AEE Applauds the Passage of the SPUR Act in the House of Representatives

WASHINGTON – The Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity’s Director, Imani Augustus, issued the following statement commending the House of Representatives for the unanimous passage of H.R. 7988, the Small Business Procurement and Utilization Reform (SPUR) Act.

"Government procurement represents a tremendous opportunity for disadvantaged small businesses. Despite federal awards to small businesses reaching historic levels, their overall participation in the federal marketplace has plummeted in recent years. Over the last decade, the number of small businesses receiving government contracts has been cut in half, and the number of new businesses entering the federal contracting space has declined by almost 60%. Minority and women-owned businesses have been particularly affected by this drop.

“The Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity is proud to support the SPUR Act and urges its passage in the Senate. The bill establishes a crucial benchmark for first-time awardees and recent entrants into the federal contracting space. By requiring all federal agencies to track and report the number of small businesses receiving prime contract awards for the first time, the Act ensures that the federal government actively engages a fresh pool of talent. This not only breaks down existing supplier siloes but also provides unprecedented opportunities for qualified small businesses that have previously not been part of the federal marketplace.

“Capturing the right metrics is essential for making meaningful progress. The passage of the SPUR Act demonstrates a bipartisan commitment to leveling the playing field for small businesses across the nation. We applaud Representatives Pete Stauber (R-MN) and Marie Gluensenkamp Perez (D-WA) for their leadership in fostering inclusivity and diversity within government contracting. The Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity celebrates this significant achievement and looks forward to the continued advancement of policies that support small business growth and diversity in the federal marketplace."