1. Doing Business With The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Adrianne M. Callahan, Small Business Specialist
April 2014

2. EPA and OSBP Mission
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) mission is to protect human
health and the environment.
The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) supports EPA’s mission by
fostering opportunities for partnerships, contracts, sub-agreements, and grants for
small and socioeconomically disadvantaged concerns, including their advocacy in
EPA regulations &compliance.
OSBP’s Green Initiative Task Force develops information, resources and tools
to assist small business in going green.
OSBP has three business lines: Direct Team (Contracts), Indirect Team (DBE
Program/Grants) and Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman
(ASBO/Regulatory).

3. What EPA Buys
 A Wide Range of Products and Services
 Research & Development
 Technical Support
 Policy, Program Management & Administrative Services
 Lab Testing Services
 Environmental Studies and Assessments
 Supplies & Equipment
(e.g., ADP software
and hardware)

4. Estimated Obligations Negotiated
Direct Dollar Value Goal
Small Businesses $714 M 42.15%
Small Disadvantaged
Businesses
$85 M 5.0%
Women-Owned Small
Businesses
$85 M 5.0%
HUBZone Businesses $51 M 3.0%
Service Disabled Veteran
Small Businesses
$51 M 3.0%
Subcontract Dollar Value Goal
Small Businesses $220 M 55.0%
Small Disadvantaged
Businesses
$20 M 5.0%
Women-Owned Businesses $20 M 5.0%
HUBZone Businesses $12 M 3.0%
Services Disabled Veteran-
Owned Small Businesses
$12 M 3.0%
Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Agency Goals
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goals for Fiscal Years (FY) 2013/2014 are based on estimated
obligations of $1.7 billion for direct and $400 million for subcontract.
NOTE: 8(a) and SDB has a combined goal www.epa.gov/osbp/direct_goals.htm
4

5. Common NAICS
541690 Other Scientific and Technical Consulting
Services
562211 Hazardous Waste Treatment and
Disposal
562910 Remediation Services
541611 Administrative Management and General
Management Consulting Services
541620 Environmental Consulting Services

7. Major Contracts
 RAC – Remedial Action
 ROC – Removal Actions
 START – Superfund Technical Assessment and
Response
 ERRS – Emergency and Rapid Response Services
Other Areas: Regional Support (includes IT, specific
program projects, Great Lakes National Program
Office (GLNPO), etc.

9. Goals of Superfund
• Protect human health and the
environment by addressing
polluted sites
• Involve communities in the
Superfund process
• Make responsible party pay for
work performed at Superfund
sites
• Return sites to productive use
10

10. The Superfund Process -
Removal
Limited Site
Assessment
Remove
immediate
threats
REMOVAL
PROCESS
• START
• ERRS
• Community
Involvement (CI)
• ESS• Potential sites are typically
reported by the community or
state agencies
• EPA investigates
• All important parties are notified
of site conditions

11. Typical
Contracts
•RAC
•CI
• ESS
•ROC
•START for PA/SI
Specialized
contracts
•GEOS
•Site-specific
The Superfund Process -
Remedial

12. How do we find a vendor/small businesses?
 Registered on Federal vendor databases:
System for Award Management; EPA’s Vendor Profile System
www.sam.gov http://cfpub.epa.gov/sbvps/
 Federal Supply Schedules Contract Holder
 EPA Prime Contractor identifies subcontracting opportunities
 Monthly Capabilities Sessions
 Past performance on other government contracts
 Encourage small businesses to consider teaming
arrangements

13. Small Business Vendor Profile System
 The system has been developed by OSBP to track Small,
Small Disadvantaged, Minority, Women-Owned, HUBZone,
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned, and American
Indian/Alaska Native businesses, as well as HBCUs, HACUs
and MIs available to do business with EPA. This database
provides a means to search and retrieve vendors by
ownership, NAICS Codes, corporate capabilities, SBA 8(a)
status, and other designations as desired.
 Register your firm at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/sbvps
epa.gov/osbp 13

14. Tips to Doing Business with
EPA
1. Prepare Your Firm
 Register in SAM (or update current entries)
 Keep Certifications Current
 Update Marketing Materials
•Business Cards (should include primary
NAICS codes)
•Capabilities Statements
 Polish your “Elevator Speech”
 Accept Bankcards
2. Utilize Your Resources
 Local SBA/PTAC
 Small Business Specialist
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www.epa.gov/osbp

15. Tips to Doing Business with EPA
(cont.)
3. Follow the Money!
 Sources Sought Notices
 Forecast Database
 FEDCONNECT
 Current Contract List
 Simplified Acquisitions (Purchase Card Holders)
 Grants
4. Market Your Firm
 Attend Events
• Counseling/ Brownbag Sessions
• Pre-Solicitation Conferences
• OSDBU Conference
• Regional Small Business Events
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www.epa.gov/osbp

16. Indirect Procurement
Opportunities
EPA’s Disadvantaged Business
Enterprise (DBE) Program
 Contact recipients of EPA Assistance Agreements
(grant recipients)
 Each EPA Assistance agreement contains MBE/WBE
negotiated goals for each Region 5 State:IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI
www.grants.gov

17. EPA MBE/WBE Certification
Requirements
 at least 51% owned and/or controlled by
socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals
 United States Citizen
 An individual claiming economic
disadvantaged status must have an initial
and continued personal net worth of less
than $750,000.

18. Summary Points
 Region 5 seeks a diversity of contractors and suppliers to
help achieve the Agency’s mission.
 The Superfund contracts and the task orders assigned to
the small business contracts vs. large business contracts
have a major impact on our socio-economic goals
 Region 5 is taking steps to increase the use of small
businesses in those categories where we have not reached
our goals (WOSB, Hubzone).
 Companies are encouraged to monitor EPA’s electronic
procurement solicitations/forecasts and submit responsive
bids/proposals.
http://yosemite1.epa.gov/oarm/oam/forecastdatabase.nsf
 Region 5’s small business specialist can assist companies
seeking to do business with the Agency.

19. SAVE the DATE!
Veteran Small Business and
Grants Opportunity Conference
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
8:30-4:00PM
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604
sponsored by Region 5, EPA and Young
Entrepreneurs of the Universe

20. Your Gateway to Region 5
Adrianne M. Callahan
Small Business Specialist/DBE Program Manager
U.S.EPA, Region 5
Acquisition and Assistance Branch
77 West Jackson Boulevard (MC-10J)
Chicago, Illinois 60604
(312) 353-5556
(312) 385-5533 fax
callahan.adrianne@epa.gov
Website:
www.epa.gov/region5/business or
www.epa.gov/osbp
"Consider Small Businesses; Small Businesses are the Fabric of the US Economy"