Will customer agencies be able to request that procurement be set aside for small business under either HCaTS-Direct or HCaTS-Assisted options?
Yes. Customers
should always include small business planning in their acquisition strategy.
They should consult with their agency Ordering Contracting Officer (OCO) and
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to determine
their best procurement approach.
With the
HCaTS-Direct option, the agency’s OCO makes this decision in consultation with
the OSDBU.
With the
HCaTS-Assisted Services option, the OPM TMA Program team will collect the requesting
agency’s recommendations—including their small business recommendation—and
coordinate with GSA’s OCO. The OCO makes the final decision on how to conduct
the solicitation to the greatest advantage of the government, but the
requesting agency’s recommendations will carry substantial weight in that
decision.
For additional information about small business
possibilities with the HCaTS Contracts, please contact the TMA Program at 202-606-0482
or TMAP@opm.gov.