Small Business Programs

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   What is the role of the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)?
2. Does the MCSC OSBP award contracts?
3. What does Marine Corps Systems Command buy?
4. How do I do business with Marine Corps Systems Command?
5. How is a small business defined or categorized?
6. What are NAICS and SIC codes?
7. What entity established the size standards within a certain industry?
8. How can I certify my company as a small business (Small, Small-Disadvantaged, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone)?
9. What is the difference between 8(a) certification and SDB certification?
10. Who do I contact regarding my goods and/or services?
11. What is the role of a Small Business Professional?
12. How can I contact a Small Business Professional in my state?
13. How do I find out about upcoming conferences and events?
14. How can I view the opportunities available within Marine Corps Systems Command and the Department of Defense (DoD) for small businesses?
15. How do I identify subcontracting opportunities?
16. Who do I contact if I have questions about my contract?
17. Where can I find DoD contracting procedures and clauses?
18. How can I obtain assistance or training to prepare bid proposals?
19. How do I contact other small businesses?

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1. What is the role of the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)?
The OSBP role is to support the Commandant’s mission of supporting the warfighter while ensuring that the Command maintains a successful Small Business Program by providing prime and subcontracting opportunities to Small Businesses to assist the Marine Corps meet its warfighting missions.The Command Small Business Program promotes acquisition opportunities where small businesses can best support the needs of our Sailors and Marines. Through policy, advocacy and training, we foster industry innovation, technology development, and the acquisition of quality products, services, and solutions from small business providers. Our vision is to ensure small business is the first option in the acquisition planning process.

2. Does the MCSC OSBP award contracts?
No. We do not award contracts directly, but we can provide you with small business training, guidance and connect you with the resources you need in order to bid on and win contracts with Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE MC).

3. What does Marine Corps Systems Command buy?
PAE MC outfits United States Marines with literally everything they drive, shoot and wear. The focus of PAE MC is the Marine in harm's way, protecting him or her, and providing the Marine warfighter the wherewithal to execute the mission. PAE MC's team of professional civilian Marines and active duty Marines equips the warfighter to win. They listen, learn, research, develop, test, procure and sustain – whatever it takes to get Marines what they need, when they need it efficiently and for the best value possible.

Using highly effective, streamlined and innovative business processes, PAE MC works hard to be timely and consistent in providing quality systems and equipment to the operating forces, and then expertly manages systems and equipment during their entire lifecycle. The technological advantage PAE MC provides helps Marines to shoot straighter, move faster and communicate more effectively so they can continue our Marine Corps proud and valorous tradition of winning battles in every clime and place.

4. How do I do business with PAE MC?
The OSBP has developed Recommendations to Small Businesses as well as a Small Business Training Program that enables small businesses to learn about PAE MC and how to do business with the Marine Corps. Click here to learn more.

5. How is a small business defined or categorized?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business concern as one that is independently owned and operated, is organized for profit, and is not dominant in its field. Depending on the industry, size standard eligibility is based on the average number of employees for the preceding twelve months or on sales volume averaged over a three-year period.

The small business size standard is based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and is currently based on average revenue or average employment.

6. What are NAICS and SIC codes?
The United States has a new industry classification system, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), which replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. NAICS is the first-ever North American industry classification system. The system was developed by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to provide comparable statistics across the three countries. For the first time, government and business analysts are able to directly compare industrial production statistics collected and published in the three North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries.

7. What entity established the size standards within a certain industry?
The SBA is responsible for establishing size standards for the different industries in the economy. Click here to determine your company's size standard.

8. How can I certify my company as a small business (Small, Small-Disadvantaged, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone)?
The HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business, and 8(a) programs require official certification from the Small Business Administration; you must apply for those certifications directly. The remaining categories are self-certifying and no formal certification is required. Self-certification is not questioned until a competitor or other interested party protests. You must complete your self-certification within your SAM.gov profile as well as your SBA Dynamic Small Business Search profile.

9. What is the difference between 8(a) certification and SDB certification?
The 8(a) program is a nine year business development program that offers a broad scope of assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged firms. SDB certification pertains to benefits in Federal procurement. Certified 8(a) firms automatically qualify for the SDB certification (see http://www.sba.gov/).

10. Who do I contact regarding my goods and/or services?
Contact your nearest Small Business Professional. Refer to OSBP's online Location Map to obtain the contact information for any Department of the Navy and Marine Corps Small Business Professionals.

11. What is the role of a Small Business Professional?
The role of the small business professional is to act as an advocate for small business in order to maximize small business opportunities in support of the warfighting missions of PAE MC.

12. How can I contact a Small Business Professional in my state?
Our small business website provides hyperlinks to the DON OSBP Small Business Professional Location Map which includes the contact information for all of Department the Navy and Marine Corps Small Business Professionals.

13. How do I find out about upcoming conferences and events?
The DON OSBP posts upcoming events of interest for small business vendors to their Outreach page.

14. How can I view the opportunities available within PAE MC and the Department of War (DoW) for small businesses?
You can identify current procurement opportunities in your product or service area by checking the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). To find PAE MC & Marine Corps Systems Command-specific contracts, use the Unit Identification Code (UIC) M67854 in your "Keyword/Solicitation #" search. To find Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA)-specific contracts, use UIC M68909 in your search. Visit the DoW Small Business website to learn about Doing Business with DoW and to view DoW's Subcontracting Opportunities. Also, view the DoN Commands mission, requirements and contracting opportunities.

15. How do I identify subcontracting opportunities?
Regardless of your product or service it is important that you do not neglect our very large secondary market, Subcontracting Opportunities with DoD Prime Contractors, which is available from our Doing Business with DoD page. This document lists all major DoW prime contractors by state and provides a point of contact (Small Business Liaison Officer) within each firm. We encourage you to investigate potential opportunities with these firms. Many also have websites that may be useful and we encourage you and them to team with each other.

The SBA's SUB-Net is a valuable source for obtaining information on subcontracting opportunities. Solicitations or notices are posted not only by prime contractors, but the SUB-Net is also used by other government, commercial, and educational entities.

16. Who do I contact if I have questions about my contract?
For questions about your contract, contact the Contracting Officer assigned to the Command that awarded the contract. Vendors may also contact the Small Business Professional. Note: Have the contract number available prior to calling the Small Business Professional.

17. Where can I find DoD contracting procedures and clauses?
These are contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS).

18. How can I obtain assistance or training to prepare bid proposals?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides valuable information on applicable training resources to include their 7(j) training program. Another resource is APEX Accelerators, who provide technical assistance to businesses interested in selling products or services to federal, state, and local governments. Additionally, APEX Accelerators can help your small business determine if you're ready for federal contracting, help you register in the proper places, see if you're eligible for small business certifications, and assist you in researching past contract opportunities.

19. How do I contact other small businesses?
To locate a small business in your area, refer to the Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Search website.

The Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE MC) Office of Small Business Programs is the gateway for small businesses. Over the last five years, the office has met or exceeded nearly all of its federal small-business targets. Small business and a competitive, healthy industrial base are vital to the long-term success and affordability of the Department of the Navy as well as our national security.

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   Identify Your Product or Service
2. Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Obtain a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
3. Update Your Small Business Profile in SAM.gov
4. Familiarize Yourself with Federal, DoW, and Navy Contracting Procedures
5. Identify the Navy/Marine Corps Contracting Activity that Purchases Your Product or Service and Contact the Small Business Specialist on Site
6. Identify Current and Future Navy and Marine Corps Procurement Opportunities
7. Investigate Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contract
8. Explore Subcontracting Opportunities
9. Seek Additional Assistance as Needed in the Navy and DoW Marketplace

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1. Identify Your Product or Service
   Know the Federal Supply Classification (FSC) Code and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for your product or service. Many government product/service listings and future procurements are identified by FSC or NAICS Code.
    
2. Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Obtain a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
   You must be registered in the Obtain a DUNS Number and register in the SAM to be awarded a contract from the Department of War (DoW). The SAM is an official website of the U.S. government. There is no cost to use SAM. You can use this site for FREE to:
   - Register to do business with the U.S. government
   - Update or renew your entity registration
   - Check status of an entity registration
   - Search for entity registration and exclusion records
   - And much more...
   
   A CAGE Code is a five-position code that identifies contractors doing business with the Federal Government, NATO member nations and other foreign governments. The CAGE Code is used to support a variety of mechanized systems throughout the government and provides for a standardized method of identifying a given facility at a specific location. The code may be used for a Facility Clearance, a Pre-award survey, automated Bidders Lists, identification of Debarred Bidders, fast pay processes, etc. The CAGE Code request process is now incorporated in the SAM registration. Therefore, upon registration in SAM, your company will be assigned a CAGE Code.
    
3. Update Your Small Business Profile in SAM.gov
   Updating your small business profile via SAM generates a Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) entry on the SBA.gov site. The SBA strongly recommends that contracting officers diligently review a bidder's small business self-certification before awarding a contract.
    
4. Familiarize Yourself with Federal, DoW, and Navy Contracting Procedures
   Be familiar with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and the Navy Marine Corps Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NMCARS).
   
   Doing Business with DoW is a guide to DoW contracting opportunities. You can find "A Step-by-Step Approach to the DoW Marketplace." The guide provides individual steps to DoW contracting principles and practices and provides lists of products and services keyed to particular major buying offices.
    
5. Identify the Navy/Marine Corps Contracting Activity that Purchases Your Product or Service and Contact the Small Business Specialist on Site
   Department of the Navy contracting functions are decentralized. Each Navy/Marine Corps major buying activity purchases supplies and services that support its own mission. Each buying activity has a Small Business Specialist assigned to it and this individual is your focal point for upcoming procurements and source for counsel on small business matters at that particular activity.
   
   From the Navy OSBP home page, locate a contracting activity that purchases the product and/or service your company offers. Each contracting activity's page provides a list of small business specialists assigned to each subordinate buying activity and direct links to each Navy and Marine Corps major contracting activity homepage, many of which contain procurement forecasts and solicitation information.
   
   The Events page contains a schedule of upcoming outreach events with Navy and Marine Corps participation. The Related Links page provides direct links to Federal, DoW and Navy acquisition and procurement information.
    
6. Identify Current and Future Navy and Marine Corps Procurement Opportunities
   DoN Acquisition One Source (https://www.dau.edu/cop/log/documents/don-acquisition-one-source) provides information on business opportunities. On the website click "Business Opportunities" and you will be directed to information on "How to Do Business with the Navy" and Small Business Focus. Additionally, you will find a link to "Finding Business Opportunities" that is updated to provide Long-Range Acquisition Estimates (i.e., procurement forecast). The information will provide projected contractual requirement descriptions, buying commands, small business points of contact and acquisition strategies (full and open, set aside, etc.).
   
   The Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website will assist you in identifying Department of the Navy, as well as other DoW and Federal government procurement opportunities.
   
   NOTE: FedBizOpps is designated as the single source for publishing federal government procurement opportunities that exceed $25,000. All agencies must use FedBizOpps to provide the public to access to notice of procurement actions over $25,000.
    
7. Investigate Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contract
   Many Navy and Marine Corps supplies and services are purchased utilizing FSS contracts and the GSA SmartPay Card. Contact the General Services Administration (GSA) for information on how to obtain a FSS Contract and why you should accept the GSA Smart Pay Card when doing business with the Navy and Marine Corps.
    
8. Explore Subcontracting Opportunities
   Regardless of your product or service, it is important not to neglect the very large secondary subcontracting market. The publication Subcontracting Opportunities with DoW Prime Contractors lists all major DoW prime contractors by state and provides a point of contact (Small Business Liaison Officer) within each firm. We encourage you to investigate potential opportunities with these firms. Many also have websites that may be useful, and we encourage you to team with them.
   
   SUB-Net is the SBA's Subcontracting Network. Prime contractors use SUB-Net to post subcontracting opportunities. These opportunities may or may not be reserved for small business, and they may include either solicitations or other notices.
    
9. Seek Additional Assistance as Needed in the Navy and DoW Marketplace
   APEX Accelerators (https://www.apexaccelerators.us/) are located in most states and partially funded by DoW to provide small business concerns with comprehensive information on how to do business with the DoW. They provide training and counseling on marketing strategies, business development, financial and contracting issues, and procurement regulations.
   
   Visit the Navy Exchange System website and the Marine Corps Exchange website. The exchanges are retail operations that provide quality products and a variety of services to the men and women of the Armed Forces, retirees, reservists, and their families. Department of the Navy eBusiness Operations Office and the DoW Supply Chain System Transformation provide assistance to firms getting started in the electronic marketplace. Online Procurement Assistance can be found at the Procurement Reference Library and the Acquisition Reform Net Virtual Library.
   
   After you have identified your customers, researched their requirements, and familiarized yourself with Department of the Navy and DoW procurement regulations and strategies, it is time to market your product or service. The first presentation of your company's capabilities should be directly to the Small Business Specialists at the Navy and Marine Corps activities that buy your products or services. The Small Business Specialist will provide you additional points of contact for marketing the customer and pertinent information regarding long-range acquisition forecasts. Remember, the Department of the Navy seeks quality solutions for its requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner. Outstanding "past performance" is one of your most valuable assets.

Small Business Innovation Research
The SBIR program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) through a competitive awards-based program. SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization.
https://www.navysbir.com

Small Business Technology Transfer
STTR expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena. Central to the program is expansion of the public/private sector partnership, to include the joint venture opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit research institutions.
https://www.sbir.gov/about/about-sttr

System for Award Management
The Office of the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) is merging ten legacy sites, including Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) into one system - the System for Award Management (SAM). SAM is now the authoritative source for contract opportunities.
https://sam.gov/

SeaPort-NxG
SeaPort-NxG is the Navy's electronic platform for acquiring support services in 23 functional areas including Engineering, Financial Management, and Program Management. The Navy Systems Commands (NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NAVWAR, NAVFAC, and NAVSUP), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Military Sealift Command (MSC), and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) compete their service requirements amongst 1800+ SeaPort-NxG Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) multiple award contract holders.
https://www.seaport.navy.mil/

NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement
The NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract provides the latest in information technology products and services for all Federal agencies and their approved contractors.
https://www.sewp.nasa.gov

Marine Corps Base Quantico Small Business Office
DON Office of Small Business Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration
DoW OSBP Mentor Protégé Program
DoW Small Business Programs Cybersecurity
National APEX Accelerator Alliance
U.S. Small Business Administration Subcontracting Network (SUBNet)