PARTNERS Act

House Bill

H.R. 5297

119th Congress

PARTNERS Act

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 11, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Dina Titus

Representative

Democratic

NV-1

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill would require the Department of Defense to consider the past performance of a small business's affiliates when evaluating their contract proposals. This change would allow small businesses to benefit from the experience of companies they are connected to, making it easier for them to win government contracts.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would require the Department of Defense to consider the past performance of a small business's affiliates when evaluating their contract proposals. This change would allow small businesses to benefit from the experience of companies they are connected to, making it easier for them to win government contracts.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Defense Small Business Past Performance Consideration Act of 2023   This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to amend a section of the DOD supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulations concerning the evaluation of proposals for DOD contracts and a small business offeror's past performance. Under the revised regulation, DOD contracting officers evaluating a bid from a small business concern must (1) consider the past performance information of the concern's affiliates as the past performance of the concern, and (2) ensure that only the past performance information of such affiliates during the preceding nine-year period is considered as the past performance of the concern.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires the Department of Defense to consider a small business's affiliates' past performance when evaluating their contract proposals
Allows small businesses to use the experience of companies they are connected to when bidding on government contracts
Aims to make it easier for small businesses to win Department of Defense contracts

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would primarily benefit small businesses that work with or are affiliated with other companies. It would make it easier for them to demonstrate relevant past performance and qualify for lucrative government contracts with the Department of Defense. This could help small businesses grow and create more jobs in communities across the country.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

5297, 119th Congress (2025). "PARTNERS Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5297