The Inside Scoop on Federal contracting During Covid-19 and How MBEs can Benefit from the Stimulus Package

In a time when the government is providing tax-payer dollars for businesses to be able to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic, small and minority business owners have found themselves uniquely positioned. Through the Small Business Administration (SBA), the federal government has effected stimulus packages such as the PPP loans to cushion small businesses. The basic purpose of the PPP is to incentivize small businesses to keep workers on the payroll and/or to rehire laid-off workers that lost wages due to COVID-19 disruptions.

SBA has also made it possible for small businesses to compete with big businesses in the federal contracting market by establishing procurement goals, ensuring that 5% of all federal contracting dollars are awarded to small disadvantaged businesses each year. During this pandemic, the eligibility requirements have been made easier to access. 

These are historic and extraordinary times. CRMSDC’s Business Consortium (Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council, MBDA Business Center, Washington, DC, and the Federal Procurement Center) stand ready to assist you. You are not alone. This CRMSDC Business Consortium HotSheet aims to build the resilience of small businesses and provide you with the inside scoop on Federal Contracting during COVID-19 and how MBEs can benefit from the stimulus package. 

This important webinar features: 

• Kip Riplinger-Baltz – Acting Director of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Office of Small Business
• Antonio Doss – District Director, SBA Washington Metro Area District Office
• Sharon Pinder – President & CEO, Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council
• Tommy Marks – Director, MBDA Federal Procurement Center

Tune in!

Here’s What You’ll Get In This Episode

[00:01] A warm welcome by the moderator; Sharon Pinder

[03:26] This webinar’s agenda and who we are as the CRMSDC and introducing the team

[09:55] The CRMSDC Business Consortium

[11:08] Tommy Marks- Navigating the Federal Government during a crisis 

[11:55] Fundamentals you need if you aspire to do business with the federal  government

[13:51] How the federal bodies become activated after a crisis is announced

[17:51] Rules of engagement

[22:46] Key takeaway tips

[24:38] Questions and Answers session for Tommy

[29:09] Kay Riplinger- Baltz, The Role of USACE in Crisis Management

[29:47] What’s the role of USACE during the Covid Pandemic

[34:16] Measures they’ve put in place to support FEMA

[38:10] Take away tips from Kay

[38:28]  Questions and Answers session for Kay

[49:38] Antonio Doss- Key Stimulus Bill provisions and what’s next

[50:16] Small business guidance and loan resources during the Covid 19 pandemic

[59:09] Limitations of the PPP program

[01:00:53] Questions and Answers session for Antonio

[01:09:36] Open Chat questions

[01:10:07] Underwriting qualifications for submitting or receiving a loan

[01:11:25] 8(a) and Hubzone certifications are needed for getting federal contracts

[01:23:35] List of banks and FDICs participating in the PPP program

[01:25:19] Is it possible for MBEs to submit unsolicited bids, and how?

[01:27:07] Wrap-up and call to action

Notable Quotes

• When America sneezes, the world catches a cold.
• Before doing business with the federal government, it’s important to know the hierarchy and the agencies involved.
• A win in the short term may not always be a win on the long-term
• If you can pave a road but see an opportunity for some paved sidewalks, jump on it.

Connect for more info

• https://crmsdc2.wpengine.com/
• https://crmsdccares.com/
• https://www.usace.army.mil/
• https://www.sba.gov/