Salazar’s bill to improve contracting order competition passes committee

The U.S. House Small Business Committee on Jan. 31 marked up and unanimously approved a bipartisan bill offered by U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) that aims to bolster competition for federal contracts among small businesses. 

“This is a fantastic bill because it gives small businesses a chance to access top-tier federal contracts,” Rep. Salazar said. “The opportunity competition creates is the American way. My bill recognizes this principle and helps Miami small businesses compete with the big boys.”

Rep. Salazar on Sept. 13, 2023 cosponsored the Enhancing Competition in Contracting Orders Act, H.R. 5450, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) and now heads to the full U.S. House of Representatives for action.

If enacted, H.R. 5450 would amend the Small Business Act to allow small businesses in established HUBZones to access certain federal government contracts that were not previously available to them given previously set price evaluation preferences, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

By relieving the preferences, small businesses will be able to compete for federal contracts, the summary says.