Overview
This section defines the role and authority of Small Business Administration (SBA) Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs), who are stationed at federal agencies to advocate for small business participation. It establishes the mandatory cooperation between contracting officers and the SBA to ensure federal acquisitions comply with small business policies and programs.
Key Rules
- Assignment and Authority: The SBA may assign PCRs to any contracting activity; these representatives must comply with the host agency's security and conduct directives. If no PCR is assigned, the agency must coordinate with the relevant SBA Area Office.
- Information Access: Contracting officers are required to provide PCRs with access to all reasonably obtainable contract information pertinent to their duties, subject to security and acquisition regulations.
- Review Responsibilities: PCRs review proposed acquisitions to recommend set-asides, sole-source awards, and the identification of new small business sources (including VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, EDWOSB, and WOSB).
- Timelines for Recommendations: When reviewing acquisition packages, PCRs must provide recommendations for alternate contracting methods to increase small business opportunities within 15 days of receiving the package.
- Appeals and Oversight: PCRs have the authority to appeal a contracting officer’s rejection of their recommendations to the chief of the contracting office and perform periodic reviews of the agency's compliance with small business regulations.
Practical Implications
- Procurement Timelines: Agencies must account for the 15-day PCR review period in their acquisition schedules, particularly for requirements that are not currently set aside for small businesses.
- Strategy Justification: Contracting officers should expect rigorous oversight on "breakout" opportunities (splitting components from large contracts) and must be prepared to justify decisions that exclude small business participation to avoid formal SBA appeals.