The
U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking comment on three proposed rules
published in The Federal Register that would revise the size definitions
for small businesses in the Utilities; Construction; and Arts, Entertainment
and Recreation sectors. The proposed revisions reflect changes in
marketplace conditions.
The
proposed rule for the Utilities sector will revise the size standard for nine
industries. The rule proposes changing six of the industries
dealing with electric power generation, distribution and transmission from
revenue-based size standards to an employee based size standard of 500
employees.
It
would also increase the size standards for the remaining three industries in
the Utilities sector from $7 million to $25.5 million for water supply and
irrigation systems, $7 million to $19 million for sewage treatment facilities,
and $12.5 million to $14 million for steam and air conditioning supply.
SBA estimates as many as 400 additional firms in this sector would become
eligible for SBA programs as a result of these revisions.
SBA
also proposed increases in size standards for one industry and one sub-industry
in the Construction sector. Specifically, SBA proposed to increase the
size standard for Land Subdivision from $7 million to $25 million and from $20
million to $30 million for businesses engaged in Dredging and Surface Cleanup
activities. SBA estimates that more than 400 additional firms will become
eligible for SBA’s programs and services, if adopted.
The
SBA’s third proposed rule would increase the small business size standards for
17 industries in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector. As
many as 1,450 additional firms could become eligible for SBA’s programs and
services if the proposed increases are adopted.
Comments
can be submitted on these proposed rules on or before September 17, 2012, at www.regulations.gov,
identified by the following RIN numbers:
1.
Proposed Rule: Small Business Size Standards; Utilities (NAICS Sector 22)
(RIN 3245-AG25)
2.
Proposed Rule: Small Business Size Standards; Arts, Entertainment, and
Recreation (NAICS Sector 71) (RIN 3245-AG36)
3.
Proposed Rule: Small Business Size Standards; Construction (NAICS Sector
23) (RIN 3245-AG37)
You
may also mail comments to Khem R. Sharma, Chief, Size Standards Division, 409
3rd St., SW, Mail Code 6530, Washington, DC 20416.
As
part of an ongoing review of all size standards, the SBA takes into account the
structural characteristics within individual industries, including average firm
size, the degree of competition, and federal government contracting trends to
ensure that small business size definitions reflect current economic conditions
within those industries. Under provisions in the Small Business Jobs Act
of 2010, SBA will continue its comprehensive review of all size standards for
the next several years.
The
revisions to the size standards in these sectors will enable more small
businesses to retain their small business status; will give federal agencies a
larger pool of small businesses to choose from for small business procurement
opportunities and help eligible small businesses benefit from SBA’s loan
programs.
From SBA News Release on July 18, 2012.
September 2010. The waver allows Caltrans to set contract goals for some, but
not all, certified DBEs.
