Freshman U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., was named to the U.S. House Small Business Committee during his brief tenure in Congress and he used his new position to introduce a bill this week to give small businesses more access to federal contracts.
We should never forget the vital role that our local businesses play in keeping our neighborhoods strong and prosperous, Curbelo said on Tuesday. Our local businesses employ our friends and neighbors, helping them pay their bills and provide a better life for themselves and their families.
On Tuesday, Curbelo brought out the Small Entrepreneur Subcontracting Opportunities (SESO) Act. Curbelos proposal forces senior federal executives to award more contracts and subcontracts to small businesses.
Curbelo noted Congress voted in 2013 to charge federal executives to send contracts to small businesses and, so far, there has been progress on the matter. Federal agencies met the goal of having 23 percent of contract dollars go to small businesses.
But Curbelo insisted small businesses continued to fail to get subcontracts. Noting that in 2009 the federal government set a goal for small businesses to garner 36 percent of subcontracts, the South Florida congressman said that mark was not being met. In the 2013 fiscal year, 34 percent of federal subcontracts went to small businesses.
Curbelo said his bill would help small businesses.
Today at a Small Business Committee hearing, I had the opportunity to hear from entrepreneurs about their experiences in subcontracting with the federal government and how this legislation will address their problems, Curbelo said. My legislation keeps Congresss promise to small entrepreneurs by expanding opportunities in the federal procurement process and holding managers accountable for failing to meet established subcontracting goals. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this important legislation is signed into law.
Curbelo introduced the bill on Tuesday and reeled in a co-sponsor who has served two decades in Congress. U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, who chairs the Small Business Committee, is backing Curbelos bill. Last month, Chabot named Curbelo as the chairman of the House Agriculture, Energy and Trade Subcommittee under the Small Business Committees umbrella.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
