The OSDBU, or Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, is the small business office for each federal agency. It acts as the liaison between small businesses, the SBA, and government buyers. OSDBUs help small businesses prepare to do business with their agency by connecting them to networking opportunities, forecast lists of upcoming projects, and people who can help them win contracts. Small businesses should contact their agency's OSDBU immediately after building a target market list to obtain a forecast list and schedule a meeting. Proper preparation is key for the OSDBU meeting and following up on recommendations is important to make inroads at that agency.

1. What does it have to do with small business?
What the heck is an OSDBU?

2. OSDBU - “OS D BU”
Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization

3. OSDBU Overview
• Who are they?
• What do they do?
• Why do I need them?
• How do I find them?
• When should I call them?

4. OSDBU Meeting
• Meeting preparation
• Meeting Day
• Post Meeting

5. Who are the OSDBU?
• Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
• The small business office for each federal agency!
• They are the 1st point of contact when speaking with
any agency.

6. Relationship
Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services

7. What does the OSDBU do?
• The liaison between the small business entity, the SBA
and the government buyer.
• Help prepare the small businesses to do business with
their agency
• Connects them to network opportunities and to
organizations/people that can help further their mission

8. Why do I need OSDBU?
• To gain access to the forecast list
• To learn who is winning contracts and maybe looking for
subcontractors
• To learn about non public bid opportunities
• To find out who can help you grow within that agency

9. What is a forecast list?
This “wish list” gets put into a spreadsheet with costs,
contact person, year, quarter they anticipate releasing the
project based on budget criteria.
“List of future upcoming needs/wants projects for each agency
in the federal arena.”

10. How do I find
OSDBU/Forecast List?
Almost every agency has an OSDBU
• Start by typing the name of your agency with the letters
OSDBU .. example or try luck at business.usa.gov
• Go to the Acquisition Central
• Call the Washington office and ask for the contact info
for the local OSDBU office in your territory/region

11. Organization Chart

12. When should I call OSDBU?
1. Immediately after you’ve built your target market list
• When you want to obtain your forecast list
2. When you are ready to start winning contracts
• Connect with persons in that agency
• Schedule a meeting

13. Preparing for the meeting!
1. Take capabilities statement
2. Bring the agency forecast list to
discuss specific opportunities
3. Have a list of potential prime
contractors from your target market
list
4. Any documents/certifications that
highlight what you do

14. Calling the OSDBU
1. What should I say when I call the OSDBU
representative?
(a) Forecast list
(b) Goal = face-to-face meeting
2. Do I need to prepare for the call?
Top 10 target market list

15. • The quality of the OSDBU person depends on their
level of experience
• Expect the person to give you insight as to how that
agency procures goods/services particularly what you
are proposing
• Expect to receive direction for your next steps to
making inroads at that agency
Meeting Day …
what to expect

16. Meeting Day …
what not to expect
• Don’t expect to get a contract
• Don’t expect to get a referral
• Don’t expect the person to remember you once you
leave
• Don’t expect the person to be impressed by your cap
statement

17. Post Meeting
• Take into consideration all of the recommendations of
the small business specialist
• Follow up with the person after taking actionable steps
recommended by the small business specialists
• Stay on top of any specific forecast list projects coming
out in the near future
• Participate in any/all industry day events for that agency

18. –Zig Ziglar
“It was character that got us out of bed,
commitment that moved us into action, and
discipline that enabled us to follow through.”