Sec. 4. Outreach and recruitment to expand participation of disadvantaged small businesses in Federal contracting
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The Administrator, in coordination with the MBDA Under Secretary, shall engage in outreach and education to expand participation of disadvantaged small businesses in Federal contracting. Such efforts may include the following: Convening events to engage and inform disadvantaged small businesses, including— business, professional, and industry-specific conferences; informational fairs; and networking events. Providing briefings and electronic or printed materials to disadvantaged small businesses and to national and local business associations and organizations that represent disadvantaged small businesses about Federal contracting and subcontracting opportunities and procedures, including opportunities to participate in mentor-protegee programs of Federal agencies.
Partnering with organizations that assist disadvantaged small businesses, historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, alumni networks of such colleges and universities and institutions, small business development centers, and other organizations that have the ability to facilitate relationships between prospective disadvantaged small business subcontractors and prime contractors seeking subcontractors. Creating a publicly accessible online directory of disadvantaged small businesses that are subcontractors or that seek to become subcontractors, including details about the North American Industry Classification System code of such businesses, the goods and services provided by such businesses, and past performance information of such subcontractors.
Creating a publicly accessible online directory of available Federal contracting and subcontracting opportunities that, in the determination of the Administrator, are appropriate for disadvantaged small businesses based on factors that may include the size or scope of the contract or subcontract, the North American Industry Classification System code of the business, or other relevant factors. Pursuant to guidelines established by the Administrator, the Director of each Agency OSDBU shall engage in outreach and education to expand participation of disadvantaged small businesses in contracts and subcontracts with the Federal agency.
Such activities shall include the following: Facilitating interactions between prospective disadvantaged small business subcontractors and prime contractors seeking subcontractors. Establishing a system to facilitate matching prime contractors seeking subcontractors with prospective disadvantaged small business subcontractors, including through the development of mentor-mentee relationships. Advertising subcontracting opportunities through media and business or trade association channels that are effective in reaching prospective disadvantaged small business subcontractors that provide the goods or services for which the advertisement is placed.
Directing contracting officers to provide to prime contractors seeking subcontractors a list of prospective disadvantaged small business subcontractors that provide the needed goods or services. Creating a publicly accessible online directory of disadvantaged small businesses that are eligible to participate in Federal contracting and subcontracting opportunities that includes the North American Industry Classification System codes of such businesses.