[House Report 114-510]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


114th Congress    }                                     {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session       }                                     {      114-510

======================================================================



 
           SMALL CONTRACTORS IMPROVE COMPETITION ACT OF 2015

                                _______
                                

 April 19, 2016.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Chabot, from the Committee on Small Business, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1481]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Small Business, to whom was referred the 
bill (H.R. 1481) to amend the Small Business Act to strengthen 
the small business industrial base, and for other purposes, 
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an 
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.

                              I. Amendment

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Small Contractors 
Improve Competition Act of 2015''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Including subcontracting goals in agency responsibilities; 
reports.
Sec. 3. Data quality improvement.
Sec. 4. Notice and justification requirements for bundling or 
consolidation of contract requirements.
Sec. 5. Joint venturing and teaming.
Sec. 6. Limitations on reverse auctions.
Sec. 7. Revision to the nonmanufacturer rule.
Sec. 8. Certification requirements for procurement center 
representatives.
Sec. 9. Certification requirements for Business Opportunity 
Specialists.
Sec. 10. Certification requirements for commercial market 
representatives.

SEC. 2. INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTING GOALS IN AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES; 
                    REPORTS.

  (a) In General.--Section 1633(b) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-239; 126 Stat. 
2076; 15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by striking ``assume 
responsibility for of the agency's success in achieving small business 
contracting goals and percentages'' and inserting ``assume 
responsibility for the agency's success in achieving each of the small 
business prime contracting and subcontracting goals and percentages''.
  (b) GAO Study and Report on Accountability for Subcontracting.--
          (1) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of the Small Contractors Improve Competition Act of 
        2015, the Comptroller General of the United States shall begin 
        a study, which shall be conducted for a period of 1 year, to 
        assess whether the systems of an agency or department 
        accurately record the data necessary to comply with any 
        requirements related to subcontracting at any tier under the 
        Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).
          (2) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which 
        the study described in paragraph (1) is completed, the 
        Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Committee on 
        Small Business of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate 
        on the results of such study.
  (c) GAO Study and Report on Size Status.--
          (1) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
        shall conduct a study--
                  (A) to assess whether Federal agencies are accurately 
                identifying the size status of business concerns 
                awarded contracts in the Federal Procurement Data 
                System as small business concerns; and
                  (B) to identify, to the extent practicable, the 
                impact of incorrect size status designations on meeting 
                the requirements related to goals in subsections (g) 
                and (h) of section 15 of the Small Business Act (15 
                U.S.C. 644).
          (2) Contents.--The study described in paragraph (1) shall 
        include--
                  (A) a description of the procedures and processes of 
                each Federal agency, including the roles of the 
                individuals described in section 1633(b) of the 
                National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 
                (Public Law 112-239; 126 10 Stat. 2076; 15 U.S.C. 631 
                note) and the training provided to the acquisition 
                workforce of such agency (as described under section 
                1703 of title 41, United States Code);
                  (B) a description of the extent to which such 
                processes and procedures help ensure that business 
                concerns are assigned the most appropriate size status;
                  (C) a description of the interactions among the 
                Federal Procurement Data System, the System for Award 
                Management (as described under subpart 4.11 of title 
                48, Code of Federal Regulations) and comparable systems 
                run by the Small Business Administration and 
                recommendations for improving each system to reduce 
                errors in reporting size status; and
                  (D) recommendations on how to improve the accuracy of 
                the goaling reports required under section 15(h) of the 
                Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(h)).
          (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Small Contractors Improve Competition Act of 
        2015, the Comptroller General shall submit 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 results of the study conducted under 
        paragraph (1).
          (4) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following 
        definitions shall apply:
                  (A) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has 
                the meaning given such term in section 3(b) of the 
                Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(b)).
                  (B) Federal procurement data system.--The term 
                ``Federal Procurement Data System'' means the system 
                referred to in section 1122(a)(4)(A) of title 41, 
                United States Code, or any successor system.
                  (C) Small business concern.--The term ``small 
                business concern'' has the meaning given such term 
                under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                632).

SEC. 3. DATA QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.

  (a) In General.--Section 15(s) of the Small Business Act (15. U.S.C. 
644(s)) is amended--
          (1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and
          (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
        paragraphs:
          ``(4) Implementation.--Not later than the first day of fiscal 
        year 2017, the Administrator of the Small Business 
        Administration shall implement the plan described in this 
        subsection.
          ``(5) Certification.--The Administrator shall annually 
        provide to the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and 
        Entrepreneurship of the Senate certification of the accuracy 
        and completeness of data reported on bundled and consolidated 
        contracts.''.
  (b) GAO Study.--
          (1) Study.--Not later than the first day of fiscal year 2018, 
        the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate a 
        study on the effectiveness of the plan described in section 
        15(s) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(s)) that shall 
        assess whether contracts were accurately labeled as bundled or 
        consolidated.
          (2) Contracts evaluated.--For the purposes of conducting the 
        study described in paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of 
        the United States--
                  (A) shall evaluate, for work in each of sectors 23, 
                33, 54, and 56 (as defined by the North American 
                Industry Classification System), not fewer than 100 
                contracts in each sector;
                  (B) shall evaluate only those contracts--
                          (i) awarded by an agency listed in section 
                        901(b) of title 31, United States Code; and
                          (ii) that have a Base and Exercised Options 
                        Value, an Action Obligation, or a Base and All 
                        Options Value (as such terms are defined in the 
                        Federal procurement data system described in 
                        section 1122(a)(4)(A) of title 41, United 
                        States Code, or any successor system); and
                  (C) shall not evaluate contracts that have used any 
                set aside authority.
          (3) Report.--Not later than 12 months after initiating the 
        study required by paragraph (1), the Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall report to the Committee on Small Business 
        of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small 
        Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate on the results from 
        such study and, if warranted, any recommendations on how to 
        improve the quality of data reported on bundled and 
        consolidated contracts.

SEC. 4. NOTICE AND JUSTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BUNDLING OR 
                    CONSOLIDATION OF CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

  (a) Notice of Contract Consolidation for Acquisition Strategies.--
Section 44(c)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657q(c)(2)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
                  ``(C) Notice.--Not later than 7 days after making a 
                determination that an acquisition strategy involving a 
                consolidation of contract requirements is necessary and 
                justified under subparagraph (A), the senior 
                procurement executive or Chief Acquisition Officer 
                shall publish a notice on a public website that such 
                determination has been made. Any solicitation for a 
                procurement related to the acquisition strategy may not 
                be published earlier than 7 days after such notice is 
                published. Along with the publication of the 
                solicitation, the senior procurement executive or Chief 
                Acquisition Officer shall publish a justification for 
                the determination, which shall include the information 
                in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1).''.
  (b) Notice of Contract Consolidation for Procurement Strategies.--
Section 15(e)(3) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 644(e)(3)) is amended to read 
as follows:
          ``(3) Strategy specifications.--If the head of a contracting 
        agency determines that an acquisition plan for a procurement 
        involves a substantial bundling of contract requirements, the 
        head of a contracting agency shall publish a notice on a public 
        website that such determination has been made not later than 7 
        days after making such determination. Any solicitation for a 
        procurement related to the acquisition plan may not be 
        published earlier than 7 days after such notice is published. 
        Along with the publication of the solicitation, the head of a 
        contracting agency shall publish a justification for the 
        determination, which shall include following information:
                  ``(A) The specific benefits anticipated to be derived 
                from the bundling of contract requirements and a 
                determination that such benefits justify the bundling.
                  ``(B) An identification of any alternative 
                contracting approaches that would involve a lesser 
                degree of bundling of contract requirements.
                  ``(C) An assessment of--
                          ``(i) the specific impediments to 
                        participation by small business concerns as 
                        prime contractors that result from the bundling 
                        of contract requirements; and
                          ``(ii) the specific actions designed to 
                        maximize small business participation as 
                        subcontractors (including suppliers) at various 
                        tiers under the contract or contracts that are 
                        awarded to meet the requirements.''.
  (c) Technical Amendment.--Section 44(c)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
657q(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``Subject to paragraph (4), the 
head'' and inserting ``The head''.

SEC. 5. JOINT VENTURING AND TEAMING.

  (a) Joint Venture Offers for Bundled or Consolidated Contracts.--
Section 15(e)(4) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(e)(4)) is 
amended to read as follows:
          ``(4) Contract teaming.--
                  ``(A) In general.--In the case of a solicitation of 
                offers for a bundled or consolidated contract that is 
                issued by the head of an agency, a small business 
                concern may submit an offer that provides for use of a 
                particular team of subcontractors or a joint venture of 
                small business concerns for the performance of the 
                contract.
                  ``(B) Evaluation of offers.--The head of the agency 
                shall evaluate the offer of a team or a joint venture 
                of small business concerns in the same manner as other 
                offers, with due consideration to the capabilities of 
                all of the proposed subcontractors or members of the 
                joint venture as follows:
                          ``(i) Teams.--When evaluating an offer of a 
                        small business prime contractor whose offer 
                        includes a proposed team of small business 
                        subcontractors, the head of the agency shall 
                        consider the capabilities and past performance 
                        of each first tier subcontractor that is part 
                        of the team as the capabilities and past 
                        performance of the team.
                          ``(ii) Joint ventures.--When evaluating an 
                        offer of a joint venture of small business 
                        concerns, if the joint venture does not have 
                        sufficient capabilities or past performance to 
                        be considered for award of a contract 
                        opportunity, the head of the agency shall 
                        consider the capabilities and past performance 
                        of each member of the joint venture as the 
                        capabilities past performance of the joint 
                        venture.
                  ``(C) Status as a small business concern.--
                Participation of a small business concern in a team or 
                a joint venture under this paragraph shall not affect 
                the status of that concern as a small business concern 
                with respect to the performance of a contract described 
                in subparagraph (A).''.
  (b) Team and Joint Ventures Offers for Multiple Award Contracts.--
Section 15(q)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 644(q)(1)) is amended--
          (1) in the heading, by inserting ``and joint venture'' before 
        ``requirements'';
          (2) by striking ``Each Federal agency'' and inserting the 
        following:
                  ``(A) In general.--Each Federal agency''; and
          (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
                  ``(B) Teams.--When evaluating an offer of a small 
                business prime contractor whose offer includes a 
                proposed team of small business subcontractors for any 
                multiple award contract above the substantial bundling 
                threshold of the Federal agency, the head of the agency 
                shall consider the capabilities and past performance of 
                each first tier subcontractor that is part of the team 
                as the capabilities and past performance of the 
                offeror.
                  ``(C) Joint ventures.--When evaluating an offer of a 
                joint venture of small business concerns for any 
                multiple award contract above the substantial bundling 
                threshold of the Federal agency, if the joint venture 
                does not have sufficient capabilities or past 
                performance to be considered for award of a contract 
                opportunity, the head of the agency shall consider the 
                capabilities and past performance of each member of the 
                joint venture as the capabilities and past performance 
                of the joint venture.
                  ``(D) Use of small business teams or joint 
                ventures.--
                          ``(i) In general.--For contracts awarded 
                        under section 8(a), 8(m), 15(a), 15(j), 31, or 
                        36 to a small business team or a joint venture 
                        of small business concerns, the contracting 
                        officer shall certify annually to the 
                        Administration, for each year the contract is 
                        in effect, that each small business concern 
                        member of such team or joint venture has the 
                        same status of a small business concern, small 
                        business concern owned and controlled by 
                        service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone 
                        small business concern, small business concern 
                        owned and controlled by socially and 
                        economically disadvantaged individuals, or 
                        small business concern owned and controlled by 
                        women, as applicable, that such concern had at 
                        the time the contract was awarded.
                          ``(ii) Exception.--The requirements of clause 
                        (i) shall not apply to a contract awarded to a 
                        joint venture of small business concerns that 
                        is a protege under a mentor-protege program 
                        approved pursuant to section 45.''.
  (c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this section, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration 
shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out the amendments made 
by this section.

SEC. 6. LIMITATIONS ON REVERSE AUCTIONS.

  (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, when used 
appropriately, reverse auctions may improve the Federal Government's 
procurement of commercially available commodities by increasing 
competition, reducing prices, and improving opportunities for small 
businesses.
  (b) Limitations on Reverse Auctions.--The Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
          (1) by redesignating section 47 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) as 
        section 48; and
          (2) by inserting after section 46 the following new section:

``SEC. 47. LIMITATIONS ON REVERSE AUCTIONS.

  ``(a) Prohibition on Using Reverse Auctions for Covered Contracts.--
In the case of a covered contract described in subsection (c), reverse 
auction methods may not be used if the award of the contract is to be 
made under--
          ``(1) section 8(a);
          ``(2) section 8(m);
          ``(3) section 15(a);
          ``(4) section 15(j);
          ``(5) section 31; or
          ``(6) section 36.
  ``(b) Limitations on Using Reverse Auctions.--In the case of the 
award of a contract to be made under paragraphs (1) through (6) of 
subsection (a) that is not a covered contract, reverse auction methods 
may be used pursuant to the following requirements:
          ``(1) Decisions regarding use of a reverse auction.--A 
        contracting officer shall make the following decisions, which 
        may not be delegated to any person except for another 
        contracting officer who meets the training requirements of 
        paragraph (2):
                  ``(A) A decision to use reverse auction methods as 
                part of the competition for award of a contract.
                  ``(B) Any decision made after the decision described 
                in subsection (A) regarding the appropriate evaluation 
                criteria, the inclusion of vendors, the acceptability 
                of vendor submissions (including decisions regarding 
                timeliness), and the selection of the winner.
          ``(2) Training required.--Only a contracting officer who has 
        received training on the appropriate use and supervision of 
        reverse auction methods of contracting may supervise or use 
        such methods in a procurement for a contract. The training 
        shall be provided by, or similar to the training provided by, 
        the Defense Acquisition University as described in section 824 
        of the Carl Levin and Howard P. `Buck' McKeon National Defense 
        Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291).
          ``(3) Number of offers; revisions to bids.--A Federal agency 
        may not award a contract using a reverse auction method if only 
        one offer is received or if offerors do not have the ability to 
        submit revised bids with lower prices throughout the course of 
        the auction.
          ``(4) Technically acceptable offers.--A Federal agency 
        awarding a contract using a reverse auction method shall 
        evaluate the technical acceptability of offers only as 
        technically acceptable or unacceptable.
          ``(5) Use of price rankings.--A Federal agency may not award 
        a contract using a reverse auction method if at any time during 
        the award process the Federal agency misinforms an offeror 
        about the price ranking of the offeror's last offer submitted 
        in relation to offers submitted by other offerors.
          ``(6) Use of third-party agents.--If a Federal agency uses a 
        third party agent to assist with the award of contracts using a 
        reverse auction method, the Federal agency shall ensure that--
                  ``(A) inherently governmental functions (as such term 
                is used in section 2303 of title 41, United States 
                Code) are not performed by private contractors, 
                including by the third party agent;
                  ``(B) information on the past contract performance of 
                offerors created by the third party agent and shared 
                with the Federal agency is collected, maintained, and 
                shared in compliance with section 1126 of title 41, 
                United States Code;
                  ``(C) information on whether an offeror is a 
                responsible source (as defined in section 113 of title 
                41, United States Code) that is created by the third 
                party agent and shared with the Federal agency is 
                shared with the offeror and complies with section 
                8(b)(7) of this Act; and
                  ``(D) disputes between the third party agent and an 
                offeror may not be used to justify a determination that 
                an offeror is not a responsible source (as defined in 
                section 113 of title 41, United States Code) or to 
                otherwise restrict the ability of an offeror to compete 
                for the award of a contract or task or delivery order.
  ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
          ``(1) Contracting officer.--The term `contracting officer' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 2101(1) of title 41, 
        United States Code.
          ``(2) Covered contract.--The term `covered contract' means a 
        contract--
                  ``(A) for design and construction services;
                  ``(B) for goods purchased to protect Federal 
                employees, members of the Armed Forces, or civilians 
                from bodily harm; or
                  ``(C) for goods or services other than those goods or 
                services described in subparagraph (A) or (B)--
                          ``(i) to be awarded based on factors other 
                        than price and technical responsibility; or
                          ``(ii) if awarding the contract requires the 
                        contracting officer to conduct discussions with 
                        the offerors about their offer.
          ``(3) Design and construction services.--The term `design and 
        construction services' means--
                  ``(A) site planning and landscape design;
                  ``(B) architectural and interior design;
                  ``(C) engineering system design;
                  ``(D) performance of construction work for facility, 
                infrastructure, and environmental restoration projects;
                  ``(E) delivery and supply of construction materials 
                to construction sites;
                  ``(F) construction, alteration, or repair, including 
                painting and decorating, of public buildings and public 
                works; and
                  ``(G) architectural and engineering services as 
                defined in section 1102 of title 40, United States 
                Code.
          ``(4) Reverse auction.--The term `reverse auction' means, 
        with respect to procurement by an agency, an auction between a 
        group of offerors who compete against each other by submitting 
        offers for a contract or task or delivery order with the 
        ability to submit revised offers with lower prices throughout 
        the course of the auction.''.

SEC. 7. REVISION TO THE NONMANUFACTURER RULE.

  (a) Procurement Contracts.--Section 8(a)(17) of the Small Business 
Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(17)) is amended--
          (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``any procurement 
        contract'' and all that follows through ``section 15'' and 
        inserting ``any procurement contract, which contract has as its 
        principal purpose the supply of a product to be let pursuant to 
        this subsection or subsection (m), or section 15(a), 31, or 
        36,''; and
          (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
          ``(C) Limitation.--This paragraph shall not apply to a 
        contract that has as its principal purpose the acquisition of 
        services or construction.''.
  (b) Subcontractor Contracts.--Section 46(a)(4) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 
657s(a)(4)) is amended by striking ``for supplies from a regular dealer 
in such supplies'' and inserting ``which is principally for supplies 
from a regular dealer in such supplies, and which is not a contract 
principally for services or construction''.
  (c) Publication of Class Waivers.--The Administrator of the Small 
Business Administration shall publish a list of waivers to the 
requirements of section 8(a)(17) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
637(a)(17)) granted for a class of products as an appendix to section 
121.406 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor 
regulation).
  (d) Rulemaking.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Small 
        Business Administration shall issue any rules necessary to 
        carry out the amendments made by this section.
          (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the issuance of the 
        rules required in paragraph (1), the Comptroller General 
        shall--
                  (A) review the compliance of the Small Business 
                Administration with the application of the requirements 
                of section 8(a)(17) of the Small Business Act (15 
                U.S.C. 637(a)(17)); and
                  (B) submit a report to the Committee on Small 
                Business of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the 
                Senate with any recommendations on how to increase 
                compliance with such requirements.

SEC. 8. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PROCUREMENT CENTER 
                    REPRESENTATIVES.

  Section 15(l)(5)(A)(iii) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
644(l)(5)(A)(iii)) is amended by striking ``except that'' and all that 
follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: 
``except that--
                                  ``(I) any person serving in such a 
                                position on or before January 3, 2013, 
                                may continue to serve in that position 
                                for a period of 5 years beginning on 
                                such date without the required 
                                certification; and
                                  ``(II) any person hired for such 
                                position after January 3, 2013, may 
                                have up to one calendar year from the 
                                date of employment to obtain the 
                                required certification.''.

SEC. 9. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 
                    SPECIALISTS.

  (a) In General.--Section 4 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 633) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
  ``(g) Certification Requirements for Business Opportunity 
Specialists.--A Business Opportunity Specialist described under section 
7(j)(10)(D) shall have a Level I Federal Acquisition Certification in 
Contracting (or any successor certification) or the equivalent 
Department of Defense certification, except that--
          ``(1) a Business Opportunity Specialist who was serving on or 
        before January 3, 2013, may continue to serve as a Business 
        Opportunity Specialist for a period of 5 years beginning on 
        such date without such a certification; and
          ``(2) any person hired as a Business Opportunity Specialist 
        after January 3, 2013, may have up to one calendar year from 
        the date of employment to obtain the required certification.''.
  (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 7(j)(10)(D)(i) of such Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(j)(10)(D)(i)) is amended by striking the second sentence.

SEC. 10. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL MARKET 
                    REPRESENTATIVES.

  Section 4 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 633), as amended by 
section 9 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
  ``(h) Certification Requirements for Commercial Market 
Representatives.--A commercial market representative referred to in 
section 15(q)(3) shall have a Level I Federal Acquisition Certification 
in Contracting (or any successor certification) or the equivalent 
Department of Defense certification, except that--
          ``(1) a commercial market representative who was serving on 
        or before the date of enactment of the Small Contractors 
        Improve Competition Act of 2015 may continue to serve as a 
        commercial market representative for a period of 5 years 
        beginning on such date without such a certification; and
          ``(2) any person hired as a commercial market representative 
        after the date of enactment of the Small Contractors Improve 
        Competition Act of 2015 may have up to one calendar year from 
        the date of employment to obtain the required certification.''.

                      II. Purpose and Bill Summary

    The purpose of H.R. 1481, the ``Small Contractors Improve 
Competition Act of 2015,'' is to amend the Small Business Act 
(the Act)\1\ to reduce barriers to the participation of small 
businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors on federal 
procurements. Small business\2\ participation brings necessary 
competition to the government marketplace, adds innovation, and 
creates new jobs. Contracting officers, however, generally 
prefer contractors with whom they have experience; typically, 
this preference hampers the ability of small businesses to 
obtain federal contracts. Thus, creating the correct incentives 
to improve small business participation, increasing 
transparency in federal contracting, ensuring the contracting 
practices to not unintentionally inhibit small business 
participation should reduce the overreliance on a limited corps 
of contractors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Originally, title II of the Act of July 30, 1953, c. 282, 67 
Stat. 232 was designated as the Small Business Act of 1953. A plethora 
of amendments in subsequent Congresses led to a rewrite in 1958. Pub. 
L. No. 85-536, Sec. 1, 72 Stat. 384 (1958). The Act is codified at 15 
U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 631-657s.
    \2\The Act uses the term ``small business concern.'' However, this 
report will use the terms ``small business'' and ``small business 
concern'' interchangeably unless the context requires a specific 
reference to the term ``small business concern.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       III. Need for Legislation

    The Act finds that awarding prime contracts to small 
businesses serves the nation in three ways. First, small 
business contracting is in ``the interest of maintaining or 
mobilizing the Nation's full productive capacity.''\3\ Second, 
small business contracting is ``in the interest of war or 
national defense programs.''\4\ Third, it serves ``the interest 
of assuring that a fair proportion of the total purchases and 
contracts for property and services for the government in each 
industry category are placed with small-business concerns.''\5\ 
Ensuring that small businesses can compete for federal 
contracts offers several benefits--business growth, job 
creation, greater competition, lower prices, and innovation. 
During the 114th Congress, the Small Business Committee has 
held numerous hearings on small businesses in the industrial 
base.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\Small Business Act, Sec. 15(a), 15 U.S.C. Sec. 644(a).
    \4\Id.
    \5\Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    As a result, the Small Business Committee learned that the 
small business goaling process is being misused to the 
detriment of small businesses, and is giving an inaccurate view 
of the health of the small business industrial and 
technological base. Under the Small Business Administration's 
(SBA) scorecard system, the federal government received an 
``A'' grade for FY 2013.\6\ While an ``A'' grade and a 
reasonable percentage of small business prime contracting 
dollars would seem to indicate that a healthy percentage of 
dollars are being awarded to small businesses, it is not 
reasonable when Chart 1 shows that the use of small businesses 
is declining even as the percentage of dollars awarded to small 
businesses increases. Additionally, it is worth noting that in 
obtaining its A, the federal government did not meet half of 
its numerical goals.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \6\SBA, ``FY 2013 Procurement Scorecard,'' available at https://
www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/FY13_Government-
Wide_SB_Procurement_Scorecard_Public_View_2014-04-28.pdf (last accessed 
February 26, 2015).
    \7\SBA, ``FY 2013 Procurement Scorecard,'' available at https://
www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/FY13_Government-
Wide_SB_Procurement_Scorecard_Public_View_2014-04-28.pdf.

                                                     CHART 1--SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING FY10-FY148
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                  Average      Average
                                                     Total        Total                                Total DoD      Total      value  of    value  of
                                                    contract      small        Total      Total DoD      small      number of      small      DoD  small
                       FY                           dollars      business    number of     contract     business      DoD SB      business     business
                                                      (in          (SB)      SB actions    dollars      dollars      actions      contract     contract
                                                   billions)     dollars                                                           action       action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11..............................................        549.6        103.6    3,346,553        374.1         60.4    2,325,622    30,957.23    25,971.55
12..............................................        518.3        100.0    2,584,893        290.1         60.2    1,453,952    38,686.32    41,404.39
13..............................................        462.3         91.9    1,560,467        308.5         50.0      711,998    58,892.63    70,224.92
14..............................................        444.7         98.9    1,390,987        284.7         55.6      745,626    71,100.59    74,568.22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From FY11 through FY14, the percentage of dollars awarded 
to small businesses increased each year, from just over 18 
percent to approximately 22.25 percent.\9\ At the same time, 
despite a decline in overall federal spending, the dollars 
awarded to small businesses remained fairly constant during 
this period. While this would normally be heralded as a 
success, a deeper dive into the numbers shows that the number 
of small business contract actions fell by almost 60 percent 
and the average size of a contract action increased 230 
percent. This reflects that fewer small businesses are winning 
contracts, but those contracts are worth more, which may 
indicate that some small businesses are doing very well but 
many others are losing opportunities to compete.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \8\Id.
    \9\Analysis based upon FPDS, available at https://www.fpds.gov 
(last accessed January 28, 2015). Copies of reports are on file with 
the Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    At the Department of Defense (DoD), which is arguably a 
better reflection of the federal government's ability to 
maintain a healthy industrial base capable of supporting 
defense programs, the results were worse. The percentage of 
contract dollars awarded to small businesses at DoD increased 
from just over 16 percent to just over 19 percent, but the 
actual dollars only fluctuated by about 10 percent. The number 
of small business contract actions at DoD fell by almost 70 
percent, and the value of those contract actions rose by nearly 
290 percent.
    These declining number of contract actions with small 
businesses cannot simply be explained by shrinking budgets or 
sequestration, because during the same period, the number of 
contract actions with large businesses increased by 8 percent. 
However, the dollar value of the average contract action with a 
small business increased 230 percent, meaning that fewer small 
companies are getting contracts, but the contracts they get are 
getting much bigger. Furthermore, the number of companies 
registered to do business with the federal government has 
dropped by over 100,000 from 2012, so that only 273,072 small 
businesses are still registered to compete for federal 
contract.\10\ This speaks to a greater problem in the 
industrial base--a declining participation rate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \10\Data retrieved from the System for Award Management, available 
at www.sam.gov (last accessed January 28, 2015). This number is down by 
over 100,000 small businesses from 2012, when DSBS reported 382,092 
active small businesses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SBA's Office of Advocacy recently highlighted this small 
business participation problem. Specifically, Advocacy 
identified 23 industries in which the government spends over 
$500 million per year, but where less than 10 percent of 
procurements are awarded to small businesses.\11\ These are 
areas important to the industrial base where small businesses 
are not participating, but this is not reflected in the current 
scorecard process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \11\SBA Advocacy, Evaluation of the Small Business Procurement 
Goals Established in Section 15(G) of the Small Business Act 41-42 
(2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Consequently, H.R. 1481 promoted increased small business 
participation in eight ways. Each will now be briefly 
discussed.

A. Sec. 2.--Including subcontracting goals in agency responsibilities

    Currently, when considering whether senior agency 
executives are eligible for bonuses, agencies must look at 
whether they met the small business prime contracting goals. 
However, agencies don't look at whether the agency is meeting 
its subcontracting goals. As a consequence, the percentage of 
subcontract dollars awarded to small businesses has been 
falling, and is down 2.5% since 2010. Make no mistake about the 
significance of subcontracting: in FY 2013, small businesses 
received $86.7 billion in subcontracts. Subcontracting is an 
important entry point for federal contractors. Therefore, this 
provision holds senior agency officials accountable for meeting 
all the goals.

B. Sec. 3.--Data quality improvement

    Contract bundling and consolidation continue to be the top 
complaint of small contractors. When bundling and consolidation 
are unjustified, it restricts competition without providing a 
measurable benefit to offset the loss of opportunity. 
Consequently, since 1997 the Act has required that federal 
agencies justify the decision to bundle contracts, and take the 
appropriate steps to mitigate that decision. Unfortunately, 
eighteen years after the Act was amended, agencies continue to 
fail to simply identify contracts as bundled. This provision 
will require the federal government to implement a plan to 
improve the quality of bundling and consolidation data.

C. Sec. 4.--Notice and justification requirements for bundling or 
        consolidation of contract requirements

    Small businesses are permitted to challenge bundling and 
consolidation through an appeals process at the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO). However, since consolidation and 
bundling justifications need not be published for a year after 
the award of the contract, it makes it impossible for small 
businesses to challenge the underlying merits of the decision. 
This provision solves that problem by requiring agencies to 
publish justifications concurrent with the solicitation.

D. Sec. 5.--Joint venturing and teaming

    The Act encourages small businesses to team and joint 
venture, and the SBA will approve joint ventures to facilitate 
small businesses participating on federal contracts. In the 
112th Congress, this Committee successfully passed legislation 
as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 
2013 to make it easier for small businesses to team by changing 
the limitations on subcontracting.\12\ However, small 
businesses that do team and joint venture are often 
unsuccessful at winning contracts because some agencies have 
stated that the agency will only consider the past performance 
or financial responsibility of the joint venture or the prime 
contractor, not the small business members of the joint venture 
or the parties to the team. As many joint ventures are 
unpopulated, this all but disqualifies the small business from 
competition. This provision requires that contracting officers 
look as the qualifications of team members and members of the 
joint venture.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \12\FY 13 NDAA, Pub. L. No. 112-239 (2013).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. Sec. 6.--Limitations on reverse auctions

    As defined by this provision, reverse auctions are an 
auction between a group of offerors who compete against each 
other by submitting offers for requirement, and offerors have 
the ability to submit revised offers with lower prices 
throughout the course of the auction. When used properly, 
reverse auctions are an important tool that may benefit 
taxpayers and contracting agencies. However, when used 
inappropriately, reverse auctions may place taxpayers, 
warfighters and small businesses at risk. GAO has issued 
reports calling for reforms of the reverse auction process,\13\ 
and bid protests have been sustained because of abuses of 
reverse auctions.\14\ Therefore, this language creates a new 
section of the Act to limit the use of reverse auctions when 
using small business contracting authorities. Specifically, it 
requires training of contracting officers, and prohibits the 
use of reverse auctions for sole source contracts or contracts 
with inadequate competition. It also states that reverse 
auctions should only be used when the good or service being 
purchased can be considered only either technically acceptable 
or unacceptable. This provision requires that the government 
communicate honestly with bidders regarding the ranking of 
offers, as some reverse auctions have misled offerors regarding 
the status of bids. The bill also makes it clear that when 
using a third-party reverse auction service, the government 
must still follow all of the normal procurement rules, as there 
are cases where a third party provider is excluding companies 
from competing or using third party data to inform 
responsibility determinations. Finally, the provision states 
that reverse auctions may only be used for contracts other than 
contracts for construction, goods used to protect people from 
bodily harm, and technical goods and services.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \13\See, e.g., GAO, Reverse Auctions, Guidance is Needed to 
Maximize Competition and Achieve Cost Savings GAO-14-108 (2013).
    \14\See, e.g., Export 220Volt, Inc. B-412303.2 (Jan 20, 2016); 
Latvian Connection, LLC B-410947 (2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. Sec. 7.--Revision to the nonmanufacturer rule

    The Nonmanufacturer Rule exists to protect taxpayers--it 
ensures that a small business is not simply acting as a front 
for a large business in order to receive a contract through 
restricted competition. Specifically, the Act requires that a 
small offeror ``represent that it will supply the product of a 
domestic small business manufacturer or processor, unless a 
waiver of such requirement is granted.''\15\ This requirement 
has historically been applied only to contracts for supplies, 
and SBA has proposed a rule to further clarify that this is the 
intent of the NMR.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \15\Sec. 8(a)(17)(B)(iv); 15 U.S.C. Sec. 637(a)(17)(B)(iv).
    \16\Supra note 58, 79 Fed. Reg. at 77,967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    However, the Court of Federal Claims (COFC) recently issued 
a decision in Rotech Healthcare, Inc. v. United States that 
invalidated SBA's current regulations limiting the NMR to the 
procurement of goods.\17\ The COFC found that as the Act 
references ``any procurement for goods'' SBA may not interpret 
the statute to find that Congress only intended that the NMR 
apply to purchases that are primarily for goods.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \17\Case No. 14-502C (September 19, 2014).
    \18\Id. at 6-8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Rotech decision could have particularly dire 
consequences for construction and A&E companies. If the NMR 
were applied as suggested by the COFC, a builder would have to 
use steel, concrete, and other construction materials 
manufactured by a small business. Indeed, the opinion could be 
read to suggest that an architect's design would need to be 
provided on paper manufactured by a domestic small business, 
using ink manufactured by a domestic small business. This is an 
inefficient, and irrational application of the rule, and nearly 
impossible to comply with given that contractor still must 
comply with the limitation on subcontracting rules. SBA and the 
Committee on Small Business both agree that this is 
inappropriate, and does not protect the government against 
fraud. This provision will preserve the long standing 
interpretation of the NMR.

G. Sec. 8.--Certification requirements for procurement center 
        representatives

    The FY 13 NDAA reformed the job description for Procurement 
Center Representatives (PCR) to require that new PCRs have an 
advanced certification in federal contracting, and that 
existing PCRs obtain that certification within five years.\19\ 
This was deemed appropriate so that PCRs could better negotiate 
with contracting officers. However, the SBA has stated that in 
some areas it is difficult to find qualified personnel, 
resulting in vacancies. This provision addresses that problem 
by allowing the hire of a new PCR if the SBA can obtain the 
necessary certification for the PCR within one calendar year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \19\FY 13 NDAA at Sec. 1621.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

H. Sec. 9.--Certification requirements for Business Opportunity 
        Specialists

    SBA's Business Opportunity Specialists (BOS) work with 
small contractors in the district offices. The FY 13 NDAA 
required that BOSs have an entry level federal contracting 
certification.\20\ As with the PCR program, this made it 
difficult to hire qualified individuals in some areas without 
incurring relocation expenses. Section 9 gives SBA one year 
from the date of hire to train the BOSs to the necessary 
certification level.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \20\Id. at Sec. 1622.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Sec. 10.--Certification requirements for commercial market 
        representatives

    Like the PCRs and BOSs, the SBA's Commercial Market 
Representatives are crucial to the success of small businesses. 
CMRs assist large federal prime contractors attempting to 
comply with the requirements of the Act that govern small 
business subcontracting plans.\21\ They also assist small 
businesses attempting to obtain work as a subcontractor to a 
large federal prime contractor. This provision ensures that 
CMRs receive the necessary certification to perform their 
duties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \21\See the Act, Sec. 8(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              IV. Hearings

    In the 114th Congress, the Committee held four hearing that 
looked at the issues covered by H.R. 1481. On February 12, 
2015, the Full Committee held a hearing titled ``Contracting 
and the Industrial Base'' that examined NMR issues and joint 
venturing and teaming issues. On March 7, 2015, the 
Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce held a hearing titled 
``Contracting and the Industrial Base II: Bundling, Goaling and 
the Office of Hearings and Appeals'' that looked at the use of 
subcontracting, questions of data quality, abuse of bundling 
and consolidation, and the subcontracting goals. On March 19, 
2015, the Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce held a 
hearing on ``Contracting and the Industrial Base III: Reverse 
Auctions, Verification and the SBA's Role in Rulemaking,'' that 
examined reverse auctions. Finally, the PCR, CMR, and BOS 
programs were the subject of a hearing of the Subcommittee on 
Contracting and Workforce on December 9, 2015 called 
``Supporting Success: Empowering Small Business Advocates.''

                       V. Committee Consideration

    The Committee on Small Business met in open session, with a 
quorum being present, on March 25, 2015 and ordered H.R. 1481 
reported, as amended, to the House by a voice vote at 1:28 pm. 
During the markup, three amendments were offered, including an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute. All amendments were 
adopted. Disposition of the amendments is addressed below and 
is based on the order amendments were filed with the Clerk of 
the Committee and not necessarily in the order that they were 
considered at the markup.
    The amendment in the nature of a substitute officer by 
Chairman Chabot (R-OH) was adopted at 1:08 p.m. It added 
section 10 to the bill, and made other technical corrections.
    Amendment Number One was offered by Ms. Hahn (D-CA). It 
amended section 3 of the bill to add a requirement that GAO 
report on the extent to which agencies are ensuring that the 
correct size status of business is being reported. The 
amendment passed by voice vote at 1:19 p.m.
    Amendment Number Two was filed by Ms. Chu (D-CA). It 
amended section 3 of the bill to add a GAO on the capacity of 
the subcontracting system of record. The amendment was adopted 
by voice vote at 1:24 pm.

                          VI. Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded 
votes on the motion to report the legislation and amendments 
thereto. There were no recorded votes on H.R. 1481.

        VII. Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 1481 as Amended


Section 1. Short title; table of contents

    This Section designates the bill as the ``Small Contractors 
Improve Competition Act of 2015'' and provides the table of 
contents.

Section 2. Including subcontracting goals in agency responsibilities; 
        reports

            (a) In general
    This subsection amends section 1633(b) of the FY 13 NDAA. 
The FY 13 NDAA required that senior executives assume 
responsibility for the agency's success in achieving small 
business contracting goals and percentages. The subsection 
amends the language to clarify that senior executives are 
responsible for the prime contracting and subcontracting goals 
of the agency.
            (b) GAO study and report on accountability for 
                    subcontracting
    Subsection (b) adds a requirement that within 180 days of 
enactment, GAO begin to study whether agency data collection 
systems can accurately collect subcontracting records. The GAO 
is required to report back 90 days after the report is 
completed.
            (c) GAO study and report on size status
    Subsection (c) adds a requirement that within one year of 
enactment, GAO report to the committee with recommendations on 
how to improve the accuracy of the small business goaling 
report. In particular, GAO is required to examine the processes 
and procedures that ensure that business concerns are assigned 
to the most appropriate size status.

Section 3. Data quality improvement

            (a) In general
    This subsection amends section 15(s) of the Act to add a 
new paragraph requiring the implementation of the data quality 
improvement plan. The plan is already required by section 15(s) 
of the Act, but lacks a requirement that it be implemented.
            (b) GAO study
    Subsection (b) adds a requirement that GAO initiate a study 
as to the effectiveness of the data quality improvement plan 
required by section 15(s) of the Act. The report is required by 
October 1, 2017.

Section 4. Notice and justification requirements for bundling and 
        consolidation of contract requirements

            (a) Notice of contract consolidation for acquisition 
                    strategies
    Subsection (a) amends section 44(c)(2) of the Act. Section 
44(c) requires that the Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO) of an 
agency consolidating a contract publish a justification 
explaining why the consolidation is necessary. However, these 
justifications either never appear or cannot be found by small 
contractors. This subsection requires that the CAO publish a 
notice that the determination to consolidate has been made at 
least seven days before publishing the solicitation, and that 
the publication include the justification. This will allow 
small contractors the opportunity to challenge the 
consolidation as unduly restrictive of competition prior to 
submitting an offer.
            (b) Notice of contract consolidation for acquisition 
                    strategies
    Subsection (b) amends section 15(e)(3) of the Act. Section 
15(e) requires that a contracting officer bundling contract 
requirements justify why the bundling is necessary. However, 
these justifications either never appear or cannot be found by 
small contractors. This subsection requires that the 
contracting officer publish a notice that the determination to 
bundle has been made at least seven days before publishing the 
solicitation, and that the publication include the 
justification. This will allow small contractors the 
opportunity to challenge the consolidation as unduly 
restrictive of competition prior to submitting an offer.
            (c) Technical amendment
    This subsection makes technical corrections.

Section 5. Joint venturing and teaming

            (a) Joint venture offers for bundled or consolidated 
                    contracts
    Subsection (a) amends section 15(e)(4) of the Act. Section 
15(e)(4) requires that in the case of a solicitation of offers 
for a bundled contract, a small-business concern may submit an 
offer that provides for use of a particular team of 
subcontractors for the performance of the contract and that the 
agency shall evaluate the offer in the same manner as other 
offers, with due consideration to the capabilities of all of 
the proposed subcontractors. However, agencies have issued 
solicitations excluding offers from joint ventures. This 
subsection clarifies that offers from joint ventures shall be 
evaluated by including the past performance and experience of 
the parties to a joint venture or team.
            (b) Team and joint venture offers for bundled or 
                    consolidated contracts
    Subsection (b) amends section 15(q)(1) of the Act. Section 
15(q)(1) requires that each federal agency shall include in 
each solicitation for any multiple award contract above the 
substantial bundling threshold a provision soliciting bids from 
any responsible source, including responsible small business 
concerns and teams or joint ventures of small business 
concerns. However, some agencies were refusing to let teams and 
joint ventures of small businesses bid on multiple award 
contracts unless the small businesses comprising the team or 
joint venture had past performance as that team or joint 
venture. Given that working together frequently can be a reason 
for SBA to find that small business concerns are affiliated, 
and therefore no longer small, this posed an insurmountable 
barrier for many small businesses. Therefore, this subsection 
clarifies that teams or joint ventures from small businesses 
shall be allowed to bid using their individual past performance 
experience rather than requiring collective past performance 
experience.
            (c) Rulemaking
    Subsection (c) requires that the SBA issue implementing 
regulations within one year.

Section 6. Limitations on reverse auctions

            (a) Sense of Congress
    This subsection provides a sense of Congress that reverse 
auctions, when used appropriately, may improve the federal 
government's procurement of commercially available goods.
            (b) Limitations on reverse auctions
    Subsection (b) creates a new section 47 of the Act 
containing limitations on the use of reverse auctions. First, 
the new section defines a reverse auction as an auction between 
a group of offerors who compete against each other by 
submitting offers for a contract or task or delivery order with 
the ability to submit revised offers with lower prices 
throughout the course of the auction. The new section prohibits 
the use of reverse auctions if the contract is awarded using a 
small business set-aside contract, or a set-aside contract for 
any of the small business programs and is for design, 
construction, body armor, or goods where technical standards 
vary significantly. Next, it states that for contracts not 
covered by the prohibition, reverse auctions are allowed if the 
decision is made by a trained contracting officer, if the 
agency allows bid revisions and ensures that it receives more 
than one bid, if it only considers technical acceptability on a 
pass or fail basis, and if it makes the award based on the 
lowest price. Further, agencies are not allowed to use third 
party agents to avoid contracting laws.

Section 7. Revision to the nonmanufacturer rule

            (a) Procurement contracts
    Subsection (a) amends section 8(a)(17) of the Act to 
clarify that the NMR shall apply to contracts using a small 
business set-aside authority when the principle purpose of the 
contract is to purchase supplies. It further clarifies that the 
NMR shall not apply to contracts that are principally for 
services or construction.
            (b) Subcontractor contracts
    Subsection (b) amends section 46(a)(4) of the Act to 
clarify that when applying the limitation on subcontracting 
rules of the Act, the NMR shall only apply to contracts that 
are principally for supplies.
            (c) Publication of class waivers
    Subsection (c) directs the SBA Administrator to publish a 
list of waivers to the NMR if they are granted pursuant to 
section 8(a)(17) of the Act.
            (d) Rulemaking
    This subsection requires that SBA promulgate the necessary 
rules within one year. Further, it requires that the GAO review 
SBA's compliance with the waiver provisions of section 8(a)(17) 
of the Act and report back to the committee.

Section 8. Certification requirements for procurement center 
        representatives

    This section amends section 15(1) of the Act, which governs 
the duties of the Procurement Center Representatives. 
Specifically, it amends paragraph (5)(A)(iii), which provides 
the certification requirements for Procurement Center 
Representatives. The amendment allows SBA to hire new 
Procurement Center Representatives that do not meet the 
training requirements if they can obtain the required 
certification within one year.

Section 9. Certification requirements for business opportunity 
        specialists

            (a) In general
    This section adds a new subsection (g) to section 4 of the 
Act. The new subsection (g) encapsulates the training 
requirements for Business Opportunity Specialists previously 
found in section 7(j)(10)(D)(i) of the Act. Further, it allows 
SBA to hire new Business Opportunity Specialist Procurement 
that do not meet the certification requirements if they can 
obtain the required certification within one year.
            (b) Conforming amendment
    This subsection strikes the part of section 7(j)(D)(i) of 
the Act that was moved to the new section 4(g).

Section 10. Certification requirements for commercial market 
        representatives

    This section adds a new subsection 4(h) to the Act. It 
requires that new Commercial Market Representatives have at 
least an introductory certification in federal procurement. 
Current Commercial Market Representatives are provided with 
five years to obtain the certification. Alternatively, SBA may 
hire a Commercial Market Representative without the required 
certification if the certification will be obtained within one 
year.

            VIII. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    At the time H.R. 1481 was reported to the House, the 
Congressional Budget Office had not provided a cost estimate.

                         IX. Unfunded Mandates

    H.R. 1481 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, Pub. 
L. No. 104-4, and would impose no costs on state, local or 
tribal governments.

  X. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority and Tax Expenditures

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House, the Committee provides the following opinion and 
estimate with respect to new budget authority, entitlement 
authority and tax expenditures. While the Committee has not 
received an estimate of new budget authority contained in the 
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office pursuant to Sec. 402 of the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974, the Committee does not believe that any additional 
appropriation will be required due to the enactment of H.R. 
1481. H.R. 1481 does not direct new spending, but instead 
addresses the opportunity to increase competition for federal 
contractors. Increased competition may save taxpayer funds.

                         XI. Oversight Findings

    In accordance with clause (2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules 
of the House, the oversight findings and recommendations of the 
Committee on Small Business with respect to the subject matter 
contained in H.R. 1481 are incorporated into the descriptive 
portions of this report.

               XII. Statement of Constitutional Authority

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the 
authority for this legislation in Art. I, Sec. 8, cls. 1, 3, 
and 18 and Art. IV, Sec. 3, cl. 2 of the Constitution of the 
United States.

                 XIII. Congressional Accountability Act

    H.R. 1481 does not relate to the terms and conditions of 
employment or access to public services or accommodations 
within the meaning of Sec. 102(b)(3) of Pub. L. No. 104-1.

             XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Act Statement

    H.R. 1481 does not establish or authorize the establishment 
of any new advisory committees as that term is defined in the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.

                      XV. Statement of No Earmarks

    Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI, H.R. 1481 does not 
contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits or 
limited tariff benefits as defined in subsections (d), (e) or 
(f) of clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House.

                 XVI. Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House, the Committee establishes the following performance-
related goals and objectives for this legislation:

        H.R. 1481 includes a number of provisions designed to 
        improve the competitive viability of small businesses 
        as federal prime and subcontractors and to improve 
        agency compliance with the Small Business Act.

                     XVII. Changes to Existing Law


         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

SECTION 1633 OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 
                                  2013


SEC. 1633. SENIOR EXECUTIVES.

  (a) Training.--Programs established for the development of 
senior executives under section 3396(a) of title 5, United 
States Code, shall include training with respect to Federal 
procurement requirements, including contracting requirements 
under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).
  (b) Responsibility for Achieving Small Business Goals.--The 
head of an agency shall take steps to ensure that members of 
the senior executive service, as defined under section 3396(a) 
of title 5, United States Code, responsible for acquisition, 
other senior officials responsible for acquisition, and other 
members of the senior executive service, as appropriate, 
[assume responsibility for of the agency's success in achieving 
small business contracting goals and percentages] assume 
responsibility for the agency's success in achieving each of 
the small business prime contracting and subcontracting goals 
and percentages by--
          (1) promoting a climate or environment that is 
        responsive to small business concerns;
          (2) communicating the importance of achieving the 
        agency's small business contracting goals; and
          (3) encouraging small business awareness, outreach, 
        and support.
  (c) Definitions.--In this section the term ``responsible for 
acquisition'', with respect to a member of the senior executive 
service or other senior official, means such a member or 
official who acquires services or supplies, directs agency 
organizations to acquire services or supplies, oversees 
acquisition officials, including program managers, contracting 
officers, and other acquisition workforce personnel responsible 
for formulating and approving acquisition strategies and plans.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                           SMALL BUSINESS ACT




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
  Sec. 4. (a) In order to carry out the policies of this Act 
there is hereby created an agency under the name ``Small 
Business Administration'' (herein referred to as the 
Administration), which Administration shall be under the 
general direction and supervision of the President and shall 
not be affiliated with or be within any other agency or 
department of the Federal Government. The principal office of 
the Administration shall be located in the District of 
Columbia. The Administration may establish such branch and 
regional offices in other places in the United States as may be 
determined by the Administrator of the Administration. As used 
in this Act, the term ``United States'' includes the several 
States, the Territories and possessions of the United States, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Trust territory of the 
Pacific Islands, and the District of Columbia.
  (b)(1) The management of the Administration shall be vested 
in an Administrator who shall be appointed from civilian life 
by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, and who shall be a person of outstanding qualifications 
known to be familiar and sympathetic with small business needs 
and problems. The Administrator shall not engage in any other 
business, vocation, or employment than that of serving as 
Administrator. In carrying out the programs administered by the 
Small Business Administration including its lending and 
guaranteeing functions, the Administrator shall not 
discriminate on the basis of sex or marital status against any 
person or small business concern applying for or receiving 
assistance from the Small Business Administration, and the 
Small Business Administration shall give special consideration 
to veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States and their 
survivors or dependents. The President also may appoint a 
Deputy Administrator, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate. The Administrator is authorized to appoint Associate 
Administrators (including the Associate Administrator specified 
in section 201 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958) to 
assist in the execution of the functions vested in the 
Administration. One such Associate Administrator shall be the 
Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development, who 
shall administer the Office of Veterans Business Development 
established under section 32. One of the Associate 
Administrators shall be designated at the time of his 
appointment as the Associate Administrator for Minority Small 
Business and Capital Ownership Development who shall be an 
employee in the competitive service or in the Senior Executive 
Service and a career appointee and shall be responsible to the 
Administrator for the formulation and execution of the policies 
and programs under sections 7(j) and 8(a) of this Act which 
provide assistance to minority small business concerns. One 
such Associate Administrator shall be the Associate 
Administrator for International Trade, who shall be the head of 
the Office of International Trade established under section 22.
  (2) the Administrator also shall be responsible for--
          (A) establishing and maintaining an external small 
        business economic data base for the purpose of 
        providing the Congress and the Administration 
        information on the economic condition and the expansion 
        or contraction of the small business sector. To that 
        end, the Administrator shall publish on a regular basis 
        national small business economic indices and, to the 
        extent feasible, regional small business economic 
        indices, which shall include, but need not be limited 
        to, data on--
                  (i) employment layoffs, and new hires;
                  (ii) number of business establishments and 
                the types of such establishments such as sole 
                proprietorships, corporations, and 
                partnerships;
                  (iii) number of business formation and 
                failures;
                  (iv) sales and new orders;
                  (v) back orders;
                  (vi) investment in plant and equipment;
                  (vii) changes in inventory and rate of 
                inventory turnover;
                  (viii) sources and amounts of capital 
                investment, including debt, equity, and 
                internally generated funds;
                  (ix) debt to equity ratios;
                  (x) exports;
                  (xi) number and dollar amount of mergers and 
                acquisitions by size of acquiring and acquired 
                firm; and
                  (xii) concentration ratios; and
          (B) publishing annually a report giving a comparative 
        analysis and interpretation of the historical trends of 
        the small business sector as reflected by the data 
        acquired pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this 
        subsection.
          (3) Risk management database.--
                  (A) Establishment.--The Administration shall 
                establish, within the management system for the 
                loan programs authorized by subsections (a) and 
                (b) of section 7 of this Act and title V of the 
                Small Business Investment Act of 1958, a 
                management information system that will 
                generate a database capable of providing timely 
                and accurate information in order to identify 
                loan underwriting, collections, recovery, and 
                liquidation problems.
                  (B) Information to be maintained.--In 
                addition to such other information as the 
                Administration considers appropriate, the 
                database established under subparagraph (A) 
                shall, with respect to each loan program 
                described in subparagraph (A), include 
                information relating to--
                          (i) the identity of the institution 
                        making the guaranteed loan or issuing 
                        the debenture;
                          (ii) the identity of the borrower;
                          (iii) the total dollar amount of the 
                        loan or debenture;
                          (iv) the total dollar amount of 
                        government exposure in each loan;
                          (v) the district of the 
                        Administration in which the borrower 
                        has its principal office;
                          (vi) the principal line of business 
                        of the borrower, as identified by 
                        Standard Industrial Classification Code 
                        (or any successor to that system);
                          (vii) the delinquency rate for each 
                        program (including number of instances 
                        and days overdue);
                          (viii) the number and amount of 
                        repurchases, losses, and recoveries in 
                        each program;
                          (ix) the number of deferrals or 
                        forbearances in each program (including 
                        days and number of instances);
                          (x) comparisons on the basis of loan 
                        program, lender, district and region of 
                        the Administration, for all the data 
                        elements maintained; and
                          (xi) underwriting characteristics of 
                        each loan that has entered into 
                        default, including term, amount and 
                        type of collateral, loan-to-value and 
                        other actual and projected ratios, line 
                        of business, credit history, and type 
                        of loan.
                  (C) Deadline for operational capability.--The 
                database established under subparagraph (A) 
                shall--
                          (i) be operational not later than 
                        June 30, 1997; and
                          (ii) capture data beginning on the 
                        first day of the second quarter of 
                        fiscal year 1997 beginning after such 
                        date and thereafter.
  (4)(A) The Administrator shall establish a small business 
computer security and education program to--
          (i) provide small business concerns information 
        regarding--
                  (I) utilization and management of computer 
                technology;
                  (II) computer crimes committed against small 
                business concerns; and
                  (III) security for computers owned or 
                utilized by small business concerns;
          (ii) provide for periodic forums for small business 
        concerns to improve their knowledge of the matters 
        described in clause (i); and
          (iii) provide training opportunities to educate small 
        business users on computer security techniques.
  (B) The Administrator, after consultation with the Director 
of Institute of Computer Sciences and Technology within the 
Department of Commerce, shall develop information and materials 
to carry out the activities described in subparagraph (A) of 
this paragraph.
  (c)(1) There are hereby established in the Treasury the 
following revolving funds; (A) a disaster loan fund which shall 
be available for financing functions performed under section 
7(b)(1), 7(b)(2), 7(b)(3), 7(b)(4), 7(d)(2), and 7(m) of this 
Act; and (B) a business loan and investment fund which shall be 
available for financing functions performed under sections 
5(g), 7(a), and 8(a) of this Act, and titles III, IV and V of 
the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
  (2) All repayments of loans and debentures, payments of 
interest and other receipts arising out of transactions 
heretofore or hereafter entered into by the Administration (A) 
pursuant to sections 7(b)(1), 7(b)(2), 7(b)(3), 7(b)(4), 
7(b)(5), 7(b)(6), (7(b)(7), 7(b)(8), 7(d)(2), and 7(g) of this 
Act shall be paid into a disaster loan fund; and (B) pursuant 
to sections 5(g), 7(a), 7(h), 7(i), 7(l), 7(m), and 8(a) of 
this Act, and titles III, IV and V of the Small Business 
Investment Act of 1958, shall be paid into the business loan 
and investment fund.
  (3) Unexpended balances of appropriations made to the fund 
pursuant to this subsection, as in effect immediately prior to 
the effective date of this paragraph, shall be allocated, 
together with related assets and liabilities, to the funds 
established by paragraph (1) in such amounts as the 
Administrator shall determine.
  (4) The Administration shall submit to the Committees on 
Appropriations. Senate Select Committee on Small Business, and 
the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
Representatives, as soon as possible after the beginning of 
each calendar quarter, a full and complete report on the status 
of each of the funds established by paragraph (1). Business-
type budgets for each of the funds established by paragraph (1) 
shall be prepared, transmitted to the Committees on 
Appropriations, the Senate Select Committee on Small Business, 
and the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
Representatives, and considered, and enacted in the manner 
prescribed by law (sections 102, 103, and 104 of the Government 
Corporation Control Act (31 U.S.C. 847-849)) for wholly owned 
Government corporations.
  (5)(A) The Administration is authorized to make and issue 
notes to the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of 
obtaining funds necessary for discharging obligations under the 
revolving funds created by section 4(c)(1) of this Act and for 
authorized expenditures out of the funds. Such notes shall be 
in such form and denominations and have such maturities and be 
subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by 
the Administration with the approval of the Secretary of the 
Treasury. Such notes shall bear interest at a rate fixed by the 
Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration the 
current average market yield of outstanding marketable 
obligations of the United States having maturities comparable 
to the notes issued by the Administration under this paragraph. 
The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to 
purchase any notes of the Administration issued hereunder, and, 
for that purpose, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized 
to use as a public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale 
of any securities issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act, as 
amended, and the purposes for which such securities may be 
issued under such Act, as amended, are extended to include the 
purchase of notes issued by the Administration. All 
redemptions, purchases, and sales by the Secretary of the 
Treasury of such notes shall be treated as public debt 
transactions of the United States. All borrowing authority 
contained herein shall be effective only to such extent or in 
such amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts.
  (B)(i) Moneys in the funds established in subsection (c)(1) 
not needed for current operations may be paid into 
miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.
  (ii) Following the close of each fiscal year, the 
Administration shall pay into the miscellaneous receipts of the 
United States Treasury the actual interest that the 
Administration collects during that fiscal year on all 
financings made under this Act.
  (C) Except on those loan disbursements on which interest is 
paid under subsection (B)(ii), the Administration shall pay 
into miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury, following the 
close of each fiscal year, interest received by the 
Administration on financing functions performed under this Act 
and titles III and V of the Small business Investment Act of 
1958 providing the capital used to perform such functions 
originated from appropriated funds. Such payments shall be 
treated by the Department of the Treasury as interest income, 
not as retirement of indebtedness.
  (D) There are authorized to be appropriated, in any fiscal 
year, such sums as may be necessary for losses and interest 
subsidies incurred by the funds established by subsection 
(c)(1), but not previously reimbursed.
  (d) There is hereby created the Loan Policy Board of the 
Small Business Administration, which shall consist of the 
following members, all ex officio: The Administration, as 
Chairman, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of 
Commerce. Either of the said Secretaries may designate an 
officer of his Department, who has been appointed by the 
President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to 
act in his stead as a member of the Loan Policy Board with 
respect to any matter or matters. The Loan Policy Board shall 
establish general policies (particularly with reference to the 
public interest involved in the granting and denial of 
applications for financial assistance by the Administration and 
with reference to the coordination of the functions of the 
Administration with other activities and policies of the 
Government), which shall govern the granting and denial of 
applications for financial assistance by the Administration.
  (e) Prohibition on the Provision of Assistance.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administration 
is prohibited from providing any financial or other assistance 
to any business concern or other person engaged in the 
production or distribution of any product or service that has 
been determined to be obscene by a court of competent 
jurisdiction.
  (f) Certification of Compliance With Child Support 
Obligations.--
          (1) In general.--For financial assistance approved 
        after the promulgation of final regulations to 
        implement this section, each recipient of financial 
        assistance under this Act, including a recipient of a 
        direct loan or a loan guarantee, shall certify that the 
        recipient is not more than 60 days delinquent under the 
        terms of any--
                  (A) administrative order;
                  (B) court order; or
                  (C) repayment agreement entered into between 
                the recipient and the custodial parent or State 
                agency providing child support enforcement 
                services,
        that requires the recipient to pay child support, as 
        such term is defined in section 462(b) of the Social 
        Security Act.
          (2) Enforcement.--Not later than 6 months after the 
        date of enactment of this subsection, the 
        Administration shall promulgate such regulations as may 
        be necessary to enforce compliance with the 
        requirements of this subsection.
  (g) Certification Requirements for Business Opportunity 
Specialists.--A Business Opportunity Specialist described under 
section 7(j)(10)(D) shall have a Level I Federal Acquisition 
Certification in Contracting (or any successor certification) 
or the equivalent Department of Defense certification, except 
that--
          (1) a Business Opportunity Specialist who was serving 
        on or before January 3, 2013, may continue to serve as 
        a Business Opportunity Specialist for a period of 5 
        years beginning on such date without such a 
        certification; and
          (2) any person hired as a Business Opportunity 
        Specialist after January 3, 2013, may have up to one 
        calendar year from the date of employment to obtain the 
        required certification.
  (h) Certification Requirements for Commercial Market 
Representatives.--A commercial market representative referred 
to in section 15(q)(3) shall have a Level I Federal Acquisition 
Certification in Contracting (or any successor certification) 
or the equivalent Department of Defense certification, except 
that--
          (1) a commercial market representative who was 
        serving on or before the date of enactment of the Small 
        Contractors Improve Competition Act of 2015 may 
        continue to serve as a commercial market representative 
        for a period of 5 years beginning on such date without 
        such a certification; and
          (2) any person hired as a commercial market 
        representative after the date of enactment of the Small 
        Contractors Improve Competition Act of 2015 may have up 
        to one calendar year from the date of employment to 
        obtain the required certification.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  Sec. 7. (a) Loans to Small Business Concerns; Allowable 
Purposes; Qualified Business; Restrictions and Limitations.--
The Administration is empowered to the extent and in such 
amounts as provided in advance in appropriation Acts to make 
loans for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or 
expansion, including the acquisition of land, material, 
supplies, equipment, and working capital, and to make loans to 
any qualified small business concern, including those owned by 
qualified Indian tribes, for purposes of this Act. Such 
financings may be made either directly or in cooperation with 
banks or other financial institutions through agreements to 
participate on an immediate or deferred (guaranteed) basis. 
These powers shall be subject, however, to the following 
restrictions, limitations, and provisions:
          (1) In general.--
                  (A) Credit elsewhere.--No financial 
                assistance shall be extended pursuant to this 
                subsection if the applicant can obtain credit 
                elsewhere. No immediate participation may be 
                purchased unless it is shown that a deferred 
                participation is not available; and no direct 
                financing may be made unless it is shown that a 
                participation is not available.
                  (B) Background checks.--Prior to the approval 
                of any loan made pursuant to this subsection, 
                or section 503 of the Small Business Investment 
                Act of 1958, the Administrator may verify the 
                applicant's criminal background, or lack 
                thereof, through the best available means, 
                including, if possible, use of the National 
                Crime Information Center computer system at the 
                Federal Bureau of Investigation.
          (2) Level of participation in guaranteed loans.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraphs (B), (D), and (E), in an 
                agreement to participate in a loan on a 
                deferred basis under this subsection (including 
                a loan made under the Preferred Lenders 
                Program), such participation by the 
                Administration shall be equal to--
                          (i) 75 percent of the balance of the 
                        financing outstanding at the time of 
                        disbursement of the loan, if such 
                        balance exceeds $150,000; or
                          (ii) 85 percent of the balance of the 
                        financing outstanding at the time of 
                        disbursement of the loan, if such 
                        balance is less than or equal to 
                        $150,000.
                  (B) Reduced participation upon request.--
                          (i) In general.--The guarantee 
                        percentage specified by subparagraph 
                        (A) for any loan under this subsection 
                        may be reduced upon the request of the 
                        participating lender.
                          (ii) Prohibition.--The Administration 
                        shall not use the guarantee percentage 
                        requested by a participating lender 
                        under clause (i) as a criterion for 
                        establishing priorities in approving 
                        loan guarantee requests under this 
                        subsection.
                  (C) Interest rate under preferred lenders 
                program.--
                          (i) In general.--The maximum interest 
                        rate for a loan guaranteed under the 
                        Preferred Lenders Program shall not 
                        exceed the maximum interest rate, as 
                        determined by the Administration, 
                        applicable to other loans guaranteed 
                        under this subsection.
                          (ii) Export-import bank lenders.--Any 
                        lender that is participating in the 
                        Delegated Authority Lender Program of 
                        the Export-Import Bank of the United 
                        States (or any successor to the 
                        Program) shall be eligible to 
                        participate in the Preferred Lenders 
                        Program.
                          (iii) Preferred lenders program 
                        defined.--For purposes of this 
                        subparagraph, the term ``Preferred 
                        Lenders Program'' means any program 
                        established by the Administrator, as 
                        authorized under the proviso in section 
                        5(b)(7), under which a written 
                        agreement between the lender and the 
                        Administration delegates to the 
                        lender--
                                  (I) complete authority to 
                                make and close loans with a 
                                guarantee from the 
                                Administration without 
                                obtaining the prior specific 
                                approval of the Administration; 
                                and
                                  (II) complete authority to 
                                service and liquidate such 
                                loans without obtaining the 
                                prior specific approval of the 
                                Administration for routine 
                                servicing and liquidation 
                                activities, but shall not take 
                                any actions creating an actual 
                                or apparent conflict of 
                                interest.
                  (D) Participation under export working 
                capital program.--In an agreement to 
                participate in a loan on a deferred basis under 
                the Export Working Capital Program established 
                pursuant to paragraph (14)(A), such 
                participation by the Administration shall be 90 
                percent.
                  (E) Participation in international trade 
                loan.--In an agreement to participate in a loan 
                on a deferred basis under paragraph (16), the 
                participation by the Administration may not 
                exceed 90 percent.
          (3) No loan shall be made under this subsection--
                  (A) if the total amount outstanding and 
                committed (by participation or otherwise) to 
                the borrower from the business loan and 
                investment fund established by this Act would 
                exceed $3,750,000 (or if the gross loan amount 
                would exceed $5,000,000), except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B);
                  (B) if the total amount outstanding and 
                committed (on a deferred basis) solely for the 
                purposes provided in paragraph (16) to the 
                borrower from the business loan and investment 
                fund established by this Act would exceed 
                $4,500,000 (or if the gross loan amount would 
                exceed $5,000,000), of which not more than 
                $4,000,000 may be used for working capital, 
                supplies, or financings under section 7(a)(14) 
                for export purposes; and
                  (C) if effected either directly or in 
                cooperation with banks or other lending 
                institutions through agreements to participate 
                on an immediate basis if the amount would 
                exceed $350,000.
          (4) Interest rates and prepayment charges.--
                  (A) Interest rates.--Notwithstanding the 
                provisions of the constitution of any State or 
                the laws of any State limiting the rate or 
                amount of interest which may be charged, taken, 
                received, or reserved, the maximum legal rate 
                of interest on any financing made on a deferred 
                basis pursuant to this subsection shall not 
                exceed a rate prescribed by the Administration, 
                and the rate of interest for the 
                Administration's share of any direct or 
                immediate participation loan shall not exceed 
                the current average market yield on outstanding 
                marketable obligations of the United States 
                with remaining periods to maturity comparable 
                to the average maturities of such loans and 
                adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per 
                centum, and an additional amount as determined 
                by the Administration, but not to exceed 1 per 
                centum per annum: Provided, That for those 
                loans to assist any public or private 
                organization for the handicapped or to assist 
                any handicapped individual as provided in 
                paragraph (10) of this subsection, the interest 
                rate shall be 3 per centum per annum.
                  (B) Payment of accrued interest.--
                          (i) In general.--Any bank or other 
                        lending institution making a claim for 
                        payment on the guaranteed portion of a 
                        loan made under this subsection shall 
                        be paid the accrued interest due on the 
                        loan from the earliest date of default 
                        to the date of payment of the claim at 
                        a rate not to exceed the rate of 
                        interest on the loan on the date of 
                        default, minus one percent.
                          (ii) Loans sold on secondary 
                        market.--If a loan described in clause 
                        (i) is sold on the secondary market, 
                        the amount of interest paid to a bank 
                        or other lending institution described 
                        in that clause from the earliest date 
                        of default to the date of payment of 
                        the claim shall be no more than the 
                        agreed upon rate, minus one percent.
                          (iii) Applicability.--Clauses (i) and 
                        (ii) shall not apply to loans made on 
                        or after October 1, 2000.
                  (C) Prepayment charges.--
                          (i) In general.--A borrower who 
                        prepays any loan guaranteed under this 
                        subsection shall remit to the 
                        Administration a subsidy recoupment fee 
                        calculated in accordance with clause 
                        (ii) if--
                                  (I) the loan is for a term of 
                                not less than 15 years;
                                  (II) the prepayment is 
                                voluntary;
                                  (III) the amount of 
                                prepayment in any calendar year 
                                is more than 25 percent of the 
                                outstanding balance of the 
                                loan; and
                                  (IV) the prepayment is made 
                                within the first 3 years after 
                                disbursement of the loan 
                                proceeds.
                          (ii) Subsidy recoupment fee.--The 
                        subsidy recoupment fee charged under 
                        clause (i) shall be--
                                  (I) 5 percent of the amount 
                                of prepayment, if the borrower 
                                prepays during the first year 
                                after disbursement;
                                  (II) 3 percent of the amount 
                                of prepayment, if the borrower 
                                prepays during the second year 
                                after disbursement; and
                                  (III) 1 percent of the amount 
                                of prepayment, if the borrower 
                                prepays during the third year 
                                after disbursement.
          (5) No such loans including renewals and extensions 
        thereof may be made for a period or periods exceeding 
        twenty-five years, except that such portion of a loan 
        made for the purpose of acquiring real property or 
        constructing, converting, or expanding facilities may 
        have a maturity of twenty-five years plus such 
        additional period as is estimated may be required to 
        complete such construction, conversion, or expansion.
          (6) All loans made under this subsection shall be of 
        such sound value or so secured as reasonably to assure 
        repayment: Provided, however, That--
                  (A) for loans to assist any public or private 
                organization or to assist any handicapped 
                individual as provided in paragraph (10) of 
                this subsection any reasonable doubt shall be 
                resolved in favor of the applicant;
                  (B) recognizing that greater risk may be 
                associated with loans for energy measures as 
                provided in paragraph (12) of this subsection, 
                factors in determining ``sound value'' shall 
                include, but not be limited to, quality of the 
                product or service; technical qualifications of 
                the applicant or his employees; sales 
                projections; and the financial status of the 
                business concern: Provided further, That such 
                status need not be as sound as that required 
                for general loans under this subsection; and
        On that portion of the loan used to refinance existing 
        indebtedness held by a bank or other lending 
        institution, the Administration shall limit the amount 
        of deferred participation to 80 per centum of the 
        amount of the loan at the time of disbursement: 
        Provided further, That any authority conferred by this 
        subparagraph on the Administration shall be exercised 
        solely by the Administration and shall not be delegated 
        to other than Administration personnel.
          (7) The Administration may defer payments on the 
        principal of such loans for a grace period and use such 
        other methods as it deems necessary and appropriate to 
        assure the successful establishment and operation of 
        such concern.
          (8) The Administration may make loans under this 
        subsection to small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by disabled veterans (as defined in section 
        4211(3) of title 38, United States Code).
          (9) The Administration may provide loans under this 
        subsection to finance residential or commercial 
        construction or rehabilitation for sale: Provided, 
        however, That such loans shall not be used primarily 
        for the acquisition of land.
          (10) The Administration may provide guaranteed loans 
        under this subsection to assist any public or private 
        organization for the handicapped or to assist any 
        handicapped individual, including service-disabled 
        veterans, in establishing, acquiring, or operating a 
        small business concern.
          (11) The Administration may provide loans under this 
        subsection to any small business concern, or to any 
        qualified person seeking to establish such a concern 
        when it determines that such loan will further the 
        policies established in section 2(c) of this Act, with 
        particular emphasis on the preservation or 
        establishment of small business concerns located in 
        urban or rural areas with high proportions of 
        unemployed or low-income individuals or owned by low-
        income individuals.
          (12)(A) The Administration may provide loans under 
        this subsection to assist any small business concern, 
        including start up, to enable such concern to design 
        architecturally or engineer, manufacture, distribute, 
        market, install, or service energy measures: Provided, 
        however, That such loan proceeds shall not be used 
        primarily for research and development.
  (b) The Administration may provide deferred participation 
loans under this subsection to finance the planning, design, or 
installation of pollution control facilities for the purposes 
set forth in section 404 of the Small Business Investment Act 
of 1958. Notwithstanding the limitation expressed in paragraph 
(3) of this subsection, a loan made under this paragraph may 
not result in a total amount outstanding and committed to a 
borrower from the business loan and investment fund of more 
than $1,000,000.
          (13) The Administration may provide financing under 
        this subsection to State and local development 
        companies for the purposes of, and subject to the 
        restrictions in, title V of the Small Business 
        Investment Act of 1958.
          (14) Export working capital program.--
                  (A) In general.--The Administrator may 
                provide extensions of credit, standby letters 
                of credit, revolving lines of credit for export 
                purposes, and other financing to enable small 
                business concerns, including small business 
                export trading companies and small business 
                export management companies, to develop foreign 
                markets. A bank or participating lending 
                institution may establish the rate of interest 
                on such financings as may be legal and 
                reasonable.
                  (B) Terms.--
                          (i) Loan amount.--The Administrator 
                        may not guarantee a loan under this 
                        paragraph of more than $5,000,000.
                          (ii) Fees.--
                                  (I) In general.--For a loan 
                                under this paragraph, the 
                                Administrator shall collect the 
                                fee assessed under paragraph 
                                (23) not more frequently than 
                                once each year.
                                  (II) Untapped credit.--The 
                                Administrator may not assess a 
                                fee on capital that is not 
                                accessed by the small business 
                                concern.
                  (C) Considerations.--When considering loan or 
                guarantee applications, the Administration 
                shall give weight to export-related benefits, 
                including opening new markets for United States 
                goods and services abroad and encouraging the 
                involvement of small businesses, including 
                agricultural concerns, in the export market.
                  (D) Marketing.--The Administrator shall 
                aggressively market its export financing 
                program to small businesses.
          (15)(A) The Administration may guarantee loans under 
        this subsection to qualified employee trusts with 
        respect to a small business concern for the purpose of 
        purchasing stock of the concern under a plan approved 
        by the Administrator which, when carried out, results 
        in the qualified employee trust owning at least 51 per 
        centum of the stock of the concern.
          (B) The plan requiring the Administrator's approval 
        under subparagraph (A) shall be submitted to the 
        Administration by the trustee of such trust with its 
        application for the guarantee. Such plan shall include 
        an agreement with the Administrator which is binding on 
        such trust and on the small business concern and which 
        provides that--
                  (i) not later than the date the loan 
                guaranteed under subparagraph (A) is repaid (or 
                as soon thereafter as is consistent with the 
                requirements of section 401(a) of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1954), at least 51 per centum 
                of the total stock of such concern shall be 
                allocated to the accounts of at least 51 per 
                centum of the employees of such concern who are 
                entitled to share in such allocation,
                  (ii) there will be periodic reviews of the 
                role in the management of such concern of 
                employees to whose accounts stock is allocated, 
                and
                  (iii) there will be adequate management to 
                assure management expertise and continuity.
          (C) In determining whether to guarantee any loan 
        under this paragraph, the individual business 
        experience or personal assets of employee-owners shall 
        not be used as criteria, except inasmuch as certain 
        employee-owners may assume managerial responsibilities, 
        in which case business experience may be considered.
          (D) For purposes of this paragraph, a corporation 
        which is controlled by any other person shall be 
        treated as a small business concern if such corporation 
        would, after the plan described in subparagraph (B) is 
        carried out, be treated as a small business concern.
          (E) The Administration shall compile a separate list 
        of applications for assistance under this paragraph, 
        indicating which applications were accepted and which 
        were denied, and shall report periodically to the 
        Congress on the status of employee-owned firms assisted 
        by the Administration.
          (16) International trade.--
                  (A) In general.--If the Administrator 
                determines that a loan guaranteed under this 
                subsection will allow an eligible small 
                business concern that is engaged in or 
                adversely affected by international trade to 
                improve its competitive position, the 
                Administrator may make such loan to assist such 
                concern--
                          (i) in the financing of the 
                        acquisition, construction, renovation, 
                        modernization, improvement, or 
                        expansion of productive facilities or 
                        equipment to be used in the United 
                        States in the production of goods and 
                        services involved in international 
                        trade;
                          (ii) in the refinancing of existing 
                        indebtedness that is not structured 
                        with reasonable terms and conditions, 
                        including any debt that qualifies for 
                        refinancing under any other provision 
                        of this subsection; or
                          (iii) by providing working capital.
                  (B) Security.--
                          (i) In general.--Except as provided 
                        in clause (ii), each loan made under 
                        this paragraph shall be secured by a 
                        first lien position or first mortgage 
                        on the property or equipment financed 
                        by the loan or on other assets of the 
                        small business concern.
                          (ii) Exception.--A loan under this 
                        paragraph may be secured by a second 
                        lien position on the property or 
                        equipment financed by the loan or on 
                        other assets of the small business 
                        concern, if the Administrator 
                        determines the lien provides adequate 
                        assurance of the payment of the loan.
                  (C) Engaged in international trade.--For 
                purposes of this paragraph, a small business 
                concern is engaged in international trade if, 
                as determined by the Administrator, the small 
                business concern is in a position to expand 
                existing export markets or develop new export 
                markets.
                  (D) Adversely affected by international 
                trade.--For purposes of this paragraph, a small 
                business concern is adversely affected by 
                international trade if, as determined by the 
                Administrator, the small business concern--
                          (i) is confronting increased 
                        competition with foreign firms in the 
                        relevant market; and
                          (ii) is injured by such competition.
                  (E) Findings by certain federal agencies.--
                For purposes of subparagraph (D)(ii) the 
                Administrator shall accept any finding of 
                injury by the International Trade Commission or 
                any finding of injury by the Secretary of 
                Commerce pursuant to chapter 3 of title II of 
                the Trade Act of 1974.
                  (F) List of export finance lenders.--
                          (i) Publication of list required.--
                        The Administrator shall publish an 
                        annual list of the banks and 
                        participating lending institutions 
                        that, during the 1-year period ending 
                        on the date of publication of the list, 
                        have made loans guaranteed by the 
                        Administration under--
                                  (I) this paragraph;
                                  (II) paragraph (14); or
                                  (III) paragraph (34).
                          (ii) Availability of list.--The 
                        Administrator shall--
                                  (I) post the list published 
                                under clause (i) on the website 
                                of the Administration; and
                                  (II) make the list published 
                                under clause (i) available, 
                                upon request, at each district 
                                office of the Administration.
          (17) The Administration shall authorize lending 
        institutions and other entities in addition to banks to 
        make loans authorized under this subsection.
          (18) Guarantee fees.--
                  (A) In general.--With respect to each loan 
                guaranteed under this subsection (other than a 
                loan that is repayable in 1 year or less), the 
                Administration shall collect a guarantee fee, 
                which shall be payable by the participating 
                lender, and may be charged to the borrower, as 
                follows:
                          (i) A guarantee fee not to exceed 2 
                        percent of the deferred participation 
                        share of a total loan amount that is 
                        not more than $150,000.
                          (ii) A guarantee fee not to exceed 3 
                        percent of the deferred participation 
                        share of a total loan amount that is 
                        more than $150,000, but not more than 
                        $700,000.
                          (iii) A guarantee fee not to exceed 
                        3.5 percent of the deferred 
                        participation share of a total loan 
                        amount that is more than $700,000.
                          (iv) In addition to the fee under 
                        clause (iii), a guarantee fee equal to 
                        0.25 percent of any portion of the 
                        deferred participation share that is 
                        more than $1,000,000.
                  (B) Retention of certain fees.--Lenders 
                participating in the programs established under 
                this subsection may retain not more than 25 
                percent of a fee collected under subparagraph 
                (A)(i).
          (19)(A) In addition to the Preferred Lenders Program 
        authorized by the proviso in section 5(b)(7), the 
        Administration is authorized to establish a Certified 
        Lenders Program for lenders who establish their 
        knowledge of Administration laws and regulations 
        concerning the guaranteed loan program and their 
        proficiency in program requirements. The designation of 
        a lender as a certified lender shall be suspended or 
        revoked at any time that the Administration determines 
        that the lender is not adhering to its rules and 
        regulations or that the loss experience of the lender 
        is excessive as compared to other lenders, but such 
        suspension or revocation shall not affect any 
        outstanding guarantee.
          (B) In order to encourage all lending institutions 
        and other entities making loans authorized under this 
        subsection to provide loans of $50,000 or less in 
        guarantees to eligible small business loan applicants, 
        the Administration shall develop and allow 
        participating lenders to solely utilize a uniform and 
        simplified loan form for such loans.
                  (C) Authority to liquidate loans.--
                          (i) In general.--The Administrator 
                        may permit lenders participating in the 
                        Certified Lenders Program to liquidate 
                        loans made with a guarantee from the 
                        Administration pursuant to a 
                        liquidation plan approved by the 
                        Administrator.
                          (ii) Automatic approval.--If the 
                        Administrator does not approve or deny 
                        a request for approval of a liquidation 
                        plan within 10 business days of the 
                        date on which the request is made (or 
                        with respect to any routine liquidation 
                        activity under such a plan, within 5 
                        business days) such request shall be 
                        deemed to be approved.
          (20)(A) The Administration is empowered to make loans 
        either directly or in cooperation with banks or other 
        financial institutions through agreements to 
        participate on an immediate or deferred (guaranteed) 
        basis to small business concerns eligible for 
        assistance under subsection (j)(10) and section 8(a). 
        Such assistance may be provided only if the 
        Administration determines that--
                  (i) the type and amount of such assistance 
                requested by such concern is not otherwise 
                available on reasonable terms from other 
                sources;
                  (ii) with such assistance such concern has a 
                reasonable prospect for operating soundly and 
                profitably within a reasonable period of time;
                  (iii) the proceeds of such assistance will be 
                used within a reasonable time for plant 
                construction, conversion, or expansion, 
                including the acquisition of equipment, 
                facilities, machinery, supplies, or material or 
                to supply such concern with working capital to 
                be used in the manufacture of articles, 
                equipment, supplies, or material for defense or 
                civilian production or as may be necessary to 
                insure a well-balanced national economy; and
                  (iv) such assistance is of such sound value 
                as reasonably to assure that the terms under 
                which it is provided will not be breached by 
                the small business concern.
          (B)(i) No loan shall be made under this paragraph if 
        the total amount outstanding and committed (by 
        participation or otherwise) to the borrower would 
        exceed $750,000.
          (ii) Subject to the provisions of clause (i), in 
        agreements to participate in loans on a deferred 
        (guaranteed) basis, participation by the Administration 
        shall be not less than 85 per centum of the balance of 
        the financing outstanding at the time of disbursement.
          (iii) The rate of interest on financings made on a 
        deferred (guaranteed) basis shall be legal and 
        reasonable.
          (iv) Financings made pursuant to this paragraph shall 
        be subject to the following limitations:
                  (I) No immediate participation may be 
                purchased unless it is shown that a deferred 
                participation is not available.
                  (II) No direct financing may be made unless 
                it is shown that a participation is 
                unavailable.
          (C) A direct loan or the Administration's share of an 
        immediate participation loan made pursuant to this 
        paragraph shall be any secured debt instrument--
                  (i) that is subordinated by its terms to all 
                other borrowings of the issuer;
                  (ii) the rate of interest on which shall not 
                exceed the current average market yield on 
                outstanding marketable obligations of the 
                United States with remaining periods to 
                maturity comparable to the average maturities 
                of such loan and adjusted to the nearest one-
                eighth of 1 per centum;
                  (iii) the term of which is not more than 
                twenty-five years; and
                  (iv) the principal on which is amortized at 
                such rate as may be deemed appropriate by the 
                Administration, and the interest on which is 
                payable not less often than annually.
  (21)(A) The Administration may make loans on a guaranteed 
basis under the authority of this subsection--
          (i) to a small business concern that has been (or can 
        reasonably be expected to be) detrimentally affected 
        by--
                  (I) the closure (or substantial reduction) of 
                a Department of Defense installation; or
                  (II) the termination (or substantial 
                reduction) of a Department of Defense program 
                on which such small business was a prime 
                contractor or subcontractor (or supplier) at 
                any tier; or
          (ii) to a qualified individual or a veteran seeking 
        to establish (or acquire) and operate a small business 
        concern.
  (B) Recognizing that greater risk may be associated with a 
loan to a small business concern described in subparagraph 
(A)(i), any reasonable doubts concerning the firm's proposed 
business plan for transition to nondefense-related markets 
shall be resolved in favor of the loan applicant when making 
any determination regarding the sound value of the proposed 
loan in accordance with paragraph (6).
  (C) Loans pursuant to this paragraph shall be authorized in 
such amounts as provided in advance in appropriation Acts for 
the purposes of loans under this paragraph.
  (D) For purposes of this paragraph a qualified individual 
is--
          (i) a member of the Armed Forces of the United 
        States, honorably discharged from active duty 
        involuntarily or pursuant to a program providing 
        bonuses or other inducements to encourage voluntary 
        separation or early retirement;
          (ii) a civilian employee of the Department of Defense 
        involuntarily separated from Federal service or retired 
        pursuant to a program offering inducements to encourage 
        early retirement; or
          (iii) an employee of a prime contractor, 
        subcontractor, or supplier at any tier of a Department 
        of Defense program whose employment is involuntarily 
        terminated (or voluntarily terminated pursuant to a 
        program offering inducements to encourage voluntary 
        separation or early retirement) due to the termination 
        (or substantial reduction) of a Department of Defense 
        program.
          (E) Job creation and community benefit.--In providing 
        assistance under this paragraph, the Administration 
        shall develop procedures to ensure, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, that such assistance is used for 
        projects that--
                  (i) have the greatest potential for--
                          (I) creating new jobs for individuals 
                        whose employment is involuntarily 
                        terminated due to reductions in Federal 
                        defense expenditures; or
                          (II) preventing the loss of jobs by 
                        employees of small business concerns 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(i); and
                  (ii) have substantial potential for 
                stimulating new economic activity in 
                communities most affected by reductions in 
                Federal defense expenditures.
          (22) The Administration is authorized to permit 
        participating lenders to impose and collect a 
        reasonable penalty fee on late payments of loans 
        guaranteed under this subsection in an amount not to 
        exceed 5 percent of the monthly loan payment per month 
        plus interest.
          (23) Yearly fee.--
                  (A) In general.--With respect to each loan 
                approved under this subsection, the 
                Administration shall assess, collect, and 
                retain a fee, not to exceed 0.55 percent per 
                year of the outstanding balance of the deferred 
                participation share of the loan, in an amount 
                established once annually by the Administration 
                in the Administration's annual budget request 
                to Congress, as necessary to reduce to zero the 
                cost to the Administration of making guarantees 
                under this subsection. As used in this 
                paragraph, the term ``cost'' has the meaning 
                given that term in section 502 of the Federal 
                Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).
                  (B) Payer.--The yearly fee assessed under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be payable by the 
                participating lender and shall not be charged 
                to the borrower.
                  (C) Lowering of borrower fees.--If the 
                Administration determines that fees paid by 
                lenders and by small business borrowers for 
                guarantees under this subsection may be 
                reduced, consistent with reducing to zero the 
                cost to the Administration of making such 
                guarantees--
                          (i) the Administration shall first 
                        consider reducing fees paid by small 
                        business borrowers under clauses (i) 
                        through (iii) of paragraph (18)(A), to 
                        the maximum extent possible; and
                          (ii) fees paid by small business 
                        borrowers shall not be increased above 
                        the levels in effect on the date of 
                        enactment of this subparagraph.
          (24) Notification requirement.--The Administration 
        shall notify the Committees on Small Business of the 
        Senate and the House of Representatives not later than 
        15 days before making any significant policy or 
        administrative change affecting the operation of the 
        loan program under this subsection.
          (25) Limitation on conducting pilot projects.--
                  (A) In general.--Not more than 10 percent of 
                the total number of loans guaranteed in any 
                fiscal year under this subsection may be 
                awarded as part of a pilot program which is 
                commenced by the Administrator on or after 
                October 1, 1996.
                  (B) Pilot program defined.--In this 
                paragraph, the term ``pilot program'' means any 
                lending program initiative, project, 
                innovation, or other activity not specifically 
                authorized by law.
                  (C) Low documentation loan program.--The 
                Administrator may carry out the low 
                documentation loan program for loans of 
                $100,000 or less only through lenders with 
                significant experience in making small business 
                loans. Not later than 90 days after the date of 
                enactment of this subsection, the Administrator 
                shall promulgate regulations defining the 
                experience necessary for participation as a 
                lender in the low documentation loan program.
          (26) Calculation of subsidy rate.--All fees, 
        interest, and profits received and retained by the 
        Administration under this subsection shall be included 
        in the calculations made by the Director of the Office 
        of Management and Budget to offset the cost (as that 
        term is defined in section 502 of the Federal Credit 
        Reform Act of 1990) to the Administration of purchasing 
        and guaranteeing loans under this Act.
          (28) Leasing.--In addition to such other lease 
        arrangements as may be authorized by the 
        Administration, a borrower may permanently lease to one 
        or more tenants not more than 20 percent of any 
        property constructed with the proceeds of a loan 
        guaranteed under this subsection, if the borrower 
        permanently occupies and uses not less than 60 percent 
        of the total business space in the property.
          (29) Real estate appraisals.--With respect to a loan 
        under this subsection that is secured by commercial 
        real property, an appraisal of such property by a State 
        licensed or certified appraiser--
                  (A) shall be required by the Administration 
                in connection with any such loan for more than 
                $250,000; or
                  (B) may be required by the Administration or 
                the lender in connection with any such loan for 
                $250,000 or less, if such appraisal is 
                necessary for appropriate evaluation of 
                creditworthiness.
          (30) Ownership requirements.--Ownership requirements 
        to determine the eligibility of a small business 
        concern that applies for assistance under any credit 
        program under this Act shall be determined without 
        regard to any ownership interest of a spouse arising 
        solely from the application of the community property 
        laws of a State for purposes of determining marital 
        interests.
          (31) Express loans.--
                  (A) Definitions.--As used in this paragraph:
                          (i) The term ``express lender'' means 
                        any lender authorized by the 
                        Administration to participate in the 
                        Express Loan Program.
                          (ii) The term ``express loan'' means 
                        any loan made pursuant to this 
                        paragraph in which a lender utilizes to 
                        the maximum extent practicable its own 
                        loan analyses, procedures, and 
                        documentation.
                          (iii) The term ``Express Loan 
                        Program'' means the program for express 
                        loans established by the Administration 
                        under paragraph (25)(B), as in 
                        existence on April 5, 2004, with a 
                        guaranty rate of not more than 50 
                        percent.
                  (B) Restriction to express lender.--The 
                authority to make an express loan shall be 
                limited to those lenders deemed qualified to 
                make such loans by the Administration. 
                Designation as an express lender for purposes 
                of making an express loan shall not prohibit 
                such lender from taking any other action 
                authorized by the Administration for that 
                lender pursuant to this subsection.
                  (C) Grandfathering of existing lenders.--Any 
                express lender shall retain such designation 
                unless the Administration determines that the 
                express lender has violated the law or 
                regulations promulgated by the Administration 
                or modifies the requirements to be an express 
                lender and the lender no longer satisfies those 
                requirements.
                  (D) Maximum loan amount.--The maximum loan 
                amount under the Express Loan Program is 
                $350,000.
                  (E) Option to participate.--Except as 
                otherwise provided in this paragraph, the 
                Administration shall take no regulatory, 
                policy, or administrative action, without 
                regard to whether such action requires 
                notification pursuant to paragraph (24), that 
                has the effect of requiring a lender to make an 
                express loan pursuant to subparagraph (D).
                  (F) Express loans for renewable energy and 
                energy efficiency.--
                          (i) Definitions.--In this 
                        subparagraph--
                                  (I) the term ``biomass''--
                                          (aa) means any 
                                        organic material that 
                                        is available on a 
                                        renewable or recurring 
                                        basis, including--
                                                  (AA) 
                                                agricultural 
                                                crops;
                                                  (BB) trees 
                                                grown for 
                                                energy 
                                                production;
                                                  (CC) wood 
                                                waste and wood 
                                                residues;
                                                  (DD) plants 
                                                (including 
                                                aquatic plants 
                                                and grasses);
                                                  (EE) 
                                                residues;
                                                  (FF) fibers;
                                                  (GG) animal 
                                                wastes and 
                                                other waste 
                                                materials; and
                                                  (HH) fats, 
                                                oils, and 
                                                greases 
                                                (including 
                                                recycled fats, 
                                                oils, and 
                                                greases); and
                                          (bb) does not 
                                        include--
                                                  (AA) paper 
                                                that is 
                                                commonly 
                                                recycled; or
                                                  (BB) 
                                                unsegregated 
                                                solid waste;
                                  (II) the term ``energy 
                                efficiency project'' means the 
                                installation or upgrading of 
                                equipment that results in a 
                                significant reduction in energy 
                                usage; and
                                  (III) the term ``renewable 
                                energy system'' means a system 
                                of energy derived from--
                                          (aa) a wind, solar, 
                                        biomass (including 
                                        biodiesel), or 
                                        geothermal source; or
                                          (bb) hydrogen derived 
                                        from biomass or water 
                                        using an energy source 
                                        described in item (aa).
                          (ii) Loans.--The Administrator may 
                        make a loan under the Express Loan 
                        Program for the purpose of--
                                  (I) purchasing a renewable 
                                energy system; or
                                  (II) carrying out an energy 
                                efficiency project for a small 
                                business concern.
          (32) Loans for energy efficient technologies.--
                  (A) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
                          (i) the term ``cost'' has the meaning 
                        given that term in section 502 of the 
                        Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 
                        U.S.C. 661a);
                          (ii) the term ``covered energy 
                        efficiency loan'' means a loan--
                                  (I) made under this 
                                subsection; and
                                  (II) the proceeds of which 
                                are used to purchase energy 
                                efficient designs, equipment, 
                                or fixtures, or to reduce the 
                                energy consumption of the 
                                borrower by 10 percent or more; 
                                and
                          (iii) the term ``pilot program'' 
                        means the pilot program established 
                        under subparagraph (B)
                  (B) Establishment.--The Administrator shall 
                establish and carry out a pilot program under 
                which the Administrator shall reduce the fees 
                for covered energy efficiency loans.
                  (C) Duration.--The pilot program shall 
                terminate at the end of the second full fiscal 
                year after the date that the Administrator 
                establishes the pilot program.
                  (D) Maximum participation.--A covered energy 
                efficiency loan shall include the maximum 
                participation levels by the Administrator 
                permitted for loans made under this subsection.
                  (E) Fees.--
                          (i) In general.--The fee on a covered 
                        energy efficiency loan shall be equal 
                        to 50 percent of the fee otherwise 
                        applicable to that loan under paragraph 
                        (18).
                          (ii) Waiver.--The Administrator may 
                        waive clause (i) for a fiscal year if--
                                  (I) for the fiscal year 
                                before that fiscal year, the 
                                annual rate of default of 
                                covered energy efficiency loans 
                                exceeds that of loans made 
                                under this subsection that are 
                                not covered energy efficiency 
                                loans;
                                  (II) the cost to the 
                                Administration of making loans 
                                under this subsection is 
                                greater than zero and such cost 
                                is directly attributable to the 
                                cost of making covered energy 
                                efficiency loans; and
                                  (III) no additional sources 
                                of revenue authority are 
                                available to reduce the cost of 
                                making loans under this 
                                subsection to zero.
                          (iii) Effect of waiver.--If the 
                        Administrator waives the reduction of 
                        fees under clause (ii), the 
                        Administrator--
                                  (I) shall not assess or 
                                collect fees in an amount 
                                greater than necessary to 
                                ensure that the cost of the 
                                program under this subsection 
                                is not greater than zero; and
                                  (II) shall reinstate the fee 
                                reductions under clause (i) 
                                when the conditions in clause 
                                (ii) no longer apply.
                          (iv) No increase of fees.--The 
                        Administrator shall not increase the 
                        fees under paragraph (18) on loans made 
                        under this subsection that are not 
                        covered energy efficiency loans as a 
                        direct result of the pilot program.
                  (F) GAO report.--
                          (i) In general.--Not later than 1 
                        year after the date that the pilot 
                        program terminates, the Comptroller 
                        General of the United States shall 
                        submit to the Committee on Small 
                        Business of the House of 
                        Representatives and the Committee on 
                        Small Business and Entrepreneurship of 
                        the Senate a report on the pilot 
                        program.
                          (ii) Contents.--The report submitted 
                        under clause (i) shall include--
                                  (I) the number of covered 
                                energy efficiency loans for 
                                which fees were reduced under 
                                the pilot program;
                                  (II) a description of the 
                                energy efficiency savings with 
                                the pilot program;
                                  (III) a description of the 
                                impact of the pilot program on 
                                the program under this 
                                subsection;
                                  (IV) an evaluation of the 
                                efficacy and potential fraud 
                                and abuse of the pilot program; 
                                and
                                  (V) recommendations for 
                                improving the pilot program.
          (33) Increased veteran participation program.--
                  (A) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
                          (i) the term ``cost'' has the meaning 
                        given that term in section 502 of the 
                        Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 
                        U.S.C. 661a);
                          (ii) the term ``pilot program'' means 
                        the pilot program established under 
                        subparagraph (B); and
                          (iii) the term ``veteran 
                        participation loan'' means a loan made 
                        under this subsection to a small 
                        business concern owned and controlled 
                        by veterans of the Armed Forces or 
                        members of the reserve components of 
                        the Armed Forces.
                  (B) Establishment.--The Administrator shall 
                establish and carry out a pilot program under 
                which the Administrator shall reduce the fees 
                for veteran participation loans.
                  (C) Duration.--The pilot program shall 
                terminate at the end of the second full fiscal 
                year after the date that the Administrator 
                establishes the pilot program.
                  (D) Maximum participation.--A veteran 
                participation loan shall include the maximum 
                participation levels by the Administrator 
                permitted for loans made under this subsection.
                  (E) Fees.--
                          (i) In general.--The fee on a veteran 
                        participation loan shall be equal to 50 
                        percent of the fee otherwise applicable 
                        to that loan under paragraph (18).
                          (ii) Waiver.--The Administrator may 
                        waive clause (i) for a fiscal year if--
                                  (I) for the fiscal year 
                                before that fiscal year, the 
                                annual estimated rate of 
                                default of veteran 
                                participation loans exceeds 
                                that of loans made under this 
                                subsection that are not veteran 
                                participation loans;
                                  (II) the cost to the 
                                Administration of making loans 
                                under this subsection is 
                                greater than zero and such cost 
                                is directly attributable to the 
                                cost of making veteran 
                                participation loans; and
                                  (III) no additional sources 
                                of revenue authority are 
                                available to reduce the cost of 
                                making loans under this 
                                subsection to zero.
                          (iii) Effect of waiver.--If the 
                        Administrator waives the reduction of 
                        fees under clause (ii), the 
                        Administrator--
                                  (I) shall not assess or 
                                collect fees in an amount 
                                greater than necessary to 
                                ensure that the cost of the 
                                program under this subsection 
                                is not greater than zero; and
                                  (II) shall reinstate the fee 
                                reductions under clause (i) 
                                when the conditions in clause 
                                (ii) no longer apply.
                          (iv) No increase of fees.--The 
                        Administrator shall not increase the 
                        fees under paragraph (18) on loans made 
                        under this subsection that are not 
                        veteran participation loans as a direct 
                        result of the pilot program.
                  (F) GAO report.--
                          (i) In general.--Not later than 1 
                        year after the date that the pilot 
                        program terminates, the Comptroller 
                        General of the United States shall 
                        submit to the Committee on Small 
                        Business of the House of 
                        Representatives and the Committee on 
                        Small Business and Entrepreneurship of 
                        the Senate a report on the pilot 
                        program.
                          (ii) Contents.--The report submitted 
                        under clause (i) shall include--
                                  (I) the number of veteran 
                                participation loans for which 
                                fees were reduced under the 
                                pilot program;
                                  (II) a description of the 
                                impact of the pilot program on 
                                the program under this 
                                subsection;
                                  (III) an evaluation of the 
                                efficacy and potential fraud 
                                and abuse of the pilot program; 
                                and
                                  (IV) recommendations for 
                                improving the pilot program.
          (34) Export express program.--
                  (A) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
                          (i) the term ``export development 
                        activity'' includes--
                                  (I) obtaining a standby 
                                letter of credit when required 
                                as a bid bond, performance 
                                bond, or advance payment 
                                guarantee;
                                  (II) participation in a trade 
                                show that takes place outside 
                                the United States;
                                  (III) translation of product 
                                brochures or catalogues for use 
                                in markets outside the United 
                                States;
                                  (IV) obtaining a general line 
                                of credit for export purposes;
                                  (V) performing a service 
                                contract from buyers located 
                                outside the United States;
                                  (VI) obtaining transaction-
                                specific financing associated 
                                with completing export orders;
                                  (VII) purchasing real estate 
                                or equipment to be used in the 
                                production of goods or services 
                                for export;
                                  (VIII) providing term loans 
                                or other financing to enable a 
                                small business concern, 
                                including an export trading 
                                company and an export 
                                management company, to develop 
                                a market outside the United 
                                States; and
                                  (IX) acquiring, constructing, 
                                renovating, modernizing, 
                                improving, or expanding a 
                                production facility or 
                                equipment to be used in the 
                                United States in the production 
                                of goods or services for 
                                export; and
                          (ii) the term ``express loan'' means 
                        a loan in which a lender uses to the 
                        maximum extent practicable the loan 
                        analyses, procedures, and documentation 
                        of the lender to provide expedited 
                        processing of the loan application.
                  (B) Authority.--The Administrator may 
                guarantee the timely payment of an express loan 
                to a small business concern made for an export 
                development activity.
                  (C) Level of participation.--
                          (i) Maximum amount.--The maximum 
                        amount of an express loan guaranteed 
                        under this paragraph shall be $500,000.
                          (ii) Percentage.--For an express loan 
                        guaranteed under this paragraph, the 
                        Administrator shall guarantee--
                                  (I) 90 percent of a loan that 
                                is not more than $350,000; and
                                  (II) 75 percent of a loan 
                                that is more than $350,000 and 
                                not more than $500,000.
  (b) Except as to agricultural enterprises as defined in 
section 18(b)(1) of this Act, the Administration also is 
empowered to the extent and in such amounts as provided in 
advance in appropriation Acts--
          (1)(A) to make such loans (either directly or in 
        cooperation with banks or other lending institutions 
        through agreements to participate on an immediate or 
        deferred (guaranteed) basis) as the Administration may 
        determine to be necessary or appropriate to repair, 
        rehabilitate or replace property, real or personal, 
        damaged or destroyed by or as a result of natural or 
        other disasters: Provided, That such damage or 
        destruction is not compensated for by insurance or 
        otherwise: And provided further, That the 
        Administration may increase the amount of the loan by 
        up to an additional 20 per centum of the aggregate 
        costs of such damage or destruction (whether or not 
        compensated for by insurance or otherwise) if it 
        determines such increase to be necessary or appropriate 
        in order to protect the damaged or destroyed property 
        from possible future disasters by taking mitigating 
        measures, including, but not limited to, construction 
        of retaining walls and sea walls, grading and 
        contouring land, relocating utilities and modifying 
        structures;
          (B) to refinance any mortgage or other lien against a 
        totally destroyed or substantially damaged home or 
        business concern: Provided, That no loan or guarantee 
        shall be extended unless the Administration finds that 
        (i) the applicant is not able to obtain credit 
        elsewhere; (ii) such property is to be repaired, 
        rehabilitated, or replaced; (iii) the amount refinanced 
        shall not exceed the amount of physical loss sustained; 
        and (iv) such amount shall be reduced to the extent 
        such mortgage or lien is satisfied by insurance or 
        otherwise; and
          (C) during fiscal years 2000 through 2004, to 
        establish a predisaster mitigation program to make such 
        loans (either directly or in cooperation with banks or 
        other lending institutions through agreements to 
        participate on an immediate or deferred (guaranteed) 
        basis), as the Administrator may determine to be 
        necessary or appropriate, to enable small businesses to 
        use mitigation techniques in support of a formal 
        mitigation program established by the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency, except that no loan or guarantee may 
        be extended to a small business under this subparagraph 
        unless the Administration finds that the small business 
        is otherwise unable to obtain credit for the purposes 
        described in this subparagraph;
          (2) to make sure loans (either directly or in 
        cooperation with banks or other lending institutions 
        through agreements to participate on an immediate or 
        deferred (guaranteed) basis) as the Administration may 
        determine to be necessary or appropriate to any small 
        business concern, private nonprofit organization, or 
        small agricultural cooperative located in an area 
        affected by a disaster, (including drought), with 
        respect to both farm-related and nonfarm-related small 
        business concerns, if the Administration determines 
        that the concern, the organization, or the cooperative 
        has suffered a substantial economic injury as a result 
        of such disaster and if such disaster constitutes--
                  (A) a major disaster, as determined by the 
                President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
                Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
                5121 et seq.); or
                  (B) a natural disaster, as determined by the 
                Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to section 
                321 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
                Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1961), in which case, 
                assistance under this paragraph may be provided 
                to farm-related and nonfarm-related small 
                business concerns, subject to the other 
                applicable requirements of this paragraph; or
                  (C) a disaster, as determined by the 
                Administrator of the Small Business 
                Administration; or
                  (D) if no disaster declaration has been 
                issued pursuant to subparagraph (A), (B), or 
                (C), the Governor of a State in which a 
                disaster has occurred may certify to the Small 
                Business Administration that small business 
                concerns, private nonprofit organizations, or 
                small agricultural cooperatives (1) have 
                suffered economic injury as a result of such 
                disaster, and (2) are in need of financial 
                assistance which is not available on reasonable 
                terms in the disaster stricken area. Not later 
                than 30 days after the date of receipt of such 
                certification by a Governor of a State, the 
                Administration shall respond in writing to that 
                Governor on its determination and the reasons 
                therefore, and may then make such loans as 
                would have been available under this paragraph 
                if a disaster declaration had been issued.
         Provided, That no loan or guarantee shall be extended 
        pursuant to this paragraph (2) unless the 
        Administration finds that the applicant is not able to 
        obtain credit elsewhere.
          (3)(A) In this paragraph--
                  (i) the term ``essential employee'' means an 
                individual who is employed by a small business 
                concern and whose managerial or technical 
                expertise is critical to the successful day-to-
                day operations of that small business concern;
                  (ii) the term ``period of military conflict'' 
                has the meaning given the term in subsection 
                (n)(1); and
                  (iii) the term ``substantial economic 
                injury'' means an economic harm to a business 
                concern that results in the inability of the 
                business concern--
                          (I) to meet its obligations as they 
                        mature;
                          (II) to pay its ordinary and 
                        necessary operating expenses; or
                          (III) to market, produce, or provide 
                        a product or service ordinarily 
                        marketed, produced, or provided by the 
                        business concern.
          (B) The Administration may make such disaster loans 
        (either directly or in cooperation with banks or other 
        lending institutions through agreements to participate 
        on an immediate or deferred basis) to assist a small 
        business concern that has suffered or that is likely to 
        suffer substantial economic injury as the result of an 
        essential employee of such small business concern being 
        ordered to active military duty during a period of 
        military conflict.
          (C) A small business concern described in 
        subparagraph (B) shall be eligible to apply for 
        assistance under this paragraph during the period 
        beginning on the date on which the essential employee 
        is ordered to active duty and ending on the date that 
        is 1 year after the date on which such essential 
        employee is discharged or released from active duty. 
        The Administrator may, when appropriate (as determined 
        by the Administrator), extend the ending date specified 
        in the preceding sentence by not more than 1 year.
          (D) Any loan or guarantee extended pursuant to this 
        paragraph shall be made at the same interest rate as 
        economic injury loans under paragraph (2).
          (E) No loan may be made under this paragraph, either 
        directly or in cooperation with banks or other lending 
        institutions through agreements to participate on an 
        immediate or deferred basis, if the total amount 
        outstanding and committed to the borrower under this 
        subsection would exceed $1,500,000, unless such 
        applicant constitutes, or have become due to changed 
        economic circumstances, a major source of employment in 
        its surrounding area, as determined by the 
        Administration, in which case the Administration, in 
        its discretion, may waive the $1,500,000 limitation.
          (F) For purposes of assistance under this paragraph, 
        no declaration of a disaster area shall be required.
                  (G)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of 
                law, the Administrator may make a loan under 
                this paragraph of not more than $50,000 without 
                collateral.
                  (ii) The Administrator may defer payment of 
                principal and interest on a loan described in 
                clause (i) during the longer of--
                          (I) the 1-year period beginning on 
                        the date of the initial disbursement of 
                        the loan; and
                          (II) the period during which the 
                        relevant essential employee is on 
                        active duty.
                  (H) The Administrator shall give priority to 
                any application for a loan under this paragraph 
                and shall process and make a determination 
                regarding such applications prior to processing 
                or making a determination on other loan 
                applications under this subsection, on a 
                rolling basis.
          (4) Coordination with fema.--
                  (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law, for any disaster declared 
                under this subsection or major disaster 
                (including any major disaster relating to which 
                the Administrator declares eligibility for 
                additional disaster assistance under paragraph 
                (9)), the Administrator, in consultation with 
                the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency, shall ensure, to the maximum 
                extent practicable, that all application 
                periods for disaster relief under this Act 
                correspond with application deadlines 
                established under the Robert T. Stafford 
                Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), or as extended by the 
                President.
                  (B) Deadlines.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law, not later than 10 days before 
                the closing date of an application period for a 
                major disaster (including any major disaster 
                relating to which the Administrator declares 
                eligibility for additional disaster assistance 
                under paragraph (9)), the Administrator, in 
                consultation with the Administrator of the 
                Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall 
                submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
                Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
                Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                Representatives a report that includes--
                          (i) the deadline for submitting 
                        applications for assistance under this 
                        Act relating to that major disaster;
                          (ii) information regarding the number 
                        of loan applications and disbursements 
                        processed by the Administrator relating 
                        to that major disaster for each day 
                        during the period beginning on the date 
                        on which that major disaster was 
                        declared and ending on the date of that 
                        report; and
                          (iii) an estimate of the number of 
                        potential applicants that have not 
                        submitted an application relating to 
                        that major disaster.
          (5) Public awareness of disasters.--If a disaster is 
        declared under this subsection or the Administrator 
        declares eligibility for additional disaster assistance 
        under paragraph (9), the Administrator shall make every 
        effort to communicate through radio, television, print, 
        and web-based outlets, all relevant information needed 
        by disaster loan applicants, including--
                  (A) the date of such declaration;
                  (B) cities and towns within the area of such 
                declaration;
                  (C) loan application deadlines related to 
                such disaster;
                  (D) all relevant contact information for 
                victim services available through the 
                Administration (including links to small 
                business development center websites);
                  (E) links to relevant Federal and State 
                disaster assistance websites, including links 
                to websites providing information regarding 
                assistance available from the Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency;
                  (F) information on eligibility criteria for 
                Administration loan programs, including where 
                such applications can be found; and
                  (G) application materials that clearly state 
                the function of the Administration as the 
                Federal source of disaster loans for homeowners 
                and renters.
          (6) Authority for qualified private contractors.--
                  (A) Disaster loan processing.--The 
                Administrator may enter into an agreement with 
                a qualified private contractor, as determined 
                by the Administrator, to process loans under 
                this subsection in the event of a major 
                disaster (including any major disaster relating 
                to which the Administrator declares eligibility 
                for additional disaster assistance under 
                paragraph (9)), under which the Administrator 
                shall pay the contractor a fee for each loan 
                processed.
                  (B) Loan loss verification services.--The 
                Administrator may enter into an agreement with 
                a qualified lender or loss verification 
                professional, as determined by the 
                Administrator, to verify losses for loans under 
                this subsection in the event of a major 
                disaster (including any major disaster relating 
                to which the Administrator declares eligibility 
                for additional disaster assistance under 
                paragraph (9)), under which the Administrator 
                shall pay the lender or verification 
                professional a fee for each loan for which such 
                lender or verification professional verifies 
                losses.
          (7) Disaster assistance employees.--
                  (A) In general.--In carrying out this 
                section, the Administrator may, where 
                practicable, ensure that the number of full-
                time equivalent employees--
                          (i) in the Office of the Disaster 
                        Assistance is not fewer than 800; and
                          (ii) in the Disaster Cadre of the 
                        Administration is not fewer than 1,000.
                  (B) Report.--In carrying out this subsection, 
                if the number of full-time employees for either 
                the Office of Disaster Assistance or the 
                Disaster Cadre of the Administration is below 
                the level described in subparagraph (A) for 
                that office, not later than 21 days after the 
                date on which that staffing level decreased 
                below the level described in subparagraph (A), 
                the Administrator shall submit to the Committee 
                on Appropriations and the Committee on Small 
                Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and 
                the Committee on Appropriations and Committee 
                on Small Business of the House of 
                Representatives, a report--
                          (i) detailing staffing levels on that 
                        date;
                          (ii) requesting, if practicable and 
                        determined appropriate by the 
                        Administrator, additional funds for 
                        additional employees; and
                          (iii) containing such additional 
                        information, as determined appropriate 
                        by the Administrator.
          (8) Increased loan caps.--
                  (A) Aggregate loan amounts.--Except as 
                provided in subparagraph (B), and 
                notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
                aggregate loan amount outstanding and committed 
                to a borrower under this subsection may not 
                exceed $2,000,000.
                  (B) Waiver authority.--The Administrator may, 
                at the discretion of the Administrator, 
                increase the aggregate loan amount under 
                subparagraph (A) for loans relating to a 
                disaster to a level established by the 
                Administrator, based on appropriate economic 
                indicators for the region in which that 
                disaster occurred.
          (9) Declaration of eligibility for additional 
        disaster assistance.--
                  (A) In general.--If the President declares a 
                major disaster, the Administrator may declare 
                eligibility for additional disaster assistance 
                in accordance with this paragraph.
                  (B) Threshold.--A major disaster for which 
                the Administrator declares eligibility for 
                additional disaster assistance under this 
                paragraph shall--
                          (i) have resulted in extraordinary 
                        levels of casualties or damage or 
                        disruption severely affecting the 
                        population (including mass 
                        evacuations), infrastructure, 
                        environment, economy, national morale, 
                        or government functions in an area;
                          (ii) be comparable to the description 
                        of a catastrophic incident in the 
                        National Response Plan of the 
                        Administration, or any successor 
                        thereto, unless there is no successor 
                        to such plan, in which case this clause 
                        shall have no force or effect; and
                          (iii) be of such size and scope 
                        that--
                                  (I) the disaster assistance 
                                programs under the other 
                                paragraphs under this 
                                subsection are incapable of 
                                providing adequate and timely 
                                assistance to individuals or 
                                business concerns located 
                                within the disaster area; or
                                  (II) a significant number of 
                                business concerns outside the 
                                disaster area have suffered 
                                disaster-related substantial 
                                economic injury as a result of 
                                the incident.
                  (C) Additional economic injury disaster loan 
                assistance.--
                          (i) In general.--If the Administrator 
                        declares eligibility for additional 
                        disaster assistance under this 
                        paragraph, the Administrator may make 
                        such loans under this subparagraph 
                        (either directly or in cooperation with 
                        banks or other lending institutions 
                        through agreements to participate on an 
                        immediate or deferred basis) as the 
                        Administrator determines appropriate to 
                        eligible small business concerns 
                        located anywhere in the United States.
                          (ii) Processing time.--
                                  (I) In general.--If the 
                                Administrator determines that 
                                the average processing time for 
                                applications for disaster loans 
                                under this subparagraph 
                                relating to a specific major 
                                disaster is more than 15 days, 
                                the Administrator shall give 
                                priority to the processing of 
                                such applications submitted by 
                                eligible small business 
                                concerns located inside the 
                                disaster area, until the 
                                Administrator determines that 
                                the average processing time for 
                                such applications is not more 
                                than 15 days.
                                  (II) Suspension of 
                                applications from outside 
                                disaster area.--If the 
                                Administrator determines that 
                                the average processing time for 
                                applications for disaster loans 
                                under this subparagraph 
                                relating to a specific major 
                                disaster is more than 30 days, 
                                the Administrator shall suspend 
                                the processing of such 
                                applications submitted by 
                                eligible small business 
                                concerns located outside the 
                                disaster area, until the 
                                Administrator determines that 
                                the average processing time for 
                                such applications is not more 
                                than 15 days.
                          (iii) Loan terms.--A loan under this 
                        subparagraph shall be made on the same 
                        terms as a loan under paragraph (2).
                  (D) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
                          (i) the term ``disaster area'' means 
                        the area for which the applicable major 
                        disaster was declared;
                          (ii) the term ``disaster-related 
                        substantial economic injury'' means 
                        economic harm to a business concern 
                        that results in the inability of the 
                        business concern to--
                                  (I) meet its obligations as 
                                it matures;
                                  (II) meet its ordinary and 
                                necessary operating expenses; 
                                or
                                  (III) market, produce, or 
                                provide a product or service 
                                ordinarily marketed, produced, 
                                or provided by the business 
                                concern because the business 
                                concern relies on materials 
                                from the disaster area or sells 
                                or markets in the disaster 
                                area; and
                          (iii) the term ``eligible small 
                        business concern'' means a small 
                        business concern--
                                  (I) that has suffered 
                                disaster-related substantial 
                                economic injury as a result of 
                                the applicable major disaster; 
                                and
                                  (II)(aa) for which not less 
                                than 25 percent of the market 
                                share of that small business 
                                concern is from business 
                                transacted in the disaster 
                                area;
                                  (bb) for which not less than 
                                25 percent of an input into a 
                                production process of that 
                                small business concern is from 
                                the disaster area; or
                                  (cc) that relies on a 
                                provider located in the 
                                disaster area for a service 
                                that is not readily available 
                                elsewhere.
  No loan under this subsection, including renewals and 
extensions thereof, may be made for a period or periods 
exceeding thirty years: Provided, That the Administrator may 
consent to a suspension in the payment of principal and 
interest charges on, and to an extension in the maturity of, 
the Federal share of any loan under this subsection for a 
period not to exceed five years, if (A) the borrower under such 
loan is a homeowner or a small business concern, (B) the loan 
was made to enable (i) such homeowner to repair or replace his 
home, or (ii) such concern to repair or replace plant or 
equipment which was damaged or destroyed as the result of a 
disaster meeting the requirements of clause (A) or (B) of 
paragraph (2) of this subsection, and (C) the Administrator 
determines such action is necessary to avoid severe financial 
hardship: Provided further, That the provisions of paragraph 
(1) of subsection (d) of this section shall not be applicable 
to any such loan having a maturity in excess of twenty years. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as 
provided in subsection (d), the interest rate on the 
Administration's share of any loan made under subsection (b), 
shall not exceed the average annual interest rate on all 
interest-bearing obligations of the United States then forming 
a part of the public debt as computed at the end of the fiscal 
year next preceding the date of the loan and adjusted to the 
nearest one-eight of 1 per centum plus one-quarter of 1 per 
centum: Provided, however, That the interest rate for loans 
made under paragraphs (1) and (2) hereof shall not exceed the 
rate of interest which is in effect at the time of the 
occurrence of the disaster. In agreements to participate in 
loans on a deferred basis under this subsection, such 
participation by the Administration shall not be in excess of 
90 per centum of the balance of the loan outstanding at the 
time of disbursement. Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the interest rate on the Administration's share of any 
loan made pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection to 
repair or replace a primary residence and/or replace or repair 
damaged or destroyed personal property, less the amount of 
compensation by insurance or otherwise, with respect to a 
disaster occurring on or after July 1, 1976, and prior to 
October 1, 1978, shall be: 1 per centum on the amount of such 
loan not exceeding $10,000, and 3 per centum on the amount of 
such loan over $10,000 but not exceeding $40,000. The interest 
rate on the Administration's share of the first $250,000 of all 
other loans made pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, 
with respect to a disaster occurring on or after July 1, 1976, 
and prior to October 1, 1978, shall be 3 per centum. All 
repayments of principal on the Administration's share of any 
loan made under the above provisions shall first be applied to 
reduce the principal sum of such loan which bears interest at 
the lower rates provided in this paragraph. The principal 
amount of any loan made pursuant to paragraph (1) in connection 
with a disaster which occurs on or after April 1, 1977, but 
prior to January 1, 1978, may be increased by such amount, but 
not more than $2,000, as the Administration determines to be 
reasonable in light of the amount and nature of loss, damage, 
or injury sustained in order to finance the installation of 
insulation in the property which was lost, damaged, or injured, 
if the uninsured, damaged portion of the property is 10 per 
centum or more of the market value of the property at the time 
of the disaster. No later than June 1, 1978, the Administration 
shall prepare and transmit to the Select Committee on Small 
Business of the Senate, the Committee on Small Business of the 
House of Representatives, and the Committee of the Senate and 
House of Representatives having jurisdiction over measures 
relating to energy conservation, a report on its activities 
under this paragraph, including therein an evaluation of the 
effect of such activities on encouraging the installation of 
insulation in property which is repaired or replaced after a 
disaster which is subject to this paragraph, and its 
recommendations with respect to the continuation, modification, 
or termination of such activities.
  In the administration of the disaster loan program under 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, in the case of 
property loss or damage or injury resulting from a major 
disaster as determined by the President or a disaster as 
determined by the Administrator which occurs on or after 
January 1, 1971, and prior to July 1, 1973, the Small Business 
Administration, to the extent such loss or damage or injury is 
not compensated for by insurance or otherwise--
          (A) may make any loan for repair, rehabilitation, or 
        replacement of property damaged or destroyed without 
        regard to whether the required financial assistance is 
        otherwise available from private sources;
          (B) may, in the case of the total destruction or 
        substantial property damage of a home or business 
        concern, refinance any mortgage or other liens 
        outstanding against the destroyed or damaged property 
        if such project is to be repaired, rehabilitated, or 
        replaced, except that (1) in the case of a business 
        concern, the amount refinanced shall not exceed the 
        amount of the physical loss sustained, and (2) in the 
        case of a home, the amount of each monthly payment of 
        principal and interest on the loan after refinancing 
        under this clause shall be not less than the amount of 
        each such payment made prior to such refinancing;
          (C) may, in the case of a loan made under clause (A) 
        or a mortgage or other lien refinanced under clause (B) 
        in connection with the destruction of, or substantial 
        damage to, property owned and used as a residence by an 
        individual who by reason of retirement, disability, or 
        other similar circumstances relies for support on 
        survivor, disability, or retirement benefits under a 
        pension, insurance, or other program, consent to the 
        suspension of the payments of the principal of that 
        loan, mortgage, or lien during the lifetime of that 
        individual and his souse for so long as the 
        Administration determines that making such payments 
        would constitute a substantial hardship;
          (D) shall, notwithstanding the provisions of any 
        other law and upon presentation by the applicant of 
        proof of loss or damage or injury and a bona fide 
        estimate of cost of repair, rehabilitation, or 
        replacement, cancel the principal of any loan made to 
        cover a loss or damage or injury resulting from such 
        disaster, except that--
                  (i) with respect to a loan made in connection 
                with a disaster occurring on or after January 
                1, 1971 but prior to January 1, 1972, the total 
                amount so canceled shall not exceed $2,500, and 
                the interest on the balance of the loan shall 
                be at a rate of 3 per centum per annum; and
                  (ii) with respect to a loan made in 
                connection with a disaster occurring on or 
                after January 1, 1972 but prior to July 1, 
                1973, the total amount so canceled shall not 
                exceed $5,000, and the interest on the balance 
                of the loan shall be at a rate of 1 per centum 
                per annum.
  With respect to any loan referred to in clause (D) which is 
outstanding on the date of enactment of this paragraph, the 
Administrator shall--
          (i) make sure change in the interest rate on the 
        balance of such loan as is required under that clause 
        effective as of such date of enactment; and
          (ii) in applying the limitation set forth in that 
        clause with respect to the total amount of such loan 
        which may be canceled, consider as part of the amount 
        so canceled any part of such loan which was previously 
        canceled pursuant to section 231 of the Disaster Relief 
        Act of 1970.
  Whoever wrongfully misapplies the proceeds of a loan obtained 
under this subsection shall be civilly liable to the 
Administrator in an amount equal to one-and-one-half times the 
original principal amount of the loan.
          (E) A State grant made on or prior to July 1, 1979, 
        shall not be considered compensation for the purpose of 
        applying the provisions of section 312(a) of the 
        Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to a 
        disaster loan under paragraph (1) (2) of this 
        subsection.
  (c) Private Disaster Loans.--
          (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                  (A) the term ``disaster area'' means any area 
                for which the President declared a major 
                disaster relating to which the Administrator 
                declares eligibility for additional disaster 
                assistance under subsection (b)(9), during the 
                period of that major disaster declaration;
                  (B) the term ``eligible individual'' means an 
                individual who is eligible for disaster 
                assistance under subsection (b)(1) relating to 
                a major disaster relating to which the 
                Administrator declares eligibility for 
                additional disaster assistance under subsection 
                (b)(9);
                  (C) the term ``eligible small business 
                concern'' means a business concern that is--
                          (i) a small business concern, as 
                        defined under this Act; or
                          (ii) a small business concern, as 
                        defined in section 103 of the Small 
                        Business Investment Act of 1958;
                  (D) the term ``preferred lender'' means a 
                lender participating in the Preferred Lender 
                Program;
                  (E) the term ``Preferred Lender Program'' has 
                the meaning given that term in subsection 
                (a)(2)(C)(ii); and
                  (F) the term ``qualified private lender'' 
                means any privately-owned bank or other lending 
                institution that--
                          (i) is not a preferred lender; and
                          (ii) the Administrator determines 
                        meets the criteria established under 
                        paragraph (10).
          (2) Program required.--The Administrator shall carry 
        out a program, to be known as the Private Disaster 
        Assistance program, under which the Administration may 
        guarantee timely payment of principal and interest, as 
        scheduled, on any loan made to an eligible small 
        business concern located in a disaster area and to an 
        eligible individual.
          (3) Use of loans.--A loan guaranteed by the 
        Administrator under this subsection may be used for any 
        purpose authorized under subsection (b).
          (4) Online applications.--
                  (A) Establishment.--The Administrator may 
                establish, directly or through an agreement 
                with another entity, an online application 
                process for loans guaranteed under this 
                subsection.
                  (B) Other federal assistance.--The 
                Administrator may coordinate with the head of 
                any other appropriate Federal agency so that 
                any application submitted through an online 
                application process established under this 
                paragraph may be considered for any other 
                Federal assistance program for disaster relief.
                  (C) Consultation.--In establishing an online 
                application process under this paragraph, the 
                Administrator shall consult with appropriate 
                persons from the public and private sectors, 
                including private lenders.
          (5) Maximum amounts.--
                  (A) Guarantee percentage.--The Administrator 
                may guarantee not more than 85 percent of a 
                loan under this subsection.
                  (B) Loan amount.--The maximum amount of a 
                loan guaranteed under this subsection shall be 
                $2,000,000.
          (6) Terms and conditions.--A loan guaranteed under 
        this subsection shall be made under the same terms and 
        conditions as a loan under subsection (b).
          (7) Lenders.--
                  (A) In general.--A loan guaranteed under this 
                subsection made to--
                          (i) a qualified individual may be 
                        made by a preferred lender; and
                          (ii) a qualified small business 
                        concern may be made by a qualified 
                        private lender or by a preferred lender 
                        that also makes loans to qualified 
                        individuals.
                  (B) Compliance.--If the Administrator 
                determines that a preferred lender knowingly 
                failed to comply with the underwriting 
                standards for loans guaranteed under this 
                subsection or violated the terms of the 
                standard operating procedure agreement between 
                that preferred lender and the Administration, 
                the Administrator shall do 1 or more of the 
                following:
                          (i) Exclude the preferred lender from 
                        participating in the program under this 
                        subsection.
                          (ii) Exclude the preferred lender 
                        from participating in the Preferred 
                        Lender Program for a period of not more 
                        than 5 years.
          (8) Fees.--
                  (A) In general.--The Administrator may not 
                collect a guarantee fee under this subsection.
                  (B) Origination fee.--The Administrator may 
                pay a qualified private lender or preferred 
                lender an origination fee for a loan guaranteed 
                under this subsection in an amount agreed upon 
                in advance between the qualified private lender 
                or preferred lender and the Administrator.
          (9) Documentation.--A qualified private lender or 
        preferred lender may use its own loan documentation for 
        a loan guaranteed by the Administrator under this 
        subsection, to the extent authorized by the 
        Administrator. The ability of a lender to use its own 
        loan documentation for a loan guaranteed under this 
        subsection shall not be considered part of the criteria 
        for becoming a qualified private lender under the 
        regulations promulgated under paragraph (10).
          (10) Implementation regulations.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of the Small Business 
                Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 
                2008, the Administrator shall issue final 
                regulations establishing permanent criteria for 
                qualified private lenders.
                  (B) Report to congress.--Not later than 6 
                months after the date of enactment of the Small 
                Business Disaster Response and Loan 
                Improvements Act of 2008, the Administrator 
                shall submit a report on the progress of the 
                regulations required by subparagraph (A) to the 
                Committee on Small Business and 
                Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
                Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                Representatives.
          (11) Authorization of appropriations.--
                  (A) In general.--Amounts necessary to carry 
                out this subsection shall be made available 
                from amounts appropriated to the Administration 
                to carry out subsection (b).
                  (B) Authority to reduce interest rates and 
                other terms and conditions.--Funds appropriated 
                to the Administration to carry out this 
                subsection, may be used by the Administrator to 
                meet the loan terms and conditions specified in 
                paragraph (6).
          (12) Purchase of loans.--The Administrator may enter 
        into an agreement with a qualified private lender or 
        preferred lender to purchase any loan guaranteed under 
        this subsection.
  (d)(1) The Administration may further extend the maturity of 
or renew any loan made pursuant to this section, or any loan 
transferred to the Administration pursuant to Reorganization 
Plan Numbered 2 of 1954, or Reorganization Plan Numbered 1 of 
1957, for additional periods not to exceed ten years beyond the 
period stated therein, if such extension or renewal will aid in 
the orderly liquidation of such loan.
          (2) During any period in which principal and interest 
        charges are suspended on the Federal share of any loan, 
        as provided in subsection (b), the Administrator shall, 
        upon the request of any person, firm, or corporation 
        having a participation in such loan, purchase such 
        participation, or assume the obligation of the 
        borrower, for the balance of such period, to make 
        principal and interest payments on the non-Federal 
        share of such loan: Provided, That no such payments 
        shall be made by the Administrator in behalf of any 
        borrower unless (i) the Administrator determines that 
        such action is necessary in order to avoid a default, 
        and (ii) the borrower agrees to make payments to the 
        Administration in an agreegate amount equal to the 
        amount paid in its behalf by the Administrator, in such 
        manner and at such time (during or after the term of 
        the loan) as the Administrator shall determine having 
        due regard to the purposes sought to be achieved by 
        this paragraph.
          (3) With respect to a disaster occurring on or after 
        October 1, 1978, and prior the effective date of this 
        Act, on the Administration's share of loans made 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (b)--
                          (A) if the loan proceeds are to 
                        repair or replace a primary residence 
                        and/or repair or replace damaged or 
                        destroyed personal property, the 
                        interest rate shall be 3 percent on the 
                        first $55,000 of such loan;
                          (B) if the loan proceeds are to 
                        repair or replace property damaged or 
                        destroyed and if the applicant is a 
                        business concern which is unable to 
                        obtain sufficient credit elsewhere, the 
                        interest rate shall be as determined by 
                        the Administration, but not in excess 
                        of 5 percent per annum; and
                  (C) if the loan proceeds are to repair or 
                replace property damaged or destroyed and if 
                the applicant is a business concern which is 
                able to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere, the 
                interest rate shall not exceed the current 
                average market yield on outstanding marketable 
                obligations of the United States with remaining 
                periods to maturity comparable to the average 
                maturities of such loans and adjusted to the 
                nearest one-eight of 1 percent, and an 
                additional amount as determined by the 
                Administration, but not to exceed 1 percent: 
                Provided, That three years after such loan is 
                fully disbursed and every two years thereafter 
                for the term of the loan, if the Administration 
                determines that the borrower is able to obtain 
                a loan from one-Federal sources at reasonable 
                rates and terms for loans of similar purposes 
                and periods of time, the borrower shall, upon 
                request by the Administration, apply for and 
                accept such a loan in sufficient amount to 
                repay the Administration: Provided further, 
                That no loan under subsection (b)(1) shall be 
                made, either directly or in cooperation with 
                banks or other lending institutions through 
                agreements to participate on an immediate or 
                deferred basis, if the total amount outstanding 
                and committed to the borrower under such 
                subsection would exceed $500,000 for each 
                disaster, unless an applicant constitutes a 
                major source of employment in an area suffering 
                a disaster, in which case the Administration, 
                in its discretion, may waive the $500,000 
                limitation.
          (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, 
        the interest rate on the Federal share of any loan made 
        under subsection (b) shall be--
                  (A) in the case of a homeowner unable to 
                secure credit elsewhere, the rate prescribed by 
                the Administration but not more than one-half 
                the rate determined by the Secretary of the 
                Treasury taking into consideration the current 
                average market yield on outstanding marketable 
                obligations of the United States with remaining 
                periods to maturity comparable to the average 
                maturities of such loans plus an additional 
                charge of not to exceed 1 per centum per annum 
                as determined by the Administrator, and 
                adjusted to the nearest one-eight of 1 per 
                centum but not to exceed 8 per centum per 
                annum;
                  (B) in the case of a homeowner able to secure 
                credit elsewhere, the rate prescribed by the 
                Administration but not more than the rate 
                determined by the Secretary of the Treasury 
                taking into consideration the current average 
                market yield on outstanding marketable 
                obligations of the United States with remaining 
                periods to maturity comparable to the average 
                maturities of such loans plus an additional 
                charge of not to exceed 1 per centum per annum 
                as determined by the Administrator, and 
                adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per 
                centum;
                  (C) in the case of a business concern unable 
                to obtain credit elsewhere, not to exceed 8 per 
                centum per annum;
                  (D) in the case of a business concern able to 
                obtain credit elsewhere, the rate prescribed by 
                the Administration but not in excess of the 
                rate prevailing in private market for similar 
                loans and not more than the rate prescribed by 
                the Administration as the maximum interest rate 
                for deferred participation (guaranteed) loans 
                under section 7(a) of this Act. Loans under 
                this subparagraph shall be limited to a maximum 
                term of three years.
          (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, 
        the interest rate on the Federal share of any loan made 
        under subsection (b)(1) and (b)(2) on account of a 
        disaster commencing on or after October 1, 1982, shall 
        be--
                  (A) in the case of a homeowner unable to 
                secure credit elsewhere, the rate prescribed by 
                the Administration but not more than one-half 
                the rate determined by the Secretary of the 
                Treasury taking into consideration the current 
                average market yield on outstanding marketable 
                obligations of the United States with remaining 
                periods to maturity comparable to the average 
                maturities of such loan plus an additional 
                charge of not to exceed 1 per centum per annum 
                as determined by the Administrator, and 
                adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per 
                centum, but not to exceed 4 per centum per 
                annum;
                  (B) in the case of a homeowner, able to 
                secure credit elsewhere, the rate prescribed by 
                the Administration but not more than the rate 
                determined by the Secretary of the Treasury 
                taking into consideration the current average 
                market yield on outstanding marketable 
                obligations of the United States with remaining 
                periods to maturity comparable to the average 
                maturities of such loans plus an additional 
                charge of not to exceed 1 per centum per annum 
                as determined by the Administrator, and 
                adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per 
                centum, but not to exceed 8 per centum per 
                annum;
                  (C) in the case of a business, private 
                nonprofit organization, or other concern, 
                including agricultural cooperatives, unable to 
                obtain credit elsewhere, not to exceed 4 per 
                centum per annum;
                  (D) in the case of a business concern able to 
                obtain credit elsewhere, the rate prescribed by 
                the Administration but not in excess of the 
                lowest of (i) the rate prevailing in the 
                private market for similar loans, (ii) the rate 
                prescribed by the Administration as the maximum 
                interest rate for deferred participation 
                (guaranteed) loans under section 7(a) of this 
                Act, or (iii) 8 per centum per annum. Loans 
                under this subparagraph shall be limited to a 
                maximum term of 7 years.
          (6) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, 
        such loans, subject to the reductions required by 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph 7(b)(1), shall 
        be in amounts equal to 100 per centum of loss. The 
        interest rate for loans made under paragraphs 7(b)(1) 
        and (2), as determined pursuant to paragraph (5), shall 
        be the rate of interest which is in effect on the date 
        of the disaster commenced: Provided, That no loan under 
        paragraphs 7(b) (1) and (2) shall be made, either 
        directly or in cooperation with banks or other lending 
        institutions through agreements to participate on an 
        immediate or deferred (guaranteed) basis, if the total 
        amount outstanding and committed to the borrower under 
        subsection 7(b) would exceed $500,000 for each disaster 
        unless an applicant constitutes a major source of 
        employment in an area suffering a disaster, in which 
        case the Administration, in its discretion, may waive 
        the $500,000 limitation: Provided further, That the 
        Administration, subject to the reductions required by 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph 7(b)(1), shall 
        not reduce the amount of eligibility for any homeowner 
        on account of loss of real estate to less than $100,000 
        for each disaster nor for any homeowner or lessee on 
        account of loss of personal property to less than 
        $20,000 for each disaster, such sums being in addition 
        to any eligible refinancing: Provided further, That the 
        Administration shall not require collateral for loans 
        of $14,000 or less (or such higher amount as the 
        Administrator determines appropriate in the event of a 
        major disaster) which are made under paragraph (1) of 
        subsection (b). Employees of concerns sharing a common 
        business premises shall be aggregated in determining 
        ``major source of employment'' status for nonprofit 
        applicants owning such premises.
With respect to any loan which is outstanding on the date of 
enactment of this paragraph and which was made on account of a 
disaster commencing on or after October 1, 1982, the 
Administrator shall made such change in the interest rate on 
the balance of such loan as is required herein effective as of 
the date of enactment.
  (7) The Administration shall not withhold disaster assistance 
pursuant to this paragraph to nurseries who are victims of 
drought disasters. As used in section 7(b)(2) the term ``an 
area affected by a disaster'' includes any county, or county 
contiguous thereto, determined to be a disaster by the 
President, the Secretary of Agriculture or the Administrator of 
the Small Business Administration.
  (e) The Administration shall not fund any Small Business 
Development Center or any variation thereof, except as 
authorized in section 21 of this Act.
  (f) Additional Requirements for 7(b) Loans.--
          (1) Increased deferment authorized.--
                  (A) In general.--In making loans under 
                subsection (b), the Administrator may provide, 
                to the person receiving the loan, an option to 
                defer repayment on the loan.
                  (B) Period.--The period of a deferment under 
                subparagraph (A) may not exceed 4 years.
  (g) Net Earnings Clauses Prohibited for 7(b) Loans.--In 
making loans under subsection (b), the Administrator shall not 
require the borrower to pay any non-amortized amount for the 
first five years after repayment begins.
  (e) [RESERVED].
  (f) [RESERVED].
  (h)(1) The Administration also is empowered, where other 
financial assistance is not available on reasonable terms, to 
make such loans (either directly or in cooperation with Banks 
or other lending institutions through agreements to participate 
on an immediate or deferred basis) as the Administration may 
determine to be necessary or appropriate--
          (A) to assist any public or private organization--
                  (i) which is organized under the laws of the 
                United States or of any State, operated in the 
                interest of handicapped individuals, the net 
                income of which does not inure in whole or in 
                part to the benefit of any shareholder or other 
                individual;
                  (ii) which complies with any applicable 
                occupational health and safety standard 
                prescribed by the Secretary of Labor; and
                  (iii) which, in the production of commodities 
                and in the provision of services during any 
                fiscal year in which it receives financial 
                assistance under this subsection, employs 
                handicapped individuals for not less than 75 
                per centum of the man-hours required for the 
                production or provision of the commodities or 
                services; or
          (B) to assist any handicapped individual in 
        establishing, acquiring, or operating a small business 
        concern.
  (2) The Administration's share of any loan made under this 
subsection shall not exceed $350,000, nor may any such loan be 
made if the total amount outstanding and committed (by 
participation or otherwise) to the borrower from the business 
loan and investment fund established by section 4(c)(1)(B) of 
this Act would exceed $350,000. In agreements to participate in 
loans on a deferred basis under this subsection, the 
Administration's participation may total 100 per centum of the 
balance of the loan at the time of disbursement. The 
Administration's share of any loan made under this subsection 
shall bear interest at the rate of 3 per centum per annum. The 
maximum term of any such loan, including extensions and 
renewals thereof, may not exceed fifteen years. All loans made 
under this subsection shall be of such sound value or so 
secured as reasonably to assure repayment: Provided, however, 
That any reasonable doubt shall be resolved in favor of the 
applicant.
  (3) For purposes of this subsection, the term ``handicapped 
individual'' means a person who has a physical, mental, or 
emotional impairment, defect, ailment, disease, or disability 
of a permanent nature which in any way limits the selection of 
any type of employment for which the person would otherwise be 
qualified or qualifiable.
  (i)(1) The Administration also is empowered to make, 
participate (on an immediate basis) in, or guarantee loans, 
repayable in not more than fifteen years, to any small business 
concern, or to any qualified person seeking to establish such a 
concern, when it determines that such loans will further the 
policies established in section 2(b) of this Act, with 
particular emphasis on the preservation or establishment of 
small business concerns located in urban or rural areas with 
high proportions of unemployed or low-income individuals, or 
owned by low-income individuals: Provided, however, That no 
such loans shall be made, participated in, or guaranteed if the 
total of such Federal assistance to a single borrower 
outstanding at any one time would exceed $100,000. The 
Administration may defer payments on the principal of such 
loans for a grace period and use such other methods as it deems 
necessary and appropriate to assure the successful 
establishment and operation of such concern. The Administration 
may, in its discretion, as a condition of such financial 
assistance, require that the borrower take steps to improve his 
management skills by participating in a management training 
program approved by the Administration: Provided, however, That 
any management training program so approved must be of 
sufficient scope and duration to provide reasonable opportunity 
for the individuals served to develop entrepreneurial and 
managerial self-sufficiency.
  (2) The Administration shall encourage, as far as possible, 
the participation of the private business community in the 
program of assistance to such concerns, and shall seek to 
stimulate new private lending activities to such concerns 
through the use of the loan guarantees, participations in 
loans, and pooling arrangements authorized by this subsection.
  (3) To insure an equitable distribution between urban and 
rural areas for loans between $3,500 and $100,000 made under 
this subsection, the Administration is authorized to use the 
agencies and agreements and delegations developed under title 
III of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as amended, as it 
shall determine necessary.
  (4) The Administration shall provide for the continuing 
evaluation of programs under this subsection, including full 
information on the location, income characteristics, and types 
of businesses and individuals assisted, and on new private 
lending activity stimulated, and the results of such evaluation 
together with recommendations shall be included in the report 
required by section 10(a) of this Act.
  (5) Loans made pursuant to this subsection (including 
immediate participation in and guarantees of such loans) shall 
have such terms and conditions as the Administration shall 
determine, subject to the following limitations--
          (A) there is reasonable assurance of repayment of the 
        loan;
          (B) the financial assistance is not otherwise 
        available on reasonable terms from private sources or 
        other Federal, State, or local programs;
          (C) the amount of the loan, together with other funds 
        available, is adequate to assure completion of the 
        project or achievement of the purposes for which the 
        loan is made;
          (D) the loan bears interest at a rate not less than 
        (i) a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, 
        taking into consideration the average market yield on 
        outstanding Treasury obligations of comparable 
        maturity, plus (ii) such additional charge, if any, 
        toward covering other costs of the program as the 
        Administration may determine to be consistent with its 
        purposes: Provided, however, That the rate of interest 
        charged on loans made in redevelopment areas designated 
        under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
        1965 (42 U.S.C. 3108 et seq.) shall not exceed the rate 
        currently applicable to new loans made under section 
        201 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 3142); and
          (E) fees not in excess of amounts necessary to cover 
        administrative expenses and probable losses may be 
        required on loan guarantees.
  (6) The Administration shall take such steps as may be 
necessary to insure that, in any fiscal year, at least 50 per 
centum of the amounts loaned or guaranteed pursuant to this 
subsection are allotted to small business concerns located in 
urban areas identified by the Administration as having high 
concentrations of unemployed or low-income individuals or to 
small business concerns owned by low-income individuals. The 
Administration shall define the meaning of low income as it 
applies to owners of small business concerns eligible to be 
assisted under this subsection.
  (7) No financial assistance shall be extended pursuant to 
this subsection when the Administration determines that the 
assistance will be used in relocating establishments from one 
area to another if such relocation would result in an increase 
in unemployment in the area of original location.
  (j)(1) the Administration shall provide financial assistance 
to public or private organizations to pay all or part of the 
cost of projects designated to provide technical or management 
assistance to individuals or enterprises eligible for 
assistance under sections 7(i), 7(j)(10), and 8(a) of this Act, 
with special attention to small businesses located in areas of 
high concentration of unemployed or low-income individuals, to 
small businesses eligible to receive contracts pursuant to 
section 8(a) of this Act.
  (2) Financial assistance under this subsection may be 
provided for projects, including, but not limited to--
          (A) planning and research, including feasibility 
        studies and market research;
          (B) the identification and development of new 
        business opportunities;
          (C) the furnishing of centralized services with 
        regard to public services and Federal Government 
        programs including programs authorized under sections 
        7(i), (7)(j)(10), and 8(a) of this Act;
          (D) the establishment and strengthening of business 
        service agencies, including trade associations and 
        cooperative; and
          (E) the furnishing of business counseling, management 
        training, and legal and other related services, with 
        special emphasis on the development of management 
        training programs using the resources of the business 
        community, including the development of management 
        training opportunities in existing business, and with 
        emphasis in all cases upon providing management 
        training of sufficient scope and duration to develop 
        entrepreneurial and managerial self-sufficiency on the 
        part of the individuals served.
  (3) The Administration shall encourage the placement of 
subcontracts by businesses with small business concerns located 
in area of high concentration of unemployed or low-income 
individuals, with small businesses owned by low-income 
individuals, and with small businesses eligible to receive 
contracts pursuant to section 8(a) of this Act. The 
Administration may provide incentives and assistance to such 
businesses that will aid in the training and upgrading of 
potential subcontractors or other small business concerns 
eligible for assistance under section 7(i), 7(j), and 8(a), of 
this Act.
  (4) The Administration shall give preference to projects 
which promote the ownership, participation in ownership, or 
management of small businesses owned by low-income individuals 
and small businesses eligible to receive contracts pursuant to 
section 8(a) of this Act.
  (5) The financial assistance authorized for projects under 
this subsection includes assistance advanced by grant, 
agreement, or contract.
  (6) The Administration is authorized to make payments under 
grants and contracts entered into under this subsection in lump 
sum or installments, and in advance or by way of reimbursement, 
and in the case of grants, with necessary adjustments on 
account of overpayments or underpayments.
  (7) To the extent feasible, services under this subsection 
shall be provided in a location which is easily accessible to 
the individuals and small business concerns served.
  (9) The Administration shall take such steps as may be 
necessary and appropriate, in coordination and cooperation with 
the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, to insure 
that contracts, subcontracts, and deposits made by the Federal 
Government or with programs aided with Federal funds are placed 
in such way as to further the purposes of sections 7(i), 7(j), 
and 8(a) of this Act.
  (10) There is established with the Administration a small 
business and capital ownership development program (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``Program'') which shall provide assistance 
exclusively for small business concerns eligible to receive 
contracts pursuant to section 8(a) of this Act. The program, 
and all other services and activities authorized under section 
7(j) and 8(a) of this Act, shall be managed by the Associate 
Administrator for Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership 
Development under the supervision of, and responsible to, the 
Administrator.
          (A) The Program shall--
                  (i) assist small business concerns 
                participating in the Program (either through 
                public or private organizations) to develop and 
                maintain comprehensive business plans which set 
                forth the Program Participant's specific 
                business targets, objectives, and goals 
                developed and maintained in conformity with 
                subparagraph (D).
                  (ii) provide for such other nonfinancial 
                services as deemed necessary for the 
                establishment, preservation, and growth of 
                small business concerns participating in the 
                Program, including but not limited to (I) loan 
                packaging, (II) financing counseling, (III) 
                accounting and bookkeeping assistance, (IV) 
                marketing assistance, and (V) management 
                assistance;
                  (iii) assist small business concerns 
                participating in the Program to obtain equity 
                and debt financing;
                  (iv) establish regular performance monitoring 
                and reporting systems for small business 
                concerns participating in the Program to assure 
                compliance with their business plans;
                  (v) analyze and report the causes of success 
                and failure of small business concerns 
                participating in the Program; and
                  (vi) provide assistance necessary to help 
                small business concerns participating in the 
                Program to procure surety bonds, with such 
                assistance including, but not limited to, (I) 
                the preparation of application forms required 
                to receive a surety bond, (II) special 
                management and technical assistance designed to 
                meet the specific needs of small business 
                concerns participating in the Program and which 
                have received or are applying to receive a 
                surety bond, and (III) guarantee from the 
                Administration pursuant to title IV, part B of 
                the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
          (B) Small business concerns eligible to receive 
        contracts pursuant to section 8(a) of this Act shall 
        participate in the Program.
          (C)(i) A small business concern participating in any 
        program or activity conducted under the authority of 
        this paragraph or eligible for the award of contracts 
        pursuant to section 8(a) on September 1, 1988, shall be 
        permitted continued participation and eligibility in 
        such program or activity for a period of time which is 
        the greater of--
                  (I) 9 years less the number of years since 
                the award of its first contract pursuant to 
                section 8(a); or
                  (II) its original fixed program participation 
                term (plus any extension thereof) assigned 
                prior to the effective date of this paragraph 
                plus eighteen months.
          (ii) Nothing contained in this subparagraph shall be 
        deemed to prevent the Administration from instituting a 
        termination or graduation pursuant to subparagraph (F) 
        or (H) for issues unrelated to the expiration of any 
        time period limitation.
          (D)(i) Promptly after certification under paragraph 
        (11) a Program Participant shall submit a business plan 
        (hereinafter referred to as the plan'') as described in 
        clause (ii) of this subparagraph for review by the 
        Business Opportunity Specialist assigned to assist such 
        Program Participant. [The Business Opportunity 
        Specialist shall have a Level I Federal Acquisition 
        Certification in Contracting (or any successor 
        certification) or the equivalent Department of Defense 
        certification, except that a Business Opportunity 
        Specialist serving at the time of the date of enactment 
        of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
        Year 2013 may continue to serve as a Business 
        Opportunity Specialist for a period of 5 years 
        beginning on that date of enactment without such a 
        certification.] The plan may be a revision of a 
        preliminary business plan submitted by the Program 
        Participant or required by the Administration as a part 
        of the application for certification under this section 
        and shall be designed to result in the Program 
        Participant eliminating the conditions or circumstances 
        upon which the Administration determined eligibility 
        pursuant to section 8(a)(6). Such plan, and subsequent 
        modifications submitted under clause (iii) of this 
        subparagraph, shall be approved by the business 
        opportunity specialist prior to the Program Participant 
        being eligible for award of a contract pursuant to 
        section 8(a).
                  (ii) The plans submitted under this 
                subparagraph shall include the following:
                          (I) An analysis of market potential, 
                        competitive environment, and other 
                        business analyses estimating the 
                        Program Participant's prospects for 
                        profitable operations during the term 
                        of program participation and after 
                        graduation.
                          (II) An analysis of the Program 
                        Participant's strengths and weaknesses 
                        with particular attention to correcting 
                        any financial, managerial, technical, 
                        or personnel conditions which are 
                        likely to impede the small business 
                        concern from receiving contracts other 
                        than those awarded under section 8(a).
                          (III) Specific targets, objectives, 
                        and goals, for the business development 
                        of the Program Participant during the 
                        next and succeeding years utilizing the 
                        results of the analyses conducted 
                        pursuant to subclauses (I) and (II).
                          (IV) A transition management plan 
                        outlining specific steps to assure 
                        profitable business operations after 
                        graduation (to be incorporated into the 
                        Program Participant's plan during the 
                        first year of the transitional stage of 
                        Program participation).
                          (V) Estimates of contract awards 
                        pursuant to section 8(a) and from other 
                        sources, which the Program Participant 
                        will require to meet the specific 
                        targets, objectives, and goals for the 
                        years covered by its plan. The 
                        estimates established shall be 
                        consistent with the provisions of 
                        subparagraph (I) and section 8(a).
                  (iii) Each Program Participant shall annually 
                review its currently approved plan with its 
                Business Opportunity Specialist and modify such 
                plan as may be appropriate. Any modified plan 
                shall be submitted to the Administration for 
                approval. The currently approved plan shall be 
                considered valid until such time as a modified 
                plan is approved by the Business Opportunity 
                Specialist. Annual reviews pertaining to years 
                in the transitional stage of program 
                participation shall require, as appropriate, a 
                written verification that such Program 
                Participant has complied with the requirements 
                of subparagraph (I) relating to attaining 
                business activity from sources other than 
                contracts awarded pursuant to section 8(a).
                  (iv) Each Program Participant shall annually 
                forecast its needs for contract awards under 
                section 8(a) for the next program year and the 
                succeeding program year during the review of 
                its business plan, conducted pursuant to clause 
                (iii). Such forecast shall be known as the 
                section 8(a) contract support level and shall 
                be included in the Program Participant's 
                business plan. Such forecast shall include--
                          (I) the aggregate dollar value of 
                        contract support to be sought on a 
                        noncompetitive basis under section 
                        8(a), reflecting compliance with the 
                        requirements of subparagraph (I) 
                        relating to attaining business activity 
                        from sources other than contracts 
                        awarded pursuant to section 8(a),
                          (II) the types of contract 
                        opportunities being sought, identified 
                        by Standard Industrial Classification 
                        (SIC) Code or otherwise,
                          (III) an estimate of the dollar value 
                        of contract support to be sought on a 
                        competitive basis, and
                          (IV) such other information as may be 
                        requested by the Business Opportunity 
                        Specialist to provide effective 
                        business development assistance to the 
                        Program Participant.
          (E) A small business concern participating in the 
        program conducted under the authority of this paragraph 
        and eligible for the award of contracts pursuant to 
        section 8(a) shall be denied all such assistance if 
        such concern--
                  (i) voluntarily elects not to continue 
                participation;
                  (ii) completes the period of Program 
                participation as prescribed by paragraph (15);
                  (iii) is terminated pursuant to a termination 
                proceeding conducted in accordance with section 
                8(a)(9); or
                  (iv) is graduated pursuant to a graduation 
                proceeding conducted in accordance with section 
                8(a)(9).
          (F) For the purposes of section and 8(a), the terms 
        ``terminated'' or ``termination'' means the total 
        denial or suspension of assistance under this paragraph 
        or under section 8(a) prior to the graduation of the 
        participating small business concern or prior to the 
        expiration of the maximum program participation in 
        term. An action for termination shall be based upon 
        good cause, including--
                  (i) the failure by such concern to maintain 
                its eligibility for Program participation;
                  (ii) the failure of the concern to engage in 
                business practices that will promote its 
                competitiveness within a reasonable period of 
                time as evidenced by, among other indicators, a 
                pattern of unjustified delinquent performance 
                or terminations for default with respect to 
                contracts awarded under the authority of 
                section 8(a);
                  (iii) a demonstrated pattern of failing to 
                make required submissions or responses to the 
                Administration in a timely manner;
                  (iv) the willful violation of any rule or 
                regulation of the Administration pertaining to 
                material issues;
                  (v) the debarment of the concern or its 
                disadvantaged owners by any agency pursuant to 
                subpart 9.4 of title 48, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or any successor regulation); or
                  (vi) the conviction of the disadvantaged 
                owner or an officer of the concern for any 
                offense indicating a lack of business integrity 
                including any conviction for embezzlement, 
                theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or 
                violation of section 16. For purposes of this 
                clause, no termination action shall be taken 
                with respect to a disadvantaged owner solely 
                because of the conviction of an officer of the 
                concern (who is other than a disadvantaged 
                owner) unless such owner conspired with, 
                abetted, or otherwise knowingly acquiesced in 
                the activity or omission that was the basis of 
                such officer's conviction.
          (G) The Director of the Division may initiate a 
        termination proceeding by recommending such action to 
        the Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business 
        and Capital Ownership Development. Whenever the 
        Associate Administrator, or a designee of such officer, 
        determines such termination is appropriate, within 15 
        days after making such a determination the Program 
        Participant shall be provided a written notice of 
        intent to terminate, specifying the reasons for such 
        action. No Program Participant shall be terminated from 
        the Program pursuant to subparagraph (F) without first 
        being afforded an opportunity for a hearing in 
        accordance with section 8(a)(9).
          (H) For the purposes of sections 7(j) and 8(a) the 
        term ``graduated'' or ``graduation'' means that the 
        Program Participant is recognized as successfully 
        completing the program by substantially achieving the 
        targets, objectives, and goals contained in the 
        concern's business plan thereby demonstrating its 
        ability to compete in the marketplace without 
        assistance under this section or section 8(a).
          (I)(i) During the developmental stage of its 
        participation in the Program, a Program Participant 
        shall take all reasonable efforts within its control to 
        attain the targets contained in its business plan for 
        contracts awarded other than pursuant to section 8(a) 
        (hereinafter referred to as ``business activity 
        targets.''). Such efforts shall be made a part of the 
        business plan and shall be sufficient in scope and 
        duration to satisfy the Administration that the Program 
        Participant will engage a reasonable marketing strategy 
        that will maximize its potential to achieve its 
        business activity targets.
          (ii) During the transitional stage of the Program a 
        Program Participant shall be subject to regulations 
        regarding business activity targets that are 
        promulgated by the Administration pursuant to clause 
        (iii);
          (iii) The regulations referred to in clause (ii) 
        shall:
                  (I) establish business activity targets 
                applicable to Program Participants during the 
                fifth year and each succeeding year of Program 
                Participation; such targets, for such period of 
                time, shall reflect a reasonably consistent 
                increase in contracts awarded other than 
                pursuant to section 8(a), expressed as a 
                percentage of total sales; when promulgating 
                business activity targets the Administration 
                may establish modified targets for Program 
                Participants that have participated in the 
                Program for a period of longer than four years 
                on the effective date of this subparagraph;
                  (II) require a Program Participant to attain 
                its business activity targets;
                  (III) provide that, before the receipt of any 
                contract to be awarded pursuant to section 
                8(a), the Program Participant (if it is in the 
                transitional stage) must certify that it has 
                complied with the regulations promulgated 
                pursuant to subclause (II), or that it is in 
                compliance with such remedial measures as may 
                have been ordered pursuant to regulations 
                issued under subclause (V);
                  (IV) require the Administration to review 
                each Program Participant's performance 
                regarding attainment of business activity 
                targets during periodic reviews of such 
                Participant's business plan; and
                  (V) authorize the Administration to take 
                appropriate remedial measures with respect to a 
                Program Participant that has failed to attain a 
                required business activity target for the 
                purpose of reducing such Participant's 
                dependence on contracts awarded pursuant to 
                section 8(a); such remedial actions may 
                include, but are not limited to assisting the 
                Program Participant to expand the dollar volume 
                of its competitive business activity or 
                limiting the dollar volume of contracts awarded 
                to the Program Participant pursuant to section 
                8(a); except for actions that would constitute 
                a termination, remedial measures taken pursuant 
                to this subclause shall not be reviewable 
                pursuant to section 8(a)(9).
          (J)(i) The Administration shall conduct an evaluation 
        of a Program Participant's eligibility for continued 
        participation in the Program whenever it receives 
        specific and credible information alleging that such 
        Program Participant no longer meets the requirements 
        for Program eligibility. Upon making a finding that a 
        Program Participant is no longer eligible, the 
        Administration shall initiate a termination proceeding 
        in accordance with subparagraph (F). A Program 
        Participant's eligibility for award of any contract 
        under the authority of section 8(a) may be suspended 
        pursuant to subpart 9.4 of title 48, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or any successor regulation).
          (ii)(I) Except as authorized by subclauses (II) or 
        (III), no award shall be made pursuant to section 8(a) 
        to a concern other than a small business concern.
          (II) In determining the size of a small business 
        concern owned by a socially and economically 
        disadvantaged Indian tribe (or a wholly owned business 
        entity of such tribe), each firm's size shall be 
        independently determined without regard to its 
        affiliation with the tribe, any entity of the tribal 
        government, or any other business enterprise owned by 
        the tribe, unless the Administrator determines that one 
        or more such tribally owned business concerns have 
        obtained, or are likely to obtain, a substantial unfair 
        competitive advantage within an industry category.
          (III) Any joint venture established under the 
        authority of section 602(b) of Public Law 100-656, the 
        ``Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of 
        1988'', shall be eligible for award of a contract 
        pursuant to section 8(a).
  (11)(A) The Associate Administrator for Minority Small 
Business and Capital Ownership Development shall be responsible 
for coordinating and formulating policies relating to Federal 
assistance to small business concerns eligible for assistance 
under section 7(i) of this Act and small business concerns 
eligible to receive contracts pursuant to section 8(a) of this 
Act.
          (B)(i) Except as provided in clause (iii), no 
        individual who was determined pursuant to section 8(a) 
        to be socially and economically disadvantaged before 
        the effective date of this subparagraph shall be 
        permitted to assert such disadvantage with respect to 
        any other concern making application for certification 
        after such effective date.
                  (ii) Except as provided in clause (iii), any 
                individual upon whom eligibility is based 
                pursuant to section 8(a)(4) shall be permitted 
                to assert such eligibility for only one small 
                business concern.
                  (iii) A socially and economically 
                disadvantaged Indian tribe may own more than 
                one small business concern eligible for 
                assistance pursuant to section 7(j)(10) and 
                section 8(a) if--
                          (I) the Indian tribe does not own 
                        another firm in the same industry which 
                        has been determined to be eligible to 
                        receive contracts under this program, 
                        and
                          (II) the individuals responsible for 
                        the management and daily operations of 
                        the concern do not manage more than two 
                        Program Participants.
  (C) No concern, previously eligible for the award of 
contracts pursuant to section 8(a), shall be subsequently 
recertified for program participation if its prior 
participation in the program was concluded for any of the 
reasons described in paragraph (10)(E).
  (D) A concern eligible for the award of contracts pursuant to 
this subsection shall remain eligible for such contracts if 
there is a transfer of ownership and control (as defined 
pursuant to section 8(a)(4)) to individuals who are determined 
to be socially and economically disadvantaged pursuant to 
section 8(a). In the event of such a transfer, the concern, if 
not terminated or graduated, shall be eligible for a period of 
continued participation in the program not to exceed the time 
limitations prescribed in paragraph (15).
  (E) There is established a Division of Program Certification 
and Eligibility (hereinafter referred to in this paragraph as 
the Division'') that shall be made part of the Office of 
Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development. The 
Division shall be headed by a Director who shall report 
directly to the Associate Administrator for Minority Small 
Business and Capital Ownership Development. The Division shall 
establish field offices within such regional offices of the 
Administration as may be necessary to perform efficiently its 
functions and responsibilities.
  (F) Subject to the provisions of section 8(a)(9), the 
functions and responsibility of the Division are to--
          (i) receive, review and evaluate applications for 
        certification pursuant to paragraphs (4), (5), (6) and 
        (7) of section 8(a);
          (ii) advise each program applicant within 15 days 
        after the receipt of an application as to whether such 
        application is complete and suitable for evaluation 
        and, if not, what matters must be rectified;
          (iii) render recommendations on such applications to 
        the Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business 
        and Capital Ownership Development;
          (iv) review and evaluate financial statements and 
        other submissions from concerns participating in the 
        program established by paragraph (10) to ascertain 
        continued eligibility to receive subcontracts pursuant 
        to section 8(a);
          (v) make a request for the initiation of termination 
        or graduation proceedings, as appropriate, to the 
        Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and 
        Capital Ownership Development;
          (vi) make recommendations to the Associate 
        Administrator for Minority Small Business and Capital 
        Ownership Development concerning protests from 
        applicants that have been denied program admission;
          (vii) decide protests regarding the status of a 
        concern as a disadvantaged concern for purposes of any 
        program or activity conducted under the authority of 
        subsection (d) of section 8, or any other provision of 
        Federal law that references such subsection for a 
        definition of program eligibility; and
          (vii) implement such policy directives as may be 
        issued by the Associate Administrator for Minority 
        Small Business and Capital Ownership Development 
        pursuant to subparagraph (I) regarding, among other 
        things, the geographic distribution of concerns to be 
        admitted to the program and the industrial make-up of 
        such concerns.
  (G) An applicant shall not be denied admission into the 
program established by paragraph (10) due solely to a 
determination by the Division that specific contract 
opportunities are unavailable to assist in the development of 
such concern unless--
          (i) the Government has not previously procured and is 
        unlikely to procure the types of products or services 
        offered by the concern; or
          (ii) the purchases of such products or services by 
        the Federal Government will not be in quantities 
        sufficient to support the developmental needs of the 
        applicant and other Program Participants providing the 
        same or similar items or services.
          (H) Not later than 90 days after receipt of a 
        completed application for Program certification, the 
        Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and 
        Capital Ownership Development shall certify a small 
        business concern as a Program Participant or shall deny 
        such application.
  (I) Thirty days before the conclusion of each fiscal year, 
the Director of the Division shall review all concerns that 
have been admitted into the Program during the preceding 12-
month period. The review shall ascertain the number of 
entrants, their geographic distribution and industrial 
classification. The Director shall also estimate the expected 
growth of the Program during the next fiscal year and the 
number of additional Business Opportunity Specialists, if any, 
that will be needed to meet the anticipated demand for the 
Program. The findings and conclusions of the Director shall be 
reported to the Associate Administrator for Minority Small 
Business and Capital Ownership Development by September 30 of 
each year. Based on such report and such additional data as may 
be relevant, the Associate Administrator shall, by October 31 
of each year, issue policy and program directives applicable to 
such fiscal year that--
          (i) establish priorities for the solicitation of 
        program applications from underrepresented regions and 
        industry categories;
          (ii) assign staffing levels and allocate other 
        program resources as necessary to meet program needs; 
        and
          (iii) establish priorities in the processing and 
        admission of new Program Participants as may be 
        necessary to achieve an equitable geographic 
        distribution of concerns and a distribution of concerns 
        across all industry categories in proportions needed to 
        increase significantly contract awards to small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals. When 
        considering such increase the Administration shall give 
        due consideration to those industrial categories where 
        Federal purchases have been substantial but where the 
        participation rate of such concerns has been limited.
  (12)(A) The Administration shall segment the Capital 
Ownership Development Program into two stages: a developmental 
stage; and a transitional stage.
  (B) The developmental stage of program participation shall be 
designed to assist the concern in its effort to overcome its 
economic disadvantage by providing such assistance as may be 
necessary and appropriate to access its markets and to 
strengthen its financial and managerial skills.
  (C) The transitional stage of program participation shall be 
designed to overcome, insofar as practicable, the remaining 
elements of economic disadvantage and to prepare such concern 
for graduation from the program.
  (13) A Program Participant, if otherwise eligible, shall be 
qualified to receive the following assistance during the stages 
of program participation specified in paragraph 12:
          (A) Contract support pursuant to section 8(a).
          (B) Financial assistance pursuant to section 
        7(a)(20).
          (C) A maximum of two exemptions from the requirements 
        of section 1(a) of the Act entitled ``An Act providing 
        conditions for the purchase of supplies and the making 
        of contracts by the United States, and for other 
        purposes'', approved June 30, 1936 (49 Stat. 2036), 
        which exemptions shall apply only to contracts awarded 
        pursuant to section (8)(a) and shall only be used to 
        allow for contingent agreements by a small business 
        concern to acquire the machinery, equipment, 
        facilities, or labor needed to perform such contracts. 
        No exemption shall be made pursuant to this 
        subparagraph if the contract to which it pertains has 
        an anticipated value in excess of $10,000,000. This 
        subparagraph shall cease to be effective on October 1, 
        1992.
          (D) A maximum of five exemptions from the 
        requirements of the Act entitled ``An Act requiring 
        contracts for the construction, alteration and repair 
        of any public building or public work of the United 
        States to be accompanied by a performance bond 
        protecting the United States and by an additional bond 
        for the protection of persons furnishing material and 
        labor for the construction, alteration, or repair of 
        said public buildings or public works'', approved 
        August 24, 1935 (49 Stat. 793), which exemptions shall 
        apply only to contracts awarded pursuant to section 
        8(a), except that, such exemptions may be granted under 
        this subparagraph only if--
                  (i) the Administration finds that such 
                concern is unable to obtain the requisite bond 
                or bonds from a surety and that no surety is 
                willing to issue a bond subject to the 
                guarantee provision of title IV of the Small 
                Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 692 
                et seq.);
                  (ii) the Administration and the agency 
                providing the contracting opportunity have 
                provided for the protection of persons 
                furnishing materials or labor to the Program 
                Participant by arranging for the direct 
                disbursement of funds due to such persons by 
                the procuring agency or through any bank the 
                deposits of which are insured by the Federal 
                Deposit Insurance Corporation; and
                  (iii) the contract to which it pertains does 
                not exceed $3,000,000 in amount. This 
                subparagraph shall cease to be effective on 
                October 1, 1994.
          (E) Financial assistance whereby the Administration 
        may purchase in whole or in part, and on behalf of such 
        concerns, skills training or upgrading for employees or 
        potential employees of such concerns. Such assistance 
        may be made without regard to section 18(a). Assistance 
        may be made by direct payment to the training provider 
        or by reimbursing the Program Participant or the 
        Participant's employee, if such reimbursement is found 
        to be reasonable and appropriate. For purposes of this 
        subparagraph the term ``training provider'' shall mean 
        an institution of higher education, a community or 
        vocational college, or an institution eligible to 
        provide skills training or upgrading under title I of 
        the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. The 
        Administration shall, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Labor, promulgate rules and regulations to 
        implement this subparagraph that establish acceptable 
        training and upgrading performance standards and 
        provide for such monitoring or audit requirements as 
        may be necessary to ensure the integrity of the 
        training effort. No financial assistance shall be 
        granted under the subparagraph unless the Administrator 
        determines that--
                  (i) such concern has documented that it has 
                first explored the use of existing cost-free or 
                cost-subsidized training programs offered by 
                public and private sector agencies working with 
                programs of employment and training and 
                economic development;
                  (ii) no more than five employees or potential 
                employees of such concern are recipients of any 
                benefits under this subparagraph at any one 
                time;
                  (iii) no more than $2,500 shall be made 
                available for any one employee or potential 
                employee;
                  (iv) the length of training or upgrading 
                financed by this subparagraph shall be no less 
                than one month nor more than six months;
                  (v) such concern has given adequate assurance 
                it will employ the trainee or upgraded employee 
                for at least six months after the training or 
                upgrading financed by this subparagraph has 
                been completed and each trainee or upgraded 
                employee has provided a similar assurance to 
                remain within the employ of such concern for 
                such period; if such concern, trainee, or 
                upgraded employee breaches this agreement, the 
                Administration shall be entitled to and shall 
                make diligent efforts to obtain from the 
                violating party the repayment of all funds 
                expended on behalf of the violating party, such 
                repayment shall be made to the Administration 
                together with such interest and costs of 
                collection as may be reasonable; the violating 
                party shall be barred from receiving any 
                further assistance under this subparagraph;
                  (vi) the training to be financed may take 
                place either at such concern's facilities or at 
                those of the training provider; and
                  (vii) such concern will maintain such records 
                as the Administration deems appropriate to 
                ensure that the provisions of this paragraph 
                and any other applicable law have not been 
                violated.
          (F) The transfer of technology or surplus property 
        owned by the United States to such a concern. 
        Activities designed to effect such transfer shall be 
        developed in cooperation with the heads of Federal 
        agencies and shall include the transfer by grant, 
        license, or sale of such technology or property to such 
        a concern. Such property may be transferred to Program 
        Participants on a priority basis. Technology or 
        property transferred under this subparagraph shall be 
        used by the concern during the normal conduct of its 
        business operation and shall not be sold or transferred 
        to any other party (other than the Government) during 
        such concern's term of participation in the Program and 
        for one year thereafter.
          (G) Training assistance whereby the Administration 
        shall conduct training sessions to assist individuals 
        and enterprises eligible to receive contracts under 
        section 8(a) in the development of business principles 
        and strategies to enhance their ability to successfully 
        compete for contracts in the marketplace.
          (H) Joint ventures, leader-follower arrangements, and 
        teaming agreements between the Program Participant and 
        other Program Participants and other business concerns 
        with respect to contracting opportunities for the 
        research, development, full-scale engineering or 
        production of major systems. Such activities shall be 
        undertaken on the basis of programs developed by the 
        agency responsible for the procurement of the major 
        system, with the assistance of the Administration.
          (I) Transitional management business planning 
        training and technical assistance.
          (J) Program Participants in the developmental stage 
        of Program participation shall be eligible for the 
        assistance provided by subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), 
        (D), (E), (F), and (G).
  (14) Program Participants in the transitional stage of 
Program participation shall be eligible for the assistance 
provided by subparagraphs (A), (B), (F), (G), (H), and (I) of 
paragraph (13).
  (15) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (10)(C), a small 
business concern may receive developmental assistance under the 
Program and contracts under section 8(a) for a total period of 
not longer than nine years, measured from the date of its 
certification under the authority of such section, of which--
          (A) no more than four years may be spent in the 
        developmental stage of Program Participation; and
          (B) no more than five years may be spent in the 
        transitional stage of Program Participation.
  (16)(A) The Administrator shall develop and implement a 
process for the systematic collection of data on the operations 
of the Program established pursuant to paragraph (10).
  (B) Not later than April 30 of each year, the Administrator 
shall submit a report to the Congress on the Program that shall 
include the following:
          (i) The average personal net worth of individuals who 
        own and control concerns that were initially certified 
        for participation in the Program during the immediately 
        preceding fiscal year. The Administrator shall also 
        indicate the dollar distribution of net worths, at 
        $50,000 increments, of all such individuals found to be 
        socially and economically disadvantaged. For the first 
        report required pursuant to this paragraph the 
        Administrator shall also provide the data specified in 
        the preceding sentence for all eligible individuals in 
        the Program as of the effective date of this paragraph.
          (ii) A description and estimate of the benefits and 
        costs that have accrued to the economy and the 
        Government in the immediately preceding fiscal year due 
        to the operations of those business concerns that were 
        performing contracts awarded pursuant to section 8(a).
          (iii) A compilation and evaluation of those business 
        concerns that have exited the Program during the 
        immediately preceding three fiscal years. Such 
        compilation and evaluation shall detail the number of 
        concerns actively engaged in business operations, those 
        that have ceased or substantially curtailed such 
        operations, including the reasons for such actions, and 
        those concerns that have been acquired by other firms 
        or organizations owned and controlled by other than 
        socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. 
        For those businesses that have continued operations 
        after they exited from the Program, the Administrator 
        shall also separately detail the benefits and costs 
        that have accrued to the economy during the immediately 
        preceding fiscal year due to the operations of such 
        concerns.
          (iv) A listing of all participants in the Program 
        during the preceding fiscal year identifying, by State 
        and by Region, for each firm: the name of the concern, 
        the race or ethnicity, and gender of the disadvantaged 
        owners, the dollar value of all contracts received in 
        the preceding year, the dollar amount of advance 
        payments received by each concern pursuant to contracts 
        awarded under section 8(a), and a description including 
        (if appropriate) an estimate of the dollar value of all 
        benefits received pursuant to paragraphs (13) and (14) 
        and section 7(a)(20) during such year.
          (v) The total dollar value of contracts and options 
        awarded during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to 
        section 8(a) and such amount expressed as a percentage 
        of total sales of (I) all firms participating in the 
        Program during such year; and (II) of firms in each of 
        the nine years of program participation.
          (vi) A description of such additional resources or 
        program authorities as may be required to provide the 
        types of services needed over the next two-year period 
        to service the expected portfolio of firms certified 
        pursuant to section 8(a).
          (vii) The total dollar value of contracts and options 
        awarded pursuant to section 8(a), at such dollar 
        increments as the Administrator deems appropriate, for 
        each four digit standard industrial classification code 
        under which such contracts and options were classified.
  (C) The first report required by subparagraph (B) shall 
pertain to fiscal year 1990.
  (k) In carrying out its functions under subsections 7(i), 
7(j), and 8(a) of this Act, the Administration is authorized--
          (1) to utilize, with their consent, the services and 
        facilities of Federal agencies without reimbursement, 
        and, with the consent of any State or political 
        subdivision of a State, accept and utilize the services 
        and facilities of such State or subdivision without 
        reimbursement;
          (2) to accept, in the name of the Administration, and 
        employ or dispose of in furtherance of the purposes of 
        this Act, any money or property, real, personal, or 
        mixed, tangible, or intangible, received by gift, 
        device, bequest, or otherwise;
          (3) to accept voluntary and uncompensated services, 
        notwithstanding the provisions of section 3679(b) of 
        the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 655(b)); and
          (4) to employ experts and consultants or 
        organizations thereof as authorized by section 15 of 
        the Administrative Expenses Act of 1946 (5 U.S.C. 55a), 
        except that no individual may be employed under the 
        authority of this subsection for more than one hundred 
        days in any fiscal year; to compensate individuals so 
        employed at rates not in excess of the daily equivalent 
        of the highest rate payable under section 5332 of title 
        5, United States Code, including traveltime; and to 
        allow them, while away from their homes or regular 
        places of business, travel expenses (including per diem 
        in lieu of subsistence) a authorized by section 5 of 
        such Act (5 U.S.C. 73b-2) for persons in the Government 
        service employed intermittently, while so employed: 
        Provided, however, That contracts for such employment 
        may be renewed annually.
  (l) Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot Program.--
          (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                  (A) the term ``eligible intermediary''--
                          (i) means a private, nonprofit entity 
                        that--
                                  (I) seeks or has been awarded 
                                a loan from the Administrator 
                                to make loans to small business 
                                concerns under this subsection; 
                                and
                                  (II) has not less than 1 year 
                                of experience making loans to 
                                startup, newly established, or 
                                growing small business 
                                concerns; and
                          (ii) includes--
                                  (I) a private, nonprofit 
                                community development 
                                corporation;
                                  (II) a consortium of private, 
                                nonprofit organizations or 
                                nonprofit community development 
                                corporations; and
                                  (III) an agency of or 
                                nonprofit entity established by 
                                a Native American Tribal 
                                Government; and
                  (B) the term ``Program'' means the small 
                business intermediary lending pilot program 
                established under paragraph (2).
          (2) Establishment.--There is established a 3-year 
        small business intermediary lending pilot program, 
        under which the Administrator may make direct loans to 
        eligible intermediaries, for the purpose of making 
        loans to startup, newly established, and growing small 
        business concerns.
          (3) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program are--
                  (A) to assist small business concerns in 
                areas suffering from a lack of credit due to 
                poor economic conditions or changes in the 
                financial market; and
                  (B) to establish a loan program under which 
                the Administrator may provide loans to eligible 
                intermediaries to enable the eligible 
                intermediaries to provide loans to startup, 
                newly established, and growing small business 
                concerns for working capital, real estate, or 
                the acquisition of materials, supplies, or 
                equipment.
          (4) Loans to eligible intermediaries.--
                  (A) Application.--Each eligible intermediary 
                desiring a loan under this subsection shall 
                submit an application to the Administrator that 
                describes--
                          (i) the type of small business 
                        concerns to be assisted;
                          (ii) the size and range of loans to 
                        be made;
                          (iii) the interest rate and terms of 
                        loans to be made;
                          (iv) the geographic area to be served 
                        and the economic, poverty, and 
                        unemployment characteristics of the 
                        area;
                          (v) the status of small business 
                        concerns in the area to be served and 
                        an analysis of the availability of 
                        credit; and
                          (vi) the qualifications of the 
                        applicant to carry out this subsection.
                  (B) Loan limits.--No loan may be made to an 
                eligible intermediary under this subsection if 
                the total amount outstanding and committed to 
                the eligible intermediary by the Administrator 
                would, as a result of such loan, exceed 
                $1,000,000 during the participation of the 
                eligible intermediary in the Program.
                  (C) Loan duration.--Loans made by the 
                Administrator under this subsection shall be 
                for a term of 20 years.
                  (D) Applicable interest rates.--Loans made by 
                the Administrator to an eligible intermediary 
                under the Program shall bear an annual interest 
                rate equal to 1.00 percent.
                  (E) Fees; collateral.--The Administrator may 
                not charge any fees or require collateral with 
                respect to any loan made to an eligible 
                intermediary under this subsection.
                  (F) Delayed payments.--The Administrator 
                shall not require the repayment of principal or 
                interest on a loan made to an eligible 
                intermediary under the Program during the 2-
                year period beginning on the date of the 
                initial disbursement of funds under that loan.
                  (G) Maximum participants and amounts.--During 
                each of fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013, the 
                Administrator may make loans under the 
                Program--
                          (i) to not more than 20 eligible 
                        intermediaries; and
                          (ii) in a total amount of not more 
                        than $20,000,000.
          (5) Loans to small business concerns.--
                  (A) In general.--The Administrator, through 
                an eligible intermediary, shall make loans to 
                startup, newly established, and growing small 
                business concerns for working capital, real 
                estate, and the acquisition of materials, 
                supplies, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
                  (B) Maximum loan.--An eligible intermediary 
                may not make a loan under this subsection of 
                more than $200,000 to any 1 small business 
                concern.
                  (C) Applicable interest rates.--A loan made 
                by an eligible intermediary to a small business 
                concern under this subsection, may have a fixed 
                or a variable interest rate, and shall bear an 
                interest rate specified by the eligible 
                intermediary in the application of the eligible 
                intermediary for a loan under this subsection.
                  (D) Review restrictions.--The Administrator 
                may not review individual loans made by an 
                eligible intermediary to a small business 
                concern before approval of the loan by the 
                eligible intermediary.
          (6) Termination.--The authority of the Administrator 
        to make loans under the Program shall terminate 3 years 
        after the date of enactment of the Small Business Job 
        Creation and Access to Capital Act of 2010.
  (m) Microloan Program.--
          (1)(A) Purposes.--The purposes of the Microloan 
        Program are--
                  (i) to assist women, low-income, veteran 
                (within the meaning of such term under section 
                3(q)), and minority entrepreneurs and business 
                owners and other individuals possessing the 
                capability to operate successful business 
                concerns;
                  (ii) to assist small business concerns in 
                those areas suffering from a lack of credit due 
                to economic downturns;
                  (iii) to establish a microloan program to be 
                administered by the Small Business 
                Administration--
                          (I) to make loans to eligible 
                        intermediaries to enable such 
                        intermediaries to provide small-scale 
                        loans, particularly loans in amounts 
                        averaging not more than $10,000, to 
                        startup, newly established, or growing 
                        small business concerns for working 
                        capital or the acquisition of 
                        materials, supplies, or equipment;
                          (II) to make grants to eligible 
                        intermediaries that, together with non-
                        Federal matching funds, will enable 
                        such intermediaries to provide 
                        intensive marketing, management, and 
                        technical assistance to microloan 
                        borrowers;
                          (III) to make grants to eligible 
                        nonprofit entities that, together with 
                        non-Federal matching funds, will enable 
                        such entities to provide intensive 
                        marketing, management, and technical 
                        assistance to assist low-income 
                        entrepreneurs and other low-income 
                        individuals obtain private sector 
                        financing for their businesses, with or 
                        without loan guarantees; and
                          (IV) to report to the Committees on 
                        Small Business of the Senate and the 
                        House of Representatives on the 
                        effectiveness of the microloan program 
                        and the advisability and feasibility of 
                        implementing such a program nationwide; 
                        and
                  (iv) to establish a welfare-to-work microloan 
                initiative, which shall be administered by the 
                Administration, in order to test the 
                feasibility of supplementing the technical 
                assistance grants provided under clauses (ii) 
                and (iii) of subparagraph (B) to individuals 
                who are receiving assistance under the State 
                program funded under part A of title IV of the 
                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), or 
                under any comparable State funded means tested 
                program of assistance for low-income 
                individuals, in order to adequately assist 
                those individuals in--
                          (I) establishing small businesses; 
                        and
                          (II) eliminating their dependence on 
                        that assistance.
          (B) Establishment.--There is established a microloan 
        program, under which the Administration may--
                  (i) make direct loans to eligible 
                intermediaries, as provided under paragraph 
                (3), for the purpose of making short-term, 
                fixed interest rate microloans to startup, 
                newly established, and growing small business 
                concerns under paragraph (6);
                  (ii) in conjunction with such loans and 
                subject to the requirements of paragraph (4), 
                make grants to such intermediaries for the 
                purpose of providing intensive marketing, 
                management, and technical assistance to small 
                business concerns that are borrowers under this 
                subsection; and
                  (iii) subject to the requirements of 
                paragraph (5), make grants to nonprofit 
                entities for the purpose of providing 
                marketing, management, and technical assistance 
                to low-income individuals seeking to start or 
                enlarge their own businesses, if such 
                assistance includes working with the grant 
                recipient to secure loans in amounts not to 
                exceed $50,000 from private sector lending 
                institutions, with or without a loan guarantee 
                from the nonprofit entity.
          (2) Eligibility for participation.--An intermediary 
        shall be eligible to receive loans and grants under 
        subparagraphs (B)(i) and (B)(ii) of paragraph (1) if 
        it--
                  (A) meets the definition in paragraph (10); 
                and
                  (B) has at least 1 year of experience making 
                microloans to startup, newly established, or 
                growing small business concerns and providing, 
                as an integral part of its microloan program, 
                intensive marketing, management, and technical 
                assistance to its borrowers.
          (3) Loans to intermediaries.--
                  (A) Intermediary applications.--(i) In 
                general.--As part of its application for a 
                loan, each intermediary shall submit a 
                description to the Administration of--
                          (I) the type of businesses to be 
                        assisted;
                          (II) the size and range of loans to 
                        be made;
                          (III) the geographic area to be 
                        served and its economic, proverty, and 
                        unemployment characteristics;
                          (IV) the status of small business 
                        concerns in the area to be served and 
                        an analysis of their credit and 
                        technical assistance needs;
                          (V) any marketing, management, and 
                        technical assistance to be provided in 
                        connection with a loan made under this 
                        subsection;
                          (VI) the local economic credit 
                        markets, including the costs associated 
                        with obtaining credit locally;
                          (VII) the qualifications of the 
                        applicant to carry out the purpose of 
                        this subsection; and
                          (VIII) any plan to involve other 
                        technical assistance providers (such as 
                        counselors from the Service Corps of 
                        Retired Executives or small business 
                        development centers) or private sector 
                        lenders in assisting selected business 
                        concerns.
                  (ii) Selection of intermediaries.--In 
                selecting intermediaries to participate in the 
                program established under this subsection, the 
                Administration shall give priority to those 
                applicants that provide loans in amounts 
                averaging not more than $10,000.
                  (B) Intermediary contribution.--As a 
                condition of any loan made to an intermediary 
                under subparagraph (B)(i) of paragraph (1), the 
                Administrator shall require the intermediary to 
                contribute not less than 15 percent of the loan 
                amount in cash from non-Federal sources.
                  (C) Loan limits.--Notwithstanding subsection 
                (a)(3), no loan shall be made under this 
                subsection if the total amount outstanding and 
                committed to one intermediary (excluding 
                outstanding grants) from the business loan and 
                investment fund established by this Act would, 
                as a result of such loan, exceed $750,000 in 
                the first year of such intermediary's 
                participation in the program, and $5,000,000 in 
                the remaining years of the intermediary's 
                participation in the program.
                  (D)(i) In general.--The Administrator shall, 
                by regulation, require each intermediary to 
                establish a loan loss reserve fund, and to 
                maintain such reserve fund until all 
                obligations owed to the Administration under 
                this subsection are repaid.
                  (ii) Level of loan loss reserve fund.--
                          (I) In general.--Subject to subclause 
                        (III), the Administrator shall require 
                        the loan loss reserve fund of an 
                        intermediary to be maintained at a 
                        level equal to 15 percent of the 
                        outstanding balance of the notes 
                        receivable owed to the intermediary.
                          (II) Review of loan loss reserve.--
                        After the initial 5 years of an 
                        intermediary's participation in the 
                        program authorized by this subsection, 
                        the Administrator shall, at the request 
                        of the intermediary, conduct a review 
                        of the annual loss rate of the 
                        intermediary. Any intermediary in 
                        operation under this subsection prior 
                        to October 1, 1994, that requests a 
                        reduction in its loan loss reserve 
                        shall be reviewed based on the most 
                        recent 5-year period preceding the 
                        request.
                          (III) Reduction of loan loss 
                        reserve.--Subject to the requirements 
                        of clause IV, the Administrator may 
                        reduce the annual loan loss reserve 
                        requirement of an intermediary to 
                        reflect the actual average loan loss 
                        rate for the intermediary during the 
                        preceding 5-year period, except that in 
                        no case shall the loan loss reserve be 
                        reduced to less than 10 percent of the 
                        outstanding balance of the notes 
                        receivable owed to the intermediary.
                          (IV) Requirements.--The Administrator 
                        may reduce the annual loan loss reserve 
                        requirement of an intermediary only if 
                        the intermediary demonstrates to the 
                        satisfaction of the Administrator 
                        that--
                                  (aa) the average annual loss 
                                rate for the intermediary 
                                during the preceding 5-year 
                                period is less than 15 percent; 
                                and
                                  (bb) that no other factors 
                                exist that may impair the 
                                ability of the intermediary to 
                                repay all obligations owed to 
                                the Administration under this 
                                subsection.
                  (E) Unavailability of comparable credit.--An 
                intermediary may make a loan under this 
                subsection of more than $20,000 to a small 
                business concern only if such small business 
                concern demonstrates that it is unable to 
                obtain credit elsewhere at comparable interest 
                rates and that it has good prospects for 
                success. In no case shall an intermediary make 
                a loan under this subsection of more than 
                $50,000, or have outstanding or committed to 
                any 1 borrower more than $50,000.
                  (F) Loan duration; interest rates.--
                          (i) Loan duration.--Loans made by the 
                        Administration under this subsection 
                        shall be for a term of 10 years.
                          (ii) Applicable interest rates.--
                        Except as provided in clause (iii), 
                        loans made by the Administration under 
                        this subsection to an intermediary 
                        shall bear an interest rate equal to 
                        1.25 percentage points below the rate 
                        determined by the Secretary of the 
                        Treasury for obligations of the United 
                        States with a period of maturity of 5 
                        years, adjusted to the nearest one-
                        eighth of 1 percent.
                          (iii) Rates applicable to certain 
                        small loans.--Loans made by the 
                        Administration to an intermediary that 
                        makes loans to small business concerns 
                        and entrepreneurs averaging not more 
                        than $7,500, shall bear an interest 
                        rate that is 2 percentage points below 
                        the rate determined by the Secretary of 
                        the Treasury for obligations of the 
                        United States with a period of maturity 
                        of 5 years, adjusted to the nearest 
                        one-eighth of 1 percent.
                          (iv) Rates applicable to multiple 
                        sites or offices.--The interest rate 
                        prescribed in clause (ii) or (iii) 
                        shall apply to each separate loan-
                        making site or office of 1 intermediary 
                        only if such site or office meets the 
                        requirements of that clause.
                          (v) Rate basis.--The applicable rate 
                        of interest under this paragraph 
                        shall--
                                  (I) be applied retroactively 
                                for the first year of an 
                                intermediary's participation in 
                                the program, based upon the 
                                actual lending practices of the 
                                intermediary as determined by 
                                the Administration prior to the 
                                end of such year; and
                                  (II) be based in the second 
                                and subsequent years of an 
                                intermediary's participation in 
                                the program, upon the actual 
                                lending practices of the 
                                intermediary during the term of 
                                the intermediary's 
                                participation in the program.
                          (vii) Covered intermediaries.--The 
                        interest rates prescribed in this 
                        subparagraph shall apply to all loans 
                        made to intermediaries under this 
                        subsection on or after October 28, 
                        1991.
                  (G) Delayed payments.--The Administration 
                shall not require repayment of interest or 
                principal of a loan made to an intermediary 
                under this subsection during the first year of 
                the loan.
                  (H) Fees; collateral.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraphs (B) and (D), the Administration 
                shall not charge any fees or require collateral 
                other than an assignment of the notes 
                receivable of the microloans with respect to 
                any loan made to an intermediary under this 
                subsection.
          (4) Marketing, management and technical assistance 
        grants to intermediaries.--Grants made in accordance 
        with subparagraph (B)(ii) of paragraph (1) shall be 
        subject to the following requirements:
                  (A) Grant amounts.--Except as otherwise 
                provided in subparagraph (C) and subject to 
                subparagraph (B), each intermediary that 
                receives a loan under subparagraph (B)(i) of 
                paragraph (1) shall be eligible to receive a 
                grant to provide marketing, management, and 
                technical assistance to small business concerns 
                that are borrowers under this subsection. 
                Except as provided in subparagraph (C), each 
                intermediary meeting the requirements of 
                subparagraph (B) may receive a grant of not 
                more than 25 percent of the total outstanding 
                balance of loans made to it under this 
                subsection.
                  (B) Contribution.--As a condition of a grant 
                made under subparagraph (A), the Administrator 
                shall require the intermediary to contribute an 
                amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of the 
                grant, obtained solely from non-Federal 
                sources. In addition to cash or other direct 
                funding, the contribution may include indirect 
                costs or in-kind contributions paid for under 
                non-Federal programs.
                  (C) Additional technical assistance grants 
                for making certain loans.--
                          (i) In general.--In addition to 
                        grants made under subparagraph (A), 
                        each intermediary shall be eligible to 
                        receive a grant equal to 5 percent of 
                        the total outstanding balance of loans 
                        made to the intermediary under this 
                        subsection if--
                                  (I) the intermediary provides 
                                not less than 25 percent of its 
                                loans to small business 
                                concerns located in or owned by 
                                one or more residents of an 
                                economically distressed area; 
                                or
                                  (II) the intermediary has a 
                                portfolio of loans made under 
                                this subsection that averages 
                                not more than $10,000 during 
                                the period of the 
                                intermediary's participation in 
                                the program.
                          (ii) Purposes.--A grant awarded under 
                        clause (i) may be used to provide 
                        marketing, management, and technical 
                        assistance to small business concerns 
                        that are borrowers under this 
                        subsection.
                          (iii) Contribution exception.--The 
                        contribution requirements in 
                        subparagraph (B) do not apply to grants 
                        made under this subparagraph.
                  (D) Eligibility for multiple sites or 
                offices.--The eligibility for a grant described 
                in subparagraph (A) or (C) shall be determined 
                separately for each loan-making site or office 
                of 1 intermediary.
                  (E) Assistance to certain small business 
                concerns.--
                          (i) In general.--Each intermediary 
                        may expend an amount not to exceed 25 
                        percent of the grant funds received 
                        under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) to provide 
                        information and technical assistance to 
                        small business concerns that are 
                        prospective borrowers under this 
                        subsection.
                          (ii) Technical assistance.--An 
                        intermediary may expend not more than 
                        25 percent of the funds received under 
                        paragraph (1)(B)(ii) to enter into 
                        third party contracts for the provision 
                        of technical assistance.
                  (F) Supplemental grant.--
                          (i) In general.--The Administration 
                        may accept any funds transferred to the 
                        Administration from other departments 
                        or agencies of the Federal Government 
                        to make grants in accordance with this 
                        subparagraph and section 202(b) of the 
                        Small Business Reauthorization Act of 
                        1997 to participating intermediaries 
                        and technical assistance providers 
                        under paragraph (5), for use in 
                        accordance with clause (iii) to provide 
                        additional technical assistance and 
                        related services to recipients of 
                        assistance under a State program 
                        described in paragraph (1)(A)(iv) at 
                        the time they initially apply for 
                        assistance under this subparagraph.
                          (ii) Eligible recipients; grant 
                        amounts.--In making grants under this 
                        subparagraph, the Administration may 
                        select, from among participating 
                        intermediaries and technical assistance 
                        providers described in clause (i), not 
                        more than 20 grantees in fiscal year 
                        1998, not more than 25 grantees in 
                        fiscal year 1999, and not more than 30 
                        grantees in fiscal year 2000, each of 
                        whom may receive a grant under this 
                        subparagraph in an amount not to exceed 
                        $200,000 per year.
                          (iii) Use of grant amounts.--Grants 
                        under this subparagraph--
                                  (I) are in addition to other 
                                grants provided under this 
                                subsection and shall not 
                                require the contribution of 
                                matching amounts as a condition 
                                of eligibility; and
                                  (II) may be used by a 
                                grantee--
                                          (aa) to pay or 
                                        reimburse a portion of 
                                        child care and 
                                        transportation costs of 
                                        recipients of 
                                        assistance described in 
                                        clause (i), to the 
                                        extent such costs are 
                                        not otherwise paid by 
                                        State block grants 
                                        under the Child Care 
                                        Development Block Grant 
                                        Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                                        9858 et seq.) or under 
                                        part A of title IV of 
                                        the Social Security Act 
                                        (42 U.S.C. 601 et 
                                        seq.); and
                                          (bb) for marketing, 
                                        management, and 
                                        technical assistance to 
                                        recipients of 
                                        assistance described in 
                                        clause (i).
                          (iv) Memorandum of understanding.--
                        Prior to accepting any transfer of 
                        funds under clause (i) from a 
                        department or agency of the Federal 
                        Government, the Administration shall 
                        enter into a Memorandum of 
                        Understanding with the department or 
                        agency, which shall--
                                  (I) specify the terms and 
                                conditions of the grants under 
                                this subparagraph; and
                                  (II) provide for appropriate 
                                monitoring of expenditures by 
                                each grantee under this 
                                subparagraph and each recipient 
                                of assistance described in 
                                clause (i) who receives 
                                assistance from a grantee under 
                                this subparagraph, in order to 
                                ensure compliance with this 
                                subparagraph by those grantees 
                                and recipients of assistance.
          (5) Private sector borrowing technical assistance 
        grants.--Grants made in accordance with subparagraph 
        (B)(iii) of paragraph (1) shall be subject to the 
        following requirements:
                  (A) Grant amounts.--Subject to the 
                requirements of subparagraph (B), the 
                Administration may make not more than 55 grants 
                annually, each in amounts not to exceed 
                $200,000 for the purposes specified in 
                subparagraph (B)(iii) of paragraph (1).
                  (B) Contribution.--As a condition of any 
                grant made under subparagraph (A), the 
                Administration shall require the grant 
                recipient to contribute an amount equal to 20 
                percent of the amount of the grant, obtained 
                solely from non-Federal sources. In addition to 
                cash or other direct funding, the contribution 
                may include indirect costs or in-kind 
                contributions paid for under non-Federal 
                programs.
          (6) Loans to small business concerns from eligible 
        intermediaries.--
                  (A) In general.--An eligible intermediary 
                shall make short-term, fixed rate loans to 
                startup, newly established, and growing small 
                business concerns from the funds made available 
                to it under subparagraph (B)(i) of paragraph 
                (1) for working capital and the acquisition of 
                materials, supplies, furniture, fixtures, and 
                equipment.
                  (B) Portfolio requirement.--To the extent 
                practicable, each intermediary that operates a 
                microloan program under this subsection shall 
                maintain a microloan portfolio with an average 
                loan size of not more than $15,000.
                  (C) Interest limit.--Notwithstanding any 
                provision of the laws of any State or the 
                constitution of any State pertaining to the 
                rate or amount of interest that may be charged, 
                taken, received, or reserved on a loan, the 
                maximum rate of interest to be charged on a 
                microloan funded under this subsection shall 
                not exceed the rate of interest applicable to a 
                loan made to an intermediary by the 
                Administration--
                          (i) in the case of a loan of more 
                        than $7,500 made by the intermediary to 
                        a small business concern or 
                        entrepreneur by more than 7.75 
                        percentage points; and
                          (ii) in the case of a loan of not 
                        more than $7,500 made by the 
                        intermediary to a small business 
                        concern or entrepreneur by more than 
                        8.5 percentage points.
                  (D) Review restriction.--The Administration 
                shall not review individual microloans made by 
                intermediaries prior to approval.
                  (E) Establishment of child care or 
                transportation businesses.--In addition to 
                other eligible small businesses concerns, 
                borrowers under any program under this 
                subsection may include individuals who will use 
                the loan proceeds to establish for-profit or 
                nonprofit child care establishments or 
                businesses providing for-profit transportation 
                services.
          (7) Program funding for microloans.--
                  (A) Number of participants.--Under the 
                program authorized by this subsection, the 
                Administration may fund, on a competitive 
                basis, not more than 300 intermediaries.
                  (B) Allocation.--
                          (i) Minimum allocation.--Subject to 
                        the availability of appropriations, of 
                        the total amount of new loan funds made 
                        available for award under this 
                        subsection in each fiscal year, the 
                        Administration shall make available for 
                        award in each State (including the 
                        District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
                        of Puerto Rico, the United States 
                        Virgin Islands, Guam, and American 
                        Samoa) an amount equal to the sum of--
                                  (I) the lesser of--
                                          (aa) $800,000; or
                                          (bb) \1/55\ of the 
                                        total amount of new 
                                        loan funds made 
                                        available for award 
                                        under this subsection 
                                        for that fiscal year; 
                                        and
                                  (II) any additional amount, 
                                as determined by the 
                                Administration.
                          (ii) Redistribution.--If, at the 
                        beginning of the third quarter of a 
                        fiscal year, the Administration 
                        determines that any portion of the 
                        amount made available to carry out this 
                        subsection is unlikely to be made 
                        available under clause (i) during that 
                        fiscal year, the Administration may 
                        make that portion available for award 
                        in any one or more States (including 
                        the District of Columbia, the 
                        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United 
                        States Virgin Islands, Guam, and 
                        American Samoa) without regard to 
                        clause (i).
          (8) Equitable distribution of intermediaries.--In 
        approving microloan program applicants and providing 
        funding to intermediaries under this subsection, the 
        Administration shall select and provide funding to such 
        intermediaries as will ensure appropriate availability 
        of loans for small businesses in all industries located 
        throughout each State, particularly those located in 
        urban and in rural areas.
          (9) Grants for management, marketing, technical 
        assistance, and related services.--
                  (A) In general.--The Administration may 
                procure technical assistance for intermediaries 
                participating in the Microloan Program to 
                ensure that such intermediaries have the 
                knowledge, skills, and understanding of 
                microlending practices necessary to operate 
                successful microloan programs.
                  (B) Assistance amount.--The Administration 
                shall transfer 7 percent of its annual 
                appropriation for loans and loan guarantees 
                under this subsection to the Administration's 
                Salaries and Expense Account for the specific 
                purpose of providing 1 or more technical 
                assistance grants to experienced microlending 
                organizations and national and regional 
                nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated 
                experience in providing training support for 
                microenterprise development and financing. to 
                achieve the purpose set forth in subparagraph 
                (A).
                  (C) Welfare-to-work microloan initiative.--Of 
                amounts made available to carry out the 
                welfare-to-work microloan initiative under 
                paragraph (1)(A)(iv) in any fiscal year, the 
                Administration may use not more than 5 percent 
                to provide technical assistance, either 
                directly or through contractors, to welfare-to-
                work microloan initiative grantees, to ensure 
                that, as grantees, they have the knowledge, 
                skills, and understanding of microlending and 
                welfare-to-work transition, and other related 
                issues, to operate a successful welfare-to-work 
                microloan initiative.
          (10) Report to congress.--On November 1, 1995, the 
        Administration shall submit to the Committees on Small 
        Business of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
        a report, including the Administration's evaluation of 
        the effectiveness of the first 3\1/2\ years of the 
        microloan program and the following:
                  (A) the numbers and locations of the 
                intermediaries funded to conduct microloan 
                programs;
                  (B) the amounts of each loan and each grant 
                to intermediaries;
                  (C) a description of the matching 
                contributions of each intermediary;
                  (D) the numbers and amounts of microloans 
                made by the intermediaries to small business 
                concern borrowers;
                  (E) the repayment history of each 
                intermediary;
                  (F) a description of the loan portfolio of 
                each intermediary including the extent to which 
                it provides microloans to small business 
                concerns in rural areas; and
                  (G) any recommendations for legislative 
                changes that would improve program operations.
          (11) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
                  (A) the term ``intermediary'' means--
                          (i) a private, nonprofit entity;
                          (ii) a private, nonprofit community 
                        development corporation;
                          (iii) a consortium of private, 
                        nonprofit organizations or nonprofit 
                        community development corporations;
                          (iv) a quasi-governmental economic 
                        development entity (such as a planning 
                        and development district), other than a 
                        State, county, municipal government, or 
                        any agency thereof, if--
                                  (I) no application is 
                                received from an eligible 
                                nonprofit organization; or
                                  (II) the Administration 
                                determines that the needs of a 
                                region or geographic area are 
                                not adequately served by an 
                                existing, eligible nonprofit 
                                organization that has submitted 
                                an application; or
                          (v) an agency of or nonprofit entity 
                        established by a Native American Tribal 
                        Government,
                that seeks to borrow or has borrowed funds from 
                the Administration to make microloans to small 
                business concerns under this subsection;
                  (B) the term ``microloan'' means a short-
                term, fixed rate loan of not more than $50,000, 
                made by an intermediary to a startup, newly 
                established, or growing small business concern;
                  (C) the term ``rural area'' means any 
                political subdivision or unincorporated area--
                          (i) in a nonmetropolitan county (as 
                        defined by the Secretary of 
                        Agriculture) or its equivalent thereof; 
                        or
                          (ii) in a metropolitan county or its 
                        equivalent that has a resident 
                        population of less than 20,000 if the 
                        Small Business Administration has 
                        determined such political subdivision 
                        or area to be rural; and
                  (D) the term ``economically distressed 
                area'', as used in paragraph (4), means a 
                county or equivalent division of local 
                government of a State in which the small 
                business concern is located, in which, 
                according to the most recent data available 
                from the Bureau of the Census, Department of 
                Commerce, not less than 40 percent of residents 
                have an annual income that is at or below the 
                poverty level.
          (12) Deferred participation loan pilot.--In lieu of 
        making direct loans to intermediaries as authorized in 
        paragraph (1)(B), during fiscal years 1998 through 
        2000, the Administration may, on a pilot program basis, 
        participate on a deferred basis of not less than 90 
        percent and not more than 100 percent on loans made to 
        intermediaries by a for-profit or nonprofit entity or 
        by alliances of such entities, subject to the following 
        conditions:
                  (A) Number of loans.--In carrying out this 
                paragraph, the Administration shall not 
                participate in providing financing on a 
                deferred basis to more than 10 intermediaries 
                in urban areas or more than 10 intermediaries 
                in rural areas.
                  (B) Term of loans.--The term of each loan 
                shall be 10 years. During the first year of the 
                loan, the intermediary shall not be required to 
                repay any interest or principal. During the 
                second through fifth years of the loan, the 
                intermediary shall be required to pay interest 
                only. During the sixth through tenth years of 
                the loan, the intermediary shall be required to 
                make interest payments and fully amortize the 
                principal.
                  (C) Interest rate.--The interest rate on each 
                loan shall be the rate specified by paragraph 
                (3)(F) for direct loans.
          (13) Evaluation of welfare-to-work microloan 
        initiative.--On January 31, 1999, and annually 
        thereafter, the Administration shall submit to the 
        Committees on Small Business of the House of 
        Representatives and the Senate a report on any monies 
        distributed pursuant to paragraph (4)(F).
  (n) Repayment Deferred for Active Duty Reservists.--
          (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                  (A) Eligible reservist.--The term ``eligible 
                reservist'' means a member of a reserve 
                component of the Armed Forces ordered to active 
                duty during a period of military conflict.
                  (B) Essential employee.--The term ``essential 
                employee'' means an individual who is employed 
                by a small business concern and whose 
                managerial or technical expertise is critical 
                to the successful day-to-day operations of that 
                small business concern.
                  (C) Period of military conflict.--The term 
                ``period of military conflict'' means--
                          (i) a period of war declared by the 
                        Congress;
                          (ii) a period of national emergency 
                        declared by the Congress or by the 
                        President; or
                          (iii) a period of a contingency 
                        operation, as defined in section 101(a) 
                        of title 10, United States Code.
                  (D) Qualified borrower.--The term ``qualified 
                borrower'' means--
                          (i) an individual who is an eligible 
                        reservist and who received a direct 
                        loan under subsection (a) or (b) before 
                        being ordered to active duty; or
                          (ii) a small business concern that 
                        received a direct loan under subsection 
                        (a) or (b) before an eligible 
                        reservist, who is an essential 
                        employee, was ordered to active duty.
          (2) Deferral of direct loans.--
                  (A) In general.--The Administration shall, 
                upon written request, defer repayment of 
                principal and interest due on a direct loan 
                made under subsection (a) or (b), if such loan 
                was incurred by a qualified borrower.
                  (B) Period of deferral.--The period of 
                deferral for repayment under this paragraph 
                shall begin on the date on which the eligible 
                reservist is ordered to active duty and shall 
                terminate on the date that is 180 days after 
                the date such eligible reservist is discharged 
                or released from active duty.
                  (C) Interest rate reduction during 
                deferral.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
                of law, during the period of deferral described 
                in subparagraph (B), the Administration may, in 
                its discretion, reduce the interest rate on any 
                loan qualifying for a deferral under this 
                paragraph.
          (3) Deferral of loan guarantees and other 
        financings.--The Administration shall--
                  (A) encourage intermediaries participating in 
                the program under subsection (m) to defer 
                repayment of a loan made with proceeds made 
                available under that subsection, if such loan 
                was incurred by a small business concern that 
                is eligible to apply for assistance under 
                subsection (b)(3); and
                  (B) not later than 30 days after the date of 
                the enactment of this subsection, establish 
                guidelines to--
                          (i) encourage lenders and other 
                        intermediaries to defer repayment of, 
                        or provide other relief relating to, 
                        loan guarantees under subsection (a) 
                        and financings under section 504 of the 
                        Small Business Investment Act of 1958 
                        that were incurred by small business 
                        concerns that are eligible to apply for 
                        assistance under subsection (b)(3), and 
                        loan guarantees provided under 
                        subsection (m) if the intermediary 
                        provides relief to a small business 
                        concern under this paragraph; and
                          (ii) implement a program to provide 
                        for the deferral of repayment or other 
                        relief to any intermediary providing 
                        relief to a small business borrower 
                        under this paragraph.
  Sec. 8. (a)(1) It shall be the duty of the Administration and 
it is hereby empowered, whenever it determines such action is 
necessary or appropriate--
          (A) to enter into contracts with the United States 
        Government and any department, agency, or officer 
        thereof having procurement powers obligating the 
        Administration to furnish articles, equipment, 
        supplies, services, or materials to the Government or 
        to perform construction work for the Government. In any 
        case in which the Administration certifies to any 
        officer of the Government having procurement powers 
        that the Administration is competent and responsible to 
        perform any specific Government procurement contract to 
        be let by any such officer, such officer shall be 
        authorized in his discretion to let such procurement 
        contract to the Administration upon such terms and 
        conditions as may be agreed upon between the 
        Administration and the procurement officer. Whenever 
        the Administration and such procurement officer fail to 
        agree, the matter shall be submitted for determination 
        to the Secretary or the head of the appropriate 
        department or agency by the Administrator. Not later 
        than 5 days from the date the Administration is 
        notified of a procurement officer's adverse decision, 
        the Administration may notify the contracting officer 
        of the intent to appeal such adverse decision, and 
        within 15 days of such date the Administrator shall 
        file a written request for a reconsideration of the 
        adverse decision with the Secretary of the department 
        or agency head. For the purposes of this subparagraph, 
        a procurement officer's adverse decision includes a 
        decision not to make available for award pursuant to 
        this subsection a particular procurement requirement or 
        the failure to agree on the terms and conditions of a 
        contract to be awarded noncompetitively under the 
        authority of this subsection. Upon receipt of the 
        notice of intent to appeal, the Secretary of the 
        department or the agency head shall suspend further 
        action regarding the procurement until a written 
        decision on the Administrator's request for 
        reconsideration has been issued by such Secretary or 
        agency head, unless such officer makes a written 
        determination that urgent and compelling circumstances 
        which significantly affect interests of the United 
        States will not permit waiting for a reconsideration of 
        the adverse decision. If the Administrator's request 
        for reconsideration is denied, the Secretary of the 
        department or agency head shall specify the reasons why 
        the selected firm was determined to be incapable to 
        perform the procurement requirement, and the findings 
        supporting such determination, which shall be made a 
        part of the contract file for the requirement. A 
        contract may not be awarded under this subsection if 
        the award of the contract would result in a cost to the 
        awarding agency which exceeds a fair market price;
          (B) to arrange for the performance of such 
        procurement contracts by negotiating or otherwise 
        letting subcontracts to socially and economically 
        disadvantaged small business concerns for construction 
        work, services, or the manufacture, supply, assembly of 
        such articles, equipment, supplies, materials, or parts 
        thereof, or servicing or processing in connection 
        therewith, or such management services as may be 
        necessary to enable the Administration to perform such 
        contracts;
                  (C) to make an award to a small business 
                concern owned and controlled by socially and 
                economically disadvantaged individuals which 
                has completed its period of Program 
                Participation as prescribed by section 
                7(j)(15), if--
                          (i) the contract will be awarded as a 
                        result of an offer (including price) 
                        submitted in response to a published 
                        solicitation relating to a competition 
                        conducted pursuant to subparagraph (D); 
                        and
                          (ii) the prospective contract awardee 
                        was a Program Participant eligible for 
                        award of the contract on the date 
                        specified for receipt of offers 
                        contained in the contract solicitation; 
                        and
          (D)(i) A contract opportunity offered for award 
        pursuant to this subsection shall be awarded on the 
        basis of competition restricted to eligible Program 
        Participants if--
                  (I) there is a reasonable expectation that at 
                least two eligible Program Participants will 
                submit offers and that award can be made at a 
                fair market price, and
                  (II) the anticipated award price of the 
                contract (including options) will exceed 
                $5,000,000 in the case of a contract 
                opportunity assigned a standard industrial 
                classification code for manufacturing and 
                $3,000,000 (including options) in the case of 
                all other contract opportunities.
          (ii) The Associate Administrator for Minority Small 
        Business and Capital Ownership Development, on a 
        nondelegable basis, is authorized to approve a request 
        from an agency to award a contract opportunity under 
        this subsection on the basis of a competition 
        restricted to eligible Program Participants even if the 
        anticipated award price is not expected to exceed the 
        dollar amounts specified in clause (i)(II). Such 
        approvals shall be granted only on a limited basis.
  (2) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (c) of the first 
section of the Act entitled ``An Act requiring contracts for 
the construction, alteration, and repair of any public building 
or public work of the United States to be accompanied by a 
performance bond protecting the United States and by additional 
bond for the protection of persons furnishing material and 
labor for the construction, alteration, or repair of said 
public buildings or public work,'' approved August 24, 1935 (49 
Stat. 793), no small business concern shall be required to 
provide any amount of any bond as a condition or receiving any 
subcontract under this subsection if the Administrator 
determines that such amount is inappropriate for such concern 
in performing such contract: Provided, That the Administrator 
shall exercise the authority granted by the paragraph only if--
          (A) the Administration takes such measures as it 
        deems appropriate for the protection of persons 
        furnishing materials and labor to a small business 
        receiving any benefit pursuant to this paragraph;
          (B) the Administration assists, insofar as 
        practicable, a small business receiving the benefits of 
        this paragraph to develop, within a reasonable period 
        of time, such financial and other capability as may be 
        needed to obtain such bonds as the Administration may 
        subsequently require for the successful completion of 
        any program conducted under the authority of this 
        subsection;
          (C) the Administration finds that such small business 
        is unable to obtain the requisite bond or bonds from a 
        surety and that no surety is willing to issue such bond 
        or bonds subject to the guarantee provisions of Title 
        IV of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; and
          (D) that small business is determined to be a start-
        up concern and such concern has not been participating 
        in any program conducted under the authority of this 
        subsection for a period exceeding one year.
The authority to waive bonds provided in this paragraph (2) may 
not be exercised after September 30, 1988.
  (3)(A) Any Program Participant selected by the Administration 
to perform a contract to be let noncompetitively pursuant to 
this subsection shall, when practicable, participate in any 
negotiation of the terms and conditions of such contract.
  (B)(i) For purposes of paragraph (1) a ``fair market price'' 
shall be determined by the agency offering the procurement 
requirement to the Administration, in accordance with clauses 
(ii) and (iii).
  (ii) The estimate of a current fair market price for a new 
procurement requirement, or a requirement that does not have a 
satisfactory procurement history, shall be derived from a price 
or cost analysis. Such analysis may take into account 
prevailing market conditions, commercial prices for similar 
products or services, or data obtained from any other agency. 
Such analysis shall consider such cost or pricing data as may 
be timely submitted by the Administration.
  (iii) The estimate of a current fair market price for a 
procurement requirement that has a satisfactory procurement 
history shall be based on recent award prices adjusted to 
insure comparability. Such adjustments shall take into account 
differences in quantities, performance times, plans, 
specifications, transportation costs, packaging and packing 
costs, labor and materials costs, overhead costs, and any other 
additional costs which may be deemed appropriate.
  (C) An agency offering a procurement requirement for 
potential award pursuant to this subsection shall, upon the 
request of the Administration, promptly submit to the 
Administration a written statement detailing the method used by 
the agency to estimate the current fair market price for such 
contract, identifying the information, studies, analyses, and 
other data used by such agency. The agency's estimate of the 
current fair market price (and any supporting data furnished to 
the Administration) shall not be disclosed to any potential 
offeror (other than the Administration).
  (D) A small business concern selected by the Administration 
to perform or negotiate a contract to be let pursuant to this 
subsection may request the Administration to protest the 
agency's estimate of the fair market price for such contract 
pursuant to paragraph (1)(A).
  (4)(A) For purposes of this section, the term ``socially and 
economically disadvantaged small business concern'' means any 
small business concern which meets the requirements of 
subparagraph (B) and--
          (i) which is at least 51 per centum unconditionally 
        owned by--
                  (I) one or more socially and economically 
                disadvantaged individuals,
                  (II) an economically disadvantaged Indian 
                tribe (or a wholly owned business entity of 
                such tribe), or
                  (III) an economically disadvantaged Native 
                Hawaiian organization, or
          (ii) in the case of any publicly owned business, at 
        least 51 per centum of the stock of which is 
        unconditionally owned by--
                  (I) one or more socially and economically 
                disadvantaged individuals,
                  (II) an economically disadvantaged Indian 
                tribe (or a wholly owned business entity of 
                such tribe), or
                  (III) an economically disadvantaged Native 
                Hawaiian organization.
  (B) A small business concern meets the requirements of this 
subparagraph if the management and daily business operations of 
such small business concern are controlled by one or more--
          (i) socially and economically disadvantaged 
        individuals described in subparagraph (A)(i)(I) or 
        subparagraph (A)(ii)(I),
          (ii) members of an economically disadvantaged Indian 
        tribe described in subparagraph (A)(i)(II) or 
        subparagraph (A)(ii)(II), or
          (iii) Native Hawaiian organizations described in 
        subparagraph (A)(i)(III) or subparagraph (A)(ii)(III).
  (C) Each Program Participant shall certify, on an annual 
basis, that it meets the requirements of this paragraph 
regarding ownership and control.
  (5) Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have 
been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias 
because of their identity as a member of a group without regard 
to their individual qualities.
  (6)(A) Economically disadvantaged individuals are those 
socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in 
the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished 
capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the 
same business area who are not socially disadvantaged. In 
determining the degree of diminished credit and capital 
opportunities the Administration shall consider, but not be 
limited to, the assets and net worth of such socially 
disadvantaged individual. In determining the economic 
disadvantage of an Indian tribe, the Administration shall 
consider, where available, information such as the following: 
the per capita income of members of the tribe excluding 
judgment awards, the percentage of the local Indian population 
below the poverty level, and the tribe's access to capital 
markets.
  (B) Each Program Participant shall annually submit to the 
Administration--
          (i) a personal financial statement for each 
        disadvantaged owner;
          (ii) a record of all payments made by the Program 
        Participant to each of its disadvantaged owners or to 
        any person or entity affiliated with such owners; and
          (iii) such other information as the Administration 
        may deem necessary to make the determinations required 
        by this paragraph.
  (C)(i) Whenever, on the basis of information provided by a 
Program Participant pursuant to subparagraph (B) or otherwise, 
the Administration has reason to believe that the standards to 
establish economic disadvantage pursuant to subparagraph (A) 
have not been met, the Administration shall conduct a review to 
determine whether such Program Participant and its 
disadvantaged owners continue to be impaired in their ability 
to compete in the free enterprise system due to diminished 
capital and credit opportunities when compared to other 
concerns in the same business area, which are not socially 
disadvantaged.
  (ii) If the Administration determines, pursuant to such 
review, that a Program Participant and its disadvantaged owners 
are no longer economically disadvantaged for the purpose of 
receiving assistance under this subsection, the Program 
Participant shall be graduated pursuant to section 7(j)(10)(G) 
subject to the right to a hearing as provided for under 
paragraph (9).
  (D)(i) Whenever, on the basis of information provided by a 
Program Participant pursuant to subparagraph (B) or otherwise, 
the Administration has reason to believe that the amount of 
funds or other assets withdrawn from a Program Participant for 
the personal benefit of its disadvantaged owners or any person 
or entity affiliated with such owners may have been unduly 
excessive, the Administration shall conduct a review to 
determine whether such withdrawal of funds or other assets was 
detrimental to the achievement of the targets, objectives, and 
goals contained in such Program Participant's business plan.
  (ii) If the Administration determines, pursuant to such 
review, that funds or other assets have been withdrawn to the 
detriment of the Program Participant's business, the 
Administration shall--
          (I) initiate a proceeding to terminate the Program 
        Participant pursuant to section 7(j)(10)(F), subject to 
        the right to a hearing under paragraph (9); or
          (II) require an appropriate reinvestment of funds or 
        other assets and such other steps as the Administration 
        may deem necessary to ensure the protection of the 
        concern.
  (E) Whenever the Administration computes personal net worth 
for any purpose under this paragraph, it shall exclude from 
such computation--
          (i) the value of investments that disadvantaged 
        owners have in their concerns, except that such value 
        shall be taken into account under this paragraph when 
        comparing such concerns to other concerns in the same 
        business area that are owned by other than socially 
        disadvantaged persons;
          (ii) the equity that disadvantaged owners have in 
        their primary personal residences, except that any 
        portion of such equity that is attributable to unduly 
        excessive withdrawals from a Program Participant or a 
        concern applying for program participation shall be 
        taken into account.
  (7)(A) No small business concern shall be deemed eligible for 
any assistance pursuant to this subsection unless the 
Administration determines that with contract, financial, 
technical, and management support the small business concern 
will be able to perform contracts which may be awarded to such 
concern under paragraph (1)(C) and has reasonable prospects for 
success in competing in the private sector.
  (B) Limitations established by the Administration in its 
regulations and procedures restricting the award of contracts 
pursuant to this subsection to a limited number of standard 
industrial classification codes in an approved business plan 
shall not be applied in a manner that inhibits the logical 
business progression by a participating small business concern 
into areas of industrial endeavor where such concern has the 
potential for success.
  (8) All determinations made pursuant to paragraph (5) with 
respect to whether a group has been subjected to prejudice or 
bias shall be made by the Administrator after consultation with 
the Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and 
Capital Ownership Development. All other determinations made 
pursuant to paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) shall be made by 
the Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business and 
Capital Ownership Development under the supervision of, and 
responsible to, the Administrator.
  (9)(A) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (E), the 
Administration, prior to taking any action described in 
subparagraph (B), shall provide the small business concern that 
is the subject of such action, an opportunity for a hearing on 
the record, in accordance with chapter 5 of title 5, United 
States Code.
  (B) The actions referred to in subparagraph (A) are--
          (i) denial of program admission based upon a negative 
        determination pursuant to paragraph (4), (5), or (6);
          (ii) a termination pursuant to section 7(j)(10)(F);
          (iii) a graduation pursuant to section 7(j)(10)(G); 
        and
          (iv) the denial of a request to issue a waiver 
        pursuant to paragraph (21)(B).
  (C) The Administration's proposed action, in any proceeding 
conducted under the authority of this paragraph, shall be 
sustained unless it is found to be arbitrary, capricious, or 
contrary to law.
  (D) A decision rendered pursuant to this paragraph shall be 
the final decision of the Administration and shall be binding 
upon the Administration and those within its employ.
  (E) The adjudicator selected to preside over a proceeding 
conducted under the authority of this paragraph shall decline 
to accept jurisdiction over any matter that--
          (i) does not, on its face, allege facts that, if 
        proven to be true, would warrant reversal or 
        modification of the Administration's position;
          (ii) is untimely filed;
          (iii) is not filed in accordance with the rules of 
        procedure governing such proceedings; or
          (iv) has been decided by or is the subject of an 
        adjudication before a court of competent jurisdiction 
        over such matters.
  (F) Proceedings conducted pursuant to the authority of this 
paragraph shall be completed and a decision rendered, insofar 
as practicable, within ninety days after a petition for a 
hearing is filed with the adjudicating office.
  (10) The Administration shall develop and implement an 
outreach program to inform and recruit small business concerns 
to apply for eligibility for assistance under this subsection. 
Such program shall make a sustained and substantial effort to 
solicit applications for certification from small business 
concerns located in areas of concentrated unemployment or 
underemployment or within labor surplus areas and within States 
having relatively few Program Participants and from small 
disadvantaged business concerns in industry categories that 
have not substantially participated in the award of contracts 
let under the authority of this subsection.
  (11) To the maximum extent practicable, construction 
subcontracts awarded by the Administration pursuant to this 
subsection shall be awarded within the county or State where 
the work is to be performed.
  (12)(A) The Administration shall require each concern 
eligible to receive subcontracts pursuant to this subsection to 
annually prepare and submit to the Administration a capability 
statement. Such statement shall briefly describe such concern's 
various contract performance capabilities and shall contain the 
name and telephone number of the Business Opportunity 
Specialist assigned such concern. The Administration shall 
separate such statements by those primarily dependent upon 
local contract support and those primarily requiring a national 
marketing effort. Statements primarily dependent upon local 
contract support shall be disseminated to appropriate buying 
activities in the marketing area of the concern. The remaining 
statements shall be disseminated to the Directors of Small and 
Disadvantaged Business Utilization for the appropriate agencies 
who shall further distribute such statements to buying 
activities with such agencies that may purchase the types of 
items or services described on the capability statements.
  (B) Contracting activities receiving capability statements 
shall, within 60 days after receipt, contact the relevant 
Business Opportunity Specialist to indicate the number, type, 
and approximate dollar value of contract opportunities that 
such activities may be awarding over the succeeding 12-month 
period and which may be appropriate to consider for award to 
those concerns for which it has received capability statements.
  (C) Each executive agency reporting to the Federal 
Procurement Data System contract actions with an aggregate 
value in excess of $50,000,000 in fiscal year 1988, or in any 
succeeding fiscal year, shall prepare a forecast of expected 
contract opportunities or classes of contract opportunities for 
the next and succeeding fiscal years that small business 
concerns, including those owned and controlled by socially and 
economically disadvantaged individuals, are capable of 
performing. Such forecast shall be periodically revised during 
such year. To the extent such information is available, the 
agency forecasts shall specify:
          (i) The approximate number of individual contract 
        opportunities (and the number of opportunities within a 
        class).
          (ii) The approximate dollar value, or range of dollar 
        values, for each contract opportunity or class of 
        contract opportunities.
          (iii) The anticipated time (by fiscal year quarter) 
        for the issuance of a procurement request.
          (iv) The activity responsible for the award and 
        administration of the contract.
  (D) The head of each executive agency subject to the 
provisions of subparagraph (C) shall within 10 days of 
completion furnish such forecasts to--
          (i) the Director of the Office of Small and 
        Disadvantaged Business Utilization established pursuant 
        to section 15(k) for such agency; and
          (ii) the Administrator.
  (E) The information reported pursuant to subparagraph (D) may 
be limited to classes of items and services for which there are 
substantial annual purchases.
  (F) Such forecasts shall be available to small business 
concerns.
  (13) For purposes of this subsection, the term ``Indian 
tribe'' means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other 
organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska 
Native village or regional or village corporation (within the 
meaning of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) which--
          (A) is recognized as eligible for the special 
        programs and services provided by the United States to 
        Indians because of their status as Indians, or
          (B) is recognized as such by the State in which such 
        tribe, band, nation, group, or community resides.
          (14) Limitations on subcontracting.--A concern may 
        not be awarded a contract under this subsection as a 
        small business concern unless the concern agrees to 
        satisfy the requirements of section 46.
  (15) For purposes of this subsection, the term ``Native 
Hawaiian Organization'' means any community service 
organization serving Native Hawaiians in the State of Hawaii 
which--
          (A) is a nonprofit corporation that has filed 
        articles of incorporation with the director (or the 
        designee thereof) of the Hawaii Department of Commerce 
        and Consumer Affairs, or any successor agency,
          (B) is controlled by Native Hawaiians, and
          (C) whose business activities will principally 
        benefit such Native Hawaiians.
  (16)(A) The Administration shall award sole source contracts 
under this section to any small business concern recommended by 
the procuring agency offering the contract opportunity if--
          (i) the Program Participant is determined to be a 
        responsible contractor with respect to performance of 
        such contract opportunity;
          (ii) the award of such contract would be consistent 
        with the Program Participant's business plan; and
          (iii) the award of the contract would not result in 
        the Program Participant exceeding the requirements 
        established by section 7(j)(10)(I).
  (B) To the maximum extent practicable, the Administration 
shall promote the equitable geographic distribution of sole 
source contracts awarded pursuant to this subsection.
  (17)(A) An otherwise responsible business concern that is in 
compliance with the requirements of subparagraph (B) shall not 
be denied the opportunity to submit and have considered its 
offer for [any procurement contract for the supply of a product 
to be let pursuant to this subsection or subsection (a) of 
section 15] any procurement contract, which contract has as its 
principal purpose the supply of a product to be let pursuant to 
this subsection or subsection (m), or section 15(a), 31, or 36, 
solely because such concern is other than the actual 
manufacturer or processor of the product to be supplied under 
the contract.
  (B) To be in compliance with the requirements referred to in 
subparagraph (A), such a business concern shall--
          (i) be primarily engaged in the wholesale or retail 
        trade;
          (ii) be a small business concern under the numerical 
        size standard for the Standard Industrial 
        Classification Code assigned to the contract 
        solicitation on which the offer is being made;
          (iii) be a regular dealer, as defined pursuant to 
        section 35(a) of title 41, United States Code 
        (popularly referred to as the Walsh-Healey Public 
        Contracts Act), in the product to be offered the 
        Government or be specifically exempted from such 
        section by section 7(j)(13)(C); and
          (iv) represent that it will supply the product of a 
        domestic small business manufacturer or processor, 
        unless a waiver of such requirement is granted--
                  (I) by the Administrator, after reviewing a 
                determination by the contracting officer that 
                no small business manufacturer or processor can 
                reasonably be expected to offer a product 
                meeting the specifications (including period 
                for performance) required of an offeror by the 
                solicitation; or
                  (II) by the Administrator for a product (or 
                class of products), after determining that no 
                small business manufacturer or processor is 
                available to participate in the Federal 
                procurement market.
          (C) Limitation.--This paragraph shall not apply to a 
        contract that has as its principal purpose the 
        acquisition of services or construction.
  (18)(A) No person within the employ of the Administration 
shall, during the term of such employment and for a period of 
two years after such employment has been terminated, engage in 
any activity or transaction specified in subparagraph (B) with 
respect to any Program Participant during such person's term of 
employment, if such person participated personally (either 
directly or indirectly) in decision-making responsibilities 
relating to such Program Participant or with respect to the 
administration of any assistance provided to Program 
Participants generally under this subsection, section 7(j)(10), 
or section 7(a)(20).
  (B) The activities and transactions prohibited by 
subparagraph (A) include--
          (i) the buying, selling, or receiving (except by 
        inheritance) of any legal or beneficial ownership of 
        stock or any other ownership interest or the right to 
        acquire any such interest;
          (ii) the entering into or execution of any written or 
        oral agreement (whether or not legally enforceable) to 
        purchase or otherwise obtain any right or interest 
        described in clause (i); or
          (iii) the receipt of any other benefit or right that 
        may be an incident of ownership.
  (C)(i) The employees designated in clause (ii) shall annually 
submit a written certification to the Administration regarding 
compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.
  (ii) The employees referred to in clause (i) are--
          (I) regional administrators;
          (II) district directors;
          (III) the Associate Administrator for Minority Small 
        Business and Capital Ownership Development;
          (IV) employees whose principal duties relate to the 
        award of contracts or the provision of other assistance 
        pursuant to this subsection or section 7(j)(10); and
          (V) such other employees as the Administrator may 
        deem appropriate.
  (iii) Any present or former employee of the Administration 
who violates this paragraph shall be subject to a civil 
penalty, assessed by the Attorney General, that shall not 
exceed 300 per centum of the maximum amount of gain such 
employee realized or could have realized as a result of 
engaging in those activities and transactions prescribed by 
subparagraph (B).
  (iv) In addition to any other remedy or sanction provided for 
under law or regulation, any person who falsely certifies 
pursuant to clause (i) shall be subject to a civil penalty 
under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986 (31 U.S.C. 
3801-3812).
  (19)(A) Any employee of the Administration who has authority 
to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve any 
action with respect to any program or activity conducted 
pursuant to this subsection or section 7(j), shall not, with 
respect to any such action, exercise or threaten to exercise 
such authority on the basis of the political activity or 
affiliation of any party. Employees of the Administration shall 
expeditiously report to the Inspector General of the 
Administration any such action for which such employee's 
participation has been solicitated or directed.
  (B) Any employee who willfully and knowingly violates 
subparagraph (A) shall be subject to disciplinary action, which 
may consist of separation from service, reduction in grade, 
suspension, or reprimand.
  (C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any action taken as a 
penalty or other enforcement of a violation of any law, rule, 
or regulation prohibiting or restricting political activity.
  (D) The prohibitions of subparagraph (A), and remedial 
measures provided for under subparagraphs (B) and (C) with 
regard to such prohibitions, shall be in addition to, and not 
in lieu of, any other prohibitions, measures or liabilities 
that may arise under any other provision of law.
  (20)(A) Small business concerns participating in the Program 
under section 7(j)(10) and eligible to receive contracts 
pursuant to this section shall semiannually report to their 
assigned Business Opportunity Specialist the following:
          (i) A listing of any agents, representatives, 
        attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other parties 
        (other than employees) receiving compensation to assist 
        in obtaining a Federal contract for such Program 
        Participant.
          (ii) The amount of compensation received by any 
        person listed under clause (i) during the relevant 
        reporting period and a description of the activities 
        performed in return for such compensation.
  (B) The Business Opportunity Specialist shall promptly review 
and forward such report to the Associate Administrator for 
Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development. Any 
report that raises a suspicion of improper activity shall be 
reported immediately to the Inspector General of the 
Administration.
  (C) The failure to submit a report pursuant to the 
requirements of this subsection and applicable regulations 
shall be considered ``good cause'' for the initiation of a 
termination proceeding pursuant to section 7(j)(10)(F).
  (21)(A) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B), a 
contract (including options) awarded pursuant to this 
subsection shall be performed by the concern that initially 
received such contract. Notwithstanding the provisions of the 
preceding sentence, if the owner or owners upon whom 
eligibility was based relinquish ownership or control of such 
concern, or enter into any agreement to relinquish such 
ownership or control, such contract or option shall be 
terminated for the convenience of the Government, except that 
no repurchase costs or other damages may be assessed against 
such concerns due solely to the provisions of this 
subparagraph.
  (B) The Administrator may, on a nondelegable basis, waive the 
requirements of subparagraph (A) only if one of the following 
conditions exist:
          (i) When it is necessary for the owners of the 
        concern to surrender partial control of such concern on 
        a temporary basis in order to obtain equity financing.
          (ii) The head of the contracting agency for which the 
        contract is being performed certifies that termination 
        of the contract would severely impair attainment of the 
        agency's program objectives or missions;
          (iii) Ownership and control of the concern that is 
        performing the contract will pass to another small 
        business concern that is a program participant, but 
        only if the acquiring firm would otherwise be eligible 
        to receive the award directly pursuant to subsection 
        (a);
          (iv) The individuals upon whom eligibility was based 
        are no longer able to exercise control of the concern 
        due to incapacity or death; or
          (v) When, in order to raise equity capital, it is 
        necessary for the disadvantaged owners of the concern 
        to relinquish ownership of a majority of the voting 
        stock of such concern, but only if--
                  (I) such concern has exited the Capital 
                Ownership Development Program;
                  (II) the disadvantaged owners will maintain 
                ownership of the largest single outstanding 
                block of voting stock (including stock held by 
                affiliated parties); and
                  (III) the disadvantaged owners will maintain 
                control of daily business operations.
          (C) The Administrator may waive the requirements of 
        subparagraph (A) if--
                  (i) in the case of subparagraph (B) (i), (ii) 
                and (iv), he is requested to do so prior to the 
                actual relinquishment of ownership or control; 
                and
                  (ii) in the case of subparagraph (B)(iii), he 
                is requested to do so as soon as possible after 
                the incapacity or death occurs.
  (D) Concerns performing contracts awarded pursuant to this 
subsection shall be required to notify the Administration 
immediately upon entering an agreement (either oral or in 
writing) to transfer all or part of its stock or other 
ownership interest to any other party.
  (E) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the 
purposes of determining ownership and control of a concern 
under this section, any potential ownership interests held by 
investment companies licensed under the Small Business 
Investment Act of 1958 shall be treated in the same manner as 
interests held by the individuals upon whom eligibility is 
based.
  (b) It shall also be the duty of the Administration and it is 
hereby empowered, whenever it determines such action is 
necessary--
          (1)(A) to provide--
                  (i) technical, managerial, and informational 
                aids to small business concerns--
                          (I) by advising and counseling on 
                        matters in connection with Government 
                        procurement and policies, principles, 
                        and practices of good management;
                          (II) by cooperating and advising 
                        with--
                                  (aa) voluntary business, 
                                professional, educational, and 
                                other nonprofit organizations, 
                                associations, and institutions 
                                (except that the Administration 
                                shall take such actions as it 
                                determines necessary to ensure 
                                that such cooperation does not 
                                constitute or imply an 
                                endorsement by the 
                                Administration of the 
                                organization or its products or 
                                services, and shall ensure that 
                                it receives appropriate 
                                recognition in all printed 
                                materials); and
                                  (bb) other Federal and State 
                                agencies;
                          (III) by maintaining a clearinghouse 
                        for information on managing, financing, 
                        and operating small business 
                        enterprises; and
                          (IV) by disseminating such 
                        information, including through 
                        recognition events, and by other 
                        activities that the Administration 
                        determines to be appropriate; and
                  (ii) through cooperation with a profit-making 
                concern (referred to in this paragraph as a 
                ``cosponsor''), training, information, and 
                education to small business concerns, except 
                that the Administration shall--
                          (I) take such actions as it 
                        determines to be appropriate to ensure 
                        that--
                                  (aa) the Administration 
                                receives appropriate 
                                recognition and publicity;
                                  (bb) the cooperation does not 
                                constitute or imply an 
                                endorsement by the 
                                Administration of any product 
                                or service of the cosponsor;
                                  (cc) unnecessary promotion of 
                                the products or services of the 
                                cosponsor is avoided; and
                                  (dd) utilization of any one 
                                cosponsor in a marketing area 
                                is minimized; and
                          (II) develop an agreement, executed 
                        on behalf of the Administration by an 
                        employee of the Administration in 
                        Washington, the District of Columbia, 
                        that provides, at a minimum, that--
                                  (aa) any printed material to 
                                announce the cosponsorship or 
                                to be distributed at the 
                                cosponsored activity, shall be 
                                approved in advance by the 
                                Administration;
                                  (bb) the terms and conditions 
                                of the cooperation shall be 
                                specified;
                                  (cc) only minimal charges may 
                                be imposed on any small 
                                business concern to cover the 
                                direct costs of providing the 
                                assistance;
                                  (dd) the Administration may 
                                provide to the cosponsorship 
                                mailing labels, but not lists 
                                of names and addresses of small 
                                business concerns compiled by 
                                the Administration;
                                  (ee) all printed materials 
                                containing the names of both 
                                the Administration and the 
                                cosponsor shall include a 
                                prominent disclaimer that the 
                                cooperation does not constitute 
                                or imply an endorsement by the 
                                Administration of any product 
                                or service of the cosponsor; 
                                and
                                  (ff) the Administration shall 
                                ensure that it receives 
                                appropriate recognition in all 
                                cosponsorship printed 
                                materials.
          (B) To establish, conduct, and publicize, and to 
        recruit, select, and train volunteers for (and to enter 
        into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements 
        therefor), volunteer programs, including a Service 
        Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and an Active Corps 
        of Executive (ACE) for the purposes of section 
        8(b)(1)(A) of this Act. To facilitate the 
        implementation of such volunteer programs the 
        Administration shall maintain at its headquarters and 
        pay the salaries, benefits, and expenses of a volunteer 
        and professional staff to manage and oversee the 
        program. Any such payments made pursuant to this 
        subparagraph shall be effective only to such extent or 
        in such amounts as are provided in advance in 
        appropriation Acts. Notwithstanding any other provision 
        of law, SCORE may solicit cash and in-kind 
        contributions from the private sector to be used to 
        carry out its functions under this Act, and may use 
        payments made by the Administration pursuant to this 
        subparagraph for such solicitation and the management 
        of the contributions received.
          (C) To allow any individual or group of persons 
        participating with it in furtherance of the purposes of 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B) to use the Administration's 
        office facilities and related material and services as 
        the Administration deems appropriate, including 
        clerical and stenographic service:
                  (i) such volunteers, while carrying out 
                activities under section 8(b)(1) of this Act 
                shall be deemed Federal employees for the 
                purposes of the Federal tort claims provisions 
                in title 28, United States Code; and for the 
                purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 
                5, United States Code (relative to compensation 
                to Federal employees for work injuries) shall 
                be deemed civil employees of the United States 
                within the meaning of the term ``employee'' as 
                defined in section 8101 of title 5, United 
                States Code, and the provisions of that 
                subchapter shall apply except that in computing 
                compensation benefits for disability or death, 
                the monthly pay of a volunteer shall be deemed 
                that received under the entrance salary for a 
                grade GS-11 employee:
                  (ii) the Administrator is authorized to 
                reimburse such volunteers for all necessary 
                out-of-pocket expenses incident to their 
                provision of services under this Act, or in 
                connection with attendance at meetings 
                sponsored by the Administration, or for the 
                cost of malpractice insurance, as the 
                Administrator shall determine, in accordance 
                with regulations which he or she shall 
                prescribe, and, while they are carrying out 
                such activities away from their homes or 
                regular places of business, for travel expenses 
                (including per diem in lieu of subsistence) as 
                authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United 
                States Code, for individuals serving without 
                pay; and
                  (iii) such volunteers shall in no way provide 
                services to a client of such Administration 
                with a delinquent loan outstanding, except upon 
                a specific request signed by such client for 
                assistance in connection with such matter.
          (D) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no 
        payment for supportive services or reimbursement of 
        out-of-pocket expenses made to persons serving pursuant 
        to section 8(b)(1) of this Act shall be subject to any 
        tax or charge or be treated as wages or compensation 
        for the purposes of unemployment, disability, 
        retirement, public assistance, or similar benefit 
        payments, or minimum wage laws.
          (E) In carrying out its functions under subparagraph 
        (A), to make grants (including contracts and 
        cooperative agreements) to any public or private 
        institution of higher education for the establishment 
        and operation of a small business institute, which 
        shall be used to provide business counseling and 
        assistance to small business concerns through the 
        activities of students enrolled at the institution, 
        which students shall be entitled to receive educational 
        credits for their activities.
          (F) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and 
        pursuant to regulations which the Administrator shall 
        provide, counsel may be employed and counsel fees, 
        court costs, bail, and other expenses incidental to the 
        defense of volunteers may be paid in judicial or 
        Administrative proceedings arising directly out of the 
        performance of activities pursuant to section 8(b)(1) 
        of this Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)) to which 
        volunteers have been made parties.
          (G) In carrying out its functions under this Act and 
        to carry out the activities authorized by title IV of 
        the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988, the 
        Administration is authorized to accept, in the name of 
        the Administration, and employ or dispose of in 
        furtherance of the purposes of this Act, any money or 
        property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible, or 
        intangible, received by gift, devise, bequest, or 
        otherwise; and, further, to accept gratuitous services 
        and facilities.
          (2) to make a complete inventory of all productive 
        facilities of small-business concerns or to arrange for 
        such inventory to be made by any other governmental 
        agency which has the facilities. In making any such 
        inventory, the appropriate agencies in the several 
        States may be requested to furnish an inventory of the 
        productive facilities of small-business concerns in 
        each respective State if such an inventory is available 
        or in prospect;
          (3) to coordinate and to ascertain the means by which 
        the productive capacity of small-business concerns can 
        be most effectively utilized;
          (4) to consult and cooperative with officers of the 
        Government having procurement or property disposal 
        powers, in order to utilize the potential productive 
        capacity of plants operated by small-business concerns;
          (5) to obtain information as to methods and practices 
        which Government prime contractors utilize in letting 
        subcontracts and to take action to encourage the 
        letting of subcontracts by prime contractors to small-
        business concerns at prices and on conditions and terms 
        which are fair and equitable;
          (6) to determine within any industry the concerns, 
        firms, persons, corporations, partnerships, 
        cooperatives, or other business enterprises which are 
        to be designated ``small-business concerns'' for the 
        purpose of effectuating the provisions of this Act. To 
        carry out this purpose the Administrator, when 
        requested to do so, shall issue in response to each 
        such request an appropriate certificate certifying an 
        individual concern as a ``small-business concern'' in 
        accordance with the criteria expressed in this Act. Any 
        such certificate shall be subject to revocation when 
        the concern covered thereby ceases to be a ``small-
        business concern.'' Offices of the Government having 
        procurement or lending powers, or engaging in the 
        disposal of Federal property or allocating materials or 
        supplies, or promulgating regulations affecting the 
        distribution of materials or supplies, shall accept as 
        conclusive the Administration's determination as to 
        which enterprises are to be designated ``small-business 
        concerns'', as authorized and directed under this 
        paragraph;
          (7)(A) to certify to Government procurement officers, 
        and officers engaged in the sale and disposal of 
        Federal property, with respect to all elements of 
        responsibility, including, but not limited to, 
        capability, competency, capacity, credit, integrity, 
        perseverance, and tenacity, of any small business 
        concern or group of such concerns to receive and 
        perform a specific Government contract. A Government 
        procurement officer or an officer engaged in the sale 
        and disposal of Federal property may not, for any 
        reason specified in the preceding sentence, preclude 
        any small business concern or group of such concerns 
        from being awarded such contract without referring the 
        matter for a final disposition to the Administration.
          (B) if a Government procurement officer finds that an 
        otherwise qualified small business concern may be 
        ineligible due to the provisions of section 35(a) of 
        title 41, United States Code (the Walsh-Healey Public 
        Contracts Act), he shall notify the Administration in 
        writing of such finding. The Administration shall 
        review such finding and shall either dismiss it and 
        certify the small business concern to be an eligible 
        Government contractor for a specific Government 
        contract or if it concurs in the finding, forward the 
        matter to the Secretary of Labor for final disposition, 
        in which case the Administration may certify the small 
        business concern only if the Secretary of Labor finds 
        the small business concern not to be in violation.
          (C) in any case in which a small business concern or 
        group of such concerns has been certified by the 
        Administration pursuant to (A) or (B) to be a 
        responsible or eligible Government contractor as to a 
        specific Government contract, the officers of the 
        Government having procurement or property disposal 
        powers are directed to accept such certification as 
        conclusive, and shall let such Government contract to 
        such concern or group of concerns without requiring it 
        to meet any other requirement of responsibility or 
        eligibility. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this 
        subparagraph, the Administration may not establish an 
        exemption from referral or notification or refuse to 
        accept a referral or notification from a Government 
        procurement officer made pursuant to subparagraph (A) 
        or (B) of this paragraph, but nothing in this paragraph 
        shall require the processing of an application for 
        certification if the small business concern to which 
        the referral pertains declines to have the application 
        processed.
          (8) to obtain from any Federal department, 
        establishment, or agency engaged in procurement or in 
        the financing of procurement or production such reports 
        concerning the letting of contracts and subcontracts 
        and the making of loans to business concerns as it may 
        deem pertinent in carrying out its functions under this 
        Act;
          (9) to obtain from any Federal department, 
        establishment, or agency engaged in the disposal of 
        Federal property such reports concerning the 
        solicitation of bids, time of sale, or otherwise as it 
        may deem pertinent in carrying out its functions under 
        this Act;
          (10) to obtain from suppliers of materials 
        information pertaining to the method of filling orders 
        and the bases for allocating their supply, whenever it 
        appears that any small business is unable to obtain 
        materials from its normal sources;
          (11) to make studies and recommendations to the 
        appropriate Federal agencies to insure that a fair 
        proportion of the total purchases and contracts for 
        property and services for the Government be placed with 
        small-business enterprises, to insure that a fair 
        proportion of Government contacts for research and 
        development be placed with small-business concerns, to 
        insure that a fair proportion of the total sales of 
        Government property be made to small-business concerns, 
        and to insure a fair and equitable share of materials, 
        supplies, and equipment to small-business concerns;
          (12) to consult and cooperate with all Government 
        agencies for the purpose of insuring that small-
        business concerns shall receive fair and reasonable 
        treatment from such agencies;
          (13) to establish such advisory boards and committees 
        as may be necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act 
        and of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; to 
        call meetings of such boards and committees from time 
        to time; to pay the transportation expenses and a per 
        diem allowance in accordance with section 5703 of title 
        5, United States Code, to the members of such boards 
        and committees for travel and subsistence expenses 
        incurred at the request of the Administration in 
        connection with travel to points more than fifty miles 
        distant from the homes of such members in attending the 
        meetings of such boards and committees; and to rent 
        temporarily, within the District of Columbia or 
        elsewhere, such hotel or other accommodations as are 
        needed to facilitate the conduct of such meetings;
          (14) to provide at the earliest practicable time such 
        information and assistance as may be appropriate, 
        including information concerning eligibility for loans 
        under section 7(b)(3), to local public agencies (as 
        defined in section 110(h) of the Housing Act of 1949) 
        and to small-business concerns to be displaced by 
        federally aided urban renewal projects in order to 
        assist such small-business concerns in reestablishing 
        their operations;
          (15) to disseminate, without regard to the provisions 
        of section 3204 of title 39, United States Code, data 
        and information, in such form as it shall deem 
        appropriate, to public agencies, private organizations, 
        and the general public;
          (16) to make studies of matters materially affecting 
        the competitive strength of small business, and of the 
        effect on small business of Federal laws, programs, and 
        regulations, and to make recommendations to the 
        appropriate Federal agency or agencies for the 
        adjustment of such programs and regulations to the 
        needs of small business; and
          (17) to make grants to, and enter into contracts and 
        cooperative agreements with, educational institutions, 
        private businesses, veterans' nonprofit community-based 
        organizations, and Federal, State, and local 
        departments and agencies for the establishment and 
        implementation of outreach programs for disabled 
        veterans (as defined in section 4211(3) of title 38, 
        United States Code), veterans, and members of a reserve 
        component of the Armed Forces.
  (c)
  (d)(1) It is the policy of the United States that small 
business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled 
by veterans, small business concerns owned and controlled by 
service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone small business 
concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by 
socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small 
business concerns owned and controlled by women, shall have the 
maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the 
performance of contracts let by any Federal agency, including 
contracts and subcontracts for subsystems, assemblies, 
components, and related services for major systems. It is 
further the policy of the United States that its prime 
contractors establish procedures to ensure the timely payment 
of amounts due pursuant to the terms of their subcontracts with 
small business concerns, small business concerns owned and 
controlled by veterans, small business concerns owned and 
controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone 
small business concerns, small business concerns owned and 
controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
individuals, and small business concerns owned and controlled 
by women.
  (2) The clause stated in paragraph (3) shall be included in 
all contracts let by any Federal agency except any contract 
which--
          (A) does not exceed the simplified acquisition 
        threshold;
          (B) including all subcontracts under such contracts 
        will be performed entirely outside of any State, 
        territory, or possession of the United States, the 
        District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto 
        Rico; or
          (C) is for services which are personal in nature.
  (3) The clause required by paragraph (2) shall be as follows:
          (A) It is the policy of the United States that small 
        business concerns, small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by veterans, small business concerns owned 
        and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified 
        HUBZone small business concerns, small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals, and small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by women shall 
        have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate 
        in the performance of contracts let by any Federal 
        agency, including contracts and subcontracts for 
        subsystems, assemblies, components, and related 
        services for major systems. It is further the policy of 
        the United States that its prime contractors establish 
        procedures to ensure the timely payment of amounts due 
        pursuant to the terms of their subcontracts with small 
        business concerns, small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by veterans, small business concerns owned 
        and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified 
        HUBZone small business concerns, small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals, and small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by women.
          (B) The contractor hereby agrees to carry out this 
        policy in the awarding of subcontracts to the fullest 
        extent consistent with the efficient performance of 
        this contract. The contractor further agrees to 
        cooperate in any studies or surveys as may be conducted 
        by the United States Small Business Administration or 
        the awarding agency of the United States as may be 
        necessary to determine the extent of the contractor's 
        compliance with this clause.
          (C) As used in this contract, the term ``small 
        business concern'' shall mean a small business as 
        defined pursuant to section 3 of the Small Business Act 
        and relevant regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. 
        The term ``small business concern owned and controlled 
        by socially and economically disadvantaged 
        individuals'' shall mean a small business concern--
                  (i) which is at least 51 per centum owned by 
                one or more socially and economically 
                disadvantaged individuals; or, in the case of 
                any publicly owned business, at least 51 per 
                centum of the stock of which is owned by one or 
                more socially and economically disadvantaged 
                individuals; and
                  (ii) whose management and daily business 
                operations are controlled by one or more of 
                such individuals.
        The contractor shall presume that socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals include Black 
        Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian 
        Pacific Americans, and other minorities, or any other 
        individual found to be disadvantaged by the 
        Administration pursuant to section 8(a) of the Small 
        Business Act.
          (D) The term ``small business concern owned and 
        controlled by women'' shall mean a small business 
        concern--
                  (i) which is at least 51 per centum owned by 
                one or more women; or, in the case of any 
                publicly owned business, at least 51 per centum 
                of the stock of which is owned by one or more 
                women; and
                  (ii) whose management and daily business 
                operations are controlled by one or more women.
          (E) The term ``small business concern owned and 
        controlled by veterans'' shall mean a small business 
        concern--
                  (i) which is at least 51 per centum owned by 
                one or more eligible veterans; or, in the case 
                of any publicly owned business, at least 51 per 
                centum of the stock of which is owned by one or 
                more veterans; and
                  (ii) whose management and daily business 
                operations are controlled by such veterans. The 
                contractor shall treat as veterans all 
                individuals who are veterans within the meaning 
                of the term under section 3(q) of the Small 
                Business Act.
          (F) Contractors acting in good faith may rely on 
        written representations by their subcontractors 
        regarding their status as either a small business 
        concern, small business concern owned and controlled by 
        veterans, small business concern owned and controlled 
        by service-disabled veterans, a small business concern 
        owned and controlled by socially and economically 
        disadvantaged individuals, or a small business concern 
        owned and controlled by women.
          (G) In this contract, the term ``qualified HUBZone 
        small business concern'' has the meaning given that 
        term in section 3(p) of the Small Business Act.
  (4)(A) Each solicitation of an offer for a contract to be let 
by a Federal agency which is to be awarded pursuant to the 
negotiated method of procurement and which may exceed 
$1,000,000, in the case of a contract for the construction of 
any public facility, or $500,000, in the case of all other 
contracts, shall contain a clause notifying potential offering 
companies of the provisions of this subsection relating to 
contracts awarded pursuant to the negotiated method of 
procurement.
  (B) Before the award of any contract to be let, or any 
amendment or modification to any contract let, by any Federal 
agency which--
          (i) is to be awarded, or was let, pursuant to the 
        negotiated method of procurement,
          (ii) is required to include the clause stated in 
        paragraph (3),
          (iii) may exceed $1,000,000 in the case of a contract 
        for the construction of any public facility, or 
        $500,000 in the case of all other contracts, and
          (iv) which offers subcontracting possibilities,
the apparent successful offeror shall negotiate with the 
procurement authority a subcontracting plan which incorporates 
the information prescribed in paragraph (6). The subcontracting 
plan shall be included in and made a material part of the 
contract.
  (C) If, within the time limit prescribed in regulations of 
the Federal agency concerned, the apparent successful offeror 
fails to negotiate the subcontracting plan required by this 
paragraph, such offeror shall become ineligible to be awarded 
the contract. Prior compliance of the offeror with other such 
subcontracting plans shall be considered by the Federal agency 
in determining the responsibility of that offeror for the award 
of the contract.
  (D) No contract shall be awarded to any offeror unless the 
procurement authority determines that the plan to be negotiated 
by the offeror pursuant to this paragraph provides the maximum 
practicable opportunity for small business concerns, qualified 
HUBZone small business concerns, small business concerns owned 
and controlled by veterans, small business concerns owned and 
controlled by service-disabled veterans, small business 
concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically 
disadvantaged individuals, and small business concerns owned 
and controlled by women to participate in the performance of 
the contract.
  (E) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, every 
Federal agency, in order to encourage subcontracting 
opportunities for small business concerns, small business 
concerns owned and controlled by veterans, small business 
concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, 
qualified HUBZone small business concerns, and small business 
concerns owned and controlled by the socially and economically 
disadvantaged individuals as defined in paragraph (3) of this 
subsection and for small business concerns owned and controlled 
by women, is hereby authorized to provide such incentives as 
such Federal agency may deem appropriate in order to encourage 
such subcontracting opportunities as may be commensurate with 
the efficient and economical performance of the contact: 
Provided, That, this subparagraph shall apply only to contracts 
let pursuant to the negotiated method of procurement.
  (F)(i) Each contract subject to the requirements of this 
paragraph or paragraph (5) shall contain a clause for the 
payment of liquidated damages upon a finding that a prime 
contractor has failed to make a good faith effort to comply 
with the requirements imposed on such contractor by this 
subsection.
  (ii) The contractor shall be afforded an opportunity to 
demonstrate a good faith effort regarding compliance prior to 
the contracting officer's final decision regarding the 
impositon of damages and the amount thereof. The final decision 
of a contracting officer regarding the contractor's obligation 
to pay such damages, or the amounts thereof, shall be subject 
to the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 601-613).
  (iii) Each agency shall ensure that the goals offered by the 
apparent successful bidder or offeror are attainable in 
relation to--
          (I) the subcontracting opportunities available to the 
        contractor, commensurate with the efficient and 
        economical performance of the contract;
          (II) the pool of eligible subcontractors available to 
        fulfill the subcontracting opportunities; and
          (III) the actual performance of such contractor in 
        fulfilling the subcontracting goals specified in prior 
        plans.
          (G) The following factors shall be designated by the 
        Federal agency as significant factors for purposes of 
        evaluating offers for a bundled contract where the head 
        of the agency determines that the contract offers a 
        significant opportunity for subcontracting:
                  (i) A factor that is based on the rate 
                provided under the subcontracting plan for 
                small business participation in the performance 
                of the contract.
                  (ii) For the evaluation of past performance 
                of an offeror, a factor that is based on the 
                extent to which the offeror attained applicable 
                goals for small business participation in the 
                performance of contracts.
  (5)(A) Each solicitation of a bid for any contract to be let, 
or any amendment or modification to any contract let, by any 
Federal agency which--
          (i) is to be awarded pursuant to the formal 
        advertising method of procurement,
          (ii) is required to contain the clause stated in 
        paragraph (3) of this subsection,
          (iii) may exceed $1,000,000 in the case of a contract 
        for the construction of any public facility, or 
        $500,000, in the case of all other contracts, and
          (iv) offers subcontracting possibilities,
shall contain a clause requiring any bidder who is selected to 
be awarded a contract to submit to the Federal agency concerned 
a subcontracting plan which incorporates the information 
prescribed in paragraph (6).
  (B) If, within the time limit prescribed in regulations of 
the Federal agency concerned, the bidder selected to be awarded 
the contract fails to submit the subcontracting plan required 
by this paragraph, such bidder shall become ineligible to be 
awarded the contract. Prior compliance of the bidder with other 
such subcontracting plans shall be considered by the Federal 
agency in determining the responsibility of such bidder for the 
award of the contract. The subcontracting plan of the bidder 
awarded the contract shall be included in and made a material 
part of the contract.
  (6) Each subcontracting plan required under paragraph (4) or 
(5) shall include--
          (A) percentage goals for the utilization as 
        subcontractors of small business concerns, small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, 
        small business concerns owned and controlled by 
        service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone small 
        business concerns, small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
        individuals, and small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by women;
          (B) the name of an individual within the employ of 
        the offeror or bidder who will administer the 
        subcontracting program of the offeror or bidder and a 
        description of the duties of such individual;
          (C) a description of the efforts the offeror or 
        bidder will take to assure that small business 
        concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled 
        by veterans, small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified 
        HUBZone small business concerns, small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals, and small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by women will 
        have an equitable opportunity to compete for 
        subcontracts;
          (D) assurances that the offeror or bidder will 
        include the clause required by paragraph (2) of this 
        subsection in all subcontracts which offer further 
        subcontracting opportunities, and that the offeror or 
        bidder will require all subcontractors (except small 
        business concerns) who receive subcontracts in excess 
        of $1,000,000 in the case of a contract for the 
        construction of any public facility, or in excess of 
        $500,000 in the case of all other contracts, to adopt a 
        plan similar to the plan required under paragraph (4) 
        or (5), and assurances at a minimum that the offeror or 
        bidder, and all subcontractors required to maintain 
        subcontracting plans pursuant to this paragraph, will--
                  (i) review and approve subcontracting plans 
                submitted by their subcontractors;
                  (ii) monitor subcontractor compliance with 
                their approved subcontracting plans;
                  (iii) ensure that subcontracting reports are 
                submitted by their subcontractors when 
                required;
                  (iv) acknowledge receipt of their 
                subcontractors' reports;
                  (v) compare the performance of their 
                subcontractors to subcontracting plans and 
                goals; and
                  (vi) discuss performance with subcontractors 
                when necessary to ensure their subcontractors 
                make a good faith effort to comply with their 
                subcontracting plans;
          (E) assurances that the offeror or bidder will submit 
        such periodic reports and cooperate in any studies or 
        surveys as may be required by the Federal agency or the 
        Administration in order to determine the extent of 
        compliance by the offeror or bidder with the 
        subcontracting plan;
          (F) a recitation of the types of records the 
        successful offeror or bidder will maintain to 
        demonstrate procedures which have been adopted to 
        comply with the requirements and goals set forth in 
        this plan, including the establishment of source lists 
        of small business concerns, small business concerns 
        owned and controlled by veterans, small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled 
        veterans, qualified HUBZone small business concerns, 
        small business concerns owned and controlled by 
        socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, 
        and small business concerns owned and controlled by 
        women; and efforts to identify and award subcontracts 
        to such small business concerns;
          (G) a recitation of the types of records the 
        successful offeror or bidder will maintain to 
        demonstrate procedures which have been adopted to 
        ensure subcontractors at all tiers comply with the 
        requirements and goals set forth in the plan 
        established in accordance with subparagraph (D) of this 
        paragraph, including--
                  (i) the establishment of source lists of 
                small business concerns, small business 
                concerns owned and controlled by veterans, 
                small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone 
                small business concerns, small business 
                concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
                economically disadvantaged individuals, and 
                small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                women; and
                  (ii) efforts to identify and award 
                subcontracts to such small business concerns; 
                and
          (H) a representation that the offeror or bidder 
        will--
                  (i) make a good faith effort to acquire 
                articles, equipment, supplies, services, or 
                materials, or obtain the performance of 
                construction work from the small business 
                concerns used in preparing and submitting to 
                the contracting agency the bid or proposal, in 
                the same amount and quality used in preparing 
                and submitting the bid or proposal; and
                  (ii) provide to the contracting officer a 
                written explanation if the offeror or bidder 
                fails to acquire articles, equipment, supplies, 
                services, or materials or obtain the 
                performance of construction work as described 
                in clause (i).
          (7) The head of the contracting agency shall ensure 
        that--
                  (A) the agency collects and reports data on 
                the extent to which contractors of the agency 
                meet the goals and objectives set forth in 
                subcontracting plans submitted pursuant to this 
                subsection; and
                  (B) the agency periodically reviews data 
                collected and reported pursuant to subparagraph 
                (A) for the purpose of ensuring that such 
                contractors comply in good faith with the 
                requirements of this subsection and 
                subcontracting plans submitted by the 
                contractors pursuant to this subsection.
  (8) The provisions of paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) shall not 
apply to offerors or bidders who are small business concerns.
  (9) The failure of any contractor or subcontractor to comply 
in good faith with--
          (A) the clause contained in paragraph (3) of this 
        subsection, or
          (B) any plan required of such contractor pursuant to 
        the authority of this subsection to be included in its 
        contract or subcontract,
shall be a material breach of such contract or subcontract and 
may be considered in any past performance evaluation of the 
contractor.
  (10) Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed 
to supersede the requirements of Defense Manpower Policy Number 
4A (32A CFR Chap. 1) or any successor policy.
  (11) In the case of contracts within the provisions of 
paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), the Administration is authorized 
to--
          (A) assist Federal agencies and businesses in 
        complying with their responsibilities under the 
        provisions of this subsection, including the 
        formulation of subcontracting plans pursuant to 
        paragraph (4);
          (B) review any solicitation for any contract to be 
        let pursuant to paragraphs (4) and (5) to determine the 
        maximum practicable opportunity for small business 
        concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled 
        by veterans, small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified 
        HUBZone small business concerns, small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
        economically disadvantaged individuals, and small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by women to 
        participate as subcontractors in the performance of any 
        contract resulting from any solicitation, and to submit 
        its findings, which shall be advisory in nature, to the 
        appropriate Federal agency; and
          (C) evaluate compliance with subcontracting plans as 
        a supplement to evaluations performed by the 
        contracting agency, either on a contract-by-contract 
        basis or, in the case of contractors having multiple 
        contracts, on an aggregate basis.
  (12) For purposes of determining the attainment of a 
subcontract utilization goal under any subcontracting plan 
entered into with any executive agency pursuant to this 
subsection, a mentor firm providing development assistance to a 
protege firm under the pilot Mentor-Protege Program established 
pursuant to section 831 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2301 
note) shall be granted credit for such assistance in accordance 
with subsection (g) of such section.
  (13) Payment of Subcontractors.--
          (A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term 
        ``covered contract'' means a contract relating to which 
        a prime contractor is required to develop a 
        subcontracting plan under paragraph (4) or (5).
          (B) Notice.--
                  (i) In general.--A prime contractor for a 
                covered contract shall notify in writing the 
                contracting officer for the covered contract if 
                the prime contractor pays a reduced price to a 
                subcontractor for goods and services upon 
                completion of the responsibilities of the 
                subcontractor or the payment to a subcontractor 
                is more than 90 days past due for goods or 
                services provided for the covered contract for 
                which the Federal agency has paid the prime 
                contractor.
                  (ii) Contents.--A prime contractor shall 
                include the reason for the reduction in a 
                payment to or failure to pay a subcontractor in 
                any notice made under clause (i).
          (C) Performance.--A contracting officer for a covered 
        contract shall consider the unjustified failure by a 
        prime contractor to make a full or timely payment to a 
        subcontractor in evaluating the performance of the 
        prime contractor.
          (D) Control of funds.--If the contracting officer for 
        a covered contract determines that a prime contractor 
        has a history of unjustified, untimely payments to 
        contractors, the contracting officer shall record the 
        identity of the contractor in accordance with the 
        regulations promulgated under subparagraph (E).
          (E) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this paragraph, the Federal 
        Acquisition Regulatory Council established under 
        section 25(a) of the Office of Federal Procurement 
        Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 421(a)) shall amend the Federal 
        Acquisition Regulation issued under section 25 of such 
        Act to--
                  (i) describe the circumstances under which a 
                contractor may be determined to have a history 
                of unjustified, untimely payments to 
                subcontractors;
                  (ii) establish a process for contracting 
                officers to record the identity of a contractor 
                described in clause (i); and
                  (iii) require the identity of a contractor 
                described in clause (i) to be incorporated in, 
                and made publicly available through, the 
                Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity 
                Information System, or any successor thereto.
          (14) An offeror for a covered contract that intends 
        to identify a small business concern as a potential 
        subcontractor in a bid or proposal for the contract, or 
        in a plan submitted pursuant to this subsection in 
        connection with the contract, shall notify the small 
        business concern prior to making such identification.
          (15) The Administrator shall establish a reporting 
        mechanism that allows a subcontractor or potential 
        subcontractor to report fraudulent activity or bad 
        faith by a contractor with respect to a subcontracting 
        plan submitted pursuant to this subsection.
  (16) Credit for Certain Subcontractors.--
          (A) For purposes of determining whether or not a 
        prime contractor has attained the percentage goals 
        specified in paragraph (6)--
                  (i) if the subcontracting goals pertain only 
                to a single contract with the executive agency, 
                the prime contractor shall receive credit for 
                small business concerns performing as first 
                tier subcontractors or subcontractors at any 
                tier pursuant to the subcontracting plans 
                required under paragraph (6)(D) in an amount 
                equal to the dollar value of work awarded to 
                such small business concerns; and
                  (ii) if the subcontracting goals pertain to 
                more than one contract with one or more 
                executive agencies, or to one contract with 
                more than one executive agency, the prime 
                contractor may only count first tier 
                subcontractors that are small business 
                concerns.
          (B) Nothing in this paragraph shall abrogate the 
        responsibility of a prime contractor to make a good-
        faith effort to achieve the first tier small business 
        subcontracting goals negotiated under paragraph (6)(A), 
        or the requirement for subcontractors with further 
        opportunities for subcontracting to make a good-faith 
        effort to achieve the goals established under paragraph 
        (6)(D).
  (e)(1) Except as provided in subsection (g)--
          (A) an executive agency intending to--
                  (i) solicit bids or proposals for a contract 
                for property or services for a price expected 
                to exceed $25,000; or
                  (ii) place an order, expected to exceed 
                $25,000, under a basic agreement, basis 
                ordering agreement, or similar arrangement,
        shall publish a notice described in subsection (f);
          (B) an executive agency intending to solicit bids or 
        proposals for a contract for property or services shall 
        post, for a period of not less than ten days, in a 
        public place at the contracting office issuing the 
        solicitation a notice of solicitation described in 
        subsection (f)--
                  (i) in the case of an executive agency other 
                than the Department of Defense, if the contract 
                is for a price expected to exceed $10,000, but 
                not to exceed $25,000; and
                  (ii) in the case of the Department of 
                Defense, if the contract is for a price 
                expected to exceed $5,000, but not to exceed 
                $25,000; and
          (C) an executive agency awarding a contract for 
        property or services for a price exceeding $100,000, or 
        placing an order referred to in clause (A)(ii) 
        exceeding $100,000, shall furnish for publication by 
        the Secretary of Commerce a notice announcing the award 
        or order if there is likely to be any subcontract under 
        such contract or order.
  (2)(A) A notice of solicitation required to be published 
under paragraph (1) may be published--
          (i) by electronic means that meet the accessibility 
        requirements under section 18(a)(7) of the Office of 
        Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 416(a)(7)); 
        or
          (ii) by the Secretary of Commerce in the Commerce 
        Business Daily.
  (B) The Secretary of Commerce shall promptly publish in the 
Commerce Business Daily each notice or announcement received 
under this subsection for publication by that means.
  (3) Whenever an executive agency is required by paragraph 
(1)(A) to publish a notice of solicitation, such executive 
agency may not--
          (A) issue the solicitation earlier than 15 days after 
        the date on which the notice is published; or
          (B) in the case of a contract or order estimated to 
        be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, 
        establish a deadline for the submission of all bids or 
        proposals in response to the notice required by 
        paragraph (1)(A) that--
                  (i) in the case of an order under a basic 
                agreement, basic ordering agreement, or similar 
                arrangement, is earlier than the date 30 days 
                after the date the notice required by paragraph 
                (1)(A)(ii) is published;
                  (ii) in the case of a solicitation for 
                research and development, is earlier than the 
                date 45 days after the date the notice required 
                by paragraph (1)(A)(i) is published; or
                  (iii) in any other case, is earlier than the 
                date 30 days after the date the solicitation is 
                issued.
  (f) Each notice of solicitation required by subparagraph (A) 
or (B) of subsection (e)(1) shall include--
          (1) an accurate description of the property or 
        services to be contracted for, which description (A) 
        shall not be unnecessarily restrictive of competition, 
        and (B) shall include, as appropriate, the agency 
        nomenclature, National Stock Number or other part 
        number, and a brief description of the item's form, 
        fit, or function, physical dimensions, predominant 
        material of manufacture, or similar information that 
        will assist a prospective contractor to make an 
        informed business judgment as to whether a copy of the 
        solicitation should be requested;
          (2) provisions that--
                  (A) state whether the technical data required 
                to respond to the solicitation will not be 
                furnished as part of such solicitation, and 
                identify the source in the Government, if any, 
                from which the technical data may be obtained; 
                and
                  (B) state whether an offeror, its product, or 
                service must meet a qualification requirement 
                in order to be eligible for award, and, if so, 
                identify the office from which a qualification 
                requirement may be obtained;
          (3) the name, business address, and telephone number 
        of the contracting officer;
          (4) a statement that all responsible sources may 
        submit a bid, proposal, or quotation (as appropriate) 
        which shall be considered by the agency;
          (5) in the case of a procurement using procedures 
        other than competitive procedures, a statement of the 
        reason justifying the use of such procedures and the 
        identity of the intended source; and
          (6) in the case of a contract in an amount estimated 
        to be greater than $25,000 but not greater than the 
        simplified acquisition threshold--
                  (A) a description of the procedures to be 
                used in awarding the contract; and
                  (B) a statement specifying the periods for 
                prospective offerors and the contracting 
                officer to take the necessary preaward and 
                award actions.
  (g)(1) A notice is not required under subsection (e)(1) if--
          (A) the proposed procurement is for an amount not 
        greater than the simplified acquisition threshold and 
        is to be conducted by--
                  (i) using widespread electronic public notice 
                of the solicitation in a form that allows 
                convenient and universal user access through a 
                single, Government-wide point of entry; and
                  (ii) permitting the public to respond to the 
                solicitation electronically.
          (B) the notice would disclose the executive agency's 
        needs and the disclosure of such needs would compromise 
        the national security;
          (C) the proposed procurement would result from 
        acceptance of--
                  (i) any unsolicited proposal that 
                demonstrates a unique and innovative research 
                concept and the publication of any notice of 
                such unsolicited research proposal would 
                disclose the originality of thought or 
                innovativeness of the proposal or would 
                disclose proprietary information associated 
                with the proposal; or
                  (ii) a proposal submitted under section 9 of 
                this Act;
          (D) the procurement is made against an order placed 
        under a requirements contract;
          (E) the procurement is made for perishable 
        subsistence supplies;
          (F) the procurement is for utility services, other 
        than telecommunication services, and only one source is 
        available; or
          (G) the procurement is for the services of an expert 
        for use in any litigation or dispute (including 
        preparation for any foreseeable litigation or dispute) 
        that involves or could involve the Federal Government 
        in any trial, hearing, or proceeding before any court, 
        administrative tribunal, or agency, or in any part of 
        an alternative dispute resolution process, whether or 
        not the expert is expected to testify.
  (2) The requirements of subsection (a)(1)(A) do not apply to 
any procurement under conditions described in paragraph (2), 
(3), (4), (5), or (7) of section 303(c) of the Federal Property 
and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253(c)) or 
paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), and (7) of section 2304(c) of 
title 10, United States Code.
  (3) The requirements of subsection (a)(1)(A) shall not apply 
in the case of any procurement for which the head of the 
executive agency makes a determination in writing, after 
consultation with the Administrator for Federal Procurement 
Policy and the Administrator of the Small Business 
Administration, that it is not appropriate or reasonable to 
publish a notice before issuing a solicitation.
  (h)(1) An executive agency may not award a contract using 
procedures other than competitive procedures unless--
          (A) except as provided in paragraph (2), a written 
        justification for the use of such procedures has been 
        approved--
                  (i) in the case of a contract for an amount 
                exceeding $100,000 (but equal to or less than 
                $1,000,000), by the advocate for competition 
                for the procuring activity (without further 
                delegation);
                  (ii) in the case of a contract for an amount 
                exceeding $1,000,000 (but equal to or less than 
                $10,000,000), by the head of the procuring 
                activity or a delegate who, if a member of the 
                Armed Forces, is a general or flag officer, or, 
                if a civilian, is serving in a position in 
                grade GS-16 or above under the General Schedule 
                (or in a comparable or higher position under 
                another schedule); or
                  (iii) in the case of a contract for an amount 
                exceeding $10,000,000, by the senior 
                procurement executive of the agency designated 
                pursuant to section 16(3) of the Office of 
                Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
                414(3)) (without further delegation); and
          (B) all other requirements applicable to the use of 
        such procedures under title III of the Federal Property 
        and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 251 
        et sq.) or chapter 137 of title 10, United States Code, 
        as appropriate, have been satisfied.
  (2) The same exceptions as are provided in section 303(f)(2) 
of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 
(41 U.S.C. 253(f)(2)) or section 2304(f)(2) of title 10, United 
States Code, shall apply with respect to the requirements of 
paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection in the same manner as such 
exceptions apply to the requirements of section 303(f)(1) of 
such Act or section 2304(f)(1) of such title, as appropriate.
  (i) An executive agency shall make available to any business 
concern, or the authorized representative of such concern, the 
complete solicitation package for any on-going procurement 
announced pursuant to a notice under subsection (e). An 
executive agency may require the payment of a fee, not 
exceeding the actual cost of duplication, for a copy of such 
package.
  (j) For purposes of this section, the term ``executive 
agency'' has the meaning provided such term in section 4(1) of 
the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
403(1)).
  (k) Notices of Subcontracting Opportunities.--
          (1) In general.--Notices of subcontracting 
        opportunities may be submitted for publication on the 
        appropriate Federal Web site (as determined by the 
        Administrator) by--
                  (A) a business concern awarded a contract by 
                an executive agency subject to subsection 
                (e)(1)(C); and
                  (B) a business concern that is a 
                subcontractor or supplier (at any tier) to such 
                contractor having a subcontracting opportunity 
                in excess of $10,000.
          (2) Content of notice.--The notice of a 
        subcontracting opportunity shall include--
                  (A) a description of the business opportunity 
                that is comparable to the description specified 
                in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of 
                subsection (f); and
                  (B) the due date for receipt of offers.
  (l) Management Assistance for Small Businesses Affected by 
Military Operations.--The Administration shall utilize, as 
appropriate, its entrepreneurial development and management 
assistance programs, including programs involving State or 
private sector partners, to provide business counseling and 
training to any small business concern adversely affected by 
the deployment of units of the Armed Forces of the United 
States in support of a period of military conflict (as defined 
in section 7(n)(1)).
  (m) Procurement Program for Women-owned Small Business 
Concerns.--
          (1) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following 
        definitions apply:
                  (A) Contracting officer.--The term 
                ``contracting officer'' has the meaning given 
                such term in section 27(f)(5) of the Office of 
                Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
                423(f)(5)).
                  (B) Small business concern owned and 
                controlled by women.--The term ``small business 
                concern owned and controlled by women'' has the 
                meaning given such term in section 3(n), except 
                that ownership shall be determined without 
                regard to any community property law.
          (2) Authority to restrict competition.--In accordance 
        with this subsection, a contracting officer may 
        restrict competition for any contract for the 
        procurement of goods or services by the Federal 
        Government to small business concerns owned and 
        controlled by women, if--
                  (A) each of the concerns is not less than 51 
                percent owned by one or more women who are 
                economically disadvantaged (and such ownership 
                is determined without regard to any community 
                property law);
                  (B) the contracting officer has a reasonable 
                expectation that two or more small business 
                concerns owned and controlled by women will 
                submit offers for the contract;
                  (C) the contract is for the procurement of 
                goods or services with respect to an industry 
                identified by the Administrator pursuant to 
                paragraph (3);
                  (D) in the estimation of the contracting 
                officer, the contract award can be made at a 
                fair and reasonable price; and
                  (E) each of the concerns is certified by a 
                Federal agency, a State government, the 
                Administrator, or a national certifying entity 
                approved by the Administrator as a small 
                business concern owned and controlled by women.
          (3) Waiver.--With respect to a small business concern 
        owned and controlled by women, the Administrator may 
        waive subparagraph (2)(A) if the Administrator 
        determines that the concern is in an industry in which 
        small business concerns owned and controlled by women 
        are substantially underrepresented.
          (4) Identification of industries.--The Administrator 
        shall conduct a study to identify industries in which 
        small business concerns owned and controlled by women 
        are underrepresented with respect to Federal 
        procurement contracting.
          (5) Enforcement; penalties.--
                  (A) Verification of eligibility.--In carrying 
                out this subsection, the Administrator shall 
                establish procedures relating to--
                          (i) the filing, investigation, and 
                        disposition by the Administration of 
                        any challenge to the eligibility of a 
                        small business concern to receive 
                        assistance under this subsection 
                        (including a challenge, filed by an 
                        interested party, relating to the 
                        veracity of a certification made or 
                        information provided to the 
                        Administration by a small business 
                        concern under paragraph (2)(E)); and
                          (ii) verification by the 
                        Administrator of the accuracy of any 
                        certification made or information 
                        provided to the Administration by a 
                        small business concern under paragraph 
                        (2)(E).
                  (B) Examinations.--The procedures established 
                under subparagraph (A) may provide for program 
                examinations (including random program 
                examinations) by the Administrator of any small 
                business concern making a certification or 
                providing information to the Administrator 
                under paragraph (2)(E).
                  (C) Penalties.--In addition to the penalties 
                described in section 16(d), any small business 
                concern that is determined by the Administrator 
                to have misrepresented the status of that 
                concern as a small business concern owned and 
                controlled by women for purposes of this 
                subsection, shall be subject to--
                          (i) section 1001 of title 18, United 
                        States Code; and
                          (ii) sections 3729 through 3733 of 
                        title 31, United States Code.
          (6) Provision of data.--Upon the request of the 
        Administrator, the head of any Federal department or 
        agency shall promptly provide to the Administrator such 
        information as the Administrator determines to be 
        necessary to carry out this subsection.
          (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 and the 
                contracting officer does not have a reasonable 
                expectation that 2 or more businesses described 
                in paragraph (2)(A) will submit offers;
                  (B) the anticipated award price of the 
                contract (including options) will not exceed--
                          (i) $6,500,000, 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; and
                  (C) in the estimation of the contracting 
                officer, the contract award can be made at a 
                fair and reasonable price.
          (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 and the 
                contracting officer does not have a reasonable 
                expectation that 2 or more businesses in an 
                industry that has received a waiver under 
                paragraph (3) will submit offers;
                  (B) the anticipated award price of the 
                contract (including options) will not exceed--
                          (i) $6,500,000, 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; and
                  (C) in the estimation of the contracting 
                officer, the contract award can be made at a 
                fair and reasonable price.
  (n) Business Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
          (1) In general.--In accordance with this subsection, 
        the Administrator may make grants to and enter into 
        cooperative agreements with any coalition of private 
        entities, public entities, or any combination of 
        private and public entities--
                  (A) to expand business-to-business 
                relationships between large and small 
                businesses; and
                  (B) to provide businesses, directly or 
                indirectly, with online information and a 
                database of companies that are interested in 
                mentor-protege programs or community-based, 
                statewide, or local business development 
                programs.
          (2) Matching requirement.--Subject to subparagraph 
        (B), the Administrator may make a grant to a coalition 
        under paragraph (1) only if the coalition provides for 
        activities described in paragraph (1)(A) or (1)(B) an 
        amount, either in kind or in cash, equal to the grant 
        amount.
          (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection $6,600,000, to remain available until 
        expended, for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2006.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  Sec. 15. (a) To effectuate the purposes of this Act, small-
business concerns within the meaning of this Act shall receive 
any award or contract or any part thereof, and be awarded any 
contract for the sale of Government property, as to which it is 
determined by the Administration and the contracting 
procurement or disposal agency (1) to be in the interest of 
maintaining or mobilizing the Nation's full productive 
capacity, (2) to be in the interest of war or national defense 
programs, (3) to be in the interest of assuring that a fair 
proportion of the total purchases and contracts for property 
and services for the Government in each industry category are 
placed with small-business concerns, or (4) to be in the 
interest of assuring that a fair proportion of the total sales 
of Government property be made to small-business concerns; but 
nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to change any 
preferences or priorities established by law with respect to 
the sale of electrical power or other property by the 
Government or any agency thereof. These determinations may be 
made for individual awards or contracts or for classes of 
awards or contracts. If a proposed procurement includes in its 
statement of work goods or services currently being performed 
by a small business, and if the proposed procurement is in a 
quantity or estimated dollar value the magnitude of which 
renders small business prime contract participation unlikely, 
or if a proposed procurement for construction seeks to package 
or consolidate discrete construction projects, or the 
solicitation involves an unnecessary or unjustified bundling of 
contract requirements, as determined by the Administration, the 
Procurement Activity shall provide a copy of the proposed 
procurement to the Procurement Activity's Small Business 
Procurement Center Representative at least 30 days prior to the 
solicitation's issuance along with a statement explaining (1) 
why the proposed acquisition cannot be divided into reasonably 
small lots (not less than economic production runs) to permit 
offers on quantities less than the total requirement, (2) why 
delivery schedules cannot be established on a realistic basis 
that will encourage small business participation to the extent 
consistent with the actual requirements of the Government, (3) 
why the proposed acquisition cannot be offered so as to make 
small business participation likely, (4) why construction 
cannot be procured as separate discrete projects, or (5) why 
the agency has determined that the bundled contract (as defined 
in section 3(o)) is necessary and justified. The thirty-day 
notification process shall occur concurrently with other 
processing steps required prior to issuance of the 
solicitation. Within 15 days after receipt of the proposed 
procurement and accompanying statement, if the Procurement 
Center Representative believes that the procurement as proposed 
will render small business prime contract participation 
unlikely, the Representative shall recommend to the Procurement 
Activity alternative procurement methods which would increase 
small business prime contracting opportunities. Whenever the 
Administration and the contracting procurement agency fail to 
agree, the matter shall be submitted for determination to the 
Secretary or the head of the appropriate department or agency 
by the Administrator. For purposes of clause (3) of the first 
sentence of this subsection, an industry category is a discrete 
group of similar goods and services. Such groups shall be 
determined by the Administration in accordance with the 
definition of a ``United States industry'' under the North 
American Industry Classification System, as established by the 
Office of Management and Budget, except that the Administration 
shall limit such an industry category to a greater extent than 
provided under such classification codes if the Administration 
receives evidence indicating that further segmentation for 
purposes of this paragraph is warranted due to special capital 
equipment needs or special labor or geographic requirements or 
to recognize a new industry. A market for goods or services may 
not be segmented under the preceding sentence due to geographic 
requirements unless the Government typically designates the 
area where work for contracts for such goods or services is to 
be performed and Government purchases comprise the major 
portion of the entire domestic market for such goods or 
services and, due to the fixed location of facilities, high 
mobilization costs, or similar economic factors, it is 
unreasonable to expect competition from business concerns 
located outside of the general areas where such concerns are 
located. A contract may not be awarded under this subsection if 
the award of the contract would result in a cost to the 
awarding agency which exceeds a fair market price.
  (b) With respect to any work to be performed the amount of 
which would exceed the maximum amount of any contract for which 
a surety may be guaranteed against loss under section 411 of 
the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 694(b)), 
the contracting procurement agency shall, to the extent 
practicable, place contracts so as to allow more than one small 
business concern to perform such work.
  (c)(1) As used in this subsection:
          (A) The term ``Committee'' means the Committee for 
        Purchase from the Blind and Other Severely Handicapped 
        established under the first section of the Act entitled 
        ``An Act to create a Committee on Purchases of Blind-
        made Products, and for other purposes'', approved June 
        25, 1938 (41 U.S.C. 46).
          (B) The term ``public or private organization for the 
        handicapped'' has the same meaning given such term in 
        section 3(e).
          (C) The term ``handicapped individual'' has the same 
        meaning given such term in section 3(f).
  (2)(A) During fiscal year 1995, public or private 
organizations for the handicapped shall be eligible to 
participate in programs authorized under this section in an 
aggregate amount not to exceed $40,000,000.
  (B) None of the amounts authorized for participation by 
subparagraph (A) may be placed on the procurement list 
maintained by the Committee pursuant to section 2 of the Act 
entitled ``An Act to create a Committee on Purchases of Blind-
made Products, and for other purposes'', approved June 25, 1938 
(41 U.S.C. 47).
  (3) The Administrator shall monitor and evaluate such 
participation.
  (4)(A) Not later than ten days after the announcement of a 
proposed award of a contract by an agency or department to a 
public or private organization for the handicapped, a for-
profit small business concern that has experienced or is likely 
to experience severe economic injury as the result of the 
proposed award may file an appeal of the proposed award with 
the Administrator.
  (B) If such a concern files an appeal of a proposed award 
under subparagraph (A) and the Administrator, after 
consultation with the Executive Director of the Committee, 
finds that the concern has experienced or is likely to 
experience severe economic injury as the result of the proposed 
award, not later than thirty days after the filing of the 
appeal, the Administration shall require each agency and 
department having procurement powers to take such action as may 
be appropriate to alleviate economic injury sustained or likely 
to be sustained by the concern.
  (5) Each agency and department having procurement powers 
shall report to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy each 
time a contract subject to paragraph (2)(A) is entered into, 
and shall include in its report the amount of the next higher 
bid submitted by a for-profit small business concern. The 
Office of Federal Procurement Policy shall collect data 
reported under the preceding sentence through the Federal 
procurement data system and shall report to the Administration 
which shall notify all such agencies and departments when the 
maximum amount of awards authorized under paragraph (2)(A) has 
been made during any fiscal year.
  (6) For the purpose of this subsection, a contract may be 
awarded only if at least 75 per centum of the direct labor 
performed on each item being produced under the contract in the 
sheltered workshop or performed in providing each type of 
service under the contract by the sheltered workshop is 
performed by handicapped individuals.
  (7) Agencies awarding one or more contracts to such an 
organization pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may 
use multiyear contracts, if appropriate.
  (d) For purposes of this section priority shall be given to 
the awarding of contracts and the placement of subcontracts to 
small business concerns which shall perform a substantial 
proportion of the production on those contracts and 
subcontracts within areas of concentrated unemployment or 
underemployment or within labor surplus areas. Notwithstanding 
any other provison of law, total labor surplus area set-asides 
pursuant to Defense Manpower Policy Number 4 (32A C.F.R. 
Chapter 1) or any successor policy shall be authorized if the 
Secretary or his designee specifically determines that there is 
a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from a 
sufficient number of eligible concerns so that awards will be 
made at reasonable prices. As soon as practicable and to the 
extent possible, in determining labor surplus areas, 
consideration shall be given to those persons who would be 
available for employment were suitable employment available. 
Until such definition reflects such number, the present 
criteria of such policy shall govern.
  (e) Procurement Strategies; Contract Bundling.--
          (1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
        procurement strategies used by a Federal department or 
        agency having contracting authority shall facilitate 
        the maximum participation of small business concerns as 
        prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, and 
        each such Federal department or agency shall--
                  (A) provide opportunities for the 
                participation of small business concerns during 
                acquisition planning processes and in 
                acquisition plans; and
                  (B) invite the participation of the 
                appropriate Director of Small and Disadvantaged 
                Business Utilization in acquisition planning 
                processes and provide that Director access to 
                acquisition plans.
          (2) Market research.--
                  (A) In general.--Before proceeding with an 
                acquisition strategy that could lead to a 
                contract containing consolidated procurement 
                requirements, the head of an agency shall 
                conduct market research to determine whether 
                consolidation of the requirements is necessary 
                and justified.
                  (B) Factors.--For purposes of subparagraph 
                (A), consolidation of the requirements may be 
                determined as being necessary and justified if, 
                as compared to the benefits that would be 
                derived from contracting to meet those 
                requirements if not consolidated, the Federal 
                Government would derive from the consolidation 
                measurably substantial benefits, including any 
                combination of benefits that, in combination, 
                are measurably substantial. Benefits described 
                in the preceding sentence may include the 
                following:
                          (i) Cost savings.
                          (ii) Quality improvements.
                          (iii) Reduction in acquisition cycle 
                        times.
                          (iv) Better terms and conditions.
                          (v) Any other benefits.
                  (C) Reduction of costs not determinative.--
                The reduction of administrative or personnel 
                costs alone shall not be a justification for 
                bundling of contract requirements unless the 
                cost savings are expected to be substantial in 
                relation to the dollar value of the procurement 
                requirements to be consolidated.
          [(3) Strategy specifications.--If the head of a 
        contracting agency determines that a proposed 
        procurement strategy for a procurement involves a 
        substantial bundling of contract requirements, the 
        proposed procurement strategy shall--
                  [(A) identify specifically the benefits 
                anticipated to be derived from the bundling of 
                contract requirements;
                  [(B) set forth an assessment of the specific 
                impediments to participation by small business 
                concerns as prime contractors that result from 
                the bundling of contract requirements and 
                specify actions designed to maximize small 
                business participation as subcontractors 
                (including suppliers) at various tiers under 
                the contract or contracts that are awarded to 
                meet the requirements; and
                  [(C) include a specific determination that 
                the anticipated benefits of the proposed 
                bundled contract justify its use.
          [(4) Contract teaming.--In the case of a solicitation 
        of offers for a bundled contract that is issued by the 
        head of an agency, a small-business concern may submit 
        an offer that provides for use of a particular team of 
        subcontractors for the performance of the contract. The 
        head of the agency shall evaluate the offer in the same 
        manner as other offers, with due consideration to the 
        capabilities of all of the proposed subcontractors. If 
        a small business concern teams under this paragraph, it 
        shall not affect its status as a small business concern 
        for any other purpose.]
          (3) Strategy specifications.--If the head of a 
        contracting agency determines that an acquisition plan 
        for a procurement involves a substantial bundling of 
        contract requirements, the head of a contracting agency 
        shall publish a notice on a public website that such 
        determination has been made not later than 7 days after 
        making such determination. Any solicitation for a 
        procurement related to the acquisition plan may not be 
        published earlier than 7 days after such notice is 
        published. Along with the publication of the 
        solicitation, the head of a contracting agency shall 
        publish a justification for the determination, which 
        shall include following information:
                  (A) The specific benefits anticipated to be 
                derived from the bundling of contract 
                requirements and a determination that such 
                benefits justify the bundling.
                  (B) An identification of any alternative 
                contracting approaches that would involve a 
                lesser degree of bundling of contract 
                requirements.
                  (C) An assessment of--
                          (i) the specific impediments to 
                        participation by small business 
                        concerns as prime contractors that 
                        result from the bundling of contract 
                        requirements; and
                          (ii) the specific actions designed to 
                        maximize small business participation 
                        as subcontractors (including suppliers) 
                        at various tiers under the contract or 
                        contracts that are awarded to meet the 
                        requirements.
          (4) Contract teaming.--
                  (A) In general.--In the case of a 
                solicitation of offers for a bundled or 
                consolidated contract that is issued by the 
                head of an agency, a small business concern may 
                submit an offer that provides for use of a 
                particular team of subcontractors or a joint 
                venture of small business concerns for the 
                performance of the contract.
                  (B) Evaluation of offers.--The head of the 
                agency shall evaluate the offer of a team or a 
                joint venture of small business concerns in the 
                same manner as other offers, with due 
                consideration to the capabilities of all of the 
                proposed subcontractors or members of the joint 
                venture as follows:
                          (i) Teams.--When evaluating an offer 
                        of a small business prime contractor 
                        whose offer includes a proposed team of 
                        small business subcontractors, the head 
                        of the agency shall consider the 
                        capabilities and past performance of 
                        each first tier subcontractor that is 
                        part of the team as the capabilities 
                        and past performance of the team.
                          (ii) Joint ventures.--When evaluating 
                        an offer of a joint venture of small 
                        business concerns, if the joint venture 
                        does not have sufficient capabilities 
                        or past performance to be considered 
                        for award of a contract opportunity, 
                        the head of the agency shall consider 
                        the capabilities and past performance 
                        of each member of the joint venture as 
                        the capabilities past performance of 
                        the joint venture.
                  (C) Status as a small business concern.--
                Participation of a small business concern in a 
                team or a joint venture under this paragraph 
                shall not affect the status of that concern as 
                a small business concern with respect to the 
                performance of a contract described in 
                subparagraph (A).
  (g)
          (1) Governmentwide goals.--
                  (A) Establishment.--The President shall 
                annually establish Governmentwide goals for 
                procurement contracts awarded to small business 
                concerns, small business concerns owned and 
                controlled by service-disabled veterans, 
                qualified HUBZone small business concerns, 
                small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                socially and economically disadvantaged 
                individuals, and small business concerns owned 
                and controlled by women in accordance with the 
                following:
                          (i) The Governmentwide goal for 
                        participation by small business 
                        concerns shall be established at not 
                        less than 23 percent of the total value 
                        of all prime contract awards for each 
                        fiscal year.
                          (ii) The Governmentwide goal for 
                        participation by small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by 
                        service-disabled veterans shall be 
                        established at not less than 3 percent 
                        of the total value of all prime 
                        contract and subcontract awards for 
                        each fiscal year.
                          (iii) The Governmentwide goal for 
                        participation by qualified HUBZone 
                        small business concerns shall be 
                        established at not less than 3 percent 
                        of the total value of all prime 
                        contract and subcontract awards for 
                        each fiscal year.
                          (iv) The Governmentwide goal for 
                        participation by small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by 
                        socially and economically disadvantaged 
                        individuals shall be established at not 
                        less than 5 percent of the total value 
                        of all prime contract and subcontract 
                        awards for each fiscal year.
                          (v) The Governmentwide goal for 
                        participation by small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by women 
                        shall be established at not less than 5 
                        percent of the total value of all prime 
                        contract and subcontract awards for 
                        each fiscal year.
                  (B) Achievement of governmentwide goals.--
                Each agency shall have an annual goal that 
                presents, for that agency, the maximum 
                practicable opportunity for small business 
                concerns, small business concerns owned and 
                controlled by service-disabled veterans, 
                qualified HUBZone small business concerns, 
                small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                socially and economically disadvantaged 
                individuals, and small business concerns owned 
                and controlled by women to participate in the 
                performance of contracts let by such agency. 
                The Small Business Administration and the 
                Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy 
                shall, when exercising their authority pursuant 
                to paragraph (2), insure that the cumulative 
                annual prime contract goals for all agencies 
                meet or exceed the annual Governmentwide prime 
                contract goal established by the President 
                pursuant to this paragraph.
  (2)(A) The head of each Federal agency shall, after 
consultation with the Administration, establish goals for the 
participation by small business concerns, by small business 
concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, by 
qualified HUBZone small business concerns, by small business 
concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically 
disadvantaged individuals, and by small business concerns owned 
and controlled by women in procurement contracts of such 
agency. Such goals shall separately address prime contract 
awards and subcontract awards for each category of small 
business covered.
  (B) Goals established under this subsection shall be jointly 
established by the Administration and the head of each Federal 
agency and shall realistically reflect the potential of small 
business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled 
by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone small business 
concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by 
socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small 
business concerns owned and controlled by women to perform such 
contracts and to perform subcontracts under such contracts.
  (C) Whenever the Administration and the head of any Federal 
agency fail to agree on established goals, the disagreement 
shall be submitted to the Administrator for Federal Procurement 
Policy for final determination.
  (D) After establishing goals under this paragraph for a 
fiscal year, the head of each Federal agency shall develop a 
plan for achieving such goals at both the prime contract and 
the subcontract level, which shall apportion responsibilities 
among the agency's acquisition executives and officials. In 
establishing goals under this paragraph, the head of each 
Federal agency shall make a consistent effort to annually 
expand participation by small business concerns from each 
industry category in procurement contracts and subcontracts of 
such agency, including participation by small business concerns 
owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified 
HUBZone small business concerns, small business concerns owned 
and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
individuals, and small business concerns owned and controlled 
by women.
          (E) The head of each Federal agency, in attempting to 
        attain expanded participation under subparagraph (D), 
        shall consider--
                  (i) contracts awarded as the result of 
                unrestricted competition; and
                  (ii) contracts awarded after competition 
                restricted to eligible small business concerns 
                under this section and under the program 
                established under section 8(a).
          (F)(i) Each procurement employee or program manager 
        described in clause (ii) shall communicate to the 
        subordinates of the procurement employee or program 
        manager the importance of achieving goals established 
        under subparagraph (A).
                  (ii) A procurement employee or program 
                manager described in this clause is a senior 
                procurement executive, senior program manager, 
                or Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
                Utilization of a Federal agency having 
                contracting authority.
  (3) First tier subcontracts that are awarded by Management 
and Operating contractors sponsored by the Department of Energy 
to small business concerns, small businesses concerns owned and 
controlled by service disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone 
small business concerns, small business concerns owned and 
controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
individuals, and small business concerns owned and controlled 
by women, shall be considered toward the annually established 
agency and Government-wide goals for procurement contracts 
awarded.
  (h) Reporting on Goals for Procurement Contracts Awarded to 
Small Business Concerns.--
          (1) Agency reports.--At the conclusion of each fiscal 
        year, the head of each Federal agency shall submit to 
        the Administrator a report describing--
                  (A) the extent of the participation by small 
                business concerns, small business concerns 
                owned and controlled by veterans (including 
                service-disabled veterans), qualified HUBZone 
                small business concerns, small business 
                concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
                economically disadvantaged individuals, and 
                small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                women in the procurement contracts of such 
                agency during such fiscal year;
                  (B) whether the agency achieved the goals 
                established for the agency under subsection 
                (g)(2) with respect to such fiscal year;
                  (C) any justifications for a failure to 
                achieve such goals; and
                  (D) a remediation plan with proposed new 
                practices to better meet such goals, including 
                analysis of factors leading to any failure to 
                achieve such goals.
          (2) Reports by administrator.--Not later than 60 days 
        after receiving a report from each Federal agency under 
        paragraph (1) with respect to a fiscal year, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the President and 
        Congress, and to make available on a public Web site, a 
        report that includes--
                  (A) a copy of each report submitted to the 
                Administrator under paragraph (1);
                  (B) a determination of whether each goal 
                established by the President under subsection 
                (g)(1) for such fiscal year was achieved;
                  (C) a determination of whether each goal 
                established by the head of a Federal agency 
                under subsection (g)(2) for such fiscal year 
                was achieved;
                  (D) the reasons for any failure to achieve a 
                goal established under paragraph (1) or (2) of 
                subsection (g) for such fiscal year and a 
                description of actions planned by the 
                applicable agency to address such failure, 
                including the Administrator's comments and 
                recommendations on the proposed remediation 
                plan; and
                  (E) for the Federal Government and each 
                Federal agency, an analysis of the number and 
                dollar amount of prime contracts awarded during 
                such fiscal year to--
                          (i) small business concerns--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through sole source 
                                contracts;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns; and
                                  (IV) through unrestricted 
                                competition;
                          (ii) small business concerns owned 
                        and controlled by service-disabled 
                        veterans--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through sole source 
                                contracts;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns;
                                  (IV) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns owned and controlled 
                                by service-disabled veterans; 
                                and
                                  (V) through unrestricted 
                                competition;
                          (iii) qualified HUBZone small 
                        business concerns--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through sole source 
                                contracts;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns;
                                  (IV) through competitions 
                                restricted to qualified HUBZone 
                                small business concerns;
                                  (V) through unrestricted 
                                competition where a price 
                                evaluation preference was used; 
                                and
                                  (VI) through unrestricted 
                                competition where a price 
                                evaluation preference was not 
                                used;
                          (iv) small business concerns owned 
                        and controlled by socially and 
                        economically disadvantaged 
                        individuals--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through sole source 
                                contracts;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns;
                                  (IV) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns owned and controlled 
                                by socially and economically 
                                disadvantaged individuals;
                                  (V) through unrestricted 
                                competition; and
                                  (VI) by reason of that 
                                concern's certification as a 
                                small business owned and 
                                controlled by socially and 
                                economically disadvantaged 
                                individuals;
                          (v) small business concerns owned by 
                        an Indian tribe (as such term is 
                        defined in section 8(a)(13)) other than 
                        an Alaska Native Corporation--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through sole source 
                                contracts;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns;
                                  (IV) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns owned and controlled 
                                by socially and economically 
                                disadvantaged individuals; and
                                  (V) through unrestricted 
                                competition;
                          (vi) small business concerns owned by 
                        a Native Hawaiian Organization--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through sole source 
                                contracts;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns;
                                  (IV) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns owned and controlled 
                                by socially and economically 
                                disadvantaged individuals; and
                                  (V) through unrestricted 
                                competition;
                          (vii) small business concerns owned 
                        by an Alaska Native Corporation--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through sole source 
                                contracts;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns;
                                  (IV) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns owned and controlled 
                                by socially and economically 
                                disadvantaged individuals; and
                                  (V) through unrestricted 
                                competition; and
                          (viii) small business concerns owned 
                        and controlled by women--
                                  (I) in the aggregate;
                                  (II) through competitions 
                                restricted to small business 
                                concerns;
                                  (III) through competitions 
                                restricted using the authority 
                                under section 8(m)(2);
                                  (IV) through competitions 
                                restricted using the authority 
                                under section 8(m)(2) and in 
                                which the waiver authority 
                                under section 8(m)(3) was used;
                                  (V) through sole source 
                                contracts awarded using the 
                                authority under subsection 
                                8(m)(7);
                                  (VI) through sole source 
                                contracts awarded using the 
                                authority under section 
                                8(m)(8);
                                  (VII) by industry for 
                                contracts described in 
                                subclause (III), (IV), (V), or 
                                (VI); and
                                  (VIII) through unrestricted 
                                competition; and
                  (F) for the Federal Government, the number, 
                dollar amount, and distribution with respect to 
                the North American Industry Classification 
                System of subcontracts awarded during such 
                fiscal year to small business concerns, small 
                business concerns owned and controlled by 
                service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone 
                small business concerns, small business 
                concerns owned and controlled by socially and 
                economically disadvantaged individuals, and 
                small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                women, provided that such information is 
                publicly available through data systems 
                developed pursuant to the Federal Funding 
                Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 
                (Public Law 109-282), or otherwise available as 
                provided in paragraph (3).
          (3) Access to data.--
                  (A) Federal procurement data system.--To 
                assist in the implementation of this section, 
                the Administration shall have access to 
                information collected through the Federal 
                Procurement Data System, Federal Subcontracting 
                Reporting System, or any new or successor 
                system.
                  (B) Agency procurement data sources.--To 
                assist in the implementation of this section, 
                the head of each contracting agency shall 
                provide, upon request of the Administration, 
                procurement information collected through 
                agency data collection sources in existence at 
                the time of the request. Contracting agencies 
                shall not be required to establish new data 
                collection systems to provide such data.
  (i) Nothing in this Act or any other provision of law 
precludes exclusive small business set-asides for procurements 
of architectural and engineering services, research, 
development, test and evaluation, and each Federal agency is 
authorized to develop such set-asides to further the interests 
of small business in those areas.
  (j)(1) Each contract for the purchase of goods and services 
that has an anticipated value greater than $2,500 but not 
greater than $100,000 shall be reserved exclusively for small 
business concerns unless the contracting officer is unable to 
obtain offers from two or more small business concerns that are 
competitive with market prices and are competitive with regard 
to the quality and delivery of the goods or services being 
purchased.
  (2) In carrying out paragraph (1), a contracting officer 
shall consider a responsive offer timely received from an 
eligible small business offeror.
  (3) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed as precluding 
an award of a contract with a value not greater than $100,000 
under the authority of subsection (a) of section 8 of this Act, 
section 2323 of title 10, United States Code, section 712 of 
the Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of 1988 (Public 
Law 100-656; 15 U.S.C. 644 note), or section 7102 of the 
Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994.
  (k) There is hereby established in each Federal agency having 
procurement powers an office to be known as the ``Office of 
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization''. The management 
of each such office shall be vested in an officer or employee 
of such agency, with experience serving in any combination of 
the following roles: program manager, deputy program manager, 
or assistant program manager for Federal acquisition program; 
chief engineer, systems engineer, assistant engineer, or 
product support manager for Federal acquisition program; 
Federal contracting officer; small business technical advisor; 
contracts administrator for Federal Government contracts; 
attorney specializing in Federal procurement law; small 
business liaison officer; officer or employee who managed 
Federal Government contracts for a small business; or 
individual whose primary responsibilities were for the 
functions and duties of section 8, 15 or 44 of this Act. Such 
officer or employee--
          (1) shall be known as the ``Director of Small and 
        Disadvantaged Business Utilization'' for such agency;
          (2) shall be appointed by the head of such agency to 
        a position that is a Senior Executive Service position 
        (as such term is defined under section 3132(a) of title 
        5, United States Code), except that, for any agency in 
        which the positions of Chief Acquisition Officer and 
        senior procurement executive (as such terms are defined 
        under section 44(a) of this Act) are not Senior 
        Executive Service positions, the Director of Small and 
        Disadvantaged Business Utilization may be appointed to 
        a position compensated at not less than the minimum 
        rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-15 of the 
        General Schedule under section 5332 of such title 
        (including comparability payments under section 5304 of 
        such title);
          (3) shall be responsible only to (including with 
        respect to performance appraisals), and report directly 
        and exclusively to, the head of such agency or to the 
        deputy of such head, except that the Director for the 
        Office of the Secretary of Defense shall be responsible 
        only to (including with respect to performance 
        appraisals), and report directly and exclusively to, 
        such Secretary or the Secretary's designee;
          (4) shall be responsible for the implementation and 
        execution of the functions and duties under sections 8 
        and 15 of this Act which relate to such agency;
          (5) shall identify proposed solicitations that 
        involve significant bundling of contract requirements, 
        and work with the agency acquisition officials and the 
        Administration to revise the procurement strategies for 
        such proposed solicitations where appropriate to 
        increase the probability of participation by small 
        businesses as prime contractors, or to facilitate small 
        business participation as subcontractors and suppliers, 
        if a solicitation for a bundled contract is to be 
        issued;
          (6) shall assist small business concerns to obtain 
        payments, required late payment interest penalties, or 
        information regarding payments due to such concerns 
        from an executive agency or a contractor, in conformity 
        with chapter 39 of title 31, United States Code, or any 
        other protection for contractors or subcontractors 
        (including suppliers) that is included in the Federal 
        Acquisition Regulation or any individual agency 
        supplement to such Government-wide regulation;
          (7) shall have supervisory authority over personnel 
        of such agency to the extent that the functions and 
        duties of such personnel relate to functions and duties 
        under sections 8 and 15 of this Act;
          (8) shall assign a small business technical adviser 
        to each office to which the Administration has assigned 
        a procurement center representative--
                  (A) who shall be a full-time employee of the 
                procuring activity and shall be well qualified, 
                technically trained and familiar with the 
                supplies or services purchased at the activity; 
                and
                  (B) whose principal duty shall be to assist 
                the Administration procurement center 
                representative in his duties and functions 
                relating to sections 8 and 15 of this Act,
          (9) shall cooperate, and consult on a regular basis, 
        with the Administration with respect to carrying out 
        the functions and duties described in paragraph (4) of 
        this subsection;
          (10) shall make recommendations to contracting 
        officers as to whether a particular contract 
        requirement should be awarded pursuant to subsection 
        (a), section 8(a) of this Act, or section 2323 of title 
        10, United States Code, which shall be made with due 
        regard to the requirements of subsection (m), and the 
        failure of the contracting officer to accept any such 
        recommendations shall be documented and included within 
        the appropriate contract file;
          (11) shall review and advise such agency on any 
        decision to convert an activity performed by a small 
        business concern to an activity performed by a Federal 
        employee;
          (12) shall provide to the Chief Acquisition Officer 
        and senior procurement executive of such agency advice 
        and comments on acquisition strategies, market 
        research, and justifications related to section 44 of 
        this Act;
          (13) may provide training to small business concerns 
        and contract specialists, except that such training may 
        only be provided to the extent that the training does 
        not interfere with the Director carrying out other 
        responsibilities under this subsection;
          (14) shall receive unsolicited proposals and, when 
        appropriate, forward such proposals to personnel of the 
        activity responsible for reviewing such proposals;
          (15) shall carry out exclusively the duties 
        enumerated in this Act, and shall, while the Director, 
        not hold any other title, position, or responsibility, 
        except as necessary to carry out responsibilities under 
        this subsection; and
          (16) shall submit, each fiscal year, to the Committee 
        on Small Business of the House of Representatives and 
        the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of 
        the Senate a report describing--
                  (A) the training provided by the Director 
                under paragraph (13) in the most recently 
                completed fiscal year;
                  (B) the percentage of the budget of the 
                Director used for such training in the most 
                recently completed fiscal year; and
                  (C) the percentage of the budget of the 
                Director used for travel in the most recently 
                completed fiscal year.
This subsection shall not apply to the Administration.
  (l) Procurement Center Representatives.--
          (1) Assignment and role.--The Administrator shall 
        assign to each major procurement center a procurement 
        center representative with such assistance as may be 
        appropriate.
          (2) Activities.--A procurement center representative 
        is authorized to--
          (A) attend any provisioning conference or similar 
        evaluation session during which determinations are made 
        as to whether requirements are to be procured through 
        other than full and open competition and make 
        recommendations with respect to such requirements to 
        the members of such conference or session;
                  (B) review, at any time, barriers to small 
                business participation in Federal contracting 
                previously imposed on goods and services 
                through acquisition method coding or similar 
                procedures, and recommend to personnel of the 
                appropriate activity the prompt reevaluation of 
                such barriers;
                  (C) review barriers to small business 
                participation in Federal contracting arising 
                out of restrictions on the rights of the United 
                States in technical data, and, when 
                appropriate, recommend that personnel of the 
                appropriate activity initiate a review of the 
                validity of such an asserted restriction;
                  (D) review any bundled or consolidated 
                solicitation or contract in accordance with 
                this Act;
                  (E) have access to procurement records and 
                other data of the procurement center 
                commensurate with the level of such 
                representative's approved security clearance 
                classification, with such data provided upon 
                request in electronic format, when available;
                  (F) receive unsolicited proposals from small 
                business concerns and transmit such proposals 
                to personnel of the activity responsible for 
                reviewing such proposals, who shall furnish the 
                procurement center representative with 
                information regarding the disposition of any 
                such proposal;
                  (G) consult with the Director the Office of 
                Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of 
                that agency and the agency personnel described 
                in paragraph (7) and (8) of subsection (k) with 
                regard to agency insourcing decisions covered 
                by subsection (k)(11);
                  (H) be an advocate for the maximum 
                practicable utilization of small business 
                concerns in Federal contracting, including by 
                advocating against the consolidation or 
                bundling of contract requirements when not 
                justified; and
                  (I) carry out any other responsibility 
                assigned by the Administrator.
          (3) Appeals.--A procurement center representative is 
        authorized to appeal the failure to act favorably on 
        any recommendation made pursuant to paragraph (2). Such 
        appeal shall be filed and processed in the same manner 
        and subject to the same conditions and limitations as 
        an appeal filed by the Administrator pursuant to 
        subsection (a).
  (4) The Administration shall assign and co-locate at least 
two small business technical advisers to each major procurement 
center in addition to such other advisers as may be authorized 
from time to time. The sole duties of such advisers shall be to 
assist the procurement center representative for the center to 
which such advisers are assigned in carrying out the functions 
described in paragraph (2) and the representatives referred to 
in subsection (k)(6).
          (5) Position requirements.--
                  (A) In general.--A procurement center 
                representative assigned under this subsection 
                shall--
                          (i) be a full-time employee of the 
                        Administration;
                          (ii) be fully qualified, technically 
                        trained, and familiar with the goods 
                        and services procured by the major 
                        procurement center to which that 
                        representative is assigned; and
                          (iii) have a Level III Federal 
                        Acquisition Certification in 
                        Contracting (or any successor 
                        certification) or the equivalent 
                        Department of Defense certification, 
                        [except that any person serving in such 
                        a position on the date of enactment of 
                        this clause may continue to serve in 
                        that position for a period of 5 years 
                        without the required certification.] 
                        except that--
                                  (I) any person serving in 
                                such a position on or before 
                                January 3, 2013, may continue 
                                to serve in that position for a 
                                period of 5 years beginning on 
                                such date without the required 
                                certification; and
                                  (II) any person hired for 
                                such position after January 3, 
                                2013, may have up to one 
                                calendar year from the date of 
                                employment to obtain the 
                                required certification.
                  (B) Compensation.--The Administrator shall 
                establish personnel positions for procurement 
                center representatives assigned under this 
                subsection, which are classified at a grade 
                level of the General Schedule sufficient to 
                attract and retain highly qualified personnel.
          (6) Major procurement center defined.--For purposes 
        of this subsection, the term ``major procurement 
        center'' means a procurement center that, in the 
        opinion of the Administrator, purchases substantial 
        dollar amounts of goods or services, including goods or 
        services that are commercially available.
          (7) Training.--
                  (A) Authorization.--At such times as the 
                Administrator deems appropriate. the breakout 
                procurement center representative shall conduct 
                familiarization sessions for contracting 
                officers and other appropriate personnel of the 
                procurement center to which such representative 
                is assigned. Such sessions shall acquaint the 
                participants with the provisions of this 
                subsection and shall instruct them in methods 
                designed to further the purposes of such 
                subsection.
                  (B) Limitation.--A procurement center 
                representative may provide training under 
                subparagraph (A) only to the extent that the 
                training does not interfere with the 
                representative carrying out other activities 
                under this subsection.
          (8) Annual briefing and report.--A procurement center 
        representative shall prepare and personally deliver an 
        annual briefing and report to the head of the 
        procurement center to which such representative is 
        assigned. Such briefing and report shall detail the 
        past and planned activities of the representative and 
        shall contain such recommendations for improvement in 
        the operation of the center as may be appropriate. The 
        head of such center shall personally receive such 
        briefing and report and shall, within 60 calendar days 
        after receipt, respond, in writing, to each 
        recommendation made by such representative.
  (m)(1) Each agency subject to the requirements of section 
2323 of title 10, United States Code, shall, when implementing 
such requirements--
          (A) establish policies and procedures that insure 
        that there will be no reduction in the number of dollar 
        value of contracts awarded pursuant to this section and 
        section 8(a) in order to achieve any goal or other 
        program objective; and
          (B) assure that such requirements will not alter or 
        change the procurement process used to implement this 
        section or section 8(a).
  (2) All procurement center representatives (including those 
referred to in subsection (k)(6)), in addition to such other 
duties as may be assigned by the Administrator, shall--
          (A) monitor the performance of the procurement 
        activities to which they are assigned to ascertain the 
        degree of compliance with the requirements of paragraph 
        (1);
          (B) report to their immediate supervisors all 
        instances of noncompliance with such requirements; and
          (C) increase, insofar as possible, the number and 
        dollar value of procurements that may be used for the 
        programs established under this section, section 8(a), 
        and section 2323 of title 10, United States Code.
  (n) For purposes of this section, the determination of labor 
surplus areas shall be made on the basis of the criteria in 
effect at the time of the determination, except that any 
minimum population criteria shall not exceed twenty-five 
thousand. Such determination, as modified by the preceding 
sentence, shall be made by the Secretary of Labor.
  (o) Limitations on Subcontracting.--A concern may not be 
awarded a contract under subsection (a) as a small business 
concern unless the concern agrees to satisfy the requirements 
of section 46.
  (p) Access to Data.--
          (1) Bundled contract defined.--In this subsection, 
        the term ``bundled contract'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 3(o)(1).
          (2) Database.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date of the enactment of this 
                subsection, the Administrator of the Small 
                Business Administration shall develop and shall 
                thereafter maintain a database containing data 
                and information regarding--
                          (i) each bundled contract awarded by 
                        a Federal agency; and
                          (ii) each small business concern that 
                        has been displaced as a prime 
                        contractor as a result of the award of 
                        such a contract.
          (3) Analysis.--For each bundled contract that is to 
        be recompeted as a bundled contract, the Administrator 
        shall determine--
                  (A) the amount of savings and benefits (in 
                accordance with subsection (e)) achieved under 
                the bundling of contract requirements; and
                  (B) whether such savings and benefits will 
                continue to be realized if the contract remains 
                bundled, and whether such savings and benefits 
                would be greater if the procurement 
                requirements were divided into separate 
                solicitations suitable for award to small 
                business concerns.
          (4) Annual report on contract bundling.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of the enactment of this paragraph, 
                and annually in March thereafter, the 
                Administration shall transmit a report on 
                contract bundling to the Committees on Small 
                Business of the House of Representatives and 
                the Senate.
                  (B) Contents.--Each report transmitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                          (i) data on the number, arranged by 
                        industrial classification, of small 
                        business concerns displaced as prime 
                        contractors as a result of the award of 
                        bundled contracts by Federal agencies; 
                        and
                          (ii) a description of the activities 
                        with respect to previously bundled 
                        contracts of each Federal agency during 
                        the preceding year, including--
                                  (I) data on the number and 
                                total dollar amount of all 
                                contract requirements that were 
                                bundled; and
                                  (II) with respect to each 
                                bundled contract, data or 
                                information on--
                                          (aa) the 
                                        justification for the 
                                        bundling of contract 
                                        requirements;
                                          (bb) the cost savings 
                                        realized by bundling 
                                        the contract 
                                        requirements over the 
                                        life of the contract;
                                          (cc) the extent to 
                                        which maintaining the 
                                        bundled status of 
                                        contract requirements 
                                        is projected to result 
                                        in continued cost 
                                        savings;
                                          (dd) the extent to 
                                        which the bundling of 
                                        contract requirements 
                                        complied with the 
                                        contracting agency's 
                                        small business 
                                        subcontracting plan, 
                                        including the total 
                                        dollar value awarded to 
                                        small business concerns 
                                        as subcontractors and 
                                        the total dollar value 
                                        previously awarded to 
                                        small business concerns 
                                        as prime contractors; 
                                        and
                                          (ee) the impact of 
                                        the bundling of 
                                        contract requirements 
                                        on small business 
                                        concerns unable to 
                                        compete as prime 
                                        contractors for the 
                                        consolidated 
                                        requirements and on the 
                                        industries of such 
                                        small business 
                                        concerns, including a 
                                        description of any 
                                        changes to the 
                                        proportion of any such 
                                        industry that is 
                                        composed of small 
                                        business concerns.
          (5) Access to data.--
                  (A) Federal procurement data system.--To 
                assist in the implementation of this section, 
                the Administration shall have access to 
                information collected through the Federal 
                Procurement Data System.
                  (B) Agency procurement data sources.--To 
                assist in the implementation of this section, 
                the head of each contracting agency shall 
                provide, upon request of the Administration, 
                procurement information collected through 
                existing agency data collection sources.
  (q) Reports Related to Procurement Center Representatives.--
          (1) Teaming  and joint venture requirements.--[Each 
        Federal agency]
                  (A) In general._Each Federal agency shall 
                include in each solicitation for any multiple 
                award contract above the substantial bundling 
                threshold of the Federal agency a provision 
                soliciting bids from any responsible source, 
                including responsible small business concerns 
                and teams or joint ventures of small business 
                concerns.
                  (B) Teams.--When evaluating an offer of a 
                small business prime contractor whose offer 
                includes a proposed team of small business 
                subcontractors for any multiple award contract 
                above the substantial bundling threshold of the 
                Federal agency, the head of the agency shall 
                consider the capabilities and past performance 
                of each first tier subcontractor that is part 
                of the team as the capabilities and past 
                performance of the offeror.
                  (C) Joint ventures.--When evaluating an offer 
                of a joint venture of small business concerns 
                for any multiple award contract above the 
                substantial bundling threshold of the Federal 
                agency, if the joint venture does not have 
                sufficient capabilities or past performance to 
                be considered for award of a contract 
                opportunity, the head of the agency shall 
                consider the capabilities and past performance 
                of each member of the joint venture as the 
                capabilities and past performance of the joint 
                venture.
                  (D) Use of small business teams or joint 
                ventures.--
                          (i) In general.--For contracts 
                        awarded under section 8(a), 8(m), 
                        15(a), 15(j), 31, or 36 to a small 
                        business team or a joint venture of 
                        small business concerns, the 
                        contracting officer shall certify 
                        annually to the Administration, for 
                        each year the contract is in effect, 
                        that each small business concern member 
                        of such team or joint venture has the 
                        same status of a small business 
                        concern, small business concern owned 
                        and controlled by service-disabled 
                        veterans, qualified HUBZone small 
                        business concern, small business 
                        concern owned and controlled by 
                        socially and economically disadvantaged 
                        individuals, or small business concern 
                        owned and controlled by women, as 
                        applicable, that such concern had at 
                        the time the contract was awarded.
                          (ii) Exception.--The requirements of 
                        clause (i) shall not apply to a 
                        contract awarded to a joint venture of 
                        small business concerns that is a 
                        protege under a mentor-protege program 
                        approved pursuant to section 45.
          (2) Policies on reduction of contract bundling.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
                Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council 
                established under section 25(a) of the Office 
                of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
                4219(a)) shall amend the Federal Acquisition 
                Regulation issued under section 25 of such Act 
                to--
                          (i) establish a Government-wide 
                        policy regarding contract bundling, 
                        including regarding the solicitation of 
                        teaming and joint ventures under 
                        paragraph (1); and
                          (ii) require that the policy 
                        established under clause (i) be 
                        published on the website of each 
                        Federal agency.
                  (B) Rationale for contract bundling.--Not 
                later than 30 days after the date on which the 
                head of a Federal agency submits data 
                certifications to the Administrator for Federal 
                Procurement Policy, the head of the Federal 
                agency shall publish on the website of the 
                Federal agency a list and rationale for any 
                bundled contract for which the Federal agency 
                solicited bids or that was awarded by the 
                Federal agency.
          (3) Reporting.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of enactment of this subsection, and every 3 years 
        thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the 
        Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House 
        of Representatives a report regarding procurement 
        center representatives and commercial market 
        representatives, which shall--
                  (A) identify each area for which the 
                Administration has assigned a procurement 
                center representative or a commercial market 
                representative;
                  (B) explain why the Administration selected 
                the areas identified under subparagraph (A); 
                and
                  (C) describe the activities performed by 
                procurement center representatives and 
                commercial market representatives.
  (r) Multiple Award Contracts.--Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator for 
Federal Procurement Policy and the Administrator, in 
consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall, 
by regulation, establish guidance under which Federal agencies 
may, at their discretion--
          (1) set aside part or parts of a multiple award 
        contract for small business concerns, including the 
        subcategories of small business concerns identified in 
        subsection (g)(2);
          (2) notwithstanding the fair opportunity requirements 
        under section 2304c(b) of title 10, United States Code, 
        and section 303J(b) of the Federal Property and 
        Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 
        253j(b)), set aside orders placed against multiple 
        award contracts for small business concerns, including 
        the subcategories of small business concerns identified 
        in subsection (g)(2); and
          (3) reserve 1 or more contract awards for small 
        business concerns under full and open multiple award 
        procurements, including the subcategories of small 
        business concerns identified in subsection (g)(2).
  (s) Data Quality Improvement Plan.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than October 1, 2015, the 
        Administrator of the Small Business Administration, in 
        consultation with the Small Business Procurement 
        Advisory Council, the Administrator for Federal 
        Procurement Policy, and the Administrator of General 
        Services, shall develop a plan to improve the quality 
        of data reported on bundled or consolidated contracts 
        in the Federal procurement data system (described in 
        section 1122(a)(4)(A) of title 41, United States Code).
          (2) Plan requirements.--The plan shall--
                  (A) describe the roles and responsibilities 
                of the Administrator of the Small Business 
                Administration, each Director of Small and 
                Disadvantaged Business Utilization, the 
                Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, 
                the Administrator of General Services, senior 
                procurement executives, and Chief Acquisition 
                Officers in--
                          (i) improving the quality of data 
                        reported on bundled or consolidated 
                        contracts in the Federal procurement 
                        data system; and
                          (ii) contributing to the annual 
                        report required by subsection (p)(4);
                  (B) recommend changes to policies and 
                procedures, including training procedures of 
                relevant personnel, to properly identify and 
                mitigate the effects of bundled or consolidated 
                contracts;
                  (C) recommend requirements for periodic and 
                statistically valid data verification and 
                validation; and
                  (D) recommend clear data verification 
                responsibilities.
          (3) Plan submission.--The Administrator of the Small 
        Business Administration shall submit the plan to the 
        Committee on Small Business of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and 
        Entrepreneurship of the Senate not later than December 
        1, 2016.
          (4) Implementation.--Not later than the first day of 
        fiscal year 2017, the Administrator of the Small 
        Business Administration shall implement the plan 
        described in this subsection.
          (5) Certification.--The Administrator shall annually 
        provide to the Committee on Small Business of the House 
        of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business 
        and Entrepreneurship of the Senate certification of the 
        accuracy and completeness of data reported on bundled 
        and consolidated contracts.
          [(4)] (6) Definitions.--In this subsection, the 
        following definitions apply:
                  (A) Chief acquisition officer; senior 
                procurement executive.--The terms ``Chief 
                Acquisition Officer'' and ``senior procurement 
                executive'' have the meanings given such terms 
                in section 44(a) of this Act.
                  (B) Bundled or consolidated contract.--The 
                term ``bundled or consolidated contract'' means 
                a bundled contract (as defined in section 3(o)) 
                or a contract resulting from the consolidation 
                of contracting requirements (as defined in 
                section 44(a)(2)).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 44. CONSOLIDATION OF CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

  (a) Definitions.--In this section--
          (1) the term ``Chief Acquisition Officer'' means the 
        employee of a Federal agency appointed or designated as 
        the Chief Acquisition Officer for the Federal agency 
        under section 1702(a) of title 41, United States Code;
          (2) the term ``consolidation of contract 
        requirements'', with respect to contract requirements 
        of a Federal agency, means a use of a solicitation to 
        obtain offers for a single contract or a multiple award 
        contract--
                  (A) to satisfy 2 or more requirements of the 
                Federal agency for goods or services that have 
                been provided to or performed for the Federal 
                agency under 2 or more separate contracts lower 
                in cost than the total cost of the contract for 
                which the offers are solicited; or
                  (B) to satisfy requirements of the Federal 
                agency for construction projects to be 
                performed at 2 or more discrete sites; and
          (3) the term ``senior procurement executive'' means 
        an official designated under section 1702(c) of title 
        41, United States Code as the senior procurement 
        executive for a Federal agency.
  (b) Policy.--The head of each Federal agency shall ensure 
that the decisions made by the Federal agency regarding 
consolidation of contract requirements of the Federal agency 
are made with a view to providing small business concerns with 
appropriate opportunities to participate as prime contractors 
and subcontractors in the procurements of the Federal agency.
  (c) Limitation on Use of Acquisition Strategies Involving 
Consolidation.--
          (1) In general.--[Subject to paragraph (4), the head] 
        The head of a Federal agency may not carry out an 
        acquisition strategy that includes a consolidation of 
        contract requirements of the Federal agency with a 
        total value of more than $2,000,000, unless the senior 
        procurement executive or Chief Acquisition Officer for 
        the Federal agency, before carrying out the acquisition 
        strategy--
                  (A) conducts market research;
                  (B) identifies any alternative contracting 
                approaches that would involve a lesser degree 
                of consolidation of contract requirements;
                  (C) makes a written determination that the 
                consolidation of contract requirements is 
                necessary and justified;
                  (D) identifies any negative impact by the 
                acquisition strategy on contracting with small 
                business concerns; and
                  (E) ensures that steps will be taken to 
                include small business concerns in the 
                acquisition strategy.
          (2) Determination that consolidation is necessary and 
        justified.--
                  (A) In general.--A senior procurement 
                executive or Chief Acquisition Officer may 
                determine that an acquisition strategy 
                involving a consolidation of contract 
                requirements is necessary and justified for the 
                purposes of paragraph (1)(C) if the benefits of 
                the acquisition strategy substantially exceed 
                the benefits of each of the possible 
                alternative contracting approaches identified 
                under paragraph (1)(B).
                  (B) Savings in administrative or personnel 
                costs.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), 
                savings in administrative or personnel costs 
                alone do not constitute a sufficient 
                justification for a consolidation of contract 
                requirements in a procurement unless the 
                expected total amount of the cost savings, as 
                determined by the senior procurement executive 
                or Chief Acquisition Officer, is expected to be 
                substantial in relation to the total cost of 
                the procurement.
                  (C) Notice.--Not later than 7 days after 
                making a determination that an acquisition 
                strategy involving a consolidation of contract 
                requirements is necessary and justified under 
                subparagraph (A), the senior procurement 
                executive or Chief Acquisition Officer shall 
                publish a notice on a public website that such 
                determination has been made. Any solicitation 
                for a procurement related to the acquisition 
                strategy may not be published earlier than 7 
                days after such notice is published. Along with 
                the publication of the solicitation, the senior 
                procurement executive or Chief Acquisition 
                Officer shall publish a justification for the 
                determination, which shall include the 
                information in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of 
                paragraph (1).
          (3) Benefits to be considered.--The benefits 
        considered for the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2) 
        may include cost and, regardless of whether 
        quantifiable in dollar amounts--
                  (A) quality;
                  (B) acquisition cycle;
                  (C) terms and conditions; and
                  (D) any other benefit.

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SEC. 46. LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING.

  (a) In General.--If awarded a contract under section 8(a), 
8(m), 15(a), 31, or 36, a covered small business concern--
          (1) in the case of a contract for services, may not 
        expend on subcontractors more than 50 percent of the 
        amount paid to the concern under the contract;
          (2) in the case of a contract for supplies (other 
        than from a regular dealer in such supplies), may not 
        expend on subcontractors more than 50 percent of the 
        amount, less the cost of materials, paid to the concern 
        under the contract;
          (3) in the case of a contract described in paragraphs 
        (1) and (2)--
                  (A) shall determine for which category, 
                services (as described in paragraph (1)) or 
                supplies (as described in paragraph (2)), the 
                greatest percentage of the contract is awarded;
                  (B) shall determine the amount awarded under 
                the contract for that category of services or 
                supplies; and
                  (C) may not expend on subcontractors, with 
                respect to the amount determined under 
                subparagraph (B), more than 50 percent of that 
                amount; and
          (4) in the case of a contract [for supplies from a 
        regular dealer in such supplies] which is principally 
        for supplies from a regular dealer in such supplies, 
        and which is not a contract principally for services or 
        construction, shall supply the product of a domestic 
        small business manufacturer or processor, unless a 
        waiver of such requirement is granted--
                  (A) by the Administrator, after reviewing a 
                determination by the applicable contracting 
                officer that no small business manufacturer or 
                processor can reasonably be expected to offer a 
                product meeting the specifications (including 
                period for performance) required by the 
                contract; or
                  (B) by the Administrator for a product (or 
                class of products), after determining that no 
                small business manufacturer or processor is 
                available to participate in the Federal 
                procurement market.
  (b) Similarly Situated Entities.--Contract amounts expended 
by a covered small business concern on a subcontractor that is 
a similarly situated entity shall not be considered 
subcontracted for purposes of determining whether the covered 
small business concern has violated a requirement established 
under subsection (a) or (d).
  (c) Modifications of Percentages.--The Administrator may 
change, by rule (after providing notice and an opportunity for 
public comment), a percentage specified in paragraphs (1) 
through (4) of subsection (a) if the Administrator determines 
that such change is necessary to reflect conventional industry 
practices among business concerns that are below the numerical 
size standard for businesses in that industry category.
  (d) Other Contracts.--
          (1) In general.--With respect to a category of 
        contracts to which a requirement under subsection (a) 
        does not apply, the Administrator is authorized to 
        establish, by rule (after providing notice and an 
        opportunity for public comment), a requirement that a 
        covered small business concern may not expend on 
        subcontractors more than a specified percentage of the 
        amount paid to the concern under a contract in that 
        category.
          (2) Uniformity.--A requirement established under 
        paragraph (1) shall apply to all covered small business 
        concerns.
          (3) Construction projects.--The Administrator shall 
        establish, through public rulemaking, requirements 
        similar to those specified in paragraph (1) to be 
        applicable to contracts for general and specialty 
        construction and to contracts for any other industry 
        category not otherwise subject to the requirements of 
        such paragraph. The percentage applicable to any such 
        requirement shall be determined in accordance with 
        paragraph (1).
  (e) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions 
apply:
          (1) Covered small business concern.--The term 
        ``covered small business concern'' means a business 
        concern that--
                  (A) with respect to a contract awarded under 
                section 8(a), is a small business concern 
                eligible to receive contracts under that 
                section;
                  (B) with respect to a contract awarded under 
                section 8(m)--
                          (i) is a small business concern owned 
                        and controlled by women (as defined in 
                        that section); or
                          (ii) is a small business concern 
                        owned and controlled by women (as 
                        defined in that section) that is not 
                        less than 51 percent owned by 1 or more 
                        women who are economically 
                        disadvantaged (and such ownership is 
                        determined without regard to any 
                        community property law);
                  (C) with respect to a contract awarded under 
                section 15(a), is a small business concern;
                  (D) with respect to a contract awarded under 
                section 31, is a qualified HUBZone small 
                business concern; or
                  (E) with respect to a contract awarded under 
                section 36, is a small business concern owned 
                and controlled by service-disabled veterans.
          (2) Similarly situated entity.--The term ``similarly 
        situated entity'' means a subcontractor that--
                  (A) if a subcontractor for a small business 
                concern, is a small business concern;
                  (B) if a subcontractor for a small business 
                concern eligible to receive contracts under 
                section 8(a), is such a concern;
                  (C) if a subcontractor for a small business 
                concern owned and controlled by women (as 
                defined in section 8(m)), is such a concern;
                  (D) if a subcontractor for a small business 
                concern owned and controlled by women (as 
                defined in section 8(m)) that is not less than 
                51 percent owned by 1 or more women who are 
                economically disadvantaged (and such ownership 
                is determined without regard to any community 
                property law), is such a concern;
                  (E) if a subcontractor for a qualified 
                HUBZone small business concern, is such a 
                concern; or
                  (F) if a subcontractor for a small business 
                concern owned and controlled by service-
                disabled veterans, is such a concern.

SEC. 47. LIMITATIONS ON REVERSE AUCTIONS.

  (a) Prohibition on Using Reverse Auctions for Covered 
Contracts.--In the case of a covered contract described in 
subsection (c), reverse auction methods may not be used if the 
award of the contract is to be made under--
          (1) section 8(a);
          (2) section 8(m);
          (3) section 15(a);
          (4) section 15(j);
          (5) section 31; or
          (6) section 36.
  (b) Limitations on Using Reverse Auctions.--In the case of 
the award of a contract to be made under paragraphs (1) through 
(6) of subsection (a) that is not a covered contract, reverse 
auction methods may be used pursuant to the following 
requirements:
          (1) Decisions regarding use of a reverse auction.--A 
        contracting officer shall make the following decisions, 
        which may not be delegated to any person except for 
        another contracting officer who meets the training 
        requirements of paragraph (2):
                  (A) A decision to use reverse auction methods 
                as part of the competition for award of a 
                contract.
                  (B) Any decision made after the decision 
                described in subsection (A) regarding the 
                appropriate evaluation criteria, the inclusion 
                of vendors, the acceptability of vendor 
                submissions (including decisions regarding 
                timeliness), and the selection of the winner.
          (2) Training required.--Only a contracting officer 
        who has received training on the appropriate use and 
        supervision of reverse auction methods of contracting 
        may supervise or use such methods in a procurement for 
        a contract. The training shall be provided by, or 
        similar to the training provided by, the Defense 
        Acquisition University as described in section 824 of 
        the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon National 
        Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public 
        Law 113-291).
          (3) Number of offers; revisions to bids.--A Federal 
        agency may not award a contract using a reverse auction 
        method if only one offer is received or if offerors do 
        not have the ability to submit revised bids with lower 
        prices throughout the course of the auction.
          (4) Technically acceptable offers.--A Federal agency 
        awarding a contract using a reverse auction method 
        shall evaluate the technical acceptability of offers 
        only as technically acceptable or unacceptable.
          (5) Use of price rankings.--A Federal agency may not 
        award a contract using a reverse auction method if at 
        any time during the award process the Federal agency 
        misinforms an offeror about the price ranking of the 
        offeror's last offer submitted in relation to offers 
        submitted by other offerors.
          (6) Use of third-party agents.--If a Federal agency 
        uses a third party agent to assist with the award of 
        contracts using a reverse auction method, the Federal 
        agency shall ensure that--
                  (A) inherently governmental functions (as 
                such term is used in section 2303 of title 41, 
                United States Code) are not performed by 
                private contractors, including by the third 
                party agent;
                  (B) information on the past contract 
                performance of offerors created by the third 
                party agent and shared with the Federal agency 
                is collected, maintained, and shared in 
                compliance with section 1126 of title 41, 
                United States Code;
                  (C) information on whether an offeror is a 
                responsible source (as defined in section 113 
                of title 41, United States Code) that is 
                created by the third party agent and shared 
                with the Federal agency is shared with the 
                offeror and complies with section 8(b)(7) of 
                this Act; and
                  (D) disputes between the third party agent 
                and an offeror may not be used to justify a 
                determination that an offeror is not a 
                responsible source (as defined in section 113 
                of title 41, United States Code) or to 
                otherwise restrict the ability of an offeror to 
                compete for the award of a contract or task or 
                delivery order.
  (c) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) Contracting officer.--The term ``contracting 
        officer'' has the meaning given that term in section 
        2101(1) of title 41, United States Code.
          (2) Covered contract.--The term ``covered contract'' 
        means a contract--
                  (A) for design and construction services;
                  (B) for goods purchased to protect Federal 
                employees, members of the Armed Forces, or 
                civilians from bodily harm; or
                  (C) for goods or services other than those 
                goods or services described in subparagraph (A) 
                or (B)--
                          (i) to be awarded based on factors 
                        other than price and technical 
                        responsibility; or
                          (ii) if awarding the contract 
                        requires the contracting officer to 
                        conduct discussions with the offerors 
                        about their offer.
          (3) Design and construction services.--The term 
        ``design and construction services'' means--
                  (A) site planning and landscape design;
                  (B) architectural and interior design;
                  (C) engineering system design;
                  (D) performance of construction work for 
                facility, infrastructure, and environmental 
                restoration projects;
                  (E) delivery and supply of construction 
                materials to construction sites;
                  (F) construction, alteration, or repair, 
                including painting and decorating, of public 
                buildings and public works; and
                  (G) architectural and engineering services as 
                defined in section 1102 of title 40, United 
                States Code.
          (4) Reverse auction.--The term ``reverse auction'' 
        means, with respect to procurement by an agency, an 
        auction between a group of offerors who compete against 
        each other by submitting offers for a contract or task 
        or delivery order with the ability to submit revised 
        offers with lower prices throughout the course of the 
        auction.
  Sec. [47.]  48. All laws and parts of laws inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed to the extent of such 
inconsistency.

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