BREAKING NEWS!
Circuit Media has recently been selected for the DOE Mentor Protégé Program, as a protégé to The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). If you’re a contracting officer for a DOE Laboratory, this award gives you authority for sole-source awards to Circuit Media. Visit our DOE-specific page to get all the details!
Why Sole-Source a Contract?
In the dynamic world of federal contracting, success goes beyond completing projects accurately; it’s about achieving your objectives within the constraints of the federal fiscal year. Sometimes, the right way is through a sole-source contract, also known as a direct award contract. These terms are used interchangeably but refer to the same fundamental concept: a contract awarded to a single entity without a competitive bidding process.
A big priority while contracting is meeting SBA (Small Business Administration) set-aside goals. The government is committed to ensuring that small businesses, including those owned by women, veterans, and those based in underrepresented areas, get their fair share of federal contracts. Each year, the SBA scores federal agencies on how well they meet their small business and socio-economic contracting goals. It also provides accurate and transparent contracting data. Sole-sourcing a contract can be a fast and efficient way to help meet these set-aside goals.
SBA Releases FY2022 Small Business Procurement Scorecard!
Sole-sourcing can shorten the acquisition cycle. Let’s face it – the usual bidding process can take a long time. If you need to get a project moving quickly, a sole-source contract can help you get started much faster. It’s like skipping the line at a busy restaurant because you’ve got a reservation!
Finally, there’s the matter of risk. When you award a contract, you want to be confident that the job will get done right. One way to lower the risk is to select a pre-vetted small business. These businesses have gone through a rigorous review process by the SBA to become certified small businesses. This means they’ve been tested and proven to meet standards of quality and reliability.
In the end, sole-sourcing a contract is not just about making your job easier – it’s about getting the job done right and on time. It’s a powerful tool in your toolkit, and one that you should not hesitate to use when the situation calls for it.
Why Award to Circuit Media?
Circuit Media is an award-winning, SBA-Certified Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) providing unparalleled consulting and technical services in the areas of staffing, communications, and creative services. With Exceptional CPARS reviews and a national footprint, Circuit Media provides agencies with worry-free contract completion that always meets and exceeds expectations. See our Capabilities page to learn more about Circuit Media and schedule a capabilities briefing!
Circuit Media Awarded SBA 8(a) Graduate of the Year for Colorado and Region 8!
Need to Learn More about Sole-Source Contracts?
For regulations regarding sole-source contracts and the specific rules applicable to Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB), contracting officers should review the following sections:
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)Part 19.1506:
Sole-source awards to Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program Participants or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Program Participants.
This section explains when and how a contracting officer may award a sole-source contract to a WOSB or EDWOSB.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Regulations:13 CFR § 127.600 – § 127.609:
These sections provide detailed regulations on how contracting officers can award sole-source contracts to WOSBs or EDWOSBs.
This includes the certification process, eligibility criteria, and the procedures for contesting an individual woman’s economic disadvantage status, among other things.
Looking for examples of Sole-Source Awards? Visit SAM.gov and visit Contract Opportunities. On this page, click “Advanced Search.” Under “Set-Aside,” select WOSB. Under “Notice Type,” click on “Justification.” Since WOSB, SDVOSB and HUBZone sole-source justification requirements are the same, you can broaden the search beyond the WOSB program.
