summary
Introduced
04/15/2015
04/15/2015
In Committee
04/23/2015
04/23/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Small Business Fairness Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to revise requirements with respect to solicitation of offers for bundled contracts issued by the head of a federal agency that allows a small business to submit an offer (bid) that provides for the use of a particular team of subcontractors for the performance of the contract. The small business may now also bid on a bundled or consolidated contract that provides for the use of a joint venture of small businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA), with respect to either a single or a multiple contract award, must evaluate teams and joint ventures of small business concerns by considering their prior experience and past performance as well as (according to current law) their capabilities. For certain federal procurement contracts awarded to a team of small business prime contractors and subcontractors or a joint venture of small businesses, the contracting officer must certify annually to the SBA, for each year the contract is in effect, that each small business member of the team or joint venture has the same status of a small business, small business owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone small business, small business owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, or small business owned and controlled by women, as applicable, that it had at the time the contract was awarded. This requirement shall not apply to a contract awarded to a joint venture of small businesses that is a protege under a SBA approved mentor-protege program.
AI Summary
This bill, the Small Business Fairness Act, amends the Small Business Act to allow small businesses to bid on bundled or consolidated federal contracts not only as a team of subcontractors but also as a joint venture of small businesses. A bundled contract is a single contract that combines the needs of more than one federal agency or more than one requirement of a federal agency. A joint venture is a business arrangement where two or more parties agree to pool their resources for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will evaluate these teams and joint ventures by considering their prior experience and past performance, in addition to their capabilities. For contracts awarded to these teams or joint ventures, contracting officers must annually certify to the SBA that each small business member maintains its eligible small business status (e.g., small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, or disadvantaged or women-owned small business) throughout the contract's duration, unless the joint venture is part of an SBA-approved mentor-protege program.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
By Senator Vitter from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 114-288. (on 06/28/2016)
Official Document
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