GSA Outlines Emphasis on Small Business GSA says it will increase communications and training on small business contracting as part of a governmentwide effort to provide more opportunities for small firms. GSA is one of the “Big Seven” contracting agencies that are leading a new interagency small business procurement group. The group, coordinated by the White House, began meeting in January. In its small business plan, GSA outlines two areas of primary focus: improving results in low-performing regions and a “laser-like focus” on reaching the 3% goal for contracting with service-disabled veteran-owned firms. GSA administrator Martha Johnson said preliminary figures for fiscal 2010 showed that the agency exceeded procurement goals in all socioeconomic categories except SDVs. She said spending with small businesses totaled 29% of contract dollars, up from 27% in 2009. Johnson said agency executives, from her office down through regional administrators and program managers, will increase efforts to communicate the importance of small business contracting. The internal communications will emphasize new tools available under the 2010 Jobs Act. The act allows set-asides on task orders on IDIQ contracts, but that provision has not yet been implemented by regulation. Agencies are permitted to set aside places on multiple award contracts for small firms in all categories. According to the Small Business Plan, GSA’s Public Buildings Service will use basic ordering agreements and set-asides to provide opportunities for more small firms. The agency has scheduled two afternoons of small business symposiums and networking events at its annual Training Conference and Expo in San Diego on May 10-12.