Learn how to use the SBA's Dynamic Small Business Search Tool

Small businesses have several tools they can utilize to market their business to the government. One important tool is the Small Business Administration’s Dynamic Small Business Search, or the SBA DSBS.

Contracting officers will use the DSBS to do their market research. To get your business set up, you first need to have a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. This is given to you after completion of your System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

Once you have a CAGE code, log in to your System for Award Management (SAM) account. The page you are looking for is after the points of contact page at the end of your SAM registration, called the SBA Supplemental Page. When you click on the SBA icon, your browser will open a new window and at this point you can log out of your SAM.

In the new window, you will see instructions on how to complete your DSBS profile. You will want to include keywords, NAICS codes, and a capabilities narrative specific to your business. Click the “SAVE/NEXT” button to make your way through all nine pages to complete your DSBS profile. Some of your information, like the government business point of contact, is carbon copied from your SAM registration. Below are pictures of some of the pages so you know what to look for.

We encourage small businesses to complete their SBA DSBS profile once they obtain their CAGE code so government contracting officers are informed of business capabilities. It is very important to keep this information up to date as well. Call APAC at 501-671-2390 if you need assistance with this process.

The first page is the "welcome and overview" page.

The second page is where you get the opportunity to enter NAICS codes specific to your business, and keywords that will make it easy for contracting officers to find you. For example, if you own a landscape business, your keywords might include: mow, shrub, trim, cut, or grass.

Page five is very important. This is where you write your capabilities narrative. A capabilities narrative is a brief statement about what your company can do for government agencies.