MAY 2020
DoD Launches Financial Education Website for Military Spouses

In recognition of military spouses and the important role they have in keeping the force financially ready, The Department of Defense Office of Financial Readiness introduces MilSpouse Money Mission, a new financial education resource just for military spouses.

MilSpouse Money Mission is the DOD's primary resource designed for and to provide military spouses with trusted information they can use to be more empowered and actively involved in making financial decisions for their families' financial well-being and achieving financial goals, officials said. You can access the website HERE.
 
Source U.S. Department of Defense News Alert 5/11/2020
Understanding the New CMMC v 1.0 Standard
Webinar
                                               

The Department of Defense (DoD) has charged the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers with the responsibility of offering training to small businesses regarding the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) security standard. The CMMC v1.0 framework was released January 31, 2020. It is a unified cybersecurity standard for future DoD acquisitions.
 
It was created in an effort to focus on the security and resiliency of the Defense Industrial Base sector. Beginning the fall of 2020, the DoD will start requiring contractors to obtain the required level of CMMC certification before they can compete for defense contracts.
 
Webcast title: CMMC Training Webcast
 
Webcast description:  Scott Dawson, President of Core Business Solutions, offers a training on the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) standard for Department of Defense contractors. 
 
This webcast is courtesy of: SEDA COG PTAC; Calu U Gaco PTAC; Slippery Rock University PTAC; IMC; SAP&DC PTAC; PA PREP; Northwest PTAC; Southeast PA PTAC; Northern Tier PTAC; IUP PTAC; Northeastern PA Alliance PTAC; JARI PTAC; and, North Central PTAC. 
 
Webcast registration link:  Zoom Webcast
 
Webcast date: May 28, 2020
 
Webcast time:  2:00-3:00 pm ET
SBA Issues New Regulations for Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program 

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today published Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting program regulations that will provide a free, online certification and eligibility application process for women-owned small businesses and economically-disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSB). The timeline for implementation of changes to SBA's WOSB program has been delayed to accommodate those affected by the current pandemic.   
 
Starting July 15, 2020, SBA will begin to implement changes consistent with the Small Business Act as amended in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. In addition to the certification requirement for firms seeking WOSB and EDWOSB set-aside contracts, the regulations detail certification options for applicants and require authorized third-party certifiers to notify applicants of their fees and the option to use SBA's free online certification process.
 
Below are some important timelines for firms to keep in mind:  
  • The current self-certification process will remain available for firms until October 15, 2020 (in sba.gov ).
  • Between now and July 15, 2020, WOSBs must download their documentation, currently housed in the WOSB Program Repository (from sba.gov ).
  • On July 15, 2020, firms can begin submitting applications for initial processing; and,
  • On October 15, 2020, SBA will begin issuing decisions on certification.
The regulations detail important changes to the certification process, including the following:
  • Allows participation from firms certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Verification and Evaluations, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.
  • Confirms the continued participation of approved third-party certifiers. 
  • Eliminates the self-certification option from sba.gov, effective October 15, 2020; and,
  • Adopts a $750,000 net worth standard when assessing economic disadvantage for individuals in the 8(a) Business Development Program (8(a) Program). Additionally, funds invested in official retirement accounts are excluded from the analysis of an economically disadvantaged individual's personal net worth in both the WOSB and 8(a) Programs. This makes the economic disadvantage threshold and analysis consistent for EDWOSBs and 8(a) Program participants.
The new WOSB Program regulations will make it easier and more efficient for contracting officers to set aside and make awards to firms certified as WOSBs and EDWOSBs and will better empower agencies to meet the 5% federal contracting goal for women-owned small businesses. 
 
Source: SBA Press Release 5/11/2020
Overview of the DOE Mentor Protege Program
 
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is pleased to share this video on the Mentor Protege Program (MPP).  It explains the background, benefits, and other helpful information about the program.

 
Click HERE to access the May 2020 issue of National Defense magazine.
Update: U.S Department of Education FY 2020 Contract Opportunities
 
An updated version of the FY 2020 Forecast of U.S. Department of Education (ED) Contract Opportunities is available below. All items are pending availability of funds. The Department may, at any time, delay or cancel any or all Forecast items if the Department's requirements change. All contract award dates are projections. The information is subject to change and is in no way binding on the Government. Interested parties should monitor beta.sam for notices providing specific information on current opportunities.

The new and updated forecast can be found Here.

Source: SBA Eastern Division Office Email Blast
PA eMarketplace Solicitations
 

The following is a list of upcoming PA eMarketplace procurement items available from various Commonwealth agencies. Many of these solicitations may not yet be advertised. Refer to the solicitations section for those procurement opportunities available for response. You can access the solicitations by the project title's hyperlink shown below:

ID Number:  117109 - Agency: Game Commission 
Project Title:   Dispatch Center

ID Number: 117124 - Agency: Game Commission
Project Title: Can Am 6x6 UTV's 

ID Number: 116978 - Health
Project Title: Nurse Aide Registry

ID Number: 116910 - Agency: Military & Veteran Affairs
Project Title:  Full Food Service

ID Number: 116808 - Agency: General Services
Project Title:  Laundry Services
 
ID Number: 116839 - Agency: Insurance
Project Title: Director of Special Funds - Insurance
  
Source: PA eMarketplace 

Warren Buffet started out as a Pinball Repairman with $25 in 1946.

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