| Given today's economy, small businesses face an | | | | increasing the likelihood of success with |
| even tougher dilemma-how to increase revenues. | | | | government contract opportunities. This can be |
| There are several discussions concerning | | | | done by increasing training initiatives that involved |
| government contract efforts to provide more | | | | more focused objectives for the specific industry |
| federal contract opportunities for smaller business | | | | or NAICS Code. An example would be to gather |
| entities. The reality is that there probably will not | | | | more solid data on the government's spending |
| be too much change in the current efforts | | | | habits by geography and set-aside practices. To |
| because the push would more than likely have to | | | | further make the point, if the government, for |
| stem from congressional mandates. The | | | | example, showed a pattern of awarding |
| executive agencies tend not to change too much | | | | proportionately more landscaping opportunities in |
| given the many controversies and arguments | | | | HUBZone awards, and you were not a HUBZone, |
| made against the constitutionality of the existing | | | | then the likely initiative would be to seek out a |
| programs. | | | | potential HUBZone teaming partner for future |
| For example, the existing SBA program is | | | | opportunities. |
| currently being challenged as unconstitutional. A | | | | Another example would be a specific government |
| recent article referencing a federal court decision | | | | contracting agency going to GSA for professional |
| demonstrates such controversy. The best | | | | consulting services. The likely course of action |
| possible avenue for small businesses to take is to | | | | would be to consider getting on a GSA schedule. |
| seek out potential teaming partners that have | | | | Currently, many small businesses simply rely on |
| past performance with government contracts to | | | | attending the many events put on by the |
| seek opportunities in the current federal | | | | government in hopes of landing an opportunity. |
| marketplace. The Air Force tends to be | | | | Although these events can be fruitful at times, |
| consistent in welcoming teaming efforts for new | | | | the reality is that contractors oftentimes leave |
| opportunities. However, there are still substantial | | | | the events with nothing but hope. |
| trends that demonstrate a need for oversight. | | | | The economy will more than likely continue in its |
| Government contract opportunities are published | | | | current state for at least another year or two. |
| on fbo.gov every day. However, when reviewing | | | | Small business federal government contracts have |
| the trend, there is a decline in total small business | | | | to do more to survive. There is no other way to |
| set-asides, an increase in service-disabled projects, | | | | put it. |
| and more and more 8(a) competitive | | | | 8(a) Program |
| opportunities. | | | | Many small businesses still consider applying for |
| Will Small Business Contracting Goals Help You in | | | | the 8(a) program in hopes of getting government |
| 2009? | | | | contract opportunities by sole source. The truth is |
| Although the Congress has set an overall | | | | that your 8(a) certification takes quite a while, |
| contracting goal of 23%, it appears that agencies | | | | especially with the decrease in government |
| very seldom try to reach a higher mark when | | | | manpower. Contractors must take a more |
| providing government contract opportunities to | | | | realistic approach to survival. |
| small businesses. There can be an argument that | | | | Subcontracting Opportunities |
| improvement in the economy can be | | | | Small businesses can also seek out government |
| accomplished by either increasing the goal amount | | | | contract opportunities by monitoring awards to |
| or setting a temporary rule that forces the | | | | large businesses. The FAR clearly states that if |
| agencies to set aside more projects for any small | | | | the government awards a contract to a large |
| business. This push could more than likely | | | | business, and the amount is over $500,000, there |
| jump-start the economy and create more | | | | must be a subcontracting plan to give |
| revenues for the Congress. | | | | opportunities to small businesses such as |
| Given the separation of powers, the Congress | | | | woman-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled |
| might be hard-pressed to dictate to the Executive | | | | veterans, and small disadvantaged businesses. |
| Branch directly. However, one avenue could be to | | | | Small business should refocus and adopt new |
| set higher standards for the SBA to increase | | | | initiatives for 2009 government contracting |
| oversight on the procuring agencies. It is no | | | | opportunities. Consulting with government contract |
| secret that the Congress has more direct control | | | | experts to develop an individual plan of action |
| over the SBA. | | | | may be well worth the time and effort. |
| Suggestions to Increase Government Contracting | | | | For more information on this topic, visit our |
| Opportunities | | | | government contract law website or call |
| Small businesses must aggressively seek ways of | | | | 720.941.7200. |