Small Business Act -- Substitute Descriptions

Permit state and local governments to substitute descriptions of their
own programs for subcontracting and exempt monopolies regulated by
governmental bodies.

The Small Business Act should be amended to:

-- permit the substitution, by state and local governments acting as
contractors, of a description of their own similar programs for
otherwise required small business subcontracting plans, if the
contracting officer determines the description satisfies the purposes of
the plan; and

-- exempt entities that are monopolies providing services under rates
regulated by a federal, state, or local governmental body from providing
the otherwise required plan.

By recognizing state and local government programs serving the same
purpose as the federal subcontracting plan requirement, the federal
government would eliminate duplication of effort, which results when
various levels of government impose similar requirements having similar
purposes. The requirement for the contracting officer to determine
whether the description satisfies the requirement will protect the small
business community at large.