SDB price break expires

The price adjustment of up to 10 percent that small, disadvantaged businesses could get on their bids to civilian agencies lapsed in December, but there is little hand wringing among small businesses.

The lapse is "is not a significant blow, because the authority was way underutilized," said a spokesman for the Latin American Management Association, which represents the Hispanic and minority business communities.

The group will urge Congress to reinstate the provision this year, but for now there is no ready-made vehicle to attach it to because SBA reauthorization has passed.

The Defense Department, NASA and the Coast Guard still can apply an adjustment under a separate law.