Step 3: Finding Assistance in Pursuing an Opportunity

Third, a small business or minority institution that is new to government contracting in general or to the US Air Force contracting process it is prudent to obtain assistance in pursuing your first opportunity. There are many resources that you can rely on for guidance and help. These individuals will not do the work for you, but they will assist in preparing your small business or minority institution to be as competitive as it can during the contracting process. The following resources are available to assist your small business or minority institution.

SMALL BUSINESS SPECIALISTS
Each location (Air Force Base or other activity) in the continental United States has a contracting specialist assigned to assist small business in obtaining contracts with the US Air Force. To find the correct Small Business Specialist for your opportunity, find the location for your opportunity, go to the Base Locator, select the state that the opportunity is in, then select the Air Force Base or Activity that the opportunity is for and you will be provided with contact information for the responsible Small Business Specialist. As an example, if you are located near (or if your identified opportunity or marketing focus is to be performed at or for) Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas, you would select Texas from the graphical map, then select Randolph AFB, and you will see that the small business specialist assigned to that installation is listed with their phone and email information. You can also just select the specific base from the scroll list next to the graphical map and go directly that the installation’s small business specialist info.

MAJOR COMMAND DIRECTORS
The US Air Force is organized into several Major Commands and Direct Reporting units. Each of these commands has a Director, Small Business Office. To find out more about the organization of the US Air Force and its Major Commands go to Major Commands and Direct Reporting Units.

OTHER RESOURCES
There are many functions within the federal government that have the mission of assisting small businesses succeed, both in the commercial and government marketplaces. Some of them are:
Small Business Administration
Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Society of Research Administrators
National Council of University Research
Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program
Department of Defense Procurement Technical Assistance Centers

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