Rep. Foster Introduces Small Business Fairness Act Bill to Fix GSA Schedule Rule that Adversely Affects Some Small Businesse

Press Release

Today, after listening to a network of small business headquartered in St. Charles, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-14), introduced legislation that will help level the playing field for small businesses competing for federal supply orders.

"I strongly believe that you cannot truly represent someone unless you listen to them, which is why I make it a priority to listen to small businesses and families throughout the 14th District," said Foster. "The idea for this legislation came from a network of small businesses headquartered in St. Charles, and I am proud to take action so that they are not left at a competitive disadvantage."

Currently, small businesses may group together to form a "teaming arrangement entity," allowing the group of small businesses to pool together their resources to obtain a GSA schedule, as it is often cost-prohibitive for an individual small business to obtain their own GSA schedule. A GSA schedule is required in order to fulfill a supply order for a federal entity.

Federal government buyers who contract out with small businesses count the socioeconomic status of vendors - like service-disabled veteran owned businesses and women owned businesses - toward their annual mandated purchasing goals. However, the characteristics of small businesses within a teaming arrangement entity are unable to be counted by federal government buyers, putting them at a competitive disadvantage with other businesses competing for the same supply order.

H.R. 6226, the Small Business Fairness Act, would clarify current law and allow small businesses in teaming arrangements to be counted toward federal agencies' annual purchasing goals.

"Earlier this week, I proudly voted in favor of tax cuts and expanded access to credit for small businesses," said Foster. "With the Small Business Fairness Act, I believe we have another important opportunity to support American small businesses as they collaborate, innovate, and compete."

Sharon A. Stepien, Manager National Operations & GSA Programs with American Office Products Distributors, Inc, said, "This legislation will go a long way towards not only helping small business gain greater access to the federal market, but will also help the agencies gain the credit they deserve for doing business with legitimate small businesses. We are very pleased Representative Foster has agreed to introduce this bill. It is our hope that his colleagues will agree to pass this legislation quickly as we head into the new government fiscal year."

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