Dr Gary Heard, SBA, PCR Area III (Alabama)

Small Business Success Tips Podcast (episode 14)

Summary: Dr. Gary Heard offers insights to the SBA’s Certificate of Competency program, the Army’s CASL (Competition Advocates Shopping List), the contracting officer review process and key preparation required from small businesses.

Guest Bio: Based in Alabama, Dr. Gary Heard is an Industrial Specialist, a PCR for Area 3 and COC coordinator for the entire Area 3 region. The SBA Certificate of Competency (COC) program allows a small business to appeal if a contracting officer determine it is unable to fulfill the requirements of a specific government contract. As COC coordinator, Gary oversees and tracks all certificate of competency referrals made by contracting officers.

In his current role, Gary has a very focused geographic area of responsibility directly supporting the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command and Defense Logistics Agency on the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. He has a degree in aerospace engineering with specific  with missile and helicopter experience, which is a definite asset when reviewing spare parts acquisitions by Aviation and Missile Command and DLA.

In this episode, Dr. Gary Heard discusses: 

• the Small Business Contracting Info and Assistance at Redstone Arsenal
• the CASL, Competition Advocates Shopping List, an important but little-known resource
• how contracting officers rate and review proposals beyond simply pass/fail
• the Certificate of Competency program process, including the detailed financial and technical capabilities review, as part of the appeal options for small business
• whether ‘grey areas’ might be addressed with subcontracting and other resources to strengthen the proposal with the involvement of COC program
• the importance of engaging in the Sources Sought process and maintaining complete DSBS profiles to advance the opportunity for set-asides
• mandatory homework that businesses should complete before contacting small business directors, researching what the agencies actually buy and how your capabilities can help their mission
• the CHESS contract, the Army’s preferred IT source

Dr. Gary Heard can be contacted by email at [email protected], or telephone (256) 842-6240

Host:  Neil McDonnell is an experienced small business owner and seasoned entrepreneur. An Army veteran and founder of the HUBZone Chamber of Commerce, Neil is a government contracting subject expert and HUBZone advocate for media and conferences.

His podcast series offers key information and tips to help small businesses gain insight into government agencies and large prime contractors and develop strategies to effectively present services.