Title: Senate Bill Aims to Reform Small Business Contracting and Limit Credit Bureau Awards
Introduction
In a bid to improve small business contracting practices, Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa, a ranking member of the Small Business Committee, has introduced a new bill called the Small Business and Supplier Engagement Contract Clarity and Accountability Act (ACCESS). The bill aims to address the issue of what Ernst refers to as too many “easy aces” on the Small Business Administration’s annual scorecard. By limiting the amount of credit bureaus can receive for small business awards and revamping the targeting structure, Ernst hopes to make important changes to federal small business contracting. This article explores the key provisions of the bill and their potential impact on small businesses.
Reforming Small Business Contracting
The Small Business and Supplier Engagement Contract Clarity and Accountability Act (ACCESS) introduced by Senator Joni Ernst seeks to address the flaws in the Small Business Administration’s annual scorecard system. The bill proposes several provisions to improve the contracting process:
1. Implementing the “Rule of Two”: One provision of the bill requires the use of the “rule of two” for all contracting actions. This rule stipulates that contracting officers must determine whether at least two small businesses can fulfill the contract requirements before considering larger businesses. By prioritizing small businesses, the bill aims to increase their participation and access to federal contracts.
2. Revamping the Scorecard: The bill proposes changes to the Small Business Administration’s scorecard to focus more on the composition of the industry base. This change aims to ensure that small businesses receive fair consideration and support, rather than relying solely on the volume of contracts awarded.
Implications for Credit Bureaus
Under the Small Business and Supplier Engagement Contract Clarity and Accountability Act (ACCESS), credit bureaus are set to face limitations in the amount of credit they can receive for small business awards. This provision aims to address concerns raised by Senator Ernst regarding the accuracy and fairness of credit reporting for small businesses. By reducing the influence of credit bureaus, the bill seeks to level the playing field and ensure that contract awards are based on merit and performance.
Impact on Small Business Contracting
The proposed bill has significant implications for small businesses engaged in federal contracting. By implementing the “rule of two” and focusing on industry composition rather than volume, the bill aims to create a more inclusive and equitable contracting process. Small businesses will have a better chance of competing for and winning federal contracts.
Additionally, limiting credit bureau influence could also benefit small businesses. It would shift the emphasis toward evaluating a company’s track record, performance, and capabilities, rather than relying solely on credit scores. This change could open up opportunities for small businesses with strong performance records but limited credit history.
Wildland Firefighters Seek Permanent Salary Increase
Federal wildland firefighters are facing the risk of significant wage cuts as the temporary funds for their recent wage increase are set to expire on September 30. To prevent this, firefighters and officials from the National Federation of Federal Employees plan to meet with congressional leaders to support the Wildland Firefighters Paycheck Protection Act. The proposed legislation aims to make the salary increase permanent, ensuring that firefighters’ base pay is not reduced by at least 50%, which could amount to as much as $20,000 a year.
Advocating for Transparency in Postal Service Changes
Amid sweeping changes to the USPS network, a former member of the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), Robert Taub, is calling for closer scrutiny of these changes. Despite objections from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the PRC is moving forward with a public inquiry into the USPS network modifications. Taub argues that the PRC has the jurisdiction to oversee these changes, which he believes could be the most significant since the tenure of Ben Franklin as postmaster general. Proposed reforms to the USPS have led to calls for increased regulatory oversight to ensure transparency and accountability.
Drafting Cybersecurity Standards
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is in the process of drafting new cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure organizations. The rules, expected to go into effect in 2025, will require these organizations to report cyber incidents to CISA within 72 hours of discovery. This move aims to improve incident response and enhance cyber resilience across critical infrastructure sectors.
Space Force’s Mission Statement
After soliciting submissions from its Guardians, the Space Force has chosen a new motto: “Securing our nation’s interests in, from, and into space.” This mission statement reflects the core purpose of the Space Force and its commitment to safeguarding national interests in space.
Senate Appropriations Bills and Avoiding a Government Shutdown
The Senate is moving forward with three of its 12 appropriations bills, focusing on military construction and veterans affairs, transportation and housing, and agriculture. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged the House to cross the aisle and move forward with its own appropriations package to avoid a potential government shutdown.
Reorganizing the Federal Procurement Service
The General Services Administration’s Federal Procurement Service (FAS) is undergoing a reorganization that will replace regional offices with a centralized reporting model. This change aims to improve the way FAS serves federal agency clients and simplify interactions with GSA staff. Each agency client will now work with one group of experts to address all their products, services, and other needs.
Improving the Defense Department’s Procurement Process
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Rodha Plumb, has outlined three priorities for improving the defense procurement process. These include better use of acquisition tools and authorities, ensuring system interoperability and compliance, and recruiting and training the procurement workforce. The Department of Defense is offering new incentives and a service award program to attract talented individuals to join its procurement workforce.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Small Business and Supplier Engagement Contract Clarity and Accountability Act (ACCESS) introduced by Senator Joni Ernst aims to reform small business contracting by addressing flaws in the Small Business Administration’s annual scorecard system and limiting credit bureau influence. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the potential wage cuts faced by federal wildland firefighters as temporary funds for their recent wage increase are set to expire. Additionally, calls for greater oversight of changes to the USPS network, cybersecurity standards, improvements in the defense procurement process, and the reorganization of the Federal Procurement Service highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance various aspects of federal operations. Overall, these initiatives seek to ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency in critical areas of government functioning.
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- Small business contracting will be renewed under a new Senate bill. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a ranking member of the Small Business Committee, wants to end what she calls too many “easy aces” on the Small Business Administration’s annual scorecard. Her new bill would limit the amount credit bureaus can receive for small business awards and revamp the targeting structure. Ernst introduced the Small Business and Supplier Engagement Contract Clarity and Accountability Act (ACCESS) yesterday as the first step to making these and other important changes to federal small business contracting. One provision would require the use of the “rule of two” for all contracting actions and another would change the SBA’s scorecard to focus more on the composition of the industry base.
- Federal wildland firefighters are moving ever closer to the edge of a steep wage cliff. Frontline workers received a significant wage increase as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Employment Act, but the temporary funds for that wage increase expire on September 30. Firefighters and officials from the National Federation of Federal Employees plan to meet with congressional leaders next time. week in support of the Wildland Firefighters Paycheck Protection Act. They urge the passage of the bill to make the salary increase permanent before the end of the month. Without the legislation, federal wildland firefighters would see cuts in their base pay of at least 50%, and in some cases as much as $20,000 a year.
- A former member of the Postal Service’s regulatory body advocates a closer look at the agency’s sweeping changes. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) is moving forward with a public inquiry into the massive changes to the USPS network, despite objections from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. Robert Taub, a member of the commission since 2011, said the regulator is within its jurisdiction to oversee the sweeping changes. “It may be the most fundamental change to the network since Ben Franklin was postmaster general,” Taub said. Taub also said that the PRC has done nothing to stop, disrupt [or] change the trajectory of the USPS 10-year reform plan. Chairman Joe Biden nominated Taub for a third six-year term on the commission.
- The process of crafting radical new cybersecurity standards is nearing a crucial stage. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has nearly finished drafting a notice of proposed rulemaking for cyber incident reporting requirements. Director Jen Easterly said CISA expects to publish the notice this year or in early 2024. The rules are not expected to go into effect until 2025. They will require critical infrastructure organizations to report cyber incidents to CISA within 72 hours of his discovery.
- Nearly four years after its creation, the Space Force has its own mission statement. After soliciting submissions from the Guardians and receiving 135 responses in just two weeks, the service chose the following motto: “Securing our nation’s interests in, from, and into space.” In July, Warden officers, enlisted and civilians from four field commands and major commands participated in a series of eight focus groups to provide feedback and shape the language of the new mission statement.
- The Senate is moving forward with three of its 12 appropriations bills. Measures relating to military construction and veterans affairs; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; and Agriculture are scheduled for a plenary vote early next week. This is after the Senate advanced its 12 appropriations bills out of committee with bipartisan support. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) urged the House to cross the aisle and move forward with its own appropriations package to avoid a potential government shutdown.
- The General Services Administration’s Federal Procurement Service will complete its long-awaited reorganization early in fiscal year 2024. FAS Commissioner Sonny Hashmi said the new structure will replace regional offices with a centralized reporting model. One of the biggest changes is that each agency client will no longer work with multiple FAS teams, but will instead have one group of experts to address all of their products, services, and other needs. Hashmi said the goal of the reorganization will be to improve the way FAS serves federal agency clients and simplify its interactions with GSA staff.
- The Pentagon plans to focus on three areas to improve its procurement process. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Rodha Plumb said her office will prioritize better use of acquisition tools and authorities, and use of the adaptive acquisition framework. A second priority is to remove barriers to integration and ensure that new systems are co-operable, secure and compliant. The third priority is recruiting and training the procurement workforce. Plumb said the Defense Department is offering new incentives and a service award program to attract new workers.
- The Small Business Administration is establishing a new in-office workday foundation for its executives and supervisors. Beginning September 25, the SBA will require all political appointees, members of the Senior Executive Service, and senior-level personnel to report to the office for at least five days per two-week pay period. All remaining SBA supervisors eligible for telecommuting in the National Capital Region must report to the office for at least five days per two-week pay period, beginning November 5. The SBA said more office days may be required, depending on the nature. of an employee’s job.
- The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has new advice on how agencies can prevent hackers from taking down their websites. In a new Capacity Enhancement Guide released this week, CISA told agencies how they can defend against distributed denial-of-service attacks. This is when hackers flood a server with traffic to prevent legitimate users from accessing websites and services. CISA said agencies should consider how critical a given website or service is and then apply appropriate defenses. The cyber agency also said federal departments should move away from outdated local security solutions.
- The backlog of retirement requests from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) increases for the second consecutive month. In August, the number of pending applications rose to almost 18,000, an increase of 5% over July. That’s almost 5,000 applications above the stable target of 13,000. More than 7,300 federal employees filed for retirement in August, nearly 1,000 more than in July. The OPM processed almost 6,500 applications, slightly less than the previous month. Claimants saw the monthly claims processing time reduced to 74 days, an improvement from 85 days last month.
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