Plain Language in Contracting Act

Bill: 118-s-4341
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2024-05-15
Policy area: Commerce
Latest action: action_date: 2024-05-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4341 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 15, 2024 Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship A BILL To require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Plain Language in Contracting Act . 2. Accessibility and clarity in covered notices for small business concerns (a) In general Each covered notice shall be written— (1) in a manner that is clear, concise, and accessible to a small business concern; and (2) in a manner consistent, to the extent practicable, with the Federal plain language guidelines established pursuant to the Plain Writing Act of 2010 ( 5 U.S.C. 301 note). (b) Inclusion of key words in covered notices Each covered notice shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include key words in the description of the covered notice such that a small business concern seeking contract opportunities using the single governmentwide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code, can easily identify and understand such covered notice. (c) Rulemaking Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue rules to carry out this section. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered notice The term covered notice means a notice pertaining to small business concerns published by a Federal agency on the single governmentwide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code. (2) Small Business Act definitions The terms Federal agency and small business concern have the meanings given those terms, respectively, in section 3 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632 ). 3. Compliance with CUTGO No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.