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H.R.4121 / 112th Congress

Early Stage Small Business Contracting Act of 2012

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 530.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Mar 1, 2012

Early Stage Small Business Contracting Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish and carry out a program to provide increased access to federal contract opportunities for early stage small businesses (no more than 15 employees and average annual receipts of no more than $1 million). Requires the Administrator to identify appropriate federal procurement contracts for award under the program.

Allows a contracting officer to award: (1) a sole source contract under the program if an entity is determined to be a responsible contractor and the officer does not reasonably expect that two or more early stage businesses will submit offers, and (2) contracts on the basis of competition restricted to early stage businesses if the officer reasonably expects that at least two early stage businesses will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair market price.

Requires all program contract awards to be counted toward goals for small business participation in federal procurement contracts.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5] · D–OR

Committees

  • Small Business Committee
7 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 530.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 112-727.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 112-727.

  4. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  5. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  6. Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

  7. Introduced in House

  8. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4121 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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