Congress Is Making Moves: Here’s What 8 Key Bills Could Mean for Small GovCon Players
If you’re a small business contractor, the House of Representatives just served you a mixed plate of promise and pressure. Eight new bills focused on federal contracting for small businesses are working their way through Congress, and together they represent one of the most significant waves of proposed changes in recent memory. Whether you’re pursuing 8a contracts services, women owned small business certification, or trying to land your first prime award, these proposals could reshape how you compete—and who your competition is.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
What’s in These Bills, and Why Should You Care?
The big themes? Transparency, accountability, access, and continuity. Here’s a rapid-fire overview of what’s being proposed:
H.R. 789 (Transparency & Predictability Act): Agencies would have to explain canceled small-business solicitations and refer affected bidders to OSDBUs. Goodbye black holes, hello accountability.
H.R. 818 (SPUR Act): Requires agencies to report first-time small business prime awards, rewarding those that diversify their vendor base.
H.R. 1816 (WOSB Accountability Act): Ends self-certification for WOSB goaling—only SBA-certified WOSBs would count.
H.R. 2804 (Protecting Small Business Competitions Act): Locks in the “Rule of Two” as law, shielding it from potential FAR removal.
H.R. 3195 (SDVOSB Continuity): Lets a veteran’s child keep SDVOSB status for up to 3 years after the veteran passes.
H.R. 3736: Gives the SBA a formal vote on the FAR Council to ensure small business voices shape procurement rules.
S. 991 / H.R. 3485: Ends the Bona Fide Place of Business requirement for 8a construction contracts—no more need to open satellite offices just to compete.
Collectively, these bills are pushing for more equitable access and smarter, more consistent procurement practices.
Why This Matters for Small Contractors
If even half of these bills pass, the ripple effects will be significant:
More clarity = fewer wasted bids. With cancellation explanations and OSDBU referrals, H.R. 789 gives you a roadmap, not a dead end.
Fresh blood will matter more. H.R. 818 incentivizes agencies to award contracts to new small vendors. If you’re just getting your feet wet in the government contracting business, this is your moment.
Certifications will be non-negotiable. Under H.R. 1816, self-certification won’t cut it. If you’re a woman-owned firm without the official SBA nod, you’ll be left out of the goal tallies.
The Rule of Two gets legal armor. H.R. 2804 makes sure agencies can’t skirt small business set-asides just because a future rule tweak allows it.
Legacy protection for SDVOSBs. The continuity bill ensures that businesses don’t lose their status if the service-disabled veteran dies—huge for succession planning.
A louder small business voice. With SBA gaining a vote on the FAR Council, expect more advocacy where it matters: procurement rules.
Geographic freedom for 8a builders. If S. 991/H.R. 3485 passes, 8a construction firms won’t have to play regional chess anymore—they can compete wherever the work is.
What You Should Do Right Now
Here’s your to-do list, whether you're new to federal contracting or a seasoned player:
Get SBA certified if you’re WOSB, SDVOSB, or 8a. Don’t assume your self-certification still counts. Certification is your access key under multiple pending laws.
Track cancellations on SAM.gov and contact OSDBUs when they happen. H.R. 789 will make these follow-ups more valuable.
Highlight your “first award” status. If you just won your first contract, shout it from the rooftops. Agencies will want that on their scorecards.
Review your NAICS and capabilities statements. Especially if you're aiming for 8a contracts services or want to expand your territory.
Plan for legacy. If you’re a veteran business owner, look at your succession plan. Could your business survive under your child’s ownership? H.R. 3195 could make that possible.
Final Take: Congress Is Listening—So Make Some Noise
This legislative activity shows that Congress is paying attention to the barriers small businesses face in federal procurement. But bills don’t pass themselves. Many of these efforts are still in committee. That means now is the time to reach out to your representatives, join industry coalitions, and make your voice heard. If you care about government contracting certification, SBIR Grant Assistance, or the future of women business certification programs, this is your window.
Want to see how policy changes like these shape real-world strategy? Check out our blog post on “Top NAICS Codes for Small Business Federal Contracts in FY2025” to target your business development efforts where it counts.
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