Army Medical Command, Office of Small Business Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

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Does the OSBP award contracts or determine who gets contracts?: No. The OSBP is strictly an advisory and assistance office. Contracts are awarded by the Contracting Officers of the Health Care Acquisition Activity. The OSBP does not determine or recommend who should get contracts.
Should I get a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract?: This is a business decision only you can make. The process for obtaining a Federal Supply Schedule contract can be time consumming. Nevertheless, many DoD purchases are, in fact, orders on FSS contracts. Contact the General Services Administration (GSA) for information on how to obtain a FSS contract: http://www.fss.gsa.gov .
I have been asked to provide a capabilities statement. Is a line card sufficient? What information do you want in a capabilities statement?: A line card is a good start but be sure that it includes at least your company name and contact information (you would be surprised how many we see that do not have any contact information) and any special ordering information. It would be very useful if you also mention any socioeconomic programs you qualify for (e.g. SDB, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone) and any FSS contracts you hold. Include your website URL for additional information but don't make the URL the only information you provide. We recommend that a capabilities statement be no longer than two pages (one page is preferred) and provided electronically as a PDF file. Please do not send catalogs or samples unless requested by a buyer. Click Here for a sample capabilities statement. This sample shows the type of content we would like to have. The format is not critical although we recommend avoiding a lot of pictures.
I sell medical supplies but I do not see very many on your acquisition forecast. How do you purchase medical supplies?: Since the early 1990's, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) implemented a Prime Vendor Program for brand name and generic medical material and supplies. A prime vendor is a business concern that functions as a purchaser's primary source for specified classes of products and is responsible for the delivery of goods produced by various suppliers to the customers. These contracts are considered mandatory sources.
If you wish to participate in the Medical Prime Vendor Program, you must first establish a Distribution and Pricing Agreement (DAPA) with DSCP. Under the DAPA, the agreement holder consents to allow the prime vendor to distribute its products to the ordering facilities and agrees that the prime vendor will be charged the same price as established in the agreement. Check here for additional information:
http://www.dscp.dla.mil/sbo/medical.asp .
Are commercial acquisitions under FAR Part 12 exempt from the small business program requirements of FAR Part 19?: Commercial item acquisitions are exempt from many parts of the FAR. However the only part of Part 19, Small Business Programs, that do not apply to Commercial Items acquisitions is Subpart 19.2, Requirements Relative to Labor Surplus Areas Under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(d)).
Is the Office of Small Business Programs available to participate in outreach efforts such as seminars, conferences or meetings?: Yes! The OSBP is available upon request to participate at outreach seminars, luncheons and conferences not only for businesses, civic organizations, and chambers of commerce but also for universities and colleges. Please contact the office at 210-221-4267 to schedule a time and date. If there is overnight travel involved, we will attempt to accommodate your request; however, we do have very limited travel funds.