South Florida Staffing Firm , Alpha 1 Staffing Receives U . S . Navy Subcontract
SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS
As millions mourn the exit of Barack Hussein Obama , social media is replete with the success of the administra�on of America ’ s 44th and first African American president . He was “ a people ’ s president .” In January 2010 Obama ranked 15th of 43 U . S . presidents . A February 2015 survey put Obama in 18th place . I believe history will revere him as one of our most effec�ve presidents and elevate his ra�ng . His list of accomplishments , despite untold
FRIDAY , FEBRUARY 10 , 2017 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL BB11
The Impact of the Obama Administra�on on Small Business Development
By : Denise St . Patrick-Bell , PhD
Dr . Denise St Patrick-Bell President , GAICON LLC
PINNACLE
By : Shelly-Ann Parkinson
Garrie Harris President and CEO Alpha 1 Staffing Search Firm
SP : What is Alpha 1 Staffing Search Firm ?
GH : Alpha1 Staffing Search Firm began in 2007 with four partners and a vision to provide staffing services to na�onal clients with a personal touch . Alpha1 is one of the largest minority employers in South Florida with offices in Miami , Miramar , and Orlando . We have major contracts with opposi�on from the Republican-controlled Congress , is impressive . During his 8 years , he first handled the global financial crisis and the subsequent Great Recession , and then
• reformed health care
• passed a major financial regula�on reform bill
• killed Osama bin Laden
• ended a major US military presence in
Iraq
• combated climate change
• reduced the number of American soldiers in Afghanistan
• developed new trade agreements
• opened doors to Cuba
• enacted drug policy and criminal jus�ce reform
• increased access to higher educa�on
• secured LGBT rights
• renewed the space program Across our na�on , 25.8 million small businesses keep our local communi�es growing , foster innova�on and act as the engine of economic growth . Over 99 % of all employers are small businesses and almost 50 % of those businesses are women-owned . Barack Obama did have a Plan for Small Business . His Plan was to help small businesses by lowering taxes , cu�ng health care costs , improving access
Miami -Dade County , CareerSource , City of Miramar and many other private sector clients .
SP : Please tell us about this subcontract with the U . S . Navy .
GH : Seaport Enhanced or Seaport-e is the USN ’ s contract vehicle of choice to procure all future engineering , technical , logis�cs , program management , staffing and financial support services . We are a prime contractor for SeaPort-e as part of Spotswood Consul�ng , an 8 ( a ) African-American firm specializing in technical management and support services to na�onal defense , homeland security , and space organiza�ons implemen�ng projects and providing analy�cal services .
SP : Please describe the process for applying and ul�mately being awarded this contract .
GH : The U . S . Navy conducted its open enrollment period . During this process our Prime Small Business Team prepared a formal RFP Response document , which resulted in two large binders- one was the to capital and federal contrac�ng opportuni�es and by inves�ng in innova�on and development .
But what did the Obama administra�on accomplish for small business ? According to an ar�cle in Black Enterprise , some say that he has u�erly failed small and minority business . Opinion or fact ? My research has indicated that there were several improvements and advances for small business during the last 8 years . Could there have been more focus on small business and minority business development ? Of course , but here ’ s what did happen under the Obama administra�on . The financing environment improved . According to the Biz2Credit ’ s December 2015 Small Business Lending Index , approval rates at ins�tu�onal lenders improved to new post-recession highs .
It easier for small businesses to do business with the government .
Under the Obama administra�on , the SBA allocated more cash than in any other administra�on . The SBA increased the percent of total federal prime contract dollars awarded to small businesses from 21.9 percent 23.4 percent .
More Women ’ s Business Centers have opened
technical proposal , and other was the cost / price proposal . Upon submi�al , the U . S . Navy Contrac�ng Office conducted a rigorous contractor ve�ng process las�ng several months which required us to complete addi�onal detailed ques�onnaires and forms . We were then no�fied by the Contrac�ng Office that we had made the cut and that we were on this very important contract .
SP : Why do you believe that Alpha 1 Staffing was awarded this contract ?
GH : Very early in the process of marke�ng to the U . S . government , Alpha 1 understood the importance of strategic alliances , and a concept called ‘ Teaming ’. We joined forces with other like-minded African-American owned government contractors and Alpha 1 devised an effec�ve Teaming strategy to quickly enter the U . S . Federal market as a new contractor . We were awarded this spot on a Prime Contract by leveraging our years of experience in the municipal government and healthcare sector as a staffing leader . SP : How long is the contract for ?
WBCs assist women in star�ng and growing small businesses . Research from the Associa�on of Women ’ s Business Centers indicates that 64 % of WBC clients were low-income , 39 % were persons of color and 70 % were nascent businesses . SBA Micro Loans increased from $ 35,000 to $ 50,000
MicroLoan Programs provide loans and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs who might not find funding in the private sector , such as women , low-income , veterans and minori�es . Funding increased in the Loan Guarantee Program
The SBA increased the amount of guaranteed loans extended to small businesses from $ 90.5 billion to $ 114.5 billion . The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 permanently increased the maximum size of these loans from $ 2 million to $ 5 million . A stellar record ? “ No .” But u�er failure , in my opinion , another “ No ”.
( Dr . Bell is the owner of GAICON LLC and a Principal in Global Strategic Partners Alliance , companies dedicated to the growth of the non-profit and small business sectors from concept to capitalization .
For more information www . gaicon . net or call 754.779-2204 .)
South Florida Staffing Firm , Alpha 1 Staffing Receives U . S . Navy Subcontract
GH : The Base period is five ( 5 ) years , and two five-year extension periods , for a total of 15 years . During the next five years alone , the U . S . Navy will procure $ 24 Billion in goods and services , in 22 categories , including personnel services for special projects .
SP : What advice do you have for other small businesses seeking government contracts ?
GH : Do your homework first . Meet with experts . Please remember that 23 % of all U . S . Government Contrac�ng dollars are Small Business Set-Asides . However , JUST being a woman , or minority does not automa�cally give you a blank check . Round out your team , surround yourself with experienced federal marke�ng specialists , and have a good Program Manager on your team to head up the effort . You need to be prepared for an 18 to 24 month ramp up cycle . You will not have overnight success , so having a plan is very important . Above all , be prepared to put in some elbow grease . The return is worth the hard work .