Government Advocacy & Policy Portals
• DoN Office of Small Business Programs: The Department of the Navy’s centralized hub for small business policies, LRAEs, and major buying command portals.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The official federal agency dedicated to small business advocacy, training, and certification programs.
• Headquarters Marine Corps Installations and Logistics (HQMC I&L): The headquarters-level small business office for Marine Corps logistics, sustainment, and facility support contracts—a crucial resource for businesses focused on sustainment, infrastructure, and supply chain solution
Cybersecurity & Facility Clearances
• DoW Chief Information Officer (CIO) CMMC Portal: The authoritative source for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements, training, and official DoW cyber compliance guidance.
• NIST SP 800-171 Self-Assessment Guide (SPRS): Before securing a defense contract containing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), small businesses must upload their basic cybersecurity self-assessment scores to the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
• Project Spectrum: A DoW-supported, comprehensive platform that provides small businesses with free cybersecurity information, training courses, and readiness assessments to help achieve CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 compliance.
• DCSA Facility Clearances (FCL) & Entity Vetting: The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) portal explaining the requirements, processes, and sponsorship needed for a company to obtain a Facility Security Clearance (FCL).
Subcontracting & Industry Partnerships
• DoW Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP): The official portal to learn how to establish formal, mutually beneficial partnerships between established prime contractors and small business protégés to enhance technical and business capabilities.
• SBA Subcontracting Network (SUB-Net): The central federal database where prime contractors post active, immediate subcontracting opportunities and solicitation notices.
• National APEX Accelerator Alliance: The central network connecting small businesses with local APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) for free, hands-on procurement training and proposal assistance.