Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act

Summary

Requires the Small Business Administration to write rules (within 180 days) that force federal agencies to publicly explain why certain procurement solicitations were cancelled and to post info about plans to reissue or absorb the work into other contracts. Agencies must publish the justification and related information on the government-wide single point of entry, and agency OSDBU directors must help small businesses that prepared bids for cancelled solicitations (when the solicitation will not be reissued) find similar contracting opportunities. No new funding is authorized to carry out these duties.

• SBA must issue rules within 180 days setting disclosure and referral procedures for certain cancelled solicitations.
• Agencies must publicly post a justification and plans/timelines for reissuing or absorbing cancelled solicitations on the government-wide point of entry.
• Covered solicitations are those where two or more small businesses were eligible to bid.
• Agencies must refer small businesses that prepared bids for cancelled solicitations (not being reissued) to their OSDBU director.
• OSDBU directors are statutorily required to assist referred small businesses in identifying similar contracting opportunities.
• No new funding is provided; the Act prohibits authorization of additional funds to implement its requirements.
• The law increases transparency in federal contracting and may reduce wasted bidding costs for small businesses.
• The Act does not create new enforcement penalties or dedicate resources for implementation.