NATIONAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL PROCUREMENT PROJECT.

SEC. 306. NATIONAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL PROCUREMENT PROJECT. The Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by inserting after section 408 the following: “SEC. 409. NATIONAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL PROCUREMENT PROJECT. “(a) Federal Procurement Study.— “(1) In general.— During the first fiscal year for which amounts are made available to carry out this section, the Council shall conduct a study on the award of Federal prime contracts and subcontracts to women-owned businesses, which study shall include— “(A) an analysis of data collected by Federal agencies on contract awards to women-owned businesses; “(B) a determination of the degree to which individual Federal agencies are in compliance with the 5 percent women-owned business procurement goal established by section 15(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)(1)); 111 STAT. 2611 “(C) a determination of the types and amounts of Federal contracts characteristically awarded to women-owned businesses; and “(D) other relevant information relating to participation of women-owned businesses in Federal procurement. “(2) Submission of results.— Not later than 12 months after initiating the study under paragraph (1), the Council shall submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to the President, the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1). “(b) Best Practices Report.— Not later than 18 months after initiating the study under subsection (a)(1), the Council shall submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to the President, a report, which shall include— “(1) an analysis of the most successful practices in attracting women-owned businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors by— “(A) Federal agencies (as supported by findings from the study required under subsection (a)(1)) in Federal procurement awards; and “(B) the private sector; and “(2) recommendations for policy changes in Federal procurement practices, including an increase in the Federal procurement goal for women-owned businesses, in order to maximize the number of women-owned businesses performing Federal contracts. “(c) Contract Authority.— In conducting any study or other research under this section, the Council may contract with 1 or more public or private entities.”.