The Marine Corps conducted its annual Field Contracting
Seminar during the period 23-26 October 1979 in San Diego,
California. Mr. Robert Burnside, the procurement repre-
sentative for the Small Business Administration at San
Diego, very graciously agreed to take time from his busy
schedule to address the seminar participants.

. Burnside's presentation or. Small and Minority Business
was most timely in view of the changes to small business
procedures required following passage of P.L. 95-507. Mr.
Burnside enjoys the reputation of being an authority in
his field and his presentation was of great interest to
the seminar participants. It is felt the meaningful dis-
cussions that ensued at the seminar will be most helpful
i furthering our efforts on behalf of small and disadvan-
taged business firms and will materially assist the Corps
toward achievement of its assigned goals in these critical

areas.

I extend my appreciation to you for the contribution made
by Mr. Burnside and request that you convey my thanks to
him for a job very well done.

།

7:30-8:45

Registration

8:45-12:00

Expanded Authority of the SBA, Establishment of Annual Goals for Federal Agencies, Subcontracting Plan Requirements, Reservation for Contracts Under $10,000, Negotiated Contracts vs. Formal Advertising, Commercial Products, and Research & Development

1:15-4:00

Roles of the Different Government Agencies, Agency Implernentation of P.L. 95-507, Incentive
Clauses, Prime Contractor Responsibilities, How the Small and Minority Firms Increase their
Opportunities for Awards, How the Small and Minority Firms Meet the Marketing Challenge
and Are Included in the Subcontract Plan

Question #5

a. Describe SBA's review of agency's solicitations for contracts let which require section 211 subcontracting plans to determine the maximum practicable opportunity for small business participation.

b.

Also, describe what findings you have submitted to appropriate federal agencies who solicitations you have reviewed.

a.

Below are excerpts from SBA's formal instructions to its
regions concerning section 211 implementation at the
acquisition agencies. To demonstrate the PCR interface
with SBA's subcontracting program elements, instructions
concerning the initial stages of subcontracting plan reviews
are also included.

"During his review of proposed acquisition requirements, the PCR shall insure that the solicitation includes the appropriate mandatory subcontracting clauses."

"Public Law 95-507 imposed upon SBA authority for review of sub-
contracting plans submitted by prospective awardees as required
by newly prescribed contract clauses. Accordingly, the PCR will
make arrangements. with the installation to which he is assigned
as a resident to fulfill this responsibility. The PCR review
of subcontracting plans should be included during the installation's
processing cycle, and should normally follow the review of such
plans by the contracting officer and the installation's small
business office personnel. The PCR will review, evaluate, and
either concur or recommend necessary changes to subcontracting
plans submitted by prospective contract awardees. In carrying
out this responsibility, the interface between the PCR and the
cognizant SBA subcontracting specialist is most important.
Cooperation and exchange of information at all stages of the
solicitation process are necessary for the SBA review to be
effective, and the PCR should establish initial contact with
the appropriate ARA for Regional Programs as early as possible
in the solicitation/contracting cycle. The comments and recom-
mendations of the subcontracting specialist, which will include
both the small business and minority firm elements of the plan,
normally will be obtained and used by the PCR in the review
process. The comments referenced the small disadvantaged
business goals and other elements pertaining to small disadvan-
taged business will be obtained from the ARA for Minority Small
Business. Any SBA comments concerning small socially and eco-
nomically disadvantaged business elements of the plan shall be
initiated by MSB personnel, and then forwarded to the PCR through
the PCR's supervisor. In evaluating subcontracting plans, the
specific requirements of the clause contained in the solicita-
tion/proposed contract will be the criteria against which the
evaluation will be made. The PCR will keep documentary evidence
to identify (1) the number of plans reviewed and (2) the number
found unacceptable (but accepted by the contracting officer),
and will report these data in the comments block (Block 20) of
the Form 843."

b. To date, 17 contract solicitations have been determined by
SBA to be deficient in that the solicitations did not include
provisions for requiring contractor compliance with Section
8(d) (3), (4), (5) and (6), as appropriate, of the Small Business
Act. Findings on these solicitations were provided to the pro-
curing agencies concerned.