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
H. R. 7987 is a proposal that says when the government wants to tell small businesses about jobs they can do, the notices must be clear and use simple words. The idea is to make it easy for small businesses to understand these opportunities without needing more money to change the way it's done.
Summary AI
H. R. 7987, titled the “Plain Language in Contracting Act,” aims to ensure that notices about small business contract opportunities from federal agencies are written clearly and concisely, following the Federal plain language guidelines. The bill requires these notices to contain key words that make them easily identifiable for small businesses seeking such opportunities. Additionally, it mandates that the Small Business Administration create necessary rules for implementing these requirements within 90 days of the bill's enactment. Importantly, the bill stipulates that no extra funding will be allocated to implement these changes.
Published
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The legislation in focus is the "Plain Language in Contracting Act," brought forth in the House of Representatives as bill number H.R. 7987. Its primary aim is to promote clarity and accessibility in communications directed at small business concerns, especially when it comes to government contract opportunities. Specifically, the bill requires that notices from federal agencies related to small businesses be drafted using plain language, aligning with existing Federal plain language guidelines. It also requires the inclusion of key words to assist small businesses in easily identifying relevant contract opportunities. Importantly, the bill does not authorize any additional funds for its execution, highlighting a reliance on existing resources and budgets.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several noteworthy issues emerge from this bill. Firstly, the mandate for notices to adhere to plain language guidelines presents a challenge of ensuring compliance across all federal agencies, which might face difficulties in uniformly applying these standards. Additionally, the bill does not authorize new funding for implementation, sparking concerns over whether current funding levels are adequate to support the bill's requirements fully. The terminology used, such as "Compliance with CUTGO," may also lead to misunderstandings among stakeholders unfamiliar with congressional budgetary practices. Furthermore, the timeline for the Small Business Administration to establish implementing rules is tight, potentially leading to hurried processes. Lastly, while the bill’s short title, "Plain Language in Contracting Act," hints at its overarching goal, it does not offer in-depth insights into its full scope and objectives.
Impact on the Public and Specific Stakeholders
Broadly speaking, the bill seeks to enhance transparency and accessibility in government communications, which could potentially empower small businesses by making it easier for them to engage with federal agencies and compete for government contracts—a crucial avenue for growth and opportunity. By insisting on plain language and clarity, it aligns with efforts to demystify governmental processes and make them more accessible to the average citizen and small business owners who might not be versed in legal or bureaucratic jargon.
For specific stakeholders, small business concerns stand to benefit significantly from this legislation if implemented effectively. They are the primary audience for these improved communications and could find it easier to navigate government contracting processes, potentially leading to more business opportunities and more robust participation in government programs. However, the impact on these stakeholders will largely depend on how well the bill is executed without additional funding, as a lack of resources could hamper the intended improvements.
On the other hand, federal agencies may face the challenge of adhering to these new requirements within existing budget constraints. This pressure might affect their ability to deliver consistently clear and concise communications, leading to potential inefficiencies or lapses in implementation.
In conclusion, while the "Plain Language in Contracting Act" presents a commendable effort to simplify governmental communications with small businesses, its success will depend on careful implementation, sufficient resource allocation, and ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure it fulfills its intended purpose.
Issues
The lack of authorization for additional appropriations as stated in Section 3 ('Compliance with CUTGO') raises a significant concern about whether sufficient resources are available to effectively implement the Act. Without additional funding, agencies may struggle to meet the requirements, potentially limiting the Act's effectiveness.
Section 2 mandates that covered notices be written in a manner consistent with the Federal plain language guidelines. While this is a positive step towards clarity, the challenge of ensuring consistent compliance across all Federal agencies may affect its implementation.
The absence of a detailed explanation of the term 'Compliance with CUTGO' in Section 3 may cause confusion. The Act assumes familiarity with CUTGO, possibly excluding individuals unfamiliar with Congressional budgetary policies from understanding its implications.
The 90-day timeline for the Small Business Administration to issue rules as set in Section 2(c) might be too ambitious. Depending on the complexity of the rulemaking process, this short timeframe could result in rushed or inadequate implementation of the guidelines.
The short title 'Plain Language in Contracting Act' in Section 1 lacks clarity on the specific objectives and scope of the Act, making it difficult to understand potential impacts or issues related to language and spending without further detailed provisions.
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.