Tag Archives: contracting

50 Years or Older? Want to Start Your Own Business?

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The Toledo Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month Workshop is designed for you! April 29th, with Free Counseling Available on April 30th to Workshop Participants

Come and learn about the counseling, capital and contracting programs available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  You will also hear directly from Northwest Ohio SCORE and the Ohio Small Business Development Center at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce about the resources available to begin and grow a small business.

This is a free workshop designed for entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs who are 50+ years of age.

A successful encore entreprenuer, Yuval Zaliouk of YZ Enterprises (pictured), will also speak about his trials and tribulations of transitioning from a paid job as an orchestra conductor to that of an entrepreneur and risk-taker without a steady paycheck.  

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SBA Presidential Innovation Fellows Launch Online Contracting System

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A Limited Number of Low-Dollar Contracts Now Available Through New Online Marketplace

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration, in conjunction with the White House’s Presidential Innovation Fellows, today launched a “beta” (pilot) version of RFP-EZ, a new online marketplace that streamlines the government contracting process, making it simpler for small businesses to find and bid on low-dollar contracts from federal agencies.

The new program allows the government to source low-cost, high-impact solutions from innovative tech companies.  A limited number of low-dollar contracts through RFP-EZ are now available at http://rfpez.sba.gov .  If successful, the pilot will be expanded to include more contracts for a more diverse group of innovative startups.

“The federal government gets access to the most innovative startups, helping us lower costs and get more bang for the dollars we spend,” said Sean Greene, SBA’s Associate Administrator for Investment and Innovation.  “The small businesses get access to the largest customer in the world.  It’s a win-win.”  

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SBA Announces Changes to Contracting Program for Women-Owned Small Businesses

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WASHINGTON – Women-owned small businesses will have greater access to federal contracting opportunities as a result of changes included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 (NDAA) to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program.

“This new law is a prime example of how the Obama Administration is embracing a more inclusive view of entrepreneurship, helping small businesses and America succeed,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “Today, women own 30 percent of all small businesses up from just 5 percent 40 years ago.  As one of the fastest growing sectors of small business owners in the country, opening the door for women to compete for more federal contracts is a win-win.”

The NDAA removes the anticipated award price of the contract thresholds for women-owned small businesses (WOSB) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSB) to allow them greater access to federal contracting opportunities without limitations to the size of the contract.

Prior to the new law, the anticipated award price of the contract for women-owned and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses could not exceed $6.5 million for manufacturing contracts and $4 million for all other contracts.  

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SBA Helps Veterans Start, Grow and Expand Small Businesses

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WASHINGTON – As the nation marks Veterans Day 2012, the U.S. Small Business Administration continues to build on its successful programs for America’s military veterans, helping tens of thousands of veterans each year with small business financing, comprehensive business training and counseling and access to federal contracts.

“Around Veterans Day, our thoughts turn to the men and women who are currently serving in the Armed Forces, as well as to all veterans who have made sacrifices and served our country over the years,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “When you consider the leadership and management skills our veterans develop while on active and reserve duty, it’s no wonder we see so many of them choose the path of small business ownership.”

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau veterans are successful small business owners.  Nearly one in 10 small businesses nationwide are veteran-owned.  Collectively, these 2.4 million small businesses employ almost 6 million Americans and generate more than $1 trillion in receipts.  In the private sector workforce, veterans are 45 percent more likely than those with no active-duty military experience to be self-employed.  

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