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Director for the Small Business Program Office (SBPO)

The office establishes and maintains liaison with local Chambers of Commerce, industry and trade groups, state and local governments, and other Federal agencies to promote and enhance opportunities for those organizations that fall within the purview of the programs the office supports.

The SBPO office establishes and conducts the SBPO education and training program for program managers, contracting officers and other personnel within DIA and develops and implements an annual management plan.

The DIA SBPO is responsible for making recommendations in accordance with agency regulations as to whether a particular acquisition is to be awarded under FAR Subpart 19.5 as a set as-aside or under FAR Subpart 19.8 as a Section 8 (a) award. The SBPO office performs this function by reviewing and making recommendations on all acquisitions over $10,000, except for those identified as small business-small purchase set asides, conducting the review before the issuance of the solicitations, and documenting the decision on a DD Form 2579, Small Business Coordination Record. The DIA SBPO has a large repository of companies' information that is considered for locating of possible sources for requirements. The SBPO is responsible for making sure that the contracting activity takes the actions necessary to implement a robust small business and historically black university/minority institutions program. It also provides assistance to contracting officers in determining the need for and acceptability of subcontracting plans submitted by large businesses as required by the contracts awarded to them.

In addition to these duties, the SBPO Director advises and assists contracting personnel, program managers, and requirements personnel on all matters that may affect small businesses and historically black colleges and universities or minority institutions. The SBPO Director also provides aid, counsel, and assistance to small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, HubZone businesses, women-owned small businesses, and historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions

For additional information on promoting business with small businesses, see our Small Business Guide