(a) Model subcontracting plan. Contracting officers are encouraged to include GSA's Model Subcontracting Plans, available on the OSDBU subcontracting page at https://insite.gsa.gov/subcontracting, in solicitations to facilitate preparation of subcontracting plans.

(b)  Subcontracting goals. Contracting officers shall not tell offerors what a contract’s subcontracting goals should be. The contracting officer may share historical data, Government-wide statutory goals or GSA’s agency goals as a guide to industry. However, a contract’s subcontracting goals must reflect maximum practicable opportunities for the acquisition as required by FAR 19.702.

(c)  Small business consideration. For a negotiated acquisition, if the contracting officer believes that the acquisition provides substantial subcontracting opportunities, the contracting officer should consider including a small business participation evaluation factor (see 515.304). The contracting officer may consult with the GSA SBTA to obtain any needed assistance with developing small business participation evaluation criteria.

(d)  Any solicitation requiring a subcontracting plan must be reviewed internally by the appropriate GSA SBTA prior to submission to the SBA PCR, as required by FAR 19.705-3. Additionally, COs are reminded that the GSA SBTA will coordinate communications with SBA and will submit the solicitation to the SBA PCR, in accordance with subpart  519.4. A reasonable timeframe for GSA SBTA and SBA PCR review is typically 10 business days combined.