The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is continuing to strengthen its partnership with small businesses through its Vendor Outreach Sessions (VOS), managed by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). The program provides small businesses with direct access to DHS Component Small Business Specialists and large business prime contractors, as well as insights into DHS procurement goals, achievements, and outreach opportunities.
Through the VOS Registration Page, vendors can set up meetings and learn more about how DHS prioritizes small business participation in its contracting. OSDBU emphasizes the Department’s commitment to ensuring small businesses remain at the forefront of DHS missions, contributing innovative solutions and strengthening supply chains.
Since DHS was established, small businesses have been recognized as a key partner in advancing national security. Their ability to adapt quickly, innovate, and deliver cost-effective solutions has made them critical contributors to homeland security operations. Maximizing their participation is not only part of DHS procurement strategy but also required under federal law. Every federal agency with contracting authority must have an OSDBU to advocate for small businesses, and DHS has made that advocacy a cornerstone of its acquisition work.
The Department’s results reflect that commitment. DHS has received a grade of “A” or higher on the Small Business Administration’s Procurement Scorecard every year since 2009, including six consecutive “A+” ratings since 2016—making it the largest federal agency to maintain that track record. Each year, DHS obligates billions of dollars to small businesses through prime and subcontracting opportunities.
As part of its expanded engagement efforts, OSDBU has introduced Vendor Outreach Matchmaking Events (VOME). These virtual sessions are designed to connect small and large businesses directly, giving participants the chance to showcase capabilities, explore subcontracting opportunities, and build potential partnerships.
In August alone, three outreach milestones took place: meeting requests for the August 21 VOS opened on August 7, the request window closed on August 12, and the full-day session with small business specialists and prime contractors was held on August 21.
Small businesses interested in participating can create an account and register through the DHS OSDBU VOS Registration Page. In addition to scheduling meetings, registrants can explore DHS’s mission areas, learn about small business achievements, and access information on upcoming specialized outreach events.
(AI was used in part to facilitate this article.)