Recommendations and Resources for Small Businesses

If you represent a small business, you understand that small businesses benefit from relationships with large businesses. The opposite is true as well. For a variety of reasons, large businesses like CSC need to find small business partners. We are always interested in learning about small businesses that can help us achieve our goals and have demonstrated that they deliver on commitments. We want to hear from you.

You also understand that you're in a very competitive world. We hear from far more businesses than we can ever work with. We are more likely to be impressed by those that have done their homework before they contact us. With that in mind, here are some recommendations.

How to Work with CSC

The best way to pursue a relationship with CSC is to a submit a supplier profile to CSC's small business database. Be sure to include all the information on your firm and its capabilities. CSC has global supplier agreements for many types of services and with many kinds of vendors.

We also invite you to contact one of our Supplier Diversity offices, but before you do, please do the following:

• Focus your company description. Identify your company's strengths and core competencies, relevant past performance, and any awards the company has received. Be able to talk and write about them clearly.
• Get to know your industry and the federal market. Trade journals, business journals, and market intelligence tools are your best resources.
• Get to know CSC. Review our Web site (www.csc.com), and our government site in particular (www.csc.com/public_sector). Become familiar with our GWACS and other ID/IQ vehicles (www.csc.com/gwacs).
• Investigate the resources listed below and take advantage of as many as you can.

Other Resources for Small and Disadvantaged Businesses

• Submit your company profile to the SBA's Central Contractor Registry (CCR). CCR registration is mandatory for DoD prime contracts. Your CCR profile will also be entered into SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) system, where contracting officers, large prime contractors, and the general public can view your business information and capabilities statements.
• Determine your SBA size standard. If applicable, obtain SBA certification for business size or status.
• Identify your North American Industry Classification Codes.
• Request a Dun & Bradstreet rating on the Web or by calling 866-705-5711.
• Consider getting a GSA contract vehicle. Attend GSA's "Pathways to Success" quarterly training events. Find information at http://vsc.gsa.gov
• Contact the small business program offices at DoD Federal buying activities.
• Read and understand the Federal Acquisition Requirements (FAR) and Agency Supplemental Regulations, as they relate to the various agencies' solicitations.
• Take advantage of the Small Business Development Centers and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)). The PTAC in the Metro DC area is at George Mason University.
• Investigate resources at the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council, and Women President’s Educational Organization.
• Subscribe to market intelligence tools and be able to find RFPs that bring value to the table to a large prime as a small business set asides.