Government Contracting News Flash
Insider Tips and Solutions
Coming Up in February: Training For Government Contracting

If you represent a business trying to break into Government contracting or a business looking for ways to become more successful in Government contracting, make a note of the Government Contracting Training Series coming up in February 2010 at the TRDA Business Innovation Center in Melbourne FL.

Seminar fee: $30 per seminar or $80/for series of 4.
 
Register  on-line at bcctraining.com.
 
For more information call 321-433-5570 or 321-433-5572. 
What's on Your Mind?

If you are interested in any specific topics, please let us know so we can cover them in the upcoming issues. Thank you.

Email us with topics you would like us to cover

Selling to Government Made Easy
Selling to the Government Made Easy
If you are an established business located in Central Florida and are interested in selling your product or service to the government, take advantage of the FREE counseling available through the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Small Business Development Center at UCF. Start your journey into the world of government contracting with the right tools and proven strategies.
 Email Tony Espinosa, Procurement Specialist

Ask the DCAA Experts 
 
Email your questions to our former DCAA auditors ready to help 

Government Cost Accounting

Have questions regarding government cost accounting, such as fringe, overhead and G&A costs, ICE Models, Rate calculations & audits, FAR & DCAA regulations?
 
Email Debbie Goode, CPA
Website: Hoyman Dobson
Insurance
As a Government contractor, how can you make sure your insurance coverage fully meets your needs and the industry requirements?  With questions on  Workers' Comp, General Liability, Auto Liability, Professional Liab, Employee Benefits 
Intellectual Property
Protect your brand and your product through timely and proper trademark and patent registration. Where do you get started?
 
GSA Schedules
Let Gary help you win and administer GSA contracts, market, set pricing and manage your  GSAAdvantage! catalog!
 
Legal Solutions
Ed can help with representing Government Contractors in bid preparation, bid protests, performance issues, claims, and disputes 
 
Bid Proposals
For program management, proposal planning and development as well as system engineering, contact
 
I.T. Services
Deltek hosting, design, build, maintain voice and data network infrastructure services are provided by
 
Trade
For International trade strategies & trade compliance solutions, including Government Regulatory Compliance & ITAR Agreements,  contact
 
Beth GItlin (website forthcoming)

Please note:

The individual companies participating in GCAT are not affiliated with each other for any purpose other than providing educational programs for issues related to government contracting.  Participating companies do not share fees and, have no obligation to refer client's to companies participating in GCAT and do not assume any responsibility or liability for information provided by any member of GCAT.
                                    January 2010
Greetings!
 
As you start rolling out your 2010 networking plans we wanted to bring to your attention some of the Trade Shows that are scheduled to take place in Central Florida. Our Government Contracting Advisory Team wants to make sure you are aware of all opportunities that might benefit your Government contracting business in 2010.  
 
National Small Business Contracting Summit - Southeast - January 26 - 27, 2010 - Orlando, FL. For more details on this upcoming event and to register visit NSBCS website.
 
Brevard School Board - February 10, 2010 - Reverse Trade Show - 10am - 2pm. To learn more and register to attend, please click here.
 
GSA Training Conference & Expo - May 4th - May 6th, 2010 - Orlando, FL. According to the website, exhibit floor space is available to companies holding a current contract with GSA. Visitor information will be available at a later date. To learn more and check for updates, visit GSA Expo website.
 
Canaveral Port Authority Reverse Trade Show -  in light of Brevard School Board Reverse Trade Show in February, it sounds like the Port's Trade Show this year is being moved back from April to August 2010. Make sure to keep on checking the Port Authority's website for updates.
 
UID Forum - September 7- 9, 2010 - Orlando, FL. The UID Forum is designed to provide practical guidance to help educate military program managers and DoD contractors achieve successful UID implementation. To learn about exhibiting or participating at the forum, visit UID Forum website.
 
In the next issue we will provide you with additional Trade Expos and Conferences that are scheduled for the later part of the year. In the meantime, if you are aware of any events that the Government contractors may benefit from, please send us an email at agroh@hoyman.com so we can share the information with your peers.
8(a) Business Development (BD)
Beware of Excessive Withdrawals: They Can Lead to 8(a) Business Development Termination 
By Cindy Lennard, CPA, Tax Supervisor
 
Questions for Cindy? Send Cindy an email - clennard@hoyman.com
 
The SBA's 8(a) Business Development (BD) program was created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete and have access to the federal procurement program.  According to SBA, in order to qualify for the 8(a) BD Program certification your company:
  • Must be a small business
  • Must be unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character and citizens of the US and
  • Must demonstrate potential for success

As an 8(a) BD certified business, your company must continuously meet eligibility criteria established by the SBA in order to maintain the economically disadvantaged small business status.  These criteria are now being heavily enforced.

Read the rest of the article

Other articles of interest
Bill would jail those who fraudulently seek set-asides 
 
Service-disabled veterans may get some added protection from crooks who win government set-aside contracts by misrepresenting themselves as veteran-owned businesses. 
 
Officers of a company that misrepresented itself as a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business could be punished by as much as $5,000 in fines, two years in prison, or both, according to legislation that was introduced Nov. 19.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that some businesses have been allowed to fraudulently and shamefully profit at the expense of our veterans," said Rep. Glenn Nye (D-Va.).  
Other Associations and Groups to consider in 2010
In the previous issue of our newsletter we featured several local Trade Associations we thought Government contractors could consider for networking opportunities. We received feedback from some of our readers and below are 2 more organizations that you, as a Government Contractor, may benefit from.
 
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) - the Association originally began as Women in Construction of Forth Worth, TX back in 1953. The Association was so popular, in just 2 years it became a national Association known as the National Association of Women in Construction.  For additional information visit the local Chapters' websites: Space Coast Chapter  & Greater Orlando Chapter.  
 
Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association  (AFCEA) - according to afcea.org, this non-profit membership association was established in 1946 with the goal of serving  the military, government, industry, and academia as a forum for advancing knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. For information on the local chapters visit Canaveral Chapter, Central Florida Chapter, or Tampa-St.Petersburg Chapter.
 
If you can think of any other local organizations and associations your Government contractors peers may be interested in, email agroh@hoyman.com so we can share the information with the rest of the newsletter's readers.  Thank you!

Meet the GCAT

The Government Contracting Advisory Team
Through the independent services of the Government Contracting Advisory Team (GCAT) businesses can quickly find professional resources to help them succeed in all areas of government contracting.  
 
GCAT can help you with:
  • Marketing & GSA Schedules (including GSA Contract Administration)
  • Accounting services (including assistance with Government cost accounting systems, audit/reviews, and DCAA representation) 
  • Insurance needs (including Defense Base Act/Foreign Exposures)
  • Legal services (such as Intellectual Property Strategies & Contract Negotiation)
  • I.T. Services, including DelTek hosting
  • Proposal Planning & Development
  • International trade strategies and trade compliance solutions, including CTPAT & ITAR
  • Quick access to industry veterans and resources
  • And much more!

The GCAT Members include: