Small Business and Defense Industrial Base Support Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
- Committees
- Armed Services Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Oct 19, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to enhance support for small businesses in the defense industrial base by ensuring confidentiality in technical assistance, increasing funding capacity for assistance providers, and providing the Secretary of Defense with flexibility to adjust funding limits.
What it actually does
This bill amends Title 10 of the U.S. Code to clarify that procurement technical assistance provided under a cooperative agreement program should be confidential. It also increases the maximum funding limits for these cooperative agreements, raising several thresholds from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 and from $750,000 to $1,000,000. Additionally, it grants the Secretary of Defense the authority to waive or modify these dollar amounts on a case-by-case basis, with a requirement to notify congressional defense committees.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that clarifying confidentiality will build trust and encourage small businesses to fully utilize the procurement technical assistance program, leading to more robust participation in the defense industrial base. They also contend that increasing funding limits is essential to keep pace with inflation and demand, allowing organizations to provide more comprehensive and effective support to businesses seeking to navigate federal contracting. The waiver authority is seen as a necessary tool for administrative flexibility to respond to unique or urgent program needs.
Opponents contend
Opponents might raise concerns that increasing funding limits, even if not directly appropriating funds, sets a precedent for higher federal spending without a clear justification for the increased amounts. Some may also express reservations about granting the Secretary broad waiver authority, arguing it could potentially reduce congressional oversight over program expenditures and lead to less transparent allocation of resources, even with the notification requirement.
The bill text is very short and straightforward, making it easy for any reader to quickly understand its provisions. The analysis provides a deeper dive into the implications.
Section 2(a)
Clarification of Confidentiality in Procurement Technical Assistance
This provision amends the existing law to explicitly state that the procurement technical assistance furnished under the program must be 'confidential'. This change ensures that businesses seeking assistance can share sensitive information without fear of public disclosure, fostering trust and encouraging more open communication during the assistance process.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that explicitly stating confidentiality will enhance the program's integrity and encourage greater participation from businesses, particularly those with proprietary information, by assuring them that their data will be protected.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it is a clarification that enhances program integrity and trust, which are generally seen as beneficial.
Tradeoffs
This provision primarily reinforces existing best practices and does not introduce significant tradeoffs, aiming to strengthen the trust between assistance providers and recipient businesses.
Section 2(b)(1)
Increase in Procurement Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement Funding Limits
This section raises the maximum dollar amounts for cooperative agreements under the procurement technical assistance program. Specifically, it increases the general limit from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000, the minimum limit from $750,000 to $1,000,000, and another specific limit from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000. These adjustments allow for greater financial support to organizations that provide technical assistance to businesses.
Section 2(b)(2)
Secretarial Waiver Authority for Funding Limits
This provision grants the Secretary (presumably of Defense) the authority to waive or modify the specified dollar amounts for cooperative agreements on a case-by-case basis. This can only occur if the Secretary determines it is in the 'best interest of the program' and provides notice to the congressional defense committees within 30 days of making such a modification or waiver. This introduces flexibility to exceed statutory limits under specific circumstances.