BRC Bulletin

Volume 5, Issue 13, July 18, 2006

OCP and SBDC LSDBE Classes, Federal Contracting Classes from NWBC, SEU Grant from WAWF, Upcoming Business Classes

1. Workshop and Roundtable Series for Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
2. National Women's Business Center Offers Three Federal Contracting Classes
3. SEU Receives Grant for Studying Needs of Low Income Female Entrepreneurs
4. Upcoming Business Classes on the BRC Website

1. OCP and Howard University Small Business Development Center Set Workshop and Roundtable Series for Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

Herbert R. Tillery, deputy mayor for operations and interim chief procurement officer for the District of Columbia Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP), announced today a continuation of the agreement between OCP and the Howard University DC Small Business Development Center Network (HUDC SBDC) to present Successful Contracting for Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (LSDBEs)–a series, beginning September 12, 2006, of practical, hands-on business development workshops designed to help prospective and existing LSDBEs advance their skills in doing business with the Government of the District of Columbia.

Tillery also announced that the monthly OCP Procurement Awareness Roundtable Series, also set to begin in September, will kick off on September 20 with one-on-one discussions with key contracting personnel responsible for agency and commodity group buying throughout the District.

"We encourage certified LSDBEs, and those considering certification by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), to register for the workshops and roundtables," said Tillery. "It is important for entrepreneurs to get it right in order to receive an award and then to perform to the highest standards. By teaming with the HUDC SBDC, OCP is again expanding services to the LSDBE community of businesses."

For a description of the series and a registration form, please select the links below:

• OCP Roundtable Flyer*
• OCP Roundtable Registration Form

Businesses are encouraged to continually visit OCP for more information about this and other opportunities. To review eligibility criteria for LSDBE certification, please visit DSLBD or call (202) 727-3900.

2. National Women's Business Center Offers Three Federal Contracting Classes

National Women's Business Center (NWBC) is offering two full-day and one half-day classes in August and September on federal contracting.

August 9, 2006: Understanding Federal Contracting

• Overview of the Federal Acquisition System: The players, the websites, the terminology, the agencies, and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
• Qualifications to be a Federal Contractor: How agencies determine a responsible contractor, past performance reviews, showing past performance as a new contractor, certificate of competency.
• Special Entrees for Small Businesses to Federal Opportunities: Subcontracting, the 8(a) program, federal government small business procurement goals, best agencies for small business contracting, the Offices of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization, and small and very small business set-asides.
• Types of Federal Contracts: Fixed price and cost reimbursement contracts.
• Most Common Federal Government Contracting Methods: GSA Schedules, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, commercial contracting, negotiated contracting, and 8(a) contracts.
• Phases of Federal Contracting
• Resolving Disputes with the Federal Government

August 10, 2006: Capturing Federal Business

Getting federal contracts is worlds apart from getting commercial ones. Yet there is a method to that seeming government contracting madness…and the companies who know the ropes are the ones that get the contracts. This workshop cuts through the fog of "it's who you know" to help you develop the right contacts for your business–those who have money to purchase goods or services that you provide. You will learn the four stages of business development when selling to the federal government and when those stages take place in the federal fiscal year; what marketing materials you need; how to manage your personal contacts, both in government and at prime contractors; how to talk with government officials at various stages of the federal process; and software and databases that are essential for federal contracting. You will leave knowing the tools and processes you need to succeed in this market. COMPANION COURSE: Understanding Federal Contracting (see schedule) provides an in-depth review of the federal contracting process and distinctive rules that are unique to the federal government. We strongly recommend these two courses as foundational courses for any small company seeking to create a long-term presence in the federal market.

September 22, 2006: QuickBooks® for Government Contractors

This workshop will show you how to keep accurate books on government contracts using QuickBooks Pro. Hundreds of government contractors do so successfully. This course will give you everything you need to comply with the FAR and pass a DCAA audit. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars to upgrade to Deltek or other proprietary packages before your volume of government contracts justifies it. While these are good solutions when firms are larger, the expense involved can hinder the growth of the smaller government contractor.

In this course, an accountant specializing in federal contracting accounting systems will walk you through the process of using QuickBooks Pro and Excel in tandem to operate compliantly. You will leave with a course manual and a complete set of tools for government contracting accounting for a fraction of the cost of other solutions. A laptop with Quickbooks Pro installed is required for this course.

Visit NWBC.

3. Southeastern University's Center for Entrepreneurship Receives Grant for Studying Needs of Low Income Female Entrepreneurs

Southeastern University's (SEU) Center for Entrepreneurship and Continuing Education has been awarded a $25,000 planning grant from the Washington Area Women's Foundation (WAWF). These monies will aid in constructing an Entrepreneurship toolkit for the Low Income Female Entrepreneurs (LIFE) program. Targeting female entrepreneurs with incomes between $15,000 and $35,000 per year, SEU's comprehensive study will address their existing skill sets, transportation, and childcare needs, along with their perceptions about operating small businesses, their definition of themselves as business owners, and potential solutions that technical assistance (TA) providers can give them to increase their chances of success.

Visit SEU's Center for Entrepreneurship.

4. Upcoming Business Classes on the BRC website

Wednesday, July 19
6 pm Financing Business Growth: Learn about loans

Thursday, July 20
4 pm Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic: Get your questions answered

Friday, July 21
10 am DISB Insurance Bureau Open House for Insurance Compliance Professionals

Saturday, July 22
10 am Credit Report: Starting a Business and Real Estate 101

Tuesday, July 25
5 pm Learn How to Repair Your Credit Yourself
7 pm Adams Morgan Community Association Meeting

Wednesday, July 26
6 pm Accounting & Financial Management, Part 1: Bookkeeping
6:30 pm Office of Consumer Protection Neighborhood Workshop: Protect, educate, and empower yourself against fraudulent schemes.

Monday, July 31
6 pm How to Cut Cost, Increase Profits and Create Wealth Using Business Financial Statements

Tuesday, August 1
10 am Starting a Business in DC
1 pm Licensing and Tax Office Hours for Businesses: Representatives from DCRA and OTR hold office hours for small businesses
5 pm Learn How to Repair Your Credit Yourself

Wednesday, August 2
6 pm Accounting and Financial Management Part 2: Simple Start
6 pm Using Franchising, Licensing and Intellectual Property to Grow Your Business
6 pm Accepting Credit Cards: Learn How to Save Money

Thursday, August 3
1 pm LSDBE Application Process Office Hours
1 pm How to Write a Business Plan

To learn more about these classes, visit the BRC.

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