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Federal Market Intelligence for Small Business |
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SBA, GSA to boost 8(a)s on SchedulesThe Small Business Administration is collaborating with the General Services Administration to expand procurements from 8(a) Business Development participants through GSA’s Multiple-Award Schedules program. The joint effort is called the 8(a) MAS Pool Initiative. It aims to help fulfill President Biden’s goal of lifting procurements from Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs). All 8(a) firms are certified as SDBs. SBA and GSA officials said they will create a pool of 8(a) firms within the Schedules to make it easier for contracting officials to identify the 8(a) firms within industries. Participants in the pool will receive a designation that indicates to agency buyers that a business is eligible for 8(a) sole source awards and competitive set-asides. Once the MAS 8(a) companies are in the pool, later this year, and the MAS solicitation is refreshed, buyers will be able to make 8(a)-directed awards. This will result in a streamlined process and greater flexibility, officials said. The goal is for federal agencies to leverage the $40 billion-plus size of the MAS Schedules marketplace to achieve their SDB contracting goals while also making smart contracting decisions “This joint initiative between the SBA and GSA will increase federal contracting opportunities for thousands of minority-owned and other SDBs.” Isabella Casillas Guzman, SBA administrator, said in a news release. The two agencies developed the plan as part of their implementation of Biden’s Executive Order 13985 – Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
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