APPRAISAL SUBCOMMITTEE of FEDERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION COUNCIL
Appraisal Subcommittee Single Point of Contact:
Ben Henson
Appraisal Subcommittee of FFIEC
2000 K St NW Suite 310
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-872-7520
Fax: 202-872-7501
E-mail: ben@asc.gov

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

Consumer Product Safety Commission Single Point of Contact:
Thomas W. Murr, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: 301-504-7907
E-mail: tmurr@cpsc.gov

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Corporation for National and Community Service Single Point of Contact:
Bill Hudson
Corporation for National and Community Service
Office of the General Council Rm. 8200
1201 NY Ave. NW
Washington DC 20525
Telephone: 202-606-5000 ext.265
Fax: 202-565-2796
E-mail: whudson@cns.gov

EPA also manages a National Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse as a guide to compliance information on the Internet. This site gives comprehensive links to EPA environmental compliance assistance materials, as well as materials from all 50 states and other organizations. The Clearinghouse contains many features allowing small businesses to interact directly with EPA and improve communication and collaboration among compliance assistance providers.

EPA’s Small Business Compliance Policy promotes environmental compliance among small businesses by providing incentives to discover and make good faith efforts to correct violations. Software is also available to assist in certain reporting requirements. The “Toxics Release Inventory – Made Easy” (TRI-ME) software guides users through the entire Toxics Release Inventory reporting process from start to finish.

Information on EPA’s initiatives and activities is available on the EPA Small Business Ombudsman Web site http://www.epa.gov/sbo. This site links to the Small Business Environmental Homepage http://www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org/, which provides extensive small business assistance information. EPA National Asbestos & Small Business hotline for inquiries on environmental regulations may be reached via a toll free number (1-800-368-5888).

Environmental Protection Agency Single Point of Contact:
Karen V. Brown, Director
Small Business Division
EPA Small Business Ombudsman (SBPRA point of contact)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, MC1808T
Washington, DC 20460
Telephone: 202-566-2816
Fax: 202- 566-0954
E-mail: brown.karen@epa.gov

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets. Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies - large and small - to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy.

Ex-Im Bank does not compete with private sector lenders but provides export financing products that fill gaps in trade financing. We assume credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. We also help to level the playing field for U.S. exporters by matching the financing that other governments provide to their exporters.

Ex-Im Bank provides working capital guarantees (pre-export financing); export credit insurance (post-export financing); and loan guarantees and direct loans (buyer financing). No transaction is too large or too small. On average, 85% of our transactions directly benefit U.S. small businesses.

With nearly 70 years of experience, Ex-Im Bank has supported more than $400 billion of U.S. exports, primarily to developing markets worldwide.

Export-Import Bank Single Point of Contact:
Letitia Kress
Export-Import Bank
811 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20571
Telephone: 202-565-3613
E-mail: letitia.kress@exim.gov

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Small Business Initiative
EEOC has developed a Small Business Initiative (SBI) to improve customer service and expand outreach, education, and technical assistance to the small business community. The SBI aims to promote voluntary compliance by building a more cooperative and collaborative relationship with the small and mid-sized business community and to address EEO concerns expressed by small business owners. The main components of the SBI include:

Small Business Liaisons:
Every EEOC District office has a Small Business Liaison available to employers who have questions about the laws enforced by EEOC or about compliance with those laws in specific workplace situations. Information on contacting Small Business Liaisons can be found at www.eeoc.gov/employers/contacteeoc.html.

Small Business Web Page:
www.eeoc.gov/employers/smallbusinesses.html - While the information on this page applies to all employers, it has been specifically designed for small businesses which may not have a human resources department or a specialized EEO staff. The page is designed to make it easier for small businesses to comply with the anti-discrimination laws and help them in their dealings with the EEOC.

No-Cost Outreach and Education Programs
EEOC's outreach and education programs provide information about the employment discrimination laws enforced by EEOC and the EEOC charge/complaint process. EEOC representatives are available at no cost to make presentations and participate in meetings with employers and their representative groups. For example, EEOC hosts regular meetings with employers and employer groups, such as stakeholder advisory councils to get feedback on legal and operational issues; provides speakers and trainers for conferences, seminars, workshops and classroom presentations and for regular scheduled meetings of organizations, professional associations, etc; distributes information materials on EEO laws and represent the Commission at events, such as job fairs, conventions and conferences; and participates in media presentations - including radio and TV interviews, as well as cyber-chats.
A list of outreach coordinators and contact information can be found at www.eeoc.gov/outreach/coordinators.html.

Fee-Based Training and Technical Assistance
EEOC presents a wide variety of fee- based training and technical assistance programs throughout the country geared to employers in the private sector, including small businesses, as well as federal, state and local government agencies. Training and technical assistance available includes:

Technical Assistance Program Seminars (TAPS):
Seminars emphasize how to prevent EEO problems from developing and how to resolve discrimination complaints effectively when they do arise. Real-life case studies and examples often are used to show how equal employment requirements apply to specific employment practices. Updates on important legal developments, Commission policy and procedures and vital information about EEOC's latest initiatives and alternative dispute resolution program are discussed. Specialized topics will differ by seminar and may include in-depth sessions on issues such as: sexual and racial harassment; complex ADA issues, including the ADA's relation to other workplace laws; and religious and national origin discrimination. Whenever practicable, small group breakouts, question and answer periods, interactive formats and informal discussions are used in the seminars, which enable participants to receive answers to specific EEO questions.

Customer Specific Training Programs:
EEOC staff provide specialized training on various employment discrimination topics for employers at their work site or at an organization's meeting or training events.

Training Products:
EEOC has developed training course materials on Workplace Harassment Issues: How to Identify, Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Harassment, which are available for employers who want to deliver their own training. Additional training courses on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other topics are under development and will be available in the future.

Information on Training Contacts can be found at www.eeotraining.eeoc.gov.

Publications
EEOC fact sheets, information materials and brochures and other publications are available at no cost. They can be ordered by calling 1-800-669-3362 (voice) or 1-800-800-3302 (TTY) or through the Internet at www.eeoc.gov/publications.html

Training and Technical Assistance Materials available for direct purchase - A seven volume set of resource manuals provides a comprehensive and invaluable EEO library on employment discrimination issues. Each volume contains training exercises, practical guidance and copies of EEOC's most important policy interpretations, including information concerning recent important Supreme Court decisions affecting Federal EEO law. The volumes are compiled and written by legal experts and training professionals from the EEOC, the Federal agency responsible for enforcing and interpreting the country's various Federal employment discrimination laws. The entire series is updated annually to reflect changes in law, court decisions and new EEOC guidance. These materials are useful for employers, human resource/EEO professionals, attorneys, labor representatives and others interested in EEO matters in the private, federal and state and local government sectors. These manuals can be ordered through www.eeotraining.eeoc.gov.

Web Page

New Freedom Initiative
EEOC is working closely with small business organizations and disability groups to conduct a series of free outreach and education events for small businesses as part of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative. EEOC expects to continue putting on these events throughout fiscal years 2003 and 2004. EEOC has also produced The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Primer for Small Business, which is a practical, reader-friendly handbook for the small business person outlining the employment provisions of the ADA as they relate to both employees and job applicants. Information on the workshops is available at www.eeoc.gov/initiatives/nfi/index.html. A copy of the Primer is available at www.eeoc.gov/ada/adahandbook.html

Guidance Letters
EEOC’s Office of Legal Counsel issues approximately 90 significant guidance letters a year explaining the employment discrimination statutes to employers and other stakeholders.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Single Point of Contact:
Laura Hinton
National Outreach Coordinator
Office of Field Programs, EEOC
1801 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20507
Telephone: 202-663-4811
E-mail: laura.hinton@eeoc.gov

Website Locations:

Federal Communications Commission Single Point of Contact:
Richard Lee, Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities
U.S. Federal Communication Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Telephone: 202-418-0990
E-mail: richard.lee@fcc.gov
ocboinfo@fcc.gov

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FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION
Office of the Ombudsman: http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/ombudsman.html

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Single Point of Contact:
Edward F. Gerber, Associate Ombudsman
550 Seventeenth Street, N.W.
PA-1730-2122
Washington, DC 20429
Telephone: 202-942-3869
Fax: 202-942-3401
E-mail: egerber@fdic.gov

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FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Single Point of Contact:
Kimberly F. Fernandez
Office of External Affairs
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20426
Telephone: 202-502-8302
E-mail: kimberly.fernandez@ferc.gov

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FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE BOARD
Federal Housing Finance Board Single Point of Contact:
Janice Kaye
Federal Housing Finance Board
Office of General Counsel
1777 F Street, NW
Phone: 202-408-2505
E-mail: kayej@fhfb.gov

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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
Overview
The purpose of this guidance is to assist drafters of Federal Maritime Commission ("FMC" or "Commission") rules in appropriately implementing the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act ("RFA"), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act ("SBREFA"). In general, SBREFA amended the RFA to establish certain formal procedural and analytical requirements (described below) for rules the agency may develop which have the potential to impose a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. If a rule will impose significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, a more formal analysis of the potential adverse economic impacts on small entities must be prepared. Additionally, Executive Order 13272 of August 13, 2002 ("EO 13272"), requires agencies to issue and publish written procedures and policies for use in considering the potential impact of draft rules on small entities.

This guidance is not a binding Commission procedural rule. In determining and mitigating impacts on small entities, the FMC anticipates that there may be some situations in which agency staff and management must exercise considerable judgment. Nevertheless, we intend this guidance to provide an analytic and sequential structure that should be sufficient for most rulemakings. This guidance will be published on the Commission's Internet website (http://www.fmc.gov) for informational purposes.

The purpose of RFA/SBREFA is "to fit regulatory and informational requirements to the scale of the businesses, organizations and governmental jurisdictions subject to the regulation." To achieve this objective, agencies are required to "solicit and consider flexible regulatory proposals and to explain the rationale for their actions to assure that such proposals are given serious consideration." RFA/SBREFA does not require an agency necessarily to minimize a rule's impact on small entities if there are legal, policy, factual or other reasons for not doing so. RFA/SBREFA requires only that an agency determine, to the extent feasible, the rule's economic impact on small entities, explore regulatory options for reducing any significant economic impact on a substantial number of such entities, and explain its ultimate choice of regulatory approach.

Since its enactment, RFA has required every federal agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for any rule for which the agency is required to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act ("APA") or any other statute, unless the agency certifies that the rule "will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities." When SBREFA became law in 1996, the FMC developed procedures and guidelines to implement the applicable statutory requirements. The guidelines are being updated below to ensure continuing compliance with RFA/SBREFA requirements, as well as EO 13272.

In general, RFA/SBREFA requirements will apply to the FMC's rules subject to the notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements under the APA or any other statute. Exempt from the RFA requirement regarding a regulatory flexibility analysis or certification are Commission actions that are not rules (e.g., orders or adjudications), and rules that the Commission is not required by statute to propose before promulgating.

RFA/SBREFA Preliminary Analysis: Assessing the Impact on Small Entities
This part describes the procedures to follow for determining whether a regulatory flexibility analysis or certification of no significant economic impact on a substantial number of entities should be prepared for a proposed or final rule. It is a six-step process.

1. Is the rule subject to notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements?
As mentioned earlier, most, if not all, FMC proposed and final rules will be subject to notice-and-comment and therefore subject to RFA/SBREFA.

2. What types of entities will be subject to the rule's requirement?
The Commission has adopted small business standards pursuant to the North American Industrial Classification System ("NAICS") published by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget. The staff has identified the following NAICS categories and codes defined by the Small Business Administration ("SBA") that fall within the Commission's regulatory jurisdiction:

Categories 483111 and 483112 are evaluated by the SBA according to their number of employees. The SBA has determined that if such a business establishment has less than 500 employees, it qualifies as a small business for SBA purposes. Business establishments in categories 488320 and 488510 are evaluated by their annual receipts in millions of dollars. In these categories, SBA determines that business establishments with annual receipts (gross annual revenues) of less than $21.5 million are small businesses. The Commission will use SBA's determinations in its review of the impact of its regulatory undertakings on small businesses.

3. What types of small entities, if any, are subject to the rule's requirements?
VOCCs, PVOs, and MTOs generally are very large companies with far in excess of 500 employees, in the case of VOCCs and PVOs, and $21.5 million in gross revenues, in the case of MTOs. These companies, as well as conferences or associations of such companies, generally are represented by retained counsel. They frequently raise informal, complex issues, and the Commission exerts considerable time and effort responding to them. Such entities are not the intended small business beneficiaries of SBREFA. OTIs, on the other hand, will be considered small businesses by the Commission.

Therefore, the Commission makes a refutable presumption that VOCCs, PVOs and MTOs are not small businesses encompassed within the programs and policies mandated by SBREFA. Nevertheless, a VOCC, PVO, or MTO that falls under SBA guidelines and seeks to be treated as a small business for Commission regulatory purposes may submit a request for such treatment to the Commission, along with payroll or gross annual revenue evidence, as applicable, to substantiate its claim and rebut the presumption.

4. What if no small entities are affected by the rule?
If a proposed rule does not affect any small entity (based on the definition of small entity provided above) RFA authorizes the Commission's Chairman to make a negative certification with respect to the rulemaking. This will be published in the Federal Register and be accompanied by the factual basis for certification as prepared by the originating Bureau/Office. This certification is subject to judicial review.

At the proposed rule stage, the affected parties have an opportunity to petition the Commission to be treated as small entities. If no such requests are received, the Chairman makes the negative certification in the final rule. If requests are received, the originating Bureau/Office, in conjunction with the Bureau of Trade Analysis ("BTA"), must determine if the petitioning entities should be treated as small businesses. If the originating Bureau/Office and BTA determine that these entities should, in fact, be treated as small businesses, the analysis set forth in step 5 will be conducted.

5. If small businesses are affected, is there a significant impact on a substantial number?
If a proposed rule is expected to have an effect on one or more small entities, a threshold analysis will be initiated by BTA with the assistance of the originating Bureau/Office. The threshold analysis is conducted to determine the extent of the impact and the number of small entities that would be affected by the proposed rule. It has been determined by the Commission that collection and maintenance of current financial data on every entity regulated by the FMC would cause undue cost and burden on the entities. Therefore, the threshold analysis is based on extrapolation of data and information from current economic trends and statistics, and the Commission's industry expertise. The results or findings of each threshold analysis are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the proposed rule will have a significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses. In addition, any comments received on the proposed rule once it has been published in the Federal Register would be taken into consideration.

If it is determined that the proposed rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities, a negative certification by the Commission's Chairman may be made. The certification should be published and explained in the supplementary information section of the proposed and final rules and supported in the rulemaking record as appropriate. The originating Office/Bureau, working with BTA as necessary, prepares a memorandum containing its analyses and explaining the negative certification. No further analysis is required to support the certification, unless the agency receives comments on the proposed rule's certification that raise issues about the basis of its analysis.

6. What if the rule would have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities?
The primary purpose of the Initial and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analyses ("IRFA/FRFA") is to identify and consider regulatory alternatives "which minimize any significant economic impact of the proposed [or final] rule on small entities." (Sections 603 and 604 of RFA, emphasis added.) Therefore, if the threshold analysis shows that a proposed rule would have a significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses, the FMC must take the following steps:

1. Assure that small entities have been given an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking through various possible techniques. The originating Bureau/Office will implement one of the following or possible additional, measures:

3. Complete an IRFA, and publish it with the proposed rule. The IRFA, prepared by the originating Bureau/Office and BTA, must contain:

4. The FMC then must produce an FRFA with the final rule. This analysis, prepared by the originating Bureau/Office and BTA, must contain the comments, if any, of SBA. It also must contain:

Small Entity Compliance Guide
If a final regulatory flexibility analysis is necessary, a compliance guide also must be created. Each rule promulgated by the Commission that significantly affects a substantial number of small businesses will include a "compliance guide" that facilitates their compliance with applicable requirements. This guide will be drafted by the originating Bureau/Office.

Periodic Review
SBREFA requires that any promulgated rules that have or will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities be reviewed periodically. There currently is one Commission rule which falls under this category. The agency conducted an IRFA and FRFA for Docket No. 98-28, Licensing, Financial Responsibility Requirements, and General Duties for Ocean Transportation Intermediaries. The Commission is revising Form FMC-18, which is used in the licensing process to collect information about OTI applicants, and also is planning for an electronically-submitted version. The Commission will review the impact of the involved rule in conjunction with that effort.

Federal Maritime Commission Single Point of Contact:
Joseph Farrell, Director
Office of Consumer Complaints
Federal Maritime Commission
800 N. Capitol Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20573
Telephone: 202-523-5807
Fax: 202-257-0059
E-mail: josephf@fmc.gov

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FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Single Point of Contact:
Dan Funkhouser, Chief Information Officer,
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
2100 K St NW
Washington, DC 20427
Telephone: 202-606-5477
E-mail: dfunkhouser@fmcs.gov

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FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD
Procurement (Companies wishing to conduct business with the Board)
Carlos Gutierrez
Small Business Procurement Liaison
20th and C Streets, NW, M/S 128
Washington, DC 20551
Telephone: 202-452-2458
E-mail: Carlos.Gutierrez@frb.gov

General Financial Information for Small Businesses
General Community Development information
www.federalreserve.gov/community.htm
A Guide to Business Credit for Women, Minorities, and Small Businesses
www.federalreserve.gov/community.htm

Federal Reserve Regulatory Reporting Forms
Current Reporting Forms
www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/reportforms/default.cfm
Reporting Forms Under Review
www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/reportforms/review.cfm

Banking and Regulatory Information
General Banking and Regulatory information
www.federalreserve.gov/banknreg.htm
Regulations (PDF files)
www.federalreserve.gov/regulations/default.htm
Supervision & Regulation Letters (SR Letters)
www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/srletters/

Federal Reserve Board Publications Department
Publications available free-of-charge on-line
www.federalreserve.gov/publications.htm
Publications available for order (on-line order form and information)
www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/order.htm
Telephone: 202-452-3245
Fax: 202-728-5886
20th and C Streets, NW,
Publications Services, M/S127
Washington, DC 20551

News and Events
General News and Events, including: testimonies and speeches; press releases; and services (e-mail notification for press releases and other unscheduled postings; personal digital assistant wireless service for press releases; and e-mail notification for testimony and speeches).
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents.htm

Federal Reserve Board Single Point of Contact:
Cindy Ayouch
Chief, Financial Reports section
20th and C Streets, NW, M/S 41
Washington, DC 20551
Telephone: 202-452-3829
Fax: 202-728-5856
E-mail: Cynthia.M.Ayouch@frb.gov

General Federal Reserve Public website
www.federalreserve.gov

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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
The FTC offers a broad array of resources to aid small businesses in understanding their obligations under the laws and regulations administered by the Commission. The FTC offers general information in a variety of forms to address issues and questions that small businesses frequently encounter. Such guidance usually will satisfy the needs of small businesses for guidance as to their obligations.

For example, the FTC issues many types of publications designed to explain how small businesses and others can conduct their affairs in compliance with the laws and regulations administered by the FTC. These include materials specifically directed to businesses, such as (1) compliance guides explaining the requirements of specific FTC rules in a non-technical manner; (2) industry guides addressing common compliance issues under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as applied to particular industries or particular practices; (3) guidelines and policy statements explaining the application of antitrust laws to particular practices or industries. These materials frequently contain specific examples and illustrative fact patterns that show how the agency would apply the law to a particular set of facts.

The FTC holds public workshops, conferences and other forums to discuss specific topics, which often include compliance concerns. Also, FTC staff members and Commissioners frequently give speeches and conduct programs geared to explaining statutory and regulatory requirements and to answering attendees’ questions. Where the topics are of particular interest to small business, these speeches may involve appearances before groups representing small-business interests.

Other sources of information include full texts of FTC-administered statutes and rules, advisory opinions issued by the Commission or its staff, texts of speeches and testimony, and information on enforcement actions. The FTC also produces and disseminates numerous print and broadcast materials that, while directed to consumers, can benefit small businesses by identifying the practices that generate consumer protection issues between businesses and their customers and explaining how they should be handled.

These materials and information are readily available to small businesses through a variety of sources, including:

Additional FTC Guides

Inquiries regarding consumer protection issues:
FTC, Room H-130
600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20580
Telephone: (toll-free) 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

Inquiries regarding competition issues:
Office of Policy and Evaluation,
Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission,
Washington, DC 20580
Telephone (202) 326-3300
Fax (202) 326-2884.

Federal Trade Commission Single Point of Contact:
General inquiries may be directed to
Donald Clark
The Office of the Secretary
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20580
Telephone: 202-326-2515
Fax: 202-326-2496
Businesses may also contact any of the FTC’s regional offices.

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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
General Services Administration Single Point of Contact:
Mr. Felipe Mendoza
Associate Administrator
Office of Small Business Utilization
General Services Administration
1800 F Street, NW, Room 6029
Washington, DC 20405
Telephone: 202-501-0864

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INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES
Institute of Museum and Library Services Single Point of Contact:
Rebecca W. Danvers, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Technology
Institute of Museum and Library Services
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 223
Washington, DC 20506
Phone: 202-606-2478
Fax: 202-606-0395
E-mail: rdanvers@imls.gov

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MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD
Merit Systems Protection Board Single Point of Contact:
Richard A. Dorr
Merit Systems Protection Board
1615 M Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202-653-6772 ext.1113
Fax: 202-653-7821
E-mail: richard.dorr@mspb.gov

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Compliance Assistance Resources
The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) promotes the utilization of small, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses in compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and policies. We assist such firms in obtaining contracts and subcontracts with NASA and its prime contractors. The OSDBU also facilitates the participation of small businesses in NASA’s technology transfer and commercialization activities. Our objective is not only to ensure that small businesses are integrated seamlessly into the aerospace industrial base of the country, but that they can contribute to the performance of NASA missions. NASA supports a non-retaliation policy against small businesses as stated in NASA Policy Directive 5101.32 for the Ombudsman program.

Small businesses seeking work with NASA are directed to our website http://osdbu.nasa.gov. Activities in support of small businesses are listed with information on how to get involved in obtaining contracts and subcontracts. Request for Proposals open for bid can be reviewed on the Internet at http://procurement.nasa.gov.

Description of Program
To get the highest return on investment, the NASA OSDBU has designed, implemented, and facilitated user-friendly programs and initiatives. This ensures the full integration of capable and high-quality small businesses into the competitive base of contractors from which NASA regularly purchases products and services. In addition, the OSDBU has an outreach effort to communicate with its target small business constituents, as well as an in-reach program to educate NASA technical, procurement, and administrative personnel about programs and policies. The OSDBU also disseminates information about its programs through conferences, forums, training and development programs, counseling, promotional materials, and the Internet. A free three-day course called Training and Development for Small Businesses in Advanced Technologies (TADSBAT) acquaints companies with the NASA culture. This course is held four times a year at different locations nationally. In addition, two forums were developed to seek high-technology firms capable of participating in the Agency’s most complex programs. The Aerospace Technology Small Disadvantaged Forum is conducted twice a year at two of the aeronautics Field Centers where three to five high-tech SDBs are selected to give presentations to senior level technical managers. From the forum’s inception in 1993 through FY 2001, more than $85 million have been awarded to some of the presenters. A similar format is used for the Semi-annual Science Forums for Small Businesses. The Science Forums create a “high-level marketing opportunity” for selected small businesses to present their capabilities to earth science personnel at the Goddard Space Flight Center and to space science personnel at The Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Since the inception of this program in 1997, over $47 million in contracts and subcontracts have been awarded to participants.

As NASA’s premier initiative, the Mentor-Protégé Program is designed to encourage prime contractors to assist disadvantaged companies in expanding their technical capabilities where such firms are underrepresented in the market. Prime contractors receive a variety of incentives during the source selection process, plus award fee increments during the period of the contract, if performed successfully. To spur small businesses to actively pursue opportunities for commercializing NASA technology, the OSDBU, in conjunction with the Minority Owned Business Technology Transfer Consortium (MBTTC) puts on seminars throughout the year. Companies learn about the NASA Commercialization Technology Network, how to identify technologies and work with researchers and scientists, how to apply for licensing agreements, and how to find financing sources.

“Socioeconomic Procurement as a Business Imperative” is a one-day course given four times a year at different NASA Centers to a cross-section of the Agency’s technical, procurement, and administrative personnel. The course emphasizes the value-added benefit of utilizing diverse small businesses (in addition to being in compliance with laws and regulations that require it). On its own initiative, NASA has established a one percent goal as a percent of total contract value awarded yearly to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority educational institutions. NASA is promoting the integration of this underutilized national resource.

To enhance the competitive advantage of small businesses in the national and world marketplace NASA has promoted the international quality management standard, ISO 9000. Since 1996, NASA has conducted seminars at major small business conferences on how to get certified. The NASA OSDBU staff became the first Federal headquarters office to become certified. The OSDBU wants to ensure that small businesses are aware of the fundamentals of an effective teaming agreement with large prime contractors. Seminars are taught by the Assistant Administrator for Small Business and are designed to enable small businesses to understand the legal structure of written teaming agreements, as well as the factors to consider when choosing a potential teaming partner. The NASA Minority Business Resource Advisory Committee (MBRAC) was organized to include executive members from disadvantaged companies who could advise the Administrator on how to increase small business involvement in NASA and remove regulatory obstacles to that end. Recommendations have been made and implemented in the areas of procurement source criteria, contract fee structure, contracting goals, and the review of subcontracting plans. The NASA Prime Contractor Roundtable was designed to facilitate an exchange between NASA and its prime contractors, mainly on how to increase the use of small businesses in their respective subcontracting programs. NASA’s Assistant Administrator for Small Business is a board member of the World Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, an affiliated organization to the United Nations. Through this association, NASA is able to advise American small businesses on the advantages of competing in the world marketplace.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Single Point of Contact:
Ralph C. Thomas, III, Assistant Administrator for Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
NASA HQ
300 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20546
Telephone: 202-358-2088
Fax: 202-358-3261
ralph.thomas@hq.nasa.gov

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NATIONAL ARCHIVES & RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) ensures, for citizens and Federal officials, ready access to essential evidence that documents the rights of American citizens, the actions of Federal officials, and the national experience. It establishes policies and procedures for managing U.S. Government records and assists Federal agencies in documenting their activities, administering records management programs, scheduling records, and retiring noncurrent records. NARA accessions, arranges, describes, preserves, and provides access to the essential documentation of the three branches of Government; manages the Presidential Libraries system; and publishes the laws, regulations, and Presidential and other public documents. It also assists the Information Security Oversight Office, which manages Federal classification and declassification policies, and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, which makes grants nationwide to help nonprofit organizations identify, preserve, and provide access to materials that document American history.

See www.archives.gov for information on the National Archives and Records Administration's programs and activities. One resource for small businesses is NARA's Office of the Federal Register (see http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/index.html). That office provides ready access to the official text of Federal laws, Presidential documents, administrative regulations and notices, and descriptions of Federal organizations, programs and activities.

National Archives and Records Administration Single Point of Contact:
Nancy Allard
Policy and Communications Staff
Office of the Archivist
NARA
301-837-1477 (voice)
301-837-0319 (fax)
E-mail: nancy.allard@nara.gov

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NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES & INFORMATION SCIENCE
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Single Point of Contact:
Robert S. Willard
Executive Director
1110 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 820
Washington, DC 20005-3552
Telephone: 202-606-9204
Fax: 202-606-9203
E-mail: bwillard@nclis.gov

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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION
NCUA's point of contact for federal credit unions is Neil McNamara, (703) 518-6570. Other points of contact are accessible through the NCUA website at www.ncua.gov and by telephone at (703) 518-6300.

National Credit Union Administration Single Point of Contact:
Neil McNamara
National Credit Union Administration
1775 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-3428
Telephone: 703-518-6440

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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
National Endowment for the Arts Single Point of Contact:
William Hummel
1100 Pennsylvania Ave. Rm. 618
Washington DC 20506
Telephone: 202-682-5417
E-mail: hummelw@arts.gov

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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
National Endowment for the Humanities Single Point of Contact:
Susan G. Daisey, Director
Office of Grant Management
National Endowment for the Humanities
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 311
Washington, DC 20506
Telephone: 202-606-8494
Fax: 2020-606-8633
E-mail: sdaisey@neh.gov

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NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION
National Indian Gaming Commission Single Point of Contact:
The public will be directed to the suitable contact for their area of interest by calling our headquarters front desk.
Gary Pechota, Chief of Staff
NIGC
1441 L Street NW, Suite 9100
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: 202-632-7003
Fax: 202-632-7066
Website: www.nigc.gov

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NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
The following actions have been taken to provide compliance assistance to all NLRB “customers”:

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
National Mediation Board Single Point of Contact:
Denise M. Vines, Supervisory
Finance & Administration Specialist
Washington, DC 20572
Telephone: 202-692-5010
E-mail: vines@nmb.gov

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
National Science Foundation Single Point of Contact:
Donald Senich
Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Research and Development
4201 Wilson Blvd
Rm. 527
Arlington, VA 22230
Telephone: 703-292-7082
Fax: 703-292-9055
E-mail: dsenich@nsf.gov

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NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
National Transportation Safety Board Single Point of Contact:
Deborah Bruce, PhD
National Transportation Safety Board
Safety Studies and Statistical Analysis Division
490 L'Enfant Plaza East, SW
Washington, DC 20594
Phone: 202-314-6511
E-mail: bruced@ntsb.gov

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Single Point of Contact:
Brenda Shelton, Chief
NRC Records Mgmt Branch, OCIO
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D. C. 20555-0001
Telephone: 301- 415-7233
Fax: 301-415-6434
E-mail: BJS1@NRC.GOV
Website: http://www.nrc.gov/

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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
Office of Personnel Management Single Point of Contact:
Henry Wong
Office of Personnel Management
Contracting Facilities and Administrative Services Group
Telephone: 202-606-2240

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OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION
For general information on OPIC programs:
Small Business Hotline: 1-800-CALL-SBC (1-800-225-5722)
Local Area: 202-336-8700
Fax: 202-336-8701
E-mail: smallbiz@opic.gov

Overseas Private Investment Corporation Single Point of Contact:
Mitchell Strauss
Small and Medium Enterprise Department
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
1100 New York Ave NW
Washington, DC 20527
Phone: 202-408-6300
Fax: 202-408-9866
E-mail: mstra@opic.gov

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PEACE CORPS
The Peace Corps, as a small Federal Agency, relies on and contracts with small businesses for a majority of our products and services. The Office of Contracts maintains a list of submitted contractors to match against our posted contracting requirements. The list is maintained for one year after submission. An agency database is maintained for overseas contractors. To enroll in this database, visit our website.

Many short-term training contractors are needed for overseas services.
Contracting opportunities available are posted on our website. Visit our website at www.peacecorps.gov under the heading About the Peace Corps, click on Management, and then click on Contracting Opportunities. On this web page, click on learn more to see overseas training services needed and to find information about being added to our database. Contracts for over $25,000 are posted on FedBizOpps.

Any questions or for further information, contact Ms. Judy Dawes. Ms.Dawes will provide assistance and explanations in complying with Peace Corps regulatory procedures and requirements for contracting.

Peace Corps Single Point of Contact:
Judy Dawes
Peace Corps
Office of Contracts
Deputy Director
1111 20th Street, NW, Room 4444
Washington, DC 20526
Telephone: 202-692-1624
Fax: 202-692-1621
Toll Free: 800-424-8580
E-mail: jdawes@peacecorps.gov
Website: www.peacecorps.gov

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PENSION BENEFIT GUARUNTY CORPORATION
Customer Service Center
A toll free number (1 800 736 2444) dedicated to pension plan administrators and plan professionals.

Office of the RegFair Representative
Functions independently of enforcement and compliance activities, addresses issues raised by businesses that sponsor defined benefit pension plans, the vast majority of which are small businesses. The RegFair Representative is also PBGC’s Problem Resolution Officer for plan practitioners, and can be reached via a toll-free number (1 800 736 2444, ext. 4163) or e-mail (practitioner.pro@pbgc.gov).

Ask an Attorney
An attorney in PBGC’s Office of the General Counsel is available by telephone or e-mail for informal advice on legal issues pertaining to compliance, enforcement, and other matters of concern. The General Inquiry Attorney can be reached via a toll-free number (1 800 736 2444, ext. 4020) or e-mail (AskOGC@pbgc.gov).

PBGC’s Web site
(www.pbgc.gov) includes:

Outreach
PBGC’s outreach efforts include:

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy
Under PBGC’s ADR policy, PBGC examines the suitability of using ADR to resolve issues that would otherwise be resolved by adversarial administrative or judicial processes. In appropriate disputes, PBGC uses ADR in a good faith effort to achieve consensual resolution of issues in controversy, including compliance and enforcement matters.

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Single Point of Contact:
Customer Service Center: 1 800 736 2444
Diane Morstein
Customer Service Center
Practitioner Problem Resolution Officer
Toll Free: 1 800 736 2444 ext 4136

The public can fully resolve most issues by calling PBGC Customer Service Center staff, 1-800-736-2444, and contacting Ms. Morstein only if the issue is not resolved to one’s satisfaction.

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RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
Railroad Retirement Board Single Point of Contact:
Ronald J. Hodapp, Chief
Information Resources Management
Railroad Retirement Board
Telephone: 312-751-3366
E-mail: Ronald.Hodapp@rrb.gov

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Congress created the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1934 to protect investors, and to maintain fair, honest, and efficient national securities markets. The Commission provides extensive compliance assistance to the public. Small businesses subject to SEC regulation include

Other businesses affected by SEC regulation include auditors of companies whose stocks are publicly held and subject to registration with the SEC. The SEC’s Office of Small Business Policy, telephone number (202-942-2950), should generally be the first point of contact for any small business that seeks compliance assistance from the Securities and Exchange Commission. This office is the primary resource for small business issuers of securities. Small regulated entities may wish to contact the appropriate Division or other office directly (Market Regulation for broker-dealers and transfer agents; Investment Management for investment companies and investment advisers; the Office of Chief Accountant for accountants).

Members of the public seeking compliance assistance for Securities and Exchange Commission regulation may contact SEC staff by mail, e-mail, or telephone.

Sources of SEC Information: