An underappreciated tool for small businesses is Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) and Commercial Market Representatives (CMRs). The Office of Government Contracting at the SBA employs a team of Area Directors, PCRs and CMRs that continually work with federal agencies to increase federal contracts awarded to small businesses. These specialists are in constant contact and collaboration with federal agency contracting personnel.
PCRs increase the small business share of federal procurement awards by initiating small business set-asides, reserving procurements for competition among small business firms, providing small business sources to federal buying activities and counseling small firms. In addition, PCRs advocate for the breakout of items for full and open competition that could instead be competed amongst small businesses.
There is a significant portion of small business eligible contract dollars that are not tapped for small businesses due to the lack of coverage, as well as significant eligible small business spend and buying activities with limited or no PCR/CMR coverage. The recent OFPP memo requires federal agencies to take steps with respect to increasing small business participation on multiple-award contracts, and the value of engaging PCRs is mentioned. Additional funding for these positions would do wonders to increase awards to small businesses across government.
A leader in providing strategic support solutions to the federal government, Contemporaries was founded in 1991 and continues to provide streamlined and expert services to federal agencies. As a Woman-Owned Small Business, we consistently leverage our experience and expertise to anticipate our clients needs and advance their critical programs, realizing the maximum productivity and peak performance for every individual and project. At Contemporaries, every employee, contractor, and client is a part of the family, and for us, family comes first. To learn more, visit www.contemps.com.
