154 Small Business PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE Small Business Administration Advice, counseling, and special services for small business firms. Special assistance to help small businesses obtain a fair share of For more details, see "Federal Procurement," pages 47 and 48. CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY Certificates are issued by the Small Business Administration, attesting that a small business has or can obtain the necessary credit and production capacity to perform a contract successfully. The certificate of competency is valid only for the specific contract for which it is issued and is binding on the contracting officer. CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY MEETINGS Scheduled meetings with local business groups and government agencies where small businessmen can learn of prime contract and subcontract opportunities. LOCATING ADDITIONAL SUPPLIERS Arrangements for contracting officials to solicit small business firms on government bids. "SET-ASIDE" PROGRAM The major government purchasing agencies are required to "set aside" contracts or portions of contracts for small business bidding. Small Business Administration representatives are stationed in major military and civilian procurement installations to (1) recommend additional "set-asides," (2) to provide small business sources to contracting officers, (3) assist small concerns with contracting problems, and (4) recommend relaxation of unduly restrictive specifications. SUBCONTRACTING PROGRAM Development of subcontract opportunities, and referral service for small business firms. BUYING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY See page 146 (chapter 14) and pages 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 (chapter 4) (this section). Small Business SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANY LOANS Small Business Administration ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE 155 Loans or loan guarantees to Small Business Investment Com- Investment companies must be chartered by Small Business ELIGIBILITY Privately owned investment companies specializing in venture capital and long-term financing to small firms. Must operate within SBA regulations; but transactions with small business firms are private transactions. Minimum private investment is $150,000 to $1 million, depending upon size and economic situation of businesses to be served. SPECIAL COMMENTS Range of financial assistance is from $50,000 to $5 million. PROGRAM LITERATURE "SBIC Financing for Small Business." "Starting a Small Business Investment Company." INFORMATION CONTACT Small Business Administration field offices. (See appendix.) HEADQUARTERS OFFICE Art Singer Assistant Administrator 1441 L Street NW. Washington, D.C. 20416 Telephone: (202) 382-6444 AUTHORIZING STATUTE Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended; Public Law 85-699; 15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.; 13 CFR chapter I, subchapter B, part 107. 156 Small Business • SMALL BUSINESS POOLS Small Business Administration ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE Loans and assistance to pool of small business concerns with a common need. Loan funds may be used to provide (1) raw materials, (2) equipment, (3) inventories and supplies, (4) benefits of research and development. May also be used to construct facilities for such purposes. ELIGIBILITY Two or more small business concerns that have been capitalized as a group corporation, with reasonabel assurance that the loan will be repaid. Must show that the loan will enable them to compete more effectively with their larger competitors, and that funds are not otherwise available on reasonable terms. APPLICATION PROCESS Confer with representatives of Small Business Administration Charter must be approved by the Attorney General, the Federal SPECIAL COMMENTS Loans may be approved for amounts up to $250,000 for each firm in the pool. This limit applies to direct loans, or to the SBA share of participation loans. Maturity, 20 years for loans on construction, 10 years for other loans. PROGRAM LITERATURE "Building Better Communities With Small Business Pool Loans," OPI-43. INFORMATION CONTACT Small Business Administration field offices. (See appendix.) HEADQUARTERS OFFICE Pierron R. Leef, Director Office of Small Business Loans 1441 L Street, NW. Washington, D.C. 20416 Telephone: (202) 382-7238 AUTHORIZING STATUTE Small Business Act, as amended, section 7(a) (5); Public Law 85-536, as amended; 72 Stat. 387; 15 U.S.C. 636 (a). 158 Tourism • DOMESTIC TRAVEL PROMOTION Park Service Department of the Interior Specialized services available to rural communities to help them promote travel to their area. Assistance includes community relations; travel product development and promotion. Requests for advice and assistance should be made directly to the Park Service. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE Ben Butterfield Travel and Information Services Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Telephone: (202) 343-2602 INDIAN TOURISM ENTERPRISES Bureau of Indian Affairs Department of the Interior To assist tribes and Indian groups in development and promotion of tourism enterprises. On-the-job training of Indians for employment on approved tourism projects. Up to 50 percent of project cost from Federal funds. HEADQUARTERS OFFICE William Benham Education and Programs |