§144. Director of Small Business Programs

(a) Director.-There is a Director of Small Business Programs in the Department of Defense. The Director is appointed by the Secretary of Defense.

(b) Office of Small Business Programs.-The Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of Defense is the office that is established within the Office of the Secretary of Defense under section 15(k) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(k)). The Director of Small Business Programs is the head of such office.

(c) Duties and Powers.-(1) The Director of Small Business Programs shall, subject to paragraph (2), perform such duties regarding small business programs of the Department of Defense, and shall exercise such powers regarding those programs, as the Secretary of Defense may prescribe.

(2) Section 15(k) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(k)), except for the designations of the Director and the Office, applies to the Director of Small Business Programs.

(Added Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title IX, §904(b)(1), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3400 .)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title IX, §904(a), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3399 , provided that:

"(1) Positions redesignated.-The following positions within the Department of Defense are redesignated as follows:

"(A) The Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of Defense is redesignated as the Director of Small Business Programs of the Department of Defense.

"(B) The Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Army is redesignated as the Director of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Army.

"(C) The Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Navy is redesignated as the Director of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Navy.

"(D) The Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Air Force is redesignated as the Director of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Air Force.

"(2) Offices redesignated.-The following offices within the Department of Defense are redesignated as follows:

"(A) The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of Defense is redesignated as the Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of Defense.

"(B) The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Army is redesignated as the Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Army.

"(C) The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Navy is redesignated as the Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Navy.

"(D) The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of the Air Force is redesignated as the Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of the Air Force.

"(3) References.-Any reference in any law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to a position or office redesignated by paragraph (1) or (2) shall be deemed to be a reference to the position or office as so redesignated."

Establishment of Project Spectrum

Pub. L. 119–60, div. A, title XVIII, §1807, Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1240 , provided that:

"(a) In General.-The Director of the Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of Defense shall establish and maintain a program to be known as 'Project Spectrum' to provide to covered entities an online platform of digital resources, training, and services that increase awareness of, and facilitate compliance with, the requirements of the defense acquisition system established pursuant to section 3102 of title 10, United States Code.

"(b) Requirement for Coordination.-In carrying out the requirements of subsection (a), the Director of Small Business Programs shall coordinate with other elements of the Department of Defense to ensure resources, training, or services made available through Project Spectrum are aligned with Department-wide policies and guidance related to the defense acquisition system, including coordination with-

"(1) the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense, particularly regarding cybersecurity resources and alignment with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program or successor program;

"(2) the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment;

"(3) the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering;

"(4) the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International and Industry Engagement;

"(5) the President of the Defense Acquisition University;

"(6) the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency;

"(7) the Director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency; and

"(8) the Executive Director of the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center.

"(c) Performance Metrics.-Not later than April 1, 2026, the Director of Small Business Programs, in coordination with elements and individuals in subsection (b), shall establish performance metrics to measure the outcomes associated with Project Spectrum. Such metrics shall include-

"(1) cybersecurity-related activities and tools, to be evaluated in coordination with Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense;

"(2) foreign ownership, control, or influence activities and tools, to be evaluated in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment; and

"(3) any additional performance metrics the Director determines necessary.

"(d) Briefing Required.-Not later than May 1, 2026, the Director of Small Business Programs shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a briefing on the performance metrics required by subsection (c).

"(e) Sunset.-The authority for Project Spectrum, and the requirements of the section, shall terminate on December 31, 2031.

"(f) Covered Entity Defined.-In this section, the term 'covered entity' means an entity that is a small business or a medium business that contracts with, or seeks to enter into a contract with, the Department of Defense that is registered to access the online platform of Project Spectrum."

Role of the Directors of Small Business Programs in Acquisition Processes of the Department of Defense

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title XVI, §1611, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2063 , provided that:

"(a) Guidance Required.-The Secretary of Defense shall develop and issue guidance to ensure that the head of each Office of Small Business Programs of the Department of Defense is a participant as early as practicable in the acquisition processes-

"(1) of the Department, in the case of the Director of Small Business Programs in the Department of Defense; and

"(2) of the military department concerned, in the case of the Director of Small Business Programs in the Department of the Army, in the Department of the Navy, and in the Department of the Air Force.

"(b) Matters To Be Included.-Such guidance shall, at a minimum-

"(1) require the Director of Small Business Programs in the Department of Defense-

"(A) to provide advice to the Defense Acquisition Board; and

"(B) to provide advice to the Information Technology Acquisition Board; and

"(2) require coordination between the chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces and the service acquisition executives, as appropriate (or their designees), and the Director of Small Business Programs in each military department as early as practical in the relevant acquisition processes."