COMPLIANCE
ASSISTANCE SUMMARIES
AND POINTS OF CONTACT
Cabinet Agencies
Agriculture
Commerce
Defense
Education
Energy
Health & Human Services
Homeland Security
Housing And Urban Development
Interior
Justice
Labor
State
Transportation
Treasury
Veterans Affairs
AGRICULTURE
Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS)
FSIS offers compliance assistance to small meat, poultry, and egg product
plants. The FSIS publishes supporting documentation and guidance materials
for federally inspected establishments to use in designing and implementing
sanitation standard operating procedures and hazard analysis and critical
control point (HACCP) food safety systems. FSIS provides technical guidance
on many subjects of regulation, including requirements for plant sanitation,
the use of food ingredients and food irradiation sources, and the control
of pathogens. Also, to help meet the challenges our Nation has faced since
September 11, 2001, FSIS has published security guidelines for food producing
establishments. Many FSIS publications are available in languages besides
English. Web addresses for these publications are:
Besides its publications, FSIS offers a telephone service,
FSIS HACCP Hotline (1-800-233-3935) to help establishments solve problems
arising from HACCP plan development and implementation. Assistance on
general matters involving meat, poultry, and egg products is available
from the FSIS Technical Service Center (402-221-7400; Fax: 402-221-7438;
e-mail Tech.Center@fsis.usda.gov.
FSIS also operates an extensive small establishment outreach
program, featuring FSIS-sponsored workshops and programs, educational
material development and distribution, HACCP and food-safety training
and training sessions for FSIS consumer safety officers. (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/small_very_small_plant_outreach/index.asp)
FSIS consumer safety officers are a highly qualified corps of individuals
with the special mission of helping small establishments resolve problems
arising in their implementation of HACCP systems. FSIS operates a special
food safety outreach program for Native American communities; it includes
training for operators of small meat plants.
Through the FSIS network of State cooperators, seminars
and training classes on HACCP and food safety are held around the country
for operators of food producing establishments. The Outreach Program also
distributes multi-media training materials in CD-ROM and video as well
as printed formats.
Another useful information source on regulatory compliance
is an e-mail service by the FSIS Washington office and directly accessible
on the FSIS website. This service, FSIS Regulations (Regulations@fsis.usda.gov)
gives information on laws, regulations, and policies governing FSIS inspection
programs and affecting establishments regulated by FSIS.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS)
APHIS has made compliance assistance resources available to small business
entities in several formats. All work extremely well in that APHIS has
not received complaints or negative comments regarding insufficient information
or difficulty gaining access. The listing of resources we submitted included
four web addresses:
-
www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs
- At this site, small entities will find publications and other materials
to help explain APHIS programs such as press releases, frequently asked
question, publications, industry alerts, technical reports and stakeholder
announcements.
-
www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/video
-This web page provides access to videos about several APHIS programs.
With proper equipment, the videos can be viewed from a computer. There
is also contact information to obtain copies.
-
On-Site Evaluations/Assistance
- For on-site assistance, the telephone number for each Regional Office
is listed to request inspections, assistance, etc.
-
www.aphis.usda.gov/ies -
This is the web site of the SBREFA Contact. It contains program information
and contact information. Comments, complaints, and/or suggestions can
be sent by on line mail service to IES@aphis.usda.gov.
-
Toll Free Telephone
- Comments, complaints, and/or suggestions can be made without charge
by calling 1-866-5Call IES.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
(GIPSA)
Publications - Regulation, Rules, Technical and Administrative,
Directives, Annual Reports: The Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration posts current FGIS directives on the GIPSA website
at: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/pubs/pubs.htm
or http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/reference-library/directives.htm.
The publications are in PDF format, so they may be printed directly from
the web.
Seminars, classes - Technical Training (e.g.,
Grain Inspection): GIPSA's Technical Services Division (TSD)
provides extensive training throughout the official inspection system
to ensure uniform, accurate results are provided at all locations. TSD
also offers customized industry education services to facilitate the commercial
marketing of grain. Topics include the visual grading of any grain, rice,
bean, pea, or lentil and objective, non-visual quality tests such as protein,
oil, and mycotoxins. Contact Larry McDonald for more information at: larry.h.mcdonald@usda.gov.
Telephone service - information about GIPSA:
Responding to customers needs is GIPSA's main priority. GIPSA designed
its programs to concentrate on customers needs. If customers have
comments on GIPSA Customer Service Standards or want information on any
GIPSA programs, contact: USDA, GIPSA, STOP 3601, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, DC 20250-3601 or telephone: (202) 720-0219.
CD ROM's/Videos/E-Learning Courses - Technical
Information (e.g., Procedures for Inspection Grain): GIPSA offers
various educational materials created for the U.S. grain industry. They
include multimedia CD's and several brochures/handouts. Single copies
of CDs are available free by mail and the brochures/handouts are available
in PDF format for online viewing and/or download. All materials are public
domain and may be freely duplicated and distributed in their original
form. Contact Roger Friedrich for more information at: Roger.L.Friedrich@usda.gov
or send a request to: request.gipsa@usda.gov.
Online/e-mail service - Wide range of information
about GIPSA and its programs: Information regarding GIPSA's programs
and services can be found in the GIPSA Strategic Plan and on the Agency's
website at: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa.
Onsite Evaluations/Assistance - Process Verification
Program for Grain Handlers: GIPSA is considering proposing a
new process verification program to meet the market's rapidly evolving
needs. In this program, GIPSA would apply internationally recognized quality
management standards to verify the quality process used rather than testing
actual grain itself. The process verification designation verifies the
process, not the final product. The process verification program would
give industry participants independent verification of their quality processes
and standards, and a way to capture values not easily identified by traditional
inspection and testing. For more information, contact John Sharpe at:
John.R.Sharpe@usda.gov or
telephone: (202) 720-0228.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
The Food and Nutrition Service administers family feeding programs such
as the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, the Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Farmers Market
Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Food Stamp Program (FSP). The Agency
administers most of these programs through State agencies and, therefore,
has very little direct interaction with small businesses. However, a few
of our programs (or parts of them) do relate to small business in some
way. This summary pertains only to those parts of FNS.
Small
Business Compliance Assistance for Retailers in the Food Stamp Program
FNS
is continuing to carry out its compliance assistance efforts to retailers
in the Food Stamp Program. Staff have attended conferences, presented
workshops and held face-to-face meetings with retailers to provide technical
assistance and listen to their concerns. With regards to new initiatives,
FNS has created a bi-annual publication (mailer) that is sent to all retailers
that participate in the Program. The mailer provides updates on current
policy and any changes to Program rules and offers tips for retailers
on best practices. Secondly, FNS will begin using a simplified application
for new retailers in Fall 2004. The simplified application is an improvement
over the current application because we have eliminated unnecessary and
duplicative questions, the questions are easier to understand and it takes
less time for a storeowner to complete the form. You can find more information
about our work with retailers and publications we offer on the FNS website
at www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/retailers/.
The Food Stamp regulations that relate to retailers can be found in the
Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR Parts 278 and 279 (a link to an electronic
version is also available on the general FSP website referenced above).
Small
Business Compliance Assistance for Farmers Markets/Retailers in
the WIC/FNMP Programs
Under
the Child Nutrition Act provisions for the WIC and FMNP Programs, State
agencies are responsible for the authorization, training, monitoring,
and corrective action of small businesses such as retailers, farmers,
and farmers markets. FNS has issued regulations establishing guidelines
and parameters for State agency administration of these activities. Although
some uniformity is imposed by these regulations, there are also considerable
areas of State discretion, so that many of the rules will not be the same
from one State to the next. For example, State agencies must accept applications
from retailers for WIC authorization at least once every three years,
but may do so much more frequently, and each State has its own application
form. For another example, States are required to allow only certain types
and amounts of food to be transacted for WIC food instruments, but the
precise brand, package size, and maximum allowed price will vary from
State to State. The FNS web site (http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic)
includes the WIC/FMNP regulations (7 CFR Parts 246 and 248) and also a
list of the WIC and FMNP State agency addresses, telephone numbers, and
web sites.
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has a number of compliance assistance
programs to help small entities to comply with program regulations. They
range from publications to seminars to e-mail assistance to CD-ROMs and
videos. The issues they discuss include information on the Perishable
Agricultural Commodities Act, marketing orders, the National Organic Program,
grading programs, and science & technology programs, among others.
All this assistance and contact information can be accessed by clicking
the appropriate program's link on the AMS website http://www.ams.usda.gov.
Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is a financing agency, not a regulating
authority. RUS does not have enforcement policies. Its policy on minimum
compliance requirements as a condition for financing is to work with the
individual applicant/borrower to ensure compliance. RUS does not impose
penalties or engage in enforcement activities. Assistance with its programs
can be obtained at our web site at http://www.usda.gov/rus/.
This site contains information on all of our programs and complete contact
information by subject matter and geographic location. If needed, a RUS
field representative can come to your location to provide assistance.
Department of Agriculture Single Point of Contact:
Jacquelyn Chandler
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Rm. 147-E
Washington, DC 20250
Telephone: 202-720-1516
E-mail: jyc@obpa.usda.gov
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COMMERCE
The Department of Commerce understands that a vibrant small business sector
is critical to creating new jobs in a dynamic and growing economy, and
is mindful of its responsibilities under the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) and the Small Business Paperwork Reduction
Act (SBPRA). The Commerce Department provides substantial assistance through
a variety of media to help small businesses comply with enforcement regulations
and paperwork requirements.
National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulates small
businesses under several natural resource protection statutes that NOAA
enforces, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species
Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
NOAA has a comprehensive program providing regulatory compliance guidance
and assistance to the small businesses/entities, which comprise much of
NOAAs regulated community. It has long been NOAAs practice
to answer inquiries from small businesses, and it answers tens of thousands
of such inquiries annually. Inquiries are received via telephone, mail,
and electronic mail; during public hearings, town hall meetings and workshops
held by NOAA throughout the year; and in day-to-day interactions small
businesses have with NOAA. NOAA distributes compliance guides to all those
to whom a rule will apply and to others who have expressed interest. It
makes the guides available at sites where affected parties are likely
to see them. The guides may take different forms to best serve the needs
of the parties affected by a particular rule.
The NOAA
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) operates a forms portal at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/gpea_forms/forms.htm
where small businesses can obtain electronic copies of forms and permits,
streamlining their ability to comply with fisheries enforcement regulations.
A continually increasing number of forms can be completed and permits
applied for and renewed online through interactive web-based applications.
The NOAA
Office of Law Enforcement provides several venues for obtaining regulatory
enforcement information:
NOAA program
offices often prepare plain English summaries of new regulations
and distribute them by fax to the regulated communities and the press.
For complex regulations, question/answer sheets of the most frequently
asked questions are often published in the fishery trade journals that
are most often read by the affected fishermen. Information about NOAAs
regulations and compliance guidance is often posted on NOAA Web pages
and on electronic bulletin boards.
Additionally,
small businesses and entities may contact specific program offices responsible
for the regulations at issue. Program offices hold informational workshops
to explain new regulations and answer questions from the industry concerning
compliance. Fishermen, who make up much of the regulated community, often
speak with NOAAs individual fishery plan coordinators for guidance
in response to specific factual situations described by the fishermen.
In permitted fisheries, letters explaining regulatory changes and providing
the name of a person to contact for additional information and guidance,
may be sent to each permit holder. NMFS also has public affairs positions
in its regional offices that specialize in community outreach
Bureau
of Industry and Security
The
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), formerly the Bureau of Export Administration
(BXA), regulates small businesses under the Export Administration Regulations,
which set the criteria for authorizing exports of dual-use items
commercial items with potential military or weapons proliferation applications.
It provides exporters with a wide range of compliance assistance, including
compliance guides in the form of instructional brochures, fact sheets,
and information posted on the BIS Web site, and assists small businesses
through seminars, meetings, workshops, and, when requested, one-on-one
counseling. Resources available to small businesses include:
- BIS Website:
http://www.bis.doc.gov/index.htm
- BIS Export
Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-424-2980
- Office
of Export Enforcement Intelligence: (202) 482-1208
Exporter Counseling Division: (202) 482-4811
The Office
of Antiboycott Compliance (OAC) within BIS advises small businesses on
compliance with the antiboycott regulations through its telephone advice
line. Callers can seek compliance advice before engaging in transactions
and obtain assistance in resolving boycott issues. The Antiboycott Advice
phone number is (202) 482-2381.
Census
Bureau
The
Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nations
people and the economy. To assist small businesses in responding to economic
surveys and other data collection requirements, the Census Bureau recently
appointed Eli Serrano as its small business ombudsman. The office is in
the process of identifying the information needs and expectations of small
businesses and developing a business plan. Pending the establishment of
a toll-free phone number, the ombudsman can be contacted at Eli.Samuel.Serrano@census.gov.
As part of
its mission to collect and disseminate economic data about businesses
of all sizes, the Census Bureau maintains the Foreign Trade Statistics
Web site at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/index.html.
This site provides small businesses and other exporters with the Automated
Export System (AES), a paperless way to file the Shippers Export
Declaration (SED).
International
Trade Administration
The
International Trade Administration (ITA) is dedicated to opening markets
for U.S. products and services and providing assistance and information
to exporters. An important part of the ITA mission is to increase the
participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in exporting.
The Small Business Program/Office of Export Assistance and Business Outreach
(OEABO) focuses on SMEs, including women- and minority-owned businesses.
The Small Business Program advocates for the small business perspective
in trade policy formulation and in multilateral fora, such as the World
Trade Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
It also assists SME exporters, through outreach programs, to understand
the benefits of trade and how trade policy affects their commercial success.
Small and medium-sized businesses can access vital information about trade
and exporting on ITAs Web site at www.export.gov,
which provides online trade resources and one-on-one assistance for companies
interested in international business.
The collection
of information from small and medium-sized businesses is vital to assisting
them to enter and become successful in exporting to international markets.
ITA continues to work toward reducing the information collection burden
on the public by increasing the number of electronic public forms in use,
simplifying and streamlining forms, eliminating collections no longer
required, and using information technology to reduce the amount of time
required to complete each request. These steps will help achieve the intended
effect of reducing the burden on the public and enhance our service to
the customer by producing public collections of information that are clearer
and easier to use.
U.S.
Patent & Trademark Office
The
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) publishes inventor resources
on the agency website. The Inventor Resources site is dedicated
to serving the special needs and interests of the inventor and entrepreneur.
It is at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/iip/index.htm.
The USPTO
Office of Procurement awards and administers a wide variety of contracts
and simplified purchases for the acquisition of goods and services required
throughout the agency. The Office of Procurement continually strives to
remain on the leading edge of procurement reform and current technology.
It is our goal to identify and utilize new innovative techniques to develop
a partnership with industry. A major goal is to promote and give consideration
to small business concerns. Requirements over the micro purchase amount
of $2,500 are identified early in the acquisition process to allow for
consideration for small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned and minority-owned
businesses. An Internet Purchasing Application and vendor information
is available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/comp/proc/ipa/ipamain.htm.
For additional information, contact the Small Business Liaison (Muriel.brown@uspto.gov).
For more
information about paperwork requirements, please contact the Paperwork
Reduction Act Officer (susan.brown@uspto.gov).
Department
of Commerce Single Point of Contact:
Tom Pyke
Office of the Chief Information Officer
U.S. Department of Commerce
14th St. and Constitution Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20230
(202) 482-4797
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DEFENSE
Small Business Compliance Assistance Resources Summary (44 U.S.C.
3504(c)(6))
It is Department
of Defense policy that a fair proportion of DoD total purchases, contracts,
subcontracts, and other agreements for property and services be placed
with small business concerns, service-disabled veteran-owned small business
concerns, qualified historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone)
small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, women-owned
small business concerns, and historically Black colleges and universities
and minority institutions.
The Director
of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (SADBU)
is the principal proponent within the Office of the Secretary of Defense
for executing national and DoD policy as mandated by the Congress and
the President. The Director acts as ombudsman and coordinator with the
functional activity concerned in responding to complaints and resolving
problems encountered by small business firms performing under DoD contracts.
Regulations
that require the Government to look at small, disadvantaged, minority,
or women-owned businesses when doing government procurement are located
in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19 and the Defense FAR
Supplement (DFARS) Part 219. These regulations are available on-line at
http://www.arnet.gov/far/ and
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/.
The Washington
Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports
(WHS/DIOR), serves as the central repository for statistical information
for the Department of Defense. General procurement data, including subcontract
information, is located on the WHS/DIOR web site at http://www.dior.whs.mil/peidhome/peidhome.htm.
Specifically, SADBU utilizes the standard tabulation (ST) 28 report, titled
Contract Awards by FSC and Purchasing Office, as a key document
to assist small business concerns in identifying contracting activities
with contracting potential. The ST 28 matches the dollar obligations and
contract actions under each specific Federal Supply Class or Service Codes
and details the contracting activities that made awards by name, city,
and state. The ST 28 can be found at http://www.dior.whs.mil/peidhome/procstat/procstat.htm.
The Defense
Logistics Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, administers the
DoD Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP). PTAP Centers are
a local resource that can provide assistance to business firms in marketing
products and services to the Federal, state and local governments. A list
of PTAP Centers can be found at http://www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm.
The DoD Regional
Councils for Small Business Education and Advocacy are a nationwide network
of small business specialists organized to promote the National Small
Business Programs of the United States. Council objectives include promoting
the exchange of ideas and experiences, and general information among small
business specialists and the contracting community; developing closer
relationships and better communication among Government entities and the
small business community; and staying abreast of statutes, policies, regulations,
directives, trends, and technology affecting the Small Business Program.
There are eight Regional Councils sponsored by the DoD Office of Small
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (SADBU) governed by individual
by-laws. Further information can be found at http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/programs/regional/index.html.
Information
on DoDs initiatives and programs is available on SADBUs
web site http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/index.html.
Contact information and links to DoD Component SADBU Offices can be found
at http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/links/dod_sadbu.htm.
Department
of Defense Single Point of Contact:
Robert L. Cushing, Jr.
Department of Defense
Washington Headquarters Services
Executive Services and Communications Directorate
1225 South Clark Street, Suite 504
Arlington, VA 22202-4326
Telephone: 703-604-6269
E-mail: robert.cushing@whs.mil
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EDUCATION
- Online
information centers on grants and contracts, financial aid, education
research and statistics, education policy (including legislation, regulations
and guidance), and education programs: www.ed.gov.
- Online
subscriptions to Department of Education newsletters: www.ed.gov.
- Department
of Education programs and initiatives: 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327).
- Student
aid: 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
- Matters
affecting small businesses: U.S. Department of Education, Office of
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 400 Maryland Ave., SW,
Washington, DC 20202; Telephone: 202-708-9820.
- Student
loan issues: www.ombudsman.ed.gov, U.S. Department of Education, FSA
Ombudsman, 830 First St., NE, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20202-5144;
Telephone: 1-877-557-2575; Fax: 202-275-0549.
Education Department Single Point of Contact:
John Tressler
U.S. Department of Education
Office of the Chief Information Officer
400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20202.
Telephone: (202) 245-6589
E-mail: John.Tressler@ed.gov
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ENERGY
The Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and
the Office of the Ombudsman handle small business compliance at the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE). And, each site facility and DOE contractor
has a small business manager dedicated to small business compliance. (http://smallbusiness.doe.gov)
The OSDBU oversees small business programs department-wide,
setting policies and procedures to ensure small business compliance in
DOE contract awards. The OSDBU also maintains a website with a clearinghouse
of small business information, as well as small business policies and
regulations and information on resources available to small businesses
both at DOE and at other agencies/departments. The OSDBU has an extensive
outreach/marketing program, including advertising in various publications
and participation in various small business conferences.
DOE maintains a number of partnerships with many federal
agencies such as the Small Business Administration and the Office of Federal
Contract Compliance to promote small business compliance. The OSDBU has
a Small Business Council composed of representatives of
major trade associations, small and minority business chambers, women
and veteran groups to ensure information/feedback to/from the small business
community relative to small business compliance.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides small business access
to an impartial review of their issues in dealing with the DOE and its
contractors. The Office gives small business guidance and referral services
to the correct entity within DOE and serves as a voice for the small business
within DOE.
Department of Energy Single Point of Contact:
Theresa Speake, Director
Office of Small & Disadvantaged
Business Utilization
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20585
Telephone: 202-586-8383
E-mail: Theresa.Speake@hq.doe.gov
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HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Small Business Resources -
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Located in HHS's Office of the Secretary, the Department's Office of Small
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) fosters the use of small
and disadvantaged businesses as Federal contractors. To accomplish this
task, the OSDBU develops and implements outreach programs aimed at heightening
the awareness of small business community to the contracting opportunities
available across the Department.
Outreach efforts include activities such as sponsoring
small business fairs and procurement conferences as well as participating
in trade group seminars, conventions, and other forums, which promote
the utilization of small and disadvantaged businesses as contractors.
The OSDBU web page, www.HHS.gov/osdbu,
presents important resources to aid contractors in doing business with
the Department. OSBDU's Director is Ms. Debbie Ridgeley. Ms. Ridgeley
may be contacted by telephone at 202-690-7300, or by E-mail at: Debbie.ridgely@hhs.gov.
HHS Regulatory Agencies -
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA provides a wealth of written and electronic information to assist
small business compliance with FDA regulatory requirements.
FDA has published hundreds of guidelines to assist regulated
industry, including small business, in complying with the laws and regulations
that FDA administers. These guidelines cover virtually all areas that
FDA regulates, from new drug and medical device premarket review, to product
import and export issues, to issues that relate to the manufacture of
foods, drugs, devices, and biological products.
FDA has also published and made widely available guidelines
that the agency has developed for its own enforcement and compliance staff.
These guidelines describe the general standards for compliance action
and set forth the procedures to be followed in conducting investigational
and enforcement activities. Essentially all of these written materials
are available through FDA's many web-sites. FDA has also prepared "plain
language" versions of some of the more technical documents to assist
small businesses and others in understanding FDA's expectations.
FDA has created a number of small business and industry
assistance "homepages" on its web-sites that bring together
an array of useful regulatory and compliance information. For example,
the Center for Devices and Radiological Health has created a "Device
Advice" webpage, a self-service interactive site for obtaining information
about medical devices. The human pharmaceutical program has created a
comparable webpage, A Small Business Assistance.
FDA's Small Business Representatives (SBRs) are
a significant resource for the small business community. Each of FDA's
five regional offices is assigned an SBR to provide small business educational
outreach and training.
FDA regional offices represent another significant informational
resource for the small business community. The regional offices answer
thousands of questions, conduct scores of training programs, and organize
many "grassroots" meetings to educate the regulated industry,
especially small businesses, about emerging regulatory topics of interest.
In addition, FDA's public affairs specialists (PASs),
who are assigned to many of the agency's field offices, are able to respond
to questions about FDA's programs, policies, and procedures.
Finally, FDA has appointed ombudsmen in the Office of
the Commissioner, the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center
for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the Center for Veterinary Medicine,
and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. These officials not
only provide compliance assistance, but also help regulated companies
explore available options in resolving disputes with the agency.
Guidelines
Technical guides
FDA has issued hundreds of guides to assist
manufacturers in meeting premarket approval and other regulatory requirements.
Among these guidelines a number of guidelines expressly directed to the
concerns and needs of small businesses.
Inspectional guides
FDA has made publicly available the agency's manuals and written procedures
governing the conduct of inspectional and investigational activities.
Policy guides
FDA has issued many guidelines to help regulated industry understand the
laws, policies, and regulations that FDA administers. Many of these documents
are issued in "plain language" versions to assist small businesses
and others in understanding FDA's expectations.
All of the above-cited guidance materials may be accessed
through the following Web sites:
Web
Assistance
The following small business and industry-assistance homepages also bring
together an array of useful regulatory and compliance information:
-
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Small Business Assistance:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/about/smallbiz/default.htm
- This site provides a listing of various programs, laws, regulations,
and organizations that pertain to the drug development and approval
process. This site is specifically geared to small businesses; however,
general information relating to both small and large businesses is also
available here (i.e., guidance documents, CDER calendar, etc...)
-
Information on Devices: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/devadvice/
- This is an interactive, self-service site. It contains information
on "How to Market Your Device" as well as an overview of the
regulations, guidance documents, consumer information, and more.
-
Veterinary Products: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/faqs/faqs.html
- This site answers "Frequently Asked Questions" about veterinary
products. It includes links to sites that provide information and requirements
for topics such as "New Animal Drug Approval" and "Marketing
a Pet Food Product," as well as others.
-
Center for Biologic Evaluation and Research (CBER): http://www.fda.gov/CBER/manufacturer.htm
- This website from the Center for Biologic Evaluation and Research
explains the manufacturers assistance program, which provides assistance
and training to companies, both large and small, regarding CBER policies
and procedures. This site also contains links to other sites that may
be of values to the small business owner.
-
Office of Regulatory Affairs Information on Small Business: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/small_business/default.htm
-
Office of Regulatory Affairs Small Business Guide to FDA: http://www.fda.gov/ora/fed_state/Small_Business/sb_guide/default.htm.
This site is from the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs. It offers
links to a number of useful sites such as "What to do when marketing
a new product," "recalling a product," "undergoing
an FDA inspection," etc... It also provides an introduction to
the Federal Register, information on obtaining FDA documents, frequently
call numbers, and much more information.
-
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Guide to Starting a Food
Business: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/foodbiz.html
- Advice on "Starting A Food Business" which may be of interest
for the (potential) small business owner. This site provides links to
federal and state regulatory agencies, import & export information,
as well as several other helpful sites.
Small
Business and Industry Assistance Offices
Each major FDA component has its own industry assistance office. Staff
in these offices provide program-specific information and compliance assistance,
through the contact points indicated below:
CDER
Small Business Assistance Drug Information Branch
301-827-4573, druginfo@cder.fda.gov
CBER Division of Manufacturers Assistance and Training
301-827-2000, or matt@cber.fda.gov
CDRH Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance
dsma@cdrh.fda.gov Telephone: 1-800-638-2041
CVM Communications Staff jkla@cvm.fda.gov
Telephone: 301-827-3806
CFSAN Industry Activities Staff giguina@cfsan.fda.gov Telephone: 301-436-1730
The
Small Business Representatives identified below in each of FDA's five
regional offices provide small businesses with personalized educational
outreach and compliance assistance:
Northeast
Region (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT)
Marilyn Corretto
158-15 Liberty Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11433-1034
Telephone: 718-662-5618
Fax: 718-662-5434
E-mail: oranersbr@ora.fda.gov
Central
Region (DC, DE, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, ND, NJ, OH, PA, SD, VA, WI, WV)
Marie T. Falcone
U.S. Customhouse
2nd and Chestnut Sts., Room 900
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Telephone: (215) 597-2120 ext. 4003
Fax: (215) 597-5798
E-mail: mfalcone@ora.fda.gov
Southeast
Region (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, PR, SC, TN, VI
Food and Drug Administration
60 Eighth St., N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: (404) 253-1217
Fax: (404) 253-1207
E-mail: orasesbr@ora.fda.gov
Southwest
Region (AR, CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, NM, OK, TX, UT, WY)
David Arvelo
40 N. Central Expy., Suite 900
Dallas, TX 75204
Telephone: (214) 253-4952
Assistant: Sue Thomason
Telephone: (214) 253-4951
Fax: (214) 253-4970
E-mail: oraswrsbr@ora.fda.gov
Pacific
Region (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA
Marcia Madrigal
Oakland Federal Building
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1180-N
Oakland, CA 94612-5217
Telephone: (510) 637-3980
Fax: (510) 637-3977
E-mail: mmadriga@ora.fda.gov
Ombudsman
FDA's Ombudsman Offices provide compliance assistance and assistance in
informal dispute resolution. There are also ombudsmen offices in most
of the program offices.
Office
of the Commissioner
Laurie Lenkel
Office of the Ombudsman
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 4B-44, HF-7
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 827-3390
Fax: (301) 480-8039
E-mail: ombuds@oc.fda.gov
Center
for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Sherry Lard Whiteford
CBER Ombudsman (HFM-4)
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 200N
Rockville, MD 20852-1448
Telephone: (301) 827-0379
E-mail: lard@cber.fda.gov
Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research
Warren Rumble, CDER Ombudsman (HFD-1)
5515 Security Lane, Suite 500
Rockvillle, MD 20852
Telephone: (301) 594-5480 or (301) 827-4312 (fax)
E-mail: ombudsman@cder.fda.gov
Center
for Devices and Radiological Health
Les Weinstein
CDRH Ombudsman
Office of the Center Director
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
9200 Corporate Blvd. (HFZ-5)
Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone: (301) 827-7991
Fax: (301 ) 827-2565
E-mail: ombudsman@cdrh.fda.gov
Center
for Veterinary Medicine
Marcia K. Larkins, D.V.M
FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
Ombudsman
7519 Standish Place HFV-7
Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (301) 827-4535
Fax: (301) 827-3957
E-Mail: mlarkins@cvm.fda.gov
Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS's Small Business Office
CMS has a full-time Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Specialist
(SDBUS) located in its Acquisition and Grants Group. The SDBUS is the
Agency's focal point for ensuring that all reasonable action is taken
to increase awards to small, small disadvantaged, HUBZones, and women-owned
businesses. This Office maintains company profiles and capability statements
for all types of services. Inquiries should be directed to Sharon McKinney
on (410) 786-5162 or e-mail may be sent to: smckinney@cms.hhs.gov.
Grant
Opportunities
While CMS's
Program Offices are concerned with the scientific, technical, and programmatic
topics, the Acquisition and Grants Group/Research Contracts and Grants
Division is primarily charged with the business management and policy
aspects of CMS's discretionary grant and cooperative agreement activities.
Currently,
CMS conducts a myriad of R&D programs including (but not limited to)
the following: Real Choice Systems Change Grants, Medicaid Infrastructure
Grants, State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Health Initiatives. For additional
information, please contact Judy Norris on (410) 786-5130 or e-mail to:
jnorris1@cms.hhs.gov.
Regulatory
Burden
The CMS liaison with the Small Business Administration's Office of the
National Ombudsman is the Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory
Affairs (OSORA).
OSORA is
the Agency's focal point for assessing and reducing the burden of Federal
paperwork on small businesses in accordance with the Small Business Paperwork
Relief Act of 2002 (SBPRA).
OSORA is
responsible for responding to small entity concerns on regulatory burden,
coordinating the development of department-wide non-retaliation policy
with the Department of Health and Human Services, and participating in
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness hearings and meetings when issues relate
to the CMS mission.
OSORA established
the following resources as contacts for small businesses experiencing
problems pertaining to the regulatory burden aspect of doing business.
Phone: (410) 786-1002
Email: sbaombudsman@cms.hhs.gov
Website
CMS provides on its all-purpose web site http://www.cms.hhs.gov
extensive amounts of information about the agency's programs, organized
in terms of the kind of health-service provider affected, e.g., hospitals,
nursing homes, home health agencies, or durable medical equipment suppliers.
In addition, CMS offers a list of compliance assistance resources available
to small businesses through its SBA Ombudsman web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/regulations/sbaombudsman/.
This web site deals only with issues pertaining to regulatory burden.
National
Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH Small Business Office (SBO) serves as an advocate for small business
through various program activities and outreach efforts. These efforts
are intended to maximize prime and subcontract acquisition opportunities
at the NIH for small businesses owned by the disadvantaged, women, veterans,
service-disabled veterans, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone
(HUBZone) concerns. Inquires should be sent to Diana Mukitarian, Chief,
(301) 496-9639, sbmail@od.nih.gov
The Small
Business Program is located in the NIH's Office of Acquisition Management
and Policy, whose URL is: http://oa.od.nih.gov/oamp/index.html
Among other
things, the Small Business Program at the NIH is responsible for:
- Developing
and maintaining acquisition review procedures and guidelines for requests
for contracts, subcontracting plans and operations as contract activities.
Such reviews result in recommendations to contracting officers regarding
the method of acquisition to be pursued and the acceptability of proposed
subcontracting plans and prime contractors' small business programs;
- Conducting
surveillance of contract, simplified acquisition and satellite small
business program activity, and conducting studies of specific problem
areas to ensure effective small business program performance and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations;
- Ensuring
the development and presentation of management data to provide continuing
visibility of program activity and to evaluate program accomplishments
against agency socio-economic goals;
- Representing
the NIH at Federal, state, local government and congressional small
business conferences and fairs. Serving as a guest and expert speaker
at various Federal, state, local government and Congressional small
business conferences and fairs;
- Serving
as a liaison between the NIH program and contract staff and the contractor
community;
- Delivering
industry assistance by maintaining a program designed to locate capable
small, disadvantaged, woman, veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone -
owned small business concerns for current and future acquisitions;
- Representing
the NIH to industry by interfacing with CEOs and other principals of
private companies, to include small and large firms, as well as nonprofits
and universities;
- Responding
to inquiries and requests for advise from small, disadvantaged, woman,
veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone - owned businesses; and assisting
small business in their marketing and business development efforts and
activities.
Department
of Health and Human Services Single Point of Contact:
Debbie Ridgely, Director
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Room 360-G Humphrey Building
Washington, DC 20201
Telephone: (202) 260-0040
E-mail: SB.PRA@HHS.gov
Top
Health
Resources and Services Administration
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) exists primarily
to expand access to health care for medically underserved individuals
and families across the nation through community-based networks of primary
and preventive health care services. HRSA has become known as "The
'Access' Agency" for its services to Americans who lack health insurance;
62 million Americans in rural communities; 78 million racial and ethnic
minorities; over 800,000 Americans with HIV/AIDS; and about 80,000 U.S.
residents awaiting organ transplants.
HRSA
Contracting Office and Small Business Representative
The HRSA contracting office, the Contracts Operations Branch, is currently
part of the Division of Grants and Procurement Management. The current
Small Business Representative, Ms. Debora Pitts, is available to assist
small businesses in navigating the field of HRSA acquisitions. Ms. Pitts
may be contacted at 301-443-3789.
Key Contact
Persons in HRSA Contracts
HRSA "HCA" (Head of Contracting Activities) is Dr. Albert F.
Marra, who may be reached at 301-443-1433. The HRSA Chief of the Contracts
Operations Branch is Mr. Steve Zangwill, who may be contacted at 301-443-5097,
or at szangwill@hrsa.gov. Mr.
Zangwill is assisted by Mr. Frank Murphy, who leads the negotiated contract
team, at 301-443-5165, and Ms. Bonnie Garcia, who heads the simplified
acquisitions team at 301-443-5116. The main office number is 301-443-1433.
All contracting
opportunities at HRSA are announced publicly via the world wide web using
the government's new FedBizOpps program at the following web site: www.fedbizopps.gov.
Contractors
and vendors are urged to visit that site, as well as the larger HRSA web
site at www.hrsa.gov to keep abreast
of contracting needs as well as programmatic changes and developments.
Another vehicle open to interested potential contractors is to study the
grants funding opportunities available to various agencies and organizations.
These grants opportunities, which are also announced via the web, the
Federal Register, FedBizOpps, and through "The HRSA Preview,"
give further indications of potential acquisitions needs. The HRSA Preview
may be obtained through the HRSA web site or by calling 1-877-HRSA-123.
Contractors may also find fertile opportunities for sub-contracting with
HRSA grantees.
National
Institutes of Health (NIH)
Small Business Office
The NIH Small Business Office (SBO) serves as an advocate for small business
through various program activities and outreach efforts. These efforts
are intended to maximize prime and subcontract acquisition opportunities
at the NIH for small businesses owned by the disadvantaged, women, veterans,
service-disabled veterans, and Historically Underutilized Business Zone
(HUBZone) concerns
The Small
Business Program is located in the NIH's Office of Acquisition Management
and Policy, whose URL is: http://oa.od.nih.gov/oamp/index.html
Specific
points of contact include:
NIH Small Business Office
Annette Owens-Scarboro
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 6D05
Bethesda, MD 20892-7540
Phone: (301) 496-7669
Fax: (301) 480-2506
E-mail: ao31z@nih.gov
The National
Cancer Institute
Joseph Bowe
Small Business Specialist
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 608
Bethesda, MD 20892-7222
Phone: (301) 496-8628
Fax: (301) 480-0309
E-mail: jbl@nih.gov
The National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Mary B. Workman
Small Business Specialist
Acquisitions Management Branch
P.O. Box 12874, MD NH-02
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Phone: (919) 541-0377
Fax: (919) 541-5117
E-mail: workman@niehs.nih.gov
Among other
things, the Small Business Program at the NIH is responsible for:
- Developing
and maintaining acquisition review procedures and guidelines for requests
for contracts, subcontracting plans and operations as contract activities.
Such reviews result in recommendations to contracting officers regarding
the method of acquisition to be pursued and the acceptability of proposed
subcontracting plans and prime contractors' small business programs;
- Conducting
surveillance of contract, simplified acquisition and satellite small
business program activity, and conducting studies of specific problem
areas to ensure effective small business program performance and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations;
- Ensuring
the development and presentation of management data to provide continuing
visibility of program activity and to evaluate program accomplishments
against agency socio-economic goals;
- Representing
the NIH at Federal, state, local government and congressional small
business conferences and fairs. Serving as a guest and expert speaker
at various Federal, state, local government and Congressional small
business conferences and fairs;
- Serving
as a liaison between the NIH program and contract staff and the contractor
community;
- Delivering
industry assistance by maintaining a program designed to locate capable
small, disadvantaged, woman, veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone -
owned small business concerns for current and future acquisitions;
- Representing
the NIH to industry by interfacing with CEOs and other principals of
private companies, to include small and large firms, as well as nonprofits
and universities;
- Responding
to inquiries and requests for advise from small, disadvantaged, woman,
veteran, service-disabled and HUBZone - owned businesses; and assisting
small business in their marketing and business development efforts and
activities.
Department
of Health and Human Services Single Point of Contact:
Debbie Ridgely, Director
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
202-690-7300 call
email addresses
debbie.ridgely@hhs.gov
arthuretta.martin@hhs.gov
Top
HOMELAND
SECURITY
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Small Business and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) assists, counsels, and advises
small businesses of all types (small businesses, small disadvantaged business,
women-owned small businesses, veteran owned small businesses, service
disabled veteran owned small businesses, and small businesses located
in historically underutilized business zones) on procedures for contracting
with DHS.
Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Small Business and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) assists, counsels, and advises
small businesses of all types (small businesses, small disadvantaged business,
women-owned small businesses, veteran owned small businesses, service
disabled veteran owned small businesses, and small businesses located
in historically underutilized business zones) on procedures for contracting
with DHS. The point of contact for this small business program is Kevin
Boshears; he may be reached at (202) 772-9792 and kevin.boshears@dhs.gov.
Office
of the Private Sector
The Office of the Private Sector has an e-mail address where small business
inquiries could be made, namely private.sector@dhs.gov. The Office will,
pursuant to the Homeland Security Act, have the capability to advise the
Secretary regarding the impact on the private sector, including small
business, of proposed regulations concerning homeland security. For now
an individual and phone number that can be used as an entry point to the
Office would be Ms. Elizabeth Callaway at (202) 282-8484 and elizabeth.callaway@dhs.gov.
Department
of Homeland Security Single Point of Contact:
Yvonne Pollard
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Telephone: (202) 692-4221
E-mail: yvonne.pollard@dhs.gov
Bureau
of Citizenship & Immigration Services (INS)
The paperwork requirement imposed by the Bureau of Citizenship and
Immigration Services is the Form I-9. Completion of this one-page form
By employers helps to insure a legal workforce within the United States
and does not present a significant burden for businesses. The Bureau has
instituted electronic filing of some applications and provides application
status on line. These improvements have been a boost to many businesses,
providing a speedy mechanism for filling critical positions with foreign
experts or semi-skilled workers with temporary and permanent foreign workers.
Many employers make use of the Bureau's petitions and applications for
approval to hire alien temporary workers.
Live voice
assistance, Employer Hotline (800) 357-2099 is available for employers
and Live voice assistance for general questions (800) 357-5283. Information
for e-filing can be found at www.bcis.gov.
Employer Assistance Resources can be found at www.bcis.gov under the title
"Information for Employers", Office of Business Liaison. Requests
for speakers and questions can be faxed to (202) 305-2523.
DHS
Point of Contact for Small Business Compliance Assistance:
Felicia A. Colvin
Supervisory Information Specialist
Office of Business Liaison
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Telephone: (202) 305-2461
Bureau
of Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The newly formed Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been
working under the trade concept of informed compliance since
the passage of the Customs Modernization Act (1993). This law mandated
CBP to develop a proactive strategy to advise importers of their responsibilities
under the law. To fulfill this mandate, CBP has implemented several measures
for providing guidance on laws governing international trade for all importers
and exporters, including small businesses. Small businesses can avail
themselves of this information using the following means: CBP Web Site
(downloadable); local and national trade meetings/seminars; weekly publications
of the Customs Bulletin; binding rulings program; other informed compliance
brochures and pamphlets; and direct contact with CBP personnel.
There are
over 300 ports of entry where we enforce numerous laws for CBP and other
government agencies while serving as Americas frontline for border
security. As the agencys primary responsibility, CBP has twin goals
of improving security and facilitating legitimate trade and travel, which
are not mutually exclusive. In its role to facilitate trade, CBP has always
provided compliance assistance to the trade community about the laws and
regulations that apply to importing and exporting. Customs officers at
the ports of entry, the Strategic Trade Centers, field operations offices
and at Headquarters daily receive and respond to requests for information
from the public.
The CBP Web
Site lists all ports of entry with their addresses and telephone numbers.
CBP has incorporated a Customer Service Center that responds to inquiries
via a toll free number (1-877-Customs). The Office of Trade Relations
(OTR) is designated as the point of contact within CBP for small businesses
and may be reached at (202) 927-1440 or via email at traderelations@dhs.gov.
This office was revamped in 2002 to ensure effective, extensive communication
between CBP and all facets of the trade community. Any small entity seeking
general information about importing procedures or wanting to comment on
their interaction with CBP may contact OTR for assistance.
Customs and
Border Protection
Office of Trade Relations
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 4.2A
Washington, DC 20229
Telephone: 202-927-1440
Fax: 202-927-1696
E-mail: traderelations@dhs.gov
Coast
Guard
Coast Guard single point of contact:
Steve Venckus
Chief, Office of Regulations and Administrative Law (G-LRA)
2100 2d Street SW (Room 1417)
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Phone: 202-267-1534
Fax: 202-267-6234
Email: svenckus@comdt.uscg.mil.
The Coast
Guard encourages small entities to participate in the development of Coast
Guard regulations. Our Web site offers help in understanding and complying
with those regulations. Use the following links to access help in these
areas:
The Coast
Guard proudly maintains the following policy:
If you question or lodge a complaint regarding a Coast Guard policy or
action, to us or to anyone else, or if you seek outside help in dealing
with a Coast Guard policy or action, the Coast Guard will not retaliate
against you in any fashion. The Coast Guard wants you to be able to comment,
question, or lodge a complaint about our policies or actions without fear
that we will retaliate or try to discourage future questions or complaints.
If you think the Coast Guard has broken this promise, we will investigate,
take appropriate action, and make sure that mistakes are not repeated.
You may comment, ask questions, or file a complaint about Coast Guard
policies or actions by contacting your local Coast Guard office, or you
can also contact the Small Business Administration Office of the National
Ombudsman at 888-REG-FAIR (734-3247), fax: 202-481-5719, email: ombudsman@sba.gov.
Small businesses
generally are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in
their field. If you need help determining whether or not your business
qualifies as a "small business", contact the SBA's Office of
the National Ombudsman using the information given in the preceding paragraph.
Top
HOUSING
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization OSDBU has many
tools available for small businesses. Through the establishment of the
Information Technology (IT) training HUD has provided a learning tool
for small businesses to understand all aspects of HUDs IT opportunities.
Introducing this training program has enabled HUD to form partnerships
with small businesses and identify qualified companies to seek IT opportunities
within the agency.
HUD sponsors
Marketing and Outreach business fairs and focuses both on direct HUD contracting
opportunities and contracting opportunities created by HUD assisted projects
including Community Development Block Grant recipients and Public Housing
authorities. HUD outreach sessions include HUD program offices and prime
contractors who offer sub-contracting opportunities to small, small disadvantaged
and women-owned businesses. HUD has attended approximately 50 outreach
conferences including procurement fairs, trade shows, marketplace presentations
throughout the country with a strong emphasis on the utilization of small
businesses.
HUDs
contracting home page is linked to the OSDBU homepage in HUDs website.
The contracting home page contains notices of HUD procurement opportunities
and allows interested parties to download a file containing solicitations.
A special OSDBU page contains Small Business tips, the Forecast of Contracting
Opportunities, a Small Business Resource Guide and notification of outreach
activities.
The chart
below identifies the Departments compliance assistance resources
for submission to OMB for the Internet.
HUD also
has the HUD Procurement System (HPS), an integrated commercial and customized
software program that automates procurement operations department-wide.
This system includes a rapid query of contracting information that enables
all companies to submit bids or proposals for upcoming contracting opportunities
and the identification of HUBZones for participation in contracting and
sub-contracting opportunities. Additionally, it provides HUD with a system
to monitor and evaluate its actual achievements in regard to participation
of small businesses in HUD activities.
HUD sponsors
Marketing and Outreach business fairs and focuses both on direct HUD contracting
opportunities and indirect contracting opportunities created by HUD assisted
projects including, Community Development Block Grant recipients and public
housing authorities. During these events, program offices and prime contractors
who offer sub-contracting opportunities to small, small disadvantaged
and women owned businesses are urged to attend. Last year, HUD attended
approximately 50 outreach conferences including procurement fairs, trade
shows and marketplace presentations throughout the country. The OSDBU
Business Utilization Development Specials (BUDS), have regular one-on-one
meetings with small businesses. The Director holds Thursday Open
House sessions for all small, small disadvantaged and Women Owned
Small Businesses (WOSBs). These meetings give small businesses the opportunity
to meet personally with the Director and the specialized BUDS advocate
within the OSDBU. The aforementioned efforts are in addition to the daily
counseling and one-on-one meetings held with these businesses at the HUD
headquarters and field offices.
The OSDBU
has increased its staff to include a Contract Specialist, an Information
Technology Specialist, a Small Business Policy Specialist and a Research
Analyst. HUD has implemented innovative projects and tools utilizing the
latest technologies that have and will continue to have a positive effect
on the participation of WOSBs in departmental contracting activities.
There are IT outreach sessions held regularly with IT small businesses
to inform them of new procurement opportunities at HUD.
New Methodologies
that challenge conventional procedures include the establishment of subcontracting
policies that have resulted in an increase in contract dollars to small
businesses. The HUD Procurement System (HPS) effectively tracks all contracting
and subcontracting dollars awarded to small businesses. HUD has established
a subcontracting goal of up to 40% of the total value of each contract
and subsequent extensions, modifications and options. Contractors that
are unable to meet the established goal must provide the rational for
the proposed level of subcontracting. In accordance with the Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) at Part 19.702 and HUD's own federal acquisition regulation
(HUDAR) at 2452.219-70, solicitations exceeding $500,000 that include
HUDAR provision 2452.219-70, shall provide the maximum practicable subcontracting
opportunities to small, small disadvantaged and women-owned businesses.
Prior to award, each contract shall be evaluated on specific subcontracting
goals and commitments to small businesses. These pioneering subcontracting
policies also include subcontracting plans for General Services Administration
schedule buys. There is a concentrated effort to conduct outreach with
small businesses across the nation.
HUD OSDBU
continuously performs at a level of professional excellence to serve our
customers. HUD consistently formulates and implements written policies
supporting small businesses and includes references to small businesses
in standard operating procedures. HUD has designated a senior executive
as the Director of the OSBDU who is responsible for implementing small
business policy initiatives. Furthermore, HUD maintains an effective system
to provide acknowledgement of procurement personnel that utilize 8(a)
small businesses. HUD places a high priority on direct communications
and outreach efforts; we utilize newsletters, facilitate trade show and
marketplace presentations and conduct business assistance and
training seminars. HUD is one of the most innovative governmental agencies
and is constantly retrofitting its employment with the latest technologies
to enhance service to small businesses. HUD constantly employs proactive
strategies to increase opportunities for these businesses to serve as
prime contractors and subcontractors. HUD has achieved phenomenal success
in requiring prime contractors to establish measurable programs to increase
subcontracting opportunities.
Publications:
Seminars
and Classes:
WEB
based compliance:
- Brent
Pick is HUDs webmaster and updates all contract compliance issues
on the web. (303) 672-5281 ext. 1821 Brent_Pick@hud.gov
Telephone
Service:
- (202)
708-1428, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization HUD
Headquarters, Room 3130
Future
Activities:
- CD-Roms/Video
- Online/E-mail
Service
On-Site
Evaluation/Assistance:
- Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, A. Jo Baylor, Director:
HUD Headquarters 451 7th Street, SW, Room 3130, Washington,
D.C. 20410; E-mail: a.jo_baylor@hud.gov
Housing
and Urban Development Single Point of Contact:
A.Jo Baylor Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
HUD Headquarters 451 7th St, SW
Room 3130
Washington, DC 20410
Telephone: (202) 708-1428
E-mail: a.jo_baylor@hud.gov
Top
INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management |
Submit
Permits and Reports Electronically |
https://www.wispermits.org/ |
How
to File a Mining Claim |
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/pubs/brochures/minerals/index.htm#Q3 |
Minerals Management Service |
"Dear
Payor" Letters, Notices to Lessees, Small Refiner Program |
http://www.mrm.mms.gov/RIKweb/SmallRefiners.htm |
Electronic
Payment Information |
http://www.mrm.mms.gov/ReportingServices/PDFDocs/fedwire.pdf
|
Regulations
governing collecting, accounting for and distributing revenues associated
with mineral production from leased federal and Indian lands |
http://www.mrm.mms.gov/Laws_R_D/FRNotices/FRHome.htm |
Regulations
governing leasing and operations on the Federal offshore |
http://www.mms.gov/offshore/Regulations.htm |
Workshops
to explain more complex regulations |
Available
at various locations around the country |
Training
on how to report royalty revenue and related information |
Available
at various locations around the country |
Bureau of Reclamation |
Statute,
regulations, Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) Fact Sheets, RRA forms &
instructions, and Status of Irrigation Districts List |
http://www.usbr.gov/rra/ |
Explanations
of the most common Reclamation Reform Act questions and issues in
plain English |
www.usbr.gov/rra
and at the Reclamation District offices in all irrigation districts |
Fish and Wildlife Service |
General
Compliance Guidance |
http://pdm.fws.gov/sba/sbindex.html |
Compliance
Guidance for Wildlife Import and Export License Holders |
http://www.le.fws.gov/PublicBulletin.htm |
Non-Retaliation
Policy |
http://policy.fws.gov/do142.html |
Outreach
Presentations for the Import/Export Community |
http://www.le.fws.gov/inspectors.htm |
Courses
on Conservation, Grantwriting, Conservation Partnerships, Developing
and Working with Friends Groups, and Other Topics |
http://training.fws.gov/ |
Assistance
for Importers and Exporters, Taxidermists, Guides and Outfitters |
http://www.le.fws.gov/inspectors.htm |
FWS
Publications Online |
http://library.fws.gov/pubs3.html |
Office of Surface Mining |
Applicant
Violator System |
http://www.avs.osmre.gov/ |
Small
Operator Assistance Program |
http://www.osm.gov/soap.htm |
Copies
of OSM Forms |
http://www.osm.gov/forms.htm |
Policies
and Guidance |
http://www.osm.gov/policy.htm |
Department
of the Interior Single Point of Contact:
John Strylowski
U.S. Department of the Interior
MS 7229 MIB
Washington, DC 20240
Telephone: 202-208-3071
Fax: 202-219-2100
E-Mail: john_strylowski@ios.doi.gov
Top
JUSTICE
Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) strives
to improve and increase the Department's performance in utilizing small,
small disadvantaged, small woman-owned and veteran-owned businesses as
contractors and subcontractors. Our various bureaus spend approximately
two billion dollars a year in the private sector. Currently, more than
42 percent of those dollars go to small businesses, with 10 to 15 percent
going to minority-owned firms and 3 to 5 percent going to woman-owned
companies.
The OSDBU
Director and the Deputy Attorney General are committed to encouraging
and assisting well-qualified and skillful small, minority, and woman-owned
businesses seeking contracts with the Department of Justice. The acquisition
function in the Justice Department has been assigned to each of our bureaus'
contracting staffs, most of which are located in the metropolitan Washington,
DC area. We have prepared several avenues to assist small and disadvantaged
businesses in getting better acquainted with the requirements and procurement
practices of the bureaus.
Information
on DOJ's initiatives and activities is available on the DOJ Small Business
Web Site:
http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu
This site
provides extensive small business assistance information including registration
for the monthly vendors outreach sessions that provide the opportunity
for one-on-one meetings with small business specialists and contracting
officers:
http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu/mcform.htm
OSDBU
Contact:
David Sutton, Director
OSDBU
1331 Penn Ave. N.W.
National Place Bldg., Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-616-0523 or 1-800-345-3712
Fax: 202-616-1717
E-Mail: David.Sutton@usdoj.gov
Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Publications of benefit or interest to ATF industry members and the general
public (i.e., firearms and explosives regulations, newsletters, rulings,
press releases, statistics and State & local training courses, Federal
law and regulations, State Laws and Published Ordinances, and Federal
Register notices.)
- Theft/losses
of explosives materials: 1-888-ATF-2662
- Toll
free for reports of gun related crimes and after hours theft/losses:
1-800-ATF-GUNS
- Toll
free for theft/losses of firearms: 1-800-800-3855
- ATF Firearms
and Explosives Compliance Web Site: www.atf.gov
The ATF provides
various publications to our industry members as well as the general public.
Some of the publications available either on ATF web site or in hard copy,
include manuals which provide ATF's regulatory requirements in a plain
language format; informational brochures to help raise awareness of possible
criminal activity (i.e., Reporting theft of Explosives and Firearms, Arson
incidents); and industry newsletters for all businesses regulated by ATF.
Publications, brochures and forms are produced in quantities of 115,000
each for firearms and 12,000 for explosives, for distribution to the licensees,
permittees, and to trade and research organizations and the press.
ATF hosts/participates
in national, international, as well as regional/local conferences and
meetings. In addition, ATF personnel are often invited by associations
to attend their national conferences to give presentations on topics of
interest to association members, and/or set up an exhibit booth. The ATF
exhibit booth provides yet another venue through which industry members
that attend these meetings, may ask questions or concerns regarding ATF
policy or regulations.
ATF personnel
have also been asked by industry associations as well as regulatory associations/agencies
to participate on various panels. Recent topics on which the ATF has provided
our expertise include but are not limited to, Safe Explosives Act, Shot
Show University, Annual Importers Conference.
There are
a number of application forms and reports required by ATF, some of which
are now available on ATF's web site www.atf.gov.
ATF
Contact:
Mary Jo Hughes
Chief, FEA Services Division
Office of Firearms, Explosives and Arson
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20226
Telephone: 202-927-8045
Fax: 202-927-7488
Civil
Rights Division (CRT)
CRT - Disability Rights Section (DRS)
The home
page provides information about the toll-free ADA Information Line, the
Department's ADA enforcement activities, the ADA technical assistance
program, certification of State and local building codes, proposed changes
in ADA regulations and requirements, and the ADA mediation program. The
home page also provides direct access to ADA regulations and technical
assistance materials, Freedom of Information Act materials, links to the
Department's press releases, and links to the other Federal agencies'
Internet home pages that contain ADA information. ADA. The website received
over one million visitors during FY 2003.
ADA Guide
for Small Business
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/smbusgd.pdf
ADA Information
Line
DRS operates a toll-free ADA Information Line to provide information to
the public about the requirements of the ADA and to distribute technical
assistance publications to the public. Automated service is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week. During business hours, members of the
public can consult with Department staff for assistance in applying ADA
requirements to their own specific situation. The ADA Information Line
numbers are (800) 514-0301(voice); (800) 514-0383 (TTY). During FY 2003,
the Information Line received 120,000 calls.
ADA Fax
on Demand
The ADA Information Line Fax Delivery Service allows the public to obtain
free ADA information by fax 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By calling
the ADA Information Line, callers can select from among 32 different ADA
technical assistance publications and receive the information, usually
within minutes, directly on their fax machines or computer fax/modems.
ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301 (voice); 800-514-0383 (TTY)
ADA publications
DRS produces a range of technical assistance documents, including an ADA
Guide for Small Businesses that has been published jointly with the Small
Business Administration. ADA.During FY 2003, the Department developed
41 new technical assistance materials, including five publications on
specific topics of interest to businesses that can be printed and distributed
directly from the web addressing the issues of service animals, restriping
parking lots, refueling assistance at gas pumps, communicating with people
who are deaf or hard of hearing in hospital settings, and communicating
with people who are deaf or hard of hearing in hotels, motels, and other
places of transient lodging.
ADA training
DRS provides ADA training at meetings nationwide; and conducts outreach
to broad and targeted audiences that have included mayors, local Chambers
of Commerce, and millions of businesses. Requests for speakers and training
should be placed through the ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301 (voice);
800-514-0383 (TTY). During 2003, the Department fulfilled 60 training,
speaking, and exhibit engagements.
ADA Mediation
Program
The Department's ADA Mediation Program facilitates compliance by entities,
including small businesses, using a voluntary alternative dispute resolution
approach. Carried out through a partnership between the Federal government
and the private sector, more than 450 professional mediators are available
nationwide to mediate ADA cases. In FY 2003, 188 complaints with businesses
were resolved successfully through the ADA Mediation Program. To date
in FY 2004, the Department has referred an additional 144 cases to the
mediation program.
CRT
- Office of Special Counsel for Unfair Immigration Related Employment
Practices (OSC)
OSC's Internet site has helpful information specifically designed for
businesses as well as workers. The site describes the legal obligations
of employers to comply with the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA) and provides other information to assist compliance
(such as brochures, booklets, frequently asked questions, and legal references).
In FY 2003, the OSC web site had more than 386,000 new and recurring page
visitors. The site is at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc.
In April, OSC published a newsletter, OSC Update, which
provides an update of OSCs outreach and enforcement activities,
and highlights OSCs informal resolution program.
OSC Employer
Hotline
OSC has a national toll-free telephone line solely for the use of employers
who wish to consult with OSC staff members about their compliance concerns.
The telephone line is staffed by OSC attorneys and Equal Opportunity Specialists
who promptly address employers' questions, providing immediate guidance.
OSC staff often advise employers on how to avoid discrimination in the
workplace, minimizing any future liability. Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD:
1-800-362-2735
OSC Job
Applicant or Employee Hotline
Based on information received from individuals calling this line, and
OSC's prompt investigation of these cases, OSC often is able to bring
early, efficient, cost-effective resolutions to employment disputes that
might otherwise result in the filing of charges, the accumulation of potential
back pay awards, or litigation expenses. These early interventions minimize
the impact of statutory enforcement on small businesses.
Voice: 1-800-255-7688 or (202) 616-5525; TDD: 1-800-237-2515
The OSC processed over 18,580 calls to its employer and employee hotlines
in FY 2003.
OSC Training
Materials
OSC also provides employers, where necessary, with training materials
for their staff, including booklets, posters and educational videotapes,
on how to ensure that they do not engage in discriminatory behavior. The
employer hotline number is distributed with all of OSC's outreach materials
for employers.
Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov
Download Brochures and Booklets: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/htm/outreach.htm
Based on FY 2003 levels, the OSC expects to disseminate over 100,000 copies
of its brochures and booklets free of charge during FY 2004.
Compliance
Assistance Education
OSC takes part in numerous employer training sessions throughout the country,
providing employers guidance on how they can comply with the antidiscrimination
provisions of the immigration laws. OSC attorneys also conduct outreach
seminars across the country that are organized by OSC grantees and specifically
designed to address issues of concern to employers. OSC routinely provides
compliance assistance training and other guidance to employers that OSC
determined committed unlawful discrimination to ensure that such violations
do not recur.
Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov.
In FY 2003, OSC officials conducted 83 such presentations.
OSC Grants
In addition to the direct outreach activities of its own staff, OSC provides
grants to employer associations (such as chambers of commerce) and other
entities to allow those organizations to conduct further compliance assistance
among their members and constituents. In FY 2003, OSCs grantees
presented information about INA compliance at hundreds of events that
were attended by thousands of employers and workers and distributed thousands
of copies of OSCs brochures and booklets. There are 11 OSC grantees
operating across the country in FY 2004. Grants totaled almost $675,000.
Press Statement: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/press/30814grantees.pdf
OSC Assistance
to SBA's Small Business Development Centers
To improve its outreach and service to the small business community, OSC
contacted the SBAs Office of Small Business Development Centers
(OSBDC) and the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC)
and offered to provide training and information materials, assistance
with training events, and technical guidance to the SBDC networks across
the county. There are more than 1,000 SBDC centers and subcenters that
provide low-cost counseling and training to small businesses. The SBDCs
are generally receptive to providing INA compliance information to their
small business clients, and OSC expects to cultivate this partnership
in 2004 and future years. OSC will soon roll out a small business resource
page on its website.
OSC address
and phone numbers:
Office of
Special Counsel
for Immigration Related
Unfair Employment Practices
Civil Rights Division
Department of Justice
Post Office Box 27728
Washington, DC 20038-7728
Telephone: 202-616-5594
OSC Employer
Hotline:
Voice: 1-800-255-8155
TDD: 1-800-362-2735
Civil Rights
Division - General Point of Contact
David K. Flynn *
Chief, Appellate Section
P.O. Box 66078
Washington, DC 20035-6078
Telephone: 202-514-2195
Fax: 202-524-8490
* (Please note that Mr. Flynn is not assigned either to the Disability
Rights Section (DRS) or to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC). General
small business inquiries for information or for assistance concerning
compliance with matters within the areas of responsibility of DRS or OSC
should be directed to the addresses and phone numbers in the respective
sections.)
Drug
Enforcement Administration
DEA's Office of Diversion Control (OD) is the internal office that has
oversight over and works with small businesses. As such, OD and Diversion
field personnel continuously review ways in which the DEA can ensure small
businesses have access to SBREFA material as well as improve upon current
outreach initiatives.
OD Web
Site
Office of Diversion Control's Web Site (http://www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov).
contains information specifically relating to DEA's Diversion Program.
Between January 1 and October 31, 2003, DEAs entire Diversion Control
Program web site was visited 1,047,968 (an average of 4,463 visits per
day). Below are some of the web pages that were visited and the number
of times they were viewed
Publications
DEA provides various publications to its registrant population as well
as the general public. Some of the publications available either on Diversion's
web site or in a hard copy, include registrant manuals which provide DEA's
regulatory requirements in a plain language format; the SBREFA Advisory
Notice; informational brochures to help raise awareness of possible criminal
activity (i.e., a Pharmacist's Guide to Prescription Fraud, Recognizing
the Drug Abuser, Drug Addiction in Healthcare Professionals, and Stimulant
Abuse by School Age Children); industry newsletters; press releases; and
program reports.
www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/index.html
For those
small businesses that do not have access to the Internet, the DEA provides
contact telephone numbers for Diversion Headquarters and field personnel
as well as the SBA Ombudsman in the back of hard bound copies of the registrant
manuals.
Requests
for information or reports should be mailed to:
Drug Enforcement
Administration
Office of Diversion Control / ATTN:
Washington, DC 20537
Small
Business Regulatory Fairness Advisory: www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/fair_adviz.htm
This notice advises DEA registrants to contact DEA Field Offices if they
have any questions regarding DEA's regulations and policies. If they are
a small business, they may contact the SBA's Office of the Ombudsman to
comment on DEA's enforcement actions. This Advisory is also included in
all revised and new manuals.
Seminars/Classes
Web-Based
Compliance
Onsite
Evaluation/ Assistance
Meetings/Conferences
DEA hosts national as well as regional/local conferences and meetings.
In addition, Diversion personnel are often invited by associations to
attend their national conferences to give presentations on topics of interest
to association members, and/or set up an exhibit booth.
www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/mtgs/dea_mtgs.html
Toll
Free Telephone Numbers
Contact information for Diversion Control Program personnel located at
DEA Headquarters and local field offices may be viewed at the following
web address:
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/offices_n_dirs/index.html
SUMMARY
OF JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
DRS address
and phone number:
Disability Rights Section
Civil Rights Division
P.O. Box 66738
Washington, DC 20035-6738
Telephone: 202-307-0663
Fax: 202-307-1198
ADA Information
Line
800-514-0301
(voice)
800-514-0383 (TTY)
Drug
Enforcement Administration Contact (for regulatory and enforcement matters)
Patricia Good
Chief, Liaison and Policy Section
Office of Diversion Control
Drug Enforcement Administration
Washington, DC 20537
Telephone: 202-307-7297
Fax: 202-307-8570
Justice
Department contacts for Department wide matters (such as the Ombudsman's
Reports to Congress) and other issues of general agency concern:
Kevin R. Jones
Deputy Assistant Attorney General
Office of Legal Policy
Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 7238
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-4604
Fax: 202-514-9112
E-mail: Kevin.r.jones@usdoj.gov
Robert Hinchman
Senior Counsel
Office of Legal Policy
Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 7236
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-8059
Fax: 202-514-9112
E-mail: robert.hinchman@usdoj.gov
Justice
Department contact for general public affairs inquiries:
Mark Corallo
Director
Office of Public Affairs
Main Building, Room 1248
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-2007
Fax: 202-513-5331
E-mail: Mark.Corallo@usdoj.gov
Justice
Department contact for small and disadvantaged business utilization
Ramona Johnson-Glover, Acting Director
OSDBU
1331 Penn Ave. N.W.
National Place Bld., Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-616-0521
Fax: 202-616-1717
E-mail: Ramona.M.JohnsonGlover@USDOJ.gov
Justice
Department single point of contact for the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
Brenda Dyer
Policy and Planning Staff
Justice Management Division
Patrick Henry Building, Room 1600
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone 202-616-1167
Fax: 202-514-1590
E-mail: brenda.e.dyer@usdoj.gov
Top
LABOR
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recognizes its obligation to respond
to the ever-increasing complexities of employment laws and the difficulties
businesses face in understanding them. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
launched the Compliance Assistance Initiative to help Americas
employers and employees better understand how to comply with the federal
employment laws and regulations it administers. DOL believes compliance
assistance is the most effective way to protect the wages, health benefits,
retirement security, safety, and health of Americas workforce by
preventing employment law violations.
DOL has developed
the following tools and resources to ensure that employers and workers
have access to clear and accurate information and assistance when
and where they need it, and in the format that suits them best.
Department
of Labor Web Site
The most widely used compliance assistance tool is the DOL Web site, which
features centralized compliance assistance information at www.dol.gov/compliance.
The public can use this site to access a wide range of information and
resources about DOLs rules and regulations any time, day or night.
These Web pages are gateways to DOL agencies compliance assistance
information.
elaws
Advisors
The elaws Advisors (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers
and Small Businesses) are interactive e-tools that provide information
on DOLs federal employment laws. Available at www.dol.gov/elaws,
each elaws Advisor mimics the interaction an individual
would have with a DOL employment law expert by generating answers based
on the users responses to a set of questions. The FirstStep
Employment Law Advisor one of the newest elaws
Advisors helps employers simply and quickly determine
which of DOLs major employment laws apply to their business or
organization and provides easy-to-access information about how to comply
with each laws requirements.
DOLs
Toll-Free Help Line 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365); (TTY: 1-877-889-5627)
DOLs Toll-Free Help Line provides timely and accurate responses
to customer inquiries, and fulfills print and publication requests. The
Help Line offers live operator assistance in English and Spanish, with
additional service in more than 140 languages. The information provided
by someone making a compliance assistance call will be kept confidential
within the bounds of the law.
Employment
Law Guide
The Employment Law Guide, which describes DOLs major statutes and
regulations in plain language, targets employers needing introductory
information to develop wage, benefit, safety and health, and nondiscrimination
policies for their businesses. It is available for free in print and online,
in both English and Spanish. A complimentary copy can be obtained by calling
1-866-4-USA-DOL or by visiting www.dol.gov/asp/programs/guide.htm.
E-Mail
Response Service
DOLs coordinated e-mail response service allows employers and employees
to ask questions about employment and regulatory issues electronically.
By choosing from a list of topics or internal DOL agencies under the Contact
Us section of the DOL Web site (www.dol.gov),
users are ensured that their question will go to the appropriate office
and that they will receive an answer in a timely manner.
Compliance
Assistance Information Inventory
More than 300 publications are included in this comprehensive list of
DOL compliance assistance resources. This database of publications can
be accessed from www.dol.gov/compliance.
SBREFA
Toll-Free Help Line
Under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,
small businesses may contact DOLs Office of Small Business Programs
(OSBP) directly with their inquiries or complaints about regulatory fairness
by calling 1-888-9-SBREFA (1-888-972-7332).
Wage
and Hour Issues
The Employment Standards Administration, Wage & Hour Division (WHD)
enforces the minimum wage, overtime, and child labor provisions of the
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),
the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), employment
standards and worker protections provided in several non-immigrant worker
programs of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and the prevailing wage
requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), the Service Contract Act (SCA)
and related statutes.
WHD delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, interactive elaws
Advisors (FLSA, FMLA), toll free phone service, e-mail, printed materials,
workshops and presentations.
Federal
Contract Compliance
The Employment Standards Administration, Office of Federal Contract Compliance
Programs (OFCCP) administers three equal employment opportunity programs
that apply to federal contractors and subcontractors: Executive Order
11246, as amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended;
and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974,
as amended, 38 U.S.C. 4212. These laws prohibit Federal contractors and
subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected
veteran status. These laws also require Federal contractors and subcontractors
to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunity. OFCCP
also shares responsibility with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) in enforcing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
OFCCP delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, interactive elaws
Advisors, e-mail, toll-free telephone service, workshops and
seminars.
Retirement
and Health Benefits
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) assists employers
and employee benefit plan practitioners in understanding and complying
with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
as it applies to administering retirement and health benefit plans. EBSA
promotes voluntary compliance through its Voluntary Fiduciary Correction
Program and Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program and through
strategic alliances with professional organizations and federal, state
and local governments. EBSA provides compliance assistance through its
Web site, publications, interactive elaws Advisors, toll free telephone
service as well as responding to electronic inquiries, sponsoring seminars,
and actively conducting outreach nationwide.
Occupational
Safety and Health
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) works to save
lives, prevent injuries and protect the health and safety of Americas
workers. Nearly every worker in the U.S. comes under OSHAs jurisdiction
as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (exceptions
include miners, many public employees, and the self-employed).
OSHA delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, printed compliance guides,
toll-free telephone service, e-mail, and online electronic assistance
tools such as eTools and Safety and Health Topics pages. Free workplace
consultations are available in every state to small businesses that need
assistance in establishing safety and health programs and identifying
and correcting workplace hazards. A network of OSHA Compliance Assistance
Specialists in local offices provides tailored information and training
to employers and employees. OSHA has a number of cooperative programs
that help recognize and build on successful practices in occupational
safety and health, including the Alliance Program, Safety and Health Achievement
Recognition Program (SHARP), Strategic Partnership Program, and Voluntary
Protection Programs (VPP)
Mine
Safety and Health
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) works to protect the
health and safety of workers in Americas mines by working cooperatively
with industry, labor, and other federal and state agencies. MSHAs
responsibilities are outlined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
of 1977, commonly called the Mine Act, which applies to all mining and
mineral processing operations in the U.S. regardless of size, number of
employees or method of extraction.
MSHA delivers
compliance assistance to mine operators and workers through its Web site
and by direct contact of agency enforcement, technical support, and education
and training field personnel. MSHA established its Small Mine Office to
address the safety and health needs of small mines specifically and to
enable small mines to comply with safety and health laws as readily as
medium- or large-sized mines. The Small Mine Office focuses exclusively
on compliance assistance and conducts no enforcement activities.
Veterans
Employment and Training
The Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) helps veterans,
Reservists and National Guard members effectively prepare for and secure
employment, and protects their employment rights. VETS provides employment
services and training assistance to eligible veterans, including homeless
veterans, through grants to states, local governments and non-profit organizations.
VETS also administers the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act (USERRA) and provides information about veterans rights
under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) and the Federal
Contractor Program, which requires federal contractors and subcontractors
to take affirmative action to hire and promote qualified veterans including
special disabled veterans.
VETS delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, printed materials, e-mail,
and interactive online elaws Advisors.
Labor-Management
Standards
The Employment Standards Administration, Office of Labor-Management Standards
(OLMS) administers and enforces most of the Labor-Management Reporting
and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) of 1959. OLMS also administers provisions of
the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and the Foreign Service Act of 1980
relating to standards of conduct for federal employee unions. OLMS also
administers employee protection provisions in the federal mass transit
law. OLMS now administers Executive Order 13201 in conjunction with the
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. EO 13201 requires Federal
contractors to post notices informing their employees of certain rights
related to union membership and payment of union dues or fees.
OLMS delivers
compliance assistance through its Web site, publications, e-mail, workshops
and other group presentations. An OLMS Web site www.union-reports.dol.gov
- lets users view and print union annual financial reports. It features
a powerful data search system that can produce lists tailored to users
needs. OLMS recently expanded the site to let users view and print reports
by employers and labor relations consultants.
DOL
Contact under the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002
Under the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, the Department
of Labor has established a single point of contact in the agency to act
as a liaison between the agency and small business concerns:
Department
of Labor Single Point of Contact:
Barbara Bingham, Director
Office of Compliance Assistance Policy
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Rm. S2312
Washington, DC 20210
Telephone: 202-693-5080
Top
STATE
Compliance
Assistance Resources: http://www.state.gov/m/a/sdbu/19939.htm
-
Web Links: The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization (A/SDBU) web site has links to a number of Federal agencies:
U.S. Business Advisor, VetBiz.Gov, FirstGov.Gov, etc.
- Publications:
A/SDBUs A Guide to Doing Business with State Department,
Forecast of Contract Opportunities, and others are available electronically
on the web page.
-
Workshops: A/ A/SDBU presents a number of workshops
throughout the year as part of its outreach efforts; we also do inreach
workshops geared to State Department employees covering topics related
to the Small Business Program. A/SDBU staff members are often invited
to participate on workshops or panels hosted by small business trade
associations, Chambers of Commerce or other groups representing the
interests of small business.
-
Training Sessions: A/SDBU sponsors training sessions
for State Department employees. Examples: Small Business Program training
module at Foreign Service Institute's General Services Officer (GSO)
Course, and participation in regional GSO Conferences hosted by State's
Office of Logistics Management (A/LM). Also we participate in State
Department events designed for private industry such as Bureau of Overseas
Buildings Operations' Industry Day. State hosts an annual Prime Contractor
training session. The morning is a refresher for large primes on regulations
and reporting requirements governing subcontracting. The afternoon session
is for networking between large primes and small businesses.
-
Small Business Fairs: A/SDBU hosts an annual Small
Business Fair, which features "common usage" items typically
purchased using the government credit card or GSA schedule. In April
2004, we hosted a HUBZone-owned Small Business Fair. We are also co-hosts
of quarterly Information Technology Expositions, for which the Bureau
of Information Resource Management takes the lead. We co-sponsor with
other Federal OSDBUs an annual conference each April, at Show Place
Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The event attracts over 1500 participants
from all over the country. A/SDBU also supports Small Business Fairs
hosted by other Federal agencies, by small business trade associations,
or by members of Congress. We participate in over 30 such events each
year.
- Business
Advocacy and Outreach:
The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (EB/CBA) and other relevant
Bureau Economic Affairs (EB) offices regularly provide trade and commercial
support to U.S. companies, both large, medium-sized, and small. EB/CBA
also organizes business outreach programs, and substantial effort is
placed on small business participation. For example, the 2004 Earth
Day program at the Department of State was focused on business stewardship.
Over 60 U.S. businesses participate in this Department of State exhibition,
approximately 1/3 were small businesses.
State
Department Single Point of Contact:
Shapleigh C. Drisko
Senior Procurement Analyst
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (A/SDBU)
1701 N. Ft. Meyer Drive, SA-6
Lobby, L500
Arlington, VA 22209
Telephone: 703-875-4240
Fax: 703-875-6825
Internet: http://www.state.gov/m/a/sdbu/
Top
TRANSPORTATION
The
Department of Transportation is committed to encouraging and assisting
well-qualified and skillful small, minority, and woman-owned businesses
seeking contracts with the Department of Transportation. DOTs thirteen
Operating Administrations (OAs) spend over approximately one billion dollars
a year with the private sector. Currently, more than 45 percent of those
dollars go to small businesses, with 17 percent going to small disadvantaged
businesses or minority-owned firms and 4 percent going to woman-owned
companies. Within the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) endeavors to improve and increase
the Departments performance in utilizing small, small disadvantaged,
small woman-owned and veteran-owned businesses as contractors and subcontractors.
On DOTs
OSDBU website (http://osdbu.dot.gov/)
you will find a listing of services and programs provided to small businesses:
including veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, Hub Zone, disadvantaged
and women-owned businesses on transportation-related contracting opportunities.
This website also contains information on contracting opportunities within
DOT, as well as DOT Short Term Lending and Bonding Assistance Programs.
Contracting information includes forecast information of contract opportunities
that may become available from the various DOT OAs during the specified
fiscal year. Forecast information is divided by DOT OAs and lists opportunities
that anticipate awards greater than or equal to $25,000. For more information
on forecast information, go to OSDBUs website: http://osdbu.dot.gov/osdbu_services/Procurement/forecast.cfm
For information
about DOT OSDBU seminars/conferences/outreach sessions visit: http://osdbu.dot.gov/mrc_services/MarketingSessions.cfm
The
DOT single point of contact:
4 Department of Transportation,
Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Contact: Sean Moss, Director, OSDBU
1400 Seventh Street, S.W. Suite 9414
Washington, D.C. 20590.
Telephone: 2023661930
Fax: 202366-7228
or contact us online National Information Clearinghouse at: http://osdbu.dot.gov/
Top
TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
TTB was created by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and
is the newest agency in the Department of the Treasury. When the Act divided
the functions of the former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms into
two new organizations with separate responsibilities, TTB became tasked
with enforcing and administering the laws governing the production and
distribution of alcohol and tobacco products. TTB is responsible for:
- Collecting
over $14 billion annually in Federal alcohol, tobacco, firearms and
ammunition excise taxes.
- Collecting
occupational taxes on producers, wholesalers, and retailers of alcohol
beverage products and producers of tobacco products, cigarette papers
and tubes, and export warehouse proprietors.
- Ensuring
that beverage alcohol products are labeled, advertised, and marketed
in accordance with law and regulations.
- Administering
the laws and regulations in a manner that protects the revenue, protects
the consumer, promotes voluntary compliance, and facilitates the production
of, and import and export trade in, beverage and industrial alcohols
and tobacco products.
One of TTBs
top priorities is to establish and maintain a close working relationship
with the industries it regulates. To accomplish this, TTB utilizes a variety
of methods to assist members of the regulated industries, including small
business entities and the general public, in complying with the laws and
regulations TTB enforces.
Website.
TTB utilizes the Internet as its main vehicle for communicating with regulated
industry members and the general public. TTBs website, located
at www.ttb.gov, contains:
- Answers
to frequently asked questions specific to each regulated commodity and
industry regarding TTB laws, regulations, and services.
- TTB news
items and updates as they relate to rulemaking, viticultural areas,
and other industry-related topics.
- On-line
access to required forms and documents and instructions for electronic
submissions.
- COLAs
Online, which enables the submission and processing of Certificates
of Label Approval (COLAs) via the Internet. All beverage alcohol products
are required to obtain a COLA prior to introduction in interstate commerce.
- Weekly
COLA statistics, which show users how many COLA requests have been received
and the average turnaround time for processing an electronic COLA request.
The turnaround time has improved greatly in the past year. The impressive
COLA statistics help promote this convenient, paperless process.
- Contact
information listing TTB offices, helpful e-mail addresses, and other
Federal and state agencies.
- An electronic
reading room, which allows users to view Federal Register publications
and other TTB documents such as directives and industry circulars, and
public comments submitted in response to Notices of Proposed Rulemaking.
- Tax rates
and statistics pertaining to TTBs regulated commodities.
- An electronic
listing of approved viticultural areas designated by Code of Federal
Regulation Section, location, and effective date.
Customer
service and support.
TTB provides one-on-one expert technical advice on matters affecting the
alcohol and tobacco industries through e-mail, telephone, and letterhead
responses to inquiries from individuals and businesses. In addition, TTB
uses customer service hotlines to answer questions from industry members,
other governmental agencies, and the general public on any TTB topic.
TTBs National Revenue Center, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, responds
to approximately 80,000 telephone calls per year made to its toll-free
number, 1-877-TTB-FAQS (1-877-882-3277).
Regulated
industry DVD.
TTB has developed an informational DVD that serves as an electronic library
for new and existing industry members to access industry-specific information
and resources. The DVD is available by contacting the National Revenue
Center at 1-877-TTB-FAQS (1-877-882-3277).
Attendance
at seminars and events.
TTB routinely sends representatives to seminars and events to answer questions
from members of the regulated industries, with an emphasis on establishing
personal relationships with small business entities. In 2004, TTB also
conducted full-day wine industry seminars in California, North Carolina,
Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington State. A seminar for alcohol beverage
wholesalers and importers is planned for February 2005 in Florida.
Plain
language.
As part of TTBs overall effort to reduce taxpayer burden, maintain
good public relations, and facilitate compliance, TTB continues to revise
all of its forms and regulations and convert them to plain language. Plain
language uses the active voice, shorter sentences, and common, everyday
words when possible to better communicate with the public.
Publications.
TTB provides guidance on statutory and regulatory requirements to industry
members and small businesses through various published documents. Examples
include industry circulars, rulings, and procedures. All of the publications
are available online for quick access.
Taxpayer
notifications.
TTB maintains an automated late return reporting system that notifies
taxpayers of a late-filed return or insufficient payment. This helps taxpayers
avoid accumulated penalties and interest. In addition, TTB sends out yearly
notices to known special occupational taxpayers to remind them of their
responsibility to file a return and pay the tax. These taxpayer notifications
are especially beneficial to small businesses that have limited resources
to devote to government compliance monitoring.
Variances
and alternate methods or procedures.
TTB entertains requests from regulated industry members, which include
small entities, for variances from existing regulatory requirements. These
variances, which often take the form of alternate methods or procedures,
are intended to provide flexibility to industry members in their business
operations. These requests are normally granted when the proposed variance
shows good cause, would not be contrary to law, and would not pose a threat
to the revenue.
Voluntary
disclosure program.
TTB has adopted a voluntary disclosure program under which it may reduce
or waive penalties when regulated industry members voluntarily advise
TTB of their noncompliance. The program benefits industry members ¬¬--
especially small businesses new to the industry -- by reducing their costs
in time and money. Further, the program provides industry members an incentive
to detect and correct errors early and secure special guidance from TTB
on future compliance issues.
TTB strives
to maintain its role as an industry partner, and continues to develop
new ways to communicate with its ever-growing interested public.
Alcohol
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau single point of contact:
William H. Foster
Chief, Regulations and Procedures Division
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
1310 G Street, NW Room 200 East
Washington, DC 20220
Telephone: 202-927-8210
E-mail: William.Foster@ttb.gov
Internal
Revenue Service
- Compliance
Assistance Resources (Paperwork Relief Act Report)
The IRS
Compliance Assistance Resources are those that help taxpayers comply
with the Federal tax law. We are making every effort to inform, assist
and educate taxpayers. See attachment 1 for examples
of IRS Compliance Assistance Resources.
- Points
of Contact for IRS
Single point of contact for Compliance Assistance Resources
IRS Website:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html
Single
point of contact for Paperwork Relief Act of 2002
Michael
Chesman
Director Office of Taxpayer Burden Reduction
E-mail: Michael.R.Chesman@irs.gov
Phone: 202-283-7673
- Compliance
Assistance Program Description
- The
Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) operating division is structured
to best serve taxpayers whose needs are more complex than wage and
investment taxpayers. This division serves about 40 million small
businesses, including 33 million self-employed and 7 million corporations
and partnerships with assets of $10 million or less. While many
face the same tax issues as large corporations, they often do not
have tax professionals on staff. Tax compliance issues often stem
from a lack of understanding of tax law requirements, inadequate
accounting practices and resources and cash flow problems.
The
approximately 33 million self-employed and supplemental income earners
are similar to wage and investment taxpayers, but their tax issues
are often more complex. They have substantially higher incomes and
file twice the number of forms and schedules, requiring more time
to prepare taxes, a greater reliance on paid tax preparers and more
IRS expertise.
-
Headquarters
Taxpayer
Education and Communications (TEC) mission is to support
and accomplish the goals of the Strategic Plan. We increase
filing, reporting, and paying compliance by providing small
business and self-employed individuals with top quality pre-filing
services. TECs activities align with compliance goals
and approaches set by other parts of the organization.
The
field and headquarters staffs support compliance-focused pre-filing
activities through direct dealings with small businesses and
self-employed individuals and through third party relationships
with key internal and external stakeholders. TEC works to develop
and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders. The relationships
are leveraged to assist in the delivery of targeted messages
to specific audiences on specific compliance issues resulting
in communications that reach a much larger taxpayer population.
TEC focuses on burden reduction initiatives and promotes electronic
filing and payment options to SB/SE taxpayers. The services
TEC provides assist in promoting compliance among small businesses
and self-employed taxpayers through non-enforcement methods
and help taxpayers understand their tax obligations in a manner
that leads to voluntary compliance.
-
Partnership Outreach designs, develops and delivers educational
products and services focused on customer needs, and leverage
partnerships with major stakeholders through negotiated agreements
to assist in the delivery of these products and services. The
primary focus is on proactively identifying emerging trends, common
errors, and common areas of non-compliance, and developing products,
services and programs to address these issues and encourage compliance.
-
Business Marketing Services plans and execute the promotion and
distribution of all traditional SB/SE products and services to
TEC employees, key stakeholders, and targeted taxpayer audiences
in order to satisfy external customer needs and internal organizational
objectives. Business Marketing Services is also focused on developing
strategies for increasing usage of electronic products and implementing
them effectively for not only the small business community but
also the more uniquely emerging self-employed taxpayer segment.
- The
Office of Taxpayer Burden Reduction provides direction and leadership
for burden reduction efforts by focusing on six major areas:
- Informing
and educating customers about their tax responsibilities.
-
Simplifying forms, publications and communications.
-
Streamlining internal policies, processes and procedures (including
audit plans).
-
Promoting less burdensome rulings, regulations and law.
-
Assisting in the development of a burden reduction measurement
methodology;
-
Partnering with internal and external stakeholders to more
effectively and efficiently identify and address burden reduction
initiatives
- Field
Organization
A geographically dispersed field staff provides top quality compliance
focused pre-filing service to small business and self-employed
individuals directly and through third party relationships with
key internal and external stakeholders. These services assist
small business and self-employed taxpayers by helping them to
understand their tax obligations in a manner which leads to filing,
payment, and reporting compliance.
IRS Area Distribution Centers (ADCs) serve as distribution points
for tax products. Tax products can be ordered free of charge from
the ADCs at 1-800-829-2437.
-
IRS provides live telephone assistance through Customer Account Service.
- Tax
Assistance 1-800-829-1040 throughout the year
- Forms,
Form Instructions and Publications - 1-800-829-3676
- Small
Business and Specialty Taxes 1-800-829-4933
- Compliance
Assistance Products (Libraries and Post Offices) 1-800-829-2765
- Tax
Refund Hotline 1-800-829-1954
- Recorded
Tax Information (Tele-Tax) 24 hour service 1-800-829-4477
- Assistance
for the Hearing Impaired 1-800-829-4059
- To
suggest improvements to IRS Procedures 1-888-912-1227
- Taxpayer
Advocate Service Hotline 1-877-777-4778
- Taxpayers
who need more information than is provided by Customer Account Service
may go to the Help website at http://www.irs.gov/help/index.html.
- Finding
addresses to file Internal Revenue Service tax forms has just become
easier for taxpayers and tax practitioners. On August 22, 2003, the
IRS launched a Where to File website on the
Internet. With only a few keystrokes, taxpayers and practitioners
now have access to the proper mailing address to ensure that business
returns are received and processed in a timely manner. See the Where
to File Business Forms and Filing Addresses at http://www.irs.gov/file/article/0,,id=111453,00.html
- Websites/Internet
- http://www.irs.gov
IRS Website
- http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz
IRS Small Business Website
- http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz
The SB/SE Internet site has had 16,919,340 visits from
January 2002 to August 2004
- http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/index.html
- News
- http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/content/0,,id=103728,00.html
-Plain Language Regulations
- Tax
Centers on Partners Website IRS has developed a
number of partnerships by establishing a Tax Center website on
the partners sites. Tax Centers have a comprehensive set
of links customized to the partners needs and organized by topic
to various parts of irs.gov. For example see:
Tax Center Website - http://www.sba.gov/bi/irstaxcenter.doc
- Training/Workshops/Seminars
-
Practitioner Institutes
Practitioner Institutes serve as part of an overall practitioner
education curriculum, which includes Tax Talk Today, the Nationwide
Tax Forum, local liaison meetings, etc. They provide a much-needed
venue for delivering the IRS message to approximately 25,000 direct
participants, which prepare countless tax returns for the public
each year. The Tax Practitioner Institutes have been ongoing for
as many as 60 years in some parts of the country. Over the years
the institutes have evolved into forums that deal with a large
variety of income tax issues of interest to the entire tax practitioner
community.
- Small
Business Tax Workshop Student/Instructor Materials
IRS
has adopted three models for small business tax workshops our
partners can offer as a client service to help the smallest and
newest businesses:
-
Partner organizations organize, market and staff live workshops
using IRS materials or their own. IRS just released Spanish
language versions of the Student Workbook and the Instructor
Guide.
-
Partnership organizations link to IRS on-line small
business workshop products and market them to their members.
An online Spanish language version of the classroom materials
is nearly complete.
-
Partner organizations distribute Pub. 3693, Introduction to
Federal Taxes for Small Business-Self Employed: Getting Your
Business Off to a Successful Start CD-ROM (Sept 2001) to their
members and/or let them know how to order it.
- Online
Small Business Tax Workshops
IRS has an interactive online Small Business Tax Workshop that
includes all of the materials used in the classroom workshops
taught by IRS partner organizations. There are also streaming
video workshops in the Online Classroom at http://www.irs.gov/smallbiz.
- Tax
Talk Today
Tax Talk Today is a monthly program about current tax issues and
policies sponsored in part by the IRS. It provides unbiased insight
and information about current tax and business issues critical
to tax professionals. All of the programs feature a panel discussion,
Questions and Answers from viewers, current tax news stories,
and tax teasers. The format allows viewers to ask questions via
e-mail, fax or telephone. Website: http://www.taxtalktoday.tv/
-
Interactive Video Conference Television (IVT)
IRS produces and directs live Interactive Video Television (IVT)
instructional and informational training via IRS Satellite that
reaches 135 IRS offices nationwide. IRS welcomes external stakeholder
participation in IVTs.
- Products
Developed Specifically for Small Business
The role
of the SB/SE TEC division is to address compliance through education
and marketing to our Small Business and Self-Employed taxpayers. We
develop educational products and services focused on customer needs
to provide top quality pre-filing services to help taxpayers and stakeholders
understand and comply with the tax laws. Products can be ordered online
or by calling 1-800-829-3676.
Website: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=101169,00.html
- Forums
- Payroll/Practitioner
Forums
The
Payroll/Practitioner Forums are an extension of the bi-monthly
National Public Liaison (NPL) meetings. The Forums provide an
opportunity for the subject matter experts (SMEs) and payroll/practitioner
representatives to work through the issues raised
from suggested topics on the agenda.
- Small
Business Forums
Small Business Forums are held with external small business groups
and associations. The primary focus of these meetings is to provide
an avenue for an open exchange of information with external stakeholders.
The forums also give them an opportunity to share feedback concerns
on behalf of their small business members. Monthly schedule: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=106266,00.html
-
IRS Nationwide Tax Forums
One
of the Service's largest and most effective outreach programs
to the tax professional community is the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums.
During July, August, and September, the IRS will present six tax
forums nationwide, which will include seminars, a trade show,
and an awards banquet. These forums are designed to help tax professionals
obtain valuable information to improve their business.
Website: http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=97192,00.html
- Tax
Assistance Centers are your one-stop resource for face-to-face tax
help. These sites provide assistance in the preparation of returns
as well as resolution of less complex accounts and compliance issues
for taxpayers that require face-to-face assistance. The site location
and hours of operation are available at Website: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html.
IRS also offers free income tax assistance for low income, disabled,
elderly and non-English speaking taxpayers through the Volunteer Income
Tax Assistance program (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly program
(TCE). A free tax preparation site can be located by calling Customer
Account Services at 1-800-829-1040.
- Non-retaliation
Policy
The IRS has a zero tolerance policy for retaliation and has had a
written non-retaliation policy in place since 1998. On July 22, 1999,
President Clinton signed into law the landmark IRS Restructuring
and Reform Act (RRA) of 1998. In addition to containing many
new and important taxpayer rights and protections, the RRA 98
represented a significant turning point for the IRS. The RRA 98
provides important tools to carry out the modernization plan to bring
positive change to the Service and taxpayers.
The IRS has taken a number of steps to prevent retaliation and
has put policies in place to deal with it effectively, should it
occur. Section 1203 of RRA 98 provides for the mandatory
termination of IRS employees under various specific instances of
misconduct and provides a number of key taxpayer safeguards. This
serves as a strong deterrent to any employee who might consider
taking retaliatory action. IRS non-retaliation policy is now located
on the Small Business Self-Employed landing page at website: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
- TAS
Overall and Systemic Advocacy
Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization that
helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and recommend changes
that will prevent tax problems.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service Office of Systemic Advocacy provides
oversight and direction for identifying, and analyzing systemic, procedural
and operations problems. This office announced on March 13, 2003 the
development of a new internet-based program for submitting systemic
problems and suggestions to improve tax administration. On November
24, 2003, TAS launched a new web-based application, part of the Systemic
Advocacy Management System (SAMS), to streamline the process of submitting
issues that affect multiple taxpayers.
Office of Systemic Advocacy Website: http://www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html
Web-Based Application
http://www.irs.gov/advocate/article/0,,id=117703,00.html
- Fiscal
2004 Compliance Assistance Resources
EFTPS Express Enrollment Website
Beginning in January 2004, all businesses issued a new EIN will be pre-enrolled
in EFTPS to make all their federal tax payments if they will have federal
tax obligations. In addition to receiving their EIN, they will also
receive a separate mailing containing instructions for activating their
EFTPS enrollment. The EFTPS Express Enrollment website can be found
at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=120110,00.html
Penalty Rebate for Enrolling in EFTPS Website
IRS allows paper coupon users who were assessed a Form 941 deposit
penalty the opportunity to receive a one-time penalty refund. The
Penalty Rebate for Enrolling in EFTPS website can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=120305,00.html
Reporting Agents (RAF) Website
IRS assists employers in making required tax deposits and tax information
filings to the federal government and to state and local governments.
The Reporting Agents (RAF) website can be found at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=108689,00.html
Bartering Website
IRS directed several outreach activities to promote reporting compliance
within the bartering industry. IRS has partnered with bartering associations
and other groups within the industry to filter educational products
and services that will inform and guide individual bartering exchanges
on their federal reporting requirements in 2003. A preliminary research
analysis showed that the marketing efforts were successful. Proceeds
from broker and barter exchange transactions increased by 95% over
2002 figures. Requirements for bartering exchange can be found at:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=118385,00.html
Demand Reduction
IRS completed a detailed analysis of the more than 300,000 questions
that came in through its Referral Mail system during the 2004 filing
season. This resulted in the identification of the 26 highest volume
question groups the questions that really are most
frequently asked. There is a data sort by geographic area and a timeline
showing when the volume of various question groups peaked. Work is
underway to create a website based on this data to increase the small
business owners ability to find the answers to their questions
without having to call the 800 number. The overarching goal for this
program is to get the right information to the right people at the
right time.
Understanding Your IRS Notice
IRS has expanded its Internet service to include a Notice website
at:
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96199,00.html.
Taxpayers and their representatives can now go on-line and understand
the purpose for it, reason we send it, what to do with it and advice
on how to handle disagreements. This new website will help taxpayers,
tax professionals and the IRS resolve accounts in a more expeditious
fashion thus reducing burden as well as duration of phone calls and
correspondence.
Issue Resolution Tracking System (IRTS)
IRS is proactive in responding to stakeholder concerns through the
use of the Issue Resolution Tracking System. This web-based data base
assists IRS in monitoring the resolution of issues identified by stakeholders
such as small businesses, trade associations, government agencies,
educational institutions, payroll and practitioner groups. In addition
to responding to issues, we detect stakeholder identified issues and
track trends both locally and nationally.
The Top Filing Errors Made by Small Business and Self-Employed
Taxpayers Website
This website at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=107767,00.html
tells small business taxpayers how to avoid common errors on returns.
This information can be reviewed by taxpayers prior to sending in
their tax returns to help avoid the most common errors. A link to
the form specific errors was also posted in the Where to File
Business Forms and Filings Addresses.
Return Preparer Symposium
IRS partnered with representatives from national practitioner organizations
in addressing Return Preparer Problems and Problem
Preparers. As a result of this partnership, the group made
several accomplishments during FY 2004. To improve communication at
the local level, IRS developed a Best Practices Template
for establishing Local Practitioner Liaison meetings across the country.
To provide more educational resources to the Practitioners, the IRS
updated the The Tax Information for Tax Professionals
page at: http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/index.html
to include a Basic Tools for Tax Professionals section.
To address the alleged bad preparers, the IRS developed
a How to Select a Return Preparer section on irs.gov.
Practitioner Local Liaison Meetings and Seminars Website
IRS offers local liaison meetings and seminars for the tax professional
community. These sessions are designed to share important information
about IRS programs and issues with tax professionals. These pages
on the IRS website are arranged by state, and are updated on continual
bases so that tax professionals can easily find seminars, practitioner
liaison meetings, and practitioner conference calls in their area
in one, easy to find, location on the web.
Online Application for Employer Identification Number EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a federal
tax identification number. Generally, businesses need an EIN, and
often it is required by States and financial institutions prior to
conducting business with them. Small businesses may apply for an EIN
in various ways, and now they may apply online. The online application
provides several benefits that are especially useful to the small
business person:
- Online
EIN is available 24/7 so they can apply when its convenient for
them and their business;
- No registration
is required to use this system, making access to the system quick and
easy, and;
- No paper
needs to be sent to the IRS, further cutting down on the burden to the
taxpayer in obtaining this important identification number for their
business.
Small
Business Tax Workshop DVD
IRS has completed the scripting and storyboarding of nine lessons for
a new Small Business Tax Workshop DVD expected to be released late Spring/early
Summer of 2005. The multi-media DVD will include live
instruction, vignettes and interactive segments. There will be closed
captioning in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Publication 1066
Small Business Tax Workshop: Student Workbook formed the basis for the
scripts with updated lessons and two completely new ones: Retirement
Plans and Managing Your Payroll. The overarching goal for this program
is to help new businesses get off to a good start with their taxes.
Global
Diversity Group (GDG)
The Global Diversity Group, Inc. (GDG) is a unique marketing consulting
firm providing the conduit for active collaborations between minorities
and corporations. GDG offers access to much needed information designed
to assist minority entrepreneurs and business owners with the growth
of their companies and to expand their business ideas. GDG is expanding
their focuses to cover all minority groups: African Americans, Asians,
Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians and women business owners interested
in a self-help approach to expanding their businesses.
A GDG Business
Exchange Tour for Success annual event is held in various
locations throughout the country and provides exhibitors, workshops
and interaction between corporations, professionals, entrepreneurs,
educators as well as government organizations. IRS established a partnership
with GDG that focuses on IRS interaction with the small business
community. IRS participated in GDG Business Exchange 2002-2004 Tour
for Success that covered 6 cities with over 4000 participants.
Ethics
Training for Tax Professionals
IRS has developed presentation materials to assist IRS staff in discussing
ethical standards with tax professionals. These materials have been
combined into two separate toolkits designed to discuss ethics and rules
of conduct issues with tax professionals governed by Circular 230.
Fiscal
Year 2004 Strategies
The Office
of Taxpayer Burden Reduction (OTBR) continues to focus on reducing burden
for small business taxpayers and leads burden reduction efforts for
the Service. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2004, the OTBR has concentrated on
simplifying tax forms, streamlining internal policies and procedures,
and promoting less burdensome rulings for small business owners. The
IRS Commissioner remains committed to supporting burden reduction activities,
as evidenced by a recent elevation of the OTBR to a direct report of
the Small Business Self-Employed Commissioner. Listed below are examples
of recent OTBR accomplishments and ongoing burden reduction initiatives.
Increasing
the threshold for Form 1040EZ and Form 1040A Filers
The taxable income threshold for Forms 1040EZ and 1040A filers was increased
from $50,000 to $100,000 this year. This change, which is effective
for tax year 2004, enables more than 1 million taxpayers to file Forms
1040EZ or 1040A instead of a long Form 1040. This change will reduce
taxpayer burden by more than 5 million hours.
Increasing
the business expense threshold to $5,000 from $2,500 on Form 1040, Schedule
C-EZ
The threshold for small business taxpayers who file Schedules C or C-EZ
for reporting business expenses was raised from $2,500 to $5000. This
new threshold enables approximately 500,000 eligible taxpayers to file
a Schedule C-EZ instead of the regular Schedule C. Since Schedule C-EZ
is an easier form for taxpayers to complete, this change is another
positive step as part of overall efforts to reduce burden on small business
taxpayers. This change will reduce taxpayer burden by more than 5 million
hours.
Redesign
of Schedule K-1 (for Forms 1120 and Form 1065)
Schedule K-1 for partnerships and corporations has been redesigned and
is on track for release for the 2004 tax year. Benefits of the new format
include an improved layout, easier to read items, streamlined instructions
for 25 million investors and the use of scanning and 2-D bar code technology
for IRS processing of the forms. Focus group testing of the form with
investors confirmed that the new design will be well received, with
one investor jokingly referring to the new form as the "K-1 for
Dummies." A new Schedule K-1 for Form 8865 (Return of U.S. Persons
with respect to Certain Foreign Partnerships) will also be released
for tax year 2004. The Schedule K-1 for the Form 1041 (U.S. Income Tax
Return for Estates and Trusts) will be redesigned to conform to the
new format and is scheduled for release for tax year 2005.
Form
941 Redesign
Form 941 has been redesigned for the 2005 tax year. The new form features
a significantly improved layout with plain language instructions, making
it easier for 6.6 million employers, who file 23 million Forms 941 each
year, to understand and complete. A draft of the redesigned form is
posted on irs.gov for public comment. Cognitive testing, as well as
focus group testing, was conducted to obtain external feedback prior
to finalizing the new design. The new forms will be scanned by IRS,
thereby reducing the chance of data transcription errors and expediting
IRS processing of the forms.
Form
941 Schedule D
In response to an Industry Issue Resolution (IIR) suggestion from the
National Association of Tax Reporting & Payroll Management, a new
Form 941, Schedule D was designed and new Revenue Procedures were issued.
The new form and procedures simplify and clarify payroll tax reporting
for employers who are parties to certain acquisitions, statutory mergers,
or consolidations effective on or after January 1, 2005. The information
requested and provided on this schedule is expected to enable the IRS
to resolve most discrepancies without contacting taxpayers. The filing
of this new schedule begins in tax year 2005.
Form
941 Annualization
An effort is underway to establish new rules and processes that will
allow a certain population of small business taxpayers to file their
employment tax returns on an annual basis. This new annual return, which
will be called Form 944, Employers Annual Federal Employment
Tax Return, is scheduled for release in the 2006 tax year.
Extensions
to File
A project is underway to simplify the extension process. The new process
will enable most taxpayers to take advantage of an automatic 6 month
extension for filing their tax returns. The project team is redesigning
the individual extension form to consolidate two existing forms filed
by individuals and a redesigned business extension form to consolidate
four existing forms filed by businesses. The justification requirement
will be eliminated under this new process. Another objective of this
project is to ensure scanning of the new extension forms and make them
available for electronic filing. Implementation is targeted for January,
2006.
Form
940 (Employers Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return) Redesign
The objective of this project is to reduce taxpayer burden and increase
voluntary compliance by redesigning the Form 940 and reengineering its
processes. The scope of this project includes revising Forms 940, 940EZ
and 940PR, simplifying the instructions and ensuring scanning and 2-D
bar code processing of the redesigned forms. Forms 940 are filed by
5.6 million taxpayers annually. The time line for this project is to
release the new forms for the 2006 tax year.
Raising
the FUTA Minimum Deposit Threshold
On November 30th the IRS issued final regulations that increase the
Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) quarterly deposit threshold from
$100 to $500. The new rules, which become effective January 1, 2005,
should reduce burden for 2.6 million taxpayers per year, eliminate the
requirement for taxpayers with eight or less employees from having to
make three tax deposits a year and save taxpayers who fall under the
new threshold from having to make 7.8 million deposits a year.
-
New in FY 2004
Small Business Products
- Publication 3207, Small Business Resource Guide CD-Rom
- Publication 3693, Introduction to Federal Taxes for Small Business/Self
Employed CD-Rom
- Publication 4115, Small Business/Self Employed Marketing Card
CD-Rom
- Publication 1518, Tax Calendar for Small Business
- Publication 3698, TEC At a Glance
- Publication 3699, SB/SE Community Website A Virtual Tour
- Publication 966, Electronic Federal Tax Payment for Business
- Publication 3603, e-file for Business
- Publication 3995, Recognizing Illegal Tax Avoidance Schemes
- Publication 4035, Home-Based Business Tax Avoidance Schemes
- Publication 4069, Smallwares for Restaurants and Taverns
- Publication
4143 and Publication 4143A, Learning the Art of Doing Business,
a curriculum for cosmetology students and instructor guide, teaches
the federal tax responsibilities specific to cosmetology
- Publication
4161, The Art of Doing Business, Brochure
- Publication
4297, Industry Issue Resolution Program, Brochure, covers what types
of issues are appropriate for the program how to submit an issue
to the IRS
- Publication
4261, Do You Have a Foreign Bank Account? addresses tax compliance
for those taxpayers who have a foreign bank account.
Small
Business Products Printed in Spanish
- Publication
1518, IRS Tax Calendar
- Publication
3995, Recognizing Illegal Tax Schemes
- Publication
4035, Home Based Business Tax Avoidance Schemes,
- Publications
1066 and 1066B, Small Business Tax Workshop: Student Workbook and
Supplemental Guide
- Publication
3992, Consumer Tax Video, Reporting Tip Income on TRAC
- Publication
4261, Do You Have a Foreign Bank Account?
- Summary
IRS assists the small business community by providing small business
and self-employed individuals with top quality services. The services
IRS provides assist in promoting compliance among small businesses and
self-employed taxpayers through non-enforcement methods and help taxpayers
understand their tax obligations in a manner that leads to voluntary
compliance.
IRS maintains a customer first focus through routinely
soliciting information concerning the needs and characteristics of its
small business customers and implementing programs based on the information
received.
Additionally, IRS partners with other federal agencies, financial institutions,
tax preparers, community groups, trade associations, state and local
authorities and others to provide tax information and education services
to small business customers.
Treasury
Single Point of Contact:
Jackie Barber
Office of Small Business Development
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Mail Code: 1450 G St
Washington, DC 20220
Telephone: 202-622-8213
Fax: 202-622-4963
E-mail: Jackie.barber@do.treas.gov
Top
VETERANS
AFFAIRS
Consistent with SBREFA, compliance assistance is funneled through the
two websites above to register complaints or ask for assistance. Most
other VA offices will ensure that appropriate certifications are published
in VA regulations that they do not affect small business entities. Small
businesses can comment on VA regulations during the informal rulemaking
process, after they are published as proposed rules in the Federal Register.
Veterans
Affairs Single Point of Contact:
Ramsey Alexander, Jr.
Senior Procurement Analyst
OSDBU (00SB)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
Telephone: 202-565-8133
Toll Free: 800-949-8156
E-mail: ramsey.alexander@mail.va.gov
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