The Small Business Size Standard Manufacturing Clarification Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, our Nation's small business manufacturers have an invaluable impact on our economy. This past October, I introduced H.R. 4702, the Small Business Size Standard Manufacturing Clarification Act of 2019. This legislation will help thousands of defense and national security small businesses compete against much larger corporations when applying for federal contracts. It is near impossible for these small defense businesses to plan and secure larger contracts on a 12-month basis. This legislation expands the time from 12 months to up to 60 months. Defense-related small business manufacturers need that extra time to justify their small business designation due to changes in technology and competition from much larger corporate contracts. Size standards for both revenue- based and employee-based small business manufacturers are not at a level that recognizes the changes in the current marketplace for defining small businesses that support the federal sector. Recently, the House passed H.R. 5130, the Capturing All Small Businesses Act, which raises the standard to a 24-month basis. Still, it is not enough to properly support our small business manufacturers in the national security sector. In the defense industry, a small business that grows to over 1,600 employees has to compete in a market with companies of more than 25,000 employees. I am committed to supporting our Nation's small businesses and fixing the issues addressed in the Small Business Standard Manufacturing Clarification Act. I urge the House to consider this legislation and join me in supporting our small business manufacturers.

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