Office of Small Business Programs
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Office of Small Business Programs — Program Highlights Fact Sheet

The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) administers the Department of Labor's responsibilities to ensure procurement opportunities for small, small disadvantaged, women-owned small businesses, HUBZone businesses, and businesses owned by service disabled veterans; serves as the Department's central referral point for small businesses regulatory compliance assistance information; manages the Department's minority colleges and universities and other special programs.

Authority

Federal agencies are required to promote procurement opportunities for small, small disadvantaged, and 8(a) businesses by the Small Business Act,as amended, (Public Law 95-507, Sections 8 and 15) and P.L. 100-656 (Sections 502 and 503). The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-355) mandates similar efforts for small women-owned businesses. Public Law 106-50 created the program for service-disabled veteranowned small businesses.

Public Law 105-135 established the HUBZone program. The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-121) requires federal agencies to make available to small businesses compliance guides and assistance. Executive Orders 13256, 13230 and 13270 direct federal agencies to implement programs, respectively, regarding Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, and Tribal Colleges and Universities that are administered by the respective White House Initiative offices (in the U.S. Department of Education). Executive Order 13216 directs federal agencies to ensure that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are afforded opportunity to fully participate in federal programs.

Program Specifics

Small Business (Procurement-Related)

The small and disadvantaged business utilization program includes;

Small businesses;

  • Small, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (including 8(a));
  • Small, women-owned businesses;
  • HUBZone businesses;
  • Small businesses owned by service disabled veterans;
  • Minority colleges and universities.

The Department's thrust is to increase participation opportunities for small businesses in the Department's contracting activities; conduct outreach to increase awareness and availability of qualified providers; develop and issue information on the Department's procurement needs and procedures; train Department staff on program requirements; and monitor, evaluate, and report results of the Department's efforts.

Small Business Compliance Assistance

  • The office is the central contact and referral point for small businesses seeking information and compliance assistance on the Department's enforcement programs. It also facilitates and monitors the Department's progress in meeting its requirements in this regard. Inquiries concerning specific compliance guides and assistance may be directed to this office.

Minority Colleges and Universities and Other Special Programs

The minority colleges and universities program includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions,Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The office promotes efforts to increase the involvement of these institutions in the Department's programs and plans, and the office monitors and reports on results achieved.

Office of Small Business Programs:
Joe Lira, Director . . . . . . . . . . 202/693-6460

Program Outreach:
Jacqueline Johnson . . . . . . . . . 202/693-6474

Small Business (Procurement-Related)
Frederick H. Trakowski . . . . . . . 202/693-6465
Elaine B. Murrell . . . . . . . . . . . 202/693-6467

Small Business Compliance Assistance:
Thomas Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . 202/693-6477
Darlene Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . 202/693-6475

Minority Colleges and Universities:
Jacqueline Johnson . . . . . . . . 202/693-6474

Mailing Address
Office of Small Business Programs
Room C-2318 200
Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210

OSBP Fax: 202/693-6485
Department of Labor Internet: http://www.dol.gov