[Federal Register: June 28, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 123)]
[Notices]
[Page 36107-36138]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jn04-91]
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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
Compliance Assistance Resources and Points of Contact Available
to Small Businesses
AGENCY: Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the
President.
ACTION: Notice.
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Authority: The Small Business Paperwork Relief Act (44 U.S.C.
3520).
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of
2002, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is publishing a ``list
of the compliance assistance resources available to small businesses''
and a list of the points of contacts in agencies ``to act as a liaison
between the agency and small business concerns'' with respect to the
collection of information and the control of paperwork.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith B. Belton, Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, E-mail:
kbelton@omb.eop.gov, Telephone: (202) 395-4815. Inquiries may be
submitted by facsimile to (202) 395-7285.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
The Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-198)
requires OMB to ``publish in the Federal Register and make available on
the Internet (in consultation with the Small Business Administration)
``a list of the compliance assistance resources available to small
businesses'' (44 U.S.C. 3504(c)(6)). In addition, under another
provision of this Act, ``each agency shall, with respect to the
collection of information and the control of paperwork, establish 1
point of contact in the agency to act as a liaison between the agency
and small business concerns'' (44 U.S.C. 3506(I)(1)).
Working in cooperation with the Small Business and Agriculture
Enforcement Ombudsman (SBA Ombudsman) in the Small Business
Administration, OMB has, with the active assistance and support of the
SBA Ombudsman, assembled a list of the compliance assistance resources
available to small businesses. Because it may be helpful to the public
to have the list of agency contacts together with the list of
compliance assistance resources, OMB is publishing these lists
together. These lists are also available today on OMB's Web site at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/infocoll.html. The SBA Ombudsman
has created a link to this information on the SBA Ombudsman's Web site
at http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman.
B. Legislative Initiatives
The publication of these lists is part of a more comprehensive
effort to assist small businesses. The context for this initiative
began several years ago with enactment of the ``Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996'' (Pub. L. 104-121, Title
II) (SBREFA). Among other provisions, SBREFA calls on agencies to
``publish one or more guides to assist small entities in complying''
with certain regulations (Section 212), and ``to answer inquiries by
small entities concerning information on, and advice about,
compliance'' with regulatory statutes (Section 213). In other words,
Federal regulatory agencies are to develop small entity compliance
guides and to answer inquiries, and provide advice, about regulatory
compliance issues.
In addition, SBREFA created within the Small Business
Administration the office of the ``Small Business and Agriculture
Enforcement Ombudsman'' (Section 222). The SBA Ombudsman's
responsibilities involve working ``with each agency with regulatory
authority over small businesses to ensure that small business concerns
[involving the agency's implementation and enforcement of those
regulatory authorities] are provided with a means to comment on the
enforcement activity'' conducted by each agency. In other words, the
SBA Ombudsman is to monitor, and report annually to Congress, on the
enforcement practices of Federal regulatory agencies.
SBREFA was followed by the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of
2002 (Pub. L. 107-198) (SBPRA). As described above, this law requires
OMB to publish ``a list of the compliance assistance resources
available to small business.'' OMB is also publishing the points of
contacts in agencies who are ``to act as a liaison between the agency
and small business concerns'' with respect to the collection of
information and the control of paperwork.
In addition, this statute directed the Director of OMB to convene
and have a representative chair a Task Force ``to study the feasibility
of streamlining requirements with respect to small business concerns
regarding collection of information and strengthening dissemination of
information'' (44 U.S.C. 3520). The Small Business Paperwork Relief
Task Force has been developing recommendations to improve and more
closely link the existing assistance resources through the use of
information technology. More specifically, the Small Business Paperwork
Relief Task Force is charged with examining five ways to reduce the
information collection burden placed by government on small business
concerns. They are:
1. Examine the feasibility and desirability of requiring the
consolidation of information collection requirements within and across
Federal agencies and programs, and identify ways of doing so.
2. Examine the feasibility and benefits to small businesses of
having OMB publish a list of data collections organized in a manner by
which they can more easily identify requirements
[[Page 36108]]
with which they are expected to comply.
3. Examine the savings and develop recommendations for implementing
electronic submissions of information to the Federal government with
immediate feedback to the submitter.
4. Make recommendations to improve the electronic dissemination of
information collected under Federal requirements.
5. Recommend a plan to develop an interactive Government-wide
Internet program to identify applicable collections and facilitate
compliance.
SBPRA requires OMB to publish a report on the first three topics by
June 28, 2003. This report can be found on the OMB Web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/infocoll.html.
On May 5, 2004, OMB
published in the Federal Register its Draft Report of the Small
Business Paperwork Relief Task Force. As required, this draft report
discussed the final two topics listed above. The final Report of the
Small Business Paperwork Relief Task Force is available on OMB's Web
site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/infocoll.html.
SBREFA and SBPRA are closely related. SBREFA focuses on helping
small businesses understand how to comply with Federal regulations.
SBPRA focuses on helping small businesses understand how to comply with
Federal collections of information--that is, filling out forms,
reporting information, and keeping certain records. These two types of
requirements are related because, as the Task Force report noted,
agencies generally collect information, or require those regulated to
keep records, as part of regulatory provisions. The information-related
provisions are designed to help the agency ensure compliance with the
rule.
The close functional linkage between compliance with Federal
regulations and with Federal reporting and recordkeeping requirements
suggests it is important to coordinate these legislative initiatives
designed to assist small businesses. It is also the reason that the
development, in particular, of the list of compliance assistance
resources available to small businesses should be viewed in the context
of the recommendations being developed by the Small Business Paperwork
Relief Task Force. The list of compliance assistance resources
describes what is now available at the Federal agencies. The Task Force
has developed recommendations to improve and more closely link the
existing assistance resources through the use of information
technology.
Donald R. Arbuckle,
Deputy Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
Compliance Assistance Summaries and Points of Contact
Agriculture
Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)
FSIS offers compliance assistance to small meat, poultry, and egg
product plants. The FSIS publishes supporting documentation and
guidance materials for federally inspected establishments to use in
designing and implementing sanitation standard operating procedures and
hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) food safety systems.
FSIS provides technical guidance on many subjects of regulation,
including requirements for plant sanitation, the use of food
ingredients and food irradiation sources, and the control of pathogens.
Also, to help meet the challenges our Nation has faced since September
11, 2001, FSIS has published security guidelines for food producing
establishments. Many FSIS publications are available in languages
besides English. Web addresses for these publications are:
Sanitation Compliance Guide: http://www. fsis. usda. gov/
OPPDE/ rdad/ FRPubs/ SanitationCover. htm.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems
and Pathogen Reduction: http://www. fsis. usda. gov/ Science/ Hazard --
Analysis --& --Pathogen --Reduction/ index. asp.
Draft of FSIS Microbiological Hazard Identification Guide
for Meat And Poultry Components of Products Produced by Very Small
Plants: http://www. fsis. usda. gov/ OA/ haccp/ hidguide. htm.
Advice on Controlling Listeria Monocytogenes in Small and
Very Small Meat and Poultry Plants: http://www. fsis. usda. gov/ OPPDE/
Nis/ Outreach/ Listeria. htm.
Federal Register Publications and Supporting Documents:
http://www. fsis. usda. gov/ OPPDE/ rdad/ publications. htm.
FSIS Security Guidelines for Food Processors and
Distributors: http://www. fsis. usda. gov/ Food --Security --& --
Emergency --Preparedness/ Security --Guidelines/ index. asp.
Besides its publications, FSIS offers a telephone service, FSIS
HACCP Hotline (1-800-233-3935), to help establishments solve problems
arising from HACCP plan development and implementation. Assistance on
general matters involving meat, poultry, and egg products is available
from the FSIS Technical Service Center (402-221-7400; Fax: 402-221-
7438; e-mail Tech.Center@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS also operates an extensive small establishment outreach
program, featuring FSIS-sponsored workshops and programs, educational
material development and distribution, HACCP and food-safety training
and training sessions for FSIS consumer safety officers (http://www.
fsis. usda. gov/ Science/ small --very --small --plant --outreach/
index. asp). FSIS consumer safety officers are a highly qualified corps
of individuals with the special mission of helping small establishments
resolve problems arising in their implementation of HACCP systems. FSIS
operates a special food safety outreach program for Native American
communities; it includes training for operators of small meat plants.
Through the FSIS network of State cooperators, seminars and
training classes on HACCP and food safety are held around the country
for operators of food producing establishments. The Outreach Program
also distributes multi-media training materials in CD-ROM and video as
well as printed formats.
Another useful information source on regulatory compliance is an e-
mail service by the FSIS Washington office and directly accessible on
the FSIS Web site. This service, FSIS Regulations
Regulations@fsis.usda.gov) gives information on laws, regulations, and
policies governing FSIS inspection programs and affecting
establishments regulated by FSIS.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS has made compliance assistance resources available to small
business entities in several formats. All work extremely well in that
APHIS has not received complaints or negative comments regarding
insufficient information or difficulty gaining access. The listing of
resources we submitted included four Web addresses:
http://www. aphis. usda. gov/ lpa/ pubs--At this site, small
entities will find publications and other materials to help explain
APHIS programs such as press releases, frequently asked question,
publications, industry alerts, technical reports and stakeholder
announcements.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/video_This Web page provides
access to videos about several APHIS programs. With proper equipment,
the videos can be viewed from a computer. There is also contact
information to obtain copies.
On-Site Evaluations/Assistance--For on-site assistance,
the telephone
[[Page 36109]]
number for each Regional Office is listed to request inspections,
assistance, etc.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ies_This is the Web site of the SBREFA
Contact. It contains program information and contact information.
Comments, complaints, and/or suggestions can be sent by on line mail
service to IES@aphis.usda.gov.
Toll Free Telephone--Comments, complaints, and/or
suggestions can be made without charge by calling 1-866-5Call IES.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
Publications--Regulation, Rules, Technical and Administrative,
Directives, Annual Reports: The Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration posts current FGIS directives on the GIPSA
Web site at: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/pubs/pubs.htm or http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/reference-library/directives.htm.
The publications
are in PDF format, so they may be printed directly from the Web.
Seminars, classes--Technical Training (e.g., Grain Inspection):
GIPSA's Technical Services Division (TSD) provides extensive training
throughout the official inspection system to ensure uniform, accurate
results are provided at all locations. TSD also offers customized
industry education services to facilitate the commercial marketing of
grain. Topics include the visual grading of any grain, rice, bean, pea,
or lentil and objective, non-visual quality tests such as protein, oil,
and mycotoxins. Contact Larry McDonald for more information at:
larry.h.mcdonald@usda.gov.
Telephone service--information about GIPSA: Responding to
customers' needs is GIPSA's main priority. GIPSA designed its programs
to concentrate on customers' needs. If customers have comments on GIPSA
Customer Service Standards or want information on any GIPSA programs,
contact: USDA, GIPSA, STOP 3601, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-3601 or telephone: (202) 720-0219.
CD ROM's/Videos/E-Learning Courses--Technical Information (e.g.,
Procedures for Inspection Grain): GIPSA offers various educational
materials created for the U.S. grain industry. They include multimedia
CD's and several brochures/handouts. Single copies of CDs are available
free by mail and the brochures/handouts are available in PDF format for
online viewing and/or download. All materials are public domain and may
be freely duplicated and distributed in their original form. Contact
Roger Friedrich for more information at: Roger.L.Friedrich@usda.gov or
send a request to: request.gipsa@usda.gov.
Online/e-mail service--Wide range of information about GIPSA and
its programs: Information regarding GIPSA's programs and services can
be found in the GIPSA Strategic Plan and on the Agency's Web site at:
http://www.usda.gov/gipsa.
Onsite Evaluations/Assistance--Process Verification Program for
Grain Handlers: GIPSA is considering proposing a new process
verification program to meet the market's rapidly evolving needs. In
this program, GIPSA would apply internationally recognized quality
management standards to verify the quality process used rather than
testing actual grain itself. The process verification designation
verifies the process, not the final product. The process verification
program would give industry participants independent verification of
their quality processes and standards, and a way to capture values not
easily identified by traditional inspection and testing. For more
information, contact John Sharpe at: John.R.Sharpe@usda.gov or
telephone: (202) 720-0228.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
The Food and Nutrition Service administers family feeding programs
such as the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC),
the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Food Stamp Program
(FSP). The Agency administers most of these programs through State
agencies and, therefore, has very little direct interaction with small
businesses. However, a few of our programs (or parts of them) do relate
to small business in some way. This summary pertains only to those
parts of FNS.
Small Business Compliance Assistance for Retailers in the Food
Stamp Program. FNS is continuing to carry out its compliance assistance
efforts to retailers in the Food Stamp Program. Staff have attended
conferences, presented workshops and held face-to-face meetings with
retailers to provide technical assistance and listen to their concerns.
With regards to new initiatives, FNS has created a bi-annual
publication (mailer) that is sent to all retailers that participate in
the Program. The mailer provides updates on current policy and any
changes to Program rules and offers tips for retailers on best
practices. Secondly, FNS will begin using a simplified application for
new retailers in Fall 2004. The simplified application is an
improvement over the current application because we have eliminated
unnecessary and duplicative questions, the questions are easier to
understand and it takes less time for a storeowner to complete the
form. You can find more information about our work with retailers and
publications we offer on the FNS Web site at http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/retailers/.
The Food Stamp regulations that relate to retailers can be
found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR parts 278 and 279 (a
link to an electronic version is also available on the general FSP Web
site referenced above).
Small Business Compliance Assistance for Farmers' Markets/Retailers
in the WIC/FNMP Programs. Under the Child Nutrition Act provisions for
the WIC and FMNP Programs, State agencies are responsible for the
authorization, training, monitoring, and corrective action of small
businesses such as retailers, farmers, and farmers' markets. FNS has
issued regulations establishing guidelines and parameters for State
agency administration of these activities. Although some uniformity is
imposed by these regulations, there are also considerable areas of
State discretion, so that many of the rules will not be the same from
one State to the next. For example, State agencies must accept
applications from retailers for WIC authorization at least once every
three years, but may do so much more frequently, and each State has its
own application form. For another example, States are required to allow
only certain types and amounts of food to be transacted for WIC food
instruments, but the precise brand, package size, and maximum allowed
price will vary from State to State. The FNS Web site (http://fns.usda.gov/wic
) includes the WIC/FMNP regulations (7 CFR Parts 246
and 248) and also a list of the WIC and FMNP State agency addresses,
telephone numbers, and Web sites.
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has a number of compliance
assistance programs to help small entities to comply with program
regulations. They range from publications to seminars to e-mail
assistance to CD-ROMs and videos. The issues they discuss include
information on the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, marketing
orders, the National Organic Program, grading programs, and science &
technology programs, among others. All this assistance and contact
information can be accessed by clicking the appropriate
[[Page 36110]]
program's link on the AMS Web site http://www.ams.usda.gov.
Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a financing agency, not a
regulating authority. RUS does not have enforcement policies. Its
policy on minimum compliance requirements as a condition for financing
is to work with the individual applicant/borrower to ensure compliance.
RUS does not impose penalties or engage in enforcement activities.
Assistance with its programs can be obtained at our Web site at http://www.usda.gov/rus/.
This site contains information on all of our
programs and complete contact information by subject matter and
geographic location. If needed, a RUS field representative can come to
your location to provide assistance.
Department of Agriculture Single Point of Contact: Jacquelyn
Chandler, Office of Budget and Program Analysis, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Rm. 147-E, Washington, DC
20250, Telephone: 202-720-1516, E-mail: jyc@obpa.usda.gov.
Commerce
The Department of Commerce understands a vibrant small business
sector is critical to creating new jobs in a dynamic and growing
economy, so it is mindful of its responsibilities under the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The Commerce
Department provides substantial regulatory enforcement compliance
assistance through a variety of media.
Within the Commerce Department, two agencies regulate the
activities of small businesses. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) regulate small businesses under several natural
resource protection statutes that NOAA enforces, including the Marine
Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Bureau of Industry
and Security (BIS), formerly the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA),
regulates small businesses under the Export Administration Regulations,
which set the criteria for authorizing exports of dual-use items--
commercial items with potential military or weapons proliferation
applications.
NOAA has a comprehensive program providing regulatory compliance
guidance and assistance to small entities, which comprise much of
NOAA's regulated community. It has long been NOAA's practice to answer
inquiries by small entities, when appropriate, in the interest of
administering statutes and regulations. NOAA answers tens of thousands
of inquiries from small entities annually. Inquiries are received via
telephone, mail and electronic mail; during public hearings, town hall
meetings and workshops held by NOAA throughout the year; and in day-to-
day interactions small entities have with NOAA. NOAA distributes
compliance guides to all those to whom a rule will apply and to others
who have expressed interest. It makes them available at sites where
affected parties are likely to see them. The guides may take different
forms to best serve the needs of the parties affected by a particular
rule.
NOAA Toll-Free Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964.
NOAA Office for Law Enforcement: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/index.html
.
NOAA Law Enforcement Contacts: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/contacts.html
.
NOAA program offices often prepare ``plain English'' summaries of
new regulations and distribute them by fax to the regulated communities
and the press. For complex regulations, question/answer sheets of the
most frequently asked questions are often published in the fishery
trade journals that are most often read by the affected fishermen.
Information about NOAA's regulations and compliance guidance is often
posted on NOAA Web pages and on electronic bulletin boards.
Additionally, small entities may contact specific program offices
responsible for the regulations at issue. Program offices hold
informational workshops to explain new regulations and answer questions
from the industry concerning compliance. Fishermen, who make up much of
the regulated community, often speak with NOAA's individual fishery
plan coordinators for guidance in response to specific factual
situations described by the fishermen. In permitted fisheries, letters
explaining regulatory changes, and providing the name of a person to
contact for additional information and guidance, may be sent to each
permit holder. NMFS also has public affairs positions in its regional
offices that specialize in community outreach.
BIS similarly provides exporters a wide range of compliance
assistance. These include compliance guides in the forms of
instructional brochures, fact sheets and guidance posted on the BIS Web
site. BIS also educates small businesses through seminars, meetings,
workshops and, when requested, one-on-one counseling.
BIS Web site: http://www.bxa.doc.gov/index.htm.
BIS Export Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-424-2980.
Office of Export Enforcement Intelligence: (202) 482-1208.
Exporter Counseling Division: (202) 482-4811.
The Office of Antiboycott Compliance (OAC) within BIS advises small
businesses on compliance with the antiboycott regulations through its
telephone advice line. Callers can seek compliance advice before
engaging in transactions. The OAC also offers counseling to small
businesses to assist them in solving their boycott problems legally.
Antiboycott Advice Line: (202) 482-2381.
Patent & Trademark Office
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Office of Procurement
awards and administers a wide variety of contracts and simplified
purchases for the acquisition of goods and services required throughout
the agency. Our site includes helpful links such as current USPTO
contracts, upcoming opportunities, office staff listing, helpful
information for small businesses, information on our new Performance
Based Organization (PBO) procedures and other related topics.
The USPTO Office of Procurement continually strives to remain on
the leading edge of procurement reform and current technology. It is
our goal to identify and utilize new innovative techniques to develop a
partnership with industry.
A major goal at the United States Patent & Trademark Office, Office
of Procurement is to promote and give consideration to small business
concerns. Requirements over the micro purchase amount of $2,500 are
identified early in the acquisition process to allow for consideration
for small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned and minority-owned
businesses. http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/comp/proc/ipa/ipamain.htm
.
The Office of Procurement continues to promote Electronic Commerce
(EC) and utilize innovative technologies to streamline procurement
processes. Our EC effort, known as the Internet-Based Purchasing
Application (IPA), has been in use for over a year now. The IPA
continues to grow and is a successful tool in conducting simplified
acquisitions over the Internet.
For more information please contact: Susan K. Brown, Records
Officer (PRA Clearance Desk), U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office
of the Chief Information Officer, Suite 310, 2231 Crystal Drive,
Washington, DC 20231,
[[Page 36111]]
Telephone: (703) 308-7400, E-Mail: susan.brown@uspto.gov.
Muriel A. Brown, Small Business Liaison, U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office Office of Procurement, Box 6, Washington, DC 20231, Telephone:
(703) 305-8370, E-mail: Muriel.brown@uspto.gov.
Department of Commerce Single Point of Contact: Tom Pyke, Office of
the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th St. &
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230. Telephone (202) 482-4797.
Defense
It is the Department of Defense (DOD) policy that a fair proportion
of DOD total purchases, contracts, subcontracts, and other agreements
for property and services be placed with small business concerns,
service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, qualified
historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) small business
concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, women-owned small
business concerns, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities and
minority institutions.
The Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization (SADBU) is the principal proponent within the Office of the
Secretary of Defense for executing national and DOD policy as mandated
by the Congress and the President. The Director acts as ombudsman and
coordinator with the functional activity concerned in responding to
complaints and resolving problems encountered by small business firms
performing under DOD contracts.
The Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information
Operations and Reports (WHS/DIOR), serves as the central repository for
statistical information for the Department of Defense. General
procurement data, including subcontract information, is located on the
WHS/DIOR Web site at http://www.dior.whs.mil/peidhome/peidhome.htm.
Specifically, SADBU utilizes the standard tabulation (ST) 28 report,
titled ``Contract Awards by FSC and Purchasing Office,'' as a key
document to assist small business concerns in identifying contracting
activities with contracting potential. The ST 28 matches the dollar
obligations and contract actions under each specific Federal Supply
Class or Service Codes and details the contracting activities that made
awards by name, city, and State. The ST 28 can be found at http://www.dior.whs.mil/peidhome/procstat/procstat.htm
.
The Defense Logistics Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of
Defense, administers the DOD Procurement Technical Assistance Program
(PTAP). PTAP Centers are a local resource that can provide assistance
to business firms in marketing products and services to the Federal,
State and local governments. A list of PTAP Centers can be found at
http://www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm.
The DOD Regional Councils for Small Business Education and Advocacy
are a nationwide network of small business specialists organized to
promote the National Small Business Programs of the United States.
Council objectives include promoting the exchange of ideas and
experiences, and general information among small business specialists
and the contracting community; developing closer relationships and
better communication among Government entities and the small business
community; and staying abreast of statutes, policies, regulations,
directives, trends, and technology affecting the Small Business
Program. There are eight Regional Councils sponsored by the DOD Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (SADBU) governed by
individual by-laws. Further information can be found at http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/programs/regional/index.htm
.
Information on DOD's initiatives and programs is available on
SADBU's Web site http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/index.htm. Contact
information and links to DOD Component SADBU Offices can be found at
http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/links/sadbu.htm.
Department of Defense Single Point of Contact: Robert L. Cushing,
Jr., Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Executive
Services and Communications Directorate, 1225 South Clark Street, Suite
504, Arlington, VA 22202-4326. Telephone: (703) 604-6269. E-mail:
robert.cushing@whs.mil.
Education
Online information centers on grants and contracts,
financial aid, education research and statistics, education policy
(including legislation, regulations and guidance), and education
programs: http://www.ed.gov.
Online subscriptions to Department of Education
newsletters: http://www.ed.gov.
Department of Education programs and initiatives: 1-800-
USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327).
Student aid: 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
Matters affecting small businesses: U.S. Department of
Education, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 400
Maryland Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20202; Telephone: (202) 708-9820.
Student loan issues: http://www.ombudsman.ed.gov, U.S. Department
of Education, FSA Ombudsman, 830 First St., NE, 4th Floor, Washington,
DC 20202-5144; Telephone: 1-877-557-2575; Fax: (202) 275-0549.
Education Department Single Point of Contact: John Tressler, U.S.
Department of Education, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 400
Maryland Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20202. Telephone: (202) 245-6589. E-
mail: John.Tressler@ed.gov.
Energy
The Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
and the Office of the Ombudsman handle small business compliance at the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). And, each site facility and DOE
contractor has a small business manager dedicated to small business
compliance. (http://smallbusiness.doe.gov).
The OSDBU oversees small business programs department-wide, setting
policies and procedures to ensure small business compliance in DOE
contract awards. The OSDBU also maintains a Web site with a
clearinghouse of small business information, as well as small business
policies and regulations and information on resources available to
small businesses both at DOE and at other agencies/departments. The
OSDBU has an extensive outreach/marketing program, including
advertising in various publications and participation in various small
business conferences.
DOE maintains a number of partnerships with many Federal agencies
such as the Small Business Administration and the Office of Federal
Contract Compliance to promote small business compliance. The OSDBU has
a ``Small Business Council'' composed of representatives of major trade
associations, small and minority business chambers, women and veteran
groups to ensure information/feedback to/from the small business
community relative to small business compliance.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides small business access to an
impartial review of their issues in dealing with the DOE and its
contractors. The Office gives small business guidance and referral
services to the correct entity within DOE and serves as a voice for the
small business within DOE.
Department of Energy Single Point of Contact: Theresa Speake,
Director, Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S.
Department of
[[Page 36112]]
Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone:
(202) 586-8383. E-mail: Theresa.Speake@hq.doe.gov.
Health and Human Services
Located in HHS's Office of the Secretary, the Department's Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) fosters the use
of small and disadvantaged businesses as Federal contractors. To
accomplish this task, the OSDBU develops and implements outreach
programs aimed at heightening the awareness of small business community
to the contracting opportunities available across the Department.
Outreach efforts include activities such as sponsoring small
business fairs and procurement conferences as well as participating in
trade group seminars, conventions, and other forums, which promote the
utilization of small and disadvantaged businesses as contractors. The
OSDBU Web page, http://www.HHS.gov/osdbu, presents important resources to aid
contractors in doing business with the Department. OSBDU's Director is
Ms. Debbie Ridgeley. Ms. Ridgeley may be contacted by telephone at
(202) 690-7300, or by E-mail at: Debbie.ridgely@hhs.gov.
Food and Drug Association (FDA)
FDA provides a wealth of written and electronic information to
assist small business compliance with FDA regulatory requirements. FDA
has published hundreds of guidelines to assist regulated industry,
including small business, in complying with the laws and regulations
that FDA administers. These guidelines cover virtually all areas that
FDA regulates, from new drug and medical device premarket review, to
product import and export issues, to issues that relate to the
manufacture of foods, drugs, devices, and biological products.
FDA has also published and made widely available guidelines that
the agency has developed for its own enforcement and compliance staff.
These guidelines describe the general standards for compliance action
and set forth the procedures to be followed in conducting
investigational and enforcement activities. Essentially all of these
written materials are available through FDA's many Web sites. FDA has
also prepared ``plain language'' versions of some of the more technical
documents to assist small businesses and others in understanding FDA's
expectations.
FDA has created a number of small business and industry assistance
``homepages'' on its Web sites that bring together an array of useful
regulatory and compliance information. For example, the Center for
Devices and Radiological Health has created a ``Device Advice'' Web
page, a self-service interactive site for obtaining information about
medical devices. The human pharmaceutical program has created a
comparable Web page, ``A Small Business Assistance''.
FDA's Small Business Representatives (SBR's) are a significant
resource for the small business community. Each of FDA's five regional
offices is assigned an SBR to provide small business educational
outreach and training.
FDA regional offices represent another significant informational
resource for the small business community. The regional offices answer
thousands of questions, conduct scores of training programs, and
organize many ``grassroots'' meeting to educate the regulated industry,
especially small businesses, about emerging regulatory topics of
interest.
In addition, FDA's public affairs specialists (PAS's), who are
assigned to many of the agency's field offices, are able to respond to
questions about FDA's programs, policies, and procedures.
Finally, FDA has appointed ombudsmen in the Office of the
Commissioner, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center
for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the Center for Veterinary
Medicine, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. These
officials not only provide compliance assistance, but also help
regulated companies explore available options in resolving disputes
with the agency.
Technical guides. FDA has issued hundreds of guides to assist
manufacturers in meeting premarket approval and other regulatory
requirements. Among these guidelines a number of guidelines expressly
directed to the concerns and needs of small businesses.
Inspectional guides. FDA has made publicly available the agency's
manuals and written procedures governing the conduct of inspectional
and investigational activities
Policy guides. FDA has issued many guidelines to help regulated
industry understand the laws, policies, and regulations that FDA
administers. Many of these documents are issued in ``plain language''
versions to assist small businesses and others in understanding FDA's
expectations.
All of the above-cited guidance materials may be accessed through
the following Web sites:
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Guidance
Documents: http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/index.htm.
Center for Devices and Radiological Health Guidance
Documents for Industry: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/guidance.html.
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Food and
Cosmetic Guidance Documents: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/guidance.html
.
Office of Regulatory Affairs Inspection References: http://www.fda.gov/ora/inspect_ref/default.htm
.
Web Assistance. The following small business and industry-
assistance homepages also bring together an array of useful regulatory
and compliance information:
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Small
Business Assistance: http://www.fda.gov/cder/about/smallbiz/default.htm_This
site provides a listing of various programs, laws,
regulations, and organizations that pertain to the drug development and
approval process. This site is specifically geared to small businesses;
however, general information relating to both small and large
businesses is also available here (i.e., guidance documents, CDER
calendar, etc. * * *)
Information on Devices: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/devadvice/_This
is an interactive, self-service site. It contains information on
``How to Market Your Device'' as well as an overview of the
regulations, guidance documents, consumer information, and more.
Veterinary Products: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/faqs/faqs.html_This
site answers ``Frequently Asked Questions'' about
veterinary products. It includes links to sites that provide
information and requirements for topics such as ``New Animal Drug
Approval'' and ``Marketing a Pet Food Product,'' as well as others.
Center for Biologic Evaluation and Research (CBER): http://www.fda.gov/CBER/manufacturer.htm_This
Web site from the Center for
Biologic Evaluation and Research explains the manufacturer's assistance
program, which provides assistance and training to companies, both
large and small, regarding CBER policies and procedures. This site also
contains links to other sites that may be of values to the small
business owner.
Office of Regulatory Affairs Information on Small
Business: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/small_business/default.htm
.
Office of Regulatory Affairs Small Business Guide to FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/
[[Page 36113]]
Small--Business/sb--guide/default.htm. This site is from the FDA's
Office of Regulatory Affairs. It offers links to a number of useful
sites such as ``What to do when marketing a new product,'' ``recalling
a product,'' ``undergoing an FDA inspection,'' etc. * * * It also
provides an introduction to the Federal Register, information on
obtaining FDA documents, frequently call numbers, and much more
information.
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Guide to
Starting a Food Business: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/comm/foodbiz.html_Advice
on ``Starting a Food Business'' which may be of interest for the
(potential) small business owner. This site provides links to Federal
and State regulatory agencies, import & export information, as well as
several other helpful sites.
Small Business and Industry Assistance Offices. Each major FDA
component has its own industry assistance office. Staff in these
offices provide program-specific information and compliance assistance,
through the contact points indicated below:
CDER Small Business Assistance Drug Information Branch. Telephone (301)
827-4573, ordib@cder.fda.gov.
CBER Division of Manufacturers Assistance and Training. Telephone (301)
827-2000, or matt@cber.fda.gov.
CDRH Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer
Assistance. Telephone: 1-800-638-2041, or dsma@cdrh.fda.gov.
CVM communications staff. Telephone: (301) 827-3806, or
jkla@cvm.fda.gov.
CFSAN industry activities staff. Telephone: (301) 436-1730, or
giguina@cfsan.fda.gov.
The Small Business Representatives identified below in each of
FDA's five regional offices provide small businesses with personalized
educational outreach and compliance assistance:
Northeast Region (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT): Marilyn Corretto, 158-15
Liberty Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11433-1034. Telephone: (718) 662-5618. Fax:
(718) 662-5434. E-mail: oranersbr@ora.fda.gov.
Central Region (DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, ND, NJ, OH, PA, SD, VA,
WI, WV): Marie T. Falcone, U.S. Customhouse, 2nd and Chestnut Sts.,
Room 900, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Telephone: (215) 597-2120 ext. 4003.
Fax: (215) 597-5798. E-mail: mfalcone@ora.fda.gov.
Southeast Region (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI): Food and
Drug Administration, 60 Eighth St., NE., Atlanta, GA 30309. Telephone:
(404) 253-1217. Fax: (404) 253-1207. E-mail: orasesbr@ora.fda.gov.
Southwest Region (AR, CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT, WY): David
Arvelo, 40 N. Central Expy., Suite 900, Dallas, TX 75204. Telephone:
(214) 253-4952. Assistant: Sue Thomason, telephone: (214) 253-4951.
Fax: (214) 253-4970. E-mail: oraswrsbr@ora.fda.gov.
Pacific Region (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA): Marcia Madrigal,
Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street, Suite 1180-N, Oakland, CA
94612-5217. Telephone: (510) 637-3980. Fax: (510) 637-3977. E-mail:
mmadriga@ora.fda.gov.
Ombudsman. FDA's Ombudsman Offices provide compliance assistance and
assistance in informal dispute resolution. There are also ombudsmen
offices in most of the program offices. Contacts are as follows:
Office of the Commissioner: Laurie Lenkel, Office of the Ombudsman,
Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 4B-44, HF-7,
Rockville, MD 2085. Telephone: (301) 827-3390. Fax: (301) 480-8039. E-
mail: ombuds@oc.fda.gov.
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research: Sherry Lard Whiteford,
CBER Ombudsman (HFM-4), Center for Biologics Evaluation and
Research, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 200N, Rockville, MD 20852-1448.
Telephone: (301) 827-0379. E-mail: lard@cber.fda.gov.
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research: CDER Ombudsman (HFD-1) 5600
Fishers Lane, Room 9-74, Rockvillle, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 594-
5443 or (301) 827-4312. E-mail: ombudsman@cder.fda.gov.
Center for Devices and Radiological Health: Les Weinstein, CDRH
Ombudsman, Office of the Center Director, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate
Blvd. (HFZ-5), Rockville, MD 20850. Telephone: (301) 827-7991. Fax:
(301) 827-2565. E-mail: ombudsman@cdrh.fda.gov.
Center for Veterinary Medicine: Marcia K. Larkins, D.V.M, FDA Center
for Veterinary Medicine, Ombudsman, 7519 Standish Place HFV-7,
Rockville, MD 20855. Telephone: (301) 827-4535. Fax: (301) 827-3957. E-
Mail: mlarkins@cvm.fda.gov.
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Small Business Office. CMS has a full time Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization Specialist (SDBUS) located in its Acquisition and
Grants Group. The SDBUS is the Agency's focal point for ensuring that
all reasonable action is taken to increase awards to small, small
disadvantaged, HUBZones, and women-owned businesses. This Office
maintains company profiles and capability statements for all types of
services. Inquiries should be directed to Sharon McKinney, on (410)
786-5162, or e-mail may be sent to: smckinney@cms.hhs.gov.
Grant Opportunities. While CMS's Program Offices are concerned with
the scientific, technical and programmatic topics, the Acquisition and
Grants Group/Research Contracts and Grants Division is primarily
charged with the business management and policy aspects of CMS's
discretionary grant and cooperative agreement activities.
Currently, CMS conducts a myriad of R&D programs including (but not
limited to) the following: Real Choice Systems Change Grants, Medicaid
Infrastructure Grants, State Health Insurance Assistance Program,
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Health
Initiatives. For additional information, please contact Judy Norris on
(410) 786-5130 or e-mail to: jnorris1@cms.hhs.gov.
Regulatory Burden. The CMS liaison with the Small Business
Administration's Office of the National Ombudsman is the Office of
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs (OSORA).
OSORA is the Agency's focal point for assessing and reducing the
burden of Federal paperwork on small businesses in accordance with the
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002 (SBPRA).
OSORA is responsible for responding to small entity concerns on
regulatory burden, coordinating the development of department-wide non-
retaliation policy with the Department of Health and Human Services,
and participating in Regulatory Enforcement Fairness hearings and
meetings when issues relate to the CMS mission.
OSORA has established the following resources as contacts for small
businesses experiencing problems pertaining to the regulatory burden
aspect of doing business: Phone: (410) 786-1002. E-mail:
sbaombudsman@cms.hhs.gov.
Web site. In addition, CMS provides on its all-purpose Web site
http://www.cms.hhs.gov extensive amounts of information about the agency's
programs, organized in terms of the kind of health-service provider
affected, e.g., hospitals, nursing homes home health agencies, or
durable medical equipment suppliers. This information is not currently
differentiated in terms of the size of these providers' business
entities, but CMS is planning to take steps in the near future to
earmark the
[[Page 36114]]
information in terms of its applicability to small businesses.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH Small Business Office (SBO) serves as an advocate for small
business through various program activities and outreach efforts. These
efforts are intended to maximize prime and subcontract acquisition
opportunities at the NIH for small businesses owned by the
disadvantaged, women, veterans, service-disabled veterans, and
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) concerns. Inquires
should be sent to Diana Mukitarian, Chief, (301) 496-9639,
sbmail@od.nih.gov.
The Small Business Program is located in the NIH's Office of
Acquisition Management and Policy, whose URL is: http://oa.od.nih.gov/oamp/index.html.
Among other things, the Small Business Program at the
NIH is responsible for:
Developing and maintaining acquisition review procedures
and guidelines for requests for contracts, subcontracting plans and
operations as contract activities. Such reviews result in
recommendations to contracting officers regarding the method of
acquisition to be pursued and the acceptability of proposed
subcontracting plans and prime contractors' small business programs;
Conducting surveillance of contract, simplified
acquisition and satellite small business program activity, and
conducting studies of specific problem areas to ensure effective small
business program performance and compliance with applicable laws and
regulations;
Ensuring the development and presentation of management
data to provide continuing visibility of program activity and to
evaluate program accomplishments against agency socio-economic goals;
Representing the NIH at Federal, State, local government
and congressional small business conferences and fairs. Serving as a
guest and expert speaker at various Federal, State, local government
and Congressional small business conferences and fairs;
Serving as a liaison between the NIH program and contract
staff and the contractor community;
Delivering industry assistance by maintaining a program
designed to locate capable small, disadvantaged, woman, veteran,
service-disabled and HUBZone-owned small business concerns for current
and future acquisitions;
Representing the NIH to industry by interfacing with CEOs
and other principals of private companies, to include small and large
firms, as well as nonprofits and universities;
Responding to inquiries and requests for advice from
small, disadvantaged, woman, veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone-
owned businesses; and assisting small business in their marketing and
business development efforts and activities.
Health Resources and Services Administration
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) exists
primarily to expand access to health care for medically underserved
individuals and families across the nation through community-based
networks of primary and preventive health care services. HRSA has
become known as ``The `Access' Agency'' for its services to Americans
who lack health insurance; 62 million Americans in rural communities;
78 million racial and ethnic minorities; over 800,000 Americans with
HIV/AIDS; and about 80,000 U.S. residents awaiting organ transplants.
HRSA Contracting Office and Small Business Representative. The HRSA
contracting office, the Contracts Operations Branch, is currently part
of the Division of Grants and Procurement Management. The current Small
Business Representative, Ms. Debora Pitts, is available to assist small
businesses in navigating the field of HRSA acquisitions. Ms. Pitts may
be contacted at (301) 443-3789.
Key Contact Persons in HRSA Contracts. HRSA ``HCA'' (Head of
Contracting Activities) is Dr. Albert F. Marra, who may be reached at
(301) 443-1433. The HRSA Chief of the Contracts Operations Branch is
Mr. Steve Zangwill, who may be contacted at (301) 443-5097. Mr.
Zangwill is assisted by Mr. Frank Murphy, who leads the negotiated
contract team, at (301) 443-5165, and Ms. Bonnie Garcia, who heads the
simplified acquisitions team at (301) 443-5116. The main office number
is (301) 443-1433.
All contracting opportunities at HRSA are announced publicly via
the World Wide Web using the government's new FedBizOpps program at the
following Web site: http://www.fedbizopps.gov.
Contractors and vendors are urged to visit that site, as well as
the larger HRSA Web site at http://www.hrsa.gov to keep abreast of contracting
needs as well as programmatic changes and developments. Another vehicle
open to interested potential contractors is to study the grants funding
opportunities available to various agencies and organizations. These
grants opportunities, which are also announced via the Web, the Federal
Register, FedBizOpps, and through ``The HRSA Preview,'' give further
indications of potential acquisitions needs. The HRSA Preview may be
obtained through the HRSA web site or by calling 1-877-HRSA-123.
Contractors may also find fertile opportunities for sub-contracting
with HRSA grantees.
Department of Health and Human Services Single Point of Contact:
Debbie Ridgely, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization, Room 360-G Humphrey Building, Washington, DC 20201.
Telephone: (202) 260-0040. E-mail: SB.PRA@HHS.gov.
Homeland Security
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). The
Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Small Business and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) assists, counsels, and
advises small businesses of all types (small businesses, small
disadvantaged business, women-owned small businesses, veteran owned
small businesses, service disabled veteran owned small businesses, and
small businesses located in historically underutilized business zones)
on procedures for contracting with DHS. The point of contact for this
small business program is Kevin Boshears; he may be reached at (202)
772-9792 and kevin.boshears@dhs.gov.
Office of the Private Sector. The Office of the Private Sector has
an e-mail address where small business inquiries could be made, namely
private.sector@dhs.gov. The Office will, pursuant to the Homeland
Security Act, have the capability to advise the Secretary regarding the
impact on the private sector, including small business, of proposed
regulations concerning homeland security. For now, an individual and
phone number that can be used as an entry point to the Office would be
Ms. Elizabeth Callaway at (202) 282-8484 and
elizabeth.callaway@dhs.gov.
Department of Homeland Security Single Point of Contact: Ms.
Elizabeth Callaway, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Attn: Private
Sector Office, Washington, DC 20528. Telephone: (202) 282-8484. E-mail:
Elizabeth.callaway@dhs.gov.
Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (INS)
The paperwork requirement imposed by the Bureau of Citizenship and
Immigration Services is the Form I-9.
[[Page 36115]]
Completion of this one-page form by employers helps to insure a legal
workforce within the United States and does not present a significant
burden for businesses. The Bureau has instituted electronic filing of
some applications and provides application status on line. These
improvements have been a boost to many businesses, providing a speedy
mechanism for filling critical positions with foreign experts or semi-
skilled workers with temporary and permanent foreign workers. Many
employers make use of the Bureau's petitions and applications for
approval to hire alien temporary workers.
Live voice assistance, Employer Hotline (800) 357-2099 is available
for employers and Live voice assistance for general questions (800)
357-5283. Information for e-filing can be found at http://www.bcis.gov.
Employer Assistance Resources can be found at http://www.bcis.gov under the
title ``Information for Employers'', Office of Business Liaison.
Requests for speakers and questions can be faxed to (202) 305-2523.
DHS Point of Contact for Small Business Compliance Assistance:
Felicia A. Colvin, Supervisory Information Specialist, Office of
Business Liaison, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Telephone: (202) 305-2461.
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The newly formed Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has
been working under the trade concept of ``informed compliance'' since
the passage of the Customs Modernization Act (1993). This law mandated
CBP to develop a proactive strategy to advise importers of their
responsibilities under the law. To fulfill this mandate, CBP has
implemented several measures for providing guidance on laws governing
international trade for all importers and exporters, including small
businesses. Small businesses can avail themselves of this information
using the following means: CBP Web Site (downloadable); local and
national trade meetings/seminars; weekly publications of the Customs
Bulletin; binding rulings program; other informed compliance brochures
and pamphlets; and direct contact with CBP personnel.
There are over 300 ports of entry where we enforce numerous laws
for CBP and other government agencies while serving as America's
frontline for border security. As the agency's primary responsibility,
CBP has twin goals of improving security and facilitating legitimate
trade and travel, which are not mutually exclusive. In its role to
facilitate trade, CBP has always provided compliance assistance to the
trade community about the laws and regulations that apply to importing
and exporting. Customs officers at the ports of entry, the Strategic
Trade Centers, field operations offices and at Headquarters daily
receive and respond to requests for information from the public.
CBP Web site: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/ports/.
The CBP Web site lists all ports of entry with their addresses and
telephone numbers. CBP has incorporated a Customer Service Center that
responds to inquiries via a toll free number (1-877-Customs). The
Office of Trade Relations (OTR) is designated as the point of contact
within CBP for small businesses and may be reached at (202) 927-1440 or
via e-mail at traderelations@dhs.gov. This office was revamped in 2002
to ensure effective, extensive communication between CBP and all facets
of the trade community. Any small entity seeking general information
about importing procedures or wanting to comment on their interaction
with CBP may contact OTR for assistance.
Contact Information. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade
Relations, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Room 4.2A, Washington, DC
20229. Telephone: (202) 927-1440. Fax: (202) 927-1696. E-mail:
traderelations@dhs.gov.
Coast Guard
The Coast Guard encourages small entities to participate in the
development of Coast Guard regulations. Our Web site offers help in
understanding and complying with those regulations. Use the following
links to access help in these areas:
Small Entity Regulatory Assistance: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/regs/sbrefa.html
.
Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection
regulations: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/regs/reghome.html Boating Safety regulations: http://www.uscgboating.org/.
The Coast Guard proudly maintains the following policy: If you
question or lodge a complaint regarding a Coast Guard policy or action,
to us or to anyone else, or if you seek outside help in dealing with a
Coast Guard policy or action, the Coast Guard will not retaliate
against you in any fashion. The Coast Guard wants you to be able to
comment, question, or lodge a complaint about our policies or actions
without fear that we will retaliate or try to discourage future
questions or complaints. If you think the Coast Guard has broken this
promise, we will investigate, take appropriate action, and make sure
that mistakes are not repeated. You may comment, ask questions, or file
a complaint about Coast Guard policies or actions by contacting your
local Coast Guard office, or you can also contact the Small Business
Administration Office of the National Ombudsman at 888-REG-FAIR (734-
3247), fax: (202) 481-5719, e-mail: ombudsman@sba.gov.
Small businesses generally are independently owned and operated and
are not dominant in their field. If you need help determining whether
or not your business qualifies as a ``small business'', contact the
SBA's Office of the National Ombudsman using the information given in
the preceding paragraph.
Coast Guard single point of contact: Steve Venckus, Chief, Office
of Regulations and Administrative Law (G-LRA), 2100 2d Street, SW.,
(Room 1417), Washington, DC 20593-0001. Phone: (202) 267-1534. Fax:
(202) 267-6234. E-mail: svenckus@comdt.uscg.mil.
Housing and Urban Development
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization OSDBU
has many tools available for small businesses. Through the
establishment of the Information Technology (IT) training HUD has
provided a learning tool for small businesses to understand all aspects
of HUD's IT opportunities. Introducing this training program has
enabled HUD to form partnerships with small businesses and identify
qualified companies to seek IT opportunities within the agency.
HUD sponsors Marketing and Outreach business fairs and focuses both
on direct HUD contracting opportunities and contracting opportunities
created by HUD assisted projects including Community Development Block
Grant recipients and Public Housing authorities. HUD outreach sessions
include HUD program offices and prime contractors who offer sub-
contracting opportunities to small, small disadvantaged and women-owned
businesses. HUD has attended approximately 50 outreach conferences
including procurement fairs, trade shows, marketplace presentations
throughout the country with a strong emphasis on the utilization of
small businesses.
HUD's contracting home page is linked to the OSDBU home page in
HUD's Web site. The contracting home page contains notices of HUD
procurement opportunities and allows interested parties to download a
file containing solicitations. A special OSDBU page contains Small
Business
[[Page 36116]]
tips, the Forecast of Contracting Opportunities, a Small Business
Resource Guide and notification of outreach activities.
HUD also has the HUD Procurement System (HPS), an integrated
commercial and customized software program that automates procurement
operations department-wide. This system includes a rapid query of
contracting information that enables all companies to submit bids or
proposals for upcoming contracting opportunities and the identification
of HUBZones for participation in contracting and sub-contracting
opportunities. Additionally, it provides HUD with a system to monitor
and evaluate its actual achievements in regard to participation of
small businesses in HUD activities.
HUD sponsors Marketing and Outreach business fairs and focuses both
on direct HUD contracting opportunities and indirect contracting
opportunities created by HUD assisted projects including, Community
Development Block Grant recipients and public housing authorities.
During these events, program offices and prime contractors who offer
sub-contracting opportunities to small, small disadvantaged and women
owned businesses are urged to attend. Last year, HUD attended
approximately 50 outreach conferences including procurement fairs,
trade shows and marketplace presentations throughout the country. The
OSDBU Business Utilization Development Specials (BUDS), have regular
one-on-one meetings with small businesses. The Director holds
``Thursday Open House'' sessions for all small, small disadvantaged and
Women Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs). These meetings give small
businesses the opportunity to meet personally with the Director and the
specialized BUDS advocate within the OSDBU. The aforementioned efforts
are in addition to the daily counseling and one-on-one meetings held
with these businesses at the HUD headquarters and field offices.
The OSDBU has increased its staff to include a Contract Specialist,
an Information Technology Specialist, a Small Business Policy
Specialist and a Research Analyst. HUD has implemented innovative
projects and tools utilizing the latest technologies that have and will
continue to have a positive effect on the participation of WOSBs in
departmental contracting activities. There are IT outreach sessions
held regularly with IT small businesses to inform them of new
procurement opportunities at HUD.
New Methodologies that challenge conventional procedures include
the establishment of subcontracting policies that have resulted in an
increase in contract dollars to small businesses. The HUD Procurement
System (HPS) effectively tracks all contracting and subcontracting
dollars awarded to small businesses. HUD has established a
subcontracting goal of up to 40% of the total value of each contract
and subsequent extensions, modifications and options. Contractors that
are unable to meet the established goal must provide the rational for
the proposed level of subcontracting. In accordance with the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at Part 19.702 and HUD's own Federal
acquisition regulation (HUDAR) at 2452.219-70, solicitations exceeding
$500,000 that include HUDAR provision 2452.219-70, shall provide the
maximum practicable subcontracting opportunities to small, small
disadvantaged and women-owned businesses. Prior to award, each contract
shall be evaluated on specific subcontracting goals and commitments to
small businesses. These pioneering subcontracting policies also include
subcontracting plans for General Services Administration schedule buys.
There is a concentrated effort to conduct outreach with small
businesses across the nation.
HUD OSDBU continuously performs at a level of professional
excellence to serve our customers. HUD consistently formulates and
implements written policies supporting small businesses and includes
references to small businesses in standard operating procedures. HUD
has designated a senior executive as the Director of the OSBDU who is
responsible for implementing small business policy initiatives.
Furthermore, HUD maintains an effective system to provide
acknowledgement of procurement personnel that utilize 8(a) small
businesses. HUD places a high priority on direct communications and
outreach efforts; we utilize newsletters, facilitate trade show and
marketplace presentations and conduct business assistance and training
seminars. HUD is one of the most innovative governmental agencies and
is constantly retrofitting its employment with the latest technologies
to enhance service to small businesses. HUD constantly employs
proactive strategies to increase opportunities for these businesses to
serve as prime contractors and subcontractors. HUD has achieved
phenomenal success in requiring prime contractors to establish
measurable programs to increase subcontracting opportunities.
Publications:
Small Business Resource Guide: http://www. hud. gov:80/ offices/
osdbu/ resource/ guide. cfm.
Small Business Tips: http://www. hud. gov: 80/ offices/ osdbu/
tips. cfm.
Forecast of Contracting Opportunities: http://www. hud. gov/
offices/ cpo/ 4cast. cfm.
Seminars and Classes:
Outreach Calendar/Small Business Training: http://www. hud. gov/
groups/ smallbusiness. cfm.
Web based compliance:
Brent Pick is HUD's Webmaster and updates all contract
compliance issues on the Web. (303) 672-5281 ext. 1821
Brent_Pick@hud.gov.
Telephone Service:
(202) 708-1428, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization HUD Headquarters, Room 3130.
Future Activities:
CD-Roms/Video.
Online/E-mail Service.
On-Site Evaluation/Assistance:
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, A.
Jo Baylor, Director: HUD--Headquarters 451 7th Street, SW., Room 3130,
Washington, DC 20410; E-mail: a.jo-- baylor@hud. gov.
Housing and Urban Development Single Point of Contact: A. Jo
Baylor, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization, HUD Headquarters 451 7th Street, SW., Room 3130,
Washington, DC 20410. Telephone: (202) 708-1428. E-mail:
a.jo_baylor@hud.gov.
Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Submit Permits and Reports Electronically: https://www.wispermits.org/
.
How to File a Mining Claim: http://www. blm. gov/ nhp/ pubs/
brochures/ minerals/ index. htm#Q3.
Minerals Management Service.
``Dear Payor'' Letters, Notices to Lessees, Small Refiner
Program: http://www mrm. mms. gov/ RIKweb/ Small Refiners. htm. Electronic Payment Information: http://www. mrm. mms. gov/
ReportingServices/ PDFDocs/ fedwire. pdf.
Regulations governing collecting, accounting for and distributing
revenues associated with mineral production from leased Federal and
Indian lands: http://www. mrm. mms. gov/ Laws-- R-- D/ FRNotices/
FRHome.htm.
Regulations governing leasing and operations on the Federal
offshore: http://www. mms. gov/ offshore/ Regulations. htm.
[[Page 36117]]
Workshops to explain more complex regulations: Available at various
locations around the country.
Training on how to report royalty revenue and related information:
Available at various locations around the country.
Bureau of Reclamation
Statute, regulations, Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) Fact Sheets, RRA
forms & instructions, and Status of Irrigation Districts List: http://www.
usbr. gov/rra/.
Explanations of the most common Reclamation Reform Act questions
and issues in plain English: http://www.usbr.gov/rra and at the Reclamation
District offices in all irrigation districts.
Fish and Wildlife Service
General Compliance Guidance: http://pdm.fws.gov/sba/sbindex.html.
Compliance Guidance for Wildlife Import and Export License Holders:
http://www.le.fws.gov/PublicBulletin.htm Non-Retaliation Policy: http://policy.fws.gov/do142.html.
Outreach Presentations for the Import/Export Community: http://
http://www.le.fws.gov/inspectors.htm.
Courses on Conservation, Grantwriting, Conservation Partnerships,
Developing and Working with Friends Groups, and Other Topics: http://training.fws.gov/
.
Assistance for Importers and Exporters, Taxidermists, Guides and
Outfitters: http://www.le.fws.gov/inspectors.htm FWS Publications Online: http://library.fws.gov/pubs3.html.Office.
of Surface Mining
Applicant Violator System: http://www.avs.osmre.gov/ Small Operator Assistance Program: http://www.osm.gov/soap.htm.
Copies of OSM Forms: http://www.osm.gov/forms.htm.
Policies and Guidance: http://www.osm.gov/policy.htm.
Department of the Interior Single Point of Contact: John
Strylowski, U.S. Department of the Interior, MS 7229 MIB, Washington,
DC 20240. Telephone: (202) 208-3071. Fax: (202) 219-2100. E-Mail:
john_strylowski@ios.doi.gov.
Justice
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). The
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) strives
to improve and increase the Department's performance in utilizing
small, small disadvantage, small woman-owned and veteran-owned
businesses as contractors and subcontractors. Our various bureaus spend
approximately two billion dollars a year in the private sector.
Currently, more than 42 percent of those dollars go to small
businesses, with 10 to 15 percent going to minority-owned firms and 3
to 5 percent going to woman-owned companies.
The OSDBU Director and the Deputy Attorney General are committed to
encouraging and assisting well-qualified and skillful small, minority,
and woman-owned businesses seeking contracts with the Department of
Justice. The acquisition function in the Justice Department has been
assigned to each of our bureaus' contracting staffs, most of which are
located in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. We have prepared
several avenues to assist small and disadvantaged businesses in getting
better acquainted with the requirements and procurement practices of
the bureaus.
Information on DOJ's initiatives and activities is available on the
DOJ Small Business Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu. This site
links to the Small Business home page, which provides extensive small
business assistance information including registration for the monthly
vendors outreach sessions which provides the opportunity for one-on-one
meetings with small business specialist and contracting officers.
Seminars/Conferences/Outreach Sessions: http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu/index.html
.
OSDBU Contact: Ramona Johnson-Glover, Acting Director, OSDBU, 1331
Penn Ave. NW., National Place Bld., Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20530.
Telephone: (202) 616-0521 or 1-800-345-3712. Fax: (202) 616-1717. E-
Mail: Ramona.M.JohnsonGlover@USDOJ.gov.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Publications of benefit or interest to ATF industry members and the
general public (i.e., firearms and explosives regulations, newsletters,
rulings, press releases, statistics and State & local training courses,
Federal law and regulations, State laws and published ordinances, and
Federal Register notices.)
Theft/losses of explosives materials: 1-888-ATF-2662.
Toll free for reports of gun related crimes and after
hours theft/losses: 1-800-ATF-GUNS.
Toll free for theft/losses of firearms: 1-800-800-3855.
ATF Firearms and Explosives Compliance Web Site:
http://www.atf.gov.
The ATF provides various publications to our industry members as
well as the general public. Some of the publications available either
on ATF Web site or in hard copy, include manuals which provide ATF's
regulatory requirements in a plain language format; informational
brochures to help raise awareness of possible criminal activity (i.e.,
Reporting theft of Explosives and Firearms, Arson incidents); and
industry newsletters for all businesses regulated by ATF. Publications,
brochures and forms are produced in quantities of 115,000 each for
firearms and 12,000 for explosives, for distribution to the licensees,
permittees, and to trade and research organizations and the press.
ATF hosts/participates in national, international, as well as
regional/local conferences and meetings. In addition, ATF personnel are
often invited by associations to attend their national conferences to
give presentations on topics of interest to association members, and/or
set up an exhibit booth. The ATF exhibit booth provides yet another
venue through which industry members that attend these meetings, may
ask questions or concerns regarding ATF policy or regulations.
ATF personnel have also been asked by industry associations as well
as regulatory associations/agencies to participate on various panels.
Recent topics on which the ATF has provided our expertise include but
are not limited to, Safe Explosives Act, Shot Show University, Annual
Importers Conference.
There are a number of application forms and reports required by
ATF, some of which are now available on ATF's Web site http://www.atf.gov.
ATF Contact: Mary Jo Hughes, Chief, FEA Services Division, Office
of Firearms, Explosives and Arson, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226.
Telephone: (202) 927-8045. Fax: (202) 927-7488.
Civil Rights Division (CRT)
CRT--Disability Rights Section (DRS). Information:
Home Page: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.
Business Page: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/business.htm.
The home page provides information about the toll-free ADA
Information Line, the Department's ADA enforcement activities, the ADA
technical assistance program, certification of State and local building
[[Page 36118]]
codes, proposed changes in ADA regulations and requirements, and the
ADA mediation program. The home page also provides direct access to ADA
regulations and technical assistance materials, Freedom of Information
Act materials, links to the Department's press releases, and links to
the other Federal agencies' Internet home pages that contain ADA
information. ADA. The Web site received over one million visitors
during FY 2003.
ADA Guide for Small Business: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/smbusgd.pdf
.
ADA Information Line. DRS operates a toll-free ADA Information Line
to provide information to the public about the requirements of the ADA
and to distribute technical assistance publications to the public.
Automated service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During business hours, members of the public can consult with
Department staff for assistance in applying ADA requirements to their
own specific situation. The ADA Information Line numbers are (800) 514-
0301 (voice); (800) 514-0383 (TTY). During FY 2003, the Information
Line received 120,000 calls.
ADA Fax on Demand. The ADA Information Line Fax Delivery Service
allows the public to obtain free ADA information by fax 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. By calling the ADA Information Line, callers can
select from among 32 different ADA technical assistance publications
and receive the information, usually within minutes, directly on their
fax machines or computer fax/modems. ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301
(voice); 800-514-0383 (TTY).
ADA publications. DRS produces a range of technical assistance
documents, including an ADA Guide for Small Businesses that has been
published jointly with the Small Business Administration. ADA. During
FY 2003, the Department developed 41 new technical assistance
materials, including five publications on specific topics of interest
to businesses that can be printed and distributed directly from the Web
addressing the issues of service animals, restriping parking lots,
refueling assistance at gas pumps, communicating with people who are
deaf or hard of hearing in hospital settings, and communicating with
people who are deaf or hard of hearing in hotels, motels, and other
places of transient lodging.
ADA training. DRS provides ADA training at meetings nationwide; and
conducts outreach to broad and targeted audiences that have included
mayors, local Chambers of Commerce, and millions of businesses.
Requests for speakers and training should be placed through the ADA
Information Line: 800-514-0301 (voice); 800-514-0383 (TTY). During
2003, the Department fulfilled 60 training, speaking, and exhibit
engagements.
ADA Mediation Program. The Department's ADA Mediation Program
facilitates compliance by entities, including small businesses, using a
voluntary alternative dispute resolution approach. Carried out through
a partnership between the Federal government and the private sector,
more than 450 professional mediators are available nationwide to
mediate ADA cases. In FY 2003, 188 complaints with businesses were
resolved successfully through the ADA Mediation Program. To date in FY
2004, the Department has referred an additional 144 cases to the
mediation program.
CRT--Office of Special Counsel for Unfair Immigration Related
Employment Practices (OSC). OSC's Internet site has helpful information
specifically designed for businesses as well as workers. The site
describes the legal obligations of employers to comply with the anti-
discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
and provides other information to assist compliance (such as brochures,
booklets, frequently asked questions, and legal references). In FY
2003, the OSC Web site had more than 386,000 new and recurring page
visitors. The site is at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc. In April, OSC
published a newsletter, ``OSC Update,'' which provides an update of
OSC's outreach and enforcement activities, and highlights OSC's
informal resolution program.
OSC Employer Hotline. OSC has a national toll-free telephone line
solely for the use of employers who wish to consult with OSC staff
members about their compliance concerns. The telephone line is staffed
by OSC attorneys and Equal Opportunity Specialists who promptly address
employers' questions, providing immediate guidance. OSC staff often
advise employers on how to avoid discrimination in the workplace,
minimizing any future liability. Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-
2735.
OSC Job Applicant or Employee Hotline. Based on information
received from individuals calling this line, and OSC's prompt
investigation of these cases, OSC often is able to bring early,
efficient, cost-effective resolutions to employment disputes that might
otherwise result in the filing of charges, the accumulation of
potential back pay awards, or litigation expenses. These early
interventions minimize the impact of statutory enforcement on small
businesses. Voice: 1-800-255-7688 or (202) 616-5525; TDD: 1-800-237-
2515. The OSC processed over 18,580 calls to its employer and employee
hotlines in FY 2003.
OSC Training Materials. OSC also provides employers, where
necessary, with training materials for their staff, including booklets,
posters and educational videotapes, on how to ensure that they do not
engage in discriminatory behavior. The employer hotline number is
distributed with all of OSC's outreach materials for employers. Voice:
1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov
Download Brochures and Booklets: http://www. usdoj. gov/ crt/ osc/ htm/
outreach. htm Based on FY 2003 levels, the OSC expects to disseminate
over 100,000 copies of its brochures and booklets free of charge during
FY 2004.
Compliance Assistance Education. OSC takes part in numerous
employer training sessions throughout the country, providing employers
guidance on how they can comply with the antidiscrimination provisions
of the immigration laws. OSC attorneys also conduct outreach seminars
across the country that are organized by OSC grantees and specifically
designed to address issues of concern to employers. OSC routinely
provides compliance assistance training and other guidance to employers
that OSC determined committed unlawful discrimination to ensure that
such violations do not recur. Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-
2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov. In FY 2003, OSC officials
conducted 83 such presentations.
OSC Grants. In addition to the direct outreach activities of its
own staff, OSC provides grants to employer associations (such as
chambers of commerce) and other entities to allow those organizations
to conduct further compliance assistance among their members and
constituents. In FY 2003, OSC's grantees presented information about
INA compliance at hundreds of events that were attended by thousands of
employers and workers and distributed thousands of copies of OSC's
brochures and booklets. There are 11 OSC grantees operating across the
country in FY 2004. Grants totaled almost $675,000. Press Statement:
http://www. usdoj. gov/ crt/ osc/ press/30814 grantees. pdf.
OSC Assistance to SBA's Small Business Development Centers. To
improve its outreach and service to the small business community, OSC
[[Page 36119]]
contacted the SBA's Office of Small Business Development Centers
(OSBDC) and the Association of Small Business Development Centers
(ASBDC) and offered to provide training and information materials,
assistance with training events, and technical guidance to the SBDC
networks across the county. There are more than 1,000 SBDC centers and
subcenters that provide low-cost counseling and training to small
businesses. The SBDCs are generally receptive to providing INA
compliance information to their small business clients, and OSC expects
to cultivate this partnership in 2004 and future years. OSC will soon
roll out a small business resource page on its Web site.
OSC address and phone numbers: Office of Special Counsel for
Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices, Civil Rights Division
Department of Justice, Post Office Box 27728, Washington, DC 20038-
7728. Telephone: 202-616-5594.
OSC Employer Hotline: Voice: 1-800-255-8155. TDD: 1-800-362-2735.
Civil Rights Division, General Point of Contact: David K. Flynn,
Chief, Appellate Section, P.O. Box 66078, Washington, DC 20035-6078.
Telephone: 202-514-2195. Fax: 202-524-8490. Please note that Mr. Flynn
is not assigned either to the Disability Rights Section (DRS) or to the
Office of Special Counsel (OSC). General small business inquiries for
information or for assistance concerning compliance with matters within
the areas of responsibility of DRS or OSC should be directed to the
addresses and phone numbers in the respective sections.
Drug Enforcement Administration
DEA's Office of Diversion Control (OD) is the internal office that
has oversight over and works with small businesses. As such, OD and
Diversion field personnel continuously review ways in which the DEA can
ensure small businesses have access to SBREFA material as well as
improve upon current outreach initiatives.
OD Web Site. The Office of Diversion Control's Web site (http://www.
DEAdiversion. usdoj. gov) contains information specifically
relating to DEA's Diversion Program. Between January 1 and October 31,
2003, DEA's entire Diversion Control Program Web site was visited
1,047,968 (an average of 4,463 visits per day). Below are some of the
Web pages that were visited and the number of times they were viewed
Publications. DEA provides various publications to its registrant
population as well as the general public. Some of the publications
available either on Diversion's Web site or in a hard copy, include
registrant manuals which provide DEA's regulatory requirements in a
plain language format; the SBREFA Advisory Notice; informational
brochures to help raise awareness of possible criminal activity (i.e.,
a Pharmacist's Guide to Prescription Fraud, Recognizing the Drug
Abuser, Drug Addiction in Healthcare Professionals, and Stimulant Abuse
by School Age Children); industry newsletters; press releases; and
program reports. http://www. DEAdiversion. usdoj. gov/ pubs/ index. html.
For those small businesses that do not have access to the Internet,
the DEA provides contact telephone numbers for Diversion Headquarters
and field personnel as well as the SBA Ombudsman in the back of hard
bound copies of the registrant manuals.
Requests for information or reports should be mailed to: Drug
Enforcement Administration, Office of Diversion Control, Washington, DC
20537
Small Business Regulatory Fairness Advisory: http://www. DEAdiversion.
usdoj. gov/ pubs/ fair --adviz. htm. This notice advises DEA
registrants to contact DEA Field Offices if they have any questions
regarding DEA's regulations and policies. If they are a small business,
they may contact the SBA's Office of the Ombudsman to comment on DEA's
enforcement actions. This Advisory is also included in all revised and
new manuals.
Seminars/Classes:
Chemical training for importers/exporters: http://www.
DEAdiversion. usdoj. gov/ mtgs/ dea--mtgs. html.
Pharmaceutical Training Seminars for importers/exporters
and manufacturers: http://www. DEAdiversion. usdoj. gov/ mtgs/ dea-- mtgs.
html, http://www. DEAdiversion. usdoj. gov/ quotas/ index. html.
Web-Based Compliance:
A wide variety of online forms: http://www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/online_forms.htm
.
Onsite Evaluation/ Assistance:
List of local field offices: http://www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/offices_n_dirs/index.html
.
Meetings/Conferences. DEA hosts national as well as regional/local
conferences and meetings. In addition, Diversion personnel are often
invited by associations to attend their national conferences to give
presentations on topics of interest to association members, and/or set
up an exhibit booth. http://www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/mtgs/dea_mtgs.html.
Toll Free Telephone Numbers. Contact information for Diversion
Control Program personnel located at DEA Headquarters and local field
offices may be viewed at the following Web address: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/offices_n_dirs/index.html
.
Summary of DOJ Contact Information
DRS address and phone number: Disability Rights Section, Civil
Rights Division, and P.O. Box 66738, Washington, DC 20035-6738.
Telephone: (202) 307-0663. Fax: (202) 307-1198.
ADA Information Line. 800-514-0301 (voice). 800-514-0383 (TTY)
Drug Enforcement Administration Contact (for regulatory and
enforcement matters: Patricia Good, Chief, Liaison and Policy Section,
Office of Diversion Control, Drug Enforcement Administration,
Washington, DC 20537. Telephone: (202) 307-7297. Fax: (202) 307-8570.
Justice Department contacts for Department-wide matters (such as
the Ombudsman's Reports to Congress) and other issues of general agency
concern: Kevin R. Jones, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of
Legal Policy, Department of Justice, Main Building, Room 7238, 950
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20530. Telephone: (202) 514-
4604. Fax: (202) 514-9112. E-mail: Kevin.r.jones@usdoj.gov.
Robert Hinchman, Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, Department
of Justice, Main Building, Room 7236, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20530. Telephone: (202) 514-8059. Fax: (202) 514-9112.
E-mail: robert.hinchman@usdoj.gov.
Justice Department contact for general public affairs inquiries:
Mark Corallo, Director, Office of Public Affairs, Main Building, Room
1248, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20530. Telephone:
(202) 514-2007. Fax: (202) 513-5331. E-mail: Mark.Corallo@usdoj.gov.
Justice Department contact for small and disadvantaged business
utilization: Ramona Johnson-Glover, Acting Director, OSDBU, 1331 Penn
Ave. NW., National Place Bld., Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20530.
Telephone: (202) 616-0521. Fax: (202) 616-1717. E-mail:
Ramona.M.JohnsonGlover@USDOJ.gov.
Justice Department single point of contact. Brenda Dyer, Policy and
Planning Staff, Justice Management Division, Patrick Henry Building,
Room 1600, Washington, DC 20530. Telephone (202) 616-1167. Fax: (202)
514-1590. E-mail: brenda.e.dyer@usdoj.gov.
[[Page 36120]]
Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recognizes its obligation to
respond to the ever-increasing complexities of employment laws and the
difficulties businesses face in understanding them. Secretary of Labor
Elaine L. Chao launched the Compliance Assistance Initiative to help
America's employers and employees better understand how to comply with
the federal employment laws and regulations it administers. DOL
believes compliance assistance is the most effective way to protect the
wages, health benefits, retirement security, safety, and health of
America's workforce by preventing employment law violations.
DOL has developed the following tools and resources to ensure that
employers and workers have access to clear and accurate information and
assistance--when and where they need it, and in the format that suits
them best.
Department of Labor Web Site. The most widely used compliance
assistance tool is the DOL Web site, which features centralized
compliance assistance information at http://www.dol.gov/compliance. The public
can use this site to access a wide range of information and resources
about DOL's rules and regulations any time, day or night. These Web
pages are gateways to DOL agencies' compliance assistance information.
elaws Advisors. The elaws Advisors (Employment Laws Assistance for
Workers and Small Businesses) are interactive e-tools that provide
information on DOL's Federal employment laws. Available at http://www.dol.gov/elaws
, each elaws Advisor mimics the interaction an individual would
have with a DOL employment law expert by generating answers based on
the user's responses to a set of questions. The FirstStep Employment
Law Advisor--one of the newest elaws Advisors--helps employers simply
and quickly determine which of DOL's major employment laws apply to
their business or organization and provides easy-to-access information
about how to comply with each law's requirements.
Toll-Free Help Line. The DOL toll-free help line is 1-866-4-USA-DOL
(1-866-487-2365); (TTY: 1-877-889-5627). DOL's Toll-Free Help Line
provides timely and accurate responses to customer inquiries, and
fulfills print and publication requests. The Help Line offers live
operator assistance in English and Spanish, with additional service in
more than 140 languages.
Employment Law Guide. The Employment Law Guide, which describes
DOL's major statutes and regulations in plain language, targets
employers needing introductory information to develop wage, benefit,
safety and health, and nondiscrimination policies for their businesses.
It is available for free in print and online, in both English and
Spanish. A complimentary copy can be obtained by calling 1-866-4-USA-
DOL or by visiting http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/guide.htm.
E-Mail Response Service. DOL's coordinated e-mail response service
allows employers and employees to ask questions about employment and
regulatory issues electronically. By choosing from a list of topics or
internal DOL agencies under the ``Contact Us'' section of the DOL Web
site (http://www.dol.gov), users are ensured that their question will go to
the appropriate office and that they will receive an answer in a timely
manner.
Compliance Assistance Information Inventory. More than 300
publications are included in this comprehensive list of DOL compliance
assistance resources. This database of publications can be accessed
from http://www.dol.gov/compliance. (To be available in May, 2004.)
SBREFA Toll-Free Help Line. Under the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, small businesses may contact DOL's
Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) directly with their inquiries
or complaints about regulatory fairness by calling 1-888-9-SBREFA (1-
888-972-7332).
Wage and Hour Issues. The Employment Standards Administration, Wage
& Hour Division (WHD) enforces the minimum wage, overtime, and child
labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and
Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker
Protection Act (MSPA), employment standards and worker protections
provided in several non-immigrant worker programs of the Immigration
and Nationality Act, and the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-
Bacon Act (DBA), the Service Contract Act (SCA) and related statutes.
WHD delivers compliance assistance through its Web site,
interactive elaws Advisors (FLSA, FMLA), toll-free phone service, e-
mail, printed materials, workshops and presentations.
WHD on the Web: http://www.wagehour.dol.gov.
WHD Contact Information: http://www.dol.gov/esa/contacts/whd/america2.htm
.
Telephone Number: 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243).
Federal Contract Compliance. The Employment Standards
Administration, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
administers three equal employment opportunity programs that apply to
Federal contractors and subcontractors: Executive Order 11246, as
amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and
the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as
amended, 38 U.S.C. 4212. These laws prohibit Federal contractors and
subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or
protected veteran status. These laws also require Federal contractors
and subcontractors to take affirmative action to ensure equal
employment opportunity. OFCCP also shares responsibility with the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in enforcing Title I of
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
OFCCP delivers compliance assistance through its Web site,
interactive elaws Advisors, e-mail, toll-free telephone service,
workshops and seminars.
OFCCP on the Web: http://www.dol.gov/esa/ofccp.
OFCCP Contact Information: http://www.dol.gov/esa/contacts/ofccp/ofcpkeyp.htm
.
Telephone Number: 1-202-693-0101.
Retirement and Health Benefits. The Employee Benefits Security
Administration (EBSA) assists employers and employee benefit plan
practitioners in understanding and complying with the requirements of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) as it applies to
administering retirement and health benefit plans. EBSA promotes
voluntary compliance through its Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program
and Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program and through strategic
alliances with professional organizations and federal, state and local
governments. EBSA provides compliance assistance through its Web site,
publications, interactive elaws Advisors, toll-free telephone service
as well as responding to electronic inquiries, sponsoring seminars, and
actively conducting outreach nationwide.
EBSA on the Web: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/.
EBSA Contact Information for Electronic Inquiries:
http://www.askebsa.dol.gov.
Telephone Number: 1-866-444-3272.
Occupational Safety and Health
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) works to
save
[[Page 36121]]
lives, prevent injuries and protect the health and safety of America's
workers. Nearly every worker in the U.S. comes under OSHA's
jurisdiction as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (exceptions include miners, transportation workers, many public
employees, and the self-employed).
OSHA delivers compliance assistance through its Web site, printed
compliance guides, toll-free telephone service, e-mail, and online
electronic assistance tools such as eTools and Safety and Health Topics
pages. Free workplace consultations are available in every state to
small businesses that need assistance in establishing safety and health
programs and identifying and correcting workplace hazards. A network of
OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialists in local offices provides
tailored information and training to employers and employees. OSHA has
a number of cooperative programs that help recognize and build on
successful practices in occupational safety and health, including the
Alliance Program, Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program
(SHARP), Strategic Partnership Program, and Voluntary Protection
Programs (VPP).
OSHA on the Web: http://www.osha.gov.
Telephone: 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742).
OSHA Contact Information: http://www.osha.gov/html/oshdir.html.
Mine Safety and Health
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) works to protect
the health and safety of workers in America's mines by working
cooperatively with industry, labor, and other federal and state
agencies. MSHA's responsibilities are outlined in the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act of 1977, commonly called the Mine Act, which
applies to all mining and mineral processing operations in the U.S.
regardless of size, number of employees or method of extraction.
MSHA delivers compliance assistance to mine operators and workers
through its Web site and by direct contact of agency enforcement,
technical support, and education and training field personnel. MSHA
established its Small Mine Office to address the safety and health
needs of small mines specifically and to enable small mines to comply
with safety and health laws as readily as medium-or large-sized mines.
The Small Mine Office focuses exclusively on compliance assistance and
conducts no enforcement activities.
MSHA on the Web: http://www.msha.gov.
MSHA Contact Information: http://www.msha.gov/contactmsha/contactmsha.htm
.
Telephone Number: 1-202-693-9400.
Veterans' Employment and Training
The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) helps
veterans, Reservists and National Guard members effectively prepare for
and secure employment, and protects their employment rights. VETS
provides employment services and training assistance to eligible
veterans, including homeless veterans, through grants to States, local
governments and non-profit organizations. VETS also administers the
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and
provides information about veterans' rights under the Veterans
Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and the Federal Contractor Program,
which requires Federal contractors and subcontractors to take
affirmative action to hire and promote qualified veterans including
special disabled veterans.
VETS delivers compliance assistance through its Web site, printed
materials, e-mail, and interactive online elaws Advisors.
VETS on the Web: http://www.dol.gov/vets.
VETS Contact Information: http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm
.
Telephone Number: 1-202-693-4700.
Labor-Management Standards
The Employment Standards Administration, Office of Labor-Management
Standards (OLMS) administers and enforces most of the Labor-Management
Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) of 1959. OLMS also administers
provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and the Foreign
Service Act of 1980 relating to standards of conduct for Federal
employee unions. OLMS also administers employee protection provisions
in the Federal mass transit law. OLMS now administers Executive Order
13201 in conjunction with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs. EO 13201 requires Federal contractors to post notices
informing their employees of certain rights related to union membership
and payment of union dues or fees.
OLMS delivers compliance assistance through its Web site,
publications, e-mail, workshops and other group presentations. An OLMS
Web site--http://www.union-reports.dol.gov_lets users view and print union
annual financial reports. It features a powerful data search system
that can produce lists tailored to users' needs. OLMS recently expanded
the site to let users view and print reports by employers and labor
relations consultants.
OLMS on the Web: http://www.olms.dol.gov.
OLMS Contact Information: http://www.dol.gov/esa/contacts/olms/lmskeyp.htm
.
Telephone: 1-202-693-0123 (union member rights); 1-202-
693-0126 (transit employee protections).
Department of Labor Single Point of Contact: Under the Small
Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the Department of Labor has
established a single point of contact in the agency to act as a liaison
between the agency and small business concerns: Barbara Bingham,
Director, Office of Compliance Assistance Policy, Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW., Rm. S2312, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone:
(202) 693-5080.
State
Compliance Assistance Resources: http://www.state.gov/m/a/sdbu.
Compliance assistance: http://www.state.gov/m/a/sdbu/c9124.htm
.
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Web page links to a number of Federal agencies: http://www.osdbu.gov.
Publications: A Guide to Doing Business with State
Department. Forecast of Contract Opportunities and others are available
electronically on the Web page.
Workshops: State/OSDBU presents a number of workshops
throughout the year as part of its outreach efforts. These workshops
include ``in reach'' to our State Department customers and cover topics
related to the Small Business Program. State/OSDBU staff members are
often invited to participate on workshops or panels hosted by small
business trade associations, Chambers of Commerce or other groups
representing the interests of small business.
Training Sessions: We sponsor training sessions for State
Department employees. Examples: Small Business Program training module
at Foreign Service Institute's GSO Course. Participation in regional
GSO Conferences hosted by State's Office of Logistics Management.
(e.g., New Delhi, India and Gaborone, Botswana in 2002). Also
participate in State Department events designed for private industry
such as Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operation's Industry Day. State
hosts an annual Prime Contractor training session. The morning is a
refresher for
[[Page 36122]]
large primes on regulations and reporting requirements governing
subcontracting. The afternoon session is for networking between large
primes and ``hot prospect'' small businesses.
Small Business Fairs: State/OSDBU hosts an annual Small
Business Fair, which features ``common usage'' items typically
purchased using the government credit card or GSA schedule. In November
2002, we hosted a Veteran-owned Small Business Conference. We are also
co-hosts of quarterly Information Technology Expositions, for which the
Bureau of Information Resource Management takes the lead. We co-sponsor
with other Federal OSDBUs an annual conference each April, at Show
Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. This year's event, held on
April 23rd, attracted over 1500 participants from all over the country.
State/OSDBU also supports Small Business Fairs hosted by other Federal
agencies, by small business trade associations, or by members of
Congress. During FY 2002 to date, we have participated in over 30 such
events.
State Department Single Point of Contact: Gregory K.O. Davis,
Telephone: (202) 312-9607. Regulatory Coordinator Fax: (202) 312-9603.
A/RPS/DIR, 1800 G Street, NW., Suite 2400, SA-22, Washington, DC 20522-
2201. Internet: http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/ and http://foia.state.gov/famdir/fam/fam.asp.Transportation
Web-based Compliance: Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business
Utilization, http://osdbuweb.dot.gov.
Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance: http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc.
Telephone: Small Business Customer Service Center, 1-800-532-1169.
Office of Drug Enforcement and Program Compliance (DEPC): 1-800-
225-3784 (fax on demand service).
Seminars/Classes: Transportation Marketplace Conferences, http://osdbuweb.dot.gov
.
Breath Alcohol Technician Training and Screening, Test Technician
Training Manuals: Transportation Safety Institute, Telephone (405) 949-
0036, x323. Marti Bludworth, DTI-100, 4400 Will Rogers Parkway, Suite
205, Oklahoma City, OK 73108.
Online/e-mail Service News by E-mail: http://osdbuweb.dot.gov Central Docket Management System: http://dms.dot.gov.
Office of Aviation Analysis: http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/
index.html.
Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance Program Guidance Material:
http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/prog_guidance.html.
Online purchases and payments: http://www.Diy.dot.gov.
Publications: The Transportation Link Newsletter; Marketing
Information Package, Fax on Demand Catalog. Telephone 1-800-532-1169.
http://osdbuweb.dot.gov.
Federal Highway Administration
Web-based Compliance: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov.
Publications: Citizens Guide to Transportation Decisionmaking;
National Dialogue on Operations; An Overview of Transportation and
Environmental Justice; Transportation Conformity, A Basic Guide for
State and Local Officials, Revised 2000; A Guide to Metropolitan
Planning Under ISTEA, How the Pieces Fit Together; Federal Size
Regulations for Commercial Motor Vehicles; and Bridge Formula Weights
(all the above are available at the Web site).
Federal Aviation Administration
Web-based Compliance: http://www.faa.gov/avr/arm/sbrefa.htm. E-mail Service: 9-AWA-SBREFA@faa.gov.
Telephone Service: 1-888-551-1594 or 1-800-255-1111 (Safety
Hotline).
On-site Assistance: Charlene Brown, 800 Independence Ave., SW.,
Room 808, Washington, DC 20591.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Web-based Compliance: www.bts.gov/mcs/desc.html; http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/dashome.htm
(See Table of Contents
Financial and Operating Statistics); and http://www.bts.gov/oai/sources
(Office of Airline Information).
E-mail Service: answers@bts.gov.
Telephone Service: 1-800-853-1351 (General Information), and 1-202-
366-4888 (public data from air carrier reports).
Publications: Worksheet for Calculating Carrier Classification
(Motor Carriers of Passengers); Worksheet for Calculating Carrier
Classification (Motor Carriers of Property); Information Sheet for Form
QFR and many others available through the Web site.
On-site Assistance: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 7th
Street, SW., Room 3103, Washington, DC, L'Enfant Plaza Metrorail
Station (7th and D Street exit).
Reports Reference Facility (public data from air carrier reports):
400 7th Street, SW., Room 4201, Washington, DC.
Federal Railroad Administration
Web-based Compliance: http://www.fra.dot.gov.
Telephone Service: (202) 493-6395 (Office of Policy & Program
Development).
Federal Transit Administration
Web-based Compliance: http://www.fta.dot.gov.
Telephone Service: 1-800-527-8279 (National Transit Resource
Center).
Publications: http://www.fta.dot.gov/library.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Web-based Compliance: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov and www.1-888-dot-saft.com.
Telephone Service: 1-800-832-5660 (Information Line), 1-800-368-
7328 (Consumer complaint hotline), (202) 366-9805 (Licensing
Information), (202) 385-2423 (Insurance Information).
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Web-based compliance: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
Telephone Service: 1-800-DASH-2-DOT (1-800-327-4236).
Publications: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/Index.cfm
(Online publications library).
Maritime Administration
Web-based Compliance: http://www.marad.dot.gov.
Telephone Service: (202) 366-4610 (Cargo Preference Program), (202)
366-8888 (Intermodal Development), (202) 366-8887 (Environmental
Activities), (202) 366-1931 (Maritech Program), (202) 366-5744
(Maritime Loan Guarantee), (202) 366-1931 (National Maritime Resource
and Education Center), (202) 366-4610 (Ocean Freight Differential),
(202) 366-2324 (Operating Differential Subsidy), (202) 366-2625 (Ship
Operation Cooperative Program), (202) 366-2400 (War Risk Insurance
Program), and (202) 366-5821 (Vessel Transfer Program).
Publications: http://www.marad.dot.gov/publications (online library).
Research and Special Programs Administration
Web-based Compliance: www.rspa.dot.gov; http://hazmat.dot.gov; and
http://ops.dot.gov.
Telephone Service: (202) 366-4595 (Office of Pipeline Safety), 1-
800-HMR-4922 or (202) 366-4488 (Hazardous Materials Information
Center), (202) 366-4900 (Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives and
Training), (202) 366-4484 (Hazardous Materials Incident Reports).
[[Page 36123]]
Fax Service: 1-800-467-4922 (Hazardous Materials fax on demand) and
202-366-4566 (Office of Pipeline Safety fax).
E-mail Service: Grants@rspa.dot.gov, Infocntr@rspa.dot.gov,
Register@rspa.dot.gov, Training@rspa.dot.gov, Welisten@rspa.dot.gov.
Seminars/Classes: Transportation Safety Institute (Compliance
Inspection Comprehensive Operator Qualification, OPS); Risk Management
Conference/Public Meeting Proceedings (Hazmat and OPS) http://www.tsi.dot.gov.
Publications: Pipeline Risk Management Newsletter, Oil Pollution
Act Newsletter, and Hazmat Safety Alerts.
Department of Transportation Single Point of Contact: Steven B.
Lott, Manager, Strategic Integration, IT Program Management, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590. Telephone: (202) 366-1314. Fax: (202) 366-7373. http://cio.ost.dot.gov/contact/index.html
.
Treasury
Office of Small Business Development. Our Office of Small Business
Development (http://www.treas.gov/sba) has a robust small business
program to ensure both small business prime and subcontracting
opportunities. The following examples, initiatives, and partnerships
demonstrate Treasury's commitment:
Outreach Efforts:
Maintain a vigorous small business procurement Web site
(http://www.treas.gov/sba).
Treasury's annual forecast of contract opportunities and
small business subcontracting opportunities directory are posted on the
small business Web site, and we make hard copies available upon request
and at all of the small business outreach events we attend.
Our highly successful Treasury Monthly Vendor Outreach
Session program allows small businesses to meet with Treasury bureau
small business specialists. We also include special guests representing
other Federal agencies or prime contractors to discuss procurement
opportunities on a pre-arranged 15-minute basis in one central
location. Our schedule is published a year in advance to allow small
business to plan their marketing efforts.
Treasury's outreach efforts also include two Treasury IT
Program Manager Vendor Outreach Session events each year (this event is
modeled after our Monthly Vendor Outreach Session).
In Treasury's capacity as Chair of the OSDBU Directors
Interagency Council outreach committee, we have taken the lead on the
government-wide Annual OSDBU Directors Procurement Conference held in
April of each year. This event is also posted on our Web site.
We have also focused our efforts in targeted outreach on a
nationwide basis, such as trade fair participation, seminar
presentations, panel program discussions on specific topics, and one-
on-one counseling.
The OSBD has built a solid relationship with a variety of
small business trade associations. On April 12, 2000, Treasury entered
into an historic Memorandum of Understanding with 17 small, minority,
and women-owned small business trade associations to increase the
ability of small minority and women-owned small businesses to compete
for Treasury procurements in industries reflecting under-representation
while maintaining participation in industries with successful
utilization.
A list of the Top 25 Treasury purchases is published,
listed by industry classification over a five year period to provide an
opportunity for ``targeted outreach''.
Treasury implemented a mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] pilot
program. We are the only agency in which prot[eacute]g[eacute]s may be
small businesses of all types--SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZSB, SDVOSB, and VOSB.
Internal Revenue Service
I. Compliance Assistance Resources (Paperwork Relief Act Report).
The IRS Compliance Assistance Resources are those that help
taxpayers comply with the Federal tax law. We are making every effort
to inform, assist and educate taxpayers.
II. Points of Contact for IRS.
Single point of contact for Compliance Assistance Resources IRS Web
site: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html.
Single point of contact for Paperwork Relief Act of 2002. Michael
Chesman Director Office of Taxpayer Burden Reduction. Phone: (202) 283-
7673. E-mail: Michael.R.Chesman@irs.gov.
Compliance Assistance Program Description
a. The Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) operating division is
structured to best serve taxpayers whose needs are more complex than
wage and investment taxpayers. This division serves about 40 million
small businesses, including 33 million self-employed and 7 million
corporations and partnerships with assets of $10 million or less. While
many face the same tax issues as large corporations, they often do not
have tax professionals on staff. Tax compliance issues often stem from
a lack of understanding of tax law requirements, inadequate accounting
practices and resources and cash flow problems.
The approximately 33 million self-employed and supplemental income
earners are similar to wage and investment taxpayers, but their tax
issues are often more complex. They have substantially higher incomes
and file twice the number of forms and schedules, requiring more time
to prepare taxes, a greater reliance on paid tax preparers and more IRS
expertise.
i. Headquarters
Taxpayer Education and Communication's (TEC) mission is to support
and accomplish the goals of the Strategic Plan. We increase filing,
reporting, and paying compliance by providing small business and self-
employed individuals with top quality pre-filing services. TEC's
activities align with compliance goals and approaches set by other
parts of the organization.
The field and headquarters staffs support compliance-focused pre-
filing activities through direct dealings with small businesses and
self-employed individuals and through third party relationships with
key internal and external stakeholders. TEC works to develop and
maintain partnerships with key stakeholders. The relationships are
leveraged to assist in the delivery of targeted messages to specific
audiences on specific compliance issues resulting in communications
that reach a much larger taxpayer population.
TEC focuses on burden reduction initiatives and promotes electronic
filing and payment options to SB/SE taxpayers. The services TEC
provides assist in promoting compliance among small businesses and
self-employed taxpayers through non-enforcement methods and help
taxpayers understand their tax obligations in a manner that leads to
voluntary compliance.
[cir] Partnership Outreach designs, develops and delivers
educational products and services focused on customer needs, and
leverage partnerships with major stakeholders through negotiated
agreements to assist in the delivery of these products and services.
The primary focus is on proactively identifying emerging trends, common
errors, and common areas of non-compliance, and developing products,
services and programs to address these issues and encourage compliance.
[[Page 36124]]
[cir] Business Marketing Services plans and execute the promotion
and distribution of all traditional SB/SE products and services to TEC
employees, key stakeholders, and targeted taxpayer audiences in order
to satisfy external customer needs and internal organizational
objectives. Business Marketing Services is also focused on developing
strategies for increasing usage of electronic products and implementing
them effectively for not only the small business community but also the
more uniquely emerging self-employed taxpayer segment.
[cir] The Office of Taxpayer Burden Reduction provides direction
and leadership for burden reduction efforts by focusing on six major
areas:
[mshbox] Informing and educating customers about their tax
responsibilities.
[mshbox] Simplifying forms, publications and communications.
[mshbox] Streamlining internal policies, processes and procedures
(including audit plans).
[mshbox] Promoting less burdensome rulings, regulations and law.
[mshbox] Assisting in the development of a burden reduction
measurement methodology.
[mshbox] Partnering with internal and external stakeholders to more
effectively and efficiently identify and address burden reduction
initiatives.
[cir] Field Organization
A geographically dispersed field staff provides top quality
compliance focused pre-filing service to small business and self-
employed individuals directly and through third party relationships
with key internal and external stakeholders. These services assist
small business and self-employed taxpayers by helping them to
understand their tax obligations in a manner which leads to filing,
payment, and reporting compliance.
IRS Area Distribution Centers (ADCs) serve as distribution points
for tax products. Tax products can be ordered free of charge from the
ADCs at 1-800-829-2437.
b. IRS provides live telephone assistance through Customer Account
Service.
[mshbox] Tax Assistance--1-800-829-1040.
[mshbox] Forms, Form Instructions and Publications--1-800-829-3676.
[mshbox] Small Business and Specialty Taxes--1-800-829-4933.
[mshbox] Compliance Assistance Products--1-800-829-2765.
[mshbox] Tax Refund Hotline--1-800-829-1954.
[mshbox] Recorded Tax Information (Tele-Tax) 24 hour service--1-
800-829-4477.
[mshbox] Assistance for the Hearing Impaired--1-800-829-4059.
[mshbox] To suggest improvements to IRS Procedures--1-888-912-1227.
[mshbox] Taxpayer Advocate Service Hotline--1-877-777-4778.
c. Taxpayers who need more information than is provided by Customer
Account Service may go to the Help Web site at http://www.irs.gov/help/index.html
.
d. Finding addresses to file Internal Revenue Service tax forms has
just become easier for taxpayers and tax practitioners. On August 22,
2003, the IRS launched a ``Where to File'' Web site on the Internet.
With only a few keystrokes, taxpayers and practitioners now have access
to the proper mailing address to ensure that business returns are
received and processed in a timely manner. See the Where to File--
Business Forms and Filing Addresses at http://www.irs.gov/file/article/0
,,id=111453,00.html.
e. Web sites/Internet
[mshbox] http://www.irs.gov_IRS Web site. [mshbox] http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz_IRS Small Business Web site.
[mshbox] http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz_The SB/SE Internet site has
had 12,200,283 visits from January 2002 to February 2004.
[mshbox] http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/index.html_News [mshbox] http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/content/0.,,id=103728,00.html--
Plain Language Regulations.
[mshbox] Tax Centers on Partners' Web site--IRS has developed a
number of partnerships by establishing a Tax Center Web site on the
partner's sites. Tax Centers have a comprehensive set of links
customized to the partners needs and organized by topic to various
parts of irs.gov. For example see: Tax Center Web site--http://www.sba.gov/bi/irstaxcenter.doc
.
f. Training/Workshops/Seminars
[mshbox] Practitioner Institutes. Practitioner Institutes serve as
part of an overall practitioner education curriculum, which includes
Tax Talk Today, the Nationwide Tax Forum, local liaison meetings, etc.
They provide a much-needed venue for delivering the IRS message to
approximately 25,000 direct participants, which prepare countless tax
returns for the public each year. The Tax Practitioner Institutes have
been ongoing for as many as 60 years in some parts of the country. Over
the years the institutes have evolved into forums that deal with a
large variety of income tax issues of interest to the entire tax
practitioner community.
[mshbox] Small Business Tax Workshop Student/Instructor Materials
IRS has adopted three models for small business tax workshops our
partners can offer as a client service to help the smallest and newest
businesses:
[ctrcir] Partner organizations organize, market and staff live
workshops using IRS materials or their own. IRS just released Spanish
language versions of the Student Workbook and the Instructor Guide.
[ctrcir] Partnership organizations link to IRS' on-line small
business workshop products and market them to their members. An online
Spanish language version of the classroom materials is nearly complete.
[ctrcir] Partner organizations distribute Pub. 3700, A Virtual
Small Business workshop CD-ROM (September 2003) and Pub. 3693,
Introduction to Federal Taxes for Small Business--Self Employed:
Getting Your Business Off to a Successful Start CD-ROM (Sept 2001) to
their members and/or let them know how to order it. Pub. 3700 has
Spanish and Mandarin closed captions.
[mshbox] Online Small Business Tax Workshops. IRS has an
interactive online Small Business Tax Workshop that includes all of the
materials used in the classroom workshops taught by IRS partner
organizations. There are also streaming video workshops in the Online
Classroom at http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz.
[mshbox] Tax Talk Today. Tax Talk Today is a monthly program about
current tax issues and policies sponsored in part by the IRS. It
provides unbiased insight and information about current tax and
business issues critical to tax professionals. All of the programs
feature a panel discussion, Questions and Answers from viewers, current
tax news stories, and tax teasers. The format allows viewers to ask
questions via e-mail, fax or telephone. Web site: http://www.taxtalktoday.tv/
.
[mshbox] Interactive Video Conference Television (IVT) IRS produces
and directs live Interactive Video Television (IVT) instructional and
informational training via IRS Satellite that reaches 135 IRS offices
nationwide. IRS welcomes external stakeholder participation in IVTs.
Last June representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and
Government Affairs for the National Association of Convenience Stores
participated in the ``What's In It For Me'' IVT.
g. Products Developed Specifically for Small Business. The role of
the SB/SE TEC division is to address compliance through education and
marketing to our Small Business and Self-Employed taxpayers. We develop
educational products and services focused on customer needs to provide
top quality pre-filing services to help taxpayers and stakeholders
understand and comply
[[Page 36125]]
with the tax laws. Products can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-
829-3676. Web site: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0
,,id=101169,00.html.
h. Forums
[mshbox] Payroll/Practitioner Forums
The Payroll/Practitioner Forums are an extension of the bi-monthly
National Public Liaison (NPL) meetings. The Forums provide an
opportunity for the subject matter experts (SMEs) and payroll/
practitioner representatives to ``work through'' the issues raised from
suggested topics on the agenda.
[mshbox] Small Business Forums. Small Business Forums are held with
external small business groups and associations. The primary focus of
these meetings is to provide an avenue for an open exchange of
information with external stakeholders. The forums also give them an
opportunity to share feedback concerns on behalf of their small
business members. Monthly schedule: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0
,,id=106266,00.html.
[mshbox] IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. One of the Service's largest
and most effective outreach programs to the tax professional community
is the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. During July, August, and September,
the IRS will present six tax forums nationwide, which will include
seminars, a trade show, and an awards banquet. These forums are
designed to help tax professionals obtain valuable information to
improve their business. Web site: http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0
,,id=97192,00.html.
i. Tax Assistance Centers are your one-stop resource for face-to-
face tax help. These sites provide assistance in the preparation of
returns as well as resolution of less complex accounts and compliance
issues for taxpayers that require face-to-face assistance. The site
location and hours of operation are available at Web site: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html
.
IRS also offers free income tax assistance for low income,
disabled, elderly and non-English speaking taxpayers through the
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) and Tax Counseling for
the Elderly program (TCE). A free tax preparation site can be located
by calling Customer Account Services at 1-800-829-1040.
j. Non-retaliation Policy. The IRS has a zero tolerance policy for
retaliation and has had a written non-retaliation policy in place since
1998. On July 22, 1999, President Clinton signed into law the landmark
``IRS Restructuring and Reform Act (RRA) of 1998.'' The IRS has taken a
number of steps to prevent retaliation and has put policies in place to
deal with it effectively, should it occur. Section 1203 of RRA'98
provides for the mandatory termination of IRS employees under various
specific instances of misconduct and provides a number of key taxpayer
safeguards. This serves as a strong deterrent to any employee who might
consider taking retaliatory action. Web site: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
.
k. TAS--Overall and Systemic Advocacy. Taxpayer Advocate Service
(TAS) is an independent organization that helps taxpayers resolve
problems with the IRS and recommend changes that will prevent tax
problems.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service Office of Systemic Advocacy provides
oversight and direction for identifying, and analyzing systemic,
procedural and operations problems. This office announced on March 13,
2003 the development of a new internet-based program for submitting
systemic problems and suggestions to improve tax administration. On
November 24, 2003, TAS launched a new Web-based application, part of
the Systemic Advocacy Management System (SAMS), to streamline the
process of submitting issues that affect multiple taxpayers.
Office of Systemic Advocacy Web site: http://www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html
.
Web-Based Application: http://www.irs.gov/advocate/article/0
,,id=117703,00.html.
IV. Fiscal 2004 Compliance Assistance Resources
EFTPS Express Enrollment Web site--Offers some taxpayers new,
quicker access to an electronic payment system. The EFTPS Express
Enrollment Web site can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0
,,id=120110,00.html.
Penalty Rebate for Enrolling in EFTPS Web site--Allows paper coupon
users who were assessed a Form 941 deposit penalty the opportunity to
receive a one-time penalty refund. The Penalty Rebate for Enrolling in
EFTPS Web site can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0
,,id=120305,00.html.
Reporting Agents (RAF) Web site--Assists employers in making
required tax deposits and tax information filings to the Federal
Government and to State and local governments. The Reporting Agents
(RAF) Web site can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0
,,id=108689,00.html.
Bartering Web site--Bartering occurs when goods or services are
exchanged without exchanging money. Bartering revenue was estimated at
7.78 billion in 2001. The Internet has provided a medium for new growth
in the bartering exchange industry. There were only $682 million
dollars reported to the Service on Form 1099B's for 2001. IRS has:
[ctrcir] Mailed notices to over 600 bartering exchanges nationwide.
[ctrcir] Established partnerships with the International Reciprocal
Trade Associations to develop outreach efforts to inform their members
of filing requirements.
[ctrcir] Updated Web sites to include information on filing
requirements for bartering exchanges.
Information Reporting Requirements for Bartering Exchange can be
found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0
,,id=118385,00.html.
Demand Reduction--The Demand Reduction Program seeks to lower the
number of calls generated during the filing season by identifying high
volume topics through the analysis of frequently asked questions and
current emerging issues. In this pilot, IRS is testing whether targeted
outreach/educational products and outreach initiatives focused on high-
volume, topic-specific issues will reduce the number of calls generated
in these areas. To date, the demand reduction program has identified 13
topics as being of sufficient national impact to generate headliner
articles. In addition, this program has also generated a reference
guide identifying the specific types and filing requirements for the
various corporate returns and related schedules. This guide is slated
for both ``internal use'', by our assistors and ``external use'' by
practitioners to reduce the number of ``What form do I use?'' questions
in the ``Partnership and Corporation'' category.
Issue Resolution Tracking System (IRTS)--The IRS is proactive in
responding to stakeholder concerns through the use of the Issue
Resolution Tracking System. This Web-based data base assists IRS in
monitoring the resolution of issues identified by stakeholders such as
small businesses, trade associations, government agencies and
government institutions, and payroll and practitioner groups. In
addition to responding to issues we will be able to detect stakeholder
identified issues and track trends both locally and nationally.
Global Diversity Group (GDG)--Global Diversity Group (GDG) is a
consulting firm that provides access to much needed information
designed to assist minority entrepreneurs and women business owners
with the growth of their companies. A GDG Business Exchange ``Tour for
Success'' annual event is held in various locations
[[Page 36126]]
throughout the country and provides exhibitors, workshops and
interaction between corporations, professionals, entrepreneurs,
educators as well as government organizations. IRS established a
partnership with GDG that focuses on IRS'' interaction with the small
business community. IRS participated in GDG Business Exchange 2003
``Tour for Success'' that covered 10 cities and over 4000 participants.
GDG is currently preparing to launch their revised Web site that will
include a comprehensive ``Tax Center'' linking visitors to important
small business information on the IRS Web site.
V. New in FY 2004
Small Business Products
[ctrcir] Publication 4143 and Publication 4143A, Learning the Art
of Doing Business, a curriculum for cosmetology students and instructor
guide, teaches the Federal tax responsibilities specific to
cosmetology.
[ctrcir] Publication 4161, The Art of Doing Business, Brochure.
[ctrcir] Publication 4297, Industry Issue Resolution Program,
Brochure, covers what types of issues are appropriate for the program
how to submit an issue to the IRS.
[ctrcir] Publication 4261, Do You Have a Foreign Bank Account?
Addresses tax compliance for those taxpayers who have a foreign bank
account.
Small Business Products Printed in Spanish
[ctrcir] Publication 1518, IRS Tax Calendar.
[ctrcir] Publication 3995, Recognizing Illegal Tax Schemes.
[ctrcir] Publication 4035, Home Based Business Tax Avoidance
Schemes.
[ctrcir] Publications 1066 and 1066B, Small Business Tax Workshop:
Student Workbook and Supplemental Guide.
[ctrcir] Publication 3992, Consumer Tax Video, Reporting Tip Income
on TRAC.
VI. Summary
IRS assists the small business community by providing small
business and self-employed individuals with top quality services. The
services IRS provides assist in promoting compliance among small
businesses and self-employed taxpayers through non-enforcement methods
and help taxpayers understand their tax obligations in a manner that
leads to voluntary compliance.
IRS maintains a ``customer first'' focus through routinely
soliciting information concerning the needs and characteristics of its
small business customers and implementing programs based on the
information received.
Additionally, IRS partners with other Federal agencies, financial
institutions, tax preparers, community groups, trade associations,
State and local authorities and others to provide tax information and
education services to small business customers.
Treasury Single Point of Contact: Jackie Barber, Acting Director,
Office of Small Business Development, U.S. Department of the Treasury,
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Mail Code: 1450 G St, Washington, DC
20220. Telephone: (202) 622-8213. Fax: (202) 622-4963. E-mail:
jackie.barber@do.treas.gov.
Veterans Affairs
Consistent with SBREFA, compliance assistance is funneled through
the two Web sites above to register complaints or ask for assistance.
Most other VA offices will ensure that appropriate certifications are
published in VA regulations that they do not affect small business
entities. Small businesses can comment on VA regulations during the
informal rulemaking process, after they are published as proposed rules
in the Federal Register.
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization:
http://www.va.gov/osdbu Center for Veterans Enterprise: http://www.vetbiz.gov.
Veterans Affairs Single Point of Contact: Ramsey Alexander, Jr.,
Senior Procurement Analyst, OSDBU (00SB), Department of Veterans
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. Telephone: 202-
565-8133. Toll Free: 800-949-8156. E-mail:
ramsey.alexander@mail.va.gov.
Agency for International Development
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Single Point of
Contact: Marilyn S. Marton, Director, Office of Small & Disadvantaged,
Business Utilization (OSDBU), U.S. Agency for International
Development. 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20523-7800.
Telephone: (202) 712-1500. Fax: (202) 216-3056. E-Mail:
mmarton@usaid.gov.
Appraisal Subcommittee of Federal Financial Institutions Examination
Council
Appraisal Subcommittee Single Point of Contact: Ben Henson,
Appraisal Subcommittee of FFIEC, 2000 K St NW., Suite 310, Washington,
DC 20006. Telephone: (202) 872-7520. Fax: (202) 872-7501. E-mail:
ben@asc.gov.
Committee for Purchase of the Blind/Severely Disabled
Committee for Purchase for the Blind and Severely Disabled Single
Point of Contact: Patrick Rowe, Deputy Executive Director, Committee
for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, 1421
Jefferson Davis Highway, Jefferson Plaza 2, Suite10800, Arlington, VA
22202-3259. Phone: (703) 603-7740. Fax: (703) 603-0655. E-Mail:
prowe@jwod.gov.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
The Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) establishes a regulatory scheme
for the commodity futures and options industry that generally depends
on industry self-regulation with federal oversight by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The National Futures Association
(NFA) and other self-regulatory organizations (SROs) conduct routine
compliance reviews in the futures industry. The NFA is responsible for
most of the compliance reviews of retail sales practices in the
industry and in this regard, it has a program for the voluntary review
of promotional materials. NFA's Internet website includes a ``Contact
NFA'' section providing telephone numbers for its general Information
Center and specific compliance contact personnel (http://www.nfa.futures.org/contact/indexContact.asp
), as well as various published compliance
information (http://www.nfa.futures.org/compliance/publications.asp).
The CFTC provides compliance guidance to small businesses through
several methods. The CFTC's Internet Web site includes a ``Law &
Regulation'' section (http://www.cftc.gov/cftc/cftclawreg.htm) providing
general information concerning the requirements of the CEA, CFTC
Orders, and staff exemptive, no-action and interpretive letters. This
section links to a ``Compliance'' page (http://www.cftc.gov/tm/tmcompliance.htm
) that contains guidance to assist firms and
individuals who conduct commodity futures and options business with
customers in complying with the CEA provisions and CFTC Regulations
applicable to their activities. Informal guidance also is available
through the ``Publications'' section of the CFTC Web site
(http://www.cftc.gov/cftc/cftcreports.htm), which contains ``CFTC
Backgrounders'' and other brochures providing information of use to
small businesses.
Staff members in the CFTC's various divisions offer informal
assistance and guidance in response to telephone inquiries and e-mail
messages submitted through the CFTC Web site (homepage: http://www.cftc.gov/
). These include:
The Division of Clearing and Intermediary Oversight ((202)
418-5430)--inquiries concerning rules governing protection of customer
funds, trading and sales practice issues,
[[Page 36127]]
registration and disclosure issues, and financial requirements.
The Division of Market Oversight ((202) 418-5260)--
Inquiries concerning market and product design, market surveillance,
position reporting, and trade practice issues.
The Office of General Counsel ((202) 418-5120)--assigns an
``Attorney of the Day'' to answer telephone inquiries about the CEA and
CFTC Regulations.
The Division of Enforcement--provides notice to small
businesses about their right to comment on CFTC actions pursuant to the
Small Business Regulatory and Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA)
whenever it makes a request to provide information voluntarily or
pursuant to subpoena or the inspection provisions of the CEA. The CFTC
and its staff are committed to ensuring that small businesses are
provided a non-retaliatory environment in which to exercise their right
to comment.
The CFTC has a small business liaison located in the Office of
External Affairs. When the agency receives inquiries related to small
business, such as communications from the office of the National
Ombudsman, they are forwarded to the liaison. The liaison also works
with the Ombudsman to provide information and resolve any issues or
complaints received by the Ombudsman's office.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Single Point of Contact:
Gabrielle A. Sudik, Attorney, Office of General Counsel, Three
Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581.
Telephone: (202) 418-5171. E-mail: gsudik@cftc.gov.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC information can be found at http://www. cpsc. gov/ businfo/
businfo. html, or by calling 1-800-638-CPSC.
CPSC offers publications, Web based compliance and on-
line/e-mail service, including, but not limited to A Small Business
Guide to the U.S. CPSC http://www. cpsc. gov/ businfo/ smbusgde. html.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Single Point of Contact: Thomas
W. Murr, Jr., Deputy Executive Director, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone:
(301) 504-7907. E-mail: tmurr@cpsc.gov.
Corporation for National and Community Service
Corporation for National and Community Service Single Point of
Contact: Bill Hudson, Corporation for National and Community Service,
Office of the General Council Rm. 8200, 1201 NY Ave. NW., Washington DC
20525, Telephone: (202) 606-5000 ext. 265. Fax: (202) 565-2796. E-mail:
whudson@cns.gov.
Environmental Protection Agency
EPA currently has over 100 initiatives, activities, and services
directed at small business needs. EPA efforts include a toll-free
hotline; newsletters; Web sites; e-mail listserv; information alerts on
emerging regulatory issues; industry sector specific guides directed at
providing information on specific industry processes, Federal
regulatory requirements, compliance history and pollution prevention
information; expert systems; voluntary programs; and training programs.
EPA's Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) provides a ``gateway'' and
dedicated support for small businesses to reach EPA compliance
assistance resources offered by EPA, the States, and other sources. The
SBO answers technical and regulatory questions on a toll-free hotline,
provides more than 350 free EPA publications, develops compliance
assistance tools, and gives direct access to regulatory assistance on a
comprehensive Web site. It publishes the SBO newsletter twice a year to
report important EPA activities and give timely alerts to small
businesses and interested service providers on EPA actions. The SBO
acts as the focal point and provides multi-level support and
coordination for an extensive national network of small business
assistance programs, and works with small businesses, service
providers, and state and regional officials to address small business
needs.
The Small Business Gateway is a Web site that links to EPA's
assistance programs for small business. http://www.epa.gov/smallbusiness/
.
EPA also partners with industry representatives and others on
sector-specific Compliance Assistance Centers. The centers support the
agriculture, automotive recycling, automotive service and repair,
chemical manufacturing, construction, local government issues, metal
finishing, paints and coatings, printed-wiring-board manufacturing,
printing, transportation, and border compliance sectors by providing
tools such as checklists, plain language guides, and technical
information to help small businesses understand their regulatory
requirements.
Compliance Assistance Centers:
Agriculture http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/ Auto Recyclers http://www.ecarcenter.org
Auto Service Industry http://www.ccar-greenlink.org
Chemicals http://www.chemalliance.org/ Construction Industry http://www.cicacenter.org
Local Government http://www.lgean.org/
Metal Finishing http://www.nmfrc.org/ Paints and Coatings http://www.paintcenter.org/
Printed Wiring Boards http://www.pwbrc.org/
Printing http://www.pneac.org/ Transportation http://www.transource.org/
U.S./Mexico Border http://www.bordercenter.org
EPA also manages a National Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse as
a guide to compliance information on the Internet. This site gives
comprehensive links to EPA environmental compliance assistance
materials, as well as materials from all 50 states and other
organizations. The Clearinghouse contains many features allowing small
businesses to interact directly with EPA and improve communication and
collaboration among compliance assistance providers.
EPA's Small Business Compliance Policy promotes environmental
compliance among small businesses by providing incentives to discover,
disclose, and make good faith efforts to correct violations. Software
is also available to assist in certain reporting requirements. The
``Toxics Release Inventory--Made Easy'' (TRI-ME) software guides users
through the entire Toxics Release Inventory reporting process from
start to finish.
EPA is also distributing a newsletter for compliance assistance
providers. Entitled Compass, each addition of the newsletter focuses on
a theme or topic of interest to the compliance assistance provider
community. The newsletter also has a calendar of upcoming events and a
``hot news'' section to highlight important information such as new
policies, guidance, tools, events or reports related to EPA's
compliance assistance program. The primary audience for this newsletter
is compliance assistance providers but other environmental assistance
providers as well the regulated community-including small businesses-
will find it useful. EPA plans to publish the newsletter three times a
year.
Information on EPA's initiatives and activities is available on the
EPA Small Business Ombudsman Web site http://www.epa.gov/sbo. This site
links to the
[[Page 36128]]
Small Business Environmental Home page http://www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org/
, which provides extensive small business assistance
information. EPA National Asbestos & Small Business hotline for
inquires on environmental regulations may be reached via a toll free
number (1-800-368-5888).
Environmental Protection Agency Single Point of Contact: Karen V.
Brown, Director, Small Business Division, EPA Small Business Ombudsman
(SBPRA Point of Contact), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., MC 1807T,
Washington, DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 566-2816. Fax: (202) 566-0954.
E-mail: brown.karen@epa.gov
Export-Import Bank
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the
official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's
mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services
to international markets. Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies--large and
small--to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to
maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national
economy.
Ex-Im Bank does not compete with private sector lenders but
provides export financing products that fill gaps in trade financing.
We assume credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or
unwilling to accept. We also help to level the playing field for U.S.
exporters by matching the financing that other governments provide to
their exporters.
Ex-Im Bank provides working capital guarantees (pre-export
financing); export credit insurance (post-export financing); and loan
guarantees and direct loans (buyer financing). No transaction is too
large or too small. On average, 85% of our transactions directly
benefit U.S. small businesses.
With nearly 70 years of experience, Ex-Im Bank has supported more
than $400 billion of U.S. exports, primarily to developing markets
worldwide.
Export-Import Bank Mission Statement: http://www.exim.gov/about/mission.html
Pre-Export Financing To Help U.S. Exporters Maximize
Borrowing Potential: http://www.exim.gov/products/work_cap.html Increase Your Export Sales While Minimizing Risks: http://www.exim.gov/products/insurance/index.html
Special Initiatives for Underserved Small Businesses:
http://www.exim.gov/products/special/underserved.html
Export-Import Bank Single Point of Contact: Sam Zytcer, Director of
the Small Business Office, Export-Import Bank, 811 Vermont Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20571. Telephone: (202) 565-3782
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Small Business Initiative
EEOC has developed a Small Business Initiative (SBI) to improve
customer service and expand outreach, education, and technical
assistance to the small business community. The SBI aims to promote
voluntary compliance by building a more cooperative and collaborative
relationship with the small and mid-sized business community and to
address EEO concerns expressed by small business owners. The main
components of the SBI include:
Small Business Liaisons. Every EEOC District office has a Small
Business Liaison available to employers who have questions about the
laws enforced by EEOC or about compliance with those laws in specific
workplace situations. Information on contacting Small Business Liaisons
can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/contacteeoc.html.
Small Business Web Page. http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/smallbusinesses.html_While
the information on this page applies to all
employers, it has been specifically designed for small businesses which
may not have a human resources department or a specialized EEO staff.
The page is designed to make it easier for small businesses to comply
with the anti-discrimination laws and help them in their dealings with
the EEOC.
No-Cost Outreach and Education Programs
EEOC's outreach and education programs provide information about
the employment discrimination laws enforced by EEOC and the EEOC
charge/complaint process. EEOC representatives are available at no cost
to make presentations and participate in meetings with employers and
their representative groups. For example, EEOC hosts regular meetings
with employers and employer groups, such as stakeholder advisory
councils to get feedback on legal and operational issues; provides
speakers and trainers for conferences, seminars, workshops and
classroom presentations and for regular scheduled meetings of
organizations, professional associations, etc; distributes information
materials on EEO laws and represent the Commission at events, such as
job fairs, conventions and conferences; and participates in media
presentations--including radio and TV interviews, as well as cyber-
chats.
A list of outreach coordinators and contact information can be
found at http://www.eeoc.gov/outreach/coordinators.html.
Fee-Based Training and Technical Assistance
EEOC presents a wide variety of fee-based training and technical
assistance programs throughout the country geared to employers in the
private sector, including small businesses, as well as Federal, State
and local government agencies. Training and technical assistance
available includes:
Technical Assistance Program Seminars (TAPS). Seminars emphasize
how to prevent EEO problems from developing and how to resolve
discrimination complaints effectively when they do arise. Real-life
case studies and examples often are used to show how equal employment
requirements apply to specific employment practices. Updates on
important legal developments, Commission policy and procedures and
vital information about EEOC's latest initiatives and alternative
dispute resolution program are discussed. Specialized topics will
differ by seminar and may include in-depth sessions on issues such as:
Sexual and racial harassment; complex ADA issues, including the ADA's
relation to other workplace laws; and religious and national origin
discrimination. Whenever practicable, small group breakouts, question
and answer periods, interactive formats and informal discussions are
used in the seminars, which enable participants to receive answers to
specific EEO questions.
Customer Specific Training Programs. EEOC staff provide specialized
training on various employment discrimination topics for employers at
their work site or at an organization's meeting or training events.
Training Products. EEOC has developed training course materials on
Workplace Harassment Issues: How to Identify, Prevent and Eliminate
Workplace Harassment, which are available for employers who want to
deliver their own training. Additional training courses on the
Americans with Disabilities Act and other topics are under development
and will be available in the future. Information on Training Contacts
can be found at http://www.eeotraining.eeoc.gov.
Publications
EEOC fact sheets, information materials and brochures and other
publications are available at no cost. They can be ordered by calling
1-800-669-3362 (voice) or 1-800-800-3302
[[Page 36129]]
(TTY) or through the Internet at http://www.eeoc.gov/publications.html.
Training and Technical Assistance Materials available for direct
purchase--A seven volume set of resource manuals provides a
comprehensive and invaluable EEO library on employment discrimination
issues. Each volume contains training exercises, practical guidance and
copies of EEOC's most important policy interpretations, including
information concerning recent important Supreme Court decisions
affecting Federal EEO law. The volumes are compiled and written by
legal experts and training professionals from the EEOC, the Federal
agency responsible for enforcing and interpreting the country's various
Federal employment discrimination laws. The entire series is updated
annually to reflect changes in law, court decisions and new EEOC
guidance. These materials are useful for employers, human resource/EEO
professionals, attorneys, labor representatives and others interested
in EEO matters in the private, Federal and State and local government
sectors. These manuals can be ordered through http://www.eeotraining.eeoc.gov.
Web Page
EEOC's Web page--http://www.eeoc.gov_provides easy-to-use
information on federal laws prohibiting job discrimination, including a
question and answer format. The site also provides copies of news/press
releases, laws enforced by EEOC, regulations, and policy guidance
issued by EEOC, as well as information on outreach, training and
technical assistance and publications.
The site provides links to other Federal labor law
enforcement agencies and other Federal agencies which may have
information/resources useful to employers.
EEOC has also worked with many Federal agencies, such as
the Small Business Administration, Office of the National Ombudsman, to
ensure EEOC's Web page is available as a link.
New Freedom Initiative
EEOC is working closely with small business organizations and
disability groups to conduct a series of free outreach and education
events for small businesses as part of President Bush's New Freedom
Initiative. EEOC expects to continue putting on these events throughout
fiscal years 2003 and 2004. EEOC has also produced The Americans with
Disabilities Act: A Primer for Small Business, which is a practical,
reader-friendly handbook for the small business person outlining the
employment provisions of the ADA as they relate to both employees and
job applicants. Information on the workshops is available at
http://www.eeoc.gov/initiatives/nfi/index.html. A copy of the Primer is
available at http://www.eeoc.gov/ada/adahandbook.html.
Guidance Letters
EEOC's Office of Legal Counsel issues approximately 90 significant
guidance letters a year explaining the employment discrimination
statutes to employers and other stakeholders.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Single Point of Contact:
Laura Hinton, National Outreach Coordinator, Office of Field Programs,
EEOC, 1801 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20507. Telephone: 202-663-
4811. E-mail: laura.hinton@eeoc.gov
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent U.S.
government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was
established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with
regulating interstate and international communications by radio,
television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers
the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.
The FCC is directed by five Commissioners appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms, except when
filling an unexpired term. The President designates one of the
Commissioners to serve as Chairperson. Only three Commissioners may be
members of the same political party. None of them can have a financial
interest in any Commission-related business.
The Commission staff is organized by function. There are six
operating Bureaus and ten Staff Offices. The Bureaus' responsibilities
include: Processing applications for licenses and other filings;
analyzing complaints; conducting investigations; developing and
implementing regulatory programs; and taking part in hearings. The
Offices provide support services. Even though the Bureaus and Offices
have their individual functions, they regularly join forces and share
expertise in addressing Commission issues. The six operating Bureaus
are: Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Enforcement, International,
Media, Wireless Telecommunications, and Wireline Competition.
Concerning FCC small entity enforcement and compliance issues, the
primary sources for information are the Enforcement Bureau, which
enforces the Communications Act as well as the Commission's rules,
orders and authorizations, and the Office of Communications Business
Opportunities (OCBO), which provides advice to the Commission on issues
and policies concerning telecommunications opportunities for small,
minority, and women-owned communications businesses. In addition, the
FCC Consumer Center, within the Consumer and Governmental Affairs
Bureau, provides a wealth of consumer information and other service.
E-Mail, Small Entity Contact Point: ocboinfo@fcc.gov
Telephone Service:
Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO):
202-418-0990
Enforcement Bureau: 202-418-7450
FCC Consumer Center, Toll-Free Telephone Service: 1-888-
CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
TTY, FCC Consumer Center, Toll-Free Telephone Service: 1-
888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)
Online Service:
FCC Homepage and News Location: http://www.fcc.gov
Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO):
http://www.fcc.gov/ocbo/ Enforcement Bureau: http://www.fcc.gov/eb/ (this site
includes the resource, ``How to File Complaints'')
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/
Consumer Alerts and Factsheets--Directory: http://
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/information_directory.html
Current Major Initiatives: http://www.fcc.gov/
initiatives.html
Federal Communications Commission Single Point of Contact: Carolyn
Fleming Williams, Director, Office of Communications Business
Opportunities, U.S. Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street,
S.W., Telephone: 202-418-0990. Fax: 202-418-0235. E-mail:
Carolyn.Williams@fcc.gov.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The FDIC provides compliance guidance to small banks on the range
of supervisory and regulatory issues to strengthen banks' own
compliance expertise and to enable banks to structure their own
operations in compliance with the law. Within the banking industry, a
longstanding custom has developed in which individual institutions
contact FDIC examiners for guidance on questions and concerns, both to
prevent non-compliance and to promptly and appropriately correct any
problems that might exist.
[[Page 36130]]
Compliance assistance products and services provided by the FDIC
include a variety of venues and provides a broad range of information
(in both web-based and print versions) that addresses the mission,
activities, and administrative actions of the FDIC, and provides access
to manuals, guidelines, and regulations, as well as to policy research,
data, and analysis of emerging issues in banking and the economy.
The FDIC maintains a toll-free hotline and an Internet
site for bankers and consumers to contact the FDIC if they have a
problem or concern.
The FDIC provides a compliance assistance web site at
http://www.fdic.gov. The FDIC web site includes information on
examinations, deposit insurance, laws and regulatory reporting, reports
and statistics, forms and publications, and consumer and community
affairs. Several of the FDIC sites are of particular interest to small
banks. FDICconnect is the secure internet channel for FDIC-insured
institutions to conduct business and exchange information with FDIC.
The Director's Corner includes items of interest to bank directors such
as Interagency Policy Statements, Supervisory Guidance, and Financial
Institution Letters. The Office of the Ombudsman site provides
assistance to FDIC-supervised and insured banks, serving as a bridge to
the Corporation.
The FDIC has a compliance assistance employee available
for each of its regulated institutions. At the Regional and Territory
Office levels there are case managers, field examiners, and other
senior staff assigned to a specific bank as the single point of contact
for that institution. The supervised institution and the FDIC point of
contact exchange numerous telephone calls and other direct
communication both to give guidance and to respond to informational
requests. In addition, there are Subject Matter Experts available at
the Regional and Washington Offices to answer questions in more
technical areas such as Information Systems, Capital Markets,
Accounting, Trust and other subject areas.
The agency provides compliance assistance education.
Perhaps the most extensive educational activities occur during the
examination process. Examiners review a bank's procedures, practices,
policies, and records to determine compliance with laws, regulations,
and supervisory policies. The vast majority of banks are well run and
compliance information customized to the individual bank's activities
is provided to bank management and employees to assist in future
activities. In the case of problem institutions, a more formal program
to correct deficiencies identified at the examination is put in place.
Between examinations, the FDIC has a Banker Outreach Program where
senior FDIC staff contact and meet with bank management to discuss new
technologies, product innovations, and recent statutory changes.
The FDIC maintains a structured compliance educational program in
its Directors' Colleges and in FDIC sponsored symposiums, roundtables,
and conferences. In 2003 and 2004, the FDIC held outreach roundtable
discussions on Consumer Debt, the Corporate Credit Cycle, and the
Commercial Real Estate Cycle and a symposium on Tapping the Unbanked
Market and Protecting the Financial Sector. Compliance assistance is
also provided when bankers meet with senior FDIC officials at state
banker association meetings and industry gatherings.
The FDIC provides a number of compliance assistance publications
and other regulatory information:
Supervisory Information:
Financial Institution Letters--supervisory guidance on
regulations and policies
FDIC Law, Regulations, Related Acts
FDIC Enforcement Decisions and Orders
Merger Decisions
Examination Manuals:
Manual of Examination Polices
Compliance Examination Manual
FFIEC Information Technology Examination Handbook
Information Technology Examination Procedures
E-Banking Examination Procedures
Trust Examination Manual
Guide to the Interagency Country Exposure Review Committee
Process
Guidelines for Payday Lending
Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Publications:
FDIC Annual Report--summary of operations and initiatives
for the year
Letter to Stakeholders--Chairman's report on FDIC's
priorities
FYI--An electronic newsletter that highlights analyses in
the areas of risk
FDIC Banking Review--Academic research on banking and
supervision
Working Paper Series--Academic research on banking and
finance
FDIC Outlook--Economic and Banking Risk Analysis from
national and regional perspectives
FDIC State Profiles--Macroeconomic and banking conditions
in each state
Quarterly Banking Profile--Bank performance, trends and
data tables
FDIC Consumer News--Banking and financial information for
consumers
Failed Bank Cost Analysis
FDIC/OTS Summary of Deposit
Trust Assets of Financial Institutions
On-Line Data Queries:
Institution Directory
Statistics on Depository Institutions
Call & Thrift Financial Reports
Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator
CRA Statute and Tools
RESPA Escrow Program
Guides for Bankers and Consumers:
Pocket Guide for Directors
Financial Institution Employees Guide to Deposit Insurance
International Directory of Deposit Insurers
Mortgage Loan Pre-qualifications: Applications or Not?
Side by Side: A Guide to Fair Lending
Uninsured Investment Products: A Pocket Guide
FDIC Guide to Real Estate Sales
Privacy Choices
Symbol of Confidence
Your Insured Deposit; Your Investments
Consumer Facts and Investments
Information for Contractors:
FDIC Acquisitions Policy Manual
Information for Prospective Outside Counsel
Office of Executive Secretary Contractor Ethics Decisions,
1996-Present
Office of the Ombudsman:
http://www. fdic. gov/ regulations/ resources/ ombudsman/ index.
html
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Single Point of Contact:
Carol L. Middlebrook, Ombudsman Specialist, 550 Seventeenth Street,
NW., PA-1730-2126, Washington, DC 20429. Telephone: 202-942-3807. Fax:
202-942-3041. E-mail: cmiddlebrook@fdic.gov
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Single Point of Contact:
Kimberly F. Fernandez, Office of External Affairs, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
Telephone: 202-502-8302. E-mail: kimberly.fernandez@ferc.gov
Federal Housing Finance Board
Federal Housing Finance Board Single Point of Contact: Janice Kaye,
Federal Housing Finance Board, Office of
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General Counsel, 1777 F Street, NW., Washington, DC. Phone: 202-408-
2505. E-mail: kayej@fhfb.gov
Federal Maritime Commission
Federal Maritime Commission Single Point of Contact: Jane E.
Gregory, Executive Assistant, Executive Director's Office, Federal
Maritime Commission, 800 N. Capitol Street, NW., Washington, DC 20573.
Telephone: 202-523-5800. Fax: 202-523-5827. E-mail: janeg@fmc.gov
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Single Point of Contact:
Dan Funkhouser, Chief Information Officer, Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service, 2100 K St NW., Washington, DC 20427. Telephone:
202-606-5477. E-mail: dfunkhouser@fmcs.gov
Federal Reserve Board
Procurement (Companies wishing to conduct business with the Board):
Carlos Gutierrez, Small Business Procurement Liaison, 20th and C
Streets, NW., M/S 128, Washington, DC 20551. Telephone: 202-452-2458.
E-mail: Carlos.Gutierrez@frb.gov
General Financial Information for Small Businesses
General Community Development information: http://www.federalreserve.gov/community.htm
A Guide to Business Credit for Women, Minorities, and Small
Businesses:http://www.federalreserve.gov/community.htmFederal
Reserve Regulatory Reporting Forms
Current Reporting Forms: http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/reportforms/default.cfmReporting
Forms Under Review
http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/reportforms/review.cfmBanking
and Regulatory Information
General Banking and Regulatory information: http://www.federalreserve.gov/banknreg.htm
Regulations (PDF files): www.federalreserve.gov/regulations/
default.htm
Supervision & Regulation Letters (SR Letters):
http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/Federal
Reserve Board Publications Department
Publications available free-of-charge on-line:
http://www.federalreserve.gov/publications.htm
Publications available for order (on-line order form and
information): Federal Reserve Board, 20th and C Streets, NW.,
Publications Services, M/S127, Washington, DC 20551. Telephone: 202-
452-3245. Fax: 202-728-5886.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/order.htmNews
and Events
General News and Events, including: Testimonies and speeches; press
releases; and services (e-mail notification for press releases and
other unscheduled postings; personal digital assistant wireless service
for press releases; and e-mail notification for testimony and
speeches): http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents.htm
General Federal Reserve Public website: www.federalreserve.gov
Federal Reserve Board Single Point of Contact: Cindy Ayouch, Chief,
Financial Reports section, 20th and C Streets, NW., M/S 41, Washington,
DC 20551. Telephone: 202-452-3829. Fax: 202-728-5856. E-mail:
Cynthia.M.Ayouch@frb.gov.
Federal Trade Commission
The FTC offers a broad array of resources to aid small businesses
in understanding their obligations under the laws and regulations
administered by the Commission. The FTC offers general information in a
variety of forms to address issues and questions that small businesses
frequently encounter. Such guidance usually will satisfy the needs of
small businesses for guidance as to their obligations. For example, the
FTC issues many types of publications designed to explain how small
businesses and others can conduct their affairs in compliance with the
laws and regulations administered by the FTC. These include materials
specifically directed to businesses, such as (1) compliance guides
explaining the requirements of specific FTC rules in a non-technical
manner; (2) industry guides addressing common compliance issues under
the Federal Trade Commission Act, as applied to particular industries
or particular practices; (3) guidelines and policy statements
explaining the application of antitrust laws to particular practices or
industries. These materials frequently contain specific examples and
illustrative fact patterns that show how the agency would apply the law
to a particular set of facts. The FTC holds public workshops,
conferences and other forums to discuss specific topics, which often
include compliance concerns. Also, FTC staff members and Commissioners
frequently give speeches and conduct programs geared to explaining
statutory and regulatory requirements and to answering attendees'
questions. Where the topics are of particular interest to small
business, these speeches may involve appearances before groups
representing small-business interests. Other sources of information
include full texts of FTC-administered statutes and rules, advisory
opinions issued by the Commission or its staff, texts of speeches and
testimony, and information on enforcement actions. The FTC also
produces and disseminates numerous print and broadcast materials that,
while directed to consumers, can benefit small businesses by
identifying the practices that generate consumer protection issues
between businesses and their customers and explaining how they should
be handled. These materials and information are readily available to
small businesses through a variety of sources, including (1) through
the FTC's website http://www.ftc.gov, and from links at www.business.gov,
http://www.firstgov.gov, and www.sba.gov/yourgovt/federal.html, and (2)
directly from the FTC, Room H-130, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.,
Washington, DC 20580, or call (toll-free) 877-FTC-HELP.
FTC Compliance Guides are available at http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/businessinfo/consumer.htm
, and include, among others:
Frequently Asked Advertising Questions: A Guide for Small
Business http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/ad-faqs.htm Complying with the Telemarketing Sales Rule, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/tsrcomp.htm#privacy
How to Comply with the Privacy of Consumer Financial
Information Rule of the Gramm-Leach-Blilely Act, A Guide for Small
Businesses from the Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/glblong.htm
How to Comply With The Children's Online Privacy
Protection Rule http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/coppa.htm
Where the sources of general information are insufficient to
provide the needed guidance or assistance, an FTC staff member may
provide specific, informal advice or arrange for a more formal
response. Small businesses may make inquiries of the Commission by
various means. Inquiries can be informal and the business need not even
identify itself. The FTC also has procedures for providing, where
appropriate, either a staff advisory opinion or, in specified
circumstances, a Commission advisory opinion. It is generally most
effective to discuss the
[[Page 36132]]
issue with a staff person before deciding whether to seek a formal
advisory opinion.
Inquiries regarding consumer protection issues: FTC, Room H-130,
600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20580. Telephone: (toll-free)
1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
Inquiries regarding competition issues: Office of Policy and
Evaluation, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission,
Washington, DC 20580. Telephone (202) 326-3300. Fax (202) 326-2884.
Federal Trade Commission Single Point of Contact: Donald Clark, The
Office of the Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20580. Telephone: 202-326-2514. Fax: 202-326-
2496.
Businesses may also contact any of the FTC's regional offices.
General Services Administration
General Services Administration Single Point of Contact: Mr. Felipe
Mendoza, Associate Administrator, Office of Small Business Utilization,
General Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW., Room 6029,
Washington, DC 20405. Telephone: 202-501-0864.
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Institute of Museum and Library Services Single Point of Contact:
Rebecca W. Danvers, Ph.D., Director of Research and Technology,
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.,
Room 223, Washington, DC 20506. Phone: 202-606-2478. Fax: 202-606-0395.
E-mail: rdanvers@imls.gov.
Merit Systems Protection Board
Merit Systems Protection Board Single Point of Contact: Richard A.
Dorr, Merit Systems Protection Board, 1615 M Street NW., Suite 500,
Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: 202-653-6772 ext.1113. Fax: 202-653-
7821. E-mail: richard.dorr@mspb.gov.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
promotes the utilization of small, disadvantaged and women-owned
businesses in compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and policies.
We assist such firms in obtaining contracts and subcontracts with NASA
and its prime contractors. The OSDBU also facilitates the participation
of small businesses in NASA's technology transfer and commercialization
activities. Our objective is not only to ensure that small businesses
are integrated seamlessly into the aerospace industrial base of the
country, but that they can contribute to the performance of NASA
missions. NASA supports a non-retaliation policy against small
businesses as stated in NASA Policy Directive 5101.32 for the Ombudsman
program.
Small businesses seeking work with NASA are directed to our website
http://osdbu.nasa.gov. Activities in support of small businesses are
listed with information on how to get involved in obtaining contracts
and subcontracts. Request for Proposals open for bid can be reviewed on
the Internet at http://procurement.nasa.gov.
To get the highest return on investment, the NASA OSDBU has
designed, implemented, and facilitated user-friendly programs and
initiatives. This ensures the full integration of capable and high-
quality small businesses into the competitive base of contractors from
which NASA regularly purchases products and services. In addition, the
OSDBU has an outreach effort to communicate with its target small
business constituents, as well as an in-reach program to educate NASA
technical, procurement, and administrative personnel about programs and
policies. The OSDBU also disseminates information about its programs
through conferences, forums, training and development programs,
counseling, promotional materials, and the Internet. A free three-day
course called Training and Development for Small Businesses in Advanced
Technologies (TADSBAT) acquaints companies with the NASA culture. This
course is held four times a year at different locations nationally. In
addition, two forums were developed to seek high-technology firms
capable of participating in the Agency's most complex programs. The
Aerospace Technology Small Disadvantaged Forum is conducted twice a
year at two of the aeronautics Field Centers where three to five high-
tech SDBs are selected to give presentations to senior level technical
managers. From the forum's inception in 1993 through FY 2001, more than
$85 million have been awarded to some of the presenters. A similar
format is used for the Semi-annual Science Forums for Small Businesses.
The Science Forums create a ``high-level marketing opportunity'' for
selected small businesses to present their capabilities to earth
science personnel at the Goddard Space Flight Center and to space
science personnel at The Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Since the inception
of this program in 1997, over $47 million in contracts and subcontracts
have been awarded to participants.
As NASA's premier initiative, the Mentor-Prot[eacute]g[eacute]
Program is designed to encourage prime contractors to assist
disadvantaged companies in expanding their technical capabilities where
such firms are underrepresented in the market. Prime contractors
receive a variety of incentives during the source selection process,
plus award fee increments during the period of the contract, if
performed successfully. To spur small businesses to actively pursue
opportunities for commercializing NASA technology, the OSDBU, in
conjunction with the Minority Owned Business Technology Transfer
Consortium (MBTTC) puts on seminars throughout the year. Companies
learn about the NASA Commercialization Technology Network, how to
identify technologies and work with researchers and scientists, how to
apply for licensing agreements, and how to find financing sources.
``Socioeconomic Procurement as a Business Imperative'' is a one-day
course given four times a year at different NASA Centers to a cross-
section of the Agency's technical, procurement, and administrative
personnel. The course emphasizes the value-added benefit of utilizing
diverse small businesses (in addition to being in compliance with laws
and regulations that require it). On its own initiative, NASA has
established a one percent goal as a percent of total contract value
awarded yearly to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and
other minority educational institutions. NASA is promoting the
integration of this underutilized national resource.
To enhance the competitive advantage of small businesses in the
national and world marketplace NASA has promoted the international
quality management standard, ISO 9000. Since 1996, NASA has conducted
seminars at major small business conferences on how to get certified.
The NASA OSDBU staff became the first Federal headquarters office to
become certified. The OSDBU wants to ensure that small businesses are
aware of the fundamentals of an effective teaming agreement with large
prime contractors. Seminars are taught by the Assistant Administrator
for Small Business and are designed to enable small businesses to
understand the legal structure of written teaming agreements, as well
as the factors to consider when choosing a potential teaming partner.
The NASA Minority Business Resource Advisory Committee (MBRAC) was
organized to include executive members from disadvantaged companies who
[[Page 36133]]
could advise the Administrator on how to increase small business
involvement in NASA and remove regulatory obstacles to that end.
Recommendations have been made and implemented in the areas of
procurement source criteria, contract fee structure, contracting goals,
and the review of subcontracting plans. The NASA Prime Contractor
Roundtable was designed to facilitate an exchange between NASA and its
prime contractors, mainly on how to increase the use of small
businesses in their respective subcontracting programs. NASA's
Assistant Administrator for Small Business is a board member of the
World Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, an affiliated
organization to the United Nations. Through this association, NASA is
able to advise American small businesses on the advantages of competing
in the world marketplace.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Single Point of
Contact: Ms. Patricia L. Dunnington, Chief Information Officer,
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 300 E Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20546. Telephone: (202) 358-3261. Fax: (202) 358-
3063. E-mail: pat.dunnington@nasa.gov.
National Archives & Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) ensures,
for citizens and Federal officials, ready access to essential evidence
that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of Federal
officials, and the national experience. It establishes policies and
procedures for managing U.S. Government records and assists Federal
agencies in documenting their activities, administering records
management programs, scheduling records, and retiring noncurrent
records. NARA accessions, arranges, describes, preserves, and provides
access to the essential documentation of the three branches of
Government; manages the Presidential Libraries system; and publishes
the laws, regulations, and Presidential and other public documents. It
also assists the Information Security Oversight Office, which manages
Federal classification and declassification policies, and the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission, which makes grants
nationwide to help nonprofit organizations identify, preserve, and
provide access to materials that document American history.
See http://www.archives.gov for information on the National Archives and
Records Administration's programs and activities. One resource for
small businesses is NARA's Office of the Federal Register (see http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html
). That office provides
ready access to the official text of Federal laws, Presidential
documents, administrative regulations and notices, and descriptions of
Federal organizations, programs and activities.
National Archives and Records Administration Single Point of
Contact: Nancy Allard, Policy and Communications Staff, Office of the
Archivist, NARA. Telephone: 301-837-1477. Fax: 301-837-0319. E-mail:
nancy.allard@nara.gov.
National Commission on Libraries & Information Science
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Single
Point of Contact: Madeleine C. McCain, Director of Operations, U.S.
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Telephone:
(202) 606-9200. E-mail: mmccain@nclis.gov. Web site: http://www.nclis.gov.
National Credit Union Administration
Point of Contact: Neil McNamara, National Credit Union
Administration, 1775 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3428. Telephone:
(703) 518-6440. Telephone: (703) 518-6570. Other points of contact are
accessible through the NCUA website at http://www.ncua.gov and by telephone at
(703) 518-6300.
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts Single Point of Contact: William
Hummel, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. Rm. 618, Washington, DC 20506.
Telephone: 202-682-5417. E-mail: hummelw@arts.gov.
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities Single Point of Contact:
Susan G. Daisey, Director, Office of Grant Management, National
Endowment for the Humanities, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 311,
Washington, DC 20506. Telephone: 202-606-8494. Fax: 202-606-8633. E-
mail: sdaisey@neh.gov.
National Indian Gaming Commission
National Indian Gaming Commission Single Point of Contact: Penny
Coleman, Acting General Counsel, NIGC, 1441 L Street NW., Suite 9100,
Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: 202-632-7003. Fax: 202-632-7066. Web
site: http://www.nigc.gov
National Labor Relations Board
National Labor Relations Board Single Point of Contact: Hugo Voogd,
Deputy to the Assistant General Counsel, National Labor Relations
Board, Division of Operations-Management, 1099 14th Street, NW., Room
10204, Washington, DC 20570. Telephone: 202-273-0057.
The following actions have been taken to provide compliance
assistance to all NLRB ``customers'':
NLRB strives to improve services to members of the public
with limited English proficiency. These improvements would assist small
businesses owned or managed by non-English speakers. Recent
improvements include adding a folder to its web site that explains the
NLRB's function and services in Spanish.
NLRB continually seeks to improve the public information
officer program in its field offices to ensure that the public is
assisted properly with questions about their rights under the National
Labor Relations Act (NLRA). NLRB information officers have responded to
over 150,000 inquires annually. Most direct individuals to other
agencies or provide explanations about the individual's rights under
the NLRA. The services provided under our public information officer
program assists small businesses by discouraging the filing of
frivolous charges. Recently, the NLRB made available to the public a
toll-free telephone number that will connect the caller directly to the
NLRB's office that is closest to caller's residence or office.
Information provided through the toll-free telephone number is also
available in Spanish.
NLRB web site contains a statement of its Standards of
Service, providing clear explanations about what parties to NLRB
proceedings can expect after charges and petitions are filed. Our web
site provides for a procedure for the public to comment on how our
services can be improved. (http://www.nlrb.gov) In addition, the web site now
makes available to members of the public, including small businesses,
electronic copies of case handling manuals, the Board's Rules and
Procedures, and recently issued Board decisions and other memoranda.
NLRB has implemented new procedures on its web site that
enhance the ability of parties to its proceedings to communicate with
the Agency through e-mail and submit certain documents electronically.
NLRB field offices are continually encouraged to expand
their outreach programs by speaking to business groups and labor
organizations about our procedures, and participating in labor-
management conferences where changes in the current case law are
explained and discussed. Many small businesses take advantage of these
conferences so that they can learn how
[[Page 36134]]
to stay in compliance with the National Labor Relations Act.
National Mediation Board
National Mediation Board Single Point of Contact: Denise M. Vines,
Supervisory Finance & Administration Specialist, Washington, DC 20572.
Telephone: 202-692-5010. E-mail: vines@nmb.gov.
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation Single Point of Contact: Donald Senich,
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Research and Development, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Rm. 527, Arlington, VA
22230. Telephone: 703-292-7082. Fax: 703-292-9055. E-mail:
dsenich@nsf.gov
National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board Single Point of Contact:
Deborah Bruce, PhD, National Transportation Safety Board, Safety
Studies and Statistical Analysis Division, 490 L'Enfant Plaza East,
SW., Washington, DC 20594. Telephone: 202-314-6511. E-mail:
bruced@ntsb.gov
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Single Point of Contact: Brenda
Shelton, Chief, NRC Records Mgmt Branch, OCIO, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Telephone: 301-415-7233. Fax:
301-415-6434. E-mail: BJS1@NRC.GOV. web site: http://www.nrc.gov/
Compliance Assistance Information
Mauricio Vera (MXV@NRC.GOV) (Telephone: 301-415-7160) is the point
of contact for small business inquiries pertaining to contracting
opportunities with NRC. Detailed information on the small business
program can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/who-we-are/small-business.html
. Michael Lesar (MTL@NRC.GOV) is the point of contact to provide
assistance to small entities that have questions regarding compliance
with NRC regulations and/or the impact of NRC rulemakings on small
entities. Information on NRC's policy and procedures in this area can
be found at http://www.nrc.gov/what-we-do/regulatory/rulemaking/flexibility-act.html
.
Office of Personnel Management
Office of Personnel Management Single Point of Contact: Tina B.
McGuire, Chief, Contracting Group, CCFAS, United States Office of
Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Room 1342, Washington, DC
20415. Telephone: (202) 606-4591. E-mail: tina.mcguire@opm.gov
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
General Information, Small Business Hotline: 1-800-CALL-SBC; (1-
800-225-5722), Local Area Telephone: 202-336-8700, Fax: 202-336-8701,
E-mail: smallbiz@opic.gov.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation Single Point of Contact:
Mitchell Strauss, Small and Medium Enterprise Department, Overseas
Private Investment Corporation, 1100 New York Ave NW., Washington, DC
20527. Phone: 202-408-6300. Fax: 202-408-9866. E-mail: mstra@opic.gov
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps, as a small Federal Agency, relies on and contracts
with small businesses for a majority of our products and services. The
Office of Contracts maintains a list of submitted contractors to match
against our posted contracting requirements. The list is maintained for
one year after submission. An agency database is maintained for
overseas contractors. To enroll in this database, visit our web site.
Many short-term training contractors are needed for overseas
services. Contracting opportunities available are posted on our web
site. Visit our web site at http://www.peacecorps.gov under the heading About
the Peace Corps, click on Management, and then click on Contracting
Opportunities. On this web page, click on learn more to see overseas
training services needed and to find information about being added to
our database. Contracts for over $25,000 are posted on FedBizOpps.
Any questions or for further information, contact Ms. Judy Dawes.
Ms.Dawes will provide assistance and explanations in complying with
Peace Corps regulatory procedures and requirements for contracting.
Peace Corps Single Point of Contact: Judy Dawes, Peace Corps,
Office of Contracts, Deputy Director, 1111 20th Street, NW., Room 4444,
Washington, DC 20526. Telephone: 202-692-1624. Fax: 202-692-1621. Toll
Free: 800-424-8580. E-mail: jdawes@peacecorps.gov Website:
http://www.peacecorps.gov
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Customer Service Center
A toll free number (1-800-736-2444) dedicated to pension plan
administrators and plan professionals.
Office of the RegFair Representative
This office functions independently of enforcement and compliance
activities, addresses issues raised by businesses that sponsor defined
benefit pension plans, the vast majority of which are small businesses.
The RegFair Representative is also PBGC's Problem Resolution Officer
for plan practitioners, and can be reached via a toll-free number (1-
800-736-2444, ext. 4163) or e-mail (practitioner.pro@pbgc.gov).
Ask an Attorney
An attorney in PBGC's Office of the General Counsel is available by
telephone or e-mail for informal advice on legal issues pertaining to
compliance, enforcement, and other matters of concern. The General
Inquiry Attorney can be reached via a toll-free number (1-800-736-2444,
ext. 4020) or e-mail (AskOGC@pbgc.gov).
PBGC's Web site
The PBC web site (http://www.pbgc.gov) includes:
The Small Business Guide to the PBGC. This easy-to-read
synopsis of all of a small plan sponsor's obligations under ERISA and
our regulations makes it much easier for the small business owner to
understand and comply with the program requirements. The booklet also
contains phone numbers and other information on where to go for help.
Frequently Asked Questions.
PBGC forms and instructions.
Fact sheets on PBGC programs.
Opinion Letters. The General Counsel issues formal
opinions on legal issues under Title IV of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA).
The Blue Book sets forth various questions of general
interest to practitioners posed by representatives of the Enrolled
Actuaries Program Committee, and provides answers from PBGC staff.
PBGC's Annual Report provides financial information and
describes its customer service, enforcement and compliance activities.
Note: All resources and publications available on PBGC's website
can also be obtained by calling our Customer Service Center (1-800-
736-2444).
Outreach
PBGC's outreach efforts include:
Meetings and conferences. PBGC representatives participate
in meetings and conferences with pension practitioners to address
issues of mutual concern and to get their feedback.
Focus groups. We conduct periodic focus groups to help
determine ways in which we can better serve our customers; for example,
with members of the American Society of Pension
[[Page 36135]]
Actuaries (ASPA), a group which serves primarily small businesses.
Surveys. Surveys are conducted regularly to continuously
receive feedback from our pension practitioners, the majority of whom
deal with the pension plans of small businesses.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy
Under PBGC's ADR policy, PBGC examines the suitability of using ADR
to resolve issues that would otherwise be resolved by adversarial
administrative or judicial processes. In appropriate disputes, PBGC
uses ADR in a good faith effort to achieve consensual resolution of
issues in controversy, including compliance and enforcement matters.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Single Point of Contact: Diane
Morstein, Customer Service Center, Practitioner Problem Resolution
Officer. Toll Free: 1-800-736-2444 ext 4136.
The public can fully resolve most issues by calling PBGC Customer
Service Center staff, at 1-800-736-2444.
Railroad Retirement Board
The Railroad Retirement Board's primary function is to administer
comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit
programs for the nation's railroad workers and their families under the
Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts. In
connection with the retirement program, the RRB has administrative
responsibilities under the Social Security Act for certain benefit
payments and railroad workers' Medicare coverage.
Railroad Retirement Board Single Point of Contact: Ronald J.
Hodapp, Chief, Information Resources Management, Railroad Retirement
Board, Telephone: 312-751-3366. E-mail: Ronald.Hodapp@rrb.gov Web site:
http://www.rrb.gov.
Securities and Exchange Commission
Congress created the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1934 to
protect investors, and to maintain fair, honest, and efficient national
securities markets. The Commission provides extensive compliance
assistance to the public. Small businesses subject to SEC regulation
include:
Issuers of securities,
Investment companies and investment advisers,
Broker-dealers, and
Transfer agents.
Other businesses affected by SEC regulation include auditors of
companies whose stocks are publicly held and subject to registration
with the SEC. The SEC's Office of Small Business Policy, telephone
number (202-942-2950), should generally be the first point of contact
for any small business that seeks compliance assistance from the
Securities and Exchange Commission. This office is the primary resource
for small business issuers of securities. Small regulated entities may
wish to contact the appropriate Division or other office directly
(Market Regulation for broker-dealers and transfer agents; Investment
Management for investment companies and investment advisers; the Office
of Chief Accountant for accountants).
Members of the public seeking compliance assistance for Securities
and Exchange Commission regulation may contact SEC staff by mail, e-
mail, or telephone.
Sources of SEC Information
Organization and functions of the SEC: The Investor's
Advocate: http://www.sec.gov/about/whatwedo.shtml
Brief review of governing federal regulations: The Laws
That Govern the Securities Industry http://www.sec.gov/about/laws.shtml
SEC regulation of small business capital formation and
smaller public companies: Q & A: Small Business and the SEC http://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus/qasbsec.html
SEC regulation of securities brokers and dealers:
Compliance Guide to the Regulation of Brokers and Dealers http://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/bdguide.htm
Regulations and Forms for Small Securities Issuers that
issue securities subject to SEC regulation: Regulations and Forms
Applicable to Small Businesses http://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus.shtml
Regulations and forms for registered investment advisers:
Investment Adviser Regulation http://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/iard/iastuff.shtml
SEC forms and instructions for registered investment
advisers: Investment Adviser Forms http://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/iard/iastuff.shtml
Procedures for obtaining accounting or auditing advice
from the SEC's Chief Accountant's Office: Guidance on Consulting with
the Office of the Chief Accountant http://www.sec.gov/info/accountants.shtml
Descriptions of most commonly used SEC forms: http://
http://www.sec.gov/info/edgar/forms.htm
SEC regulations for recordkeeping and capital requirements
for securities brokers and dealers: Broker-Dealer Net Capital and Books
and Records Guidance http://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/bdnetcapital.htm
Staff analyses of securities laws and regulations as
applied to particular legal, regulatory, or accounting issues: Staff
Interpretations http://www.sec.gov/interps.shtml.
Seminars and Classes
Annual meeting to explore means to improve capital
formation for small business: Annual Government-Business Forum on Small
Business Capital Formation http://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus/sbforum.shtmlWeb-Based
Compliance
Small Cap and Private Companies: http://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus/qasbsec.htm
Investment Adviser Registration: IARD http://www.sec.gov/
divisions/investment/iaregulation.shtml
Registration and disclosure documents required to be and
voluntarily filed electronically: EDGAR--electronic filing of SEC
disclosure documents http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtmlTelephone
Service
Office of Small Business Policy: 202-942-2950
Division of Enforcement: 202-942-4530
Toll-Free Consumer Information: 1-800-SEC-0330
Small and minority business procurement: (202) 942-4990
Public company disclosure requirements: 202-942-2825
Office of Interpretations and Guidance for Market
Regulation: 202-942-0069
Regulation of Investment Companies and Investment
Advisers: 202-942-0659
Online/e-mail Service
Inquiries about federal requirements for securities
registration and corporate disclosure: cfletter@sec.gov
Inquiries about applicability of securities laws to small
business: smallbusiness@sec.gov
Inquiries about the conduct of federally-regulated
securities markets: marketreg@sec.gov
Inquiries about federal regulation of investment advisers:
IARDLIVE@sec.gov
Inquiries about federal regulation of investment
companies: IMOCC@sec.gov
Contacts
Homepage: http://www.sec.gov News: http://www.sec.gov/news.shtml
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Regulatory: http://www.sec.gov/about/laws.shtml; http://www.sec.gov/rules.shtml
Small Business: http://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus.shtml
E-mail: smallbusiness@sec.gov
Phone Number: (202) 942-2950
Securities and Exchange Commission Single Point of Contact: Gerald
Laporte, Chief, Office of Small Business Policy, Division of
Corporation Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 5th Street
NW., Room 3501, Washington, DC 20549-0310. Telephone: 202-942-2950.
Fax: 202-942-9516. E-mail: laporteg@sec.gov.
Selective Service System
Selective Service System Single Point of Contact: Calvin
Montgomery, 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209. Telephone: 703-605-
4038. E-mail: cmontgomery@sss.gov.
Small Business Administration
Small businesses wanting access to SBA programs should call SBA's
Answer Desk toll-free or e-mail answerdesk@sba.gov. In many cases, the
SBA information technician receiving a call will directly answer the
question. If a matter needs attention from a particular program
specialist in the caller's immediate area of the country, the SBA
Answer Desk can put the caller in touch with a specific individual in
an SBA District Office or program office.
SBA Answer Desk: 6302 Fairview Road, Suite 300, Charlotte, North
Carolina 28210. Answer Desk TTY: (704) 344-6640. 1-800-UASK-SBA (1-800-
827-5722). TTY Directory [Text] or [PDF]. Send e-mails to:
answerdesk@sba.gov.
Other good ways to access compliance information about SBA programs
are going to the SBA website's frequently asked questions about SBA
programs at http://app1.sba.gov/faqs/ or to SBA's main webpage http://www.sba.gov/.
Small Business Administration Single Point of Contact: Ms.
Jacqueline K. White, Chief , Administrative Information Branch, U.S.
Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., MC5101, Washington,
DC 20416-0005. Telephone: 202-205-7044. Fax: 202-481-2916. E-mail:
jacqueline.white@sba.gov.
Social Security Administration
The majority of the services listed below are offered as a part of
the Social Security Administration's (SSA) service to the business
community in general, not specifically to small businesses. These
services are directed primarily to employers, businesses or
organizations that serve as representative payees to Social Security
beneficiaries, businesses that seek contracts with SSA and schools.
There are four primary avenues of access to these services with
significant overlaps among them.
Toll-Free Telephone Service
Employers may use the toll-free access number (800 772-
1213) to verify that they have the correct Social Security number (SSN)
for an employee. This verification prevents the often difficult job of
correcting wage reports made under an incorrect SSN. Up to five SSNs
may be verified with one call if the employer can furnish his or her
address and employer identification number (EIN). If employers need to
verify more than 5 SSNs, but less than 50, the teleservice
representative will advise the employer to contact the nearest SSA
Field Office (FO) and will provide the FO's telephone number and
address. There is a procedure for verifying more than 50 SSNs, but we
do not expect that to be an issue with small businesses.
New employers wishing to apply for an EIN may also call
800-772-1213 and request that application form SS-4, Application for
Employer Identification Number, be sent to them along with the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) publication, Instructions for Form SS-4.
SSA maintains the SSA Employer Reporting Service Center at
800 772-6270 or online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/. It
can also be reached online from the SSA employer portal page. The
Center can provide detailed information on the best way for an employer
to report wages. An employer calling the main SSA 800 number and
wanting more in-depth information about reporting wages, etc., will be
referred to this number or website.
Organizational Representative Payees include governmental
or non-profit social service agencies that manage benefits for
beneficiaries who are not able to manage benefits on their own and who
have no friends or relatives suitable or willing to be payees.
Organizational representative payees who must deal with the many issues
that arise with beneficiaries who cannot manage their own benefits,
including changes in address or circumstances, non-receipt of check,
work issues and many other issues, can interact with SSA primarily by
calling the main 800 number.
Online Services
The SSA website, http://www.socialsecurity.gov, contains a
link that directs businesses to the Business Services Online (BSO)
website, http://www.socialsecurity.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm. BSO is a
suite of business services including Registration Services, Employer
Services (Submit a Wage File, W-2 Online, View Status, View Notices and
View Errors) and the Social Security Number Verification Service. The
W-2 Online portion of the website is designed specifically for small
businesses. The site allows employers to complete up to 20 W-2 forms on
their computer screens. The service automatically computes the W-2 data
for them, and the report is transmitted to SSA electronically.
Employers can also print copies for their employees and for their
records. Multiple sets of 20 W-2s can be submitted.
In 2003, almost 200,000 W-2s for 2002 were submitted to SSA via W-2
Online that would have otherwise been submitted on paper forms. The
employer must be a registered BSO user to use these services, but
registration is free. Businesses needing personalized assistance with
wage reporting can follow a link, http://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/wage_reporting_specialists.htm
, to find a current list of
Employer Services Liaison Officers in each region who are available to
discuss specific wage reporting issues by phone. The Social Security
personnel can help callers with all questions about how to submit W-2s
to SSA. The telephone numbers are not toll-free.
SSA's Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG) maintains a
website, http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oag, which contains acquisition
information to assist small businesses interested in doing business
with SSA. SSA's policies make doing business with the Agency easy for
small businesses. All contracts are offered on an ``open bid'' basis,
which means the bidding contractor does not have to be on any specific
list of approved contractors. Some contracts are reserved for award to
small businesses only.
SSA maintains a website, http://www.socialsecurity.gov/payee,
dedicated to Representative Payee requirements and responsibilities.
This is significant, because many beneficiaries who need a payee have
no family or friends willing to serve in this capacity. As a result,
many small social service organizations serve as payees. This website
makes it easy for small businesses to apply and be approved as an
organizational payee. Training materials for payees are available at
the website, including a written lesson, a PowerPoint presentation and
a video. The written material and the PowerPoint program can be
downloaded
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from the website, and the video can be ordered. Interested parties can
request the material, including the video, on a compact disk.
SSA must verify the full time attendance of certain
students by asking school officials to complete a form certifying that
the student/beneficiary is in full time attendance at the school.
School officials can access a dedicated website,