Reporting on supplier diversity.

How to sell to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a diverse small business

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a major federal buyer with $2B annually in annual procurement. This guide covers how diverse …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Building past performance for federal contracting when you're starting from zero

Past performance is the chicken-and-egg problem in federal contracting. These seven paths let you build a credible record before you ever win …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Which Diversity Certification Should You Get First? A Decision Guide for 2026

The right diversity certification depends on who you're selling to, not which credential sounds most impressive. Answer four questions about your target …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Guide · 10 min

How to Get Past Performance When You Have None: Breaking the Catch-22

Federal agencies want past performance before they hand you a contract, and you can't get past performance without a contract. Here are …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a diverse business

The Social Security Administration runs one of the federal government's most active small business programs, with consistent IT and administrative services contracts …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives as a diverse small business

Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives is a major federal buyer with $800M annually in annual procurement. This guide covers how …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Is Supplier Diversity Worth It? The 2026 ROI Numbers, Honestly

Supplier diversity returns measurable money on both sides of the table: The Hackett Group documents 133% greater procurement ROI, the Billion Dollar …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How Much Does 8(a) Certification Cost in 2026? ($0 to the SBA, and the Real Bill)

The SBA charges nothing to apply for 8(a) certification. The honest cost is roughly 200 hours of your time, optional consultant fees …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

US supplier diversity certifications explained for international businesses

The US supplier diversity system splits into three tracks: federal (SBA-administered), corporate (NMSDC, WBENC, and others), and state. Most federal programmes require …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Guide · 9 min

How to sell to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a diverse business

USDA obligates roughly $6 billion per year in contracts across food purchasing, IT, construction, and rural development. Diverse businesses that register correctly …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Department of Treasury as a diverse business

The Department of Treasury obligates roughly $6 billion per year across its bureaus, with the IRS accounting for more than half. Here …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Department of State as a diverse business

The Department of State obligates over $7 billion per year in contracts, with a dedicated Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a diverse business

The SBA certifies 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB firms — and then buys IT, consulting, and professional services using those same certifications. …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Guide · 9 min

How to sell to NASA as a diverse business

NASA obligated roughly $8.3 billion in FY2023, with small businesses capturing about 20% of that spend. The agency runs active set-aside programs …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a diverse business

HHS obligates more than $50 billion in contracts each year, making it one of the largest federal buyers outside the DoD. NIH …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a diverse business

The EPA awards over $2 billion in contracts each year, with a documented preference for HUBZone firms in certain regions and consistent …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a diverse business

The Department of Justice obligates over $4 billion per year across IT, professional services, and facilities — and set-asides for 8(a), SDVOSB, …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a diverse business

DHS is one of the federal government's largest buyers, with over $15 billion in annual contract obligations and an active Mentor-Protege Program …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to sell to the Army Corps of Engineers as a diverse business

The Army Corps of Engineers is one of the federal government's largest construction buyers, spending over $10 billion annually with aggressive small …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

SDVOSB vs VOSB: what is the difference and which do you need?

SDVOSB unlocks federal set-aside contracts across all agencies; VOSB set-asides are exclusive to the VA. If you have any service-connected disability rating, …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

NAICS 611430 Federal Contracting Guide: How Diverse Businesses Win Professional and Management Development Training Contracts

Federal agencies spend over $2 billion annually on professional and management development training under NAICS 611430, with SBA, DoD, and DHS among …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

NAICS 561499 Federal Contracting Guide: How Diverse Businesses Win All Other Business Support Services Contracts

The federal government spends over $1 billion annually under NAICS 561499, and 8(a) and WOSB set-asides account for a meaningful slice of …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey

NAICS 561320 Federal Contracting Guide: How Diverse Businesses Win Temporary Help Services (Staffing) Contracts

Federal agencies spend over $3 billion annually on temporary help services under NAICS 561320, and a large share flows through 8(a), WOSB, …

Jul 26, 2026 · Mario Bailey