Small Business Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

• My company provides IT services. How can I get business with the Baltimore District?

• What does the Baltimore District buy?

• How can I promote my business to the Baltimore District?

• Is it necessary to certify my company as a (small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone) small business?

• Does the Baltimore District hold monthly vendor outreach sessions for small businesses?

• How is a small business defined or categorized?

• Where can I find information on Baltimore District subcontracting opportunities?

• Is there a business size standards table?

• What are NAICS and SIC codes?

• How can I obtain assistance or training to prepare good bid proposals?
  

My company provides IT services. How can I get business with Baltimore District?

In compliance with OMB Circular A-76: Department of Defense Public-Private Competition of Information Management/Information Technology (IM/IT) by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, will issue solicitation W912DR-05-R-0001 in November 2004. The commercial activities being competed in this solicitation are all USACE Information Management and Information Technology (IM/IT) services located in the Continental United States (CONUS) and Honolulu and Alaska Districts. Additional information regarding this solicitation can be found on the Baltimore District's Current Acquisition Opportunities Web Page (http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/ebs.htm).

What does the Baltimore District buy?

Baltimore District purchases many different products and services. There are several resources you can use to access procurement opportunity information, including FedBizOpps (http://www.fedbizopps.gov/), Baltimore District's Current Acquisition Opportunities Web Page (http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/ebs.htm), and by directly contacting the Contracting Division and communicating with the Small Business Deputy.

The GSA's Federal Procurement Data Center is another valuable source to learn what each federal agency buys.

How can I promote my business to the Baltimore District?

There are several things you can do to promote your business to the District.

Learn as much as you can about the different organizations within the Baltimore District. A good starting point is the website. Then identify how your company can offer value and assistance in helping the organization achieve its mission. This information is critical prior to contacting the small business specialist and program officials.

You can review the DOC 'Forecast of Opportunities' to determine anticipated procurements for the coming government fiscal year. Also, prepare a brief capability statement (i.e., brochure, flyer, email, etc.) that highlights your products or services. The capability statement can be sent to the DOC Acquisition Offices' Small Business Specialists.

Is it necessary to certify my company as a (small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone) small business?

The HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business, and 8(a) programs require official certification from the Small Business Administration; you must apply for those directly. The remaining categories are self-certifying and no formal certification is required. Self-certification is not questioned until a competitor or other interested party protests.

Does the Baltimore District hold monthly vendor outreach sessions for small businesses?

Tthe Baltimore District currently does not hold monthly vendor outreach sessions. However, planned vendor outreach activities will be announced on the Baltimore District's Current Acquisition Opportunities Web Page (http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/ebs.htm). However, the North Atlantic Division hosts one fair a year. This fair is historically held in the April-May timeframe, check under Special Events for scheduling.

How is a small business defined or categorized?

A small business concern is a business, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on contracts and qualified as a small business under the applicable size standards in 13 CFR Part 121 (FAR 19.102).

The size standard is based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and is currently figured by either dollar revenue or number of employees.

1. So you will first need to identify the proper NAICS code(s) for your company. [Determine your company's NAICS code(s)]
2. The SBA is responsible for establishing size standards for the different industries in the economy. [Determine your company's size standard].

(Additional business size standard information can be obtained from the SBA's Office of Size Standard.)

Where can I find information on the Baltimore District's subcontracting opportunities?

Please review the OSDBU 'Subcontracting' webpage. Also go to the Baltimore District Prime Contractor Directory to see the list of current District prime contractors. These primes are a valuable resource which you can market your business to establish partnerships and/or identify subcontracting opportunities. Also check the Baltimore District's Current Acquisition Opportunities Web Page (http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/ebs.htm).

Is there a size standard table?

Yes. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides this information.

• Size Standards Table
• Size Standards Description

What are NAICS and SIC codes?

The United States has a new industry classification system . . . The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaces the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system.

NAICS is the first-ever North American industry classification system. The system was developed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to provide comparable statistics across the three countries. For the first time, government and business analysts are able to compare directly industrial production statistics collected and published in the three North American Free Trade Agreement countries.

How can I obtain assistance or training to help me put together good bid proposals?

The Small Business Administration provides valuable information on applicable programs and services. Click here to link to assistance and training information.