (c)), 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3808, and 
3812, insofar as these provisions are not inconsistent with the 
requirements herein.

[[Page 794]]



Sec.  146.410  Enforcement.

    The head of each agency shall take such actions as are necessary to 
ensure that the provisions herein are vigorously implemented and 
enforced in that agency.



                          Subpart E_Exemptions



Sec.  146.500  Secretary of Defense.

    (a) The Secretary of Defense may exempt, on a case-by-case basis, a 
covered Federal action from the prohibition whenever the Secretary 
determines, in writing, that such an exemption is in the national 
interest. The Secretary shall transmit a copy of each such written 
exemption to Congress immediately after making such a determination.
    (b) The Department of Defense may issue supplemental regulations to 
implement paragraph (a) of this section.



                        Subpart F_Agency Reports



Sec.  146.600  Semi-annual compilation.

    (a) The head of each agency shall collect and compile the disclosure 
reports (see appendix B) and, on May 31 and November 30 of each year, 
submit to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives a report containing a compilation of the information 
contained in the disclosure reports received during the six-month period 
ending on March 31 or September 30, respectively, of that year.
    (b) The report, including the compilation, shall be available for 
public inspection 30 days after receipt of the report by the Secretary 
and the Clerk.
    (c) Information that involves intelligence matters shall be reported 
only to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate, the 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives in accordance with procedures agreed to by 
such committees. Such information shall not be available for public 
inspection.
    (d) Information that is classified under Executive Order 12356 or 
any successor order shall be reported only to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives or the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives (whichever such committees have 
jurisdiction of matters involving such information) and to the 
Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives in accordance with procedures agreed to by such 
committees. Such information shall not be available for public 
inspection.
    (e) The first semi-annual compilation shall be submitted on May 31, 
1990, and shall contain a compilation of the disclosure reports received 
from December 23, 1989 to March 31, 1990.
    (f) Major agencies, designated by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), are required to provide machine-readable compilations to 
the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives no later than with the compilations due on May 31, 1991. 
OMB shall provide detailed specifications in a memorandum to these 
agencies.
    (g) Non-major agencies are requested to provide machine-readable 
compilations to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House 
of Representatives.
    (h) Agencies shall keep the originals of all disclosure reports in 
the official files of the agency.



Sec.  146.605  Inspector General report.

    (a) The Inspector General, or other official as specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section, of each agency shall prepare and submit 
to Congress each year, commencing with submission of the President's 
Budget in 1991, an evaluation of the compliance of that agency with, and 
the effectiveness of, the requirements herein. The evaluation may 
include any recommended changes that may be necessary to strengthen or 
improve the requirements.
    (b) In the case of an agency that does not have an Inspector 
General, the agency official comparable to an Inspector General shall 
prepare and submit the annual report, or, if there is no such comparable 
official, the head of the agency shall prepare and submit the annual 
report.

[[Page 795]]

    (c) The annual report shall be submitted at the same time the agency 
submits its annual budget justifications to Congress.
    (d) The annual report shall include the following: All alleged 
violations relating to the agency's covered Federal actions during the 
year covered by the report, the actions taken by the head of the agency 
in the year covered by the report with respect to those alleged 
violations and alleged violations in previous years, and the amounts of 
civil penalties imposed by the agency in the year covered by the report.





      Sec. Appendix A to Part 146--Certification Regarding Lobbying

 Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements

    The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge and 
belief, that:
    (1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by 
or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for influencing or 
attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member 
of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the 
making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the 
entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, 
continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal 
contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been 
paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to 
influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an 
officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress 
in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative 
agreement, the undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, 
``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in accordance with its 
instructions.
    (3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this 
certification be included in the award documents for all subawards at 
all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under 
grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients 
shall certify and disclose accordingly.
    This certification is a material representation of fact upon which 
reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered into. 
Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or 
entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. 
Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be 
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than 
$100,000 for each such failure.

            Statement for Loan Guarantees and Loan Insurance

    The undersigned states, to the best of his or her knowledge and 
belief, that:
    If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the 
undersigned shall complete and submit Standard Form-LLL, ``Disclosure 
Form to Report Lobbying,'' in accordance with its instructions.
    Submission of this statement is a prerequisite for making or 
entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, U.S. 
Code. Any person who fails to file the required statement shall be 
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than 
$100,000 for each such failure.

[[Page 796]]

       Appendix B to Part 146--Disclosure Form To Report Lobbying
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC08SE91.000


[[Page 797]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC08SE91.001


[[Page 798]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC08SE91.002


[[Page 799]]





PART 147_GOVERNMENTWIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (NONPROCUREMENT)--
Table of Contents



                     Subpart A_Purpose and Coverage

Sec.
147.100 What does this part do?
147.105 Does this part apply to me?
147.110 Are any of my Federal assistance awards exempt from this part?
147.115 Does this part affect the Federal contracts that I receive?

      Subpart B_Requirements for Recipients Other Than Individuals

147.200 What must I do to comply with this part?
147.205 What must I include in my drug-free workplace statement?
147.210 To whom must I distribute my drug-free workplace statement?
147.215 What must I include in my drug-free awareness program?
147.220 By when must I publish my drug-free workplace statement and 
          establish my drug-free awareness program?
147.225 What actions must I take concerning employees who are convicted 
          of drug violations in the workplace?
147.230 How and when must I identify workplaces?

        Subpart C_Requirements for Recipients Who Are Individuals

147.300 What must I do to comply with this part if I am an individual 
          recipient?
147.301 [Reserved]

          Subpart D_Responsibilities of SBA Awarding Officials

147.400 What are my responsibilities as an SBA awarding official?

           Subpart E_Violations of This Part and Consequences

147.500 How are violations of this part determined for recipients other 
          than individuals?
147.505 How are violations of this part determined for recipients who 
          are individuals?
147.510 What actions will the Federal Government take against a 
          recipient determined to have violated this part?
147.515 Are there any exceptions to those actions?

                          Subpart F_Definitions

147.605 Award.
147.610 Controlled substance.
147.615 Conviction.
147.620 Cooperative agreement.
147.625 Criminal drug statute.
147.630 Debarment.
147.635 Drug-free workplace.
147.640 Employee.
147.645 Federal agency or agency.
147.650 Grant.
147.655 Individual.
147.660 Recipient.
147.665 State.
147.670 Suspension.

    Authority: 41 U.S.C. 701-707.

    Source: 68 FR 66557, 66572, Nov. 26, 2003, unless otherwise noted.



                     Subpart A_Purpose and Coverage



Sec.  147.100  What does this part do?

    This part carries out the portion of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 
1988 (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq., as amended) that applies to grants. It also 
applies the provisions of the Act to cooperative agreements and other 
financial assistance awards, as a matter of Federal Government policy.



Sec.  147.105  Does this part apply to me?

    (a) Portions of this part apply to you if you are either--
    (1) A recipient of an assistance award from the SBA; or
    (2) A(n) SBA awarding official. (See definitions of award and 
recipient in Sec. Sec.  147.605 and 147.660, respectively.)
    (b) The following table shows the subparts that apply to you:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             If you are . . .                    see subparts . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) A recipient who is not an individual..  A, B and E.
(2) A recipient who is an individual......  A, C and E.
(3) A(n) SBA awarding official............  A, D and E.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec.  147.110  Are any of my Federal assistance awards exempt from this part?

    This part does not apply to any award that the SBA Administrator or 
designee determines that the application of this part would be 
inconsistent with the international obligations of the United States or 
the laws or regulations of a foreign government.

[[Page 800]]



Sec.  147.115  Does this part affect the Federal contracts that I receive?

    It will affect future contract awards indirectly if you are debarred 
or suspended for a violation of the requirements of this part, as 
described in Sec.  147.510(c). However, this part does not apply 
directly to procurement contracts. The portion of the Drug-Free 
Workplace Act of 1988 that applies to Federal procurement contracts is 
carried out through the Federal Acquisition Regulation in chapter 1 of 
Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations (the drug-free workplace 
coverage currently is in 48 CFR part 23, subpart 23.5).



      Subpart B_Requirements for Recipients Other Than Individuals



Sec.  147.200  What must I do to comply with this part?

    There are two general requirements if you are a recipient other than 
an individual.
    (a) First, you must make a good faith effort, on a continuing basis, 
to maintain a drug-free workplace. You must agree to do so as a 
condition for receiving any award covered by this part. The specific 
measures that you must take in this regard are described in more detail 
in subsequent sections of this subpart. Briefly, those measures are to--
    (1) Publish a drug-free workplace statement and establish a drug-
free awareness program for your employees (see Sec. Sec.  147.205 
through 147.220); and
    (2) Take actions concerning employees who are convicted of violating 
drug statutes in the workplace (see Sec.  147.225).
    (b) Second, you must identify all known workplaces under your 
Federal awards (see Sec.  147.230).



Sec.  147.205  What must I include in my drug-free workplace statement?

    You must publish a statement that--
    (a) Tells your employees that the unlawful manufacture, 
distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance 
is prohibited in your workplace;
    (b) Specifies the actions that you will take against employees for 
violating that prohibition; and
    (c) Lets each employee know that, as a condition of employment under 
any award, he or she:
    (1) Will abide by the terms of the statement; and
    (2) Must notify you in writing if he or she is convicted for a 
violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace and must 
do so no more than five calendar days after the conviction.



Sec.  147.210  To whom must I distribute my drug-free workplace statement?

    You must require that a copy of the statement described in Sec.  
147.205 be given to each employee who will be engaged in the performance 
of any Federal award.



Sec.  147.215  What must I include in my drug-free awareness program?

    You must establish an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform 
employees about--
    (a) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
    (b) Your policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
    (c) Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee 
assistance programs; and
    (d) The penalties that you may impose upon them for drug abuse 
violations occurring in the workplace.



Sec.  147.220  By when must I publish my drug-free workplace statement 
and establish my drug-free awareness program?

    If you are a new recipient that does not already have a policy 
statement as described in Sec.  147.205 and an ongoing awareness program 
as described in Sec.  147.215, you must publish the statement and 
establish the program by the time given in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 If . . .                          then you . . .
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The performance period of the award is  must have the policy
 less than 30 days.                          statement and program in
                                             place as soon as possible,
                                             but before the date on
                                             which performance is
                                             expected to be completed.
(b) The performance period of the award is  must have the policy
 30 days or more.                            statement and program in
                                             place within 30 days after
                                             award.

[[Page 801]]

 
(c) You believe there are extraordinary     may ask the SBA awarding
 circumstances that will require more than   official to give you more
 30 days for you to publish the policy       time to do so. The amount
 statement and establish the awareness       of additional time, if any,
 program.                                    to be given is at the
                                             discretion of the awarding
                                             official.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



Sec.  147.225  What actions must I take concerning employees who are convicted 
of drug violations in the workplace?

    There are two actions you must take if an employee is convicted of a 
drug violation in the workplace:
    (a) First, you must notify Federal agencies if an employee who is 
engaged in the performance of an award informs you about a conviction, 
as required by Sec.  147.205(c)(2), or you otherwise learn of the 
conviction. Your notification to the Federal agencies must--
    (1) Be in writing;
    (2) Include the employee's position title;
    (3) Include the identification number(s) of each affected award;
    (4) Be sent within ten calendar days after you learn of the 
conviction; and
    (5) Be sent to every Federal agency on whose award the convicted 
employee was working. It must be sent to every awarding official or his 
or her official designee, unless the Federal agency has specified a 
central point for the receipt of the notices.
    (b) Second, within 30 calendar days of learning about an employee's 
conviction, you must either--
    (1) Take appropriate personnel action against the employee, up to 
and including termination, consistent with the requirements of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), as amended; or
    (2) Require the employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug 
abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for these purposes 
by a Federal, State or local health, law enforcement, or other 
appropriate agency.



Sec.  147.230  How and when must I identify workplaces?

    (a) You must identify all known workplaces under each SBA award. A 
failure to do so is a violation of your drug-free workplace 
requirements. You may identify the workplaces--
    (1) To the SBA official that is making the award, either at the time 
of application or upon award; or
    (2) In documents that you keep on file in your offices during the 
performance of the award, in which case you must make the information 
available for inspection upon request by SBA officials or their 
designated representatives.
    (b) Your workplace identification for an award must include the 
actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or other sites where 
work under the award takes place. Categorical descriptions may be used 
(e.g., all vehicles of a mass transit authority or State highway 
department while in operation, State employees in each local 
unemployment office, performers in concert halls or radio studios).
    (c) If you identified workplaces to the SBA awarding official at the 
time of application or award, as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, and any workplace that you identified changes during the 
performance of the award, you must inform the SBA awarding official.



        Subpart C_Requirements for Recipients Who Are Individuals



Sec.  147.300  What must I do to comply with this part if I am 
an individual recipient?

    As a condition of receiving a(n) SBA award, if you are an individual 
recipient, you must agree that--
    (a) You will not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, 
dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in conducting 
any activity related to the award; and
    (b) If you are convicted of a criminal drug offense resulting from a 
violation occurring during the conduct of any award activity, you will 
report the conviction:
    (1) In writing.
    (2) Within 10 calendar days of the conviction.
    (3) To the SBA awarding official or other designee for each award 
that you currently have, unless Sec.  147.301 or the award document 
designates a central point for the receipt of the notices. When notice 
is made to a central point,

[[Page 802]]

it must include the identification number(s) of each affected award.



Sec.  147.301  [Reserved]



          Subpart D_Responsibilities of SBA Awarding Officials



Sec.  147.400  What are my responsibilities as a(n) SBA awarding official?

    As a(n) SBA awarding official, you must obtain each recipient's 
agreement, as a condition of the award, to comply with the requirements 
in--
    (a) Subpart B of this part, if the recipient is not an individual; 
or
    (b) Subpart C of this part, if the recipient is an individual.



           Subpart E_Violations of this Part and Consequences



Sec.  147.500  How are violations of this part determined for recipients 
other than individuals?

    A recipient other than an individual is in violation of the 
requirements of this part if the SBA Administrator or designee 
determines, in writing, that--
    (a) The recipient has violated the requirements of subpart B of this 
part; or
    (b) The number of convictions of the recipient's employees for 
violating criminal drug statutes in the workplace is large enough to 
indicate that the recipient has failed to make a good faith effort to 
provide a drug-free workplace.



Sec.  147.505  How are violations of this part determined for recipients 
who are individuals?

    An individual recipient is in violation of the requirements of this 
part if the SBA Administrator or designee determines, in writing, that--
    (a) The recipient has violated the requirements of subpart C of this 
part; or
    (b) The recipient is convicted of a criminal drug offense resulting 
from a violation occurring during the conduct of any award activity.



Sec.  147.510  What actions will the Federal Government take against 
a recipient determined to have violated this part?

    If a recipient is determined to have violated this part, as 
described in Sec.  147.500 or Sec.  147.505, the SBA may take one or 
more of the following actions--
    (a) Suspension of payments under the award;
    (b) Suspension or termination of the award; and
    (c) Suspension or debarment of the recipient under 13 CFR Part 145, 
for a period not to exceed five years.



Sec.  147.515  Are there any exceptions to those actions?

    The SBA Administrator may waive with respect to a particular award, 
in writing, a suspension of payments under an award, suspension or 
termination of an award, or suspension or debarment of a recipient if 
the SBA Administrator determines that such a waiver would be in the 
public interest. This exception authority cannot be delegated to any 
other official.



                          Subpart F_Definitions



Sec.  147.605  Award.

    Award means an award of financial assistance by the SBA or other 
Federal agency directly to a recipient.
    (a) The term award includes:
    (1) A Federal grant or cooperative agreement, in the form of money 
or property in lieu of money.
    (2) A block grant or a grant in an entitlement program, whether or 
not the grant is exempted from coverage under the Governmentwide rule 13 
CFR Part 147 that implements OMB Circular A-102 (for availability, see 5 
CFR 1310.3) and specifies uniform administrative requirements.
    (b) The term award does not include:
    (1) Technical assistance that provides services instead of money.
    (2) Loans.
    (3) Loan guarantees.
    (4) Interest subsidies.
    (5) Insurance.
    (6) Direct appropriations.
    (7) Veterans' benefits to individuals (i.e., any benefit to 
veterans, their families, or survivors by virtue of the service of a 
veteran in the Armed Forces of the United States).



Sec.  147.610  Controlled substance.

    Controlled substance means a controlled substance in schedules I 
through V of the Controlled Substances

[[Page 803]]

Act (21 U.S.C. 812), and as further defined by regulation at 21 CFR 
1308.11 through 1308.15.



Sec.  147.615  Conviction.

    Conviction means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo 
contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body 
charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the Federal 
or State criminal drug statutes.



Sec.  147.620  Cooperative agreement.

    Cooperative agreement means an award of financial assistance that, 
consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6305, is used to enter into the same kind of 
relationship as a grant (see definition of grant in Sec.  147.650), 
except that substantial involvement is expected between the Federal 
agency and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by 
the award. The term does not include cooperative research and 
development agreements as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3710a.



Sec.  147.625  Criminal drug statute.

    Criminal drug statute means a Federal or non-Federal criminal 
statute involving the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, use, or 
possession of any controlled substance.



Sec.  147.630  Debarment.

    Debarment means an action taken by a Federal agency to prohibit a 
recipient from participating in Federal Government procurement contracts 
and covered nonprocurement transactions. A recipient so prohibited is 
debarred, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation for 
procurement contracts (48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4) and the common rule, 
Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), that 
implements Executive Order 12549 and Executive Order 12689.



Sec.  147.635  Drug-free workplace.

    Drug-free workplace means a site for the performance of work done in 
connection with a specific award at which employees of the recipient are 
prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, 
dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance.



Sec.  147.640  Employee.

    (a) Employee means the employee of a recipient directly engaged in 
the performance of work under the award, including--
    (1) All direct charge employees;
    (2) All indirect charge employees, unless their impact or 
involvement in the performance of work under the award is insignificant 
to the performance of the award; and
    (3) Temporary personnel and consultants who are directly engaged in 
the performance of work under the award and who are on the recipient's 
payroll.
    (b) This definition does not include workers not on the payroll of 
the recipient (e.g., volunteers, even if used to meet a matching 
requirement; consultants or independent contractors not on the payroll; 
or employees of subrecipients or subcontractors in covered workplaces).



Sec.  147.645  Federal agency or agency.

    Federal agency or agency means any United States executive 
department, military department, government corporation, government 
controlled corporation, any other establishment in the executive branch 
(including the Executive Office of the President), or any independent 
regulatory agency.



Sec.  147.650  Grant.

    Grant means an award of financial assistance that, consistent with 
31 U.S.C. 6304, is used to enter into a relationship--
    (a) The principal purpose of which is to transfer a thing of value 
to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation 
authorized by a law of the United States, rather than to acquire 
property or services for the Federal Government's direct benefit or use; 
and
    (b) In which substantial involvement is not expected between the 
Federal agency and the recipient when carrying out the activity 
contemplated by the award.



Sec.  147.655  Individual.

    Individual means a natural person.

[[Page 804]]



Sec.  147.660  Recipient.

    Recipient means any individual, corporation, partnership, 
association, unit of government (except a Federal agency) or legal 
entity, however organized, that receives an award directly from a 
Federal agency.



Sec.  147.665  State.

    State means any of the States of the United States, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or 
possession of the United States.



Sec.  147.670  Suspension.

    Suspension means an action taken by a Federal agency that 
immediately prohibits a recipient from participating in Federal 
Government procurement contracts and covered nonprocurement transactions 
for a temporary period, pending completion of an investigation and any 
judicial or administrative proceedings that may ensue. A recipient so 
prohibited is suspended, in accordance with the Federal Acquisition 
Regulation for procurement contracts (48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4) and 
the common rule, Government-wide Debarment and Suspension 
(Nonprocurement), that implements Executive Order 12549 and Executive 
Order 12689. Suspension of a recipient is a distinct and separate action 
from suspension of an award or suspension of payments under an award.

                        PARTS 148	199 [RESERVED]

[[Page 805]]



CHAPTER III--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE




  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Part                                                                Page
300             General information.........................         807
301             Eligibility, investment rate and application 
                    requirements............................         810
302             General terms and conditions for investment 
                    assistance..............................         816
303             Planning investments and comprehensive 
                    economic development strategies.........         821
304             Economic Development Districts..............         825
305             Public works and economic development 
                    investments.............................         827
306             Training, research and technical assistance 
                    investments.............................         831
307             Economic adjustment assistance investments..         833
308             Performance incentives......................         846
309             Redistributions of investment assistance....         847
310             Special Impact Areas........................         848
311

[Reserved]

312             Regional Innovation Program.................         849
313

[Reserved]

314             Property....................................         853
315             Trade adjustment assistance for firms.......         862
316-399

[Reserved]

[[Page 807]]



PART 300_GENERAL INFORMATION--Table of Contents



Sec.
300.1 Introduction and mission.
300.2 EDA Headquarters and regional offices.
300.3 Definitions.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3121; 42 U.S.C. 3122; 42 U.S.C. 3211; 15 U.S.C. 
3701; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  300.1  Introduction and mission.

    EDA was created by Congress pursuant to the Public Works and 
Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide financial assistance to both 
rural and urban distressed communities. EDA's mission is to lead the 
Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and 
competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in 
the worldwide economy. EDA will fulfill its mission by fostering 
entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity through Investments in 
infrastructure development, capacity building and business development 
in order to attract private capital investments and new and better jobs 
to Regions experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress. 
EDA works in partnership with distressed Regions to address problems 
associated with long-term economic distress as well as to assist those 
Regions experiencing sudden and severe economic dislocations, such as 
those resulting from natural disasters, conversions of military 
installations, changing trade patterns and the depletion of natural 
resources. EDA Investments generally take the form of Grants to or 
Cooperative Agreements with Eligible Recipients.

[79 FR 76123, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  300.2  EDA Headquarters and regional offices.

    (a) EDA's Headquarters Office is located at: U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Economic Development Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20230.
    (b) EDA has regional offices throughout the United States and each 
regional office's contact information may be found on EDA's Internet Web 
site at http://www.eda.gov or in the applicable announcement of Federal 
Funding Opportunity issued by EDA. Please contact the appropriate 
regional office to learn about EDA Investment opportunities in your 
Region.

[79 FR 76123, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  300.3  Definitions.

    As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the 
following meanings:
    Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary for Economic 
Development within the Department.
    Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy or CEDS means a strategy 
that meets the requirements of Sec.  303.7 of this chapter.
    Cooperative Agreement means the financial assistance award of EDA 
funds to an Eligible Recipient where substantial involvement is expected 
between EDA and the Eligible Recipient in carrying out a purpose or 
activity authorized under PWEDA or another statute. See 31 U.S.C. 6305.
    Co-Recipient means one of multiple Recipients awarded Investment 
Assistance under a single award. Unless otherwise provided in the terms 
and conditions of the Investment Assistance, each Co-Recipient is 
jointly and severally liable for fulfilling the terms of the Investment 
Assistance.
    Department means the U.S. Department of Commerce.
    District Organization means an organization meeting the requirements 
of Sec.  304.2 of this chapter.
    Economic Development District or District or EDD means any Region in 
the United States designated by EDA as an Economic Development District 
under Sec.  304.1 of this chapter (or such regulation as was previously 
in effect before the effective date of this section) and also includes 
any economic development district designated as such under section 403 
of PWEDA, as in effect on February 10, 1999.
    EDA means the Economic Development Administration within the 
Department.
    Eligible Applicant means an entity qualified to be an Eligible 
Recipient or its authorized representative.

[[Page 808]]

    Eligible Recipient means any of the following:
    (1) City or other political subdivision of a State, including a 
special purpose unit of State or local government engaged in economic or 
infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political 
subdivisions;
    (2) State;
    (3) Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions 
of higher education;
    (4) Public or private non-profit organization or association, 
including a community or faith-based non-profit organization, acting in 
cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State;
    (5) District Organization;
    (6) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; or
    (7) Private individual or for-profit organization, but only for 
Training, Research and Technical Assistance Investments pursuant to 
Sec.  306.1(d)(3) of this chapter.
    Federal Agency means a department, agency or instrumentality of the 
United States government.
    Federal Funding Opportunity or FFO means an announcement EDA 
publishes during the fiscal year at http://www.grants.gov and on EDA's 
Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov that provides the funding 
amounts, application and programmatic requirements, funding priorities, 
special circumstances, and other information concerning a specific 
competitive solicitation for EDA's economic development assistance 
programs. EDA also may periodically publish FFOs on specific programs or 
initiatives.
    Federally Declared Disaster means a Presidentially Declared 
Disaster, a fisheries resource disaster pursuant to section 312(a) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 1861a(a)), or other Federally declared disasters pursuant to 
applicable law.
    Grant means the financial assistance award of EDA funds to an 
Eligible Recipient, under which the Eligible Recipient bears 
responsibility for carrying out a purpose or activity authorized under 
PWEDA or another statute. See 31 U.S.C. 6304.
    Immediate Family means a person's spouse (or domestic partner or 
significant other), parents, grandparents, siblings, children and 
grandchildren, but does not include distant relatives, such as cousins, 
unless the distant relative lives in the same household as the person.
    In-Kind Contribution(s) means non-cash contributions, which may 
include contributions of space, equipment, services and assumptions of 
debt that are fairly evaluated by EDA and that satisfy applicable 
Federal uniform administrative requirements and cost principles as set 
out in 2 CFR part 200.
    Indian Tribe means an entity on the list of recognized tribes 
published pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 
1994, as amended (Pub. L. 103-454) (25 U.S.C. 479a et seq.), and any 
Alaska Native Village or Regional Corporation (as defined in or 
established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
1601 et seq.). This term includes the governing body of an Indian Tribe, 
Indian corporation (restricted to Indians), Indian authority, or other 
non-profit Indian tribal organization or entity; provided that the 
Indian tribal organization, corporation, or entity is wholly owned by, 
and established for the benefit of, the Indian Tribe or Alaska Native 
Village.
    Interested Party means any officer, employee or member of the board 
of directors or other governing board of the Recipient, including any 
other parties that advise, approve, recommend or otherwise participate 
in the business decisions of the Recipient, such as agents, advisors, 
consultants, attorneys, accountants or shareholders. An Interested Party 
also includes the Interested Party's Immediate Family and other persons 
directly connected to the Interested Party by law or through a business 
arrangement.
    Investment or Investment Assistance means a Grant or Cooperative 
Agreement entered into by EDA and a Recipient.
    Investment Rate means, as set forth in Sec.  301.4 of this chapter, 
the amount of the EDA Investment in a particular Project expressed as a 
percentage of the total Project cost.

[[Page 809]]

    Local Share or Matching Share means the non-EDA funds and any In-
Kind Contributions that are approved by EDA and provided by a Recipient 
or third party as a condition of an Investment. The Matching Share may 
include funds from another Federal Agency only if authorized by statute 
that allows such use, which may be determined by EDA's reasonable 
interpretation of such authority.
    Presidentially Declared Disaster means a major disaster or emergency 
declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
    Project means the proposed or authorized activity (or activities) 
the purpose of which fulfills EDA's mission and program requirements as 
set forth in PWEDA or Stevenson-Wydler and this chapter and which may be 
funded in whole or in part by EDA Investment Assistance.
    PWEDA means the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.).
    Recipient means an entity receiving EDA Investment Assistance, 
including any EDA-approved successor to the entity.
    Region or Regional means an economic unit of human, natural, 
technological, capital or other resources, defined geographically. 
Geographic areas comprising a Region need not be contiguous or defined 
by political boundaries, but should constitute a cohesive area capable 
of undertaking self-sustained economic development. For the limited 
purposes of determining economic distress levels and Investment Rates 
pursuant to part 301 of this chapter, a Region also may comprise a 
specific geographic area defined solely by its level of economic 
distress, as set forth in Sec. Sec.  301.3(a)(2) and 301.3(a)(3) of this 
chapter.
    Regional Commission means any of the following:
    (1) The Appalachian Regional Commission established under chapter 
143 of title 40, United States Code;
    (2) The Delta Regional Authority established under subtitle F of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa et seq.);
    (3) The Denali Commission established under the Denali Commission 
Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121 note; 112 Stat. 2681-637 et seq.); or
    (4) The Northern Great Plains Regional Authority established under 
subtitle G of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
2009bb et seq.).
    Regional Innovation Clusters or RICs means networks of similar, 
synergistic, or complementary entities that support a single industry 
sector and its various supply chains. In general, RICs:
    (1) Are based on a geographic area that may cross municipal, county, 
and other jurisdictional boundaries;
    (2) May include catalysts of innovation and drivers of Regional 
economic growth, such as universities, government research centers, and 
other research and development resources;
    (3) Have active channels for business transactions and 
communication; and
    (4) Depend upon specialized infrastructure, labor markets, and 
services that build on the unique competitive assets of a location, 
including talent, technology, services, and hard and soft 
infrastructure, to spur innovation, job creation, and business 
expansion.
    Special Impact Area means a Region served by a Project for which the 
requirements of section 302 of PWEDA and Sec.  303.7 of this chapter 
have, upon an application filed by an Eligible Recipient pursuant to 
section 214 of PWEDA and part 310 of this chapter, been waived in whole 
or in part by the Assistant Secretary.
    Special Need means a circumstance or legal status arising from 
actual or threatened severe unemployment or economic adjustment problems 
resulting from severe short-term or long-term changes in economic 
conditions, including:
    (1) Substantial outmigration or population loss;
    (2) Underemployment; that is, employment of workers at less than 
full-time or at less skilled tasks than their training or abilities 
permit;
    (3) Military base closures or realignments, defense contractor 
reductions-in-force, or U.S. Department of Energy defense-related 
funding reductions;
    (4) Natural or other major disasters or emergencies;
    (5) Extraordinary depletion of natural resources;

[[Page 810]]

    (6) Closing or restructuring of an industrial firm or loss of a 
major employer;
    (7) Negative effects of changing trade patterns; or
    (8) Other circumstances set forth in an FFO.
    State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of 
the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the 
Republic of Palau.
    Stevenson-Wydler, for purposes of EDA, means the Stevenson-Wydler 
Technology Innovation Act of 1980, as amended (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).
    Subrecipient means an Eligible Recipient that receives a 
redistribution of Investment Assistance in the form of a subgrant, under 
part 309 of this chapter, from another Eligible Recipient to carry out 
part of a Federal program.
    Trade Act, for purposes of EDA, means title II, chapters 3, 4 and 5, 
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2341 et seq.).
    United States means all of the States.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62865, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76123, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57052, Dec. 1, 2017; 86 FR 52959, 
Sept. 24, 2021]



PART 301_ELIGIBILITY, INVESTMENT RATE AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS--
Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
301.1 Overview of eligibility requirements.

                     Subpart B_Applicant Eligibility

301.2 Applicant eligibility.

                  Subpart C_Economic Distress Criteria

301.3 Economic distress levels.

       Subpart D_Investment Rates and Matching Share Requirements

301.4 Investment rates.
301.5 Matching share requirements.
301.6 Supplementary Investment Assistance.

         Subpart E_Application Requirements; Evaluation Criteria

301.7 Investment Assistance application.
301.8 Application evaluation criteria.
301.9 Application selection criteria.
301.10 Formal application requirements.
301.11 Infrastructure.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3121; 42 U.S.C. 3141-3147; 42 U.S.C. 3149; 42 
U.S.C. 3161; 42 U.S.C. 3175; 42 U.S.C. 3192; 42 U.S.C. 3194; 42 U.S.C. 
3211; 42 U.S.C. 3233; Department of Commerce Delegation Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec.  301.1  Overview of eligibility requirements.

    In order to receive EDA Investment Assistance, the following 
requirements must be met:
    (a) The applicant must be an Eligible Applicant as set forth in 
subpart B of this part;
    (b) The Region in which the Project will be located must meet the 
economic distress criteria set forth in subpart C of this part;
    (c) The sources of funding for the Project must fulfill the 
Investment Rate and Matching Share requirements set forth in subpart D 
of this part;
    (d) The Eligible Applicant must satisfy the formal application 
requirements set forth in subpart E of this part;
    (e) The Project must meet the general requirements set forth in part 
302 (General Terms and Conditions for Investment Assistance) and the 
specific program requirements (as applicable) set forth in part 303 
(Planning Investments and Comprehensive Economic Development 
Strategies), part 304 (Economic Development Districts), part 305 (Public 
Works and Economic Development Investments), part 306 (Training, 
Research and Technical Assistance Investments), or part 307 (Economic 
Adjustment Assistance Investments) of this chapter; and
    (f) EDA must select the Eligible Applicant's proposed Project.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76124, Dec. 19, 2014]

[[Page 811]]



                     Subpart B_Applicant Eligibility



Sec.  301.2  Applicant eligibility.

    (a) An Eligible Applicant for EDA Investment Assistance is defined 
in Sec.  300.3 of this chapter.
    (b) An Eligible Applicant that is a non-profit organization must 
include in its application for Investment Assistance a resolution passed 
by (or a letter signed by) an authorized representative of a general 
purpose political subdivision of a State, acknowledging that it is 
acting in cooperation with officials of such political subdivision. EDA, 
at its sole discretion, may waive this cooperation requirement for 
certain Projects of a significant Regional or national scope under part 
306 or 307 of this chapter. See Sec. Sec.  306.3(b), 306.6(b), and 
307.5(b) of this chapter.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 82 FR 57053, Dec. 1, 2017]



                  Subpart C_Economic Distress Criteria



Sec.  301.3  Economic distress levels.

    (a) Part 305 (Public Works and Economic Development Investments) and 
part 307 (Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments). (1) Except as 
otherwise provided by this paragraph (a), for a Project to be eligible 
for Investment Assistance under parts 305 or 307 of this chapter, the 
Project must be located in a Region that, on the date EDA receives an 
application for Investment Assistance, is subject to one or more of the 
following economic distress criteria:
    (i) An unemployment rate that is, for the most recent 24-month 
period for which data are available, at least one percentage point 
greater than the national average unemployment rate;
    (ii) Per capita income that is, for the most recent period for which 
data are available, 80 percent or less of the national average per 
capita income; or
    (iii) A Special Need, as determined by EDA.
    (2) A Project located within an Economic Development District, which 
is located in a Region that does not meet the economic distress criteria 
described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, also is eligible for 
Investment Assistance under parts 305 or 307 of this chapter if EDA 
determines that the Project will be of ``substantial direct benefit'' to 
a geographic area within the District that meets the criteria of 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section. For this purpose, a Project provides a 
``substantial direct benefit'' if it provides significant employment 
opportunities for unemployed, underemployed or low-income residents of 
the geographic area within the District.
    (3) A Project located in a geographic area of poverty or high 
unemployment that meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this 
section, but which is located in a Region that overall does not meet the 
requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, is eligible for 
Investment Assistance under parts 305 or 307 of this chapter without 
regard to political or other subdivisions or boundaries.
    (4) Data requirements to demonstrate economic distress levels. EDA 
will determine the economic distress levels pursuant to this subsection 
at the time EDA receives an application for Investment Assistance as 
follows:
    (i) For economic distress levels based upon per capita income 
requirements, EDA will base its determination upon the most recent 
American Community Survey (``ACS'') published by the U.S. Census Bureau. 
For economic distress levels based upon the unemployment rate, EDA will 
base its determination upon the most recent data published by the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics (``BLS''), within the U.S. Department of Labor. For 
eligibility based upon either per capita income requirements or the 
unemployment rate, when the ACS or BLS data, as applicable, are not the 
most recent Federal data available, EDA will base its decision upon the 
most recent Federal data from other sources (including data available 
from the Census Bureau and the Bureaus of Economic Analysis, Labor 
Statistics, Indian Affairs, or any other Federal source determined by 
EDA to be appropriate). If no Federal data are available, an Eligible 
Applicant must submit to EDA the most recent data available from the 
State. The required data must be for the Region where the Project will 
be located (paragraph (a)(1) of this section), the geographic

[[Page 812]]

area where substantial direct Project benefits will occur (paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section), or the geographic area of poverty or high 
unemployment (paragraph (a)(3) of this section), as applicable.
    (ii) For economic distress based upon a Special Need, EDA will 
conduct the independent analysis it deems necessary under the facts and 
circumstances of a given case. Eligible Applicants are encouraged to 
submit reliable data substantiating their claim of a Special Need.
    (b) Part 303 (Planning Investments) and part 306 (Training, Research 
and Technical Assistance Investments). There are no minimum economic 
distress level requirements for Investment Assistance awarded to 
Projects under parts 303 or 306 of this chapter.
    (c) Part 304 (Economic Development Districts). For EDA to designate 
a Region as an Economic Development District under part 304 of this 
chapter, such Region must:
    (1) Contain at least one geographic area that fulfills the economic 
distress criteria set forth in paragraph (a)(1) of this section and is 
identified in an approved CEDS; and
    (2) Meet the Regional eligibility requirements set forth in Sec.  
304.1 of this chapter.
    (d) EDA reserves the right to reject any documentation of Project 
eligibility that it determines is inaccurate or otherwise unreliable.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62865, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76124, Dec. 19, 2014]



       Subpart D_Investment Rates and Matching Share Requirements



Sec.  301.4  Investment rates.

    (a) Minimum Investment Rate. There is no minimum Investment Rate for 
a Project.
    (b) Maximum Investment Rate--(1) General rule. Except as otherwise 
provided by this paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of this section, the 
maximum EDA Investment Rate for all Projects shall be determined in 
accordance with Table 1 in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. The 
maximum EDA Investment Rate shall not exceed the sum of 50 percent, plus 
up to an additional 30 percent based on the relative needs of the Region 
in which the Project is located, as determined by EDA.
    (i)(A) Relative needs. In determining the relative needs of the 
Region in which the Project is located, EDA will prioritize allocations 
of its Investment Assistance to ensure that the level of economic 
distress of a Region, rather than a preference for a specific geographic 
area or a specific type of economic distress, is the primary factor in 
allocating its Investment Assistance. In making this determination, EDA 
will take into consideration the following measures of economic 
distress:
    (1) The severity of the unemployment rate and the duration of the 
unemployment in the Region;
    (2) The per capita income levels and the extent of underemployment 
in the Region;
    (3) The outmigration of population and the extent to which such 
outmigration is causing economic injury in the Region; and
    (4) Such other factors as EDA deems relevant in determining the 
relative needs of the Region in which the Project is located.
    (B) A Project is eligible for the maximum allowable Investment Rate 
as determined by EDA between the time EDA receives the application for 
Investment Assistance and the time that EDA awards Investment Assistance 
to the Project; however, the burden is on the Eligible Applicant to 
establish the relative needs of the Region in which the Project is 
located.
    (ii) Table 1. Table 1 of this paragraph sets forth the maximum 
allowable Investment Rate for Projects located in Regions subject to 
certain levels of economic distress. In cases where Table 1 produces 
divergent results (i.e., where Table 1 produces more than one maximum 
allowable Investment Rate based on the Region's levels of economic 
distress), the higher Investment Rate produced by Table 1 shall be the 
maximum allowable Investment Rate for the Project.

[[Page 813]]



                                 Table 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Maximum
                                                             allowable
          Projects located in regions in which:             investment
                                                               rates
                                                           (percentage)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(A) The 24-month unemployment rate is at least 225% of                80
 the national average; or...............................
(B) The per capita income is not more than 50% of the                 80
 national average.......................................
(C) The 24-month unemployment rate is at least 200% of                70
 the national average; or...............................
(D) The per capita income is not more than 60% of the                 70
 national average.......................................
(E) The 24-month unemployment rate is at least 175% of                60
 the national average; or...............................
(F) The per capita income is not more than 65% of the                 60
 national average.......................................
(G) The 24-month unemployment rate is at least one                    50
 percentage point greater than the national average; or.
(H) The per capita income is not more than 80% of the                 50
 national average.......................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Projects subject to a Special Need. EDA shall determine the 
maximum allowable Investment Rate for Projects subject to a Special Need 
(as determined by EDA pursuant to Sec.  301.3(a)(1)(iii)) based on the 
actual or threatened overall economic situation of the Region in which 
the Project is located. However, unless the Project is eligible for a 
higher Investment Rate pursuant to paragraph (b)(5) of this section, the 
maximum allowable Investment Rate for any Project subject to a Special 
Need shall be 80 percent.
    (3) Projects under part 303.
    (i) The minimum Investment Rate for Projects under part 303 of this 
chapter shall be 50 percent.
    (ii) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this 
section or in paragraph (b)(5) of this section, the maximum allowable 
Investment Rate for Projects under part 303 of this chapter shall be the 
maximum allowable Investment Rate set forth in Table 1 for the most 
economically distressed county or other equivalent political unit (e.g., 
parish) within the Region. The maximum allowable Investment Rate shall 
not exceed 80 percent.
    (iii) In compelling circumstances, the Assistant Secretary may waive 
the application of the first sentence in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this 
section.
    (4) Projects under part 306. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraph (b)(5) of this section, the maximum allowable Investment Rate 
for Projects under part 306 of this chapter shall generally be 
determined based on the relative needs (as determined under paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section) of the Region which the Project will serve. As 
specified in section 204(c)(3) of PWEDA, the Assistant Secretary has the 
discretion to establish a maximum Investment Rate of up to 100 percent 
where the Project:
    (i) Merits, and is not otherwise feasible without, an increase to 
the Investment Rate; or
    (ii) Will be of no or only incidental benefit to the Eligible 
Recipient.
    (5) Special Projects. Table 2 of this paragraph sets forth the 
maximum allowable Investment Rate for certain special Projects as 
follows:

                                 Table 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Maximum
                                                             allowable
                        Projects                            investment
                                                               rates
                                                           (percentage)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projects that involve broad Regional planning and                     80
 coordination with other entities outside the Eligible
 Applicant's political jurisdiction or area of
 authority, under special circumstances determined by
 EDA, and Projects that effectively leverage other
 Federal Agency resources...............................
Projects of Indian Tribes...............................             100
Projects for which EDA receives appropriations under                 100
 section 703 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3233) and Projects to
 address and implement post-disaster economic recovery
 efforts in Presidentially Declared Disaster areas in a
 timely manner..........................................
Projects of States or political subdivisions of States               100
 that the Assistant Secretary determines have exhausted
 their effective taxing and borrowing capacity, or
 Projects of non-profit organizations that the Assistant
 Secretary determines have exhausted their effective
 borrowing capacity.....................................
Projects under parts 305 or 307 that receive performance             100
 awards pursuant to Sec.   308.2 of this chapter........
Projects located in a District that receive planning                 100
 performance awards pursuant to Sec.   308.3 of this
 chapter................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Federal Funding Opportunity announcements may provide additional 
Investment Rate criteria and standards to ensure that the level of 
economic distress of a Region, rather than a preference for a geographic 
area or a specific type of economic distress, is the primary factor in 
allocating Investment Assistance.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62865, Oct. 22, 2008; 
75 FR 4262, Jan. 27, 2010; 79 FR 76125, Dec. 19, 2014]

[[Page 814]]



Sec.  301.5  Matching share requirements.

    The required Matching Share of a Project's eligible costs may 
consist of cash or In-Kind Contributions. In addition, the Eligible 
Applicant must provide documentation to EDA demonstrating that the 
Matching Share is committed to the Project, will be available as needed 
and is not or will not be conditioned or encumbered in any way that 
would preclude its use consistent with the requirements of the 
Investment Assistance. EDA shall determine at its sole discretion 
whether the Matching Share documentation adequately addresses the 
requirements of this section.

[82 FR 57053, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  301.6  Supplementary Investment Assistance.

    (a) Pursuant to a request made by an Eligible Applicant, EDA 
Investment Assistance may supplement a grant awarded in another 
``designated Federal grant program,'' if the Eligible Applicant 
qualifies for financial assistance under such program, but is unable to 
provide the required non-Federal share because of the Eligible 
Applicant's economic situation. For purposes of this section, a 
``designated Federal grant program'' means a Federal grant program that:
    (1) Provides assistance in the construction or equipping of public 
works, public service or development facilities;
    (2) Is designated by EDA as eligible for supplementary Investment 
Assistance under this section; and
    (3) Assists Projects that are otherwise eligible for Investment 
Assistance and consistent with the Eligible Applicant's CEDS.
    (b) For a Project that meets the economic distress criteria provided 
in Sec.  301.3(a), the Investment Assistance, combined with funds from a 
designated Federal grant program, may be at the maximum allowable 
Investment Rate, even if the designated Federal grant program has a 
lower grant rate. If the designated Federal grant program has a grant 
rate higher than the maximum EDA Investment Rate, the EDA Investment and 
other Federal funds together may exceed the EDA Investment Rate, 
provided that the EDA share of total funding does not exceed the maximum 
allowable Investment Rate.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76126, Dec. 19, 2014]



         Subpart E_Application Requirements; Evaluation Criteria



Sec.  301.7  Investment Assistance application.

    (a) For all EDA Investment Assistance programs, including the Public 
Works, Economic Adjustment Assistance, Planning, Local Technical 
Assistance, Research and National Technical Assistance, and University 
Center programs, EDA will publish an FFO that specifies application 
submission requirements and evaluation procedures and criteria. Each FFO 
will be published on the EDA Web site and at http://www.grants.gov. All 
forms required for EDA Investment Assistance may be obtained 
electronically from http://www.grants.gov or from the appropriate 
regional office.
    (b) PWEDA does not require nor does EDA provide an appeals process 
for denial of applications or EDA Investment Assistance.

[75 FR 4262, Jan. 27, 2010, as amended at 79 FR 76126, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 
FR 57053, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  301.8  Application evaluation criteria.

    EDA will screen all applications for the feasibility of the budget 
presented and conformance with EDA's statutory and regulatory 
requirements. EDA will assess the economic development needs of the 
affected Region in which the proposed Project will be located (or will 
service), as well as the capability of the Eligible Applicant to 
implement the proposed Project. EDA will also review applications for 
conformance with program-specific evaluation criteria set out in the 
applicable FFO.

[82 FR 57053, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  301.9  Application selection criteria.

    (a) EDA will review completed application materials for compliance 
with the requirements set forth in PWEDA, this chapter, the applicable 
FFO, and other applicable Federal statutes and regulations. From those 
applications

[[Page 815]]

that meet EDA's technical and legal requirements, EDA will select 
applications based on the:
    (1) Availability of funds;
    (2) Competitiveness of the applications in accord with the criteria 
set forth in Sec.  301.8; and
    (3) Funding priority considerations identified in the applicable 
FFO.
    (b) EDA will endeavor to notify applicants as soon as practicable 
regarding whether their applications are selected for funding.

[79 FR 76127, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  301.10  Formal application requirements.

    Each formal application for EDA Investment Assistance must:
    (a) Include evidence of applicant eligibility (as set forth in Sec.  
301.2) and of economic distress (as set forth in Sec.  301.3);
    (b) Identify the sources of funds, both eligible Federal and non-
EDA, and In-Kind Contributions that will constitute the required 
Matching Share for the Project (see the Matching Share requirements 
under Sec.  301.5); and
    (c) For Projects under parts 305 or 307 of this chapter, include a 
CEDS acceptable to EDA pursuant to part 303 of this chapter or otherwise 
incorporate by reference a current CEDS that EDA approves for the 
Project. The requirements stated in the preceding sentence shall not 
apply to:
    (1) Strategy Grants, as defined in Sec.  307.3 of this chapter; and
    (2) A Project located in a Region designated as a Special Impact 
Area pursuant to part 310 of this chapter.
    (d) Projects that propose the construction of a business, 
technology, or other type of incubator or accelerator, must include a 
feasibility study demonstrating the need for the Project and an 
operational plan based on industry best practices demonstrating the 
Eligible Applicant's plan for ongoing successful operations. EDA will 
provide further guidance in the applicable FFO. EDA may require the 
Recipient to demonstrate that the feasibility study has been conducted 
by an impartial third party, as determined by EDA.

[75 FR 4263, Jan. 27, 2010, as amended at 79 FR 76127, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  301.11  Infrastructure.

    (a) EDA will fund both construction and non-construction 
infrastructure necessary to meet a Region's strategic economic 
development goals and needs, which in turn results in job creation. This 
includes infrastructure used to develop basic economic development 
assets as described in Sec. Sec.  305.1 and 305.2 of this chapter (e.g., 
roads, sewers, and water lines), as well as infrastructure that supports 
innovation and entrepreneurship. The following are examples of 
innovation and entrepreneurship-related infrastructure that support job 
creation:
    (1) Business Incubation. Business incubation includes both physical 
facilities and business support services to advance the successful 
development of start-up companies by providing entrepreneurs with an 
array of targeted resources and services.
    (2) Business Acceleration. Business acceleration includes both 
physical facilities and an array of business support services to help 
new and existing businesses develop new processes or products, get 
products and services to market more efficiently, expand market 
opportunities, or increase sales and exports.
    (3) Venture Development Organization. A venture development 
organization (``VDO'') works to ensure that Regional economies operate 
as smoothly and efficiently as possible in support of innovation-based 
entrepreneurship. A VDO may make strategic investments of time, talent, 
and other resources toward innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology 
to help nurture and grow promising companies and ideas, thereby 
promoting and taking advantage of the innovation assets of a Region and 
addressing the needs of the high-growth, innovation-oriented start-up 
companies in the Region.
    (4) Proof of Concept Center. A proof of concept center serves as a 
hub of collaborative and entrepreneurial activity designed to accelerate 
the commercialization of innovations into the marketplace. Such centers 
support innovation-based, high growth entrepreneurship through a range 
of services, including technology and market evaluation, business 
planning and

[[Page 816]]

mentorship, network development, and early stage access to capital.
    (5) Technology Transfer. Technology transfer is the process of 
transferring scientific findings from one organization to another for 
the purpose of further development and commercialization. The process 
typically includes: Identifying new technologies; protecting 
technologies through patents and copyrights; and forming development and 
commercialization strategies, such as marketing and licensing, for 
existing private sector companies or creating start-up companies based 
on the technology.
    (b) In general, successful Projects, including innovation and 
entrepreneurship-related infrastructure, require the engagement of a 
broad range of Regional stakeholders and resources. Therefore through 
appropriate FFOs and program requirements, EDA will seek to advance 
interagency coordination by funding Projects that demonstrate effective 
leveraging of other Federal Agency resources based on a Region's 
strategic economic development goals and needs. For all types of 
Projects, EDA assistance may not be used to provide direct venture 
capital to a for-profit entity because of the restrictions set out in 
section 217 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3154c) and part 309 of this chapter. 
Nonetheless, EDA may consider an application more competitive if it 
includes measures to address the need to provide entrepreneurs with 
access to early stage capital outside of the proposed EDA Project 
budget. See Sec.  301.8(b).

[79 FR 76127, Dec. 19, 2014, as amended at 82 FR 57053, Dec. 1, 2017]



PART 302_GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE--
Table of Contents



Sec.
302.1 Environment.
302.2 Procedures in disaster areas.
302.3 Project servicing for loans, loan guaranties and Investment 
          Assistance.
302.6 Additional requirements; Federal policies and procedures.
302.7 Amendments and changes.
302.8 Pre-approval Investment Assistance costs.
302.9 Inter-governmental review of projects.
302.10 Attorneys' and consultants' fees, employment of expediters, and 
          post-employment restriction.
302.12 Project administration, operation and maintenance.
302.13 Maintenance of standards.
302.15 Acceptance of certifications made by Eligible Applicants.
302.16 Accountability.
302.17 Conflicts of interest.
302.18 Post-approval requirements.
302.19 Indemnification.
302.20 Civil rights.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 2341 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 3150; 42 U.S.C. 3152; 
42 U.S.C. 3153; 42 U.S.C. 3192; 42 U.S.C. 3193; 42 U.S.C. 3194; 42 
U.S.C. 3211; 42 U.S.C. 3212; 42 U.S.C. 3216; 42 U.S.C. 3218; 42 U.S.C. 
3220; 42 U.S.C. 5141; 15 U.S.C. 3701; Department of Commerce Delegation 
Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  302.1  Environment.

    EDA will undertake environmental reviews of Projects in accordance 
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
as amended (Pub. L. 91-190; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., as implemented under 
40 CFR chapter V) (``NEPA''), and all applicable Federal environmental 
statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders. These authorities include 
the implementing regulations of NEPA requiring EDA to provide public 
notice of the availability of Project-specific environmental documents, 
such as environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, 
findings of no significant impact, and records of decision, to the 
affected or interested public, as specified in 40 CFR 1506.6(b). 
Depending on the Project's location, environmental information 
concerning specific Projects may be obtained from the individual serving 
as the Environmental Officer in the appropriate EDA regional office 
listed in the applicable FFO.

[79 FR 76128, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.2  Procedures in disaster areas.

    When non-statutory EDA administrative or procedural conditions for 
Investment Assistance awards under PWEDA cannot be met by an Eligible 
Applicant as the result of a disaster, EDA may waive such conditions.

[[Page 817]]



Sec.  302.3  Project servicing for loans, loan guaranties 
and Investment Assistance.

    EDA will provide Project servicing to borrowers who received EDA 
loans or EDA-guaranteed loans and to lenders who received EDA loan 
guaranties under an EDA-administered program. Project servicing includes 
loans made under PWEDA prior to the effective date of the Economic 
Development Administration Reform Act of 1998, the Trade Act, and the 
Community Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95-31; 42 U.S.C. 
5184 note).
    (a) EDA will continue to monitor such loans and loan guaranties in 
accordance with the applicable loans or loan guaranty program(s).
    (b) Borrowers and lenders shall submit to EDA any requests for 
modifications of their loan or loan guaranty agreements with EDA, as 
applicable. EDA shall consider and respond to such modification requests 
in accordance with applicable laws and policies, including the budgetary 
constraints imposed by the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, as amended 
(2 U.S.C. 661c(e)).
    (c) In the event that EDA determines it necessary or desirable to 
take actions to protect or further the interests of EDA in connection 
with loans, loan guaranties or evidence of purchased debt, EDA may:
    (1) Assign or sell at public or private sale or otherwise dispose of 
for cash or credit, in its discretion and upon such terms and conditions 
as it shall determine to be reasonable, any evidence of debt, contract, 
claim, personal or real property, or security assigned to or held by it 
in connection with any EDA loans, EDA-guaranteed loans or Investment 
Assistance extended under PWEDA;
    (2) Collect or compromise all obligations assigned to or held by it 
in connection with any EDA loans, EDA-guaranteed loans or Investment 
Assistance awarded under PWEDA until such time as such obligations may 
be referred to the Attorney General of the United States for suit or 
collection; and
    (3) Take any and all other actions determined to be necessary or 
desirable in purchasing, servicing, compromising, modifying, 
liquidating, or otherwise administratively processing or disposing of 
loans or loan guaranties made or evidence of purchased debt in 
connection with any EDA loans, EDA-guaranteed loans or Investment 
Assistance awarded under PWEDA.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76128, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.6  Additional requirements; Federal policies and procedures.

    Recipients are subject to all Federal laws and to Federal, 
Department, and EDA policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to 
Federal financial assistance awards, including 2 CFR part 200, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for 
Federal Awards.

[82 FR 57053, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  302.7  Amendments and changes.

    (a) Recipients shall submit requests for amendments to Investment 
awards in writing to EDA for approval and shall provide such information 
and documentation as EDA deems necessary to justify the request.
    (b) Any changes to Projects made without EDA's approval are made at 
the Recipient's risk of non-payment of costs, suspension, termination or 
other applicable EDA action with respect to the Investment.



Sec.  302.8  Pre-approval Investment Assistance costs.

    Project activities carried out before approval of Investment 
Assistance shall be carried out at the sole risk of the Eligible 
Applicant. Such activity is subject to the rejection of the application, 
the disallowance of costs, or other adverse consequences as a result of 
non-compliance with EDA or Federal requirements, including procurement 
requirements, civil rights requirements, Federal labor standards, or 
Federal environmental, historic preservation, and related requirements.

[79 FR 76128, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.9  Inter-governmental review of projects.

    (a) When an Eligible Applicant is not a State, Indian Tribe, or 
other general purpose governmental authority, the

[[Page 818]]

Eligible Applicant must afford the appropriate general purpose local 
governmental authority (the ``Authority'') in the Region a minimum of 15 
days to review and comment on a proposed Project under EDA's Public 
Works and Economic Development program or a proposed construction 
Project or RLF Grant under EDA's Economic Adjustment Assistance program. 
Under these programs, the Eligible Applicant shall furnish the following 
with its application:
    (1) If no comments are received from the Authority, a statement of 
efforts made to obtain such comments; or
    (2) If comments are received from the Authority, a copy of the 
comments and a statement of any actions taken to address such comments.
    (b) As required by 15 CFR part 13 and Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' as amended, if a State 
has adopted a process under Executive Order 12372 to review and 
coordinate proposed Federal financial assistance and direct Federal 
development (commonly referred to as the ``single point of contact 
review process''), all Eligible Applicants also must give State and 
local governments a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the 
proposed Project, including review and comment from area-wide planning 
organizations in metropolitan areas, as provided for in 15 CFR part 13.

[79 FR 76128, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.10  Attorneys' and consultants' fees, employment of expediters, 
and post-employment restriction.

    (a) Employment of expediters. Investment Assistance awarded under 
PWEDA shall not directly or indirectly reimburse any attorneys' or 
consultants' fees incurred in connection with obtaining Investment 
Assistance and contracts under PWEDA. Such Investment Assistance shall 
not be awarded to any Eligible Applicant, unless the owners, partners, 
or officers of the Eligible Applicant certify to EDA the names of any 
attorneys, agents, and other persons engaged by or on behalf of the 
Eligible Applicant for the purpose of expediting an application made to 
EDA in connection with obtaining Investment Assistance under PWEDA and 
the fees paid or to be paid to the person(s) for expediting the 
application.
    (b) Post-employment restriction. (1) In general, any Eligible 
Applicant that is a non-profit organization, District Organization, or 
for-profit entity, for the two-year period beginning on the date on 
which the Investment Assistance under PWEDA is awarded to the Eligible 
Applicant, must refrain from employing, offering any office or 
employment to, or retaining for professional services any person who, on 
the date on which the Investment Assistance is awarded or within the 
one-year period ending on that date:
    (i) Served as an officer, attorney, agent, or employee of the 
Department; and
    (ii) Occupied a position or engaged in activities that the Assistant 
Secretary determines involved discretion with respect to the award of 
Investment Assistance under PWEDA.
    (2) In addition to the types of Eligible Applicants noted in this 
paragraph (b), EDA may require another Eligible Applicant to execute an 
agreement to abide by the above-described post-employment restriction on 
a case-by-case basis; for example, when an institution of higher 
education implements activities under or related to the Investment 
Assistance through a separate non-profit organization or association.

[79 FR 76128, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.12  Project administration, operation and maintenance.

    EDA shall approve Investment Assistance awards only if, as 
determined in its sole discretion, the Project for which such Investment 
Assistance is awarded will be properly and efficiently administered, 
operated and maintained.



Sec.  302.13  Maintenance of standards.

    All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors 
on Projects receiving Investment Assistance under PWEDA shall be paid 
wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in 
the locality, as determined by the U.S. Secretary of Labor in accordance 
with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code. EDA 
shall not extend any

[[Page 819]]

Investment Assistance under this chapter for a Project without first 
obtaining adequate assurance that these labor standards will be 
maintained upon the construction work. The U.S. Secretary of Labor shall 
have, with respect to the labor standards specified in this provision, 
the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan No. 14 of 
1950 (15 FR 3176 (May 25, 1950); 64 Stat. 1267) and section 3145 of 
title 40, United States Code.



Sec.  302.15  Acceptance of certifications made by Eligible Applicants.

    EDA will accept an Eligible Applicant's certifications, accompanied 
by evidence satisfactory to EDA, that the Eligible Applicant meets the 
requirements for receiving Investment Assistance.



Sec.  302.16  Accountability.

    (a) General. Each Recipient must submit reports to EDA at intervals 
and in the manner that EDA shall require, except that EDA shall not 
require any report to be submitted more than ten years after the date of 
closeout of the Investment Assistance.
    (b) Data on Project effectiveness. Each report must contain a data-
specific evaluation of the effectiveness of the Investment Assistance 
provided in fulfilling the Project's purpose (including alleviation of 
economic distress and meeting Project goals) and in meeting the 
objectives of PWEDA. Data used by a Recipient in preparing reports shall 
be accurate and verifiable as determined by EDA, and from independent 
sources (whenever possible). EDA will use this data and report to 
fulfill its performance measurement reporting requirements under the 
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, as amended (Pub. L. 103-
62) and to monitor internal, Investment, and Project performance through 
an internal performance measurement system.
    (c) Reporting Project service benefits. To enable EDA to determine 
the economic development effect of a Project that provides service 
benefits, EDA may require the Recipient to submit a Project service map 
and information from which to determine whether services are provided to 
all segments of the Region being assisted.
    (d) Consequences for failure to undertake good faith efforts. (1) 
The Recipient must undertake good faith efforts to fulfill the purpose 
of the Project as set out in the terms of the Investment Assistance and 
must report regularly on Project goals. In the event that EDA determines 
that the Recipient is failing to make good faith efforts to meet these 
goals, or otherwise is failing to meets its obligations under the 
Investment Assistance, EDA shall take necessary actions to protect EDA's 
interest in the Project, including the following:
    (i) Discontinue disbursement of funds pending correction;
    (ii) Suspend the Investment Assistance;
    (iii) Terminate the Investment Assistance;
    (iv) Require reimbursement of the EDA share of the Project; or
    (v) Institute formal Government-wide debarment and suspension 
proceedings against the Recipient.
    (2) Before making a determination under this subsection, EDA shall 
provide the Recipient with reasonable notice and opportunity to respond. 
A determination under this subsection is final and cannot be appealed.

[79 FR 76129, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.17  Conflicts of interest.

    (a) General. It is EDA's and the Department's policy to maintain the 
highest standards of conduct to prevent conflicts of interest in 
connection with the award of Investment Assistance or its use for 
reimbursement or payment of costs (e.g., procurement of goods or 
services) by or to the Recipient. A conflict of interest generally 
exists when an Interested Party participates in a matter that has a 
direct and predictable effect on the Interested Party's personal or 
financial interests. A conflict also may exist where there is an 
appearance that an Interested Party's objectivity in performing his or 
her responsibilities under the Project is impaired. For example, an 
appearance of impairment of objectivity may result from an 
organizational conflict where, because of other activities or 
relationships with other persons or entities, an Interested Party is 
unable to render impartial assistance, services or

[[Page 820]]

advice to the Recipient, a participant in the Project or to the Federal 
government. Additionally, a conflict of interest may result from non-
financial gain to an Interested Party, such as benefit to reputation or 
prestige in a professional field.
    (b) Prohibition on direct or indirect financial or personal 
benefits. (1) An Interested Party shall not receive any direct or 
indirect financial or personal benefits in connection with the award of 
Investment Assistance or its use for payment or reimbursement of costs 
by or to the Recipient.
    (2) An Interested Party also shall not, directly or indirectly, 
solicit or accept any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment or other 
benefit having monetary value, for himself or herself or for another 
person or entity, from any person or organization which has obtained or 
seeks to obtain Investment Assistance from EDA.
    (3) Costs incurred in violation of any conflicts of interest rules 
contained in this chapter or in violation of any assurances by the 
Recipient may be denied reimbursement.
    (4) See Sec.  315.15 of this chapter for special conflicts of 
interest rules for Trade Adjustment Assistance Investments.
    (c) Special rules for Revolving Loan Fund (``RLF'') Grants. In 
addition to the rules set forth in this section:
    (1) An Interested Party of a Recipient of an RLF Grant shall not 
receive, directly or indirectly, any personal or financial benefits 
resulting from the disbursement of RLF loans;
    (2) A Recipient of an RLF Grant shall not lend RLF funds to an 
Interested Party; and
    (3) Former board members of a Recipient of an RLF Grant and members 
of his or her Immediate Family shall not receive a loan from such RLF 
for a period of two years from the date that the board member last 
served on the RLF's board of directors.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62866, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76129, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.18  Post-approval requirements.

    A Recipient must comply with all financial, performance, progress 
report, and other requirements set forth in the terms and conditions of 
the Investment Assistance, including any special award conditions and 
applicable Federal cost principles (collectively, ``Post-Approval 
Requirements''). A Recipient's failure to comply with Post-Approval 
Requirements may result in the disallowance of costs, termination of the 
Investment Assistance award, or other adverse consequences to the 
Recipient.

[79 FR 76129, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  302.19  Indemnification.

    To the maximum extent permitted by law, a Recipient shall indemnify 
and hold EDA harmless from any liability that EDA may incur due to the 
actions or omissions of the Recipient.



Sec.  302.20  Civil rights.

    (a) Discrimination is prohibited by a Recipient or Other Party (as 
defined in paragraph (b) of this section) with respect to a Project 
receiving Investment Assistance under PWEDA or Stevenson-Wydler or by an 
entity receiving Adjustment Assistance (as defined in Sec.  315.2 of 
this chapter) under the Trade Act or any other type of assistance under 
Stevenson-Wydler, in accordance with the following authorities:
    (1) Section 601 of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) (proscribing discrimination on the 
basis of race, color, or national origin), and the Department's 
implementing regulations found at 15 CFR part 8;
    (2) 42 U.S.C. 3123 (proscribing discrimination on the basis of sex 
in Investment Assistance provided under PWEDA), 42 U.S.C. 6709 
(proscribing discrimination on the basis of sex under the Local Public 
Works Program), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended 
(20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) (proscribing discrimination on the basis of sex 
in any education program or activity receiving Federal financial 
assistance, whether or not such program or activity is offered or 
sponsored by an educational institution), and the Department's 
implementing regulations found at 15 CFR part 8a;
    (3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 
U.S.C. 794) (proscribing discrimination on the

[[Page 821]]

basis of disabilities), and the Department's implementing regulations 
found at 15 CFR part 8b;
    (4) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6101 
et seq.) (proscribing discrimination on the basis of age), and the 
Department's implementing regulations found at 15 CFR part 20; and
    (5) Other Federal statutes, regulations and Executive Orders, as 
applicable.
    (b) Definitions. (1) For purposes of this section, an ``Other 
Party'' means an ``other party subject to this part,'' as defined in 15 
CFR 8.3(l), and includes an entity which (or which is intended to) 
creates and/or saves 15 or more permanent jobs as a result of Investment 
Assistance; provided that such entity also is either specifically named 
in the application as benefiting from the Project, or is or will be 
located in an EDA building, port, facility, or industrial, commercial or 
business park constructed or improved in whole or in part with 
Investment Assistance prior to EDA's final disbursement of award funds.
    (2) Additional applicable definitions are provided in 15 CFR part 8.
    (c) No Recipient or Other Party shall intimidate, threaten, coerce 
or discriminate against any person for the purpose of interfering with 
any right or privilege secured by 42 U.S.C. 3123 or 42 U.S.C. 6709, or 
because the person has made a complaint, testified, assisted or 
participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing 
under this section.
    (d) All Recipients of Investment Assistance under PWEDA and 
Stevenson-Wydler, all Other Parties, and all entities receiving 
Adjustment Assistance under the Trade Act or any other type of 
assistance under Stevenson-Wydler must submit to EDA written assurances 
that they will comply with applicable laws, EDA regulations, Department 
regulations, and such other requirements as may be applicable, 
prohibiting discrimination.
    (e) Reporting and other procedural matters are set forth in 15 CFR 
parts 8, 8a, 8b, 8c and 20.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 75 FR 4263, Jan. 27, 2010; 
79 FR 76129, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57053, Dec. 1, 2017]



PART 303_PLANNING INVESTMENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC 
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
303.1 Overview of EDA's Planning Program.
303.2 Definitions.
303.3 Application requirements and evaluation criteria.
303.4 Award requirements.
303.5 Eligible administrative expenses.

                Subpart B_Partnership Planning Assistance

303.6 Partnership Planning and the EDA-funded CEDS process.
303.7 Requirements for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies.

           Subpart C_State and Short-Term Planning Assistance

303.8 Requirements for State plans.
303.9 Requirements for short-term Planning Investments.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3143; 42 U.S.C. 3162; 42 U.S.C. 3174; 42 U.S.C. 
3211; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec.  303.1  Overview of EDA's Planning Program.

    The purpose of EDA Planning Investments is to provide support to 
Planning Organizations for the development, implementation, revision, or 
replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies, and for 
related State plans and short-term Planning Investments designed to 
create and retain new and better jobs, particularly for the unemployed 
and underemployed in the nation's most economically distressed Regions. 
EDA's Planning Investments support partnerships with District 
Organizations, Indian Tribes, community development corporations, non-
profit Regional planning organizations, and other Eligible Recipients. 
Planning activities supported by these Investments must be part of a 
continuous process involving the active participation of the private

[[Page 822]]

sector, public officials, non-profit organizations, educational 
institutions, and private citizens, and include:
    (a) Analyzing local economies;
    (b) Defining economic development goals;
    (c) Determining Project opportunities; and
    (d) Formulating and implementing an economic development program 
that includes systematic efforts to reduce unemployment and increase 
incomes.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76129, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  303.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the defined terms set forth in Sec.  300.3 of this 
chapter, the following terms used in this part shall have the following 
meanings:
    Planning Investment means the award of EDA Investment Assistance 
under section 203 of PWEDA and this part.
    Planning Organization means a Recipient whose purpose is to develop 
and implement a CEDS for a specific EDA-approved Region under section 
203 of PWEDA.
    Strategy Committee means the committee or other entity identified by 
the Planning Organization as responsible for the development, 
implementation, revision or replacement of the CEDS for the Planning 
Organization.



Sec.  303.3  Application requirements and evaluation criteria.

    (a) For Planning Investment awards, EDA uses the general application 
evaluation criteria set forth in Sec.  301.8 of this chapter. In 
addition, applications for Planning Investments must include information 
about the following:
    (1) The proposed scope of work for the development, implementation, 
revision or replacement of the CEDS, or the relation of the CEDS to the 
proposed short-term planning activities or the State plan;
    (2) Qualifications of the Eligible Applicant to implement the goals 
and objectives resulting from the CEDS, short-term planning activities 
or the State plan;
    (3) The involvement of the Region's business leadership at each 
stage of the preparation of the CEDS, short-term planning activities or 
State plan;
    (4) Extent of broad-based representation and involvement of the 
Region's civic, business, labor, minority and other interests in the 
Eligible Applicant's economic development activities; and
    (5) Feasibility of the proposed scope of work to create and retain 
new and better jobs through implementation of the CEDS.
    (b) In addition to the criteria set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section, funded Recipients are evaluated on the basis of the extent of 
continuing economic distress within the Region, their past performance, 
and the overall effectiveness of their CEDS.
    (c) For Planning Investment awards to a State, the Assistant 
Secretary also shall consider the extent to which the State will 
integrate and coordinate its CEDS with local and Economic Development 
District plans.
    (d) The Investment Rates for Planning Investments will be determined 
in accordance with Sec.  301.4 of this chapter.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76129, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  303.4  Award requirements.

    (a) Planning Investments shall be coordinated with and effectively 
leverage any other available Federal, State, or local planning 
assistance and private sector investments.
    (b) Except in compelling circumstances as determined by the 
Assistant Secretary, EDA will not provide Planning Investments for 
multiple CEDS that address the needs of an identical or substantially 
similar Region.
    (c) EDA will provide a Planning Investment for the period of time 
required to develop, revise or replace, and implement a CEDS, generally 
in 36-month renewable Investment project periods.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62866, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76130, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  303.5  Eligible administrative expenses.

    In accordance with applicable Federal cost principles, Planning 
Investments may be used to pay the direct and indirect costs incurred by 
a Planning Organization in the development,

[[Page 823]]

implementation, revision or replacement of a CEDS and for related short-
term planning activities.



                Subpart B_Partnership Planning Assistance



Sec.  303.6  Partnership Planning and the EDA-funded CEDS process.

    (a) Partnership Planning Overview. Partnership Planning Investments 
support a nationwide network of Planning Organizations to provide 
comprehensive economic development planning services to distressed 
Regions. EDA makes Partnership Planning Investments to enable Planning 
Organizations to manage and coordinate the development and 
implementation of CEDS to address the unique needs of their respective 
Regions.
    (b) CEDS Process. If EDA awards Investment Assistance to a Planning 
Organization to develop, revise, or replace a CEDS, the Planning 
Organization must follow the procedures set forth in this section:
    (1) CEDS Strategy Committee. The Planning Organization must appoint 
a Strategy Committee. The Strategy Committee must represent the main 
economic interests of the Region, which may include Indian tribes, the 
private sector, State and other public officials, community leaders, 
private individuals, representatives of workforce development boards, 
institutions of higher education, minority and labor groups, and others 
who can contribute to and benefit from improved economic development in 
the relevant Region. In addition, the Strategy Committee must 
demonstrate the capacity to undertake a collaborative and effective 
planning process.
    (2) Public notice and comment. The Planning Organization must 
develop and submit to EDA a CEDS that complies with the requirements of 
Sec.  303.7. Before submission to EDA, the Planning Organization must 
provide the public and appropriate governments and interest groups in 
the relevant Region with adequate notice of and opportunity to comment 
on the CEDS. The comment period shall be at least 30 days and the 
Planning Organization shall make the CEDS readily available through 
appropriate means of distribution, electronically and otherwise, 
throughout the comment period. The Planning Organization also shall make 
the CEDS available in hardcopy upon request. EDA may require the 
Planning Organization to provide any comments received and demonstrate 
how the comments were resolved.
    (3) Reports and updates. (i) After obtaining EDA approval of the 
CEDS, the Planning Organization must submit annually an updated CEDS 
performance report to EDA.
    (ii) The Planning Organization must submit a new or revised CEDS to 
EDA at least every five years, unless EDA or the Planning Organization 
determines that a new or revised CEDS is required earlier due to changed 
circumstances. In connection with the submission of a new or revised 
CEDS, the Planning Organization shall use its best efforts to obtain 
renewed commitments from participating counties or other areas within 
the District to support the economic development activities of the 
District. Provided the Planning Organization can document a good faith 
effort to obtain renewed commitments, the inability to secure renewed 
commitments shall not disqualify a CEDS update.
    (iii) Any updated CEDS performance report that results in a change 
of the requirements set forth in Sec.  303.7(b)(1)(iii) of the EDA-
accepted CEDS or any new or revised CEDS, must be available for review 
and comment by the public in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section.
    (4) Inadequate CEDS. If EDA determines that implementation of the 
CEDS is inadequate, it will notify the Planning Organization in writing 
and the Planning Organization shall submit to EDA a new or revised CEDS.
    (5) Regional Commission notification. If any part of a Region is 
covered by one or more of the Regional Commissions as set forth in 
section 404 of PWEDA, the Planning Organization shall ensure that a copy 
of the CEDS is provided to the Regional Commission(s).

[79 FR 76130, Dec. 19, 2014, as amended at 82 FR 57054, Dec. 1, 2017]

[[Page 824]]



Sec.  303.7  Requirements for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies.

    (a) General. CEDS are designed to bring together the public and 
private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and 
strengthen Regional economies. The CEDS should analyze the Regional 
economy and serve as a guide for establishing Regional goals and 
objectives, developing and implementing a Regional plan of action, and 
identifying investment priorities and funding sources. Public and 
private sector partnerships are critical to the implementation of the 
integral elements of a CEDS set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. 
As a performance-based plan, the CEDS will serve a critical role in a 
Region's efforts to defend against economic dislocations due to global 
trade, competition and other events resulting in the loss of jobs and 
private investment.
    (b) Strategy requirements. (1) A CEDS must be the result of a 
continuing economic development planning process, developed with broad-
based and diverse public and private sector participation. Consistent 
with section 302 of PWEDA, each CEDS must promote Regional resiliency 
and be unique and responsive to the relevant Region. Each CEDS must 
include:
    (i) A summary of economic development conditions of the Region;
    (ii) An in-depth analysis of economic and community development 
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (commonly known as a 
``SWOT'' analysis);
    (iii) Strategies and an implementation plan to build upon the 
Region's strengths and opportunities and resolve the weaknesses and 
threats facing the Region, which should not be inconsistent with 
applicable State and local economic development or workforce development 
strategies; and
    (iv) Performance measures used to evaluate the Planning 
Organization's successful development and implementation of the CEDS.
    (2) EDA will publish and periodically update specific CEDS content 
guidelines.
    (c) Consideration of non-EDA funded CEDS. (1) In determining the 
acceptability of a CEDS prepared independently of EDA Investment 
Assistance or oversight for Projects under parts 305 and 307 of this 
chapter, EDA may in its discretion determine that the CEDS is acceptable 
so long as it includes all of the elements listed in paragraph (b) of 
this section. In certain circumstances, EDA may accept a non-EDA funded 
CEDS that does not contain all the elements listed in paragraph (b) of 
this section. In doing so, EDA shall consider the circumstances 
surrounding the application for Investment Assistance, including 
emergencies or natural disasters and the fulfillment of the requirements 
of section 302 of PWEDA.
    (2) If the CEDS for a Project under parts 305 and 307 of this 
chapter is developed under another federally-supported program, it must 
include acceptable performance measures similar to those set forth in 
paragraph (b) of this section and information on the state of the 
Regional economy. To the maximum extent practicable, the CEDS shall be 
consistent and coordinated with any existing economic development plan 
for the Region.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76130, Dec. 19, 2014; 
82 FR 57054, Dec. 1, 2017]



           Subpart C_State and Short-Term Planning Assistance



Sec.  303.8  Requirements for State plans.

    (a) As a condition of a State receiving a Planning Investment:
    (1) The State must have or develop a CEDS that meets the 
requirements of Sec.  303.7;
    (2) Any State plan developed with Planning Investment Assistance 
must, to the maximum extent practicable, be developed cooperatively by 
the State, political subdivisions of the State, and the Economic 
Development Districts located wholly or partially in the State; and
    (3) The State must submit to EDA an annual report on any State plan 
receiving Planning Investment Assistance.
    (b) Before awarding a Planning Investment to a State, EDA shall 
consider the extent to which the State will take into account local and 
District economic development plans.

[[Page 825]]



Sec.  303.9  Requirements for short-term Planning Investments.

    (a) In addition to providing support for CEDS and State plans, EDA 
also may provide Investment Assistance to support short-term planning 
activities. EDA may provide such Investment Assistance to:
    (1) Develop the economic development planning capacity of States, 
cities and other Eligible Applicants experiencing economic distress;
    (2) Assist in institutional capacity building; or
    (3) Undertake innovative approaches to economic development.
    (b) Eligible activities may include updating a portion of a CEDS, 
economic analysis, development of economic development policies and 
procedures, and development of economic development goals.
    (c) Applicants for short-term Planning Investments must provide 
performance measures acceptable to EDA that can be used to evaluate the 
success of the program and provide EDA with progress reports during the 
term of the Planning Investment, as set forth in the Investment 
agreement.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76130, Dec. 19, 2014]



PART 304_ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS--Table of Contents



Sec.
304.1 Designation of Economic Development Districts: Regional 
          eligibility.
304.2 District Organizations: Formation, organizational requirements and 
          operations.
304.3 District modification and termination.
304.4 Performance evaluations.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3122; 42 U.S.C. 3171; 42 U.S.C. 3172; 42 U.S.C. 
3196; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  304.1  Designation of Economic Development Districts: 
Regional eligibility.

    Upon the request of a District Organization (as defined in Sec.  
304.2), EDA may designate a Region as an Economic Development District 
if such Region:
    (a) Contains at least one geographic area that is subject to the 
economic distress criteria set forth in Sec.  301.3(a)(1) of this 
chapter and is identified in an approved CEDS;
    (b) Is of sufficient size or population and contains sufficient 
resources to foster economic development on a scale involving more than 
a single geographic area subject to the economic distress criteria set 
forth in Sec.  301.3(a)(1) of this chapter;
    (c) Has an EDA-approved CEDS that:
    (1) Meets the requirements under Sec.  303.7 of this chapter;
    (2) Contains a specific program for intra-District cooperation, 
self-help, and public investment; and
    (3) Is approved by each affected State and by the Assistant 
Secretary;
    (d) Obtains commitments from at least a majority of the counties or 
other areas within the proposed District, as determined by EDA, to 
support the economic development activities of the District; and
    (e) Obtains the concurrence with the designation request from the 
State (or States) in which the proposed District will be wholly or 
partially located.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  304.2  District Organizations: Formation, organizational requirements 
and operations.

    (a) General. A ``District Organization'' is an entity that satisfies 
the formation and organizational requirements under paragraphs (b) and 
(c) of this section.
    (b) Formation. A District Organization must be organized as one of 
the following:
    (1) A public organization formed through an inter-governmental 
agreement providing for the joint exercise of local government powers; 
or
    (2) A public organization established under State-enabling 
legislation for the creation of multi-jurisdictional area-wide planning 
organizations; or
    (3) A non-profit organization incorporated under the applicable non-
profit statutes of the State in which it is incorporated.
    (c) Organization and governance. (1) Each District Organization must 
meet the requirements of this paragraph (c)

[[Page 826]]

concerning membership composition, the maintenance of adequate staff 
support to perform its economic development functions, and its 
authorities and responsibilities for carrying out economic development 
functions. The District Organization's board of directors (or other 
governing body) also must meet these requirements.
    (2) The District Organization must demonstrate that its governing 
body is broadly representative of the principal economic interests of 
the Region, which may include the private sector, public officials, 
community leaders, representatives of workforce development boards, 
institutions of higher education, minority and labor groups, and private 
individuals. In addition, the governing body must demonstrate the 
capacity to implement the EDA-approved CEDS.
    (3) The District Organization must be assisted by a professional 
staff drawn from qualified persons in economic development, planning, 
business development or related disciplines.
    (4) The governing bodies of District Organizations must provide 
access for persons who are not members to make their views known 
concerning ongoing and proposed District activities in accordance with 
the following requirements:
    (i) The District Organization must hold meetings open to the public 
at least twice a year and also shall publish the date and agenda of such 
meetings sufficiently in advance to allow the public a reasonable time 
to prepare in order to participate effectively.
    (ii) The District Organization shall adopt a system of parliamentary 
procedures to assure that board members and others have access to an 
effective opportunity to participate in the affairs of the District.
    (iii) The District Organization shall provide information 
sufficiently in advance of decisions to give the public adequate 
opportunity to review and react to proposals. District Organizations 
should communicate technical data and other material to the public so 
they may understand the impact of public programs, available options and 
alternative decisions.
    (iv) The District Organization must make available to the public 
such audited statements, annual budgets and minutes of public meetings, 
as may be reasonably requested.
    (v) The District Organization and its board of directors must comply 
with all Federal and State financial assistance reporting requirements 
and the conflicts of interest provisions set forth in Sec.  302.17 of 
this chapter.
    (d) Operations. (1) The District Organization shall engage in the 
full range of economic development activities listed in its EDA-approved 
CEDS. These activities may include:
    (i) Coordinating and implementing economic development activities in 
the District;
    (ii) Carrying out economic development research, planning, 
implementation and advisory functions identified in the CEDS; and
    (iii) Coordinating the development and implementation of the CEDS 
with other local, State, Federal and private organizations.
    (2) The District Organization may at its option contract for 
services to accomplish the activities listed in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) 
through (iii) of this section.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014; 
82 FR 57054, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  304.3  District modification and termination.

    (a) Modification. Upon the request of a District Organization and 
with the concurrence of the State or States affected (unless such 
concurrence is waived by the Assistant Secretary), EDA may modify the 
geographic boundaries of a District, if it determines that such 
modification will contribute to a more effective program for economic 
development.
    (b) Termination. EDA may, upon 60 days prior written notice to the 
District Organization, member counties, and other areas determined by 
EDA and each affected State, terminate a Region's designation as an 
Economic Development District when:
    (1) A District or District Organization no longer meets the 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  304.1 or 304.2; or
    (2) EDA determines that the District Organization fails to execute 
its CEDS

[[Page 827]]

according to the development, implementation and other performance 
measures set forth therein; or
    (3) A District Organization has requested termination.
    (c) Prior to terminating a District Organization under paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, EDA will consult with the District Organization 
and consider all facts and circumstances regarding the District 
Organization's operations. EDA will not terminate a District's 
designation based on circumstances beyond the control of the District 
Organization (e.g., natural disaster, plant closure, overall economic 
downturn, sudden and severe economic dislocation, or other situation).
    (d) EDA may further modify or terminate a Region's designation as a 
District according to the standards set forth in an FFO.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  304.4  Performance evaluations.

    (a) EDA shall evaluate the management standards, financial 
accountability and program performance of each District Organization 
within three years after the initial Investment award and at least once 
every three years thereafter, so long as the District Organization 
continues to receive Investment Assistance. EDA's evaluation shall 
assess:
    (1) The continuing Regional eligibility of the District, as set 
forth in Sec.  304.1;
    (2) The management of the District Organization, as set forth in 
Sec.  304.2; and
    (3) The implementation of the CEDS, including the District 
Organization's performance and contribution towards the retention and 
creation of employment, as set forth in Sec.  303.7 of this chapter.
    (b) For peer review, EDA shall ensure the participation of at least 
one other District Organization in the performance evaluation on a cost-
reimbursement basis.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014]



PART 305_PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
305.1 Purpose and scope.
305.2 Award requirements.
305.3 Application requirements.
305.4 Projects for design and engineering work.

              Subpart B_Requirements for Approved Projects

305.5 Project administration by District Organization.
305.6 Allowable methods of procurement for construction services.
305.7 Services performed by the Recipient's own forces.
305.8 Recipient-furnished equipment and materials.
305.9 Project phasing and Investment disbursement.
305.10 Bid underrun and overrun.
305.11 Contract awards; early construction start.
305.12 Project sign.
305.13 Contract change orders.
305.14 Occupancy prior to completion.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3211; 42 U.S.C. 3141; Department of Commerce 
Organization Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec.  305.1  Purpose and scope.

    Public Works and Economic Development Investments (``Public Works 
Investments'') intend to help the nation's most distressed communities 
revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure (as 
defined in Sec.  301.11 of this chapter) to attract new industry, 
encourage business expansion, diversify local economies, and generate or 
retain long-term private sector jobs and investments. The primary goal 
of these Investments is to create new or retain existing, long-term 
private sector job opportunities in communities experiencing significant 
economic distress as evidenced by chronic high unemployment, 
underemployment, low per capita income, outmigration, or a Special Need. 
These Investments also intend to assist communities in attracting 
private capital investment

[[Page 828]]

and new and better job opportunities and to promote the successful long-
term economic recovery of a Region.

[79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  305.2  Award requirements.

    (a) Project scope. Public Works Investments may fund the following 
activities:
    (1) Acquisition or development of land and improvements for use in a 
public works, public service or other type of development facility; or
    (2) Acquisition, design and engineering, construction, 
rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvement of such a 
facility, including related machinery and equipment.
    (b) Requirements. A Public Works Investment may be made if EDA 
determines that:
    (1) The Project will, directly or indirectly:
    (i) Improve the opportunities for the successful establishment or 
expansion of industrial or commercial plants or facilities in the Region 
where the Project is located;
    (ii) Assist in the creation of additional long-term employment 
opportunities in the Region; or
    (iii) Primarily benefit the long-term unemployed and members of low-
income families in the Region;
    (2) The Project will fulfill a pressing need of the Region, or a 
part of the Region, in which the Project is located; and
    (3) The Region in which the Project is located has a CEDS and the 
Project is consistent with the CEDS.
    (c) Not more than 15 percent of the annual appropriations made 
available to EDA to fund Public Works Investments may be made in any one 
State.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  305.3  Application requirements.

    (a) Each application for Public Works Investment Assistance must:
    (1) Include evidence of eligibility, as provided in part 301 of this 
chapter;
    (2) Include, or incorporate by reference, a CEDS (as provided in 
Sec.  303.7 of this chapter);
    (3) Demonstrate how the proposed Project meets the criteria of Sec.  
305.2; and
    (4) Demonstrate how the proposed Project meets the application 
evaluation criteria set forth in Sec.  301.8 of this chapter.
    (b) The Investment Rate for Public Works Investments will be 
determined in accordance with Sec.  301.4 of this chapter.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 75 FR 4264, Jan. 27, 2010]



Sec.  305.4  Projects for design and engineering work.

    In the case of Public Works Investment Assistance awarded solely for 
design and engineering work, the following additional application 
requirements and terms shall apply:
    (a) EDA may determine that a separate Investment for design and 
engineering is warranted due to the technical complexity or 
environmental sensitivity of the construction Project;
    (b) The purpose of the Investment may be limited to the development 
and production of all documents required for the construction of the 
proposed construction Project in a format and in sufficient quantity to 
permit advertisement and award of a construction contract soon after 
securing construction financing for the Project;
    (c) EDA will not disburse any portion of the Investment Assistance 
until it receives and certifies compliance with the Investment award of 
all design and engineering contracts; and
    (d) EDA's funding of the Project for design and engineering work 
does not in any way commit EDA to fund construction of the Project.



              Subpart B_Requirements for Approved Projects



Sec.  305.5  Project administration by District Organization.

    (a) When a District Organization is not the Recipient or co-
Recipient of Investment Assistance, the District Organization may 
administer the Project for the Recipient if EDA determines fulfillment 
of the following conditions:
    (1) The Recipient has requested (either in the application or by 
separate written request) that the District Organization for the Region 
in which the Project is located administer the Project;

[[Page 829]]

    (2) The Recipient certifies and EDA finds that:
    (i) Administration of the Project is beyond the capacity of the 
Recipient's current staff and would require hiring additional staff or 
contracting for such services;
    (ii) No local organization or business exists that could administer 
the Project in a more efficient or cost-effective manner than the staff 
of the District Organization; and
    (iii) The staff of the District Organization would administer the 
Project without sub-contracting the work; and
    (3) The allowable costs for the administration of the Project by the 
District Organization's staff will not exceed the amount that would be 
allowable to the Recipient.
    (b) EDA must approve the request either by approving the application 
in which the request is made or by separate specific written approval.



Sec.  305.6  Allowable methods of procurement for construction services.

    (a) Recipients shall seek EDA's prior written approval to use 
alternate construction procurement methods to the traditional design/
bid/build procedures (including lump sum or unit price-type construction 
contracts). These alternate methods may include design/build, 
construction management at risk, and force account. If an alternate 
method is used, the Recipient shall submit to EDA for approval a 
construction services procurement plan and the Recipient must use a 
design professional to oversee the process. The Recipient shall submit 
the plan to EDA prior to advertisement for bids and shall include the 
following, as applicable:
    (1) Justification for the proposed method for procurement of 
construction services, including a brief analysis of the appropriateness 
and benefits of using the method to successfully execute the Project and 
the Recipient's experience in using the method;
    (2) The scope of work with cost estimates and schedules;
    (3) A copy of the proposed construction contract;
    (4) The name and qualifications of the selected design professional; 
and
    (5) Procedures to be used to ensure full and open competition, 
including the selection criteria.
    (b) For all procurement methods, the Recipient must comply with the 
procedures and standards set forth in 2 CFR part 200.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62866, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57054, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  305.7  Services performed by the Recipient's own forces.

    In certain circumstances, the Recipient may wish to consider having 
a portion or all of the design, construction, inspection, legal services 
or other work and/or services in connection with the Project performed 
by personnel who are employed by the Recipient either full-time or part-
time. EDA may approve the use of such ``in-house forces'' if:
    (a) The services are routinely performed by the Recipient for all 
construction Projects performed by the Recipient (for example, 
inspection or legal); or
    (b) The Recipient has a special skill required for the construction 
of the Project (for example, construction of unique Indian structures); 
or
    (c) The Recipient has made all reasonable efforts to obtain a 
contractor but has failed to do so because of uncontrollable factors 
such as the remoteness of the Project site or an overabundance of 
construction work in the Region; or
    (d) The Recipient demonstrates substantial cost savings.



Sec.  305.8  Recipient-furnished equipment and materials.

    The Recipient may wish to incorporate into the Project equipment or 
materials that it will secure through its own efforts, subject to the 
following requirements:
    (a) EDA must approve any use of Recipient-furnished equipment and 
materials. EDA may require that major equipment items be subject to a 
lien in favor of EDA and also may require a statement from the Recipient 
regarding expected useful life and salvage value of such equipment;
    (b) EDA may require the Recipient to establish that the expense 
claimed for

[[Page 830]]

such equipment or materials is competitive with current local market 
costs; and
    (c) Acquisition of Recipient-furnished equipment or materials under 
this section also is subject to the requirements of 2 CFR part 200.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014; 
82 FR 57054, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  305.9  Project phasing and Investment disbursement.

    (a) EDA may authorize in advance the award of construction contracts 
in phases, provided the Recipient submits a request that includes each 
of the following:
    (1) Valid reasons justifying why the Project must be phased;
    (2) Description of the specific elements to be completed in each 
phase;
    (3) Detailed construction cost estimates for each phase;
    (4) Time schedules for completing all phases of the Project;
    (5) Certification that the Recipient can and will fund any 
overrun(s); and
    (6) Certification that the Recipient is capable of paying incurred 
costs prior to the first disbursement of EDA funds.
    (b) EDA will begin disbursement of funds after receipt of evidence 
sufficient to EDA of compliance with all Investment award conditions. 
EDA may approve the disbursement of funds prior to the tender of all 
construction contracts if the Recipient can demonstrate to EDA's 
satisfaction that a severe financial hardship will result without such 
approval.



Sec.  305.10  Bid underrun and overrun.

    (a) Underrun. If at the construction contract bid opening, the 
lowest responsive bid is less than the total Project cost, the Recipient 
shall notify EDA immediately to determine relevant procedures.
    (b) Overrun. (1) In the case of an overrun at the construction 
contract bid opening, the Recipient may:
    (i) If provided for in the bid documents, take deductive 
alternatives to eliminate certain Project elements in case of 
insufficient funds in the exact order shown on the invitation for bid 
until at least one of the responsive bids, less deductive 
alternative(s), results in a price within the budget for that item of 
work;
    (ii) Reject all bids and re-advertise if there is a rational basis 
to expect that re-advertising will result in a lower bid; or
    (iii) Augment the Matching Share by an amount sufficient to cover 
the excess cost. The Recipient must furnish a letter to EDA identifying 
the source of the additional funds and confirming that the Matching 
Share meets the requirements of Sec.  301.5 of this chapter.
    (2) If the Recipient demonstrates to EDA's satisfaction that the 
options listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are not feasible and 
the Project cannot be completed otherwise, the Recipient may submit a 
written request to EDA for additional funding in accordance with 
applicable EDA guidance. The award of additional Investment Assistance 
is at EDA's sole discretion and will be considered in accord with EDA's 
competitive process requirements. EDA's consideration of a request for 
additional Investment Assistance does not indicate approval.

[79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  305.11  Contract awards; early construction start.

    EDA must determine that the award of all contracts necessary for 
design and construction of the Project facilities is in compliance with 
the terms and conditions of the Investment award in order for the costs 
to be eligible for EDA reimbursement. Pending this determination, the 
Recipient may issue a notice permitting construction under the contract 
to commence. If construction commences prior to EDA's determination, the 
Recipient proceeds at its own risk until EDA review and concurrence. The 
EDA regional office will advise the Recipient of the requirements 
necessary to obtain EDA's determination.



Sec.  305.12  Project sign.

    The Recipient shall be responsible for the construction, erection 
and maintenance in good condition throughout the construction period of 
a sign or signs at a conspicuous place at the Project site indicating 
that the Federal government is participating in the Project. The EDA 
regional office will

[[Page 831]]

provide mandatory specifications for the signage.



Sec.  305.13  Contract change orders.

    (a) If it becomes necessary to alter the construction contracts 
post-execution, the Recipient and contractor shall agree to a formal 
contract change order.
    (b) All contract change orders must receive EDA review for 
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Investment award, even 
if the Recipient is to pay for all additional costs resulting from the 
change or the change order reduces the contract price.
    (c) Work on the Project may continue pending EDA review of the 
contract change order, but all such work will be at the Recipient's risk 
until EDA completes its review.



Sec.  305.14  Occupancy prior to completion.

    Occupancy of any part of the Project prior to final acceptance is 
entirely at the Recipient's risk and must follow the requirements of 
local and State law.



PART 306_TRAINING, RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INVESTMENTS--
Table of Contents



            Subpart A_Local and National Technical Assistance

Sec.
306.1 Purpose and scope.
306.2 Award requirements.
306.3 Application requirements.

        Subpart B_University Center Economic Development Program

306.4 Purpose and scope.
306.5 Award requirements.
306.6 Application requirements.
306.7 Performance evaluations of University Centers.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3147; 42 U.S.C. 3196; 42 U.S.C. 3211; 
Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



            Subpart A_Local and National Technical Assistance



Sec.  306.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) Local and National Technical Assistance Investments may be 
awarded to:
    (1) Determine the causes of excessive unemployment, underemployment, 
low per capita income, outmigration or other problems throughout the 
nation;
    (2) Formulate and implement economic development tools, models, and 
innovative techniques that will alleviate or prevent conditions of 
excessive unemployment or underemployment;
    (3) Formulate and implement economic development programs to 
increase local, regional and national capacity;
    (4) Evaluate the effectiveness and economic impact of programs, 
projects and techniques to alleviate economic distress and promote 
economic development;
    (5) Conduct project planning and feasibility studies;
    (6) Provide management and operational assistance;
    (7) Establish business outreach centers;
    (8) Disseminate information about effective programs, projects and 
techniques that alleviate conditions of economic distress and promote 
economic development;
    (9) Assess, market and establish business clusters and associations; 
or
    (10) Perform other activities determined by EDA to be appropriate 
under the Local and National Technical Assistance program.
    (b) Investment Assistance may not be used to start or expand a 
private business.
    (c) EDA may identify specific training, research or technical 
assistance Projects it will fund, which will be subject to competition. 
Ordinarily, these Projects are specified in an FFO, which will provide 
the specific requirements, timelines and the appropriate points of 
contact and addresses.
    (d) In providing Local and National Technical Assistance under this 
subpart, EDA, in addition to making Investments, may:

[[Page 832]]

    (1) Provide Local and National Technical Assistance through officers 
or employees of the Department;
    (2) Pay funds made available to carry out this subpart to Federal 
Agencies; or
    (3) Employ private individuals, partnerships, businesses, 
corporations, or appropriate institutions under contracts entered into 
for this purpose.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  306.2  Award requirements.

    EDA selects Projects for Local and National Technical Assistance 
Investments in accordance with the general evaluation and selection 
criteria set forth in part 301 of this chapter and the extent to which 
the Project:
    (a) Strengthens the capacity of local, State or national 
organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective 
economic development programs targeted to Regions of distress;
    (b) Benefits distressed Regions;
    (c) Demonstrates innovative approaches to stimulate economic 
development in distressed Regions;
    (d) Is consistent with an EDA-approved CEDS, as applicable, for the 
Region in which the Project is located; and
    (e) Meets the criteria outlined in the applicable FFO.



Sec.  306.3  Application requirements.

    (a) EDA will provide Investment Assistance under this subpart for 
the period of time required to complete the Project's scope of work, 
generally not to exceed 12 to 18 months.
    (b) For a Project of significant Regional or national scope, EDA may 
waive the requirement set forth in Sec.  301.2(b) of this chapter that 
the non-profit organization act in cooperation with officials of a 
political subdivision of a State.
    (c) The Investment Rate for Investments under this subpart shall be 
determined in accordance with Sec.  301.4(b)(4) of this chapter.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



        Subpart B_University Center Economic Development Program



Sec.  306.4  Purpose and scope.

    The University Center Economic Development Program is intended to 
help improve the economies of distressed Regions. Institutions of higher 
education have many assets, such as faculty, staff, libraries, 
laboratories, and computer systems that can address local economic 
problems and opportunities. With Investment Assistance, institutions of 
higher education establish and operate research centers (``University 
Centers'') that provide technical assistance to public and private 
sector organizations with the goal of enhancing local economic 
development.

[79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  306.5  Award requirements.

    EDA provides Investment Assistance to University Center Projects in 
accordance with the general evaluation and selection criteria set forth 
in part 301 of this chapter, the competitive selection process outlined 
in the applicable FFO, and the extent to which the Project:
    (a) Addresses the economic development needs, issues and 
opportunities of the Region and will benefit distressed areas in the 
Region;
    (b) Provides service and value that are unique and will maximize 
coordination with other organizations in the Region;
    (c) Has the commitment and support (both financial and non-
financial) of the highest management levels of the sponsoring 
institution;
    (d) Outlines activities consistent with the expertise of the 
proposed staff, academic programs and other resources available within 
the sponsoring institution; and
    (e) Documents past experience of the sponsoring institution in 
operating technical assistance programs.



Sec.  306.6  Application requirements.

    (a) EDA will provide Investment Assistance under this subpart for 
the period of time required to complete the Project's scope of work, as 
specifically outlined in the applicable FFO.

[[Page 833]]

    (b) For a Project of significant Regional or national scope, EDA may 
waive the requirement set forth in Sec.  301.2(b) of this chapter that 
the non-profit organization act in cooperation with officials of a 
political subdivision of a State.
    (c) The Investment Rate for Investments under this subpart shall be 
determined in accordance with Sec.  301.4(b)(4) of this chapter.
    (d) At least 80 percent of EDA funding must be allocated to direct 
costs of program delivery.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  306.7  Performance evaluations of University Centers.

    (a) EDA will:
    (1) Evaluate each University Center within three years after the 
initial Investment award and at least once every three years thereafter, 
so long as such University Center continues to receive Investment 
Assistance; and
    (2) Assess the University Center's contribution to providing 
technical assistance, conducting applied research, meeting program 
performance objectives (as evidenced by retention and creation of 
employment opportunities) and disseminating Project results in 
accordance with the scope of work funded during the evaluation period.
    (b) The performance evaluation will determine in part whether a 
University Center can compete to receive Investment Assistance under the 
University Center Economic Development Program for the following 
Investment Assistance cycle.
    (c) For peer review, EDA shall ensure the participation of at least 
one other University Center in the performance evaluation on a cost-
reimbursement basis.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



PART 307_ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE INVESTMENTS--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
307.1 Purpose.
307.2 Criteria for Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments.
307.3 Use of Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments.
307.4 Award requirements.
307.5 Application requirements.

                  Subpart B_Revolving Loan Fund Program

307.6 Revolving Loan Funds established for lending.
307.7 Revolving Loan Fund award requirements.
307.8 Definitions.
307.9 Revolving Loan Fund Plan.
307.10 Pre-loan requirements.
307.11 Pre-disbursement requirements and disbursement of funds to 
          Revolving Loan Funds.
307.12 Revolving Loan Fund Income requirements during the Revolving 
          Phase; payments on defaulted and written off Revolving Loan 
          Fund loans; Voluntarily Contributed Capital.
307.13 Records and retention.
307.14 Revolving Loan Fund report.
307.15 Prudent management of Revolving Loan Funds.
307.16 Risk Analysis System.
307.17 Requirements for Revolving Loan Fund Cash Available for Lending.
307.18 Addition of lending areas; consolidation and merger of RLFs.
307.19 RLF loan portfolio Sales and Securitizations.
307.20 Noncompliance.
307.21 Remedies for noncompliance.
307.22 Variances.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3211; 42 U.S.C. 3149; 42 U.S.C. 3161; 42 U.S.C. 
3162; 42 U.S.C. 3233; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec.  307.1  Purpose.

    The purpose of Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments is to 
address the needs of communities experiencing adverse economic changes 
that may occur suddenly or over time, including those caused by:
    (a) Military base closures or realignments, defense contractor 
reductions in force, or U.S. Department of Energy defense-related 
funding reductions;
    (b) Federally Declared Disaster;
    (c) International trade;
    (d) Long-term economic deterioration;
    (e) Loss of a major community employer; or

[[Page 834]]

    (f) Loss of manufacturing jobs.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  307.2  Criteria for Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments.

    (a) Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments are intended to 
enhance a distressed community's ability to compete economically by 
stimulating private investment in targeted economic sectors through use 
of tools that:
    (1) Help develop and implement a CEDS;
    (2) Expand the capacity of public officials and economic development 
organizations to work effectively with businesses;
    (3) Assist in overcoming major obstacles identified in the CEDS;
    (4) Enable communities to plan and coordinate the use of Federal 
resources and other resources available to support economic recovery, 
development of Regional economies, or recovery from natural or other 
disasters; or
    (5) Encourage the development of innovative public and private 
approaches to economic restructuring and revitalization.
    (b) Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments may be made when the 
Project funded by the Investment will help the Region meet a Special 
Need. The Region in which a Project is located must have a CEDS with 
which the Project is consistent (except that this requirement shall not 
apply to Strategy Grants described in Sec.  307.3).



Sec.  307.3  Use of Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments.

    Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments may be used to develop a 
CEDS to alleviate long-term economic deterioration or a sudden and 
severe economic dislocation (a ``Strategy Grant''), or to fund a Project 
implementing such a CEDS (an ``Implementation Grant'').
    (a) Strategy Grants support developing, updating or refining a CEDS.
    (b) Implementation Grants support the execution of activities 
identified in a CEDS. Specific activities may be funded as separate 
Investments or as multiple elements of a single Investment. Examples of 
Implementation Grant activities include:
    (1) Infrastructure (as defined in Sec.  301.11 of this chapter) 
improvements, such as site acquisition, site preparation, construction, 
rehabilitation and equipping of facilities;
    (2) Provision of business or infrastructure financing through the 
capitalization of Recipient-administered Revolving Loan Funds 
(``RLFs''), which may include loans and interest rate buy-downs to 
facilitate business lending activities;
    (3) Market or industry research and analysis;
    (4) Technical assistance, including organizational development such 
as business networking, restructuring or improving the delivery of 
business services, or feasibility studies;
    (5) Public services;
    (6) Training; and
    (7) Other activities justified by the CEDS that satisfy applicable 
statutory and regulatory requirements.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  307.4  Award requirements.

    (a) General. EDA will select Economic Adjustment Assistance Projects 
in accordance with part 301 of this chapter and the additional criteria 
provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section, as applicable. 
Funding priority considerations for Economic Adjustment Assistance, 
including RLF Grants, may be set forth in an FFO.
    (b) Strategy Grants. EDA will review Strategy Grant applications to 
ensure that the proposed activities conform to the CEDS requirements set 
forth in Sec.  303.7 of this chapter. Strategy Grants shall comply with 
the applicable provisions of part 303 of this chapter.
    (c) Implementation Grants. (1) EDA will review Implementation Grant 
applications for the extent to which the:
    (i) Applicable CEDS meets the requirements in Sec.  303.7 of this 
chapter; and
    (ii) Proposed Project is identified as a necessary element of or 
consistent with the applicable CEDS.
    (2) Implementation Grants involving construction shall comply with 
the provisions of subpart B of part 305 of this chapter.
    (3) Implementation Grants that do not involve construction shall 
comply

[[Page 835]]

with the applicable provisions of subpart A of part 306 of this chapter.
    (d) See Sec.  307.7 for RLF award requirements.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 75 FR 4264, Jan. 27, 2010; 
79 FR 76132, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  307.5  Application requirements.

    (a) Each application for Economic Adjustment Assistance must:
    (1) Include or incorporate by reference (if so approved by EDA) a 
CEDS, except that a CEDS is not required when applying for a Strategy 
Grant; and
    (2) Explain how the proposed Project meets the criteria set forth in 
Sec.  307.2.
    (b) For a technical assistance Project of significant Regional or 
national scope under this subpart, EDA may waive the requirement set 
forth in Sec.  301.2(b) of this chapter that the non-profit organization 
act in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.



                  Subpart B_Revolving Loan Fund Program



Sec.  307.6  Revolving Loan Funds established for lending.

    Economic Adjustment Assistance Grants to capitalize or recapitalize 
RLFs most commonly fund business lending, but also may fund public 
infrastructure or other authorized lending activities. The requirements 
in this subpart apply to EDA-funded RLFs. Special award conditions may 
contain appropriate modifications of these requirements.

[82 FR 57054, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.7  Revolving Loan Fund award requirements.

    (a) For Eligible Applicants seeking to capitalize or recapitalize an 
RLF, EDA will review applications for the following, as applicable:
    (1) Need for a new or expanded public financing tool to:
    (i) Enhance other business assistance programs and services 
targeting economic sectors and locations described in the CEDS; or
    (ii) Provide appropriate support for post-disaster economic recovery 
efforts in Presidentially Declared Disaster areas;
    (2) Types of financing activities anticipated; and
    (3) Capacity of the RLF organization to manage lending activities, 
create networks between the business community and other financial 
providers, and implement the CEDS.
    (b) RLF Grants shall comply with the requirements set forth in this 
part, as well as relevant provisions of parts 300 through 303, 305, and 
314 of this chapter and in the following publications:
    (1) EDA's RLF Standard Terms and Conditions; and
    (2) The Compliance Supplement, which is appendix XI to 2 CFR part 
200 and is available on the OMB Web site at https://www.whitehouse.gov/ 
omb/circulars_default.

[79 FR 76133, Dec. 19, 2014, as amended at 82 FR 57055, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.8  Definitions.

    In addition to the defined terms set forth in Sec.  300.3 of this 
chapter, the following terms used in this part shall have the following 
meanings:
    Allowable Cash Percentage means the average percentage of the RLF 
Capital Base maintained as RLF Cash Available for Lending by RLF 
Recipients in each EDA regional office's portfolio of RLF Grants over 
the previous year.
    Closed Loan means any loan for which all required documentation has 
been received, reviewed and executed by an RLF Recipient.
    Disbursement Phase means the period of loan activity where Grant 
funds awarded have not been fully disbursed to the RLF Recipient.
    Exempt Security means a Security that is not subject to certain SEC 
or Federal Reserve Board rules.
    Prudent Lending Practices means generally accepted underwriting and 
lending practices for public loan programs, based on sound judgment to 
protect Federal and lender interests. Prudent Lending Practices include 
loan processing, documentation, loan approval, collections, servicing, 
administrative procedures, collateral protection and recovery actions. 
Prudent Lending Practices provide for compliance with local laws and 
filing requirements to

[[Page 836]]

perfect and maintain a security interest in RLF collateral.
    Recapitalization Grants are Investments of additional Grant funds to 
increase the RLF Capital Base.
    Reporting Period, for purposes of this subpart only, is based on the 
RLF Recipient's fiscal year end and is on an annual or semi-annual basis 
as determined by EDA.
    Revolving Phase means that stage of the RLF's business lending 
activities that commences immediately after all Grant funds have been 
disbursed to the RLF Recipient.
    Risk Analysis System refers to a set of measures defined by EDA to 
evaluate a Recipient's administration of its RLF Grant and that may 
include but is not limited to capital, assets, management, earnings, 
liquidity, strategic results, and financial controls.
    RLF Capital Base means the total value of RLF Grant assets 
administered by the RLF Recipient. It is equal to the amount of Grant 
funds used to capitalize (and recapitalize, if applicable), the RLF, 
plus Local Share, plus RLF Income less any eligible and reasonable 
administrative expenses, plus Voluntarily Contributed Capital, less any 
loan losses and disallowances. Except as used to pay for eligible and 
reasonable administrative costs associated with the RLF's operations, 
the RLF Capital Base is maintained in two forms at all times: As RLF 
Cash Available for Lending and as outstanding loan principal.
    RLF Cash Available for Lending means the portion of the RLF Capital 
Base that is held as cash and available to make loans. This excludes 
loans that have been committed or approved but have not yet been funded.
    RLF Income means interest earned on outstanding loan principal and 
RLF accounts holding RLF funds, all fees and charges received by the 
RLF, and other income generated from RLF operations. An RLF Recipient 
may use RLF Income only to capitalize the RLF for financing activities 
and to cover eligible and reasonable costs necessary to administer the 
RLF, unless otherwise provided for in the Grant agreement or approved in 
writing by EDA. RLF Income excludes repayments of principal and any 
interest remitted to the U.S. Treasury pursuant to generally accepted 
accounting principles (GAAP) and Sec.  307.20(h).
    RLF Recipient means the Eligible Recipient that receives an RLF 
Grant to manage an RLF in accordance with an RLF Plan, Prudent Lending 
Practices, the terms and conditions of the RLF Grant, and all applicable 
policies, laws, and regulations.
    RLF Third Party, for purposes of this subpart B only, means an 
Eligible Recipient or for-profit entity selected by EDA through a 
request for applications or Cooperative Agreement to facilitate or 
manage the intended liquidation of an RLF.
    Sale means an EDA-approved sale by an RLF Recipient of its RLF loan 
portfolio (or a portion thereof) to a third party. A third party may 
participate in a subsequent Securitization offered in a secondary market 
transaction and collateralized by the underlying RLF loan portfolio (or 
a portion thereof).
    SEC or the Commission means the U.S. Securities and Exchange 
Commission.
    Securitization refers to the financing technique of securing an 
investment of new capital with a stream of income generated by 
aggregating similar instruments such as loans or mortgages into a new 
transferable Security.
    Security means any investment instrument issued by a corporation, 
government or other organization which offers evidence of debt or 
equity.
    Voluntary Contributed Capital means an RLF Recipient's voluntary 
infusion of additional non-EDA funds into the RLF Capital Base that is 
separate from and exceeds any Local Share that is required as a 
condition of the RLF Grant. Voluntary Contributed Capital is an 
irrevocable addition to the RLF Capital Base and must be administered in 
accordance with EDA regulations and policies.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62867, Oct. 22, 2008; 
75 FR 4264, Jan. 27, 2010; 82 FR 57055, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.9  Revolving Loan Fund Plan.

    All RLF Recipients shall manage RLFs in accordance with an RLF plan 
(the ``RLF Plan'' or ``Plan'') as described in this section. The Plan 
shall be submitted in electronic format to

[[Page 837]]

EDA for approval, unless EDA approves a paper submission.
    (a) Format and content. (1) Part I of the Plan titled ``Revolving 
Loan Fund Strategy'' shall summarize the Region's CEDS or EDA-approved 
economic development plan, if applicable, and business development 
objectives, and shall describe the RLF's financing strategy, policy and 
portfolio standards.
    (2) Part II of the Plan titled ``Operational Procedures'' must serve 
as the RLF Recipient's internal operating manual and set out 
administrative procedures for operating the RLF consistent with 
``Prudent Lending Practices,'' as defined in Sec.  307.8, the RLF 
Recipient's environmental review and compliance procedures as set out in 
Sec.  307.10, and EDA's conflicts of interest rules set out in Sec.  
302.17 of this chapter.
    (b) Evaluation of RLF Plans. EDA will use the following criteria in 
evaluating Plans:
    (1) The Plan must be consistent with the CEDS or EDA-approved 
economic development plan, if applicable, for the Region.
    (2) The Plan must identify the strategic purpose of the RLF and must 
describe the selection of the financing strategy and lending criteria, 
including:
    (i) An analysis of the local capital market and the financing needs 
of the targeted businesses; and
    (ii) Financing policies and portfolio standards that are consistent 
with EDA's policies and requirements; and
    (3) The Plan must demonstrate an adequate understanding of 
commercial loan portfolio management procedures, including loan 
processing, underwriting, closing, disbursements, collections, 
monitoring, and foreclosures. It also shall provide sufficient 
administrative procedures to prevent conflicts of interest and to ensure 
accountability, safeguarding of assets and compliance with Federal and 
local laws.
    (c) Revision and Modification of RLF Plans. (1) An RLF Recipient 
must update its Plan as necessary in accordance with changing economic 
conditions in the Region; however, at a minimum, an RLF Recipient must 
submit an updated Plan to EDA every five years.
    (2) An RLF Recipient must notify EDA of any change(s) to its Plan. 
Any material modification, such as a merger, consolidation, or change in 
the EDA-approved lending area under Sec.  307.18, a change in critical 
management staff, or a change to the strategic purpose of the RLF, must 
be submitted to EDA for approval prior to any revision of the Plan. If 
EDA approves the modification, the RLF Recipient must submit an updated 
Plan to EDA in electronic format, unless EDA approves a paper 
submission.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62867, Oct. 22, 2008; 
75 FR 4264, Jan. 27, 2010; 79 FR 76133, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  307.10  Pre-loan requirements.

    (a) RLF Recipients must adopt procedures to review the impacts of 
prospective loan proposals on the physical environment. The Plan must 
provide for compliance with applicable environmental laws and other 
regulations, including parts 302 and 314 of this chapter. The RLF 
Recipient also must adopt procedures to comply, and ensure that 
potential borrowers comply, with applicable environmental laws and 
regulations.
    (b) RLF Recipients must ensure that prospective borrowers, 
consultants, or contractors are aware of and comply with the Federal 
statutory and regulatory requirements that apply to activities carried 
out with RLF loans. Accordingly, RLF loan agreements shall include 
applicable Federal requirements to ensure compliance and RLF Recipients 
must adopt procedures to diligently correct instances of non-compliance, 
including loan call stipulations.
    (c) All RLF loan documents and procedures must protect and hold the 
Federal government harmless from and against all liabilities that the 
Federal government may incur as a result of providing an RLF Grant to 
assist directly or indirectly in site preparation or construction, as 
well as the direct or indirect renovation or repair of any facility or 
site. These protections apply to the extent that the Federal government 
may become potentially liable as a result of ground water, surface, soil

[[Page 838]]

or other natural or man-made conditions on the property caused by 
operations of the RLF Recipient or any of its borrowers, predecessors or 
successors.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76133, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  307.11  Pre-disbursement requirements and disbursement of funds 
to Revolving Loan Funds.

    (a) Pre-disbursement requirements. (1) Within 60 calendar days 
before the initial disbursement of EDA funds, the RLF Recipient must 
provide the following in a form acceptable to EDA:
    (i) Certification from the RLF Recipient that the Recipient's 
accounting system is adequate to identify, safeguard, and account for 
the entire RLF Capital Base, outstanding RLF loans, and other RLF 
operations.
    (ii) The RLF Recipient's certification that standard RLF loan 
documents reasonably necessary or advisable for lending are in place and 
a certification from the RLF Recipient's legal counsel that the loan 
documents are adequate and comply with the terms and conditions of the 
RLF Grant, RLF Plan, and applicable State and local law. The standard 
loan documents must include, at a minimum, the following:
    (A) Loan application;
    (B) Loan agreement;
    (C) Board of directors' meeting minutes approving the RLF loan;
    (D) Promissory note;
    (E) Security agreement(s);
    (F) Deed of trust or mortgage (as applicable);
    (G) Agreement of prior lien holder (as applicable); and
    (H) Evidence demonstrating that credit is not otherwise available on 
terms and conditions that permit the completion or successful operation 
of the activity to be financed.
    (iii) Evidence of fidelity bond coverage for persons authorized to 
handle funds under the RLF Grant award in an amount sufficient to 
protect the interests of EDA and the RLF. At a minimum, the amount of 
coverage shall be the maximum loan amount allowed for in the EDA-
approved RLF Plan.
    (2) The RLF Recipient is required to maintain the adequacy of the 
RLF's accounting system and maintain and update standard RLF loan 
documents at all times during the duration of the RLF's operation. In 
addition, the RLF recipient must maintain sufficient fidelity bond 
coverage as described in this subsection for the duration of the RLF's 
operation. The RLF Recipient shall maintain records and documentation to 
demonstrate the requirements set out in this paragraph (a) are 
maintained for the duration of the RLF's operation. See also Sec.  
307.13(b)(3).
    (b) Timing of request for disbursements. An RLF Recipient shall 
request disbursements of Grant funds only to close a loan or disburse 
RLF funds to a borrower. The RLF Recipient must disburse the RLF funds 
to a borrower within 30 days of receipt of the Grant funds. Any Grant 
funds not disbursed within the 30 day period shall be refunded to EDA 
pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section.
    (c) Amount of disbursement. The amount of a disbursement of Grant 
funds shall be the amount required to meet the Federal share requirement 
of a new RLF loan. RLF Income held during the disbursement phase may be 
used to reimburse eligible administrative costs. RLF Income earned and 
principal repaid during the Disbursement Phase must be placed in the RLF 
Capital Base and may be used to reimburse eligible and reasonable 
administrative costs, provide the requirements of Sec.  307.12(a) and 
(b) are met, and increase the RLF Capital Base. RLF Income earned and 
principal repaid during the Disbursement Phase is not required to be 
used for new RLF loans, unless otherwise specified in the terms and 
conditions of an RLF Grant.
    (d) Interest-bearing account. All Grant funds disbursed by EDA to 
the RLF Recipient for loan obligations incurred but not yet disbursed to 
an eligible RLF borrower must be deposited and held in an interest-
bearing account by the Recipient until an RLF loan is made to a 
borrower.
    (e) Delays. If the RLF Recipient receives Grant funds and the RLF 
loan disbursement is subsequently delayed beyond 30 days, the RLF 
Recipient must notify the applicable grants officer and return such non-
disbursed funds to EDA. Grant funds returned to

[[Page 839]]

EDA shall be available to the RLF Recipient for future draw-downs. When 
returning prematurely drawn Grant funds, the RLF Recipient must clearly 
identify on the face of the check or in the written notification to the 
applicable grants officer ``EDA,'' the Grant award number, the words 
``Premature Draw,'' and a brief description of the reason for returning 
the Grant funds.
    (f) Local Share. (1) Cash Local Share of the RLF may only be used 
for lending purposes. The cash Local Share must be used either in 
proportion to the Grant funds or at a faster rate than the Grant funds.
    (2) When an RLF has a combination of In-Kind Contributions, which 
must be specifically authorized in the terms and conditions of the RLF 
Grant and may be used to provide technical assistance to borrowers or 
for eligible RLF administrative costs, and cash Local Share, the cash 
Local Share and the Grant funds will be disbursed proportionately as 
needed for lending activities, provided that the last 20 percent of the 
Grant funds may not be disbursed until all cash Local Share has been 
expended. The full amount of the cash Local Share shall remain for use 
in the RLF.
    (g) Loan closing and disbursement schedule. (1) RLF loan activity 
must be sufficient to draw down Grant funds in accordance with the 
schedule prescribed in the award conditions for loan closings and 
disbursements to eligible RLF borrowers. The schedule usually requires 
that the RLF Recipient lend the entire amount of the RLF Grant within 
three years of the Grant award.
    (2) If an RLF Recipient fails to meet the prescribed lending 
schedule, EDA may de-obligate the non-disbursed balance of the RLF 
Grant. EDA may allow exceptions where:
    (i) Closed Loans approved prior to the schedule deadline will 
commence and complete disbursements within 45 days of the deadline;
    (ii) Closed Loans have commenced (but not completed) disbursement 
obligations prior to the deadline; or
    (iii) EDA has approved a time schedule extension pursuant to 
paragraph (h) of this section.
    (h) Time schedule extensions. (1) RLF Recipients shall promptly 
inform EDA in writing of any condition that may adversely affect their 
ability to meet the prescribed schedule deadlines. RLF Recipients must 
submit a written request to EDA for continued use of Grant funds beyond 
a missed deadline for disbursement of RLF funds. RLF Recipients must 
provide good reason for the delay in their extension request by 
demonstrating that:
    (i) The delay was unforeseen or beyond the control of the RLF 
Recipient;
    (ii) The financial need for the RLF still exists;
    (iii) The current and planned use and the anticipated benefits of 
the RLF will remain consistent with the current CEDS and the RLF Plan; 
and
    (iv) The proposal of a revised time schedule is reasonable. An 
extension request must also provide an explanation as to why no further 
delays are anticipated.
    (2) EDA is under no obligation to grant a time extension. In the 
event an extension is denied, EDA may de-obligate all or part of the 
unused Grant funds and terminate the Grant.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 75 FR 4264, Jan. 27, 2010; 
79 FR 76133, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57055, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.12  Revolving Loan Fund Income requirements during 
the Revolving Phase; payments on defaulted and written off Revolving Loan 
Fund loans; Voluntarily Contributed Capital.

    (a) Revolving Loan Fund Income requirements during the Revolving 
Phase. During the Revolving Phase, RLF Income must be placed into the 
RLF Capital Base for the purpose of making loans or paying for eligible 
and reasonable administrative costs associated with the RLF's 
operations. RLF Income may fund administrative costs, provided:
    (1) Such RLF Income is earned and the administrative costs are 
accrued in the same fiscal year of the RLF Recipient;
    (2) RLF Income earned, but not used for administrative costs during 
the same fiscal year of the RLF Recipient is made available for lending 
activities;

[[Page 840]]

    (3) RLF Income shall not be withdrawn from the RLF Capital Base in a 
subsequent fiscal year for any purpose other than lending without the 
prior written consent of EDA; and
    (4) An RLF Recipient shall not use funds in excess of RLF Income for 
administrative costs unless directed otherwise in writing by EDA. In 
accordance with EDA's RLF Risk Analysis System, RLF Recipients are 
expected to keep administrative costs to a minimum in order to maintain 
the RLF Capital Base. The percentage of RLF Income used for 
administrative expenses will be one of the measures used in EDA's RLF 
Risk Analysis System to evaluate RLF Recipients. See also Sec.  307.16.
    (b) Compliance guidance. When charging costs against RLF Income, RLF 
Recipients must comply with applicable Federal uniform administrative 
requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements as detailed in 
this paragraph (b) and in the terms and conditions of the RLF Grant.
    (1) For RLF Grants made on or after December 26, 2014. For RLFs 
awarded on or after December 26, 2014 or for RLFs that have received one 
or more Recapitalization Grants on or after December 26, 2014, the RLF 
Recipient must comply with the administrative and cost principles in 2 
CFR part 200 (``Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, 
and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards'').
    (2) For RLF Grants made before December 26, 2014. For RLFs awarded 
before December 26, 2014, unless otherwise indicated in the terms of the 
Grant, the RLF Recipient must comply with the following cost principles:
    (i) 2 CFR part 225 (OMB Circular A-87 for State, local, and Indian 
tribal governments),
    (ii) 2 CFR part 230 (OMB Circular A-122 for non-profit organizations 
other than institutions of higher education, hospitals or organizations 
named in OMB Circular A-122 as not subject to such Circular), and
    (iii) 2 CFR part 220 (OMB Circular A-21 for educational 
institutions).
    (3) For all RLF Grants. For all RLF Grants, regardless of when they 
were awarded, the audit requirements set out as subpart F to 2 CFR part 
200 apply to audits of the RLF Recipient's fiscal years beginning on or 
after December 26, 2014. In addition, the Compliance Supplement, which 
is appendix XI to 2 CFR part 200, applies as appropriate.
    (c) Priority of payments on defaulted and written off RLF loans. 
When an RLF Recipient receives proceeds on a defaulted or written off 
RLF loan that is not subject to liquidation pursuant to Sec.  307.21, 
such proceeds shall be applied in the following order of priority:
    (1) First, towards any costs of collection;
    (2) Second, towards outstanding penalties and fees;
    (3) Third, towards any accrued interest to the extent due and 
payable; and
    (4) Fourth, towards any outstanding principal balance.
    (d) Voluntarily Contributed Capital. An RLF Recipient that wishes to 
inject additional capital into the RLF Capital Base to augment the 
amount of resources available to lend must submit a written request that 
specifies the source of the funds to be added. Once an RLF Recipient 
elects to commit Voluntarily Contributed Capital and upon approval by 
EDA, the Voluntarily Contributed Capital becomes an irrevocable part of 
the RLF Capital Base and may not be subsequently withdrawn or separated 
from the RLF.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62867, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76134, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57056, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.13  Records and retention.

    (a) Closed Loan files and related documents. The RLF Recipient shall 
maintain Closed Loan files and all related documents, books of account, 
computer data files and other records over the term of the Closed Loan 
and for a three-year period from the date of final disposition of such 
Closed Loan. The date of final disposition of a Closed Loan is the date:
    (1) Principal, interest, fees, penalties and all other costs 
associated with the Closed Loan have been paid in full; or
    (2) Final settlement or discharge and cessation of collection 
efforts of any unpaid amounts associated with the Closed Loan have 
occurred.
    (b) Administrative records. RLF Recipients must at all times:

[[Page 841]]

    (1) Maintain adequate accounting records and source documentation to 
substantiate the amount and percent of RLF Income expended for eligible 
RLF administrative costs.
    (2) Retain records of administrative expenses incurred for 
activities and equipment relating to the operation of the RLF for three 
years from the actual submission date of the report that covers the 
fiscal year in which such costs were claimed.
    (3) Consistent with Sec.  307.11(a), for the duration of RLF 
operations, maintain records to demonstrate:
    (i) The adequacy of the RLF's accounting system to identify, 
safeguard, and account for the entire RLF Capital Base, outstanding RLF 
loans, and other RLF operations;
    (ii) That standard RLF loan documents reasonably necessary or 
advisable for lending are in place; and
    (iii) Evidence of fidelity bond coverage for persons authorized to 
handle funds under the Grant award in an amount sufficient to protect 
the interests of EDA and the RLF.
    (4) Make available for inspection retained records, including those 
retained for longer than the required period. The record retention 
periods described in this section are minimum periods and such 
prescription does not limit any other record retention requirement of 
law or agreement. In no event will EDA question claimed administrative 
costs that are more than three years old, unless fraud is at issue.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62867, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76134, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57057, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.14  Revolving Loan Fund report.

    (a) Frequency of reports. All RLF Recipients, including those 
receiving Recapitalization Grants for existing RLFs, must complete and 
submit an RLF report, using Form ED-209, in a format and at a frequency 
as required by EDA.
    (b) Report contents. RLF Recipients must certify as part of the RLF 
report to EDA that the RLF is operating in accordance with the 
applicable RLF Plan and that the information provided is complete and 
accurate.

[82 FR 57057, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.15  Prudent management of Revolving Loan Funds.

    (a) Accounting principles. (1) RLFs shall operate in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles (``GAAP'') as in effect in the 
United States and the provisions outlined in the audit requirements set 
out as subpart F to 2 CFR part 200 and the Compliance Supplement, which 
is appendix XI to 2 CFR part 200, as applicable.
    (2) In accordance with GAAP, a loan loss reserve may be recorded in 
the RLF Recipient's financial statements to show the adjusted current 
value of an RLF's loan portfolio, provided this loan loss reserve is 
non-funded and is represented by a non-cash entry. However, loan loss 
reserves shall not be used to reduce the value of the RLF in the 
Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (``SEFA'') required as part 
of the RLF Recipient's audit requirements under 2 CFR part 200.
    (b) Interest rates--(1) General rule. An RLF Recipient may make 
loans to eligible borrowers at interest rates and under conditions 
determined by the RLF Recipient to be appropriate in achieving the goals 
of the RLF. The minimum interest rate an RLF Recipient may charge is 
four percentage points below the lesser of the current money center 
prime interest rate quoted in the Wall Street Journal, or the maximum 
interest rate allowed under State law. In no event shall the interest 
rate be less than the lower of four percent or 75 percent of the prime 
interest rate listed in the Wall Street Journal.
    (2) Exception. Should the prime interest rate listed in the Wall 
Street Journal exceed 14 percent, the minimum RLF interest rate is not 
required to be raised above 10 percent if doing so compromises the 
ability of the RLF Recipient to implement its financing strategy.
    (c) RLF leveraging. (1) RLF loans must leverage additional 
investment of at least two dollars for every one dollar of such RLF 
loans. This leveraging requirement applies to the RLF portfolio as a 
whole rather than to individual loans and is effective for the duration 
of the RLF's operation. To be classified as leveraged, additional 
investment

[[Page 842]]

must be made within 12 months of approval of an RLF loan, as part of the 
same business development project, and may include:
    (i) Capital invested by the borrower or others;
    (ii) Financing from private entities;
    (iii) The non-guaranteed portions and 90 percent of the guaranteed 
portions of any Federal loan; or
    (iv) Loans from other State and local lending programs.
    (2) Private investments shall not include accrued equity in a 
borrower's assets.
    (d) RLF certification course. EDA may establish a mandatory RLF 
certification program to enhance RLF Recipients' ability to administer 
RLF Grants in a prudent manner. If so required by EDA, the RLF Recipient 
must satisfactorily complete this program, and may consider the cost of 
attending the certification courses as an administrative cost, provided 
the requirements set forth in Sec.  307.12 are satisfied.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62868, Oct. 22, 2008; 
75 FR 4264, Jan. 27, 2010; 79 FR 76134, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57057, Dec. 
1, 2017]



Sec.  307.16  Risk Analysis System.

    (a) EDA shall evaluate and manage RLF recipients using a Risk 
Analysis System that will focus on such risk factors as: capital, 
assets, management, earnings, liquidity, strategic results, and 
financial controls. Risk analysis ratings of each RLF Recipient's RLF 
program shall be conducted at least annually and will be based on the 
most recently submitted Form ED-209 RLF report.
    (b) An RLF Recipient generally will be allowed a reasonable period 
of time to achieve compliance with risk factors as defined by EDA. 
However, persistent noncompliance with these factors and their limits as 
identified through EDA's Risk Analysis System over multiple Reporting 
Periods may result in EDA taking appropriate remedies for noncompliance 
as detailed in Sec.  307.21.

[82 FR 57057, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.17  Requirements for Revolving Loan Fund Cash Available for Lending.

    (a) General. RLF Cash Available for Lending shall be deposited and 
held in an interest-bearing account by the Recipient and used for the 
purpose of making RLF loans that are consistent with an RLF Plan or such 
other purposes approved by EDA. To ensure that RLF funds are used as 
intended, each loan agreement must clearly state the purpose of each 
loan.
    (b) Allowable Cash Percentage. EDA shall notify each RLF recipient 
by January 1 of each year of the Allowable Cash Percentage that is 
applicable to lending during the Recipient's ensuing fiscal year. During 
the Revolving Phase, RLF Recipients must manage their repayment and 
lending schedules so that at all times they do not exceed the Allowable 
Cash Percentage.
    (c) Restrictions on use of RLF Cash Available for Lending. RLF Cash 
Available for Lending shall not be used to:
    (1) Acquire an equity position in a private business;
    (2) Subsidize interest payments on an existing RLF loan;
    (3) Provide a loan to a borrower for the purpose of meeting the 
requirements of equity contributions under another Federal Agency's loan 
programs;
    (4) Enable borrowers to acquire an interest in a business either 
through the purchase of stock or through the acquisition of assets, 
unless sufficient justification is provided in the loan documentation. 
Sufficient justification may include acquiring a business to save it 
from imminent closure or to acquire a business to facilitate a 
significant expansion or increase in investment with a significant 
increase in jobs. The potential economic benefits must be clearly 
consistent with the strategic objectives of the RLF;
    (5) Provide RLF loans to a borrower for the purpose of investing in 
interest-bearing accounts, certificates of deposit, or any investment 
unrelated to the RLF; or
    (6) Refinance existing debt, unless:
    (i) The RLF Recipient sufficiently demonstrates in the loan 
documentation a ``sound economic justification''

[[Page 843]]

for the refinancing (e.g., the refinancing will support additional 
capital investment intended to increase business activities). For this 
purpose, reducing the risk of loss to an existing lender(s) or lowering 
the cost of financing to a borrower shall not, without other indicia, 
constitute a sound economic justification; or
    (ii) RLF Cash Available for Lending will finance the purchase of the 
rights of a prior lien holder during a foreclosure action which is 
necessary to preclude a significant loss on an RLF loan. RLF funds may 
be used for this purpose only if there is a high probability of 
receiving compensation from the sale of assets sufficient to cover an 
RLF's costs plus a reasonable portion of the outstanding RLF loan within 
a reasonable time frame approved by EDA following the date of 
refinancing.
    (7) Serve as collateral to obtain credit or any other type of 
financing without EDA's prior written approval;
    (8) Support operations or administration of the RLF Recipient; or
    (9) Undertake any activity that would violate the requirements found 
in part 314 of this chapter, including Sec.  314.3 (``Authorized Use of 
Property'') and Sec.  314.4 (``Unauthorized Use of Property'').

[82 FR 57057, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.18  Addition of lending areas; consolidation and merger of RLFs.

    (a)(1) An RLF Recipient shall make loans only within its EDA-
approved lending area, as set forth and defined in the RLF Grant and the 
RLF Plan. An RLF Recipient may add a lending area (an ``Additional 
Lending Area'') to its existing lending area to create a new lending 
area (the ``New Lending Area'') only with EDA's prior written approval 
and subject to the following provisions and conditions:
    (i) The Additional Lending Area must meet the economic distress 
criteria for Economic Adjustment Assistance Investments under this part 
and in accordance with Sec.  301.3(a) of this chapter;
    (ii) Prior to EDA's disbursement of additional funds to the RLF 
Recipient (for example, through a recapitalization), EDA shall determine 
a new Investment Rate for the New Lending Area based on the criteria set 
forth in Sec.  301.4 of this chapter;
    (iii) The RLF Recipient must demonstrate that the Additional Lending 
Area is consistent with its CEDS, or modify its CEDS for any such 
Additional Lending Area, in accordance with Sec.  307.9(b)(1);
    (iv) The RLF Recipient shall modify its Plan to incorporate the 
Additional Lending Area and revise its lending strategy, as necessary;
    (v) The RLF Recipient shall execute an amended financial assistance 
award, as necessary; and
    (vi) The RLF Recipient fulfills any other conditions reasonably 
requested by EDA.
    (2) Following EDA approval, the New Lending Area designation shall 
remain in place until EDA approves a subsequent request for a New 
Lending Area.
    (b) Consolidation and merger of RLFs--(1) Single RLF Recipient. An 
RLF Recipient with more than one EDA-funded RLF Grant may consolidate 
two or more EDA-funded RLFs into one combined RLF with EDA's prior 
written approval and provided:
    (i) It is up-to-date with all reports in accordance with Sec.  
307.14;
    (ii) It demonstrates a rational basis for undertaking the 
consolidation (for example, the lending area(s) and borrower criteria 
identified in different RLF Plans are compatible, or will be compatible, 
for all RLFs to be consolidated);
    (iii) It amends and consolidates its Plan to account for the 
consolidation of RLFs, including items such as the New Lending Area 
(including any Additional Lending Area(s)), its lending strategy and 
borrower criteria;
    (iv) Prior to EDA's disbursement of additional funds to the RLF 
Recipient (for example, through a recapitalization), EDA shall determine 
a new Investment Rate for the New Lending Area based on the criteria set 
forth in Sec.  301.4 of this chapter; and
    (v) The RLF Recipient fulfills any other conditions reasonably 
requested by EDA.
    (2) Multiple RLF Recipients. Two or more RLF Recipients may merge 
their EDA-funded RLFs into one surviving RLF with EDA's prior written 
approval and provided:

[[Page 844]]

    (i) The replacement RLF Recipient is up-to-date with all reports in 
accordance with Sec.  307.14;
    (ii) The surviving RLF Recipient amends and consolidates its Plan to 
account for the merger of RLFs, including items such as the New Lending 
Area (including any Additional Lending Area(s)), its lending strategy 
and borrower criteria;
    (iii) Prior to EDA's disbursement of additional funds to the 
surviving RLF Recipient (for example, through a recapitalization), EDA 
shall determine a new Investment Rate for the New Lending Area based on 
the criteria set forth in Sec.  301.4 of this chapter;
    (iv) EDA must provide written approval of the merger agreement(s), 
modifications and revisions to the Plans and any other related 
amendments thereto;
    (v) All applicable RLF Grant assets of the discharging RLF 
Recipient(s) transfer to the surviving RLF Recipient as of the merger's 
effective date; and
    (vi) The surviving RLF Recipient becomes fully responsible for 
administration of the RLF Grant assets transferred and fulfills all 
surviving RLF Grant requirements and any other conditions reasonably 
requested by EDA.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62869, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76135, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57058, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.19  RLF loan portfolio Sales and Securitizations.

    EDA may take such actions as appropriate to enable an RLF Recipient 
to sell or securitize RLF loans, except that EDA may not issue a Federal 
guaranty covering any issued Security. With prior approval from EDA, an 
RLF Recipient may enter into a Sale or a Securitization of all or a 
portion of its RLF loan portfolio, provided:
    (a) An RLF Recipient must use all proceeds from any Sale or 
Securitization (net of reasonable transaction costs) to make additional 
RLF loans;
    (b) No Security collateralized by RLF loans and other RLF property 
and offered in a secondary market transaction pursuant to a 
Securitization shall be treated as an Exempt Security for purposes of 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), or the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (the 
``Exchange Act''), unless exempted by a rule or regulation issued by the 
Commission; and
    (c) Except as provided in paragraph (b), no provision of this 
section supersedes or otherwise affects the application of the 
``securities laws'' (as such term is defined in section 3(a)(47) of the 
Exchange Act) or the rules, regulations or orders issued by the 
Commission or a self-regulatory organization under the Commission.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76135, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  307.20  Noncompliance.

    EDA will take appropriate compliance actions as detailed in Sec.  
307.21 for the RLF Recipient's failure to operate the RLF in accordance 
with the RLF Plan, the terms and conditions of the RLF Grant, or this 
subpart, including but not limited to:
    (a) Failing to obtain prior EDA approval for material changes to the 
RLF Plan, including provisions for administering the RLF;
    (b) Failing to submit an updated RLF Plan to EDA in accordance with 
Sec.  307.9(c);
    (c) Failing to submit timely progress, financial, and audit reports 
in the format required by the RLF Grant and Sec.  307.14, including the 
Form ED-209 RLF report;
    (d) Failing to manage the RLF Grant in accordance with Prudent 
Lending Practices, as defined in Sec.  307.8;
    (e) Holding RLF Cash Available for Lending so that it is 50 percent 
or more of the RLF Capital Base for 24 months without an EDA-approved 
extension request based on other EDA risk analysis factors or other 
extenuating circumstances;
    (f) Making an ineligible loan;
    (g) Failing to disburse the EDA funds in accordance with the time 
schedule prescribed in the RLF Grant;
    (h) Failing to sequester funds or remit the interest on EDA's 
portion of the sequestered funds to the U.S. Treasury, as directed by 
EDA;
    (i) Failing to comply with the audit requirements set forth in 
subpart F to

[[Page 845]]

2 CFR part 200 and the related Compliance Supplement, including 
reference to the correctly valued EDA RLF Federal expenditures in the 
SEFA, timely submission of audit reports to the Federal Audit 
Clearinghouse, and the inclusion of the RLF program as an appropriately 
audited program;
    (j) Failing to implement timely resolutions to audit findings or 
questioned costs contained in the annual audit, as applicable;
    (k) Failing to comply with an EDA-approved corrective action plan to 
remedy persistent noncompliance with RLF-related findings;
    (l) Failing to comply with the conflicts of interest provisions set 
forth in Sec.  302.17; and
    (m) Making unauthorized use of RLF Cash Available for Lending in 
violation of Sec.  307.18(c).

[82 FR 57058, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.21  Remedies for noncompliance.

    (a) General. If an RLF Recipient fails to operate the RLF in 
accordance with the RLF Plan, the terms and conditions of the RLF Grant, 
or this subpart, as detailed in Sec.  307.20, EDA may require one or 
more of the following actions, as appropriate in the circumstances:
    (1) Increased reporting requirements;
    (2) Implementation of a corrective action plan;
    (3) A special audit;
    (4) Sequestration of RLF funds;
    (5) Repayment of ineligible loans or other costs to the RLF;
    (6) Transfer or merger of the RLF in accordance with Sec.  307.18;
    (7) Suspension of the RLF Grant; or
    (8) Termination of the RLF Grant, in whole or in part.
    (b) Disallowance of a portion of an RLF Grant, liquidation. If the 
RLF Recipient engages in certain problematic practices, EDA may disallow 
a corresponding proportion of the Grant or direct the RLF Recipient to 
transfer loans to an RLF Third Party for liquidation. Problematic 
practices for which EDA may disallow a portion of an RLF Grant and 
recover the pro-rata Federal Share (as defined in Sec.  314.5 of this 
chapter) include the RLF Recipient:
    (1) Holding RLF Cash Available for Lending so that it is 50 percent 
or more of the RLF Capital Base for 24 months without an EDA-approved 
extension request;
    (2) Failing to disburse the EDA funds in accordance with the time 
schedule prescribed in the RLF Grant; or
    (3) Determining that it does not wish to further invest in the RLF 
or cannot maintain operations at the degree originally contemplated upon 
receipt of the RLF Grant and requests that a portion of the RLF Grant be 
disallowed, and EDA agrees to the disallowance.
    (c) Termination or suspension. To maintain effective control over 
and accountability of RLF Grant funds and assets, EDA shall determine 
the manner and timing of any suspension or termination action. EDA may 
require the RLF Recipient to repay the Federal Share in a lump-sum 
payment or enter into a Sale, or EDA may agree to enter into a repayment 
agreement with the RLF Recipient for repayment of the Federal Share.
    (d) Termination, liquidation upon termination. When EDA approves the 
termination of an RLF Grant, EDA must make all efforts to recover the 
pro rata Federal Share (as defined in Sec.  314.5 of this chapter). EDA 
may assign or transfer assets of the RLF to an RLF Third Party for 
liquidation. The following terms will govern any liquidation:
    (1) EDA shall have sole discretion in choosing the RLF Third Party;
    (2) The RLF Third Party may be an Eligible Applicant or a for-profit 
organization not otherwise eligible for Investment Assistance;
    (3) EDA may enter into an agreement with the RLF Third Party to 
liquidate the assets of one or more RLFs or RLF Recipients;
    (4) EDA may allow the RLF Third Party to retain a portion of the RLF 
assets, consistent with the agreement referenced in paragraph (d)(3) of 
this section, as reasonable compensation for services rendered in the 
liquidation; and
    (5) EDA may require additional reasonable terms and conditions.
    (e) Distribution of proceeds. The proceeds resulting from any 
liquidation

[[Page 846]]

upon termination shall be distributed in the following order of 
priority:
    (1) First, for any third party liquidation costs;
    (2) Second, for the payment of EDA's Federal Share; and
    (3) Third, if any proceeds remain, to the RLF Recipient.
    (f) RLF Recipient's request to terminate. EDA may approve a request 
from an RLF Recipient to terminate an RLF Grant. The RLF Recipient must 
compensate the Federal Government for the pro rata Federal Share of the 
RLF Capital Base.
    (g) Distribution of proceeds upon termination. Upon termination, 
distribution of proceeds shall occur in accordance with Sec.  307.21(e).

[82 FR 57058, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  307.22  Variances.

    EDA may approve variances to the requirements contained in this 
subpart, provided such variances:
    (a) Are consistent with the goals of the Economic Adjustment 
Assistance program and with an RLF Plan;
    (b) Are necessary and reasonable for the effective implementation of 
the RLF;
    (c) Are economically and financially sound; and
    (d) Do not conflict with any applicable legal requirements, 
including Federal, State and local law.



PART 308_PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES--Table of Contents



Sec.
308.1 Use of funds in Projects constructed under projected cost.
308.2 Performance awards.
308.3 Planning performance awards.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3151; 42 U.S.C. 3154a; 42 U.S.C. 3154b; 
Department of Commerce Delegation Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  308.1  Use of funds in Projects constructed under projected cost.

    (a) If the Assistant Secretary determines before closeout of a 
construction Project funded under parts 305 or 307 of this chapter that 
the cost of the Project, based on the designs and specifications that 
were the basis of the Investment Assistance, has decreased because of a 
decrease in costs, EDA may in its discretion approve the use of the 
excess funds (or a portion of the excess funds) by the Recipient to:
    (1) Increase the Investment Rate of the Project to the maximum 
percentage allowable under Sec.  301.4 of this chapter for which the 
Project was eligible at the time of the Investment award; or
    (2) Further improve the Project consistent with its purpose.
    (b) EDA, in its sole discretion, may use any amount of excess funds 
remaining after application of paragraph (a) of this section for other 
eligible Investments.
    (c) In the case of Projects involving funds transferred from other 
Federal Agencies, EDA will consult with the transferring Agency 
regarding the use of any excess funds.



Sec.  308.2  Performance awards.

    (a) A Recipient of Investment Assistance under parts 305 or 307 of 
this chapter may receive a performance award in connection with an 
Investment made on or after the date of enactment of section 215 of 
PWEDA in an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the amount of the 
Investment award.
    (b) To receive a performance award, a Recipient must demonstrate 
Project performance in one or more of the areas listed in this 
paragraph, weighted at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary:
    (1) Meet or exceed the Recipient's projection of jobs created;
    (2) Meet or exceed the Recipient's projection of private sector 
capital invested;
    (3) Meet or exceed target dates for Project start and completion 
stated at the time of Investment approval;
    (4) Fulfill the application evaluation criteria set forth in Sec.  
301.8 of this chapter; or
    (5) Demonstrate other unique Project performance characteristics as 
determined by the Assistant Secretary.
    (c) A Recipient may receive a performance award no later than three 
years following the Project's closeout.
    (d) A performance award may fund up to 100 percent of the cost of an 
eligible

[[Page 847]]

Project or any other authorized activity under PWEDA. For the purpose of 
meeting the non-Federal share requirement of PWEDA or any other statute, 
the amount of a performance award shall be treated as non-Federal funds.
    (e) The applicable FFO will set forth the requirements, 
qualifications, guidelines and procedures for performance awards to be 
made during the applicable fiscal year, with all performance awards 
being subject to the availability of funds.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 75 FR 4265, Jan. 27, 2010; 
79 FR 76136, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  308.3  Planning performance awards.

    (a) A Recipient of Investment Assistance awarded on or after the 
date of enactment of section 216 of PWEDA for a Project located in an 
EDA-funded Economic Development District may, at the discretion of the 
Assistant Secretary, receive a planning performance award in an amount 
not to exceed five percent of the amount of the applicable Investment 
award if EDA determines before closeout of the Project that:
    (1) The Recipient, through the Project, actively participated in the 
economic development activities of the District;
    (2) The Project demonstrated exceptional fulfillment of one or more 
components of, and is otherwise in accordance with, the applicable CEDS, 
including any job creation or job retention requirements; and
    (3) The Recipient demonstrated exceptional collaboration with 
Federal, State, and local economic development entities throughout the 
development of the Project.
    (b) The Recipient shall use the planning performance award to 
increase, up to 100 percent, the Federal share of the cost of a Project 
under this chapter.
    (c) The applicable FFO may set forth additional requirements, 
qualifications and guidelines for planning performance awards.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62869, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76136, Dec. 19, 2014]



PART 309_REDISTRIBUTIONS OF INVESTMENT ASSISTANCE--Table of Contents



Sec.
309.1 Redistributions under parts 303, 305 and 306.
309.2 Redistributions under part 307.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3154c; 42 U.S.C. 3211; Department of Commerce 
Delegation Order 10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  309.1  Redistributions under parts 303, 305 and 306.

    (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a 
Recipient of Investment Assistance under parts 303, 305 or 306 of this 
chapter may directly expend such Investment Assistance or, with prior 
EDA approval, may redistribute such Investment Assistance in the form of 
a subgrant to another Eligible Recipient, generally referred to as a 
Subrecipient, that qualifies for Investment Assistance under the same 
part of this chapter as the Recipient, to fund required components of 
the scope of work approved for the Project. All subgrants made pursuant 
to this section shall be subject to the same terms and conditions 
applicable to the Recipient under the original Investment Assistance 
award and must satisfy the requirements of PWEDA and of this chapter. 
EDA may require the Eligible Recipient under the original Investment 
award to agree to special award conditions and the Subrecipient to 
provide appropriate certifications to ensure the Subrecipient's 
compliance with legal requirements.
    (b) Exception. A Recipient may not make a subgrant of Investment 
Assistance received under parts 303 or 305 of this chapter to a for-
profit entity.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 82 FR 57059, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  309.2  Redistributions under part 307.

    (a) A Recipient of Investment Assistance under part 307 of this 
chapter may directly expend such Investment Assistance or, with prior 
EDA approval, may redistribute such Investment Assistance in the form 
of:

[[Page 848]]

    (1) A subgrant to another Eligible Recipient, generally referred to 
a Subrecipient, that qualifies for Investment Assistance under part 307 
of this chapter; or
    (2) Pursuant to part 307, subpart B, a loan or other appropriate 
assistance to non-profit and private for-profit entities.
    (b) All redistributions of Investment Assistance made pursuant to 
this section shall be subject to the same terms and conditions 
applicable to the Recipient under the original Investment Assistance 
award and must satisfy the requirements of PWEDA and of this chapter. 
EDA may require the Eligible Recipient under the original Investment 
Award to agree to special award conditions and the Subrecipient to 
provide appropriate certifications to ensure the Subrecipient's 
compliance with legal requirements.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 82 FR 57059, Dec. 1, 2017]



PART 310_SPECIAL IMPACT AREAS--Table of Contents



Sec.
310.1 Special Impact Area.
310.2 Pressing need; alleviation of unemployment or underemployment.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3154; Department of Commerce Organization Order 
10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  310.1  Special Impact Area.

    Upon the application of an Eligible Applicant, and with respect to 
that Eligible Applicant's Project only, the Assistant Secretary may 
designate the Region which the Project will serve as a Special Impact 
Area if the Eligible Applicant demonstrates that its proposed Project 
will:
    (a) Directly fulfill a pressing need; and
    (b) Be useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive 
unemployment or underemployment, or assist in providing useful 
employment opportunities for the unemployed or underemployed residents 
of the Region.

[73 FR 62869, Oct. 22, 2008, as amended at 79 FR 76136, Dec. 19, 2014]



Sec.  310.2  Pressing need; alleviation of unemployment or underemployment.

    (a) The Assistant Secretary may find a pressing need to exist if the 
Region which the Project will serve:
    (1) Has a unique or urgent circumstance that would necessitate 
waiver of the CEDS requirements of Sec.  303.7 of this chapter;
    (2) Involves a Project undertaken by an Indian Tribe;
    (3) Is rural and severely distressed;
    (4) Is undergoing a transition in its economic base as a result of 
changing trade patterns (e.g., the Region is certified as eligible by 
the North American Development Bank Program or the Community Adjustment 
and Investment Program);
    (5) Exhibits a substantial reliance on a natural resource for its 
economic well-being;
    (6) Has been designated as a Federally Declared Disaster area; or
    (7) Has a Special Need.
    (b) For purposes of this part, excessive unemployment exists if the 
24-month unemployment rate is at least 225 percent of the national 
average or the per capita income is not more than 50 percent of the 
national average. A Region demonstrates excessive underemployment if the 
employment of a substantial percentage of workers in the Region is less 
than full-time or at less skilled tasks than their training or abilities 
would otherwise permit. Eligible Applicants seeking a Special Impact 
Area designation under this criterion must present appropriate and 
compelling economic and demographic data.
    (c) Eligible Applicants may demonstrate the provision of useful 
employment opportunities by quantifying and evidencing the Project's 
prospective:
    (1) Creation of jobs;
    (2) Commitment of financial investment by private entities; or
    (3) Application of innovative technology that will lead to the 
creation of jobs or the commitment of financial investment by private 
entities.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76136, Dec. 19, 2014]

                           PART 311 [RESERVED]

[[Page 849]]



PART 312_REGIONAL INNOVATION PROGRAM--Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
312.1 Purpose and scope of the Regional Innovation Program.
312.2 General definitions from Public Works and Economic Development Act 
          regulations inapplicable to this part.
312.3 General definitions.

            Subpart B_Regional Innovation Strategies Program

312.4 Purpose and scope of the Regional Innovation Strategies Program.
312.5 Regional Innovation Strategies Program definitions.
312.6 Eligible recipients.
312.7 Eligible project activities.
312.8 Investment rates.
312.9 Matching share requirements.
312.10 Application components.
312.11 Application evaluation and selection criteria.
312.12 General terms and conditions for investment assistance.

     Subpart C_Regional Innovation Research and Information Program 
                               [Reserved]

312.13-312.17 [Reserved]

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.; Department of Commerce 
Organization Order 10-4.

    Source: 82 FR 3134, Jan. 11, 2017, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec.  312.1  Purpose and scope of the Regional Innovation Program.

    The purpose of the Regional Innovation Program is to encourage and 
support the development of regional innovation strategies. The Regional 
Innovation Program includes two sub-programs. One is focused on the 
formation and development of regional innovation clusters and 
implemented through the Regional Innovation Strategies Program. 15 
U.S.C. 3722(b). The second program is focused on best practices, metrics 
and the collection and dissemination of information related to regional 
innovation strategies, achieved through the Regional Innovation Research 
and Information Program. 15 U.S.C. 3722(c). The Secretary has delegated 
to the Economic Development Administration the authority to implement 
and administer the Regional Innovation Program.



Sec.  312.2  General definitions from Public Works and Economic 
Development Act regulations inapplicable to this part.

    The definitions contained in Sec.  300.3 of this chapter do not 
apply to this part.



Sec.  312.3  General definitions.

    As used in this part, the following terms shall have the following 
meanings:
    Act or Stevenson-Wydler means the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980, as amended (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.).
    Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Economic Development within the Department.
    Department of Commerce, Department, or DOC means the U.S. Department 
of Commerce.
    Economic Development Organization means an organization whose 
primary purpose is to support the economic development of a community or 
region.
    EDA means the Economic Development Administration within the 
Department.
    Eligible applicant means an entity qualified to be an eligible 
recipient or its authorized representative.
    Eligible recipient means a recipient that meets the requirements of 
Sec.  312.6.
    Equipment is defined at 2 CFR 200.33.
    Federal agency means any executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 
105, and the military departments as defined in 5 U.S.C. 102, as well as 
any agency of the legislative branch of the Federal Government.
    Federal funding opportunity or FFO means an announcement that EDA 
publishes during the fiscal year on a Federal Government grants platform 
or on EDA's Internet Web site at http://www.eda.gov, https://
www.eda.gov/oie/, or any successor Web site, that provides the funding 
amounts, application and programmatic requirements, funding priorities, 
special circumstances, and other information concerning a specific 
competitive solicitation under EDA's Regional Innovation Program.
    Federal interest is defined at 2 CFR 200.41, in accordance with 2 
CFR 200.316.

[[Page 850]]

    Federal laboratory means any laboratory, any federally funded 
research and development center, or any center established under section 
7 or section 9 of the Act that is owned, leased, or otherwise used by a 
Federal agency and funded by the Federal Government, whether operated by 
the government or by a contractor.
    Grant means the financial assistance award of EDA funds to an 
eligible recipient, under which the Eligible Recipient bears 
responsibility for meeting a purpose or carrying out an activity 
authorized under Stevenson-Wydler. See 31 U.S.C. 6304.
    In-kind contribution(s) means non-cash contributions, which may 
include contributions of space, Equipment, services, and assumptions of 
debt that are fairly evaluated by EDA and that satisfy applicable 
Federal Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles as set 
out in 2 CFR part 200.
    Indian tribe means an entity on the list of recognized tribes 
published pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 
1994, as amended (Pub. L. 103-454) (25 U.S.C. 479a et seq.), and any 
Alaska Native Village or Regional Corporation (as defined in or 
established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 
1601 et seq.)). This term includes the governing body of an Indian 
tribe, nonprofit Indian corporation (restricted to Indians), Indian 
authority, or other nonprofit Indian tribal organization or entity; 
provided that the Indian tribal organization or entity is wholly owned 
by, and established for the benefit of, the Indian tribe or Alaska 
Native village.
    Investment or Investment assistance means a grant entered into by 
EDA and a recipient.
    Investment rate means, as set forth in Sec.  312.8, the amount of 
the EDA investment in a particular project expressed as a percentage of 
the total project cost.
    Matching share or Local share means the non-EDA funds and any in-
kind contribution(s) that are approved by EDA and provided by a 
recipient or third party as a condition of an investment. The matching 
share may include funds from another Federal agency only if authorized 
by a statute that allows such use, which may be determined by EDA's 
reasonable interpretation of such authority.
    Nonprofit organization is defined at 2 CFR 200.70.
    Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship or OIE means the office 
established by 15 U.S.C. 3720.
    Project means the proposed or authorized activity (or activities), 
the purpose of which fulfills EDA's mission and program requirements as 
set forth in the Act and this part, and which may be funded in whole or 
in part by EDA investment assistance.
    Public-private partnership means a relationship formalized by 
contractual agreement between a public agency and a private-sector 
entity that reasonably defines the terms of collaboration in the 
delivery and financing of a public project.
    Real property means any land, whether raw or improved, and includes 
structures, fixtures, appurtenances, and other permanent improvements, 
excluding moveable machinery and equipment.
    Recipient means an entity receiving EDA investment assistance, 
including any successor to the entity approved by EDA in writing. If 
investment assistance is awarded to more than one recipient under a 
single award, the recipients are referred to as ``co-recipients'' and, 
unless otherwise provided in the terms and conditions of the investment 
assistance, each co-recipient is jointly and severally liable for 
fulfilling the terms of the investment assistance.
    Region or Regional means an economic unit of human, natural, 
technological, capital, or other resources, defined geographically. 
Geographic areas comprising a region need not be contiguous or defined 
by political boundaries, but should constitute a cohesive area capable 
of undertaking self-sustained economic development.
    Regional innovation clusters or RICs means a geographically bounded 
network of similar, synergistic, or complementary entities that are 
engaged in or with a particular industry sector and its related sectors; 
have active channels for business transactions and

[[Page 851]]

communication; share specialized infrastructure, labor markets, and 
services; and leverage the region's unique competitive strengths to 
stimulate innovation and create jobs.
    Regional Innovation Program means the program enacted by Stevenson-
Wydler at 15 U.S.C. 3722.
    Regional Innovation Research and Information Program or RIRI Program 
means the program authorized by 15 U.S.C. 3722(c).
    Regional Innovation Strategies Program or RIS Program means the 
cluster grant program authorized by 15 U.S.C. 3722(b).
    Science or research park means a property-based venture that has: 
Master-planned property and buildings designed primarily for private-
public research and development activities, high technology and science-
based companies, and research and development support services; a 
contractual or operational relationship with one or more science- or 
research-related institutions of higher education or governmental or 
nonprofit research laboratories; a primary mission to promote research 
and development through industry partnerships, assisting in the growth 
of new ventures and promoting innovation-driven economic development; a 
role in facilitating the transfer of technology and business skills 
between researchers and industry teams; and a role in promoting 
technology-led economic development for the community or region in which 
the park is located.
    Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.
    State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other 
territory or possession of the United States.
    United States means all of the States.



            Subpart B_Regional Innovation Strategies Program



Sec.  312.4  Purpose and scope of the Regional Innovation Strategies Program.

    Under the RIS Program, EDA makes grants on a competitive basis to 
eligible applicants to foster connected, innovation-centric economic 
regions that support commercialization and entrepreneurship. The grants 
are intended to build public and private capacity to invent and improve 
products and services and to bring those products and services to market 
through a process often referred to as technology commercialization, as 
demonstrated by methodologically sound metrics for output and outcome.



Sec.  312.5  Regional Innovation Strategies Program definitions.

    In addition to the defined terms set forth in subpart A of this 
part, the following term applies specifically to the RIS Program:
    Institution of higher education means:
    (1) An educational institution in any State that--
    (i) Admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of 
graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the 
recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the 
requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1091(d);
    (ii) Is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of 
education beyond secondary education;
    (iii) Provides an educational program for which the institution 
awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program 
that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a 
degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional 
degree program, subject to review and approval by the Secretary of 
Education; and
    (iv) Is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been 
granted preaccreditation status by such an agency or association that 
has been recognized by the Secretary of Education for the granting of

[[Page 852]]

preaccreditation status, and the Secretary of Education has determined 
that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the 
accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a 
reasonable time.
    (2) Additional institutions included. For purposes of this subpart, 
the term Institution of higher education also includes--
    (i) Any school that provides not less than a 1-year program of 
training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized 
occupation and that meets the provisions of paragraphs (1)(i), (ii), and 
(iv) of this definition; and
    (ii) An educational institution in any State that, in lieu of the 
requirement in paragraph (1)(i) of this definition, admits as regular 
students individuals--
    (A) Who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the 
State in which the institution is located; or
    (B) Who will be dually or concurrently enrolled in the institution 
and a secondary school.



Sec.  312.6  Eligible recipients.

    A recipient eligible for investment assistance includes:
    (a) A State;
    (b) An Indian tribe;
    (c) A city or other political subdivision of a State;
    (d) An entity that is a nonprofit organization and whose application 
for funding under the RIS Program is supported by a State or a political 
subdivision of a State;
    (e) An entity that is an institution of higher education, a public-
private partnership, a science or research park, a Federal laboratory, 
or an economic development organization or similar entity, and whose 
application for funding under the RIS Program is supported by a State or 
a political subdivision of a State; or
    (f) A consortium of any of the entities described in paragraphs (a) 
through (e) of this section.



Sec.  312.7  Eligible project activities.

    (a) Activities eligible for a RIS Program grant include:
    (1) Feasibility studies;
    (2) Planning activities;
    (3) Technical assistance;
    (4) Developing or strengthening communication and collaboration 
between and among participants of a regional innovation cluster;
    (5) Attracting additional participants to a regional innovation 
cluster;
    (6) Facilitating market development of products and services of a 
regional innovation cluster, including through demonstration, 
deployment, technology transfer, and commercialization activities;
    (7) Developing relationships between a regional innovation cluster 
and entities or clusters in other regions;
    (8) Interacting with the public and State and local governments to 
meet the goals of the regional innovation cluster;
    (9) Purchase of equipment and equipment-related modifications or 
renovations of a facility, but only to the extent that such equipment 
and any related modifications or renovations are used to support another 
eligible activity as described in this section (the recipient may be 
required to secure and record the Federal interest in the equipment); 
and
    (10) Any other activity determined appropriate by the Assistant 
Secretary and consistent with section 27(b) of Stevenson-Wydler.
    (b) An ineligible activity includes, but is not limited to:
    (1) Use of Federal funds or matching share for equity investments;
    (2) Acquisition or improvement of real property;
    (3) Construction except to the extent provided in paragraph (a)(9) 
of this section; and
    (4) Lending programs, such as a direct loan program or capitalizing 
a revolving loan fund.



Sec.  312.8  Investment rates.

    (a) Minimum investment rate. There is no minimum investment rate for 
a project.
    (b) Maximum investment rate. The maximum investment rate for a 
project shall not exceed 50 percent.



Sec.  312.9  Matching share requirements.

    The required matching share of a project's eligible costs may 
consist of

[[Page 853]]

cash or in-kind contribution(s) whose value can be readily determined, 
verified, and justified. Applicants must show at the time of application 
that the matching share is committed to the project, will be available 
as needed, and is not or will not be conditioned or encumbered in any 
way that would preclude its use consistent with the requirements of the 
investment assistance. EDA shall determine at its sole discretion 
whether the matching share documentation adequately addresses the 
requirements of this section.



Sec.  312.10  Application components.

    In addition to the criteria set forth in the FFO, to be considered 
for a RIS Program grant, eligible applicants must provide the following 
information:
    (a) A description of the regional innovation cluster supported by 
the proposed activity;
    (b) The extent to which the regional innovation cluster is supported 
by the private sector, State and local units of government, and other 
relevant stakeholders;
    (c) The methods that participants in the regional innovation cluster 
will use to encourage and solicit participation by all types of entities 
that might benefit from participation, including newly formed entities 
and rival existing participants;
    (d) The extent to which the regional innovation cluster is likely to 
stimulate innovation and have a positive effect on regional economic 
growth and development;
    (e) The capacity of participants in the regional innovation cluster 
to access, or contribute to, a well-trained workforce;
    (f) The ability of participants in the regional innovation cluster 
to attract additional funds to support the cluster with non-Federal 
funds; and
    (g) The likelihood that participants in the regional innovation 
cluster will be able to sustain activities after the grant expires.



Sec.  312.11  Application evaluation and selection criteria.

    (a) EDA will evaluate and select complete applications in accordance 
with the evaluation criteria, funding priority considerations, 
availability of funding, competitiveness of the application, and 
requirements set forth in section 27(b) of Stevenson-Wydler, the FFO, 
and other applicable Federal statutes and regulations. All awards are 
subject to the availability of funds.
    (b) EDA will endeavor to notify applicants as soon as practicable 
regarding whether their applications are selected for funding.
    (c) Stevenson-Wydler does not require nor does EDA provide an appeal 
process for denial of applications for EDA investment assistance.



Sec.  312.12  General terms and conditions for investment assistance.

    RIS Program grants are subject to all requirements contained in part 
302 of this chapter, except Sec. Sec.  302.2, 302.3, 302.9, 302.10, and 
302.17.



     Subpart C_Regional Innovation Research and Information Program 
                               [Reserved]



Sec. Sec.  312.13-312.17  [Reserved]

                           PART 313 [RESERVED]



PART 314_PROPERTY--Table of Contents



Sec.
314.1 Definitions.
314.2 Federal Interest.
314.3 Authorized use of Project Property.
314.4 Unauthorized Use of Project Property.
314.5 Federal Share.
314.6 Encumbrances.
314.7 Title.
314.8 Recorded statement for Project Real Property.
314.9 Recorded statement for Project Personal Property.
314.10 Procedures for release of the Federal Interest.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3211; Department of Commerce Organization Order 
10-4.

    Source: 71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  314.1  Definitions.

    In addition to the defined terms set forth in Sec.  300.3 of this 
chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
    Adequate Consideration means the fair market value at the time of 
sale or lease of any Property, as adjusted, in

[[Page 854]]

EDA's sole discretion, by any services, property exchanges, contractual 
commitments, acts of forbearance or other considerations that are in 
furtherance of the authorized purposes of the Investment Assistance, 
which are received by the Recipient or Owner in exchange for such 
Property.
    Disposition or Dispose means the sale, lease, abandonment or other 
disposition of any Property and also includes the Unauthorized Use of 
such Property.
    Estimated Useful Life, as used in this part, means the period of 
years that constitutes the expected useful lifespan of a Project, as 
determined by EDA, during which EDA anticipates obtaining the economic 
development benefits of its Investment.
    Federal Interest has the definition ascribed to it in Sec.  
314.2(a).
    Federal Share has the definition ascribed to it in Sec.  314.5.
    Owner means a fee owner, transferee, lessee or optionee of any 
Property. The term Owner also includes the holder of other interests in 
a Property where the interests are such that the holder effectively 
controls the use of such Property.
    Personal Property means all tangible and intangible property other 
than Real Property, including the RLF Capital Base as defined at Sec.  
307.8.
    Project Property means all Property that is acquired or improved, in 
whole or in part, with Investment Assistance and is required, as 
determined by EDA, for the successful completion and operation of a 
Project and/or serves as the economic justification of a Project. As 
appropriate to specify the type of Property referenced, this part refers 
to Project Property as ``Project Real Property'' or ``Project Personal 
Property''.
    Property means Real Property, Personal Property and mixed property.
    Real Property means any land, whether raw or improved, and includes 
structures, fixtures, appurtenances and other permanent improvements, 
excluding moveable machinery and equipment. Real Property includes land 
that is served by the construction of Project infrastructure (such as 
roads, sewers and water lines) where the infrastructure contributes to 
the value of such land as a specific purpose of the Project.
    Successor Recipient means an EDA-approved transferee of Property 
pursuant to Sec.  314.3(d). A Successor Recipient must be an Eligible 
Recipient of Investment Assistance.
    Unauthorized Use means any use of Property acquired or improved in 
whole or in part for purposes not authorized by EDA Investment 
Assistance, PWEDA or this chapter, as set forth in Sec.  314.4.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76136, Dec. 19, 2014; 
82 FR 57059, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.2  Federal Interest.

    (a) Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this part 
and in relevant provisions of 2 CFR part 200, Project Property vests 
upon acquisition in the Recipient (or, if approved by EDA, in a Co-
recipient or Subrecipient). Project Property shall be held in trust by 
the Recipient for the benefit of the Project for the Estimated Useful 
Life of the Project, during which period EDA retains an undivided 
equitable reversionary interest in the Property (the ``Federal 
Interest''). The Federal Interest ensures compliance with EDA Project 
requirements, including those related to the purpose, scope, and use of 
a Project. The Recipient typically must secure the Federal Interest 
through a recorded lien, statement, or other recordable instrument 
setting forth EDA's Property interest in a Project (e.g., a mortgage, 
covenant, or other statement of EDA's Real Property interest in the case 
of a Project involving the acquisition, construction, or improvement of 
a building. See Sec.  314.8.).
    (b) When the Federal Government is fully compensated for the Federal 
Share of Project Property, the Federal Interest is extinguished and the 
Federal Government has no further interest in the Property, except as 
provided in Sec.  314.10(e)(3) regarding nondiscrimination requirements.

[82 FR 57059, Dec. 1, 2017]

[[Page 855]]



Sec.  314.3  Authorized use of Project Property.

    (a) General. During the Estimated Useful Life of the Project, the 
Recipient or Owner must use any Project Property only for authorized 
Project purposes as set out in the terms of the Investment Assistance. 
Such Property must not be Disposed of or encumbered without EDA's prior 
written authorization.
    (b) Project Property that is no longer needed for Project purposes. 
Where EDA and the Recipient determine during the Estimated Useful Life 
of the Project that Project Property is longer needed for the original 
purpose of the Investment Assistance, EDA, in its sole discretion, may 
approve the use of such Property in other Federal grant programs or in 
programs that have purposes consistent with those authorized by PWEDA 
and by this chapter.
    (c) Real Property for sale or lease. Where EDA determines that the 
authorized purpose of the Investment Assistance is to develop Real 
Property to be leased or sold, such sale or lease is permitted provided 
it is for Adequate Consideration and the sale is consistent with the 
authorized purpose of the Investment Assistance and with all applicable 
Investment Assistance requirements, including nondiscrimination and 
environmental compliance.
    (d) Property transfers and Successor Recipients. EDA, in its sole 
discretion, may approve the transfer of any Project Property from a 
Recipient to a Successor Recipient (or from one Successor Recipient to 
another Successor Recipient). The Recipient will remain responsible for 
complying with the rules of this part and the terms and conditions of 
the Investment Assistance for the period in which it is the Recipient. 
Thereafter, the Successor Recipient must comply with the rules of this 
part and with the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the 
Recipient (unless such terms and conditions are otherwise amended by 
EDA). The same rules apply to EDA-approved transfers of Property between 
Successor Recipients.
    (e) Replacement Personal Property. When acquiring replacement 
Personal Property of equal or greater value than Personal Property 
originally acquired with Investment Assistance, the Recipient may, with 
EDA's approval, trade in such Personal Property originally acquired or 
sell the original Personal Property and use the proceeds for the 
acquisition of the replacement Personal Property, provided that the 
replacement Personal Property is for use in the Project. The replacement 
Personal Property is subject to the same requirements as the original 
Personal Property.
    (f) Replacement Real Property. In extraordinary and compelling 
circumstances, the Assistant Secretary may approve the replacement of 
Real Property used in a Project.
    (g) Incidental use of Project Property. With EDA's prior written 
approval, a Recipient may undertake an incidental use of Project 
Property that does not interfere with the scope of the Project or the 
economic purpose for which the Investment was made, provided that the 
Recipient is in compliance with applicable law and the terms and 
conditions of the Investment Assistance, and the incidental use of the 
Property will not violate the terms and conditions of the Investment 
Assistance or otherwise undermine the economic purpose for which the 
Investment was made or adversely affect the economic useful life of the 
Property. Eligible Applicants and Recipients should contact the 
appropriate regional office (whose contact information is available via 
the Internet at http://www.eda.gov) for guidelines on obtaining approval 
for incidental use of Property under this section.

[82 FR 57059, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.4  Unauthorized Use of Project Property.

    (a) Compensation of Federal Share upon an Unauthorized Use of 
Project Property. Except as provided in Sec. Sec.  314.3 (regarding the 
authorized use of Property) or 314.10 (regarding the release of the 
Federal Interest in certain Property), or as otherwise authorized by 
EDA, the Federal Government must be compensated by the Recipient for the 
Federal Share whenever, during the Estimated Useful Life of the Project, 
any Project Property is Disposed of, encumbered, or no longer used for 
the purpose of the Project; provided that

[[Page 856]]

for equipment and supplies, the requirements of 2 CFR part 200, 
including any supplements, shall apply.
    (b) Additional Unauthorized Uses of Project Property. Additionally, 
prior to the release of the Federal Interest, Project Real Property or 
tangible Project Personal Property may not be used:
    (1) In violation of the nondiscrimination requirements of Sec.  
302.20 of this chapter or in violation of the terms and conditions of 
the Investment Assistance; or
    (2) For any purpose prohibited by applicable law.
    (c) Recovery of the Federal Share. Where the Disposition, 
encumbrance, or use of any Project Property violates paragraph (a) or 
(b) of this section, EDA may assert the Federal Interest in the Project 
Property to recover the Federal Share for the Federal Government and may 
take such actions as authorized by PWEDA and this chapter, including the 
actions provided in Sec. Sec.  302.3, 302.16, and 307.21 of this 
chapter. EDA may pursue its rights under paragraph (a) of this section 
and this paragraph (c) to recover the Federal Share, plus costs and 
interest. When the Federal Government is fully compensated for the 
Federal Share, the Federal Interest is extinguished as provided in Sec.  
314.2(b), and EDA will have no further interest in the ownership, use, 
or Disposition of the Property, except for the nondiscrimination 
requirements set forth in Sec.  314.10(d)(3).

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76137, Dec. 19, 2014; 
82 FR 57059, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.5  Federal Share.

    (a) For purposes of this part, ``Federal Share'' means that portion 
of the current fair market value of any Project Property attributable to 
EDA's participation in the Project. EDA may rely on a current certified 
appraisal of the Project Property prepared by an appraiser licensed in 
the State where the Project Property is located to determine the fair 
market value. In extraordinary circumstances and at EDA's sole 
discretion, where EDA is unable to determine the current fair market 
value, EDA may use other methods of determining the value of Project 
Property, including the amount of the award of Investment Assistance or 
the amount paid by a transferee. The Federal Share shall be the current 
fair market value or other valuation as determined by EDA of the 
Property after deducting:
    (1) Reasonable repair expenses, if any, incurred to put the Property 
into marketable condition; and
    (2) Sales, commission and marketing costs.
    (b) The Federal Share excludes that portion of the current fair 
market value of the Property attributable to acquisition or improvements 
before or after EDA's participation in the Project, which are not 
included in the total Project costs. For example, if the total Project 
costs are $100, consisting of $50 of Investment Assistance and $50 of 
Matching Share, the Federal Share is 50 percent. If the Property is 
disposed of when its current fair market is $250, the Federal Share is 
$125 (i.e., 50 percent of $250). If $10 is spent to put the Property 
into salable condition, the Federal Share is $120 (i.e., 50 percent of 
($250-$10)).

[73 FR 62870, Oct. 22, 2008, as amended at 79 FR 76137, Dec. 19, 2014; 
82 FR 57060, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.6  Encumbrances.

    (a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section or 
as otherwise authorized by EDA, Project Property must not be used to 
secure a mortgage or deed of trust or in any way otherwise encumbered, 
except to secure a grant or loan made by a Federal Agency or State 
agency or other public body participating in the same Project, so long 
as the Recipient discloses such an encumbrance in writing as part of its 
application for Investment Assistance or as soon as practicable after 
learning of the encumbrance.
    (b) Exceptions. Subject to EDA's approval, which will not be 
unreasonably withheld or unduly delayed, paragraph (a) of this section 
does not apply in the following circumstances:
    (1) Shared first lien position. EDA, at its discretion, may approve 
an encumbrance on Project Property where a lien holder and EDA enter 
into an inter-creditor agreement pursuant to

[[Page 857]]

which EDA and the other lien holder share a first lien position on terms 
satisfactory to EDA.
    (2) Utility encumbrances. Encumbrances arising solely from the 
requirements of a pre-existing water or sewer facility or other utility 
encumbrances, which by their terms extend to additional Property 
connected to such facilities.
    (3) Pre-existing encumbrances. Encumbrances already in place and 
disclosed to EDA at the time EDA approves the Project where EDA, in its 
sole discretion, determines that:
    (i) The requirements of Sec.  314.7(b) are met;
    (ii) Consistent with paragraphs (b)(4)(iv) and (b)(5)(iv) of this 
section, the terms and conditions of the encumbrance are satisfactory; 
and
    (iii) Consistent with paragraphs (b)(4)(v) and (b)(5)(v) of this 
section, there is a reasonable expectation that the Recipient will not 
default on its obligations.
    (4) Encumbrances proposed proximate to Project approval. 
Encumbrances required to secure debt, including time and maturity-
limited debt, that finances the Project Property at the same proximate 
time that EDA approves the Project when all of the following are met:
    (i) EDA, in its sole discretion, determines that there is good cause 
and legal authority to waive paragraph (a) of this section;
    (ii) All proceeds secured by the encumbrance on the Property shall 
be available only to the Recipient and shall be used only for the 
Project for which the Investment Assistance applies, for related 
activities of which the Project is an essential part, or other 
activities that EDA determines are authorized under PWEDA;
    (iii) A grantor or lender will not provide funds without the 
security of a lien on the Property;
    (iv) The terms and conditions of the encumbrance are satisfactory to 
EDA; and
    (v) There is a reasonable expectation, as determined by EDA, that 
the Recipient will not default on its obligations. In determining 
whether an expectation is reasonable for purposes of this paragraph, EDA 
shall take into account whether:
    (A) A Recipient that is a non-profit organization is joined in the 
Project with a co-Recipient that is a public body and all co-Recipients 
are jointly and severally responsible;
    (B) A Recipient that is a non-profit organization is financially 
strong and is an established organization with sufficient organizational 
life to demonstrate stability over time;
    (C) The approximate value of the Project Property so that the total 
amount of all debt plus the Federal share of cost as reflected on the 
EDA Investment award, and any amendments as applicable, does not exceed 
the value of the Project Property as improved; and
    (D) Such other factors as EDA deems appropriate.
    (5) Encumbrances proposed after Project approval. Encumbrances 
proposed to be incurred after Project approval where all of the 
following are met:
    (i) EDA, in its sole discretion, determines that there is good cause 
and legal authority to waive paragraph (a) of this section;
    (ii) All proceeds secured by the encumbrance on the Property shall 
be available only to the Recipient and shall be used only for the 
Project for which the Investment Assistance applies, for related 
activities of which the Project is an essential part, or other 
activities that EDA determines are authorized under PWEDA;
    (iii) A grantor or lender will not provide funds without the 
security of a lien on the Property;
    (iv) The terms and conditions of the encumbrance are satisfactory to 
EDA; and
    (v) There is a reasonable expectation, as determined by EDA, that 
the Recipient will not default on its obligations. In determining 
whether an expectation is reasonable for purposes of this paragraph, EDA 
shall take into account whether:
    (A) A Recipient that is a non-profit organization is joined in the 
Project with a co-Recipient that is a public body and all co-Recipients 
are jointly and severally responsible;
    (B) A Recipient that is a non-profit organization is financially 
strong and

[[Page 858]]

is an established organization with sufficient organizational life to 
demonstrate stability over time;
    (C) The Recipient's equity in the Project Property based on the 
appraised value of the Project Property at the time the encumbrance is 
requested so that the total amount of all debt plus the Federal share of 
cost as reflected on the EDA Investment award, and any amendments as 
applicable, does not exceed the value of the Project Property as 
improved; and
    (D) Such other factors as EDA deems appropriate.
    (c) Unauthorized encumbrances. Encumbering Project Property, other 
than as permitted in this section, is an Unauthorized Use of the 
Property under Sec.  314.4.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62870, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76137, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57060, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.7  Title.

    (a) General title requirement. Except in those limited circumstances 
identified in paragraph (c) of this section, at the time Investment 
Assistance is awarded, the Recipient must hold title to Project Real 
Property, which, as noted in Sec.  314.1 in the definition of ``Real 
Property'' includes land that is served by the construction of Project 
infrastructure (such as roads, sewers, and water lines) and where the 
infrastructure contributes to the value of such land as a specific 
purpose of the Project. The Recipient must maintain title to Project 
Real Property at all times during the Estimated Useful Life of the 
Project, except in those limited circumstances as provided in paragraph 
(c) of this section. The Recipient also must furnish evidence, 
satisfactory in form and substance to EDA, that title to Project Real 
Property (other than property of the United States) is vested in the 
Recipient and that any easements, rights-of-way, State or local 
government permits, long-term leases, or other items required for the 
Project have been or will be obtained by the Recipient within an 
acceptable time, as determined by EDA.
    (b) Disclosure of encumbrances. (1) The Recipient must disclose to 
EDA all encumbrances, including the following:
    (i) Liens;
    (ii) Mortgages;
    (iii) Reservations;
    (iv) Reversionary interests; and
    (v) Other restrictions on title or on the Recipient's interest in 
the Property.
    (2) No encumbrance will be acceptable if, as determined by EDA, the 
encumbrance interferes with the construction, use, operation or 
maintenance of the Project during its Estimated Useful Life.
    (c) Exceptions. The following are exceptions to the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this section that the Recipient hold title to Project 
Real Property at the time Investment Assistance is awarded and at all 
times during the Estimated Useful Life of the Project.
    (1) Project Real Property acquisition. Where the acquisition of 
Project Real Property is contemplated as part of an Investment 
Assistance award, EDA may determine that an agreement for the Recipient 
to purchase the Project Real Property will be acceptable for purposes of 
paragraph (a) of this section if:
    (i) The Recipient provides EDA with reasonable assurances that it 
will obtain fee title to the Real Property prior to or concurrent with 
the initial disbursement of the Investment Assistance; and
    (ii) EDA, in its sole discretion, determines that the terms and 
conditions of the purchase agreement adequately safeguard the Federal 
Government's interest in the Project Real Property.
    (2) Leasehold interests. EDA may determine that a long-term 
leasehold interest for a period not less than the Estimated Useful Life 
of Project Real Property will be acceptable for purposes of paragraph 
(a) of this section if:
    (i) Fee title to the Real Property is not otherwise obtainable; and
    (ii) EDA, in its sole discretion, determines that the terms and 
conditions of the lease adequately safeguard the Federal government's 
interest in the Real Property and demonstrate the economic development 
and public benefits of the leasehold transaction.
    (3) Railroad right-of-way construction. When a Project includes 
construction within a railroad's right-of-way or over a railroad 
crossing, EDA may find it

[[Page 859]]

acceptable for the work to be completed by the railroad and for the 
railroad to continue to own, operate, and maintain that portion of the 
Project, if required by the railroad; and provided that, the 
construction is a minor but essential component of the Project.
    (4) State or local government owned roadway or highway construction. 
When the Project includes construction on a State or local government 
owned roadway or highway the owner of which is not the Recipient, EDA 
may allow the Project to be constructed in whole or in part in the 
right-of-way of such public roadway or highway, provided that:
    (i) All EDA-funded construction is completed in accordance with EDA 
requirements;
    (ii) The Recipient confirms in writing to EDA, satisfactory to EDA, 
that:
    (A) The Recipient is committed during the Estimated Useful Life of 
the Project to operate, maintain and repair all improvements for the 
Project consistent with the Investment Assistance; and
    (B) If at any time during the Estimated Useful Life of the Project 
any or all of the improvements in the Project within the State or local 
government owned roadway or highway are relocated for any reason 
pursuant to requirements of the owner of the public roadway or highway, 
the Recipient shall be responsible for accomplishing such relocation, 
including expending the Recipient's own funds as necessary, so that the 
Project continues as authorized by the Investment Assistance; and
    (iii) The Recipient obtains all written authorizations (i.e., State 
or county permit(s)) necessary for the Project to be constructed within 
the public roadway or highway, copies of which shall be submitted to 
EDA. Such authorizations shall contain no time limits that EDA 
determines substantially restrict the use of the public roadway or 
highway for the Project during the Estimated Useful Life of the Project.
    (5) Construction of Recipient-owned facilities to serve Recipient or 
privately owned Real Property--(i) General. At EDA's discretion, when an 
authorized purpose of the Project is to construct Recipient-owned 
facilities to serve Recipient or privately owned Project Real Property, 
including industrial or commercial parks, so that the Recipient or Owner 
may sell or lease parcels of the Project Real Property to private 
parties, such ownership, sale, or lease, as applicable, is permitted so 
long as:
    (A) In cases where an authorized purpose of the Project is to sell 
Project Real Property, the Recipient or Owner, as applicable, provides 
evidence sufficient to EDA that it holds title to the Project Real 
Property intended for sale or lease prior to the disbursement of any 
portion of the Investment Assistance and will retain title until the 
sale of the Property in accordance with paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(C) through 
(E) of this section;
    (B) In cases where an authorized purpose of the Project is to lease 
Project Real Property, the Recipient or Owner, as applicable, provides 
evidence sufficient to EDA that it holds title to the Project Real 
Property intended for lease prior to the disbursement of any portion of 
the Investment Assistance and will retain title for the entire Estimated 
Useful Life of the Project;
    (C) The Recipient provides adequate assurances that the Project and 
the development of land and improvements on the Recipient or privately 
owned Project Real Property to be served by or that provides the 
economic justification for the Project will be completed according to 
the terms of the Investment Assistance;
    (D) The sale or lease of any portion of the Project or of Project 
Real Property served by the Project or that provides the economic 
justification for the Project during the Project's Estimated Useful Life 
must be for Adequate Consideration and the terms and conditions of the 
Investment Assistance and the purpose(s) of the Project must continue to 
be fulfilled after such sale or lease; and
    (ii) Additional conditions on sale or lease. EDA also may condition 
the sale or lease on the satisfaction by the Recipient, Owner, 
purchaser, or lessee (as the case may be) of any additional requirements 
that EDA may impose, including EDA's pre-approval of the sale or lease.
    (iii) Agreement between Recipient and Owner. In addition to 
paragraphs (c)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section, when an

[[Page 860]]

authorized purpose of the Project is to construct facilities to serve 
privately owned Real Property, the Recipient and the Owner must agree to 
use the Real Property improved or benefitted by the EDA Investment 
Assistance only for the authorized purposes of the Project and in a 
manner consistent with the terms and conditions of the EDA Investment 
Assistance for the Estimated Useful Life of the Project.
    (iv) Unauthorized Use and compensation of Federal Share. EDA may 
deem that a violation of this paragraph (c)(5) by the Recipient, Owner, 
purchaser, or lessee (as the case may be) constitutes an Unauthorized 
Use of the Real Property and the Recipient must agree to compensate EDA 
for the Federal government's Federal Share of the Project in the case of 
such Unauthorized Use.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 73 FR 62870, Oct. 22, 2008; 
79 FR 76137, Dec. 19, 2014; 82 FR 57061, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.8  Recorded statement for Project Real Property.

    (a) For all Projects involving the acquisition, construction, or 
improvement of a building, as determined by EDA, the Recipient shall 
execute a lien, covenant, or other statement of the Federal Interest in 
such Project Real Property. The statement shall specify the Estimated 
Useful Life of the Project and shall include, but not be limited to, the 
Disposition, encumbrance and Federal Share requirements. The statement 
shall be satisfactory in form and substance to EDA.
    (b) The statement of the Federal Interest must be perfected and 
placed of record in the Real Property records of the jurisdiction in 
which the Project Real Property is located, all in accordance with 
applicable law.
    (c) Facilities in which the EDA Investment is only a small part of a 
large project, as determined by EDA, may be exempted from the 
requirements of this section.
    (d) In extraordinary circumstances and at EDA's sole discretion, EDA 
may choose to accept another instrument to protect the Federal Interest 
in Project Real Property, such as an escrow agreement or letter of 
credit, provided that EDA determines such instrument is adequate and a 
recorded statement in accord with paragraph (a) of this section is not 
reasonably available. The terms and provisions of the relevant 
instrument shall be satisfactory to EDA in EDA's sole judgment. The 
costs and fees for escrow services and letters of credit shall be paid 
by the Recipient.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76138, Dec. 19, 2014; 
82 FR 57061, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.9  Recorded statement for Project Personal Property.

    For all Projects which EDA determines involve the acquisition or 
improvement of significant items of Personal Property, including ships, 
machinery, equipment, removable fixtures, or structural components of 
buildings, the Recipient shall provide notice of the Federal Interest in 
all Project Personal Property by executing a Uniform Commercial Code 
Financing Statement (Form UCC-1, as provided by State law) or other 
statement of the Federal Interest in the Project Personal Property, 
acceptable in form and substance to EDA, which statement must be 
perfected and placed of record in accordance with applicable law, with 
continuances re-filed as appropriate. Whether or not a statement is 
required by EDA to be recorded, the Recipient must hold title to all 
Project Personal Property, except as otherwise provided in this part.

[82 FR 57062, Dec. 1, 2017]



Sec.  314.10  Procedures for release of the Federal Interest.

    (a) General. As provided in Sec.  314.2, the Federal Interest in 
Project Property extends for the duration of the Estimated Useful Life 
of the Project, which is determined by EDA at the time of Investment 
award. Upon request of the Recipient, EDA will release the Federal 
Interest in Project Property upon expiration of the Estimated Useful 
Life as established in the terms and conditions of the Investment 
Assistance and in accord with the requirements of this section and part. 
This section provides procedures to obtain a release of the Federal 
Interest in Project Property.
    (b) Release of the Federal Interest after the expiration of the 
Estimated Useful Life. At the expiration of a Project's

[[Page 861]]

Estimated Useful Life and upon the written request of a recipient, the 
Assistant Secretary may release the Federal Interest in Project Property 
if EDA determines that the Recipient has made a good faith effort to 
fulfill all terms and conditions of the Investment Assistance. The 
determination provided for in this paragraph (b) shall be established at 
the time of Recipient's written request and shall be based, at least in 
part, on the facts and circumstances provided in writing by the 
Recipient. For a Project in which a Recorded Statement as provided for 
in Sec. Sec.  314.8 and 314.9 has been recorded, EDA will provide for 
the release by executing an instrument in recordable form. The release 
will terminate the Investment as of the date of its execution and 
satisfy the Recorded Statement. See paragraph (e) of this section for 
limitations and covenants of use that are applicable to any release of 
the Federal Interest.
    (c) Release prior to the expiration of the Estimated Useful Life. If 
the Recipient will no longer use the Project Property in accord with the 
requirements of the terms and conditions of the Investment within the 
time period of the Estimated Useful Life, EDA will determine if such use 
by the Recipient constitutes an Unauthorized Use of Property and require 
compensation for the Federal Interest as provided in Sec.  314.4 and 
this section. EDA may release the Federal Interest in connection with 
such Property only upon receipt of full payment in compensation of the 
Federal Interest and thereafter will have no further interest in the 
ownership, use, or Disposition of the Property, except for the 
nondiscrimination requirements set forth in paragraph (e)(3) of this 
section.
    (d) Release of the Federal Interest before the expiration of the 
Estimated Useful Life, but 20 years after the award of Investment 
Assistance. In accord with section 601(d)(2) of PWEDA, upon the request 
of a Recipient and before the expiration of the Estimated Useful Life of 
a Project, but where 20 years have elapsed since the award of Investment 
Assistance, EDA may release any Real Property or tangible Personal 
Property interest held by EDA, if EDA determines:
    (1) The Recipient has made a good faith effort to fulfill all terms 
and conditions of the award of Investment Assistance; and
    (2) The economic development benefits as set out in the award of 
Investment Assistance have been achieved.
    (3) See paragraph (e) of this section for limitations and covenants 
of use that are applicable to any release of the Federal Interest.
    (e) Limitations and Covenant of Use. (1) EDA's release of the 
Federal Interest pursuant to this section is not automatic; it requires 
EDA's approval, which will not be withheld except for good cause or as 
otherwise required by law, as determined in EDA's sole discretion. As 
deemed appropriate, EDA may require the Recipient to take some action as 
a condition of the release.
    (2) In determining whether to release the Federal Interest, EDA will 
review EDA's legal authority to release its interest, including the 
Recipient's performance under and conformance with the terms and 
conditions of the Investment Assistance; any use of Project Property in 
violation of Sec.  314.3 or Sec.  314.4; and other such factors as EDA 
deems appropriate. When requesting a release of the Federal Interest 
pursuant to this section, the Recipient will be required to disclose to 
EDA the intended future use of the Real Property or the tangible 
Personal Property for which the release is requested.
    (i) A Recipient not intending to use the Real Property or tangible 
Personal Property for explicitly religious activities following EDA's 
release will be required to execute a covenant of use. A covenant of use 
with respect to Real Property shall be recorded in the jurisdiction 
where the Real Property is located in accordance with Sec.  314.8. A 
covenant of use with respect to items of tangible Personal Property 
shall be perfected and recorded in accordance with applicable law, with 
continuances re-filed as appropriate. See Sec.  314.9. A covenant of use 
shall (at a minimum) prohibit the use of the Real Property or the 
tangible Personal Property for explicitly religious activities in 
violation of applicable Federal law.
    (ii) EDA may require a Recipient (or its successors in interest) 
that intends

[[Page 862]]

or foresees the use of Real Property or tangible Personal Property for 
explicitly religious activities following the release of the Federal 
Interest to compensate EDA for the Federal Share of such Property. If 
such compensation is made, no covenant with respect to explicitly 
religious activities will be required as a condition of the release. EDA 
recommends that any Recipient who intends or foresees the use of Real 
Property or tangible Personal Property (including by successors of the 
Recipient) for explicitly religious activities to contact EDA well in 
advance of requesting a release pursuant to this section.
    (3) Notwithstanding any release of the Federal Interest under this 
section, including a release upon a Recipient's compensation for the 
Federal Share, a Recipient must ensure that Project Property is not used 
in violation of nondiscrimination requirements set forth in Sec.  302.20 
of this chapter. Accordingly, upon the release of the Federal Interest, 
the Recipient must execute a covenant of use that prohibits use of Real 
Property or tangible Personal Property for any purpose that would 
violate the nondiscrimination requirements set forth in Sec.  302.20 of 
this chapter.
    (i) With respect to Real Property, the Recipient must record a 
covenant under this subsection in the jurisdiction where the Real 
Property is located in accordance with Sec.  314.8.
    (ii) With respect to items of tangible Personal Property, the 
Recipient must perfect and record a covenant under this subsection in 
accordance with applicable law, with continuances re-filed as 
appropriate, in accordance with Sec.  314.9.

[79 FR 76139, Dec. 19, 2014, as amended at 82 FR 57062, Dec. 1, 2017]



PART 315_TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR FIRMS--Table of Contents



                      Subpart A_General Provisions

Sec.
315.1 Purpose and scope.
315.2 Definitions.
315.3 Confidential Business Information.

                        Subpart B_TAAC Provisions

315.4 TAAC selection and operation.
315.5 The role and geographic coverage of the TAACs.

                    Subpart C_Certification of Firms

315.6 Certification requirements.
315.7 Processing petitions for certification.
315.8 Hearings.
315.9 Loss of certification benefits.
315.10 Appeals, final determinations, and termination of certification.

                     Subpart D_Adjustment Proposals

315.11 Adjustment Proposal process.
315.12 Adjustment Proposal requirements.

                     Subpart E_Protective Provisions

315.13 Persons engaged by Firms to expedite petitions and Adjustment 
          Proposals.
315.14 Conflicts of interest.

         Subpart F_International Trade Commission Investigations

315.15 Affirmative findings.

    Authority: 19 U.S.C. 2341-2356; 42 U.S.C. 3211; Title IV of Pub. L. 
114-27, 129 Stat. 373; Department of Commerce Delegation Order 10-4.

    Source: 74 FR 41598, Aug. 18, 2009, unless otherwise noted.



                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec.  315.1  Purpose and scope.

    Chapter 3 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2341-2355) 
establishes the responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce concerning 
the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program. The 
regulations in this part lay out those responsibilities as delegated to 
EDA by the Secretary. EDA executes these responsibilities through 
cooperative agreements that support a network of Trade Adjustment 
Assistance Centers (TAACs). The TAACs assist Firms in petitioning EDA 
for certification of eligibility to receive Adjustment Assistance. EDA 
certifies the eligibility of Firms. The TAACs then provide Adjustment 
Assistance to Firms through the development and implementation of 
Adjustment Proposals.

[85 FR 8379, Feb. 14, 2020]

[[Page 863]]



Sec.  315.2  Definitions.

    In addition to the defined terms set forth in Sec.  300.3 of this 
chapter, the following terms used in this part shall have the meanings 
set forth below:
    Adjustment Assistance means technical assistance provided to Firms 
by TAACs under chapter 3 of title II of the Trade Act. The type of 
assistance provided is determined by EDA and may include one or more of 
the following:
    (1) Assistance in preparing a Firm's petition for certification of 
eligibility;
    (2) Assistance to a Certified Firm in developing an Adjustment 
Proposal for the Firm; and
    (3) Assistance to a Certified Firm in implementing an Adjustment 
Proposal.
    Adjustment Proposal means a Certified Firm's plan for improving the 
Firm's competitiveness in the marketplace.
    Certified Firm means a Firm which has been determined by EDA to be 
eligible to apply for Adjustment Assistance.
    Confidential Business Information means any information submitted to 
EDA or a TAAC by a Firm that concerns or relates to trade secrets for 
commercial or financial purposes, which is exempt from public disclosure 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and 15 CFR part 4.
    Contributed Importantly, with respect to an Increase in Imports, 
refers to a cause which is important but not necessarily more important 
than any other cause. Imports will not be considered to have Contributed 
Importantly if other factors were so dominant, acting singly or in 
combination, that the worker separation or threat thereof or decline in 
sales or production would have been essentially the same, irrespective 
of the influence of imports.
    Decreased Absolutely means a Firm's sales or production has declined 
by a minimum of five percent relative to its sales or production during 
the applicable prior time period, and this decline is:
    (1) Independent of industry or market fluctuations; and
    (2) Relative only to the previous performance of the Firm, unless 
EDA determines that these limitations in a given case would not be 
consistent with the purposes of the Trade Act.
    Directly Competitive or Like means imported articles or services 
that compete with and are substantially equivalent for commercial 
purposes (i.e., are adapted for the same function or use and are 
essentially interchangeable) as the Firm's articles or services. For the 
purposes of this term, any Firm that engages in exploring or drilling 
for oil or natural gas, or otherwise produces oil or natural gas, shall 
be considered to be producing articles directly competitive with imports 
of oil and with imports of natural gas.
    Firm means an individual proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, 
association, corporation (includes a development corporation), business 
trust, cooperative, trustee in bankruptcy or receiver under court 
decree, and includes fishing, agricultural or service sector entities 
and those which explore, drill or otherwise produce oil or natural gas. 
See also the definition of Service Sector Firm. Pursuant to section 259 
of chapter 3 of title II of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2351), a Firm, 
together with any predecessor or successor firm, or any affiliated firm 
controlled or substantially beneficially owned by substantially the same 
person, may be considered a single Firm where necessary to prevent 
Unjustifiable Benefits. For purposes of receiving benefits under this 
part, when a Firm owns or controls other Firms, the Firm and such other 
Firms may be considered a single Firm when they produce or supply like 
or Directly Competitive articles or services or are exerting essential 
economic control over one or more production facilities. Accordingly, 
such other Firms may include a(n):
    (1) Predecessor--see the following definition for Successor;
    (2) Successor--a newly established Firm (that has been in business 
less than two years) which has purchased substantially all of the assets 
of a previously operating company (or in some cases a whole distinct 
division) (such prior company, unit or division, a `Predecessor') and is 
able to demonstrate that it continued the operations of the Predecessor 
which has operated as an autonomous unit, provided that there were no 
significant transactions between the Predecessor unit

[[Page 864]]

and any related parent, subsidiary, or affiliate that would have 
affected its past performance, and that separate records are available 
for the Predecessor's operations for at least two years before the 
petition is submitted. The Successor Firm must have continued virtually 
all of the Predecessor Firm's operations by producing the same type of 
products or services, in the same plant, utilizing most of the same 
machinery and equipment and most of its former workers, and the 
Predecessor Firm must no longer be in existence;
    (3) Affiliate--a company (either foreign or domestic) controlled or 
substantially beneficially owned by substantially the same person or 
persons that own or control the Firm filing the petition; or
    (4) Subsidiary--a company (either foreign or domestic) that is 
wholly owned or effectively controlled by another company. A Firm that 
has been acquired by another Firm but which maintains operations 
independent of the acquiring Firm is considered an Independent 
Subsidiary and may be considered separately from the acquiring Firm as 
eligible for TAAF assistance.
    Increase in Imports means an increase in imports of Directly 
Competitive or Like Articles or Services with articles produced or 
services supplied by a Firm.
    Like Articles or Services means any articles or services, as 
applicable, which are substantially identical in their intrinsic 
characteristics.
    Partial Separation occurs when there has been no increase in overall 
employment at the Firm and either of the following applies:
    (1) A reduction in an employee's work hours to 80 percent or less of 
the employee's average weekly hours during the year of such reductions 
as compared to the preceding year; or
    (2) A reduction in the employee's weekly wage to 80 percent or less 
of his/her average weekly wage during the year of such reduction as 
compared to the preceding year.
    Person means an individual, organization or group.
    Record means any of the following:
    (1) A petition for certification of eligibility to qualify for 
Adjustment Assistance;
    (2) Any supporting information submitted by a petitioner;
    (3) The report of an EDA investigation with respect to petition; and
    (4) Any information developed during an investigation or in 
connection with any public hearing held on a petition.
    Service Sector Firm means a Firm engaged in the business of 
supplying services.
    Significant Number or Proportion of Workers means five percent of a 
Firm's work force or 50 workers, whichever is less, unless EDA 
determines that these limitations in a given case would not be 
consistent with the purposes of the Trade Act. An individual farmer or 
fisherman is considered a Significant Number or Proportion of Workers.
    Substantial Interest means a direct material economic interest in 
the certification or non-certification of the petitioner.
    TAAC means a Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, as more fully 
described in Sec.  315.5.
    Threat of Total or Partial Separation means, with respect to any 
group of workers, one or more events or circumstances clearly 
demonstrating that a Total or Partial Separation is imminent.
    Total Separation means the laying off or termination of employment 
of an employee in a Firm for lack of work.
    Unjustifiable Benefits means Adjustment Assistance inappropriately 
accruing to the benefit of:
    (1) Other Firms that would not otherwise be eligible when provided 
to a Firm; or
    (2) Any predecessor or successor Firm, or any affiliated Firm 
controlled or substantially beneficially owned by substantially the same 
person, rather than treating these entities as a single Firm.

[74 FR 41598, Aug. 18, 2009, as amended at 85 FR 8379, Feb. 14, 2020]



Sec.  315.3  Confidential Business Information.

    EDA will follow the procedures set forth in 15 CFR 4.9 for the 
submission of Confidential Business Information. Submitters should 
clearly mark and

[[Page 865]]

designate as confidential any Confidential Business Information.



                        Subpart B_TAAC Provisions

    Source: 85 FR 8380, Feb. 14, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  315.4  TAAC selection and operation.

    (a) EDA solicits applications from organizations interested in 
operating a TAAC through Notice of Funding Opportunity announcements 
laying out selection and award criteria. The following entities are 
eligible to apply:
    (1) Universities or affiliated organizations;
    (2) States or local governments; or
    (3) Non-profit organizations.
    (b) Entities selected to operate the TAACs are awarded cooperative 
agreements and work closely with EDA and import-impacted firms. TAAC 
cooperative agreements are subject to all Federal laws and to Federal, 
Department, and EDA policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to 
Federal financial assistance awards, including 2 CFR part 200.



Sec.  315.5  The role and geographic coverage of the TAACs.

    (a) TAACs are available to assist Firms in obtaining Adjustment 
Assistance in all 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. TAACs provide Adjustment Assistance in 
accordance with this part either through their own staffs or by 
arrangements with outside consultants. Information concerning TAACs and 
their coverage areas may be obtained from the TAAC website at http://
www.taacenters.org or from EDA at http://www.eda.gov.
    (b) Prior to submitting a petition for Adjustment Assistance to EDA, 
a Firm should determine the extent to which a TAAC can provide the 
required Adjustment Assistance. EDA will provide Adjustment Assistance 
through TAACs whenever EDA determines that such assistance can be 
provided most effectively in this manner. Requests for Adjustment 
Assistance will be made through TAACs.
    (c) A TAAC generally provides Adjustment Assistance by:
    (1) Helping a Firm to prepare its petition for eligibility 
certification; and
    (2) Assisting Certified Firms with diagnosing their strengths and 
weaknesses, and with developing and implementing an Adjustment Proposal.



                    Subpart C_Certification of Firms

    Source: 85 FR 8380, Feb. 14, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  315.6  Certification requirements.

    (a) General. Firms apply for certification through a TAAC by 
completing a petition for certification. The TAAC will assist Firms in 
completing such petitions at no cost to the Firms. EDA evaluates Firms' 
petitions based on the requirements set forth in Sec.  315.7. EDA may 
certify a Firm as eligible to apply for Adjustment Assistance under 
section 251(c) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2341) if it determines that 
the petition for certification meets one of the minimum certification 
thresholds set forth in paragraph (b) of this section. In order to be 
certified, a Firm must meet the criteria listed under any one of the 
five circumstances described in paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) Minimum certification thresholds--(1) Twelve-month decline. 
Based upon a comparison of the most recent 12-month period for which 
data are available and the immediately preceding 12-month period:
    (i) A Significant Number or Proportion of Workers in the Firm has 
undergone Total or Partial Separation or a Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation;
    (ii) Either sales or production, or both, of the Firm has Decreased 
Absolutely; or sales or production, or both, of any article or service 
that accounted for not less than 25 percent of the total production or 
sales of the Firm during the 12-month period preceding the most recent 
12-month period for which data are available have Decreased Absolutely; 
and
    (iii) An Increase in Imports has Contributed Importantly to the 
applicable Total or Partial Separation or Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation, and to the applicable decline in sales or production or 
supply of services.
    (2) Twelve-month versus twenty-four month decline. Based upon a 
comparison

[[Page 866]]

of the most recent 12-month period for which data are available and the 
immediately preceding 24-month period:
    (i) A Significant Number or Proportion of Workers in the Firm has 
undergone Total or Partial Separation or a Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation;
    (ii) Either average annual sales or production, or both, of the Firm 
has Decreased Absolutely; or average annual sales or production, or 
both, of any article or service that accounted for not less than 25 
percent of the total production or sales of the Firm during the 24-month 
period preceding the most recent 12-month period for which data are 
available have Decreased Absolutely; and
    (iii) An Increase in Imports has Contributed Importantly to the 
applicable Total or Partial Separation or Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation, and to the applicable decline in sales or production or 
supply of services.
    (3) Twelve-month versus thirty-six month decline. Based upon a 
comparison of the most recent 12-month period for which data are 
available and the immediately preceding 36-month period:
    (i) A Significant Number or Proportion of Workers in the Firm has 
undergone Total or Partial Separation or a Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation;
    (ii) Either average annual sales or production, or both, of the Firm 
has Decreased Absolutely; or average annual sales or production, or 
both, of any article or service that accounted for not less than 25 
percent of the total production or sales of the Firm during the 36-month 
period preceding the most recent 12-month period for which data are 
available have Decreased Absolutely; and
    (iii) An Increase in Imports has Contributed Importantly to the 
applicable Total or Partial Separation or Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation, and to the applicable decline in sales or production or 
supply of services.
    (4) Interim sales or production decline. Based upon an interim sales 
or production decline:
    (i) Sales or production has Decreased Absolutely for, at minimum, 
the most recent six-month period during the most recent 12-month period 
for which data are available as compared to the same six-month period 
during the immediately preceding 12-month period;
    (ii) During the same base and comparative period of time as sales or 
production has Decreased Absolutely, a Significant Number or Proportion 
of Workers in such Firm has undergone Total or Partial Separation or a 
Threat of Total or Partial Separation; and
    (iii) During the same base and comparative period of time as sales 
or production has Decreased Absolutely, an Increase in Imports has 
Contributed Importantly to the applicable Total or Partial Separation or 
Threat of Total or Partial Separation, and to the applicable decline in 
sales or production or supply of services.
    (5) Interim employment decline. Based upon an interim employment 
decline:
    (i) A Significant Number or Proportion of Workers in such Firm has 
undergone Total or Partial Separation or a Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation during, at a minimum, the most recent six-month period during 
the most recent 12-month period for which data are available as compared 
to the same six-month period during the immediately preceding 12-month 
period; and
    (ii) Either sales or production of the Firm has Decreased Absolutely 
during the 12-month period preceding the most recent 12-month period for 
which data are available; and
    (iii) An Increase in Imports has Contributed Importantly to the 
applicable Total or Partial Separation or Threat of Total or Partial 
Separation, and to the applicable decline in sales or production or 
supply of services.
    (c) Evidence of an increase in imports. EDA may consider as evidence 
of an Increase in Imports a certification from the Firm's customers that 
account for a significant percentage of the Firm's decrease in sales or 
production, that they have increased their purchase of imports of 
Directly Competitive or Like Articles or Services from a foreign 
country, either absolutely or relative to their acquisition of such Like 
Articles or Services from suppliers located in the United States. Such 
certification from a Firm's customer must be submitted directly to a 
TAAC or to EDA.

[[Page 867]]



Sec.  315.7  Processing petitions for certification.

    (a) Firms shall consult with a TAAC for guidance and assistance in 
the preparation of their petitions for certification.
    (b) A Firm seeking certification shall complete a Petition by a Firm 
for Certification of Eligibility to Apply for Trade Adjustment 
Assistance (Form ED-840P or any successor form) with the following 
information about such Firm:
    (1) Identification and description of the Firm, including legal form 
of organization, economic history, major ownership interests, officers, 
directors, management, parent company, Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and 
production and sales facilities;
    (2) Description of goods or services supplied or sold;
    (3) Description of imported Directly Competitive or Like Articles or 
Services with those produced or supplied;
    (4) Data on its sales, production and employment for the applicable 
24-month, 36-month, or 48-month period, as required under Sec.  
315.6(b);
    (5) One copy of a complete auditor's certified financial report for 
the entire period covering the petition, or if not available, one copy 
of the complete profit and loss statements, balance sheets and 
supporting statements prepared by the Firm's accountants for the entire 
period covered by the petition. In addition, publicly-owned corporations 
should also submit copies of the most recent Form 10-K annual reports 
(or Form 10-Q quarterly reports, as appropriate) filed with the U.S. 
Securities and Exchange Commission for the entire period covered by the 
petition;
    (6) Information concerning customers accounting for a significant 
percent of the Firm's decline and the customers' purchases (or the 
Firm's unsuccessful bids, if there are no customers fitting this 
description); and
    (7) Such other information as EDA considers material.
    (c) EDA shall determine whether the petition has been properly 
prepared and can be accepted. Promptly thereafter, EDA shall notify the 
petitioner that the petition has been accepted or advise the TAAC that 
the petition has not been accepted, but may be resubmitted at any time 
without prejudice when the specified deficiencies have been corrected. 
Any resubmission will be treated as a new petition.
    (d) EDA will publish a notice of acceptance of a petition in the 
Federal Register.
    (e) EDA will initiate an investigation to determine whether the 
petitioner meets the requirements set forth in section 251(c) of the 
Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2341) and Sec.  315.6.
    (f) A petition for certification may be withdrawn if EDA receives a 
request for withdrawal submitted by the petitioner before EDA makes a 
certification determination or denial. A Firm may submit a new petition 
at any time thereafter in accordance with the requirements of this 
section and Sec.  315.6.
    (g) Following acceptance of a petition, EDA will:
    (1) Make a determination based on the Record as soon as possible 
after the petitioning Firm or TAAC has submitted all requested material. 
In no event may the determination period exceed 40 calendar days from 
the date on which EDA accepted the petition; and
    (2) Either certify the petitioner as eligible to apply for 
Adjustment Assistance or deny the petition. In either event, EDA shall 
promptly give written notice of action to the petitioner. Any written 
notice to the petitioner of a denial of a petition shall specify the 
reason(s) for the denial. A petitioner shall not be entitled to resubmit 
a petition within one year from the date of denial unless EDA waives the 
one-year limitation for good cause.



Sec.  315.8  Hearings.

    EDA will hold a public hearing on an accepted petition if the 
petitioner or any interested Person found by EDA to have a Substantial 
Interest in the proceedings submits a request for a hearing no later 
than 10 calendar days after the date of publication of the notice of 
acceptance in the Federal Register, under the following procedures:
    (a) The petitioner or any interested Person(s) shall have an 
opportunity to be present, to produce evidence and to be heard.
    (b) A request for public hearing must be delivered by hand or by 
registered

[[Page 868]]

mail to EDA. A request by a Person other than the petitioner shall 
contain:
    (1) The name, address and telephone number of the Person requesting 
the hearing; and
    (2) A complete statement of the relationship of the Person 
requesting the hearing to the petitioner and the subject matter of the 
petition, and a statement of the nature of the requesting party's 
interest in the proceedings.
    (c) If EDA determines that the requesting party does not have a 
Substantial Interest in the proceedings, a written notice of denial 
shall be sent to the requesting party. The notice shall specify the 
reasons for the denial.
    (d) If EDA determines that the requesting party does have a 
Substantial Interest in the proceedings, EDA shall publish a notice of a 
public hearing in the Federal Register, containing the subject matter, 
name of petitioner, and date, time and place of the hearing.
    (e) EDA shall appoint a presiding officer for the hearing who shall 
respond to all procedural questions.



Sec.  315.9  Loss of certification benefits.

    EDA may terminate a Firm's certification or refuse to extend 
Adjustment Assistance to a Firm for any of the following reasons:
    (a) The Firm failed to submit an acceptable Adjustment Proposal 
within two years after date of certification. While approval of an 
Adjustment Proposal may occur after the expiration of such two-year 
period, a Firm must submit an acceptable Adjustment Proposal before such 
expiration.
    (b) The Firm failed to submit documentation necessary to start 
implementation or modify its request for Adjustment Assistance 
consistent with its Adjustment Proposal within six months after approval 
of the Adjustment Proposal, where two years have elapsed since the date 
of certification. If the Firm anticipates needing a longer period to 
submit documentation, it should indicate the longer period in its 
Adjustment Proposal. If the Firm is unable to submit its documentation 
within the allowed time, it should notify EDA in writing of the reasons 
for the delay and submit a new schedule. EDA has the discretion to 
accept or refuse a new schedule.
    (c) EDA has denied the Firm's request for Adjustment Assistance, the 
time period allowed for the submission of any documentation in support 
of such request has expired, and two years have elapsed since the date 
of certification.
    (d) The Firm failed to diligently pursue an approved Adjustment 
Proposal, and five years have elapsed since the date of certification.



Sec.  315.10  Appeals, final determinations, and termination of certification.

    (a) Any petitioner may appeal in writing to EDA from a denial of 
certification, provided that EDA receives the appeal by personal 
delivery or by registered mail within 60 calendar days from the date of 
notice of denial under Sec.  315.7(g). The appeal must state the grounds 
on which the appeal is based, including a concise statement of the 
supporting facts and applicable law. The decision of EDA on the appeal 
shall be the final determination within the Department. In the absence 
of an appeal by the petitioner under this paragraph (a), the 
determination under Sec.  315.7(g) shall be final.
    (b) A Firm, its representative, or any other interested domestic 
party aggrieved by a final determination under paragraph (a) of this 
section may, within 60 calendar days after notice of such determination, 
begin a civil action in the United States Court of International Trade 
for review of such determination, in accordance with section 284 of the 
Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2395).
    (c) Whenever EDA determines that a Certified Firm no longer requires 
Adjustment Assistance or for other good cause, EDA will terminate the 
certification and promptly publish notice of such termination in the 
Federal Register. The termination will take effect on the date specified 
in the published notice. EDA shall immediately notify the petitioner and 
shall state the reasons for any termination.



                     Subpart D_Adjustment Proposals

    Source: 85 FR 8380, Feb. 14, 2020, unless otherwise noted.

[[Page 869]]



Sec.  315.11  Adjustment Proposal process.

    (a) Firms certified in accordance with the procedures described in 
Sec. Sec.  315.6 and 315.7 must prepare an Adjustment Proposal and 
submit it to EDA for approval within two years after the date of 
certification.
    (b) EDA determines whether to approve the Adjustment Assistance 
requested in the Adjustment Proposal based upon the evaluation criteria 
set forth in Sec.  315.12. Upon approval, a Certified Firm may submit a 
request to the TAAC for Adjustment Assistance to implement an approved 
Adjustment Proposal. Firms must begin implementation within six months 
after approval. Firms that do not begin implementation within six months 
after approval must update, re-submit their Adjustment Proposal, and 
request re-approval before any Adjustment Assistance may be provided.
    (c) EDA will make a determination regarding the Adjustment Proposal 
no later than 60 calendar days upon receipt of the Adjustment Proposal.
    (d) Adjustment Assistance is subject to matching share requirements. 
Each Certified Firm must pay at least 25 percent of the cost of 
preparing its Adjustment Proposal. Each Certified Firm requesting 
$30,000 or less in total Adjustment Assistance in its approved 
Adjustment Proposal must pay at least 25 percent of the cost of that 
Adjustment Assistance. Each Certified Firm requesting more than $30,000 
in total Adjustment Assistance in its approved Adjustment Proposal must 
pay at least 50 percent of the cost of that Adjustment Assistance. 
Certified Firms may request no more than the amount as established by 
EDA for total Adjustment Assistance over the entire lifetime of the 
firm.
    (e) Firms may request EDA approval to amend their Adjustment 
Proposals within two years from the date of EDA approval of their 
initial Adjustment Proposal.
    (f) Firms must complete implementation of their Adjustment Proposals 
within five years of EDA approval of their initial Adjustment Proposal.
    (g) If a Certified Firm is transferred, sold, or otherwise acquired 
by another Firm during the five-year period of Adjustment Assistance, 
the Firm must notify EDA no later than 30 calendar days following the 
transfer, sale, or acquisition. EDA will then make a determination as to 
whether the Firm remains eligible for Adjustment Assistance. EDA will 
make this determination no later than 60 calendar days following 
notification by the Firm.
    (h) In accordance with Section 255A of chapter 3 of title II of the 
Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2345a), Firms that receive Adjustment Assistance 
must provide data regarding the Firms' sales, employment, and 
productivity upon completion of the program and each year for the two-
year period following completion.



Sec.  315.12  Adjustment Proposal requirements.

    EDA evaluates Adjustment Proposals based on the following:
    (a) The Adjustment Proposal must include a description of any 
Adjustment Assistance requested to implement such proposal, including 
financial and other supporting documentation as EDA determines is 
necessary, based upon either:
    (1) An analysis of the Firm's problems, strengths, and weaknesses 
and an assessment of its prospects for recovery; or
    (2) If EDA so determines, other available information;
    (b) The Adjustment Proposal must:
    (1) Be reasonably calculated to contribute materially to the 
economic adjustment of the Firm (i.e., that such proposal will 
constructively assist the Firm to establish a competitive position in 
the same or a different industry);
    (2) Give adequate consideration to the interests of a sufficient 
number of separated workers of the Firm, by providing, for example, that 
the Firm will:
    (i) Give a rehiring preference to such workers;
    (ii) Make efforts to find new work for a number of such workers; and
    (iii) Assist such workers in obtaining benefits under available 
programs; and
    (3) Demonstrate that the Firm will make all reasonable efforts to 
use its own resources for its recovery, though under certain 
circumstances, resources of related Firms or major stockholders will 
also be considered; and

[[Page 870]]

    (c) The Adjustment Assistance identified in the Adjustment Proposal 
must consist of specialized consulting services designed to assist the 
Firm in becoming more competitive in the global marketplace. For 
purposes of this paragraph (c), Adjustment Assistance generally consists 
of knowledge-based services such as market penetration studies, 
customized business improvements, and designs for new products. 
Adjustment Assistance does not include expenditures for capital 
improvements or for the purchase of business machinery or supplies.



                     Subpart E_Protective Provisions

    Source: 85 FR 8380, Feb. 14, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  315.13  Persons engaged by Firms to expedite petitions 
and Adjustment Proposals.

    EDA will provide no Adjustment Assistance to any Firm unless the 
owners, partners, members, directors, or officers thereof certify in 
writing to EDA:
    (a) The names of any attorneys, agents, and other Persons engaged by 
or on behalf of the Firm for the purpose of expediting petitions for 
such Adjustment Assistance or Adjustment Proposals; and
    (b) The fees paid or to be paid to any such Person.



Sec.  315.14  Conflicts of interest.

    EDA will provide no Adjustment Assistance to any Firm under this 
part unless the owners, partners, members, directors, or officers 
thereof execute an agreement binding them and the Firm for a period of 
two years after such Adjustment Assistance is provided, to refrain from 
employing, tendering any office or employment to, or retaining for 
professional services any Person who, on the date such assistance or any 
part thereof was provided, or within one year prior thereto, shall have 
served as an officer, attorney, agent, or employee occupying a position 
or engaging in activities which involved discretion with respect to the 
provision of such Adjustment Assistance.



         Subpart F_International Trade Commission Investigations

    Source: 85 FR 8380, Feb. 14, 2020, unless otherwise noted.



Sec.  315.15  Affirmative findings.

    Whenever the International Trade Commission makes an affirmative 
finding under section 202(b) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2252) that 
increased imports are a substantial cause of serious injury or threat 
thereof with respect to an industry, EDA will notify the TAACs and 
provide expedited review of petitions and Adjustment Proposals from 
Firms within the specified industry.

                        PARTS 316	399 [RESERVED]

[[Page 871]]



            CHAPTER IV--EMERGENCY STEEL GUARANTEE LOAN BOARD




  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Part                                                                Page
400             Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Program......         873
401-499

 [Reserved]

[[Page 873]]



PART 400_EMERGENCY STEEL GUARANTEE LOAN PROGRAM--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
400.1 Purpose.
400.2 Definitions.

                       Subpart B_Board Procedures

400.100 Purpose and scope.
400.101 Composition of the Board.
400.102 Authority of the Board.
400.103 Offices.
400.104 Meetings and actions of the Board.
400.105 Staff.
400.106 Ex parte communications.
400.107 Freedom of Information Act.
400.108 Restrictions on lobbying.
400.109 Government-wide debarment and suspension (nonprocurement).
400.110 Amendments.

                     Subpart C_Steel Guarantee Loans

400.200 Eligible Borrower.
400.201 Eligible Lender.
400.202 Loan amount.
400.203 Guarantee percentage.
400.204 Loan terms.
400.205 Application process.
400.206 Environmental requirements.
400.207 Application evaluation.
400.208 Issuance of the Guarantee.
400.209 Funding for the Program.
400.210 Assignment or transfer of loans.
400.211 Lender responsibilities.
400.212 Guarantee.
400.213 Termination of obligations.
400.214 Participations in guaranteed loans.
400.215 Supplemental Guarantees.

    Authority: Pub. L. 106-51, 113 Stat. 252 (15 U.S.C. 1841 note); Pub. 
L. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338.

    Source: 64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec.  400.1  Purpose.

    This part is issued by the Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board 
pursuant to section 552 of title 5 of the United States Code and the 
Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Act of 1999, Chapter 1 of Public Law 106-
51, 113 Stat. 252, as amended by section 734 of Public Law 106-102, 113 
Stat. 1338, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act (1999).

[65 FR 70293, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.2  Definitions.

    (a) Act means the Emergency Steel Loan Guarantee Act of 1999, 
Chapter 1 of Public Law 106-51 (113 Stat. 252), as amended.
    (b) Administer, administering and administration, mean the Lender's 
actions in making, disbursing, servicing (including, but not limited to 
care, preservation and maintenance of collateral), collecting and 
liquidating a loan and security.
    (c) Agent means that Lender authorized to take such actions, 
exercise such powers, and perform such duties on behalf and in 
representation of all Lenders party to a Guarantee of a single loan, as 
is required by, or necessarily incidental to, the terms and conditions 
of the Guarantee.
    (d) Applicant means the private banking or investment institution 
applying for a loan guarantee under this part.
    (e) Board means the Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board.
    (f) Borrower means a Qualified Steel Company which could receive a 
loan guaranteed by the Board under this Program.
    (g) Guarantee means the written agreement between the Board and one 
or more Lenders, and approved by the Borrower, pursuant to which the 
Board guarantees repayment of a specified percentage of the principal of 
the loan, including the Special Terms and Conditions, the General Terms 
and Conditions, and all exhibits thereto.
    (h) Guaranteed Portion means the portion of the principal of a loan 
that is subject to the Guarantee.
    (i) Lender means a private banking or investment institution, 
eligible under Sec.  400.201, that is a party to a Guarantee issued by 
the Board. With respect to a Guarantee of a single loan to which more 
than one Lender is a party, the term Lender means Agent.
    (j) Loan Documents mean the loan agreement and all other 
instruments, and all documentation between the Lender and the Borrower 
evidencing the making, disbursing, securing, collecting, or otherwise 
administering of the loan. It includes any agreement and other documents 
relating to a Supplemental Guarantee. Loan Documents may not be modified 
without the prior written approval of the Board.

[[Page 874]]

    (k) Program means the Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Program 
established by the Act.
    (l) Security means all property, real or personal, required by the 
provisions of the Guarantee or by the Loan Documents to secure repayment 
of any indebtedness of the Borrower under the Loan Documents or 
Guarantee. It does not include a Supplemental Guarantee.
    (m) Qualified Steel Company means a company that is incorporated 
under the laws of any State; is engaged in the production and 
manufacture of a product defined by the American Iron and Steel 
Institute as a basic steel mill product, including ingots, slab and 
billets, plates, flat-rolled steel, sections and structural products, 
bars, rail type products, pipe and tube, and wire rod; and has 
experienced layoffs, production losses, or financial losses since 
January 1, 1998. An iron ore company incorporated under the law of any 
state is considered a Qualified Steel Company for purposes of the 
Program.
    (n) Supplemental Guarantee means a guarantee provided by one or more 
third parties, public or private, of part of the Unguaranteed Portion of 
a guaranteed loan.
    (o) Unguaranteed Portion means the portion of the principal of a 
loan that is not covered by the Guarantee.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 24104, Apr. 25, 2000; 
66 FR 53079, Oct. 19, 2001]



                       Subpart B_Board Procedures



Sec.  400.100  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart describes the Board's authorities and organizational 
structure, the means and rules by which the Board takes actions, and 
procedures for public access to Board records.



Sec.  400.101  Composition of the Board.

    The Board consists of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System, who acts as Chairman of the Board, the Chairman 
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Secretary of 
Commerce.



Sec.  400.102  Authority of the Board.

    Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the Board is authorized to 
guarantee loans provided to Qualified Steel Companies by private banking 
and investment institutions in accordance with the procedures, rules, 
and regulations established by the Board, to make the determinations 
authorized by the Act, and to take such other actions as necessary to 
carry out its functions in accordance with the Act.



Sec.  400.103  Offices.

    The principal offices of the Board are in the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

[72 FR 63976, Nov. 14, 2007]



Sec.  400.104  Meetings and actions of the Board.

    (a) Place and frequency. The Board meets, on the call of the 
Chairman, in order to consider matters requiring action by the Board. 
Time and place for any such meeting shall be determined by the members 
of the Board.
    (b) Quorum and voting. Two voting members of the Board constitute a 
quorum for the transaction of business. All decisions and determinations 
of the Board shall be made by a majority vote of the voting members. All 
votes on determinations of the Board required by the Act shall be 
recorded in the minutes. A Board member may request that any vote be 
recorded according to individual Board members.
    (c) Agenda of meetings. To the extent practicable, an agenda for 
each meeting shall be distributed to members of the Board at least two 
days in advance of the date of the meeting, together with copies of 
materials relevant to the agenda items.
    (d) Minutes. The Secretary of the Board shall keep minutes of each 
Board meeting and of action taken without a meeting, a draft of which is 
to be distributed to each member of the Board as soon as practicable 
after each meeting or action. To the extent practicable, the minutes of 
a Board meeting shall be corrected and approved at the next meeting of 
the Board.
    (e) Use of conference call communications equipment. Any member may 
participate in a meeting of the Board

[[Page 875]]

through the use of conference call, telephone or similar communications 
equipment, by means of which all persons participating in the meeting 
can simultaneously speak to and hear each other. Any member so 
participating in a meeting shall be deemed present for all purposes. 
Actions taken by the Board at meetings conducted through the use of such 
equipment, including the votes of each member, shall be recorded in the 
usual manner in the minutes of the meetings of the Board.
    (f) Actions between meetings. When, in the judgment of the Chairman, 
circumstances occur making it desirable for the Board to consider action 
when it is not feasible to call a meeting, the relevant information and 
recommendations for action may be transmitted to the members by the 
Secretary of the Board and the voting members may communicate their 
votes to the Chairman in writing (including an action signed in 
counterpart by each Board member), electronically, or orally (including 
telephone communication). Any action taken under this paragraph has the 
same effect as an action taken at a meeting. Any such action shall be 
recorded in the minutes.
    (g) Delegations of authority. The Board may delegate authority, 
subject to such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate, to 
the Executive Director, the General Counsel, or the Secretary of the 
Board, to take certain actions not required by the Act to be taken by 
the Board. All delegations shall be made pursuant to resolutions of the 
Board and recorded in writing, whether in the minutes of a meeting or 
otherwise. Any action taken pursuant to delegated authority has the 
effect of an action taken by the Board.



Sec.  400.105  Staff.

    (a) Executive Director. The Executive Director of the Board advises 
and assists the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the 
Act, provides general direction with respect to the administration of 
the Board's actions, directs the activities of the staff, and performs 
such other duties as the Board may require.
    (b) General Counsel. The General Counsel of the Board provides legal 
advice relating to the responsibilities of the Board and performs such 
other duties as the Board may require.
    (c) Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the Board sends notice 
of all meetings, prepares minutes of all meetings, maintains a complete 
record of all votes and actions taken by the Board, has custody of all 
records of the Board and performs such other duties as the Board may 
require.
    (d) An individual may hold more than one staff position.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 70293, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.106  Ex parte communications.

    Oral or written communication, not on the public record, between any 
member of the Board and any party or parties interested in any matter 
pending before the Board concerning the substance of that matter is 
prohibited.

[66 FR 53079, Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.107  Freedom of Information Act.

    (a) Definitions. All terms used in this section which are defined in 
5 U.S.C. 551 or 5 U.S.C. 552 shall have the same meaning in this 
section. In addition the following definitions apply to this section:
    (1) FOIA, as used in this section, means the ``Freedom of 
Information Act,'' as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552.
    (2) Commercial use request means a request from or on behalf of one 
who seeks information for a use or purpose that furthers the commercial, 
trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose 
behalf the request is made.
    (3) Direct costs mean those expenditures that the Board actually 
incurs in searching for, reviewing, and duplicating documents in 
response to a request made under paragraph (c) of this section. Direct 
costs include, for example, the labor costs of the employee performing 
the work (the basic rate of pay for the employee, plus 16 percent of 
that rate to cover benefits). Not included in direct costs are overhead 
expenses such as the costs of space and heating or lighting of the 
facility in which the records are kept.
    (4) Duplication means the process of making a copy of a document in 
response to a request for disclosure of

[[Page 876]]

records or for inspection of original records that contain exempt 
material or that otherwise cannot be inspected directly. Among others, 
such copies may take the form of paper, microfilm, audiovisual 
materials, or machine-readable documentation (e.g., magnetic tape or 
disk).
    (5) Educational institution means a preschool, a public or private 
elementary or secondary school, or an institution of undergraduate 
higher education, graduate higher education, professional education, or 
an institution of vocational education that operates a program of 
scholarly research.
    (6) Noncommercial scientific institution refers to an institution 
that is not operated on a ``commercial'' basis (as that term is used in 
this section) and which is operated solely for the purpose of conducting 
scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote 
any particular product or industry.
    (7) News means information about current events or that would be of 
current interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include, 
but are not limited to, television or radio stations broadcasting to the 
public at large, and publishers of newspapers and other periodicals (but 
only in those instances when they can qualify as disseminators of 
``news'') who make their products available for purchase or subscription 
by the general public. ``Freelance'' journalists may be regarded as 
working for a news organization if they can demonstrate a solid basis 
for expecting publication through that organization, even though not 
actually employed by it.
    (8) Representative of the news media means any person actively 
gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish 
or broadcast news to the general public.
    (9) Review means the process of examining documents, located in 
response to a request for access, to determine whether any portion of a 
document is exempt information. It includes doing all that is necessary 
to excise the documents and otherwise to prepare them for release. 
Review does not include time spent resolving general legal or policy 
issues regarding the application of exemptions.
    (10) Search means the process of looking for material that is 
responsive to a request, including page-by-page or line-by-line 
identification within documents. Searches may be done manually or by 
computer.
    (b) Records available for public inspection and copying--(1) Types 
of records made available. The information in this section is furnished 
for the guidance of the public and in compliance with the requirements 
of the Freedom of Information FOIA, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552)(FOIA). 
This section sets forth the procedures the Board follows to make 
publicly available the materials specified in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2). These 
materials shall be made available for inspection and copying at the 
Board's Freedom of Information Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2). 
Information routinely provided to the public as part of a regular Board 
activity (for example, press releases) may be provided to the public 
without following this section.
    (2) Reading room procedures. Information available under this 
section is available for inspection and copying, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 
p.m. weekdays, at the Freedom of Information Office of the Board, Steel 
Guarantee Loan Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
    (3) Electronic records. Information available under this section 
that was created on or after November 1, 1996, shall also be available 
on the Board's website found at http://elb.osec.doc.gov and at http://
elb.commerce.gov.
    (c) Records available to the public on request--(1) Types of records 
made available. All records of the Board that are not available under 
paragraph (b) of this section shall be made available upon request, 
pursuant to the procedures in this section and the exceptions set forth 
in the FOIA. The Board's policy is to make discretionary disclosures of 
records or information exempt from disclosure under the FOIA whenever 
disclosure would not foreseeably harm an interest protected by a FOIA 
exemption, but this policy does not create any right enforceable in 
court.
    (2) Procedures for requesting records. A request for records shall 
reasonably describe the records in a way that enables the Board's staff 
to identify and

[[Page 877]]

produce the records with reasonable effort and without unduly burdening 
or significantly interfering with any of the Board's operations. The 
request shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Board, 
Steel Guarantee Loan Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 
20230; or sent by facsimile to the Secretary of the Board. The request 
shall be clearly marked FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST.
    (3) Contents of request. The request shall contain the following 
information:
    (i) The name and address of the requester, and the telephone number 
at which the requester can be reached during normal business hours;
    (ii) Whether the requested information is intended for commercial 
use, or whether the requester represents an educational or noncommercial 
scientific institution, or news media;
    (iii) A statement agreeing to pay the applicable fees, or a 
statement identifying any fee limitation desired, or a request for a 
waiver or reduction of fees that satisfies paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (d) Processing requests--(1) Priority of responses. The date of 
receipt for any request, including one that is addressed incorrectly or 
that is referred to the Board by another agency, is the date the 
Secretary of the Board actually receives the request. The Secretary of 
the Board shall normally process requests in the order they are 
received. However, in the Secretary of the Board's discretion, the Board 
may use two or more processing tracks by distinguishing between simple 
and more complex requests based on the number of pages involved, or some 
other measure of the amount of work and/or time needed to process the 
request, and whether the request qualifies for expedited processing as 
described in paragraph (d)(2), of this section. When using multitrack 
processing, the Secretary of the Board may provide requesters in the 
slower track(s) with an opportunity to limit the scope of their requests 
in order to qualify for faster processing. The Secretary of the Board 
shall contact the requester by telephone or by letter, whichever is most 
efficient in each case.
    (2) Expedited processing. (i) A person may request expedited access 
to records by submitting a statement, certified to be true and correct 
to the best of that person's knowledge and belief, that demonstrates a 
compelling need for the records, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(v).
    (ii) The Secretary of the Board shall notify a requester of the 
determination whether to grant or deny a request for expedited 
processing within ten working days of receipt of the request. If the 
Secretary of the Board grants the request for expedited processing, the 
Board shall process the request for access to information as soon as 
practicable. If the Secretary of the Board denies a request for 
expedited processing, the requester may file an appeal pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, and the Board 
shall respond to the appeal within twenty days after the appeal was 
received by the Board.
    (3) Time limits. The time for response to requests shall be 20 
working days, except:
    (i) In the case of expedited treatment under paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section;
    (ii) Where the running of such time is suspended for payment of fees 
pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section;
    (iii) Where the estimated charge is less than $250, and the 
requester does not guarantee payment pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i) of 
this section; or
    (iv) In unusual circumstances, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 
552(a)(6)(B)(iii), the time limit may be extended for a period of time 
not to exceed 10 working days as provided by written notice to the 
requester, setting forth the reasons for the extension and the date on 
which a determination is expected to be dispatched; or such alternative 
time period as mutually agreed to by the Secretary of the Board and the 
requester when the Secretary of the Board notifies the requester that 
the request cannot be processed in the specified time limit.
    (4) Response to request. In response to a request that satisfies 
paragraph (c) of this section, an appropriate search shall be conducted 
of records in the custody and control of the Board on the date of 
receipt of the request, and

[[Page 878]]

a review made of any responsive information located. The Secretary of 
the Board shall notify the requester of:
    (i) The Secretary of the Board's determination of the request and 
the reasons therefor;
    (ii) The information withheld, and the basis for withholding; and
    (iii) The right to appeal any denial or partial denial, pursuant to 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    (5) Referral to another agency. To the extent a request covers 
documents that were created by, obtained from, classified by, or is in 
the primary interest of another agency, the Secretary of the Board may 
refer the request to that agency for a direct response by that agency 
and inform the requester promptly of the referral. The Secretary of the 
Board shall consult with another Federal agency before responding to a 
requester if the Board receives a request for a record in which:
    (i) Another Federal agency subject to the FOIA has a significant 
interest, but not the primary interest; or
    (ii) Another Federal agency not subject to the FOIA has the primary 
interest or a significant interest. Ordinarily, the agency that 
originated a record will be presumed to have the primary interest in it.
    (6) Providing responsive records. (i) A copy of records or portions 
of records responsive to the request shall be sent to the requester by 
regular U.S. mail to the address indicated in the request, unless the 
requester elects to take delivery of the documents at the Board's 
Freedom of Information Office or makes other acceptable arrangements, or 
the Secretary of the Board deems it appropriate to send the documents by 
another means. The Secretary of the Board shall provide a copy of the 
record in any form or format requested if the record is readily 
reproducible in that form or format, but the Secretary of the Board need 
not provide more than one copy of any record to a requester.
    (ii) The Secretary of the Board shall provide any reasonably 
segregable portion of a record that is responsive to the request after 
deleting those portions that are exempt under the FOIA or this section.
    (iii) Except where disclosure is expressly prohibited by statute, 
regulation, or order, the Secretary of the Board may authorize the 
release of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure whenever 
the Board or designated Board members determine that there would be no 
foreseeable harm in such disclosure.
    (iv) The Board is not required in response to the request to create 
records or otherwise to prepare new records.
    (7) Prohibition against disclosure. Except as provided in this part, 
no officer, employee, or agent of the Board shall disclose or permit the 
disclosure of any unpublished information of the Board to any person 
(other than Board officers, employees, or agents properly entitled to 
such information for the performance of official duties), unless 
required by law.
    (e) Appeals. (1) Any person denied access to Board records requested 
under paragraph (c) of this section, denied expedited processing under 
paragraph (d) of this section, or denied a waiver of fees under 
paragraph (f) of this section may file a written appeal within 30 
calendar days after the date of such denial with the Board. The written 
appeal shall prominently display the phrase FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 
APPEAL on the first page, and shall be addressed to the General Counsel 
of the Board, Steel Guarantee Loan Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230; or sent by facsimile to the General Counsel of the 
Board. The appeal shall include a copy of the original request, the 
initial denial, if any, and a statement of the reasons why the requested 
records should be made available and why the initial denial was in 
error.
    (2) The General Counsel of the Board shall make a determination 
regarding any appeal within 20 working days of actual receipt of the 
appeal, and the determination letter shall notify the appealing party of 
the right to seek judicial review in event of denial.
    (f) Fee schedules; waiver of fees--
    (1) Fee schedule. The fees applicable to a request for records 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section are set forth in the uniform 
fee schedule at the end of this paragraph (f).

[[Page 879]]

    (i) Search. (A) Search fees shall be charged for all requests--other 
than requests made by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific 
institutions, or representatives of the news media--subject to the 
limitations of paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this section. The Secretary of 
the Board shall charge for time spent searching even if no responsive 
record is located or if the Secretary of the Board withholds the 
record(s) located as entirely exempt from disclosure.
    Search fees shall be the direct costs of conducting the search by 
the involved employees.
    (B) For computer searches of records, requesters will be charged the 
direct costs of conducting the search, although certain requesters (as 
provided in paragraph (f)(3) of this section will be charged no search 
fee and certain other requesters (as provided in paragraph (f)(3)) are 
entitled to the cost equivalent of two hours of manual search time 
without charge. These direct costs include the costs, attributable to 
the search, of operating a central processing unit and operator/
programmer salary.
    (ii) Duplication. Duplication fees will be charged to all 
requesters, subject to the limitations of paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this 
section. For a paper photocopy of a record (no more than one copy of 
which need be supplied), the fee shall be 15 cents per page. For copies 
produced by computer, such as tapes or printouts, the Secretary of the 
Board shall charge the direct costs, including operator time, of 
producing the copy. For other forms of duplication, the Secretary of the 
Board will charge the direct costs of that duplication.
    (iii) Review. Review fees shall be charged to requesters who make a 
commercial use request. Review fees shall be charged only for the 
initial record review--the review done when the Secretary of the Board 
determines whether an exemption applies to a particular record at the 
initial request level. No charge will be made for review at the 
administrative appeal level for an exemption already applied. However, 
records withheld under an exemption that is subsequently determined not 
to apply may be reviewed again to determine whether any other exemption 
not previously considered applies, and the costs of that review are 
chargeable. Review fees shall be the direct costs of conducting the 
review by the involved employees.
    (iv) Limitations on charging fees. (A) No search fee will be charged 
for requests by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific 
institutions, or representatives of the news media.
    (B) No search fee or review fee will be charged for a quarter-hour 
period unless more than half of that period is required for search or 
review.
    (C) Whenever a total fee calculated under this paragraph is $25 or 
less for any request, no fee will be charged.
    (D) For requesters other than those seeking records for a commercial 
use, no fee will be charged unless the cost of search in excess of two 
hours plus the cost of duplication in excess of 100 pages totals more 
than $25.
    (2) Payment procedures. All persons requesting records pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section shall pay the applicable fees before the 
Secretary of the Board sends copies of the requested records, unless a 
fee waiver has been granted pursuant to paragraph (f)(6) of this 
section. Requesters must pay fees by check or money order made payable 
to the Treasury of the United States.
    (i) Advance notification of fees. If the estimated charges are 
likely to exceed $25, the Secretary of the Board shall notify the 
requester of the estimated amount, unless the requester has indicated a 
willingness to pay fees as high as those anticipated. Upon receipt of 
such notice, the requester may confer with the Secretary of the Board to 
reformulate the request to lower the costs. The processing of the 
request shall be suspended until the requester provides the Secretary of 
the Board with a written guarantee that payment will be made upon 
completion of the processing.
    (ii) Advance payment. The Secretary of the Board shall require 
advance payment of any fee estimated to exceed $250. The Secretary of 
the Board shall also require full payment in advance where a requester 
has previously failed to pay a fee in a timely fashion. If an advance 
payment of an estimated fee exceeds the actual total fee by $1 or more, 
the difference shall be refunded

[[Page 880]]

to the requester. The time period for responding to requests under 
paragraph (d)(4) of this section, and the processing of the request 
shall be suspended until the Secretary of the Board receives the 
required payment.
    (iii) Late charges. The Secretary of the Board may assess interest 
charges when fee payment is not made within 30 days of the date on which 
the billing was sent. Assessment of such interest will commence on the 
31st day following the day on which the billing was sent. Interest is at 
the rate prescribed in 31 U.S.C. 3717.
    (3) Categories of uses. The fees assessed depend upon the fee 
category. In determining which category is appropriate, the Secretary of 
the Board shall look to the identity of the requester and the intended 
use set forth in the request for records. Where a requester's 
description of the use is insufficient to make a determination, the 
Secretary of the Board may seek additional clarification before 
categorizing the request.
    (i) Commercial use requester. The fees for search, duplication, and 
review apply when records are requested for commercial use.
    (ii) Educational, non-commercial scientific institutions, or 
representatives of the news media requesters. The fees for duplication 
apply when records are not sought for commercial use, and the requester 
is a representative of the news media or an educational or noncommercial 
scientific institution, whose purpose is scholarly or scientific 
research. The first 100 pages of duplication, however, will be provided 
free.
    (iii) All other requesters. For all other requests, the fees for 
search and duplication apply. The first two hours of search time and the 
first 100 pages of duplication, however, will be provided free.
    (4) Nonproductive search. Fees for search may be charged even if no 
responsive documents are found. Fees for search and review may be 
charged even if the request is denied.
    (5) Aggregated requests. A requester may not file multiple requests 
at the same time, solely in order to avoid payment of fees. If the 
Secretary of the Board reasonably believes that a requester is 
separating a request into a series of requests for the purpose of 
evading the assessment of fees or that several requesters appear to be 
acting together to submit multiple requests solely in order to avoid 
payment of fees, the Secretary of the Board may aggregate such requests 
and charge accordingly. It is considered reasonable for the Secretary of 
the Board to presume that multiple requests by one requester on the same 
topic made within a 30-day period have been made to avoid fees.
    (6) Waiver or reduction of fees. A request for a waiver or reduction 
of the fees, and the justification for the waiver, shall be included 
with the request for records to which it pertains. If a waiver is 
requested and the requester has not indicated in writing an agreement to 
pay the applicable fees if the waiver request is denied, the time for 
response to the request for documents, as set forth in under paragraph 
(d)(4) of this section, shall not begin until a determination has been 
made on the request for a waiver or reduction of fees.
    (i) Standards for determining waiver or reduction. The Secretary of 
the Board may grant a waiver or reduction of fees where it is determined 
both that disclosure of the information is in the public interest 
because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding 
of the operation or activities of the government, and that the 
disclosure of information is not primarily in the commercial interest of 
the requester. In making this determination, the following factors shall 
be considered:
    (A) Whether the subject of the records concerns the operations or 
activities of the government;
    (B) Whether disclosure of the information is likely to contribute 
significantly to public understanding of government operations or 
activities;
    (C) Whether the requester has the intention and ability to 
disseminate the information to the public;
    (D) Whether the information is already in the public domain;
    (E) Whether the requester has a commercial interest that would be 
furthered by the disclosure; and, if so,
    (F) Whether the magnitude of the identified commercial interest of 
the

[[Page 881]]

requester is sufficiently large, in comparison with the public interest 
in disclosure, that disclosure is primarily in the commercial interest 
of the requester.
    (ii) Contents of request for waiver. A request for a waiver or 
reduction of fees shall include a clear statement of how the request 
satisfies the criteria set forth in paragraph (f)(6)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Burden of proof. The burden shall be on the requester to 
present evidence or information in support of a request for a waiver or 
reduction of fees.
    (iv) Determination by Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the 
Board shall make a determination on the request for a waiver or 
reduction of fees and shall notify the requester accordingly. A denial 
may be appealed to the Board in accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (7) Uniform fee schedule.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Service                               Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Manual search.........................  Actual salary rate of
                                             employee involved, plus 16
                                             percent of salary rate.
(ii) Computerized search..................  Actual direct cost,
                                             including operator time.
(iii) Duplication of records:
    (A) Paper copy reproduction...........  $.15 per page
    (B) Other reproduction (e.g., computer  Actual direct cost,
     disk or printout, microfilm,            including operator time.
     microfiche, or microform).
(iv) Review of records (includes            Actual salary rate of
 preparation for release, i.e. excising).    employee conducting review,
                                             plus 16 percent of salary
                                             rate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) Reuest for confidential treatment of business information--(1) 
Submission of request. Any submitter of information to the Board who 
desires confidential treatment of business information pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 552(b)(4) shall file a request for confidential treatment with 
the Board at the time the information is submitted or a reasonable time 
after submission.
    (2) Form of request. Each request for confidential treatment of 
business information shall state in reasonable detail the facts 
supporting the commercial or financial nature of the business 
information and the legal justification under which the business 
information should be protected. Conclusory statements that release of 
the information would cause competitive harm generally will not be 
considered sufficient to justify confidential treatment.
    (3) Designation and separation of confidential material. All 
information considered confidential by a submitter shall be clearly 
designated ``PROPRIETARY'' or ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' in the 
submission and separated from information for which confidential 
treatment is not requested. Failure to segregate confidential commercial 
or financial information from other material may result in release of 
the nonsegregated material to the public without notice to the 
submitter.
    (h) Request for access to confidential commercial or financial 
information--(1) Request for confidential commercial or financial 
information. A request by a submitter for confidential treatment of any 
business information shall be considered in connection with a request 
for access to that information.
    (2) Notice to the submitter. (i) The Secretary of the Board shall 
notify a submitter who requested confidential treatment of information 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), of the request for access.
    (ii) Absent a request for confidential treatment, the Secretary of 
the Board may notify a submitter of a request for access to submitter's 
business information if the Secretary of the Board reasonably believes 
that disclosure of the information may cause substantial competitive 
harm to the submitter.
    (iii) The notice given to the submitter by mail, return receipt 
requested, shall be given as soon as practicable after receipt of the 
request for access, and shall describe the request and provide the 
submitter seven working days from the date of notice, to submit written 
objections to disclosure of the information. Such statement shall 
specify all grounds for withholding any of the information and shall 
demonstrate why the information which is considered to be commercial or 
financial information, and that the information is a trade secret, is 
privileged or confidential, or that its disclosure is likely to cause 
substantial competitive harm to the submitter. If the submitter fails to 
respond to the notice within the time specified, the submitter will be 
considered to have no

[[Page 882]]

objection to the release of the information. Information a submitter 
provides under this paragraph may itself be subject to disclosure under 
the FOIA.
    (3) Exceptions to notice to submitter. Notice to the submitter need 
not be given if:
    (i) The Secretary of the Board determines that the request for 
access should be denied;
    (ii) The requested information lawfully has been made available to 
the public;
    (iii) Disclosure of the information is required by law (other than 5 
U.S.C. 552); or
    (iv) The submitter's claim of confidentiality under 5 U.S.C. 
552(b)(4) appears obviously frivolous or has already been denied by the 
Secretary of the Board, except that in this last instance the Secretary 
of the Board shall give the submitter written notice of the 
determination to disclose the information at least seven working days 
prior to disclosure.
    (4) Notice to requester. At the same time the Secretary of the Board 
notifies the submitter, the Secretary of the Board also shall notify the 
requester that the request is subject to the provisions of this section.
    (5) Determination by Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the 
Board's determination whether or not to disclose any information for 
which confidential treatment has been requested pursuant to this section 
shall be communicated to the submitter and the requester immediately. If 
the Secretary of the Board determines to disclose the business 
information over the objection of a submitter, the Secretary of the 
Board shall give the submitter written notice via mail, return receipt 
requested, or similar means, which shall include:
    (i) A statement of reason(s) why the submitter's objections to 
disclosure were not sustained;
    (ii) A description of the business information to be disclosed; and
    (iii) A statement that the component intends to disclose the 
information seven working days from the date the submitter receives the 
notice.
    (6) Notice of lawsuit. The Secretary of the Board shall promptly 
notify any submitter of information covered by this section of the 
filing of any suit against the Board to compel disclosure of such 
information, and shall promptly notify a requester of any suit filed 
against the Board to enjoin the disclosure of requested documents.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 70293, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.108  Restrictions on lobbying.

    (a) No funds received through a loan guaranteed under this Program 
may be expended by the recipient of a Federal contract, grant, loan, 
loan Guarantee, or cooperative agreement to pay any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any of the following 
covered Federal actions: the awarding of any Federal contract, the 
making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan or loan 
Guarantee, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the 
extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any 
Federal contract, grant, loan, loan Guarantee, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a statement, set forth in the application form, whether 
that person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or 
attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member 
of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or Guarantee.
    (c) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a Standard Form-LLL if that person has made or has 
agreed to make any payment to influence or attempt to influence an 
officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in 
connection with that loan insurance or Guarantee.
    (d) Each person shall file a certification, contained in the 
application

[[Page 883]]

form, and a disclosure form (Standard Form-LLL), if required, with each 
submission that initiates agency consideration of such person for:
    (1) Award of a Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
exceeding $100,000; or
    (2) An award of a Federal loan or a commitment providing for the 
United States to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000.
    (e) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, 
if required, upon receipt by such person of:
    (1) A Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement exceeding 
$100,000; or
    (2) A Federal loan or a commitment providing for the United States 
to insure or Guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000, unless such person 
previously filed a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, 
under paragraph (c) of this section.
    (f) Each person shall file a disclosure form at the end of each 
calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that requires 
disclosure or that materially affects the accuracy of the information 
contained in any disclosure form previously filed by such person under 
paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section. An event that materially affects 
the accuracy of the information reported includes:
    (1) A cumulative increase of $25,000 or more in the amount paid or 
expected to be paid for influencing or attempting to influence a covered 
Federal action; or
    (2) A change in the person(s) or individual(s) influencing or 
attempting to influence a covered Federal action; or
    (3) A change in the officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) contacted 
to influence or attempt to influence a covered Federal action.



Sec.  400.109  Government-wide debarment and suspension (nonprocurement).

    (a) Executive Order (E.O.) 12549 provides that, to the extent 
permitted by law, Executive departments and agencies shall participate 
in a governmentwide system for nonprocurement debarment and suspension. 
A person who is debarred or suspended shall be excluded from Federal 
financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under Federal 
programs and activities. Debarment or suspension of a participant in a 
program by one agency shall have governmentwide effect. The Board shall 
review the List of Debarred entities prior to making final loan 
Guarantee decisions. Suspension or debarment may be a basis for denying 
a loan Guarantee.
    (b) This section applies to all persons who have participated, are 
currently participating or may reasonably be expected to participate in 
transactions under Federal nonprocurement programs. For purposes of this 
section such transactions will be referred to as ``covered 
transactions''.
    (1) Covered transaction. For purposes of this section, a covered 
transaction is a primary covered transaction or a lower tier covered 
transaction. Covered transactions at any tier need not involve the 
transfer of Federal funds.
    (i) Primary covered transaction. Except as noted in paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section, a primary covered transaction is any nonprocurement 
transaction between an agency and a person, regardless of type, 
including: grants, cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, 
contracts of assistance, loans, loan Guarantees, subsidies, insurance, 
payments for specified use, donation agreements and any other 
nonprocurement transactions between a Federal agency and a person.
    (ii) Lower tier covered transaction. A lower tier covered 
transaction is:
    (A) Any transaction between a participant and a person other than a 
procurement contract for goods or services, regardless of type, under a 
primary covered transaction;
    (B) Any procurement contract for goods or services between a 
participant and a person, regardless of type, expected to equal or 
exceed the Federal procurement small purchase threshold fixed at 10 
U.S.C. 2304(g) and 41 U.S.C. 253(g) (currently $100,000) under a primary 
covered transaction;
    (C) Any procurement contract for goods or services between a 
participant and a person under a covered transaction, regardless of 
amount, under which that person will have a critical influence on or 
substantive control over that covered transaction. Such persons may 
include loan officers or

[[Page 884]]

chief executive officers acting as principal investigators and providers 
of federally-required audit services.
    (2) Exceptions. The following transactions are not covered:
    (i) Statutory entitlements or mandatory awards (but not subtier 
awards thereunder which are not themselves mandatory), including 
deposited funds insured by the Federal Government;
    (ii) Direct awards to foreign governments or public international 
organizations, or transactions with foreign governments or foreign 
governmental entities, public international organizations, foreign 
government owned (in whole or in part) or controlled entities, entities 
consisting wholly or partially of foreign governments or foreign 
governmental entities;
    (iii) Benefits to an individual as a personal entitlement without 
regard to the individual's present responsibility (but benefits received 
in an individual's business capacity are not excepted);
    (iv) Federal employment;
    (v) Transactions pursuant to national or agency-recognized 
emergencies or disasters;
    (vi) Incidental benefits derived from ordinary governmental 
operations; and
    (vii) Other transactions where the application of this section would 
be prohibited by law.
    (3) Board covered transactions. This section applies to the Board's 
loan Guarantees, subcontracts and transactions at any tier that are 
charges as direct or indirect costs, regardless of type.
    (c) Primary covered transactions. Except to the extent prohibited by 
law, persons who are debarred or suspended shall be excluded from 
primary covered transactions as either participants or principals 
throughout the Executive Branch of the Federal Government for the period 
of their debarment, suspension, or the period they are proposed for 
debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4. Accordingly, no agency shall 
enter into primary covered transactions with such excluded persons 
during such period, except as permitted pursuant to paragraph (l) of 
this section.
    (d) Lower tier covered transactions. Except to the extent prohibited 
by law, persons who have been proposed for debarment under 48 CFR part 
9, subpart 9.4, debarred or suspended shall be excluded from 
participating as either participants or principals in all lower tier 
covered transactions (see paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section for the 
period of their exclusion.
    (e) Exceptions. Debarment or suspension does not affect a person's 
eligibility for--
    (1) Statutory entitlements or mandatory awards (but not subtier 
awards thereunder which are not themselves mandatory), including 
deposited funds insured by the Federal Government;
    (2) Direct awards to foreign governments or public international 
organizations, or transactions with foreign governments or foreign 
governmental entities, public international organizations, foreign 
government owned (in whole or in part) or controlled entities, and 
entities consisting wholly or partially of foreign governments or 
foreign governmental entities;
    (3) Benefits to an individual as a personal entitlement without 
regard to the individual's present responsibility (but benefits received 
in an individual's business capacity are not excepted);
    (4) Federal employment;
    (5) Transactions pursuant to national or agency-recognized 
emergencies or disasters;
    (6) Incidental benefits derived from ordinary governmental 
operations; and
    (7) Other transactions where the application of this section would 
be prohibited by law.
    (f) Persons who are ineligible are excluded in accordance with the 
applicable statutory, executive order, or regulatory authority.
    (g) Persons who accept voluntary exclusions are excluded in 
accordance with the terms of their settlements. The Board shall, and 
participants may, contact the original action agency to ascertain the 
extent of the exclusion.
    (h) The Board may grant an exception permitting a debarred, 
suspended, or voluntarily excluded person, or a person proposed for 
debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, to participate in a 
particular covered transaction upon a written determination by the 
agency head or an authorized designee stating the reason(s) for 
deviating from the Presidential policy established by

[[Page 885]]

Executive Order 12549. However, in accordance with the President's 
stated intention in the Executive Order, exceptions shall be granted 
only infrequently. Exceptions shall be reported in accordance with the 
Executive Order.
    (i) Notwithstanding the debarment, suspension, proposed debarment 
under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, determination of ineligibility, or 
voluntary exclusion of any person by an agency, agencies and 
participants may continue covered transactions in existence at the time 
the person was debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment under 48 CFR 
part 9, subpart 9.4, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded. A 
decision as to the type of termination action, if any, to be taken 
should be made only after thorough review to ensure the propriety of the 
proposed action.
    (j) Agencies and participants shall not renew or extend covered 
transactions (other than no-cost time extensions) with any person who is 
debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 
9.4, ineligible or voluntary excluded, except as provided in paragraph 
(h) of this section.
    (k) Except as permitted under paragraphs (h) or (i) of this section, 
a participant shall not knowingly do business under a covered 
transaction with a person who is--
    (1) Debarred or suspended;
    (2) Proposed for debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4; or
    (3) Ineligible for or voluntarily excluded from the covered 
transaction.
    (l) Violation of the restriction under paragraph (k) of this section 
may result in disallowance of costs, annulment or termination of award, 
issuance of a stop work order, debarment or suspension, or other 
remedies as appropriate.
    (m) A participant may rely upon the certification of a prospective 
participant in a lower tier covered transaction that it and its 
principals are not debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment under 48 
CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from the 
covered transaction, unless it knows that the certification is 
erroneous. An agency has the burden of proof that a participant did 
knowingly do business with a person that filed an erroneous 
certification.



Sec.  400.110  Amendments.

    The Board's rules in this chapter may be adopted or amended, or new 
rules may be adopted, only by majority vote of the Board.

[65 FR 70293, Nov. 22, 2000]



                     Subpart C_Steel Guarantee Loans



Sec.  400.200  Eligible Borrower.

    (a) An eligible Borrower must be a Qualified Steel Company that can 
demonstrate:
    (1) Credit is not otherwise available to it under reasonable terms 
or conditions sufficient to meet its financing needs, as reflected in 
the financial and business plans of the company;
    (2) The prospective earning power of that company, together with the 
character and value of the security pledged, furnish reasonable 
assurance of repayment of the loan to be guaranteed in accordance with 
its terms;
    (3) The company has agreed to permit audits by the General 
Accounting Office and an independent auditor acceptable to the Board 
prior to the issuance of the guarantee and while any such guaranteed 
loan is outstanding;
    (4) It has experienced layoffs, production losses, or financial 
losses between January 1, 1998, and the date of application for the 
Guarantee, demonstrated as a comparison between employment, production, 
or net income existing on January 1, 1998 and on the date of 
application; and
    (5) In the case of a purchaser of substantial assets of a Qualified 
Steel Company; the Qualified Steel Company is unable to re-organize 
itself.
    (b) For purposes of this section, a company will be considered a 
purchaser of substantial assets of a Qualified Steel Company if the 
company's identifiable assets purchased from a Qualified Steel Company 
are 50 percent or more of the consolidated assets of that Qualified 
Steel Company and its subsidiaries.
    (c) The Lender must provide with its application a letter from at 
least one

[[Page 886]]

lending institution other than the Lender to which the Borrower has 
applied for financial assistance dated within six months of submission 
of the application, indicating that the Borrower was denied for 
substantially the same loan it is now applying for, and the reasons the 
Borrower was unable to obtain the financing for which it applied. In 
addition, the Lender applying for a guarantee under this Program must 
certify that it would not make the loan without the Board's guarantee.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 70293, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.201  Eligible Lender.

    (a) A lender eligible to apply to the Board for a Guarantee of a 
loan must be:
    (1) A banking institution, such as a commercial bank or trust 
company, subject to regulation by the Federal banking agencies 
enumerated in 12 U.S.C. 1813; or
    (2) An investment institution, such as an investment bank, 
commercial finance company, or insurance company, that is currently 
engaged in commercial lending in the normal course of its business.
    (b)(1) If more than one banking or investment institution is 
applying to the Board for a Guarantee of a single loan, each one of the 
banking or investment institutions on the application must meet the 
requirements to be an eligible lender set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (2) An application for a Guarantee of a single loan submitted by a 
group of banking or investment institutions, as described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, must identify one of the banking or investment 
institutions applying for such loan to act as agent for all. This agent 
is responsible for administering the loan and shall have those duties 
and responsibilities required of an agent, as set forth in the 
Guarantee.
    (3) Each Lender, irrespective of any indemnities or other agreements 
between the Lenders and the Agent, shall be bound by all actions, and/or 
failures to act, of the Agent. The Board shall be entitled to rely upon 
such actions and/or failures to act of the Agent as binding the Lenders.
    (c) Status as a Lender under paragraph (a) of this section does not 
assure that the Board will issue the Guarantee sought, or otherwise 
preclude the Board from declining to issue a Guarantee. In addition to 
evaluating an application pursuant to Sec.  400.207, in making a 
determination to issue a Guarantee to a Lender, the Board will assess:
    (1) The Agent Lender's level of regulatory capital, in the case of 
banking institutions, or net worth, in the case of investment 
institutions;
    (2) Whether the Agent Lender possesses the ability to administer the 
loan, as required by Sec.  400.211(b), including its experience with 
loans to steel companies;
    (3) The scope, volume and duration of the Agent Lender's activity in 
administering loans;
    (4) The performance of the Agent Lender's loan portfolio, including 
its current delinquency rate;
    (5) The Agent Lender's loss rate as a percentage of loan amounts for 
its current fiscal year; and
    (6) Any other matter the Board deems material to its assessment of 
the Agent Lender.
    (d) A proposed loan for the purpose, in whole or in part, of 
refinancing existing credit provided by the Agent will not be approved 
unless the Board is satisfied that the Agent retains at least a 
substantially equivalent level of risk as a result of the refinancing.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 24104, Apr. 25, 2000; 
66 FR 53079, Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.202  Loan amount.

    (a) The aggregate amount of loan principal guaranteed under this 
Program to a single Qualified Steel Company may not exceed $ 250 
million.
    (b) Of the aggregate amount of loans authorized to be guaranteed and 
outstanding at any one time, not more than $30 million shall be loans to 
iron ore companies.



Sec.  400.203  Guarantee percentage.

    A guarantee issued by the Board may not exceed 85 percent of the 
amount of the principal of a loan to a Qualified Steel Company. Subject 
to the provisions of this part, one or more third

[[Page 887]]

parties, public or private, may guarantee repayment of part of the 
Unguaranteed Portion of a loan guaranteed by the Board.

[66 FR 53080, Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.204  Loan terms.

    (a) All loans guaranteed under the Program shall be due and payable 
in full no later than December 31, 2005.
    (b) Loans guaranteed under the Program must bear a rate of interest 
determined by the Board to be reasonable. The reasonableness of an 
interest rate will be determined with respect to current average yields 
on outstanding obligations of the United States with remaining periods 
of maturity comparable to the term of the loan sought to be guaranteed. 
The Board may reject an application to guarantee a loan if it determines 
the interest rate of such loan to be unreasonable.
    (c)(1) The performance of all of the Borrower's obligations under 
the Loan Documents shall be secured by, and shall have the priority in, 
such Security as provided for within the terms and conditions of the 
Guarantee.
    (2) Without limiting the Lender's or Borrower's obligations under 
paragraph (c) of this section, at a minimum, the loan shall be secured 
by:
    (i) A fully perfected and enforceable security interest and/or lien, 
with first priority over conflicting security interests or other liens 
in all property acquired, improved or derived from the loan funds;
    (ii) A fully perfected and enforceable security interest and/or lien 
in any other property of the Borrower's pledged to secure the loan, 
including accessions, replacements, proceeds, or property given by a 
third party as Security for the loan.
    (3) The entire loan will be secured by the same Security with equal 
lien priority for the Guaranteed Portion and the Unguaranteed Portion of 
the loan. The Unguaranteed Portion of the loan will neither be paid 
first nor given any preference over the Guaranteed Portion. A 
Supplemental Guarantor shall not have a security interest, direct or 
indirect, in any asset of the Borrower or any affiliate thereof other 
than the Security.
    (4) An Applicant's compliance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section 
does not assure a finding of reasonable assurance of repayment, or 
assure the Board's Guarantee of the loan.
    (d) An eligible Lender may assess and collect from the Borrower such 
other fees and costs associated with the application and origination of 
the loan as are reasonable and customary, taking into consideration the 
amount and complexity of the credit. The Board may take such other fees 
and costs into consideration when determining whether to offer a 
Guarantee to the Lender.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 72020, Dec. 23, 1999; 
65 FR 70293, Nov. 22, 2000; 66 FR 53080, Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.205  Application process.

    (a) Application process. An original application and three copies 
must be received by the Board no later than 5 p.m. EST, August 31, 2001 
in the Board's offices at 1099--14th Street, NW, Suite 2600 East, 
Washington, DC 20005. Applications which have been provided to a 
delivery service with ``delivery guaranteed'' before 5 p.m. on August 
31, 2001 will be accepted for review if the Applicant can document that 
the application was provided to the delivery service with delivery to 
the address listed in this section guaranteed prior to the closing date 
and time. A postmark is not sufficient to meet this deadline as the 
application must be received by the required date and time. Applications 
will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or electronic 
mail.
    (b) Applications shall contain the following:
    (1) A completed Form ``Application for Steel Guarantee Loan'';
    (2) The information required for the completion of Form 
``Environmental Assessment and Compliance Findings for Related 
Environmental Laws'' and attachments, as required by Sec.  
400.206(a)(2)(i)(D);
    (3) All Loan Documents that will be signed by the Lender and the 
Borrower, if the application is approved, including all terms and 
conditions of, and Security or additional Security to assure the 
Borrower's performance under, the loan;

[[Page 888]]

    (4) Certification by the chairman of the board and the chief 
executive officer of the Borrower acknowledging that the Borrower is 
aware that the Lender is applying to the Board for a Guarantee of a loan 
under the Program, as described in the Loan Documents; and agreeing to 
permit audits by the General Accounting Office, its designee, and an 
independent auditor acceptable to the Board prior to the issuance of the 
Guarantee and annually thereafter while such guarantee is outstanding;
    (5) The Lender's full written underwriting analysis of the loan to 
be guaranteed by the Board;
    (6) A certification by the Lender that the Lender meets each of the 
requirements of the Program as set forth in the Act and the Board's 
rules in this part;
    (7) A description of all Security for the loan, including, as 
applicable, current appraisal of real and personal property, copies of 
any appropriate environmental site assessments, and current personal and 
corporate financial statements of any guarantors for the same period as 
required for the Borrower. Appraisals of real property shall be prepared 
by State licensed or certified appraisers, and be consistent with the 
``Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice,'' promulgated by 
the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation. Financial 
statements of guarantors shall be prepared by independent Certified 
Public Accountants;
    (8) Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the 
previous three years that have been audited by an independent certified 
public accountant, including any associated notes, as well as any 
interim financial statements and associated notes for the current fiscal 
year;
    (9) A five year history and five year projection for revenue, cash 
flow, average realized prices and average realized production costs. If 
the loan funds are to be used to purchase substantial assets of an 
existing firm, a pro forma balance sheet at startup, and five years 
projected year end balance sheets and income statement at start-up;
    (10) Documentation that credit is not otherwise available to the 
borrower under reasonable terms or conditions sufficient to meet its 
financial needs, as reflected in the financial or business plan of that 
company. The Lender must provide with its application those items 
required by Sec.  400.200(c);
    (11) Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the Lender is 
eligible under Sec.  400.201(a) and to allow the Board to make a 
determination to issue a Guarantee to such Lender as set forth in Sec.  
400.201(c); and
    (12) A description of any Supplemental Guarantee(s) that will apply 
to the Unguaranteed Portion of the loan.
    (c) No Guarantee will be made if either the Borrower or Lender has 
an outstanding, delinquent Federal debt until:
    (1) The delinquent account has been paid in full;
    (2) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment has been received; or
    (3) Other arrangements, satisfactory to the agency responsible for 
collecting the debt, are made.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 72021, Dec. 23, 1999; 
65 FR 24104, Apr. 25, 2000; 65 FR 70293, Nov. 22, 2000; 66 FR 53080, 
Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.206  Environmental requirements.

    (a)(1) In general. Environmental assessments of the Board's actions 
will be conducted in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, 
and Executive Orders. Therefore, each application for a Guarantee under 
the Program must be accompanied by information necessary for the Board 
to meet the requirements of applicable law.
    (2) Actions requiring compliance with NEPA. (i) The types of actions 
classified as ``major Federal actions'' subject to NEPA procedures are 
discussed generally in 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508.
    (ii) With respect to this Program, these actions typically include:
    (A) Any project, permanent or temporary, that will involve 
construction and/or installations;
    (B) Any project, permanent or temporary, that will involve ground 
disturbing activities; and
    (C) Any project supporting renovation, other than interior 
remodeling.

[[Page 889]]

    (3) Environmental information required from the Lender. (i) 
Environmental data or documentation concerning the use of the proceeds 
of any loan guaranteed under this Program must be provided by the Lender 
to the Board to assist the Board in meeting its legal responsibilities. 
The Lender may obtain this information from the Borrower. (ii) Such 
information includes:
    (A) Documentation for an environmental threshold review from 
qualified data sources, such as a Federal, State or local agency with 
expertise and experience in environmental protection, or other sources, 
qualified to provide reliable environmental information;
    (B) Any previously prepared environmental reports or data relevant 
to the loan at issue;
    (C) Any environmental review prepared by Federal, State, or local 
agencies relevant to the loan at issue;
    (D) The information required for the completion of Form XYZ, 
``Environmental Assessment and Compliance Findings for Related 
Environmental Laws;'' and
    (E) Any other information that can be used by the Board to ensure 
compliance with environmental laws.
    (ii) All information supplied by the Lender is subject to 
verification by the Board.
    (b) The regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality 
implementing NEPA require the Board to provide public notice of the 
availability of project specific environmental documents such as 
environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, findings of 
no significant impact, records of decision etc., to the affected public. 
See 40 CFR 1506.6(b). Environmental information concerning specific 
projects can be obtained from the Board by contacting: Executive 
Director, Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
    (c) National Environmental Policy Act--(1) Purpose. The purpose of 
this paragraph (c) is to adopt procedures for compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., by the Board. 
This paragraph supplements regulations at 40 CFR Chapter V.
    (2) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions apply: Categorical exclusion means a category of actions 
which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on 
the human environment and for which neither an environmental assessment 
nor an environmental impact statement is required.
    Environmental assessment means a document that briefly discusses the 
environmental consequences of a proposed action and alternatives 
prepared for the purposes set forth in 40 CFR 1508.9.
    EIS means an environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to 
section 102(2)(C) of NEPA.
    FONSI means a finding of no significant impact on the quality of the 
human environment after the completion of an environmental assessment.
    NEPA means the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et 
seq.
    Working capital loan means money used by an ongoing business concern 
to fund its existing operations.
    (3) Delegations to Executive Director. (i) All incoming 
correspondence from Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and other 
agencies concerning matters related to NEPA, including draft and final 
EIS, shall be brought to the attention of the Executive Director. The 
Executive Director will prepare or, at his or her discretion, coordinate 
replies to such correspondence.
    (ii) With respect to actions of the Board, the Executive Director 
will:
    (A) Ensure preparation of all necessary environmental assessments 
and EISs;
    (B) Maintain a list of actions for which environmental assessments 
are being prepared;
    (C) Revise this list at regular intervals, and send the revisions to 
the Environmental Protection Agency;
    (D) Make the list available for public inspection;
    (E) Maintain a list of EISs; and
    (F) Maintain a file of draft and final EISs.
    (4) Categorical exclusions. (1) This paragraph describes various 
classes of Board actions that normally do not have a significant impact 
on the

[[Page 890]]

human environment and are categorically excluded. The word ``normally'' 
is stressed; there may be individual cases in which specific factors 
require contrary action.
    (ii) Subject to the limitations in paragraph (c)(4)(iii) of this 
section, the actions described in this paragraph have been determined 
not to have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment. They are categorically excluded from the need to prepare an 
environmental assessment or an EIS under NEPA.
    (A) Guarantees of working capital loans; and
    (B) Guarantees of loans for the refinancing of outstanding 
indebtedness of the Borrower, regardless of the purpose for which the 
original indebtedness was incurred.
    (iii) Actions listed in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section that 
otherwise are categorically excluded from NEPA review are not 
necessarily excluded from review if they would be located within, or in 
other cases, potentially affect:
    (A) A floodplain;
    (B) A wetland;
    (C) Important farmlands, or prime forestlands or rangelands;
    (D) A listed species or critical habitat for an endangered species;
    (E) A property that is listed on or may be eligible for listing on 
the National Register of Historic Places;
    (F) An area within an approved State Coastal Zone Management 
Program;
    (G) A coastal barrier or a portion of a barrier within the Coastal 
Barrier Resources System;
    (H) A river or portion of a river included in, or designated for, 
potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
    (I) A sole source aquifer recharge area;
    (J) A State water quality standard (including designated and/or 
existing beneficial uses and anti-degradation requirements); or
    (K) The release or disposal of regulated substances above the levels 
set forth in a permit or license issued by an appropriate regulatory 
authority.
    (5) Responsibilities and procedures for preparation of an 
environmental assessment. (i) the Executive Director will request that 
the Lender and Borrower provide information concerning all potentially 
significant environmental impacts of the Borrower's proposed project 
pursuant to 13 CFR 400.206. The Executive Director, consulting at his 
discretion with CEQ, will review the information provided by the Lender 
and Borrower. Though no specific format for an environmental assessment 
is prescribed, it shall be a separate document, suitable for public 
review and should include the following in conformance with 40 CFR 
1508.9:
    (A) Description of the environment. The existing environmental 
conditions relevant to the Board's analysis determining the 
environmental impacts of the proposed project, should be described. The 
no action alternative also should be discussed;
    (B) Documentation. Citations to information used to describe the 
existing environment and to assess environmental impacts should be 
clearly referenced and documented. These sources should include, as 
appropriate, but not be limited to, local, tribal, regional, State, and 
Federal agencies, as well as, public and private organizations and 
institutions;
    (C) Evaluating environmental consequences of proposed actions. A 
brief discussion should be included of the need for the proposal, of 
alternatives as required by 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(E) and their environmental 
impacts. The discussion of the environmental impacts should include 
measures to mitigate adverse impacts and any irreversible or 
irretrievable commitments of resources to the proposed project.
    (ii) The Executive Director, in preparing an environmental 
assessment, may:
    (A) Tier upon the information contained in a previous EIS, as 
described in 40 CFR 1502.20;
    (B) Incorporate by reference reasonably available material, as 
described in 40 CFR 1502.21; and/or
    (C) Adopt a previously completed EIS reasonably related to the 
project for which the proceeds of the loan sought to be guaranteed under 
the Program will be used, as described in 40 CFR 1506.3.
    (iii) Because of the statute's admonition to the Board to make its 
decisions

[[Page 891]]

as soon as possible after receiving applications, the Board will not:
    (A) Publish notice of intent to prepare an environmental assessment, 
as describe in 40 CFR 1501.7;
    (B) Conduct scoping, as described in 40 CFR 1501.7; and
    (C) Seek comments on the environmental assessment, as described in 
40 CFR 1503.1.
    (iv) If, on the basis of an environmental assessment, it is 
determined that an EIS is not required, a FONSI, as described in 40 CFR 
1508.13 will be prepared. The FONSI will include the environmental 
assessment or a summary of it and be available to the public from the 
Board. The Executive Director shall maintain a record of these 
decisions, making them available to interested parties upon request. 
Requests should be directed to the Executive Director, Emergency Steel 
Guarantee Loan Program, 1099--14th Street, NW, Suite 2600 East, 
Washington, DC 20005. Prior to a final loan guarantee decision, a copy 
of the NEPA documentation shall be sent to the Board for consideration.
    (6) Responsibilities and procedures for preparation of an 
environmental impact statement. (i) If after an environmental assessment 
has been completed, it is determined that an EIS is necessary, it and 
other related documentation will be prepared by the Executive Director 
in accordance with section 102(2)(c) of NEPA, this section, and 40 CFR 
parts 1500 through 1508. The Executive Director may seek additional 
information from the applicant in preparing the EIS. Once the document 
is prepared, it shall be submitted to the Board. If the Board considers 
a document unsatisfactory, it shall be returned to the Executive 
Director for revision or supplementation prior to a loan guarantee 
decision; otherwise the Board will transmit the document to the 
Environmental Protection Agency.
    (ii)(A) The following procedures, as discussed in 40 CFR parts 1500 
through 1508, will be followed in preparing an EIS:
    (1) The format and contents of the draft and final EIS shall be as 
discussed in 40 CFR 1502.
    (2) The requirements of 40 CFR 1506.9 for filing of documents with 
the Environmental Protection Agency shall be followed.
    (3) The Executive Director, consulting at his discretion with CEQ, 
shall examine carefully the basis on which supportive studies have been 
conducted to assure that such studies are objective and comprehensive in 
scope and in depth.
    (4) NEPA requires that the decision making ``utilize a systematic, 
interdisciplinary approach that will ensure the integrated use of the 
natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts.'' 42 
U.S.C. 4332(A). If such disciplines are not present on the Board staff, 
appropriate use should be made of personnel of Federal, State, and local 
agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, or private industry.
    (B) Until the Board issues a record of decision as provided in 40 
CFR 1502.2 no action concerning the proposal shall be taken which would:
    (1) Have an adverse environmental impact; or
    (2) Limit the choice of reasonable alternatives.
    (3) 40 CFR 1506.10 places certain limitations on the timing of Board 
decisions on taking ``major Federal actions.'' A loan guarantee shall 
not be made before the times set forth in 40 CFR 1506.10.
    (iii) A public record of decision stating what the decision was; 
identifying alternatives that were considered, including the 
environmentally preferable one(s); discussing any national 
considerations that entered into the decision; and summarizing a 
monitoring and enforcement program if applicable for mitigating the 
environmental effects of a proposal; will be prepared. This record of 
decision will be prepared at the time the decision is made.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 72021, Dec. 23, 1999; 
65 FR 70294, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.207  Application evaluation.

    (a) Eligibility screening. Applications will be reviewed to 
determine whether the Lender and Borrower are eligible, the information 
required under Sec.  400.205(b) is complete, and the proposed loan 
complies with applicable statutes and regulations. The Board

[[Page 892]]

can at any time reject an application that does not meet these 
requirements.
    (b) Evaluation criteria. Applications that are determined to be 
eligible pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to a 
substantive review by the Board based upon the following evaluation 
factors, in order of importance:
    (1) The ability of the Borrower to repay the loan by the date 
specified in the Loan Document, which shall be no later than December 
31, 2005. Evaluation of this factor will consider the prospective 
earning power of the Borrower. An essential and necessary element of the 
Board's evaluation of whether this criterion is satisfied is whether the 
applicant has committed to undertake significant efforts to eliminate or 
reduce economically unviable capacity;
    (2) The adequacy of the proposed provisions to protect the 
Government, including sufficiency of Security, the priority of the lien 
position in the Security, and the percentage of Guarantee requested; and
    (3) Adequacy of the underwriting analysis performed by the Lender in 
preparing the application and the ability of the Lender to administer 
the loan in full compliance with the requisite standard of care set 
forth in Sec.  400.211(b).
    (c) Decisions by the Board. Upon completion of the evaluation of an 
application and as soon as possible after its receipt, the Board will 
approve or deny an eligible application that is timely received under 
this Program. The Board shall notify the Applicants and the Borrower in 
writing of the approval or denial of an application as soon as possible. 
Approvals for loan Guarantees shall be conditioned upon compliance with 
Sec.  400.208.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 70294, Nov. 22, 2000; 
66 FR 53080, Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.208  Issuance of the Guarantee.

    (a) The Board's decisions to approve any application for, and extend 
an offer of, guarantee under Sec.  400.207 is conditioned upon:
    (1) The Lender and Borrower obtaining any required regulatory or 
judicial approvals;
    (2) The Lender and Borrower being legally authorized to enter into 
the loan under the terms and conditions submitted to the Board in the 
application;
    (3) The Board's receipt of the Loan Documents and any related 
instruments, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, and the 
Guarantee, all properly executed by the Lender, Borrower, and any other 
required party other than the Board; and
    (4) No material adverse change in the Borrower's ability to repay 
the loan between the date of the Board's approval and the date the 
Guarantee is to be issued.
    (b) The Board may withdraw its approval of an application and 
rescind its offer of Guarantee if the Board determines that the Lender 
or the Borrower cannot, or is unwilling to, provide adequate 
documentation and proof of compliance with paragraph (a) of this section 
within the time provided for in the offer.
    (c) Only after receipt of all the documentation, required by this 
section, will the Board sign and deliver the Guarantee.
    (d) A Borrower receiving a loan guaranteed by the Board under this 
Program shall pay a one-time guarantee fee of 0.5 percent of the amount 
of the principal of the loan. This fee must be paid no later than one 
year from the issuance of the Guarantee.

[64 FR 57933, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 70294, Nov. 22, 2000; 
66 FR 53080, Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.209  Funding for the Program.

    The Act provides funding for the costs incurred by the Government as 
a result of granting Guarantees under the Program. While pursuing the 
goals of the Act, it is the intent of the Board to minimize the cost of 
the Program to the Government. The Board will estimate the risk posed by 
the guaranteed loans to the funds appropriated for the costs of the 
Guarantees under the Program and operate the Program accordingly.



Sec.  400.210  Assignment or transfer of loans.

    (a) Neither the Loan Documents nor the Guarantee of the Board may be 
modified, in whole or in part, without

[[Page 893]]

the prior written approval of the Board.
    (b) Upon notice to the Board and a certification by the assignor 
that the assignee is an Eligible Lender, and subject to the provisions 
of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section and other provisions of this 
part, a Lender may assign or transfer its interest in the loan including 
the Loan documents and the Guarantee to a party that qualifies as an 
Eligible Lender pursuant to Sec.  400.201. Any other assignment or 
transfer will require the prior written approval of the Board.
    (c) The provisions of paragraph (b) of this section shall not apply 
to transfers which occur by operation of law.
    (d) The Agent must hold and may not assign or transfer an interest 
in a loan guaranteed under the Program equal to at least the lesser of 
$25 million or fifteen percent of the aggregate amount of the loan. In 
addition, the Agent must hold and may not assign or transfer an interest 
the Unguaranteed Portion of the loan equal to at least the minimum 
amount of the loan required to be held by the Agent under the preceding 
sentence multiplied by the percentage of the loan represented by the 
Unguaranteed Portion. A non-Agent Lender must hold and may not assign or 
transfer an interest in the Unguaranteed Portion of the loan 
representing no less than five percent of such Lender's total interest 
in the loan; provided, that a non-Agent Lender may transfer its interest 
in the Unguaranteed Portion after payment of the Guaranteed Portion has 
been made under the Guarantee.

[66 FR 53080, Oct. 19, 2001]



Sec.  400.211  Lender responsibilities.

    The Lender shall have such obligations and duties to the Board as 
are set forth in the Guarantee.

[65 FR 70294, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.212  Guarantee.

    The Board shall adopt a form of Guarantee to be used by the Board 
under the Program, and shall publish the Guarantee on its website. 
Modifications to the provisions of the form of Guarantee must be 
approved and adopted by the Board.

[65 FR 70294, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.213  Termination of obligations.

    The Board shall have such rights to terminate the Guarantee as are 
set forth in the Guarantee.

[65 FR 70294, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.214  Participations in guaranteed loans.

    (a) Subject to paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section, a Lender 
may distribute the risk of a portion of a loan guaranteed under the 
Program by sale of participations therein if:
    (1) Neither the loan note nor the Guarantee is assigned, conveyed, 
sold, or transferred in whole or in part;
    (2) The Lender remains solely responsible for the administration of 
the loan; and
    (3) The Board's ability to assert any and all defenses available to 
it under the Guarantee and the law is not adversely affected.
    (b) The following categories of entities may purchase participations 
in loans guaranteed under the Program:
    (1) Eligible Lenders;
    (2) Private investment funds and insurance companies that do not 
usually invest in commercial loans;
    (3) Steel company suppliers or customers, who are interested in 
participating as a means of commencing or solidifying the supplier or 
customer relationship with the borrower; or
    (4) Any other entity approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis.
    (c) The Agent may not grant participations in that portion of its 
interest in a loan that may not be assigned or transferred under Sec.  
400.210(d). A Lender, other than the Agent, may not grant participations 
in that portion of its interest in a loan that may not be assigned or 
transferred under Sec.  400.210(d).
    (d) At least 5 percent of any participation interest in a loan must 
be unguaranteed.

[65 FR 70294, Nov. 22, 2000]



Sec.  400.215  Supplemental Guarantees.

    The Board will allow the structure of a guaranteed loan to include 
one or more Supplemental Guarantees that

[[Page 894]]

cover the Unguaranteed Portion of the loan; provided that:
    (a) There shall be no Supplemental Guarantee with respect to the 
Unguaranteed Portion required to be held by the Agent pursuant to Sec.  
400.210(c);
    (b) The Loan Documents relating to any Supplemental Guarantee shall 
be acceptable in form and substance to the Board; and
    (c) In approving the issuance of a Guarantee, the Board may impose 
any conditions with respect to Supplemental Guarantee(s) relating to the 
loan that it considers appropriate.

[66 FR 53080, Oct. 19, 2001]

                        PARTS 401	499 [RESERVED]

[[Page 895]]



         CHAPTER V--EMERGENCY OIL AND GAS GUARANTEED LOAN BOARD




  --------------------------------------------------------------------
Part                                                                Page
500             Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan 
                    Program.................................         897
501-599

[Reserved]

[[Page 897]]



PART 500_EMERGENCY OIL AND GAS GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM--Table of Contents



                            Subpart A_General

Sec.
500.1 Purpose.
500.2 Definitions.

                       Subpart B_Board Procedures

500.100 Purpose and scope.
500.101 Composition of the Board.
500.102 Authority of the Board.
500.103 Offices.
500.104 Meetings and actions of the Board.
500.105 Staff.
500.106 Ex parte communications.
500.107 Freedom of Information Act.
500.108 Restrictions on lobbying.
500.109 Government-wide debarment and suspension (nonprocurement).
500.110 Amendments.

                 Subpart C_Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loans

500.200 Eligible Borrower.
500.201 Eligible Lender.
500.202 Loan amount.
500.203 Guarantee percentage.
500.204 Loan terms.
500.205 Application process.
500.206 Environmental requirements.
500.207 Application evaluation.
500.208 Issuance of the Guarantee.
500.209 Funding for the Program.
500.210 Assignment or transfer of loans.
500.211 Lender responsibilities.
500.212 Liquidation.
500.213 Termination of obligations.
500.214 OMB control number. [Reserved]

    Authority: Pub. L. 106-51, 113 Stat. 255 (15 U.S.C. 1841 note).

    Source: 64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, unless otherwise noted.



                            Subpart A_General



Sec.  500.1  Purpose.

    This part is issued by the Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan 
Board pursuant to section 552 of title 5 of the United States Code and 
the Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Act, Chapter 2 of Public Law 
106-51. This part contains rules for making and servicing loans to 
qualified oil and gas guaranteed by the Board.



Sec.  500.2  Definitions.

    (a) Act means the Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Program Act, 
Chapter 2 of Public Law 106-51.
    (b) Administer, administering and administration, mean the Lender's 
actions in making, disbursing, servicing (including, but not limited to 
care, preservation and maintenance of collateral), collecting and 
liquidating a loan and security.
    (c) Agent means that Lender authorized to take such actions, 
exercise such powers, and perform such duties on behalf and in 
representation of all Lenders party to a Guarantee of a single loan, as 
is required by, or necessarily incidental to, the terms and conditions 
of the Guarantee.
    (d) Applicant means the private banking or investment institution 
applying for a loan guarantee under this part.
    (e) Board means the Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board.
    (f) Borrower means a Qualified Oil and Gas Company which could 
receive a loan guaranteed by the Board under this Program.
    (g) Guarantee means the written agreement between the Board and one 
or more Lenders, and approved by the Borrower, pursuant to which the 
Board guarantees repayment of a specified percentage of the principal of 
the loan, including the Special Terms and Conditions, the General Terms 
and Conditions, and all exhibits thereto.
    (h) Lender means a private banking or investment institution, 
eligible under Sec.  500.201, that is a party to a Guarantee issued by 
the Board. With respect to a Guarantee of a single loan to which more 
than one Lender is a party, the term Lender means Agent.
    (i) Loan Documents mean the loan agreement and all other 
instruments, and all documentation between the Lender and the Borrower 
evidencing the making, disbursing, securing, collecting, or otherwise 
administering of the loan.
    (j) Program means the Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Program 
established by the Act.
    (k) Security means all property, real or personal, required by the 
provisions

[[Page 898]]

of the Guarantee or by the Loan Documents to secure repayment of any 
indebtedness of the Borrower under the Loan Documents or Guarantee.
    (l) Qualified Oil and Gas Company means any company that: (A) is (i) 
an independent oil and gas company (within the meaning of section 
57(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or; (ii) a small 
business concern under section 3 of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 
632, (or a company based in Alaska, including an Alaska Native 
Corporation created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 
43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) that is an oil field service company whose main 
business is providing tools, products, personnel, and technical 
solutions on a contractual basis to exploration and production operators 
that drill, complete wells, and produce, transport, refine, and sell 
hydrocarbons and their byproducts as the main commercial business of the 
concern or company; and (B) has experienced layoffs, production losses, 
or financial losses since January 1997.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 24106, Apr. 25, 2000]



                       Subpart B_Board Procedures



Sec.  500.100  Purpose and scope.

    This subpart describes the Board's authorities and organizational 
structure, the means and rules by which the Board takes actions, and 
procedures for public access to Board records.



Sec.  500.101  Composition of the Board.

    The Board consists of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the 
Federal Reserve System, who acts as Chairman of the Board, the Chairman 
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Secretary of 
Commerce.



Sec.  500.102  Authority of the Board.

    Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the Board is authorized to 
guarantee loans provided to Qualified Oil and Gas companies by private 
banking and investment institutions in accordance with the procedures, 
rules, and regulations established by the Board, to make the 
determinations authorized by the Act, and to take such other actions as 
necessary to carry out its functions in accordance with the Act.



Sec.  500.103  Offices.

    The principal offices of the Board are in the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230.



Sec.  500.104  Meetings and actions of the Board.

    (a) Place and frequency. The Board meets, on the call of the 
Chairman, in order to consider matters requiring action by the Board. 
Time and place for any such meeting shall be determined by the members 
of the Board.
    (b) Quorum and voting. Two voting members of the Board constitute a 
quorum for the transaction of business. All decisions and determinations 
of the Board shall be made by a majority vote of the voting members. All 
votes on determinations of the Board required by the Act shall be 
recorded in the minutes. A Board member may request that any vote be 
recorded according to individual Board members.
    (c) Agenda of meetings. To the extent practicable, an agenda for 
each meeting shall be distributed to members of the Board at least two 
days in advance of the date of the meeting, together with copies of 
materials relevant to the agenda items.
    (d) Minutes. The Secretary of the Board shall keep minutes of each 
Board meeting and of action taken without a meeting, a draft of which is 
to be distributed to each member of the Board as soon as practicable 
after each meeting or action. To the extent practicable, the minutes of 
a Board meeting shall be corrected and approved at the next meeting of 
the Board.
    (e) Use of conference call communications equipment. Any member may 
participate in a meeting of the Board through the use of conference 
call, telephone or similar communications equipment, by means of which 
all persons participating in the meeting can simultaneously speak to and 
hear each other. Any member so participating in a meeting shall be 
deemed present for all purposes. Actions taken by the Board at meetings 
conducted through the use of such equipment, including

[[Page 899]]

the votes of each member, shall be recorded in the usual manner in the 
minutes of the meetings of the Board.
    (f) Actions between meetings. When, in the judgment of the Chairman, 
circumstances occur making it desirable for the Board to consider action 
when it is not feasible to call a meeting, the relevant information and 
recommendations for action may be transmitted to the members by the 
Secretary of the Board and the voting members may communicate their 
votes to the Chairman in writing (including an action signed in 
counterpart by each Board member), electronically, or orally (including 
telephone communication). Any action taken under this paragraph has the 
same effect as an action taken at a meeting. Any such action shall be 
recorded in the minutes.
    (g) Delegations of authority. The Board may delegate authority, 
subject to such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate, to 
the Executive Director, the General Counsel, or the Secretary of the 
Board, to take certain actions not required by the Act to be taken by 
the Board. All delegations shall be made pursuant to resolutions of the 
Board and recorded in writing, whether in the minutes of a meeting or 
otherwise. Any action taken pursuant to delegated authority has the 
effect of an action taken by the Board.



Sec.  500.105  Staff.

    (a) Executive Director. The Executive Director of the Board advises 
and assists the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the 
Act, provides general direction with respect to the administration of 
the Board's actions, directs the activities of the staff, and performs 
such other duties as the Board may require.
    (b) General Counsel. The General Counsel of the Board provides legal 
advice relating to the responsibilities of the Board and performs such 
other duties as the Board may require.
    (c) Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the Board sends notice 
of all meetings, prepares minutes of all meetings, maintains a complete 
record of all votes and actions taken by the Board, has custody of all 
records of the Board and performs such other duties as the Board may 
require.



Sec.  500.106  Ex parte communications.

    Oral or written communication, not on the public record, between the 
Board, or any member of the Board, and any party or parties interested 
in any matter pending before the Board concerning the substance of that 
matter is prohibited. This section also applies to the Board's staff and 
employees of the constituent agencies who are or reasonably may be 
expected to be involved in the decisional process of the matter pending 
before the Board.



Sec.  500.107  Freedom of Information Act.

    (a) Definitions. All terms used in this section which are defined in 
5 U.S.C. 551 or 5 U.S.C. 552 shall have the same meaning in this 
section. In addition the following definitions apply to this section:
    (1) FOIA, as used in this section, means the ``Freedom of 
Information Act,'' as amended, 5 U.S.C. 552.
    (2) Commercial use request means a request from or on behalf of one 
who seeks information for a use or purpose that furthers the commercial, 
trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose 
behalf the request is made.
    (3) Direct costs mean those expenditures that the Board actually 
incurs in searching for, reviewing, and duplicating documents in 
response to a request made under paragraph (c) of this section. Direct 
costs include, for example, the labor costs of the employee performing 
the work (the basic rate of pay for the employee, plus 16 percent of 
that rate to cover benefits). Not included in direct costs are overhead 
expenses such as the costs of space and heating or lighting of the 
facility in which the records are kept.
    (4) Duplication means the process of making a copy of a document in 
response to a request for disclosure of records or for inspection of 
original records that contain exempt material or that otherwise cannot 
be inspected directly. Among others, such copies may take the form of 
paper, microfilm, audiovisual materials, or machine-readable 
documentation (e.g., magnetic tape or disk).

[[Page 900]]

    (5) Educational institution means a preschool, a public or private 
elementary or secondary school, or an institution of undergraduate 
higher education, graduate higher education, professional education, or 
an institution of vocational education that operates a program of 
scholarly research.
    (6) Noncommercial scientific institution refers to an institution 
that is not operated on a ``commercial'' basis (as that term is used in 
this section) and which is operated solely for the purpose of conducting 
scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote 
any particular product or industry.
    (7) News means information about current events or that would be of 
current interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include, 
but are not limited to, television or radio stations broadcasting to the 
public at large, and publishers of newspapers and other periodicals (but 
only in those instances when they can qualify as disseminators of 
``news'') who make their products available for purchase or subscription 
by the general public. ``Freelance'' journalists may be regarded as 
working for a news organization if they can demonstrate a solid basis 
for expecting publication through that organization, even though not 
actually employed by it.
    (8) Representative of the news media means any person actively 
gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish 
or broadcast news to the general public.
    (9) Review means the process of examining documents, located in 
response to a request for access, to determine whether any portion of a 
document is exempt information. It includes doing all that is necessary 
to excise the documents and otherwise to prepare them for release. 
Review does not include time spent resolving general legal or policy 
issues regarding the application of exemptions.
    (10) Search means the process of looking for material that is 
responsive to a request, including page-by-page or line-by-line 
identification within documents. Searches may be done manually or by 
computer.
    (b) Records available for public inspection and copying--(1) Types 
of records made available. The information in this section is furnished 
for the guidance of the public and in compliance with the requirements 
of the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552) (FOIA). 
This section sets forth the procedures the Board follows to make 
publicly available the materials specified in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2). These 
materials shall be made available for inspection and copying at the 
Board's Freedom of Information Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2). 
Information routinely provided to the public as part of a regular Board 
activity (for example, press releases) may be provided to the public 
without following this section.
    (2) Reading room procedures. Information available under this 
section is available for inspection and copying, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 
p.m. weekdays, at the Freedom of Information Office of the Board, Oil 
and Gas Guarantee Loan Board, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, 
D.C. 20230.
    (3) Electronic records. Information available under this section 
that was created on or after November 1, 1996, shall also be available 
on the Board's website, found at www.doc.gov.
    (c) Records available to the public on request--(1) Types of records 
made available. All records of the Board that are not available under 
paragraph (b) of this section shall be made available upon request, 
pursuant to the procedures in this section and the exceptions set forth 
in the FOIA. The Board's policy is to make discretionary disclosures of 
records or information exempt from disclosure under the FOIA whenever 
disclosure would not foreseeably harm an interest protected by a FOIA 
exemption, but this policy does not create any right enforceable in 
court.
    (2) Procedures for requesting records. A request for records shall 
reasonably describe the records in a way that enables the Board's staff 
to identify and produce the records with reasonable effort and without 
unduly burdening or significantly interfering with any of the Board's 
operations. The request shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary 
of the Board, Oil and Gas Guarantee Loan Board, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; or sent by facsimile to the Secretary 
of the Board. The request shall

[[Page 901]]

be clearly marked FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST.
    (3) Contents of request. The request shall contain the following 
information:
    (i) The name and address of the requester, and the telephone number 
at which the requester can be reached during normal business hours;
    (ii) Whether the requested information is intended for commercial 
use, or whether the requester represents an educational or noncommercial 
scientific institution, or news media;
    (iii) A statement agreeing to pay the applicable fees, or a 
statement identifying any fee limitation desired, or a request for a 
waiver or reduction of fees that satisfies paragraph (f) of this 
section.
    (d) Processing requests--(1) Priority of responses. The date of 
receipt for any request, including one that is addressed incorrectly or 
that is referred to the Board by another agency, is the date the 
Secretary of the Board actually receives the request. The Secretary of 
the Board shall normally process requests in the order they are 
received. However, in the Secretary of the Board's discretion, the Board 
may use two or more processing tracks by distinguishing between simple 
and more complex requests based on the number of pages involved, or some 
other measure of the amount of work and/or time needed to process the 
request, and whether the request qualifies for expedited processing as 
described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. When using multitrack 
processing, the Secretary of the Board may provide requesters in the 
slower track(s) with an opportunity to limit the scope of their requests 
in order to qualify for faster processing. The Secretary of the Board 
shall contact the requester by telephone or by letter, whichever is most 
efficient in each case.
    (2) Expedited processing. (i) A person may request expedited access 
to records by submitting a statement, certified to be true and correct 
to the best of that person's knowledge and belief, that demonstrates a 
compelling need for the records, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(v).
    (ii) The Secretary of the Board shall notify a requester of the 
determination whether to grant or deny a request for expedited 
processing within ten working days of receipt of the request. If the 
Secretary of the Board grants the request for expedited processing, the 
Board shall process the request for access to information as soon as 
practicable. If the Secretary of the Board denies a request for 
expedited processing, the requester may file an appeal pursuant to the 
procedures set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, and the Board 
shall respond to the appeal within twenty days after the appeal was 
received by the Board.
    (3) Time limits. The time for response to requests shall be 20 
working days, except:
    (i) In the case of expedited treatment under paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section;
    (ii) Where the running of such time is suspended for payment of fees 
pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section;
    (iii) Where the estimated charge is less than $250, and the 
requester does not guarantee payment pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(i) of 
this section; or
    (iv) In unusual circumstances, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 
552(a)(6)(B)(iii), the time limit may be extended for a period of time 
not to exceed 10 working days as provided by written notice to the 
requester, setting forth the reasons for the extension and the date on 
which a determination is expected to be dispatched; or such alternative 
time period as mutually agreed to by the Secretary of the Board and the 
requester when the Secretary of the Board notifies the requester that 
the request cannot be processed in the specified time limit.
    (4) Response to request. In response to a request that satisfies 
paragraph (c) of this paragraph, an appropriate search shall be 
conducted of records in the custody and control of the Board on the date 
of receipt of the request, and a review made of any responsive 
information located. The Secretary of the Board shall notify the 
requester of:
    (i) The Secretary of the Board's determination of the request and 
the reasons therefor;
    (ii) The information withheld, and the basis for withholding; and
    (iii) The right to appeal any denial or partial denial, pursuant to 
paragraph (e) of this section.

[[Page 902]]

    (5) Referral to another agency. To the extent a request covers 
documents that were created by, obtained from, classified by, or is in 
the primary interest of another agency, the Secretary of the Board may 
refer the request to that agency for a direct response by that agency 
and inform the requester promptly of the referral. The Secretary of the 
Board shall consult with another Federal agency before responding to a 
requester if the Board receives a request for a record in which:
    (i) Another Federal agency subject to the FOIA has a significant 
interest, but not the primary interest; or
    (ii) Another Federal agency not subject to the FOIA has the primary 
interest or a significant interest. Ordinarily, the agency that 
originated a record will be presumed to have the primary interest in it.
    (6) Providing responsive records. (i) A copy of records or portions 
of records responsive to the request shall be sent to the requester by 
regular U.S. mail to the address indicated in the request, unless the 
requester elects to take delivery of the documents at the Board's 
Freedom of Information Office or makes other acceptable arrangements, or 
the Secretary of the Board deems it appropriate to send the documents by 
another means. The Secretary of the Board shall provide a copy of the 
record in any form or format requested if the record is readily 
reproducible in that form or format, but the Secretary of the Board need 
not provide more than one copy of any record to a requester.
    (ii) The Secretary of the Board shall provide any reasonably 
segregable portion of a record that is responsive to the request after 
deleting those portions that are exempt under the FOIA or this section.
    (iii) Except where disclosure is expressly prohibited by statute, 
regulation, or order, the Secretary of the Board may authorize the 
release of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure whenever 
the Board or designated Board members determine that there would be no 
foreseeable harm in such disclosure.
    (iv) The Board is not required in response to the request to create 
records or otherwise to prepare new records.
    (7) Prohibition against disclosure. Except as provided in this part, 
no officer, employee, or agent of the Board shall disclose or permit the 
disclosure of any unpublished information of the Board to any person 
(other than Board officers, employees, or agents properly entitled to 
such information for the performance of official duties), unless 
required by law.
    (e) Appeals. (1) Any person denied access to Board records requested 
under paragraph (c) of this section, denied expedited processing under 
paragraph (d) of this section, or denied a waiver of fees under 
paragraph (f) of this section may file a written appeal within 30 
calendar days after the date of such denial with the Board. The written 
appeal shall prominently display the phrase FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 
APPEAL on the first page, and shall be addressed to the General Counsel 
of the Board, Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; or sent by facsimile to the General 
Counsel of the Board. The appeal shall include a copy of the original 
request, the initial denial, if any, and a statement of the reasons why 
the requested records should be made available and why the initial 
denial was in error.
    (2) The General Counsel of the Board shall make a determination 
regarding any appeal within 20 working days of actual receipt of the 
appeal, and the determination letter shall notify the appealing party of 
the right to seek judicial review in event of denial.
    (f) Fee schedules; waiver of fees--(1) Fee schedule. The fees 
applicable to a request for records pursuant to paragraph (c) of this 
section are set forth in the uniform fee schedule at the end of this 
paragraph (b).
    (i) Search. (A) Search fees shall be charged for all requests--other 
than requests made by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific 
institutions, or representatives of the news media--subject to the 
limitations of paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this section. The Secretary of 
the Board shall charge for time spent searching even if no responsive 
record is located or if the Secretary of the Board withholds the 
record(s) located as entirely exempt from disclosure. Search fees shall 
be

[[Page 903]]

the direct costs of conducting the search by the involved employees.
    (B) For computer searches of records, requesters will be charged the 
direct costs of conducting the search, although certain requesters (as 
provided in paragraph (f)(3) of this section) will be charged no search 
fee and certain other requesters (as provided in paragraph (f)(3)) are 
entitled to the cost equivalent of two hours of manual search time 
without charge. These direct costs include the costs, attributable to 
the search, of operating a central processing unit and operator/
programmer salary.
    (ii) Duplication. Duplication fees will be charged to all 
requesters, subject to the limitations of paragraph (f)(1)(iv) of this 
section. For a paper photocopy of a record (no more than one copy of 
which need be supplied), the fee shall be 15 cents per page. For copies 
produced by computer, such as tapes or printouts, the Secretary of the 
Board shall charge the direct costs, including operator time, of 
producing the copy. For other forms of duplication, the Secretary of the 
Board will charge the direct costs of that duplication.
    (iii) Review. Review fees shall be charged to requesters who make a 
commercial use request. Review fees shall be charged only for the 
initial record review--the review done when the Secretary of the Board 
determines whether an exemption applies to a particular record at the 
initial request level. No charge will be made for review at the 
administrative appeal level for an exemption already applied. However, 
records withheld under an exemption that is subsequently determined not 
to apply may be reviewed again to determine whether any other exemption 
not previously considered applies, and the costs of that review are 
chargeable. Review fees shall be the direct costs of conducting the 
review by the involved employees.
    (iv) Limitations on charging fees. (A) No search fee will be charged 
for requests by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific 
institutions, or representatives of the news media.
    (B) No search fee or review fee will be charged for a quarter-hour 
period unless more than half of that period is required for search or 
review.
    (C) Whenever a total fee calculated under this paragraph is $25 or 
less for any request, no fee will be charged.
    (D) For requesters other than those seeking records for a commercial 
use, no fee will be charged unless the cost of search in excess of two 
hours plus the cost of duplication in excess of 100 pages totals more 
than $25.
    (2) Payment procedures. All persons requesting records pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section shall pay the applicable fees before the 
Secretary of the Board sends copies of the requested records, unless a 
fee waiver has been granted pursuant to paragraph (f)(6) of this 
section. Requesters must pay fees by check or money order made payable 
to the Treasury of the United States.
    (i) Advance notification of fees. If the estimated charges are 
likely to exceed $25, the Secretary of the Board shall notify the 
requester of the estimated amount, unless the requester has indicated a 
willingness to pay fees as high as those anticipated. Upon receipt of 
such notice, the requester may confer with the Secretary of the Board to 
reformulate the request to lower the costs. The processing of the 
request shall be suspended until the requester provides the Secretary of 
the Board with a written guarantee that payment will be made upon 
completion of the processing.
    (ii) Advance payment. The Secretary of the Board shall require 
advance payment of any fee estimated to exceed $250. The Secretary of 
the Board shall also require full payment in advance where a requester 
has previously failed to pay a fee in a timely fashion. If an advance 
payment of an estimated fee exceeds the actual total fee by $1 or more, 
the difference shall be refunded to the requester. The time period for 
responding to requests under paragraph (d)(4) of this section, and the 
processing of the request shall be suspended until the Secretary of the 
Board receives the required payment.
    (iii) Late charges. The Secretary of the Board may assess interest 
charges when fee payment is not made within 30 days of the date on which 
the billing was sent. Assessment of such interest will commence on the 
31st day following the day on which the billing

[[Page 904]]

was sent. Interest is at the rate prescribed in 31 U.S.C. 3717.
    (3) Categories of uses. The fees assessed depend upon the fee 
category. In determining which category is appropriate, the Secretary of 
the Board shall look to the identity of the requester and the intended 
use set forth in the request for records. Where a requester's 
description of the use is insufficient to make a determination, the 
Secretary of the Board may seek additional clarification before 
categorizing the request.
    (i) Commercial use requester. The fees for search, duplication, and 
review apply when records are requested for commercial use.
    (ii) Educational, non-commercial scientific institutions, or 
representatives of the news media requesters. The fees for duplication 
apply when records are not sought for commercial use, and the requester 
is a representative of the news media or an educational or noncommercial 
scientific institution, whose purpose is scholarly or scientific 
research. The first 100 pages of duplication, however, will be provided 
free.
    (iii) All other requesters. For all other requests, the fees for 
search and duplication apply. The first two hours of search time and the 
first 100 pages of duplication, however, will be provided free.
    (4) Nonproductive search. Fees for search may be charged even if no 
responsive documents are found. Fees for search and review may be 
charged even if the request is denied.
    (5) Aggregated requests. A requester may not file multiple requests 
at the same time, solely in order to avoid payment of fees. If the 
Secretary of the Board reasonably believes that a requester is 
separating a request into a series of requests for the purpose of 
evading the assessment of fees or that several requesters appear to be 
acting together to submit multiple requests solely in order to avoid 
payment of fees, the Secretary of the Board may aggregate such requests 
and charge accordingly. It is considered reasonable for the Secretary of 
the Board to presume that multiple requests by one requester on the same 
topic made within a 30-day period have been made to avoid fees.
    (6) Waiver or reduction of fees. A request for a waiver or reduction 
of the fees, and the justification for the waiver, shall be included 
with the request for records to which it pertains. If a waiver is 
requested and the requester has not indicated in writing an agreement to 
pay the applicable fees if the waiver request is denied, the time for 
response to the request for documents, as set forth in paragraph (4)(d) 
of this section, shall not begin until a determination has been made on 
the request for a waiver or reduction of fees.
    (i) Standards for determining waiver or reduction. The Secretary of 
the Board may grant a waiver or reduction of fees where it is determined 
both that disclosure of the information is in the public interest 
because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding 
of the operation or activities of the government, and that the 
disclosure of information is not primarily in the commercial interest of 
the requester. In making this determination, the following factors shall 
be considered:
    (A) Whether the subject of the records concerns the operations or 
activities of the government;
    (B) Whether disclosure of the information is likely to contribute 
significantly to public understanding of government operations or 
activities;
    (C) Whether the requester has the intention and ability to 
disseminate the information to the public;
    (D) Whether the information is already in the public domain;
    (E) Whether the requester has a commercial interest that would be 
furthered by the disclosure; and, if so,
    (F) Whether the magnitude of the identified commercial interest of 
the requester is sufficiently large, in comparison with the public 
interest in disclosure, that disclosure is primarily in the commercial 
interest of the requester.
    (ii) Contents of request for waiver. A request for a waiver or 
reduction of fees shall include a clear statement of how the request 
satisfies the criteria set forth in paragraph (f)(6)(i) of this section.
    (iii) Burden of proof. The burden shall be on the requester to 
present evidence

[[Page 905]]

or information in support of a request for a waiver or reduction of 
fees.
    (iv) Determination by Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the 
Board shall make a determination on the request for a waiver or 
reduction of fees and shall notify the requester accordingly. A denial 
may be appealed to the Board in accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (7) Uniform fee schedule.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Service                               Rate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Manual search.........................  Actual salary rate of
                                             employee involved, plus 16
                                             percent of salary rate.
(ii) Computerized search..................  Actual direct cost,
                                             including operator time.
(iii) Duplication of records:
(A) Paper copy reproduction...............  $.15 per page.
(B) Other reproduction (e.g., computer      Actual direct cost,
 disk or printout, microfilm, microfiche,    including operator time.
 or microform).
(iv) Review of records (includes            Actual salary rate of
 preparation for release, i.e. excising).    employee conducting review,
                                             plus 16 percent of salary
                                             rate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) Request for confidential treatment of business information--(1) 
Submission of request. Any submitter of information to the Board who 
desires confidential treatment of business information pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 552(b)(4) shall file a request for confidential treatment with 
the Board at the time the information is submitted or a reasonable time 
after submission.
    (2) Form of request. Each request for confidential treatment of 
business information shall state in reasonable detail the facts 
supporting the commercial or financial nature of the business 
information and the legal justification under which the business 
information should be protected. Conclusory statements that release of 
the information would cause competitive harm generally will not be 
considered sufficient to justify confidential treatment.
    (3) Designation and separation of confidential material. All 
information considered confidential by a submitter shall be clearly 
designated ``PROPRIETARY'' or ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' in the 
submission and separated from information for which confidential 
treatment is not requested. Failure to segregate confidential commercial 
or financial information from other material may result in release of 
the nonsegregated material to the public without notice to the 
submitter.
    (h) Request for access to confidential commercial or financial 
information--(1) Request for confidential commercial or financial 
information. A request by a submitter for confidential treatment of any 
business information shall be considered in connection with a request 
for access to that information.
    (2) Notice to the submitter. (i) The Secretary of the Board shall 
notify a submitter who requested confidential treatment of information 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), of the request for access.
    (ii) Absent a request for confidential treatment, the Secretary of 
the Board may notify a submitter of a request for access to submitter's 
business information if the Secretary of the Board reasonably believes 
that disclosure of the information may cause substantial competitive 
harm to the submitter.
    (iii) The notice given to the submitter by mail, return receipt 
requested, shall be given as soon as practicable after receipt of the 
request for access, and shall describe the request and provide the 
submitter seven working days from the date of notice, to submit written 
objections to disclosure of the information. Such statement shall 
specify all grounds for withholding any of the information and shall 
demonstrate why the information which is considered to be commercial or 
financial information, and that the information is a trade secret, is 
privileged or confidential, or that its disclosure is likely to cause 
substantial competitive harm to the submitter. If the submitter fails to 
respond to the notice within the time specified, the submitter will be 
considered to have no objection to the release of the information. 
Information a submitter provides under this paragraph may itself be 
subject to disclosure under the FOIA.
    (3) Exceptions to notice to submitter. Notice to the submitter need 
not be given if:
    (i) The Secretary of the Board determines that the request for 
access should be denied;
    (ii) The requested information lawfully has been made available to 
the public;

[[Page 906]]

    (iii) Disclosure of the information is required by law (other than 5 
U.S.C. 552); or
    (iv) The submitter's claim of confidentiality under 5 U.S.C. 
552(b)(4) appears obviously frivolous or has already been denied by the 
Secretary of the Board, except that in this last instance the Secretary 
of the Board shall give the submitter written notice of the 
determination to disclose the information at least seven working days 
prior to disclosure.
    (4) Notice to requester. At the same time the Secretary of the Board 
notifies the submitter, the Secretary of the Board also shall notify the 
requester that the request is subject to the provisions of this section.
    (5) Determination by Secretary of the Board. The Secretary of the 
Board's determination whether or not to disclose any information for 
which confidential treatment has been requested pursuant to this section 
shall be communicated to the submitter and the requester immediately. If 
the Secretary of the Board determines to disclose the business 
information over the objection of a submitter, the Secretary of the 
Board shall give the submitter written notice via mail, return receipt 
requested, or similar means, which shall include:
    (i) A statement of reason(s) why the submitter's objections to 
disclosure were not sustained;
    (ii) A description of the business information to be disclosed; and
    (iii) A statement that the component intends to disclose the 
information seven working days from the date the submitter receives the 
notice.
    (6) Notice of lawsuit. The Secretary of the Board shall promptly 
notify any submitter of information covered by this section of the 
filing of any suit against the Board to compel disclosure of such 
information, and shall promptly notify a requester of any suit filed 
against the Board to enjoin the disclosure of requested documents.



Sec.  500.108  Restrictions on lobbying.

    (a) No funds received through a loan guaranteed under this Program 
may be expended by the recipient of a Federal contract, grant, loan, 
loan Guarantee, or cooperative agreement to pay any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an 
employee of a Member of Congress in connection with any of the following 
covered Federal actions: the awarding of any Federal contract, the 
making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan or loan 
Guarantee, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the 
extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any 
Federal contract, grant, loan, loan Guarantee, or cooperative agreement.
    (b) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a statement, set forth in the application form, whether 
that person has made or has agreed to make any payment to influence or 
attempt to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member 
of Congress in connection with that loan insurance or Guarantee.
    (c) Each person who requests or receives from an agency a commitment 
providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan shall file 
with that agency a Standard Form-LLL if that person has made or has 
agreed to make any payment to influence or attempt to influence an 
officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or 
employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in 
connection with that loan insurance or Guarantee.
    (d) Each person shall file a certification, contained in the 
application form, and a disclosure form (Standard Form-LLL), if 
required, with each submission that initiates agency consideration of 
such person for:
    (1) Award of a Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement 
exceeding $100,000; or
    (2) An award of a Federal loan or a commitment providing for the 
United States to insure or guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000.
    (e) Each person shall file a certification, and a disclosure form, 
if required, upon receipt by such person of:

[[Page 907]]

    (1) A Federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement exceeding 
$100,000; or
    (2) A Federal loan or a commitment providing for the United States 
to insure or Guarantee a loan exceeding $150,000, unless such person 
previously filed a certification, and a disclosure form, if required, 
under paragraph (c) of this section.
    (f) Each person shall file a disclosure form at the end of each 
calendar quarter in which there occurs any event that requires 
disclosure or that materially affects the accuracy of the information 
contained in any disclosure form previously filed by such person under 
paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section. An event that materially affects 
the accuracy of the information reported includes:
    (1) A cumulative increase of $25,000 or more in the amount paid or 
expected to be paid for influencing or attempting to influence a covered 
Federal action; or
    (2) A change in the person(s) or individual(s) influencing or 
attempting to influence a covered Federal action; or
    (3) A change in the officer(s), employee(s), or Member(s) contacted 
to influence or attempt to influence a covered Federal action.



Sec.  500.109  Government-wide debarment and suspension (nonprocurement).

    (a) Executive Order (E.O.) 12549 provides that, to the extent 
permitted by law, Executive departments and agencies shall participate 
in a governmentwide system for nonprocurement debarment and suspension. 
A person who is debarred or suspended shall be excluded from Federal 
financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under Federal 
programs and activities. Debarment or suspension of a participant in a 
program by one agency shall have governmentwide effect. The Board shall 
review the List of Debarred entities prior to making final loan 
Guarantee decisions. Suspension or debarment may be a basis for denying 
a loan Guarantee.
    (b) This section applies to all persons who have participated, are 
currently participating or may reasonably be expected to participate in 
transactions under Federal nonprocurement programs. For purposes of this 
section such transactions will be referred to as ``covered 
transactions''.
    (1) Covered transaction. For purposes of this section, a covered 
transaction is a primary covered transaction or a lower tier covered 
transaction. Covered transactions at any tier need not involve the 
transfer of Federal funds.
    (i) Primary covered transaction. Except as noted in paragraph (b)(2) 
of this section, a primary covered transaction is any nonprocurement 
transaction between an agency and a person, regardless of type, 
including: grants, cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, 
contracts of assistance, loans, loan Guarantees, subsidies, insurance, 
payments for specified use, donation agreements and any other 
nonprocurement transactions between a Federal agency and a person.
    (ii) Lower tier covered transaction. A lower tier covered 
transaction is:
    (A) Any transaction between a participant and a person other than a 
procurement contract for goods or services, regardless of type, under a 
primary covered transaction;
    (B) Any procurement contract for goods or services between a 
participant and a person, regardless of type, expected to equal or 
exceed the Federal procurement small purchase threshold fixed at 10 
U.S.C. 2304(g) and 41 U.S.C. 253(g) (currently $100,000) under a primary 
covered transaction;
    (C) Any procurement contract for goods or services between a 
participant and a person under a covered transaction, regardless of 
amount, under which that person will have a critical influence on or 
substantive control over that covered transaction. Such persons may 
include loan officers or chief executive officers acting as principal 
investigators and providers of federally-required audit services.
    (2) Exceptions. The following transactions are not covered:
    (i) Statutory entitlements or mandatory awards (but not subtier 
awards thereunder which are not themselves mandatory), including 
deposited funds insured by the Federal Government;

[[Page 908]]

    (ii) Direct awards to foreign governments or public international 
organizations, or transactions with foreign governments or foreign 
governmental entities, public international organizations, foreign 
government owned (in whole or in part) or controlled entities, entities 
consisting wholly or partially of foreign governments or foreign 
governmental entities;
    (iii) Benefits to an individual as a personal entitlement without 
regard to the individual's present responsibility (but benefits received 
in an individual's business capacity are not excepted);
    (iv) Federal employment;
    (v) Transactions pursuant to national or agency-recognized 
emergencies or disasters;
    (vi) Incidental benefits derived from ordinary governmental 
operations; and
    (vii) Other transactions where the application of this section would 
be prohibited by law.
    (3) Board covered transactions. This section applies to the Board's 
loan Guarantees, subcontracts and transactions at any tier that are 
charges as direct or indirect costs, regardless of type.
    (c) Primary covered transactions. Except to the extent prohibited by 
law, persons who are debarred or suspended shall be excluded from 
primary covered transactions as either participants or principals 
throughout the Executive Branch of the Federal Government for the period 
of their debarment, suspension, or the period they are proposed for 
debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4. Accordingly, no agency shall 
enter into primary covered transactions with such excluded persons 
during such period, except as permitted pursuant to paragraph (l) of 
this section.
    (d) Lower tier covered transactions. Except to the extent prohibited 
by law, persons who have been proposed for debarment under 48 CFR part 
9, subpart 9.4, debarred or suspended shall be excluded from 
participating as either participants or principals in all lower tier 
covered transactions (see paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section) for the 
period of their exclusion.
    (e) Exceptions. Debarment or suspension does not affect a person's 
eligibility for--
    (1) Statutory entitlements or mandatory awards (but not subtier 
awards thereunder which are not themselves mandatory), including 
deposited funds insured by the Federal Government;
    (2) Direct awards to foreign governments or public international 
organizations, or transactions with foreign governments or foreign 
governmental entities, public international organizations, foreign 
government owned (in whole or in part) or controlled entities, and 
entities consisting wholly or partially of foreign governments or 
foreign governmental entities;
    (3) Benefits to an individual as a personal entitlement without 
regard to the individual's present responsibility (but benefits received 
in an individual's business capacity are not excepted);
    (4) Federal employment;
    (5) Transactions pursuant to national or agency-recognized 
emergencies or disasters;
    (6) Incidental benefits derived from ordinary governmental 
operations; and
    (7) Other transactions where the application of this section would 
be prohibited by law.
    (f) Persons who are ineligible are excluded in accordance with the 
applicable statutory, executive order, or regulatory authority.
    (g) Persons who accept voluntary exclusions are excluded in 
accordance with the terms of their settlements. The Board shall, and 
participants may, contact the original action agency to ascertain the 
extent of the exclusion.
    (h) The Board may grant an exception permitting a debarred, 
suspended, or voluntarily excluded person, or a person proposed for 
debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, to participate in a 
particular covered transaction upon a written determination by the 
agency head or an authorized designee stating the reason(s) for 
deviating from the Presidential policy established by Executive Order 
12549. However, in accordance with the President's stated intention in 
the Executive Order, exceptions shall be granted only infrequently. 
Exceptions shall be reported in accordance with the Executive Order.
    (i) Notwithstanding the debarment, suspension, proposed debarment 
under

[[Page 909]]

48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, determination of ineligibility, or voluntary 
exclusion of any person by an agency, agencies and participants may 
continue covered transactions in existence at the time the person was 
debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 
9.4, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded. A decision as to the 
type of termination action, if any, to be taken should be made only 
after thorough review to ensure the propriety of the proposed action.
    (j) Agencies and participants shall not renew or extend covered 
transactions (other than no-cost time extensions) with any person who is 
debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 
9.4, ineligible or voluntary excluded, except as provided in paragraph 
(h) of this section.
    (k) Except as permitted paragraphs (h) or (i) of this section, a 
participant shall not knowingly do business under a covered transaction 
with a person who is--
    (1) Debarred or suspended;
    (2) Proposed for debarment under 48 CFR part 9, subpart 9.4; or
    (3) Ineligible for or voluntarily excluded from the covered 
transaction.
    (l) Violation of the restriction under paragraph (k) of this section 
may result in disallowance of costs, annulment or termination of award, 
issuance of a stop work order, debarment or suspension, or other 
remedies as appropriate.
    (m) A participant may rely upon the certification of a prospective 
participant in a lower tier covered transaction that it and its 
principals are not debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment under 48 
CFR part 9, subpart 9.4, ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from the 
covered transaction, unless it knows that the certification is 
erroneous. An agency has the burden of proof that a participant did 
knowingly do business with a person that filed an erroneous 
certification.



Sec.  500.110  Amendments.

    The Board's rules in this chapter may be adopted or amended, or new 
rules may be adopted, only by majority vote of the Board. Authority to 
adopt or amend these rules may not be delegated.



                 Subpart C_Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loans



Sec.  500.200  Eligible Borrower.

    (a) An eligible Borrower must be a Qualified Oil and Gas Company 
that can demonstrate:
    (1) Credit is not otherwise available to it under reasonable terms 
or conditions sufficient to meet its financing needs, as reflected in 
the financial and business plans of the company;
    (2) The prospective earning power of that company, together with the 
character and value of the security pledged, furnish reasonable 
assurance of repayment of the loan to be guaranteed in accordance with 
its terms;
    (3) The company has agreed to permit audits by the General 
Accounting Office and an independent auditor acceptable to the Board 
prior to the issuance of the guarantee and while any such guaranteed 
loan is outstanding; and
    (4) It has experienced layoffs, production losses, or financial 
losses between January 1, 1997, and the date of application for the 
Guarantee, demonstrated as a comparison between employment, production, 
or net income existing on January 1, 1997 and on the date of 
application.
    (b) The Lender must provide with its application a letter from at 
least one lending institution other than the Lender to which the 
Borrower has applied for financial assistance, since January 1, 1997, 
indicating that the Borrower was denied for substantially the same loan 
they are now applying for, and the reasons the Borrower was unable to 
obtain the financing for which it applied. In addition, the Lender 
applying for a guarantee under this Program must certify that it would 
not make the loan without the Board's guarantee.



Sec.  500.201  Eligible Lender.

    (a) A lender eligible to apply to the Board for a Guarantee of a 
loan must be:
    (1) A banking institution, such as a commercial bank or trust 
company, subject to regulation by the Federal

[[Page 910]]

banking agencies enumerated in 12 U.S.C. Sec.  1813; or
    (2) An investment institution, such as an investment bank, 
commercial finance company, or insurance company, that is currently 
engaged in commercial lending in the normal course of its business.
    (b)(1) If more than one banking or investment institution is 
applying to the Board for a Guarantee of a single loan, each one of the 
banking or investment institutions on the application must meet the 
requirements to be an eligible lender set forth in paragraph (a) of this 
section.
    (2) An application for a Guarantee of a single loan submitted by a 
group of banking or investment institutions, as described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, must identify one of the banking or investment 
institutions applying for such loan to act as agent for all. This agent 
is responsible for administering the loan and shall have those duties 
and responsibilities required of an agent, as set forth in the 
Guarantee.
    (3) Each Lender, irrespective of any indemnities or other agreements 
between the Lenders and the Agent, shall be bound by all actions, and/or 
failures to act, of the Agent. The Board shall be entitled to rely upon 
such actions and/or failures to act of the Agent as binding the Lenders.
    (c) Status as a Lender under paragraph (a) of this section does not 
assure that the Board will issue the Guarantee sought, or otherwise 
preclude the Board from declining to issue a Guarantee. In addition to 
evaluating an application pursuant to Sec.  500.207, in making a 
determination to issue a Guarantee to a Lender, the Board will assess:
    (1) The Lender's level of regulatory capital, in the case of banking 
institutions, or net worth, in the case of investment institutions;
    (2) Whether the Lender possesses the ability to administer the loan, 
as required by Sec.  500.211(b), including its experience with loans to 
oil and gas companies;
    (3) The scope, volume and duration of the Lender's activity in 
administering loans;
    (4) The performance of the Lender's loan portfolio, including its 
current delinquency rate;
    (5) The Lender's loss rate as a percentage of loan amounts for its 
current fiscal year; and
    (6) Any other matter the Board deems material to its assessment of 
the Lender.
    (d) In the case of the refinancing of an existing credit, the 
applicant must be a different lender than the holder of the existing 
credit.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 24107, Apr. 25, 2000]



Sec.  500.202  Loan amount.

    The aggregate amount of loan principal guaranteed under this Program 
to a single Qualified Oil and Gas Company may not exceed $10 million.



Sec.  500.203  Guarantee percentage.

    A guarantee issued by the Board may not exceed 85 percent of the 
amount of the principal of a loan to a Qualified Oil and Gas Company.



Sec.  500.204  Loan terms.

    (a) All loans guaranteed under the Program shall be due and payable 
in full no later than December 31, 2010.
    (b) Loans guaranteed under the Program must bear a rate of interest 
determined by the Board to be reasonable. The reasonableness of an 
interest rate will be determined with respect to current average yields 
on outstanding obligations of the United States with remaining periods 
of maturity comparable to the term of the loan sought to be guaranteed. 
The Board may reject an application to guarantee a loan if it determines 
the interest rate of such loan to be unreasonable.
    (c)(1) The performance of all of the Borrower's obligations under 
the Loan Documents shall be secured by, and shall have the priority in, 
such Security as provided for within the terms and conditions of the 
Guarantee.
    (2) Without limiting the Lender's or Borrower's obligations under 
paragraph (c) of this section, at a minimum, the loan shall be secured 
by:
    (i) A fully perfected and enforceable security interest and or lien, 
with first

[[Page 911]]

priority over conflicting security interests or other liens in all 
property acquired, improved, or derived from the loan funds; and
    (ii) A fully perfected and enforceable security interest and or lien 
in any other property of the Borrower's pledged to secure the loan, 
including accessions, replacements, proceeds, or property given by a 
third party as Security for the loan, the priority of which shall be, at 
a minimum, equal in status with the existing highest voluntarily granted 
or acquired interest or lien;
    (3) The entire loan will be secured by the same Security with equal 
lien priority for the guaranteed and the unguaranteed portions of the 
loan. The unguaranteed portion of the loan will neither be paid first 
nor given any preference over the guaranteed portion.
    (4) An Applicant's compliance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section 
does not assure a finding of reasonable assurance of repayment, or 
assure the Board's Guarantee of the loan.
    (d) An eligible Lender may assess and collect from the Borrower such 
other fees and costs associated with the application and origination of 
the loan as are reasonable and customary, taking into consideration the 
amount and complexity of the credit. The Board may take such other fees 
and costs into consideration when determining whether to offer a 
Guarantee to the Lender.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 72024, Dec. 23, 1999]



Sec.  500.205  Application process.

    (a) Application process. An original application and three copies 
must be received by the Board no later than 5 P.M. EST, February 28, 
2000, in the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
room H-2500, Washington, DC 20230. Applications which have been provided 
to a delivery service on or before February 27, 2000, with ``delivery 
guaranteed'' before 5 P.M. on February 28, 2000, will be acceptabled for 
review if the Applicant can document that the application was provided 
to the delivery service with delivery to the address listed in this 
section guaranteed prior to the closing date and time. A postmark of 
February 27, 2000, is not sufficient to meet this deadline as the 
application must be received by the required date and time. Applications 
will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or electronic 
mail.
    (b) Applications shall contain the following:
    (1) A completed Form, ``Application for Oil and Gas Guarantee 
Loan'';
    (2) The information required for the completion of Form 
``Environmental Assessment and Compliance Findings for Related 
Environmental Laws'' and attachments, as required by Sec.  
500.206(a)(2)(i)(D), unless the project is categorically excluded under 
Sec.  500.206(b);
    (3) All Loan Documents that will be signed by the Lender and the 
Borrower, if the application is approved, including all terms and 
conditions of, and Security or additional Security to assure the 
Borrower's performance under, the loan;
    (4) Certification by the chairman of the board and the chief 
executive officer of the Borrower acknowledging that the Borrower is 
aware that the Lender is applying to the Board for a Guarantee of a loan 
under the Program, as described in the Loan Documents, and agreeing to 
permit audits by the General Accounting Office, its designee, an 
independent auditor acceptable to the Board prior to the issuance of the 
Guarantee and annually thereafter while such guarantee is outstanding;
    (5) The Lender's full written underwriting analysis of the loan to 
be guaranteed by the Board;
    (6) A certification that the Lender has followed the same loan 
underwriting analysis with the loan to be guaranteed as it would follow 
for a loan not guaranteed by the Government; and a certification by the 
Lender, that the loan, Lender, and Borrower meet each of the 
requirements of the Program as set forth in the Act and the Board's 
rules in this part;
    (7) A description of all Security for the loan, including, as 
applicable, current appraisal of real and personal property, copies of 
any appropriate environmental site assessments, and current personal and 
corporate financial statements of any guarantors for the

[[Page 912]]

same periods as required for the Borrower. Appraisals of real property 
shall be prepared by State licensed or certified appraisers, and be 
consistent with the ``Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal 
Practice,'' promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the 
Appraisal Foundation. Financial statements of guarantors shall be 
prepared by independent Certified Public Accountants;
    (8)(i) An independent oil and gas company, as defined in section 
201(c)(3)(A)(i) of the Act, is required to submit:
    (A) For loans less than $5 million, three years of financial 
statements reviewed by a certified public accountant following generally 
accepted accounting principles, as well as any interim financial 
statements; or
    (B) For loans of $5 million or greater, three years of financial 
statements must be submitted. The most recent year's statement must be 
audited by an independent certified public accountant. Statements from 
the prior two years must be reviewed by a certified public accountant 
following generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, any 
interim financial statements and associated notes must be submitted as 
well.
    (ii) A service company, as defined in section 201(c)(3)(A)(ii) of 
the Act, is required to submit consolidated financial statements of the 
Borrower for the previous three years that have been audited by an 
independent certified public accountant, including any associated notes, 
as well as any interim financial statements and associated notes.
    (9) A five year history and five year projection for revenue, cash 
flow, average realized prices and average realized production costs. If 
the loan funds are to be used to purchase substantial assets of an 
existing firm, a pro forma balance sheet at startup, and five years 
projected year end balance sheets and income statement at start-up;
    (10) Documentation that credit is not otherwise available to the 
borrower under reasonable terms or conditions sufficient to meet its 
financial needs, as reflected in the financial or business plan of that 
company. The Lender must provide with its application those items 
required by Sec.  500.200(b);
    (11) Documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the Lender is 
eligible under Sec.  500.201(a) and to allow the Board to make a 
determination to issue a Guarantee to such Lender as set forth in Sec.  
500.201(c).
    (12) A report as to the Borrower's designation of the nature and 
value of project reserves from an independent petroleum engineer 
acceptable to the Board.
    (c) No Guarantee will be made if either the Borrower or Lender has 
an outstanding, delinquent Federal debt until:
    (1) The delinquent account has been paid in full;
    (2) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment has been received; or
    (3) Other arrangements, satisfactory to the agency responsible for 
collecting the debt, are made.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 72024, Dec. 23, 1999; 
65 FR 6889, Feb. 11, 2000; 65 FR 24107, Apr. 25, 2000]



Sec.  500.206  Environmental requirements.

    (a)(1) In General. Environmental assessments of the Board's actions 
will be conducted in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, 
and Executive Orders. Therefore, each application for a Guarantee under 
the Program must be accompanied by information necessary for the Board 
to meet the requirements of applicable law.
    (2) Actions requiring compliance with NEPA. (i) The types of actions 
classified as ``major Federal actions'' subject to NEPA procedures are 
discussed generally in 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508.
    (ii) With respect to this Program, these actions typically include:
    (A) Any project, permanent or temporary, that will involve 
construction and/or installations;
    (B) Any project, permanent or temporary, that will involve ground 
disturbing activities; and
    (C) Any project supporting renovation, other than interior 
remodeling.
    (3) Environmental information required from the Lender. (i) 
Environmental data or documentation concerning the use of the proceeds 
of any loan guaranteed

[[Page 913]]

under this Program must be provided by the Lender to the Board to assist 
the Board in meeting its legal responsibilities. The Lender may obtain 
this information from the Borrower. Such information includes:
    (A) Documentation for an environmental threshold review from 
qualified data sources, such as a Federal, State or local agency with 
expertise and experience in environmental protection, or other sources, 
qualified to provide reliable environmental information;
    (B) Any previously prepared environmental reports or data relevant 
to the loan at issue;
    (C) Any environmental review prepared by Federal, State, or local 
agencies relevant to the loan at issue;
    (D) The information required for the completion of Form XYZ, 
``Environmental Assessment and Compliance Findings for Related 
Environmental Laws;'' and
    (E) Any other information that can be used by the Board to ensure 
compliance with environmental laws.
    (ii) All information supplied by the Lender is subject to 
verification by the Board.
    (b) The regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality 
implementing NEPA require the Board to provide public notice of the 
availability of project specific environmental documents such as 
environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, findings of 
no significant impact, records of decision etc., to the affected public. 
See 40 CFR 1506.6(b). Environmental information concerning specific 
projects can be obtained from the Board by contacting: Executive 
Director, Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.
    (c) National Environmental Policy Act--(1) Purpose. The purpose of 
this paragraph (c) is to adopt procedures for compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., by the Board. 
This paragraph supplements regulations at 40 CFR Chapter V.
    (2) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions apply:
    Categorical exclusion means a category of actions which do not 
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human 
environment and for which neither an environmental assessment nor an 
environmental impact statement is required.
    Environmental assessment means a document that briefly discusses the 
environmental consequences of a proposed action and alternatives 
prepared for the purposes set forth in 40 CFR 1508.9.
    EIS means an environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to 
section 102(2)(C) of NEPA.
    FONSI means a finding of no significant impact on the quality of the 
human environment after the completion of an environmental assessment.
    NEPA means the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et 
seq.
    Working Capital Loan means money used by an ongoing business concern 
to fund its existing operations.
    (3) Delegations to Executive Director. (i) All incoming 
correspondence from Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and other 
agencies concerning matters related to NEPA, including draft and final 
EIS, shall be brought to the attention of the Executive Director. The 
Executive Director will prepare or, at his or her discretion, coordinate 
replies to such correspondence.
    (ii) With respect to actions of the Board, the Executive Director 
will:
    (A) Ensure preparation of all necessary environmental assessments 
and EISs;
    (B) Maintain a list of actions for which environmental assessments 
are being prepared;
    (C) Revise this list at regular intervals, and send the revisions to 
the Environmental Protection Agency;
    (D) Make the list available for public inspection;
    (E) Maintain a list of EISs; and
    (F) Maintain a file of draft and final EISs.
    (4) Categorical exclusions. (i) This paragraph describes various 
classes of Board actions that normally do not have a significant impact 
on the human environment and are categorically excluded. The word 
``normally'' is stressed; there may be individual cases in which 
specific factors require contrary action.

[[Page 914]]

    (ii) Subject to the limitations in paragraph (c)(4)(iii) of this 
section, the actions described in this paragraph have been determined 
not to have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment. They are categorically excluded from the need to prepare an 
environmental assessment or an EIS under NEPA.
    (A) Guarantees of working capital loans; and
    (B) Guarantees of loans for the refinancing of outstanding 
indebtedness of the Borrower, regardless of the purpose for which the 
original indebtedness was incurred.
    (iii) Actions listed in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section that 
otherwise are categorically excluded from NEPA review are not 
necessarily excluded from review if they would be located within, or in 
other cases, potentially affect:
    (A) A floodplain;
    (B) A wetland;
    (C) Important farmlands, or prime forestlands or rangelands;
    (D) A listed species or critical habitat for an endangered species;
    (E) A property that is listed on or may be eligible for listing on 
the National Register of Historic Places;
    (F) An area within an approved State Coastal Zone Management 
Program;
    (G) A coastal barrier or a portion of a barrier within the Coastal 
Barrier Resources System;
    (H) A river or portion of a river included in, or designated for, 
potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
    (I) A sole source aquifer recharge area;
    (J) A State water quality standard (including designated and/or 
existing beneficial uses and anti-degradation requirements); or
    (K) The release or disposal of regulated substances above the levels 
set forth in a permit or license issued by an appropriate regulatory 
authority.
    (5) Responsibilities and procedures for preparation of an 
environmental assessment. (i) The Executive Director will request that 
the Lender and Borrower provide information concerning all potentially 
significant environmental impacts of the Borrower's proposed project 
pursuant to 13 CFR 500.206. The Executive Director, consulting at his 
discretion with CEQ, will review the information provided by the Lender 
and Borrower. Though no specific format for an environmental assessment 
is prescribed, it shall be a separate document and should include the 
following in conformance with 40 CFR 1508.9:
    (A) Description of the environment. The existing environmental 
conditions relevant to the Board's analysis determining the 
environmental impacts of the proposed project, should be described. The 
no action alternative also should be discussed;
    (B) Documentation. Citations to information used to describe the 
existing environment and to assess environmental impacts should be 
clearly referenced and documented. Such references should include, as 
appropriate, but not be limited to, local, tribal, regional, State, and 
Federal agencies, as well as, public and private organizations and 
institutions;
    (C) Evaluating environmental consequences of proposed actions. A 
brief discussion should be included of the need for the proposal, of 
alternatives as required by 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(E) and their environmental 
impacts. The discussion of the environmental impacts should include 
measures to mitigate adverse impacts and any irreversible or 
irretrievable commitments of resources to the proposed project.
    (ii) The Executive Director, in preparing an environmental 
assessment, may:
    (A) Tier upon the information contained in a previous EIS, as 
described in 40 CFR 1502.20;
    (B) Incorporate by reference reasonably available material, as 
described in 40 CFR 1502.21; and/or
    (C) Adopt a previously completed EIS reasonably related to the 
project for which the proceeds of the loan sought to be guaranteed under 
the Program will be used, as described in 40 CFR 1506.3.
    (iii) Because of the statute's admonition to the Board to make its 
decisions as soon as possible after receiving applications, the Board 
will not:
    (A) Publish notice of intent to prepare an environmental assessment, 
as described in 40 CFR 1501.7;

[[Page 915]]

    (B) Conduct scoping, as described in 40 CFR 1501.7; and
    (C) Seek comments on the environmental assessment, as described in 
40 CFR 1503.1.
    (iv) If, on the basis of an environmental assessment, it is 
determined that an EIS is not required, a FONSI, as described in 40 CFR 
1508.13 will be prepared. The FONSI will include the environmental 
assessment or a summary of it and be available to the public from the 
Board. The Executive Director shall maintain a record of these 
decisions, making them available to interested parties upon request. 
Requests should be directed to the Executive Director Emergency Oil and 
Gas Guarantee Loan Program, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington DC 20230. Prior to a final loan guarantee decision, a copy of 
the NEPA documentation shall be sent to their Board for consideration.
    (6) Responsibilities and procedures for preparation of an 
environmental impact statement. (i) If after an environmental assessment 
has been completed, it is determined that an EIS is necessary, it and 
other related documentation will be prepared by the Executive Director 
in accordance with section 102(2)(c) of NEPA, this section, and 40 CFR 
parts 1500 through 1508. The Executive Director may seek additional 
information from the applicant in preparing the EIS. Once the document 
is prepared, it shall be submitted to the Board. If the Board considers 
a document unsatisfactory, it shall be returned to the Executive 
Director for revision or supplementation prior to a loan guarantee 
decision; otherwise the Board will transmit the document to the 
Environmental Protection Agency.
    (ii)(A) The following procedures, as discussed in 40 CFR parts 1500 
through 1508, will be followed in preparing an EIS:
    (1) The format and contents of the draft and final EIS shall be as 
discussed in 40 CFR 1502.
    (2) The requirements of 40 CFR 1506.9 for filing of documents with 
the Environmental Protection Agency shall be followed.
    (3) The Executive Director, consulting at his discretion with CEQ, 
shall examine carefully the basis on which supportive studies have been 
conducted to assure that such studies are objective and comprehensive in 
scope and depth.
    (4) NEPA requires that the decision making ``utilize a systematic, 
interdisciplinary approach that will ensure the integrated use of the 
natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts.'' 42 
U.S.C. 4332(A). If such disciplines are not present on the Board staff, 
appropriate use should be made of personnel of Federal, State, and local 
agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, or private industry.
    (B) Until the Board issues a record of decision as provided in 40 
CFR 1502.2 no action concerning the proposal shall be taken which would:
    (1) Have an adverse environmental impact; or
    (2) Limit the choice of reasonable alternatives.
    (3) 40 CFR 1506.10 places certain limitations on the timing of Board 
decisions on taking ``major Federal actions.'' A loan guarantee shall 
not be make before the times set forth in 40 CFR 1506.10.
    (iii) A public record of decision stating what the decision was; 
identifying alternatives that were considered, including the 
environmentally preferable one(s); discussing any national 
considerations that entered into the decision; and summarizing a 
monitoring and enforcement program if applicable for mitigating the 
environmental effects of a proposal; will be prepared. This record of 
decision will be prepared at the time the decision is made.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 64 FR 72024, Dec. 23, 1999]



Sec.  500.207  Application evaluation.

    (a) Eligibility screening. Applications will be reviewed to 
determine whether the Lender and Borrower are eligible, the information 
required under Sec.  500.205(b) is complete, and the proposed loan 
complies with applicable statutes and regulations. The Board can at any 
time reject an application that does not meet these requirements.
    (b) Evaluation criteria. Applications that are determined to be 
eligible pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section

[[Page 916]]

shall be subject to a substantive review, on a competitive basis, by the 
Board based upon the following evaluation factors, in order of 
importance:
    (1) The ability of the Borrower to repay the loan by the date 
specified in the Loan Document, which shall be no later than December 
31, 2010;
    (2) The adequacy of the proposed provisions to protect the 
Government, including sufficiency of Security, the priority of the lien 
position in the Security, and the percentage of Guarantee requested; and
    (3) Adequacy of the underwriting analysis performed by the Lender in 
preparing the application and the ability of the Lender to administer 
the loan in full compliance with the requisite standard of care set 
forth in Sec.  500.211(b).
    (c) Decisions by the Board. Upon completion of the evaluation of the 
application and as soon as possible after the due date, the Board will 
approve or deny all eligible applications timely received under this 
Program. The Board shall notify all Applicants in writing of the 
approval or denial of the Guarantee applications as soon as possible. 
Approvals for loan Guarantees shall be conditioned upon compliance with 
Sec.  500.208.



Sec.  500.208  Issuance of the Guarantee.

    (a) The Board's decisions to approve any application for, and extend 
an offer of, guarantee under Sec.  500.207 is conditioned upon:
    (1) The Lender and Borrower obtaining any required regulatory or 
judicial approvals;
    (2) The Lender and Borrower being legally authorized to enter into 
the loan under the terms and conditions submitted to the Board in the 
application;
    (3) The Board's receipt of the Loan Documents, Guarantee, and any 
related instruments, properly executed by the Lender, Borrower, and any 
other required party other than the Board; and
    (4) No material adverse change in the Borrower's ability to repay 
the loan between the date of the Board's approval and the date the 
Guarantee is to be issued.
    (b) The Board may withdraw its approval of an application and 
rescind its offer of Guarantee if the Board determines that the Lender 
or the Borrower cannot, or is unwilling to, provide adequate 
documentation and proof of compliance with paragraph (a) of this section 
within the time provided for in the offer.
    (c) Only after receipt of all the documentation, required by this 
section, will the Board sign and deliver the Guarantee.
    (d) A Borrower receiving a loan guaranteed by the Board under this 
Program shall pay a one-time guarantee fee of 0.5 percent of the amount 
of the principal of the loan. This fee must be paid no later than one 
year from the issuance of the Guarantee.



Sec.  500.209  Funding for the Program.

    The Act provides funding for the costs incurred by the Government as 
a result of granting Guarantees under the Program. While pursuing the 
goals of the Act, it is the intent of the Board to minimize the cost of 
the Program to the Government. The Board will estimate the risk posed by 
the guaranteed loans to the funds appropriated for the costs of the 
Guarantees under the Program and operate the Program accordingly.



Sec.  500.210  Assignment or transfer of loans.

    (a) Neither the Loan Documents nor the Guarantee of the Board, or 
any interest therein, may be modified, assigned, conveyed, sold or 
otherwise transferred by the Lender, in whole or in part, without the 
prior written approval of the Board.
    (b) Under no circumstances will the Board permit an assignment or 
transfer of less than 100 percent of a Lender's interest in the Loan 
Documents and Guarantee, nor will it permit an assignment or transfer to 
be made to a party which the Board determines not to be an Eligible 
Lender pursuant to Sec.  500.201.
    (c) The proscription under paragraph (a) of this section shall not 
apply to:
    (1) Transfers which occur by operation of law, unless a primary 
purpose of the transaction leading to such a transfer was to assign, 
convey or sell the loan note or Guarantee without the

[[Page 917]]

necessity of securing the Board's prior written approval; or
    (2) An action or agreement by the Lender which has the effect of 
distributing the risks of the credit among other Lenders if:
    (i) Neither the loan note nor the Guarantee is assigned, conveyed, 
sold, or transferred in whole or in part;
    (ii) Both the unguaranteed and guaranteed portions of the loan are 
treated in the same manner;
    (iii) The Lender remains solely responsible for the administration 
of the loan; and
    (iv) The Board's ability to assert any and all defenses available to 
it under the Guarantee and the law is not adversely affected; or
    (3) Transfer by a non-Agent Lender of the non-guaranteed portion of 
the loan after payment under the Guarantee has been made.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 24107, Apr. 25, 2000]



Sec.  500.211  Lender responsibilities.

    (a) General. Lender shall comply with all provisions of the 
Guarantee.
    (b) Standard of care. The Lender shall exercise due care and 
diligence in administering the loan as would be exercised by a 
reasonable and prudent banking institution when administering a secured 
loan of such banking institution's own funds without a Federal guaranty. 
Such standard shall also apply to any and all approvals, determinations, 
permissions, acceptances, requirements, or opinion made, given, imposed 
or reached by Lender.
    (c) Representation to the Board. In addition to any other 
representations required by the Guarantee, the Applicant shall represent 
to the Board that it has the ability to, and will, administer the loan, 
as well as to exercise the Applicant's rights and pursue its remedies, 
including conducting any liquidation of the Security or additional 
Security in full compliance with the standard of care, without the need 
for any advice, opinion, determination, recommendation, approval, 
disapproval, assistance (financial or other) or participation by the 
Board, except where the Board's consent is expressly required by the 
Guarantee, or where the Board, in its sole discretion and pursuant to 
the Guarantee, elects to provide same.
    (d) Covenants. With respect to any loan guaranteed by the Board 
pursuant to the Act and this part, the Lender shall require the Loan 
Documents to contain such affirmative and negative covenants by the 
Borrower as are required by the terms and conditions of the Guarantee, 
such as the prohibition on the payment of dividends.
    (e) Monitoring. In accordance with the Guarantee the Lender shall 
monitor Borrower's performance under the Loan Documents to detect any 
noncompliance by the Borrower with any provision thereof.
    (f) Reporting. With respect to any loan guaranteed by the Board 
pursuant to the Act and this part the Lender shall provide the Board 
with the following information, in accordance with the Guarantee:
    (1) Financial statements for the borrower, as provided in the 
Guarantee;
    (2) Projected balance sheet, income statement, and cash flows for 
the Borrower for each year remaining on the term of the loan; and
    (3) A completed signed copy of Form ``Quarterly Compliance 
Statement'' that includes information on the recent performance of the 
loan, within 15 days of the end of each calendar quarter.
    (g) Notices. All written notices, requests, or demands made to the 
Board shall be mailed to the Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 
H2500, Washington, DC 20230, except as otherwise specified by the 
Guarantee or as directed by the Board. Lender shall notify the Board in 
writing without delay of:
    (1) Deterioration in the internal risk rating of a loan guaranteed 
under this Program within 5 business days of such action by the Lender;
    (2) The occurrence of each event of default under the Loan Documents 
or Guarantee promptly, but not later than 5 business days, of the 
Lender's learning of such occurrence; and
    (3) Any other notification requirements as provided by law, or by 
the

[[Page 918]]

terms of the Guarantee or Loan Documents.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 24107, Apr. 25, 2000; 
65 FR 51522, Aug. 24, 2000]



Sec.  500.212  Liquidation.

    (a) The Board may take, or direct to be taken, any action in 
liquidating the Security which the Board determines to be necessary or 
proper, consistent with Federal law and regulations.
    (b) Pursuant to the Guarantee, upon written demand by the Lender and 
whether or not the Board has made any payment under the Guarantee, the 
Board, at the Board's sole option shall have the right to require that 
the Lender, solely or jointly with the Board, conduct to completion the 
liquidation of any or all of the Security. The Board may choose to 
conduct the liquidation itself.



Sec.  500.213  Termination of obligations.

    (a) The Board, in its discretion, shall be entitled to terminate 
all, or a portion, of the Board's obligations under the Guarantee, 
without further cause, in the event that:
    (1) The Guarantee fee required by Sec.  500.208(d) shall not have 
been paid;
    (2) A Lender shall have released or covenanted not to sue the 
Borrower or any other guarantor, or agreed to the modification of any 
obligation of any party to any agreement related to the loan, without 
the prior written consent of the Board;
    (3) A Lender has released the Board from its liability and 
obligations under the Guarantee;
    (4) A Lender shall have made any incorrect or incomplete 
representation to the Board in any material respect in connection with 
the Application, the Guarantee or the Loan Documents;
    (5) A Lender fails to make a demand for payment within 30 days of 
payment default; or
    (6) A Lender fails to comply with any material provision of the Loan 
Documents or the Guarantee.
    (b) Upon receipt of a written demand for payment made pursuant to 
the Guarantee, the Board shall be entitled to seek such certifications 
from the Lender, undertake such audits or investigations, or take such 
other action as is provided for by law or the Guarantee so as to 
determine whether the Lender has complied with all of the Lender's 
obligations under the Guarantee.

[64 FR 57947, Oct. 27, 1999, as amended at 65 FR 24107, Apr. 25, 2000]



Sec.  500.214  OMB control number. [Reserved]

                        PARTS 501	599 [RESERVED]

[[Page 919]]



                              FINDING AIDS




  --------------------------------------------------------------------

  A list of CFR titles, subtitles, chapters, subchapters and parts and 
an alphabetical list of agencies publishing in the CFR are included in 
the CFR Index and Finding Aids volume to the Code of Federal Regulations 
which is published separately and revised annually.

  Table of CFR Titles and Chapters
  Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR
  List of CFR Sections Affected

[[Page 921]]



                    Table of CFR Titles and Chapters




                     (Revised as of January 1, 2024)

                      Title 1--General Provisions

         I  Administrative Committee of the Federal Register 
                (Parts 1--49)
        II  Office of the Federal Register (Parts 50--299)
       III  Administrative Conference of the United States (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Miscellaneous Agencies (Parts 400--599)
        VI  National Capital Planning Commission (Parts 600--699)

                    Title 2--Grants and Agreements

            Subtitle A--Office of Management and Budget Guidance 
                for Grants and Agreements
         I  Office of Management and Budget Governmentwide 
                Guidance for Grants and Agreements (Parts 2--199)
        II  Office of Management and Budget Guidance (Parts 200--
                299)
            Subtitle B--Federal Agency Regulations for Grants and 
                Agreements
       III  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
        IV  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
         X  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Department of Defense (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
     XVIII  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        XX  United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 
                2000--2099)
      XXII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2200--2299)
     XXIII  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                2600--2699)

[[Page 922]]

     XXVII  Small Business Administration (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
      XXIX  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 3100--
                3199)
     XXXII  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 3300--
                3399)
     XXXIV  Department of Education (Parts 3400--3499)
      XXXV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 3500--
                3599)
     XXXVI  Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive 
                Office of the President (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Peace Corps (Parts 3700--3799)
     LVIII  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
       LIX  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 5900--
                5999)
        LX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 6000--6099)

                        Title 3--The President

         I  Executive Office of the President (Parts 100--199)

                           Title 4--Accounts

         I  Government Accountability Office (Parts 1--199)

                   Title 5--Administrative Personnel

         I  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1--1199)
        II  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 1300--1399)
        IV  Office of Personnel Management and Office of the 
                Director of National Intelligence (Parts 1400--
                1499)
         V  The International Organizations Employees Loyalty 
                Board (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      VIII  Office of Special Counsel (Parts 1800--1899)
        IX  Appalachian Regional Commission (Parts 1900--1999)
        XI  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 2100--2199)
       XIV  Federal Labor Relations Authority, General Counsel of 
                the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Federal 
                Service Impasses Panel (Parts 2400--2499)
       XVI  Office of Government Ethics (Parts 2600--2699)
       XXI  Department of the Treasury (Parts 3100--3199)
      XXII  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 3200--
                3299)
     XXIII  Department of Energy (Parts 3300--3399)
      XXIV  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Parts 3400--
                3499)
       XXV  Department of the Interior (Parts 3500--3599)

[[Page 923]]

      XXVI  Department of Defense (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXVIII  Department of Justice (Parts 3800--3899)
      XXIX  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 3900--3999)
       XXX  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4099)
      XXXI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 4100--4199)
    XXXIII  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation 
                (Parts 4300--4399)
     XXXIV  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 4400--4499)
      XXXV  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 4500--4599)
     XXXVI  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 4600--4699)
    XXXVII  Federal Election Commission (Parts 4700--4799)
        XL  Interstate Commerce Commission (Parts 5000--5099)
       XLI  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 5100--
                5199)
      XLII  Department of Labor (Parts 5200--5299)
     XLIII  National Science Foundation (Parts 5300--5399)
       XLV  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 5500--
                5599)
      XLVI  Postal Rate Commission (Parts 5600--5699)
     XLVII  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 5700--5799)
    XLVIII  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 5800--5899)
      XLIX  Federal Labor Relations Authority (Parts 5900--5999)
         L  Department of Transportation (Parts 6000--6099)
       LII  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 6200--
                6299)
      LIII  Department of Education (Parts 6300--6399)
       LIV  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 6400--6499)
        LV  National Endowment for the Arts (Parts 6500--6599)
       LVI  National Endowment for the Humanities (Parts 6600--
                6699)
      LVII  General Services Administration (Parts 6700--6799)
     LVIII  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 
                (Parts 6800--6899)
       LIX  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                6900--6999)
        LX  United States Postal Service (Parts 7000--7099)
       LXI  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 7100--7199)
      LXII  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 7200--
                7299)
     LXIII  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 7300--7399)
      LXIV  Merit Systems Protection Board (Parts 7400--7499)
       LXV  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                7500--7599)
      LXVI  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                7600--7699)
     LXVII  Institute of Museum and Library Services (Parts 7700--
                7799)
    LXVIII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 7800--7899)
      LXIX  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 7900--7999)
       LXX  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 8000--8099)
      LXXI  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 8100--8199)

[[Page 924]]

    LXXIII  Department of Agriculture (Parts 8300--8399)
     LXXIV  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 8400--8499)
     LXXVI  Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (Parts 
                8600--8699)
    LXXVII  Office of Management and Budget (Parts 8700--8799)
      LXXX  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 9000--9099)
   LXXXIII  Special Inspector General for Afghanistan 
                Reconstruction (Parts 9300--9399)
    LXXXIV  Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Parts 9400--
                9499)
    LXXXVI  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 9600--
                9699)
     XCVII  Department of Homeland Security Human Resources 
                Management System (Department of Homeland 
                Security--Office of Personnel Management) (Parts 
                9700--9799)
    XCVIII  Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
                Efficiency (Parts 9800--9899)
      XCIX  Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization 
                Commission (Parts 9900--9999)
         C  National Council on Disability (Parts 10000--10049)
        CI  National Mediation Board (Parts 10100--10199)
       CII  U.S. Office of Special Counsel (Parts 10200--10299)
       CII  U.S. Office of Special Counsel (Parts 10300--10399)
       CIV  Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement 
                Coordinator (Part 10400--10499)

                      Title 6--Domestic Security

         I  Department of Homeland Security, Office of the 
                Secretary (Parts 1--199)
         X  Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (Parts 
                1000--1099)

                         Title 7--Agriculture

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Agriculture 
                (Parts 0--26)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Department of 
                Agriculture
         I  Agricultural Marketing Service (Standards, 
                Inspections, Marketing Practices), Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 27--209)
        II  Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 210--299)
       III  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         V  Agricultural Research Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                700--799)

[[Page 925]]

      VIII  Agricultural Marketing Service (Federal Grain 
                Inspection Service, Fair Trade Practices Program), 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 900--999)
         X  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Milk), Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1000--1199)
        XI  Agricultural Marketing Service (Marketing Agreements 
                and Orders; Miscellaneous Commodities), Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1200--1299)
       XIV  Commodity Credit Corporation, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  Foreign Agricultural Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  [Reserved]
      XVII  Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative 
                Service, Rural Utilities Service, and Farm Service 
                Agency, Department of Agriculture (Parts 1800--
                2099)
        XX  [Reserved]
       XXV  Office of Advocacy and Outreach, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2500--2599)
      XXVI  Office of Inspector General, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 2600--2699)
     XXVII  Office of Information Resources Management, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of Operations, Department of Agriculture (Parts 
                2800--2899)
      XXIX  Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 2900--2999)
       XXX  Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3000--3099)
      XXXI  Office of Environmental Quality, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3100--3199)
     XXXII  Office of Procurement and Property Management, 
                Department of Agriculture (Parts 3200--3299)
    XXXIII  Office of Transportation, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3300--3399)
     XXXIV  National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Parts 
                3400--3499)
      XXXV  Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3500--3599)
     XXXVI  National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 3600--3699)
    XXXVII  Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 3700--3799)
   XXXVIII  World Agricultural Outlook Board, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 3800--3899)
       XLI  [Reserved]

[[Page 926]]

      XLII  Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities 
                Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 4200--
                4299)
         L  Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural 
                Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture 
                (Parts 5000--5099)

                    Title 8--Aliens and Nationality

         I  Department of Homeland Security (Parts 1--499)
         V  Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1000--1399)

                 Title 9--Animals and Animal Products

         I  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department 
                of Agriculture (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agricultural Marketing Service (Fair Trade Practices 
                Program), Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of 
                Agriculture (Parts 300--599)

                           Title 10--Energy

         I  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Department of Energy (Parts 200--699)
       III  Department of Energy (Parts 700--999)
         X  Department of Energy (General Provisions) (Parts 
                1000--1099)
      XIII  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (Parts 1300--
                1399)
      XVII  Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Parts 1700--
                1799)
     XVIII  Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste 
                Commission (Parts 1800--1899)

                      Title 11--Federal Elections

         I  Federal Election Commission (Parts 1--9099)
        II  Election Assistance Commission (Parts 9400--9499)

                      Title 12--Banks and Banking

         I  Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1--199)
        II  Federal Reserve System (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Export-Import Bank of the United States (Parts 400--
                499)
         V  [Reserved]
        VI  Farm Credit Administration (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Credit Union Administration (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Federal Financing Bank (Parts 800--899)
        IX  (Parts 900--999)[Reserved]

[[Page 927]]

         X  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Parts 1000--
                1099)
        XI  Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Federal Housing Finance Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Financial Stability Oversight Council (Parts 1300--
                1399)
       XIV  Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Office of Financial Research, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, 
                Department of the Treasury (Parts 1800--1899)

               Title 13--Business Credit and Assistance

         I  Small Business Administration (Parts 1--199)
       III  Economic Development Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board (Parts 400--499)
         V  Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board (Parts 
                500--599)

                    Title 14--Aeronautics and Space

         I  Federal Aviation Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--199)
        II  Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation 
                (Aviation Proceedings) (Parts 200--399)
       III  Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 400--1199)
         V  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        VI  Air Transportation System Stabilization (Parts 1300--
                1399)

                 Title 15--Commerce and Foreign Trade

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Commerce (Parts 
                0--29)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Commerce and 
                Foreign Trade
         I  Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                30--199)
        II  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 400--499)
       VII  Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 700--799)

[[Page 928]]

      VIII  Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce 
                (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 900--999)
        XI  National Technical Information Service, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 1100--1199)
      XIII  East-West Foreign Trade Board (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Minority Business Development Agency (Parts 1400--
                1499)
        XV  Office of the Under-Secretary for Economic Affairs, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 1500--1599)
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Foreign Trade 
                Agreements
        XX  Office of the United States Trade Representative 
                (Parts 2000--2099)
            Subtitle D--Regulations Relating to Telecommunications 
                and Information
     XXIII  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                2300--2399) [Reserved]

                    Title 16--Commercial Practices

         I  Federal Trade Commission (Parts 0--999)
        II  Consumer Product Safety Commission (Parts 1000--1799)

             Title 17--Commodity and Securities Exchanges

         I  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Parts 1--199)
        II  Securities and Exchange Commission (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Department of the Treasury (Parts 400--499)

          Title 18--Conservation of Power and Water Resources

         I  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of 
                Energy (Parts 1--399)
       III  Delaware River Basin Commission (Parts 400--499)
        VI  Water Resources Council (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Parts 800--899)
      XIII  Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 1300--1399)

                       Title 19--Customs Duties

         I  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of 
                Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--199)
        II  United States International Trade Commission (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  International Trade Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 300--399)
        IV  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department 
                of Homeland Security (Parts 400--599) [Reserved]

[[Page 929]]

                     Title 20--Employees' Benefits

         I  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Railroad Retirement Board (Parts 200--399)
       III  Social Security Administration (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 500--599)
         V  Employment and Training Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 600--699)
        VI  Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Benefits Review Board, Department of Labor (Parts 
                800--899)
      VIII  Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries (Parts 
                900--999)
        IX  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1000--1099)

                       Title 21--Food and Drugs

         I  Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1--1299)
        II  Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 1300--1399)
       III  Office of National Drug Control Policy (Parts 1400--
                1499)

                      Title 22--Foreign Relations

         I  Department of State (Parts 1--199)
        II  Agency for International Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Peace Corps (Parts 300--399)
        IV  International Joint Commission, United States and 
                Canada (Parts 400--499)
         V  United States Agency for Global Media (Parts 500--599)
       VII  U.S. International Development Finance Corporation 
                (Parts 700--799)
        IX  Foreign Service Grievance Board (Parts 900--999)
         X  Inter-American Foundation (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  International Boundary and Water Commission, United 
                States and Mexico, United States Section (Parts 
                1100--1199)
       XII  United States International Development Cooperation 
                Agency (Parts 1200--1299)
      XIII  Millennium Challenge Corporation (Parts 1300--1399)
       XIV  Foreign Service Labor Relations Board; Federal Labor 
                Relations Authority; General Counsel of the 
                Federal Labor Relations Authority; and the Foreign 
                Service Impasse Disputes Panel (Parts 1400--1499)
        XV  African Development Foundation (Parts 1500--1599)
       XVI  Japan-United States Friendship Commission (Parts 
                1600--1699)
      XVII  United States Institute of Peace (Parts 1700--1799)

[[Page 930]]

                          Title 23--Highways

         I  Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1--999)
        II  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 
                Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
       III  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1300--1399)

                Title 24--Housing and Urban Development

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development (Parts 0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Housing and Urban 
                Development
         I  Office of Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                100--199)
        II  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 200--299)
       III  Government National Mortgage Association, Department 
                of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Housing and Office of Multifamily Housing 
                Assistance Restructuring, Department of Housing 
                and Urban Development (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Office of Assistant Secretary for Community Planning 
                and Development, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 600--699) [Reserved]
       VII  Office of the Secretary, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Housing Assistance Programs and 
                Public and Indian Housing Programs) (Parts 700--
                799)
      VIII  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Section 8 Housing Assistance 
                Programs, Section 202 Direct Loan Program, Section 
                202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program and 
                Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons With 
                Disabilities Program) (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
                Housing, Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development (Parts 900--1699)
         X  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Interstate Land Sales 
                Registration Program) (Parts 1700--1799) 
                [Reserved]
       XII  Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 2000--2099)
        XV  Emergency Mortgage Insurance and Loan Programs, 
                Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2700--2799) [Reserved]

[[Page 931]]

        XX  Office of Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal 
                Housing Commissioner, Department of Housing and 
                Urban Development (Parts 3200--3899)
      XXIV  Board of Directors of the HOPE for Homeowners Program 
                (Parts 4000--4099) [Reserved]
       XXV  Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (Parts 4100--
                4199)

                           Title 25--Indians

         I  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--299)
        II  Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 300--399)
       III  National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
        IV  Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (Parts 
                700--899)
         V  Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, 
                and Indian Health Service, Department of Health 
                and Human Services (Part 900--999)
        VI  Office of the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1000--1199)
       VII  Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                      Title 26--Internal Revenue

         I  Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury 
                (Parts 1--End)

           Title 27--Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms

         I  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department 
                of the Treasury (Parts 1--399)
        II  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 
                Department of Justice (Parts 400--799)

                   Title 28--Judicial Administration

         I  Department of Justice (Parts 0--299)
       III  Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Department of Justice 
                (Parts 300--399)
         V  Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice (Parts 500--
                599)
        VI  Offices of Independent Counsel, Department of Justice 
                (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Independent Counsel (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the 
                District of Columbia (Parts 800--899)
        IX  National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council 
                (Parts 900--999)

[[Page 932]]

        XI  Department of Justice and Department of State (Parts 
                1100--1199)

                            Title 29--Labor

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Labor (Parts 
                0--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Labor
         I  National Labor Relations Board (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Railroad Adjustment Board (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 400--499)
         V  Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor (Parts 
                500--899)
        IX  Construction Industry Collective Bargaining Commission 
                (Parts 900--999)
         X  National Mediation Board (Parts 1200--1299)
       XII  Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Parts 
                1400--1499)
       XIV  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Parts 1600--
                1699)
      XVII  Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
                Department of Labor (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2200--2499)
       XXV  Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department 
                of Labor (Parts 2500--2599)
     XXVII  Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
                (Parts 2700--2799)
        XL  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Parts 4000--
                4999)

                      Title 30--Mineral Resources

         I  Mine Safety and Health Administration, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 1--199)
        II  Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 200--299)
        IV  Geological Survey, Department of the Interior (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 500--599)
       VII  Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 
                Department of the Interior (Parts 700--999)
       XII  Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Department of the 
                Interior (Parts 1200--1299)

                 Title 31--Money and Finance: Treasury

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Treasury 
                (Parts 0--50)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Money and Finance

[[Page 933]]

         I  Monetary Offices, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                51--199)
        II  Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                200--399)
        IV  Secret Service, Department of the Treasury (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Investment Security, Department of the 
                Treasury (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Federal Claims Collection Standards (Department of the 
                Treasury--Department of Justice) (Parts 900--999)
         X  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of 
                the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)

                      Title 32--National Defense

            Subtitle A--Department of Defense
         I  Office of the Secretary of Defense (Parts 1--399)
         V  Department of the Army (Parts 400--699)
        VI  Department of the Navy (Parts 700--799)
       VII  Department of the Air Force (Parts 800--1099)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to National 
                Defense
       XII  Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency (Parts 
                1200--1299)
       XVI  Selective Service System (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  Office of the Director of National Intelligence (Parts 
                1700--1799)
     XVIII  National Counterintelligence Center (Parts 1800--1899)
       XIX  Central Intelligence Agency (Parts 1900--1999)
        XX  Information Security Oversight Office, National 
                Archives and Records Administration (Parts 2000--
                2099)
       XXI  National Security Council (Parts 2100--2199)
      XXIV  Office of Science and Technology Policy (Parts 2400--
                2499)
     XXVII  Office for Micronesian Status Negotiations (Parts 
                2700--2799)
    XXVIII  Office of the Vice President of the United States 
                (Parts 2800--2899)

               Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, Department 
                of Defense (Parts 200--399)
        IV  Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development 
                Corporation, Department of Transportation (Parts 
                400--499)

[[Page 934]]

                          Title 34--Education

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary, Department of 
                Education (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Regulations of the Offices of the 
                Department of Education
         I  Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 200--299)
       III  Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative 
                Services, Department of Education (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, 
                Department of Education (Parts 400--499)
         V  Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages 
                Affairs, Department of Education (Parts 500--599) 
                [Reserved]
        VI  Office of Postsecondary Education, Department of 
                Education (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 
                Department of Education (Parts 700--799) 
                [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Regulations Relating to Education
        XI  [Reserved]
       XII  National Council on Disability (Parts 1200--1299)

                          Title 35 [Reserved]

             Title 36--Parks, Forests, and Public Property

         I  National Park Service, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
        II  Forest Service, Department of Agriculture (Parts 200--
                299)
       III  Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  American Battle Monuments Commission (Parts 400--499)
         V  Smithsonian Institution (Parts 500--599)
        VI  [Reserved]
       VII  Library of Congress (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (Parts 800--
                899)
        IX  Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation (Parts 
                900--999)
         X  Presidio Trust (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
                Board (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  National Archives and Records Administration (Parts 
                1200--1299)
        XV  Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust (Parts 1500--
                1599)
       XVI  Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National 
                Environmental Policy Foundation (Parts 1600--1699)

             Title 37--Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

         I  United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department 
                of Commerce (Parts 1--199)
        II  U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress (Parts 
                200--299)

[[Page 935]]

       III  Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
                Department of Commerce (Parts 400--599)

           Title 38--Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

         I  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 0--199)
        II  Armed Forces Retirement Home (Parts 200--299)

                       Title 39--Postal Service

         I  United States Postal Service (Parts 1--999)
       III  Postal Regulatory Commission (Parts 3000--3099)

                  Title 40--Protection of Environment

         I  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1--1099)
        IV  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Justice (Parts 1400--1499)
         V  Council on Environmental Quality (Parts 1500--1599)
        VI  Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (Parts 
                1600--1699)
       VII  Environmental Protection Agency and Department of 
                Defense; Uniform National Discharge Standards for 
                Vessels of the Armed Forces (Parts 1700--1799)
      VIII  Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Parts 1800--
                1899)
        IX  Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Part 
                1900)

          Title 41--Public Contracts and Property Management

            Subtitle A--Federal Procurement Regulations System 
                [Note]
            Subtitle B--Other Provisions Relating to Public 
                Contracts
        50  Public Contracts, Department of Labor (Parts 50-1--50-
                999)
        51  Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
                Severely Disabled (Parts 51-1--51-99)
        60  Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal 
                Employment Opportunity, Department of Labor (Parts 
                60-1--60-999)
        61  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' 
                Employment and Training Service, Department of 
                Labor (Parts 61-1--61-999)
 Chapters 
   62--100  [Reserved]
            Subtitle C--Federal Property Management Regulations 
                System
       101  Federal Property Management Regulations (Parts 101-1--
                101-99)
       102  Federal Management Regulation (Parts 102-1--102-299)
 Chapters 
  103--104  (Parts 103-001--104-099) [Reserved]

[[Page 936]]

       105  General Services Administration (Parts 105-1--105-999)
       109  Department of Energy Property Management Regulations 
                (Parts 109-1--109-99)
       114  Department of the Interior (Parts 114-1--114-99)
       115  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 115-1--115-99)
       128  Department of Justice (Parts 128-1--128-99)
 Chapters 
  129--200  [Reserved]
            Subtitle D--Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security
       201  Federal Acquisition Security Council (Parts 201-1--
                201-99).
            Subtitle E [Reserved]
            Subtitle F--Federal Travel Regulation System
       300  General (Parts 300-1--300-99)
       301  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances (Parts 301-1--
                301-99)
       302  Relocation Allowances (Parts 302-1--302-99)
       303  Payment of Expenses Connected with the Death of 
                Certain Employees (Part 303-1--303-99)
       304  Payment of Travel Expenses from a Non-Federal Source 
                (Parts 304-1--304-99)

                        Title 42--Public Health

         I  Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 1--199)
 Chapters 
   II--III  [Reserved]
        IV  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 400--699)
         V  Office of Inspector General-Health Care, Department of 
                Health and Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)

                   Title 43--Public Lands: Interior

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of the Interior 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Lands
         I  Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 400--999)
        II  Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior 
                (Parts 1000--9999)
       III  Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
                Commission (Parts 10000--10099)

             Title 44--Emergency Management and Assistance

         I  Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 0--399)

[[Page 937]]

        IV  Department of Commerce and Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 400--499)

                       Title 45--Public Welfare

            Subtitle A--Department of Health and Human Services 
                (Parts 1--199)
            Subtitle B--Regulations Relating to Public Welfare
        II  Office of Family Assistance (Assistance Programs), 
                Administration for Children and Families, 
                Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 
                200--299)
       III  Office of Child Support Enforcement (Child Support 
                Enforcement Program), Administration for Children 
                and Families, Department of Health and Human 
                Services (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 400--499)
         V  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the United 
                States, Department of Justice (Parts 500--599)
        VI  National Science Foundation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  Commission on Civil Rights (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 800--899)
        IX  Denali Commission (Parts 900--999)
         X  Office of Community Services, Administration for 
                Children and Families, Department of Health and 
                Human Services (Parts 1000--1099)
        XI  National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities 
                (Parts 1100--1199)
       XII  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                1200--1299)
      XIII  Administration for Children and Families, Department 
                of Health and Human Services (Parts 1300--1399)
       XVI  Legal Services Corporation (Parts 1600--1699)
      XVII  National Commission on Libraries and Information 
                Science (Parts 1700--1799)
     XVIII  Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation (Parts 1800--
                1899)
       XXI  Commission of Fine Arts (Parts 2100--2199)
     XXIII  Arctic Research Commission (Parts 2300--2399)
      XXIV  James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation (Parts 
                2400--2499)
       XXV  Corporation for National and Community Service (Parts 
                2500--2599)

                          Title 46--Shipping

         I  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                1--199)
        II  Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 200--399)

[[Page 938]]

       III  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage), Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 400--499)
        IV  Federal Maritime Commission (Parts 500--599)

                      Title 47--Telecommunication

         I  Federal Communications Commission (Parts 0--199)
        II  Office of Science and Technology Policy and National 
                Security Council (Parts 200--299)
       III  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  National Telecommunications and Information 
                Administration, Department of Commerce, and 
                National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 400--499)
         V  The First Responder Network Authority (Parts 500--599)

           Title 48--Federal Acquisition Regulations System

         1  Federal Acquisition Regulation (Parts 1--99)
         2  Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of 
                Defense (Parts 200--299)
         3  Department of Health and Human Services (Parts 300--
                399)
         4  Department of Agriculture (Parts 400--499)
         5  General Services Administration (Parts 500--599)
         6  Department of State (Parts 600--699)
         7  Agency for International Development (Parts 700--799)
         8  Department of Veterans Affairs (Parts 800--899)
         9  Department of Energy (Parts 900--999)
        10  Department of the Treasury (Parts 1000--1099)
        12  Department of Transportation (Parts 1200--1299)
        13  Department of Commerce (Parts 1300--1399)
        14  Department of the Interior (Parts 1400--1499)
        15  Environmental Protection Agency (Parts 1500--1599)
        16  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Health Benefits Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                1600--1699)
        17  Office of Personnel Management (Parts 1700--1799)
        18  National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Parts 
                1800--1899)
        19  Broadcasting Board of Governors (Parts 1900--1999)
        20  Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Parts 2000--2099)
        21  Office of Personnel Management, Federal Employees 
                Group Life Insurance Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation (Parts 2100--2199)
        23  Social Security Administration (Parts 2300--2399)
        24  Department of Housing and Urban Development (Parts 
                2400--2499)
        25  National Science Foundation (Parts 2500--2599)

[[Page 939]]

        28  Department of Justice (Parts 2800--2899)
        29  Department of Labor (Parts 2900--2999)
        30  Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security 
                Acquisition Regulation (HSAR) (Parts 3000--3099)
        34  Department of Education Acquisition Regulation (Parts 
                3400--3499)
        51  Department of the Army Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5100--5199) [Reserved]
        52  Department of the Navy Acquisition Regulations (Parts 
                5200--5299)
        53  Department of the Air Force Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation Supplement (Parts 5300--5399) 
                [Reserved]
        54  Defense Logistics Agency, Department of Defense (Parts 
                5400--5499)
        57  African Development Foundation (Parts 5700--5799)
        61  Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, General Services 
                Administration (Parts 6100--6199)
        99  Cost Accounting Standards Board, Office of Federal 
                Procurement Policy, Office of Management and 
                Budget (Parts 9900--9999)

                       Title 49--Transportation

            Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation 
                (Parts 1--99)
            Subtitle B--Other Regulations Relating to 
                Transportation
         I  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
                Administration, Department of Transportation 
                (Parts 100--199)
        II  Federal Railroad Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 200--299)
       III  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 300--399)
        IV  Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (Parts 
                400--499)
         V  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Federal Transit Administration, Department of 
                Transportation (Parts 600--699)
       VII  National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) 
                (Parts 700--799)
      VIII  National Transportation Safety Board (Parts 800--999)
         X  Surface Transportation Board (Parts 1000--1399)
        XI  Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 
                Department of Transportation (Parts 1400--1499) 
                [Reserved]
       XII  Transportation Security Administration, Department of 
                Homeland Security (Parts 1500--1699)

[[Page 940]]

                   Title 50--Wildlife and Fisheries

         I  United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of 
                the Interior (Parts 1--199)
        II  National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 200--299)
       III  International Fishing and Related Activities (Parts 
                300--399)
        IV  Joint Regulations (United States Fish and Wildlife 
                Service, Department of the Interior and National 
                Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce); Endangered Species Committee 
                Regulations (Parts 400--499)
         V  Marine Mammal Commission (Parts 500--599)
        VI  Fishery Conservation and Management, National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
                Commerce (Parts 600--699)

[[Page 941]]





           Alphabetical List of Agencies Appearing in the CFR




                     (Revised as of January 1, 2024)

                                                  CFR Title, Subtitle or 
                     Agency                               Chapter

Administrative Conference of the United States    1, III
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation         36, VIII
Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                  7, XXV
Afghanistan Reconstruction, Special Inspector     5, LXXXIII
     General for
African Development Foundation                    22, XV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 57
Agency for International Development              2, VII; 22, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
Agricultural Marketing Service                    7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
Agricultural Research Service                     7, V
Agriculture, Department of                        2, IV; 5, LXXIII
  Advocacy and Outreach, Office of                7, XXV
  Agricultural Marketing Service                  7, I, VIII, IX, X, XI; 9, 
                                                  II
  Agricultural Research Service                   7, V
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service      7, III; 9, I
  Chief Financial Officer, Office of              7, XXX
  Commodity Credit Corporation                    7, XIV
  Economic Research Service                       7, XXXVII
  Energy Policy and New Uses, Office of           2, IX; 7, XXIX
  Environmental Quality, Office of                7, XXXI
  Farm Service Agency                             7, VII, XVIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 4
  Federal Crop Insurance Corporation              7, IV
  Food and Nutrition Service                      7, II
  Food Safety and Inspection Service              9, III
  Foreign Agricultural Service                    7, XV
  Forest Service                                  36, II
  Information Resources Management, Office of     7, XXVII
  Inspector General, Office of                    7, XXVI
  National Agricultural Library                   7, XLI
  National Agricultural Statistics Service        7, XXXVI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture      7, XXXIV
  Natural Resources Conservation Service          7, VI
  Operations, Office of                           7, XXVIII
  Procurement and Property Management, Office of  7, XXXII
  Rural Business-Cooperative Service              7, XVIII, XLII
  Rural Development Administration                7, XLII
  Rural Housing Service                           7, XVIII, XXXV
  Rural Utilities Service                         7, XVII, XVIII, XLII
  Secretary of Agriculture, Office of             7, Subtitle A
  Transportation, Office of                       7, XXXIII
  World Agricultural Outlook Board                7, XXXVIII
Air Force, Department of                          32, VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement       48, 53
Air Transportation Stabilization Board            14, VI
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau          27, I
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,       27, II
     Bureau of
AMTRAK                                            49, VII
American Battle Monuments Commission              36, IV
American Indians, Office of the Special Trustee   25, VII
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service        7, III; 9, I
Appalachian Regional Commission                   5, IX
Architectural and Transportation Barriers         36, XI
   Compliance Board
[[Page 942]]

Arctic Research Commission                        45, XXIII
Armed Forces Retirement Home                      5, XI; 38, II
Army, Department of                               32, V
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 51
Benefits Review Board                             20, VII
Bilingual Education and Minority Languages        34, V
     Affairs, Office of
Blind or Severely Disabled, Committee for         41, 51
     Purchase from People Who Are
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 19
Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office    34, IV
     of
Census Bureau                                     15, I
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services          42, IV
Central Intelligence Agency                       32, XIX
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board    40, VI
Chief Financial Officer, Office of                7, XXX
Child Support Enforcement, Office of              45, III
Children and Families, Administration for         45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
Civil Rights, Commission on                       5, LXVIII; 45, VII
Civil Rights, Office for                          34, I
Coast Guard                                       33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)                46, III
Commerce, Department of                           2, XIII; 44, IV; 50, VI
  Census Bureau                                   15, I
  Economic Affairs, Office of the Under-          15, XV
       Secretary for
  Economic Analysis, Bureau of                    15, VIII
  Economic Development Administration             13, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 13
  Foreign-Trade Zones Board                       15, IV
  Industry and Security, Bureau of                15, VII
  International Trade Administration              15, III; 19, III
  National Institute of Standards and Technology  15, II; 37, IV
  National Marine Fisheries Service               50, II, IV
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric                15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
       Administration                             VI
  National Technical Information Service          15, XI
  National Telecommunications and Information     15, XXIII; 47, III, IV
       Administration
  National Weather Service                        15, IX
  Patent and Trademark Office, United States      37, I
  Secretary of Commerce, Office of                15, Subtitle A
Commercial Space Transportation                   14, III
Commodity Credit Corporation                      7, XIV
Commodity Futures Trading Commission              5, XLI; 17, I
Community Planning and Development, Office of     24, V, VI
     Assistant Secretary for
Community Services, Office of                     45, X
Comptroller of the Currency                       12, I
Construction Industry Collective Bargaining       29, IX
     Commission
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau              5, LXXXIV; 12, X
Consumer Product Safety Commission                5, LXXI; 16, II
Copyright Royalty Board                           37, III
Corporation for National and Community Service    2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
Cost Accounting Standards Board                   48, 99
Council on Environmental Quality                  40, V
Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity    5, XCVIII
     and Efficiency
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency    5, LXX; 28, VIII
     for the District of Columbia
Customs and Border Protection                     19, I
Defense, Department of                            2, XI; 5, XXVI; 32, 
                                                  Subtitle A; 40, VII
  Advanced Research Projects Agency               32, I
  Air Force Department                            32, VII
  Army Department                                 32, V; 33, II; 36, III; 
                                                  48, 51
  Defense Acquisition Regulations System          48, 2
  Defense Intelligence Agency                     32, I

[[Page 943]]

  Defense Logistics Agency                        32, I, XII; 48, 54
  Engineers, Corps of                             33, II; 36, III
  National Imagery and Mapping Agency             32, I
  Navy, Department of                             32, VI; 48, 52
  Secretary of Defense, Office of                 2, XI; 32, I
Defense Contract Audit Agency                     32, I
Defense Intelligence Agency                       32, I
Defense Logistics Agency                          32, XII; 48, 54
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board           10, XVII
Delaware River Basin Commission                   18, III
Denali Commission                                 45, IX
Disability, National Council on                   5, C; 34, XII
District of Columbia, Court Services and          5, LXX; 28, VIII
     Offender Supervision Agency for the
Drug Enforcement Administration                   21, II
East-West Foreign Trade Board                     15, XIII
Economic Affairs, Office of the Under-Secretary   15, XV
     for
Economic Analysis, Bureau of                      15, VIII
Economic Development Administration               13, III
Economic Research Service                         7, XXXVII
Education, Department of                          2, XXXIV; 5, LIII
  Bilingual Education and Minority Languages      34, V
       Affairs, Office of
  Career, Technical, and Adult Education, Office  34, IV
       of
  Civil Rights, Office for                        34, I
  Educational Research and Improvement, Office    34, VII
       of
  Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of   34, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 34
  Postsecondary Education, Office of              34, VI
  Secretary of Education, Office of               34, Subtitle A
  Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,  34, III
       Office of
Educational Research and Improvement, Office of   34, VII
Election Assistance Commission                    2, LVIII; 11, II
Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of     34, II
Emergency Oil and Gas Guaranteed Loan Board       13, V
Emergency Steel Guarantee Loan Board              13, IV
Employee Benefits Security Administration         29, XXV
Employees' Compensation Appeals Board             20, IV
Employees Loyalty Board                           5, V
Employment and Training Administration            20, V
Employment Policy, National Commission for        1, IV
Employment Standards Administration               20, VI
Endangered Species Committee                      50, IV
Energy, Department of                             2, IX; 5, XXIII; 10, II, 
                                                  III, X
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 9
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission            5, XXIV; 18, I
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 109
Energy, Office of                                 7, XXIX
Engineers, Corps of                               33, II; 36, III
Engraving and Printing, Bureau of                 31, VI
Environmental Protection Agency                   2, XV; 5, LIV; 40, I, IV, 
                                                  VII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 15
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 115
Environmental Quality, Office of                  7, XXXI
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission           5, LXII; 29, XIV
Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant Secretary  24, I
     for
Executive Office of the President                 3, I
  Environmental Quality, Council on               40, V
  Management and Budget, Office of                2, Subtitle A; 5, III, 
                                                  LXXVII; 14, VI; 48, 99
  National Drug Control Policy, Office of         2, XXXVI; 21, III
  National Security Council                       32, XXI; 47, II
  Presidential Documents                          3
  Science and Technology Policy, Office of        32, XXIV; 47, II
  Trade Representative, Office of the United      15, XX
     States
[[Page 944]]

Export-Import Bank of the United States           2, XXXV; 5, LII; 12, IV
Family Assistance, Office of                      45, II
Farm Credit Administration                        5, XXXI; 12, VI
Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation          5, XXX; 12, XIV
Farm Service Agency                               7, VII, XVIII
Federal Acquisition Regulation                    48, 1
Federal Acquisition Security Council              41, 201
Federal Aviation Administration                   14, I
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
Federal Claims Collection Standards               31, IX
Federal Communications Commission                 2, LX; 5, XXIX; 47, I
Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office of   41, 60
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation                7, IV
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation             5, XXII; 12, III
Federal Election Commission                       5, XXXVII; 11, I
Federal Emergency Management Agency               44, I
Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal    48, 21
     Acquisition Regulation
Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition     48, 16
     Regulation
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission              5, XXIV; 18, I
Federal Financial Institutions Examination        12, XI
     Council
Federal Financing Bank                            12, VIII
Federal Highway Administration                    23, I, II
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation            1, IV
Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Office       12, XVII
Federal Housing Finance Agency                    5, LXXX; 12, XII
Federal Labor Relations Authority                 5, XIV, XLIX; 22, XIV
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center           31, VII
Federal Management Regulation                     41, 102
Federal Maritime Commission                       46, IV
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service        5, CIII; 29, XII
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission  5, LXXIV; 29, XXVII
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration       49, III
Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council   40, IX
Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                   28, III
Federal Procurement Policy Office                 48, 99
Federal Property Management Regulations           41, 101
Federal Railroad Administration                   49, II
Federal Register, Administrative Committee of     1, I
Federal Register, Office of                       1, II
Federal Reserve System                            12, II
  Board of Governors                              5, LVIII
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board        5, VI, LXXVI
Federal Service Impasses Panel                    5, XIV
Federal Trade Commission                          5, XLVII; 16, I
Federal Transit Administration                    49, VI
Federal Travel Regulation System                  41, Subtitle F
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network              31, X
Financial Research Office                         12, XVI
Financial Stability Oversight Council             12, XIII
Fine Arts, Commission of                          45, XXI
Fiscal Service                                    31, II
Fish and Wildlife Service, United States          50, I, IV
Food and Drug Administration                      21, I
Food and Nutrition Service                        7, II
Food Safety and Inspection Service                9, III
Foreign Agricultural Service                      7, XV
Foreign Assets Control, Office of                 31, V
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the       45, V
     United States
Foreign Service Grievance Board                   22, IX
Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel            22, XIV
Foreign Service Labor Relations Board             22, XIV
Foreign-Trade Zones Board                         15, IV
Forest Service                                    36, II
General Services Administration                   5, LVII; 41, 105
  Contract Appeals, Board of                      48, 61
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 5

[[Page 945]]

  Federal Management Regulation                   41, 102
  Federal Property Management Regulations         41, 101
  Federal Travel Regulation System                41, Subtitle F
  General                                         41, 300
  Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel    41, 304
       Expenses
  Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death    41, 303
       of Certain Employees
  Relocation Allowances                           41, 302
  Temporary Duty (TDY) Travel Allowances          41, 301
Geological Survey                                 30, IV
Government Accountability Office                  4, I
Government Ethics, Office of                      5, XVI
Government National Mortgage Association          24, III
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards          7, VIII; 9, II
     Administration
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development       33, IV
     Corporation
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council          2, LIX; 40, VIII
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation            45, XVIII
Health and Human Services, Department of          2, III; 5, XLV; 45, 
                                                  Subtitle A
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services        42, IV
  Child Support Enforcement, Office of            45, III
  Children and Families, Administration for       45, II, III, IV, X, XIII
  Community Services, Office of                   45, X
  Family Assistance, Office of                    45, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 3
  Food and Drug Administration                    21, I
  Indian Health Service                           25, V
  Inspector General (Health Care), Office of      42, V
  Public Health Service                           42, I
  Refugee Resettlement, Office of                 45, IV
Homeland Security, Department of                  2, XXX; 5, XXXVI; 6, I; 8, 
                                                  I
  Coast Guard                                     33, I; 46, I; 49, IV
  Coast Guard (Great Lakes Pilotage)              46, III
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Federal Emergency Management Agency             44, I
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems
  Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau      19, IV
  Transportation Security Administration          49, XII
HOPE for Homeowners Program, Board of Directors   24, XXIV
     of
Housing and Urban Development, Department of      2, XXIV; 5, LXV; 24, 
                                                  Subtitle B
  Community Planning and Development, Office of   24, V, VI
       Assistant Secretary for
  Equal Opportunity, Office of Assistant          24, I
       Secretary for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 24
  Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, Office    12, XVII
       of
  Government National Mortgage Association        24, III
  Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office   24, II, VIII, X, XX
       of Assistant Secretary for
  Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing     24, IV
       Assistance Restructuring, Office of
  Inspector General, Office of                    24, XII
  Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant  24, IX
       Secretary for
  Secretary, Office of                            24, Subtitle A, VII
Housing--Federal Housing Commissioner, Office of  24, II, VIII, X, XX
     Assistant Secretary for
Housing, Office of, and Multifamily Housing       24, IV
     Assistance Restructuring, Office of
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau        19, IV
Immigration Review, Executive Office for          8, V
Independent Counsel, Office of                    28, VII
Independent Counsel, Offices of                   28, VI
Indian Affairs, Bureau of                         25, I, V
Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant           25, VI
     Secretary
Indian Arts and Crafts Board                      25, II

[[Page 946]]

Indian Health Service                             25, V
Industry and Security, Bureau of                  15, VII
Information Resources Management, Office of       7, XXVII
Information Security Oversight Office, National   32, XX
     Archives and Records Administration
Inspector General
  Agriculture Department                          7, XXVI
  Health and Human Services Department            42, V
  Housing and Urban Development Department        24, XII, XV
Institute of Peace, United States                 22, XVII
Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator,    5, CIV
     Office of
Inter-American Foundation                         5, LXIII; 22, X
Interior, Department of                           2, XIV
  American Indians, Office of the Special         25, VII
       Trustee
  Endangered Species Committee                    50, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 14
  Federal Property Management Regulations System  41, 114
  Fish and Wildlife Service, United States        50, I, IV
  Geological Survey                               30, IV
  Indian Affairs, Bureau of                       25, I, V
  Indian Affairs, Office of the Assistant         25, VI
       Secretary
  Indian Arts and Crafts Board                    25, II
  Land Management, Bureau of                      43, II
  National Indian Gaming Commission               25, III
  National Park Service                           36, I
  Natural Resource Revenue, Office of             30, XII
  Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of              30, V
  Reclamation, Bureau of                          43, I
  Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau    30, II
       of
  Secretary of the Interior, Office of            2, XIV; 43, Subtitle A
  Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,     30, VII
       Office of
Internal Revenue Service                          26, I
International Boundary and Water Commission,      22, XI
     United States and Mexico, United States 
     Section
International Development, United States Agency   22, II
     for
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 7
International Development Cooperation Agency,     22, XII
     United States
International Development Finance Corporation,    5, XXXIII; 22, VII
     U.S.
International Joint Commission, United States     22, IV
     and Canada
International Organizations Employees Loyalty     5, V
     Board
International Trade Administration                15, III; 19, III
International Trade Commission, United States     19, II
Interstate Commerce Commission                    5, XL
Investment Security, Office of                    31, VIII
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation      45, XXIV
Japan-United States Friendship Commission         22, XVI
Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries       20, VIII
Justice, Department of                            2, XXVIII; 5, XXVIII; 28, 
                                                  I, XI; 40, IV
  Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives,     27, II
       Bureau of
  Drug Enforcement Administration                 21, II
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 28
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Prison Industries, Inc.                 28, III
  Foreign Claims Settlement Commission of the     45, V
       United States
  Immigration Review, Executive Office for        8, V
  Independent Counsel, Offices of                 28, VI
  Prisons, Bureau of                              28, V
  Property Management Regulations                 41, 128
Labor, Department of                              2, XXIX; 5, XLII
  Benefits Review Board                           20, VII
  Employee Benefits Security Administration       29, XXV
  Employees' Compensation Appeals Board           20, IV
  Employment and Training Administration          20, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 29

[[Page 947]]

  Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Office    41, 60
       of
  Federal Procurement Regulations System          41, 50
  Labor-Management Standards, Office of           29, II, IV
  Mine Safety and Health Administration           30, I
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration   29, XVII
  Public Contracts                                41, 50
  Secretary of Labor, Office of                   29, Subtitle A
  Veterans' Employment and Training Service,      41, 61; 20, IX
       Office of the Assistant Secretary for
  Wage and Hour Division                          29, V
  Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of       20, I, VI
Labor-Management Standards, Office of             29, II, IV
Land Management, Bureau of                        43, II
Legal Services Corporation                        45, XVI
Libraries and Information Science, National       45, XVII
     Commission on
Library of Congress                               36, VII
  Copyright Royalty Board                         37, III
  U.S. Copyright Office                           37, II
Management and Budget, Office of                  5, III, LXXVII; 14, VI; 
                                                  48, 99
Marine Mammal Commission                          50, V
Maritime Administration                           46, II
Merit Systems Protection Board                    5, II, LXIV
Micronesian Status Negotiations, Office for       32, XXVII
Military Compensation and Retirement              5, XCIX
     Modernization Commission
Millennium Challenge Corporation                  22, XIII
Mine Safety and Health Administration             30, I
Minority Business Development Agency              15, XIV
Miscellaneous Agencies                            1, IV
Monetary Offices                                  31, I
Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in     36, XVI
     National Environmental Policy Foundation
Museum and Library Services, Institute of         2, XXXI
National Aeronautics and Space Administration     2, XVIII; 5, LIX; 14, V
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 18
National Agricultural Library                     7, XLI
National Agricultural Statistics Service          7, XXXVI
National and Community Service, Corporation for   2, XXII; 45, XII, XXV
National Archives and Records Administration      2, XXVI; 5, LXVI; 36, XII
  Information Security Oversight Office           32, XX
National Capital Planning Commission              1, IV, VI
National Counterintelligence Center               32, XVIII
National Credit Union Administration              5, LXXXVI; 12, VII
National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact     28, IX
     Council
National Drug Control Policy, Office of           2, XXXVI; 21, III
National Endowment for the Arts                   2, XXXII
National Endowment for the Humanities             2, XXXIII
National Foundation on the Arts and the           45, XI
     Humanities
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency           32, I
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration    23, II, III; 47, VI; 49, V
National Imagery and Mapping Agency               32, I
National Indian Gaming Commission                 25, III
National Institute of Food and Agriculture        7, XXXIV
National Institute of Standards and Technology    15, II; 37, IV
National Intelligence, Office of Director of      5, IV; 32, XVII
National Labor Relations Board                    5, LXI; 29, I
National Marine Fisheries Service                 50, II, IV
National Mediation Board                          5, CI; 29, X
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration   15, IX; 50, II, III, IV, 
                                                  VI
National Park Service                             36, I
National Railroad Adjustment Board                29, III
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)  49, VII
National Science Foundation                       2, XXV; 5, XLIII; 45, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 25
National Security Council                         32, XXI; 47, II

[[Page 948]]

National Technical Information Service            15, XI
National Telecommunications and Information       15, XXIII; 47, III, IV, V
     Administration
National Transportation Safety Board              49, VIII
Natural Resource Revenue, Office of               30, XII
Natural Resources Conservation Service            7, VI
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, Office of      25, IV
Navy, Department of                               32, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 52
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation             24, XXV
Northeast Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste  10, XVIII
     Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission                     2, XX; 5, XLVIII; 10, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 20
Occupational Safety and Health Administration     29, XVII
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission  29, XX
Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of                30, V
Oklahoma City National Memorial Trust             36, XV
Operations Office                                 7, XXVIII
Patent and Trademark Office, United States        37, I
Payment From a Non-Federal Source for Travel      41, 304
     Expenses
Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of   41, 303
     Certain Employees
Peace Corps                                       2, XXXVII; 22, III
Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation       36, IX
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation              29, XL
Personnel Management, Office of                   5, I, IV, XXXV; 45, VIII
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 17
  Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Federal  48, 21
       Acquisition Regulation
  Federal Employees Health Benefits Acquisition   48, 16
       Regulation
  Human Resources Management and Labor Relations  5, XCVII
       Systems, Department of Homeland Security
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety           49, I
     Administration
Postal Regulatory Commission                      5, XLVI; 39, III
Postal Service, United States                     5, LX; 39, I
Postsecondary Education, Office of                34, VI
President's Commission on White House             1, IV
     Fellowships
Presidential Documents                            3
Presidio Trust                                    36, X
Prisons, Bureau of                                28, V
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board       6, X
Procurement and Property Management, Office of    7, XXXII
Public and Indian Housing, Office of Assistant    24, IX
     Secretary for
Public Contracts, Department of Labor             41, 50
Public Health Service                             42, I
Railroad Retirement Board                         20, II
Reclamation, Bureau of                            43, I
Refugee Resettlement, Office of                   45, IV
Relocation Allowances                             41, 302
Research and Innovative Technology                49, XI
     Administration
Rural Business-Cooperative Service                7, XVIII, XLII, L
Rural Development Administration                  7, XLII
Rural Housing Service                             7, XVIII, XXXV, L
Rural Utilities Service                           7, XVII, XVIII, XLII, L
Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau of   30, II
Science and Technology Policy, Office of          32, XXIV; 47, II
Secret Service                                    31, IV
Securities and Exchange Commission                5, XXXIV; 17, II
Selective Service System                          32, XVI
Small Business Administration                     2, XXVII; 13, I
Smithsonian Institution                           36, V
Social Security Administration                    2, XXIII; 20, III; 48, 23
Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, United States        5, XI
Special Counsel, Office of                        5, VIII
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,    34, III
     Office of
State, Department of                              2, VI; 22, I; 28, XI

[[Page 949]]

  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 6
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement,       30, VII
     Office of
Surface Transportation Board                      49, X
Susquehanna River Basin Commission                18, VIII
Tennessee Valley Authority                        5, LXIX; 18, XIII
Trade Representative, United States, Office of    15, XX
Transportation, Department of                     2, XII; 5, L
  Commercial Space Transportation                 14, III
  Emergency Management and Assistance             44, IV
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 12
  Federal Aviation Administration                 14, I
  Federal Highway Administration                  23, I, II
  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration     49, III
  Federal Railroad Administration                 49, II
  Federal Transit Administration                  49, VI
  Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development     33, IV
       Corporation
  Maritime Administration                         46, II
  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  23, II, III; 47, IV; 49, V
  Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety         49, I
       Administration
  Secretary of Transportation, Office of          14, II; 49, Subtitle A
  Transportation Statistics Bureau                49, XI
Transportation, Office of                         7, XXXIII
Transportation Security Administration            49, XII
Transportation Statistics Bureau                  49, XI
Travel Allowances, Temporary Duty (TDY)           41, 301
Treasury, Department of the                       2, X; 5, XXI; 12, XV; 17, 
                                                  IV; 31, IX
  Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau        27, I
  Community Development Financial Institutions    12, XVIII
       Fund
  Comptroller of the Currency                     12, I
  Customs and Border Protection                   19, I
  Engraving and Printing, Bureau of               31, VI
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 10
  Federal Claims Collection Standards             31, IX
  Federal Law Enforcement Training Center         31, VII
  Financial Crimes Enforcement Network            31, X
  Fiscal Service                                  31, II
  Foreign Assets Control, Office of               31, V
  Internal Revenue Service                        26, I
  Investment Security, Office of                  31, VIII
  Monetary Offices                                31, I
  Secret Service                                  31, IV
  Secretary of the Treasury, Office of            31, Subtitle A
Truman, Harry S. Scholarship Foundation           45, XVIII
United States Agency for Global Media             22, V
United States and Canada, International Joint     22, IV
     Commission
United States and Mexico, International Boundary  22, XI
     and Water Commission, United States Section
U.S. Copyright Office                             37, II
U.S. Office of Special Counsel                    5, CII
Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation      43, III
     Commission
Veterans Affairs, Department of                   2, VIII; 38, I
  Federal Acquisition Regulation                  48, 8
Veterans' Employment and Training Service,        41, 61; 20, IX
     Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Vice President of the United States, Office of    32, XXVIII
Wage and Hour Division                            29, V
Water Resources Council                           18, VI
Workers' Compensation Programs, Office of         20, I, VII
World Agricultural Outlook Board                  7, XXXVIII

[[Page 951]]



List of CFR Sections Affected



All changes in this volume of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that 
were made by documents published in the Federal Register since January 
1, 2019 are enumerated in the following list. Entries indicate the 
nature of the changes effected. Page numbers refer to Federal Register 
pages. The user should consult the entries for chapters, parts and 
subparts as well as sections for revisions.
For changes to this volume of the CFR prior to this listing, consult the 
annual edition of the monthly List of CFR Sections Affected (LSA). The 
LSA is available at www.govinfo.gov. For changes to this volume of the 
CFR prior to 2001, see the ``List of CFR Sections Affected, 1949-1963, 
1964-1972, 1973-1985, and 1986-2000'' published in 11 separate volumes. 
The ``List of CFR Sections Affected 1986-2000'' is available at 
www.govinfo.gov.

                                  2019

13 CFR
                                                                   84 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
107.665 Amended....................................................12061
115.31 (a)(2) amended..............................................65239
120 Notification...................................................45060
120.465 (b) amended................................................12061
120.816 (d) added; eff. 1-3-20.....................................66294
120.818 Undesignated text designated as (a); (b) added; eff. 1-3-
        20.........................................................66294
120.823 (a) and (d)(4)(ii)(E) revised; (c)(4) removed; (c)(5) 
        redesignated as new (c)(4); (d)(4)(i)(B) and (ii)(B) 
        amended; eff. 1-3-20.......................................66294
120.824 Revised; eff. 1-3-20.......................................66294
120.826 (c) amended; eff. 1-3-20...................................66295
120.835 (c) heading, (1), and (2) added; (c) amended; eff. 1-3-20 
                                                                   66295
120.839 (a) amended; eff. 1-3-20...................................66296
120.847 (b) amended; (b)(1) and (2) added; eff. 1-3-20.............66296
120.1500 (c)(4) amended............................................12061
121 Notification...................................................14587
121.103 (h)(4) amended.............................................65661
121.104 (a) introductory text amended; (c), (d)(2), (3), and (4) 
        revised; eff. 1-6-20.......................................66578
121.106 (b)(4)(ii) revised; eff. 1-6-20............................66579
121.201 Table amended; interim.....................................34269
    Table amended; correction......................................64013
121.404 (g)(4) amended.............................................65239
    (a) introductory text and (g)(5) revised; (a)(1)(iv) added.....65661
121.406 (b)(1)(i) revised; (c) removed; (d), (e), and (f) 
        redesignated as new (c), (d), and (e)......................65661
121.502 (a)(2) revised; interim....................................34281
121.512 (b) revised; interim.......................................34281
121.903 (a)(1)(ii) and (iii) revised; eff. 1-6-20..................66579
121.1001 (a)(6)(ii) and (b)(8)(i) amended..........................65239
124.503 (c)(1)(iii) and (iv) revised; (c)(1)(v) added..............65661
124.507 (b)(2)(iv) and (2)(v) amended; (b)(2)(vi) added............65661
124.521 (e) added..................................................65661
124.1015 (f) added.................................................65662
125 Authority citation revised..............................65239, 65662
125.1 Amended......................................................65239
125.2 (c)(1)(i) amended............................................65239
    (a), (e)(6) heading, and (i) revised; (b)(1)(i)(A) amended; 
(d)(7) redesignated as (d)(8); (d)(1)(v) and new (7) added.........65662
125.3 (c)(1)(xi) amended...........................................65239
    (c)(1)(iv) and (f)(3) amended; (d)(3) revised; (d)(11) added 
                                                                   65663

[[Page 952]]

125.6 (d) removed; (e) through (h) redesignated as new (d) through 
        (g)........................................................65239
    (a)(1) and (c) introductory text amended; (e)(3) revised; (4) 
added..............................................................65664
125.18 (e)(1)(i) and (ii) amended; (f) added.......................65664
125.28 (b) revised.................................................65239
125.29 (c) added...................................................65664
126 Authority citation revised.....................................65664
126.101 (b) amended................................................65239
126.103 Amended.............................................62449, 65239
126.104 Added......................................................62449
126.200--126.299 (Subpart B) Heading revised.......................65242
    Revised........................................................65242
126.202 Amended....................................................65243
126.203 (a) amended................................................65243
126.204 Revised....................................................65243
126.205 Revised....................................................65243
126.206 Revised....................................................65243
126.207 Revised....................................................65243
126.300 Revised....................................................65243
126.303 Revised....................................................65243
126.304 Revised....................................................65244
126.305 Removed....................................................65244
126.306 Revised....................................................65244
126.307 Revised....................................................65244
126.308 Revised....................................................65244
126.401 Revised....................................................65244
126.402 Revised....................................................65245
126.403 Revised....................................................65245
126.404 Added......................................................65245
126.500 Revised....................................................65245
126.501 Revised....................................................65246
126.502 Revised....................................................65246
126.503 Revised....................................................65246
126.504 Revised....................................................65247
126.600--126.699 (Subpart F) Heading revised.......................65247
    Introductory text through (e) amended..........................65247
126.601 Revised....................................................65247
    (h)(1)(i) and (ii) amended; (i) added..........................65664
126.602 Revised....................................................65247
126.603 Amended....................................................65247
126.607 Heading, (c) introductory text, and (1) amended............65247
126.608 Amended....................................................65248
126.611 Heading amended............................................65248
126.612 Introductory text, (c), and (d) amended....................65248
126.613 Heading, (a)(1), (2), (b)(2), and (d) amended..............65248
126.616 (b)(1), (c) introductory text, (2), (3), (4), (7), (9), 
        (10), (d)(1), (2), (e), (g), (i), (j)(2), and (k) amended; 
        heading, (a), and new (e) revised..........................65248
126.617 Amended....................................................65249
126.618 Heading, (a), (b), (c), and (1) amended....................65249
126.619 Added......................................................65249
126.700 Revised....................................................65249
126.800 Revised....................................................65250
126.801 Heading, (a), (b), and (c)(3) revised; (e) amended; (e)(1) 
        through (12) added.........................................65250
    (a) amended....................................................65665
126.802 Amended....................................................65250
126.803 Heading revised; (a) through (d) redesignated as (b) 
        through (e); new (a) added; new (b)(2), new (c), and new 
        (e) revised................................................65250
126.804 Revised....................................................65251
127.503 (h)(1)(i) and (ii) amended.................................65665
127.504 (c) added..................................................65665
127.602 Existing text redesignated as (a); (b) added...............65251
    Amended........................................................65665
129 Added..........................................................65665
131 Added; eff. 1-24-20............................................64713
134.1003 (c) redesignated as (d); new (c) added....................65666
142.1 (b) amended..................................................12061
146.400 (a), (b), and (e) amended..................................12061

                                  2020

13 CFR
                                                                   85 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
103 Authority citation revised......................................7647
103.1 (a) revised; (d) through (f) removed; (g) redesignated as 
        new (d); interim............................................7647
    (a) revised; (d) redesignated as (g); new (d) through (f) 
added; eff. 3-27-21................................................80587
103.4 (g) revised; interim..........................................7647
    (g) revised; eff. 3-27-21......................................80587
103.5 (b) revised; (c) amended......................................7647
    (b) revised; (c) amended; eff. 3-27-21.........................80587
107.665 Amended....................................................13727
109.20 Amended.....................................................75834
109.200 Removed....................................................75834
109.210 Removed....................................................75834

[[Page 953]]

109.220 Removed....................................................75834
109.440 Amended....................................................75834
113 Policy statement...............................................27287
119 Authority citation revised.....................................62951
119.1 Revised......................................................62951
119.2 Removed......................................................62951
119.3 Removed......................................................62951
119.4 Removed......................................................62951
119.5 Removed......................................................62951
119.6 Removed......................................................62951
119.7 Removed......................................................62951
119.8 Removed......................................................62951
119.9 Removed......................................................62951
119.10 Removed.....................................................62951
119.11 Removed.....................................................62951
119.12 Removed.....................................................62951
119.13 Removed.....................................................62951
119.14 Removed.....................................................62951
119.15 Removed.....................................................62951
119.16 Removed.....................................................62951
119.17 Removed.....................................................62951
119.18 Removed.....................................................62951
119.19 Removed.....................................................62951
119.20 Removed.....................................................62951
120 Authority citation revised......................................7647
120 Notification.....................................18107, 36308, 39066
120 Policy statement....20811, 23450, 23917, 26321, 26324, 27287, 29842, 
         29845, 29847, 30835, 31357, 33004, 33010, 35550, 36717, 36997, 
                                              38301, 38304, 52881, 66214
120.10 Amended; interim......................................7647, 14780
    Amended; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.101 Amended....................................................14780
120.102 Added; interim..............................................7647
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.130 (c) revised; interim........................................7648
    (c) revised; eff. 3-27-21......................................80588
120.180 Revised....................................................14781
120.221 Heading and (a) revised; (b) amended; interim...............7648
    Heading and (a) revised; (b) amended; eff. 3-27-21.............80588
120.222 Amended; interim............................................7648
    Amended; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.344 (b) amended; interim........................................7648
    (b) revised; eff. 3-27-21......................................80588
120.350 Revised; interim............................................7648
    Revised; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.352 Revised; interim............................................7648
    Revised; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.410 (a)(1) amended; eff. 1-4-21................................78213
120.432 (a) amended; interim........................................7648
    (a) amended; eff. 3-27-21......................................80588
120.435 Revised; interim...........................................21752
120.440 (c) revised; interim........................................7648
    (c) revised; eff. 3-27-21......................................80588
120.441--120.447 Undesignated center heading added; interim.........7648
    Undesignated center heading removed; eff. 3-27-21..............80588
120.441 Added; interim..............................................7648
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.442 Added; interim..............................................7648
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.443 Added; interim..............................................7648
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.444 Added; interim..............................................7648
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.445 Added; interim..............................................7648
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.446 Added; interim..............................................7648
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.447 Added; interim..............................................7648
    Removed; eff. 3-27-21..........................................80588
120.460 (c) and (d) added; eff. 1-4-21.............................78213
120.462 (a) through (e) redesignated as (b) through (f); new (a) 
        added; nomenclature change; eff. 1-4-21....................78213
120.465 (b) amended................................................13727
120.466 Added; eff. 1-4-21.........................................78213
120.467 Added; eff. 1-4-21.........................................78214
120.468 Added; eff. 1-4-21.........................................78214
120.470 (g) removed; (h) redesignated as new (g); eff. 1-4-21......78215
120.471 (a) revised; (b)(3) through (5) redesignated as (b)(4) 
        through (6); new (b)(3) added; eff. 1-4-21.................78215
120.475 Removed; eff. 1-4-21.......................................78215
120.707 (b) amended; interim........................................7651
    (b) amended; eff. 3-27-21......................................80588
120.712 (b)(1) revised; (d) amended; interim........................7651
    (b)(1) revised; (d) amended; eff. 3-27-21......................80588
120.840 (b) revised; interim........................................7651
    (b) revised; eff. 3-27-21......................................80588
120.1000 Revised...................................................14781
120.1010 Amended...................................................14781
120.1015 (a) amended...............................................14781
120.1025 Revised...................................................14781
120.1050 (c) amended...............................................14781
120.1051 Introductory text and (a) amended.........................14781
120.1055 (a) and (b) revised; (d) amended..........................14781
120.1060 Amended...................................................14781
120.1300 Added.....................................................14781

[[Page 954]]

120.1400 (b), (c)(6), (9), and (10) amended; (c)(11), (12), 
        (d)(1)(iii), (iv), (3)(i), and (ii) revised................14782
120.1425 Heading, (a), (b), (c)(1), (2)(vii), and (viii) revised; 
        (c) introductory text and (2)(i) amended; (c)(2)(ix), (x), 
        and (3) through (7) added; (d) and (e) removed.............14782
120.1500 Heading, introductory text, (a) heading, (b), (c) 
        introductory text heading, (4), (d) introductory text 
        heading, and (e) introductory text heading revised.........14783
120.1540 Revised...................................................14783
120.1600 Nomenclature change; heading, (a) introductory text, (3) 
        heading, (4) heading, and (5) heading revised; (a)(1) 
        through (4), (a)(1)(ii), (3)(iii), (b) heading, and (c) 
        heading amended............................................14784
121 Authority citation revised.....................................20821
121 Policy statement..........................23450, 29847, 30835, 35550
121.103 (b)(10) added; interim.....................................20821
121.103 (h)(1) and (2) removed; (h)(3) through (5) redesignated as 
        (h)(1) through (3); (b)(6), (9), (g), and new (h)(1)(ii) 
        amended; (f)(2)(i) and (f) Example 2, (h) introductory 
        text, Examples 1, 2, new (1) heading, and new (3) revised; 
        new (h)(1)(iii) removed; new (h)(2)heading and (4) added 
                                                                   66178
    (h)(1)(ii) correctly amended...................................72916
121.301 (f)(5) through (7) redesignated as (f)(7) through (9); new 
        (f)(5) and new (6) added; (f)(4) and new (7) revised; 
        interim.....................................................7651
    (f)(5) and (6) removed; (f)(7) through (9) redesignated as 
(f)(5) through (7); (f)(4) and new (5) revised; eff. 3-27-21.......80588
121.302 (a) and (b) revised; interim................................7652
    (a) and (b) revised; eff. 3-27-21..............................80589
121.402 (b)(2) amended; (c)(1)(i), (2)(i), and (e) revised.........66180
121.404 (a)(2) heading, (c) heading, (e) heading, (f) heading, 
        (g)(2)(iv), and (h) heading added; (e) and (g)(3) 
        introductory text amended; (g)(2)(ii)(D) redesignated as 
        (g)(2)(iii); (a) introductory text, (1), (b), (d), (g) 
        introductory text, (2)(ii)(C), and new (iii) revised.......66180
    (a) heading added; (a)(2) heading added; (1), (d) correctly 
revised............................................................72916
121.406 (a) introductory text amended..............................66182
121.603 (c)(3) added...............................................66182
121.702 (c)(6) revised.............................................66182
121.1001 (a)(1)(iii), (2)(iii), (3)(iv), (4)(iii), (6)(iv), 
        (7)(iii), (8)(iv), (9)(iv), (b)(7), and (12) revised.......66182
121.1004 (a)(2)(ii) revised; (a)(2)(iii) added.....................66182
121.1103 (c)(1)(i) revised.........................................66183
121 Appendix A added...............................................20821
123 Authority citation revised.....................................12864
123.21 Amended.....................................................12864
123.400--123.412 (Subpart E) Removed...............................12864
123.600--123.606 (Subpart G) Removed...............................12864
124.3 Amended......................................................66183
124.104 (c)(2) introductory text, (ii), (3)(i), and (4) amended....27660
124.105 (g), (i)(2), and (4) revised...............................66183
124.109 Heading, (c)(3)(ii), (6)(iii), and (7)(ii) revised; 
        (a)(7), (c)(3)(iv), and (4)(iii)(C) added..................66184
124.110 Heading and (e) revised....................................66184
124.111 Heading and (d) revised; (c)(3) added......................66184
124.112 (d)(5) revised; (e)(2)(iv) redesignated as (e)(2)(v); new 
        (e)(2)(iv) added...........................................66185
124.203 Amended....................................................66185
124.204 (a) amended................................................66185
124.205 Revised....................................................66185
124.206 (b) removed; (c) and (d) redesignated as new (b) and (c) 
                                                                   66185
124.207 Revised....................................................66185
124.300 Redesignated from 124.301..................................66186
124.301 Redesignated as 124.300; new section added.................66186

[[Page 955]]

124.304 (d) heading revised; (d) amended...........................66186
124.305 (a), (d) introductory text, (3), (h)(1) introductory text, 
        (ii), and (iv) revised; (h)(6) redesignated as (h)(7); 
        (h)(1)(v) and new (h)(6) added.............................66186
124.402 (b) revised................................................66186
124.405 (a)(1) amended; (a)(2), (b)(3), (c) heading, (1) 
        introductory text, (d) heading, (1), and (f) revised; 
        (b)(6) added...............................................69124
124.501 (g) through (i) redesignated as (h) through (j); new (g) 
        and (k) added; new (h) revised.............................66186
124.503 (e) through (j) redesignated as (f) through (k); new (e) 
        added; new (g), (h) introductory text, new (i)(1)(iii), 
        new (2)(ii), and new (iv) revised; (a)(1), new (h)(1) 
        through (4), and new (i)(1)(iv) amended....................66187
124.504 Heading, (b), (d) heading, (1) introductory text, and (4) 
        revised; (c) introductory text and (1)(ii)(C) amended; 
        (c)(4) added...............................................66188
124.505 (a)(2) amended; (a)(3) redesignated as (a)(4); new (a)(3) 
        added......................................................66189
124.507 (b)(3) and (c)(1) removed; (b)(4) through (6), (c)(2), and 
        (3) redesignated as (b)(3) through (5), (c)(1), and (2); 
        (b)(2) and new (c)(1) revised; (d)(3) added................66189
124.509 (a)(1) and (2) amended; (b)(2) table, (d), and (e) revised
                                                                   66189
124.513 (c)(2), (4), and (e) revised; (c)(5) amended...............66190
124.514 (b) revised................................................66191
124.515 (d) revised................................................66191
124.516 Removed....................................................27292
124.518 (c) revised................................................66191
124.519 (a) revised; (c) removed; (b) redesignated as new (c); new 
        (b) added..................................................66191
124.520 Revised....................................................66191
124.521 (e)(1) amended.............................................66191
124.1001 Revised...................................................27292
124.1002--124.1016 Removed.........................................27293
124.1015 (f)(2) amended............................................27660
125 Authority citation revised..............................69124, 70051
125.2 (e)(6)(i) revised; (g) added.................................66191
125.3 (b)(2) and (c)(1)(viii) amended; (c)(1)(ix) revised..........66192
125.5 (a)(1), (g), (h), and (i) amended; (f)(2) and (3) 
        redesignated as (f)(3) and (4); new (f)(2) added...........66192
125.6 (a) introductory text, (2)(ii)(B), (2) Examples 2, 3, and 4, 
        and (b) introductory text revised; (b) Example 3 added.....66192
125.8 (b)(2)(ii), (iv), (xi), (xii), (e), and (h)(2) revised; 
        (b)(2)(v) and (c)(1) amended; (c)(4) added.................66193
125.9 (b), (c)(1)(ii), (2) introductory text, (d)(1) introductory 
        text, (iii) introductory text, (B), (e)(1)(i), (5), (f), 
        (g) introductory text, (4), and (h)(1) introductory text 
        revised; (c)(4) removed; (e)(1) introductory text amended; 
        (e)(6) through (8) redesignated as (e)(7) through (9); 
        (d)(6), new (e)(6), and (g)(5) added.......................66194
125.15 Removed.....................................................70051
125.16 Removed.....................................................70051
125.18 (e)(2) amended..............................................27660
125.18 (a), (b)(2)(ii), and (iv) revised; (b)(1)(ii), (2) 
        introductory text, (v), and (3)(i) amended; (d)(1) through 
        (4) redesignated as (d)(2) through (5); new (d)(1) added 
                                                                   66196
125.19 Removed.....................................................70051
125.20 Removed.....................................................70051
125.28 Heading revised; (d)(1) amended.............................66196
125.100 (Subpart F) Added..........................................69124
126.500 (b) introductory text amended..............................66197
126.601 (h)(1)(i) and (ii) correctly amended........................5304
    (i) correctly redesignated as (d); new (d) heading and (e) 
through (h) correctly removed.......................................5304
126.602 (c) amended................................................66197
126.606 Revised....................................................66197
126.616 (a) and (c)(5) amended; (c)(2) and (4) revised.............66197
126.618 (a) amended................................................66197
126.619 (a)(3) and (4) correctly amended............................5304
    (b) introductory text amended..................................27660
126.801 (d)(1) amended.............................................66197
127.200 (c) and (d) added..........................................27660

[[Page 956]]

127.203 (b)(3) amended.............................................27660
127.300--127.356 (Subpart C) Undesignated center heading added.....27660
127.300 Revised....................................................27660
127.301 Revised....................................................27661
127.302 Revised....................................................27661
127.303 Revised....................................................27661
127.304 Revised....................................................27661
127.305 Revised....................................................27661
127.350 Undesignated center heading and section added..............27662
127.351 Added......................................................27662
127.352 Added......................................................27662
127.353 Added......................................................27662
127.354 Added......................................................27662
127.355 Added; eff. date delayed indefinitely......................27662
127.356 Added......................................................27662
127.400 Revised....................................................27663
127.401 Revised....................................................27663
127.402 Revised....................................................27664
127.403 Revised....................................................27664
127.404 Revised....................................................27664
127.405 Revised....................................................27664
127.503 (h)(2) amended.............................................27664
    (h) removed....................................................66197
127.504 (a) revised; (b) and (c) redesignated as (c) and (d); new 
        (b) added..................................................27664
    Revised........................................................66197
127.505 Removed....................................................27665
127.506 (c)(2) and (4) revised; (c)(5) amended.....................66199
127.603 (d) amended................................................27665
    Heading revised; (c)(1) amended................................66199
127.604 (f)(4) revised.............................................27665
129 Authority citation revised.....................................69125
129 Heading revised................................................69125
129.100--129.104 (Subpart A) Designated as Subpart A...............69125
129.101 Redesignated from 129.200..................................69125
129.102 Redesignated from 129.300..................................69125
129.103 Redesignated from 129.400..................................69125
129.104 Redesignated from 129.500..................................69125
129.200--129.201 (Subpart B) Added.................................69125
129.200 Redesignated as 129.101....................................69125
129.300--129.301 (Subpart C) Added.................................69125
129.300 Redesignated as 129.102....................................69125
129.400 Redesignated as 129.103....................................69125
129.500 Redesignated as 129.104....................................69125
134 Authority citation revised..............................14784, 52887
134.102 (d) added..................................................14784
    (u) and (v) amended; (w) added; interim........................52887
134.205 (c) revised................................................14784
134.317 Removed....................................................63193
134.318 (a) heading added; (b) revised.............................66199
134.714 Amended....................................................63193
134.1201--134.1217 (Subpart L) Added; interim......................52887
142.1 (b) amended..................................................13727
146.400 Amended....................................................13727
Chapter III
302.4 Removed.......................................................8379
302.5 Removed.......................................................8379
302.11 Removed......................................................8379
302.14 Removed......................................................8379
315 Authority citation revised......................................8379
315.1 Revised.......................................................8379
315.2 Introductory text revised; section amended....................8379
315.4 Removed.......................................................8380
315.4--315.5 (Subpart B) Revised....................................8380
315.5 Removed.......................................................8380
315.4--315.5 (Subpart B) Revised....................................8380
315.6 Removed.......................................................8380
315.6--315.10 (Subpart C) Revised...................................8380
315.11--315.12 (Subpart D) Revised..................................8380
315.13--315.14 (Subpart E) Revised..................................8380
315.15 (Subpart F) Added............................................8380

                                  2021

13 CFR
                                                                   86 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
107.665 Amended....................................................52957
113 Policy statement................................................3692
120 Policy statement...............3692, 3712, 8283, 13149, 15083, 40921
120 Authority citation revised.....................................40778
120.465 (b) amended................................................52957

[[Page 957]]

120.882 (g)(15) redesignated as (g)(16); new (g)(15) added; 
        (g)(3), (11) revised; new (g)(16) heading removed; (e) 
        introductory text, new (g)(16) amended; interim............40779
120.1500 (b)(2) amended............................................52957
121 Policy statement...................................3692, 3712, 15083
121.103 (h)(1)(i) correctly amended.................................2958
    (h) introductory text correctly amended........................10732
121.301 (g) added; interim.........................................50218
121.404 (a) introductory text correctly added.......................2959
    (d) correctly revised..........................................10732
    (a)(1)(iv) correctly added; (g) introductory text, and (4) 
correctly amended..................................................38538
123 Authority citation revised.....................................50219
123.13 (e) amended; (f) revised; interim...........................50219
123.300 (e) added; interim.........................................50219
123.303 (a) amended; (b)(2) revised; interim.......................50219
123.304 Added; interim.............................................50219
124 Authority citation revised......................................2532
    Authority citation revised; eff. 2-7-22........................61672
124.2 Revised; interim..............................................2532
124.404 (a) amended; interim........................................2533
124.501 (k) introductory text correctly revised.....................2959
124.502 (c)(17) revised; eff. 2-7-22...............................61672
124.506 (a)(2)(ii) amended; (b)(5) revised; eff. 2-7-22............61672
124.509 (b)(2) revised; (d)(4) amended; interim.....................2533
    (b)(3) correctly amended.......................................38538
124.513 (a)(1), (f) through (h), and (j) correctly revised; (a)(2) 
        amended.....................................................2959
125 Authority citation revised; eff. 2-7-22........................61672
125.3 (c)(1) introductory text and (1)(x) amended; eff. 2-7-22.....61672
125.11 Correction: Amended.........................................10733
125.12 (i)(1)(ii) and (2)(iii) revised; (i)(2)(iv) added; eff. 2-
        7-22.......................................................61672
125.18 (b)(5) correctly revised.....................................2959
125.23 (b)(1) amended; eff. 2-7-22.................................61672
126 Authority citation revised; eff. 2-7-22........................61672
126.103 Amended....................................................23864
126.200 (f) amended; eff. 2-7-22...................................61673
126.612 (b)(2) amended; eff. 2-7-22................................61673
126.616 (f) correctly revised.......................................2959
126.700 (b)(1) amended; eff. 2-7-22................................61673
127.400 (b)(1) correctly revised....................................2960
127.503 (c)(2) and (d)(2) amended; eff. 2-7-22.....................61673
127.504 (g)(1) correctly amended...................................10732
127.506 (f) correctly revised.......................................2960
134 Authority citation revised.....................................51595
134.1201--134.1214 (Subpart L) Revised.............................51595
142.1 (b) amended..................................................52957
146 Authority citation revised.....................................52957
146.400 Amended....................................................52957
Chapter III
300.3 Amended......................................................52959

                                  2022

13 CFR
                                                                   87 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
107.665 Amended....................................................28758
115 Authority citation revised.....................................48083
115.10 Amended.....................................................48083
115.12 (e)(3) revised..............................................48083
115.14 (a)(3) amended..............................................48084
115.19 (f)(2)(i) revised...........................................48084
115.30 (d)(2)(i), (ii)(D), and (E) amended.........................48084
115.32 (d)(2) and (3) amended......................................48084
115.33 (d)(1) and (2) amended......................................48084
115.64 Amended.....................................................48084
115.67 Amended.....................................................48084
120 Notification............................................25398, 46883
120 Authority citation revised.....................................37982
120.10 Amended.....................................................38908
120.103 Removed....................................................38908
120.110 (h) and (n) revised; (k) removed...........................38908
120.111 Introductory text amended..................................38908
120.173 Removed....................................................38908
120.212 (b) revised................................................38908
120.214 Introductory text, (c), and (d) revised; (e) removed; (f) 
        redesignated as new (e)....................................38908
120.215 Removed....................................................38908
120.220 (a)(3) amended.............................................38908
120.222 Amended....................................................38908
120.350 Revised....................................................38908
120.352 Revised....................................................38908

[[Page 958]]

120.370 Removed....................................................38909
120.380 Removed....................................................38909
120.381 Removed....................................................38909
120.382 Removed....................................................38909
120.383 Removed....................................................38909
120.420 (b) removed; (c) through (k) redesignated as new (b) 
        through (j)................................................38909
120.432 (a) amended................................................38909
120.453 Removed....................................................38909
120.465 (b) amended................................................28758
120.470 (d)(1) amended.............................................38909
120.532 Removed....................................................38909
120.540 (g) amended................................................38909
120.542 (d) and (e) amended........................................38909
120.701 (g) removed; (h) redesignated as new (g)...................38909
120.706 (a) amended................................................38909
120.707 (b) amended................................................38909
120.712 (b)(1) revised; (d) amended................................38909
120.714 Removed....................................................38909
120.715 Removed....................................................38909
120.800 Removed....................................................38909
120.812 (a)(2) revised; (d) amended................................38909
120.840 (b) revised................................................38909
120.842 Added; interim.............................................37982
120.845 (c)(1) amended.............................................38909
120.850 Undesignated center heading and section removed............38909
120.862 (b)(9) and (10) amended; (b)(11) through (13) added........38909
120.1400 (a)(1) and (2) amended....................................38909
120.1500 (c)(3) and (e)(3) amended; (c)(3)(i), (ii) added..........38910
120.1500 (b)(2) amended............................................28758
121 Notification...................................................25398
121 Authority citation revised.......................35882, 59285, 73412
121.103 (h) heading revised and introductory text correctly 
        amended......................................................381
121.103 (h)(1)(ii) amended.........................................73412
121.104 (c) revised................................................34120
121.106 (b)(1) and (3) revised.....................................34120
121.201 Table amended; footnote 17, 20, and 19 redesignated as 
        footnote 1, 15, and 17; new footnote 1 and 2 revised.......18624
121.201 Table amended; footnote 10 revised.........................18643
121.201 Table amended.........................18661, 18692, 35882, 59286
121.201 Table amended; footnotes 8 and 15 revised..................59286
121.201 Table amended; footnote 9 revised..........................69142
121.301 (c)(2) amended.............................................69154
121.404 (d) amended................................................73412
121.502 (a)(2) amended.............................................69154
121.512 (b) amended................................................69154
121.903 (a)(1)(i) revised..........................................34120
123.17 Amended.....................................................38910
124.104 (c)(2) introductory text, (3)(i), and (4) amended..........69154
124.519 (a) amended................................................69154
125 Authority citation revised.....................................73412
125.1 Amended...............................................50927, 73412
125.3 (c)(1)(ix), (x), and (xi) amended; (c)(1)(xii) added.........43739
125.6 (a) introductory text and (f)(1)(v) amended..................73412
125.9 (b)(3)(ii) amended; (d)(6) introductory text revised.........50927
125.11 Redesignated as 125.12; new section added...................43739
125.12 Redesignated as 125.13; new section redesignated from 
        125.11.....................................................43739
125.12 (Subpart A) Removed.........................................73412
125.13--125.15 (Subpart B) Removed.................................73412
125.13 Redesignated as 125.14; new section redesignated from 
        125.12.....................................................43739
125.14 Redesignated as 125.15; new section redesignated from 
        125.13.....................................................43739
125.15 Redesignated from 125.14....................................43739
125.17--125.26 (Subpart C) Removed.................................73412
125.27--125.31 (Subpart D) Removed.................................73412
125.28 (a) amended.................................................43740
125.29 (a) amended.................................................43740
125.30 (g)(4) amended..............................................43740
125.32--125.33 (Subpart E) Removed.................................73412
125.100 (Subpart F) Removed........................................73412
127.203 (b)(1), (c)(3)(i), and (4) amended.........................69154
127.355 Regulation at 85 FR 27662 eff. date 1-20-22.................3421
128 Added..........................................................73412
129 Heading revised................................................50927
129.300--129.301 (Subpart C) Heading revised.......................50927
129.300 Amended....................................................50927

[[Page 959]]

129.301 Heading, (a), (b)(1), and (c)(1) introductory text 
        revised; (f) redesignated as (e)...........................50927
134 Authority citation revised.....................................73425
134.102 (q) removed; (u) and (v) revised...........................73425
134.201 (b)(3) removed; (b)(8) and (9) revised.....................73425
134.501--134.515 (Subpart E) Removed...............................73425
134.1001--134.1013 (Subpart J) Revised.............................73425
134.1101--134.1112 (Subpart K) Revised.............................73425
142.1 (b) amended..................................................28758
146 Authority citation revised.....................................28758
146.400 Nomenclature change........................................28758

                                  2023

13 CFR
                                                                   88 FR
                                                                    Page
Chapter I
107 Notification...................................................55913
107 Authority citation revised.....................................46005
107.25 Added.......................................................46005
107.50 Amended.....................................................46005
107.150 Heading, (b)(1), (2), and (c)(2) revised; (a) heading, 
        introductory text, and (c)(1) amended......................46007
107.210 (a) introductory text amended; (a)(1) introductory text 
        revised; (a)(2) removed; (a)(3) redesignated as new (a)(2)
                                                                   46007
107.300 Revised....................................................46007
107.305 (a) through (c) revised; (d) heading and (e) added.........46008
107.320 Revised....................................................46009
107.501 Revised....................................................46009
107.503 (a) and (b)(2) amended; (d)(1) and (4) revised.............46009
107.504 Revised....................................................46009
107.550 Revised....................................................46009
107.570 Removed....................................................46009
107.585 Undesignated center heading and section revised............46009
107.590 (c) introductory text amended..............................46010
107.620 (b)(2) through (4) redesignated as (b)(3) through (5); new 
        (b)(2) added...............................................46010
107.630 (a) introductory text and (d) amended; (e) added...........46011
107.640 Revised....................................................46011
107.650 Revised....................................................46011
107.660 (a) revised................................................46011
107.665 Amended....................................................50004
107.720 (a)(2) and (i)(1) revised..................................46011
107.730 (a)(1) and (d)(3)(iii) revised; (d)(3)(iv) removed.........46011
107.810 Revised....................................................46011
107.830 (c)(2) revised.............................................46012
107.1000 Heading and introductory text revised.....................46012
107.1120 (c)(1) revised............................................46012
107.1130 Heading and (d)(1) revised................................46012
107.1150 Heading, (a), and (b) revised; introductory text amended 
                                                                   46012
107.1220 Revised...................................................46012
107.1540 (a) and (b) removed.......................................46012
107.1800--107.1850 (Subpart J) Heading revised.....................46012
107.1830 (e) revised...............................................46012
107.1840 (a), (b) introductory text, (c) heading, (1), and (d)(6) 
        revised....................................................46013
107.1845 (a) introductory text revised.............................46013
107.1850 Revised...................................................46013
115.10 Amended.....................................................24473
115.30 (d) revised.................................................24473
115.32 (b) and (d)(1) revised......................................24473
120 Authority citation revised.....................................70585
120 Notification.....................................32623, 69003, 69529
120.10 Amended.....................................................21899
120.120 Introductory text amended..................................21899
120.130 (a) and (g) revised........................................21085
120.150 Revised....................................................21085
120.160 (c) amended................................................21085
120.192 Amended....................................................21899
120.193 Amended....................................................21085
120.193 Correction: Amended........................................24474
120.202 Revised....................................................21086
120.220 Introductory text and (e) amended..........................21899
120.465 (b) amended................................................50005
120.466 (a)(6) revised.............................................21899
120.470 Introductory text, (a) introductory text, (b), and (e) 
        revised....................................................21899
120.471 (a)(4) and (5) added.......................................21899
120.801 (a) amended................................................21899
120.820 (g) added..................................................21900
120.842 (b)(4) and (5) amended.....................................21900
120.882 (g)(3) and (15) revised; (g)(16) amended...................70585
120.883 (e) revised................................................70586
120.921 (a) amended................................................21900

[[Page 960]]

120.960 (c)(1) revised.............................................21900
120.971 (a)(1) revised.............................................21900
120.1500 (b)(2) amended............................................50005
121 Notification...................................................55913
121 Authority citation revised.......................21086, 26199, 46014
121.103 Example 2 to (h) introductory text amended; (h)(1) through 
        (4) redesignated as (h)(2) through (h)(5); new (h)(1) and 
        (i) added;(h) introductory text, new (h)(3) and new (4) 
        revised....................................................26199
121.103 (b)(5)(vi) revised.........................................46014
121.201 Table amended..............................................10001
121.201 Regulation at 87 FR 69142 confirmed........................46055
121.301 Introductory text added; (f) revised.......................21086
121.301 Regulation at 87 FR 69154 confirmed........................46055
121.401 Amended....................................................26200
121.404 (a)(1)(i)(B), (ii)(B), and (1)(iv) revised; (d), 
        (g)(2)(i), (iii), and (5) amended; (g)(6) added............26200
121.406 (c) revised................................................26201
121.411 (c) revised................................................26201
121.413 Removed....................................................26201
121.502 Regulation at 87 FR 69154 confirmed........................46055
121.506 (a) through (e) redesignated as (b) and (d) through (g); 
        new (a) and new (c) added..................................26201
121.507 (d) and (e) added..........................................26201
121.512 Regulation at 87 FR 69154 confirmed........................46055
121.702 (c)(7) amended; (c)(11) added..............................26201
121.1001 (a)(6)(i), (8)(i), (9)(i), (b)(2)(ii) introductory text, 
        (A), and (C) revised.......................................26202
121.1004 (a)(1) revised; (a)(2)(iii) amended; (f) and (g) added....26202
121.1009 (a)(2) and (3) redesignated as (a)(3) and (4); new (a)(2) 
        added; (a)(1), new (4), and new (g)(5) revised.............26202
121.1203 (d) redesignated as (g); new (d), (e), and (f) added......26203
121.1204 (b)(1)(iii) amended; (b)(2) and (3) redesignated as 
        (b)(3) and (4); (b)(1)(i), (ii), and new (b)(4) revised; 
        new (b)(2) and (5) added...................................26203
121.1205 Amended...................................................26204
123 Authority citation revised.....................................24109
123.3 (a) introductory text revised; (a)(6) and (7) added..........24109
123.4 Revised......................................................24109
123.7 Amended......................................................39340
123.11 (b) revised.................................................39340
123.13 (d) amended.................................................39340
123.105 (a) and (c) revised; (d) added.............................39340
123.106 (b) revised................................................39341
123.107 Amended....................................................39341
123.202 (c) introductory text revised; (d) removed; (e) 
        redesignated as new (d)....................................39341
123.203 (b) revised................................................39341
123.301 (c) removed................................................39341
123.500 (b) and (c) revised........................................24109
123.501 (a) and (c) revised........................................24109
123.502 (j) removed................................................39341
123.503 Amended....................................................24110
123.504 (a) and (f) amended........................................24110
123.505 Heading and section amended................................24110
123.506 Amended....................................................24110
123.507 (b) revised................................................24109
123.511 Amended....................................................24110
124.3 Amended......................................................26204
124.102 (c) revised................................................26204
124.103 (c)(2)(i) amended..........................................26204
124.104 (c)(2)(ii) amended; (c)(2)(iii) removed; (c)(2)(iv) 
        redesignated as new (c)(2)(iii)............................26204
124.104 Regulation at 87 FR 69154 confirmed........................46055
124.105 (h)(2) and (i)(1) revised; (i)(2) amended..................26204
124.107 Introductory text revised..................................26204
124.108 (e) amended................................................26204
124.109 (c)(6)(i) revised; (c)(1) amended..........................26204
124.110 (e) through (h) redesignated as (f) through (i); (d)(3) 
        and new (e) added..........................................26205
124.111 (d) amended................................................26205
124.204 (a) revised................................................26205
124.302 (b) removed; (c) and (d) redesignated as new (b) and (c) 
                                                                   26205
124.303 (a)(15) amended............................................26205
124.304 (b) revised; (f)(3) amended................................26205
124.402 (b) amended................................................26205
124.403 (a) and (c)(1) amended.....................................26205

[[Page 961]]

124.501 (b), (g) introductory text, and (k) introductory text 
        revised; (h) amended; (k)(4) and (5) redesignated as 
        (k)(7) and (8); new (k)(4), new (5), (6), and (9) added....26206
124.502 (a) revised................................................26206
124.503 (a) introductory text, (4)(ii), (5), (i)(1)(iv), and 
        (2)(ii) revised; (i)(1)(ii) amended........................26206
124.504 (d)(1) introductory text amended; (d)(3) revised...........26207
124.506 (b)(3) revised; (d) amended................................26208
124.509 (c)(1) revised; (d)(1)(i) and (ii) added...................26208
124.509 Correction: (c)(1) revised.................................28985
124.513 (a)(3) and (4) added.......................................26208
124.515 (a)(1) and (c) revised; (d) amended........................26208
124.519 Regulation at 87 FR 69154 confirmed........................46055
124.521 (e)(2) revised.............................................26209
124.603 Amended....................................................26209
124.1002 Added.....................................................26209
125 Authority citation revised..............................26209, 70343
125.1 Amended......................................................26209
125.2 (d)(2)(ii) amended; (d)(3)(i) revised........................26210
125.3 (a)(1)(i)(B), (c)(1)(iv), and (2) revised; (a)(1)(iii), 
        (c)(1)(i), (viii), and (x) amended.........................26210
125.3 (a) introductory text and (c)(1)(xi) amended; (a)(1)(i)(C) 
        revised; (c)(1)(xii) redesignated as (c)(1)(xiii); new 
        (c)(1)(xii) added..........................................70343
125.4 (c)(5) revised...............................................70343
125.6 (c) and (d) introductory text amended; (e), (f), and (g) 
        redesignated as (f), (g), and (h); new (e) added...........26210
125.8 (a), (b)(2)(ii)(A), and (vii) amended; (b)(2) introductory 
        text and (h)(2) revised....................................26211
125.8 (b)(2)(iv) revised...........................................70343
125.9 (b)(3)(ii) revised; (e)(1)(ii) and (iii) redesignated as 
        (e)(1)(iii) and (iv); new (e)(1)(ii) and (e)(6)(iv) added 
                                                                   26211
126 Authority citation revised.....................................21088
126.103 Amended....................................................21088
126.200 (b) revised................................................26212
126.203 Removed....................................................26212
126.306 (b)(1) and (2) added.......................................26212
126.309 Amended....................................................21088
126.503 (a)(2) revised; (c) and (d) added..........................26212
126.601 (d) revised; (e) added.....................................26212
126.609 Added......................................................26212
126.616 (a) revised................................................26212
126.618 (c)(2) amended.............................................26213
126.801 (b), (d) introductory text, (1), (2), and (e) revised......26213
126.803 (e) introductory text revised; (e)(1)(ii)(B), (iii), 
        (2)(ii), and (3) amended...................................21088
126.805 Revised....................................................21089
127.102 Amended....................................................26214
127.200 (a)(1) and (b)(1) revised..................................26214
127.201 (b) amended................................................26214
127.202 (c) revised................................................26214
127.203 Regulation at 87 FR 69154 confirmed........................46055
127.304 (c)(1), (2), (g)(1), and (2) added.........................26214
127.400 Revised....................................................26214
127.405 (c) redesignated as (f); new (c), (d), and (e) added.......26215
127.503 (e) through (g) redesignated as (f) through (h); new (e) 
        added......................................................26215
127.504 (g)(1) amended; (g)(2) revised; (g)(3) added...............26215
127.506 (a)(3) added...............................................26215
127.603 (c)(2) amended; (d) revised................................26215
128.102 Correction: Amended........................................42592
128.201 (b) removed; (c) redesignated as new (b)...................26216
128.203 (i) amended................................................26216
128.302 (d)(1), (2), (f)(1), and (2) added.........................26216
128.302 Correction: (c) amended....................................42592
128.310 (d) and (e) redesignated as (e) and (f); new (d) added.....26216
128.401 (g)(2) revised; (g)(3) added...............................26216
128.401 Correction: (a) revised....................................42593
128.402 (a)(3) revised.............................................26216
128.402 Correction: (c)(7) amended; (d)(2) introductory text, 
        (e)(2)(i)(B), (i)(2), and (j)(1) through (3) revised.......42593
128.404 (d) revised................................................26216
128.500 (d) added..................................................26216
130 Authority citation revised.....................................76639
130.100 Revised....................................................76639
130.110 Amended....................................................76639

[[Page 962]]

130.200 (a) designation, introductory text heading, and (b) 
        removed; (1) through (6) redesignated as (a) through (d), 
        (h), and (g); (e) and (f) added; new (g) amended; new (h) 
        revised....................................................76642
130.300 Revised....................................................76642
130.310 Revised....................................................76642
130.320 Removed; redesignated from 130.330; (b) amended; (d) and 
        (e) redesignated as (g) and (h); new (d), new (e), and (f) 
        added; (a), (c), new (g), and new (h) revised;.............76642
130.330 Redesignated as 130.320; new section redesignated from 
        130.340....................................................76642
130.330 (a), (b)(2) through (5), and (c) revised; (b)(1) amended; 
        (d) added..................................................76643
130.340 Revised....................................................76643
130.340 Redesignated as 130.330; new section redesignated from 
        130.350 and revised........................................76643
130.350 Redesignated as 130.340; new section redesignated from 
        130.360....................................................76642
130.350 Redesignated from 130.360; (a)(1) and (3) amended; (a)(2), 
        (4), (6), and (b)(1) revised; (b)(3) through (5) added.....76643
130.360 Redesignated as 130.350....................................76642
130.360 Added......................................................76644
130.370 Added......................................................76644
130.380 Added......................................................76644
130.400 Revised....................................................76645
130.410 Revised....................................................76645
130.420 Revised....................................................76645
130.430 Revised....................................................76645
130.440 Revised....................................................76645
130.450 (a) and (b) amended; (c) through (e) revised; (f) through 
        (h) added..................................................76645
130.460 Revised....................................................76646
130.465 Added......................................................76647
130.470 Revised....................................................76647
130.480 Revised....................................................76647
130.490 Added......................................................76647
130.500 Revised....................................................76647
130.600 Revised....................................................76647
130.610 Amended....................................................76647
130.620 Revised....................................................76647
130.630 Revised....................................................76648
130.700 Revised....................................................76648
130.800 Revised....................................................76650
130.810 Revised....................................................76650
130.820 Revised....................................................76651
130.825 Added......................................................76651
130.830 Revised....................................................76652
130.840 Added......................................................76652
134 Authority citation revised..............................21089, 42593
134.102 (v) and (w) amended; (x) added.............................21089
134.201 (b)(9) amended; (b)(10) redesignated as (b)(11); new 
        (b)(10) added..............................................21089
134.1005 Correction: (a)(2) amended................................42593
134.1007 Correction: (j)(1) and (2) revised........................42593
134.1301--134.1316 (Subpart M) Added...............................21089
142.1 (b) amended..................................................50005
146 Authority citation revised.....................................50005
146.400 Amended....................................................50005


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