DoD Workforce Development

The DoD is committed to supporting the acquisition workforce by developing the skills of small business professionals (SBPs). SBPs are responsible for maximizing small business opportunities and facilitating their success in the Department’s Small Business Programs. As such, it is imperative that they be properly trained.

Found throughout the DoD, SBPs contribute at all stages of the acquisition process to raise the visibility of small business contributions, capabilities, and expertise. These small business professionals assist acquisition teams with requirements generation, solicitation preparation, acquisition strategy and plans, and other required documentation to ensure that appropriate priorities are given to small businesses, including non-traditional small businesses and small businesses, large businesses, nonprofits, and academic institutions to facilitate strong relationships between the government stakeholders and the small business community. They also assist with market research and raise the visibility of how a certain industry sector can contribute to all phases of the acquisition process. Small business professionals execute and support small business programs, such as the DoD MPP and SBIR/STTR programs, and advise on small business preferences, priorities, instruments, and activities of other DoD small business programs.

Leading the efforts to support SBPs, the DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) Director is designated as the Small Business Functional Lead (FL). The role of the Small Business FL is to serve as the senior DoD subject-matter expert for small business matters relating to the oversight and management of the small business professionals. The Small Business FL has a responsibility to establish, oversee, and maintain qualifications, certification, and training platforms to meet present and future needs of DoD.

Because SBPs are a critical part of the acquisition workforce, the Small Business FL strongly encourages them to obtain and maintain knowledge required to perform their duties. To support these knowledge requirements, Defense Acquisition University developed the CSBP 001 Small Business Professional Credential. Credential courses provide knowledge in baseline business processes, tools legislation/policies, and procedures, including small business and socioeconomic programs. To receive the Credential, a candidate must complete virtual and resident courses, as well as successfully pass an exam. More information about the Credential can be found at https://www.dau.edu/credentials/csbp-001.

Small Business Workforce Policy

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013

Section 1612 – Role of the Directors of Small Business Programs in Acquisition Processes of the DoD (Page 291)

Section 1622 – Small Business Act Contracting Requirements Training (Page 292)

Section 1633 – Senior Executives (Page 294)

Section 1691 – Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (Page 297)

House Report 112-479 – Small Business Specialists in the Acquisition Workforce (Page 288)

Memoranda

Assignment of the FL for DoD Small Business Professionals Memorandum

Establishment of the SBCF Memorandum

SBCF Information Guide Memorandum

Implementation Directive for Better Buying Power (BBP) 2.0 – Achieving Greater Efficiency and Productivity in Defense Spending Memorandum (Page 18)

Implementation Directive for BBP 3.0 – Achieving Dominant Capabilities through Technical Excellence and Innovation (Page 15)

Report to Congress

DoD Small Business Professionals in the Acquisition Workforce, pursuant of House Report 112-479

 

Recommended Continuous Learning Points

CLC 011 – Contracting for the Rest of Us (2 CLPs)
The course provides people who do not work in the Contracting functional area with a basic knowledge of some of the essential processes and considerations that DoD Contracting professionals encounter to satisfy their customers’ requirements.

CLC 054 – Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) (1 CLP)
This module is an overview of the primary purpose of eSRS which is to provide insight and transparency as to how Government contracting dollars are being distributed among small and small disadvantaged businesses.

CLC 059 – Management of Subcontracting Compliance (7 CLPs)
This course presents an engaging and interactive learning environment. Topics include: pre-award considerations affecting post-award subcontracting compliance, set-asides and subcontracting limitations, Small Business Subcontracting, Small Business participation, and subcontracting compliance management.

CLE 028 – Market Research for Engineering & Technical Personnel (3 CLPs)
This course describes market research from the perspective of technical personnel. It explains the practical value and discusses the government mandate to conduct market research. The course addresses market research team membership, sources for obtaining market data, and techniques for technical evaluation and documentation of market information.

CLE 074 – Cybersecurity throughout DoD Acquisition (3 CLPs)
This module provides foundational understanding of basic principles of cybersecurity and cybersecurity risk management in the defense acquisition field.

CON 0090 – Strategies for Contracting with SDVOSBs
This module explains the basic requirements of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program, provides certain benefits for businesses owned by service-disabled veterans seeking contracts with the federal government.


Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Resources

DAU Training

Defense Workforce Position Category Description (PCD)

Defense Acquisition Workforce Position Category Descriptions (PCD)

Defense Acquisition Credentialing Program

SBP Credential Requirements

CSBP 001 SBP Credential
This credential provides key, baseline business processes, tools, legislation/policies, and procedures, including funded programs and socioeconomic programs. The expectations of Small Business Professionals throughout the Department are discussed to help provide an understanding of where and how they fit into the Defense acquisition landscape. Students will apply basic and intermediate knowledge of the legislation, policies, acquisition process, and market research techniques required to advise stakeholders effectively, advocate for small business participation in defense acquisitions, and to educate small businesses to do business with the Department of Defense (DoD). An overview of small business decision-making throughout the acquisition process, contributions of the Small Business Professional, the role of the Small Business Administration, small business enrich and outreach strategies, special programs, subcontracting and small business participation, the source selection evaluation process, and post-award issues will be addressed.

Level 1

SBP 1010 Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part A
Distance Learning

SBP 102V Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part B
Facilitated/Online

Level 2

SBP 2010 Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part A
Distance Learning

SBP 202V Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part B
Facilitated/Online

SBP 210V Subcontracting Facilitated/Online

CSBP 001 Exam

Level 3

SBP 301, Small Business for Senior Leaders (ILT) 

DoD OSBP Workforce Development


Team E-mail: osd.mc-alex.ousd-a-s.mbx.osbp-workforce-development@mail.mil