OSBP Launches Small Business Training Series

The DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and APEX Accelerators are excited to announce the Fall/Winter 2024 Small Business Webinar Training Series. These free, online webinars aim to provide valuable insights for small business owners, acquisition professionals, and other stakeholders engaged in government contracting.

Series Schedule and Topics:

• Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI): November 19 at 1 p.m. ET Register Here
• Project Spectrum: December 4 at 11 a.m. ET Register Here
• DoD Mentor-Protégé Program: December 10 at 2 p.m. ET Register Here

These sessions are an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of essential DoD programs and initiatives. Each webinar will cover critical information to help you navigate government contracting and support your business's growth.

Registration is required. For more details or to view the full series, please visit flow.page/dodosbp.

National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan Expands Several Small Business Programs

OSBP will expand the FOCI Deterrence and Mitigation Program (FDMP) as part of the National Defense Industrial Strategy Implementation Plan, published in late October.

The implementation plan outlines several proposed and expanded programs that DoD will execute to ensure America's continued technological and military superiority in an era of intensifying strategic competition.

Part of the plan aims to protect small businesses from adversarial investments and foreign interference. To do so, DoD will:

• Expand FDMP to enhance outreach and training events for APEX Accelerators, DoD small business professionals, and other stakeholders.  
• Promote flexible acquisition pathways that leverage Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) and Other Transaction Authorities (OTA) to streamline processes, accelerate innovations, and support small businesses.
• Relaunch the Rapid Innovation Fund as the Rapid Integrated Scalable Enterprise (RISE) rogram, to help bridge the technological valley of death and support small businesses to successfully move their technologies into programs of record.
• Conduct a broad assessment of supply chain vulnerabilities that will provide a better understanding of which contracting vehicles are preferable and enable small businesses to enter the industrial base ecosystem.

In the video below, Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, PhD , Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (ASD(IBP)), discusses the implementation plan in detail with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) ’s Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group.

Minority Business Enterprise Industry Day Under Consideration

Dr. Vic Ramdass, Ph.D, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, represented the United States Department of Defense at the Minority Business Enterprises Advisory Council meeting last week. The purpose of the Council is to bring together government and industry leaders to advance opportunities for minority-owned businesses in the defense industrial base. The emphasis was on cross-cutting strategies to enhance Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) support across federal programs.

One of the outcomes of the meeting was for OSBP to explore hosting a dedicated Minority Business Enterprise Industry Day to foster valuable connections and matchmaking opportunities between minority business enterprises and key defense stakeholders.

“Fostering an inclusive, diverse industrial base is a top priority for DoD,” said Mr. Farooq Mitha , OSBP Director. “By supporting Minority Business Enterprises, we strengthen innovation, build a more resilient defense supply chain, and open doors for minority-owned businesses.”

Download Presentations from AUSA

The presentations from last month’s Association of the United States Army - AUSA Small Business Seminar are now available online.

The Army Office of Small Business Programs recently posted the PDFs from each presentation during the event. The presentations focus on a wide array of topics important to small businesses looking to sell to government agencies, including an overview of the Defense Contract Audit Agency , how to sell online through GSA , and the latest on legislation and regulations from the U.S. Small Business Administration .

The resources also include a list of small business and cybersecurity resources.

View List of Presentations>>

The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a contracting certification workshop on November 14 as part of National Veterans Small Business Week. The online will share how federal contracting certifications can boost business growth. Attendees will learn the ins and outs of the certification process and gain valuable insights to help them compete for government contracts. Sign up>>

GSA will host a Native American Industry Day on November 19. Held in collaboration with the U.S. Department of the Interior , the event will bring together Native American industry leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and allies to explore new contracting opportunities and foster growth as part of Native American Heritage Month. Register now>>

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) will host an Industry Day at the University of North Florida on December 9. The Industry Day will provide an avenue for NAVFAC SE to discuss its mission, goals, and contracting opportunities with private industry, including an in-depth overview of upcoming large construction programs. Learn more>>

Let’s Stay in Touch

We are a network of small business professionals with common values, shared knowledge and regular communication who partner with acquisition professionals seeking small businesses to fulfill DoD procurement requirements and give our Service Members the competitive advantage. Follow us on social media, visit our website, or send us an email. We look forward to staying connected.

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