Office of Small Business Programs

The Office of Small Business Programs is part of the Office of Industrial Base Growth in the United States Department of War. It is based in Washington, DC. The office helps small and mid-sized businesses win work in the defense marketplace. The wider Office of Industrial Base Growth is the department's umbrella group for efforts to expand and strengthen the defense industrial base. It does this through vendor growth and supplier maturity.

Its work increases competition, builds capacity and creates clearer paths for businesses to enter and succeed in defense. The Office of Small Business Programs, known as OSBP, remains an unchanged part of the group. Small business support and programs stay in place. The group serves businesses of all sizes, including small and nontraditional companies, and acquisition professionals.

The office runs several programs. The Mentor-Protégé Program was written into law in 2023 after a thirty-year pilot. The office also covers the Indian Incentive Program, RIF and RISE, and subcontracting support. APEX Accelerators have more than 90 offices across 49 states and territories. They help companies that are new to government contracting learn the skills to compete.

The office offers cyber security resources, including information on CMMC 2.0. It also provides a tool called LYNX, FAQs and one-page guides, and resources for veterans. Project CLEAR helps organizations understand Section 851 and weigh lobbying ties before they affect contracting chances. A guide explains how to work with the department, and pages list the military departments and defense agencies.

The office offers live training sessions and on-demand webinars. They help businesses and acquisition professionals understand its programs, resources and rules for competing in the defense marketplace. It also supports workforce development training for acquisition staff, and it works through regional councils across the country.

Recent efforts include the Smaller War Plants Commission, a joint initiative with the U.S. Small Business Administration. It aims to open more chances for small and mid-sized manufacturers to help with critical defense production. The department's Secure Space Network plans about 50 mobile Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities to widen access to classified work.

Services

• Mentor-Protégé Program
• Indian Incentive Program
• APEX Accelerators
• Cyber security resources
• Project CLEAR
• Subcontracting support
• Industry training webinars
• Workforce development training
• Smaller War Plants Commission support