Implementation plans that include quarterly updates of goal progress will be available starting this spring, 2024.

Advancing Equity Across SBA Products and Services

The SBA is committed to reaching underserved communities to better connect entrepreneurs to information and services, and identifying where Agency programs, services, and processes can be improved to equitably serve all eligible individuals. By September 30, 2025, the SBA will build its equity capacity across all mission offices and through evidence-building activities, assessment of programs and processes, performance measures, expanding products and services to underserved markets, and further embedding equity principles in SBA programs, which will be measured, among other things, through:

• Increasing federal contracting awards to small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) to 15%
• Increasing the loan portfolio of the Community Advantage Small Business Lending Company program by 10%
• Increasing the number of underserved small businesses supported by SBA’s Entrepreneurial Development Programs by 10%.

Advancing Customer Experience Across the SBA

The SBA will provide a clearer, easier, and more consistent experience across programs through human-centered design, customer feedback, and process improvement to eliminate inefficiencies and duplication. By September 30, 2025, the SBA will enhance customer experience in its mission-based program offices through customer-driven strategies that drive improvements in customer access and in SBA policies, processes, and procedures which will be measured, among other things, through:

• Unifying government contracting certification programs onto a single platform
• Implementing a customer platform where small business owners can access at least 50% of SBA services using one log-in
• Launching 2 new surveys for the SBA’s High Impact Service Provider (HISP) designated services.

The Federal Government is the largest procurer of goods and services in the world. The SBA provides oversight in federal contracting to ensure that government-wide goals for small business utilization are set and achieved every year. To help small businesses leverage this opportunity, the SBA provides technical assistance and business development services so that they can better compete for federal contracting awards.

Strategy 1: Facilitate Contract Opportunities • Through the Small Business Procurement Advisory Council (SBPAC), assist federal agencies throughout the acquisition lifecycle, from acquisition planning through award and period of performance. This assistance helps federal agencies set and meet their small business contracting goals.

Strategy 2: Strengthen Small Business Capabilities • Create opportunities for small businesses to win federal contracts through training, sharing best practices, publishing data, and hosting matchmaking events delivered through the 8(a) Business Development and 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Programs.

Strategy 3: Leverage Technology to Increase Participating Firms • Modernize the process U.S. firms use to apply for, maintain, and manage their SBA set-aside program certification and status through automation and digitization. This project replaces multiple outdated IT systems with a single, high-performing, customer-centric, web-based platform.

Source: https://www.performance.gov/agencies/SBA/apg/fy-24-25/

A Look Back: Increasing Disadvantaged Small Business Growth through Federal Procurement

Goal Leader: Office of Government Contracting and Business Development Larry Stubblefield Acting Associate Administrator

Goal Statement:  Support a robust national recovery and a resilient federal supply chain by leading a government-wide initiative leveraging the Federal Government’s purchasing power. By September 30, 2023, the SBA will increase federal contracting awards to small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) to 12%, promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to help more Americans realize their entrepreneurial dreams while growing the U.S. industrial base.

Problem to Be Solved: The Federal Government is the largest procurer of goods and services in the world. With more than half a trillion dollars spent in FY 2020, these dollars represent a tremendous opportunity for small businesses. Federal spending management frameworks that lead to contract consolidation and bundling have impacted the ability of small businesses to compete for small business set-aside awards.

Source: https://assets.performance.ov/APG/files/2024/january/FY2024_January_SBA_Progress_