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Find and Understand USACE Subcontracting Opportunities

It is part of the mission of the USACE Office of Small Business Programs to not only advocate for small business opportunities at a direct contract level, but also to maximize opportunities for small business subcontracting opportunities.  Subcontracting on USACE contracts can help companies that may be newer to Federal contracting, looking to build experience and past performance with USACE and/or simply prefer to work at an indirect level or provide supplies/services more appropriate to a subcontract.   This page will provide you with many recommendations to increase visibility of USACE subcontracting.

Companies that have registered in our USACE Enterprise Contractor Database and have expressly agreed to having their company information posted are listed here.  These companies may also be potential partners, subcontractors, team members or even mentors when pursuing opportunities with USACE.  This list does not indicate any preferred contractors and/or endorsement by USACE.

For Other than Small (Large) Businesses

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Expand List item 28620Collapse List item 28620  Engage with the district/center Small Business offices.

Engaging the district/center small business office is a great option to locate potential small business subcontractors.  While the district/center can not recommend one firm over another, they can provide you information on any small business that has indicated interest on specific projects, small businesses that currently do work for the district/center under specific NAICS and can provide other recommendations to assist your good faith efforts.

Expand List item 28625Collapse List item 28625  Post notices of subcontracting opportunities.

FAR 5.206 allows contractors awarded a contract that is likely to result in the award of subcontracts to utilize the Government Point of Entry (SAM.gov) to post notices seeking competition for subcontracts in order to assist in meeting subcontracting goals and providing maximum competition.   Seek assistance from the prime contract contracting officer if you have questions on this.

5.206 Notices of subcontracting opportunities.

      (a) The following entities may transmit a notice to the GPE to seek competition for subcontracts, to increase participation by qualified HUBZone small business, small, small disadvantaged, women-owned small business, veteran-owned small business and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, and to meet established subcontracting plan goals:

           (1) A contractor awarded a contract exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold that is likely to result in the award of any subcontracts.

           (2) A subcontractor or supplier, at any tier, under a contract exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, that has a subcontracting opportunity exceeding $15,000.

      (b) The notices must describe-

           (1) The business opportunity;

           (2) Any prequalification requirements; and

           (3) Where to obtain technical data needed to respond to the requirement.

 

 

Expand List item 28624Collapse List item 28624  Review Department of Defense Subcontracting information for prime contractors.

The Department of Defense subcontracting website includes a variety of resources for large businesses, including guides for your subcontract reporting.

This page also has resources to help you understand the different between subcontracting plans and small business participation evaluation factors- this is a confusing topic for many contractors large and small and this resource will help you understand the difference in case you are submitting a proposal that requires both.  

https://business.defense.gov/Acquisition/Subcontracting/Small-Business-Professionals-Government-and-Industry/ 

Expand List item 28619Collapse List item 28619  Understand your roles under the subcontracting program.

If you hold a Federal contract that includes FAR 52.219-9 and you have an acceptable subcontracting plan incorporated into your contract, ensure that your company understands all responsibilities required by the clause, especially outside of just reporting requirements.  As an Other than Small Business, you are also committing to educating small businesses on doing business with your firm, and ensuring maximum practicable inclusion of small businesses on your prime contract.  

Expand List item 28621Collapse List item 28621  Utilize SAM.gov to identify potential small business subcontractors/partners.

Review the Interested Vendors list on open solicitations for potential small businesses.

Expand List item 28623Collapse List item 28623  Utilize SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS).

Information included in a contractor's SAM profile feeds to DSBS, however small businesses have an opportunity to include additional information to assist you in determining potential small business subcontractors, at least for initial outreach.  The site can include capabilities narratives, keywords for searching, bonding limits, and references.  You have the capability to export searches to excel files for easy record keeping and to use as source lists.  DSBS Link

Expand List item 28622Collapse List item 28622  Utilize SBA Subnet.

SBA's Subnet is another option to advertise specific subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.  This site allows you to include NAICS, place of performance and other fields to search for appropriate small businesses.   Subnet

For Small Businesses

Expand List item 28618Collapse List item 28618  Explore current USACE contracts with Small Business Subcontracting Plans.

The list of contracts with Small Business Subcontracting Plans is based on reported information in the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS).  Contracts awarded to Other than Small Businesses with a total contract value over $750K or $1.5M for construction requires a subcontracting plan, and contractors report their actual subcontracting achievements for the contract bi-annually. 

As a small business, you can use this list as a starting point to reach out to the appropriate companies (based upon the contract Product/Service Code) to inquiry about potential subcontracting opportunities for the current or future contracts. 

You can also use this list as a potential conversation starter with the appropriate district Small Business Professional to discuss recommendations for projects that may have further subcontracting opportunities.  Contracts with Subcontracting Plans  (Note:  List updated as of 15 DEC 2022)

Expand List item 31098Collapse List item 31098  Respond to Sources Sought Notices and/or Request for Information and indicate your interest as a subcontractor.  Ensure that the district/center Small Business office is aware of your interest in subcontracting opportunities on the specific contracting opportunity.
Expand List item 28529Collapse List item 28529  Understand your subcontracting responsibilities

As a small business performing on a Federal contract with a value greater than $250K, you will also have responsibilities related to subcontracting.  It is important to understand these expectations.  

FAR 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns-  This is applicable to both small and other than small businesses.

  • You will provide small business concerns a maximum opportunity to participate in any subcontracting opportunities
  • You agree to participate in studies or surveys to determine the extent you have done this
  • You have processes in place to ensure maximum opportunity and timely payment to small business subcontractors

FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting- This is applicable on any small business or socio-economic set aside over $250K.

  • You comply with the self-performance requirements for performance of the contract (note: credit for similarly situated entities)
  • Subcontracts with "Other than Small Businesses" could be scrutinized, depending on dollar value and complexity/value of subcontract
  • Compliance is monitored by the contracting officer

Compliance with both of these clause requirements could impact your Contractor Performance and Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) rating.

Expand List item 28528Collapse List item 28528  Review Department of Defense Subcontracting resources

Department of Defense Office of Small Business website includes miscellaneous resources related to Subcontracting for Small Businesses, including the DoD Prime Contractor Directory.  This site includes basic guides to subcontracting in general that may be helpful to your business in understanding all of the Federal Government subcontracting rules and regulations and how to navigate them as a small business.

Expand List item 28527Collapse List item 28527  Use Small Business Administration (SBA) resources.

SBA provides valuable information for potential small business subcontractors at https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/prime-subcontracting

Expand List item 28526Collapse List item 28526  Use available information at SAM.gov 

Use information available at SAM.gov to locate award notices, list your company as an interested vendor on specific procurements or view other interested vendors as a networking tool for potential partnerships , and/or respond to sources sought notices as a potential subcontractor.  Use our handy "How-To" guide for specific information on how to use this resource to identify subcontracting opportunities.

Expand List item 28525Collapse List item 28525  Explore USASpending

USASpending  is a valuable tool to help you research and navigate information on Federal contract awards and subcontracts.  Using the Advanced Search function under "Award Search" you can toggle and search for Sub-Awards.  This site actually captures data on any Federal contract that had a reported sub-award (subcontract) valued over $30K, regardless of whether the contract had a formal small business subcontracting plan or not.  This is great business intelligence for small businesses to identify prime contractors and types of work that may have additional opportunities.

Expand List item 28524Collapse List item 28524  Utilize SBA Subnet

Utilize SBA Subnet to identify subcontracting opportunities by place of performance or use the Advanced Search capability to search by keywords, NAICS and other filters.  This site is primarily used by contractors to search directly for other contractors, however it is also a tool to advertise various outreach events.

Expand List item 28523Collapse List item 28523  Attend site visits/industry days.

Attend relevant site visits and/or project specific industry days to network with potential prime contractors.  Review the list of site visit attendees if you are unable to attend and reach out to potential partners as applicable.

List of Contracts with Subcontracting Plans as of 15 DEC 2022

This list was obtained from information available in eSRS as of 15 DEC 2022.  The most accurate and complete information can be obtained from the center/district small business office.

Still have questions on subcontracting opportunities with USACE?

Remember, in addition to your district/center Small Business Professional, your state's Apex Accelerator (formerly known at PTAC) is a GREAT resource and partner to help you organize your USACE business development planning, including tips and tricks to finding and connecting to subcontracting opportunities- find your state's Apex Accelerator at APEX Accelerators

USACE Enterprise Contractor List (from Database Registration)

A list of Small and Other than Small Businesses that have registered in the USACE Enterprise Contractor Database (and provided explicit agreement to public posting) and may be a supplemental resource for potential partnering or subcontracting is located here.

The list is provided as a courtesy and does not guarantee any partnering, subcontracting or prime contracting opportunities, and should only be used as a supplemental resource.  This list also does not assume preferred contractors and/or USACE endorsement of any of the companies included.