How to Strengthen Your Small Business Search Profile

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Search platform allows government buyers, prime contractors, and other users to research participating small businesses using available business and certification information.

An accurate and complete profile may improve a business's visibility in relevant searches. However, a profile does not guarantee that every contracting officer will find the business, contact it, invite it to compete, or award it a contract.

Businesses should review their public information for accuracy, consistency, and relevance. The profile should help a potential buyer understand what the company provides, where it performs, and why its capabilities may align with a particular requirement.

Government buyers and prime contractors may use Small Business Search as one source for conducting market research and identifying potential small-business vendors.

The information displayed can help users evaluate whether a business may align with a particular requirement. A clear profile can make it easier to understand the company, but the user must still evaluate the company's eligibility, responsibility, experience, capacity, and suitability for the acquisition.

Small Business Search is not the only method used to identify vendors. Buyers may also use SAM.gov, agency market research, procurement forecasts, prior purchasing history, industry outreach, sources-sought responses, small-business offices, referrals, and other appropriate resources.

Businesses should review the information available in their profile and connected government records for accuracy and consistency.

Important categories can include:

• Legal business name and public business name
• Business contact information
• Website and email address
• Physical and mailing information when applicable
• NAICS codes
• Applicable size information
• Federal certification status
• Products and services
• Geographic areas served
• Capabilities and relevant experience
• Keywords that accurately describe the business
• Available performance-history information

Only include certifications, capabilities, experience, and performance information that can be accurately supported.

Business descriptions should help a buyer quickly understand:

• What the company provides
• Who it serves
• Where it can perform
• What capabilities distinguish it
• Whether it has relevant experience or resources
• How to contact the business

Use plain, specific language rather than unsupported superlatives. Avoid vague statements such as "we do everything," "best in the industry," or "guaranteed results."

Do not overload the profile with unrelated NAICS codes or keywords. More codes and keywords do not automatically produce more opportunities. Information should accurately reflect the work the company can perform.

Business information should be reviewed across relevant records and materials, including:

• SAM.gov
• SBA certification systems and profiles
• The company website
• Capability statements
• Proposals and marketing materials
• Business email and telephone information

Some profile information may originate from or connect with other government systems. Businesses should follow current SBA and SAM.gov instructions when determining where particular information must be updated.

A business should review its information periodically and whenever a material change occurs.

Possible changes can include:

• Ownership or management
• Business address or contact information
• Website or email
• NAICS codes
• Certifications
• Capabilities
• Geographic coverage
• Experience or performance information

Maintaining accurate information can improve the usefulness of the profile. It does not guarantee that a buyer will locate, contact, select, or award a contract to the business.

An accurate and relevant Small Business Search profile can help government buyers, prime contractors, and other users understand a company's capabilities and determine whether it may align with a particular need.

A complete profile does not guarantee that a business will appear in every search, receive an inquiry, be invited to compete, qualify for an acquisition, or obtain a contract award.

Businesses should maintain truthful and consistent information, select NAICS codes that accurately describe their capabilities, and explain their products and services in clear language. Profile information should be reviewed periodically and updated when material business information changes.

RickerTime processes eligible registrations and certification applications and helps businesses organize information used to establish an accurate federal presence. Government agencies, prime contractors, and certifying organizations make their own market-research, eligibility, and contracting decisions.

The SBA does not charge for Small Business Search profile content or profile management. Any payment made to RickerTime is for RickerTime's professional services and is not an SBA fee or government profile-management fee.

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