Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation's natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors the Nation's trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities. Within the Department, the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is an advocate for small business, and advising the Secretary of the Interior on all matters related to small business and collaborating with leadership throughout the Department to maximize procurement and contracting opportunities for small businesses in our acquisitions.  

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) implement's policies, procedures, and training programs for the Department to emphasize our commitment to contracting with small businesses. Our mission includes outreach to small  business communities, including Indian economic enterprises, service-disabled-veteran-owned, women-owned, small disadvantaged, small businesses located in historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) areas, and non-profit agencies affiliated with the Ability One Program.

 

Communicating with the U.S. Department of the Interior OSDBU

If you are seeking information about how to market your business, products, and/or services to the Department, please visit our Doing Business with DOI page. If you are seeking general information about doing business with the Department, have questions about the information on the OSDBU’s website, or need information about upcoming events please send us an email at doi_osdbu@ios.doi.gov.

Interior's OSDBU Staff 

Ms. Colleen Finnegan, Director - Ms. Finnegan leads a team of small business advocates that provides executive direction and implementation of programs to further the Department of the Interior's use of small businesses through contracting and subcontracting opportunities.
 
Mr. Christopher Bell, Senior Small Business Specialist
Mrs. Chanelle Williams, Small Business Specialist
 
Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Telephone Number: 202-208-3493

 

Non-Discrimination Notice to Small Business Entities

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) - Notice of Non-Retaliation

Under SBREFA, the SBA has established an SBA Ombudsman and SBA Regional Fairness Boards. The Office of the National Ombudsman of the U.S. Small Business Administration has asked all federal agencies to make clear that, if a small business entity requests Ombudsman assistance on a matter or otherwise questions or complains about a federal agency action, the agency will not retaliate in response.

The Department of the Interior will not retaliate against you in any fashion if you question or lodge a complaint regarding a policy or action of the Department of the Interior or any of its bureaus. This policy applies if you complain or comment to us or to anyone else, or if you seek outside help in dealing with a Department or bureau policy or action. This policy does not affect the right of the Department or any of its bureaus to impose penalties allowed by a contract or agreement or to terminate for unsatisfactory performance any contract or agreement. This policy does not require the Department or its bureaus to enter into or continue any contract or agreement that is not satisfactory to the Department.

If a business or individual believes that the Department of the Interior has not complied with SBREFA the business or individual should send written, signed complaints about Departmental enforcement actions to The U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the National Ombudsman, 409 3rd Street SW, Mailcode: 2120, Washington, DC, 20416. You also may call the Ombudsman at 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247). Please note that any obligation you might have to comply with the enforcement or compliance actions is not affected by the filing of your comments with the Ombudsman; and the filing of your comments with the Ombudsman is not a substitute for any legal options you believe are in your best interest. Click here to see the Department's full policy on SBREFA Non-Retaliation.