The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is responsible for advocating the use of small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, veteran-owned, service disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned small businesses. This involves promoting small business prime and subcontracting opportunities in accordance with Federal laws, regulations and policies and the utilization of products from the National Industries for the Blind and services provided by NISH.

The goals of the OSDBU are to institutionalize the use of small businesses and to fully integrate them into the U.S. Department of Commerce’s competitive base of contractors.

It also assists such firms in obtaining contracts and subcontracts with Commerce and its prime contractors.

The DOC OSDBU itself is not a procurement office, but serves as a liaison between the small business community and the DOC procurement offices. The Small Business Act of 1953 as amended by Public Law 95-507 established the OSDBU.

The OSDBU focuses on the following:

  • To increase contract and subcontract awards to small businesses
  • Share information via the Internet
  • Identify potential small businesses for use by DOC, its bureaus and prime contractors
  • Negotiate Commerce contract goals with the Small Business Administration in and effort to continually increase awards to small business
  • To publish the annual ‘Forecast of Contract Opportunities’ which lists upcoming procurements
  • Review procurement requisitions to maximize small business participation
  • Monitor small business legislation
  • Establish partnerships with internal customers, and industry to obtain feedback, improve customer service, achieve goals and disseminate information
  • Create awareness of the benefits of working with small businesses through in-reach/marketing and training, and
  • Give special recognition and awards to individuals and bureaus that have made outstanding contributions to the success of Commerce’s Small Business Program

The OSDBU website provides valuable information to assist in your marketing and educational efforts if your company is doing business as a:

  • Small Business
  • Veteran Small Business
  • Service Disabled Veteran Small Business
  • Women Small Business
  • Small Disadvantaged Business or 8(a)
  • HUBZone

OSDBU Staff

14th & Constitution Ave., N.W.,
Herbert C. Hoover Building, Room 6411,
Washington, DC 20230,
Phone: 202-482-1472,
Fax: 202-482-0501

OSDBU Web

www.osdbu.gov

Department of Commerce: OSBDU

www.osec.doc.gov/osdbu/default.htm