Frequently Asked Questions::Will customer agencies be able to request that procurement be set aside for small business...

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.