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DoD Workforce Development

Small business professionals (SBPs) are responsible for leading the acquisition workforce to maximize small business opportunities and achieving success in the Department’s Small Business Programs.

To ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD) can attract, recruit, and retain SBPs of the highest caliber, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) established the Small Business Career Field (SBCF) effective October 1, 2014. The SBCF allows for the development of acquisition-certified SBPs and provides the opportunity for individuals to rotate from other career fields to specialize as necessary.

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 SBCF. The Small Business FL has a responsibility to establish, oversee and maintain SBCF qualifications, certification and training platforms to meet present and future needs of DoD.

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

Small Business Workforce Initiatives Timeline

2011
April – June

DoD OSBP launches development of the small business workforce initiative working with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to complete an initial assessment of the workforce. The studies’ results establish a preliminary baseline of small business competencies and make key recommendations on how to professionalize the small business workforce.
2012
April

The USD(AT&L) appoints the DoD OSBP Director as Small Business FL.

November

The Small Business FL formally establishes the DoD Small Business Functional Integrated Product Team (FIPT).
2013
January

DoD OSBP’s 2013 data-call establishes the first comprehensive full and part-time small business professional demographic baseline.

April

The USD(AT&L) provides specific BBP 2.0 guidance to establish a small business curriculum. (Page 18)

The Small Business FIPT approves the small business workforce competency assessment.

September

The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) completes a course gap analysis determining available DAU courses and identifying new content necessary for the soon to be developed small business curriculum.
2014
March

The Small Business FL approves the preliminary small business course certification listing.

May

DoD OSBP publishes a Report to Congress on the Defense small business specialists’ capability and capacity to meet the Department’s needs.

September

DoD OSBP publishes the SBCF Information Guide to provide information concerning the creation of the SBCF and its implementation.

The Small Business FL approves the Small Business Position Category Description (PCD) to designate and report small business acquisition positions.

October

The USD(AT&L) formally establishes the SBCF within the Department’s acquisition workforce.

November

Development commences on the nine Small Business Professional (SBP) courses.
2015
April

In BBP 3.0 the USD(AT&L) provides specific action for DoD OSBP and DAU to modify and create training for the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program and other small business research and development (R&D) programs. (Page 15)

November

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 101, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part A.
2016
January

DoD OSBP formally institutes the Rotational Excellence Program (REP) offering developmental opportunities at DoD OSBP.

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 102, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part B.

April

DAU deploys SBP 101, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part A.

May

The USD(AT&L) hosts the inaugural FY 2015 DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards Program.

June

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 110, Fundamentals of the FAR for SBP.

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 120, Contract Lifecycle for Small Business Programs.

July

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 201, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part A.

September

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 210, Subcontracting.

October

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 202, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part B.

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 220, Business Decisions for Small Business.

November

DoD OSBP and DAU pilot SBP 301, Small Business for Senior Leaders.

DAU deploys SBP 102, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part B.

December

FY 2016 DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards Program’s Call for Nominations memorandum released.

DAU deploys SBP 110, Fundamentals of the FAR for SBPs.
2017
March
DAU deploys SBP 120, Contract Lifecycle for Small Business Professionals.
DAU deploys SBP 201, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part A.
DAU deploys SBP 220, Business Decisions for Small Business.

April
The USD(AT&L) FY 2016 DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards Program is hosted.

August
DAU deploys SBP 202, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part B.
DAU deploys SBP 210, Subcontracting.
DAU deploys SBP 301, Small Business for Senior Leaders.
2018
FY18 SBP Resident Course Schedule Now Available
Level 1
SBP 101, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part A (Distance Learning (DL))
SBP 102, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part B (Instructor-Led Training (ILT))
SBP 110, Fundamentals of the FAR for SBPs (DL)
SBP 120, Contract Lifecycle for SBPs (DL)

Level 2
SBP 201, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part A (DL)
SBP 202, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part B (ILT)
SBP 210, Subcontracting (ILT)
SBP 220, Business Decisions for Small Business (DL)

Level 3
SBP 301, Small Business for Senior Leaders (ILT)

SBP Certification Requirements

Level 1

SBP 101, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part A (Distance Learning (DL))

SBP 102, Introduction to Small Business Programs, Part B (Instructor-Led Training (ILT))

SBP 110, Fundamentals of the FAR for SBPs (DL)

SBP 120, Contract Lifecycle for SBPs (DL)

Level 2

SBP 201, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part A (DL)

SBP 202, Intermediate Small Business Programs, Part B (ILT)

SBP 210, Subcontracting (ILT)

SBP 220, Business Decisions for Small Business (DL)

Level 3

SBP 301, Small Business for Senior Leaders (ILT)