WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proposing to amend its regulations to implement provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.

Based on authorities provided in these two statutes, the proposed rule would establish a government-wide mentor-protégé program for all small business concerns consistent with SBA’s mentor-protégé program for Participants in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development (BD) program.

The proposed rule would also make minor changes to the mentor-protégé provisions for the 8(a) Business Development program in order to make the mentor-protégé rules for each of the programs as consistent as possible. The proposed rule would also amend the current joint venture provisions to clarify the conditions for creating and operating joint venture partnerships, including the effect of such partnerships on any mentor-protégé relationships. Finally, the proposed rule would make several additional changes to 8(a) Office of Hearings and Appeals or HUBZone regulations concerning, among other things, ownership and control, changes in primary industry, standards of review, and interested party status for some appeals.

Comments must be received on or before April 6. Comments, identified by RIN: 3245-AG24, may be submitted by any of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal, available at www.regulations.gov, follow the instructions for submitting comments; or (2) mail/hand delivery/courier: Brenda Fernandez, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Government Contracting, 409 3rd Street SW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC, 20416. SBA will not accept comments to this proposed rule submitted by email.

Publication date: 3/16/2015

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!