House panel OKs bill to help small businesses land federal contracts

U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) said recently that the House Small Business Committee has approved the Small Contractors Improve Competition Act (HR 1481).

The act aims to help small businesses compete with larger companies for federal contracts.

The Small Business Committee previously had demonstrated how contract bundling and other policies limit the opportunities for small businesses to win federal contracts. These demonstrations took place during a series of hearings in the past few weeks.

The Small Business Committee said it discovered that the number of small businesses seeking federal contracts has decreased by more than 100,000 since 2011. The committee attributes this decline to federal agencies, as the agencies have adopted contract bundling, which combines contracts for various related services into single contracts.

Steve Chabot (R-OH), the committee’s chairman, introduced the bill, which now advances to the House floor for a full vote.

“This legislation helps level the playing field for contractors in rural regions, like the 19th District (Gibson’s district), increasing competition and lowering costs for taxpayers,” Gibson said. “Ultimately, HR 1481 will strengthen our industrial base and put more people to work. I am proud this package of reforms is the first bill out of our committee in the 114th Congress, and I am hopeful it will move swiftly through Congress and be signed into law.”