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CLIENT ALERT: EDWOSB DATA CALL WITH DEADLINE

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EDWOSBs PAY ATTENTION! Check your email for a data call. SBA is reviewing EDWOSB Program participants for eligibility. Please note you must reply by the 20 day deadline by filling out a survey and uploading copies of your personal and business tax returns for the last three years by replying to the message SBA sent in MySBA Certifications. Here’s a copy of a recent notice that some of our clients received:

 

Dear EDWOSB Participant,

Pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 127.400, SBA is conducting a program examination to verify that your firm continues to meet the requirements of the Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) program. Specifically, SBA will be verifying that your firm continues to meet the requirement that the woman or women that own at least 51% of the firm are economically disadvantaged, as set forth in 13 CFR 127.203. In order for SBA to conduct this review, you will need to provide personal financial information and copies of your personal and business tax returns for the last three years.

What is a Program Examination?
A program examination is an investigation by SBA officials or authorized third-party certifiers that verifies the accuracy of any certification of a concern issued in connection with the concern’s WOSB or EDWOSB status, as set forth in 13 CFR 127.402.

How do I respond?
You must submit your response within 20 calendar days of receipt of this notice, July 1, 2026.
To respond, complete these two steps:
1. Respond to the economic disadvantage questionnaire available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ProgramExamination.

2. Securely transfer copies of your personal and business tax returns for the last three years by replying to the message SBA sent you today in MySBA Certifications. For instructions on locating the message, see How do I Check Messages in MySBA Certifications?

3. Please ensure that all personal and business tax documents you transfer are not password protected.

4. Please include a brief text description of the documents you have included in your response message in MySBA Certifications.

Alternatively, you may choose to voluntarily withdraw from the EDWOSB program. Refer to this user guide: User Guide: Voluntary Certification Withdrawal.

New to MySBA Certifications?
Before you’re able to respond to the Program Examination RFI, you’ll need to create an account, claim your business and complete your ownership and control application in MySBA Certifications. For step-by-step instructions, refer to these user guides: MySBA Certifications Knowledge Base.

What Are the Possible Outcomes of a Program Examination?
There are two possible outcomes of a program examination:
1. If SBA determines that the firm continues to meet program eligibility requirements, SBA will provide a written notice of continued certification in your firm’s record within MySBA Certifications, and the firm will maintain its certified EDWOSB status in SBS.

2. If you fail to submit your program examination response within the required timeframe or SBA determines the firm no longer meets program eligibility requirements, SBA will notify you that your firm has been proposed for decertification from the EDWOSB program in accordance with 13 CFR 127.405. This notice will state the reasons why SBA has proposed decertification, and that the firm must respond to each of the reasons set forth. The firm must respond in writing to a proposed decertification within 20 calendar days from the date of the proposed decertification. SBA may draw an adverse inference from the failure of a firm to cooperate with a program examination or provide requested information.

Support
• For any technical support questions in using the MySBA Certifications system, contact Small Business Certifications Service Desk.
• For any program examination questions, contact the Office of Government Contracting & Business Development Help Desk at certifications@sba.gov or 866-SBA-HELP (866-722-4357) mailto:certifications@sba.gov

Sincerely,

Compliance Division
Office of Government Contracting and Business Development
U.S. Small Business Administration

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Share Your Story: DoW Industry Insights Series Invitation (deadline 3/31/2026)

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A message from the U.S. Department of War:

Greetings,

The Department of War Office of Industrial Base Growth is inviting small businesses, new entrants, and nontraditional suppliers to share how they are supporting mission success.

If your company provides innovative technology, strengthens supply chains, or delivers specialized services that support Department or national security priorities, we encourage you to participate in the DoW Industry Insights Series: Seeking Small Businesses and Nontraditional Supplier Stories.

This is an opportunity to share the real-world impact of your work and ensure decision-makers understand the vital role small and emerging businesses play in supporting the warfighter.

The form requests basic company information along with a brief description of how your product or service supports the Department. Responses should be clear and concise.

You can access the form here:
https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/Z07nrmRsEX

Deadline to participate: March 31, 2026

Please note: This is an unclassified data call. Do not include Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), proprietary data, export-controlled information, or any other sensitive or restricted content in your response.

We look forward to learning more about the important work you’re doing.

Respectfully,

Office of Industrial Base Growth
U.S. Department of War
https://business.defense.gov
Follow Us: LinkedIn  X  Facebook


About:

The Office of Industrial Base Growth serves as the Department’s umbrella organization for efforts focused on expanding and strengthening the defense industrial base through vendor growth and supplier maturity. Its work increases competition, builds capacity, and creates clearer pathways for businesses to enter and succeed in the defense marketplace.

Many of you know the Office of Small Business Programs, or OSBP, which remains a vital and unchanged part of the broader organization. Its mission and services continue to grow. The name “Industrial Base Growth” reflects the full scope and strategic importance of the work already underway to expand the industrial base for companies of all sizes, while dedicated small business-specific support and programs remain firmly in place.

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Crater APEX Accelerator Changes

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The Virginia APEX Accelerator will begin covering an additional 26 counties/jurisdictions of Virginia starting April 1, 2025 so be on the lookout for updated coverage areas on our website locations page as we implement these changes. These counties were formerly covered by the Crater APEX Accelerator, which is closing its doors on March 31, 2025. The Crater team will become part of our team and we are excited to have them on board. Existing clients of Virginia APEX Accelerator should see no impact to services and new registrants in the affected area should follow the below links for registration. All active clients at Crater affected by this change will continue to be served and will receive further guidance from their counselors along with updated counselor contact information.

Counties now covered by SWCC APEX Accelerator: Henry County and Martinsville City

Counties now covered by Virginia APEX Accelerator: Buckingham, Cumberland, Amelia, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Danville, Franklin, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Chesterfield, Powhatan, Goochland, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Prince George, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Brunswick, Charles City, Surry, Sussex, Emporia and Greensville.

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Virginia APEX Accelerator seeking new counselor

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We’re hiring!

If you know someone knowledgeable about Federal or State procurement who is may be interested in seeking a 32 hr per week (with benefits) employment as a Procurement Counselor at George Mason University, please share this job announcement:

Part Time Procurement Counselor serving Central Virginia based in our Fredericksburg office at UMW: https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/52166

Responsibilities include:

Government Contracting Counseling

  • Ensure PTAC client’s SAM and Dynamic Small Business Search are thoroughly filled out to provide the best snapshot of the firms’ competencies;
  • Determine eligibility of firm’s ability to achieve socioeconomic certifications for HUBZone, 8(a) and WOSB/EDWOSB, Mentor Protégé and SDVOSB verification;
  • Advise PTAC clients about the advantages and disadvantages associated with teaming arrangements and the various regulations governing subcontracting and joint ventures;
  • Provide PTAC clients information about the government’s competition policies, contract types, procurement methods, and source selection processes;
  • Perform assessments of PTAC clients’ draft responses to government solicitations and provide recommendations to improve their chances of winning more government contracts and subcontracts;
  • Provide PTAC clients information about government procurement policies, rules, regulations and processes;
  • Provide PTAC clients recommended courses of action to resolve government solicitation, prime contract, subcontract, contract management, and/or performance issues; and
  • Maintain current, accurate and complete electronic records for all counseling sessions and administrative actions in support of the PTAC mission.

Business Training

  • Assist with the development of government contracting presentations, workshops and outreach events; and
  • Lead government contracting workshops and provide formal presentations to small businesses and external constituents within the PTAC’s service area.

Outreach

  • Establish and maintain relationships with government buyers and partners (incl. universities, economic development organizations, major prime contractors, State Procurement professionals, legislators, chambers of commerce, and other business groups).

Success Stories

  • Identify/write minimum of 1 success story per quarter drawing from counseling client’s contract awards or other achievements eligible as an official DLA reportable success story. Confirm content with Statewide Director, submit to client for their approval and signature on company letterhead per DLA requirements.

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MICC event offers small businesses one-on-one virtual exchange

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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (April 29, 2021) — Small business professionals from across the Mission and Installation Contracting Command conducted approximately 700 one-on-one virtual meetings with more than 290 small businesses during a matchmaking event April 19-20.

The two-day event followed a command-wide advance planning briefing to industry, or APBI, over five days in March attracting more than 1,000 small and large business representatives that could not permit time for individual engagement, according to MICC Office of Small Business Programs officials from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Almost 50 small business professionals, contract specialists, contracting officers, division chiefs, procurement analysts and directors from throughout the MICC and mission partner representatives teamed with the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Center to conduct the virtual meetings. Read more…

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Virginia APEX Accelerator seeking new counselors

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We’re hiring!

If you know someone knowledgeable about Federal or State procurement who is may be interested in seeking a full or part-time employment as a Procurement Counselor at George Mason University, please share these job announcements:

Full Time Procurement Counselor serving Central Virginia including the area from Roanoke through Harrisonburg, Charlottesville through Fredericksburg and all the areas in between: https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/48335

Part Time Procurement Counselor (with benefits) serving Northern Virginia from our Fairfax office: https://jobs.gmu.edu/postings/48332

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Dept. of Navy Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) program update

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January 2018 update on the Dept. of Navy Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) program:  Good news especially for small, innovative companies who want to perform final development and testing and sell the resulting product to the DOD:  Section 213 of the FY17 NDAA removed the RIF program sunset clause, providing permanent authority for the program.  While the FY18 defense appropriation is still pending, and a RIF plus up is necessary, OSD is gearing up for an FY18 RIF BAA in the Feb/March 2018 timeframe, which will include topics from all the defense services.  Typical service-wide RIF funding available is $200-250M.  The full BAA schedule and latest info is at http://www.defenseinnovationmarketplace.mil/rif.html.

 

Government TPOCs can talk openly now; communications become restricted upon BAA release.  Historically, about 2/3 of Dept. of Navy RIF awards go to fund projects which derive from the SBIR program.  It’s easy to apply for RIF (three page white paper + quad chart), but the competition is quite fierce (~4% of white papers result in a full proposal invite).  Interested companies may want to review the FY17 BAA-Amendment 2 (Dept. of Navy topics on pages 45-69) now as many of the topics represent persistent Dept. of Navy needs.  This National Defense Magazine article provides sound advice.

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Brenda Pickett
Director, Office of Small Business Programs
Office of Naval Research
875 North Randolph St.
ONR Code: 00SB
Attention: Brenda Pickett
Arlington, VA 22203-1995
Tele: 703-696-2607
Email: brenda.pickett@navy.mil

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BUCHANAN & EDWARDS to be GOLD Sponsor of the Department of State / Virginia PTAP Government Contracting Conference

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May 23, 2016 – For Immediate Release: BUCHANAN & EDWARDS, INC. to be Gold Sponsor of the US Department of State / Virginia PTAP Government Contracting Conference

Fairfax, Virginia: The U.S. Department of State is partnering with the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) at George Mason University (GMU) to host the inaugural, 1st Annual Small Business Overseas Government Contracting Conference.  The goal of the conference is to enable small businesses to help the U.S. Department of State meet its overseas missions.

“We appreciate Buchanan & Edwards, Inc. (BE) for giving back to the small business community by supporting the mission of the U.S. Department of State and Virginia PTAP.  As a successful State Department small business contractor and PTAP client, BE’s participation in the event is a wonderful example of the mutually beneficial, collaborative environment between industry and government.” Said Virginia PTAP Director, Anna Urman.

BE’s State Department work dates back to the founding of the company: “From our beginning supporting one Department of State Bureau in 1998, BE’s customer base has growth to 26 Bureaus, including all regional bureaus. Within the U.S., we provided system architecture design and modernization for the Bureau of Human Resources’ Foreign Service Bidding Application (FSBid) to improve system functionality and enhance the overall user experience. For the Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) Systems Integration Office (SIO), we support the world’s largest Government SharePoint implementation.  We have developed automated scripts that enable us to create a new SharePoint server farm within hours. Globally, we developed a solution for the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa that streamlines the invoice approval process, improves management visibility and reporting, and minimizes the risk of lost invoices and late payments.  Our leading edge solutions include implementations that have been deployed on-premises as well as to the cloud.  These solutions were for R/PPR and ECA.  For R/PPR, we were trailblazers in regards to deploying secure solutions to the cloud as policies regarding cloud were and continue to be crafted by the Department. We also provide SharePoint support for the US Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany. Through our support of other DoS programs, such as the Human Resources Knowledge Center, we touch the daily work of DoS employees around the world.”

The inaugural conference is currently SOLD OUT at over 300 participants, including small businesses, large primes, and several government agencies that operate in the international space, including USIAD, Department of State, and the Department of Commerce.

For more information about the event, please visit https://virginiaptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/1661.

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SAHOURI Insurance & Financial GOLD Sponsor of State Dept / PTAP Government Contracting Conference

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May 23, 2016 – For Immediate Release: SAHOURI INSURANCE &FINANCIAL to be Gold Sponsor of the US Department of State / Virginia PTAP Government Contracting Conference

Fairfax, Virginia: The U.S. Department of State is partnering with the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) at George Mason University (GMU) to host the inaugural, 1st Annual Small Business Overseas Government Contracting Conference.  The goal of the conference is to enable small businesses to help the U.S. Department of State meet its overseas missions.

“Thank you Sahouri for supporting the mission of the U.S. State Department and Virginia PTAP by signing on as Gold Sponsor. We appreciate your commitment to the small business community; your contribution will enable us to share much needed resources and information with the government contracting community.” Said Virginia PTAP Director, Anna Urman.

Since 1970, SAHOURI INSURANCE has been dedicated to helping government contractors and overseas operations succeed with cost-effective insurance, risk management, and employee benefit solutions. SAHOURI created BASE, an exclusive Defense Base Act Insurance program designed to provide the cost effective coverage that overseas government contractors need.

The inaugural conference is currently SOLD OUT at over 300 participants, including small businesses, large primes, and several government agencies that operate in the international space, including USIAD, Department of State, and the Department of Commerce.

For more information about the event, please visit https://virginiaptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/1661.

 

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Virginia PTAP Announces RTI International as Gold Sponsor of Veterans International Small Business Conference

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November 6, 2015

Fairfax, Virginia: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with the Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) at George Mason University (GMU) this year to host the 2nd Annual Veterans International Small Business Opportunities Conference (VISBOC).  The VISBOC conference is specifically designed to benefit Veteran owned small businesses.  This conference will take place on November 10, 2015 in Arlington, VA.

“We are proud to announce that RTI International is partnering with us to be a Gold Sponsor for the VISBOC Conference. We appreciate their commitment to supporting veteran-owned small businesses,” said Virginia PTAP Director, Anna Urman.

RTI International is one of the world’s leading research institutes, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice. RTI’s supplier diversity initiative fosters economic growth and is designed to engage the suppliers that provide the needed expertise and best value solutions. RTI engages and empowers staff members to embrace and expand utilization of veteran owned-, service disabled veteran owned-small businesses. “The viability of small business concerns is an integral element of domestic and international economic development, and we hope to expand our utilization of Veteran Owned-, Service Disabled Veteran Owned-Small Businesses,” said Hudson Oliveira, Director – Supplier Intelligence and Monitoring, RTI International.

This year, VISBOC will draw over 200 participants, including small businesses, large primes, and several government agencies that operate in the international space, including USAID, Department of State, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

To register for the conference, please visit https://virginiaptac.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=1464

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