Gloria Berthold will be featured on the May 2007 television program. "Down to Business” is a monthly half-hour program that covers the diversity of concerns, people and issues of the Howard County business community, which debuted in October 2006. Sponsored by j-ref, The Business Monthly and Optivor Technologies, the program is hosted by j-ref Executive Director, Michael Mobley.
Headquartered in the Center for Business & Technology Development in Columbia, Maryland, j-ref is a private, not-for-profit funding source for Howard County start-up and emerging companies. Support for the j-ref program (www.jref.org) is available through partnerships with Howard County government, Howard County Economic Development Authority, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce, local financial institutions, and the local business community. In addition to offering business loans up to $250,000, j-ref works through its strategic partners to offer assistance to small and emerging companies in the areas of business advice, planning, and education.
The targeted audience is small businesses, Howard County Chamber members, politicians, bankers, CPAs, business publications, entrepreneurs, and business students.
Host Mobley is a highly motivated, experienced and energetic business executive with over 20 years experience in finance, strategic planning and operations that facilitated growth, market share and profitability for various businesses. This was accomplished by leading the development of a vision and mission, while communicating business objectives, along with facilitating and motivating multi-functional groups to develop the strategies and implement the tactics to reach these goals.
Down to Business
Comcast Howard County Channel 73
Mondays: 12:00, 4:00, and 8:00 pm
Wednesdays & Fridays: 8:00 pm
Monday, March 19, 2007
4/23 Minority Enterprise Executive Council
6th Annual Minority Entrepreneurs Conference & Business Expo 2007
"Partnering for Success"
Monday, April 23, 2007
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
the Grand Westin Hotel
2350 M Street, NW, Washington DC 20037
"Partnering for Success"
Monday, April 23, 2007
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
the Grand Westin Hotel
2350 M Street, NW, Washington DC 20037
Government Contracting Launchpad
Government Contracting Launchpad
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
8 to 10 am
Chesapeake Innovation Center
175 Admiral Cochrane Drive, 4th floor, Annapolis
Register Now!
This five-person expert panel, including Gloria Berthold, will walk workshop participants through the rigors of breaking into federal, state, and local government contracting market, from the basic 101 of necessary registrations to how to market and present yourself to the right government agencies.
Learn how to research the marketplace, competition, budgets and agencies; how to set up and enact a marketing plan, including translating commercial marketplace abilities to the government sector; leveraging current federal relationships and expanding into new opportunities with the federal government; how to stay informed on upcoming opportunities; various resources that exist to help you expand in to the market;available open market business and contracting vehicles; and more.
Laura Willoughby
8 to 10 am
Chesapeake Innovation Center
175 Admiral Cochrane Drive, 4th floor, Annapolis
Register Now!
This five-person expert panel, including Gloria Berthold, will walk workshop participants through the rigors of breaking into federal, state, and local government contracting market, from the basic 101 of necessary registrations to how to market and present yourself to the right government agencies.
Learn how to research the marketplace, competition, budgets and agencies; how to set up and enact a marketing plan, including translating commercial marketplace abilities to the government sector; leveraging current federal relationships and expanding into new opportunities with the federal government; how to stay informed on upcoming opportunities; various resources that exist to help you expand in to the market;available open market business and contracting vehicles; and more.
Laura Willoughby
Executive Director
Anne Arundel Tech Council
2660 Riva Road Suite 200
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-7410
410-222-7410
Selling to the Federal Government
Do’s and don’ts for salespeople who want to sell to the government
Gloria Berthold, founder of Targetgov.com, shares her insights with Savvy Selling columnist and podcast host Michelle Nichols on how to sell to the federal government
Download Podcast (requires Quicktime 7 or ITunes)
Gloria Berthold, founder of Targetgov.com, shares her insights with Savvy Selling columnist and podcast host Michelle Nichols on how to sell to the federal government
Download Podcast (requires Quicktime 7 or ITunes)
Sunday, February 18, 2007
BRAC Business Opportunities
The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process means billions in contracting opportunities for companies of all sizes throughout the U.S. Attend this teleconference to find out practical, cost-effective steps to find business opportunities for construction, A&E, remediation, planning, IT, security, logistics, human resources, staffing, services, products, virtually every type of service ot product you can think of.
Click here for more details and registration infomation.
Military.com News
Military.com Veteran-Owned Business Center Launches to Connect and Serve 3.5 Million Veteran Business Owners
Company Brings Best-in-class Resources to One Location and Creates the Largest Veteran-Owned Business Network in the U.S.
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Military.com, the leading military membership organization and division of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), today announced the launch of a Veteran-Owned Business Center that helps veteran entrepreneurs access all of the benefits, resources, and information needed to start and grow their business (www.business.military.com/veteran). More importantly with this launch, the Veteran-Owned Business Center becomes the largest network of veteran-owned businesses, which is invaluable for veterans and companies seeking them.
Military veterans represent one of the most successful groups of small business owners in the country. They represent only 10 percent of the total population, but over 25 percent of all small businesses according to the U.S. Census Bureau. They are also more successful than the norm – The SBA reports that Vet-owned business average almost 2 employees more than non vet owned businesses, and their gross income is more than twice the non vet owned small businesses. Others are on the way as the SBA also reports that more than 22 percent of veterans in the US want to start a business.
This effort is another way that Military.com works to give veterans the best business and career opportunities. “We built the site from the ground up, talking with vet business owners every step of the way to pull in the most useful resources and organize them in a way most helpful to the veterans,” said Chris Michel, Founder of Military.com and a successful veteran entrepreneur. “We’re bringing the best resources available and helping veterans cut through red tape and access the great benefits and financing programs available to them. And we do it all for free.”
One of the most powerful features of the Veteran-Owned Business Center is networking. Military.com starts with over 9 million trusted members, and is able to rapidly identify and connect veteran business owners to help each other. The site starts with over 65,000 veteran business owners, a number that will grow as the word of the site travels through the business community. “Our veteran mentor network has connected over 400,000 veterans and changed the playing field for veteran job seekers,” said Tom Aiello, vice president at Military.com. “We bring this same advantage to bear for veteran business owners.”
Via the Military.com Vet-Owned Business Center companies and prime contractors can reach a better informed vet entrepreneur who is plugged into the special training and financing available to veterans. “Military.com is bringing a great resource to aid veteran business owners. The network is very important for them to develop relationships and new business,” said Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov, a company that specializes in small business education and business development.
About Military.com
Military.com, the nation's largest military membership organization, is dedicated to connecting the 30 million members of the military and veteran community to every advantage earned in service to America. Military.com helps its more than 8 million members access their benefits, advance their careers, enjoy military discounts, and stay connected. Military.com is a division of Monster Worldwide, Inc. Visit the company at http://www.military.com/.
About Monster
Monster Worldwide, Inc. is the parent company of Monster(R), the leading global online careers and recruitment resource. Headquartered in New York with approximately 4,600 employees in 35 countries, Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ: MNST) is a member of the S&P 500 Index and NASDAQ 100. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at http://www.monsterworldwide.com/.
Monster(R) is the leading global online careers and recruitment resource. A division of Monster Worldwide, Monster works for everyone by connecting quality job seekers at all levels with leading employers across all industries. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Maynard, Mass., Monster has 34 local language and content sites in 32 countries worldwide. More information is available at http://www.monster.com/ or by calling 1-800-MONSTER. To learn more about Monster's industry-leading employer products and services, please visit http://info.monster.com/.
Special Note: Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding Monster Worldwide, Inc.'s strategic direction, prospects and future results. Certain factors, including factors outside of Monster Worldwide's control, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward- looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which Monster Worldwide operates, risks associated with acquisitions, competition, seasonality and the other risks discussed in Monster Worldwide's Form 10-K and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated in this release by reference.
SOURCE: Military.com
Loree Hirschman
415.820.3430
loree.hirschman@military-inc.com
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Monster Worldwide Inc.'s business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ
WIPP Updates
WIPP Leaders attended a private Procurement Briefing arranged by Senate Small Business Committee staff members.
The WIPP leaders group heard from Naomi Baum, Majority Staff Director, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Gregg Willis, Senate Committee on Small Business Committee and Entrepreneurship, Peter Levine, Senate Armed Services Committee and Troy Cribb, Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. WIPP members then had a debriefing with WIPP Lobbyist Ann Sullivan and WIPP President Barbara Kasoff and ended the day with a private Capitol tour.
Attending the briefing were Cheryl Amyx, Gloria Berthold, Marion Bonhomme-Knox, Kristine Cook Lindsey, Linda Denny, Nicole Geller, Catherine Giordano, Rachel Hall, LaVern Jackson, Ronia Kruse, Valerie Perlowitz, Sheryl Swed, Magdalah Silva and Doña Storey. Also attending the briefing for WIPP were Ann Sullivan, Barbara Kasoff and Katie Kilby.
Women’s Procurement Study to be Submitted
The long-awaited Women’s Procurement Study is expected to be finalized and submitted to the SBA in 10 weeks. Once the study is submitted, the next step would be for the Agency to issue proposed regulations to implement the women’s procurement program. WIPP will keep you apprised of this important news.
SBA NEWS
President Bush Releases FY2008 Budget
President Bush submitted his FY2008 Budget Proposal to Congress this week. The $2.9 trillion proposal outlines his plan to use spending cuts to federal programs to create budget surpluses by 2012 without new tax increases.
Of particular note to WIPP members are the provisions in the Small Business Administration (SBA) budget. In a SBA Budget Briefing this week, the SBA gave an overview of the budget and discussed SBA priorities.
According to the SBA, Administrator Preston’s first focus when appointed was the reengineering process of disaster assistance programs, placing a focus on efficiency and effectiveness. The SBA reported in the upcoming fiscal year, the agency will also evaluate new agency scorecards to drill down on how agencies are reaching their small business contracting goals. Also of note, with additional allocations in the budget, the SBA will look to focus on structure that will increase the agency’s efficiency and effectiveness including the addition of Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) to aid small businesses. Another focus is outreach to underserved markets, including rural and inner city locations, to aid small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing these areas new worksites.
Click here to access the Administration’s full budget proposal.
Click here for the SBA’s overview of the President’s Budget Proposal.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL UPDATE
Take Action to Urge Your Representative to Support Investment in Small Business
The Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) Act of 2007 (HR 578) was recently reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Don Manzullo (R-IL). The ACE Act would create a 25-percent tax credit for accredited investors and certain partnerships (including angel investment pools if all are accredited investors) that invest cash or cash equivalents at an arm's length in a qualified small business. An angel investment pool is a group of investors who come together to pursue common investments.
WIPP members have identified access to capital as one of the top concerns facing their business. This legislation would provide a critical source of funding for small businesses. WIPP has conducted extensive grassroots efforts in support of this legislation and will continue to push for quick enactment.
WIPP is asking all members to urge your Representatives to cosponsor HR 578. Click here to read the action alert and to personalize an email to send to your Representatives. This will only take a few minutes but will help WIPP reach our goal of securing 100 cosponsors.
If you are not a WIPP member, now is the time to check it out and join! Click here for information.
Repeal 3% Government Contractor Withholding
The U.S. Chamber Supports Legislation to Repeal 3% Government Withholding
The U.S. Chamber is supporting legislation (H.R. 1023) to repeal a 3% federal, state, and local government withholding requirement on all government payments to vendors. The withholding provision, known as Section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, is scheduled to go into effect in 2011.
Section 511 will affect all government contracts, any payment to any person for a service or product provided to a government entity, and any other payments, such as Medicare and grants. The requirement will be administratively burdensome to implement and will impinge on a company's cash flows for day-to-day operations, according to the Chamber.
Click here to learn more.
The U.S. Chamber is supporting legislation (H.R. 1023) to repeal a 3% federal, state, and local government withholding requirement on all government payments to vendors. The withholding provision, known as Section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, is scheduled to go into effect in 2011.
Section 511 will affect all government contracts, any payment to any person for a service or product provided to a government entity, and any other payments, such as Medicare and grants. The requirement will be administratively burdensome to implement and will impinge on a company's cash flows for day-to-day operations, according to the Chamber.
Click here to learn more.
DC Gets $20 Billion in Feds Real Estate
Federal budget could bring $20.1B to D.C. real estate market
Some large line items in the General Services Administration's $20.1 billion budget request could mean more federal spending for D.C. real estate. In President Bush's fiscal 2008 budget, the GSA has asked for:
$319 million to pay for the consolidation of Department of Homeland Security's scattered locations.
$58 million for more construction at the Food and Drug Administration's Montgomery County campus.
$27 million for St. Elizabeth's West Campus (the proposed home of the Coast Guard) to pay for infrastructure and site acquisition.
Another chunk of change is to repair existing federal facilities in the District, including $172 million for the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and $13 million for the Department of Defense's Joint Operations Center in D.C.
Some large line items in the General Services Administration's $20.1 billion budget request could mean more federal spending for D.C. real estate. In President Bush's fiscal 2008 budget, the GSA has asked for:
$319 million to pay for the consolidation of Department of Homeland Security's scattered locations.
$58 million for more construction at the Food and Drug Administration's Montgomery County campus.
$27 million for St. Elizabeth's West Campus (the proposed home of the Coast Guard) to pay for infrastructure and site acquisition.
Another chunk of change is to repair existing federal facilities in the District, including $172 million for the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and $13 million for the Department of Defense's Joint Operations Center in D.C.
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA Kick Off
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA to Kick Off February 24 with Stars from Coast to Coast
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, the initiative to inspire young people everywhere to explore their potential as entrepreneurs and innovators funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and organized by the Public Forum Institute, has attracted prominent Americans from elected officials to sports figures and leading entrepreneurs.
Dozens of members of Congress are joining the effort including
Congressman John Dingell (D-MI),
Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX),
Senator John Ensign (R-NV),
Senator John Kerrey (D-MA) and
Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO).
Administration officials like
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and
SBA Administrator Steven Preston will participate in a policy summit in Washington, DC.
Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona and
Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (the chair and vice-chair of the National Governors Association) are leading a group of governors endorsing The Week.
Notable participants from the sporting world include
Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton,
Shane Battier of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, and
Stephen A. Smith, host of ESPN’s “Quite Frankly.”
Pop culture celebrities like
Randall Pinkett, season four winner of The Apprentice and
Judson Laipply, who danced his way to fame on YouTube, have been involved from the outset.
Intellectual leaders like
Thomas Friedman, columnist for the New York Times, will be speaking on campuses throughout the country.
And experienced entrepreneurs like
Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinko’s, and
Richard Caruso, the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, are scheduling appearances at a full slate of activities throughout The Week.
Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov will host a FREE TELECONFERENCE teaching entrepreneurs how to do business with the world's fortune one customer: The U.S. Federal Government. Click here to sign up for this free teleconference.
Click here to find an EntrepreneurshipWeek USA activity in your community.
Parts of this information is (c)2006 The Public Forum Institute
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, the initiative to inspire young people everywhere to explore their potential as entrepreneurs and innovators funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and organized by the Public Forum Institute, has attracted prominent Americans from elected officials to sports figures and leading entrepreneurs.
Dozens of members of Congress are joining the effort including
Congressman John Dingell (D-MI),
Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX),
Senator John Ensign (R-NV),
Senator John Kerrey (D-MA) and
Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO).
Administration officials like
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and
SBA Administrator Steven Preston will participate in a policy summit in Washington, DC.
Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona and
Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota (the chair and vice-chair of the National Governors Association) are leading a group of governors endorsing The Week.
Notable participants from the sporting world include
Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton,
Shane Battier of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, and
Stephen A. Smith, host of ESPN’s “Quite Frankly.”
Pop culture celebrities like
Randall Pinkett, season four winner of The Apprentice and
Judson Laipply, who danced his way to fame on YouTube, have been involved from the outset.
Intellectual leaders like
Thomas Friedman, columnist for the New York Times, will be speaking on campuses throughout the country.
And experienced entrepreneurs like
Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinko’s, and
Richard Caruso, the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, are scheduling appearances at a full slate of activities throughout The Week.
Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov will host a FREE TELECONFERENCE teaching entrepreneurs how to do business with the world's fortune one customer: The U.S. Federal Government. Click here to sign up for this free teleconference.
Click here to find an EntrepreneurshipWeek USA activity in your community.
Parts of this information is (c)2006 The Public Forum Institute
Executive Order: Slash Energy Consumption
Executive Order: Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management
Bush Orders Federal Agencies to Slash Energy Consumption
President George W. Bush recently issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to cut their energy consumption, shift federal fleets to alternative fuel and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and expand procurement programs for environmentally friendly products.
Under the order, agencies operating fleets of at least 20 motor vehicles must reduce their consumption of petroleum products by two percent a year through the end of fiscal 2015. Bush said federal agencies would start buying new plug-in hybrid vehicles when they are commercially available.
The order requires agencies to reduce their overall energy use by three percent annually through 2015 and to cut water consumption two percent annually over the same period. Agencies must increase alternative fuel consumption at least 10 percent annually.
The order mandates that agencies expand procurement programs focusing on environmentally friendly products, including bio-based products. At least 50 percent of current renewable energy purchases must come from renewable sources that began generating power after January 1, 1999, the order states.
And by 2010 the federal government must increase to at least 2,500 the number of operations that implement environmental management systems, up from about 1,000 today.
For the full Executive Order verbige, Click here
If your company can help address these issues call TargetGov at 1-866-579-1346 for assistance.
Bush Orders Federal Agencies to Slash Energy Consumption
President George W. Bush recently issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to cut their energy consumption, shift federal fleets to alternative fuel and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and expand procurement programs for environmentally friendly products.
Under the order, agencies operating fleets of at least 20 motor vehicles must reduce their consumption of petroleum products by two percent a year through the end of fiscal 2015. Bush said federal agencies would start buying new plug-in hybrid vehicles when they are commercially available.
The order requires agencies to reduce their overall energy use by three percent annually through 2015 and to cut water consumption two percent annually over the same period. Agencies must increase alternative fuel consumption at least 10 percent annually.
The order mandates that agencies expand procurement programs focusing on environmentally friendly products, including bio-based products. At least 50 percent of current renewable energy purchases must come from renewable sources that began generating power after January 1, 1999, the order states.
And by 2010 the federal government must increase to at least 2,500 the number of operations that implement environmental management systems, up from about 1,000 today.
For the full Executive Order verbige, Click here
If your company can help address these issues call TargetGov at 1-866-579-1346 for assistance.
Friday, February 02, 2007
TargetGov Teleconference Schedule
February 8, 2007—Two Tracks! 1:00 to 3:15 pm EST
8(a) Certification -- Will It Help You Win More Contracts?
2 Tracks: Choose the one that is best for you or attend both for full information. Attend both and save $40! Click here for details.
February 22, 2007 Thursday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
BRAC Contracting Opportunities: How to Pursue the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Contracts The BRAC process translates to billions in contracting opportunities for the businesses that know how to find, capture and perform for these special opportunities. Attend this TargetGov teleconference to learn the details of the upcoming BRAC opportunities in your area and throughout the entire U.S. Click here for teleconference speaker and Toolkit details.
March 1, 2007 Thursday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Learn How to Sell Your Products and Service to the Biggest Customer in the United States!
Attend this free teleconference as part of EntrepreneurshipWeek USA on March 1, 2007 to learn about how you can start doing business with the U.S. Federal Government. Hear real-life experiences from business owners who started as very small businesses and have become multi-million dollar firms through government contracting. Click here for more information and to register. Register early as phone lines are limited for this complimentary teleconference!
The U.S. Federal Government buys over 350 BILLION dollars worth of goods and services of virtually every type EVERY year. And the U.S. Federal Government recognizes the need and value in buying from small businesses – perhaps even YOUR small business!
March 13, 2007 Tuesday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Effective Government Business Development Strategies Teleseminar: Beef Up Your Bottom Line NOW
Learn what new trends and tactics will help you be more successful in increasing your government contracting revenues. Also learn what tactics will slam the door on your success. Click here for details
March 29, 2007 Thursday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Doing Business with the Department of Education Teleseminar: Learn How to Graduate to Future Business Opportunities
Learn what you can do to open the door to doing business with the Department of Education and increasing your government contracting revenues. Click here for details
Build your business with TargetGov!
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA
TargetGov Participates in EntrepreneurshipWeek USA With Free Teleconference
Learn How to Sell Your Products and Service to the Biggest Customer in the United States
One of the toughest challenges for an entrepreneur is finding customers. Did you know that the U.S. Federal Government is the largest customer in the world? The U.S. Federal Government buys over 350 BILLION dollars worth of goods and services of virtually every type EVERY year. And the U.S. Federal Government recognizes the need and value in buying from small businesses – perhaps even YOUR small business!
Attend this free teleconference as part of EntrepreneurshipWeek USA on March 1, 2007 to learn about how you can start doing business with the U.S. Federal Government. Hear real-life experiences from business owners who started as very small businesses and have become multi-million dollar firms through government contracting.
Click here for details.
More Than 200 Universities Preparing for EntrepreneurshipWeek USA
More than 200 universities will engage students to think entrepreneurially and inspire them to take on their big ideas. During EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, from Feb. 24 to March 3, 2007, entrepreneurs, educators, community leaders and students across the United States will celebrate the power of entrepreneurship with a range of activities in their campuses and classrooms.
These activities include “Venture Capital Speed Dating” at Stanford University, “Philadelphia’s Entrepreneur Idol” at Temple University, and “IdeaXchange” at the University of Arizona. EntrepreneurshipWeek USA events will reach out to thousands of students, no matter what their field of study. Young people will have opportunities to interpret what entrepreneurship means to them and follow their passions outside the academic world.
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA is sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation with national sponsors including The New York Times and INC. magazine. More than 700 partners are participating in events across the country. To learn more, click here.
Learn How to Sell Your Products and Service to the Biggest Customer in the United States
One of the toughest challenges for an entrepreneur is finding customers. Did you know that the U.S. Federal Government is the largest customer in the world? The U.S. Federal Government buys over 350 BILLION dollars worth of goods and services of virtually every type EVERY year. And the U.S. Federal Government recognizes the need and value in buying from small businesses – perhaps even YOUR small business!
Attend this free teleconference as part of EntrepreneurshipWeek USA on March 1, 2007 to learn about how you can start doing business with the U.S. Federal Government. Hear real-life experiences from business owners who started as very small businesses and have become multi-million dollar firms through government contracting.
Click here for details.
More Than 200 Universities Preparing for EntrepreneurshipWeek USA
More than 200 universities will engage students to think entrepreneurially and inspire them to take on their big ideas. During EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, from Feb. 24 to March 3, 2007, entrepreneurs, educators, community leaders and students across the United States will celebrate the power of entrepreneurship with a range of activities in their campuses and classrooms.
These activities include “Venture Capital Speed Dating” at Stanford University, “Philadelphia’s Entrepreneur Idol” at Temple University, and “IdeaXchange” at the University of Arizona. EntrepreneurshipWeek USA events will reach out to thousands of students, no matter what their field of study. Young people will have opportunities to interpret what entrepreneurship means to them and follow their passions outside the academic world.
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA is sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation with national sponsors including The New York Times and INC. magazine. More than 700 partners are participating in events across the country. To learn more, click here.
TCM Government Contracting Academy
Hurry and register for the Tech Council of Maryland’s Government Contracting Academy -- the one program that teaches you what you need to know to do business with the public sector. Learn how to secure lucrative Government Contracts or at the very least partner with subcontractors who can open the door for your company in the multi-billion dollar Government Contracting marketplace.
This program is a must for anyone who has a business development title or is tasked with bringing in new sources of revenue for their organization. You’ll get intensive training and the tools necessary to land new work.
Our eight sessions led by experts in both industry and the government will teach you insider’s information on subjects like the procurement and business processes in a small, interactive, information-packed atmosphere. Our eight-session agenda includes:
--Overview and GSA Schedule
--Sub-Contracting and Mentor Protégé
--Recruiting and Retaining Talent
--Security Clearances
--Marketing and Sales Force Development
--Financial Systems and Legal Requirements
--Proposal Writing
--Exit Strategy - Mergers and Acquisitions
Whether your business is just getting started in the Federal Marketplace or you have been selling to the government for years, this program will provide you with the knowledge you need to be successful. Beginning on February 9th, all sessions will be held at the Maryland Technology Development Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville, MD 20850, 8:30 am - 10:00 am.
Also, you may be eligible for a 50 percent tuition reimbursement if your company is based in Maryland. This program has been approved for reimbursement by Montgomery County. Register now and we’ll give you the information on how to get your 50 percent reimbursement.
There are only a few seats remaining in this year’s Academy, so don’t delay. Enroll today! Please contact Mark Glazer at mglazer@techcouncilmd.com or call 240-453-6212 to learn more and reserve your seat in the 2007 TCM Government Contracting Academy.
"Supported in part by a grant from Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development."
TCM
9700 Great Seneca Highway
Rockville, MD 20850
240.453.6200
This program is a must for anyone who has a business development title or is tasked with bringing in new sources of revenue for their organization. You’ll get intensive training and the tools necessary to land new work.
Our eight sessions led by experts in both industry and the government will teach you insider’s information on subjects like the procurement and business processes in a small, interactive, information-packed atmosphere. Our eight-session agenda includes:
--Overview and GSA Schedule
--Sub-Contracting and Mentor Protégé
--Recruiting and Retaining Talent
--Security Clearances
--Marketing and Sales Force Development
--Financial Systems and Legal Requirements
--Proposal Writing
--Exit Strategy - Mergers and Acquisitions
Whether your business is just getting started in the Federal Marketplace or you have been selling to the government for years, this program will provide you with the knowledge you need to be successful. Beginning on February 9th, all sessions will be held at the Maryland Technology Development Center, 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville, MD 20850, 8:30 am - 10:00 am.
Also, you may be eligible for a 50 percent tuition reimbursement if your company is based in Maryland. This program has been approved for reimbursement by Montgomery County. Register now and we’ll give you the information on how to get your 50 percent reimbursement.
There are only a few seats remaining in this year’s Academy, so don’t delay. Enroll today! Please contact Mark Glazer at mglazer@techcouncilmd.com or call 240-453-6212 to learn more and reserve your seat in the 2007 TCM Government Contracting Academy.
"Supported in part by a grant from Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development."
TCM
9700 Great Seneca Highway
Rockville, MD 20850
240.453.6200
Intern Positions Available
We are looking for a few interns who want to work in a fast-paced environment and learn a lot about marketing, public relations, business on the internet, and more!
Intern projects/duties include:
We match the responsibilities with the interests and abilities of the individual intern. We anticipate that you have no experience in the specific projects and will be spending your time here learning the various processes.
We have many types of projects in progress, you could possibly work on any of the following:
Internet projects:
--Website development and updates
--Blog development and updates
--Search engine research and utilization
--Database updates
Public relations projects:
--Distributing press releases and articles
Events:
--Seminars, Teleseminars, Webinars
Customer Service:
Telephone and email contact
Ideal candidates will be able to:
--Write effectively and in a business-like manner
--Communicate clearly over the phone
--Show attention to detail
--Enjoy learning new processes
--Schedule your time effectively and responsibly
--Be familiar with the following software: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Click here to contact us for an interview.
Intern projects/duties include:
We match the responsibilities with the interests and abilities of the individual intern. We anticipate that you have no experience in the specific projects and will be spending your time here learning the various processes.
We have many types of projects in progress, you could possibly work on any of the following:
Internet projects:
--Website development and updates
--Blog development and updates
--Search engine research and utilization
--Database updates
Public relations projects:
--Distributing press releases and articles
Events:
--Seminars, Teleseminars, Webinars
Customer Service:
Telephone and email contact
Ideal candidates will be able to:
--Write effectively and in a business-like manner
--Communicate clearly over the phone
--Show attention to detail
--Enjoy learning new processes
--Schedule your time effectively and responsibly
--Be familiar with the following software: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Click here to contact us for an interview.
Sales plummet on GSA’s governmentwide contracts
Sales plummet on GSA’s governmentwide contracts
Purchases through the General Services Administration’s governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs) plummeted $1 billion — almost a third — in fiscal 2006.
Net sales for GSA’s GWACs, interagency information technology contracts, were $2.4 billion in 2006, down from $3.4 billion in 2005, according to GSA’s 2006 performance and accountability report.
Many GWAC sales are conducted through GSA’s client support centers, which were rocked by scandal in recent years after auditors revealed several of them were not adhering to acquisition rules. Click here for details
Purchases through the General Services Administration’s governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs) plummeted $1 billion — almost a third — in fiscal 2006.
Net sales for GSA’s GWACs, interagency information technology contracts, were $2.4 billion in 2006, down from $3.4 billion in 2005, according to GSA’s 2006 performance and accountability report.
Many GWAC sales are conducted through GSA’s client support centers, which were rocked by scandal in recent years after auditors revealed several of them were not adhering to acquisition rules. Click here for details
National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship
Next Steps in Federal Contracting
A Congressionally-chartered advisory panel has released its final report examining how to improve the Federal procurement process. The Acquisition Advisory Panel, which was composed of private industry leaders and government officials, examined all aspects of the government contracting process, including small business set-asides, government data rights, and the quality of the federal acquisition workforce. Their final report includes numerous recommendations. In the area of small business contracting, the report urges Congress to clarify rules over bundling of smaller contracts into one large package. This practice helps agencies skirt small business contracting rules. In general, the report urges a greater commitment to small business contracting and also encourages agencies to provide more flexibility in their rules regarding small business contracts.
View the December 2006 Report of the Acquisition Advisory Panel to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and the U.S. Congress.
Click here to view the rest of this post
The New Landscape on the Hill
The New Landscape on the Hill
The New Landscape on the Hill: What Will it Mean for America’s Entrepreneurs?
Now that the dust from Election 2006 hassettled, it is time to take a closer look at the potential effects of the changed political landscape on America’s innovation economy. Most of the recent economic news has been pretty good. American companies are prospering, and the base for innovation and entrepreneurship is fairly strong. However, long term worries -- related to trade and current account deficits and a challenged K-12 education system -- lay on the horizon.
At the highest level, it’s unlikely that Democratic control of Congress will change this pattern very much. While Democrats have assumed the majority, their margins are not huge – and quite vulnerable to a veto from the White House. Thus, Congress will be unlikely to introduce huge shifts in policy in the coming two years. However, they will be able to get new issues and ideas on the table via Congressional hearings, and, as we will see below, they will also likely generate some changed policies and priorities in targeted areas.
Click here to view the rest of this post
The New Landscape on the Hill: What Will it Mean for America’s Entrepreneurs?
Now that the dust from Election 2006 hassettled, it is time to take a closer look at the potential effects of the changed political landscape on America’s innovation economy. Most of the recent economic news has been pretty good. American companies are prospering, and the base for innovation and entrepreneurship is fairly strong. However, long term worries -- related to trade and current account deficits and a challenged K-12 education system -- lay on the horizon.
At the highest level, it’s unlikely that Democratic control of Congress will change this pattern very much. While Democrats have assumed the majority, their margins are not huge – and quite vulnerable to a veto from the White House. Thus, Congress will be unlikely to introduce huge shifts in policy in the coming two years. However, they will be able to get new issues and ideas on the table via Congressional hearings, and, as we will see below, they will also likely generate some changed policies and priorities in targeted areas.
Click here to view the rest of this post
IRS Announces New Mileage Rates
IRS Announces New Mileage Rates
The 2007 optional standard mileage rate will be 48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, according to a November 1 IRS news release. That is up from 44.5 cents per mile for 2006.
Other standard mileage rates for 2007 will be 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization. The IRS said the higher rates for 2007 can be attributed to higher prices for vehicles and fuel during 2006.
For more information, click here to consult the IRS website.
The 2007 optional standard mileage rate will be 48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, according to a November 1 IRS news release. That is up from 44.5 cents per mile for 2006.
Other standard mileage rates for 2007 will be 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization. The IRS said the higher rates for 2007 can be attributed to higher prices for vehicles and fuel during 2006.
For more information, click here to consult the IRS website.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Baltimore Businesswoman Returns from Middle East Business Development Summit
Berthold Chosen to Speak with Summit Attendees from 17 Countries
November 28, 2006. (Baltimore, MD) Gloria Berthold, President of TargetGov, recently returned from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after participating in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Businesswoman’s Summit 2006. Berthold was one of five U.S. business owners invited to participate in the Summit and provide discussion group facilitation and one-on-one mentoring to the 250 women attending from 17 countries. She also personally coordinated and delivered proclamations from three different organizations in the U.S. to Dr. Rawdha Abdullah Al-Muttawaa, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council.
The MENA Businesswomen’s Summit was sponsored by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State with the support of the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and was presented under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
Berthold said “Businesswomen in the Middle East and North Africa deal with the same challenges as we do in the U.S. – start-up issues, financing growth, opening new markets, and finding, training and keeping good employees all while contributing to the community and caring for family. I found that we had more similarities than differences and was delighted to discover that these common threads allowed frank and open discussion of not just the common problems, but also encouraged creative thinking of a range of solutions.”
The Summit was a forum for 250 dynamic women from 17 countries and territories from Iraq to Morocco to join with women executives and leaders from the United States to take entrepreneurship in the region to the next level. MEPI announced at the Summit that new businesswomen’s hubs have been formed to provide ongoing support of this network in Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These hubs are as a result of the dreams and goals expressed by the businesswomen at the first summit in 2005, which was held in Tunisia.
In addition to the discussions and roundtables, featured presenters included a speech of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, H. E. Suhair Al Ali, Minister of Industry and International Cooperation, Jordan; The Honorable Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of State and Public Diplomacy; The Honorable Michele Sison, U. S. Ambassador to the U.A.E. and from the Forbes List of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World: Raja Easa Al Gurg, Managing Director Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group.
“To say I was honored to be chosen to participate is an understatement of great magnitude” said Berthold. “While I consider this to be a trip of a lifetime, it has also opened my eyes to the opportunities we have outside of our own borders. I am now inspired to redouble my efforts to be a business facilitator and connect U.S. businesspeople with global opportunities and help open doors here for those who wish to do business with us.”
Berthold coordinated the creation and in-person delivery of proclamations from the following organizations declaring congratulations and support for the businesswomen’s efforts in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.: Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), a national. organization representing a half million business women throughout the U.S., the Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce, the only regional chamber in the mid-Atlantic area, and the Business Women’s Network of Howard County. “I felt that these three organizations represented a wide range of businesswomen in the U.S. and was moved that they would each agree to participate in sending official greetings and open the doors to future communications with the women in Abu Dhabi.
Note: Photos can be provided in electronic format upon request.
Gloria Berthold is president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc, a full service business development firm specializing in government contracting and business to business markets. She can be reached through the web site: http://www.targetgov.com/.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Ignorance is NOT Bliss in Government Contracting
By: Don Walsh
Many government contractors are baptized by fire into the labor requirements of government contracts.
Although a bumpy ride, the majority of government contractors have become familiar with such things as having appropriate documentation of employment eligibility, security clearances and the importance of accurate and certified payrolls.
Over the past few years, however, the landscape for employers has dramatically changed creating issues for unsuspecting contractors who do not realize that these requirements may trump even contractual requirements and bid prices.
For contracts imposing the Service Contract Act (SCA), employees must be paid wages and fringe benefits that are no less than the prevailing wages and fringe benefits paid to private and public sector employees in the same locality who perform similar work. Unlike the commercial market where the parties to a contract may agree on the wages to be paid an employee, the SCA interjects the Department of Labor into the process. Its Wage and Hour Division is authorized to make the determination of the "prevailing wage" regardless of what the contracting officer may have agreed to and regardless of what the contractor may have proposed.
This ability of the Department of Labor to modify the payment terms of the contract poses an inherent risk to the contractor and has provided fertile ground for contract disputes.
In addition to incorrectly classifying an employee’s labor category, the Department of Labor and private litigants have also launched increased scrutiny into whether salaried employees are exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Careful inspection of the duties of all salaried employees is necessary to ensure that they meet one of the tests created for overtime exemption. Similar to labor misclassifications, the overriding power of the Department of Labor and the jurisdictional limitations of the various Boards of Contract Appeals limit the ability of the contracting officer to permit the employer to defend these misclassifications based on the contract, the treatment of employees by predecessor contractors or even by similar positions and pay by the government.
Improper classification of labor category or overtime exemption status frequently involve multiple current and former employees and expose employers to back wages, liquidated damages, and the employee’s counsel fees.
This is not to say, however, that contractors are left without any contractual remedies. With moderate success, many contractors have recovered increased costs utilizing either the Price Adjustment Clause in their contracts or "common law" theories, such as constructive change, mutual mistake, superior knowledge, and equitable estoppel.
To avoid such entanglements, prudent contractors must take special precaution to carefully review all of the duties of positions proposed to ensure the appropriate classification.
Don Walsh is a partner at Offit Kurman, PA concentrating in commercial litigation, employment law and all aspects of government procurements including contractual and administrative issues arising when doing business with federal, state and local governments. He can be reached at 443.738.1583.
Many government contractors are baptized by fire into the labor requirements of government contracts.
Although a bumpy ride, the majority of government contractors have become familiar with such things as having appropriate documentation of employment eligibility, security clearances and the importance of accurate and certified payrolls.
Over the past few years, however, the landscape for employers has dramatically changed creating issues for unsuspecting contractors who do not realize that these requirements may trump even contractual requirements and bid prices.
For contracts imposing the Service Contract Act (SCA), employees must be paid wages and fringe benefits that are no less than the prevailing wages and fringe benefits paid to private and public sector employees in the same locality who perform similar work. Unlike the commercial market where the parties to a contract may agree on the wages to be paid an employee, the SCA interjects the Department of Labor into the process. Its Wage and Hour Division is authorized to make the determination of the "prevailing wage" regardless of what the contracting officer may have agreed to and regardless of what the contractor may have proposed.
This ability of the Department of Labor to modify the payment terms of the contract poses an inherent risk to the contractor and has provided fertile ground for contract disputes.
In addition to incorrectly classifying an employee’s labor category, the Department of Labor and private litigants have also launched increased scrutiny into whether salaried employees are exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Careful inspection of the duties of all salaried employees is necessary to ensure that they meet one of the tests created for overtime exemption. Similar to labor misclassifications, the overriding power of the Department of Labor and the jurisdictional limitations of the various Boards of Contract Appeals limit the ability of the contracting officer to permit the employer to defend these misclassifications based on the contract, the treatment of employees by predecessor contractors or even by similar positions and pay by the government.
Improper classification of labor category or overtime exemption status frequently involve multiple current and former employees and expose employers to back wages, liquidated damages, and the employee’s counsel fees.
This is not to say, however, that contractors are left without any contractual remedies. With moderate success, many contractors have recovered increased costs utilizing either the Price Adjustment Clause in their contracts or "common law" theories, such as constructive change, mutual mistake, superior knowledge, and equitable estoppel.
To avoid such entanglements, prudent contractors must take special precaution to carefully review all of the duties of positions proposed to ensure the appropriate classification.
Don Walsh is a partner at Offit Kurman, PA concentrating in commercial litigation, employment law and all aspects of government procurements including contractual and administrative issues arising when doing business with federal, state and local governments. He can be reached at 443.738.1583.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Exit Strategies for Women-Owned Firms
For some time, the conventional wisdom was that women are more “attached” to their businesses than men. As a result, some observers felt that women entrepreneurs were less open to clear exit strategy (IPO or a sale) than their male counterparts.
This belief has little grounding in reality according to new research from Center for Women’s Business Research and MassMutual.
In a survey of successful business owners (firms more than five years old with more than $1 million in annual revenue), researchers found few differences between men and women in terms of their development of a long-term exit strategy.
Both men and women entrepreneurs had developed such a strategy, and both groups deemed price to be the key factor in determining whether to sell a business. Women business owners did express a greater concern about the sale’s impact on their employees.
First time women business owners were more reluctant to sell their companies. Serial women entrepreneurs showed no differences compared to men when it comes to propensity to sell their business.
Click here to learn more about the Center for Women’s Business Research Report, Exit Strategies of Women and Men Business Owners
© 2006 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship
This belief has little grounding in reality according to new research from Center for Women’s Business Research and MassMutual.
In a survey of successful business owners (firms more than five years old with more than $1 million in annual revenue), researchers found few differences between men and women in terms of their development of a long-term exit strategy.
Both men and women entrepreneurs had developed such a strategy, and both groups deemed price to be the key factor in determining whether to sell a business. Women business owners did express a greater concern about the sale’s impact on their employees.
First time women business owners were more reluctant to sell their companies. Serial women entrepreneurs showed no differences compared to men when it comes to propensity to sell their business.
Click here to learn more about the Center for Women’s Business Research Report, Exit Strategies of Women and Men Business Owners
© 2006 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Changes on the Hill: Will Business Benefit?
The New Landscape on the Hill: What Will it Mean for America’s Entrepreneurs?
Now that the dust from Election 2006 appears to be settled, it is time to take a closer look at the potential effects of the changed political landscape on America’s innovation economy. Most of the recent economic news has been pretty good. American companies are prospering, and the base for innovation and entrepreneurship is fairly strong. However, long term worries -- related to trade and current account deficits and a challenged K-12 education system -- lay on the horizon.
At the highest level, it’s unlikely that Democratic control of Congress will change this pattern very much. While Democrats have assumed the majority, their margins are not huge – and quite vulnerable to a veto from the White House. Thus, Congress will be unlikely to introduce huge shifts in policy in the coming two years. However, they will be able to get new issues and ideas on the table via Congressional hearings, and, as we will see below, they will also likely generate some changed policies and priorities in targeted areas.
Click here to view the rest of this post.
Now that the dust from Election 2006 appears to be settled, it is time to take a closer look at the potential effects of the changed political landscape on America’s innovation economy. Most of the recent economic news has been pretty good. American companies are prospering, and the base for innovation and entrepreneurship is fairly strong. However, long term worries -- related to trade and current account deficits and a challenged K-12 education system -- lay on the horizon.
At the highest level, it’s unlikely that Democratic control of Congress will change this pattern very much. While Democrats have assumed the majority, their margins are not huge – and quite vulnerable to a veto from the White House. Thus, Congress will be unlikely to introduce huge shifts in policy in the coming two years. However, they will be able to get new issues and ideas on the table via Congressional hearings, and, as we will see below, they will also likely generate some changed policies and priorities in targeted areas.
Click here to view the rest of this post.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Upcoming Training and Seminars January 2007: Jan & Feb
Click here for the complete TargetGov Teleconference schedule.
Government Contractor Resources Seminar January 30, 2007: This seminar is intended for businesses that are considering competing in the Federal market, or those that are in the early phases of entry.
Speakers
Government Business Development
Gloria Berthold
Sessions will cover the 5 Key Steps to Procurement Success
1. Basic definitions
2. Identifying Who Buys What you Sell
3. Finding Business Opportunities
4. Finding Decision Makers
5. Effective Strategies and Tactics
Government Contracting—Overview
Dennis Smythe
Session will cover the following topics
1. How the Government Buys
2. Myths Associated with Government Contracts
3. Minority, Small Disadvantaged Business Certifications
4. Contract Administration and the FAR
Click here to view further information
Government Contractor Resources Seminar January 30, 2007: This seminar is intended for businesses that are considering competing in the Federal market, or those that are in the early phases of entry.
Speakers
Government Business Development
Gloria Berthold
Sessions will cover the 5 Key Steps to Procurement Success
1. Basic definitions
2. Identifying Who Buys What you Sell
3. Finding Business Opportunities
4. Finding Decision Makers
5. Effective Strategies and Tactics
Government Contracting—Overview
Dennis Smythe
Session will cover the following topics
1. How the Government Buys
2. Myths Associated with Government Contracts
3. Minority, Small Disadvantaged Business Certifications
4. Contract Administration and the FAR
Click here to view further information
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Middle East Business Development Summit
Local Businesswoman Returns from Middle East Business Development Summit
Berthold Chosen to Speak with Summit Attendees from 17 Countries
Gloria Berthold, President of TargetGov, recently returned from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after participating in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Businesswoman’s Summit 2006. Berthold was one of five U.S. business owners invited to participate in the Summit and provide discussion group facilitation and one-on-one mentoring to the 250 women attending from 17 countries. She also personally coordinated and delivered proclamations from three different organizations in the U.S. to Dr. Rawdha Abdullah Al-Muttawaa, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council (shown in above photo).
The MENA Businesswomen’s Summit was sponsored by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State with the support of the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and was presented under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
Click here to view the rest of this post
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Government Contractor Resources Seminar
This seminar is intended for businesses that are considering competing in the Federal market, or those that are in the early phases of entry.
Speakers
Government Business Development
Gloria Berthold
Sessions will cover the 5 Key Steps to Procurement Success
1. Basic definitions
2. Identifying Who Buys What you Sell
3. Finding Business Opportunities
4. Finding Decision Makers
5. Effective Strategies and Tactics
Government Contracting—Overview
Dennis Smythe
Session will cover the following topics
1. How the Government Buys
2. Myths Associated with Government Contracts
3. Minority, Small Disadvantaged Business Certifications
4. Contract Administration and the FAR
Accounting for Government Contracts
Rhonda J. Tomlinson, CPA
Session will cover the following topics
1. Components of Government Contract Accounting
2. Specialized Rules and Regulations
3. Policies and Procedures
4. Document and Best Practices
Valuable Handouts Included
Presented by: Government Contractor Resources, LLC
We help you navigate the contracting maze!
Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $149.00 (credit cards accepted)
Location: The Center for Business and Technology Development, The Thomas Dorsey Building 9250 Bendix Road, North, Columbia, MD 21045
For More information or to register click here or phone: 410.313.6550
Speakers
Government Business Development
Gloria Berthold
Sessions will cover the 5 Key Steps to Procurement Success
1. Basic definitions
2. Identifying Who Buys What you Sell
3. Finding Business Opportunities
4. Finding Decision Makers
5. Effective Strategies and Tactics
Government Contracting—Overview
Dennis Smythe
Session will cover the following topics
1. How the Government Buys
2. Myths Associated with Government Contracts
3. Minority, Small Disadvantaged Business Certifications
4. Contract Administration and the FAR
Accounting for Government Contracts
Rhonda J. Tomlinson, CPA
Session will cover the following topics
1. Components of Government Contract Accounting
2. Specialized Rules and Regulations
3. Policies and Procedures
4. Document and Best Practices
Valuable Handouts Included
Presented by: Government Contractor Resources, LLC
We help you navigate the contracting maze!
Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $149.00 (credit cards accepted)
Location: The Center for Business and Technology Development, The Thomas Dorsey Building 9250 Bendix Road, North, Columbia, MD 21045
For More information or to register click here or phone: 410.313.6550
Top 10 Forecasts for 2007
Please visit THE FUTURIST web site for the full story.
Each year since 1985, the editors of THE FUTURIST have selected the most thought-provoking ideas and forecasts appearing in the magazine.
Here are the editors' top 10 forecasts from Outlook 2007:
1. Generation Y will migrate heavily overseas. For the first time in its history, the United States will see a significant proportion of its population emigrate due to overseas opportunities. According to futurists Arnold Brown and Edie Weiner, Generation Y, the population segment born between 1978 and 1995, may be the first U.S. generation to have many of its members leave the country to pursue large portions of their lives, if not their entire adult lives, overseas. Brown and Weiner also predict that by 2025, 75% of Americans will live on the country’s coasts.
2. Dwindling supplies of water in China will impact the global economy. With uneven development across China, the most water-intensive industries and densest population are in regions where water is scarcest. The result is higher prices for commodities and goods exported from China, so the costs of resource and environmental mismanagement are transferred to the rest of the world. As a nation, China already outconsumes the United States on basic commodities, such as food, energy, meat, grain, oil, coal, and steel.
Click here to view the rest
Each year since 1985, the editors of THE FUTURIST have selected the most thought-provoking ideas and forecasts appearing in the magazine.
Here are the editors' top 10 forecasts from Outlook 2007:
1. Generation Y will migrate heavily overseas. For the first time in its history, the United States will see a significant proportion of its population emigrate due to overseas opportunities. According to futurists Arnold Brown and Edie Weiner, Generation Y, the population segment born between 1978 and 1995, may be the first U.S. generation to have many of its members leave the country to pursue large portions of their lives, if not their entire adult lives, overseas. Brown and Weiner also predict that by 2025, 75% of Americans will live on the country’s coasts.
2. Dwindling supplies of water in China will impact the global economy. With uneven development across China, the most water-intensive industries and densest population are in regions where water is scarcest. The result is higher prices for commodities and goods exported from China, so the costs of resource and environmental mismanagement are transferred to the rest of the world. As a nation, China already outconsumes the United States on basic commodities, such as food, energy, meat, grain, oil, coal, and steel.
Click here to view the rest
Sunday, October 22, 2006
BWN Luncheon Meeting
Guest Registration for the October 18 Lunch:
"Business Women-Government Contracting-Strategic Partnerships"
BWN members Special Secretary Sharon Pinder from the Governors Office on Minority Affairs and Gloria Berthold, President: TargetGov will present.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
$40 Member Door fee / $30 Member Pre-register
$40 Non-member
Click here for more information and to register
Teleconference: GSA Schedules
10/19/06 GSA Schedule Two Track TeleconferenceOctober 19, 2006 -- Two Track GSA Teleconferences -- Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from and Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts. Getting a GSA Schedule can be one of your most effective business development tools for the federal governemnt market. Attend these two teleconferences to learn how to get a GSA Schedule and how to use it effectively!
BWCC Procurement Fair October 27
Friday, October, 27, 2006
♦ 8am-12pm ♦ Greenbelt Marriott
Doors open at 8:00am
Resources available throughout the event to help you learn how to
do business with the government.
Pre-registration required for:
One-on-One Counseling Sessions
Contact Shirley Redd to register and learn which agencies and prime contractors are participating
Presentation Topics:
Maryland Small Business Reserve, Mentor-Protege and MBE Programs:
SHARON R. PINDER, Special Secretary, Governor's Office of Minority Affairs
Intercounty Connector Project:
Melinda Peters, Project Director, MDOT State Highway Administration
Business Development for Government Contractors
Learn the Top Ten Successful Strategies for Government Business Development and the Mistakes to Avoid in Government Contracting from nationally-known speaker Gloria Berthold. These practical do's and don't's of government contracting will help you target and win the business opportunities that are your best matches in this confusing market. Contracting: GLORIA BERTHOLD, President, TargetGov
To register: Visit our website: www.bwccgovcon.org
More News and Government Contracting Notes
Angel Investing Continues to Grow
The latest data on angel investing trends from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) shows that the angel investor market remains quite healthy. According to UNH professor Jeffrey Sohl, the value of angel investments reached $12.7 billion over the first two quarters of 2006. The growth rate of these investments was 15% higher than occurred in the first half of 2005. The average size of investments grew (up 22%) as angels backed 24,500 firms in the first half of 2006 – representing a 6% drop from the first half of 2005. ‘Health care and medical devices’ is the hottest sector for angels, accounting for 27% of total deals. Other hot sectors include software, biotechnology, and retail.
To learn more, click here to access the University of New Hampshire’s September 20, 2006 press release entitled “Angel Investor Markets Grows in First Half of 2006.”
Click here to view the rest of this post
The latest data on angel investing trends from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) shows that the angel investor market remains quite healthy. According to UNH professor Jeffrey Sohl, the value of angel investments reached $12.7 billion over the first two quarters of 2006. The growth rate of these investments was 15% higher than occurred in the first half of 2005. The average size of investments grew (up 22%) as angels backed 24,500 firms in the first half of 2006 – representing a 6% drop from the first half of 2005. ‘Health care and medical devices’ is the hottest sector for angels, accounting for 27% of total deals. Other hot sectors include software, biotechnology, and retail.
To learn more, click here to access the University of New Hampshire’s September 20, 2006 press release entitled “Angel Investor Markets Grows in First Half of 2006.”
Click here to view the rest of this post
Berthold Awarded 100 Top MBE in Maryland
Gloria Berthold Recognized for Business Excellence
Baltimore, MD. The Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (OMA) and The Daily Record announced that Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc., located in Howard County, has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises for 2006. This program is designed to salute Maryland’s best minority and women business owners and to highlight their achievements.
A panel of distinguished judges chose Gloria Berthold as an entrepreneur who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in four key areas: business development, client satisfaction, professional affiliations and community outreach.
TargetGov was created to help small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses with business devlopment in federal, state and local government agencies. Services include an exclusive, online database of government buyers at all levels of government, teaming development for contracts, business and sales consulting as well as GSA Schedule assistance, proposal writing, negotiating and contract management.
Sharon R. Pinder, Special Secretary, Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs said, “The business owners selected for this award represent the best of the state’s more than 200,000 women and minority owned businesses. Their contributions have had a major impact in maintaining Maryland’s vibrant economy.”
“Maryland is a very proactive state in encouraging minority and woman business owners. I am honored to receive this recognition and I will continue to help other business owners reach success in government contracting.”
Gloria Berthold will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Inn and Conference Center at University of Maryland University College, in Adelphi, Maryland, on Friday. October 27, 2006.
For more information about TargetGov go to www.targetgov.com
Press info: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2330
For more information about tile Top 100 MBE awards, please log onto www.TopMBE.com
For more information on the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs visit www.mdminoritybusiness.com
Baltimore, MD. The Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (OMA) and The Daily Record announced that Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc., located in Howard County, has been named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises for 2006. This program is designed to salute Maryland’s best minority and women business owners and to highlight their achievements.
A panel of distinguished judges chose Gloria Berthold as an entrepreneur who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in four key areas: business development, client satisfaction, professional affiliations and community outreach.
TargetGov was created to help small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses with business devlopment in federal, state and local government agencies. Services include an exclusive, online database of government buyers at all levels of government, teaming development for contracts, business and sales consulting as well as GSA Schedule assistance, proposal writing, negotiating and contract management.
Sharon R. Pinder, Special Secretary, Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs said, “The business owners selected for this award represent the best of the state’s more than 200,000 women and minority owned businesses. Their contributions have had a major impact in maintaining Maryland’s vibrant economy.”
“Maryland is a very proactive state in encouraging minority and woman business owners. I am honored to receive this recognition and I will continue to help other business owners reach success in government contracting.”
Gloria Berthold will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Inn and Conference Center at University of Maryland University College, in Adelphi, Maryland, on Friday. October 27, 2006.
For more information about TargetGov go to www.targetgov.com
Press info: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2330
For more information about tile Top 100 MBE awards, please log onto www.TopMBE.com
For more information on the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs visit www.mdminoritybusiness.com
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Teleconference Schedule
Click the date for more details
October 5, 2006—Two Tracks! 8(a) Certification -- Will It Help You Win More Contracts? 2 Tracks: Choose the one that is best for you or attend both for full information. Attend both and save $40!
Over $15 Billion in federal contracts are set aside for those companies meeting Minority, Disadvantaged, HUB Zone or other certifications. Do you qualify for certification? If so, how do you get certified and then use that certification to open the door to business opportunities? Attend one or both TargetGov Teleconferences for answers!
October 19, 2006 -- Two Track GSA Teleconferences -- Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from and Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts. Getting a GSA Schedule can be one of your most effective business development tools for the federal governemnt market. Attend these two teleconferences to learn how to get a GSA Schedule and how to use it effectively!
October 5, 2006—Two Tracks! 8(a) Certification -- Will It Help You Win More Contracts? 2 Tracks: Choose the one that is best for you or attend both for full information. Attend both and save $40!
Over $15 Billion in federal contracts are set aside for those companies meeting Minority, Disadvantaged, HUB Zone or other certifications. Do you qualify for certification? If so, how do you get certified and then use that certification to open the door to business opportunities? Attend one or both TargetGov Teleconferences for answers!
October 19, 2006 -- Two Track GSA Teleconferences -- Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from and Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts. Getting a GSA Schedule can be one of your most effective business development tools for the federal governemnt market. Attend these two teleconferences to learn how to get a GSA Schedule and how to use it effectively!
FAA ends procurement program
A $543 million Federal Aviation Administration contracting program is being dissolved after an audit found it was improperly managed by the agency, according to a Transportation Department inspector general’s report released this week.
Only 24 percent of the 114 contracts awarded for support services under the RESULTS program “benefited from competition” and half of all contracts were awarded with no competition, according to the audit. The IG found that most of the contracts lacking competition were awarded based on “manager’s preference for working with a known individual contractor, an unacceptable reason.”
Also, 10 of 11 contracts reviewed lacked any criteria to determine contractor performance, the audit found. The audit also found the program failed to meet its mission of providing FAA with faster, cheaper and better support services. Labor costs under the RESULTS program were $24 million to $44 million higher than those incurred under other FAA procurement programs.
The report notes that FAA has taken steps to dissolve the program by halting new contract awards, discontinuing the program Web site and terminating 12 contracts this year. The report recommended FAA use other, existing multiple-award programs to replace the contracts.
The investigation into the program began in 2005 with a request from Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Finance Committee, and Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.
Click here for more information
Only 24 percent of the 114 contracts awarded for support services under the RESULTS program “benefited from competition” and half of all contracts were awarded with no competition, according to the audit. The IG found that most of the contracts lacking competition were awarded based on “manager’s preference for working with a known individual contractor, an unacceptable reason.”
Also, 10 of 11 contracts reviewed lacked any criteria to determine contractor performance, the audit found. The audit also found the program failed to meet its mission of providing FAA with faster, cheaper and better support services. Labor costs under the RESULTS program were $24 million to $44 million higher than those incurred under other FAA procurement programs.
The report notes that FAA has taken steps to dissolve the program by halting new contract awards, discontinuing the program Web site and terminating 12 contracts this year. The report recommended FAA use other, existing multiple-award programs to replace the contracts.
The investigation into the program began in 2005 with a request from Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Finance Committee, and Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.
Click here for more information
Congress agrees to merger of GSA funds
The legislation would allow GSA to complete the merger of its Federal Technology Service and Federal Supply Service into a single entity. Combining the revolving funds for the two procurement groups into a new Federal Acquisition Service fund could improve the agency's financial outlook, as the technology service has recently run at a loss while the supply service has generated a surplus.
Click here for the full story
TSA Contracts Will Go to Small Business
Kerry Ensures TSA Contracts Will Go to Small Businesses
Contact: Brian Rice of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 202-224-7834
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Senator John Kerry (D- Massachusetts) succeeded in attaching legislation to the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report that will make the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accountable to the Small Business Act for purposes of contracting with outside vendors. TSA was exempted from the Small Business Act in the aftermath of 9/11, and as a result has not been held to requirements for contracting with small businesses that apply to nearly every other Federal agency.
"By every account, TSA has abused procurement privileges granted in the aftermath of September 11th," said Kerry, who as Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee has been an ardent supporter for small business contracting opportunities. "As a result, capable qualified small businesses are left out of the federal procurement process. When it comes to ensuring that America's small businesses receive the opportunities they need to grow and succeed, it's time to bring the Bush Administration in check. That starts today at TSA."
Kerry's legislation is scheduled to pass as part of the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report later this evening. The final version of the bill will be approved by both the House and the Senate Chambers today, and will be sent to the President for his signature.
As a result of Kerry's amendment, TSA will be required to adhere to government-wide, statutory contracting goals. These goals establish that at least 23 percent of federal contracts will go to small businesses, with smaller percentages of between three and five percent directed to disadvantaged business communities, including socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, women owned businesses, and service disabled veteran owned businesses.
"Small businesses face plenty of obstacles without the federal government shutting them out of procurement opportunities," said Kerry. "We depend on small businesses to grow our economy. The least we can do is reserve them a place at the table to compete for these contracts."
Contact: Brian Rice of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 202-224-7834
WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Senator John Kerry (D- Massachusetts) succeeded in attaching legislation to the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report that will make the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accountable to the Small Business Act for purposes of contracting with outside vendors. TSA was exempted from the Small Business Act in the aftermath of 9/11, and as a result has not been held to requirements for contracting with small businesses that apply to nearly every other Federal agency.
"By every account, TSA has abused procurement privileges granted in the aftermath of September 11th," said Kerry, who as Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee has been an ardent supporter for small business contracting opportunities. "As a result, capable qualified small businesses are left out of the federal procurement process. When it comes to ensuring that America's small businesses receive the opportunities they need to grow and succeed, it's time to bring the Bush Administration in check. That starts today at TSA."
Kerry's legislation is scheduled to pass as part of the Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report later this evening. The final version of the bill will be approved by both the House and the Senate Chambers today, and will be sent to the President for his signature.
As a result of Kerry's amendment, TSA will be required to adhere to government-wide, statutory contracting goals. These goals establish that at least 23 percent of federal contracts will go to small businesses, with smaller percentages of between three and five percent directed to disadvantaged business communities, including socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, women owned businesses, and service disabled veteran owned businesses.
"Small businesses face plenty of obstacles without the federal government shutting them out of procurement opportunities," said Kerry. "We depend on small businesses to grow our economy. The least we can do is reserve them a place at the table to compete for these contracts."
GSA: End NASA contract?
GSA chief wants to end NASA contract
The head of the U.S. General Services Administration has taken the unusual step of asking the White House to deny NASA's request to extend a multibillion-dollar government-wide information technology contract.
A $4 billion space agency contract for buying computers and other IT products from IBM Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Unisys Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and CDW Corp., among others, is scheduled to end next year and NASA has received bids to extend the deal.
But Lurita Doan, GSA administrator, argues that her agency has contracts offering similar products, and not renewing the NASA contract would allow that agency to better focus on buying products and services needed for space exploration and other NASA-specific missions.
Doan is making similar requests on contracts at other agencies, including Treasury and Defense. If she gets her way, she could change the way federal contractors do business with the government. It's not clear whether Doan's request will be honored.....
Click here for the full story
The head of the U.S. General Services Administration has taken the unusual step of asking the White House to deny NASA's request to extend a multibillion-dollar government-wide information technology contract.
A $4 billion space agency contract for buying computers and other IT products from IBM Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Unisys Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and CDW Corp., among others, is scheduled to end next year and NASA has received bids to extend the deal.
But Lurita Doan, GSA administrator, argues that her agency has contracts offering similar products, and not renewing the NASA contract would allow that agency to better focus on buying products and services needed for space exploration and other NASA-specific missions.
Doan is making similar requests on contracts at other agencies, including Treasury and Defense. If she gets her way, she could change the way federal contractors do business with the government. It's not clear whether Doan's request will be honored.....
Click here for the full story
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Travel Contracts for Small Businesses
Travel effort has generated small business opportunities
From National Journal's Technology Daily
An ongoing effort by the General Services Administration to save money and improve government employee travel services has given small travel agencies ample opportunities to do business with the federal government, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office released Friday.
Small businesses can take part in GSA's e-government travel service -- under which three vendors agreed to offer an array of travel-management services to agencies -- and through a comprehensive contracting vehicle for offices to obtain related services like professional travel agents, GAO said.
GSA promotes the use of small subcontractors by setting goals and offering incentives for using small businesses, as well as monetary penalties for not meeting those goals, the report said.
Click here for the full story
From National Journal's Technology Daily
An ongoing effort by the General Services Administration to save money and improve government employee travel services has given small travel agencies ample opportunities to do business with the federal government, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office released Friday.
Small businesses can take part in GSA's e-government travel service -- under which three vendors agreed to offer an array of travel-management services to agencies -- and through a comprehensive contracting vehicle for offices to obtain related services like professional travel agents, GAO said.
GSA promotes the use of small subcontractors by setting goals and offering incentives for using small businesses, as well as monetary penalties for not meeting those goals, the report said.
Click here for the full story
Not the Brightest Bulb in the Pack...
This guy took outsoucing contracting a bit too loosely:
A 46-year-old Los Angeles man was nabbed on Thursday for impersonating a US Department of Homeland Security official while trying to get a job with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's security providers and become a part of their security entourage. Click here for the full story about the dim bulb....
A 46-year-old Los Angeles man was nabbed on Thursday for impersonating a US Department of Homeland Security official while trying to get a job with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's security providers and become a part of their security entourage. Click here for the full story about the dim bulb....
Federal Marketplace Series
The Tech Council of Maryland's Federal Marketplace series is a full schedule of educational and networking events designed to teach members how to do business with the Federal Government.
The Federal Marketplace Series will focus on the three following educational deliverables:
What you need to know about doing business with the Federal Government
An insider's view of federal agencies and their visions for future needs
Information exchange with fellow prime and subcontractors
Partnerships
Tech Council of Maryland and TEDCO are partners on selected Federal Marketplace Series events.
Staff Contacts
Mark Glazer, Director Tech Alliance
Telephone: 240-453-6212 E-mail: mglazer@techcouncilmd.com
Click here for details
Friday, September 01, 2006
Sept-Oct TargetGov Teleconference Schedule
Click the date for more details
September 7, 2006 -- How to Break Into the Intelligence Agency Market: There are 15 Intel Agencies controlling billions in contracting dollars. Attend this teleconference to open the door to this secretive market.
September 21, 2006 -- Non-Profits, Grants and Government Contracting Learn how your not-for-profit organization can take advantage of grants and business opportunities available through the federal government.
October 5, 2006—Two Tracks! 8(a) Certification -- Will It Help You Win More Contracts? 2 Tracks: Choose the one that is best for you or attend both for full information. Attend both and save $40!
Over $15 Billion in federal contracts are set aside for those companies meeting Minority, Disadvantaged, HUB Zone or other certifications. Do you qualify for certification? If so, how do you get certified and then use that certification to open the door to business opportunities? Attend one or both TargetGov Teleconferences for answers!
October 19, 2006 -- Two Track GSA Teleconferences -- Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from and Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts. Getting a GSA Schedule can be one of your most effective business development tools for the federal governemnt market. Attend these two teleconferences to learn how to get a GSA Schedule and how to use it effectively!
September 7, 2006 -- How to Break Into the Intelligence Agency Market: There are 15 Intel Agencies controlling billions in contracting dollars. Attend this teleconference to open the door to this secretive market.
September 21, 2006 -- Non-Profits, Grants and Government Contracting Learn how your not-for-profit organization can take advantage of grants and business opportunities available through the federal government.
October 5, 2006—Two Tracks! 8(a) Certification -- Will It Help You Win More Contracts? 2 Tracks: Choose the one that is best for you or attend both for full information. Attend both and save $40!
Over $15 Billion in federal contracts are set aside for those companies meeting Minority, Disadvantaged, HUB Zone or other certifications. Do you qualify for certification? If so, how do you get certified and then use that certification to open the door to business opportunities? Attend one or both TargetGov Teleconferences for answers!
October 19, 2006 -- Two Track GSA Teleconferences -- Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from and Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts. Getting a GSA Schedule can be one of your most effective business development tools for the federal governemnt market. Attend these two teleconferences to learn how to get a GSA Schedule and how to use it effectively!
Sept 11-13 WIPP 5th Anniversary Summit
Sept 11-13 WIPP Leadership and Legacy: 5th Anniversary Summit
A Vision and Voice for the Future
2006 Fall Leadership Conference
September 11-13, 2006
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC
Announcing:
Steven Preston, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
Keynote Speaker, WIPP Gala
Steven Preston, confirmed as Administrator of the US Small Business Administration came from The ServiceMaster Company, where he served as their Executive Vice President. In that capacity, Mr. Preston led the Strategic Services team, including IT, Six Sigma, Strategic Sourcing, Strategy and Acquisitions. He served previously as the Chief Financial Officer of ServiceMaster, the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of First Data Corporation, and as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers.
WIPP is proud to welcome Administrator Preston and looks forward to working with him.
WIPP is the vision and voice for the future. If you run a business, you must attend.
Click here to register for WIPP's 5th Anniversary Leadership Conference!
7 Stories: Your News Update
1. October 18th meeting, 11:30-1:30 p.m., Women Doing Business with the Government. Special Secretary Sharon Pinder is the keynote speaker and Gloria Berthold willtalk about the "how" to do business with federal, state and local government agencies. Sponsored by the Business Women's Network of Howard County
The Business Monthly
2. A Golden Opportunity for Women Business Owners in a $15 Billion Market -- The federal, state and local government agencies located in and around Howard County are looking to do business with women-owned firms in unprecedented numbers. One of the key reasons is that women-owned firms in the U.S. are growing like never before. Click here for the full story
3. Turning Small Talk into Big Ideas
To be a successful entrepreneur, the people you know are as important as your ideas. At least accoding to Toby Stuart, a professor at the Harvard Business School and the winner of the 2007 Ewing Marion Kauffman Prize Medal for Distinguished Research in Entrepreneurship. Stuart received the Medal for his pioneering research into social networks and their effects on entrepreneurship. His work points to the dynamics of networking and proves that successful entrepreneurs need more than good ideas and intelligence. Click here to learn more about the Ewing Marion Kauffman Prize Medal.
Click here to read the rest
The Business Monthly
2. A Golden Opportunity for Women Business Owners in a $15 Billion Market -- The federal, state and local government agencies located in and around Howard County are looking to do business with women-owned firms in unprecedented numbers. One of the key reasons is that women-owned firms in the U.S. are growing like never before. Click here for the full story
3. Turning Small Talk into Big Ideas
To be a successful entrepreneur, the people you know are as important as your ideas. At least accoding to Toby Stuart, a professor at the Harvard Business School and the winner of the 2007 Ewing Marion Kauffman Prize Medal for Distinguished Research in Entrepreneurship. Stuart received the Medal for his pioneering research into social networks and their effects on entrepreneurship. His work points to the dynamics of networking and proves that successful entrepreneurs need more than good ideas and intelligence. Click here to learn more about the Ewing Marion Kauffman Prize Medal.
Click here to read the rest
Sunday, August 06, 2006
SBTV Highlights Author: Gloria Berthold
SBTV is the first television network on the web devoted 100 percent to the small business market - from business start-ups to established enterprises. We believe that being an entrepreneur is a way of living - not just a way to make a living.
Founded in 2000, SBTV is becoming the number one choice for small business information on the net. The average viewer stays on our site for more than 30 minutes at a time. Business owners rely on SBTV because it provides expertly produced content by professional journalists and industry experts that is informational, practical and compelling.
Click here for A Step-by-Step Approach to the Federal Acquisition Marketplace by Gloria Berthold
Click here for Build Your Business by Becoming a Government Contractor by Gloria Berthold
Busy, busy, busy schedules!
August 30-Sept 1 Visit the TargetGov booth # 226 at MED Week in DC
NEW Teleconferences to Help You Build Your Government Contracting Business
September 7, 2006 -- How to Break Into the Intelligence Agency Market: There are 15 Intel Agencies controlling billions in contracting dollars. Attend this teleconference to open the door to this secretive market.
September 21, 2006 -- Non-Profits, Grants and Government Contracting Learn how your not-for-profit organization can take advantage of grants and business opportunities available through the federal government.
October 19, 2006 -- Two Track GSA Teleconferences -- Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from and Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts
NEW Teleconferences to Help You Build Your Government Contracting Business
September 7, 2006 -- How to Break Into the Intelligence Agency Market: There are 15 Intel Agencies controlling billions in contracting dollars. Attend this teleconference to open the door to this secretive market.
September 21, 2006 -- Non-Profits, Grants and Government Contracting Learn how your not-for-profit organization can take advantage of grants and business opportunities available through the federal government.
October 19, 2006 -- Two Track GSA Teleconferences -- Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from and Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts
Federal Contracts and Small Business
Federal Agencies Slammed on Set-Asides
A new report from Democratic members of the House Small Business Committee is highly critical of Federal small business set-aside contracting practices. According to the study, nearly $12 billion in contacts have been mislabeled as small business set-asides. In reality, these contracts were awarded to large corporations, universities and non-profits. With this new data, the report claims that federal agencies provided only 21.5% of their contracts to small businesses, missing President Bush’s target of 25%. Overall, the report notes that Washington’s small business support efforts warrant a “D” grade. Twelve federal agencies also received failing grades for their poor performance in small business contracting, with the Departments of Education, Energy, and the US Agency for International ranking as especially poor performers. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) has formally asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate these practices and to suggest ideas for improving the small business contracting process.
To learn more about the July 2006 House of Representatives Small Business Committee Democratic report on small business set-asides, Scorecard VII, Click here
The Impact of New Contracting Rules on Small Business
In last week’s NDE-news, we highlighted a study that criticized federal agencies for their poor performance in doing business with small business. New research sponsored by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy offers some potential good news on this score. The research examines the effects of government-wide acquisition contracts on smaller firms. These contracts were introduced in the 1990s with the intention of creating a more performance-based, streamlined process for government agencies seeking to procure technology (especially information technology services) from the private sector. The shift was needed. Prior to the changes, information technology contracts could take up to two years to complete. In the meantime, the purchased technology had become obsolete. However, some observers feared that the new process might make reduce the amount of small business contracting. Fortunately, it appears that the new process is working fairly well—at least in terms of providing opportunities to smaller firms. The use of government-wide acquisition contracts has grown rapidly, and the small business share of this market has also grown. In total, small business set asides account for 31% of all spending on these contracts, and that number has continued to grow. One take-away from this research is that it is possible to implement more effective business management practices while also meeting the government’s commitment to sharing business with small and medium-sized firms.
Access the August 2006 US Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy-sponsored report, The Impact of Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts on Small Business (No. 279), by clicking here
Looking for Funding? Go Online
As social networking sites continue to expand, entrepreneurs are now seeking to use these technologies as a way to build peer funding networks. Several interesting new businesses have emerged in the peer-to-peer lending market. The UK-based Zopa.com was one of the first such efforts while Prosper.com is a recent entrant on this side of the Atlantic. The sites work as follows: a user posts his or her request for funds. Other users review the requests, and then decide if they want to invest(alone or in a group).
The sites serve as a marketing vehicle for those seeking funds, and then they help manage the transactions that occur via the site. At Prosper.com, current opportunities include funding for a new business in New Orleans, paying off student loans, and new equipment purchases for an existing business. While these sites are fairly new, they may offer a new method for financing entrepreneurial ventures.
To learn more about Zopa, click here
To learn more about Prosper, click here
The sites serve as a marketing vehicle for those seeking funds, and then they help manage the transactions that occur via the site. At Prosper.com, current opportunities include funding for a new business in New Orleans, paying off student loans, and new equipment purchases for an existing business. While these sites are fairly new, they may offer a new method for financing entrepreneurial ventures.
To learn more about Zopa, click here
To learn more about Prosper, click here
Creating Valuable Customers with A Contact Manager
ACT! has certainly proven itself to play an important role in government contracting business. From simple contact management to contact segmentation, you may feel it has accomplished everything you hoped it could. Is there more?!
With nearly 3 million people using ACT! as a contact manager, there must be a group of people that are getting more out of the application than maintaining a history of customer touch points. So, how do you leverage ACT! and the existing contact data to bring more value to your business? What makes a lead more valuable than another…document downloads, webinar signups, requests for more information?
Click here to see the rest of this post
With nearly 3 million people using ACT! as a contact manager, there must be a group of people that are getting more out of the application than maintaining a history of customer touch points. So, how do you leverage ACT! and the existing contact data to bring more value to your business? What makes a lead more valuable than another…document downloads, webinar signups, requests for more information?
Click here to see the rest of this post
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Begin With Financing Strategy Early to Avoid Headaches Later
By Todd Crandell
If you’re part of the TargetGov community, you appreciate the fact that business, even business with the federal government, is done through communication. Deals don’t happen by trading paper via fax and email. Deals happen because two people sit down together and hammer out a win- win. RFQ’s typically raise more questions than they answer, and RFP’s are almost always followed up with some sort of due diligence on the customer’s part.
Dialogue between vendor and customer is essential to build sustainability, credibility, and scalability to a relationship. All good business people understand communication’s importance. However, one issue my firm has seen happen to too many aspiring companies is that their communication is focused on winning the deals, but not necessarily on the terms and conditions that govern them.
Full Story Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2334
If you’re part of the TargetGov community, you appreciate the fact that business, even business with the federal government, is done through communication. Deals don’t happen by trading paper via fax and email. Deals happen because two people sit down together and hammer out a win- win. RFQ’s typically raise more questions than they answer, and RFP’s are almost always followed up with some sort of due diligence on the customer’s part.
Dialogue between vendor and customer is essential to build sustainability, credibility, and scalability to a relationship. All good business people understand communication’s importance. However, one issue my firm has seen happen to too many aspiring companies is that their communication is focused on winning the deals, but not necessarily on the terms and conditions that govern them.
Full Story Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2334
Nominate Top 100 MBE
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT: Maryland’s Top Minority Business Enterprise Awards
Maryland’s Top Minority Business Enterprise Awards salute minority and women business owners who, through their innovation, sacrifice, and dedication, provide products and services that fuel our state’s economy. These enterprising risk-takers are living the American dream of business ownership by providing significant value to their clients, professions and communities.
Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Inn and Conference Center, University of Maryland University College, in Adelphi, Maryland, on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27. Additionally, winners will be featured in a special magazine in The Daily Record, and promoted around the State by the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs.
For More Information Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2335
Maryland’s Top Minority Business Enterprise Awards salute minority and women business owners who, through their innovation, sacrifice, and dedication, provide products and services that fuel our state’s economy. These enterprising risk-takers are living the American dream of business ownership by providing significant value to their clients, professions and communities.
Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Inn and Conference Center, University of Maryland University College, in Adelphi, Maryland, on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27. Additionally, winners will be featured in a special magazine in The Daily Record, and promoted around the State by the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs.
For More Information Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2335
This seminar is intended for businesses that are considering competing in the Federal market, or those that are in the early phases of entry.
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $149.00 (no credit cards - checks payable to Howard County EDA)
Location: The Center for Business and Technology Development, The Thomas Dorsey Building 9250 Bendix Road, North, Columbia, MD 21045
Speakers
Government Business Development
Gloria Berthold, TargetGov
Sessions will cover the 5 key Steps to Procurement Success
1. Basic definitions
2. Identifying Who Buys What you Sell
3. Finding Business Opportunities
4. Finding Decision Makers
5. Effective Strategies and Tactics
Government Contracting—Overview
Dennis Smythe; Government Contractor Resources,
LLC Session will cover the following topics
1. How the Government Buys
2. Myths Associated with Government Contracts
3. Minority, Small Disadvantaged Business Certifications
4. Contract Administration and the FAR
Accounting for Government Contracts
Rhonda J. Tomlinson,
CPA,Government Contractor Resources,
LLC Session will cover the following topics
1. Components of Government Contract Accounting
2. Specialized Rules and Regulations
3. Policies and Procedures
4. Document and Best Practices
Valuable Handouts Included Presented by
Government Contractor Resources, LLC
We help you navigate the contracting maze!
For More information or to register:
The Center for Business and Technology Development
Phone: 410.313.6550
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $149.00 (no credit cards - checks payable to Howard County EDA)
Location: The Center for Business and Technology Development, The Thomas Dorsey Building 9250 Bendix Road, North, Columbia, MD 21045
Speakers
Government Business Development
Gloria Berthold, TargetGov
Sessions will cover the 5 key Steps to Procurement Success
1. Basic definitions
2. Identifying Who Buys What you Sell
3. Finding Business Opportunities
4. Finding Decision Makers
5. Effective Strategies and Tactics
Government Contracting—Overview
Dennis Smythe; Government Contractor Resources,
LLC Session will cover the following topics
1. How the Government Buys
2. Myths Associated with Government Contracts
3. Minority, Small Disadvantaged Business Certifications
4. Contract Administration and the FAR
Accounting for Government Contracts
Rhonda J. Tomlinson,
CPA,Government Contractor Resources,
LLC Session will cover the following topics
1. Components of Government Contract Accounting
2. Specialized Rules and Regulations
3. Policies and Procedures
4. Document and Best Practices
Valuable Handouts Included Presented by
Government Contractor Resources, LLC
We help you navigate the contracting maze!
For More information or to register:
The Center for Business and Technology Development
Phone: 410.313.6550
GSA Spending for IT to decline this year
Federal spending by the General Services Administration for information technology is expected to sink again in fiscal 2006, the second year in a row, according to one research firm's projections.
After achieving an all-time high in fiscal 2004, annual spending through GSA's multiple-award schedule contracts for IT products and services will decline 1 percent this year to $16.3 billion, following a 2 percent drop in fiscal 2005.
The downturn is driven by decreasing IT services sales on the GSA schedule. Input predicts a 5 percent decline in the IT schedule's services sales for fiscal 2006, which is a mirror image of the 5 percent annual growth expected for the federal IT market through fiscal 2011.
After achieving an all-time high in fiscal 2004, annual spending through GSA's multiple-award schedule contracts for IT products and services will decline 1 percent this year to $16.3 billion, following a 2 percent drop in fiscal 2005.
The downturn is driven by decreasing IT services sales on the GSA schedule. Input predicts a 5 percent decline in the IT schedule's services sales for fiscal 2006, which is a mirror image of the 5 percent annual growth expected for the federal IT market through fiscal 2011.
Winning the Contracting Game
Billions of dollars in federal contracts are supposed to go to small businesses. What really happens, and how do you get your share?
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2006/sb20060726_724414.htm?chan=smallbiz_smallbiz+index+page_today's+top+stories
’….Big business winning some contracts set aside for small business isn't new, but the current magnitude is unprecedented. In December, 2004, the SBA Office of Advocacy released a report stating that 39 large corporations in 2002 received over $2 billion in contracts that the administration had mistakenly counted as small-business contracts. The New York Times reported recently that last year at least $4.9 billion worth of contracts, coded as small business, went to 13 of the largest government contractors…’
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2006/sb20060726_724414.htm?chan=smallbiz_smallbiz+index+page_today's+top+stories
’….Big business winning some contracts set aside for small business isn't new, but the current magnitude is unprecedented. In December, 2004, the SBA Office of Advocacy released a report stating that 39 large corporations in 2002 received over $2 billion in contracts that the administration had mistakenly counted as small-business contracts. The New York Times reported recently that last year at least $4.9 billion worth of contracts, coded as small business, went to 13 of the largest government contractors…’
CCR Name Lockdown
Notes: D&B Name Address Lockdown becomes active with release 3.06.3. This CCR revision will render most CCR registrants unable to change, directly in CCR, their Legal Business Name, DBA (Doing Business As) and Physical Address. They must correct name and address information for those fields at DUN & Bradstreet (D&B). Then the registrant will return to the CCR registration, which will only pull that data from D&B. Countries not monitored by D&B or not recognized by D&B must make all their own updates in CCR, after they become active
Fax Law Update
Federal Communications Commission rules going into effect Aug. 1 codify, after nearly 15 years of regulation, exactly what constitutes an established business relationship. The FCC, which issues regulations for implementing the law, attempted to further limit the advertisers’ reach in 2003 with stricter rules. But Congress instead opted to step in and amend the statute itself with the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005.
Under the regulations about to take effect, advertisers can still send unsolicited faxes to recipients with whom they have an established business relationship or from whom they have express written permission. The commission now defines an established business relationship as a prior or existing relationship formed by two-way communications, with or without a money transaction.
The rules clarify that senders can only use fax numbers voluntarily provided by the recipient. However, the sender does not have to demonstrate how it obtained the fax number if it can prove an established business relationship prior to July 9, 2005. The changes also create a requirement for “opt out” language in the fax directing recipients to a cost-free mechanism for removing themselves from a fax list. The law still allows private parties to sue for a violation, with damages of up to $500 per faxed page or $1,500 per page if the court finds a willful violation. Although seemingly insignificant sums, these fines add up quickly in the class-action suits often brought against mass-fax advertisers.
Separately, the FCC can fine up to $11,000 for each fax violation it discovers as part of an investigation.
For companies distributing faxes, the most significant element of the rule changes is the opt-out language. If a fax does not have the right opt-out language penalties can be quite costly.
Note: This information is not meant to replace appropriate legal counsel. For updated information concerning lax communications contact your legal counsel.
Under the regulations about to take effect, advertisers can still send unsolicited faxes to recipients with whom they have an established business relationship or from whom they have express written permission. The commission now defines an established business relationship as a prior or existing relationship formed by two-way communications, with or without a money transaction.
The rules clarify that senders can only use fax numbers voluntarily provided by the recipient. However, the sender does not have to demonstrate how it obtained the fax number if it can prove an established business relationship prior to July 9, 2005. The changes also create a requirement for “opt out” language in the fax directing recipients to a cost-free mechanism for removing themselves from a fax list. The law still allows private parties to sue for a violation, with damages of up to $500 per faxed page or $1,500 per page if the court finds a willful violation. Although seemingly insignificant sums, these fines add up quickly in the class-action suits often brought against mass-fax advertisers.
Separately, the FCC can fine up to $11,000 for each fax violation it discovers as part of an investigation.
For companies distributing faxes, the most significant element of the rule changes is the opt-out language. If a fax does not have the right opt-out language penalties can be quite costly.
Note: This information is not meant to replace appropriate legal counsel. For updated information concerning lax communications contact your legal counsel.
Monday, July 24, 2006
USA Today: How small firms lock down data
In Baltimore, business owner Gloria Berthold hasn't allowed her five employees to store customer data on laptops since she founded TargetGov in 1997 to help companies win government contracts.
At first, she worried she was being too restrictive. But lately she's been reading stories about workers losing laptops to thieves or accidents while on the road. "I just don't want to lose sleep worrying about who has access to laptops," she says.
As TargetGov's offerings grow more sophisticated, so do its information-security needs and costs.
Berthold's most valuable asset is a database of federal, state and local government employees who take bids on contracts for computers, office furniture and other goods. She sells subscriptions to the database, which customers access online through TargetGov's website.
Two years ago, Berthold spent $50,000 rebuilding the site so it would be more secure. The information is encrypted, or scrambled, so unauthorized users can't read it in the unlikely event they hack into the site.
The database is now stored at a remote computer server instead of at her office. And all customer records are now stored on a separate computer server, also away from her office...."
Click here for the full story
At first, she worried she was being too restrictive. But lately she's been reading stories about workers losing laptops to thieves or accidents while on the road. "I just don't want to lose sleep worrying about who has access to laptops," she says.
As TargetGov's offerings grow more sophisticated, so do its information-security needs and costs.
Berthold's most valuable asset is a database of federal, state and local government employees who take bids on contracts for computers, office furniture and other goods. She sells subscriptions to the database, which customers access online through TargetGov's website.
Two years ago, Berthold spent $50,000 rebuilding the site so it would be more secure. The information is encrypted, or scrambled, so unauthorized users can't read it in the unlikely event they hack into the site.
The database is now stored at a remote computer server instead of at her office. And all customer records are now stored on a separate computer server, also away from her office...."
Click here for the full story
Federal Fiscal Year End = Use It or Lose It
We have now entered the fourth quarter of the federal fiscal year. Are you taking advantage of this timing to bring in summertime business and sow the seeds for next year's (which starts October 1) business?
The federal government spends over 50 percent of the year’s budget between July 1 and September 30 because of “use it or lose it” requirements. This means that government spending is at its yearly high right now and vendors can take advantage of this spending by knowing who is placing the orders.
It is your job as an informed vendor to research the budgets and know what the agencies are planning to spend. In addition, it is important to market your company to the appropriate people within each individual agency so that they know what you offer.
When is the fiscal year end for federal government agencies?
For Full Story Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2325
The federal government spends over 50 percent of the year’s budget between July 1 and September 30 because of “use it or lose it” requirements. This means that government spending is at its yearly high right now and vendors can take advantage of this spending by knowing who is placing the orders.
It is your job as an informed vendor to research the budgets and know what the agencies are planning to spend. In addition, it is important to market your company to the appropriate people within each individual agency so that they know what you offer.
When is the fiscal year end for federal government agencies?
For Full Story Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2325
BRAC Teams Forming NOW
Let us know if you would like to be considered for the teams we are putting together to address the local and nationwide Base Re-Alignment and Closure (BRAC) related contracting opportunities.
These are wide-ranging, long-term opportunities related to the specific needs regarding the mandated base closures such as construction, information technology, staffing, moving processes and more.
There is no fee or long-term commitment for this first step to let us know that you are interested.
Click here to send us an email and please mention BRAC Teams in the Comments field. We look forward to working with you!
These are wide-ranging, long-term opportunities related to the specific needs regarding the mandated base closures such as construction, information technology, staffing, moving processes and more.
There is no fee or long-term commitment for this first step to let us know that you are interested.
Click here to send us an email and please mention BRAC Teams in the Comments field. We look forward to working with you!
New SBA Administrator
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has a new Administrator.
Steve Preston, was confirmed by the Senate in late June, and was formally sworn in last week. Preston is the 22nd Administrator since SBA was first created in 1953. Previously, Preston served as Executive Vice President at The ServiceMaster Company, a major franchising operation. Preston has not offered a lot of details about his vision for SBA, but we hope that he will continue the agency’s strong support for America’s entrepreneurs.
To view a Small Business Administration press release about Preston’s swearing-in, click here.
Steve Preston, was confirmed by the Senate in late June, and was formally sworn in last week. Preston is the 22nd Administrator since SBA was first created in 1953. Previously, Preston served as Executive Vice President at The ServiceMaster Company, a major franchising operation. Preston has not offered a lot of details about his vision for SBA, but we hope that he will continue the agency’s strong support for America’s entrepreneurs.
To view a Small Business Administration press release about Preston’s swearing-in, click here.
SBA News: RFQ For Small Business
SBA News: RFQ Seeking Small Business Researchers
The Office of Advocacy seeks small business researchers, or researchers who want to become small businesses, to perform economic research via a request for quotations RFQ). The topics are chosen because they are researchable, show the status or role of small businesses, can be a springboard for further research, and can affect public policy.
Proposals on the following topics are due July 26, 2006:
• Owner demographics,
• Human capital and business ownership by demographic,
• The impact of HUBZone–qualified areas on small business development and job creation,
• Research using the Survey of Small Business Finances,
•Small business research using large databases,
• Graduate student research.
For More Information Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2327
The Office of Advocacy seeks small business researchers, or researchers who want to become small businesses, to perform economic research via a request for quotations RFQ). The topics are chosen because they are researchable, show the status or role of small businesses, can be a springboard for further research, and can affect public policy.
Proposals on the following topics are due July 26, 2006:
• Owner demographics,
• Human capital and business ownership by demographic,
• The impact of HUBZone–qualified areas on small business development and job creation,
• Research using the Survey of Small Business Finances,
•Small business research using large databases,
• Graduate student research.
For More Information Click Here: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2327
Guidance for Entrepreneurs on Selling a Business
For most entrepreneurs, deciding whether and when to sell their business is one of the toughest calls. To help them evaluate their options, Kauffman eVenturing features a new collection of articles on successful selling strategies.
This new collection, written by financial experts and several entrepreneurs who have successfully sold companies, offers business owners practical guidance on timing and other difficult issues, such as deciding who to sell your company to, whether to seek a buyer yourself or use an investment banker, how to get the best price once you do decide to sell and how to tell your employees.
Click here to read this month's collection on Kauffman eVenturing. This story is © 2006 The Public Forum Institute. Content from this newsletter may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution to the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship
If you would like a personal contact to guide you through the buying or selling process, call TargetGov at 1-866-579-1346 and we will help you get started.
This new collection, written by financial experts and several entrepreneurs who have successfully sold companies, offers business owners practical guidance on timing and other difficult issues, such as deciding who to sell your company to, whether to seek a buyer yourself or use an investment banker, how to get the best price once you do decide to sell and how to tell your employees.
Click here to read this month's collection on Kauffman eVenturing. This story is © 2006 The Public Forum Institute. Content from this newsletter may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes with proper attribution to the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship
If you would like a personal contact to guide you through the buying or selling process, call TargetGov at 1-866-579-1346 and we will help you get started.
Bundling and Consolidation Course now LIVE on SBLC
The US Air Force Small Business Learning Center's newest module, Bundling and Consolidation, has launched!!
"...This module provides valuable training for acquisition professionals as well as small business owners to become familiar with the definitions, rules and procedures from market research stage up through contract file documentation, when consolidation and/or bundling may be involved.
We are very excited about the presentation style of this module as the training is provided in an informative, yet entertaining format. We invite you to enjoy this course, and please share with your field specialists and other customers. Acquisition teams should be encouraged to take the course when first discussing requirements. As always, your feedback on this and all of the SBLC courses is greatly appreciated..."
To view the course, click here and select Bundling and Consolidation from the Master List, click on the Tutorial Launch button and enjoy
"...This module provides valuable training for acquisition professionals as well as small business owners to become familiar with the definitions, rules and procedures from market research stage up through contract file documentation, when consolidation and/or bundling may be involved.
We are very excited about the presentation style of this module as the training is provided in an informative, yet entertaining format. We invite you to enjoy this course, and please share with your field specialists and other customers. Acquisition teams should be encouraged to take the course when first discussing requirements. As always, your feedback on this and all of the SBLC courses is greatly appreciated..."
To view the course, click here and select Bundling and Consolidation from the Master List, click on the Tutorial Launch button and enjoy
Navigating the World of Teaming Agreements
Teaming agreements, while not new, have emerged again as a useful way for companies to pool resources (and share costs) when bidding on increasingly complex contracts, particularly federal government contracts.
Teaming agreements can take many forms, the most common of which is the prime/subcontractor relationship. One party acts as the prime contractor, maintaining the contractual relationship with, for example, a Government customer and assuming all of the associated contractual liability. The other party acts as a subcontractor, maintaining a contractual relationship only with the prime. Typically teaming agreements represent a general framework in which the parties agree to pursue certain contracts, leaving most specific details to be negotiated upon an actual contract award to the party acting as the prime contractor.
Click for Full Story: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2319
Teaming agreements can take many forms, the most common of which is the prime/subcontractor relationship. One party acts as the prime contractor, maintaining the contractual relationship with, for example, a Government customer and assuming all of the associated contractual liability. The other party acts as a subcontractor, maintaining a contractual relationship only with the prime. Typically teaming agreements represent a general framework in which the parties agree to pursue certain contracts, leaving most specific details to be negotiated upon an actual contract award to the party acting as the prime contractor.
Click for Full Story: http://www.targetgov.com/Content.asp?id=2319
Small Businesses Win $79.6 Billion In Federal $'s
Small Businesses Garner $79.6 Billion In Federal Contracts in FY 2005
For the first time in history, small businesses received a record-breaking $79.6 billion in federal prime contracts, $10 billion more than the year before.The contracts represented 25.4 percent of federal prime contracting dollars in FY 2005, surpassing the overall government statutory goal of 23 percent for the third consecutive year.
The small business contracting data was reported by the government’s Federal Procurement Data –Next Generation (FPDS-NG) system, the only official data reporting system for federal procurement data. The data show that the federal government purchased $314 billion worth of goods and services from businesses large and small.
“This is excellent news for small businesses doing business with the federal government,” said previous SBA Administrator Hector Barreto. “For the third year in a row, the federal government has met or exceeded its small business contracting goal.
The Department of Defense, the leading purchaser of goods and services, awarded $53.8 billion of its contracts, or about 24.6 percent, to small businesses.
For the full report, visit http://www.sba.gov/GC/goals/SmallBusinessGoalingReport_2005.pdf.
For supplemental information on the data, visit http://www.sba.gov/GC/goals/DisclaimerstotheFY2005SmallBusinessGoalingReport.pdf.
For the first time in history, small businesses received a record-breaking $79.6 billion in federal prime contracts, $10 billion more than the year before.The contracts represented 25.4 percent of federal prime contracting dollars in FY 2005, surpassing the overall government statutory goal of 23 percent for the third consecutive year.
The small business contracting data was reported by the government’s Federal Procurement Data –Next Generation (FPDS-NG) system, the only official data reporting system for federal procurement data. The data show that the federal government purchased $314 billion worth of goods and services from businesses large and small.
“This is excellent news for small businesses doing business with the federal government,” said previous SBA Administrator Hector Barreto. “For the third year in a row, the federal government has met or exceeded its small business contracting goal.
The Department of Defense, the leading purchaser of goods and services, awarded $53.8 billion of its contracts, or about 24.6 percent, to small businesses.
For the full report, visit http://www.sba.gov/GC/goals/SmallBusinessGoalingReport_2005.pdf.
For supplemental information on the data, visit http://www.sba.gov/GC/goals/DisclaimerstotheFY2005SmallBusinessGoalingReport.pdf.
Procurement Spending up $175 Billion Since 2000
Procurement spending grew 86 percent from 2000 to 2005, but management problems have resulted in significant levels of waste and abuse, according to a report released by Democratic lawmakers last week.
The report, titled "Dollars, Not Sense," was prepared by Democrats on the House Government Reform Committee, and was based on more than 500 reports by the Government Accountability Office, agency inspectors general and the Defense Contract Audit Agency, as well as interviews and data from a government procurement database.
Investigators found that procurement spending has increased significantly under the Bush administration, growing by 86 percent from $203 billion in fiscal 2000 to $377.5 billion in fiscal 2005. The present spending level represents a record 40 cents on every dollar of federal discretionary spending, according to the report.
Click here for the full story.
The report, titled "Dollars, Not Sense," was prepared by Democrats on the House Government Reform Committee, and was based on more than 500 reports by the Government Accountability Office, agency inspectors general and the Defense Contract Audit Agency, as well as interviews and data from a government procurement database.
Investigators found that procurement spending has increased significantly under the Bush administration, growing by 86 percent from $203 billion in fiscal 2000 to $377.5 billion in fiscal 2005. The present spending level represents a record 40 cents on every dollar of federal discretionary spending, according to the report.
Click here for the full story.
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