Glossary of Government Terminology
The following is a list of government terms typically used throughout the B2G (Business to Government) and B2B (Business to Business) industry.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if there is/are government terminology words or phrases you feel should be added to this list.
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8(a) - The Program was created in 1974, to help minority and other small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) to grow through a program of federal contracting preferences and set-asides. Through the 8(a) Program, eligible firms can be awarded government contracts on a sole-source, non-competitive basis.
CVE (Center for Veterans Enterprise) - OSDBU office within the VA tasked with assisting VOBs and SDVOBs to find government contracts.
CCR (Central Contractor Registration) - CCR is the primary vendor database for the U.S. Federal Government. The CCR collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions. Both current and potential government vendors are required to register in CCR in order to do be awarded contracts by the government.
CMR (Commercial Marketing Representative) - If you’d rather be a subcontractor on government contracts, these are the people to talk to. They work with large prime contractors and help them find subcontractors.
DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) - Responsible for performing all contract audits for the Department of Defense, and providing accounting and financial advisory services regarding contracts and subcontracts to all DoD Components responsible for procurement and contract administration.
DVBE (Disabled Veteran-owned Business Enterprise) - A small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran of the military. The service-connected disability can be 0% compensation.
Fedbizopps - FedBizOpps.gov is the single government point-of-entry (GPE) for Federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000. Government buyers are able to publicize their business opportunities by posting information directly to FedBizOpps via the Internet. Through one portal - FedBizOpps (FBO) - commercial vendors seeking Federal markets for their products and services can search, monitor and retrieve opportunities solicited by the entire Federal contracting community.
FAR (The Federal Acquisition Regulations) - Roadmap for doing business with the government. The FAR was established to codify uniform policies for acquisition of supplies and services by executive agencies. It is issued and maintained jointly, pursuant to the OFPP Reauthorization Act, under the statutory authorities granted to the Secretary of Defense, Administrator of General Services and the Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Statutory authorities to issue and revise the FAR have been delegated to the Procurement Executives in DOD, GSA and NASA.
Federal Acquisition Regulation Council - Governing body that ultimately makes FAR interpretations and rulings.
Government Impact Card - Government credit card that cardholders may use to make purchases up to $2,500.
GSA (General Services Administration) - GSA is a centralized federal procurement and property management agency created by Congress to improve government efficiency and help federal agencies better serve the public. It acquires, on behalf of federal agencies, office space, equipment, telecommunications, information technology, supplies and services. GSA, comprised of 14,000 associates, provides services and solutions for the office operations of over 1 million federal workers located in more than 8,000 government-owned and leased buildings in 2,000 U.S. communities.
HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) - The HUBZone Empowerment Contracting program provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas. Fostering the growth of these federal contractors as viable businesses, for the long term, helps to empower communities, create jobs, and attract private investment. A small business must meet all of the following criteria to qualify for the HUBZone program: it must be located in a “historically underutilized business zone” or HUBZone; it must be owned and controlled by one or more US Citizens, and; at least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone.
Military/Eligible Reservist - A member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces ordered to active duty during a period of military conflict.
OSDBU (Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization) - Office at all federal agencies that serve as small business advocates within the agency.
Period of Military Conflict - A period of war or national emergency declared by the Congress or the President, or a period of a contingency operation.
PL 106-50 (Public Law 106-50) - Also known as the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act, a federal law passed in 1999 that sets as a goal that 3% of the value of all federal contracts and subcontracts shall be awarded to service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses. This law also created the Veterans Corporation.
PL 108-183 (Public Law 108-183) - The Veterans Benefit Act of 2003, signed by President Bush December 16, 2003. The new Public Law enables SDVOBs to receive sole source and restricted competition contracts for goods and services used by the US government. Congress enacted this statute after data collected from more than 60 federal departments and agencies over a period of three years showed that half of them reported no procurement dollars expanded with SDVOB companies.
Procurement Center Representative (PCR) - These people are employees of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and are assigned to larger government buying offices.
ProNet - The SBA database that use to be the authoritative source for vendors that were certified in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development program, HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program and Small Disadvantaged Business program is now merged with CCR (Central Contractor Registration).
PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Office) - The PTAC mission is to generate employment and improve the general economy of its geographic area. The PTAC will assist businesses seeking to do business with the Department of Defense (DoD), and State and local governments.
Qualified Borrower - an individual who is an eligible reservist and who has an outstanding direct 7(a) loan or a 7(b) disaster assistance loan which he or she received before being ordered to active duty; or a small business that has an outstanding direct 7(a) loan or a 7(b) disaster assistance loan which he or she received before becoming an eligible reservist, who is an essential employee and who has been ordered to active duty.
SADBU (Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization) - A less used term meaning the same thing as OSDBU.
SBA (Small Business Administration) - Over the past 47 years, SBA has grown in terms of total assistance provided and its array of programs tailored to encourage small enterprises in all areas. SBA’s programs now include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans.
SBLO (Small Business Liaison Officer) - Person working in an agency or company tasked with assisting small businesses to do business with that agency or company.
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) - SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with free, confidential face-to-face and email business counseling. Business counseling and workshops are offered at 389 chapter offices across the country.
SDVOB (Service-Disabled, Veteran-owned Business) - A small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran of the military. The service-connected disability can be 0% compensation.
Service-Connected - Means that a disability or the resulting death was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in the active military, naval, or air service.
Service-Disabled Veteran - Veteran with a disability that is service-connected.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures - May be used for contracts up to $100,000
Small Business - Defined as (get from SBA) this varies with industry in terms of annual revs, # employees, etc.
Small Business Owned and Controlled by a Service-Disabled Veteran - means a small business is not less than 51-percent-owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business that is not less than 51 percent is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.
Small Business Owned and Controlled by a Service-Disabled Veteran - means a small business is not less than 51-percent-owned by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business that is not less than 51 percent is owned by one or more service-disabled veterans; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans or, in the case of a veteran with permanent and severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran.
Small Business Specialist (SBS) - He or she is an employee of the buying office who helps you get bid opportunities. They know the ins and outs of the buying office and the people you may need to meet. If you have trouble getting the bid or technical data package, they’re the ones to contact. Every federal buying office, civilian or Defense, should have someone with that title.
Sole Source - A sole source procurement is a procurement where only one source is practicably available for the goods or services required. Competition is not available in a sole source procurement thus distinguishing it from a proprietary procurement where the product is restricted to that of one manufacturer, but is sold through distributors and competition between them can be obtained.
Subcontractor - Federal Acquisition Regulations define “subcontractor” as “any supplier, distributor, vendor or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor.”
Supplier Diversity - Offices or departments within large companies tasked with ensuring supplier socio-economic class goals are met.
The Federal Procurement Data Center (FPDC) - Part of the U.S. General Services Administration, operates and maintains the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). The FPDS is the central repository of statistical information on Federal contracting. The system contains detailed information on contract actions over $25,000 and summary data on procurements of less than $25,000.
Veteran - A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was honorably discharged.
Veteran Service Organization (VSO) - Veteran Service Organization are non-profit organizations that rely on public donations to support programs that promote citizenship education and volunteerism and facilitate aid for veterans and their families in need of medical, rehabilitative, educational and employment services. They are committed to improving the lives of veterans and service personnel, their families and their communities.
VOB (Veteran-owned Business) - A small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a veteran of the military. Visti the leading directory of veteran owned businesses at:VeteranOwnedBusiness.com.
WMBE (Woman or Minority-owned Business Enterprise) - A small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by a woman or minority. On a federal level, Congress considers a minority owned business as generally anyone other than white. The business must be owned and at least 51% controlled by one or more minorities. Women are not considered minorities.
