TITLE I—EXISTING INITIATIVES 
Subtitle A—Market Development, 
Research, and Information 
SEC. 101. PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT. 
The Assistant Secretary shall, whenever the Assistant 
Secretary determines such action is necessary or appro-
priate— 
(1) provide Federal assistance to minority busi-
ness enterprises operating in domestic and foreign 
markets by making available to those business enter-
prises, either directly or in cooperation with private 
sector entities, including community-based organiza-
tions and national nonprofit organizations— 
(A) resources relating to management; 
(B) technological and technical assistance; 
(C) financial, legal, and marketing serv-
ices; and 
(D) services relating to workforce develop-
ment; 
(2) encourage minority business enterprises to 
establish joint ventures and projects— 
(A) with other minority business enter-
prises; or 
(B) in cooperation with public sector enti-
ties or private sector entities, including commu-
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nity-based organizations and national nonprofit 
organizations, to increase the share of any mar-
ket activity being performed by minority busi-
ness enterprises; and 
(3) facilitate the efforts of private sector enti-
ties and Federal agencies to advance the growth of 
minority business enterprises. 
SEC. 102. PUBLIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENT. 
The Assistant Secretary shall, whenever the Assistant 
Secretary determines such action is necessary or appro-
priate— 
(1) consult and cooperate with public sector en-
tities for the purpose of leveraging resources avail-
able in the jurisdictions of those public sector enti-
ties to promote the position of minority business en-
terprises in the local economies of those public sector 
entities, including by assisting public sector entities 
to establish or enhance— 
(A) programs to procure goods and serv-
ices through minority business enterprises and 
goals for that procurement; 
(B) programs offering assistance relating 
to— 
(i) management; 
(ii) technology; 
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(iii) law; 
(iv) financing, including accounting; 
(v) marketing; and 
(vi) workforce development; and 
(C) informational programs designed to in-
form minority business enterprises located in 
the jurisdictions of those public sector entities 
about the availability of programs described in 
this section; 
(2) meet with leaders and officials of public sec-
tor entities for the purpose of recommending and 
promoting local administrative and legislative initia-
tives needed to advance the position of minority 
business enterprises in the local economies of those 
public sector entities; and 
(3) facilitate the efforts of public sector entities 
and Federal agencies to advance the growth of mi-
nority business enterprises. 
SEC. 103. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to achieve the purposes 
of this Act, the Assistant Secretary— 
(1) shall— 
(A) collect and analyze data, including 
data relating to the causes of the success or 
failure of minority business enterprises; 
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(B) perform evaluations of programs car-
ried out by Federal agencies with an emphasis 
on increasing coordination between Federal 
agencies with respect to the development of mi-
nority business enterprises; 
(C) conduct research, studies, and surveys 
of— 
(i) economic conditions generally in 
the United States; and 
(ii) how the conditions described in 
clause (i) particularly affect the develop-
ment of minority business enterprises; and 
(D) provide outreach, educational services, 
and technical assistance in the 10 most com-
monly spoken languages in the United States to 
ensure that limited-English proficient individ-
uals receive culturally and linguistically appro-
priate access to the services and information 
provided by the Agency; and 
(2) may, at the request of a public sector entity 
or a private sector entity, perform an evaluation of 
programs carried out by the entity that are designed 
to assist the development of minority business enter-
prises. 
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(b) INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE.—The Assistant 
Secretary shall— 
(1) establish and maintain an information clear-
inghouse for the collection and dissemination to rel-
evant parties (including business owners and re-
searchers) of demographic, economic, financial, man-
agerial, and technical data relating to minority busi-
ness enterprises; and 
(2) take such steps as the Assistant Secretary 
may determine to be necessary and desirable to— 
(A) search for, collect, classify, coordinate, 
integrate, record, and catalog the data de-
scribed in paragraph (1); and 
(B) in a manner that is consistent with 
section 552a of title 5, United States Code, pro-
tect the privacy of the minority business enter-
prises to which the data described in paragraph 
(1) relates. 
Subtitle B—Minority Business De-
velopment 
Agency 
Business 
Center Program 
SEC. 110. DEFINITION. 
In this subtitle, the term ‘‘MBDA Business Center 
Program’’ means the program established under section 
112. 
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SEC. 111. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of the MBDA Business Center Program 
shall be to create a national network of public-private 
partnerships that— 
(1) assist minority business enterprises to— 
(A) access capital, contracts, and grants; 
and 
(B) create and maintain jobs; 
(2) provide counseling and mentoring to minor-
ity business enterprises; and 
(3) facilitate the growth of minority business 
enterprises by promoting trade. 
SEC. 112. ESTABLISHMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the Agency 
a program— 
(1) that shall be known as the MBDA Business 
Center Program; 
(2) that shall be separate and distinct from the 
efforts of the Assistant Secretary under section 101; 
and 
(3) under which the Assistant Secretary shall 
make Federal assistance awards to eligible entities 
to operate MBDA Business Centers, which shall, in 
accordance with section 113, provide technical as-
sistance and business development services, or spe-
cialty services, to minority business enterprises. 
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(b) COVERAGE.—The Assistant Secretary shall take 
all necessary actions to ensure that the MBDA Business 
Center Program, in accordance with section 113, offers 
the services described in subsection (a)(3) in all regions 
of the United States. 
SEC. 113. GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—An MBDA Business Center 
(referred to in this subtitle as a ‘‘Center’’), with respect 
to the Federal financial assistance award made to operate 
the Center under the MBDA Business Center Program— 
(1) shall— 
(A) provide to minority business enter-
prises programs and services determined to be 
appropriate by the Assistant Secretary, which— 
(i) shall include referral services to 
meet the needs of minority business enter-
prises; and 
(ii) may include programs and serv-
ices to accomplish the goals described in 
section 101(1); 
(B) develop, cultivate, and maintain a net-
work of strategic partnerships with organiza-
tions that foster access by minority business en-
terprises to economic markets, capital, or con-
tracts; 
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(C) continue to upgrade and modify the 
services provided by the Center, as necessary, in 
order to meet the changing and evolving needs 
of the business community; 
(D) establish or continue a referral rela-
tionship with not less than 1 community-based 
organization; and 
(E) collaborate with other Centers; and 
(2) in providing programs and services under 
the applicable MBDA Business Center agreement, 
may— 
(A) operate on a fee-for-service basis; or 
(B) generate income through the collection 
of— 
(i) client fees; 
(ii) membership fees; and 
(iii) any other appropriate fees pro-
posed by the Center in the application sub-
mitted by the Center under subsection (e). 
(b) TERM.—Subject to subsection (g)(3), the term of 
an MBDA Business Center agreement shall be not less 
than 3 years. 
(c) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amount of financial as-
sistance provided by the Assistant Secretary under 
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an MBDA Business Center agreement shall be not 
less than $250,000 for the term of the agreement. 
(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A Center shall match 
not less than 1⁄3 of the amount of the financial 
assistance awarded to the Center under the 
terms of the applicable MBDA Business Center 
agreement, unless the Assistant Secretary de-
termines that a waiver of that requirement is 
necessary after a demonstration by the Center 
of a substantial need for that waiver. 
(B) FORM
OF
FUNDS.—A Center may 
meet the matching requirement under subpara-
graph (A) using— 
(i) cash or in-kind contributions, with-
out regard to whether the contribution is 
made by a third party; or 
(ii) Federal funds received from other 
Federal programs. 
(3) USE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND PRO-
GRAM INCOME.—A Center shall use— 
(A) all financial assistance awarded to the 
Center under the applicable MBDA Business 
Center agreement to carry out subsection (a); 
and 
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(B) all income that the Center generates in 
carrying out subsection (a)— 
(i) to meet the matching requirement 
under paragraph (2) of this subsection; 
and 
(ii) if the Center meets the matching 
requirement under paragraph (2) of this 
subsection, to carry out subsection (a). 
(d) CRITERIA FOR SELECTION.—The Assistant Sec-
retary shall— 
(1) establish criteria that— 
(A) the Assistant Secretary shall use in de-
termining whether to enter into an MBDA 
Business Center agreement with an eligible en-
tity; and 
(B) may include criteria relating to wheth-
er an eligible entity is located in— 
(i) an area, the population of which is 
composed of not less than 51 percent so-
cially and economically disadvantaged indi-
viduals, as determined in accordance with 
data collected by the Bureau of the Cen-
sus; 
(ii) a federally recognized area of eco-
nomic distress; or 
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(iii) a State that is underserved with 
respect to the MBDA Business Center 
Program, as defined by the Assistant Sec-
retary; and 
(2) make the criteria and standards established 
under paragraph (1) publicly available, including— 
(A) on the website of the Agency; and 
(B) in each Notice of Funding Opportunity 
soliciting MBDA Business Center agreements. 
(e) APPLICATIONS.—An eligible entity desiring to 
enter into an MBDA Business Center agreement shall 
submit to the Assistant Secretary an application that in-
cludes— 
(1) a statement of— 
(A) how the eligible entity will carry out 
subsection (a); and 
(B) any experience of the eligible entity 
in— 
(i) assisting minority business enter-
prises to— 
(I) obtain— 
(aa) large-scale contracts, 
grants, or procurements; 
(bb) financing; or 
(cc) legal assistance; 
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(II) access established supply 
chains; and 
(III) engage in— 
(aa) joint ventures, teaming 
arrangements, and mergers and 
acquisitions; or 
(bb) large-scale transactions 
in global markets; 
(ii) supporting minority business en-
terprises in increasing the size of the 
workforces of those enterprises, including, 
with respect to a minority business enter-
prise that does not have employees, aiding 
the minority business enterprise in becom-
ing an enterprise that has employees; and 
(iii) advocating for minority business 
enterprises; and 
(2) the budget and corresponding budget nar-
rative that the eligible entity will use in carrying out 
subsection (a) during the term of the applicable 
MBDA Business Center agreement. 
(f) NOTIFICATION.—If the Assistant Secretary 
grants an application of an eligible entity submitted under 
subsection (e), the Assistant Secretary shall notify the eli-
gible entity that the application has been granted not later 
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than 150 days after the last day on which an application 
may be submitted under that subsection. 
(g) PROGRAM EXAMINATION; ACCREDITATION; EX-
TENSIONS.— 
(1) EXAMINATION.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and bienni-
ally thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall conduct 
a programmatic financial examination of each Cen-
ter. 
(2) ACCREDITATION.—The Assistant Secretary 
may provide financial support, by contract or other-
wise, to an association, not less than 51 percent of 
the members of which are Centers, to— 
(A) pursue matters of common concern 
with respect to Centers; and 
(B) develop an accreditation program with 
respect to Centers. 
(3) EXTENSIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Assistant Sec-
retary may extend the term under subsection 
(b) of an MBDA Business Center agreement to 
which a Center is a party, if the Center con-
sents to the extension. 
(B) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—If the As-
sistant Secretary extends the term of an MBDA 
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Business Center agreement under paragraph 
(1), the Assistant Secretary shall, in the same 
manner and amount in which financial assist-
ance was provided during the initial term of the 
agreement, provide financial assistance under 
the agreement during the extended term of the 
agreement. 
(h) MBDA INVOLVEMENT.—The Assistant Secretary 
may take actions to ensure that the Agency is substan-
tially involved in the activities of Centers in carrying out 
subsection (a), including by— 
(1) providing to each Center training relating to 
the MBDA Business Center Program; 
(2) requiring that the operator and staff of 
each Center— 
(A) attend— 
(i) a conference with the Agency to 
establish the services and programs that 
the Center will provide in carrying out the 
requirements before the date on which the 
Center begins providing those services and 
programs; and 
(ii) training provided under paragraph 
(1); 
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(B) receive necessary guidance relating to 
carrying out the requirements under subsection 
(a); and 
(C) work in coordination and collaboration 
with the Assistant Secretary to carry out the 
MBDA Business Center Program and other 
programs of the Agency; 
(3) facilitating connections between Centers 
and— 
(A) Federal agencies other than the Agen-
cy, including the Small Business Administra-
tion, the Department of Agriculture, the Fed-
eral Trade Commission, the United States Pat-
ent and Trademark Office, and the Economic 
Development Administration of the Department 
of Commerce; and 
(B) other institutions or entities that use 
Federal resources, including— 
(i) small business development cen-
ters, as that term is defined in section 3(t) 
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
632(t)); 
(ii) women’s business centers de-
scribed in section 29 of the Small Business 
Act (15 U.S.C. 656); 
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(iii) eligible entities, as that term is 
defined in section 2411 of title 10, United 
States Code, that provide services under 
the program carried out under chapter 142 
of that title; and 
(iv) entities participating in the Hol-
lings Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
Program established under section 25 of 
the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k); 
(4) monitoring projects carried out by each 
Center; and 
(5) establishing and enforcing administrative 
and reporting requirements for each Center to carry 
out subsection (a). 
(i) REGULATIONS.—The Assistant Secretary shall 
issue and publish regulations that establish minimum 
standards regarding verification of minority business en-
terprise status for clients of entities operating under the 
MBDA Business Center Program. 
SEC. 114. MINIMIZING DISRUPTIONS TO EXISTING MBDA 
BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM. 
The Assistant Secretary shall ensure that each Fed-
eral assistance award made under the Business Centers 
program of the Agency, as is in effect on the day before 
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the date of enactment of this Act, is carried out in a man-
ner that, to the greatest extent practicable, prevents dis-
ruption of any activity carried out under that award. 
SEC. 115. PUBLICITY. 
In carrying out the MBDA Business Center Pro-
gram, the Assistant Secretary shall widely publicize the 
MBDA Business Center Program, including— 
(1) on the website of the Agency; 
(2) via social media outlets; and 
(3) by sharing information relating to the 
MBDA Business Center Program with community- 
based organizations, including interpretation groups 
where necessary, to communicate in the most com-
mon languages spoken by the groups served by those 
organizations. 
SEC. 116. FUNDING. 
The Assistant Secretary shall use not less than 50 
percent of the amount made available to carry out this 
Act in each of fiscal years 2021 through 2024 to carry 
out the MBDA Business Center Program, including the 
component of the program relating to specialty centers. 
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TITLE II—NEW INITIATIVES TO 
PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESIL-
IENCY FOR MINORITY BUSI-
NESSES 
SEC. 201. ANNUAL DIVERSE BUSINESS FORUM ON CAPITAL 
FORMATION. 
(a) RESPONSIBILITY OF AGENCY.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annu-
ally thereafter, the Agency shall conduct a Government- 
business forum to review the current status of problems 
and programs relating to capital formation by minority 
business enterprises. 
(b) PARTICIPATION IN FORUM PLANNING.—The As-
sistant Secretary shall invite the heads of other Federal 
agencies, such as the Chairman of the Securities and Ex-
change Commission, the Secretary of the Treasury, and 
the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal 
Reserve System, organizations representing State securi-
ties commissioners, representatives of leading minority 
chambers of commerce, not less than 1 certified owner of 
a minority business enterprise, business organizations, 
and professional organizations concerned with capital for-
mation to participate in the planning of each forum con-
ducted under subsection (a). 
(c) PREPARATION OF STATEMENTS AND REPORTS.— 
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(1) REQUESTS.—The Assistant Secretary may 
request that any head of a Federal department, 
agency, or organization, including those described in 
subsection (b), or any other group or individual, pre-
pare a statement or report to be delivered at any 
forum conducted under subsection (a). 
(2) COOPERATION.—Any head of a Federal de-
partment, agency, or organization who receives a re-
quest under paragraph (1) shall, to the greatest ex-
tent practicable, cooperate with the Assistant Sec-
retary to fulfill that request. 
(d) TRANSMITTAL
OF PROCEEDINGS
AND FIND-
INGS.—The Assistant Secretary shall— 
(1) prepare a summary of the proceedings of 
each forum conducted under subsection (a), which 
shall include the findings and recommendations of 
the forum; and 
(2) transmit the summary described in para-
graph (1) with respect to each forum conducted 
under subsection (a) to— 
(A) the participants in the forum; 
(B) Congress; and 
(C) the public, through a publicly available 
website. 
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(e) REVIEW OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS; 
PUBLIC STATEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A Federal agency to which 
a finding or recommendation described in subsection 
(d)(1) relates shall— 
(A) review that finding or recommenda-
tion; and 
(B) promptly after the finding or rec-
ommendation is transmitted under subsection 
(d)(2)(C), issue a public statement— 
(i) assessing the finding or rec-
ommendation; and 
(ii) disclosing the action, if any, the 
Federal agency intends to take with re-
spect to the finding or recommendation. 
(2) JOINT STATEMENT PERMITTED.—If a find-
ing or recommendation described in subsection 
(d)(1) relates to more than 1 Federal agency, the 
applicable Federal agencies may, for the purposes of 
the public statement required under paragraph 
(1)(B), issue a joint statement. 
SEC. 202. AGENCY STUDY ON ALTERNATIVE FINANCING SO-
LUTIONS. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to pro-
vide information relating to alternative financing solutions 
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to minority business enterprises, as those business enter-
prises are more likely to struggle in accessing, particularly 
at affordable rates, traditional sources of capital. 
(b) STUDY AND REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Sec-
retary shall— 
(1) conduct a study on opportunities for pro-
viding alternative financing solutions to minority 
business enterprises; and 
(2) submit to Congress, and publish on the 
website of the Agency, a report describing the find-
ings of the study carried out under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 203. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO 
MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. 
(a) DUTIES.—The Assistant Secretary shall, when-
ever the Assistant Secretary determines such action is nec-
essary or appropriate— 
(1) promote and provide assistance for the edu-
cation and training of socially and economically dis-
advantaged individuals in subjects directly relating 
to business administration and management; 
(2) join with, and encourage, institutions of 
higher education, leaders in business and industry, 
and other public sector and private sector entities, 
particularly minority business enterprises, to— 
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(A) develop programs to offer scholarships 
and fellowships, apprenticeships, and intern-
ships relating to business to socially and eco-
nomically disadvantaged individuals; and 
(B) sponsor seminars, conferences, and 
similar activities relating to business for the 
benefit of socially and economically disadvan-
taged individuals; 
(3) stimulate and accelerate curriculum design 
and improvement in support of development of mi-
nority business enterprises; and 
(4) encourage and assist private institutions 
and organizations and public sector entities to un-
dertake activities similar to the activities described 
in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3). 
(b) PARREN
J. MITCHELL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP 
EDUCATION GRANTS.— 
(1) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘eligible institution’’ means an institution of higher 
education described in any of paragraphs (1) 
through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
(2) GRANTS.—The Assistant Secretary shall 
award grants to eligible institutions to develop and 
implement entrepreneurship curricula. 
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(3) REQUIREMENTS.—An eligible institution to 
which a grant is awarded under this subsection shall 
use the grant funds to— 
(A) develop a curriculum that includes 
training in various skill sets needed by contem-
porary successful entrepreneurs, including— 
(i) business management and mar-
keting; 
(ii) financial management and ac-
counting; 
(iii) market analysis; 
(iv) competitive analysis; 
(v) innovation; 
(vi) strategic planning; and 
(vii) any other skill set that the eligi-
ble institution determines is necessary for 
the students served by the eligible institu-
tion and the community in which the eligi-
ble institution is located; and 
(B) implement the curriculum developed 
under subparagraph (A) at the eligible institu-
tion. 
(4) IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE.—The Assist-
ant Secretary shall establish and publish a timeline 
under which an eligible institution to which a grant 
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is awarded under this section shall carry out the re-
quirements under paragraph (3). 
(5) REPORTS.—Each year, the Assistant Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Com-
mittee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of 
the Senate, the Committee on Financial Services of 
the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
Small Business of the House of Representatives, as 
part of the annual budget submission of the Presi-
dent under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States 
Code, a report evaluating the awarding and use of 
grants under this subsection during the fiscal year 
immediately preceding the date on which the report 
is submitted, which shall include, with respect to 
that fiscal year— 
(A) a description of each curriculum devel-
oped and implemented under each grant award-
ed under this section; 
(B) the date on which each grant awarded 
under this section was awarded; and 
(C) the number of eligible entities that 
were recipients of grants awarded under this 
section. 
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TITLE III—RURAL MINORITY 
BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM 
SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship of the Senate; 
(C) the Committee on Financial Services of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(D) the Committee on Small Business of 
the House of Representatives. 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means— 
(A) a minority-serving institution; or 
(B) a consortium of institutions of higher 
education that is led by a minority-serving insti-
tution. 
(3) MBDA RURAL
BUSINESS
CENTER.—The 
term ‘‘MBDA Rural Business Center’’ means an 
MBDA Business Center that provides technical busi-
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ness assistance to minority business enterprises lo-
cated in rural areas. 
(4) MBDA RURAL BUSINESS CENTER AGREE-
MENT.—The term ‘‘MBDA Rural Business Center 
agreement’’ means an MBDA Business Center 
agreement that establishes the terms by which the 
recipient of the Federal assistance award that is the 
subject of the agreement shall operate an MBDA 
Rural Business Center. 
(5) 
MINORITY-SERVING
INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘‘minority-serving institution’’ means an insti-
tution described in any of paragraphs (1) through 
(7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
(6) RURAL AREA.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the term ‘‘rural area’’ has the mean-
ing given the term in section 343(a) of the Con-
solidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1991(a)). 
(B) 100,000 INHABITANTS.—For the pur-
pose of this title, the reference to ‘‘50,000 in-
habitants’’ in section 343(a)(13)(A)(i) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
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(7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)(i)) shall be deemed to 
refer to 100,000 inhabitants. 
(7) RURAL MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.— 
The term ‘‘rural minority business enterprise’’ 
means a minority business enterprise located in a 
rural area. 
SEC. 302. BUSINESS CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary may es-
tablish MBDA Rural Business Centers. 
(b) PARTNERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to an MBDA 
Rural Business Center established by the Assistant 
Secretary, the Assistant Secretary shall establish the 
MBDA Rural Business Center in partnership with 
an eligible entity in accordance with paragraph (2). 
(2) MBDA AGREEMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—With respect to each 
MBDA Rural Business Center established by 
the Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Secretary 
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with an 
eligible entity that provides that— 
(i) the eligible entity shall provide 
space, facilities, and staffing for the 
MBDA Rural Business Center; 
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(ii) the Assistant Secretary shall pro-
vide funding for, and oversight with re-
spect to, the MBDA Rural Business Cen-
ter; and 
(iii) subject to subparagraph (B), the 
eligible entity shall match 20 percent of 
the amount of the funding provided by the 
Assistant Secretary under clause (ii), 
which may be calculated to include the 
costs of providing the space, facilities, and 
staffing under clause (i). 
(B) 
LOWER
MATCH
REQUIREMENT.— 
Based on the available resources of an eligible 
entity, the Assistant Secretary may enter into a 
cooperative agreement with the eligible entity 
that provides that— 
(i) the eligible entity shall match less 
than 20 percent of the amount of the fund-
ing provided by the Assistant Secretary 
under subparagraph (A)(ii); or 
(ii) if the Assistant Secretary makes a 
determination, upon a demonstration by 
the eligible entity of substantial need, the 
eligible entity shall not be required to pro-
vide any match with respect to the funding 
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provided by the Assistant Secretary under 
subparagraph (A)(ii). 
(C) ELIGIBLE FUNDS.—An eligible entity 
may provide matching funds required under an 
MBDA Rural Business Center agreement with 
Federal funds received from other Federal pro-
grams. 
(3) TERM.—The initial term of an MBDA 
Rural Business Center agreement shall be 3 years. 
(4) EXTENSION.—The Assistant Secretary and 
an eligible entity may agree to extend the term of 
an MBDA Rural Business Center agreement with 
respect to an MBDA Rural Business Center. 
(c) FUNCTIONS.—An MBDA Rural Business Center 
shall— 
(1) primarily serve clients that are— 
(A) rural minority business enterprises; or 
(B) minority business enterprises that are 
located more than 50 miles from an MBDA 
Business Center (other than that MBDA Rural 
Business Center); 
(2) focus on— 
(A) issues relating to— 
(i) the adoption of broadband internet 
access service (as defined in section 8.1(b) 
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of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or 
any successor regulation), digital literacy 
skills, and e-commerce by rural minority 
business enterprises; 
(ii) advanced manufacturing; 
(iii) the promotion of manufacturing 
in the United States; 
(iv) ways in which rural minority busi-
ness enterprises can meet gaps in the sup-
ply chain of critical supplies and essential 
goods and services for the United States; 
(v) improving the connectivity of rural 
minority 
business 
enterprises 
through 
transportation and logistics; 
(vi) promoting trade and export op-
portunities by rural minority business en-
terprises; 
(vii) securing financial capital; 
(viii) facilitating entrepreneurship in 
rural areas; and 
(ix) creating jobs in rural areas; and 
(B) any other issue relating to the unique 
challenges faced by rural minority business en-
terprises; and 
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(3) provide education, training, and legal, finan-
cial, and technical assistance to minority business 
enterprises. 
(d) APPLICATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Sec-
retary shall issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity 
requesting applications from eligible entities that de-
sire to enter into MBDA Rural Business Center 
agreements. 
(2) CRITERIA AND PRIORITY.—In selecting an 
eligible entity with which to enter into an MBDA 
Rural Business Center agreement, the Assistant 
Secretary shall— 
(A) select an eligible entity that dem-
onstrates— 
(i) the ability to collaborate with gov-
ernmental and private sector entities to le-
verage capabilities of minority business en-
terprises through public-private partner-
ships; 
(ii) the research and extension capac-
ity to support minority business enter-
prises; 
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(B) give priority to an eligible entity lo-
cated in a State or region that lacks an MBDA 
Business Center, as of the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 303. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report that in-
cludes— 
(1) a summary of the efforts of the Assistant 
Secretary to provide services to minority business 
enterprises located in States that lack an MBDA 
Business Center, as of the date of enactment of this 
Act, and especially in those States that have signifi-
cant minority populations; and 
(2) recommendations for extending the outreach 
of the Agency to underserved areas. 
SEC. 304. STUDY AND REPORT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary, in co-
ordination with relevant leadership of the Agency and rel-
evant individuals outside of the Department of Commerce, 
shall conduct a study that addresses the ways in which 
minority business enterprises can meet gaps in the supply 
chain of the United States, with a particular focus on the 
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supply chain of advanced manufacturing and essential 
goods and services. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a re-
port that includes the results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a), which shall include recommendations re-
garding the ways in which minority business enterprises 
can meet gaps in the supply chain of the United States. 
TITLE IV—MINORITY BUSINESS 
DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 
SEC. 401. GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT 
SUPPORT 
MINORITY 
BUSINESS 
ENTER-
PRISES. 
(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘covered 
entity’’ means a private nonprofit organization that— 
(1) is described in paragraph (3), (4), (5), or 
(6) of section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) 
of such Code; and 
(2) can demonstrate that the primary mission 
of the organization is to provide services to minority 
business enterprises, whether through education, 
making grants or loans, or other similar activities. 
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(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to 
make grants to covered entities to help those covered enti-
ties continue the necessary work of supporting minority 
business enterprises. 
(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary 
shall establish within the Agency a grant program under 
which the Assistant Secretary shall make grants to cov-
ered entities in accordance with the requirements of this 
section. 
(d) APPLICATION.—A covered entity desiring a grant 
under this section shall submit to the Assistant Secretary 
an application at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Assistant Secretary may 
require. 
(e) PRIORITY.—The Assistant Secretary shall, in car-
rying out this section, prioritize granting an application 
submitted by a covered entity— 
(1) the primary mission of which is serving so-
cially and economically disadvantaged individuals; or 
(2) that is located in a federally recognized area 
of economic distress. 
(f) USE OF FUNDS.—A covered entity to which a 
grant is made under this section may use the grant funds 
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to support the development and growth of minority busi-
ness enterprises. 
(g) PROCEDURES.—The Assistant Secretary shall es-
tablish procedures to discourage and prevent waste, fraud, 
and abuse by applicants for, and recipients of, grants 
made under this section. 
(h) INSPECTOR GENERAL AUDIT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date on which the Assistant Secretary 
begins making grants under this section, the Inspector 
General of the Department of Commerce shall— 
(1) conduct an audit of grants made under this 
section, which shall seek to identify any discrep-
ancies or irregularities with respect to those grants; 
and 
(2) submit to Congress a report regarding the 
audit conducted under paragraph (1). 
(i) UPDATES TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date on which the Assistant Secretary establishes 
the grant program under subsection (c), and once every 
30 days thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report that contains— 
(1) the number of grants made under this sec-
tion during the period covered by the report; and 
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(2) with respect to the grants described in para-
graph (1), the geographic distribution of those 
grants by State and county. 
SEC. 402. MINORITY BUSINESS GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Secretary may 
award grants to minority business enterprises for the pur-
pose of— 
(1) growing a minority business enterprise; or 
(2) helping a minority business enterprise to re-
main in business. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT
OF OFFICE.—The Assistant 
Secretary shall establish an office within the Agency that 
has adequate staffing to award and administer grants 
under subsection (a). 
(c) UPDATES TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 120 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, and once 
every 30 days thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report that contains— 
(1) the number of grants made under this sec-
tion during the period covered by the report; and 
(2) with respect to the grants described in para-
graph (1)— 
(A) the geographic distribution of those 
grants by State and county; and 
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(B) with respect to each minority business 
enterprise to which such a grant is awarded— 
(i) demographic information with re-
spect to the minority business enterprise; 
and 
(ii) information regarding the industry 
in which the minority business enterprise 
operates. 
TITLE V—ADMINISTRATIVE AND 
OTHER 
POWERS 
OF 
THE 
AGENCY; 
MISCELLANEOUS 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 501. ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this Act, the As-
sistant Secretary may— 
(1) adopt and use a seal for the Agency, which 
shall be judicially noticed; 
(2) hold hearings, sit and act, and take testi-
mony as the Assistant Secretary may determine to 
be necessary or appropriate to carry out this Act; 
(3) acquire, in any lawful manner, any property 
that the Assistant Secretary determines to be nec-
essary or appropriate to carry out this Act; 
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(4) make advance payments under grants, con-
tracts, and cooperative agreements awarded under 
this Act; 
(5) with the consent of another Federal agency, 
enter into an agreement with that Federal agency to 
utilize, with or without reimbursement, any service, 
equipment, personnel, or facility of that Federal 
agency; 
(6) coordinate with the heads of the Offices of 
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of 
Federal agencies; 
(7) require a coordinated review of all training 
and technical assistance activities that are proposed 
to be carried out by Federal agencies in direct sup-
port of the development of minority business enter-
prises to— 
(A) ensure consistency with the purposes 
of this Act; and 
(B) avoid duplication of existing efforts; 
and 
(8) prescribe such rules, regulations, and proce-
dures as the Assistant Secretary determines to be 
necessary or appropriate to carry out this Act. 
(b) EMPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN EXPERTS AND CON-
SULTANTS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this Act, the 
Assistant Secretary may employ experts and consult-
ants or organizations that are composed of experts 
or consultants, as authorized under section 3109 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(2) RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS.—The Assistant 
Secretary may annually renew a contract for employ-
ment of an individual employed under paragraph 
(1). 
(c) DONATION OF PROPERTY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), in 
carrying out this Act, the Assistant Secretary may, 
without cost (except for costs of care and handling), 
donate for use by any public sector entity, or by any 
recipient nonprofit organization, for the purpose of 
the development of minority business enterprises, 
any real or tangible personal property acquired by 
the Agency in carrying out this Act. 
(2) TERMS, CONDITIONS, RESERVATIONS, AND 
RESTRICTIONS.—The Assistant Secretary may im-
pose reasonable terms, conditions, reservations, and 
restrictions upon the use of any property donated 
under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 502. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
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(1) PROVISION OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.—To 
carry out sections 101, 102, and 103(a), the Assist-
ant Secretary may provide Federal assistance to 
public sector entities and private sector entities in 
the form of grants or cooperative agreements. 
(2) NOTICE.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date on which amounts are appropriated to carry 
out this section, the Assistant Secretary shall, in ac-
cordance with subsection (b), broadly publish a 
statement regarding Federal assistance that will, or 
may, be provided under paragraph (1) during the 
fiscal year for which those amounts are appro-
priated, including— 
(A) the actual, or anticipated, amount of 
Federal assistance that will, or may, be made 
available; 
(B) the types of Federal assistance that 
will, or may, be made available; 
(C) the manner in which Federal assist-
ance will be allocated among public sector enti-
ties and private sector entities, as applicable; 
and 
(D) the methodology used by the Assistant 
Secretary to make allocations under subpara-
graph (C). 
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(3) CONSULTATION.—The Assistant Secretary 
shall consult with public sector entities and private 
sector entities, as applicable, in deciding the 
amounts and types of Federal assistance to make 
available under paragraph (1). 
(b) PUBLICITY.—In carrying out this section, the As-
sistant Secretary shall broadly publicize all opportunities 
for Federal assistance available under this section, includ-
ing through the means required under section 115. 
SEC. 503. AUDITS. 
(a) RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENT.—Each recipi-
ent of assistance under this Act shall keep such records 
as the Assistant Secretary shall prescribe, including 
records that fully disclose, with respect to the assistance 
received by the recipient under this Act— 
(1) the amount and nature of that assistance; 
(2) the disposition by the recipient of the pro-
ceeds of that assistance; 
(3) the total cost of the undertaking for which 
the assistance is given or used; 
(4) the amount and nature of the portion of the 
cost of the undertaking described in paragraph (3) 
that is supplied by a source other than the Agency; 
and 
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(5) any other record that will facilitate an effec-
tive audit with respect to the assistance. 
(b) ACCESS BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.—The As-
sistant Secretary, the Inspector General of the Depart-
ment of Commerce, and the Comptroller General of the 
United States, or any duly authorized representative of 
any such individual, shall have access, for the purpose of 
audit, investigation, and examination, to any book, docu-
ment, paper, record, or other material of a recipient of 
assistance under this Act that pertains to the assistance 
received by the recipient under this Act. 
SEC. 504. REVIEW AND REPORT BY COMPTROLLER GEN-
ERAL. 
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall— 
(1) conduct a thorough review of the programs 
carried out under this Act; and 
(2) submit to Congress a detailed report of the 
findings of the Comptroller General of the United 
States under the review carried out under paragraph 
(1), which shall include— 
(A) an evaluation of the effectiveness of 
the programs in achieving the purposes of this 
Act; 
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(B) a description of any failure by any re-
cipient of assistance under this Act to comply 
with the requirements under this Act; and 
(C) recommendations for any legislative or 
administrative action that should be taken to 
improve the achievement of the purposes of this 
Act. 
SEC. 505. ANNUAL REPORTS; RECOMMENDATIONS. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the last day of each fiscal year, the Assistant Secretary 
shall submit to Congress, and publish on the website of 
the Agency, a report of each activity of the Agency carried 
out under this Act during the fiscal year preceding the 
date on which the report is submitted. 
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Assistant Secretary 
shall periodically submit to Congress and the President 
recommendations for legislation or other actions that the 
Assistant Secretary determines to be necessary or appro-
priate to promote the purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 506. SEPARABILITY. 
If a provision of this Act, or the application of a pro-
vision of this Act to any person or circumstance, is held 
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that 
judgment— 
(1) shall not affect, impair, or invalidate— 
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(A) any other provision of this Act; or 
(B) the application of this Act to any other 
person or circumstance; and 
(2) shall be confined in its operation to— 
(A) the provision of this Act with respect 
to which the judgment is rendered; or 
(B) the application of the provision of this 
Act to each person or circumstance directly in-
volved in the controversy in which the judgment 
is rendered. 
SEC. 507. EXECUTIVE ORDER 11625. 
The powers and duties of the Agency shall be deter-
mined— 
(1) in accordance with this Act and the require-
ments of this Act; and 
(2) without regard to Executive Order 11625 
(36 Fed. Reg. 19967; relating to prescribing addi-
tional arrangements for developing and coordinating 
a national program for minority business enter-
prise). 
SEC. 508. AMENDMENT TO THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION 
STREAMLINING ACT OF 1994. 
Section 7104(c) of the Federal Acquisition Stream-
lining Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 644a(c)) is amended by 
striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 
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‘‘(2) The Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Minority Business Development.’’. 
SEC. 509. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the As-
sistant Secretary not less than $100,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2021, and each fiscal year thereafter, to carry out 
this Act. 
Æ 
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