New FAR Amendments Create More Opportunity for Small Businesses

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 1.102 amendments were recently adopted and outline new strategies that federal procuring agencies should employ when working with the contracting industry. These amendments are meant to provide more access to contracting opportunities for small businesses.

The FAR 1.102 amendment encourages federal procuring agencies to engage more effectively with industry professionals, like small businesses, when developing procurement plans for contracts and acquisitions. Agencies are expected to make an effort to familiarize themselves with the commercial marketplace and take steps to ensure that all eligible parties are made aware of any available contracting opportunities, including those relevant to small businesses.

These FAR 1.102 Performance Standard amendments include the following:

FAR 1.102.2(a)(4) – The Government must not hesitate to communicate with industry as early as possible in the acquisition cycle to help the Government determine the capabilities available in the marketplace. Government acquisition personnel are permitted and encouraged to engage in responsible and constructive exchanges with industry, so long as those exchanges are consistent with existing laws and regulations, and do not promote an unfair competitive advantage to particular firms.

FAR 1.102.2(a)(5) – The Government will maximize its use of commercial products and commercial services in meeting Government requirements.

The regulations are designed to increase accessibility for small businesses in the government contracting space. By providing greater visibility into potential opportunities and encouraging open dialogue between agencies and industry professionals, these amendments make it easier for smaller companies without established relationships with federal procuring agencies to participate in contract awards.

The key is to make sure your business is visible to be found by contracting officers. Your Capability Statement is your corporate resume, and your chance to make a good first impression. It’s also important that your profile in the Dynamic Small Business Search (“DSBS”) is current and complete.

In addition, a website is important for credibility to fully display your capabilities, products, and services. While an outreach campaign is a good way to proactively connect your business to potential government buyers.

From the government’s perspective, increased visibility and access leads to greater competition in the award process, which can ultimately result in better pricing options and higher-quality products or services being delivered.

FedBiz Connect is a database contracting officers and prime contractors use to find small businesses. This provides a full business profile, which is optimized based on the completeness of the company’s registrations, and is an easily searchable government landing page highlighting your business.

The new FAR 1.102 amendments are an important step forward in encouraging federal procuring agencies to engage more effectively with industry professionals. It also increases accessibility for small businesses who may not have previously had much success competing against larger companies in the government contracting space due to lack of visibility or established relationships with agencies themselves.

By providing greater transparency into the bidding process, the goal of the FAR is to help level the playing field between large and small companies alike – allowing everyone who is interested in participating in government contracts a chance at success regardless of size or government experience level.

FedBiz Access (“FedBiz”) has an experienced team that takes the time to get to know your business and ask questions to ensure you understand contract pricing models and have a solid engagement plan. 

FedBiz offers proprietary marketing packages that can help you target direct buyers within the federal government. FedBiz is a leading government contracting business development and marketing firm that offers research and engagement strategy coaching, registrations, set-aside certifications, and GSA Schedules.

FedBiz has over 22 years of experience working with thousands of companies worldwide to help them win over $35.7 billion in awards. From registration to award, FedBiz helps businesses succeed in the government marketplace.