Get Ready to Do Business

If your business wants to conduct business with HHS, there are a few steps to complete before you can compete for HHS contracts.

Step 1: Register with System for Award Management (SAM)
All businesses, individuals, or agencies who wish to do business with the Federal Government need to register with the SAM to obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.

Step 2. Identify your company’s NAICS codes
Your company’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes help determine if you qualify as a small business based on certain NAICS size standards. The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) table of small business size standards helps small business assess their business size.

Step 3. Learn about HHS and the goods and services it procures
HHS is comprised of 12 operating divisions, including nine agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human service agencies. Each of these divisions administer health and human services and conduct life-saving research for the nation.

Each of the HHS operating divisions and staff divisions procure their own goods and services. The HHS Spending Trends are vital to familiarizing your company with each of their most common procurements and the frequently used NAICS codes.

Step 4. Identify contracting opportunities 
There are several ways you can identify contracting opportunities with HHS:

Step 5. Develop a capability statement
A capability statement is a concise, one-page overview of your business competencies. Think of it as your business resume. The capability statement highlights your core capabilities and key performance elements that differentiate your business from the competition.

Additional Steps for Small Businesses

If you qualify as a small business under step 2, you can access resources from the HHS Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).

Step 6. Register with HHS Small Business Customer Experience (SBCX) system
Register your business with the SBCX system. HHS procurement decisionmakers use this system to identify capable small businesses for acquisition opportunities.

Set up a SBCX profile, including information that you would like to communicate to HHS buyers. You can also set up automated notifications of published contract opportunity forecasts published by HHS operating divisions.

Consult the SBCX Getting Started Guide for help registering your small business in the SBCX Directory.

Step 7. Engage with HHS Small Business Specialists (SBS)
Each HHS operating division and staff division has an assigned HHS Small Business Specialist with specialized knowledge and experience focused on leveraging strategies for increased utilization of small and socioeconomic businesses. The HHS Small Business Specialist is a key resource for your company’s success with HHS.

Learn How HHS Does Business

HHS is committed to maintaining an environment in which small businesses and others that participate in programs that are regulated by HHS are free to raise questions or concerns, or complain about HHS actions or policies in full confidence and without fear of retribution. No HHS employee shall take any type of retaliatory action against a small entity for raising questions, concerns, or complaining about HHS actions or policies. Employees must provide good customer service to small entities at all times by acting in a professional manner and responding appropriately to small entity concerns.

It is important to know how HHS does business with our industry partners. Review the following resources to learn about our policies, regulations, and business opportunities.

Small Business Support

HHS is committed to helping small businesses pursue health and human services contracts. Events, resources, programs, and a dedicated staff are all available to help your small business succeed when competing for contract opportunities.

Content created by Office of Acquisitions (OA)
Content last reviewed