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Bill
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To amend the Small Business Act to create certain requirements for Federal agencies with a SBIR or STTR program, and for other purposes.

H.R. 2780 · 115th Congress · Jun 6, 2017 · Lineage

A BILL

Section 1 Annual meeting for Federal agencies with a SBIR or STTR program

(a)
In general— Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

“(tt) Annual meeting

“(1) In general—The head of each Federal agency required to have a program under this section (or a designee) and the Administrator (or a designee), shall meet annually to discuss methods—

“(A) to improve the collection of data under this section;

“(B) to improve the reporting of data to the Administrator under this section;

“(C) to make the application processes for programs under this section more efficient; and

“(D) to increase participation in the programs under this section.

“(2) Reporting—Not later than 60 days after the date on which an annual meeting required under paragraph (1) is held, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, a report on the findings of such meeting and recommendations on how to implement changes to programs under this section.”

(b)
Funding for annual meeting— Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (I), by striking the “and” at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(K) the annual meeting required under subsection (tt).”

Sec. 2 Increasing participation of underserved populations in the SBIR and STTR programs

(a)
In general— Section 9(mm)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(2)) is amended to read as follows:

“(2) Outreach and technical assistance—A Federal agency participating in the program under this subsection shall use a portion of the funds authorized for uses under paragraph (1) to carry out the policy directive required under subsection (j)(2)(F) and to increase the participation of States with respect to which a low level of SBIR awards have historically been awarded.”

(b)
Conforming amendment— Section 9(mm)(6) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(6)) is amended by striking “paragraph (2)(A) and any use of the waiver authority under paragraph (2)(B)” and inserting “paragraph (2)”.