Requires federal agencies to make interim partial payments of at least 50 percent to small business construction contractors who request an equitable adjustment after the agency directs a change in contract terms.

• Lets a small business construction contractor request an equitable adjustment when a contracting officer directs a change in contract terms without the contractor's agreement.
• Requires the agency to pay at least 50 percent of the contractor's estimated additional costs as an interim partial payment.
• Requires small business prime contractors to pass the increased-cost portion of those payments down to first tier subcontractors, who must pass them further down the chain.
• Directs the Small Business Administrator to issue implementing rules within 90 days of enactment, and amends Section 15 of the Small Business Act by adding a new subsection (x) and redesignating existing subsections (x) and (y).

• Small Business Committee (House)

Commerce