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:
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. 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 - 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.
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 Handers: 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.
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
Small Business Compliance Assistance for Retailers in the Food
Stamp Program
FNS has significantly increased compliance assistance efforts to retailers
in the Food Stamp Program. FNS staff have attended conferences and held
face-to-face meetings with retailers to provide technical assistance and
listen to their concerns. FNS has developed several new publications,
including a retailer training guide, video and CD-Rom that explain the
basic program rules and storeowners’ responsibilities in an easy-to-read
format. They can be found on the FNS website at www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/retailers/
or obtained through local field offices that administer the Food Stamp
Program for retailers. FNS is considering translating materials into other
languages to accommodate non-English speaking retailers. Retailers can
also find general information on the Food Stamp Program at www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/.
Food Stamp regulations relating 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
Child Nutrition Act provisions for the WIC and FMNP Programs
make State agencies responsible for the authorization, training, monitoring,
and corrective action of small businesses such as retailers, farmers,
and farmers’ markets. FNS has regulations that establish guidelines
and parameters for State administration of these activities. Although
some uniformity is imposed by these regulations, there is considerable
State discretion, so 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 varies 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 lists
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 a vibrant small business sector
is critical to creating new jobs in a dynamic and growing economy, so
it is mindful of its responsibilities under the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The Commerce Department provides substantial
regulatory enforcement compliance assistance through a variety of media.
Within the Commerce Department, two agencies regulate
the activities of small businesses. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) regulate 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. 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.
NOAA has a comprehensive program providing regulatory
compliance guidance and assistance to small entities, which comprise much
of NOAA’s regulated community. It has long been NOAA’s practice
to answer inquiries by small entities, when appropriate, in the interest
of administering statutes and regulations. NOAA answers tens of thousands
of inquiries from small entities 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 entities 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 them 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.
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 NOAA’s regulations and compliance guidance is often posted
on NOAA web pages and on electronic bulletin boards.
Additionally, small 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 NOAA’s 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.
BIS similarly provides exporters a wide range of compliance
assistance. These include compliance guides in the forms of instructional
brochures, fact sheets and guidance posted on the BIS Web site. BIS also
educates small businesses through seminars, meetings, workshops and, when
requested, one-on-one counseling.
-
BIS Website: http://www.bxa.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. The OAC also offers counseling to small
businesses to assist them in solving their boycott problems legally. Antiboycott
Advice Line: (202) 482-2381
Patent & Trademark Office
U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (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.
Our site includes helpful links such as current USPTO contracts, upcoming
opportunities, office staff listing, helpful information for small businesses,
information on our new Performance Based Organization (PBO) procedures
and other related topics.
The USPTO 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 at the United States Patent & Trademark
Office, Office of Procurement 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.
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/comp/proc/ipa/ipamain.htm
The Office of Procurement continues to promote Electronic
Commerce (EC) and utilize innovative technologies to streamline procurement
processes. Our EC effort, known as the Internet-Based Purchasing Application
(IPA), has been in use for over a year now. The IPA continues to grow
and is a successful tool in conducting simplified acquisitions over the
Internet.
For more information please contact:
Susan K. Brown
Records Officer
(PRA Clearance Desk)
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Suite 310
2231 Crystal Drive
Washington DC 20231
Telephone: 703-308-7400
E-Mail: susan.brown@uspto.gov
Muriel A. Brown
Small Business Liaison
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Office of Procurement
Box 6
Washington, DC 20231
Telephone: 703-305-8370
E-mail: Muriel.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. & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-4797
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DEFENSE
It is the Department of Defense (DOD) 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.
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.htm.
Information on DOD’s initiatives and programs is
available on SADBU’s web site http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/index.htm.
Contact information and links to DOD Component SADBU Offices can be found
at http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/links/sadbu.htm.
Department of Defense Single Point of Contact:
Robert L. Cushing, Jr. (703)604-6269
U.S. Department of Defense
Washington Headquarters Services
Directorate for Information Operations and Reports
1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204
Arlington, VA 22202-4302
Telephone: 703-604-6269
E-mail: cushingr@dior.whs.mil
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EDUCATION
-
Online library of information on education legislation, research, statistics,
and programs: 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) 708-8900
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
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.
The following small business specialists in the Department's
Operating Divisions also foster the use of small and disadvantaged businesses
as Federal contractors. (See below for narrative information on the small-business
activities at the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration,
and the National Institutes for Health).
Agency for Health Care Research and Quality
Ms. Sherry Baldwin
DHHS-Executive Office Center 2101
East Jefferson Street, Suite 601
Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: 301-594-7190
Fax: 301-443-7523
E-mail: sbaldwin@ahrq.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mr. Curtis L. Bryant
2920 Brandywine Road
Room 2606, Mail Stop E-14
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 770-488-2806
Fax: 770-488-2828
E-mail: ckb9@cdc.gov
Indian Health Service
Ms. Nelia K. Holder
Office of Management Support
12300 Twinbrook Parkway
Rockville, MD 20852
Telephone: 301-443-1480
Fax: 301-443-0929
E-mail: nholder@hqe.ihs.gov
Program Support Center
Ms. Linda Danley
Division of Acquisition Management
Room 5C-26, Parklawn Building
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: 301-443-1715
Fax: 301-443-7593
E-mail: ldanley@psc.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Ms. Vivian Kim
Room 13-99, Parklawn Building
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: 301-443-8843
Fax: 301-594-2336
E-mail: Vkim@samhsa.gov
Food and Drug Association (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, ASmall
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"
meeting 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, ordib@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
Office of the Ombudsman
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 4B-44, HF-7
Rockville, MD 2085
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
E-mail: lard@cber.fda.gov
Telephone: 301-827-0379
Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research
CDER Ombudsman (HFD-1)
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 9-74
Rockvillle, MD 20857
Telephone: 301- 594-5443 or 301- 827-4312
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 SADBUS 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. Company profiles and capability statements for all types of
services are maintained by this office. Inquiries should be directed to
Mrs. Joanne Day, on 410-786-5166, or e-mail may be sent to: jday@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: Fraud and Abuse Initiatives, State Health Insurance , Small
Business Innovation Research, Dissertation Fellowship Grants, Nursing
Home Transition Initiatives, Historically Black Colleges and Universities
and Hispanic Health Services Research. For additional information, please
contact Judy Norris on (410)786-5130 or e-mail to: jnorris1@cms.hhs.gov.
In addition,
CMS provides on its all-purpose Web site, 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.
This information is not currently differentiated in terms of the size
of these providers' business entities, but CMS is planning to take steps
in the near future to earmark the information in terms of its applicability
to small businesses.
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.
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
Diana Mukitarian, Chief
6100 Executive Boulevard, Room 6D05
Bethesda, MD 20892-7540
Phone: (301) 496-9639
Fax: (301) 480-2506
E-mail: sbmail@od.nih.gov
The National
Cancer Institute
Joseph Bowe
Small Business Specialist
6120 Executive Boulevard, Room 608
Bethesda, MD 20892-7222
Phone: (301) 435-3810
Fax: (301) 480-0309
E-mail: Bowej@rcb.nci.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:
Robert Polson
HHS Reports Clearance Officer,
ASBTF/OIRM/OITP
Room 531H-71, Humphrey Building
Washington DC 20201
Telephone: (202) 260-0040
E-mail: SB.PRA@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:
Elizabeth Callaway
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Attn: Private Sector Office
Washington, DC 20528
Telephone: (202) 282-8484
E-mail: Elizabeth.callaway@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) have 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 America’s frontline for border
security. As the agency’s 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, Customs Management Centers
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@customs.treas.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 feeling it has received
unfair treatment 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@customs.treas.gov
Coast
Guard
Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection G-M
The point
of contact for SBREFA is
Jaideep Sirkar
U.S. Coast Guard (G-MSR)
2100 Second Street, SW, Rm. 1400
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Telephone: (202)267-6819
The SBREFA
point of contact can be contacted via two different email addresses: msregs@comdt.uscg.mil
or jsirkar@comdt.uscg.mil
both of these email address are available on the Coast Guard web page.
The Coast
Guard web page is designed to provide important regulatory information
to small entities; Encourage small entities to participate in the regulatory
development process; and help small entities comply with marine safety
regulations implemented by the Coast Guard. The following are links to
our webpage:
Point of
contact:
Carl Perry
Telephone: (202) 267-0979
E-mail: cperry@comdt.uscg.mil
The Boating
Safety webpage is http://www.uscgboating.org/.
It is designed to give assistance and information to recreational boat
owners and manufacturers on boating safety regulations.
Collection
of Information
The Coast Guard point of contact:
Barbara Davis
Telephone: (202) 267 2326
E-mail: bdavis@comdt.uscg.mil
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 HUD’s 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.
HUD’s
contracting home page is linked to the OSDBU homepage in HUD’s 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 Department’s 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 HUD’s 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
Fish & Wildlife Service
Fish
and Wildlife Service contact:
Sara Prigan
Policy & Directives Management Division
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Mail Stop 222, Arlington Square
4401 N. Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22203
Telephone: 703-358-2508
Fax: 703-358-2269
E-mail: Sara_Prigan@fws.gov
Minerals
Management Service
- Information
about regulations, Notices to Lessees, and Dear payor letters: www.mms.gov
or copies available at local MMS offices
- Training
on how to report royalty revenue and related information : Available
at various locations around the country
- Workshops
to explain more complex regulations: Available at various locations
around the country
Bureau
of Land Management
- Oil and
Gas Surface Operating Standards for Oil and Gas Development known as
“The Gold Book”: Available at BLM State and Field Offices
Office
of Surface Mining
- Information
about regulations, directives, policy, agency reports, flyers, brochures,
small operators assistance, etc.: www.osm.gov
- Printable
telephone directory, electronic telephone directory, e-mail directory;
office locations: www.osm.gov and by
e-mail from getinfo@osmre.gov
- Telephone
reference and referral services; answers to general reference questions;
information on availability of OSM documents: www.osm.gov
or by calling 303-844-1436 or by fax at 303-844-1545
- Downloadable
software tools that can be used for implementing the Surface Mining
Law: www.osm.gov
- The Applicant
Violator System contains the history of permits and companies in the
coal mining business, generally since 1977 Downloadable software: www.avs.osmre.gov
or call 1-800-643-9748
Bureau
of Reclamation
- Statute,
regulations, Reclamation Reform Act (RRA) Fact Sheets, RRA forms &
instructions, and Status of Irrigation Districts List: www.usbr.gov/rra
- Explanations
of the most common RRA questions and issues in plain English: www.usbr.gov/rra
and at the Reclamation District offices in all irrigation districts
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) strive
to improve and increase the Department's performance in utilizing small,
small disadvantage, 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.
The Forecast
of Contract Opportunities provides projected contract opportunities that
may become available from the various DOJ bureaus during the specified
fiscal year. The forecast information is divided by bureaus and lists
opportunities that anticipated awards greater than or equal to $25,000.
The forecast
information also includes the product/service with the North American
Industry Classification System codes; the anticipated procurement release
date by fiscal year quarter; applicable or proposed preference program
set-aside; the government estimate; and the incumbent contractor if any.
Carefully review this listing and refer all questions about a proposed
action to the listed contact. Questions about the forecast should be directed
to the DOJ OSDBU staff on (202) 616-0521 or 1-800-345-3712.
Information
on DOJ's initiatives and activities is available on the DOJ Small Business
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu.
This site links to the Small Business homepage, which provides extensive
small business assistance information including registration for the monthly
vendors outreach sessions which provides the opportunity for one-on-one
meetings with small business specialist and contracting officers.
Seminars/Conferences/Outreach
Sessions http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/osdbu/index.html
OSDBU
Contact:
Joseph K. Bryan, 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: Joseph.k.bryan@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. The most recent addition
to the ADA Home Page is the ADA Business Connection -- a site that has
been established to assist business entities to acquire the information
necessary to enable them to comply with the ADA.
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. In addition, the Information Line is
staffed during business hours by disability rights specialists who respond
to questions about the ADA. The ADA Information Line numbers are (800)
514-0301(voice); (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
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. A video is currently under production featuring
Assistant Attorney General Ralph Boyd and DRS staff that will dispel common
misunderstandings that small businesses have about the ADA.
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)
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.
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.)
CRT
- Office of Special Counsel for Unfair Immigration Related Employment
Practices (OSC)
OSC's Web site has helpful information specifically designed for businesses.
This site describes the legal obligations of employers to comply with
the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA) and provides information to assist compliance. www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc
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 them with 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
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
OSC Employer
Hotline
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
OSC Job
Applicant or Employee Hotline
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 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
OSC 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.
Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov
OSC Media
outreach
OSC staff participate in outreach engagements with the media, such as
radio call-in shows, that afford employers an opportunity to bring their
concerns to OSC's attention.
Voice: 1-800-255-8155; TDD: 1-800-362-2735; E-mail Address: osccrt@usdoj.gov
OSC Grants
OSC provides grants to employer associations (such as chambers of commerce)
to allow those organizations to conduct further compliance assistance
among their members.
March 5, 2003 Grant Announcement: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/pdf/03-grants.pdf
List of Current Grantees Operating in FY 2003: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/press/02grantpr.htm
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
Drug
Enforcement Administration
Small Business Regulatory Fairness Advisory: www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/fair_adviz.htm
For 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
Unless otherwise
listed above, requests for information or reports should be mailed to:
Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Diversion Control / ATTN:
Washington, DC 20537
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:
Barbara Comstock
Director
Office of Public Affairs
Main Building, Room 1248
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Telephone: 202-514-2007
Fax: 202-513-5331
Justice
Department Single Point of Contact:
Joseph K. Bryan, 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: Joseph.k.bryan@usdoj.gov
Top
LABOR
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to significantly enhance
its compliance assistance efforts. The goal of compliance assistance is
to protect the wages, health benefits, retirement security, safety and
health of America’s workforce by preventing employment law violations.
DOL has developed the following 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
DOL’s principal Web site – www.dol.gov
- provides America’s employers and workers with access to a wide
range of services and employment and regulatory information. Easy access
to DOL agencies’ compliance assistance information and resources
is available through DOL’s Office of Compliance Assistance Policy
Web site, www.dol.gov/compliance.
Elaws
Advisors
The elaws Advisors (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses)
are Web-based, interactive tools that help individuals understand Federal
employment laws. Each elaws Advisor mimics the interaction an individual
would have with a DOL employment law expert by asking the appropriate
questions and then providing answers based on the individuals responses.
The newest elaws Advisor, the FirstStep Employment Law Advisor, helps
employers simply and quickly determine which of the major employment laws
administered by DOL apply to their business or organization and provides
easy-to-access information about how to comply with each law’s requirements.
www.dol.gov/elaws
Toll-free
Information Service
This Information Services is a central access point to information on
a range of employment rules and issues. By calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL, individuals
can find answers to questions about job loss, business closures, pay and
leave, workplace safety and health, pension and health benefits, and reemployment
rights for Veterans, National Guard members and Reservists. 1-866-4-USA-DOL
(TTY: 1-877-889-5627)
SBREFA
Toll-free line
Small businesses may contact DOL’s Office of Small Business Programs
(OSBP) directly with their compliance assistance or regulatory fairness
questions by calling 1-888-9-SBREFA (1-888-972-7332).
E-Mail
Response Service
DOL’s 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, users are ensured that their question
will go to the appropriate office and that they will receive an answer
in a timely manner.
Small
Business Compliance Assistance Information Inventory
More than 300 publications are in this comprehensive list of DOL small
business compliance assistance publications. Copies are available by calling
1-888-9-SBREFA (1-888-972-7332)
Employment
Law Guide
The Employment Law Guide describes DOL’s main laws & regulations
in plain language for employers needing introductory information to develop
wage, benefit, safety & health, and nondiscrimination policies for
their businesses. It is available online and in print, in English and
Spanish. Copies are available free of charge by calling DOL’s Toll-Free
Information Service at 1-866-4-USA-DOL.
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 gives
compliance assistance through its website, interactive elaws advisors
(FLSA, FMLA), toll free phone service, email, 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 and affirmative
action provisions of the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance
Act of 1974. OFCCP also shares authority for regulations requiring equal
employment opportunity and affirmative actions in apprenticeship programs,
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Immigration Reform
and Control Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
OFCCP gives
compliance assistance through its website, interactive on-line advisors,
email, 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 employee pension and health benefit plans.
EBSA promotes voluntary compliance through the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction
Program and the Delinquent Filer Compliance Program and through strategic
alliances with professional organizations and Federal, state and local
governments.
EBSA gives
compliance assistance through its Web site, printed materials, interactive
on-line advisors, email, toll-free telephone service, workshops and seminars.
Occupational
Safety and Health
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) works to save
lives, prevent injuries and protect the health and safety of America’s
workers. Nearly every worker in the U.S. comes under OSHA’s jurisdiction
as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (exceptions
include miners, transportation workers, many public employees and the
self-employed).
OSHA gives
compliance assistance through its Web site, printed compliance guides,
toll-free telephone service, e-mail and online interactive advisors. 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. The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and
other strategic partnerships help to recognize and build upon successful
practices in occupational safety and health management.
Mine
Safety and Health
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) works to protect the
health and safety of workers in America’s mines by working cooperatively
with industry, labor and other Federal and state agencies. MSHA’s
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 gives
compliance assistance to mine operators and workers through its website
and by direct contact of agency enforcement, technical support, and education
and training field personnel. MSHA established its Small Mine Office to
address 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 to protect their employment – and training related
rights. VETS offers employment, training assistance, and services 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 Contract Program, which requires
Federal contractors to take affirmative action to hire and promote qualified
veterans.
VETS delivers
compliance assistance through its website, 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 gives
compliance assistance through its website, publications, e-mail, workshops
and other group presentations. An OLMS website – www.union-reports.dol.gov
- lets users view and print union annual financial reports. It features
a powerful union 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.
Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
DOL ombudsman to small businesses including responding to inquiries or
complaints:
Joe Lira, Director
Office of Small Business Programs
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Rm. C-2318
Washington, DC 20210
Telephone: 202-693-6460
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
The Office
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) webpage links
to a number of federal agencies: www.osdbu.gov.
- Publications:
A Guide to Doing Business with State Department. Forecast of Contract
Opportunities and others are available electronically on the webpage.
- Workshops:
State/OSDBU presents a number of workshops throughout the year as part
of its outreach efforts. These workshops include "in reach"
to our State Department customers and cover topics related to the Small
Business Program. State/OSDBU 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: We sponsor training sessions for State Department employees.
Examples: Small Business Program training module at Foreign Service
Institute's GSO Course. Participation in regional GSO Conferences hosted
by State's Office of Logistics Management. (e.g., New Delhi, India and
Gaborone, Botswana in 2002). Also participate in State Department events
designed for private industry such as Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operation's
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 "hot prospect" small businesses.
- Small
Business Fairs: State/OSDBU hosts an annual Small Business Fair, which
features "common usage" items typically purchased using the
government credit card or GSA schedule. In November 2002, we hosted
a Veteran-owned Small Business Conference. 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. This year's event, held on April 23rd, attracted
over 1500 participants from all over the country. State/OSDBU also supports
Small Business Fairs hosted by other federal agencies, by small business
trade associations, or by members of Congress. During FY-2002 to date,
we have participated in over 30 such events.
State
Department Single Point of Contact:
Gregory K.O. Davis Telephone: 202-312-9607
Regulatory Coordinator Fax: 202-312-9603
A/RPS/DIR
1800 G Street, N.W., Suite 2400, SA-22
Washington, DC 20522-2201 Internet: http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/
http://foia.state.gov/famdir/fam/fam.asp
Top
TRANSPORTATION
Web-based
Compliance
Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization http://osdbuweb.dot.gov
Drug
and Alcohol Policy and Compliance
www.dot.gov/ost/dapc
Telephone
Small
Business Customer Service Center 1-800-532-1169
Office of
Drug Enforcement and Program Compliance (DEPC)
1-800-225-3784 (fax on demand service)
Seminars/Classes
Transportation Marketplace Conferences
http://osdbuweb.dot.gov
Breath Alcohol
Technician Training and Screening
Test Technician Training Manuals
Transportation Safety Institute
(405) 949-0036, x323
Marti Bludworth, DTI-100
4400 Will Rogers Parkway, Suite 205
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Online/e-mail
Service News By Email
http://osdbuweb.dot.gov
Central
Docket Management System
http://dms.dot.gov
Office of
Aviation Analysis
http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/index.html
Drug and
Alcohol Policy and Compliance Program Guidance Material
www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/prog_guidance.html
Online purchases
and payments
www.Diy.dot.gov
Publications
The Transportation Link Newsletter; Marketing Information Package
Fax on Demand Catalog
http://osdbuweb.dot.gov 1-800-532-1169
Federal
Highway Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fhwa.dot.gov
Publications
Citizens Guide to Transportation Decision-making;
National Dialogue on Operations;
An Overview of Transportation and Environmental Justice;
Transportation Conformity, A Basic Guide for State and Local Officials,
Revised 2000;
A Guide to Metropolitan Planning Under ISTEA, How the Pieces Fit Together;
Federal Size Regulations for Commercial Motor Vehicles;
and Bridge Formula Weights (all the above are available at the website)
Federal
Aviation Administration
Web-based Compliance www.faa.gov/avr/arm/sbrefa.htm
Email Service 9-AWA-SBREFA@faa.gov
Telephone
Service 1-888-551-1594
1-800-255-1111 (Safety Hotline)
On-site Assistance
Charlene Brown
800 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 808
Washington, DC 20591
Bureau
of Transportation Statistics
Web-based Compliance www.bts.gov/mcs/desc.html;
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/dashome.htm
(See Table of Contents Financial and Operating Statistics); and http://www.bts.gov/oai/sources
(Office of Airline Information)
Email Service
answers@bts.gov
Telephone
Service 1-800-853-1351 (General Information)
1-202-366-4888 (public data from air carrier reports)
Publications
Worksheet for Calculating Carrier Classification (Motor Carriers of Passengers);
Worksheet for Calculating Carrier Classification (Motor Carriers of Property);
Information Sheet for Form QFR and many others available through the website
On-site Assistance
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
400 7th Street, SW, Room 3103
Washington, DC
L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail Station (7th and D Street exit)
Reports
Reference Facility (public data from air carrier reports)
400 7th Street, SW, Room 4201, Washington, DC
Federal
Railroad Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fra.dot.gov
Telephone Service 202-493-6395 (Office of Policy & Program Development)
Federal
Transit Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fta.dot.gov
Telephone Service 1-800-527-8279 (National Transit Resource Center)
Publications www.fta.dot.gov/library
Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration
Web-based Compliance www.fmcsa.dot.gov
and www.1-888-dot-saft.com
Telephone
Service
1-800-832-5660 (Information Line)
1-800-368-7328 (Consumer complaint hotline)
202-366-9805 (Licensing Information)
202-385-2423 (Insurance Information)
National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Web-based compliance www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Telephone
Service
1-800-DASH-2-DOT (1-800-327-4236)
Publications
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/media/catalog/Index.cfm
(Online publications library)
Maritime
Administration
Web-based Compliance www.marad.dot.gov
Telephone
Service
202-366-4610 (Cargo Preference Program)
202-366-8888 (Intermodal Development)
202-366-8887 (Environmental Activities)
202-366-1931 (Maritech Program)
202-366-5744 (Maritime Loan Guarantee)
202-366-1931 (National Maritime Resource and Education Center)
202-366-4610 (Ocean Freight Differential)
202-366-2324 (Operating Differential Subsidy)
202-366-2625 (Ship Operation Cooperative Program)
202-366-2400 (War Risk Insurance Program)
202-366-5821 (Vessel Transfer Program)
Publications
www.marad.dot.gov/publications
(online library)
Research
and Special Programs Administration
Web-based Compliance www.rspa.dot.gov;
http://hazmat.dot.gov; and
http://ops.dot.gov
Telephone
Service
202-366-4595 (Office of Pipeline Safety)
1-800-HMR-4922 or 202-366-4488 (Hazardous Materials
Information Center)
202-366-4900 (Office of Hazardous Materials Initiatives
and Training)
202-366-4484 (Hazardous Materials Incident Reports)
Fax Service
1-800-467-4922 (Hazardous Materials fax on demand)
202-366-4566 (Office of Pipeline Safety fax)
Email Service
Grants@rspa.dot.gov
Infocntr@rspa.dot.gov
Register@rspa.dot.gov
Training@rspa.dot.gov
Welisten@rspa.dot.gov
Seminars/Classes
Transportation Safety Institute (Compliance Inspection Comprehensive Operator
Qualification, OPS); Risk Management Conference/Public Meeting Proceedings
(Hazmat and OPS) www.tsi.dot.gov
Publications
Pipeline Risk Management Newsletter
Oil Pollution Act Newsletter
Hazmat Safety Alerts
Department
of Transportation Single Point of Contact:
Steven B. Lott
Manager, Strategic Integration
IT Program Management
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
Telephone: 202-366-1314
Fax: 202-366-7373
http://cio.ost.dot.gov/contact/index.html
Top
TREASURY
Office of Small Business Development
http://www.treas.gov/sba
Our Office of Small Business Development has a robust small business program
to ensure both small business prime and subcontracting opportunities.
The following examples, initiatives, and partnerships demonstrate Treasury’s
commitment:
Outreach
Efforts
- Maintain
a vigorous small business procurement web site (http://www.treas.gov/sba).
- Treasury’s
annual forecast of contract opportunities and small business subcontracting
opportunities directory are posted on the small business website, and
we make hard copies available upon request and at all of the small business
outreach events we attend.
- Our highly
successful Treasury Monthly Vendor Outreach Session program allows small
businesses to meet with Treasury bureau small business specialists.
We also include special guests representing other federal agencies or
prime contractors to discuss procurement opportunities on a pre-arranged
15-minute basis in one central location. Our schedule is published a
year in advance to allow small business to plan their marketing efforts.
- Treasury’s
outreach efforts also include two Treasury IT Program Manager Vendor
Outreach Session events each year (this event is modeled after our Monthly
Vendor Outreach Session).
- In Treasury’s
capacity as Chair of the OSDBU Directors Interagency Council outreach
committee, we have taken the lead on the government-wide Annual OSDBU
Directors Procurement Conference held in April of each year. This event
is also posted on our web site.
- We have
also focused our efforts in targeted outreach on a nationwide basis,
such as trade fair participation, seminar presentations, panel program
discussions on specific topics, and one-on-one counseling.
- The OSBD
has built a solid relationship with a variety of small business trade
associations. On April 12, 2000, Treasury entered into an historic Memorandum
of Understanding with 17 small, minority, and women-owned small business
trade associations to increase the ability of small minority and women-owned
small businesses to compete for Treasury procurements in industries
reflecting under-representation while maintaining participation in industries
with successful utilization.
- A list
of the Top 25 Treasury purchases is published, listed by industry classification
over a five year period to provide an opportunity for “targeted
outreach”.
- Treasury
implemented a mentor-protégé pilot program. We are the
only agency in which protégés may be small businesses
of all types - SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZSB, SDVOSB, and VOSB.
Internal
Revenue Service
The IRS Compliance Assistance Resources are those that help taxpayers
comply with Federal tax law. IRS makes every effort to inform, assist
and educate taxpayers.
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 7 million small businesses, including
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
The SB/SE Taxpayer Education and Communication (TEC) educates and informs
SB/SE taxpayers and representatives about their tax obligations by developing
educational products and services focused on customer needs and by providing
top quality pre-filing services to help taxpayers understand and comply
with the tax laws.
TEC headquarters
provides leadership and direction in the design, development, and delivery
of services for small business stakeholders. Activities of headquarters
staff include formulating short and long-range program policies, strategies,
and objectives to educate and inform stakeholders. TEC headquarters also
coordinates program activities with other top level IRS executives to
prepare Service-wide policies, address cross-functional issues, develop
strategies, and ensure consistency of approach. TEC collaborates with
major stakeholders to identify, develop and maintain leveraged partnerships
through negotiated voluntary agreements.
Partnership
Outreach develops and delivers educational products and services
focused on customer needs, and leverages 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 executes 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.
Office
of Taxpayer Burden Reduction provides direction and leadership for
burden reduction by focusing on six areas:
- Simplifying
forms and publications;
- Streamlining
internal policies and procedures;
- 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
identifying and address burden reduction initiatives; and
- Chairing
the Taxpayer Burden Reduction Council, which develops cross-divisional
proposals for burden reduction and coordinates and sponsors burden reduction
efforts throughout the Service.
Field
Organization
A geographically dispersed field force provides top quality pre-filing
service via educational products, services, agreements, and programs that
help them understand and comply with applicable tax laws. The field force
also supports filing activities, including walk-in sites and R-mail sites,
during peak filing season and other times as needed.
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.
Telephone
assistance through Customer Account Service
- Tax Assistance
– 1-800-829-1040
- Forms,
Form Instructions and Publications - 1-800-829-3676
- Small
Business and Specialty Taxes – 1-800-829-4933
- Compliance
Assistance Products – 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
via the toll-free number are directed to Referral mail at http://www.irs.gov/help/index.html.
This site was created to answer general tax law questions.
Websites/Internet
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 about 25,000 direct participants, which prepare countless
tax returns for the public each year. The Tax Practitioner Institutes
have been going on for nearly 60 years in some parts of the U.S. 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.
Leveraged
Small Business Workshop Student/Instructor Materials
IRS has adopted three models for fully leveraged small business workshops
that 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.
- Partnership
organizations link to IRS’ on-line small business workshop products
and market them to their members.
- Partner
organizations distribute Pub. 3700, A Virtual Small Business workshop
CD-ROM (November 2001) and 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. Pub. 3700 has Spanish and Mandarin closed captions.
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/
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 Businesses and Self-Employed taxpayers. IRS
develops 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 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 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 are one of the IRS's largest and most effective outreach
programs to the tax professional community. During July, August, and
September, the IRS will present six tax forums nationwide, including
seminars, a trade show, and an awards banquet. These forums are designed
to give tax professionals valuable information to improve their business.Website:
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=97192,00.html
Tax
Assistance Centers
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 locations 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 since 1998. On July 22, 1999, the President signed
the landmark “IRS Restructuring and Reform Act (RRA) of 1998. 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. Sec. 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.Website: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=97348,00.html.
Taxpayer
Advocate Service (TAS)
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, an 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. Website: http://www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html
Taxpayer
Education and Communication (TEC) Outreach Products
TEC Outreach Products can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-829-3676
and viewed at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=101169,00.html.
Small Business
One-Stop Resource
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
IRS
Contacts:
Compliance Assistance Resources
IRS Website: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html
Paperwork
Relief Act of 2002
Michael Chesman
Director
Office of Taxpayer Burden Reduction
Telephone: 202-283-7673
Michael.R.Chesman@irs.gov
Treasury
Single Point of Contact:
Jackie
Barber, Acting Director
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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