Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards (59.053)
Program
59.053 Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards
Federal Agency
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Authorization
Small Business Regulatory Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, (March 29, 1996); 5 U.S.C. 601 note; H.R. 3136.
Program Number
59.053
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To serve the small business community by receiving comments from small businesses, small non-profit organizations or small government entities (representing less than 50,000 people) regarding unfair and/or excessive actions by Federal Agencies or Agency employees conducting compliance or enforcement activities.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Received comments may be confidential or not and be discussed with appropriate Federal Agency personnel to seek a timely response to an excessive and/or unfair Federal regulatory issue. Hold Hearings throughout the US to receive testimony and commentary from small entities about unfair and/or excessive Federal regulatory enforcement actions. Comments are also received online, by fax, mail or personal delivery.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Small businesses, small non-profit organizations or small government entities (representing less than 50,000 people).
Beneficiary Eligibility
The Ombudsman's actions are designed to assist not only those who seek direct assistance but all other similarly situated small entities.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Submit SBA Form 1993.
Award Procedure
Not applicable .
Deadlines
None .
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
As needed.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Based upon substantiated comments received from small business concerns and the Boards, annually report to Congress and affected Federal Agencies evaluating the enforcement activities of Agency personnel, including a rating of the responsiveness to small business of the various regional and program offices of each agency.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
Presented in each annual report to Congress.
Financial Information
Account Identification
73-0100-0-1-376.
Obligations
FY 04 $1,469,000; FY 05 $1,270,000; FY 06 $1,407,000 .
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Michael L. Barrera, National Ombudsman, Office of the National Ombudsman, 409 Third Street, SW, Washington, DC 20416.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
