U.S. General Services Administration Office of Small Business Utilization Veterans Access to GSA Opportunities

Introduction This training was developed to provide a wealth of knowledge to the small business whether downloading from our website for a quick view, taking notes during a education session or as a reference document for those times you just need to review a section or two. Our goal is to connect you to opportunities in our agency. Let us know how we are doing and how we can improve. You can reach us at 2

Objective Advocacy nation-wide GSA Acquisition Process Importance of SAM GSA’s role as a Federal Buyer SDVOSB Eligibility 3

SDVOSB – Historical Background Awareness - VETERANS ENTREPRENEURSHIP and SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACT of 1999 (PL106-50) Set-Asides - VETERANS BENEFITS ACT (VBA) of 2003 (PL ) Accountability - Executive Order (October 2004) (accountability) 4

How is eligibility decided? Self-certify as a SDVOSB for GSA:  Review PL and FAR (b)  Service-connected disability that has been determined by the VA or DoD  Small business under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code  Owner of 51% of the business (controlling interest of Director Boards or financial agreements)  Control the daily management operations and hold the highest officer position of the business 5

SDVOSB – Business Control If 2 or more SDV’s own the company one must still be 51% owner to qualify for the certification: In some cases the assessment of 51% may not be in agreement. Involve legal review to ensure the 51% is being met by the selected owner as stated in your state law 6 Maintaining control of your SDVOSB is your responsibility!

Loosing your SDVOSB Status?  VA may be able to help with special situations where the SDVOSB status is being challenged.  Debarment can be a result of unresolved status changes 7

8 SDVOSB – Initiatives / Outreach Efforts Outreach Efforts – Vendor Engagement Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development Dedicated Veterans Program Manager Targeted Small Business Events Collaborations with advocacy groups for better Veteran opportunities Small Business Goals

SDVOSB – Initiatives / In Reach Efforts In Reach Efforts - Acquisition Workforce Training Policy Guidance Assistance finding vendors Acquisition rules for set-asides Purchasing authority Small Business Goals 9

Small Business Goal Achievement smallbuisness.data.gov  Both inreach and outreach focus on small business goals for each fiscal year  Strategic Planning  Targeted Events  Challenges and Solutions  Program Development  Leadership collaboration 10

GSA’s Role as a Federal Buyer 11

SAM is Key! The System for Award Management (SAM) is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS Streamline and integrate processes Eliminate data redundancies Reduce costs while providing improved monitoring capability MANDATORY Participation is MANDATORY for all small businesses working with the Federal government 12

Requirements for GSA Capable to perform work for Federal government Attention to detail in proposals Sell what the Government purchases Market yourself effectively Follow the Forecast an Procurement Sites Ask questions and request extensions if needed Identify buying trends 13

Multiple Award Schedule Program Long-term government-wide contracts with commercial firms providing access to over 11 million commercial products and services. Participation: Minimum revenue of $25,000 2 years in business Commercial Products and Services only Contractors required to earn $25,000 after 24 month grace period to avoid removal from program 14

Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA’s) Provides easy access to repetitive needs for supplies or services. Participation: Current GSA Contract Holders Compete for Award with other GSA Contract Holders Annual review of award for Best Value Most compatible with recurring requirements like office supplies, IT equipment and services, etc. 15

Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Used to procure technical expertise in areas such as cost estimating, architect/engineer services, seismic/structural/blast services, construction management and inspection, general construction, repair and alteration, design-build, demolition and remediation services. Participation: Varies with each contract type Applicable to various industries including construction Purchase amounts vary 16

GWACS for Small Business 8(a) STARS II – (Awarded July 31, 2011) Alliant Small Business – (Awarded February 3, 2007) Veterans Technology Services (VETS) – Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB) set-aside (Awarded February 2, 2007) 17

SDVOSB – Sole Source Contracts Simplified Acquisition Threshold ($150,000)  At or below the simplified acquisition threshold  CO may set-aside the requirement for consideration among SDVOSBs using simplified acquisition procedures  May award a sole source contract to a SDVOSB  A sole source award is permissible:  There is only one SDVOSB that could perform the contract  An emergency justifies limited competition. 18

Marketing Communicate Solutions not check list Focus on ability not fluff Target actual projects not ideas Listen to the customer Be better than their last experience Don’t overlook procurements, instead ask questions if you are hesitant to respond 19

Best Practices “Sources Sought” Notices are looking for vendor capabilities Federal Data System (FPDS-NG) provides great historical data for market research Debriefings help to improve your offers Teaming with other small business categories can open doors Established SOP’s cut down wasted time and expense 20

Terms You Should Know!  Prime  Subcontracting  Contract Teaming Arrangements  Multiple Award Schedule Program  Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA’s)  Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)  Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWAC’s)  Set asides  Sole Sources 21

Partnering Options to Consider 1.Contractor Teaming Arrangements 2.Subcontracting 3.Joint Ventures 22

Office of Small Business Utilization Each Federal agency has an Office of Small Business Utilization put in place by congress “…to promote the maximum practicable use of all designated small business categories within the Federal Acquisition process…” These advocates report to the head of their agency on the success of this partnership.  Finding creative new ways to educate  Sponsoring and delivering business development training  Integrating low-cost networking events into established venues  Providing free counseling and more… 23

OSBU Partners for Small Business 24  Federal OSBU Agency Offices The Small Business Act as amended by Public Law established the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business (OSDBU) to promote the maximum practicable use of all designated small business categories within the Federal Acquisition process. and GSA OSBU Staff  Small Business Administration SBA provides business counseling, training and business development specialists providing free and low-cost services in your area U-ASK-SBA ( )  The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers PTACs are dedicated to assisting businesses seeking to compete successfully in federal, state and local government contracting.

GSA Sources of Support PBS Industry Relations Construction, Real Estate, Architecture, Interior Design Public Building Service National Customer Service Center (NCSC) (800) Commercial Products and Services Federal Acquisition Service Office of Small Business Utilization 855-OSBUGSA gsa.gov/smallbizsupport Office of Small Business Utilization 25

OSBU Events and Social Media  Office of Small Business Utilization    GSA National Small Events   Twitter  26

SMALL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Christy L. Jackiewicz Outreach and Mentor Protégé Program Manager General Services Administration Office of Small Business Utilization OSBUGSA ( ) 27 We want to hear from you. Please share your success stories, comments, questions and concerns at