Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center Program

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). Supports minority-owned businesses through business centers offering technical assistance and access to capital.

15 USC Ch. 120: MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 2018 Ed. and Supplement V (1/3/2024) 2018 Ed.

and Supplement IV (1/5/2023) 2018 Ed. and Supplement III (1/3/2022) 2018 Ed. and Supplement II (1/13/2021) 2018 Ed.

and Supplement I (1/24/2020) 2018 Main Ed. (1/14/2019) 2012 Ed. and Supplement V (1/12/2018) 2012 Ed.

and Supplement IV (1/6/2017) 2012 Ed. and Supplement III (1/3/2016) 2012 Ed. and Supplement II (1/5/2015) 2012 Ed.

and Supplement I (1/16/2014) 2012 Main Ed. (1/15/2013) 2006 Ed. and Supplement V (1/3/2012) 2006 Ed.

and Supplement IV (1/7/2011) 2006 Ed. and Supplement III (2/1/2010) 2006 Ed. and Supplement II (1/5/2009) 2006 Ed.

and Supplement I (1/8/2008) 2000 Ed. and Supplement V (1/2/2006) 2000 Ed. and Supplement IV (1/3/2005) 2000 Ed.

and Supplement III (1/19/2004) 2000 Ed. and Supplement II (1/6/2003) 2000 Ed. and Supplement I (1/22/2002) 1994 Ed.

and Supplement V (1/23/2000) 1994 Ed. and Supplement IV (1/5/1999) 1994 Ed. and Supplement III (1/26/1998) 1994 Ed.

and Supplement II (1/6/1997) 1994 Ed. and Supplement I (1/16/1996) 15 USC Ch. 120 : MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT From Title 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT --> CHAPTER 120 —MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Minority Business Development Agency.

SUBCHAPTER I—EXISTING INITIATIVES Part A—Market Development, Research, and Information Private sector development. Public sector development. Research and information.

Part B—Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program Grants and cooperative agreements. Minimizing disruptions to existing MBDA Business Center program. SUBCHAPTER II—NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY FOR MINORITY BUSINESSES Annual diverse business forum on capital formation.

Agency study on alternative financing solutions. Educational development relating to management and entrepreneurship. SUBCHAPTER III—RURAL MINORITY BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM SUBCHAPTER IV—MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS Grants to nonprofit organizations that support minority business enterprises.

SUBCHAPTER V—MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ADVISORY COUNCIL SUBCHAPTER VI—FEDERAL COORDINATION OF MINORITY BUSINESS PROGRAMS Participation of Federal departments and agencies. SUBCHAPTER VII—ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF THE AGENCY; MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Review and report by Comptroller General. Biannual reports; recommendations.

Authorization of appropriations. CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @!

Sec. 9501 --> The term "Agency" means the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce. (2) Community-based organization The term "community-based organization" has the meaning given the term in section 7801 of title 20 .

Except as otherwise expressly provided, the term "eligible entity"— (i) a private sector entity; (ii) a public sector entity; or (iii) a Native entity; and (B) includes an institution of higher education. The term "Federal agency" has the meaning given the term "agency" in section 551 of title 5 .

(5) Federally recognized area of economic distress The term "federally recognized area of economic distress" means— (A) a HUBZone, as that term is defined in section 657a(b) of this title ; (i) has been designated as— (I) an empowerment zone under section 1391 of title 26 ; or (II) a Promise Zone by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; or (ii) is a low or moderate income area, as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (C) a qualified opportunity zone, as that term is defined in section 1400Z–1 of title 26 ; or (D) any other political subdivision or unincorporated area of a State determined by the Under Secretary to be an area of economic distress.

(6) Institution of higher education The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given the term in section 1001 of title 20 . The term "MBDA Business Center" means a business center that— (A) is established by the Agency; and (B) provides technical business assistance to minority business enterprises consistent with the requirements of this chapter.

(8) MBDA Business Center agreement The term "MBDA Business Center agreement" means a legal instrument— (A) reflecting a relationship between the Agency and the recipient of a Federal assistance award that is the subject of the instrument; and (B) that establishes the terms by which the recipient described in subparagraph (A) shall operate an MBDA Business Center.

(9) Minority business enterprise The term "minority business enterprise" means a business enterprise— (i) that is not less than 51 percent-owned by 1 or more socially or economically disadvantaged individuals; and (ii) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by 1 or more socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.

Nothing in subparagraph (A) may be construed to exclude a business enterprise from qualifying as a "minority business enterprise" under that subparagraph because of— (i) the status of the business enterprise as a for-profit or not-for-profit enterprise; or (ii) the annual revenue of the business enterprise.

The term "Native entity" means— (B) an Alaska Native village or Regional or Village Corporation, as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( 43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ); (C) a Native Hawaiian organization, as that term is defined in section 7517 of title 20 ; (D) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; and (E) the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

(11) Private sector entity The term "private sector entity"— (A) means an entity that is not a public sector entity; and (i) the Federal Government; (ii) any Federal agency; or (iii) any instrumentality of the Federal Government.

(12) Public sector entity The term "public sector entity" means— (B) an agency of a State; (C) a political subdivision of a State; (D) an agency of a political subdivision of a State; or The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce.

(14) Socially or economically disadvantaged business concern The term "socially or economically disadvantaged business concern" means a for-profit business enterprise— (A)(i) that is not less than 51 percent owned by 1 or more socially or economically disadvantaged individuals; or (ii) that is socially or economically disadvantaged; or (B) the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by 1 or more socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.

(15) Socially or economically disadvantaged individual The term "socially or economically disadvantaged individual" means an individual who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias (or the ability of whom to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities, as compared to others in the same line of business and competitive market area) because of the identity of the individual as a member of a group, without regard to any individual quality of the individual that is unrelated to that identity.

In carrying out this chapter, the Under Secretary shall presume that the term "socially or economically disadvantaged individual" includes any individual who is— (i) Black or African American; (iii) American Indian or Alaska Native; (v) Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; or (vi) a member of a group that the Agency determines under part 1400 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on November 23, 1984, is a socially disadvantaged group eligible to receive assistance.

The term "specialty center" means an MBDA Business Center that provides specialty services focusing on specific business needs, including assistance relating to— (D) technology transfer; or (E) any other area determined necessary or appropriate based on the priorities of the Agency.

(A) each of the States of the United States; (B) the District of Columbia; (C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; (D) the United States Virgin Islands; (G) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and (H) each Tribal Government.

The term "Tribal Government" means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently as of November 15, 2021, pursuant to section 5131 of title 25 .

The term "Under Secretary" means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, who is appointed as described in section ______3(b) 1 to administer this chapter. div. K, §100002, Nov.

15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1445 .) This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this division", meaning div.

K of Pub. L. 117–58, Nov.

15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1445 , which is classified prinicpally to this chapter. For complete classification of division K to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in par. (10)(B), is Pub. L.

92–203, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688 , which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§1601 et seq.)

of Title 43 , Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of Title 43 and Tables. Section ______3(b), referred to in par.

(19), probably means subsec. (b) of section 100003 of Pub. L.

117–58, which is classified to section 9502 of this title . Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries div. K, §100001, Nov.

15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1445 , provided that: "This division [enacting this chapter and amending section 5314 of Title 5 , Government Organization and Employees] may be cited as the 'Minority Business Development Act of 2021'." 1 So in original.

See References in Text note below. CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @!

Sec. 9502 --> §9502. Minority Business Development Agency There is within the Department of Commerce the Minority Business Development Agency.

(1) Appointment and duties The Agency shall be headed by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, who shall— (A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; (B) except as otherwise expressly provided, be responsible for the administration of this chapter; and (C) report directly to the Secretary.

The Under Secretary shall be compensated at an annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5 . Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Director of the Agency shall be deemed to be a reference to the Under Secretary.

Not later than 120 days after November 15, 2021, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes— (1) the organizational structure of the Agency; (2) the organizational position of the Agency within the Department of Commerce; and (3) a description of how the Agency shall function in relation to the operations carried out by each other component of the Department of Commerce.

(d) Office of Business Centers There is established within the Agency the Office of Business Centers. The Office of Business Centers shall be administered by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Under Secretary.

(e) Offices of the Agency In addition to the regional offices that the Under Secretary is required to establish under paragraph (2), the Under Secretary shall establish such other offices within the Agency as are necessary to carry out this chapter. In order to carry out this chapter, the Under Secretary shall establish a regional office of the Agency for each of the regions of the United States, as determined by the Under Secretary.

Each regional office established under subparagraph (A) shall expand the reach of the Agency and enable the Federal Government to better serve the needs of minority business enterprises in the region served by the office, including by— (i) understanding and participating in the business environment of that region; (I) MBDA Business Centers that are located in that region; (II) resource and lending partners of other appropriate Federal agencies that are located in that region; and (III) Federal, State, and local procurement offices that are located in that region; (iii) being aware of business retention or expansion programs that are specific to that region; (iv) seeking out opportunities to collaborate with regional public and private programs that focus on minority business enterprises; and (v) promoting business continuity and preparedness.

div. K, §100003, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat.

1448 .) This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(B) and (e)(1), (2)(A), was in the original "this division", meaning div.

K of Pub. L. 117–58, Nov.

15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1445 , which is classified prinicpally to this chapter. For complete classification of division K to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9501 of this title and Tables.

Section is comprised of section 100003 of Pub. L. 117–58 .

Subsec. (b)(2)(B) of section 100003 amended section 5314 of Title 5 , Government Organization and Employees. CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT!

@! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES --> SUBCHAPTER I—EXISTING INITIATIVES CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @!

SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES! @! Part A-Market Development, Research, and Information --> Part A—Market Development, Research, and Information CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT!

@! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES! @!

Part A-Market Development, Research, and Information! @! Sec.

9511 --> §9511.

Private sector development The Under Secretary shall, whenever the Under Secretary determines such action is necessary or appropriate— (1) provide Federal assistance to minority business enterprises operating in domestic and foreign markets by making available to those business enterprises, either directly or in cooperation with private sector entities, including community-based organizations and national nonprofit organizations— (A) resources relating to management; (B) technological and technical assistance; (C) financial, legal, and marketing services; and (D) services relating to workforce development; (2) encourage minority business enterprises to establish joint ventures and projects— (A) with other minority business enterprises; or (B) in cooperation with public sector entities or private sector entities, including community-based organizations and national nonprofit organizations, to increase the share of any market activity being performed by minority business enterprises; and (3) facilitate the efforts of private sector entities and Federal agencies to advance the growth of minority business enterprises.

div. K, title I, §100101, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat.

1449 .) CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @!

SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES! @! Part A-Market Development, Research, and Information!

@! Sec. 9512 --> §9512.

Public sector development The Under Secretary shall, whenever the Under Secretary determines such action is necessary or appropriate— (1) consult and cooperate with public sector entities for the purpose of leveraging resources available in the jurisdictions of those public sector entities to promote the position of minority business enterprises in the local economies of those public sector entities, including by assisting public sector entities to establish or enhance— (A) programs to procure goods and services through minority business enterprises and goals for that procurement; (B) programs offering assistance relating to— (iv) financing, including accounting; (vi) workforce development; and (C) informational programs designed to inform minority business enterprises located in the jurisdictions of those public sector entities about the availability of programs described in this section; (2) meet with leaders and officials of public sector entities for the purpose of recommending and promoting local administrative and legislative initiatives needed to advance the position of minority business enterprises in the local economies of those public sector entities; and (3) facilitate the efforts of public sector entities and Federal agencies to advance the growth of minority business enterprises.

div. K, title I, §100102, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat.

1450 .) CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @!

SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES! @! Part A-Market Development, Research, and Information!

@! Sec. 9513 --> §9513.

Research and information In order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, the Under Secretary— (A) collect and analyze data, including data relating to the causes of the success or failure of minority business enterprises; (B) conduct research, studies, and surveys of— (i) economic conditions generally in the United States; and (ii) how the conditions described in clause (i) particularly affect the development of minority business enterprises; and (C) provide outreach, educational services, and technical assistance in, at a minimum, the 5 most commonly spoken languages in the United States to ensure that limited English proficient individuals receive culturally and linguistically appropriate access to the services and information provided by the Agency; and (2) may perform an evaluation of programs carried out by the Under Secretary that are designed to assist the development of minority business enterprises.

(b) Information clearinghouse The Under Secretary shall— (1) establish and maintain an information clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination to relevant parties (including business owners and researchers) of demographic, economic, financial, managerial, and technical data relating to minority business enterprises; and (2) take such steps as the Under Secretary may determine to be necessary and desirable to— (A) search for, collect, classify, coordinate, integrate, record, and catalog the data described in paragraph (1); and (B) in a manner that is consistent with section 552a of title 5 , protect the privacy of the minority business enterprises to which the data described in paragraph (1) relates.

div. K, title I, §100103, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat.

1450 .) This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original "this division", meaning div.

K of Pub. L. 117–58, Nov.

15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1445 , which is classified prinicpally to this chapter. For complete classification of division K to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9501 of this title and Tables.

CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES!

@! Part B-Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program --> Part B—Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @!

SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES! @! Part B-Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program!

@! Sec. 9521 --> In this part, the term "MBDA Business Center Program" means the program established under section ______113.

1 div. K, title I, §100111, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat.

1451 .) Section ______113, referred to in text, probably means section 100113 of Pub. L.

117–58, which is classified to section 9523 of this title . 1 So in original. See References in Text note below.

CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES!

@! Part B-Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program! @!

Sec. 9522 --> The purpose of the MBDA Business Center Program shall be to create a national network of public-private partnerships that— (1) assist minority business enterprises in— (A) accessing capital, contracts, and grants; and (B) creating and maintaining jobs; (2) provide counseling and mentoring to minority business enterprises; and (3) facilitate the growth of minority business enterprises by promoting trade. div.

K, title I, §100112, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1451 .)

CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES!

@! Part B-Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program! @!

Sec. 9523 --> §9523.

Establishment There is established in the Agency a program— (1) that shall be known as the MBDA Business Center Program; (2) that shall be separate and distinct from the efforts of the Under Secretary under section ______101; 1 and (3) under which the Under Secretary shall make Federal assistance awards to eligible entities to operate MBDA Business Centers, which shall, in accordance with section ______114, 1 provide technical assistance and business development services, or specialty services, to minority business enterprises.

The Under Secretary shall take all necessary actions to ensure that the MBDA Business Center Program, in accordance with section ______114, 1 offers the services described in subsection (a)(3) in all regions of the United States. div. K, title I, §100113, Nov.

15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1451 .) Section ______101, referred to in subsec.

(a)(2), probably means section 100101 of Pub. L. 117–58, which is classified to section 9511 of this title .

Section ______114, referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and (b), probably means section 100114 of Pub. L.

117–58, which is classified to section 9524 of this title . 1 So in original. See References in Text note below.

CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES!

@! Part B-Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program! @!

Sec. 9524 --> §9524.

Grants and cooperative agreements An MBDA Business Center (referred to in this part as a "Center"), with respect to the Federal financial assistance award made to operate the Center under the MBDA Business Center Program— (A) provide to minority business enterprises programs and services determined to be appropriate by the Under Secretary, which may include— (i) referral services to meet the needs of minority business enterprises; and (ii) programs and services to accomplish the goals described in section ______101(1); 1 (B) develop, cultivate, and maintain a network of strategic partnerships with organizations that foster access by minority business enterprises to economic markets, capital, or contracts; (C) continue to upgrade and modify the services provided by the Center, as necessary, in order to meet the changing and evolving needs of the business community; (D) establish or continue a referral relationship with not less than 1 community-based organization; and (E) collaborate with other Centers; and (2) in providing programs and services under the applicable MBDA Business Center agreement, may— (A) operate on a fee-for-service basis; or (B) generate income through the collection of— (ii) membership fees; and (iii) any other appropriate fees proposed by the Center in the application submitted by the Center under subsection (e).

Subject to subsection (g)(3), the term of an MBDA Business Center agreement shall be not less than 3 years. The amount of financial assistance provided by the Under Secretary under an MBDA Business Center agreement shall be not less than $250,000 for the term of the agreement.

A Center shall match not less than 1/3 of the amount of the financial assistance awarded to the Center under the terms of the applicable MBDA Business Center agreement, unless the Under Secretary determines that a waiver of that requirement is necessary after a demonstration by the Center of a substantial need for that waiver.

A Center may meet the matching requirement under subparagraph (A) by using— (i) cash or in-kind contributions, without regard to whether the contribution is made by a third party; or (ii) Federal funds received from other Federal programs.

(3) Use of financial assistance and program income (A) all financial assistance awarded to the Center under the applicable MBDA Business Center agreement to carry out subsection (a); and (B) all income that the Center generates in carrying out subsection (a)— (i) to meet the matching requirement under paragraph (2) of this subsection; and (ii) if the Center meets the matching requirement under paragraph (2) of this subsection, to carry out subsection (a).

(d) Criteria for selection The Under Secretary shall— (1) establish criteria that— (A) the Under Secretary shall use in determining whether to enter into an MBDA Business Center agreement with an eligible entity; and (B) may include criteria relating to whether an eligible entity is located in— (i) an area, the population of which is composed of not less than 51 percent socially or economically disadvantaged individuals, as determined in accordance with data collected by the Bureau of the Census; (ii) a federally recognized area of economic distress; or (iii) a State that is underserved with respect to the MBDA Business Center Program, as defined by the Under Secretary; and (2) make the criteria and standards established under paragraph (1) publicly available, including— (A) on the website of the Agency; and (B) in each Notice of Funding Opportunity soliciting MBDA Business Center agreements.

An eligible entity desiring to enter into an MBDA Business Center agreement shall submit to the Under Secretary an application that includes— (A) how the eligible entity will carry out subsection (a); and (B) any experience or plans of the eligible entity with respect to— (i) assisting minority business enterprises to— (aa) large-scale contracts, grants, or procurements; (II) access established supply chains; and (aa) joint ventures, teaming arrangements, and mergers and acquisitions; or (bb) large-scale transactions in global markets; (ii) supporting minority business enterprises in increasing the size of the workforces of those enterprises, including, with respect to a minority business enterprise that does not have employees, aiding the minority business enterprise in becoming an enterprise that has employees; and (iii) advocating for minority business enterprises; and (2) the budget and corresponding budget narrative that the eligible entity will use in carrying out subsection (a) during the term of the applicable MBDA Business Center agreement.

If the Under Secretary grants an application of an eligible entity submitted under subsection (e), the Under Secretary shall notify the eligible entity that the application has been granted not later than 150 days after the last day on which an application may be submitted under that subsection.

(g) Program examination; accreditation; extensions Not later than 180 days after November 15, 2021, and biennially thereafter, the Under Secretary shall conduct a programmatic financial examination of each Center.

The Under Secretary may provide financial support, by contract or otherwise, to an association, not less than 51 percent of the members of which are Centers, to— (A) pursue matters of common concern with respect to Centers; and (B) develop an accreditation program with respect to Centers.

The Under Secretary may extend the term under subsection (b) of an MBDA Business Center agreement to which a Center is a party, if the Center consents to the extension.

If the Under Secretary extends the term of an MBDA Business Center agreement under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall, in the same manner and amount in which financial assistance was provided during the initial term of the agreement, provide financial assistance under the agreement during the extended term of the agreement.

The Under Secretary may take actions to ensure that the Agency is substantially involved in the activities of Centers in carrying out subsection (a), including by— (1) providing to each Center training relating to the MBDA Business Center Program; (2) requiring that the operator and staff of each Center— (i) a conference with the Agency to establish the services and programs that the Center will provide in carrying out the requirements before the date on which the Center begins providing those services and programs; and (ii) training provided under paragraph (1); (B) receive necessary guidance relating to carrying out the requirements under subsection (a); and (C) work in coordination and collaboration with the Under Secretary to carry out the MBDA Business Center Program and other programs of the Agency; (3) facilitating connections between Centers and— (A) Federal agencies other than the Agency, as appropriate; and (B) other institutions or entities that use Federal resources, such as— (i) small business development centers, as that term is defined in section 632(t) of this title ; (ii) women's business centers described in section 656 of this title ; (iii) eligible entities, as that term is defined in section 2411 2 of title 10, that provide services under the program carried out under chapter 142 2 of that title; and (iv) entities participating in the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program established under section 278k of this title ; (4) monitoring projects carried out by each Center; and (5) establishing and enforcing administrative and reporting requirements for each Center to carry out subsection (a).

The Under Secretary shall issue and publish regulations that establish minimum standards regarding verification of minority business enterprise status for clients of entities operating under the MBDA Business Center Program. div. K, title I, §100114, Nov.

15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1452 .) Section ______101(1), referred to in subsec.

(a)(1)(A)(ii), probably means par. (1) of section 100101 of Pub. L.

117–58, which is classified to section 9511 of this title . Section 2411 of title 10 , referred to in subsec. (h)(3)(B)(iii), was renumbered section 4951 of Title 10 , Armed Forces, by Pub.

L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1872(a)(1)(B), (2), Jan.

1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4287 , as amended by Pub. L.

117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(m)(1)(A), (3), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat.

2144 , 2145 . Chapter 142 of that title, referred to in subsec. (h)(3)(B)(iii), was repealed by Pub.

L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1872(b)(1), Jan.

1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4289 , effective Jan. 1, 2022, in conjunction with the transfer and reorganization of acquisition provisions in Title 10, Armed Forces, by Pub.

L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, Jan.

1, 2022, 134 Stat. 4149 . 1 So in original.

See References in Text note below. 2 See References in Text note below. CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT!

@! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES! @!

Part B-Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program! @! Sec.

9525 --> §9525. Minimizing disruptions to existing MBDA Business Center program The Under Secretary shall ensure that each Federal assistance award made under the Business Centers program of the Agency, as is in effect on the day before November 15, 2021, is carried out in a manner that, to the greatest extent practicable, prevents disruption of any activity carried out under that award. div.

K, title I, §100115, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1455 .)

CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @! SUBCHAPTER I-EXISTING INITIATIVES!

@! Part B-Minority Business Development Agency Business Center Program! @!

Sec. 9526 --> In carrying out the MBDA Business Center Program, the Under Secretary shall widely publicize the MBDA Business Center Program, including— (1) on the website of the Agency; (3) by sharing information relating to the MBDA Business Center Program with community-based organizations, including interpretation groups where necessary, to communicate in the most common languages spoken by the groups served by those organizations.

div. K, title I, §100116, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat.

1455 .) CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @!

SUBCHAPTER II-NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY FOR MINORITY BUSINESSES --> SUBCHAPTER II—NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY FOR MINORITY BUSINESSES CHAPTER 120 -MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT! @! SUBCHAPTER II-NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY FOR MINORITY BUSINESSES!

@! Sec. 9541 --> §9541.

Annual diverse business forum on capital formation (a) Responsibility of Agency Not later than 18 months after November 15, 2021, and annually thereafter, the Under Secretary shall conduct a Government-business forum to review the current status of problems and programs relating to capital formation by minority business enterprises.

(b) Participation in forum planning The Under Secretary shall invite the heads of other Federal agencies, such as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, organizations representing State securities commissioners, representatives of leading minority chambers of commerce, not less than 1 certified owner of a minority business enterprise, business organizations, and professional organizations concerned with capital formation to participate in the planning of each forum conducted under subsection (a).

(c) Preparation of statements and reports The Under Secretary may request that any head of a Federal agency, department, or organization, including those described in subsection (b), or any other group or individual, prepare a statement or report to be delivered at any forum conducted under subsection (a).

Any head of a Federal agency, department, or organization who receives a request under paragraph (1) shall, to the greatest extent practicable, cooperate with the Under Secretary