Plain Language in Contracting Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 787) to require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 787, the Plain Language in Contracting Act, introduced by Representatives LaLota, Thanedar, and Tran.

The Plain Language in Contracting Act is a vital piece of legislation designed to limit the cumbersome language used in government contract solicitations. This will empower small businesses to have a greater ability to compete for valuable government contracts.

The number of small businesses contracting with the government has been shrinking for years, and over the past few years the Committee on Small Business has heard firsthand that excessive red tape and unclear government-speak have made working and contracting with the government more difficult and costly for small businesses.

Currently, government contract solicitations are written in an overly complex way that is difficult to navigate unless someone is an attorney or contract specialist. One study found that only 3 percent of government contracts are written in a way that someone without a college degree could understand.

Small businesses often lack the resources to hire an army of attorneys and contract specialists needed to fully understand these contracts, which creates difficulties in submitting successful bids. The wonky nature of this so-called government-speak has contributed to the shocking loss of small businesses in government contracting.

H.R. 787 will finally remove this unnecessary barrier facing small businesses by forcing the government to take commonsense action and write contract solicitations using simple, plain language.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 787, the Plain Language in Contracting Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaLota).

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

Mr. Speaker, America's small businesses shouldn't have to hire a lawyer to apply for and win a simple government contract. Yet that is exactly what Washington's bureaucratic process demands today.

That is why I am honored to champion the Plain Language in Contracting Act, which will reduce the burden on small businesses when trying to secure government contracts.

My legislation ensures Federal agencies use clear, straightforward language in solicitations, thereby removing barriers, increasing transparency, and giving small businesses a fair shot.

Time and again, small business owners tell us the government contracting process is so complex, they ultimately walk away. Bidding on a contract is hard enough, but when the language is challenging and understanding it requires an advanced degree, it is easy to see why.

A study conducted by the Naval Postgraduate School, which analyzed 1 million DOD contracts, found less than 3

percent were in plain English. Most were rated difficult or very difficult to read. There is no other way to describe it. It is unacceptable.

Furthermore, of the 33 million small businesses operating in America, 74,000, only 0.22 percent, successfully secure Federal contracts. Mr. Speaker, 0.22 percent is just 1 in every 446 contracts. That is all.

When small businesses are shut out from opportunities because they are overwhelmed by the language, we don't just lose a bidder. We lose innovation. We lose local job creation. Oftentimes, we lose a better price.

The government should facilitate small businesses and not be a barrier. Federal agencies should speak in terms that are clear, consistent, and accessible to the American people.

The Plain Language in Contracting Act does just that. This bill creates a level playing field and ensures every small business can compete for a government contract without needing a lawyer.

I thank Chairman Williams and his staff, my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and the entire Small Business Committee for supporting this commonsense solution.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill.

McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Tran).

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Representatives LaLota and Tran, for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the complexity of the government's procurement process and requirements can be overwhelming to small businesses, including those seeking a Federal contract for the first time.

This government-speak, words we only find in government contracting documents like requests for proposals or solicitations, compound the complexity and may disincentivize firms from bidding.

This bill attempts to add clarity by requiring documents to be written in a plain way that helps firms more easily understand what the government is buying.

Small firms should not be put off from working with the government because available opportunities are not communicated clearly. We need more small businesses to bring their talent and innovation into Federal agencies, and I am hopeful this bill will contribute to that effort.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, we will put this in really plain words, since that is what the bill does. Small businesses need to be able to understand what is happening in these contracts. Having language that is easy to understand will enable them to apply for these contracts, which enables them to bring their talents and their innovation to bear in our Federal Government.

Over the last decade, small businesses have been leaving at an alarming rate. Nothing we are doing is working to reverse that trend. In fact, the number of small business vendors in the government's ecosystem has been cut nearly in half.

Having this bill will make it easier for small business owners, people who are already working around the clock, to make their business successful for themselves, their communities, and their employees. They will now have an easier chance of applying for a contract with the Federal Government.

I am hopeful when this legislation is implemented, it will contribute to that goal. I thank the bill's sponsors.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 787, the Plain Language in Contracting Act.

Far too often, bureaucratic barriers and complex government jargon prevent small business owners, especially veterans and immigrant entrepreneurs, from accessing and securing Federal contracting opportunities.

I consistently hear from small business owners in Orange County that the main reason they do not apply for Federal contracts is that the barriers to entry are simply too high.

H.R. 787 will address this barrier facing small business owners and mandate Federal agencies to use clear and accessible language in their contracting opportunities.

I am proud to co-lead this bill, and I thank the gentleman from Long Island (Mr. LaLota) for working with me to improve the SBA and simplify the Federal contracting process. Let's continue to empower local businesses and ensure that every entrepreneur has the opportunity to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan bill.