These are two great articles on the Law Suit the ASBL filed against the Small Business Administration yesterday.
Petaluma group sues for small businesses - By Steve Hart, The Press Democrat
Super Tuesday: Keeping Small Business In Check - By Justin Petruccelli, Entrepreneur
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Small Business Administration Sued For Refusing to Release Contracting Data
SBA sued by the American Small Business League for withholding data on billions of dollars in contracting abuses
Petaluma, Calif. – Today the American Small Business League filed their 4th federal lawsuit against the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. The lawsuit was filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) over the SBA's refusal to release the names of Fortune 1000 firms that received billions of dollars in Federal small business contracts during 2005 and 2006.
Since 2003, more than a dozen federal investigations uncovered the fact that some of the largest corporations in the United States and Europe were the actual recipients of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
Under FOIA, the ASBL requested the specific names of all firms that were coded by the federal government as small businesses for FY 2005 and FY 2006. Despite more than 400 stories in mainstream media across the nation documenting the diversion of federal small business contracts to large corporations, the SBA consistently refuses to release the names of Fortune 1000 corporations and other large businesses that received federal small business contracts.
In addition to the federal investigations, investigative stories by organizations including CBS, ABC and CNN found that firms such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Halliburton, Bechtel, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, GTSI, Hewlett Packard, L-3 Communications and Rolls-Royce were the actual recipients of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
“In his recent State of the SBA speech, SBA administrator Steven Preston stated that he was a strong proponent of transparency in federal government,” President of the American Small Business League Lloyd Chapman said. “However, since his appointment Mr. Preston has: removed the data from the government’s database (CCR) that the public could use to determine if a company is small or large; adopted a policy that allows Fortune 1000 corporations to continue to receive federal small business contracts through 2012; refused to implement the congressionally mandated small business program for women-owned firms; and refused to release the names of the firms that the SBA reported as small businesses for the purpose of meeting the Federal government’s small business procurement goal.”
During 2007, the SBA attempted to cover-up the diversion of federal small business contracts by issuing their Myth v. Fact press release. In the release, the SBA stated that it was a myth that large businesses received federal small business contracts. However, with the release of the SBA’s “Top 100 Report”, Preston acknowledged that large businesses had received federal small business contracts, a blatant contradiction of the SBA’s earlier press releases.
“I am sure that we will win this lawsuit.” Chapman said. “I want people to know that when the government diverts $100 billion a year in contracts from middle class America, there is a staggering negative economic impact. I don’t think there is any question that the Bush Administration’s anti-small business policies have been a contributing factor to our nation’s current economic woes.”
Within the next 60 days, the ASBL plans to file similar lawsuits against the Pentagon and the General Services Administration.
###
To check out the complaint filed against the SBA in federal court, Click here
Check out these Stories regarding this issue:
Central Valley Business Times - includes a podcast with ASBL President Lloyd Chapman
Advocacy group sues SBA By Michael Hardy, Washington Technology
Small business advocate sues SBA for withholding contracting data By ELISE CASTELLI, FederalTimes.com
Petaluma, Calif. – Today the American Small Business League filed their 4th federal lawsuit against the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. The lawsuit was filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) over the SBA's refusal to release the names of Fortune 1000 firms that received billions of dollars in Federal small business contracts during 2005 and 2006.
Since 2003, more than a dozen federal investigations uncovered the fact that some of the largest corporations in the United States and Europe were the actual recipients of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
Under FOIA, the ASBL requested the specific names of all firms that were coded by the federal government as small businesses for FY 2005 and FY 2006. Despite more than 400 stories in mainstream media across the nation documenting the diversion of federal small business contracts to large corporations, the SBA consistently refuses to release the names of Fortune 1000 corporations and other large businesses that received federal small business contracts.
In addition to the federal investigations, investigative stories by organizations including CBS, ABC and CNN found that firms such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Halliburton, Bechtel, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, GTSI, Hewlett Packard, L-3 Communications and Rolls-Royce were the actual recipients of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
“In his recent State of the SBA speech, SBA administrator Steven Preston stated that he was a strong proponent of transparency in federal government,” President of the American Small Business League Lloyd Chapman said. “However, since his appointment Mr. Preston has: removed the data from the government’s database (CCR) that the public could use to determine if a company is small or large; adopted a policy that allows Fortune 1000 corporations to continue to receive federal small business contracts through 2012; refused to implement the congressionally mandated small business program for women-owned firms; and refused to release the names of the firms that the SBA reported as small businesses for the purpose of meeting the Federal government’s small business procurement goal.”
During 2007, the SBA attempted to cover-up the diversion of federal small business contracts by issuing their Myth v. Fact press release. In the release, the SBA stated that it was a myth that large businesses received federal small business contracts. However, with the release of the SBA’s “Top 100 Report”, Preston acknowledged that large businesses had received federal small business contracts, a blatant contradiction of the SBA’s earlier press releases.
“I am sure that we will win this lawsuit.” Chapman said. “I want people to know that when the government diverts $100 billion a year in contracts from middle class America, there is a staggering negative economic impact. I don’t think there is any question that the Bush Administration’s anti-small business policies have been a contributing factor to our nation’s current economic woes.”
Within the next 60 days, the ASBL plans to file similar lawsuits against the Pentagon and the General Services Administration.
###
To check out the complaint filed against the SBA in federal court, Click here
Check out these Stories regarding this issue:
Central Valley Business Times - includes a podcast with ASBL President Lloyd Chapman
Advocacy group sues SBA By Michael Hardy, Washington Technology
Small business advocate sues SBA for withholding contracting data By ELISE CASTELLI, FederalTimes.com
Monday, February 4, 2008
SBA to Hold Hearing in San Francisco on Tuesday
On Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 Small Business Administration (SBA) National Ombudsman Nicholas Owens, members of the Region IX Regulatory Fairness Board and representatives of Federal regulatory agencies will hear comments, concerns and complaints regarding federal regulatory enforcement and compliance from the American Small Business League (ASBL) and small business owners from the Bay Area.
During its comment period, the ASBL plans to identify problems within the federal regulatory environment that have led to the diversion of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 1000 corporations and their subsidiaries.
To read the rest of the the release please visit: http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=648.
During its comment period, the ASBL plans to identify problems within the federal regulatory environment that have led to the diversion of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 1000 corporations and their subsidiaries.
To read the rest of the the release please visit: http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=648.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Bush Ignores Small Businesses With Last State of The Union Address and Lloyd Chapman featured on Jay Marvin Show
This morning we released a statement regarding the Bush Administration, its stance on small business and the State of the Union Address. Check it out at: http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=646.
Additionally, we have posted our most recent newsletter under the Action Center on the home page of our site, you can view it here: http://www.asbl.com/index.html.
Our President and Founder, Lloyd Chapman was a featured guest on the Jay Marvin Show, this morning, Thursday, January 31st at 8:05 am MST or 7:05 am PST. Lloyd and Jay discussed the Bush Administrations economic stimulus plan and its impact on small businesses as well as the State of the SBA speech delivered by Administrator Steven Preston. If you missed it, you can stream it online at http://www.am760.net/pages/jaymarvin.html.
Additionally, we have posted our most recent newsletter under the Action Center on the home page of our site, you can view it here: http://www.asbl.com/index.html.
Our President and Founder, Lloyd Chapman was a featured guest on the Jay Marvin Show, this morning, Thursday, January 31st at 8:05 am MST or 7:05 am PST. Lloyd and Jay discussed the Bush Administrations economic stimulus plan and its impact on small businesses as well as the State of the SBA speech delivered by Administrator Steven Preston. If you missed it, you can stream it online at http://www.am760.net/pages/jaymarvin.html.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Boston Herald; Small Business Matters
Latest federal regs still aren’t enough aid for biz women
By Jennifer Heldt Powell
Boston Herald Small Business Matters
Under the SBA criteria, of the 6.5 million women-owned businesses, only 1,247 could potentially benefit from the program, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. The rules could be enacted this year, opening federal contracts up at least a little bit. But it’s better to wait a little longer than put up with a measure that will be virtually ineffective. “It’s a federal law, that’s what matters. No data can dispute that,” said Lloyd Chapman, president of the American Small Business League.
Read the full article here.
By Jennifer Heldt Powell
Boston Herald Small Business Matters
Under the SBA criteria, of the 6.5 million women-owned businesses, only 1,247 could potentially benefit from the program, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. The rules could be enacted this year, opening federal contracts up at least a little bit. But it’s better to wait a little longer than put up with a measure that will be virtually ineffective. “It’s a federal law, that’s what matters. No data can dispute that,” said Lloyd Chapman, president of the American Small Business League.
Read the full article here.
Senator Snowe Calls on Congress, President to Find Common Ground to Meet Historic Challenges
“...(the) Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008” (S. 2552) which would provide small enterprises – our nation’s true job creators – with investment incentives necessary to help the slowing economy recover from its current weakness.” read more…
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Speech Rep
Be sure to check out Speech rep for small business tips and ideas. There is everything from working with the Federal government to how Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can help your business.
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