The chapter's Small Business Breakfast hosted Sean Murphy, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), small business technical advisor, General Services Administration. It was a valuable discussion with practical insights for small businesses navigating today's federal market.
For those tracking the GSA and broader acquisition trends, here are a few key takeaways worth keeping in mind:
💰 Funding is in place and execution is the next phase.
The GSA has received funding, and attention now shifts to how quickly dollars move through program offices. With a compressed timeline (roughly six months to execute a 12-month budget), a faster pace of procurement activity in the months ahead can be expected. The GSA also continues to target >30% small business participation, which will influence acquisition strategies.
🔎 Understanding market research signals matters.
There's an important distinction between requests for information (RFIs) and Sources Sought. For small businesses, Sources Sought are particularly relevant as they are often used to assess whether a requirement can be set aside.
🧭 Visibility starts with your data.
The Small Business Dynamic Search (SBDS) tool pulls from SAM.gov, but companies can strengthen their positioning by ensuring profiles are complete and differentiated-especially with clear capabilities and keywords that align to how buyers search.
📊 Leverage available forecasting tools.
The GSA's Acquisition Gateway Forecast Tool provides early visibility into upcoming opportunities and can help inform pipeline planning.
🤝 Engage the OSDBU intentionally.
The GSA's small business office offers more than general guidance-they can be a resource for questions, introductions and strategy. Murphy highlighted the value of coming prepared to 1:1 sessions with a strong capabilities statement and a fully developed SBA profile.
🔄 Preparing for contract transitions.
With CIO-SP3 approaching expiration, work is expected to transition across vehicles depending on scope:
Commercial → MAS
noncommercial → Polaris, VETS 2, Alliant 2, 8(a) STARS III
OASIS+ may apply where work aligns with professional services (≥51%).
It was an engaging session with a great mix of familiar and new faces. The meeting was a helpful reminder of how important it is to stay informed and prepared in a dynamic market.
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At the March event, dynamic discussion ensues between Sean Murphy, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, small business technical advisor, General Services Administration, and moderator, Katie Helwig, CEO, Mild Red. |
