Elizabeth Dole Young Entrepreneur Scholarship

We need your help finding the best and the brightest young women entrepreneur community leaders to apply for the FIRST Elizabeth Dole Young Entrepreneur Scholarship. The scholarship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and guidance from successful women business owners – as well as have a chance to receive a cash award to help grow their business!

In tribute to her legacy of leadership, the Elizabeth Dole Young Entrepreneur Scholarship has been established to recognize high potential young women business owners who are leaders in their community, with resources and guidance to excel their businesses and personal success.

Here are the qualifications you will be looking for:

• At least 51% woman-owned
• Entrepreneur between the ages of 21-35
• U.S. Citizen
• Business 5 years old or less
• Revenue of $500, 000 or less for service industries OR $1milion or less for manufacturing industries
• The business has capacity to assume more debt
• Owner has a satisfactory personal credit history

More information about the program is available here and at www.WIPP.org. The deadline to apply is June 15^th, so please pass this on - this is a life-changing opportunity not to be missed!

Please have them contact Kathryn Mahoney, kmahoney@politicalcapitol.com (615) 346-9535, or Jason Lalak, jlalak@wipp.org (415) 434-4314, for more information.

8th Annual Small Business Conference

Washington, DC– The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced that its Office of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization will host its 8th Annual Small Business Conference, Exposition & Matchmaking Forum, June 26-28, 2007, at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. The Matchmaking Forum will provide over $1 billion in potential subcontracting opportunities in Fiscal Year 2007 through scheduled one-on-one meetings with procurement representatives from DOE’s prime contractors.

“Because small businesses are the driving force of this economy, the Department of Energy and this Administration are committed to putting in place pro-growth policies that encourage enterprise and enhance economic growth,” Secretary Bodman said. “We want America to continue to be the best place in the world to conduct business. Small businesses play a key role in helping DOE to advance its mission and DOE’s Small Business Conference provides a forum to compete in DOE’s contracting market.”

DOE is the second largest civilian purchaser, procuring over $23 billion in goods and services annually. DOE’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization will lead the Departments national outreach effort as outlined in President Bush’s Small Business Agenda. The Conference will provide insight and programs available to assist small businesses, small and disadvantaged businesses, women-owned, 8(A), HUBZone, veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, to engage in DOE contracting opportunities.

This year’s conference is co-sponsored by The Veterans Corporation, charged with creating and enhancing entrepreneurial business opportunities for Veterans, including those who are service-disabled. The Veterans Corporation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

To register for the conference, visit: http://www.smallbusiness-outreach.doe.gov or call (888) 246-2460. For more information on contracting with DOE visit: http://energy.gov.

President Bush has proclaimed April 22-28, 2007, as “Small Business Week,” signifying an ongoing commitment to honor small business owners and workers for their important role in ensuring that America remains the economic leader of the world. For more information on Small Business Week, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070419-6.html.

J-Ref’s “Down to Business”

Tune into J-Ref’s new television program “Down To Business.” The program airs on Comcast Howard County Channel 73 with host Michael Mobley on Mondays 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 8:00 pm and Wednesday & Fridays 8:00pm. May’s guests include our very own Gloria Berthold.

Berthold on HC Public Transportation Board

Berthold appointed to Howard COunty Public Transportation Board

Cleaning up Contracting

Government contracting is big business -- not only for the industrial behemoths like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, but also for thousands of small business owners located across the US. Yet, in recent years, it has become more difficult for many small firms to break into the government marketplace. A new report from the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank, contends that cronyism and corruption have played a big role in these trends. Last week, the Center held a conference and released several reports on this topic. The Center’s report notes that federal contract dollars grew by 86% between 2000 and 2005 (reaching $377 billion). The scale of non-competitive contracts doubled over that same period. The report recommends closer oversight of the contracting process as well as hiring of additional contract personnel to better monitor contractor performance.

Learn more about the Center for American Progress initiative on competitive contracting and read the May 2007 report, A Return to Competitive Contracting, by Scott Lilly. © 2007 The Public Forum Institute

Learn Powerful Sales Tools to Win Government Contracts

Learn How to Create A Strong Capability Statement

Baltimore, MD. The no-cost national teleconference “Powerful Sales Tools to Win Government Contracts” will be held on Thursday May 24, 2007 from 1:00-2:00pm EST. Attendees will also receive the exclusive TargetGov Government Sales and Capability Statement Toolkit, a 20+ page book detailing winning sales strategies, a sample Capability Statement, specific instructions to craft your best business development tool and over 100 contacts within federal agencies to which to send it.

One of the toughest challenges in selling to the government is applying an effective sales strategy that results in winning contracts. Hear from national sales expert, Michelle Nichols, a columnist and podcast host for BusinessWeek.com, with readers in over 50 countries. Michelle increases the sales and profits of organizations by understanding their unique situation and applying her cutting-edge thinking to create powerful results. Hear her specific tips and tactics to make an impact in your government sales strategy and ask her how to address the real challenges you experience everyday.

Your Capability Statement should be the strongest business development tool in your toolkit. A well done Capability Statement will open doors to great business opportunities; whereas a poorly done Capability Statement will slam the door before you get to square one. This teleconference will teach you the key features of a great Capability Statement, how to create a “living” Capability Statement that can be used for more than one agency or prime contractor, the differences between Core Competencies and Differentiators, the ideal length of a Capability Statement, the difference between a Capability Statement and a Capability Brief, and when to use each, and much more…

Gloria Berthold will cover the Capability Statement and related tips. She is the President of TargetGov and an expert on government procurement and related business development services. She is the author of “The Veterans Guide to Government Business” (book) and a series of Government Business Guides highlighting business development with federal agencies.

Register for this free teleconference at http://www.targetgov.com/; click on the Teleconference button in the top right corner.

TargetGov is a division of Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc., a full service business development and marketing firm. It is woman-owned, privately held company specializing in government contracting business development at federal, state and local levels. Ms. Gloria Berthold, president, is a government contractor and an expert author and speaker regarding government contracting. She has instructed contractors regarding government business development in recent teleconferences and procurement conferences and has been quoted in USA Today, Inc. Magazine and Government Executive Magazine. She may be reached through the web site: http://www.targetgov.com/ or at 866-579-1346.

Small Business Contracting Goal May Increase

Federal agencies would be required to spend at least 30 percent of their prime contracting dollars with small businesses under legislation approved by the House Small Business Committee. If enacted -- and enforced -- this could mean billions of dollars' worth of new contracts for small businesses. The current contracting goal is 23 percent.

The Small Business Administration contends agencies exceeded the contracting goal in fiscal 2005, but its calculations exclude contracts performed overseas. The legislation ends this exclusion, which the National Small Business Association says will result in a more accurate accounting of small business procurement.

The bill also includes provisions aimed at making sure that contracts awarded to large businesses aren't mistakenly counted as small business contracts. An analysis by House committee staff found that $12 billion in contracts credited to small businesses in fiscal 2005 actually went to large businesses or other entities that weren't small businesses.

The legislation also expands the definition of contract bundling, thereby making it more difficult for agencies to combine contracts into packages that are too large or complex for small businesses to handle. The bill also allows business or trade associations to appeal agency procurement decisions. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy would review disputes between the SBA and procurement agencies over contract decisions.

The text of the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act (H.R. 1873) is available at thomas.loc.gov

White House Opposes Small Business Measure

The White House announced its opposition today to a measure intended to increase the amount of federal contracts awarded to small businesses.

Bill supporters nonetheless expect the legislation (HR 1873) to pass with broad bipartisan support when it comes to the House floor tomorrow. The House Rules Committee was to meet at 3 p.m. to consider a rule for the bill.

In a statement of administration policy, the White House said it supports efforts to boost contracting opportunities for small businesses, but opposes this bill because “it would impose broad, burdensome statutory restrictions on federal agencies’ ability to conduct acquisitions and establish unrealistic small business procurement goals.”

Sponsored by Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, the bill would increase the federal government’s small business procurement goal to 25 percent from 23 percent. That goal reflects an amendment adopted during the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee markup scaling back a higher bar of 30 percent approved by the Small Business Committee during its markup.

The bill would further clarify the definition of contract bundling, a change the White House criticized as “overly-expansive” and one that “would impose costly and time-consuming requirements on thousands of agency acquisitions.”

Source: CQ Today Midday Update

Will Taxes Increase Soon?

$1.5B Maryland budget gap looms

State sales tax receipts rebounded last month after a poor showing in March, assuaging fears that Maryland would face an even bigger deficit than the $1.5 billion projected shortfall. After March’s 3 percent decline from the same period last year, sales tax revenues grew by 2.8 percent last month over April 2006, according to numbers released Tuesday by the comptroller’s office. Fiscal analysts still consider that to be slow growth for the sales tax, most likely an indicator of the slow housing market, because construction materials are subject to the sales tax.

April also saw strong individual income tax growth, with a jump of more than 13 percent from the April 2006 numbers. Income tax receipts for March had been weaker than expected.

March’s decline had policymakers and fiscal analysts worried that, if the decline was indicative of what was to come in future months, the state’s total revenue for the fiscal year would be well below estimates. With lawmakers already grappling with a $1.5 billion gap between expected revenues and spending commitments, any further revenue decline would have had serious implications.

“It’s just a relief,” said Warren G. Deschenaux Jr., chief fiscal analyst for the legislature. “There was concern that, given the softness that we saw in March, that it foretold something ugly with respect to final payments of the income tax.”

April’s revenue collections indicate that, despite March’s blip, the state is on track with the official estimates for the year, with the exception of the sales tax. Comptroller Peter Franchot’s letter accompanying April’s revenue summary noted that sales tax receipts are the only revenue source that is below expectations for the year. Deschenaux said analysts had expected to see growth in sales tax collections of about 4 percent for the fiscal year, which ends June 30. But so far collections for the year indicate growth of only 2.2 percent. “So long as the housing sector is soft, that sector of the sales tax is going to be depressed,” he said.

Gov. Martin O’Malley and legislative leaders put off dealing with the budget deficit during the session that ended last month, allowing O’Malley to take time to look for efficiencies in state agencies. But chatter has increased about the possibility of a special session later this year to deal the shortfall. The General Assembly is expected to consider a combination of budget cuts, tax increases and slot machines to raise the money needed to fulfill the state’s spending commitments.

Click here to view source

May 18: Government Contracting Workshop

May 18: Government Contracting Workshop - Sales Strategy
Friday, May 18, 8 to 10 am
Hampton Inn & Suites
124 Womack Drive, Annapolis
$25 members; $40 non-members Register Here

Join the AATC and Chesapeake Innovation Center for our 2nd workshop in our Government Contracting workshop series, Sales Strategy. Hear from experts on how to successfully gain entrance to the government contracting market, or how to drive further sales for companies already in the realm.

Panelists:
Guy Timberlake, The American Small Business Coalition
Mark Amtower, Federal Direct
Lee White, Technology Specialists Inc.
Gloria Berthold, TargetGov

J-Ref’s “Down to Business”

Tune into J-Ref’s new television program “Down To Business.” The program airs on Comcast Howard County Channel 73 with host Michael Mobley on Mondays 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 8:00 pm and Wednesday & Fridays 8:00pm. May’s guests include our very own Gloria Berthold.

Savvy Selling Teleconference

Savvy Selling Expert Michelle Nichols on Effective Sales Strategies and Your Most Powerful Business Development Tool: A Strong Capability Statement

Expert Speaker: Michelle Nichols
Michelle Nichols is the sales columnist and podcast host for BusinessWeek.com, with readers in over 50 countries. She is also a consultant and professional sales speaker. Michelle increases the sales and profits of orgaizations by understanding their unique situation and applying her cutting-edge thinking to create powerful results as a sales speaker or consultant.

Making Your Capability Statement Stand Out From the Crowd
Your Capability Statement should be the strongest business development tool in your toolkit. A well done Capability Statement will open doors to great business opportunities. A poorly done Capability Statement will slam the door before you get to square one.

Click here for more details and to register for this NO Cost teleconference!

Attend this teleconference and learn The Five Key Mistakes to Avoid plus:
1. The key features of a great Capability Statement
2. How to create a Capability Statement that can be used for more than one agency or prime contractor
3. The differences between Core Competencies and Differentiators
4. The ideal length of a Capability Statement
5. The difference between a Capability Statement and a Capability Brief, and when to use each
And much more…

Attendees will receive the exclusive TargetGov Capability Statement Toolkit, a 20+ page document detailing a sample Capability Statement, specific instructions to craft your best business development tool and over 200 contacts within federal agencies to which to send it.

Click here for more details.

Do Business with Intelligence Agencies

05/10/07 Opening the Door to Intelligence Agency Contracting

Thusday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST. Check you local time zone for details. This introduction to the 15 federal intelligence agencies covers their processes, what procurement vehicles are most often used and other details for building profitable relationships at these more secretive agencies. Register Now

Learn how to determine if you need security clearances, how to get them, the teaming alternative, where to find specific decision makers and how to build an effective business development strategy.

Click here for more information

SBA Women Contracting Study Complete

STUDY ASSESSES WHETHER WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSESARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN FEDERAL CONTRACTING

A RAND Corporation study examining whether women-owned small businesses are underrepresented among firms contracting with the federal government finds that the results vary depending on the way the measurement is made.

The study, conducted for the U.S. Small Business Administration and issued today, is the most thorough analysis done to date of whether women-owned small businesses are underrepresented among firms awarded contracts by federal agencies.

Researchers found that when they examined the total number of contracts awarded, women-owned businesses were underrepresented in more than half of the industry categories studied for federal purchasing during 2002, 2003 and 2005.

However, researchers found that when the dollar value of the same federal contracts was the measurement standard, there was little evidence women-owned small businesses were underrepresented.

“These findings provide policymakers with new information about how to judge whether women-owned small businesses are underrepresented among federal contractors,” said Elaine Reardon, lead author of the study and an economist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization.
While contracting by women-owned businesses has risen over time, it has not yet reached the target set by Congress of 5 percent of prime and subcontract contract dollars for each industry category. Women-owned small businesses accounted for 3.3 percent of the totals in 2005, the last year studied.

Most studies examining whether disadvantaged businesses are underrepresented among federal contractors have focused on the number of contracts awarded. If disadvantaged firms receive fewer contracts than their total representation in the industry studied, they are deemed to be underrepresented.

RAND researchers broadened their analysis of women-owned small businesses by also examining the dollar value of federal contracts awarded to businesses in different types of industries. Researchers wanted to see whether the dollar value of contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses was in proportion to their representation in individual industries.
Researchers used both methods to analyze federal contracts awarded to women-owned small business across broadly defined industries such as manufacturing, construction, education services and health care.

The study also addressed concerns that large firms may be obtaining small business contracts. Researchers used Dun and Bradstreet business information to define small firms as well as data on size from the federal government. The effort did not change findings about industries where women-owned small businesses are underrepresented.

The federal government encourages small and disadvantaged business, including small businesses owned by women, to seek federal contracts.

The study was conducted under the Kauffman-RAND Institute for Entrepreneurship Public Policy. The Kauffman-RAND Institute is dedicated to assessing and improving legal and regulatory policymaking related to small businesses and entrepreneurship in a wide range of settings.

The study, titled “The Utilization of Women-Owned Small Businesses in Federal Contracting,” is available at www.rand.org.

Learn More

Full Document

Small Business Goal May Increase to 30%

Small Business - Procurement: The House Small Business Committee unanimously reported a bill to reauthorize the SBA’s government contracting programs. Among other things, it would raise the small business prime contracting goal from 23% to 30%, redefine contract bundling, and apply procurement goals to overseas contracts. Another provision would prohibit agency-level procurement goals from being less than the government-wide goal. If implemented, this provision would have the greatest effect on the Department of Energy, whose 2005 prime contract goal was only 5.5%. The bill is expected to reach the House floor in May.

Small business interests are still protected

We did it!
Small business interests are still protected

For everyone that was concerned about the provisions buried in the Iraq funding bill, we as small businesses, are safe for now. Here’s a few excerpts from recent news articles in the Maryland Daily Record www.mddailyrecord.com
Please log onto their site for the full stories.

Set-aside prohibitions are defeated
LOUIS LLOVIO
Daily Record Business Writer

“…Congress stripped language from the final version of the Iraq war-spending bill sent to the president that would have done away with set-asides for small businesses and forced them to compete with larger companies for federal contracts. Sections 5001 and 5002 of the U.S. House of Representatives’ version of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 would have prevented agencies that dole out more than $1 billion a year in government contracts from using set- asides in their procurement process.

Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates Inc., a Baltimore government procurement consultant, worries that the issue could pop up again in other legislation. “What’s really scary is the thinking behind it,” she said...

Previously reported:
Defense bill imperils set-asides
As the nation kicks off National Small Business Week, a little-noticed section of the Iraq military appropriations legislation is working its way through Congress that could essentially strip away federal government set-asides and pit small businesses against multinational corporations for government contracts.

The standards instruct government agencies that award more than $1 billion in contracts annually to “develop and implement a plan to minimize the use of contracts entered into” other than by competitive means. That would eliminate set-asides, which are contracts awarded specifically to small businesses.

In a letter to the chairs of the House and Senate appropriations committees dated April 16, Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass. and Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, who sit on the Senate’s Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, warn that small businesses could “effectively be driven out of the federal procurement process” if the section stands. “This language, while well intentioned,” the senators wrote, “has the potential to summarily invalidate all federal contracting set-aside programs and preferences for all small business concerns.”

“At stake here is nothing less than the loss of $80 billion in federal contracts currently received each year by small businesses all across America,” the senators wrote. But small business groups are hoping to defeat the measure before it gets to the president.

If the standards do survive, Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates Inc., a Baltimore government procurement consultant, said they would abolish safeguards that allow small businesses to compete for lucrative government contracts.

“These new procedures would eliminate government contractors who are small businesses” she said. She is also concerned that even if the sections are defeated, now that they have been approved once, they will work their way back into other legislation. “What’s really scary is the thinking behind it,” she said. “It is a crisis, and even if the president vetoes the Iraq funding bill, in which this nasty piece of legislation is buried, this will resurface.”

Crisis -- Small Business & Government Contracting

This just came in. It is VERY IMPORTANT that every small business (under 500 employees and/or under $23 million revenues) involved in government contracting be aware that federal contracts for small businesses may be drastically cut:

"...A letter from the Senate Small Business Committee alerted us to a provision in the House-passed version of the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill, H.R. 1591, that threatens all federal contracting set-aside programs and preferences for small businesses. Katie Kilby in our DC office has put together an overview of the provisions and we wanted to pass on this information to you.

Specifically, Title V, Sections 5001 and 5002 attempt to minimize sole-source contracts and cost-reimbursement type contracts at the expense of small businesses.

Section 5001 directs the head of each agency to develop and implement a plan to minimize the use of contracts entered into using procedures other than competitive procedures by the agency concerned. The plan shall contain measurable goals and shall be submitted to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This section would apply to all Federal agencies with over $1 billion in total contracts. Small businesses would have to bid directly against large corporations.

Section 5002 requires agencies to minimize the use of cost-reimbursement type contracts in favor of fixed price contracts. This section applies to agencies with contracts totaling $1 billion in the previous fiscal year.

Section 5001 especially threatens the programs that the small business community has worked so hard to get and would even invalidate the woman-owned goals that the Federal agencies currently have.

H.R. 1591 is set to go to conference between the House and the Senate. Senate conferees have been named and the House is expected to name conferees soon.

Click here for the letter from both Olympis Snowe (R) and John Kerry (D)

Click here for H.R. 1591 Sections 5001 and 5002

These are the letters I faxed to Chair Byrd and Ranking Member Cochran. I left them in a Word doc so you can copy the body. Please personalize the attached letters to reflect your own message. Be sure to put your personal information at the bottom including name, business, city and state and how they can contact you. We suggest you put this letter on your company letterhead.

Fax both letters to the Senate Appropriations Committee Office at the following numbers:
Chairman Byrd (202) 224-2100 or 202-228-0002
Ranking Member Cochran (202) 228-0904

ACT NOW! For more information, please contact:

Andrea C. Cianfrani
Director, Advocacy
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
888.488.WIPP phone
acianfrani@wipp.org
www.wipp.org

Deadline: Phase 1 DHS SBIR Proposals

The DHS SBIR program opened its 7.1 pre-solicitation on April 4, 2007

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program opened its 7.1 pre-solicitation on April 4, 2007 and is seeking Phase I proposals from the small business community. The pre-solicitation includes 10 topic descriptions that address research area needs throughout both the Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO).

The topic descriptions cover the following research areas: chemical; biological; radiological; nuclear; explosives; command, control and interoperability; human factors; infrastructure protection/geophysical; and borders and maritime security.

The 7.1 pre-solicitation can be accessed via the Federal Business Opportunities web site at and the DHS SBIR web site at http://www.sbir.dhs.gov.

The 7.1 pre-solicitation will be open for 15 days. The full solicitation will then be open for 45 days. Contact with DHS staff regarding questions specific to the pre-solicitation should be addressed before the full solicitation opening date. Questions regarding the solicitation after the full solicitation release date is restricted for reasons of competitive fairness. Therefore, all questions after the full solicitation opening date must be submitted to faq@hsarpasbir.com. Responses will be posted on the DHS SBIR FAQ web site at http://www.sbir.dhs.gov for general viewing.

STTR proposals will not be sought in FY07

Proposals for the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program will not be sought in FY07, as the annual DHS agency extramural budgets for research or research and development (R/R&D) is less than $1 billion, the minimum amount required to administer an STTR program.

BRAC National Teleconference Helps Entrepreneurs to Locate, Pursue and Win Government Contracts

The BRAC Process Translates to Billions in Contracting Opportunities: Learn How to Be Part of that Billion Dollar Opportunity

Baltimore, MD. The national teleconference “BRAC CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES UNCOVERED: How to Locate and Pursue the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Contracts”, will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 1:00-2:00pm ET (noon CT, 11 a.m. MT and 10 a.m PT). There is no wasted travel time and no travel costs as attendees participate from their own office over a live telephone conferencing system.

The BRAC process translates to billions in contracting opportunities throughout the United States for the businesses that know how to find, capture and perform for these special operations. Attend this TargetGov teleconference to learn the details of the upcoming BRAC opportunities in your area and throughout the entire U.S.

Attendees will also receive a 71 page exclusive BRAC Business Development Toolkit immediately upon registration. The Toolkit is loaded with specific contact information: names, emails, phones and addresses; web sites, maps and contract information relating specifically to BRAC business opportunities. For more information call 1-866-579-1346 or visit http://www.targetgov.com/ and click on the Teleconference button in the upper right hand corner.

Expert speakers will guide attendees through the BRAC contracting process. Dennis Smythe is a Retired Navy Civil Engineer Corps Officer / Government Contracting Officer with extensive government contracting, project management, and contract administration experience. He is President of a consulting company that provides strategic positioning, business development, proposal management, contract administration and comprehensive federal contracting expertise. Gloria Berthold is the President of Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc. (MOA) and its division, TargetGov; the TargetGov division focuses on government procurement and related business development services. She is the author of “The Veterans Pocket Guide to Government Business” (book) and she has created a series of Government Business Guides highlighting various federal agencies.

Contract opportunities will be covered for Personnel and Human Resources Support, Intelligence, Operational Security, Facility Security & Support , Operations and Training & Support, Logistics Support , Civil Military Operations & Planning Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Construction (roads, buildings, finish), Facilities Planning, Management & Support Resource Management and Finance, Military Community Activities, Public Affairs and Public Relations , Organization-wide Management Support, Strategic Visioning/Planning, Strategic Business Planning and Implementation, Process and Program Reviews, Process Development, Training and Integration, Project/Program Management, Installation Management Integration, Change Management/Communication Planning, Workload/Reorganization Planning, Environmental Process Integration, Environmental Survey, Environmental Transitioning, Environmental Mitigation, Real/Personal Property Disposition Planning/Management, Real/Personal Property Disposition, infrastructure Information Development and Management, Billing Process and Procedures, Utilities Privatization & Support, Housing Privatization & Support, Base Operating Infrastructure Transitions & Support, Mission Transition, Facilities Management and Workload Planning and other opportunities.

The cost of this teleconference is $119.00, which includes the teleconference and the 71 page exclusive TargetGov Teleconference BRAC Business Development Toolkit. If you cannot attend the teleconference, a CD of the session and the Toolkit will also be available for purchase.
TargetGov is a division of Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc., a full service business development and marketing firm. It is woman-owned, privately held company specializing in government contracting business development at federal, state and local levels. Ms. Gloria Berthold, president, is a government contractor and an expert author and speaker regarding government contracting. She has instructed contractors regarding government business development in recent teleconferences and procurement conferences and has been quoted in USA Today, Inc. Magazine and Government Executive Magazine. She may be reached through the web site: http://www.targetgov.com/ or at 866-579-1346.

Deadline: Phase 1 DHS SBIR Proposals

The DHS SBIR program opened its 7.1 pre-solicitation on April 4, 2007

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program opened its 7.1 pre-solicitation on April 4, 2007 and is seeking Phase I proposals from the small business community. The pre-solicitation includes 10 topic descriptions that address research area needs throughout both the Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO).

The topic descriptions cover the following research areas: chemical; biological; radiological; nuclear; explosives; command, control and interoperability; human factors; infrastructure protection/geophysical; and borders and maritime security.

The 7.1 pre-solicitation can be accessed via the Federal Business Opportunities web site at and the DHS SBIR web site at http://www.sbir.dhs.gov/.

The 7.1 pre-solicitation will be open for 15 days. The full solicitation will then be open for 45 days. Contact with DHS staff regarding questions specific to the pre-solicitation should be addressed before the full solicitation opening date. Questions regarding the solicitation after the full solicitation release date is restricted for reasons of competitive fairness. Therefore, all questions after the full solicitation opening date must be submitted to faq@hsarpasbir.com. Responses will be posted on the DHS SBIR FAQ web site at http://www.sbir.dhs.gov/ for general viewing.

STTR proposals will not be sought in FY07

Proposals for the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program will not be sought in FY07, as the annual DHS agency extramural budgets for research or research and development (R/R&D) is less than $1 billion, the minimum amount required to administer an STTR program.

Intelligence Adds Acquisition Deputy Director

Director McConnell Announces Organizational Changes at the ODNI

WASHINGTON, PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Director of NationalIntelligence Mike McConnell today announced organizational changes necessary to better position the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to effectively lead the Intelligence Community in the next stage of intelligence reform.

"We are moving forward on the next stage of intelligence reform, going beyond the initial progress made to better clarify responsibilities and authorities, create a true community of professionals, radically transform tradecraft, accelerate information sharing and modernize how we do business," said Director McConnell. "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is better organizing ourselves to effectively lead those efforts."

Highlights of these changes include:

* Elevating acquisition to a Deputy Director of National Intelligence level to increase technological agility and better posture the Intelligence Community to achieve acquisition excellence, streamline acquisition policies and processes, and enhance the professionalism of the acquisition workforce. The goal is to shorten development timelines and produce more reliable systems.

* Creating a new Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy, Plans and Requirements, with responsibilities primarily encompassing those of the current Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Requirements and the Assistant Deputy Directors of National Intelligence for Strategy, Plans & Policy, Training & Education, and Security.

* Establishing an Executive Committee (EXCOM) to provide policy inputs to support enhanced Intelligence Community coordination. This body will be composed of senior leaders in the Intelligence Community, the Under Secretary for Intelligence at the Department of Defense, and representation from the Departments of State, Treasury, and Homeland Security. The intent is to use the EXCOM forum to initiate, change, and end programs, policies, and capabilities.

In addition, the DNI will designate the Chief of Staff position as the new Director of the Intelligence Staff (DIS). The DIS will oversee the staff to ensure the effective integration and coordination of policy, positions and procedures across the functional domains of DNI responsibility. For example, all internal ODNI administration will now report directly to the Director of the Intelligence Staff.

Changes will be implemented immediately and are expected to be completed by mid-April. "These adjustments will result in an ODNI better able to make progress on the next stage on intelligence reform and support the needs of the Intelligence Community and our stakeholders," stated Director McConnell.

SOURCE Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary!

We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary!

Thank you to all of our clients and colleagues who have placed your trust in us. We pledge to do the best work possible and will look forward to working with you for years to come!

Very best regards, Gloria Berthold, President

PS: As a special thank you, use this code: 304495 at checkout for an additional 10% discount for any teleconference, CD, book or other TargetGov product!

Corridor Inc Lists Major Contract Wins

Attention contractors: Use the information available at the Corridor Inc web site as a tool to help you capture new subcontracting business and build partnering opportunities.

> CACI International has won a $24 million contract.....
> Centex Construction, has started building the new $87 million headquarters in Montgomery County...
> ManTech International Corp. won a $39 million contract...
> VSE Corp. was awarded a $42 million contract task order ....
> Bath Iron Works, won a $257 million U.S. Navy contract .....
> Lockheed Martin’s IT business unit won a $135 million contract.....
Click here for over 20 contract and contact links

May 17 SBDC Workshop

Are you looking to grow your business by expanding your networking circle while gaining valuable resources? If so, this conference is the answer for you! Through a Partnership with Business Match, the SBDC-Capital Region is hosting a Women’s Business Conference to provide opportunities for women owned businesses in Maryland. The conference will offer seminars on financing, marketing, procurement, and HR management.

Early registration deadline is:
April 27, 2007, $65
Late Registration deadline is:
May 11, 2007, $70
Door Registration is: $85 (money order or certified check only)

Begins: 5/17/2007 8:00:00 AM
Ends: 5/17/2007 3:00:00 PM
Location: Holiday Inn, Laurel West—I-95 /Rte 198W

Contact Vanita Kushawaha
301-403-0501
training@mdsbdc.umd.edu

The Maryland SBDC program is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the University of Maryland's Center for Applied Policy Studies, University of Maryland. This material is based upon work supported by the U. S. SBA under cooperative agreement 1-7620-0021-06. The support given by the U.S. SBA does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of the co-sponsors' or participants' opinions, products, or services.
http://www.capitalsbdc.umd.edu/calendarview.aspx

April 26, 2007 Business with HHS

April 26, 2007 Thursday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Cost: $119.00 includes the teleconference and the 50+ page Toolkit
Register Now
Doing Business with the US Department of Health and Human Services With over 300 programs valued at more than $640 Billion, HHS's mission includes a vast range of human issues and related contracting opportunities.

Attend this teleconference to learn how to do business with HHS. Our speakers will discuss how to do business with HHS and these subordinate organizations
--Office of the Secretary
--Administration for Children and Families
--Administration on Aging
--Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
--Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
--Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
--Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
--Food and Drug Administration
--Health Resources and Services Administration
--Indian Health Service
--National Institutes of Health
--Program Support Center
--Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Click here to register

GSA Teleconferences

April 10, 2007 Tuesday 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EST
TWO TRACK GSA Teleconferences
Getting a GSA Schedule can be one of your most effective business development tools for the federal government market. Attend these two teleconferences to learn how to get a GSA Schedule and how to use it effectively!
Track 1: What a GSA Schedule Is and How to Obtain One from 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Track 2: Now That You Have a GSA Schedule, Learn How to Use It to Get Contracts from 2:15 to 3:15 pm EST
Attend both and save $40!
Click here for details.

OSDBU 2007 Conference

Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Show Place Arena
14900 Pennsylvania Avenue
Upper Marlboro, MD
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The OSDBU Procurement Conference is a national conference fostering business partnerships between the Federal Government, its Prime Contractors, and small, minority, service-disabled veteran-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and women-owned businesses.

Teaching Positions Available in Bahrain

This request came as a result of my recent trip to speak with business women in the Middle East. If you or someone you know is interested in the teaching position in Bahrain, please contact the Hawar School directly.

“I'm looking for someone who is looking for a job in Bahrain.
I need English Department Coordinator, Language teacher, Math/Science teacher.
Your help would be highly appreciated.”

Thank you,
Fatema A.J Al-Kooheji
Hawar International School

To know our school, you may visit our site
www.hawarschool.com

New Technology to Transform Lives

Each year, Technology Review (TR) magazine lists hot new technologies with the potential to transform how we live and work. TR’s 2007 list touches on a lot of areas, including medicine, energy and the Internet. On the health care/biotech front, hot technologies include nanohealing, neuron control, and single cell analysis. All of these tools will help transform how we diagnose and treat diseases like Parkinson’s and depression. In the energy sector, quantum- solar dot power holds great promise. Quantum-dots are tiny crystals of semiconductors that are only nanometers wide. Their miniscule size allows them to interact with light in a more efficient manner, and may help make solar power more efficient and cost competitive. Finally, anyone who has logged onto YouTube will understand why TR also lists peer-to-peer video networks as an important emerging technology. As peer-to-peer video becomes more popular, the Internet backbone may not be able to efficiently handle the traffic. Peer-to-peer networks offer one tool to save bandwidth and enhance Internet capacity.

The Technology Review “Ten Emerging Technologies 2007” list appears in the March/April edition of Technology Review.

This story is © 2006 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=6babx6bab.0.tky74zbab.ildv4zbab.7869&ts=S0231&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.publicforuminstitute.org%2Fnde

3/26 WYNN Procurement Expo

Monday, March 26, 2007 - Congressman Wynn is hosting his 12th Annual Fourth Congressional District Procurement and Business Expo from 10 am to 2:30 pm. The event will be held at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building II, at the University of Maryland. It is located at 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD. The event is free of charge to the public.

March 26
Twelfth Annual Fourth Congressional District Procurement and Business
Congressman Albert R. Wynn

This event is free of charge. Space is limited.

Expo
The Universities at Shady Grove
Building II, University of Maryland
9630 Gudelsky Drive
Rockville, Md

Please register as soon as possible. Tables are reserved on a first-come first-serve basis. For more information or to register, call:
Mr. Ben Branch at 202-225-8699

Federal Spending

http://www.federalspending.gov/comments/comments.do

FEDERAL FUNDING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TASK FORCE
Have you ever wanted to find more information on government spending? Have you ever wondered where federal contracting dollars and grant awards go? Or perhaps you would just like to know, as a citizen, what the government is really doing with your money.

The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 asks the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to lead the development, by January 2008, of a single searchable website, accessible by the public for free that includes for each Federal award:

A. the name of the entity receiving the award;
B. the amount of the award;
C. information on the award including transaction type, fundingagency, etc;
D. the location of the entity receiving the award;
E. a unique identifier of the entity receiving the award.

OMB has created a Task Force to implement the requirements of this important Act. Here is where you can have an impact on how the Task Force proceeds. Please use the comment box below to provide feedback on how you, as a citizen, would like to see the FFATA implemented and government award information presented.

http://www.fedspending.org/
You have a right to know how the federal government spends our money.
This website, created by OMB Watch, is a free, searchable database of federal government spending. To begin searching, select either the Grants or Contracts tab at the top left side of this page. You can easily switch back and forth as you search. The data below on total federal spending was taken directly from the FedSpending.org database. With over $14 trillion in federal spending, this more open and accessible tool for citizens to find out where federal money goes and who gets it is long overdue. We believe this website is a good first step toward providing that access.

New Version of FedSpending.org Released
On February 22, 2007, OMB Watch released a new version of FedSpending.org, including updated data for FY 2006, improved navigation, upgraded features, and an application programming interface (API) for advanced users. Learn more about the new features in About This Site.

The Compromise Between Flash and SEO

There's no doubt that Flash is interesting and visually stimulating, but when it comes to search engine optimization, it can kill your site. What's the point of having a great looking site if no one can find it? If you like the look of Flash there needs to be a compromise to allow the search engines to index your site correctly.

As Lorelle VanFossen from the Blog Herald points out, "Search engines don’t care about what your site looks like. It’s blind." Spiders need text to read in order to understand what your site is about and Flash's underlying code is unreadable to the search engines.

You still have options if you must use Flash. It can be used sparingly to visually enhance your site but the main focus should be on the text (including your keywords and phrases) and navigation. Link to interior pages as often as possible within the text to help guide the spiders through your site. A sitemap is another good feature to include.

Another option is to build an alternate HTML only version of the site. It's extra work, but worth it not only for users who will choose it based on the speed of their computers, but also for the search engine spiders who will have an easier time crawling the site.

If you would like to learn more about Search Engine Optimization, please call us at 410-727-7392.

We look forward to hearing from you!
Visit MDV Communications Online

OMB sets timeline to launch federal spending database

02/19/07
By Jason Miller, GCN Staff

With about 10 months until the congressionally mandated deadline to put all federal contract and grant spending in a database and online, the Office of Management and Budget is asking for public comment on how best to implement the law.

OMB launched a Web site, www.federalspending.gov, to collect these comments and set out an implementation timeline and the first set of frequently asked questions.

The site also includes links to existing sources of federal contract and grant data, including the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation, the Federal Assistance Award Data System for grants and fedspending.org, the site developed by OMB Watch, a nonprofit organization in Washington.

“We will take public comment until we launch the final solution,” said an administration official requesting anonymity.

OMB said it will decide on the data elements that agencies still need to collect over the next five months and then launch a pilot in July for subgrants and contracts.

“The data is the big issue,” said the official. “Some data elements already are searchable and some are not. We need to decide what needs to be collected and compare it to what is already available.”

The official added that the working group will not issue a request for proposal and instead plans to use existing systems and components, including the USA.gov infrastructure. The overall technical approach still is under discussion.

OMB also will lean on its policy on search and retrieval instead of developing a new one.

“The approach we are taking is using existing data sources and making them searchable to the public with a low burden and hopefully a low cost,” the official said.

Procurement Update from WIPP

Reps. Meek and Herger Introduce 511 Repeal Bill
Representatives Kendrick Meek (D-FL) and Wally Herger (R-CA) recently introduced H.R. 1023 which repeals the 3% withholding requirement imposed by section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005. This new requirement affects all government contracts as well as other payments, such as Medicare, grants, and farm payments. WIPP is deeply concerned about the potentially negative impact on all companies receiving contract payments or other forms of payment from all levels of government.

In particular, the withholding is based on revenues from government payments with no relationship to companies’ taxable income and it will impinge on company cash flows needed for day-to-day operations. In addition, the administrative costs to businesses and governments at all levels will be substantial and the process complicated to implement.

WIPP is part of the Government Withholding Relief Coalition which has lobbied to repeal this withholding in the 109th Congress and continues to lobby members of Congress in the 110th Congress. The Coalition will be sending a letter of thanks to Representatives Meek and Herger for sponsoring H.R. 1023 on Friday. Click here to ask your Representatives to support this provision.

Appropriators Vote to Keep Walter Reed Open

House Committee's Action Could Reverse Base Closing Scheduled for 2011

The House Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a measure yesterday that bars the closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, an action supporters say will reverse plans to shut the hospital in 2011.

The provision, attached to a bill with additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, blocks the use of any federal money to close Walter Reed.

Keeping open a base that has been chosen for closure by the Defense Department's Base Realignment and Closure Commission would be unprecedented. The system creating an independent commission to make such decisions was adopted by Congress to prevent political interference with base closures. But recent disclosures of serious problems with the long-term care of wounded soldiers at Walter Reed have sparked calls in Congress and elsewhere to reverse the decision. Senior Army officials also suggested that the decision be reconsidered.

"This is a done deal," Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), a committee member, said after the hearing. "Walter Reed will stay open."

"I can say without fear of contradiction it's not going to close," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).

RE: HB448- Sales and Use Tax

RE: HB 448 - Entitled:
Sales and Use Tax - Services

Synopsis:

Altering the definition of "taxable service" under the sales and use tax to impose the tax on specified services; exempting from the tax the sale of a parking facility or service by a political subdivision of the State; etc.

Thank you for contacting me concerning HB 448. After talking with many of the members on the Ways and Means Committee, I am confident this bill will not pass this legislative session. I hope we can work together to find a solution to the $1.3 billion shortfall that we will face next session.

I always appreciate hearing from constituents as it helps me better represent their wishes in Annapolis.

Very truly yours,
Delegate Frank S. Turner
District 13 – Howard County
House Ways and Means Committee
Chairman, Finance Resources Subcommittee
410-841-3246/301-858-3246
Fax: 410-841-3986
E-mail: frank.turner@house.state.md.us
http://mlis.state.md.us/

Gloria Berthold to be Featured on "Down To Business"

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

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

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

Executive Director

Anne Arundel Tech Council

2660 Riva Road Suite 200

Annapolis, MD 21401
410-222-7410

laura@aatechcouncil.org

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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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

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.