Small Business Programs
The following is a listing of the types of small business programs that are currently available at the Office of Naval Research (ONR):
Small Business Disadvantaged Business
Small businesses wanting to take advantage of the Small Business Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Program must be certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Additional information about the SDB program is available from your local SBA district office or online at the SBA home page.
Women-Owned Small Business
Visit the SBA Online Women’s Business Center and the Department of Defense Women-Owned Small Business website for current programs, updates, training, network, etc.
HUBZone Small Business
Prime contractors, other than small business concerns, are required to include HUBZone small business concerns in their subcontracting goals as well as incorporating the HUBZone small business program initiatives throughout the subcontracting plan. The SBA determines status as a qualified HUBZone small business concern. In addition to being located within a HUBZone, a small business must have its principal place of business within the HUBZone and at least 35 percent of its employees must live in a HUBZone. The firm must appear on SBA’s "List of qualified HUBZone Small Business Concerns." This program is part of the Small Business Subcontracting Program described within FAR Subpart 19.7. Prime contractors, other than Small Business Concerns, are required to include HUBZone Small business concerns in their subcontracting goals as well as incorporating the HUBZone Small Business Program initiatives throughout the subcontracting plan.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business
Prime contractors, other than small business concerns, are required to include Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Concerns in their subcontracting goals as well as incorporating Veteran-Owned Small Business initiatives throughout the subcontracting plan. To represent your firm as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business or Veteran-Owned Small Business, 51 percent of the ownership and control of the business must be maintained by veteran(s) or be classified as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business/Veteran-Owned Small Business. For more information visit the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Historically Black College and Universities and Minority Institutions
The Naval Historically Black College and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) program is designed to increase the quantity and quality of minority scientists and engineers engaged in research related to national defense while substantially improving the capabilities potential of HBCU/MIs to produce students and perform Navy related research. The program's desired outcome is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who choose Naval military and civilian careers. To accomplish this goal, opportunities for expanded HBCU/MI participation are being pursued in Naval research, undergraduate and graduate student internships at Naval labs, summer faculty research and sabbatical leave, postdoctoral fellowships and undergraduate and graduate student scholarships. Contracts, subcontracts, grants and research opportunities sustain and grow HBCU/MI infrastructure and research capabilities, and aid in better prepared students for naval careers.
Note: To ensure fairness in the consideration of proposals for ONR systems engineering and technical assistance and/or support services, the naval command has implemented policies to protect against organizational conflicts of interest.