Businesses should follow these steps to get ready to compete for Federal contract opportunities with Commerce:

Step 1: Get Registered

• Register your business in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).  All businesses, individuals, or agencies wishing to do business with the Federal Government must register with the SAM to obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.

Step 2: Identify your company’s NAICS codes

• Your company’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes help determine if you qualify as a small business based on specific NAICS size standards. The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) table of small business size standards helps small business assess their business size.

Step 3: Conduct Research

• Use data tools like SAM.gov and USA Spending.gov to research what products and services Commerce buys.

Step 4: Identify Potential Contracting Opportunities

• Locate Commerce contracting opportunities using the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities database
• Review Commerce’s procurement opportunities forecasts to identify future opportunities.

Step 5: Develop a Capability Statement

• A capability statement is a concise, one-page overview of your business competencies. The capability statement should highlight your core capabilities and key performance elements that differentiate your business from the competition. 

  View a sample Capability Statement

Step 6: Engage with Commerce’s Small Business Specialists

Talk with a DOC Small Business Specialist

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization works closely with each of the bureau’s Small Business Specialists to ensure adequate procurement opportunities are available to small businesses.  Below is a listing of Small Business specialists in each bureau whose primary role is to serve as small business advocates.

First Responder Network Authority:
Jillian Gerna, [email protected]

National Institute of Standards and Technology:
Derek Greene, [email protected]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
Lucas Payne, [email protected] or [email protected]

U.S. Census Bureau:
Brighid Boykin, [email protected]

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:
Gwendolyn Davis, [email protected] 

Shared Services Procurement Office (SSPO): Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Industry and Security, Economic Development Administration, International Trade Administration, Minority Business Development Agency, National Technical Information Service, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Office of the Secretary
Lauren Gueye, [email protected] 

Contact OSDBU for Counseling Sessions 
[email protected]