Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25) is about to see his first piece of legislation become law. In March, Knight introduced HR 1390, the Small Business Joint Venturing Act, which would make the bidding process for federal contracts more competitive and cost-effective.
If passed, Knight’s legislation will allow more small businesses to form joint ventures and work together to obtain and fulfill government contracts. This is particularly true of the many aeronautic subcontractors operating in the Antelope Valley
“This bill is a ‘win-win,’” Knight said. “It would help the hundreds of small firms in our community that are seeking federal government contracts, and would save taxpayers money in the process.”
The bill passed its first committee hearing with, reportedly, overwhelming bipartisan support. In April, it was added to the text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2016, which authorizes the budgets and expenditures for most national defense operations in the upcoming fiscal year. The NDAA passed the House in May, and entered a lengthy conferencing process to reconcile various differences with the version passed by the Senate.
The NDAA for 2016 and the Small Business Joint Venturing Act passed the House 270-156 and are headed to the president’s desk for signature.
“I am glad my colleagues in Congress joined me in making small businesses more competitive in the bidding process for federal contracts,” Knight said.
