PUBLIC LAW 105-135—DEC. 2, 1997 111 STAT. 2611 "(C) a determination of the types and amounts of Federal contracts characteristically awarded to women-owned businesses; and "(D) other relevant information relating to participation of women-owned businesses in Federal procurement. "(2) SUBMISSION OF RESULTS. —Not later than 12 months after initiating the study under paragraph (1), the Council shall submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to the President, the results of the study conducted under psiragraph (1). "(b) BEST PRACTICES REPORT.— Not later than 18 months after initiating the study under subsection (a)(1), the Council shall submit to the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and to the President, a report, which shall include— "(1) an analysis of the most successful practices in attracting women-owned businesses as prime contractors and subcontractors by— "(A) Federal agencies (as supported by findings from the study required under subsection (a)(1)) in Federal procurement awards; and "(B) the private sector; and "(2) recommendations for policy changes in Federal procurement practices, including an increase in the Federal procurement goal for women-owned businesses, in order to maximize the number of women-owned businesses performing Federal contracts. "(c) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—In conducting any study or other research under this section, the Council may contract with 1 or more public or private entities.". SEC. 307. STUDIES AND OTHER RESEARCH. The Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by inserting after section 409 (as added by section 306 of this title) the following: "SEC. 410. STUDIES AND OTHER RESEARCH. "(a) IN GENERAL.— To the extent that it does not delay submission of the report under section 409(b), the Council may also conduct such studies and other research relating to the award of Federal prime contracts and subcontracts to women-owned businesses, or to issues relating to access to credit and investment capital by women entrepreneurs, as the Council determines to be appropriate. "(b) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—In conducting any study or other research under this section, the Council may contract with 1 or more public or private entities.". SEC. 308. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended to read as follows: "SEC. 29. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM. "(a) DEFINITIONS. —In this section— "(1) the term 'Assistant Administrator' means the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's Business Ownership established under subsection (g);
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