Archive for the ‘Small Business Programs’ Category

Military Construction Program Prepares Recovering War Veterans For Transition

Article provided by NC Construction News, visit: http://www.ncconstructionnews.com/uncategorized/military-construction-program-prepares-recovering-war-veterans-for-transition/?utm_source=Customer+Contacts&utm_campaign=a0b34c261b-Your_North_Carolina_Construction_News1_30_2012&utm_medium=email

Soldiers at Fort Bragg now have the option to learn valuable construction and engineering skills through internships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District.

The internships are offered as part of Operation Warfighter, a temporary assignment internship program developed by the Department of Defense for service members that are recovering at military treatment facilities throughout the U.S. The program provides wounded, ill or injured service members with meaningful activity outside of the hospital environment and offers a supportive means of transition back to the military or civilian workforce.

Overall, the Savannah District contracts and manages millions of dollars in military construction and provides real estate and environmental services at 11 Army and Air Force installations in Georgia and North Carolina. Of those installations, Warirors in Transition (WIT) units are located at Fort Stewart, GA., Fort Benning, GA., Fort Gordon, GA., and Fort Bragg, NC.

Examples of Corps construction projects include barracks; tactical equipment maintenance facilities; training ranges; brigade, battalion and command headquarters; hospitals and clinics; child development centers; fire stations; and roads and infrastructure.

The Corps’ Savannah District is seeking WIT interns to serve a variety of roles at construction field offices. Interns will learn many facets of the career field, such as: safety; quality assurance; civil, mechanical and electrical engineering; schedule monitoring; contract payments and modifications; contract interpretation and enforcement; and public relations. Each intern is assigned a dedicated Corps mentor to coach and guide progress toward the internship goals.

Military members interested in obtaining an internship with the Corps of Engineers Savannah District should contact their local WIT unit coordinator. For additional information about the Savannah District’s construction program, call 912-652-5241, e-mail CESAS-CD@usace.army.mil or visit www.sas.usace.army.mil.

Opportunities 2012 is a one day conference in Asheville, North Carolina designed to bring small business sellers together with buyers from the federal government and large prime contractors.  It features a “reverse” trade show, where small business owners may visit government and prime contractor booths to discuss potential buying opportunities as well as informative seminars on government contracting.

Opportunities has a long history including eight previous conferences and attendance has ranged between 450 and 590 participants, plus 55 or more booths for federal agencies and prime contractors.  Past conference evaluations have been consistently excellent with many small businesses, federal agencies and prime contractors reporting success in developing new business opportunities.  The event attracts media attention both before and the day of the event.

We expect similar attendance and results at this year’s event to be held Monday, March 19 at The Grove Park Inn, Asheville, North Carolina www.groveparkinn.com.  The 2012 conference is being held in cooperation with Senator Richard Burr, Senator Kay Hagan, Representative Patrick McHenry (NC-10), Representative Heath Shuler (NC-11) and Representative Gresham Barrett (SC-3).

Opportunities 2012 is an excellent chance for your organization to receive exposure by registering for a booth (attached document). www.sbtdc.org/events/opportunities

For additional information on the event, sponsorship, or booth registration, please contact Clark Fields at (828) 251-6025 ext. 25 or cfields@sbtdc.org

Opportunities 2012 is a one day conference in Asheville, North Carolina designed to bring small business sellers together with buyers from the federal government and large prime contractors.  It features a “reverse” trade show, where small business owners may visit government and prime contractor booths to discuss potential buying opportunities as well as informative seminars on government contracting.

Opportunities has a long history including eight previous conferences and attendance has ranged between 450 and 590 participants, plus 55 or more booths for federal agencies and prime contractors.  Past conference evaluations have been consistently excellent with many small businesses, federal agencies and prime contractors reporting success in developing new business opportunities.  The event attracts media attention both before and the day of the event.

We expect similar attendance and results at this year’s event to be held Monday, March 19 at The Grove Park Inn, Asheville, North Carolina www.groveparkinn.com.  The 2012 conference is being held in cooperation with Senator Richard Burr, Senator Kay Hagan, Representative Patrick McHenry (NC-10), Representative Heath Shuler (NC-11) and Representative Gresham Barrett (SC-3).

Opportunities 2012 is an excellent chance for your organization to receive exposure by registering for a booth (attached document). www.sbtdc.org/events/opportunities

For additional information on the event, sponsorship, or booth registration, please contact Clark Fields at (828) 251-6025 ext. 25 or cfields@sbtdc.org

PSC stands for Product Service Codes. These are legacy codes that are used in certain government procurement databases to classify products and services.   PSC Codes are still used as a searchable field in the FPDS database.

The PSC manual provides codes to describe products, services, and research and development (R&D) purchased by the federal government. These codes indicate what was bought for each contract action reported in the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS).

The PSC manual has been updated to reflect changes in three areas:

1. The reporting of environmental attributes;

2. Code changes reflecting updates for technology and terminology;

3. The addition or end dating of codes.

The updated codes and reporting processes described in the manual went into effect on October 1, 2011.

For more information on PSC Codes visit: http://www.ncmbc.us/LinksFederalContractingBasicsAppropriatedFunds.php

or email Diana Potts at pottsd@ncmbc.us

The Defense Contractor Academy will offer advanced instruction and a certificate of completion to existing, small business defense contractors to provide the tools needed to grow the defense contracting portion of their business portfolio.  A series of 9 classes will be offered over an 9-week period, once a week, beginning on January 19, 2012 and ending March 15, 2012.  Each session will include presentation of material and either a panel or guest business(es) to discuss their experiences regarding the topic of the session.  If your company is interested in a panel member or a guest business, please email smedickc@ncmbc.us.

Application.  To fill out an application for the Defense Contractor Academy, visit http://www.ncmbc.us/Spring2012DefenseContractorAcademy.php.  Applications will close on January 2, 2012 at 5:00 pm.  The Defense Contractor Academy committee will review applications and notify accepted participants by January 9, 2012 at the email account listed in the application. If you have any questions, please email smedickc@ncmbc.us.

Courses.

Who can attend from your company?  Companies may send different individuals from their organization to attend specific sessions of the Academy (i.e. the chief financial officer to attend the accounting and financing classes, business developer to attend Fundamentals and Source Selection sessions, etc.).

Cost.  Once your company has been approved by the Defense Contractor Academy committee, your organization will receive an invoice for payment.  The entire course (all 9 classes, including materials) is a total of $75.00.

Defense Contractor Academy Plaque.  In order to receive the Defense Contractor Academy certificate and plaque, your company must attend 7 of the 9 classes.  On the afternoon of the final class (March 15th), participating companies will receive their Defense Contractor Academy certificates and plaques.

Questions?  If you have questions about the Defense Contractor Academy, please email smedickc@ncmbc.us.

Special Presentation:  CCR is going away!  The changing face of Federal Procurement.  GSA has begun the consolidation of 9 federal procurement systems into one new system.  Be one of the first in the nation to learn what the federal government is planning to do and how it will affect you and your business! 

The following Federal Agencies have confirmed and will participate in the event: Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Camp Lejeune, VA, VISN 6, Forest Service, GSA, Defense Logistics Agency, FT Bragg, US Army Corps of Engineers, FBI, National Cemetery Administration and more! 

Join us!  FREE breakfast too!  Multiple classes and Resource Fair!  More event info below.

 SPECIAL FREE EVENT

3rd Annual 8th District Federal Contracting Symposium Hosted by Congressman Larry Kissell.

http://ncmbc.us/2011FederalContractingSymposium.php

Date:  November 9th, 2011

Time: Registration 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM.  Program scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM.  Event scheduled to last until 4:00 PM.

Location: Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, 26032-B Newt Road, Albemarle, NC  28001

(Off Highway 24-27)

Program: The Federal Contracting Symposium will include a federal contracting workshop series (beginner and advanced tracks), and a resource fair for businesses engaging in the federal market.  The resource fair will include a reverse trade show (federal contracting offices exhibiting) and prime contractors interested in meeting potential subcontractors.

Agenda: http://ncmbc.us/2011FederalContractingSymposium.php

Flyer: http://ncmbc.us/documents/CongressmanKissells3rdAnnual8thDistrictFederalContractingSymposiumFlyer_000.pdf

Cost/registration:  The event is FREE, but pre-registration is required.  Please register on-line at: http://ncmbc.us/2011FederalContractingSymposium.php

Local Accommodations if needed:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (4.5 miles from the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.)
500 Leonard Avenue, Albemarle, NC 28001
Phone:  704.986.2100
Website:  http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/albemarle/aemnc/hoteldetail
FREE HOT BREAKFAST!
Use rate code: “Kissell Event” when booking your room.

Contact: For more information contact:

• Event Program:  Fran Perez-Wilhite, Business Development Specialist, NCMBC, 704.806.6858 or perezf@ncmbc.us
• Registration Questions:  Courtney Smedick, Integrated Marketing & Training, NCMBC, 910-678-0193 or smedickc@ncmbc.us

Rep. Kissell to Host Third Annual Federal Contracting Symposium

Pre-registration is now open for free procurement seminar

ALBEMARLE, NC  – Rep. Kissell to Host Third Annual Federal Contracting Symposium Pre-registration is now open for free procurement seminar ALBEMARLE, NC – Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) will host the 3rd Annual Federal Contracting Symposium on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center in Albemarle. The district-wide event is designed to help North Carolina businesses gain a better understanding of opportunities in contracting and procurement with the federal government. The event is free and pre-registration is open now.

“I’m committed to providing our local businesses with every opportunity for success,” said Kissell. “This event has helped provide the businesses of our region with an in-depth look at the opportunities and channels within the federal contracting process. Our last two events were very successful, and I look forward to again showing off to the federal procurement folks some of the best and most innovative businesses anywhere in the country—those that are right here in our part of the world. Last year we had more than 250 folks from all over North Carolina and we have seen some great success stories come from those who got help through this event.”

The Contracting Symposium is being organized in partnership with the North Carolina Military Business Center, North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center, Stanly Community College, Stanly County Economic Development Commission, and the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce.

“I want to thank our partners for helping make this available to our local businesses,” added Kissell. “I want to ensure that the hardworking people of our area are given every opportunity to bid on federal procurement. I encourage all businesses throughout our area to take part in this important opportunity.”

The daylong event will include a federal contracting workshop series, as well as a resource fair for businesses interested in becoming engaged in the federal process. Agency participants will include contracting offices and agencies providing technical assistance in government procurement, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, Veterans Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service and many others. Representatives from the contracting offices of Ft. Bragg and Camp Lejeune will also be on hand to meet with area businesses. Pre-registration is required.

For more information or to pre-register, please contact Mallory Morris in Kissell’s Concord office at 704-786-1612 or visit http://ncmbc.us/2011FederalContractingSymposium.php.

The SBA has made major changes to the HUBZone Program that went into effect on October 1. Current HUBZone Certified businesses are receiving e-mails telling them of the lost of HUBZone Certification. To see a list of the changes to the counties, click here.
The SBA has also issued an interim final rule that shortens the time for a decertified HUBZone small business can reapply from one year to 90 days. They can only do this if they meet the program eligibility requirements. For the businesses losing their HUBZone Certifications because of the new changes to the program they will not be eligible. To learn more about the programs please visit, www.ncmbc.us or www.sba.gov/content/hubzone-maps sites.

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) will host an outreach event for Sauer Inc. Businesses interested in exploring project opportunities with Sauer Inc. are encouraged to attend this Small Business Forum.

Event Title: Small Business Forum

When: October 3, 2011
3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Where: Fayetteville State University
Rudolph Jones Student Center, Room 236
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 25301                                                                                                                                                                              (Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.)

Please RSVP to Jean Roos at jroos@uncfsu.edu by September 28, 2011 if you are planning to attend.

The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

1 WEEK TO GO! Mark your calendars for the 10^th Annual North Carolina Defense Trade Show on August 9^th co-hosted by Senator Richard Burr, Senator Kay Hagan, Congressman Larry Kissell, Fayetteville Technical Community College, the NC Military Business Center (NCMBC), the NC Defense Business Association, the Partnership for Defense Innovation and the University of North Carolina.

“The 10^th Annual North Carolina Defense Trade Show is the premier defense-related trade show in North Carolina,” said Scott Dorney, executive director of the NC Military Business Center.  “This is the only show that brings together major defense companies, large and small NC businesses and senior leaders from Capitol Hill, US Army Forces Command, US Army Reserve Command and North Carolina bases in a single venue.”

Event Activities (open to the public) include:

• Ribbon Cutting (9 AM – 9:15 AM)
• Trade Show (9 AM – 2 PM) – Showcasing over 60 defense-related companies  – including major defense contractors and NC businesses
• Strategic Teaming Event (9:30 AM – 2 PM.) – Speed-networking event, coordinated by NCMBC, that provides private, one-on-one meetings between large prime contractors and NC businesses to foster future teaming relationships
• Basic/Advanced Workshop Series (10:20AM – 1:50 PM) – Businesses interested in securing government contracts are encouraged to attend.  Basic Track is offered to businesses newly engaged in federal contracting; Advanced Track is available for businesses already engaged and growing in the market. Businesses may attend sessions within either track.

New features added to the program this year:

• Agency Presentations (9:50 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1 PM; 30 min. sessions) –  Learn about opportunities with US Army Sustainment Command and US Army Tank Automotive and Armament Command, and about US Department of Commerce services to assist exporters find foreign buyers and sell into new markets.
• UNC Research and Development Roundtable (2 PM -3:15 PM) – Learn about new initiatives, grants and contracts that could lead to a successful partnership between your organization and the state’s public university system.

Event will take place on the main campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College (2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, NC 28302); admission to the trade show and workshops is free.  Pre-registration is requested.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.ncmbc.us/2011DefenseTradeShow.php