In a
recent Washington Technology article by Matthew Weigelt entitled "Small-biz definitions put
hurt
on midsize contractors" business leaders from mid-tier
companies talk about the squeeze they feel once they graduate from the
current SBA size standards that define what a small business is for
federal contracting. They talk about the "procurement cliff" companies
face, specifically in the area of IT and the investment by the
Government which is being lost when these companies who benefited from
SBA Small Business Assistance are essentially forgotten about.
While
I can empathize with the sentiment, the answer is not in expanding the
size standards drastically to accommodate companies with upwards of
$100M in annual revenues as is the case with the companies in the WT
article. With a straight face, I say, lobby to create a new agency or at
least a new set of rules which apply to this group of companies. If the
Government sees fit to create assistance programs for mid-tier
companies it should not be to the detriment of current and future small
businesses.
Increasing the size standards creates a backlash on
the entry-tier of the size standards, basically making it near
impossible for newer, smaller companies to even get started. Since the
size standard applies to direct contracting and subcontracting, it
creates the same effect for small businesses as the rule which makes
Alaskan Native Corporations small businesses for
contracting/subcontracting, regardless of their size. Actions like these
further cripple the ability of America's Innovation and Economic Engine
to create jobs and bring their ideas and solutions to the Public and
Private Sectors. Without
question, mid-tier companies need help at some level and I would
participate in helping find a resolution to the proverbial "No Man's
Land" that exists for companies who graduate from the small business
program. But not at the expense of putting additional hurdles in front
of our small businesses.
Like the folks at Under Armour have so
eloquently stated in their marketing, "We Must Protect This House!"
Peace!
Best
regards, Guy
Timberlake Chief Visionary and CEO
"The
person who says it cannot be
done should not interrupt the person doing it."
Identify, Qualify, Pursue and Capture B2G Business
Opportunities.
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In a
recent Washington Technology article by Matthew Weigelt entitled "
