Custom Residential Architects Network

Dear John J. Isch, AIA:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has proposed a dramatic change to the current small business standard that may affect thousands of design firms. We need your help in speaking out about this proposal.

The SBA's proposal would change the size standard for architectural services from the current $4.5 million gross receipts up $19 million annual gross receipts.  This would mean that fully 97.7 percent of U.S. architecture firms would be eligible for small business set-asides and loans.  

The AIA has been working since this proposal came out to educate the SBA, our allies on Capitol Hill and the industry on what this change would mean. In May the AIA Board of Directors voted  to oppose any changes to the current $4.5 million and called on the SBA to work with the AIA to find a measurement that makes sense for the profession.  The AIA will submit official comments on June 15^th . But we need  your voice to help us make the case to the SBA that they need to listen to architects.

To make comments against the proposed SBA size standard increase, follow these five easy steps:

1. Click on this link to Regulations.gov site. (http://www.regulations.gov/#%21documentDetail;D=SBA-2011-0008-0331)
2. Click on the orange box that says "Submit a Comment" in the upper right of the page.
3. Enter your personal information on the left and your prepared remarks within the text box on the right. NOTE: You can also upload a pdf or MS Word document below the text box.
4. Preview comment.
5. Submit your comment.

The following talking points are to assist  you in submitting your comments:

• I do not support the SBA's proposed change in size standard for architectural services to $19 million. I request that the status does not change from the current $4.5 million in net receipts until the SBA works with the profession to find a better alternative.
•  I request that the SBA further study the architectural services number as the current definition allows for participation from 91.7% of U.S. firms, based on AIA data.  The proposed standard would allow over 97.7% of member firms to participate in small business set-asides. This inclusion would not allow for small businesses to compete against larger firms.
• I request that the SBA create a micro-status for business to give them the ability to begin participation in the federal market.
• (Insert how the SBA regulations affect your business here)

For more information on this topic, please look at our SBA briefing webpage here (AIA site).  This page has links to the AIA's testimony in the U.S. House of Representatives and additional data. 

Thank you for your valuable assistance in making sure that architecture firms can compete and grow.

Paul Mendelsohn

Vice-President, AIA Government & Community Relations