DIA's Office of Small Business Programs advocates for small businesses across DIA. In advocating for small businesses, we do the following:

• Increase contracting opportunities for small businesses within DIA and DoD through review of acquisition strategies and contract actions.
• Participate in outreach events to increase small business awareness of DIA's mission and potential opportunities.
• Actively communicate with industry to better understand small businesses and support their needs.
• Get involved with small business contracting concerns (e.g., payment or performance inquiries).
• Strategize to meet statutory goals for particular socioeconomic categories.
• Collaborate with the DIA workforce to bring awareness of small businesses.
• Manage the 8(a) program and the mentor-protégé program for DIA.

Currently, OSBP is limited in our ability to meet directly with individual companies. We are in the process of establishing a monthly meeting to provide multiple businesses an opportunity to learn how to do business with DIA in a group networking environment. These will be held in lieu of one-on-one meetings due to the large number of businesses interested in meeting with OSBP. If specific assistance is needed on an existing contract, please do not hesitate to contact us through email.

OSBP travels to a number of events each year, participating in business-related conferences, informational seminars and similar activities. With limited resources, the events we attend can change from year to year. Our intent is to reach a variety of small businesses that can assist DIA in meeting and enhancing our evolving mission and capabilities, so we look to attend events that best attract small business participants.

The OSBP can assist in providing an understanding of DIA; however, we do not arrange meetings between small businesses and program offices or contracting officers. DIA’s Acquisition Office holds industry days to provide information regarding procurement activities. These are not opportunities to brief your capabilities; rather, they are opportunities to learn about DIA’s needs. The best way to get your capabilities known is responding to Requests for Information or Sources Sought Notices, as these responses are reviewed by Program Offices.

Submit a white paper on DIA’s NeedipeDIA. These white papers are reviewed by DIA’s Innovation Office and then forwarded to the appropriate DIA office for review. The Innovation Office provides a response within 30 days, either requesting further information or stating that the idea may not be a good fit at this time. For more information, please visit DIA’s Innovation and NeedipeDIA pages, located on DIA’s website under the Business tab.

DIA posts the majority of its solicitations on Beta.SAM.gov. You can find our notices in the “Search Contract Opportunities” section via the “Federal Organization” field on the homepage, using the search term “Defense Intelligence Agency” or the code “97DL.” This can give you a good idea of the types of procurements we look for. In addition, procurement opportunities may be posted on GSA, NASA SEWP, the NSA ARC and the NRO ACE.

Some users have noted an inability to find DIA procurement opportunities on Beta.SAM.gov using the search term “Defense Intelligence Agency.” In most cases, once you use the search term “97DL,” DIA opportunities should appear. You may need to use “97DL” any time you clear your browser history or cookies.

Acquisition elements within the Chief Financial Office host quarterly industry days. Special notices with registration information are posted on Beta.SAM.gov, and may be found with our other notices by searching the “Federal Organization” field on the Search Contract Opportunities page, using the search term “Defense Intelligence Agency” or the agency code “97DL.”

Acquisition elements within the Chief Financial Office provide information regarding procurement activities at industry days. This forecast is typically an attachment to special notices for CFO industry days. DIA endeavors to be transparent in providing forecast information; however, the information in forecasts may change based on changing mission requirements or acquisition strategies.

DIA hosts several industry activities throughout the year. The list below includes an overview of current activities:

• DoDIIS Worldwide: Hosted annually by DIA’s Chief Information Office, the DoDIIS Worldwide Conference brings together experts from Government, military, industry and academia in order to tackle the IT challenges and complexities impacting the mission user.
• Acquisition Industry Days: These industry days provide a forum to understand DIA acquisition activities. Each industry day has unique topics depending upon current events. Previous topics include the DIA source selection procedures, an overview of the Innovation Office, and an overview of the security process.
• OSBP is looking for additional venues to provide information to industry. Feedback from industry is appreciated.

In order to be awarded a contract with DIA, a company must comply with contract-specific clearance requirements. In almost all cases, a company must possess a Top Secret Facilities Clearance at the time of proposal submission. For information on the requirements, visit the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency website.

Our recommendation is to find a prime contractor that is willing to sponsor their subcontractors for facilities clearance.

DIA participates in DoD’s mentor-protégé program, tailored to meet DIA’s unique needs. For information on how the program functions, visit http://business.defense.gov/Programs/Mentor-Protege-Program/.

DoD’s cybersecurity requirements for businesses changed in 2017. Review the DoD OSBP’s cybersecurity page. Additionally, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment is working with several partners to develop the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

You can reach us via the Contact Us page. We recommend email, as our office frequently travels to events, and email will give us an opportunity to research and give you a more in-depth answer.