Hagedorn's Small Contractors Legislation Included in NDAA
Press Release
Congressman Jim Hagedorn's bipartisan legislation, H.R. 5146, the Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses Act, has been included in the final Conference Report of H.R. 6395, the Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA). Hagedorn voted in favor of the NDAA, which passed the House by a vote of 335-78. Once passed in the Senate, the bill will move to the president's desk to be signed into law.
"My bill expands opportunities for small businesses to compete as prime contractors for federal contracts. By enhancing access to the marketplace, we will incentivize small businesses to enter or rejoin the federal contracting community, and, as a result, federal agencies and the American people will benefit with increased efficiency and improved service," said Hagedorn.
"In addition to increasing competition in the federal contracting marketplace, this year's NDAA provides an array of pro-defense policies and authorizations to rebuild and strengthen America's Armed Forces. As a champion of "Peace Through Strength,' I'm pleased the legislation provides increased resources to America's troops at home and abroad, modernizes U.S. weapons systems, and continues to assure America's military superiority over adversaries such as China, Russia and North Korea. While I do not support every line item of this bill, I am proud to support this bipartisan measure that promotes America's long-term security interests and the well-being of our military heroes and their families," Hagedorn added.
H.R. 5146, which Hagedorn introduced alongside Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) and passed the House as a standalone bill on January 8, 2020, works to remove barriers to entry for small businesses looking to compete for federal prime contracts by requiring contract officers to consider relevant past performance and subcontractor experience of these companies.
The Hagedorn Amendment can be found in Section 868 of the Conference Report.
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