Small Business Call to Action |
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We are officially in Fall 2020 and it has been six months since COVID-19 hit the United States and we were told to quarantine at home. Many of you are still working from home, not working for a client, or actively seeking new clients or new work.
If you applied for EIDL and/or PPP loan, more than likely they have been depleted by now and you are trying to figure out how you will pay your bills, make payroll, downsize your office space, and reduce your monthly bills. It is unclear when we will receive a workable vaccine, how long we will have to wear face masks, and how long we will work remotely. But what is clear is that our way of doing business has changed forever.
If you are struggling financially, SBA.gov has programs to help you. More important is the need for more policy changes to assist small businesses during this pandemic. I was fortunate to attend a virtual webinar (see more info below) where Senator Ben Cardin (MD-D) told us of his efforts to ensure small businesses receive the EIDL grant, EIDL, and PPP loan. He told us that the amounts that were approved for us to receive and the amounts we received were less. He also told us that Senator Marco Rubio (FL-R) and himself are working together to ensure small businesses receive a round two of the EIDL grant, EIDL, and PPP loan.
Your Congress Members need to hear from you so they can be apart of this effort to support important policy solutions to ensure small businesses survive during this pandemic. I urge you to add your name to the list of small business owners and advocates from across the country who are calling on our Members of Congress to support us during this pandemic. You will benefit from adding your name to this list when our Congress Members do their job and vote for round 2 of the CARES Act. So click the button below to add your name and add your company's info to be added to the list.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions on anything in this newsletter. Stay safe...
Varetta Huggins
Your Government Contracting Expert
President & CEO, V-Project Management Consulting, LLC
Leadership Council Member, National Small Business Association
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Small Business Financial News |
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Senator Ben Cardin on PPP Round 2 |
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Our CEO, Varetta Huggins attended a virtual webinar on 9/22/2020 titled "Small Business Policy Needs with Senator Ben Cardin" where Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Senator Ben Cardin (MD-D), provided policy updates on the CARES Act and answered questions from participants about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), small business loans and grants, underbanked communities, and minority communities. Varetta was happy to hear that Senator Cardin was helping the small business community.
Senator Cardin also spoke about the efforts Senator Marco Rubio (FL-R) and himself did to ensure small businesses were included in policy changes for the CARES Act. He stated that the second round of the PPP is coming and the need to replenish the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grant and loan programs. Senator Cardin stated that the "good news is that $133 Billion is left in the PPP program... and once we obtain the green light... we will put together a bill to ensure small businesses are taken care of".
We know many in the small business community are ready for PPP round 2, so we wanted you to know that discussions are in the works but you still need to contact your Senators to ask them to support round 2 of PPP, EIDL grant, and EIDL quickly...
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PPP Program Ended but $133 BIL Remains |
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The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended as of August 8, 2020 and the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a report summarizing its lending data through 8/8/2020.
The report includes factors such as which states had the highest $ amount in PPP loans, average loan size, loans by Primary NAICS Codes, and much more. Bank of America processed over 343K loans, the highest number of loans processed but JP Morgan Chase processed the highest amount of loans, over $29 BIL. Even though only the top 15 PPP lenders were included in this data, we see data for each state which included all loans processed. The State of California received the most PPP loans with over 623K loans processed in the amount of over $68 BIL.
The last page of the report shows that over $133 Billion in funds is remaining, just as Senator Ben Cardin stated on 9/22/2020 (see news above).
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$447.7 BIL in COVID-19 Awards |
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USASpending.gov keeps track of Federal Government's COVID-19 spending during the pandemic. Data as of 7/31/2020 shows over $1.6 Trillion has been obligated to be spent through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and other supplemental legislation. Out of the $1.6 Trillion, 32 Agencies awarded over $447 BIL in COVID-19 funds across the United States (see map above) to Government contractors and to businesses and individuals for financial assistance.
The Federal Government is open and buying goods and services during COVID-19. Small Businesses should use this data to target agencies buying their goods and services.
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USAID Earned 4 "A"s for FITARA |
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Since the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) Scorecard has been issued in November 2015, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has earned four "A" ratings. It's fourth "A" rating was issued in July 2020 on the FITARA 10.0 Scorecard issued by the Oversight and Reform Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. USAID consistently received "A" grades for incremental development, transparency and risk-management, the consolidation and optimization of their data centers, and software licensing.
USAID fixed the issue with their Chief Information Officer (CIO) now reporting to the Administrator instead of the dotted line to the Administrator that was reported before on their Org Chart. Their response for this was given a "P" which we assume to be a pass.
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V-GovCon Membership Platform Launch |
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We are proud to announce the launch of our LEARN Membership platform to everyone on Tuesday, September 29th, 2020, to coincide with our National Virtual Small Business Expo booth (see events below). Please sign up below for your FREE access to V-GovCon training materials, live learnings, and much more. |
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Erica Harris: EH Creative Group
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Erica Harris is the CEO and Founder of EH Creative Group, an Arts-based company that specializes in Abstract art, Interior decoration, and Travel photography. EHCG is an artistic brand that promotes creativity, imagination, and self-expression. Their vision is to create a platform, promoting a global artistic experience for their customers. A place where creativity thrives and imaginations run wild.
Erica is the artist and she creates various abstract paintings for different interior design styles. Erica's designs can be found on furniture, bedding, apparel, tech accessories, and other items.
Erica Harris joined our V-GovCon Program after the Houston 2020 Small Business Expo, the last in-person Expo prior to COVID-19. Erica attended the V-GovCon BootCamp in April 2020 as a V-GovCon Aqua Member and graduated. After she received her CAGE Code, her membership was transferred to the V-GovCon Tribe.
Erica is consistently engaged in V-GovCon activities and events, such as Live Learnings and Coaching Calls. For this, we know she is serious about her journey as a Government Contractor.
Erica created a discount exclusively for those reading this newsletter. Use the discount code "HELLOFALL20" for 20% off ALL canvas art and canvas prints on her website.
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Virtual Small Business Expo - National |
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V-PMC invites you to the September 29th Virtual Small Business Expo. V-PMC will have a booth. Register today before you forget.
We will be launching our NEW Membership site at the Virtual SBE and we will be offering a FREE Membership where you will have access to our Membership site, FREE Live Learnings, HUGE Discounts on V-GovCon Events and Services, complimentary 15-minutes Discovery Calls worth $500, and much more.
At the Expo, we will be offering our V-GovCon Program, which includes assistance in becoming a Government Contractor, Accounting services, and Memberships.
You will also have access to other exhibitors and speakers. Join us and others by registering for FREE. We are offering a HUGE discount for this event only. Please register for the event and visit our booth for the discount code.
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V-PMC Booth @ Virtual Small Business Expo
September 29, 2020 | 10:00 AM EDT - 7:30 PM EDT
Online - Free Admission
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Virtual Small Business Expo - Phoenix |
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V-PMC invites you to also join us at the October 2nd Virtual Small Business Expo. V-PMC will have a booth and Varetta will be speaking at a Workshop this time (see next event below and register today).
At the Expo, we will be offering our V-GovCon Coaching Services, which includes assistance in becoming a Government Contractor, Accounting services, and Government Contracting Partnership opportunities. Our prices will be structured differently from our National VSBE prices.
You will also have access to other exhibitors and speakers. Join us and others by registering for FREE. Please register for the event and visit our booth for a discount code.
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V-PMC Booth @ Virtual Small Business Expo
October 2, 2020 | 11:00 AM EDT - 8:30 PM EDT
Online - Free Admission
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Government Contract$: Pricing Your Proposals |
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V-PMC invites you to join Varetta Huggins, Your Government Contracting Expert, for a workshop titled "Government Contract$: Pricing Your Proposals" at the upcoming Virtual Small Business Expo - Phoenix. If you want to know how to price your proposals when selling your goods and services to the U.S. Federal Government, attend this workshop to learn about:
- 3 $ecrets why you should do business with the U.S. Federal Government.
- How to classify your goods and services.
- How to apply to become a Federal Government Contractor and find contract$.
- How to price your goods and services to get paid as a Government Contractor.
- How to join the V-GovCon Tribe if you are already a Government Contractor.
Click the link to Register now.
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Virtual Small Business Expo - Workshop Speaker
October 2, 2020 | 2:30 PM EDT - 3:30 PM EDT
Online - Free Admission
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Virtual V-GovCon BootCamp Winter 2020 |
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Seats are now open for our upcoming Virtual V-GovCon BootCamp Winter 2020. We will combine 2.5 days into 7 hours and focus on you applying to become U.S. Federal Government Contractor. We will also cover topics such as the U.S. Federal Government Budget, Socio-economic Status for WOSB, EDWOSB, and HUBZone Certifications, DUNS Number updates, and the Federal Bid/Proposal Process. What do you gain? A LIVE coach walking you through the complicated U.S. Federal Government Contractor application, a list of Federal clients who buy what you sell, a list of Current Procurement opportunities matching your primary NAICS code, understanding on how to respond to Federal Bids, and submission of your application to become a Government Contractor.
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November 12, 2020 | 3:00 PM EDT - 6:00 PM EDT
November 13, 2020 | 3:00 PM EDT - 7:00 PM EDT
Via Zoom Conference
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Virtual V-GovCon 8(a) BootCamp 2020 |
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Seats are now open for our upcoming Virtual V-GovCon 8(a) BootCamp 2020. We will combine 7 hours of Live Intensive Coaching and work with you and other Government Contractors as you compile the required documents and apply to become SBA 8(a) certified. What do you gain? A LIVE coach walking you through the complicated SBA 8(a) application.
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December 4, 2020 | 4:00 PM EST - 7:00 PM EST
December 5, 2020 | 12:00 PM EST - 4:00 PM EST
Via Zoom Conference
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Finding Procurement Opportunities |
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In our previous V-GovCon Live Learning, we guided members through searching for Government Contracts and other procurement opportunities. Becoming a Federal Contractor is only the first step to contracts, as diligent searching for opportunities put out by the Federal Government is critical.
Members were shown where the Federal
Government releases their opportunities and how to narrow down search criteria for one's own business.
This Live Learning was open to V-GovCon Aqua and Tribe members ONLY.
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LIVE LEARNING: Finding Procurement Opportunities
September 22, 2020 | 6:00 PM EDT - 7:00 PM EDT
Via Zoom Conference
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Navigating Your Tribe Membership |
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We held a Live Learning for our V-GovCon Tribe members to help introduce our V-GovCon membership website. As we get ready to launch our membership website, our member content will be exclusively accessible through the website. For that reason, we guided members through creating an account, logging into their account, explaining the website layout, and navigating the content on the website in the easiest manner possible.
This Live Learning was for V-GovCon Tribe members ONLY.
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LIVE LEARNING: Navigating Your Tribe Membership
August 27, 2020 | 5:00 PM EDT - 5:30 PM EDT
For V-GovCon Tribe Members ONLY
Via Zoom Conference
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Updating Your LinkedIn Profile For GovCon |
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Government clients are required to do a thorough search of anyone they are considering to do business with. This includes extensively checking their business and personal LinkedIn profiles.
V-GovCon members learned how to update their LinkedIn profiles for potential Government Clients.
This Live Learning was for V-GovCon Aqua and Tribe members ONLY.
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LIVE LEARNING: Updating Your LinkedIn Profile For GovCon
August 11, 2020 | 4:00 PM EDT - 5:00 PM EDT
For V-GovCon Aqua and Tribe Members ONLY
Via Zoom Conference
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