Marines

How small business can associate with the Camp Lejeune

16 Mar 2011 | Lance Cpl. Victor Barrera Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is in constant need of construction and supplies and base officials look to businesses to get what they need.

Camp Lejeune accomplishes this by awarding contracts to contractors, who by definition are business owners who have been awarded contracts handed out by the Marine Corps.

Since small businesses make up a percentage of the economy, base officials look for those who are qualified. However, small businesses have to meet several requirements before they can place a bid.

Jo Rozier, who is the Marine Corps Installations East Small Business deputy assists and works with small businesses throughout the process. These contracts solely for helping Marines and sailors and also to support and operate the base.

Not to be confused with his office’s purpose, he does not deal with businesses who want to sell items on base and informs them that they need to go through the Marine Corps Community Services for that.

“We work to find small disadvantaged businesses; generic small, veteran-owned, women-owned and disabled veteran-owned businesses along with many others,” said Rozier. “Small businesses are the engine of the economy. When they do well, the U.S. does well.”

One of the first steps is identifying what the small business’ product or service will be and also what their federal supply code is, which can be found out at dlis.dla.mil/h2. The code associates a four digit-number with whatever product the business intends to sell or service they provide. In short, it’s imperative a business knows which codes apply to their products for business opportunities.

Next, small businesses need to be registered with the Central Contracting Registration System, which enables the government to pay the businesses. Companies should also keep the profile updated at least every twelve months from the time it was registered.

“Potential contractors should also become familiar with federal, Department of Defense, Navy and Marine Corps contracting procedures,” said Rozier. “After they are familiar they should know which contracting office they need to contact, I (only) deal with small businesses.”

“Websites like fedbizzopps.gov and seaport.navy.mil list a sort of ad that shows businesses what MCI-East is in need of,” said Rozier. “I highly recommend to all small business owners that come to talk to me is to look into small business programs, the government knows that they are the engine of the economy and offer them great programs.”

Once a company has gone through all the proper procedures and has been awarded a contract, their starting time depends on company size and how well they are organized. Some companies have been known to start in as little as a few months after having won a contract.

For more information about small businesses and contracts visit www.usmc.mil/unit/logistics/Documents/Doing_Business/doing-business.html.