U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) touted the inclusion of several provisions in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that focus on helping small businesses.
The annual defense funding bill, which advanced the Senate last week, contains provisions to help speed payments and other forms of funding to small contractors and firms doing business with the federal government.
“Small businesses and innovative startups in Maryland play an essential role in our economy and ensure our national security agencies have a strong and diverse supply chain to carry out their mission,” Cardin said. “I am pleased this legislation includes several provisions to create and preserve jobs by making the federal government more responsive and accountable to the small businesses that support our armed services.”
The amendment, sponsored by Cardin, also encourages more small companies to adopt an employee ownership structure.
The Senate also advanced the ‘Minibus II’ appropriations bill dealing with spending across a number of jurisdictions. The bill includes an amendment to strengthen the U.S. government’s small business advocacy through the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
“OSDBUs play a critical role in helping small businesses compete for federal contracting opportunities,” Cardin said. “I am pleased this amendment to strengthen their ability to advocate on behalf of small business was included in the spending package.”