I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2780 
To amend the Small Business Act to create certain requirements for Federal 
agencies with a SBIR or STTR program, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 6, 2017 
Mr. EVANS (for himself and Mr. BRAT) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Small Business Act to create certain require-
ments for Federal agencies with a SBIR or STTR pro-
gram, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETING FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES 
WITH A SBIR OR STTR PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9 of the Small Business 
Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(tt) ANNUAL MEETING.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The head of each Federal 
agency required to have a program under this sec-
tion (or a designee) and the Administrator (or a des-
ignee), shall meet annually to discuss methods— 
‘‘(A) to improve the collection of data 
under this section; 
‘‘(B) to improve the reporting of data to 
the Administrator under this section; 
‘‘(C) to make the application processes for 
programs under this section more efficient; and 
‘‘(D) to increase participation in the pro-
grams under this section. 
‘‘(2) REPORTING.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date on which an annual meeting required under 
paragraph (1) is held, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Small Business and Entre-
preneurship of the Senate and the Committee on 
Small Business and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives, a report on the findings of such meeting and 
recommendations on how to implement changes to 
programs under this section.’’. 
(b) FUNDING
FOR
ANNUAL
MEETING.—Section 
9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
638(mm)(1)) is amended— 
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(1) in subparagraph (I), by striking the ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(K) the annual meeting required under 
subsection (tt).’’. 
SEC. 2. INCREASING PARTICIPATION OF UNDERSERVED 
POPULATIONS IN THE SBIR AND STTR PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 9(mm)(2) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(2)) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(2) OUTREACH
AND
TECHNICAL
ASSIST-
ANCE.—A Federal agency participating in the pro-
gram under this subsection shall use a portion of the 
funds authorized for uses under paragraph (1) to 
carry out the policy directive required under sub-
section (j)(2)(F) and to increase the participation of 
States with respect to which a low level of SBIR 
awards have historically been awarded.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 9(mm)(6) 
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(6)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘paragraph (2)(A) and any use of 
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the waiver authority under paragraph (2)(B)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘paragraph (2)’’. 
Æ 
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