Title 15 › CHAPTER 14B — SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM › SUBCHAPTER IV–A — GUARANTEES › Part B — Surety Bond Guarantees › § 694a
Defines key words used in this part. Bid bond — a bond that promises a bidder will enter into the contract if awarded and will provide the required payment and performance bonds. Payment bond — a bond that guarantees the principal will pay people who supply labor or materials. Performance bond — a bond that guarantees the principal will finish the work under the contract. Surety — the person or company that promises to pay or perform if the principal fails; this can include agents or underwriters. Obligee — for a bid bond, the person asking for bids; for payment or performance bonds, the person who hired the principal and who the surety must protect. Principal — for a bid bond, the bidder; otherwise the person mainly responsible to complete the contract or make payments (a prime contractor or a subcontractor). Prime contractor — the person who contracted directly with the obligee. Subcontractor — a person who contracts with the prime contractor or another subcontractor to do part of the work. Small business concern — for parts 694a, 694b, and 694c, a business that meets the size standard for its main industry and its affiliates as set by the Administrator using the NAICS.
Full Legal Text
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 694a
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102