1. Rumors, Rumors, and Rumors:  Whilethe Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) program has been eliminated, the HUBZoneprogram remains in tact.  There was a slight movement in Congress to eliminatethe program because of all the fraud within it, which was countered by the GAO,to make the HUBZone businesses the top priority over 8a and Service Disabledbusinesses.  The Office of Management and Budget (White House) has settled it. 8a and Service Disabled programs will remain the priorities for federalprocurement.  The HUBZone program will fall directly behind those two programsand it will clean up its act in regards to fraud.  That being said, the NBCCwill move, in the field, to merge Section 3 (HUD Act) businesses into HUBZoneenterprises as the certifications for each have much overlap.  In the end, ifHUBZone enterprises are also Section 3 businesses why can’t theyparticipate in the $20 billion annually budgeted for HUD funded projects as aset-aside.  This would free these contracts up from union monopolized racketsand create over 500,000 jobs in the African American and Hispanic communities.  Come hear our strategy at our 17^th Annual Convention next week.

2. Welcome Back USDOE:  Approximately8 years ago, the OSDBU office of the US Department of Energy slammed its doorsto the African American business community.  We are proud to announce that thedoors are reopening.  There is much to catch up on and more to talk about.  USDOEis the largest procurement agency in the federal government next to theDepartment of Defense. We look forward to the new relationship that will kickoff next week. 

3. Wading through the Swamp Called DBE:  TheUS Department of Transportation is a significant mess.  It is mired withdiscrimination, corruption and incompetence.  It is very apparent as you lookat the safety of our airplanes, trains and procedures.  There is a myriad ofproblems.  Mired in this mess is the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)Program.  Remember that?  We are going to bring it back.  USDOT officials maystart kicking and screaming but we are, indeed, going to bring it backregardless.  We will show our chapters how to implement, monitor and enforcethe programs that used to be.  We will provide convention participants withmanuals that describe the applicable programs and instruct them how to maximizetrue DBE utilization in spite of the discrimination, corruption andincompetence.  Of course, you won’t see any USDOT officials but that won’tstop the show as we know the programs probably better than any of them.  Knowing the law and having a Justice Department that will now enforce the lawmakes all the difference in the world.  Thank God the times are different now. Let us SEIZE THE TIME.

4. Study on Black Female Entrepreneurship:  We will release at our conventionnext week our commissioned study on Black female entrepreneurship.  Alex David,PhD, NBCC Board Member performed the study as part of his doctoraldissertation.  Come learn what we found out and what we intend to do about it. 

5.  The Sky is the Limit:  All inall, God is good and the “sky” is the limit.  Come join us as wetake a deep breath of fresh air and begin a new era in government procurement. We have been training and waiting for this moment for a long time and now,“D Day” has arrived. www.nationalbcc.org

6.  Register for Next Week’sConference:  Special pricing for members, clickhere.  Students should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .