[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 155 (Friday, November 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14212-S14218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS SUSTAINABILITY ACT OF 1999

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to consideration of Calendar No. 372, S. 791.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 791) to amend the Small Business Act with 
     respect to the women's business center program.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill 
which had been reported from the Committee on Small Business to strike 
all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:

                                 S. 791

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Business Centers 
     Sustainability Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

       Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) the term `private nonprofit organization' means an 
     entity that is described in section 501(c) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 
     501(a) of such Code;''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``nonprofit'' after 
     ``private''.

     SEC. 3. INCREASED MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT AND REVIEW OF WOMEN'S 
                   BUSINESS CENTERS.

       Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
       ``(h) Program Examination.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration shall--
       ``(A) develop and implement an annual programmatic and 
     financial examination of each women's business center 
     established pursuant to this section, pursuant to which each 
     such center shall provide to the Administration--
       ``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for 
     costs incurred during the preceding year; and
       ``(ii) documentation regarding the amount of matching 
     assistance from non-Federal sources obtained and expended by 
     the center during the preceding year in order to meet the 
     requirements of subsection (c) and, with respect to any in-
     kind contributions described in subsection (c)(2) that were 
     used to satisfy the requirements of subsection (c), 
     verification of the existence and valuation of those 
     contributions; and
       ``(B) analyze the results of each such examination and, 
     based on that analysis, make a determination regarding the 
     programmatic and financial viability of each women's business 
     center.
       ``(2) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining 
     whether to award a contract (as a sustainability grant) under 
     subsection (l) or to renew a contract (either as a grant or 
     cooperative agreement) under this section with a women's 
     business center, the Administration--
       ``(A) shall consider the results of the most recent 
     examination of the center under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) may withhold such award or renewal, if the 
     Administration determines that--
       ``(i) the center has failed to provide any information 
     required to be provided under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph 
     (1)(A), or the information provided by the center is 
     inadequate; or
       ``(ii) the center has failed to provide any information 
     required to be provided by the center for purposes of the 
     report of the Administration under subsection (j), or the 
     information provided by the center is inadequate.''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (j) and inserting the following:
       ``(j) Management Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration shall prepare and 
     submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate a report on the effectiveness 
     of all projects conducted under this section.
       ``(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include information concerning, with respect to each 
     women's business center established pursuant to this 
     section--
       ``(A) the number of individuals receiving assistance;
       ``(B) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(C) the gross receipts of assisted concerns;
       ``(D) the employment increases or decreases of assisted 
     concerns;
       ``(E) to the maximum extent practicable, increases or 
     decreases in profits of assisted concerns; and
       ``(F) the most recent analysis, as required under 
     subsection (h)(1)(B), and the subsequent determination made 
     by the Administration under that subsection.''.

     SEC. 4. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS SUSTAINABILITY PILOT 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 656) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l) Sustainability Pilot Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is established a 4-year pilot 
     program under which the Administration is authorized to award 
     grants (referred to in this section as `sustainability 
     grants') on a competitive basis for an additional 5-year 
     project under this section to any private nonprofit 
     organization (or a division thereof)--
       ``(A) that has received financial assistance under this 
     section pursuant to a grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement; and
       ``(B) that--
       ``(i) is in the final year of a 5-year project; or
       ``(ii) to the extent that amounts are available for such 
     purpose under subsection (k)(4)(B), has completed a project 
     financed under this section (or any predecessor to this 
     section) and continues to provide assistance to women 
     entrepreneurs.
       ``(2) Conditions for participation.--In order to receive a 
     sustainability grant, an organization described in paragraph 
     (1) shall submit to the Administration an application, which 
     shall include--
       ``(A) a certification that the applicant--
       ``(i) is a private nonprofit organization;
       ``(ii) employs a full-time executive director or program 
     manager to manage the center; and
       ``(iii) as a condition of receiving a sustainability grant, 
     agrees--

       ``(I) to a site visit as part of the final selection 
     process and to an annual programmatic and financial 
     examination; and
       ``(II) to the maximum extent practicable, to remedy any 
     problems identified pursuant to that site visit or 
     examination;

       ``(B) information demonstrating that the applicant has the 
     ability and resources to meet the needs of the market to be 
     served by the women's business center site for which a 
     sustainability grant is sought, including the ability to 
     fundraise;

[[Page S14213]]

       ``(C) information relating to assistance provided by the 
     women's business center site for which a sustainability grant 
     is sought in the area in which the site is located, 
     including--
       ``(i) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling, training, and 
     workshops provided; and
       ``(iii) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(D) information demonstrating the effective experience of 
     the applicant in--
       ``(i) conducting financial, management, and marketing 
     assistance programs, as described in paragraphs (1), (2), and 
     (3) of subsection (b), designed to impart or upgrade the 
     business skills of women business owners or potential owners;
       ``(ii) providing training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged;
       ``(iii) using resource partners of the Administration and 
     other entities, such as universities;
       ``(iv) complying with the cooperative agreement of the 
     applicant; and
       ``(v) the prudent management of finances and staffing, 
     including the manner in which the performance of the 
     applicant compared to the business plan of the applicant and 
     the manner in which grant funds awarded under subsection 
     (b) were used by the applicant; and
       ``(E) a 5-year plan that projects the ability of the 
     women's business center site for which a sustainability grant 
     is sought--
       ``(i) to serve women business owners or potential owners in 
     the future by improving fundraising and training activities; 
     and
       ``(ii) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged.
       ``(3) Review of applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administration shall--
       ``(i) review each application submitted under paragraph (2) 
     based on the information provided under in subparagraphs (D) 
     and (E) of that paragraph, and the criteria set forth in 
     subsection (f);
       ``(ii) as part of the final selection process, conduct a 
     site visit at each women's business center for which a 
     sustainability grant is sought; and
       ``(iii) approve or disapprove applications for 
     sustainability grants simultaneously with applications for 
     grants under subsection (b).
       ``(B) Data collection.--Consistent with the annual report 
     to Congress under subsection (j), each women's business 
     center site that is awarded a sustainability grant shall, to 
     the maximum extent practicable, collect information relating 
     to--
       ``(i) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling and training 
     provided and workshops conducted;
       ``(iii) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(iv) any available gross receipts of assisted concerns; 
     and
       ``(v) the number of jobs created, maintained, or lost at 
     assisted concerns.
       ``(C) Record retention.--The Administration shall maintain 
     a copy of each application submitted under this subsection 
     for not less than 10 years.
       ``(4) Non-federal contribution.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this section, as a condition of receiving a sustainability 
     grant, an organization described in paragraph (1) shall agree 
     to obtain, after its application has been approved under 
     paragraph (3) and notice of award has been issued, cash and 
     in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources for each year 
     of additional program participation in an amount equal to 1 
     non-Federal dollar for each Federal dollar.
       ``(B) Form of non-federal contributions.--Not more than 50 
     percent of the non-Federal assistance obtained for purposes 
     of subparagraph (A) may be in the form of in-kind 
     contributions that are budget line items only, including 
     office equipment and office space.
       ``(5) Timing of requests for proposals.--In carrying out 
     this subsection, the Administration shall issue requests for 
     proposals for women's business centers applying for the pilot 
     program under this subsection simultaneously with requests 
     for proposals for grants under subsection (b).''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 29(k) of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(k)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated, 
     to remain available until the expiration of the pilot program 
     under subsection (l)--
       ``(A) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
       ``(B) $14,300,000 for fiscal year 2001;
       ``(C) $15,600,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
       ``(D) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``Amounts made'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     amounts made''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Exceptions.--Of the amount made available under this 
     subsection for a fiscal year, the following amounts shall be 
     available for selection panel costs, post-award conference 
     costs, and costs related to monitoring and oversight:
       ``(i) For fiscal year 2000, 2.5 percent.
       ``(ii) For fiscal year 2001, 2.3 percent.
       ``(iii) For fiscal year 2002, 2.3 percent.
       ``(iv) For fiscal year 2003, 1.9 percent.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Reservation of funds for sustainability pilot 
     program.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), of the 
     total amount made available under this subsection for a 
     fiscal year, the following amounts shall be reserved for 
     sustainability grants under subsection (l):
       ``(i) For fiscal year 2000, 19.4 percent.
       ``(ii) For fiscal year 2001, 21.9 percent.
       ``(iii) For fiscal year 2002, 32 percent.
       ``(iv) For fiscal year 2003, 35 percent.
       ``(B) Use of unawarded funds for sustainability pilot 
     program grants.--If the amount reserved under subparagraph 
     (A) for any fiscal year is not fully awarded to private 
     nonprofit organizations described in subsection (l)(1)(B)(i), 
     the unawarded amount--
       ``(i) shall first be made available for sustainability 
     grant awards under subsection (l) to private nonprofit 
     organizations described in subsection (l)(1)(B)(ii); and
       ``(ii) any remaining unawarded amount shall be made 
     available to fund additional women's business center sites or 
     to increase funding of existing women's business center sites 
     under subsection (b).''.
       (c) Guidelines.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small 
     Business Administration shall issue guidelines to implement 
     the amendments made by this section.

     SEC. 5. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT 
                   ACCESS FOR WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES.

       (a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
       (1) women-owned small businesses are a powerful force in 
     the economy;
       (2) between 1987 and 1996--
       (A) the number of women-owned small businesses in the 
     United States increased by 78 percent, almost twice the rate 
     of increase of all businesses in the United States;
       (B) the number of women-owned small businesses increased in 
     every State;
       (C) total sales by women-owned small businesses in the 
     United States increased by 236 percent;
       (D) employment provided by women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States increased by 183 percent; and
       (E) the rates of growth for women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States for the fastest growing industries were--
       (i) 171 percent in construction;
       (ii) 157 percent in wholesale trade;
       (iii) 140 percent in transportation and communications;
       (iv) 130 percent in agriculture; and
       (v) 112 percent in manufacturing;
       (3) approximately 8,000,000 women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States provide jobs for 15,500,000 individuals and 
     generate almost $1,400,000,000,000 in sales each year;
       (4) the participation of women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States in the procurement market of the Federal 
     Government is limited;
       (5) the Federal Government is the largest purchaser of 
     goods and services in the United States, spending more than 
     $200,000,000,000 each year;
       (6) the majority of Federal Government purchases are for 
     items that cost $25,000 or less; and
       (7) the rate of Federal procurement for women-owned small 
     businesses is 2.2 percent.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
     should--
       (1) conduct an audit of the Federal procurement system 
     regarding Federal contracting involving women-owned small 
     businesses for the 3 preceding fiscal years;
       (2) solicit from Federal employees involved in the Federal 
     procurement system any suggestions regarding how to increase 
     the number of Federal contracts awarded to women-owned small 
     businesses; and
       (3) submit to Congress a report on the results of that 
     audit, which report shall include--
       (A) an analysis of any identified trends in Federal 
     contracting with respect to women-owned small businesses;
       (B) any recommended means to increase the number of Federal 
     contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses that the 
     Comptroller General considers to be appropriate, after taking 
     into consideration any suggestions received pursuant to a 
     solicitation described in paragraph (2), including any such 
     means that incorporate the concepts of teaming or partnering; 
     and
       (C) a discussion of any barriers to the receipt of Federal 
     contracts by women-owned small businesses and other small 
     businesses that are created by legal or regulatory 
     procurement requirements or practices.

     SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take 
     effect on October 1, 1999.


                           Amendment No. 2543

(Purpose: To make an amendment with respect to the funding formulas and 
                         the selection process)

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, Senator Kerry and Senator Bond have an 
amendment at the desk and I ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from New Mexico [Mr. Domenici], for Mr. Kerry 
     and Mr. Bond, proposes an amendment numbered 2543.
       Strike section 4 and insert the following:

     SEC. 4. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS SUSTAINABILITY PILOT 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 656) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l) Sustainability Pilot Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is established a 4-year pilot 
     program under which the Administration is authorized to award 
     grants (referred to in this section as `sustainability 
     grants') on a competitive basis for an additional 5-year 
     project under this section to any private nonprofit 
     organization (or a division thereof)--

[[Page S14214]]

       ``(A) that has received financial assistance under this 
     section pursuant to a grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement; and
       ``(B) that--
       ``(i) is in the final year of a 5-year project; or
       ``(ii) has completed a project financed under this section 
     (or any predecessor to this section) and continues to provide 
     assistance to women entrepreneurs.
       ``(2) Conditions for participation.--In order to receive a 
     sustainability grant, an organization described in paragraph 
     (1) shall submit to the Administration an application, which 
     shall include--
       ``(A) a certification that the applicant--
       ``(i) is a private nonprofit organization;
       ``(ii) employs a full-time executive director or program 
     manager to manage the center; and
       ``(iii) as a condition of receiving a sustainability grant, 
     agrees--

       ``(I) to a site visit as part of the final selection 
     process and to an annual programmatic and financial 
     examination; and
       ``(II) to the maximum extent practicable, to remedy any 
     problems identified pursuant to that site visit or 
     examination;

       ``(B) information demonstrating that the applicant has the 
     ability and resources to meet the needs of the market to be 
     served by the women's business center site for which a 
     sustainability grant is sought, including the ability to 
     fundraise;
       ``(C) information relating to assistance provided by the 
     women's business center site for which a sustainability grant 
     is sought in the area in which the site is located, 
     including--
       ``(i) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling, training, and 
     workshops provided; and
       ``(iii) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(D) information demonstrating the effective experience of 
     the applicant in--
       ``(i) conducting financial, management, and marketing 
     assistance programs, as described in paragraphs (1), (2), and 
     (3) of subsection (b), designed to impart or upgrade the 
     business skills of women business owners or potential owners;
       ``(ii) providing training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged;
       ``(iii) using resource partners of the Administration and 
     other entities, such as universities;
       ``(iv) complying with the cooperative agreement of the 
     applicant; and
       ``(v) the prudent management of finances and staffing, 
     including the manner in which the performance of the 
     applicant compared to the business plan of the applicant and 
     the manner in which grant funds awarded under subsection (b) 
     were used by the applicant; and
       ``(E) a 5-year plan that projects the ability of the 
     women's business center site for which a sustainability grant 
     is sought--
       ``(i) to serve women business owners or potential owners in 
     the future by improving fundraising and training activities; 
     and
       ``(ii) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged.
       ``(3) Review of applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administration shall--
       ``(i) review each application submitted under paragraph (2) 
     based on the information provided under in subparagraphs (D) 
     and (E) of that paragraph, and the criteria set forth in 
     subsection (f);
       ``(ii) as part of the final selection process, conduct a 
     site visit at each women's business center for which a 
     sustainability grant is sought; and
       ``(iii) approve or disapprove applications for 
     sustainability grants simultaneously with applications for 
     grants under subsection (b).
       ``(B) Data collection.--Consistent with the annual report 
     to Congress under subsection (j), each women's business 
     center site that is awarded a sustainability grant shall, to 
     the maximum extent practicable, collect information relating 
     to--
       ``(i) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling and training 
     provided and workshops conducted;
       ``(iii) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(iv) any available gross receipts of assisted concerns; 
     and
       ``(v) the number of jobs created, maintained, or lost at 
     assisted concerns.
       ``(C) Record retention.--The Administration shall maintain 
     a copy of each application submitted under this subsection 
     for not less than 10 years.
       ``(4) Non-federal contribution.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this section, as a condition of receiving a sustainability 
     grant, an organization described in paragraph (1) shall agree 
     to obtain, after its application has been approved under 
     paragraph (3) and notice of award has been issued, cash and 
     in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources for each year 
     of additional program participation in an amount equal to 1 
     non-Federal dollar for each Federal dollar.
       ``(B) Form of non-federal contributions.--Not more than 50 
     percent of the non-Federal assistance obtained for purposes 
     of subparagraph (A) may be in the form of in-kind 
     contributions that are budget line items only, including 
     office equipment and office space.
       ``(5) Timing of requests for proposals.--In carrying out 
     this subsection, the Administration shall issue requests for 
     proposals for women's business centers applying for the pilot 
     program under this subsection simultaneously with requests 
     for proposals for grants under subsection (b).''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 29(k) of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(k)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated, 
     to remain available until the expiration of the pilot program 
     under subsection (l)--
       ``(A) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
       ``(B) $12,800,000 for fiscal year 2001;
       ``(C) $13,700,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
       ``(D) $14,500,000 for fiscal year 2003.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``Amounts made'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     amounts made''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Exceptions.--Of the amount made available under this 
     subsection for a fiscal year, the following amounts shall be 
     available for selection panel costs, post-award conference 
     costs, and costs related to monitoring and oversight:
       ``(i) For fiscal year 2000, 2 percent.
       ``(ii) For fiscal year 2001, 1.9 percent.
       ``(iii) For fiscal year 2002, 1.9 percent.
       ``(iv) For fiscal year 2003, 1.6 percent.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Reservation of funds for sustainability pilot 
     program.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), of the 
     total amount made available under this subsection for a 
     fiscal year, the following amounts shall be reserved for 
     sustainability grants under subsection (l):
       ``(i) For fiscal year 2000, 17 percent.
       ``(ii) For fiscal year 2001, 18.8 percent.
       ``(iii) For fiscal year 2002, 30.2 percent.
       ``(iv) For fiscal year 2003, 30.2 percent.
       ``(B) Use of unawarded funds for sustainability pilot 
     program grants.--If the amount reserved under subparagraph 
     (A) for any fiscal year is not fully awarded to private 
     nonprofit organizations described in subsection (l)(1)(B), 
     the Administration is authorized to use the unawarded amount 
     to fund additional women's business center sites or to 
     increase funding of existing women's business center sites 
     under subsection (b).''.
       (c) Guidelines.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small 
     Business Administration shall issue guidelines to implement 
     the amendments made by this section.

  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
amendment be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid on the 
table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Women's 
Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999 (S. 791). This bill is the 
latest step by the Committee on Small Business to strengthen the 
Women's Business Center program at the Small Business Administration 
(SBA). Since this program first opened its doors in 1989, it has grown 
from an initial 12 centers to 81 centers operating in 47 states, the 
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The bill I 
am bringing before the Senate today will increase the authorization 
level for the Women's business Centers program. Further, this bill 
establishes a four year pilot program that will, for the first time, 
allow centers that have completed a grant or that are in their last 
year of a grant under this program to apply for a second, five year 
grant.
  S. 791 was approved by the Committee on Small Business by a 17-1 
vote, and I am urging my colleagues to support this bill with an 
amendment that Senator Kerry and I are offering on the floor today. The 
amendment includes changes to the bill that have been agreed to by the 
House Committee on Small business. Once Senate action on this bill is 
complete, it is our hope the House of Representatives will be able to 
pass the bill before Congress adjourns, clearing the measure for the 
President's approval. The amendment adopts the authorization levels 
included in the House-passed version of this bill, and it places all 
centers on an equal footing when competing for sustainability grants.
  During the past decade, the number of women-owned small businesses 
has exploded. Women-owned small businesses are the fastest growing 
segment of our nation's business community. Years ago, there was an 
advertising campaign slogan proclaiming that women ``had come a long 
way.'' I find that slogan very applicable to the plateau now reached by 
women entrepreneurs. Women business owners have established themselves 
as a key component of our small business community,

[[Page S14215]]

which has been the engine driving our economy during the 1990's.
  The research foundation arm of the National Association of Women 
business Owners (NAWBR) has conducted studies which show that women no 
longer are having more trouble than men obtaining bank loans. However, 
obtaining a loan does not guarantee a business' success. In fact, many 
small businesses that start out well capitalized end up failing. 
Success of a small business is usually dependent on the owners' 
management capabilities. Women's Business Centers offer help to women 
entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business or who already have a 
business by providing them with business and education training, 
including marketing, finance, and management assistance.
  For the past three years, I have worked with Senator Domenici, 
Senator Kerry, and Members of the Committee on Small Business first to 
save and later to expand the Women's Business Center Program. In 1996, 
when the Administration sought to zero-out the budget of the program, I 
helped lead the effort to earmark funds for the program within SBA's 
Fiscal Year 1997 budget. In 1997, Senator Domenici, Senator Kerry and I 
sponsored the ``Women's Business Centers Act of 1997,'' which expanded 
the program from $4 million to $8 million per year. This bill was 
incorporated into the ``Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997'' 
(Public Law 105-135).

  Earlier this year, the Congress passed the ``Women's Business Center 
Amendments Act of 1999'' (Public Law 106-17), which helped bring us 
closer to achieving our goal of having at least one Women's Business 
Center up and running in each of the 50 states. This law authorized $11 
million for Fiscal Year 2000 for the Women's Business Center Program, 
which allows SBA to continue to fund the existing 35 eligible Centers 
and provide seed funding to new eligible applicant Centers in states 
not yet served by the program.
  Under this latest step to strengthen the SBA's program for women-
owned businesses, the ``Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 
1999'' addresses the ongoing funding constraints that are making it 
increasingly difficult for Women's Business Centers to sustain the 
level of services they provide after they graduate from the Women's 
Business Centers program.
  To help these centers, S. 791 would establish a four-year competitive 
grant pilot program that allows graduating and graduated centers that 
offer on-going programs and services to women entrepreneurs to compete 
for another five years of matching grants known as a ``sustainability 
grant.'' ``Graduating centers'' are centers that are in the final year 
of their initial five-year funding cycle. A ``graduated center'' is a 
center that participated in the Women's Business Center program and no 
longer receives program funds but is still actively providing business 
programs and services to its local market.
  The ``Women's Business Center Sustainability Act of 1999'' also 
increases oversight and review of the Women's Business Centers. Earlier 
this year, the General Accounting Office (GAO) undertook an examination 
of the Women's Business Center Program at the request of the Senate and 
House Committees on Small Business. The GAO found that more than two-
thirds of the centers that currently receive grant funds or that 
received funds in the past continue to operate as Women's Business 
Centers. Most that are continuing to operate after Federal support 
ceased have continued to offer similar services to women business 
owners.
  While conducting its examination, GAO investigators experienced 
difficulty obtaining complete data about the program from the SBA 
because of limitations of SBA's records and databases for program years 
1989 through 1998. I am concerned about the report from the GAO 
highlighting the failure of SBA to keep complete program and financial 
records on Centers that are receiving SBA grants funds; therefore, the 
bill includes a provision requiring the SBA to send the Senate and 
House Committees on Small Business a yearly Management Report on the 
status of the program. This report will include an annual programmatic 
and financial examination of each Women's Business Center. Further, SBA 
is directed to make a determination annually of the programmatic and 
financial viability of each Women's Business Center. It is my belief 
that this new statutory requirement will lead to better SBA oversight 
and a stronger Women's Business Center Program.
  During the Committee's consideration of S. 791, it approved 
unanimously an amendment sponsored by Senator Abraham addressing 
Federal procurement opportunities for women-owned small businesses. The 
amendment directs the GAO to conduct an audit on the federal 
procurement system for the preceding three years and report on all 
identifiable trends in Federal contracting that are related to women-
owned small businesses.
  It is difficult to understand how the women-owned small businesses 
segment of our economy can make up 38 percent of all small businesses 
and receive only 2.2 percent of the $181 billion in Federal prime 
contracts. In 1994, Congress passed into law a goal for women-owned 
small businesses to receive at least 5 percent of the total amount of 
Federal prime contract dollars. I am distributed by the failure of the 
Federal agencies to meet this goal, and it is our intention for the GAO 
study to shed some light on this problem.
  Mr. President, passage of the ``Women's Business Centers 
Sustainability Act of 1999'' will build on the progress and successes 
we have accomplished to assist women entrepreneurs succeed as small 
business owners. I urge each of my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
important legislation.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, seven months ago I introduced the Women's 
Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999, a bill to help our Women's 
Business Centers weather the increasingly harsh climate of fundraising. 
These centers play an important role in our economy and in promoting 
economic independence for women. They help women take an honest look at 
their strengths and interests to find out whether they should strike 
out on their own. They teach women how to turn their talents into a 
business. And they train women in the fundamentals of starting and 
running a successful business. The centers are located in rural, urban 
and suburban areas, and direct much of their training and counseling 
assistance toward socially and economically disadvantaged women.
  Through the Women's Business Centers Program, business development 
resources and assistance available to women have steadily improved. The 
program opened its first 12 centers in 1989. Ten years later, women 
receive assistance at 81 centers in 47 states, the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In addition to 
increasing self-sufficiency among women, Women's Business Centers 
strengthen women's business ownership overall and encourage local job 
creation. Over the past decade, the number of women-owned businesses 
operating in this country has grown by 103 percent to an estimated 9.1 
million firms, generating $3.6 trillion in sales annually, while 
employing more than 27.5 million workers. In 1998, women-owned 
businesses made up more than one-third of the 23 million small 
businesses in the United States.
  In spite of the important contributions the Women's Business Centers 
make to the national economy, we are in danger of losing many effective 
centers if we don't change the funding structure before their five-year 
funding runs out. Currently, the Small Business Administration's 
Women's Business Centers program provides five-year grants of up to 
$150,000, matched by non-Federal dollars, to private-sector 
organizations so that they can establish business-training centers for 
women. From Senate and House hearings at the beginning of the year, we 
know that without the Federal matching grant, most centers cannot 
afford to continue providing the same quality of services or to keep 
their doors open. That money is their bread and butter, as well as 
indispensable for leveraging fundraising dollars. I believe the Women's 
Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999 is a fair way to let WBCs 
recompete for the base funding.
  The Women's Business Centers Act creates a four-year pilot that 
allows graduating and graduated centers to recompete for five-year 
matching grants of up to $125,000. It requires the SBA to do site 
visits as part of the final selection process so that we can

[[Page S14216]]

better judge which centers merit a sustainability grant after five 
years in the program. It includes a provision from Senator Bond to 
increase management oversight and review of Centers to better evaluate 
the viability of centers and improve SBA's management of the program. 
And it incrementally raises over four years the annual authorization 
levels from $12 million in fiscal year 2000 to $14.5 million in fiscal 
year 2003. The increased authorization levels ensure that there are 
adequate monies to fund 45 existing centers, an average of eight 
recompeting centers annually, and an average of 10 new centers per 
year.
  The Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999 has 
tremendous support. It is also the product of old-fashioned cooperation 
between Democrats and Republicans, and the House and Senate. I want to 
thank not only the 30 Senators--20 Democrats and 10 Republicans--who 
are cosponsors of this bill, but also the staff members on the House 
Small Business Committee who work for Chairman Talent, Ranking Member 
Nydia Velazquez, and Congresswoman Kelly.
  For the record, I would like to recognize the 30 cosponsors of my 
bill--Bond, Harkin, Bingaman, Domenici, Levin, Enzi, Kennedy, Abraham, 
Sarbanes, Akaka, Edwards, Feinstein, Landrieu, Boxer, Cleland, Kohl, 
Wellstone, Burns, Leahy, Snowe, Hutchison, Durbin, Santorum, Murray, 
Mikulski, Inouye, Jeffords, Lieberman, Bennett and Robb.
  Mr. President, I know how important this bill is to members on both 
sides of the aisle. I thank my colleagues for their support.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am pleased the Senate is prepared to pass 
the Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999. I am an 
original cosponsor of this legislation to strengthen SBA's Women's 
Business Centers in Michigan and across the nation which help 
entrepreneurs start and maintain successful businesses by providing 
such things as start-up help and financial expertise to women-owned 
businesses. This legislation will allow those Women's Business Centers 
that are already successfully participating in the program to recompete 
for Federal funding after their initial funding term expires. These 
Centers would have previously been ineligible for renewed funding.
  Women-owned businesses are the fastest growing sector of small 
businesses in America and provide innumerable jobs and resources to the 
state of Michigan and around the country. Last year, women-owned 
businesses made up more than one-third of the 23 million small 
businesses in the United States. The Women's Business Center program 
offers important tools to women who want to start or expand small 
businesses. However, the program is in danger of losing many effective 
Centers because the Centers are finding it increasingly difficult to 
raise the required non-Federal matching funds necessary to keep the 
programs running.
  This legislation allows existing Centers to recompete for Federal 
funds, but sets the recompetition standards higher than those used for 
centers applying for their initial five-year funding term. This is to 
take into account established Centers' higher levels of experience and 
ensures that Centers meeting the highest standards can continue to get 
funded. The ability of established and successful Women's Business 
Development Centers to continue to compete for Federal funding means 
that critical resources will continue to be made available for women-
owned businesses for such purposes as training and obtaining business 
financing.
  Michigan has three Women's Business Centers, the Center for 
Empowerment and Economic Development, CEED, which houses the Women's 
Initiative for Self-Employment, WISE, in Ann Arbor, the Grand Rapids 
Opportunities for Women, GROW, in Grand Rapids, and The Detroit 
Entrepreneurship Institute, Inc, DEI.
  These Michigan programs offer women who want to open a small business 
a comprehensive package of business education and training, start-up 
financing, technical assistance, peer group support and access to 
community and government supportive resources such as child care. 
Michigan's Women's Business Centers strongly support this legislation 
and believe they need to be able to recompete for Federal resources in 
order to continue to be able to offer the current levels of services 
and support to Michigan's women-owned businesses. This bill would allow 
them to do that.
  I am pleased that Congress has continued to recognize the importance 
of funding the Women's Business Center program. In 1997, Congress 
enacted legislation to make a 1989-1991 pilot project a permanent part 
of the Small Business Administration programs available to help 
entrepreneurs start and maintain successful business. It also doubled 
the annual funding of the Women's Business Centers and extend the 
funding period from 3 to 5 years. And just this year, Congress enacted 
legislation to change the non-Federal and Federal funding ratio 
requirements and it again increased the annual authorization level from 
$8 million to $11 million.
  The legislation that will be passed by the Senate today under a 
unanimous consent agreement will allow existing Women's Business 
Centers to compete for additional Federal funding. It also authorizes 
increased appropriations for the program for 4 years. It increases the 
FY 2000 and FY 2001 authorization from $11 million to $12 million. It 
also authorizes appropriations of $12.8 million in FY 2001; $13.7 
million in FY 2002; and $14.5 million in FY 2003 for this program.
  This is an important piece of legislation and I am pleased my Senate 
colleagues are supporting it.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
substitute amendment, as amended, be agreed to, the bill, as amended, 
be read three times, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and that any statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, 
was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 791), as amended, was read the third time and passed, as 
follows:

                                 S. 791

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Business Centers 
     Sustainability Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

       Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (4), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) the term `private nonprofit organization' means an 
     entity that is described in section 501(c) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 
     501(a) of such Code;''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``nonprofit'' after 
     ``private''.

     SEC. 3. INCREASED MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT AND REVIEW OF WOMEN'S 
                   BUSINESS CENTERS.

       Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
       ``(h) Program Examination.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration shall--
       ``(A) develop and implement an annual programmatic and 
     financial examination of each women's business center 
     established pursuant to this section, pursuant to which each 
     such center shall provide to the Administration--
       ``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for 
     costs incurred during the preceding year; and
       ``(ii) documentation regarding the amount of matching 
     assistance from non-Federal sources obtained and expended by 
     the center during the preceding year in order to meet the 
     requirements of subsection (c) and, with respect to any in-
     kind contributions described in subsection (c)(2) that were 
     used to satisfy the requirements of subsection (c), 
     verification of the existence and valuation of those 
     contributions; and
       ``(B) analyze the results of each such examination and, 
     based on that analysis, make a determination regarding the 
     programmatic and financial viability of each women's business 
     center.
       ``(2) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining 
     whether to award a contract (as a sustainability grant) under 
     subsection (l) or to renew a contract (either as a grant or 
     cooperative agreement) under this section with a women's 
     business center, the Administration--
       ``(A) shall consider the results of the most recent 
     examination of the center under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) may withhold such award or renewal, if the 
     Administration determines that--
       ``(i) the center has failed to provide any information 
     required to be provided under

[[Page S14217]]

     clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(A), or the information 
     provided by the center is inadequate; or
       ``(ii) the center has failed to provide any information 
     required to be provided by the center for purposes of the 
     report of the Administration under subsection (j), or the 
     information provided by the center is inadequate.''; and
       (2) by striking subsection (j) and inserting the following:
       ``(j) Management Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration shall prepare and 
     submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate a report on the effectiveness 
     of all projects conducted under this section.
       ``(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include information concerning, with respect to each 
     women's business center established pursuant to this 
     section--
       ``(A) the number of individuals receiving assistance;
       ``(B) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(C) the gross receipts of assisted concerns;
       ``(D) the employment increases or decreases of assisted 
     concerns;
       ``(E) to the maximum extent practicable, increases or 
     decreases in profits of assisted concerns; and
       ``(F) the most recent analysis, as required under 
     subsection (h)(1)(B), and the subsequent determination made 
     by the Administration under that subsection.''.

     SEC. 4. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS SUSTAINABILITY PILOT 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 656) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(l) Sustainability Pilot Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is established a 4-year pilot 
     program under which the Administration is authorized to award 
     grants (referred to in this section as `sustainability 
     grants') on a competitive basis for an additional 5-year 
     project under this section to any private nonprofit 
     organization (or a division thereof)--
       ``(A) that has received financial assistance under this 
     section pursuant to a grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement; and
       ``(B) that--
       ``(i) is in the final year of a 5-year project; or
       ``(ii) has completed a project financed under this section 
     (or any predecessor to this section) and continues to provide 
     assistance to women entrepreneurs.
       ``(2) Conditions for participation.--In order to receive a 
     sustainability grant, an organization described in paragraph 
     (1) shall submit to the Administration an application, which 
     shall include--
       ``(A) a certification that the applicant--
       ``(i) is a private nonprofit organization;
       ``(ii) employs a full-time executive director or program 
     manager to manage the center; and
       ``(iii) as a condition of receiving a sustainability grant, 
     agrees--

       ``(I) to a site visit as part of the final selection 
     process and to an annual programmatic and financial 
     examination; and
       ``(II) to the maximum extent practicable, to remedy any 
     problems identified pursuant to that site visit or 
     examination;

       ``(B) information demonstrating that the applicant has the 
     ability and resources to meet the needs of the market to be 
     served by the women's business center site for which a 
     sustainability grant is sought, including the ability to 
     fundraise;
       ``(C) information relating to assistance provided by the 
     women's business center site for which a sustainability grant 
     is sought in the area in which the site is located, 
     including--
       ``(i) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling, training, and 
     workshops provided; and
       ``(iii) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(D) information demonstrating the effective experience of 
     the applicant in--
       ``(i) conducting financial, management, and marketing 
     assistance programs, as described in paragraphs (1), (2), and 
     (3) of subsection (b), designed to impart or upgrade the 
     business skills of women business owners or potential owners;
       ``(ii) providing training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged;
       ``(iii) using resource partners of the Administration and 
     other entities, such as universities;
       ``(iv) complying with the cooperative agreement of the 
     applicant; and
       ``(v) the prudent management of finances and staffing, 
     including the manner in which the performance of the 
     applicant compared to the business plan of the applicant and 
     the manner in which grant funds awarded under subsection (b) 
     were used by the applicant; and
       ``(E) a 5-year plan that projects the ability of the 
     women's business center site for which a sustainability grant 
     is sought--
       ``(i) to serve women business owners or potential owners in 
     the future by improving fundraising and training activities; 
     and
       ``(ii) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged.
       ``(3) Review of applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administration shall--
       ``(i) review each application submitted under paragraph (2) 
     based on the information provided under in subparagraphs (D) 
     and (E) of that paragraph, and the criteria set forth in 
     subsection (f);
       ``(ii) as part of the final selection process, conduct a 
     site visit at each women's business center for which a 
     sustainability grant is sought; and
       ``(iii) approve or disapprove applications for 
     sustainability grants simultaneously with applications for 
     grants under subsection (b).
       ``(B) Data collection.--Consistent with the annual report 
     to Congress under subsection (j), each women's business 
     center site that is awarded a sustainability grant shall, to 
     the maximum extent practicable, collect information relating 
     to--
       ``(i) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling and training 
     provided and workshops conducted;
       ``(iii) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(iv) any available gross receipts of assisted concerns; 
     and
       ``(v) the number of jobs created, maintained, or lost at 
     assisted concerns.
       ``(C) Record retention.--The Administration shall maintain 
     a copy of each application submitted under this subsection 
     for not less than 10 years.
       ``(4) Non-federal contribution.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this section, as a condition of receiving a sustainability 
     grant, an organization described in paragraph (1) shall agree 
     to obtain, after its application has been approved under 
     paragraph (3) and notice of award has been issued, cash and 
     in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources for each year 
     of additional program participation in an amount equal to 1 
     non-Federal dollar for each Federal dollar.
       ``(B) Form of non-federal contributions.--Not more than 50 
     percent of the non-Federal assistance obtained for purposes 
     of subparagraph (A) may be in the form of in-kind 
     contributions that are budget line items only, including 
     office equipment and office space.
       ``(5) Timing of requests for proposals.--In carrying out 
     this subsection, the Administration shall issue requests for 
     proposals for women's business centers applying for the pilot 
     program under this subsection simultaneously with requests 
     for proposals for grants under subsection (b).''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 29(k) of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(k)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated, 
     to remain available until the expiration of the pilot program 
     under subsection (l)--
       ``(A) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
       ``(B) $12,800,000 for fiscal year 2001;
       ``(C) $13,700,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
       ``(D) $14,500,000 for fiscal year 2003.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``Amounts made'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     amounts made''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Exceptions.--Of the amount made available under this 
     subsection for a fiscal year, the following amounts shall be 
     available for selection panel costs, post-award conference 
     costs, and costs related to monitoring and oversight:
       ``(i) For fiscal year 2000, 2 percent.
       ``(ii) For fiscal year 2001, 1.9 percent.
       ``(iii) For fiscal year 2002, 1.9 percent.
       ``(iv) For fiscal year 2003, 1.6 percent.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Reservation of funds for sustainability pilot 
     program.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), of the 
     total amount made available under this subsection for a 
     fiscal year, the following amounts shall be reserved for 
     sustainability grants under subsection (l):
       ``(i) For fiscal year 2000, 17 percent.
       ``(ii) For fiscal year 2001, 18.8 percent.
       ``(iii) For fiscal year 2002, 30.2 percent.
       ``(iv) For fiscal year 2003, 30.2 percent.
       ``(B) Use of unawarded funds for sustainability pilot 
     program grants.--If the amount reserved under subparagraph 
     (A) for any fiscal year is not fully awarded to private 
     nonprofit organizations described in subsection (l)(1)(B), 
     the Administration is authorized to use the unawarded amount 
     to fund additional women's business center sites or to 
     increase funding of existing women's business center sites 
     under subsection (b).''.
       (c) Guidelines.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small 
     Business Administration shall issue guidelines to implement 
     the amendments made by this section.

     SEC. 5. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT 
                   ACCESS FOR WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES.

       (a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
       (1) women-owned small businesses are a powerful force in 
     the economy;
       (2) between 1987 and 1996--
       (A) the number of women-owned small businesses in the 
     United States increased by 78 percent, almost twice the rate 
     of increase of all businesses in the United States;
       (B) the number of women-owned small businesses increased in 
     every State;
       (C) total sales by women-owned small businesses in the 
     United States increased by 236 percent;

[[Page S14218]]

       (D) employment provided by women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States increased by 183 percent; and
       (E) the rates of growth for women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States for the fastest growing industries were--
       (i) 171 percent in construction;
       (ii) 157 percent in wholesale trade;
       (iii) 140 percent in transportation and communications;
       (iv) 130 percent in agriculture; and
       (v) 112 percent in manufacturing;
       (3) approximately 8,000,000 women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States provide jobs for 15,500,000 individuals and 
     generate almost $1,400,000,000,000 in sales each year;
       (4) the participation of women-owned small businesses in 
     the United States in the procurement market of the Federal 
     Government is limited;
       (5) the Federal Government is the largest purchaser of 
     goods and services in the United States, spending more than 
     $200,000,000,000 each year;
       (6) the majority of Federal Government purchases are for 
     items that cost $25,000 or less; and
       (7) the rate of Federal procurement for women-owned small 
     businesses is 2.2 percent.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
     should--
       (1) conduct an audit of the Federal procurement system 
     regarding Federal contracting involving women-owned small 
     businesses for the 3 preceding fiscal years;
       (2) solicit from Federal employees involved in the Federal 
     procurement system any suggestions regarding how to increase 
     the number of Federal contracts awarded to women-owned small 
     businesses; and
       (3) submit to Congress a report on the results of that 
     audit, which report shall include--
       (A) an analysis of any identified trends in Federal 
     contracting with respect to women-owned small businesses;
       (B) any recommended means to increase the number of Federal 
     contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses that the 
     Comptroller General considers to be appropriate, after taking 
     into consideration any suggestions received pursuant to a 
     solicitation described in paragraph (2), including any such 
     means that incorporate the concepts of teaming or partnering; 
     and
       (C) a discussion of any barriers to the receipt of Federal 
     contracts by women-owned small businesses and other small 
     businesses that are created by legal or regulatory 
     procurement requirements or practices.

     SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take 
     effect on October 1, 1999.

                          ____________________