Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today introduced a jobs bill that will help small- and medium-sized businesses grow by equipping them with tools to compete for federal, state and local government contracts. Larsen’s bill would lower costs and increase funding for Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) which help businesses meet requirements for government contracts.

“My top priority is to invest in the foundation of long-term economic growth that creates jobs and opportunity in the Pacific Northwest,” Larsen said. “This bill will help more Washington companies compete for government contracts, letting them hire more workers.

“Small- and medium-sized businesses often provide the best products at the lowest costs. Because of complex contracting requirements, these businesses often need assistance to compete for government projects. My bill will allow Procurement Technical Assistance Centers to help more businesses compete for government contracts.

“This bill is a real twofer. It will help companies grow and create jobs, and it will get the best products at the lowest costs to federal, state and local agencies."

Washington PTAC has helped more than 2,200 businesses secure $222 million in government contracts and subcontracts since 2011, creating or retaining thousands of jobs. Washington PTAC runs seven local centers around the state, including through the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County which serves Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties, and the Thurston Economic Development Council which serves Island and San Juan counties.

PTACs are jointly funded by the Defense Logistics Agency and local match funds. Larsen’s bill would lower the local cost-share requirements for PTACs from 50 percent to 35 percent. It would also increase federal funding for the programs, raising the cap on funding for statewide programs from $600,000 to $750,000 and the cap for regional programs from $300,000 to $450,000.

The text of the bill is available here.