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Opportunities for Small Business
Overview of the Small Business Program
Tips for Conducting Business with NRC
Small Business Contracting Programs
NRC Goals and Accomplishments
Forecast of Contracting Opportunities for FY 2009
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Small Business Contracting Programs

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) bi-annually negotiates goals with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to award contracts to small businesses, including those owned by the disadvantaged, women, and service-disabled veterans, as well as those located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). The NRC also engages in various efforts and initiatives to provide business development support to veteran-owned businesses, as well as businesses that are eligible and certified by the SBA to participate in the 8(a) contract program. To meet the intent of these public policies, and to comply with various laws, executive orders, and regulations, the NRC negotiates also sole-source contracts, initiates small business set-asides, and ensures subcontracting opportunities, as follows:

Small Business Set-Asides

Part 19 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations exit icon requires Federal agencies to set aside acquisitions between $3,000 and $100,000 for small businesses. To determine if your firm qualifies as a small business, please review the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards exit icon. The NRC posts small business contract opportunities with values exceeding $25,000 on the FedBizOpps Web site exit icon, the official Federal Web site for posting opportunities and awards.

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8(a) Sole-Source and Competitive Contracts

Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act authorizes the SBA to enter into prime contracts with other Federal agencies for goods and services. SBA certifies eligible socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses and subcontracts the firms in the agency’s 8(a) portfolio to provide products to, and/or perform contract services for, Federal agencies. Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding with the SBA, the NRC has been delegated the authority to execute 8(a) contracts. For contract requirements valued at less than $3 million, the agency selects a source and negotiates a contract on a sole-source basis; for contract requirements with a value exceeding the $3 million dollar threshold, the contract requirement is competed among the eligible businesses in the 8(a) portfolio. Any firm that believes it is eligible to participate in these opportunities should review the SBA's 8(a) Development Program exit icon.

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Woman-Owned Business Support

Small businesses that are at least 51 percent owned, controlled, and operated by a woman (or women) meet the woman-owned criteria. The NRC sets annual goals for contract awards to woman-owned small businesses and actively encourages their participation in the agency’s contract program. While there is no contract set-aside program for this group, eligible woman-owned businesses are invited to participate in both 8(a) and small business set-asides. Information for women business owners is provided by the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership Entrepreneurial Development exit icon.

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Small Disadvantaged Business Support

Small businesses that are socially and economically disadvantage may self-certify as small disadvantaged businesses (SDB) for Federal contracting assistance programs. For information on SDB eligibility criteria, please review the SBA's Small Disadvantaged Business page exit icon.

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Historically Underutilized Business Zone Sole-Source and Competitive Contracts

Federal agencies shall conduct HUBZone small business contract set-asides when the contracting officer determines that there are two or more eligible HUBZone concerns located in officially designated economically distressed areas across the United States, and that such concerns demonstrate capacity, capability and interest in a contract opportunity. The contracting officer can negotiate and award on a sole-source basis if it is determined that only one firm demonstrates capacity, capability and interest in the contract opportunity. Eligible HUBZone firms must be certified by the SBA to participate in the prime contract program and be eligible for HUBZone subcontracting opportunities afforded by other than small businesses that are required to establish small business subcontracting programs and plans. For more information on this program, please review SBA’s HUBZone Web site exit icon.

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Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Sole-Source and Competitive Contracts

A service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) is one that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more service-disabled veteran(s). The NRC makes a commitment to meet the Federal-wide 3-percent contract goal in support of SDVOSBs. Federal agencies shall conduct SDVOSB small business contract set-asides when the contracting officer determines that there are two or more eligible SDVOSB concerns that demonstrate capacity, capability and interest in a contract opportunity. The contracting officer can negotiate and award on a sole-source basis if it is determined that only one firm demonstrates capacity, capability and interest in the contract opportunity. Eligible SDVOSBs are recognized by the U.S. Veterans Administration, can participate in the Federal prime contract program, and are eligible for subcontracting opportunities afforded by other than small businesses that are required to establish small business subcontracting programs and plans. For more information on this program, please review the information provided by the SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development exit icon.

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Veteran-Owned Small Business Support

A veteran-owned small business is one that is a least 51 percent owned by one or more veteran(s) and benefits from Federal outreach and other business development support. For additional information, please review the information provided by the SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development exit icon.

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Subcontracting Program and Plan Requirements from Other than Small Businesses

Other than small business concerns awarded Federal contracts exceeding $550,000 (or $ 1,500,000 in the construction industry) are required by Section 19.7 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations exit icon to establish goals for awarding subcontracts to small businesses, including those owned by the disadvantaged, women, and veterans. Each subcontracting plan describes the concerns' small business program, subcontract goals, record-keeping and reporting, and administrative responsibilities for subcontract plan performance to meet goals and other objectives. The Small Business Administration's Subcontracting Network (SUB-Net exit icon) serves as a portal for contractors and subcontractors networking and posting subcontracting opportunities. Visit SBA’s Web site to link to the Federal Government's Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) exit icon.



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Thursday, March 26, 2009