# Plain Language Summary: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Amendment

This bill makes a change to a federal program that helps small businesses get government contracts. Specifically, it removes certain restrictions that currently prevent some small businesses from participating in what's called the "disadvantaged business enterprise" (DBE) program. This program was created as part of the major infrastructure law passed in 2021 and is designed to direct some federal spending toward businesses owned by people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Right now, the infrastructure law has rules that exclude certain types of small businesses from being eligible for these special contracting opportunities. This bill would remove those exclusions, meaning more small business owners could potentially qualify for federal contracts related to infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. When a business qualifies as a DBE, federal agencies are encouraged to award them contracts or portions of contracts, which gives these businesses better access to government spending.

The practical effect is that this change could help more small business owners compete for federal infrastructure work. If you own a small business that was previously ineligible under the current rules, this bill could open doors to government contracts that might otherwise have gone to larger companies. For federal agencies managing infrastructure projects, this means a wider pool of small businesses to potentially work with. The bill doesn't guarantee any business will get a contract, but it removes a barrier that currently prevents certain small businesses from even being considered for these opportunities.

A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to remove the exclusion of certain small business concerns from the disadvantaged business enterprise program, and for other purposes.

Ossoff, Jon

 <p><strong></strong>This bill removes the maximum annual revenue threshold that limits certain small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals from receiving funding under the disadvantaged business enterprise program. The program provides such small businesses the opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.</p>