CRS looks at set-asides, goals

      Congress may need to rethink the government’s small business procurement goals at some point, but meanwhile the goals serve as a reasonable indication of how small firms are faring in the federal market.

      That is the conclusion of a recent broad-ranging Congressional Research Service report this month titled “Small Business Contracting.”

      The CRS report contained no major surprises and generally steered away from controversies.

      At the same time, it offered a good overview and some fresh data on aspects of small business procurement not included in the Small Business Administration’s annual procurement scorecard.

8(a) Business Development firms

      For example, the CRS reported that the government awarded $27.2 billion to 8(a) firms in fiscal 2017. Here are the types of those awards:

• $8.4 billion 8(a) sole-source;
• $8 billion 8(a) set-asides;
• $6 billion other set-asides (small business or socio-economic);
• and $4.8 billion open competition.

HUBZone small firms

      Of the $7.53 billion in awards to HUBZone-certified small businesses:

• $4.1 billion other set-asides;
• $1.53 billion open competition;
• $1.49 billion HUBZone set-asides;
• $346 million HUBZone price evaluation preferences;
• and $65.3 million HUBZone sole source.

SDVOSBs

      Of the $18.2 billion awarded to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small businesses in fiscal 2017:

• $7.1 billion other set-asides;
• $6.8 billion SDVOSB set-asides;
• and $4.3 billion open competition.

WOSBs

      Of the $21.3 billion in awards to Women-Owned Small Businesses:

• $13.7 billion other set-asides;
• $7 billion open competition;
• $581 million WOSB set-asides;
• $68 million WOSB sole-source.

More Information:
CRS March 8 2019 Report:https://bit.ly/2FnAUWt

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