For purposes of this part:

(1) Firm The term “firm” includes an individual proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation (including a development corporation), business trust, cooperative, trustee in bankruptcy, and receiver under decree of any court. A firm, together with any predecessor or successor firm, or any affiliated firm controlled or substantially beneficially owned by substantially the same persons, may be considered a single firm where necessary to prevent unjustifiable benefits.

(2) Service sector firm The term “service sector firm” means a firm engaged in the business of supplying services.

(Pub. L. 93–618, title II, § 259, formerly § 261, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2034; renumbered § 259 and amended Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §§ 1861(b), 1864(a)(2), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 396, 397; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 201(b), (c), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 403; Pub. L. 114–27, title IV, § 402(b), (c), June 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 374.)