Through intentional engagement with small and diverse businesses, FRIB seeks to form partnerships and opportunities whenever possible with business enterprises reflective of the American public, who fund FRIB.

Small-business suppliers fall into the following categories:

• Small Business (SB)
• Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
• Women-Owned Small Business (WOB)
• Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
• Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOB)
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB)

FRIB believes it is important to support a broad supply base and to enhance outreach and engagement. FRIB has expanded efforts to:

• strengthen economic development and viability of small, regional businesses and ensure FRIB receives quality goods and services at competitive prices;
• making contract bidding opportunities available to traditionally underrepresented or underserved businesses that share our commitment to excellence, integrity, competitiveness, and service;
• pursue sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships with high-performing suppliers and create unique opportunities to leverage a broad supply base for strategic advantage;
• ensure the absence of barriers that reduce the participation of all qualified vendors by providing resources, guidance, and support;
• establish and maintain a supplier repository to aid procurement personnel in solicitation for bidding opportunities;
• train procurement staff, monitor program status, measure progress, and identify areas for improvement.

Small-business resources

• Obtain certification and register your business at the U.S. Small Business Administration
• Register your business in the U.S. Government's System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
• Learn how to do business with the FRIB Laboratory