Small Business Size Regulations; 8(a) Business Development/Small Disadvantaged Business Status Determinations; Rules of Procedure Governing Cases Before the Office of Hearings and Appeals

In response to President Clinton's government-wide regulatory reform initiative, the Small Business Administration (SBA) amends both the eligibility requirements for, and contractual assistance provisions within, the SBA's 8(a) Business Development (8(a) BD) program. This final rule changes the name of the program from the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development program to the 8(a) BD program to better reflect the purpose of the program. This rule streamlines the operation of the 8(a) BD program, eases certain restrictions perceived to be burdensome on Program Participants, clarifies certain eligibility requirements, and deletes obsolete regulations.