Stimulating Innovation Through Procurement Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Chabot. I rise in support of H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019. I am pleased to lead as an original coauthor and thank Ms. Finkenauer for her collaboration and effort on this important legislation.

Much of the country's success can be attributed to pioneering individuals and small companies, folks wh have discovered a problem and developed an efficient, cost-effective solution. Innovation, research, and advancement in technology are our major drivers in today's postmodern world, and it is critical that we continue promoting the development of new and advanced technologies.

I am proud that in my home State of Utah we foster a thriving tech hub and innovation marketplace where the tech industry grew last year faster than any other State in the Nation. But there is still more work to be done in Utah and across the country.

This bill reinforces my commitment to small business success by stimulating technology innovation through the Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR program.

Through adding critical acquisition personnel into SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, this legislation will ensure these small businesses have a voice in the procurement process and can compete on a level playing field and have a chance at success. It adds zero cost to the taxpayer.

This bill is a commonsense, forward-leaning bill that protects Federal investment into innovation and technology research by small businesses and helps these innovators succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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