The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

The HHS Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) was established in 1979 by Public Law 95-507, links to an external website, opens in a new tab. It is an amendment to the Small Business Act that says large federal agencies must set aside contracts for small businesses.

OSDBU works to ensure that small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, 8(a) business development program, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone businesses have access to contract opportunities with HHS.

OSDBU offers the following services and more:

• Training
• Technical Assistance
• One-on-one capability meetings
• Subcontracting program management

Find out about all the support and resources available to small businesses.

FY 23 HHS Small Business Goals

These goals are negotiated every year with the Small Business Administration (SBA). These goals help determine how HHS contracting dollars should be awarded to eligible small businesses.

Mission

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) maximizes the use of small businesses across the acquisition portfolio through outreach, policy, advocacy, and training to support the health and well-being of the American people.

Vision

Promote the health and well-being of the American people by building an agile and resilient industrial and manufacturing base that supports economic growth and development in the health and wellness community.

OSDBU Organization

The Executive Director of OSDBU reports directly to the HHS Deputy Secretary and is administratively supported by the Office of Acquisitions (OA).

OSDBU Office Headquarters

200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Hubert Humphrey Building, Room 405D
Washington, DC 20201
Telephone Number: 202-690-7300

Headquarters Staff Contacts

Shannon Jackson, Executive Director
Shannon.Jackson@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Arielle Douglas, Deputy Director
Arielle.Douglas@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Joshua Blow, Director, Operations Division
Joshua.Blow@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Shelly Thomas, Division Director for Policy
Shelly.Thomas@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Barbara Bigelow, Management Analyst
Barbara.Bigelow@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Mari Williams, Staff Assistant
Mari.Williams@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Dorthea Hammond, Calendar Scheduler for Executive Director
Dorthea.Hammond@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Kevin Diaz, Management Analyst
Kevin.Diaz@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Lydia Taylor, Management & Program Analyst
Lydia.Taylor@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

LaSean Gray, Procurement Analyst
LaSean.Gray@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Chinedu Nwauwa, Procurement Analyst 
Chinedu.Nwauwa@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Small Business Specialists and Operating Divisions

Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Christine Haber, Christine.Haber@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-853-1616

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Wayne Berry, Wayne.Berry@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-390-5801

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Gwendolyn Miles, Gwendolyn.Miles@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-758-5124
LaTonya Dent, LaTonya.Dent@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-748-0571

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Anita Allen, Anita.Allen1@cms.hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-640-0264
Christine Haber, Christine.Haber@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-853-1616

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Cindy Anderson, Cynthia.Anderson@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-578-1356

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Wayne Berry, Wayne.Berry@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-390-5801

Indian Health Service (IHS)
Jonathan Ferguson, Jonathan.Ferguson@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-740-5509

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Natasha Boyce, Natasha.Boyce@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-640-8118
Melanie Carter, Melanie.Carter@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-760-0066
Jonathan Ferguson, Jonathan.Ferguson@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-740-5509
Anita Allen, Anita.Allen1@cms.hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-640-0264
Amy Ulisse, amy.ulisse@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 771-216-7719
Martina Williams, Martina.Williams@hhs.gov, opens in a new window

Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Amy Ulisse, amy.ulisse@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 771-216-7719

Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
LaTonya Dent, LaTonya.Dent@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-748-0571

Office of the Secretary, Office of Acquisition Management Services (OAMS)
Mike Baltzgar, Michael.Baltzgar@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 240-972-4559

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Gwendolyn Miles, Gwendolyn.Miles@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-758-5124

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
Cindy Anderson, Cynthia.Anderson@hhs.gov, opens in a new window, 202-578-1356

Stay connected with OSDBU

Follow us on Facebook, opens in a new tab, X, links to an external website, opens in a new tab, LinkedIn,, links to an external website, opens in a new tab and YouTube, links to an external website, opens in a new tab to receive up-to-date information about events and resources.