How do I pursue federal contracting opportunities as a small business?
U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Government Contracting Program
The Government Contracting Program of SBA ensures that small businesses receive their fair share of federal contracts. SBA’s programs include the establishment of small business set-asides, certification of small businesses to perform on federal contracts, and opportunities in subcontracting to large business prime contractors.
The Government Contracting Program of SBA works to make sure small businesses get at least 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars.
Additionally, the government tries to award a certain percentage of all federal prime contracting dollars to small businesses each year called Set-asides, that meet certain socio-economic conditions.They include Minority-owned, Women-owned, Service-disabled veteran-owned and HUBZone-certified small businesses.
SBA also provides information and assistance to firms who are interested in obtaining federal contracts. SBA staff can be contacted for additional information at the following locations:
Lakehurst, NJ - 732-284-8064
Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ - 973-724-6574
Washington, DC - 202 205 6459
Minority Small Business & Capital Ownership Development (MSB/COD) 8(a) Program
The 8(a) Program is SBA’s effort to promote equal access for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to participate in the business sector of the nation’s economy.
Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals include Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans and others designated by the SBA.
The program recognizes the historical lack of equal access that minorities and other disadvantaged individuals have had to the resources needed to develop their small businesses. The program assists 8(a) approved firms to participate in the business sector and to become independently competitive in the marketplace.
The assistance available includes access to federal government contracts as well as management and technical assistance programs.
For further information, call the SBA at 973-645-2531.
