WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) in introducing the Simplifying Subcontracting Act to clarify federal contracts so that businesses can easily pursue federal subcontracts.

“Small businesses benefit from federal contracts, but, when the government uses confusing words, it discourages small businesses from applying for them. The Simplifying Subcontracting Act would make federal contracts use clear language so that more businesses can take advantage of contracting opportunities,” said Kennedy.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, yet many are left out when it comes to federal government subcontracting due to excessively complicated language. Congress can easily fix this with the Simplifying Subcontracting Act. My legislation would require the federal government to communicate in plain language, not bureaucrat, in order to open the door for more small businesses to compete for these contracts,” said Risch. 

The Simplifying Subcontracting Act would:

• Simplify federal contracts. 

• Require prime contractors to write applications in plain, clear language.

• Remedy the government’s use of overly technical language that many find difficult to understand. 

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) also cosponsored the bill. 

Full text of the Simplifying Subcontracting Act is available here.