Biz e-News October 2009 Edition  

National SBIR Conference – See and Be Seen
SBIR NEWS – New Emphasis on DCAA Audits
Announcements – PBC Presents at the National
TIP of The Month – Your Trade Organization
A Success Story – A Small Call Creates Rainfall
Jobs at PBCinc. – Account Executive Opening
Something Funny – Ralph and Edna
Solicitation Dates – A few closing this month

National SBIR Conference

With the economic stress we are experiencing it is refreshing to know the SBIR program is still available with over $2.4 billion to fund small businesses.  There is no better way to get “spun up” on this program and network with all the key players than to attend the National SBIR Conference (www.unr.edu/sbir-sttr2009) in Reno Nevada November 2-5, 2009.  You can hear from all 11 agency Program Managers and meet them as well.  In addition, you can attend specific sessions on a variety of important and valuable topics from experts in the program and meet and talk with a number of major government prime contractors and commercial companies interested in developing strategic relationships with your small business.

PBC will be there as a major supporter and presenter.  Please stop by our both and introduce yourself.  We hope to see you there, and would love to hear about your technology.

New Emphasis on DCAA Audits

Word is out that the GAO (Government Accountability Office) will be releasing a formal report on their audit findings of DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) activities.  The report results from GAO’s review of various selected audits performed by DCAA and will identify significant weaknesses in DCAA’s audit procedures.   So what does this do for small businesses you might ask?  When a Government agency gets “slapped on the wrist” for bad behavior all the companies (contractors in this case) they interface with will suffer.   We can expect DCAA to be much more aggressive and assertive about their needs and their unwillingness to allow a reasonable time frame to respond to their requests.  Although the emphasis was on large contractor audits small businesses will certainly experience the fallout from this.  If you do encounter unreasonable DCAA auditors, contact one of our senior members to help you plan and execute a successful path forward.

Announcements

PBC is pleased to welcome Karlee Carrizosa, staff accountant, as the newest member of our firm.  She hails from Wyoming and received her BS in accounting from DeVry University.  Karlee is a perfect example of how PBC leverages internships with soon-to-be-grads in order to polish off their capstone year with government contracting and accounting.  Congratulations Karlee and welcome aboard!

Russ Farmer, will be presenting two sessions at the National SBIR Conference in Reno, NV November 2-5, 2009.  One session will be a workshop on the specifics of Government Contracts and Grants and the other will be on Accounting and Audits.  Be sure to attend this outstanding conference.

Tip of the Month

Our tip this month is: join the Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) (www.sbtc.org)!!  As most of you know the SBIR program has been a political football for over a year now and is continuing to be so.  As small business owners we are not heard individually unless our senators and congresspersons hear from a large number of us saying the same thing.   The SBTC is our one common voice and does an excellent job of keeping all its members informed about the current activities “on the hill” that impact our businesses.  We need to either get involved and make our voices heard or we must accept what we get.  Whether we like the process or not, whether we like our current politicians or not, they are who they are and we need to clearly and frequently communicate our expectations and concerns to them.  They hold them accountable for what they say and do.  Please make your voice heard by joining SBTC.   [PBC’s Russ Farmer is a board member of SBTC]

A Small Call Creates Rainfall

Sometimes success is incremental.  One of our clients was waiting for months for a contract modification to be issued that included additional funding.   Since they were not having any luck in the process they asked PBC to get involved.  After a briefing by the client to understand the Government players, the specific actions desired and reviewing some documents, one of PBC’s members made a few phone calls.  What we found out was that all the Government players thought someone else had an action to be taken, thus no one was taking action to move the modification forward.  Once we identified the problem we were able to get the paperwork moving again and within two weeks our client had a contract modification with additional funding.  Sometimes it is the little successes that make the big successes possible.  

Account Executive

PBC currently has an opening for an Account Executive to coach and mentor small businesses.  This member of the management team would provide crucial services to our growing clients such as: Strategic Planning, Market Strategy, IP strategy, high level P&L reviews, and financial packet reviews.

This position requires 7-15 years of heavy Government Contracting, as well as, experience in the accounting, finance and contracts management areas.  Candidates must be knowledgeable in the SBIR program and other Government R&D funding. PBC offers excellent growth and equity opportunities for the right person.

PBC provides long-term growth opportunities within our organization through training programs, which continually challenge members of our firm to grow professionally and take on greater responsibility with clients.  We offer a competitive salary, flexible work schedules, and a comprehensive benefit package.

E-mail or FAX resume and salary requirements to:  kfarmer@pbcinc.com  FAX:  303-427-0422.  For more information go to:  www.pbcinc.com

Something Funny

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.  

Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end.  He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out!

When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna's heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.  When she went to tell Edna the news she said, 'Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love.  I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness.  The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so sorry, but he's dead.'

Edna replied, 'He didn't hang himself, I put him there to dry.  How soon can I go home?' 

January Solicitation Dates
Compliments of zyn.com, home of the EZ Solicitation Search

Questions or Suggestions about this e-zine? Contact Karen @303-427-1312 x207