Whether you are new to doing business with the federal government or have years of successful performance on federal contracts behind you, there is always something new to learn and additional tools and resources to help move your business to the next level. The following pages will outline information that will better equip you to do business not only with the FAA, but also with other federal and non-federal government entities. The Small Business Office (SBO) is your conduit to finding those opportunities that best match your qualifications.
Be Strategic
Investigate FAA’s Strategic Sourcing Programs. Some Strategic Sourcing Programs include;
eFAST – The Electronic Federal Aviation Administration Accelerated and Simplified Tasks (eFAST) is a small business contracting vehicle for professional services. eFAST covers a variety of functional areas. For additional information see the eFAST website.
SE 2025- provides research, analysis, systems engineering, and integration for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and non-NextGen initiatives. The two major categories of contracts being awarded are Research & Mission Analysis and Systems Engineering. Navigate to the SE2020/2025 program website for more information.
SAVES – The Strategic Sourcing for the Acquisition of Various Equipment and Supplies (SAVES) Program is a suite of mandatory contract vehicles for the purchase of office products, facilities maintenance services, and IT products and services. For additional information see the SAVES website.
The IT Industry Liaison Office provides a single point of entry for potential technology partners seeking to do business with the FAA. See attached Program Fact Sheet. (Document Attached)
SBIR – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program facilitates research and development and commercialization of new technologies thru funding and access to capital. The Department of Transportation's Volpe Center directs DOT's SBIR Program and all activities required under the SBIR law and executes the policy established by the Small Business Administration.
Identify Opportunities
The agency publishes a Procurement Forecast at the beginning of each fiscal year. Prospective project information including points of contract is listed on the forecast.
Expiring contract information for recurring requirements can be found on FPDS-NG. A list of active contracts for the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and William J. Hughes Technical Center can be found on the SBO website.
Procurement Opportunities are posted on the government contract opportunities website.
The FAA spends over $100M using purchase cards annually. While most purchase card transactions are for commercial-type supplies and equipment, a growing number of orders are for commercial services. Purchase card holders are located throughout FAA. Purchase card transactions do not require a Contracting Officer, although some cardholders are Contracting Officers and place orders themselves. Most purchase card transactions are below $10,000.
Be Competitive
The FAA has its own Mentor-Protégé program which allows small business firms to partner with successful firms for developmental assistance. Additional information can be found at the Mentor-Protege program page.
Joint Ventures allow two or more businesses to combine their expertise and past performance records in an effort to respond to federal contracting opportunities. A joint venture is a separate legal entity with its own D-U-N-S number and tax identification number.
The FAA maintains a list of its major prime contractors on the SBO website. Explore subcontracting opportunities via the FAA Subcontracting Directory.
The FAA Small Business Advocates participate in many outreach events hosted by the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, other agencies and trade organizations throughout the year. To find out where you can meet with an agency representative a list of events in which the SBO will participate can be found at upcoming events.