DOT proposes rule for enhanced DBE equity

      The Transportation Dept. announced a proposed rule to update the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and related Airport Concession DBE program. Comments are due by Sept. 19.

      According to a DOT press release, the proposed updates include:

• Increasing personal net worth limits to $1.6 million, excluding retirement assets;
• Amending ownership and control certification eligibility requirements;
• Simplifying interstate certifications;
• Adopting COVID-19 flexibilities;
• Reducing some reporting requirements;
• Requiring airport concession plans to include “race-neutral” strategies to attract more small firms; and
• Strengthening prompt payment monitoring and oversight.

Read more:
DoT release: https://bit.ly/3JEMUDQ

$6B to small biz fund

      Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD, chair of the Senate small biz committee, introduced a bill to transfer about $6 billion in remaining PPP and EIDL pandemic loan funds. The money would go into a new fund that would provide grants to small businesses “that can demonstrate substantial losses in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cardin’s press release said.

      Sole proprietorships, independent contractors, self-employed and tribally-owned small firms would be eligible. SBA would track and report all grants publicly.

Read more at:
Senate Small Business Committee press release: https://bit.ly/3yUhEgo

Senate OKs anti-COI bill

      The Senate on Aug. 2 approved legislation aiming to reduce organizational conflicts of interest in federal contracting.

      It would require vendors to disclose any business relationships that oppose or interfere with their responsibilities as federal contractors. It was inspired by recent reports about McKinsey & Co.

Read more at:
Bill text: https://bit.ly/3Pcq8nO

McKinsey file: https://bit.ly/3SQrecf

SBA advisory panels

      The SBA announced a new federal advisory committee on “Invention, Innovation and Entrepreneurship” and a second new federal advisory committee on Investment Capital.

Read more at:
SBA press release: https://bit.ly/3A8NTcc

Inside this edition:

Number of small biz contractors dropped in top categories: SBA

DOJ sees a surge in small biz contracting & loan fraud: Part 1

TDR should be canceled if not fixed: OIG

GSA extends deadlines due to UEI delays

White House lauds SDB goal achievement, outlines initiatives

SAM, UEIs to be improved: GSA

Anti-fraud bills now law: HSBC

Congress’ three big bills

FY2021 Federal Agency Small Business Goals Summary Report

Washington Insider:

Coronavirus Update