This bill would remove many federal contracting preferences and programs that target businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and businesses owned by women. It changes the Small Business Act and many other laws and programs by striking language that gives special treatment or reporting to disadvantaged or women-owned small businesses, repealing some related statutes, and updating technical references. It also lowers a Department of Transportation participation target in one airport grant rule from 10 percent to 5 percent and removes language about disadvantaged businesses from several DOT provisions. The bill adds new sections to federal procurement titles that would prohibit executive agencies and defense agencies from considering the race, ethnicity, or sex of business owners when making contracts or awards. Agencies must submit rule changes within 60 days and finish rulemaking within 180 days to remove references that require or encourage consideration of race, ethnicity, or sex. The bill text lists many specific statutory edits and repeals across several laws.
If enacted, federal agencies would no longer be allowed to consider the race, ethnicity, or sex of business owners when awarding contracts or setting contractor requirements. Statutory programs and reporting that treated socially and economically disadvantaged businesses or women-owned businesses differently would be removed or changed. One DOT participation goal mentioned in airport grant rules would be reduced from 10% to 5%. Agencies would need to change their rules and guidance on a set schedule.
No publicly available information.
Sponsor Glenn Grothman introduced the bill titled "Ending Discrimination in Government Contracting Act" and the bill text states its purpose as ending preferences for disadvantaged individuals and businesses in government contracts.
No publicly available information.