The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently received an “A+” grade on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2021 Small Business Procurement Scorecard, marking the 13th year in a row it has earned an “A” grade and the sixth consecutive year for the “A+” mark. 

“This achievement demonstrates what is possible when the procurement community and the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization work hand-in-hand in support of this goal,” Paul Courtney, DHS chief procurement officer, said in a news release July 26.

Courtney also said the DHS will continue to promote opportunities for small business as it is a key priority for the department, according to the release.  

Darlene Bullock, the executive director of DHS’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, noted the grade demonstrates the department’s ability to meet and exceed its goals with small businesses amid challenging times.

“Through outreach, education, small business advocacy, and agency collaboration, $8 billion of our eligible spend was awarded to American small businesses in fiscal year 2021,” she said. “The department’s ability to exceed all our small business prime goals during challenging times is a testament to our commitment of partnering with small businesses and building America’s economy.”