Bill > HR4317

This bill, known as the PROS Act of 2016, amends the Small Business Act to establish a pilot program aimed at helping small businesses that act as first-tier subcontractors on federal contracts. Under this program, these small businesses will be able to request a past performance rating, which is a record of how well a contractor has performed on previous projects, within the federal government's system for tracking contractor performance. The process involves the small business submitting an application with evidence and a suggested rating, which is then reviewed by the contracting officer and the prime contractor. If they agree, the rating is entered; if they disagree or fail to respond within a set timeframe, a specific procedure is followed to enter a rating along with all submitted information. This rating can then be used by the small business subcontractor to demonstrate its past performance on future prime contracts. The pilot program is set to last for three years, after which the Comptroller General will assess its effectiveness and report findings and recommendations to Congress.