The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spent 47.8% of its contracting dollars on small businesses in fiscal 2013, according to Mitch Ross, director of acquisition and grants.

The goal for fiscal 2014 is 49%, which includes set-asides in major upcoming acquisition programs such as NOAALink, he said at a recent vendor event hosted by SECAF. NOAA’s acquisitions add up to about $1.2 billion a year.

The NOAALink SMS (Strategic Management Services) refresh contract will be recompeted within several months as a set-aside for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, Ross said.

And, for NOAALink/Small Business, new vendors will get a chance to join within several months. For the NOAALink 8(a) portion, the agency is considering a recompete or possibly moving the requirement to another existing vehicle, he said.

NOAA also hopes to release a solicitation for its $5 billion Pro-Tech professional and technical services program by the end of the year, Ross said.