Doing Business with the EPA
- 1. Doing Business With The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Adrianne M. Callahan, Small Business Specialist April 2014
- 2. EPA and OSBP Mission The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission is to protect human health and the environment. The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) supports EPA’s mission by fostering opportunities for partnerships, contracts, sub-agreements, and grants for small and socioeconomically disadvantaged concerns, including their advocacy in EPA regulations &compliance. OSBP’s Green Initiative Task Force develops information, resources and tools to assist small business in going green. OSBP has three business lines: Direct Team (Contracts), Indirect Team (DBE Program/Grants) and Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman (ASBO/Regulatory).
- 3. What EPA Buys A Wide Range of Products and Services Research & Development Technical Support Policy, Program Management & Administrative Services Lab Testing Services Environmental Studies and Assessments Supplies & Equipment (e.g., ADP software and hardware)
- 4. Estimated Obligations Negotiated Direct Dollar Value Goal Small Businesses $714 M 42.15% Small Disadvantaged Businesses $85 M 5.0% Women-Owned Small Businesses $85 M 5.0% HUBZone Businesses $51 M 3.0% Service Disabled Veteran Small Businesses $51 M 3.0% Subcontract Dollar Value Goal Small Businesses $220 M 55.0% Small Disadvantaged Businesses $20 M 5.0% Women-Owned Businesses $20 M 5.0% HUBZone Businesses $12 M 3.0% Services Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Businesses $12 M 3.0% Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Agency Goals The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goals for Fiscal Years (FY) 2013/2014 are based on estimated obligations of $1.7 billion for direct and $400 million for subcontract. NOTE: 8(a) and SDB has a combined goal www.epa.gov/osbp/direct_goals.htm 4
- 5. Common NAICS 541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services 562211 Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal 562910 Remediation Services 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services 541620 Environmental Consulting Services
- 7. Major Contracts RAC – Remedial Action ROC – Removal Actions START – Superfund Technical Assessment and Response ERRS – Emergency and Rapid Response Services Other Areas: Regional Support (includes IT, specific program projects, Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO), etc.
- 9. Goals of Superfund • Protect human health and the environment by addressing polluted sites • Involve communities in the Superfund process • Make responsible party pay for work performed at Superfund sites • Return sites to productive use 10
- 10. The Superfund Process - Removal Limited Site Assessment Remove immediate threats REMOVAL PROCESS • START • ERRS • Community Involvement (CI) • ESS• Potential sites are typically reported by the community or state agencies • EPA investigates • All important parties are notified of site conditions
- 11. Typical Contracts •RAC •CI • ESS •ROC •START for PA/SI Specialized contracts •GEOS •Site-specific The Superfund Process - Remedial
- 12. How do we find a vendor/small businesses? Registered on Federal vendor databases: System for Award Management; EPA’s Vendor Profile System www.sam.gov http://cfpub.epa.gov/sbvps/ Federal Supply Schedules Contract Holder EPA Prime Contractor identifies subcontracting opportunities Monthly Capabilities Sessions Past performance on other government contracts Encourage small businesses to consider teaming arrangements
- 13. Small Business Vendor Profile System The system has been developed by OSBP to track Small, Small Disadvantaged, Minority, Women-Owned, HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned, and American Indian/Alaska Native businesses, as well as HBCUs, HACUs and MIs available to do business with EPA. This database provides a means to search and retrieve vendors by ownership, NAICS Codes, corporate capabilities, SBA 8(a) status, and other designations as desired. Register your firm at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/sbvps epa.gov/osbp 13
- 14. Tips to Doing Business with EPA 1. Prepare Your Firm Register in SAM (or update current entries) Keep Certifications Current Update Marketing Materials •Business Cards (should include primary NAICS codes) •Capabilities Statements Polish your “Elevator Speech” Accept Bankcards 2. Utilize Your Resources Local SBA/PTAC Small Business Specialist 14 www.epa.gov/osbp
- 15. Tips to Doing Business with EPA (cont.) 3. Follow the Money! Sources Sought Notices Forecast Database FEDCONNECT Current Contract List Simplified Acquisitions (Purchase Card Holders) Grants 4. Market Your Firm Attend Events • Counseling/ Brownbag Sessions • Pre-Solicitation Conferences • OSDBU Conference • Regional Small Business Events 15 www.epa.gov/osbp
- 16. Indirect Procurement Opportunities EPA’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Contact recipients of EPA Assistance Agreements (grant recipients) Each EPA Assistance agreement contains MBE/WBE negotiated goals for each Region 5 State:IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI www.grants.gov
- 17. EPA MBE/WBE Certification Requirements at least 51% owned and/or controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals United States Citizen An individual claiming economic disadvantaged status must have an initial and continued personal net worth of less than $750,000.
- 18. Summary Points Region 5 seeks a diversity of contractors and suppliers to help achieve the Agency’s mission. The Superfund contracts and the task orders assigned to the small business contracts vs. large business contracts have a major impact on our socio-economic goals Region 5 is taking steps to increase the use of small businesses in those categories where we have not reached our goals (WOSB, Hubzone). Companies are encouraged to monitor EPA’s electronic procurement solicitations/forecasts and submit responsive bids/proposals. http://yosemite1.epa.gov/oarm/oam/forecastdatabase.nsf Region 5’s small business specialist can assist companies seeking to do business with the Agency.
- 19. SAVE the DATE! Veteran Small Business and Grants Opportunity Conference Wednesday, November 5, 2014 8:30-4:00PM 77 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60604 sponsored by Region 5, EPA and Young Entrepreneurs of the Universe
- 20. Your Gateway to Region 5 Adrianne M. Callahan Small Business Specialist/DBE Program Manager U.S.EPA, Region 5 Acquisition and Assistance Branch 77 West Jackson Boulevard (MC-10J) Chicago, Illinois 60604 (312) 353-5556 (312) 385-5533 fax callahan.adrianne@epa.gov Website: www.epa.gov/region5/business or www.epa.gov/osbp "Consider Small Businesses; Small Businesses are the Fabric of the US Economy"