Small Firm Exchange

To Small Firm Round Table Members and Others of Interest:

Attached is a Small Firm Round Table (SFRT) position paper on the Small Business Administration's (SBA) proposal to raise the gross income level classification of small architectural firms.  The Executive Committee of the AIA Board asked me to form a task group to prepare a small firm's response to SBA's requested increase.  I formed such a task force and we initially corresponded by emails and concluded with two telephone conversations finalizing the position paper.  I chose task group members from those attending the Round Table meeting in Dallas and those who have competed for and performed services for the Federal government.  All of us felt that the existing $4.5 million gross was too large, however, we felt that at this time we would have a better chance of fighting an increase rather than demanding a decrease.  In the end the attached paper was submitted to the Executive Committee.  If we are successful it is my believe that the SFRT should continue lobbying the Executive Committee to work with SBA for a more reasonable maximum gross income that truly defines the small firm.