Small Business Outreach Program
The DHS Small Business Outreach Program consists of several areas to include Vendor Outreach Sessions (VOS), Vendor Outreach Matchmaking Events (VOME), and internal and external events focused on small business participation.
Vendor Outreach Sessions
Each fiscal year (FY) the DHS OSDBU, as part of the Small Business Outreach Program, conducts ten sessions of 15-minute pre-arranged virtual meetings with small businesses. These Vendor Outreach Sessions (VOS) are conducted by DHS Small Business Specialists (SBS) from each operational contracting component and large businesses (“counselors”). Four of the sessions are exclusively reserved for women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, small disadvantaged (including 8(a)), and HUBZone small businesses. The VOS provide small businesses with the platform to discuss their capabilities and learn about DHS procurements and large business subcontracting and partnering opportunities.
FY 2024 Vendor Outreach Session
Vendor Outreach Matchmaking Events
Vendor Outreach Matchmaking Events (VOMEs) support business to business (B2B) meetings to explore subcontracting and teaming opportunities, and to assist with gaps in small business capabilities.
Federal OSDBU Interagency Council & Events (Select Public Access)
The Federal OSDBU Directors Interagency Council is an informal organization of Federal OSDBU Directors and other small business program officials that exchanges and discusses information on acquisition methods, issues and strategies, small business program initiatives and processes, and small business-related outreach events. This interaction enables respective agencies to increase their utilization of small businesses as prime and subcontractors to meet their annual requirements for goods and services.
The OSDBU Council is led by the Directors of the Federal OSDBUs who individually work closely with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Heads of Contracting for each agency along with stakeholders in the implementation and execution of the Federal small business contracting programs.
The OSDBU Council hosts monthly meetings with agencies rotating as hosts. Contact information for each OSDBU council member is on the Members page.