For small businesses, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out how to do business with government.

But there’s never been a better time to so do. Contracting agencies will continue to receive pressure to make awards available to small businesses across all the socio-economic categories. There are advocates out there that do not work for a contracting office, but are SBA employees dedicated to ensuring that small businesses are FAIRLY considered for every new government acquisition.

SBA Procurement Center Representative (PCR): PCRs are located at various SBA area offices and major federal buying centers around the country. Among other activities, they increase the small business share of federal procurement awards by initiating small business set-asides, reserving procurements for competition among small business firms, providing small business sources to Federal buying activities, and counseling small firms. In addition, PCRs advocate for the possible breakout of some of the items/services on traditionally full and open competitions to be directed toward small businesses.

SBA Commercial Market Representative (CMR): CMRs are SBA’s subcontracting specialists. CMRs provide a wide variety of subcontracting support to small businesses, including matching large firms with small ones for subcontracting opportunities and counseling small businesses on marketing themselves to large prime contractors.

To find local assistance, go to: https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance and follow the instructions on the page.

To find your PCR, go to: https://www.sba.gov/content/pcr-directory and follow the instructions on the page.

To find CMRs, go to: https://www.sba.gov/content/commercial-market-representatives and follow the instruction on the page.

The Air Force has its own small business office/website, which can be found at: http://www.airforcesmallbiz.org/

Agency-specific representatives: http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sb/sbs.shtml. Then click on one of the agencies listed (Army, Navy, Air Force, or ODA).

Remember, you are NOT alone! The Federal government is mandating more and more small business initiatives and it’s important for you to know who can be an advocate for your business.