Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

March 28th webinar to address how small businesses can support US DOT’s research needs

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The United States Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is inviting small businesses to participate in a webinar on the Department’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.  The webinar will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm (EDT).

Here’s what participants will learn:

  • How you can apply your expertise and support U.S. DOT’s research goals through SBIR.
  • Updates on the Department’s FY19 SBIR solicitation.
  • How the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) participate in the SBIR program.

U.S. DOT’s SBIR program has awarded $50 million during the past five years to small businesses. Webinar participants will be able to hear from U.S. DOT SBIR program managers about their agency’s research needs and how they use the SBIR program.

Please confirm your participation by registering clicking this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QGFYB9Q no later than COB Monday, March 25, 2019.   By close of business Tuesday, March 26, 2019 registrants will receive an email communication with instructions on how to join the webinar.

U.S. DOT’s SBIR Program Director Rachael Sack, along with the FHWA R&T Program Development & Partnership Team Director Jack Jernigan, and FRA SBIR Program Manager Jeffrey Gordon, will be in attendance.  Please make your reservation through the link above as space is very limited.

If you have any questions, or concerns, please call Mr. Duphresne at 202-366-9507. You can also reach the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization at 202-366-1930.

Camden County’s development authority to host event for prospective submarine suppliers

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A submarine supplier recruitment event will be held May 1 and 2, 2019 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center.

The conference is being hosted by the Camden County Joint Development Authority and sponsored by the Submarine Industrial Base Council (SIBC) which represents 5,000 companies in nearly all 50 States producing components used to manufacture two Virginia-class attack submarines per year.

Suppliers who are interested in learning more about opportunities associated with the upcoming construction of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine are encouraged to attend.

This event is particularly appropriate for:

  • Established manufacturing companies in the Southeastern region with experience fulfilling Department of Defense (DoD) contracts for Mil-Spec manufactured components.
  • Established companies without DoD contract experience are also encouraged to attend in order to learn how to become a sub tier supplier to a SIBC supplier and expand the market share for your products.

Features of the supplier conference include a panel session featuring representatives from General Dynamics-Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding and a panel consisting of several existing SIBC suppliers in the Southeast Region.  Each panel will discuss the unique requirements and challenges potential suppliers will face and the process to become a component supplier.

Complete details, including registration, can be found at: https://spark.adobe.com/page/ezcqkBTaqfhff/

Fort Stewart to hold acquisition open house on April 4th

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Fort Stewart is inviting interested vendors to attend a “Forecast Forum” on April 4, 2019 to meet with units and representatives of the Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC) about this year’s anticipated contracting opportunities.

The event will be held at  the SFC Paul R. Smith Education Center, 100 Knowledge Drive, Fort Stewart, GA 31313.  Fort Stewart is located just a few miles southwest of Savannah.

Pre-registration may be accomplished in any one of the following three ways:

Sign-in for the event begins at 8:00 am.  The event itself runs from 8:30 am until 12:00 noon.

Very important location and access information: This event is located outside Gate 1, so no gate access required.  Make a right turn onto General Stewart Way and a left onto Knowledge Drive.

If you have a Military or Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Stewart through any gate.  If you do not, visitors can gain access to the Fort only through Gate 1 where you will need to show current driver’s license, auto registration, and auto insurance.  Also, extra time should be allowed for vehicle inspection.  No speeding on the installation.  Use of non-hands-free cell phones while driving on Fort Stewart is illegal.

DARPA’s pilot project aims to increase funding opportunities in SBIR and STTR programs

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Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) are the principal set-aside programs for small business participation in federal research and development funding, yet the requirements for administering and managing these programs have not changed significantly in decades.

To keep pace with discovery in science and technology worldwide, DARPA now intends to release SBIR/STTR opportunities on an out-of-cycle basis, separate from the three pre-determined announcements traditionally issued directly through the Department of Defense (DoD). The change is expected to reduce the overall time from opportunity announcement to contract award.

Prior to the change, the timeline for SBIR/STTR funding opportunities was managed independently of DARPA’s primary technology programs, which resulted in small businesses being isolated from the benefits associated with integration into established program communities. Under the terms of the pilot program, however, DARPA will institute timesaving measures to speed program integration, such as Direct to Phase II authority, which allows the agency to bypass Phase I research requirements once performers provide satisfactory documentation of feasibility, and/or proof of scientific merit, technical merit, and commercialization potential.

DARPA will also seek to identify SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees with a compelling go-to-market strategy for participation in a newly created commercialization accelerator. The DARPA accelerator will provide additional funding to employ one entrepreneur-in-residence or business development lead who will offer the awardee direct support for activities including, but not limited to, customer engagement planning, market analysis and mapping, competitive analysis, techno-economic analysis, IP securement strategy development, and financial plan creation.

“It’s essential to change our acquisition practices to mirror the commercial marketplace if we hope to attract revolutionary companies that normally avoid working with the federal government,” said Dr. Steven Walker, director of DARPA. “This move will provide DARPA the flexibility to operate at a much faster pace than traditional SBIR/STTR contracting cycles have historically allowed.”

Congress established the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program in 1982 to provide opportunities for small businesses to participate in federal government-sponsored research and development. Since that time, DARPA has leveraged SBIR awards to promote and sustain small business innovation as well as foster the development and transition of critical national security capabilities.

Full details regarding DARPA’s SBIR/STTR programs and associated Broad Agency Announcements are available at: https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/for-small-businesses.

Source: https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2019-03-01

See DARPA’s 10 focus areas for small businesses here: https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2019/03/darpa-highlights-10-focus-areas-innovative-small-businesses/155279/

Atlanta FRB: Small firms face challenges to find workers

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Amid a largely positive Beige Book report by the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) on economic conditions in the Southeast, some small businesses report particular challenges competing with larger companies for a dwindling pool of available workers.

Across the board, businesses continued to report pressure to increase wages for low-skill, hourly jobs, notably in the hospitality and retail industries. That’s good news for workers.

But the January 16 report notes, “Challenges with escalating wage pressure were especially acute among small businesses.”

Growing numbers of Americans are switching jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In that context, the past few Beige Book reports have captured a powerful focus on retaining employees in a tight labor market. The latest Beige Book includes a couple of newer nuggets:

  • The particular challenges facing smaller employers, and reports from a few contacts in construction, manufacturing, and health services that they are overstaffing certain jobs to prepare for anticipated growth, figuring it will be difficult to find people in the coming months.

Even as many confront hiring challenges, retailers across the Sixth Federal Reserve District reported steady holiday sales. Not surprisingly, online sales grew faster than those at traditional stores.  Travel and tourism contacts also reported growth in business and leisure travel.

In other sectors:

  • Companies reported input costs kept climbing, especially for products affected by tariffs.  So far, most firms report passing along tariff-related price increase with no serious impact on profit margins.
  • Demand for renewable power continued to grow compared to electricity generated by coal, gas, or nuclear plants.
  • In many parts of the district, sales of existing homes were flat or declined. Home construction is lagging demand, as builders focus on higher-priced houses in popular submarkets.
  • Commercial real estate reports were generally upbeat. Vacancy rates continued to decline, fueled by the industrial, multifamily, and medical sectors. In fact, demand for industrial space, such as big distribution centers, continues to exceed supply. However, contacts reported ongoing concerns about bankruptcies and generally difficult conditions among traditional big-box retailers.
  • Cargo shipments were up among contacts at seaports, air freight haulers, and railroads. Logistics firms reported higher volumes of packages delivered during the holidays compared to the previous year.
  • Financial institutions generally reported that conditions held steady.  Higher interest rates boosted net margins at most banks, while growth in loan volumes continued but at a slower pace, especially in real estate.  While measures of loan quality stayed mostly strong, some lenders noted increases in late payments by consumers.
  • In the farming business, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi as natural disaster areas because of damages and losses from hurricanes and flooding.

Source: https://www.frbatlanta.org/economy-matters/regional-economics/beige-book/2019/01/16/beige-book-small-firms-face-challenges-to-find-workers

Small Business Mentor-Protege Program fuels cooperation

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Small businesses are underutilizing a mentor-protégé program that streamlines their access to the federal marketplace, say government officials. Known as the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program, or ASMPP, the effort provides small businesses with a new avenue into federal contracting.

Developed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the ASMPP fits a niche and fills a need that had been a gap for some time, said Lori Gillen, ASMPP director at the SBA. Sandi Clifford, ASMPP deputy director, explained at an AFCEA Small Business Committee presentation that it was modeled and expands on the SBA’s 8(a) mentor-protégé program by opening doors for non-8(a) firms under the umbrella of a single governmentwide program for all small businesses. It does not involve the Defense Department, which has its own mentor-protégé program, nor the Federal Aviation Administration, as neither comes under the purview of the Small Business Act.

“It helps streamline access for small firms to get into the federal marketplace; it helps enhance business capabilities and growth potential through mentoring with large—or other small experienced—federal contractors; it helps increase the protégé firm’s wealth and create jobs through government contracts; and it also helps large mentor firms develop and increase their supply chain through building capable small business contractors,” Clifford declared.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.afcea.org/content/small-business-mentor-protege-program-fuels-cooperation

USDOT is on the hunt for automation, blockchain and more

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The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking to fund a new slate of emerging technology applications, including automation and blockchain.

USDOT opened the fiscal 2019 solicitation for its Small Business Innovation Research program Tuesday, calling on small businesses to provide solutions focused in 12 topic areas:

  • Automated Detection of Broken Spike Fasteners in Wood Tie Railroad Track
  • Automated Driving Systems Test Data Interface
  • Automated, Drone-Based Grade Crossing Inspection
  • Cost Allocation Technology for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
  • Improved Condition Monitoring of Traction Motors
  • Inline-Inspection Tool for Detecting Coating Defects/Disbondment of Coating
  • Innovative, Low-Cost Methods for Concrete Bridge Deck Assessment
  • In-Vehicle Highway Rail Grade Crossing Alert System
  • Portable Stiffness/Elastic Modulus Measurement System
  • Secure Motor Carrier Safety Data Information Exchange Using Blockchain
  • Vehicle Communication via Induction Paint
  • Wireless Pore Water Pressure Sensor

The SBIR program is administered by the Small Business Administration and includes 11 federal agencies that award R&D contracts to fund and mature new potential technology applications.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.fedscoop.com/dot-opens-solicitation-new-innovative-technologies/

How to Apply
  • Read the 2019 Solicitation for information about the 2019 topics and about proposal requirements.
  • Review the 19 Technical and Administrative Questions
  • If you do not see the answer to your question(s), submit additional technical or administrative questions to the U.S. DOT SBIR Program Office at dotsbir@dot.gov.
  • All questions and answers will be posted as soon as they are received and answered by DOT SBIR program experts.

Submit a proposal through DOT’s SBIR secure site.

2019 NDAA analysis: Changes affecting small businesses and the SBIR program

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The 2019 NDAA contains significant changes that will impact many facets of government contracting.

In this post, we discuss the Sections of the 2019 NDAA that affect small businesses.

As discussed here, these changes include:

1) the codification and reauthorization of defense research and development rapid innovation program;

2) the establishment a Department of Defense small business strategy;

3) the improvement of prompt payment of small business contractors;

4) the increased participation in the SBA microloan program;

5) the extension and amendment of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs;

6) the funding for procurement technical assistance program;

7) the creation of a commercialization assistance pilot program; and

8) the increasing of opportunities for employee-owned business concerns through SBA loan programs.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=775556

$3.6 million settlement resolves procurement fraud investigation involving 8(a) firm

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VMJ Construction, LLC (VMJ) and its owner, Colorado resident Michael T. Vigil, as well as Maryland-based Vigil Contracting, Inc. (Vigil Contracting) and its operations manager, John J. Vigil, have agreed to pay the United States $3.6 million to resolve allegations that they defrauded the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program.

The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program for economically and socially disadvantaged small businesses serves dual roles.

  • First, the program helps socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners gain access to valuable federal contracts, thereby promoting economic and social mobility.
  • Second, the program saves taxpayers money by spurring a competitive marketplace.  By promoting the development of small businesses, the 8(a) Program helps prevent the formation of monopolies that would stifle innovation and restrict consumers’ ability to negotiate lower prices.

It is important that the 8(a) Program is reserved only for companies that actually meet the program’s criteria because misuse of the program deprives legitimate 8(a) Program participants of valuable economic opportunities and undermines the integrity of the program.

There are several rules that businesses in the 8(a) program must abide by.

  • The socially and economically disadvantaged owner of the business must manage the day-to-day operations of the company and have responsibility for the long-term decision-making for the company.
  • 8(a) Program applicants must also truthfully disclose any affiliation with other businesses so that SBA may accurately assess whether the applicant meets the definition of a small business, and whether the applicant shows potential for success and the ability to perform the requisite percentage of the contracts secured through the Program.
  • Businesses also cannot remain in the 8(a) Program indefinitely; after nine years, they graduate from the program and are no longer eligible to bid on 8(a) contracts.

VMJ was accepted into the 8(a) Program in 2011.  Michael T. Vigil, who is Hispanic, was the 91% owner of VMJ, and was the socially and economically disadvantaged individual upon which VMJ based its application to the 8(a) program.  John J. Vigil was a 9% owner of VMJ.  John J. Vigil was also the operations manager of Vigil Contracting.  Vigil Contracting is a 2011 graduate of the 8(a) Program.  Since 2011, Vigil Contracting has not been eligible to bid for contracts reserved for 8(a) program participants.

The United States contends that VMJ made false statements to the SBA regarding its eligibility to participate in the 8(a) program.  Specifically, VMJ relied almost exclusively upon Vigil Contracting to bid on and complete the work awarded to VMJ under the 8(a) program.  VMJ used Vigil Contracting’s bonding, office space, employees, contractors, software, computers, and vehicles.  Vigil Contracting employees and contractors, including John J. Vigil, made the high-level business decisions of VMJ and managed the day-to-day operations of VMJ.   Michael T. Vigil did not control VMJ, did not set the long-term policy, nor manage the day-to-day management of the business.  VMJ knowingly misrepresented these facts to SBA, in both VMJ’s initial application to participate in the 8(a) program and in an annual update to SBA.  As a result of the deception, the Army, the Navy, and the Department of Agriculture awarded VMJ several federal government contracts set aside for 8(a) program participants.

“The United States uses these set-aside contracts for a clear reason — to help small businesses owned by economically and socially disadvantaged individuals.  This program continues the promise of the American Dream by helping new small businesses get on their feet, and with more businesses on their feet, our markets are healthier and more competitive,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “When companies lie about their eligibility to get these contracts, they prevent other deserving small businesses from getting the assistance that Congress intended.”

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/36-million-settlement-resolves-procurement-fraud-investigation-against-colorado-and

How some contractors successfully weathered the shutdown

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The 35-day government shutdown cost thousands of small- and mid-size businesses nationwide that supply services or technology to the federal government $2.3 billion in revenue and forced tens of thousands of layoffs.

As once-furloughed federal employees and contractors begin the slow business of reopening government, the cold reality is that another shutdown looms if a spending deal is not reached before Feb. 15.

It’s a time of “uncertainty” for contractors, according to David Berteau, who represents hundreds of companies as head of the Professional Services Council, and some contractors “may be in a holding pattern” while they wait and see whether the government shuts down again. In the interim, Berteau is advising contractors to proactively seek backed government invoices for money owed, sniff out new solicitations and bid on as many opportunities as they can.

Yet amid all the doom, gloom, and wall-to-wall news coverage, the longest government shutdown in history brought about pockets of optimism, innovation and strategy and teachable moments the contracting community that could serve thousands of businesses and 1 million-plus individual government contractors moving forward through future shutdowns or trying times.

Nextgov spoke with two small government contractors about their strategies for handling the shutdown and lessons learned.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/2019/01/how-some-contractors-successfully-weathered-shutdown/154568/

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