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Frequently Asked Questions

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Expand List item 21251Collapse List item 21251  Does the Department of the Army offer business loans or grants to start or expand a small business?
The Department of the Army does not offer loans or grants to being or expand a small business. For loans or grants, please contact SBA.

Expand List item 21248Collapse List item 21248  How can I obtain assistance or training on preparing bids/proposals?
SBA provides valuable information on applicable training resources and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is also a valuable resource. PTAC offices can be located at www.aptac-us.org.
Expand List item 21255Collapse List item 21255  How can I obtain assistance or training on preparing bids/proposals?
SBA provides valuable information on applicable training resources and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is also a valuable resource. PTAC offices can be located at www.aptac-us.org.
Expand List item 21254Collapse List item 21254  How do I certify my company as a small business (small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone)?
The HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), and 8(a) programs require certification from SBA; you must apply for those directly. Please visit www.sba.gov for additional information.
Expand List item 21215Collapse List item 21215  How do I find out about an upcoming solicitation?

All federal agencies are required to publicize bidding opportunities on FedBizOpps when the purchase is expected to exceed $25,000, so anyone with Internet access can find out about these opportunities. You can register your firm with FedBizOpps. This allows you to set up filters to view and receive the information that is of interest to you. There is a tutorial on the homepage to help you navigate through FedBizOpps.

Expand List item 21216Collapse List item 21216  How do I find out what types of projects your District will be doing this year?
The Honolulu District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishes a fiscal year forecast.  To obtain a listing of upcoming projects click here. We update this forecast twice a year, once in the spring and early fall.  This is a snapshot of forecasted requirements for the current year. These requirements may or may not be executed and are contingent upon funding, real estate, etc. Dates provided are approximates only. You must still monitor FedBizOpps to see if and when these requirements are announced
Expand List item 21217Collapse List item 21217  How do I get an appointment to provide a capability briefing?

Do your homework! Before we consider setting an appointment for a small business, we ask that you go to the Honolulu Districts Website and familiarize yourself with what we do in our district. You need to be able to communicate how your firm can be a solution provider for our district, and why we should consider you over other similar firms. Depending on the situation and schedules, we may recommend a project manager attend the meeting.

Expand List item 21218Collapse List item 21218  How do I get registered with the Honolulu District of the Corps?

 The Honolulu District of the US Army Corps of Engineers does not require you to register your company with us. Instead, we recommend you register your firm in System for Award Management (SAM). If you plan to bid on Federal work this registration is REQUIRED in order to receive a DoD Prime contract. It is also a useful marketing tool that gives your company visibility. Large Businesses, Federal and other Agencies search for small business capabilities on CCR as well as Dynamic Small Business Search, which can be accessed from the homepage.

If you have never done work with the federal government, we strongly recommend you contact your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). The PTAC’s role is to work with businesses to help them obtain and perform federal, state and local government contracts by educating the companies on the processes necessary for securing these contracts. They also help by connecting businesses with government agencies seeking competitively priced products and services. For a list of PTAC service centers in Hawaii click here. 

Expand List item 21249Collapse List item 21249  How is a small business defined or categorized?  
A small business concern is a business, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on contracts and qualified as a small business under the applicable size standards in 13 CFR Part 121 (FAR 19.102). The size standard is based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and is currently figured by either dollar revenue or number of employees. Please visit www.naics.gov for additional information.
Expand List item 21240Collapse List item 21240  I’ve done construction work for private industry, how is a federal government construction project any different?
There are a number of differences including quality control plans, safety plans, specific payroll requirements, insurance, background checks, etc. Again, you must pay close attention to the specific requirements outlined in the solicitation. If you have any questions regarding the requirements, please submit them prior to submitting your proposal.
Expand List item 21250Collapse List item 21250  What is the difference between 8(a) certification and SDB certification?
The 8(a) program is a business development program that offers a broad scope of assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged firms. SDB certification pertains to benefits in Federal procurements. 8(a) firms automatically qualify for SDB certification. Please visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov for additional information.
Expand List item 21252Collapse List item 21252  What is the difference between Small Business Participation Plan goals and Small Business Subcontracting Plan goals?
Small Business Participation Plan goals are based on the total contract value IAW DFARS 215.304. The Small Business Participation Plan is a rated factor. Small Business Subcontracting Plan goals/targets are based on total subcontracted dollars IAW FAR 19.701. Acceptable goals/targets are subject to negotiations between the Contracting Officer and the contractor.
Expand List item 21253Collapse List item 21253  Why do I need to respond to Sources Sought (Market Survey) notices?
Sources Sought notices are posted in FedBizOpps in order to determine if there is a reasonable expectation that offers will be obtained from at least two responsible small business concerns. If you don’t respond, we may not have enough small business interest and we will have to issue the acquisition as unrestricted (full and open). It’s important that you pay close attention to the information we request and provide a complete and detailed response as requested.

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The Honolulu District, in partnership with our non-federal sponsors, has constructed Civil Works projects in support of the Nation's water resources across the District’s area of responsibility.  Over time, there may be a need for an alteration or occupation by others of these completed works. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 408 program allows another party, such as a local government, company, or individual, to alter a USACE Civil Works project. Proposed alterations to a completed project may range from improvements, relocation, or installing utilities or other non-project features.

Section 408 is the process that evaluates proposed alterations, occupations, or use of USACE federally authorized Civil Works project.  The proposed action must not be injurious to the public interest or impair the usefulness of the federally authorized project.  Examples of federally authorized projects include, but are not limited to levees, dams and federal navigation channels. This requirement was established in Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, which has been amended several times and is codified at 33 United States Code (USC) 408 (Section 408).

Examples of projects that need USACE Section 408 permission include:

  • Modifications to a bridge crossing over an existing USACE flood control project.
  • Installation of a fish ladder in an existing USACE flood control project.
  • Adding hydropower to a dam.
To view Public Notices related to Civil Works, click here.

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