Small_Business_Overview.doc

mass care and emergency services

INDUSTRY Day Friday, May 1, 2015

The FEMA Small Business Representative provided the following information regarding Small Businesses:

Consider other avenues to participate in Federal acquisitions when prime contracting opportunities are limited. Other ways to participate include subcontracting, mentor protege arrangements, teaming and joint ventures. Subcontracting provides small businesses with the opportunity to be suppliers for larger acquisitions and it may also open the door for networking opportunities with the prime. Mentor protege arrangements provide small businesses with the opportunity to grow and learn from experienced contractors. Teaming and joint ventures may lead to small businesses successfully bidding and winning larger dollar procurements.

Regarding market research, the acquisition planning process may include market research on an on-going basis until the acquisition strategy has been finalized. During this process, the requirement is examined to determine, based on the agency's mission, what procurement strategy will best accomplish the mission. These discussions are held and take into consideration the feedback from venues such as Industry Days.

Federal small business contracting goals are Congressionally mandated goals. Each agency is encouraged to meet or exceed the goals.