A Small Business is not dominant in its field of operation and qualifies as a small business concern under Title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, part 121 (13 CFR 121). In the Department of Defense (DoD), FAR Part 19 – Small Business implements the acquisition-related sections of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631) and is located in FAR Subchapter D, Socioeconomic Programs.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) was founding to help assist small businesses with advocacy, loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance. It establishes small business size standards on an industry-by-industry basis, but generally specifies a small business as having fewer than 500 employees for manufacturing businesses and less than $7 million in annual receipts for most nonmanufacturing businesses.

SBA provides assistances primarily through its four (4)programmatic functions: [1]

1. Access to Capital (Business Financing)
2. Entrepreneurial Development (Education, Information, Technical Assistance & Training)
3. Government Contracting (Federal Procurement)
4. Advocacy (Voice for Small Business)

The DoD Office of Small Business Programs advises the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to small business and are try to maximize the contributions of small business in DoD acquisitions. They also provide leadership and governance to the Military Departments and Defense Agencies to meet the needs of the nations’ Warfighters, creating opportunities for small businesses. There’re a number of Small Business programs established to include:

• Mentor-Protégé
• SBIR/STTR
• Indian Incentive

There’re a number of initiatives established to include:

• Women-Owned Small Business
• Small Disadvantage Business (SDB)
• Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
• Comprehensive Subcontracting Plan Test
• Regional Councils
• HUBZones
• Small Business Set-Aside

Regulations and Laws pertaining to Small Business:

• FAR Part 52.219: Small Business Programs Provisions and Clauses
• DFARS Part 219: Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns
• Executive Order 13170: Increasing Opportunities and Access for Disadvantaged Businesses
• Executive Order 13360: Providing Opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran Businesses
• DoD Directive 4205.01: DoD Small Business Programs
• DoD Instruction 5134.04: Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

AcqTips:    

• See Small Business Program Decision Chart

AcqLinks and References:

• [1] Website: Small Business Administration
• FAR Part 19 “Small Business”
• DoD Directive 4205.01 “DoD Small Business Programs” – 10 Mar 2009
• DoD Instruction 5134.04 “Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization” – 27 Sept 2005
• Small Business Program Decision Chart
• Website: DoD Office of Small Business Programs
• Website: Air Force Office of Small Business Programs
• Website: Navy Office of Small Business Programs
• Website: Army Office of Small Business Programs
• Website: FAR Part 52.219 “Small Business Programs Provisions and Clauses”
• Website: DFARS Part 219 “Small Business and Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns”

Update: 6/4/2018