The Small Business Utilization Program is designed to partner and work closely with all federal, state, and local agencies and major corporations to promote small business development on all levels. This includes the U.S. Small Business Administration; all Chambers of Commerce, the Minority Business Development Center in Phoenix; the Arizona Department of Commerce; Raytheon Missile Systems and Southwest Gas, among others.
What is a Small Business?
- A Small Business is one that:
- is organized for profit
- has a place of business in the United States
- makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy by paying taxes or using American products, materials, or labor
- does not exceed the numerical or earnings size standard for its industry.
- The Small Business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other legal form.
- To qualify as a Small Business for the University of Arizona, and the State of Arizona, the business must have fewer than 100 employees or less than $4 million in sales.
Program Management
The Small Business Utilization Program Manager assists in promote and create more opportunities for small businesses to obtain University contracts for goods and services, works to recruit small business to bid on University of Arizona contracts and helps university departments meet federal and overall small business requirements. As noted in the Arizona Board of Regents Procurement Code Policy 3-803 D.1 states (in part): Any procurement which does not exceed the aggregate dollar amount of $100,000 shall be restricted, if practicable, to Small Businesses. For additional information, refer to Purchasing Policy 4.3.
The manager assists efforts to obtain university and other contracts by:
- One-on-one meetings with small businesses throughout the year
- Attendance and support of small business events
- Provides guidance to university departments seeking small businesses to bid on contracts throughout the year
- Notifies small businesses and university departments of pertinent business events and partners with federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and corporations, to promote increased opportunities for small Businesses.
- Along with a Senior Buyer, conducts a "How to do Business with the University of Arizona" workshop approximately every two months, and has similar sessions four times a year with the City of Tucson, Pima Community College, Pima County and Raytheon.
The manager is one of the leaders of the Minority and Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona. This business alliance, composed of 25 other government agencies and corporations, coordinates the annual Minority Enterprise Development Week for Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Monitoring and Reporting
Monitoring and reporting on contracts awarded to small business through Federal Research Contracts and Grants, received by the University, is also completed as required by federal law.
The Small Business Utilization Program Manager is responsible for submitting all required information through the Small Business Subcontracting Business Plan prior to award of a Federal Contract; and is also responsible for monitoring and reporting the mandatory participation of Small Business within that contract every six months.
Contact
Kevin Lam
Small Business Program Coordinator
kl9989@arizona.edu