Graves Small Business Contracting Amendment Passed by House

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06), House Small Business Committee Chairman, released the following statement today after the House voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2015 (NDAA), which included a small business contracting amendment inserted by Graves:

"My amendment will provide more opportunities for small businesses trying to do business with the government," said Congressman Graves. "Small businesses often bring cost-savings to the government and taxpayer, but the federal procurement system's bureaucracy and inefficiency makes it difficult for small companies to even compete. I'm pleased that the House acted to make our government a stronger partner in our efforts to increase opportunities for small businesses through contracting."

Specifically, Congressman Graves' amendment would boost the federal government's work with small businesses by raising the government's target percentage for prime contracts awarded to small businesses from 23 percent to 25 percent. Importantly, this increase is the equivalent of $10 billion in annual new work for small businesses. The measure would also increase the goal for the percentage of subcontracting dollars that go to small businesses to 40 percent from 35.9 percent.

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