Stimulating Innovation Through Procurement Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation Through Procurement Act of 2019.

For more than 30 years, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, or SBIR and STTR programs as we call them, have provided a critical source of funding to small businesses that engage in research and development.

The result is higher rates of business formation and job creation, something we can all be proud of.

For the U.S. economy, the SBIR and STTR programs are important to employment in scientific and technical fields. Initially, companies must hire individuals to carry out the research and development. If research is commercialized, however, sustainable jobs can be created as products are moved to market.

This ingenuity is what makes America a global economic powerhouse. Since its establishment, these programs have helped launch tens of thousands of successful research projects in a wide variety of industries. Yet, small, high-growth firms often face a disconnect when attempting to transfer their SBIR technologies to precision programs.

Today's measure, H.R. 246, bridges this gap and aids small business concerns in commercializing their technology when obtaining government contracts. Statutorily amending the role of acquisition personnel to assist companies in the SBIR and STTR programs levels the playing field for innovative businesses competing in the Federal marketplace.

Closing this gap doesn't just help our government secure the best technologies and ideas; it grows our local communities where many small SBIR- and STTR-funded firms operate.

I applaud the bipartisanship of Ms. Finkenauer, a freshman Member of Congress, and Mr. Curtis in their efforts to increase participation of small, innovative companies within the Federal marketplace by guaranteeing them the same assistance other small firms receive from contracting officers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Finkenauer), the author of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Iowa (Ms. Finkenauer) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis) for introducing today's bill to spur increased contracting activity in the SBIR and STTR programs.

The SBIR program has helped thousands of small, innovative firms with good ideas to compete for Federal research and development awards. Their success has a proven record in a diverse range of fields, including: defense, health, energy, and technology.

H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019, enables more SBIR and STTR businesses to reach their potential. It directs procurement center representatives and senior procurement executives in agencies to assist small business concerns in the SBIR and STTR programs, and coordinates with appropriate agency procurement officials.

This bill will open the Federal marketplace to more small, high- growth companies through increased technical assistance and advocacy, ensuring our country remains a leader in innovation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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