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Fact Book: Doing Business in Maine 2024

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V O L . X X X N O. X I X 44 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

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