Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
This bill amends the Small Business Act to codify the “Rule of Two.” It requires reserving any contract, task order, or delivery order above the simplified acquisition threshold for small businesses when a contracting officer reasonably expects at least two responsible small business offers and a fair market price. The provision adds this requirement as a statutory paragraph to section 15(j).
Support for small-business access versus concerns about procurement efficiency
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill directly amends the Small Business Act to impose a statutory reservation rule (the 'Rule of Two') for certain procurements.
This bill amends the Small Business Act to codify the “Rule of Two.” It requires reserving any contract, task order, or delivery order above the simplified acquisition threshold for small businesses when a contracting officer reasonably expects at least two responsible small business offers and a fair market price.
The provision adds this requirement as a statutory paragraph to section 15(j).
Content is narrow and administrative which aids passage, but enactment requires separate Senate action and possible executive branch implementation issues.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill directly amends the Small Business Act to impose a statutory reservation rule (the 'Rule of Two') for certain procurements. The operative mechanism is concise and assigns responsibility to contracting officers, but the text omits definitional detail, implementation guidance, fiscal acknowledgment, interaction with other procurement authorities, and accountability provisions.
Support for small-business access versus concerns about procurement efficiency
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Support for small-business access versus concerns about procurement efficiency
Likely supportive because the bill strengthens small business access to federal contracting.
It is viewed as countering contract consolidation and expanding economic opportunity for smaller firms.
Generally favorable to codifying a clear rule, but cautious about rigidity and possible cost or procurement delays.
Wants measurable safeguards and exemptions for complex procurements.
Skeptical because it mandates reserving contracts for small firms, potentially reducing procurement flexibility.
Concerned about higher costs and government picking winners.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Content is narrow and administrative which aids passage, but enactment requires separate Senate action and possible executive branch implementation issues.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Support for small-business access versus concerns about procurement efficiency
Content is narrow and administrative which aids passage, but enactment requires separate Senate action and possible executive branch implem…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill directly amends the Small Business Act to impose a statutory reservation rule (the 'Rule of Two') for certain procurements. The operative mechanism is concise and ass…
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