(a) General authorities and dutiesThe Secretary shall—
(1)
consult with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and the appropriate Federal banking agencies on the administration of the Program;
(3)
provide technical assistance to States for starting State programs and generally disseminate best practices;
(5)
ensure adequate oversight of the approved State programs, including oversight of the cash flows, performance, and compliance of each approved State program.
(d) Expedited contracting
During the 1-year period beginning on March 11, 2021, the Secretary may enter into contracts without regard to any other provision of law regarding public contracts, for purposes of carrying out this chapter.
(e) Technical assistanceOf the amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2021 to carry out the Program, $500,000,000 may be used by the Secretary to—
(1) provide funds to States to carry out a technical assistance plan under which a State will provide legal, accounting, and financial advisory services, either directly or contracted with legal, accounting, and financial advisory firms, with priority given to business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, to very small businesses and business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals applying for—
(2) transfer amounts to the Minority Business Development Agency, so that the Agency may use such amounts in a manner the Agency determines appropriate, including through contracting with third parties, to provide technical assistance to business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals applying to—
(3) contract with legal, accounting, and financial advisory firms (with priority given to business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals), to provide technical assistance to business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals applying to—
(Pub. L. 111–240, title III, § 3009, Sept. 27, 2010, 124 Stat. 2580; Pub. L. 117–2, title III, § 3301(a)(1)(F), (d), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 69, 70.)