&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Director's Note
The Practices and Power of
Collaborative Partnerships
It has been proven that small businesses benefit
when they do not operate independently, but
engage in collaborative partnerships where
there are relationships of mutual trust and
respect, shared visions of the goals towards
which people are working, and agreement
on the tasks that need to be accomplished to
achieve those goals.
The OSDBU would like to share some
tips obtained from experience as well as
collaboration experts in various industries
which may be helpful to your organization.
This edition of the OSDBU News will
highlight useful resources which confirm the
very power of collaborative partnerships,
which can be summarized as relationships that
provide opportunities for mutual benefits and
results beyond those any single organization
could realize alone.
Fall 2005
I hope that you find this Fall edition, with the
theme Collaborative Partnerships, valuable
as your company continues to experience
operational success through this effective
management approach.
As an introduction to the how to's and benefits
of collaborative partnerships highlighted in
this edition, provided below is descriptive
listing of noted characteristics of collaborative
partnerships:
Collaborative partnerships have a
unique organizational structure and
operate differently than other types of
organizations.
Strong arguments exist both for
and against using a written formal
agreement among partners.
Inside This Issue-
Maximizing Effectiveness page 2
EPA Leading by Example
EPA News
Regional News
page 7
page 8
page 12
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Collaborative partnerships begin with
centralized leadership, but leadership
responsibilities are more widely shared
as partnerships evolve.
Collaborative partnerships build
relationships within the community.
Collaborative partnerships are people
oriented.
Collaborative partnerships need to have
a clear vision of their purpose.
Stakeholders share a commitment to
finding solutions.
Collaborative partnerships provide
a communication network to finding
solutions.
Collaborative partnerships change
attitudes within the community.
Local government involvement in
collaborative partnerships is crucial for
long-term sustainability.
Read and Reflect,
Jeanette L. Brown, Director
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Maximizing Effectiveness
Experts in the Department of Educational
Psychology, University of Calgary provide
the following explanation of collaboration:
Collaboration involves a certain mind set and
certain attitudes that are also present in true
partnerships. In a true collaboration, there is a
shared need to work together coupled with a
mind set that views all players as being equally
important for the success of the common
initiative. In order for the collaboration to work,
all of the people involved need to have a shared
perspective: A common need and a mutual respect
for each others' contributions. Although there
may be a designated chair person, collaboration
is not a game of leaders and followers, it is
a game of mutuality. Thus, the chair may be
responsible for conducting a meeting, but the
processes engaged in, and the decisions made,
are the result of "group-think." Moreover, the
actions resulting from the decisions are shared
amongst group members. To all intents and
purposes, a collaboration functions according to
the following dictum: "Let's work together on
this, figure out together what it is we want to do
and how we will go about doing it, and share the
credits for success."
This source indicates that most effective
partnerships and collaborations are characterized
by relationships that are:
Mutually rewarding. Everyone feels
like there are deriving benefits from the
collaboration. There is value added for
the time spent working collaboratively.
Mutually trusting. Over time,
participants learn to trust each other and
develop confidence that there will be
no back-stabbing and that people can
be counted on to keep their promises.
Collaborations work, but they take time
to develop.
Equally valued. All participants are
valued for their contributions. Some
participants may seem to contribute
more than others, but participants
have differing amounts of resources to
contribute. There is acknowledgment
that participants contribute in different
ways, so it seems that people are
making different, but equally important
contributions, not more or less valuable.
Based on similar or complimentary
professional and social strengths.
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Collaboration is easiest when people see
"eye to eye" on issues and approaches.
However, when there is a diverse group,
there often is a larger resource pool of
skills, talents, and perspectives. Provided
a shared mind set can be developed,
collaborations amongst diverse groups
of people can be very effective.
Participants share a common vision.
There is an agreement on the purpose of
the collaboration and the goals towards
which people are working. Participants
feel ownership for the shared vision, are
willing to commit resources to it, and are
comfortable with forgoing personal gain
in the interest of assisting the group.
Shared value system. In the short
term, people may agree to overlook
differences in their value systems, in
order to work towards the common
vision. After all, they just have to work
together, not necessarily be best friends.
However, people will need to be patient
and understanding, as well as value and
respect individual differences in order
for the collaboration to work in the long-
term. For this to happen, there typically
needs to be a substantial agreement
on some core set of common values.
This is particularly true in business
relationships, where people can work
together with a common goal in the short
term, but end up with irreconcilable
differences in the long run.
Shared decision-making.
Collaborations involve shared power.
Collaboration involves giving up some
individual power, but collectively more
power is created because everyone
contributes to the system. Paradoxically,
power is gained by giving it away.
Diverse membership and the
encouragement of multi-disciplinary
efforts. There is respect for and
encouragement of divergent opinions,
BUT there is a focus on developing a
common point of view. "Can I live with
this decision?" and "Does this take us
in the desired direction?" become the
guiding questions, rather than "Is this
the best possible deal for the group I
represent?"
Leaders who are ready to restructure
for change. The participants involved in
the collaboration, and the organizations
they represent, need to be willing to
give up some things in favor of making
the collaboration work. If people are
entrenched in their points of view
and in their organization structures
then collaboration is more difficult to
achieve.
Mutually rewarding. There is a
recognized tangible pay-off for all
participants.
Consensus building. Exploring
common ground and talking through
areas of disagreement to reach a shared
point of view become the norm, rather
than voting on issues under discussion.
Collaboration is noted as yielding many
benefits. Among the most noteworthy are the
following:
Reduced competition for diminishing
resources. When people work together
towards common goals, they are not
fighting each other to see who can get
the largest portion of the funding pie.
Elimination of service duplication.
Working together towards common
goals reduces the likelihood that several
agencies will not be developing the
same, or similar, programs and products.
Sharing is more cost-effective than
developing several versions of the same
thing.
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Diversified problem-solving. Often the
diversity in a collaboration brings fresh
perspective to a problem and generates
novel solutions.
Increased inter-agency understanding.
Collaboration typically increases
people's awareness of the perspectives
of others, and the agencies they
represented. This promotes greater
harmony amongst people and agencies
and reduces friction.
Renewed sense of professionalism.
True collaborations seem to spawn
increased commitment to participants'
work roles, increased vigor for their job
duties, and heightened expectations for
their service recipients.
Resource Sharing
According to The Department of Local
Government and Regional Development, local
government continues to face challenges in
meeting growing community expectations to
expand the range and quality of services provided
within budget constraints. There are a range of
options that may be able to effectively combine
more efficient service delivery with vibrant local
democracy. It is further noted that across states
there are a wide variety of resource sharing
arrangements that are resulting in:
Providing councils with more buying
power for savings and the ability to afford
the latest technology to deliver services;
Improving the ability to afford specialist
skills in regional areas; and
Savings from efficient operations
Essential Elements
The New Horizons/or Collaborative Partnerships
has identified three essential elements associated
with successful collaborative partnerships,
namely networking, leadership, and vision.
Networking
Collaborative efforts are strengthened by
networking, which enables one to draw upon
multiple resources and build a team to accomplish
the desired objectives. An important networking
skill is the ability to identify the resources that
are available within the community. These
resources include both financial resources and
human resources. When an idea is developed
appropriately, multiple individuals are frequently
eager to become involved with the venture. It
takes a community of individuals all working
together to be successful. The development
and maintenance of effective working teams is
fundamental to advancing the successfulness of
community endeavors.
Leadership
Another necessary element of collaborative
partnerships is that of good leadership. The
credibility of the leader is paramount to the
success of the venture; leadership entails
inspiring stakeholders to devote energy, time,
and resources toward a positive endeavor.
Leaders need to be able to transform practice
cultures to achieve the desired outcomes. Experts
suggest that successful leaders will motivate
the group to achieve outcomes that exceed the
prospects of the endeavor. Leaders must take
the time to investigate the issues and become
knowledgeable about the possible opportunities
for success to occur. They need to remain
visible, enthusiastic, and actively involved with
the goals of the organization for the outcomes
to be successful. Leadership authors note that
leaders need to be willing to persevere and to
take risks as they develop new opportunities
for addressing the challenges identified by key
stakeholders. However, leaders also need to be
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able to trust the group members. One expert
wrote that a leader identifies the responsibilities
for the different individuals involved in the
program but then needs to get out of the way and
let them do the jobs assigned. The reputations of
the members of the group also play an enormous
part in the success of the project. Laying a sound
foundation of leadership and membership for the
collaborative efforts can be time-consuming, but
in the long run is invaluable to the success of the
venture.
Vision
The success of a collaborative project requires
that everyone on the team be actively captivated
by the mission and/or goals of the group. The
Institute of Medicine noted the importance of a
system identifying its shared purpose; this allows
for a core set of principles to be developed to
guide the innovation or partnership. A leadership
expert concluded, "...leadership is therefore
about influence, but it is also about inspiration
- those with the inspiration to inspire belief in
ourselves". Another expert stated "inspirational
leaders instill an intrinsic drive that is fueled
by a higher purpose, a sense of mission, and
a commitment to a vast array of possibilities",
and added that inspired individuals engage a
"fire of passion" for the vision of the project that
results in an inherently and independently driven
success for the endeavor.
Vision comes from the leader. Without the leader
taking the initiative to excite the committee,
the efforts of the group frequently become
fragmented and ineffective. A shared vision
held by all partners is an essential early step in
the partnering process. According to one author,
".. .worthwhile work involves understanding the
work and knowing how the work helps others".
Once steadfastness to the goal is developed, the
enthusiasm for the consortium seems to fall into
place.
In summary, according to New Horizons
for Collaborative Partnerships, partnership
opportunities are there for the taking when one
remains cognizant of trends and issues within
communities, organizations, and the profession.
Being prepared to take the initiative is also very
important as one project may mesh or overlap
into another. An understanding of the process
of collaboration enables leaders to develop
and manage the environment to meet the needs
identified within the community. The elements
of networking, leadership, and vision are all
important as relationships between stakeholders
are developed. By carefully addressing each of
these areas, partnerships become strong, and
beneficial outcomes follow.
Best Practices
INNOVA Learning reported the following
emerging best practices as a result of government-
voluntary sector collaboration
Collaboration means both sectors
come to the table as equal partners
Develop knowledgeable civil servants
who understand and support voluntary
sector activities
Champions within government
departments are needed to carry the
message and win others over.
Recognize that the process of building
good working relationships takes time.
The process of working together is as
important as the product in increasing
understanding between the sectors
Balance autonomy and accountability
Build relationships based on mutual
trust and respect.
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Guidelines For Effective
Partnering Relationships
The Corporate Partnering Institute presents the
following principles in a partnering relationship
that must be understood and accepted by all
partners:
1. Staying the long haul.
Collaboration demands effort, time, patience
and seeing the big picture. Increased audiences
or substantial cost savings are not always
immediately evident but may, infact, be the
resulting synergy of new systems.
2. Common Goals.
It is no longer us versus them. It must only be
us in order to achieve maximum synergy. Each
partner must translate its individual goals into
common goals towards which all partners are
striving.
3. Transparent Communications.
Building trust and confidence in each other
demands a timely, accurate, and open exchange
of information. Nothing can be held back nor
kept under wraps if this relationship is going to
blossom.
4. Teamwork.
The process of partnering is as important as
the substance. Patience must rule the day as
opposed to expediency. Start from the premise
that initial trust in the partnership is fragile and
easily broken. Then strengthen and build this
trust through
actions that build the team rather than any
individual player.
5. Create Value.
There is no reason to partner if value is
not created for the individual partners. It is
incumbent on the partners to pool their core
competencies to create a larger whole. Each
must do what it does best, and through the
combined effort of all, a new and otherwise
unattainable value is secured. This is a win-win
relationship.
6. Behave Ethically.
When entering a collaboration the highest
ethical standards of behavior must rule the day.
Each partner must act as he expects his partners
to act. The first sign of chicanery or duplicitous
behavior will explode the partnership. The key
is to enter into the partnership without a hidden
agenda and with a full understanding of the
nature, activities, ownership and reputation of
your partners. If you don't collaborate, you may
be working too hard for too little return on your
investment of precious human, financial, and
physical resources. Find a partner whenever you
can for the various projects that you undertake.
Make each partnership a strategic business
relationship that benefits both parties as well as
the community. Like any successful endeavor,
there will be hazards and barriers along the
way. Know what they are, and overcome them
in order to achieve a strategic collaboration that
works.
Questions To Ask Before
Pursuing Partnerships
Pathways to College, in its curriculum entitled
"Implementation Tools, Building Collaborative
Partnerships", suggest that the following
questions should be asked before pursuing
partnerships. These questions help to determine
whether an organization is prepared to engage in
a collaborative partnership.
Have you completed research on all
prospective partners?
Can you describe the partnership's goals
and objectives in simple terms?
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Can you identify the fundable parts of
your project?
Can you really accomplish these goals?
Do you have tools to measure the
success of the project?
Do you have a proven evaluation
method?
Do you have assurance of dedication to
the goals?
Can you list the resources you are willing
to bring to the table to accomplish these
goals?
Do you have established ways to
coordinate with other community
resources?
Can you describe the relationship with
the communities you plan to serve?
EPA Leading By Example
The EPA has experienced positive results in
developing collaborative partnerships to better
serve small businesses and to better facilitate
the contracting and subcontracting process.
Provided below are examples of how the EPA
participates in and promote collaborative
partnerships which have resulted in tremendous
economies of scale:
Watershed Working Lands
Summit
Better Water Quality Through Better
Government Collaboration held
April 18-19, 2005 in Raleigh, NC
This series of meetings involved water quality
and other natural resource agency leaders (EPA,
USD A, DOT, etc.) at the Federal, State, and local
levels, together with appropriate participation
by regional and national headquarters staff.
The summit focused on leadership principles,
concepts and practices necessary for
collaborative decision-making at the state level
by Federal and State agencies, and subunits of
state government.
Community Involvement
Conference and Training
July 12-15, 2005, in Buffalo, New York
The theme of the conference was, "Building
Bridges Through Strong Partnerships" and
focused on how collaborative partnerships
can improve environmental public education,
community involvement, and decision-making.
This annual conference was designed for EPA
and its federal, state, local and tribal partners
who plan and implement EPA's community
involvement, partnership, outreach and education
programs. The conference provided a diverse
and unique educational programone in which
presenters and participants freely exchanged
information and learned from each other.
Conference speakers, representing a wide variety
of stakeholders, shared how they were involving
communities in the protection of our air, water,
and land. Over 400 people attended this event.
EPA Earns High
Ombudsman Marks
The Small Business Administration National
Ombudsman's recent annual report to Congress
awarded high marks to the EPA for fairly
enforcing federal regulations.
A ratings, the highest, were awarded in five major
categories. Quality of Response to specific small
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business comments by a high-level representative
or the program office, and answering comments
well, earned an A. Working hard to comply with
its policy prohibiting retaliatory actions against
complainants also earned an A, as did all the
Compliance Assistance steps the Agency takes to
inform and advise small businesses on the rules
and on how to comply with them. Also rated A
were EPA attendance at Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Hearings, as well as the Agency's work
to Inform Small Businesses of their rights,
including access to the Office of the National
Ombudsman.
These high ratings reflect the EPA commitment
to working collaboratively with federal and state
agencies, industry including small business,
educational institutions and others whenever
possible to carry out the important mission of
protecting human health and the environment.
EPA, Interior, Army,
To Work Together In
Removing Health Risks At
Tar Creek, Oklahoma
The 40 square mile Tar Creek Superfund Site in
northeastern Oklahoma is part of the 1,188 square
mile historic zinc and lead mines known as the
Tri-State Mining District in Missouri, Kansas,
and Oklahoma. The district's historic lead and
zinc production ranks as one of the highest in
the world, with total ore production estimated
to have been slightly more the 0.5 billion short
tons, with production high during World War II.
Mining began in the early 1900's and continued
until the 1960's.
The by-products of the mining operation were
highly acidic mine water and large amounts
of discarded mine and mill tailings, discarded
in chat piles or settling ponds. The principle
pollutants are lead, cadmium, and zinc, and
chat was freely used and placed throughout the
area by individuals and municipal and county
agencies. There are approximately 30,000 people
residing in the area, and most of the land on the
Tar Creek site is allotted Indian Land.
What Is The Gulf of Mexico
Program?
The Gulf of Mexico Program was formed in
1988 by the Environmental Protection Agency
as a non-regulatory, inclusive partnership to
provide a broad geographic focus on the major
environmental issues in the Gulf. The mission
of the Program is " to facilitate collaborative
actions to protect, maintain, and restore the
health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico
in ways consistent with the economic well-
being of the Region." The partnership includes
representation from state and local governments
and the citizenry in each of the five Gulf States;
the private sector (business and industry); federal
agencies responsible for research, monitoring,
environmental protection, and natural resource
management; and the academic community.
EPA News
New Administrator Visits
Program Offices
On May 4, 2005, EPA's new Administrator,
Stephen L. Johnson, visited the Judiciary Square
Building, where OSDBU and other EPA program
offices and contractors are housed. OSDBU
hosted a welcoming breakfast in honor of the
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visit. In his message to EPA's employees,
Administrator Johnson stated:
I am humbled and honored that President
Bush has entrusted me with the leadership
of this great Agency. During EPA's 35
years, our experiences have taught us what
works, as well as what can be done better
to improve our environment and protect
public health. We have learned that sound
scientific research and analysis are the
foundation for our work and the genesis of
our future successes. In order to advance the
credibility of our actions, I will continue to
promote transparency as a key to successful
decision-making.
To face the new challenges of national and
global concern, I will encourage EPA to
fully integrate innovation, flexibility and
collaboration at the local, state, national,
and international levels. The United States
has proven to the world that environmental
success and economic growth can go hand-
in-hand, and I will further this progress in
EPA's actions.
I know that our mission cannot be realized
without your continued commitment and
dedication. I am grateful for each of you and
the work you do to leave the next generation
with a safer, healthier environment in which
to live, work, and play.
EPA SDVOSB Counseling
Session and Trade Fair
EPA has attained yet another milestone in service
to the small business industry by conducting
its first Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small
Business (SDVOSB) Counseling Session and
Trade Fair on Thursday, August 11, 2005 at the
Marriott Hotel at Metro Center. The purpose of
this event was to facilitate EPA's strategies of
1. Encouraging contract opportunities
exclusively for SDVOSBs; 2. Encouraging
and facilitating participation by SDVOSBs in
competition for award of Agency contracts; 3.
Providing SDVOSBs an opportunity to speak
with EPA's contract and progam managers; and
4. Provide SDVOSBs and other Federal agencies
an opportunity to meet.
The agenda for the event was packed with
exciting opportunities for information sharing
and networking, in keeping with EPA's goal of
assisting SDVOSBs in doing business with EPA.
From the informative speakers, to the motivating
ribbon-cutting ceremony, to the interactive
exhibits, to the identification of Resource
Officials, this event truly made its mark on
business owners in attendance. A highlight of
the event was the opportunity for SDVOSBs
to attend one-on-one counseling sessions to
receive counsel and advice on opportunities and
assistance in understanding EPA's procurement
process and culture.
Cassandra R. Freeman, Deputy Director,
OSDBU, set the tone for the day in her
introductory remarks where she expounded on
efforts to implement the EPA strategic plan and
the goal of having each attendee to leave the
event with valuable knowledge and contacts to
help in the Federal contracting process.
Jeanette L. Brown, Director, OSDBU, provided
encouraging remarks to the attendees, stressing
EPA's commitment to this initiative as endorced
by the participation of key program managers
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and representatives from EPA's Office of
Administration and Resources Management.
The group was further encouraged by many
other speakers, including Steve Johnson, EPA
Administrator, who personally thanked veterans
for their sacrifices, commended veterans for
taking advantage of the opportunity to own
businesses and contribute to the economic
growth of the nation, and confirmed the support
of EPA to the success of SDVOSBs.
HCD International, OSDBU's newsletter
contractor, attended the event as a roving reporter.
Provided below is a sample of comments obtained
from attendees regarding the event:
"The speakers' comments showed a
commitment to SDVOSB goals and to
what they are promising to do. I look
forward to the one-on-one session."
"My organization has not had much
experience with EPA, but we are here to
hook-up with other businesses and learn
how to enter into the EPA market."
"This event is very well organized."
Stay tuned for other events where information
will be disseminated on matching small
business services with EPA needs by visiting the
EPA website atwww.epa.gov/osdbu.
DoD Conference for
SDVOSBs
On June 13-15, 2005, the Department of Defense
(DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) sponsored a conference in Las Vegas
for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Businesses. EPA was represented by OSDBU
Director Jeanette Brown, Deputy Director
Cassandra Freeman, as well as Special Assistant
to the Director Susan Galliher, Norman White of
the Cincinnati Procurement Office, Jerry Dodson
of the RTF Procurement Office, and Region 8's
MBE/WBE Coordinator, Marshell Pullman.
The conference was a huge success, with a full
capacity of 800 registrations being sold out prior
to the opening day. A large number of Veteran-
Owned Businesses visited the EPA table to share
their capabilities, obtain information about EPA
contract opportunities, and seek guidance on
how to pursue business with EPA. Some of
the Veteran-Owned firms walked away with
commitments to start providing services to EPA.
OSDBU is now working with DoD and VA to
plan next year's conference, which may also be
held in Las Vegas in June 2006.
Jeanette Brown Elected
Chair of OSDBU Directors
Council
The interagency OSDBU Directors Council
elected EPA's OSDBU Director, Jeanette Brown,
to chair the Council in FY2006, which began
on October 1, 2005. Ms. Brown's initiatives
for the Council this year include improvements
to the www.OSDBU.gov website, increased
coordination between Federal agencies to
alleviate some of their duplication of efforts, and
reducing the number of small business events
scheduled for the same dates. At the Council's
October 20 meeting, Ms. Brown voiced her
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renewed energy and eagerness to take the Council
to new heights in providing services for the small
business community, minority institutions, and
trade associations.
16th Annual OSDBU
Procurement Conference
Scheduled
The OSDBU Directors Council met in early
October to start planning the 16th Annual OSDBU
Procurement Conference. The conference will
be held April 20, 2006, at Show Place Arena in
Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The last conference
attracted more than 40 Federal agencies and
2,600 participants from around the country.
Participants included large businesses that were
looking for small businesses capable of providing
subcontracting services.
It is anticipated that next year's conference will
be bigger and better than ever, including break-
out sessions on:
1) Emergency response contracting (e.g.,
hurricanes, space shuttle, and other
disasters);
2) Doing Business with the Government/
Teaming and Partnerships;
3) Women-Owned Businesses; and
4) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small
Businesses.
EPA's OSDBU is taking the lead on planning
this event. Information regarding the conference
will soon be available on the www.OSDBU.gov
website.
OSDBU Awards Ceremony
On October 27, 2005, EPA's OSDBU sponsored
the Administrator's 17th Annual Small Business
Awards Ceremony at EPA Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. Awards were presented to
small businesses, large businesses, state and local
entities, EPA personnel, and 5 offices from EPA's
Headquarters, the Regions, and a laboratory for
their extraordinary efforts in support of EPA's
small business program. The OSDBU office
congratulates and thanks the award recipients.
MSIRP Conference
The second strategic planning meeting for the
third Minority Serving Institutions Research
Partnerships (MSIRP) Conference was held
in Washington on May 19 - 20, 2005. The
meeting was hosted by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).
OSDBU Director Jeanette Brown welcomed over
60 representatives of governmental agencies,
corporations, small businesses, university
presidents, provosts and faculty from MSIs who
participated. Other federal agencies participating
in the meeting included the U.S. Department
of Interior; NASA; Department of the Army;
Department of Health and Human Services;
Department of Homeland Security; Department
of Energy; Department of Commerce; and the
Small Business Administration. Ms. Brown
expressed pleasure with the meeting and the
interest and participation of those who attended.
Ms. Brown stated "We're off to a great start and
the enthusiasm and momentum is apparent. There
is still much to be done but I believe we have the
necessary components to carry that momentum
forward and deliver an excellent conference."
Several presentations were made by EPA officials
about various programs within EPA whose
missions overlap with the goals of the upcoming
MSIRP'06 conference. EPA helps to educate
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the public about the environment and furthers
its mission through research grants, graduate
fellowships and contracting opportunities. While
most of the programs seek to provide educational
opportunities for talented students atMSIs, others
specifically relate to public health concerns and
minority business development. Ms. Brown
discussed the OSDBU Office, which develops
programs to encourage the involvement of small,
disadvantaged and women-owned businesses
and to make these businesses more competitive
in contracting and grant opportunities. OSDBU
also provides outreach in the form of training
seminars, mentoring, counseling and advocacy
for these target populations.
Roberta Miller, from the Office of Research
and Development, outlined the EPA Internship
Program that targets engineering, public
policy and administration majors. Jonathan
Newton from EPA's Office of Civil Rights
discussed the objectives of the office, which
include dissemination of information and grant
opportunities for MSIs. Edsel Brown, from the
Office of Technology, talked about that office's
interest in the development of women-owned
businesses that provide free training classes.
The goal of the MSIRP'06 Conference, slated for
February 2-4, 2006, is to encourage sustainable
business and educational partnerships among
governmental agencies, businesses, industry
and institutions of higher learning, particularly
Minority Serving Institutions, including
Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, and Tribal Colleges
and Universities. MSIRP'06 will be held on the
campus of The University of Texas-Pan American
in Edinburg, Texas.
Regional News
EPA's MBE/WBE
Coordinators Receive
Training
On October 25-27, 2005, the OSDBU office
provided training for the Minority Business
Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/
WBE) Coordinators from EPA's ten Regions, the
Office of AcquisitionManagement in Washington,
D.C., the Cincinnati Procurement Center, and the
RTF Procurement Center in Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina. The theme of the training
was, "Getting on the Same Page." The MBE/
WBE Coordinators were provided training on
revisions to EPA's procurement forms; outreach
tips and assistance; outreach best practices;
various databases that MBE/WBE Coordinators
need to understand to do their job; training
resources; an overview of the procurement
process; direct procurement responsibilities;
compliance best practices; the Service-Disabled
Veteran-Owned Small Business Program; and
building regional websites. During the third day
of training, the Coordinators participated in the
Administrator's annual awards ceremony. One
evening, a special dinner was held to celebrate
Marie McPeak's upcoming retirement in Region
10 (Seattle, Washington) and her many years of
service to EPA's small business program. The
MBE/WBE Coordinators are all listed on the last
page of this newsletter, along with their telephone
numbers and e-mail addresses.
|osdbu news fall 2005 www.epa.gov/osdbu
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Region 6 Tribes
Our tribal partnerships recognize tribes' authority
to administer their own environmental programs.
Working government-to-government, EPA
provides a broad range of support for tribes'
environmental work. Through coordination
and cooperation, advocacy, strategic planning,
training and grants, EPA assists tribes in fulfilling
their environmental goals.
State Information
Many federal environmental laws include a
prominent role for states. EPA's partnerships
with states have evolved far beyond shared
responsibilities as co-regulators. The results are
more innovative and effective protection of our
environment and public health.
Today most environmental regulation and
enforcement is done by states. EPA provides
a comprehensive package of planning, policy,
technical, analytical and information resources
to support their activities. Working together
allows us to address not just the effects, but also
the causes of pollution. It allows us to go beyond
what the law requires, using environmental
regulations as a foundation for what we can
accomplish, not a ceiling.
EPA continues to expand its traditional role
by fostering creative collaborative solutions to
complex environmental problems.
Follow this link for more information.
(http://epa.gov/region6/6xa/states.htm)
Cybertravel Guide
Please take the time to ensure that someone in your
business is assigned the task of traveling to key
websites so you can remain knowledgeable about
collaborative partnerships.
For New Horizons for Collaborative Partnerships,
visit http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin/topic26/
tpc26_2.htm
For The Department of Local Government
and Regional Development, visit http:
//www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/localGovt/connect/
partnerships .asp
For INNOVA Learning, visit
http://www.cyr.gov.sk.ca/assets/pdf/VSI/Maureen
%20Matthew,%20PVSI,%20June%2011th%20Pres
entation.pdf
For The Corporate Partnering Institute, visit http:
//www.partneringagreements.com/
For Information from the Department of Educational
Psychology, University of Calgary, visit http://
northwin.ca/board/misc/b ryanhiebert.html
We will see you next quarter with more websites to
add to your Cybertravel Guide.
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Calendar of Events
DATE
December 8
December 8
December 14
January 24-25
January 25-26
February 2-4
February 3-4
February 6-9
February 22-23
February 26-
March 2
March 7
EVENT
Service Disabled Veterans Small
Business Counseling Day
WA Technology Center &
Snohomish County Economic
Development Council Defense &
Security Grants Conference
5th Annual Small Minority &
Business Owners Conference
National Veterans
Entrepreneurship Conf.
Connecticut Minority
Construction Expo
2006 Minority Serving
Institutions (MSIRP'06) Research
Partnerships Conference
Metropolitan Business League
Annual Economic Conference
and Membership Awards Banquet
20th Annual National Reservation
Economic Summit & Amer. Indian
Bus. Trade Fair
6th Annual Economic
Empowerment & National
Women's Leadership Conf. 2006
Waste Management Symposium
Alliance MID-Atlantic Small
Business Procurement Fair
SPONSOR/LOCATION
633 3rd Street, NW
Washington, DC
Seattle, WA
City of San Antonio & Bexar County
Deborah Bradford
San Francisco, CA
Connecticut Convention Center
UTPA, Edinburg, Texas
Richmond, VA
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hamilton Crowne Plaza
Washington, DC
Tucson, Arizona
Valley Forge Convention Center
CONTACT
Lament Norwood
(202) 564-0928
Kim Heuss
(206)616-2847
Renee Watson
(210)335-2478
www.asdv.org
www.ctmce.com
www.citec.panam.edu
www.thembl.com
www.ncaied.org
www.mbpn.org
www.wmsym.org
www.allianceforbiz.com
OSDBU has identified meetings, conferences, and forums being provided across the country that may be of interest
to the small business community. Events that OSDBU will sponsor or support are identified with lead OSDBU staff
for additional information. The Calendar of Events is maintained by Tammy Thomas. Ms. Thomas can be reached at
(202) 564-4298.
osdbu news fall 2005 www.epa.gov/osdbu
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Jeanette L. Brown, Director
Cassandra R. Freeman, Deputy Director
Susan Galliher, Special Assistant
Robert DuHart, Program Analyst
Kimberly Patrick, Attorney Advisor
Patricia Durrant, Socioeconomic Program Officer
Denean Jones, Info. Mgmt. Specialist
Lament Norwood, Program Analyst
Tammy Thomas, Management Analysis
Elnora Thompson, Office Automation Assistant
Thelma Harvey, Secretary- Contractor
Barbara Overton, Secretary - Contractor
Contact information current as of 11-05
OSDBU Employee Contact List
(202)564-4100
(202)564-4100
(202) 564-0403
(202) 564-4586
(202) 564-5386
(202) 564-4738
(202)564-4142
(202) 564-0928
(202) 564-4298
(202)564-4139
(202)564-4138
(202) 564-0999
brown.jeanettel@epa.gov
freeman.cassandra@epa.gov
galliher.susan@epa.gov
duHart.robert@epa.gov
patrick.kimberly@epa.gov
durrant.patricia@epa.gov
jones.denean@epa.gov
norwood.lamont@epa.gov
thomas.tammy@epa.gov
thompson.elnora@epa.gov
harvey.thelma@epa.gov
overton.barbara@epa.gov
EPA/OSDBU Mission
The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is to support the
protection of the environment and human health by fostering
opportunities for partnerships, contracts, subagreements, and grants
for small and socioeconomically disadvantaged concerns.
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Agency Goals
2006 - 2007 Goals have not been finalized by the SBA.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goals for Fiscal Year (FY) 2004/2005
are based on estimated contract obligations of $1.2 billion for direct and $200 million for subcontract.
EPA FY 2004/2005 PRIME CONTRACT GOALS
Small Businesses
8 (a) Businesses*
Non 8(a) Small Disadvantaged
Women-Owned Small Businesses
Service Disabled Veterans
FY '04/05 Goal
27.0%
*6.3%
*3.0%
5.0%
3.0%
3.0%
*Since 8(a)s are SDBs, EPA in essence has an SDB goal of 9.3%.
EPA FY 2004/2005 SUBCONTRACTING GOALS
Sufoconfracf
Small Businesses
Small Disadvantaged Businesses
Non 8(a) Small Women-Owned
Service Disabled Veterans
FY '04/05 Goal
50.0%
20.0%
7.5%
3.0%
3.0%
The Federal Government purchases billions 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 the results.
Small Business Vendor Profile System
EPA's Small Business Vendor Profile System is designed to collect and display information
concerning businesses registered with EPA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU). The system captures information on the following types of small businesses: small; small
disadvantaged; 8(a) certified; women-owned; Hubzone; veterans; service disabled veterans; and tribal
businesses (Federally or State recognized). Information is also available on Historically Black Colleges
and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACUs), and minority
servicing institutions.
osdbu news fall 2005 www.epa.gov/osdbu
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Small Business Vendor Profile System
If you would like to be included in EPA/OSDBU's automated database go to: cfpub.epa.gov/sbvps, or complete the following
form and fax it to Denean Jones at (202) 501-0756.
Date:
Company Name*:.
Contact*:
Title:.
Address*:,
City*:
Phone**:.
E-mail Address*:.
Internet Address:
NAICS Code(s)*:
State*:.
Fax#:_
Zip Code*
Capabilities:.
Have you done business with the EPA before*: Q NO Q Yes, as a Prime Q Yes, as a Subcontractor
Classification
Q Large
Q Mid-Size
Q Small
Tribal
Q Federally Recognized
Q State Recognized
Q SDB
Q Small WOB
Q 8(a) Certified
[_| Service Disabled Veteran
Q HUBZone
\_\ HBCU
Q HACU
[_) Tribal College/
University
Q Other Minority
The fields marked by * are required and must be filled in.
Ethnicity
Q African American
Q Asian-Indian
Q Asian-Pacific
Q Caucasian American
Female
Q Hispanic
Q Native American
Q Other Minority
None
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Small Business Ombudsman
SMALL BUSINESS DIVISION
Regulatory Assistance and Outreach Program
FTE Employees:
Karen Brown
Joyce Billions
Elsa Bishop
Bridgette Dent
Earl Russell
Angela Suber
SEE Enrollees:
Howard Boddie
James Malcolm
Esther McCrary
Tom Nakley
Joseph Albright
Title
Division Director & Small Business Ombudsman
Secretary
Program Analyst
Program Assistant
Summer Intern
Program Analyst
Computer Specialist
Chemical Engineer, Toxic Substances and Haz Mat
Senior Secretarial Support Staff
Civil Engineer, CWA, SDWA and Asbestos
Biologist, Asbestos, Randon and Lead
Contact #
(202) 566-2816
(202) 566-2813
(202) 566-2814
(202) 566-2819
(202) 566-2820
(202) 566-2827
(202) 566-2815
(202) 566-2821
(202) 566-2824
(202) 566-2826
(202) 566-2817
Major Functions/Products:
Serve as a port of entry "gateway" 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 on 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
Private Citizens
EPA Administrator and Deputy Administrator
Congressional representatives and staff, Governors, Environmental Counsel of States (ECOS)
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 Local: (202) 566-2855 Main Line: (202) 566-2822
Fax: (202) 566-0954
Contact information current as of 11-05.
|osdbu news fall 2005 www.epa.gov/osdbu
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Request For Publications
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (1230N)
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-4100
(202) 501-0756 (Fax)
Name:_
Firm:
Address:
City:.
State:
Zip Code:_
Phone #:
Fax#:
Please Check Publications Requested
Q Mentor-Protege Program
Q Forecast of Contract Opportunities
[_) Contract Opportunities Under Superfund (five basic categories)
[_) The 8(a) Program
Q HUBZone Fact Sheet
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Regional MBE/WBE Coordinators
REGION I
(CT, ME, Rl, 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) 637-3417
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
290 Broadway- 27th Floor
New York, NY 10007-1866
REGION III
(DE, VA, MD, PA, DC, VW)
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)
Josephine Brown (404) 562-9634
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
61 Forsyth Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960
REGION V
(IL, IN, MI.MN, OH.WI)
Adrianne Callahan (312) 353-5556
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 (214) 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, IA, KS)
Chester Stovall (913) 551-7549
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
REGION VIM
(CO, MT, WY, SD, ND, UT)
Marshall Pullman (303) 312-6499
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
99918th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2405
REGION IX
(AZ, HI, CA, NV)
Joe Ochab (415) 972-3761
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
75 Hawthorne Street (PMD-1)
San Francisco, CA94105
REGION X
(AK, ID, OR, WA)
Marie McPeak (206) 553-2894
Valerie Badon (206) 553-1141
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue (OMP-145)
Seattle, WA 98101
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
CINCINNATI
Norman G. White (513) 487-2024
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Contracts Management Division
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
NORTH CAROLINA
Jerry Dodson (919) 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
(1230N)
Washington, DC 20460
First Class Mail
Postage and Fees Paid
EPA
G-35
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EPA180-N-01-002
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