DHS exceeds small-biz goals

The Homeland Security Department awarded almost 41 percent of its prime contracts to small businesses between the department's creation March 1, 2003, and Sept. 30, 2003, the end of the fiscal year, according to the department's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. The annual federal goal for small-business prime contracting is 23 percent.

The figure was verified by the Small Business Administration, according to the department. The Transportation Security Administration was excluded from the tally because it is exempt from the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

The department has designated a small-business specialist in each contracting office, established monthly vendor outreach sessions and created a mentor-protégé program.