Subject: Memo from Secretary Abraham on Policy Statement on Supporting Small Businesses in Implementing DOE Missions

Sent:    Wednesday, September 25, 2002 4:55 PM MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DEPARTMENTAL ELEMENTS             FROM: SPENCER ABRAHAM SUBJECT: Policy Statement on Supporting Small Businesses in Implementing DOE Missions Small businesses are the heart of the American economy.  Small businesses are often the leaders of innovation and the creators of new technology, new products, and improved business processes.  A priority of this Administration is to enable small businesses to participate fully in Federal contracting.   Earlier this year President Bush announced his Small Business Agenda, which includes: 1) ensuring that Government contracts are open to all small businesses that can supply the Government's needs, and 2) avoiding unnecessary bundling of Government contracts.  I fully support these objectives. To help fulfill these objectives and to promote opportunities for small businesses, I have directed that all departmental elements examine and seek to expand their grant and contract opportunities with small businesses, including small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) businesses.  Our efforts should help these businesses to improve their capabilities, experiences, and, therefore, strengthen the overall economy of the Nation. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is charged with the management of the Departments small and small disadvantaged business programs and with monitoring performance by the Department in meeting its goals relating to those programs.   I have recently tasked the Director of the OSDBU to prepare a Department-wide comprehensive small business strategy to ensure that small businesses are provided the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in departmental programs at the prime contract level. Additionally, I have directed that the plan include a strategy to increase the level and expand the type of subcontracts awarded to small businesses by the Department's facility management contractors. I am committed to the President's National Policy in support of small businesses and will take a personal interest in examining the progress made by each departmental element at DOE in extending additional and innovative business opportunities to small businesses. I appreciate your support of this initiative.