Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

In doubt? Check with GTPAC!

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Your team at the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) stands ready to offer you advice about any aspect of government contracting — especially when you have any doubt about the legitimacy of a contract-related service or solicitation.

We’ve published many articles before about government contracting scams (click here to see previous articles), and once again we want to bring another one to your attention.

Just a few days ago, a GTPAC client contacted one of our Counselors and asked about the legitimacy of a request for a quotation he received, supposedly from the Dept. of Defense (DoD).  Once we examined the email and the attachment that our client sent us, we told him to run — not walk — away from it!

Here Are the Details

The email was purportedly from a DoD official soliciting a quote for some laptops and computer drives.

We examined the email and its attachment, including the following:

  • We called the phone number in the email which was answered by a person who didn’t identify himself.  When we asked questions, he said that he’d have the person identified in the email call us back with details.  No one called back.
  • We checked the identity of the person who supposedly sent the email.  The email’s Quote form identified him as Deputy Director for Procurement at AT&L.   We determined that, in reality, he is DoD’s Deputy Director for Earned Value Management.  AT&L (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) is a unit within DoD that no longer exists; it’s been reorganized into two groups: research and engineering (R&E) and acquisition and sustainment (A&S).  (See details of that reorganization by clicking here.)
  • We also identified the DoD official’s real email address and his actual phone number; they were not the email address or phone number shown in the email and on the Quote form that was sent to our client.
  • We noted that the federal solicitation number shown on the Quote form was not in the correct format, and the Quote form itself was not a form we have ever seen before.
  • The wording of the email was sloppy and unprofessionally prepared.

Based on the above, we advised our client to not respond because we believe this is a probable scam which will lead to an order to ship the products to a bogus shipping address, for which payment will never be received.  We also alerted the appropriate DoD officials of this probable scam.

What You Should Do

It’s as simple as 1-2-3.

  1. Stay alert to possible scams involving government contracting.  There are many scams in circulation literally every day.
  2. Don’t let the temptation of landing a sale overtake your common sense.  If it looks like easy money, it’s probably bogus.
  3. Whenever you are in doubt, contact GTPAC for advice.  We’ll be happy to check things out for you and provide you with our opinion.  It’s as simple as forwarding anything suspicious to us at: gtpacatl@innovate.gatech.edu.

Remember, the GTPAC team is here to help you succeed in the government marketplace!

P.S.:  If your business is located outside the state of Georgia, you can find a procurement technical assistance center (PTAC) by clicking here.

 

How to recognize and avoid grant scams

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If an individual contacts you about an opportunity to obtain free money in the form of a grant from the federal government, be extremely wary.  You are likely being targeted as part of a scam.  Any of the following statements should put you on high alert:

“Great news! You are eligible to receive a government grant.“

Fact: The government does not contact individuals to award grants for which there has been no application. An individual who makes this claim is not from the government and could be trying to collect private personal data from you, such as your Social Security number, bank account number or other such information.

“For a small fee, you can obtain a government grant.“

Fact: The government does not charge a fee for individuals or entities applying for a federal grant. While financial information may be required as part of the application process, it should be submitted through a government website, such as Grants.gov, and there should never be a cost to you.

“The Federal Bureau of Grant Awards has awarded you a $8,000 grant.“

Fact: Beware of individuals claiming to work for grants-related government bureaus and departments that do not actually exist. The individual may even provide a valid address for a government office, adding a touch of realism to their claim, but do not be fooled.

“Our office is located in Washington, D.C.“

Fact: Current technology can fool caller ID systems into reporting that a caller is phoning from Washington, D.C. In fact, a scam artist could be calling from anywhere in the world. Similar tactics can be used with email addresses in online communication, so be alert!

“This type of federal grant does not require an application.“

Fact: Every grant from the federal government involves an application submitted through a government website, such as Grants.gov. Also, you cannot apply for federal grants over the phone or via email. Any individual claiming that a grant does not require an application, or requires only a phone call or an email, is attempting to scam you.

“You won the government grant in a drawing.“

Fact: The government does not award grants based on a drawing or raffle; an individual or entity must first apply for the grant through a federal website, like Grants.gov. Any individual who claims the government is awarding a grant, for example, to a lucky group of citizens who have paid their taxes on time is attempting to scam you.

“You have been awarded a federal grant that you can spend any way you like.“

Fact: Federal grants are usually awarded for specific programs, research or projects – most often to local governments, organizations, institutions and universities. Beware of any individual who promises a government award that can be spent on paying down tuition or credit card debt, or home electronics and décor.

Source: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grant-fraud/grant-related-scams.html

There is no “free” government money

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We recently heard about a woman who said the “U.S. Federal Government Grants Department” called and claimed she needed to pay $600 in order to receive federal benefits totaling $8,000.   You guessed it … she paid the money, and never got the $8,000.

The phone call was a scam. The Federal Government Grants Department doesn’t exist.   More importantly, the government will never call, email, or text you to ask for money.

Even though the woman wrote down the phone number of the caller, it can be hard to trace it back to a real person because of tricks like caller ID spoofing.   (Click the link if you don’t know what “caller ID spoofing” is.)   She probably won’t be able to get her money back.

Be suspicious of any call, text, or email that claims to be from the government.  Scammers often use names that sound like real government agencies but aren’t.   The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, has more tips on spotting fake callers who pretend to be the government.

You can find the official names and contact information for federal government agencies in our A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies.   Don’t hesitate to contact the agency that claims you owe them money.   Be sure to use the contact information listed in the A-Z Index and not the contact information the caller or email provides.

If you do get scammed, then you should file a complaint with the FTC and your state’s consumer agency.   The link to Georgia’s consumer affairs offices is located at: http://www.usa.gov/directory/stateconsumer/georgia.shtml.

Minority business lands multimillion dollar grant with Georgia Tech’s assistance

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With assistance from the Georgia Minority Business Enterprise Center (GMBEC), a team of African American-owned telecommunication businesses in Atlanta partnered to win a highly competitive $59 million Department of Commerce grant to provide a broadband communication network to a substantial portion of a rural, eight-county region in central Alabama.

The team, made up of primary partners Trillion Communications Corporation, A2D Inc. and A-Plus Community Solutions, won a contract that will not only create jobs, but expand access to broadband in underserved communities. Through construction of a 2,200-mile network to augment existing facilities, the project will ultimately enhance the communities’ ability to bring high-speed telemedicine, distance learning, access to web-based legal assistance, and better 911 services to residents in this region, among other benefits.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency and operated by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, GMBEC helps emerging and existing minority businesses experience significant growth and sustainability and generate long-term economic impact through the creation of jobs and revenue. Along with the Minority Business Development Agency and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, GMBEC held a vendor fare for minority business enterprises that included a technical workshop and information on how to put a proposal package together.

Donna Ennis, GMBEC project director, worked with Trillion to develop and edit the proposal, assist with marketing and procurement, and implement the project. At GMBEC, Ennis is responsible for the strategic direction, marketing and outreach, and operations of the GMBEC and assists clients with strategic, business and market planning; marketing research and communications; public and private procurement, finance and operations; and business process improvement.

“I am thankful for Donna Ennis and the Georgia Minority Business Enterprise Center. They are admired and respected for their work ethic and professionalism. I am indebted to them for their support and counsel provided during the preparation of Trillion’s Infrastructure application,” noted Ralph E. Brown, CEO of Trillion Communications Corporation. “They successfully hosted the region-wide Vendor Workshop where Trillion secured corporate and community partnerships that helped us assemble and fortify a winning project. I could not have succeeded in our endeavor without Donna’s willingness to review our proposals, provide guidance and resources, as well as counsel and advice during the project implementation phase.”

Trillion Communications will serve as the grant awardee, fiduciary and program manager for the grant released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS). An extra $25 million will come from private investors. In addition to creating broadband access, the MBDA projects the award opportunity will extend to 25 additional MBEs and service the impacted communities for the next 20 years.

“This will make a difference in the community,” said Brown. “It impacts eight counties, 1,000 businesses and community anchors including public libraries and institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 80,000 households, as well as the Poarch Creek Tribal Nation..”

The Trillion team will design, construct and install a next generation broadband infrastructure which will then be transferred to the South Central Alabama Broadband Commission (SCABC), where it will eventually be expanded across the region. A2D Inc. will serve as SCABC’s long-term operator of the eCommunity Broadband Network.

The e-Community Broadband Network will link anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, and health care facilities together, as well as provide the means for small businesses to expand their markets and help stimulate new business development. It will also enhance public safety services by creating an interoperable network among public safety agencies. For those who can’t afford fee-based broadband services from commercial providers, eCommunity will also enable community organizations, anchor institutions and governmental agencies to offer free or subsidized intranet-based broadband access directly to vulnerable populations they already serve.

Funding for the project is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed in 2009 by President Obama, which included approximately $7.2 billion to expand broadband access and adoption in communities across the United States. It also means an increase in jobs, more investments in technology and infrastructure and long-term economic benefits.

For more information on GMBEC services offered by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, contact Donna Ennis (404-894-2096); E-mail: (donna.ennis@innovate.gatech.edu); Web site: (http://www.georgiambec.org/).

About Enterprise Innovation Institute:

The Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute helps companies, entrepreneurs, economic developers and communities improve their competitiveness through the application of science, technology and innovation. It is one of the most comprehensive university-based programs of business and industry assistance, technology commercialization and economic development in the nation.

Research News & Publications Office

Enterprise Innovation Institute

Georgia Institute of Technology

75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 314

Atlanta, Georgia 30308 USA

Media Relations Contacts: Nancy Fullbright (912-963-2509 ); E-mail: (nancy.fullbright@innovate.gatech.edu) or John Toon (404-894-6986); E-mail (john.toon@innovate.gatech.edu).

Writer: Nancy Fullbright – Jan. 7, 2011

FTC reaches settlement with websites offering bogus federal grant information

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The Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday that it has reached settlements with the operators of websites that the agency claimed were deceptively touting free government grants for personal expenses and debts.

As part of an investigation into scams related to the financial downturn, the FTC alleged that the operators promised consumers access to a “members only” website that included information on how they could obtain government grants. The defendants named in the case include Ryan Champion, Joseph C. Fleming IV, and In Deep Services, Inc., doing business as Grant$ For You Now.

For access to the information, the websites asked consumers to provide their credit or debit card information to pay for a $1.99 processing fee.

The FTC said in a news release that the federal government does not provide grants to pay off debts or personal expenses and that the information provided on the “members only” site was “full of inaccurate and obsolete information.”

In addition, the agency said the operators of the sites did not inform consumers they would be charged recurring monthly fees of up to $95 a month and an additional one time fee of $19.12 and that they falsely offered a 100 percent money back guarantee. The sites were shut down in June 2009 after the FTC sued them and won a temporary restraining order.

As part of the settlement, the operators of the sites were each ordered to pay more than $9 million, which will be suspended if they pay back taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service and the state of California and surrender their remaining assets to the FTC. If the defendants are found to have misrepresented their finances, they could be ordered to pay the $9 million fine.

In addition, they have been banned from marketing or selling any grant-related products or services or offering any program in which consumers have to opt-out of being charged a recurring fee. The settlement also prohibits the operators from automatically charging a consumer’s credit or debit card account without permission.

— by Juliana Gruenwald, National Journal – 11/24/2010 – as published by NextGov.com at http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20101124_3988.php?oref=rss?zone=NGtoday 

City of Marietta accepting applications for small-business grant program

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If you own a small business and are looking to move to Marietta, GA or expand your existing small business in an area of the city that is undergoing redevelopment, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Marietta Growth Fund as part of a small-business grant program. Marietta’s Economic Development Division is accepting applications for the small-business grant program, and the deadline to submit is September 15.

Businesses must be located within the city limits of Marietta to receive the funding, Marietta economic development manager Beth Sessoms said. “The grant program is geared toward job creation for low- to moderate-income individuals.” Businesses must pay salaries higher than the minimum wage to be eligible to receive funding, she said.

Business owners need to have an investment of their own in the program, Sessoms said. “We provide a gap financing tool for businesses through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

About the Marietta Growth Fund

The Marietta Growth Fund provides assistance to qualified Marietta businesses by supplementing traditional commercial loans or other financial resources with additional funds for new business or expansion.

The Fund provides a mechanism to “close the deal” when traditional commercial loans and other financial resources are insufficient to capitalize the business. The Fund encourages business revitalization and employment opportunities for low-to-moderate income individuals who live in the city limits of Marietta.

Read the Marietta Growth Fund Brochure here.

Marietta’s dedication to redevelopment in the city is a goal City Council established as part of its vision statement.

For more information, e-mail Marietta’s Economic Development manager Beth Sessoms at bsessoms@mariettaga.gov.

— Source: City of Marietta, GA – Aug. 26, 2010.

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