Small, minority-owned firms urged to seek security work

Homeland Security Department officials on Thursday spoke with small-business owners about how to get a piece of the procurement pie at the department.

"[The department] has much to offer to businesses -- small and large," Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said during a Minority Business Roundtable forum, adding that businesses should focus on the $900 million appropriated in fiscal 2004 for science and technology. "It's at the heart of our effort to develop cutting-edge technology."

Ridge outlined two ways to win contracts: Companies can learn of the department's needs, or Homeland Security officials can learn about companies' products and services.

The secretary encouraged small and minority-owned businesses to use broad agency announcements as a channel to learn about contract requirements, advising them to "take advantage" of announcements from entities like the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA), which would generate "millions and millions of dollars."

Ridge told officials to view the department's Web site to see forecasted contract opportunities for fiscal 2004. He also plugged the department's new mentor-protege program, which was outlined in the Federal Register on Dec. 4, as a way for small businesses to build track records of success.

The program encourages large businesses that win prime contracts to join with small businesses to provide developmental assistance. Businesses participating in the program would receive "extra points" when competing for contracts, according to a small-business owner who has been part of other agencies' mentor programs.

Kevin Boshears, director of Homeland Security's office for small and disadvantaged businesses, said virtually every prime contractor has expressed interest in the program. He also said his office is prepared to take applications immediately.

But some industry officials expressed skepticism with the new initiative, saying that the program would only be as good as the mentor. "It's got to be a win-win for everybody," one official said, adding that the incentives tied into the program would help entice large businesses and could serve as a "tie-breaker" for both large and small businesses vying for competitive contracts.

The official also said there would be three big contracts at Homeland Security next year, including deals to connect unclassified and classified systems and a contract for technologies and services to track foreign visitors. "You will see everybody -- large and small -- go after them."