Set-Aside Alert analysis:

Pres. Trump: Consolidate small business contracting aid

USDA, DOT, Treas. & VA programs to go to SBA

      President Trump proposed a major reorganization of the government affecting multiple agencies, including changes that likely will need congressional action to be adopted.

      The plan includes consolidating small business contracting programs within the Small Business Administration. The 132-page “Delivering Government Solutions” plan includes three pages on “streamlining” small business contracting assistance.

      Changes would include moving programs currently based in the Agriculture, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs departments into SBA.

      “Duplicative programs” from those agencies would be folded into the SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. Robb Wong, director of the office, was not immediately available for comment.

      The SBA consolidation plan has this caveat: “In the event that any overlapping programs require industry-specific economic expertise, these programs would remain at their respective agencies, and the SBA would eliminate its duplicative authority.” Programs likely to be targeted

      The plan does not indicate what the impact would be on Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs), located within at least 24 agencies.

      In addition, there is no detail on which programs at USDA, DOT, Treasury and VA would be affected. According to Set-Aside Alert’s analysis, these programs are possible targets to be moved to the SBA:

• USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program;
• DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) Program, SBIR program, Small Business Transportation Resource Centers, Women and Girls Transportation Initiative and DOT Bonding Education Program;
• Treasury Dept.’s Office of Minority and Women Inclusion and Financial Services Small Business program;
• VA’s Veterans First Contracting Program, Center for Verification and Evaluation and Veteran-Owned Small Business Program.

      However, several of these, including Veterans First at the VA, were authorized by Congress at their respective agencies and likely would need Congress’ approval to move.

      Other goals of the reorganization include merging the Education and Labor departments, splitting up the Office of Personnel Management, consolidating food stamps into a new agency and restructuring agencies for food safety, fish and wildlife, environmental cleanups and other areas.

      The OPM recommendations, in particular, have been controversial.

More information:
Administration plan: https://bit.ly/2Iaz5M6

Pres. Trump: Consolidate small business contracting aid

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