About the OSDBU and DHS Vendor Engagement
Welcome to the Vendor Outreach Sessions (VOS) Registration Page for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)! In addition to requesting meetings with Component Small Business Specialists and Large Business Prime Contractors, learn about the mission of the DHS OSDBU, Department of small business achievement and commitment to advancing equity and transparency in procurement, and specialized small business outreach events.
Since the inception of the Department, small businesses have served a vital role in our many missions, providing innovative solutions, and adapting quickly to complex problems. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and offer DHS access to accelerated technology, a broader industrial base, a stronger supply chain, and diversity in capability and perspective that encourages innovation, agility, and affordability. Maximizing small business participation in DHS procurements is critical to the security of our Nation.
What is the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)?
Small business inclusion in federal contracting is a longstanding government-wide policy objective. The Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Small Business Act require that every federal agency with contracting authority establish an OSDBU. The DHS OSDBU is responsible for advocating the use of small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Women-Owned small businesses. This involves promoting small business prime and subcontracting opportunities in accordance with Federal laws and regulations.
The DHS OSDBU works closely with the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, the Heads of Contracting Activities, and the Component Small Business Specialists to ensure there are set-aside opportunities for small businesses.
Equity In Procurement
DHS supports federal small business contracting programs and aims to expand federal contracting opportunities for companies that are owned by members of underserved communities, including women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. DHS will prioritize enhancing efforts to engage these firms through various outreach activities, in addition to monitoring and increasing small business goals as appropriate. VOS helps support these efforts.
Significant Equity Policy and Memorandums
- Executive Order 13985 Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government.
Directs agencies to make Federal contracting and procurement opportunities more readily available to all eligible vendors and to remove barriers faced by underserved individuals and communities. - M-22-03 Advancing Equity in Federal Procurement
Implements EO 13985 and provides five specific actions all federal agencies are instructed to take to increase spending to contractors in underserved communities. - DHS Small Business Inclusion Memorandum
DHS Secretary Mayorkas emphasizes the importance of small businesses in DHS contracting. DHS is one of a few agencies to have a memorandum on supporting small businesses inclusion issued by the head of the agency. The memorandum tasks Department senior executives, whose office or program is involved in the development of requirements, funding, and/or acquisition of products and services, to advance small business inclusion.
DHS Industry Engagement – Future Events
Under the umbrella of the DHS OSDBU Vendor Outreach Program, the DHS OSDBU has implemented several programs designed as a direct approach to increasing vendor engagements. One of the new initiatives have expanded the outreach program by creating Vendor Outreach Matchmaking Events (VOME). These virtual events allow businesses, large and small, a direct connection to present core capabilities, learn about subcontracting opportunities, and explore potential partnering and mentoring relationships.
DHS Small Business Goals and Achievements
The Small Business Administration Procurement Scorecard measures the Department’s agency specific small business and socioeconomic prime and subcontracting achievements. DHS has received a Scorecard grade of “A” or “A+” thirteen years in a row since 2009, when the grading system was established, with six consecutive grades of “A+” since Fiscal Year 2016 – the largest federal agency to have such a track record. Through outreach, education, small business advocacy, and agency collaboration, DHS obligates billions of dollars to American small businesses each fiscal year. An easy-to-read narrative of DHS achievement and dollar obligations can be found at DHS Small Business Program Goals and Achievements Fiscal Years 2012-2021. The Department’s ability to exceed all the small business prime goals during current challenging times is a testament to the commitment of partnering with small businesses.
