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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1866 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 225
114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1866

To establish the veterans' business outreach center program, to improve 
the programs for veterans of the Small Business Administration, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 27, 2015

 Mr. Vitter (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, and Ms. Hirono) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                  Small Business and Entrepreneurship

                           September 15, 2015

               Reported by Mr. Vitter, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To establish the veterans' business outreach center program, to improve 
the programs for veterans of the Small Business Administration, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Small Business 
Ownership Improvements Act of 2015''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. VETERANS' BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER PROGRAM; OFFICE OF 
              VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 657b) is amended by striking subsections (d), (e), and (f) and 
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Boots to Business Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the term `covered individual' 
                means--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a member of the Armed 
                        Forces, without regard to whether the member is 
                        participating in the Transition Assistance 
                        Program of the Department of Defense;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) an individual who is 
                        participating in the Transition Assistance 
                        Program of the Department of Defense;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) an individual who--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) served on active 
                                duty in any branch of the Armed Forces, 
                                including the National Guard and 
                                Reserves; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) was discharged or 
                                released from such service under 
                                conditions other than dishonorable; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) a spouse or dependent of an 
                        individual described in clause (i), (ii), or 
                        (iii); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the term `Vet Center' means a center 
                for readjustment counseling and related mental health 
                services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, 
                United States Code.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Establishment.--There is established a 
        program to be known as the `Boots to Business Program' to 
        provide entrepreneurship training to covered individuals, which 
        shall be carried out by the Administrator.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Boots to Business 
        Program are to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) provide exposure, introduction, and 
                in-depth training for covered individuals interested in 
                business ownership; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) provide covered individuals with the 
                tools and knowledge necessary to identify a business 
                opportunity, draft a business plan, identify sources of 
                capital, connect with local small business resources, 
                and launch a small business concern.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Program components.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Boots to Business 
                Program may include--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a brief presentation 
                        providing exposure to the considerations 
                        involved in self-employment and small business 
                        ownership;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) an online, self-study 
                        course focused on the basic skills of 
                        entrepreneurship, the language of business, and 
                        the considerations involved in self-employment 
                        and small business ownership;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) an in-person classroom 
                        instruction component providing an introduction 
                        to the foundations of self-employment and small 
                        business ownership; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) in-depth training delivered 
                        through online instruction, including an online 
                        course that leads to the creation of a business 
                        plan.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator 
                may--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) collaborate with public and 
                        private entities to develop a course curriculum 
                        for the Boots to Business Program; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) modify program components 
                        in coordination with entities participating in 
                        the Warriors in Transition programs, as defined 
                        in section 738(f) of the National Defense 
                        Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 
                        U.S.C. 1071 note).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Utilization of resource partners.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator shall--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) ensure that 
                                veterans' business outreach centers 
                                regularly participate, on a nationwide 
                                basis, in the Boots to Business 
                                Program; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) to the maximum 
                                extent practicable, use a variety of 
                                other resource partners and entities in 
                                administering the Boots to Business 
                                Program.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Grant authority.--In 
                        carrying out clause (i), the Associate 
                        Administrator may make grants to veterans' 
                        business outreach centers, other resource 
                        partners, and other entities to carry out 
                        components of the Boots to Business 
                        Program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Availability to dod.--The 
                Administrator shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) make available 
                        electronically information regarding the Boots 
                        to Business Program and all course materials 
                        created for the Boots to Business Program to 
                        the Secretary of Defense for inclusion on the 
                        website of the Department of Defense relating 
                        to the Transition Assistance Program and in the 
                        Transition Assistance Program manual and other 
                        publications and materials available for 
                        distribution from the Secretary of Defense; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) fully participate in the 
                        interagency governance of the Transition 
                        Assistance Program.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Availability to veterans affairs.--
                In consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                the Associate Administrator shall make available 
                outreach materials regarding the Boots to Business 
                Program for distribution and display at local 
                facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                (including medical centers, community-based outpatient 
                clinics, Vet Centers, and other facilities determined 
                appropriate by the Associate Administrator and the 
                Secretary), which shall, at a minimum--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) describe the Boots to 
                        Business Program, including a description of 
                        services provided; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) include eligibility 
                        requirements for participating in the Boots to 
                        Business Program.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Review.--The Inspector General of the 
        Administration shall submit to the Committee on Small Business 
        and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
        Business of the House of Representatives an annual report 
        regarding the awarding of grants under the Boots to Business 
        Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Women Veterans Business Training Program.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term 
        `covered individual' means an individual who--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) is female; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a member of the Armed 
                        Forces;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a veteran; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the spouse or dependent of 
                        a member of the Armed Forces or a 
                        veteran.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Establishment.--The Administrator shall 
        establish a program, to be known as the Women Veterans Business 
        Training Program, to provide specific training for covered 
        individuals interested in exploring careers as owners of small 
        business concerns.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Women Veterans 
        Business Training Program are to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) help covered individuals by 
                providing the tools to become successful entrepreneurs; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) integrate the leadership, integrity, 
                focus, and drive of covered individuals into a premier 
                education training program taught by accomplished 
                entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators from 
                across the United States.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Program components.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Women Veterans 
                Business Training Program may include--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) an online, self-study course 
                        focused on the basic skills of entrepreneurship 
                        and the language of business;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a conference where 
                        participants are exposed to accomplished 
                        entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators 
                        from across the United States; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) a plan to provide ongoing 
                        support and mentorship.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator 
                may collaborate with public and private entities to 
                develop a course curriculum for the Women Veterans 
                Business Training Program.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Women veterans business training.--The 
        Associate Administrator shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) compile information on resources 
                available to women veterans for business training, 
                including resources for--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) vocational and technical 
                        education;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) general business skills, 
                        such as marketing and accounting; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) business assistance 
                        programs targeted to women veterans;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) disseminate the information compiled 
                under subparagraph (A) through veterans' business 
                outreach centers and women's business centers; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) in consultation with the Secretary 
                of Veterans Affairs, make available outreach materials 
                regarding the Women Veterans Business Training Program 
                for distribution and display at local facilities of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs (including medical 
                centers, community-based outpatient clinics, Vet 
                Centers (as defined in subsection (d)(1)), and other 
                facilities determined appropriate by the Associate 
                Administrator and the Secretary), which shall, at a 
                minimum--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) describe the Women Veterans 
                        Business Training Program, including a 
                        description of services provided; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) include eligibility 
                        requirements for participating in the Women 
                        Veterans Business Training Program.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Grant authority.--The Associate 
        Administrator may make grants to veterans' business outreach 
        centers, women's business centers, and other entities, 
        including other resource partners, to carry out components of 
        the Women Veterans Business Training Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Business Training Program for Service Disabled 
Veterans.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall 
        establish a Business Training Program for Service Disabled 
        Veterans to provide specific training for service-disabled 
        veterans interested in exploring careers as owners of small 
        business concerns.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the Business Training 
        Program for Service Disabled Veterans are to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) help service-disabled veterans by 
                providing the tools to become successful entrepreneurs; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) integrate the leadership, integrity, 
                focus, and drive of service-disabled veterans into a 
                premier education training program taught by 
                accomplished entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship 
                educators from across the United States.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Program components.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Business Training 
                Program for Service Disabled Veterans may include--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) an online, self-study course 
                        focused on the basic skills of entrepreneurship 
                        and the language of business;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) a conference where 
                        participants are exposed to accomplished 
                        entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators 
                        from across the United States; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) a plan to provide ongoing 
                        support and mentorship.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator 
                may collaborate with public and private entities to 
                develop a course curriculum for the Business Training 
                Program for Service Disabled Veterans.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Availability to veterans affairs.--In 
        consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the 
        Associate Administrator shall make available outreach materials 
        regarding the Business Training Program for Service Disabled 
        Veterans for distribution and display at local facilities of 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs (including medical centers, 
        community-based outpatient clinics, Vet Centers (as defined in 
        subsection (d)(1)), and other facilities determined appropriate 
        by the Associate Administrator and the Secretary), which shall, 
        at a minimum--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) describe the Business Training 
                Program for Service Disabled Veterans, including a 
                description of services provided; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) include eligibility requirements for 
                participating in the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Grant authority.--The Associate 
        Administrator may make grants to veterans' business outreach 
        centers and other entities, including other resource partners, 
        to carry out components of the Business Training Program for 
        Service Disabled Veterans.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Veterans' Business Outreach Center Program.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the term `active duty' has the 
                meaning given that term in section 101 of title 10, 
                United States Code;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the term `Reservist' means a member 
                of a reserve component of the Armed Forces, as 
                described in section 10101 of title 10, United States 
                Code;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) the term `small business concern 
                owned and controlled by veterans'--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) has the meaning given that 
                        term in section 3(q); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) includes a small business 
                        concern--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) not less than 51 
                                percent of which is owned by 1 or more 
                                spouses of veterans or, in the case of 
                                any publicly owned business, not less 
                                than 51 percent of the stock of which 
                                is owned by 1 or more spouses of 
                                veterans; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the management and 
                                daily business operations of which are 
                                controlled by 1 or more spouses of 
                                veterans;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) the term `spouse', relating to a 
                member of the Armed Forces on active duty, veteran, 
                service-disabled veteran, or Reservist, includes an 
                individual who, on the date on which the member of the 
                Armed Forces on active duty, veteran, service-disabled 
                veteran, or Reservist died, is the spouse of the member 
                of the Armed Forces on active duty, veteran, service-
                disabled veteran, or Reservist; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) the term `veterans' business 
                outreach center program' means the program established 
                under paragraph (2)(A).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Program established.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator, 
                acting through the Associate Administrator, shall 
                establish a veterans' business outreach center program, 
                under which the Associate Administrator may provide 
                financial assistance to educational institutions, 
                veterans' nonprofit community-based organizations, and 
                Federal, State, and local departments and agencies to 
                conduct a 5-year project for the benefit of small 
                business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, 
                which, upon application by the entity receiving 
                financial assistance, may be renewed for 1 or more 
                additional 5-year periods.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Form of financial assistance.--
                Financial assistance under this subsection may be in 
                the form of a grant, a contract, or a cooperative 
                agreement.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Veterans' business outreach centers.--Each 
        entity that receives financial assistance under this subsection 
        shall establish or operate a veterans' business outreach center 
        (which may include establishing or operating satellite offices 
        in the region described in paragraph (5) served by that entity) 
        that provides to veterans (including service-disabled 
        veterans), Reservists, and the spouses of members of the Armed 
        Forces on active duty, veterans (including service-disabled 
        veterans), and Reservists--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) financial advice, including training 
                and counseling on applying for and securing business 
                credit and investment capital, preparing and presenting 
                financial statements, and managing cash flow and other 
                financial operations of a small business 
                concern;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) management advice, including 
                training and counseling on the planning, organization, 
                staffing, direction, and control of each major activity 
                and function of a small business concern;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) technical assistance, training, and 
                counseling to assist in identifying and obtaining 
                Federal procurement opportunities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) marketing advice, including training 
                and counseling on identifying and segmenting domestic 
                and international market opportunities, preparing and 
                executing marketing plans, developing pricing 
                strategies, locating contract opportunities, 
                negotiating contracts, and using public relations and 
                advertising techniques; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) other advice, including training and 
                counseling.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Application.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--An entity desiring to 
                receive financial assistance under this subsection 
                shall submit an application to the Associate 
                Administrator at such time and in such manner as the 
                Associate Administrator may require.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) 5-year plan.--Each application 
                described in subparagraph (A) shall include a 5-year 
                plan on proposed fundraising and training activities 
                relating to the veterans' business outreach 
                center.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Determination and notification.--Not 
                later than 90 days after the date on which applications 
                for a fiscal year are required to be submitted under 
                subparagraph (A), the Associate Administrator shall 
                approve or deny any application submitted and notify 
                the applicant of the determination.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Availability of application.--The 
                Associate Administrator shall make every effort to make 
                the application under subparagraph (A) available 
                online.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Eligibility.--The Associate Administrator 
        may select to receive financial assistance under this 
        subsection--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a Veterans' Business Outreach Center 
                established by the Administrator under section 8(b)(17) 
                on or before the day before the date of enactment of 
                this subsection; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) educational institutions, veterans' 
                nonprofit community-based organizations, and Federal, 
                State, and local departments and agencies located in 
                various regions of the United States, as the Associate 
                Administrator determines is appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Selection criteria.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The Associate 
                Administrator shall establish selection criteria, 
                stated in terms of relative importance, to evaluate and 
                rank applicants under paragraph (5)(B) for financial 
                assistance under this subsection.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Criteria.--The selection criteria 
                established under this paragraph shall include--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the experience of the 
                        applicant in conducting programs or ongoing 
                        efforts designed to impart or upgrade the 
                        business skills of veterans (including service-
                        disabled veterans), Reservists, and the spouses 
                        of members of the Armed Forces on active duty, 
                        veterans (including service-disabled veterans), 
                        and Reservists who own or may own small 
                        business concerns;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) for an applicant for 
                        initial financial assistance under this 
                        subsection--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the ability of the 
                                applicant to begin operating a 
                                veterans' business outreach center 
                                within a minimum amount of time; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the geographic 
                                region to be served by the veterans' 
                                business outreach center;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the demonstrated ability 
                        of the applicant to--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) provide managerial 
                                counseling and technical assistance to 
                                entrepreneurs; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) coordinate services 
                                provided by veterans service 
                                organizations and other public or 
                                private entities;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the demonstrated ability to 
                        leverage and coordinate with existing resources 
                        and infrastructure of the Administration; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) for any applicant for a 
                        renewal of financial assistance under this 
                        subsection, the results of the most recent 
                        examination under paragraph (11) of the 
                        veterans' business outreach center operated by 
                        the applicant.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Criteria publicly available.--The 
                Associate Administrator shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) make publicly available the 
                        selection criteria established under this 
                        paragraph;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) include the criteria in 
                        each solicitation for applications for 
                        financial assistance under this 
                        subsection;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) make every effort to 
                        ensure regional accessibility and geographic 
                        representation in awarding financial assistance 
                        under this subsection; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) to the extent practicable, 
                        make publicly available the approximate 
                        anticipated date for the determination of award 
                        recipients by the Administration and the 
                        anticipated timing of disbursement.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) Amount of assistance.--The amount of 
        financial assistance provided under this subsection to an 
        entity for each fiscal year shall be not less than 
        $100,000.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) Federal share.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) Initial financial 
                        assistance.--Except as provided in clause (ii) 
                        and subparagraph (E), an entity that receives 
                        financial assistance under this subsection 
                        shall provide non-Federal contributions for the 
                        operation of the veterans' business outreach 
                        center established by the entity in an amount 
                        equal to--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) in each of the first 
                                and second years of the project, not 
                                less than 33 percent of the amount of 
                                the financial assistance received under 
                                this subsection; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) in each of the 
                                third through fifth years of the 
                                project, not less than 50 percent of 
                                the amount of the financial assistance 
                                received under this 
                                subsection.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Renewals.--An entity that 
                        receives a renewal of financial assistance 
                        under this subsection shall provide non-Federal 
                        contributions for the operation of the 
                        veterans' business outreach center established 
                        by the entity in an amount equal to not less 
                        than 50 percent of the amount of the financial 
                        assistance received under this 
                        subsection.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Form of non-federal share.--Not more 
                than 50 percent of the non-Federal share for a project 
                carried out using financial assistance under this 
                subsection may be in the form of in-kind 
                contributions.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Timing of disbursement.--The 
                Associate Administrator may disburse not more than 25 
                percent of the financial assistance awarded to an 
                entity before the entity obtains the non-Federal share 
                required under this paragraph with respect to that 
                award.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Failure to obtain non-federal 
                funding.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--If an entity 
                        that receives financial assistance under this 
                        subsection fails to obtain the non-Federal 
                        share required under this paragraph during 2 
                        consecutive fiscal years, the entity may not 
                        receive a disbursement under this subsection in 
                        a subsequent fiscal year or a disbursement for 
                        any other project funded by the Administration, 
                        unless the Administrator makes a written 
                        determination that the entity will be able to 
                        obtain a non-Federal contribution.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Restoration.--An entity 
                        prohibited from receiving a disbursement under 
                        clause (i) in a fiscal year may receive 
                        financial assistance in a subsequent fiscal 
                        year if the entity obtains the non-Federal 
                        share required under this paragraph for the 
                        subsequent fiscal year.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Waiver of non-federal share.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--Upon request by 
                        an entity, and in accordance with this 
                        subparagraph, the Administrator may waive, in 
                        whole or in part, the requirement to obtain 
                        non-Federal funds under subparagraph (A) for a 
                        fiscal year. The Administrator may not waive 
                        the requirement for an entity to obtain non-
                        Federal funds under this subparagraph for more 
                        than a total of 2 fiscal years.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Considerations.--In 
                        determining whether to waive the requirement to 
                        obtain non-Federal funds under this 
                        subparagraph, the Administrator shall 
                        consider--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the economic 
                                conditions affecting the 
                                entity;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the impact a waiver 
                                under this subparagraph would have on 
                                the credibility of the veterans' 
                                business outreach center 
                                program;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) the demonstrated 
                                ability of the entity to raise non-
                                Federal funds; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) the performance of 
                                the entity.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Limitation.--The 
                        Administrator may not waive the requirement to 
                        obtain non-Federal funds under this 
                        subparagraph if granting the waiver would 
                        undermine the credibility of the veterans' 
                        business outreach center program.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) Affiliation with small business development 
        centers.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--An entity receiving 
                financial assistance under this subsection shall enter 
                into an agreement to affiliate with a small business 
                development center for purposes of carrying out the 
                activities of the entity using the financial 
                assistance.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Consistency with agreement.--The 
                terms of an agreement to affiliate under subparagraph 
                (A) shall be in accordance with the terms of any 
                agreement between the applicable small business 
                development center and the Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) Contract authority.--A veterans' business 
        outreach center may enter into a contract with a Federal 
        department or agency to provide specific assistance to 
        veterans, service-disabled veterans, Reservists, or the spouses 
        of members of the Armed Forces on active duty, veterans, 
        service-disabled veterans, or Reservists with prior written 
        approval of the Associate Administrator. Performance of such 
        contract shall not hinder the veterans' business outreach 
        center in carrying out the terms of the grant received by the 
        veterans' business outreach center from the 
        Administrator.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) Examination and determination of 
        performance.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Examination.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--Not later than 
                        180 days after the date of enactment of this 
                        subsection and every year thereafter, the 
                        Associate Administrator shall conduct an annual 
                        examination of the programs and finances of 
                        each veterans' business outreach center 
                        established or operated using financial 
                        assistance under this subsection.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Factors.--In conducting the 
                        examination under clause (i), the Associate 
                        Administrator shall consider whether the 
                        veterans' business outreach center has failed--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) to provide the 
                                information required to be provided 
                                under subparagraph (B), or the 
                                information provided by the center is 
                                inadequate;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) to comply with a 
                                requirement for participation in the 
                                veterans' business outreach center 
                                program, as determined by the Associate 
                                Administrator, including--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) failure to 
                                        acquire or properly document a 
                                        non-Federal share;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) failure to 
                                        establish an appropriate 
                                        partnership or program for 
                                        marketing and outreach to small 
                                        business concerns;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(cc) failure to 
                                        achieve results described in a 
                                        financial assistance agreement; 
                                        and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(dd) failure to 
                                        provide to the Administrator a 
                                        description of the amount and 
                                        sources of any non-Federal 
                                        funding received by the 
                                        center;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) to carry out the 
                                5-year plan under in paragraph 
                                (4)(B);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) to meet the 
                                eligibility requirements under 
                                paragraph (5); or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) to serve small 
                                business concerns in the geographic 
                                region served by the veterans' business 
                                outreach center.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Information provided.--In the course 
                of an examination under subparagraph (A), the veterans' 
                business outreach center shall provide to the Associate 
                Administrator--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) an itemized cost breakdown 
                        of actual expenditures for costs incurred 
                        during the most recent full fiscal year, 
                        including the amount spent on administrative 
                        expenses;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) documentation of the amount 
                        of non-Federal contributions obtained and 
                        expended by the veterans' business outreach 
                        center during the most recent full fiscal 
                        year;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) with respect to any in-
                        kind contribution under paragraph (8)(B), 
                        verification of the existence and valuation of 
                        such contribution; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) any additional information 
                        the Associate Administrator determines 
                        necessary.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Determination of performance.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator shall analyze the results of each 
                        examination under subparagraph (A) and, based 
                        on that analysis, make a determination 
                        regarding the performance of the programs and 
                        finances of each veterans' business outreach 
                        center.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Nondelegation of 
                        determination.--The duty under clause (i) to 
                        make a determination regarding the performance 
                        of the programs and finances of a veterans' 
                        business outreach center may not be 
                        delegated.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Discontinuation of funding.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator may discontinue an award of 
                        financial assistance to an entity at any time 
                        for poor performance as determined under 
                        subparagraph (C).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Restoration.--The Associate 
                        Administrator may continue to provide financial 
                        assistance to an entity in a subsequent fiscal 
                        year if the Associate Administrator determines 
                        under subparagraph (C) that the veterans' 
                        business outreach center has taken appropriate 
                        measures to improve its performance and it is 
                        viable.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(12) Coordination of efforts and consultation.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Coordination and consultation.--To 
                the extent practicable, the Associate Administrator and 
                each entity that receives financial assistance under 
                this subsection shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) coordinate outreach and 
                        other activities with other programs of the 
                        Administration and the programs of other 
                        Federal agencies, including programs at local 
                        facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                        Affairs;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) consult with technical 
                        representatives of the district offices of the 
                        Administration in carrying out activities using 
                        financial assistance under this subsection; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) provide information to the 
                        veterans business development officers 
                        designated under subparagraph (B) and 
                        coordinate with the veterans business 
                        development officers to increase the ability of 
                        the veterans business development officers to 
                        provide services throughout the area served by 
                        the veterans business development 
                        officers.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Veterans business development 
                officers.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) Designation.--The 
                        Administrator shall designate not fewer than 1 
                        individual in each district office of the 
                        Administration as a veterans business 
                        development officer, who shall communicate and 
                        coordinate activities of the district office 
                        with entities that receive financial assistance 
                        under this subsection.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Initial designation.--The 
                        first individual in each district office of the 
                        Administration designated by the Administrator 
                        as a veterans business development officer 
                        under clause (i) shall be an individual that is 
                        employed by the Administration on the date of 
                        enactment of this subsection.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(13) Existing contracts.--An award of financial 
        assistance under this subsection shall not void any contract or 
        cooperative agreement between any entity and the Administration 
        or grant to any entity from the Administration that is in 
        effect on the date of such award.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Online Coordination.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term 
        `veterans' assistance provider' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a veterans' business outreach center 
                established under subsection (g);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) an employee of the Administration 
                assigned to the Office of Veterans Business 
                Development; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) a veterans business development 
                officer designated under subsection 
                (g)(12)(B).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Establishment.--The Associate Administrator 
        shall establish an online mechanism to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) provide information that assists 
                veterans' assistance providers in carrying out the 
                activities of the veterans' assistance providers; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) coordinate and leverage the work of 
                the veterans' assistance providers, including by 
                allowing a veterans' assistance provider to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) distribute best practices 
                        and other materials;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) communicate with other 
                        veterans' assistance providers regarding the 
                        activities of the veterans' assistance provider 
                        on behalf of veterans; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) pose questions to and 
                        request input from other veterans' assistance 
                        providers.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
2020--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) $2,500,000 to carry out subsection (g); 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) $8,000,000 to carry out subsections (d), 
        (e), and (f).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(j) Prohibition on Overseas Travel.--Financial 
assistance made available under this section may not be used to 
subsidize travel outside of the United States (as defined in section 
202(a)(7) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 
U.S.C. 4302(a)(7))).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(k) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this subsection and every year thereafter, the Associate 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of 
the House of Representatives a report on the performance and 
effectiveness for the programs authorized under this section, which may 
be included as part of another report submitted to the Committee on 
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on 
Small Business of the House of Representatives by the Associate 
Administrator, and which shall include the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Boots to business.--For the Boots to 
        Business Program under subsection (d)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the number of program participants 
                using each component of the Boots to Business 
                Program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the completion rates for each 
                component of the Boots to Business Program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to the extent possible--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, Military Occupational 
                        Code, and years of service of program 
                        participants;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the number of small 
                        business concerns formed or expanded with 
                        assistance under the Boots to Business 
                        Program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the gross receipts of 
                        small business concerns receiving assistance 
                        under the Boots to Business Program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the number of jobs created 
                        with assistance under the Boots to Business 
                        Program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) the number of referrals to 
                        other resources and programs of the 
                        Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) the number of program 
                        participants receiving financial assistance 
                        under loan programs of the 
                        Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) the type and dollar amount 
                        of financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) an evaluation of the effectiveness 
                of the program in each region of the Administration 
                during the most recent fiscal year;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) an assessment of additional 
                performance outcome measures for the Boots to Business 
                Program, as identified by the Associate 
                Administrator;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) any recommendations of the 
                Administrator for improvement of the Boots to Business 
                Program, which may include expansion of the types of 
                individuals who are covered individuals;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) an explanation of how the Boots to 
                Business Program has been integrated with other 
                transition programs and related resources of the 
                Administration and other Federal agencies; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(H) any additional information the 
                Administrator determines necessary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Women veterans business training program.--
        For the Women Veterans Business Training Program under 
        subsection (e)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the number of program participants 
                using each component of the Women Veterans Business 
                Training Program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the completion rates for each 
                component of the Women Veterans Business Training 
                Program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to the extent possible--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, and years of 
                        service;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the number of small 
                        business concerns formed or expanded with 
                        assistance under the Women Veterans Business 
                        Training Program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the gross receipts of 
                        small business concerns receiving assistance 
                        under the Women Veterans Business Training 
                        Program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the number of jobs created 
                        with assistance under the Women Veterans 
                        Business Training Program;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) the number of referrals to 
                        other resources and programs of the 
                        Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) the number of referrals 
                        from other resources and programs of the 
                        Administration and other Federal 
                        agencies;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) the number of program 
                        participants receiving financial assistance 
                        under loan programs of the 
                        Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) the type and dollar 
                        amount of financial assistance received by 
                        program participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ix) the results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) an assessment of additional 
                performance outcome measures for the Women Veterans 
                Business Training Program, as identified by the 
                Associate Administrator;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) any recommendations of the 
                Administrator for improvement of the Women Veterans 
                Business Training Program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) an explanation of how the Women 
                Veterans Business Training Program has been integrated 
                with other transition programs and related resources of 
                the Administration and other Federal agencies; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) any additional information the 
                Administrator determines necessary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Business training program for service 
        disabled veterans.--For the Business Training Program for 
        Service Disabled Veterans under subsection (f)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the number of program participants 
                using each component of the Business Training Program 
                for Service Disabled Veterans;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the completion rates for each 
                component of the Business Training Program for Service 
                Disabled Veterans;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to the extent possible--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, and years of 
                        service;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the number of small 
                        business concerns formed or expanded with 
                        assistance under the Business Training Program 
                        for Service Disabled Veterans;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the gross receipts of 
                        small business concerns receiving assistance 
                        under the Business Training Program for Service 
                        Disabled Veterans;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the number of jobs created 
                        with assistance under the Business Training 
                        Program for Service Disabled 
                        Veterans;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) the number of referrals to 
                        other resources and programs of the 
                        Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) the number of referrals 
                        from other resources and programs of the 
                        Administration and other Federal 
                        agencies;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) the number of program 
                        participants receiving financial assistance 
                        under loan programs of the 
                        Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) the type and dollar 
                        amount of financial assistance received by 
                        program participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ix) the results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) an assessment of additional 
                performance outcome measures for the Business Training 
                Program for Service Disabled Veterans, as identified by 
                the Associate Administrator;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) any recommendations of the 
                Administrator for improvement of the Business Training 
                Program for Service Disabled Veterans;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) an explanation of how the Business 
                Training Program for Service Disabled Veterans has been 
                integrated with other transition programs and related 
                resources of the Administration and other Federal 
                agencies; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) any additional information the 
                Administrator determines necessary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Veteran's business outreach center 
        program.--For the veterans' business outreach center program 
        under subsection (g)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) an evaluation of the effectiveness 
                of the veterans' business outreach center program in 
                each region of the Administration during the most 
                recent full fiscal year;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) for each veterans' business outreach 
                center established or operated using financial 
                assistance provided under subsection (g)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the number of individuals 
                        receiving assistance from the veterans' 
                        business outreach center, including the number 
                        of such individuals who are--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) veterans or spouses 
                                of veterans;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) service-disabled 
                                veterans or spouses of service-disabled 
                                veterans;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) Reservists or 
                                spouses of Reservists; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) spouses of members 
                                of the Armed Forces on active 
                                duty;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the average distance 
                        traveled by veterans to access services at the 
                        veterans' business outreach center;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the number of small 
                        business concerns formed by individuals 
                        receiving assistance from the veterans' 
                        business outreach center, including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) veterans or spouses 
                                of veterans;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) service-disabled 
                                veterans or spouses of service-disabled 
                                veterans;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) Reservists or 
                                spouses of Reservists; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) spouses of members 
                                of the Armed Forces on active duty; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) to the extent possible--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the gross receipts 
                                of small business concerns receiving 
                                assistance from the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the employment 
                                increases or decreases of small 
                                business concerns receiving assistance 
                                from the veterans' business outreach 
                                center;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) the increases or 
                                decreases in profits of small business 
                                concerns receiving assistance from the 
                                veterans' business outreach 
                                center;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) the number of 
                                referrals by the veterans' business 
                                outreach center to other resources and 
                                programs of the 
                                Administration;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) the results of 
                                satisfaction surveys, including a 
                                summary of any comments received from 
                                small business concerns receiving 
                                assistance from the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) the number of small 
                                business concerns receiving assistance 
                                from the veterans' business outreach 
                                center that received financial 
                                assistance under loan programs of the 
                                Administration;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VII) the type and 
                                dollar amount of financial assistance 
                                received under loan programs of the 
                                Administration by small business 
                                concerns receiving assistance from the 
                                veterans' business outreach 
                                center;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VIII) the number of 
                                small business concerns receiving 
                                assistance from the veterans' business 
                                outreach center that obtained a Federal 
                                contract through a small business 
                                contracting program;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IX) the type and dollar 
                                amount of the Federal contracts awarded 
                                to small business concerns receiving 
                                assistance from the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(X) an assessment of 
                                additional performance outcome measures 
                                for the veterans' business outreach 
                                center, as identified by the Associate 
                                Administrator; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(XI) the results of the 
                                examination of the veterans' business 
                                outreach center under subsection 
                                (g)(10);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) any recommendations of the 
                Administrator for improvement of the veterans' business 
                outreach center program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) an explanation of how the veterans' 
                business outreach center program has been integrated 
                with other transition programs and related resources of 
                the Administration and other Federal agencies; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) any additional information the 
                Administrator determines necessary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Other activities and programs administered 
        by the office of veterans business development.--An evaluation 
        of the effectiveness of any other activities and programs 
        administered by the Office of Veterans Business Development, 
        including using the metrics identified in paragraphs (1) 
        through (4).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Federal Share for Existing Program.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``existing award'' means an award made under the Veterans' 
        Business Outreach Center Program of the Small Business 
        Administration before the date of enactment of this Act that is 
        in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Exception from provision on failure to obtain 
        non-federal funding.--During the 2-year period beginning on the 
        date of enactment of this Act, subsection (g)(8)(D) of section 
        32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b), as added by 
        subsection (a), shall not apply to an existing award.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) GAO Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the term ``covered individual'' 
                means--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) a veteran;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) a service-disabled 
                        veteran;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) a Reservist;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) the spouse of an individual 
                        described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii); 
                        or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) the spouse of a member of the 
                        Armed Forces;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the terms ``Reservist'', ``small 
                business concern owned and controlled by veterans'', 
                and ``veterans' business outreach center program'' have 
                the meanings given those terms in section 32(g) of the 
                Small Business Act, as added by subsection (a); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the terms ``service-disabled 
                veteran'', ``small business concern'', and ``veteran'' 
                have the meanings given those terms under section 3 of 
                the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Report on access to credit.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
                Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a 
                report regarding the ability of small business concerns 
                owned and controlled by covered individuals to access 
                credit to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs and the Committee on Small Business and 
                        Entrepreneurship of the Senate; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs and the Committee on Small Business of 
                        the House of Representatives.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include an analysis of--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the sources of credit used by 
                        small business concerns owned and controlled by 
                        covered individuals and the percentage of the 
                        credit obtained by small business concerns 
                        owned and controlled by covered individuals 
                        that is obtained from each source;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the default rate for small 
                        business concerns owned and controlled by 
                        covered individuals separately for each source 
                        of credit described in clause (i), as compared 
                        to the default rate for the source of credit 
                        for small business concerns 
                        generally;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) the Federal lending programs 
                        available to provide credit to small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by covered 
                        individuals;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) gaps, if any, in the 
                        availability of credit for small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by covered 
                        individuals that are not being filled by the 
                        Federal Government or private 
                        sources;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) obstacles faced by covered 
                        individuals in trying to access 
                        credit;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) the extent to which 
                        deployment and other military responsibilities 
                        affect the credit history of veterans and 
                        Reservists; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vii) the extent to which covered 
                        individuals are aware of Federal programs 
                        targeted towards helping covered individuals 
                        access credit.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Report on veterans' business outreach center 
        program.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days 
                after the end of the second fiscal year beginning after 
                the date on which the veterans' business outreach 
                center program is established, the Comptroller General 
                of the United States shall evaluate the effectiveness 
                of the veterans' business outreach center program, and 
                submit to Congress a report on the results of that 
                evaluation.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) an assessment of--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) the use of amounts 
                                made available to carry out the 
                                veterans' business outreach center 
                                program;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) the effectiveness of 
                                the services provided by each entity 
                                receiving financial assistance under 
                                the veterans' business outreach center 
                                program;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) whether the services 
                                described in subclause (II) are 
                                duplicative of services provided by 
                                other veterans service organizations, 
                                programs of the Small Business 
                                Administration, or programs of another 
                                Federal department or agency and, if 
                                so, recommendations regarding how to 
                                alleviate the duplication of the 
                                services;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) whether there are 
                                areas of the United States in which 
                                there are not adequate entrepreneurial 
                                services for small business concerns 
                                owned and controlled by veterans and, 
                                if so, whether there is a veterans' 
                                business outreach center established 
                                under the veterans' business outreach 
                                center program providing services to 
                                that area; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (V) whether there is a 
                                correlation between the proximity of a 
                                veterans' business outreach center to 
                                small business concerns owned and 
                                controlled by veterans and the rate of 
                                the use of the services of the 
                                veterans' business outreach center; 
                                and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) recommendations, if any, for 
                        improving the veterans' business outreach 
                        center program.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND 
              ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Definitions.--In this section--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the terms ``Administration'' and 
        ``Administrator'' mean the Small Business Administration and 
        the Administrator thereof, respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the term ``individual eligible for a veteran 
        entrepreneurial development program'' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) a covered individual, as defined in 
                section 32(d)(1) of the Small Business Act, as amended 
                by section 2;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) a covered individual, as defined in 
                section 32(e)(1) of the Small Business Act, as amended 
                by section 2;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) a service-disabled veteran, as defined 
                in section 3(q)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                632(q)(1)); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) an individual who qualifies to be the 
                owner of a small business concern owned and controlled 
                by veterans, as defined in section 32(g)(1)(C) of the 
                Small Business Act, as amended by section 2;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the term ``one-stop resource'' means the one-
        stop online resource established under subsection (c)(1); 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the term ``small business concern'' has the 
        meaning given that term under section 3 of the Small Business 
        Act (15 U.S.C. 632).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Veteran Peer-to-Peer Networks.--Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish guidelines to improve the network of peer-to-peer counseling 
and mentoring for individuals eligible for a veteran entrepreneurial 
development program relating to the business development and 
entrepreneurial programs of the Administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) One-Stop Online Resource.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish 
        an online mechanism that serves as a one-stop online resource 
        for veterans regarding all of the entrepreneurial development 
        programs of the Administration.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Contents.--The one-stop resource shall include 
        descriptions of each entrepreneurial program of the 
        Administration (which shall include the programs described in 
        paragraph (3)), including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) target client descriptions for each 
                program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) contact information for information on 
                or assistance regarding each program from locally, 
                State-wide, and nationally available sources;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) a detailed description of the services 
                available under each program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) a description of any costs associated 
                with the services under each program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) an outline of program curriculums if 
                training seminars or courses are offered; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) other resource information that the 
                Administrator determines appropriate and necessary for 
                veteran entrepreneurs and veterans who own small 
                business concerns, in order to ensure the one-stop 
                online resource provides information and resources 
                necessary for a veteran beginning to develop a small 
                business concern.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Programs.--The programs identified and 
        described under the one-stop resource shall include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the small business development center 
                program under section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 
                U.S.C. 648);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the women's business center program 
                under section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                656);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the programs of the Office of 
                Entrepreneurship Education of the 
                Administration;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the Boots to Business Program under 
                section 32(d) of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
                section 2(a) of this Act;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) the veterans' business outreach center 
                program under section 32(e) of the Small Business Act, 
                as amended by section 2(a) of this Act;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) the Service Corps of Retired 
                Executives program authorized by section 8(b)(1) of the 
                Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) any other program of the 
                Administration determined appropriate by the 
                Administrator.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR INTERAGENCY TASK 
              FORCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
657b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Report.--Not less frequently than once each 
        year, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) discussing the appointments made to 
                and activities of the task force; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) identifying and outlining a plan for 
                outreach and promotion of all the programs authorized 
                under the Veterans Small Business Development Act of 
                2015, or an amendment made by that Act.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. EDUCATIONAL TRAINING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 8(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)) 
is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (16), by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (17), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(18) to make a grant to, or enter into a 
        cooperative agreement with, a nonprofit entity to operate an 
        educational training program to provide assistance to small 
        business concerns owned and controlled by veterans regarding 
        how to increase the likelihood of being awarded contracts with 
        the Federal Government--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) which shall be made to or entered 
                into with a nonprofit entity that has a track record of 
                successfully providing educational and job training 
                services to targeted veterans populations in diverse 
                locations;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) under which the nonprofit entity 
                shall be required to match any Federal funds received 
                for the program with State, local, or private sector 
                funds; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) under which the nonprofit entity 
                shall use a diverse group of professional service 
                experts, such as Federal, State, and local contracting 
                experts and private sector industry experts with first-
                hand experience in Federal Government contracting, to 
                provide instruction to small business concerns owned 
                and controlled by veterans.''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Small Business Ownership 
Improvements Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. VETERANS' BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER PROGRAM; OFFICE OF VETERANS 
              BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
657b) is amended by striking subsections (d), (e), and (f) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(d) Boots to Business Program.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    ``(A) the term `covered individual' means--
                            ``(i) a member of the Armed Forces, without 
                        regard to whether the member is participating 
                        in the Transition Assistance Program of the 
                        Department of Defense;
                            ``(ii) an individual who is participating 
                        in the Transition Assistance Program of the 
                        Department of Defense;
                            ``(iii) an individual who--
                                    ``(I) served on active duty in any 
                                branch of the Armed Forces, including 
                                the National Guard and Reserves; and
                                    ``(II) was discharged or released 
                                from such service under conditions 
                                other than dishonorable; and
                            ``(iv) a spouse or dependent of an 
                        individual described in clause (i), (ii), or 
                        (iii); and
                    ``(B) the term `Vet Center' means a center for 
                readjustment counseling and related mental health 
                services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, 
                United States Code.
            ``(2) Establishment.--There is established a program to be 
        known as the `Boots to Business Program' to provide 
        entrepreneurship training to covered individuals, which shall 
        be carried out by the Administrator.
            ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Boots to Business Program 
        are to--
                    ``(A) provide exposure, introduction, and in-depth 
                training for covered individuals interested in business 
                ownership; and
                    ``(B) provide covered individuals with the tools 
                and knowledge necessary to identify a business 
                opportunity, draft a business plan, identify sources of 
                capital, connect with local small business resources, 
                and launch a small business concern.
            ``(4) Program components.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Boots to Business Program 
                may include--
                            ``(i) a brief presentation providing 
                        exposure to the considerations involved in 
                        self-employment and small business ownership;
                            ``(ii) an online, self-study course focused 
                        on the basic skills of entrepreneurship, the 
                        language of business, and the considerations 
                        involved in self-employment and small business 
                        ownership;
                            ``(iii) an in-person classroom instruction 
                        component providing an introduction to the 
                        foundations of self employment and small 
                        business ownership; and
                            ``(iv) in-depth training delivered through 
                        online instruction, including an online course 
                        that leads to the creation of a business plan.
                    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may--
                            ``(i) collaborate with public and private 
                        entities to develop a course curriculum for the 
                        Boots to Business Program; and
                            ``(ii) modify program components in 
                        coordination with entities participating in the 
                        Warriors in Transition programs, as defined in 
                        section 738(f) of the National Defense 
                        Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 
                        U.S.C. 1071 note).
                    ``(C) Utilization of resource partners.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator shall--
                                    ``(I) ensure that veterans' 
                                business outreach centers regularly 
                                participate, on a nationwide basis, in 
                                the Boots to Business program; and
                                    ``(II) to the maximum extent 
                                practicable, use a variety of other 
                                resource partners and entities in 
                                administering the Boots to Business 
                                program.
                            ``(ii) Grant authority.--In carrying out 
                        clause (i), the Associate Administrator may 
                        make grants to veterans' business outreach 
                        centers, other resource partners, and other 
                        entities to carry out components of the Boots 
                        to Business Program.
                    ``(D) Availability to dod.--The Administrator 
                shall--
                            ``(i) make available electronically 
                        information regarding the Boots to Business 
                        Program and all course materials created for 
                        the Boots to Business Program to the Secretary 
                        of Defense for inclusion on the website of the 
                        Department of Defense relating to the 
                        Transition Assistance Program and in the 
                        Transition Assistance Program manual and other 
                        publications and materials available for 
                        distribution from the Secretary of Defense; and
                            ``(ii) fully participate in the interagency 
                        governance of the Transition Assistance 
                        Program.
                    ``(E) Availability to veterans affairs.--In 
                consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                the Associate Administrator shall make available 
                outreach materials regarding the Boots to Business 
                Program for distribution and display at local 
                facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                (including medical centers, community-based outpatient 
                clinics, Vet Centers, and other facilities determined 
                appropriate by the Associate Administrator and the 
                Secretary), which shall, at minimum--
                            ``(i) describe the Boots to Business 
                        Program, including a description of services 
                        provided; and
                            ``(ii) include eligibility requirements for 
                        participating in the Boots to Business Program.
            ``(5) Review.--The Inspector General of the Administration 
        shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
        Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
        Business of the House of Representatives an annual report 
        regarding the awarding of grants under the Boots to Business 
        Program.
    ``(e) Women Veterans Business Training Program.--
            ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered 
        individual' means an individual who--
                    ``(A) is female; and
                    ``(B) is--
                            ``(i) a member of the Armed Forces;
                            ``(ii) a veteran; or
                            ``(iii) the spouse or dependent of a member 
                        of the Armed Forces or a veteran.
            ``(2) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        program, to be known as the Women Veterans Business Training 
        Program, to provide specific training for covered individuals 
        interested in exploring careers as owners of small business 
        concerns.
            ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Women Veterans Business 
        Training Program are to--
                    ``(A) help covered individuals by providing the 
                tools to become successful entrepreneurs; and
                    ``(B) integrate the leadership, integrity, focus, 
                and drive of covered individuals into a premier 
                education training program taught by accomplished 
                entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators from 
                across the United States.
            ``(4) Program components.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Women Veterans Business 
                Training Program may include--
                            ``(i) an online, self-study course focused 
                        on the basic skills of entrepreneurship and the 
                        language of business;
                            ``(ii) a conference where participants are 
                        exposed to accomplished entrepreneurs and 
                        entrepreneurship educators from across the 
                        United States; and
                            ``(iii) a plan to provide ongoing support 
                        and mentorship.
                    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may 
                collaborate with public and private entities to develop 
                a course curriculum for the Women Veterans Business 
                Training Program.
            ``(5) Women veterans business training.--The Associate 
        Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) compile information on resources available to 
                women veterans for business training, including 
                resources for--
                            ``(i) vocational and technical education;
                            ``(ii) general business skills, such as 
                        marketing and accounting; and
                            ``(iii) business assistance programs 
                        targeted to women veterans;
                    ``(B) disseminate the information compiled under 
                subparagraph (A) through veterans' business outreach 
                centers and women's business centers; and
                    ``(C) in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs, make available outreach materials 
                regarding the Women Veterans Business Training Program 
                for distribution and display at local facilities of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs (including medical 
                centers, community-based outpatient clinics, Vet 
                Centers (as defined in subsection (d)(1)), and other 
                facilities determined appropriate by the Associate 
                Administrator and the Secretary), which shall, at a 
                minimum--
                            ``(i) describe the Women Veterans Business 
                        Training Program, including a description of 
                        services provided; and
                            ``(ii) include eligibility requirements for 
                        participating in the Women Veterans Business 
                        Training Program.
            ``(6) Grant authority.--The Associate Administrator may 
        make grants to veterans' business outreach centers, women's 
        business centers, and other entities, including other resource 
        partners, to carry out components of the Women Veterans 
        Business Training Program.
    ``(f) Business Training Program for Service Disabled Veterans.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        Business Training Program for Service Disabled Veterans to 
        provide specific training for service-disabled veterans 
        interested in exploring careers as owners of small business 
        concerns.
            ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the Business Training Program 
        for Service Disabled Veterans are to--
                    ``(A) help service-disabled veterans by providing 
                the tools to become successful entrepreneurs; and
                    ``(B) integrate the leadership, integrity, focus, 
                and drive of service-disabled veterans into a premier 
                education training program taught by accomplished 
                entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators from 
                across the United States.
            ``(3) Program components.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Business Training Program 
                for Service Disabled Veterans may include--
                            ``(i) an online, self-study course focused 
                        on the basic skills of entrepreneurship and the 
                        language of business;
                            ``(ii) a conference where participants are 
                        exposed to accomplished entrepreneurs and 
                        entrepreneurship educators from across the 
                        United States; and
                            ``(iii) a plan to provide ongoing support 
                        and mentorship.
                    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may 
                collaborate with public and private entities to develop 
                a course curriculum for the Business Training Program 
                for Service Disabled Veterans.
            ``(4) Availability to veterans affairs.--In consultation 
        with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Associate 
        Administrator shall make available outreach materials regarding 
        the Business Training Program for Service Disabled Veterans for 
        distribution and display at local facilities of the Department 
        of Veterans Affairs (including medical centers, community-based 
        outpatient clinics, Vet Centers (as defined in subsection 
        (d)(1)), and other facilities determined appropriate by the 
        Associate Administrator and the Secretary), which shall, at 
        minimum--
                    ``(A) describe the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans, including a description of 
                services provided; and
                    ``(B) include eligibility requirements for 
                participating in the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans.
            ``(5) Grant authority.--The Associate Administrator may 
        make grants to veterans' business outreach centers and other 
        entities, including other resource partners, to carry out 
        components of the Business Training Program for Service 
        Disabled Veterans.
    ``(g) Veterans' Business Outreach Center Program.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    ``(A) the term `active duty' has the meaning given 
                that term in section 101 of title 10, United States 
                Code;
                    ``(B) the term `Reservist' means a member of a 
                reserve component of the Armed Forces, as described in 
                section 10101 of title 10, United States Code;
                    ``(C) the term `small business concern owned and 
                controlled by veterans'--
                            ``(i) has the meaning given that term in 
                        section 3(q); and
                            ``(ii) includes a small business concern--
                                    ``(I) not less than 51 percent of 
                                which is owned by 1 or more spouses of 
                                veterans or, in the case of any 
                                publicly owned business, not less than 
                                51 percent of the stock of which is 
                                owned by 1 or more spouses of veterans; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) the management and daily 
                                business operations of which are 
                                controlled by 1 or more spouses of 
                                veterans;
                    ``(D) the term `spouse', relating to a member of 
                the Armed Forces on active duty, veteran, service-
                disabled veteran, or Reservist, includes an individual 
                who, on the date on which the member of the Armed 
                Forces on active duty, veteran, service-disabled 
                veteran, or Reservist died, is the spouse of the member 
                of the Armed Forces on active duty, veteran, service-
                disabled veteran, or Reservist; and
                    ``(E) the term `veterans' business outreach center 
                program' means the program established under paragraph 
                (2)(A).
            ``(2) Program established.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator, acting 
                through the Associate Administrator, shall establish a 
                veterans' business outreach center program, under which 
                the Associate Administrator may provide financial 
                assistance to educational institutions, veterans' 
                nonprofit community-based organizations, and Federal, 
                State, and local departments and agencies to conduct a 
                5-year project for the benefit of small business 
                concerns owned and controlled by veterans, which, upon 
                application by the entity receiving financial 
                assistance, may be renewed for 1 or more additional 5-
                year periods.
                    ``(B) Form of financial assistance.--Financial 
                assistance under this subsection may be in the form of 
                a grant, a contract, or a cooperative agreement.
            ``(3) Veterans' business outreach centers.--Each entity 
        that receives financial assistance under this subsection shall 
        establish or operate a veterans' business outreach center 
        (which may include establishing or operating satellite offices 
        in the region described in paragraph (5) served by that entity) 
        that provides to veterans (including service-disabled 
        veterans), Reservists, and the spouses of members of the Armed 
        Forces on active duty, veterans (including service-disabled 
        veterans), and Reservists--
                    ``(A) financial advice, including training and 
                counseling on applying for and securing business credit 
                and investment capital, preparing and presenting 
                financial statements, and managing cash flow and other 
                financial operations of a small business concern;
                    ``(B) management advice, including training and 
                counseling on the planning, organization, staffing, 
                direction, and control of each major activity and 
                function of a small business concern;
                    ``(C) technical assistance, training, and 
                counseling to assist in identifying and obtaining 
                Federal procurement opportunities;
                    ``(D) marketing advice, including training and 
                counseling on identifying and segmenting domestic and 
                international market opportunities, preparing and 
                executing marketing plans, developing pricing 
                strategies, locating contract opportunities, 
                negotiating contracts, and using public relations and 
                advertising techniques; and
                    ``(E) other advice, including training and 
                counseling.
            ``(4) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An entity desiring to receive 
                financial assistance under this subsection shall submit 
                an application to the Associate Administrator at such 
                time and in such manner as the Associate Administrator 
                may require.
                    ``(B) 5-year plan.--Each application described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall include a 5-year plan on 
                proposed fundraising and training activities relating 
                to the veterans' business outreach center.
                    ``(C) Determination and notification.--Not later 
                than 90 days after the date on which applications for a 
                fiscal year are required to be submitted under 
                subparagraph (A), the Associate Administrator shall 
                approve or deny any application submitted and notify 
                the applicant of the determination.
                    ``(D) Availability of application.--The Associate 
                Administrator shall make every effort to make the 
                application under subparagraph (A) available online.
            ``(5) Eligibility.--The Associate Administrator may select 
        to receive financial assistance under this subsection--
                    ``(A) a Veterans' Business Outreach Center 
                established by the Administrator under section 8(b)(17) 
                on or before the day before the date of enactment of 
                this subsection; or
                    ``(B) educational institutions, veterans' nonprofit 
                community-based organizations, and Federal, State, and 
                local departments and agencies located in various 
                regions of the United States, as the Associate 
                Administrator determines is appropriate.
            ``(6) Selection criteria.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Associate Administrator 
                shall establish selection criteria, stated in terms of 
                relative importance, to evaluate and rank applicants 
                under paragraph (5)(B) for financial assistance under 
                this subsection.
                    ``(B) Criteria.--The selection criteria established 
                under this paragraph shall include--
                            ``(i) the experience of the applicant in 
                        conducting programs or ongoing efforts designed 
                        to impart or upgrade the business skills of 
                        veterans (including service-disabled veterans), 
                        Reservists, and the spouses of members of the 
                        Armed Forces on active duty, veterans 
                        (including service-disabled veterans), and 
                        Reservists who own or may own small business 
                        concerns;
                            ``(ii) for an applicant for initial 
                        financial assistance under this subsection--
                                    ``(I) the ability of the applicant 
                                to begin operating a veterans' business 
                                outreach center within a minimum amount 
                                of time; and
                                    ``(II) the geographic region to be 
                                served by the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;
                            ``(iii) the demonstrated ability of the 
                        applicant to--
                                    ``(I) provide managerial counseling 
                                and technical assistance to 
                                entrepreneurs; and
                                    ``(II) coordinate services provided 
                                by veterans service organizations and 
                                other public or private entities;
                            ``(iv) the demonstrated ability to leverage 
                        and coordinate with existing resources and 
                        infrastructure of the Administration; and
                            ``(v) for any applicant for a renewal of 
                        financial assistance under this subsection, the 
                        results of the most recent examination under 
                        paragraph (11) of the veterans' business 
                        outreach center operated by the applicant.
                    ``(C) Criteria publicly available.--The Associate 
                Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) make publicly available the selection 
                        criteria established under this paragraph;
                            ``(ii) include the criteria in each 
                        solicitation for applications for financial 
                        assistance under this subsection;
                            ``(iii) make every effort to ensure 
                        regional accessibility and geographic 
                        representation in awarding financial assistance 
                        under this subsection; and
                            ``(iv) to the extent practicable, make 
                        publicly available the approximate anticipated 
                        date for the determination of award recipients 
                        by the Administration and the anticipated 
                        timing of disbursement.
            ``(7) Amount of assistance.--The amount of financial 
        assistance provided under this subsection to an entity for each 
        fiscal year shall be not less than $100,000.
            ``(8) Federal share.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Initial financial assistance.--Except 
                        as provided in clause (ii) and subparagraph 
                        (E), an entity that receives financial 
                        assistance under this subsection shall provide 
                        non-Federal contributions for the operation of 
                        the veterans' business outreach center 
                        established by the entity in an amount equal 
                        to--
                                    ``(I) in each of the first and 
                                second years of the project, not less 
                                than 33 percent of the amount of the 
                                financial assistance received under 
                                this subsection; and
                                    ``(II) in each of the third through 
                                fifth years of the project, not less 
                                than 50 percent of the amount of the 
                                financial assistance received under 
                                this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Renewals.--An entity that receives a 
                        renewal of financial assistance under this 
                        subsection shall provide non-Federal 
                        contributions for the operation of the 
                        veterans' business outreach center established 
                        by the entity in an amount equal to not less 
                        than 50 percent of the amount of the financial 
                        assistance received under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Form of non-federal share.--Not more than 50 
                percent of the non-Federal share for a project carried 
                out using financial assistance under this subsection 
                may be in the form of in-kind contributions.
                    ``(C) Timing of disbursement.--The Associate 
                Administrator may disburse not more than 25 percent of 
                the financial assistance awarded to an entity before 
                the entity obtains the non-Federal share required under 
                this paragraph with respect to that award.
                    ``(D) Failure to obtain non-federal funding.--
                            ``(i) In general.--If an entity that 
                        receives financial assistance under this 
                        subsection fails to obtain the non-Federal 
                        share required under this paragraph during 2 
                        consecutive fiscal years, the entity may not 
                        receive a disbursement under this subsection in 
                        a subsequent fiscal year or a disbursement for 
                        any other project funded by the Administration, 
                        unless the Administrator makes a written 
                        determination that the entity will be able to 
                        obtain a non-Federal contribution.
                            ``(ii) Restoration.--An entity prohibited 
                        from receiving a disbursement under clause (i) 
                        in a fiscal year may receive financial 
                        assistance in a subsequent fiscal year if the 
                        entity obtains the non-Federal share required 
                        under this paragraph for the subsequent fiscal 
                        year.
                    ``(E) Waiver of non-federal share.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Upon request by an 
                        entity, and in accordance with this 
                        subparagraph, the Administrator may waive, in 
                        whole or in part, the requirement to obtain 
                        non-Federal funds under subparagraph (A) for a 
                        fiscal year. The Administrator may not waive 
                        the requirement for an entity to obtain non-
                        Federal funds under this subparagraph for more 
                        than a total of 2 fiscal years.
                            ``(ii) Considerations.--In determining 
                        whether to waive the requirement to obtain non-
                        Federal funds under this subparagraph, the 
                        Administrator shall consider--
                                    ``(I) the economic conditions 
                                affecting the entity;
                                    ``(II) the impact a waiver under 
                                this subparagraph would have on the 
                                credibility of the veterans' business 
                                outreach center program;
                                    ``(III) the demonstrated ability of 
                                the entity to raise non-Federal funds; 
                                and
                                    ``(IV) the performance of the 
                                entity.
                            ``(iii) Limitation.--The Administrator may 
                        not waive the requirement to obtain non-Federal 
                        funds under this subparagraph if granting the 
                        waiver would undermine the credibility of the 
                        veterans' business outreach center program.
            ``(9) Affiliation with small business development 
        centers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An entity receiving financial 
                assistance under this subsection shall enter into an 
                agreement to affiliate with a small business 
                development center for purposes of carrying out the 
                activities of the entity using the financial 
                assistance.
                    ``(B) Consistency with agreement.--The terms of an 
                agreement to affiliate under subparagraph (A) shall be 
                in accordance with the terms of any agreement between 
                the applicable small business development center and 
                the Administration.
            ``(10) Contract authority.--A veterans' business outreach 
        center may enter into a contract with a Federal department or 
        agency to provide specific assistance to veterans, service-
        disabled veterans, Reservists, or the spouses of members of the 
        Armed Forces on active duty, veterans, service-disabled 
        veterans, or Reservists with prior written approval of the 
        Associate Administrator. Performance of such contract shall not 
        hinder the veterans' business outreach center in carrying out 
        the terms of the grant received by the veterans' business 
        outreach center from the Administrator.
            ``(11) Examination and determination of performance.--
                    ``(A) Examination.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 180 days 
                        after the date of enactment of this subsection 
                        and every year thereafter, the Associate 
                        Administrator shall conduct an annual 
                        examination of the programs and finances of 
                        each veterans' business outreach center 
                        established or operated using financial 
                        assistance under this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Factors.--In conducting the 
                        examination under clause (i), the Associate 
                        Administrator shall consider whether the 
                        veterans' business outreach center has failed--
                                    ``(I) to provide the information 
                                required to be provided under 
                                subparagraph (B), or the information 
                                provided by the center is inadequate;
                                    ``(II) to comply with a requirement 
                                for participation in the veterans' 
                                business outreach center program, as 
                                determined by the Associate 
                                Administrator, including--
                                            ``(aa) failure to acquire 
                                        or properly document a non-
                                        Federal share;
                                            ``(bb) failure to establish 
                                        an appropriate partnership or 
                                        program for marketing and 
                                        outreach to small business 
                                        concerns;
                                            ``(cc) failure to achieve 
                                        results described in a 
                                        financial assistance agreement; 
                                        and
                                            ``(dd) failure to provide 
                                        to the Administrator a 
                                        description of the amount and 
                                        sources of any non-Federal 
                                        funding received by the center;
                                    ``(III) to carry out the 5-year 
                                plan under in paragraph (4)(B);
                                    ``(IV) to meet the eligibility 
                                requirements under paragraph (5); or
                                    ``(V) to serve small business 
                                concerns in the geographic region 
                                served by the veterans' business 
                                outreach center.
                    ``(B) Information provided.--In the course of an 
                examination under subparagraph (A), the veterans' 
                business outreach center shall provide to the Associate 
                Administrator--
                            ``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual 
                        expenditures for costs incurred during the most 
                        recent full fiscal year, including the amount 
                        spent on administrative expenses;
                            ``(ii) documentation of the amount of non-
                        Federal contributions obtained and expended by 
                        the veterans' business outreach center during 
                        the most recent full fiscal year;
                            ``(iii) with respect to any in-kind 
                        contribution under paragraph (8)(B), 
                        verification of the existence and valuation of 
                        such contribution; and
                            ``(iv) any additional information the 
                        Associate Administrator determines necessary.
                    ``(C) Determination of performance.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator shall analyze the results of each 
                        examination under subparagraph (A) and, based 
                        on that analysis, make a determination 
                        regarding the performance of the programs and 
                        finances of each veterans' business outreach 
                        center.
                            ``(ii) Nondelegation of determination.--The 
                        duty under clause (i) to make a determination 
                        regarding the performance of the programs and 
                        finances of a veterans' business outreach 
                        center may not be delegated.
                    ``(D) Discontinuation of funding.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator may discontinue an award of 
                        financial assistance to an entity at any time 
                        for poor performance as determined under 
                        subparagraph (C).
                            ``(ii) Restoration.--The Associate 
                        Administrator may continue to provide financial 
                        assistance to an entity in a subsequent fiscal 
                        year if the Associate Administrator determines 
                        under subparagraph (C) that the veterans' 
                        business outreach center has taken appropriate 
                        measures to improve its performance and it is 
                        viable.
            ``(12) Coordination of efforts and consultation.--
                    ``(A) Coordination and consultation.--To the extent 
                practicable, the Associate Administrator and each 
                entity that receives financial assistance under this 
                subsection shall--
                            ``(i) coordinate outreach and other 
                        activities with other programs of the 
                        Administration and the programs of other 
                        Federal agencies, including programs at local 
                        facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                        Affairs;
                            ``(ii) consult with technical 
                        representatives of the district offices of the 
                        Administration in carrying out activities using 
                        financial assistance under this subsection; and
                            ``(iii) provide information to the veterans 
                        business development officers designated under 
                        subparagraph (B) and coordinate with the 
                        veterans business development officers to 
                        increase the ability of the veterans business 
                        development officers to provide services 
                        throughout the area served by the veterans 
                        business development officers.
                    ``(B) Veterans business development officers.--
                            ``(i) Designation.--The Administrator shall 
                        designate not fewer than 1 individual in each 
                        district office of the Administration as a 
                        veterans business development officer, who 
                        shall communicate and coordinate activities of 
                        the district office with entities that receive 
                        financial assistance under this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Initial designation.--The first 
                        individual in each district office of the 
                        Administration designated by the Administrator 
                        as a veterans business development officer 
                        under clause (i) shall be an individual that is 
                        employed by the Administration on the date of 
                        enactment of this subsection.
            ``(13) Existing contracts.--An award of financial 
        assistance under this subsection shall not void any contract or 
        cooperative agreement between any entity and the Administration 
        or grant to any entity from the Administration that is in 
        effect on the date of such award.
    ``(h) Veterans Business Owners Initiative Pilot Program.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    ``(A) the term `covered individual' means--
                            ``(i) a member of the Armed Forces on 
                        active duty, as defined in section 101(d)(1) of 
                        title 10, United States Code;
                            ``(ii) a member of the Armed Forces who is 
                        participating in the Transition Assistance 
                        Program of the Department of Defense;
                            ``(iii) a member of a reserve component of 
                        the Armed Forces named in section 10101 of 
                        title 10, United States Code;
                            ``(iv) a veteran; and
                            ``(v) a spouse or dependent of an 
                        individual described in clause (i), (ii), 
                        (iii), or (iv);
                    ``(B) the term `institution of higher education' 
                has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002); and
                    ``(C) the term `pilot program' means the Veterans 
                Business Owners Initiative Pilot Program established 
                under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall 
        establish a pilot program, to be known as the Veterans Business 
        Owners Initiative Pilot Program, to provide grants to nonprofit 
        entities to carry out peer support groups that provide training 
        to covered individuals interested in exploring careers as 
        owners of small business concerns.
            ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the pilot program are--
                    ``(A) to facilitate training for covered 
                individuals, staff, and mentors to develop the 
                assistance to be provided through peer support groups 
                under the pilot program, including education, coaching, 
                peer support, business mentoring, and benefits 
                counseling; and
                    ``(B) to arrange for external assistance, including 
                micro-financing, for covered individuals.
            ``(4) Application.--A nonprofit entity that desires a grant 
        under the pilot program shall submit to the Administrator an 
        application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Administrator may require.
            ``(5) Pilot program components.--Activities carried out 
        through a peer support group under the pilot program may 
        include--
                    ``(A) providing assistance to covered individuals 
                to identify their passions and skill sets with respect 
                to business, including coaching and mentorship for 
                covered individuals who suffer from the consequences of 
                being at war;
                    ``(B) providing exposure to covered individuals to 
                the considerations involved in self-employment and 
                small business ownership;
                    ``(C) an instruction component that provides an 
                introduction to the foundations of self-employment and 
                small business ownership; and
                    ``(D) in-depth training that leads to the creation 
                of a business plan.
            ``(6) Collaboration.--The Administrator may--
                    ``(A) collaborate with public and private entities 
                to develop a course initiative for peer support groups 
                carried out under the pilot program; and
                    ``(B) design the course curriculum to allow covered 
                individuals to receive college credit or a certificate 
                through an institution of higher education upon 
                completion of all components of the curriculum.
    ``(i) Online Coordination.--
            ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `veterans' 
        assistance provider' means--
                    ``(A) a veterans' business outreach center 
                established under subsection (g);
                    ``(B) an employee of the Administration assigned to 
                the Office of Veterans Business Development; or
                    ``(C) a veterans business development officer 
                designated under subsection (g)(12)(B).
            ``(2) Establishment.--The Associate Administrator shall 
        establish an online mechanism to--
                    ``(A) provide information that assists veterans' 
                assistance providers in carrying out the activities of 
                the veterans' assistance providers; and
                    ``(B) coordinate and leverage the work of the 
                veterans' assistance providers, including by allowing a 
                veterans' assistance provider to--
                            ``(i) distribute best practices and other 
                        materials;
                            ``(ii) communicate with other veterans' 
                        assistance providers regarding the activities 
                        of the veterans' assistance provider on behalf 
                        of veterans; and
                            ``(iii) pose questions to and request input 
                        from other veterans' assistance providers.
    ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020--
            ``(1) $2,500,000 to carry out subsection (g);
            ``(2) $8,000,000 to carry out subsections (d), (e), and 
        (f); and
            ``(3) such sums as may be necessary to carry out subsection 
        (h).
    ``(k) Limitations on Use for Overseas Travel.--
            ``(1) In general.--Financial assistance made available 
        under this section may not be used for travel outside of the 
        United States (as defined in section 202(a)(7) of the State 
        Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 4302(a)(7)) 
        until after the date on which the Administrator submits to the 
        Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate 
        and the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
        Representatives a plan describing how services will provided by 
        recipients, and how the Administrator will oversee the 
        provision of services, outside of the United States.
            ``(2) Maximum amount.--After the date described in 
        paragraph (1), a recipient of financial assistance made 
        available under this section may use not more than 5 percent of 
        the amount of the financial assistance for travel outside of 
        the United States.
    ``(l) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this subsection and every year thereafter, the Associate 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of 
the House of Representatives a report on the performance and 
effectiveness for the programs authorized under this section, which may 
be included as part of another report submitted to the Committee on 
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on 
Small Business of the House of Representatives by the Associate 
Administrator, and which shall include the following:
            ``(1) Boots to business.--For the Boots to Business Program 
        under subsection (d)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Boots to Business Program;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Boots to Business Program;
                    ``(C) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, Military Occupational 
                        Code, and years of service of program 
                        participants;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed or expanded with assistance 
                        under the Boots to Business Program;
                            ``(iii) the gross receipts of small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance under 
                        the Boots to Business program;
                            ``(iv) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Boots to Business program;
                            ``(v) the number of referrals to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vi) the number of program participants 
                        receiving financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(viii) results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;
                    ``(D) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
                program in each region of the Administration during the 
                most recent fiscal year;
                    ``(E) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Boots to Business Program, as 
                identified by the Associate Administrator;
                    ``(F) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Boots to Business Program, which may 
                include expansion of the types of individuals who are 
                covered individuals;
                    ``(G) an explanation of how the Boots to Business 
                program has been integrated with other transition 
                programs and related resources of the Administration 
                and other Federal agencies; and
                    ``(H) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(2) Women veterans business training program.--For the 
        Women Veterans Business Training Program under subsection (e)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Women Veterans Business Training 
                Program;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Women Veterans Business Training Program;
                    ``(C) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, and years of service;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed or expanded with assistance 
                        under the Women Veterans Business Training 
                        Program;
                            ``(iii) the gross receipts of small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance under 
                        the Women Veterans Business Training Program;
                            ``(iv) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Women Veterans Business 
                        Training Program;
                            ``(v) the number of referrals to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vi) the number of referrals from other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration 
                        and other Federal agencies;
                            ``(vii) the number of program participants 
                        receiving financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(viii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(ix) the results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;
                    ``(D) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Women Veterans Business 
                Training Program, as identified by the Associate 
                Administrator;
                    ``(E) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Women Veterans Business Training 
                Program;
                    ``(F) an explanation of how the Women Veterans 
                Business Training Program has been integrated with 
                other transition programs and related resources of the 
                Administration and other Federal agencies; and
                    ``(G) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(3) Business training program for service disabled 
        veterans.--For the Business Training Program for Service 
        Disabled Veterans under subsection (f)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Business Training Program for Service 
                Disabled Veterans;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Business Training Program for Service Disabled 
                Veterans;
                    ``(C) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, and years of service;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed or expanded with assistance 
                        under the Business Training Program for Service 
                        Disabled Veterans;
                            ``(iii) the gross receipts of small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance under 
                        the Business Training Program for Service 
                        Disabled Veterans;
                            ``(iv) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Business Training Program 
                        for Service Disabled Veterans;
                            ``(v) the number of referrals to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vi) the number of referrals from other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration 
                        and other Federal agencies;
                            ``(vii) the number of program participants 
                        receiving financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(viii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(ix) the results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;
                    ``(D) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans, as identified by the 
                Associate Administrator;
                    ``(E) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans;
                    ``(F) an explanation of how the Business Training 
                Program for Service Disabled Veterans has been 
                integrated with other transition programs and related 
                resources of the Administration and other Federal 
                agencies; and
                    ``(G) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(4) Veteran's business outreach center program.--For the 
        veterans' business outreach center program under subsection 
        (g)--
                    ``(A) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
                veterans' business outreach center program in each 
                region of the Administration during the most recent 
                full fiscal year;
                    ``(B) for each veterans' business outreach center 
                established or operated using financial assistance 
                provided under subsection (g)--
                            ``(i) the number of individuals receiving 
                        assistance from the veterans' business outreach 
                        center, including the number of such 
                        individuals who are--
                                    ``(I) veterans or spouses of 
                                veterans;
                                    ``(II) service-disabled veterans or 
                                spouses of service-disabled veterans;
                                    ``(III) Reservists or spouses of 
                                Reservists; or
                                    ``(IV) spouses of members of the 
                                Armed Forces on active duty;
                            ``(ii) the average distance traveled by 
                        veterans to access services at the veterans' 
                        business outreach center;
                            ``(iii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed by individuals receiving 
                        assistance from the veterans' business outreach 
                        center, including--
                                    ``(I) veterans or spouses of 
                                veterans;
                                    ``(II) service-disabled veterans or 
                                spouses of service-disabled veterans;
                                    ``(III) Reservists or spouses of 
                                Reservists; or
                                    ``(IV) spouses of members of the 
                                Armed Forces on active duty; and
                            ``(iv) to the extent possible--
                                    ``(I) the gross receipts of small 
                                business concerns receiving assistance 
                                from the veterans' business outreach 
                                center;
                                    ``(II) the employment increases or 
                                decreases of small business concerns 
                                receiving assistance from the veterans' 
                                business outreach center;
                                    ``(III) the increases or decreases 
                                in profits of small business concerns 
                                receiving assistance from the veterans' 
                                business outreach center;
                                    ``(IV) the number of referrals by 
                                the veterans' business outreach center 
                                to other resources and programs of the 
                                Administration;
                                    ``(V) the results of satisfaction 
                                surveys, including a summary of any 
                                comments received from small business 
                                concerns receiving assistance from the 
                                veterans' business outreach center;
                                    ``(VI) the number of small business 
                                concerns receiving assistance from the 
                                veterans' business outreach center that 
                                received financial assistance under 
                                loan programs of the Administration;
                                    ``(VII) the type and dollar amount 
                                of financial assistance received under 
                                loan programs of the Administration by 
                                small business concerns receiving 
                                assistance from the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;
                                    ``(VIII) the number of small 
                                business concerns receiving assistance 
                                from the veterans' business outreach 
                                center that obtained a Federal contract 
                                through a small business contracting 
                                program;
                                    ``(IX) the type and dollar amount 
                                of the Federal contracts awarded to 
                                small business concerns receiving 
                                assistance from the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;
                                    ``(X) an assessment of additional 
                                performance outcome measures for the 
                                veterans' business outreach center, as 
                                identified by the Associate 
                                Administrator; and
                                    ``(XI) the results of the 
                                examination of the veterans' business 
                                outreach center under subsection 
                                (g)(10);
                    ``(C) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the veterans' business outreach center 
                program;
                    ``(D) an explanation of how the veterans' business 
                outreach center program has been integrated with other 
                transition programs and related resources of the 
                Administration and other Federal agencies; and
                    ``(E) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(5) Other activities and programs administered by the 
        office of veterans business development.--An evaluation of the 
        effectiveness of any other activities and programs administered 
        by the Office of Veterans Business Development, including using 
        the metrics identified in paragraphs (1) through (4).
            ``(6) Veterans business owners initiative pilot program.--
        For the Veterans Business Owners Initiative Pilot Program under 
        subsection (h)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Veteran Business Owners Initiative 
                Pilot Program;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Veteran Business Owners Initiative Pilot Program;
                    ``(C) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, including gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, and years of service;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed or expanded with assistance 
                        under the Veteran Business Owners Initiative 
                        Pilot Program;
                            ``(iii) the gross receipts of small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance under 
                        the Veteran Business Owners Initiative Pilot 
                        Program;
                            ``(iv) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Veteran Business Owners 
                        Initiative Pilot Program;
                            ``(v) the number of referrals to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vi) the number of referrals from other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration 
                        and other Federal agencies;
                            ``(vii) the number of program participants 
                        receiving financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(viii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(ix) the results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;
                    ``(D) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Veteran Business Owners 
                Initiative Pilot Program, as identified by the 
                Associate Administrator;
                    ``(E) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Veteran Business Owners Initiative 
                Pilot Program;
                    ``(F) an explanation of how the Veteran Business 
                Owners Initiative Pilot Program has been integrated 
                with other transition programs and related resources of 
                the Administration and other Federal agencies; and
                    ``(G) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.''.
    (b) Federal Share for Existing Program.--
            (1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``existing 
        award'' means an award made under the Veterans' Business 
        Outreach Center Program of the Small Business Administration 
        before the date of enactment of this Act that is in effect on 
        the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Exception from provision on failure to obtain non-
        federal funding.--During the 2-year period beginning on the 
        date of enactment of this Act, subsection (g)(8)(D) of section 
        32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b), as added by 
        subsection (a), shall not apply to an existing award.
    (c) GAO Reports.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    (A) the term ``covered individual'' means--
                            (i) a veteran;
                            (ii) a service-disabled veteran;
                            (iii) a Reservist;
                            (iv) the spouse of an individual described 
                        in clause (i), (ii), or (iii); or
                            (v) the spouse of a member of the Armed 
                        Forces;
                    (B) the terms ``Reservist'', ``small business 
                concern owned and controlled by veterans'', and 
                ``veterans' business outreach center program'' have the 
                meanings given those terms in section 32(g) of the 
                Small Business Act, as added by subsection (a); and
                    (C) the terms ``service-disabled veteran'', ``small 
                business concern'', and ``veteran'' have the meanings 
                given those terms under section 3 of the Small Business 
                Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
            (2) Report on access to credit.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
                of the United States shall submit a report regarding 
                the ability of small business concerns owned and 
                controlled by covered individuals to access credit to--
                            (i) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
                        the Committee on Small Business and 
                        Entrepreneurship of the Senate; and
                            (ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
                        the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                        Representatives.
                    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include an analysis of--
                            (i) the sources of credit used by small 
                        business concerns owned and controlled by 
                        covered individuals and the percentage of the 
                        credit obtained by small business concerns 
                        owned and controlled by covered individuals 
                        that is obtained from each source;
                            (ii) the default rate for small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by covered 
                        individuals separately for each source of 
                        credit described in clause (i), as compared to 
                        the default rate for the source of credit for 
                        small business concerns generally;
                            (iii) the Federal lending programs 
                        available to provide credit to small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by covered 
                        individuals;
                            (iv) gaps, if any, in the availability of 
                        credit for small business concerns owned and 
                        controlled by covered individuals that are not 
                        being filled by the Federal Government or 
                        private sources;
                            (v) obstacles faced by covered individuals 
                        in trying to access credit;
                            (vi) the extent to which deployment and 
                        other military responsibilities affect the 
                        credit history of veterans and Reservists; and
                            (vii) the extent to which covered 
                        individuals are aware of Federal programs 
                        targeted towards helping covered individuals 
                        access credit.
            (3) Report on veterans' business outreach center program.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the 
                end of the second fiscal year beginning after the date 
                on which the veterans' business outreach center program 
                is established, the Comptroller General of the United 
                States shall evaluate the effectiveness of the 
                veterans' business outreach center program, and submit 
                to Congress a report on the results of that evaluation.
                    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            (i) an assessment of--
                                    (I) the use of amounts made 
                                available to carry out the veterans' 
                                business outreach center program;
                                    (II) the effectiveness of the 
                                services provided by each entity 
                                receiving financial assistance under 
                                the veterans' business outreach center 
                                program;
                                    (III) whether the services 
                                described in subclause (II) are 
                                duplicative of services provided by 
                                other veterans service organizations, 
                                programs of the Small Business 
                                Administration, or programs of another 
                                Federal department or agency and, if 
                                so, recommendations regarding how to 
                                alleviate the duplication of the 
                                services;
                                    (IV) whether there are areas of the 
                                United States in which there are not 
                                adequate entrepreneurial services for 
                                small business concerns owned and 
                                controlled by veterans and, if so, 
                                whether there is a veterans' business 
                                outreach center established under the 
                                veterans' business outreach center 
                                program providing services to that 
                                area; and
                                    (V) whether there is a correlation 
                                between the proximity of a veterans' 
                                business outreach center to small 
                                business concerns owned and controlled 
                                by veterans and the rate of the use of 
                                the services of the veterans' business 
                                outreach center; and
                            (ii) recommendations, if any, for improving 
                        the veterans' business outreach center program.

SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 
        the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 
        thereof, respectively;
            (2) the term ``individual eligible for a veteran 
        entrepreneurial development program'' means--
                    (A) a covered individual, as defined in section 
                32(d)(1) of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
                section 2;
                    (B) a covered individual, as defined in section 
                32(e)(1) of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
                section 2;
                    (C) a service-disabled veteran, as defined in 
                section 3(q)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                632(q)(1)); and
                    (D) an individual who qualifies to be the owner of 
                a small business concern owned and controlled by 
                veterans, as defined in section 32(g)(1)(C) of the 
                Small Business Act, as amended by section 2;
            (3) the term ``one-stop resource'' means the one-stop 
        online resource established under subsection (c)(1); and
            (4) the term ``small business concern'' has the meaning 
        given that term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 
        U.S.C. 632).
    (b) Veteran Peer-to-peer Networks.--Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 
guidelines to improve the network of peer-to-peer counseling and 
mentoring for individuals eligible for a veteran entrepreneurial 
development program relating to the business development and 
entrepreneurial programs of the Administration.
    (c) One-stop Online Resource.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish an 
        online mechanism that serves as a one-stop online resource for 
        veterans regarding all of the entrepreneurial development 
        programs of the Administration.
            (2) Contents.--The one-stop resource shall include 
        descriptions of each entrepreneurial program of the 
        Administration (which shall include the programs described in 
        paragraph (3)), including--
                    (A) target client descriptions for each program;
                    (B) contact information for information on or 
                assistance regarding each program from locally, State-
                wide, and nationally available sources;
                    (C) a detailed description of the services 
                available under each program;
                    (D) a description of any costs associated with the 
                services under each program;
                    (E) an outline of program curriculums if training 
                seminars or courses are offered; and
                    (F) other resource information that the 
                Administrator determines appropriate and necessary for 
                veteran entrepreneurs and veterans who own small 
                business concerns, in order to ensure the one-stop 
                online resource provides information and resources 
                necessary for a veteran beginning to develop a small 
                business concern.
            (3) Programs.--The programs identified and described under 
        the one-stop resource shall include--
                    (A) the small business development center program 
                under section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                648);
                    (B) the women's business center program under 
                section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656);
                    (C) the programs of the Office of Entrepreneurship 
                Education of the Administration;
                    (D) the Boots to Business program under section 
                32(d) of the Small Business Act, as amended by section 
                2(a) of this Act;
                    (E) the veterans' business outreach center program 
                under section 32(e) of the Small Business Act, as 
                amended by section 2(a) of this Act;
                    (F) the Service Corps of Retired Executives program 
                authorized by section 8(b)(1) of the Small Business Act 
                (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)); and
                    (G) any other program of the Administration 
                determined appropriate by the Administrator.

SEC. 4. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

    Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(c)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the 
        Administrator shall submit to Congress a report--
                    ``(A) discussing the appointments made to and 
                activities of the task force; and
                    ``(B) identifying and outlining a plan for outreach 
                and promotion of all the programs authorized under the 
                Veterans Small Business Development Act of 2015, or an 
                amendment made by that Act.''.

SEC. 5. EDUCATIONAL TRAINING.

    Section 8(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (16), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (17), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(18) to make a grant to, or enter into a cooperative 
        agreement with, a nonprofit entity to operate an educational 
        training program to provide assistance to small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by veterans regarding how to 
        increase the likelihood of being awarded contracts with the 
        Federal Government--
                    ``(A) which shall be made to or entered into with a 
                nonprofit entity that has a track record of 
                successfully providing educational and job training 
                services to targeted veterans populations in diverse 
                locations;
                    ``(B) under which the nonprofit entity shall be 
                required to match any Federal funds received for the 
                program with State, local, or private sector funds; and
                    ``(C) under which the nonprofit entity shall use a 
                diverse group of professional service experts, such as 
                Federal, State, and local contracting experts and 
                private sector industry experts with first-hand 
                experience in Federal Government contracting, to 
                provide instruction to small business concerns owned 
                and controlled by veterans.''.
                                                       Calendar No. 225

114th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                S. 1866

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To establish the veterans' business outreach center program, to improve 
the programs for veterans of the Small Business Administration, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           September 15, 2015

                       Reported with an amendment
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