During Fiscal Year 2011, the White House launched the Small Business Contracting Initiative to encourage federal agencies to increase small business contracting opportunities and achieve prime and subcontracting goals.  As a result of continuous support towards the White House initiative, the Department of Commerce (DOC), Office of Acquisition Management is sponsoring a “Small Business Matchmaking” event on May 2, 2012 from 1:00-3:00pm.  This event is targeted to Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HubZone) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) small businesses.

Registration
Attendance of the matchmaking event is by invitation only and firms interested in attending this event are required to register no later than April 24, 2012.  Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis due to space limitations.  To register, please submit the attached registration form completed with the company’s name, email, phone number, participants (please limit to a max of 2), and brief company profile to: OAM_Mailbox@doc.gov.  

Company Profile
All small business firms participating in the matchmaking event must submit a brief (one paragraph) overview of your company’s capabilities and qualifications on the attached registration form. This will better enable DOC to align vendors with the different Bureau representatives that may have specific requirements to discuss during the Small Business Matchmaking session.

The Small Business Matchmaking session offers:

• Business-to-business matchmaking (B2B) sessions with opportunities to meet government acquisition representatives and discuss mission needs and upcoming contracting opportunities slated for FY12 through FY14.
• Education and outreach provided from representatives within the Department’s Minority Business Development Agency and Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.
• Meet and network with other firms in the small business community.

The event will be held at DOC’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST.  The address for USPTO is as follows:

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
600 Dulany Street (Madison Building Auditorium)
Alexandria, VA  22314

We would be honored to have you participate in DOC’s Small Business Matchmaking event.  There is no cost to participate in this event. 

Please register no later than Tuesday, April 24, 2012 by submitting the attached registration form to: OAM_Mailbox@doc.gov.  Questions regarding this event may be directed to Jennifer Woodard at: JWoodard@doc.gov or Sherry Dames at SDames@doc.gov.

Participate…Learn…Network…Prosper

The American Freedom Foundation / Kaplan University Scholarship Program has been established to provide support to certain children and spouses of U.S. Service personnel that desire to attend an online undergraduate degree program at Kaplan University.  The scholarships will be granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin.  This scholarship program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America. Scholarship Management Services is a designer and manager of scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

Application Postmark Deadline: June 1, 2012

This opportunity is partly funded through the American Freedom Foundation.  It is for spouses and children (under 24) of U.S. Service Personnel. See below.

Be dependent* children, age 24 and under, or spouses of U.S. Service personnel**, including personnel in the Reserves or a child or spouse of a deceased U.S. Service personnel***.

* Dependent children are defined as biological, step- or legally adopted children living in the service member’s household or primarily supported by the service member.

** Service personnel are defined as those members who are currently serving in the military or members of the Reserves who have been called up or who are members of the National Guard who have federalized.

*** Surviving spouses are defined as those married to active duty personnel who served and were deceased after 9/11/01.

http://sms.scholarshipamerica.org/aff/

“We are here because VA has once again demonstrated an inability to perform at the level expected in managing procurement processes. VA readily admits that violations took place, and they are quick to assure us that changes have been implemented to fix the deficiencies at hand. But frankly, I have heard it all before,” stated Congressman Michael H. Michaud, Ranking Democratic Member of the Subcommittee on Health.

http://democrats.veterans.house.gov/

Runaway Contracts: VA Loses Control of “Open Market” Purchases

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs released this statement following today’s Full Committee hearing to review the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor (PPV) contract and $1.2 billion in improper drug and pharmaceutical purchases starting in 2004:

“We are here because VA has once again demonstrated an inability to perform at the level expected in managing procurement processes. VA readily admits that violations took place, and they are quick to assure us that changes have been implemented to fix the deficiencies at hand. But frankly, I have heard it all before,” stated Congressman Michael H. Michaud, Ranking Democratic Member of the Subcommittee on Health.

Since 2004, the VA has purchased $1.2 billion in “open market” purchases, a clause allowed in the PPV contract to be used in accordance with all applicable procurement law and regulation. However, the VA testified that they did not follow all applicable guidelines for these transactions nor detected the problems with the PPV open market clause “in part because the process that was in place since 2004 had become routine.”

Full Committee Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner (D-CA) concluded that, “There is a saying that ignorance of the law is no excuse. In moving forward, the VA should provide us with who is going to be held accountable for the abject failure to follow policies and procedures, how this going to be fixed, and how these changes will ensure that the care we provide to our Nation’s veterans is properly managed at all levels.”

Following the hearing, the Committee voted to subpoena documents from VA related to the VA open market purchases.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Pursuant to section 10(a) (2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. appendix 2), SBA announces the meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development. The Task Force is established pursuant to Executive Order 13540 and focused on coordinating the efforts of Federal agencies to improve capital, business development opportunities and pre-established Federal contracting goals for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans (VOBs) and service-disabled veterans (SDVOSBs). Moreover, the Task Force shall coordinate administrative and regulatory activities and develop proposals relating to “six focus areas”: (1) Access to capital (loans, surety bonding and franchising); (2) Ensure achievement of pre-established contracting goals, including mentor protégé and matching with contracting opportunities; (3) Increase the integrity of certifications of status as a small business; (4) Reducing paperwork and administrative burdens in accessing business development and entrepreneurship opportunities; (5) Increasing and improving training and counseling services; and (6) Making other improvements to support veteran’s business development by the Federal government.

On November 1, 2011, The Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development submitted its first report to the President, which included 18 recommendations that were applicable to the “six focus areas” identified above. The purpose of the meeting is scheduled as a full Task Force meeting. The agenda will include a presentation and discussion of the recommendations included in the Task Force Report to the President.

In addition, the Task Force will allow time to obtain public comment from individuals and representatives of organizations regarding the areas of focus.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The meeting is open to the public; however, advance notice of attendance is requested. Anyone wishing to attend and/or make a presentation to the Task Force must contact Raymond B. Snyder, by January 13, 2012, by email in order to be placed on the agenda. Comments for the Record should be applicable to the “six focus areas” of the Task Force and emailed prior to the meeting for inclusion in the public record, verbal presentations; however, will be limited to five minutes in the interest of time and to accommodate as many presenters as possible. Written comments should be emailed to Raymond B. Snyder, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Veterans Business Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW., Washington, DC 20416, at the email address for the Task Force, vetstaskforce@sba.gov.

Additionally, if you need accommodations because of a disability or require additional information, please contact Raymond B. Snyder, Designated Federal Official for the Task Force at (202) 205-6773; or by email at: raymond.snyder@sba.gov, SBA, Office of Veterans Business Development, 409 3rd Street SW., Washington, DC 20416. For more information, please visit our Web site at http://www.sba.gov/vets.

 United States Senate

VETERANS: Senators Murray, Cantwell, McCaskill Send Letter to GAO Urging Evaluation of VA’s Center for Veterans Enterprise

Senators: As our veterans face an unprecedented rate of unemployment, Congress must continue its work fostering our nation’s service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses

(Washington, D.C.) –Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) sent a joint letter to Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller Gene Dodaro about the critical need to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE). In 2006, to support service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses, Congress created the Veterans First contracting preference program. VA was charged with implementing procedures to verify the ownership, control, and status of service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses seeking to participate in Veterans First.

Congress also emphasized the importance of ensuring that veterans’ preferences in federal procurements are used to benefit only eligible service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses.

CVE began verification of service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses in May, 2008. Since that time, CVE has struggled to implement an effective verification program. The letter urges the GAO to assist the CVE in developing the tools, resources and capacity necessary for an effective, timely and efficient verification process.

“Service disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses are key partners in our economic recovery. These veteran-entrepreneurs continue to face red tape, delays and hurdles as they work to verify their businesses with CVE,” said Senator Patty Murray. “After sacrificing so much to serve their country, they should not have to face such challenges when they return home. As Veterans Day approaches, there is no better time to be reminded how much we owe these brave men and women in uniform. I hope the GAO will assist CVE in identifying the changes necessary to make its verification program efficient and reliable, so that CVE can better serve these veteran-owned small businesses as they work to make America’s economy strong.”

“Veterans who have fought for our freedom deserve our support in their civilian lives,” said Senator Maria Cantwell. “We need to make sure that returning troops have fair access to veteran small business programs that support jobs. That’s why we’re asking GAO to look into the process the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Veterans Enterprise follows for verifying the authenticity of service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses. We need to ensure there’s an efficient and timely verification program in place, so veterans can focus on growing their businesses and putting Americans back to work, instead of dealing with excessive red tape.”

“Our veterans have already made a tremendous sacrifice for our country, and we should do everything possible to ensure job opportunities for them after they return to the civilian workforce,” said Senator McCaskill. “There is clearly a problem with the VA’s ability to verify that contracts are going to the right businesses under the law. We want to see the GAO help the VA get its house in order and ensure that truly veteran-owned businesses are getting the contracts targeted to them.”

The Senators’ letter also requests that the GAO assess the steps that would be necessary for CVE’s verification program to be scaled and implemented government-wide. Such a verification program would apply to all service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses participating in federal procurement preference programs. The letter also asks for suggestions for actions CVE can take to achieve readiness for this expanded role.

The full text of the Senators’ letter is below:

November 3, 2011

The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro
Comptroller General of the United States
Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20548 

Dear Mr. Dodaro:

 As our veterans face an unprecedented rate of unemployment, Congress must continue its work fostering our nation’s service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses. These small businesses fuel America’s economy, are key partners in our fight to get veterans back to work and are vital to our long-term economic vitality. One such step that Congress can take to support these businesses is to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE).

In 2006, to support service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses, Congress created the Veterans First contracting preference program. VA was charged with implementing procedures to verify the ownership, control, and status of service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses seeking to participate in Veterans First. Congress also emphasized the importance of ensuring that veterans’ preferences in federal procurements are used to benefit only eligible service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses.

CVE began verification of service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses in May, 2008. Since that time, CVE has struggled to implement an effective verification program. Indeed, the VA Office of Inspector General found that as many as 1,400 contracts were awarded to ineligible businesses in FY 2010. While VA has made some progress in improving its verification program, questions remain as to the program’s overall effectiveness. Indeed, it appears VA may need to better develop the tools, resources and capacity necessary for an effective, timely and efficient verification process.

Therefore, we are requesting a GAO evaluation of the verification program operated by CVE. Specifically:

§ How have CVE’s businesses processes and procedures evolved from inception to their current-state following passage of P.L. 111-275, what metrics does CVE utilize to evaluate its processes and procedures, and are such metrics sufficient to provide CVE with an objective and measurable review of its own performance;

§ How effective is CVE in processing, reviewing and verifying eligibility of service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses, and in conducting appeals and quality-control reviews of its verification decisions in a timely and accurate manner;

§ What steps can be taken to improve CVE’s total in-process, aged inventory and requests for reconsideration statistics;

§ Do CVE appeal and quality-control review reversal rates reveal any systemic or substantive errors in CVE eligibility decision-making policies, processes and procedures, and, if so, how can such errors be remediated;

§ How effective are CVE communications to an applicant business at informing the business of its application status at each stage of the review process, and are such communications timely and consistently made;

§ Has CVE issued effective guidance to applicant businesses regarding its interpretation and application of 38 C.F.R. § 74 et seq., “Veterans Small Business Regulations”, and has CVE applied such regulations in a manner that is clear and consistent to applicant businesses;

§ What progress has CVE made in developing capacity by updating and maintaining its data systems to reduce manual data entry by staff and to improve the timeliness and accuracy of application process; and

§ What steps has CVE taken to analyze and assess core competencies and workforce needs for each of its business units, and to align these competencies and needs with its personnel training, performance evaluation, and recruitment and retention strategies?

Finally, we would like you to assess the steps that would be necessary for CVE’s verification program to be scaled and implemented government-wide. Such a verification program would apply to all service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small businesses participating in federal procurement preference programs. To the extent that you find further development is needed before CVE can perform government-wide verification, please include suggestions for actions CVE can take to achieve readiness for this expanded role.

Please contact David Brown, Counsel to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, at (202) 224-9126, and Margaret Daum, Staff Director to the Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, at (202) 224-4462, to discuss this request.

Sincerely,

###

Like many Americans in my generation, my father was a World War II veteran.  My life has been shaped and influenced by his service.  Now, as Deputy Administrator at the SBA, I am committed to supporting America’s veteran entrepreneurs and business owners as they grow their business and put America back to work.

Just yesterday, I hosted a forum for young veterans on the campus of San Diego State University as part of SBA’s Young Entrepreneurs Series and National Entrepreneurship Month.  I was happy to meet so many young veterans who are using the skills and leadership they learned in the military to start and run a business.  

We talked about a number of important issues facing veteran-entrepreneurs who are part of America’s small business community.  We discussed important American Jobs Act proposals such as the call that President Obama made yesterday for Congress to provide large tax credits to businesses that hire veterans and service-disabled veterans.  This is something that everyone can and should support.

Today, we’re putting forth even more ideas to support veteran business owners as they grow and hire with a report from the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development, which the President created and I have the honor to chair.  The Task Force came up with 18 recommendations across three priority areas: 

• increasing opportunities for growth,
• improving and expanding counseling and training, and

• reducing barriers while improving agency coordination and efficiencies.

You can read the whole report here.  Recommendations range from leveraging existing lending programs like SBA’s streamlined Patriot Express loan program, to creating better web navigation tools for veteran entrepreneurs, to providing returning veterans with entrepreneurial counseling and training programs if they want to start a business. 

This report will help us build on the success we have seen here at the SBA over the last three years.  For example, we have doubled SBA lending to veterans since FY2009.  In FY2011, we had an all-time record year in SBA lending, which included one of our top lending years to veterans with 4,300 loans to veterans supporting over $1.5 billion.  In addition, SBA worked with both contracting officers and veteran-owned businesses to deliver the highest-ever percentage of federal contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses in 2010, totaling $10.4 billion.

Small business ownership is a part of the American dream.  America’s veterans deserve every possible opportunity to start and grow a business, and all of America’s businesses should have strong incentives to hire those who have served our country.

Take advantage of the reduced rate of $235.00 for Small Business attendees and $475.00 for Large Business attendees by registering now. After November 15, 2011 pricing will increase to $295.00 for Small Business attendees and $525.00 for Large Business attendees. For more information and to register, please click the link: http://www.macdillsdvosb.net/registration

Limited hotels are available at reduced rates. Room blocks have been reserved at the Tampa hotels listed below. To make your reservation, please call the hotel directly and ask for the 2011 MacDill SDVOSB room block. 

• Embassy Suites Tampa

513 South Florida Avenue

Tampa, Florida 33602

(813) 769-8300

Please note the cut-off date for the Embassy Suites Tampa is November 15, 2011.

• Hyatt Regency Tampa

211 North Tampa Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
(813) 225-1234

Please note the cut-off date for the Hyatt Regency Tampa is November 6, 2011.

• Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk

200 North Ashley Drive
Tampa, Florida 33602
(813) 223-2222

Please note the cut-off date for the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk is November 8, 2011.

It is expected that all of the booths in the Exhibit Hall will be sold out at this year’s conference. We are enthusiastic to announce that we currently have 133 exhibitors participating at the conference. Be sure to check out the interactive floor plan to view the prime exhibit space still available. This is the perfect opportunity to showcase your goods and services while increasing your brand’s exposure. Please click the link below to view the Exhibit Hall’s interactive floor plan: http://s15.a2zinc.net/clients/MacDill/MacDill2011/Public/EventMap.aspx?shmode=e

Stretch your advertising dollars and spotlight your company by placing an ad in the Conference Program Book. In order to be included in the Conference Program Book, ads must be received before November 21, 2011. The price of advertising varies depending on the following options: full page, 1/2 page, 1/4 page and business card. All conference attendees will receive this guide and use it to navigate throughout the event. To view the Sponsorship Prospectus, pricing and to sign up for an ad in the Conference Program Book, please click the link below: http://www.macdillsdvosb.net/files/2011MacDill-SponsorProspectus.pdf

Supplier MatchMaking information will be announced during the week of November 28, 2011. We are continuing to add Government and Large Businesses to the MatchMaking schedule. If you are a Government or Large Business looking to participate as a Buyer, please contact Detail Planners at (813) 991-1348.

We look forward to your participation at the conference! If you have any questions, please contact Detail Planners at (813) 991-1348.

Very respectfully,

Nelson Escribano, DAFC
Small Business Specialist

Upcoming Mission-Driven Federal Events with Industry Expositions

At the session you may schedule up to four 15 minute appointments with the Department’s Small Business Specialists representing our major buying activities to discuss doing business with the Department.  Complete information about this session may be found at http://www.justice.gov/jmd/osdbu/mcform.htm#top

We hope you will consider contracting opportunities at DOJ.

Bob Connolly
(Acting) Director, OSDBU
U. S. Department of Justice
145 N Street,  N.E.
Room 8E.1005
Washington, DC 20530
Phone 202-616-6596
Fax 202-616-1717
website: www.justice.gov/jmd/osdbu