Defense Pricing and Contracting (DPC): DPC is responsible for pricing and contracting policy matters across the Department of Defense (DoD). The DPC office serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) on acquisition and procurement negotiation strategies for all major weapon systems, and major automated information systems programs. Assists the USD(A&S) in the implementation of the Department's operational priorities, including business reform initiatives to reduce operational costs and speed delivery to the warfighter. Oversees business enterprise initiatives related to pricing, domestic, international, and contingency contract policy for DoD, and associated e-business solutions; and DoD procurement regulations; DPC Home Page. DPC wants to encourage companies to do business with DoD. To make it easier for companies to understand how to engage in the business process with DoD, DPC provides an introductory overview for companies based in the United States as well as for foreign companies: Doing Business with the DoD. (August 11, 2022)
The Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs:
Mission: We maximize opportunities for small businesses to contribute to national security by providing combat power for our troops and economic power for our nation.
Vision: We are a network of Small Business Professionals with common values, shared knowledge and regular communication who partner with acquisition professionals seeking small businesses to fulfill DoD procurement requirements and give our Service Members the competitive advantage. DoD OSBP
Small Business Professionals' Values:
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Leadership: Provide the direction and resources needed to achieve DoD small business procurement objectives while managing differing perspectives, change, challenges and opportunities.
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Integrity: Trustworthy and accountable.
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Professionalism: Competent at small business procurement activities and strive for excellence through lifelong learning.
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Customer Focus: Identify the customer, respond to customer needs and prioritize efforts to serve the customer.
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Advocacy: Seek ways to leverage small business as a primary procurement option by emphasizing affordability, innovation, agility and responsiveness.
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Innovation: Implement new ways of developing the small business industrial base to introduce new products, services and solutions to meet DoD mission requirements and maintain the competitive advantage over our adversaries.
System for Award Management (SAM): The SAM is an official website of the U.S. Government, with no cost to use. Utilize the site to:
- Register to do business with the U.S. Government
- Update, renew, or check the status of your entity registration
- Search for entity registration and exclusion records
- Search for assistance listings (formerly CFDA.gov), wage determinations (formerly WDOL.gov), contract opportunities (formerly FBO.gov), and contract data reports (formerly part of FPDS.gov)
- View and submit BioPreferred and Service Contract Reports
- Access publicly available award data via data extracts and system accounts
The APEX Accelerators Program formerly known as DOD Procurement Technical Assistance Centers: APEX Accelerators are a local resource available at no or nominal cost that can provide assistance to business firms in marketing products and services to the Federal, state and local governments. The program, under management of the DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), plays a critical role in the Department's efforts to identify and engage with a wide range of businesses entering and participating in the defense supply-chain. The program provides the education and training that all businesses need to participate to become capable of participating in DoD and other government contracts.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT SAM: APEX Accelerators have received SAM training from General Services Administration (GSA) so they can assist businesses working through the SAM process. The APEX Accelerators have a special help desk number their counselors can use when needed. A local APEX Accelerator can be found here. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) site may show only one office in some states where there are actually several offices, so please be sure to ask for a local office, if applicable.