Functional Statements > Office of the Secretary & Deputy Secretary

B. Office of the Deputy Secretary

This Office, under the leadership of the Deputy Secretary, assists the Secretary in the discharge of Secretarial duties and responsibilities. The Deputy Secretary serves as Acting Secretary in the absence of the Secretary.

The Deputy Secretary focuses on the development and implementation of policies, programs, and activities relating to elementary and secondary education matters. This mission addresses a wide spectrum of interests ranging from safe and drug free schools, special education and rehabilitative services to education of linguistically and culturally diverse students, and promotion of educational interventions, and reforms.

The Office of Innovation and Improvement and the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools report directly to the Deputy Secretary.

In addition, the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization report to the Office of the Deputy Secretary.

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization reports to the Deputy Secretary on all policy matters.

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is responsible for all ED activities on behalf of small businesses, minority businesses, and other businesses owned and controlled by disadvantaged persons and all other duties, responsibilities, and functions required by and stemming from, Pub. L. 95-507.

• Plans, directs, and administers the ED Small, Disadvantaged, and Women-Owned Business Program.
• Initiates, develops, and defines policies, procedures, goals, regulations, and other guidance for administering and implementing Department-wide socioeconomic business programs in coordination with, and with review by, the Director, Contracts and Purchasing Operations, who is the Departmental procurement authority.
• Establishes and maintains ties with the business community, other Federal agencies including the General Services Administration and Small Business Administration, and educational institutions that will aid in the achievement of Departmental goals.
• Consults regularly with contract officers on the subject of Pub. L. 95-507 compliance and ED procurement activities, and works with GCS on a regular basis to achieve Departmental goals.

In addition, the OSDBU monitors all Departmental contracting authority for OSDBU concerns and the OSDBU Director is responsible for keeping the Secretary and Congress informed of findings and activities of the OSDBU. In-house reporting systems may be required by OSDBU, as needed, to accomplish the above.