Current status is Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4520

1. Short title
2. Extension of FAST Program
3. Application assistance to broaden participation

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act".

2. Extension of FAST Program

Section 34(i) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657d(i)) is amended by striking "September 30, 2005" and inserting "September 30, 2030".

3. Application assistance to broaden participation

(a) In general - Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) is amended—

(1) - in subparagraph (J), by striking "and" at the end;

(2) - in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and

(3) - by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(L) - providing small business concerns with assistance applying to the SBIR program or STTR program of the Federal agency, including providing such assistance to carry out the policy directive required under paragraphs (2)(F) or (5) of subsection (j) and subsection (p)(2)(H) to increase the participation of States with respect to which a low level of SBIR or STTR awards have historically been awarded.

(b) Enhanced minority institution participation -

(1) SBIR - Section 9(j) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)), is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(5) Increased outreach requirements - Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administration shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require enhanced outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k)) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))) in SBIR programs.

(2) STTR - Section 9(p)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(p)(2)) is amended—

(A) - in subparagraph (F), by striking "and" at the end;

(B) - in subparagraph (G)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and

(H) - procedures for outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k)) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 16 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))) in STTR programs.