Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization(OSDBU)
The office within each major federal agency responsible for promoting small business participation in the agency's contracting activities.
Overview
Every major federal agency has an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) — a dedicated office mandated by law to promote small business participation in the agency's contracting programs. OSDBUs serve as advocates for small businesses, helping them navigate the agency's procurement process and connecting them with contracting opportunities.
Why It Matters in GovCon
The OSDBU is your ally inside the agency. These offices host industry days, maintain vendor databases, provide forecasts of upcoming procurements, and can facilitate introductions to program offices. Building a relationship with the OSDBU at your target agencies is one of the most effective business development strategies for small contractors.
Key Details
- Mandate: Required by the Small Business Act and Public Law 95-507 for all federal agencies with procurement authority.
- Services: Outreach events, matchmaking, procurement forecasts, subcontracting assistance, and counseling on set-aside programs.
- Small Business Goals: OSDBUs track and report on the agency's progress toward government-wide small business contracting goals (currently 23% of prime contract dollars).
- Subcontracting: OSDBUs review large prime contractors' subcontracting plans and monitor their small business subcontracting performance.
How GovCon Data Can Help
GovCon Data complements OSDBU outreach by helping you identify specific upcoming opportunities at target agencies and preparing data-driven capability briefings.
Related Terms
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Set-Aside
- Subcontracting Plan
- Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
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