| An immense Tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, and adjacent areas on May 20, 2013, with peak winds over 200 miles per hour, killing 23 people and injuring hundreds. More than 1,000 lost their homes. Schools were destroyed and 7 children died at Plaza Towers Elementary School. Thirty US chambers of Commerce quietly demonstrated their support for the Moore, Oklahoma chamber of Commerce by taking out an annual membership. Those chambers showing both foresight and compassion are listed below. You can join the Moore, Oklahoma Chamber here: http://www.moorechamber.com/ ---
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Friday, August 30, 2013
Thirty Exceptional U.S. chambers support the recovery efforts of the Moore, Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Deadline: Tomorrow, August 30th - HOBART CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Self Employed? What You Need to Know About Individual Shared Responsibility Starting in January 2014 - from the SBA
Under the Affordable Care Act, the government, insurers, employers, and individuals share in the responsibility to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of health insurance coverage. The individual shared responsibility provision is a key part of helping to deliver the law’s consumer protections at an affordable cost. It makes these protections possible by ensuring that individuals do not just wait to purchase insurance when they are sick and drop coverage when they are well, which drives up premiums for everyone.
Starting in January 2014, the individual shared responsibility provision calls for each individual to have:
- Basic health insurance coverage (known as minimum essential coverage) for reach month
- Qualify for an exemption, or
- Make an individual shared responsibility payment when filing a federal income tax return.
Individuals will not have to make a payment if coverage is unaffordable, if they spend less than three consecutive months without coverage, or if they qualify for an exemption for several other reasons, including hardship and religious beliefs.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, less than two percent of Americans will owe a shared responsibility payment.
The Department of Treasury recently issued final guidance that helps to clarify these requirements. Key highlights of include:
Minimum Essential Coverage
Under the final regulations, minimum essential coverage includes, at a minimum, all of the following:
- Employer-sponsored coverage (including COBRA coverage and retiree coverage)
- Coverage purchased in the individual market
- Medicare Part A coverage
- Medicaid coverage
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage
- Certain types of Veterans health coverage
- TRICARE
Hardship Exemption
Under the regulations, there are several situations that will always be treated as constituting a hardship and therefore qualify for an exemption. These include:
- Individuals who the new Health Insurance Marketplace projects will have no offer of affordable coverage; and
- Individuals who would be eligible for Medicaid but for a state’s choice not to expand Medicaid eligibility. This rule will protect individuals in states that decline to expand Medicaid eligibility.
Under the regulations, a hardship exemption will also be available on a case-by-case basis for individuals who face other unexpected personal or financial circumstances that prevent them from obtaining coverage.
What Does Coverage for Each Month Mean?
The regulations also provide that an individual is treated as having coverage for a month so long as he or she has coverage for any one day of that month. For example, an individual who starts a new job on February 26 and is enrolled in employer-sponsored coverage on that day is treated as having coverage for the month of February. And an individual who is eligible for an exemption for any one day of a month is treated as exempt for the entire month.
Individuals who experience short coverage gaps -- less than three consecutive months -- are also exempt from payment.
When Are the First Payments Due and Where Can I Go to Get More Information?
Starting in early 2015, individuals filing a tax return for 2014 will indicate which members of their family (including themselves) are exempt from the provision. For family members who are not exempt, the taxpayer will indicate whether they had insurance coverage. For each non-exempt family member who doesn’t have coverage, the taxpayer will owe a shared responsibility payment.
To learn more about the Individual Shared Responsibility requirements and exemptions that may apply to you, refer to this new Fact Sheet from the U.S. Department of Treasury, as well as these helpfulQ&As from the Internal Revenue Service, or consult with your tax professional.
For more information about new benefits and opportunities to purchase health insurance coverage through the individual Marketplace, visit healthcare.gov.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters - The best 36 page free book you'll ever read!
US Department of Commerce: International Trade Administration - Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for U.S. Exporters is designed to help U.S. companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, learn the basic fundamentals of trade finance so that they can turn their export opportunities into actual sales and to achieve the ultimate goal of getting paid—especially on time—for those sales. Concise, two-page chapters offer the basics of numerous financing techniques, from open accounts, to forfaiting to government assisted foreign buyer financing.
Source: International Trade Administration Website
The best 36 page free book you'll ever read...
http://export.gov/static/TradeFinanceGuide_All_Latest_eg_main_043219.pdf
--
Chamber of Commerce news, events, jobs, ongoing education from http://www.villageprofile.com. National Publisher of quality chamber directories, maps, smart phone apps for non-dues revenues. Midwest United States. John Dussman is Midwest Manager for VillageProfile.com, working with chambers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. More than 1500 Chamber of Commerce all over the United States have trusted Village Profile to produce their Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Visitor Maps and Publications, Economic Development magazines and Chamber of Commerce Maps. Contact John at (800)-600-0134 x239.
Source: International Trade Administration Website
The best 36 page free book you'll ever read...
http://export.gov/static/TradeFinanceGuide_All_Latest_eg_main_043219.pdf
--
Chamber of Commerce news, events, jobs, ongoing education from http://www.villageprofile.com. National Publisher of quality chamber directories, maps, smart phone apps for non-dues revenues. Midwest United States. John Dussman is Midwest Manager for VillageProfile.com, working with chambers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Missouri. More than 1500 Chamber of Commerce all over the United States have trusted Village Profile to produce their Membership Directories, Community Profiles, Visitor Maps and Publications, Economic Development magazines and Chamber of Commerce Maps. Contact John at (800)-600-0134 x239.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Idea - How to listen - Seth Godin
How to listen
Live interaction still matters. Teachers, meetings, presentations, one on one brainstorms--they can lead to real change. The listener has nearly as big a responsibility as the speaker does, though. And yet, Google reports four times as many matches for "how to speak" as "how to listen." It's not a passive act, not if you want to do it right.
If listening better leads to better speaking, then it becomes a competitive advantage.
Ask an entrepreneur leaving the office of a great VC like Fred Wilson. She'll tell you that she gave the best pitch of her career--largely because of the audience. The hardest step in better listening is the first one: do it on purpose. Make the effort to actually be good at it.
Don't worry so much about taking notes. Notes can be summarized in a memo (or a book) later.
Pay back the person who's speaking with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm shown by the expression on your face, in your posture, in your questions.
Play back what you hear but in your own words, using your own situation. Don't ask questions as much as make statements, building on what you just heard but making it your own. Take what you heard and make it the foundation for what you are trying on as your next idea.
If you disagree, wait a few beats, let the thought finish, and then explain why. Don't challenge the speaker, challenge the idea.
The best way to honor someone who has said something smart and useful is to say something back that is smart and useful. The other way to honor them is to go do something with what you learned.
Good listeners get what they deserve--better speakers.
more Seth at his blog: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2013/02/how-to-listen.html
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Government Contracting 101 – SBA’s Training Program By Jim O’Connor
Government Contracting 101 – PART 1
By Jim O’Connor
Introduction
• Designed to help small businesses understand
government contracting programs
– Prime contracting and subcontracting
assistance programs
– SBA certification programs
– Women and veterans small business programs
This training program is designed to help small
businesses understand government contracting programs. It is about helping
small firms win federal contracts. There are three parts to this training
program. This part, part one, provides a small business introduction to
government contracting. It describes prime and subcontracting assistance
programs,
SBA certification programs, and it describes
women and veteran owned small business programs.
Parts two and three, provide clarity and
training around how the government buys and how to sell to the government.
Taken together, the three parts represent a comprehensive ‐‐ government contracting guide for small businesses.
Learning Objectives
1. Know about federal contract markets and
opportunities
2. Understand prime contract and subcontracting
assistance programs
3. Understand SBA’s certification programs –
8(a) Business Development and HUB Zone
4. Know about the Woman Owned Small Business
program and the veteran owned small business programs(VOSB&SDVOSB)
After reviewing this training program you
should:
1. Have a general understanding and know about
federal contract markets and contract opportunities.
2. Understand prime contracting and
subcontracting assistance programs and how they can be used to take advantage
of federal contract opportunities.
3. Understand SBA’s certification programs – the
8(a) Business Development and HUB Zone
programs.
4. And, know about the newly implemented women
owned small business program and the veteran owned small business programs.
Scope of the Federal Buying Market
• U.S.
• Federal agencies buy just about every category
of commodity and service available
Narrative
The U.S.
In short, the government buys just about every
category of commodity and service available.
Small Firms are the Engine of Growth
• Small businesses are the engine for economic
growth in America
• Provide jobs, innovation and competition
• Government policy provides “maximum
practicable” prime and subcontracting opportunities to small firms.
Small businesses have always been the engine for
economic growth. They provide jobs, innovation and bring competition to
the marketplace.
The Government’s procurement policy – which
encourages “maximum practicable” prime and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses – is a catalyst
for economic growth. With a government contracting
market representing more than a half trillion dollars, it makes solid
economic sense to help small firms get their fair share of federal
contract dollars.
What is a Small Business?
• Certain government programs only apply to
small businesses
• Small business size standards are generally
determined by the number of employees or annual business receipts
Learn more:
What is a Small Business?
http://www.sba.gov/content/am‐i‐small‐business‐concern
Guide to Size Standards
http://www.sba.gov/content/determining‐size‐standards
Narrative
Certain government programs apply only to small
businesses. The question then becomes, what is a small business, or more
specifically, how do you determine if you are a small business?
Over the years SBA has established and revised
numerical definitions for al for‐profit industries, and
this
numerical definition is called a "size
standard." It is almost always stated either as the number
of employees or average annual receipts of a business concern.
In addition to establishing eligibility for SBA
programs, all federal agencies must apply SBA's size standards for
contracts to be awarded to small firms.
The referenced hyperlinks can be used to
determine small business size eligibility and to learn more about size
standards.
Prime Contract Assistance
Prime contract assistance‐no narrative.
Prime Contract Assistance
• Government‐wide Contracting Goals
• Small Business Set‐asides
– Rule of Two
– Non‐manufacturer Rule
– Subcontracting Limitations
– Service‐disabled Veteran Owned
Small Business
– HUB Zone
– Woman‐Owned Small Business
Program
– 8(a) Business Development Program
• Small Business Size Standards
• Certificate of Competency (COC) Program
Narrative
Helping small businesses benefit from federal
prime contracts is an obligation of all federal agencies and a key
responsibility of SBA and its staff.
Multiple programs and initiatives are available
to support this effort. They include, government‐wide contracting
goals, small business set‐asides, small business size standards and
SBA’s Certificate of Competency program. Each of these programs is
discussed.
Government‐Wide Contracting Goals
Small Business
– Goal 23%
Women
– Goal 5%
Small Disadvantaged Businesses
– Goal 5%
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
– Goal 3%
HUB Zone
– Goal 3%
Narrative
Federal statute defines government‐wide prime contracting goals. Such goals represent a primary
tool in helping small firms be considered for government contracts. SBA
plays a pivotal role in administering the government‐wide goals initiative and works with individual agencies.
The current, government‐wide procurement goal is that at least 23% of all federal
government
contracting dollars should be awarded to small
businesses.
In addition, targeted sub‐goals are established for women‐owned small businesses,
small disadvantaged businesses, firms located in HUB Zones and service
disabled veteran‐owned small businesses.
These targeted goals are 5%, 5%, 3% and 3%,respectively, and are meant to
be subsets of the overall small business goal of 23 percent.
These goals are important because federal
agencies have an obligation to reach‐out and consider
different types of small businesses for procurement opportunities.
Small Business Set‐asides
• Small business set‐asides are a critical tool
• Powerful vehicle for helping small firms win
prime contracts
• Fundamental: Acquisitions that have an
anticipated dollar value exceeding $3,000, but not over $150,000 are
automatically reserved for small businesses
• FAR 19.5
Narrative
Small business set‐asides are a powerful
tool for helping small firms win federal prime contracts. Fundamentally,
government buys that have an anticipated dollar value exceeding $3,000, but not
over $150,000 are automatically reserved corset‐aside for small businesses. This is required unless the
contracting officer determines there is not a
reasonable expectation of obtaining offers from two or more responsible
small businesses.
Small Business Set‐asides
Small business set‐asides are influenced by
the Rule of Two, the Non‐manufacture Rule and
Subcontracting Limitations. Further, contracts
can be set‐aside for small businesses certified in
the 8(a)
Business Development Program or the HUB Zone
Program. Or, they can be set‐aside for qualified
women owned small businesses or service disabled
veteran owned small businesses.
Rule of Two
• Acquisitions over $150,000 are to be set‐aside for small businesses when there is a reasonable
expectation that offers will be obtained from at
least two responsible small businesses
• FAR 19.502‐2
Narrative
For acquisitions over $150K – they too are to be
set‐aside for small business, when there is a reasonable
expectation that offers will be obtained from at
least two responsible small business concerns, and the
award can be made at a fair market price.
It is important to note, consideration is first
for a set‐aside or sole source award under the
8(a),
HUB Zone, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Business or Woman Owned Small Business programs
before a general small business set‐aside. However there is no order of precedence among 8(a),
HUB Zone, SDVOSB or WOSB programs.
Non‐Manufacturer Rule
• Set‐aside small business
acquisitions that are not for construction or service related contracts –
must utilize a domestic small business
manufacturer
• SBA may issue individual or class waivers to
the non‐manufacturer rule, if no small manufacturer
exists
• Rule does not apply for contracts under
$25,000
• FAR 19.001; FAR 19.1
Narrative
The non‐manufacturer rule is an
important provision impacting small business set‐asides.
For small business set‐asides, other than for construction or service contracts, the
prime contractor
must utilize a small business manufacturer – if
the firm itself, is not doing the manufacturing to
complete the work. In industries where the SBA
determines there are no or very limited small business
manufacturers, it may issue individual or class
waivers to the non‐manufacture rule.
It is important to note, for small business set‐asides for supplies, the prime contractor must either
qualify as a manufacturer or supply the product
of a domestic small business manufacturer.
For acquisitions that are under $25,000,the rule
does not apply. Use the FAR references to learn more
about the specifics surrounding the Non‐manufacture Rule.
Limitations on Subcontracting
• Applies to contracts set‐aside for small businesses when the contract amount exceeds
$150,000
– Service – At least 50% of the contract cost
for personnel must be expended for
employees of the small business
– Supply ‐ Business must perform
work for at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing the
supplies, not including the cost of materials
6– General construction – Business must perform
at least 15% of the cost of the contract,
not including the cost of the materials, with
its own employees.
• FAR 19.508‐e; FAR 19.811‐3e
Narrative
Limitations on subcontracting apply to
solicitations and contracts for supplies, services and construction,
if any portion of the requirement is set‐aside for small business and the contract amount exceeds
$150,000.
This limitation applies to service contracts,
such that at least 50% of the contract cost for personnel
must be expended for employees of the small business.
For supply contracts, the business must perform
work for at least 50% of the cost of
manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials.
And finally for general construction contracts,
the business must perform at least 15% of the cost of the
contract, not including the cost of the
materials, with its own employees. For construction by special
trade contractors, the business must perform at
least 25% of the cost of the contract, not including the
cost of the materials, with its own employees.
8(a) Business Development Program
• 8(a)set‐asides are a very
popular vehicle for achieving agency small business and SDB
contracting goals
– Sole source
– Competitive
• 8(a)firms are formally certified by SBA
• FAR 19.8; FAR 19.203
Narrative
Contracting officers can set‐aside purchases for small firms certified in the 8(a) Business
Development
Program.
8(a)set‐asides are a powerful
tool for agencies to achieve small business and small disadvantaged
business contracting goals. An 8(a)set‐aside can be facilitated as a sole source or competitive
acquisition.
More details about the 8(a) program are provided
in a later section of this training program.
Slide 16HUBZone Program
• Small business must have its principal office
located in a HUB Zone
• 35% of the firm’s employees must reside within
a HUB Zone, or certify that at least 35% of
employees engaged in a HUB Zone contract will
reside in a HUB Zone or Indian reservation
• Firm must be at least 51% owned and controlled
by a US
• FAR 19.13
Narrative
Contracting officers can also set‐aside purchases for small businesses located in designated HUB
Zones.
To participate in this type of set‐aside, a small firm’s principal office must be located in a HUB
Zone and
at least 35% of the firm’s employees must reside
within a HUB Zone, or certify that at least 35% of its
employees engaged in a HUB Zone contract will
reside in a HUB Zone or Indian reservation
The HUB Zone program is discussed in greater
detail later in this training program.
Woman Owned Small Business Program
• Small Business Act authorizes contract set‐asides for WOSBs and/or EDWOSBs
• Creates significant opportunities for women
entrepreneurs
• Program helps agencies meet government‐wide contracting goals
• FAR 19.15
Narrative
Changes to the Small Business Act now authorize
contract set‐asides for women owned small businesses
and/or economically disadvantaged women owned
small businesses.
This change creates significant opportunities
for women entrepreneurs and will help agencies to meet
government‐wide contracting goals.
Specifics of the WOSB program are discussed
later in this training module
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Program
• Tool to help achieve an agency’s SDVOSB
contracting goal
• At least 51% owned and controlled by a service‐disabled veteran
• Daily operations are controlled by a service‐disabled veteran or care giver
• FAR 19.14
Narrative
8A contracting officer can also set‐aside acquisitions for Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Businesses.
To participate in this type of set‐aside, such businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled
by a
service disabled veteran and the daily
management operations of the concern must be controlled by a
service‐disabled veteran or
caregiver. And, they must be a small business.
Small Business Size Standards
• Size standards are established by the SBA and
represent numerical definitions for specific NAICS
codes
• Based on average annual sales or the number of
employees
• Used to determine eligibility for government
preferences and reservations for small businesses
Learn more…
Table of Small Business Size Standards
http://www.sba.gov/content/table‐small‐business‐size‐
standards
Narrative
SBA has established and continually updates
numerical definitions for all industries or NAICS codes. This
numerical definition is called a small business
size standard. It is almost always stated either as the
number of employees or the average annual sales
of the business concern.
All federal agencies must apply SBA’s size
standards for contracts to be awarded to small firms. It is also
important to note, only SBA can reconcile size
protests.
Use the hyperlink to determine the applicable
size standard for a specific NAICS code.
Certificate of Competency Program
• If an apparent successful offer or is
determined to be “non‐responsible“ by a contracting officer‐
‐the small business is
entitled to an independent review by the SBA
• SBA may issue a COC to the contracting officer
requiring the award of that specific contract to
the small business
• FAR 19.6
Narrative
The COC program is helpful to many small firms.
If an apparent successful offer or is determined
to be “non‐responsible” by the contracting officer,
the
contracting officer is required to refer the
matter to the SBA for a Certificate of Competency or COC
review. Based on the review, the SBA may issue a
certificate of competency declaring the “referred
company” – as sufficiently responsible for the
purposes of receiving and performing the specific
contract.
Subcontracting Assistance
Subcontracting assistance‐no narrative.
Find Subcontracting Opportunities
• Subcontracting can be profitable alternative
for small firms
• Performing as a subcontractor can prepare a
firm to be a prime contractor in the future
• SBA maintains a database of subcontracting
opportunities. This searchable database is called
SUB‐Net
http://web.sba.gov/subnet/search/index.cfm?CFID=3326268&CFTOKEN=dd547388634a6447‐
D5095AFE‐E879‐6168‐A5D8DD639D02C393
Narrative
An alternative to seeking prime contracts is to
explore subcontracting opportunities.
Subcontracting with a prime contractor can be a
profitable experience as well as a growth opportunity
for a small business. If your small business is
not ready or lacks the capabilities to bid competitively for
prime contracts, it should consider
opportunities available through subcontracting. SBA maintains a
database of subcontracting opportunities. This
searchable database is called SUB‐Net.
Subcontracting Assistance Programs
• Prime contractors receiving contracts greater
than the simplified acquisition threshold must
agree to provide small businesses with the
maximum practical opportunity to participate as
subcontractors
• FAR 19.7
Narrative
Prime contractors receiving contracts greater
than the simplified acquisition threshold must agree in the
contract that small businesses, specifically
veteran‐owned small businesses, service disabled veteran
owned small businesses, women‐owned small businesses, HUB Zone small businesses, and small
disadvantaged businesses – will have the maximum
practical opportunity to participate as
subcontractors.
As such, prime contractors are required to
establish subcontracting plans describing who and how small
businesses will participate as subcontractors.
Subcontracting Plans
• Subcontracting Plans are for contracts over:
– $ 1.5 Million for construction
– $ .65 Million (650,000)for all others
• Types of Subcontracting plans:
– Individual subcontracting plan
– Master subcontracting plan
– Commercial subcontracting plan
• FAR 19.701
Narrative
Subcontracting plans are required for contracts
over $1.5million for construction and $650,000
thousand for all others. There are three types
of subcontracting plans: individual, master and
commercial subcontracting plans.
These written plans – which become part of the
contracting file – are designed to describe specific
efforts by a prime contractor to ensure that
small businesses have an equitable opportunity to compete
and participate as “subs” in specific contracts.
The subcontracting plans may include specific goals and
will define requirements for reports and
documentation to be maintained.
Subcontracting Goals
Government‐wide Subcontracting
Goals
Small Disadvantaged Businesses
– Goal 5%
Women‐Owned Small
Businesses(WOSB)
– Goal 5%
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Businesses(SDVOSB)
– Goal 3%
HUB Zone
– Goal 3%
Narrative
Government‐wide numerical
subcontracting goals are established by statute for small disadvantaged
businesses, women‐owned small businesses,
service disabled veteran owned small businesses and
HUB Zone certified small businesses.
Although subcontracting goals are established
government‐wide, subcontracting requirements are
negotiated between the respective government
agency and the prime contractor.
SBA Certifications
SBA certifications‐no narrative.
SBA Certifications
• 8(a) Business Development Program
• HUB Zone Program
Narrative
SBA administers two certification programs
designed to assist specific market groups in the government
contracting space. These programs are the 8(a)
Business Development Program and the HUB Zone
Program. Each of these programs represents an
excellent vehicle for assisting small firms to win federal
contracts. These programs also play a primary
role in helping agencies achieve, respective SDB and
HUB Zone contracting goals.
Informal certification programs – for women and
veterans – are also discussed later in this program.
8(a) Business Development Program
• Assists eligible socially and economically
disadvantaged small businesses
• Provides business development and contract
assistance
• SBA certification required
• All 8(a)firms are SDBs, but not all SDBs are
8(a) certified
• FAR 19.8
Narrative
The 8(a) Business Development Program is
designed to assist eligible socially and economically
disadvantaged small businesses. The program–
which is primarily a business development program ‐
provides qualified firms access to capital and
credit, business counseling and training, and contracting
opportunities.
Through the award of sole source and set‐aside contracts, the 8(a) program provides market access and
growth for qualified businesses. The program is
an efficient contracting vehicle for achieving small
business and SDB goals.
It is important to note – all 8(a) certified
firms are also SDBs, but all small disadvantaged businesses are
not necessarily 8(a) certified. Qualified firms
can participate in the 8(a) program for up to nine years.
8(a) Business Development Program
• Certified firms can receive sole‐source contracts
– up to $4million for goods and services
– up to $6.5million for manufacturing
• Joint ventures and teaming
• Mentor‐Protégé Program
• FAR 19.8
Narrative
There are unique benefits to participants in the
8(a) program.
Certified firms can receive sole‐source contracts, up to $4million for goods and services
requirements
and up to $6.5million for manufacturing
requirements. Firms are also allowed to form joint ventures
and teams to bid on contracts, giving them
greater flexibility to compete for larger prime contracts.
8(a) certified firms can also participate in the
Mentor‐Protégé Program, giving them the opportunity to
learn the ropes from other experienced 8(a)
businesses.
8(a) Business Development Program
• Small firm must be at least 51% owned and
controlled by a socially and economically
disadvantage individual(s)
• Meet small business size standards
• In business for more than two years
• Unconditionally owned and controlled by one or
more disadvantaged individuals who are US
citizens
• FAR 19.8
Narrative
To be eligible for participation in the 8(a)
Business Development Program, the applicant must be a small
business and be at least 51% owned and
controlled by a socially and economically disadvantage
individual or individuals.
Certain individuals are presumed to be socially
disadvantaged – they are African‐Americans, Hispanic
Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Native
Americans and Subcontinent Asian Americans. An individual
who is not a member of one of the groups listed
can be admitted to the program if he or she shows –
through a preponderance of the evidence – that
he or she is socially disadvantaged. The evidence can
be based on color, ethnic origin, gender,
physical handicap or geographic environment.
In addition, successful applicants to the 8(a)
program will meet small business size standards and be in
business for more than two years. Besides being
unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more
disadvantaged individuals, the owners must be US
citizens, who are in good standing.
HUB Zone Program
• Historically Underutilized Business Zone
• Contracting preference program designed to
stimulate economic development
and create jobs
• SBA certification required
• FAR 19.13
Narrative
The HUB Zone Program is designed to stimulate economic
development and create jobs in urban and
rural communities by providing federal
contracting preferences to small businesses. These preferences
are available to small firms who qualify because
they are located in an area designated by the SBA as a
historically underutilized business zone.
Through the award of sole source and set‐aside contracts, the HUB Zone program provides market
access and growth for qualified businesses.
Slide 32HUBZone Program
• 3% government‐wide goal for contracts
to be awarded to HUB Zone certified firms
• Competitive and sole source contracts
• 10% price evaluation preference
• FAR 19.13
Narrative
The HUB Zone program offers benefits to eligible
firms.
A government‐wide goal of 3% provides
incentives for agencies to award contracts to certified HUB Zone
firms. In addition, certain contracts can be
specifically set‐aside for firms located within a HUB
Zone.
And further, in some cases a 10% price
evaluation preference may be applicable to a HUB Zone certified
firm. Review the FAR reference for clarity.
Slide 33HUBZone Program
• Meet small business size standards
• Owned and controlled by at least 51% of US
citizens, or a Community Development Corporation,
an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe
• Principal office must be in a designated HUB
Zone
• At least 35% of the firm’s employees must live
in a HUB Zone
Learn more...
HUB Zone Map
http://map0.sba.gov:8000/gis/esri/hubzone/index.html
Narrative
To be eligible for the HUB Zone program firmest
be a small business, meeting SBA’s small business
size standards. In addition, the business must
be owned and controlled by at least 51% of US citizens, or
a Community Development Corporation, an
agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe.
Further, the firm’s principal office must be
located within a designated HUB Zone, which includes lands
considered “Indian Country” and military
facilities closed by the “Base Realignment and Closure Act.
Importantly, the “principal office” is defined
as the location where the greatest number of employees
perform the majority of work. Also, at least 35%
of the firm’s employees must live in a HUB Zone.
Use the HUB Zone map to determine if your firm
and employees are located in a designated HUB Zone
area.
Women and Veterans Programs
Women and veterans programs‐no narrative.
Women and Veterans Programs
• Woman Owned Small Business Program(WOSB)
• Veteran-Owned Small Business
Programs(VOSB&SDVOSB)
Narrative
Targeted contracting programs exist to help
women‐owned small businesses and small businesses
owned by veterans and service‐disabled veterans.
Woman Owned Small Business Program
• 5% Government‐wide contracting goal
• 5% Government‐wide subcontracting goal
• Newly implemented WOSB Program
– Contract set –asides are authorized
• FAR 19.15
Narrative
Annual government‐wide contracting goals
have been legislatively established for women‐owned small
businesses. As such, 5 percent of the total
value of all prime contracts and 5 percent of all subcontracts
are to be awarded to women‐owned small businesses.
However, the Small Business Act has been
recently amended to authorize set‐asides for women owned
small businesses or economically disadvantaged
women owned small businesses. These set‐asides
apply only to certain NAICS codes and are
limited by dollar thresholds – which will be discussed. The
new program is defined as the Woman Owned Small
Business Contract Program or simply WOSB.
New WOSB Program
• Only designated industries(use link below to
find eligible NAICS)
• Limitations on contract amounts
– $4million for service contracts
– $6.5million for manufacturing contracts
• Only WOSBs or EDWOSBs are eligible
• Competition is required for all WOSB contracts
• WOSBs program– self certifying with
documentation or third party SBA approved certifier
Narrative
The new WOSB program opens many doors for women
entrepreneurs.
However, as mentioned, not all contract
opportunities are eligible and there are limitations. The
program is defined by several key tenets: it
applies only to contracts in designated industries; the
maximum dollar amount of contracts is limited;
only woman‐owned small businesses or economically
disadvantaged women‐owned small businesses are eligible; competition is required for
all WOSB
contract awards; and, participating women‐owned businesses must be certified – through a self
certifying process or from an SBA approved
certifier.
Slide 38 Eligibility ‐New WOSB Program
• WOSB
– 51% owned & controlled by one or more
women who are US citizens
– Ownership must be direct and not subject to
limitations
– Woman or women must manage day to day
operations
• EDWOSB
– Satisfy all conditions of WOSB
– Personal net worth of less than $750,000
– Adjusted annual income of $350,000orless
– Market value of all assets does not exceed
$6million
Narrative
It goes without saying that only women‐owned businesses are eligible for the WOSB program.
A WOSB is defined as a small business that is at
least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women
who are US citizens. The ownership must be
direct and not subject to conditions. A woman or women
must manage the day to day operations of the
business and be able to provide documents
demonstrating that these requirements are
satisfied.
An economically disadvantaged woman‐owned small business must satisfy all conditions for a WOSB. In
addition, a woman will be presumed economically
disadvantaged if she has a personal net worth of less
than $750,000, her adjusted gross annual income
does not exceed $350,000 and the fair market value of
all of her assets does not exceed $6million.
Certification ‐New WOSB Program
• Self certification
– WOSB or EDWOSB can self certify
– Registration in CCR&ORCA is required
– Contracting office may/will request additional
documentation
– All documents will be maintained in WOSB
Program Repository
• Review: http://www.sba.gov/wosb
Third Party Certification
– Can be certified by third party certifier –
federal agency, state government or national
certifying entity approved by SBA
– Existing 8(a) program certification may be
eligible
Narrative
Women business owners participating in the WOSB
program must be certified.
Certification can be accomplished in two ways –
through self certification or through a third party
certifier.
A woman‐owned small business or
economically disadvantaged woman‐owned small business can
self
certify ‐‐to participate in the
WOSB program. This can be done by first registering in the Central
Contractor Registration ‐the CCR – and the Online Representations and Certifications
Application ‐
ORCA ‐ as a woman‐owned small business.
Other documents will be requested by the
contracting officer. These documents will be used to
validate that the business is an eligible small
business, owned and controlled by one or more women.
All certification documents for WOSBs or EDWOSBs
will be maintained in the WOSB Program Repository
that SBA will manage.
In addition, a WOSB or EDWOSB can be certified
by a third party certifier.
A third party certifier is a federal agency, a
state government, or a national certifying entity approved by
the Small Business Administration to provide
certifications of WOSBs or EDWOSBs. SBA will maintain a
list of approved third party certifiers on its
Website.
Veterans Programs(VOSB&SDVOSB)
• Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Development Act defined VOSB&SDVOSB
• Established 3% government‐wide prime and subcontracting goals for service disabled veteran
owned small businesses
• Self‐certification
program(SDVOSB)
Learn More…
Veterans Business Outreach Centers
http://www.sba.gov/content/veterans‐business‐outreach‐centers
Veteran Information Pages http://www.vetbiz.gov/
Narrative
The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Development Act of 1999 defined veteran owned
small businesses and service disabled veteran
owned businesses. It also established government‐wide
contracting and subcontracting goals for service
disabled veteran owned small businesses at 3 percent,
respectively.
Service disabled veteran owned small businesses
are self‐certified. However, the Department of
Veterans Affairs verifies ownership and control
of veteran owned small businesses and service disabled
veteran owned small businesses, as part of the
Vendor Information Pages or VIP database.
Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
• SDVOSB Program
– Contract set–asides are authorized
• Sole source or competition is required for all
SDVOSB contracts
• SDVOSB – self certified
Narrative
As mentioned earlier in this training program, a
contracting officer can set‐aside acquisitions for
service
disabled veteran owned small businesses.
To participate in this type of set-aside, such businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled
by a
service disabled veteran and the daily
management operations of the concern must be controlled by a
service‐disabled veteran or
caregiver. And, they must be a small business. Service disabled veteran
owned small businesses are required to self‐certify.
Veterans First Contracting Program
• Only VO and SDVOSB are eligible
• Sole source or competition
• Must be certified by the VA
VO and SDVOSB must be certified in
(http://www.vetbiz.gov) and listed in the VIP database
(http://www.vip.vetbiz.gov)
Narrative
The Veterans First Contracting Program applies
only to purchases made by the Department of Veterans
Affairs and only veteran owned small businesses
and service disabled veteran owned small businesses
are eligible.
Veteran owned small firms wanting to participate
in the program must be certified by the Department
of Veterans Affairs and listed in the VA’s
Vendor Information Pages or VIP database.
Resources and Tools
Resources and tools‐no narrative.
Resources and Tools
• Federal Acquisition Regulations
– https://www.acquisition.gov/far
• Acquisition Central
– https://www.acquisition.gov/
• FAR Part 19 – Small Business Programs
– http://www.acquisition.gov/far
• Code of Federal Regulations(13CFR)
– http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html
• Federal Business Opportunities
– http://www.fbo.gov
• SBA‐Government Contracting
–
http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/gc/index.html
Resources and Tools
• Online Representations & Certification
Application (ORCA)
– https://orca.bpn.gov
• Learn more about(including application
procedures):
– 8(a) Business Development Program
http://www.sba.gov/content/8a‐business‐
development‐0
– WOSB Program http://www.sba.gov/content/contracting‐opportunities‐women‐
owned‐small‐businesses
– HUB Zone Program
http://www.sba.gov/content/hubzone‐0
• Find your local:
– SBA district office
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html
– Procurement
Technical Assistance
Center
us.org/new/Govt_Contracting/find.php
– SCORE chapter http://www.score.org/
– Small
Business Development
Center
– Women’s Business Center
http://www.awbc.biz/locate.asp
Conclusion
•
Thank you for participating in Part 1, of the
Government Contracting 101 training program
• Review Parts 2 and 3
– How the government buys
– How to sell to the federal government
Thank you…
Narrative
Thank you for participating in Part 1, of the GC
101 training program. Much information was covered
and we hope it was helpful.
Please review parts 2 and 3, which provide
clarity and training around how the government buys and
how to sell your goods and services to the
federal government. Thank you.
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