[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 54881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22388]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


Suspension of Applicants for Small Disadvantaged Business Program

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is suspending the 
receipt of applications for the Government-wide small disadvantaged 
business (SDB) program effective September 22, 2008. SBA will continue 
to process all applications received before that date to completion, 
unless an applicant withdraws its application.

DATES: Effective Date: September 22, 2008.
    Applicability Date: This suspension applies until lifted by SBA 
through notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leo Sanchez, Acting Director, Office 
of Certification and Eligibility, at (202) 619-1658, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since 1996, the SBA has performed this 
function on behalf of all Federal procuring agencies and has received 
reimbursement from these other agencies through Economy Act Agreements. 
On December 9, 2004, Congress allowed the price evaluation adjustment 
authority for SDBs to expire for the majority of agencies. As a 
consequence, other agencies have become less inclined to enter into 
Economy Act Agreements to pay for the SBA SDB certification process. As 
SBA reassesses the SDB certification program, SBA believes that it is 
necessary to suspend the receipt of further applications for SDB 
certification. During this suspension, SBA will continue to process all 
applications received prior to the effective date of the suspension to 
completion. This means that any application that is initially denied on 
reconsideration may be appealed to SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals 
pursuant to SBA's regulations. In addition, SBA will continue to 
process protests of SDB eligibility in connection with specific 
Government contracts or subcontracts during the suspension. Any firm 
not wishing to complete the application process may withdraw its SDB 
application at any time.

    Dated: September 16, 2008.
Calvin Jenkins,
Acting Associate Administrator for Government Contracting and Business 
Development.
[FR Doc. E8-22388 Filed 9-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P