59.053 OMBUDSMAN AND REGULATORY FAIRNESS BOARDS |
FEDERAL AGENCY |
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION |
AUTHORIZATION |
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, (March 29, 1996); 5 U.S.C. 601 note; H.R. 3136. |
OBJECTIVES |
To serve the small business community by receiving comments from small businesses, small non-profit organizations or small government entities (representing less than 50,000 people) regarding unfair and/or excessive actions by Federal Agencies or Agency employees conducting compliance or enforcement activities. |
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
Help to ensure fairness when a Federal Agency conducts compliance or enforcement actions against a small business concern. |
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
Received comments may be confidential or not and be discussed with appropriate Federal Agency personnel to seek a timely response to an excessive and/or unfair Federal regulatory issue. Hold Hearings throughout the US to receive testimony and commentary from small entities about unfair and/or excessive Federal regulatory enforcement actions. Comments are also received online, by fax, mail or personal delivery. |
Applicant Eligibility |
Small businesses, small nonprofit organizations or small government entities (representing less than 50,000 people). |
Beneficiary Eligibility |
The Ombudsman's actions are designed to assist not only those who seek direct assistance but all other similarly situated small entities. |
Credentials/Documentation |
None. |
Preapplication Coordination |
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
Application Procedure |
Submit SBA Form 1993. |
Award Procedure |
Not applicable. |
Deadlines |
None. |
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
Not applicable. |
Appeals |
As needed. |
Renewals |
Not applicable. |
Formula and Matching Requirements |
Not applicable. |
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
Not applicable. |
Reports |
Based upon substantiated comments received from small business concerns and the Boards, annually report to Congress and affected Federal Agencies evaluating the enforcement activities of Agency personnel, including a rating of the responsiveness to small business of the various regional and program offices of each agency. |
Audits |
Not applicable. |
Records |
Not applicable. |
Account Identification |
73-0100-0-1-376. |
Obligations |
FY 07 $1,257,000; FY 08 $1,404,000; and FY 09 $1,527,000. |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
Not applicable. |
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Presented in each annual report to Congress. |
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
http://www.sba.gov /ombudsman. |
Regional or Local Office |
Not applicable. |
Headquarters Office |
Nicholas N. Owens, National Ombudsman, Office of the National Ombudsman, 409 Third Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20416. |
Web Site Address |
http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman |
RELATED PROGRAMS |
None. |
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
Not applicable. |
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
Not applicable. |
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |