Agency outreach to rural communities

(a) Agency outreach Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended— (1) in subsection (j), by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (5) Modification relating to rural outreach Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require each Federal agency participating in the SBIR program to enhance the outreach efforts of such Federal agency to rural communities to increase the participation of small businesses concerns located in rural communities in the SBIR program, including by ensuring that such Federal agency— (A) conducts outreach efforts with respect to the SBIR program in rural communities; and (B) when such Federal agency conducts such outreach in an area served by a small business development center, coordinates with such small business development center. (6) Modification relating to rural outreach Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require the Administration to place a special emphasis on small business concerns in rural areas when conducting outreach related to the SBIR program, including by ensuring that the Administration includes outreach efforts in rural communities carried out by the Administration with respect to the SBIR program.; and (2) in subsection (p), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) Modification relating to rural outreach Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy directive issued pursuant to this subsection to require each Federal agency participating in the STTR program to enhance the outreach efforts of such Federal agency to rural communities to increase the participation of small businesses concerns located in rural communities in the STTR program, including by ensuring that such Federal agency— (A) conducts outreach efforts with respect to the STTR program in rural communities; and (B) when such Federal agency conducts such outreach in an area served by a small business development center, coordinates with such small business development center. (5) Modification relating to rural outreach Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy directive issued pursuant to this subsection to require the Administration to place a special emphasis on small business concerns in rural areas when conducting outreach related to the STTR program, including by ensuring that the Administration includes outreach efforts in rural communities carried out by the Administration with respect to the STTR program.. (b) Modification of current directives Section 9(j)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)(2)), as amended by section 202(4)(B), is amended by revising subparagraph (F) to read as follows: (F) enhanced outreach efforts to increase the participation of small business concerns that have never participated in Federal research and development to develop innovative technologies, with a special emphasis on small business concerns in rural areas;.