Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Vendor Identification Program?

The Vendor Identification Program (VIP) assists small businesses by identifying government purchasers for the items they produce for large defense contractors. The program helps SBA to increase competition by adding qualified sources to bidder lists and creating prime contracting opportunities for small businesses.

Through the Vendor Identification Program, SBA matches the past procurement history and acquisition needs of the government and identifies the actual manufacturer of systems, subsystems, components, and spare parts. This expedites the procurement process and facilitates the participation of small businesses as prime contractors.

Eligible Firms
If your company has manufactured weapons system parts or items for a defense contractor, and you are interested in selling directly to the Government, the SBA's VIP program may benefit your firm.

Getting Started
It's easy and convenient to determine if the SBA's VIP program can benefit you. Just pick an option below, complete the information in the requested format, and submit it to the VIP Coordinator. In a few weeks you will receive a listing of government offices where your firm's parts are purchased.

Option #1:
E-mail "CAGE" Code and Parts List to the VIP Coordinator

Your Firm's CAGE Code must be entered on the first line of the E-mail and each Part Number must be entered on a separate line below the CAGE Code.

EXAMPLE:
8Z483
1234567890
0987654321
6019462986

(FAQs about CAGE Codes or Search for a CAGE Code)
Option #2:
If you prefer, you can send your firm's parts list on a 3 ½" floppy disk to the VIP Coordinator, in ASCII text format with the fields arranged as shown above.

Mail floppy disks to the following address:

Pro-Net Program Manager
Attn: Oliver Snyder,
U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Government Contracting and Business Development
409 3rd Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20416

Telephone: (202) 205-7650
oliver.snyder@sba.gov
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