Mariano Torres‑Feliciano, chief of the Small Business Program for the Latin America & Caribbean District, earned the Department of Defense Small Business Professional Credential on July 2, 2026. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Torres‑Feliciano’s professional development and the highlights the district’s commitment to strengthening opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses across the region.
The credential, developed by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) under the Department of Defense’s Back‑to‑Basics initiative, establishes a standardized baseline of knowledge for small business professionals across the acquisition workforce. It ensures that DoD components fully leverage their small business experts to expand opportunities for small businesses to participate in defense acquisitions.
As the district’s Small Business Chief, Torres‑Feliciano leads a program that supports Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and additional Caribbean locations as directed by USACE Headquarters and the South Atlantic Division.
The Small Business Office plays a critical role in facilitating access to contracting opportunities, training and counseling firms for success, and expanding the base of capable suppliers who support the Army’s mission throughout the region. This includes outreach and guidance for small businesses (SB), small, disadvantaged businesses, 8(a) firms, women‑owned and economically disadvantaged women‑owned small businesses, HUBZone firms, and service‑disabled veteran‑owned and veteran‑owned small businesses competing for prime and subcontracting opportunities.
Earning the CSBP credential requires completing a series of distance learning, virtual, and resident courses, followed by a comprehensive exam covering small business legislation, socioeconomic programs, acquisition processes, and DoD policy. The credential is designed not only for small business specialists, but also for acquisition professionals who support small business participation across the Defense Industrial Base.
For the Latin America & Caribbean District, Torres‑Feliciano’s achievement reinforces the district’s commitment to maintaining a highly trained, knowledgeable workforce capable of advancing national small business priorities. A well‑prepared small business professional workforce directly supports the National Defense Strategy, DoD’s small business strategy, and USACE’s mission to deliver engineering solutions that strengthen the nation and its partners.
Torres-Feliciano said receiving this credential is considered a professional achievement.
“It demonstrates that I have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively as a Small Business Professional and to help the district meet its statutory goals in supporting small businesses in the federal procurement processes,” he said. “Also, this strength even more my professional qualifications for future career advancement.”
With this credential, Torres‑Feliciano is positioned to further enhance the district’s outreach, expand opportunities for small and disadvantaged firms, and continue building a resilient supplier base across the Caribbean.