Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/03/25/2011-7135/small-business-jobs-act-tour-selected-provisions-having-an-effect-on-government-contracting
Timestamp: 2015-03-07 01:44:18
Document Index: 76206323

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1311', '§ 1312', '§ 1321', '§ 1331', '§ 1341', '§ 1331', '§ 1312', '§ 1321', '§ 1322', '§ 1334']

Federal Register | Small Business Jobs Act Tour: Selected Provisions Having an Effect on Government Contracting
Dates: The meetings will be held on the dates and times specified in the Event Information section of the Supplementary Information below. It is recommended that all attendees register at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting date. In addition, comments to SBA docket number SBA-2011-0006 must be received on or before April 16, 2011.
Comments Close: 04/16/2011
-16707 (5 pages)
Document Number: 2011-7135
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2011-7135 Action
E. Multiple Award Contract Set-Asides (Pub. L. 111-240 §§ 1311 1331)
F. Bundling Accountability, Consolidation of Contracts Requirements (Pub. L. 111-240 §§ 1312-1313)
G. Subcontracting; Misrepresentations, Plan Improvements, and Timeliness of Payment (Pub. L. 111-240 §§ 1321, 1322, 1334)
H. Mentor Protégé Programs for WOSB, HUBZONE, and SDVOSB (Pub. L. 111-240 §§ 1331-1343)
I. Presumption of Loss/Misrepresentation and Annual Certification of Size (Pub. L. 111-240 §§ 1341-1343)
The meetings will be held at the locations specified in the Event Information section of the Supplementary Information below. Parties interested in attending a meeting must register by providing the requested registration information at http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour. In addition, you may submit comments, identified by SBA docket number SBA-2011-0006 by any of the following methods:
On September 27, 2010, President Obama signed the SBJA, which makes many significant small business program improvements. The new law provides critical resources to help small businesses continue to drive economic recovery and create jobs. The new law extended the successful SBA enhanced loan provisions while offering billions more in lending support, tax cuts, and other opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The new law also contained numerous provisions to help enhance small businesses ability to compete in government contracting and subcontracting. For example, the law addresses small business set-asides on multiple award contracts, contract consolidation, and timely payments to small business subcontractors. The contracting provisions also dovetail with recommendations released by the Interagency Task Force on Small Business Contracting in September (http://www.sba.gov/content/interagency-task-force-federal-contracting-opportunities-small-businesses). The Task Force was established by the President in April 2010 to identify ways in which to increase small business participation in the federal marketplace so that agencies meet and exceed their small business contracting goals.
II. Topics and Agenda Back to Top
While the agenda may vary from city to city, a typical agenda is below. Please visit http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour for updates on each location's agenda.
Opening Keynote & Overview of Small Business Jobs Act.
Room 1—CONTRACTING
Discussion and intake session surrounding key Jobs Act provisions: multiple-award set-asides, bundling, consolidation of requirements, subcontracting, mentor-protégé programs, presumption of loss and misrepresentation issues, and annual certification issues.
Room 2—LENDER ROUNDTABLE Discussion for current and prospective SBA lenders: new efforts to simplify/streamline, enhance customer service in areas such as lending policy, processing, and oversight.
Room 3—EXPORTING Discussion of new exporting tools: increased loan sizes, the Export Express program, state-level STEP grants, and additional efforts under the National Export Initiative.
Room 1—CONTRACTING (session above continues)
Room 2—LENDER ROUNDTABLE (session above continues)
Room 3—COUNSELING Discussion of counseling and training resources: Jobs Act support for Small Business Development Centers, enhanced efforts to support export counseling.
Room 1—CONTRACTING Discussion of Size Standards: basics of SBA's small business size standards, current comprehensive review of size standards including methodology, other policy issues.
Room 2—CAPITAL Discussion of opportunities in accessing capital: how SBA loan programs can help small business owners.
Room 3—EXPORTING (repeat) Discussion of new exporting tools: Increased loan sizes, the Export Express program, state-level STEP grants, and additional efforts under the National Export Initiative.
Discussion of local/regional contracting environment and resources: “meet-and-greet” with representatives such as regional/local SBA officials, 8(a) experts, and resource partners.
Room 2—CAPITAL Discussion of new SBA loan programs and initiatives: Advantage loans, 504 re-financing (Jobs Act), the Dealer Floor Plan pilot (Jobs Act), and more.
Room 3—COUNSELING (repeat) Discussion of counseling and training resources: Jobs Act support for Small Business Development Centers, enhanced efforts to support export counseling.
Section 1311 of the SBJA defines the term “multiple award contract.” In addition, § 1331 of the SBJA requires the Administrator of SBA and the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, in consultation with the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to issue regulations under which “Federal agencies may, at their discretion—(1) Set aside part or parts of a multiple award contract for small business concerns, including the subcategories of small business concerns * * * (2) notwithstanding the fair opportunity requirements under section 2304c(b) of title 10, United States Code, and section 303J(b) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253j(b)), set aside orders placed against multiple award contracts for small business concerns, including the subcategories of small business concerns * * * and (3) reserve one or more contract awards for small business concerns under full and open multiple award procurements, including the subcategories of small business concerns.” In reviewing these provisions, the SBA would like input and suggestions on the following questions: 1. How should guidance differentiate between a total set-aside, a partial set-aside, and a procurement otherwise “reserved” for small businesses When it is appropriate for each to be used? When would it be inappropriate for each to be used? What types of “reserves” might be effective in a full and open competition for a task and delivery order contract to facilitate access to small businesses (e.g., designating a certain number of the multiple awards for award to small businesses or subcategories of small business, or permitting a small business to receive a multiple award contract to compete for only a specified subset of functions on the task or delivery orders issued against the contract)? Should small businesses compete solely against other small businesses for contracts that are “reserved” for small business?
2. Should set-asides be authorized under GSA's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts? Should they be required under certain circumstances? Why or why not? What additional steps might be considered to increase small business participation on the Schedules? (Note: GSA has created a new section of its GSA MAS Web site focused on small business contracting at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/202261. Readers are encouraged to review this site in considering their response to this question).
Section 1313 of the SBJA provide that an agency may not conduct an acquisition involving contract requirements with a total value of more than $2,000,000, unless the senior procurement executive or Chief Acquisition Officer for the Federal agency, before carrying out the acquisition strategy—(A) Conducts market research; (B) identifies any alternative contracting approaches that would involve a lesser degree of consolidation of contract requirements; (C) makes a written determination that the consolidation of contract requirements is necessary and justified; (D) identifies any negative impact by the acquisition strategy on contracting with small business concerns; and (E) certifies to the head of the Federal agency that steps will be taken to include small business concerns in the acquisition strategy. In addition, § 1312 of the SBJA requires agencies to post their rationale for a bundled requirement. In reviewing these provisions, the SBA would like input and suggestions on the following questions:
The SBJA requires the Administrator to establish a policy on small business subcontracting compliance, including assignment of periodic oversight and review responsibilities between contracting offices, small business offices, and program offices (see§ 1321). It further provides that for contracts requiring subcontracting plans, a large business contractor must notify the contracting officer in writing when the prime fails to use a small business concern in contract performance that the prime used in preparing the bid or offer (see§ 1322). In addition, the SBJA provides that for contracts requiring subcontracting plans, a large business contractor must notify the contracting officer in writing when the prime has been paid, the subcontractor has performed, and the prime's payment to the subcontractor is 90 days past due, or the prime has paid the subcontractor a reduced amount. Finally, the SBJA further provides that a contracting officer may record the identity of a contractor with a history of unjustified, untimely payments in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity System (see§ 1334). In reviewing these provisions, SBA would like input and suggestions on the following questions:
The SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program currently authorizes a Mentor-Protégé Program as a tool to aid small Participant firms gain needed business development assistance, including expertise within their specific industries to successfully compete in the marketplace. The SBJA authorizes SBA to implement a Mentor-Protégé Program for HUBZone small businesses, service disabled veteran owned (SDVO) small businesses, and women-owned small businesses (WOSB) similar in structure to the current SBA 8(a) Mentor-Protégé Program. SBA is seeking input and suggestions on the following questions: 1. If SBA implements a Government-wide Mentor-Protégé program for HUBZone small businesses, SDVO small businesses and WOSBs, how should these government-wide programs interact with Mentor-Protégé programs sponsored by individual agencies? Should agency-specific Mentor-Protégé programs of other agencies be maintained? What, if any, challenges might this pose?
III. Event Information Back to Top
March 28, 2011, Begins 9 a.m., Ends 4:15 p.m
The Ohio State University, Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43210.
Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Chapman Center (Building 3), 300 NE., 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33132.
March 30, 2011, Begins 9 a.m., Ends 4:15 p.m
26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor Conference Room A/B, New York, NY 10278.
March 30, 2011, Begins 9:30 a.m., Ends 4:45 p.m
Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, NE., Atlanta, 30303.
April 1, 2011, Begins 9 a.m., Ends 4:15 p.m
O'Neill Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222.
The Norris Conference Center, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78201.
April 11, 2011, Begins 9 a.m., Ends 4:15 p.m
Embassy Suites Albuquerque, 1000 Woodward Place, NE., Albuquerque, NM 87102.
County Health Services Complex, 3851 Rosecrans St., San Diego, CA 92110.
April 13, 2011, Begins 9 a.m., Ends 4:15 p.m
Lowry Conference Center, 1061 Akron Wy. Bldg. 697, Denver, CO 80230.
Holiday Inn, Seattle-SeaTac International Airport, 17338 International Blvd., Seattle, WA 98188.
April 15, 2011, Begins 9 a.m., Ends 4:15 p.m
Chan Auditorium, College of Business, 801 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35899.
Citigroup Center Building, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60661.
IV. Registration and Oral Presentation Back to Top
Any individual interested in attending and making an oral presentation shall pre-register in advance with SBA. Oral presentations may consist of comments on existing rules and procedures, general questions, or new ideas for the SBA to consider. Presentations will be made in the breakout sessions, pursuant to the format of each session. Based on the number of registrants it may be necessary to impose time limits to ensure that everyone who wishes to speak has the opportunity to do so. Please refer to http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour for registration information. SBA will attempt to accommodate all interested parties.
V. Information on Service for Individuals With Disabilities Back to Top
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to those who request assistance at least one week in advance of the meeting for which assistance is being requested. For a complete list of meeting dates, locations and points of contact please visit http://www.sba.gov/jobsacttour.