Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

The Department of the Interior's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) advises the Secretary of the Interior on all matters related to small business and collaborate with leadership throughout the Department to maximize opportunities for small businesses in our acquisitions.  The OSDBU implement's policies, procedures, and training programs for the Department to emphasize our commitment to contracting with small businesses. Our mission also includes outreach to small and disadvantaged business communities, including Indian economic enterprises, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, service disabled veteran owned, and small businesses located in historically underutilized business zones (HUBZone) areas.

What's New at OSDBU

The Small Business Administration Awards DOI an "A+" in Annual FY 2020 Small Business Scorecard

The Small Business Administration announced that the federal government exceeded its small business federal contracting goal, awarding 26.01 percent or $145.7 billion in federal contract dollars to small businesses, a $13 billion increase from the previous fiscal year. The federal government also added almost a million jobs to the American economy through the $145.7 billion in prime contract dollars and $82.8 billion in subcontracts awarded to small businesses.  Overall, the federal government exceeded its goal of 23 percent in prime contract dollars and earned an “A” on this year’s government-wide Scorecard.   Eight federal agencies earned an “A+” for their agencies’ achievements in small-business contracting. 

The Department of the Interior contributed to achieving this goal, and received an "A+" overall on the FY 2020 Federal Procurement Scorecard.  DOI celebrates having received an “A” or “A+” on our small business scorecard for eleven consecutive years. For FY 2020 the Department awarded 60.11 percent of its procurement dollars to small business which equates to approximately $2.1 billion in products and services to support DOI’s programs, and represents over 60% of contract obligations. Small businesses play a significant role in advancing the Department's goals and supports Interior's contributions to the Nation's economy. At DOI, we are committed to maximizing opportunities for small businesses whenever we purchase products and services, and will continue to build on our strong track record in enhancing our program to ensure continued opportunities for all small and disadvantaged businesses.

The Department of the Interior full FY20 scorecard from The Small Business Administration, can be viewed at: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/DOI-508.pdf

Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)

The Great American Outdoors Act, P.L. 116-152, established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) to address the maintenance backlog of the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Education.

The Act requires Congress to provide funding for the LRF in each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 with up to $1.9 billion, or an amount equal to 50 percent of all energy development revenues due and payable to the U.S. government from oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy development on Federal land and water in the preceding fiscal year. Of the $1.9 billion annually, 70 percent is allocated to the National Park Service, 5 percent is allocated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5 percent is allocated to the Bureau of Land Management, and 5 percent is allocated to the Bureau of Indian Education. The remaining 15 percent is allocated to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Act requires Congress to provide funding for the LRF in each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 with up to $1.9 billion, or an amount equal to 50 percent of all energy development revenues due and payable to the U.S. government from oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy development on Federal land and water in the preceding fiscal year.  The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) encourages small businesses to seek out these opportunities. More information about projects can be found on the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) page. 

Non Discrimination Notice to U.S. Department of the Interior Contractor, Subcontractors, and Lessors