Nydia M. Velazquez: “I would like to close by again encouraging full support for this very important piece of legislation, H.R. 4945. This…”

“I would like to close by again encouraging full support for this very important piece of legislation, H.R. 4945. This legislation, the Small Business Competition Preservation Act of 2000, is an excellent starting point for making common sense changes to the contract bundling statute. During this Congress and the last, we have heard a lot of talk about accountability. It is time also for Federal agencies to be accountable for their actions, and that is what this bill is really about. Data is just not currently being collected on these mega contracts barring from gauging the true impact bundling is having on small businesses who want to do business with our government. H.R. 4945 will set up a database to track not only all bundled contracts, but also the small businesses displaced by consolidations. It also requires analysis and directs the SBA to file a report with Congress aimed at providing greater information about the scope of contract consolidations within the Federal marketplace. This legislation focuses on the need for greater equity in Federal procurement for our Nation's small businesses and the adverse effect of increased contract size.”