Contracting Officer Podcast Slides Knowledge & Insights From Contracting Officers

What is a Small Business Set-Aside? Episode 028 What is a Small Business Set-Aside? Original Air Date: May 24, 2015 Hosts: Kevin Jans & Paul Schauer

Formatting notes Hyperlinks: Blue font indicates hyperlinks – presentation must be in ‘Slide Show’ mode to activate the link Red bold font indicates a point of emphasis Green bold font indicates CO’s personal comment or perspective

Introduction Purpose of this podcast: To explain some of the details behind the what, when and why of Small Business Set-Asides. Agenda: What are Small Business Set-Asides? When do these apply? Why does Government care? Why does Industry care?

When do Small Business Set-Asides happen? Acquisition Time Zones (from Podcast Episode 003) Requirements Zone Market Research Zone RFP Zone (proposal zone) Source Selection Zone Execution Time Zones (from Podcast Episode 084) Kick Off Zone Performance Zone Re-compete Zone Wrap-up Zone

Types of Set-Asides These DO NOT require a separate Justification & Approval (within some limits) All of them say “MAY” set aside… Small Business (FAR 6.203 – Set-Asides for Small Business Concerns) The “how” is in FAR 19.5 – Set-Asides for Small Business Section 8(a) Competitions (FAR 6.204 – Section 8(a) Competition) HUBZone Small Business Concerns (FAR 6.205 – Set-Asides for HUBZone Small Business Concerns)

Types of Set-asides SDVSOB (FAR 6.206 – Set-Asides for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns) EDWOSB or WOSB program in FAR 19.1505 and FAR 6.207 Set asides for local firms during a major disaster or emergency (FAR 6.208) To companies ‘residing in’ or “doing business primarily in’ the affected areas

Additional Considerations Size standards for Small Businesses, per NAICS Code Helps “thin the herd” and get to one awardee Policy: FAR 19.2 “maximize practicable opportunities…to small businesses, VSOB, SDVOSBs, HUBZone businesses, EDWOSBs, etc.” Heads of contracting are responsible to have a “SB program” We’ll explain FAR Part 19 another time…it’s a whopper.

Why Should Government Care? Book answer: Small Business Act and FAR 19 says so Our answer: Often allows better product/service, faster, and often at less cost (but not ‘no cost’) Better service: Targets your offerers Saves you time, saves them time, you may be their largest customer

Why Should Government Care? Faster More focused, more nimble, more innovative (but not infinitely so) “Cheaper” Less overhead, less interdivision costs, etc. YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW IT’S NOT RIGGED!

Why Should Industry Care? Book answer: FAR 6.2 and FAR 19 say they can care Our answer: Small business Focus (see Episode 016 or the Target or Forget It! Webinar) Strategic Advantage Fewer sharks in your lagoon…

Why Should Industry Care? Large business As a prime: they have a subcontracting plan and the eSRS to manage As a sub: they have access to many set asides It’s the system we have

Summary Can be advantageous both Government and Industry Provides opportunities for Small Business that may not otherwise exist Must be carefully managed

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