 Doing Business with the Navy The purpose of this training is to familiarize you with the core priorities of the Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs, familiarize you with the naval commands that support small business contracting, and equip you with the information necessary to properly conduct business with these entities. The Navy's Office of Small Business Program promotes acquisition opportunities where small business can best support the needs of our sailors and marines. Through policy, advocacy, and training we foster industry innovation, technology development, and the acquisition of quality products, services, and solutions from small business providers. The Naval Commands There are 10 major naval commands that support small business contracting. Acquaint yourself with the type of products or services they provide to the naval warfighter and see if they align with the products or services that your company provides. Marine Corps Systems Command Naval Air Systems Command Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Naval Research Strategic Systems Program Headquarter U.S. Marine Corps installations and logistics Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Naval Supply Systems Command Naval Facilities Engineering Command and Military Sealift Command. The Department of Navy Office of Small Business Programs is a dynamic advocacy that provides training, advice, guidance, and innovative strategies ensuring quality solutions for Navy and Marine Corps acquisition teams to maximize opportunities for small businesses. Please read the eligibility requirements of each small business socioeconomic category as defined by the Small Business Administration to see if your company qualifies. Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women Owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business. There are three supplemental programs that are supported by the Navy which provide additional opportunities to small businesses to do business with the government. Read the following programs to see if your small business may benefit from their offerings. Mentor Protégé Program, Small Business Innovation Research, Small Business Technology Transfer, and Indian Incentive Program. How can you do business with the Navy? Step one, identify your products and services. You must identify the product, service, or both that you would like to sell and provide to the Navy. The federal government tracks services performed and products sold by assigning codes to specific industries, subset industries, and products. Small Business Contract performance is tracked using these codes. You can research the industry and codes that best represent your business below. Federal Supply Classification Code, and North American Industry Classification System Code. Step two, register your company. It is both necessary and important that you register your company with all of the following systems prior to being able to engage in any contracting activity with any federal or civilian agencies. Obtain data universal numbering system DUNS number. Register in the system for award management SAM. Obtain a commercial and government entity CAGE code. A CAGE code is assigned to you four to five days after your SAM registration is complete. And if you're a veteran, register with the Department of Veterans Affairs, vetbiz.gov. Step three, familiarize yourself with federal contracting procedures. In order to fully understand the federal prime contracting and subcontracting contracting environment, you must be aware of the policies and procedures surrounding such activities, especially as they pertain to small business contracting. Please read the following manuals to help you better understand federal contracting procedures. Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 19 describes small business contracting and subcontracting. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement Part 219.000-219.71 describes the supplemental information to the FAR regarding small business contracting and subcontracting. Navy Marine Corps Acquisition Regulations Supplement. The supplement to the DFARS, however, pertains to how regulations affect the Navy and Marine Corps and doing business with DOD, a guide on how to market your company to DOD and the basics of contracting and subcontracting to DOD. Step four, identify the Navy Marine Corps Command contracting functions of which to do business. The Department of the Navy contracting functions are decentralized. Each Navy Marine Corps major contracting function purchases supplies and services that support its own mission. Each contracting activity has an appointed small business professional that can assist and guide you through this process. Contact the small business professional on-site. The contact information is located on the Command Office of Small Business Programs' websites. Step five, identify current and future prime contracting and subcontracting opportunities. Maintaining business opportunity workflow is crucial to the success of your business. To assist in your search for more opportunities, there are several helpful websites that keep track of past, current and future federal and civilian contracting opportunities. They also provide contact information of major prime contractors who are seeking small business teammates. Utilize the websites below to help you research opportunities that you can provide the most support and or provide the best products. Step six, additional sources to assist you with growing your business. Learning as much as you can about the Navy, federal and civilian contracting environment will only prove beneficial when trying to compete for opportunities. Below are some additional resources that may assist you in understanding and operating within that environment. Some of the assistance provided includes training and counseling on marketing strategies as well as assistance on finances and contracting. Congratulations, you have completed this module. Good luck and market your firm well. We look forward to doing business with you. For additional information and resources, please refer to this module's pocket guide.