Office of Small Business Programs

SSC Atlantic's Small Business Office advises the commanding officer on all small and disadvantaged business matters for the command. SSC Atlantic is a major contracting activity, defined as one whose total annual contract actions with U.S. business concerns exceed $100 million in value.

The mission of the Small Business Office is to provide maximum practical opportunities in its acquisitions to small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, women-owned small business concerns and small businesses in labor surplus areas and other concerns subject to socioeconomic considerations.

The deputy for Small Business provides information on contracting and subcontracting opportunities. The small business set-aside is a major procurement practice that SSC Atlantic uses to promote small business participation. SSC Atlantic policy recognizes the need to attract the best capabilities to meet the needs of its customers. The command tries to maximize the number of small disadvantaged business concerns participating in its prime contracts and subcontracts. Determining that a solicitation is set aside for an Small Disadvantaged Business is based on the expectation of obtaining from the respondents' adequate performance, reasonable competition and a fair price. Contracting directly with the Small Business Administration for subcontracting in the SBA's 8(a) program is another way that the command promotes small disadvantaged business contracting opportunities. SSC Atlantic's small business specialist encourage large defense contractors to subcontract with small business, small and disadvantaged business, and women owned business concerns.

The Defense Department's goal is to award at least 5 percent of its total procurement dollars to small disadvantaged and women owned businesses. Contracts with the SBA for subcontracting are called 8(a) contracts (named for the section of the Small Business Act that authorized them). The objectives of the 8(a) program are (1) to foster business ownership by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and (2) to give such business opportunities for full participation in the free enterprise system. To participate in the 8(a) program a small disadvantaged firm must receive approval of a business development plan for attaining the objectives for the program. SSC Atlantic's small business specialists coordinate with the SBA in identifying supplies or services 8(a) companies can provide.

Small business specialists provide training to contracting and technical personnel and counseling to small businesses upon request.  They are members of the Southeastern Small Business Council and participate in many outreach programs. Other outreach programs include participation in Defense Department and other agencies' Small Business Program initiatives.

Procurement Information

The website e-Commerce Central has information to assist in future business opportunities with SPAWAR.

Payment Information

If you are experiencing payment problems, please send a fax to the SSC Atlantic deputy for Small Business at 843-218-5912 detailing the problems.

Links:

• The Federal Marketplace
• Small Business Advisor
• U.S. Business Advisor
• Small Business Administration
• Navy On-Line
• CBDNet
• Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs
• Defense Technical Information Center
• Acquisition Central
• U.S. General Services Administration
• Thomasnet Industrial Product/Services Search
• GOVCON