NLBMDA is tracking an SBA proposal to rewrite the size standards that decide which businesses count as small for federal programs.
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) is following a proposed rule from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that would modernize and simplify the size standards that determine which businesses qualify as small for federal programs and contracting opportunities.
Published August 20, the proposal would consolidate nearly 1,000 industry specific classifications into fewer, broader industry groups and industries. It would also adjust employee and receipts thresholds to better reflect current economic conditions and market structures.
Current size standards remain in effect while SBA considers public comments and completes the rulemaking process.
The SBA Office of Advocacy, an independent office within SBA that represents small businesses before federal policymakers, has backed the proposal.
Advocacy concurred with SBA’s economic analysis and estimated that about 4,000 to 6,000 current federal contractors could gain small business status under the proposed standards. About 56,000 firms now take part in the federal small business contracting marketplace. Advocacy called the plan a targeted adjustment to eligibility, not a broad expansion of that marketplace.
SBA held public forums September 17 and 21. NLBMDA said it will keep following the rulemaking and share relevant updates with members.