SBA, GAO clash on reports

The Small Business Administration is in disputes with the Government Accountability Office over two recent reports.

In a March report on HUBZone oversight, GAO criticized SBA for not fully carrying out some of its recommendations on notifying HUBZone firms of changes in eligible geographic areas.

However, SBA officials defended their actions and said some of the GAO’s recommendations would be ineffective. For example, while the GAO recommended sending blanket emails to notify the HUBZone firms of changes to the maps, the SBA said research has shown that only 19% of such emails are opened by their recipients.

In another GAO report, which reviewed SBA’s oversight of Alaska native 8(a) corporations, GAO offered six recommendations. SBA agreed or carried out four of them, and disagreed with two, stating that they were unnecessary.

More information: HUBZone report : http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-423R
Alaska native report : http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-113