Ensuring small business is crucial to the security of our nation for their contributions to the economy.
Last week, the Senate passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – critical legislation to fund the defense agencies serving the nation, as well as the administration’s national security priorities. Among the provisions of the Senate-passed bill are a number of wins for small business, including amendments that will:
Eliminate self-certification for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOBS). Introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa);
Speed up payment timelines for small-business subcontractors on federal contracts. Introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa);
Add the administrator of the Small Business Administration to the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council. Introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.);
Modify the Defense Department’s (DOD) contract cap amounts under the Small Business Act. Introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.);
Repeal the bona fide office rule for 8(a) contracts with DOD. Introduced by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska); and
Increase the federal contracting goal for SDVOBs. Introduced by Sen. Jon Ossof (D-Ga.).
After weeks of debate, Senators passed the NDAA vehicle by a vote of 86-11, with some Members rejecting the legislation for its $886 billion price tag, including $300 million in U.S. assistance to combat Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Earlier in July, the House narrowly passed its own version of the NDAA by a vote of 219-210. The legislation will now go through a reconciliation process with both chambers to achieve consensus between the versions; however, Congress is currently adjourned for its August recess until mid-September.
NSBA applauds inclusion of provisions in the NDAA that support small businesses nationwide. Ensuring these small businesses thrive is crucial to the security of our nation for their contributions to the economy.
Follow NSBA as we track movement of the NDAA through Congress this fall.
Small-Business defense contracting represents a large sector of small-business federal contractors.