CDC and Small Business

To qualify for a small business award for a contract, a business must qualify as “small” according to the SBA’s industry size standards. SBA defines industry specific size standards based on the average number of employees over the past 12 months or average annual receipts over the past three years categorized using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Please visit the SBA website to determine if your business qualifies as a small business concern and to learn more about NAICS codes and to look up your industry’s code(s).

While size standards vary from industry to industry, SBA uses the following general criteria to define a small business concern. A small business…

• Is organized for profit
• Has a place of business in the United States (U.S.)
• Operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment
  of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor
• Is independently owned and operated
• Is not dominant in its field on a national basis
• May be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other legal form

Types of Small Businesses: The federal government defines types of small business and establishes associated goals to stimulate the balanced growth and utilization of all small business. All agencies, including CDC, have annual procurement goals for each major type of small business.

CDC’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 small business goals for each major type of small business as defined by HHS are outlined below.

To qualify for an award of a small business contract, you must first be registered as a small business.The following steps are required to certify your business as small and obtain the registration necessary to bid on government proposals:

1. Obtain a unique Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) Number
2. Register your business with the System of Award Management (SAM) by completing the required solicitation clauses and certification
3. Find the NAICS code(s) for your business
4. Obtain Past Performance evaluations (only required to get on the  GSA Schedules)

For additional information and a detailed explanation of the small business registration process, please visit the SBA Government Contracting website. Once your business is registered as small based on size standards, you are eligible for SBA financial assistance and other programs, including federal government procurement programs that support small business.

The SBA runs and manages two federal contracting and business development programs aimed to help small businesses gain access to federal procurement opportunities and compete in the federal marketplace.

1. 8(a) Business Development ProgramSBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program that assists in the development of small businesses owned and operated by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged, such as women and minorities. It was created as an instrument for helping disadvantaged entrepreneurs gain a foothold in government contracting and thrive in competitive business environments.“8(a)” refers to the section of the Small Business Act that establishes a program that authorizes the SBA to enter into all types of contracts with other agencies and award subcontracts to eligible firms. Companies must apply for and be accepted into the program; once accepted companies are commonly referred to as “8(a).”Access the SBA website for the most recent eligibility requirements for the 8(a) Business Development Program.

2. HUBZone ProgramHubZone is an SBA program that supports small businesses that operate and employ people in Historically Underutilized Business zones (HUBZones).  The goal of the program is to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more federal contracting opportunities. To determine if your location is in a HUBZone, visit the HUBZone Map.Access the SBA website for the most recent eligibility requirements for the HUBZone Program.For more information on how to apply for the HUBZone program, please visit the SBA Applying for HUBZone webpage.

CDC is committed to supporting small businesses through contracts and grants funding opportunities. Explore the resources below to find the right opportunities for your small business.

Small Business Contracting Opportunities:

• Federal Business Opportunities: Search for opportunities based on set-aside code (e.g. Woman Owned Small Business) or other feature, as desired.
• Connect with HHS’s CDC Small Business POCs: POCs will walk through effective ways to identify funding opportunities in the federal government by navigating through USASpending.gov and FPDS.gov.

Small Business Research Programs:

Research funding is available for small businesses engaged in scientific research and development (R&D). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) manages two competitive programs that aim to increase the participation of small business in federal R&D and to increase private sector commercialization of technology developed through federal R&D:

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): allows small businesses to explore their technological potential while offering the incentive to profit from its commercialization.
• Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): enable R&D collaboration between small businesses and research institutions to stimulate technological innovation.

Visit the SBIR/STTR website to learn more about these programs and how to apply.

For additional information or questions about small business opportunities at CDC, contact the CDC Small Business Contacts or email CDC’s Small Business mailbox.

Monitor the following websites to find upcoming small business events, conferences, industry days, and other outreach activities.

1. HHS Small Business Calendar of Events: Find the latest information on upcoming HHS small business events.
2. Small Business Events on FedBizOpps.gov: Search small business events by agency, office, and/or location.
3. GSA Small Business Events: Find a list of GSA sponsored events and trainings for small businesses including small business development webinars, workshops, conferences, and networking events.
4. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC): Get more information on available local, in-person counseling and training services for the small business owner. PTAC provides technical assistance to businesses that want to sell products and services to federal, state, and/or local governments. PTAC services are available either free of charge, or at a nominal cost. PTACs are part of the Procurement Technical Assistance Program, which is administered by the Defense Logistics Agency.

For all CDC Small Business questions, interests, or education please contact HHS’s Small Business Managers. If you wish to share a capability statement, email CDC’s Small Business mailbox.

Ms. Gwen Miles
Email: smallbusiness@cdc.gov
Phone: (770) 488-3042