Rep. Cisneros and Commissioner Hernández Introduce Bill to Strengthen Small Business Participation in Federal Contracts
WASHINGTON — Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) introduced the PROMISE for Small Businesses Act, legislation to enhance oversight of federal contracting and protect the commitments made to small businesses and their participation in subcontracting opportunities.
Currently, large companies and corporations that receive certain federal contracts are required to provide plans outlining how they will provide subcontracting opportunities to small businesses. This legislation directs the Small Business Administrator to conduct compliance reviews to ensure large contractors follow through on their promise to deliver opportunities to small businesses in their subcontracting plans.
“Small businesses are critical to our economy and they deserve a fair shot in the federal marketplace.” said Rep. Gil Cisneros. “I’m proud to join Rep. Pablo José Hernández to introduce the PROMISE for Small Businesses Act to make sure they are not being left out. If enacted, this legislation would strengthen oversight of federal contracts to help ensure that large prime contractors keep their promise to small businesses as outlined in subcontracting plans. It would direct reviews of subcontracting plans and require reporting to Congress on compliance, noncompliance trends, and any enforcement actions taken. We cannot allow our small businesses to be pushed out of federal contracting.”
“When companies receive federal contracts and commit to working with small businesses, we should make sure they follow through,” said Hernández. “These opportunities can help small businesses grow, create jobs, and build experience in the federal marketplace. Our bill strengthens accountability and helps ensure those opportunities reach them.”
Small businesses greatly benefit from competing in the federal marketplace, and this bill will ensure they’re able to continue to do so fairly.
The PROMISE for Small Businesses Act would require the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to review at least 10 percent of contracts subject to these subcontracting plans at each federal agency every year to determine whether contractors are meeting their commitments.
The legislation would also require the SBA to report:
- whether contractors complied with their small business subcontracting plans;
- how many compliance reviews the agency conducted;
- what compliance issues were identified; and
- what additional actions or reviews the SBA took in response.
Full text of the bill can be found here.
Rep. Cisneros is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, and on the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. He is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and serves on its leadership team as the Freshman Representative.
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