[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 233 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64026-64027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29115]


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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

13 CFR Parts 121 and 124

RIN 3245-AF53


Small Business Size Regulations; 8(a) Business Development/Small 
Disadvantaged Business Status Determinations; Tribal Consultation

AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of tribal consultation meeting; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announces that it 
is holding tribal consultation meetings in Seattle, Washington and 
Albuquerque, New Mexico on the topic of the proposed 8(a) Business 
Development (BD) program regulations. Testimony presented at this 
tribal consultation meeting will become part of the administrative 
record for SBA's consideration when the Agency deliberates on 
approaches to changes in the regulations pertaining to the 8(a) BD 
program.

DATES: The tribal consultation meetings will be held on Wednesday, 
December 16, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Seattle, Washington, and on 
Thursday, January 14, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Albuquerque, New 
Mexico.
    The tribal consultation meeting pre-registration deadline dates 
are: December 10, 2009 at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) for the 
Seattle location; and January 8, 2010 at 5 p.m. EST for the Albuquerque 
location.

ADDRESSES:  1. The Seattle Tribal Consultation meeting address is South 
Seattle Community College's Georgetown Campus, Building C--Gene J. 
Colin Ed. Bldg., 6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108.
    2. The Albuquerque Tribal Consultation meeting address is American 
Indian Cultural Center, 2401 12 Street, NW., Albuquerque, NM 87104.
    3. Send pre-registration requests to attend and/or testify to Ms. 
Carol Walker, Office of Native American Affairs, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 Third Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416; by e-mail 
to [email protected]; or by facsimile to (202) 481-0614.
    4. Send all written comments to Mr. Joseph Loddo, Associate 
Administrator for Business Development, U.S. Small Business 
Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416; 
[email protected]; or by facsimile to (202) 481-2740.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have any questions on this 
proposed rulemaking, call or e-mail LeAnn Delaney, Deputy Associate 
Administrator, Office of Business Development, at (202) 205-5852, or 
[email protected]. If you have any questions about registering or 
attending the tribal consultation please contact Ms. Carol Walker at 
202-205-7094, or [email protected]; or by facsimile to (202) 481-
0614.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On October 28, 2009 (74 FR 55694-01), SBA issued a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), publicly available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-25416.htm. In that document, SBA 
proposed to make a number of changes to the regulations governing the 
8(a) BD Program Regulations and several changes to its Small Business 
Size Regulations. Some of the changes involve technical issues. Other 
changes are more substantive and result from SBA's experience in 
implementing the current regulations. In addition to written comments, 
SBA is requesting oral comments on the various approaches for the 
proposed changes.

II. Tribal Consultation Meetings

    The purpose of these tribal consultation meetings is to conform to 
the requirements of Executive Order 13175, Tribal Consultations; to 
provide interested parties with an opportunity to discuss their views 
on the issues; and for SBA to obtain the views of these SBA's 
stakeholders on approaches to the 8(a) BD program regulations. SBA 
considers tribal consultation meetings a valuable component of its 
deliberations and believes that this tribal consultation meeting will 
allow for constructive dialogue with the tribal community, Tribal 
Leaders, Elders and elected members of Alaska Native Villages or their 
appointed representatives.
    The format of these tribal consultation meetings will consist of a 
panel of SBA representatives who will preside over the session. The 
oral and written testimony will become part of the administrative 
record for SBA's consideration. Written testimony may be submitted in 
lieu of oral testimony.
    SBA will analyze the testimony, both oral and written, along with 
any written comments received. SBA officials may ask questions of a 
presenter to clarify or further explain the testimony. The purpose of 
the tribal consultation is to allow the tribal community, Tribal 
Leaders, Elders and elected members of Alaska Native Villages or their 
appointed representatives to comment

[[Page 64027]]

on SBA's proposed rulemaking. SBA requests that the comments focus on 
the proposed changes as stated in the NPRM. SBA requests that 
commentors do not raise issues pertaining to other SBA small business 
programs.
    Presenters may provide a written copy of their testimony. SBA will 
accept written material that the presenter wishes to provide that 
further supplements his or her testimony. Electronic or digitized 
copies are encouraged.
    SBA will also hold additional general public meetings before the 
close of the comment period for this rulemaking.
    The tribal consultation meetings will be held for one day. The 
meeting in Seattle will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. (Pacific 
Standard Time), with a break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting in 
Albuquerque will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. (Mountain Standard 
Time), with a break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. SBA will adjourn early if 
all those scheduled have delivered their testimony.

III. Registration

    SBA respectfully requests that any elected or appointed 
representative of the tribal communities that are interested in 
attending please pre-register in advance and indicate whether you would 
like to testify at the hearing. Registration requests should be 
received by SBA by December 10, 2009 at 5 p.m. EST for the Seattle 
location, and by January 8, 2010 at 5 p.m. EST for the Albuquerque 
location. Please contact Ms. Carol Walker in SBA's Office of Native 
American Affairs in writing at [email protected] or by facsimile 
at (202) 481-0614.
    If you are interested in testifying please include the following 
information relating to the person testifying: Name, Organization 
affiliation, Address, Telephone number, E-mail address and Fax number. 
SBA will attempt to accommodate all interested parties that wish to 
present testimony. Based on the number of registrants it may be 
necessary to impose time limits to ensure that everyone who wishes to 
testify has the opportunity to do so. SBA will confirm in writing the 
registration of presenters and attendees.

IV. Information on Service for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the public meetings, 
contact Ms. Carol Walker at the telephone number or e-mail address 
indicated under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this 
notice.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 632, 634(b)(6), 636(b), 637(a), 644 and 
662(5); Pub. L. 105-135, sec. 401 et seq., 111 Stat. 2592; and, E.O. 
13175, 65 FR 67249.

    Dated: December 2, 2009.
Clara Pratte,
National Director for the Office of Native American Affairs.
[FR Doc. E9-29115 Filed 12-4-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P