Do you want to sell to JP Morgan Chase?

LAUSD to Conduct Small Business Boot Camp

Los Angeles Unified School District

SMALL BUSINESS BOOT CAMP

SEMINAR SCHEDULE FALL 2012

The Small Business Boot Camp seminars will begin September 12, 2012 and will take place every Wednesday (except September 26th) from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

All seminars will be at the District Headquarters located at 333 S. Beaudry Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90017.

Course Seminars include:

Bonding & Certification

How to Develop a Safety Plan

LAUSD Contractor Prequalification

How to Bid on Informal and Formal Contracts

Public Contract Law

Access to Capital & Governing Tax Guidelines

Labor Compliance, Project Stabilization Agreement

& We Build Program

The Principles of Estimating & Scheduling

Mock Bidding

10-Hour Construction Safety and Health Outreach Program

You may register at www.laschools.org/sbe.

Contact Person: Ken Billups at 213.241.5204 or Kenneth.billups@lausd.net.

PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIVISION

SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM

High-Speed Rail Industry Forum

Industry Forum: August 14, 2012 California High-Speed Rail Authority to Highlight Central Valley Construction Packages 2, 3 & 4 The California High-Speed Rail Authority is hosting an Industry Forum on August 14, 2012 at the Save Mart Center on the California State University Fresno campus. The event will provide firms interested in pursuing High-Speed Rail contracts with an overview of the Request for Qualifications, scheduled for release in September. The general session will be followed by a teaming event, where potential prime contractors will be encouraged to set up an exhibition area in order to provide information to and gather information from Small Businesses, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises who attend the event. As a reminder, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has established an overall Small Business goal of 30%. For updated event details, visit http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/forum.aspx  Location: California State University Fresno, Save Mart Center 2650 East Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710 Complimentary onsite parking will be available. Agenda: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.          Registration 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.        Program and Presentation 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.        Meet-the-Primes Networking Registration: The event is free and open to the public. To expedite the registration process in the morning, we highly advise attendees to pre-register for the event. Pre-Registration closes Friday, August 10 at 10:00 am. We ask that businesses please pre-register at http://cahsr.pbcommentsense.com/forum.aspx . Onsite registration will also be available the day of the event. Networking Recommendations: Due to the number of attendees expected, we encourage all attendees to bring handouts highlighting your business. These should detail your interest, your services, any applicable license(s) or certification(s), and your contact information. If you have questions, please contact SBProgram@hsr.ca.gov. Any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate may request assistance by contacting the Authority no later than August 9 at SBProgram@hsr.ca.gov.

SBA Proposed Additional Changes to Size Definitions for Small Business

The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking comment on three proposed rules published in The Federal Register that would revise the size definitions for small businesses in the Utilities; Construction; and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sectors.  The proposed revisions reflect changes in marketplace conditions. 

The proposed rule for the Utilities sector will revise the size standard for nine industries.   The rule proposes changing six of the industries dealing with electric power generation, distribution and transmission from revenue-based size standards to an employee based size standard of 500 employees.

It would also increase the size standards for the remaining three industries in the Utilities sector from $7 million to $25.5 million for water supply and irrigation systems, $7 million to $19 million for sewage treatment facilities, and $12.5 million to $14 million for steam and air conditioning supply.   SBA estimates as many as 400 additional firms in this sector would become eligible for SBA programs as a result of these revisions.

SBA also proposed increases in size standards for one industry and one sub-industry in the Construction sector.  Specifically, SBA proposed to increase the size standard for Land Subdivision from $7 million to $25 million and from $20 million to $30 million for businesses engaged in Dredging and Surface Cleanup activities.  SBA estimates that more than 400 additional firms will become eligible for SBA’s programs and services, if adopted.   

The SBA’s third proposed rule would increase the small business size standards for 17 industries in the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector.   As many as 1,450 additional firms could become eligible for SBA’s programs and services if the proposed increases are adopted. 

Comments can be submitted on these proposed rules on or before September 17, 2012, at www.regulations.gov, identified by the following RIN numbers: 

1.         Proposed Rule:  Small Business Size Standards; Utilities (NAICS Sector 22) (RIN 3245-AG25)

2.         Proposed Rule:  Small Business Size Standards; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (NAICS Sector 71) (RIN 3245-AG36)

3.         Proposed Rule:  Small Business Size Standards; Construction (NAICS Sector 23) (RIN 3245-AG37)

You may also mail comments to Khem R. Sharma, Chief, Size Standards Division, 409 3rd St., SW, Mail Code 6530, Washington, DC  20416.

As part of an ongoing review of all size standards, the SBA takes into account the structural characteristics within individual industries, including average firm size, the degree of competition, and federal government contracting trends to ensure that small business size definitions reflect current economic conditions within those industries.  Under provisions in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, SBA will continue its comprehensive review of all size standards for the next several years. 

The revisions to the size standards in these sectors will enable more small businesses to retain their small business status; will give federal agencies a larger pool of small businesses to choose from for small business procurement opportunities and help eligible small businesses benefit from SBA’s loan programs. 

From SBA News Release on July 18, 2012.