V O L . X X X N O. X I X
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Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine
B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S
T
he SBA works with agencies to award at least 23% of all prime government
contracts to small businesses, including those in distressed areas or owned
by women or members of socially or economically disadvantaged groups.
HUBZone
For additional information,
visit www.sba.gov/hubzone
e Historically Underutilized
Business Zones program (HUBZone)
helps small businesses in distressed
urban and rural communities access
federal contracts, as well as price
evaluation preference in full and
open contract competitions. ere is
a statutory goal that such businesses
be awarded not less than 3% of the
total value of all prime contract and
subcontract awards. e program also
establishes federal contract award
preference to small businesses.
Women-owned Small
Business Federal Contract
Program
For additional information,
visit www.sba.gov/wosb
e program authorizes a certain
amount of contracts be set aside for
women-owned small businesses and
economically disadvantaged women-
owned small businesses in industries
where it has been determined such
businesses are under-represented..
A firm must be at least 51% owned
or controlled by one or more women,
the women must be U.S. citizens and
the business must be small in accor-
dance with SBA's size under North
American Industry Classification code
standards for that industry. Its owners
must demonstrate economic disadvan-
tage in accordance with the require-
ments of the final rule to be deemed
economically disadvantaged.
Service-disabled veteran-
owned small business
To determine eligibility, contact a
veterans' business development officer,
visit program websites, or contact
SBA's Office of Veterans Business
Development at www.sba.gov/
about-offices-content/1/2985
e program has a goal of award-
ing at least 3% of federal prime and
subcontracting dollars a year. Large
prime contractors must also establish
a subcontracting goal for such busi-
nesses; their plans are reviewed by
both the contracting officer and the
SBA before the contract is awarded.
While the SBA does not certify
such companies, it administers the
process to ensure that only such busi-
nesses receive contracts reserved for
them. When a self-certification is
challenged, the SBA determines if the
business meets the requirements.
Maine Procurement
Technical Assistance Center
Register for services at
www.maineptac.org
Maine PTAC works with small
businesses pursuing government
market opportunities at the fed-
eral, state or local levels as a prime
contractor or subcontractor. e
center is funded by government
resources and provides free coun-
seling. It also provides a bid match
service for a fee that helps identify
opportunities. Maine PTAC also
assists companies with subcontrac-
tor opportunities and hosts training
and networking events.
For additional information, contact:
Maine PTAC
Eastern Maine Development Corp.
207-942-6389
www.maineptac.org
Small Disadvantaged
Business
Firms self-certify in the System for
Award Management data base. Firms
approved by the SBA in the 8(a)
Business Development Program are
automatically certified. To self-certify,
visit www.sba.gov/sdb, where the
required steps are explained.
A Small Disadvantaged Business
is at least 51% owned and con-
trolled by one or more individuals
who are socially and economically
disadvantaged. e federal govern-
ment's goal is to award at least 5%
of prime contracting dollars to such
businesses each year. Large prime
contractors must also establish a 5%
subcontracting goal for these busi-
nesses in their subcontracting plans,
which includes SBA 8(a) certified
small businesses.
SBA contracting programs
Other resources
Maine District Office
www.sba.gov/me
SBA events calendar
www.sba.gov/calendar/public/index.cfm?grp=32&op=group
Loan Information
www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants
Publications, library, resources, forms
www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/
starting-managing-business
SBA classroom
www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/counseling-training
Statistics, reports
www.sba.gov/advo
Maine state profile
www.sba.gov/ADVO/research/profiles
Business plan outline
www.sba.gov/content/templates-writing-business-plan
Size standards
www.sba.gov/content/small-business-size-regulation
Veterans
www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ovbd/index.html
