Suffolk Reporter

Rep. Nick LaLota, the Chair of the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, has announced the passage of the bipartisan Plain Language in Contracting Act by the Small Business Committee. The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Shri Thanedar and Rep. Derek Tran, aims to simplify federal contracting language to aid small businesses in securing government contracts.

LaLota stated, "The Small Business Committee has taken a critical step in advancing my Plain Language in Contracting Act, a bipartisan bill designed to make federal contracts accessible and understandable for small businesses." He emphasized that this move would help level the playing field for small businesses against larger corporations.

Rep. Thanedar expressed his support by noting, "Having experienced the challenges of running a small business, I recognize the urgent need to cut through the jargon and bureaucracy to provide clear, concise, and accessible information to our nation's small business owners." He reiterated his commitment from previous Congress sessions alongside Reps. LaLota and Tran.

Congressman Derek Tran highlighted his personal experience with community-based businesses: "I grew up working in a community-based small business... I’m proud to bring that experience to Congress." He underscored that simplifying contract language is crucial for expanding opportunities for veterans and immigrant entrepreneurs.

The legislation mandates that all federal notices related to small business concerns be written plainly so they are easily understood by potential bidders. It also requires these notices include relevant keywords for easier identification on federal online portals.

This initiative addresses issues faced by small businesses lacking legal resources compared to larger companies when seeking federal contracts. The complex language often discourages participation from new entrants into government contracting.