GSA Discusses Federal Contracting Equity With Small, Medium Businesses

The General Services Administration hosted a discussion with small- and medium-sized businesses and other organizations focused on federal contracting equity.

During the roundtable, part of the GSA’s Equity Action Plan, officials from the GSA, the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency talked about tools and best practices to help small and medium businesses and organizations from underserved communities improve their connections with the federal government. They also discussed how the federal government could help improve contracting equity and the challenges and opportunities the said organizations face, the GSA said Tuesday.

The U.S. government at large continues to support small and medium businesses in various aspects, including cybersecurity and manufacturing capabilities.

In December, the National Institute of Standards and Technology announced nearly $3 million in investments in small business research and development projects towards advanced manufacturing and other priority areas. According to the NIST, it will grant 10 companies up to $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research Phase I funds each to improve their R&D proposals, which focused on, among others, 3D printing and drug development.

In September, senators introduced the Small Business Cyber Resiliency Act. The bill seeks to create the Central Small Business Cybersecurity Unit, an agency within the SBA that will make cybersecurity resources and information-sharing mechanisms available to small businesses.