Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) and Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) introduced the Project Spectrum Authorization Act. Project Spectrum, a program that operates within the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Information, aims to improve cybersecurity readiness, resiliency, and compliance for small and medium sized businesses looking to contract with the Department of Defense. This legislation would formally authorize Project Spectrum into law, ensuring that it has the stability and continuity needed to continue to support small businesses.

“In an increasingly digital world, it’s critical to ensure our small businesses and other institutions are equipped to address any cyber threat,” said Congresswoman Ross. “By providing small businesses with the necessary cybersecurity training, congressional authorization of Project Spectrum will create more resilient supply chains, bolster our national security, and drive innovation and competition. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Congressman Joyce, and I will keep fighting to see it signed into law.”

“Small businesses have had increasing difficulty in securing contracts from the federal government, specifically the Department of Defense, due to complicated, but necessary, requirements,” said Congressman Joyce. “This legislation will help small businesses fulfill these requirements by providing the cybersecurity information, tools and training necessary to comply with Defense Department contracting standards. This will allow smaller U.S. operators in Ohio and across the country to better compete with large corporations for federal contracts and funding.”

Background:

• In 2020, the federal government spent just 26% of its contracting budget on small businesses, and the number of small businesses receiving contracts from the federal government continues to plummet. 

• According to National Equity Atlas, many small and medium-sized enterprises miss out of contracting opportunities with the federal government because they struggle to meet the necessary qualifications and requirements enforced by the federal government on prospective contractors. 

• Due to complicated, albeit necessary, cybersecurity and clearance requirements, fewer small and medium sized businesses are receiving contracts from the Pentagon. 

• Project Spectrum was stood-up in part to assist small and medium sized businesses with meeting the cybersecurity requirements necessary to be considered in the DoD contracting process.