The Small Business Watchdog

On May 16, SBA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to address the use of set-asides on multiple award contracts and to clarify the regulations on bundling and contract consolidation. This proposed rule would amend SBA’s regulations to implement the following sections of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010: section 1311 (definition of multiple [...]

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We all know that startups, entrepreneurs, and small business owners have passion, an idea, and an incredible commitment to turn that idea into a reality. What they do not have is a lot of free time to find all the answers they need when it comes to starting, running, or building their business.
This month I [...]

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by Karen Mills, SBA Administrator
At the U.S. Small Business Administration, we have the great privilege to work with many amazing small business owners. Every day I see how small businesses are creating an economy built to last and living the American Dream. I wanted to share these great stories with everyone—so we asked small business owners to [...]

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Each week while Congress is in session the Office of Advocacy posts a highlights schedule of congressional hearings and committee markups that we think will be of interest to stakeholders in the small business community. For further information on the hearings in question please contact the relevant congressional committee.
THIS WEEK
The House is in recess this [...]

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Since 1992, the United States has recognized May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, celebrating the culture and history of Asian-Pacific Americans.
My family’s American experience began with my grandfather, who emigrated from China in the 1920s. The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act had prohibited most Asians from immigrating to this country. Only a limited number of merchants, missionaries, [...]

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The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is requesting public input on issues related to Incorporation By Reference (IBR) of private technical standards and conformity assessment activities and whether and how to amend OMB Circular A-119 (Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities). This request for [...]

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) proposes to amend its regulations governing size and eligibility for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.    The proposed rule addresses ownership, control and affiliation for participants in the SBIR and STTR Programs. This includes participants that are majority owned by multiple venture capital [...]

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On May 10, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed rules to withdraw the alternative tow time restriction and require all skimmer trawls, pusher-head trawls, and wing nets (butterfly trawls) rigged for fishing to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in their nets. The intent of this proposed rule is to reduce incidental bycatch and mortality [...]

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On April 19, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a special rule under authority of section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act with respect to the conservation of the polar bear. This proposed 4(d) special rule, in most instances, synchronizes the management of the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act with management provisions under the [...]

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An “entrepreneurial ecosystem” is more than a buzzword, it’s the coordination of like-minded entities, individuals, or institutions to form a network to help create, grow, and sustain business development. Understanding and sustaining the ecosystem is critical for the long-term viability of both businesses and the broader community.
“An entrepreneurial ecosystem? Reminds me of biology class,” one [...]

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