Resources Federal Contracting
The U.S. government is the largest customer in the world. It buys all types of products and services — in both large and small quantities — and it’s required by law to consider buying from small businesses. The government wants to buy from small businesses for several reasons, including: • To ensure that large businesses don’t “muscle out” small businesses • To gain access to the new ideas that small businesses provide • To support small businesses as engines of economic development and job creation • To offer opportunities to disadvantaged socio-economic groups How It Works The process of requesting proposals, evaluating bids, and awarding contracts should take place on a level playing field. The government should consider a bid from any qualified business. Set-aside and Sole-source Contracts Federal agencies must publicly list their contract opportunities. Some of these contracts are set aside exclusively for small businesses. In some cases, these so-called set-aside contracts might consist of certain types of tasks on larger contracts. In others, entire contracts may be reserved for small businesses. When a contract is set-aside for one specific small business, it’s called a sole-source contract. SBA’s Role in Contracting The SBA works with federal agencies in order to award 23 percent of prime government contract dollars to eligible small businesses. It also offers counseling and help to small business contractors. SBA Contracting Guide Contracting Assistance Programs Counseling and Help Procurement Center Representatives Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) help small businesses win federal contracts. PCRs view many federal acquisition and procurement strategies before they’re announced. This enables them to influence opportunities that should be set aside for small businesses. PCRs also conduct market research, assist small businesses with payment issues, provide counseling on the contracting process, and more.
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