The Department of Defense (DoD) released its Small Business Strategy today. The strategy promotes a strong, vibrant and robust small business industrial base by focusing on reducing barriers to entry, increasing reserved competition, and utilizing programs to develop the industrial base.
“From the manufacturers that supply critical components for our arsenal to the technology companies that develop innovative systems and capabilities — small businesses are critical across the entire spectrum of DoD needs,” said Undersecretary of Defense Dr. Catherine Schick S said. “Reducing barriers and creating more opportunities for small businesses will allow us to expand, innovate, and diversify, increase our warfighter advantage, strengthen our supply chains, increase competition in our markets, and grow our economy domestically.”
Small businesses account for 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses and 73 percent of DIB companies, and last year small businesses won more than 25 percent of major DOD contracts. As the economic engine of our nation, small businesses create jobs, generate innovation, and are essential daily contributors to national security and defense missions. The strategy will help DoD realize the full potential of small businesses through three objectives: implement a unified management approach to small business programs and activities; ensure that the department’s small business activities are aligned with national security priorities; and strengthen the department’s engagement with small businesses and support.
“Cultivating a resilient and strong industrial base is one of my top priorities,” said Dr. William LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “Supporting small businesses is not just about achieving goals or ticking boxes; it’s about building an advantage for our warfighters. All industries in America, and especially our innovative small businesses, are developing, delivering, and sustaining further implementation of defense play a role in key capabilities required by the strategy.”
“Small businesses are critical to national security,” added Farooq Mitha, Director of the Small Business Program Office. “Our military relies on small businesses to bring innovation and agility to support the mission of the Department of Defense. From providing critical components to cutting-edge software platforms to essential services, small businesses support virtually the entire Department of Defense.”
As part of DoD’s efforts to increase support for small businesses, the strategy focuses on greater engagement with industry, including the provision of additional tools and resources. This engagement and training will be facilitated by the Department’s 96 APEX accelerators located across the country, formerly known as Acquisition Technical Assistance Centers, as resources for small businesses to increase readiness and help them identify opportunities to do business with the Department of Defense, Accelerate their entry into the defense market.
The Office of Small Business Programs encourages those interested in working with the Department of Defense to read the “DoD Marketing Guide” at https://business.defense.gov
The Small Business Strategy can be found here: https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/26/2003150429/-1/-1/0/SMALL-BUSINESS-STRATEGY.PDF