Federal Government Contracting Certification Programs Workshop

SBA Business Opportunity Specialist Presents Federal Government Contracting Certification Programs Workshop In Reading, Pa.

READING, Pa.– U.S. Small Business Administration Business Opportunity Specialist George Tapia presents a workshop on Federal Government Contracting Certification Programs at the Berks County Community Foundation Building on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. The free workshop, hosted by the SE PA Procurement Technical Assistance Center, will focus on eligibility requirements for participating in federal contracting opportunities available to certified Woman-Owned Small Businesses, SBA’s HUBZone Program and SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program.

WHAT: FREE “Federal Government Contracting Certification Programs Workshop” presentation at the Berks County Community Foundation Building. Topics covered include eligibility requirements for participating in federal contracting opportunities available to certified Woman-Owned Small Businesses, SBA’s HUBZone Program and SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program. For additional information, please contact Laurie Sterner at lsterner@kutztown.edu or 484-646-4005.
WHO: George Tapia, U.S. Small Business Administration Eastern Pennsylvania District Office Business Opportunity Specialist and successful former 8(a) business owner.

WHEN: Thursday, January 21, 2016 from 1 to 3 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather the reschedule date is Tuesday, January 26, 2016, 1 to 3 p.m

WHERE: Berks County Community Foundation Building, 237 Court Street, Reading, Pa. 19601

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. SBA recognizes that small business is critical to the nation’s economic recovery and strength, to building America’s future, and to helping the United States compete in today’s global marketplace. SBA’s programs are tailored to encourage small enterprises in all areas. SBA’s programs include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. SBA also provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade.

The U.S. government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world, awarding approximately $500 billion in contracts every year. The SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development works with federal agencies to award at least 23 percent of all prime government contract dollars to small businesses and help federal agencies meet specific statutory goals for small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses (WOSB), service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB), and small businesses that are located in historically underutilized business zones (HUBZone). In addition, SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program assists eligible socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in developing and growing their businesses through one-on-one counseling, training workshops, matchmaking opportunities with federal buyers, and other management and technical guidance.