Welcome to the U.S. Department of Education Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). ED is committed to providing all categories of small business an opportunity to participate in both prime and subcontracts. OSDBU serves as an educator and advocate for small business engagement with ED.
Vision
Achieving educational excellence through strategic partnerships with small business and stakeholders.
Mission
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) works as an advocate to maximize participation of small businesses in Department contracts, through outreach to the business community and partnerships with Department offices to develop and implement acquisition strategies for achieving ED's mission. Key roles:
- Provide guidance and technical assistance to the small business community, such as,
- procedures for doing business with ED and its prime contractors
- marketing to ED program managers
- Conduct outreach to the business community and internal stakeholders
- Establish strategic partnerships to support small business participation
- Provide training and technical support
- Establish and monitor small business goals
Contracting with the Department
OSDBU works with all program offices within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to connect small businesses with contract opportunities.
Small Business Goals
ED's goals are based on estimated obligations of $2.8 billion
FY25 Small Business Contracting Goals
| Category | Prime | Subcontracts |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business | 17.00% | 39.50% |
| Women-Owned Small Business | 5% | 5% |
| Small Disadvantaged Business | 12.31% | 5% |
| Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business | 5% | 5% |
| HUBZone Business | 3% | 3% |
Top Spending Categories
- Professional Services (Over 2 billion dollars)
- Such as NAICS code 522390 (Other Activities Related to Credit Intermediation)
- Information Technology (Over 400 million dollars)
- Such as NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services)
- Research and Development (Over 250 million dollars)
- Such as NAICS 541720 (Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities)
Past Performance
OSDBU is dedicated to providing an excellent customer service experience and to meeting its statutory expectations. As evidence of this, see our most recent SBA Small Business Procurement Scorecard" below:
US Department of Education Small Business Achievements and Goals, (PDF, 83KB)
Resources
Online Training
Doing Business with ED: A Primer for Small Businesses
Finding contract opportunities with ED
- Small businesses interested in contracting with ED should first register with OSDBU. This entails sending an introductory statement to our office email address (found on the Contact Us page). Alternatively, business representatives can introduce themselves and their companies to OSDBU staff directly at one of the many events we attend or host. After introductions, we may schedule a face-to-face meeting. Businesses should highlight their capabilities and any procurements of interest.
- ED SBCX is a customer experience solution to help facilitate small business contracting. ED SBCX enables businesses to upload their capabilities and highlight their interest in particular procurements. This information will be available to all program offices in ED to assist with their market research. SBCX also enables OSDBU to inform small businesses about contract opportunities.
- Research our Forecast and Active Contracts Lists
- Each fiscal year, a Forecast of ED Contracting Opportunities is developed, which lists all contracts that each program office plans to offer, contingent on the availability of funds. The Forecast is intended to assist vendors in identifying and preparing for contract opportunities.
- Our active contracts list, found on our Doing Business with the U.S. Department of Education page, contains information on the work currently assigned to contractors at the Department. This list may be used in search of potential subcontracting and prime contracting opportunities (based on when a contract expires and may be recompeted).
- The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is administered out of its research office, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
Finding contract opportunities with the U.S. Government
- GSA Acquisition Gateway
- Register with the System for Award Management. Here you can find contract solicitations and information to bid on government contracts as well as data on current and previous federal awards.
- Federal Procurement Data System. FPDS is another location to find federal contracts.
Building your business and working with the U.S. Government
- Locate your nearest Procurement Technical Assistance Center and develop a relationship with your Procurement Center Representative.
- Identify your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number.
- Consult with the Small Business Administration and check out the SBA Learning Center.
Contact Us
When contacting the office, make sure to mention any particular procurements of interest. We typically respond to phone calls and emails within two business days. Our office does engage in one-on-one meetings with vendors, so feel free to highlight interest in this as well.
- Telephone: (202) 245-6300
- Email: small.business@ed.gov
Mailing Address
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave. SW Washington, DC 20024