Office of Small Business
The Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Office of Small Business Programs is a small business advocacy and advisory office responsible for insuring that small business, small disadvantaged business, HUBZone, veteran-owned small business, and women-owned small business concerns, including historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions (HBCU/MIs), participate in ONR's acquisition program both as prime contractors and as subcontractors. The office is also responsible to facilitate achievement of the small business program targets.
The office maintains an active outreach program to identify potential small business program participants by attending and participating in government-industry conferences throughout the United States. In addition, the office provides individual and group procurement advisory counseling to the small business community. Procurement advisory counseling includes advice concerning acquisition procedures, information regarding proposed Acquisition, instructions on preparing proposals, interpretation of standard clauses, certifications and representations, obtaining payment, and obtaining financial assistance within the procurement regulations.
A major role in the implementation of the Small Business Program at ONR involves advising and assisting contracting officials and program managers in acquisition planning and reviewing all acquisition for possible small business program set-asides, subcontracting opportunities and subcontracting administration. The office provides assistance to ONR's contracting officials regarding the determination of the acceptability of prime contractor subcontracting arrangements.
Information on selling to the U.S. Navy is available from the Department of the Navy's small business programs web site.
Small Buiness Subcontracting Programs
The Small Business Subcontracting Program is based on Public Law 95-507 that was passed in 1978 to ensure that prime contractors further the goals of increasing participation of small businesses in federal procurement. Originally focused on only small and small disadvantaged businesses, the subcontracting program now includes women-owned small businesses. The government requires the adoption of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small, Small Disadvantaged and Women-Owned Small Business Concerns, in all purchases/contracts over $25,000 that offer subcontracting opportunities. The legislation requires certain prime contractors and subcontractors to prepare formal subcontracting plans. The law specifically requires submission and implementation of a subcontracting plan for contracts exceeding $550,000, including options, $1 million for construction, as well as reporting and record keeping for contractors with plans. As prescribed in FAR 19.708b, the contracting officer shall, when contracting by negotiation, insert FAR clause 52.219-9, Small, Small Disadvantaged and Women-Owned Small Business Subcontracting Plan, in solicitations and contracts that offer subcontracting possibilities and are expected to exceed $550,000, including options, or $1 million for construction. This clause does not apply to small business concerns. Offerors submitting a proposal in response to the government´s solicitation shall submit a subcontracting plan that complies with the requirements of FAR clause 52.219-9. The following outline for a Subcontracting Plan satisfies the requirements implemented by public law and supplemented by the FAR. The checklist for evaluation of subcontracting plans includes the elements that are to be included in subcontracting plans.
The Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) is the electronic point of entry for submission of information for Individual Subcontracting Reports (ISR), which is the former SF 294, and the Summary Subcontracting Report SSR (formerly the SF 295). eSRS can be accessed at http://www.esrs.gov.