Attendees at the December 4 FDA Small Business Contracting Forum were treated to an informative and engaging session with top FDA officals. 

John Dyer, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Operations and COO, presented an overview of the ongoing FDA expansion into the new White Oak Campus and into new offices around the world and how it translates into commerce for government contractors and local businesses.

The briefing included a small business presentation, a discussion of information technology projects, education and human capital initiatives and an overview of the White Oak Campus.  A lively question and answer session preceded a tour of the new facility.

The FDA budget is increasing rapidly to meet new Congressional mandates on food safety, drug testing and public health. The Associate Director of the Office of Acquisitions and Grants Services Lee Cohen stated that in Fiscal Year 2008, the FDA contracted for an estimated $560 million in goods and services, up from $430 million the year before.  Contracting at FDA will expand to meet new demands, he added. 

The panelists encouraged companies interested in FDA procurement to visit the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Web site and FedBizOpps.gov site. 

Expanding and diversifying the small business vendor base is a key FDA priority.  Gloria Barfell, Director of the Office of Acquisitions and Grants Services, encouraged businesses to respond to appropriate tenders, to seek out subcontracting opportunities and to consider entering into teaming agreements with larger companies.

Procurement opportunities exist at the FDA-wide level and at each of the nine centers such as the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research that comprise the agency.  Contractors are encouraged to build relationships at both the agency level and the center level.  The DHHS hosts monthly Vendor Outreach Sessions that educate companies on how to market to the Department.

Specific areas of opportunity include:

• Project management services;
• Data center migration;
• Call center operations;
• Data system integration;
• Education and training; and
  
• Facilities management.

Click here for FDA Acquisition contact information and tips on doing business with the FDA (PDF file).