In the wake of emergency assistance available to help small businesses in response to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the SBA is urging disaster loan applicants seeking federal aid to be alert to phishing campaigns and scams. These malicious actors are impersonating the SBA and its Office of Disaster Assistance to collect personally identifiable information (PII) for fraudulent purposes.
Every year, the federal government spends over $400 billion on goods and services, making it the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration released the annual Fiscal Year 2019 Small Business Federal Procurement Scorecard, which tracks and assesses each agency’s yearly and individually negotiated small business prime and subcontracting performance and determines grades ranging from A+ to F.
We are very pleased to announce that in FY19 the federal government not only exceeded its small business contracting goal, it awarded a historic $132.9 billion or 26.50 percent in prime contract dollars to small businesses. This is an increase of $12 billion from FY18, earning the federal government an “A” on SBA’s Scorecard. This smashes the record-setting $120 billion the federal government awarded to small businesses in FY18!
It was a record-breaking year for women-owned small businesses too! For the second time ever since the implementation of the women-owned contracting goal, the federal government met the five percent contract goal awarding $26 billion in federal contracts, or 5.19 percent to women-owned small businesses.
Military spouses stand and serve alongside our men and women in uniform, making it possible for our Service members to defend our country. Through their commitment and dedication to their partner, military spouses show unwavering support for our nation’s Armed Forces while balancing the many demands of military life.
The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts during these unprecedented times. The positions include:
- Call Center Customer Service Representative
- Document Preparation/Legal Review/Loan Closings
- Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting
- Program Support
Did you know that Paycheck Protection Program loans will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities? The loan forgiveness form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers.
SBA Announces New Reduced 504 Loan Debenture Rates
Interest rates for the 504 Loan Program offered by Certified Development Companies have been updated. The program is now allowing 20 and 25-year interest rates at 2.214% and 2.269%, respectively.
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National Women's Business Council Releases Findings on Women's Participation in America's Seed Fund-A Federal Innovation and Research Program
The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) commissioned the first comprehensive study examining the factors that may influence women’s participation in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs—also known as America’s Seed Fund. The NWBC intends for this report to provide a baseline understanding of the inclusion of women entrepreneurs and female principle investigators in the advanced technology business realm funded by SBIR/STTR.
The NWBC is a non-partisan federal advisory committee created to serve as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners.
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Health Reimbursement Arrangements Webinars
Interested in learning about a new way to offer health benefits to your employees? Join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a webinar on individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).
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Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes
The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.
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Federal Coronavirus Resources
State, local, and federal agencies are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Check out coronavirus.gov for updates from the White House's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force. Go to cdc.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
Virtual Mentoring and Training
Offices around the country may be closed to the Coronavirus pandemic, but SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers and other resource partners are providing free business mentoring and training by phone, email, and video.
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