[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 7 (Monday, January 14, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H528-H531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  EXPANDING CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ACT OF 2019

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 190) to amend the Small Business Act to eliminate the 
inclusion of option years in the award price for sole source contracts, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 190

       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 ``Expanding Contracting 
     Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO CONTRACTING AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN SMALL 
                   BUSINESS CONCERNS.

       (a) Qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns.--
     Subparagraph (A) of section 31(b)(2) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 657a(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(A) Sole source contracts.--A contracting officer may 
     award sole source contracts under this section to any 
     qualified HUBZone small business concern, if--
       ``(i) the qualified HUBZone small business concern is 
     determined to be a responsible contractor with respect to 
     performance of such contract opportunity;
       ``(ii) the contracting officer does not have a reasonable 
     expectation that two or more qualified HUBZone small business 
     concerns will submit offers for the contracting opportunity;
       ``(iii) the anticipated award price of the contract will 
     not exceed--

       ``(I) $7,000,000, in the case of a contract opportunity 
     assigned a standard industrial classification code for 
     manufacturing; or
       ``(II) $4,000,000, in the case of all other contract 
     opportunities; and

       ``(iv) in the estimation of the contracting officer, the 
     contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.''.
       (b) Small Business Concern Owned and Controlled by Service-
     Disabled Veterans.--Subsection (a) of section 36 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657f) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Sole Source Contracts.--In accordance with this 
     section, a contracting officer

[[Page H529]]

     may award a sole source contract to any small business 
     concern owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans 
     if--
       ``(1) such concern is determined to be a responsible 
     contractor with respect to performance of such contract 
     opportunity;
       ``(2) the contracting officer does not have a reasonable 
     expectation that two or more small business concerns owned 
     and controlled by service-disabled veterans will submit 
     offers for the contracting opportunity;
       ``(3) the anticipated award price of the contract will not 
     exceed--
       ``(A) $7,000,000, in the case of a contract opportunity 
     assigned a standard industrial classification code for 
     manufacturing; or
       ``(B) $4,000,000, in the case of any other contract 
     opportunity;
       ``(4) in the estimation of the contracting officer, the 
     contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price;
       ``(5) the contracting officer has notified the 
     Administration of the intent to make such award and requested 
     that the Administration determine the concern's eligibility 
     for award; and
       ``(6) the Administration has determined that such concern 
     is eligible for award.''.
       (c) Certain Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by 
     Women.--Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     637(m)) is amended--
       (1) by amending paragraph (7) to read as follows:
       ``(7) Authority for sole source contracts for economically 
     disadvantaged small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     women.--A contracting officer may award a sole source 
     contract under this subsection to any small business concern 
     owned and controlled by women described in paragraph (2)(A) 
     and certified under paragraph (2)(E) if--
       ``(A) such concern is determined to be a responsible 
     contractor with respect to performance of the contract 
     opportunity;
       ``(B) the contracting officer does not have a reasonable 
     expectation that two or more businesses described in 
     paragraph (2)(A) will submit offers;
       ``(C) the anticipated award price of the contract will not 
     exceed--
       ``(i) $7,000,000, in the case of a contract opportunity 
     assigned a standard industrial classification code for 
     manufacturing; or
       ``(ii) $4,000,000, in the case of any other contract 
     opportunity;
       ``(D) in the estimation of the contracting officer, the 
     contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price;
       ``(E) the contracting officer has notified the 
     Administration of the intent to make such award and requested 
     that the Administration determine the concern's eligibility 
     for award; and
       ``(F) the Administration has determined that such concern 
     is eligible for award.''; and
       (2) by amending paragraph (8) to read as follows:
       ``(8) Authority for sole source contracts for small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by women in 
     substantially underrepresented industries.--A contracting 
     officer may award a sole source contract under this 
     subsection to any small business concern owned and controlled 
     by women certified under paragraph (2)(E) that is in an 
     industry in which small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by women are substantially underrepresented (as 
     determined by the Administrator under paragraph (3)) if--
       ``(A) such concern is determined to be a responsible 
     contractor with respect to performance of the contract 
     opportunity;
       ``(B) the contracting officer does not have a reasonable 
     expectation that two or more businesses in an industry that 
     has received a waiver under paragraph (3) will submit offers;
       ``(C) the anticipated award price of the contract will not 
     exceed--
       ``(i) $7,000,000, in the case of a contract opportunity 
     assigned a standard industrial classification code for 
     manufacturing; or
       ``(ii) $4,000,000, in the case of any other contract 
     opportunity;
       ``(D) in the estimation of the contracting officer, the 
     contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price;
       ``(E) the contracting officer has notified the 
     Administration of the intent to make such award and requested 
     that the Administration determine the concern's eligibility 
     for award; and
       ``(F) the Administration has determined that such concern 
     is eligible for award.''.
       (d) Elimination of the Inclusion of Option Years in the 
     Award Price for Contracts.--Section 8 of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 637) is amended by striking ``(including 
     options)'' each place such term appears.

     SEC. 3. SBA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM NOTIFICATION.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Small Business 
     Administration shall notify the Committee on Small Business 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small 
     Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate when the 
     Administrator has implemented each of the following:
       (1) A program to certify small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by women (as defined in section 8(m) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m))).
       (2) A program to certify small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by service-disabled veterans (as defined in 
     section 3(q)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     632(q))).
       (b) Additional Notice.--The Administrator of the Small 
     Business Administration shall submit a copy of a notification 
     required under subsection (a) to the Law Revision Counsel of 
     the House of Representatives so that the Law Revision Counsel 
     may execute the amendments required under section 4.

     SEC. 4. REMOVAL OF ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION UPON 
                   IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS.

       Effective upon the notification described under section 3, 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 8(m)--
       (A) in paragraph (7)--
       (i) in subparagraph (C), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking the semicolon at the 
     end and inserting a period; and
       (iii) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (F); and
       (B) in paragraph (8)--
       (i) in subparagraph (C), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking the semicolon at the 
     end and inserting a period; and
       (iii) by striking subparagraphs (E) and (F); and
       (2) in section 36(a)--
       (A) in paragraph (3), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the semicolon at the end 
     and inserting a period; and
       (C) by striking paragraphs (5) and (6).

     SEC. 5. GAO REPORT.

       (a) Study.--With respect to the procurement programs of the 
     Small Business Administration for small business concerns 
     owned and controlled by women (as defined in section 8(m) of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(m))) and for small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled 
     veterans (as defined in section 3(q)(1) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 632(q))), the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall conduct an evaluation of the policies and 
     practices used by the Administration and other Federal 
     agencies to provide assurances that contracting officers are 
     properly classifying sole source awards under those programs 
     in the Federal Procurement Data System and that sole source 
     contracts awarded under those programs are being awarded to 
     eligible concerns.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the Small 
     Business Administration implements the certification programs 
     described under section 3, the Comptroller General shall 
     issue a report to the Committee on Small Business of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business 
     and Entrepreneurship of the Senate containing the findings 
     made in carrying out the study required under subsection (a).
       (c) SBA Consideration of GAO Report.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Small Business 
     Administration shall review the report issued under 
     subsection (b) and take such actions as the Administrator may 
     determine appropriate to address any concerns raised in such 
     report and any recommendations contained in such report.
       (2) Report to congress.--After the review described under 
     paragraph (1), the Administrator shall issue a report to 
     Congress--
       (A) stating that no additional actions were necessary to 
     address any concerns or recommendations contained in the 
     report; or
       (B) describing the actions taken by the Administrator to 
     resolve such concerns or implement such recommendations.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 190, the Expanding Contracting 
Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019.
  The Small Businesses Act sets forth a governmentwide 23 percent goal 
of Federal contracts that should be awarded to small businesses. Each 
Federal agency is charged with setting its own small business goals, 
which are to reflect the maximum possible opportunity for small 
business within that agency.
  Regrettably, small firms face barriers in securing Federal contracts. 
According to the SBA, small businesses won $105.6 billion in contracts 
during fiscal year 2016, representing 23.88 percent of total Federal 
contract dollars. That is why the Small Business Act gives agencies the 
ability to limit, or set aside, contracts for small businesses to bid 
and compete against one another.

[[Page H530]]

  The SBA administers several set-asides that are designed to increase 
the participation of several socioeconomic categories, including the 
8(a) program, HUBZone program, women-owned, and service-disabled 
veteran-owned small business programs.
  While most contracts are awarded through competition, sole source 
contracts also exist if certain criteria are met. However, current sole 
source awards have become complex and underutilized in recent years. 
They do not represent the changing nature of Federal contract awards 
and have become outdated. H.R. 190 raises the dollar amount of sole 
source awards to reflect modern contract awards.
  I applaud Mr. Marshall and his cosponsor, Mr. Schneider, for 
introducing this bill providing flexibility to contracting officers 
when awarding sole source contracts under SBA contracting programs.
  By promoting the use of sole source contracts to small businesses, 
this bill adds to the government's pool of suppliers. This results in 
higher quality goods and increased job creation for the economy, as 
these direct awards require the small business to do the majority of 
the work and not subcontract out.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 190, the Expanding Contracting 
Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019.
  I want to commend the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) and the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider) for working in a cooperative 
and bipartisan manner on this important legislation.
  The bill we are considering today passed the House last September 
because it is both good for small businesses and good for the Federal 
Government. By raising the potential amount of sole source contract 
awards, this bill encourages Federal agency contracting officers to do 
more work with women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, 
and socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.
  The bill will also strengthen the integrity of the sole source award 
process by requiring the SBA to actively determine that a women-owned 
or service-disabled veteran-owned small business is qualified and 
eligible to receive the award before it is made.
  Finally, the bill tasks the Government Accountability Office with 
assessing Congress' ability to oversee proper spending through sole 
source awards.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Schneider), who is a cosponsor of the legislation.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 190, the 
Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses Act of 2019. I 
am proud to again introduce this bill with my friend from Kansas (Mr. 
Marshall).
  As they did in the last Congress, I encourage my colleagues to join 
us in passing this important bipartisan legislation.
  Women-owned businesses, companies owned by service-disabled veterans, 
and other types of small firms have unique opportunities to work with 
the Federal Government through sole source contracting.
  Unfortunately, regulations governing these types of contracts, 
specifically the maximum value amount of the contract, have not kept 
pace with inflation, and many small business owners often won't pursue 
these opportunities due to their diminished return. Furthermore, the 
law includes option years towards the cap, reducing the projected 
returns and lowering the appeal of sole source contracts.
  For these reasons, many eligible small businesses overlook sole 
source contracts as a quality opportunity to do business with the 
Federal Government. Our bill would bring the sole source contracting 
requirements in line with inflation and only apply base years, not the 
option years, to a contract's cap.
  Additionally, programs such as sole source contracting currently 
depend on small businesses certifying their own eligibility. It is 
important that we better ensure the integrity of these programs.
  H.R. 190 protects these programs through a process whereby the Small 
Business Administration would confirm eligibility of a participating 
company. Sole source contractors should present a real opportunity for 
eligible small businesses. Our legislation would make these contracts 
more competitive, while enhancing how we ensure they are awarded to 
eligible companies.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have introduced this bipartisan 
legislation with Dr. Marshall to help small businesses, and I urge my 
colleagues to support its adoption.

                              {time}  1645

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Marshall), one of the chief sponsors of the legislation.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 190, the Expanding Contracting Opportunities for Small 
Businesses Act of 2019.
  Small business sole source contracting can be a valuable tool for 
both Federal agencies and small businesses. However, our Federal 
procurement processes are rapidly changing, and the sole source 
authority provided by the Small Business Act has not kept up with these 
changes. By adjusting the dollar amount thresholds for these contracts, 
this bill will increase the opportunities available to certain small 
businesses utilizing the Federal procurement process.
  While it is critical that agencies maximize opportunities to small 
businesses, it is equally important that they have clear guidelines to 
guarantee only eligible and qualified firms receive the awards. This 
bill will apply new oversight procedure that requires agencies to 
coordinate with the SBA to ensure only eligible candidates are awarded 
a sole source contract.
  I am proud of this legislation and its mission to promote small 
business growth, strengthen oversight, and incentivize Federal agencies 
to work with small businesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank my colleague Congressman Schneider 
for teaming up with us on this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to 
support this bipartisan bill as well.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I have no further 
speakers.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank Dr. Marshall as well as Mr. 
Schneider for their work and their leadership on this important 
legislation.
  This bill brings the dollar amount of sole source awards in line with 
the size of current contracts and strengthens oversight by instituting 
a new eligibility determination check by the SBA before sole source 
contracts are awarded.
  Therefore, I would urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Kansas as well as the 
gentleman from Illinois for introducing this important legislation to 
provide flexibility to contracting officers when awarding sole source 
contracts.
  H.R. 190 promotes the use of sole source contracts to small business 
concerns through the SBA contracting programs by raising the dollar 
threshold of these contract types to account for inflation.
  It promotes and preserves a strong, competitive marketplace for our 
Federal agencies while also strengthening the ability of women, 
service-disabled veterans, and socioeconomic businesses to participate 
with the single largest purchaser of goods and services in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back 
the balance of my time
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 190.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

[[Page H531]]

  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________