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Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)   

Mission

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) mission is to provide maximum opportunities for small businesses to participate in USDA’s contracting portfolio.

Leadership

George Sears, OSDBU Director

George A. Sears

Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

Mr. George A. Sears currently serves as the Director for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). The OSDBU provides maximum opportunities for small businesses to participate in USDA’s contracting process. As Director, Mr. Sears provides oversight and accountability to the contracting authorities within USDA. Mr. Sears provides leadership to the Department to attain its federally mandated small business goals and contracting portfolio. More...

Michelle Warren

Michelle E. Warren

Deputy Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

Michelle Warren began her federal career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1988, as a Federal Market News Reporter within the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Agency, then later served as the Contracting Officer for the Commodity Procurement Branch, responsible for the supervision of purchasing teams which administers contracts for commodities for distribution to the National School Lunch Program and other Food Assistance Programs.

By 2010, Michelle was assigned Program Manager in the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). In December 2015, Michelle was appointed Deputy Director in OSDBU and still holds that position. It is her responsibility to provide maximum opportunities for small businesses to participate in USDA contracting activities. Michelle served in the Acting Director’s capacity from December 2016-May 2022. More...

What We Do

The OSDBU was created as part of the Small Business Act, as amended by Public Law 95-507 and subsequent supporting legislation. The USDA OSDBU was established on June 26, 1979. OSDBU provides leadership to the Department to attain its federally mandated small business goals for USDA’s contracting portfolio.

OSDBU is assigned the task of fostering the use of Small, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a), HubZone, Woman-Owned Small Business, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business federal contracts.

OSDBU has specific responsibilities under:

  • The Small Business Act
  • The Veterans Benefits Act
  • The AbilityOne Program
  • Other supporting legislation and Executive Orders
  • Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)

Division Breakdown

OSDBU has two major areas:

  • Oversight and accountability to the contracting authorities within USDA. This includes Policy Development; Departmental Regulations; and Intervention between Contractors and Contracting Officers; Procurement Forecast; Subcontracting Directory
  • Outreach and Small Business Assistance. To include Vendor Outreach Sessions; Hosting Rural Small Business Outreach Events; Small Business Connections; Training for agency Contracting Officers and Program Managers; Attend, exhibit and participate by presenting on small business contracting opportunities and provide one-on-one guidance.


 






 

Contact Information

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20250