Biden has big plans for small disadvantaged fed’l contractors

Would raise SDB procurement goal to 15%, from 5%

      President-elect Joe Biden has announced his plans for boosting federal contracting with small disadvantaged businesses in his "Build Back Better by Advancing Racial Equity Across the American Economy" proposal.

      Biden’s plan includes "a historic procurement effort designed to support small businesses and tackle long standing inequities in the federal contracting system."

      The plan covers:

• 8(a) Business Development: Biden wants to triple the federal goal for contracting with all SDBs from 5% to a minimum of 15% of all federal procurement dollars by 2025. He also expects to provide increased funding, streamline application processes, improve service delivery and increase marketing in "Black and Brown communities and tribal lands."

        The maximum amount of time allowed as an 8(a) participant would rise, and off-ramping services would be expanded. Biden will require vendors to provide diversity data.

• Subcontracting Plans: Prime contractors would need to develop and execute plans to increase subcontracting opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs). The prime vendors will be required to provide "detailed status updates" and business diversity data. At the same time, SBA will increase its capacity to provide robust oversight.
• State & Local governments: Biden intends to work with state and local governments to develop new strategies for SDB contracting.

        Every applicant for federal grants will have to demonstrate it is taking steps to increase contracting for SDBs, he added. Also, states and localities will be graded for their SDB procurement on a national scorecard.

• Anti-bundling: Biden wrote that he will authorize a government-wide review to determine whether agencies are following existing anti-bundling rules.
• Buy Indian Act: The plan is to improve procurements for Native-owned small businesses by strengthening implementation of the law within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service.
• Fair Labor Practices: All companies receiving federal contracts will need to pay at least $15 an hour, provide paid leave, maintain fair overtime and scheduling and guarantee a choice to join a union.

More information:
Biden’s plan: https://joebiden.com/racial-economic-equity/

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