Ernst leads bills to reduce fraud in federal contracting for certain small businesses

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) on May 4 proposed two pieces of legislation that aim to reduce fraud in federal contracting for women-owned small businesses (WOSB) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB).

The efforts of both bills require agencies to only take credit for contract awards made to certified WOSB and SDVOSB, and would require federal agencies failing to meet their WOSB goals to testify before Congress, according to Sen. Ernst’s staff.

“There are no real consequences if federal agencies do not meet their goals to support women-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Failure has become routine,” Sen. Ernst said. “As departments continue to take credit for contract awards made to ineligible businesses, I’m fighting to bring accountability to federal contracting.”

Sen. Ernst sponsored the Accountability in Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Act, S. 1470, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to amend the Small Business Act related to small business concerns owned and controlled by women, according to the congressional record bill summary.

S. 1470 is supported by the Women’s Procurement Circle, Women Construction Owners and Executives, and Women Impacting Public Policy.

Sen. Ernst also sponsored the Stop Stolen Valor for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Contractors Act, S. 1469, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) to require certification of small business concerns as small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans in order to be counted toward goals for contract awards, according to the congressional record. 

S. 1469 has been endorsed by the National Veteran Small Business Coalition, the American Legion, and the Women Veterans Business Coalition, among others.

Both measures have been referred to the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee for consideration.