Author Description

Each year, the federal government awards hundreds of billions of dollars in contracts for goods and services more than $500 billion in FY 2010 alone. It uses this buying power to maximize procurement opportunities for small businesses through long-standing policies such as set-asides and requiring large contractors to set goals for using small business subcontractors. The Small Business Admin.'s (SBA) Procurement Center Representatives (PCR) and Commercial Market Representatives (CMR) play an important role in helping ensure that small businesses gain access to contracting and subcontracting opportunities. Previous reports noted resource constraints that limited the ability of PCRs and CMRs to effectively perform their functions. In Sept. 2010, SBA contracted with a consulting firm to conduct a studyto define the optimal environment in which a PCR's efforts would have the maximum impact on directing contracts to qualified and capable small businesses. This report identifies (1) measures SBA uses to determine the effectiveness of PCRs and CMRs in carrying out their responsibilities; (2) key challenges PCRs and CMRs cited related tocarrying out their responsibilities; and (3) options PCRs, CMRs, and other key stakeholders cite to increase the effectiveness of PCRs and CMRs, including advantages and disadvantages. Figures. This is a print on demand report.