Tribal Consultation for HUBZone Program Updates and Clarifications and Potential Reforms

Federal Register :: Tribal Consultation for HUBZone Program Updates and Clarifications and Potential Reforms

AGENCY:

U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION:

Notification of Tribal consultation meeting; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency) announces that it is holding a Tribal consultation meeting in Washington, DC, concerning forthcoming proposed revisions to the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program regulations. The proposed rule would amend the 8(a) Business Development (BD) and size regulations to clarify certain policies. Additionally, SBA requests comments and input on how best to implement the Executive order entitled “Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations To Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination,” which, among other things, calls on agencies to increase the accessibility, equity, flexibility, and utility of Federal funding and support programs for Tribal Nations. SBA is also seeking comments on prospective policy changes addressing joint venture participation in SBA’s programs. Testimony presented at this Tribal consultation will become part of the administrative record for SBA’s consideration when the Agency deliberates on approaches to changes in the HUBZone and 8(a) BD program regulations.

DATES:

The meeting is Monday, September 23, 2024, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Pre-registration for this Tribal consultation meeting is requested by September 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Meeting Locations:

1. The in-person Tribal consultation meeting in Washington, DC will be held at SBA Headquarters, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416.
2. The virtual portion of the Tribal consultation meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. A subscription to Microsoft Teams is not required to participate. SBA will provide further information, including a direct invitation link to the meeting, upon registration.

Commenters and attendees may participate in-person or remotely at this consultation meeting.

Pre-registration: Send pre-registration requests to attend and/or testify to Chequita Carter of SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416; Chequita.Carter@sba.gov; or Facsimile to (202) 481-2177.

Comments: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

• Email: to Jackson S. Brossy, Assistant Administrator, Office of Native American Affairs, U.S. Small Business Administration, at tribalconsultation@sba.gov.
• Mail (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): to Jackson S. Brossy, Assistant Administrator, Office of Native American Affairs, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416.