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)

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.

NASA Veteran Owned Business and SDVOSB Industry Day 2012
Houston Texas
January 31, 2012

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is announcing a “NASA-Wide Veteran Owned Small Business/Service Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Industry Day 2012” event to be hosted by the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center on January 31, 2012, in Houston, TX.

All Veteran Owned Small Businesses/Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses are highly encouraged to attend this NASA-wide event and participate in various Workshops such as “Responding to Market Research and Sources Sought Synopses”, “NASA Mentor Protégé Program”, “Small Business Program Changes”, and “Working with Prime Contractors”, as well as sign up for One-on-One Business Matchmaking Sessions to present your company capabilities. You will have the opportunity to present your company capabilities to various JSC Center Program and Technical Directorates, all the NASA Centers, as well as local JSC Large Prime Contractors.

NASA has placed high importance on achieving the SDVOSB goal  participation for Fiscal Year 2012 and beyond and therefore is seeking the maximum practicable attendance and participation of all SDVOSB’s.

Your attention is invited to visit the following weblink at
http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/SB-IndustryDay.html for more information on the Agenda for the day’s events, RSVP information, maps and directions, as well as to sign up for the Workshops and One-on-One Business Matchmaking Sessions.

The November-December 2011 VetLikeMe SDVOSB Newsletter (Volume 2, No. 6) is now available for viewing.

In this issue: Aldevra GAO Decision — Moot but Not Mute – My name is Rodney Marshall, owner of Aldevra. Many people have followed our case over the last several months. It started by protesting the Department of Veterans Affairs‘ (VA) solicitations to use the fed-eral supply schedule (FSS) without first considering service disabled veteran owned small businesses (SDVOSBs). The Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained our protest (meaning they agreed the VA should consider SDVOSBs before FSS) and recom-mended that the VA cancel the solicitations and re-solicit as SDVOSB set aside if there were two or more qualified SDVOSBs. The VA initially refused to comply with GAO‘s recommendation and, most recently, cancelled the solicitations so it becomes a moot issue.… click here to view entire issue.

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VetLikeMe (VLM) is a publication focused entirely on service-disabled veteran owned business.  We feature National news that affects our community, interviews with federal government officials and agencies, legislative activities at the State level and editorial opinion.

Launched in October 2009, VLM is published by BluePoint Productions, a non-profit business certified and verified by the  Veterans Administration as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.

Hardy R. Stone, the sole proprietor of BluePoint Productions, is a 100% service-connected disabled veteran (SDVOSB).

The following newsletters require Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free download from adobe.com.

Current VetLikeMe Issue:

November – December 2011 VetLikeMe

Archived VetLikeMe Issues:

September – October 2011 VetLikeMe

July – August 2011 VetLikeMe Newsletter

May – June 2011 VetLikeMe Newsletter

March – April 2011 VetLikeMe Newsletter

January – February 2011 VetLikeMe Newsletter

November – December 2010 VetLikeMe Newsletter

July – August 2010 VetLikeMe Newsletter

May – June 2010 VetLikeMe Newsletter

March – April 2010 VetLikeMe Newsletter

January – February 2010 VetLikeMe Newsletter

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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.

VeteranOwnedBusiness.com is proud to announce the addition of several new sub-categories added to our Free Veteran Owned Business Directory of over 8,000 members.

Attention Veteran Owned Business Members and Visitors:

We recently added a new Veterans Administration Medical Center links page to the Veteran Owned Business Resource section.  Here you will find links to each VAMC around the United States (including Puerto Rico).  We’ve also added a link to many VAMC Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and more!

Click the VA Seal below to view a state-by-state list of VAMC websites, VAMC Facebook pages and VAMC Twitter accounts.

The Women Veterans Business Center (WVBC) celebrated its 1st Anniversary on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at The Palm Center in Houston. The WVBC, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2010 by Army Veteran and businesswoman Marylyn Harris to educate and empower women veterans and military families to start and grow veteran owned businesses.

The anniversary fundraiser event, included training for business owners, a youth entrepreneur challenge, an expo, a keynote speaker, and the recognition of local woman veteran owned businesses.

The Women Veterans Business Center presented the 2011 Woman Veteran Business of the Year Award to Ms. Linda Dailey. Ms Dailey, an Air Force Veteran, is the owner of Health Initiatives Learning Center (HILC) and the Founder of Restoration Ministries in Galveston. HILC is a school that trains and entry-level Healthcare and Technology professionals and Restoration Ministries is a shelter for homeless woman. “Ms. Dailey embodies the resilient spirit of Women Veterans.” says Marylyn Harris, Army Veteran and Founder of the Women Veterans Business Center. “Her strong faith and commitment to employing women and improving communities is contagious.”

The 2011 Veteran Friendly Company of the Year Award was presented to Dignity Memorial Funeral Services. Donese Greene, Sales Manager, accepted for Dignity. “Dignity believes that every Veteran should have a dignified burial,” she said.

Air Force Veteran and business owner, Jean Craig, was the event’s keynote speaker. Mrs Craig, a Nurse during the Korean War, wowed the audience with her military stories and useful “lessons learned” from her successful Mesquite Wood business. Event attendees received ‘top notch’ training from Houston SBA Deputy Director, Mark Winchester, Houston SCORE President, Beth Shapiro and a Bankers/Lenders panel that included representatives from Chase Bank, Peoplefund, Houston Business Development, Inc and 4P Enterprises, a veteran owned firm. Representatives from the Houston VA Hospital , Office of Acquisitions were onsite, along with representatives from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), Harris County Veterans Services, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Depelchin Veterans Program and Riverside General Hospital PTSD Program for Veterans.

The anniversary event provided entrepreneurship training for the entire military family. In the Boardroom, the WVBC’s Military Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge took place. Military youth (with Youth Coaches from Windsor Village Church Christian Millionaires in the Making Ministry), competed in teams and presented strategies to grow a local business. After the competition, Mr Willie “Skyy” Foreman, a former Harlem Globetrotter and owner of Swirlls Yogurt in Spring Branch’s CityCentre, remarked, “I want to hire the Military Youth Teams to train my staff on the strategies they presented today.” Foreman was among a panel of judges tasked with choosing the best strategies that would increase his customer base and annual revenue.

The anniversary attendees enjoyed an EXPO after the training and awards ceremony concluded. Woman veteran owned businesses and community vendors convened on the exhibit floor to showcase their products and services. The EXPO was co-sponsored by Goodwill Industries (Houston) Homeless Women Veterans Program and included free massages from Massage Envy, free makeovers by Modern Makeup Society, and WVBC Signature PINK CAMP Cupcakes by Organic Sweete Shoppe. The Newcomers and Neighbors of Greater Houston (NNGH) provided the “We Support Women Veterans” banners and donated business suits for homeless women veterans going to interview for jobs or to business meetings.

Houston is home to over 200,000 Veterans and home to over 30,000 Women Veterans. The Women Veterans Business Center serves as a conduit, connecting women veteran- owned businesses (Suppliers) to industry, government and the non-profit sector. WVBC services include: Event Planning (Outreach / Networking Events), Business Training and Business Coaching.

For more information on the Women Veterans Business Center, contact the WVBC at (713) 230–8926, on FACEBOOK or LINKEDIN, or via email at Director@WomenVeteransBusinessCenter.org.

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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.