Saturday, March 26, 2011

Speak Up -- SBA Proposes New Size Standards

Bigger Pond or Fiercer Fish? Your call.
But don't be caught napping. Comments due May 16th.

Once your small business outgrows your size standard, competition can get a lot tougher. On the other hand, what would the downside be of having larger firms qualify as small business and be able to compete against you in the "small" pool? Whether an increase in size standards would help you or hurt you, speak up now.

SBA proposes to increase small business size standards for 35 industries in NAICS Sector 54 and one industry in NAICS Sector 81. The SBA estimates that over 9000 firms will be eligible for SBA programs as a result of these changes. SBA's notice of proposed rulemaking invites your comments by Monday, May 16, 2011.

SBA proposes to evaluate five factors in each industry in NAICS Sector 54: (1) Average Firm Size, (2) Startup Costs and Entry Barriers, (3) Industry Competition, (4) Distribution by Firms by Size, and (5) Impact on Federal Contracting and SBA Loan Programs.

For more information on the factors and the proposed rule, click here -- http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=SBA-2011-0008-0001

If you want to comment, refer to proposed rule RIN 3245-AG07.

Submit Electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Submit Via Mail: Khem R. Sharma, PhD, Chief, Size Standards Division, 409 Third Street, SW., Mail Code 6530, Washington, DC 20416.