eBlast September 16, 2010 Print
1. Opportunity with Fannie Mae:  Fannie Mae intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to eligible RESIDENTIAL REPAIR CONTRACTORS interested in providing service within any of the following metropolitan areas – Chicago, Springfield, IL, Peoria, Milwaukee/Madison and Indianapolis.  The repair contractors selected will be eligible to receive work from Fannie Mae and Fannie Mae-appointed brokers to repair recently-foreclosed properties.  The RFP will be released September 17, 2010, and the deadline is October 4, 2010 at 11:59PM CDT.  For more information contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2.  Planning on Ghana:  We are starting to plan a trade mission to Ghana for early 2011.  There are many opportunities such as cocoa processing, car battery manufacturing, transformer manufacturing, retail ventures, African traditional products, real estate and garment manufacturing.  The oil industry is starting to grow with initial drilling starting next quarter.  Also, we need experienced brokers who have relationships with US department stores and can represent duty free items for import into the United States.  If you are interested in participating in the upcoming trade mission to Ghana please contact Ryan Downey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to be put on our participant list.

3.  High Speed Rail, Low Speed Opportunity:  Attention to all small businesses, especially minorities and women owned firms.  The $50 billion high speed rail stimulus bill will not honor the US Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.  That’s right! No DBE will have a shot at getting any stimulus action.  They are guaranteeing this at a time when our economy is in the tank and unemployment is at its highest in the history of the nation.  The way it is shaping up it will be union only workers (white males), Japanese companies with an outside chance of Korean, Italian or French manufacturers building the rails. No bid engineering contracts are already being handed out (minorities need not apply). Yes America, this is a strange approach to stimulating the American economy.  Tell your congressperson and senator to vote “NO” on this structurally biased, special interest conceived proposal.  Question:  Does the Congressional Black Caucus have any concern about this?

4.  Let’s Have Jobs not Taxes:  The NBCC is a proud sponsor of the Rally For Jobs Campaign in which we urge Congress not to increase energy taxes but support the expansion of more jobs.  Please log on to www.rallyforjobs.org next week to continue the drum beat to promote jobs, not taxes.

5.  Ye Shall Know the Truth and the Truth will Cause you to Compete:  Pardon the biblical paraphrasing but we are truly excited about our next project.  Next week we will be unveiling the new Procurement Portal.  By going to our new dedicated website you will be able to research every bid, RFP and other procurement opportunities that all federal agencies and 37 states have to offer.  Construction, professional services, commodities, general services and other procurement activities will be made available to you.  Upcoming bids, past winning history and dates of contract expiration will be at your disposal.  Thus, you will be able to spot things you can win and go for it.  Stand by for next week, your business is about to blow up!!!

6.  We Made the Social Calendar:  Uptown Magazine (Aug/SEPT 2010 issue, page 52) has listed the “Hottest People in DC”.  Surprisingly, they have the names of the NBCC President/CEO and the Executive Vice President.  Big surprise!