VetLikeMe News Alert

What is His Motive?
VA Chief of Acquisition Spills Guts Regarding
“Veteran’s First” Sham

In this episode of the Twilight Zone, we have a very special guest on the set who you’ll meet further down the column. In an astounding display of bureaucratic stupidity or marvelous cunning, Jan Frye, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Acquisition and Logistics phoned Wayne Gatewood, a fierce advocate for veterans—with a weight on his chest than needed to be re-leased. Wayne, take it away:

“Yesterday I had a conversation with Mr. Jan Frye, VA’s Chief of Acquisitions. Mr. Frye talked with me about the workings of the VA FSS Program and what he believes to be the importance of the FSS in relation to procurement methodology and the importance of the VA Supply Fund to OAL Operations. At the following Link, please read about the VA FSS Schedule: http://www.fss.va.gov At the following Link, please read about the VA Supply Fund: http://www.va.gov/oal/about/finance.asp.

Mr. Frye also let me know that Secretary Shinseki stands by the VA FSS Schedule as the go-to procurement methodology and it was Secretary Shinseki’s personal decision to not go Vets First! (I am attempting to get a past Press Release from VA PA Office that is supposed to contain the Secretary’s words relative to this matter). Please read the below two paragraphs from the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL) webpage – “About Us.”

“The complex functions required to support the diverse programs of VA are reflected in the mission and organization of OAL. In addition to its primary role of supporting VA’s pro-grams, OAL has a Government-wide role in the supply management of medical supplies and non-perishable subsistence.”

“All OAL operations are funded through the self-sustaining VA Supply Fund which is managed by OAL. The operating costs are recovered through a variety of cost recovery mechanisms that are designed to pass the costs of services provided along to the beneficiaries of such service.”

The VA’s Supply Fund offsets the operating costs of OAL, such as the VA Acquisitions Academy, Denver Acquisitions and Logistics Center, National Contract Service, National Acquisition Center, and the staff that operates these activities. The fund also pays for bonus’ and other items. How does it work? VA gets .05 % of every dollar of every FSS Schedule contract that is let. Given the VA purchases billions of dollars in products, supplies, medicine, services, etc., per year, with much of that through FSS, the FSS program brings in millions of dollars to the Supply Fund. In addition to the money that comes back to the Supply Fund to support OAL, Mr. Frye also told me that VA believes that FSS provides the best cost and the most reliable and timely source of services and supplies to support our millions of Veterans. (But, since there are no cost comparisons with SDVOSBs for certain products and supplies I ask, ―how can that claim be supported”?)*

A GAO Report on the Supply Fund along with an “anonymously prepared Analysis of the VA FSS and the Supply Fund”, are also attached. I have looked over the Analysis but can-not confirm its validity or support its claims. Nonetheless, it appears to be very thorough.

So there you have it folks….FSS Priority…so says Secretary Shinseki! If you want to comment on this matter, send me an e-mail and I will place it in the News for Mr. Frye and staff to read. For me personally, nothing changes until the Law changes and until that happens, it re-mains Vets First as required by PL 109-461. Also, for any and all purchases under the small purchase threshold (to include the “griddle” Aldevra was trying to sell to VA when VA went FSS), by Law, has to be purchased from a small business! So says the Law, so says SBA….. Small purchases are for small business only and not VA FSS to large business.

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This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.   Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer.  VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.

If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled  veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

Inc. Magazine is looking for successful business owners who are prior military for a potential national article:

“How has your military experience influenced your business leadership style?”

Veteran Owned Business was recently contacted by a writer for Inc. Magazine who is working on an article about: “…how military experience influences the leadership styles of veteran business owners?“  In short, VOB has been asked to reach out to our members to find veteran owned businesses (with a minimum of 10 employees) to answer two (2) survey questions for possible inclusion in this–and future–business article(s).

If you are a military veteran (active duty and/or reserves works too), run a successful business and have at least 10 employees, please email us your answers to the following questions.  Also, please include your contact information in case we and/or the writer needs to get back in touch with you.

1. Do you have any specific stories or examples that illustrate how the discipline instilled in you during your military career has translated into your career as the leader of a business?

2. As you developed your own leadership style and practices, did you model yourself after any particular military leader: someone you served under or with, or whom you just know a great deal about? If so, who is that person (or people)?

Because of the demographics of the publication (and because the subject is “leadership styles”), Inc. Magazine is stipulating  the response come from a business owner who a) was/is in the military b) is still in business and c) has a minimum of 10 employees.

Please email your responses to: info@VeteranOwnedBusiness.com. Don’t forget to include your contact information including: name, business name, phone number, and email address.

We are keeping our fingers crossed we get a good response to this media request in order to help a few of our members get national exposure!

2012 Operation: Start Up & GrowClick image above to view/download event flyer

Tuesday, March 13, 2012
8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Gordon Student Center
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, New York
View the flyer

Operation: Start Up & Grow is the premier veterans business conference in Upstate New York for veterans and members of the military community who want to start or expand their own small business. This FREE conference features speakers, workshops, networking, exhibitors and much more. More than 100 veterans with an idea for a business or already in business found valuable information and resources to take their business to the next level at last year’s conference. Please call 315-471-9393 for more information about this event

Do you want to start a business? Expand your existing business? Find all the resources in one location at this FREE conference for veteran entrepreneurs! Operation: Start Up & Grow is the premier veterans business conference in Upstate New York for our veterans and members of the military community who want to start or expand their own small business.

Conference highlights include keynote address from Brian Bluff, USN veteran and president of Site-Seeker, Inc. and emcee interview with Mary Warren, PE, USAF veteran and president of Black Horse Group General Contractors. The half-day event includes breakout workshops, dozens of exhibitors, networking sessions, awards ceremony and lunch.

REGISTRATION
Registration is now open!  Please contact SBA at 315-471-9393 ext. 233 or stephanie.ubowski@sba.gov to register for the event.

SPONSORS
The 2012 Operation: Start Up & Grow conference is sponsored by: Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University, M&T Bank, New York Business Development Corporation, New York Veteran Business Outreach Center, Onondaga Community College, Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College, The Tech Garden, U.S. Small Business Administration, and WISE Women’s Business Center.

EXHIBITORS
Allgaier Law Firm, Clear Path for Veterans, Empire State Development, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Excelsior College, Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University, M&T Bank, New York Business Development Corporation, New York State Division of Veteran’s Center, New York State Office of General Services Procurement Services Group, New York Veteran Business Outreach Center, North Country Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Onondaga Community College Veterans Affairs Office, Onondaga County Veterans Services Agency, Onondaga Employee Leasing Services, Inc., PathStone Enterprise Center, Site-Seeker, Inc., Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College, Start-Up NY, Syracuse Veterans Center, Syracuse Literacy Zones, The Tech Garden, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Buffalo Medical Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, Visions Federal Credit Union, Watertown Veterans Center and WISE Women’s Business Center.
AGENDA

8:45-9:00 Registration-Networking

9:00-9:05 Opening Remarks

9:05-9:15 SBA Initiatives for Veteran Small Businesses

9:15-10:00 Keynote Address from USN veteran Brian Bluff, president of Site-Seeker, Inc.

10:00-10:30 Networking with Exhibitors

10:30-11:15 Workshops

- Social Media-Bootstrap Marketing
- Where’s the Money?
- Doing Business With Uncle Sam

11:15-12:00 Workshops

- Marketing-Tools to Increase Market Share
- A Look at a Successful Veteran Loan
- The VA as Your Customer

12:00 Lunch

12:20 Awards Presentation: Veteran-Owned Business Achievement Award and Patriot Lender of the Year Award

12:30-1:00 Emcee Interview with USAF veteran Mary Warren, PE, president of Black Horse Group General Contractors

1:00 Conclusion

Cosponsorship # 12-0248-05

Florida Veterans Job Fair

(Bring your resume and dress for SUCCESS!)

Friday, February 24, 2012
12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M.
J. C. Cobb Room at Bay Pines Medical Center
10000 Bay Pines Blvd.

JOB FAIR TARGETS EMPLOYMENT FOR VETERANS

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and Abilities of Florida, part of the ServiceSource Network are hosting a Job Fair on Friday, February 24, 2012 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M. at The J. C. Cobb Room at Bay Pines Medical Center, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd.

The Job Fair will have special emphasis on employment opportunities for Veterans and Veterans with disabilities.  Similar job fairs have been conducted in the past and have been instrumental in making employment connections for scores of Veterans.  A job Fair hosted at Bay Pines in February 2011 drew more than 425 Veterans and nearly two dozen employers with openings.  “Our emphasis is to find jobs for disabled Veterans,” said Muriel Boysen of the Veterans Employment Outreach Program.  “We will certainly assist all disabled Veterans and are specifically targeting Veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.”  Laverne Feaster, Employment Re-entry Service at Bay Pines VA said, “Veterans want jobs and need jobs to assist in their recovery and re-integration to civilian life.  Any employer who can hire one of America’s Heroes is helping that Veteran with more than just a paycheck, they are helping that Veteran get back on track.”

Employers with job openings are actively being solicited.  For more information contact Muriel Boysen (727) 538-7370, extension 336 or Laverne Feaster (727) 398-6661 extension 7593.

Women Veterans Conference!
Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) Conference Is Coming to Orlando, FL
U.S. Small Business Administration
And Syracuse University
Bring
V-WISE to Orlando, Florida
March 1-3, 2012

Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) is an entrepreneurial training program for female veterans of all service eras and branches with a passion for and interest in either starting a new small business or growing an existing one.

This unique entrepreneurship training program was designed specifically by Syracuse University with the Office of Veterans Business Development, U.S. Small Business Administration to encourage and support female veterans interested in pursuing careers as small business owners and entrepreneurs. V-WISE is committed to helping female veterans interested in pursuing careers as small business owners and entrepreneurs. This unique entrepreneurship training program is committed to helping women veterans by providing them the tools to become successful entrepreneurs; its goal is to integrate their leadership, integrity, focus and drive into a premier education training programs taught by accomplished entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators from across the United States.

V-WISE enables female veterans to find their passion and to learn the business-savvy skills to turn their ideas or businesses into growth ventures while recognizing entrepreneurship as an important part of economic growth nationwide. This program is key for female veterans to truly pursue their dreams and make them a reality!

V-WISE is a three-phase program

• Phase 1: What’s first? A 35-day online, self-study course focuses on the basic skills of entrepreneurship and the language of business.
• Phase 2: Ready, Set, Go! a three-day conference where participants are exposed to accomplished entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators from across the United States. This segment includes two tracks or training: a growth track, tailored to those participants already in business, and a startup track focused on potential future entrepreneurs. Courses include business planning, marketing, accounting/finance, operations/production, human resources and work life balance. (The online course segment is a prerequisite to conference training.).
• Phase 3: Keep Moving…provides ongoing support and mentorship delivered online and through a robust, comprehensive network of mentors and partners.

Admission is on a rolling basis so early application is highly recommended. Participants are responsible for a one-time $75 registration fee and their transportation to and from the on-site conference. All hotel and conference fees are covered through the support of the Small Business Administration.

If you are a female veteran, active-duty female transitioning within 24-months, spouse or female partner of a veteran who is running or growing a small business, or if you are interested in starting a new small business, then V-WISE is your answer!

To apply visit Whitman.syr.edu/vwise.
U.S. Small Business Administration
And Syracuse University
Bring
V-WISE to Orlando, FL
March 1-3, 2012
Female veterans should apply immediately!
Click here to view the V-WISE Brochure (PDF)

VeteranOwnedBusiness.com is proud to announce the addition of several new categories added to our Free Veteran Owned Business Directory of nearly 10,000 members.

The following approved sub-categories have been suggested by one or more of our Veteran Owned Business Directory members.

1. New Mobility and Handicap Access Vans (in New Car Dealerships in Automotive in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
2. Inflatable Party Supply Rentals (in Event, Party and Entertainment Services in the main Business Services Category)
3. Mobile Video Game Theater (in Party Supplies in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
4. Animals and Pet (in the main Nonprofit and Free Help Category)
5. Radio Controlled Equipment (in Hobbies and Crafts in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
6. Watches Stores (in Jewelry in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
7. Quilt Repair (in Home Decor in Home and Garden in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
8. Military Pins (in Military and Law Enforcement in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
9. Swimming (in Outdoor Activities in the main Arts and Entertainment Category)
10. Car Wash Locations (in Automotive in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)

A special “Thank You” to our members and visitors who suggested one or more of the aforementioned new sub-categories!

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If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.

Attention Veteran Owned Business Members and Visitors:

The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and Coastal Carolina Community College are pleased to co-host the Walbridge subcontractor networking event at the following location:

February 17, 2012  9:00 -11:00 am
Coastal Carolina Community College
Melton Skills Building
Rm 104
444 Western Blvd
Jacksonville, NC 28546

Seeking Local and Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned SB, HUBZone SB, Veteran-Owned SB, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned SB Firms

Since its first federal project at Selfridge Field in 1917 until today, Walbridge has successfully completed a wide variety of projects for the federal government. We understand the technical requirements associated with government construction work and we create high-value solutions for our customers and the nation.

Over the past 95 years, Walbridge has steadily grown to become one of the top construction firms in the country with more than 1,000 full-time personnel. In 2011, Engineering News-Record ranked Walbridge 47^th on its annual Top 400 Contractors List. With experience in diverse market segment and various contracting services, we adapt to fit our clients’ unique project requirements.  In doing so, Walbridge provides superior construction services in a variety of market segments including, but not limited to: Automotive, Aviation, Commercial, Cultural, Educational, Energy, Government (both state and federal), Healthcare, Manufacturing, Power, Retail,   Wastewater and Sewerage.

Walbridge’s goal is to provide information, guidance and technical assistance to assist small business’ in taking advantage of the federal government’s procurement activities. It is Walbridge’s commitment to promote the use of Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned SB, HUBZone SB, Veteran-Owned SB and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned SB Firms. We establish scopes of work that are solely dedicated to small business participation, along with identifying and breaking out smaller packages from larger scopes of work.  As part of our subcontracting strategy, Walbridge engages in a “Prompt-Pay” policy for the benefit of Small Business partners, recommending that these firms be paid in a shorter time frame than is typical to the industry.

Our commitment to exceed all Small Business goals is not one to use less competitive or more expensive businesses, but to partner with small businesses that have the competitive advantage of working in their local communities, knowing the regional construction trends and being close to their work.

Project Name: P-1253 2D Combat Engineer/Maintenance Ops Facility, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Owner: NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic

Solicitation Number: N40085-11-R-4025

Design and construction of 8 multi-story and/or single-story reinforced concrete masonry unit buildings on pile foundations with structural steel framing, reinforced concrete foundation and floors, reinforced masonry walls and brick veneer. Construction will include administrative space, storage space, drive-through equipment maintenance bays, communications/electronic equipment repair, secure weapons armory with covered weapons cleaning area, indoor simulated marksmanship trainer, showers and locker areas.

Built-in equipment includes a vehicle exhaust system, a waste oil storage tank, 15-ton hydraulic lifts, 30-ton and 20-ton bridge cranes (with 7.5-ton auxiliary cranes) in addition to multiple 7.5 ton cranes in the maintenance facility, welding hood, woodworking dust collection system, paint booth, lubricant fluid distribution system, overhead doors, radiant heating system, and waste oil collection.

Site preparation includes site clearing, excavation and preparation for construction. Paving and site improvements include grading, landscaping, sidewalks, curbs, parking, roadways, fencing and storm-water drainage. Also included are parking for heavy vehicles, open storage areas, vehicle washracks, loading ramps, cantilevered gates and environmental measures. Electrical utilities include primary and secondary distribution systems, lighting, transformers, and telephone and communication networks. Mechanical utilities include heating, ventilation and air conditioning, water lines, plumbing and plumbing fixtures, sewage pumping station, sanitary sewer lines, fire protection systems and supply lines. Also included are vehicle wash systems and an oil/water separator.

The estimated contract to budget amount of the project is $66,750,000.

Project Name: P705/P710 Hangar, Apron, Parking Garage & Ordanance Loading Area Addition, MCAS New River, North Carolina

Owner: NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic

Solicitation Number: N40085-11-R-4024

Hangar and Apron (P-705) - Design and construct a High Bay Aircraft Maintenance Hangar (Type II Hangar per UFC 4-211-01N (Header Truss System)). The square footage of the Hangar is 69,955 square feet. Hangar will have a hangar bay, shop spaces, flight line and class room space in support of one CH-53 aircraft training squadron. The hangar will be steel frame construction (Header Truss). The doors at the front of the Hangar Bay will be rolling Hangar Doors. Electrical systems will include fire protection, electrical distribution and weather vision systems. Site preparation includes an access roadway and relocation of an existing water line. Project will demo two buildings 6,625 square feet total. Project will construct a 6,625 square foot equipment storage shelter. Built-In-Equipment for the Hangar is the following: One passenger elevator, a bridge crane, back-up generator, waste fluid collection system, and aircraft power. Special foundation features include pile foundation for the hangar. The Apron (Access Apron and Parking Apron) will be 824,236 square feet. Project will include a pedestrian bridge and two vehicle flight line gates. Project will required to be LEED Silver Certified.

Parking Garage (P-705) – Construct a 1,200 space three to four story privately owned vehicle parking garage. Special foundation features include pile foundation. The design will be provided. Built-In-Equipment for the Parking Garage includes two passenger traction elevators. Storm Water Management Permit and Erosion Sediment Permit will be provided. An Air permit will be required. Sustainable design features will be included in the design and construction of the projects in accordance with Executive Order 13123 and comply with Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Ordinance Loading Area Addition (P-710) – Construct a 368,018 square foot Ordinance Loading Area Addition. The design will be provided. The Ordnance Loading Area consist of the following: Arming and De-arming Pad (35,338 square feet); Combat Aircraft Loading Area (173,234 square feet); Taxiway – Asphalt (73,378 square feet); and Taxiway – Asphalt (86,068 square feet). Built-In-Equipment will include lighting control system. Sustainable design features will be included in the design and construction of the projects in accordance with Executive Order 13123 and comply with Energy Policy Act of 2005.

The estimated contract to budget amount of the project is $79,666,700, not including FF&E.

Pre-qualification Form:  We require each of our subcontractors to complete an online prequalification. You can complete this online application and view our current bid agenda by going to: www.walbridge.com  and clicking on Bid Agenda or Pre-Qual/Profile on the bottom right corner of the Walbridge webpage.

Who Should Attend.  Presently Walbridge is looking for qualified local and Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned SB, HUBZone SB, Veteran-Owned SB and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned SB Firms to join our project teams. Walbridge is seeking subcontractors within all divisions.  Specialty contractors within all divisions and suppliers are encouraged to attend.

Registration.  To pre-register for this event, http://www.ncmbc.us/Walbridge.php.

POC.

Detroit to Host VA Small Business Conference, Hiring Fair
Help for Veterans Who Own Businesses, Seek Jobs

The National Veterans Small Business Conference, the government’s premier event for Veteran-owned small businesses, is coming to Detroit’s Cobo Center June 25-29, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced today.

VA also announced that a “VA for Vets” Hiring Fair will be held during the conference for Veterans looking for careers in the public and private sectors. The conference is expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees, and bring an estimated $3 million in direct spending to the city.

“VA is committed to bringing more Veteran-owned businesses into the public-private partnership,” said VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich. “In addition to the National Veterans Small Business Conference, our Detroit Hiring Fair will provide Veterans with on-the-spot job opportunities and interviews, while also offering career search classes and one-on-one counseling.”

Last year’s National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo in New Orleans drew almost 5,000 attendees, and more than 6,000 participants are expected this year.

The Detroit Hiring Fair builds upon VA’s success Jan. 18 in Washington at which a partnership of federal agencies and private industry attracted over 4,100 Veterans and resulted in over 2,600 on-the-spot interviews and more than 500 tentative job offers.

“These events are part of Secretary Shinseki’s ongoing efforts to help Veterans find employment in both the public and private sectors,” said Gingrich. “As the President said in yesterday’s State of the Union address, Veterans are crucial to our economy, and we need to find them jobs.”

This year’s conference will include an open house that gives Veterans the chance to learn the wide range of resources available to help them with their own businesses.  Also available will be the VetGovPartner online platform, which enables networking, viewing the business profiles of all participants, and identifying business opportunities with more than 400 government procurement decision makers in attendance.

Known historically as the world’s capital for the transportation industry, the Detroit metro area is reinventing itself with six booming industries: medical research, defense, entertainment, green tech, urban farming, and aeronautics.  About 330,000 Veterans are served by the city’s VA medical center, and more than 704,000 Veterans live in Michigan.

VA invites all interested persons and businesses to attend.  More information is available at www.nationalveteransconference.com. Registration for the conference begins Friday, January 27.

Technology Innovation Funding for Small Businesses and Exporting

Date: February 28, 2012 10:00am-12:00pm
Venue: CT Northwest Chamber of Commerce
Suite R101, 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790
Parking: Free
Registration: 9:45am-10:00am
Click here to register and find out more about this event

Join Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), the Small Business Association (SBA), the CT Procurement Technical Assistance Program (CT-PTAP), the U.S. Commercial Service, and the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at this informational seminar concerning Federal Small Business Innovation grants and Export assistance. If you are a veteran, woman, or minority-owned small tech business in Connecticut, come to this event to find out more about how we can help your small technology business compete in local, national, and global economies!

About the Connecticut Small Business SBIR Office:
A Federal and State Technology partnership program exists in Connecticut to provide education and support services in 2012 to women, minority, and veteran owned technology owned small businesses to help them understand and access federal Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) grants. The federal Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program is a way for small tech. businesses to fund their research and development without taking out loans and without giving up equity or intellectual property. The Connecticut SBIR office has built best practices and an extensive networking database including major defense contractors and other leading firms that share an interest in increasing the diversity of their innovative and talented supply chains.

About the U.S. Commercial Service:
The U.S. Commercial Service is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. The U.S. Commercial Service promotes economic prosperity, enhances job creation, and strengthens national security through a global network of the best international trade professionals. It promotes and protects U.S. commercial interests aboard and delivers customized solutions to ensure that U.S. businesses are successful in the global marketplace.

About Connecticut PTAP:
The Procurement Technical Assistance Program provides marketing and technical assistance to Connecticut businesses selling, or interested in selling, their products and/or services to federal, state and local government agencies. Services include customized client bid matching, individual counseling, seminars, bid/proposal preparation, assistance with Central Contractor Registration (CCR), and specialized marketing assessments. Services are state wide and offered at no cost to businesses.

About the SBA:
SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses that have been specifically designed to meet key financing needs, including debt financing, surety bonds, and equity financing.
For more Information/Registration Contact:
Joshua Maurer: 1-860-638-6950 or joshua.maurer@trade.gov
Roberta Rossi: 1-860-257-2338 or roberta.rossi@ctionnovations.com
Anthony Sargis: 1-860-638-6950 or anthony.sargis@trade.gov

*Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Please contact Roberta Rossi at 860 257 2338 to make arrangements.

VeteranOwnedBusiness.com is proud to announce the addition of several new categories added to our Free Veteran Owned Business Directory of nearly 10,000 members.

The following approved sub-categories have been suggested by one or more of our Veteran Owned Business Directory members.

1. Sub Shops (in the main Food and Drink Category)
2. Cajun Style Restaurants (in Restaurants and Dining in the main Food and Drink Category)
3. Tanning Salons (in Bath, Beauty and Body in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
4. UPS Stores Owned by Veterans (in Shipping and Packaging Stores in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
5. Oil and Lube Services (in Automotive in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
6. Automotive Brake Services (in Automotive in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
7. Automotive Window Tinting (in Automotive in the main Stores, Dealers and Products Category)
8. Moving Truck Rentals (in Relocation Services in the main Real Estate Related Category)
9. Security Guard Trainings (in the main Security and Safety Category)
10. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) (in Business Resource Centers (BRC) in the main Nonprofit and Free Help Category)

A special “Thank You” to our members and visitors who suggested one or more of the aforementioned new sub-categories!

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If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.

The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.