Boston Business Journal Op-Ed written by Sen. John Kerry.
Just two years after launching his telecom installation firm, Derek Brooks went after a prized contract to provide the wiring infrastructure for the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Mr. Brooks started Woburn-based Inside Cable with his wife in 2001, and by collaborating with another small firm, he successfully won the contract in 2003.
Since then, Mr. Brooks' firm -- a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise -- has worked on federally funded projects for the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security. Yet despite his success, Mr. Brooks and small-business owners across Massachusetts and our country still face barriers to the federal contracting arena. That's because the law doesn't move at the speed of business.
Small businesses are the engine that drive our economy. More than 50 percent of all American workers are employed by small businesses, and they generate more than half of our gross domestic product. When small businesses succeed, America succeeds.
By law, 23 percent of federal contracting dollars are supposed to go to small businesses. Using creative math, the Bush administration claims that this goal has been met. But according to an analysis by Eagle Eye Publishers, the federal government spent more than $412 billion in 2006. Only 20 percent of that went to small businesses -- and that's just the contracts the administration claims small businesses can compete for. That means small businesses lost out on at least $12 billion in contracts last year.
To combat this inequity, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship this week passed bipartisan legislation that will help expand federal contracting opportunities -- particularly for minority, women and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs.
Our legislation adds accountability and strengthens contracting programs as first steps to level the playing field for small firms. We make sure the Bush administration identifies opportunities for small businesses to compete for contracts that would otherwise be bundled and out of reach for small firms. It gives small businesses that subcontract with a large firm more recourse if they are mistreated. It sets a firm deadline for the implementation of the women's contracting program, which Congress enacted in 2000 but the administration has failed to implement. It updates the net-worth threshold for disadvantaged firms and allows their certifications to be recognized across agencies.
Our country is stronger when small businesses have the chance to compete for federal contracts. Small businesses help bring down the cost of services, spur job growth and develop the innovations that boost our economy. It's time for the law to catch up with today's businesses.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is the chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Just two years after launching his telecom installation firm, Derek Brooks went after a prized contract to provide the wiring infrastructure for the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Mr. Brooks started Woburn-based Inside Cable with his wife in 2001, and by collaborating with another small firm, he successfully won the contract in 2003.
Since then, Mr. Brooks' firm -- a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise -- has worked on federally funded projects for the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security. Yet despite his success, Mr. Brooks and small-business owners across Massachusetts and our country still face barriers to the federal contracting arena. That's because the law doesn't move at the speed of business.
Small businesses are the engine that drive our economy. More than 50 percent of all American workers are employed by small businesses, and they generate more than half of our gross domestic product. When small businesses succeed, America succeeds.
By law, 23 percent of federal contracting dollars are supposed to go to small businesses. Using creative math, the Bush administration claims that this goal has been met. But according to an analysis by Eagle Eye Publishers, the federal government spent more than $412 billion in 2006. Only 20 percent of that went to small businesses -- and that's just the contracts the administration claims small businesses can compete for. That means small businesses lost out on at least $12 billion in contracts last year.
To combat this inequity, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship this week passed bipartisan legislation that will help expand federal contracting opportunities -- particularly for minority, women and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs.
Our legislation adds accountability and strengthens contracting programs as first steps to level the playing field for small firms. We make sure the Bush administration identifies opportunities for small businesses to compete for contracts that would otherwise be bundled and out of reach for small firms. It gives small businesses that subcontract with a large firm more recourse if they are mistreated. It sets a firm deadline for the implementation of the women's contracting program, which Congress enacted in 2000 but the administration has failed to implement. It updates the net-worth threshold for disadvantaged firms and allows their certifications to be recognized across agencies.
Our country is stronger when small businesses have the chance to compete for federal contracts. Small businesses help bring down the cost of services, spur job growth and develop the innovations that boost our economy. It's time for the law to catch up with today's businesses.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is the chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
