The Defense Department’s Office of Small Business Programs is developing software tools to assist small contractors in doing business with the federal government. The tools, set to be released later this year, aim to provide better market intelligence for the acquisition workforce and enhance operational security for small businesses, particularly in complying with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) regulation. The Office of Small Business Programs also plans to offer software tools to improve market research and increase small business participation, addressing the decline in small companies receiving federal contracts in recent years. 

Key points: 

1. The Defense Department is working on software tools to facilitate business transactions between small contractors and the federal government.
2. The tools will focus on enhancing operational security and aiding compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) regulation.
3. The Office of Small Business Programs intends to provide software tools for better market intelligence and research, targeting new entrants in addition to established businesses.
4. Small business participation in federal contracts has declined significantly in the past decade.
5. The Defense Department is prioritizing small-business goals and contracting opportunities over best in class contract goals, as per a recent memo.

Source: https://www.defenseone.com/business/2023/05/dod-plans-free-software-tools-support-cyber-compliance-small-biz/386329/