Review of Programs Designed To Assist Businesses Owned by Minorities and Other Disadvantaged Individuals
B-149685: Published: Jun 21, 1979. Publicly Released: May 6, 1985.
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In 1978, Congress amended the Small Business Act to strengthen the assistance programs for minority-owned small businesses. A provision for periodic review of the programs by GAO was included in the amendments to the act. Meetings were held with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Associate Administrator for Minority Business Development to keep abreast of SBA plans to implement the amendment's program changes. As a result, GAO planned a series of program reviews to meet its reporting responsibilities. An audit of the Economic Opportunity Loan Program began in January 1979. Three other programs have been scheduled for evaluation, the results which are combined in a single report with interim progress reports at regular intervals. In addition, GAO is required to review both a 2-year pilot project for negotiating contracts for the 8(a) program, to be managed by the Army under an interagency agreement with SBA, and a new subcontracting program under which SBA will encourage businesses to subcontract with small firms meeting specific criteria. GAO reporting schedules will be dependent on the alacrity with which SBA makes the programs operational.
Oct 13, 2020
Aviation Consumer Protection:
Increased Transparency Could Help Build Confidence in DOT's Enforcement ApproachGAO-21-109: Published: Oct 13, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 13, 2020.
Oct 1, 2020
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Small Business Administration:
COVID-19 Loans Lack Controls and Are Susceptible to FraudGAO-21-117T: Published: Oct 1, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 1, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
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Small Business Research Programs:
Many Agencies' Award Issuances Are Not Timely; Some Practices May Improve TimelinessGAO-20-693: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Sep 28, 2020
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Intellectual Property:
Additional Agency Actions Can Improve Assistance to Small Businesses and InventorsGAO-20-556: Published: Aug 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 28, 2020.
Jul 30, 2020
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Small Business Contracting:
Better Documentation and Reporting Needed on Procurement Center RepresentativesGAO-20-462: Published: Jun 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 30, 2020.
Jun 29, 2020
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Small Business Subcontracting:
Oversight of Contractor Compliance with Subcontracting Plans Needs ImprovementGAO-20-464: Published: May 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 29, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
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Small Business Development Centers:
Reevaluation of How SBA Sets Initial Funding Estimate Needed to Help Reduce BurdenGAO-20-457: Published: May 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
Apr 27, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of CommerceGAO-20-497PR: Published: Apr 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 27, 2020.
Dec 13, 2019
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Small Business Administration:
Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Engagement with Historically Black Colleges and UniversitiesGAO-20-41: Published: Nov 13, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 13, 2019.
Nov 19, 2019
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SBA Microloan Program:
Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Program Performance Measurement, Collaboration, and ReportingGAO-20-49: Published: Nov 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2019.
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