,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ebbj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #h1 #bjbb ,mr4 ,cardin introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship ,a ,,bill ,to reauthorize programs of the ,small ,business ,administration1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,small ,business ,administration ,reauthorization and ,modernization ,act of #bjbb4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,,title ,i--,women's ,business ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #aja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,amendments to ,women's ,business ,center ,program4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,effect on existing grants4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,regulations4 ,,title ,,ii--,small ,business ,development ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #bja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,annual report on entrepreneurial development programs4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,marketing of services4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,data collection working group4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,oversight2 fees from private partnerships and cosponsorships2 negotiation4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,equity for small business development centers4 ,sec4 #bjg4 ,confidentiality requirements4 ,sec4 #bjh4 ,limitation on award of grants to small business development centers4 ,sec4 #bji4 ,authorization of appropriations for formula grants received by ,states4 ,sec4 #baj4 ,requirements relating to matching funds4 ,sec4 #baa4 ,duties of the ,associate ,administrator for ,small ,business ,development ,centers4 ,sec4 #bab4 ,determination of budgetary effects4 ,,title ,,iii--,,score for ,small ,business ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #cja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,,score ,program provisions and requirements4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,authorization of appropriations for the ,,score program4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,reporting requirements4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,technical and conforming amendments4 ,,title ,,iv--,federal ,contracting ,fairness ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #dja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #djd4 ,duration of participation2 ramp-up period2 transition period4 ,sec4 #dje4 ,administrative requirements for #h7;a7 firms4 ,sec4 #djf4 ,,sba representation on the ,federal ,acquisition ,regulation ,council4 ,sec4 #djg4 ,office of ,small and ,disadvantaged ,business ,utilization2 ,director4 ,sec4 #djh4 ,sole source thresholds4 ,sec4 #dji4 ,mentor-protege program4 ,sec4 #daj4 ,certification process4 ,sec4 #daa4 ,repeal of bonafide office rule4 ,sec4 #dab4 ,reports4 ,sec4 #dac4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,,title ,v--,community ,advantage ,loan ,program ,permanency ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #eja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #ejb4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #ejc4 ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program4 ,,title ,,vi--,,step ,improvement ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #fja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #fjb4 ,state ,trade ,expansion ,program4 ,,title ,,vii--,veterans ,programs ,sec4 #gja4 ,veteran ,federal procurement entrepreneurship training program4 ,sec4 #gjb4 ,boots to ,business ,program4 ,,title ,,viii--,surety ,bond ,program ,sec4 #hja4 ,expanding surety bond program4 ,,title ,,ix--,,sbic ,emerging ,managers ,program ,sec4 #ija4 ,broadening investment by the ,,sbic program4 ,,title ,x--,new ,start ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #ajja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #ajjb4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #ajjc4 ,pilot program4 ,,title ,,xi--,,uplift ,act of #bjbb ,sec4 #aaja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #aajb4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #aajc4 ,purposes4 ,sec4 #aajd4 ,innovation ,centers ,program4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administration2 ,administrator ,the terms ,administration and ,administrator mean the ,small ,business ,administration and the ,administrator thereof1 respectively4 7#b7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#c7 ,small business concern ,the term small business concern has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb74 ,i ,women's ,business ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb #aja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,women's ,business ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb4 #ajb4 ,amendments to ,women's ,business ,center ,program ,section #bi of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef7 is amended to read as follows3 #bi4 ,women's ,business ,center ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,assistant ,administrator ,the term ,assistant ,administrator means the ,assistant ,administrator of the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership established under subsection 7j74 7#b7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an organization described in section #eja7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from taxation under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code2 7,b7 a ,state1 regional1 or local economic development organization1 if the organization certifies that grant funds received under this section will not be commingled with other funds2 7,c7 an institution of higher education1 as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja71 unless the institution is receiving a grant under section #ba2 7,d7 a development1 credit1 or finance corporation chartered by a ,state1 if the corporation certifies that grant funds received under this section will not be commingled with other funds2 or 7,e7 any combination of entities listed in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d74 7#c7 ,program ,the term ,program means the ,women's ,business ,center ,program established under subsection 7b74 7#d7 ,relevant organizations ,the term relevant organizations means-- 7,a7 organizations that advocate for or work with women entrepreneurs1 women's business ownership1 or women's business centers2 and 7,b7 other organizations as the ,administrator determines appropriate4 7#e7 ,resource partners ,the term resource partners means small business development centers1 chapters of the ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives established under section #h7;b77#a77;,b71 and ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,centers described in section #cb4 7#f7 ,women's business center ,the term women's business center means the location at which counseling and training on the management1 operations 7including manufacturing1 services1 and retail71 access to capital1 international trade1 government procurement opportunities1 and any other matter that is needed to start1 maintain1 or expand a small business concern owned and controlled by women4 7#g7 ,women's ,business ,center ,organization ,the term ,women's ,business ,center ,organization means a membership organization formed by women's business centers to pursue matters of common concern4 7b7 ,authority 7#a7 ,establishment ,there is established a ,women's ,business ,center ,program under which the ,administrator may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to provide a grant to the eligible entity to operate #a or more women's business centers for the benefit of small business concerns owned and controlled by women4 7#b7 ,use of funds ,a women's business center established using funds made available under this section shall be designed to provide entrepreneurial counseling and training that meets the needs of the small business concerns owned and controlled by women1 especially concerns owned and controlled by women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged1 as defined in section #h7;a71 and shall provide-- 7,a7 financial assistance1 including counseling and training on how to-- 7i7 apply for and secure business credit and investment capital2 7ii7 prepare and present financial statements2 and 7iii7 manage cash flow and other financial operations of a small business concern2 7,b7 management assistance1 including counseling and training on how to plan1 organize1 staff1 direct1 and control each major activity and function of a small business concern2 7,c7 marketing assistance1 including counseling and training on how to-- 7i7 identify and segment domestic and international market opportunities2 7ii7 prepare and execute marketing plans2 7iii7 develop pricing strategies2 7iv7 locate contract opportunities2 7v7 negotiate contracts2 and 7vi7 use various public relations and advertising techniques2 and 7,d7 other services1 as needed1 in order to meet the changing and evolving needs of the small business community4 7#c7 ,types of grants 7,a7 ,initial grant ,the amount of an initial grant1 which shall be for a #e-year term1 provided under this section to an eligible entity shall be not more than #cjj1jjj annually 7as that amount is annually adjusted by the ,administrator to reflect the change in inflation74 7,b7 ,continuation grants 7i7 ,in general ,the ,administrator may award a continuation grant1 which shall be for a #e-year term1 of not more than #cjj1jjj annually 7as that amount is annually adjusted by the ,administrator to reflect the change in inflation7 to an eligible entity that received an initial grant under subparagraph 7,a74 7ii7 ,no limitation ,there shall be no limitation on the number of continuation grants an eligible entity may receive under this section4 7c7 ,application 7#a7 ,initial grants and continuation grants ,to receive an initial grant or continuation grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit an application to the ,administrator in such form1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may require1 including-- 7,a7 a certification that the eligible entity-- 7i7 has designated an executive director or program manager1 who may be compensated using grant funds awarded under this section or other sources1 to manage each women's business center for which a grant under subsection 7b7 is sought2 and 7ii7 meets accounting and reporting requirements established by the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget2 7,b7 information demonstrating the experience and effectiveness of the eligible entity in-- 7i7 providing entrepreneurial counseling and training described in subsection 7b77#b72 7ii7 providing training and services to a representative number of women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged2 and 7iii7 working with resource partners1 offices of the ,administration1 and other public and private entities engaging in entrepreneurial and small business development2 and 7,c7 a #e-year plan that-- 7i7 includes information relating to the assistance to be provided by each women's business center in the area in which each center is located2 7ii7 describes the ability of the eligible entity to meet the needs of the market to be served by each women's business center2 7iii7 describes the ability of the eligible entity to obtain the matching funds required under subsection 7e72 and 7iv7 describes the ability of the eligible entity to provide entrepreneurial counseling and training described in subsection 7b77#b71 including to a representative number of women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged4 7#b7 ,record retention 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall maintain a copy of each application submitted under this subsection for not less than #e years4 7,b7 ,paperwork reduction ,the ,administrator shall take steps to reduce1 to the maximum extent practicable1 the paperwork burden associated with carrying out subparagraph 7,a74 7d7 ,selection of eligible entities 7#a7 ,in general ,in selecting recipients of initial grants under this section1 the ,administrator shall consider-- 7,a7 the experience of the applicant in providing entrepreneurial counseling and training2 7,b7 the amount of time needed for the applicant to commence operation of a women's business center2 7,c7 the capacity of the applicant to meet the accreditation standards established under subsection 7j77#d7 in a timely manner and the likelihood that the recipient will become accredited2 7,d7 the ability of the applicant to sustain operations1 including the applicant's ability to obtain matching funds under subsection 7e71 for a #e-year period2 7,e7 the proposed location of a women's business center to be operated by the applicant and the location's proximity to ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,centers described in section #cb and to recipients of grants under section #h7;b77#a7 or #ba2 7,f7 the counsel of a ,women's ,business ,center ,organization or another relevant organization on the level of unmet need in the area where the women's business center is to be located2 and 7,g7 whether the applicant has received trainings conducted by1 utilized services provided by1 or engaged with a ,women's ,business ,center ,organization or another relevant organization in the preparation of the application4 7#b7 ,selection criteria 7,a7 ,rulemaking ,the ,administrator shall issue regulations to specify the criteria for review and selection of applicants under this subsection4 7,b7 ,effect of regulations at time of application ,unless otherwise required by an ,act of ,congress or an order of a ,federal court1 any application for an opportunity to award a grant under this section shall be governed by the regulations issued pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7 that are in effect at the time of the public announcement of such opportunity made by the ,administrator pursuant to subsection 7k77#a74 7,c7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this paragraph may be construed as prohibiting the ,administrator from modifying the regulations issued pursuant to subparagraph 7,a7 as the regulations apply to an opportunity to be awarded a grant under this section that the ,administrator has not yet publicly announced pursuant to subsection 7k77#a74 7e7 ,matching requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#e71 upon approval of an application submitted by an eligible entity under subsection 7c71 the eligible entity shall agree to obtain contributions from non-,federal sources-- 7,a7 in the first and second year of the term of an initial grant1 if applicable1 #a non-,federal dollar for every #b ,federal dollars2 and 7,b7 in each subsequent year of the term of an initial grant1 if applicable1 or for the term of a continuation grant1 #a non-,federal dollar for each ,federal dollar4 7#b7 ,form of matching funds ,not more than one-half of non-,federal matching funds described in paragraph 7#a7 may be in the form of in-kind contributions that are budget line items only1 including office equipment and office space4 7#c7 ,solicitation ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 an eligible entity may-- 7,a7 solicit cash and in-kind contributions from private individuals and entities to be used to operate a women's business center2 and 7,b7 use amounts made available by the ,administrator under this section for the cost of solicitation and management of the contributions received1 subject to the limitations set by the ,administrator4 7#d7 ,disbursement of funds ,the ,administrator may disburse an amount not greater than #be percent of the total amount of a grant awarded to an eligible entity before the eligible entity obtains the matching funds described in paragraph 7#a74 7#e7 ,failure to obtain matching funds 7,a7 ,in general ,if an eligible entity fails to obtain the required matching funds described in paragraph 7#a71 the eligible entity may not be eligible to receive advance disbursements pursuant to paragraph 7#d7 during the remainder of the term1 if applicable1 of an initial grant awarded under this section4 7,b7 ,continuation grant ,before approving an eligible entity for a continuation grant under this section1 the ,administrator shall make a written determination1 including the reasons for the determination1 of whether the ,administrator believes that the eligible entity will be able to obtain the requisite matching funding under paragraph 7#a7 for the continuation grant4 7#f7 ,waiver of non-,federal share 7,a7 ,in general ,upon request by an eligible entity and in accordance with this paragraph1 the ,administrator may waive1 in whole or in part1 the requirement to obtain matching funds under paragraph 7#a7 for a grant awarded under this section for the eligible entity for a #a-year term of the grant4 7,b7 ,considerations ,in determining whether to issue a waiver under this paragraph1 the ,administrator shall consider-- 7i7 the economic conditions affecting the eligible entity2 7ii7 the demonstrated ability of the eligible entity to raise non-,federal funds2 and 7iii7 the performance of the eligible entity under the initial grant4 7,c7 ,limitation ,the ,administrator may not issue a waiver under this paragraph if the ,administrator determines that granting the waiver would undermine the credibility of the ,program4 7#g7 ,excess non-,federal dollars ,the amount of non-,federal dollars obtained by an eligible entity that is greater than the amount that is required to be obtained by the eligible entity under this subsection shall not be subject to the requirements of part #bjj of title #b1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor thereto1 if the amount of non-,federal dollars-- 7,a7 is not used as matching funds for purposes of implementing the ,program2 and 7,b7 was not obtained by using funds granted under the ,program4 7#h7 ,carryover ,an eligible entity may use excess non-,federal dollars described in paragraph 7#g7 to satisfy the matching funds requirement under paragraph 7#a7 for the subsequent #a-year grant term1 if applicable1 except that the amounts shall be subject to the requirements of part #bjj of title #b1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor thereto4 7f7 ,other requirements 7#a7 ,separation of funds ,an eligible entity shall-- 7,a7 operate a women's business center under this section separately from other projects1 if any1 of the eligible entity2 and 7,b7 separately maintain and account for any grant funds received under this section4 7#b7 ,examination of eligible entities 7,a7 ,required site visit ,before receiving an initial grant under this section1 each applicant shall have a site visit by an employee of the ,administration in order to ensure that the applicant has sufficient resources to provide the services for which the grant is being provided4 7,b7 ,annual review ,an employee of the ,administration shall-- 7i7 conduct an annual programmatic and financial examination of each eligible entity1 as described in subsection 7g72 and 7ii7 provide the results of the examination to the eligible entity4 7#c7 ,remediation of problems 7,a7 ,plan of action ,if an examination of an eligible entity conducted under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 identifies any problems1 the eligible entity shall1 not later than #de calendar days after receiving a copy of the results of the examination1 provide the ,assistant ,administrator with a plan of action1 including specific milestones1 for correcting those problems4 7,b7 ,plan of action review by the ,assistant ,administrator ,not later than #cj days after receipt of the plan of action1 the ,assistant ,administrator shall review the plan of action submitted under subparagraph 7,a71 and if the ,assistant ,administrator determines that the plan-- 7i7 will bring the eligible entity into compliance with all the terms of a cooperative agreement described in subsection 7b71 the ,assistant ,administrator shall approve the plan2 or 7ii7 is inadequate to remedy the problems identified in the annual examination to which the plan of action relates1 the ,assistant ,administrator shall set forth the reasons in writing and provide the determination to the eligible entity not later than #ae calendar days after the date of determination4 7,c7 ,amendment to plan of action ,an eligible entity receiving a determination under subparagraph 7,b77ii7 shall have #cj calendar days from the receipt of the determination to amend the plan of action to satisfy the problems identified by the ,assistant ,administrator and resubmit the plan to the ,assistant ,administrator4 7,d7 ,amended plan review by the ,assistant ,administrator ,not later than #ae calendar days after receipt of an amended plan of action under subparagraph 7,c71 the ,assistant ,administrator shall approve or reject the plan and provide the approval or rejection in writing to the eligible entity4 7,e7 ,appeal of ,assistant ,administrator determination 7i7 ,in general ,if the ,assistant ,administrator rejects an amended plan of action under subparagraph 7,d71 the eligible entity shall have the opportunity to appeal the decision to the ,administrator1 who may delegate the appeal to an appropriate officer of the ,administration4 7ii7 ,opportunity for explanation ,any appeal described in clause 7i7 shall provide an opportunity for the eligible entity to provide1 in writing1 an explanation of why the amended plan of action of the eligible entity remedies the problems identified in the annual examination conducted under paragraph 7#b77;,b74 7iii7 ,notice of determination ,the ,administrator shall provide to the eligible entity a determination of the appeal1 in writing1 not later than #ae calendar days after the eligible entity files an appeal under this subparagraph4 7iv7 ,effect of failure to act ,if the ,administrator fails to act on an appeal made under this subparagraph within the #ae-;day period specified under clause 7iii71 the amended plan of action of the eligible entity submitted under subparagraph 7,c7 shall be deemed to be approved4 7#d7 ,termination of grant 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall terminate a grant to an eligible entity under this section if the eligible entity fails to comply with-- 7i7 a plan of action approved by the ,assistant ,administrator under paragraph 7#c77;,b77i72 or 7ii7 an amended plan of action approved by the ,assistant ,administrator under paragraph 7#c77;,d7 or approved on appeal under paragraph 7#c77;,e74 7,b7 ,appeal of termination ,an eligible entity shall have the opportunity to challenge the termination of a grant under subparagraph 7,a7 on the record and after an opportunity for a hearing4 7,c7 ,final agency action ,a determination made pursuant to subparagraph 7,b7 shall be considered final agency action for the purposes of chapter #g of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,engagement with majority ,women's ,business ,center ,organization1 women's business centers1 and other relevant organizations ,if1 on the date of enactment of the ,women's ,business ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb1 a majority of women's business centers that are operating pursuant to agreements with the ,administration are members of an individual ,women's ,business ,center ,organization1 the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 recognize the existence and activities of the ,organization2 and 7,b7 consult with the ,organization1 and to the extent practicable1 women's business centers and other relevant organizations1 on the development of documents with respect to-- 7i7 announcing the annual scope of activities pursuant to this section2 7ii7 requesting proposals to deliver assistance as provided in this section2 and 7iii7 the governance1 general operations1 and administration of the ,program1 including general best practices in the operation of the ,program and the development of regulations and financial examinations under that ,program4 7#f7 ,enforcement 7,a7 ,grants ,the ,assistant ,administrator shall develop policies and procedures to minimize the possibility of awarding a grant to an eligible entity that will operate a women's business center that likely will not remain in compliance with program and financial requirements4 7,b7 ,individual cooperative agreements ,the ,assistant ,administrator shall enforce the terms of any individual cooperative agreement described in paragraph 7#e77;,b77iii74 7g7 ,program examination 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administration shall-- 7,a7 develop and implement an annual programmatic and financial examination of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section1 under which each eligible entity shall provide to the ,administration-- 7i7 an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for costs incurred during the preceding year2 and 7ii7 documentation regarding the amount of matching assistance from non-,federal sources obtained and expended by the eligible entity during the preceding year in order to meet the requirements of subsection 7e7 and1 with respect to any in-kind contributions described in subsection 7e77#b7 that were used to satisfy the requirements of subsection 7e71 verification of the existence and valuation of those contributions2 and 7,b7 analyze the results of each examination and1 based on that analysis1 make a determination regarding the programmatic and financial viability of each women's business center operated by the eligible entity4 7#b7 ,conditions for continued funding ,in determining whether to award a continuation grant to an eligible entity1 the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 consider the results of the most recent examination of the eligible entity under paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 determine if-- 7i7 the eligible entity has failed to provide1 or provided inadequate1 information under paragraph 7#a77;,a72 or 7ii7 the eligible entity has failed to provide any information required to be provided by a women's business center for purposes of the management report under subsection 7l77#a71 or the information provided by the center is inadequate2 and 7,c7 consider the accreditation status as described in subsection 7j77#d74 7h7 ,contract authority 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may enter into a contract with a ,federal department or agency to provide specific assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and other underserved small business concerns1 if performance of that contract does not hinder the ability of the eligible entity to carry out the terms of a grant received under this section4 7#b7 ,administrator 7,a7 ,in general ,the authority of the ,administrator to enter into contracts shall be in effect for each fiscal year only to the extent and in the amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations ,acts4 7,b7 ,adverse contract action ,after the ,administrator has entered into a contract1 either as a grant or a cooperative agreement1 with any applicant under this section1 the ,administrator shall not suspend1 terminate1 or fail to renew or extend the contract unless the ,administrator provides the applicant with written notification setting forth the reasons therefore and affords the applicant an opportunity for a hearing1 appeal1 or other administrative proceeding under chapter #e of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7i7 ,privacy requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,a women's business center may not disclose the name1 address1 email address1 or telephone number of any individual or small business concern receiving assistance under this section without the consent of that individual or small business concern1 unless-- 7,a7 the ,administrator orders the disclosure after the ,administrator is ordered to make a disclosure by a court in any civil or criminal enforcement action initiated by a ,federal or ,state agency2 or 7,b7 the ,administrator considers a disclosure to be necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of a women's business center1 except that the disclosure shall be limited to the information necessary for the audit4 7#b7 ,administration use of information ,this subsection shall not-- 7,a7 restrict the access of the ,administration to women's business center data2 or 7,b7 prevent the ,administration from using information about individuals who use women's business centers to conduct surveys of those individuals4 7#c7 ,regulations ,the ,administrator shall issue regulations to establish standards for disclosures for purposes of a financial audit described in paragraph 7#a77;,b74 7j7 ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership 7#a7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,administration an ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership1 which shall be-- 7,a7 responsible for the administration of the ,administration's programs for the development of women's business enterprises1 as defined in section #djh of the ,women's ,business ,ownership ,act of #aihh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #gajh72 and 7,b7 administered by an ,assistant ,administrator1 who shall be appointed by the ,administrator4 7#b7 ,assistant ,administrator of the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership 7,a7 ,qualification ,the position of ,assistant ,administrator of the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership shall be-- 7i7 a ,senior ,executive ,service position under section #cacb7;a77#b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7ii7 a noncareer appointee1 as defined in section #cacb7;a77#g7 of that title4 7,b7 ,duties ,the ,assistant ,administrator shall administer the programs and services of the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership and perform the following functions3 7i7 ,recommend the annual administrative and program budgets of the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership and eligible entities receiving a grant under the ,program4 7ii7 ,review the annual budgets submitted by each eligible entity receiving a grant under the ,program4 7iii7 ,collaborate with other ,federal departments and agencies1 ,state and local governments1 nonprofit organizations1 and for-profit organizations to maximize utilization of taxpayer dollars and reduce or eliminate any duplication among the programs overseen by the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership and those of other entities that provide similar services to women entrepreneurs4 7iv7 ,maintain a clearinghouse to provide for the dissemination and exchange of information between women's business centers4 7v7 ,serve as the vice chairperson of the ,interagency ,committee on ,women's ,business ,enterprise and as the liaison for the ,national ,women's ,business ,council4 7#c7 ,mission ,the mission of the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership shall be to assist women entrepreneurs to start1 grow1 and compete in global markets by providing quality support with access to capital1 access to markets1 job creation1 growth1 and counseling by-- 7,a7 fostering participation of women entrepreneurs in the economy by overseeing a network of women's business centers throughout the ,united ,states2 7,b7 creating public-private partnerships to support women entrepreneurs and conduct outreach and education to small business concerns owned and controlled by women2 and 7,c7 working with other programs of the ,administration to-- 7i7 ensure women are well-represented in those programs and being served by those programs2 and 7ii7 identify gaps where participation by women in those programs could be increased4 7#d7 ,accreditation program 7,a7 ,establishment ,not later than #bgj days after the date of enactment of the ,women's ,business ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb1 the ,administrator shall publish standards for a program to accredit eligible entities that receive a grant under this section4 7,b7 ,public comment2 transition ,before publishing the standards under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,administrator-- 7i7 shall provide a period of not less than #fj days for public comment on the standards2 and 7ii7 may not terminate a grant under this section absent evidence of fraud or other criminal misconduct by the recipient4 7,c7 ,contracting authority ,the ,administrator may provide financial support1 by contract or otherwise1 to a ,women's ,business ,center ,organization to provide assistance in establishing the standards required under subparagraph 7,a7 or for carrying out an accreditation program pursuant to those standards4 7#e7 ,continuation grant considerations 7,a7 ,in general ,in determining whether to award a continuation grant under this section1 the ,administrator shall consider the results of the annual programmatic and financial examination conducted under subsection 7g7 and the accreditation program under paragraph 7#d74 7,b7 ,accreditation requirement ,on and after the date that is #b years after the date of enactment of the ,women's ,business ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb1 the ,administration may not award a continuation grant under this section unless the applicable eligible entity has been approved under the accreditation program conducted pursuant to paragraph 7#d71 except that the ,assistant ,administrator for the ,office of ,women's ,business ,ownership may waive the accreditation requirement1 in the discretion of the ,assistant ,administrator1 upon a showing that the eligible entity is making a good faith effort to obtain accreditation4 7#f7 ,annual conference 7,a7 ,in general ,each women's business center shall participate in annual professional development at an annual conference facilitated by the ,administrator4 7,b7 ,collaboration ,the ,administrator shall collaborate with #a or more ,women's ,business ,center ,organizations1 women's business centers1 or other relevant organizations in carrying out the responsibilities of the ,administrator under subparagraph 7,a74 7k7 ,notification requirements under the ,program ,the ,administrator shall provide the following3 7#a7 ,a public announcement of any opportunity to be awarded grants under this section1 to include the selection criteria under subsection 7d7 and any applicable regulations4 7#b7 ,to any applicant for a grant under this section that failed to obtain a grant1 an opportunity to debrief with the ,administrator to review the reasons for the failure of the applicant4 7#c7 ,to an eligible entity that receives an initial grant under this section1 if a site visit or review of the eligible entity is carried out by an officer or employee of the ,administration 7other than the ,inspector ,general71 a copy of the site visit report or evaluation1 as applicable1 not later than #cj calendar days after the completion of the visit or evaluation4 7l7 ,annual management report 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall prepare and submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives an annual report on the effectiveness of women's business centers operated through a grant awarded under this section4 7#b7 ,information for report ,each women's business center shall1 annually and upon request1 provide the ,administrator with sufficient information to complete the report required under paragraph 7#a71 including the information described in paragraph 7#c74 7#c7 ,contents ,each report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall summarize-- 7,a7 information concerning1 with respect to each women's business center established pursuant to a grant awarded under this section1 the most recent analysis of the annual programmatic and financial examination of the applicable eligible entity1 as required under subsection 7g77#a77;,b71 and the subsequent determination made by the ,administration under that subsection2 7,b7 the total number of individuals and the number of unique individuals counseled or trained through the ,program2 7,c7 the total number of hours of counseling and training services provided through the ,program2 7,d7 to the extent practicable1 the demographics of ,program participants to include the gender1 race1 ethnicity1 and age of each participant2 7,e7 the number of ,program participants who are veterans2 7,f7 the number of new businesses started by participants in the ,program2 7,g7 to the extent practicable1 the number of jobs supported1 created1 or retained with assistance from women's business centers2 7,h7 the total amount of capital secured by participants in the ,program1 including through loans and equity investment of the ,administration2 7,i7 the number of participants in the ,program receiving financial assistance1 including the type and dollar amount1 under a loan program of the ,administration2 7,j7 an estimate of gross receipts1 including to the extent practicable a description of any change in revenue of small business concerns assisted through the ,program2 7,k7 the number of referrals of individuals to other resources and programs of the ,administration2 7,l7 the results of satisfaction surveys of participants1 including a summary of any comments received from those participants2 and 7,m7 any recommendations by the ,administrator to improve the delivery of services by women's business centers4 7m7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administration to carry out this section1 to remain available until expended1 #ca1ejj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbf4 7#b7 ,use of amounts 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 amounts made available under this subsection for fiscal year #bjbc1 and each fiscal year thereafter1 may only be used for grant awards and may not be used for costs incurred by the ,administration in connection with the management and administration of the program under this section4 7,b7 ,exceptions ,of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year1 for the fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of the ,women's ,business ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb and each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year #bjbf1 #b4f percent shall be available for costs incurred by the ,administration in connection with the management and administration of the program under this section4 7,c7 ,accreditation and annual conference ,of the amounts made available in any fiscal year to carry out this section1 not more than #bej1jjj may be used by the ,administration to pay for expenses related to carrying out paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#f7 of subsection 7j74 7#c7 ,expedited acquisition ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,administrator may use expedited acquisition methods as the ,administrator determines to be appropriate to carry out this section1 except that the ,administrator shall ensure that all small business concerns are provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals4 4 #ajc4 ,effect on existing grants 7a7 ,terms and conditions ,a nonprofit organization receiving a grant under section #bi7m7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef7m771 as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act1 shall continue to receive the grant under the terms and conditions in effect for the grant on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act1 except that the nonprofit organization may not apply for a continuation of the grant under section #bi7m77#e7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef7m77#e771 as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,length of continuation grant ,the ,administrator may award a grant under section #bi of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef71 as amended by this title1 to a nonprofit organization receiving a grant under section 7m7 of such section #bi1 as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act1 for the period-- 7#a7 beginning on the day after the last day of the grant agreement under such section #bi7m72 and 7#b7 ending at the end of the third fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #ajd4 ,regulations ,not later than #bgj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall issue rules as are necessary to carry out section #bi of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef71 as amended by this title1 and ensure that a period of public comment for those rules is not less than #fj days4 ,,ii ,small ,business ,development ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb #bja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,small ,business ,development ,centers ,improvement ,act of #bjbb4 #bjb4 ,annual report on entrepreneurial development programs ,section #aj of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fci7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7i7 ,annual report on entrepreneurial development programs 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,covered program ,the term covered program means a program authorized under section #g7;j71 #g7m71 #h7;a71 #h7;b77#a71 #ba1 #bb1 #bi1 #cb1 or #cd4 7,b7 ,entrepreneurial development activity ,the term entrepreneurial development activity means an activity related to the delivery of entrepreneurial development services1 entrepreneurial education1 or support for the development and maintenance of business training services carried out through a covered program4 7#b7 ,report required ,the ,administrator shall include in the comprehensive annual report required under subsection 7a7 the following data3 7,a7 ,a list of all entrepreneurial development activities undertaken during the fiscal year preceding the date of the report through a covered program1 including-- 7i7 a description and operating details for each such covered program and the activities performed under each such covered program2 7ii7 operating circulars1 manuals1 and standard operating procedures for each such covered program2 7iii7 a description of the process used to make awards relating to the provision of entrepreneurial development activities under each such covered program2 7iv7 a list of all recipients of awards under each such covered program and the amount of each such award2 and 7v7 a list of contractors1 including the name and location of such contractor1 of an award recipient4 7,b7 ,the total amount of funding obligated for a covered program and the entrepreneurial development activities conducted under each such covered program for the fiscal year preceding the date of the report4 7,c7 ,the names and titles of the individuals responsible for carrying out a covered program4 7,d7 ,for entrepreneurial development activities undertaken during the fiscal year preceding the date of the report through the small business development center program established under section #ba 7in this section referred to as the ,program7-- 7i7 the total number and number of individuals counseled or trained through the ,program2 7ii7 the total number of hours of counseling and training services provided through the ,program2 7iii7 to the extent practicable1 the demographics of participants in the ,program1 which shall include the gender1 race1 ethnicity1 and age of each such participant2 7iv7 the number of participants in the ,program who are veterans2 7v7 the number of new businesses started by participants in the ,program2 7vi7 to the extent practicable1 the number of jobs supported1 created1 and retained with assistance from the ,program2 7vii7 to the extent practicable1 the total amount of capital secured by participants in the ,program1 including through loans and equity investment from the ,administration2 7viii7 the number of participants in the ,program receiving financial assistance1 including the type and dollar amount1 under a loan program of the ,administration2 7ix7 an estimate of gross receipts1 including1 to the extent practicable1 a description of any change in revenue1 of small business concerns assisted through the ,program2 7x7 the number of referrals of individuals to other resources and programs of the ,administration2 7xi7 the results of satisfaction surveys of participants in the ,program1 including a summary of any comments received from those participants2 and 7xii7 any recommendations by the ,administrator to improve the delivery of services by the ,program4 4 #bjc4 ,marketing of services ,section #ba of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7o7 ,no prohibition of marketing of services ,an applicant receiving a grant under this section may use up to #aj percent of their budget to market and advertise the services of the applicant to individuals and small business concerns4 4 #bjd4 ,data collection working group 7a7 ,establishment of working group ,to improve data collection ,the ,administrator shall establish a group to be known as the ,data ,collection ,working ,group consisting of entrepreneurial development grant recipients1 the associations and organizations representing such recipients1 and officials from the ,administration1 to carry out a study to determine the best methods for conducting data collection activities and create or revise existing systems dedicated to data collection4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,data ,collection ,working ,group shall issue a report to the appropriate committees of ,congress containing the findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection 7a71 including-- 7#a7 recommendations for revising existing data collection practices for the small business development center program established under section #ba of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh72 and 7#b7 a proposed plan for the ,administrator to implement the recommendations described in paragraph 7#a74 #bje4 ,oversight2 fees from private partnerships and cosponsorships2 negotiation ,section #ba7;a77#c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh7;a77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting 1 including financial oversight1 after oversight2 7#b7 by moving subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 #b ems to the right2 7#c7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7,a7 by striking ,whereas2 7,b7 by inserting ,program after ,center2 and 7,c7 by striking ,national and inserting national2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 7i7 ,a small business development center that participates in a private partnership or cosponsorship1 in which the ,administrator or designee of the ,administrator also participates1 may collect fees or other income in order to hold events related to the private partnership or cosponsorship4 7ii7 ,nothing in clause 7i7 shall be construed as the ,administration endorsing a private partnership or cosponsorship described in clause 7i74 7,e7 ,an association formed under subparagraph 7,a7 shall1 at the request of a small business development center applicant or applicants1 participate in the negotiation of the cooperative agreement described in this paragraph between the small business development center applicant or applicants and the ,administration4 4 #bjf4 ,equity for small business development centers ,section #ba7;a77#d77;,c77v7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh7;a77#d77;,c77v77 is amended to read as follows3 7v7 ,use of amounts ,of the amounts made available in any fiscal year to carry out this section1 not more than #fjj1jjj may be used by the ,administration to pay expenses enumerated in subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,d7 of section #bj7;a77#a74 4 #bjg4 ,confidentiality requirements ,section #ba7;a77#g77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh7;a77#g77;,a77 is amended1 in the matter preceding clause 7i7-- 7#a7 by striking or telephone number and inserting 1 telephone number1 or email address2 and 7#b7 by inserting 1 or the nature or content of such assistance1 to any ,state1 local1 or ,federal agency1 or to any third party after receiving assistance under this section4 #bjh4 ,limitation on award of grants to small business development centers 7a7 ,in general ,section #ba of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh71 as amended by section #bjc of this title1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a77#a7-- 7,a7 by striking any women's business center operating pursuant to section #bi12 7,b7 by striking or a women's business center operating pursuant to section #bi as a ,small ,business ,development ,center2 and 7,c7 by striking and women's business centers operating pursuant to section #bi2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7p7 ,limitation on award of grants ,except for nonprofit institutions of higher education1 and notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,administrator may not award a grant or contract to1 or enter into a cooperative agreement with1 an entity under this section unless that entity-- 7#a7 received a grant or contract from1 or entered into a cooperative agreement with1 the ,administrator under this section before the date of enactment of this subsection2 and 7#b7 seeks to renew such a grant1 contract1 or cooperative agreement after such date4 4 7b7 ,rule of construction ,the amendments made by this section may not be construed as prohibiting a women's business center described in section #bi of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef7 from receiving a subgrant from an entity receiving a grant under section #ba of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh74 #bji4 ,authorization of appropriations for formula grants received by ,states ,section #ba7;a77#d77;,c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh7;a77#d77;,c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7vii71 by striking subparagraph and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting subparagraph #age1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbf42 and 7#b7 in clause 7viii7-- 7,a7 by striking shall reserve not less than #a1jjj1jjj and inserting shall reserve not more than #b1jjj1jjj2 and 7,b7 by striking #ajj1jjj and inserting #bjj1jjj4 #baj4 ,requirements relating to matching funds ,section #ba7;a77#d77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh7;a77#d77;,a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,such matching funds shall be evidenced by good faith assertions from the applicant1 and the expenditure of matching funds shall not be made a prerequisite of the reimbursement of ,federal funds1 notwithstanding the final reconciliation payment for the close-out of each award44 #baa4 ,duties of the ,associate ,administrator for ,small ,business ,development ,centers ,section #ba7;h77#b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh7;h77#b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,marketing ,the ,associate ,administrator for ,small ,business ,development ,centers shall market and advertise the ,small ,business ,development ,center ,program and participants in that ,program as a resource available to any ,federal program providing assistance to small business concerns1 including the ,,fast program established under section #cd4 4 #bab4 ,determination of budgetary effects ,the budgetary effects of this title1 for the purpose of complying with the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj1 shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ,budgetary ,effects of ,,paygo ,legislation for this ,act1 submitted for printing in the ,congressional ,record by the ,chairman of the ,house ,budget ,committee1 provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage4 ,,iii ,,score for ,small ,business ,act of #bjbb #cja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,,score for ,small ,business ,act of #bjbb4 #cjb4 ,,score ,program provisions and requirements ,section #h of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#a77;,b7-- 7,a7 by striking a ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives 7,,score7 and inserting the ,,score program2 and 7,b7 by striking ,,score may and inserting the ,,score ,association may2 and 7#b7 by striking subsection 7c7 and inserting the following3 7c7 ,,score program 7#a7 ,cooperative agreement ,the ,administrator shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the ,,score ,association to carry out the ,,score program1 which shall include the following requirements3 7,a7 ,administrator duties ,the ,administrator shall-- 7i7 every #b years1 conduct a financial examination of the ,,score ,association to ensure that any costs paid for with ,federal funds are allowable1 allocable1 and reasonable2 7ii7 review and approve contracts entered into by the ,,score ,association to provide goods or services for the ,,score program of a value greater than an amount determined by the ,administrator2 7iii7 maintain a system through which the ,,score ,association provides documentation relating to those contracts2 and 7iv7 not later than #cj days after the receipt of a quarterly report on the achievements of the ,,score program submitted by the ,,score ,association1 reconcile differences between that report and the performance results of the ,,score program reported in a management information system of the ,office of ,entrepreneurial ,development4 7,b7 ,,score ,association duties ,the ,,score ,association shall-- 7i7 manage nationwide chapters of the ,,score program2 7ii7 provide annual training to employees of the ,,score ,association on generating and using program income from the ,,score program2 7iii7 submit documentation to the ,administrator verifying the annual training is completed2 7iv7 maintain separation of funds donated to the ,,score ,association from program income and funds received pursuant to a cooperative agreement2 and 7v7 maintain and enforce requirements for volunteers participating in the ,,score program1 including requirements that each volunteer shall-- 7,i7 based on the business experience and knowledge of the volunteer-- 7aa7 provide personal counseling1 mentoring1 and coaching on the process of starting1 expanding1 managing1 buying1 and selling a business at no cost to individuals who own1 or aspire to own1 small business concerns2 and 7bb7 facilitate free or low-cost education workshops for individuals who own1 or aspire to own1 small business concerns2 and 7,,ii7 as appropriate1 use tools1 resources1 and expertise of other organizations to carry out the ,,score program4 7,c7 ,joint duties ,the ,administrator1 in consultation with the ,,score ,association1 shall ensure that the ,,score program and each chapter of the ,,score program-- 7i7 develop and implement plans and goals to effectively and efficiently provide services to individuals in rural areas1 economically disadvantaged communities1 or other traditionally underserved communities1 including plans for virtual1 remote1 and web-based initiatives1 chapter expansion1 partnerships1 and the development of new skills by volunteers participating in the ,,score program2 and 7ii7 reinforce an inclusive culture by recruiting diverse volunteers for the chapters of the ,,score program4 7#b7 ,online component ,in addition to providing in-person services1 the ,,score ,association shall maintain and expand online counseling services including webinars1 electronic mentoring platforms1 and online toolkits to further support entrepreneurs4 7#c7 ,accounting ,the ,,score ,association shall-- 7,a7 maintain a centralized accounting and financing system for each chapter of the ,,score program2 7,b7 maintain a uniform policy and procedures to manage ,federal funds received pursuant to a cooperative agreement described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7,c7 maintain an employee of the ,,score ,association to serve as a compliance officer to ensure expenditures of the ,,score program are fully compliant with any law1 regulation1 or cooperative agreement relating to the ,,score program4 7#d7 ,compensation ,the ,,score ,association shall-- 7,a7 maintain a documented compensation policy that-- 7i7 specifies the maximum rate of pay allowable for any individual in the ,,score ,association2 7ii7 specifies the maximum percent of the aggregate salaries of employees of the ,,score ,association that may be spent on individual performance awards to employees of the ,,score ,association2 and 7iii7 shall be reviewed annually by the ,,score ,association and the ,administrator2 7,b7 prohibit payment of salaries or performance awards that exceed the limits set by the ,,score ,association compensation policy2 and 7,c7 prohibit members of the ,board of ,directors of the ,,score ,association or any employees of the ,,score ,association from simultaneously serving on the ,board of ,directors of1 or receiving compensation from1 the ,,score ,foundation without written approval from the ,administrator4 7#e7 ,whistleblower protection requirements ,the ,,score ,association shall-- 7,a7 annually update all manuals or other documents applicable to employees and volunteers of the ,,score ,association or the ,,score program to include requirements relating to reporting procedures and protections for whistleblowers2 and 7,b7 conduct an annual training for employees and volunteers of the ,,score ,association or the ,,score program on the requirements described in subparagraph 7,a7 and encourage the use of the hotline established by the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,administration to submit whistleblower reports4 7#f7 ,published materials ,the ,,score ,association shall ensure all published materials include written acknowledgment of ,administration support of the ,,score program if those materials are paid for in whole or in part by ,federal funds4 7#g7 ,privacy requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,neither the ,administrator nor the ,,score ,association may disclose the name1 email address1 address1 or telephone number of any individual or small business concern receiving assistance from the ,,score ,association without the consent of the individual or small business concern1 unless-- 7i7 the ,administrator is ordered to make a disclosure by a court in any civil or criminal enforcement action initiated by a ,federal or ,state agency2 or 7ii7 the ,administrator determines that a disclosure is necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of the ,,score program1 in which case disclosure shall be limited to the information necessary for the audit4 7,b7 ,administrator use of information ,this paragraph shall not-- 7i7 restrict the access of the ,administrator to ,,score program activity data2 or 7ii7 prevent the ,administrator from using ,,score program client information to conduct client surveys4 7,c7 ,standards 7i7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall1 after opportunity for notice and comment1 establish standards for-- 7,i7 disclosures with respect to financial audits described in subparagraph 7,a77ii72 and 7,,ii7 conducting client surveys1 including standards for oversight of the surveys and for dissemination and use of client information4 7ii7 ,maximum privacy protection ,the standards issued under this subparagraph shall1 to the extent practicable1 provide for the maximum amount of privacy protection4 7#h7 ,annual report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of the ,,score for ,small ,business ,act of #bjbb and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator shall submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the performance and effectiveness of the ,,score program1 which may be included as part of another report submitted to those committees by the ,administrator1 and which shall include-- 7,a7 the total number and the number of unique clients counseled or trained under the ,,score program2 7,b7 the total number of hours of counseling or training provided under the ,,score program2 7,c7 the total number of local workshops provided under the ,,score program2 7,d7 the total number of clients attending online and local workshops provided under the ,,score program2 7,e7 to the extent practicable1 the demographics of ,,score program clients and volunteers1 which shall include the gender1 race1 ethnicity1 and age of each client or volunteer2 7,f7 the number of ,,score program clients and volunteers who are veterans2 7,g7 with respect to businesses assisted under the ,,score program1 the cost to create a job1 the cost to create a business1 and the return on investment2 7,h7 the number of referrals of ,,score program clients to other resources and programs of the ,administration2 7,i7 the results of ,,score program client satisfactory surveys1 including a summary of any comments received from those clients2 7,j7 the number of new businesses started by ,,score program clients2 7,k7 the percentage of businesses assisted by the ,,score program realizing revenue growth2 7,l7 to the extent practicable1 the number of jobs created with assistance from the ,,score program2 7,m7 the total cost of the ,,score program2 7,n7 any recommendations of the ,administrator to improve the ,,score program2 7,o7 an explanation of how the ,,score program has been integrated with-- 7i7 small business development centers2 7ii7 women's business centers described in section #bi2 7iii7 ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,centers described in section #cb2 7iv7 other offices of the ,administration2 and 7v7 other public and private entities engaging in entrepreneurial and small business development2 7,p7 the ,,score compensation policy for the relevant fiscal year1 including-- 7i7 a list of any changes to the compensation policy since the previous fiscal year2 and 7ii7 justification if the maximum rate of pay allowable for any individual in the ,,score ,association exceeds the maximum rate of pay allowable for an individual in the career ,senior ,executive ,service employed at the ,administration2 7,q7 the names1 positions1 and salaries of any employees of the ,,score ,association whose salaries exceed the maximum rate of pay allowable per the ,,score compensation policy2 7,r7 the percent of the aggregate salaries of employees of the ,,score ,association spent on individual performance awards to employees of the ,,score ,association1 with a justification if this amount exceeds #aj percent2 7,s7 the total amount of performance awards that have been disbursed or will be disbursed after the last day of the fiscal year in which the awards were earned and a justification for any awards that have been disbursed or will be disbursed outside the fiscal year in which the awards were earned2 and 7,t7 the names1 positions1 and salaries of any members of the ,board of ,directors of the ,,score ,association or any employees of the ,,score ,association that simultaneously serve on the ,board of ,directors of1 or receive compensation from1 the ,,score ,foundation without written approval of the ,administrator4 4 #cjc4 ,authorization of appropriations for the ,,score program ,section #bj of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca note7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7i7 ,,score program ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator to carry out the ,,score program such sums as are necessary for the ,administrator to make grants or enter into cooperative agreements in a total amount that does not exceed #ah1jjj1jjj in each of fiscal years #bjbc and #bjbd4 4 #cjd4 ,reporting requirements 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the terms ,,score ,association and ,,score program have the meanings given those terms in subsection 7gg7 of section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb71 as added by section #cje of this title4 7b7 ,study and report on the future role of the ,,score program 7#a7 ,study ,the ,,score ,association shall carry out a study on the future role of the ,,score program and develop a strategic plan for how the ,,score program will meet the needs of small business concerns during the #e-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this ,act1 with specific objectives for the first1 third1 and fifth years of the #e-year period4 7#b7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,,score ,association shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing-- 7,a7 all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 the strategic plan developed under paragraph 7#a72 and 7,c7 an explanation of how the ,,score ,association plans to achieve the strategic plan1 assuming both stagnant and increased funding levels4 7c7 ,administrator report on leased space ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing an assessment of the cost of leased space that is donated to the ,,score ,association4 7d7 ,online component report ,not later than #c months after the last day of the first full fiscal year following the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,,score ,association shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report on the effectiveness of the online counseling services required under paragraph 7#b7 of section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c771 as added by section #cjb of this title1 including a description of-- 7#a7 how the ,,score ,association determines electronic mentoring and webinar needs1 develops training for electronic mentoring1 establishes webinar criteria curricula1 and evaluates webinar and electronic mentoring results2 7#b7 the internal controls that are used and a summary of the topics covered by the webinars2 and 7#c7 performance metrics1 including the number of small business concerns counseled by1 the number of small business concerns created by1 the number of jobs created and retained by1 and the funding amounts directed towards those online counseling services4 #cje4 ,technical and conforming amendments 7a7 ,small ,business ,act ,the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #c 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb71 by adding at the end the following3 7gg7 ,,score program definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,,score program ,the term ,,score program means the ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives program described in section #h7;c74 7#b7 ,,score ,association ,the term ,,score ,association means the ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives ,association or any successor or other organization that enters into a cooperative agreement described in section #h7;c77#a7 with the ,administrator to operate the ,,score program4 7#c7 ,,score ,foundation ,the term ,,score ,foundation means an organization with a mission to support the ,,score ,association and volunteers of the ,,score program4 2 7#b7 in section #g 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b77#ab7-- 7i7 in the paragraph heading1 by striking score and inserting ,,score program2 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7m77#c77;,a77i77,,viii71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program2 7#c7 in section #bj7;d77#a77;,e7 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca note71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives program and inserting ,,score program2 and 7#d7 in section #bb 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives authorized by section 7#h77;b77#a7 and inserting ,,score program2 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7c77#ab71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives authorized by section #h7;b77#a7 and inserting ,,score program4 7b7 ,other laws 7#a7 ,small ,business ,reauthorization ,act of #aiig ,section #gjg of the ,small ,business ,reauthorization ,act of #aiig 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca note7 is amended by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives 7,,score7 program and inserting ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c774 7#b7 ,veterans ,entrepreneurship and ,small ,business ,development ,act of #aiii ,section #cja of the ,veterans ,entrepreneurship and ,small ,business ,development ,act of #aiii 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b note7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,service ,core of ,retired ,executives 7described in section #h7;b77#a77;,b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;b77#a77;,b77 and in this section referred to as ,,score7 and inserting ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c77 7in this section referred to as the ,,score program72 7ii7 in paragraphs 7#a71 7#b71 and 7#c71 by striking ,,score each place the term appears and inserting the ,,score program2 and 7iii7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking the before establishing2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking ,,score each place the term appears and inserting the ,,score program4 7#c7 ,military ,reservist and ,veteran ,small ,business ,reauthorization and ,opportunity ,act of #bjjh ,the ,military ,reservist and ,veteran ,small ,business ,reauthorization and ,opportunity ,act of #bjjh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf note7 is amended-- 7,a7 in section #c1 by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting the following3 7#e7 the term ,,score program means the ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c772 2 and 7,b7 in section #bja7;c77#b77;,b77i71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program4 7#d7 ,children's ,health ,insurance ,program ,reauthorization ,act of #bjji ,section #fba of the ,children's ,health ,insurance ,program ,reauthorization ,act of #bjji 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegp7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking paragraph 7#d7 and inserting the following3 7#d7 the term ,,score program means the ,,score program described in section #h7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;c772 2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7b77#d77;,a77iv71 by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives and inserting ,,score program4 7#e7 ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act ,section #ccg7;d77#b77;,a7 of the ,energy ,policy and ,conservation ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fcjg7;d77#b77;,a77 is amended by striking ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives 7,,score7 and inserting ,,score program4 ,,iv ,federal ,contracting ,fairness ,act of #bjbb #dja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,federal ,contracting ,fairness ,act of #bjbb4 #djb4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,there remain disparities in education1 employment1 and business history1 which includes unequal contracting opportunities1 unequal access to credit or capital1 and acquisition of credit or capital under commercially unfavorable circumstances1 between individuals defined as socially and economically disadvantaged under the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca et seq47 and other individuals4 7#b7 ,the following statistics reiterate the disparities described in paragraph 7#a73 7,a7 ,of the #af1cjj1jjj students enrolled in #d-year undergraduate university in the fall of #bjaf1 #i1ajj1jjj were ,white1 #c1bjj1jjj were ,hispanic1 #b1bjj1jjj were ,black1 and #a1ajj1jjj million were ,asian4 ,in #bjah1 #da percent of all #ah- to #bd-year-olds were enrolled in college4 ,however1 #cg percent of ,black #ah- to #bd-year-olds and #bf percent of ,hispanic #ah- to #bd-year-olds were enrolled in college4 ,additionally1 in #bjai1 #bi percent of ,black adults had a bachelor's degree or higher1 #ba percent of ,latino or ,hispanic adults had a bachelor's degree or higher1 and #bb percent of ,pacific ,islander adults had a bachelor's degree or higher1 as compared to #de percent of ,white adults4 7,b7 ,in #bjbj1 #bd percent of ,black employees and #bd percent of ,hispanic employees report having been discriminated against at work1 compared to #ae percent of ,white employees reporting discrimination at work4 ,in the first quarter of #bjbb1 the unemployment rate in the ,united ,states among ,white workers was #c4f percent compared to #f4h percent among ,black workers and #d4i percent among ,hispanic workers4 7,c7 ,with regards to contracting1 in #bjba1 #b4gh percent of ,federal contracts were awarded to ,asian-owned small businesses1 #a4fg percent went to ,black-owned small businesses1 #a4gh percent went to ,hispanic-owned small businesses1 and #b4fi percent went to ,native ,american-owned small businesses compared to #ae4fd percent of ,federal contracts awarded to ,white-owned small businesses4 ,in total1 #i4d percent of contracting dollars went to minority-owned businesses when #ai percent of ,united ,states employer businesses are minority-owned4 7,d7 ,in terms of access to capital1 in #bjba1 #ae percent of ,asian-owned small businesses received all the financing they sought1 #af percent of ,black-owned small businesses received all the non-emergency financing they sought1 and #ai percent of ,hispanic-owned small businesses received all the non-emergency financing they sought1 as compared to #ce percent of ,white-owned small businesses4 7#c7 ,given these disparities1 the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77 remains a vital part in increasing access to ,federal contracting opportunities for business owners considered socially and economically disadvantaged1 as defined in such ,act1 and is a critical business development program for ensuring these individuals can start and grow their businesses to compete for ,federal contracts4 #djc4 ,definitions ,in this title1 the terms qualified ,h,u,b,zone small business concern1 small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans1 and small business concern owned and controlled by women have the meanings given those terms in section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb74 #djd4 ,duration of participation2 ramp-up period2 transition period 7a7 ,extension of program participation period ,section #g7;j77#ae7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;j77#ae77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking nine years and inserting #aj years2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking four years and inserting #e years2 and 7#c7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking five years and inserting #e years4 7b7 ,ramp-up period 7#a7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term covered small business concern means a small business concern that1 as of the date of enactment of this ,act-- 7,a7 is in the first #c years as a participant in the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a772 7,b7 is an individually owned entity2 and 7,c7 has not been awarded a contract under such section #h7;a71 excluding contracts that meet the simplified acquisition threshold described in section #acd of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,election 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 a covered small business concern may elect at the time of certification to begin the #aj-year program participation period under section #g7;j77#ae7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;j77#ae771 as amended by subsection 7a71 on the earlier of-- 7i7 the date on which the covered small business concern is awarded a contract under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a772 or 7ii7 #c years after the date on which the covered small business concern was certified to participate in the program established under such section #h7;a74 7,b7 ,limitation ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 the program participation period for a covered small business concern under section #g7;j77#ae7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;j77#ae77 shall not exceed #ac years4 7#c7 ,training 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 if a covered small business concern makes an election under paragraph 7#b71 the covered small business concern shall-- 7i7 participate in #ab hours per year of marketing1 business development training1 and engagement to show intent in building capacity to participate in the ,federal contracting market1 which shall be satisfied through training provided by the ,administration1 the ,minority ,business ,development ,agency1 resource partners of the ,administration1 ,procurement ,technical ,assistance ,centers1 or national organizations with expertise in ,federal contracting or that provide contracting certifications2 and 7ii7 log the progress of the covered small business concern on the training carried out under clause 7i7 in the annual review submitted by the covered small business concern4 7,b7 ,exception 7i7 ,in general ,the requirements under subparagraph 7,a77i7 shall be waived for a covered small business concern if1 before reaching #cf hours of training under subparagraph 7,a77i71 the covered small business concern is awarded a contract under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a774 7ii7 ,requirement to log ,notwithstanding clause 7i71 a covered small business concern that receives a waiver under clause 7i7 is required to log the training in which the small business concern participates under subparagraph 7,a7 in accordance with clause 7ii7 of such subparagraph4 7c7 ,transition period 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term covered small business concern means a small business concern that is in the final #c years of participation in the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a772 and 7,b7 the term economically disadvantaged individual means an individual described in section #h7;a77#f77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77#f77;,a774 7#b7 ,increased amounts ,the ,administrator may permit the owner of a covered small business concern to have an adjusted gross income and personal net worth that is not more than #c times higher than the amount allowed for the covered small business program under the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a771 and continue to be considered economically disadvantaged for the purposes of that program1 if the owner demonstrates-- 7,a7 an investment in the covered small business concern to continue to compete in the ,federal contracting market1 such as investment in company infrastructure2 7,b7 a plan for how the covered small business concern is being prepared to compete for ,federal contracts after exiting the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a772 and 7,c7 any other metrics as determined by the ,administrator4 #dje4 ,administrative requirements for #h7;a7 firms ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall issue or revise regulations to-- 7#a7 make the review process for small business concerns already certified under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77 less burdensome by modifying the annual review of each such small business concern1 including by-- 7,a7 providing that1 with respect to such an annual review1 each such small business concern-- 7i7 shall submit to the ,administrator a new business plan1 including a contract forecast1 a transitional management plan1 and an annual performance of contracts1 and a business capture strategy approach only if the plan or approach1 as applicable1 has changed1 as compared with the previous year2 and 7ii7 may indicate to the ,administrator that there has been no change to the business plan or business capture strategy approach described in clause 7i7 during the previous year2 and 7,b7 making such other reductions in the number of forms and documents submitted by each such small business concern that the ,administrator determines necessary1 while still ensuring that each such small business concern maintains good standing with respect to the program carried out under such section #h7;a72 7#b7 determine a new process for how the ,administrator processes the annual review of each such small business concern that1 at a minimum1 requires the ,administrator to conduct a review1 which shall be expedited1 of the small business concern when the small business concern is awarded a contract under such section #h7;a72 and 7#c7 coordinate with the ,general ,services ,administration to streamline the ,past ,performance ,questionnaire form for small business concerns and ,federal agencies participating in the programs established under sections #h7;a71 #h7m71 #ca1 and #cf of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a71 #fcg7m71 #feg;a1 #feg;f74 #djf4 ,,sba representation on the ,federal ,acquisition ,regulation ,council ,section #acjb7;b7 of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration4 2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking subparagraphs 7,b7 to 7,d7 and inserting subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,e74 #djg4 ,office of ,small and ,disadvantaged ,business ,utilization2 ,director ,section #ae7k77#c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdd7k77#c77 is amended by inserting be at a level that is not less senior than the ,under ,secretary of ,defense for ,policy or the ,under ,secretary of ,defense for ,acquisition and ,sustainment1 after appraisals714 #djh4 ,sole source thresholds ,the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #h 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a77#a77;,d77i71 by striking subclause 7,,ii7 and inserting the following3 7,,ii7 the anticipated award price of the contract 7including options and options periods7 will exceed-- 7aa7 #ab1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for research and development1 except that such amount shall be #ad1jjj1jjj if the small business concern is a participating or graduated mentor in1 or a joint venture established under1 the mentor-protege program under section #de2 7bb7 #ad1jjj1jjj 7or #af1jjj1jjj1 if the small business concern is a participating or graduated mentor in1 or a joint venture established under1 the mentor-protege program under section #de7 in the case of a contract opportunity described in item 7aa71 if the small business concern subcontracts with an institution of higher education described in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a771 for which the limitations on subcontracting under section #df shall not apply2 7cc7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for manufacturing1 except that such amount shall be #af1jjj1jjj if the small business concern is a participating or graduated mentor in1 or a joint venture established under1 the mentor-protege program under section #de2 or 7dd7 #aj1jjj1jjj in the case of any other contract opportunity1 except that such amount shall be #ab1jjj1jjj if the small business concern is a participating or graduated mentor in1 or a joint venture established under1 the mentor-protege program under section #de4 2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7m7-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#g77;,b71 by striking clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 and inserting the following3 7i7 #ab1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for research and development2 7ii7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity described in item 7aa71 if the small business concern partners with an institution of higher education described in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a772 7iii7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for manufacturing2 or 7iv7 #aj1jjj1jjj in the case of any other contract opportunity2 and 2 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#h77;,b71 by striking clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 and inserting the following3 7i7 #ab1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for research and development2 7ii7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity described in item 7aa71 if the small business concern partners with an institution of higher education described in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a772 7iii7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for manufacturing2 or 7iv7 #aj1jjj1jjj in the case of any other contract opportunity2 and 2 7#b7 in section #ca7;c77#b77;,a77ii7 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;a7c77#b77;,a77ii771 by striking subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii7 and inserting the following3 7,i7 #ab1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for research and development2 7,,ii7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity described in item 7aa71 if the qualified ,h,u,b,zone small business concern partners with an institution of higher education described in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a772 7,,iii7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for manufacturing2 or 7,,iv7 #aj1jjj1jjj in the case of any other contract opportunity2 and 2 and 7#c7 in section #cf7;c77#b7 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;f7c77#b771 by striking subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 and inserting the following3 7,a7 #ab1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for research and development2 7,b7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity described in item 7aa71 if the small business concern partners with an institution of higher education described in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a772 7,c7 #ad1jjj1jjj in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a ,north ,american ,industry ,classification ,system code for manufacturing2 or 7,d7 #aj1jjj1jjj in the case of any other contract opportunity2 and 4 #dji4 ,mentor-protege program 7a7 ,removal of restriction on number of mentors 7#a7 ,in general ,section #de7;b77#c77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegr7b77#c77;,a77 is amended by striking 1 including any restrictions and all that follows through the end of the subparagraph and inserting a period4 7#b7 ,regulations ,the ,administrator shall issue regulations to provide that there is no restriction on the number of mentors under section #de of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegr7 that a small business concern participating in the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77 may have while participating in the program1 if the mentor-protege relationships do not conflict or compete with each other4 7b7 ,database ,the ,administrator shall create an online centralized database for mentors and proteges 7as defined in section #de of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegr77 to foster connection and support business development between the #b groups4 7c7 ,streamlined process ,the ,administrator shall issue regulations to streamline the process for applying to the mentor-protege program established under section #de of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegr74 #daj4 ,certification process 7a7 ,regulations ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall issue regulations to streamline the certification process for small business concerns seeking to become certified as-- 7#a7 a participant in the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a772 7#b7 a small business concern owned and controlled by women2 7#c7 a qualified ,h,u,b,zone small business concern2 or 7#d7 a small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report that outlines how the ,administrator plans to streamline the certification process described in subsection 7a74 #daa4 ,repeal of bonafide office rule ,section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77 is amended by repealing paragraph 7#aa74 #dab4 ,reports 7a7 ,demographic data ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 make publicly available on the website of the ,administration-- 7,a7 disaggregated data on the size and number of contracts in total by the ,federal ,government and by each ,federal agency to small business concerns by demographics1 including1 at a minimum1 the gender1 race1 and ethnicity categories published by the ,administration in the disaggregated ,federal contracting data in ,december #bjba1 and the size of the small business concern2 and 7,b7 data on the number of small business concerns owned and controlled by disabled individuals that are participating in the program established under section #h7;a72 and 7#b7 with consultation with the ,administrator of ,general ,services1 include on ,,sam4gov the ability for small business concerns to report the data described in paragraph 7#a77;,b74 7b7 ,review of size standards ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall conduct a review of and submit to ,congress a report on the size standards applicable to participants in the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a771 and outline ways in which the ,administration can modify size standards to allow program participants to grow and continue to exist after exiting the program4 7c7 ,ability ,to obtain set-,aside and sole source contracts ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report on-- 7#a7 the ability of small business concerns participating in the program established under #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77 that are not owned by ,alaska ,native ,corporations or ,native ,hawaiian ,organizations to compete for and successfully obtain set-aside contracts1 including by reporting data comparing the distribution of awarded set-aside contracts among-- 7,a7 small business concerns participating in that program that are not owned by ,alaska ,native ,corporations or ,native ,hawaiian ,organizations2 and 7,b7 small business concerns participating in that program that are owned by ,alaska ,native ,corporations or ,native ,hawaiian ,organizations2 and 7#b7 the best sole source thresholds to enable small business concerns participating in the program established under #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77 to secure available sole source contracts4 7d7 ,changes to #h7;a7 program ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report on a plan to implement the changes to the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77 required under this title and the amendments made by this title4 #dac4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,administration-- 7#a7 for fiscal year #bjbc and every fiscal year thereafter-- 7,a7 #bj1jjj1jjj to increase the number of procurement center representatives under section #ae7l7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdd7l77 and commercial marketing representatives1 of which #b1jjj1jjj of those amounts shall be used to provide those individuals with increased training on the process to be awarded a sole-source contract2 7,b7 #bj1jjj1jjj to increase the number of district office business specialists available under the program established under section #h7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a772 7,c7 #e1jjj1jjj for costs related to certifying small business concerns as small business concerns owned and controlled by women2 and 7,d7 #djj1jjj for costs related to processing applications to participate in the mentor-protege program established under section #de of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegr72 and 7#b7 for fiscal year #bjbc1 to remain available until expended1 #b1ejj1jjj to replace the dynamic small business search database of the ,administration4 ,v ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program ,permanency ,act of #bjbb #eja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program ,permanency ,act of #bjbb4 #ejb4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 capital access remains one of the largest barriers to overcome for socially and economically disadvantaged business owners as well as for the smallest small businesses2 7#b7 according to the ,double ,jeopardy3 ,,covid-#ai's ,concentrated ,health and ,wealth ,effects in ,black ,communities study conducted by the ,federal ,reserve banks1 in #bjbj-- 7,a7 firms owned by people of color are more likely to have weak capitalizations1 limited bank relationships1 and little in cash reserves2 and 7,b7 #ea percent of ,black-owned businesses have less than #c months of cash reserves in case of an emergency1 which is nearly #g percentage points higher than their peers2 7#c7 according to the ,small ,business ,credit ,survey conducted by the ,federal ,reserve banks1 in #bjba-- 7,a7 #ca percent of firms that sought financing received the full financing sought by the firm2 7,b7 firms owned by people of color were least likely to receive the full amount of financing sought by the firm1 with #ae percent of ,asian-owned businesses1 #af percent of ,black-owned businesses1 and #ai percent of ,hispanic-owned businesses receiving full financing1 as opposed to #ce percent of non-,hispanic ,white-owned businesses receiving full financing2 and 7,c7 firms with fewer employees were also least likely to receive the full financing sought by the firm1 with #bc percent of businesses with #a to #d employees and #cg percent of businesses with #e to #di employees receiving full financing1 as opposed to #ee percent of businesses with #ej to #dii employees receiving full financing2 7#d7 the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration has helped increase lending backed by the ,administration to firms owned by people of color1 women1 and veterans and firms classified as startups2 7#e7 from fiscal year #bjah to fiscal year #bjbb-- 7,a7 #ac percent of loans under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program went to ,black business owners1 while #d percent of loans under the loan program under section #g7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;a77 7in this section referred to as the #g7;a7 loan program7 went to ,black business owners2 7,b7 #ae percent of loans under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program went to ,hispanic business owners1 while #h percent of loans under the #g7;a7 loan program went to ,hispanic business owners2 7,c7 #bj percent of loans under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program went to women business owners1 while #ag percent of loans under the #g7;a7 loan program went to women business owners2 and 7,d7 #i percent of loans under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program went to veteran business owners1 while #e percent of loans under the #g7;a7 loan program went to veteran business owners2 and 7#f7 from fiscal year #bjbj to fiscal year #bjba1 #ad percent of loans under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program went to startup business owners1 while #g percent of loans under the #g7;a7 loan program went to startup business owners4 #ejc4 ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program 7a7 ,in general ,section #g7;a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#ch7 ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program 7,a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program are-- 7i7 to create a mission-oriented loan guarantee program that builds on the demonstrated success of the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration1 as established in #bjaa1 to reach more underserved small business concerns2 7ii7 to increase lending to small business concerns in underserved and rural markets1 including veterans and members of the military community1 socially and economically disadvantaged individuals1 as described in paragraphs 7#e7 and 7#f77;,a7 of section #h7;a71 respectively1 women1 and new businesses2 7iii7 to ensure that the program under this subsection expands inclusion and more broadly meets congressional intent to reach borrowers who are unable to get credit elsewhere on reasonable terms and conditions2 7iv7 to help underserved small business concerns become bankable by utilizing the small dollar financing and business support experience of mission-oriented lenders2 7v7 to allow certain mission-oriented lenders1 primarily financial intermediaries focused on economic development in underserved markets1 access to guarantees for loans under this subsection 7in this paragraph referred to as #g7;a7 loans7 of not more than #cej1jjj and provide management and technical assistance to small business concerns as needed2 7vi7 to provide certainty for the lending partners that make loans under this subsection and to attract new lenders2 7vii7 to encourage collaboration between mission-oriented and conventional lenders under this subsection in order to support underserved small business concerns2 and 7viii7 to assist covered institutions with providing business support services and technical assistance to small business concerns1 when needed4 7,b7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph-- 7i7 the term ,community ,advantage ,network ,partner-- 7,i7 means a nonprofit1 mission-oriented organization that acts as a ,referral ,agent to covered institutions in order to expand the reach of the program to small businesses in underserved markets2 and 7,,ii7 does not include a covered institution making loans under the program2 7ii7 the term covered institution means an entity that-- 7,i7 is-- 7aa7 a development company1 as defined in section #ajc of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #ffb71 participating in the #ejd ,loan ,guaranty program established under title ,v of that ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fie et seq472 7bb7 a nonprofit intermediary1 as defined in subsection 7m77#aa71 participating in the microloan program under subsection 7m72 7cc7 a non-federally regulated entity or a lending institution certified as a community development financial institution by the ,community ,development ,financial ,institutions ,fund established under section #ajd7;a7 of the ,riegle ,community ,development and ,regulatory ,improvement ,act of #aiid 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #dgjc7;a772 or 7dd7 an eligible intermediary1 as defined in subsection 7l77#a71 participating in the ,intermediary ,lending ,program established under subsection 7l77#b72 and 7,,ii7 has approved and disbursed #aj similarly sized loans in the preceding #bd-month period and is servicing not less than #aj similarly sized loans to small business concerns in the portfolio of the entity2 7iii7 the term existing business means a small business concern that has been in existence for not less than #b years on the date on which a loan is made to the small business concern under the program2 7iv7 the term new business means a small business concern that has been in existence for not more than #b years on the date on which a loan is made to the small business concern under the program2 7v7 the term program means the ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program established under subparagraph 7,c72 7vi7 the term ,referral ,agent has the meaning given the term in section #ajc4a7;f7 of title #ac1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulation2 7vii7 the term rural area means any county that the ,bureau of the ,census has defined as mostly rural or completely rural in the most recent decennial census2 and 7viii7 the term small business concern in an underserved market means a small business concern-- 7,i7 that is located in-- 7aa7 a low- to moderate-income community2 7bb7 a ,h,u,b,zone1 as that term is defined in section #ca7;b72 7cc7 a rural area2 or 7dd7 any area for which a disaster declaration or determination described in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,e7 of subsection 7b77#b7 has been made that has not terminated more than #b years before the date 7or later1 as determined by the ,administrator7 on which a loan is made to the small business concern under the program1 except that1 in the case of a major disaster described in subsection 7b77#b77;,a71 that period shall be #e years2 7,,ii7 for which more than #ej percent of the employees reside in a low- or moderate-income community2 7,,iii7 that is a new business2 7,,iv7 owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals1 as described in paragraphs 7#e7 and 7#f77;,a7 of section #h7;a71 respectively1 which the ,administrator1 in carrying out the program1 shall presume includes ,black ,americans1 ,hispanic ,americans1 ,native ,americans1 ,asian ,pacific ,americans1 and other minorities2 7,v7 owned and controlled by women2 7,,vi7 owned and controlled by veterans or spouses of veterans2 7,,vii7 owned and controlled by a member of an ,indian ,tribe individually identified 7including parenthetically7 in the most recent list published pursuant to section #ajd of the ,federally ,recognized ,indian ,tribe ,list ,act of #aiid 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #eaca72 7,,viii7 owned and controlled by an individual who has completed a term of imprisonment in a ,federal1 ,state1 or local jail or prison2 7,,ix7 owned and controlled by an individual with a disability1 as that term is defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb72 or 7,x7 as otherwise determined by the ,administrator4 7,c7 ,establishment ,there is established a ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program under which the ,administration may guarantee loans made by covered institutions under this subsection1 with an emphasis on loans made to small business concerns in underserved markets4 7,d7 ,program levels ,in fiscal year #bjbc and each fiscal year thereafter1 not more than #aj percent of the number of loans guaranteed under this subsection may be guaranteed under the program4 7,e7 ,grandfathering of existing lenders ,any covered institution that actively participated in the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration and is in good standing1 as determined by the ,administration1 on the day before the date of enactment of this paragraph-- 7i7 shall retain designation in the program2 7ii7 shall not be required to submit an application to participate in the program2 and 7iii7 for the purpose of determining the loan loss reserve amount of the covered institution1 shall have participation in the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program included in the calculation under subparagraph 7,j74 7,f7 ,requirement to make loans to underserved markets ,not less than #gj percent of loans made by a covered institution under the program shall consist of loans made to small business concerns in underserved markets4 7,g7 ,maximum loan amount ,the maximum loan amount for a loan guaranteed under the program is #cej1jjj4 7,h7 ,interest rates ,the maximum allowable interest rate prescribed by the ,administration on any financing made on a deferred basis pursuant to the program shall not exceed the maximum allowable interest rate under sections #abj4bac and #abj4bad of title #ac1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulations4 7,i7 ,refinancing of ,community ,advantage program loans ,a loan guaranteed under the program or guaranteed under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration may be refinanced into another #g7;a7 loan made by lender that does not participate in the program4 7,j7 ,loan loss reserve requirements 7i7 ,loan loss reserve account for covered institutions ,a covered institution-- 7,i7 with not more than #e years of participation in the program shall maintain a loan loss reserve account with an amount equal to #e percent of the outstanding amount of the unguaranteed portion of the loan portfolio of the covered institution under the program2 and 7,,ii7 with more than #e years of participation in the program shall maintain a loan loss reserve account with an amount equal to the average repurchase rate of the covered institution over the preceding #cf-month period4 7ii7 ,additional loan loss reserve amount for selling loans on the secondary market ,in addition to the amount required in the loan loss reserve account under clause 7i71 a covered institution that sells a program loan on the secondary market shall be required to maintain the following additional amounts in the loan loss reserve account3 7,i7 ,an amount equal to #b percent of the guaranteed portion of each program loan sold on the secondary market for lenders with less than #e years experience selling program loans on the secondary market4 7,,ii7 ,an amount equal to the average repurchase rate for loans sold by the lender on the secondary market over the preceding #cf months for lenders with more than #e years experience selling program loans on the secondary market4 7iii7 ,recalculation ,the loan loss reserve required under clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 shall be recalculated on ,october #a of each year4 7,k7 ,training ,the ,administration-- 7i7 shall provide accessible upfront and ongoing training for covered institutions making loans under the program to support program compliance and improve the interface between the covered institutions and the ,administration1 which shall include-- 7,i7 guidance for following the regulations of the ,administration2 and 7,,ii7 guidance specific to mission-oriented lending that is intended to help lenders effectively reach and support underserved small business concerns1 including management and technical assistance delivery2 7ii7 shall ensure that the training described in clause 7i7 is provided for free or at a low cost2 7iii7 may enter into a contract to provide the training described in clause 7i7 with an organization with expertise in lending under this subsection and primarily specializing in mission-oriented lending1 and lending to underserved markets2 and 7iv7 shall provide training for the employees and contractors of the ,administration that regularly engage with covered institutions or borrowers in the program4 7,l7 ,community advantage outreach and education ,the ,administrator-- 7i7 shall develop and implement a program to promote to1 conduct outreach to1 and educate prospective covered institutions about the program1 with a focus on women- and minority-owned covered institutions2 and 7ii7 may enter into a contract with #a or more nonprofit organizations experienced in working with and training mission-driven lenders to provide the outreach and education described in clause 7i74 7,m7 ,community advantage network partner participation 7i7 ,in general ,a covered institution that uses a ,community ,advantage ,network ,partner shall abide by policies and procedures of the ,administration concerning the use of ,referral ,agent fees permitted by the ,administration and disclosure of those fees4 7ii7 ,payment of fees ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 all fees described in clause 7i7 shall be paid by the covered institution to the ,community ,advantage ,network ,partner upon disbursement of the applicable program loan4 7,n7 ,delegated authority ,a covered institution is not eligible to receive delegated authority from the ,administration under the program until the covered institution has approved and fully disbursed not less than #aj loans under the program and the ,administration had evaluated the ability of the covered institution to fulfill program requirements4 7,o7 ,reporting 7i7 ,weekly reports 7,i7 ,in general ,the ,administration shall report on the website of the ,administration1 as part of the weekly reports on lending approvals under this subsection-- 7aa7 on and after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the number and dollar amount of loans guaranteed under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration2 and 7bb7 on and after the date on which the ,administration begins to approve loans under the program1 the number and dollar amount of loans guaranteed under the program4 7,,ii7 ,separate accounting ,the number and dollar amount of loans reported in a weekly report under subclause 7,i7 for loans guaranteed under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration and under the program shall include a breakdown by the categories of race1 ethnicity1 and gender of the owners of the small business concerns1 by whether the small business concern is a new or existing small business concern1 and by whether the small business concern is located in an urban or rural area1 and broken down by-- 7aa7 loans of not more than #ej1jjj2 7bb7 loans of more than #ej1jjj and not more than #aej1jjj2 7cc7 loans of more than #aej1jjj and not more than #bej1jjj2 and 7dd7 loans of more than #bej1jjj and not more than #cej1jjj4 7ii7 ,annual reports 7,i7 ,in general ,for each fiscal year in which the program is in effect1 the ,administration shall submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives1 and make publicly available on the internet1 information about loans provided under the program and under the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration4 7,,ii7 ,contents ,each report submitted and made publicly available under subclause 7,i7 shall include-- 7aa7 the number and dollar amounts of loans provided to small business concerns under the program1 including a breakdown by-- 7,,aa7 the gender of the owners of the small business concern2 7,,bb7 the race and ethnicity of the owners of the small business concern1 disaggregated in a manner that captures all the racial groups specified in the ,american ,community ,survey conducted by the ,bureau of the ,census2 7,,cc7 whether the small business concern is located in an urban or rural area2 and 7,,dd7 whether the small business concern is an existing business or a new business1 as provided in the weekly reports on lending approvals under this subsection2 7bb7 the proportion of loans described in item 7aa7 compared to-- 7,,aa7 other #g7;a7 loans of any amount2 7,,bb7 other #g7;a7 loans of similar amounts2 7,,cc7 express loans provided under paragraph 7#ca7 of similar amounts2 and 7,,dd7 other #g7;a7 loans of similar amounts provided to small business concerns in underserved markets2 7cc7 a comparison of the number and dollar amounts of loans provided to small business concerns under the program and under each category of loans described in item 7aa71 broken down by-- 7,,aa7 loans of not more than #ej1jjj2 7,,bb7 loans of more than #ej1jjj and not more than #aej1jjj2 7,,cc7 loans of more than #aej1jjj and not more than #bej1jjj2 and 7,,dd7 loans of more than #bej1jjj and not more than #cej1jjj2 7dd7 the number and dollar amounts of loans provided to small business concerns under the program by ,state1 and the jobs created or retained within each ,state2 7ee7 a list of covered institutions participating in the program and the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration1 including-- 7,,aa7 the name1 location1 and contact information1 such as the website and telephone number1 of each covered institution2 and 7,,bb7 a breakdown by the number and dollar amount of the loans approved for small business concerns2 and 7ff7 the benchmarks established by the ,community ,advantage ,working ,group under subparagraph 7,o77i74 7,,iii7 ,timing ,an annual report required under this clause shall-- 7aa7 be submitted and made publicly available not later than ,december #a of each year2 and 7bb7 cover the lending activity for the fiscal year that ended on ,september #cj of that same year4 7,p7 ,,gao report ,not later than #e years after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,administrator1 the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives a report-- 7i7 assessing-- 7,i7 the extent to which the program fulfills the requirements of this paragraph2 and 7,,ii7 the performance of covered institutions participating in the program2 and 7ii7 providing recommendations on the administration of the program and the findings under subclauses 7,i7 and 7,,ii7 of clause 7i74 7,q7 ,community ,advantage ,working ,group 7i7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,administrator shall establish a ,community ,advantage ,working ,group1 which shall-- 7,i7 include-- 7aa7 a geographically diverse representation of members from among covered institutions participating in the program2 and 7bb7 representatives from the ,office of ,capital ,access of the ,administration1 including the ,office of ,credit ,risk ,management1 the ,office of ,financial ,assistance1 and the ,office of ,economic ,opportunity2 7,,ii7 develop recommendations on how the ,administration can effectively manage1 support1 and promote the program and the mission of the program2 7,,iii7 establish metrics of success and benchmarks that reflect the mission and population served by covered institutions under the program1 which the ,administration shall use to evaluate the performance of those covered institutions2 7,,iv7 establish criteria assessing the business support services and technical assistance needs of borrowers and methods to assess lender expertise to provide necessary services and assistance2 and 7,v7 institute regular and sustainable systems of communication between the ,administration and covered institutions participating in the program4 7ii7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,administrator shall submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives a report that includes-- 7,i7 the recommendations of the ,community ,advantage ,working ,group established under clause 7i72 and 7,,ii7 a recommended plan and timeline for implementation of those recommendations4 7,r7 ,regulations 7i7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the ,administrator shall promulgate regulations governing the program1 including metrics for lender performance1 metrics of success and benchmarks of the program1 and criteria for appropriate management and technical assistance4 7ii7 ,updates ,the ,administrator shall consult the report issued under subparagraph 7,p7 and1 not later than #ahj days after submission of the report1 promulgate any necessary changes to existing regulations of the ,administration based on the recommendations contained in the report4 7,s7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to conduct outreach and education described in subparagraph 7,l74 4 7b7 ,participation ,section #g7;a77#b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 in the matter preceding clause 7i71 by striking and 7,f7 and inserting 7,f71 and 7,g72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7,g7 ,participation in the ,community ,advantage ,loan ,program ,in an agreement to participate in a loan on a deferred basis under paragraph 7#ch71 the participation by the ,administration shall be-- 7i7 #hj percent of the balance of the financing outstanding at the time of the disbursement of the loan1 if that balance is more than #aej1jjj and not more than #cej1jjj2 or 7ii7 #ij percent of the balance of the financing outstanding at the time of the disbursement of the loan1 if that balance is not more than #aej1jjj4 4 ,,vi ,,step ,improvement ,act of #bjbb #fja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,,step ,improvement ,act of #bjbb4 #fjb4 ,state ,trade ,expansion ,program 7a7 ,application requirements ,section #bb7l77#c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,d7-- 7,a7 in clause 7i71 by inserting 1 including a budget plan for use of funds awarded under this subsection before the period at the end2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 ,timing ,the ,associate ,administrator shall-- 7,i7 publish information on how to apply for a grant under this subsection1 including specific calculations and other determinations used to award such a grant1 not later than ,march #ca of each year2 7,,ii7 establish a deadline for the submission of applications that is not earlier than #fj days after the date on which the information is published under subclause 7,i7 and that is not later than ,may #ca2 and 7,,iii7 announce grant recipients not later than ,august #ca of each year4 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7,e7 ,application information ,the ,associate ,administrator shall clearly communicate to applicants and grant recipients any information about ,state ,trade ,expansion ,program1 including-- 7i7 for each unsuccessful applicant for a grant awarded under this subsection1 recommendations to improve a subsequent application for such a grant2 and 7ii7 for each successful applicant for such a grant1 an explanation for the amount awarded1 if different from the amount requested in the application4 7,f7 ,budget plan revisions 7i7 ,in general ,a ,state receiving a grant under this subsection may revise the budget plan of the ,state submitted under subparagraph 7,d7 after the disbursal of grant funds if-- 7,i7 the revision complies with allowable uses of grant funds under this subsection2 and 7,,ii7 such ,state submits notification of the revision to the ,associate ,administrator4 7ii7 ,exception ,if a revision under clause 7i7 reallocates #aj percent or more of the amounts described in the budget plan of the ,state submitted under subparagraph 7,d71 the ,state may not implement the revised budget plan without the approval of the ,associate ,administrator1 unless the ,associate ,administrator fails to approve or deny the revised plan within #bj days after receipt of such revised plan4 4 7b7 ,survey ,section #bb7l7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#g7 through 7#i7 as paragraphs 7#h7 through 7#aj71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#f7 the following3 7#g7 ,survey ,the ,associate ,administrator shall conduct an annual survey of each ,state that received a grant under this subsection during the preceding year to solicit feedback on the program and develop best practices for grantees4 4 7c7 ,annual report ,paragraph 7#h77;,b7 of section #bb7l7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l771 as redesignated by subsection 7b71 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7i7-- 7,a7 in subclause 7,,iii71 by inserting 1 including the total number of eligible small business concerns assisted by the program 7disaggregated by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns1 small business concerns owned and controlled by women1 and rural small business concerns7 before the semicolon at the end2 7,b7 in subclause 7,,iv71 by striking and at the end2 7,c7 in subclause 7,v7-- 7i7 by striking description of best practices and inserting detailed description of best practices2 and 7ii7 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7,d7 by adding at the end the following3 7,,vi7 an analysis of the performance metrics described in clause 7iii71 including a determination of whether or not any goals relating to such performance metrics were met1 and an analysis of the survey described in paragraph 7#g72 and 7,,vii7 a description of lessons learned by grant recipients under this subsection that may apply to other assistance provided by the ,administration4 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 ,performance metrics ,annually1 the ,associate ,administrator shall collect data on eligible small business concerns assisted by the program for the following performance metrics3 7,i7 ,total number of such concerns1 disaggregated by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns1 small business concerns owned and controlled by women1 and rural small business concerns4 7,,ii7 ,total dollar amount of export sales by eligible small business concerns assisted by the program4 7,,iii7 ,number of such concerns that have not previously participated in an activity described in paragraph 7#b74 7,,iv7 ,number of such concerns that1 because of participation in the program1 have accessed a new market4 7,v7 ,number of such concerns that1 because of participation in the program1 have created new jobs4 7,,vi7 ,number of such concerns participating in foreign trade missions or trade show exhibitions1 disaggregated by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns1 small business concerns owned and controlled by women1 and rural small business concerns4 4 7d7 ,expansion of definition of eligible small business concern ,section #bb7l77#a77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l77#a77;,a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7iii77,,ii71 by adding and at the end2 7#b7 by striking clause 7iv72 and 7#c7 by redesignating clause 7v7 as clause 7iv74 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,paragraph 7#aj7 of section #bb7l7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l771 as redesignated by subsection 7b71 is amended by striking fiscal years #bjaf through #bjbj and inserting fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbf4 7f7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,associate ,administrator for ,international ,trade of the ,administration shall submit to ,congress a report on the ,state ,trade ,expansion ,program established under section #bb7l7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l77 that includes a description of-- 7#a7 the process developed for review of revised budget plans submitted under subparagraph 7,f7 of section #bb7l77#c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l77#c771 as added by this title2 7#b7 any changes made to streamline the application process to remove duplicative requirements and create a more transparent process2 7#c7 the process developed to share best practices by ,states described in paragraph 7#h77;,b77i77,v7 of section #bb7l7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdi7l771 as redesignated by this title1 particularly for first-time grant recipients under the ,state ,trade ,expansion ,program or grant recipients that are facing problems using grant funds2 and 7#d7 the process developed to communicate1 both verbally and in writing1 relevant information about the ,state ,trade ,expansion ,program to all grant recipients in a timely manner4 ,,vii ,veterans ,programs #gja4 ,veteran ,federal procurement entrepreneurship training program 7a7 ,in general ,section #cb of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b7 is amended by striking subsection 7f7 and inserting the following3 7f7 ,veteran federal procurement entrepreneurship training program ,the ,administrator1 acting through the ,associate ,administrator1 shall make grants to1 or enter into a cooperative agreement with1 not more than #a nonprofit entity to operate a ,federal procurement entrepreneurship training program to provide assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans regarding how to increase the likelihood of being awarded contracts with the ,federal ,government-- 7#a7 which shall be made to or entered into with a nonprofit entity that has a track record of successfully providing educational and job training services to targeted veteran populations from diverse locations2 7#b7 under which the nonprofit entity may1 at the discretion of the ,administrator1 be required to match any ,federal funds received for the program with ,state1 local1 or private sector funds2 and 7#c7 under which the nonprofit entity shall use a diverse group of professional service experts1 such as ,federal1 ,state1 and local contracting experts and private sector industry experts with first-hand experience in ,federal ,government contracting1 to provide instruction to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans4 4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administration1 #a1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbg to carry out section #cb of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b71 as amended by subsection 7a74 #gjb4 ,boots to ,business ,program ,section #cb of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7h7 ,boots to ,business ,program 7#a7 ,covered individual defined ,in this subsection1 the term covered individual means-- 7,a7 a member of the ,armed ,forces1 including the ,national ,guard or ,reserves2 7,b7 an individual who is participating in the ,transition ,assistance ,program established under section #aadd of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code2 7,c7 an individual who-- 7i7 served on active duty in any branch of the ,armed ,forces1 including the ,national ,guard or ,reserves2 and 7ii7 was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable2 and 7,d7 a spouse or dependent of an individual described in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 or 7,c74 7#b7 ,establishment ,during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this subsection and ending on ,september #cj1 #bjbg1 the ,administrator shall carry out a program to be known as the ,boots to ,business ,program to provide entrepreneurship training to covered individuals4 7#c7 ,goals ,the goals of the ,boots to ,business ,program are to-- 7,a7 provide assistance and in-depth training to covered individuals interested in business ownership2 and 7,b7 provide covered individuals with the tools1 skills1 and knowledge necessary to identify a business opportunity1 draft a business plan1 identify sources of capital1 connect with local resources for small business concerns1 and start up a small business concern4 7#d7 ,program components 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,boots to ,business ,program may include-- 7i7 a presentation providing exposure to the considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a small business concern2 7ii7 an online1 self-study course focused on the basic skills of entrepreneurship1 the language of business1 and the considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a small business concern2 7iii7 an in-person classroom instruction component providing an introduction to the foundations of self-employment and ownership of a small business concern2 and 7iv7 in-depth training delivered through online instruction1 including an online course that leads to the creation of a business plan4 7,b7 ,collaboration ,the ,administrator may-- 7i7 collaborate with public and private entities to develop course curricula for the ,boots to ,business ,program2 and 7ii7 modify program components in coordination with entities participating in a ,warriors in ,transition program1 as defined in section #gch7;e7 of the ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjac 7#aj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajga note74 7,c7 ,use of resource partners and district offices 7i7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall-- 7,i7 ensure that ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,centers regularly participate1 on a nationwide basis1 in the ,boots to ,business ,program2 and 7,,ii7 to the maximum extent practicable1 use district offices of the ,administration and a variety of other resource partners and entities in administering the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7ii7 ,grant authority ,in carrying out clause 7i71 the ,administrator may make grants to ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,centers1 other resource partners1 or other entities to carry out components of the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7,d7 ,availability to ,department of ,defense and the ,department of ,labor ,the ,administrator shall make available to the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,secretary of ,labor information regarding the ,boots to ,business ,program1 including all course materials and outreach materials related to the ,boots to ,business ,program1 for inclusion on the websites of the ,department of ,defense and the ,department of ,labor relating to the ,transition ,assistance ,program1 in the ,transition ,assistance ,program manual1 and in other relevant materials available for distribution from the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,secretary of ,labor4 7,e7 ,availability to ,department of ,veterans ,affairs ,in consultation with the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 the ,administrator shall make available for distribution and display on the website of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs and at local facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs outreach materials regarding the ,boots to ,business ,program1 which shall1 at a minimum-- 7i7 describe the ,boots to ,business ,program and the services provided2 and 7ii7 include eligibility requirements for participating in the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7,f7 ,availability to other participating agencies ,the ,administrator shall ensure information regarding the ,boots to ,business program1 including all course materials and outreach materials related to the ,boots to ,business ,program1 is made available to other participating agencies in the ,transition ,assistance ,program and upon request of other agencies4 7#e7 ,competitive bidding procedures ,the ,administration shall use relevant competitive bidding procedures with respect to any contract or cooperative agreement executed by the ,administration under the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7#f7 ,publication of notice of funding opportunity ,not later than #cj days before the deadline for submitting applications for any funding opportunity under the ,boots to ,business ,program1 the ,administration shall publish a notice of the funding opportunity4 7#g7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this subsection1 and not less frequently than annually thereafter1 the ,administrator shall submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the performance and effectiveness of the ,boots to ,business ,program1 which-- 7,a7 may be included as part of another report submitted to such committees by the ,administrator related to the ,office of ,veterans ,business ,development2 and 7,b7 shall summarize available information relating to-- 7i7 grants awarded under paragraph 7#d77;,c72 7ii7 the total cost of the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7iii7 the number of program participants using each component of the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7iv7 the completion rates for each component of the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7v7 to the extent possible-- 7,i7 the demographics of program participants1 to include gender1 age1 race1 ethnicity1 and relationship to military2 7,,ii7 the number of program participants that connect with a district office of the ,administration1 a ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,center1 or another resource partner of the ,administration2 7,,iii7 the number of program participants that start a small business concern2 7,,iv7 the results of the ,boots to ,business and ,boots to ,business ,reboot course quality surveys conducted by the ,office of ,veterans ,business ,development before and after attending each of those courses1 including a summary of any comments received from program participants2 7,v7 the results of the ,boots to ,business ,program outcome surveys conducted by the ,office of ,veterans ,business ,development1 including a summary of any comments received from program participants2 and 7,,vi7 the results of other germane participant satisfaction surveys2 7,c7 an evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the ,boots to ,business ,program based on each geographic region covered by the ,administration during the most recent fiscal year2 7,d7 an assessment of additional performance outcome measures for the ,boots to ,business ,program1 as identified by the ,administrator2 7,e7 any recommendations of the ,administrator for improvement of the ,boots to ,business ,program1 which may include expansion of the types of individuals who are covered individuals2 7,f7 an explanation of how the ,boots to ,business ,program has been integrated with other transition programs and related resources of the ,administration and other ,federal agencies2 and 7,g7 any additional information the ,administrator determines necessary4 4 ,,viii ,surety ,bond ,program #hja4 ,expanding surety bond program ,part ,b of title ,,iv of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fid;a et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #daa7;a7 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fid;b7a77-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking #f1ejj1jjj and inserting #aj1jjj1jjj2 and 7ii7 by amending subparagraph 7,b7 to read as follows3 7,b7 ,the ,administrator may guarantee a surety under subparagraph 7,a7 for a total work order or contract entered into by a ,federal agency in an amount that does not exceed #bj1jjj1jjj4 2 and 7#b7 in section #dab 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fid;c7-- 7,a7 in subsection 7a71 in the third sentence1 by striking 1 excluding administrative expenses12 7,b7 by redesignating subsection 7b7 as subsection 7c72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subsection 7a7 the following3 7b7 ,not more than #e percent of the amount that is in the fund described in subsection 7a7 at the beginning of each fiscal year may be obligated during that fiscal year to cover costs incurred by the ,administration in connection with the management and administration of this part1 including information technology and systems1 personnel costs1 outreach activities1 and contracts related thereto4 4 ,,ix ,,sbic ,emerging ,managers ,program #ija4 ,broadening investment by the ,,sbic program 7a7 ,sense of congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that the ,office of ,innovation and ,investment should market to1 engage with1 and provide enhanced onboarding support to applicants for small business investment company licenses1 with a priority to reach those companies that are managed by-- 7#a7 women2 7#b7 socially disadvantaged individuals1 as described in section #h7;a77#e7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77#e772 7#c7 economically disadvantaged individuals1 as described in section #h7;a77#f77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77#f77;,a772 7#d7 veterans1 as defined in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7#e7 individuals in rural or low-income areas1 as determined by the ,administrator using the most recently available data from the ,bureau of the ,census4 7b7 ,amendment ,part ,a of title ,,iii of the ,small ,business ,investment ,act of #aieh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fha et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #cba4 ,emerging managers program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,covered investments ,the term covered investments means investments in-- 7,a7 infrastructure1 including-- 7i7 roads1 bridges1 and mass transit2 7ii7 water supply and sewer2 7iii7 the electrical grid2 7iv7 broadband and telecommunications2 7v7 clean energy2 or 7vi7 child care and elder care2 7,b7 manufacturing2 7,c7 low-income communities1 as defined in section #de;,d7e7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 7,d7 ,h,u,b,zones1 as defined in section #ca7;b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;a7b772 7,e7 small business concerns owned and controlled by a member of an ,indian ,tribe individually identified 7including parenthetically7 in the most recent list published pursuant to section #ajd of the ,federally ,recognized ,indian ,tribe ,list ,act of #aiid 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #eaca72 7,f7 small business concerns owned and controlled by an individual with a disability1 as defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb72 7,g7 small business concerns owned and controlled by a veteran1 as defined in section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb72 or 7,h7 industries identified by the ,administrator4 7#b7 ,emerging manager company ,the term emerging manager company means an investment management firm that is focused on investing private equity and that meets not less than #b of the following criteria3 7,a7 ,the partners of the firm have-- 7i7 an investment track record of less than #aj years of combined investment experience2 or 7ii7 a documented record of successful business experience4 7,b7 ,the firm has a focus on underserved markets4 7,c7 ,the firm is not less than #ej percent owned1 managed1 or controlled by-- 7i7 women2 7ii7 socially disadvantaged individuals1 as described in section #h7;a77#e7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77#e772 7iii7 economically disadvantaged individuals1 as described in section #h7;a77#f77;,a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;a77#f77;,a772 7iv7 veterans1 as defined in section #aja of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code2 7v7 individuals in rural or low-income areas1 as determined by the ,administrator using the most recently available data from the ,bureau of the ,census2 or 7vi7 individuals with disabilities1 as defined in section #di of the ,small ,business ,act4 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,administrator shall establish an emerging managers program pursuant to which managers with substantial experience in operating small business investment companies-- 7#a7 may enter into a written agreement approved by the ,administrator to provide guidance and assistance to an applicant for a license for a small business investment company license that is to be managed by an emerging manager company2 and 7#b7 may hold a minority financial interest in the small business investment company described in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,licensing ,an applicant described in subsection 7b7 shall apply for a license under section #cja7;c7 and shall-- 7#a7 have private capital not to exceed #ajj1jjj1jjj2 7#b7 be managed by not less than two individuals2 7#c7 be a second generation fund or earlier2 and 7#d7 focus its investment strategy on covered investments4 7d7 ,waiver of maximum leverage ,the approval of a written agreement under subsection 7b7 by the ,administrator shall operate as a waiver of the requirements of section #cjc7;b77#b77;,b7 to the extent that such section would otherwise apply4 7e7 ,increased leverage maximum ,an existing small business investment company that enters into a written agreement under subsection 7b7 may receive an increase in the maximum leverage cap of the company under section #cjc7;b77#b7-- 7#a7 under subparagraph 7,a7 of such section1 with respect to a single license1 by not more than #ag1ejj1jjj2 and 7#b7 under subparagraph 7,b7 of such section1 with respect to multiple licenses under common control1 by not more than #ce1jjj1jjj4 4 ,x ,new ,start ,act of #bjbb #ajja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,necessary ,entrepreneurship ,workshops via the ,,sba to ,transform and ,assist ,re-entry ,training ,act of #bjbb or the ,,new ,,start ,act of #bjbb4 #ajjb4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 according to the ,department of ,justice1 every year1 over #fjj1jjj individuals are released from prison and return home to their communities1 and almost #gg percent of those individuals will reoffend within #e years2 7#b7 according to the ,brookings ,institute1 an estimated #dh4e percent of formerly incarcerated individuals will remain unemployed or earn a negligible income for a period of #a year post-incarceration1 increasing the risk for recidivism2 7#c7 according to the ,florida ,state ,university ,institute for ,justice ,research and ,development1 formerly incarcerated individuals see a reduction in earnings of #be percent since criminal records make it difficult to find stable employment2 7#d7 self-employment can provide economic stability for those who are otherwise locked out of the labor market2 and 7#e7 according to a paper entitled ,entrepreneurship as a ,response to ,labor ,market ,discrimination for ,formerly ,incarcerated ,people-- 7,a7 the average individual without a criminal record has a #g4ji percent likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur1 but justice-impacted individuals were found to be more than #ej percent likely to choose entrepreneurship with a #ab4fi percent likelihood of becoming an entrepreneur2 7,b7 entrepreneurship reduces the likelihood of recidivism by #e4c percent1 which was a #cb4e percent decrease from average recidivism rates for regular employees who have been previously incarcerated2 and 7,c7 formerly incarcerated individuals who choose entrepreneurship make #b1gjj more annually than formerly incarcerated employees and that the income gap between formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with no criminal record was #ch percent lower than the income gap between formerly incarcerated employees and employees with no criminal record4 #ajjc4 ,pilot program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,covered individual ,the term covered individual means an individual who-- 7,a7 completed a term of imprisonment in ,federal1 ,state1 or local jail or prison2 and 7,b7 meets the offense eligibility requirements set forth in any applicable policy notice or other guidance issued by the ,administration for the program established under section #g7m7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7m774 7#b7 ,intermediary2 microloan ,the terms intermediary and microloan have the meanings given those terms in section #g7m77#aa7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7m77#aa774 7#c7 ,microloan intermediary ,the term microloan intermediary means an intermediary that is eligible to participate in the program established under section #g7m7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7m774 7#d7 ,pilot program ,the term pilot program means the pilot program established under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,establishment ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall establish a pilot program to award grants to organizations over a #e-year period to create or support existing entrepreneurship development programs to provide assistance to covered individuals4 7c7 ,grant requirements ,the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 award grants under the pilot program to organizations1 or partnerships of organizations1 which shall each receive a grant in an amount greater than #ajj1jjj and less than #ejj1jjj annually over the #e-year period in which the pilot program is in existence2 and 7#b7 allocate grants under the pilot program to ensure that the recipients are geographically varied throughout the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,partnerships ,an applicant for a grant under the pilot program may form partnerships with other organizations for the purposes of the application submitted under subsection 7e7 and for conducting entrepreneurial development programming4 7e7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,an organization or partnership of organizations desiring a grant under the pilot program shall submit an application to the ,administrator in such form1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may reasonably require4 7#b7 ,contents ,an application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 demonstrate that the applicant is a microloan intemediary or an organization that administers the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration1 or has a partnership with such an intermediary or organization1 that may provide microloans to qualified covered individuals1 or1 to the extent that the applicant is a national organization in multiple different markets1 that a separate microloan intermediary may be used in each such market2 7,b7 demonstrate strong community ties1 including those with the covered individual community1 local businesses1 and political leaders2 7,c7 demonstrate an ability to provide a full range of entrepreneurial development programming on an ongoing basis2 7,d7 include a plan for reaching covered individuals1 including by identifying particular target populations within the community2 7,e7 clearly define entrepreneurial development capabilities1 including coordination with existing local resource partners of the ,administration for additional training as necessary2 7,f7 present an entrepreneurship development curriculum1 which may be a nationally recognized model or based upon such a model2 7,g7 include a list of each partner organization2 and 7,h7 include a comprehensive plan for the use of grant funds1 including estimates for administrative and outreach costs of running and evaluating the entrepreneurship development program4 7f7 ,priority ,in determining whether to award a grant under the pilot program1 the ,administrator may give priority to applicants based on-- 7#a7 whether the application includes a commitment from an existing or new non-,federal funding source to meet the matching requirement under subsection 7g72 7#b7 whether the application takes into account local economies and markets as a part of the educational component of the entrepreneurship development program2 7#c7 the ability or plan of the applicant to provide entrepreneurial development services concurrent with employment or job training services2 and 7#d7 whether the applicant has a history of effectively providing entrepreneurial training or access to capital to covered individuals4 7g7 ,matching requirement 7#a7 ,in general ,as a condition of a grant provided under the pilot program1 the ,administrator shall require the recipient of the grant to contribute an amount equal to #be percent of the amount of the grant1 obtained solely from existing or new non-,federal sources4 7#b7 ,form ,in addition to cash or other direct funding1 the contribution required under paragraph 7#a7 may include indirect costs or in-kind contributions paid for under non-,federal programs4 7h7 ,responsibilities ,a recipient of a grant under the pilot program shall1 to the maximum extent possible1 connect covered individuals to a range of ,federal resources1 including-- 7#a7 the program established under section #g7m7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7m772 7#b7 the ,community ,advantage ,pilot ,program of the ,administration2 7#c7 small business development centers1 as defined in section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb72 7#d7 women's business centers described in section #bi of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef72 7#e7 chapters of the ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives established under section #h7;b77#a77;,b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 77#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;b77#a77;,b772 7#f7 ,veteran ,business ,outreach ,centers described in section #cb of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b72 and 7#g7 business centers established by the ,minority ,business ,development ,agency4 7i7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,administrator establishes the pilot program1 and every year thereafter until the pilot program terminates1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report on the activities of the pilot program1 including-- 7,a7 a list of each grantee organization and each partner organization2 7,b7 the characteristics of covered individuals assisted under the entrepreneurship development programs1 including race and ethnicity1 gender1 age1 marital status1 parental status1 employment status1 income1 banking and credit history1 and prior business experience2 7,c7 the participation and attendance rates for all components of the entrepreneurship development programs2 7,d7 the program retention rate2 7,e7 to the greatest extent practicable1 the most common reasons why participants do not complete the program2 7,f7 the percentage of participants who remain non-justice involved during the calendar year of the program2 7,g7 the level of the covered individuals' understanding of business concepts and principles2 7,h7 the level of the covered individuals' greater confidence in leadership strengths1 including the results of an industry-recognized behavioral assessment2 7,i7 the covered individuals' progress made toward establishing a business2 7,j7 the experiences and perceptions of the covered individuals2 7,k7 the number and dollar amount of loans made to covered individuals2 7,l7 the number and dollar amount of loans made or guaranteed by the ,administration to covered individuals2 and 7,m7 such additional information as the ,administrator may require4 7#b7 ,,gao report ,not later than #a year after the date on which the pilot program terminates1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report that evaluates-- 7,a7 the services that grant recipients provided to covered individuals assisted under entrepreneurship development programs2 7,b7 oversight of the pilot program by the ,administrator1 including policies and procedures for monitoring the compliance by grant recipients with pilot program requirements and an assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program2 and 7,c7 the overall performance of the pilot program and the impacts of the pilot program on grant recipients4 7j7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this title may be construed to affect the program established under section #g7m7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7m771 including-- 7#a7 the requirements of that program2 7#b7 the manner in which that program is carried out2 or 7#c7 the use or availability of any amounts that have been made available to carry out that program4 7k7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator such sums as are necessary to carry out the pilot program4 7l7 ,termination ,the pilot program shall terminate on the date that is #e years after the date on which the ,administrator establishes the pilot program4 ,,xi ,,uplift ,act of #bjbb #aaja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,ushering ,progress by ,leveraging ,innovation and ,future ,technology ,act of #bjbb or the ,,uplift ,act of #bjbb4 #aajb4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,studies have found that incubators1 accelerators1 and other similar models are effective at increasing revenues1 the number of employees1 and the likelihood that the business venture will be successful for participants4 7#b7 ,according to the ,kauffman ,foundation-- 7,a7 minority-owned and women-owned businesses are #a_/b as likely to employ people than nonminority-owned and men-owned businesses2 and 7,b7 if minorities started businesses at the same rate as nonminorities1 approximately #i1ejj1jjj jobs would be added to the economy of the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,the ,kauffman ,foundation also found that the percentage of startups in rural communities has dropped from #bj percent in the #aihjs to #ab4b percent4 7#d7 ,according to the ,martin ,prosperity ,institute1 less than #a percent of all venture capital funding goes to businesses located in rural areas4 7#e7 ,according to ,pitch,book1 around #b percent of all venture capital funding goes to businesses with women founders4 7#f7 ,according to ,crunchbase1 less than #c percent of all venture capital funding goes to businesses with ,black and ,hispanic founders4 7#g7 ,historically ,black colleges and universities1 minority-serving institutions1 and community colleges are anchor institutions that serve populations that tend to be underrepresented in entrepreneurship1 particularly in high-growth sectors4 #aajc4 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,innovation ,centers ,program established under section #di of the ,small ,business ,act1 as added by this title1 are to-- 7#a7 spur economic growth in underserved communities by creating good paying jobs and pathways to prosperity2 7#b7 increase prospects for success for small business concerns in underserved communities1 which often suffer from higher business failure rates than the national average2 7#c7 help create a pipeline for small business concerns in underserved and rural markets into high-growth sectors1 where they are generally underrepresented2 7#d7 help address the multi-decade decline in the rate of new business creation2 7#e7 close the gaps that underserved small business concerns often have in terms of revenue and number of employees1 which represent lost opportunity for the economy of the ,united ,states2 and 7#f7 encourage collaboration between the ,administration and institutions of higher learning that serve low-income and minority communities4 #aajd4 ,innovation ,centers ,program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #di 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fca note7 as section #ej2 and 7#b7 by inserting after section #dh 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fegu7 the following3 #di4 ,innovation ,centers ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,accelerator ,the term accelerator means an organization-- 7,a7 that-- 7i7 works with a startup or growing small business concern for a predetermined period2 and 7ii7 provides mentorship and instruction to scale businesses2 and 7,b7 that may-- 7i7 provide1 but is not exclusively designed to provide1 seed investment in exchange for a small amount of equity2 and 7ii7 offer startup capital or the opportunity to raise capital from outside investors4 7#b7 ,federally recognized area of economic distress ,the term federally recognized area of economic distress means-- 7,a7 a ,h,u,b,zone1 as that term is defined in section #ca7;b72 or 7,b7 an area that has been designated as-- 7i7 an empowerment zone under section #acia of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 7ii7 a ,promise ,zone by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 or 7iii7 a low-income neighborhood or moderate-income neighborhood for purposes of the ,community ,reinvestment ,act of #aigg 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #bija et seq474 7#c7 ,growing2 newly established2 startup ,the terms growing1 newly established1 and startup1 with respect to a small business concern1 mean growing1 newly established1 and startup1 respectively1 within the meaning given those terms under section #g7m74 7#d7 ,incubator ,the term incubator means an organization-- 7,a7 that-- 7i7 tends to work with startup and newly established small business concerns2 and 7ii7 provides mentorship to startup and newly established small business concerns2 and 7,b7 that may-- 7i7 provide a co-working environment or a month-to-month lease program2 and 7ii7 work with a startup or newly established small business concern for a predetermined period or an open-ended period4 7#e7 ,individuals with disabilities ,the term individuals with a disability means more than #a individual with a disability1 as defined in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb74 7#f7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 an institution described in any of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#g7 of section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a772 or 7,b7 a junior or community college1 as defined in section #cab7;f7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajeh7;f774 7#g7 ,rural area ,the term rural area has the meaning given the term in section #g7m77#aa74 7#h7 ,socially and economically disadvantaged individuals ,the term socially and economically disadvantaged individual means a socially and economically disadvantaged individual within the meaning given that term in section #h7;d77#c77;,c74 7b7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,,uplift ,act of #bjbb1 the ,administrator shall develop and begin implementing a program 7to be known as the ,innovation ,centers ,program7 to enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities under this section4 7c7 ,authority 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator may-- 7,a7 enter into cooperative agreements to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct #e-year projects for the benefit of startup1 newly established1 or growing small business concerns2 and 7,b7 renew a cooperative agreement entered into under this section for additional #c-year periods1 in accordance with paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,project requirements ,a project conducted under a cooperative agreement under this section shall-- 7,a7 include operating as an accelerator1 an incubator1 or any other small business innovation-focused project as the ,administrator approves2 7,b7 be carried out in such locations as to provide maximum accessibility and benefits to the small business concerns that the project is intended to serve2 7,c7 have a full-time staff1 including a full-time director who shall-- 7i7 have the authority to make expenditures under the budget of the project2 and 7ii7 manage the activities carried out under the project2 7,d7 include the joint provision of programs and services by the eligible entity and the ,administration1 which-- 7i7 shall be jointly developed1 negotiated1 and agreed upon1 with full participation of both parties1 pursuant to an executed cooperative agreement between the eligible entity and the ,administration2 and 7ii7 shall include-- 7,i7 one-to-one individual counseling1 as described in section #ba7;c77#c77;,a72 and 7,,ii7 a formal1 structured mentorship program2 7,e7 incorporate continuous upgrades and modifications to the services and programs offered under the project1 as needed to meet the changing and evolving needs of the business community2 7,f7 involve working with underserved groups1 which include-- 7i7 women2 7ii7 socially and economically disadvantaged individuals2 7iii7 veterans2 7iv7 individuals with disabilities2 or 7v7 startup1 newly established1 or growing small business concerns located in rural areas2 7,g7 not impose or otherwise collect a fee or other compensation in connection with participation in the programs and services described in subparagraph 7,d77ii72 and 7,h7 ensure that small business concerns participating in the project have access1 including through resource partners1 to information concerning ,federal1 ,state1 and local regulations that affect small business concerns4 7#c7 ,continued funding 7,a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity that enters into an initial cooperative agreement or a renewal of a cooperative under paragraph 7#a7 may submit an application for a #c-year renewal of the cooperative agreement at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,administrator may establish4 7,b7 ,application and approval criteria 7i7 ,criteria ,the ,administrator shall develop and publish criteria for the consideration and approval of applications for renewals by eligible entities under this paragraph1 which shall take into account the structure and the stated goals of the project4 7ii7 ,notification ,not later than #fj days after the date of the deadline to submit applications for each fiscal year1 the ,administrator shall approve or deny any application under this paragraph and notify the applicant for each such application4 7,c7 ,priority ,in allocating funds made available for cooperative agreements under this section1 the ,administrator shall give applications under this paragraph priority over first-time applications for cooperative agreements under paragraph 7#a77;,a74 7#d7 ,limit on use of funds ,amounts received by an eligible entity under a cooperative agreement under this section may not be used to provide capital to a participant in the project carried out under the cooperative agreement4 7#e7 ,scope of authority 7,a7 ,subject to appropriations ,the authority of the ,administrator to enter into cooperative agreements under this section shall be in effect for each fiscal year only to the extent and in the amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations ,acts4 7,b7 ,suspension1 termination1 and failure to renew or extend ,after the ,administrator has entered into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity under this section1 the ,administrator may not suspend1 terminate1 or fail to renew or extend the cooperative agreement unless the ,administrator provides the eligible entity with written notification setting forth the reasons for that action and affords the eligible entity an opportunity for a hearing1 appeal1 or other administrative proceeding under chapter #e of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7d7 ,criteria 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 establish and rank in terms of relative importance the criteria the ,administrator shall use in awarding cooperative agreements under this section1 which shall include-- 7i7 whether the proposed project will be located in-- 7,i7 a federally recognized area of economic distress2 7,,ii7 a rural area2 or 7,,iii7 an area lacking sufficient entrepreneurial development resources1 as determined by the ,administrator2 and 7ii7 whether the proposed project demonstrates a commitment to partner with core stakeholders working with small business concerns in the relevant area1 including-- 7,i7 investment and lending organizations2 7,,ii7 nongovernmental organizations2 7,,iii7 programs of ,state and local governments that are concerned with aiding small business concerns2 7,,iv7 ,federal agencies2 and 7,v7 for-profit organizations with an expertise in small business innovation2 7,b7 make publicly available1 including on the website of the ,administration1 and state in each solicitation for applications for cooperative agreements under this section1 the selection criteria and ranking established under subparagraph 7,a72 and 7,c7 evaluate and rank applicants for cooperative agreements under this section in accordance with the selection criteria and ranking established under subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,contents ,the criteria established under paragraph 7#a77;,a7-- 7,a7 for eligible entities that have in operation an accelerator1 incubator1 or other small business innovation-focused project1 shall include the record of the eligible entity in assisting growing1 newly established1 and startup small business concerns1 including1 for each of the #c full years before the date on which the eligible entity applies for a cooperative agreement under this section1 or if the accelerator1 incubator1 or other small business innovation-focused project has been in operation for less than #c years1 for the most recent full year the accelerator1 incubator1 or other small business innovation-focused project was in operation-- 7i7 the number and retention rate of growing1 newly established1 and startup business concerns in the program of the eligible entity2 7ii7 the average period of participation by growing1 newly established1 and startup small business concerns in the program of the eligible entity2 7iii7 the total and median capital raised by growing1 newly established1 and startup small business concerns participating in the program of the eligible entity2 7iv7 the number of investments or loans received by growing1 newly established1 and startup small business concerns participating in the program of the eligible entity2 and 7v7 the total and median number of employees of growing1 newly established1 and startup small business concerns participating in the program of the eligible entity2 and 7,b7 for all eligible entities-- 7i7 shall include whether the eligible entity-- 7,i7 indicates the structure and goals of the project2 7,,ii7 demonstrates ties to the business community2 7,,iii7 identifies the resources available for the project2 7,,iv7 describes the capabilities of the project1 including coordination with local resource partners and local or national lending partners of the ,administration2 7,v7 addresses the unique business and economic challenges faced by the community in which the eligible entity is located and businesses in that community2 or 7,,vi7 provides a proposed budget and plan for use of funds2 and 7ii7 may include any other criteria determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 7e7 ,program examination 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 develop and implement an annual programmatic and financial examination of each project conducted under this section1 under which each eligible entity entering into a cooperative agreement under this section shall provide to the ,administrator-- 7i7 an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for costs incurred during the preceding year2 and 7ii7 documentation regarding-- 7,i7 the amount of matching assistance from non-,federal sources obtained and expended by the eligible entity during the preceding year in order to meet the matching requirement under subsection 7i72 and 7,,ii7 with respect to any in-kind contributions that were used to satisfy the matching requirement under subsection 7i71 verification of the existence and valuation of those contributions2 and 7,b7 analyze the results of each examination conducted under subparagraph 7,a7 and1 based on that analysis1 make a determination regarding the programmatic and financial viability of each eligible entity4 7#b7 ,conditions for continued funding ,in determining whether to continue or renew a cooperative agreement under this section1 the ,administrator-- 7,a7 shall consider the results of the most recent examination of the project under paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 may terminate or not renew a cooperative agreement1 if the ,administrator determines that the eligible entity has failed to provide any information required to be provided 7including information provided for purposes of the annual report by the ,administrator under subsection 7m77 or the information provided by the eligible entity is inadequate4 7f7 ,training and technical assistance ,the ,administrator-- 7#a7 shall provide in person or online training and technical assistance to each eligible entity entering into a cooperative agreement under this section at the beginning of the participation of the eligible entity in the ,innovation ,centers ,program in order to build the capacity of the eligible entity and ensure compliance with procedures established by the ,administrator2 7#b7 shall ensure that the training and technical assistance described in paragraph 7#a7 is provided at no cost or at a low cost2 and 7#c7 may enter into a contract to provide the training or technical assistance described in paragraph 7#a7 with #a or more organizations with expertise in the entrepreneurial development programs of the ,administration1 innovation1 and entrepreneurial development4 7g7 ,coordination ,in carrying out a project under this section1 an eligible entity may coordinate with-- 7#a7 resource and lending partners of the ,administration2 7#b7 programs of ,state and local governments that are concerned with aiding small business concerns2 and 7#c7 other ,federal agencies1 including to provide services to and assist small business concerns in participating in the ,,sbir and ,,sttr programs1 as defined in section #i7;e74 7h7 ,funding limit ,the amount of financial assistance provided to an eligible entity under a cooperative agreement entered into under this section shall be not more than #djj1jjj during each year4 7i7 ,matching requirement 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity shall contribute toward the cost of the project carried out under a cooperative agreement under this section an amount equal to #ej percent of the amount received under the cooperative agreement4 7#b7 ,in-kind contributions ,not more than #ej percent of the contribution of an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a7 may be in the form of in-kind contributions4 7#c7 ,waiver 7,a7 ,in general ,if the ,administrator determines that an eligible entity is unable to meet the contribution requirement under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator may reduce the required contribution4 7,b7 ,presumption ,an eligible entity shall be presumed to be unable to meet the contribution requirement under paragraph 7#a7 if the eligible entity has-- 7i7 long-term debt in an amount that is less than #aj1jjj1jjj2 7ii7 an invested market endowment in an amount that is less than #ae1jjj1jjj2 or 7iii7 total net liquid assets in an amount that is less than #ae1jjj1jjj4 7#d7 ,failure to obtain non-federal funding ,if an eligible entity fails to obtain the required non-,federal contribution during any project1 or the reduced non-,federal contribution1 as determined by the ,administrator-- 7,a7 the eligible entity shall not be eligible thereafter for any other project for which the eligible entity is or may be funded by the ,administration2 and 7,b7 before approving assistance for the eligible entity for any other project1 the ,administrator shall specifically determine whether the ,administrator believes that the eligible entity will be able to obtain the requisite non-,federal funding and enter a written finding setting the forth the reasons for making that determination4 7#e7 ,rule of construction ,the demonstrated inability of an eligible entity to meet the contribution requirement under paragraph 7#a7 shall not disqualify the eligible entity from entering into a cooperative agreement under this section4 7j7 ,contract authority 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity may enter into a contract with a ,federal department or agency to provide specific assistance to startup1 newly established1 or growing small business concerns4 7#b7 ,performance ,performance of a contract entered into under paragraph 7#a7 may not hinder the applicable eligible entity in carrying out the terms of the cooperative agreement under this section4 7#c7 ,exemption from matching requirement ,a contract entered into under paragraph 7#a7 shall not be subject to the matching requirement under subsection 7i74 7#d7 ,additional provision ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 a contract for assistance under paragraph 7#a7 shall not be applied to any contracting goal for a ,federal department or agency under section #ae7;g7 with respect to small business concerns1 small business concerns owned and controlled by women1 or small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals4 7k7 ,privacy requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity may not disclose the name1 address1 or telephone number of any individual or small business concern receiving assistance under this section without the consent of that individual or small business concern1 unless-- 7,a7 the ,administrator is ordered to make such a disclosure by a court in any civil or criminal enforcement action initiated by a ,federal or ,state agency2 or 7,b7 the ,administrator considers such a disclosure to be necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of an eligible entity1 except that a disclosure under this subparagraph shall be limited to the information necessary for that financial audit4 7#b7 ,administration use of information ,this subsection shall not-- 7,a7 restrict ,administration access to program activity data2 or 7,b7 prevent the ,administration from using client information 7other than the information described in subparagraph 7,a77 to conduct client surveys4 7#c7 ,regulations ,the ,administrator shall issue regulations to establish standards for requiring disclosures during a financial audit under paragraph 7#a77;,b74 7l7 ,publication of information ,the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 publish information about the program under this section online1 including-- 7,a7 on the website of the ,administration2 and 7,b7 on the social media of the ,administration2 and 7#b7 request that the resource and lending partners of the ,administration and the district offices of the ,administration publicize the program4 7m7 ,annual reporting ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,administrator establishes the program under this section1 and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report on the activities under the program1 including-- 7#a7 the number of startup1 newly established1 and growing small business concerns participating in the project carried out by each eligible entity under a cooperative agreement under this section 7referred to in this as participants71 including a breakdown of the owners of the participants by race1 gender1 veteran status1 and urban versus rural location2 7#b7 the retention rate for participants2 7#c7 the total and median amount of capital accessed by participants1 including the type of capital accessed2 7#d7 the total and median number of employees of participants2 7#e7 the number and median wage of jobs created by participants2 7#f7 the number of jobs sustained by participants2 and 7#g7 information regarding such other metrics as the ,administrator determines appropriate4 7n7 ,funding 7#a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,administrative expenses ,of the amount made available to carry out this section for any fiscal year1 not more than #aj percent may be used by the ,administrator for administrative expenses4 4 7b7 ,regulations ,the ,administrator shall promulgate regulations to carry out section #di of the ,small ,business ,act1 as added by subsection 7a74