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Small Business

OASIS+ is the next big thing small businesses should know about

GSA has been hard at work creating the next-generation contract program for non-IT services. A significant amount of time and industry engagement, including large-scale requests for information (RFIs), went into the creation of the next-generation services contract. (GSABlog June 15, 2022)

GSA had three goals in mind during the design process:

  • Fulfill agency service requirements with highly experienced contractors while simplifying the purchasing experience
  • Broaden access to best-in-class non-IT service contracts for highly qualified contractors while simultaneously increasing small business opportunities
  • Shrink the burden on industry and government (ibid)

GSA is well on its way to achieving its goals.

Maximizing small business engagement is paramount to the new program. GSA is adopting a small business strategy that creates separate and distinct contract families for categories of small businesses to allow maximum opportunities to participate. GSA plans to solicit and award indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts in the following categories:

  • 8(a) Small Business
  • HUBZone Small Business
  • Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business
  • Total Small Business
  • Woman-Owned Small Business
  • Unrestricted (ibid)

GSA’s new program will be capable of fulfilling requirements currently met by GSA’s One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS); Human Capital and Training Solutions (HCaTS); and Building, Maintenance, and Operations (BMO) contracts. Additional scope areas are to include environmental, intelligence services, and large enterprise solutions. Flexibility will be built in to expand the scope as customers identify ongoing needs. (ibid)

The contracts will be grouped by Domains – functional groupings of services spanning multiple NAICS codes. Domains align to order requirements to qualified industry partners. Over time, GSA will add new Domains to meet agencies’ needs. (ibid)

GSA is ensuring companies that receive awards in the new contract program are highly qualified. Additionally, GSA will create an avenue for new industry partners to continually onboard. GSA will provide for continuous on-ramping and eliminate caps on the number of awards. This will allow the program to evolve as the government agency needs change, expand the industrial base and eliminate barriers to entry for qualified businesses.

GSA’s Enhanced Task Order Competition (876) authority establishes a host of contracts that leverage competition and establish price at the order level. The contracts allow for commercial and non-commercial services and orders of all types including fixed price, time and material cost reimbursement, and hybrid. (ibid)

The name of the program is OASIS Plus (aka OASIS+). Until the program is finalized, updates can be found on SAM.gov and the OASIS+ Interact Community. A draft solicitation is expected early FY 2023 with the final RFP in the second quarter of the fiscal year. (ibid)

This is exciting and daunting at the same time. If you have questions about any part of OASIS+ or the upcoming draft RFP, give us a call.

Got a Delivery Service Business? Get a Government Contract

Even before Covid, delivery service businesses were in high demand. The shift to delivery services, since Covid, has been nothing short of astronomical. There is no better time to increase your business and no better way than a federal delivery contract.

Are federal delivery contracts actually worth the time and effort? In 2020, the U.S. government awarded $683 billion in federal contracts. Spending is expected to continue to increase over the next several years. (ExecutiveBiz June 20, 2022)

While DHL, FedEx, and UPS dominate the federal delivery service, the federal government is driving initiatives to include every business. Many agencies actually have offices dedicated to small businesses. (ibid)

One such agency is the Department of Transportation (DOT). Within the DOT is the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) which supports small delivery services providers and vendors operating in the delivery services arena. Additionally, there are contracting assistance programs available at the Small Business Administration (SBA). Certain SBA programs provide assistance to Women-owned small businesses and often link them to mentors.(ibid)

Contracts within the federal delivery service platform generally last from 12 months to as long as 36 years. When an agency is happy with a service delivery provider, often contracts are extended. In addition, the federal government has a stellar reputation for paying invoices. (ibid)

The first step in winning a federal delivery contract involves market research. Done properly, it will help you make informed decisions and understand current demands. Knowing the market prepares you to meet an agency’s needs. (ibid)

The second step is knowing your competition. This will allow you to bid your services competitively. The SBA has a dynamic search function DSBS. SAM.gov is another site that allows you to view new delivery contracts awarded by federal agencies. (ibid)

The third step is knowing the federal and state regulations. Many can be found on this SBA site. The following regulations are the most important to be aware of:

  • Labor and employment – wages/workplace hazard protection
  • Taxes – individual as well as employment taxes
  • Advertising and privacy – trustworthy advertising/customer privacy
  • Environment – an example is the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP)
  • Antitrust – actions which monopolize or limit competition (ibid)

The fourth step is becoming familiar with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This is the script for federal contractors and contracting officers. Knowing the FAR will go a long way to navigating the complex requirements and processes of the federal government acquisition arena. (ibid)

A fifth step is to know whether you are eligible for small business assistance programs. If eligible, you can apply for contracting assistance. (ibid)

Finally, get registered on the SAM website. This is the federal government System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Once you will receive a Unique Entity ID (UEI) which identifies your delivery service business. (If you offer other services, you may have more than one NAICS code.) (ibid)

Once all of the above steps are completed, you are ready to bid on a contract. To prepare, identify your target federal agencies and price your delivery services competitively. Once a federal agency publishes a Request for Proposal (RFP) review the expectations and determine if your business can meet the demands of the RFP. If so, you are ready to bid.(ibid)

Responding to an RFP requires strict attention to detail and timelines. A late response or a partially responded to requirement will disqualify a company from winning a contract. If you are non-compliant you will not receive an award. We recommend setting up schedules for research, writing, and reviews. And remember, all proposals must be submitted on time.

Working your way through the regulations and requirements to successfully bid on government contracts takes finesse and know-how. If you have reached a roadblock or need some assistance, give us a call.

So You Want To Be A Federal Government Contractor

A recent American Express OPEN survey showed that 57 percent of businesses noted a significant increase in revenue when engaged in government contracting. In fact, those businesses saw their revenue grow at a rate of 61percent. Our focus will be on the largest source of doing business with the government, federal government contracting. (The National Law Review May 9, 2022)

Each year the federal government contract spending is in the billions of dollars. The United States government is the single largest procurer of goods and services in the world. Vendors sell anything from paper clips to fighter jets for the Department of Defense. In order to take advantage of this business, at any level, vendors must complete several required steps. (ibid)

Completion of Regulatory Basics

Businesses wishing to work with the federal government must complete specific regulatory requirements. All potential contractors are required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Your business is assigned a UEI when you register on SAM.gov. Click here to learn more about obtaining a UEI. (ibid)

For a contract to be awarded by the federal government, approval must be obtained by a Contracting Officer (CO). COs only approve responsible contractors. The government will not enter into a contract with a vendor who:

  • owes back taxes
  • has a current or pending legal judgment with the government
  • does not have a checking account
  • is on the government’s excluded parties list
  • has not completed the basic regulatory requirement for doing business with the government

Before moving on, potential contractors should verify all required registrations are completed and a UEI is assigned. (ibid)

Locating Opportunities

Looking for opportunities within the federal government is similar to private industry. One must determine which agency has a need for a particular good or service.

There are many sources to help locate opportunities suited to a specific business. The main portals for entry into the federal government contracting are:

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule

This is the most common form of a federal government contract. GSA is the “acquisition arm” of the federal government. Vendors who wish to be included on the primary contract vehicle, a GSA Schedule, can find additional information here. (ibid)

To be eligible for a GSA Schedule contract, a potential GSA vendor must show proof of at least two years of measurable past performance and provide two years of financial statements. References from the Federal arena may be used in lieu of experience. (ibid)

FedBizOpps

Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) contains government contracting opportunities with values over $25,000. (ibid)

GWACs

This is a government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC) in which multiple government agencies align their needs and purchase a contract for goods or services. Government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) allow for economies of scale, which usually reduce per-unit costs.

Vendors may also act as a subcontractor to prime contractors. There are several sites to research for subcontracting opportunities. GSA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) both maintain subcontracting databases. Additionally, the SAM website, as well as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), contain sources of information including trade and business publications.

There are two types of government contract offers – bids and proposals. Bids are made in sealed bidding purchases, proposals generally involve contract awards following a negotiation process. The three offer types are:

  • Request for Quotation (RFQ): Used for proposed contracts with a value of less than $150,000.
  • Request for Proposal (RFP): Used for acquisitions with higher values than an RFQ.
  • Invitation for Bid (IFB): Similar to an RFP, with values over $100,000. Contractors submit a sealed bid for government procurement. Generally, negotiation follows. (ibid)

It is extremely important that all information provided in an offer be factually sound and contain all information necessary for a CO to make an evaluation. Vendors should note that responses to technical specifications will become part of the contract, so it is wise not to overpromise. (ibid)

Once all requirements are satisfied the offer is ready for submission. Note, that the lowest-priced offer does not necessarily ensure a win. More often than not, experience and service excellence are deemed more important. (ibid)

The evaluation of offers begins when the government agency receives es the bids. Patience is key as acceptance of bids can take up to several months. The key is knowing and staying up-to-date with your Contracting Officer. (ibid)

Have questions about contracting with the federal government? Give us a call.

GSA has an equity plan

For the first time in its history, GSA has an equity action plan. Their goal is to increase investments in small disadvantaged businesses (SDB)s. This while the Biden Administration addresses systemic issues, negatively affecting underserved communities. (Federal Computer Week April 14, 2022)

Last week, GSA announced its plan to administer $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA plans to focus on three particular areas: federal procurement, federal buildings, and federal technology design and delivery. (ibid)

The GSA plan identified five barriers impacting SDBs from achieving equitable outcomes in the federal marketplace:

  • Lack of centralized portal
  • Inability to access potential awards
  • Lack of knowledge of federal procurement requirements
  • Inability to navigate and or comply with federal procurement requirements. (ibid)

GSA is looking for new ways for SDBs to find places on existing governmentwide acquisition contracts while creating a supplier diversity plan along with a “robust post-award engagement strategy” to make sure SDBs are successful. GSA is simplifying the process for new candidates, educating and creating new pathways into the federal procurement arena. (ibid)

According to Robin Carnahan, GSA Administrator, “this plan lays out how GSA intends to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as a priority in everything we do, from delivering projects to designing websites. For government to work, it needs to work for everyone. That’s why we are focused on improving how we at GSA, and our federal partners, can improve how we deliver services to all of America’s communities.” (ibid)

In support of the Biden Administration’s goal to increase federal contract spending on SDBs, GSA plans to increase federal contract spending by 50% over the coming five years. The Small Business Administration is investing in technology to improve program applications. The goal is to increase access to capital for minority-owned businesses. In addition, the White House plans to invest $31 billion in various forms of assistance for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. (ibid)

Are you an SDB or minority-owned business looking to work with the Federal Government? Give us a call.

The SBA should focus on small businesses, not fraudulent businesses

Last week the small business community urged lawmakers to shrink administrative burdens complicating entry into the Small. Business Administration’s (SBA’s) 8(a) program.

This is timely as the Biden Administration has set a goal to bolster the share of federal contracts awarded to small disadvantaged businesses from 5% to 15% by 2025. A former SBA official suggests the SBA focus on expanding entry to the program for disadvantaged businesses and not spend time penalizing those who fraudulently attempt to gain entry. This will go a long way to help achieve the goals as set by the administration.

Jackie Robinson-Burnette, CEO of Senior Executive Strategic Solutions and a former SBA senior program executive said SBA should, “shift their focus to include every firm that is eligible'” for the 8(a) program. She mentioned that she served at the SBA, the SBA received over 2,000 applications a year and accepted only 300 participants. The Government Accountability Office believes steps were taken to address fraudulent applications to the 8(a) program. Unfortunately, there remains no official verification procedure. The Government Accountability Office did not take steps to improve oversight of the program, according to report filings.

Robinson-Burnette said, “right now, the focus is making sure they mitigate the risk of firms getting into the program that shouldn’t be in the program – focusing on the fraud – when really that’s 1% or 2% of firms that apply. The other 90-plus percent of firms are struggling to get in … because the SBA is focused on the wrong thing.”

In addition to misplaced focus, Rep. Kweisi Mfune (D-MD) said business owners have reported concerns with the length of the program and that it takes most firms multiple years to receive their first awards. Mfune said, “this hinders the development of program participants and raises the question of whether enterprises are ready for graduation when they exit the program.”

Darryl Hairston, the SBA’s former associate administrator of business development, said he submitted a proposal to redesign the 8(a) program a few years ago. Hairston took into account the complexities small businesses encounter in navigating the federal marketplace during their initial years in operation.

Hairston said, “one of the things that we talked about was that most firms coming into the program, who are truly eligible for the program, had little experience in the federal marketplace. The timeframe is highly dependent upon how successful you are coming into the program and how well you take off with the benefits that are available to you.”

Robinson-Burnette feels adding priority access for SDB mentors will increase successful outcomes. This will occur by shifting some of the SBA’s dependence from their assigned business opportunity and creating additional inroads to work opportunities. Mfume is considering meeting with the SBA administrator to figure out “what can be done in the time we have.”

Are you a small disadvantaged business or a business looking to work with one on an upcoming contract? Give us a call.