Robert Burton: “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.

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.

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

I think it is so important for Congress to start having those transparency requirements imposed on consolidated contracts.