Overview
Title
To require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to make sure that messages sent to small businesses by the government are easy to read and understand, so these businesses can find jobs with the government more easily. It asks a government agency to make rules for this within 90 days, but they can't spend any extra money to do it.
Summary AI
H. R. 7987, known as the “Plain Language in Contracting Act,” aims to make notices sent to small businesses by federal agencies easier to read and understand. It requires that these notices be written clearly and include key words to help small businesses find contracting opportunities more easily. Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the Small Business Administration must create rules to enforce these requirements. No additional funds are to be allocated to implement this Act.
Published
Keywords AI
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Bill Statistics
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AnalysisAI
The U.S. Congress is considering a bill known as H.R. 7987, also referred to as the "Plain Language in Contracting Act." This legislative proposal aims to enhance the clarity and accessibility of notices provided to small businesses by federal agencies. Specifically, the bill mandates that these notices be written in plain language—language that is clear, concise, and easy for small business owners to understand. Furthermore, it requires these notices to include relevant keywords, making it simpler for small businesses to search for and identify opportunities for government contracts.
Summary of Significant Issues
One noteworthy challenge highlighted in the bill concerns is ensuring compliance across all federal agencies with the mandate to use plain language. While it is a commendable initiative to make federal notices more accessible, consistency across a wide array of agencies may prove difficult. Additionally, the bill outlines that no extra funding will be provided to support the Act's implementation; this could become problematic if existing resources are insufficient to uphold the bill's objectives. Moreover, the Small Business Administration is required to establish implementing rules within 90 days, a timeline that might be too ambitious considering the complexities involved.
Potential Impact on the Public
The bill, if enacted, promises broader accessibility to government contracting opportunities for small businesses. By requiring plain language and exhaustive keywords, it removes barriers that might preclude small businesses from participating in government contracts due to confusing or convoluted documentation. This could democratize access to government contracting opportunities, enhancing economic participation and potentially boosting local economies.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For small business owners, particularly those unfamiliar with legal or bureaucratic jargon, this bill could notably reduce confusion and the administrative burden of navigating federal contracting opportunities. They might find it easier to identify pertinent opportunities and understand the requirements, enabling them to compete more effectively for contracts.
Conversely, federal agencies may face challenges in implementing these changes rapidly due to a lack of additional funding and limited time for crafting new guidelines. This could strain resources and delay the intended improvements in notice clarity and accessibility. Moreover, the outcome of this legislative proposal will depend significantly on the agencies' ability to effectively implement the guidelines within set timelines.
Overall, H.R. 7987 represents an important step towards fostering transparency and inclusivity in federal contracting, though its success will depend on careful implementation and adequate resourcing.
Issues
The requirement in Section 2 to align covered notices with the Federal plain language guidelines is positive, but could be challenging to ensure consistent compliance across all Federal agencies, potentially affecting small businesses' ability to understand and respond to contracting opportunities.
Section 3's statement that 'No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act' might create financial constraints if current funding is insufficient to implement the Act effectively, potentially impacting the intended benefits for small businesses.
The 90-day timeline in Section 2 for the Small Business Administration to issue rules might be seen as too short, given the potential complexity of the implementation required by the Act, which could lead to rushed or inadequate rulemaking.
Section 1, providing only a short title without detailed provisions, makes it difficult to audit potential issues regarding specific spending or language concerns, leaving the scope and objectives of the Act unclear.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section in the text refers to the name of a legal act, stating that it may be formally called the "Plain Language in Contracting Act."
2. Accessibility and clarity in covered notices for small business concerns Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that notices for small businesses should be clear, concise, and use plain language to make them easily understandable. Additionally, it specifies that these notices should include key words to help small businesses find relevant contract opportunities and requires the Small Business Administration to issue implementing rules within 90 days.
3. Compliance with CUTGO Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
No additional funds are allowed to be allocated for the implementation of this Act or its amendments.