Our office works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards.
Mission statement
The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. GC advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement world.
About our office
The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum practicable participation by small, disadvantaged, service-disabled veteran–owned, and woman-owned small businesses in Federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. GC advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement environment, and plays a major role in the formulation of federal procurement policies that affect small businesses.
Each year, the United States government spends hundreds of billions of dollars in goods and services purchases from private firms. To foster an equitable federal procurement policy, SBA negotiates annual spending goals that are reserved for small businesses. GC also oversees a series of exclusive small business procurements called “small business set-asides”, which can be applied across a variety of small businesses and SBA programs.
Currently, the overall prime contracting small business goal is 23%. This includes the specific goals of:
- 5% to Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB)
- 5% to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) small businesses
- 5% to small disadvantaged businesses
- 3% to HUBZone firms
Through GC headquarters staff and field staff positions, GC administers programs and services that assist small businesses in meeting the requirements to receive government contracts, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. These include the Certificate of Competency program, Natural Resources Assistance program, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program and plays a major role in the formulation of federal procurement policies that affect small businesses, small business size determinations, and waivers of the nonmanufacturer rule.
Office Spotlight
Doing business with the government is a big step to growing your business.
APEX Accelerators (formerly called Procurement Technical Assistance Centers or PTACs) provide local, in-person counseling and training services for you, the small business owner. They are designed to provide technical assistance to businesses that want to sell products and services to federal, state, and/or local governments. Their services are available either free of charge, or at a nominal cost. APEX Accelerators are administered by the U.S. Department of Defense.
What can an APEX Accelerator do for you?
Determine if your business is ready for government contracting
Pursuing government contracts can be a challenge and can be a burden for your company if you do not have the resources or maturity to handle a contract. An APEX representative can sit with you one-on-one and determine if your company is ready, and how to position yourself for success.
Help you register in the proper places
There are numerous databases to register with to get involved with the government marketplace, including the Department of Defense’s System for Award Management (SAM), GSA Schedules, and other government vendor sites.
See if you are eligible in any small business certifications
Some government contracts are set aside for certain businesses that have special certifications, such as 8(a), woman-owned, service-disabled veteran owned, and HUBZone. An APEX representative can help you obtain these certifications, if you are eligible, allowing for more government contract opportunities.
Research past contract opportunities
An APEX representative can look into past contracts, to see what types of contracts have been awarded to businesses like yours.
In addition, an APEX Accelerator can help you identify and bid on a contract, and if you are awarded the contract, continue to provide you support through measuring your performance and helping with your contract audits. Don’t hesitate and find the APEX Accelerator near you today to get started in government contracting or to improve your success.
Program information
- Find your area office
- Small business size determinations
- System for Award Management (SAM)
- Small Business Search (SBS, formerly the Dynamic Small Business Search)
- Federal Business Opportunities
Tools for entrepreneurs
Contact us
Office of Government Contracting & Business Development
409 3rd St. SW, Suite 8000
Washington, DC 20416
Phone: 866-SBA-HELP (866-722-4357)
Email: certifications@sba.gov