Solicitation of Offers from Small Business Concerns and Small Business Teaming Arrangements or Joint Ventures (Multiple-Award Contracts)
This provision ensures small businesses and their teaming arrangements or joint ventures are explicitly considered for multiple-award contracts, expanding opportunities for small business participation.
Overview
FAR 52.207-6 requires that solicitations for multiple-award contracts include a provision encouraging offers from small business concerns, as well as from small business teaming arrangements or joint ventures. The provision defines what constitutes a "Small Business Teaming Arrangement," including joint ventures and written agreements between small businesses to act as subcontractors. It also addresses mentor-protégé relationships for both civilian agencies and the Department of Defense (DoD), specifying when such arrangements qualify as small business teaming arrangements. The regulation ensures that small businesses and their collaborative arrangements are explicitly considered in the solicitation and evaluation process for multiple-award contracts.
Key Rules
- Definition of Small Business Teaming Arrangement
- Includes joint ventures and written teaming agreements between small businesses, detailing roles and work allocations.
- Mentor-Protégé Relationships
- Civilian agencies and DoD have specific criteria for mentor-protégé arrangements to qualify as small business teaming arrangements.
- Solicitation Requirement
- The government must consider offers from responsible small businesses, teaming arrangements, and joint ventures for multiple-award contracts.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must include this provision in applicable solicitations and ensure offers from eligible small business arrangements are considered.
- Contractors: Must understand and properly structure teaming arrangements or joint ventures to qualify under the provision, including having written agreements where required.
- Agencies: Must recognize and evaluate offers from small business teaming arrangements and joint ventures in accordance with the provision.
Practical Implications
- This provision promotes small business participation in multiple-award contracts, including through teaming and joint ventures.
- Contractors must ensure their teaming arrangements meet the definition and documentation requirements to be eligible.
- Failure to properly document or structure arrangements may result in disqualification or missed opportunities for small businesses.