Notice2026-08553
Supply Chain Gaps and Entrepreneur Assistance
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 1, 2026
Issuing agencies
Small Business Administration
Abstract
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) seeks public comment on questions related to supply chain gaps in critical industries and how entrepreneur technical assistance could be aligned to increase business growth and technology development in needed industries. Information received in response to this request will inform SBA's efforts to build innovation networks in critical industries.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 84 (Friday, May 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 23522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08553]
[[Page 23522]]
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Supply Chain Gaps and Entrepreneur Assistance
AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.
ACTION: Request for information.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) seeks public
comment on questions related to supply chain gaps in critical
industries and how entrepreneur technical assistance could be aligned
to increase business growth and technology development in needed
industries. Information received in response to this request will
inform SBA's efforts to build innovation networks in critical
industries.
DATES: Submit comments on or before May 18, 2026.
Submission Instructions: SBA will collect comments via
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e1958482898f8e8d8e8698a1928380cf868e97"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff8b9a9c97919093909886bf8c9d9ed1989089">[email protected]</span></a>, comments are strictly voluntary and MUST not exceed
5 pages. Please include the subject line, ``RFI Response: Innovation
Networks and Supply Chains''. Your response should include a cover
sheet (does not count towards 5-page limit) with the following:
<bullet> Individual or Organization Name.
<bullet> (If applicable) Organization/Individual Point of Contact.
<bullet> (If applicable) Organization UEI.
Disclaimer: No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated
with providing information in response to this RFI or any follow-up
information requests.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alison Evans, Program Analyst, Office
of Investment and Innovation, U.S. Small Business Administration,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a1e0f0902040506050d132a19080b440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="196d7c7a71777675767e60596a7b78377e766f">[email protected]</span></a>, (202) 856-7386. This phone number may also be
reached by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have
speech disabilities, through the Federal Communications Commission's
TTY-Based Telecommunications Relay Service Teletype service at 711.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since its inception in 1953, the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA) has served to aid, counsel, assist and
protect the interests of small businesses. While SBA is best known for
its financial support of small businesses through its many lending
programs, the Agency also plays a critical role in building and
strengthening support and resource networks critical to small
businesses and nascent entrepreneurs.
The role of innovation and deep tech entrepreneurs in spurring
economic growth, strengthening industry supply chains, and maintaining
U.S competitiveness and security is well-documented. The U.S is facing
growing competition internationally and these entrepreneurs and small
businesses are critical to continued U.S. success--but they face
unique, and often, expensive challenges.
The Office of Investment and Innovation (OII) oversees SBA's
Innovation Network Programs which are dedicated to building local and
regional support and resource networks needed by small businesses and
technology entrepreneurs developing critical and emerging technologies.
In FY26, SBA anticipates funding new awards across the country through
its Innovation Network Programs:
<bullet> Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC): The purpose of
GAFC is to support organizations that help entrepreneurs start and
scale their businesses. The program targets accelerators serving
technology entrepreneurs in sectors which face larger challenges to
accessing capital.
<bullet> Federal and State Technology Partnership Program (FAST):
The primary mission of the FAST program is to strengthen the
technological competitiveness of small businesses in the United States
by raising awareness of and supporting the development of proposals to
the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology
Transfer (STTR) programs.
<bullet> Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Program: The primary
mission of the RIC program is to strengthen industry through regional
collaboration and support networks connecting small businesses with end
customers.
SBA's Innovation Network Programs are focused on building
coordination across industries and geographies to catalyze critical
technology development. SBA encourages organizations interested in
applying to future solicitations for any of the Innovation Network
Programs to consider:
<bullet> The current and/or historic industries driving the
economic activity of your community and specific actions needed to
strengthen those industries.
<bullet> The strengths and weaknesses of your innovation network
with relevant qualitative and quantitative data.
<bullet> The small business programs or assistance needed to
support technology entrepreneurs.
<bullet> The coordination, assets, or knowledge that is needed in
your innovation network to enhance technology development and small
business success.
<bullet> Partnerships, formal or informal, that are needed within
your innovation network.
<bullet> The anticipated outcomes of strengthened innovation
networks and impacts to small business success, including obtaining
capital and job creation.
Information Requested: As SBA designs the future of its Innovation
Network Programs, it is interested in feedback from entrepreneurs,
small and large businesses, entrepreneur support organizations,
investors, and other industry representatives on the following:
1. What existing or projected supply chain gaps may limit economic
growth and be detrimental to national competitiveness and security?
a. Describe what technology(ies) are needed and the challenges to
integrating into the supply chain.
b. Describe the anticipated timeframe of identifying and
implementing the needed solution. The solution could be developing a
new technology, adapting an existing technology, scaling production
capacity, better industry coordination, etc.
c. Describe specific gaps small businesses are uniquely positioned
to fill.
d. Describe workforce challenges, and/or models that may work to
address those challenges in these supply chain gaps.
2. What businesses exist currently to fill supply chain gaps? Could
certain types of businesses readily pivot to fill those gaps?
3. What challenges do highly specialized suppliers face and if
solved what supply chain gaps could they fill? Do any highly
specialized suppliers support multiple industry or technology areas?
4. Challenges entrepreneurs and small businesses experience in
commercializing technologies relevant to national security and
international competitiveness, and proven curricula or other resource
models to overcome challenges.
5. Quantitative and qualitative data sources and tools to track
supply chains most relevant to national and economic security.
Joshua Carter,
Associate Administrator for the Office of Investment and Innovation.
[FR Doc. 2026-08553 Filed 4-30-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8026-09-P
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