Rep. Scholten’s Bipartisan Bills to Support Women-Owned Small Businesses and Small Businesses in Underserved Communities Unanimously Clear Small Business Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, two of Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03)’s bipartisan bills – the Women-Owned Small Business Integrity Act and the Enhancing Competition in Contracting Orders Act – passed unanimously out of the House Small Business Committee. The bills now head to the House floor for consideration.

“Small businesses are the economic engine of our state and our country. Yet, time and time again, we’ve seen how small businesses have been boxed out of federal contracts by large corporations,” said Rep. Scholten. “I’m thankful that the Committee came together in a bipartisan way to pass two of my bills that would expand opportunities for small businesses – including women-owned small businesses and small businesses in underserved regions – in the federal contracting marketplace. Now, I’m calling on House leadership to bring these common sense bills to the Floor for votes.” 

The Women-Owned Small Business Integrity Act would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) or third-party certifiers to certify that an applicant meets the SBA’s size standards as a small business so they can participate in the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. The WOSB Program helps level the playing field to help women-owned small businesses compete in the marketplace for government contracts. 

The Enhancing Competition in Contracting Orders Act would clarify when federal agencies should apply a critical pricing tool that allows HUBZone small businesses to better compete for work in the federal marketplace. The HUBZone Program grants a 10 percent price preference to qualifying businesses, ensuring that businesses in economically underdeveloped regions can remain competitive and obtain government contracts.