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Bill > HR3893


US HR3893

US HR3893
Subcontracting Transparency and Reliability Act of 2012


summary

Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

112th Congress

Bill Summary

Subcontracting Transparency and Reliability Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit a small business receiving a guaranteed loan through the Small Business Administration (SBA) from expending more on subcontractors than: (1) 50% of the loan amount received, in case of a contract for services other than construction; (2) 85%, in the case of a contract for general construction; (3) 75%, in case of a contract for construction by a special trade contractor; and (4) 50%, in the case of a contract for supplies (other than from a regular dealer in such supplies). Requires the small business, in case of a contract for supplies from a regular dealer, to supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor, unless the SBA grants a waiver. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to: (1) modify the above percentage limits when necessary to reflect conventional industry practices; and (2) establish a subcontractor percentage limit for contracts not covered by (1) through (4), above. Provides penalties for violations of such limits. Requires each subcontracting plan submitted to federal agencies to contain assurances that the offeror or bidder will: (1) report on subcontracting activities throughout the life of the contract, and (2) cooperate with any study or survey required by the federal agency or SBA to determine the extent of compliance with the subcontracting plan. Directs the Administrator to ensure that the federal subcontracting reporting system to which such reports are submitted is modified to notify the Administrator, the appropriate contracting officer, and the appropriate Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization if an entity fails to submit a required report. Makes such failure a breach of contract for which appropriate action may be taken. Provides that if an agency procurement center or commercial market representative determines that a subcontracting plan fails to provide the maximum practicable opportunity for small businesses to participate, such representative may delay acceptance of the plan for a 30-day period for plan alteration. Allows a federal agency to convert a function from performance by a small business to performance by a federal employee only if: (1) the agency has made publicly available the procedures for such a decision, and (2) the procedures require such decisions to be reviewed by the appropriate Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and procurement representative.

AI Summary

This bill, the Subcontracting Transparency and Reliability Act of 2012, amends the Small Business Act to establish clearer rules for small businesses that receive government contracts and utilize subcontractors. Key provisions include setting specific percentage limits on how much of a contract a small business can subcontract, with different limits for services (50%), general construction (85%), specialty construction (75%), and supplies (50%). For contracts involving supplies from a regular dealer, the small business must ensure the product comes from a domestic small business manufacturer or processor, unless the Small Business Administration (SBA) grants a waiver. The bill also empowers the SBA Administrator to adjust these percentage limits based on industry practices and to set limits for contract types not explicitly covered. Penalties are established for violations of these subcontracting limits, and the federal subcontracting reporting system will be modified to flag non-compliance, which can be considered a breach of contract. Furthermore, the bill requires subcontracting plans submitted to federal agencies to include assurances of reporting on subcontracting activities and cooperation with studies, and it allows for a 30-day delay in accepting a plan if it doesn't provide maximum opportunity for small businesses. Finally, the bill introduces new regulations for "insourcing," meaning a federal agency can only convert a function from being performed by a small business to being performed by a federal employee if specific public procedures are followed and reviewed by relevant small business utilization offices and procurement representatives.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 534. (on 12/27/2012)

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