U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Government Contracting
Certificate of Competency Program
The Certificate of Competency (COC) program allows a small business to appeal a contracting officer’s determination that it is unable to fulfill the requirements of a specific government contract on which it is the apparent low bidder. When the small business applies for a COC, SBA industrial and financial specialists conduct a detailed review of the firm’s capabilities to perform on the contract. If the business demonstrates the ability to perform, the SBA issues a COC to the contracting officer requiring the award of that specific contract to the small business.
SBA’s procurement assistance effort is greatly strengthened by the Certificate of Competency (COC) program. The Certificate of Competency (COC) program helps ensure that small businesses, especially those which are newly entering into the federal procurement arena, are given a fair opportunity to compete for and receive government contracts.
- SBA is authorized by the Congress to certify as to a small company’s “capability, competency, credit, integrity, perseverance and tenacity” to perform a specific government contract. If a contracting officer proposes to reject the offer of a small business firm which is a low offeror because of questions related to the firm’s ability to perform the contract on any of the above grounds, the case is referred to SBA.
- SBA personnel then contact the company to inform it of the impending decision, and to offer the firm an opportunity to apply to SBA for a COC, which, if granted, would require award of the contract to the firm in accordance with the Small Business Act. SBA may also, at its discretion, issue a COC in connection with the sale of federal property if the responsibility (capacity, credit, integrity, tenacity and perseverance) of the purchaser is questioned.
- The COC program is carried out by a specialized SBA field staff of individuals with technical, engineering, and government procurement back grounds in cooperation with financial specialists, also of the field organization. Upon receipt of a COC application, the SBA notifies the contracting officer of the purchasing agency that the prospective contractor has applied, and a team of financial and technical personnel surveys the firm’s potential for the specific acquisition in question. During the evaluation, SBA considers credit ratings, past performance, management capabilities, management schedules, and the prospects for obtaining needed financial help or equipment.
- The team’s findings are presented to a COC Review Committee composed of legal, technical and financial representatives, which makes a detailed review of the case and recommends approval or disapproval. If the decision is negative, the firm and the purchasing agency are so informed; if affirmative, a letter certifying the responsibility of the firm to perform the contract (the Certificate of Competency) is sent to the purchasing agency. By the terms of the Small Business Act, the COC is conclusive on questions of responsibility, and the contract is awarded.
- A COC is valid only for the specific contract for which it is issued. A business concern which is capable of handling one contract may not be qualified to handle another. Each case is considered separately, and each case is considered only if and after the contracting officer has made a negative determination of responsibility or eligibility. Firms may not apply for a COC until a contracting officer makes a non-responsibility determination and refers the matter to the SBA.
- Government Contracting Officers must make all COC referrals in writing and submit them to the SBA Government Contracting Area Office serving the area in which the headquarters of the offeror is located.
To obtain additional information contact the appropriate program area office below or:
Robert C. Taylor, Assistant Administrator
U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Government Contracting
409 3rd Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20416
Phone: 202-205-7319
E-mail: Robert.C.Taylor@SBA.gov
Certificate of Competency Representatives
Directory CoC Program Manager: Dean Koppel
E-mail: dean.koppel@sba.gov
AREA 1 = CT. MA. ME. NH. NJ. NY. RI. VT.
AREA 2 = DC. DE. MD. PA. VA. WV.
AREA 3 = AL. FL. GA. KY. MS. NC. SC. TN.
AREA 4 = IN. IA. IL. KA. MI. MN. MO. ND. NE. OH. SD. WI.
AREA 5 = AR. CO. LA. NM. OK. TX.
AREA 6 = AK. AZ. CA. HI. ID. MT. NV. OR. UT. WA. WY.
AREA 1
Jannette Fasano – Area Director
US Small Business Administration
10 Causeway Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02222-1093
Voice: (617)565-5622 Fax:(617)565-5598
E-mail: jannette.fasano@sba.gov
Dianne Nolan – Program Specialist
US Small Business Administration
10 Causeway Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02222-1093
Voice: (617)565-5586 Fax: (617) 565-5598
E-mail: dianne.nolan@sba.gov
Paul Taravella – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
26 Federal Plaza – Suite 3108
New York, NY 10278
Voice: (212) 264-7756 Fax: (212) 264-4963
E-mail: paul.taravella@sba.gov
Sandy Liu – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
26 Federal Plaza – Suite 3108
New York, NY 10278
Voice: (212) 264-7756 Fax: (212) 264-4963
E-mail: sandy.liu@sba.gov
Malinda Chen – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
26 Federal Plaza – Suite 3108
New York, NY 10278
Voice: (212) 264-7756 Fax: (212) 264-4963
E-mail: malinda.chen@sba.gov
AREA 2
Vinnie Rice – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
Robert N. C. Nix Federal Bldg.
900 Market Street – 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Voice: (215) 580-2771 Fax: (215) 580-2776
E-mail: vincent.rice@sba.gov
Terry Budge – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
Robert N. C. Nix Federal Bldg.
900 Market Street – 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Voice: (215) 580-2770 Fax: (215) 580-2776
E-mail: terry.budge@sba.gov
AREA 3
Mitchell Morand-Area Director
U.S. Small Business Administration
233 Peachtree Street-Suite 1805
Atlanta, GA 30303
Voice: (404) 331-7587 Fax: (404) 331-2956
E-mail: mitchell.morand@sba.gov
Steve Smithfield-PRO-Net/Size/COC Specialist
U.S. Small Business Administration
233 Peachtree Street-Suite 1805
Atlanta, GA 30303
Voice: (404) 331-7587 Fax: (404) 331-2956
E-mail: stephen.smithfield@sba.gov
AREA 4
Bob Murphy – AREA DIRECTOR
US Small Business Administration
500 W. Madison Street – Ste. 1250
Chicago, IL 60661-2511
Voice: (312) 353-7381 Fax: (312) 353-1160
E-mail: robert.murphy@sba.gov
Bob Zelenik – Supervisor
US Small Business Administration
500 W. Madison Street – Ste. 1250
Chicago, IL 60661-2511
Voice: (312) 353-7373 Fax: (312) 353-1160
E-mail: robert.zelenik@sba.gov
Pam Coleman – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
500 W. Madison Street – Ste. 1250
Chicago, IL 60661-2511
Voice: (312) 353-7442 Fax: (312) 353-1160
E-mail: pamela.coleman@sba.gov
David Gordon – COC Coordinator
US Small Business Administration
500 W. Madison Street – Ste. 1240
Chicago, IL 60661-2511
Voice: (312) 353-7674 Fax: (202) 482-1842
E-mail: david.gordon@sba.gov
Michael Kowalesik, COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1250
Chicago, IL 60661-2511
Voice: (312) 353-4504 Fax: (312) 353-3111
E-mail: michael.kowalesik@sba.gov
Lynda Parrett – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
429 North Pennsylvania – Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46204-1873
Voice: (317) 226-7272 Ext: 235 Fax: (317) 226-7259
E-mail: lynda.parrett@sba.gov
Dave Turner – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
323 West 8th Street – Suite 501
Kansas City, MO 64105-1500
Voice: (816) 374-6815 Ext: 291 Fax: (816) 374-6759
E-mail: david.turner@sba.gov
AREA 5
Dave Martin – Deputy Area Director
4300 Amon Carter Blvd., Ste – 116
Fort Worth,TX 76155
Voice: (817) 684-5903 Fax: (817) 684-5910
E-mail: noel.martin@sba.gov
Larry Lytle – COC Specialist
4300 Amon Carter Blvd., Suite 116
Fort Worth, TX 76155
Voice: (817) 684-5906 Fax: (817) 684-5310
E-mail: larry.lytle@sba.gov
AREA 6
Robert Paccione – Area Director
US Small Business Administration
455 Market Street, Ste – 600
San Francisco, CA 94105-2445
Voice: (415) 744-6828 Fax: (415) 744-0314
E-mail: robert.paccione@sba.gov
Jim Gambardella – Deputy Area Director
US Small Business Administration
455 Market Street, Ste – 600
San Francisco, CA 94105-2445
Voice: (415) 744-8429 Fax: (415) 744-0314
E-mail: james.gambardella@sba.gov
John Ludwig – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
330 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 1200
Glendale, CA 91203-2304
Voice: (818) 552-3295 Fax: (818) 552-3221
E-mail: john.ludwig@sba.gov
Jim Hutchins – COC Specialist
US Small Business Administration
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1805
Seattle, WA 98101-1128
Voice: (206) 553-6850 Fax: (206) 553-6263
E-mail: james.hutchins@sba.gov