WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS: 11/95 SELLING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Office of Women's Business Ownership U.S. Small Business Administration For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328 ISBN 0-16- 042057-1 ________________________________________________________________ Foreword This guide is designed to help women business owners become more successful by providing them with information about marketing their goods and services to the federal government. It is published by the Office of Women's Business Ownership of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The need for such a guide is indicated by recent statistics. Women-owned businesses constitute one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. economy. U.S. Census Bureau statistics indicate that women now own 32 percent of all small businesses in the United States and by the year 2000 the percentages will increase to 40 percent. Despite impressive advancement, however, women still face unique challenges to starting and growing their businesses. The Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise is responsible for carrying out a presidential mandate to promote, monitor and coordinate federal efforts on behalf of women business owners. The Office of Women's Business ownership is responsible not only for assisting the committee in improving opportunities for women business owners in the public sector but also for mobilizing private sector resources, developing training materials and serving as an advocate for women business owners. Selling to the federal government can be a large market niche for many small businesses, but it is not an easy arena to enter. The federal government spends nearly $170 billion yearly on a wide range of products and services, from toothbrushes, computers and meals to machinery, utensils and office supplies, yet in FY '94 only 2.1 percent of all federal prime and subcontracts were awarded to women-owned firms. In plain language, women's share of federal contracts has steadily increased, but is still a small percentage of what it should be. The good news for women-owned firms in 1994 was the passage of Public Law 103-355, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, signed by President Clinton on October 13, 1994. This Act is the first major rewrite of Federal procurement laws in a decade. It revises more than 225 statutory rules and encourages the use of several innovative procurement techniques. It also establishes a government-wide goal of having not less than 5 percent of the total value of all prime and subcontract awards, for each fiscal year, awarded to women-owned businesses. Government agencies are encouraged to expand procurement opportunities for women. Businesses owned and managed by women should capitalize on this opportunity and aggressively market their products and services to the federal government. The regulations governing the new procurement procedures are now being written and should be completed by the end of 1995. In the interim, information is available on the progress of these regulatory changes through SBA's Office of Advocacy and the Office of Women's Business Ownership. Another area of increasing importance in the business world in general, and in dealing with federal procurement procedures in particular, is the use of computers. Significant emphasis has been placed on incorporating acquisition related information, procurement and solicitation announcements, and other changes into computerized information management systems. All federal procurement offices have been directed to establish an electronic commerce system. This will allow federal agencies and commercial vendors to electronically exchange standardized information in the form of purchase orders, requests for quotations and responses to such requests. Indeed, P.L. 103-355 mandates the establishment of a government-wide Federal Acquisition Network (FACNET) within five years. Regardless of the size of the firm seeking to do business with the federal government, the ability to effectively use computer-based information and communications systems will be extremely important. The health of our nation's economy increasingly depends upon the vitality of all segments of the small business community. We trust that this guide will increase the understanding of how the federal marketplace can provide opportunities for women-owned businesses to expand, prosper and become full partners in that community. Table of Contents PART I HOW THE GOVERNMENT BUYS Women and the Government Market New Opportunities for Women-Owned Businesses Emphasizing the Acquisition of Commercial Items Simplified Acquisition Procedures Federal Acquisition Network (FACNET) Uniformity in the Procurement Process Protests and Oversight Procedures Pilot Programs How the Government Buys General Procedures Consolidated Purchasing Programs Major Federal Agencies Government Tools for Identifying Potential Offerors General Procedures for Getting on a Bidders List The Procurement Automated Source System (PASS) The Qualified Products List (QPL) How Does the Government Make Known Its Needs? GSA Business Service Centers (BSC) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Other Resources What Are the Government's Methods of Buying? Formal Advertising (Sealed Bidding) -- Invitation for Bid Buying or Contracting by Negotiation -- Request for Proposals Types of Contracts PART 2 SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT Before You Begin Subcontracting with a Prime Contractor Benefiting from the Government's Programs Prequalification Pilot Loan Program What If I'm Unsuccessful in My Bid or Proposal? What Are My Responsibilities as a Contractor? Specific Contract Administration Matters APPENDIX 1. STANDARD FORMS APPENDIX 2. AGENCY RESOURCES SBA Field Offices SBA Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) U.S. Small Business Administration Commercial Market Representatives GSA Business Service Center Regional Offices GSA Federal Information Centers Telephone Numbers United States Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Federal Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Small Business Innovation Research Representatives (SBIR) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Service Centers Defense Contract Management Districts (DCMDs) and Defense Contract Management Area Operations (DCMAOs) U.S. Government Bookstores APPENDIX 3. RESOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY Government Wide Resources _________________________________________________________________ Part I HOW THE GOVERNMENT BUYS WOMEN AND THE GOVERNMENT MARKET Government procurement is big business -- about $170 billion is spent annually for products and services. Figure 1 identifies the largest procuring agencies of the federal government in terms of dollars. Now is a good time to get in on the action in the federal marketplace. While competition has long been recognized as a prudent business practice, there is renewed emphasis, today, on competition within the federal government. In 1994, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (P.L. 103-355) was signed by President Clinton. This landmark legislation calls for major revisions in the federal procurement laws for all civilian and defense agencies. Although the legislation will significantly change the way the government does business, the provisions in the new law will be implemented by regulations which are currently being written. While we do not know how the final Federal Acquisition Regulations (FARs) will be drafted, we do know the key areas of changes in the laws governing the procurement of goods and services. The most significant provisions of the new law include: * Establishing a new 5 percent government-wide procurement goal for women-owned businesses. * Encouraging agencies to rely on off-the-shelf commercial products instead of those specifically designed to comply with government-unique requirements. * Streamlining acquisition procedures through an increased small purchase dollar threshold. * Implementing a government-wide electronic commerce system which will allow computers to exchange business data in a standard format. * Amending several current procurement laws to provide uniform treatment of both Department of Defense and civilian agency procurements. * Authorizing the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to test alternative procurement techniques in 13 pilot acquisition programs. * Improving contract protest and oversight procedures. NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES The legislation establishes a new 5 percent government-wide procurement goal for women-owned businesses. In order to accomplish this objective, the following actions will be taken: * Women-owned firms will be specifically incorporated into the procurement preference goaling process established for all government agencies. A government-wide goal has been targeted for the participation of small business concerns owned and operated by women of not less than 5 percent of the total value of all prime and subcontract awards for each fiscal year. * Women-owned firms are added as a class for subcontract goals. * A woman-owned business is defined as a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women, or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock is owned by one or more women and the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women. Although the new legislation makes it clear that government agencies are expected to expand contract opportunities for women, this does not mean that contracts will be set-aside solely for women-owned firms. Rather, agencies will have a strong incentive to look for qualified women-owned businesses when trying to fill contractual needs. It is still up to women business owners themselves to market their products and services to the government. EMPHASIZING THE ACQUISITION OF COMMERCIAL ITEMS The bill encourages agencies to rely on commercial items and components that are readily available and simplifies the procedures for buying those items. The scope of products and services that qualify for treatment as commercial items has been significantly expanded to include: Products of a type customarily used by the general public that have been offered for sale in the commercial market place. * Products that have been developed from existing commercial items through advances in technology or performance, even if not yet available in the commercial market place. * Commercial items which need only minor modifications to meet federal requirements. * Installation, maintenance, repair and training services, if procured in support of a commercial product under terms and conditions available to the general public. * Commercial services offered and sold competitively in the business arena. * Items previously developed for government use if they were (a) developed at private expense and (b) they have been widely sold on a competitive basis, to state and local governments. These changes represent a common sense approach to government procurement and eliminate many burdensome paperwork, record keeping and certification requirements. SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES Nearly all restrictions on purchases of less than $100,000 are removed. This dollar amount replaces the previous small purchase threshold of $25,000. It means that instead of full and detailed open competition, agencies can now use simplified procedures for soliciting and evaluating bids. Simplified procedures require fewer administrative details, lower approval levels and less documentation. Once an agency has been certified by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) as able to purchase through electronic contracting procedures, its small purchase threshold is raised to $100,000. Prior to certification the threshold is $50,000 for all agencies. If an agency fails to fully implement Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) (see next section) within five years, its threshold would revert to $50,000. The legislation requires all federal purchases above $2,500 but under the $100,000 threshold to be reserved for small businesses, unless the contracting officer cannot obtain offers from two or more small firms that are competitive on price, quality and delivery. Government purchases up to $2,500 are now classified as "micro- purchases" and can be made without obtaining competitive quotes if the contracting officer determines that the price is reasonable. They are also generally not subject to the Buy American Act. However, such purchases are no longer reserved for small businesses. FEDERAL ACQUISITION NETWORK (FACNET) The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) essentially sets up four distinct buying systems: simplified acquisition threshold; micro-purchases; commercial items; and the "old" system for major procurements. It requires the government to change the acquisition process from one driven by paperwork to one based on electronic data interchange through the Federal Acquisition Network (FACNET) a computer based source of information that will be readily available to government and private sector users, including small businesses. The central component of electronic commerce is EDI (electronic data interchange), computer-to-computer exchange of business data. The use of EDI allows organizations to generate, receive and process data with minimum human intervention. EDI networks will be able to automatically update inventories, invoice customers, pay suppliers, advertise federal government requirements and many other tasks that are now time, labor and paper intensive. It is estimated that electronic purchasing can cut federal procurement costs by 10 percent by 1997 and speed delivery times by a third. Technology resources are readily available within most businesses today to get started in Electronic Commerce/Electronic Data Interchange (EC/EDI). The components of the system are: the necessary hardware (a FAX or a PC equipped with a modem and off- the-shelf software); a set of standards (the American National Standards Institute [ANSI x 12 standards]); and communications capability usually handled by a third-party network known as a VAN (value-added network). A Value-Added Network is an entity that provides electronic mailboxing and other communications services for EDI transmissions. A Value-Added Service (VAS) is an entity that provides services beyond communications for its customers. There are numerous options for connecting with these providers. Depending on your business size, products and systems, FAX capability may be all that is needed. With expanded growth your requirements may become more advanced. The woman business owner needs to identify a system that fits her business operation, projected EDI usage, business goals, information system and desired capabilities. Agencies have a big incentive to implement the new system quickly because they may not use the new simplified acquisition procedures for contracts greater than $50,000 until they have developed "interim FACNET capability". This means that they can, at a minimum, provide widespread public notice of solicitations and receive responses to those solicitations and related requests for information. Agencies may not use the simplified acquisition procedures after December 31, 1999, for contracts greater than $50,000 until they have implemented a "full FACNET capability". Full capability is 75 percent of acquisitions above $2,500 and below $100,000 conducted through EDI. Once there is full government-wide use of electronic commerce, the requirement to publish contract notices in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY (CBD) is waived for all contracts below $250,000 if they are executed using electronic commerce. UNIFORMITY IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS The Act amends several procurement laws to create a uniform procurement system in which civilian and defense agencies are governed by the same statutes. Both civilian and defense agencies are now required to focus on performance-based management concepts for major acquisitions. PROTESTS AND OVERSIGHT PROCEDURES In FY '94, about 4,000 bid protests were filed with the General Accounting Office, the General Services Administration's Board of Contract Appeals (GSBCA), the district courts and the Court of Federal Claims. The new legislation streamlines and simplifies the contract administration processes. It establishes an accelerated notice, debriefing and protest schedule and authorizes the payment of consulting and expert witness fees (up to $150 per hour). It also authorizes GSBCA to dismiss a protest that is frivolous, brought in bad faith or that does not state a valid reason for protest. The Act also gives GSBCA exclusive jurisdiction over objections concerning termination or cancellation of contract awards. This new legislation will markedly increase business opportunities for all small businesses, particularly women-owned firms, that aggressively market their products and services to the federal government. However, since the new regulations are not yet completely in place, women-owned firms need to carefully monitor small business issues. The SBA's Office of Advocacy offers a bulletin board that electronically publishes a variety of information of interest to small firms. Included in this bulletin board is a sub-board that focuses exclusively on procurement (regulatory and legislative) issues. It can be reached with a computer and modem (9600 baud) by dialing SBA Online, at (800) 697-4636 (in Washington, D.C. call (202) 401-9600). Once you have logged on to the Main Menu, choose (2) Services Available and then select (7) Advocacy-Small Business Services. Remember the legislation simplifies the procurement process and offers new opportunities for women-owned businesses. Your ability to benefit from the legislation depends on how the bill is implemented and how well prepared you are for the coming changes. It is important to be involved and aware of what is happening. In addition to this new legislation, there are other laws and organizations that promote competition and act as advocates for small and women-owned businesses. For example, the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 restricts the use of non-competitive practices and establishes an advocate for competition in each executive agency and in each procuring activity within the agency. The advocate for competition is responsible for challenging barriers to and promoting full and open competition in their agency's procurement system. Furthermore, the Office of Women's Business Ownership of the Small Business Administration annually negotiates with federal agencies and departments to increase prime contracting goals for women-owned businesses. Now is indeed a good time to get a slice of government business. Federal agencies are actively seeking additional women-owned businesses. Every businesswoman has a potential share in government contracting business because contracting offices buy just about everything offered in the marketplace -- supplies to stock the shelves of supermarkets for its military members; janitorial and maintenance services for its buildings; cafeteria services; management consulting; multi-media production; architectural and engineering services; computer systems; sophisticated air, sea, land and outer space machines and the research to make them more effective and efficient; and, of course, a multitude of paper and other office supplies. The list of products and services is endless -- and so are the opportunities. PILOT PROGRAMS The new law authorizes the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) to conduct 13 pilot acquisition programs in which alternative procurement ideas can be tested. Six of them will be run by OFPP itself, five by the Defense Department and one each by the Federal Aviation Administration and NASA. Agencies may apply any of the new law's provisions concerning commercial products to non-commercial products procured under the pilot. Several regulations concerning matters such as pre-screening of eligible sources and notice of contracting opportunities will be waived in the OFPP test programs. The SBA has established the Women-Owned Business Procurement Pilot Program to expand the pool of women-owned firms receiving federal contract awards. SBA has identified eleven federal agencies to participate in the Pilot. Each of them has designated a women-owned business liaison to provide outreach training and marketing assistance to women-owned businesses. The SBA and the federal agencies co-sponsor on-site procurement conferences at major buying centers around the country. The Pilot will also use the results of an SBA analysis of the federal government's buying patterns to determine the industry categories and geographical areas that offer the greatest opportunity for increasing contract awards to women. HOW THE GOVERNMENT BUYS General Procedures The government buys many of the products and services it needs from suppliers who meet certain qualification requirements. Prior to the passage of P.L. 103-355 (FASA) all procurements expected to exceed $25,000, with certain exceptions, were announced in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY (CBD). The requirement for publication in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY fifteen days prior to solicitation remains in effect for: purchases over $100,000; purchases at agencies that do not have the electronic notice and response capability; and purchases below the threshold in which the solicitation is not made available through electronic commerce procedures. The government purchases the products or services it needs by two methods. The first method, known as formal advertising, (referred to as "sealed bidding" in the Competition in Contracting Act and Federal Acquisition Regulations) involves the issuance of an Invitation for Bid (IFB) by a procuring agency. Following receipt and evaluation of the bids, a contract is usually awarded to the lowest priced bidder, determined to be responsive and responsible by the contracting officer. The second method of competitive proposals is buying by negotiation which involves the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotations (RFQ), and the negotiation of each element in the proposal. An award is made to the offeror who has the best proposal in terms of both technical content and price. Both methods are discussed in some depth later in this publication. CONSOLIDATED PURCHASING PROGRAMS Most government agencies have common purchasing needs -- carpeting, furniture, office machine maintenance, petroleum products and perishable food supplies are just a few examples. Sometimes the government can realize economies by centralizing the purchasing of certain types of products or services. The three largest interagency consolidated purchasing programs are administered by the General Services Administration, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The General Services Administration (GSA) buys, stores, and distributes common use items throughout the federal government. The individual agencies order the items they need through a GSA Depot. GSA may also award federal supply schedule contracts that permit military and civilian agencies to order directly from suppliers. Purchases range from automated data and telecommunications systems to motel accommodations for government travelers. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) manages and buys approximately two million general supply items for the military services. DLA purchases include food, clothing, textiles, medical and dental equipment, and construction equipment. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its Marketing Center in Hines, Illinois, contracts for such items as medical, dental and surgical supplies; drugs and chemicals; non perishable foods; prosthetic and orthopedic aids; medical, radiological and laundry equipment; and uniforms and flags. There are other offices throughout the government that consolidate the buying needs of customers throughout the nation and the world. Consult the publications entitled U.S. GOVERNMENT PURCHASING AND SALES DIRECTORY AND SELLING TO THE MILITARY (see Appendix 3) for locations of these central offices and other buying offices of the individual federal agencies. Both of these publications are discussed later in this publication. MAJOR FEDERAL AGENCIES Each federal agency has its own unique mission and, therefore, has different purchasing needs. The following paragraphs discuss a few major categories of product and service requirements of the larger procuring agencies. The Department of Defense (DOD), by far the largest procuring agency with approximately three-fourths of the contracting dollars spent in the federal government (see Figure 1), spends most of its money on the acquisition and support of sophisticated military hardware systems. DOD has initiated a very active competition advocate that concentrates on finding new sources for spare parts for these hardware systems. A very few of its unique purchasing requirements are as follows: Army - engineering, construction and real estate programs for both U.S. and foreign governments, infrared and microwave research, camouflage materials, new clothing requirements, and laundry; Air Force -aircraft, missile and related weapons support systems spare parts, repair and maintenance base support, commodity and services; Navy - management consulting, engineering, development and production of cruise missiles, shipbuilding, ship-chartering and ocean shipping services. The Department of Energy (DOE) procures energy-related research, development and engineering services by contract and assists both private and public institutions through grants and agreements. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) procures space-related research and development space vehicles and related hardware and components. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) procures hospital supplies, maintains and repairs medical and scientific equipment, designs and constructs for the VA medical centers and the national cemetery system. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) procures farm equipment and supplies, free planting services, soil sampling equipment and food commodities. The Department of the Interior (DOI) contracts for National Park Service concessions, fish foods, oceanographic environmental studies, ecological investigation studies and construction of dams. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contracts for health-related services (food and drugs, research on mental health, the aging process, etc.). It also has a very active grant program for basic research and development in health delivery systems. The Department of Transportation (DOT) procures air traffic control equipment, buoys, research on vehicle propulsion, vehicle safety and research and development studies on the design and construction of the nation's highway system. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) contracts for the operation of electrical power plants, construction of dams and locks, and the development and experimental production of fertilizers. GOVERNMENT TOOLS FOR IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL OFFERORS THE BIDDERS LIST The bidders list is the tool most widely used by federal procurement offices to identify potential contractors. A bidders list contains names of suppliers of materials and services which are possible sources from whom bids may be solicited. The bidders list is made up of business firms that have advised the buying office of a federal Agency or department that they want to bid on a particular item and have supplied data showing their ability to fulfill contracts for the item, service or project. Generally, bidders lists are the basis for government purchases. The business that wants to sell to the government should make sure its name is on all appropriate bidders lists. In some cases, however, the purchasing office will want bids from additional firms not listed on its bidders list. These firms may be found through public advertisements in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY, trade papers, and by Small Business Administration representatives such as procurement center representatives and commercial market representatives. In addition, many agencies and departments publish announcements of solicitations. In many instances, this information is available through electronic access to the specific agency or department's information bulletin board. The COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY is also published in an electronic edition by several private firms. A list of these firms may be obtained from the Department of Commerce. AGENCY QUALIFICATIONS How do government agencies generally identify a supplier who qualifies for their bidders lists? Some sources of information agencies use to find appropriate bidders are: * prior experience with firms offering items similar to those now required. - trade and professional publications that identify potential suppliers, - contacts with professional associates and associations, - trade shows and sponsored procurement conferences, seminars and workshops, and - visits by representatives of small business firms. Some of the factors considered by agency purchasing officials in evaluating prospective suppliers for their bidders lists are: * size of firm, * past experience, * financial status, * management staff capabilities, * the company's record with regard to labor relations, * work capacity, * bonding capacity, * product service record, * facilities, * professional credentials, * reputation, and * reference checks. Government purchasing agencies require potential suppliers to file an application for placement on their bidders lists. The application package may consist of the following: * Standard Form 129 (for all agencies). - a listing of products/services bought by an agency. These lists are available through your local SBA office and, as indicated earlier, the specific interests are identified in the U.S. Government Purchasing and Sales Directory. (You will find a sample of Standard Form 129 in Appendix 1.) GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR GETTING ON A BIDDERS LIST You need to identify the agency or agencies in the market for the product or service you are selling. Request and file the Standard Form 129 for each civilian or military agency you want to sell to and any additional forms required by military agencies. Make sure your product or service conforms to particular government specifications. Step 1. Locating the Appropriate Agency There are several ways to find out which agencies are in the market for the product or service you sell. If you supply only one or just a few products or services, contact the SBA field office that serves your area. This office can tell you which agencies are your prospective customers. (These offices are listed in Appendix 2.) If you can supply a variety of products or services you should obtain and evaluate additional sources of information and data on government purchasing. Some helpful sources are: - the SBA publication, U.S. Government Purchasing and Sales Directory - The Business Service Centers of the General Services Administration. These centers act as the purchasing agency for many general use items purchased by civilian and military agencies of the government. - the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY (CBD) published Mondays through Fridays by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The CBD provides lists of Invitations For Bid, Requests For Proposals, large contracts offering subcontract possibilities, contract awards, sales of surplus federal property, and foreign marketing opportunities. Step 2. Filing the Standard Application Forms Request the Solicitation Mailing List Application (Form SF 129) from the agencies whose bidders lists you want to be on. Read the material carefully, making sure you understand all of the requirements. Describe your product/service according to the specifications given on the list of products/services bought by the agency. If the products/services list is not included, or if the list does not contain the exact item your company can supply, attach a separate sheet to the application indicating: - the specific name of each product or service your firm offers, using government classification codes, - any product or service your firm has supplied under previous government contracts, - a full description of each product of service listed, using government descriptions, and - the government specification number for each product or service listed. Write a cover letter for the SF 129 asking for confirmation of your placement on the bidders list for the products/services you have specified. Step 3. Conforming to Federal Specifications While government specifications for certain items will continue to exist, FASA establishes a preference for the use of commercial items. It encourages the acquisition of commercial end items and components, including the acquisition of commercial products that are modified to meet government needs. Thus, the scope of products and services that qualify for treatment as commercial items has been significantly expanded. However, for some products, the contractor will have to meet government specifications and standards. Sources for specifications and standards are: * Index of Federal Specifications and Standards and Commercial Item Description. This is a complete list of government-wide specifications and standards and is available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402, or GSA Business Service Centers (listed in Appendix 2). * GSA Business Service Centers. A discussion on the functions of these centers is found later in this publication. * Military Specifications and Standards, available from the Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19120. - The classification system is described in: Standard Industrial Classification manual, a comprehensive listing, available from Superintendent of Documents, see address above. - The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the primary regulation governing federal agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services. FAR became effective April 1, 1984. Copies of FAR are available for reading and study in each SBA field office (see Appendix 2). Part 10 of FAR concerns specifications, standards and other purchase descriptions. THE PROCUREMENT AUTOMATED SOURCE SYSTEM (PASS) The Procurement Automated Source System (PASS), developed by the Small Business Administration, is a computerized inventory of small businesses interested in being primes or subcontractors for federal procurement requirements. How PASS Works PASS responds to requests by federal procuring offices or purchasing agents of prime private contractors for a computer printout of small businesses in the system with the ability to deliver a particular product or service. PASS uses a key word system that identifies the capabilities of registered companies. All key words used to describe a firm's capabilities are listed in a PASS thesaurus which is available at every SBA office. You may use several key words to describe the various capabilities of your firm. PASS also permits the identification of women-owned or minority-owned small business firms. The PASS System can be searched for businesses by geographic location, type of ownership, labor surplus area and other data elements. The system provides small business sources for specific procurement opportunities by searching and matching over 7,000 key words. This data is also available to any individual or corporation wanting to contract or subcontract for products or services. In order to be listed in the SBA PASS system you must fill out a simple one-page self-mailer application form and return it to SBA. (See Appendix 1.) It can be completed in a few minutes and your firm will then be profiled in the system. Appendix 2 contains an explanation of SBA regional procurement center representatives who are available to assist you with your application or help you to retrieve firms listed on the system. Registration is free. THE CENTRALIZED CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION SYSTEM The Centralized Contractor Registration System (CRS) is a standardized government-wide registration procedure developed by the Department of Defense to obtain contractor information in a useful and accurate format. It eliminates the need for contractors to register with each procurement activity. The information contained in the PASS system will eventually be folded into the CRS system, so that there is one uniform source of contractor registration and information. The Electronic Commerce Information Center (ECIC) can assist you in registering with the Central Contractor Registration System (CRS) operated by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Mega Center - Columbus. ECIC can be contacted by phone, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 8pm Eastern Time at (800) EDI-3414 or (703) 681-0211, by FAX at (703) 681-0349, by EMail at dodedi@acq.osd.mil, or at the following mail address: Electronic Commerce Program Office, 5111 Leesburg Pike, Suite 9104, ATTN: EC Information Center, Falls Church, VA 22041. THE QUALIFIED PRODUCTS LIST (QPL) A Qualified Products List (QPL) contains the names of companies that have demonstrated the ability to produce standard products purchased periodically by a federal agency. When one of these products is needed, government purchasing agents solicit bids from businesses whose products are on the appropriate QPL. A sample product must be submitted and tested by the agency or by an approved testing company as part of the QPL process. QUALIFICATION PROCEDURE Products are tested for compliance with the requirements of a specification prior to and independently of government procurement. The qualification procedure prevents possible delay in delivery of products under contract that might be caused by problems in design or composition. The fact that a product has been tested and placed on a QPL shows only that a manufacturer can produce this item according to required specifications. It does not guarantee purchase from that manufacturer. HOW DOES THE GOVERNMENT MAKE KNOWN ITS NEEDS? There are several approaches that the government uses to tell or advise prospective sellers what goods and services it wants to buy. As indicated earlier in the publication, the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY (CBD) is a document listing proposed government purchases, subcontracting leads, contract awards, sales of surplus property and foreign business opportunities. Subscriptions to the CBD are available from the Government Printing Office or the Department of Commerce. In addition, regional GSA Business Service Centers and SBA offices have copies of the CBD for review. Many libraries also subscribe to the publication. Figure 2 is a sample entry from the CBD. In referring to the CBD, note that number "1" before a procurement announcement indicates that the requirement is 100 percent set-aside for small business firms. GSA BUSINESS SERVICE CENTERS (BSC) The General Services Administration (GSA) is the federal government's purchasing agent for certain common use items. Consequently, the GSA Business Service Centers are a logical marketing source. If GSA is not the proper market, the personnel at the BSC will direct you to the appropriate federal agency or department. (Full addresses of the 12 Business Service Centers can be found in Appendix 2.) The Business Service Centers in your area can provide the following services: * Counseling for small businesses interested in federal contracts, - Copies of bid requirements, - Bidders mailing list applications, invitations for bid and products specifications, - aid in locating small business set-aside programs for contracting and subcontracting, and - general procurement assistance from small business information officers. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY (DLA) A major buying agency of the Department of Defense, the Defense Logistics Agency has several supply centers which manage specific items. (The supply centers are listed in Appendix 2.) Management and administration of most defense contracts are consolidated under DLA through the Defense Contract Management Districts (DCMD). You can get information on contracts and subcontract opportunities from the small and disadvantaged business specialist office at the nearest DCMD regional office. (See Appendix 2 for addresses.) OTHER RESOURCES Listed below are some additional sources for information about contract opportunities. However, women business owners should also know that Public Law 100-656 requires major government departments and agencies to make available their own forecasts of contracting opportunities for each fiscal year to the Small Business Administration and to interested business owners. The opportunity projections and estimates are developed from procurement plans for the upcoming fiscal year and on records of past purchases. Contact the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for a particular department to obtain a copy of its current forecast. U.S. GOVERNMENT PURCHASING AND SALES DIRECTORY. A comprehensive guide to government purchasing and sales activities, published by the Small Business Administration. The directory lists products and services bought by the federal government and indicates which agencies buy them and which of their purchasing offices should be contacted by potential suppliers. The directory also lists the types of surplus property sold by the government, locations of state offices and indicates SBA assistance available in obtaining surplus property. (Available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.) DOING BUSINESS WITH THE GSA. This General Services Administration publication describes the procurement organization of the federal government and discusses basic principles of federal government procurement. (Available from the Superintendent of Documents, see address above. GPO 022-000-00186-8.) OFFICES OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION. This booklet lists the names and telephone numbers of over 600 Department of Defense Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Specialists (OSDBU). Their assignment is to help small business firms locate military bidding opportunities. (Available from the Superintendent of Documents, see address previously. GPO 008-000-00390-4). Civilian agencies also have these small business specialists to assist you in doing business with their agencies. (See Appendix 2.) SELLING TO THE MILITARY. This is a comprehensive guide to finding bid opportunities and selling to the Department of Defense. Its coverage includes the following: * information on how to get on bidders lists, - addresses of major purchasing offices, - a description of the federal government's system of specifications, - information on military exchange services; and - information on bid opportunities in research and development. (Available from the Superintendent of Documents, see address above, GPO 008-000-00345-9.) SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE TO FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. This publication provides small, technically oriented firms with information about bid opportunities in research and development (R&D). It describes how to get federal R&D support and how to use federal document retrieval systems, which can be a source of substantial Figure 2 information. A venture capital primer for small business firms is included. Research and development bid opportunities offered by federal agencies are described, and the offices and individuals to contact are listed. (Available from The National Science Foundation, Office of Small Business R&D, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230.) DOING BUSINESS WITH NASA. This publication describes how, what and where the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) buys. Another useful NASA publication, How to Compete for NASA Contracts, tells how to put your bid together. (Available from NASA, Director of Procurement, Washington, DC 20546.) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION MANUAL. This manual lists practically every federal agency, with telephone numbers for obtaining information, including listings of purchasing offices. (Available from the Superintendent of Documents, see address above. GPO 022-003-01099-8.) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARKETING INFORMATION PACKAGE. This publication tells how, what and where the Department of Transportation buys, and provides up-to-date addresses and phone numbers for each DOT procurement officer. WHAT ARE THE GOVERNMENT'S METHODS OF BUYING? As indicated earlier in this publication, there are two methods contracting officers utilize to acquire the products and services needed by the federal government. They are: * Formal advertising, (sealed bidding) involving the issuance of an Invitation For Bids (IFB), and * Competitive proposals, involving the issuance of a Request For Proposals (RFP). FORMAL ADVERTISING (SEALED BIDDING) -- Invitation for Bid Solicitation Process An Invitation for Bids (IFB) is sent to firms on the bidders list. Public announcements are placed in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY, and may also be placed in trade papers, posted in post offices, and filed with SBA's procurement center representatives. SOLICITATION PACKAGE The Invitation for Bid or solicitation package, contains Standard Form 33 (see Appendix 1) with instructions and specifications for preparing bids. Typically, this will include: * a description of specifications for the product or service being procured; - delivery schedule and packaging/shipping requirements; - payment schedule and terms; - standard contract provisions and clauses; - deadline for submitting bids; - date and time of bid opening; and certifications and representations to be filled in by the offeror. Contract Award When bids are opened, the bidder quoting the lowest price is awarded the contract if the bid is responsive and if the bidder qualifies as a responsible firm. Responsive bid. The contractor has agreed to perform on the government's terms and complies with the IFB in all important respects, including the method and timeliness of bid submission and the substance of any resulting contract. Responsible bidder. Responsibility refers to the contractor's ability to perform the contract. Determining factors include financial capacity, plant capacity, skill, judgment and integrity. The contracting officer makes this determination from data kept in the department or agency, and/or through a pre-award survey. Time Span. The time span is generally 90 to 120 days from solicitation of bids to bid opening and contract award. Figure 3 indicates the key or significant events in the formal advertising process. BUYING OR CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION -- Request for Proposals Solicitation Process When formal advertising is not suitable or possible due to the nature of the product or service sought, the government will negotiate for the product or service. Small purchases are most often made through special expedited negotiation procedures. Purchases over $2,500 and under $100,000 are "set-aside" for small businesses if the contracting officer determines that (a) there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two responsible small business concerns, and (b) awards will be made at reasonable prices. Requests for Proposals (RFP) are issued to potential contractors whose names are on the agency bidders list. RFPs are also sent upon the request of any prospective contractor. Public announcements are also made, such as those in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY. The Request for Proposals (RFP) describes the product or service desired, delivery time and other terms of the contract. The Request for Quotations (Standard Form 18, see Appendix 1) is usually used to submit quotations for small purchases, but may also be used for large purchases. Proposals submitted are generally expected to contain pricing information and a description of products or services offered. Contract Award The contract award is made through evaluations and negotiations after proposals have been received and reviewed. Award is made to the offeror whose final offer is most advantageous to the government, not necessarily the company offering the lowest price. Time Span. For negotiated contracts, the time involved varies in accordance with the contract type and complexity of the requirement. Figure 4 indicates the key or significant events in the negotiation process. A prospective offeror should be aware of two events that may take place in either formal advertising or negotiation: PRE-BID OR PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE. This conference may be used by a contracting officer generally in a complex acquisition, as a means of briefing prospective offerors and explaining complicated specifications and requirements. Such conferences are held after the solicitation has been issued, but before offers are submitted. PRE-AWARD SURVEY. When it is deemed necessary to further evaluate a prospective contractor prior to a contract award to ensure performance, a pre-award survey is conducted at the request of or by the contracting office. Unsolicited Proposals In addition to responding to IFBs and RFPs, a firm may also submit an unsolicited proposal when it believes it has a product or service of interest to an agency. This is done frequently in the research and development field. It does require, however, a knowledge of specific agency funding programs. Federal agencies have established procedures for receipt and evaluation of these proposals. However, it is recommended that prior to expending the effort on a proposal, preliminary contacts be made with a particular agency to ascertain its specific procedures for submission and evaluation and the general need for the kind of effort or product to be presented in the proposal. TYPES OF CONTRACTS Contracts can be categorized into two basic types: fixed price and cost reimbursement. Fixed price contracts place upon the contractor the responsibility for costs and the risk of incurring a loss, and may be a firm fixed price which does not permit any adjustment on the basis of the contractor's cost experienced in performing the contract. They are also used in all sealed bid procurements, as well as many negotiated procurements, and have variations that include provisions for economic price adjustments, provisions for adjusting price based on performance, provisions for adjusting the price after a specified initial period of deliveries or performance. Cost reimbursement contracts provide for payment of allowable incurred costs to the extent prescribed in the contract and establish a ceiling price above which a contractor may not exceed (except at her own risk) without the approval of the contracting officer. Cost reimbursement contracts also have variations that include incentive provisions and provisions for the contractor sharing the cost. (Cost sharing contracts are used in research contracts that have commercial applicability.) Other contracts that do not fit neatly into the two main types include time and material (T&M) contracts -- where the price for hourly wages are fixed, but the hours are not (they are estimated); and letter contracts, which are preliminary contractual instruments used to authorize a contractor to begin work on an urgent requirement. GENERAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES Besides specific instructions and descriptions, government contracts include many required clauses. The substance of these clauses will vary, depending on the product or service under contract and depending on the type of contract. There may also be "special" clauses for specific contracting situations. Required, as well as optional, clauses are published in The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Contracting officers may use required clauses as stated in the FAR. The FAR provides that contract clauses prescribed by the FAR may be incorporated in the contract by reference. _________________________________________________________________ Part 2 SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT Before You Begin Selling to the federal government is, in some ways, similar to selling to the private sector. While federal procurement procedures may have a different set of rules and regulations, many of the same marketing techniques and strategies you already employ may be applicable here. Don't neglect to use your common business sense. Some tips: - Get to know the agency and understand the context in which your product or service could be used. - Obtain available information on past awards, quantities, costs and awarders. - Become known to potential purchasers. Before proceeding, take a moment for introspection. Take a close look at your company and consider what the government will look for when considering your company for a contract award. Such things as financial status, staff capabilities and track record are all of interest to the government. There are also many ways to give your company a competitive edge. For example: Does your company exhibit at trade shows and send representatives to business conferences? Government contracting officers attend these affairs in all areas of the country. Trade show exhibits present a personalized image of a business and are a creative and relatively inexpensive way to display your capabilities to a large audience of prospective customers. Attending business conferences gives visibility to your company's name, products and services. Do you regularly look over trade or state-of-the-art publications relevant to your product or service line? Your company will be able to present an "on-top-of-it" image of its product/service line if your staff members are aware of the latest activities in their skill areas. You will often find ideas for improving your marketing techniques through these publications. You might even want to submit an article or report to one of them about a special experience of your company. These publications are another source government agencies use in finding purchasing sources or commodities they might want to buy. Do staff members of your company belong to professional associations and/or civil organizations? Not only a way of making contacts, these groups can also provide opportunities for staff members to informally advertise some of the unique qualities of your company. Through their personal involvement in the group's activities, they give visibility to the company. Federal agency purchasing officers regularly go over the membership lists of such associations and organizations in looking for procurement sources. Now may be the time to do some homework. This publication includes a comprehensive list of agency resources (see Appendix 2). Use them! These offices can give you guidance on programs, publications and workshops in your area on any subject from accounting to marketing.Government procurement procedures and terminology may understandably perplex you. Recognize that familiarity with standard terms will help you communicate more effectively with contracting officers and perhaps improve your chances for award of a contract. This publication also contains an extensive bibliography of government procurement publications, many of which are available free of charge. By reading some of these, you may find yourself one step ahead of the competition. * Subcontracting with a Prime Contractor If, after assessing the capabilities and capacity of your firm, you conclude that you are not ready to bid competitively for prime contracts, consider the opportunities available through subcontracting with a prime contractor. The experience gained from satisfactorily performing as a subcontractor will assist you in responding to solicitations as a prime contractor. Furthermore, subcontracting in itself can be a profitable experience and a growth opportunity for your firm. * P.L. 95-507 (amending the Small Business Act of 1953) Prior to the enactment of this law, prime contractors were to use their "best efforts" to "voluntarily" subcontract with small firms. P.L. 95-507 changed the emphasis from voluntary to mandatory and from best efforts to maximum practicable opportunity.Today, all federal contracts over $2,500 and up to $100,000 shall contain a clause entitled, Utilization of Small Business Concerns and Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals. The law, among other things, requires that: - prime contractors, on contracts of over $500,000 ($1,000,000 for construction contracts) submit a subcontracting plan containing percentage goals letting subcontracts to small and small and disadvantaged businesses; - prime contractors must describe the efforts they make to assure that such firms have an equitable opportunity to compete for subcontracts; and - the Small Business Administration, in both formally advertised and negotiated contracts, review the subcontracting plan. A failure of the prime contractor to comply in good faith with its approved plan may subject the contractor to termination for default. The requirement to submit a subcontracting plan does not apply to: - small business prime contractors, - contracts under the prescribed dollar amounts, - prime contracts not offering subcontracting possibilities, or - contracts to be performed entirely outside the United States. Recommendations: As a small business engaged in subcontracting, be sure you understand the terms and conditions of a subcontract. Ask: - how you will receive compensation from the prime contractor, - how much you can rely on the prime contractor for special tools, engineering advice, information on manufacturing methods, etc., and - how will quality control and inspection procedures be applied to your subcontract? SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY RESOURCES - The COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY (CBD), - Subcontracting assistance program of the SBA, - Small and disadvantaged business utilization specialists (OSDBU) of various government agencies, - Business Service Centers of the GSA, - Attendance at trade shows and procurement opportunity conferences, - SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING DIRECTORY, published by SBA. Available at your local SBA office, the Government Printing Office and through SBA ONLINE. BENEFITING FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMS SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) One of the major responsibilities of the SBA is to assist women- owned businesses in obtaining a fair share of the federal procurement dollar. There are several programs and organizations available to help. Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise (IACWBE) The Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise was established in October of 1994 to lead a coordinated government effort to see that womenþs economic issues are addressed throughout the government. Composed of senior officials from 10 federal agencies, the Committee reports directly to the President and Congress. It promotes, coordinates and monitors the plans and programs of the departments and agencies of the federal government that may contribute to the growth of womenþs business ownership. National Women's Business Council (NWBC) The Council is the private sector partner of the IACWBE. It acts as an advisory panel of the federal government created to serve as an independent source of advice to the President, the Congress and the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise. It is composed entirely of women business owners and advocates representing entrepreneurship nationwide. Its mission is to promote policies and programs designed to encourage women's business ownership at all stages of development in the public and private sector. Office of Women's Business Ownership In addition to assisting the IACWBE and the NWBC and other responsibilities, the Office of Women's Business Ownership helps women-owned businesses with federal procurement by negotiating federal prime contracting goals and developing federal procurement training programs. Women's business ownership coordinators and representatives in SBA offices throughout the country can guide you to the appropriate procurement contact in a specific Agency or Department. (See Appendix 2.) The Women's Demonstration Program Established through the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 and reauthorized through the Women's Business Development Act of 1991, this program sets up centers around the country to train and counsel women in the skills needed to start their own firms. Socially and economically disadvantaged women are a primary target. A number of the sites have developed loan pools to allow members to borrow money based on group consensus accompanied by long-term counseling and financial management training. Information on Government Buying - SBA's counseling service assists small businesses in identifying the products or services they may sell to the government, how and where to obtain government specifications for their products or services, and how to get on an appropriate bidders list. - Contract opportunity meetings are held in SBA regional offices for representatives of small businesses to discuss purchasing needs and contracting opportunities with officials of government agencies and prime contract holders. - SBA makes available a large body of publications on various aspects of selling to the federal government. (See Bibliography, Appendix 3.) SBA Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) PCRs are stationed throughout the country at major military and civilian buying programs. Their duties include the review of procurement requirements and negotiations on behalf of small businesses when appropriate. They also recommend small business sources to government contracting officers and prime contractors. Most of their time is spent on the prime contracting programs. Agencies are required to submit to the PCR, for independent review, all procurements valued at more than $100,000 which are not to be processed as small business set-asides. PCRs also assist small firms having problems with an agency. Other PCRs referred to as "Breakout Procurement Center Representatives (BPCRs)" are located at major federal procurement centers. The BPCRs advocate the breakout of items for procurement through full and open competition. For example, after a purchase has been made, spare parts or additional supplies may be needed. If it is not necessary to get these items from the original manufacturer, the BPCRs try to "breakout" procurements to allow for open competition to give other suppliers an opportunity to compete. SBA Commercial Market Representatives (CMRs) CMRs are located in field offices throughout the country. (See Appendix 2.) Their responsibilities include: - assisting small businesses in discovering and expanding subcontracting opportunities; (The PASS system is used to help identify small businesses that may qualify for particular subcontracts. This information then is submitted to large prime contractors.) - working with large contractors to interpret subcontracting laws and implement regulations, including the formulation of subcontracting plans; - conduct pre-award and post-award evaluations of subcontracting plans as requested by government contracting officers; and - conduct on-going subcontract compliance evaluations to make sure that prime contractors are implementing their subcontract plans. Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act This provision authorizes the SBA to enter into a prime contract with another government agency. The SBA then subcontracts actual performance of the work to a small socially and economically disadvantaged business eligible for program participation. - Eligibility. To be eligible for 8(a) program participation, a small business concern must be at least 51 percent unconditionally owned, controlled and managed on a daily basis by either: An individual(s) who is a socially and economically disadvantaged citizen of the United States; or An economically disadvantaged Indian tribe, including an Alaskan native Corporation or an economically disadvantaged native Hawaiian organization. Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the following individuals are presumed to be socially disadvantaged: Black Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and members of other groups designated from time to time by the SBA. Economically disadvantaged individuals are socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities, as compared to others in the same or similar line of business and competitive market area who are not socially disadvantaged. A woman-owned firm may be recognized as a "socially disadvantaged firm" if the owner is a member of any of the groups for which social disadvantage is assumed. If she is not, she must establish her individual disadvantage on the basis of clear and convincing evidence that she has suffered discriminatory treatment because of her gender and that such treatment has impeded her entry into the business world. Eligibility is made on a case-by-case basis. - Application. To apply for 8(a) assistance, a business must submit the necessary forms to the nearest SBA office. Being in the 8(a) program does not, however, guarantee award of an 8(a) contract. Prequalification Pilot Loan Program The Women's Prequalification Pilot Loan Program was developed to promote the SBA's business loan programs to current and prospective women business owners. It also provides specialized support and assistance with the agency's loan application process. The program uses nonprofit organizations and intermediaries to assist prospective women borrowers in developing a viable loan application package. That application can be submitted directly to the SBA for expedited consideration of a loan prequalification. On approval, the intermediary can assist the applicant in locating a competitive lender. Loans under this program are limited to amounts of $250,000 or less. Technical Assistance SBA regional or field offices, through PASS, identify small research and development (R&D) firms which government agencies and prime contractors may refer to for contracting and subcontracting needs. SBA personnel assist small businesses in sharing the benefits of research and development programs carried out by federal agencies under government contracts or at government expense. (See Small Business Innovation Research Program listed below.) Answer Desk The Answer Desk is the SBA telephone hotline. This information and referral service is offered on a toll-free telephone line to entrepreneurs in the 48 contiguous states and Puerto Rico. The telephone number is 1-800-8-ASK-SBA. The Answer Desk can also be reached on Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD), a service for persons with hearing or speech impediments at (202) 205-7333. The telephones are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. SBA Online In addition to the Answer Desk, SBA provides a great deal of information which can be accessed electronically. Call 1-900-463-4636 or 1-800-697-4636. You may also use the Internet and Fed World at the National Technical Information Service for getting information from several government agencies. To access SBA on either of these services enter http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov. Surety Bond Guarantee Program This guarantee program is designed to assist a small business in need of bonding in order to obtain a government contract. SBA is authorized, for a fee, to guarantee a qualified surety company up to 90 percent of any losses incurred under bid, payment or performance bonds on contracts up to one million. The small business applies through a surety agent who then submits financial and credit information and specific SBA forms to the surety company. The surety company submits all required documentation to SBA for final approval. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) The Small Business Innovation Development Act directs that small firms receive a fixed annual percentage of research and development (R&D) dollars from federal agencies with R&D budgets of $100 million or more. The act requires the SBA to develop and implement a Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) over a four-year period for civilian agencies and over a five-year period for the Department of Defense. Eleven agencies currently have SBIR programs. Each agency is responsible for making awards to small business concerns and the SBA is responsible for monitoring and overseeing the program. (See Appendix 2.) Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Small and disadvantaged business utilization specialists (OSDBUs) are located at federal contracting offices throughout the country. These specialists assist small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned businesses, and labor surplus area businesses in marketing their products and services to the federal government. They also give information and guidance on federal procurement procedures, how to get on a bidders list, and where both prime and subcontracting opportunities exist. OSDBUs work with SBA, especially through the PASS system, to find potential bidders from the small and disadvantaged business community. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC) The department's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) provides comprehensive business assistance to minority-owned small businesses. The Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs) comprise a nationwide network for delivery of MBDA and other federal programs that assist minority businesses. Services include general business consulting; financial assistance; management and technical assistance with business start-ups or expansions; and assistance in obtaining contracts with government agencies. (See Appendix 2.) Federal procurement conferences are sponsored primarily by members of Congress and coordinated by the DOC and the SBA. Business owners are provided the opportunity to meet federal procurement specialists and representatives of prime contracting firms. These specialists inform businesses about the federal procurement processes, government aids and services available to small businesses, and active opportunities to sell to federal agencies and prime contractors. Information about these conferences may be obtained by contacting DOC's nearest office or the office of the sponsoring member of Congress. Announcements of federal procurement conferences are also found in the COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY (CBD). GOVERNMENT WIDE INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION (GWISD) One excellent marketing tool is the Government Wide Information Systems Division (GWISD), a part of the General Services Administration. It operates the Federal Procurement Data System. The GWISD is a convenient, consolidated source of federal buying information. Business owners may ask GWISD for a list of all federal contracts, over $25,000 for civilian agencies and for Department of Defense agencies, awarded in a specific industry. Only summary data is available below these dollar minimums. The request may cover a quarter or an entire year. The center can provide the user with 42 different pieces of information including: - the name of the agency that contracted and the period covered, - the contract number, - the purchasing or contracting office, - the date of the award, - the principal place of performance, - the dollars obligated, and - the principal product or service. GWISD can also furnish socioeconomic data, the name and business location of the contractor, the method of procurement and other pertinent details. Any business owner interested in knowing which federal agency or department bought what, when, how much and from whom, may simply request such information from GWISD. GWISD charges a minimal fee depending upon the volume of information sought. Government Wide Information Systems Division 7th and D Street, SW Washington, DC 20407 (202) 401-1529 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) The Department of Transportation has regulations to increase disadvantaged business participation in its large financial assistance programs for highways and mass transit. The regulation carries out section 105(f) of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 and provides that not less than 10 percent of authorized appropriations under the act be for contracts with disadvantaged small firms (as defined by section 8(a) of the Small Business Act). The regulation continues the department's existing requirement of separate goals for women-owned businesses. DOT does give women-owned businesses preferential treatment. However, this preference only applies to contracts awarded by each state from money awarded by the federal government under the Surface Transportation Act (Highway Trust Fund). This Act requires that the state certify women-owned businesses, as they do socially and economically disadvantaged firms. Your state department of transportation can provide details on your state's certification process. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) NASA has also defined women-owned businesses as socially and economically disadvantaged in the NASA Plan, which outlines its proposals to broaden the base of small businesses supporting its procurement actions. By Public Law 101-144, NASA was tasked by Congress with a goal of 8% of the total value of prime contracts and subcontracts to be awarded to socially and economically disadvantaged firms, which includes women-owned businesses. In addition to obtaining general counseling on how to contract with the department from the staff of the secretary's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, women business owners can take advantage of short-term lending and bonding programs accessible through a national network of program management centers. WHAT IF I'M UNSUCCESSFUL IN MY BID OR PROPOSAL? Debriefing/Evaluation in the Negotiation Process Each proposal is evaluated in detail before a contract is awarded. If your company was not awarded the contract you may ask the contracting officer for a "debriefing." A debriefing may be accomplished in person or by phone. You may ask the contracting officer which aspects of your proposal prevented your company from receiving the award and how you may improve in the future. Many women business owners have found this constructive criticism to be the key to successfully responding to future solicitations by the federal government. CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY A small business, though the low bidder, may not receive the federal government contract on which it bids. A contracting officer may propose to reject the bid because he or she determined that the small business, although responsive, lacks certain elements of responsibility. Elements of responsibility include, but are not limited to, competency, capability, capacity, credit, integrity, perseverance and tenacity. SBA is authorized by law to certify a small business firm with regard to any of these elements of responsibility. Consequently, if a contracting officer rejects or proposes to reject a bid of a responsive small business on any of the elements of responsibility the case is referred to SBA. The small business firm is notified of this decision by SBA personnel and given the opportunity to apply for a Certificate of Competency (COC). The bidder must furnish SBA with data and documentation to establish responsibility. This data and documentation may include items such as letters of credit, current financial status, supplies or vendor quotations (if applicable) and production plans (if applicable). SBA will review the firm's application and if it grants the COC, it is binding on the contracting officer. A COC is valid only for the specific contract for which it is issued. PROTESTS WITH AN AGENCY OR WITH THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) AND GENERAL SERVICES BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS (GSBCA) Bidders or offerors who object to what they feel will be an improper award to another contractor have the right to file a protest against the award with the contracting officer. The protest must have a basis and it must be specific and timely. Contractors may file an initial verbal protest, but it must be followed up in writing. The contracting officer will confirm, in writing, the telephone conversation with the protestor and advise her that she has a certain period of time, usually one (1) week, to file the written complaint. Protests should generally be made before the contract award because once made, the government rarely terminates a contract and issues a resolicitation. The needs of the government for the product or service usually prevail. The protestor is notified in writing of the final decision on her protest.In addition to filing a protest with a contracting officer, the bidder or offeror can protest to the General Accounting Office (GAO) or with the General Services Board of Contracts Appeal (GSBCA), if the procurement involves the acquisition of automated data processing equipment (ADPE) or related telecommunications services. In either case there are strict rules which must be followed in order for the protest to be timely. If not adhered to the protest will be dismissed automatically. A protest to GAO is initiated by filing a complete written protest addressed to General Counsel, General Accounting Office, Washington, DC 20548, Attention: Procurement Law Control Group. A copy of the protest must be filed with the contracting officer or the individual or location identified for that purpose in a solicitation within one day after filing with GAO. Protests to GSBCA are filed at the Board's address: 18th and F Streets, N.W., Washington, DC 20405, [(202) 501-0116]. Strict rules apply to all protests. References: (1) U.S. General Accounting Office, Bid Protests at GAO: A Descriptive Guide. (Publication is available from the U.S. General Accounting Office, Washington, DC 20548.) (2) The Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 14 (Formal Advertising), Paragraph 14.407.8. "Protests Against Award". (3) The Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation), Paragraph 15.1003, "Protests Against Award". WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CONTRACTOR? Knowing what the government buys and how it buys is essential if a woman business owner is to bid successfully for federal government contracts. Don't think, however, that you can relax once you receive the good news that you have won a contract. Your work is just beginning. If you can't perform according to the terms of the contract, the government won't get the product or service it needs and you may find yourself in financial difficulty as well. The first thing to do is to read the proposed contract carefully before signing it. This may look like an imposing task as some contracts may contain many pages, depending on the type of contract and complexity of what the government is buying. However, many contract terms and conditions are "boiler plate." Once you read and understand the terms you will be familiar with them when they appear in your next contract. One important feature of the contract is the identity of the office which will administer it. In most federal agencies this is usually the same office that awarded the contract. In the Department of Defense, however, the contract is generally assigned to a special administering office. If you have any questions about the contract, contact the office of administration. Do not "proceed down the road" and find out much later that you're not in compliance. SPECIFIC CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION MATTERS While federal contracts are similar to commercial contracts, they are different in some very important ways. They contain or make reference to many general contract provisions unique to the government. These provisions implement various statutory or regulatory requirements applicable solely to federal contracts Some of the important matters covered by these provisions are: termination for default; termination for convenience; contract changes; payments; specifications; and inspection and testing. These matters are described in various parts of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Assistance in understanding these FAR provisions is available at SBA regional offices. TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT. Government contracts provide that the government may cancel (terminate) your contract if: - you fail to make delivery within the time specified in the contract, - you fail to make progress so as to endanger performance of the contract, and/or - you fail to perform any provisions of the contract. Before terminating a contract for default, the contracting officer must, however, give you an opportunity to remedy defects in your performance, or show why your contract should not be terminated. If your contract is terminated for default, you are entitled only to payment at the contract's price for items accepted by the government. If the government still needs the items which you failed to deliver, it has the right to re-procure the same items elsewhere and, if they cost more, charge the excess costs to you. This can be a very serious and costly matter. If you can show that your failure to deliver or to make progress is excusable, your contract will not be terminated for default. To be excusable, a delay must be beyond your control and not caused by your fault or negligence. If your contract is terminated for default and you can prove that the government's action was improper, the termination will be treated as one for the "convenience of the government." TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE. The government may unilaterally terminate all of part of a contract for its convenience. This type of termination does not arise from any fault on the part of the contractor. Termination for convenience protests the government's interests by allowing it to cancel contracts for products that become obsolete or unnecessary. As with terminations for default, the government must give you written notice of termination for convenience, but is not required to give advance notice. The notice of termination will usually direct you to: - stop work, - terminate subcontracts, - place no further orders, - communicate similar instructions to subcontractors and suppliers, and - prepare a termination settlement claim. If you fail to follow these directions, you do so at your own risk and expense. You should also receive detailed instructions as to the protection and preservation of all property that is, or may become, government-owned. After termination for convenience, the government will make a settlement with you to compensate you fully and fairly for the work you have done and any preparation made for the terminated portion of the contract. A reasonable allowance for profit is also included. CONTRACT CHANGES. Because the government's needs change from time to time, government contracts contain a "changes" clause authorizing the contracting officer to unilaterally order changes in the specifications and other contract terms. The changes must be "within the general scope of the contract." The contractor is obliged to perform the contract as unilaterally changed by the contracting officer. A change is within the scope of the contract if it can be regarded as with the contemplation of the parties at the time the contract was entered into. The government cannot use a change order to change the general nature of the contract. The contractor is entitled to an equitable adjustment in price and delivery schedule if changes are ordered. PAYMENTS. The obligation to make prompt payments for products delivered or services rendered is, generally speaking, the primary obligation of the government on a procurement contract. Payment is, naturally, of utmost importance to the small and women-owned company. Your contract will specify the government office responsible for payment and will contain invoicing instructions. The more accurate your invoices the more quickly you will be paid, so it is important to understand the payment process thoroughly. Prompt payment on all contracts serves the best interest of both the contractor and the government. Under certain circumstances if prompt payment is not accomplished by the government, you can submit a request for interest payments. (Reference: Public Law 97-177, Prompt Payment Act.) Under fixed-price contracts, the method of payment can vary with the dollar value of the contract. For relatively small contracts with a single item of work, you will generally be paid the total contract price in one lump sum. Payment is made after the government accepts delivery. For larger contracts with many items, you can invoice and receive partial payments. For example, in a contract for 120 units with a delivery rate of 10 per month, you can invoice each month for the price of delivered (and accepted) items. Larger fixed-price contracts and subcontracts where the first delivery is several months after award may recognize your need for working capital. These contracts may contain a clause which will allow you to obtain progress payments based upon costs incurred as work progresses under the contract. Because progress payments are based on work that is not completed, you must repay them if you fail to complete the work. To protect its interest the government takes title to your work in process for which progress payments have been made. To qualify for progress payments, you must have an accounting system that can accurately identify and segregate contract costs. SPECIFICATIONS. The federal government has exact specifications for most of the products and services it buys on a regular basis. In all likelihood your contract will contain such precise specifications. In fact, the specifications -- which describe the government's requirements -- were contained in the Invitation for Bids (IFB) or Request for Proposals (RFP) on which you based your bid or proposal. Once an award is made to your company, you are contractually bound to deliver the product or service described in the specifications. Sometimes, the basic specifications will make reference to and incorporate other federal specifications. You are, of course, bound by the terms of these specifications as well as the basic specifications. Failure to deliver a product meeting these terms may result in termination of your contract by default. Accordingly, as mentioned previously, never bid on a contract unless you have read and understood all of the specifications. Also, read the specifications again before you start work under the contract. INSPECTION AND TESTING. Government contracts provide that the government may inspect and test the items you deliver to determine if they conform to contract requirements and specifications. The government will not accept a contractor's product unless it passes inspection. The type and extent of inspection and testing depend largely on what is being procured. SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE. In addition to knowing the item you are manufacturing or the service you are providing, you should have a working knowledge of government contracting procedures, some of which are explained in this publication. You should also be aware of the following: As you have learned, the government conducts its business through authorized agents called contracting officers. Only a contracting officer has authority to bind the government, unless you are otherwise advised in writing. However, even contracting officers have limits on their authority, so do not hesitate to make sure of the authority of the person you're dealing with. Government procurement has historically been used as a vehicle for advancing various national, social and economic objectives. As a government contractor, you will be required to comply with the labor standards statutes (Walsh-Healy Act, Service Contract Act, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, etc.) and other statutes advancing national socio-economic objectives except for certain contracts where such statutes are specifically stated as non-applicable. You should become familiar with the contract provisions protecting the integrity of the government procurement process. These provisions include the "Officials Not To Benefit" clause, the "Anti-Kickback" provisions, the "Gratuities" clause, etc. Disputes between you and the contracting officer may occur under the contract. Federal contracts contain a "Disputes" clause setting forth procedures to resolve disputes. If the contracting officer issues a decision that is not satisfactory to you, you must make a timely appeal, or the decision becomes final. Appeals are heard by a Board of Contracts Appeal. Don't attempt to build something bigger, better or different than called for by the contract. If you do, it may be too big or too heavy or may not fit and the government won't accept it. Simply comply with the contract terms, particularly the specifications. If your contract requires production, establish a production control schedule to assure that you will have the right materials in-house at the right time to meet delivery requirements. Make sure to place any subcontracts promptly and schedule delivery of subcontracted items carefully to avoid over or under stocking. If it appears you will not meet your schedule, notify the administration office immediately to obtain assistance. Failure to deliver on time gives the government the right to cancel your contract, with possibly disastrous results to you. _________________________________________________________________ Appendix 1. Standard Forms - SF 129, Solicitation Mailing List Application - SF 18, Request for Quotations - SF 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award - PASS Form, Procurement Automated Source System _________________________________________________________________ Appendix 2. Agency Resources - SBA Field Offices - Women's Business Ownership Coordinators and Representatives - SBA Procurement Center Representatives - SBA Commercial Market Representatives - GSA Business Service Center Regional Offices - GSA Federal Information Centers - Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs) - Federal Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) - Small Business Innovation Research Representatives (SBIR) - Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Service Centers - Defense Contract Management Districts (DCMD) and Defense Contract Management Area Operations Regional Offices (DCMAO) - U.S. Government Printing Office Bookstores SBA FIELD OFFICES Regional Offices Region I 155 Federal Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02110 Telephone: (617) 451-2023 FAX (617) 565-8695 TDD (617) 451-0491 Region II 26 Federal Plaza, Room 31-08 New York, NY 10278 Telephone: (212) 264-1450 FAX (212) 264-0900 TDD (212) 264-5669 Region III 475 Allendale Road, Suite 201 King of Prussia, PA 19406 Telephone: (215) 962-3700 FAX (215) 962-3743 TDD (215) 962-3739 Region IV 1375 Peachtree Street, N.E., 5th Floor Atlanta, GA 30367-8102 Telephone: (404) 347-2797 FAX (404) 347-2355 TDD (404) 347-5051 Region V 300 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1975 S Chicago, IL 60606-6617 Telephone: (312) 353-5000 FAX (312) 353-3426 TDD (312) 353-8060 Region VI 8625 King George Drive, Building C Dallas, TX 75235-3391 Telephone: (214) 767-7633 FAX (214) 767-7870 TDD (214) 767-1339 Region VII 911 Walnut Street, 13th Floor Kansas City, MO 64106 Telephone: (816) 426-3608 FAX (816) 426-5559 TDD (816) 426-2990 Region VIII 999 18th Street, Suite 701 Denver, CO 80202 Telephone: (303) 294-7186 FAX (303) 294-7153 TDD (303) 294-7096 Region IX 71 Stevenson Street, 20th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-2939 Telephone: (415) 744-6402 FAX (415) 744-6435 TDD (415) 744-6401 Region X 2615 4th Avenue, Room 440 Seattle, WA 98121 Telephone: (206) 553-5676 FAX (206) 553-4155 TDD (206) 553-2872 District Offices ALABAMA 2121 8th Avenue, N., Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35203-2398 Telephone: (205) 731-1344 FAX (205) 731-1404 TDD (205) 731-2265 ALASKA 222 W. 8th Avenue, Room 67 Anchorage, AK 99513-7559 Telephone: (907) 271-4022 FAX (907) 271-4545 TDD (907) 271-4005 ARIZONA 2828 N. Central Avenue, Suite 800 Phoenix, AZ 85004-1025 Telephone: (602) 640-2316 FAX (602) 640-2360 TDD (602) 640-2357 300 W. Congress Street, Room 7-H Tucson, AZ 85701-1319 Telephone: (602) 670-4759 FAX (602) 670-4763 TDD (None Listed) ARKANSAS 2120 Riverfront Drive, Suite 100 Little Rock, AR 72202 Telephone: (501) 324-5278 FAX (501) 324-5199 TDD (501) 324-7849 CALIFORNIA 2719 N. Air Fresno Drive, Suite 107 Fresno, CA 93727-1547 Telephone: (209) 487-5189 FAX (209) 487-5636 TDD (209) 487-5917 330 N. Brand Boulevard, Suite 1200 Glendale, CA 91203-2304 Telephone: (213) 894-2956 FAX (213) 894-5665 TDD (213) 894-6338 880 Front Street, Suite 4-S-29 San Diego, CA 92188-0270 Telephone: (619) 557-7252 FAX (619) 557-5894 TDD (619) 557-6998 211 Main Street, 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-1988 Telephone: (415) 744-6820 FAX (415) 744-6812 TDD (415) 744-6778 901 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 160 Santa Ana, CA 92703-2352 Telephone: (714) 836-2494 FAX (714) 836-2528 TDD (714) 836-2200 660 J Street, Room 215 Sacramento, CA 95814-2413 Telephone: (916) 551-1426 FAX (916) 551-1439 TDD (None Listed) 6477 Telephone Road, Suite 10 Ventura, CA 93003-4459 Telephone: (805) 642-1866 FAX (805) 642-9538 TDD (None Listed) COLORADO 721 19th Street, Suite 426 Denver, CO 80202-2599 Telephone: (303) 844-3984 FAX (303) 844-6468 TDD (303) 844-5638 CONNECTICUT 330 Main Street, 2nd Floor Hartford, CT 06106 Telephone: (203) 240-4700 FAX (203) 240-4659 TDD (203) 524-1611 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 900 Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: (202) 606-4000 FAX (202) 606-4225 TDD (202) 606-4240 DELAWARE 920 N. King Street, Suite 412 Wilmington, DE 19801 Telephone: (302) 573-6295 FAX (302) 573-6060 TDD (302) 573-6644 FLORIDA 1320 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 501 Coral Gables, FL 33146-2911 Telephone: (305) 536-5521 FAX (305) 536-5058 TDD (305) 530-7110 7825 Baymeadows Way, Suite 100-B Jacksonville, FL 32256-7504 Telephone: (904) 443-1900 FAX (904) 443-1980 TDD (904-443-1909 508 E. Polk Street, Suite 104 Tampa, FL 33602-3945 Telephone: (813) 228-2594 FAX (813) 228-2111 TDD (None Listed) 5601 Corporate Way, Suite 402 West Palm Beach, FL 33407-2044 Telephone: (407) 689-3922 FAX (None Listed) TDD (None Listed) GEORGIA 1720 Peachtree Road, N.W., 6th Floor Atlanta, GA 30309 Telephone: (404) 347-4749 FAX (404) 347-4745 TDD (404) 347-0107 52 N. Main Street, Room 225 Statesboro, GA 30458 Telephone: (912) 489-8719 FAX (None Listed) TDD (None Listed) GUAM 238 Archbishop F.C. Flores St., Room 508 Agana, GU 96910 Telephone: (671) 472-7277 FAX (200) 550-7365 TDD (None Listed) HAWAII 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 2213 Honolulu, HI 96850-4981 Telephone: (808) 541-2990 FAX (808) 541-2976 TDD (808) 541-3650 IDAHO 1020 Main Street, Suite 290 Boise, ID 83702-5745 Telephone: (208) 334-1696 FAX (208) 334-9353 TDD (208) 334-9637 ILLINOIS 500 W. Madison Street, Room 1250 Chicago, IL 60661-2511 Telephone: (312) 353-4528 FAX (312) 886-5108 TDD (312) 886-5108 511 W. Capitol Street, Suite 302 Springfield, IL 62704 Telephone: (217) 492-4416 FAX (217) 492-4867 TDD (217) 492-4418 INDIANA 429 N. Pennsylvania, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46204-1873 Telephone: (317) 226-7272 FAX (317) 226-7259 TDD (317) 226-5338 IOWA 373 Collins Road, N.E., Suite 100 Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-3147 Telephone: (319) 393-8630 FAX (319) 393-7585 TDD (319) 393-9610 210 Walnut Street, Room 749 Des Moines, IA 50309 Telephone: (515) 284-4422 FAX (515) 284-4572 TDD (515) 282-4233 KANSAS 100 E. English Street, Suite 510 Wichita, KS 67202 Telephone: (316) 269-6273 FAX (316) 269-6499 TDD (316) 269-6205 KENTUCKY 600 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Place, Room 188 Louisville, KY 40202 Telephone: (502) 582-5971 FAX (502) 582-5009 TDD (502) 582-6715 LOUISIANA 1661 Canal Street, Suite 2000 New Orleans, VA 70112 Telephone: (504) 589-6685 FAX (504) 589-2339 TDD (504) 589-2053 500 Fannin Street, Rom 8A-08 Shreveport, LA 71101 Telephone: (318) 676-3196 FAX (318) 676-3214 TDD (None Listed) MAINE 40 Western Avenue, Suite 512 Augusta, ME 04330 Telephone: (207) 622-8378 FAX (207) 622-8277 TDD (207) 626-9147 MARYLAND 10 S. Howard Street, Room 608 Baltimore, MD 21202 Telephone: (410) 962-4392 FAX (410) 962-1805 TDD (410) 962-7458 MASSACHUSETTS 10 Causeway Street, Room 265 Boston, MA 02222-1093 Telephone: (617) 565-5590 FAX (617) 565-5598 TDD (617) 565-5797 1550 Main Street, Room 212 Springfield, MA 01103 Telephone: (413) 785-0268 FAX (413) 785-0267 TDD (None Listed) MICHIGAN 477 Michigan Avenue, Room 515 Detroit, MI 48226 Telephone: (313) 226-6075 FAX (313) 226-4769 TDD (313) 226-2959 300 S. Front Street Marquette, MI 49885 Telephone: (906) 225-1108 FAX (906) 225-1109 TDD (906) 228-4126 MINNESOTA 100 N. 6th Street, Suite 610 Minneapolis, MN 55403-1563 Telephone: (612) 370-2324 FAX (612) 370-2303 TDD (612) 777-2332 MISSISSIPPI 101 W. Capitol Street, Suite 400 Jackson, MS 39201 Telephone: (601) 965-4378 FAX (601) 965-4294 TDD (601) 965-5328 One Hancock Plaza, Suite 1001 Gulfport, MS 39501-7758 Telephone: (601) 863-4449 FAX (601) 864-0179 TDD (601) 865-9926 MISSOURI 323 W. 8th Street, Suite 501 Kansas City, MO 64105 Telephone: (816) 374-6708 FAX (816) 374-6759 TDD (816) 374-6764 815 Olive Street Suite 242 St. Louis, MO 63101 Telephone: (314) 539-6600 FAX (314) 539-3785 TDD (314) 539-6654 620 S. Glenstone Street Suite 110 Springfield, MO 65802-3200 Telephone: (417) 864-7670 FAX (417) 864-4108 TDD (417) 864-8855 MONTANA 301 S. Park, Room 528 Helena, MT 59626 Telephone: (406) 449-5381 FAX (406) 449-5474 TDD (406) 449-5053 NEBRASKA 11145 Mill Valley Road Omaha, NE 68154 Telephone: (402) 221-4691 FAX (402) 221-3680 TDD (402) 498-3611 NEVADA 301 E. Stewart Street, Room 301 Las Vegas, NV 89125-2527 Telephone: (702) 388-6611 FAX (702) 388-6469 TDD (702) 388-6653 50 S. Virginia Street Room 238 Reno, NV 89505-3216 Telephone: (702) 784-5268 FAX (None Listed) TDD (None Listed) NEW HAMPSHIRE 143 N. Main Street, Suite 202 Concord, NH 03302-1257 Telephone: (603) 225-1400 FAX (603) 225-1409 TDD (603) 225-1462 NEW JERSEY 60 Park Place, 4th Floor Newark, NJ 07102 Telephone: (201) 645-2434 FAX (201) 645-6265 TDD (201) 645-4653 2600 Mt. Ephraim Avenue Camden, NJ 08104 Telephone: (609) 757-5183 FAX (609) 757-5335 TDD (None Listed) NEW MEXICO 625 Silver Avenue, S.W. Suite 320 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Telephone: (505) 766-1870 FAX (505) 766-1057 TDD (505) 766-1883 NEW YORK 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3100 New York, NY 10278 Telephone: (212) 264-2454 FAX (212) 264-4963 TDD (212) 264-9147 100 S. Clinton Street, Room 1071 Syracuse, NY 13260 Telephone: (315) 423-5383 FAX (315) 423-5370 TDD (315) 423-5723 111 W. Huron Street, Room 1311 Buffalo, NY 14202 Telephone: (716) 846-4301 FAX (716) 846-4418 TDD (716) 846-3248 333 E. Water Street, 4th Floor Elmira, NY 14901 Telephone: (607) 734-8130 FAX (607) 733-4656 TDD (607) 734-0557 35 Pinelawn Road, Room 102E Melville, NY 11747 Telephone: (516) 454-0750 FAX (516) 454-0769 TDD (None Listed) 100 State Street, Room 410 Rochester, NY 14614 Telephone: (716) 263-6700 FAX (716) 263-3146 Corner of Clinton and Pearl, Room 815 Albany, NY 12207 Telephone: (518) 472-6300 FAX (518) 472-7138 TDD (None Listed) NORTH CAROLINA 200 N. College Street, Suite A2015 Charlotte, NC 28202-2137 Telephone: (704) 344-6563 FAX (704) 344-6769 TDD (704) 344-6640 NORTH DAKOTA 657 2nd Avenue, N., Room 218 Fargo, ND 58108-3086 Telephone: (701) 239-5131 FAX (701) 239-5645 TDD (701) 239-5657 OHIO 1111 Superior Avenue, Suite 630 Cleveland, OH 44144-2507 Telephone: (216) 522-4180 FAX (216) 522-2038 TDD (216) 522-8350 2 Nationwide Plaza, Suite 1400 Columbus, OH 43215-2592 Telephone: (614) 469-6860 FAX (614) 469-2391 TDD (614) 469-6684 525 Vine Street, Suite 870 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Telephone: (513) 684-2814 FAX (513) 684-3251 TDD (513) 684-6920 OKLAHOMA 200 N.W. 5th Street, Suite 670 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Telephone: (405) 231-4301 FAX (405) 231-4876 TDD (None Listed) OREGON 222 S.W. Columbia Street, Suite 500 Portland, OR 97201-6605 Telephone: (503) 326-2682 FAX (503) 326-2808 TDD (503) 326-2591 PENNSYLVANIA 475 Allendale Road, Suite 201 King of Prussia, PA 19406 Telephone: (215) 962-3804 FAX (215) 962-3795 TDD (215) 962-3806 960 Penn Avenue, 5th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Telephone: (412) 644-2780 FAX (412) 644-5446 TDD (412) 644-5143 100 Chestnut Street, Room 309 Harrisburg, PA 17101 Telephone: (717) 782-3840 FAX (717) 782-4839 TDD (717) 782-3477 20 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 2327 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 Telephone: (717) 826-6497 FAX (717) 826-6287 TDD (717) 821-4174 PUERTO RICO Carlos Chardon Avenue, Room 691 Hato Rey, PR 00918 Telephone: (809) 766-5572 FAX (809) 766-5309 TDD (809) 766-5174 RHODE ISLAND 380 Westminster Mall, 5th Floor Providence, RI 02903 Telephone: (401) 528-4561 FAX (401) 528-4539 TDD (401) 528-4690 SOUTH CAROLINA 1835 Assembly Street, Room 358 Columbia, SC 29201 Telephone: (803) 765-5376 FAX (803) 765-5962 TDD (803) 253-3364 SOUTH DAKOTA 101 S. Main Avenue, Suite 101 Sioux Falls, SD 57102-0527 Telephone: (605) 330-4231 FAX (605) 330-4215 TDD (605) 331-3527 TENNESSEE 50 Vantage Way Suite 201 Nashville, TN 37228-1500 Telephone: (615) 736-5881 FAX (615) 736-7232 TDD (615) 736-2499 TEXAS 4300 Amon Carter Boulevard, Suite 114 Ft. Worth, TX 76155 Telephone: (817) 885-6500 FAX (817) 885-6516 TDD (817) 885-6552 10737 Gateway, W., Suite 320 El Paso, TX 79935 Telephone: (915) 540-5676 FAX (915) 540-5636 TDD (915) 540-5196 222 E. Van Buren Street, Room 500 Harlingen, TX 78550 Telephone: (210) 427-8533 FAX (210) 427-8537 TDD (210) 423-0691 9301 Southwest Freeway, Suite 550 Houston, TX 77074-1591 Telephone: (713) 773-6500 FAX (713) 773-6550 TDD (713) 773-6568 1611 10th Street, Suite 200 Lubbock, TX 79401 Telephone: (806) 743-7462 FAX (806) 743-7487 TDD (806) 743-7474 7400 Blanco Road, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78216-4300 Telephone: (210) 229-4535 FAX (210) 229-4556 TDD (210) 229-4555 606 N. Carancahus, Suite 1200 Corpus Christi, TX 78476 Telephone: (512) 888-3331 FAX (512) 888-3418 TDD (512) 888-3188 300 E. 8th Street, Suite 520 Austin, TX 78701 Telephone: (512) 482-5288 FAX (512) 482-5290 TDD (None Listed) 505 E. Travis, Room 103 Marshall, TX 75670 Telephone: (903) 935-5257 FAX (903) 935-5258 TDD (None Listed) UTAH 125 S. State Street, Room 2237 Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1195 Telephone: (801) 524-5804 FAX (801) 524-4160 TDD (801) 524-4040 VERMONT 87 State Street, Room 205 Montpelier, VT 05602 Telephone: (802) 828-4422 FAX (802) 828-4485 TDD (802) 828-4550 VIRGINIA 400 N. 8th Street Room 3015 Richmond, VA 23240 Telephone: (804) 771-2400 FAX (804) 771-8018 TDD (804) 771-8078 VIRGIN ISLANDS 4200 United Shopping Plaza, Suite 7 St. Croix, VI 00820-4487 Telephone: (809) 778-5380 FAX (809) 778-1102 TDD (809) 766-5174 Veterans Drive, Room 210 St. Thomas, VI 00802 Telephone: (809) 774-8530 FAX (809) 776-2312 TDD (809) 766-5174 WASHINGTON 915 2nd Avenue Room 1792 Seattle, WA 98174-1088 Telephone: (206) 220-6520 FAX (206) 220-6570 TDD (206) 553-6579 601 W. 1st Avenue Spokane, WA 99204-0317 Telephone: (509) 353-2800 FAX (509) 353-2829 TDD (509) 353-2424 WEST VIRGINIA 168 W. Main Street Clarksburg, WV 26301 Telephone: (304) 623-5631 FAX (304) 623-0023 TDD (304) 623-5616 550 Eagan Street, Room 309 Charleston, WV 25301 Telephone: (304) 347-5220 FAX (304) 347-5350 TDD (304) 347-5438 WISCONSIN 212 E. Washington Avenue, Room 213 Madison, WI 53703 Telephone: (608) 264-5261 FAX (608) 264-5541 TDD (608) 264-5333 310 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 400 Milwaukee, WI 53203 Telephone: (414) 297-3941 FAX (414) 297-1377 TDD (414) 297-1095 WYOMING 100 E. B Street Room 4001 Casper, WY 82602-2839 Telephone: (307) 261-5761 FAX (307) 261-5499 TDD (307) 261-5806 DISASTER AREA OFFICES Area I: Regions I-II 360 Rainbow Blvd. S., 3rd Floor Niagara Falls, NY 14303 Telephone: (716) 282-4612 FAX (716) 282-1472 TDD (716) 282-0508 Area 2: Regions III-V One Baltimore Place, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30308 Telephone: (404) 347-3771 FAX (404) 347-3813 TDD (404) 347-3751 Area 3: Regions VI-VII 4400 Amon Carter Boulevard, Suite 102 Ft. Worth, TX 76155 Telephone: (817) 885-7600 FAX (817) 885-7616 TDD (817) 267-4688 Area 4: Regions VIII-X 1825 Bell Street, Suite 208 Sacramento, CA 95825 Telephone: (916) 978-4571 FAX (916) 978-4577 TDD (916) 978-5564 SBA PROCUREMENT CENTER REPRESENTATIVES (PCRS) PCRs are stationed throughout the country at selected military and civilian locations that have major buying programs, There are two types of PCRs, traditional (TPCRs) and breakout (BPCRs) whose duties are different but complementary. TPCRs review acquisition packages at the contracting agencies. They recommend small business set-asides for acquisitions not unilaterally set aside by the acquisition activity (this means restricting the acquisition to competition between small business concerns). Other duties include providing small business sources to assure the widest possible small business participation in the acquisition; looking out for provisions which might inhibit or discourage small firms from submitting offers; counseling small business, including women-owned firms; and reviewing subcontracting plans. BPCRs are located at the 29 major procurement centers of the Department of Defense. The BPCRs and their technical advisors are advocates for the breakout of items through full and open competition. All BPCRs are accredited engineers familiar with the supplies and services processed at the center. BPCRs review the method by which the DoD intends to procure goods and services to insure that competition is not unnecessarily restricted and recommends appropriate procurement methods when competition can be expanded. A list of traditional and breakout PCRs in your area can be obtained from your local SBA office. U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION COMMERCIAL MARKET REPRESENTATIVES Areas and Office Locations Area I SBA Willimantic Area Office 893 Main Street, PO Box 377 Willimantic, CT 06226 Telephone: (203) 240-3836 SBA Concord District Office Stewart Nelson Building PO Box 1257 Concord, NH 03302-1257 Telephone: (603) 225-1465 SBA 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3100 New York, NY 10278 Telephone: (212) 264-1452 SBA Newark District Office 2 Gateway Center, 4th Floor Newark, NJ 07102 Telephone: (201) 645-2193 Area II SBA 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Telephone: (610) 962-3712 SBA Washington Branch Office 1110 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 950 Washington, DC 20416 Telephone: (202) 606-0646 Area III SBA 1375 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30367 Telephone: (404) 347-7452/4586 Area IV SBA 300 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1975 Chicago, IL 60606-6611 Telephone: (312) 353-4504/7673 SBA Indianapolis District Office 429 N. Pennsylvania, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46204-1873 Telephone: (317) 226-7272 SBA 323 W. 8th Street Lucas Place Kansas City, MO 64106 Telephone: (816) 426-5201 Area V SBA 8625 King George Dr. Dallas, TX 75235-3391 Telephone: (214) 767-7665/7662 SBA First Interstate Bank Tower 633 17th Street, 7th Floor Denver, CO 80202-3607 Telephone: (303) 294-7088 Area VI SBA Glendale District Office 330 North Brand Street Glendale, CA 91203 Telephone: (818) 552-3219/3292 SBA Phoenix District Office 2828 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85004 Telephone: (602) 640-2305 SBA Park Place Building 1200 6th Avenue, Suite 1805 Seattle, WA 98101-1128 Telephone: (206) 553-4489/6850 SBA 301 E. Stewart Street, Room 301 Las Vegas, NV 89125-2527 Telephone: (702) 388-6611 SBA Anchorage Area Office 605 W. 4th Avenue, Room G72 Anchorage, AK 99501 Telephone: (907) 271-2297 In addition to Small Business Administration offices, Commercial Market Representatives are also located in other government facilities where procurement opportunities exist. Area I Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Center PO Box 3076 Togus, ME 04330 Telephone: (207) 623-8936 Ext. 104 SBA-PCR/CMR US Army CECOM Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703-5016 Telephone: (908) 532-3419 SBA, US Army ARDEC Bldg. 1610 Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806 Telephone: (201) 724-6574 Area II SBA Representatives GSA, Suite 6029 18th & F Streets, NW Washington, DC 20405 Telephone: (202) 501-2799 Area V Small Business Administration 303 S. Crockett, Suite 5 Kelly AFB, TX 78241-6026 Telephone: (210) 229-4202 Area VI ALC/BC, Bldg. 1299 Hill Air Force Base, UT 84056 Telephone: (801) 777-4150 GSA BUSINESS SERVICE CENTER REGIONAL OFFICES Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Business Service Center O'Neil Federal Building 10 Causeway Street Boston, MA 02222 Telephone: (617) 765-8100 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Business Service Center 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278 Telephone: (212) 264-1234 Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia Business Service Center 9th and Market Streets, Room 5151 Philadelphia, PA 11910 Telephone: (215) 597-9613 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee Business Service Center 75 Spring Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Telephone: (404) 331-5103 Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin Business Service Center 230 South Dearborn Street Chicago, IL 60604 Telephone: (312) 353-5383 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska Business Service Center 1500 East Bannister Road Kansas City, MO 64131 Telephone: (816) 926-7203 Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma Business Service Center 819 Taylor Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 Telephone: (817) 334-3284 Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Montana and Wyoming Business Service Center Building 41, Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 Telephone: (303) 236-7409 North California, Hawaii, and Nevada except Clark County Business Service Center 525 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 974-9000 Los Angeles, Southern California, Arizona and Clark County, Nevada Business Service Center 300 North Los Angeles Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Telephone: (213) 894-3210 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington Business Service Center 915 Second Avenue Seattle, WA 98174 Telephone: (206) 931-7956 Washington DC, Alexandria, VA and Montgomery, Fairfax, Loudon and Prince William Counties Business Service Center 7th and D Street, SW Room 1050 Washington, DC 20407 Telephone: (202) 708-5804 GSA FEDERAL INFORMATION CENTERS TELEPHONE NUMBERS If you need assistance in locating the local offices of a particular sales program, call the Federal Information Center (FIC) for assistance. This service, provided by the General Services Administration, can tell you the location of the sales office closest to you. Call the telephone number listed below for your state or metropolitan area. All the "800" numbers are toll free. These "800" numbers can be called only within the states and cities listed. If your area is not listed, please call (301) 722-9098 or if you prefer to write, mail your inquiry to the Federal Information Center, PO Box 600, Cumberland, MD 21502. Alabama Birmingham, Mobile Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Alaska Anchorage Telephone: (800) 729-8003 Arizona Phoenix Telephone: (800) 359-3997 Arkansas Little Rock Telephone: (800) 366-2998 California Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Ana Telephone: (800) 726-4995 Sacramento Telephone: (916) 973-1695 Colorado Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo Telephone: (800) 359-3997 Connecticut Hartford, New Haven Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Florida Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa, West Palm Beach Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Georgia Atlanta Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Hawaii Honolulu Telephone: (800) 733-5996 Illinois Chicago Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Indiana Gary Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Indianapolis Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Iowa All locations Telephone: (800) 735-8004 Kansas All locations Telephone: (800) 735-8004 Kentucky Louisville Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Louisiana New Orleans Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Maryland Baltimore Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Massachusetts Boston Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Michigan Detroit, Grand Rapids Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Minnesota Minneapolis Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Missouri St. Louis Telephone: (800) 366-2998 All other locations Telephone: (800) 735-8004 Nebraska Omaha Telephone: (800) 366-2998 All other locations Telephone: (800) 735-8004 New Jersey Newark, Trenton Telephone: (800) 347-1997 New Mexico Albuquerque Telephone: (800) 359-3997 New York Albany, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Syracuse Telephone: (800) 347-1997 North Carolina Charlotte Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Ohio Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Tulsa Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Oregon Portland Telephone: (800) 726-4995 Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pittsburgh Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Rhode Island Providence Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Tennessee Chattanooga Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Memphis, Nashville Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Texas Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio Telephone: (800) 366-2998 Utah Salt Lake City Telephone: (800) 359-3997 Virginia Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke Telephone: (800) 347-1997 Washington Seattle, Tacoma Telephone: (800) 726-4995 Wisconsin All locations Telephone: (800) 366-2998 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS MBDA's nationwide network of Minority Development Centers (MBDCs) counsel minority individuals on accounting, administration, business planning, inventory control, negotiations, referrals, networking, construction contracting and subcontracting, marketing, and on SBA's 8(a) certification to participate in minority set-aside contracting opportunities with the federal government. They provide managerial and technical assistance for bonding, bidding, estimating, financing, procurement, international trade, franchising, acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, and leveraged buyouts. MBDCs facilitate the formation and expansion of minority- owned firms. ATLANTA REGION Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee MBDA Regional Director 401 W. Peachtree Street, N.W., Suite 1930 Atlanta, GA 30308-3516 Telephone: (404) 730-3300 MBDA MIAMI District Office 51 S.W. 1st Avenue, Room 928 Miami, FL 33130 Telephone: (305) 536-5054 ATLANTA MBDC 75 Piedmont Avenue, N.E., Suite 256 Atlanta, GA 30303 Telephone: (404) 586-0953 AUGUSTA MBDC 1394 Laney Walker Blvd. Augusta, GA 30101-2796 Telephone: (706) 722-0994 BIRMINGHAM MBDC 1732 5th Avenue, N. Birmingham, AL 35203 Telephone: (205) 324-5231 CHARLESTON MBDC 4 Carriage Lane Charleston, SC 29407 Telephone: (803) 556-3040 CHEROKEE IBDC Alquoni Road, Box 1200 Cherokee, NC 28701 Telephone: (704) 497-9335 CHEROKOO IBDC 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 305 Asheville, NC 28801 Telephone: (704) 252-2516 COLUMBIA MBDC 1313 Elmwood Avenue Columbia, SC 29201 Telephone: (803) 779-5905 COLUMBUS MBDC 233 12th Street, Suite 621 Columbus, GA 31902-1696 Telephone: (706) 824-4253 FAYETTEVILLE MBDC PO Box 1387 Fayetteville, NC 28302 Telephone: (910) 483-7513 GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG MBDC 211 Century Plaza Drive, Suite 100-D Greenville, SC 29607 Telephone: (803) 271-8753 JACKSON MBDC 5285 Galaxie Drive, Suite A Jackson, MS 39206 Telephone: (601) 362-2260 JACKSONVILLE MBDC 218 W. Adams Street, Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32202-3508 Telephone: (904) 353-3826 LOUISVILLE MBDC 611 W. Main Street 4th Floor Louisville, KY 40402 Telephone: (502) 589-6232 MEMPHIS MBDC 5 N. 3rd Street, Suite 2020 Memphis, TN 38103 Telephone: (901) 527-2298 MIAMI/FT. LAUDERDALE MBDC 1200 N.W. 78th Avenue, Suite 301 Miami, FL 33126 Telephone: (305) 591-7355 MOBILE MBDC 801 Executive Park Drive, Suite 102 Mobile, AL 36606 Telephone: (205) 471-5165 MONTGOMERY MBDC 770 S. McDonough Street, Suite 209 Montgomery, AL 36104 Telephone: (205) 834-7598 NASHVILLE MBDC 14 Academy Place, Suite 2 Nashville, TN 37210-2026 Telephone: (615) 255-0432 ORLANDO MBDC 132 E. Colonial Drive, Suite 211 Orlando, FL 32801 Telephone: (407) 422-6234 RALEIGH/DURHAM MBDC 817 New Bern Avenue, Suite 8 Raleigh, NC 27601 Telephone: (919) 833-6122 TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG MBDC 4601 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 200 Tampa, FL 33609 Telephone: (813) 289-8824 WEST PALM BEACH MBDC 2001 Broadway, Suite 301C Riviera Beach, FL 33404 Telephone: (407) 863-0895 CHICAGO REGION Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin MBDA Regional Director 55 E. Monroe Street, Suite 1440 Chicago, IL 60603 Telephone: (312) 353-0182 CHICAGO MEGA CENTER 105 W. Adams Street, 7th Floor Chicago, IL 60603 Telephone: (312) 977-9190 CINCINNATI MBDC 1821 Summit Road, Suite 111 Cincinnati, OH 45237-2810 (513) 679-6000 CLEVELAND MBDC 601 Lakeside Avenue, E., Suite 335 Cleveland, OH 44114 Telephone: (216) 664-4155 DAYTON MBDC 32 N. Main Street, Suite 1001 Dayton, OH 45402 Telephone: (513) 228-0290 DETROIT MBDC 645 Griswold Street, Suite 2156 Detroit, MI 48226 Telephone: (313) 963-6232 GARY MBDC 567 Broadway Gary, IN 46402 Telephone: (219) 883-5802 INDIANAPOLIS MBDC 4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 102 Indianapolis, IN 46205 Telephone: (317) 226-3996 KANSAS CITY MBDC 1101 Walnut Street, Suite 1900 Kansas City, MO 64106-2143 Telephone: (816) 471-1520 MILWAUKEE MBDC 1442 N. Farwell Avenue, Suite 500 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Telephone: (414) 289-3422 MINNEAPOLIS IBDC 2021 E. Hennepin Avenue, Suite 370 Minneapolis, MN 55413 Telephone: (612) 331-5576 MINNESOTA MBDC Leech Lake Reservation PO Box 217 Cass Lake, MN 56633-0217 Telephone: (218) 335-8583 ST. LOUIS MBDC 231 S. Bemiston Street, Suite 750 St. Louis, MO 63101 Telephone: (314) 721-7766 DALLAS REGION Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wyoming MBDA Regional Director 1100 Commerce Street, Room 7B23 Dallas, TX 75242 Telephone: (214) 767-8001 ALBUQUERQUE MBDC 718 Central Avenue, S.W. Albuquerque, NM 87102 Telephone: (505) 843-7114 AUSTIN MBDC 1524 S. International Hwy. 35, Suite 218 Austin, TX 78704 Telephone: (512) 447-0800 BATON ROUGE MBDC 2036 Wooddale Blvd., Suite D Baton Rouge, LA 70814 Telephone: (504) 924-0186 BROWNSVILLE MBDC 2100 Boca Chica Blvd., Suite 301 Brownsville, TX 78521-2265 Telephone: (210) 546-3400 CORPUS CHRISTI MBDC 3649 Leopard Street, Suite 514 Corpus Christi, TX 78408 Telephone: (512) 887-7961 DALLAS/FT. WORTH MBDC 501 Winwood Village Shopping Center, Suite 202 Dallas, TX 75224-1899 Telephone: (214) 943-4095 DENVER MBDC 930 W. 7th Avenue Denver, CO 80204 Telephone: (303) 623-5660 EL PASO MBDC 6068 Gateway East, Suite 200 El Paso, TX 79905 Telephone: (915) 774-0626 HOUSTON MBDC 1200 Smith Street, Suite 2870 Houston, TX 77002 Telephone: (713) 650-3831 LAREDO MBDC 1303 Calle del Norte, Suite 400 Laredo, TX 78041 Telephone: (210) 726-8815 LITTLE ROCK MBDC One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 740 N. Little Rock, AR 72114 Telephone: (501) 372-7312 MC ALLEN MBDC 1701 W. Bus. Hwy. 83, Suite 306 McAllen, TX 78501 Telephone: (210) 664-0073 NEW MEXICO IBDC 3939 San Pedro Drive, N.E., Suite D Albuquerque, NM 87190-3256 Telephone: (505) 889-9092 NORTH DAKOTA IBDC 3315 University Drive Bismarck, ND 58504 Telephone: (701) 255-6849 OKLAHOMA IBDC 5727 S. Garnett Street, Suite C Tulsa, OK 74146-6823 Telephone: (918) 250-5950 SALT LAKE CITY MBDC 350 East 500 South, Suite 101 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Telephone: (801) 328-8181 SAN ANTONIO MBDC UTSA, 6900 North Loop 1604 West San Antonio, TX 78249-0660 Telephone: (210) 225-6233 TULSA MBDC 240 E. Apache Street Tulsa, OK 74106 Telephone: (918) 592-1995 NEW YORK REGION Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands MBDA Regional Director 26 Federal Plaza, Room 37-20 New York, NY 10278 Telephone: (212) 264-3262 MBDA BOSTON District Office 10 Causeway Street, Room 418 Boston, MA 02222-1041 Telephone: (617) 565-6850 BOSTON MBDC 10 Causeway Street, Room 418 Boston, MA 02222 Telephone: (617) 565-6850 BROOKLYN MBDC 16 Court Street, Room 1903 Brooklyn, NY 11201 Telephone: (718) 522-5880 BUFFALO MBDC 570 E. Delavan Avenue Buffalo, NY 14211 Telephone: (716) 895-2218 MANHATTAN MBDC 51 Madison Avenue, Suite 2212 New York, NY 10010 Telephone: (212) 779-4360 MAYAGUEZ MBDC 70 W. Mendez Vigo PO Box 3146 Marina Station Mayaguez, PR 00681 Telephone: (809) 833-7783 NASSAU/SUFFOLK MBDC 150 Broad Hollow Road, Suite 304 Melville, NY 11747 Telephone: (516) 549-5454 NEW BRUNSWICK MBDC 390 George Street, Suite 410 New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Telephone: (908) 249-5511 NEWARK MBDC 60 Park Place, Suite 1601 Newark, NJ 07102 Telephone: (201) 623-7712 PONCE MBDC 19 Salud Street Ponce, PR 00731 Telephone: (809) 840-8100 QUEENS MBDC 125-10 Queens Blvd. Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Telephone: (718) 793-3900 ROCHESTER MBDC 350 North Street Rochester, NY 14605 Telephone: (716) 232-6120 SAN JUAN MBDC 122 Eleanor Roosevelt Avenue Halo Rey, PR 00918 Telephone: (809) 753-8484 VIRGIN ISLANDS MBDC 81-AB Kronprindsen Gade, 3rd Floor PO Box 838 St. Thomas, VI 00804 Telephone: (809) 774-7215 VIRGIN ISLANDS MBDC 35 King Street Christensted St. Croix, VI 00820 Telephone: (809) 773-6334 WILLIAMSBURG/BROOKLYN MBDC 12 Heyward Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 Telephone: (718) 522-5620 SAN FRANCISCO REGION Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington MBDA Regional Director 221 Main Street, Room 1280 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 744-3001 MBDA LOS ANGELES District Office 9660 Flair Drive, Suite 455 El Monte, CA 91713 Telephone: (818) 453-8636 ALASKA MBDC 1577 C Street Plaza, Suite 304 Anchorage, AK 99501 Telephone: (907) 274-5400 FRESNO MBDC 4944 E. Clinton Way, Suite 103 Fresno, CA 93727 Telephone: (209) 266-2766 HONOLULU MBDC 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1000 Honolulu, HI 96813-3652 Telephone: (808) 531-6232 LOS ANGELES MBDC 355 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 1150 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Telephone: (213) 627-1717 PHOENIX MBDC 432 N. 44th Street, Suite 354 Phoenix, AZ 85008 Telephone: (602) 225-0740 PORTLAND MBDC 8959 S.W. Barbur Blvd., Suite 102 Portland, OR 97219 Telephone: (503) 245-9253 SACRAMENTO MBDC 1779 Tribute Road, Suite I Sacramento, CA 95815 Telephone: (916) 649-2551 SALINAS MBDC 14 Maple Street, Suite D Salinas, CA 93901 Telephone: (408) 422-8825 SAN DIEGO MBDC 7777 Alvarado Road, Suite 310 La Mesa, CA 91941 Telephone: (619) 668-6232 SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND MBDC 221 Main Street, Suite 1570 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 243-8430 SAN FRANCISCO/OAKLAND MBDC 1212 Broadway, Suite 900 Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 271-0180 SANTA BARBARA MBDC 22 N. Milpas Street, Suite H Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Telephone: (805) 965-2611 SEATTLE MBDC 155 N.E. 100th Avenue, Suite 401 Seattle, WA 98125 Telephone: (206) 525-5617 STOCKTON MBDC 305 N. El Dorado Street, Suite 305 Stockton, CA 95202 Telephone: (209) 467-4774 TUCSON MBDC 1200 N. El Dorado Square, Suite D-440 Tucson, AZ 85715 Telephone: (520) 721-1187 WASHINGTON REGION Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia MBDA Regional Director 1255 22nd Street, N.W., Suite 701 Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: (202) 377-1356 MBDC PHILADELPHIA District Office 600 Arch Street, Room 10128 Philadelphia, PA 19106 Telephone: (215) 597-9236 BALTIMORE MBDC 301 N. Charles Street, Suite 902 Baltimore, MD 21201 Telephone: (410) 752-7400 NEWPORT NEWS MBDC 6060 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 6016 Newport News, VA 23605 Telephone: (804) 865-7446 NORFOLK MBDC 355 Crawford Pkwy., Suite 608 Portsmouth, VA 23701 Telephone: (804) 399-0888 PHILADELPHIA MBDC 125 N. 8th Street, 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106 Telephone: (215) 629-9841 PITTSBURGH MBDC Nine Parkway Center, Suite 250 Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Telephone: (412) 921-1155 WASHINGTON MBDC 1133 15th Street, N.W., Suite 1120 Washington, DC 20005 Telephone: (202) 785-2886 FEDERAL OFFICES OF SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION (OSDBU) Offices designated as Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs) provide procurement assistance to small, minority, 8(a) and women-owned businesses. Their primary function is to ensure that small and disadvantaged businesses receive their fair share of U.S. Government contracts. "OSDBUs" are the contacts for their respective agencies and are excellent sources of information. DEPARTMENTS Department of Agriculture 14th and Independence Ave., S.W., Room 1323, South Bldg. Washington, DC 20250 Telephone: (202) 720-7117 FAX (202) 720-3001 Department of Commerce 14th and Constitution Ave., N.W., Room H-6411 Washington, DC 20230 Telephone: (202) 482-1472 FAX (202) 482-0501 Department of Defense Office of the Director for Small Business Programs 3061 Defense Pentagon, Room 2A340 Washington, DC 20301-3061 Telephone: (703) 614-1151, 697-1688, 697-9383 FAX (703) 693-7014 Department of the Air Force Office of the Secretary of the Air Force The Pentagon - Room 5E271 Washington, DC 20330-1060 Telephone: (703) 697-1950 FAX (703) 614-9266 Department of the Army Office of the Secretary of the Army 106 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-0106 Telephone: (703) 697-7753 FAX (703) 693-3898 Department of the Navy Office of the Secretary of the Navy 2211 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22244-5102 Telephone: (703) 602-2700 FAX (703) 602-2477 Defense Logistics Agency Headquarters 8725 John J. Kingman Rd., Suite 2533 Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6221 Telephone: (703) 767-1650 FAX (703) 767-1670 Department of Education 600 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 3120-ROB-3 Washington, DC 20202-0521 Telephone: (202) 708-9820 FAX (202) 401-6477 Department of Energy 1707 H Street, N.W., Room 904 Washington, DC 20585 Telephone: (202) 254-5583 FAX (202) 254-3989 Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 517D, Humphrey Building Washington, DC 20201 Telephone: (202) 690-7300 FAX (202) 690-8772 Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street, S.W., Room 3130 Washington, DC 20410 Telephone: (202) 708-1428 FAX (202) 708-7642 Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W., Room 2725 Washington, DC 20240 Telephone: (202) 208-3493 FAX (202) 208-5048 Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Contracting and Grants Administration 1951 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Mail Stop 334-SIB Washington, DC 20245 Telephone: (202) 208-2825 Department of Justice 12th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 3235, Ariel Rios Bldg. Washington, DC 20530 Telephone: (202) 616-0521 FAX (202) 616-1717 Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room C-2318 Washington, DC 20210 Telephone: (202) 219-9148 FAX (202) 219-9167 Department of State 1701 Ft. Myer Drive, Room 633 (SA-6) Rosslyn, VA 22209 Telephone: (703) 875-6824 FAX (703) 875-6825 Mailing Address Only SDBU, Room 633, SA 6 Washington, DC 20522-0602 Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, S.W., Room 9414 Washington, DC 20590 Telephone: (202) 366-1930 FAX (202) 366-7228 Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 6100 - Annex Washington, DC 20220 Telephone: (202) 622-0530 FAX (202) 622-2273 Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Acquisitions and Procurement Branch 250 E Street, S.W., Mail Stop 4-13 Washington, DC 20219 Telephone: (202) 874-5040 FAX (202) 874-5625 Office of Thrift Supervision Department of the Treasury 1700 G Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20552 Telephone: (202) 906-6346 or 906-7864 FAX (202) 906-5748 Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W. (00SSB) Washington, DC 20420 Telephone: (202) 565-8127 FAX (202) 565-8156 The majority of independent agencies do not have designated Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. However, they do have specific personnel available to assume such responsibilities. FEDERAL AGENCIES IDCA/Agency for International Development 1100 Wilson Blvd. SA-14 Arlington, VA 20523-1414 Telephone: (703) 875-1551 FAX (703) 875-1862 Corporation for National Service/ACTION 1201 New York Avenue, N.W., Room 2101 Washington, DC 20525 Telephone: (202) 606-5000, ext. 320 FAX (202) 565-2777 Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W., Mail Code 1230C Washington, DC 20460 Telephone: (703) 305-7777 FAX (703) 305-6462 Export-Import Bank of the U.S. 811 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Room 1017 Washington, DC 20571 Telephone: (202) 565-3900/2 (800) 565-EXIM FAX (202) 565-3931 Farm Credit Administration 1501 Farm Credit Drive McLean, VA 22102-5090 Telephone: (703) 833-4149 FAX (703) 734-5784 Federal Communications Commission 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 404 Washington, DC 20554 Telephone: (202) 418-0930 FAX (202) 418-0237 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Minority and Women Outreach Program (MWOP) 550 17th St., N.W., PA 2041 Washington, DC 20429 Telephone: (202) 942-3126, 942-3128 FAX (202) 942-3113 Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) 801 17th Street, N.W., Room 1201 Washington, DC 20434 Telephone: (202) 416-6925 FAX (202) 416-2466 Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street, S.W., Room 407 Washington, DC 20472 Telephone: (202) 646-3743 FAX (202) 646-3695 Federal Housing Finance Board (FHFB) 1777 F Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20006 Telephone (202) 408-2582 FAX (202) 408-2580 Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service 2100 K Street, N.W., 8th Floor Washington, DC 20427 Telephone: (202) 606-8111 FAX (202) 606-4254 Federal Trade Commission 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room H-700 Washington, DC 20580 Telephone: (202) 326-2258 or 326-2260 FAX (202) 382-2050 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FREDDIE MAC) 7900 W. Park Drive, Mail Stop 915 McLean, VA 22102 Telephone: (703) 905-5329 FAX (703) 905-5404 General Accounting Office 441 G Street, N.W., Room 6851 Washington, DC 20001 Telephone: (202) 512-7751 FAX (202) 512-2658 Government Printing Office North Capitol & H Streets, N.W., Room C-897 Washington, DC 20401 Telephone: (202) 512-1365 FAX (202) 512-1463 General Services Administration 18th and F Street, N.W., Room 6029 Washington, DC 20405 Telephone: (202) 501-1021 FAX (202) 208-5938 International Trade Commission 500 E Street, S.W., Room 214 Washington, DC 20436 Telephone: (202) 205-2732 FAX (202) 205-2150 Interstate Commerce Commission 12th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 3148 Washington, DC 20423 Telephone (202) 927-7597 FAX (202) 927-5158 National Academy of Sciences Office of Contracts and Grants 2001 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Room 406 Washington, DC 20007 Telephone (202) 334-2254 FAX (202) 334-2797 National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Headquarters, Mail Code K, Room 9K70 300 E Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20546 Telephone: (202) 358-2088 FAX (202) 358-3261 National Archives and Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 4400 College Park, MD 20740-6001 Telephone: (301) 713-6750, ext. 240 FAX (301) 713-7389 National Credit Union Administration Office of Administration 1775 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314-3428 Telephone: (703) 518-6410 FAX (703) 518-6439 National Labor Relations Board 1099 14th Street, N.W., Suite 6100 Washington, DC 20570 Telephone: (202) 273-4210 FAX (202) 273-4266 National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 590 Arlington, VA 22230 Telephone: (703) 306-1330 FAX (703) 306-0298 Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11545 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 Telephone: (301) 415-7380/7381 FAX (301) 415-5953 Mailing Address Only USNRC Mail Stop T-2F18 Washington, DC 20555 Office of Personnel Management Procurement Division Quality Assurance Branch 1900 E Street, N.W., Room 1452 - SB427 Washington, DC 20415 Telephone: (202) 606-2180 FAX (202) 606-1464 Overseas Private Investment Corporation Sumner Square 1615 M Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20526 Telephone: (202) 336-8520 FAX (202) 408-9859 Peace Corps 1990 K Street, N.W., Room 6368 Washington, DC 20526 Telephone: (202) 606-3513 FAX (202) 606-3009 Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 1220 North Washington, DC 20004-1703 Telephone: (202) 724-9068 FAX (202) 724-0246 Railroad Retirement Board 1310 G Street, N.W., Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 Telephone: (202) 272-7742 FAX (202) 272-7728 Small Business Administration Director, Office of Procurement and Grants Management 409 3rd Street, S.W., 5th Floor Washington, DC 20416 Telephone: (202) 205-6622 FAX (202) 205-6821 Smithsonian Institution Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program 915 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W. Washington, DC 20560 Telephone: (202) 287-3508 FAX (202) 287-3490/3492 Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street, EB2B Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Telephone: (615) 751-6269 FAX (615) 751-6890 United States Information Agency 400 6th Street, S.W., Room 1725 Washington, DC 20547 Telephone: (202) 205-5404 FAX (202) 401-2410 Principal Contacts at Additional Agencies Office of Administration EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT New Executive Office Building 725 17th Street, N.W., Room 5001 Washington, DC 20503 Telephone: (202) 395-7669 FAX (202) 395-3982 Office of Management and Budget Office of Federal Procurement Policy 725 17th Street, N.W., Room 9001-NEOB Washington, DC 20503 Telephone: (202) 395-4545/4821 FAX (202) 395-5105 FANNIE MAE 3900 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20016-2899 Telephone: (202) 752-3775 FAX (202) 752-3804 Library of Congress Office of Contracts and Logistics 1701 Brightseat Road Landover, MD 20785 Telephone: (202) 707-8612 FAX (202) 707-8611 Board for International Broadcasting 1201 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Telephone: (202) 254-8040 Commission on Civil Rights 1121 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Room 500 Thomas Circle South Washington, DC 20425 Telephone: (202) 523-5571 Commodity Futures Trading Commission 2033 K Street, N.W., Room 800B Washington, DC 20581 Telephone: (202) 254-9735 Consumer Product Safety Commission 4330 East West Highway, Room 610 Bethesda, MD 20814-4408 Telephone: (301) 504-0570 FAX (301) 504-0359 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1801 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20507 Telephone: (202) 663-4223 Federal Election Commission 999 E Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20463 Telephone: (202) 376-5270 Federal Energy Regulation Commission 825 North Capital Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20426 Telephone: (202) 357-8088 Federal Maritime Commission 800 N. Capital Street, Room 980 Washington, DC 20573 Telephone: (202) 523-5900 Federal Reserve System 20th and C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20551 Telephone: (202) 452-2631 Merit Systems Protection Board Vermont Avenue Building 1120 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Room 884 Washington, DC 20419 Telephone: (202) 653-5806 National Capital Planning Commission 1325 G Street, N.W., 10th Floor Washington, DC 20576 Telephone: (202) 724-0174 National Endowment for the Arts 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20506 Telephone: (202) 682-5482 National Endowment for the Humanities 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20506 Telephone: (202) 606-8233 FAX (202) 606-8243 National Transportation Safety Board Federal Office Building 10A 800 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20594 Telephone: (202) 832-6731 Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission 1825 K Street, N.W., Room 414 Washington, DC 20006 Telephone: (202) 634-6621 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 5th Street, N.W., Room 2111 Washington, DC 20549 Telephone: (202) 942-8945 Selective Service System 1023 31st Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20435 Telephone: (202) 724-0846 U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency State Department Building 320 21st Street, N.W., Room 5840 Washington, DC 20451 Telephone: (202) 647-3708 U.S. Postal Service 475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Room 3821 Washington, DC 20260-5616 Telephone: (202) 268-6578 FAX (202) 268-6573 United States Information Agency 400 6th Street, S.W., Room 1725 Washington, DC 20024 Telephone: (202) 205-5404/9662 FAX (202) 401-2410 SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH REPRESENTATIVES (SBIR) Department of Agriculture Small Business Innovation Research Department Department of Agriculture Competitive Research Education Extension Service AG Box 2243 Aerospace Building Washington, DC 20250-2243 Telephone: (202) 401-4002 Department of Commerce NOAA/ORTA 1315 East West Highway, Room 15342 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Telephone: (301) 713-3565 Department of Defense Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 3061 Defense Pentagon, Room 2A 338 Washington, DC 20301-3061 Telephone: (703) 697-1481 Department of Education SBIR Program Coordinator Office of Education Research and Improvement Department of Education Mail Stop 40 Washington, DC 20208 Telephone: (202) 219-2050 Department of Energy SBIR Program U.S. Department of Energy ER-16 19901 Germantown Road Germantown, MD 20874 Telephone: (301) 903-5867 Department of Health and Human Services Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 517D Washington, DC 20201 Telephone: (202) 690-7300 Department of Transportation SBIR Program Manager Transportation Systems Center Department of Transportation Kendall Square Cambridge, MA 02142 Telephone: (617) 494-2051 Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research Program Management Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20460 Telephone: (202) 260-7473 National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Office - Code RB 300 E Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20546 Telephone: (202) 358-4658 National Science Foundation SBIR - 590 National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 Telephone: (703) 306-1390 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Nuclear Regulatory Commission Two White Flint North Building 11545 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 Telephone DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY (DLA) SERVICE CENTERS The Defense Logistics Agency buys more than three million different items for Department of Defense activities through the contracting centers listed below. DLA is not responsible for the introduction of new or improved items or for research and development contracts. If you are interested in selling to the military, call the appropriate small business or contracting office listed below to obtain further information. Normally you will be asked to complete Standard Form 129 -- a Bidder's Mailing Application and other forms, if needed. Defense Construction Supply Center PO Box 3990 Columbus, OH 43216-5000 Telephone: (614) 692-3541 (800) 262-3272 FAX: (614) 692-4920 Defense Electronics Supply Center 1507 Wilmington Pike Dayton, OH 45444-5000 Telephone: (513) 296-5231 (800) 225-9771 FAX: (513) 296-5038 Defense Fuel Supply Center 8725 John J. Kingman Street Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6222 Telephone: (703) 767-9400 (800) 523-2601 (800) 468-8893 (Virginia only) FAX: (703) 767-9452 Defense General Supply Center 8000 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Richmond, VA 23297-5124 Telephone: (804) 279-3617/3287/3690 (800) 227-3603 (800) 544-5634 (Virginia only) FAX: (804) 279-6615 Defense Industrial Supply Center 700 Robbins Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19111-5096 Telephone: (215) 697-2747 (800) 831-1110 FAX: (215) 697-1043 Defense Personnel Support Center 2800 S. 20th Street Philadelphia, PA 19101-8419 Telephone: (215) 737-2321 (800) 523-0705 FAX: (215) 737-7116 DLA ADP/T Contracting Office 8725 John J. Kingman Street Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6222 Telephone: (703) 767-1191 FAX: (703) 274-6303 Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service Federal Center 74 N. Washington Battle Creek, MI 49017-3092 Telephone: (616) 961-4762 FAX: (616) 961-4417 Defense Logistics Services Center Federal Center 74 N. Washington Battle Creek, MI 49017-3084 Telephone: (616) 961-4358 FAX: (616) 961-4528/4352/4265 Defense Subsistence Region Pacific 2155 Mariner Square Loop Alameda, CA 94501-1022 Telephone: (510) 869-8054 FAX: (510) 869-8443 Defense National Stockpile Center 1745 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22202 Telephone: (703) 607-3235 FAX: (703) 607-3114 Defense Distribution Region West Building S4, Sharpe Site Lathrop, CA 95331-5108 Telephone: (209) 982-2435 FAX: (209) 982-2450 Defense Distribution Region East Building 2001 New Cumberland, PA 17070 Telephone: (717) 770-6109/7186 FAX: (717) 770-5689 DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS (DCMDS) AND DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AREA OPERATIONS (DCMAOS) These offices, also part of the Defense Logistics Agency, have small business specialists assigned to them to respond to inquiries and assist potential small business contractors. DCMD South 805 Walker Street Marietta, GA 30060-2789 Telephone: (404) 590-6196 (800) 331-6415 (800) 551-7801 (Georgia only) FAX (404) 590-2612 DCMAO Atlanta 805 Walker Street Marietta, GA 30060-2789 Telephone: (404) 590-6187 FAX (404) 590-2110 DCMAO Dallas 1200 Main Street, Room 640 PO Box 50500 Dallas, TX 75202-4399 Telephone: (214) 670-9205 (800) 255-8574 FAX (214) 573-2182 DCMAO Birmingham 2121 8th Avenue, N., Suite 104 Birmingham, AL 35203-2376 Telephone: (205) 226-4304 FAX (205) 251-5325 DCMAO Orlando 3555 Maguire Blvd. Orlando, FL 32803-3726 Telephone: (407) 228-5113/5260 FAX (407) 228-5312 DCMAO San Antonio 15 E. Houston Street PO Box 1040 San Antonio, TX 78294-1040 Telephone: (210) 229-4650 FAX (210) 229-6092 DCMAO Baltimore 200 Towsontown Blvd., W. Towson, MD 21204-5299 Telephone: (410) 339-4809 FAX (410) 339-4990 DCMD Northeast 495 Summer Street, 8th Floor Boston, MA 02210-2184 Telephone: (617) 753-4317/4318 (800) 321-1861 FAX (617) 753-3174 DCMAO Boston 495 Summer Street Boston, MA 02210-2184 Telephone: (617) 753-4108/4109 FAX (617) 753-4005 DCMAO Garden City 605 Stewart Avenue Garden City, Long Island, NY 11530-4761 Telephone: (516) 228-5722 FAX (516) 228-5938 DCMAO Stratford 550 Main Street Stratford, CT 06497-7574 Telephone: (203) 385-4418 FAX (203) 385-4357 DCMAO Hartford 130 Darlin Street E. Hartford, CT 06108-3234 Telephone: (203) 291-7715 FAX (203) 291-7992 DCMAO New York Ft. Wadsworth Staten Island, NY 10305 Telephone: (718) 390-1016 FAX (718) 390-1020 DCMAO Indianapolis Building 1 Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN 46249-5701 Telephone: (317) 542-2015/2347 FAX (317) 542-2348 DCMAO Dayton Gentile Station 1001 Hamilton Street Dayton, OH 45444-5300 Telephone: (513) 296-5150 FAX (513) 296-5577 DCMAO Syracuse 615 Erie Blvd., W. Syracuse, NY 13204-2408 Telephone: (315) 448-7897 FAX (315) 448-7914 DCMAO Grand Rapids Riverview Center Building 678 Front Street, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49504-5352 Telephone: (616) 456-2620/2971 FAX (616) 456-2646 DCMAO Detroit 905 McNamara Federal Building 477 Michigan Avenue Detroit, MI 48226-2506 Telephone: (313) 226-5180 FAX (313) 226-5250 DCMAO Philadelphia 2800 S. 20th Street PO Box 7699 Philadelphia, PA 19101-7478 Telephone: (215) 737-5818 FAX (215) 737-7046 DCMAO Reading 1125 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 160 Wyomissing, PA 19610-12494 Telephone: (610) 320-5012 FAX (610) 320-5075 DCMAO Pittsburgh 1629 William Moorhead Federal Building 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4190 Telephone: (412) 644-5926 FAX (412) 644-5907 DCMAO Springfield 955 S. Springfield Avenue Springfield, NJ 07081-3170 Telephone: (201) 564-7204 FAX (201) 467-5232 DCMAO Cleveland 1240 E. 9th Street Cleveland, OH 44199-2064 Telephone: (216) 522-5446 FAX (216) 522-5387 DCMD West 222 N. Sepulveda Blvd. El Segundo, CA 90245-4394 Telephone: (310) 335-3260/3262/3265/3285 (800) 624-7372 (800) 233-6521 (California only) FAX (310) 335-4443 DCMAO Chicago O'Hare International Airport PO Box 66911 Chicago, IL 60666-0911 Telephone: (312) 825-5210 (800) 637-3848 FAX (617) 451-4005 DCMAO San Diego 7675 Dagget Street Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92111-2241 Telephone: (619) 637-4922 FAX (619) 495-7660 DCMAO Denver Orchard Place 2, Suite 200 5975 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. Englewood, CO 80110-4715 Telephone: (303) 843-4381 (800) 722-8975 FAX (303) 843-4334 DCMAO San Francisco 1265 Borregas Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Telephone: (408) 541-7041/7042 FAX (408) 541-7084 DCMAO Santa Ana 34 Civic Center Plaza PO Box C-12700 Santa Ana, CA 92712-2700 Telephone: (714) 836-2912, x661 FAX (714) 836-2358 DCMAO St. Louis 1222 Spruce Street St. Louis, MO 63103-2811 Telephone: (314) 331-5392 (800) 325-3419 FAX (314) 325-3419 DCMAO Van Nuys 6230 Van Nuys Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91401-2713 Telephone: (818) 904-6158 FAX (818) 904-6499 DCMAO Seattle 3009 112th Avenue, N.E., Suite 200 Bellevue, WA 98004-8019 Telephone: (206) 889-7317/7318 FAX (206) 889-7252 DCMAO Twin Cities 3001 Metro Drive, Suite 200 Bloomington, MN 55425-1573 Telephone: (612) 335-2003 FAX (612) 335-2054 DCMAO Wichita U.S. Courthouse, Suite D-34 401 N. Market Street Wichita, KS 67202-2095 Telephone: (316) 269-7137/7048 FAX (316) 269-7152 DCMAO Phoenix The Monroe School Building 215 N. 7th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034-1012 Telephone: (602) 379-6170, x231 FAX (602) 379-6409 U.S. GOVERNMENT BOOKSTORES The Government Printing Office (GPO) operates U.S. government bookstores in many areas of the country. These stores do not stock all of the more than 12,000 titles in the GPO inventory, but they do carry the ones you would be most likely to seek. GPO will also order and send to you any of its publications. These bookstores accept VISA, Mastercard and Superintendent of Documents deposit account orders. GPO also publishes catalogs of new publications, a U.S. Government Information Catalog which lists publications, periodicals and electronic products and a U.S. Government Subscription Catalog. You can also request specific subject bibliographies, i.e., business, small business, procurement, etc., which are available free of charge. All of these publications are updated on a timely basis. Alabama U.S. Government Bookstore O'Neill Building 2021 Third Avenue, N. Birmingham, AL 35203 Telephone: (205) 731-1056 FAX (205) 731-3444 California U.S. Government Bookstore ARCO Plaza, C-Level 505 S. Flower Street Los Angeles, CA 90071 Telephone: (213) 239-9844 FAX (213) 239-9848 U.S. Government Bookstore Marathon Plaza, Room 141-S 303 2nd Street San Francisco, CA 94107 Telephone: (415) 512-2270 FAX (415) 512-2276 Colorado U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Room 117 1961 Stout Street Denver, CO 80294 Telephone: (303) 844-3964 FAX (303) 844-4000 U.S. Government Bookstore Norwest Banks Building 201 W. 8th Street Pueblo, CO 81003 Telephone: (719) 544-3142 FAX (719) 544-6719 District of Columbia U.S. Government Bookstore U.S. Government Printing Office 710 N. Capitol Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20401 Telephone: (202) 512-0132 FAX (202) 512-1355 U.S. Government Bookstore 1510 H Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20005 Telephone: (202) 653-5075 FAX (205) 376-5055 Florida U.S. Government Bookstore 100 W. Bay Street, Suite 100 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Telephone: (904) 353-0569 FAX (904) 353-1280 Georgia U.S. Government Bookstore First Union Plaza 999 Peachtreet Street, N.E., Suite 120 Atlanta, GA 30309-3964 Telephone: (404) 347-1900 FAX (404) 347-1897 Illinois U.S. Government Bookstore One Congress Center 401 S. State Street, Suite 124 Chicago, IL 60605 Telephone: (312) 353-5133 FAX (312) 353-1590 Maryland U.S. Government Bookstore U.S. Government Printing Office Warehouse Sales Outlet 8660 Cherry Lane Laurel, MD 20707 Telephone: (301) 953-7974 (301) 792-0262 FAX (301) 498-8995 Massachusetts U.S. Government Bookstore Thomas P. O'Neill Building 10 Causeway Street, Room 169 Boston, MA 02222 Telephone: (617) 720-4180 FAX (617) 720-5753 Michigan U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Suite 160 477 Michigan Avenue Detroit, MI 48226 Telephone: (313) 226-7816 FAX (313) 226-4698 Missouri U.S. Government Bookstore 120 Bannister Mall 5600 E. Bannister Road Kansas City, MO 64137 Telephone: (816) 765-2256 FAX (816) 767-8233 New York U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Room 110 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278 Telephone: (212) 264-3825 FAX (205) 264-9318 Ohio U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Room 1653 1240 E. 9th Street Cleveland, OH 44199 Telephone: (216) 522-4922 FAX (216) 522-4714 U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Room 207 200 N. High Street Columbus, OH 43215 Telephone: (614) 469-6956 FAX (614) 469-5374 Oregon U.S. Government Bookstore 1305 S.W. 1st Avenue Portland, OR 97201-5801 Telephone: (503) 221-6217 FAX (503) 225-0563 Pennsylvania U.S. Government Bookstore Robert Morris Building 100 N. 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 Telephone: (215) 636-1900 FAX (215) 636-1903 U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Room 118 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Telephone: (412) 644-2721 FAX (412) 644-4547 Texas U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Room 1C50 1100 Commerce Street Dallas, TX 75242 Telephone: (214) 767-0076 FAX (214) 767-3239 U.S. Government Bookstore Texas Crude Building 801 Travis Street, Suite 120 Houston, TX 77002 Telephone: (713) 228-1187 FAX (713) 228-1186 Washington U.S. Government Bookstore Federal Building, Room 194 915 2nd Avenue Seattle, WA 98174 Telephone: (206) 553-4270 FAX (206) 553-6717 Wisconsin U.S. Government Bookstore Reuss Federal Plaza, Suite 150 310 W. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53203 Telephone: (414) 297-1304 FAX (414) 297-1300 All stores are open Monday through Friday. Kansas City is open 7 days a week. _________________________________________________________________ APPENDIX 3. RESOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY Resource Bibliography All publications, unless otherwise indicated, can be obtained from the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization in each respective department or agency (see Appendix 2). U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Guide to Doing Business with the Agency For International Development, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Secretary, Selling to The USDA, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the Secretary, Ask OSDBU, 1991. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Commerce How to Sell to The United States Department of Commerce. Includes sections on: Mission and functions of the Department of Commerce; Getting started in federal government contracting; OSDBU programs; What does Commerce buy?; The Small Business Administration; Telephone directories and contacts; Useful government publications; Glossary of procurement terms; and Application forms, 1993. GPO 003-000-00673-5 Cost: $3.50 U.S. Department of Commerce A Basic Guide to Exporting, 1992. Cost: $9.50. U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, Franchise Opportunities Handbook, 1994. Cost: $21.00. U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the Secretary, Sub Contracting Directory of Prime Contractors, 1994. Cost: Free. U.S. Department of Commerce 1995 Forecast of Contract Opportunities. Cost: Free. U.S. Department of Defense Directorate of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary, Selling to The Military. Covers Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency, and other Defense agencies. Provides general information about items purchased by the military. Also gives the locations of military purchasing offices, 1992. Cost: $8.50 U.S. Department of Defense Directorate of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary, Small Business Specialists, 1993. Cost: $5.00 U.S. Department of Defense Directorate of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary, Guide to The Defense Acquisition Regulation for Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned Business, 1988. Cost: $2.00 U.S. Department of Defense DoD Electronic Commerce (EC)/Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in Contracting Report. Assesses the capabilities of the Electronic Commerce (EC)/Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) infrastructure that exists today in the Department of Defense. Sets forth a plan for implementing an electronic commerce approach for contracting and procurement functions, a planning estimate for both the resources and schedule required, and an identification of relevant policy issues. This book contains Volumes 1 and 2. 1993. GPO 008-000-00643-1. Cost: $20.00 U.S. Department of Defense Directorate of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary, Subcontracting Opportunities with DoD Major Prime Contractors, 1994. GPO 008-040-00201-2. Cost: $15.00 U.S. Department of Defense Guide to Defense Contract Finance Regulations for Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned Small Business. Provides useful information about DoD contracts. Includes sections on: pre-award surveys; policies related to financing DoD contracts; and progress payments and invoice processing. Includes blank copies of related forms, 1988. GPO 008-000-00503-6. Cost: $2.00 U.S. Department of Energy Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Doing Business with The Department of Energy, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Energy Office of Procurement and Assistance Management Directorate, Guide for The Submission of Unsolicited Proposals, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Information for Prospective EPA Contractors, 1983. Cost: Free U.S. General Services Administration Business Service Center, Doing Business With GSA. Explains GSA procurement programs, the products and services GSA purchases and how to go about marketing them to GSA, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. General Services Administration Business Service Center. Contracting Opportunities with GSA. Summarizes how to bid on GSA procurements and how to market goods and services to GSA, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. General Services Administration Business Service Center, GSA Subcontracting Directory, Winter- Spring, 1995. Prepared as an aid to small business and small disadvantaged business concerns seeking subcontracting opportunities with General Services Administration (GSA) prime contractors. Lists the GSA contractors who have subcontracting plans and goals. Arranged alphabetically by name of company within each of the GSA regions, 1995. GPO 022-003-1184-6. Cost: $3.00 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Doing Business With The Department of Health and Human Services, 1993. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Secretary, Procurement Opportunity Program Guide to Doing Business with HUD, 1984. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Interior, Introduction to Interior Acquisitions, 1993. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Interior Office of the Secretary, Forecast of Interior Acquisitions, Guide for Small Business Fiscal Year 1995. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Labor Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, What The U.S. Department of Labor Buys, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. Department of Labor Small Business Handbook: Laws, Legislation & Technical Assistance Services, 1983. Cost: Free. Contact: Consumer Information Center, Department 6292, Pueblo, CO, 81009 U.S. Department of Labor U.S. Department of Education Choosing the Right Training Program; A Guidebook for Small Business, 1994. Cost: $3.25. U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Doing Business with NASA, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Procurement, Guidance for The Preparation and Submission of Unsolicited Proposals, 1988. Cost: Free U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Procurement, Annual Procurement Reports, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Procurement, How to Compete for NASA Contracts, 1989. Cost: Free U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Procurement Assistance, Procurement Assistance, 1992. Cost: Free U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Procurement Assistance, Small Business Subcontracting Directory, 1992. Cost: Free U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Government Purchasing and Sales Directory, 1994. Lists in alphabetical order nearly 4,000 products and services bought by the Federal Government's major military and civilian agencies. Includes an overview of how the government purchases goods and services as well as an explanation of the ways in which the Small Business Administration (SBA) can provide assistance to small firms interested in government contracting and subcontracting opportunities, 1994. GPO 045-000-00272-1. Cost: $24.00 U.S. Small Business Administration Certificate of Competency: Help for Small Business Bidders. Cost: Free. U.S. Small Business Administration Starting and Managing a Business From Your Home, 1986. GPO 045- 000-00232-2. Cost: $1.75. U.S. Small Business Administration Exporter's Guide to Federal Resources for Small Business. Describes the major federal programs designed to assist small business owners in exporting their goods and services. Also identifies people in various government agencies who are able to provide technical assistance and support to small business owners interested in international trade. Contains: Summaries of agency programs; Agency contacts for international trade; Talking points of international trade; Speakers bureau; and bibliography of major agency publications on international trade, 1992. Cost: $4.75 U.S. Department of State Bureau of Management, Guide to Doing Business With The Department of State. Provides small, minority and female-owned firms with information about the State Department's procurement program. Also describes the State Department's acquisitions under the Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1966; a list of user office contacts; a vendor survey form; a list of federal Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization; a list of subcontracting opportunities; and other information, 1994. GPO 044-000-02421-7. Cost: $3.25 U.S. Tennessee Valley Authority Office of Minority and Small Business Services, Doing Business with TVA, 1993. Cost: Free U.S. Tennessee Valley Authority TVA Potential Suppliers Profile, 1994. Cost: Free. U.S. Tennessee Valley Authority The Qual-Link Partnership TVA Suppliers Handbook. Cost: Free. U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation Marketing Information Package, 1994.. Cost: Free U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of the Secretary, Forecast of Contracting Opportunities, 1995. Cost: Free U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of the Secretary, What Treasury Buys, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Small Business Subcontracting Opportunities, 1994. Cost: Free U.S. Department of the Treasury U.S. Customs Service Importing into the U.S., 1994. Cost: Free. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Marketing Center, Doing Business With the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discusses doing business with: an individual VA medical center; the VA central office; the National Acquisition Center; and the Denver Distribution Center. Also contains sections on: small business programs, and addresses of VA contracting activities, 1993. GPO 051-000-00203-2. Cost: $2.00. National Science Foundation Office of Small Business Research and Development, Small Business Guide to Federal Research and Development. Commanding Officer Naval Publications and Form Centers 5801 Tabor Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19120 Military Specifications and Standards Defense Logistics Agency Ft. Belvoir, VA Cataloging Handbook H2-1, GPO 008-007-03261-5. Cost: $2.50 U.S. General Accounting Office PO Box 6017 Washington, DC 20548 Bid Protest and GAO: A Descriptive Guide, 1983. GOVERNMENT WIDE RESOURCES All publications, unless otherwise indicated, can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, North Capitol and H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20402-9371. Index of Federal Specifications and Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions. Alphabetic, numeric and federal supply classification indexes, 1994. Cost: $40.00. Individuals should pay by money order, companies may pay by check, made payable to Federal Supply Service Bureau. Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1987. GPO 041-001- 00214-2. Cost: $30.00. Federal Register (daily Monday through Friday, except federal holidays), GPO 022-003-800001-8. Cost: 6 months: Domestic - $150.00; Foreign - $187.00; Year subscription price: Domestic: - $300.00; Foreign - $375.00; Single copy: Domestic - $1.50; Foreign- $1.90 Federal Register Index, monthly, GPO 022-003-80004-2. Cost: Domestic - $21.00; Foreign -$26.25; no single copies. Federal Register, What it is and How to Use It: A Guide for the User of the Federal Register. Code of Federal Regulations System, 1992. GPO 022-003-01041-6. Cost: $7.00 Commerce Business Daily, published by the Department of Commerce. A synopsis of U.S. government proposed government sales and contract awards. Issued daily, Monday-Friday. Subscription price: Domestic - $275.00 a year; $324.00 a year (first class). GPO 703-013-00000-7. ---------- End of Document