Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 41 FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S EDWOSB must be "small" under its primary industry in accordance with SBA's size standards established for under the North American Industry Classifi cation code assigned to that industry. To be deemed "economi- cally disadvantaged" its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements set forth in the fi nal rule. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business To determine your eligibility, contact your local veterans' business development offi cer, visit the various program websites, or contact SBA's Offi ce of Veterans Business Development at www.sba.gov/ about-offi ces-content/1/2985 e Service-Disabled Veteran- Owned Small Business program has a federal government-wide goal of awarding at least 3% of prime and subcontracting dollars to Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses each year. Large prime contractors must also establish a subcontracting goal for SDVOSBs in their subcontracting plans. ese subcontracting goals are reviewed at time of proposal by both the contract- ing offi cer and the SBA prior to the award of a contract. While the SBA does not certify companies as SDVOSBs, SDVOSB protest process is administered by SBA to ensure that only businesses owned by service-disabled veterans receive contracts reserved exclu- sively for them. When a business's SDVOSB self-certifi cation is chal- lenged, the SBA determines if the business meets the status, ownership and control requirements. Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) For additional information visit www.maineptac.org Maine PTAC works with Maine's small businesses that want to pursue government market opportunities at the federal, state or local levels as a prime contractor or subcontractor. e Maine PTAC is funded by federal, state and local resources. Maine PTAC provides free coun- seling on a variety of topics relating to contracting. Among them are past federal procurements, solicitation review, proposal preparation, federal specifi cations and standards, fed- eral packaging, pre-award surveys, post-award contract administration, federal database registrations, small business program certifi cations and the General Services Administration Schedules Program. Maine PTAC also provides a bid match service for a nominal fee that helps identify current federal, state and local bid opportunities. Maine PTAC also assists companies with subcontractor opportunities and hosts training and networking events. Small Disadvantaged Business To self certify, fi rms should access the website: www.sba.gov/sdb A Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) is defi ned as a small busi- ness that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individu- als who are socially and economi- cally disadvantaged. ere is a federal government-wide goal of awarding at least 5% of prime contracting dol- lars to SDBs each year. Large prime contractors must also establish a 5% subcontracting goal for SDBs in their subcontracting plans which includes SBA 8(a) certifi ed small businesses. 8(a) Business Development program For additional information, visit www.sba.gov/8a e 8(a) Business Development pro- gram was established to assist eligible socially and economically disadvan- taged individuals to develop and grow their businesses. Business develop- ment assistance includes one-on- one counseling, training workshops, match-making opportunities with federal buyers and other manage- ment and technical guidance. ere is a statutory requirement that small disadvantaged business concerns be awarded not less than 5% of the total value of all prime contract awards. All fi rms that become eligible for SBA's 8(a) business development assistance are also considered small disadvan- taged business concerns for the pur- pose of federal contracting. www.bhbt.com • 888-853-7100 Steve Gurin, SVP/Business Banker likes big challenges. Without a running background, he decided to run a half marathon. With guidance from experts, Steve created a training plan to help him succeed. Call Steve, who has 25 years of experience and knowledge working with entrepreneurs, to turn your big idea into reality. Have a big goal for your business? Photo by: Chris Pinchbeck

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