In its first score cards, SBA handed out 12 red scores, which show that agencies did not reach their annual small-business goals for 2006. There were five yellows and seven green scores.
The Army disagrees with a new audit that says it tied too many contracts together to form the $20 billion ITES-2S contract, which restricts small businesses from competing.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee chairwoman, wasn't impressed with what Bush administration officials had to say at a hearing about small businesses in the Gulf Coast's recovery efforts.
Bechtel has found some unexpected ways to further the company's strategies. For example, it sent some of its DOD small-business advocates to a DOE conference. The advocates found new partners to help with DOD projects.
SBA said the proposal would benefit businesses by cutting down on burdens when applying for assistance programs while keeping their status for a longer period of time.
SBA will implement an Electronic Procurement Center Representative system to help the agency analyze individual procurements and make it easier for agencies to identify small businesses capable of providing requested goods and services.
