The Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) is a powerful online search tool that has 2 great uses:
- A place to conduct market research on competitors, prospects or partners
- An important marketing tool if you are a small business and want to win government contracts
Background
One of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) responsibilities is to negotiate with federal agencies a percentage of their annual expenditure that they will set aside for small businesses. They actually negotiate the goals with each federal agency on an individual basis but the overall small business goal today is 23%. Within this there are also specific goals for women-owned small businesses, service-disabled veterans, small disadvantaged businesses and Hubzone companies.
Are you a small business?
That is not a simple question to answer unfortunately. The Small Business Act defines a small business as one “that is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation.” The practical definition varies from industry-to-industry but is usually based on a mixture of employee numbers and annual receipts. The SBA has a table that will help you understand if you qualify based on your NAICS code. Access the table here.
Research tool
As a research tool, the DSBS provides a truly rich resource. When you access it you are presented with an advanced search tool that allows you to generate a list of companies based on multiple criteria including geography (down to county level), industry, revenue and number of employees. You are then presented with a table of companies that match your chosen criteria. So, for example a search for companies that made uniforms for police, firefighters or school bands in Ohio returned 19 companies that were qualified as small businesses. For each company you are able to drill down further and receive information on contacts, organization, ownership, certifications, products and even details of reference companies for some businesses.
Marketing tool
The DSBS is a database you should consider being part of if you are seeking to win government contracts as it is used by agencies to find companies that are certified as small businesses by the SBA.
By having a profile, you have the ability to present your company’s capability to anyone using the tool. While it is of particular use to federal agencies because they have to purchase a certain amount from small businesses, purchasing agents in local government agencies also frequently use it. This is where decision-makers will go when they need to find out whether small businesses can provide them with the good or service they need. In addition, as it is free and accessible by any company, it is also used by prime and other contractors seeking small businesses to be subcontractors and/or partnership opportunities.
How to be included in the DSBS?
The DSBS is part of the Central Contractor Registration database. When you register with the CCR you are given the option to indicate whether you are a small business during registration. If so, you will be asked to enter certain additional information that will populate the SBA so it can be accessed through the DSBS.
Just a final comment. The user interface and design has a lot to be desired and can be pretty off-putting but don’t let that deter you, as it really is a valuable tool worth exploring.
UPDATE: If you are looking to find out what your Dynamic Small Business Search number is, I have written a post on it here
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What number is the DSBS #? This is required on an SBA application?
Judy – Not sure. Are you thinking of DUNS – which is the Dun & Bradstreet number. DSBS is the Dynamic Small Business Search but it is a self-certifying database.
Where do I go to put in info for the “Capabilities Narrative?” When I do a search of my firm that section is empty. I have looked through CCR repeatedly and can’t find where to put the information. Any help will be appreciated.
When I ran a search for you on DSBS a narrative of your capabilities was shown. Seems like you worked this one out in the application process
Judy Ratliff, did you figure out what number is the DSBS #?
The 8a application is asking for that.
Please advise if you know where I can find out our DSBS#. We are in the database, but I don’t know where to find the user number. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Have you ever actually filled out an 8a application before? It not only asks for DUNS but also DSBS #. It would be a big help if you were to find out how to get the DSBS # because its almost impossible to find. Thanks!
Here is how to get the DSBS #:
-Go to http://www.ccr.gov
-Click on ‘Dynamic Small Business Search’
-Search for the firm’s profile using the DUNS, or Company Name, or CAGE #, etc.
-Open the firm’s profile
-You will see the SBA Customer ID Number in the url (at the top of the page where the internet link is display. I.E., http://wwww…..)
-The SBA Customer ID Number is at the end of the link and normally starts with a “P” and follow with around 7 numbers (i.e., P0123456)
Thank you so much for this information. It should ask for the SBA Customer # that would make more sense
The process secrbied above worked for me. Thank you Brisa.
Thank you for the help, this worked for me as well. This number was almost impossible to find.