The Office of the National Ombudsman of the Small Business Administration (SBA) has asked all federal agencies to make clear that, if a small business requests Ombudsman assistance on a matter or otherwise questions or complains about an Agency´s regulatory or enforcement actions, requirements or policies, the Agency will not retaliate. In response to this request, USDA has made its policy available below:
USDA is committed to maintaining an environment in which small businesses, and others, that participate in programs that are regulated by USDA, are free to raise questions or concerns, or complain about USDA actions or policies. No USDA employee shall take any type of retaliatory action against a small entity solely for raising questions, concerns, or complaining about USDA actions or policies. Employees must provide good customer service to small entities at all times by acting in a professional manner and responding appropriately to small entity concerns.
Small entities may comment about USDA´s enforcement and compliance process to the National Ombudsman´s office via the Internet (www.sba.gov/ombudsman), e-mail (Ombudsman@sba.gov), telephone (202) 205-2417, fax (202) 481-5719, or mail (Small Business Administration, Office of the National Ombudsman, 409 Third Street, SW, Washington, DC 20416).
