California-Great Basin

Contracting Assistance Programs

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides several programs to help small businesses win Federal contracts and to assist Federal agencies in meeting their socio-economic goals. Participating in these programs helps small businesses to win a fair share of Federal contracts; qualify for exclusive set-aside and sole-source contracts; partner with established contractors to win contracts; and get business mentoring and education to learn how Federal contracting works.

• Small Business Concern is a domestic firm which is for-profit, independently owned and operated, not dominant in its field of operation, and can qualify under the SBA’s Size Standards using their designated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes. A certification is not required from the SBA. SAM will determine if a business is small based on their average annual revenues and/or the number of employees and the NAICS codes entered in SAM. Small businesses registered in SAM have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and participate in restricted competition limited to small businesses.
• 8(a) Business Development Program – SBA’s 8(a) Program is nine-year business development program for small businesses owned 51% or more by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities. The government limits competition and sole source awards for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the 8(a) Business Development program.
• HUBZone Program - SBA’s HUBZone ("Historically Underutilized Business Zone”) Program is designed to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more Federal contracting opportunities. Certified small business firms have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and participate in restricted competition limited to HUBZone firms. To determine if your business is located in a HUBZone, for more information and to apply.
• Woman-Owned/Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB/EDWOSB) – SBA’s WOSB Program was created for small businesses that are owned and controlled 51% or more by one or more woman or women. Additionally, the business must be in an industry where women-owned small businesses (WOSB) are underrepresented. Some contracts are restricted further to economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSB). The SBA maintains a list of those eligible industries and their NAICS codes. Certified small business firms have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and participate in restricted competition limited to WOSB or EDWOSB firms.
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern is a small business concern that is at least 51% owned and operated by one or more service-disabled veterans (SDV) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by service-disabled veterans. SDVs are veterans with a disability that is service connected. A certification is not required from the SBA. Eligible firms can self-certify by checking the appropriate box in SAM. Self-certified small businesses have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and participate in restricted competition limited to SDVOSB firms.
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern is a small business concern that is at least 51% owned and operated by one or more service-disabled veterans (SDV) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by service-disabled veterans. SDVs are veterans with a disability that is service connected. A certification is not required from the SBA. Eligible firms can self-certify by checking the appropriate box in SAM. Self-certified small businesses have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and participate in restricted competition limited to SDVOSB firms.
• Small Disadvantaged Business Concern Small Disadvantaged Business Concern is a business which is at least 51% owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s). A firm can self-certify by checking the appropriate box in SAM.
• A Woman-Owned Business is defined as a small business that is owned and controlled 51% or more by a woman or women. An eligible business can self-certify by checking the appropriate box in SAM.
• All Small Mentor Protégé Program (ASMPP) - The SBA’s ASMPP was designed so that small business can learn from an experienced government contractor through a mentor-protégé relationship. Mentors and protégés in the ASMPP can form joint ventures. These joint ventures would qualify for set-aside contracts that the small business is eligible for, including contracts set aside for service-disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, and HUBZone businesses.
• Indian-owned Economic Enterprise (IEE) - Indian-owned economic enterprise means any Indian-owned commercial, industrial, or business activity established or organized for the purpose of profit provided that such Indian ownership shall constitute not less than 51 percent of the enterprise. Further, such enterprise must meet the following requirements:
• At the time an offer is made in response to a written solicitation;
• At the time of contract award; and
• During the full term of the contract

If the contractor has reason to doubt that a person seeking employment preference is an Indian, the contractor shall grant the preference but require the individual within thirty (30) days to provide evidence from the Tribe concerned that the person is a member of the Tribe.

• Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) - These are companies that are both an Indian economic enterprise and a small business concern.
• Subcontracting Programs - On prime contracts expected to exceed $750,000 ($1,500,000 for construction), large businesses must submit and comply with subcontracting plans. These plans contain the prime contractor's goals for subcontracting with small, small disadvantaged (includes 8(a) firms), women-owned small businesses, and HUBZone businesses.
• Mandatory Source Program - If competitively priced, Federal agencies must purchase goods and services from the following sources before considering open market sources: The National Industries for the Blind and Severely Handicapped, the Federal Prison Industries, and certain items under schedules issued by the U.S. General Services Administration Federal Supply Service, and the Defense Logistics Agency Supply System.

Below is a table listing the six socio-economic programs and FY 2023 program goals for each. These goals are established by the Department or the Interior with the Small Business Administration. Reclamation is committed to meeting these goals by using various tools to reach out to small businesses in order to achieve our goals. You can help us achieve these goals by communicating with us on a frequent basis and watching our Forecast, advising us of your interest in these opportunities.