To amend the Small Business Act to require that plain writing statements regarding the solicitation of subcontractors be included in certain subcontracting plans, and for other purposes.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Simplifying Subcontracting Act requires prime contractors seeking federal contracts to write their subcontract solicitations in plain, easy-to-understand language. This addresses the problem of complex, jargon-filled solicitations that make it difficult for small businesses to identify and pursue subcontracting opportunities.
Who Benefits and How
Small businesses seeking subcontracting opportunities benefit from clearer, more accessible solicitation language that helps them understand requirements and compete for work. The Small Business Administration gains enforcement authority to ensure compliance.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Prime contractors (large companies bidding on federal contracts) must now certify they will use plain writing in all subcontract solicitations. If found non-compliant, they must reissue solicitations in plain writing within 30 days. This creates a new compliance requirement and potential administrative burden.
Key Provisions
- Prime contractors must represent they will communicate subcontract solicitations in plain writing
- Plain writing requirements must flow down to all subcontracts offering further subcontracting opportunities
- Non-compliant contractors must reissue solicitations in plain writing within 30 days
- SBA must issue implementing regulations within 90 days of enactment
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires prime contractors in federal contracting to communicate subcontract solicitations in plain writing so small businesses can easily understand and respond to subcontracting opportunities
Key Policy Areas
Small Business, Government Contracting, Regulatory Compliance
Primary Purpose
Requires prime contractors in federal contracting to communicate subcontract solicitations in plain writing so small businesses can easily understand and respond to subcontracting opportunities
Policy Domains
Plain Writing Requirements for Subcontract Solicitations
Identified Gains
- Small businesses seeking subcontracting opportunities
- Small Business Administration
Identified Costs
- Prime contractors (large federal contractors)
- Offerors and bidders on federal contracts
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedReported by Mrs. Shaheen, without amendment
Mr. Risch (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Budd, Mr. Crapo, …
Mr. Risch (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Budd, Mr. Crapo, …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Small businesses seeking federal subcontracting opportunities
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "prime_contractor"
- → Large companies with federal contracts that subcontract work
- "offeror_or_bidder"
- → Prime contractors seeking federal contracts
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Small Business Administration
- "small_business_concerns"
- → Small businesses seeking subcontracting opportunities
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
As defined in section 3 of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-274; 124 Stat. 2861) - writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology