The Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration to create and distribute educational materials that help small businesses identify and protect against harmful activities by foreign adversaries. These materials must cover topics such as intellectual property theft, cybersecurity risks, forced labor in supply chains, and the dangers of specific commercial relationships with foreign-controlled entities. The bill requires the agency to review and update these resources annually starting in 2027 to ensure they reflect current threats and best practices. Additionally, if the agency determines that a specific activity poses a significant risk to national or economic security, it must notify the relevant congressional committees about the finding and its justification.
The Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration, in partnership with federal cybersecurity agencies, to create and distribute resources that help small businesses improve their digital security practices. The bill specifically requires the administration to provide guidance on federal cybersecurity compliance standards to small companies seeking government contracts or subcontracting opportunities. This information must be made available through small business development centers, district offices, and the agency's website. Additionally, the Office of Advocacy is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing how many small businesses have contacted them regarding cybersecurity issues.
The Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026 directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive study of existing federal cybersecurity initiatives, tools, and services designed to support small businesses. The investigation will assess how effectively these resources help owners identify cyber risks, prepare for threats, recover from attacks, and secure funding for security measures. Additionally, the study will evaluate the level of awareness among small business owners regarding these programs and examine how well different federal efforts are coordinated with one another. Upon completion, the findings and recommendations for improving these services will be submitted to the relevant congressional committees without authorizing any new spending.
The SBA IT Modernization Reporting Act requires the Small Business Administration to create a detailed plan for updating its information technology systems based on a recent audit report. This plan must outline specific steps to manage project risks, improve scheduling and cost estimates, and ensure security experts are involved in hiring contractors. The agency must submit this implementation plan to Congress within 180 days and provide a briefing on it within 30 days of submission. These measures aim to establish clearer policies for managing technology projects and reducing risks within the SBA.
Tags
Small Business
The Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2026 creates a new grant program to help small businesses purchase technical assistance and services from universities and nonprofit research labs. Under this competitive program, the Small Business Administration will award grants ranging from $15,000 to $75,000 to cover between 50% and 75% of the cost for projects aimed at developing new products or services. To receive funding, small businesses must submit an application detailing their project, and selected recipients are required to report on their results and how the project impacted their business after completion. The legislation authorizes $10 million per year from 2026 through 2030 to fund these grants and covers administrative expenses with up to 5% of the total appropriation.
This bill directs the Small Business Administration to create a plan for disclosing how it uses artificial intelligence in its operations and contracting. The agency must submit this implementation plan to Congress within 45 days of the law's enactment, outlining specific steps to define roles and document AI usage decisions. The requirements are based on a prior government report and existing federal guidelines aimed at increasing transparency in federal AI adoption. Ultimately, the legislation ensures the SBA formally reports its AI strategies and progress to legislative oversight committees.
The SBA Artificial Intelligence Utilization Act of 2026 requires the Small Business Administration to submit annual reports detailing its use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These reports must cover the benefits and risks of this technology, including how it impacts operations, and outline strategies to maintain human oversight in important decisions. Additionally, the bill mandates that the SBA Administrator provide a briefing to congressional committees within 30 days of submitting each report. This legislation directly affects the SBA by establishing a formal process for evaluating and managing the adoption of AI tools within the agency.
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on how federal cybersecurity programs help small businesses protect themselves from digital threats. The investigation will examine the effectiveness of current resources in identifying risks, assessing preparedness, and planning responses to cyberattacks and fraud. Additionally, the study will analyze why some small businesses are unaware of these tools and suggest ways to improve their coordination and accessibility. The final report will be submitted to congressional committees without requesting any new funding for the project.
This bill directs the Department of Commerce to conduct a study on the challenges faced by small U.S. artificial intelligence businesses. The study will examine issues such as access to funding, tax credits, talent recruitment, and the impact of federal policies on these companies. It defines small AI businesses as independently owned U.S. companies with 250 or fewer employees that primarily create or develop AI products or services. The bill requires the Commerce Secretary to consult with relevant agencies and may involve outside experts to gather data and provide recommendations for addressing identified challenges.
This bill improves how federal agencies transition small business innovations from the SBIR/STTR programs into commercial markets. It requires training for government procurement staff on Phase III (commercialization) processes, including how to use Phase III agreements and sole-source contracts. The bill also mandates agencies to actively promote transitioning SBIR/STTR-developed products to Phase III and simplifies award procedures by requiring standardized contracts and reporting on streamlined processes. It directly affects small businesses participating in SBIR/STTR programs and federal agencies managing these contracts.
Tags
Small Business
