Small Business Programs

The 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses. The 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This Program champions qualifying (minority-controlled) businesses through procurement set-asides, earmarks, financing, and mentoring.

Visit the Small Business Administration website for more information about the 8(a) Business Development Program.

The DHA Mentor-Protégé Program seeks to encourage major DHA prime contractors (Mentors) to develop the technical and business capabilities of Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) and other eligible protégés. The Mentor-Protégé Program assists small businesses (Protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with large companies (Mentors) under individual, project-based Agreements. Small Disadvantaged Businesses participating in this program may self-register (or represent) their status as an SDB at the Small Business Administration website.

DoD has a small business program called the DoD Regional Councils. The Department of Defense Regional Councils for Small Business Education and Advocacy are a nationwide network of small business specialists whose goal is to promote the National Small Business Programs of the United States. DHA utilizes this network to promote and generate awareness of its SBP.

There are seven Regional Councils sponsored by the DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) governed by individual by-laws. Membership is open to small business advocates from DoD and civilian agencies.

Visit the Small Business Administration and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs website for more information about the DoD Regional Councils.

The goal of this program is to increase opportunities for all Minority Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other minority institutions of higher education. DoD has entered into agreements with these institutions, enabling DHA to provide technical assistance to minority institutions on the Department of Education's annual listing of Accredited Postsecondary Minority Institutions as required by Section 2323, Title 10 U.S.C. and Executive Orders: 13256 (HBCU),13230 (HSI), and 13270 (TCU).

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. These preferences go to small businesses that obtain HUBZone certification, in part by employing staff who live in a HUBZone. The company must also maintain a "principal office" in one of these specially designated areas. HUBZones are historically located within one or more qualified census tracts, qualified non-metropolitan counties, or lands within the external boundaries of an Indian reservation.

Eligible businesses appear on a list of qualified HUBZone Small Business concerns maintained by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Visit the Small Business Administration website and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs website for more information about the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Program.

The Indian Incentive Program (IIP) is a congressionally sponsored program that provides a 5% rebate back to the prime contractor on the total amount subcontracted to an Indian-Owned Economic Enterprise or Indian Organization in accordance with FAR 52.226-1 and DFARS Clause 252.226-7001. Through the generation of subcontracts to the above mentioned entities, the IIP fulfills its purpose as an economic multiplier for Native American communities. DHA prime contractors, regardless of size of contract, that contain the above referenced clause(s) are eligible for incentive payments.

The IIP includes Alaskan-Owned Corporations, Native American-Owned Businesses, and Native Hawaiian-Owned Corporations.

The Native American-Owned Business Program is designed to assist qualifying Native American-owned businesses, through business development, to compete fairly in the federal marketplace. All certified participants must substantiate that they are a viable business prior to acceptance into the program. A primary goal is to build community-based small businesses, which in turn revitalizes neighborhoods, creates jobs, and encourages economic growth.

Visit the Small Business Administration website and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs website for more information about the Indian Incentive Program (IIP) for more information.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs fund a billion dollars each year in early-stage R&D projects at small technology companies; projects that serve a DHA need and have commercial applications. The SBIR Program provides up to $1,150,000 in early-stage R&D funding directly to small technology companies (or individual entrepreneurs who form a company). The STTR Program provides up to $850,000 in early-stage R&D funding directly to small companies working cooperatively with researchers at universities and other research institutions. 

The essential purpose of the SBIR and STTR Programs is to harness the innovative talents and entrepreneurial energies of our nation's small technology companies for U.S. military and economic strength. Together, the programs represent over $1 billion dollars per year in research and development (R&D) funding used to support qualifying small businesses through a competitive, three-phase process. Projects funded through SBIR and STTR serve a DHA need and have the potential to be commercialized in the broader marketplace. Solicitations are conducted periodically throughout the year.

Visit the Small Business Administration website and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs website for more information about the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program.  Download the SBIR Policy Directive, dated February 24, 2014.

The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) procurement program is for small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans (commonly referred to as the "Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Procurement Program"). The purpose of the program is to provide federal contracting assistance to SDVOSBs. A SDVOSB is a small business that is veteran-owned, 51 percent or more owned by one or more service-disabled veterans, AND management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans OR in the case of a veteran with a permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran, AND with 0 percent to 100 percent service-connected disability as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(16) and this is documented on DD 214 or equivalent. SDVOSBs are allowed to self-certify with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Visit the Small Business Administration website and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs website for more information about the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program.

A Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) is a small business that is veteran-owned as defined in 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 101(2), 51 percent or more owned by one or more veterans, AND management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more veterans. VOSBs are allowed to self-certify with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Visit the Small Business Administration website for more information about the Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Program.

The Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program is a program initiated by the U.S Small Business Administration which authorizes contracting officers to specifically limit, or set aside, certain requirements for competition solely amongst WOSBs or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs). Both types of businesses must be a small business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women, AND where the management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women. To be deemed economically-disadvantaged, a firm’s owners must meet specific financial requirements set forth in the SBA’s WOSB Federal Contract Program. The WOSB and EDWOSB are allowed to self-certify with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Visit the Small Business Administration website and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs website for more information about the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program.