When looking to win government contracts, among the ideal sources for compact companies are a part of the agencies they are wanting to contract with. Established by an amendment for the Smaller Business Act, the Workplace of Smaller and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, or OSDBU, acts as an advocate for modest corporations within each Federal agency. They promote maximum practicable utilization of small firms in Federal acquisition processes and ensure that all Federal agencies and prime vendors comply with federal laws and regulations developed to give modest businesses the identical opportunities to participate in government contracting.
Every modest company thinking about government contracting ought to make use of this extremely beneficial resource.
A few of your points government contractors can anticipate from the OSDBU are:
Candid counseling regarding irrespective of whether the little business’s capabilities match the agencies require and if not, contact the suitable OSDBU or prime contractor’s modest business liaison officer, with an individual introduction if probable.
Details on relevant laws that benefit them, such as set-asides for small corporations, 8(a) and HUBZones, and the way to benefit from these laws to maximize their opportunities.
Get in touch with suitable staff at the agency if the small business is promoting what the OSDBU’s agency is getting.
Act as a data broker and facilitator for the tiny business and give them insider facts to help them do business using the OSDBU’s agency, such as the agency’s unwritten policies and cultural climate.
though the OSDBU will give you useful information to help you industry your merchandise or services to their agency, they count on you that you just are going to be ready upon your meeting with them. Understanding their agency’s mission, what they buy, and why they need to use your business as opposed to your competitors are all important prerequisites. They are going to also anticipate that you simply realize that CCR registration, ORCA filing, or participation in 8(a), HUBZone, or other set aside applications will not assure your firm will be awarded a government contract. It is best to also keep in mind that the OSDBU is not the purchaser or end-user; though it is vital to create your case as for your company can meet their agency’s requirements much better than other smaller organizations, they don’t need to have all of the technical information inside your advertising pitch, cannot award you a contract or otherwise act as an agent of one’s business.
The OSDBU is there to offer you advice and details but can’t assist you to create a proposal, disclose proprietary details, or encourage any other agency or prime contractor to award a contract to you. Even so, the facts they impart to you can make the distinction between a losing and winning proposal. Figuring out what their agency buys, how they evaluate proposals from vendors, and what their previous acquisitions and programs have already been are necessary to success. After you meet using the OSDBU, they will schedule a set amount of time for your meeting. Be on time and endeavor to wrap up your discussion within the time frame allotted. If they do not have answers to your inquiries immediately, they’re going to set a designated due date by which to stick to up with you. If they provide recommendations, remember that it’s in your very best interests to adhere to them. Not merely can these recommendations help you to win government contracts but failure to comply with via can tarnish your reputation within that agency and produce further obstacles to overcome.
