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HVBF - Financial Performance Roundtable Host: Loyola College in Maryland Attending: Joe Biglin, BreakAway Ltd Chairman Bob Locke opened the first meeting of the Financial Performance Roundtable with a welcome and introduction of those attending. Members and guests identified themselves, briefly described their companies and stated their expectations for today’s roundtable. Bob then introduced Hallot Watkins, Assistant District Director, Small Business Administration (SBA), Baltimore District Office. Hallot began the first segment of our discussion with an explanation of the HUBZone program. A significant number of businesses in Hunt Valley are located in the defined area and have available special incentives to take advantage of the opportunities afforded under federal procurement guidelines. Hallot’s presentation included the purpose of the program, eligibility requirements, program status, demographics and goals. Hallot described each method of contracting procurement including set-asides, sole source, price preference and subcontracting opportunities. Joint ventures were another opportunity for qualifying companies to participate in the program. Arthenia Johnson LeFlore, Interim Acting Director, Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Program turned the discussion to procurement assistance. Arthenia began at the beginning with “Where Do I Start?” CCR (Central Contractor Registration) is a must. This can be done at Pro-Net at http://www.sba.gov. Arthenia explained the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP). Register with the program at www.mdptap.umd.edu. The process of qualifying your company to bid on Federal and state contracts is technical and requires time and hard work. The good news is that Arthenia is available one on one to help you through. The resources are there. June Smith, Immediate System Resources, Inc, was present and helpful in describing her process through the system and the resulting rewards for the hard work. Contact information for June is below. FEEDBACK from those attending indicated that 100% felt their expectations were met and the meeting was valuable. This roundtable discussion was appropriate to any company interested in selling to the government. The information was relevant to all and not just those located in Hunt Valley. Look for announcements of future meetings of the Financial Performance Roundtable. Key contact information: Hallot E. Watkins, Jr., Assistant District Director, Small Business Administration (SBA), Baltimore District Office; email: hallot.Watkins@sba.gov ; phone: 410-962-6195x322. Arthenia Johnson LeFlore, Interim Acting Director, Maryland Procurement Technical Assistance Program; email: aleflore@mdptap.umd.edu ; phone: 1-866-228-0432. June Smith, Immediate System Resources, Inc; email: junebsmith@aol.com; phone: 410-889-1620. Key website summary: More in the handout below “Useful Internet Addresses” Are You A Small Business: http://www.sba.gov/size/summary-whatis.html To learn more about HUBZones: https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/general/findout.cfm Hand Outs:
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