On July 7, the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce’s (WAACCC) Small Business Council will host its third in a series of seminars geared at gleaning hands-on information. The guest speaker will be Gloria Berthold Larkin of TargetGov, who will be discussing the ins and outs of government contracting.
The meeting will be held at Madison Interiors at 8 a.m. A continental breakfast will be provided. To register, visit www.westcountychamber.org or call the WAACCC at 410-672-3422. Cost to attend is $10 for chamber members in advance, $15 for non-members and at the door.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
June 2009 I.2.
-Greetings!
You know my focus is business growth. In every newsletter, I usually pontificate on a related issue. This morning is a bit different.
I had an epiphany over the weekend. I was grocery shopping and as I turned a corner I came within a hair of being run over by a boy riding his bike. In a grocery store, with his mother pushing a cart behind him. When I asked the mom to tell her son to take the bike outside because it was dangerous, her blank stare in response was unsettling.
How can the mom not know, her son not know, how can people who lie, steal, cheat, kill, maim, not know? The epiphany: Our problems have a common root cause: instead of being strengthened in every generation, our ethical foundation is crumbling.
Webster says "ethic" is: "the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation or a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values" And "moral" is: "of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior"
I found it intriguing (and refreshing) that there is not a mention of religion in these definitions. That tells me that perhaps one can be moral and ethical while practicing any religion. What a concept! We have begun to rely too much on political laws to tell us right from wrong, when in fact we should know in our gut when something is right or wrong.
What do you think of these as starting guidelines (that anyone can teach)?
--Pre-school ethics: be nice; don't hit
--Kindergarten ethics: share; don't bite
--Grade school ethics: be caring; don't lie
--Middle school ethics: be respectful; don't steal
--High school ethics: give of yourself; don't hurt or kill
--College ethics: protect those who are weaker; don't waste
--Grad school ethics: be responsible for your legacy; don't manipulate the system
--Business ethics: be honest; don't steal
--Parental ethics: feed, clothe, discipline & love your children; don't abuse
Can it work? Can we actually change the pendulum's swing by simply acting on what we already know is right and wrong? More laws won't do it for us. We will do it by simply, doing it.
Here's to our ethical success!
You know my focus is business growth. In every newsletter, I usually pontificate on a related issue. This morning is a bit different.
I had an epiphany over the weekend. I was grocery shopping and as I turned a corner I came within a hair of being run over by a boy riding his bike. In a grocery store, with his mother pushing a cart behind him. When I asked the mom to tell her son to take the bike outside because it was dangerous, her blank stare in response was unsettling.
How can the mom not know, her son not know, how can people who lie, steal, cheat, kill, maim, not know? The epiphany: Our problems have a common root cause: instead of being strengthened in every generation, our ethical foundation is crumbling.
Webster says "ethic" is: "the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation or a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values" And "moral" is: "of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior"
I found it intriguing (and refreshing) that there is not a mention of religion in these definitions. That tells me that perhaps one can be moral and ethical while practicing any religion. What a concept! We have begun to rely too much on political laws to tell us right from wrong, when in fact we should know in our gut when something is right or wrong.
What do you think of these as starting guidelines (that anyone can teach)?
--Pre-school ethics: be nice; don't hit
--Kindergarten ethics: share; don't bite
--Grade school ethics: be caring; don't lie
--Middle school ethics: be respectful; don't steal
--High school ethics: give of yourself; don't hurt or kill
--College ethics: protect those who are weaker; don't waste
--Grad school ethics: be responsible for your legacy; don't manipulate the system
--Business ethics: be honest; don't steal
--Parental ethics: feed, clothe, discipline & love your children; don't abuse
Can it work? Can we actually change the pendulum's swing by simply acting on what we already know is right and wrong? More laws won't do it for us. We will do it by simply, doing it.
Here's to our ethical success!
Gearing Up For Fiscal Year End Sales
Date: Thursday July 16, 2009
Time: 1PM to 2.00PM ET
Location: your phone!
Do you spend the time complaining about slow sales or capturing the left-over funds that the federal agencies have to spend before Sept 30?
Successful contractors know that now is one of the best times of the year to build government business. If you want to increase your end-of-summer revenues by getting a slice of this business, attend this information-packed teleconference. Learn the strategies and tactics that WORK!
Click here for details
Time: 1PM to 2.00PM ET
Location: your phone!
Do you spend the time complaining about slow sales or capturing the left-over funds that the federal agencies have to spend before Sept 30?
Successful contractors know that now is one of the best times of the year to build government business. If you want to increase your end-of-summer revenues by getting a slice of this business, attend this information-packed teleconference. Learn the strategies and tactics that WORK!
Click here for details
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Government Withholding Relief Coalition Update
One Year Delay of Implementation of Three Percent Withholding on Government Contractors.
The proposal would delay for one year the implementation of the provision enacted in 2005 that would require three percent withholding on payments made by government entities after December 31, 2010.
This proposal is estimated to cost $291 million over ten years.
Click here to read more from Chris Braddock of the US Chamber of Commerce
The proposal would delay for one year the implementation of the provision enacted in 2005 that would require three percent withholding on payments made by government entities after December 31, 2010.
This proposal is estimated to cost $291 million over ten years.
Click here to read more from Chris Braddock of the US Chamber of Commerce
Still wondering if it’s worth the hassle to obtain a federal security clearance?
The Corridor Inc magazine states:
“BRAC-affected agencies and contractors have already initiated recruiting efforts to find workers in Maryland and they’re willing to pay a premium for individuals with security clearances.
For example, a 26-year-old electrical engineer with three years experience and a security clearance can get “a $25,000 salary bump” over a comparable engineer without a clearance, said retired Brigadier General Mike Hayes, director of DBED’s Office of Military and Federal Affairs.”
To find out more about Security Clearances for yourself and you company, sign up today to attend the Security Clearance Seminar at The Center for Business and Technology in Howard County.
Click here for more information. Space is limited to the first 30 registrants.
“BRAC-affected agencies and contractors have already initiated recruiting efforts to find workers in Maryland and they’re willing to pay a premium for individuals with security clearances.
For example, a 26-year-old electrical engineer with three years experience and a security clearance can get “a $25,000 salary bump” over a comparable engineer without a clearance, said retired Brigadier General Mike Hayes, director of DBED’s Office of Military and Federal Affairs.”
To find out more about Security Clearances for yourself and you company, sign up today to attend the Security Clearance Seminar at The Center for Business and Technology in Howard County.
Click here for more information. Space is limited to the first 30 registrants.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
WIPP News: IRS Issued Proposed Rule Implementing 3% Tax Withholding for Contractor Goods and Services
WIPP is a part of the Government Withholding Relief Coalition. The coalition just sent a memo stating that:
Government Withholding Relief Coalition
The IRS has issued their proposed rule implementing the 3% Tax Withholding. It will appear in the Federal Register tomorrow, December 5th. We will discuss this at the meeting on December 16th as well.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28789.pdf
IRS PROPOSES RULES ON WITHHOLDING UNDER TAX CODE SECTION 3402(T)
The Internal Revenue Service Dec. 4 issued proposed rules (REG-158747-06) relating to withholding under tax code Section 3402(t).
IRS said the proposed regulations reflect changes in the law made by the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-222) that require federal, state, and local government entities to withhold income tax when making payments to persons providing property or services. The proposed regulations provide guidance to assist the government entitiesin complying with Section 3402(t), IRS said.
The regulations, which will appear in the Dec. 5 Federal Register, also provide certain guidance to persons receiving payments for property or services from government entities, IRS said.
Government Withholding Relief Coalition
The IRS has issued their proposed rule implementing the 3% Tax Withholding. It will appear in the Federal Register tomorrow, December 5th. We will discuss this at the meeting on December 16th as well.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28789.pdf
IRS PROPOSES RULES ON WITHHOLDING UNDER TAX CODE SECTION 3402(T)
The Internal Revenue Service Dec. 4 issued proposed rules (REG-158747-06) relating to withholding under tax code Section 3402(t).
IRS said the proposed regulations reflect changes in the law made by the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (Pub. L. No. 109-222) that require federal, state, and local government entities to withhold income tax when making payments to persons providing property or services. The proposed regulations provide guidance to assist the government entitiesin complying with Section 3402(t), IRS said.
The regulations, which will appear in the Dec. 5 Federal Register, also provide certain guidance to persons receiving payments for property or services from government entities, IRS said.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
ODNI Announces New Security Policy for Information Systems
A groundbreaking new policy from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence changes how the intelligence community and, by influence, the entire federal government will build, validate and approve information technology systems. The policy requires common security controls and risk-management procedures – a unified approach to enhance collaboration.
Click here for the entire article
Have you won a government contract?
Send your announcement with the following information included and we’ll consider it for the Winning Contracts column for Corridor Inc.
Major Wins
Winning Contracts Presented by
Click here to see a recent column on the Corridor site.
Please include this information:
1. Your company name
2. Your location (City, State)
3. Your contact information (name, email, phone)
4. What agency awarded the contract
5. The contract amount
6. What services or products you are providing
7. Any other appropriate information
Please send the information to info@targetgov.com
Major Wins
Winning Contracts Presented by
Click here to see a recent column on the Corridor site.
Please include this information:
1. Your company name
2. Your location (City, State)
3. Your contact information (name, email, phone)
4. What agency awarded the contract
5. The contract amount
6. What services or products you are providing
7. Any other appropriate information
Please send the information to info@targetgov.com
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Very Important Message to ALL Vendors from GOVPRO.com
Excerpt: Vendors, don't forget: The federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30! by Michael Keating, GOVPRO.com
"...It's right around the corner. The federal government's fiscal year 2008 ends Sept. 30, and all 1,300 federal agencies will be working to spend down their budgets before the witching hour..."
"...It's right around the corner. The federal government's fiscal year 2008 ends Sept. 30, and all 1,300 federal agencies will be working to spend down their budgets before the witching hour..."
Click here for the entire article
SBA Further Increases Small Business Size Standards Due to Inflation
This rule increases the nonmanufacturer anchor size standard from $6.5 million to $7.0 million. This rule also increases the size standard for Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) from $23 million to $25 million. Click here for more info on this latest increase.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
National Minority Enterprise Development Week
TargetGov to Exhibit September 4, 2008
Omni Shorehame Hotel
Washington D.C.
Omni Shorehame Hotel
Washington D.C.
The National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference, September 3-5, 2008, is the largest federally sponsored Conference held on behalf of minority entrepreneurs and business enterprises. Tools, strategies and resources for developing global and strategic partnerships, accessing capital through partnerships and becoming an active player in global trade will be made available to participants.
Make sure to stop by the TargetGov booth
Click here for details
TUNE IN TO CHANNEL 98
If you are located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland and want to see a television show regarding BRAC business opportunities, please tune in!Click here for airing times and topics
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Upcoming Speaking Event
The 20th Public Procurement Forum
Hampton, Virginia
"Enhancing the outcome of your supplier development programs"
Gloria's sessions are designed to help buyers better understand the risks and rewards suppliers face when doing business with government so you can enhance the outcome of your supplier development programs.
Click here for more informationTuesday, August 05, 2008
Prompt Payment Policy Directive
“Kudos to Maryland for instuting a prompt payment directive. Too bad we needed a directive to make sure our small businesses get paid for doing work on state contracts.” ~ Gloria
August 4, 2008
RE: Prompt Payment Policy Directive Issued by Governor O'Malley
August 4, 2008
RE: Prompt Payment Policy Directive Issued by Governor O'Malley
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to inform you that Governor O'Malley, through the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA), has issued a Prompt Payment Directive to ensure timely payment for all subcontractors, including small and minority business enterprises who participate on State projects.
What Does This Mean for Small and Minority Businesses? Untimely payment of subcontractors is a re-occurring concern for small and minority businesses. As small business owners, minority business leaders, legislators, and others who are on the front lines advocating for fair treatment of small and minority firms, you know all too well the impact payment disputes have on small businesses, especially MBEs. Payment disputes top the list of the most frequent complaints GOMA receives from MBEs who work as tier two and three subcontractors on State projects.
This Prompt Payment Directive provides specific remedies for Cabinet Level Agencies that, effective immediately, are authorized to include provisions in solicitations and contract documents that sets forth guidelines requiring prime contractors to remit timely payment to subcontractors for work performed. This directive also empowers agencies to ensure that subcontractors listed on contract participation schedules are receiving compensation and it requires agencies to notify GOMA of all subcontractor payment complaints. State Procurement Law currently contains a prompt payment requirement that applies to construction related contracts. This directive applies to all other State procurement contracts in excess of $25,000 thereby effectively giving prompt payment protection to all State contracts and procurements.
To assist small and minority businesses who encounter prompt payment issues when working on State contracts, GOMA has developed an informational Guide to Prompt Payment for Non-Construction Subcontractors. To view or download a copy, click here. We invite and encourage all parties who serve small and minority firms, to share this information with their members and constituents.
Efforts such as this "prompt payment" policy directive are just one example of the O'Malley-Brown Administration's progress towards ensuring greater inclusion and fair treatment for Maryland's small and minority businesses. Maryland's small and minority business laws and support of policy initiatives like "prompt payment" are unprecedented anywhere else in the country. It is our expectation that this will bring much needed relief to small and minority firms who contribute to the base for Maryland's middle class and help sustain our economy.
The O'Malley-Brown Administration continues to strengthen its commitment to the success of Maryland's small and minority businesses; as well as promoting inclusion initiatives that will enhance the vision of One Maryland.
Sincerely,
Luwanda W. Jenkins, Special Secretary
Governor's Office of Minority Affairs
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
US Innovation is Strong – with Federal Help
Today’s innovation is not your father’s—or your grandfather’s---innovation. The way that new products, services, and technologies emerge has changed. A new study sponsored by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation analyzes decades of data with interesting results. One major finding is that the role of Federal investments in supporting innovations has grown rapidly.
Click here for more of the report’s interesting results.
Click here for more of the report’s interesting results.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
$162 Billion War Appropriations Bill Signed
President Bush on Monday signed legislation to pay for the war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the rest of his presidency and beyond, hailing the $162 billion plan as a rare product of bipartisan cooperation...The legislation will bring to more than $650 billion the amount Congress has provided for the Iraq war since it began more than five years ago...
Click here to read the entire article
Click here to read the entire article
Is Your Firm A Gazelle?
New SBA Office of Advocacy-sponsored research offers compelling evidence in support of findings that should come as no surprise: high-growth gazelle firms matter. The research uses a new data set developed by the Corporate Research Board to get a sense of what high-impact firms look like and how they affect the economy. The study reviews the period between 1994 and 2006, and, in the last time frame of 2002-2006, it identifies more than 376,000 high impact firms... There’s a reason why these companies are called “high impact.”
Click here to read the entire article
Click here to read the entire article
© 2008 The Public Forum Institute and the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Have you heard?
Good News for Small Business and the DoD
"Notice of reinstitution of small business set-asides under the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program."
Click here for more details
IRS Gas Mileage Reimbursement Going Up
"The IRS announced on Tuesday that beginning July 1, the standard rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business purposes will be increased to...the highest rate ever"
Click here to read more
House appropriators approve DHS spending bill
"The House Appropriations Committee Tuesday approved an fiscal 2009 spending bill for the Homeland Security Department, after voting on a handful of Republican amendments...$2.3 billion more than President Bush requested."
Click here for more details
"Notice of reinstitution of small business set-asides under the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program."
Click here for more details
IRS Gas Mileage Reimbursement Going Up
"The IRS announced on Tuesday that beginning July 1, the standard rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business purposes will be increased to...the highest rate ever"
Click here to read more
House appropriators approve DHS spending bill
"The House Appropriations Committee Tuesday approved an fiscal 2009 spending bill for the Homeland Security Department, after voting on a handful of Republican amendments...$2.3 billion more than President Bush requested."
Click here for more details
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Teaming for Growth: Diversity Procurement Fair
The Diversity Fair is an opportunity to participate in a forum for regional companies and professionals, Tuesday, June 24, 2008, to explore the unique and lucrative business of Government Prime and Subcontracting. The day will feature strategic networking opportunities and several educational workshops where TargetGov will present: "New Strategies and Tactics to Win Government Contracts"
Click here for more information on the conference and how to register
Click here for more information on the conference and how to register
Certifications: Learn the Basics and the Crucial Next Steps
Do you qualify for certifications? Attend the Certifications: Learn the Basics and the Crucial Next Steps conference, Thursday, July 17, 2008, sponsored by TargetGov and the Center for Business and Technology Development. This conference is specifically designed to teach the small business owner to use certification as a tool to open the door to increased business opportunities.
Learn to tap into over $15 billion in federal contracts set aside for companies meeting Minority, Disadvantaged and other certifications.
Click here for more information
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