Southeastern SBDC to host government contracting certification courses
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Louisiana
University is hosting a series of three government contracting certification courses
in Amite.
Co-sponsored by the Tangipahoa Parish Library, Amite City Chamber of Commerce,
Louisiana PTAC – Southeast, and Tangipahoa Economic Development, the free courses
will take place on Tuesday, July 19, at the Tangipahoa Parish Library in Amite, located
at 204 N.E. Central Ave.
The speaker for all three courses is Jo Lawrence, deputy district director of
the U.S. Small Business Administration. Seating is limited for all courses, so pre-registration
is required.
The first course, scheduled from 9 to 11:30 a.m., is the SBA’s 8(a) Business
Development Program, named for a section of the Small Business Act.
“It’s a business development program created to help small, disadvantaged businesses
compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market,” said SBDC
Assistant Director Sandy Summers. “During this workshop, we will walk you through
the completion of the online certification process.”
Summers said the workshop will cover eligibility criteria for Section 8(a) program
participation; overview of the electronic application; review of the required supporting
documentation; explanation and guidance in completing the required SBA forms; and
additional information as needed by the participants.
Eligibility requirements for the course include the following: the firm must
be a small business; it must be unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more
socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and
citizens of the United States. The firm must demonstrate the potential for success.
The second course, scheduled from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m., is HUB (Historically Underutilized
Business) Zone Workshop. Summers said the workshop is designed to introduce businesses
to the program, help determine whether a business is eligible, and support the efforts
of businesses to participate.
“Every year the federal government awards over $500 billion in contracts. A significant
share of those contracts is specifically allotted to small businesses,” Summers explained.
“SBA assists federal agencies in identifying and awarding contracts to meet the 23
percent statutory goal of government-wide small business prime contracting. Agencies
are also required to award three percent of contracts to small businesses located
in historically underutilized business zones or HUB zones. SBA encourages small businesses
to learn more about the HUBZone program and take advantage of this federal contracting
opportunity.”
Summers said the session is designed for all small businesses considering HUBZone
certification or looking for more information on the program. Topics to be covered
include: HUBZone eligibility criteria; review of the application; maintaining certification;
and identifying contracting opportunities.
The third course, scheduled from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., is the Women-Owned Small
Business Certification (WOSB) Workshop.
Summers said that small business certifications are like professional certifications.
They document a special capability or status that helps compete in the marketplace.
Unlike permits or licenses, certifications are not necessary to legally operate; however,
in order to take advantage of business opportunities, such as government contracts,
certain certifications are necessary.
“Women business owners should seek to leverage the opportunities available through
the federal government to drive revenue growth,” Summers said. “This workshop will
guide you in doing just that.”
Topics to be covered include women-owned small businesses federal government
contract set-asides; final WOSB ruling, impact and advantage; eligible NAICS codes;
certification process; identifying contract opportunities; effectively responding
to requests for government proposals; and completing required registrations.
For more information on the courses, call 985-549-3831. Registration is available
on line at www.lsbdc.org.
