For Immediate Release
Press Office
Contact: 202-282-2010
April 1, 2004

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization today announced that DHS awarded 40.68 percent of its prime contracts to small businesses in FY 2003, far exceeding the standard federal government goal of 23 percent.  This week the Small Business Administration (SBA) verified the FY'03 procurement data demonstrating this strong start to providing small businesses with contracting opportunities.

"In its first year of existence, the Department of Homeland Security has attempted to meet and exceed the traditional standards for government excellence," said Deputy Secretary Admiral James Loy.  We are pleased to announce that Homeland Security has formed partnerships with America's small businesses to identify and develop solutions for better protecting our nation from the threat of terrorism.

DHS launched several key small business initiatives shortly after the merger of 22 component agencies on March 1, 2003, including the designation of a small business specialist in each contracting office, establishing monthly vendor outreach sessions, participating in small business conferences, creating a mentor-protégé program, and creating a business website, www.dhs.gov/openforbusiness.  These initiatives are designed to help vendors navigate business mechanisms and relationships with Homeland Security by sharing information about contracts, grants, small business opportunities, and research and development.  DHS posted a FY 2004 Forecast of Contracting Opportunities on its website on October 1, 2003, and has since updated it twice.

"The report from the Federal Procurement Data Center reflects the strong commitment to small business participation in DHS contracting activities," said Chief Procurement Officer Greg Rothwell.  The Director of the Office for Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Kevin Boshears, said, "We look forward to enhancing our partnerships with small businesses in future years, including those owned by veterans, service disabled veterans, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and those located in economically distressed areas known as HUBZones".

The FY'03 data covers the first seven months of DHS' existence, from the Department's creation on March 1, 2003, to the end of the 2003 fiscal year on September 30, 2003.  Per SBA reporting procedures, data from the Transportation Security Administration was excluded due to statutory exemption from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

Initiatives underway to continue building relationships with small business owners include completing the staffing of the OSDBU office, hiring a full time Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program Manager for Science and Technology, creating a large business prime contractor directory, expanding the vendor outreach sessions, and participating in an aggressive schedule of outreach activities.

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