Book Description

"H.R. 2377 is a bill which would allow the SBA to waive part or all of the Federal bonding requirements with respect to contracts let under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. We have been advised by many 8(a) contractors that the lack of bonding availability is the single most inhibiting factor preventing 8(a) contractors from obtaining more Federal construction work. H.R. 2377 is an attempt to remedy this problem by granting the SBA the flexibility needed to more effectively control the overall development of the 8 (a) company. H.R. 2379, the second bill under consideration today, would greatly affect indirect Government procurements. The bill provides that it would be a condition for receiving most Federal assistance-whether it be by grant, insurance, guarantee, or otherwise-that the recipient undertake an obligation to utilize small business, to the extent practicable, in any procurements which may be paid for with such Federal assistance. In effect, H.R. 2379 would attach to most forms of Federal financial assistance the commitment to aid small business if such assistance is eventually used for procurements"--Page 1.