U.S. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Hillary Scholten’s (D-MI) legislation to help small businesses access federal government contracts passed out of committee recently.
The legislation, the Enhancing Competition in Contracting Orders Act (H.R. 5450), passed out of the House Small Business Committee in a bipartisan, unanimous vote. The bill would give small businesses the ability to access certain federal government contracts previously not available to them.
“This is a fantastic bill because it gives small businesses a chance to access top-tier federal contracts,” Salazar said. “The opportunity competition creates is the American way. My bill recognizes this principle and helps Miami small businesses compete with the big boys.”
The legislation would apply to small businesses in established HUBZones and would give help the businesses overcome barriers to access the contracts not available to them given previously set price evaluation preferences.
By relieving the preferences, small businesses across the country would be able to compete for federal contracts, providing economic opportunity for them and for the residents in the areas they serve, the legislators said.
The legislation now goes to the House floor for a vote.