[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 30, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4925-S4931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3150. Ms. ERNST submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
her to the bill S. 2296, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2026 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
DIVISION __--INVESTING IN NATIONAL NEXT-GENERATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR
VENTURE ACCELERATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL EXCELLENCE
SEC. __1. SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Investing in National
Next-Generation Opportunities for Venture Acceleration and
Technological Excellence'' or the ``INNOVATE Act''.
SEC. __2. DEFINITIONS.
In this division, the terms ``Phase I'', ``Phase II'',
``Phase III'', ``SBIR'', and ``STTR'' have the meanings given
those terms in section 9(e) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 638(e)).
TITLE __I--PROMOTING TRANSITION FOR BATTLE-READY TECHNOLOGIES
SEC. __1. ENHANCING SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS IN THE STTR
PROGRAM.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)(7)--
(A) by striking ``40'' and inserting ``50''; and
(B) by striking ``30'' and inserting ``20'';
(2) in subsection (f)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and each fiscal year
thereafter,'' and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) not less than 3.45 percent of such budget in fiscal
year 2026 and every year thereafter,''; and
(3) in subsection (n)(1)(B)--
(A) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (v), by striking ``and each fiscal year
thereafter.'' and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(vi) not less than 0.20 percent for fiscal year 2026 and
each fiscal year thereafter.''.
SEC. __2. PHASE II STRATEGIC BREAKTHROUGH FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) in subsection (aa), by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Strategic breakthrough allocation.--Participating
agencies with a budget for SBIR greater than $100,000,000
shall not be required to receive a waiver from the
Administrator to award a small business concern not more than
$30,000,000 when using funds made available under a strategic
breakthrough allocation (as defined in subsection (ff)).'';
and
(2) in subsection (ff)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``and STTR'' and
inserting ``Phase II'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or Phase II STTR
award''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Strategic breakthrough awards.--
``(A) Award.--Under this subparagraph, a funding agreement
may be awarded to a small business concern by each
participating agency using funds made available under a
strategic breakthrough allocation, as defined in subparagraph
(B).
``(B) Fund parameters.--
``(i) Strategic breakthrough allocation defined.--In this
subparagraph, the term `strategic breakthrough allocation'
means, with respect to a participating agency with a required
expenditure under subsection (f)(1) in excess of
$100,000,000, a required expenditure amount from the SBIR
allocation under subsection (f)(1) of such agency of not less
than 0.25 percent of the extramural budget for research or
research and development designated for such agency for
fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter.
``(ii) Requirements.--In the case of a Phase II agreement
that is awarded to a small business concern by a
participating agency using funds made available under a
strategic breakthrough allocation, the following requirements
shall apply:
``(I) Award size and period of performance.--A
participating agency may award from a strategic breakthrough
allocation not more than $30,000,000 in aggregate to a small
business concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, or
subsidiaries based on reaching production or development
milestone if the total period of performance of the project
with respect to which such funds are awarded is not more than
48 months.
``(II) Small business concern requirements.--The small
business concern shall--
``(aa) have been awarded not less than 1 prior Phase II
award under the SBIR or STTR program;
``(bb) demonstrate not less than 100 percent matching funds
from sources other than the Government or amounts awarded by
participating agencies under a program other than Phase I and
II of the SBIR or STTR program as a result of an award using
funds made available under a strategic breakthrough
allocation;
``(cc) is an effective solution, as determined by market
research; and
``(dd) only be eligible for an award from the strategic
breakthrough allocation if the product, process, or
technology of the small business concern--
``(AA) meets a necessary level of readiness and has a
commitment for inclusion in a program objective memorandum
from an official with the rank of program executive officer
or higher in an acquisition organization of the participating
agency making such award; and
``(BB) will meet high priority requirements or operational
needs of such participating agency through a successful
transition and into the acquisition process.
``(III) Deadline.--Each participating agency shall complete
any contract awards using strategic breakthrough allocation
funds not later than 90 days after receiving a proposal from
a small business concern for the award.
``(IV) Eligible activities.--Eligible activities by a small
business concern using strategic breakthrough allocation
funds are--
[[Page S4926]]
``(aa) design for manufacturing;
``(bb) establishing manufacturing facilities, tooling, and
supply chain capacity;
``(cc) buying raw materials or inventory;
``(dd) the integration of products with open
interoperability standards;
``(ee) testing, evaluation, and certification of low-rate
production units; and
``(ff) the purchase of production units and maintenance.
``(V) Selection criteria.--In making awards using funds
made available under a strategic breakthrough allocation, a
participating agency shall consider--
``(aa) the potential of the small business concern to--
``(AA) advance the national security capabilities of the
United States; and
``(BB) provide new technologies or processes, or new
applications of existing technologies, that will enable new
alternatives to existing programs;
``(bb) whether a customer in the participating agency has
expressed an intent to purchase and integrate technology from
the small business concern into its operations; and
``(cc) whether a particular technology area is
undercapitalized by private investment.
``(C) Acquisition mechanism.--A participating agency shall
establish a mechanism to provide small business concerns with
direct access to program and requirements offices throughout
the participating agency that may purchase technology from
small business concerns under Phase III of the SBIR program.
``(D) Use of streamlined contracting mechanisms.--Each
participating agency shall implement streamlined processes
and requirements for submitting proposals and applying for
awards using funds made available under a strategic
breakthrough allocation.''.
(b) Commercialization Readiness Program.--Section 9(y) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(y)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``shall identify'' and inserting the
following: ``shall--
``(A) identify'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), as so designated--
(i) by inserting ``, including small business concerns with
an award from the strategic breakthrough allocation,'' before
``that have the potential''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting a
semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) ensure, in collaboration with SBIR program managers
of each component, that research programs identified under
subparagraph (A) are analyzed within the programming and
budgeting process as budget requests are developed; and
``(C) provide to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committees on Small
Business and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives information on the integration of SBIR and
STTR awardees in budget rollouts for research, development,
testing, and evaluation activities.'';
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraphs
(4), (5), and (6) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5),
respectively; and
(3) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
(A) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``and sttr'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting ``substantively'' before ``increase'';
(ii) by striking ``and the number of Phase II STTR
contracts''; and
(iii) by inserting ``in fiscal year 2028 as compared to
fiscal year 2025'' before the semicolon at the end;
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E);
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) establish a mechanism to provide small business
concerns with direct access to program and requirements
offices that may purchase technology from the small business
concern under Phase III of the SBIR program;
``(D) allow services to provide operational needs
statements directly to chiefs of requirements offices; and'';
and
(F) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, in clause (i)
by striking ``and STTR contracts''.
SEC. __3. IMPLEMENTATION BRIEFINGS.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this
division, and on a recurrent basis until the implementation
of paragraph (3) of section 9(ff) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 638(ff)), as added by this title, is complete, the
head of each agency participating in the SBIR or STTR
programs that made an award from funds made available under a
strategic breakthrough allocation (as defined under paragraph
(3)(B) of section 9(ff) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
638(ff), as added by this title) shall brief the Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the
Committees on Small Business and on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives on such
implementation.
SEC. __4. FIXED-PRICE CONTRACTS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Fixed-price contract.--Any funding agreement that is
a contract made with expenditures allocated to the SBIR
program under paragraph (1) shall be a firm fixed-price
contract (as defined in section 16.202 of the Federal
Acquisition Regulation), unless, on a case-by-case basis, the
head of the awarding Federal agency makes a written
determination to use a different contract structure.''; and
(2) in subsection (n), by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Fixed-price contract.--Any funding agreement that is
a contract made with expenditures allocated to the STTR
program under paragraph (1) shall be a firm fixed-price
contract (as defined in section 16.202 of the Federal
Acquisition Regulation), unless the head of the awarding
Federal agency makes a written determination to use a
different contract structure.''.
TITLE __II--ENCOURAGING SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION IN ALL OF AMERICA
SEC. __1. ENCOURAGING NEW SBIR AND STTR ENTRANTS.
(a) Encouraging New Sbir and Sttr Entrants.--Section 9(jj)
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(jj)) is amended to
read as follows:
``(jj) Encouraging New Sbir and Sttr Entrants.--
``(1) Optimizing sbir and sttr funding.--
``(A) In general.--The head of a participating agency may
award a Phase I or Phase II award to a small business concern
only if the total value of the Phase I and Phase II awards
awarded to such small business concern, including its
affiliates, spinouts, and subsidiaries, does not exceed
$75,000,000.
``(B) Waiver.--
``(i) In general.--On an award-by-award basis, the
Undersecretary or Director overseeing the SBIR or STTR
program of a Federal agency may waive the requirement under
subparagraph (A) with a written justification by the
Undersecretary or Director that explains why the use of the
waiver authority for an otherwise disqualified small business
concern is imperative for national security purposes and why
the work cannot be performed by other qualifying small
business concerns.
``(ii) Nondelegation.--The waiver authority established
under clause (i) may not be delegated.
``(iii) Record requirement.--Participating agencies shall
maintain information on any awards made using the waiver
established under clause (i), including the amount of the
award, the written justification for each award, and the
identity of the award recipient.
``(iv) Report.--The Administrator shall include the
information described in clause (iii) in the annual report of
the Administrator to Congress required by subsection (b)(7).
``(2) Principal investigators.--An individual may not
concurrently serve as the principal investigator on more than
1 proposal to a single Phase I solicitation or a single Phase
II solicitation.
``(3) Phase i size standard.--A small business concern
applying for a Phase I award may not have annual receipts (as
defined in section 121.104 of title 13, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation) of more than
$40,000,000 for the most recent fiscal year.''.
(b) Phase 1a Program.--
(1) In general.--Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(A) in subsection (e)--
(i) in paragraph (4)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (B)''
and inserting ``subparagraph (C)'';
(II) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D); and
(III) by inserting after subparagraph (A), the following:
``(B) a 1A phase for the same purposes as the first phase
described under subparagraph (A) and intended to increase
accessibility to the program for new entrants with proposals
submitted pursuant to only SBIR open topic announcements;'';
and
(ii) by adding at the end following:
``(20) the term `Phase 1A' means the phase described in
paragraph (4)(B);''; and
(B) by amending subsection (pp) to read as follows:
``(pp) Phase 1a Awards.--
``(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress
that--
``(A) Phase 1A funds will bring thousands of new small
business concerns committed to commercialization of critical
technologies into the SBIR program; and
``(B) in order for participating agencies to benefit from
the full scope of American innovation and identify the most
promising solutions to scale, Phase 1A awards should fund the
strongest technologies in a topic area regardless of--
``(i) the location of the small business concern within the
United States; or
``(ii) the educational background of the principal
investigator.
``(2) Authorization.--The head of each agency with an SBIR
program shall allocate not less than 1.5 percent of funding
and not more than 3 percent of funding for the SBIR program
of the agency to Phase 1A awards.
``(3) Solicitation.--A solicitation issued under this
subsection shall be conducted as an open topic announcement.
``(4) Eligibility.--A small business concern, including its
affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries, is eligible for an
award under this subsection only if such small business
concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries,
has not previously received an SBIR or STTR award.
[[Page S4927]]
``(5) Proposal.--
``(A) In general.--A proposal submitted in response to a
solicitation under this subsection shall consist of a report
that is not more than 5 pages in length and containing the
criteria in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (B).
``(B) Criteria.--
``(i) Identification of program.--The small business
concern shall describe the problem that the proposal is
intended to address for the awarding agency and any
commercial customer.
``(ii) Description of solution.--The small business concern
shall describe the proposed solution, including the technical
basis for the solution to demonstrate how the solution would
address the problem described in the proposal, including the
level of maturity of the solution at the time of the
proposal.
``(iii) Effects of the solution.--The small business
concern shall describe how adoption of the proposed solution
would produce potential time savings, cost savings, risk
reduction, improvement of mission outcomes, or any other
beneficial effects for the awarding agency and any commercial
customer.
``(iv) Differentiation.--The small business concern shall--
``(I) identify the state of solutions in use at the time of
the proposal to address the problem described in the
proposal; and
``(II) explain how the proposed solution is a unique and
novel solution.
``(v) Commercialization strategy.--The small business
concern shall--
``(I) describe how the small business concern intends to
fund the proposed solution from sources other than the award;
and
``(II) explain the market for the proposed solution,
including the intended Government and commercial end users.
``(6) Award limits.--
``(A) Number of awards.--A small business concern or
principal investigator is eligible for not more than one
Phase 1A award.
``(B) Amount.--An award made under this subsection shall be
for not more than $40,000.
``(7) Notification of selection or non-selection.--Each
agency shall notify each small business concern of the award
decision of the agency on any proposal submitted by the small
business concern not later than 90 days after the date on
which the solicitation closes.
``(8) Application for phase ii award.--
``(A) Eligibility.--A small business concern that receives
a Phase 1A award shall be eligible to apply for a Phase II
award.
``(B) Use of funds.--A small business concern may use funds
from a Phase 1A award to develop a proposed solution in
pursuit of a subsequent proposal for a Phase I award or a
Phase II award.
``(9) Streamlined awards.--The head of each participating
agency shall implement streamlined processes and requirements
for submitting proposals and applying for solicitations for
Phase 1A awards.
``(10) Peer review requirement.--The head of a
participating agency may waive any applicable peer review
requirements for Phase 1A awards.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Section 9(e) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (12)(A), by striking ``paragraph (4)(B)''
and inserting ``paragraph (4)(C)''; and
(B) in paragraph (13)(A), by striking ``paragraph (4)(C)''
and inserting ``paragraph (4)(D)''.
SEC. __2. COMBATING DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES IN THE SBIR AND
STTR PROGRAMS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as
amended by this division, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(7)(C), by striking ``owned and
controlled by women or by socially or economically
disadvantaged individuals'' and inserting ``owned by
individuals who reside in rural areas'';
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (18), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in paragraph (19), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(21) the term `new entrants' means a small business
concern that has not received an SBIR or STTR award;
``(22) the term `rural area' means a county or other
political subdivision of a State that the Bureau of the
Census has defined as mostly rural or completely rural in the
most recent decennial census;'';
(3) in subsection (g)(8)(A)--
(A) by striking clause (iii);
(B) by redesignating clauses (iv), (v), and (vi) as clauses
(iii), (iv), and (v), respectively; and
(C) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by striking ``a
socially or economically disadvantaged individual or has a
socially or economically disadvantaged individual'' and
inserting ``an individual who resides in a rural area or has
an individual who resides in a rural area or is a new
entrant'';
(4) in subsection (j)--
(A) by adjusting the margins for paragraphs (2) and (3) 2
ems to the left; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (F);
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I) as
subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H), respectively; and
(iii) in subparagraph (H), as so redesignated, by striking
``subparagraph (H)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (G)'';
(5) in subsection (k)(1)(F)--
(A) by striking clause (ii);
(B) by redesignating clauses (iii), (iv), and (v) as
clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), respectively; and
(C) in clause (ii), as so redesignated, by striking ``a
socially or economically disadvantaged individual or has a
socially or economically disadvantaged individual'' and
inserting ``an individual who resides in a rural area or has
an individual who resides in a rural area or is a new
entrant'';
(6) in subsection (o)(9)(A)--
(A) by striking clause (iii);
(B) by redesignating clauses (iv), (v), and (vi) as clauses
(iii), (iv), and (v), respectively; and
(C) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by striking ``a
socially or economically disadvantaged individual or has a
socially or economically disadvantaged individual'' and
inserting ``an individual who resides in a rural area or has
an individual who resides in a rural area or is a new
entrant''; and
(7) in subsection (mm)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``and until September 30, 2025''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``or abuse to ensure
compliance'' and inserting ``abuse, or adversarial influence
to ensure compliance'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``to carry out the
policy directive required under subsection (j)(2)(F) and''
and inserting ``to increase the participation of States with
respect to which a low level of SBIR awards have historically
been awarded''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Eligibility.--An agency may use the funds allocated
to the SBIR program of such agency under this subsection only
if such agency does not--
``(A) consider the race, gender, or ethnicity of the
principal investigator, founder, or key personnel of the
small business concern applying for an SBIR or STTR award in
an award decision under the SBIR or STTR program of the
agency;
``(B) require or consider a statement or plan to promote
diversity or equity as part of an application for an SBIR or
STTR award under the SBIR or STTR program of the agency; or
``(C) offer supplemental funds to a recipient of an SBIR or
STTR award based on the race, gender, or ethnicity of the
principal investigator, founder, or key personnel of a small
business concern.''.
SEC. __3. DISCLOSURES AND PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN
AGREEMENTS WITH ENTITIES ENGAGING IN
CENSORSHIP.
(a) Disclosure for Sbir Applicants.--Section 9(g)(13) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)(13)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the semicolon at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) a current or pending agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing business as
`NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc., Disinformation Index,
Ltd., or Global Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing
business as `Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations or activities,
or produces products, the function of which is to demonetize
or rate the credibility of a domestic entity (including news
and information outlets) based on lawful speech of such
domestic entity under the stated function of `fact-checking'
or otherwise exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(b) Prohibition on Sbir Awards.--Paragraph (16) of section
9(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)), as
redesignated by title IV, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(G) the small business concern submitting the proposal or
application has a current or pending agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing business as
`NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc., Disinformation Index,
Ltd., or Global Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing
business as `Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations or activities,
or produces products, the function of which is to demonetize
or rate the credibility of a domestic entity (including news
and information outlets) based on lawful speech of such
domestic entity under the stated function of `fact-checking'
or otherwise exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(c) Disclosure for Sttr Applicants.--Section 9(o)(17) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)(17)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the semicolon at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) a current or pending agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing business as
`NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc., Disinformation Index,
Ltd., or Global
[[Page S4928]]
Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing business as
`Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations or activities,
or produces products, the function of which is to demonetize
or rate the credibility of a domestic entity (including news
and information outlets) based on lawful speech of such
domestic entity under the stated function of `fact-checking'
or otherwise exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(d) Prohibition on Sttr Awards.--Paragraph (20) of section
9(o) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)(20)), as
redesignated by title IV, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(G) the small business concern submitting the proposal or
application has a current or pending agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing business as
`NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc., Disinformation Index,
Ltd., or Global Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing
business as `Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations or activities,
or produces products, the function of which is to demonetize
or rate the credibility of a domestic entity (including news
and information outlets) based on lawful speech of such
domestic entity under the stated function of `fact-checking'
or otherwise exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(e) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) SBIR awards.--Paragraph (19)(A) of section 9(g) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)), as so redesignated by
title IV, is amended by striking ``through (G)'' and
inserting ``through (H)''.
(2) STTR awards.--Paragraph (23)(A) of section 9(o) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)), as so redesignated by
title IV, is amended by striking ``through (G)'' and
inserting ``through (H)''.
SEC. __4. CONNECTING SBIR AND STTR AWARDEES AND SMALL
BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
638(mm)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(L) connecting SBIR and STTR awardees with small business
investment companies (as defined under section 103 of the
Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 662) and
other domestic private investors.''.
SEC. __5. AGENCY OUTREACH TO RURAL COMMUNITIES.
(a) Agency Outreach.--Section 9 of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) in subsection (j), by adding at the end the following
new paragraphs:
``(5) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy
directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require each
Federal agency participating in the SBIR program to enhance
the outreach efforts of such Federal agency to rural
communities to increase the participation of small businesses
concerns located in rural communities in the SBIR program,
including by ensuring that such Federal agency--
``(A) conducts outreach efforts with respect to the SBIR
program in rural communities; and
``(B) when such Federal agency conducts such outreach in an
area served by a small business development center,
coordinates with such small business development center.
``(6) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy
directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require the
Administration to place a special emphasis on small business
concerns in rural areas when conducting outreach related to
the SBIR program, including by ensuring that the
Administration includes outreach efforts in rural communities
carried out by the Administration with respect to the SBIR
program.''; and
(2) in subsection (p), by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(4) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy
directive issued pursuant to this subsection to require each
Federal agency participating in the STTR program to enhance
the outreach efforts of such Federal agency to rural
communities to increase the participation of small businesses
concerns located in rural communities in the STTR program,
including by ensuring that such Federal agency--
``(A) conducts outreach efforts with respect to the STTR
program in rural communities; and
``(B) when such Federal agency conducts such outreach in an
area served by a small business development center,
coordinates with such small business development center.
``(5) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy
directive issued pursuant to this subsection to require the
Administration to place a special emphasis on small business
concerns in rural areas when conducting outreach related to
the STTR program, including by ensuring that the
Administration includes outreach efforts in rural communities
carried out by the Administration with respect to the STTR
program.''.
(b) Modification of Current Directives.--Section 9(j)(2) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)(2)), as amended by
this title, is amended by revising subparagraph (F) to read
as follows:
``(F) enhanced outreach efforts to increase the
participation of small business concerns that have never
participated in Federal research and development to develop
innovative technologies, with a special emphasis on small
business concerns in rural areas;''.
TITLE __III--STREAMLINING PARTICIPATION IN THE SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMS
SEC. __1. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO OPEN TOPICS.
(a) Definition of Open Topic Announcement.--Section 9(e) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)), as amended by
title II, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(23) the term `open topic announcement' means a
solicitation for SBIR or STTR proposals that--
``(A) is a generalized problem statement or broad
technology area and does not contain any language requiring
that the solutions that a small business concern proposes
adhere to specific technological specifications; and
``(B) evaluates the ability of the solution proposed by the
small business concern to meet the stated innovation need of
the agency or Government end user; and''.
(b) Program on Innovation Open Topics.--Section 9(ww) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``Secretary of Defense'' and inserting ``head of each
participating agency''; and
(B) by striking ``the Department of Defense'' each place it
appears and inserting ``such participating agency'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``Secretary of Defense'' and inserting
``head of each participating agency'';
(B) by striking ``each component of'' and inserting ``such
participating agency and, with respect to''; and
(C) by inserting ``, each component thereof,'' before ``per
fiscal year''; and
(3) by striking paragraph (3).
SEC. __2. REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.
Section 9(jj) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
638(jj)), as amended by title II, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(4) Reducing administrative burden.--
``(A) Limit on submissions to a solicitation.--A small
business concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, or
subsidiaries, may not submit more than 10 proposals to a
single Phase I solicitation or a single Phase II solicitation
under subsection (cc).
``(B) Limit on submissions in a single year.--A small
business concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, or
subsidiaries, may not submit more than a combined total of 25
proposals to Phase I solicitations or Phase II solicitations
under subsection (cc) published by a single agency, including
the components of the agency, in a single fiscal year.''.
TITLE __IV--PROTECTING AMERICAN INNOVATION FROM ADVERSARIAL INFLUENCE
SEC. __1. DEFINITION OF FOREIGN RISK.
Section 9(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)),
as amended by title III, is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(24) the term `foreign risk' means, in the past 10 years,
any foreign affiliation, technology licensing agreement,
joint venture, contractual or financial obligation (pending
or otherwise), investment agreement, research relationship
(including co-authorship), or business relationship between--
``(A) a small business concern (including all subsidiaries,
spinouts, and affiliates) submitting a proposal for an SBIR
or STTR program, and covered individuals, owners, or other
key personnel of the small business concern; and
``(B) an individual, research institution, business entity,
government, or government-owned entity in a foreign country
of concern that is disclosed, as required under subsection
(g) or subsection (o), or otherwise identified in the due
diligence process, as required under subsection (vv).''.
SEC. __2. BOLSTERING RESEARCH SECURITY OF SBIR AND STTR
AWARDS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as
amended by this division, is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (15), (16), and (17) as
paragraphs (16), (18), and (19), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
``(15) evaluate whether a small business concern presents a
risk to national security for any reason, through measures
including--
``(A) the due diligence process required under subsection
(vv);
``(B) disclosures submitted under this subsection; or
[[Page S4929]]
``(C) coordination with the Inspector General of the agency
or the intelligence community (as defined under section 3 of
the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003));'';
(C) in paragraph (16), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking subparagraph (B);
(ii) by striking ``that--'' and all that follows through
``the small business concern submitting'' and inserting
``that the small business concern submitting'';
(iii) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) as
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively, and adjusting
the margins accordingly;
(iv) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, by striking
``or'' at the end;
(v) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by striking
``and'' at the end; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) has a foreign risk connecting the small business
concern to an entity, including any affiliates, spinouts, or
subsidiaries of the entity, or individual on one or more of
the following lists:
``(i) the UFLPA Entity List maintained by the Department of
Homeland Security;
``(ii) the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex
Companies List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control
maintained by the Department of the Treasury;
``(iii) the Section 889 Prohibition List established under
section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
and maintained by the Department of Defense;
``(iv) the list of Chinese Military companies required
under section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
(Public Law 116-283) and maintained by the Department of
Defense;
``(v) the Military End User List maintained by the Bureau
of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce;
``(vi) the Entity List maintained by the Bureau of Industry
and Security of the Department of Commerce;
``(vii) the List of Equipment and Services maintained by
the Federal Communications Commission; and
``(viii) the Withhold Release Orders and Findings List
maintained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
``(E) has a foreign risk with a primary source that is
classified;
``(F) has a foreign risk or another national security risk
not listed in statute or regulatory guidance that an agency
determines warrants a denial; or'';
(D) by inserting after paragraph (16), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(17) not, and any personnel of the Federal agency
including technical points of contact shall not, communicate
to an applicant prior to formal notification of an award
decision that an application was denied due to a foreign
risk;''; and
(E) in paragraph (19), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``paragraph (16)(A)''
and inserting ``paragraph (18)(A)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``paragraph (16)(B)''
and inserting ``paragraph (18)(B)''; and
(2) in subsection (o)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (19), (20), and (21) as
paragraphs (20), (22), and (23), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following:
``(19) evaluate whether a small business concern presents a
risk to national security for any reason, through measures
including--
``(A) the due diligence process required under subsection
(vv);
``(B) disclosures submitted under this subsection; or
``(C) coordination with the Inspector General of the agency
or the intelligence community (as defined under section 3 of
the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003));'';
(C) in paragraph (20), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking subparagraph (B);
(ii) by striking ``that--'' and all that follows through
``the small business concern submitting'' and inserting
``that the small business concern submitting'';
(iii) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) as
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), respectively, and adjusting
the margins accordingly;
(iv) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, by striking
``or'' at the end;
(v) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by striking
``and'' at the end; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) has a foreign risk connecting the small business
concern to an entity, including any affiliates, spinouts, or
subsidiaries of the entity, or individual on one or more of
the following lists:
``(i) the UFLPA Entity List maintained by the Department of
Homeland Security;
``(ii) the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex
Companies List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control
maintained by the Department of the Treasury;
``(iii) the Section 889 Prohibition List established under
section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232)
and maintained by the Department of Defense;
``(iv) the list of Chinese Military companies required
under section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
(Public Law 116-283) and maintained by the Department of
Defense;
``(v) the Military End User List maintained by the Bureau
of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce;
``(vi) the Entity List maintained by the Bureau of Industry
and Security of the Department of Commerce;
``(vii) the List of Equipment and Services maintained by
the Federal Communications Commission; and
``(viii) the Withhold Release Orders and Findings List
maintained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection;
``(E) has a foreign risk with a primary source that is
classified;
``(F) has a foreign risk or another national security risk
not listed in statute or regulatory guidance that an agency
determines warrants a denial; or'';
(D) by inserting after paragraph (20) the following:
``(21) not, and any personnel of the Federal agency
including technical points of contact shall not, communicate
to an applicant prior to formal notification of an award
decision that an application was denied due to a foreign
risk;''; and
(E) in paragraph (23), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``paragraph (20)(A)''
and inserting ``paragraph (22)(A)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``paragraph (20)(B)''
and inserting ``paragraph (22)(B)''.
SEC. __3. STRENGTHENING THE DUE DILIGENCE PROGRAM TO ASSESS
SECURITY RISKS.
Section 9(vv)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
638(vv)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) examine any relationship of a small business concern
seeking an award to any entity or individual included on the
lists, as published on the date of the closing of the
solicitation, described under subsections (g)(16)(D) and
(o)(20)(D).''.
SEC. __4. STRENGTHENING AGENCY RECOVERY AUTHORITY.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as
amended by this division, is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(18), as redesignated by this title--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``, as adjusted for inflation according to the Consumer Price
Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,'' after
``amounts'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year period beginning on
the date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency as
necessary for national security,'' before ``the small
business concern''; and
(ii) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year period beginning on
the date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency as
necessary for national security,'' before ``there is a
change''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the
award, or during a longer or indefinite period as determined
by the head of the awarding agency as necessary for national
security, the small business concern sells, leases, or
provides (through joint research, technological licensing, or
otherwise) intellectual property that was developed, wholly
or in part, using an SBIR award to a foreign entity or
individual unless the foreign entity or individual is
incorporated in or a citizen of a country that is a member of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or a major non-NATO
ally, as described under section 2321k of title 22, United
States Code; or
``(D) during the 10-year period beginning on the date of
the award, or during a longer or indefinite period as
determined by the head of the awarding agency as necessary
for national security, the small business concern sells,
leases, or provides (through joint research, technological
licensing, or otherwise) intellectual property that was
developed, wholly or in part, using an SBIR award to an
entity, government, or individual in a foreign country of
concern; and''; and
(2) in subsection (o)(22), as redesignated by this title--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``, as adjusted for inflation according to the Consumer Price
Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,'' after
``amounts'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year period beginning on
the date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency as
necessary for national security,'' before ``the small
business concern''; and
(ii) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year period beginning on
the date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency as
necessary for national security,'' before ``there is a
change''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) during the 5 year period beginning on the date of the
award, or during a longer or indefinite period as determined
by the head of the awarding agency as necessary for national
security, the small business concern sells, leases, or
provides (through joint research, technological licensing, or
otherwise) intellectual property that was developed,
[[Page S4930]]
wholly or in part, using an STTR award to a foreign entity or
individual unless the foreign entity or individual is
incorporated in or a citizen of a country that is a member of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or a major non-NATO
ally, as described under section 2321k of title 22, United
States Code; or
``(D) during the 10-year period beginning on the date of
the award, or during a longer or indefinite period as
determined by the head of the awarding agency as necessary
for national security, the small business concern sells,
leases, or provides (through joint research, technological
licensing, or otherwise) intellectual property that was
developed, wholly or in part, using an STTR award to an
entity, government, or individual in a foreign country of
concern; and''.
SEC. __5. BEST PRACTICES ON INVESTOR INFORMATIONAL RIGHTS.
Section 9(uu) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(uu))
is amended to read as follows:
``(uu) Best Practices on Investor Informational Rights.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the heads of all agencies with an SBIR program, the Director
of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy,
and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States,
shall develop best practices to be shared with each recipient
of an SBIR or STTR award by the agency granting the award.
``(2) Contents.--The best practices developed under
paragraph (1) shall include recommendations for protecting
the proprietary technology and intellectual property of the
small business concern from being shared unintentionally to
foreign individuals and entities through informational rights
of limited partners in venture capital, hedge fund, or
private equity firms that have investments in SBIR or STTR
recipients.''.
SEC. __6. GAO REPORT.
Paragraph (4) of section 4(b) of the SBIR and STTR
Extension Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-183; 136 Stat. 2194) is
amended to read as follows:
``(4) Gao report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of the INNOVATE Act, and annually thereafter
under September 30, 2028, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct a study and submit to the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the
Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee
on Small Business, the Committee on Armed Services, and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report on the implementation and best
practices of the due diligence programs established under
section 9(vv) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(vv))
across Federal agencies required to establish an SBIR or STTR
program.
``(B) Study.--The study shall evaluate--
``(i) the effectiveness of each Federal agency that
participates in the SBIR program or STTR program in
identifying--
``(I) enhanced risk in cybersecurity practices in SBIR and
STTR projects;
``(II) enhanced risk in patents, including co-authorship
with academics in foreign countries of concern in SBIR and
STTR projects;
``(III) enhanced foreign influence risk among employees of
small business concerns involved in SBIR and STTR projects;
``(IV) foreign ownership of a small business concern
seeking an award, including the financial ties and
obligations (which shall include surety, equity, and debt
obligations) in SBIR and STTR projects; and
``(V) security risks among applicants to the SBIR program
or the STTR program, including connections to an entity,
including any affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries of the
entity, or individual on one or more of the lists referenced
in paragraph (16)(D) of section 9(g) of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g));
``(ii) by year, the number of proposals and number of small
business concerns with foreign risks by each Federal agency
that participates in the SBIR program or STTR program,
including a delineation of how many of those small business
concerns have previously received an award under the SBIR
program or STTR program and the nature of those foreign risks
made by each Federal agency; and
``(iii) the extent to which the Inspector General and
counterintelligence authorities of each Federal agency that
participates in the SBIR or STTR program effectively conducts
investigations, audits, inspections, and outreach relating to
the due diligence program to assess security risks in the
SBIR or STTR program.''.
TITLE __V--SIMPLIFYING SBIR-STTR STANDARDS
SEC. __1. IMPROVING DIRECT TO PHASE II AUTHORITIES.
Section 9(cc) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(cc))
is amended to read as follows:
``(cc) Phase Flexibility.--
``(1) Awarding a phase ii award absent a phase i award.--
Each agency with an SBIR program may provide to a small
business concern an award under Phase II of the SBIR program
with respect to a project, without regard to whether the
small business concern was provided an award under Phase I of
an SBIR program with respect to such project, if the head of
the agency determines that the small business concern has
completed the determinations described in subsection
(e)(4)(A) with respect to such project despite not having
been provided a Phase I award.
``(2) Limitations on awards.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the head of each agency with an SBIR program may award not
more than 10 percent of the funds allocated for the SBIR
program of the agency in a given fiscal year under the
authority of this subsection.
``(B) National institutes of health and department of
defense.--The Director of the National Institutes of Health
may award not more than 30 percent of the funds allocated for
the SBIR program of the National Institutes of Health in a
given fiscal year and the Secretary of Defense may award not
more than 30 percent of the funds allocated for the SBIR
program of each component in the Department of Defense in a
given fiscal year under the authority of this subsection.
``(C) Limit on eligibility for awards.--An agency may not
make an award under this subsection to a small business
concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, and
subsidiaries, that has received more than 25 Phase II awards.
``(D) Limit on number of awards.--An agency may make not
more than 25 awards under this subsection to a small business
concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, and
subsidiaries.''.
SEC. __2. IMPROVING SBIR AND STTR DATA COLLECTION.
(a) Additional Data Fields in Sbir Database.--Section
9(k)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(k)(1)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E)(iv), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(2) in subparagraph (F)(v), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) for each award granted, whether the award is
classified or designated as--
``(i) Phase 1A, under subsection (pp);
``(ii) direct to Phase II, under subsection (cc);
``(iii) subsequent Phase II, under subsection (bb)(1);
``(iv) strategic breakthrough award under subsection
(ff)(3);
``(v) Phase III prime contract award; or
``(vi) Phase III subcontract award.''.
(b) Improving Fpds Data Tracking.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of General Services
shall update the Federal Procurement Data System described in
section 1122(a)(4) of title 41, United States Code, or any
successor system, to--
(A) require reporting on whether an award under the SBIR or
STTR program is classified or designated as--
(i) Phase 1A, under subsection (pp) of section 9 of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by this
division;
(ii) direct to Phase II, under subsection (cc) of such
section;
(iii) subsequent Phase II, under subsection (bb)(1) of such
section;
(iv) a strategic breakthrough award under subsection
(ff)(3) of such section;
(v) a Phase III prime contract award; or
(vi) a Phase III subcontract award;
(B) require reporting on whether a contract is designated
as a Phase III contract; and
(C) allow a Government contracting officer, when recording
a Phase II or Phase III contract following on from work done
by a small business concern during a Phase I or Phase II
award to reference an SBIR or STTR contract identification
number for relevant prior SBIR or STTR work done.
(2) No new funds.--No additional funds are authorized to be
appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this subsection.
SEC. __3. STREAMLINING PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as
amended by this division, is amended--
(1) in subsection (bb)(3), by inserting ``or another
component of the same Federal agency'' after ``another
Federal agency'';
(2) in subsection (gg)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Pilot Program'' and
inserting ``Commercialization Readiness Program'';
(B) by striking ``pilot'' each place the term appears;
(C) by striking paragraph (7);
(D) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (7); and
(E) by amending paragraph (7), as so redesignated, to read
as follows:
``(7) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered
Federal agency'--
``(A) means a Federal agency participating in the SBIR
program or the STTR program; and
``(B) does not include the Department of Defense.'';
(3) in subsection (hh)--
(A) by striking ``Funding.--'' and all that follows through
``Federal agencies participating'' and inserting ``Funding.--
Federal agencies participating''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(4) in subsection (ii)(2)(B)--
(A) in clause (ii), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (iii), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
period; and
(C) by striking clause (iv);
(5) in subsection (qq)(3), by striking subparagraph (I);
(6) in subsection (vv)(3), by striking subparagraph (C);
(7) in subsection (yy)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Pilot'';
(B) by striking ``STTR Program.--'' and all that follows
through ``Not later than'' and inserting ``STTR Program.--Not
later than'';
[[Page S4931]]
(C) by striking paragraph (2); and
(D) by striking ``pilot'';
(8) in subsection (zz)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Pilot'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``pilot'' and
inserting ``program'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``3.25'' and
inserting ``3.50''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``0.46'' and
inserting ``0.21'';
(C) by striking paragraph (3); and
(D) by striking ``pilot'' each place the term appears.
SEC. __4. EXTENDING SBIR AND STTR AUTHORIZATION.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as
amended by this division, is amended--
(1) in subsection (m), by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``2028''; and
(2) in subsection (n)(1)(A), by striking ``2025'' and
inserting ``2028''.
TITLE __VI--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. __1. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``small-business concerns'' each place it
appears and inserting ``small business concerns'';
(2) by striking ``Committee on Small Business of the
Senate'' each place it appears and inserting ``Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate'';
(3) by striking ``Committee on Science and the'' each place
it appears and inserting ``Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and the'';
(4) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ``small-business
firms'' and inserting ``small business concerns'';
(5) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting ``concern'' after
``small business'';
(6) in subsection (g)(4)(A), by striking ``SBIR proposals''
and inserting `` SBIR solicitations'';
(7) in subsection (g)(10), by striking ``,,'' and inserting
``,'';
(8) in subsection (g)(13)(A),by inserting ``malign'' before
``foreign talent recruitment program'';
(9) in subsection (o)(8), by striking ``,,'' and inserting
``,'';
(10) in subsection (o)(17)(A), by inserting ``malign''
before ``foreign talent recruitment program''; and
(11) in subsection (vv)(2)(B), by inserting ``subsection''
before ``(g)(13)''.
SEC. __2. REPEALS.
(a) Repeal of Obsolete Provision.--Subsection (tt) of
section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(tt)) is
repealed.
(b) Repeal of Redundant Provision.--Subsection (oo) section
9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(oo)) is repealed.
SEC. __3. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this division, or the application of
such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be
invalid, the remainder of the division, and the application
of the remaining provisions, shall not be affected.
______