Thursday, August 22, 2013

Government Contracting 101 – SBA’s Training Program By Jim O’Connor

Government Contracting 101 – PART 1

By Jim O’Connor

Introduction
• Designed to help small businesses understand government contracting programs

– Prime contracting and subcontracting assistance programs
– SBA certification programs
– Women and veterans small business programs

This training program is designed to help small businesses understand government contracting programs. It is about helping small firms win federal contracts. There are three parts to this training program. This part, part one, provides a small business introduction to government contracting. It describes prime and subcontracting assistance programs,
SBA certification programs, and it describes women and veteran owned small business programs.

Parts two and three, provide clarity and training around how the government buys and how to sell to the government. Taken together, the three parts represent a comprehensive ‐‐ government contracting guide for small businesses.

Learning Objectives
1. Know about federal contract markets and opportunities
2. Understand prime contract and subcontracting assistance programs
3. Understand SBA’s certification programs – 8(a) Business Development and HUB Zone
4. Know about the Woman Owned Small Business program and the veteran owned small business programs(VOSB&SDVOSB)

After reviewing this training program you should:
1. Have a general understanding and know about federal contract markets and contract opportunities.
2. Understand prime contracting and subcontracting assistance programs and how they can be used to take advantage of federal contract opportunities.
3. Understand SBA’s certification programs – the 8(a) Business Development and HUB Zone
programs.

4. And, know about the newly implemented women owned small business program and the veteran owned small business programs.

Scope of the Federal Buying Market
 U.S. government is the largest buyer in the world
• Federal agencies buy just about every category of commodity and service available
Narrative
The U.S. government is the world's largest buyer of products and services. Purchases by military and civilian installations amount to nearly $600 billion a year, and include everything from complex space vehicles to janitorial services.
In short, the government buys just about every category of commodity and service available.

Small Firms are the Engine of Growth
• Small businesses are the engine for economic growth in America
• Provide jobs, innovation and competition
• Government policy provides “maximum practicable” prime and subcontracting opportunities to small firms.

Small businesses have always been the engine for economic growth. They provide jobs, innovation and bring competition to the marketplace.

The Government’s procurement policy – which encourages “maximum practicable” prime and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses – is a catalyst for economic growth. With a government contracting market representing more than a half trillion dollars, it makes solid economic sense to help small firms get their fair share of federal contract dollars.

What is a Small Business?
• Certain government programs only apply to small businesses
• Small business size standards are generally determined by the number of employees or annual business receipts
Learn more:
What is a Small Business? http://www.sba.gov/content/amismallbusinessconcern
Guide to Size Standards http://www.sba.gov/content/determiningsizestandards

Narrative
Certain government programs apply only to small businesses. The question then becomes, what is a small business, or more specifically, how do you determine if you are a small business?
Over the years SBA has established and revised numerical definitions for al forprofit industries, and this
numerical definition is called a "size standard." It is almost always stated either as the number of employees or average annual receipts of a business concern.
In addition to establishing eligibility for SBA programs, all federal agencies must apply SBA's size standards for contracts to be awarded to small firms.
The referenced hyperlinks can be used to determine small business size eligibility and to learn more about size standards.

Prime Contract Assistance
Prime contract assistanceno narrative.

Prime Contract Assistance
• Governmentwide Contracting Goals
• Small Business Setasides
– Rule of Two
– Nonmanufacturer Rule
– Subcontracting Limitations

– Servicedisabled Veteran Owned Small Business
– HUB Zone
– WomanOwned Small Business Program
– 8(a) Business Development Program
• Small Business Size Standards
• Certificate of Competency (COC) Program

Narrative
Helping small businesses benefit from federal prime contracts is an obligation of all federal agencies and a key responsibility of SBA and its staff.
Multiple programs and initiatives are available to support this effort. They include, governmentwide contracting goals, small business setasides, small business size standards and SBA’s Certificate of Competency program. Each of these programs is discussed.

GovernmentWide Contracting Goals
Small Business
– Goal 23%
Women
– Goal 5%
Small Disadvantaged Businesses
– Goal 5%
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
– Goal 3%
HUB Zone
– Goal 3%

Narrative
Federal statute defines governmentwide prime contracting goals. Such goals represent a primary tool in helping small firms be considered for government contracts. SBA plays a pivotal role in administering the governmentwide goals initiative and works with individual agencies.

The current, governmentwide procurement goal is that at least 23% of all federal government
contracting dollars should be awarded to small businesses.
In addition, targeted subgoals are established for womenowned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, firms located in HUB Zones and service disabled veteranowned small businesses. These targeted goals are 5%, 5%, 3% and 3%,respectively, and are meant to be subsets of the overall small business goal of 23 percent.
These goals are important because federal agencies have an obligation to reachout and consider different types of small businesses for procurement opportunities.

Small Business Setasides
• Small business setasides are a critical tool
• Powerful vehicle for helping small firms win prime contracts
• Fundamental: Acquisitions that have an anticipated dollar value exceeding $3,000, but not over $150,000 are automatically reserved for small businesses
• FAR 19.5

Narrative
Small business setasides are a powerful tool for helping small firms win federal prime contracts. Fundamentally, government buys that have an anticipated dollar value exceeding $3,000, but not over $150,000 are automatically reserved corsetaside for small businesses. This is required unless the
contracting officer determines there is not a reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from two or more responsible small businesses.

Small Business Setasides
Small business setasides are influenced by the Rule of Two, the Nonmanufacture Rule and
Subcontracting Limitations. Further, contracts can be setaside for small businesses certified in the 8(a)
Business Development Program or the HUB Zone Program. Or, they can be setaside for qualified
women owned small businesses or service disabled veteran owned small businesses.

Rule of Two
• Acquisitions over $150,000 are to be setaside for small businesses when there is a reasonable
expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two responsible small businesses
• FAR 19.5022

Narrative

For acquisitions over $150K – they too are to be setaside for small business, when there is a reasonable
expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two responsible small business concerns, and the
award can be made at a fair market price.
It is important to note, consideration is first for a setaside or sole source award under the 8(a),
HUB Zone, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business or Woman Owned Small Business programs
before a general small business setaside. However there is no order of precedence among 8(a),
HUB Zone, SDVOSB or WOSB programs.

NonManufacturer Rule
• Setaside small business acquisitions that are not for construction or service related contracts –
must utilize a domestic small business manufacturer
• SBA may issue individual or class waivers to the nonmanufacturer rule, if no small manufacturer
exists
• Rule does not apply for contracts under $25,000
• FAR 19.001; FAR 19.1
Narrative
The nonmanufacturer rule is an important provision impacting small business setasides.
For small business setasides, other than for construction or service contracts, the prime contractor
must utilize a small business manufacturer – if the firm itself, is not doing the manufacturing to
complete the work. In industries where the SBA determines there are no or very limited small business
manufacturers, it may issue individual or class waivers to the nonmanufacture rule.
It is important to note, for small business setasides for supplies, the prime contractor must either
qualify as a manufacturer or supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer.
For acquisitions that are under $25,000,the rule does not apply. Use the FAR references to learn more
about the specifics surrounding the Nonmanufacture Rule.

Limitations on Subcontracting
• Applies to contracts setaside for small businesses when the contract amount exceeds $150,000
– Service – At least 50% of the contract cost for personnel must be expended for
employees of the small business
– Supply Business must perform work for at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing the
supplies, not including the cost of materials
6– General construction – Business must perform at least 15% of the cost of the contract,
not including the cost of the materials, with its own employees.
• FAR 19.508e; FAR 19.8113e
Narrative
Limitations on subcontracting apply to solicitations and contracts for supplies, services and construction,
if any portion of the requirement is setaside for small business and the contract amount exceeds
$150,000.
This limitation applies to service contracts, such that at least 50% of the contract cost for personnel
must be expended for employees of the small business. For supply contracts, the business must perform
work for at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials.
And finally for general construction contracts, the business must perform at least 15% of the cost of the
contract, not including the cost of the materials, with its own employees. For construction by special
trade contractors, the business must perform at least 25% of the cost of the contract, not including the
cost of the materials, with its own employees.

8(a) Business Development Program
• 8(a)setasides are a very popular vehicle for achieving agency small business and SDB
contracting goals
– Sole source
– Competitive
• 8(a)firms are formally certified by SBA
• FAR 19.8; FAR 19.203
Narrative
Contracting officers can setaside purchases for small firms certified in the 8(a) Business Development
Program.
8(a)setasides are a powerful tool for agencies to achieve small business and small disadvantaged
business contracting goals. An 8(a)setaside can be facilitated as a sole source or competitive
acquisition.
More details about the 8(a) program are provided in a later section of this training program.
Slide 16HUBZone Program
• Small business must have its principal office located in a HUB Zone
• 35% of the firm’s employees must reside within a HUB Zone, or certify that at least 35% of
employees engaged in a HUB Zone contract will reside in a HUB Zone or Indian reservation
• Firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a US citizen
• FAR 19.13
Narrative
Contracting officers can also setaside purchases for small businesses located in designated HUB Zones.
To participate in this type of setaside, a small firm’s principal office must be located in a HUB Zone and
at least 35% of the firm’s employees must reside within a HUB Zone, or certify that at least 35% of its
employees engaged in a HUB Zone contract will reside in a HUB Zone or Indian reservation
The HUB Zone program is discussed in greater detail later in this training program.

Woman Owned Small Business Program
• Small Business Act authorizes contract setasides for WOSBs and/or EDWOSBs
• Creates significant opportunities for women entrepreneurs
• Program helps agencies meet governmentwide contracting goals
• FAR 19.15
Narrative
Changes to the Small Business Act now authorize contract setasides for women owned small businesses
and/or economically disadvantaged women owned small businesses.
This change creates significant opportunities for women entrepreneurs and will help agencies to meet
governmentwide contracting goals.
Specifics of the WOSB program are discussed later in this training module 

Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
• Tool to help achieve an agency’s SDVOSB contracting goal
• At least 51% owned and controlled by a servicedisabled veteran
• Daily operations are controlled by a servicedisabled veteran or care giver
• FAR 19.14
Narrative
8A contracting officer can also setaside acquisitions for Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Businesses.
To participate in this type of setaside, such businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a
service disabled veteran and the daily management operations of the concern must be controlled by a
servicedisabled veteran or caregiver. And, they must be a small business.

Small Business Size Standards
• Size standards are established by the SBA and represent numerical definitions for specific NAICS
codes
• Based on average annual sales or the number of employees
• Used to determine eligibility for government preferences and reservations for small businesses
Learn more…
Table of Small Business Size Standards http://www.sba.gov/content/tablesmallbusinesssize
standards
Narrative
SBA has established and continually updates numerical definitions for all industries or NAICS codes. This
numerical definition is called a small business size standard. It is almost always stated either as the
number of employees or the average annual sales of the business concern.
All federal agencies must apply SBA’s size standards for contracts to be awarded to small firms. It is also
important to note, only SBA can reconcile size protests.
Use the hyperlink to determine the applicable size standard for a specific NAICS code.

Certificate of Competency Program
• If an apparent successful offer or is determined to be “nonresponsible“ by a contracting officer
the small business is entitled to an independent review by the SBA
• SBA may issue a COC to the contracting officer requiring the award of that specific contract to
the small business
• FAR 19.6
Narrative
The COC program is helpful to many small firms.
If an apparent successful offer or is determined to be “nonresponsible” by the contracting officer, the
contracting officer is required to refer the matter to the SBA for a Certificate of Competency or COC
review. Based on the review, the SBA may issue a certificate of competency declaring the “referred
company” – as sufficiently responsible for the purposes of receiving and performing the specific
contract.

Subcontracting Assistance
Subcontracting assistanceno narrative.

Find Subcontracting Opportunities
• Subcontracting can be profitable alternative for small firms
• Performing as a subcontractor can prepare a firm to be a prime contractor in the future
• SBA maintains a database of subcontracting opportunities. This searchable database is called
SUBNet
http://web.sba.gov/subnet/search/index.cfm?CFID=3326268&CFTOKEN=dd547388634a6447
D5095AFEE8796168A5D8DD639D02C393
Narrative
An alternative to seeking prime contracts is to explore subcontracting opportunities.
Subcontracting with a prime contractor can be a profitable experience as well as a growth opportunity
for a small business. If your small business is not ready or lacks the capabilities to bid competitively for
prime contracts, it should consider opportunities available through subcontracting. SBA maintains a
database of subcontracting opportunities. This searchable database is called SUBNet.

Subcontracting Assistance Programs
• Prime contractors receiving contracts greater than the simplified acquisition threshold must
agree to provide small businesses with the maximum practical opportunity to participate as
subcontractors
• FAR 19.7
Narrative
Prime contractors receiving contracts greater than the simplified acquisition threshold must agree in the
contract that small businesses, specifically veteranowned small businesses, service disabled veteran
owned small businesses, womenowned small businesses, HUB Zone small businesses, and small
disadvantaged businesses – will have the maximum practical opportunity to participate as
subcontractors.
As such, prime contractors are required to establish subcontracting plans describing who and how small
businesses will participate as subcontractors.

 Subcontracting Plans
• Subcontracting Plans are for contracts over:
– $ 1.5 Million for construction
– $ .65 Million (650,000)for all others
• Types of Subcontracting plans:
– Individual subcontracting plan
– Master subcontracting plan
– Commercial subcontracting plan
• FAR 19.701
Narrative
Subcontracting plans are required for contracts over $1.5million for construction and $650,000
thousand for all others. There are three types of subcontracting plans: individual, master and
commercial subcontracting plans.
These written plans – which become part of the contracting file – are designed to describe specific
efforts by a prime contractor to ensure that small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete
and participate as “subs” in specific contracts. The subcontracting plans may include specific goals and
will define requirements for reports and documentation to be maintained.

Subcontracting Goals
Governmentwide Subcontracting Goals
Small Disadvantaged Businesses
– Goal 5%
WomenOwned Small Businesses(WOSB)
– Goal 5%
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses(SDVOSB)
– Goal 3%
HUB Zone
– Goal 3%
Narrative
Governmentwide numerical subcontracting goals are established by statute for small disadvantaged
businesses, womenowned small businesses, service disabled veteran owned small businesses and
HUB Zone certified small businesses.
Although subcontracting goals are established governmentwide, subcontracting requirements are
negotiated between the respective government agency and the prime contractor.

SBA Certifications
SBA certificationsno narrative.

SBA Certifications
• 8(a) Business Development Program
• HUB Zone Program
Narrative
SBA administers two certification programs designed to assist specific market groups in the government
contracting space. These programs are the 8(a) Business Development Program and the HUB Zone
Program. Each of these programs represents an excellent vehicle for assisting small firms to win federal
contracts. These programs also play a primary role in helping agencies achieve, respective SDB and
HUB Zone contracting goals.
Informal certification programs – for women and veterans – are also discussed later in this program.

8(a) Business Development Program
• Assists eligible socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses
• Provides business development and contract assistance
• SBA certification required
• All 8(a)firms are SDBs, but not all SDBs are 8(a) certified
• FAR 19.8 
Narrative
The 8(a) Business Development Program is designed to assist eligible socially and economically
disadvantaged small businesses. The program– which is primarily a business development program
provides qualified firms access to capital and credit, business counseling and training, and contracting
opportunities.
Through the award of sole source and setaside contracts, the 8(a) program provides market access and
growth for qualified businesses. The program is an efficient contracting vehicle for achieving small
business and SDB goals.
It is important to note – all 8(a) certified firms are also SDBs, but all small disadvantaged businesses are
not necessarily 8(a) certified. Qualified firms can participate in the 8(a) program for up to nine years.

8(a) Business Development Program
• Certified firms can receive solesource contracts
– up to $4million for goods and services
– up to $6.5million for manufacturing
• Joint ventures and teaming
• MentorProtégé Program
• FAR 19.8 
Narrative
There are unique benefits to participants in the 8(a) program.
Certified firms can receive solesource contracts, up to $4million for goods and services requirements
and up to $6.5million for manufacturing requirements. Firms are also allowed to form joint ventures
and teams to bid on contracts, giving them greater flexibility to compete for larger prime contracts.
8(a) certified firms can also participate in the MentorProtégé Program, giving them the opportunity to
learn the ropes from other experienced 8(a) businesses.

8(a) Business Development Program
• Small firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically
disadvantage individual(s)
• Meet small business size standards
• In business for more than two years
• Unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more disadvantaged individuals who are US
citizens
• FAR 19.8

Narrative
To be eligible for participation in the 8(a) Business Development Program, the applicant must be a small
business and be at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantage
individual or individuals.
Certain individuals are presumed to be socially disadvantaged – they are AfricanAmericans, Hispanic
Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans and Subcontinent Asian Americans. An individual
who is not a member of one of the groups listed can be admitted to the program if he or she shows –
through a preponderance of the evidence – that he or she is socially disadvantaged. The evidence can
be based on color, ethnic origin, gender, physical handicap or geographic environment.
In addition, successful applicants to the 8(a) program will meet small business size standards and be in
business for more than two years. Besides being unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more
disadvantaged individuals, the owners must be US citizens, who are in good standing.

HUB Zone Program
• Historically Underutilized Business Zone
• Contracting preference program designed to stimulate economic development
and create jobs
• SBA certification required
• FAR 19.13
Narrative
The HUB Zone Program is designed to stimulate economic development and create jobs in urban and
rural communities by providing federal contracting preferences to small businesses. These preferences
are available to small firms who qualify because they are located in an area designated by the SBA as a
historically underutilized business zone.
Through the award of sole source and setaside contracts, the HUB Zone program provides market
access and growth for qualified businesses.
Slide 32HUBZone Program
• 3% governmentwide goal for contracts to be awarded to HUB Zone certified firms
• Competitive and sole source contracts
• 10% price evaluation preference
• FAR 19.13
Narrative

The HUB Zone program offers benefits to eligible firms.
A governmentwide goal of 3% provides incentives for agencies to award contracts to certified HUB Zone
firms. In addition, certain contracts can be specifically setaside for firms located within a HUB Zone.
And further, in some cases a 10% price evaluation preference may be applicable to a HUB Zone certified
firm. Review the FAR reference for clarity.
Slide 33HUBZone Program
• Meet small business size standards
• Owned and controlled by at least 51% of US citizens, or a Community Development Corporation,
an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe
• Principal office must be in a designated HUB Zone
• At least 35% of the firm’s employees must live in a HUB Zone
Learn more...
HUB Zone Map http://map0.sba.gov:8000/gis/esri/hubzone/index.html
Narrative
To be eligible for the HUB Zone program firmest be a small business, meeting SBA’s small business
size standards. In addition, the business must be owned and controlled by at least 51% of US citizens, or
a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe.
Further, the firm’s principal office must be located within a designated HUB Zone, which includes lands
considered “Indian Country” and military facilities closed by the “Base Realignment and Closure Act.
Importantly, the “principal office” is defined as the location where the greatest number of employees
perform the majority of work. Also, at least 35% of the firm’s employees must live in a HUB Zone.
Use the HUB Zone map to determine if your firm and employees are located in a designated HUB Zone
area.

Women and Veterans Programs
Women and veterans programsno narrative.

Women and Veterans Programs
• Woman Owned Small Business Program(WOSB)
• Veteran-Owned Small Business Programs(VOSB&SDVOSB)

Narrative
Targeted contracting programs exist to help womenowned small businesses and small businesses
owned by veterans and servicedisabled veterans.

Woman Owned Small Business Program
• 5% Governmentwide contracting goal
• 5% Governmentwide subcontracting goal
• Newly implemented WOSB Program
– Contract set –asides are authorized
• FAR 19.15
Narrative
Annual governmentwide contracting goals have been legislatively established for womenowned small
businesses. As such, 5 percent of the total value of all prime contracts and 5 percent of all subcontracts
are to be awarded to womenowned small businesses.
However, the Small Business Act has been recently amended to authorize setasides for women owned
small businesses or economically disadvantaged women owned small businesses. These setasides
apply only to certain NAICS codes and are limited by dollar thresholds – which will be discussed. The
new program is defined as the Woman Owned Small Business Contract Program or simply WOSB.

New WOSB Program
• Only designated industries(use link below to find eligible NAICS)
• Limitations on contract amounts
– $4million for service contracts
– $6.5million for manufacturing contracts
• Only WOSBs or EDWOSBs are eligible
• Competition is required for all WOSB contracts
• WOSBs program– self certifying with documentation or third party SBA approved certifier
Narrative
The new WOSB program opens many doors for women entrepreneurs.
However, as mentioned, not all contract opportunities are eligible and there are limitations. The
program is defined by several key tenets: it applies only to contracts in designated industries; the
maximum dollar amount of contracts is limited; only womanowned small businesses or economically
disadvantaged womenowned small businesses are eligible; competition is required for all WOSB
contract awards; and, participating womenowned businesses must be certified – through a self
certifying process or from an SBA approved certifier.
Slide 38 Eligibility New WOSB Program
• WOSB
– 51% owned & controlled by one or more women who are US citizens
– Ownership must be direct and not subject to limitations
– Woman or women must manage day to day operations
• EDWOSB
– Satisfy all conditions of WOSB
– Personal net worth of less than $750,000
– Adjusted annual income of $350,000orless
– Market value of all assets does not exceed $6million
Narrative
It goes without saying that only womenowned businesses are eligible for the WOSB program.
A WOSB is defined as a small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women
who are US citizens. The ownership must be direct and not subject to conditions. A woman or women
must manage the day to day operations of the business and be able to provide documents
demonstrating that these requirements are satisfied.
An economically disadvantaged womanowned small business must satisfy all conditions for a WOSB. In
addition, a woman will be presumed economically disadvantaged if she has a personal net worth of less
than $750,000, her adjusted gross annual income does not exceed $350,000 and the fair market value of
all of her assets does not exceed $6million.

Certification New WOSB Program
• Self certification
– WOSB or EDWOSB can self certify
– Registration in CCR&ORCA is required
– Contracting office may/will request additional documentation
– All documents will be maintained in WOSB Program Repository

• Review: http://www.sba.gov/wosb
Third Party Certification
– Can be certified by third party certifier – federal agency, state government or national
certifying entity approved by SBA
– Existing 8(a) program certification may be eligible
Narrative
Women business owners participating in the WOSB program must be certified.
Certification can be accomplished in two ways – through self certification or through a third party
certifier.
A womanowned small business or economically disadvantaged womanowned small business can self
certify ‐‐to participate in the WOSB program. This can be done by first registering in the Central
Contractor Registration the CCR – and the Online Representations and Certifications Application
ORCA as a womanowned small business.
Other documents will be requested by the contracting officer. These documents will be used to
validate that the business is an eligible small business, owned and controlled by one or more women.
All certification documents for WOSBs or EDWOSBs will be maintained in the WOSB Program Repository
that SBA will manage.
In addition, a WOSB or EDWOSB can be certified by a third party certifier.
A third party certifier is a federal agency, a state government, or a national certifying entity approved by
the Small Business Administration to provide certifications of WOSBs or EDWOSBs. SBA will maintain a
list of approved third party certifiers on its Website.

Veterans Programs(VOSB&SDVOSB)
• Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act defined VOSB&SDVOSB
• Established 3% governmentwide prime and subcontracting goals for service disabled veteran
owned small businesses
• Selfcertification program(SDVOSB)
Learn More…
Veterans Business Outreach Centers http://www.sba.gov/content/veteransbusinessoutreachcenters
Veteran Information Pages http://www.vetbiz.gov/

Narrative
The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999 defined veteran owned
small businesses and service disabled veteran owned businesses. It also established governmentwide
contracting and subcontracting goals for service disabled veteran owned small businesses at 3 percent,
respectively.
Service disabled veteran owned small businesses are selfcertified. However, the Department of
Veterans Affairs verifies ownership and control of veteran owned small businesses and service disabled
veteran owned small businesses, as part of the Vendor Information Pages or VIP database.

Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
• SDVOSB Program
– Contract set–asides are authorized
• Sole source or competition is required for all SDVOSB contracts
• SDVOSB – self certified
Narrative
As mentioned earlier in this training program, a contracting officer can setaside acquisitions for service
disabled veteran owned small businesses.
To participate in this type of set-aside, such businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a
service disabled veteran and the daily management operations of the concern must be controlled by a
servicedisabled veteran or caregiver. And, they must be a small business. Service disabled veteran
owned small businesses are required to selfcertify.

Veterans First Contracting Program
• Only VO and SDVOSB are eligible
• Sole source or competition
• Must be certified by the VA
VO and SDVOSB must be certified in (http://www.vetbiz.gov) and listed in the VIP database
(http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov)
Narrative
The Veterans First Contracting Program applies only to purchases made by the Department of Veterans
Affairs and only veteran owned small businesses and service disabled veteran owned small businesses
are eligible.

Veteran owned small firms wanting to participate in the program must be certified by the Department
of Veterans Affairs and listed in the VA’s Vendor Information Pages or VIP database.

Resources and Tools
Resources and toolsno narrative.

Resources and Tools
• Federal Acquisition Regulations
– https://www.acquisition.gov/far
• Acquisition Central
– https://www.acquisition.gov/
• FAR Part 19 – Small Business Programs
– http://www.acquisition.gov/far
• Code of Federal Regulations(13CFR)
– http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html
• Federal Business Opportunities
– http://www.fbo.gov
• SBAGovernment Contracting
– http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/gc/index.html
Resources and Tools
• Online Representations & Certification Application (ORCA)
– https://orca.bpn.gov
• Learn more about(including application procedures):
– 8(a) Business Development Program http://www.sba.gov/content/8abusiness
development0
– WOSB Program http://www.sba.gov/content/contractingopportunitieswomen
ownedsmallbusinesses
– HUB Zone Program http://www.sba.gov/content/hubzone0
• Find your local:
– SBA district office http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html
Procurement Technical Assistance Center(PTAC) http://www.aptac
us.org/new/Govt_Contracting/find.php
– SCORE chapter http://www.score.org/
Small Business Development Center http://www.asbdcus.org/
– Women’s Business Center http://www.awbc.biz/locate.asp

Conclusion
• 
Thank you for participating in Part 1, of the Government Contracting 101 training program
• Review Parts 2 and 3
– How the government buys
– How to sell to the federal government
Thank you…
Narrative
Thank you for participating in Part 1, of the GC 101 training program. Much information was covered
and we hope it was helpful.
Please review parts 2 and 3, which provide clarity and training around how the government buys and
how to sell your goods and services to the federal government. Thank you.

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