Governor Brownback (KS) Issues Proclamation Apologizing for Segregation

Here is a link to a YouTube video of today’s Gov. Proclamation. I am in the back right behind Dr. Edwards, but I can’t be seen.

Lazone

$500M in Next Generation Rail Contracts – KC Region – Nationwide

In case you missed the Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Forumheld on May 3, 2012 at Union Station in Kansas City MO (PDF of Program), I have provided links below to hear some audio clips regarding the work to be done, the expectations to source from US companies, the type of products needed and amounts to be spent over time by the US Dept. of Transportation.

I only uploaded the opening and closing remarks, but each offers a glimpse into the contracting opportunities available now; and over the next decade for small, 8(a), veteran, disadvantaged, women and minority owned companies. If a full recording becomes available, we will post it on our blog, Twitter and other social networks like Facebook.

Audio Recordings

Opening Remarks 1 | 2

Closing Remarks 1 | 2

$500M of work for US businesses….

Included in the efforts of the US Dept. of Transportation is the expectation that states will do everything possible to ensure 100% purchasing from US domestic supplier. Technical assistance is available for the business-types mentioned above to help prepare and assist a business take advantage of these and other opportunities. Businesses in the KC region should register their business with KCSourceLink (KCMO) and preferably you can register through other marketing partner agencies; including IBSA. Disadvantaged business owners can provide their business information at this link and we will help you get your business connected to the right place to get started.

Technical assistance may include help to get your business legal, obtaining pertinent certifications, FastTrac training to prepare your feasibility or business plan, help registering with prime-vendor companies/government procurement websites, locating and applying for SBA, state and local small business loans, and other one-on-one help as needed.

Once registered with KCSourceLink, your business will have better access to an abundance of resources and contact access to the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Small Business Development Center, the Regional SBA Office, PTAC, Missouri & Kansas State Transportation Agencies and certain business development agencies serving small, disadvantaged, minority and women owned firms in the Greater Kansas City Regional area.

If you have a business that can benefit, we hope this information helps, and if you assist small businesses, the information may be of value to your efforts as well.

Thanks in advance!

IBSA, Inc.
(913) 735-4272
http://www.ibsa-inc.org

Upcoming Event
(location still to be confirmed)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = Digital Storytelling Forum AMC Theater Mainstreet 6 Kansas City, MO June, 21, 2012 Provide your basic business information in order to receive updates on this Forum, and to let us know of your anticipated attendance. Your business will also be registered to receive access to other technical assistance

please share this valuable information with others…

Next Generation Rail Supply Forum: May 3, 2012

Business owners,

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) recently formed a partnership to leverage agency capabilities to ensure the development of a domestic supply base to support intermodal transportation in the United States with the goal of using 100% U.S. manufacturing.

The Next Generation Rail Supply Forum is in response to this partnership and is an opportunitiy for manufacturers with capibilities that are potentially relevent to next generation rail to grow and diversify into this exciting emerging market.

The objective of the Forum is to attract U.S. manufacturers to the supply base for next generation rail equipment being procured in the U.S. The Forum will facilitate connections between rail industry Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and both traditional and non-traditional rail suppliers.

As a marketing partner for this game changing opportunitiy, IBSA, Inc. is connecting with Disadvantage Business Owners (DBA), 8(a) certified, and other small businesses to assure that they are informed and to provide technical support to businesses who determine this opportunity may be a fit for their company.

This event is being held on May 3, 2012 from 8am – 6pm at the historical Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. (See Attached Flyer). This is an opportunity for smaller manufacturers to learn what products are needed, find out more about investments they need to consider when entering the rail industry. It will also give all participants an opportunity to meet one on one with both government and Tier 1 company representatives to discuss and learn more about next generation rail supply.

We hope that you see this as an opportunity to advance your business and please contact me at the number provided below so that I can answer any questions you may have.
Visit www.kcsourcelink.com/forums/rail for more information.

I have provided a listing of companies that will be in attendance that are actively seeking companies like yours to subcontract with for work that is currently available; or will be ongoing throughout 2012. This opportunity is part of the largest outlay of contract work for the rail system in 30 – 40 years, so we don’t want your business to miss out on the opportunity. Registration is required to attend and please signup at the MidAmerica Regional Council website. To assure you receive technical assistance for your business to take advantage of this opportunity, contact the person below so that we can get your primary business information for ongoing correspondence and follow-up.

OEMs/Tier 1 Suppliers

• Nippon Sharyo
• Electro Motive Diesel
• Wabtec
• Motive Power
• Knorr Brake Corporation
• Bombardier
• Talgo America
• GE Transportation

More will be added as they confirm their participation.

Thank you,

Sherrie A. Cade, MBA
Business Consultant
IBSA, Inc.
629 SE Quincy, Suite 102
Topeka, KS 66603
sherriecade

816.774.1364

Lazone Grays
lazoneg
913.735.4272

IBSA, Inc. is a Marketing Partner for the MidAmerica Regional Council on this project. Our goal is to target small women, minority, disadvantaged and 8(a) business concerns in the Greater Kansas City region and to assure they are provided ample time to be informed and prepared for this great opportunity!

KC Rail Forum.pdf

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Women Owned Set-aside Program: SBA 8(m)

The new Women Owned Small business preference Program (WOSB) is called the 8(m) program by the Small Business Administration (SBA) after the section number of the enabling legislation, just like the small disadvantaged business program is called the 8(a) program.

WOSBs should act now to be among the first wave of companies to qualify for the program. WOSBs can self certify as to their eligibility, but they must attest to meeting the qualifications requirements of the program and "deposit" with the government a set of corporate documents proving their eligibility. Contracting Officers must have access to the documents before a contract is awarded.

The first qualifiers will be in a particularly advantageous position for the following reasons:

Year after year federal agencies have been unable to meet their WOSB goals because WOSBs did not have a preference position in making contract awards like disadvantaged, veteran owned, and HUB Zone small businesses.

The Obama administration will highlight the significance of the new program for obvious political reasons, not to mention the fact that the Bush administration did everything in their power to scuttle the program.

Contacting Officers will be anxious to make up for past sins with the prodding of democratic political appointees. Why not do what the boss wants?

We anticipate that there will be flurry of WOSB contracting awards in the first year followed by a steadier state where the agencies meet their women-owned goals on a more regular basis.

Comments on the proposed rules for the new Women Owned Small Business Preference Program (WOSB) are due by May 3, 2010. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will probably publish final rules implementing the WOSB Program sometime in the fourth quarter of 2010.

 

http://www.fedmarket.com/articles/special-report.shtml