ORDP-SSA Internship Opportunities

The Office of Retirement and Disability Policy of the Social Security Administration (SSA) is currently accepting applications for summer internships. Projects involve current and future issues for retirement and disability, such as the analysis of economic/social well-being, labor force participation, financial literacy, benefit applicants, work incentives, international policies, non-citizen issues, authentication, and evidentiary standards. Other opportunities include statistical reporting of beneficiary population characteristics (such as demographic characteristics, immigrant status, or patterns of employment history), computer programming, and developing business process applications.

Deadline: Several internship positions are available, and applications will be accepted on a flow basis. The first review will occur on Monday, March 24, 2008. Individual start dates will occur in May or June.

Click here for more information.

TargetGov Heads Up Alert:

Beware of all offers of grants to start or run your business. There are NO legitimate US government grants to start or run your business. No federal goverment entity, not even the SBA, gives any grants to business people to start or run your business. Anyone who markets or advertises as such is offering misleading in not fraudulent imformation. Essentially, they are trying to run a con game on you. Don't fall for it!

Small Business Development Conference

The Office of Congresswoman Thelma Drake has begun accepting registrations for the Small Business Development Conference on

DATE: Friday, March 28th, 2008
TIME: 8:00am to 12:00pm
LOCATION: Virginia Beach Central Library, Auditorium, Folio, & Libris Rooms
4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Conference will offer separate tract sessions providing a comprehensive, informational opportunity to address your business' changing needs.

Federal, State and local resources will be on hand to present on topics and resources for small business owners, with tract sessions to include:
* Start-Up Business Development
* Advanced Business Development
* Procurement Opportunities

Please contact Ms. Claire Winiarek, Grants and Projects Coordinator, Congresswoman Thelma D. Drake (VA-2), directly to RSVP via 757.497.6859 or email: claire.winiarek@mail.house.gov. Ref: "TLI" as your point of entry.

Workforce Solutions Summit

Baltimore Washington Regional

Breakout Sessions    Exhibitor Tables     Resource Guide

In collaboration with local, state, and federal governments, the educational community, and private employers, the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber is developing a half-day summit focused on workforce issues such as:

• BRAC: The largest impact on Maryland’s economy since World War II…
• Fifty percent of my workforce will reach retirement age in the next five years…
• I can’t get enough people with security clearances.
• How can I expand my business if I can’t get the workforce I need?
• How do I find employees from diverse workforce resources?

Download the registration form for more information.

Acuity Sports Insights for Business and Golf

Golf—The Sport of Business: From the trade show floor to the putting green, many organizations are leveraging the power of golf. Golf provides the perfect social and professional environment to facilitate relationships. A day on the links provides an unmatched opportunity for uninterrupted conversation with customers, prospects, and employees. Many people do it, but are not necessarily comfortable with what they should or should not be doing and saying. This workshop is ideal for those new to business golf, Women and Minorities who want to learn how to use golf to enhance business and open doors, and sales professionals who want to learn how to make golf work for them in business.

Acuity Sports Marketing is a professionally managed golf event planning and management firm. They specialize in designing world-class events for first class clients. Whether you are looking for a classic golf tournament for your favorite charity, a special golf-themed event to impress your clients at conventions or large meetings, a team-building session to enhance the effectiveness of your team or simply, a way to say thank you to your employees for a job well done, Acuity Sports Marketing can design, delight and deliver a spectacular event for you. Their professional staff has managed over fifty high-quality events and are eager to customize an event for you.

Acuity Sports Marketing, www.acuitysports.com/

Tip to Recession-Proof Your Business

You can make your business more recession-proof by having the U.S. federal government as a customer. Every year, over 200 agencies throughout the entire U.S. buy over $400 Billion in products and services of every type from businesses of every type and size. Advantages of selling to the federal government include large contracts, repeat business, guaranteed payment and a built-in referral base. Businesses of all sizes, from very small, one person operations to small/medium companies up to 500 people to large corporations, have all become successful government vendors. Selling your products and services to the federal government is different from selling to consumers or other businesses, but if you invest in learning how to it, follow the rules, and are persistent, you can build a recession-proof business!

We Did It -- So Far

SBA Rule Comments Period Extended!
Let them know what YOU Think

Women-Owned Businesses: The SBA is extending the comment period for its proposed rule on women-owned small business federal contract assistance procedures. Comments must now be received by March 31, 2008. The extension is a result of the significant level of interest in the proposed rule.

Go online to www.wipp.org to take action!

It is Time to Spring Forward

Soon the days will be longer and we can enjoy a little more sunshine. This coming Sunday, March 9, 2008 it's time to spring your clocks forward to Daylight Saving Time.

Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time (DST) at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November.

During DST, clocks are turned forward an hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

Click here for more information on Daylight Saving Time.

Women in Government Contracting National Teleconference for Women: Reach for the Goal Now

Washington, DC. The national teleconference, “Women in Government Contracting” will be held Thursday, March 6, 2008 from 1:00 to 2:00pm EST (noon CST, 11:00 am MST and 10:00 am PST). There is no cost to attend the teleconference for any woman or anyone who works for a woman-owned company located anywhere in the United States. No wasted travel time or expenses, attend directly from any phone. Phone lines are limited to the first 500 people to register.

Are women setting their government contracting goals high enough? Five percent of the $400 Billion Federal Contracting Budget is targeted to go to small businesses owned by women – that is $20 BILLION Dollars. That goal has never been reached. Government contracting can be a very lucrative market for savvy business women. And the federal government buys virtually every type of product and service available. Any business that wants to win a government contract must be registered with the federal government.

There are over 2,000,000 women-owned businesses in the U.S and only 55,000 are registered as government contractors. In one hour, at no cost, learn how to become registered as a federal government contractor and tackle the world’s fortune one customer: The U.S. Federal Government.

Attend this national complimentary teleconference to learn how to open the doors to government contracting. Hear from women business owners who have already become successful in this market. Learn the specific steps to become registered. Learn about the no-cost support services available directly from the federal government that will help you begin your government contracting business.

To register for this teleconference go to www.targetgov.com and click on the “Teleconference” button in the upper right corner of the home page. Select the Women in Government Contracting teleconference. Or call toll free 1-866-579-1346 to register.

Gloria Berthold is the host of the teleconference and is President of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc. which focuses on government procurement and related business development services. She is Procurement Committee Co-Chair for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP); author of The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business (book); an international speaker and she has created a series of Government Business Guides highlighting specific federal agencies and business opportunities. She has been interviewed on television and radio shows and has been quoted in national publications such as USA Today, Government Executive and Entrepreneur magazine.

Gloria Berthold Speaks: The Art of Entrepreneurship

Come hear Gloria Berthold, President, Marketing Outsource, Inc., and Targetgov speak at "The Art of Entrepreneurship."
The "Art of Entrepreneurship" is the 2nd Annual Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School Entrepreneurship Conference.

March 8, 2008 Downtown Center Baltimore 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

$25 in advance; $40 at the door, space permitting. Payable by credit card or check.

Register Now | Payment Form | Get Directions

A Cautionary Tale About Sharing Passcode

Court Order Requires Two Companies
to Pay CoStar $100,000 for Passcode Sharing

Bethesda-based CoStar Group has announced that a Maryland federal court recently entered an order requiring Laser Marketing, a marketing firm doing business under the name Atkinson Hunt, and Resource Realty, both of southern New Jersey, to pay CoStar $100,000 to settle charges that the two firms shared a CoStar passcode in order to gain unauthorized access to CoStar’s real estate information database.

The court also entered a permanent injunction restraining Atkinson Hunt and Resource Realty from engaging or assisting in any future unauthorized use of CoStar services.

The court found that Resource Realty provided Atkinson Hunt with a CoStar passcode that had been assigned to an approved subscriber at Resource Realty. Using fraud detection technology, CoStar determined that the passcode assigned to Resource Realty was used illegally and repeatedly from the offices of Atkinson Hunt to access CoStar’s information services.

“The thousands of honest subscribers who invest in CoStar’s service for the competitive advantage it offers expect CoStar to provide the most complete and highest quality information service we can at the lowest cost possible. When some users illegally resell or share CoStar passcodes with unauthorized users, they are really stealing from CoStar’s legitimate subscribers,” said Jonathan Coleman, CoStar Group’s general counsel.

Recently, the company also announced a $1 million judgment to settle a lawsuit against Centers & Malls, a Lake Forest, Ill., limited liability company, for infringing on CoStar’s copyrighted commercial real estate information.

Thanks to The Business Monthly at www.bizmonthly.com for this story

OSDBU Procurement Conference: Registration Is Open

We are now accepting exhibit space reservations for the 18th Annual OSDBU Procurement Conference, April 24, 2008 held at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. For 17 years, FBC and the OSDBU Directors Council, have been successful in bringing together small businesses, large corporations and government agencies for this dynamic one-day Procurement Conference. In 2007, exhibit space was sold out with over 375 exhibitors and 2750 industry and government attendees.

Registration Now Open

Exhibitors: There are a variety of ways for your company to have a presence at OSDBU. Exhibit Space is available for Prime and Small Businesses as well as additional sponsorship opportunities to enhance your exposure. Please ask your FBC Account Manager about these opportunities.

Attendees: For more information and to register, please visit the OSDBU Website.

Attendee and Exhibitor Website: https://www.fbcinc.com/osdbu/registration.asp

Procurement Matchmaking Procurement Matchmaking "matches" small company "sellers" with participating "buyers" represented by government agencies and large business Prime Contractors. These buyers and sellers will convene for a series of one-on-one meetings that will occur throughout the OSDBU event in a special matchmaking meeting room. This opportunity is a first come, first serve basis and sell out quickly so do not wait!

To learn how to participate in Procurement Matchmaking, click here...

Additional Information

For more information on exhibit space, sponsorship opportunities, and attending the 18th Annual OSDBU Procurement Conference, visit the OSDBU website or contact us your FBC Account Manager at 800-878-2940 or bj@fbcinc.com.

Conference Website: www.fbcinc.com/osdbu

New Tools to Measure Innovation

In late 2006, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez announced the creation of a blue ribbon Advisory Committee on Measuring Innovation in the 21st Century Economy. The panel was chaired by Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and was composed of leading business executives and experts from academia. It was asked to review how the US government tracks and measures innovation and to provide recommendations for how measurement systems can do a better job of tracking new forms of innovative activity. The panel released its findings earlier this month, and its report should be considered a “must-read” for anyone with an interest in the innovation economy.

The Committee began its work with a basic working definition of innovation: “The design, invention, development and/or implantation of new or altered products, services, processes, systems, organizational structures, or business models for the purpose of creating new value for customers and financial returns for the firm.” This definition helped set important guidelines for the Committee’s work. Their work focused on measuring the creation of new value, not just something new. In addition, the Committee recognized that effective innovation measurement must go beyond tracking inputs such as R&D spending; it must also track outcomes for firms, customers, regions, and nations.

The report includes a series of recommendations for both government and business. For government, the Committee recommends better coordination between government statistical agencies, increased access to government data sources for outside researchers, and enhanced funding to create a stronger framework for measuring innovation. For business, the Committee recommends that corporate leaders provide expanded support for the creation of new firm and industry-level measures of innovation. Business leaders should also actively participate in innovation research activities.

Download the January 2008 report of The Advisory Committee on Measuring Innovation in the 21st Century Economy, Innovation Measurement: Tracking the State of Innovation in the American Economy.

© 2008 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship www.publicforuminstitute.org/nde.

Alternative Financing For Government Contractors

Alternative Financing For Government Contractors©

When Significant Capital Needs Precede
Customer Payments on Government Contracts

Richard Lewis, Vice President,
Wells Fargo Business Credit, Government Services Group

“While poor management is cited most frequently as the reason businesses fail, inadequate or ill-timed financing is a close second. Whether you are starting a business or expanding one, sufficient ready capital is essential. However, it is not enough to simply have sufficient financing; knowledge and planning are required to manage it well. These qualities ensure that entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes like securing the wrong type of financing, miscalculating the amount required, or underestimating the cost of borrowing money.” http://www.sba.gov/financing/basics/basics.html.

The Good News: Your Company has landed a new Government contract, one that will result in a significant increase in revenues.

The Challenge: In order to fulfill this contract, you must immediately commit to additional people (payroll), training, materials, and related costs. This commitment must be made in advance of receiving payments from your customer (the US Government). Unfortunately, the amount of capital needed to cover your commitments exceeds the balance available on your existing line of credit or your credit card. It also exceeds the amount of cash that could be made available by delaying payments to selected vendors. The nature of this contract might justify issuing new equity or debt, but raising capital generally is an expensive, complex task that ultimately may take too long to meet your short-term contract specific capital requirements.

Solution – Planning!:

In order to minimize the risk of your company having to scramble to raise enough capital to ramp up for future major contracts, your internal business development forecasting process should identify and signal situations early to senior management. This will allow for a pro-active review of any significant operational, personnel, and financial impacts. Specific terms may be negotiated into the customer’s agreement to dampen these impacts. Such terms may include extended delivery dates, partial payment upon order placement, or progress payments based upon specific performance criteria.

Existing Bank or Lender - If your company has an existing line of credit or borrowing arrangement with a bank or other lender, try to negotiate an increase with them. A responsive lender may provide all of the short-term capital needed until the Government agency begins payment. You should be aware that trade-offs of a significantly higher level of credit might involve committing to a new long term deal, additional loan covenants, greater reporting requirements, and/or higher interest rates. In addition, your credit agreement may constrain your ability to take on other types of debt or lease obligations. In any event, it is best to discuss the situation as far in advance as possible and have a full financing/business plan and presentation available. Remember, LENDERS HATE SURPRISES. If your company does not have an accommodating lender, the following alternatives should be considered:

Factoring – This is the sale of your invoices, accounts receivable, to a bank or finance company (the “Factor”), as opposed to using them as borrowing collateral. The Factor will advance a percentage, usually between 75% and 90%, of the invoice amount to the customer; the balance is refundable upon receipt of payment, less interest and transaction costs. Some Factors may also provide weekly or mid-month, funding of unbilled accounts receivable, mobilization financing for new contracts, and/or “term loans” for multi-year contracts. The Factor will, through the Federal Assignment of Claims provisions, notify the Federal Government agency customer that the invoice has been financed and is payable directly to them. There are several advantages to factoring; most of the A/R bookkeeping, customer credit worthiness, collections, and credit risk become a shared responsibility with the Factor, and the initial approval process can usually be a matter of days.

In addition, because the primary credit criteria is based on your government customer, the federal, state, or municipality, a Factor will generally provide financing for start-ups, 8a, minority, Native American, disabled veteran, woman owned contractors, or other companies that may have a questionable credit history. Although sometimes more costly, it is a viable alternative to traditional bank financing because of its increased flexibility. In addition, many Factors will provide a “financial support” letter, submitted with the proposal, to the Government agency insuring that their institution’s financial strength is behind the client.

Contract Financing/Purchase Order Financing - You may be able to negotiate financing based upon your Federal Government customer Purchase Order(s). Some lenders provide Purchase Order financing based upon the credit worthiness of your customer (in this case the US Federal Government). PO financing is easiest when your products or services are well established. If your products are new, services are non-standard and/or unproven, PO financing is more difficult to obtain. The effectiveness of contract/PO financing in a pre-revenue ramp up situation will be determined by how soon your company can invoice the customer.

Commercial Financing-Asset Based Lending - This is a common type of financing provided by most banks and commercial financial companies. The primary asset used in this type of lending is your company’s accounts receivable, although inventory, fixed assets, and in some instances, intellectual properties may be used to collateralize additional long term financing requirements. With asset based lending your, as well as your customers’ credit worthiness will determine the percentage of the receivables that will be advanced, usually between 75% and 90%. Inventory and fixed assets advance rates are most often significantly lower because these are less liquid assets. This financing is almost always provided on a revolving or an on-going basis, thus the term “revolving credit.”

Leasing and/or Sale and Leaseback - These financing alternatives can be used to generate capital from fixed assets that are to be obtained or currently owned by your company, such as computers, equipment, furniture and fixtures, vehicles, and real estate. Banks, financing companies, dealers, and manufacturers provide these more specialized services. Your company’s credit standing and the quality of the assets involved will determine the amount of cash that can be raised and the terms under which it is provided. The specifics of the agreement will determine if these leases have to be reported on your company’s balance sheet or if they can be treated as “off balance sheet” items.

SBA Loan – The SBA offers numerous loan programs to assist small businesses. It is important to note, however, that the SBA is primarily a guarantor of loans made by private and other institutions.

The Basic 7(a) Loan Guaranty serves as the SBA’s primary business loan program to help qualified small businesses obtain financing when they might not be eligible for business loans through normal lending channels. It is also the agency’s most flexible business loan program, since financing under this program can be guaranteed for a variety of general business purposes. Loan proceeds can be used for most sound business purposes including working capital, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, land and building (including purchase, renovation and new construction), leasehold improvements, and debt refinancing (under special conditions). Loan maturity is up to 10 years for working capital and generally up to 25 years for fixed assets. http://www.sba.gov/financing/sbaloan/snapshot.html.

SBIR and Grants: SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) is a federal government program administered by 10 federal agencies for the purpose of helping to provide early-stage Research and Development funding to small technology companies (or individual entrepreneurs who form a company). Solicitations are released periodically from each of the agencies and present technical topics of R&D, which the agency is interested in funding. Companies are invited to compete for funding by submitting proposals answering the technical topic needs of the agency's solicitation. Each agency has various needs and flavors of the SBIR program and you can learn more about them by visiting their sites. Here are the addresses for the SBA, DOD, and NIH: www.sba.gov/sbir/, www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/, grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm, www.grants.gov.

None of the alternatives mentioned above are mutually exclusive. In many cases, combinations can be very effective. However, there are significant legal and operational differences in these financing arrangements. The terms of some borrowing agreements may limit your ability to take on additional debt and they should be entered into only as part of a coherent financing strategy. Do not be alarmed when the lender asks for your personal guaranty. Personal guarantees are virtually standard for all but the most credit worthy and/or public companies.

For questions or additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Richard Lewis at 703-462-2310 or email at richard.lewis@wellsfargo.com.

WIPP Action Alert: Contact the SBA now!

Our hard work is paying off! The momentum decrying the SBA’s proposed new rule for the Women’s Procurement Program has grown exponentially. In the past five weeks, WIPP members have written op-eds, been interviewed and quoted by local and national media, and participated in online podcasts. Senators and Representatives in Washington have heard our call and, as a result, held Congressional hearings and briefings, circulated ‘Dear Colleague’ letters, and sent SBA Administrator Steve Preston letters lambasting the SBA’s proposed new rule.

We have worked hard and seen results but there is still one more task. It is vital that we each, individually, demand that the SBA withdraw the rule. Submit your comments to the SBA directly; the official comment period ends February 25. Do not miss this chance to have your business' voice go on the record.

We have posted a sample letter to the SBA on our website. Please click here and follow the simple instructions; or if you prefer, go directly to the SBA comment section and write your own comments. Please forward Anna Lubiner at alubiner@wipp.org your comments to the SBA.

Do not miss this important opportunity to stand up and be heard. The deadline for comments is February 25th, so act now!

888.488.WIPP ~ www.WIPP.org

SBA’s Progress Implementing Women’s Procurement

Comments on the hearing
“SBA’s Progress in Implementing
the Women’s Procurement Program"

January 17, 2008

The Honorable Nydia Velázquez
Chair
House Small Business Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
2361 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chair Velázquez,

I am writing to submit comments on the hearing, “SBA’s Progress in Implementing the Women’s Procurement Program," held on January 16, 2008.

Despite the clear intentions of Congress regarding this Program, I am very dismayed that the SBA has created yet additional hurdles for women business owners who strive to be successful federal contractors.

I. Women-owned businesses received only a mere 3.4% of federal procurement contracts in 2006. We are losing billions in contracts every year simply because this Program has not been implemented. I have first hand experience in that there remain active barriers preventing women-owned businesses from open competition in federal procurement.

II. The SBA, in the proposed rule, states an impossible situation in that an agency must perform an internal audit of its past contracting actions to show that it has exhibited past discrimination before the contract can be designated for restricted competition. This is ludicrous and an extreme burden that no federal agency will perform thereby assuring that women will never receive a fair share of contracting opportunities. What agency will self-incriminate?

III. The creation of this artificial standard at the federal level will have chilling and highly detrimental consequences at the state and local level. If the federal government, by actions such as this proposed rule, articulate that women owned businesses are not “underrepresented” in federal contracting, the message flows down that women-owned businesses are not “underrepresented” at any level.

Thank you for allowing me to share my views.

Sincerely,

Gloria Berthold
President

MD CATS #2 is coming...ARE YOU READY?

Consulting and Technical Services Contract #2 (CATS)

The Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM), is in the process of finalizing the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next Consulting and Technical Services (CATS) contract. DBM anticipates issuance of the RFP within the next several weeks and completion of the awards by approximately July 30, 2008.

Although the current CATS contract does not expire until January, 2011, there will be an overlap of the two contracts so that task orders of longer duration will have a contract vehicle in place as the old CATS contract moves towards completion.

Similar to the first RFP, CATS #2 will also provide for unlimited awards to qualified vendors. For those IT firms who missed out on CATS #1, here is an opportunity to become one of the successful Master Contractors under CATS #2.

Interested parties are advised to:

1) Download a copy of CATS #1 RFP from the DBM website (http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/portal/server.pt?) to get a general idea of what will be required to submit with the proposal; and,

2) Register with eMarylandMarketplace and provide a "current" email address to ensure that the solicitation is received as soon as it is posted by DBM. (https://ebidmarketplace.com)

Note: You must be registered on eMarylandMarketplace in order to be awarded a Master Contract under CATS #2.

The new RFP (CATS #2) will also be available for downloading from the DBM website as soon as it is released. For the most current information on CATS #2, or to be placed on the RFP distribution list, call 410- 260-7570.

Three New Web Resources

Here are three new sites that might be worth a visit:

USASpending.gov (www.usaspending.gov): Visit this site if you want to know where your tax dollars are going. The website was created by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 and provides detailed information on every government contract by company, size, and location.

Zopa (www.zopa.com): Zopa, a website begun in Great Britain , was the first on-line social finance company. Other websites where users can pitch new business ideas for funding include Prosper.com. Until recently, Zopa was only available in Britain , but it is now open for business in the US and in Italy .

Ideablob (www.ideablob.com): Have you ever had a “crazy” business idea but weren’t sure how to get someone to fund it? If so, you might check out Ideablob, a new site where you can share a business idea and maybe get $10,000 for it in the process. The site solicits ideas regarding any kind of business proposal, and then opens up on-line voting for a month. The idea with the most votes is awarded $10,000 that can be used to help make a dream into reality. The site announced its first monthly winner in October with Chicago-based entrepreneur Tom Kriegelstein’s idea to create new orientation software for incoming college freshmen.

© 2007 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship and a link to www.publicforuminstitute.org/nde.

National Dialogue Entrepreneurship Update

Entrepreneurs Expect to Work Even Harder in 2008

If you want to be an entrepreneur, be prepared to work some late and long hours. That’s one primary finding from the second annual Staples National Small Business Survey, which shows that 98% of small business owners regularly work during their time off at vacation, on weekends, and at night. In addition, fifty-four percent expect to work even harder in 2008. More than 2/3 of those surveyed agree that they are “constantly challenged” by not having enough time to complete necessary tasks. While business owners are pressed for time, many are not taking advantages of effective time management strategies and technologies. Seventy percent of those surveyed did not have a written business plan, and more than 84 percent do not utilize new media technologies, such as blogs, podcasts, or virtual meeting tools.

Learn more about the results of the 2nd annual Staples National Small Business survey. The survey was based on an Internet poll that queried more than 300 small businesses with less than 20 employees each.

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State Tax Systems and Economic Competitiveness

Analysts of national and state competitiveness tend to focus most of their attention on factors such as education policy, access to capital, and innovation assets. But, the effectiveness of government finance systems also matters. A new study from the Pew Center on the States raises some red flags about how some US states are performing on this front. Effective tax systems provide stable revenue, support efficient tax collection, provide transparent information about incentives, and give localities some say in how their tax dollars are used. Unfortunately, many state tax systems fail on these measures. As a result, these lagging states lack the ability to support new economic engines while continuing to provide outdated and unnecessary incentives to other economic sectors. The research cites the following states as strong performers in terms of effective tax systems: Iowa , Maine , Minnesota , Mississippi , Nebraska , New Jersey , Texas , and Utah . Poor performing states include: Arkansas , Georgia , Louisiana , North Dakota , Oklahoma , and Vermont .

Download the January 2008 Pew Charitable Trust’s Center on the States’ report, Growth and Taxes: Why Outdated State Tax Systems Undercut Economic Vitality and What States can do About It, by Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene. The study also appears in the January 2008 issue of Governing.

Both stories: © 2008 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship www.publicforuminstitute.org/nde.

NASA LARSS Internship Program

NASA LARSS Internship Program – http://research.nianet.org/larss

Deadline Info: Summer – Feb. 1, 08; Fall – Mar. 6, 08; Spring 2009 – Oct. 24, 08

NASA's Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars (LARSS) Program, hosted at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton , Virginia , offers paid 10-week summer or 15-week fall and spring internship experiences for rising college juniors and above. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a 3.0/4.0 GPA, and be pursuing a major of interest to NASA including engineering, science, mathematics, or special project areas such as history, journalism, accounting, and photography.

There are also opportunities for outstanding rising High School Seniors, College Freshmen, and Sophomores who have a 3.5 GPA and previous NASA program experience.

See website for specific details. http://research.nianet.org/larss

Contact:
Debbie Murray
LARSS Program Coordinator
757-964-5215
Deborah.B.Murray@nasa.gov

GSA Chooses IT companies for $15 Billion Contract

GSA Chooses 62 IT companies for $15 Billion
Alliant Small Business Governmentwide Acquisition Contract

The Alliant Small Business Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (Alliant SB GWAC) is a competitive multiple award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity set-aside small business contract. The contract is designed to provide worldwide information technology solutions to federal agencies while strengthening opportunities in federal contracting for small businesses.

Click here to read the announcement.

Gloria Berthold to speak at Reston Chamber of Commerce Gov Con

Reston Chamber of Commerce
Government Contracting Forum and Loan Fair

2/1/2008 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sheraton Reston Hotel

Are you looking to succeed as a government contractor? Then attend the Reston Chamber of Commerce Gov Con forum to listen to noted speakers, attend workshops and federal agency representative matchmaking sessions, and meet major prime contractor representatives.

Gloria Berthold will be discussing "New Trends and Tactics for Successful Government Contracting". Register today and hear her expertise advice on government procurement.

Click here for more information and to register.

Ft Belvoir Gov Con by Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

Ft Belvoir Gov Con by Fairfax Chamber of Commerce
February 6, 2008
Fort Belvoir, VA (directions)

Attend the February 6th Fort Belvoir Procurement Forum to gain the information, knowledge, and connections you need to successfully partner with agencies located on Fort Belvoir.

7:30 – 8:30am: Registration/Networking/Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall

8:30 – 9:00am: Welcoming Comments by Col. Brian W. Lauritzen, Garrison Commander

9:15 – 10:15am: Concurrent Sessions #1 (will repeat for Sessions #2)

Ø “Effective Marketing to Position your Company in the Federal Sector”
Speaker: Gloria Berthold, President, TargetGov

Ø “Federal Contracting Vehicles: Which Ones are Right for Your Company”
Speaker: Ryan Novak, Program Manager, GSA Speaker: TBD

Ø “Win Contracts by Preparing the Best Proposal”
Speaker: Phyllis Hoffmann, President, Strategic Solutions

10:30 – 11:30am: Concurrent Sessions #2 (same as above)

12:00 – 1:30pm: Luncheon Presentation Ø A BRAC Luncheon panel featuring experts in transportation, construction, new entrants and overall base requirements.

1:30 – 3:30pm: Private Interviews with Procurement Officers/Exhibits

3:30 – 4:30pm Exhibitor Breakdown

Click here to register.

Howard County offers BRAC OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP

HOWARD COUNTY’S CENTER FOR BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT OFFERS BRAC OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP

 Workshop to Help Businesses Identify, Pursue
and Win BRAC-related Government Contracts

NOTE: THIS WORKSHOP WAS SOLD OUT LAST TIME, REGISTER EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR SEAT! The Howard County Economic Development Authority’s Center for Business and Technology Development is launching a new workshop to help businesses identify, pursue and win government contracts relating to the upcoming BRAC moves.

The workshop entitled BRAC Business Opportunities: An Introduction to Federal Contracting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Center for Business and Technology Development, 9250 Bendix Road, North, Columbia, Maryland.

Click here to download the announcement (PDF file).

This workshop will introduce business owners to federal contracting and specifically how to find business opportunities related to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process affecting Maryland bases and surrounding areas. All industries will be covered including: construction, information technology, services, commodities and supplies, architecture and engineering, and much more.

Experts from  TargetGov will conduct the fast-paced workshop and attendees will receive a full workbook detailing the needed registrations, contracting process, certifications, bidding, accounting, and successful business development steps.

The cost of the workshop is $149.00. For more information and to register, please visit www.hceda.org/CBTD/busEvents.aspx or contact Tasha Taylor, 410-313-6550, e-mail ttaylor@hceda.org.

The Center for Business and Technology Development is The Center for Business and Technology Development is part of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, a public-private partnership that promotes growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, and attracting corporate/regional headquarters. For more information about The Center for Business and Technology Development and the Howard County Economic Development Authority, please visit www.hceda.org.

WIPP Update: SBA Kills Contracting Opportunities

WIPP CRITICIZES SBA FOR KILLING FEDERAL CONTRACTING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), the nation’s largest bipartisan women’s business group, spoke out against a Small Business Administration proposed rule that reduces federal contracts protected status for women-owned businesses to only four of over 2,300 business categories.  WIPP Procurement Committee member Gloria Berthold, President, TargetGov of Baltimore, Maryland joined the organization in commenting on the proposed rule.

“The SBA has effectively killed billions in business opportunities in federal contracts for women business owners,” said Gloria Berthold.  “As a business leader and a government contractor, I believe this proposed rule demonstrates that women business owners are not important to this administration nor to the political process.  After seven long years waiting to enact the law, this is a drastic step backwards in chipping away at the little progress that women made to gain a mere five percent of federal contracts, while half of all privately held companies have a woman owner. I am embarrassed to be a republican when things like this happen.”

The rule, if enacted, would drastically limit the number of federal government contracts awarded to women entrepreneurs by requiring women-owned businesses to show under-representation in thousands of industries and direct discrimination by a government agency to qualify for protected status.  The new rule would only extend protected status to women-owned businesses in four categories listed by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): kitchen cabinet manufacturing, engraving, other motor vehicles and intelligence.

Further raising the bar of entry for women entrepreneurs in the area of government procurement, the SBA has also proposed that in order for an agency to set aside a new contract under the proposed rule, the procuring agency would have to conduct an appropriate analysis of its own procurement history to show that there has been discrimination against women-owned small businesses in the past.  

“One of our members is the nation’s only woman-owned munitions designer, and according to this new rule, SBA believes the munitions industry is over-represented by women and faces no discrimination in procurement,” said WIPP President Barbara Kasoff. 

Passed by Congress in 2000, Public Law 106-554, was created to allow federal contracting officers to award up to five percent of all contracts to women-owned businesses.  However, according to the most recent government report, that goal continues to fall short, with women entrepreneurs receiving only 3.3 percent of contracts in 2005.  Many of these figures were supported by Rand Corporation study, released in April 2007.  The study, conducted at SBA’s request, confirmed that women-owned small businesses are under-represented in 87% of industries. WIPP Maryland state leader Berthold remarked that “Five percent of $400 billion is $20 billion. Even the SBA says women-owned businesses are only getting about $13 billion in contracts annually, well below the targeted five percent. This cheats us out of $7 billion in contracts every year.”

“Access to government contracts is imperative for the survival and growth of women-owned businesses.  As the figures demonstrate, at the heart of SBA’s proposed change is not the issue of preferred status for women entrepreneurs, it is the question of 10.4 million women-owned small businesses getting their fair share of federal business.” said Kasoff.  “Each year, access to government contracts is identified by our member survey as one of the top challenges facing women business owners, and continues to be a high priority for WIPP.”
# # #

About Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP):

WIPP is a national bi-partisan group comprising over half a million members.  The non-profit organization is the public policy voice for 45 national Women in Business groups and is The Voice for Women in Business in Our Nation’s Capital.  WIPP strengthens its members’ sphere of influence in the legislative process, creates economic opportunities for members and builds alliances with other small business organizations.  Visit www.wipp.org.

Call 1-866-579-1346 for more information or to hear what you can do about this.

GSA Chooses IT companies for $15 Billion Contract

GSA Chooses 62 IT companies for $15 Billion
Alliant Small Business Governmentwide Acquisition Contract

The Alliant Small Business Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (Alliant SB GWAC) is a competitive multiple award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity set-aside small business contract. The contract is designed to provide worldwide information technology solutions to federal agencies while strengthening opportunities in federal contracting for small businesses.

Click here to read the announcement.

Health Care Costs

Health Care Costs Continue to Climb

A new survey from Mercer Consulting provides hard facts to back up what most of us already know. Health care costs are continuing to climb. According to Mercer’s survey of employer sponsored health plans, total US health care costs rose 6.1% last year, reaching about $ 7,983 per worker per year. The primary good news in this year’s survey is that the rate of cost increase has held steady for three years. In 2002, health care costs jumped a staggering fifteen percent. Employers project expect future cost increases of about 5.7% in 2008. How are firms responding to these cost pressures? Health management efforts, such as wellness programs, are the primary approach, now used by 80% of surveyed firms. Another strategy (used by 52% of those surveyed) expands the use of consumer-driven plans such as Health Savings Accounts. Both of these strategies do generate cost savings, but these savings are not keeping pace with overall inflation in health care costs.

View a summary of the 2007 Mercer National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans. The full survey is available for purchase.

Small Business and the Health Care Crunch

The Mercer Consulting survey cited above examines health care trends in large firms; a new National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) survey examines how small companies are faring. The short answer is “not very well.” The survey finds that, due to high costs, fifty-two percent of small employers do not offer health insurance or an insurance purchase subsidy. Forty-seven percent of small employers do offer such benefits, with 36% providing benefits to all or most full-time employees. In terms of costs, small employers tend to spend around 7.5% of payroll on employee benefits.

Download the 2007 National Federation of Independent Business National Small Business Poll (Volume 7, Number 3) on “Purchasing Health Insurance.”

Both stories: © 2007 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship with a link to www.publicforuminstitute.org/nde.

2008 New Year's Business Resolution

Are you doing everything you can to boost your business?

We all know the key for many businesses success is "location, location, location", but in order for a business to grow what you need to do is "research, research, research!"

We at TargetGov are here to help you with that research. We can help you find and respond to Sources Sought Notices, you can subscribe to our Government Buyers Guide which provides a listing of contacts in the federal, state, and local governments, and you can attend our information-packed Teleconferences and Toolkits.

Your 2008 New Year's Business Resolution should be to do all you can for your business and let TargetGov be the one to help you reach your goals. So contact us today!

SBA Report: Top 100 Small Business Contractors

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has released a listing of the top 100 small business government contractors. The SBA release is part of a broader effort to respond to criticisms that the US government is failing to meet long-standing requirements to set aside more business for smaller firms. SBA has been making some progress on this front. It has scrubbed its database of contractors and found $4.6 billion worth of contracts that were erroneously listed as small business set-asides. It is now pressing government agencies to open up equivalent business opportunities for smaller firms. This year’s list of top contractors is topped by New Jersey-based Procurenet, an online procurement firm which was recently purchased by SAIC who were likely attracted by the firm’s $364 million worth of government contracts. Overall, the top 100 small business contractors received $12 billion in contracts in FY2006, accounting 5.5% of total Federal government contracts.

Download a press release from the US Small Business Administration that lists the “Top 100 Small Business Government Contractors.”

WIPP Update: Senate Passes Gov't Contracting Act

Senate Unanimously Passes Accountability
in Government Contracting Act of 2007 (S 680)

Last month, bipartisan legislation was unanimously passed by the Senate that aims to increase competition and accountability in federal contracting.

S 680, the Accountability in Government Contracting Act of 2007, was sponsored by Senators Lieberman (I-CT) and Collins (R-ME). The bill addresses federal acquisition practices by recognizing the need for experienced and qualified individuals within the acquisition workforce. The bill creates training and intern programs, requires chief acquisition officers to develop succession plans, requires agency heads to establish acquisition and contracting training programs, and creates a new Associate Administrator for Acquisition Workforce Programs in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP). S 680 also creates a Contingency Contracting Corps of trained acquisition personnel to respond in emergencies, in an effort to reduce waste, fraud and abuse caused by poorly structured or managed emergency contracts.

The following are key changes to contracting:

• Requires Agencies to compete all task and delivery orders over $100,000.
  
• Requires more detailed statements of work and post-award debriefings for orders over $5 million.
  
• Limits the length of sole-source contracts awarded in cases of “urgent and compelling need” to 270 days.
  
• If agencies intend on making major changes related to the price, scope, or schedule of contracts, it must be done within 180 days or before 40% percent of the work is completed.
  
• Requires OFPP to collect and make publicly available data on the numbers, scope, users, and rationales for interagency contracts, and to approve all proposed multi-agency IDIQ contracts before they are awarded.
  
• Prohibits the award of an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for services valued over $100 million to a single vendor.
  
• Requires the GSA, OMB, and IRS to seek better analysis of purchase card use to identify fraud, identify potential savings, negotiate discounts, collect and disseminate best practices, and to address small business concerns in micro-purchases.
  
• Requires OFPP to provide guidance to agencies on the appropriate use of lead systems integrators.

The House passed their version of the bill, HR 1362, on March 15, 2007. The Senate and House now must agree on final provisions. We will keep you posted on any and all developments.

Berthold Quoted in Article on 3% Procurement Tax

Contractors will soon have to change the way they do business due to a 3 percent tax attached to government contracts.

The tax, passed by Congress in May 2006, will require federal, state and local governments to withhold 3 percent of payments to contractors beginning in 2012.

The requirement, which ensures the federal government receives income taxes, has business groups as well as local and state officials in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor fighting for a repeal.

“If businesses have to take 3 percent off the top, they’re not going to be able to do business or pay their bills,” said Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov, an Elkridge-based business development firm specializing in federal, state and local government contracting opportunities. “My crystal ball says it’s going to put a lot of people out of business.”

Click here to read the full article on Corridor, Inc.

Look Out For the 2007 Economic Census Forms

In December, more than 4 million American businesses received 2007 economic census forms. If your firm was one, please take the time to fill these out. Every five years, the Census Bureau conducts a comprehensive measurement of business and industry. The census forms provide critical information on the nation’s economy, including small and medium business information. Economic census data provides figures that businesses need when they consider expanding to new markets.

in more than 1000 industries will be asked to report information on employment, payroll and the value of goods and services sold. Those companies receiving forms are required by federal law to respond and forms must be returned by February 12, 2008 to the US Census Bureau. For information and links to sample forms, please visit www.business.census.gov.

Government Executive Magazine--sign up today

If you want to receive a first class magazine (in the mail or online) with well written, well-researched articles about the government contracting world, I highly recommend Government Executive Magazine.

Gloria Berthold

Subscribing is easier than ever now that GovExec offers an online application form. All you have to do to apply for a subscription is to click out the answers to a few quick questions.

You too can benefit from reading the only magazine edited specially for federal professionals.

You can sign up for a complimentary subscription (no cost to you) by clicking here: www.govexec.com/subscribe

NEW GPO Vendor Requirements

NEW GPO Vendor Requirements Deadline
Dec 31, 2007 or No Payments Made

From the Government Printing Office (GPO)
Federal law requires that GPO collect certain information from all of its contractors so that GPO can, in turn, provide contractors with IRS Form 1099 for work performed during each year. To accomplish this, we will require you to provide three specific pieces of information:

1. Your firm’s Employer Identification Number/Tax Identification Number (EIN/TIN)
   
2. Whether or not your firm is subject to backup withholding requirements for IRS
   
3. Whether your firm has a current FORM W-9 on file at GPO

To comply with this mandate, GPO is utilizing its on-line contractor registration system, Contractor Connection. Contractor Connection has recently been updated to make the “EIN/TIN”, “Subject to Backup Withholding”, and “Current W-9 on File at GPO” mandatory fields. We ask that you use Contractor Connection to provide this data as soon as possible.

Please go to http://contractorconnect.gpo.gov/ and click on the “Login” link on the left of the screen. Enter the email address which was initially used during the registration process and password and then click on the “Login” button. On the next screen click on the “Company Information” box on the left of the screen and add or verify your EIN/TIN number, and answer the “Subject to Backup Withholding” and “Current W-9 on File at GPO” questions. We also suggest that you take a moment to verify your address and other pertinent information.

Please note that effective January 1, 2008, contractors that have not provided these three items requested by IRS via Contractor Connection will not meet the eligibility requirements for payment by the Government. Therefore, GPO will not pay contractors for completed work until this information is provided.

To avoid delay in payment for completed work, we urge you to immediately use Contractor Connection to update or verify that GPO has this information on file for your firm. If you need assistance, please contact Frances A. Pritchett, Supervisory Printing Services Specialist at 202-512-0526, or by e-mail at fpritchett@gpo.gov.

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.

AAI Corp. of Hunt Valley won two contracts worth over $100 million from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley and is expected to be completed by March 2010.  http://www.aaicorp.com/supplierlinks.html

Rockville’s BAE Systems Inc. won an $18 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop more surveillance technology for the Department of Defense.  http://www.baesystems.com/ContactUs/

Coakley & Williams Construction Inc. in Gaithersburg was awarded an $11 million contract for renovations, upgrades, repair and construction to Preble Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C. is the contracting office. Expected completion date is December 2008.   http://www.coakleywilliams.com/contact_us.php

DRS C3 Systems LLC in Gaithersburg won a maximum $62 million contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. for the phase II development, qualification, production and support of the common enterprise display system display consoles.  
http://www.drs.com/contactus/sbl.aspx

Gaithersburg’s EG&G Technical Services Inc. won an $8 million contract for material distribution services to include receipt, storage, issue; preservation, packaging, packing and marking; and care of supplies & storage from the Defense Logistics Agency and the Defense Distribution Center in Pennsylvania.    http://www.urscorp.com/EGG_Division/sdbu/index.php

Facchina Construction Co. Inc. in La Plata, Md. was awarded a $26 million contract from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C for construction of aircraft taxiways and parking aprons for the Green Side and White Side Aircraft Complex at Marine Corps Air Facility in Quantico. Expected completion date is August 2009.   http://www.facchina.com/contact.asp

Integral Systems Inc. of Lanham won a  $7 million contract modification from the United States Air Force Headquarters Space and Missile Systems Center for the integration of the fixed geolocation system in the rapid attack identification, detection, and reporting System.   http://www.integ.com/Locations.html

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority in Baltimore was awarded a $5 million contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Agency at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) for steam from the Harford Waste-to-Energy facility. Work will be performed at APG and is expected to be completed by March 2016.  http://www.nmwda.org/contact/procurement.asp

Whiting Turner Contracting Co. in Baltimore won a $7 million contract from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C. for the repairs at the Anacostia Naval Annex in Washington, D.C.
 http://www.whiting-turner.com/Contact/Contact.html
 
Computer Sciences Corp. of Falls Church, Va. won a $10 million contract for technical support to the operating forces from the Marine Corps Systems Command, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity. http://www.csc.com/contactus/

General Dynamics Corp. of Fairfax has won two contracts worth over $200 million.  The subsidiary company General Dynamics Information Technology’s contract will help the Air Force simulate the most recent version of the war game called "Unified Engagement." General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems was awarded a contract for the Phase II development, qualification, production and support of the common enterprise display system display consoles.
http://www.gdc4s.com/suppliers/

General Dynamics Land Systems in Woodbridge, Va. was awarded a $10 million contract from the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico to develop an alternative drivetrain subsystem preliminary design for the development and demonstration phase of the expeditionary fighting vehicle program. 
http://procurement.gdls.com/

Hensel Phelps Construction Co. in Chantilly, Va. won a $6 million contract for construction of general instruction classrooms, general purpose administration and operations buildings, laboratories, exterior coverage storage and division-level instruction preparation room at Fort Lee, Va. and is expected to be completed by September 2010.  http://www.henselphelps.com/district_capitol.htm

International Development and Resources Inc. of Fairfax, Va. won a $150 million contract for technical, engineering, logistics and program management services from the  U.S. Special Operations Command.   http://www.idrnet.com/contact_us.htm

See the full list at www.corridorinc.com

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ACTiVATE Program Recruiting New Members

ACTiVATE is very excited to be recruiting for the Class of 2008.

We will have three (3) ACTiVATE Information Sessions coming up. Two (2) are in December and one (1) is in January!

Please share the view the PDF featuring our Information Sessions for ACTiVATE 2008 with everyone you can!

Information Sessions Dates:

Thursday, December 6, 2007 (tomorrow!)
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Main Seminar Room
techcenter@UMBC
1450 South Rolling Road
Baltimore, MD 21227

Monday, December 10, 2007
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Rockville Economic Development Office (REDI)
95 Monroe Street
Rockville, MD 20850

Tuesday, January 8, 2008
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Courtyard Room
techcenter@UMBC
1450 South Rolling Road
Baltimore, MD 21227

Please RSVP to me as soon as possible at nan@umbc.edu.
Thank you!

Nan Sherman
ACTiVATE General Assistant
(443) 543-5594
(410) 455-8750 (fax)

Washington's $50 Billion Tech Plan Derailed By Law

According to InformationWeek, a group of technology service providers are claiming that the U.S. government broke its own laws when it selected contractors to participate in a sweeping technology initiative on which Washington plans to spend up to $50 billion. Plans for moving ahead with the Alliant program are now on hold, according to the General Services Administration. In the lawsuit against the government, one of the service providers, Serco, Inc., claims the federal selection process for the program was "arbitrary and capricious," and did not properly account for vendors' past performance, references, and technical capabilities -- as required by law. Serco, a U.S. subsidiary of a U.K.-based contractor, is asking the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to re-open the selection process. It's been joined in its lawsuit by vendors Nortel, Stanley Associates, CGI Federal, Centech Group and several other companies that were shut out of the Alliant project.

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=203101648

Holiday Wish List: Books for the Entrepreneur

From our friends at the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship

As you start to get in the holiday spirit and begin your holiday shopping, NDE-news is here to help with their annual Holiday Books edition for followers of the innovation economy. All recommended volumes have been published within the last year and should be available from major book retailers.

A Culture of Improvement: Technology and the Western Millennium
Robert Friedel (MIT Press, 2007)

What explains the development of technology over time? Friedel chalks it up to a “culture of improvement,” i.e., people’s belief that things can be done in a better way. Friedel takes this commonplace definition and uses it to explain the winners and losers in the history of Western technology. He contends that the culture of improvement is a major driver of the development of Western civilization, too. He offers chapters that trace the development of technologies, products, and processes as varied as cheesemaking, the transistor, the internal combustion engine, and the development of eyeglasses.

Redefining Global Strategy: Crossing Borders in a World Where Differences Still Matter
Pankaj Ghemawat (Harvard Business School Press, 2007)

If someone tells you the world is flat, don’t believe them. That’s one message from Ghemawat’s Redefining Global Strategy. He argues that many businesses have taken global convergence too far. At this point, it’s more accurate to speak of “semi-globalization,” a situation where significant cross-border cultural differences still affect how to do business. Ghemawat recommends that corporations design strategies with these differences in mind. Instead of a one-size-fits all approach, effective global strategies recognize unique home markets. He points to Toyota as an example of a firm that has succeeded in altering its core business strategies to account for these cultural differences.

Innovation Nation: How America is Losing its Innovation Edge, Why it Matters and What We Can Do to Get it Back
John Kao (Free Press, 2007)

Kao’s book is a call to arms about America’s eroding innovation capacity. As new global centers of innovation (such as India and China) have arisen, the US has failed to keep up and make needed investments in education, research, and other key innovation assets. Kao puts some meat on the bones of this basic story with interesting data, anecdotes, and examples. He recommends that the US embrace a new culture of innovation that is collaborative, open to global partnerships, is focused on the long-term, and that seeks to develop global solutions to global challenges such as climate change, energy depletion, and fighting disease and poverty.

The Elephant and the Dragon: The Rise of India and China, and What It Means for All of Us
Robyn Meredith (W.W. Norton, 2007)
 
There are many new volumes on the rise of India and China as major economic players. This book from Robyn Meredith, a Forbes foreign correspondent, is one of the better offerings. Meredith details the revolutionary changes occurring in both nations, but also notes that Americans have been the real beneficiaries of these changes. As she notes, “Made in China” really means “Made by America in China.” In her conclusions, she echoes some of the points raised in John Kao’s Innovation Nation. America’s most effective response to the rise of China and India is to re-invest at home and strengthen its competitive position in the world.
 

The Cleantech Revolution: The Next Big Growth and Investment Opportunity
Ron Pernick and Clint Wilder (Collins, 2007)
 
Alternative energy is widely touted to be “the next big thing” with investors and entrepreneurs from around the world jumping on the bandwagon. If you want to know what the fuss is all about, this is a good place to start. One way to describe this book would be “Cleantech 101.” While there are many magazine and journal articles on the industry, this is one of the few book-length treatments that offers a good basic introduction to the world of cleantech.

No Man's Land: What to Do When Your Company Is Too Big to Be Small, and Too Small to Be Big
Doug Tatum (Portfolio Hardcover, 2007)

What is No Man’s Land? According to Doug Tatum, founder of Tatum CFO, it refers to a company’s period of adolescence. The firm has grown (it could have up to twenty employees), and can no longer rely solely on the charismatic leadership of its entrepreneurial founder(s). Many companies falter as they shift from an entrepreneurial leadership model to a more efficient and scalable management system. Tatum’s book is an excellent guide for surviving business adolescence. It contains a number of interesting “real-life” stories as well as some clear tips on how entrepreneurs can transform themselves and their companies.

The Inside Advantage: The Strategy That Unlocks the Hidden Growth in Your Business
Robert H. Bloom with Dave Conti (McGraw Hill, 2007)

The first three words of this book's introduction set the tone: "Grow or die!" Bob Bloom shares practical lessons from his years as CEO of global advertising firm Publicis Worldwide. Bloom lays out the basics of his Growth Discovery Process and shares the growth strategies of a few of his better-known clients such as Southwest Airlines, T-Mobile and BMW.

These book recommendations are (c) 2007 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship

IT Tax Passes In MD -- NEW 6% Sales Tax

We Did Not Speak LOUD Enough—Computer Services Are Now to be Taxed at 6%

The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) strongly opposes the 6% sales tax on computer services that passed during the 2007 special session of the Maryland General Assembly and has made the repeal of this tax a top priority.

In a statement, the organization said that it was “extremely disappointed” that the new tax was passed behind closed doors “with virtually no opportunity for public comment usually afforded to policy changes of this magnitude.”

“Taxing computer services stifles the growth of Maryland’s knowledge-led economy, inhibits new tech business growth and encourages the flight of tech businesses to neighboring states,” said TCM CEO Julie Coons.

The statement went on to point out that no other state, except for Connecticut, institutes a tax on computer services. Connecticut’s tax on computer services is 1%, while Maryland’s tax, effective July 1, 2008, will be 6%.

The tax, which extends to services like computer facilities management, custom computer programming, computer system planning, software and communication technologies, computer disaster recovery, hardware or software installation and computer maintenance and repair, will join 12 other services that are currently taxed in Maryland.  For an excellent summary and more information click here.

 

3% Government Withholding Tax Update

The 3% Withholding Tax mandates that federal, state, and local governments withhold 3 percent from payments for goods and services. This unprecedented withholding mandate will affect all government contracts as well as other payments, such as Medicare and grants, starting in 2011. Section 511 of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-222) enacted this requirement into law.

Senator Coleman and Senator Collins introduced a revised bill which repeals the 3% withholding requirement. However, it also includes language with the purpose of preventing companies from receiving contracts that have an outstanding tax liability.

Click here to read the revised bill.

Please send your comments/thoughts on the bill to:
Chris Braddock
Director, Procurement Policy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Direct: 202-463-5891
Cell: 202-255-5220
Fax: 202-463-3174
cbraddock@uschamber.com

Federal Webinars

http://www.federalwebinars.com/

Attend complimentary "How to do business with CMS/DHHS" Webinar on Dec 05, 2007. Listen to Gloria Berthold, national business development expert and Kathy Minchew, a Federal Healthcare Specialist on how to engage (and win bids!) with CMS officials by understanding their mission priorities.

Attend complimentary "How to do business with Navy" Webinar on Jan 9 2008. Listen to Gloria Berthold, national business development expert and Alan Heisig, an experienced business leader and Navy veteran on how to do business with the US Navy.

Update Your NAICS Codes in all records

NAICS 2007 Implementation Completed

FedBizOpps implemented NAICS 2007 on 5 October 2007 in compliance with the OMB 2007 revision to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). To avoid NAICS code mismatches, please take the necessary steps to ensure that your FBO feeder system complies with NAICS 2007 codes.

You can find a listing of the new codes on the US Census web site at http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics07/index.html and the related Federal Register notification (May 2006) at http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics07/naics07fr3.htm.

Federal Buyers with active solicitations for which the NAICS code has changed will be contacted via e-mail to coordinate updating their solicitations to reflect the changes.

Vendor Notification subscriptions will automatically be updated to the new NAICS codes.

Source: http://www.fedbizopps.gov/what_is_new.html

WIPP Update -- bill on small business contracting

The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee passed S. 2300, The Small Business Contracting Revitalization Act of 2007.

The bipartisan bill was drafted by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee, and cosponsored by Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD). The bill seeks to eliminate barriers for small business contracting, improves the oversight of unbundling contracts for small firms, increases enforcement of protections for subcontractors, and expands opportunities for minority, women and service-disabled entrepreneurs. According to Senator Kerry, the Majority Leader has agreed to consider this legislation on the floor before the end of the Congressional session this year.

The bill was passed with seven modifications to the original bill. Those included: An SBA study of the effectiveness of the Mentor-Protégé program, a SBA study of the number of dollars spent by agencies contracted to small businesses, an SBA study of the barriers facing women, 8(a), SDB and Hubzone contractors, an expansion of the BusinessLINC program, a GAO study of the effectiveness of Procurement Center Representatives (PCR) and an amendment to the surety bond program. Please find attached the amendments to the bill.

Senator Snowe expressed her frustration at the SBA’s lack of implementation of the women-owned contracting program and pointed out that the failure to implement this program greatly affected the ability of agencies to meet their woman-owned goal. Senator Levin, Chair of the Armed Services Committee, is seeking to amend the bill with regard to some DOD contracting issues. Although he was not specific, Chairman Kerry said he would work with him to resolve differences. Senator Bond is pursing an amendment similar to the Enzi/Bond amendment to last year’s SBA Reauthorization bill to address SBA regulations with regard to venture capital. It is his belief that SBA regulations discourage investment from venture capitilists’ investment in small businesses, especially the biotech industry.

Read the Bill.

Bill to aid small business government contractors

Senate close to approving bill that would aid small contractors

LOUIS LLOVIO
Daily Record Business Writer

November 8, 2007 6:54 PM

A U.S. Senate committee has approved a bill that senators say would improve the process in which small businesses in Maryland are awarded federal government contracts.

The bill, S 2300, was unanimously approved by the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Wednesday and will now go to the floor of the Senate for a vote, which is expected before Thanksgiving.

Gloria Berthold, president of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates Inc., a Baltimore government procurement consultant, said that while she said she applauded the Senate’s efforts, the bill lacked teeth.

She said government agencies are too short-handed and underfunded to do the oversight required by the new law or the existing ones.

The shortage in procurement officers also makes it easier for short-handed agencies to “bundle” contracts and let the big companies handle subcontracting.

Bundling is where small contracts are included in larger ones that are picked up my prime contractors, like Northrop Grumman Co.

In theory, the smaller contracts would trickle down to small business that would do the work as subcontractors.

But that doesn’t happen, she said.

Click here to read the full article.

Free National Teleconference for Veterans: Start and Build a Successful Business in a Multi-Billion Dollar Market

Press Release
Phone: 1-866-579-1346
Contact: Gloria Berthold
Email: info@targetgov.com
Web site: www.targetgov.com

Veterans: Learn How to Start a Business and Sell to the Federal Government

Free National Teleconference for Veterans: Start and Build a Successful Business in a Multi-Billion Dollar Market

Washington, DC. In honor of Veterans Day, the national teleconference, “Veterans Business Opportunities with the Federal Government” will be held Thursday, November 15, 2007 from 1:00 to 2:00pm EST (noon CST, 11:00 am MST and 10:00 am PST). There is no cost to attend the teleseminar for any veteran or anyone who works for a veteran-owned company anywhere in the United States. No wasted travel time or expenses, you attend directly from your own phone, at your office or on your cell phone. Phone lines are limited to the first 300 people who sign up.

The US Federal Government spends over $400 billion dollars every year purchasing products and services of virtually every type from businesses large and small throughout the United States. Federal law has stated that 3%, or $12 billion dollars should go to companies who are owned by veterans or service-disabled veterans. Veterans can take advantage of this built-in market, and serve the world’s Fortune One customer – the U.S. Federal Government -- if you know how to successfully start a business and also navigate the government contracting maze.

Speakers from the Veterans Administration and other experts will discuss how start a business, how to best open doors to the lucrative government contracting market with the Veterans Administration, as well as other federal agencies, prime contractors and teaming partners.

Who Should Attend: If you are a veteran or employed by a veteran-owned company of any type or size, you should attend. You attend over your phone, either from your desk or cell phone. There is no cost to attend this teleconference, but space is limited to the first 300 registrants. Go to www.targetgov.com and click on the “Teleconference” button in the upper right corner of the home page. Select the Veterans Business Development teleconference. Or call toll free 1-866-579-1346 to register.

Tamika Gray joined the Veteran's Administration Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) in March 2006 from the Office of Acquisition & Materiel Management, where she served as a contract specialist and a contracting officer. Her assignments have included: U.S. Coast Guard, National Institutes of Health, VA, and Health and Human Services before accepting a permanent position in 2001 with the VA’s Office of Acquisition & Materiel Management.

Gaurav "GP" Pal is FedXccel’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder. "GP" has nearly 15 years of experience providing technology solutions to customers both in the private and public sectors. He has worked with organizations like the US Navy, AT&T, and Deloitte Consulting to sell and deliver complex solutions in a variety of industries including Market Research, Telecom, Healthcare and Financial Services. He successfully helped build the systems integration practice of a $70 million Federal IT Company through effective sales & marketing to public sector agencies at the Federal, State and County level. GP will cover how to give yourself the competitive edge by working on contract opportunities 6-12 months before the RFP hits the street. He will discuss how to estimate demand for your product or service, find teaming partners, identify federal government buyers and get early intelligence on future procurements.

Gloria Berthold is the host of the teleconference and is President of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc. which focuses on government procurement and related business development services. She is author of many articles and “The Veterans Business Guide” (book); an international speaker and she has created a series of Government Business Guides highlighting specific federal agencies and business opportunities. She has been interviewed on television and radio shows and has been quoted in national publications such as USA Today, Government Executive and Entrepreneur magazine.

Click here for more information or to register.

Expand your business! Gain lucrative government contracts.

Attend a TargetGov Teleconference to learn how to win bids and get your own government contract.

November 15, 2007 Thursday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Veterans Business Development

Speakers from the Veterans Administration and other federal agencies will discuss how to best open doors to the lucrative government contracting market with the Veterans Administration and other federal agencies.

This teleconference is FREE! Sign up today.

Click here for details or to register.

December 4, 2007 Tuesday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers

New to government contracting and want to learn how to win bids?

Seasoned business professional looking to expand your business in government contracting and increase profits?

Both new and seasoned business owners will learn about the world of government contracting. Attend this Teleconference and hear from experts who know how to cut through the red tape and seize those contracting bids!

Click here for details or to register.

December 13, 2007 Thursday, 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST
Opening the Door to Security Clearances & Intelligence Agency Contracting

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.

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 details about the Security Clearances & Intelligence Agency Contracting Teleconference or to register.
Click here for details or to register.

Self-Nominations Sought - Prime Contractors Award

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting self-nominations for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence.

This is one of SBA’s most prestigious awards. This award recognizes large prime contractors that have excelled in their utilization of small businesses as suppliers and subcontractors. One award may be made in each of the following five categories: manufacturing; service; research and development; construction; and utilities.

If you believe that you have an outstanding small business program, you may nominate yourself for this award. The winners will be selected in March 2008, and the award will be presented in the Spring in Washington, D.C., during Small Business Week. Companies that have received the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence during the past three (3) years are not eligible. The deadline for nominations is December 28, 2007. No nominations will be accepted after the due date.

View the Information Sheet with additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Terry Budge at 215-580-2805 or e-mail at terry.budge@sba.gov

Your self-nomination for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for Excellence must be received in the Philadelphia Office at the address below by December 28, 2007.

U. S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Office of Government Contracting – Area 2
Robert N.C. Nix Federal Building
900 Market Street – 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107

WIPP Teleconference Series

WIPP launches Presidential Power Teams Kick-Off Teleconference Series!

2008 is going to be a pivotal year for American politics and WIPP members are already engaging in opportunities to influence the election and outcome for women-business owners and the issues that matter most to them.

Our Presidential Power Teams offer the ability for WIPP members to become educated on the small business positions of the candidates, gain an understanding of the electoral process, and learn about opportunities to become engaged in a campaign of their choice.

The Presidential Power Team teleconference series is open to WIPP dues-paying members at no charge. If you are not a dues-paying member but would like to participate in this series, as well as WIPP events throughout the year, please contact Lisa Fineberg at lfineberg@wipp.org to learn more about WIPP membership.

If you would like to register for one or all of the teleconference calls, please click on the dates below. There is no limit to the number of calls you can sign-up for. There is no charge to participate in the series.

Presidential Power Teams Kick-Off Teleconference Series

November 7, 2007, 2:00 pm EST - Pre-Primary Analysis: What, when and how? All you need to know about the primary schedule, early primary states and convention delegate selection process. Susan Turnbull, Vice Chair, DNC; Alice Germond, Secretary of the DNC and DNC Rules Committee.

November 12, 2007, 4:00 pm EST - The Approaching Presidential Election: Choosing state Convention delegates. Jo Ann Davidson, Vice Chair, RNC.

December 10, 2007, 4:00 pm EST - How you can make a difference in the 2008 Election. Get involved in the campaign of your choice. Jo Ann Davidson, Vice Chair, RNC.

December 13, 2007, 2:00 pm EST - One Year Out- What are the issues? How can we impact them? Susan Turnbull, Vice Chair, DNC.

January 17, 2008, 2:00 pm EST - A Super Tuesday preview. We’ve seen the results of some early primaries and South Carolina is just around the corner. Where are we now? What can we expect? Susan Turnbull, Vice Chair, DNC.

January 22, 2008, 4:00 pm EST - Report of early primaries and a review of US Senate races. Jo Ann Davidson, Vice Chair, RNC.

One Voice! We Decide!

WIPP, Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc. is a national bipartisan public policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women and minorities in business, strengthening their sphere of influence in the legislative process of our nation, creating economic opportunities and building bridges and alliances to other small business organizations. Through WIPP, our collective voice makes a powerful impact on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. Click here to read WIPP’s Bipartisan Policy Statement. 888.488.WIPP ~ www.WIPP.org

Contracting Opportunity! Submit your bid.

The Turner/Gilbane Joint Venture has been awarded the $650MM Hospital Complex from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Norfolk District.

If you have not completed the prequalification form you must do so in order to be entered into our database for bidding opportunities.

The prequalification form is available on our website www.turnergilbane.com

Tentative Bidding/Award Schedule:

Fall 2007
Initial Construction Package, General Conditions Items (Dumpsters, Trailers, Site Set-up Items), Parking Garage Structure, Foundations

Spring 2008
Building Envelope, Long Lead MEP & Equipment, Elevator & Escalators

Summer – Fall 2008
General Trades, Equipment, Finishes, & Specialties

Turner/Gilbane Joint Venture looks forward to working together with companies to identify potential subcontracting opportunities on this very important project!

Small Business Contracting Revitalization Act

Click the link below for the Small Business Contracting Revitalization Act of 2007 as introduced by Senator Kerry (D-MA) reinstating the implementation of the Women's Small Business Program and updating contracting issues for Veterans, Minority-owned firms, Small Disadvantaged Businesses and other important small business issues.

Small Business Contracting Revitalization Act