Package would expand small business access to Federal Contracts 

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-17) voted today to help increase small businesses’ access to federal contracts. The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act (H.R. 3867) makes it easier for small business owners by standardizing SBA contracting programs, modernizing the 8(a) program for minority business owners, expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs and making veteran-owned businesses priority contractors. 

“Small businesses are the economic engine of our country,” said Congressman Tim Ryan. “Over 99 percent of all employers are small business owners. Their shops create half of our gross domestic product and over 80 percent of the new jobs in our nation are created by them. The Democratic-led Congress and I are committed to making small businesses—including veteran-owned and minority-owned businesses--a priority and believe that the small business and innovation agenda packages we’ve passed so far will help create the good jobs we need in our community and country.” 

The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act also strengthens the HUBZone program, which promotes business in historically underutilized urban and rural areas with lower-than-average incomes. It also protects taxpayer dollars by reducing waste, fraud and abuse in the Small Business Administration’s bidding process. 

“I’m extremely excited that this bill strengthens HUBZone. This ensures that our small business community will be better able to effectively compete for federal contracts in our area.” said Congressman Ryan.

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