This Is What We Stand On—And Why We Must Speak Up
Washington, D.C. — A letter from Charmagne Manning, President of The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce
As I sat down to write this, I thought about all the conversations we’ve had over the years—at conferences, in Zoom meetings, during one-on-one calls when you're navigating the federal space and just need someone to tell you that you're not crazy for wanting something better, something fair.
Today, I’m sharing two reports with you:
Download: Bipartisan Foundations
Download: Guaranteed by Law
They are full of facts, dates, and legal references—but at the heart of it all is something far more important: you.
These reports tell the story of the ground you stand on. A foundation that has been laid brick by brick over decades—not by one party, one administration, or one moment in time, but by a steady, unwavering commitment across the aisle to make sure you have a fair shot.
Congress didn’t stumble into small business policy. They fought for it. They built it. They returned to it, year after year, and expanded it because they knew what we know: that small businesses bring competition, flexibility, resilience, innovation, and community reach that no other segment can match.
These reports show just how bipartisan this effort has always been—and just how deeply embedded your right to participate in federal contracting is in our laws and regulations. From the Small Business Act of 1953 to the most recent National Defense Authorization Acts, your place in federal procurement has been protected not just by policy—but by statute. 15 U.S.C. § 644, the FAR, the establishment of OSDBUs in every agency, the Rule of Two, WOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB—all of it was designed to make sure small businesses like yours are seen, respected, and included.
But here’s the hard truth: That foundation—while strong—is not invulnerable.
The winds are shifting. Pressures are mounting. Quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, there are efforts underway that, if left unchallenged, could unravel what generations of bipartisan cooperation built.
So I’m asking you as someone who cares deeply about your success and the future of this community—to read these reports. Really read them. Not just to learn what the law says, but to remember what you're a part of. This is your legacy, and it's also your defense.
Use this history. Use the statutes. Use your voice. Show how your work fuels local economies, how your team brings innovation and agility, how your contracts ripple out into your community.
This moment isn’t about party lines. It’s about protecting a promise.
You are not alone in this. I will keep showing up for you. And I know you’ll keep showing up for each other.
With respect and all my heart,
Charmagne Manning
President, The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce
Download the Reports:
Bipartisan Foundations: A History of Congressional Support for Small Business Contracting Laws
Guaranteed by Law: The Statutory and Regulatory Foundation of Small Business Participation in Federal Contracting
About The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce™
The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce™ is the nation’s leading independent force working to open the doors to small business supplier contracts. ASBCC has developed a unique position within the government supplier community as a key linkage point where relationships and partnerships are fostered between small businesses, government agencies, large primes and policy makers. The association connects these stakeholders to power greater participation and success by small businesses in government contracting. For additional details, go to http://asbcc.org.
Media Contact:
Shelby McCollough
The American Small Business Chamber of Commerce™
(202) 618-3037