USDA and Department of Commerce Host Conference to Provide Small Business Contracting Opportunities

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 28, 2011—USDA Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Service Michael Scuse today gave the keynote address at the USDA and Department of Commerce Small Business Training and Matchmaking conference, where local business owners learned how to better grow and support their businesses by partnering with USDA and other Federal agencies. The meeting, supports the White House Initiative on Small Business Contracting.

"Today's conference is an invaluable opportunity for our Midwest small business owners to come together and learn ways to expand their businesses through federal partnerships" Scuse said. "The USDA and Department of Commerce remain committed to the success of small businesses in rural America and across the country."

The conference, led by program and small business procurement officials addressed topics including acquisition needs and opportunities, procurement methods, subcontracting opportunities and business development resources. As part of a continuing effort to increase small business contracting participation by enhancing the competitive posture of small businesses and small farmer-owned cooperatives, there were also workshops dedicated to contracting opportunities in rural America. Additionally, there were also opportunities to meet one-on-one with USDA and DOC small business contracting specialists.

According to figures provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Federal Government awarded nearly $100 billion in federal contracts to small businesses alone in Fiscal Year 2010. USDA is one of 13 federal agencies that has received a grade of "A" from the SBA for small business procurement efforts during 2010.