SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
     Small Businesses

DIRECTOR'S  NOTE

Greetings*.

As we bring you our second
newsletter, let us rededicate
ourselves to the values that
we  all  share,  coming
together to  make our
country and  this great
nation strong.  It will take
large businesses and  small
businesses working together
in doing our part to return the county to its
booming economic growth. There continues
to be a large number of small, minority and
women-owned  firms that are still seeking to
do business with EPA for the first time.
       There is still much work to be done in
       accomplishing our small business goals.
       Again, it will take the efforts of all of us
       working   together  to   meet  these
                 FALL/WINTER
                 2001
Making  a Difference
                                  Jeanette L. Brown, Director
       accomplishments.  We should all aspire to       . i
                                            president.
                                         close the business opportunity
                                         gap here in America and within
                                         EPA.

                                         This newsletter features a
                                         contract award being made to
                                         an Alaska Native Corporation
                                         in support of our Office of
                                         Solid Waste and Emergency
                                         Response.  We also  highlight
                                         the experience of one of our
                            summer interns as she worked here in OSDBU.
                            We have also moved much closer to having our
                            Proposed Rule under the Agency's DBE program
                            updated.    Recently,  we awarded  an
                            environmental assessment grant to a Historically
                            Black College and University, North Carolina
                            Central University.

                            United we stand. God Bless America  and let us
                            continue  to pray for our nation  and our
         Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

                          MISSION  STATEMENT
       THE MISSION OF THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S OFFICE OF SMALL
       AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION is TO SUPPORT THE PROTECTION OF THE EN-
       VIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH BY FOSTERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIPS, CON-
       TRACTS, SUBAGREEMENTS, AND GRANTS FOR SMALL AND SOCCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVAN-
       TAGED CONCERNS.
                                                   INSIDE THIS ISSUE

                                        Goals & Accomplishments	Page 2
                                        EPA Is Considering Proposing DBE Rule	Page 3
                                        Sailing With A Number	Page 3
                                        EPA/HowardUniversity Outreach Center	Page 4
                                        EPA's Expanded Use Of Small Businesses	 Page 4
                                        Contract Awards 	 Page 5
                                        Contract Opportunities	Page 6
                                        Regional News	 Page 6
                                        Small Business Ombudsman	 Page 8
                                        People 2 People	 Page 9
                                        Acquisition Forecast Database	Page 10
                                        Funding For Minority and Disadvantaged
                                        Businesses	Page 11
                                        Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
                                        Program	Page 12
                                        Events Calendar	Page 15

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 GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
                EPA FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2001 3rd QUARTER
 DIRECT PROCUREMENT        ACCOMPLISHMENTS               FY 2001 GOALS
 Total Dollars                          $667.3 M                         $1.2B
 Small Businesses                         26.1%                          23.5%
 8(a) Businesses*                          8.4%                           6.0%
 Small Disadvantaged Businesses*             2.2%                           3.5%
 Women-Owned Small Businesses             3.3%                           5.0%
 HUB Zones                             .01%                           2.0%
 Service Disabled Veterans                   .00%                           1.0%
                            * Since 8(a)s are SDBs, EPA, in essence, has an SDB goal of 9.5 %
 NOTE:  Subcontracting data will not be available until the end of December 2001.
                        EPA FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2002
                Based on Estimated Contract Obligations of $1.2B
 DIRECT PROCUREMENT           DOLLAR VALUE                    GOAL
 Small Businesses                         $282 M                        23.5%
 8(a) Businesses*                            72 M                         6.0%
 Small Disadvantaged Businesses*              42 M                         3.5%
 Women-Owned Small Businesses              60 M                         5.0%
 Hub Zones                               30 M                         2.5%
 Service Disabled Veterans                    40 M                         3.0%
                            * Since 8(a)s are SDBs, EPA, in essence, has an SDB goal of 9.5 %
 SUBCONTRACTS                  DOLLAR VALUE                    GOAL

 Subcontract Obligations                    $200 M                          _
 Small Businesses                           100 M                        50.0%
 Small Disadvantaged Businesses*               40 M                        20.0%
 Women-Owned Small Businesses               12 M                         6.0%
 HUB Zones                                 5 M                         2.5%
 Service Disabled Veterans                      6M                         3.0%
 NOTE:  Subcontracting goals are subject to increase in individual solicitations in an
 effort to meet overall Agency goals.
The Federal government purchases millions of dollars in goods and services each year that range from
paper clips to complex space vehicles. It is the policy of the United States, as stated in the Small Business
Act, that all businesses have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in providing goods and
services to the government. To ensure that small businesses get their fair share, the SBA negotiates annual
procurement preference goals with each Federal agency and reviews each agency's results. The SBA is
responsible for ensuring that the statutory government-wide goals are met in the aggregate.

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EPA Is Considering

Proposing  DBE Rule

EPA OSDBU currently is working on a rulemaking
proposal for participation by disadvantaged busi-
ness enterprises (DBEs) in procurement under EPA
financial assistance agreements. This rulemaking
proposal, which would be published in the Federal
Register for public comment, would be a follow
on to  OSDBU's June  19, 2000 staff draft of the
preamble and rule, which was posted  on  EPA's
website.

Under the rulemaking proposal, EPA's  Minority
Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women's Business
Enterprise (WBE) program would be renamed as
EPA's  DBE program in a new Part 33 of the Code
of Federal Regulations. Part 33 is intended to har-
monize EPA's  statutory DBE objectives with the
United States Supreme Gout Decision in Adarand
Constructors. Inc. v. Pena. 115 S. Ct. 2097 (1995).

In Adarand, the Supreme Court extended strict ju-
dicial  scrutiny to Federal programs that  use racial
or ethnic criteria as a  basis for decision making.
The proposed rule, if finalized, would affect all EPA
financial assistance agreements as well as identi-
fied loans  under financial assistance agreements
capitalizing a revolving loan fund. OSDBU is look-
ing towards an early calendar year 2002 rulemaking
proposal date, with a series of public hearings be-
ing held across the country later on that  year.  For
futher information, contact David Sutton at 202-
564-4100.
     WEBSITES FOR WODfM
        BISWESS OWNERS
    The National  Foundation for
      Women Business Owners
                (NFWBO)
   The premier source of information on
         women business owners
                   and
       their enterprises worldwide.
            www. n fwb o. o r g

    Business Women's  Network
          Interactive (BWNI)
  "Providing women with the real tools for
                 success"
            www.bwni.com
Sailing With a

Number

The  21st century opened this
year with the news from the Cen-
sus Bureau that over 35 million
Latinos live in the United States
of America. Hispanic-owned enterprises contrib-
ute over $300 billion a year to the economy, and
their labor is mostly responsible for harvesting the
food that feeds the nation. This fact now takes on
a new socio-economic and political significance for
those involved in small business development.

Numbers alone, however, do not explain the diver-
sity of needs among the Latino community.  New
immigrants from Latin America bring into play re-
sources that are not easily absorbed in our economy
because  of linguistic and cultural nuances.  A vi-
brant sense of entrepreneurship  characterizes the
Latino small business owner, who tends to be hard
working and resourceful. Yet, when it comes to
navigating the turbulent rivers of federal procure-
ment, the tow-line is missing. EPA/OSDBU is ex-
ploring ways to include more Latino firms in its list
of contract recipients.  Since June of this year, a
unique outreach effort was launched that will make
it easier  for Latino firms to access the contracting
opportunities EPA offers. A full-time Spanish-
speaking business advisor, has been  designing in-
formational material and training workshops, as well
as conducting one-on-one counseling sessions. This
approach has enabled nearly 30  firms to  become
more aware of the  EPA procurement process with
the hopes that in the near future they will become
viable vendors.  In February, an "Encuentro de
Empresarios Latinos"Expects to bring together firms
interested in EPA procurement opportunities from
the greater Washington D.C. area. For further in-
formation  contact Frank Carpenter  at 202-564-
4584.

The Business School at Howard University in Wash-
ington D.C. has partnered with  EPA/OSDBU to
provide this new line of services. The navigation of
the federal procurement process  can now become
an easier sail...or is that sale?
'Encuentro is loosely translated as a reunion, a finding, or a meet-

ing with the importance of learning about a theme or one another.
                                                                   WWWEPAGOVOSDBU

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EPA/Howard University

Outreach Center

For those who market to EPA, the message is clear.
Come prepared.  Expect keen competition.  Know
your way through the many paths of access and suc-
cess.

This is where the Outreach Center comes in: We help
you prepare to position your firm for the days ahead
and the promise of profitable projects:

D    Business Plan Development

D    Market Plan Strategies

D    Grant Application Support

D    Business Management Practices

D    How To Get On The GSA Schedule

D    EPA Financial Assistance Agreements

D    Business Legal Considerations

D    E-Commerce Issues and Answers

D    Any Business Issue

Vendors are invited to  call  us and make an appoint-
ment to discuss their business needs. We also urge
program and procurement officials to refer vendors
to us who may benefit from our services. No fee is
required. Contact us at 202-564-4584 or email at
Carpenter.Franklin @epa.gov.
   RESOIRCES FOR MINORITY,
        WS \M \Yf H,/ /)  AM
   WODfM-OWlVED BISIMSSES
   Virginia Department of Minority
     Business Enterprise (DMBE)
    responsible for assuring that minority,
   disadvantaged, and women-owned busi-
   nesses are an integral part of Virginia's
             economic growth
        www.dmbe.state.va.us

       Virginia Minority Supplier
   Development Council (VRMSDC)
   an economic development agency dedi-
     cated to the growth and success of
       Virginia's business community.
            www.bwni.com
EPA's Expanded  Use of

Small Businesses

The FY 2000 Federal Procurement Data System Re-
port demonstrates that EPA expanded its competi-
tive bidding  base through new contracts to small
businesses that had no previous contracts with the
agency. In FY 2000, EPA awarded fifty-three new
contracts to small businesses that had never done
business with the agency before, which is over a
100% increase from FY 1999. These new contracts
were to women-owned small businesses and small
disadvantaged business firms as shown in the chart
below. EPA has made a concerted effort to include
small businesses in its acquisition planning and
market research to attract  a diverse contractor cadre
that support  the  agency in protecting the environ-
ment and improving human health.  For more in-
formation on doing business with EPA, please visit
EPA's Office of Acquisition Management's Internet
site at www.epa.gov/oam  or contact EPA's Compe-
tition Advocate, Corinne  M. Sisneros, at
sisneros. corinne@epa.gov.
 Category
Number in  Number in
  FY1999   FY2000
 Small Disadvantaged
 Business              17

 Women-Owned Small
 Business               9

 Small Business Total     26
              40


              13

              53
           For Information
          On How Xo Start
                   Or
    Expand Your Small Business
                Contact
         The Small Business
            Adminstration
             tvtvtv.sba.gov
                                                              WWWEPAGOVPOSDBU

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 CONTRACT   AWARDS


EPA Provides Grant to
North Carolina Central
University

On September 5, 2001, Congressman David Price
(4th  District of North Carolina) announced that
the EPA would award North Carolina Central
University (NCCU) a grant of $831,800 to assess
environmental risk in minority and economically
disadvantaged communities.

This  initiative was spearheaded by Bill Laxton,
Director, EPA Office of Administration, RTF and
Jerry Dodson, Small Business Specialist, Contracts
Management Division. Dr. Gary Foley, Director
of the EPA National Exposure Research
Laboratory indicated that the money, along with
a renewed commitment to working with NCCU
faculty and students, ties into the EPA's
public-health mission.

NCCU Chancellor James  H. Ammons  and Dr.
Yolanda Banks-Anderson,  Director  of NCCU's
environmental science program expressed their
excitement and the benefits that EPA, NCCU and
the residents of Durham and surrounding areas
would receive by the research focus.

An advisory board will be appointed to provide
guidance for the project.  Members of the board
will include NCCU faculty, representatives from
federal, state and local agencies and representatives
from community-based organizations and
environmental firms.
Alaska Native Corporation
Awarded OSWER Contract
        Sitting (left) Richard Medlin, EPA
    (right) Harvey Spade, Bristol Bay Corporation
   Standing (left to right) David J. O'Connor, EPA;
 Myrna Mooney, EPA; David Sutton, EPA; Dev Barnes,
  EPA; and Dugan Neilson, Bristol Bay Corporation
EPA awarded a contract in support of the Office
of    Solid    Waste    and    Emergency
Response(OSWER)  to  an Alaska  Native
Corporation, Bristol Bay Native Corporation. A
signing ceremony took place on October 2, 2001
and those in attendance  included the Acting
Assistant  Administrator,   OARM,   and
representatives from OAM, OSDBU,  and
OSWER. Awarded under the 8(a) program, the
contract is for an estimated $15.5 million for the
life of the contract which is expected to  run five
years.  The contract will be for site assessment,
design, corrective action plans, and/or oversight
of remedial activities necessary to  cleanup
petroleum releases from underground storage
tanks (UST) in Indian country throughout the
ten EPA regions. This award demonstrates EPA's
commitment  not  only  to the  important
environmental  issues on  Indian lands  but to
providing economic opportunities to minority-
owned businesses.
                                                                 WWWEPAGOV/OSDBU

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CONTRACT OPPORTUNITES


FedBizOpps Designated
as Governmentwide Point
of  Entry for Procurement
Opportunities

FedBizOpps  (www.fedbizopps.gov) has been
designated as the single source for federal government
procurement opportunities that exceed $25,000.
The  interim Federal Acquisition Regulation was
published in the Federal Register on May 16th.

The interim rule would give Federal agencies until
October 1, 2001, to complete their transition to, or
integration with FedBizOpps. After October 1, all
agencies must use FedBizOpps to provide the public
access to notice of procurement actions over $25,000.
To give the public a period to adjust to the change,
notices will be posted on FedBizOpps and published
in the Commerce Business Daily from October 1,
2001 to January 1, 2002. After January 1, 2002,
contracting officers can  stop posting notices in the
Commerce Business Daily.

In recent months,  FedBizOpps has undergone
extensive testing, modification and review to  be
certain that it has the capacity and reliability to satisfy
the demands of governmentwide operation.
Currently 29 agencies use the FedBizOpps system
to post any and all relevant procurement information
on the Internet, including procurement notices,
solicitations,  drawings, and amendments, and
eventually receive proposals electronically.

By signing up to automatically receive procurement
information,  by solicitation number, selected
organizations, and product service classification,
vendors can react more quickly to procurement
opportunities  because they are better informed.
Vendors can also search procurements by solicitation
number, date, procurement classification code, and
agency for active or archived solicitations. To date,
over 90,000 vendors  are registered to receive
notification  of business opportunities from
FedBizOpps.

The FedBizOpps web site provides assistance by e--
mail and a toll-free helpline. The site also links to
FirstGov.gov, Federal Asset Sales, Federal Commons,
Department of Defense Business Opportunities, and
the Minority Business Development Agency.
          REGIONAI   NEWS
The Commonwealth of Virginia is changing the way
that it does business through an innovative, dynamic
web-based e-procurement solution called eVA.

Virginia's new purchasing system, eVA, was launched
in March.   It automates and streamlines the
Commonwealth's purchasing activities,  making
business faster and easier.

Vendors only have to register once to do business with
all state agencies and institutions. All eVA participants
have convenient access to the state's solicitations and
award notices. Vendors will experience an increase in
potential business opportunities by posting their
products in eVA's catalog-based electronic mall.

Virginia rules provide no preferences for any particular
class of vendors. Additional benefits and features such
as on-line auctioning and bidding, push-technology
and the ability to analyze purchasing data will  be
available before the end of this year. Once vendors
sign-up with eVA, they will be able to access all of the
Commonwealth's business opportunities.

Over 2,737 businesses have registered with eVA since
March and about 500 vendors have signed the eVA
Trading Partner Agreement. More than 340 catalogs
with approximately 1,600,000 products can be viewed
in eVA's e-Mall. Over 100 state agencies are using eVA
to do business.

Virginia has developed an innovative funding model
for  eVA.  Participating vendors pay an annual
registration fee and a nominal transaction fee. Before
implementing this funding method, Virginia met with
vendor focus  groups that helped develop the funding
model.  eVA is recognized  as one of the lowest cost
self-funding models in the nation.

When fully implemented, the Commonwealth expects
to have  174  agencies and thousands of merchants
conducting more than $ 1 billion in business a year.

For more information, call (804) 786-3842, or visit
eVA at www.eva.state.va.us.

                      WWWEPAGOVPOSDBU

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       REGIONAL  NEWS
       /~~Nj

Sewer & Water  Board
Contracts  Include DBEs
In Sewer Rehab Program

When the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
developed its program to rehabilitate the sewage col-
lection system in 1996, an important component was
the inclusion of economically disadvantaged businesses
in contracts.

The Board's Economically Disadvantaged Business
Program (EDBP) has been in existence since the early
1980s. The board of directors sets policy and partici-
pation goals and the EDBP staff administers the op-
erations and activities.  Two successful DBE partners
among the  many working on  various phases of the
program are JLJ Construction Company and Inte-
grated Logistical Support Inc. (ILSI), both of New
Orleans.

JLJ, a utility contractor with approximately thirty per-
cent participation in several major contracts, had done
sewer line repairs, pavement restoration and casting
adjustments of manholes. The company is working
for primary contractors in the two districts where con-
struction is underway. ILSI, with fifteen to thirty per-
cent participation on various contracts, has worked
on the collection system evaluation studies with con-
sulting engineering firms in five districts. They pro-
vide data management, field supervision and public
relations and public information in advance of the
study phase.


Region I Awards 8(a)

START Contract

On July 30, 2001,  EPA New England (Region I)
awarded an 8 (a) START contract to the Joint Venture
ofThe Planners Collaborative Inc. (PCI) and Resource
Applications, Inc. (RAI). The contract has a 3-year
period of performance, for a not-to-exceed amount of
$2.9m. PCI, an 8(a) firm located in Boston, is new to
EPA's Superfund Program. RAI, a SDB located in Vir-
ginia, has had both SF prime contracts and subcon-
tracts to provide enforcement and technical assistance
services. The scope of work for the START 8(a) con-
tract was expanded to  include enforcement support
services in order to maximize utilization of both the
8(a) and START2 contract with Roy F. Weston.
EPA Region IX Pilots

Business Forum

On June 19, 2001, EPA's San Francisco Regional Of-
fice held its first business forum. Representatives of
three small firms and one large company presented
their capabilities to EPA staff from the Contracts,
Superfund, and Waste Management program offices.
Later that day, the companies networked with EPA in
an informal "mini-trade" fair setting. In contrast with
Region IX's Business Trade Fair, which in February
attracted over 150 companies, the more-focused busi-
ness forum allowed a small number of individual firms
more one-on-one, quality time with program staff
EPA, in turn, was able to gain a deeper understanding
of each firm's qualifications, capabilities, and experi-
ence. Additional forums will be held periodically, and
on a quarterly basis as needed, according to Joe Ochab,
Region IX's Small Business Advocate.

Texas Water  Development
Board Office  of Project
Finance  and Construction
Assistance  (OPFCA)
Small, Minority  and
Women-Owned  Business
Enterprise Program
The goal of OPFCA's Small, Minority and Women-
Owned Business Enterprise Program is to provide our
internal and external customers with the information,
training and technical assistance needed to successfully
implement the six affirmative steps as required in our
federal grants. To simplify and increase consistency in
reporting across all  federally funded programs, the
SMWBE Guidance Manual and reporting forms were
revised this summer.  For example, an entity receiving
Drinking Water and Colonia Wastewater Treatment
Assistance Program funds will complete the same
reporting form.

The revised SMWBE Guidance Manual incorporates
examples of ads, information on how to access SBA's
Pro-Net, the Texas General Services Commission HUB
database, Texas Marketplace and regional databases, and
sample completed forms. The SMWBE manual is part
of each Program Guidance Manual and is reviewed with
the potential applicant at  the pre-application
conference.

For more information, contact Patricia M. Loving,
Program Administrator ar 512-936-0800 or e-mail her
patricia. loving@twdb. state, tx. us.
                     WWWEPAGOV/OSDBU

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Small Business  Ombudsman
As the small business gateway for EPA, the Ombudsman's function falls into three main categories: (1) Developing
and providing compliance assistance and tools for small businesses; (2) Providing information about small
business to EPA; and (3) Identifying small business needs for EPA rules, enforcement and policy development.

SMALL BUSINESS DIVISION
Small Business Ombudsman Regulatory Assistance and Outreach Program
FTE Employees:
Karen Brown
Delane Anderson
Dan Eddinger
Eileen McGovern
Angela Suber
Bridgette Dent
Joyce Billious


SEE Employees:
James Malcolm


Larry Tessier
Tom Nakley
William Crosswhite
Howard Boddie
Esther McCrary
Peggy Alexander
                            Title                                                    Contact #
                            Division Director & Small Business Ombudsman                 202-260-1390
                            Program Analyst                                           202-260-8210
                            Program Analyst                                           202-260-1133
                            Program Analyst                                           202-260-5352
                            Program Analyst                                           202-260-7205
                            Secretary                                                 202-260-2807
                            Office Automation Clerk                                    202-260-1968
                            Chemical Engineer, Toxic Substances and Hazardous Materials        202-260-1616


                            Civil Engineer, Asbestos, Radon, and Lead                       202-260-1946
                            Civil Engineer, CWA, SDWA and General Assistance               202-260-1863
                            Economist                                                202-260-6804
                            Computer Specialist                                        202-260-1557
                            Senior Secretarial Support Staff                               202-260-1775
                            Senior Secretarial Support Staff                               202-260-1474
Major Functions/Products:
       Serve as a port of entry for small businesses to EPA
       Advocate for small business regulatory issues and relief inside EPA
       Coordinate small business issues with program offices, regions, and states
       Focus on asbestos regulatory requirements/handle questions and complaints
       Operate and maintain a small business hotline that averages 1,100 calls per month
       Participate in regulatory development workgroups representing small business interests
       Prepare semi-annual newsletter that reaches over 20,000 internal and external customers
       Organize meeting with the deputy administrator and Small Business Trade Associations
       Oversee and prepare Report to  Congress on the status of CAAA State Section 507 programs
       Manage contracts, grants and cooperative agreements to strengthen State Small Business Ombudsman
       Technical Assistance Programs
       Sponsor Annual Small Business Regional Liaison Conference
       Develop guidance and policies for small businesses
       Resolve disputes  between  small businesses and EPA dealing with policies and regulations
       Distribute small business publications, regulations, guidance, and tools

Customers:
       Small Businesses/Small Business Trade Associations
       State Small Business Ombudsmen and Technical Assistance Programs
       EPA senior managers, media offices and agency staff, EPA regions and states offices
       Individual citizens
       EPA deputy administrator
       Congressional representatives and staff, governors, Environmental Counsel of States (EGOS)
       Assistance providers, i.e., EPA Compliance Centers,  Pollution Prevention Programs (P2), Small
      Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Manufacturing Extension Partners (MEPs)
                     Small Business Ombudsman Toll Free Hotline 800-368-5888
                  Main Line 2O2-26O-O49O   FAX Number 2O2-4O1-23O3

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                                      Footprints

                                      by: Sacnite Rodriguez
                                  OSDBU Summer Intern 2001

"Many people walk into and out of our lives. Some leave footprints. But we are never ever the same again."
This is the quote that comes to mind when I think of my intern experience.  I came here expecting to learn
new things and meet new people. However, nothing could have prepared me for the wealth of knowledge and
contacts that I have gained. I have not only made advances in my professional life, but also in my educational
and personal life.

When I first came into this office, I was clueless on how the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization fit into the EPA puzzle. I could not understand what small business outreach had to do with
cleaning up spills and analyzing potent chemicals. I thought that this was a place primarily for science majors;
people with Chemistry and Biology backgrounds. I thought that the EPA was a place that operated in a
laboratory setting, constantly conducting research and testings to determine the harmful substances that are in
our environment and finding ways to clean them up.

Gradually I learned that EPA does not and could not function alone on science components and needs other
areas to function properly.  EPA also deals with law, business, economics (budget), education, politics, con-
tracts with many different types of business, and much more.  With the various projects that I completed, I
gradually learned more about OSDBU and what is is all about. For example, by going through the staff's
individual calendars  and classifying meetings according to the GPRA, I was able to get a feel for the type of
meetings that the staff attends. I was then able to inquire about a certain meeting and what types of business
is conducted at these meetings.

With the introduction of my second project (OSDBU Acqusition Tracking System), I began to learn what
8(a), set-asides, small business, competitive contracts meant.  I learned about the endless types of different
services that the businesses can provide to the EPA.  I learned what technical terms like SIC/NAICS codes,
procurement methods, contracting/project officers meant. I learned that creating a database similar to  the
Forecast of Contracts requires a great deal of time, but when completed, is a great source of information.

While working with Myrna and Pat on their Small Businsess workshops, I learned how much preparation is
needed to produce a workshop. I learned that even when you do confirm attendance and it seems that you get
a big crowd, some attendees will not show up. I learned that one of the major complaints from small busi-
nesses (who are trying to do business with EPA) is the famous phone tag game and bundling of contracts.

While a great deal of information was learned in this office, I  also learned a great deal outside of the office.
Through Jay Gloede, the Coordinator of CRCC, I (along with other EPA interns) was exposed to the field
work of EPA. I really enjoyed the trips to the National Wildlife Visitor Center, EPA laboratories, and the EPA
Anderson vessel. It gave me an opportunity to see the "science" side of EPA, which I find to be very intriguing.

I realize how lucky I am to have worked at this office and to have the experience that I had. I hope that my
future leads me back to Washington, D.C. and maybe this office.  OSDBU has made this experience worth
repeating again, and has permanently left footprints in my life.  Thank you.
                                                                         wwwppAGnv/asnm j

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Acquisition  Forecast

Database


Internet User Guide to Locate Procurement
Opportunities at EPA

Welcome to the EPA Acquisition Forecast Database

This database is part of EPA's initiative to enhance our
electronic  communication  with the  business
community and to provide "real time" information
about procurement opportunities with  the  U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The information in the database is based on the best
information  available  at the time of posting and is
intended for PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY and
does not constitute a commitment by EPA to buy the
described supplies and services.

Internet Address

The Forecast Database is free and available to anyone
interested in doing business with EPA and is located
at:  http://www.epa.gov/oam  and click on "EPA's
Acquisition Forecast Database"

Procurement Data

The following is a list of data in the database with a
definition.

Procurement Office: EPA's Procurement Division or
Region issuing the procurement.

End User by AAship or Region: The end user's main
EPA Program Office or Region(s) the procurement
supports.

End User by Program Office, Division or Laboratory:
The name of the Program Office that the procurement
will directly support.

NAICS Code: The  North  American  Industry
Classification System (NAICS) Code that sets the small
business size standard to the procurement.  For more
information on NAICS Codes, visit the Internet at:
http: //www. sba. gov/size

Description of the Acquisition: The supply or service
the agency will be buying.

Contract Type: The type of contract anticipated to be
awarded.
Procurement Method: The anticipated method for
conducting the procurement. Please note that market
research will determine the  actual method of
procurement,  so  this  can change during  the
procurement process.

Estimated Dollar Range: The estimated value of the
contract for its entire period of performance.

Solicitation Issue Date: The estimated date when the
solicitation will be issued.

Target Award Date: The estimated target award date.

EPA Contact: The contracting person responsible for
the procurement action.

Other Procurement Information: This information is
critical to increase competition.  Check here for
Conflict of Interest or Limitation of Future Contracting
Information

Status: Check here for the current status of the
procurement action.

Award Information: Upon award, it will list the
Contractor and the Award date.

Attachments or  Internet Link: The attachments may
include, if it is a follow-on requirement, the  current
contract number and the former or current SOW, or
the Internet link for the SOW.

Updated Records in the Forecast Database

The Forecast Database will reflect the "real time" status
of each procurement opportunity and be dated to reflect
the latest revision.  We encourage frequent visits to
check the status of procurement opportunities and find
new procurement opportunities adaed throughout the
year.

We are striving to keep the data on EPA procurement
opportunities current, accurate, and complete to in-
crease competition through improved communication
with the Contractor community.

Questions? Please contact:
EPA's Office of Acquisition Management (OAM)
Attention: Competition Advocate
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code 3801R
Washington, D.C. 20460
Business Phone Number: (202) 564-4321
Fax:  (202) 565-2473
10

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Funding for Minority and
Disadvantaged
Businesses

It is the new millennium and
more and more minorities are
stepping into or want to step
into the role of "business
owner". Other than being
minorities, what is the one
thing most of these people
have in common? Lack of
money.  Many minorities do
not have the financial re-
sources to effectively startup
and efficiently operate their prospective businesses. Do
not let this obstacle prevent you from having your
dream come true. Financial assistance is available.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
provides business development and management sup-
port through a network of local community-based out-
reach centers throughout the United States. MBDA
provides funding for Minority Business Development
Centers (MBDC), Native American Business Devel-
opment Centers (NABDC), Business Resource Cen-
ters (BRC)  and Minority Business Opportunity Com-
mittees (MBOC) that are located throughout the na-
tion. The centers  offer a wide range of business ser-
vices to minority entrepreneurs. Assistance is provided
to socially or economically disadvantaged individuals
who own or wish to start a business. Such persons in-
clude women, Asian Pacific Americans, Asian Indians,
Black Americans, Eskimos/Aleuts, Hasidic Jews, Na-
tive Americans, Spanish speaking Americans, and
Puerto Ricans. For more information on MBDA, go
to www.mbda.gov.

The Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) of the
Department of Defense provides funding for training,
outreach and technical assistance to increase opportu-
nities for small businesses owned by women. For in-
formation about WOSB go to www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/
wosb.

Government loans help thousands of minority-owned
businesses each year. The Small Business Administra-
tion (SBA) is a great government source for informa-
tion on financial assistance.  For more information go
to    www.sba.gov.  You  may   also  go to
www.businessfinance.com to find out more about loans
that meet your needs.

Another place to help with funding for minorities are
banks. Many local banks are certified as preferred SBA
lenders.  Ask your bank if they have such a designa-
tion. If so, it is a strong indication of its commitment
to small business.  Many banking institutions have
implemented aggressive loan programs to allow easier
access to funds with the goal of building and growing
a successful business. Wells Fargo and Bank of America
have aggressive lending programs for minorities. Go
to www.wellsfargo.com and www.bankofamerica.com
for more information about their lending programs.
First State Bank in Danville, Virginia loans more money
to blacks than most financial institutions in the coun-
try. To find out more about their loan programs, call
804-793-4611.

The Women's Growth Capital Fund is the largest ven-
ture capital fund in the Eastern United States. This
organization seeks to invest in expansion-stage women-
owned and/or managed emerging growth businesses
on the East Coast.

Go to www.womengrowthcapital.com for more infor-
mation.
           More Sources

National Association of Women Business
Owners- www.na.wbo.org

Count Me In for Women's Economic
Independence - ivtutu.count-rne-in.org

Native American Business Development
Centers - iviviv.mbda.gov/native
 iviviv. morebusiness. com

 American Business Women's
 Association- iviviv.abivahq.org

 America's Business Funding Directory-
 iviviv. businessjinance. com

 Lending for Small Businesses-
 www.sma.llbiz.com
 iviviv.sbaloans.com
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EPA's Small Business

Innovation Research

(SBIR) Program

           NEW PHASE I

   SOLICITATION SCHEDULE

EPA's SBIR program provides financial support to
help small science- and technology-based firms de-
velop new environmental technologies and ready
them for commercialization. The program targets
research to prevent pollution, reduce water and air
pollution, manage solid and hazardous wastes, and
improve environmental monitoring—in each case,
addressing priorities that stem from the agency's stra-
tegic plan. In FY 2002, EPA will issue three (3) Phase
I  Solicitations. There will be two  special solicita-
tions—mobile sources and stormwater—and the
regular SBIR Solicitation. The special solicitations
are designed to meet the pressing needs of EPA's
Office of Transportation and Air Quality and EPA
Region I. The opening and closing dates are differ-
ent from the regular solicitation and Phase I con-
tracts will be awarded for $100,000 over 10 months.
The regular solicitation will cover all other EPA re-
search topics and it will NOT include mobile sources
or stormwater topics. The FY 2002 Phase I Solicita-
tion Schedule is as follows:

CONTROL AND MONITORING OF MOBILE
SOURCE EMISSIONS

(Subtopics: Digital Valve Technology for Engines,
Heavy Duty Diesel Engine After-Treatment for NOx
and Particulate Matter, On-Vehicle Diesel Fuel Sul-
fur Control, On-Vehicle Real-Time Monitoring, Air
Toxics Monitoring and Low Level Particulate Mass
Measurement.)
PHASE I OPENS: JANUARY 21, 2002
CLOSING DATE: MARCH 21, 2002

TECHNOLOGIES FOR STORMWATER,  CSOs
and URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
(Subtopics: Control of Stormwater Runoff and
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), In-SituTreat-
ment of Urban Sediments and Rehabilitation of
Urban Infrastructure.)
PHASE I OPENS: JANUARY 21, 2002
CLOSING DATE: MARCH 21, 2002
REGULAR PHASE I SOLICITATION
(Excludes Mobile Sources and Stormwater
Subtopics)
(Subtopics: Nanomaterials and Clean Technology,
Control of Air Pollution, Drinking Water and
Municipal/Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Solid
Waste Recycling, Hazardous Waste Management and
Site Remediation, and Monitoring and Measurement
Technologies.)
PHASE I OPENS: MARCH 28, 2002
CLOSING DATE: MAY 23, 2002

Last year's solicitation describes the SBIR Program,
application requirements, and all research topics. If
you need a fax copy or if you have any questions, call
the EPA  HELPLINE at: (800) 490-9194. Last
year's solicitation also is available at the EPA Web Site.
The three new SBIR solicitations will be available
as they open by calling the HELPLINE or by visiting
the EPA Web Site at www.epa.gov/ncerqalsbir.
      Contractor Forum
The next Contractor Forum is being planned for
March 2002. The Office of Acquisition Management
(OAM) is planning to host the Contractor Forums
twice a year starting March 2002 and again in October
2002. OAM plans to host the one in March 2002 in
Washington, D.C. to also include a Business Fair where
companies can display their products and services. To
find out the latest on the Contractor Forums, please
visit OAM's Internet site at www.epa.gov/oam.
             Contact
     Patricia Durrant
         202-564-4100
12
                     WWWEPAGOVOSDBU

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  COMPANY  REGISTRATION  |
                                         Fax to: Denean Jones (202)501-0756


Event:	Date:	
CompanyName:
	L

Contact:	
Title:	
Address:	
City:	State:	Zip	
Phone No.:	Fax No.:	
Email Address:	
Internet Address:	
NAICS Code(s):	


Capabilities:,.
               CLASSIFICATION
                             a SDB
      a LARGE
      a MID-SIZE
      a SMALL
           TRIBAL
      LI FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED

      a STATE RECOGNIZED
a SMALL WOB
a 8(A) CERTIFIED
a HBCU/MI
a SDV
a HUBZONE
a JWOD
a VSB
a HACU
   ETHNICITY
O AFRICAN-AMERICAN
O ASIAN-INDIAN
O ASIAN-PACIFIC
OCAF
O HISPANIC
O NATIVE AMERICAN
ONONE
O OTHER MINORITY
13

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                U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
           Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
                 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. (1230A)
                      Washington, B.C. 20460
                         (202) 564-4100
                      (202) 501-0756 (FAX)

   Request For Publications
NAME:
FTRM:
ADDRESS;
CITY:                                    STATE:    ZIP
PHONE NO.:(	).
FAX NO.: (	)	
EVENT ATTENDING:.
DATE OF EVENT:	
      jj-  Q Doing Business with EPA
      85  a Mentor-Protege Program
      CD
      o  a Forecast of Contract Opportunities
         a Finding Your Way Through EPA
      •o  a Contract Opportunities Under Superfund (Five Basic categories)
      =  a The 8(a) Program
      Ł  a Suggested Resources for Identifying Small, Minority, and
               Women-Owned Businesses
         a HUBZone Fact Sheet
      CD
      CD
      CD
      a
Visit EPA's OSDBU Homepage to view publications
     www.epa.gov/osdbu/pubs
14                                            WWWEPAGOV/OSDBU

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    EVENTS  EVENTS  EVENTS   EVENTS  EVENTS
                       CALENDAR
       DECEMBER 2001
        December
          3-7
        December 5
       December 20
                     SPONSO^OCATION
DOD Small Business Conference & Expo
DOD - Las Vegas, NV
EPA/Howard University Brown Bag
Luncheon-US EPA/OSDBU - Howard Uni-
versity Outreach Center Ariel Rios Build-
ing, Room 6402 North-
Washington, D.C.
 OSDBU Directors' Christmas Luncheon
                                CONTACT
  Mary Perry
(703) 588-8639
Frank Carpenter
(202)564-4584
       JANUARY 2002
        DATE
        January 14
         January
          15-17
Congressman Albert Wynn's 7th Annual Pro-
curement Fair and Business Expo -
Prince Georges Community College-
Novak Field House - Largo, MD
Superfund Senior Management &
Acquisition Council (SRMAC) Meeting -
New Orleans, LA
                                CONTACT
                                                   Ken Nealy
                                                  (202) 225-8699
       FEBRUARY 2002
        DATE
         February
          25-28
        February 26
         February
          TBD
EPA MBE/WBE Regional Coordinators
Conference - Washington, D.C.
Administrator's Small & Disadvantaged
Business Awards Ceremony -
Washington, D.C.
 Region VIII Tribal Summit - U S EPA
                                CONTACT
   Elaine Rice
  (202) 564-4141
   Elaine Rice
  (202) 564-4141
 Maurice Velasquez
  (303) 312-6862
15


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                       REGIONAI   MBE/WBE:, COORDINATORS
REGION I (CT. ME.RI, MA, NH, VT)
Sharon Molden       617-918-1062
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Region
One Congress Street (MGM), Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02114-2023

REGION II  (NJ, NY, PR, VI)
Otto Salamon       212-637-341 7
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

290 Broadway- 27th Floor
New York, NY 10007-1866

REGION III  (DE, VA, MD, PA, DC, WV)
Romona McQueen     215-814-5155
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
        1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

REGION IV (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC,  SC,
TN)
Matt Robbins        404-562-8371
Rafael Santamaria      404-562-811 0
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
61 Forsyth Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960

REGION V  (IL, IN, Ml, MN, OH.WI)
Darlene Hainer       31 2-886-601 7
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

77 West Jackson Boulevard (MC-10J)
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
REGION VI (AR. LA, NM, OK, TX)
Debora N. Bradford  21 4-665-7406
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
First Interstate Bank Tower at  Fountain
Place
1445 Ross Avenue, 12th Floor, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733

REGION VII  (MO, NE, IO, KS)
Cecil Bailey       91 3-551 -7462
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City,  KS 66101

REGION VIII (CO, MT, WY, SD, ND, UT)
Maurice Velasquez  303-312-6862
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2405

REGION IX (AZ, HI,  CA, NV)
JoeOchab 415-744-1628
 U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
 75 Hawthorne Street (PMD-1)
San Francisco, CA 94105

REGION X (AK, ID, OR, WA)
Myrna Jamison    206-553-2931
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
 1200 Sixth Avenue
 Seattle, WA 98101

CINCINNATI
Norman G. White  51 3-487-2024
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Contracts Management Division
26 Weat Martin Luther King Drive
    Cincinnati, OH  45268

    NORTH CAROLINA
    Jerry Dodson      91 9-541 -2249
    U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Contracts Management Division
    Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

    HEADQUARTERS
    Lupe Saldana      202-564-5353
    U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Grants Administration Division
    1300 Pennsylvania Avenue (3903R)
    Washington, DC 20460
     EPA OSDBU STAFF
 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (1230A)
        Washington, DC  20460
           (202) 564-4100
          FAX (202) 501 -0756
Jeanette L. Brown    Director

David Sutton       Deputy Director
Elaine Rice        Program Analyst
Mark Gordon      Attorney Advisor
Kimberly Patrick     Attorney Advisory/Detailed
Trina Porter        Socioeconomic Business Program Officer
Myrna Mooney     Socioeconomic Business Program Officer/Tribal
Patricia Durant      Socioeconomic Business Program Officer/HBCU
Denean Jones       Information Management Specialist
Tammy Thomas     Program Specialist
Elnora Thompson    Clerk-Typist
Thelma Harvey     SEE Employee
Darius White       Student Intern
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(1230A)
Washington, DC 20460
                                                          First Class Mail
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Penalty for Private Use $300
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