[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 167 (Wednesday, October 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3867) to 
     update and expand the procurement of the Small Business 
     Administration, and for other purposes:

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3867, 
Small Business Contracting Procurement Improvements Act of 2007.
  Among the many improvements, this bill modernizes programs to 
increases opportunity to disadvantaged businesses that do not have 
proper access to the $410 billion federal marketplace.
  This bill expands procurement opportunities for service-disabled 
veteran-owned businesses; a group that currently receives only a small 
fraction of their contracting goal. Further, it creates penalties for 
misrepresentation of a service-disabled veteran owned business 
classification and adopts a roadmap for providing information, advice 
and training to service-disabled veterans as prescribed by President. 
Finally, it provides discretion to contracting officers in cases that 
must now be set aside for HUBZones but that could be used for service-
disable veteran-owned businesses.
  Additionally, the bill modernizes the 8(a) Business Development 
Program. This program is to single most important vehicle for minority 
business participation in federal contracting. The 8(a) program has 
contributed to the development of over 20,000 firms including many in 
Texas over the past two decades, and these firms have received almost 
$100 billion in federal contracts.
  Over 9,000 firms are currently participating in the 8(a) program. 
More than half of all federal minority business contracting is 
accomplished through the 8(a) program. Despite these impressive 
statistics, the program has not been revamped since 1988.
  Earlier this year, I joined my colleague Rep. Silvestre Reyes in 
sponsoring H.R. 1611, the 8(a) Modernization Act which was incorporated 
into this legislation.
  I would like to thank the Chairwoman, Ms. Nydia Velazquez for her 
work not only for this legislation but also her long time advocacy for 
our Nation's small businesses.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

                          ____________________