The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced that the agency received an “A” grade from the US Small Business Administration (SBA) on its annual Small Business Federal Procurement Scorecard for the seventh year in a row, reflecting the success of DHS’s efforts to support small businesses.
SBA’s Small Business Procurement Scorecards use a grade of A+ through F to provide an assessment of how well federal agencies have done in reaching their small business contracting goals.
“When federal agencies, which together make up the largest consumer of goods and services in the world, commit to shopping small and expanding access to federal contracts, it makes a huge difference for small business owners all across the country,” said John Shoraka, Associate Administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development at SBA.
Shoraka added, “This report card is our way to recognize those agencies who lead by example. We want to encourage every part of the federal government to do business with small enterprises in the communities where we live and work.”
Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) commended Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on the agency’s exemplary grade from SBA, noting that DHS continues to meet and exceed their goals year after year. DHS is the only agency to receive a grade of “A” seven years in a row.
“Small businesses are vital to the American economy and it is crucial that each individual federal agency does all it can to reach contracting goals that support these important businesses,” said Carper. “The department’s ongoing record of achieving its goals is a testament to its ongoing commitment to protecting and supporting our communities in any way it can.”
Small businesses support almost every segment of the homeland security community. According to Johnson, in the last fiscal year, 9,500 small businesses held DHS contracts. Johnson said, “The Department’s small business program continues to make significant contracting accomplishments that help keep our nation safe at the best value to American taxpayers.”
The results opportunely arrived shortly before the kick-off of National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
