H.R. 5977: Common Repository for Small Businesses Act

This bill, titled the Common Repository for Small Businesses Act, aims to establish a centralized system for collecting and managing information about suppliers that are seeking to provide products or services to the Department of Defense (DoD). The main points of the bill are as follows:

Establishment of a Supplier Repository

The bill requires the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy to create a repository of supplier information within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This repository will help facilitate the initial vetting of contractors who want to qualify as suppliers for the DoD.

Purpose of the Repository

The repository is intended to help streamline the process of qualification for suppliers by allowing them to provide necessary information in a single location, rather than needing to submit similar data to multiple prime contractors. This is expected to reduce the redundant efforts and time required by potential suppliers, making it easier for them to enter the defense supply chain.

Coordinated Efforts with Other Programs

The creation of the repository is to be conducted in collaboration with the Office of Small Business Programs within the DoD. This initiative will support various efforts aimed at:

• Conducting market research
• Enhancing supply chain resiliency
• Improving cybersecurity
• Providing secure cloud tools for procurement assistance

Public-Private Partnerships

The Assistant Secretary of Defense may also enter into cooperative agreements with contractors to establish this repository. This partnership is envisioned to:

• Reduce duplicative efforts in information gathering
• Cut down on the time required for suppliers to qualify
• Lower the costs involved for prime contractors in assessing potential suppliers

Summary

Overall, the bill seeks to create an efficient, centralized system that allows for easier access to supplier information for the Department of Defense, ultimately supporting the inclusion of small businesses in defense-related contracting by simplifying the qualification process.

Relevant Companies

• BA (Boeing Co.): As a major defense contractor, Boeing may find the repository beneficial for streamlining its supplier qualification processes.
• RTX (Raytheon Technologies Corp.): This company could leverage the repository to manage its extensive supply chain more efficiently.
• LMT (Lockheed Martin Corp.): Lockheed Martin might see reduced input requirements from suppliers due to the repository.