Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 246) to amend the Small Business Act to require senior procurement executives, procurement center representatives, and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization to assist small business concerns participating in the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation Through Procurement Act of 2019.

For more than 30 years, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, or SBIR and STTR programs as we call them, have provided a critical source of funding to small businesses that engage in research and development.

The result is higher rates of business formation and job creation, something we can all be proud of.

For the U.S. economy, the SBIR and STTR programs are important to employment in scientific and technical fields. Initially, companies must hire individuals to carry out the research

and development. If research is commercialized, however, sustainable jobs can be created as products are moved to market.

This ingenuity is what makes America a global economic powerhouse. Since its establishment, these programs have helped launch tens of thousands of successful research projects in a wide variety of industries. Yet, small, high-growth firms often face a disconnect when attempting to transfer their SBIR technologies to precision programs.

Today's measure, H.R. 246, bridges this gap and aids small business concerns in commercializing their technology when obtaining government contracts. Statutorily amending the role of acquisition personnel to assist companies in the SBIR and STTR programs levels the playing field for innovative businesses competing in the Federal marketplace.

Closing this gap doesn't just help our government secure the best technologies and ideas; it grows our local communities where many small SBIR- and STTR-funded firms operate.

I applaud the bipartisanship of Ms. Finkenauer, a freshman Member of Congress, and Mr. Curtis in their efforts to increase participation of small, innovative companies within the Federal marketplace by guaranteeing them the same assistance other small firms receive from contracting officers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Ms. Finkenauer), the author of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Iowa (Ms. Finkenauer) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis) for introducing today's bill to spur increased contracting activity in the SBIR and STTR programs.

The SBIR program has helped thousands of small, innovative firms with good ideas to compete for Federal research and development awards. Their

success has a proven record in a diverse range of fields, including: defense, health, energy, and technology.

H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019, enables more SBIR and STTR businesses to reach their potential. It directs procurement center representatives and senior procurement executives in agencies to assist small business concerns in the SBIR and STTR programs, and coordinates with appropriate agency procurement officials.

This bill will open the Federal marketplace to more small, high- growth companies through increased technical assistance and advocacy, ensuring our country remains a leader in innovation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis) and the gentlewoman from Iowa (Ms. Finkenauer) for their efforts on this important legislation.

This bill continues the committee's longstanding emphasis on the commercialization of technologies developed in the Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR program.

The bill does this by incorporating acquisition personnel into the SBIR and the Small Business Technology Transfer, STTR, programs where appropriate. Under the bill, procurement center representatives, or PCRs, would be required to coordinate and collaborate with Federal agency small business advocates and are responsible for providing small businesses with technical assistance as they navigate the bidding process. Doing so would give small firms a better understanding of the government contracting process and increases their chances of success.

The SBIR and STTR programs are often the first place innovative, small firms look in order to contract with the Federal Government. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for a firm, particularly a new firm, to understand the ins and outs of working with the Federal Government. It can be quite complex.

Providing a new avenue for counseling by utilizing the national network of PCRs will help pioneering, small firms better prepare their proposals for the SBIR and STTR programs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis), who is our chief sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Utah again for his leadership on this, and thank the gentlewoman from Iowa as well, and, as always, thank the chairwoman, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez).

This straightforward legislation directs PCRs and senior procurement executives in agencies to assist small businesses in the SBIR and STTR programs.

Such assistance could be in the form of researching applicable solicitations, providing technical assistance when bidding for contracts, or coordinating with appropriate agency procurement officials.

The House passed identical legislation unanimously as part of a larger package last Congress, and we recommend passage of this bill again this year.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I want to state my support for H.R. 206, the Encouraging Small Business Innovators Act and H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019. I thank Chairwoman Velazquez, Congressman Rouda, Congresswoman Finkenauer and other colleagues on both committees for their work to advance these bills to the House Floor.

Through competitive research and development grants and contracts, the SBIR and STTR programs provide opportunities for innovative small businesses to participate in the federal research and development enterprise. The Federal R&D enterprise supports innovation by funding the best and brightest at our great research institutions, our national labs, and small businesses across all sectors of our economy. The SBIR and STTR programs have proven to be an important part of that investment. Over the years, the Science Committee has supported strong funding as well as improvements in policy and oversight for the SBIR and STTR programs. Last Congress, several important pilot programs were extended and other updates were made in law that help make the programs more effective and efficient. These include supporting more early-state funding for small business innovators, providing funding for important agency outreach and program administration, and streamlining reporting requirements.

The Science Committee considered several of the provisions in H.R. 246 in the 115th Congress. As these two bills advance, the Committee looks forward to working with our colleagues on the Small Business Committee to review and adopt policy changes in the SBIR and STTR programs that continue to strengthen the partnership between innovative small business and our federal research agencies. Further, I hope we will continue working together to ensure that the agencies prioritize outreach and other activities to increase the participation of women and minority-owned innovative small businesses in the SBIR and STTR programs.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 206 and H.R. 246.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019.

My bill helps small businesses compete for government contracts and research grants and gives them the opportunity to grow and innovate.

I grew up in a small town in northeast Iowa, and I am proud to represent communities like mine in Congress. The Iowans I know want to be able to stay and build a life in the communities that raised them. I am proud to introduce legislation that will give the next generation of Iowans opportunities to innovate in our State.

Too often, small businesses, especially rural ones, get locked out of the competition for government contracts and grants. This bill ensures that agency procurement officers will be more directly involved in this process, helping small businesses pursue research that lets them compete for these opportunities.

H.R. 246 requires procurement center representatives and other contracting officials to assist small businesses in the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Making this a statutory mandate levels the playing field for our small businesses, ensuring they won't be at a disadvantage during the bidding process.

It means that when a small business owner in Marion or Manly, Iowa has a great idea that will create jobs in our communities, our government is actually making it easier, not harder, for them to grow and innovate. When Congress supports small businesses, it strengthens communities like mine in northeast Iowa.

I thank my colleague and cosponsor, Congressman Curtis, and I thank Chairwoman Velazquez for her support and leadership of innovative small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Chabot. I rise in support of H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019. I am pleased to lead as an original coauthor and thank Ms. Finkenauer for her collaboration and effort on this important legislation.

Much of the country's success can be attributed to pioneering individuals and small companies, folks wh have discovered a problem and developed an efficient, cost-effective solution. Innovation, research, and advancement in technology are our major drivers in today's postmodern world, and it is critical that we continue promoting the development of new and advanced technologies.

I am proud that in my home State of Utah we foster a thriving tech hub and innovation marketplace where the tech industry grew last year faster than any other State in the Nation. But there is still more work to be done in Utah and across the country.

This bill reinforces my commitment to small business success by stimulating technology innovation through the Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR program.

Through adding critical acquisition personnel into SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, this legislation will ensure these small businesses have a voice in the procurement process and can compete on a level playing field and have a chance at success. It adds zero cost to the taxpayer.

This bill is a commonsense, forward-leaning bill that protects Federal investment into innovation and technology research by small businesses and helps these innovators succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.