Robert Burton

They simply have no recourse if there is no transparency or view into the government decision-making process.

I think what you are suggesting is that agencies comply with the current rules, and I think that is absolutely critical.

The objective of the Small Business Act was not just to get dollars to a few small businesses; it was to ensure maximum participation of the small businesses in the federal procurement system.

The government needs to deemphasize the dollars and start looking at the participation rate.

There is no transparency. There is no compliance. And until that is seriously taken by the agencies, I think that the industrial basis is going to be weakened.

These regulations were designed to protect small businesses, but in practice, agencies have failed to fully implement and comply.

I think Congress will have to be very aggressive on this subject and will have to exercise increased oversight.

I think we need to do away with that whole distinction because consolidated procurements alone are hurting small businesses dramatically.

I am convinced that strategic sourcing, if it is not done correctly, will actually result in higher prices for the taxpayers in the long run.

I cannot give the information in the memo, but after having read it, along with some of our legal staff on the committee, there is nothing in there that would lead to anybody other than the Attorney General's position of not appointing an…