Janet Scott | OSDBU | Department of Education

Small Business Success Tips Podcast (episode 2)

Summary:  Janet Scott, director of the Department of Education’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization,discusses best practices, tips and strategies to build strategic relationships with Department of Education

Guest Bio: Janet Scott is the Director for the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at the U.S. Department of Education. She implements and manages the small business program to ensure all small businesses have an opportunity to provide goods and services to the U.S. Department of Education.

Ms. Scott has over 30 years of federal acquisition experience including as Contracting Officer and lead negotiator for many of the U.S. Department of Education’s major initiatives such as: Race to the Top, No Child Left Behind and several Federal Student Aid (FSA) projects; including FSA’s Modernization Project.  

• How purchases between $3,500 and $150,000 are reserved for small businesses
• The internal cultural differences between Federal Student Aid and Contracts and Acquisition Management
• How to engage through Simplified Acquisitions (< $150,000), become subcontractor and find contact lists online
• The importance of submitting tailored capability statements detailing skillsets, NAICS codes, location, and accurate contacts
• How to cultivate relationships with senior office leaders, acquisition teams, assigned and designated contract specialists through Department of Education networking events
• How RFIs–Request for Information– with oral presentations attract attention of program managers
• How white papers and unsolicited proposals are ineffective