Army Team Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) will be hosting the annual Advance Planning Briefing for Industry (APBI) and Small Business Conference (SBC) at Ft. Monmouth, NJ on May 28-29, 2008.
Advance Planning Briefing for Industry
The purpose of the Advance Planning Briefing for Industry (APBI) is to provide industry with a comprehensive overview of Army Team C4ISR requirements and corresponding contract opportunities that will be available within the next few years.
Small Business Conference
The Small Business Conference brings together small business leaders and key CECOM LCMC decision makers. It provides a forum for direct exchange of information and ideas among senior officials and small business leaders and will facilitate small businesses getting their fair share of CECOM LCMC contracts and ensure that the command maintains a viable small business program.
Click here to learn more and for registration information.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Speak up Now! The IRS seeks public comment on law: a 3% withholding tax required by all government contractors
Companies that do business with government entities should be aware that in May 2006 both the House and Senate passed the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-222 (TIPRA). Accordingly, the Internal Revenue Service recently posted a notice regarding the new requirement for government entities to withhold three percent on payment for property and services. The IRS is seeking public comment on this notice by April 28, 2008. If implemented, this notice will impact companies with existing government contracts that expire after December 31, 2010. To read Notice 2000-38 visit the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/govt/fslg/article/0,,id=180377,00.html
Government Withholding Relief Coalition
The DoD reports on their cost estimate for compliance with the 3% withholding law. Their estimate is $17 billion for the first five years.
The report states:
DoD anticipates the costs for DoD to comply with section 511 will be significant – over $17 billion for the first five years. The estimated cost impact includes the costs for DoD to implement and manage section 511 within DoD and the additional costs escalation DoD will pay its contractors as a result of section 511. Further, DoD is concerned that section 511 may limit the number of companies willing to enter into the government market, thereby reducing competition and access to new technologies, and may cause other unintended consequences that are addressed in the report.
Click here to read more.
The report states:
DoD anticipates the costs for DoD to comply with section 511 will be significant – over $17 billion for the first five years. The estimated cost impact includes the costs for DoD to implement and manage section 511 within DoD and the additional costs escalation DoD will pay its contractors as a result of section 511. Further, DoD is concerned that section 511 may limit the number of companies willing to enter into the government market, thereby reducing competition and access to new technologies, and may cause other unintended consequences that are addressed in the report.
Click here to read more.
New Health Care Legislation Targets Small Business
Health care is a hot issue in Campaign 2008, and we can expect to see a host of health care solutions proposed in Congress starting now and continuing into next year. In recent weeks, leading Senators have introduced two approaches that seek to help small business owners facing major increases in the cost of health insurance. The Small Business Health Plans Act (S. 2818), introduced by Sens. Enzi (R-WY), Nelson (D-NE), and Gregg (R-NH) is the latest and revised edition of a proposal that has passed the House on several occasions in recent years. This plan creates a version of Association Health Plans (AHPs) where small businesses are permitted to purchase insurance through trade associations who contract with insurance providers and are thus able to pass on lower costs.
A different approach is offered in S. 2795, the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) Act of 2008, takes a slight different approach. Introduced by Sens. Durbin (D-IL), Snowe (R-ME), Lincoln (D-AR), and Coleman (R-MN), the SHOP Act would create national and state-run insurance pools for small employers. The self-employed would also be included in these packages. The bill also provides employer tax credits (up to $1000 per employee) to help encourage participation in the pools.
Learn more about S. 2818, the Small Business Health Plans Act, and S. 2795, the Small Business Health Options Act, visit the Library of Congress’ THOMAS website.
A different approach is offered in S. 2795, the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) Act of 2008, takes a slight different approach. Introduced by Sens. Durbin (D-IL), Snowe (R-ME), Lincoln (D-AR), and Coleman (R-MN), the SHOP Act would create national and state-run insurance pools for small employers. The self-employed would also be included in these packages. The bill also provides employer tax credits (up to $1000 per employee) to help encourage participation in the pools.
Learn more about S. 2818, the Small Business Health Plans Act, and S. 2795, the Small Business Health Options Act, visit the Library of Congress’ THOMAS website.
All stories © 2008 The Public Forum Institute, National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship www.publicforuminstitute.org/nde.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
IBM Suspended from Federal Contracts
IBM has been hit with an unexpected suspension preventing it from entering into new business with US federal government agencies, as a result of an ongoing investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The temporary suspension comes after the EPA alleged the computer giant violated procurement laws while negotiating a contract with the agency.
An IBM press release states that the notice of temporary suspension was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and relates to an investigation by the EPA of possible violations of the Procurement Integrity provisions of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act regarding a bid for business with the EPA originally submitted in March 2006. The temporary suspension applies to all Federal agencies and IBM business units. IBM may continue awards in existence as of the date of this suspension, unless a particular agency directs otherwise.
In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has served IBM and certain employees with grand jury subpoenas requesting testimony and documents regarding interactions between employees of the EPA and certain IBM employees.
IBM has served the Federal agency community for many decades as a vendor in good standing and is committed to the highest standards of business ethics. IBM provides training on its Business Conduct Guidelines to all employees, with specialized training to those employees working on matters with the Federal government, to ensure compliance with all applicable Federal requirements.
Prior to learning of the temporary suspension on March 28, 2008, IBM was not aware that the EPA or U.S. Attorney’s office were considering any action against IBM. Upon learning of the suspension, IBM initiated discussions with the EPA and the U.S. Attorney’s office to obtain additional information and is cooperating with the investigations.
Under Federal procurement procedures, IBM has 30 days in which to contest the scope of the temporary suspension, which can continue for an initial period of up to one year pending the completion of the investigation. IBM intends to take all appropriate actions to challenge the suspension and limit its scope.
An IBM press release states that the notice of temporary suspension was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and relates to an investigation by the EPA of possible violations of the Procurement Integrity provisions of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act regarding a bid for business with the EPA originally submitted in March 2006. The temporary suspension applies to all Federal agencies and IBM business units. IBM may continue awards in existence as of the date of this suspension, unless a particular agency directs otherwise.
In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has served IBM and certain employees with grand jury subpoenas requesting testimony and documents regarding interactions between employees of the EPA and certain IBM employees.
IBM has served the Federal agency community for many decades as a vendor in good standing and is committed to the highest standards of business ethics. IBM provides training on its Business Conduct Guidelines to all employees, with specialized training to those employees working on matters with the Federal government, to ensure compliance with all applicable Federal requirements.
Prior to learning of the temporary suspension on March 28, 2008, IBM was not aware that the EPA or U.S. Attorney’s office were considering any action against IBM. Upon learning of the suspension, IBM initiated discussions with the EPA and the U.S. Attorney’s office to obtain additional information and is cooperating with the investigations.
Under Federal procurement procedures, IBM has 30 days in which to contest the scope of the temporary suspension, which can continue for an initial period of up to one year pending the completion of the investigation. IBM intends to take all appropriate actions to challenge the suspension and limit its scope.
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