Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023
- Issuer
- Congressional materials
- Document type
- Crpt 118Hrpt98
- Case
- Crpt 118Hrpt98
Summary
House Report 118–98 of the 118th Congress, dated June 5, 2023, submitted by Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas from the Committee on Small Business to accompany H.R. 1606, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023. The committee reports the bill favorably without amendment; it would amend Section 32 of the Small Business Act to codify the Boots to Business Program. The report describes the program, a May 24, 2023 hearing and the May 23, 2023 markup, and gives a section-by-section summary, including operation of the program until September 30, 2028 and an initial report within 180 days. It includes a Congressional Budget Office estimate that the information-sharing requirement would cost less than $500,000 over the 2023–2028 period. It closes with the required House rule statements and the changes in existing law made by the bill.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023.”
Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crpt-118hrpt98/
, SHA-256 b7f84d83f02b2d83fb95184b97291dd8bded2622e79a4b7208fa9fdf5efb698f.Full text
118TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
1st Session 118–98
VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING ACT OF 2023
JUNE 5, 2023.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of
the Union and ordered to be printed
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas, from the Committee on Small Business,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1606]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Small Business, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 1606) to amend the Small Business Act to codify the Boots
to Business Program, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and rec-
ommends that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
PAGE
I. Purpose and Bill Summary ........................................................................ 1
II. Need for Legislation .................................................................................... 2
III. Hearings ....................................................................................................... 3
IV. Committee Consideration ........................................................................... 3
V. Committee Votes ......................................................................................... 3
VI. Section-by-Section of H.R. 1606 ................................................................. 6
VII. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate ............................................. 7
VIII. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 8
IX. Oversight Findings & Recommendations .................................................. 8
X. Performance Goals and Objectives ............................................................ 8
XI. Statement of Duplication of Federal Programs ........................................ 8
XII. Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits ..................................................................................................... 8
XIII. Federal Mandates Statement ..................................................................... 9
XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement ................................................... 9
XV. Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................... 9
XVI. Statement of Constitutional Authority ...................................................... 9
XVII. Changes in Existing Law, Made by the Bill, As Reported ...................... 9
I. PURPOSE AND BILL SUMMARY
The purpose of H.R. 1606, the ‘‘Veteran Entrepreneurship Train-
ing Act of 2023’’ is to codify the Boots to Business Program, and
39–006
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
2
for other purposes. This bill amends Section 32 of the Small Busi-
ness Act by adding a new subsection authorizing the Boots to Busi-
ness Program for 5 years.
The bill updates the definition of Members of the Armed Forces
and sets goals for the program, which include-in-depth training for
servicemembers interested in owning a business, and development
of tools to identify opportunities, draft business plans, identify
sources of capital, connect with local resources for small businesses,
and launch the business. This bill delineates the program compo-
nents including an in-person entrepreneurship program.
It also gives the Small Business Administration (SBA) the au-
thority to collaborate with public and private entities to develop the
curricula, ensures Veterans Business Outreach Centers regularly
participate in the program, and to the reasonable maximum extent,
allows the participation of other resource partners as well.
The bill facilitates the sharing of course and outreach materials
with the Secretary of Defense for inclusion in DOD websites,
manuals, and other materials related to the Transition Assistance
Program (TAP) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for distribu-
tion and display at local VA facilities.
The bill requires the SBA Administrator to provide a report to
the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the
Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Rep-
resentatives within 180 days after enactment of the legislation and
annually thereafter. The report will evaluate the performance and
effectiveness of the Boots to Business program.
II. NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program pro-
vides free counseling, training, and resource partner referrals to el-
igible service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve
members, and military spouses.
One of the primary responsibilities of VBOC is to administer the
Boots to Business (B2B) program. B2B is an entrepreneurial edu-
cation and training program offered by SBA as part of the Depart-
ment of Defense’s TAP. B2B provides participants with an overview
of business ownership and is open to transitioning service members
(including National Guard and Reserve) and their spouses.
Initially launched as a pilot initiative in 2012, B2B curriculum
focuses on the key steps for evaluating business concepts and pro-
vides the foundational knowledge to develop a business plan. In ad-
dition, participants connect with SBA resources, including informa-
tion on access to capital, counseling, training, and contracting op-
portunities.
In FY 2018, nearly 17,200 veterans, servicemembers, and mili-
tary spouses stationed at military installations nationwide partici-
pated in the two-day course.
The National Defense Authorization Act of FY 2019 requires
servicemembers participating in TAP to enroll in one of three cap-
stone classes, which include: Accessing Higher Education, Career
and Technical Training, and Entrepreneurship (B2B). It is expected
that this new requirement will significantly increase the number of
servicemembers who participate in B2B program.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
3
III. HEARINGS
In the 118th Congress, the Committee on Small Business (the
Committee) held one hearing examining the issues covered in H.R.
1606 on May 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. titled ‘‘Saluting Service: Sup-
porting Veteran Owned Small Businesses.’’ Members and witnesses
discussed efforts to improve service member transition from the
military to civilian life. One witness who transitioned from the
military while Boots to Business was available noted she found the
program helpful.
IV. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
The Committee met in open session, with a quorum being
present, on May 23, 2023, and ordered H.R. 1606 favorably re-
ported to the House of Representatives. During the markup no
amendments were offered.
V. COMMITTEE VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives requires the Committee to list the recorded votes on the mo-
tion to report legislation and amendments thereto. The Committee
voted to favorably report H.R. 1606 to the House of Representatives
at 2:51 p.m.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
4
Insert offset folio 5 here HR98.001
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
5
Insert offset folio 6 here HR98.002
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
6
VI. SECTION-BY-SECTION OF H.R. 1606
Section 1. Short title
This section designates H.R. 1606 as the ‘‘Veteran Entrepreneur-
ship Training Act of 2023.’’
Section 2. Boots to Business Program
Subsection (1) Covered Individuals Defined. Covered Individual is
defined as a member of the Armed Forces, including the National
Guard or Reserves; individuals participating in TAP; Individuals
who served active duty in any branch including National Guard or
Reserves and was discharged under conditions other than dishonor-
able; and a spouse or depended of the previous individuals.
Subsection (2) Establishment. The SBA will carry out the Boots
to Business program until September 30, 2028.
Subsection (3) Goals. This section states the Boots to Business
program aims to provide covered individuals with tools critical to
small business ownership.
Subsection (4) Program Components. This subsection outlines the
program components. The program may contain a presentation on
small business ownership, online business courses, in-person in-
struction on foundations of small business ownership and self-em-
ployment, and in-depth training online on creating a business plan.
The SBA may collaborate with public and private entities in devel-
oping the program and modify its components in coordinating with
those participating in Warriors in Transition program.
It requires the SBA to ensure Veterans Business Outreach Cen-
ters (VBOC) participate in Boots to Business and use district of-
fices and resource partners to the maximum extent practicable. It
also allows SBA to make grants to VBOC, and resource partners,
or other entities to carry out Boots to Business.
This section requires SBA to provide Boots to Business informa-
tion to the Secretaries of DoD and Department of Labor for inclu-
sion on their websites related to TAP, in the TAP manual, and in
other manuals those Secretaries determine as necessary. It also re-
quires the SBA to consult with VA Secretary to provide for dis-
tribution on VA’s website and at VA facilities Boots to Business in-
formation that at minimum includes a description of the program
and services provided, and eligibility requirements.
Finally, this section requires SBA to, upon request, share Boots
to Business information to agencies that participate in TAP.
Subsection (5) Competitive Bidding Procedures. This section re-
quires SBA to use competitive bid procedures to contracts or coop-
erative agreements used under Boots to business.
Subsection (6) Publication of Notice of Funding Opportunity. This
section requires SBA to publish a notice of funding opportunity no
later than 30 days before the deadline to submit applications for
Boots to Business program.
Subsection (7) Report. This section requires an initial report no
later than 180 days, then annually after, on the effectiveness of
Boots to Business. The report can be a part of related Agency re-
ports. The report must summarize grants awarded, total program
cost, number of participants, and completion rates. The report shall
include to the extent possible, participant demographics, number of
participants that connect with an SBA district office or resource
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
7
partner, number of participants that start a small business, results
of surveys that gauge quality, outcome, and results. The report will
include an overall effectiveness evaluation based by SBA regions,
an assessment of additional outcome measures identified by SBA
Administrator, recommendations to improve the program, expla-
nation of how the program has integrated with other transition
programs and government resources, and any other information
SBA deems necessary.
VII. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the Committee adopts as its as its own the cost esti-
mate prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
H.R. 1606 would authorize the Small Business Administration
(SBA) to carry out the Boots to Business (B2B) Program over the
2023 2028 period. That program, which the SBA operates under
authorities provided in Public Law 93 237, provides entrepreneur-
ship training to members of the Armed Forces (including the Na-
tional Guard or Reserves), veterans, and the spouses or dependents
of those people. The legislation would authorize the SBA to make
grants to Veteran Business Outreach Centers and to collaborate
with public and private entities to develop training courses, which
it does under its current program. H.R. 1606 also would require the
SBA to share B2B program information with other veterans’ agen-
cies and to submit annual program reports to the Congress.
CBO estimates that implementing the new requirement in H.R.
1606 to share information would cost less than $500,000 over the
2023–2028 period, primarily for additional reporting requirements;
any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated
funds.
Insert offset folio 10 here HR98.003
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
8
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Hughes. The es-
timate was reviewed by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Director of Budget
Analysis.
PHILLIP L. SWAGEL,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
VIII. NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX
EXPENDITURES
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House
of Representatives and section 308(a)(I) of the Congressional Budg-
et Act of 1974, the Committee provides the following opinion and
estimate with respect to new budget authority, entitlement author-
ity, and tax expenditures. H.R. 1606 does not direct new spending,
but instead reallocates funding independently authorized and ap-
propriated.
IX. OVERSIGHT FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS
In accordance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 2(b)(1)
of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the over-
sight findings and recommendations of the Committee with respect
to the subject matter contained in the H.R. 1606 are incorporated
into the descriptive portions of this report.
X. PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of
the Rules of the House of Representatives, the performance goals
and objectives of H.R. 1606 is to provide small business and entre-
preneurship counseling and training to America’s veterans and
their families by reauthorizing the SBA’s Boots to Business pro-
gram for five years. The bill requires an annual report (after an
initial report no later than 180 days), to the Committee on Small
Business of the House and the Small Business and Entrepreneur-
ship of the Senate on the performance and effectiveness of the
Boots to Business Program.
XI. STATEMENT OF DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, no provision of H.R. 1606 is known to be dupli-
cative of another Federal program, including any program that was
included in a report to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public
Law 111–139 or the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic As-
sistance.
XII. CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND
LIMITED TARIFF BENEFITS
With respect to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the Committee finds that the bill does not con-
tain any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
9
XIII. FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal man-
dates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
XIV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation.
XV. APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or
accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Con-
gressional Accountability Act.
XVI. STATEMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY
Pursuant to clause 7 of Rule XII of the Rules of the House, the
Committee finds that the authority for this legislation in Art. I, § 8,
cl.1 of the Constitution of the United States.
XVII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill,
as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italics
and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in
roman):
SMALL BUSINESS ACT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 32. VETERANS PROGRAMS.
(a) OFFICE OF VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.—There is es-
tablished in the Administration an Office of Veterans Business De-
velopment, which shall be administered by the Associate Adminis-
trator for Veterans Business Development (in this section referred
to as the ‘‘Associate Administrator’’) appointed under section
4(b)(1).
(b) ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR VETERANS BUSINESS DEVEL-
OPMENT.—The Associate Administrator—
(1) shall be an appointee in the Senior Executive Service;
(2) shall be responsible for the formulation, execution, and
promotion of policies and programs of the Administration that
provide assistance to small business concerns owned and con-
trolled by veterans and small business concerns owned and
controlled by service-disabled veterans. The Associate Adminis-
trator shall act as an ombudsman for full consideration of vet-
erans in all programs of the Administration; and
(3) shall report to and be responsible directly to the Adminis-
trator.
(c) INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the President shall establish
an interagency task force to coordinate the efforts of Federal
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
10
agencies necessary to improve capital and business develop-
ment opportunities for, and ensure achievement of the pre-es-
tablished Federal contracting goals for, small business con-
cerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans and
small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans (in
this section referred to as the ‘‘task force’’).
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The members of the task force shall in-
clude—
(A) the Administrator, who shall serve as chairperson of
the task force; and
(B) a senior level representative from—
(i) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(ii) the Department of Defense;
(iii) the Administration (in addition to the Adminis-
trator);
(iv) the Department of Labor;
(v) the Department of the Treasury;
(vi) the General Services Administration;
(vii) the Office of Management and Budget; and
(viii) 4 representatives from a veterans service orga-
nization or military organization or association, se-
lected by the President.
(3) DUTIES.—The task force shall—
(A) consult regularly with veterans service organizations
and military organizations in performing the duties of the
task force; and
(B) coordinate administrative and regulatory activities
and develop proposals relating to—
(i) improving capital access and capacity of small
business concerns owned and controlled by service-dis-
abled veterans and small business concerns owned and
controlled by veterans through loans, surety bonding,
and franchising;
(ii) ensuring achievement of the pre-established Fed-
eral contracting goals for small business concerns
owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans and
small business concerns owned and controlled by vet-
erans through expanded mentor-protégé assistance
and matching such small business concerns with con-
tracting opportunities;
(iii) increasing the integrity of certifications of sta-
tus as a small business concern owned and controlled
by service-disabled veterans or a small business con-
cern owned and controlled by veterans;
(iv) reducing paperwork and administrative burdens
on veterans in accessing business development and en-
trepreneurship opportunities;
(v) increasing and improving training and coun-
seling services provided to small business concerns
owned and controlled by veterans; and
(vi) making other improvements relating to the sup-
port for veterans business development by the Federal
Government.
(d) PARTICIPATION IN TAP WORKSHOPS.—
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
11
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Associate Administrator shall increase
veteran outreach by ensuring that Veteran Business Outreach
Centers regularly participate, on a nationwide basis, in the
workshops of the Transition Assistance Program of the Depart-
ment of Labor.
(2) PRESENTATIONS.—In carrying out paragraph (1), a Vet-
eran Business Outreach Center may provide grants to entities
located in Transition Assistance Program locations to make
presentations on the opportunities available from the Adminis-
tration for recently separating or separated veterans. Each
presentation under this paragraph shall include, at a min-
imum, a description of the entrepreneurial and business train-
ing resources available from the Administration.
(3) WRITTEN MATERIALS.—The Associate Administrator
shall—
(A) create written materials that provide comprehensive
information on self-employment and veterans entrepre-
neurship, including information on resources available
from the Administration on such topics; and
(B) make the materials created under subparagraph (A)
available to the Secretary of Labor for inclusion in the
Transition Assistance Program manual.
(4) REPORTS.—The Associate Administrator shall submit to
Congress progress reports on the implementation of this sub-
section.
(e) WOMEN VETERANS BUSINESS TRAINING.—The Associate Ad-
ministrator shall—
(1) compile information on existing resources available to
women veterans for business training, including resources
for—
(A) vocational and technical education;
(B) general business skills, such as marketing and ac-
counting; and
(C) business assistance programs targeted to women vet-
erans; and
(2) disseminate the information compiled under paragraph
(1) through Veteran Business Outreach Centers and women’s
business centers.
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
(2) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(g) ACCESS TO SURPLUS PROPERTY FOR VETERAN-OWNED SMALL
BUSINESSES.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection—
(A) the term ‘‘foreign excess property’’ has the meaning
given the term in section 102 of title 40, United States
Code; and
(B) the term ‘‘state agency’’ has the meaning given the
term, including the roles and responsibilities assigned, in
section 549 of title 40, United States Code.
(2) REQUIREMENT.—The Administrator, in coordination with
the Administrator of General Services, shall provide access to
and manage the distribution of surplus property, and foreign
excess property returned to a State for handling as surplus
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
12
property, owned by the United States under chapter 7 of title
40, United States Code, to small business concerns owned and
controlled by veterans (as verified by the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs under section 8127 of title 38, United States Code) pur-
suant to a memorandum of agreement between the Adminis-
trator, the Administrator of General Services, and the head of
the applicable state agency for surplus properties and in ac-
cordance with section 549 of title 40, United States Code.
(h) BOOTS TO BUSINESS PROGRAM.—
(1) COVERED INDIVIDUAL DEFINED.—In this subsection, the
term ‘‘covered individual’’ means—
(A) a member of the Armed Forces, including the Na-
tional Guard or Reserves;
(B) an individual who is participating in the Transition
Assistance Program established under section 1144 of title
10, United States Code;
(C) an individual who—
(i) served on active duty in any branch of the Armed
Forces, including the National Guard or Reserves; and
(ii) was discharged or released from such service
under conditions other than dishonorable; and
(D) a spouse or dependent of an individual described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—During the period beginning on the
date of enactment of this subsection and ending on September
30, 2028, the Administrator shall carry out a program to be
known as the ‘‘Boots to Business Program’’ to provide entrepre-
neurship training to covered individuals.
(3) GOALS.—The goals of the Boots to Business Program are
to—
(A) provide assistance and in-depth training to covered
individuals interested in business ownership; and
(B) provide covered individuals with the tools, skills, and
knowledge necessary to identify a business opportunity,
draft a business plan, identify sources of capital, connect
with local resources for small business concerns, and start
up a small business concern.
(4) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Boots to Business Program may
include—
(i) a presentation providing exposure to the consider-
ations involved in self-employment and ownership of a
small business concern;
(ii) an online, self-study course focused on the basic
skills of entrepreneurship, the language of business,
and the considerations involved in self-employment
and ownership of a small business concern;
(iii) an in-person classroom instruction component
providing an introduction to the foundations of self em-
ployment and ownership of a small business concern;
and
(iv) in-depth training delivered through online in-
struction, including an online course that leads to the
creation of a business plan.
(B) COLLABORATION.—The Administrator may—
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
13
(i) collaborate with public and private entities to de-
velop course curricula for the Boots to Business Pro-
gram; and
(ii) modify program components in coordination with
entities participating in a Warriors in Transition pro-
gram, as defined in section 738(e) of the National De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C.
1071 note).
(C) USE OF RESOURCE PARTNERS AND DISTRICT OF-
FICES.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall—
(I) ensure that Veteran Business Outreach Cen-
ters regularly participate, on a nationwide basis,
in the Boots to Business Program; and
(II) to the maximum extent practicable, use dis-
trict offices of the Administration and a variety of
other resource partners and entities in admin-
istering the Boots to Business Program.
(ii) GRANT AUTHORITY.—In carrying out clause (i),
the Administrator may make grants to Veteran Busi-
ness Outreach Centers, other resource partners, or
other entities to carry out components of the Boots to
Business Program.
(D) AVAILABILITY TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.—The Administrator shall make
available to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of
Labor information regarding the Boots to Business Pro-
gram, including all course materials and outreach mate-
rials related to the Boots to Business Program, for inclu-
sion on the websites of the Department of Defense and the
Department of Labor relating to the Transition Assistance
Program, in the Transition Assistance Program manual,
and in other relevant materials available for distribution
from the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor.
(E) AVAILABILITY TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS.—In consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Af-
fairs, the Administrator shall make available for distribu-
tion and display on the website of the Department of Vet-
erans Affairs and at local facilities of the Department of
Veterans Affairs outreach materials regarding the Boots to
Business Program, which shall, at a minimum—
(i) describe the Boots to Business Program and the
services provided; and
(ii) include eligibility requirements for participating
in the Boots to Business Program.
(F) AVAILABILITY TO OTHER PARTICIPATING AGENCIES.—
The Administrator shall ensure information regarding the
Boots to Business program, including all course materials
and outreach materials related to the Boots to Business
Program, is made available to other participating agencies
in the Transition Assistance Program and upon request of
other agencies.
(5) COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCEDURES.—The Administration
shall use relevant competitive bidding procedures with respect
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
14
to any contract or cooperative agreement executed by the Ad-
ministration under the Boots to Business Program.
(6) PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY.—Not
later than 30 days before the deadline for submitting applica-
tions for any funding opportunity under the Boots to Business
Program, the Administration shall publish a notice of the fund-
ing opportunity.
(7) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this subsection, and not less frequently than annually
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the
Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives
a report on the performance and effectiveness of the Boots to
Business Program, which—
(A) may be included as part of another report submitted
to such committees by the Administrator related to the Of-
fice of Veterans Business Development; and
(B) shall summarize available information relating to—
(i) grants awarded under paragraph (4)(C);
(ii) the total cost of the Boots to Business Program;
(iii) the number of program participants using each
component of the Boots to Business Program;
(iv) the completion rates for each component of the
Boots to Business Program;
(v) to the extent possible—
(I) the demographics of program participants, to
include gender, age, race, ethnicity, and relation-
ship to military;
(II) the number of program participants that
connect with a district office of the Administration,
a Veteran Business Outreach Center, or another re-
source partner of the Administration;
(III) the number of program participants that
start a small business concern;
(IV) the results of the Boots to Business and
Boots to Business Reboot course quality surveys
conducted by the Office of Veterans Business De-
velopment before and after attending each of those
courses, including a summary of any comments re-
ceived from program participants;
(V) the results of the Boots to Business Program
outcome surveys conducted by the Office of Vet-
erans Business Development, including a summary
of any comments received from program partici-
pants; and
(VI) the results of other germane participant sat-
isfaction surveys;
(C) an evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the Boots
to Business Program based on each geographic region cov-
ered by the Administration during the most recent fiscal
year;
(D) an assessment of additional performance outcome
measures for the Boots to Business Program, as identified
by the Administrator;
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6603 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
15
(E) any recommendations of the Administrator for im-
provement of the Boots to Business Program, which may in-
clude expansion of the types of individuals who are covered
individuals;
(F) an explanation of how the Boots to Business Program
has been integrated with other transition programs and re-
lated resources of the Administration and other Federal
agencies; and
(G) any additional information the Administrator deter-
mines necessary.
* * * * * * *
Æ
VerDate Sep 11 2014 07:37 Jun 07, 2023 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6611 E:\HR\OC\HR098.XXX HR098
File and source
- File
- CRPT-118hrpt98.pdf
- Size
- 644,253 bytes
- SHA-256
- b7f84d83f02b2d83fb95184b97291dd8bded2622e79a4b7208fa9fdf5efb698f
- Our copy
- CRPT-118hrpt98.pdf
- Original
- No public link identified.