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October 2011
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MBDA.gov Newsletter |
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| From the National Director | Legislative Corner | |
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Greetings! As we embark on a new fiscal year, I’d like to begin by thanking all of you who helped make our Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference such a huge success. We had over 800 people in attendance learning about the best strategies to pursue government contracting opportunities, take advantage of new industries, and cultivate strategic partnerships to grow. Please visit the MED Week website to view the photos and remarks from some of our most notable speakers like HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebilius, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, Treasury Assistant Secretary for Management Dan Tangherlini and others. MBDA was busy building relationships as well. We signed three distinct Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) designed to foster minority business growth and development with Tremco, Inc., IBM, and the Republic of Turkey’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization. These MOUs are part of our comprehensive plan to foster the global competitiveness of minority-owned firms domestically and abroad. As part of that focus, I recently traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa to visit factories where Navistar, Caterpillar and American automotive manufacturers have facilities. It was inspiring to be amongst U.S. minority businesses that are integrated into the global supply chain and committed to establishing productive partnerships with small and medium business enterprises in South Africa. Increasing our nation’s export capacity through the President’s National Export Initiative has been a top priority, and the minority business community has played a leadership role. In fact, many minority-owned firms are twice as likely to generate revenue through export as their non-minority-owned counterparts. Taking advantage of opportunities in abroad is critical to boosting job growth here at home. Through our network of more than 45 MBDA Business Centers, we work to equip minority-owned firms with the information and resources they need to tap into international markets. |
Recently, the U.S. Small Business Administration proposed changes to existing rules governing maximum revenue allowed to maintain status as a small business and compete for set-aside contracts in 52 industries. In a notice published in the Federal Register on October 12, 2011, SBA proposes to increase receipt based size standards for 37 industries in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sector 56, Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services. This would include companies that provide various types of staffing services, including security guards and patrol, as well as travel and event planning companies. |
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| Upcoming Events | ||
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| Farewell and Thank you to Several MBDA Team Members | ||
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The month of September was filled with mixed emotions as valuable members of the MBDA announced their retirement last month and others separated from the Agency to pursue new opportunities. Please join us in wishing the following individuals the best in their future endeavors and thanking them for their contribution to helping minority business grow in size, scale and capability. Their skills, expertise, and passion for the Agency will be missed. Leticia Banuelos, Melda Cabrera, Don Chapman, Jake Currie, Marita Dooms, Frances Douglas, Rita Gonzales, Dianne Hayes, Al Jackson, Bobby Jefferson, John Iglehart, Sandra Sanders, Raquel Suniga, Jonathan Temple and Dick Torborg. Although we are saying good-bye to a dynamic cadre of colleagues, MBDA is gearing up for another year of economic impact. Our Agency remains committed to fostering the growth and competitiveness of large, medium and small minority business enterprises and is available to respond to your requests for assistance. Please contact our leadership at www.mbda.gov/main/people or one of our Centers at http://www.mbda.gov/businesscenters. |
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| MBDA Helps MSF Global Solutions Grow Beyond Hurricane Katrina | ||
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A native of New Orleans, Fernandez is the founder of the company which specializes in Geospatial Information Services (GIS) and Information Technology development, implementation and management. Started in 2003, MSF Global was established to provide local governments, universities, businesses, and charities with cost effective GIS and related IT services. Since its inception, the company has used GIS as a key technology in land records management, infrastructure management and economic/community development. Under Fernandez’s initial conception and guidance, the City of New Orleans launched the Enterprise GIS System and Community on ONE Page, a portal designed to provide near and real-time information regarding the city’s Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. MSF Global is expanding its capacity to provide interactive and integrated digital solutions in a variety of platforms. |
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Public Comment Sought on Proposed Changes to Size Standards
Life in the Big Easy has improved greatly for Marseyas S. Fernandez. His integrated digital solutions company, MSF Global Solutions, survived Hurricane Katrina and is rapidly growing to move beyond a regional focus to a global one.
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