• SAF/SB provides expert reviews, market research, and strategy recommendations on small business industrial mobilization for acquisition strategies.
• SAF/SB is primarily focused on DAF major acquisition programs and other buys that meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) HQ senior leadership review threshold of $1B+, other buys of special interest, or buys with special restrictions (e.g., statutory reviews of contract bundling and consolidation). 
• In these reviews, SAF/SB identifies opportunities to expand small business industrial base support for DAF missions through improved market research or innovative strategies, such as teaming and joint venturing, and removal of entry barriers. 

Mission Value:

• SAF/SB recommendations enable DAF field activities to buy goods or services faster and transition technologies more efficiently using statutory flexibilities and expedited authorities provided by Congress for U.S. small businesses. 
• SAF/SB reviews also provide up-front due diligence to ensure soundness of DAF acquisition programs with regards to small business issues, helping fully utilize industrial capabilities and, in certain circumstances, can help prevent or reduce potential stop-work delays and interruptions from protests and appeals.

Select References:  

• 10 U.S.C. § 9024 and 15 U.S.C. § 644(k) (SAF/SB organic statutes)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(e)(3) and (k)(10) (small business participation in acquisition planning and OSBP involvement and recommendations on use of small business set-asides and programs)
• 15 U.S.C §644(k)(11) (review of insourcing conversions of small business work)
• 15 U.S.C §644(k)(20) (review of subcontracting plans)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(4) (OSBP responsibility for DAF execution of Small Business Act contracting and subcontracting programs and provisions)
• FY2013 NDAA, Public Law 112-239, Sec. 1611, 10 U.S.C. § 144 note (OSBP early involvement in acquisition planning)
• 10 U.S.C. § 4211(c)(2)(E)(iv) (consideration of small business participation in acquisition strategies for major defense acquisition programs or major systems);
• 10 U.S.C. § 4324(c)(2)(H) (maximizing small business participation in product support strategies)
• 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (d)(1)(B) (significant small business participation in other transactions for prototype projects)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(f) (local small business preference in major disaster areas)
• 15 U.S.C. § 631(a) and (j) (Congressional policy of placing of fair proportion of contracts and subcontracts with small businesses and maximum practicable small business utilization in acquisition planning to preserve national security and economy)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(17) (SAF/SB authority to assist small businesses and provide recommendations to contracting officers upon small business complaints alleging undue restrictions on small business’ ability to compete)
• 13 C.F.R. 125.2 (SBA regulations)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the field if you are:

• A small business or a small business trade association looking to increase small business participation in an upcoming acquisition, or concerned about restrictions on ability of small businesses to compete; or
• A DAF buyer looking for best ways to include the small business industrial base in acquisition planning.

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• SAF/SB serves as a statutory advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SAF/AQ), the Assistant Secretary of Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ), and to those within their purview such as Program Executive Officers (PEOs) and DAF Contracting, on bundling and consolidation of contract requirements. 
• In this role, SAF/SB provides a mission-minded and small business-minded check on strategies, solicitations, market research, and Determinations & Findings to consolidate or bundle contract requirements.  Because bundling and consolidation can potentially limit small business participation, Congress and SBA imposed conditions on these types of buys.  

Mission value:

• SAF/SB’s advice protects the DAF small business industrial base by ensuring that bundling or consolidation is properly justified and any harmful impact to small businesses is mitigated. 
• SAF/SB reviews help preserve competition, provide accountability for SBA and Congressional oversight.  SAF/SB reviews also help keep DAF acquisition programs on track by providing upfront due diligence that can help prevent or reduce stop-work delays and interruptions from protests and appeals, in certain circumstances.

Select References:

• 10 U.S.C. § 9024 and 15 U.S.C. § 644(k) (SAF/SB organic statutes)
• 15 U.S.C. § 631(j) (Congressional mandate to avoid unnecessary and unjustified bundling that precludes small business participation as prime contractors)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(5) and (12) (OSBP reviews of, and advice on, bundling and consolidation strategies)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(e) (bundling and consolidation strategies, and impact mitigation through teaming and joint venturing)
• 15 U.S.C. § 657q (consolidation strategies and impact mitigation)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(4) (OSBP responsibility for DAF execution of Small Business Act contracting and subcontracting programs and provisions)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(17) (SAF/SB authority to assist small businesses and provide recommendations to contracting officers upon small business complaints alleging undue restrictions on small business’ ability to compete)
• 13 C.F.R. 125.1 and .2 (SBA regulations)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the field if you are:

• a small business impacted by, or wishing to participate in, an upcoming bundling or consolidation of contract requirements, or concerned about restrictions on ability of small businesses to compete; or
• are a DAF buyer interested in how to conduct appropriate planning with maximum practicable small business participation for consolidated or bundled acquisitions.
   

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• SAF/SB is responsible for helping small businesses obtain payments from the government or from prime contractors. 
• SAF/SB is also responsible for advocacy and assistance to help small businesses obtain surety bonding guarantees from the Small Business Administration for work on DAF construction projects. 

Misson Value:

• SAF/SB’s efforts improve financial health and stability of the DAF small business industrial base, ensuring uninterrupted DAF mission support.

References:

• 10 U.S.C. § 9024 and 15 U.S.C. § 644(k) (SAF/SB organic statutes)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(4) (OSBP responsibility for DAF execution of Small Business Act contracting and subcontracting programs and provisions)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(6) (OSBP assistance with payments from the government and large prime contractors to small business contractors and subcontractors)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(b) (duty to structure DAF work requirements to ensure that performance by small business contractors or subcontractors can be bonded with SBA guarantees at regular or elevated levels)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the Field if You Are:

• are a small business looking for assistance with payments due from the DAF or from a DAF prime contractor;
• are a small business interested in SBA guarantee coverage of surety bonding on specific DAF contracts or subcontracts; or
• are a DAF buyer interested in SBA surety bond guarantees for your contracts or in prompt payment assistance that can be provided to small businesses.

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• SAF/SB administers and executes the DAF Mentor-Protégé Program which partners small businesses with more experienced contractors to directly build up capabilities of small businesses for mission support of DAF acquisition programs. 
• SAF/SB is also responsible for policy compliance oversight of the DAF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, which fund RDT&E work by small businesses and academia.  Further, SAF/SB advocates for, and assists small businesses with, SBIR/STTR Phase III technology transition opportunities. (Note: SBIR/STTR Phase I and II execution is by AFWERX-SpaceWERX.)
•  SAF/SB is also responsible for reviewing proposals under the Rapid Innovation Fund, when funded. 

Misson Value:

• SAF/SB efforts help accelerate technology transition to warfighters and build long term small business capability for DAF mission support.

References:

• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(21) (OSBP’s SBIR/STTR Phase III technology transition assistance)
• 10 U.S.C. § 4902 and DFARS Appendix I (OSBP administration and execution of the Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP))
• 10 U.S.C. § 4061 (OSBP’s proposal review for Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF-RISE) Program)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs (OSBP policy oversight of SBIR/STTR Programs)
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the Field if You Are:

• a small business looking for assistance with DAF Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) opportunities through SBIR/STTR and RIF, or in capability development and partnering through the Mentor-Protégé Program;  
• a small business interested in consideration for Phase III transition, testing and evaluation, or further research of SBIR/STTR technologies; or
• a DAF buyer or SBIR/STTR program official interested in learning about SBIR/STTR.

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• Consistent with law and the DoW Small Business Strategy, SAF/SB is responsible for clearly identifying entry points for doing business with the DAF, informing DAF personnel of small business capabilities, sharing acquisition forecasts with small businesses,  and receiving unsolicited proposals from small businesses. 
• Through SAF/SB’s website, small businesses can identify and contact DAF Small Business Professionals (SBPs) in USAF and USSF field organizations, submit capability statements and unsolicited proposals, request matchmaking sessions or testing of single small business manufacturer’s products at government expense, or obtain forecasts of small business opportunities. 

Mission Value:

• SAF/SB’s small business “front door” functions such as entry points expand DAF vendor pools, inject innovation, and improve acquisition agility.

References:

• 10 U.S.C. § 9024 and 15 U.S.C. § 644(k) (SAF/SB organic statutes)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(14) (OSBP designated to receive unsolicited proposals)
• 10 U.S.C. § 4901(d)(2) (small business access to DAF buyers and users to inform them of small business capabilities)
• 15 U.S.C. § 637(a)(12)(A) and (B) (OSBP’s distribution of capability statements)
• 15 U.S.C. § § 637(a)(12)(C) through (F) (forecasting of small business opportunities and availability of forecasts through OSBP)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(4)(OSBP responsibility for DAF execution of Small Business Act contracting and subcontracting programs and provisions)

• 22 U.S.C. § 2352 and EO 12163, § 1-301(b) (OSBP support for forecasting, capability sharing, and other assistance to U.S. small businesses specifically in connection with international defense acquisitions)
• 10 U.S.C. § 3243 (testing for eligible single small business manufacturers at government expense)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the Field if You Are:

• a small business looking for entry points to DAF procurement and non-procurement transactions;
• a small business looking to submit a capability statement or an unsolicited proposal, or to be considered in market research for DAF contracting or subcontracting opportunities;
• a qualified small business manufacturer looking for products testing;
• a small business interested in matchmaking;   
• a small business or a small business trade association looking for DAF opportunities; or
• a DAF buyer interested in finding capable small businesses or looking to highlight your upcoming contracting or subcontracting opportunities on SAF/SB website.

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SAF/SB is responsible for setting small business spend and vendor count goals, or apportioning small business goals pre-set by the DoD or the SBA, for the DAF and for USAF and USSF organizations.  Further, SAF/SB advocates for SBIR/STTR Phase III transition-related goals.  SAF/SB is also responsible for providing guidance to PEOs, Major and Field Commands, and senior leaders of other DAF organizations on small business-related Senior Leader Performance Expectations (SLPEs) set more fully in DoDI 4205.01.  SAF/SB efforts drive accountability and achievement of enterprise-wide statutory small business industrial base objectives.

References:

• 10 U.S.C. § 9024 and 15 U.S.C. § 644(k) (SAF/SB organic statutes)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644 (g), (h), and (y) (small business goals and scorecards)
• 15 U.S.C. § 638(y)(5) and (6) (Phase III transition goals)
• FY2013 NDAA, Public Law 112-239, Sec. § 1633(b), 15 U.S.C. § 631 note (senior leader responsibility for achieving small business goals)
• 10 U.S.C. 3105(b)(2)(A)(ii) (performance evaluations of defense acquisitions on small business matters)
• 41 U.S.C. § 1706 (performance evaluations on small business matters)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(4) (OSBP responsibility for DAF execution of Small Business Act contracting and subcontracting programs and provisions)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the Field if You Are:

• a DAF buyer, a small business, or a trade association looking for information regarding small business goals and participation achievements.

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SAF/SB serves as the statutory small business liaison under the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act (SBPRA), administers the DAF small business compliance assistance program under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBPRA), serves as the DAF focal point for small business outreach and training, and refers small business to appropriate pilot assistance on cybersecurity and facility clearances. 

Misson Value:

• SAF/SB regulatory relief, compliance assistance, training, and outreach efforts can make it easier to do business with the DAF and can strengthen small business readiness to participate in DAF contracts, subcontracts, and agreements.

References:

• 10 U.S.C. § 9024 and 15 U.S.C. § 644(k) (SAF/SB organic statutes)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(13) (OSBP training for industry and contracting officers)
• Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, Public Law 104-121, § 213(b), 5 U.S.C. § 601 note (small business compliance assistance program)
• Small Business Paperwork Relief Act, Public Law, Public Law 107-198, §2(b) (small business paperwork relief liaison)
• FY2013 NDAA Public Law 112-239, Sec. § 1633(b), 15 U.S.C. § 631 note (outreach)
• 15 U.S.C. § 638(o)(14) (SBIR/STTR outreach)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the Field if You Are:

• a small business looking for training, for outreach opportunities, or for regulatory compliance assistance, or for assistance with cybersecurity or facility clearances; or
• a DAF buyer interested in learning about small business regulatory compliance assistance or outreach.

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• SAF/SB serves as the statutory supervisor of DAF Small Business Professionals, and is responsible for functional appointments, training, and manpower workload reviews. 
• SAF/SB is also the DAF lead for small business-related audits, corrective actions, and Management Internal Control Tool (MICT) controls. 
• SAF/SB efforts ensure standardization and compliance of field activities with small business laws and guidance.

Select References:

• 10 U.S.C. § 9024 and 15 U.S.C. § 644(k) (SAF/SB organic statutes)
• 15 U.S.C. § 644(k)(7) and DoDI 4205.01 (OSBP as statutory supervisor of DAF Small Business Professionals)
• Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4205.01, DoD Small Business Programs
• Headquarters Air Force Mission Directive (HAFMD) 1-30, Director, Small Business Programs

Contact SAF/SB or a DAF Small Business Professional in the Field if You Are:

• a small business looking for assistance with DAF Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation (RDT&E) opportunities through SBIR/STTR and RIF, or in capability development and partnering through the Mentor-Protégé Program;  
• a small business interested in consideration for Phase III transition, testing and evaluation, or further research of SBIR/STTR technologies; or
• a DAF buyer or SBIR/STTR program official interested in learning about MPP, RIF, or SBIR/STTR.

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