Thursday • March 28
CST 6:32 | EST 7:32 | MST 5:32 | PST 4:32 | GMT 11:32
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HUBZone, Opportunity is Knocking
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Are you a small business, owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizen, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe and the principal office located within a “Historically Underutilized Business Zone,” then this information directly impacts you. There is money that has been allocated for the purpose of economic development in underutilized business zones. Billions are available for small businesses to grow and become the next potential employer to lift the area from poverty. HUBZone was created to increase business activity in high unemployment areas with decimated economic conditions. The program’s benefits for HUBZone-certified companies include:

- Competitive and sole source contracting

- 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions, as well as subcontracting opportunities.

- The federal government awarding 3% of all dollars for federal prime contracts to HUBZone-certified small business concerns.

These funds are waiting for you to apply for it. So, why are you leaving the money on the table?
Episode Segments:
 
A Sharpe Outlook: HUB Zone

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. The federal government has a goal of awarding 3% of all dollars for federal prime contracts to HUBZone-certified small business concerns. But many small businesses aren't even aware of the HUBZone program
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode
Mariana Pardo
Mariana Pardo is the Director for the HUBZone Program at the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). As Director, Ms. Pardo is responsible for issuing final determinations on firms applying for HUBZone certification, the continuing monitoring of certified HUBZone small businesses and adjudicating protests of eligibility, regarding HUBZone contracts. In December 1998, Ms. Pardo joined the federal workforce as a Business Opportunity Specialist in the SBA’s Small Disadvantaged Business Certification processing unit. In July 2006, she became Director of the 8(a) Business Development Certification and Continuing Eligibility. On May 2008, she became Director of HUBZone Program. Under her leadership, the HUBZone team developed and implemented new business processes to reduce fraud, waste and abuse. Ms. Pardo was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, South America and moved to the US in 1973. She lives in Fort Washington, MD and holds a Masters in Technology Management.

the HUBZone Program