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Small businesses operate in an environment that includes a variety of entities, each with its own interests and influence on small business participation in Government acquisition - Correct Answer-Congress generates the legislation that impacts acquisition regulations and policy. Since the Depression of the 1930s, when Congress first enacted legislation to help businesses recover from financial difficulties, Congress has enacted a number of laws; such as the Budget Control Act of 2010 and an annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), that support and promote small businesses. The Small Business Act of 1953 created national policy to provide maximum opportunity for small businesses to participate in Government acquisitions as prime contractors and subcontractors. Additionally, the Act officially established the Small Business Administration (SBA) to implement the national policy. Other laws have established procurement goals for small businesses in Federal acquisitions. Assistance and Advocacy Groups Advocacy groups such as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and Chambers of Commerce provide assistance to small businesses. They educate organizations on how small businesses can help them accomplish business with their agency. - Correct Answer-Small businesses see the federal government as potential customer that is rich with opportunities Office of Management and Budget (OMB) / Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) As the President's executive agent for budget, finance, acquisition, and performance management, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) promulgates many policies that impact small businesses. These are issued as OMB circulars and memos. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), which is part of OMB, provides overall direction for Government-wide procurement policies, regulations and procedures to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in acquisition processes, including Small Business Programs. - Correct Answer-Federal Agencies All Federal agencies in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government are charged with maximizing opportunities for small businesses. Each agency has small business and socioeconomic goals to achieve, including the Department of Defense (DoD). DoD is the largest Federal agency with the greatest share of the Federal Government's budget and thus the greatest responsibility for doing business with small businesses.
For the Government to achieve the Federal-wide small business goal, DoD must achieve its small business goal. Small Business Administration (SBA)The Small Business Administration (SBA) creates regulations that ensure that small business interests will be protected. SBA's representatives are responsible for aiding, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses in Government procurements. - Correct Answer-Other Than Small Business While large businesses, educational institutions, non-profits and other entities that are not small businesses may view small businesses as privileged competitors, they also recognize that there are benefits in partnering with small businesses in Government contracts. Small businesses are important to our nation; they strengthen the foundation of our economic security and industrial base. Additionally, small businesses are just as important to DoD. Because small businesses are nimble and can respond rapidly to our needs, they can help DoD realize greater efficiency and flexibility, take advantage of innovative technologies and approaches, and improve military readiness. - Correct Answer-Small businesses drive economic growth in the United States. The Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Advocacy, is the statistical arm of SBA. Part of their mission is to conduct, sponsor, and promote economic research that provides an environment for small business growth. While they regularly publish reports and other documents on economic research and statistics, their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is very helpful for learning and communicating national small business contributions. Summary statistics on tangible small business contributions on a per project or program basis (cost, schedule and performance contributions) are difficult to track in DoD. There is no centralized database to capture and report these types of small business success stories. As Acquisition Professionals, you can help mitigate these challenges by sharing your small business success stories (quantitative and qualitative) with your local SBP and leadership. These success stories generally make it into public affairs articles, annual performance appraisals/recognition, and your Component/agency annual inputs for SBA's Scorecard, which SBA uses for measuring and grading agency small business performance. Despite the difficulties in manually collecting/reporting the tangible small business contributions, the DoD is the most significant agency when it comes to influencing Federal small business performance outcomes. This is - Correct Answer-The SBA's representatives are responsible for aiding, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses in Government procurements. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy provides overall direction for Government- wide procurement policies, regulations, and procedures to promote economy, efficiency,
Through incentive payments to the prime contractor, this program incentivizes subcontracting to Indian-Owned Economic Enterprises or Indian Organizations. Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) This competitive, merit-based program accelerates the fielding of innovative technologies into military systems. Its purpose is to stimulate innovation while reducing acquisition or life cycle costs, addressing technical risks, and improving the timeliness and thoroughness of test and evaluation outcomes. - Correct Answer-The Small Business Subcontracting Program Under defined circumstances, requires that negotiated and sealed bid acquisitions include a subcontracting plan requirement when subcontracting possibilities exist. A primary overarching objective for the 2017 fiscal year of the Department regarding small business is to access innovations and realize efficiencies that will result in improved support of the warfighter. To achieve this objective, DoD's OSBP strives to increase small business utilization in DoD acquisitions. One measure of success of increased small business utilization is to achieve or exceed the department's small business and socioeconomic program goals. - Correct Answer-overarching objective: access innovation, realize efficiencies and improve support to the warfighter accomplished by: increased small business utilization in DoD acquisitions measured By: DoD Prime contracting goals and DoD Subcontracting goals DoD uses a number of small business programs to maximize opportunities for small businesses to support DoD's missions. - Correct Answer-Meeting or exceeding your organization's assigned small business and socioeconomic program goals is one way to demonstrate successful small business performance. Your organization's performance is aggregated at the agency level to help in meeting or exceeding agency goals. The phrase "Small Business Professional" encompasses a broad range of job titles, such as Small Business Specialist, Procurement Analyst, and Small Business Technology Specialist. Small Business Professional (SBP) responsibilities are categorized into ten functional areas as shown below. In some instances, Small Business Professionals specialize in one or more areas - Correct Answer-Small Business Legislation, Regulation, and Policy SBP's perform small business policy analysis to review influence and develop policies related to small business utilization as well as create legislative proposals SB Advocacy and Outreach
SBP's perform small business policy analysis to review, influence, and develop policies related to small business utilization in acquisitions as well as create legislative proposals. - Correct Answer-Socioeconomic Program Management Given the complexities of DoD acquisitions, SBPs may be assigned specialized program management or oversight duties to enhance utilization of socioeconomic small business programs within the agency. SB Program Evaluation and Goals SBPs examine small business programs performance in relation to program goals and develop Action Plans to improve goal achievement. In addition, SBPs analyze the degree to which DoD is including small businesses in DoD acquisitions. - Correct Answer-The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, are DoD-managed and identify and support small businesses doing innovative research and technology development. This program is administered by the OSBP and the SBPs are assigned those duties. Mentor/Protégé Program Management DoD-managed program that encourage approved mentors to provide various forms of business development assistance from protégé firms. This program is administered by the OSBP and the SBPs are assigned those duties. - Correct Answer-Subcontracting SBPs help to develop subcontracting strategies for DoD acquisitions and oversee compliance with subcontracting terms. Management/Leadership SBPs fill roles as managers and leaders who oversee programs and initiatives at the headquarters or OSD level. SBPs also oversee headquarters-level functions. - Correct Answer-SB Industrial Base Analysis, Characterization, and Monitoring SBPs collect a variety of information and conduct extensive analysis of data to understand the marketplace in general and the characteristics of the small business industrial base in particular. SB Market Research and Acquisition Strategy Formulation SBPs participate in conducting market research. SBPs use market research results in order to assist acquisition planners in maximizing small business utilization when developing acquisition strategies. - Correct Answer-As you can see, Small Business Professionals can perform a variety of acquisition functions, depending on where they work, and like you, where they are in terms of career progression (intern, journeyman level, mid-level management).
asides); if set-asides are not feasible, they may be subcontracting opportunities. SBPs are proactive and when engaged during early acquisition planning, will assist in conducting market research and identifying small business capabilities to ensure maximum small business utilization. Collaborator Acquisition teams Agency SBPs SBA and other Federal agencies Industry SBP 4: Engaging SBPs early can help to streamline your acquisition planning efforts. SBPs are 'Collaborators.' They routinely engage many concurrent acquisition teams across the local activity as well as industry, agency SBPs, SBA and other Federal agencies. In this role, SBPs build many solid relationships and gain invaluable insights which they can use to help streamline your acquisition planning activities to ensure maximum small business utilization. - Correct Answer-What should you expect from your local SBP? A good SBP is not narrowly focused on meeting small business goals only. Like any other Acquisition Professional, there are some things you need to do to be successful in your career endeavors. Many of these involve exhibiting certain traits that enable desired outcomes The successful SBP: Demonstrates sound business judgment on acquisitions Educates small businesses on doing business with your agency Identifies opportunities for small business utilization - Correct Answer-Small businesses can be agile and flexible and offer a great deal of efficiency. Many are doing innovative work with technologies that could be useful for this procurement. In these ways, small businesses can help this agency achieve its mission SBPs support the acquisition team by providing information about small business acquisition policies and regulations; Educate small businesses on opportunities to do business with DoD; Assist with market research to find small businesses that can support your organization. - Correct Answer-There are numerous regulations, executive orders, and policies that are the frame work of authorities to govern providing federal opportunities to small businesses. In this module you will learn about these small business acquisition authorities and how they affect acquisition strategies. As a Program Manager or Contracting Professional, your knowledge of this governance framework will serve you well as you work with Small Business Professionals (SBPs), acquisition teams, industry, and the local SBA Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) to maximize opportunities for small businesses in DoD acquisitions.
As you maximize small business opportunities in both prime contracts and subcontracts, you are contributing to the growth and strength of the nation's economy by providing our warfighters increased competition, innovation, efficiency, and more affordable solutions. The legal framework that governs acquisitions is influenced by a variety of sources. The requirements of the influencing sources, if enacted in legislation, generally require further implementation through acquisition regulations such as the FAR, DFARS, and Component's FAR supplements. However, other policy and guidance documents may be used for implementation when the requirements do not impact the FAR, DFARS or Component's FAR supplements. - Correct Answer-Legislation Often Federal and DoD regulations or policies come about as a result of Congressional authorization or direction through legislation and legislative changes such as the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which is the United States federal law specifying the annual appropriations and expenditures of the U.S. Department of Defense. The NDAA does not provide budget authority, which is provided by appropriations legislation. Enacted laws are implemented in regulations and/or polices as appropriate. Inspector General Recommendations Inspector General officials, who audit and investigate DoD programs and operations, make recommendations that are enacted through regulations and policies. - Correct Answer-Court Decisions Rulings from judicial officials can result in changes to regulations and policies. Other Federal Agencies Recommendations from Federal agencies at all levels can affect regulations and policies that impact small business, especially those of the following agencies: Government Accountability Office (GAO) - The independent agency that provides audit, evaluation, and investigative services to Congress. Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) - The executive branch office responsible for providing overall direction for Government-wide procurement policies, regulations, and procedures to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in acquisition processes. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Hearings & Appeals - The Office of Hearings and Appeals provides an independent, quasi-judicial appeal of certain SBA program decisions. - Correct Answer-Executive Orders Executive orders provide direction from the President of the United States, which often results in changes to regulations and policies. Individuals
subcontracts. DoD's implementation of senior executive accountability applies to small business performance in both prime contracts and subcontracts (see DoDI 4205.01, paragraph 2, Enclosure 3). In the field, SB Professionals are often asked for inputs/guidance for annual SES/GO appraisals-- the SB performance goals / objectives. These SB performance goals/objectives usually take the form of: a goal or set of goals and objectives to achieve X by the end of the annual performance period. These goals/objectives can be initiatives, event-based numbers or percentages, but they should be measurable to ensure quantifiable results at the end of the rating period. This type of activity began as a result of the FY13 NDAA Section 1633(b) mandate. One of the KEY recommendations from SBA's Congressionally-directed FY13 NDAA goaling methodology assessment took effect in FY16. SBA determined there was no basis in the SB Act for exclusion of contracting dollars awarded outside of the United States or its territories. As a result, this goaling exclusion was eliminated beginning in FY16.Because of DoD's unique and critical mission, other goaling exclusions were negotiated with SBA. These types of requirements have been excluded from DoD's goaling base since FY16: Efforts conducted pursuant to section 22 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2762); Efforts for humanitarian operations as defined in section 401(e) of title 10, United States Code; Efforts for contingency operations, as defined in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code; Efforts awarded pursuant to an agreement with the Government of a foreign country in which Armed Forces of the United St - Correct Answer-In the FY17 NDAA, Section 1811, Congress enacted legislation amending the SBA Administrator's authority with respect to the scope of a Procurement Center Representative's (PCRs) review of a solicitation for a contract as follows:(a) Section 15(l) of the Small Business Act ( U.S.C. 644(l)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ''(9) SCOPE OF REVIEW. —The Administrator—(A) may not limit the scope of review by the Procurement Center Representative for any solicitation of a contract or task order without regard to whether the contract or task order or part of the contract or task order is set-aside for small business concerns, whether 1 or more contracts or task order awards are reserved for small business concerns under a multiple award contract, or whether or not the solicitation would result in a bundled or consolidated contract (as defined in subsection (s)) or a bundled or consolidated task order; and(B) shall, unless the contracting agency requests a review, limit the scope of review by the Procurement Center Representative for any solicitation of a contract or task order if such solicitation is awarded by or for the Department of Defense and—- (i) is conducted pursuant to section 22 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2762);- (ii) is a humanitarian operation as defined in section 401(e) of title 10, United States Code; - (iii) is for a contingency operation, as defined in section 101(a)(13) of title 10, United States Code; - (iv) is to be awarded pursuant to an agreement with the Government of a foreign country in which Armed Forces of the United States are deployed; or- (v) both the place of award and the place of performance are outside of the United States and its
territories.(b) Section 15(g)(2)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)(2)(B) is amended by inserting afte The FAR system is established for the codification and publication of uniform policies and procedures for acquisition by all executive agencies. The Federal Acquisition Regulations System consists of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which is the primary document, and agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR (FAR Part 1).When Congress passes legislation that affects the FAR System, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council incorporates the provisions of the new law into the FAR System using the Rule-Making Process. - Correct Answer-Changes to the FAR system is a dynamic one, in which changes are implemented through this rule- making process. The rule-making process may take from 90 days to two years, depending on the complexity of the situation FAR Council The FAR rule-making process is overseen by the FAR Council, which consists of representatives from both the Defense Acquisition Regulations (DAR) Council and the Civilian Agency Acquisition (CAA) Council , including: Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Director, Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP), DoD Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, GSA Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, NASA The FAR Council provides the overall strategy for the DAR Council and CAA Council and resolves any disagreements between them. - Correct Answer-FAR Team When a regulatory change is required, the FAR Council creates a 'case' and assigns a standing FAR team to address it. FAR teams typically consist of members from acquisition, finance, implementation, law, strategy, technology, and small business. On occasion, an ad hoc team may be formed to address either an unusually complicated matter or a matter that requires special attention. The FAR team develops the legal language to implement the required regulatory change. Defense Acquisition Regulations (DAR) Council/Civilian Agency Acquisition (CAA) Council The DAR Council and CAA Council review the regulatory language created by the FAR team and recommend changes to it, as needed. The DAR Council is responsible for publicizing DFARS and Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI). The CAA Council publishes Federal Register notices, solicits and reviews public comments, and publishes the final rule. - Correct Answer-Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP)/Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)
support needs throughout the acquisition life cycle. - Correct Answer-Interactions with Small Business Administration (SBA): How the SBP interacts with SBA personnel to maximize opportunities for small businesses is covered in FAR part 19. SBP: As the SBP supporting the acquisition team, I also work closely with the SBA PCR according to FAR part 19. I made contact with our local PCR, Maria, to discuss her expectations and role in coordinating on acquisition strategies. Her insights really helped, and she is supportive of a collaborative working environment to ensure our acquisition team's success in devising an appropriate acquisition strategy. Definition of Small Business: The definition of Small Business can be found in FAR part 2. Contract Specialist Intern: It was in FAR part 2 that I found the definition of small business. I now understand that many of the definitions I will need to know are found in part 2 of the FAR. - Correct Answer-Small Business Set-Asides: Small business set-asides are addressed FAR part 19 Program Manager: By researching FAR part 19, I learned that there are rules governing small business set-asides as well as set-asides for socioeconomic categories. I will need to be well versed in these rules as I advise acquisition teams. Communications with Industry: Myth Busting memorandum #1: Addressing Misconceptions to Improve Communication with industry during the Acquisition Process Myth Busting memorandum #2: Addressing Misconceptions and Further Improving Communication During the Acquisition Process Contracting Officer: While perusing the DPAP Web site, I came across the Director of Procurement Policy memos titled "Myth Busting." I found these memos enlightening as they address improving communications with industry and offers guidance on removing communication barriers. As I engage with small businesses, I'll use this information to ensure I'm communicating effectively with them. - Correct Answer-FAR 19.201(a) It is the policy of the Government to provide maximum practicable opportunities in its acquisitions to small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran- owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns. Such concerns must also have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate as subcontractors in the contracts awarded by any executive agency, consistent with efficient contract performance.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) counsels and assists small business concerns and assists contracting personnel to ensure that a fair proportion of contracts for supplies and services is placed with small business. FAR 19.201(b)"Heads of contracting activities" are responsible for effectively implementing the small business programs within their activities, including achieving program goals. They are to ensure that contracting and technical personnel maintain knowledge of small business program requirements and take all reasonable action to increase participation in their activities' contracting processes by these businesses. See the DoDI 4205.01 glossary for a definition of heads of contracting activities. - Correct Answer-FAR 19.201(c) & (d)FAR 19.201(c) & (d)The Small Business Act requires each agency with contracting authority to establish an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. For the Department of Defense, this office has been redesignated as the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). FAR 19.201(c) identifies the OSBP responsibilities. Small Business Specialists must be appointed and act in accordance with agency regulations (FAR 19.201(d). OSD AT&L established Small Business as a new cross- functional career field and redesignated Small Business Specialist as Small Business Professionals. FAR 19.202FAR 19.202, Specific Policies: In order to further the policy in 19.201(a), Contracting Officers shall comply with the specific policies listed in this section and shall consider recommendations of the agency Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, or the Director's designee, as to whether a particular acquisition should be awarded under one of the following subparts: 19.5, Set-Asides for Small Business 19.8, Contracting with the Small Business Administration (The 8(a) Program) 19.13, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program. 19.14, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Procurement Program 19.15, Women-Owned Small Business Program - Correct Answer-A number of influencing sources, including legislation, court decisions, and agency recommendations, necessitate new or updated regulations, which are further clarified in other guidance documents that describe in detail how to implement them. Acquisition Professionals can find information and support in regulations or policy When acquisitions must be set-aside for small business When they need to determine if a company meets the definition for being a small business When they need to coordinate with SBA
Notices Proposed Rules Interim Rules Final Rules Presidential Documents - Correct Answer-Another way to stay up-to-date with recent and future regulatory changes is subscribing to news services that will notify you of changes. Some of them are free and others charge a fee. Free services include: Small Business Administration (SBA) E-mail Updates SBA Office of Hearing and Appeals GAO E-mail Updates DPAP Policy Vault Updates Federal Register Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Paid Services include: The Virtual Acquisition Office DoDI 4205.01, Small Business Programs, describes the operational structure for DoD Small Business Programs and stipulates other statutory program authorities. - Correct Answer-Because this is related to an acquisition strategy for a small business set-aside program, you should consult FAR part 19, DFARS and any applicable Component's FAR supplements. You should also check FAR part 36 since it covers construction. The SBA provides for an exception to the non-manufacturer rule if--(i) The procurement of a manufactured end product processed under the procedures set forth in part 13--(A) Is set-aside for small business; and (B) Is not anticipated to exceed $25,000, and (ii) The offeror supplies an end product that is manufactured or produced in the United States or its outlying areas." - Correct Answer-DFARS 219.502-2 requires a small business set-aside for Architect-Engineer services for military construction or family housing projects of under $1 million, unless the Contracting Officer determines that the criteria for a set-aside cannot be met. Changes to the FAR are made through a formal rule-making process overseen by the FAR Council. Changes to the FAR must be approved by both a Defense Acquisition Regulations Council and a Civilian Agency Acquisition Council. FAR updates require an update to the CFR because the FAR is a part of the CFR. - Correct Answer-The Federal Register and DPAP Policy Vault updates provide information on upcoming regulatory changes. Electronic business systems in the Federal Integrated Acquisition Environment are critical tools in DoD acquisitions, and usage of them increases your effectiveness in utilizing small businesses in DoD procurements. Use of these tools help you locate sources to meet acquisition requirements, know which companies have been awarded
Federal and/or DoD contracts, and enable you to analyze federal procurement spend for making smarter business decisions for acquiring goods or services; for example, category management. There are systems that can assist you and the rest of the acquisition team in conducting market research, advertising procurement opportunities, participating in industry events or soliciting industry-wide feedback. There are also systems that help Acquisition Professionals record, store, or query information on procurement transactions, contractor performance, subcontracting achievements, and other uses. - Correct Answer-Federal acquisition ebusiness systems are critical tools for working effectively, especially with the diverse and dispersed acquisition workforce throughout DoD. You'll want to be aware of these different systems and what they can help you do throughout the acquisition process. There are specific systems that will help with market research, spend analysis, and contractor performance assessments. The System for Award Management (SAM) consolidates the legacy Federal procurement systems of Central Contractor Registry (CCR), Federal Agency Registration (FedReg), Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and Excluded Parties List System (EPLS), with the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one system. Each of the legacy systems played a role in collecting data from or about entities desiring to do or doing business with the Government. Consistent with the requirements of FAR subpart 4.11, SAM is the one stop location for entities to register to do business with the Federal Government, and it is the single authoritative source for Contracting Officers to verify an entity's registration before making a contract award, subject to certain exceptions. - Correct Answer-SAM is often used to: Verify that a company is registered to do business with the Government Determine if a company is excluded from doing business with the Government Check a company's representations and certifications Access to SAM does not require a login account, but you can create a login account to have the ability to search for official use only (FOUO) information and for registrants who chose to opt out of making their information available to the general public. Your local SBP also assists in conducting market research and accesses SAM as necessary. The Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) is a registry of small businesses maintained by the Small Business Administration. DSBS is a "self-certifying database." This means that the search will yield self-descriptions, not Government collected data, and will represent only those businesses that chose to complete the profile. DSBS can be used to search for information on small businesses in multiple ways by using a variety of search criteria from information found in the system's small businesses profiles. As a small business registers in the System for Award
provides access to award information, EDA houses complete copies of contracts, modifications, and the other stated documents. The EDA can be used to: Review work statements View/print versions of awarded contract actions Identify potential subcontractors The Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) provides a single point of entry for Federal Government subcontracting reporting. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan, for contracts requiring subcontracting plans, contractors are required to report subcontracting plan compliance information into the eSRS. - Correct Answer-In accordance with DFARS 219.706, when supporting Administrative Contracting Officers (ACOs), SBPs may use eSRS to review a business's profile and documentation to validate compliance with their subcontracting plans. Through eSRS, you as well as other members of the acquisition team, can: Review a company's performance in reporting their subcontracting achievements Review reports to obtain trending information Review contractor remarks regarding challenges and successes in complying with their subcontracting plans It is not uncommon for Contract Specialists and Program Managers to ask for the SBP's assistance in determining if certain products or services have been purchased previously from small businesses. In these instances, SBPs may help by running a query in FPDS-NG to see whether small businesses have been awarded contracts for similar products or services. Additionally, SBPs may conduct a search on FBO to see if there are any pending acquisitions (preaward) for the desired products or services - Correct Answer-FDPS-NG ezSearchSee if the Government has previously purchased the product/service. FedBizOpps (FBO)Look for existing solicitations for the product/service. Small Business Professionals use DSBS to get a better understanding of the market in which they operate and the small businesses that could support their agency's requirements. Market research involves collecting information, including sources that can be used to help acquisition teams make good decisions about how to proceed on a specific purchase. SBP's can use the DSBS to identify potential small business sources for a specific requirement. They create a query in DSBS based on what needs to be purchased and provide the results to the team as a starting point for conducting market research. - Correct Answer-FPDS-NG is the system to use to identify whether or not small businesses have provided certain products and services to the Government. EDA is the system that enables you to view/print .pdf versions of awarded contract actions. - Correct Answer-SAM is the system that integrated the Central Contractor
Registry, Federal Agency Registration, and several other systems to become the one- stop location for businesses to register to do business with the Government. In accordance with FAR subpart 42.15, agencies are required to monitor and document contractor's contract performance using designated tools. The Contractor Performance Assessment Reports System (CPARS) is used to collect information regarding contractor performance on current or completed contracts. This data is then transmitted to the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) where acquisition teams can access the information during source selection. - Correct Answer-The responsible individual for ensuring data is entered into CPARS is typically the Program Manager; however, this responsibility may reside in the contracting office for certain types of requirements such as those supporting operational or installation level needs. Generally, the customer and acquisition team provide inputs towards the overall evaluation of the contractors performance for the specified period of time. Past performance information for both prime contracts and small business subcontracting (including the ratings and supporting narratives) is relevant information for future source selection purposes. Therefore, it is important for small businesses to be rated thoroughly as many new entrants must build a good and relevant past performance history to increase their opportunities for future awards. In accordance with FAR 42.15, agencies are required to monitor and document contractor's contract performance using designated tools. The Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) is a shared data warehouse of report cards that detail a vendor's performance on current (or completed) contracts. The information is restricted to use during source selections. Additionally, adverse action information on contractors is collected and transmitted to PPIRS through the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). Contracting Officials and source selection team members are the only personnel who need to access PPIRS during source selections. Government access to PPIRS is restricted to those individuals who are working on source selections, to include contractor responsibility determinations. - Correct Answer- Information on contractor performance is collected and transmitted to PPIRS through the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). Acquisition Professionals need to use PPIRS when serving as members of source selection teams. - Correct Answer-You can compile a list of sources by using the DSBS or SAM to identify small businesses that belong to one of the socioeconomic categories. Then you can use FPDS-NG to see which firms are currently doing business with the Government. Legislative Foundation of the Small Business and Socioeconomic Programs
