Plain Language in Contracting Act
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Would require federal agencies to write contracting opportunity notices for small businesses in plain, clear, and concise language, and to include searchable keywords so small businesses can more easily find relevant opportunities on the government-wide contracting portal.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require that every federal contracting notice aimed at small businesses be written in a way that is clear, concise, and well-organized, so that a small business can easily understand the notice's intent. Agencies would also be required, to the maximum extent practicable, to include relevant keywords in notice descriptions so that small businesses searching the government-wide contracting portal (SAM.gov) can more easily identify and understand relevant opportunities. The Small Business Administration would be directed to issue implementing rules within 90 days of enactment.
The bill would not authorize any additional federal funding to carry out its requirements. It defines "covered notice" as a small-business-related notice published by a federal agency on the single government-wide contracting portal, and it incorporates existing Small Business Act definitions of "federal agency" and "small business concern."
Key provisions
- 1Would require every federal contracting notice for small businesses to be written in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner that small businesses can easily understand.
- 2Would require agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to include searchable keywords in notice descriptions so small businesses can easily identify opportunities on the government-wide contracting portal.
- 3Would direct the SBA Administrator to issue rules implementing the plain-language requirements within 90 days of enactment.
- 4Would expressly prohibit the authorization of any additional federal funds to carry out the Act's requirements.
Who would be affected
Small businesses seeking federal contract opportunities on SAM.gov, the government-wide contracting portal. Federal agencies that publish contracting notices would be required to revise how they write those notices. The Small Business Administration would bear the primary compliance burden of issuing implementing rules.
Why it matters
Small businesses often struggle to parse dense, jargon-heavy federal contracting notices and may miss opportunities suited to them. If enacted, agencies would be legally obligated to write plain-language notices with searchable keywords, reducing the search and comprehension burden on small-business owners who lack dedicated procurement staff.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- SBA must issue implementing rules by this deadline
Funding and costs
- No additional funds authorized
No additional appropriations provided to carry out the Act's requirements
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 787, the Plain Language in Contracting Act, would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
CBO estimates that H.R. 787 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, based on the cost of similar administrative activities. The bill would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue rules mandating that notices of contracting opportunities for small businesses be written in a clear and concise manner, consistent with the plain language guidelines of the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Any spending to implement the bill would be discretionary — meaning it depends on funds that Congress appropriates — and is not expected to have a significant effect on the federal deficit. CBO did not identify any intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How implementation would work
The SBA Administrator must issue implementing rules within 90 days of enactment, establishing standards for what constitutes clear, concise, and well-organized language in covered notices. Federal agencies publishing contracting notices on the government-wide portal would then be bound by those rules. The bill sets no enforcement mechanism beyond the rulemaking requirement and does not authorize new appropriations, so compliance would depend on SBA guidance and existing agency accountability structures.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Official CRS summary
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This bill requires that notices of contracting opportunities for small businesses are written in a clear, concise, and accessible manner.
Each notice also must comply with the requirements of the Plain Writing Act of 2010, which are applicable to publications and notices by federal agencies.
The Small Business Administration must issue rules to implement these requirements.
Legislative subjects
Commerce; Public contracts and procurement; Small business
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-34