Reading Room Document

Eligibility of Community Development Corporations to Participate in Small Business Administration Procurement Programs

This document addresses a disagreement between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Community Services Administration (CSA) regarding the eligibility of community development corporations (CDCs) for participation in government procurement programs. The conclusion reached in the document is that the two statutes governing SBA and CSA activities can be reconciled to allow CDCs to participate in SBA programs. The document presents questions related to the statutory construction of the SBA and CSA legislation, as well as the interpretation of the definition of "socially and economically disadvantaged" organizations and the ownership requirement for participation in SBA programs. It also raises the issue of the Small Business Administrator's obligation to confer with the Director of CSA and prescribe regulations to ensure the availability of SBA programs to CDCs.

October 23, 1979