Small Business

DeCA, like all federal agencies guided by public law, encourages small business participation in all our acquisitions. Consistent with both government interests and efficient performance, every effort is made to afford small businesses an equitable opportunity to compete.

In 1978, Public Law 95-07 amended the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, making federal procurement contracting more readily accessible to all small businesses. PL 95-507 requires the government to provide maximum practicable opportunities in its total contracts and subcontracts to small business enterprises.

The Small Business Act requires each agency with contracting authority to establish an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), which will be responsible for carrying out the purposes of the act; has oversight of departmental programs regarding development and execution of policies and programs; and serves as the focal point for all SADBU program-related matters, including setting and achieving yearly procurement opportunity program goals for small enterprises.