90 ©2018 WASHINGTON DC ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP DOING BUSINESS WITH THE
BENEFITS OF THE 8(A) PROGRAM:
• Participants can receive sole-source contracts, up to
a ceiling of $4 million for goods and services and $6.5
million for manufacturing. The program encourages
businesses to build their competitive and institutional
know-how and participate in competitive acquisitions.
• Firms are also able to form joint ventures and teams to
bid on contracts. This enhances the ability of 8(a) firms to
perform larger prime contracts and overcome the effects
of contract bundling.
• Participants may take advantage of specialized business
training, counseling, market assistance, and high-level
executive development provided by the SBA and its
resource partners.
8(a) firms are monitored through annual reviews, business
planning, and systematic evaluations, in order to ensure
participants are on track to accomplish the goals and meet
the requirements of the program.
To learn more about the above programs and set-aside
certifications for small businesses, visit sba.gov/federalcontracting/
contracting-assistance-programs.
FEDERAL OFFICE OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED
BUSINESS UTILIZATION (OSDBU)
The OSDBU is a council of small business program officials
who work within federal agencies to increase the number of
small businesses awarded Government contracts. The council
advocates for best-practice policies within the ranks of those
who implement and execute Government programs, and
ensures that all federal agencies abide by policies that promote
small business concerns. Members convene informally on a
monthly basis, in conjunction with SBA officials, to discuss
small business interests and long-term goals.
PROCUREMENT WORKSHOPS
The Department of Small and Local Business Development
and the Office of Contracting and Procurement conduct
monthly workshops on government procurement to assist
small businesses in learning about contracting opportunities.
For more information, visit ocp.dc.gov or call (202) 727-0252.
LOCAL & FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY PROGRAM (COC)
The COC program seeks to empower small businesses in
the contracting process. In the event that a small business
is the low bidder on a Federal Government contract
opportunity but is denied the award because a contracting
officer decides the firm in question would be unable to
fulfill the contract requirements, the COC program allows
the small business to appeal the determination. Industrial
and financial specialists at the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) then conduct a thorough review
of the firm’s capabilities. Factors such as credit ratings,
past performance, management expertise, and prospects
for obtaining needed financing or equipment are all
considered. If the small business is found to be adequate,
then the Federal Government is required to award the
business the contract. This process can be initiated by the
business or the SBA.
ALL SMALL MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM
The All Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program is designed
to encourage approved mentors to provide various forms
of business development assistance to protégé firms.
This assistance may include technical and management
assistance, financial assistance in the form of equity
investments and loans, subcontracts, and assistance in
performing prime contracts with the government through
joint venture arrangements.
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