U.S. General Services Administration
SBA pats Region 6 on the back with ‘highly satisfactory’ rating
“It’s especially cool to see the other side of our work and how we simultaneously contributed $120 million+ (over the review period) to underserved small businesses all around the country.”
— Branch Chief Terrance Cowley
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Region 6 has patted ourselves on the back for putting small businesses first, and now the Small Business Administration is patting our backs too.
In an SBA surveillance review of a regional Public Buildings Service purchasing, SBA rated them “highly satisfactory,” which only 16% of agencies have achieved in the past three years.
What people are saying
“The results of our contract reviews and small business numbers are tremendously rewarding and speak to the people, leadership and teamwork we have here in Region 6,” said GSA Branch Chief Terrance Cowley. “It’s especially cool to see the other side of our work and how we simultaneously contributed $120 million+ (over the review period) to underserved small businesses all around the country.”
GSA Small Business Technical Advisor Bill Strobel said a paragraph from the review was a great reflection of the SBA’s thoughts on the program: “There is an obvious commitment to meeting their small business goals, which is reinforced by leadership. The interviewees also demonstrated a strong ability in recognizing techniques in performing various market research.”
Strobel added that GSA Program Analyst Sara Strickland received compliments for being “the one to go to” for Public Buildings Service goal information. Strobel credited Cowley, Strickland, Director David Rumsey, Branch Chief Crystal Martin, and partners in the Service Center Division, Facilities Management Division, and GSA IT for the program’s success.
Rumsey said when Administrator Robin Carnahan heard of the achievement, she responded, “Wow!! Well done y’all. Impressive results!”
Why it matters
“Our regional effort is assisting and in line with the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to expand contracting opportunities for the underserved small business across the country,” Strobel said.
He pointed out that small businesses are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, creating two-thirds of net new jobs, driving innovation and competition, and generating 44% of economic activity.
The SBA rating was based upon:
- Observation and findings during the review.
- Condition and documentation of the files.
- Procurement practices and policies.
- Records of compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the Small Business Act, and other applicable regulations/policy guidance.
- Outreach efforts.
- Overall achievement of small business goals.