TRSA Talks Small-Biz Issues with Chairman Graves

On Feb. 15, TRSA met with Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). TRSA discussed issues pertinent to our small business members, such as the short-term extension of the payroll tax cut and concerns that small businesses have in both obtaining federal contracts and competing against federal ‘insourcing.’

TRSA also addressed the importance of a bill that Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) has introduced, the Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2011. Under this legislation, H.R. 3634, a government-owned corporation that employs federal prisoners to manufacture goods or perform services to fulfill contracts with federal agencies and departments would have to submit a detailed analysis of the impact on the private sector before entering into new product markets. Moreover, they couldn’t sell products commercially or internationally. Only the federal government could buy them.

In coming months, the Small Business Committee will conduct a series of hearings on small-business contracting issues.