Business and Economic
Development Program
Bureau of Reclamation is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior and operates in 17 western states. Reclamation is dedicated to managing, developing, and protecting water resources in an environmentally sound manner in the interest of the American public. The Upper Colorado Region covers the states of Utah, New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and Arizona.
To accomplish its program activities, Reclamation purchases a wide range of products and services. We are dedicated to providing continuous outreach and assistance to small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, Hub Zone small businesses, Veteran owned small businesses, and Service Disabled Veteran owned small businesses, in support of Federal socioeconomic development programs.
Types of Purchases:
Commodities
- Information Processing Resources - hardware and software including personal computers, off-the-shelf software, and telecommunication equipment
- Equipment - hydraulic turbines, pumps and valves, motors, transformers, turbines, office machines, safety and drilling equipment
- Supplies - laboratory, chemical, and engineering supplies, along with office and equipment supplies
Services
- Research - applied science
- Services - systems design, computer maintenance, data processing, janitorial, grounds maintenance, refuse removal, appraisal and title, laboratory and office equipment maintenance, earth science data gathering and studies, telecommunications, architectural and engineering, professional and administrative services associated with functions and mission of Reclamation; for example, water resources planning and development, hydraulics, and facilities management services
Construction
- New construction, repair, operation and maintenance of existing structures, including: aqueducts, canals, dams, drainage facilities, electric transmission facilities, levee erosion control, powerplants, switchyards, water distribution facilities, office remodeling, highway, railroad, and utility relocation, and recreation facilities and associated access roads.
SBA PRO-NET
Pro-Net was SBA's Procurement Marketing and Access Network database which allowed federal contracting officers and others to search for small businesses who can fill their needs. The integration of SBA's Pro-Net and DOD's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) databases has now created one portal for entering and searching small business sources. Registration in CCR is now a requirement for federal contracts. To conduct market research and confirm eligibility for SBA's procurement preference programs, users can now go to the CCR web site at (www.ccr.gov/) and click on the "Dynamic Small Business Search" button. All of the search options and information that existed in PRO-Net are now found at the CCR Dynamic Small Business Search site. The database also serves as a marketing and research tool for participating small businesses. It has profiles of small businesses which include a summary of their products and services, history, business references, and other information important to potential contracting parties. Participating firms may also update their profiles with the most current information.
CCR provides numerous links to federal acquisition resources and sources of procurement opportunities. You are encouraged to contact your local SBA office (or visit the CCR Internet homepage (www.ccr.gov) for information.
Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
Reclamation contracting personnel use the CCR as the single validated source of data on vendors. Prospective vendors must be registered in CCR prior to the award of a contract, purchase order, delivery order, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchase agreement. Prime contractors are not required to have their subcontractors register in CCR. However, if a prime's subcontractor wants to bid directly for contracts, they should register in the CCR. The CCR contains a variety of links including the SBA's PRO-NET and Dun and Bradstreet. It also provides helpful guidance to prospective vendors on registration, database search, and update capabilities. The Interior Department Electronic Acquisition System (IDEAS) does not currently interface with the CCR; however, the information from CCR is used to create the vendor in IDEAS, the CCR is used by acquisition and finance personnel as a source of wide variety of vendor information, including product/service data, addresses, and payment information. Go to the CCR website at www.ccr.gov for registration information.
Electronic Commerce
Many of Reclamation's simplified acquisition requirements (valued between $2,500 and $100,000) are purchased electronically via Electronic Commerce (EC). Requests for Quotations (RFQ) are posted on an electronic bulletin board and awarded electronically. In addition, delivery orders issued under General Services Administration's Federal Supply Schedules are performed electronically. Vendors may access requirements for Reclamation's contracting requirements (over $100,000) via the website at www.eps.gov; or go directly to the IDEAS Business Opportunities web page located at www.ideasec.nbc.gov . Only vendors with valid Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers are authorized to submit quotations on posted RFQ requirements (Vendors that require a DUNS number may contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-800-333-0505). Search features are available by using some or all of the following options: the issue date, closing date, Product and Service Code (PSC), Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code, or DUNS number. The IDEAS Business Opportunities site has been written using HTML 4.0 extensions which are not supported by all browsers. For best results it is recommended that vendors use the latest version of either Internet Explorer or Netscape. Any questions regarding IDEAS Business Opportunities may be directed to Wai See Moy at (703) 648-6690.
SBA's Online Women's Business Center (www.onlinewbc.org/ ) is a free, interactive training site on the World Wide Web. It offers beginning and advanced business principles and practices, management techniques, networking, industry news, information about SBA services, market research and technology training.
Types of Purchases:
- Small Business Set-Asides: Acquisitions are reserved for participation by small business firms in cases where it is anticipated that: 1)offers will be received from at least two responsible small businesses offering the products of small business concerns, and 2)awards will be made at fair market prices.
- 8(a) Program: This program is available to socially and economically disadvantaged business firms certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Contact your local SBA office for more details.
- Subcontracting Programs: On prime contracts expected to exceed $500,000 ($1,000,000 for construction), large businesses must submit and comply with subcontracting plans. These plans contain the prime contractor's goals for subcontracting with small, small disadvantaged, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned small businesses.
- Mandatory Source Program : If competitively priced, Federal agencies must purchase goods and services from the following sources before considering open market sources: The National Industries for the Blind and Severely Handicapped, the Federal Prison Industries, and certain items under schedules issued by the U.S. General Services Administration Federal Supply Service, and the Defense Logistics Agency Supply System.
- Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns - Price Evaluation Adjustment : Federal Acquisition Regulations (Subpart 19.11) now provide for a price evaluation adjustment for small disadvantaged business concerns in competitive acquisitions greater than $100,000. For more information concerning the applicable factor (percentage) to be applied, contact Pegge Ure, Business Utilization Development Specialist, at (801) 524-3756 or e-mail: pure@uc.usbr.gov.
- HUBZone Contracting Program: This program provides a program of federal contracting assistance for qualified small business concerns located in distressed communities in an effort to increase employment opportunities, investment, and economic development in these communities. The program provides for set-asides for firms that meet the definition of a HUBZone small business concern, sole source awards to HUBZone SBCs, and price evaluation preferences for HUBZone SBCs in acquisitions conducted using full and open competition. For more information on this program, visit the following web page: http://www.sba.gov/certifications/index.html#hubzone.
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Procurement Program: Federal Acquisition Regulations (Subpart 19.14) now provide that acquisitions may be set-aside for competition restricted to service disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, if there is a reasonable expectation that; 1) offers will be received from two or more service disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, and 2) award will be made at a fair market price.
- Sole Source Awards to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concerns: Federal Acquisition Regulations (Subpart 19.1406) now provide that the contracting officer may award contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns on a sole source basis, provided; 1) only one service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern can satisfy the requirement, 2) the anticipated award price of the contract (including options) will not exceed $5 million for a requirement within the NAICS codes for manufacturing or $3 million for a requirement within any other NAICS code, 3) the service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern has been determined to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance, and 4) award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.
Publications Available
The publications listed below are available from the Department of the Interior, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 1849 C Street NW, Washington DC, 20240-0001 - www.doi.gov/osdbu
- Current Forecast of the Department of the Interior Acquisitions, Guide for Small Business
- Introduction to Interior Acquisitions, Guide for Small Business
- Department of the Interior Business Utilization and Development Specialists
- Department of the Interior Prime Contractor Directory
Recommended Vendor Marketing Techniques
- Do not assume that Reclamation operates the same as other federal agencies. Contact each regional office to find out their practices.
- Read Reclamation's bid boards (onsite and Internet) for contracting opportunities available at no charge: www.eps.gov
ideasec.nbc.gov - To obtain additional information on future activities, visit advanced acquisition planning at ideasec.nbc.gov/forecast
- For additional assistance, visit the State Office, Utah Procurement Technical Assistance Center web site at: www.dced.utah.gov/procure. Address: 324 South State Street, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 (801) 538-8625.
- Contact your local public library or plan room
- Don't hesitate to ask questions
- Learn as much as possible about the federal acquisition system by reviewing information on the Acquisition Reform Network (www.arnet.gov) and the Small Business Administration's web site at www.sba.gov
- If a small business concern, register with CCR (www.ccr.gov)
- Contact federal small business advocates (BUDS) or purchasing/contracting personnel listed below:
| Alamosa Field Division 10900 Highway 160 East Alamosa, CO 81101-9518 |
Char Lucero , AFD-403 (719) 589-5856 x403 e-mail: clucero@uc.usb.gov |
| Albuquerque Area Office 555 Broadway NE, Suite 100 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102-2352 |
Al Richard, ALB-580 (505) 462-3568 e-mail: arichard@uc.usbr.gov |
| Collbran Civilian Conservation Center 57608 Highway 330 Collbran, CO 81624-9702 |
Ted Herrman, CJC-820 (970) 487-3576 x3010 e-mail: herrman.ted@JobCorps.Org |
| Curecanti Field Branch 1820 South Rio Grande Montrose, CO 81401-4859 |
Tom Snyder, CCI-810 (970) 240-6345 e-mail: tsnyder@uc.usbr.gov |
| El Paso Field Division 700 East San Antonio Avenue El Paso, TX 79901-7020 |
Marian Thornton, EB-604 (505) 894-6661 e-mail: mdthornton@uc.usbr.gov |
| Farmington, Construction Office 2200 Bloomfield Highway Farmington, NM 87401-8110 |
Jere Ellenberger, FCO-910 (505) 324-5045 e-mail: jellenberger@uc.usbr.gov |
| Flaming Gorge Field Division P.O. Box 278 45 miles NE of Vernal on US Highway 191 Dutch John, UT 84023-0278 |
Jennifer Handy, FG-120 (435) 885-3228 e-mail: jhandy@uc.usbr.gov |
| Glen Canyon Field Division 805 Bureau Street P.O. Box 1477 Page, AZ 86040-1477 |
Noreen Smith, GC-121 (928) 645-2481 x431, e-mail: nhsmith@uc.usbr.gov (928) 645-2481, e-mail: lgreene@uc.usbr.gov |
| Provo Area Office 302 East 1860 South Provo, Utah 84606-7317 |
Patricia Bracken, PRO-117 (801) 379-1117, e-mail: pbracken@uc.usbr.gov (801) 379-1119, e-mail:nbiddinger@uc.usbr.gov |
| Upper Colorado Regional Office Simplified Acquisitions Procedures 125 South State Street, Room 6107 Salt Lake City, Utah 84138-1147 |
Denise Westenskow, UC-828 e-mail: dwestenskow@uc.usbr.gov |
| Weber Basin Civilian Conservation Center 7400 South Cornia Drive Ogden, Utah 84405-9605 |
Sylvia Wilkinson, WBJC-136 (801) 476-5967 WilkinSy, WeberPO1.WeberBasin e-mail: Wilkinson.Sylvia@JobCorps.Org |
| Western Colorado Area Office - Durango 835 East Second Avenue, Suite 300 Durango, CO 81301-5475 |
Deana Goff, WCD-DGoff (970) 385-6525 |
| Western Colorado Area Office - Grand Junction 2764 Compass Drive, Suite 106 Grand Junction, CO 81506 |
Dee Dee Fowler, WCG-DFowler (970) 248-0612, e-mail: dfowler@uc.usbr.gov (970) 248-0604, e-mail: emontano.4gipo@uc.usbr.gov |