US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 13556

Disadvantaged business enterprises

(a)

General rule

section 3016 of title 10To the extent practicable, the head of each agency shall provide that the obligation of not less than 10 percent of the total combined amounts obligated for contracts and subcontracts by each agency under this Act and amendments made by this Act pursuant to competitive procedures within the meaning of either division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41, or chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in ), shall be expended either with—
(1)
small business concerns controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or women;
(2)
historically Black colleges and universities;
(3)
colleges and universities having a student body in which more than 20 percent of the students are Hispanic Americans or Native Americans; or
(4)
qualified HUBZone small business concerns.
(b)

Definitions

For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1)
section 632 of title 15 The term “small business concern” has the meaning such term has under . However, for purposes of contracts and subcontracts requiring engineering services the applicable size standard shall be that established for military and aerospace equipment and military weapons.
(2)
section 637(d) of title 15 The term “socially and economically disadvantaged individuals” has the meaning such term has under and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(3)
1
1 See References in Text note below.
The term “qualified HUBZone small business concern” has the meaning given that term in section 632(p)  of title 15.

Pub. L. 102–486, title XXX, § 3021106 Stat. 3133 Pub. L. 105–135, title VI, § 604(g)111 Stat. 2634 Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(j)(6)135 Stat. 2159 (, , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 102–486106 Stat. 2776 section 13201 of this titleThis Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is , , , known as the Energy Policy Act of 1992. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Section 632(p) of title 15section 657a(b) of Title 15Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(a)(2)131 Stat. 1795 , referred to in subsec. (b)(3), was redesignated , Commerce and Trade, by , , .

Codification

41 U.S.C. 251Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c)124 Stat. 3854 In subsec. (a), “division C (except sections 3302, 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41” substituted for “the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( et seq.)” on authority of , , , which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–81section 3016 of title 102021—Subsec. (a). substituted “chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in )” for “chapter 137 of title 10”.

Pub. L. 105–135, § 604(g)(1)1997—Subsec. (a)(4). , added par. (4).

Pub. L. 105–135, § 604(g)(2)Subsec. (b)(3). , added par. (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–135section 3 of Pub. L. 105–135section 631 of Title 15Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under , Commerce and Trade.