About ASBL
The Strongest Voice In America
Over the last two decades, the ASBL has been the strongest voice in America to protect all federal programs established by the 1953 Small Business Act, and to assist the nation’s 30 million+ small businesses and small businesses owned by women, minorities and service disabled veterans.
Most Americans don’t realize the Small Business Act of 1953 is the single largest economic stimulus program ever passed by Congress to create jobs and boost the middle class economy.
Today that law mandates that a minimum of 23% of the total value of all federal contracts and subcontracts be awarded to small businesses. Extensive litigation and research by the ASBL has exposed that in reality, legitimate small businesses in America have never received the full 23%. The real number is no more than 3% of all federal contracts and subcontracts. That is a short fall of more than $300 billion a year.
In the national media and in federal courts, the ASBL has had a larger presence than all other organizations that claim to represent the interest of small businesses combined.
To date, the ASBL has won over 100 Freedom of Information legal battles exposing the rampant fraud in federal small business programs.
Founded by Lloyd Chapman
ASBL President
The American Small Business League was founded by Lloyd Chapman in 2004.
Our Mission
"Small businesses are America's job creators. They create hope and opportunity for our entrepreneurs and workers.
They are essential to our nation's economic prosperity.
We work to ensure that the government respects the importance of small businesses, the people they employ, and the principles of entrepreneurship."
- Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-IL)
FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS LEAGUE
The American Small Business League is founded on the principle that small businesses are the backbone of a vital American economy and should receive a fair portion of the total value of all prime contracts -- 23 percent -- as mandated by the Small Business Act of 1953.
The ASBL seeks to achieve the following goals:
- End abuses and close loopholes that allow large corporations in the U.S. and Europe to receive federal small business contracts.
- Promote the interests of legitimate small businesses, which are the backbone of the U.S. economy.
- Reverse policies that have hurt small businesses seeking contracts with the federal government.
- Support policy makers who help small businesses and oppose those who do not.
- Ensure that the Small Business Act is enforced and that the small business procurement goal -- currently 23 percent -- is increased.
ASBL is the one organization that unites small businesses in America to speak with a common voice in addressing small business contracting issues.
Lloyd Chapman
on Widespread Fraud
Our History
Founded in 2004
The American Small Business League was formed in 2004. It was founded by small business owners who were increasingly frustrated by abuses and loopholes, which have allowed large corporations to receive billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
The ASBL's roots are based in an association of computer software and equipment re-sellers seeking proper implementation of the Small Business Act. With the futures of their small businesses in mind, these small business owners formed the Microcomputer Industry Suppliers Association.
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Fight For Change
Throughout the late 1990s, MISA worked hard to address this issue in Washington and around the country. Their efforts attracted media attention, and were responsible for pressuring members of Congress for a remedy. Additionally, while working for a solution MISA dealt directly with the Small Business Administration under both Democratic and Republican presidencies. Despite their efforts, little measurable change took place.
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Progress for Small Businesses
In 2003, Representative Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), ranking member of the House Committee on Small Business, issued the fourth annual scorecard report evaluating 21 federal agencies, accounting for 96 percent of federal procurement. She was highly critical of their inability to reach the mandated small business procurement goal. "Even though the government bought more last year, it still failed to meet a single one of its small business goals for the third straight year, " the report said.
As a result of missing the small business procurement goal -- 23 percent of the total value of all prime contracts -- small businesses missed out on an estimated $13.8 billion in federal contracting opportunities.
In July 2003 Representative Velazquez stated, "Small businesses just need a chance - a foot in the door so they can show federal agencies what they can do. After all, small businesses are the lifeline of the American economy. I know that, you know that. Now we just need the federal government to figure it out."
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ASBL Was Formed
In 2004, the Microcomputer Industry Suppliers Association realized that companies in every industry shared the problems of its members. As a means of serving the needs of all small businesses competing for federal contracts the members of MISA formed the American Small Business League.
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